Аня из Авонлеи
II. Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure
Sheisjustasgoodashis.”
“I’msurehe’llbeawfullycrossanddisagreeableaboutit,though,”moanedAnne.
“Idaresayhewill.Heseemstobeanirritablesortofaman.I’llgoandexplaintohimifyoulike.”
“No,indeed,I’mnotasmeanasthat,”exclaimedAnne.“ThisisallmyfaultandI’mcertainlynotgoingtoletyoutakemypunishment.I’llgomyselfandI’llgoatonce.Thesoonerit’soverthebetter,foritwillbeterriblyhumiliating.”
PoorAnnegotherhatandhertwentydollarsandwaspassingoutwhenshehappenedtoglancethroughtheopenpantrydoor.Onthetablereposedanutcakewhichshehadbakedthatmorning...aparticularlytoothsomeconcoctionicedwithpinkicingandadornedwithwalnuts.AnnehadintendeditforFridayevening,whentheyouthofAvonleaweretomeetatGreenGablestoorganizetheImprovementSociety.ButwhatweretheycomparedtothejustlyoffendedMr.Harrison?Annethoughtthatcakeoughttosoftentheheartofanyman,especiallyonewhohadtodohisowncooking,andshepromptlypoppeditintoabox.ShewouldtakeittoMr.Harrisonasapeaceoffering.
“Thatis,ifhegivesmeachancetosayanythingatall,”shethoughtruefully,assheclimbedthelanefenceandstartedonashortcutacrossthefields,goldeninthelightofthedreamyAugustevening.“Iknownowjusthowpeoplefeelwhoarebeingledtoexecution.”
