Веснянки

           Therapidlygrowingwingsbegantoshowthemostdelicategreen,withlavenderfore-ribs,transparent,eye-shapedmarkings,edgedwithlinesofred,tan,andblack,andlong,crisptrailers.

           Freckleswaswhisperingtohimselfforfearofdisturbingthemoth.Itbeganasystematicexerciseofraisingandloweringitsexquisitewingstodrythemandtoestablishcirculation.Theboyrealizedthatsoonitwouldbeabletospreadthemandsailaway.Hislong-comingsoulsentupitsfirstshiveringcry.

           “Idon’tknowwhatitis!Oh,IwishIknew!HowIwishIknew!Itmustbesomethinggrand!Itcan’tbeabutterfly!It’sawaytoobig.Oh,Iwishtherewassomeonetotellmewhatitis!”

           Heclimbedonthelocustpost,andbalancinghimselfwiththewire,heldafingerinthelineofthemoth’sadvanceupthetwig.Itunhesitatinglyclimbedon,sohesteppedtothepath,holdingittothelightandexaminingitclosely.Thenhehelditintheshadeandturnedit,gloatingoveritsmarkingsandbeautifulcoloring.Whenheheldthemothtothelimb,itclimbedon,stillwavingthosemagnificentwings.

           “My,butI’dliketobestayingwithyou!”hesaid.“ButifIwastostandherealldayyoucouldn’tgrowanyprettierthanyouarerightnow,andIwouldn’tgrowsmartenoughtotellwhatyouare.Isupposethere’ssomeonewhoknows.Ofcoursethereis!Mr.McLeansaidtherewerepeoplewhokneweveryleaf,bird,andflowerintheLimberlost.