Аня из Авонлеи

           HiramSloanecalledattheschoolonedayandbeckonedAnnemysteriouslyoutintotheporchtotellherthatifthe“Sassiety”wantedtomakeageraniumbedatthecrossroadsinthespringtheyneedn’tbeafraidofhercow,forshewouldseethatthemaraudinganimalwaskeptwithinsafebounds.EvenMr.Harrisonchuckled,ifhechuckledatall,inprivate,andwasallsympathyoutwardly.

           “Nevermind,Anne.Mostpaintsfadeugliereveryyearbutthatblueisasuglyasitcanbetobeginwith,soit’sboundtofadeprettier.Andtheroofisshingledandpaintedallright.Folkswillbeabletositinthehallafterthiswithoutbeingleakedon.You’veaccomplishedsomuchanyhow.”

           “ButAvonlea’sbluehallwillbeabywordinalltheneighboringsettlementsfromthistimeout,”saidAnnebitterly.

           Anditmustbeconfessedthatitwas.