第1章

ingratefulremembranceofhersympathyandencouragementFlowersspringtoblossomwhereshewalksThecarefulwaysofduty，Ourhard，stifflinesoflifewithherAreflowingcurvesofbeauty。

AnIrateNeighborAtall，slimgirl，"half-pastsixteen，"withseriousgrayeyesandhairwhichherfriendscalledauburn，hadsatdownonthebroadredsandstonedoorstepofaPrinceEdwardIslandfarmhouseoneripeafternooninAugust，firmlyresolvedtoconstruesomanylinesofVirgil。

ButanAugustafternoon，withbluehazesscarfingtheharvestslopes，littlewindswhisperingelfishlyinthepoplars，andadancingslendorofredpoppiesoutflamingagainstthedarkcoppiceofyoungfirsinacornerofthecherryorchard，wasfitterfordreamsthandeadlanguages。

TheVirgilsoonslippedunheededtotheground，andAnne，herchinproppedonherclaspedhands，andhereyesonthesplendidmassoffluffycloudsthatwereheapingupjustoverMr。J。A。Harrison’shouselikeagreatwhitemountain，wasfarawayinadeliciousworldwhereacertainschoolteacherwasdoingawonderfulwork，shapingthedestiniesoffuturestatesmen，andinspiringyouthfulmindsandheartswithhighandloftyambitions。

Tobesure，ifyoucamedowntoharshfacts……which，itmustbeconfessed，Anneseldomdiduntilshehadto……itdidnotseemlikelythattherewasmuchpromisingmaterialforcelebritiesinAvonleaschool；butyoucouldnevertellwhatmighthappenifateacherusedherinfluenceforgood。

Annehadcertainrose-tintedidealsofwhatateachermightaccomplishifsheonlywenttherightwayaboutit；andshewasinthemidstofadelightfulscene，fortyyearshence，withafamouspersonage……justexactlywhathewastobefamousforwasleftinconvenienthaziness，butAnnethoughtitwouldberathernicetohavehimacollegepresidentoraCanadianpremier……bowinglowoverherwrinkledhandandassuringherthatitwasshewhohadfirstkindledhisambition，andthatallhissuccessinlifewasduetothelessonsshehadinstilledsolongagoinAvonleaschool。Thispleasantvisionwasshatteredbyamostunpleasantinterruption。

AdemurelittleJerseycowcamescuttlingdownthelaneandfivesecondslaterMr。Harrisonarrived……if"arrived"benottoomildatermtodescribethemannerofhisirruptionintotheyard。

Hebouncedoverthefencewithoutwaitingtoopenthegate，andangrilyconfrontedastonishedAnne，whohadrisentoherfeetandstoodlookingathiminsomebewilderment。Mr。Harrisonwastheirnewrighthandneighborandshehadnevermethimbefore，althoughshehadseenhimonceortwice。

InearlyApril，beforeAnnehadcomehomefromQueen’s，Mr。RobertBell，whosefarmadjoinedtheCuthbertplaceonthewest，hadsoldoutandmovedtoCharlottetown。HisfarmhadbeenboughtbyacertainMr。J。A。

Harrison，whosename，andthefactthathewasaNewBrunswickman，wereallthatwasknownabouthim。ButbeforehehadbeenamonthinAvonleahehadwonthereputationofbeinganoddperson……"acrank，"

Mrs。RachelLyndesaid。Mrs。Rachelwasanoutspokenlady，asthoseofyouwhomayhavealreadymadeheracquaintancewillremember。

Mr。Harrisonwascertainlydifferentfromotherpeople……andthatistheessentialcharacteristicofacrank，aseverybodyknows。

Inthefirstplacehekepthouseforhimselfandhadpubliclystatedthathewantednofoolsofwomenaroundhisdiggings。

FeminineAvonleatookitsrevengebythegruesometalesitrelatedabouthishouse-keepingandcooking。HehadhiredlittleJohnHenryCarterofWhiteSandsandJohnHenrystartedthestories。

Foronething，therewasneveranystatedtimeformealsintheHarrisonestablishment。Mr。Harrison"gotabite"whenhefelthungry，andifJohnHenrywerearoundatthetime，hecameinforashare，butifhewerenot，hehadtowaituntilMr。Harrison’snexthungryspell。JohnHenrymournfullyaverredthathewouldhavestarvedtodeathifitwasn’tthathegothomeonSundaysandgotagoodfillingup，andthathismotheralwaysgavehimabasketof"grub"totakebackwithhimonMondaymornings。

Asforwashingdishes，Mr。HarrisonnevermadeanypretenceofdoingitunlessarainySundaycame。Thenhewenttoworkandwashedthemallatonceintherainwaterhogshead，andleftthemtodraindry。

Again，Mr。Harrisonwas"close。"WhenhewasaskedtosubscribetotheRev。Mr。Allan’ssalaryhesaidhe’dwaitandseehowmanydollars’worthofgoodhegotoutofhispreachingfirst……hedidn’tbelieveinbuyingapiginapoke。AndwhenMrs。Lyndewenttoaskforacontributiontomissions……andincidentallytoseetheinsideofthehouse……hetoldherthereweremoreheathensamongtheoldwomangossipsinAvonleathananywhereelseheknewof，andhe’dcheerfullycontributetoamissionforChristianizingthemifshe’dundertakeit。Mrs。RachelgotherselfawayandsaiditwasamercypoorMrs。RobertBellwassafeinhergrave，foritwouldhavebrokenherhearttoseethestateofherhouseinwhichsheusedtotakesomuchpride。

"Why，shescrubbedthekitchenflooreverysecondday，"Mrs。LyndetoldMarillaCuthbertindignantly，"andifyoucouldseeitnow！

IhadtoholdupmyskirtsasIwalkedacrossit。"

Finally，Mr。HarrisonkeptaparrotcalledGinger。NobodyinAvonleahadeverkeptaparrotbefore；consequentlythatproceedingwasconsideredbarelyrespectable。Andsuchaparrot！

IfyoutookJohnHenryCarter’swordforit，neverwassuchanunholybird。Itsworeterribly。Mrs。CarterwouldhavetakenJohnHenryawayatonceifshehadbeensureshecouldgetanotherplaceforhim。Besides，GingerhadbittenapiecerightoutofthebackofJohnHenry’sneckonedaywhenhehadstoopeddowntoonearthecage。Mrs。CartershowedeverybodythemarkwhenthelucklessJohnHenrywenthomeonSundays。

AllthesethingsflashedthroughAnne’smindasMr。Harrisonstood，quitespeechlesswithwrathapparently，beforeher。InhismostamiablemoodMr。Harrisoncouldnothavebeenconsideredahandsomeman；hewasshortandfatandbald；andnow，withhisroundfacepurplewithrageandhisprominentblueeyesalmoststickingoutofhishead，Annethoughthewasreallytheugliestpersonshehadeverseen。

AllatonceMr。Harrisonfoundhisvoice。

"I’mnotgoingtoputupwiththis，"hespluttered，"notadaylonger，doyouhear，miss。Blessmysoul，thisisthethirdtime，miss……

thethirdtime！Patiencehasceasedtobeavirtue，miss。

Iwarnedyourauntthelasttimenottoletitoccuragain……

andshe’sletit……she’sdoneit……whatdoesshemeanbyit，thatiswhatIwanttoknow。ThatiswhatI’mhereabout，miss。"

"Willyouexplainwhatthetroubleis？"askedAnne，inhermostdignifiedmanner。Shehadbeenpracticingitconsiderablyoflatetohaveitingoodworkingorderwhenschoolbegan；butithadnoapparenteffectontheirateJ。A。Harrison。

"Trouble，isit？Blessmysoul，troubleenough，Ishouldthink。

Thetroubleis，miss，thatIfoundthatJerseycowofyouraunt’sinmyoatsagain，nothalfanhourago。Thethirdtime，markyou。

IfoundherinlastTuesdayandIfoundherinyesterday。Icamehereandtoldyourauntnottoletitoccuragain。Shehasletitoccuragain。Where’syouraunt，miss？Ijustwanttoseeherforaminuteandgiveherapieceofmymind……apieceofJ。A。

Harrison’smind，miss。"

"IfyoumeanMissMarillaCuthbert，sheisnotmyaunt，andshehasgonedowntoEastGraftontoseeadistantrelativeofherswhoisveryill，"saidAnne，withdueincreaseofdignityateveryword。

"Iamverysorrythatmycowshouldhavebrokenintoyouroats……

sheismycowandnotMissCuthbert’s……MatthewgavehertomethreeyearsagowhenshewasalittlecalfandheboughtherfromMr。Bell。"

"Sorry，miss！Sorryisn’tgoingtohelpmattersany。You’dbettergoandlookatthehavocthatanimalhasmadeinmyoats……trampledthemfromcentertocircumference，miss。"

"Iamverysorry，"repeatedAnnefirmly，"butperhapsifyoukeptyourfencesinbetterrepairDollymightnothavebrokenin。ItisyourpartofthelinefencethatseparatesyouroatfieldfromourpastureandInoticedtheotherdaythatitwasnotinverygoodcondition。"

"Myfenceisallright，"snappedMr。Harrison，angrierthaneveratthiscarryingofthewarintotheenemy’scountry。"Thejailfencecouldn’tkeepademonofacowlikethatout。AndIcantellyou，youredheadedsnippet，thatifthecowisyours，asyousay，you’dbebetteremployedinwatchingheroutofotherpeople’sgrainthaninsittingroundreadingyellowcoverednovels，"……withascathingglanceattheinnocenttan-coloredVirgilbyAnne’sfeet。

SomethingatthatmomentwasredbesidesAnne’shair……whichhadalwaysbeenatenderpointwithher。

"I’dratherhaveredhairthannoneatall，exceptalittlefringeroundmyears，"sheflashed。

Theshottold，forMr。Harrisonwasreallyverysensitiveabouthisbaldhead。HisangerchokedhimupagainandhecouldonlyglarespeechlesslyatAnne，whorecoveredhertemperandfollowedupheradvantage。

"Icanmakeallowanceforyou，Mr。Harrison，becauseIhaveanimagination。IcaneasilyimaginehowverytryingitmustbetofindacowinyouroatsandIshallnotcherishanyhardfeelingsagainstyouforthethingsyou’vesaid。IpromiseyouthatDollyshallneverbreakintoyouroatsagain。IgiveyoumywordofhonoronTHATpoint。"

"Well，mindyoushedoesn’t，"mutteredMr。Harrisoninasomewhatsubduedtone；buthestampedoffangrilyenoughandAnneheardhimgrowlingtohimselfuntilhewasoutofearshot。

Grievouslydisturbedinmind，AnnemarchedacrosstheyardandshutthenaughtyJerseyupinthemilkingpen。

"Shecan’tpossiblygetoutofthatunlessshetearsthefencedown，"

shereflected。"Shelooksprettyquietnow。Idaresayshehassickenedherselfonthoseoats。IwishI’dsoldhertoMr。

Shearerwhenhewantedherlastweek，butIthoughtitwasjustaswelltowaituntilwehadtheauctionofthestockandletthemallgotogether。IbelieveitistrueaboutMr。Harrisonbeingacrank。

Certainlythere’snothingofthekindredspiritaboutHIM。"

Annehadalwaysaweathereyeopenforkindredspirits。

MarillaCuthbertwasdrivingintotheyardasAnnereturnedfromthehouse，andthelatterflewtogetteaready。Theydiscussedthematterattheteatable。

"I’llbegladwhentheauctionisover，"saidMarilla。"ItistoomuchresponsibilityhavingsomuchstockabouttheplaceandnobodybutthatunreliableMartintolookafterthem。HehasnevercomebackyetandhepromisedthathewouldcertainlybebacklastnightifI’dgivehimthedayofftogotohisaunt’sfuneral。I

don’tknowhowmanyauntshehasgot，Iamsure。That’sthefourththat’sdiedsincehehiredhereayearago。I’llbemorethanthankfulwhenthecropisinandMr。Barrytakesoverthefarm。

We’llhavetokeepDollyshutupinthepentillMartincomes，forshemustbeputinthebackpastureandthefencestherehavetobefixed。Ideclare，itisaworldoftrouble，asRachelsays。

Here’spoorMaryKeithdyingandwhatistobecomeofthosetwochildrenofhersismorethanIknow。ShehasabrotherinBritishColumbiaandshehaswrittentohimaboutthem，butshehasn’theardfromhimyet。"

"Whatarethechildrenlike？Howoldarethey？"

"Sixpast……they’retwins。"

"Oh，I’vealwaysbeenespeciallyinterestedintwinseversinceMrs。Hammondhadsomany，"saidAnneeagerly。"Aretheypretty？"

"Goodness，youcouldn’ttell……theyweretoodirty。DavyhadbeenoutmakingmudpiesandDorawentouttocallhimin。Davypushedherheadfirstintothebiggestpieandthen，becauseshecried，hegotintoithimselfandwallowedinittoshowheritwasnothingtocryabout。MarysaidDorawasreallyaverygoodchildbutthatDavywasfullofmischief。Hehasneverhadanybringingupyoumightsay。HisfatherdiedwhenhewasababyandMaryhasbeensickalmosteversince。"

"I’malwayssorryforchildrenthathavenobringingup，"saidAnnesoberly。"Youknow_I_hadn’tanytillyoutookmeinhand。

Ihopetheirunclewilllookafterthem。JustwhatrelationisMrs。Keithtoyou？"

"Mary？Noneintheworld。Itwasherhusband……hewasourthirdcousin。There’sMrs。Lyndecomingthroughtheyard。

Ithoughtshe’dbeuptohearaboutMary"

"Don’ttellheraboutMr。Harrisonandthecow，"imploredAnne。

Marillapromised；butthepromisewasquiteunnecessary，forMrs。Lyndewasnosoonerfairlyseatedthanshesaid，"IsawMr。HarrisonchasingyourJerseyoutofhisoatstodaywhenIwascominghomefromCarmody。Ithoughthelookedprettymad。

Didhemakemuchofarumpus？"

AnneandMarillafurtivelyexchangedamusedsmiles。FewthingsinAvonleaeverescapedMrs。Lynde。ItwasonlythatmorningAnnehadsaid，"Ifyouwenttoyourownroomatmidnight，lockedthedoor，pulleddowntheblind，andSNEEZED，Mrs。Lyndewouldaskyouthenextdayhowyourcoldwas！"

"Ibelievehedid，"admittedMarilla。"Iwasaway。HegaveAnneapieceofhismind。"

"Ithinkheisaverydisagreeableman，"saidAnne，witharesentfultossofherruddyhead。

"Youneversaidatruerword，"saidMrs。Rachelsolemnly。"Iknewthere’dbetroublewhenRobertBellsoldhisplacetoaNewBrunswickman，that’swhat。Idon’tknowwhatAvonleaiscomingto，withsomanystrangepeoplerushingintoit。It’llsoonnotbesafetogotosleepinourbeds。"

"Why，whatotherstrangersarecomingin？"askedMarilla。

"Haven’tyouheard？Well，there’safamilyofDonnells，foronething。They’verentedPeterSloane’soldhouse。Peterhashiredthemantorunhismill。Theybelongdowneastandnobodyknowsanythingaboutthem。ThenthatshiftlessTimothyCottonfamilyaregoingtomoveupfromWhiteSandsandthey’llsimplybeaburdenonthepublic。Heisinconsumption……whenheisn’tstealing……

andhiswifeisaslack-twistedcreaturethatcan’tturnherhandtoathing。ShewashesherdishesSITTINGDOWN。Mrs。GeorgePyehastakenherhusband’sorphannephew，AnthonyPye。He’llbegoingtoschooltoyou，Anne，soyoumanyexpecttrouble，that’swhat。

Andyou’llhaveanotherstrangepupil，too。PaulIrvingiscomingfromtheStatestolivewithhisgrandmother。Yourememberhisfather，Marilla……StephenIrving，himthatjiltedLavendarLewisoveratGrafton？"

"Idon’tthinkhejiltedher。Therewasaquarrel……Isupposetherewasblameonbothsides。"

"Well，anyway，hedidn’tmarryher，andshe’sbeenasqueeraspossibleeversince，theysay……livingallbyherselfinthatlittlestonehouseshecallsEchoLodge。StephenwentofftotheStatesandwentintobusinesswithhisuncleandmarriedaYankee。

He’sneverbeenhomesince，thoughhismotherhasbeenuptoseehimonceortwice。Hiswifediedtwoyearsagoandhe’ssendingtheboyhometohismotherforaspell。He’stenyearsoldandI

don’tknowifhe’llbeaverydesirablepupil。YoucannevertellaboutthoseYankees。"

MrsLyndelookeduponallpeoplewhohadthemisfortunetobebornorbroughtupelsewherethaninPrinceEdwardIslandwithadecidedcan-any-good-thing-come-out-of-Nazarethair。TheyMIGHTbegoodpeople，ofcourse；butyouwereonthesafesideindoubtingit。

Shehadaspecialprejudiceagainst"Yankees。"HerhusbandhadbeencheatedoutoftendollarsbyanemployerforwhomhehadonceworkedinBostonandneitherangelsnorprincipalitiesnorpowerscouldhaveconvincedMrs。RachelthatthewholeUnitedStateswasnotresponsibleforit。

"Avonleaschoolwon’tbetheworseforalittlenewblood，"saidMarilladrily，"andifthisboyisanythinglikehisfatherhe’llbeallright。SteveIrvingwasthenicestboythatwaseverraisedintheseparts，thoughsomepeopledidcallhimproud。IshouldthinkMrs。Irvingwouldbeverygladtohavethechild。Shehasbeenverylonesomesinceherhusbanddied。"

"Oh，theboymaybewellenough，buthe’llbedifferentfromAvonleachildren，"saidMrs。Rachel，asifthatclinchedthematter。

Mrs。Rachel’sopinionsconcerninganyperson，place，orthing，werealwayswarrantedtowear。"What’sthisIhearaboutyourgoingtostartupaVillageImprovementSociety，Anne？"

"IwasjusttalkingitoverwithsomeofthegirlsandboysatthelastDebatingClub，"saidAnne，flushing。"Theythoughtitwouldberathernice……andsodoMr。andMrs。Allan。Lotsofvillageshavethemnow。"

"Well，you’llgetintonoendofhotwaterifyoudo。Betterleaveitalone，Anne，that’swhat。Peopledon’tlikebeingimproved。"

"Oh，wearenotgoingtotrytoimprovethePEOPLE。ItisAvonleaitself。Therearelotsofthingswhichmightbedonetomakeitprettier。Forinstance，ifwecouldcoaxMr。LeviBoultertopulldownthatdreadfuloldhouseonhisupperfarmwouldn’tthatbeanimprovement？"

"Itcertainlywould，"admittedMrs。Rachel。"Thatoldruinhasbeenaneyesoretothesettlementforyears。ButifyouImproverscancoaxLeviBoultertodoanythingforthepublicthatheisn’ttobepaidfordoing，mayIbetheretoseeandheartheprocess，that’swhat。Idon’twanttodiscourageyou，Anne，fortheremaybesomethinginyouridea，thoughIsupposeyoudidgetitoutofsomerubbishyYankeemagazine；butyou’llhaveyourhandsfullwithyourschoolandIadviseyouasafriendnottobotherwithyourimprovements，that’swhat。Butthere，Iknowyou’llgoaheadwithitifyou’vesetyourmindonit。Youwerealwaysonetocarryathingthroughsomehow。"

SomethingaboutthefirmoutlinesofAnne’slipstoldthatMrs。

Rachelwasnotfarastrayinthisestimate。Anne’sheartwasbentonformingtheImprovementSociety。GilbertBlythe，whowastoteachinWhiteSandsbutwouldalwaysbehomefromFridaynighttoMondaymorning，wasenthusiasticaboutit；

andmostoftheotherfolkswerewillingtogoinforanythingthatmeantoccasionalmeetingsandconsequentlysome"fun。"

Asforwhatthe"improvements"weretobe，nobodyhadanyveryclearideaexceptAnneandGilbert。TheyhadtalkedthemoverandplannedthemoutuntilanidealAvonleaexistedintheirminds，ifnowhereelse。

Mrs。Rachelhadstillanotheritemofnews。

"They’vegiventheCarmodyschooltoaPriscillaGrant。Didn’tyougotoQueen’swithagirlofthatname，Anne？"

"Yes，indeed。PriscillatoteachatCarmody！Howperfectlylovely！"exclaimedAnne，hergrayeyeslightingupuntiltheylookedlikeeveningstars，causingMrs。LyndetowonderanewifshewouldevergetitsettledtohersatisfactionwhetherAnneShirleywerereallyaprettygirlornot。

II

SellinginHasteandRepentingatLeisureAnnedroveovertoCarmodyonashoppingexpeditionthenextafternoonandtookDianaBarrywithher。Dianawas，ofcourse，apledgedmemberoftheImprovementSociety，andthetwogirlstalkedaboutlittleelseallthewaytoCarmodyandback。

"Theveryfirstthingweoughttodowhenwegetstartedistohavethathallpainted，"saidDiana，astheydrovepasttheAvonleahall，arathershabbybuildingsetdowninawoodedhollow，withsprucetreeshoodingitaboutonallsides。"It’sadisgracefullookingplaceandwemustattendtoitevenbeforewetrytogetMr。LeviBouldertopullhishousedown。Fathersayswe’llneversucceedinDOINGthat。LeviBoulteristoomeantospendthetimeitwouldtake。"

"Perhapshe’lllettheboystakeitdowniftheypromisetohaultheboardsandsplitthemupforhimforkindlingwood，"saidAnnehopefully。

"Wemustdoourbestandbecontenttogoslowlyatfirst。Wecan’texpecttoimproveeverythingallatonce。We’llhavetoeducatepublicsentimentfirst，ofcourse。"

Dianawasn’texactlysurewhateducatingpublicsentimentmeant；

butitsoundedfineandshefeltratherproudthatshewasgoingtobelongtoasocietywithsuchanaiminview。

"Ithoughtofsomethinglastnightthatwecoulddo，Anne。

Youknowthatthree-corneredpieceofgroundwheretheroadsfromCarmodyandNewbridgeandWhiteSandsmeet？It’sallgrownoverwithyoungspruce；butwouldn’titbenicetohavethemallclearedout，andjustleavethetwoorthreebirchtreesthatareonit？"

"Splendid，"agreedAnnegaily。"Andhavearusticseatputunderthebirches。Andwhenspringcomeswe’llhaveaflower-bedmadeinthemiddleofitandplantgeraniums。"

"Yes；onlywe’llhavetodevisesomewayofgettingoldMrs。HiramSloanetokeephercowofftheroad，orshe’lleatourgeraniumsup，"laughedDiana。"Ibegintoseewhatyoumeanbyeducatingpublicsentiment，Anne。There’stheoldBoulterhousenow。Didyoueverseesucharookery？Andperchedrightclosetotheroadtoo。Anoldhousewithitswindowsgonealwaysmakesmethinkofsomethingdeadwithitseyespickedout。"

"Ithinkanold，desertedhouseissuchasadsight，"saidAnnedreamily。"Italwaysseemstometobethinkingaboutitspastandmourningforitsold-timejoys。Marillasaysthatalargefamilywasraisedinthatoldhouselongago，andthatitwasarealprettyplace，withalovelygardenandrosesclimbingalloverit。

Itwasfulloflittlechildrenandlaughterandsongs；andnowitisempty，andnothingeverwandersthroughitbutthewind。Howlonelyandsorrowfulitmustfeel！Perhapstheyallcomebackonmoonlitnights……theghostsofthelittlechildrenoflongagoandtherosesandthesongs……andforalittlewhiletheoldhousecandreamitisyoungandjoyousagain。"

Dianashookherhead。

"Ineverimaginethingslikethataboutplacesnow，Anne。Don’tyourememberhowcrossmotherandMarillawerewhenweimaginedghostsintotheHauntedWood？TothisdayIcan’tgothroughthatbushcomfortablyafterdark；andifIbeganimaginingsuchthingsabouttheoldBoulterhouseI’dbefrightenedtopassittoo。

Besides，thosechildrenaren’tdead。They’reallgrownupanddoingwell……andoneofthemisabutcher。Andflowersandsongscouldn’thaveghostsanyhow。"

Annesmotheredalittlesigh。ShelovedDianadearlyandtheyhadalwaysbeengoodcomrades。Butshehadlongagolearnedthatwhenshewanderedintotherealmoffancyshemustgoalone。Thewaytoitwasbyanenchantedpathwherenotevenherdearestmightfollowher。

Athunder-showercameupwhilethegirlswereatCarmody；itdidnotlastlong，however，andthedrivehome，throughlaneswheretheraindropssparkledontheboughsandlittleleafyvalleyswherethedrenchedfernsgaveoutspicyodors，wasdelightful。ButjustastheyturnedintotheCuthbertlaneAnnesawsomethingthatspoiledthebeautyofthelandscapeforher。

BeforethemontherightextendedMr。Harrison’sbroad，gray-greenfieldoflateoats，wetandluxuriant；andthere，standingsquarelyinthemiddleofit，uptohersleeksidesinthelushgrowth，andblinkingatthemcalmlyovertheinterveningtassels，wasaJerseycow！

Annedroppedthereinsandstoodupwithatighteningofthelipsthatbodednogoodtothepredatoryquadruped。Notawordsaidshe，butsheclimbednimblydownoverthewheels，andwhiskedacrossthefencebeforeDianaunderstoodwhathadhappened。

"Anne，comeback，"shriekedthelatter，assoonasshefoundhervoice。"You’llruinyourdressinthatwetgrain……ruinit。

Shedoesn’thearme！Well，she’llnevergetthatcowoutbyherself。

Imustgoandhelpher，ofcourse。"

Annewaschargingthroughthegrainlikeamadthing。Dianahoppedbrisklydown，tiedthehorsesecurelytoapost，turnedtheskirtofherprettyginghamdressoverhershoulders，mountedthefence，andstartedinpursuitofherfranticfriend。ShecouldrunfasterthanAnne，whowashamperedbyherclinginganddrenchedskirt，andsoonovertookher。BehindthemtheyleftatrailthatwouldbreakMr。Harrison’sheartwhenheshouldseeit。

"Anne，formercy’ssake，stop，"pantedpoorDiana。"I’mrightoutofbreathandyouarewettotheskin。"

"Imust……get……thatcow……out……before……Mr。Harrison……seesher，"gaspedAnne。"Idon’t……care……ifI’m……drowned……ifwe……can……only……dothat。"

ButtheJerseycowappearedtoseenogoodreasonforbeinghustledoutofherlusciousbrowsingground。Nosoonerhadthetwobreathlessgirlsgotnearherthansheturnedandboltedsquarelyfortheoppositecornerofthefield。

"Headheroff，"screamedAnne。"Run，Diana，run。"

Dianadidrun。Annetriedto，andthewickedJerseywentaroundthefieldasifshewerepossessed。Privately，Dianathoughtshewas。

ItwasfullytenminutesbeforetheyheadedheroffanddroveherthroughthecornergapintotheCuthbertlane。

ThereisnodenyingthatAnnewasinanythingbutanangelictemperatthatprecisemoment。Nordiditsootheherintheleasttobeholdabuggyhaltedjustoutsidethelane，whereinsatMr。

ShearerofCarmodyandhisson，bothofwhomworeabroadsmile。

"Iguessyou’dbetterhavesoldmethatcowwhenIwantedtobuyherlastweek，Anne，"chuckledMr。Shearer。

"I’llsellhertoyounow，ifyouwanther，"saidherflushedanddisheveledowner。"Youmayhaveherthisveryminute。"

"Done。I’llgiveyoutwentyforherasIofferedbefore，andJimherecandriveherrightovertoCarmody。She’llgototownwiththerestoftheshipmentthisevening。Mr。ReedofBrightonwantsaJerseycow。"

FiveminuteslaterJimShearerandtheJerseycowweremarchinguptheroad，andimpulsiveAnnewasdrivingalongtheGreenGableslanewithhertwentydollars。

"WhatwillMarillasay？"askedDiana。

"Oh，shewon’tcare。Dollywasmyowncowanditisn’tlikelyshe’dbringmorethantwentydollarsattheauction。Butohdear，ifMr。Harrisonseesthatgrainhewillknowshehasbeeninagain，andaftermygivinghimmywordofhonorthatI’dneverletithappen！Well，ithastaughtmealessonnottogivemywordofhonoraboutcows。Acowthatcouldjumpoverorbreakthroughourmilk-penfencecouldn’tbetrustedanywhere。"

MarillahadgonedowntoMrs。Lynde’s，andwhenshereturnedknewallaboutDolly’ssaleandtransfer，forMrs。Lyndehadseenmostofthetransactionfromherwindowandguessedtherest。

"Isupposeit’sjustaswellshe’sgone，thoughyouDOdothingsinadreadfulheadlongfashion，Anne。Idon’tseehowshegotoutofthepen，though。Shemusthavebrokensomeoftheboardsoff。"

"Ididn’tthinkoflooking，"saidAnne，"butI’llgoandseenow。

Martinhasnevercomebackyet。Perhapssomemoreofhisauntshavedied。Ithinkit’ssomethinglikeMr。PeterSloaneandtheoctogenarians。TheothereveningMrs。SloanewasreadinganewspaperandshesaidtoMr。Sloane，`Iseeherethatanotheroctogenarianhasjustdied。Whatisanoctogenarian，Peter？’AndMr。Sloanesaidhedidn’tknow，buttheymustbeverysicklycreatures，foryouneverheardtellofthembuttheyweredying。

That’sthewaywithMartin’saunts。"

"Martin’sjustlikealltherestofthoseFrench，"saidMarillaindisgust。

"Youcan’tdependonthemforaday。"MarillawaslookingoverAnne’sCarmodypurchaseswhensheheardashrillshriekinthebarnyard。

AminutelaterAnnedashedintothekitchen，wringingherhands。

"AnneShirley，what’sthematternow？"

"Oh，Marilla，whatevershallIdo？Thisisterrible。Andit’sallmyfault。Oh，willIEVERlearntostopandreflectalittlebeforedoingrecklessthings？Mrs。LyndealwaystoldmeIwoulddosomethingdreadfulsomeday，andnowI’vedoneit！"

"Anne，youarethemostexasperatinggirl！WHATisityou’vedone？"

"SoldMr。Harrison’sJerseycow……theoneheboughtfromMr。Bell……toMr。Shearer！Dollyisoutinthemilkingpenthisveryminute。"

"AnneShirley，areyoudreaming？"

"IonlywishIwere。There’snodreamaboutit，thoughit’sverylikeanightmare。AndMr。Harrison’scowisinCharlottetownbythistime。Oh，Marilla，IthoughtI’dfinishedgettingintoscrapes，andhereIamintheveryworstoneIeverwasininmylife。

WhatcanIdo？"

"Do？There’snothingtodo，child，exceptgoandseeMr。Harrisonaboutit。WecanofferhimourJerseyinexchangeifhedoesn’twanttotakethemoney。Sheisjustasgoodashis。"

"I’msurehe’llbeawfullycrossanddisagreeableaboutit，though，"

moanedAnne。

"Idaresayhewill。Heseemstobeanirritablesortofaman。

I’llgoandexplaintohimifyoulike。"

"No，indeed，I’mnotasmeanasthat，"exclaimedAnne。"ThisisallmyfaultandI’mcertainlynotgoingtoletyoutakemypunishment。

I’llgomyselfandI’llgoatonce。Thesoonerit’soverthebetter，foritwillbeterriblyhumiliating。"

PoorAnnegotherhatandhertwentydollarsandwaspassingoutwhenshehappenedtoglancethroughtheopenpantrydoor。Onthetablereposedanutcakewhichshehadbakedthatmorning……aparticularlytoothsomeconcoctionicedwithpinkicingandadornedwithwalnuts。AnnehadintendeditforFridayevening，whentheyouthofAvonleaweretomeetatGreenGablestoorganizetheImprovementSociety。ButwhatweretheycomparedtothejustlyoffendedMr。Harrison？Annethoughtthatcakeoughttosoftentheheartofanyman，especiallyonewhohadtodohisowncooking，andshepromptlypoppeditintoabox。ShewouldtakeittoMr。Harrisonasapeaceoffering。

"Thatis，ifhegivesmeachancetosayanythingatall，"shethoughtruefully，assheclimbedthelanefenceandstartedonashortcutacrossthefields，goldeninthelightofthedreamyAugustevening。"Iknownowjusthowpeoplefeelwhoarebeingledtoexecution。"

III

Mr。HarrisonatHomeMr。Harrison’shousewasanold-fashioned，low-eaved，whitewashedstructure，setagainstathicksprucegrove。

Mr。Harrisonhimselfwassittingonhisvineshadedveranda，inhisshirtsleeves，enjoyinghiseveningpipe。Whenherealizedwhowascomingupthepathhesprangsuddenlytohisfeet，boltedintothehouse，andshutthedoor。Thiswasmerelytheuncomfortableresultofhissurprise，mingledwithagooddealofshameoverhisoutburstoftemperthedaybefore。ButitnearlyswepttheremnantofhercouragefromAnne’sheart。

"Ifhe’ssocrossnowwhatwillhebewhenhehearswhatI’vedone，"shereflectedmiserably，assherappedatthedoor。

ButMr。Harrisonopenedit，smilingsheepishly，andinvitedhertoenterinatonequitemildandfriendly，ifsomewhatnervous。

Hehadlaidasidehispipeanddonnedhiscoat；heofferedAnneaverydustychairverypolitely，andherreceptionwouldhavepassedoffpleasantlyenoughifithadnotbeenforthetelltaleofaparrotwhowaspeeringthroughthebarsofhiscagewithwickedgoldeneyes。

NosoonerhadAnneseatedherselfthanGingerexclaimed，"Blessmysoul，what’sthatredheadedsnippetcomingherefor？"

Itwouldbehardtosaywhosefacewastheredder，Mr。Harrison’sorAnne’s。

"Don’tyoumindthatparrot，"saidMr。Harrison，castingafuriousglanceatGinger。"He’s……he’salwaystalkingnonsense。Igothimfrommybrotherwhowasasailor。Sailorsdon’talwaysusethechoicestlanguage，andparrotsareveryimitativebirds。"

"SoIshouldthink，"saidpoorAnne，theremembranceofhererrandquellingherresentment。Shecouldn’taffordtosnubMr。Harrisonunderthecircumstances，thatwascertain。Whenyouhadjustsoldaman’sJerseycowoffhand，withouthisknowledgeorconsentyoumustnotmindifhisparrotrepeateduncomplimentarythings。

Nevertheless，the"redheadedsnippet"wasnotquitesomeekasshemightotherwisehavebeen。

"I’vecometoconfesssomethingtoyou，Mr。Harrison，"shesaidresolutely。"It’s……it’sabout……thatJerseycow"

"Blessmysoul，"exclaimedMr。Harrisonnervously，"hasshegoneandbrokenintomyoatsagain？Well，nevermind……nevermindifshehas。It’snodifference……noneatall。I……Iwastoohastyyesterday，that’safact。Nevermindifshehas。"

"Oh，ifitwereonlythat，"sighedAnne。"Butit’stentimesworse。Idon’t……"

"Blessmysoul，doyoumeantosayshe’sgotintomywheat？"

"No……no……notthewheat。But……"

"Thenit’sthecabbages！She’sbrokenintomycabbagesthatIwasraisingforExhibition，hey？"

"It’sNOTthecabbages，Mr。Harrison。I’lltellyoueverything……

thatiswhatIcamefor——butpleasedon’tinterruptme。Itmakesmesonervous。Justletmetellmystoryanddon’tsayanythingtillIgetthrough——andthennodoubtyou’llsayplenty，"

Anneconcluded，butinthoughtonly。

"Iwon’tsayanotherword，"saidMr。Harrison，andhedidn’t。ButGingerwasnotboundbyanycontractofsilenceandkeptejaculating，"Redheadedsnippet"atintervalsuntilAnnefeltquitewild。

"IshutmyJerseycowupinourpenyesterday。ThismorningIwenttoCarmodyandwhenIcamebackIsawaJerseycowinyouroats。

DianaandIchasedheroutandyoucan’timaginewhatahardtimewehad。Iwassodreadfullywetandtiredandvexed——andMr。

Shearercamebythatveryminuteandofferedtobuythecow。I

soldhertohimonthespotfortwentydollars。Itwaswrongofme。

IshouldhavewaitedandconsultedMarilla，ofcourse。ButI’mdreadfullygiventodoingthingswithoutthinking——everybodywhoknowsmewilltellyouthat。Mr。Shearertookthecowrightawaytoshipherontheafternoontrain。"

"Redheadedsnippet，"quotedGingerinatoneofprofoundcontempt。

AtthispointMr。Harrisonaroseand，withanexpressionthatwouldhavestruckterrorintoanybirdbutaparrot，carriedGinger’scageintoanadjoiningroomandshutthedoor。Gingershrieked，swore，andotherwiseconductedhimselfinkeepingwithhisreputation，butfindinghimselfleftalone，relapsedintosulkysilence。

"Excusemeandgoon，"saidMr。Harrison，sittingdownagain。

"Mybrotherthesailornevertaughtthatbirdanymanners。"

"IwenthomeandafterteaIwentouttothemilkingpen。Mr。

Harrison，"……Anneleanedforward，claspingherhandswithheroldchildishgesture，whileherbiggrayeyesgazedimploringlyintoMr。Harrison’sembarrassedface……"Ifoundmycowstillshutupinthepen。ItwasYOURcowIhadsoldtoMr。Shearer。"

"Blessmysoul，"exclaimedMr。Harrison，inblankamazementatthisunlooked-forconclusion。"WhataVERYextraordinarything！"

"Oh，itisn’tintheleastextraordinarythatIshouldbegettingmyselfandotherpeopleintoscrapes，"saidAnnemournfully。

"I’mnotedforthat。YoumightsupposeI’dhavegrownoutofitbythistime……I’llbeseventeennextMarch……butitseemsthatIhaven’t。Mr。Harrison，isittoomuchtohopethatyou’llforgiveme？I’mafraidit’stoolatetogetyourcowback，buthereisthemoneyforher……oryoucanhavemineinexchangeifyou’drather。She’saverygoodcow。AndIcan’texpresshowsorryIamforitall。"

"Tut，tut，"saidMr。Harrisonbriskly，"don’tsayanotherwordaboutit，miss。It’sofnoconsequence……noconsequencewhatever。

Accidentswillhappen。I’mtoohastymyselfsometimes，miss……

fartoohasty。ButIcan’thelpspeakingoutjustwhatIthinkandfolksmusttakemeastheyfindme。Ifthatcowhadbeeninmycabbagesnow……butnevermind，shewasn’t，soit’sallright。IthinkI’dratherhaveyourcowinexchange，sinceyouwanttoberidofher。"

"Oh，thankyou，Mr。Harrison。I’msogladyouarenotvexed。

Iwasafraidyouwouldbe。"

"AndIsupposeyouwerescaredtodeathtocomehereandtellme，afterthefussImadeyesterday，hey？Butyoumustn’tmindme，I’materribleoutspokenoldfellow，that’sall……awfulapttotellthetruth，nomatterifitisabitplain。"

"SoisMrs。Lynde，"saidAnne，beforeshecouldpreventherself。

"Who？Mrs。Lynde？Don’tyoutellmeI’mlikethatoldgossip，"

saidMr。Harrisonirritably。"I’mnot……notabit。Whathaveyougotinthatbox？"

"Acake，"saidAnnearchly。InherreliefatMr。Harrison’sunexpectedamiabilityherspiritssoaredupwardfeather-light。

"Ibroughtitoverforyou……Ithoughtperhapsyoudidn’thavecakeveryoften。"

"Idon’t，that’safact，andI’mmightyfondofit，too。I’mmuchobligedtoyou。Itlooksgoodontop。Ihopeit’sgoodallthewaythrough。"

"Itis，"saidAnne，gailyconfident。"IhavemadecakesinmytimethatwereNOT，asMrs。Allancouldtellyou，butthisoneisallright。

ImadeitfortheImprovementSociety，butIcanmakeanotherforthem。"

"Well，I’lltellyouwhat，miss，youmusthelpmeeatit。I’llputthekettleonandwe’llhaveacupoftea。Howwillthatdo？"

"Willyouletmemakethetea？"saidAnnedubiously。

Mr。Harrisonchuckled。

"Iseeyouhaven’tmuchconfidenceinmyabilitytomaketea。

You’rewrong……Icanbrewupasgoodajorumofteaasyoueverdrank。Butgoaheadyourself。FortunatelyitrainedlastSunday，sothere’splentyofcleandishes。"

Annehoppedbrisklyupandwenttowork。Shewashedtheteapotinseveralwatersbeforesheputtheteatosteep。Thenshesweptthestoveandsetthetable，bringingthedishesoutofthepantry。

ThestateofthatpantryhorrifiedAnne，butshewiselysaidnothing。Mr。Harrisontoldherwheretofindthebreadandbutterandacanofpeaches。Anneadornedthetablewithabouquetfromthegardenandshuthereyestothestainsonthetablecloth。SoontheteawasreadyandAnnefoundherselfsittingoppositeMr。

Harrisonathisowntable，pouringhisteaforhim，andchattingfreelytohimaboutherschoolandfriendsandplans。Shecouldhardlybelievetheevidenceofhersenses。

Mr。HarrisonhadbroughtGingerback，averringthatthepoorbirdwouldbelonesome；andAnne，feelingthatshecouldforgiveeverybodyandeverything，offeredhimawalnut。ButGinger’sfeelingshadbeengrievouslyhurtandherejectedalloverturesoffriendship。Hesatmoodilyonhisperchandruffledhisfeathersupuntilhelookedlikeamereballofgreenandgold。

"WhydoyoucallhimGinger？"askedAnne，wholikedappropriatenamesandthoughtGingeraccordednotatallwithsuchgorgeousplumage。

"Mybrotherthesailornamedhim。Maybeithadsomereferencetohistemper。Ithinkalotofthatbirdthough……you’dbesurprisedifyouknewhowmuch。Hehashisfaultsofcourse。

Thatbirdhascostmeagooddealonewayandanother。Somepeopleobjecttohisswearinghabitsbuthecan’tbebrokenofthem。

I’vetried……otherpeoplehavetried。Somefolkshaveprejudicesagainstparrots。Silly，ain’tit？Ilikethemmyself。Ginger’salotofcompanytome。Nothingwouldinducemetogivethatbirdup……nothingintheworld，miss。"

Mr。HarrisonflungthelastsentenceatAnneasexplosivelyasifhesuspectedherofsomelatentdesignofpersuadinghimtogiveGingerup。Anne，however，wasbeginningtolikethequeer，fussy，fidgetylittleman，andbeforethemealwasovertheywerequitegoodfriends。Mr。HarrisonfoundoutabouttheImprovementSocietyandwasdisposedtoapproveofit。

"That’sright。Goahead。There’slotsofroomforimprovementinthissettlement……andinthepeopletoo。"

"Oh，Idon’tknow，"flashedAnne。Toherself，ortoherparticularcronies，shemightadmitthatthereweresomesmallimperfections，easilyremovable，inAvonleaanditsinhabitants。ButtohearapracticaloutsiderlikeMr。Harrisonsayingitwasanentirelydifferentthing。"IthinkAvonleaisalovelyplace；andthepeopleinitareverynice，too。"

"Iguessyou’vegotaspiceoftemper，"commentedMr。Harrison，surveyingtheflushedcheeksandindignanteyesoppositehim。

"Itgoeswithhairlikeyours，Ireckon。AvonleaisaprettydecentplaceorIwouldn’thavelocatedhere；butIsupposeevenyouwilladmitthatithasSOMEfaults？"

"Ilikeitallthebetterforthem，"saidloyalAnne。"Idon’tlikeplacesorpeopleeitherthathaven’tanyfaults。Ithinkatrulyperfectpersonwouldbeveryuninteresting。Mrs。MiltonWhitesaysshenevermetaperfectperson，butshe’sheardenoughaboutone……herhusband’sfirstwife。Don’tyouthinkitmustbeveryuncomfortabletobemarriedtoamanwhosefirstwifewasperfect？"

"Itwouldbemoreuncomfortabletobemarriedtotheperfectwife，"

declaredMr。Harrison，withasuddenandinexplicablewarmth。

WhenteawasoverAnneinsistedonwashingthedishes，althoughMr。

Harrisonassuredherthattherewereenoughinthehousetodoforweeksyet。Shewoulddearlyhavelovedtosweeptheflooralso，butnobroomwasvisibleandshedidnotliketoaskwhereitwasforfeartherewasn’toneatall。

"Youmightrunacrossandtalktomeonceinawhile，"suggestedMr。Harrisonwhenshewasleaving。"’Tisn’tfarandfolksoughttobeneighborly。I’mkindofinterestedinthatsocietyofyours。

Seemstomethere’llbesomefuninit。Whoareyougoingtotacklefirst？"

"WearenotgoingtomeddlewithPEOPLE……itisonlyPLACESwemeantoimprove，"saidAnne，inadignifiedtone。SherathersuspectedthatMr。Harrisonwasmakingfunoftheproject。

WhenshehadgoneMr。Harrisonwatchedherfromthewindow……alithe，girlishshape，trippinglightheartedlyacrossthefieldsinthesunsetafterglow。

"I’macrusty，lonesome，crabbedoldchap，"hesaidaloud，"butthere’ssomethingaboutthatlittlegirlmakesmefeelyoungagain……andit’ssuchapleasantsensationI’dliketohaveitrepeatedonceinawhile。"

"Redheadedsnippet，"croakedGingermockingly。

Mr。Harrisonshookhisfistattheparrot。

"Youornerybird，"hemuttered，"IalmostwishI’dwrungyourneckwhenmybrotherthesailorbroughtyouhome。Willyouneverbedonegettingmeintotrouble？"

AnneranhomeblithelyandrecountedheradventurestoMarilla，whohadbeennotalittlealarmedbyherlongabsenceandwasonthepointofstartingouttolookforher。

"It’saprettygoodworld，afterall，isn’tit，Marilla？"concludedAnnehappily。"Mrs。Lyndewascomplainingtheotherdaythatitwasn’tmuchofaworld。Shesaidwheneveryoulookedforwardtoanythingpleasantyouweresuretobemoreorlessdisappointed……perhapsthatistrue。Butthereisagoodsidetoittoo。

Thebadthingsdon’talwayscomeuptoyourexpectationseither……theynearlyalwaysturnouteversomuchbetterthanyouthink。

IlookedforwardtoadreadfullyunpleasantexperiencewhenIwentovertoMr。Harrison’stonight；andinsteadhewasquitekindandIhadalmostanicetime。Ithinkwe’regoingtoberealgoodfriendsifwemakeplentyofallowancesforeachother，andeverythinghasturnedoutforthebest。Butallthesame，Marilla，Ishallcertainlyneveragainsellacowbeforemakingsuretowhomshebelongs。AndIdoNOTlikeparrots！"

IV

DifferentOpinionsOneeveningatsunset，JaneAndrews，GilbertBlythe，andAnneShirleywerelingeringbyafenceintheshadowofgentlyswayingspruceboughs，whereawoodcutknownastheBirchPathjoinedthemainroad。JanehadbeenuptospendtheafternoonwithAnne，whowalkedpartofthewayhomewithher；atthefencetheymetGilbert，andallthreewerenowtalkingaboutthefatefulmorrow；forthatmorrowwasthefirstofSeptemberandtheschoolswouldopen。JanewouldgotoNewbridgeandGilberttoWhiteSands。

"Youbothhavetheadvantageofme，"sighedAnne。"You’regoingtoteachchildrenwhodon’tknowyou，butIhavetoteachmyownoldschoolmates，andMrs。Lyndesaysshe’safraidtheywon’trespectmeastheywouldastrangerunlessI’mverycrossfromthefirst。

ButIdon’tbelieveateachershouldbecross。Oh，itseemstomesucharesponsibility！"

"Iguesswe’llgetonallright，"saidJanecomfortably。Janewasnottroubledbyanyaspirationstobeaninfluenceforgood。

Shemeanttoearnhersalaryfairly，pleasethetrustees，andgethernameontheSchoolInspector’srollofhonor。FurtherambitionsJanehadnone。"Themainthingwillbetokeeporderandateacherhastobealittlecrosstodothat。Ifmypupilswon’tdoasItellthemIshallpunishthem。"

"How？"

"Givethemagoodwhipping，ofcourse。"

"Oh，Jane，youwouldn’t，"criedAnne，shocked。"Jane，youCOULDN’T！"

"Indeed，Icouldandwould，iftheydeservedit，"saidJanedecidedly。

"IcouldNEVERwhipachild，"saidAnnewithequaldecision。

"Idon’tbelieveinitATALL。MissStacyneverwhippedanyofusandshehadperfectorder；andMr。Phillipswasalwayswhippingandhehadnoorderatall。No，ifIcan’tgetalongwithoutwhippingIshallnottrytoteachschool。Therearebetterwaysofmanaging。

Ishalltrytowinmypupils’affectionsandthentheywillWANTtodowhatItellthem。"

"Butsupposetheydon’t？"saidpracticalJane。

"Iwouldn’twhipthemanyhow。I’msureitwouldn’tdoanygood。

Oh，don’twhipyourpupils，Janedear，nomatterwhattheydo。"

"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，Gilbert？"demandedJane。"Don’tyouthinktherearesomechildrenwhoreallyneedawhippingnowandthen？"

"Don’tyouthinkit’sacruel，barbarousthingtowhipachild……

ANYchild？"exclaimedAnne，herfaceflushingwithearnestness。

"Well，"saidGilbertslowly，tornbetweenhisrealconvictionsandhiswishtomeasureuptoAnne’sideal，"there’ssomethingtobesaidonbothsides。Idon’tbelieveinwhippingchildrenMUCH。