Аня з Авонлеї
XXI. Sweet Miss Lavendar
Theyareverygoodcompany...withalittlepretending.OncalmeveningsCharlottatheFourthandIoftensitouthereandamuseourselveswiththem.Charlotta,takebackthehornandhangitcarefullyinitsplace.”
“WhydoyoucallherCharlottatheFourth?”askedDiana,whowasburstingwithcuriosityonthispoint.
“JusttokeepherfromgettingmixedupwithotherCharlottasinmythoughts,”saidMissLavendarseriously.“Theyalllooksomuchalikethere’snotellingthemapart.Hernameisn’treallyCharlottaatall.Itis...letmesee...whatisit?ITHINKit’sLeonora...yes,itISLeonora.Yousee,itisthisway.WhenmotherdiedtenyearsagoIcouldn’tstayherealone...andIcouldn’taffordtopaythewagesofagrown-upgirl.SoIgotlittleCharlottaBowmantocomeandstaywithmeforboardandclothes.HernamereallywasCharlotta...shewasCharlottatheFirst.Shewasjustthirteen.ShestayedwithmetillshewassixteenandthenshewentawaytoBoston,becauseshecoulddobetterthere.Hersistercametostaywithmethen.HernamewasJulietta...Mrs.BowmanhadaweaknessforfancynamesIthink...butshelookedsolikeCharlottathatIkeptcallingherthatallthetime...andshedidn’tmind.SoIjustgaveuptryingtorememberherrightname.ShewasCharlottatheSecond,andwhenshewentawayEvelinacameandshewasCharlottatheThird.NowIhaveCharlottatheFourth;butwhensheissixteen...she’sfourteennow...shewillwanttogotoBostontoo,andwhatIshalldothenIreallydonotknow.
