Аня из Авонлеи
I. An Irate Neighbor
HarrisonchasingyourJerseyoutofhisoatstodaywhenIwascominghomefromCarmody.Ithoughthelookedprettymad.Didhemakemuchofarumpus?”
AnneandMarillafurtivelyexchangedamusedsmiles.FewthingsinAvonleaeverescapedMrs.Lynde.ItwasonlythatmorningAnnehadsaid,
“Ifyouwenttoyourownroomatmidnight,lockedthedoor,pulleddowntheblind,andSNEEZED,Mrs.Lyndewouldaskyouthenextdayhowyourcoldwas!”
“Ibelievehedid,”admittedMarilla.“Iwasaway.HegaveAnneapieceofhismind.”
“Ithinkheisaverydisagreeableman,”saidAnne,witharesentfultossofherruddyhead.
“Youneversaidatruerword,”saidMrs.Rachelsolemnly.“Iknewthere’dbetroublewhenRobertBellsoldhisplacetoaNewBrunswickman,that’swhat.Idon’tknowwhatAvonleaiscomingto,withsomanystrangepeoplerushingintoit.It’llsoonnotbesafetogotosleepinourbeds.”
“Why,whatotherstrangersarecomingin?”askedMarilla.
“Haven’tyouheard?Well,there’safamilyofDonnells,foronething.They’verentedPeterSloane’soldhouse.Peterhashiredthemantorunhismill.Theybelongdowneastandnobodyknowsanythingaboutthem.ThenthatshiftlessTimothyCottonfamilyaregoingtomoveupfromWhiteSandsandthey’llsimplybeaburdenonthepublic.Heisinconsumption...whenheisn’tstealing...andhiswifeisaslack-twistedcreaturethatcan’tturnherhandtoathing.ShewashesherdishesSITTINGDOWN.Mrs.GeorgePyehastakenherhusband’sorphannephew,AnthonyPye.
