Веснянки
Chapter III
Theeventap,tap,andthecheery,gladsomewhistlecarriedfaraheadofhimthemessagethatFreckleswashimselfagain.
Hefellintoarapidpace,forhehadlosttimethatmorning;whenheroundedthelastcurvehewasalmostrunning.TherewasachancethattheBossmightbethereforhisweeklyreport.
Then,wavering,flickering,dartinghereandthereoverthesweetmarsh-grass,camealargeblackshadow,sweepingsocloselybeforehimthatforthesecondtimethatmorningFrecklesdodgedandsprangback.Hehadseensomeowlsandhawksoftheswampthathethoughtmightbeclassedaslargebirds,butneveranythinglikethis,forsixfeetitspreaditsbig,shiningwings.Itsstrongfeetcouldbeseendrawnamongitsfeathers.Thesunglintedonitssharp,hookedbeak.Itseyesglowed,caughtthelight,andseemedabletopiercethegroundathisfeet.ItcarednomoreforFrecklesthanifhehadnotbeenthere;foritperchedonalowtree,whileasecondlateritawkwardlyhoppedtothetrunkofalightning-rivenelm,turneditsback,andbegansearchingtheblue.
Freckleslookedjustintimetoseeasecondshadowsweepthegrass;andanotherbird,atriflesmallerandnotquitesobrilliantinthelight,slowlysaileddowntoperchbesidethefirst.Evidentlytheyweremates,forwithaqueer,rollinghopthefirst-comershiveredhisbronzewings,sidledtothenewarrival,andgaveherasillylittlepeckonherwing.Thenhecoquettishlydrewawayandogledher.
