第4章

Whatwerethepeopleinthebigworldlike？Hisknowledgewassoverylimited。TherehadbeenpeopleattheHome，whoexchangedastilted，perfunctorykindnessfortheirsalaries。Thevisitorswhocalledonreceivingdayshehaddividedintothreeclasses:thepsalm-singingkind，whocamewithatearintheeyeandhypocrisyineveryfeatureoftheirfaces；thekindwhodressedinsilksandjewels，andhandedtothosepoorlittlemother-hungrysoulsworntoysthattheirchildrennolongercaredfor，inexactlythesamespiritinwhichtheypitchedbiscuitstothemonkeysatthezoo，andforthesamereason——toseehowtheywouldtakethemandbeamusedbywhattheywoulddo；andthethirdclass，whomheconsideredrealpeople。Theymadehimfeeltheycaredthathewasthere，andthattheywouldhavebeengladtoseehimelsewhere。

Nowherewasanotherclass，thathadalltheyneededoftheworld\'sbestandwereengagedindoingworkthatcounted。Theyhadthingsworthwhiletobeproudof；andtheyhadmethimasasonandbrother。

Withthemhecould，fortheonlytimeinhislife，forgetthelosthandthateverydaytorturedhimwithanewpang。Whatkindofpeopleweretheyandwheredidtheybelongamongtheclassesheknew？Hefailedtodecide，becauseheneverhadknownotherssimilartothem；buthowhelovedthem！

Intheworldwherehewasgoingsoon，werethemajoritylikethem，orweretheyofthehypocriteandbun-throwingclasses？

Hehadforgottentheexcitementofthemorningandthepassingoftimewhendistantvoicesarousedhim，andhegentlyliftedhishead。

Nearerandnearertheycame，andastheheavywagonsrumbleddowntheeasttrailhecouldhearthemplainly。ThegangwereshoutingthemselveshoarsefortheLimberlostguard。Frecklesdidnotfeelthathedeservedit。Hewouldhavegivenmuchtoheabletogotothemenandexplain，buttoMcLeanonlycouldhetellhisstory。

AtthesightofFrecklesthementhrewuptheirhatsandcheered。

McLeanshookhandswithhimwarmly，butbigDuncangatheredhimintohisarmsandhuggedhimasabearandchokedoverafewwordsofpraise。Thegangdroveinandfinishedfellingthetree。

McLeanwasangrybeyondmeasureatthisattemptonhisproperty，forintheirhastetofellthetreethethieveshadcuttoohighandwastedafootandahalfofvaluabletimber。

Whenthelastwagonrolledaway，McLeansatonthestumpandFrecklestoldthestoryhewasachingtotell。TheBossscarcelycouldbelievehissenses。Also，hewasmuchdisappointed。

"Ihavebeenalmostprayingallthewayover，Freckles，"hesaid，"thatyouwouldhavesomeevidencebywhichwecouldarrestthosefellowsandgetthemoutofourway，butthiswillneverdo。

Wecan\'tmixupthosewomeninit。Theyhavehelpedyousavemethetreeandmywageraswell。Goingacrossthecountryasshedoes，theBirdWomannevercouldbeexpectedtotestifyagainstthem。"

"No，indeed；northeAngel，either，sir，"saidFreckles。

"TheAngel？"queriedtheastonishedMcLean。

TheBosslistenedinsilencewhileFrecklestoldofthecomingandchristeningoftheAngel。

"Iknowherfatherwell，"saidMcLeanatlast，"andIhaveoftenseenher。Youareright；sheisabeautifulyounggirl，andsheappearstobeutterlyfreefromtheleastparticleoffalseprideorfoolishness。Idonotunderstandwhyherfatherriskssuchajewelinthisplace。"

"He\'sdaringitbecausesheisajewel，sir，"saidFreckles，eagerly。

"Why，she\'strustingarattlesnaketorattlebeforeitstrikesher，andofcourse，shethinksshecantrustmankindaswell。Themanisn\'tmadewhowouldn\'tlaydownthelifeofhimforher。Shedoesn\'tneedanycare。Herfaceandtheprettywaysofherarealltheprotectionshewouldneedinabandofhowlingsavages。"

"Didyousayshehandledoneoftherevolvers？"askedMcLean。

"Shescaredallthebreathoutofmebody，"admittedFreckles。

"Seemsthatherfatherhastaughthertoshoot。TheBirdWomantoldherdistinctlytolielowandblazeawayhigh，justtohelpscarethem。

Thespunkylittlethingfollowedthemrightoutintothewestroad，spittingleadlikehail，andclippingallaroundtheheadsandheelsofthem；andI\'mdamned，sir，ifIbelieveshe\'dcaredarapifshe\'dhit。Ineversawmuchshooting，butifthatwasn\'tthenearesttomissIeverwanttosee！Scaredthelifenearoutofmebodywiththefearthatshe\'ddroponeofthem。AslongasI\'dnoonetohelpmebutacoupleofwomenthatdidn\'tdarebemixedupinit，allIcoulddowastoletthemgetaway。"

"Now，willtheycomeback？"askedMcLean。

"Ofcourse！"saidFreckles。"They\'renotgoingtobetakingthat。

Youcouldstakeyourlifeonit，they\'llbecomingback。Atleast，BlackJackwill。Wessnermaynothavethepluck，unlessheishalfdrunk。Thenhe\'dbeaterror。Andthenexttime——"

Freckleshesitated。

"What？"

"Itwillbeaquestionofwhoshootsfirstandstraightest。"

"Thentheonlythingformetodoistodoubletheguardandbringthegangherethefirstminutepossible。AssoonasIfeelthatwehavetherarestofthestuffoutbelow，wewillcome。Thefactis，inmanycases，untilitisfelledit\'sdifficulttotellwhatatreewillprovetobe。Itwon\'tdotoleaveyouherelongeralone。

Jackhasbeenshootingtwentyyearstoyourone，anditstandstoreasonthatyouarenomatchforhim。Whoofthegangwouldyoulikebesttohavewithyou？"

"Noone，sir，"saidFrecklesemphatically。"NexttimeiswhereIrun。

Iwon\'ttrytofightthemalone。I\'lljustbegettingwindofthem，andthenmaketracksforyou。I\'llneedtocomelikelightning，andDuncanhasnoextrahorse，soI\'mthinkingyou\'dbestgetmeone——orperhapsawheelwouldbebetter。IusedtodoextraworkfortheHomedoctor，andhewouldletmetakehisbicycletoridearoundtheplace。Andattimestheheadnursewouldloanmehisforanhour。Awheelwouldcostlessandbefasterthanahorse，andwouldtakelesscare。Ibelieve，ifyouaregoingtotownsoon，youhadbestpickupanykindofanoldoneatsomesecond-handstore，forifI\'mevercalledtouseitinahurrytherewon\'tbethehandlebarsleftaftercrossingthecorduroy。"

"Yes，"saidMcLean；"andifyoudidn\'thaveafirst-classwheel，younevercouldcrossthecorduroyonitatall。"

Astheywalkedtothecabin，McLeaninsistedonanotherguard，butFreckleswasstubbornlysetonfightinghisbattlealone。Hemadeonementalcondition。IftheBirdWomanwasgoingtogiveuptheLittleChickenseries，hewouldyieldtothesecondguard，solelyforthesakeofherworkandthepresenceoftheAngelintheLimberlost。Hedidnotproposetohaveasecondmanunlessitwereabsolutelynecessary，forhehadbeenalonesolongthathelovedthesolitude，hischickens，andflowers。Thethoughtofhavingastrangertoallhiswayscomeandmeddlewithhisarrangements，frightenhispets，pullhisflowers，andinterrupthimwhenhewantedtostudy，soannoyedhimthathewasblindedtohisrealneedforhelp。

WithMcLeanitwasacaseoflettinghissober，betterjudgmentbeoverriddenbytheboyhewasgrowingsotolovethathecouldnotenduretoopposehim，andtohaveFreckleskeephistrustandwinalonemeantmorethananymoneytheBossmightlose。

ThefollowingmorningMcLeanbroughtthewheel，andFrecklestookittothetrailtotestit。Itwasnew，chainless，withaslittleaspossibletocatchinhurriedriding，andineverywaythebestofitskind。Freckleswentskimmingaroundthetrailonitonapreliminarytripbeforehelockeditinhiscaseandstartedhisminuteexaminationofhislineonfoot。Heglancedaroundhisroomasheleftit，andthenstoodstaring。

OnthemossbeforehisprettiestseatlaytheAngel\'shat。Intheexcitementofyesterdayallofthemhadforgottenit。Hewentandpickeditup，oh！socarefully，gazingatitwithhungryeyes，buttouchingitonlytocarryittohiscase，wherehehungitontheshininghandlebarofthenewwheelandlockeditamonghistreasures。

Thenhewenttothetrail，withanewexpressiononhisfaceandastrangethrobbinginhisheart。Hewasnotintheleastafraidofanythingthatmorning。HefelthewastheveriestDaniel，butallhislionsseemedweakandharmless。

WhatBlackJack\'snextmovewouldbehecouldnotimagine，butthattherewouldbeamoveofsomekindwascertain。Thebigbullywasnotamantogiveuphispurpose，ortohavethehatsweptfromhisheadwithabulletandbearitmeekly。Moreover，WessnerwouldclingtohisrevengewithaDutchman\'ssinglenessofmind。

Frecklestriedtothinkconnectedly，butthereweretoomanyplacesonthetrailwheretheAngel\'sfootprintswerevetvisible。Shehadsteppedinonemuckyspotandleftasharpimpression。Theafternoonsunhadbakedithard，andthehorses\'hoofshadnotobliteratedanypartofit，astheyhadinsomanyplaces。Frecklesstoodfascinated，gazingatit。Hemeasureditlovinglywithhiseye。

Hewouldnothaveventuredacaressonherhatanymorethanonherperson，butthiswasdifferent。Surelyafootprintonatrailmightbelongtoanyonewhofoundandwantedit。Hestoopedunderthewiresandenteredtheswamp。Withalittlesearching，hefoundabigpieceofthickbarklooseonalogandcarefullypeelingit，carrieditoutandcoveredtheprintsothatthefirstrainwouldnotobliterateit。

Whenhereachedhisroom，hetenderlylaidthehatuponhisbookshelf，andtowearoffhisawkwardness，mountedhiswheelandwentspinningontrailagain。Itwaslikeflying，forthepathwaswornsmoothwithhisfeetandbakedhardwiththesunalmostalltheway。Whenhecametothebark，heveeredfartoonesideandsmiledatitinpassing。Suddenlyhewasoffthewheel，kneelingbesideit。Heremovedhishat，carefullyliftedthebark，andgazedlovinglyattheimprint。

"Iwonderwhatshewasgoingtosayofmevoice，"hewhispered。

"Shenevergotitsaid，butfromthefaceofher，Ibelieveshewaslikingitfairlywell。PerhapsshewasgoingtosaythatsingingwasthebigthingIwastobedoing。That\'swhattheyallthoughtattheHome。Well，ifitis，I\'lljustshutmeeyes，thinkofmelittleroom，thefaceofherwatching，andtheheartofherbeating，andI\'llraisethem。Damnthem，ifsingingwilldoit，I\'llraisethemfromthebenches！"

Withthisdirethreat，Frecklesknelt，asatawaysidespring，anddeliberatelylaidhislipsonthefootprint。Thenhearose，appearingasifhehadbeendrinkingatthefountainofgladness。

CHAPTERVIII

WhereinFrecklesMeetsaManofAffairsandLosesNothingbytheEncounter"Weel，Ibedrawedon！"exclaimedMrs。Duncan。

Frecklesstoodbeforeher，holdingtheAngel\'shat。

"I\'vebeenthinkingthislongtimethatyeorDuncanwouldseethatsunbonnetswerenabrawenoughforawomanofmystanding，andye\'reaguidladdietobringmethisbeautifulhat。"

Sheturneditaround，examiningtheweaveofthestrawandthefoliagetrimmings，passingherroughfingersoverthesatintiesdelightedly。Asshehelditup，admiringit，Freckles\'

astonishedeyessawanewsideofSarahDuncan。Shewasjesting，butunderthejestthefactloomedstrongthat，thoughpoor，overworked，andwithnonebutGod-givenrefinement，therewassomethinginhersoulcryingafterthatbitoffemininefinery，anditmadehisheartacheforher。Heresolvedthatwhenhereachedthecityhewouldsendherahat，ifittookfiftydollarstodoit。

Shelingeringlyhandeditbacktohim。

"It\'suncoguidofyetothinkofme，"shesaidlightly，"butImaunquestionyourtasteawee。D\'yenothinkyehadbestreturnthisandgetawomanwithhalfherhairgrayalittleplainerheaddress？

Seemslikethat\'sfarowergayforme。I\'mno\'sayingthatit\'sno\'exactlywhatI\'dliketohae，butImaunamakmysel\'ridiculous。

Ye\'dbestgivethistosomebodyyoungandpretty，sayaboutsixteen。

Wheredidyecomebyit，Freckles？Ifthere\'sanythingbeendroppinglately，yehaeforgottentomentionit。"

"Doyouseeanythingheavenlyaboutthathat？"queriedFreckles，holdingitup。

Themorningbreezewavedtheribbonsgracefully，bindingonearoundFreckles\'sleeveandtheotheracrosshischest，wheretheycaughtandclungasifmagnetized。

"Yes，"saidSarahDuncan。"It\'sverraplainandsimple，butitjuistmakesyefeelthatit\'sallofthefineststuff。It\'sexactlywhatI\'dcallaheavenlyhat。"

"Sure，"saidFreckles，"forit\'sbelongingtoanAngel！"

Thenhetoldheraboutthehatandaskedherwhatheshoulddowithit。

"Takeittoher，ofcourse！"saidSarahDuncan。"Likeit\'stheonlyaneshehasandshemayneeditbadly。"

Frecklessmiled。HehadaclearideaaboutthehatbeingtheonlyonetheAngelhad。However，therewasathinghefeltheshoulddoandwantedtodo，buthewasnotsure。

"YouthinkImightbetakingithome？"hesaid。

"Ofcourseyemust，"saidMrs。Duncan。"Andwithoutanotherhour\'sdelay。It\'sbeenheretwodaysnoo，andshemaywantit，andbetoobusyorafraidtocome。"

"ButhowcanItakeit？"askedFreckles。

"Gangspinningonyourwheel。Yecandoiteasyinanhour。"

"Butinthathour，whatif——？"

"Nonsense！"interruptedSarahDuncan。"Ye\'vewatchedthattimber-lineuntilye\'regrownfasttoit，lad。GivemeyourbootsandclubandI\'llgaewalkthesouthendandwatchdoontheeastandwestsidesuntilyecomeback。"

"Mrs。Duncan！Youneverwouldbedoingit，"criedFreckles。

"Whynot？"inquiredshe。

"Butyouknowyou\'remortalafraidofsnakesandalotofotherthingsintheswamp。"

"Iamafraidofsnakes，"saidMrs。Duncan，"butlikelythey\'vegoneintotheswampthishotweather。I\'lljuiststayonthetrailandwatch，andyemighthurrytheleastbit。Theday\'ssobrightitfeelslikestorm。IcanputthebairnsonthewoodpiletoplayuntilIgetback。Yegangawaandtaketheblessedlittleangelherbeautifulhat。"

"Areyousureitwillbeallright？"urgedFreckles。"DoyouthinkifMr。McLeancamehewouldcare？"

"Na，"saidMrs。Duncan；"Idinna。Ifyeandmeagreethatathingoughttobedone，andIwatchinyourplace，why，it\'sboundtobeallrightwithMcLean。Letmepinthehatinapaper，andyejumponyourwheelandgangflying。OughtyeputonyourSabbath-dayclothes？"

Frecklesshookhishead。Heknewwhatheshoulddo，buttherewasnouseintakingtimetotrytoexplainittoMrs。Duncanwhilehewassohurried。Heexchangedhiswading-bootsforshoes，gaveherhisclub，andwentspinningtowardtown。HeknewverywellwheretheAngellived。Hehadseenherhomemanytimes，andhepasseditagainwithoutevenraisinghiseyesfromthestreet，steeringstraightforherfather\'splaceofbusiness。

Carryingthehat，Frecklespassedalonglineofclerks，andatthedooroftheprivateofficeaskedtoseetheproprietor。Whenhehadwaitedamoment，atall，spare，keen-eyedmanfacedhim，andinbrisk，nervoustonesasked:"HowcanIserveyou，sir？"

Freckleshandedhimthepackageandanswered，"Bydeliveringtoyourdaughterthishat，whichshewasafterleavingatmeplacetheotherday，whenshewentawayinahurry。AndbysayingtoherandtheBirdWomanthatI\'mmorethankfulthanI\'llbehavingwordstoexpressforthebravethingstheywasdoingforme。I\'mMcLean\'sLimberlostguard，sir。"

"Whydon\'tyoutakeityourself？"questionedtheManofAffairs。

Freckles\'cleargrayeyesmetthoseoftheAngel\'sfathersquarely，andheasked:"Ifyouwereinmyplace，wouldyoutakeittoheryourself？"

"No，Iwouldnot，"saidthatgentlemanquickly。

"ThenwhyaskwhyIdidnot？"cameFreckles\'lamb-likequery。

"Blessme！"saidtheAngel\'sfather。Hestaredatthepackage，thenattheliftedchinoftheboy，andthenatthepackageagain，andmuttered，"Excuseme！"

Frecklesbowed。

"Itwouldbefavoringmegreatlyifyouwoulddeliverthehatandthemessage。Goodmorning，sir，"andheturnedaway。

"Oneminute，"saidtheAngel\'sfather。"SupposeIgiveyoupermissiontoreturnthishatinpersonandmakeyourownacknowledgments。"

Frecklesstoodonemomentthinkingintently，andthenheliftedthoseeyesofunswervingtruthandasked:"Whyshouldyou，sir？

Youarekind，indade，tomentionit，andit\'sthankingyouIamforyourgoodintintions，butmywantingtogooryourbeingwillingtohavemeain\'tprovingthatyourdaughterwouldbewantingmeorcaretobotherwithme。"

TheAngel\'sfatherlookedkeenlyintothefaceofthisextraordinaryyoungman，forhefoundittohisliking。

"There\'soneotherthingImeanttosay，"saidFreckles。"EverydayIseesomething，andattimesalotofthings，thatIthinktheBirdWomanwouldbewantingpicturesofbadly，ifsheknew。

Youmightbespeakingofittoher，andifshe\'dwantmeto，IcansendherwordwhenIfindthingsshewouldn\'tlikelygetelsewhere。"

"Ifthat\'sthecase，"saidtheAngel\'sfather，"andyoufeelunderobligationsforherassistancetheotherday，youcandischargetheminthatway。Sheisspendingallhertimeinthefieldsandwoodssearchingforsubjects。Ifyourunacrossthings，perhapsrarerthanshemayfind，aboutyourwork，itwouldsaveherthetimeshespendssearchingforsubjects，andshecouldworkinsecurityunderyourprotection。Byallmeansletherknowifyoufindsubjectsyouthinkshecoulduse，andwewilldoanythingwecanforyou，ifyouwillgiveherwhathelpyoucanandseethatsheisassafeaspossible。"

"It\'shungryforhumanbeingsIam，"saidFreckles，"andit\'slikeHeaventometohavethemcome。Ofcourse，I\'llbetellingorsendingherwordeverytimemeworkcanspareme。AnythingIcandoitwouldmakemeuncommonhappy，but"——againtruthhadtobetold，becauseitwasFreckleswhowasspeaking——"whenitcomestoprotectingthem，I\'driskmelife，tobesure，buteventhatmightn\'tdoanygoodinsomecases。Therearemanydangerstobereckonedwithintheswamp，sir，thatcallforeverypersontolooksharp。Iftherewasn\'treallythievingtoguardagainst，why，McLeanwouldn\'tneedbepayingoutgoodmoneyforaguard。I\'dlovethemtobecoming，andI\'lldoallIcan，butyoumustbetoldthatthere\'sdangerofthemrunningintotimberthievesagainanyday，sir。"

"Yes，"saidtheAngel\'sfather，"andIsupposethere\'sdangeroftheearthopeningupandswallowingthetownanyday，butI\'mdamnedifIquitbusinessforfearitwill，andtheBirdWomanwon\'t，either。Everyoneknowsherandherwork，andthereisnodangerintheworldofanyoneinanywaymolestingher，evenifhewerestealingafewofMcLean\'sgold-platedtrees。She\'sassafeintheLimberlostassheisathome，sofarastimberthievesareconcerned。AllIameveruneasyaboutarethesnakes，poison-

vines，andinsects；andthosearerisksshemustrunanywhere。

Youneednothesitateaminuteaboutthat。Ishallbegladtotellthemwhatyouwish。Thankyouverymuch，andgoodday，sir。"

TherewasnowayinwhichFrecklescouldknowit，butbyfollowinghisbestinstinctsandbeingwhatheconceivedagentlemanshouldbe，hesurprisedtheManofAffairsintothinkingofhimandseeinghisfaceoverhisbooksmanytimesthatmorning；whereas，ifhehadgonetotheAngelashehadlongedtodo，herfatherneverwouldhavegivenhimasecondthought。

Onthestreethedrewadeepbreath。Howhadheacquittedhimself？

Heonlyknewthathehadliveduptohisbestimpulse，andthatisallanyonecando。Heglancedoverhiswheeltoseethatitwasallright，andjustashesteppedtothecurbtomountheheardavoicethatthrilledhimthroughandthrough:"Freckles！OhFreckles！"

TheAngelseparatedfromagroupoflaughing，sweet-facedgirlsandcamehurryingtohim。Shewasinsnowywhite——aquaintlittlefrock，withamarvelofsoftlacearoundherthroatandwrists。

Throughthesheersleevesofitherbeautiful，roundedarmsshoweddistinctly，anditwascutjusttothebaseofherperfectneck。

Onherheadwasapurewhitecreationoffancybraid，withfoldsonfoldsoftulle，softandsilkenascobwebs，liningthebrim；whileamassofwhiterosesclusteredagainstthegoldofherhair，creptaroundthecrown，andfellinariottohershouldersattheback。

Thereweregleamsofgoldwithsettingsofblueonherfingers，andaltogethershewasthedaintiest，sweetestsightheeverhadseen。

Freckles，standingonthecurb，forgothimselfinhiscottonshirt，corduroys，andhisbelttowhichhiswire-cutterandplierswerehanging，andgazedasamangazeswhenfirstheseesthewomanheadoreswithallhercharmsenhancedbyappropriateandbeautifulclothing。

"OhFreckles，"shecriedasshecametohim。"Iwaswonderingaboutyoutheotherday。DoyouknowIneversawyouintownbefore。

Youwatchthatoldlinesoclosely！Whydidyoucome？Isthereanytrouble？AreyoujuststartingtotheLimberlost？"

"Icametobringyourhat，"saidFreckles。"Youforgotitintherushtheotherday。Ihaveleftitwithyourfather，andamessagetryingtoixprissthegratitudeofmeforhowyouandtheBirdWomanwereforhelpingmeout。"

TheAngelnoddedgravely，thenFrecklessawthathehaddonetheproperthingingoingtoherfather。Hisheartboundeduntilitjarredhisbody，forshewassayingthatshescarcelycouldwaitforthetimetocomeforthenextpictureoftheLittleChickenseries。

"Iwanttoheartheremainderofthatsong，andIhadn\'tevenbegunseeingyourroomyet，"shecomplained。"Asforsinging，ifyoucansinglikethateveryday，Inevercangetenoughofit。

IwonderifIcouldn\'tbringmybanjoandsomeofthesongsI

likebest。I\'llplayandyousing，andwe\'llputthebirdsoutofcommission。"

Frecklesstoodonthecurbwithdroopedeyes，forhefeltthatifheliftedthemthetumultoftenderadorationinthemwouldshowandfrightenher。

"Iwasafraidyourixperiencetheotherdaywouldscareyousothatyou\'dneverbecomingagain，"hefoundhimselfsaying。

TheAngellaughedgaily。

"DidIseemscared？"shequestioned。

"No，"saidFreckles，"youdidnot。"

"Oh，Ijustenjoyedthat，"shecried。"Thosehateful，stealingoldthings！Ihadabignotiontopinkoneofthem，butIthoughtmaybesomewayitwouldbebestforyouthatIshouldn\'t。Theyneededit。

Thatdidn\'tscareme；andasfortheBirdWoman，she\'saccustomedtofindingsnakes，tramps，crossdogs，sheep，cattle，andgoodnessknowswhat！Youcan\'tfrightenherwhenshe\'safterapicture。

Didtheycomeback？"

"No，"saidFreckles。"Theganggottherealittleafternoonandtookoutthetree，butImusttellyou，andyoumusttelltheBirdWoman，thatthere\'snodoubtbuttheywillbecomingback，andtheywillhavetomakeitbeforelongnow，forit\'ssoonthegangwillbetheretoworkontheswamp。"

"Oh，whatashame！"criedtheAngel。"They\'llclearoutroads，cutdownthebeautifultrees，andtearupeverything。They\'lldriveawaythebirdsandspoilthecathedral。Whentheyhavedonetheirworst，thenallthesemillscloseherewillfollowinandtakeoutthecheaptimber。Thenthelandownerswilldigafewditches，buildsomefires，andintwosummersmoretheLimberlostwillbeincornandpotatoes。"

Theylookedateachother，andgroaneddespairinglyinunison。

"Youlikeit，too，"saidFreckles。

"Yes，"saidtheAngel，"Iloveit。Yourroomisalittlepiecerightoutoftheheartoffairyland，andthecathedralisGod\'swork，notyours。YouonlyfounditandopenedthedoorafterHehaditcompleted。Thebirds，flowers，andvinesareallsolovely。

TheBirdWomansaysitisreallyafactthatthemallows，foxfire，iris，andliliesarelargerandofrichercoloringtherethanintheremainderofthecountry。Shesaysit\'sbecauseoftherichloamandmuck。Ihateseeingtheswamptornup，andtoyouitwillbelikelosingyourbestfriend；won\'tit？"

"Somethinglike，"saidFreckles。"Still，I\'vetheLimberlostinmeheartsothatallofitwillberealtomewhileIlive，nomatterwhattheydotoit。I\'mgladpasttellingifyouwillbecomingafewmoretimes，atleastuntilthegangarrives。PastthattimeI

don\'tallowmesilftobethinking。"

"Come，haveacooldrinkbeforeyoustartback，"saidtheAngel。

"Icouldn\'tpossibly，"saidFreckles。"IleftMrs。Duncanonthetrail，andshe\'sterriblyafraidofalotofthings。Ifsheevenseesabigsnake，Idon\'tknowwhatshe\'lldo。"

"Itwon\'ttakebutaminute，andyoucanridefastenoughtomakeupforit。Please。Iwanttothinkofsomethingfineforyou，tomakeupalittleforwhatyoudidformethatfirstday。"

FreckleslookedinsheerwondermentintothebeautifulfaceoftheAngel。Didshetrulymeanit？Wouldshewalkdownthatstreetwithhim，crippled，homely，inmeanclothing，withthetoolsofhisoccupationonhim，andsharewithhimthetreatshewasoffering？

Hecouldnotbelieveit，evenoftheAngel。Still，injusticetothecandorofherpure，sweetface，hewouldnotthinkthatshewouldmaketheofferandnotmeanit。Shereallydidmeanjustwhatshesaid，butwhenitcametocarryingoutherofferandhesawthestaresofherfriends，thesneersofherenemies——ifsuchasshecouldhaveenemies——andheardthewhisperedjeersofthecurious，thenshewouldseehermistakeandbesorry。Itwouldbeonlyamanlythingforhimtothinkthisout，andsaveherfromtheresultsofherownblessedbignessofheart。

"Iraillymustbeoff，"saidFrecklesearnestly，"butI\'mthankingyoumorethanyou\'lleverknowforyourkindness。I\'lljustbedrinkingbowlsoficythingsallmewayhomeinthethoughtsofit。"

DowncametheAngel\'sfoot。Hereyesflashedindignantly。"There\'snosenseinthat，"shesaid。"HowdoyouthinkyouwouldhavefeltwhenyouknewIwaswarmandthirstyandyouwentandbroughtmeadrinkandIwouldn\'ttakeitbecause——becausegoodnessknowswhy！

Youcanridefastertomakeupforthetime。I\'vejustthoughtoutwhatIwanttofixforyou。"

Shesteppedtohissideanddeliberatelyslippedherhandunderhisarm——thatrightarmthatendedinanemptysleeve。

"Youarecoming，"shesaidfirmly。"Iwon\'thaveit。"

Frecklescouldnothavetoldhowhefelt，neithercouldanyoneelse。

Hisbloodriotedandhisheadswam，buthekepthiswits。Hebentoverher。

"Pleasedon\'t，Angel，"hesaidsoftly。"Youdon\'tunderstand。"

HowFrecklescametounderstandwasaproblem。

"It\'sthis，"hepersisted。"Ifyourfathermetmeonthestreet，inmystationanddress，withyouonmearm，he\'dhaveeveryrighttobecaningmebeforethepeople，andnotafingerwouldIlifttostayhim。"

TheAngel\'seyessnapped。"Ifyouthinkmyfathercaresaboutmydoinganythingthatisrightandkind，andthatmakesmehappytodo——why，thenyoucompletelyfailedinreadingmyfather，andI\'llaskhimandjustshowyou。"

ShedroppedFreckles\'armandturnedtowardtheentrancetothebuilding。"Why，lookthere！"sheexclaimed。

Herfatherstoodinabigwindowfrontingthestreet，abundleofpapersinhishand，interestedlywatchingthelittlescene，witheyesthatcomprehendedquiteasthoroughlyasifhehadheardeveryword。TheAngelcaughthisglanceandmadeadespairinglittlegesturetowardFreckles。TheManofAffairsansweredherwithalookofinfinitetenderness。Henoddedhisheadandwavedthepapersinthedirectionshehadindicated，andtheveriestdoltcouldhavereadthewordshislipsformed:"Takehimalong！"

AsuddentremblingseizedFreckles。AtsightoftheAngel\'sfatherhehadsteppedbackasfarfromherashecould，leanedthewheelagainsthim，andsnatchedoffhishat。

TheAngelturnedonhimwithtriumphingeyes。

Shewashighlystrungandnotaccustomedtobeingthwarted。

"DidYouseethat？"shedemanded。"Nowareyousatisfied？

Willyoucome，ormustIcallapolicemantobringyou？"

Freckleswent。Therewasnothingelsetodo。Guidinghiswheel，hewalkeddownthestreetbesideher。Oneveryhandshewaskeptbusygivingandreceivingthecheeriestgreetings。Shewalkedintotheparlorsexactlyasifsheownedthem。Aclerkcamehurryingtomeether。

"There\'satablevacantbesideawindowwhereitiscool。I\'llsaveitforyou，"andhestartedback。

"Pleasenot，"saidtheAngel。"I\'vetakenthismanunawares，whenhe\'sinarush。I\'mafraidifwesitdownwe\'lltaketoomuchtimeandafterwardhewillblameme。"

Shewalkedtothefountain，andalongrowofpeoplestaredwithallthevaryingdegreesofinsolenceandcuriositythatFreckleshadfelttheywould。HeglancedattheAngel。NOWwouldshesee？

"Onmysoul！"hemutteredunderhisbreath。"Theydon\'taventouchher！"

Shelaiddownhersunshadeandgloves。Shewalkedtotheendofthecounterandturnedthefullbatteryofhereyesontheattendant。

"Please，"shesaid。

Thewhite-apronedindividualsteppedbackandgavedelightedassent。

TheAngelsteppedbesidehim，andselectingatall，flaringglass，ofalmostpaperthinness，shestoopedandrolleditinatrayofcrackedice。

"Iwanttomixadrinkformyfriend，"shesaid。"Hehasalong，hotridebeforehim，andIdon\'twanthimstartedoffwithoneofthoseoldpalate-teasingsweetnessesthatyoumixjustonpurposetodriveamanbackintenminutes。"Therewasanappreciativelaughfromthelineatthecounter。

"Iwantaclear，cool，sparklingdrinkthathasatangofacidinit。

Where\'sthecherryphosphate？That，notatallsweet，wouldbegood；

don\'tyouthink？"

Theattendantdidthink。Hepointedoutthedifferenttaps，andtheAngelcompoundedthedrink，whileFreckles，standingsoerecthealmostleanedbackward，gazedatherandpaidnoattentiontoanyoneelse。Whenshehadtheglassbrimming，shetiltedalittleofitscontentsintoasecondglassandtastedit。

"That\'sentirelytoosweetforathirstyman，"shesaid。

Shepouredouthalfthemixture，andrefillingtheglass，tasteditasecondtime。Shesubmittedthatresulttotheattendant。

"Isn\'tthataboutthething？"sheasked。

Herepliedenthusiastically。"I\'dgetmywagesraisedtenamonthifIcouldlearnthattrick。"

TheAngelcarriedthebrimming，frostyglasstoFreckles。Heremovedhishat，andliftingtheicyliquidevenwithhereyesandlookingstraightintothem，hesaidinthemellowestofallthemellowtonesofhisvoice:"I\'llbedrinkingittotheSwampAngel。"

Ashehadsaidtoherthatfirstday，shenowcautionedhim:

"Bedrinkingslowly。"

Whenthescreen-doorswungbehindthem，oneofthemenatthecounteraskedoftheattendant:"Now，whatdidthatmean？"

"Exactlywhatyousaw，"repliedhe，rathercurtly。"We\'reaccustomedtoithere。Hardlyadaypasses，thishotweather，butshe\'spickingupsomepoor，god-forsakenmortalandbringinghimin。

Thenshecomesbehindthecounterherselfandfixesupadrinktosuittheoccasion。She\'sallsortsoffanciesaboutwhat\'swhatforallkindsoftimesandconditions，andyoubetshecanjusthitthespot！Ain\'taclerkherecanputupadrinktotouchher。

She\'sasortofknackatit。Everyonceinawhile，whentheBossseesher，hecallsouttohertomixhimadrink。"

"Anddoesshe？"askedthemanwithaninterestedgrin。

"Well，Iguess！Butfirstshegoesbackandseeshowlongitissincehe\'shadadrink。Whathedranklast。Howwarmheis。Whenheatelast。Thenshecomeshereandmixesaglassoffizzwithalittletouchofacid，andabitofcherry，lemon，grape，pineapple，orsomethingsourandcooling，andithitsthespotjustasnospotwaseverhitbefore。IhonestlybelievethattheINTERESTshetakesinitishalfthetrick，forIwatchhercloselyandIcan\'tcomewithingunshotofherconcoctions。Shehasarunningbillhere。

Herfathersettlesonceamonth。Shegivesnine-tenthsofitaway。

Hardlyevertouchesitherself，butwhenshedoesshemakesmemixit。

She\'sjustoldpersimmons。Eventhescrub-boyofthisestablishmentwouldfightforher。Itlaststheyearround，forinwinterit\'ssomepoor，frozencussthatshe\'swarminguponhotcoffeeorchocolate。"

"Mightyqueerspecimenshehadthistime，"volunteeredanother。

"Irish，handoff，straightasaramrod，andsomethingworthwhileinhisface。Noticethathatpeeloff，andtheeyesofhim？

There\'sacaseof`fightforher！\'Wonderwhoheis？"

"Ithink，"saidathird，"thathe\'sMcLean\'sLimberlostguard，andIsuspectshe\'sgonetotheswampwiththeBirdWomanforpicturesandknowshimthatway。I\'veheardthatheisamasterhandwiththebirds，andthatwouldjustsuittheBirdWomantoaT。"

OnthestreettheAngelwalkedbesideFrecklestothefirstcrossingandthereshestopped。"Now，willyoupromisetoridefastenoughtomakeupforthefiveminutesthattook？"sheasked。

"IamalittleuneasyaboutMrs。Duncan。"

Frecklesturnedhiswheelintothestreet。Itseemedtohimhehadpouredthatdeliciousicyliquidintoeveryveininhisbodyinsteadofhisstomach。Itevenwenttohisbrain。

"Didyouinsistonfixingthatdrinkbecauseyouknewhowintoxicating`twouldbe？"heasked。

TherewassubtletyinthecomplimentanditdelightedtheAngel。

Shelaughedgleefully。

"Nexttime，maybeyouwon\'ttakesomuchcoaxing，"sheteased。

"Iwouldn\'tthis，ifIhadknownyourfatherandbeenunderstandingyoubetter。DoyoureallythinktheBirdWomanwillbecomingagain？"

TheAngeljeered。"Wildhorsescouldn\'tdragheraway，"shecried。

"Shewillhavehardworktowaittheweekout。Ishouldn\'tbeintheleastsurprisedtoseeherstartanyhour。"

Frecklescouldnotendurethesuspense；ithadtocome。

"Andyou？"hequestioned，buthedarednotlifthiseyes。

"Wildhorsesme，too，"shelaughed，"couldn\'tkeepmeawayeither！

Idearlylovetocome，andthenexttimeIamgoingtobringmybanjo，andI\'llplay，andyousingformesomeofthesongsIlikebest；won\'tyou？"

"Yis，"saidFreckles，becauseitwasallhewascapableofsayingjustthen。

"It\'sbeginningtoactstormy，"shesaid。"Ifyouhurryyouwilljustaboutmakeit。Now，good-bye。"

CHAPTERIX

WhereintheLimberlostFallsuponMrs。DuncanandFrecklesComestotheRescueFreckleswashalfwaytotheLimberlostwhenhedismounted。Hecouldridenofarther，becausehecouldnotseetheroad。Hesatunderatree，and，leaningagainstit，sobsshook，twisted，andrenthim。

Iftheywouldremindhimofhisposition，speakcondescendingly，ornoticehishand，hecouldendureit，butthis——itsurelywouldkillhim！

Hishot，pulsingIrishbloodwasstirreddeeply。Whatdidtheymean？

Whydidtheydoit？Weretheylikethattoeveryone？Wasitpity？

Itcouldnotbe，forheknewthattheBirdWomanandtheAngel\'sfathermustknowthathewasnotreallyMcLean\'sson，anditdidnotmattertothemintheleast。Inspiteofaccidentandpoverty，theyevidentlyexpectedhimtodosomethingworthwhileintheworld。

Thatmustbehisremedy。Hemustworkonhiseducation。Hemustgetaway。HemustfindanddothegreatthingofwhichtheAngeltalked。Forthefirsttime，histhoughtsturnedanxiouslytowardthecityandthebeginningofhisstudies。McLeanandtheDuncansspokeofhimas"theboy，"buthewasaman。Hemustfacelifebravelyandactaman\'spart。TheAngelwasamerechild。

Hemustnotallowhertotorturehimpastendurancewithherfrankcomradeshipthatmeanttohimhighheaven，earth\'srichness，andallthatlaybetween，andNOTHINGtoher。

Therewasanominousgrowlofthunder，andamazedathimself，Frecklessnatcheduphiswheelandracedtowardtheswamp。Hewasworriedtofindhisbootslyingatthecabindoor；thechildrenplayingonthewoodpiletoldhimthat"mither"saidtheyweresoheavyshecouldn\'twalkinthem，andshehadcomebackandtakenthemoff。Thoroughlyfrightened，hestoppedonlylongenoughtoslipthemon，andthenspedwithallhisstrengthfortheLimberlost。

Tothewest，thelong，black，hard-beatentraillayclear；butfaruptheeastside，straightacrossthepath，hecouldseewhatwascertainlyalimp，brownfigure。Frecklesspunwithallhismight。

Facedown，SarahDuncanlayacrossthetrail。WhenFrecklesturnedherover，hisbloodchilledatthelookofhorrorsettledonherface。

Therewasalowhummingandsomethingspattedagainsthim。

Glancingaround，Frecklesshiveredinterror，fortherewasaswarmofwildbeessettledonascrub-thornonlyafewyardsaway。

Theairwasfilledwithexcited，unsettledbeesmakingreadytoleadfartherinsearchofasuitablelocation。Thenhethoughtheunderstood，andwithaprayerofthankfulnessinhisheartthatshehadescaped，evensonarrowly，hecaughtherupandhurrieddownthetrailuntiltheywerewelloutofdanger。Helaidherintheshade，andcarryingwaterfromtheswampinthecrownofhishat，hebathedherfaceandhands；butshelayinunbrokenstillness，withoutasignoflife。

ShehadfoundFreckles\'bootssolargeandheavythatshehadgonebackandtakenthemoff，althoughshewasmortallyafraidtoapproachtheswampwithoutthem。Thethoughtofitmadehernervous，andthefactthatsheneverhadbeentherealoneaddedtoherfears。Shehadnotfollowedthetrailmanyrodswhenhertroublebegan。ShewasnotFreckles，sonotabirdofthelinewasgoingtobefooledintothinkingshewas。

Theybeganjumpingfromtheirnestsanddartingfromunexpectedplacesaroundherheadandfeet，withquickwhirs，thatkeptherstartinganddodging。BeforeFreckleswashalfwaytothetown，poorMrs。Duncanwashysterical，andtheLimberlosthadneithersungnorperformedforher。

Buttherewastroublebrewing。Itwasquietandintenselyhot，withthatstiflingstillnessthatprecedesasummerstorm，andfeathersandfurweretenseandnervous。Thebirdsweresingingonlyafewbrokensnatches，andflyingaround，seekingplacesofshelter。

Onemomenteverythingseemeddevoidoflife，thenexttherewasanunexpectedwhir，buzz，andsharpcry。Inside，apandemoniumofgrowling，spatting，snarling，andgruntingbrokeloose。

Theswalebentflatbeforeheavygustsofwind，andthebigblackchickensweptlowerandlowerabovetheswamp。Patchesofcloudsgathered，shuttingoutthesunandmakingitverydark，andthenextmomentweresweptaway。Thesunpouredwithfierce，burningbrightness，andeverythingwasquiet。ItwasatthefirstgrowlofthunderthatFrecklesreallyhadnoticedtheweather，andputtinghisowntroublesasideresolutely，racedfortheswamp。

SarahDuncanpausedontheline。"Weel，Iwouldnastayinthisplaceforamillionamonth，"shesaidaloud，andthesoundofhervoicebroughtnocomfort，foritwassolittlelikeshehadthoughtitthatsheglancedhastilyaroundtoseeifithadreallybeenshethatspoke。Shetremblinglywipedtheperspirationfromherfacewiththeskirtofhersunbonnet。

"Awfu\'hot，"shepantedhuskily。"B\'lievethere\'sgoingtobeabigstorm。IdohopeFreckleswillhurry。"

Herchinwasquiveringasaterrifiedchild\'s。Sheliftedherbonnettoreplaceitandbrushedagainstabushbesideher。

WHIRR，almostintoherface，wentanighthawkstretchedalongalimbforitsdaytimenap。Mrs。Duncancriedoutandsprangdownthetrail，alightingonafrogthatwashoppingacross。Thehorriblecroakitgaveasshecrusheditsickenedher。Shescreamedwildlyandjumpedtooneside。Thatcarriedherintotheswale，wherethegrassesreachedalmosttoherwaist，andherhorrorofsnakesreturning，shemadeaflyingleapforanoldloglyingbesidetheline。

Shealightedsquarely，butitwassodampandrottenthatshesankstraightthroughittoherknees。Shecaughtatthewireasshewentdown，andmissing，rakedherwristacrossabarbuntilshetoreableedinggash。Herfingersclosedconvulsivelyaroundthesecondstrand。Shewastoofrightenedtoscreamnow。Hertonguestiffened。Sheclungfranticallytothesaggingwire，andfinallymanagedtograspitwiththeotherhand。Thenshecouldreachthetopwire，andsoshedrewherselfupandfoundsolidfooting。Shepickeduptheclubthatshehaddroppedinordertoextricateherself。

Leaningheavilyonit，shemanagedtoreturntothetrail，butshewastremblingsothatshescarcelycouldwalk。Goingafewstepsfarther，shecametothestumpofthefirsttreethathadbeentakenout。

Shesatboltuprightandverystill，tryingtocollectherthoughtsandreasonawayherterror。Asquirrelaboveherdroppedanut，andasitcamerattlingdown，bouncingfrombranchtobranch，everynerveinhertuggedwildly。Whenthedisgustedsquirrelbarkedloudly，shesprangtothetrail。

Thewindarosehigher，thechangesfromlighttodarknessweremoreabrupt，whilethethundercamecloserandlouderateverypeal。

Inswarmstheblackbirdsarosefromtheswaleandcameflockingtotheinterior，withaclamoringcry:"T\'CHECK，T\'CHECK。"

Gracklesmarshaledtothetribalcall:"TRALL-A-HEE，TRALL-A-HEE。"

Red-wingedblackbirdssweptlow，callingtobelatedmates:

"FOL-LOW-ME，FOL-LOW-ME。"Big，jettycrowsgatheredclosetoher，crying，asifwarninghertofleebeforeitwaseverlastinglytoolate。Aheron，fishingthenear-bypoolforFreckles\'"find-out"

frog，fellintotroublewithamuskratandutteredaraspingnotethatsentMrs。Duncanaroddownthelinewithoutrealizingthatshehadmoved。Shewastooshakentorunfar。Shestoppedandlookedaroundherfearfully。

Severalbeesstruckherandwereangrilybuzzingbeforeshenoticedthem。Thenthehummingswelledonallsides。

Aconvulsivesobshookher，andsheranintothebushes，nowintotheswale，anywheretoavoidtheswarmingbees，ducking，dodging，fightingforherverylife。Presentlythehummingseemedtobecomealittlefainter。Shefoundthetrailagain，andranwithallhermightfromafewofherangrypursuers。

Assheran，strainingeverymuscle，shesuddenlybecameawarethat，crossingthetrailbeforeher，wasabig，round，blackbody，withbrownmarkingsonitsback，likepaintedgeometricalpatterns。

Shetriedtostop，butthelouderbuzzingbehindwarnedhershedarednot。Gatheringherskirtshigher，withhairflyingaroundherfaceandhereyesalmostburstingfromtheirsockets，sheranstraighttowardit。Thesoundofherfeetandthehummingofthebeesalarmedtherattler，soitstoppedacrossthetrail，liftingitsheadabovethegrassesoftheswaleandrattlinginquiringly——rattleduntilthebeeswereoutdone。

Straighttowarditwentthepanic-strickenwoman，runningwildlyanduncontrollably。Shetookoneleap，clearingitsbodyonthepath，thenflewaheadwithwingedfeet。Thesnake，coiledtostrike，missedMrs。Duncanandlandedamongthebeesinstead。

Theysettledoverandaroundit，andrealizingthatithadfoundtrouble，itsankamongthegrassesandwentthreshingtowarditsdeninthedeepwillow-fringedlowground。Theswaleappearedasifareaperwerecuttingawideswath。Themassofenragedbeesdartedangrilyaround，searchingforit，andstrikingthescrub-thorn，beganatemporarysettlingtheretodiscoverwhetheritwereasuitableplace。Completelyexhausted，Mrs。Duncanstaggeredonafewstepsfarther，fellfacingthepath，whereFrecklesfoundher，andlayquietly。

Frecklesworkedoverheruntilshedrewalong，quiveringbreathandopenedhereyes。

Whenshesawhimbendingaboveher，sheclosedthemtightly，andgrippinghim，struggledtoherfeet。Hehelpedher，andwithhisarmaroundandhalfcarryingher，theymadetheirwaytotheclearing。

Sheclungtohimwithallherremainingstrength，butopenhereyesshewouldnotuntilherchildrencameclusteringaroundher。

Then，brawny，bigScotswomanthoughshewas，shequietlykeeledoveragain。ThechildrenaddedtheirwailingtoFreckles\'panic。

Thistimehewassoclosethecabinthathecouldcarryherintothehouseandlayheronthebed。Hesenttheoldestboyscuddingdownthecorduroyforthenearestneighbor，andbetweenthemtheyundressedMrs。Duncananddiscoveredthatshewasnotbitten。

Theybathedandboundthebleedingwristandcoaxedherbacktoconsciousness。Shelaysobbingandshuddering。Thefirstintelligentwordshesaidwas:"Freckles，lookatthatjaronthekitchentableandseeifmyyeastisnorunningower。"

SeveraldayspassedbeforeshecouldgiveDuncanandFrecklesanydetailedaccountofwhathadhappenedtoher，eventhenshecouldnotdoitwithoutcryingastheleastofherbabies。Freckleswasalmostheartbroken，andnursedheraswellasanywomancouldhavedone；whilebigDuncan，withaheartfullforthemboth，workedearlyandlatetochinkeverycrackofthecabinandexamineeveryspotthatpossiblycouldharborasnake。Theeffectsofhermorningonthetrailkepthershiveringhalfthetime。ShecouldnotrestuntilshesentforMcLeanandbeggedhimtosaveFrecklesfromfurtherrisk，inthatplaceofhorrors。TheBosswenttotheswampwithhismindfullydeterminedtodoso。

Frecklesstoodandlaughedathim。"Why，Mr。McLean，don\'tyouletawoman\'snervoussystemsetyouworryingaboutme，"hesaid。

"I\'mnotdenyinghowshefelt，becauseI\'vebeenthroughitmeself，butthat\'salloverandgone。It\'stheheightofmeglorytofightitoutwiththeoldswamp，andallthat\'sinit，orwillbecomingtoit，andthentoturnitovertoyouasIpromisedyouandmeselfI\'ddo，sir。Youcouldn\'tbreaktheheartofmeentirequickerthantobetakingitfrommenow，whenI\'mjustonthehome-stretch。

Itwon\'tbeoverthreeorfourweeksyet，andwhenI\'vegoneitalmostayear，why，what\'sthattome，sir？Youmustn\'tletawomangetmixedupwithbusiness，forI\'vealwaysheardabouthowit\'sbringingtrouble。"

McLeansmiled。"Whataboutthatlasttree？"hesaid。

Frecklesblushedandgrinnedappreciatively。

"AngelsandBirdWomendon\'tcountinthecommonrun，sir，"heaffirmedshamelessly。

McLeansatinthesaddleandlaughed。