Веснянки
Chapter XX
Anythingfromthemanthatknowinglyleftmefatherandmemothertogocoldandhungry,andintothefireinmisery,whenjustalittlewouldhavemadelifesobeautifultothem,andsavedmethiscrippledbody—moneythathewilledfrommewhenheknewIwasliving,ofhisbloodandoncharityamongstrangers,Idon’ttouch,notifIfreeze,starve,andburntoo!Ifthereain’tenoughbesidesthat,andIcan’tbeearningenoughtofixthingsfortheAngel——”
“Wearenotdiscussingmoney!”burstintheManofAffairs.“Wedon’twantanyblood-money!Wehaveallweneedwithoutit.Ifyoudon’tfeelrightandeasyoverit,don’tyoutouchacentofanyofit.”
“It’srightIshouldhavewhatmegrandmotherintindedformefather,andIwantit,”saidFreckles,“butI’ddiebeforeI’dtouchacentofmegrandfather’smoney!”
“Now,”saidtheAngel,“weareallgoinghome.WehavedoneallwecanforFreckles.Hispeoplearehere.Heshouldknowthem.Theyareveryanxioustobecomeacquaintedwithhim.We’llresignhimtothem.Whenheiswell,why,thenhewillbeperfectlyfreetogotoIrelandorcometotheLimberlost,justashechooses.Wewillgoatonce.”
McLeanheldoutforaweek,andthenhecouldendureitnolonger.HewashearthungryforFreckles.Communingwithhimselfinthelong,soundfulnightsoftheswamp,hehadlearnedtohisastonishmentthatforthepastyearhishearthadbeencirclingtheLimberlostwithFreckles.Hebegantowishthathehadnotlefthim.Perhapstheboy—hisboybyfirstright,afterall—wasbeingneglected.
