Веснянки
Chapter XIX
Despiteallitmeanttohimtoknowhisnameatlast,andthathewasofhonorablebirth—knowledgewithoutwhichlifewasaneternaldisgraceandburdentheonethingthatwashammeringinFreckles’heartandbeatinginhisbrain,pastanyattemptedexpression,wasthefactthat,whilenamelessandpossiblyborninshame,theAngelhadtoldhimthatshelovedhim.Hecouldfindnowordwithwhichtobegintovoicetheraptureofhisheartoverthat.Butifsheregrettedit—ifithadbeenathingdoneoutofherpityforhiscondition,orherfeelingofresponsibility,ifitkilledhimafterall,therewasonlyonethinglefttodo.NotforMcLean,notfortheBirdWoman,notfortheDuncanswouldFreckleshavedoneit—butfortheAngel—ifitwouldmakeherhappy—hewoulddoanything.
“Angel,”whisperedFreckles,withhislipsagainstherhair,“youhaven’tlearnedyourhistorybookverywell,orelseyou’veforgotten.”
“Forgottenwhat?”sobbedtheAngel.
“Forgottenabouttherealknight,Ladybird,”breathedFreckles.“Don’tyouknowthat,ifanythinghappenedthatmadehisladysorry,arealknightjustsimplycouldn’tberememberingit?Angel,darlinglittleSwampAngel,youbelisteningtome.Therewasonenightonthetrail,onesolemn,grand,whitenight,thattherewasn’teveranyotherlikebeforeorsince,whenthedearBossputhisarmaroundmeandtoldmethathelovedme;butifyoucare,Angel,ifyoudon’twantitthatway,why,Iain’trememberingthatanyoneelseeverdid—notinmewholelife.
