Аня из Авонлеи
XIV. A Danger Averted
Annewassoworriedthatshedidn’tsleepuntilnearlymorning,andthenshedreamedthatthetrusteeshadputafencearoundtheschoolandpainted“TryPurplePills”alloverit.
ThecommitteewaitedonJudsonParkerthenextafternoon.AnnepleadedeloquentlyagainsthisnefariousdesignandJaneandDianasupportedhermorallyandvaliantly.Judsonwassleek,suave,flattering;paidthemseveralcomplimentsofthedelicacyofsunflowers;feltrealbadtorefusesuchcharmingyoungladies...butbusinesswasbusiness;couldn’taffordtoletsentimentstandinthewaythesehardtimes.
“ButI’lltellwhatIWILLdo,”hesaid,withatwinkleinhislight,fulleyes.“I’lltelltheagenthemustuseonlyhandsome,tastycolors...redandyellowandsoon.I’lltellhimhemustn’tpainttheadsBLUEonanyaccount.”
Thevanquishedcommitteeretired,thinkingthingsnotlawfultobeuttered.
“WehavedoneallwecandoandmustsimplytrusttheresttoProvidence,”saidJane,withanunconsciousimitationofMrs.Lynde’stoneandmanner.
“IwonderifMr.Allancoulddoanything,”reflectedDiana.
Anneshookherhead.
“No,it’snousetoworryMr.Allan,especiallynowwhenthebaby’ssosick.Judsonwouldslipawayfromhimassmoothlyasfromus,althoughheHAStakentogoingtochurchquiteregularlyjustnow.ThatissimplybecauseLouisaSpencer’sfatherisanelderandveryparticularaboutsuchthings.”
“JudsonParkeristheonlymaninAvonleawhowoulddreamofrentinghisfences,”saidJaneindignantly.
