Аня из Авонлеи
VII. The Pointing of Duty
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ThementionofcollegegaveanewdirectiontoGilbert’sthoughts,andtheytalkedforatimeoftheirplansandwishes...gravely,earnestly,hopefully,asyouthlovestotalk,whilethefutureisyetanuntroddenpathfullofwonderfulpossibilities.
Gilberthadfinallymadeuphismindthathewasgoingtobeadoctor.
“It’sasplendidprofession,”hesaidenthusiastically.“Afellowhastofightsomethingallthroughlife...didn’tsomebodyoncedefinemanasafightinganimal?...andIwanttofightdiseaseandpainandignorance...whichareallmembersoneofanother.Iwanttodomyshareofhonest,realworkintheworld,Anne...addalittletothesumofhumanknowledgethatallthegoodmenhavebeenaccumulatingsinceitbegan.ThefolkswholivedbeforemehavedonesomuchformethatIwanttoshowmygratitudebydoingsomethingforthefolkswhowillliveafterme.Itseemstomethatistheonlywayafellowcangetsquarewithhisobligationstotherace.”
“I’dliketoaddsomebeautytolife,”saidAnnedreamily.“Idon’texactlywanttomakepeopleKNOWmore...thoughIknowthatISthenoblestambition...butI’dlovetomakethemhaveapleasantertimebecauseofme...tohavesomelittlejoyorhappythoughtthatwouldneverhaveexistedifIhadn’tbeenborn.”
“Ithinkyou’refulfillingthatambitioneveryday,”saidGilbertadmiringly.
Andhewasright.Annewasoneofthechildrenoflightbybirthright.
