Веснянки
Chapter III
IwasalwaysleaderintheHome,andonceoneofthesuperintendentsgavemecarfareandletmegointothecityandsinginaboys’choir.ThemastersaidI’dtheswatestvoiceofthemalluntilitgotroughlike,andthenhemademequitforawhile,buthesaiditwouldbecomingbackbynow,andI’mraillythinkingitis,sir,forI’vetriedonthelineabitoflateanditseemstogosmoothagainandlotsstronger.ThatandmechickenshavebeenallthecompanyI’vebeenhaving,anditwillbeallI’llwantifIcanhavesomebooksandlearntherealnamesofthings,wheretheycomefrom,andwhytheydosuchinterestingthings.It’sbeenfrettingmemorethanIknewtobeshutuphereamongallthesewondersandnotknowingathing.Iwantedtoaskyouwhatsomebookswouldcostme,andifyou’dbehavingthegoodnesstogetmetherightones.IthinkIhaveenoughmoney.”
Frecklesofferedhisaccount-bookandtheBossstudieditgravely.
“Youneedn’ttouchyouraccount,Freckles,”hesaid.“Tendollarsfromthismonth’spaywillprovideyoueverythingyouneedtostarton.IwillwriteafriendinGrandRapidstodaytoselectyoutheverybestandsendthematonce.”
Freckles’eyeswereshining.
“Neverownedabookinmelife!”hesaid.“Evenmeschoolbookswerenevermine.
