Этюд в багровых тонах
On the great Alkali Plain.
Itappearedtobesomewhattooheavyforhisstrength,forinloweringit,itcamedownonthegroundwithsomelittleviolence. Instantlytherebrokefromthegreyparcelalittlemoaningcry,andfromitthereprotrudedasmall,scaredface,withverybrightbrowneyes,andtwolittlespeckled,dimpledfists.
“You’vehurtme!”saidachildishvoicereproachfully.
“HaveIthough,”themanansweredpenitently,“Ididn’tgofortodoit.” Ashespokeheunwrappedthegreyshawlandextricatedaprettylittlegirlofaboutfiveyearsofage,whosedaintyshoesandsmartpinkfrockwithitslittlelinenapronallbespokeamother’scare. Thechildwaspaleandwan,butherhealthyarmsandlegsshowedthatshehadsufferedlessthanhercompanion.
“Howisitnow?”heansweredanxiously,forshewasstillrubbingthetowsygoldencurlswhichcoveredthebackofherhead.
“Kissitandmakeitwell,”shesaid,withperfectgravity,shoving19theinjuredpartuptohim. “That’swhatmotherusedtodo. Where’smother?”
“Mother’sgone.Iguessyou’llseeherbeforelong.”
“Gone,eh!”saidthelittlegirl. “Funny,shedidn’tsaygood-bye; she‘mostalwaysdidifshewasjustgoin’overtoAuntie’sfortea,andnowshe’sbeenawaythreedays. Say,it’sawfuldry,ain’tit? Ain’ttherenowater,nornothingtoeat?”
“No,thereain’tnothing,dearie. You’lljustneedtobepatientawhile,andthenyou’llbeallright. Putyourheadupaginmelikethat,andthenyou’llfeelbullier.
