Веснянки

           IftheBosshadbeenanervousoldwoman,hescarcelycouldhaveimaginedmorethingsthatmightbegoingwrong.

           HestartedforChicago,loadedwithabigboxofgoldenrod,asters,fringedgentians,andcrimsonleaves,thattheAngelcarefullyhadgatheredfromFreckles’room,andalittle,longslenderpackage.Hetraveledwithbiting,stingingjealousyinhisheart.Hewouldnotadmititeventohimself,buthewasunabletoremainlongerawayfromFrecklesandleavehimtothecareofLordO’More.

           Inafewminutes’talk,whileMcLeanawaitedadmissiontoFreckles’room,hislordshiphadchattedgeniallyofFreckles’rapidrecovery,ofhisdelightthathewasunspottedbyhisearlysurroundings,andhisdesiretovisittheLimberlostwithFrecklesbeforetheysailed;heexpressedthehopethathecouldprevailupontheAngel’sfathertoplaceherinhiswife’scareandhavehereducationfinishedinParis.HesaidtheywereanxioustodoalltheycouldtohelpbindFreckles’arrangementswiththeAngel,asbothheandLadyO’Moreregardedherasthemostpromisinggirltheyknew,andonewhocouldbefittedtofillthehighpositioninwhichFreckleswouldplaceher.

           EverywordheutteredwaspungentwithbitternesstoMcLean.TheswamphadlostitsflavorwithoutFreckles;andyet,asLordO’Moretalked,McLeanferventlywishedhimselfintheheartofit.AsheenteredFreckles’roomhealmostlosthisbreath.Everythingwaschanged.

           FreckleslaybesideawindowwherehecouldfollowLakeMichigan’sblueuntilthehorizondippedintoit.