Short Stories - Montgomery, L. M

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Résumé :
Short Stories Lucy Maud MontgomeryThe land dropped abruptly down from the gate, and a thick, shrubby growth of young apple orchard almost hid the little weather-grey house from the road. This was why the young man who opened the sagging gate could not see that it was boarded up, and did not cease his cheerful whistling until he had pressed through the crowding trees and found himself almost on the sunken stone doorstep over which in olden days honeysuckle had been wont to arch. Now only a few straggling, uncared-for vines clung forlornly to the shingles, and the windows were, as has been said, all boarded up. The whistle died on the young man's lips and an expression of blank astonishment and dismay settled down on his face-a good, kindly, honest face it was, although perhaps it did not betoken any pronounced mental gifts on the part of its owner. What can have happened? he said to himself. Uncle Tom and Aunt Sally can't be dead-I'd have seen their deaths in the paper if they was. And I'd athought if they'd moved away it'd been printed too. They can't have been gone long-that flower-bed must have been made up last spring. Well, this is a kind of setback for a fellow. Here I've been tramping all the way from the station, athinking how good it would be to see Aunt Sally's sweet old face again, and hear Uncle Tom's laugh, and all I find is a boarded-up house going to seed.S'pose I might as well toddle over to Stetsons' and inquire if they haven't disappeared, too. He went through the old firs back of the lot and across the field to a rather shabby house beyond. A cheery-faced woman answered his knock and looked at him in a puzzled fashion. Have you forgot me, Mrs. Stetson? Don't you remember Lovell Stevens and how you used to give him plum tarts when he'd bring your turkeys home? Mrs. Stetson caught both his hands in a hearty clasp. I guess I haven't forgotten! she declared. Well, well, and you're Lovell! I think I ought to know your face, though you've changed a lot. Fifteen years have made a big difference in you. Come right in. Pa, this is Lovell-you mind Lovell, the boy Aunt Sally and Uncle Tom had for years? Reckon I do, drawled Jonah Stetson with a friendly grin. Ain't likely to forget some of the capers you used to be cutting up. You've filled out considerable. Where have you been for the last ten years? Aunt Sally fretted a lot over you, thinking you was dead or gone to the bad. Lovell's face clouded. I know I ought to have written,...

Biographie:
As soon as Anne Shirley arrives at the snug white farmhouse called Green Gables, she is sure she wants to stay forever . but will the Cuthberts send her back to to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected-a skinny girl with fiery red hair and a temper to match. If only she can convince them to let her stay, she'll try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes and blurting out the first thing that comes to her mind. Anne is not like anyone else, the Cuthberts agree she is special-a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreams of the day when she can call herself Anne of Green Gables.Anne is described as bright and quick, eager to please, talkative, and extremely imaginative. She has a pale face with freckles and usually braids her red hair. When asked her name, Anne asks Marilla to call her Cordelia, which Marilla refuses Anne then insists that if she is to be called Anne, it must be spelled with an e, as that spelling is so much more distinguished. Marilla at first says the girl must return to the orphanage, but after a few days she decides to let her stay. Marilla feels that she could be a good influence on the girl and had also overheard that another disagreeable woman in town might take Anne in instead. As a child of imagination, Anne takes much joy in life and adapts quickly, thriving in the close-knit farming village. Her talkativeness initially drives the prim, duty-driven Marilla to distraction, although Matthew falls for her charm immediately. Anne says that they are kindred spirits. The book recounts Anne's adventures in making a home: the country school where she quickly excels in her studies her friendship with Diana Barry (her best or bosom friend as Anne fondly calls her) her budding literary ambitions and her rivalry with classmate Gilbert Blythe, who teases her about her red hair. For that he earns her instant hatred, although he apologizes many times. As time passes, Anne realizes she no longer hates Gilbert but cannot bring herself to admit it. However, by the end of the book they become friends. The book also follows Anne's adventures in quiet, old-fashioned Avonlea....