“Why, my dear, I don’t know,” she said.  “I’ve no way to judge.  If you made the exposure just before you came to me, there was yet a fine light.  If you waited until Little Chicken was close the entrance, you should have something good, even if you didn’t catch just the fleeting expression for which you hoped.  Of course, I can’t say surely, but I think there is every reason to believe that you have it all right.  I will develop the plate tonight, make you a proof from it early in the morning, and bring it when we come.  It’s only a question of a day or two now until the gang arrives.  I want to work in all the studies I can before that time, for they are bound to disturb the birds.  Mr. McLean will need you then, and I scarcely see how we are to do without you.”

Moved by an impulse she never afterward regretted, she bent and laid her lips on Freckles’ forehead, kissing him gently and thanking him for his many kindnesses to her in her loved work.  Freckles started away so happy that he felt inclined to keep watching behind to see if the trail were not curling up and rolling down the line after him.

CHAPTER XVI

Wherein the Angel Locates a Rare Tree and Dines with the Gang

From afar Freckles saw them coming.  The Angel was standing, waving her hat.  He sprang on his wheel and raced, jolting and pounding, down the corduroy to meet them.  The Bird Woman stopped the horse and the Angel gave him the bit of print paper.  Freckles leaned the wheel against a tree and took the proof with eager fingers.  He never before had seen a study from any of his chickens.  He stood staring.  When he turned his face toward them it was transfigured with delight.

“You see!” he exclaimed, and began gazing again.  “Oh, me Little Chicken!” he cried.  “Oh me ilegant Little Chicken!  I’d be giving all me money in the bank for you!”

Then he thought of the Angel’s muff and Mrs. Duncan’s hat, and added, “or at least, all but what I’m needing bad for something else.  Would you mind stopping at the cabin a minute and showing this to Mother Duncan?” he asked.

“Give me that little book in your pocket,” said the Bird Woman.

She folded the outer edges of the proof so that it would fit into the book, explaining as she did so its perishable nature in that state.  Freckles went hurrying ahead, and they arrived in time to see Mrs. Duncan gazing as if awestruck, and to hear her bewildered “Weel I be drawed on!”

Freckles and the Angel helped the Bird Woman to establish herself for a long day at the mouth of Sleepy Snake Creek.  Then she sent them away and waited what luck would bring to her.

“Now, what shall we do?” inquired the Angel, who was a bundle of nerves and energy.

“Would you like to go to me room awhile?” asked Freckles.

“If you don’t care to very much, I’d rather not,” said the Angel.  “I’ll tell you.  Let’s go help Mrs. Duncan with dinner and play with the baby.  I love a nice, clean baby.”