Аня из Авонлеи
XIX. Just a Happy Day
MajorSpenceristhemostprogressiveandpublic-spiritedmaninAvonlea.AndMr.WilliamBellisgoingtosetoutasprucehedgealonghisroadfrontanduphislane.OurSocietyisgettingonsplendidly,Anne.Itispasttheexperimentalstageandisanacceptedfact.TheolderfolksarebeginningtotakeaninterestinitandtheWhiteSandspeoplearetalkingofstartingonetoo.EvenElishaWrighthascomearoundsincethatdaytheAmericansfromthehotelhadthepicnicattheshore.TheypraisedourroadsidessohighlyandsaidtheyweresomuchprettierthaninanyotherpartoftheIsland.Andwhen,induetime,theotherfarmersfollowMr.Spencer’sgoodexampleandplantornamentaltreesandhedgesalongtheirroadfrontsAvonleawillbetheprettiestsettlementintheprovince.”
“TheAidsaretalkingoftakingupthegraveyard,”saidAnne,“andIhopetheywill,becausetherewillhavetobeasubscriptionforthat,anditwouldbenousefortheSocietytotryitafterthehallaffair.ButtheAidswouldneverhavestirredinthematteriftheSocietyhadn’tputitintotheirthoughtsunofficially.Thosetreesweplantedonthechurchgroundsareflourishing,andthetrusteeshavepromisedmethattheywillfenceintheschoolgroundsnextyear.IftheydoI’llhaveanarbordayandeveryscholarshallplantatree;andwe’llhaveagardeninthecornerbytheroad.”
“We’vesucceededinalmostallourplanssofar,exceptingettingtheoldBoulterhouseremoved,”saidGilbert,“andI’vegivenTHATupindespair.Leviwon’thaveittakendownjusttovexus.
