Аня из Зелёных Мезонинов

           “WhatcanIdoforyouthisevening,Mr.Cuthbert?”MissLucillaHarrisinquired,brisklyandingratiatingly,tappingthecounterwithbothhands.

           “Haveyouany—any—any—wellnow,sayanygardenrakes?”stammeredMatthew.

           MissHarrislookedsomewhatsurprised,aswellshemight,tohearamaninquiringforgardenrakesinthemiddleofDecember.

           “Ibelievewehaveoneortwoleftover,”shesaid,“butthey’reupstairsinthelumberroom.I’llgoandsee.”DuringherabsenceMatthewcollectedhisscatteredsensesforanothereffort.

           WhenMissHarrisreturnedwiththerakeandcheerfullyinquired:“Anythingelsetonight,Mr.Cuthbert?”Matthewtookhiscourageinbothhandsandreplied:“Wellnow,sinceyousuggestit,Imightaswell—take—thatis—lookat—buysome—somehayseed.”

           MissHarrishadheardMatthewCuthbertcalledodd.Shenowconcludedthathewasentirelycrazy.

           “Weonlykeephayseedinthespring,”sheexplainedloftily.“We’venoneonhandjustnow.”

           “Oh,certainly—certainly—justasyousay,”stammeredunhappyMatthew,seizingtherakeandmakingforthedoor.Atthethresholdherecollectedthathehadnotpaidforitandheturnedmiserablyback.WhileMissHarriswascountingouthischangeheralliedhispowersforafinaldesperateattempt.

           “Wellnow—ifitisn’ttoomuchtrouble—Imightaswell—thatis—I’dliketolookat—at—somesugar.”

           “Whiteorbrown?”queriedMissHarrispatiently.

           “Oh—wellnow—brown,”saidMatthewfeebly.

           “There’sabarrelofitoverthere,”saidMissHarris,shakingherbanglesatit.