Аня из Авонлеи
VIII. Marilla Adopts Twins
You’reneversafefrombeingsurprisedtillyou’redead.”
ThefatponyjoggedoverthebridgeinLynde’sHollowandalongtheGreenGableslane.Marilla’sfacewasrathergrim.ItwastenmilesfromEastGraftonandDavyKeithseemedtobepossessedwithapassionforperpetualmotion.ItwasbeyondMarilla’spowertomakehimsitstillandshehadbeeninanagonythewholewaylesthefalloverthebackofthewagonandbreakhisneck,ortumbleoverthedashboardunderthepony’sheels.Indespairshefinallythreatenedtowhiphimsoundlywhenshegothimhome.WhereuponDavyclimbedintoherlap,regardlessofthereins,flunghischubbyarmsaboutherneckandgaveherabear-likehug.
“Idon’tbelieveyoumeanit,”hesaid,smackingherwrinkledcheekaffectionately.“Youdon’tLOOKlikealadywho’dwhipalittleboyjust‘causehecouldn’tkeepstill.Didn’tyoufinditawfulhardtokeepstillwhenyouwasonly‘soldasme?”
“No,IalwayskeptstillwhenIwastold,”saidMarilla,tryingtospeaksternly,albeitshefeltherheartwaxingsoftwithinherunderDavy’simpulsivecaresses.
“Well,Is’posethatwas‘causeyouwasagirl,”saidDavy,squirmingbacktohisplaceafteranotherhug.“YouWASagirlonce,Is’pose,thoughit’sawfulfunnytothinkofit.Doracansitstill...butthereain’tmuchfuninitIdon’tthink.Seemstomeitmustbeslowtobeagirl.Here,Dora,letmelivenyouupabit.”
Davy’smethodof“liveningup”wastograspDora’scurlsinhisfingersandgivethematug.Dorashriekedandthencried.
