Аня из Авонлеи
II. Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure
They’reallgrownupanddoingwell...andoneofthemisabutcher.Andflowersandsongscouldn’thaveghostsanyhow.”
Annesmotheredalittlesigh.ShelovedDianadearlyandtheyhadalwaysbeengoodcomrades.Butshehadlongagolearnedthatwhenshewanderedintotherealmoffancyshemustgoalone.Thewaytoitwasbyanenchantedpathwherenotevenherdearestmightfollowher.
Athunder-showercameupwhilethegirlswereatCarmody;itdidnotlastlong,however,andthedrivehome,throughlaneswheretheraindropssparkledontheboughsandlittleleafyvalleyswherethedrenchedfernsgaveoutspicyodors,wasdelightful.ButjustastheyturnedintotheCuthbertlaneAnnesawsomethingthatspoiledthebeautyofthelandscapeforher.
BeforethemontherightextendedMr.Harrison’sbroad,gray-greenfieldoflateoats,wetandluxuriant;andthere,standingsquarelyinthemiddleofit,uptohersleeksidesinthelushgrowth,andblinkingatthemcalmlyovertheinterveningtassels,wasaJerseycow!
Annedroppedthereinsandstoodupwithatighteningofthelipsthatbodednogoodtothepredatoryquadruped.Notawordsaidshe,butsheclimbednimblydownoverthewheels,andwhiskedacrossthefencebeforeDianaunderstoodwhathadhappened.
“Anne,comeback,”shriekedthelatter,assoonasshefoundhervoice.“You’llruinyourdressinthatwetgrain...ruinit.Shedoesn’thearme!Well,she’llnevergetthatcowoutbyherself.Imustgoandhelpher,ofcourse.”
Annewaschargingthroughthegrainlikeamadthing.
