Аня из Авонлеи
XXI. Sweet Miss Lavendar
Idon’tknowwhereweareexactly,butwemustbeallofthreemilesfromKimballs’still.”
“Thenwecan’tgettherebyfive,forit’shalfpastfournow,”saidDiana,withadespairinglookatherwatch.“We’llarriveaftertheyhavehadtheirtea,andthey’llhaveallthebotherofgettingoursoveragain.”
“We’dbetterturnbackandgohome,”suggestedAnnehumbly.ButDiana,afterconsideration,vetoedthis.
“No,wemayaswellgoandspendtheevening,sincewehavecomethisfar.”
Afewyardsfurtheronthegirlscametoaplacewheretheroadforkedagain.
“Whichofthesedowetake?”askedDianadubiously.
Anneshookherhead.
“Idon’tknowandwecan’taffordtomakeanymoremistakes.Hereisagateandalaneleadingrightintothewood.Theremustbeahouseattheotherside.Letusgodownandinquire.”
“Whataromanticoldlanethisit,”saidDiana,astheywalkedalongitstwistsandturns.Itranunderpatriarchaloldfirswhosebranchesmetabove,creatingaperpetualgloominwhichnothingexceptmosscouldgrow.Oneitherhandwerebrownwoodfloors,crossedhereandtherebyfallenlancesofsunlight.Allwasverystillandremote,asiftheworldandthecaresoftheworldwerefaraway.
“Ifeelasifwewerewalkingthroughanenchantedforest,”saidAnneinahushedtone.“Doyousupposewe’lleverfindourwaybacktotherealworldagain,Diana?Weshallpresentlycometoapalacewithaspellboundprincessinit,Ithink.
