Аня с острова Принца Эдуарда

Tea with Mrs. Douglas

           Janetsatandsmiled,lookinghorriblyuncomfortableinherhideousdress,andJohnDouglassatwithoutsmiling.

           AttheteatableMrs.DouglasgracefullyaskedJanettopourthetea.Janetturnedredderthaneverbutdidit.AnnewroteadescriptionofthatmealtoStella.

           “Wehadcoldtongueandchickenandstrawberrypreserves,lemonpieandtartsandchocolatecakeandraisincookiesandpoundcakeandfruitcakeandafewotherthings,includingmorepiecaramelpie,Ithinkitwas.AfterIhadeatentwiceasmuchaswasgoodforme,Mrs.Douglassighedandsaidshefearedshehadnothingtotemptmyappetite.

           “‘I’mafraiddearJanet’scookinghasspoiledyouforanyother,’shesaidsweetly.‘OfcoursenobodyinValleyRoadaspirestorivalHER.WON’Tyouhaveanotherpieceofpie,MissShirley?Youhaven’teatenANYTHING.’

           “Stella,Ihadeatenahelpingoftongueandoneofchicken,threebiscuits,agenerousallowanceofpreserves,apieceofpie,atart,andasquareofchocolatecake!”

           AfterteaMrs.DouglassmiledbenevolentlyandtoldJohntotake“dearJanet”outintothegardenandgethersomeroses.“MissShirleywillkeepmecompanywhileyouareoutwon’tyou?”shesaidplaintively.Shesettleddowninherarmchairwithasigh.

           “Iamaveryfrailoldwoman,MissShirley.ForovertwentyyearsI’vebeenagreatsufferer.Fortwentylong,wearyyearsI’vebeendyingbyinches.”

           “Howpainful!”saidAnne,tryingtobesympatheticandsucceedingonlyinfeelingidiotic.

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