Аня из Авонлеи
I. An Irate Neighbor
Harrisoninasomewhatsubduedtone;buthestampedoffangrilyenoughandAnneheardhimgrowlingtohimselfuntilhewasoutofearshot.
Grievouslydisturbedinmind,AnnemarchedacrosstheyardandshutthenaughtyJerseyupinthemilkingpen.
“Shecan’tpossiblygetoutofthatunlessshetearsthefencedown,”shereflected.“Shelooksprettyquietnow.Idaresayshehassickenedherselfonthoseoats.IwishI’dsoldhertoMr.Shearerwhenhewantedherlastweek,butIthoughtitwasjustaswelltowaituntilwehadtheauctionofthestockandletthemallgotogether.IbelieveitistrueaboutMr.Harrisonbeingacrank.Certainlythere’snothingofthekindredspiritaboutHIM.”
Annehadalwaysaweathereyeopenforkindredspirits.
MarillaCuthbertwasdrivingintotheyardasAnnereturnedfromthehouse,andthelatterflewtogetteaready.Theydiscussedthematterattheteatable.
“I’llbegladwhentheauctionisover,”saidMarilla.“ItistoomuchresponsibilityhavingsomuchstockabouttheplaceandnobodybutthatunreliableMartintolookafterthem.HehasnevercomebackyetandhepromisedthathewouldcertainlybebacklastnightifI’dgivehimthedayofftogotohisaunt’sfuneral.Idon’tknowhowmanyauntshehasgot,Iamsure.That’sthefourththat’sdiedsincehehiredhereayearago.I’llbemorethanthankfulwhenthecropisinandMr.Barrytakesoverthefarm.We’llhavetokeepDollyshutupinthepentillMartincomes,forshemustbeputinthebackpastureandthefencestherehavetobefixed.
