Аня з Авонлеї
II. Selling in Haste and Repenting at Leisure
“I’llsellhertoyounow,ifyouwanther,”saidherflushedanddisheveledowner.“Youmayhaveherthisveryminute.”
“Done.I’llgiveyoutwentyforherasIofferedbefore,andJimherecandriveherrightovertoCarmody.She’llgototownwiththerestoftheshipmentthisevening.Mr.ReedofBrightonwantsaJerseycow.”
FiveminuteslaterJimShearerandtheJerseycowweremarchinguptheroad,andimpulsiveAnnewasdrivingalongtheGreenGableslanewithhertwentydollars.
“WhatwillMarillasay?”askedDiana.
“Oh,shewon’tcare.Dollywasmyowncowanditisn’tlikelyshe’dbringmorethantwentydollarsattheauction.Butohdear,ifMr.Harrisonseesthatgrainhewillknowshehasbeeninagain,andaftermygivinghimmywordofhonorthatI’dneverletithappen!Well,ithastaughtmealessonnottogivemywordofhonoraboutcows.Acowthatcouldjumpoverorbreakthroughourmilk-penfencecouldn’tbetrustedanywhere.”
MarillahadgonedowntoMrs.Lynde’s,andwhenshereturnedknewallaboutDolly’ssaleandtransfer,forMrs.Lyndehadseenmostofthetransactionfromherwindowandguessedtherest.
“Isupposeit’sjustaswellshe’sgone,thoughyouDOdothingsinadreadfulheadlongfashion,Anne.Idon’tseehowshegotoutofthepen,though.Shemusthavebrokensomeoftheboardsoff.”
“Ididn’tthinkoflooking,”saidAnne,“butI’llgoandseenow.Martinhasnevercomebackyet.Perhapssomemoreofhisauntshavedied.Ithinkit’ssomethinglikeMr.PeterSloaneandtheoctogenarians.TheothereveningMrs.
