Аня с острова Принца Эдуарда

           “Davy,isthatyou?Whatisthematter?”

           Awhite-cladfigureflungitselfacrossthefloorandontothebed.

           “Anne,”sobbedDavy,gettinghisarmsaboutherneck.“I’mawfulgladyou’rehome.Icouldn’tgotosleeptillI’dtoldsomebody.”

           “Toldsomebodywhat?”

           “Howmis’rubulIam.”

           “Whyareyoumiserable,dear?”

           “‘CauseIwassobadtoday,Anne.Oh,Iwasawfulbad—badder’nI’veeverbeenyet.”

           “Whatdidyoudo?”

           “Oh,I’mafraidtotellyou.You’llneverlikemeagain,Anne.Icouldn’tsaymyprayerstonight.Icouldn’ttellGodwhatI’ddone.Iwas‘shamedtohaveHimknow.”

           “ButHeknewanyway,Davy.”

           “That’swhatDorasaid.ButIthoughtp’rapsHemightn’thavenoticedjustatthetime.Anyway,I’drathertellyoufirst.”

           “WHATisityoudid?”

           Outitallcameinarush.

           “IrunawayfromSundaySchool—andwentfishingwiththeCottons—andItoldeversomanywhopperstoMrs.Lynde—oh!‘mosthalfadozen—and—and—I—Isaidaswearword,Anne—aprettynearswearword,anyhow—andIcalledGodnames.”

           Therewassilence.Davydidn’tknowwhattomakeofit.WasAnnesoshockedthatsheneverwouldspeaktohimagain?

           “Anne,whatareyougoingtodotome?”hewhispered.

           “Nothing,dear.You’vebeenpunishedalready,Ithink.”

           “No,Ihaven’t.Nothing’sbeendonetome.”

           “You’vebeenveryunhappyeversinceyoudidwrong,haven’tyou?”

           “Youbet!”saidDavyemphatically.

           “Thatwasyourconsciencepunishingyou,Davy.”

           “What’smyconscience?Iwanttoknow.