Веснянки
Chapter IV
“I’mafterresarvin’mepetnamefortheuseofmefriends!Youmaystandwithyourbacktothelightorbetakinganyadvantageyouwant.”
“Why,whatdoyoumean?”splutteredWessner.
“I’mmanin’,”saidFrecklestersely,“tolickaquarter-sectionofhelloutofyou,andmaytheHolyVarginstaymebeforeIleaveyouherecarrion,foryourcarcasswouldturnthestummicksofmechickens!”
Atthecampthatmorning,Wessner’sconducthadbeensopalpableanexcusetoforceadischargethatDuncanmovednearMcLeanandwhispered,“Thinkoftheboy,sir?”
McLeanwassotroubledthat,anhourlater,hemountedNellieandfollowedWessnertohishomeinWildcatHollow,onlytofindthathehadleftthereshortlybefore,headingfortheLimberlost.McLeanrodeattopspeed.WhenMrs.DuncantoldhimthatamanansweringWessner’sdescriptionhadgonedownthewestsideoftheswampclosenoon,heleftthemareinherchargeandfollowedonfoot.WhenheheardvoicesheenteredtheswampandsilentlycreptclosejustintimetohearWessnerwhine:“ButIcan’tfightyou,Freckles.Ihain’tdonenothingtoyou.I’mawaybiggerthanyou,andyou’veonlyonehand.”
TheBossslidoffhiscoatandcrouchedamongthebushes,readytospring;butasFreckles’voicereachedhimheheldhimself,withastrongeffort,tolearnwhatmettlewasintheboy.
“Don’tyoubewastingofmegoodtimeinthenumberingofmehands,”criedFreckles.“Thestringthofmecausewillmakeupfortheweaknessofmemimbers,andthesizeofacowardlythiefdoesn’tcount.
