CHAPTER XXX
關燈
小
中
大
lsweetnesseshanginglikerubiestolong,rosystalks.Theyliftedthembythestalkandatethemfromit,uncrushedandvirgin,tastingeachberrybyitselfwithallitswildfragranceenspheredtherein.WhenValancycarriedanyoftheseberrieshomethatelusiveessenceescapedandtheybecamenothingmorethanthecommonberriesofthemarket-place—verykitchenlygoodindeed,butnotastheywouldhavebeen,eatenintheirbirchdelluntilherfingerswerestainedaspinkasAurora’seyelids.
Ortheywentafterwater-lilies.BarneyknewwheretofindtheminthecreeksandbaysofMistawis.ThentheBlueCastlewasgloriouswiththem,everyreceptaclethatValancycouldcontrivefilledwiththeexquisitethings.Ifnotwaterliliesthencardinalflowers,freshandvividfromtheswampsofMistawis,wheretheyburnedlikeribbonsofflame.
SometimestheywenttroutingonlittlenamelessriversorhiddenbrooksonwhosebanksNaiadsmighthavesunnedtheirwhite,wetlimbs.Thenalltheytookwiththemweresomerawpotatoesandsalt.TheyroastedthepotatoesoverafireandBarneyshowedValancyhowtocookthetroutbywrappingtheminleaves,coatingthemwithmudandbakingtheminabedofhotcoals.Neverweresuchdeliciousmeals.Valancyhadsuchanappetiteitwasnowondersheputfleshonherbones.
