Энн из Зеленых Крыш. Уровень 1 / Anne of Green Gables

"Can't I call you Aunt Marilla?”

"No. I'm not your aunt,” said Marilla grimly. "Now go into the sitting room, Anne and bring me the illustrated card that's on the mantelpiece. The Lord's Prayer[17 - Lord's Prayer – молитва «Отче наш»] is on it and you'll learn it by heart.”

Anne promptly departed for the sitting-room across the hall. When she returned, she set the card up against the jug.

"I like this,” she announced. "It's beautiful. I heard it before. The superintendent of the asylum Sunday school said it.

But I didn't like it then. He had such a cracked voice and he prayed it so mournfully. 'Hallowed be Thy name[18 - Hallowed be Thy name. – Да святится имя Твоё.].' That is just like music. Oh, I'm so glad, Miss Marilla.”

"Well, learn it and hold your tongue,” said Marilla shortly.

Anne studied diligently for some moments.

"Marilla,” she demanded presently, "do you think that I shall ever have a friend in Avonlea?”

"Diana Barry lives over at Orchard Slope and she's about your age.

She's a very nice little girl, and perhaps she will be a playmate for you when she comes home. But Mrs. Barry is a very particular woman[19 - particular woman – требовательная женщина]. She won't let Diana play with any little girl who isn't nice and good.”

"What is Diana like? Her hair isn't red, is it? Oh, I hope not. It's bad enough to have red hair myself.”

"Diana is a very pretty little girl. She has black eyes and hair and rosy cheeks.

And she is good and smart.”

"Oh, I'm so glad she's pretty! Oh, look, here's a big bee on an apple blossom! Just think what a lovely place to live – in an apple blossom! I want to be a bee and live among the flowers.”

"Yesterday you wanted to be a sea gull,” sniffed Marilla. "I told you to learn that prayer and not talk. But it seems impossible for you to stop if you have listeners. So go up to your room and learn it.”

Chapter VIII

Mrs.

Rachel Lynde Is Horrified

Anne was already acquainted with every tree and shrub about the place[20 - about the place – около дома]. She loved the orchard and she was there when Mrs. Rachel came to visit the Cuthberts.

"I heard some surprising things about you and Matthew. It was too bad there was such a mistake,” said Mrs. Rachel sympathetically. "Can't you send her back?”

"I suppose we can, but we decided not to. Matthew likes her.