Веснянки
Chapter IV
Hisfacetookontheinnocentlookofacherub,andhisvoicerivaledthatofabroodingdove,butintohiseyescreptalookofdiabolicalmischief.
Heglancedvaguelyaroundhimuntilhesawhisclub,seizedandtwirleditasadrummajor,stuckituprightinthemuck,andmarchedontiptoetoWessner,mechanically,asapuppetworkedbyastring.Bendingover,FrecklesreachedanarmaroundWessner’swaistandhelpedhimtohisfeet.
“Careful,now”hecautioned,“becareful,Freddy;there’sdangerofyouhurtingme.”
Drawingahandkerchieffromabackpocket,FrecklestenderlywipedWessner’seyesandnose.
“Come,Freddy,mechild,”headmonishedWessner,“it’stimelittleboysweregoinghome.I’vemeworktodo,andcan’tbeentertainingyouanymoretoday.Comebacktomorrow,ifyouain’tthroughyet,andwe’llrepatetheperfarmance.Don’tbestaringatmesowildlike!Iwouldeatyou,butIcan’taffordit.Meearnings,beinghonest,comeslow,andI’venomoneytobesquanderin’onthepailfulofDyspeptic’sDelightitwouldbetotakingtoworkyououtofmyinnards!”
AgainanawfulwrenchingseizedMcLean.FrecklessteppedbackasWessner,totteringandreeling,asathoroughlydrunkenman,cametowardthepath,appearingindeedasifwildcatshadattackedhim.
Thecudgelspunhighinair,andcatchingitwithanexpertnessacquiredbylongpracticeontheline,theboytwirleditasecond,shookbackhisthickhairbonnily,andsteppingintothetrail,followedWessner.
