Аня из Авонлеи
XVII. A Chapter of Accidents
PerhapswhenDianaandIareoldandgrayweshallbeabletolaughoverthem.ButIfeelthatIcan’texpecttodoitbeforethen,forithastrulybeenabitterdisappointment.”
“You’llprobablyhaveagoodmanymoreandworsedisappointmentsthanthatbeforeyougetthroughlife,”saidMarilla,whohonestlythoughtshewasmakingacomfortingspeech.“Itseemstome,Anne,thatyouarenevergoingtooutgrowyourfashionofsettingyourheartsoonthingsandthencrashingdownintodespairbecauseyoudon’tgetthem.”
“IknowI’mtoomuchinclinedthat,way”agreedAnneruefully.“WhenIthinksomethingniceisgoingtohappenIseemtoflyrightuponthewingsofanticipation;andthenthefirstthingIrealizeIdropdowntoearthwithathud.Butreally,Marilla,theflyingpartISgloriousaslongasitlasts...it’slikesoaringthroughasunset.Ithinkitalmostpaysforthethud.”
“Well,maybeitdoes,”admittedMarilla.“I’dratherwalkcalmlyalonganddowithoutbothflyingandthud.Buteverybodyhasherownwayofliving...Iusedtothinktherewasonlyonerightway...butsinceI’vehadyouandthetwinstobringupIdon’tfeelsosureofit.WhatareyougoingtodoaboutMissBarry’splatter?”
“Payherbackthetwentydollarsshepaidforit,Isuppose.I’msothankfulitwasn’tacherishedheirloombecausethennomoneycouldreplaceit.”
“Maybeyoucouldfindonelikeitsomewhereandbuyitforher.”
“I’mafraidnot.Plattersasoldasthatareveryscarce.Mrs.Lyndecouldn’tfindoneanywhereforthesupper.
