Аня из Авонлеи
XX. The Way It Often Happens
Shecoulddrawothersoutasskillfullyandfullyasshecouldtalkherself,andAnneandDianafoundthemselveschatteringfreelytoher.Mrs.Pendextersaidlittle;shemerelysmiledwithherlovelyeyesandlips,andatechickenandfruitcakeandpreserveswithsuchexquisitegracethatsheconveyedtheimpressionofdiningonambrosiaandhoneydew.Butthen,asAnnesaidtoDianalateron,anybodysodivinelybeautifulasMrs.Pendexterdidn’tneedtotalk;itwasenoughforherjusttoLOOK.
AfterdinnertheyallhadawalkthroughLover’sLaneandVioletValeandtheBirchPath,thenbackthroughtheHauntedWoodtotheDryad’sBubble,wheretheysatdownandtalkedforadelightfullasthalfhour.Mrs.MorganwantedtoknowhowtheHauntedWoodcamebyitsname,andlaugheduntilshecriedwhensheheardthestoryandAnne’sdramaticaccountofacertainmemorablewalkthroughitatthewitchinghouroftwilight.
“Ithasindeedbeenafeastofreasonandflowofsoul,hasn’tit?”saidAnne,whenherguestshadgoneandsheandDianawerealoneagain.“Idon’tknowwhichIenjoyedmore...listeningtoMrs.MorganorgazingatMrs.Pendexter.Ibelievewehadanicertimethanifwe’dknowntheywerecomingandbeencumberedwithmuchserving.Youmuststaytoteawithme,Diana,andwe’lltalkitallover.”
“PriscillasaysMrs.Pendexter’shusband’ssisterismarriedtoanEnglishearl;andyetshetookasecondhelpingoftheplumpreserves,”saidDiana,asifthetwofactsweresomehowincompatible
