Аня из Авонлеи
XXVI. Around the Bend
“Notabitoffearofit,”saidAnnebriskly,comingbackfromdreamlandtotheaffairsofpracticallife.“Itistoofirmlyestablishedforthat,especiallysincetheolderpeoplearebecomingsoenthusiasticaboutit.Lookwhattheyaredoingthissummerfortheirlawnsandlanes.Besides,I’llbewatchingforhintsatRedmondandI’llwriteapaperforitnextwinterandsenditover.Don’ttakesuchagloomyviewofthings,Diana.Anddon’tgrudgememylittlehourofgladnessandjubilationnow.Lateron,whenIhavetogoaway,I’llfeelanythingbutglad.”
“It’sallrightforyoutobeglad...you’regoingtocollegeandyou’llhaveajollytimeandmakeheapsoflovelynewfriends.”
“IhopeIshallmakenewfriends,”saidAnnethoughtfully.“Thepossibilitiesofmakingnewfriendshelptomakelifeveryfascinating.ButnomatterhowmanyfriendsImakethey’llneverbeasdeartomeastheoldones...especiallyacertaingirlwithblackeyesanddimples.Canyouguesswhosheis,Diana?”
“Butthere’llbesomanyclevergirlsatRedmond,”sighedDiana,“andI’monlyastupidlittlecountrygirlwhosays‘Iseen’sometimes...thoughIreallyknowbetterwhenIstoptothink.Well,ofcoursethesepasttwoyearshavereallybeentoopleasanttolast.IknowSOMEBODYwhoisgladyouaregoingtoRedmondanyhow.Anne,I’mgoingtoaskyouaquestion...aseriousquestion.Don’tbevexedanddoanswerseriously.
