第6章

"I’vegoodnewsforyou，Anne，"saidDiana。"MotherandIhavejustgothomefromCarmody，andIsawMarySentnerfromSpencervaleinMr。Blair’sstore。ShesaystheoldCoppgirlsontheToryRoadhaveawillow-wareplatterandshethinksit’sexactlyliketheonewehadatthesupper。Shesaysthey’lllikelysellit，forMarthaCopphasneverbeenknowntokeepanythingsheCOULDsell；

butiftheywon’tthere’saplatteratWesleyKeyson’satSpencervaleandsheknowsthey’dsellit，butsheisn’tsureit’sjustthesamekindasAuntJosephine’s。"

"I’llgorightovertoSpencervaleafterittomorrow，"saidAnneresolutely，"andyoumustcomewithme。Itwillbesuchaweightoffmymind，forIhavetogototowndayaftertomorrowandhowcanIfaceyourAuntJosephinewithoutawillow-wareplatter？

ItwouldbeevenworsethanthetimeIhadtoconfessaboutjumpingonthespareroombed。"

Bothgirlslaughedovertheoldmemory……concerningwhich，ifanyofmyreadersareignorantandcurious，ImustreferthemtoAnne’searlierhistory。

Thenextafternoonthegirlsfaredforthontheirplatterhuntingexpedition。ItwastenmilestoSpencervaleandthedaywasnotespeciallypleasantfortraveling。Itwasverywarmandwindless，andthedustontheroadwassuchasmighthavebeenexpectedaftersixweeksofdryweather。

"Oh，Idowishitwouldrainsoon，"sighedAnne。"Everythingissoparchedup。Thepoorfieldsjustseempitifultomeandthetreesseemtobestretchingouttheirhandspleadingforrain。Asformygarden，ithurtsmeeverytimeIgointoit。IsupposeIshouldn’tcomplainaboutagardenwhenthefarmers’cropsaresufferingso。

Mr。Harrisonsayshispasturesaresoscorchedupthathispoorcowscanhardlygetabitetoeatandhefeelsguiltyofcrueltytoanimalseverytimehemeetstheireyes。"

AfterawearisomedrivethegirlsreachedSpencervaleandturneddownthe"Tory"Road……agreen，solitaryhighwaywherethestripsofgrassbetweenthewheeltracksboreevidencetolackoftravel。

Alongmostofitsextentitwaslinedwiththick-setyoungsprucescrowdingdowntotheroadway，withhereandthereabreakwherethebackfieldofaSpencervalefarmcameouttothefenceoranexpanseofstumpswasaflamewithfireweedandgoldenrod。

"WhyisitcalledtheToryRoad？"askedAnne。

"Mr。Allansaysitisontheprincipleofcallingaplaceagrovebecausetherearenotreesinit，"saidDiana，"fornobodylivesalongtheroadexcepttheCoppgirlsandoldMartinBovyeratthefurtherend，whoisaLiberal。TheTorygovernmentrantheroadthroughwhentheywereinpowerjusttoshowtheyweredoingsomething。"

Diana’sfatherwasaLiberal，forwhichreasonsheandAnneneverdiscussedpolitics。GreenGablesfolkhadalwaysbeenConservatives。

FinallythegirlscametotheoldCopphomestead……aplaceofsuchexceedingexternalneatnessthatevenGreenGableswouldhavesufferedbycontrast。Thehousewasaveryold-fashionedone，situatedonaslope，whichfacthadnecessitatedthebuildingofastonebasementunderoneend。Thehouseandout-buildingswereallwhitewashedtoaconditionofblindingperfectionandnotaweedwasvisibleintheprimkitchengardensurroundedbyitswhitepaling。

"Theshadesarealldown，"saidDianaruefully。"Ibelievethatnobodyishome。"

Thisprovedtobethecase。Thegirlslookedateachotherinperplexity。

"Idon’tknowwhattodo，"saidAnne。"IfIweresuretheplatterwastherightkindIwouldnotmindwaitinguntiltheycamehome。

Butifitisn’titmaybetoolatetogotoWesleyKeyson’safterward。"

Dianalookedatacertainlittlesquarewindowoverthebasement。

"Thatisthepantrywindow，Ifeelsure，"shesaid，"becausethishouseisjustlikeUncleCharles’atNewbridge，andthatistheirpantrywindow。Theshadeisn’tdown，soifweclimbedupontheroofofthatlittlehousewecouldlookintothepantryandmightbeabletoseetheplatter。Doyouthinkitwouldbeanyharm？"

"No，Idon’tthinkso，"decidedAnne，afterduereflection，"sinceourmotiveisnotidlecuriosity。"

Thisimportantpointofethicsbeingsettled，Annepreparedtomounttheaforesaid"littlehouse，"aconstructionoflathes，withapeakedroof，whichhadintimespastservedasahabitationforducks。TheCoppgirlshadgivenupkeepingducks……"becausetheyweresuchuntidybirds"……

andthehousehadnotbeeninuseforsomeyears，saveasanabodeofcorrectionforsettinghens。Althoughscrupulouslywhitewashedithadbecomesomewhatshaky，andAnnefeltratherdubiousasshescrambledupfromthevantagepointofakegplacedonabox。

"I’mafraiditwon’tbearmyweight，"shesaidasshegingerlysteppedontheroof。

"Leanonthewindowsill，"advisedDiana，andAnneaccordinglyleaned。

Muchtoherdelight，shesaw，asshepeeredthroughthepane，awillow-wareplatter，exactlysuchasshewasinquestof，ontheshelfinfrontofthewindow。Somuchshesawbeforethecatastrophecame。InherjoyAnneforgottheprecariousnatureofherfooting，incautiouslyceasedtoleanonthewindowsill，gaveanimpulsivelittlehopofpleasure……andthenextmomentshehadcrashedthroughtheroofuptoherarmpits，andthereshehung，quiteunabletoextricateherself。Dianadashedintotheduckhouseand，seizingherunfortunatefriendbythewaist，triedtodrawherdown。

"Ow……don’t，"shriekedpoorAnne。"Therearesomelongsplintersstickingintome。Seeifyoucanputsomethingundermyfeet……thenperhapsIcandrawmyselfup。"

DianahastilydraggedinthepreviouslymentionedkegandAnnefoundthatitwasjustsufficientlyhightofurnishasecurerestingplaceforherfeet。Butshecouldnotreleaseherself。

"CouldIpullyououtifIcrawledup？"suggestedDiana。

Anneshookherheadhopelessly。

"No……thesplintershurttoobadly。Ifyoucanfindanaxeyoumightchopmeout，though。Ohdear，IdoreallybegintobelievethatIwasbornunderanill-omenedstar。"

Dianasearchedfaithfullybutnoaxewastobefound。

"I’llhavetogoforhelp，"shesaid，returningtotheprisoner。

"No，indeed，youwon’t，"saidAnnevehemently。"IfyoudothestoryofthiswillgetouteverywhereandIshallbeashamedtoshowmyface。

No，wemustjustwaituntiltheCoppgirlscomehomeandbindthemtosecrecy。They’llknowwheretheaxeisandgetmeout。

I’mnotuncomfortable，aslongasIkeepperfectlystill……

notuncomfortableinBODYImean。IwonderwhattheCoppgirlsvaluethishouseat。IshallhavetopayforthedamageI’vedone，butIwouldn’tmindthatifIwereonlysuretheywouldunderstandmymotiveinpeepinginattheirpantrywindow。MysolecomfortisthattheplatterisjustthekindIwantandifMissCoppwillonlysellittomeIshallberesignedtowhathashappened。"

"WhatiftheCoppgirlsdon’tcomehomeuntilafternight……ortilltomorrow？"suggestedDiana。

"Ifthey’renotbackbysunsetyou’llhavetogoforotherassistance，Isuppose，"saidAnnereluctantly，"butyoumustn’tgountilyoureallyhaveto。Ohdear，thisisadreadfulpredicament。

Iwouldn’tmindmymisfortunessomuchiftheywereromantic，asMrs。Morgan’sheroines’alwaysare，buttheyarealwaysjustsimplyridiculous。FancywhattheCoppgirlswillthinkwhentheydriveintotheiryardandseeagirl’sheadandshouldersstickingoutoftheroofofoneoftheirouthouses。Listen……isthatawagon？No，Diana，Ibelieveitisthunder。"

Thunderitwasundoubtedly，andDiana，havingmadeahastypilgrimagearoundthehouse，returnedtoannouncethataveryblackcloudwasrisingrapidlyinthenorthwest。

"Ibelievewe’regoingtohaveaheavythunder-shower，"sheexclaimedindismay，"Oh，Anne，whatwillwedo？"

"Wemustprepareforit，"saidAnnetranquilly。Athunderstormseemedatrifleincomparisonwithwhathadalreadyhappened。

"You’dbetterdrivethehorseandbuggyintothatopenshed。

Fortunatelymyparasolisinthebuggy。Here……takemyhatwithyou。MarillatoldmeIwasagoosetoputonmybesthattocometotheToryRoadandshewasright，asshealwaysis。"

Dianauntiedtheponyanddroveintotheshed，justasthefirstheavydropsofrainfell。Thereshesatandwatchedtheresultingdownpour，whichwassothickandheavythatshecouldhardlyseeAnnethroughit，holdingtheparasolbravelyoverherbarehead。

Therewasnotagreatdealofthunder，butforthebestpartofanhourtheraincamemerrilydown。OccasionallyAnneslantedbackherparasolandwavedanencouraginghandtoherfriend；Butconversationatthatdistancewasquiteoutofthequestion。

Finallytherainceased，thesuncameout，andDianaventuredacrossthepuddlesoftheyard。

"Didyougetverywet？"sheaskedanxiously。

"Oh，no，"returnedAnnecheerfully。"Myheadandshouldersarequitedryandmyskirtisonlyalittledampwheretherainbeatthroughthelathes。Don’tpityme，Diana，forIhaven’tmindeditatall。Ikeptthinkinghowmuchgoodtherainwilldoandhowgladmygardenmustbeforit，andimaginingwhattheflowersandbudswouldthinkwhenthedropsbegantofall。Iimaginedoutamostinterestingdialoguebetweentheastersandthesweetpeasandthewildcanariesinthelilacbushandtheguardianspiritofthegarden。

WhenIgohomeImeantowriteitdown。IwishIhadapencilandpapertodoitnow，becauseIdaresayI’llforgetthebestpartsbeforeIreachhome。"

Dianathefaithfulhadapencilanddiscoveredasheetofwrappingpaperintheboxofthebuggy。Annefoldedupherdrippingparasol，putonherhat，spreadthewrappingpaperonashingleDianahandedup，andwroteouthergardenidylunderconditionsthatcouldhardlybeconsideredasfavorabletoliterature。

Nevertheless，theresultwasquitepretty，andDianawas"enraptured"whenAnnereadittoher。

"Oh，Anne，it’ssweet……justsweet。DOsendittothe`CanadianWoman。’"

Anneshookherhead。

"Oh，no，itwouldn’tbesuitableatall。ThereisnoPLOTinit，yousee。It’sjustastringoffancies。Ilikewritingsuchthings，butofcoursenothingofthesortwouldeverdoforpublication，foreditorsinsistonplots，soPriscillasays。Oh，there’sMissSarahCoppnow。PLEASE，Diana，goandexplain。"

MissSarahCoppwasasmallperson，garbedinshabbyblack，withahatchosenlessforvainadornmentthanforqualitiesthatwouldwearwell。

Shelookedasamazedasmightbeexpectedonseeingthecurioustableauinheryard，butwhensheheardDiana’sexplanationshewasallsympathy。

Shehurriedlyunlockedthebackdoor，producedtheaxe，andwithafewskillfullblowssetAnnefree。Thelatter，somewhattiredandstiff，duckeddownintotheinteriorofherprisonandthankfullyemergedintolibertyoncemore。

"MissCopp，"shesaidearnestly。"IassureyouIlookedintoyourpantrywindowonlytodiscoverifyouhadawillow-wareplatter。

Ididn’tseeanythingelse——Ididn’tLOOKforanythingelse。"

"Blessyou，that’sallright，"saidMissSarahamiably。"Youneedn’tworry——there’snoharmdone。Thankgoodness，weCoppskeepourpantriespresentableatalltimesanddon’tcarewhoseesintothem。Asforthatoldduckhouse，I’mgladit’ssmashed，formaybenowMarthawillagreetohavingittakendown。SheneverwouldbeforeforfearitmightcomeinhandysometimeandI’vehadtowhitewashiteveryspring。ButyoumightaswellarguewithapostaswithMartha。Shewenttotowntoday——Idrovehertothestation。

Andyouwanttobuymyplatter。Well，whatwillyougiveforit？"

"Twentydollars，"saidAnne，whowasnevermeanttomatchbusinesswitswithaCopp，orshewouldnothaveofferedherpriceatthestart。

"Well，I’llsee，"saidMissSarahcautiously。"Thatplatterisminefortunately，orI’dneverdaretosellitwhenMarthawasn’there。

Asitis，Idaresayshe’llraiseafuss。Martha’sthebossofthisestablishmentIcantellyou。I’mgettingawfultiredoflivingunderanotherwoman’sthumb。Butcomein，comein。Youmustberealtiredandhungry。I’lldothebestIcanforyouinthewayofteabutIwarnyounottoexpectanythingbutbreadandbutterandsomecowcumbers。Marthalockedupallthecakeandcheeseandpreservesaforeshewent。Shealwaysdoes，becauseshesaysI’mtooextravagantwiththemifcompanycomes。"

Thegirlswerehungryenoughtodojusticetoanyfare，andtheyenjoyedMissSarah’sexcellentbreadandbutterand"cowcumbers"

thoroughly。WhenthemealwasoverMissSarahsaid，"Idon’tknowasImindsellingtheplatter。Butit’sworthtwenty-fivedollars。It’saveryoldplatter。"

DianagaveAnne’sfootagentlekickunderthetable，meaning，"Don’tagree——she’llletitgofortwentyifyouholdout。"

ButAnnewasnotmindedtotakeanychancesinregardtothatpreciousplatter。Shepromptlyagreedtogivetwenty-fiveandMissSarahlookedasifshefeltsorryshehadn’taskedforthirty。

"Well，Iguessyoumayhaveit。IwantallthemoneyIcanscareupjustnow。Thefactis——"MissSarahthrewupherheadimportantly，withaproudflushonherthincheeks——"I’mgoingtobemarried——toLutherWallace。Hewantedmetwentyyearsago。

Ilikedhimrealwellbuthewaspoorthenandfatherpackedhimoff。

Is’poseIshouldn’thavelethimgosomeekbutIwastimidandfrightenedoffather。Besides，Ididn’tknowmenweresoskurse。"

Whenthegirlsweresafelyaway，DianadrivingandAnneholdingthecovetedplattercarefullyonherlap，thegreen，rain-freshenedsolitudesoftheToryRoadwereenlivenedbyripplesofgirlishlaughter。

"I’llamuseyourAuntJosephinewiththe`strangeeventfulhistory’

ofthisafternoonwhenIgototowntomorrow。We’vehadarathertryingtimebutit’sovernow。I’vegottheplatter，andthatrainhaslaidthedustbeautifully。So`all’swellthatendswell。’"

"We’renothomeyet，"saidDianaratherpessimistically，"andthere’snotellingwhatmayhappenbeforeweare。You’resuchagirltohaveadventures，Anne。"

"Havingadventurescomesnaturaltosomepeople，"saidAnneserenely。"Youjusthaveagiftforthemoryouhaven’t。"

XIX

JustaHappyDay"Afterall，"AnnehadsaidtoMarillaonce，"Ibelievethenicestandsweetestdaysarenotthoseonwhichanythingverysplendidorwonderfulorexcitinghappensbutjustthosethatbringsimplelittlepleasures，followingoneanothersoftly，likepearlsslippingoffastring。"

LifeatGreenGableswasfullofjustsuchdays，forAnne’sadventuresandmisadventures，likethoseofotherpeople，didnotallhappenatonce，butweresprinkledovertheyear，withlongstretchesofharmless，happydaysbetween，filledwithworkanddreamsandlaughterandlessons。

SuchadaycamelateinAugust。IntheforenoonAnneandDianarowedthedelightedtwinsdownthepondtothesandshoretopick"sweetgrass"

andpaddleinthesurf，overwhichthewindwasharpinganoldlyriclearnedwhentheworldwasyoung。

IntheafternoonAnnewalkeddowntotheoldIrvingplacetoseePaul。

Shefoundhimstretchedoutonthegrassybankbesidethethickfirgrovethatshelteredthehouseonthenorth，absorbedinabookoffairytales。Hesprangupradiantlyatsightofher。

"Oh，I’msogladyou’vecome，teacher，"hesaideagerly，"becauseGrandma’saway。You’llstayandhaveteawithme，won’tyou？

It’ssolonesometohaveteaallbyoneself。YOUknow，teacher。

I’vehadseriousthoughtsofaskingYoungMaryJoetositdownandeatherteawithme，butIexpectGrandmawouldn’tapprove。

ShesaystheFrenchhavetobekeptintheirplace。Andanyhow，it’sdifficulttotalkwithYoungMaryJoe。Shejustlaughsandsays，`Well，yousdobeatalldekidsIeverknowed。’Thatisn’tmyideaofconversation。"

"OfcourseI’llstaytotea，"saidAnnegaily。"Iwasdyingtobeasked。Mymouthhasbeenwateringforsomemoreofyourgrandma’sdeliciousshortbreadeversinceIhadteaherebefore。"

Paullookedverysober。

"Ifitdependedonme，teacher，"hesaid，standingbeforeAnnewithhishandsinhispocketsandhisbeautifullittlefaceshadowedwithsuddencare，"Youshouldhaveshortbreadwitharightgoodwill。

ButitdependsonMaryJoe。IheardGrandmatellherbeforesheleftthatshewasn’ttogivemeanyshortcakebecauseitwastoorichforlittleboys’stomachs。ButmaybeMaryJoewillcutsomeforyouifIpromiseIwon’teatany。Letushopeforthebest。"

"Yes，letus，"agreedAnne，whomthischeerfulphilosophysuitedexactly，"andifMaryJoeproveshard-heartedandwon’tgivemeanyshortbreaditdoesn’tmatterintheleast，soyouarenottoworryoverthat。"

"You’resureyouwon’tmindifshedoesn’t？"saidPaulanxiously。

"Perfectlysure，dearheart。"

"ThenIwon’tworry，"saidPaul，withalongbreathofrelief，"especiallyasIreallythinkMaryJoewilllistentoreason。

She’snotanaturallyunreasonableperson，butshehaslearnedbyexperiencethatitdoesn’tdotodisobeyGrandma’sorders。

Grandmaisanexcellentwomanbutpeoplemustdoasshetellsthem。

ShewasverymuchpleasedwithmethismorningbecauseImanagedatlasttoeatallmyplatefulofporridge。ItwasagreateffortbutIsucceeded。Grandmasaysshethinksshe’llmakeamanofmeyet。

But，teacher，Iwanttoaskyouaveryimportantquestion。

Youwillanswerittruthfully，won’tyou？"

"I’lltry，"promisedAnne。

"DoyouthinkI’mwronginmyupperstory？"askedPaul，asifhisveryexistencedependedonherreply。

"Goodness，no，Paul，"exclaimedAnneinamazement。"Certainlyyou’renot。Whatputsuchanideaintoyourhead？"

"MaryJoe……butshedidn’tknowIheardher。Mrs。PeterSloane’shiredgirl，Veronica，cametoseeMaryJoelasteveningandIheardthemtalkinginthekitchenasIwasgoingthroughthehall。

IheardMaryJoesay，`DatPaul，heisdequeeres’leetleboy。

Hetalksdatqueer。Itinkdere’ssometingwronginhisupperstory。’

Icouldn’tsleeplastnightforeversolong，thinkingofit，andwonderingifMaryJoewasright。Icouldn’tbeartoaskGrandmaaboutitsomehow，butImadeupmymindI’daskyou。I’msogladyouthinkI’mallrightinmyupperstory。"

"Ofcourseyouare。MaryJoeisasilly，ignorantgirl，andyouarenevertoworryaboutanythingshesays，"saidAnneindignantly，secretlyresolvingtogiveMrs。IrvingadiscreethintastotheadvisabilityofrestrainingMaryJoe’stongue。

"Well，that’saweightoffmymind，"saidPaul。"I’mperfectlyhappynow，teacher，thankstoyou。Itwouldn’tbenicetohavesomethingwronginyourupperstory，wouldit，teacher？

IsupposethereasonMaryJoeimaginesIhaveisbecauseItellherwhatIthinkaboutthingssometimes。"

"Itisaratherdangerouspractice，"admittedAnne，outofthedepthsofherownexperience。

"Well，byandbyI’lltellyouthethoughtsItoldMaryJoeandyoucanseeforyourselfifthere’sanythingqueerinthem，"saidPaul，"butI’llwaittillitbeginstogetdark。ThatisthetimeIachetotellpeoplethings，andwhennobodyelseishandyIjustHAVEtotellMaryJoe。ButafterthisIwon’t，ifitmakesherimagineI’mwronginmyupperstory。I’lljustacheandbearit。"

"AndiftheachegetstoobadyoucancomeuptoGreenGablesandtellmeyourthoughts，"suggestedAnne，withallthegravitythatendearedhertochildren，whosodearlylovetobetakenseriously。

"Yes，Iwill。ButIhopeDavywon’tbetherewhenIgobecausehemakesfacesatme。Idon’tmindVERYmuchbecauseheissuchalittleboyandIamquiteabigone，butstillitisnotpleasanttohavefacesmadeatyou。AndDavymakessuchterribleones。

SometimesIamfrightenedhewillnevergethisfacestraightenedoutagain。HemakesthematmeinchurchwhenIoughttobethinkingofsacredthings。Doralikesmethough，andIlikeher，butnotsowellasIdidbeforeshetoldMinnieMayBarrythatshemeanttomarrymewhenIgrewup。ImaymarrysomebodywhenIgrowupbutI’mfartooyoungtobethinkingofityet，don’tyouthink，teacher？"

"Ratheryoung，"agreedteacher。

"Speakingofmarrying，remindsmeofanotherthingthathasbeentroublingmeoflate，"continuedPaul。"Mrs。LyndewasdownhereonedaylastweekhavingteawithGrandma，andGrandmamademeshowhermylittlemother’spicture……theonefathersentmeformybirthdaypresent。Ididn’texactlywanttoshowittoMrs。Lynde。

Mrs。Lyndeisagood，kindwoman，butsheisn’tthesortofpersonyouwanttoshowyourmother’spictureto。YOUknow，teacher。

ButofcourseIobeyedGrandma。Mrs。Lyndesaidshewasveryprettyutkindofactressylooking，andmusthavebeenanawfullotyoungerthanfather。Thenshesaid，`Someofthesedaysyourpawillbemarryingagainlikely。Howwillyouliketohaveanewma，MasterPaul？’Well，theideaalmosttookmybreathaway，teacher，butIwasn’tgoingtoletMrs。LyndeseeTHAT。Ijustlookedherstraightintheface……likethis……andIsaid，`Mrs。Lynde，fathermadeaprettygoodjobofpickingoutmyfirstmotherandI

couldtrusthimtopickoutjustasgoodaonethesecondtime。’

AndICANtrusthim，teacher。Butstill，Ihope，ifheeverdoesgivemeanewmother，he’llaskmyopinionaboutherbeforeit’stoolate。There’sMaryJoecomingtocallustotea。I’llgoandconsultwithherabouttheshortbread。"

Asaresultofthe"consultation，"MaryJoecuttheshortbreadandaddedadishofpreservestothebilloffare。AnnepouredtheteaandsheandPaulhadaverymerrymealinthedimoldsittingroomwhosewindowswereopentothegulfbreezes，andtheytalkedsomuch"nonsense"thatMaryJoewasquitescandalizedandtoldVeronicathenexteveningthat"deschoolmees"wasasqueerasPaul。

AfterteaPaultookAnneuptohisroomtoshowherhismother’spicture，whichhadbeenthemysteriousbirthdaypresentkeptbyMrs。Irvinginthebookcase。Paul’slittlelow-ceilingedroomwasasoftwhirlofruddylightfromthesunthatwassettingovertheseaandswingingshadowsfromthefirtreesthatgrewclosetothesquare，deep-setwindow。Fromoutthissoftglowandglamorshoneasweet，girlishface，withtendermothereyes，thatwashangingonthewallatthefootofthebed。

"That’smylittlemother，"saidPaulwithlovingpride。"IgotGrandmatohangittherewhereI’dseeitassoonasIopenedmyeyesinthemorning。InevermindnothavingthelightwhenIgotobednow，becauseitjustseemsasifmylittlemotherwasrightherewithme。FatherknewjustwhatIwouldlikeforabirthdaypresent，althoughheneveraskedme。Isn’titwonderfulhowmuchfathersDOknow？"

"Yourmotherwasverylovely，Paul，andyoulookalittlelikeher。

Buthereyesandhairaredarkerthanyours。"

"Myeyesarethesamecolorasfather’s，"saidPaul，flyingabouttheroomtoheapallavailablecushionsonthewindowseat，"butfather’shairisgray。Hehaslotsofit，butitisgray。

Yousee，fatherisnearlyfifty。That’sripeoldage，isn’tit？

Butit’sonlyOUTSIDEhe’sold。INSIDEhe’sjustasyoungasanybody。

Now，teacher，pleasesithere；andI’llsitatyourfeet。MayIlaymyheadagainstyourknee？That’sthewaymylittlemotherandI

usedtosit。Oh，thisisrealsplendid，Ithink。"

"Now，IwanttohearthosethoughtswhichMaryJoepronouncessoqueer，"

saidAnne，pattingthemopofcurlsatherside。Paulneverneededanycoaxingtotellhisthoughts……atleast，tocongenialsouls。

"Ithoughtthemoutinthefirgroveonenight，"hesaiddreamily。

"OfcourseIdidn’tBELIEVEthembutITHOUGHTthem。YOUknow，teacher。AndthenIwantedtotellthemtosomebodyandtherewasnobodybutMaryJoe。MaryJoewasinthepantrysettingbreadandIsatdownonthebenchbesideherandIsaid，`MaryJoe，doyouknowwhatIthink？Ithinktheeveningstarisalighthouseonthelandwherethefairiesdwell。’AndMaryJoesaid，`Well，yousaredequeerone。Dareain’tnosuchtingasfairies。’Iwasverymuchprovoked。Ofcourse，Iknewtherearenofairies；butthatneedn’tpreventmythinkingthereis。Youknow，teacher。ButItriedagainquitepatiently。Isaid，`Wellthen，MaryJoe，doyouknowwhatIthink？Ithinkanangelwalksovertheworldafterthesunsets……agreat，tall，whiteangel，withsilveryfoldedwings……

andsingstheflowersandbirdstosleep。Childrencanhearhimiftheyknowhowtolisten。’ThenMaryJoeheldupherhandsalloverflourandsaid，`Well，yousaredequeerleetleboy。

Yousmakemefeelscare。’Andshereallydidlookedscared。

Iwentoutthenandwhisperedtherestofmythoughtstothegarden。

Therewasalittlebirchtreeinthegardenanditdied。Grandmasaysthesaltspraykilledit；butIthinkthedryadbelongingtoitwasafoolishdryadwhowanderedawaytoseetheworldandgotlost。

Andthelittletreewassolonelyitdiedofabrokenheart。"

"Andwhenthepoor，foolishlittledryadgetstiredoftheworldandcomesbacktohertreeHERheartwillbreak，"saidAnne。

"Yes；butifdryadsarefoolishtheymusttaketheconsequences，justasiftheywererealpeople，"saidPaulgravely。"DoyouknowwhatIthinkaboutthenewmoon，teacher？Ithinkitisalittlegoldenboatfullofdreams。"

"Andwhenittipsonacloudsomeofthemspilloutandfallintoyoursleep。"

"Exactly，teacher。Oh，youDOknow。AndIthinkthevioletsarelittlesnipsoftheskythatfelldownwhentheangelscutoutholesforthestarstoshinethrough。Andthebuttercupsaremadeoutofoldsunshine；andIthinkthesweetpeaswillbebutterflieswhentheygotoheaven。Now，teacher，doyouseeanythingsoveryqueeraboutthosethoughts？"

"No，laddiedear，theyarenotqueeratall；theyarestrangeandbeautifulthoughtsforalittleboytothink，andsopeoplewhocouldn’tthinkanythingofthesortthemselves，iftheytriedforahundredyears，thinkthemqueer。Butkeeponthinkingthem，Paul……somedayyouaregoingtobeapoet，Ibelieve。"

WhenAnnereachedhomeshefoundaverydifferenttypeofboyhoodwaitingtobeputtobed。Davywassulky；andwhenAnnehadundressedhimhebouncedintobedandburiedhisfaceinthepillow。

"Davy，youhaveforgottentosayyourprayers，"saidAnnerebukingly。

"No，Ididn’tforget，"saidDavydefiantly，"butIain’tgoingtosaymyprayersanymore。I’mgoingtogiveuptryingtobegood，’causenomatterhowgoodIamyou’dlikePaulIrvingbetter。

SoImightaswellbebadandhavethefunofit。"

"Idon’tlikePaulIrvingBETTER，"saidAnneseriously。"Ilikeyoujustaswell，onlyinadifferentway。"

"ButIwantyoutolikemethesameway，"poutedDavy。

"Youcan’tlikedifferentpeoplethesameway。Youdon’tlikeDoraandmethesameway，doyou？"

Davysatupandreflected。

"No……o……o，"headmittedatlast，"IlikeDorabecauseshe’smysisterbutIlikeyoubecauseyou’reYOU。"

"AndIlikePaulbecauseheisPaulandDavybecauseheisDavy，"

saidAnnegaily。

"Well，IkindofwishI’dsaidmyprayersthen，"saidDavy，convincedbythislogic。"Butit’stoomuchbothergettingoutnowtosaythem。

I’llsaythemtwiceoverinthemorning，Anne。Won’tthatdoaswell？"

No，Annewaspositiveitwouldnotdoaswell。SoDavyscrambledoutandkneltdownatherknee。Whenhehadfinishedhisdevotionsheleanedbackonhislittle，bare，brownheelsandlookedupather。

"Anne，I’mgooderthanIusedtobe。"

"Yes，indeedyouare，Davy，"saidAnne，whoneverhesitatedtogivecreditwherecreditwasdue。

"IKNOWI’mgooder，"saidDavyconfidently，"andI’lltellyouhowIknowit。TodayMarillagivemetwopiecesofbreadandjam，oneformeandoneforDora。OnewasagooddealbiggerthantheotherandMarilladidn’tsaywhichwasmine。ButIgivethebiggestpiecetoDora。Thatwasgoodofme，wasn’tit？"

"Verygood，andverymanly，Davy。"

"Ofcourse，"admittedDavy，"Dorawasn’tveryhungryandsheonlyethalfhersliceandthenshegivetheresttome。ButIdidn’tknowshewasgoingtodothatwhenIgiveittoher，soIWASgood，Anne。"

InthetwilightAnnesauntereddowntotheDryad’sBubbleandsawGilbertBlythecomingdownthroughtheduskyHauntedWood。ShehadasuddenrealizationthatGilbertwasaschoolboynolonger。Andhowmanlyhelooked——thetall，frank-facedfellow，withtheclear，straightforwardeyesandthebroadshoulders。AnnethoughtGilbertwasaveryhandsomelad，eventhoughhedidn’tlookatalllikeheridealman。SheandDianahadlongagodecidedwhatkindofamantheyadmiredandtheirtastesseemedexactlysimilar。Hemustbeverytallanddistinguishedlooking，withmelancholy，inscrutableeyes，andamelting，sympatheticvoice。TherewasnothingeithermelancholyorinscrutableinGilbert’sphysiognomy，butofcoursethatdidn’tmatterinfriendship！

GilbertstretchedhimselfoutonthefernsbesidetheBubbleandlookedapprovinglyatAnne。IfGilberthadbeenaskedtodescribehisidealwomanthedescriptionwouldhaveansweredpointforpointtoAnne，eventothoseseventinyfreckleswhoseobnoxiouspresencestillcontinuedtovexhersoul。Gilbertwasasyetlittlemorethanaboy；butaboyhashisdreamsashaveothers，andinGilbert’sfuturetherewasalwaysagirlwithbig，limpidgrayeyes，andafaceasfineanddelicateasaflower。Hehadmadeuphismind，also，thathisfuturemustbeworthyofitsgoddess。

EveninquietAvonleathereweretemptationstobemetandfaced。

WhiteSandsyouthwerearather"fast"set，andGilbertwaspopularwhereverhewent。ButhemeanttokeephimselfworthyofAnne’sfriendshipandperhapssomedistantdayherlove；andhewatchedoverwordandthoughtanddeedasjealouslyasifhercleareyesweretopassinjudgmentonit。Sheheldoverhimtheunconsciousinfluencethateverygirl，whoseidealsarehighandpure，wieldsoverherfriends；aninfluencewhichwouldendureaslongasshewasfaithfultothoseidealsandwhichshewouldascertainlyloseifshewereeverfalsetothem。InGilbert’seyesAnne’sgreatestcharmwasthefactthatsheneverstoopedtothepettypracticesofsomanyoftheAvonleagirls——thesmalljealousies，thelittledeceitsandrivalries，thepalpablebidsforfavor。Anneheldherselfapartfromallthis，notconsciouslyorofdesign，butsimplybecauseanythingofthesortwasutterlyforeigntohertransparent，impulsivenature，crystalclearinitsmotivesandaspirations。

ButGilbertdidnotattempttoputhisthoughtsintowords，forhehadalreadytoogoodreasontoknowthatAnnewouldmercilesslyandfrostilynipallattemptsatsentimentinthebud——orlaughathim，whichwastentimesworse。

"Youlooklikearealdryadunderthatbirchtree，"hesaidteasingly。

"Ilovebirchtrees，"saidAnne，layinghercheekagainstthecreamysatinoftheslimbole，withoneofthepretty，caressinggesturesthatcamesonaturaltoher。

"Thenyou’llbegladtohearthatMr。MajorSpencerhasdecidedtosetoutarowofwhitebirchesallalongtheroadfrontofhisfarm，bywayofencouragingtheA。V。I。S。，"saidGilbert。

"Hewastalkingtomeaboutittoday。MajorSpenceristhemostprogressiveandpublic-spiritedmaninAvonlea。AndMr。WilliamBellisgoingtosetoutasprucehedgealonghisroadfrontanduphislane。OurSocietyisgettingonsplendidly，Anne。Itispasttheexperimentalstageandisanacceptedfact。TheolderfolksarebeginningtotakeaninterestinitandtheWhiteSandspeoplearetalkingofstartingonetoo。EvenElishaWrighthascomearoundsincethatdaytheAmericansfromthehotelhadthepicnicattheshore。TheypraisedourroadsidessohighlyandsaidtheyweresomuchprettierthaninanyotherpartoftheIsland。Andwhen，induetime，theotherfarmersfollowMr。Spencer’sgoodexampleandplantornamentaltreesandhedgesalongtheirroadfrontsAvonleawillbetheprettiestsettlementintheprovince。"

"TheAidsaretalkingoftakingupthegraveyard，"saidAnne，"andI

hopetheywill，becausetherewillhavetobeasubscriptionforthat，anditwouldbenousefortheSocietytotryitafterthehallaffair。

ButtheAidswouldneverhavestirredinthematteriftheSocietyhadn’tputitintotheirthoughtsunofficially。Thosetreesweplantedonthechurchgroundsareflourishing，andthetrusteeshavepromisedmethattheywillfenceintheschoolgroundsnextyear。

IftheydoI’llhaveanarbordayandeveryscholarshallplantatree；

andwe’llhaveagardeninthecornerbytheroad。"

"We’vesucceededinalmostallourplanssofar，exceptingettingtheoldBoulterhouseremoved，"saidGilbert，"andI’vegivenTHATupindespair。

Leviwon’thaveittakendownjusttovexus。There’sacontrarystreakinalltheBoultersandit’sstronglydevelopedinhim。"

"JuliaBellwantstosendanothercommitteetohim，butIthinkthebetterwaywilljustbetoleavehimseverelyalone，"saidAnnesagely。

"AndtrusttoProvidence，asMrs。Lyndesays，"smiledGilbert。

"Certainly，nomorecommittees。Theyonlyaggravatehim。

JuliaBellthinksyoucandoanything，ifyouonlyhaveacommitteetoattemptit。Nextspring，Anne，wemuststartanagitationfornicelawnsandgrounds。We’llsowgoodseedbetimesthiswinter。

I’veatreatisehereonlawnsandlawnmakingandI’mgoingtoprepareapaperonthesubjectsoon。Well，Isupposeourvacationisalmostover。SchoolopensMonday。HasRubyGillisgottheCarmodyschool？"

"Yes；Priscillawrotethatshehadtakenherownhomeschool，sotheCarmodytrusteesgaveittoRuby。I’msorryPriscillaisnotcomingback，butsinceshecan’tI’mgladRubyhasgottheschool。

ShewillbehomeforSaturdaysanditwillseemlikeoldtimes，tohaveherandJaneandDianaandmyselfalltogetheragain。"

Marilla，justhomefromMrs。Lynde’s，wassittingonthebackporchstepwhenAnnereturnedtothehouse。

"RachelandIhavedecidedtohaveourcruisetotowntomorrow，"

shesaid。"Mr。LyndeisfeelingbetterthisweekandRachelwantstogobeforehehasanothersickspell。"

"Iintendtogetupextraearlytomorrowmorning，forI’veeversomuchtodo，"saidAnnevirtuously。"Foronething，I’mgoingtoshiftthefeathersfrommyoldbedticktothenewone。IoughttohavedoneitlongagobutI’vejustkeptputtingitoff……

it’ssuchadetestabletask。It’saverybadhabittoputoffdisagreeablethings，andInevermeantoagain，orelseIcan’tcomfortablytellmypupilsnottodoit。Thatwouldbeinconsistent。

ThenIwanttomakeacakeforMr。HarrisonandfinishmypaperongardensfortheA。V。I。S。，andwriteStella，andwashandstarchmymuslindress，andmakeDora’snewapron。"

"Youwon’tgethalfdone，"saidMarillapessimistically。"Ineveryetplannedtodoalotofthingsbutsomethinghappenedtopreventme。"

XX

TheWayItOftenHappensAnnerosebetimesthenextmorningandblithelygreetedthefreshday，whenthebannersofthesunrisewereshakentriumphantlyacrossthepearlyskies。GreenGableslayinapoolofsunshine，fleckedwiththedancingshadowsofpoplarandwillow。BeyondthelandwasMr。Harrison’swheatfield，agreat，windrippledexpanseofpalegold。

TheworldwassobeautifulthatAnnespenttenblissfulminuteshangingidlyoverthegardengatedrinkingthelovelinessin。

AfterbreakfastMarillamadereadyforherjourney。Dorawastogowithher，havingbeenlongpromisedthistreat。

"Now，Davy，youtrytobeagoodboyanddon’tbotherAnne，"shestraitlychargedhim。"IfyouaregoodI’llbringyouastripedcandycanefromtown。"

Foralas，Marillahadstoopedtotheevilhabitofbribingpeopletobegood！

"Iwon’tbebadonpurpose，buts’posenI’mbadzacksidentally？"

Davywantedtoknow。

"You’llhavetoguardagainstaccidents，"admonishedMarilla。

"Anne，ifMr。Shearercomestodaygetaniceroastandsomesteak。

Ifhedoesn’tyou’llhavetokillafowlfordinnertomorrow。"

Annenodded。

"I’mnotgoingtobothercookinganydinnerforjustDavyandmyselftoday，"

shesaid。"ThatcoldhambonewilldofornoonlunchandI’llhavesomesteakfriedforyouwhenyoucomehomeatnight。"

"I’mgoingtohelpMr。Harrisonhauldulsethismorning，"announcedDavy。

"Heaskedmeto，andIguesshe’llaskmetodinnertoo。Mr。Harrisonisanawfulkindman。He’sarealsociableman。IhopeI’llbelikehimwhenIgrowup。ImeanBEHAVElikehim……Idon’twanttoLOOKlikehim。

ButIguessthere’snodanger，forMrs。LyndesaysI’maveryhandsomechild。

Doyous’poseit’lllast，Anne？Iwanttoknow"

"Idaresayitwill，"saidAnnegravely。"YouAREahandsomeboy，Davy，"……Marillalookedvolumesofdisapproval……"butyoumustliveuptoitandbejustasniceandgentlemanlyasyoulooktobe。"

"AndyoutoldMinnieMayBarrytheotherday，whenyoufoundhercrying’causesomeonesaidshewasugly，thatifshewasniceandkindandlovingpeoplewouldn’tmindherlooks，"saidDavydiscontentedly。

"Seemstomeyoucan’tgetoutofbeinggoodinthisworldforsomereasonor’nother。YoujustHAVEtobehave。"

"Don’tyouwanttobegood？"askedMarilla，whohadlearnedagreatdealbuthadnotyetlearnedthefutilityofaskingsuchquestions。

"Yes，IwanttobegoodbutnotTOOgood，"saidDavycautiously。

"Youdon’thavetobeverygoodtobeaSundaySchoolsuperintendent。

Mr。Bell’sthat，andhe’sarealbadman。"

"Indeedhe’snot，"saidMarilaindignantly。

"Heis……hesaysheishimself，"asseveratedDavy。"HesaiditwhenheprayedinSundaySchoollastSunday。Hesaidhewasavilewormandamiserablesinnerandguiltyoftheblackest’niquity。

Whatdidhedothatwassobad，Marilla？Didhekillanybody？

Orstealthecollectioncents？Iwanttoknow。"

FortunatelyMrs。LyndecamedrivingupthelaneatthismomentandMarillamadeoff，feelingthatshehadescapedfromthesnareofthefowler，andwishingdevoutlythatMr。Bellwerenotquitesohighlyfigurativeinhispublicpetitions，especiallyinthehearingofsmallboyswhowerealways"wantingtoknow。"

Anne，leftaloneinherglory，workedwithawill。Thefloorwasswept，thebedsmade，thehensfed，themuslindresswashedandhungoutontheline。ThenAnnepreparedforthetransferoffeathers。Shemountedtothegarretanddonnedthefirstolddressthatcametohand……anavybluecashmereshehadwornatfourteen。Itwasdecidedlyontheshortsideandas"skimpy"asthenotablewinceyAnnehadwornupontheoccasionofherdebutatGreenGables；butatleastitwouldnotbemateriallyinjuredbydownandfeathers。AnnecompletedhertoiletbytyingabigredandwhitespottedhandkerchiefthathadbelongedtoMatthewoverherhead，and，thusaccoutred，betookherselftothekitchenchamber，whitherMarilla，beforeherdeparture，hadhelpedhercarrythefeatherbed。

AcrackedmirrorhungbythechamberwindowandinanunluckymomentAnnelookedintoit。Therewerethosesevenfrecklesonhernose，morerampantthanever，orsoitseemedintheglareoflightfromtheunshadedwindow。

"Oh，Iforgottorubthatlotiononlastnight，"shethought。

"I’dbetterrundowntothepantryanddoitnow。"

Annehadalreadysufferedmanythingstryingtoremovethosefreckles。

Ononeoccasiontheentireskinhadpeeledoffhernosebutthefrecklesremained。Afewdayspreviouslyshehadfoundarecipeforafrecklelotioninamagazineand，astheingredientswerewithinherreach，shestraightwaycompoundedit，muchtothedisgustofMarilla，whothoughtthatifProvidencehadplacedfrecklesonyournoseitwasyourboundendutytoleavethemthere。

Annescurrieddowntothepantry，which，alwaysdimfromthebigwillowgrowingclosetothewindow，wasnowalmostdarkbyreasonoftheshadedrawntoexcludeflies。Annecaughtthebottlecontainingthelotionfromtheshelfandcopiouslyanointedhernosetherewithbymeansofalittlespongesacredtothepurpose。

Thisimportantdutydone，shereturnedtoherwork。AnyonewhohasevershiftedfeathersfromoneticktoanotherwillnotneedtobetoldthatwhenAnnefinishedshewasasighttobehold。Herdresswaswhitewithdownandfluff，andherfronthair，escapingfromunderthehandkerchief，wasadornedwithaveritablehalooffeathers。

Atthisauspiciousmomentaknocksoundedatthekitchendoor。

"ThatmustbeMr。Shearer，"thoughtAnne。"I’minadreadfulmessbutI’llhavetorundownasIam，forhe’salwaysinahurry。"

DownflewAnnetothekitchendoor。Ifeveracharitablefloordidopentoswallowupamiserable，befeathereddamseltheGreenGablesporchfloorshouldpromptlyhaveengulfedAnneatthatmoment。

OnthedoorstepwerestandingPriscillaGrant，goldenandfairinsilkattire，ashort，stoutgray-hairedladyinatweedsuit，andanotherlady，tallstately，wonderfullygowned，withabeautiful，highbredfaceandlarge，black-lashedvioleteyes，whomAnne"instinctivelyfelt，"asshewouldhavesaidinherearlierdays，tobeMrs。CharlotteE。Morgan。

InthedismayofthemomentonethoughtstoodoutfromtheconfusionofAnne’smindandshegraspedatitasattheproverbialstraw。AllMrs。Morgan’sheroineswerenotedfor"risingtotheoccasion。"Nomatterwhattheirtroubleswere，theyinvariablyrosetotheoccasionandshowedtheirsuperiorityoverallillsoftime，space，andquantity。AnnethereforefeltitwasHERdutytorisetotheoccasionandshedidit，soperfectlythatPriscillaafterwarddeclaredsheneveradmiredAnneShirleymorethanatthatmoment。Nomatterwhatheroutragedfeelingswereshedidnotshowthem。ShegreetedPriscillaandwasintroducedtohercompanionsascalmlyandcomposedlyasifshehadbeenarrayedinpurpleandfinelinen。Tobesure，itwassomewhatofashocktofindthattheladyshehadinstinctivelyfelttobeMrs。MorganwasnotMrs。Morganatall，butanunknownMrs。Pendexter，whilethestoutlittlegray-hairedwomanwasMrs。Morgan；butinthegreatershockthelesserlostitspower。

Anneusheredhergueststothespareroomandthenceintotheparlor，wheresheleftthemwhileshehastenedouttohelpPriscillaunharnessherhorse。

"It’sdreadfultocomeuponyousounexpectedlyasthis，"

apologizedPriscilla，"butIdidnotknowtilllastnightthatwewerecoming。AuntCharlotteisgoingawayMondayandshehadpromisedtospendtodaywithafriendintown。Butlastnightherfriendtelephonedtohernottocomebecausetheywerequarantinedforscarletfever。SoIsuggestedwecomehereinstead，forIknewyouwerelongingtoseeher。WecalledattheWhiteSandsHotelandbroughtMrs。Pendexterwithus。Sheisafriendofaunt’sandlivesinNewYorkandherhusbandisamillionaire。Wecan’tstayverylong，forMrs。Pendexterhastobebackatthehotelbyfiveo’clock。"

SeveraltimeswhiletheywereputtingawaythehorseAnnecaughtPriscillalookingatherinafurtive，puzzledway。

"Sheneedn’tstareatmeso，"Annethoughtalittleresentfully。

"Ifshedoesn’tKNOWwhatitistochangeafeatherbedshemightIMAGINEit。"

WhenPriscillahadgonetotheparlor，andbeforeAnnecouldescapeupstairs，Dianawalkedintothekitchen。Annecaughtherastonishedfriendbythearm。

"DianaBarry，whodoyousupposeisinthatparloratthisverymoment？Mrs。CharlotteE。Morgan……andaNewYorkmillionaire’swife……andhereIamlikeTHIS……andNOTATHINGINTHEHOUSE

FORDINNERBUTACOLDHAMBONE，Diana！"

BythistimeAnnehadbecomeawarethatDianawasstaringatherinpreciselythesamebewilderedfashionasPriscillahaddone。

Itwasreallytoomuch。

"Oh，Diana，don’tlookatmeso，"sheimplored。"YOU，atleast，mustknowthattheneatestpersonintheworldcouldn’temptyfeathersfromonetickintoanotherandremainneatintheprocess。"

"It……it……isn’tthefeathers，"hesitatedDiana。"It’s……

it’s……yournose，Anne。"

"Mynose？Oh，Diana，surelynothinghasgonewrongwithit！"

Annerushedtothelittlelookingglassoverthesink。Oneglancerevealedthefataltruth。Hernosewasabrilliantscarlet！

Annesatdownonthesofa，herdauntlessspiritsubduedatlast。

"Whatisthematterwithit？"askedDiana，curiosityovercomingdelicacy。

"IthoughtIwasrubbingmyfrecklelotiononit，butImusthaveusedthatreddyeMarillahasformarkingthepatternonherrugs，"

wasthedespairingresponse。"WhatshallIdo？"

"Washitoff，"saidDianapractically。

"Perhapsitwon’twashoff。FirstIdyemyhair；thenIdyemynose。

MarillacutmyhairoffwhenIdyeditbutthatremedywouldhardlybepracticableinthiscase。Well，thisisanotherpunishmentforvanityandIsupposeIdeserveit……thoughthere’snotmuchcomfortinTHAT。

Itisreallyalmostenoughtomakeonebelieveinill-luck，thoughMrs。

Lyndesaysthereisnosuchthing，becauseeverythingisforeordained。"

FortunatelythedyewashedoffeasilyandAnne，somewhatconsoled，betookherselftotheeastgablewhileDianaranhome。PresentlyAnnecamedownagain，clothedandinherrightmind。Themuslindressshehadfondlyhopedtowearwasbobbingmerrilyaboutonthelineoutside，soshewasforcedtocontentherselfwithherblacklawn。ShehadthefireonandtheteasteepingwhenDianareturned；thelatterworeHERmuslin，atleast，andcarriedacoveredplatterinherhand。

"Mothersentyouthis，"shesaid，liftingthecoveranddisplayinganicelycarvedandjointedchickentoAnne’sgreatfuleyes。

Thechickenwassupplementedbylightnewbread，excellentbutterandcheese，Marilla’sfruitcakeandadishofpreservedplums，floatingintheirgoldensyrupasincongealedsummersunshine。

Therewasabigbowlfulofpink-and-whiteastersalso，bywayofdecoration；yetthespreadseemedverymeagerbesidetheelaborateoneformerlypreparedforMrs。Morgan。

Anne’shungryguests，however，didnotseemtothinkanythingwaslackingandtheyatethesimpleviandswithapparentenjoyment。

ButafterthefirstfewmomentsAnnethoughtnomoreofwhatwasorwasnotonherbilloffare。Mrs。Morgan’sappearancemightbesomewhatdisappointing，asevenherloyalworshippershadbeenforcedtoadmittoeachother；butsheprovedtobeadelightfulconversationalist。Shehadtraveledextensivelyandwasanexcellentstoryteller。Shehadseenmuchofmenandwomen，andcrystalizedherexperiencesintowittylittlesentencesandepigramswhichmadeherhearersfeelasiftheywerelisteningtooneofthepeopleincleverbooks。Butunderallhersparkletherewasastronglyfeltundercurrentoftrue，womanlysympathyandkindheartednesswhichwonaffectionaseasilyasherbrilliancywonadmiration。Nordidshemonopolizetheconversation。Shecoulddrawothersoutasskillfullyandfullyasshecouldtalkherself，andAnneandDianafoundthemselveschatteringfreelytoher。Mrs。

Pendextersaidlittle；shemerelysmiledwithherlovelyeyesandlips，andatechickenandfruitcakeandpreserveswithsuchexquisitegracethatsheconveyedtheimpressionofdiningonambrosiaandhoneydew。

Butthen，asAnnesaidtoDianalateron，anybodysodivinelybeautifulasMrs。Pendexterdidn’tneedtotalk；itwasenoughforherjusttoLOOK。

AfterdinnertheyallhadawalkthroughLover’sLaneandVioletValeandtheBirchPath，thenbackthroughtheHauntedWoodtotheDryad’sBubble，wheretheysatdownandtalkedforadelightfullasthalfhour。Mrs。MorganwantedtoknowhowtheHauntedWoodcamebyitsname，andlaugheduntilshecriedwhensheheardthestoryandAnne’sdramaticaccountofacertainmemorablewalkthroughitatthewitchinghouroftwilight。

"Ithasindeedbeenafeastofreasonandflowofsoul，hasn’tit？"

saidAnne，whenherguestshadgoneandsheandDianawerealoneagain。

"Idon’tknowwhichIenjoyedmore……listeningtoMrs。MorganorgazingatMrs。Pendexter。Ibelievewehadanicertimethanifwe’dknowntheywerecomingandbeencumberedwithmuchserving。

Youmuststaytoteawithme，Diana，andwe’lltalkitallover。"

"PriscillasaysMrs。Pendexter’shusband’ssisterismarriedtoanEnglishearl；andyetshetookasecondhelpingoftheplumpreserves，"

saidDiana，asifthetwofactsweresomehowincompatible。

"IdaresayeventheEnglishearlhimselfwouldn’thaveturneduphisaristocraticnoseatMarilla’splumpreserves，"saidAnneproudly。

AnnedidnotmentionthemisfortunewhichhadbefallenHERnosewhensherelatedtheday’shistorytoMarillathatevening。Butshetookthebottleoffrecklelotionandemptieditoutofthewindow。

"Ishallnevertryanybeautifyingmessesagain，"shesaid，darklyresolute。"Theymaydoforcareful，deliberatepeople；butforanyonesohopelesslygivenovertomakingmistakesasIseemtobeit’stemptingfatetomeddlewiththem。"

XXI

SweetMissLavendarSchoolopenedandAnnereturnedtoherwork，withfewertheoriesbutconsiderablymoreexperience。Shehadseveralnewpupils，six-andseven-year-oldsjustventuring，round-eyed，intoaworldofwonder。

AmongthemwereDavyandDora。DavysatwithMiltyBoulter，whohadbeengoingtoschoolforayearandwasthereforequiteamanoftheworld。

DorahadmadeacompactatSundaySchoolthepreviousSundaytositwithLilySloane；butLilySloanenotcomingthefirstday，shewastemporarilyassignedtoMirabelCotton，whowastenyearsoldandtherefore，inDora’seyes，oneofthe"biggirls。"

"Ithinkschoolisgreatfun，"DavytoldMarillawhenhegothomethatnight。"YousaidI’dfindithardtositstillandIdid……

youmostlydotellthetruth，Inotice……butyoucanwriggleyourlegsaboutunderthedeskandthathelpsalot。It’ssplendidtohavesomanyboystoplaywith。IsitwithMiltyBoulterandhe’sfine。He’slongerthanmebutI’mwider。It’snicertositinthebackseatsbutyoucan’tsittheretillyourlegsgrowlongenoughtotouchthefloor。MiltydrawedapictureofAnneonhisslateanditwasawfuluglyandItoldhimifhemadepicturesofAnnelikethatI’dlickhimatrecess。IthoughtfirstI’ddrawoneofhimandputhornsandatailonit，butIwasafraiditwouldhurthisfeelings，andAnnesaysyoushouldneverhurtanyone’sfeelings。Itseemsit’sdreadfultohaveyourfeelingshurt。It’sbettertoknockaboydownthanhurthisfeelingsifyouMUSTdosomething。Miltysaidhewasn’tscaredofmebuthe’djustassooncallitsomebodyelseto’bligeme，soherubbedoutAnne’snameandprintedBarbaraShaw’sunderit。Miltydoesn’tlikeBarbara’causeshecallshimasweetlittleboyandonceshepattedhimonhishead。"

Dorasaidprimlythatshelikedschool；butshewasveryquiet，evenforher；andwhenattwilightMarillabadehergoupstairstobedshehesitatedandbegantocry。

"I’m……I’mfrightened，"shesobbed。"I……Idon’twanttogoupstairsaloneinthedark。"

"Whatnotionhaveyougotintoyourheadnow？"demandedMarilla。

"I’msureyou’vegonetobedaloneallsummerandneverbeenfrightenedbefore。"

Dorastillcontinuedtocry，soAnnepickedherup，cuddledhersympathetically，andwhispered，"TellAnneallaboutit，sweetheart。Whatareyoufrightenedof？"

"Of……ofMirabelCotton’suncle，"sobbedDora。"MirabelCottontoldmeallaboutherfamilytodayinschool。Nearlyeverybodyinherfamilyhasdied……allhergrandfathersandgrandmothersandeversomanyunclesandaunts。Theyhaveahabitofdying，Mirabelsays。

Mirabel’sawfulproudofhavingsomanydeadrelations，andshetoldmewhattheyalldiedof，andwhattheysaid，andhowtheylookedintheircoffins。AndMirabelsaysoneofheruncleswasseenwalkingaroundthehouseafterhewasburied。Hermothersawhim。Idon’tmindtherestsomuchbutIcan’thelpthinkingaboutthatuncle。"

AnnewentupstairswithDoraandsatbyheruntilshefellasleep。

ThenextdayMirabelCottonwaskeptinatrecessand"gentlybutfirmly"giventounderstandthatwhenyouweresounfortunateastopossessanunclewhopersistedinwalkingabouthousesafterhehadbeendecentlyinterreditwasnotingoodtastetotalkaboutthateccentricgentlemantoyourdeskmateoftenderyears。Mirabelthoughtthisveryharsh。TheCottonshadnotmuchtoboastof。

Howwasshetokeepupherprestigeamongherschoolmatesifshewereforbiddentomakecapitaloutofthefamilyghost？

SeptemberslippedbyintoagoldandcrimsongraciousnessofOctober。

OneFridayeveningDianacameover。

"I’daletterfromEllaKimballtoday，Anne，andshewantsustogoovertoteatomorrowafternoontomeethercousin，IreneTrent，fromtown。

Butwecan’tgetoneofourhorsestogo，forthey’llallbeinusetomorrow，andyourponyislame……soIsupposewecan’tgo。"

"Whycan’twewalk？"suggestedAnne。"Ifwegostraightbackthroughthewoodswe’llstriketheWestGraftonroadnotfarfromtheKimballplace。IwasthroughthatwaylastwinterandIknowtheroad。It’snomorethanfourmilesandwewon’thavetowalkhome，forOliverKimballwillbesuretodriveus。He’llbeonlytoogladoftheexcuse，forhegoestoseeCarrieSloaneandtheysayhisfatherwillhardlyeverlethimhaveahorse。"

Itwasaccordinglyarrangedthattheyshouldwalk，andthefollowingafternoontheysetout，goingbywayofLover’sLanetothebackoftheCuthbertfarm，wheretheyfoundaroadleadingintotheheartofacresofglimmeringbeechandmaplewoods，whichwereallinawondrousglowofflameandgold，lyinginagreatpurplestillnessandpeace。

"It’sasiftheyearwerekneelingtoprayinavastcathedralfullofmellowstainedlight，isn’tit？"saidAnnedreamily。"Itdoesn’tseemrighttohurrythroughit，doesit？Itseemsirreverent，likerunninginachurch。"

"WeMUSThurrythough，"saidDiana，glancingatherwatch。

"We’veleftourselveslittleenoughtimeasitis。"

"Well，I’llwalkfastbutdon’taskmetotalk，"saidAnne，quickeningherpace。"Ijustwanttodrinktheday’slovelinessin……IfeelasifshewereholdingitouttomylipslikeacupofairywineandI’lltakeasipateverystep。"

Perhapsitwasbecauseshewassoabsorbedin"drinkingitin"thatAnnetooktheleftturningwhentheycametoaforkintheroad。

Sheshouldhavetakentheright，buteverafterwardshecounteditthemostfortunatemistakeofherlife。Theycameoutfinallytoalonely，grassyroad，withnothinginsightalongitbutranksofsprucesaplings。

"Why，wherearewe？"exclaimedDianainbewilderment。"Thisisn’ttheWestGraftonroad。"

"No，it’sthebaselineroadinMiddleGrafton，"saidAnne，rathershamefacedly。"Imusthavetakenthewrongturningatthefork。

Idon’tknowwhereweareexactly，butwemustbeallofthreemilesfromKimballs’still。"

"Thenwecan’tgettherebyfive，forit’shalfpastfournow，"

saidDiana，withadespairinglookatherwatch。"We’llarriveaftertheyhavehadtheirtea，andthey’llhaveallthebotherofgettingoursoveragain。"

"We’dbetterturnbackandgohome，"suggestedAnnehumbly。

ButDiana，afterconsideration，vetoedthis。

"No，wemayaswellgoandspendtheevening，sincewehavecomethisfar"

Afewyardsfurtheronthegirlscametoaplacewheretheroadforkedagain。

"Whichofthesedowetake？"askedDianadubiously。

Anneshookherhead。

"Idon’tknowandwecan’taffordtomakeanymoremistakes。Hereisagateandalaneleadingrightintothewood。Theremustbeahouseattheotherside。Letusgodownandinquire。"

"Whataromanticoldlanethisit，"saidDiana，astheywalkedalongitstwistsandturns。Itranunderpatriarchaloldfirswhosebranchesmetabove，creatingaperpetualgloominwhichnothingexceptmosscouldgrow。Oneitherhandwerebrownwoodfloors，crossedhereandtherebyfallenlancesofsunlight。