Аня из Авонлеи

           “Iwasallriledup,Anne,andIsaidshemightstaytilldoomsdayifshewaitedforthat;andIstucktoit.Ipackedupherbelongingsandsentthemafterher.Itmadeanawfullotoftalk...ScottsfordwasprettynearasbadasAvonleaforgossip...andeverybodysympathizedwithEmily.ItkeptmeallcrossandcantankerousandIsawI’dhavetogetoutorI’dneverhaveanypeace.IconcludedI’dcometotheIsland.I’dbeenherewhenIwasaboyandIlikedit;butEmilyhadalwayssaidshewouldn’tliveinaplacewherefolkswerescaredtowalkoutafterdarkforfearthey’dfallofftheedge.So,justtobecontrary,Imovedoverhere.Andthat’sallthereistoit.Ihadn’teverheardawordfromoraboutEmilytillIcomehomefromthebackfieldSaturdayandfoundherscrubbingthefloorbutwiththefirstdecentdinnerI’dhadsincesheleftmeallreadyonthetable.Shetoldmetoeatitfirstandthenwe’dtalk...bywhichIconcludedthatEmilyhadlearnedsomelessonsaboutgettingalongwithaman.Soshe’shereandshe’sgoingtostay...seeingthatGinger’sdeadandtheIsland’ssomebiggerthanshethought.There’sMrs.Lyndeandhernow.No,don’tgo,Anne.StayandgetacquaintedwithEmily.ShetookquiteanotiontoyouSaturday...wantedtoknowwhothathandsomeredhairedgirlwasatthenexthouse.”

           Mrs.HarrisonwelcomedAnneradiantlyandinsistedonherstayingtotea.

           “JamesA.hasbeentellingmeallaboutyouandhowkindyou’vebeen,makingcakesandthingsforhim,”shesaid.