Білі люди
Chapter X
IbothheardandSAWhim!”
Angusstoodstillandwatchedme.Theybothstoodstillandwatchedme,andeveninmyexcitementIsawthateachofthemlookedalittlepale.
“Yousaidyoudidnothearhimatfirst,butyousurelysawhimwhenhepassedsonear,”Iprotested.“Icalledtohim,andhetookoffhisbonnet,thoughhedidnotstop.Hewasgoingsoquicklythatperhapshedidnothearmecallhisname.”
WhatstrangethinginHector’slookcheckedme?Whoknows?
“YouDIDseehim,didn’tyou?”Iaskedofhim.
ThenheandAngusexchangedglances,asifaskingeachothertodecidesomegravething.ItwasHectorMacNairnwhodecidedit.
“No,”heanswered,veryquietly,“Ineithersawnorheardhim,evenwhenhepassed.Butyoudid.”
“Idid,quiteplainly,”Iwenton,moreandmorebewilderedbythewayinwhichtheykeptasortoftender,awedgazefixedonme.“YourememberIevennoticedthathelookedpale.Ilaughed,youknow,whenIsaidhelookedalmostlikeoneoftheWhitePeople—”
JustthenmybreathcaughtitselfandIstopped.Ibegantorememberthings—hundredsofthings.
AngusspoketomeagainasquietlyasHectorhadspoken.
“NeitherJeannorIeversawWeeBrownElspeth,”hesaid—“neitherJeannorI.Butyoudid.Youhavealwaysseenwhattherestofusdidnotsee,mybairn—always.”
Istammeredoutafewwords,halfinawhisper.“Ihavealwaysseenwhatyouotherscouldnotsee?WHAT—HAVE—I—SEEN?”
ButIwasnotfrightened.IsupposeIcouldnevertellanyonewhatstrange,wide,brightplacesseemedsuddenlytoopenandshinebeforeme.
