Аня из Авонлеи
X. Davy in Search of a Sensation
sinceFredWrightisawayintown,”saidAnnewitharathertooinnocentface.
Dianablushed,tossedherhead,andwalkedon.Shedidnotlookoffended,however.
AnnefullyintendedtogodowntotheDicksons’thatevening,butshedidnot.WhenshearrivedatGreenGablesshefoundastateofaffairswhichbanishedeveryotherthoughtfromhermind.Marillametherintheyard...awild-eyedMarilla.
“Anne,Doraislost!”
“Dora!Lost!”AnnelookedatDavy,whowasswingingontheyardgate,anddetectedmerrimentinhiseyes.“Davy,doyouknowwheresheis?”
“No,Idon’t,”saidDavystoutly.“Ihaven’tseenhersincedinnertime,crossmyheart.”
“I’vebeenawayeversinceoneo’clock,”saidMarilla.“ThomasLyndetooksickallofasuddenandRachelsentupformetogoatonce.WhenIlefthereDorawasplayingwithherdollinthekitchenandDavywasmakingmudpiesbehindthebarn.Ionlygothomehalfanhourago...andnoDoratobeseen.DavydeclaresheneversawhersinceIleft.”
“NeitherIdid,”avowedDavysolemnly.
“Shemustbesomewherearound,”saidAnne.“Shewouldneverwanderfarawayalone...youknowhowtimidsheis.Perhapsshehasfallenasleepinoneoftherooms.”
Marillashookherhead.
“I’vehuntedthewholehousethrough.Butshemaybeinsomeofthebuildings.”
Athoroughsearchfollowed.Everycornerofhouse,yard,andoutbuildingswasransackedbythosetwodistractedpeople.AnnerovedtheorchardsandtheHauntedWood,callingDora’sname.Marillatookacandleandexploredthecellar.
