Аня из Авонлеи
XXVIII. The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace
HarmonAndrews,soAvonleagossipwhispered,hadneverlearnedhowtomanageher“man,”andasaresulttheAndrewshouseholdwasnotexactlyamodelofdomestichappiness.
“IseethattheCharlottetowncalltoMr.AllanisupbeforethePresbytery,”saidMrs.Bell.“Thatmeanswe’llbelosinghimsoon,Isuppose.”
“They’renotgoingbeforeSeptember,”saidMrs.Sloane.“Itwillbeagreatlosstothecommunity...thoughIalwaysdidthinkthatMrs.Allandressedrathertoogayforaminister’swife.Butwearenoneofusperfect.DidyounoticehowneatandsnugMr.Harrisonlookedtoday?Ineversawsuchachangedman.HegoestochurcheverySundayandhassubscribedtothesalary.”
“Hasn’tthatPaulIrvinggrowntobeabigboy?”saidMrs.Andrews.“Hewassuchamiteforhisagewhenhecamehere.IdeclareIhardlyknewhimtoday.He’sgettingtolookalotlikehisfather.”
“He’sasmartboy,”saidMrs.Bell.
“He’ssmartenough,but”...Mrs.Andrewsloweredhervoice...“Ibelievehetellsqueerstories.Graciecamehomefromschoolonedaylastweekwiththegreatestrigmarolehehadtoldheraboutpeoplewholiveddownattheshore...storiestherecouldn’tbeawordoftruthin,youknow.ItoldGracienottobelievethem,andshesaidPauldidn’tintendherto.Butifhedidn’twhatdidhetellthemtoherfor?”
“AnnesaysPaulisagenius,”saidMrs.Sloane.
“Hemaybe.YouneverknowwhattoexpectofthemAmericans,”saidMrs.Andrews.Mrs.
