Веснянки
Chapter XIX
“It—itwasthesameasyours,”sheventured,barelybreathinginherfear.
StillFreckleslayrigidandwhiterthanthecoverlet.
“Wouldthatboybeasoldasme?”heasked.
“Yes,”saidtheAngelfaintly.
“Angel,”saidFrecklesatlast,catchingherwrist,“areyoutryingtotellmethatthereissomebodyhuntingaboythatyou’rethinkingmightbeme?Areyoubelavin’you’vefoundmerelations?”
ThentheAngel’seyescamehome.Thetimehadcome.ShepinionedFreckles’armstohissidesandbentabovehim.
“Howstrongareyou,dearheart?”shebreathed.“Howbraveareyou?Canyoubearit?DareItellyouthat?”
“No!”gaspedFreckles.“Notifyou’resure!Ican’tbearit!I’lldieifyoudo!”
ThedayhadbeenoneunremittingstrainwiththeAngel.Nervetensionwasdrawntothefinestthread.Itsnappedsuddenly.
“Die!”sheflamed.“Die,ifItellyouthat!YousaidthismorningthatyouwoulddieifyouDIDN’Tknowyourname,andifyourpeoplewerehonorable.NowI’vegoneandfoundyouanamethatstandsforagesofhonor,amotherwholovedyouenoughtogointothefireanddieforyou,andthenicestkindofrelatives,andyouturnroundandsayyou’lldieoverthat!YOUJUSTTRYDYINGANDYOU’LLGETAGOODSLAP!”
TheAngelstoodglaringathim.OnesecondFreckleslayparalyzedanddumbwithastonishment.ThenexttheIrishinhissoularoseaboveeverything.Alaughburstfromhim.TheterrifiedAngelcaughthiminherarmsandtriedtostiflethesound.Sheimploredandcommanded.
