Веснянки

           TheBosssteppedcarefullyoverthevelvetcarpettotouchthewallsofcrispverdurewithgentlefingers.Hestoodlongbesidetheflowerbed,andgazedatthebankedwallofbrightbloomasifhedoubteditsreality.

           WherehadFreckleseverfound,andhowhadhetransplantedsuchferns?AsMcLeanturnedfromthemhestoppedsuddenly.

           Hehadreachedthedoorofthecathedral.ThatwhichFreckleshadattemptedwouldhavebeenpatenttoanyone.Whathadbeenintheheartoftheshy,silentboywhenhehadfoundthatlong,dimstretchofforest,decorateditsentrance,clearedandsmootheditsaisle,andcarpeteditsaltar?WhatveriestworkofGodwasinthesemightylivingpillarsandthearcheddomeofgreen!Howsimilartostainedcathedralwindowswerethelongopeningsbetweenthetrees,filledwithriftsofblue,raysofgold,andtheshiftingemeraldofleaves!Wherecouldbefoundmosaicstomatchthisaislepavedwithlivingcolorandglowinglight?WasFrecklesadevoutChristian,anddidheworshiphere?Orwasheanuntaughtheathen,anddownthisvistaofentrancinglovelinessdidPancomepiping,anddryads,nymphs,andfairiesdanceforhim?

           Whocanfathomtheheartofaboy?McLeanhadbeenthinkingofFrecklesasacreatureofunswervinghonesty,courage,andfaithfulness.Herewasevidenceofaheartachingforbeauty,art,companionship,worship.Itwaswritlargealloverthefloor,walls,andfurnishingofthatlittleLimberlostclearing.

           WhenDuncancame,McLeantoldhimthestoryofthefight,andtheylaugheduntiltheycried.Thentheystartedaroundthelineinsearchofthetree.