Аня из Авонлеи
VIII. Marilla Adopts Twins
“Howcanyoubesuchanaughtyboyandyourpoormotherjustlaidinhergravethisveryday?”demandedMarilladespairingly.
“Butshewasgladtodie,”saidDavyconfidentially.“Iknow,‘causeshetoldmeso.Shewasawfultiredofbeingsick.We’dalongtalkthenightbeforeshedied.ShetoldmeyouwasgoingtotakemeandDoraforthewinterandIwastobeagoodboy.I’mgoingtobegood,butcan’tyoubegoodrunningroundjustaswellassittingstill?AndshesaidIwasalwaystobekindtoDoraandstandupforher,andI’mgoingto.”
“Doyoucallpullingherhairbeingkindtoher?”
“Well,Iain’tgoingtoletanybodyelsepullit,”saidDavy,doublinguphisfistsandfrowning.“They’djustbettertryit.Ididn’thurthermuch...shejustcried‘causeshe’sagirl.I’mgladI’maboybutI’msorryI’matwin.WhenJimmySprott’ssisterconterdickshimhejustsays,‘I’moldernyou,soofcourseIknowbetter,’andthatsettlesHER.ButIcan’ttellDorathat,andshejustgoesonthinkingdiffruntfromme.Youmightletmedrivethegee-geeforaspell,sinceI’maman.”
Altogether,Marillawasathankfulwomanwhenshedroveintoherownyard,wherethewindoftheautumnnightwasdancingwiththebrownleaves.Annewasatthegatetomeetthemandliftthetwinsout.Dorasubmittedcalmlytobekissed,butDavyrespondedtoAnne’swelcomewithoneofhisheartyhugsandthecheerfulannouncement,“I’mMr.DavyKeith.”
AtthesuppertableDorabehavedlikealittlelady,butDavy’smannersleftmuchtobedesired.
