Аня из Авонлеи
XX. The Way It Often Happens
“It’sdreadfultocomeuponyousounexpectedlyasthis,”apologizedPriscilla,“butIdidnotknowtilllastnightthatwewerecoming.AuntCharlotteisgoingawayMondayandshehadpromisedtospendtodaywithafriendintown.Butlastnightherfriendtelephonedtohernottocomebecausetheywerequarantinedforscarletfever.SoIsuggestedwecomehereinstead,forIknewyouwerelongingtoseeher.WecalledattheWhiteSandsHotelandbroughtMrs.Pendexterwithus.Sheisafriendofaunt’sandlivesinNewYorkandherhusbandisamillionaire.Wecan’tstayverylong,forMrs.Pendexterhastobebackatthehotelbyfiveo’clock.”
SeveraltimeswhiletheywereputtingawaythehorseAnnecaughtPriscillalookingatherinafurtive,puzzledway.
“Sheneedn’tstareatmeso,”Annethoughtalittleresentfully.“Ifshedoesn’tKNOWwhatitistochangeafeatherbedshemightIMAGINEit.”
WhenPriscillahadgonetotheparlor,andbeforeAnnecouldescapeupstairs,Dianawalkedintothekitchen.Annecaughtherastonishedfriendbythearm.
“DianaBarry,whodoyousupposeisinthatparloratthisverymoment?Mrs.CharlotteE.Morgan...andaNewYorkmillionaire’swife...andhereIamlikeTHIS...andNOTATHINGINTHEHOUSEFORDINNERBUTACOLDHAMBONE,Diana!”
BythistimeAnnehadbecomeawarethatDianawasstaringatherinpreciselythesamebewilderedfashionasPriscillahaddone.Itwasreallytoomuch.
“Oh,Diana,don’tlookatmeso,”sheimplored.
