Веснянки

           Itcamedownsmash,andcutjustonelittlehandoffthepoorbaby.Itscreamedandscreamed;andthefirekeptcomingcloserandcloser.

           “Theoldwomanranoutwiththeotherpeopleandsawwhathadhappened.Sheknewtherewasn’tgoingtobetimetowaitforfiremenoranything,sosheranintothebuilding.Shecouldhearthebabyscreaming,andshecouldn’tstandthat;sosheworkedherwaytoit.Thereitwas,allhurtandbleeding.Thenshewasalmostscaredtodeathoverthinkingwhatitsmotherwoulddotoherforgoingawayandleavingit,sosherantoaHomeforlittlefriendlessbabies,thatwasclose,andbangedonthedoor.Thenshehidacrossthestreetuntilthebabywastakenin,andthensheranbacktoseeifherownhousewasburning.Thebigfactoryandthelittlehouseandalotofotherswereallgone.Thepeopletheretoldherthatthebeautifulladycamebackandranintothehousetofindherbaby.Shehadjustgoneinwhenherhusbandcame,andhewentinafterher,andthehousefelloverbothofthem.”

           Freckleslayrigidly,withhiseyesontheAngel’sface,whileshetalkedrapidlytotheceiling.

           “Thentheoldwomanwassickaboutthatpoorlittlebaby.ShewasafraidtotellthemattheHome,becausesheknewshenevershouldhaveleftit,butshewrotealetterandsentittowherethebeautifulwoman,whenshewasill,hadsaidherhusband’speoplelived.