Аня из Авонлеи
XXI. Sweet Miss Lavendar
FathernamedmeLavendarbecausehewassofondofit.TheveryfirsttimehesawmotherwaswhenhevisitedherhomeinEastGraftonwithherbrother.Hefellinlovewithheratfirstsight;andtheyputhiminthespareroombedtosleepandthesheetswerescentedwithlavendarandhelayawakeallnightandthoughtofher.Healwayslovedthescentoflavendarafterthat...andthatwaswhyhegavemethename.Don’tforgettocomebacksoon,girlsdear.We’llbelookingforyou,CharlottatheFourthandI.”
Sheopenedthegateunderthefirsforthemtopassthrough.Shelookedsuddenlyoldandtired;theglowandradiancehadfadedfromherface;herpartingsmilewasassweetwithineradicableyouthasever,butwhenthegirlslookedbackfromthefirstcurveinthelanetheysawhersittingontheoldstonebenchunderthesilverpoplarinthemiddleofthegardenwithherheadleaningwearilyonherhand.
“Shedoeslooklonely,”saidDianasoftly.“Wemustcomeoftentoseeher.”
“Ithinkherparentsgavehertheonlyrightandfittingnamethatcouldpossiblybegivenher,”saidAnne.“IftheyhadbeensoblindastonameherElizabethorNellieorMurielshemusthavebeencalledLavendarjustthesame,Ithink.It’ssosuggestiveofsweetnessandold-fashionedgracesand‘silkattire.’Now,mynamejustsmacksofbreadandbutter,patchworkandchores.”
“Oh,Idon’tthinkso,”saidDiana.“Anneseemstomerealstatelyandlikeaqueen.ButI’dlikeKerrenhappuchifithappenedtobeyourname
