Аня из Авонлеи
VIII. Marilla Adopts Twins
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WhenAnnewenttocalltheAidstoteashefoundthatDorawasnotintheparlor.Mrs.JasperBellsaidDavyhadcometothefrontdoorandcalledherout.AhastyconsultationwithMarillainthepantryresultedinadecisiontoletbothchildrenhavetheirteastogetherlateron.
Teawashalfoverwhenthediningroomwasinvadedbyaforlornfigure.MarillaandAnnestaredindismay,theAidsinamazement.CouldthatbeDora...thatsobbingnondescriptinadrenched,drippingdressandhairfromwhichthewaterwasstreamingonMarilla’snewcoin-spotrug?
“Dora,whathashappenedtoyou?”criedAnne,withaguiltyglanceatMrs.JasperBell,whosefamilywassaidtobetheonlyoneintheworldinwhichaccidentsneveroccurred.
“Davymademewalkthepigpenfence,”wailedDora.“Ididn’twanttobuthecalledmeafraid-cat.AndIfelloffintothepigpenandmydressgotalldirtyandthepigrunnedrightoverme.MydresswasjustawfulbutDavysaidifI’dstandunderthepumphe’dwashitclean,andIdidandhepumpedwaterallovermebutmydressain’tabitcleanerandmyprettysashandshoesisallspoiled.”
AnnedidthehonorsofthetablealonefortherestofthemealwhileMarillawentupstairsandredressedDorainheroldclothes.Davywascaughtandsenttobedwithoutanysupper.Annewenttohisroomattwilightandtalkedtohimseriously...amethodinwhichshehadgreatfaith,notaltogetherunjustifiedbyresults.Shetoldhimshefeltverybadlyoverhisconduct.
