第2章

Shekneltthere，losttoeverythingbutthelovelinessaroundher，untilshewasstartledbyahandonhershoulder。Marillahadcomeinunheardbythesmalldreamer。

"It’stimeyouweredressed，"shesaidcurtly。

Marillareallydidnotknowhowtotalktothechild，andheruncomfortableignorancemadehercrispandcurtwhenshedidnotmeantobe。

Annestoodupanddrewalongbreath。

"Oh，isn’titwonderful？"shesaid，wavingherhandcomprehensivelyatthegoodworldoutside。

"It’sabigtree，"saidMarilla，"anditbloomsgreat，butthefruitdon’tamounttomuchnever——smallandwormy。"

"Oh，Idon’tmeanjustthetree；ofcourseit’slovely——yes，it’sRADIANTLYlovely——itbloomsasifitmeantit——butI

meanteverything，thegardenandtheorchardandthebrookandthewoods，thewholebigdearworld。Don’tyoufeelasifyoujustlovedtheworldonamorninglikethis？AndI

canhearthebrooklaughingallthewayuphere。Haveyouevernoticedwhatcheerfulthingsbrooksare？They’realwayslaughing。Eveninwinter-timeI’veheardthemundertheice。I’msogladthere’sabrooknearGreenGables。

Perhapsyouthinkitdoesn’tmakeanydifferencetomewhenyou’renotgoingtokeepme，butitdoes。IshallalwaysliketorememberthatthereisabrookatGreenGablesevenifIneverseeitagain。Iftherewasn’tabrookI’dbeHAUNTEDbytheuncomfortablefeelingthatthereoughttobeone。I’mnotinthedepthsofdespairthismorning。I

nevercanbeinthemorning。Isn’titasplendidthingthattherearemornings？ButIfeelverysad。I’vejustbeenimaginingthatitwasreallymeyouwantedafterallandthatIwastostayhereforeverandever。Itwasagreatcomfortwhileitlasted。Buttheworstofimaginingthingsisthatthetimecomeswhenyouhavetostopandthathurts。"

"You’dbettergetdressedandcomedown-stairsandnevermindyourimaginings，"saidMarillaassoonasshecouldgetawordinedgewise。"Breakfastiswaiting。Washyourfaceandcombyourhair。Leavethewindowupandturnyourbedclothesbackoverthefootofthebed。Beassmartasyoucan。"

Annecouldevidentlybesmartsosomepurposeforshewasdown-stairsintenminutes’time，withherclothesneatlyon，herhairbrushedandbraided，herfacewashed，andacomfortableconsciousnesspervadinghersoulthatshehadfulfilledallMarilla’srequirements。Asamatteroffact，however，shehadforgottentoturnbackthebedclothes。

"I’mprettyhungrythismorning，"sheannouncedassheslippedintothechairMarillaplacedforher。"Theworlddoesn’tseemsuchahowlingwildernessasitdidlastnight。

I’msogladit’sasunshinymorning。ButIlikerainymorningsrealwell，too。Allsortsofmorningsareinteresting，don’tyouthink？Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappenthroughtheday，andthere’ssomuchscopeforimagination。ButI’mgladit’snotrainytodaybecauseit’seasiertobecheerfulandbearupunderafflictiononasunshinyday。IfeelthatIhaveagooddealtobearupunder。It’sallverywelltoreadaboutsorrowsandimagineyourselflivingthroughthemheroically，butit’snotsonicewhenyoureallycometohavethem，isit？"

"Forpity’ssakeholdyourtongue，"saidMarilla。"Youtalkentirelytoomuchforalittlegirl。"

ThereuponAnneheldhertonguesoobedientlyandthoroughlythathercontinuedsilencemadeMarillarathernervous，asifinthepresenceofsomethingnotexactlynatural。

Matthewalsoheldhistongue，——butthiswasnatural，——sothatthemealwasaverysilentone。

AsitprogressedAnnebecamemoreandmoreabstracted，eatingmechanically，withherbigeyesfixedunswervinglyandunseeinglyontheskyoutsidethewindow。ThismadeMarillamorenervousthanever；shehadanuncomfortablefeelingthatwhilethisoddchild’sbodymightbethereatthetableherspiritwasfarawayinsomeremoteairycloudland，bornealoftonthewingsofimagination。Whowouldwantsuchachildabouttheplace？

YetMatthewwishedtokeepher，ofallunaccountablethings！

Marillafeltthathewanteditjustasmuchthismorningashehadthenightbefore，andthathewouldgoonwantingit。

ThatwasMatthew’sway——takeawhimintohisheadandclingtoitwiththemostamazingsilentpersistency——apersistencytentimesmorepotentandeffectualinitsverysilencethanifhehadtalkeditout。

WhenthemealwasendedAnnecameoutofherreverieandofferedtowashthedishes。

"Canyouwashdishesright？"askedMarilladistrustfully。

"Prettywell。I’mbetteratlookingafterchildren，though。

I’vehadsomuchexperienceatthat。It’ssuchapityyouhaven’tanyhereformetolookafter。"

"Idon’tfeelasifIwantedanymorechildrentolookafterthanI’vegotatpresent。YOU’REproblemenoughinallconscience。What’stobedonewithyouIdon’tknow。

Matthewisamostridiculousman。"

"Ithinkhe’slovely，"saidAnnereproachfully。"Heissoverysympathetic。Hedidn’tmindhowmuchItalked——heseemedtolikeit。IfeltthathewasakindredspiritassoonaseverIsawhim。"

"You’rebothqueerenough，ifthat’swhatyoumeanbykindredspirits，"saidMarillawithasniff。"Yes，youmaywashthedishes。Takeplentyofhotwater，andbesureyoudrythemwell。I’vegotenoughtoattendtothismorningforI’llhavetodriveovertoWhiteSandsintheafternoonandseeMrs。Spencer。You’llcomewithmeandwe’llsettlewhat’stobedonewithyou。Afteryou’vefinishedthedishesgoup-stairsandmakeyourbed。"

Annewashedthedishesdeftlyenough，asMarillawhokeptasharpeyeontheprocess，discerned。Lateronshemadeherbedlesssuccessfully，forshehadneverlearnedtheartofwrestlingwithafeathertick。Butiswasdonesomehowandsmootheddown；andthenMarilla，togetridofher，toldhershemightgoout-of-doorsandamuseherselfuntildinnertime。

Anneflewtothedoor，facealight，eyesglowing。Ontheverythresholdshestoppedshort，wheeledabout，camebackandsatdownbythetable，lightandglowaseffectuallyblottedoutasifsomeonehadclappedanextinguisheronher。

"What’sthematternow？"demandedMarilla。

"Idon’tdaregoout，"saidAnne，inthetoneofamartyrrelinquishingallearthlyjoys。"IfIcan’tstayherethereisnouseinmylovingGreenGables。AndifIgooutthereandgetacquaintedwithallthosetreesandflowersandtheorchardandthebrookI’llnotbeabletohelplovingit。

It’shardenoughnow，soIwon’tmakeitanyharder。Iwanttogooutsomuch——everythingseemstobecallingtome，`Anne，Anne，comeouttous。Anne，Anne，wewantaplaymate’——butit’sbetternot。Thereisnouseinlovingthingsifyouhavetobetornfromthem，isthere？Andit’ssohardtokeepfromlovingthings，isn’tit？ThatwaswhyIwassogladwhenIthoughtIwasgoingtolivehere。I

thoughtI’dhavesomanythingstoloveandnothingtohinderme。Butthatbriefdreamisover。Iamresignedtomyfatenow，soIdon’tthinkI’llgooutforfearI’llgetunresignedagain。Whatisthenameofthatgeraniumonthewindow-sill，please？"

"That’stheapple-scentedgeranium。"

"Oh，Idon’tmeanthatsortofaname。Imeanjustanameyougaveityourself。Didn’tyougiveitaname？MayI

giveitonethen？MayIcallit——letmesee——Bonnywoulddo——mayIcallitBonnywhileI’mhere？Oh，doletme！"

"Goodness，Idon’tcare。Butwhereonearthisthesenseofnamingageranium？"

"Oh，Ilikethingstohavehandleseveniftheyareonlygeraniums。Itmakesthemseemmorelikepeople。Howdoyouknowbutthatithurtsageranium’sfeelingsjusttobecalledageraniumandnothingelse？Youwouldn’tliketobecallednothingbutawomanallthetime。Yes，IshallcallitBonny。Inamedthatcherry-treeoutsidemybedroomwindowthismorning。IcalleditSnowQueenbecauseitwassowhite。Ofcourse，itwon’talwaysbeinblossom，butonecanimaginethatitis，can’tone？"

"Ineverinallmylifesayorheardanythingtoequalher，"

mutteredMarilla，beatingaretreatdowntothecellarafterpotatoes。"SheiskindofinterestingasMatthewsays。I

canfeelalreadythatI’mwonderingwhatonearthshe’llsaynext。She’llbecastingaspelloverme，too。She’scastitoverMatthew。Thatlookhegavemewhenhewentoutsaideverythinghesaidorhintedlastnightoveragain。Iwishhewaslikeothermenandwouldtalkthingsout。Abodycouldanswerbackthenandarguehimintoreason。Butwhat’stobedonewithamanwhojustLOOKS？"

Annehadrelapsedintoreverie，withherchininherhandsandhereyesonthesky，whenMarillareturnedfromhercellarpilgrimage。ThereMarillaleftheruntiltheearlydinnerwasonthetable。

"IsupposeIcanhavethemareandbuggythisafternoon，Matthew？"saidMarilla。

MatthewnoddedandlookedwistfullyatAnne。Marillainterceptedthelookandsaidgrimly:

"I’mgoingtodriveovertoWhiteSandsandsettlethisthing。I’lltakeAnnewithmeandMrs。SpencerwillprobablymakearrangementstosendherbacktoNovaScotiaatonce。I’llsetyourteaoutforyouandI’llbehomeintimetomilkthecows。"

StillMatthewsaidnothingandMarillahadasenseofhavingwastedwordsandbreath。Thereisnothingmoreaggravatingthanamanwhowon’ttalkback——unlessitisawomanwhowon’t。

MatthewhitchedthesorrelintothebuggyinduetimeandMarillaandAnnesetoff。Matthewopenedtheyardgateforthemandastheydroveslowlythrough，hesaid，tonobodyinparticularasitseemed:

"LittleJerryBuotefromtheCreekwasherethismorning，andItoldhimIguessedI’dhirehimforthesummer。"

Marillamadenoreply，butshehittheunluckysorrelsuchaviciousclipwiththewhipthatthefatmare，unusedtosuchtreatment，whizzedindignantlydownthelaneatanalarmingpace。MarillalookedbackonceasthebuggybouncedalongandsawthataggravatingMatthewleaningoverthegate，lookingwistfullyafterthem。

CHAPTERV

Anne’sHistory"Doyouknow，"saidAnneconfidentially，"I’vemadeupmymindtoenjoythisdrive。It’sbeenmyexperiencethatyoucannearlyalwaysenjoythingsifyoumakeupyourmindfirmlythatyouwill。Ofcourse，youmustmakeitupFIRMLY。Iamnotgoingtothinkaboutgoingbacktotheasylumwhilewe’rehavingourdrive。I’mjustgoingtothinkaboutthedrive。Oh，look，there’sonelittleearlywildroseout！Isn’titlovely？Don’tyouthinkitmustbegladtobearose？Wouldn’titbeniceifrosescouldtalk？

I’msuretheycouldtellussuchlovelythings。Andisn’tpinkthemostbewitchingcolorintheworld？Iloveit，butIcan’twearit。Redheadedpeoplecan’twearpink，noteveninimagination。Didyoueverknowofanybodywhosehairwasredwhenshewasyoung，butgottobeanothercolorwhenshegrewup？"

"No，Idon’tknowasIeverdid，"saidMarillamercilessly，"andIshouldn’tthinkitlikelytohappeninyourcaseeither。"

Annesighed。

"Well，thatisanotherhopegone。`Mylifeisaperfectgraveyardofburiedhopes。’That’sasentenceIreadinabookonce，andIsayitovertocomfortmyselfwheneverI’mdisappointedinanything。"

"Idon’tseewherethecomfortingcomesinmyself，"

saidMarilla。

"Why，becauseitsoundssoniceandromantic，justasifIwereaheroineinabook，youknow。Iamsofondofromanticthings，andagraveyardfullofburiedhopesisaboutasromanticathingasonecanimagineisn’tit？I’mrathergladIhaveone。ArewegoingacrosstheLakeofShiningWaterstoday？"

"We’renotgoingoverBarry’spond，ifthat’swhatyoumeanbyyourLakeofShiningWaters。We’regoingbytheshoreroad。"

"Shoreroadsoundsnice，"saidAnnedreamily。"Isitasniceasitsounds？Justwhenyousaid`shoreroad’Isawitinapictureinmymind，asquickasthat！AndWhiteSandsisaprettyname，too；butIdon’tlikeitaswellasAvonlea。Avonleaisalovelyname。Itjustsoundslikemusic。HowfarisittoWhiteSands？"

"It’sfivemiles；andasyou’reevidentlybentontalkingyoumightaswelltalktosomepurposebytellingmewhatyouknowaboutyourself。"

"Oh，whatIKNOWaboutmyselfisn’treallyworthtelling，"

saidAnneeagerly。"Ifyou’llonlyletmetellyouwhatIIMAGINEaboutmyselfyou’llthinkiteversomuchmoreinteresting。"

"No，Idon’twantanyofyourimaginings。Justyousticktobaldfacts。Beginatthebeginning。Wherewereyoubornandhowoldareyou？"

"IwaselevenlastMarch，"saidAnne，resigningherselftobaldfactswithalittlesigh。"AndIwasborninBolingbroke，NovaScotia。Myfather’snamewasWalterShirley，andhewasateacherintheBolingbrokeHighSchool。Mymother’snamewasBerthaShirley。Aren’tWalterandBerthalovelynames？I’msogladmyparentshadnicenames。Itwouldbearealdisgracetohaveafathernamed——well，sayJedediah，wouldn’tit？"

"Iguessitdoesn’tmatterwhataperson’snameisaslongashebehaveshimself，"saidMarilla，feelingherselfcalledupontoinculcateagoodandusefulmoral。

"Well，Idon’tknow。"Annelookedthoughtful。"Ireadinabookoncethatarosebyanyothernamewouldsmellassweet，butI’veneverbeenabletobelieveit。Idon’tbelievearoseWOULDbeasniceifitwascalledathistleoraskunkcabbage。IsupposemyfathercouldhavebeenagoodmanevenifhehadbeencalledJedediah；butI’msureitwouldhavebeenacross。Well，mymotherwasateacherintheHighschool，too，butwhenshemarriedfathershegaveupteaching，ofcourse。Ahusbandwasenoughresponsibility。Mrs。Thomassaidthattheywereapairofbabiesandaspooraschurchmice。Theywenttoliveinaweeny-teenylittleyellowhouseinBolingbroke。

I’veneverseenthathouse，butI’veimagineditthousandsoftimes。Ithinkitmusthavehadhoneysuckleovertheparlorwindowandlilacsinthefrontyardandliliesofthevalleyjustinsidethegate。Yes，andmuslincurtainsinallthewindows。Muslincurtainsgiveahousesuchanair。

Iwasborninthathouse。Mrs。ThomassaidIwasthehomeliestbabysheeversaw，Iwassoscrawnyandtinyandnothingbuteyes，butthatmotherthoughtIwasperfectlybeautiful。Ishouldthinkamotherwouldbeabetterjudgethanapoorwomanwhocameintoscrub，wouldn’tyou？I’mgladshewassatisfiedwithmeanyhow，IwouldfeelsosadifIthoughtIwasadisappointmenttoher——becauseshedidn’tliveverylongafterthat，yousee。

ShediedoffeverwhenIwasjustthreemonthsold。Idowishshe’dlivedlongenoughformetoremembercallinghermother。Ithinkitwouldbesosweettosay`mother，’

don’tyou？Andfatherdiedfourdaysafterwardsfromfevertoo。Thatleftmeanorphanandfolkswereattheirwits’end，soMrs。Thomassaid，whattodowithme。Yousee，nobodywantedmeeventhen。Itseemstobemyfate。

Fatherandmotherhadbothcomefromplacesfarawayanditwaswellknowntheyhadn’tanyrelativesliving。

FinallyMrs。Thomassaidshe’dtakeme，thoughshewaspoorandhadadrunkenhusband。Shebroughtmeupbyhand。Doyouknowifthereisanythinginbeingbroughtupbyhandthatoughttomakepeoplewhoarebroughtupthatwaybetterthanotherpeople？BecausewheneverI

wasnaughtyMrs。ThomaswouldaskmehowIcouldbesuchabadgirlwhenshehadbroughtmeupbyhand——

reproachful-like。

"Mr。andMrs。ThomasmovedawayfromBolingbroketoMarysville，andIlivedwiththemuntilIwaseightyearsold。IhelpedlookaftertheThomaschildren——therewerefourofthemyoungerthanme——andIcantellyoutheytookalotoflookingafter。ThenMr。ThomaswaskilledfallingunderatrainandhismotherofferedtotakeMrs。Thomasandthechildren，butshedidn’twantme。

Mrs。ThomaswasatHERwits’end，soshesaid，whattodowithme。ThenMrs。Hammondfromuptherivercamedownandsaidshe’dtakeme，seeingIwashandywithchildren，andIwentuptherivertolivewithherinalittleclearingamongthestumps。Itwasaverylonesomeplace。I’msureIcouldneverhavelivedthereifIhadn’thadanimagination。Mr。Hammondworkedalittlesawmillupthere，andMrs。Hammondhadeightchildren。Shehadtwinsthreetimes。Ilikebabiesinmoderation，buttwinsthreetimesinsuccessionisTOOMUCH。ItoldMrs。

Hammondsofirmly，whenthelastpaircame。Iusedtogetsodreadfullytiredcarryingthemabout。

"IlivedupriverwithMrs。Hammondovertwoyears，andthenMr。HammonddiedandMrs。Hammondbrokeuphousekeeping。ShedividedherchildrenamongherrelativesandwenttotheStates。IhadtogototheasylumatHopeton，becausenobodywouldtakeme。Theydidn’twantmeattheasylum，either；theysaidtheywereover-

crowdedasitwas。ButtheyhadtotakemeandIwastherefourmonthsuntilMrs。Spencercame。"

Annefinishedupwithanothersigh，ofreliefthistime。

Evidentlyshedidnotliketalkingaboutherexperiencesinaworldthathadnotwantedher。

"Didyouevergotoschool？"demandedMarilla，turningthesorrelmaredowntheshoreroad。

"Notagreatdeal。IwentalittlethelastyearIstayedwithMrs。Thomas。WhenIwentupriverweweresofarfromaschoolthatIcouldn’twalkitinwinterandtherewasavacationinsummer，soIcouldonlygointhespringandfall。ButofcourseIwentwhileIwasattheasylum。

IcanreadprettywellandIknoweversomanypiecesofpoetryoffbyheart——`TheBattleofHohenlinden’and`EdinburghafterFlodden，’and`BingenoftheRhine，’andlostofthe`LadyoftheLake’andmostof`TheSeasons’byJamesThompson。Don’tyoujustlovepoetrythatgivesyouacrinklyfeelingupanddownyourback？ThereisapieceintheFifthReader——`TheDownfallofPoland’——thatisjustfullofthrills。Ofcourse，Iwasn’tintheFifthReader——IwasonlyintheFourth——butthebiggirlsusedtolendmetheirstoread。"

"Werethosewomen——Mrs。ThomasandMrs。Hammond——goodtoyou？"askedMarilla，lookingatAnneoutofthecornerofhereye。

"O-o-o-h，"falteredAnne。Hersensitivelittlefacesuddenlyflushedscarletandembarrassmentsatonherbrow。

"Oh，theyMEANTtobe——Iknowtheymeanttobejustasgoodandkindaspossible。Andwhenpeoplemeantobegoodtoyou，youdon’tmindverymuchwhenthey’renotquite——always。Theyhadagooddealtoworrythem，youknow。It’sverytryingtohaveadrunkenhusband，yousee；

anditmustbeverytryingtohavetwinsthreetimesinsuccession，don’tyouthink？ButIfeelsuretheymeanttobegoodtome。"

Marillaaskednomorequestions。AnnegaveherselfuptoasilentraptureovertheshoreroadandMarillaguidedthesorrelabstractedlywhileshepondereddeeply。Pitywassuddenlystirringinherheartforthechild。Whatastarved，unlovedlifeshehadhad——alifeofdrudgeryandpovertyandneglect；forMarillawasshrewdenoughtoreadbetweenthelinesofAnne’shistoryanddivinethetruth。Nowondershehadbeensodelightedattheprospectofarealhome。Itwasapityshehadtobesentback。

Whatifshe，Marilla，shouldindulgeMatthew’sunaccountablewhimandletherstay？Hewassetonit；andthechildseemedanice，teachablelittlething。

"She’sgottoomuchtosay，"thoughtMarilla，"butshemightbetrainedoutofthat。Andthere’snothingrudeorslangyinwhatshedoessay。She’sladylike。It’slikelyherpeoplewerenicefolks。"

Theshoreroadwas"woodsyandwildandlonesome。"

Ontherighthand，scrubfirs，theirspiritsquiteunbrokenbylongyearsoftusslewiththegulfwinds，grewthickly。

Ontheleftwerethesteepredsandstonecliffs，sonearthetrackinplacesthatamareoflesssteadinessthanthesorrelmighthavetriedthenervesofthepeoplebehindher。Downatthebaseofthecliffswereheapsofsurf-wornrocksorlittlesandycovesinlaidwithpebblesaswithoceanjewels；beyondlaythesea，shimmeringandblue，andoveritsoaredthegulls，theirpinionsflashingsilveryinthesunlight。

"Isn’ttheseawonderful？"saidAnne，rousingfromalong，wide-eyedsilence。"Once，whenIlivedinMarysville，Mr。Thomashiredanexpresswagonandtookusalltospendthedayattheshoretenmilesaway。Ienjoyedeverymomentofthatday，evenifIhadtolookafterthechildrenallthetime。Iliveditoverinhappydreamsforyears。ButthisshoreisnicerthantheMarysvilleshore。

Aren’tthosegullssplendid？Wouldyouliketobeagull？

IthinkIwould——thatis，ifIcouldn’tbeahumangirl。

Don’tyouthinkitwouldbenicetowakeupatsunriseandswoopdownoverthewaterandawayoutoverthatlovelyblueallday；andthenatnighttoflybacktoone’snest？

Oh，Icanjustimaginemyselfdoingit。Whatbighouseisthatjustahead，please？"

"That’stheWhiteSandsHotel。Mr。Kirkerunsit，buttheseasonhasn’tbegunyet。ThereareheapsofAmericanscomethereforthesummer。Theythinkthisshoreisjustaboutright。"

"IwasafraiditmightbeMrs。Spencer’splace，"saidAnnemournfully。"Idon’twanttogetthere。Somehow，itwillseemliketheendofeverything。"

CHAPTERVI

MarillaMakesUpHerMindGettheretheydid，however，indueseason。Mrs。SpencerlivedinabigyellowhouseatWhiteSandsCove，andshecametothedoorwithsurpriseandwelcomemingledonherbenevolentface。

"Dear，dear，"sheexclaimed，"you’rethelastfolksIwaslookingfortoday，butI’mrealgladtoseeyou。You’llputyourhorsein？Andhowareyou，Anne？"

"I’maswellascanbeexpected，thankyou，"saidAnnesmilelessly。Ablightseemedtohavedescendedonher。

"Isupposewe’llstayalittlewhiletorestthemare，"

saidMarilla，"butIpromisedMatthewI’dbehomeearly。

Thefactis，Mrs。Spencer，there’sbeenaqueermistakesomewhere，andI’vecomeovertoseewhereitis。Wesendword，MatthewandI，foryoutobringusaboyfromtheasylum。WetoldyourbrotherRoberttotellyouwewantedaboytenorelevenyearsold。"

"MarillaCuthbert，youdon’tsayso！"saidMrs。Spencerindistress。"Why，RobertsentworddownbyhisdaughterNancyandshesaidyouwantedagirl——didn’tsheFloraJane？"appealingtoherdaughterwhohadcomeouttothesteps。

"Shecertainlydid，MissCuthbert，"corroboratedFloraJaneearnestly。

I’mdreadfulsorry，"saidMrs。Spencer。"It’stoobad；

butitcertainlywasn’tmyfault，yousee，MissCuthbert。

IdidthebestIcouldandIthoughtIwasfollowingyourinstructions。Nancyisaterribleflightything。I’veoftenhadtoscoldherwellforherheedlessness。"

"Itwasourownfault，"saidMarillaresignedly。"Weshouldhavecometoyouourselvesandnotleftanimportantmessagetobepassedalongbywordofmouthinthatfashion。Anyhow，themistakehasbeenmadeandtheonlythingtodoistosetitright。Canwesendthechildbacktotheasylum？Isupposethey’lltakeherback，won’tthey？"

"Isupposeso，"saidMrs。Spencerthoughtfully，"butI

don’tthinkitwillbenecessarytosendherback。Mrs。

PeterBlewettwasuphereyesterday，andshewassayingtomehowmuchshewishedshe’dsentbymeforalittlegirltohelpher。Mrs。Peterhasalargefamily，youknow，andshefindsithardtogethelp。Annewillbetheverygirlforyou。Icallitpositivelyprovidential。"

MarilladidnotlookasifshethoughtProvidencehadmuchtodowiththematter。Herewasanunexpectedlygoodchancetogetthisunwelcomeorphanoffherhands，andshedidnotevenfeelgratefulforit。

SheknewMrs。PeterBlewettonlybysightasasmall，shrewish-facedwomanwithoutanounceofsuperfluousfleshonherbones。Butshehadheardofher。"Aterribleworkeranddriver，"Mrs。Peterwassaidtobe；anddischargedservantgirlstoldfearsometalesofhertemperandstinginess，andherfamilyofpert，quarrelsomechildren。MarillafeltaqualmofconscienceatthethoughtofhandingAnneovertohertendermercies。

"Well，I’llgoinandwe’lltalkthematterover，"shesaid。

"Andifthereisn’tMrs。Petercomingupthelanethisblessedminute！"exclaimedMrs。Spencer，bustlinghergueststhroughthehallintotheparlor，whereadeadlychillstruckonthemasiftheairhadbeenstrainedsolongthroughdarkgreen，closelydrawnblindsthatithadlosteveryparticleofwarmthithadeverpossessed。"Thatisreallucky，forwecansettlethematterrightaway。Takethearmchair，MissCuthbert。Anne，yousithereontheottomananddon’twiggle。Letmetakeyourhats。FloraJane，gooutandputthekettleon。Goodafternoon，Mrs。

Blewett。Wewerejustsayinghowfortunateitwasyouhappenedalong。Letmeintroduceyoutwoladies。Mrs。

Blewett，MissCuthbert。Pleaseexcusemeforjustamoment。

IforgottotellFloraJanetotakethebunsoutoftheoven。"

Mrs。Spencerwhiskedaway，afterpullinguptheblinds。

Annesittingmutelyontheottoman，withherhandsclaspedtightlyinherlap，staredatMrsBlewettasonefascinated。Wasshetobegivenintothekeepingofthissharp-faced，sharp-eyedwoman？Shefeltalumpcomingupinherthroatandhereyessmartedpainfully。Shewasbeginningtobeafraidshecouldn’tkeepthetearsbackwhenMrs。Spencerreturned，flushedandbeaming，quitecapableoftakinganyandeverydifficulty，physical，mentalorspiritual，intoconsiderationandsettlingitoutofhand。

"Itseemsthere’sbeenamistakeaboutthislittlegirl，Mrs。Blewett，"shesaid。"IwasundertheimpressionthatMr。andMissCuthbertwantedalittlegirltoadopt。Iwascertainlytoldso。Butitseemsitwasaboytheywanted。

Soifyou’restillofthesamemindyouwereyesterday，I

thinkshe’llbejustthethingforyou。"

Mrs。BlewettdartedhereyesoverAnnefromheadtofoot。

"Howoldareyouandwhat’syourname？"shedemanded。

"AnneShirley，"falteredtheshrinkingchild，notdaringtomakeanystipulationsregardingthespellingthereof，"andI’melevenyearsold。"

"Humph！Youdon’tlookasiftherewasmuchtoyou。

Butyou’rewiry。Idon’tknowbutthewiryonesarethebestafterall。Well，ifItakeyouyou’llhavetobeagoodgirl，youknow——goodandsmartandrespectful。I’llexpectyoutoearnyourkeep，andnomistakeaboutthat。

Yes，IsupposeImightaswelltakeheroffyourhands，MissCuthbert。Thebaby’sawfulfractious，andI’mcleanwornoutattendingtohim。IfyoulikeIcantakeherrighthomenow。"

MarillalookedatAnneandsoftenedatsightofthechild’spalefacewithitslookofmutemisery——themiseryofahelplesslittlecreaturewhofindsitselfoncemorecaughtinthetrapfromwhichithadescaped。Marillafeltanuncomfortableconvictionthat，ifshedeniedtheappealofthatlook，itwouldhaunthertoherdyingday。More-

over，shedidnotfancyMrs。Blewett。Tohandasensitive，"highstrung"childovertosuchawoman！No，shecouldnottaketheresponsibilityofdoingthat！

"Well，Idon’tknow，"shesaidslowly。"Ididn’tsaythatMatthewandIhadabsolutelydecidedthatwewouldn’tkeepher。InfactImaysaythatMatthewisdisposedtokeepher。Ijustcameovertofindouthowthemistakehadoccurred。IthinkI’dbettertakeherhomeagainandtalkitoverwithMatthew。IfeelthatIoughtn’ttodecideonanythingwithoutconsultinghim。Ifwemakeupourmindnottokeepherwe’llbringorsendherovertoyoutomorrownight。Ifwedon’tyoumayknowthatsheisgoingtostaywithus。Willthatsuityou，Mrs。Blewett？"

"Isupposeit’llhaveto，"saidMrs。Blewettungraciously。

DuringMarilla’sspeechasunrisehadbeendawningonAnne’sface。Firstthelookofdespairfadedout；thencameafaintflushofhope；hereeyesgrewdeepandbrightasmorningstars。Thechildwasquitetransfigured；and，amomentlater，whenMrs。SpencerandMrs。BlewettwentoutinquestofarecipethelatterhadcometoborrowshesprangupandflewacrosstheroomtoMarilla。

"Oh，MissCuthbert，didyoureallysaythatperhapsyouwouldletmestayatGreenGables？"shesaid，inabreathlesswhisper，asifspeakingaloudmightshatterthegloriouspossibility。

"Didyoureallysayit？OrdidIonlyimaginethatyoudid？"

"Ithinkyou’dbetterlearntocontrolthatimaginationofyours，Anne，ifyoucan’tdistinguishbetweenwhatisrealandwhatisn’t，"saidMarillacrossly。"Yes，youdidhearmesayjustthatandnomore。Itisn’tdecidedyetandperhapswewillconcludetoletMrs。Blewetttakeyouafterall。ShecertainlyneedsyoumuchmorethanIdo。"

"I’drathergobacktotheasylumthangotolivewithher，"saidAnnepassionately。"Shelooksexactlylikea——likeagimlet。"

MarillasmotheredasmileundertheconvictionthatAnnemustbereprovedforsuchaspeech。

"Alittlegirllikeyoushouldbeashamedoftalkingsoaboutaladyandastranger，"shesaidseverely。"Gobackandsitdownquietlyandholdyourtongueandbehaveasagoodgirlshould。"

"I’lltrytodoandbeanythingyouwantme，ifyou’llonlykeepme，"saidAnne，returningmeeklytoherottoman。

WhentheyarrivedbackatGreenGablesthateveningMatthewmettheminthelane。Marillafromafarhadnotedhimprowlingalongitandguessedhismotive。ShewaspreparedforthereliefshereadinhisfacewhenhesawthatshehadatleastbroughtbackAnnebackwithher。Butshesaidnothing，tohim，relativetotheaffair，untiltheywerebothoutintheyardbehindthebarnmilkingthecows。ThenshebrieflytoldhimAnne’shistoryandtheresultoftheinterviewwithMrs。Spencer。

"Iwouldn’tgiveadogIlikedtothatBlewettwoman，"

saidMatthewwithunusualvim。"

"Idon’tfancyherstylemyself，"admittedMarilla，"butit’sthatorkeepingherourselves，Matthew。Andsinceyouseemtowanther，IsupposeI’mwilling——orhavetobe。I’vebeenthinkingovertheideauntilI’vegotkindofusedtoit。Itseemsasortofduty。I’veneverbroughtupachild，especiallyagirl，andIdaresayI’llmakeaterriblemessofit。ButI’lldomybest。SofarasI’mconcerned，Matthew，shemaystay。"

Matthew’sshyfacewasaglowofdelight。

"Wellnow，Ireckonedyou’dcometoseeitinthatlight，Marilla，"hesaid。"She’ssuchaninterestinglittlething。"

"It’dbemoretothepointifyoucouldsayshewasausefullittlething，"retortedMarilla，"butI’llmakeitmybusinesstoseeshe’strainedtobethat。Andmind，Matthew，you’renottogointerferingwithmymethods。

Perhapsanoldmaiddoesn’tknowmuchaboutbringingupachild，butIguesssheknowsmorethananoldbachelor。

Soyoujustleavemetomanageher。WhenIfailit’llbetimeenoughtoputyouroarin。"

"There，there，Marilla，youcanhaveyourownway，"saidMatthewreassuringly。"Onlybeasgoodandkindtoherasyoucanwithoutspoilingher。Ikindofthinkshe’soneofthesortyoucandoanythingwithifyouonlygethertoloveyou。"

Marillasniffed，toexpresshercontemptforMatthew’sopinionsconcerninganythingfeminine，andwalkedofftothedairywiththepails。

"Iwon’ttellhertonightthatshecanstay，"shereflected，asshestrainedthemilkintothecreamers。"She’dbesoexcitedthatshewouldn’tsleepawink。MarillaCuthbert，you’refairlyinforit。Didyoueversupposeyou’dseethedaywhenyou’dbeadoptinganorphangirl？It’ssurprisingenough；butnotsosurprisingasthatMatthewshouldbeatthebottomofit，himthatalwaysseemedtohavesuchamortaldreadoflittlegirls。Anyhow，we’vedecidedontheexperimentandgoodnessonlyknowswhatwillcomeofit。"

CHAPTERVII

AnneSaysHerPrayersWhenMarillatookAnneuptobedthatnightshesaidstiffly:

"Now，Anne，Inoticedlastnightthatyouthrewyourclothesallaboutthefloorwhenyoutookthemoff。Thatisaveryuntidyhabit，andIcan’tallowitatall。Assoonasyoutakeoffanyarticleofclothingfolditneatlyandplaceitonthechair。Ihaven’tanyuseatallforlittlegirlswhoaren’tneat。"

"IwassoharrowedupinmymindlastnightthatIdidn’tthinkaboutmyclothesatall，"saidAnne。"I’llfoldthemnicelytonight。Theyalwaysmadeusdothatattheasylum。Halfthetime，though，I’dforget，I’dbeinsuchahurrytogetintobedniceandquietandimaginethings。"

"You’llhavetorememberalittlebetterifyoustayhere，"

admonishedMarilla。"There，thatlookssomethinglike。

Sayyourprayersnowandgetintobed。"

"Ineversayanyprayers，"announcedAnne。

Marillalookedhorrifiedastonishment。

"Why，Anne，whatdoyoumean？Wereyounevertaughttosayyourprayers？Godalwayswantslittlegirlstosaytheirprayers。Don’tyouknowwhoGodis，Anne？"

"`Godisaspirit，infinite，eternalandunchangeable，inHisbeing，wisdom，power，holiness，justice，goodness，andtruth，’"respondedAnnepromptlyandglibly。

Marillalookedratherrelieved。

"Soyoudoknowsomethingthen，thankgoodness！You’renotquiteaheathen。Wheredidyoulearnthat？"

"Oh，attheasylumSunday-school。Theymadeuslearnthewholecatechism。Ilikeditprettywell。There’ssomethingsplendidaboutsomeofthewords。`Infinite，eternalandunchangeable。’Isn’tthatgrand？Ithassucharolltoit——justlikeabigorganplaying。Youcouldn’tquitecallitpoetry，Isuppose，butitsoundsalotlikeit，doesn’tit？"

"We’renottalkingaboutpoetry，Anne——wearetalkingaboutsayingyourprayers。Don’tyouknowit’saterriblewickedthingnottosayyourprayerseverynight？I’mafraidyouareaverybadlittlegirl。"

"You’dfinditeasiertobebadthangoodifyouhadredhair，"saidAnnereproachfully。"Peoplewhohaven’tredhairdon’tknowwhattroubleis。Mrs。ThomastoldmethatGodmademyhairredONPURPOSE，andI’venevercaredaboutHimsince。AndanyhowI’dalwaysbetootiredatnighttobothersayingprayers。Peoplewhohavetolookaftertwinscan’tbeexpectedtosaytheirprayers。Now，doyouhonestlythinktheycan？"

MarilladecidedthatAnne’sreligioustrainingmustbebegunatonce。Plainlytherewasnotimetobelost。

"Youmustsayyourprayerswhileyouareundermyroof，Anne。"

"Why，ofcourse，ifyouwantmeto，"assentedAnnecheerfully。

"I’ddoanythingtoobligeyou。Butyou’llhavetotellmewhattosayforthisonce。AfterIgetintobedI’llimagineoutarealniceprayertosayalways。Ibelievethatitwillbequiteinteresting，nowthatIcometothinkofit。"

"Youmustkneeldown，"saidMarillainembarrassment。

AnnekneltatMarilla’skneeandlookedupgravely。

"Whymustpeoplekneeldowntopray？"IfIreallywantedtoprayI’lltellyouwhatI’ddo。I’dgooutintoagreatbigfieldallaloneorintothedeep，deep，woods，andI’dlookupintothesky——up——up——up——intothatlovelyblueskythatlooksasiftherewasnoendtoitsblueness。AndthenI’djustFEELaprayer。Well，I’mready。WhatamItosay？"

Marillafeltmoreembarrassedthanever。ShehadintendedtoteachAnnethechildishclassic，"NowIlaymedowntosleep。"Butshehad，asIhavetoldyou，theglimmeringsofasenseofhumor——whichissimplyanothernameforasenseoffitnessofthings；anditsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatthatsimplelittleprayer，sacredtowhite-robedchildhoodlispingatmotherlyknees，wasentirelyunsuitedtothisfreckledwitchofagirlwhoknewandcarednothingboutGod’slove，sinceshehadneverhadittranslatedtoherthroughthemediumofhumanlove。

"You’reoldenoughtoprayforyourself，Anne，"shesaidfinally。"JustthankGodforyourblessingsandaskHimhumblyforthethingsyouwant。"

"Well，I’lldomybest，"promisedAnne，buryingherfaceinMarilla’slap。"GraciousheavenlyFather——that’sthewaytheministerssayitinchurch，soIsupposeit’sallrightinprivateprayer，isn’tit？"sheinterjected，liftingherheadforamoment。

"GraciousheavenlyFather，IthankTheefortheWhiteWayofDelightandtheLakeofShiningWatersandBonnyandtheSnowQueen。I’mreallyextremelygratefulforthem。Andthat’salltheblessingsIcanthinkofjustnowtothankTheefor。AsforthethingsIwant，they’resonumerousthatitwouldtakeagreatdealoftimetonamethemallsoIwillonlymentionthetwomostimportant。PleaseletmestayatGreenGables；

andpleaseletmebegood-lookingwhenIgrowup。

Iremain，"Yoursrespectfully，AnneShirley。

"There，didIdoallright？"sheaskedeagerly，gettingup。

"IcouldhavemadeitmuchmorefloweryifI’dhadalittlemoretimetothinkitover。"

PoorMarillawasonlypreservedfromcompletecollapsebyrememberingthatitwasnotirreverence，butsimplyspiritualignoranceonthepartofAnnethatwasresponsibleforthisextraordinarypetition。Shetuckedthechildupinbed，mentallyvowingthatsheshouldbetaughtaprayertheverynextday，andwasleavingtheroomwiththelightwhenAnnecalledherback。

"I’vejustthoughtofitnow。Ishouldhavesaid，`Amen’inplaceof`yoursrespectfully，’shouldn’tI？——thewaytheministersdo。I’dforgottenit，butIfeltaprayershouldbefinishedoffinsomeway，soIputintheother。Doyousupposeitwillmakeanydifference？"

"I——Idon’tsupposeitwill，"saidMarilla。"Gotosleepnowlikeagoodchild。Goodnight。"

"Icanonlysaygoodnighttonightwithaclearconscience，"

saidAnne，cuddlingluxuriouslydownamongherpillows。

Marillaretreatedtothekitchen，setthecandlefirmlyonthetable，andglaredatMatthew。

"MatthewCuthbert，it’sabouttimesomebodyadoptedthatchildandtaughthersomething。She’snextdoortoaperfectheathen。Willyoubelievethatsheneversaidaprayerinherlifetilltonight？I’llsendhertothemansetomorrowandborrowthePeepoftheDayseries，that’swhatI’lldo。AndsheshallgotoSunday-schooljustassoonasIcangetsomesuitableclothesmadeforher。IforeseethatIshallhavemyhandsfull。Well，well，wecan’tgetthroughthisworldwithoutourshareoftrouble。I’vehadaprettyeasylifeofitsofar，butmytimehascomeatlastandIsupposeI’lljusthavetomakethebestofit。"

CHAPTERVIII

Anne’sBringing-upIsBegunForreasonsbestknowntoherself，MarilladidnottellAnnethatshewastostayatGreenGablesuntilthenextafternoon。Duringtheforenoonshekeptthechildbusywithvarioustasksandwatchedoverherwithakeeneyewhileshedidthem。BynoonshehadconcludedthatAnnewassmartandobedient，willingtoworkandquicktolearn；

hermostseriousshortcomingseemedtobeatendencytofallintodaydreamsinthemiddleofataskandforgetallaboutituntilsuchtimeasshewassharplyrecalledtoearthbyareprimandoracatastrophe。

WhenAnnehadfinishedwashingthedinnerdishesshesuddenlyconfrontedMarillawiththeairandexpressionofonedesperatelydeterminedtolearntheworst。Herthinlittlebodytrembledfromheadtofoot；herfaceflushedandhereyesdilateduntiltheywerealmostblack；sheclaspedherhandstightlyandsaidinanimploringvoice:

"Oh，please，MissCuthbert，won’tyoutellmeifyouaregoingtosendmeawayornot？"I’vetriedtobepatientallthemorning，butIreallyfeelthatIcannotbearnotknowinganylonger。

It’sadreadfulfeeling。Pleasetellme。"

"Youhaven’tscaldedthedishclothincleanhotwaterasI

toldyoutodo，"saidMarillaimmovably。"Justgoanddoitbeforeyouaskanymorequestions，Anne。"

Annewentandattendedtothedishcloth。ThenshereturnedtoMarillaandfastenedimploringeyesofthelatter’sface。

"Well，"saidMarilla，unabletofindanyexcusefordeferringherexplanationlonger，"IsupposeImightaswelltellyou。

MatthewandIhavedecidedtokeepyou——thatis，ifyouwilltrytobeagoodlittlegirlandshowyourselfgrateful。

Why，child，whateveristhematter？"

"I’mcrying，"saidAnneinatoneofbewilderment。"Ican’tthinkwhy。I’mgladasgladcanbe。Oh，GLADdoesn’tseemtherightwordatall。IwasgladabouttheWhiteWayandthecherryblossoms——butthis！Oh，it’ssomethingmorethanglad。I’msohappy。I’lltrytobesogood。Itwillbeuphillwork，Iexpect，forMrs。ThomasoftentoldmeIwasdesperatelywicked。However，I’lldomyverybest。ButcanyoutellmewhyI’mcrying？"

"Isupposeit’sbecauseyou’reallexcitedandworkedup，"

saidMarilladisapprovingly。"Sitdownonthatchairandtrytocalmyourself。I’mafraidyoubothcryandlaughfartooeasily。Yes，youcanstayhereandwewilltrytodorightbyyou。Youmustgotoschool；butit’sonlyafortnighttillvacationsoitisn’tworthwhileforyoutostartbeforeitopensagaininSeptember。"

"WhatamItocallyou？"askedAnne。"ShallIalwayssayMissCuthbert？CanIcallyouAuntMarilla？"

"No；you’llcallmejustplainMarilla。I’mnotusedtobeingcalledMissCuthbertanditwouldmakemenervous。"

"ItsoundsawfullydisrespectfultojustsayMarilla，"

protestedAnne。

"Iguessthere’llbenothingdisrespectfulinitifyou’recarefultospeakrespectfully。Everybody，youngandold，inAvonleacallsmeMarillaexcepttheminister。HesaysMissCuthbert——whenhethinksofit。"

"I’dlovetocallyouAuntMarilla，"saidAnnewistfully。

"I’veneverhadanauntoranyrelationatall——notevenagrandmother。ItwouldmakemefeelasifIreallybelongedtoyou。Can’tIcallyouAuntMarilla？"

"No。I’mnotyourauntandIdon’tbelieveincallingpeoplenamesthatdon’tbelongtothem。"

"Butwecouldimagineyouweremyaunt。"

"Icouldn’t，"saidMarillagrimly。

"Doyouneverimaginethingsdifferentfromwhattheyreallyare？"askedAnnewide-eyed。

"No。"

"Oh！"Annedrewalongbreath。"Oh，Miss——Marilla，howmuchyoumiss！"

"Idon’tbelieveinimaginingthingsdifferentfromwhattheyreallyare，"retortedMarilla。"WhentheLordputsusincertaincircumstancesHedoesn’tmeanforustoimaginethemaway。Andthatremindsme。Gointothesittingroom，Anne——besureyourfeetarecleananddon’tletanyfliesin——andbringmeouttheillustratedcardthat’sonthemantelpiece。TheLord’sPrayerisonitandyou’lldevoteyoursparetimethisafternoontolearningitoffbyheart。There’stobenomoreofsuchprayingasIheardlastnight。"

"IsupposeIwasveryawkward，"saidAnneapologetically，"butthen，yousee，I’dneverhadanypractice。Youcouldn’treallyexpectapersontoprayverywellthefirsttimeshetried，couldyou？IthoughtoutasplendidprayerafterIwenttobed，justasIpromisedyouIwould。Itwasnearlyaslongasaminister’sandsopoetical。Butwouldyoubelieveit？Icouldn’trememberonewordwhenIwokeupthismorning。AndI’mafraidI’llneverbeabletothinkoutanotheroneasgood。Somehow，thingsneveraresogoodwhenthey’rethoughtoutasecondtime。Haveyouevernoticedthat？"

"Hereissomethingforyoutonotice，Anne。WhenItellyoutodoathingIwantyoutoobeymeatonceandnotstandstock-stillanddiscourseaboutit。JustyougoanddoasIbidyou。"

Annepromptlydepartedforthesitting-roomacrossthehall；

shefailedtoreturn；afterwaitingtenminutesMarillalaiddownherknittingandmarchedafterherwithagrimexpression。

ShefoundAnnestandingmotionlessbeforeapicturehangingonthewallbetweenthetwowindows，withhereyesastarwithdreams。Thewhiteandgreenlightstrainedthroughappletreesandclusteringvinesoutsidefellovertheraptlittlefigurewithahalf-unearthlyradiance。

"Anne，whateverareyouthinkingof？"demandedMarillasharply。

Annecamebacktoearthwithastart。

"That，"shesaid，pointingtothepicture——arathervividchromoentitled，"ChristBlessingLittleChildren"——"andI

wasjustimaginingIwasoneofthem——thatIwasthelittlegirlinthebluedress，standingoffbyherselfinthecornerasifshedidn’tbelongtoanybody，likeme。Shelookslonelyandsad，don’tyouthink？Iguessshehadn’tanyfatherormotherofherown。Butshewantedtobeblessed，too，soshejustcreptshylyupontheoutsideofthecrowd，hopingnobodywouldnoticeher——exceptHim。I’msureIknowjusthowshefelt。Herheartmusthavebeatandherhandsmusthavegotcold，likeminedidwhenIaskedyouifIcouldstay。ShewasafraidHemightn’tnoticeher。

Butit’slikelyHedid，don’tyouthink？I’vebeentryingtoimagineitallout——heredgingalittlenearerallthetimeuntilshewasquiteclosetoHim；andthenHewouldlookatherandputHishandonherhairandoh，suchathrillofjoyaswouldrunoverher！ButIwishtheartisthadn’tpaintedHimsosorrowfullooking。AllHispicturesarelikethat，ifyou’venoticed。ButIdon’tbelieveHecouldreallyhavelookedsosadorthechildrenwouldhavebeenafraidofHim。"

"Anne，"saidMarilla，wonderingwhyshehadnotbrokenintothisspeechlongbefore，"youshouldn’ttalkthatway。It’sirreverent——positivelyirreverent。"

Anne’seyesmarveled。

"Why，Ifeltjustasreverentascouldbe。I’msureI

didn’tmeantobeirreverent。"

"WellIdon’tsupposeyoudid——butitdoesn’tsoundrighttotalksofamiliarlyaboutsuchthings。Andanotherthing，Anne，whenIsendyouaftersomethingyou’retobringitatonceandnotfallintomooningandimaginingbeforepictures。Rememberthat。Takethatcardandcomerighttothekitchen。Now，sitdowninthecornerandlearnthatprayeroffbyheart。"

Annesetthecardupagainstthejugfulofappleblossomsshehadbroughtintodecoratethedinnertable——Marillahadeyedthatdecorationaskance，buthadsaidnothing——

proppedherchinonherhands，andfelltostudyingitintentlyforseveralsilentminutes。

"Ilikethis，"sheannouncedatlength。"It’sbeautiful。

I’vehearditbefore——IheardthesuperintendentoftheasylumSundayschoolsayitoveronce。ButIdidn’tlikeitthen。Hehadsuchacrackedvoiceandheprayeditsomournfully。Ireallyfeltsurehethoughtprayingwasadisagreeableduty。Thisisn’tpoetry，butitmakesmefeeljustthesamewaypoetrydoes。`OurFatherwhoartinheavenhallowedbeThyname。’Thatisjustlikealineofmusic。

Oh，I’msogladyouthoughtofmakingmelearnthis，Miss——

Marilla。"

"Well，learnitandholdyourtongue，"saidMarillashortly。

Annetippedthevaseofappleblossomsnearenoughtobestowasoftkissonapink-cuppedbut，andthenstudieddiligentlyforsomemomentslonger。

"Marilla，"shedemandedpresently，"doyouthinkthatI

shalleverhaveabosomfriendinAvonlea？"

"A——awhatkindoffriend？"

"Abosomfriend——anintimatefriend，youknow——areallykindredspirittowhomIcanconfidemyinmostsoul。I’vedreamedofmeetingherallmylife。IneverreallysupposedIwould，butsomanyofmyloveliestdreamshavecometrueallatoncethatperhapsthisonewill，too。Doyouthinkit’spossible？"

"DianaBarrylivesoveratOrchardSlopeandshe’saboutyourage。She’saverynicelittlegirl，andperhapsshewillbeaplaymateforyouwhenshecomeshome。She’svisitingherauntoveratCarmodyjustnow。You’llhavetobecarefulhowyoubehaveyourself，though。Mrs。Barryisaveryparticularwoman。Shewon’tletDianaplaywithanylittlegirlwhoisn’tniceandgood。"

AnnelookedatMarillathroughtheappleblossoms，hereyesaglowwithinterest。

"WhatisDianalike？Herhairisn’tred，isit？Oh，Ihopenot。It’sbadenoughtohaveredhairmyself，butI

positivelycouldn’tendureitinabosomfriend。"

"Dianaisaveryprettylittlegirl。Shehasblackeyesandhairandrosycheeks。Andsheisgoodandsmart，whichisbetterthanbeingpretty。"

MarillawasasfondofmoralsastheDuchessinWonderland，andwasfirmlyconvincedthatoneshouldbetackedontoeveryremarkmadetoachildwhowasbeingbroughtup。

ButAnnewavedthemoralinconsequentlyasideandseizedonlyonthedelightfulpossibilitiesbeforeit。

"Oh，I’msogladshe’spretty。Nexttobeingbeautifuloneself——andthat’simpossibleinmycase——itwouldbebesttohaveabeautifulbosomfriend。WhenIlivedwithMrs。Thomasshehadabookcaseinhersittingroomwithglassdoors。Thereweren’tanybooksinit；Mrs。Thomaskeptherbestchinaandherpreservesthere——whenshehadanypreservestokeep。Oneofthedoorswasbroken。

Mr。Thomassmasheditonenightwhenhewasslightlyintoxicated。ButtheotherwaswholeandIusedtopretendthatmyreflectioninitwasanotherlittlegirlwholivedinit。IcalledherKatieMaurice，andwewereveryintimate。Iusedtotalktoherbythehour，especiallyonSunday，andtellhereverything。Katiewasthecomfortandconsolationofmylife。WeusedtopretendthatthebookcasewasenchantedandthatifIonlyknewthespellIcouldopenthedoorandsteprightintotheroomwhereKatieMauricelived，insteadofintoMrs。Thomas’shelvesofpreservesandchina。AndthenKatieMauricewouldhavetakenmebythehandandledmeoutintoawonderfulplace，allflowersandsunshineandfairies，andwewouldhavelivedtherehappyforeverafter。WhenIwenttolivewithMrs。HammonditjustbrokemyhearttoleaveKatieMaurice。

Shefeltitdreadfully，too，Iknowshedid，forshewascryingwhenshekissedmegood-byethroughthebookcasedoor。TherewasnobookcaseatMrs。Hammond’s。Butjustuptheriveralittlewayfromthehousetherewasalonggreenlittlevalley，andtheloveliestecholivedthere。

Itechoedbackeverywordyousaid，evenifyoudidn’ttalkabitloud。SoIimaginedthatitwasalittlegirlcalledViolettaandweweregreatfriendsandIlovedheralmostaswellasIlovedKatieMaurice——notquite，butalmost，youknow。ThenightbeforeIwenttotheasylumIsaidgood-byetoVioletta，andoh，hergood-byecamebacktomeinsuchsad，sadtones。IhadbecomesoattachedtoherthatIhadn’tthehearttoimagineabosomfriendattheasylum，eveniftherehadbeenanyscopeforimaginationthere。"

"Ithinkit’sjustaswelltherewasn’t，"saidMarilladrily。

"Idon’tapproveofsuchgoings-on。Youseemtohalfbelieveyourownimaginations。Itwillbewellforyoutohaveareallivefriendtoputsuchnonsenseoutofyourhead。Butdon’tletMrs。BarryhearyoutalkingaboutyourKatieMauricesandyourViolettasorshe’llthinkyoutellstories。"

"Oh，Iwon’t。Icouldn’ttalkofthemtoeverybody——theirmemoriesaretoosacredforthat。ButIthoughtI’dliketohaveyouknowaboutthem。Oh，look，here’sabigbeejusttumbledoutofanappleblossom。Justthinkwhatalovelyplacetolive——inanappleblossom！Fancygoingtosleepinitwhenthewindwasrockingit。IfIwasn’tahumangirlIthinkI’dliketobeabeeandliveamongtheflowers。"

"Yesterdayyouwantedtobeaseagull，"sniffedMarilla。

"Ithinkyouareveryfickleminded。Itoldyoutolearnthatprayerandnottalk。Butitseemsimpossibleforyoutostoptalkingifyou’vegotanybodythatwilllistentoyou。Sogouptoyourroomandlearnit。"

"Oh，Iknowitprettynearlyallnow——allbutjustthelastline。"

"Well，nevermind，doasItellyou。Gotoyourroomandfinishlearningitwell，andstaythereuntilIcallyoudowntohelpmegettea。"

"CanItaketheappleblossomswithmeforcompany？"

pleadedAnne。

"No；youdon’twantyourroomclutteredupwithflowers。

Youshouldhaveleftthemonthetreeinthefirstplace。"

"Ididfeelalittlethatway，too，"saidAnne。"IkindoffeltIshouldn’tshortentheirlovelylivesbypickingthem——Iwouldn’twanttobepickedifIwereanappleblossom。

ButthetemptationwasIRRESISTIBLE。Whatdoyoudowhenyoumeetwithanirresistibletemptation？"

"Anne，didyouhearmetellyoutogotoyourroom？"

Annesighed，retreatedtotheeastgable，andsatdowninachairbythewindow。

"There——Iknowthisprayer。Ilearnedthatlastsentencecomingupstairs。NowI’mgoingtoimaginethingsintothisroomsothatthey’llalwaysstayimagined。Theflooriscoveredwithawhitevelvetcarpetwithpinkrosesalloveritandtherearepinksilkcurtainsatthewindows。Thewallsarehungwithgoldandsilverbrocadetapestry。Thefurnitureismahogany。Ineversawanymahogany，butitdoessoundSOluxurious。Thisisacouchallheapedwithgorgeoussilkencushions，pinkandblueandcrimsonandgold，andIamreclininggracefullyonit。Icanseemyreflectioninthatsplendidbigmirrorhangingonthewall。

Iamtallandregal，cladinagownoftrailingwhitelace，withapearlcrossonmybreastandpearlsinmyhair。Myhairisofmidnightdarknessandmyskinisaclearivorypallor。MynameistheLadyCordeliaFitzgerald。No，itisn’t——Ican’tmakeTHATseemreal。"

Shedanceduptothelittlelooking-glassandpeeredintoit。Herpointedfreckledfaceandsolemngrayeyespeeredbackather。

"You’reonlyAnneofGreenGables，"shesaidearnestly，"andIseeyou，justasyouarelookingnow，wheneverI

trytoimagineI’mtheLadyCordelia。Butit’samilliontimesnicertobeAnneofGreenGablesthanAnneofnowhereinparticular，isn’tit？"

Shebentforward，kissedherreflectionaffectionately，andbetookherselftotheopenwindow"DearSnowQueen，goodafternoon。Andgoodafternoondearbirchesdowninthehollow。Andgoodafternoon，deargrayhouseuponthehill。IwonderifDianaistobemybosomfriend。Ihopeshewill，andIshallloveherverymuch。ButImustneverquiteforgetKatieMauriceandVioletta。TheywouldfeelsohurtifIdidandI’dhatetohurtanybody’sfeelings，evenalittlebookcasegirl’soralittleechogirl’s。Imustbecarefultorememberthemandsendthemakisseveryday。"

Anneblewacoupleofairykissesfromherfingertipspastthecherryblossomsandthen，withherchininherhands，driftedluxuriouslyoutonaseaofdaydreams。

CHAPTERIX

Mrs。RachelLyndeIsProperlyHorrifiedAnnehadbeenafortnightatGreenGablesbeforeMrs。

Lyndearrivedtoinspecther。Mrs。Rachel，todoherjustice，wasnottoblameforthis。Asevereandunseason-ableattackofgrippehadconfinedthatgoodladytoherhouseeversincetheoccasionofherlastvisittoGreenGables。Mrs。Rachelwasnotoftensickandhadawell-

definedcontemptforpeoplewhowere；butgrippe，sheasserted，waslikenootherillnessonearthandcouldonlybeinterpretedasoneofthespecialvisitationsofProvidence。Assoonasherdoctorallowedhertoputherfootout-of-doorsshehurrieduptoGreenGables，burstingwithcuriositytoseeMatthewandMarilla’sorphan，concerningwhomallsortsofstoriesandsuppositionshadgoneabroadinAvonlea。

Annehadmadegooduseofeverywakingmomentofthatfortnight。

Alreadyshewasacquaintedwitheverytreeandshrubabouttheplace。Shehaddiscoveredthatalaneopenedoutbelowtheappleorchardandranupthroughabeltofwoodland；andshehadexploredittoitsfurthestendinallitsdeliciousvagariesofbrookandbridge，fircoppiceandwildcherryarch，cornersthickwithfern，andbranchingbywaysofmapleandmountainash。

Shehadmadefriendswiththespringdowninthehollow——

thatwonderfuldeep，clearicy-coldspring；itwassetaboutwithsmoothredsandstonesandrimmedinbygreatpalm-likeclumpsofwaterfern；andbeyonditwasalogbridgeoverthebrook。