Аня из Авонлеи
XXV. An Avonlea Scandal
andImeanttodoit,forIdidn’twanttheministerstohearanythingunpleasantinmyhouse.Butitslippedmymind...Emilywasworryingmesomuchaboutcleancollarsandgrammarthatitwasn’tanywonder...andIneverthoughtofthatpoorparrottillwesatdowntotea.Justasministernumberonewasintheverymiddleofsayinggrace,Ginger,whowasontheverandaoutsidethediningroomwindow,liftedupHISvoice.ThegobblerhadcomeintoviewintheyardandthesightofagobbleralwayshadanunwholesomeeffectonGinger.Hesurpassedhimselfthattime.Youcansmile,Anne,andIdon’tdenyI’vechuckledsomeoveritsincemyself,butatthetimeIfeltalmostasmuchmortifiedasEmily.IwentoutandcarriedGingertothebarn.Ican’tsayIenjoyedthemeal.IknewbythelookofEmilythattherewastroublebrewingforGingerandJamesA.WhenthefolkswentawayIstartedforthecowpastureandonthewayIdidsomethinking.IfeltsorryforEmilyandkindoffanciedIhadn’tbeensothoughtfulofherasImight;andbesides,IwonderediftheministerswouldthinkthatGingerhadlearnedhisvocabularyfromme.Thelongandshortofitwas,IdecidedthatGingerwouldhavetobemercifullydisposedofandwhenI’ddruvthecowshomeIwentintotellEmilyso.ButtherewasnoEmilyandtherewasaletteronthetable...justaccordingtotheruleinstorybooks.EmilywritthatI’dhavetochoosebetweenherandGinger;she’dgonebacktoherownhouseandthereshewouldstaytillIwentandtoldherI’dgotridofthatparrot.
