Веснянки
Chapter IV
“Webeenhearingdownatthecampyouweresomightytouchyyoudidn’tallowamanwithinarodoftheline.”
“NomoredoI,”answeredFreckles,“ifhe’sastranger,butyou’refromMcLean,ain’tyou?”
“Oh,damnMcLean!”saidWessner.
Frecklesgrippedthecudgeluntilhisknucklesslowlyturnedpurple.
“Andareyouraillysayingso?”heinquiredwithelaboratepoliteness.
“Yes,Iam,”saidWessner.“Sowouldeverymanofthegangiftheywasn’ttoobigcowardstosayanything,unlessmaybethatotherslobberingoldScotchman,Duncan.Grindingthelivesoutofus!Workinguslikedogs,andpayingusstarvationwages,whileherollsuphismillionsandliveslikeaprince!”
GreenlightsbegantoplaythroughthegrayofFreckles’eyes.
“Wessner,”hesaidimpressively,“you’dmakeafinepatternforthefatherofliars!Everymanonthatgangisstrongandhilthy,paidallheearns,andtreatedwiththecourtesyofagentleman!AsfortheBosslivinglikeaprince,hesharesfarewithyoueverydayofyourlives!”
Wessnerwasnotaborndiplomat,buthesawhewasonthewrongtack,sohetriedanother.
“Howwouldyouliketomakeagoodbigpileofmoney,withoutevenliftingyourhand?”heasked.
“Humph!”saidFreckles.“HaveyoubeenuptoChicagoandcorneredwheat,andareyouofferingmeafriendlytipontheinvistmentofmefortune?”
Wessnercameclose.
“Freckles,oldfellow,”hesaid,“ifyouletmegiveyouapointer,Icanputyouontomakingacoolfivehundredwithoutsteppingoutofyourtracks.”
Frecklesdrewback.
