第5章

CHAPTERX

WhereinFrecklesStrivesMightilyandtheSwampAngelRewardsHimTheBirdWomanandtheAngeldidnotseemtocountinthecommonrun，fortheyarrivedontimeforthethirdoftheseriesandfoundMcLeanonthelinetalkingtoFreckles。TheBosswasfilledwithenthusiasmoveramarsharticleoftheBirdWoman\'sthathejusthadread。Hebeggedtobeallowedtoaccompanyherintotheswampandwatchthemethodbywhichshesecuredanillustrationinsuchalocation。

TheBirdWomanexplainedtohimthatitwasaneasymatterwiththesubjectshethenhadinhand；andasLittleChickenwastoosmalltobefrightenedbyhim，andbigenoughtobegrowingtroublesome，shewasgladforhiscompany。Theywenttothechickenlogtogether，leavingtothehappyFrecklesthecareoftheAngel，whohadbroughtherbanjoandarollofsongsthatshewantedtohearhimsing。TheBirdWomantoldthemthattheymightpracticeinFreckles\'roomuntilshefinishedwithLittleChicken，andthensheandMcLeanwouldcometotheconcert。

Itwasalmostthreehoursbeforetheyfinishedandcamedownthewesttrailfortheirrestandlunch。McLeanwalkedahead，keepingsharpwatchonthetrailandclearingitoffallenlimbsfromoverhangingtrees。Hesentabigpieceofbarkflyingintotheswale，andthenstoppedshortandstaredatthetrail。

TheBirdWomanbentforward。TogethertheystudiedthatimprintoftheAngel\'sfoot。Atlasttheireyesmet，theBirdWoman\'sfilledwithastonishment，andMcLean\'shumidwithpity。Neithersaidaword，buttheyknew。McLeanenteredtheswaleandhuntedupthebark。

Hereplacedit，andtheBirdWomancarefullysteppedover。Astheyreachedthebushesattheentrance，thevoiceoftheAngelstoppedthem，foritwascommandingandfilledwithmuchimpatience。

"FrecklesJamesRossMcLean！"shewassaying。"Youfillmewithdark-bluedespair！You\'resingingasifyourvoicewereglassandmightbreakatanyminute。Whydon\'tyousingasyoudidaweekago？

Answermethat，please。"

FrecklessmiledconfusedlyattheAngel，whosatononeofhisfancyseats，playinghisaccompanimentonherbanjo。

"Youareafraud，"shesaid。"Hereyouwentlastweekandledmetothinkthattherewasthemakingofagreatsingerinyou，andnowyouaresinging——doyouknowhowbadlyyouaresinging？"

"Yis，"saidFrecklesmeekly。"I\'mthinkingI\'mtoohappytobesingingwelltoday。Themusicdon\'tcomerightonlywhenI\'mlonesomeandsad。Theworld\'sforbeingallsunshineatprisint，foramongyouandMr。McLeanandtheBirdWomanI\'mafterbeingTHAThappythatIcan\'tkeepmethoughtsonmenotes。It\'smorethansorryIamtobedisappointingyou。Playitover，andI\'llbebeginningagain，andthistimeI\'llholdhard。"

"Well，"saidtheAngeldisgustedly，"itseemstomethatifIhadallthethingstobeproudofthatyouhave，I\'dliftupmyheadandsing！"

"AndwhatisitI\'vetobeproudof，ma\'am？"politelyinquiredFreckles。

"Why，awholeworldfulofthings，"criedtheAngelexplosively。

"Foronething，youcanbegoodandproudoverthewayyou\'vekeptthetimberthievesoutofthislease，andthetrustyourfatherhasinyou。Youcanbeproudthatyou\'veneverevenoncedisappointedhimorfailedinwhathebelievedyoucoulddo。Youcanbeproudoverthewayeveryonespeaksofyouwithtrustandhonor，andabouthowbraveofheartandstrongofbodyyouareIheardabigmansayafewdaysagothattheLimberlostwasfullofdisagreeablethings——positivedangers，unhealthfulasitcouldbe，andthatsincethememoryofthefirstsettlersithasbeenarendezvousforrunaways，thieves，andmurderers。Thisswampisnamedforamanthatwaslosthereandwanderedaround`tilhestarved。ThatmanI

wastalkingwithsaidhewouldn\'ttakeyourjobforathousanddollarsamonth——infact，hesaidhewouldn\'thaveitforanymoney，andyou\'venevermissedadayorlostatree。Proud！Why，I

shouldthinkyouwouldjustparadearoundaboutproperoverthat！

"AndyoucanalwaysbeproudthatyouarebornanIrishman。MyfatherisIrish，andifyouwanttoseehimgetupandstrutgivehimateenyopeningtoenlargeonhisrace。HesaysthatiftheIrishhaddecentterritorythey\'dleadtheworld。Hesaysthey\'vealwaysbeenhandicappedbylackofspaceandoffertilesoil。

HesaysifIrelandhadbeenasbigandfertileasIndiana，why，Englandwouldn\'teverhavehadtheupperhand。She\'donlybeanappendage。FancyEnglandanappendage！HesaysIrelandhasthefinestoratorsandthekeeneststatesmeninEuropetoday，andwhenEnglandwantstofight，withwhomdoesshefillhertrenches？

Irishmen，ofcourse！Irelandhasthegreenestgrassandtrees，thefineststonesandlakes，andthey\'vejaunting-cars。Idon\'tknowjustexactlywhattheyare，butIrelandhasallthereare，anyway。

They\'vealotofgreatactors，andafewsingers，andthereneverwasasweeterpoetthanoneoftheirs。Youshouldhearmyfatherrecite`DearHarpofMyCountry。\'Hedoesitthisway。"

TheAngelarose，madeanelaborateold-timebow，andholdingupthebanjo，recitedinclippingfeetandmeter，withrhythmicswingandatouchofbroguethatwassimplyirresistible:

"Dearharpofmycountry"[TheAngelardentlyclaspedthebanjo]，"IndarknessIfoundthee"[Sheheldittothelight]，"Thecoldchainofsilencehadhungo\'ertheelong"[Shemutedthestringswithherrosypalm]；

"Thenproudly，myownIrishharp，Iunboundthee"[Shethrewupherheadandsweptaringingharmony]；

"Andgaveallthychordstolight，freedom，andsong"[ShecrashedintothenotesoftheaccompanimentshehadbeenplayingforFreckles]。

"That\'swhatyouwanttobethinkingof！"shecried。"Notdarkness，andlonesomeness，andsadness，but`light，freedom，andsong。\'

Ican\'tbegintothinkoffhandofallthebig，splendidthingsanIrishmanhastobeproudof；butwhatevertheyare，theyareallyours，andyouareapartofthem。Ijustdespisethat`saddest-

when-I-sing\'business。Youcansing！Nowyougooverthereanddoit！Irelandhashadherstatesmen，warriors，actors，andpoets；nowyoubehervoice！Youstandrightouttherebeforethecathedraldoor，andI\'mgoingtocomedowntheaisleplayingthataccompaniment，andwhenIstopinfrontofyou——yousing！"

TheAngel\'sfaceworeanunusualflush。Hereyeswereflashingandshewaspalpitatingwithearnestness。

Shepartedthebushesanddisappeared。Freckles，straightandtense，stoodwaiting。Presently，beforehesawshewasthere，shewascomingdowntheaisletowardhim，playingcompellingly，andriftsoflightweretouchingherwithgoldenglory。Frecklesstoodasiftransfixed。

Thecathedralwasmajesticallybeautiful，fromarcheddomeoffrescoedgold，green，andblueinnever-endingshadesandharmonies，tothemosaicaisleshetrod，richlyinlaidinchoicestcolors，andgiganticpillarsthatwereGod\'shandiworkfashionedandperfectedthroughagesofsunshineandrain。ButthefairyoungfaceanddivinelymoldedformoftheAngelwereHismostperfectworkofall。Neverhadsheappearedsosurpassinglybeautiful。

Shewassmilingencouraginglynow，andasshecametowardhim，shestruckthechordsfullandstrong。

TheheartofpoorFrecklesalmostburstwithdullpainandhisgreatloveforher。Inhisdesiretofulfillherexpectationsheforgoteverythingelse，andwhenshereachedhisinitialchordhewasready。Heliterallyburstforth:

"ThreelittleleavesofIrishgreen，Unitedononestem，Love，truth，andvalordotheymean，Theyformamagicgem。"

TheAngel\'seyeswidenedcuriouslyandherlipsparted。Adeepcolorsweptintohercheeks。Shehadintendedtoarousehim。

Shehadmorethansucceeded。Shewastooyoungtoknowthatintheefforttorouseaman，womenfrequentlykindlefiresthattheyneithercanquenchnorcontrol。Freckleswaslookingoverherheadnowandsingingthatsong，asitneverhadbeensungbefore，forheralone；andinsteadofherhelpinghim，asshehadintended，hewascarryingherwithhimonthewavesofhisvoice，away，awayintoanotherworld。Whenhestruckintothechorus，wide-eyedandpanting，shewasswayingtowardhimandplayingwithallhermight。

"Oh，doyoulove？Oh，sayyouloveYoulovetheshamrockgreen！"

Atthelastnote，Freckles\'voiceceasedandhelookedattheAngel。

Hehadgivenhisbestandhisall。Hefellonhiskneesandfoldedhisarmsacrosshisbreast。TheAngel，asifmagnetized，walkedstraightdowntheaisletohim，andrunningherfingersintothecrispmassesofhisredhair，tiltedhisheadbackandlaidherlipsonhisforehead。

Thenshesteppedbackandfacedhim。"Goodboy！"shesaid，inavoicethatwaveredfromthethrobbingofhershakenheart。

"Dearboy！Iknewyoucoulddoit！Iknewitwasinyou！

Freckles，whenyougointotheworld，ifyoucanfaceabigaudienceandsinglikethat，justonce，youwillbeimmortal，andanythingyouwantwillbeyours。"

"Anything！"gaspedFreckles。

"Anything，"saidtheAngel。

Frecklesarose，mutteredsomething，andcatchinguphisoldbucket，plungedintotheswampblindlyonapretenceofbringingwater。

TheAngelwalkedslowlyacrossthestudy，satontherusticbench，and，throughnarrowedlids，intentlystudiedthetipofhershoe。

OnthetrailtheBirdWomanwheeledtoMcLeanwithadumbfoundedlook。

"God！"mutteredhe。

AtlasttheBirdWomanspoke。

"DoyouthinktheAngelknewshedidthat？"sheaskedsoftly。

"No，"saidMcLean；"Idonot。Butthepoorboyknewit。Heavenhelphim！"

TheBirdWomanstaredacrossthegentlywavingswale。"Idon\'tseehowIamgoingtoblameher，"shesaidatlast。"It\'ssoexactlywhatIwouldhavedonemyself。"

"Saytheremainder，"demandedMcLeanhoarsely。"Dohimjustice。"

"Hewasbornagentleman，"concededtheBirdWoman。"Hetooknoadvantage。Heneverevenofferedtotouchher。Whateverthatkissmeanttohim，herecognizedthatitwasthelovingimpulseofachildunderstressofstrongemotion。Hewasfineandmanlyasanymanevercouldhavebeen。"

McLeanliftedhishat。"Thankyou，"hesaidsimply，andpartedthebushesforhertoenterFreckles\'room。

Itwasherfirstvisit。Beforesheleftshesentforhercamerasandmadestudiesofeachsideofitandofthecathedral。Shewasentrancedwiththedelicatebeautyoftheplace，whilehereyeskeptfollowingFrecklesasifshecouldnotbelievethatitcouldbehisconceptionandwork。

Thatwasahappyday。TheBirdWomanhadbroughtalunch，andtheyspreadit，withFreckles\'dinner，onthestudyfloorandsat，restingandenjoyingthemselves。ButtheAngelputherbanjointoitscase，silentlygatheredhermusic，andnoonementionedtheconcert。

TheBirdWomanleftMcLeanandtheAngeltoclearawaythelunch，andwithFrecklesexaminedthewallsofhisroomandtoldhimallsheknewabouthisshrubsandflowers。Sheanalyzedacardinal-flowerandshowedhimwhathehadwantedtoknowallsummer——whythebeesbuzzedineffectuallyarounditwhilethehumming-birdsfoundinitanever-readyfeast。Someofhisspecimensweresorarethatshewasunfamiliarwiththem，andwiththeflowerbookbetweenthemtheyknelt，studyingthedifferentvarieties。Shewanderedthelengthofthecathedralaislewithhim，anditwasathersuggestionthathelightedhisaltarwitharowofflamingfoxfire。

AsFrecklescametothecabinfromhislongdayattheswamphesawMrs。Chickensweepingtothesouthandwonderedwhereshewasgoing。

Hesteppedintothebright，cosylittlekitchen，andashereacheddownthewash-basinheaskedMrs。Duncanaquestion。

"MotherDuncan，dokisseswashoff？"

Sowarmawavesweptherheartthatahalf-flushmantledherface。

Shestraightenedhershouldersandglancedatherhandstenderly。

"Lord，na！Freckles，"shecried。"Atleast，theanesyegetfrompeopleyelovedinna。Theydinnastayontheoutside。Theystrikeinuntiltheyfindthecenterofyourheartandmaketheirstopping-placethere，andnaethingcantakethemfromye——Idoubtifevendeath——Na，lad，yecanbereetsurekissesdinnawashoff！"

Frecklessetthebasindownandmutteredasheplungedhishot，tiredfaceintothewater，"Ineedn\'tbeafraidtobewashing，then，forthatonestruckin。"

CHAPTERXI

WhereintheButterfliesGoonaSpreeandFrecklesInformstheBirdWoman"Iwish，"saidFrecklesatbreakfastonemorning，"thatIhadsomewaytobesendingamessagetotheBirdWoman。I\'vesomethingattheswampthatI\'mbelievingneverhappenedbefore，andsurelyshe\'llbewantingit。"

"Whatnow，Freckles？"askedMrs。Duncan。

"Why，theoddestthingyoueverheardof，"saidFreckles；"thewholeinsecttribegoneonaspree。I\'msupposingit\'smydoings，butitallhappenedbyaccident，like。Yousee，ontheswalesideoftheline，rightagainstmetrail，there\'soneofthesescrubwildcrabtrees。Wherethegrassgrowsthickaroundit，isthefinestplaceyoueverconceivedofforsnakes。Havingwomenabouthassetmetryingtocleanoutthosefellowsabit，andyesterdayInoticedthattreeinpassing。Itstruckmethatitwouldbeagoodideatobetakingitout。FirstIthoughtI\'dtakemehatchetandcutitdown，foritain\'tthickerthanmeupperarm。ThenI

rememberedhowitwasbloominginthespringandfillingalltheairwithsweetness。Thecoloringoftheblossomsisbeautiful，andIhatedtobekillingit。Ijustcutthegrassshortallaroundit。

ThenIstartedattheground，trimmedupthetrunkneartheheightofmeshoulder，andleftthetopspreading。Thatmadeitlooksotrulyornamentalthat，idlelike，Ichipsofftheroughplacesneat，andthismorning，onmesoul，it\'sasight！Yousee，cuttingoffthelimbsandtrimmingupthetrunksetsthesaprunning。Inthishotsunitfermentsinafewhours。Thereisn\'tmuchroomformorethingstocrowdonthattreethanthereare，andtogetdrunkerisn\'tnowayspossible。"

"Weel，Ibedrawedon！"exclaimedMrs。Duncan。"Whatkindofthingsdoyemean，Freckles？"

"Why，justanarmyofblackants。Someofthemaresuckingawaylikeoldtopers。Someofthemaresettingupontheirtailsandhindlegs，fiddlingwiththeirfore-feetandwipingtheireyes。

Somearerollingaroundontheground，contented。Therearequantitiesofbigblue-bottlefliesoverthebarkandhangingonthegrassesaround，toodrunktosteeracourseflying；sotheyjustbuzzawaylikeflying，andallthetimesittingstill。

Thesnake-feedersaretoofulltofeedanything——evenmoresaptothemselves。There\'salotofhard-backedbugs——beetles，I

guess——coloredlikethebrown，blue，andblackofapeacock\'stail。

Theyhangonuntilthelegsofthemaresowaketheycan\'tstickaminutelonger，andthentheybreakawayandfalltotheground。

Theyjustlaythereontheirbacks，fablyclawingair。Whenitwearsoffabit，uptheyget，andgocrawlingbackformore，andtheysofulltheybumpintoeachotherandrollover。Sometimestheycan\'tclimbthetreeuntiltheywaittosoberupalittle。

There\'salotofbigblack-and-goldbumblebees，doneforentire，stumblingoverthebarkandrollingontheground。Theyjustlaythereontheirbacks，rockingfromsidetoside，singingtothemselveslikefat，happybabies。Thewildbeeskeepupasteadybuzzingwiththebeatingoftheirwings。

"Thebutterfliesaretheworstoldtopersofthemall。They\'rejustacircus！Youneversawthelikeofthebeauties！Theycomeeverycoloryoucouldbenaming，andeveryshapeyoucouldbethinkingup。

Theydrinkanddrinkuntil，ifI\'mdrivingthemaway，theystaggerastheyflyandturnsomersaultsintheair。IfIlavethemalone，theyclingtothegrasses，shiveringhappylike；andI\'mblest，MotherDuncan，ifthebestofthemcouldbeunlockingthefrontdoorwithaleadpencil，even。"

"Ineverheardofanythingsaesurprising，"saidMrs。Duncan。

"It\'sararesighttowatchthem，andnooneevermadeapictureofathinglikethatbefore，I\'mforthinking，"saidFrecklesearnestly。

"Na，"saidMrs。Duncan。"Yecanbeprettysuretheredidna。TheBirdWomanmusthavewordinsomeway，ifyewalkthelineandI

walktotownandtellher。Ifyethinkyecanwaituntilaftersupper，Iammostsureyecangangyoursel\'，forDuncaniscominghomeandhe\'dbegladtowatchforye。Ifhedoesnacome，andnaanepassesthatIcansendwordwithtoday，Ireallywillgangearlyinthemorningandtellhermysel\'。"

Frecklestookhislunchandwenttotheswamp。Hewalkedandwatchedeagerly。Hecouldfindnotraceofanything，yethefeltatensenervousness，asiftroublemightbebrooding。Heexaminedeverysectionofthewire，andkeptwatchfuleyesonthegrassesoftheswale，inanefforttodiscoverifanyonehadpassedthroughthem；buthecoulddiscovernotraceofanythingtojustifyhisfears。

Hetiltedhishatbrimtoshadehisfaceandlookedforhischickens。

Theywerehangingalmostbeyondsightinthesky。

"Gee！"hesaid。"IfIonlyhadyoursharpeyesandconvenientlocationnow，Iwouldn\'tneedbetroublingso。"

Hereachedhisroomandcautiouslyscannedtheentrancebeforehesteppedin。Thenhepushedthebushesapartwithhisrightarmandentered，hislefthandonthebuttofhisfavoriterevolver。

Instantlyheknewthatsomeonehadbeenthere。Hesteppedtothecenteroftheroom，closelyscanningeachwallandthefloor。

Hecouldfindnotraceofacluetoconfirmhisbelief，yetsointimatewashewiththespiritoftheplacethatheknew。

Howheknewhecouldnothavetold，yethedidknowthatsomeonehadenteredhisroom，satonhisbenches，andwalkedoverhisfloor。

Hewassurestaroundthecase。Nothingwasdisturbed，yetitseemedtoFrecklesthathecouldseewherepryingfingershadtriedthelock。Hesteppedbehindthecase，carefullyexaminingthegroundallaroundit，andclosebesidethetreetowhichitwasnailedhefoundadeep，freshfootprintinthespongysoil——along，narrowprint，thatwasnevermadebythefootofWessner。Hishearttuggedinhisbreastashementallymeasuredtheprint，buthedidnotlinger，fornowthefeelingarosethathewasbeingwatched。

Itseemedtohimthathecouldfeeltheeyesofsomeintruderathisback。Heknewhewasexaminingthingstooclosely:ifanyonewerewatching，hedidnotwanthimtoknowthathefeltit。

Hetookthemostopenway，andcarriedwaterforhisflowersandmossasusual；butheputhimselfintonopositioninwhichhewasfullyexposed，andhishandwasclosehisrevolverconstantly。

Growingrestiveatlastunderthestrain，heplungedboldlyintotheswampandsearchedminutelyallaroundhisroom，buthecouldnotdiscovertheleastthingtogivehimfurthercauseforalarm。

Heunlockedhiscase，tookouthiswheel，andfortheremainderofthedayherodeandwatchedasheneverhadbefore。Severaltimeshelockedthewheelandcrossedtheswamponfoot，zigzaggingtocoverallthespacepossible。Everyrodhetraveledheusedthecautionthatsprangfromknowledgeofdangerandthedirectionfromwhichitprobablywouldcome。SeveraltimeshethoughtofsendingforMcLean，butforhislifehecouldnotmakeuphismindtodoitwithnothingmoretangiblethanonefootprinttojustifyhim。

HewaiteduntilhewassureDuncanwouldbeathome，ifhewerecomingforthenight，beforehewenttosupper。Thefirstthinghesawashecrossedtheswalewasthebigbaysintheyard。

Therehadbeennoonepassingthatday，andDuncanreadilyagreedtowatchuntilFrecklesrodetotown。HetoldDuncanofthefootprint，andurgedhimtoguardclosely。Duncansaidhemightresteasy，andfillinghispipeandtakingagoodrevolver，thebigmanwenttotheLimberlost。

Frecklesmadehimselfcleanandneat，andracedtotown，butitwasnightandthestarswereshiningbeforehereachedthehomeoftheBirdWoman。Fromafarhecouldseethatthehousewasablazewithlights。Thelawnandverandawerestrungwithfancylanternsandalivewithpeople。Hethoughthiserrandimportant，sototurnbackneveroccurredtoFreckles。Thiswasallthetimeoropportunityhewouldhave。HemustseetheBirdWoman，andseeheratonce。

Heleanedhiswheelinsidethefenceandwalkedupthebroadfrontentrance。Ashenearedthesteps，hesawthattheplacewasswarmingwithyoungpeople，andtheAngel，withanexcusetoagroupthatsurroundedher，camehurryingtohim。

"OhFreckles！"shecrieddelightedly。"Soyoucouldcome？Weweresoafraidyoucouldnot！I\'masgladasIcanbe！"

"Idon\'tunderstand，"saidFreckles。"Wereyouexpectingme？"

"Whyofcourse！"exclaimedtheAngel。"Haven\'tyoucometomyparty？

Didn\'tyougetmyinvitation？Isentyouone。"

"Bymail？"askedFreckles。

"Yes，"saidtheAngel。"Ihadtohelpwiththepreparations，andI

couldn\'tfindtimetodriveout；butIwroteyoualetter，andtoldyouthattheBirdWomanwasgivingapartyforme，andwewantedyoutocome，surely。ItoldthemattheofficetoputitwithMr。

Duncan\'smail。"

"Thenthat\'slikelywhereitisatpresent，"saidFreckles。

"Duncancomestotownonlyonceaweek，andattimesnotthat。

He\'shometonightforthefirstinaweek。He\'swatchinganhourformeuntilIcometotheBirdWomanwithabitofworkIthoughtshe\'dbecaringtohearaboutbad。IsshewhereI

canseeher？"

TheAngel\'sfaceclouded。

"Whatadisappointment！"shecried。"Ididsowantallmyfriendstoknowyou。Can\'tyoustayanyway？"

Frecklesglancedfromhiswading-bootstothepatentleathersofsomeoftheAngel\'sfriends，andsmiledwhimsically，buttherewasnodangerofhisevermisjudgingheragain。

"YouknowIcannot，Angel，"hesaid。

"IamafraidIdo，"shesaidruefully。"It\'stoobad！ButthereisathingIwantforyoumorethantocometomyparty，andthatistohangonandwinwithyourwork。Ithinkofyoueveryday，andI

justpraythatthosethievesarenotgettingaheadofyou。

Oh，Freckles，dowatchclosely！"

Shewassolovelyapictureasshestoodbeforehim，ardentinhiscause，thatFrecklescouldnottakehiseyesfromhertonoticewhatherfriendswerethinking。Ifshedidnotmind，whyshouldhe？

Anyway，iftheyreallyweretheAngel\'sfriends，probablytheywerebetteraccustomedtoherwaysthanhe。

Herfaceandbaredneckandarmswerelikethewildrosebloom。

Hersoftfrockofwhitetulleliftedandstirredaroundherwiththegentleeveningair。Thebeautifulgoldenhair，thatcreptaroundhertemplesandearsasifitlovedtoclingthere，wascaughtbackandboundwithbroadbluesatinribbon。Therewasasashofblueatherwaist，andknotsofitcatchingupherdraperies。

"MustIgoaftertheBirdWoman？"shepleaded。

"Indade，youmust，"answeredFrecklesfirmly。

TheAngelwentaway，butreturnedtosaythattheBirdWomanwastellingastorytothoseinsideandshecouldnotcomeforashorttime。

"Youwon\'tcomein？"shepleaded。

"Imustnot，"saidFreckles。"Iamnotdressedtobeamongyourfriends，andImightbeforgettingmeselfandstaytoolong。"

"Then，"saidtheAngel，"wemustn\'tgothroughthehouse，becauseitwoulddisturbthestory；butIwantyoutocometheoutsidewaytotheconservatoryandhavesomeofmybirthdaylunchandsomecaketotaketoMrs。Duncanandthebabies。Won\'tthatbefun？"

Frecklesthoughtthatitwouldbemorethanfun，andfolloweddelightedly。

TheAngelgavehimabigglass，brimmingwithsomeicy，sparklingliquidthatstruckhispalateasitneverhadbeentouchedbefore，becauseacombinationoffrostyfruitjuiceshadnotbeenafrequentbeveragewithhim。Thenightwaswarm，andtheAngelmostbeautifulandkind。Atripledeliriumofspirit，mind，andbodyseizeduponhimanddevelopedaboldnessallunnatural。Heslightlypartedtheheavycurtainsthatseparatedtheconservatoryfromthecompanyandlookedbetween。Healmoststoppedbreathing。Hehadreadofthingslikethat，butheneverhadseenthem。

Theopenspaceseemedtostretchthroughhalfadozenrooms，allablazewithlights，perfumedwithflowers，andfilledwithelegantlydressedpeople。Therewereglimpsesofpolishedfloors，sparklingglass，andfinefurnishings。Fromsomewhere，thevoiceofhisbelovedBirdWomanaroseandfell。

TheAngelcrowdedbesidehimandwaswatchingalso。

"Doesn\'titlookpretty？"shewhispered。

"DoyousupposeHeavenisanyfinerthanthat？"askedFreckles。

TheAngelbegantolaugh。

"Doyouwanttobelaughingharderthanthat？"queriedFreckles。

"Alaughisalwaysgood，"saidtheAngel。"Alittlemoreavoirdupoiswon\'thurtme。Goahead。"

"Wellthen，"saidFreckles，"it\'sonlythatIfeelalloverasifIbelongedthere。Icouldwearfineclothes，andmoveoverthosefloors，andholdmeownagainstthebestofthem。"

"Butwheredoesmylaughcomein？"demandedtheAngel，asifshehadbeendefrauded。

"Andyouaskmewherethelaughcomesin，lookingmeinthefaceafterthat，"marveledFreckles。

"Iwouldn\'tbesofoolishastolaughatsuchamanifesttruthasthat，"saidtheAngel。"AnyonewhoknowsyouevenhalfaswellasIdo，knowsthatyouareneverguiltyofadiscourtesy，andyoumovewithtwicethegraceofanymanhere。Whyshouldn\'tyoufeelasifyoubelongedwherepeoplearegracefulandcourteous？"

"Onmesoul！"saidFreckles，"youarekindtobethinkingit。

Youaredoublykindtobesayingit。"

Thecurtainspartedandawomancametowardthem。Hersilksandlacestrailedacrossthepolishedfloors。Thelightsgleamedonherneckandarms，andflashedfromrarejewels。Shewassmilingbrightly；anduntilshespoke，FreckleshadnotrealizedfullythatitwashislovedBirdWoman。

Noticinghisbewilderment，shecried:"Why，Freckles！Don\'tyouknowmeinmywarclothes？"

"IdointheuniforminwhichyoufighttheLimberlost，"saidFreckles。

TheBirdWomanlaughed。Thenhetoldherwhyhehadcome，butshescarcelycouldbelievehim。Shecouldnotsayexactlywhenshewouldgo，butshewouldmakeitassoonaspossible，forshewasmostanxiousforthestudy。

Whiletheytalked，theAngelwasbusypackingaboxofsandwiches，cake，fruit，andflowers。Shegavehimalastfrostyglass，thankedhimrepeatedlyforbringingnewsofnewmaterial；thenFreckleswentintothenight。HerodetowardtheLimberlostwithhiseyesonthestars。Presentlyheremovedhishat，hungittohisbelt，andruffledhishairtothesweepofthenightwind。Hefilledtheairallthewaywithsnatchesoforatorios，gospelhymns，anddialectandcoonsongs，inastartlinglyvariedprogramme。TheonethingFrecklesknewthathecoulddowastosing。TheDuncansheardhimcomingamileupthecorduroyandcouldnotbelievetheirsenses。

Frecklesunfastenedtheboxfromhisbelt，andgaveMrs。Duncanandthechildrenalltheeatablesitcontained，exceptonebigpieceofcakethathecarriedtothesweet-lovingDuncan。Heputtheflowersbackintheboxandsetitamonghisbooks。Hedidnotsayanything，buttheyunderstooditwasnottobetouched。

"Thae\'sFreckles\'flow\'rs，"saidatinyScotsman，"but，"headdedcheerfully，"it\'soorsweeties！"

Freckles\'faceslowlyflushedashetookDuncan\'scakeandstartedtowardtheswamp。WhileDuncanate，Frecklestoldhimsomethingabouttheevening，aswellashecouldfindwordstoexpresshimself，andthebigmanwassoamazedhekeptforgettingthetreatinhishands。

ThenFrecklesmountedhiswheelandbeganaspinthatterminatedonlywhenthebiggestPlymouthRockinDuncan\'scoopsalutedanewday，andlonglinesoflightreddenedtheeast。Asherodehesang，whilehesangheworshiped，butthegodhetriedtoglorifywasadimandfarawaymystery。TheAngelwaswarmfleshandblood。

Everytimehepassedthelittlebark-coveredimprintonthetrailhedismounted，removedhishat，solemnlykneltandlaidhislipsontheimpression。Becausehekeptnoaccounthimself，onlythelaughing-facedoldmanofthemoonknewhowoftenithappened；andasfromthebeginning，tothefolliesofearththatgentlemanhaseverbeenkind。

WiththenearapproachofdawnFrecklestunedhislastnote。

Weariedalmosttofalling，heturnedfromthetrailintothepathleadingtothecabinforafewhours\'rest。

CHAPTERXII

WhereinBlackJackCapturesFrecklesandtheAngelCapturesJackAsFrecklesleftthetrail，fromtheswaleclosethesouthentrance，fourlargemuscularmenaroseandswiftlyandcarefullyenteredtheswampbythewagonroad。Twoofthemcarriedabigsaw，thethird，coilsofropeandwire，andallofthemwereheavilyarmed。

Theyleftonemanonguardattheentrance。Theotherthreemadetheirwaythroughthedarknessasbesttheycould，andweresoonatFreckles\'room。Hehadlefttheswamponhiswheelfromthewesttrail。Theycountedonhisreturningonthewheelandcirclingtheeastlinebeforehecamethere。

AlittlebelowthewestentrancetoFreckles\'room，BlackJacksteppedintotheswale，andbindingawiretightlyaroundascruboak，carrieditbelowthewavinggrasses，stretchedittautacrossthetrail，andfastenedittoatreeintheswamp。Thenheobliteratedallsignsofhiswork，andarrangedthegrassoverthewireuntilitwassocompletelycoveredthatonlyminuteexaminationwouldrevealit。TheyenteredFreckles\'roomwithcoarseoathsandjests。Inafewmoments，hisspecimencasewithitspreciouscontentswasrolledintotheswamp，whilethesawwaseatingintooneofthefinesttreesoftheLimberlost。

ThefirstreportfromthemanonwatchwasthatDuncanhaddriventotheSouthcamp；thesecond，thatFreckleswascoming。Themanwatchingwassenttoseeonwhichsidetheboyturnedintothepath；astheyhadexpected，hetooktheeast。Hewasalittletiredandhisheadwasratherstupid，forhehadnotbeenabletosleepashehadhoped，buthewasveryhappy。Althoughhewatcheduntilhiseyesached，hecouldseenosignofanyonehavingenteredtheswamp。

Hecalledacheerygreetingtoallhischickens。AtSleepySnakeCreekhealmostfellfromhiswheelwithsurprise:thesaw-birdwassurroundedbyfourlankyyoungstersclamoringforbreakfast。

Thefatherwasstruttingwithalltheimportanceofadrummajor。

"NousetoexpecttheBirdWomantoday，"saidFreckles；"butnowwouldn\'tshebejumpingforachanceatthat？"

AssoonasFreckleswasfardowntheeastline，thewatchwaspostedbelowtheroomonthewesttoreporthiscoming。Itwasonlyafewmomentsbeforethesignalcame。Thenthesawstopped，andtheropewasbroughtoutanduncoiledclosetoasapling。WessnerandBlackJackcrowdedtotheveryedgeoftheswampalittleabovethewire，andcrouched，waiting。

TheyheardFrecklesbeforetheysawhim。Hecameglidingdownthelineswiftly，andasherodehewassingingsoftly:

"Oh，doyoulove，Oh，sayyoulove——"

Hegotnofarther。Thesharplydrivenwheelstruckthetensewireandboundedback。Frecklesshotoverthehandlebarandcoasteddownthetrailonhischest。Ashestruck，BlackJackandWessnerwereuponhim。WessnercaughtoffanoldfelthatandclappeditoverFreckles\'mouth，whileBlackJacktwistedtheboy\'sarmsbehindhimandtheyrushedhimintohisroom。Almostbeforeherealizedthatanythinghadhappened，hewastrussedtoatreeandsecurelygagged。

Thenthreeofthemenresumedworkonthetree。TheotherfollowedthepathFreckleshadworntoLittleChicken\'stree，andpresentlyhereportedthatthewiresweredownandtwoteamswiththeloadingapparatuscomingtotakeoutthetimber。Allthetimethesawwasslowlyeating，eatingintothebigtree。

Wessnerwenttothetrailandremovedthewire。HepickedupFreckles\'wheel，thatdidnotseemtobeinjured，andleaneditagainstthebushessothatifanyonedidpassonthetrailhewouldnotseeitdoubledintheswamp-grass。

ThenhecameandstoodinfrontofFrecklesandlaughedindevilishhate。Tohisownamazement，Frecklesfoundhimselflookingfearintheface，andmarveledthathewasnotafraid。

Fourtoone！Thetreehalfwayeatenthrough，thewagonscominguptheinsideroad——he，boundandgagged！ThemenwithBlackJackandWessnerhadbelongedtoMcLean\'sgangwhenlasthehadheardofthem，butwhothosecomingwiththewagonsmightbehecouldnotguess。

Iftheysecuredthattree，McLeanlostitsvalue，losthiswager，andlosthisfaithinhim。ThewordsoftheAngelhammeredinhisears。"Oh，Freckles，dowatchclosely！"

Thesawworkedsteadily。

Whenthetreewasdownandloaded，whatwouldtheydo？Pullout，andleavehimtheretoreportthem？Itwasnottobehopedfor。

Theplacealwayshadbeenlawless。Itcouldmeanbutonething。

Amistsweptbeforehiseyes，whilehisheadswam。WasitonlylastnightthathehadworshipedtheAngelinadeliriumofhappiness？

Andnow，what？Wessner，releasedfromaturnatthesaw，walkedtotheflowerbed，andtearingupahandfulofrarefernsbytheroots，startedtowardFreckles。Hisintentionwasobvious。

BlackJackstoppedhim，withanoath。

"Youseehere，Dutchy，"hebawled，"mebbyyouthinkyou\'llwashhisfacewiththat，butyouwon\'t。Acontract\'sacontract。Weagreedtotakeoutthesetreesandleavehimforyoutodisposeofwhateverwayyouplease，providedyoushuthimupeternallyonthisdeal。

ButI\'llnotseeatiedmantormentedbyafellowthathecanlickupthegroundwith，loose，andthat\'sflat。Itraisesmygorgetothinkwhathe\'llgetwhenwe\'regone，butyouneedn\'tthinkyou\'refreetobeginbefore。Don\'tyoulayahandonhimwhileI\'mhere！Whatdoyousay，boys？"

"Isayyes，"growledoneofMcLean\'slatestdeserters。"What\'smore，we\'reapackoffoolstoriskthedirtyworkofsilencinghim。

Youhadhimfacedownandyouonhisback；whythehelldidn\'tyoucoverhisheadandrollhimintothebushesuntilweweregone？

WhenIwentintothis，Ididn\'tunderstandthathewastoseeallofusandthattherewasmurderontheticket。I\'mnotuptoit。

Idon\'tmindliftingtreeswecamefor，butI\'mcursedifIwantbloodonmyhands。"

"Well，youain\'tgoingtogetit，"bellowedJack。"Youfellowsonlycontractedtohelpmegetoutmymarkedtrees。HebelongtoWessner，anditain\'tinourdealwhathappenstohim。"

"Yes，andifWessnerfinisheshimsafely，wearepracticallyinformurderaswellasstealingthetrees；andifhedon\'t，allhell\'stopay。Ithinkyou\'vemadeadamnablebungleofthisthing；that\'swhatIthink！"

"Thenkeepyourthoughtstoyourself，"criedJack。"We\'redoingthis，andit\'sallplannedsafeandsure。Asforkillingthatbuck——cometothinkofit，killingiswhatheneeds。He\'sawaytoogoodforthisworldofwoe，anyhow。Itellyou，it\'sallsafeenough。Hisdroppingoutwon\'tbetheonlysecrettheoldLimberlosthasnevertold。It\'stoodeadeasytomakeitlooklikehehelpedtakethetimberandthencut。Why，he\'splayedrightintoourhands。Hewashereattheswampalllastnight，andbackagaininanhourorso。Whenwegetourplanworkedout，evenoldfoolDuncanwon\'tliftafingertolookforhiscarcass。Wecouldn\'thavehimgoinginbettershape。"

"Youjustbet，"saidWessner。"Iowehimallhe\'llget，andbedamnedtoyou，butI\'llpay！"hesnarledatFreckles。

Soitwaskilling，then。Theywerenotonlyafterthisonetree，butmany，andwithhisbodyitwastheirplantokillhishonor。

Tobrandhimathief，withthem，beforetheAngel，theBirdWoman，thedearBoss，andtheDuncans——Freckles，insickdespair，saggedagainsttheropes。

Thenhegatheredhisforcesandthoughtswiftly。TherewasnohopeofMcLean\'scoming。TheyhadchosenadaywhentheyknewhehadabigcontractattheSouthcamp。TheBosscouldnotcomebeforetomorrowbyanypossibility，andtherewouldbenotomorrowfortheboy。DuncanwasonhiswaytotheSouthcamp，andtheBirdWomanhadsaidshewouldcomeassoonasshecould。Afterthefatigueoftheparty，itwasuselesstoexpectherandtheAngeltoday，andGodsavethemfromcoming！TheAngel\'sfatherhadsaidtheywouldbeassafeintheLimberlostasathome。Whatwouldhethinkofthis？

ThesweatbrokeonFreckles\'forehead。Hetuggedattheropeswheneverhefeltthathedared，buttheywerepassedaroundthetreeandhisbodyseveraltimes，andknottedonhischest。

Hewashelpless。Therewasnohope，nohelp。Andaftertheyhadconspiredtomakehimappeararunawaythieftohislovedones，whatwasitthatWessnerwoulddotohim？

Whateveritwas，FrecklesliftedhisheadandresolvedthathewouldbearinmindwhathehadonceheardtheBirdWomansay。

Hewouldgooutbonnily。Neverwouldheletthemsee，ifhegrewafraid。Afterall，whatdiditmatterwhattheydidtohisbodyifbysomeschemeofthedeviltheycouldencompasshisdisgrace？

ThenhopesuddenlyrosehighinFreckles\'breast。Theycouldnotdothat！TheAngelwouldnotbelieve。NeitherwouldMcLean。Hewouldkeepuphiscourage。Killhimtheycould；dishonorhimtheycouldnot。

Yet，summonallthefortitudehemight，thatsaweatingintothetreeraspedhisnervesworseandworse。WithwhirlingbrainhegazedintotheLimberlost，searchingforsomething，heknewnotwhat，andinblankhorrorfoundhiseyesfocusingontheAngel。

Shewasquiteadistanceaway，buthecouldseeherwhitelipsandangryexpression。

LastweekhehadtakenherandtheBirdWomanacrosstheswampoverthepathhefollowedingoingfromhisroomtothechickentree。

Hehadtoldthemthenightbefore，thatthebutterflytreewasonthelineclosetothispath。Infiguringontheirnotcomingthatday，hefailedtoreckonwiththeenthusiasmoftheBirdWoman。Theymustbethereforthestudy，andtheAngelhadriskedcrossingtheswampinsearchofhim。Orwastheresomethinginhisroomtheyneeded？

ThebloodsurgedinhisearsastheroaroftheLimberlostinthewrathofastorm。

Helookedagain，andithadbeenadream。Shewasnotthere。

Hadshebeen？Forhislife，FrecklescouldnottellwhetherhereallyhadseentheAngel，orwhetherhisstrainedsenseshadplayedhimthemostcrueltrickofall。Orwasitnotthekindest？

Nowhecouldgowiththevisionofherlovelyfacefreshwithhim。

"ThankYouforthat，ohGod！"whisperedFreckles。"`TwasmorethankindofYouandIdon\'ts\'poseIoughttobewantinganythingelse；

butifYoucan，oh，IwishIcouldknowbeforethisends，if`twasmemother"——Frecklescouldnotevenwhisperthewords，forhehesitatedasecondandended——"IF`TWASMEMOTHERDIDIT！"

"Freckles！Freckles！Oh，Freckles！"thevoiceoftheAngelcamecalling。Frecklesswayedforwardandwrenchedattheropeuntilitcutdeeplyintohisbody。

"Hell！"criedBlackJack。"Whoisthat？Doyouknow？"

Frecklesnodded。

JackwhippedoutarevolverandsnatchedthegagfromFreckles\'mouth。

"Sayquick，orit\'supwithyourightnow，andwhoeverthatiswithyou！"

"It\'sthegirltheBirdWomantakeswithher，"whisperedFrecklesthroughdry，swollenlips。

"Theyain\'tduehereforfivedaysyet，"saidWessner。"Wegotontothatlastweek。"

"Yes，"saidFreckles，"butIfoundatreecoveredwithbutterfliesandthingsalongtheeastlineyesterdaythatIthoughttheBirdWomanwouldwantextra，andIwenttotowntotellherlastnight。

Shesaidshe\'dcomesoon，butshedidn\'tsaywhen。Theymustbehere。ItakecareofthegirlwhiletheBirdWomanworks。Untiemequickuntilsheisgone。I\'lltrytosendherback，andthenyoucangoonwithyourdirtywork。"

"Heain\'tlying，"volunteeredWessner。"Isawthattreecoveredwithbutterfliesandhimwatchingarounditwhenwewerespyingonhimyesterday。"

"No，heleaveslyingtoyoursort，"snappedBlackJack，asheundidtheropeandpitcheditacrosstheroom。"Rememberthatyou\'recoveredeverymoveyoumake，mybuck，"hecautioned。

"Freckles！Freckles！"cametheAngel\'simpatientvoice，closerandcloser。

"Imustbeanswering，"saidFreckles，andJacknodded。"Righthere！"

hecalled，andtothemen:"Yougoonwithyourwork，andrememberonethingyourselves。TheworkoftheBirdWomanisknownallovertheworld。Thisgirl\'sfatherisarichman，andsheisallhehas。Ifyouofferhurtofanykindtoeitherofthem，thisworldhasnoplacefarenoughawayordarkenoughforyoutobehidingin。Hellwillbeeasytowhatanymanwillgetifhetoucheseitherofthem！"

"Freckles，whereareyou？"demandedtheAngel。

Soulsickwithfearforher，Freckleswenttowardherandpartedthebushesthatshemightenter。Shecamethroughwithoutapparentlygivinghimaglance，andthefirstwordsshesaidwere:"Whyhavethegangcomesosoon？Ididn\'tknowyouexpectedthemforthreeweeksyet。OristhissomeespecialtreethatMr。McLeanneedstofillanorderrightnow？"

Freckleshesitated。Wouldamandarelietosavehimself？No。

ButtosavetheAngel——surelythatwasdifferent。Heopenedhislips，buttheAngelwascapableofsavingherself。Shewalkedamongthem，exactlyasifshehadbeenrearedinalumbercamp，andneverwaitedforananswer。

"Why，yourspecimencase！"shecried。"Look！Haven\'tyounoticedthatit\'stippedover？Setitstraight，quickly！"

Acoupleofthemensteppedoutandcarefullyrightedthecase。

"There！That\'sbetter，"shesaid。"Freckles，I\'msurprisedatyourbeingsocareless。Itwouldbeashametobreakthoselovelybutterfliesforoneoldtree！Isthatavaluabletree？Whydidn\'tyoutelluslastnightyouweregoingtotakeoutatreethismorning？

Oh，say，didyouputyourcasetheretoprotectthattreefromthatstealingoldBlackJackandhisgang？Ibetyoudid！

Well，ifthatwasn\'tbright！Whatkindofatreeisit？"

"It\'sawhiteoak，"saidFreckles。

"Likethosetheymakedining-tablesandsideboardsfrom？"

"Yes。"

"My！Howinteresting！"shecried。"Idon\'tknowathingabouttimber，butmyfatherwantsmetolearnjusteverythingIcan。IamgoingtoaskhimtoletmecomehereandwatchyouuntilIknowenoughtobossagangmyself。Doyouliketocuttrees，gentlemen？"

sheaskedwithangelicsweetnessofthemen。

Someofthemappearedfoolishandsomegrim，butonemanagedtosaytheydid。

ThentheAngel\'seyesturnedfullonBlackJack，andshegavethemostnaturallittlestartofastonishment。

"Oh！Ialmostthoughtthatyouwereaghost！"shecried。"ButIseenowthatyouarereallyandtruly。WereyoueverinColorado？"

"No，"saidJack。

"Iseeyouaren\'tthesameman，"saidtheAngel。"Youknow，wewereinColoradolastyear，andtherewasacowboywhowasthehandsomestmananywherearound。He\'dcomeridingintotowneverynight，andallwegirlsjustadoredhim！Oh，buthewasabeauty！

Ithoughtatfirstglanceyouwerereallyhe，butIseenowhewasn\'tnearlysotallnorsobroadasyou，andonlyhalfashandsome。"

ThemenbegantolaughwhileJackflushedcrimson。TheAngeljoinedinthelaugh。

"Well，I\'llleaveittoyou！Isn\'thehandsome？"shechallenged。

"Asforthatcowboy\'sface，itcouldn\'tbecomparedwithyours。

Theonlytroublewithyouisthatyourclothesarespoilingyou。

It\'sthedressthosecowboyswearthatmakeshalftheirattraction。

Ifyouwereproperlyclothed，youcouldbreaktheheartoftheprettiestgirlinthecountry。"

WithoneaccordtheothermenlookedatBlackJack，andforthefirsttimerealizedthathewasasuperbspecimenofmanhood，forhestoodsixfeettall，wasbroad，well-rounded，andhaddark，evenskin，bigblackeyes，andfullredlips。

"I\'lltellyouwhat！"exclaimedtheAngel。"I\'djustlovetoseeyouonhorseback。Nothingsetsahandsomemanoffsosplendidly。

Doyouride？"

"Yes，"saidJack，andhiseyeswereburningontheAngelasifhewouldfathomthedepthsofhersoul。

"Well，"saidtheAngelwinsomely，"IknowwhatIjustwishyou\'ddo。

Iwishyouwouldletyourhairgrowalittlelonger。Thenwearablueflannelshirtalittleopenatthethroat，aredtie，andabroad-brimmedfelthat，andridepastmyhouseofevenings。

I\'malwaysathomethen，andalmostalwaysontheveranda，and，oh！

butIwouldliketoseeyou！Willyoudothatforme？"ItisimpossibletodescribetheartwithwhichtheAngelaskedthequestion。ShewaslookingstraightintoJack\'sface，coarseandhardenedwithsinandcarelessliving，whichwasnowtakingonawhollydifferentexpression。

Theevillinesofitweresofteningandfadingunderhercleargaze。

Adullredflamedintohisbronzecheeks，whilehiseyesweregrowingbrightlytender。

"Yes，"hesaid，andtheglancehegavethemenwasofsuchanaturethatnoonesawfiteventochangecountenance。

"Oh，goody！"shecried，tiltingonhertoes。"I\'llaskallthegirlstocomesee，buttheyneedn\'tstickin！Wecangetalongwithoutthem，can\'twe？"

Jackleanedtowardher。Hewasthecharmedflutteringbird，whiletheAngelwasthesnake。

"Well，Iratherguess！"hecried。

TheAngeldrewadeepbreathandsurveyedhimrapturously。

"My，butyou\'retall！"shecommented。"DoyousupposeIeverwillgrowtoreachyourshoulders？"

Shestoodontiptoeandmeasuredthedistancewithhereyes。Thenshedevelopedtimidconfusion，whileherglancesoughttheground。

"IwishIcoulddosomething，"shehalfwhispered。

Jackseemedtoincreaseaninchinheight。

"What？"heaskedhoarsely。

"LariatBillusedalwaystohaveabunchofredflowersinhisshirtpocket。Theredlituphisdarkeyesandolivecheeksandmadehimsplendid。MayIputsomeredflowersonyou？"