Аня из Авонлеи
XVIII. An Adventure on the Tory Road
Althoughscrupulouslywhitewashedithadbecomesomewhatshaky,andAnnefeltratherdubiousasshescrambledupfromthevantagepointofakegplacedonabox.
“I’mafraiditwon’tbearmyweight,”shesaidasshegingerlysteppedontheroof.
“Leanonthewindowsill,”advisedDiana,andAnneaccordinglyleaned.Muchtoherdelight,shesaw,asshepeeredthroughthepane,awillow-wareplatter,exactlysuchasshewasinquestof,ontheshelfinfrontofthewindow.Somuchshesawbeforethecatastrophecame.InherjoyAnneforgottheprecariousnatureofherfooting,incautiouslyceasedtoleanonthewindowsill,gaveanimpulsivelittlehopofpleasure...andthenextmomentshehadcrashedthroughtheroofuptoherarmpits,andthereshehung,quiteunabletoextricateherself.Dianadashedintotheduckhouseand,seizingherunfortunatefriendbythewaist,triedtodrawherdown.
“Ow...don’t,”shriekedpoorAnne.“Therearesomelongsplintersstickingintome.Seeifyoucanputsomethingundermyfeet...thenperhapsIcandrawmyselfup.”
DianahastilydraggedinthepreviouslymentionedkegandAnnefoundthatitwasjustsufficientlyhightofurnishasecurerestingplaceforherfeet.Butshecouldnotreleaseherself.
“CouldIpullyououtifIcrawledup?”suggestedDiana.
Anneshookherheadhopelessly.
“No...thesplintershurttoobadly.Ifyoucanfindanaxeyoumightchopmeout,though.Ohdear,IdoreallybegintobelievethatIwasbornunderanill-omenedstar.”
Dianasearchedfaithfullybutnoaxewastobefound.
