Веснянки

           Hecouldseebigsoftclouds,white-cappedwaves,shimmeringsails,andpuffingsteamerstrailingbillowingbannersoflavenderandgrayacrossthesky.Gullsandcurlewswheeledoverthewateranddippedtheirwingsinthefoam.Theroomwasfilledwitheveryluxurythattasteandmoneycouldintroduce.

           AllthetanandsunburnhadbeenwashedfromFreckles’faceinsweatsofagony.Itwasasmooth,evenwhite,itsbrownriftscarcelyshowing.WhatthenursesandLadyO’MorehaddonetoFreckles’hairMcLeancouldnotguess,butitwasthemostbeautifulthatheeverhadseen.Fineasfloss,brightincolor,wavingandcrisp,itfellaroundthewhiteface.

           Theyhadgottenhisarmsintoandhischestcoveredwithafinelyembroidered,pale-bluesilkshirt,withsoft,whitetieatthethroat.Amongthemanychangesthathadtakenplaceduringhisabsence,thefactthatFreckleswasmostattractiveandbarelyescapedbeinghandsomeremainedalmostunnoticedbytheBoss,sogreatwashisastonishmentatseeingbothcuffsturnedbackandtherightarminview.Freckleswasusingthemaimedarmthatpreviouslyhealwayshadhidden.

           “OhLord,sir,butI’mgladtoseeyou!”criedFreckles,almostrollingfromthebedashereachedtowardMcLean.“Tellmequick,istheAngelwellandhappy?CanmeLittleChickenspreadsixfeetofwingandsailtohismother?How’smenewfather,theBirdWoman,Duncans,andNellie—darlinglittlehigh-steppingNelie?MeAuntAliceisgoingtochoosethehatjustassoonasI’mmendedenoughtobegoingwithher.