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

Spencer said distinctly that you wanted a girl about eleven years old. And the matron says she thinks I will do[9 - I will do – я подойду]… You don't know how delighted I was! I didn't sleep all last night for joy. Oh,” she added reproachfully to Matthew, "why didn't you tell me at the station that you didn't want me and leave me there?”

"I'll go out to put the mare in, Marilla,” said Matthew hastily. "Have tea ready when I come back.”

"Did Mrs. Spencer bring anybody over besides you?” continued Marilla.

"She brought Lily Jones for herself. Lily is only five years old and she is very beautiful.”

"We want a boy to help Matthew on the farm. A girl is useless to us. Take off your hat. I'll lay it and your bag on the hall table.”

Anne took off her hat meekly. Matthew came back presently and they sat down to supper. But Anne did not eat. In vain she nibbled at the bread and butter.

"You do not eat anything,” said Marilla sharply.

Anne sighed.

"I can't. I'm in the depths of despair.

"In the depths of despair? Never,” responded Marilla.

"Weren't you? Well, did you ever try to imagine you were in the depths of despair?”

"No, I didn't.”

"Then I don't think you can understand what it's like. It's a very uncomfortable feeling indeed. When you try to eat but you can't swallow anything, not even a chocolate caramel. I had one chocolate caramel once two years ago and it was delicious. Everything is extremely nice, but still I cannot eat.

"I guess she's tired,” said Matthew. "Put her to bed, Marilla.”

Marilla prepared a couch in the kitchen chamber for the boy. But for the girl? Marilla lighted a candle and told Anne to follow her. Anne took her hat and carpet-bag from the hall table. They entered the little gable chamber.

"I suppose you have a nightgown?” Marilla questioned.

Anne nodded.

"Yes, I have two. The matron of the asylum made them for me. They're fearfully skimpy.

"Well, undress quickly and go to bed. I'll come back in a few minutes for the candle.”

Anne looked around her wistfully. The whitewashed walls were painfully bare. The floor was bare, too, except for a round braided mat in the middle. In one corner was the high, old-fashioned bed. In the other corner was the aforesaid three-corner table. Above it hung a little mirror.