Аня из Авонлеи
VII. The Pointing of Duty
Aftershehadpassedthroughalifewithasmileorawordthrownacrossitlikeagleamofsunshinetheownerofthatlifesawit,forthetimebeingatleast,ashopefulandlovelyandofgoodreport.
FinallyGilbertroseregretfully.
“Well,ImustrunuptoMacPhersons’.MoodySpurgeoncamehomefromQueen’stodayforSundayandhewastobringmeoutabookProfessorBoydislendingme.”
“AndImustgetMarilla’stea.ShewenttoseeMrs.Keiththiseveningandshewillsoonbeback.”
AnnehadteareadywhenMarillacamehome;thefirewascracklingcheerily,avaseoffrost-bleachedfernsandruby-redmapleleavesadornedthetable,anddelectableodorsofhamandtoastpervadedtheair.ButMarillasankintoherchairwithadeepsigh.
“Areyoureyestroublingyou?Doesyourheadache?”queriedAnneanxiously.
“No.I’monlytired...andworried.It’saboutMaryandthosechildren
...Maryisworse...shecan’tlastmuchlonger.Andasforthe
twins,Idon’tknowwhatistobecomeofthem.”
“Hasn’ttheirunclebeenheardfrom?”
“Yes,Maryhadaletterfromhim.He’sworkinginalumbercampand‘shackingit,’whateverthatmeans.Anyway,hesayshecan’tpossiblytakethechildrentillthespring.Heexpectstobemarriedthenandwillhaveahometotakethemto;buthesaysshemustgetsomeoftheneighborstokeepthemforthewinter.Shesaysshecan’tbeartoaskanyofthem.MarynevergotonanytoowellwiththeEastGraftonpeopleandthat’safact.Andthelongandshortofitis,Anne,thatI’msureMarywantsmetotakethosechildren...
