Аня из Авонлеи
XVII. A Chapter of Accidents
Allan’ssakes,”saidAnnelistlessly.
WhenDianadishedthepeasshetastedthemandaverypeculiarexpressioncrossedherface.
“Anne,didYOUputsugarinthesepeas?”
“Yes,”saidAnne,mashingthepotatoeswiththeairofoneexpectedtodoherduty.“Iputaspoonfulofsugarin.Wealwaysdo.Don’tyoulikeit?”
“ButIputaspoonfulintoo,whenIsetthemonthestove,”saidDiana.
Annedroppedhermasherandtastedthepeasalso.Thenshemadeagrimace.
“Howawful!Ineverdreamedyouhadputsugarin,becauseIknewyourmotherneverdoes.Ihappenedtothinkofit,forawonder...I’malwaysforgettingit...soIpoppedaspoonfulin.”
“It’sacaseoftoomanycooks,Iguess,”saidMarilla,whohadlistenedtothisdialoguewitharatherguiltyexpression.“Ididn’tthinkyou’drememberaboutthesugar,Anne,forI’mperfectlycertainyouneverdidbefore...soIputinaspoonful.”
Theguestsintheparlorheardpealafterpealoflaughterfromthekitchen,buttheyneverknewwhatthefunwasabout.Therewerenogreenpeasonthedinnertablethatday,however.
“Well,”saidAnne,soberingdownagainwithasighofrecollection,“wehavethesaladanyhowandIdon’tthinkanythinghashappenedtothebeans.Let’scarrythethingsinandgetitover.”
Itcannotbesaidthatthatdinnerwasanotablesuccesssocially.TheAllansandMissStacyexertedthemselvestosavethesituationandMarilla’scustomaryplaciditywasnotnoticeablyruffled.
