Аня из Авонлеи
XXVIII. The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace
”TheimportantnotewaswrittenandAnneherselfcarriedittotheGraftonpostoffice,whereshewaylaidthemailcarrierandaskedhimtoleaveitattheAvonleaoffice.
“It’ssoveryimportant,”Anneassuredhimanxiously.ThemailcarrierwasarathergrumpyoldpersonagewhodidnotatalllookthepartofamessengerofCupid;andAnnewasnonetoocertainthathismemorywastobetrusted.Buthesaidhewoulddohisbesttorememberandshehadtobecontentedwiththat.
CharlottatheFourthfeltthatsomemysterypervadedthestonehousethatafternoon...amysteryfromwhichshewasexcluded.MissLavendarroamedaboutthegardeninadistractedfashion.Anne,too,seemedpossessedbyademonofunrest,andwalkedtoandfroandwentupanddown.CharlottatheFourthenduredittillpatienceceasedtobeavirtue;thensheconfrontedAnneontheoccasionofthatromanticyoungperson’sthirdaimlessperegrinationthroughthekitchen.
“Please,MissShirley,ma’am,”saidCharlottatheFourth,withanindignanttossofherverybluebows,“it’splaintobeseenyouandMissLavendarhavegotasecretandIthink,beggingyourpardonifI’mtooforward,MissShirley,ma’am,thatit’srealmeannottotellmewhenwe’veallbeensuchchums.”
“Oh,Charlottadear,I’dhavetoldyouallaboutitifitweremysecret...butit’sMissLavendar’s,yousee.However,I’lltellyouthismuch...andifnothingcomesofityoumustneverbreatheawordaboutittoalivingsoul.Yousee,PrinceCharmingiscomingtonight.
