Аня из Авонлеи
IX. A Question of Color
Besides,DavyisprobablybreakingMarilla’sheartwithsomenewmischiefbythistime.Thismorningthefirstthinghesaidwas,‘Wheredoesthedarkgo,Anne?Iwanttoknow.’Itoldhimitwentaroundtotheothersideoftheworldbutafterbreakfasthedeclareditdidn’t...thatitwentdownthewell.Marillasaysshecaughthimhangingoverthewell-boxfourtimestoday,tryingtoreachdowntothedark.”
“He’salimb,”declaredMr.Harrison.“HecameoverhereyesterdayandpulledsixfeathersoutofGinger’stailbeforeIcouldgetinfromthebarn.Thepoorbirdhasbeenmopingeversince.Thosechildrenmustbeasightoftroubletoyoufolks.”
“Everythingthat’sworthhavingissometrouble,”saidAnne,secretlyresolvingtoforgiveDavy’snextoffence,whateveritmightbe,sincehehadavengedheronGinger.
Mr.RogerPyebroughtthehallpainthomethatnightandMr.JoshuaPye,asurly,taciturnman,beganpaintingthenextday.Hewasnotdisturbedinhistask.Thehallwassituatedonwhatwascalled“thelowerroad.”Inlateautumnthisroadwasalwaysmuddyandwet,andpeoplegoingtoCarmodytraveledbythelonger“upper”road.Thehallwassocloselysurroundedbyfirwoodsthatitwasinvisibleunlessyouwerenearit.Mr.JoshuaPyepaintedawayinthesolitudeandindependencethatweresodeartohisunsociableheart.
FridayafternoonhefinishedhisjobandwenthometoCarmody.SoonafterhisdepartureMrs.RachelLyndedroveby,havingbravedthemudofthelowerroadoutofcuriositytoseewhatthehalllookedlikeinitsnewcoatofpaint.
