Аня из Авонлеи
XIV. A Danger Averted
Altogether,theImproversthoughtthattheyweregettingonbeautifully,evenifMr.LeviBoulter,tactfullyapproachedbyacarefullyselectedcommitteeinregardtotheoldhouseonhisupperfarm,didbluntlytellthemthathewasn’tgoingtohaveitmeddledwith.
Atthisespecialmeetingtheyintendedtodrawupapetitiontotheschooltrustees,humblyprayingthatafencebeputaroundtheschoolgrounds;andaplanwasalsotobediscussedforplantingafewornamentaltreesbythechurch,ifthefundsofthesocietywouldpermitofit...for,asAnnesaid,therewasnouseinstartinganothersubscriptionaslongasthehallremainedblue.ThememberswereassembledintheAndrews’parlorandJanewasalreadyonherfeettomovetheappointmentofacommitteewhichshouldfindoutandreportonthepriceofsaidtrees,whenGertiePyesweptin,pompadouredandfrilledwithinaninchofherlife.Gertiehadahabitofbeinglate...“tomakeherentrancemoreeffective,”spitefulpeoplesaid.Gertie’sentranceinthisinstancewascertainlyeffective,forshepauseddramaticallyonthemiddleofthefloor,threwupherhands,rolledhereyes,andexclaimed,“I’vejustheardsomethingperfectlyawful.WhatDOyouthink?Mr.JudsonParkerISGOINGTORENTALLTHEROADFENCEOFHISFARMTOAPATENTMEDICINECOMPANYTOPAINTADVERTISEMENTSON.”
ForonceinherlifeGertiePyemadeallthesensationshedesired.IfshehadthrownabombamongthecomplacentImproversshecouldhardlyhavemademore.
“ItCAN’Tbetrue,”saidAnneblankly.
