Аня из Авонлеи
III. Mr. Harrison at Home
Anneadornedthetablewithabouquetfromthegardenandshuthereyestothestainsonthetablecloth.SoontheteawasreadyandAnnefoundherselfsittingoppositeMr.Harrisonathisowntable,pouringhisteaforhim,andchattingfreelytohimaboutherschoolandfriendsandplans.Shecouldhardlybelievetheevidenceofhersenses.
Mr.HarrisonhadbroughtGingerback,averringthatthepoorbirdwouldbelonesome;andAnne,feelingthatshecouldforgiveeverybodyandeverything,offeredhimawalnut.ButGinger’sfeelingshadbeengrievouslyhurtandherejectedalloverturesoffriendship.Hesatmoodilyonhisperchandruffledhisfeathersupuntilhelookedlikeamereballofgreenandgold.
“WhydoyoucallhimGinger?”askedAnne,wholikedappropriatenamesandthoughtGingeraccordednotatallwithsuchgorgeousplumage.
“Mybrotherthesailornamedhim.Maybeithadsomereferencetohistemper.Ithinkalotofthatbirdthough...you’dbesurprisedifyouknewhowmuch.Hehashisfaultsofcourse.Thatbirdhascostmeagooddealonewayandanother.Somepeopleobjecttohisswearinghabitsbuthecan’tbebrokenofthem.I’vetried...otherpeoplehavetried.Somefolkshaveprejudicesagainstparrots.Silly,ain’tit?Ilikethemmyself.Ginger’salotofcompanytome.Nothingwouldinducemetogivethatbirdup...nothingintheworld,miss.”
Mr.HarrisonflungthelastsentenceatAnneasexplosivelyasifhesuspectedherofsomelatentdesignofpersuadinghimtogiveGingerup.
