Веснянки

           “Yousee,Ididn’tdoasIwastold,andI’mlost.TheBirdWomansaidIshouldwaitinthecarriageuntilshecameback.She’sbeengonehours.It’saperfectTurkishbathinthere,andI’malllumpywithmosquitobites.JustwhenIthoughtthatIcouldn’tbearitanotherminute,alongcamethebiggestPapilioAjaxyoueversaw.Iknewhowpleasedshe’dbe,soIranafterit.ItflewsoslowandsolowthatIthoughtadozentimesIhadit.Thenallatonceitwentfromsightabovethetrees,andIcouldn’tfindmywaybacktosaveme.IthinkI’vewalkedmorethananhour.Ihavebeenmiredtomyknees.Athornrakedmyarmuntilitisbleeding,andI’msotiredandwarm.”

           Shepartedthebushesfarther.Frecklessawthatherbluecottonfrockclungtoher,limpwithperspiration.Itwastornacrossthebreast.Onesleevehungopenfromshouldertoelbow.Athornhadtornherarmuntilitwascoveredwithblood,andthegnatsandmosquitoeswereclusteringaroundit.Herfeetwereinlacehoseandlowshoes.Frecklesgasped.IntheLimberlostinlowshoes!Hecaughtanarmfulofmossfromhiscarpetandburieditintheoozeinfrontofherforafooting.

           “ComeoutheresoIcanseewhereyouarestepping.Quick,forthelifeofyou!”heordered.

           Shesmiledonhimindulgently.

           “Why?”sheinquired.

           “Didanybodyletyoucomehereandnotbetellingyouofthesnakes?”urgedFreckles.

           “WemetMr.McLeanonthecorduroy,andhedidsaysomethingaboutsnakes,Ibelieve.