Аня з Авонлеї
VIII. Marilla Adopts Twins
Davybehavedquitewellatfirst,beingoccupiedincastingcovertglancesatallthesmallboyswithinviewandwonderingwhichwasPaulIrving.ThefirsttwohymnsandtheScripturereadingpassedoffuneventfully.Mr.Allanwasprayingwhenthesensationcame.
LaurettaWhitewassittinginfrontofDavy,herheadslightlybentandherfairhairhangingintwolongbraids,betweenwhichatemptingexpanseofwhiteneckshowed,encasedinalooselacefrill.Laurettawasafat,placid-lookingchildofeight,whohadconductedherselfirreproachablyinchurchfromtheveryfirstdayhermothercarriedherthere,aninfantofsixmonths.
Davythrusthishandintohispocketandproduced...acaterpillar,afurry,squirmingcaterpillar.Marillasawandclutchedathimbutshewastoolate.DavydroppedthecaterpillardownLauretta’sneck.
RightintothemiddleofMr.Allan’sprayerburstaseriesofpiercingshrieks.Theministerstoppedappalledandopenedhiseyes.Everyheadinthecongregationflewup.LaurettaWhitewasdancingupanddowninherpew,clutchingfranticallyatthebackofherdress.
“Ow...mommer...mommer...ow...takeitoff...ow...getitout...ow...thatbadboyputitdownmyneck...ow...mommer...it’sgoingfurtherdown...ow...ow...ow....”
Mrs.Whiteroseandwithasetfacecarriedthehysterical,writhingLaurettaoutofchurch.HershrieksdiedawayinthedistanceandMr.Allanproceededwiththeservice.Buteverybodyfeltthatitwasafailurethatday.
