Аня из Авонлеи
XXV. An Avonlea Scandal
“It’slikesomethingyou’dreadofintheStates,butwhowouldexpectsuchathingtohappenrighthereinAvonlea?”
“Butwedon’tknowthathedesertedher,”protestedAnne,determinedtobelieveherfriendinnocenttillhewasprovedguilty.“Wedon’tknowtherightsofitatall.”
“Well,wesoonwill.I’mgoingstraightoverthere,”saidMrs.Lynde,whohadneverlearnedthattherewassuchawordasdelicacyinthedictionary.“I’mnotsupposedtoknowanythingaboutherarrival,andMr.HarrisonwastobringsomemedicineforThomasfromCarmodytoday,sothatwillbeagoodexcuse.I’llfindoutthewholestoryandcomeinandtellyouonthewayback.”
Mrs.LynderushedinwhereAnnehadfearedtotread.NothingwouldhaveinducedthelattertogoovertotheHarrisonplace;butshehadhernaturalandpropershareofcuriosityandshefeltsecretlygladthatMrs.Lyndewasgoingtosolvethemystery.SheandMarillawaitedexpectantlyforthatgoodlady’sreturn,butwaitedinvain.Mrs.LyndedidnotrevisitGreenGablesthatnight.Davy,arrivinghomeatnineo’clockfromtheBoulterplace,explainedwhy.
“ImetMrs.LyndeandsomestrangewomanintheHollow,”hesaid,“andgracious,howtheyweretalkingbothatonce!Mrs.Lyndesaidtotellyoushewassorryitwastoolatetocalltonight.Anne,I’mawfulhungry.WehadteaatMilty’satfourandIthinkMrs.Boulterisrealmean.Shedidn’tgiveusanypreservesorcake...andeventhebreadwasskurce.
