Веснянки
Chapter V
Shewasdependingonarattlesnaketoliveuptohisshareofthecontractandrattleintimeforhertomove.TheonecharacteristicanIrishmanadmiresinawoman,aboveallothers,iscourage.Frecklesworshipedanew.Hechangedhistactics.
“I’dbepleasedtobereceivingyouatmefrontdoor,”hesaid,“butasyouhavearrivedattheback,willyoucomeinandbeseated?”
Hewavedtowardabench.TheAngelcameinstantly.
“Oh,howlovelyandcool!”shecried.
Asshemovedacrosshisroom,Freckleshaddifficultworktokeepfromfallingonhisknees;fortheywereveryweak,whilehewasharddrivenbyanimpulsetoworship.
“Didyouarrangethis?”sheasked.
“Yis,”saidFrecklessimply.
“Someonemustcomewithabigcanvasandcopyeachsideofit,”shesaid.“Ineversawanythingsobeautiful!HowIwishImightremainherewithyou!Iwill,someday,ifyouwillletme;butnow,ifyoucansparethetime,willyouhelpmefindthecarriage?IftheBirdWomancomesbackandIamgone,shewillbealmostdistracted.”
“Didyoucomeonthewestroad?”askedFreckles.
“Ithinkso,”shesaid.“ThemanwhotoldtheBirdWomansaidthatwastheonlyplacethewiresweredown.Wedroveawayin,anditwasdreadful—overstumpsandlogs,andwemiredtothehubs.Isupposeyouknow,though.Ishouldhavestayedinthecarriage,butIwassotired.Ineverdreamedofgettinglost.IsuspectIwillbescoldedfinely.IgowiththeBirdWomanhalfthetimeduringthesummervacations.MyfathersaysIlearnalotmorethanIdoatschool,andgetitstraight.
