Аня из Авонлеи
XXVI. Around the Bend
Butshedidn’twanttodoanythingrashsosheaskedforaweektoconsider;andtwodayslatershewasatameetingoftheSewingCircleathismother’sandtherewasabookcalled‘TheCompleteGuidetoEtiquette,’lyingontheparlortable.Rubysaidshesimplycouldn’tdescribeherfeelingswheninasectionofitheaded,‘TheDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriage,’shefoundtheveryproposalNelsonhadmade,wordforword.Shewenthomeandwrotehimaperfectlyscathingrefusal;andshesayshisfatherandmotherhavetakenturnswatchinghimeversinceforfearhe’lldrownhimselfintheriver;butRubysaystheyneedn’tbeafraid;forintheDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriageittoldhowarejectedlovershouldbehaveandthere’snothingaboutdrowninginTHAT.AndshesaysWilburBlairisliterallypiningawayforherbutshe’sperfectlyhelplessinthematter.”
Annemadeanimpatientmovement.
“Ihatetosayit...itseemssodisloyal...but,well,Idon’tlikeRubyGillisnow.IlikedherwhenwewenttoschoolandQueen’stogether...thoughnotsowellasyouandJaneofcourse.ButthislastyearatCarmodysheseemssodifferent...so...so...”
“Iknow,”noddedDiana.“It’stheGilliscomingoutinher...shecan’thelpit.Mrs.LyndesaysthatifeveraGillisgirlthoughtaboutanythingbuttheboysshenevershoweditinherwalkandconversation.Shetalksaboutnothingbutboysandwhatcomplimentstheypayher,andhowcrazytheyallareaboutheratCarmody.Andthestrangethingis,theyARE,too...
