Веснянки
Chapter IV
Didyouhearmecallthelimit?Willyougetupandbefacingme?”
AsWessnerstruggledtohisfeet,heresembledabattlefield,forhisclothingwasinribbonsandhisfaceandhandsstreamingblood.
“I—IguessIgotenough,”hemumbled.
“Oh,youdo?”roaredFreckles.“Wellthisain’tyoursay.Youcomeontomeground,lyingaboutmeBossandintimatin’I’dstalefromhisverypockets.Nowwillyoubestandingupandtakingyourmedicinelikeaman,orgettingitpoureddownthethroatofyoulikeababy?Iain’tgotenough!Thisisonlyjustthebeginningwithme.Belookingoutthere!”
HesprangagainstWessnerandsenthimrolling.HeattackedtheunresistingfigureandfoughthimuntilhelaylimpandquietandFreckleshadnostrengthlefttoliftanarm.Thenhearoseandsteppedback,gaspingforbreath.Withhisfirstlungfulofairheshouted:“Time!”ButthefigureofWessnerlaymotionless.
Freckleswatchedhimwithregardfuleyeandsawatlastthathewascompletelyexhausted.Hebentoverhim,andcatchinghimbythebackoftheneck,jerkedhimtohisknees.Wessnerliftedthefaceofawhippedcur,andfearingfurtherpunishment,burstintoshiveringsobs,whilethetearswashedtinyrivuletsthroughthebloodandmuck.Frecklessteppedback,glaringatWessner,butsuddenlythescowlofangerandtheuglydisfiguringredfadedfromtheboy’sface.Hedabbedatacutonhistemplefromwhichissuedatinycrimsonstream,andjauntilyshookbackhishair.
