Аня из Авонлеи
II. Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure
Dianahoppedbrisklydown,tiedthehorsesecurelytoapost,turnedtheskirtofherprettyginghamdressoverhershoulders,mountedthefence,andstartedinpursuitofherfranticfriend.ShecouldrunfasterthanAnne,whowashamperedbyherclinginganddrenchedskirt,andsoonovertookher.BehindthemtheyleftatrailthatwouldbreakMr.Harrison’sheartwhenheshouldseeit.
“Anne,formercy’ssake,stop,”pantedpoorDiana.“I’mrightoutofbreathandyouarewettotheskin.”
“Imust...get...thatcow...out...before...Mr.Harrison...seesher,”gaspedAnne.“Idon’t...care...ifI’m...drowned...ifwe...can...only...dothat.”
ButtheJerseycowappearedtoseenogoodreasonforbeinghustledoutofherlusciousbrowsingground.Nosoonerhadthetwobreathlessgirlsgotnearherthansheturnedandboltedsquarelyfortheoppositecornerofthefield.
“Headheroff,”screamedAnne.“Run,Diana,run.”
Dianadidrun.Annetriedto,andthewickedJerseywentaroundthefieldasifshewerepossessed.Privately,Dianathoughtshewas.ItwasfullytenminutesbeforetheyheadedheroffanddroveherthroughthecornergapintotheCuthbertlane.
ThereisnodenyingthatAnnewasinanythingbutanangelictemperatthatprecisemoment.Nordiditsootheherintheleasttobeholdabuggyhaltedjustoutsidethelane,whereinsatMr.ShearerofCarmodyandhisson,bothofwhomworeabroadsmile.
“Iguessyou’dbetterhavesoldmethatcowwhenIwantedtobuyherlastweek,Anne,”chuckledMr.Shearer.
