She would take it to Mr. Harrison as a peace offering . `` That is , if he gives me a chance to say anything at all , '' she thought ruefully , as she climbed the lane fence and started on a short cut across the fields , golden in the light of the dreamy August evening . `` I know now just how people feel who are being led to execution . '' III Mr. Harrison at Home Mr. Harrison 's house was an old-fashioned , low-eaved , whitewashed structure , set against a thick spruce grove . Mr. Harrison himself was sitting on his vineshaded veranda , in his shirt sleeves , enjoying his evening pipe . When he realized who was coming up the path he sprang suddenly to his feet , bolted into the house , and shut the door . This was merely the uncomfortable result of his surprise , mingled with a good deal of shame over his outburst of temper the day before . But it nearly swept the remnant of her courage from Anne 's heart . `` If he 's so cross now what will he be when he hears what I 've done , '' she reflected miserably , as she rapped at the door . But Mr. Harrison opened it , smiling sheepishly , and invited her to enter in a tone quite mild and friendly , if somewhat nervous . He had laid aside his pipe and donned his coat ; he offered Anne a very dusty chair very politely , and her reception would have passed off pleasantly enough if it had not been for the telltale of a parrot who was peering through the bars of his cage with wicked golden eyes . No sooner had Anne seated herself than Ginger exclaimed , `` Bless my soul , what 's that redheaded snippet coming here for ? '' It would be hard to say whose face was the redder , Mr. Harrison 's or Anne 's . `` Do n't you mind that parrot , '' said Mr. Harrison , casting a furious glance at Ginger . `` He 's ... he 's always talking nonsense . I got him from my brother who was a sailor . Sailors do n't always use the choicest language , and parrots are very imitative birds . '' `` So I should think , '' said poor Anne , the remembrance of her errand quelling her resentment . She could n't afford to snub Mr. Harrison under the circumstances , that was certain . When you had just sold a man 's Jersey cow offhand , without his knowledge or consent you must not mind if his parrot repeated uncomplimentary things .
Nevertheless , the `` redheaded XXXXX '' was not quite so meek as she might otherwise have been .
Anne Harrison evening execution feet heart nonsense people remnant snippet