Chapter 3 Mr. Harrison at Home Anne was in quite a state.
She had accidentally sold her neighbor's cow.
Now what was she to do?
Anne, Marilla said, please stop fretting.
You'll have to go to Mr. Harrison's and explain what happened.
I know I must confess, Anne whimpered.
It's only that Mr. Harrison is so cranky.
Of course he has every right to be furious with me, but I am not anxious to experience it face to face.
Marilla patted Anne on the back.
She handed the girl her hat and gently pushed her toward the door.
Anne walked slowly down the lane toward Mr. Harrison's farm.
When she saw him sitting on the front porch, she stopped.
She took a deep breath and opened his front gate.
As soon as Mr. Harrison saw Anne, he jumped up from his chair and ran into the house.
The door slammed behind him.
"'Oh, my,' Anne thought.
"'He is furious with me already.'
She slowly made her way up the front steps.
It took a great deal of courage to knock on his door.
Mr. Harrison answered.
He smiled shyly at Anne and invited her in.
He appeared quite nervous.
Anne noticed that he had put on his coat and brushed his hair.
I'm sorry about that, he said.
I wasn't expecting any visitors.
I understand perfectly, Mr. Harrison, Anne said.
I didn't expect to stop by.
Mr. Harrison offered Anne a seat.
Then, just as she was about to sit, Anne heard another voice.
What's the red-haired girl doing here?
The strange voice said.
Both Anne and Mr. Harrison's faces turned red, but for different reasons.
Anne turned around to find out who was being so rude and saw a parrot perched on a shelf.
That's Ginger, Mr. Harrison said.
My brother, who was a sailor, gave him to me.
He's rather rude, but I have to admit I'm very fond of the old bird.
He's the only company I've got.
Silly red-headed girl, Ginger repeated.
Try to ignore him, Miss Shirley, he said.
Now, how can I help you?
Well, Anne said.
She sat up straight in her chair.
This isn't an easy thing to say, Mr. Harrison, so please let me say it all without interruption.
Mr. Harrison nodded.
As you know, Mr. Harrison, you have found my cow Dolly in your oats a few times.
What?
You don't mean that your cow is in the oats again?
Mr. Harrison leaned forward in his chair.
No, Anne said.
Not the oats.
Not the wheat, he said.
Mr. Harrison leaned so far forward that he was almost on his feet.
No, Mr. Harrison, Anne replied.
Not the wheat.
Now please sit back and let me tell the story and remember no interruptions.
Mr. Harrison leaned back, but Anne noticed that he was still gripping the chair arms.
My best friend Diana Barry and I were returning from a shopping trip in Comedy.
This afternoon was quite lovely, I'm sure you remember, and we were enjoying our trip.
That's when I noticed a Jersey cow in your oats.
Mr. Harrison was about to speak, but remembered his promise.
He remained quiet.
So, knowing how upset you would be, Diana and I rescued the cow from the field.
When we got back to the carriage, we met Mr. Shearer and his son.
Now, Mr. Shearer was on his way to Carmody.
He was selling some cattle and offered to buy Dolly for twenty dollars.
Since she was causing so much trouble and Marilla was selling most of our stock anyway, I said yes.
That seems wise, Mr. Harrison said.
What does it have to do with me?
That's what I'm getting to, Mr. Harrison, she said.
When I returned to Green Gables, I discovered Dolly in the milking pen.
So, you see, this means only one thing.
I sold your cow to Mr. Shearer.
That does seem to be the case, her neighbor replied.
He sat quietly in his chair.
Anne was surprised by his calm reaction.
I'm really very sorry, Mr. Harrison.
Unfortunately, your cow is long gone by now.
I could give you the twenty dollars that Mr Shearer gave me or, if you prefer, I could give you Dolly.
She is a good cow.
I've had her since she was a calf.
Mr. Harrison thought for a moment.
I think I'll take your cow, if she's as good as you say, of course.
Yes.
Yes, she is, Anne said.
I may have a bad habit of having adventures, but I never lie.
I guess that settles it, then, Mr. Harrison said.
Can I offer you a cup of tea, Miss Shirley?
It rained yesterday, so all the dishes are clean.
I just don't see the point of using the water pump when the rainwater will take care of it.
That would be wonderful, Anne said with a smile.
But please, let me make it for you.
You've been so kind, it's the least I can do.
I'm sure you were frightened to death to come, Mr. Harrison said.
I suppose I should apologize, too.
I put on quite a show the other day.
I'm sorry that I yelled at you.
Anne laughed.
It would seem that we are quite the pair.
Anne made the tea and put out bread and butter.
After a quick search through his cupboards, she also found a can of peaches.
She and Mr. Harrison sat at the table and spent a very pleasant afternoon together.
When it was time for Anne to leave, Mr. Harrison walked her to his front gate.
I hope that you won't be too much of a stranger, Miss Shirley, he said.
Now that you know I'm not so cranky, perhaps you will stop by once in a while.
I would be very happy for the company.
I promise that I will, Anne said, even if it does mean putting up with Ginger's rude comments.
She laughed and waved as she walked down the lane.
When she returned home, Anne found Marilla preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Isn't it a wonderful world?
Anne asked.
I made a very silly mistake, and I ended up making a new friend.
Don't you think that is wonderful, Marilla?
And surely, Marilla replied, I will always be surprised by the silly things you say.
Anne smiled at Marilla and started peeling potatoes.
