Аня из Авонлеи
XIX. Just a Happy Day
Ididn’texactlywanttoshowittoMrs.Lynde.Mrs.Lyndeisagood,kindwoman,butsheisn’tthesortofpersonyouwanttoshowyourmother’spictureto.YOUknow,teacher.ButofcourseIobeyedGrandma.Mrs.Lyndesaidshewasveryprettybutkindofactressylooking,andmusthavebeenanawfullotyoungerthanfather.Thenshesaid,‘Someofthesedaysyourpawillbemarryingagainlikely.Howwillyouliketohaveanewma,MasterPaul?’Well,theideaalmosttookmybreathaway,teacher,butIwasn’tgoingtoletMrs.LyndeseeTHAT.Ijustlookedherstraightintheface...likethis...andIsaid,‘Mrs.Lynde,fathermadeaprettygoodjobofpickingoutmyfirstmotherandIcouldtrusthimtopickoutjustasgoodaonethesecondtime.’AndICANtrusthim,teacher.Butstill,Ihope,ifheeverdoesgivemeanewmother,he’llaskmyopinionaboutherbeforeit’stoolate.There’sMaryJoecomingtocallustotea.I’llgoandconsultwithherabouttheshortbread.”
Asaresultofthe“consultation,”MaryJoecuttheshortbreadandaddedadishofpreservestothebilloffare.AnnepouredtheteaandsheandPaulhadaverymerrymealinthedimoldsittingroomwhosewindowswereopentothegulfbreezes,andtheytalkedsomuch“nonsense”thatMaryJoewasquitescandalizedandtoldVeronicathenexteveningthat“deschoolmees”wasasqueerasPaul.AfterteaPaultookAnneuptohisroomtoshowherhismother’spicture,whichhadbeenthemysteriousbirthdaypresentkeptbyMrs.Irvinginthebookcase.
