Веснянки
Chapter III
“Scoreoneforthelady!I’llbeumpiringthis,”volunteeredFreckles.
Witharavishingswagger,half-liftedwings,anddeep,gutturalhissing,theloverapproachedagain.Hesuddenlyliftedhisbody,butshecoollyrockedforwardonthelimb,glidedgracefullybeneathhim,andslowlysailedintotheLimberlost.Herecoveredhimselfandgazedafterherinastonishment.
Freckleshurrieddownthetrail,shakingwithlaughter.WhenhenearedthepathtotheclearingandsawtheBosssittingmotionlessonthemarethatwastheprideofhisheart,theboybrokeintoarun.
“Oh,Mr.McLean!”hecried.“IhopeIhaven’tkeptyouwaitingverylong!Andthesunisgettinghot!Ihavebeensoslowthismorning!Icouldhavegonefaster,onlytherewerethatmanythingstokeepme,andIdidn’tknowyouwouldbehere.I’llhurryafterthis.I’veneverhadtobegivingexcusesbefore.Thelinewasn’tdown,andtherewasn’tasignoftrouble;itwasotherthingsthatweremakingmelate.”
McLean,smilingontheboy,immediatelynoticedthedifferenceinhim.Thisflushed,panting,talkativeladwasnotthesamecreaturewhohadsoughthimindespairandbitterness.HewatchedinwonderasFrecklesmoppedtheperspirationfromhisforeheadandbegantolaugh.Then,forgettingallhiscustomaryreservewiththeBoss,thepent-upboyishnessintheladbrokeforth.Withaneloquenceofwhichheneverdreamedhetoldhisstory.
