Веснянки
Chapter IV
It’sjustout,anditmaychill.Yewillprobablyhaetwathemorn.”
Frecklescreptintothelogandcarefullydepositedthebabybesidetheegg.Whenhecameback,hesaid:“Imadeabigmistakenottobebringingtheeggoutwiththebaby,butIwasfearingtotouchit.It’sshapedlikeahen’segg,andit’sbigasaturkey’s,andthebeautifulestblue—justsplatteredwithbigbrownsplotches,likemebooksaid,precise.Betyouneversawsuchasightasitmadeontheyellowoftherottenwoodbesidethatfunnyleathery-facedlittlewhitebaby.”
“Tellyouwhat,Freckles,”saidoneoftheteamsters.“HaveyoueverheardofthisBirdWomanwhogoesalloverthecountrywithacameraandmakespictures?ShemadesomeonmybrotherJim’splacelastsummer,andJim’ssowildaboutthemhequitsplowingandgoesafterherabouteverynesthefinds.Hehelpsherallhecantotakethem,andthenshegiveshimapicture.Jim’ssoproudofwhathehashekeepsthemintheBible.Heshowsthemtoeverybodythatcomes,andbragsabouthowhehelped.Ifyou’resmart,you’llsendforherandshe’llcomeandmakeapicturejustlikelife.Ifyouhelpher,shewillgiveyouone.Itwouldbeuncommonprettytokeep,afteryourbirdsaregone.Idunnowhattheyare.Ineverseetheirlikebefore.Theymustbesomethingrare.Anyyoufellowseverseeabirdlikethathereabouts?”
Nooneeverhad.
“Well,”saidtheteamster,“failingtogetthislogletsmeofftillnoon,andI’mgoingtotown.Igorightpastherplace.I’veabignotiontostopandtellher.
