Аня из Авонлеи
XIV. A Danger Averted
Judsonwasajovial,smooth-spokenman,souniformlygoodnaturedandblandthatitwassurprisinghowfewfriendshehad.Perhapshehadgotthebetterintoomanybusinesstransactions...whichseldommakesforpopularity.Hewasreputedtobevery“sharp”anditwasthegeneralopinionthathe“hadn’tmuchprinciple.”
“IfJudsonParkerhasachanceto‘turnanhonestpenny,’ashesayshimself,he’llneverloseit,”declaredFredWright.
“IsthereNOBODYwhohasanyinfluenceoverhim?”askedAnnedespairingly.
“HegoestoseeLouisaSpenceratWhiteSands,”suggestedCarrieSloane.“Perhapsshecouldcoaxhimnottorenthisfences.”
“Notshe,”saidGilbertemphatically.“IknowLouisaSpencerwell.Shedoesn’t‘believe’inVillageImprovementSocieties,butsheDOESbelieveindollarsandcents.She’dbemorelikelytourgeJudsononthantodissuadehim.”
“Theonlythingtodoistoappointacommitteetowaitonhimandprotest,”saidJuliaBell,“andyoumustsendgirls,forhe’dhardlybeciviltoboys...butIwon’tgo,sonobodyneednominateme.”
“BettersendAnnealone,”saidOliverSloane.“ShecantalkJudsonoverifanybodycan.”
Anneprotested.Shewaswillingtogoanddothetalking;butshemusthaveotherswithher“formoralsupport.”DianaandJanewerethereforeappointedtosupporthermorallyandtheImproversbrokeup,buzzinglikeangrybeeswithindignation.
