Аня из Авонлеи
VI. All Sorts and Conditions of Men... and women
Theystayedtoteahere,althoughtheywerenearlyhome,ratherthanriskoffendingMrs.Dickson,whohadthereputationofbeingavery“touchy”woman.
WhiletheywerethereoldMrs.JamesWhitecalledin.
“I’vejustbeendowntoLorenzo’s,”sheannounced.“He’stheproudestmaninAvonleathisminute.Whatdoyouthink?There’sabrandnewboythere...andaftersevengirlsthat’squiteanevent,Icantellyou.”Anneprickedupherears,andwhentheydroveawayshesaid.
“I’mgoingstraighttoLorenzoWhite’s.”
“ButhelivesontheWhiteSandsroadandit’squiteadistanceoutofourway,”protestedDiana.“GilbertandFredwillcanvasshim.”
“TheyarenotgoingarounduntilnextSaturdayanditwillbetoolatebythen,”saidAnnefirmly.“Thenoveltywillbewornoff.LorenzoWhiteisdreadfullymeanbuthewillsubscribetoANYTHINGjustnow.Wemustn’tletsuchagoldenopportunityslip,Diana.”TheresultjustifiedAnne’sforesight.Mr.Whitemetthemintheyard,beaminglikethesunuponanEasterday.WhenAnneaskedforasubscriptionheagreedenthusiastically.
“Certain,certain.Justputmedownforadollarmorethanthehighestsubscriptionyou’vegot.”
“Thatwillbefivedollars...Mr.DanielBlairputdownfour,”saidAnne,halfafraid.ButLorenzodidnotflinch.
“Fiveitis...andhere’sthemoneyonthespot.Now,Iwantyoutocomeintothehouse.There’ssomethinginthereworthseeing...somethingveryfewpeoplehaveseenasyet.JustcomeinandpassYOURopinion