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？\"