Веснянки

           HetalkedwithsuchenthusiasmthatMcLeannevertookhiseyesfromhisfaceorshiftedinthesaddleuntilhedescribedthestrangebird-lover,andthentheBosssuddenlybentoverthepommelandlaughedwiththeboy.

           FrecklesdecoratedhisstorywithkeenappreciationandraretouchesofIrishwitanddrollerythatmadeitmostinterestingaswellasveryfunny.Itwasafirstattemptatdescriptivenarration.Withaninborngiftforstrikingthevitalpoint,anaturalist’sdawningenthusiasmforthewondersoftheLimberlost,andthewellingjoyofhisnewlyfoundhappiness,hemadeMcLeanseethestrugglesofthemothanditsfreshlypaintedwings,thedainty,brilliantbird-matesofdifferentcolors,thefeatherslidingthroughtheclearair,thepalpitantthroatandbattingeyesofthefrog;whilehisversionofthebigbird’scourtshipwonfortheBossthebestlaughhehadenjoyedforyears.

           “They’reinthemiddleofaswampnow”saidFreckles.“Doyousupposethereisanychanceofthemstayingwithmechickens?Iftheydo,they’llbeaboutthequeerestIhave;butItellyou,sir,Iamfindingsomeplumgoodones.There’sanewkindoveratthemouthofthecreekthatusesitswingslikefeetandwalksonallfours.Ittravelslikeathrashingmachine.There’sanother,tallasmewaist,withabillafootlong,aneckneartwo,notthethicknessofmewristandanelegantcolor.He’ssomeblueandgray,touchedupwithblack,white,andbrown.Thevoiceofhimissuchthatifhe’dbegoingupandstandingbesideatreeandcryingatitafewtimeshecouldbesawingitsquareoff.