Веснянки

           Ifshedrivesstraightbackintheswamponthewestroad,andturnseastatthisbigsycamore,shecan’tmissfindingthetree,evenifFrecklesain’theretoshowher.JimsaysherworkisacredittotheStateshelivesin,andanymanisameaslycreaturewhoisn’twillingtohelpherallhecan.Myolddaddyusedtosaythatalltherewastoreligionwasdoingtotheotherfellowwhatyou’dwanthimtodotoyou,andifIwasmakingalivingtakingbirdpictures,seemstomeI’dbemightygladforachancetotakeonelikethat.SoI’lljuststopandtellher,andbygummy!maybeshewillgivemeapictureofthelittlewhitesuckerformytrouble.”

           Frecklestouchedhisarm.

           “Willsheberoughwithit?”heasked.

           “Governmentland!No!”saidtheteamster.“She’sdeaddownonanybodythatshootsabirdortearsupanest.Why,she’shalfkillingherselfinallkindsofplacesandweathertoteachpeopletoloveandprotectthebirds.She’sthatplumcarefulofthemthatJim’swifesaysshehasJimastandin’likeabigfoolholdinganombrellyoverthemwhentheyareyoungandtenderuntilshegetsafocus,whateverthatis.Jimsaysthereain’tabirdonhisplacethatdon’tactuallyseemtolikehavingheraroundaftershehaswheedledthemafewdays,andthepicturesshetakesnobodywouldeverbelievewhodidn’tstandbyandsee.”

           “Willyouhesuretotellhertocome?”askedFreckles.

           Duncansleptathomethatnight.HeheardFrecklesslippingoutearlythenextmorning,buthewastoosleepytowonderwhy,untilhecametodohismorningchores.