Аня из Авонлеи
X. Davy in Search of a Sensation
Davyaccompaniedeachoftheminturn,andwasfertileinthinkingofplaceswhereDoracouldpossiblybe.Finallytheymetagainintheyard.
“It’samostmysteriousthing,”groanedMarilla.
“Wherecanshebe?”saidAnnemiserably
“Maybeshe’stumbledintothewell,”suggestedDavycheerfully.
AnneandMarillalookedfearfullyintoeachother’seyes.Thethoughthadbeenwiththemboththroughtheirentiresearchbutneitherhaddaredtoputitintowords.
“She...shemighthave,”whisperedMarilla.
Anne,feelingfaintandsick,wenttothewellboxandpeeredover.Thebucketsatontheshelfinside.Fardownbelowwasatinyglimmerofstillwater.TheCuthbertwellwasthedeepestinAvonlea.IfDora...butAnnecouldnotfacetheidea.Sheshudderedandturnedaway.
“RunacrossforMr.Harrison,”saidMarilla,wringingherhands.
“Mr.HarrisonandJohnHenryarebothaway...theywenttotowntoday.I’llgoforMr.Barry.”
Mr.BarrycamebackwithAnne,carryingacoilofropetowhichwasattachedaclaw-likeinstrumentthathadbeenthebusinessendofagrubbingfork.MarillaandAnnestoodby,coldandshakenwithhorroranddread,whileMr.Barrydraggedthewell,andDavy,astridethegate,watchedthegroupwithafaceindicativeofhugeenjoyment.
FinallyMr.Barryshookhishead,witharelievedair.
“Shecan’tbedownthere.It’samightycuriousthingwhereshecouldhavegotto,though.Lookhere,youngman,areyousureyou’venoideawhereyoursisteris?”
“I’vetoldyouadozentimesthatIhaven’t,”saidDavy,withaninjuredair.