第4章

Anne’sConfessionONtheMondayeveningbeforethepicnicMarillacamedownfromherroomwithatroubledface。

"Anne，"shesaidtothatsmallpersonage，whowasshellingpeasbythespotlesstableandsinging，"NellyoftheHazelDell"withavigorandexpressionthatdidcredittoDiana’steaching，"didyouseeanythingofmyamethystbrooch？IthoughtIstuckitinmypincushionwhenIcamehomefromchurchyesterdayevening，butIcan’tfinditanywhere。"

"I——IsawitthisafternoonwhenyouwereawayattheAidSociety，"saidAnne，alittleslowly。"IwaspassingyourdoorwhenIsawitonthecushion，soIwentintolookatit。"

"Didyoutouchit？"saidMarillasternly。

"Y-e-e-s，"admittedAnne，"ItookitupandIpinneditonmybreastjusttoseehowitwouldlook。"

"Youhadnobusinesstodoanythingofthesort。It’sverywronginalittlegirltomeddle。Youshouldn’thavegoneintomyroominthefirstplaceandyoushouldn’thavetouchedabroochthatdidn’tbelongtoyouinthesecond。Wheredidyouputit？"

"Oh，Iputitbackonthebureau。Ihadn’titonaminute。

Truly，Ididn’tmeantomeddle，Marilla。Ididn’tthinkaboutitsbeingwrongtogoinandtryonthebrooch；butIseenowthatitwasandI’llneverdoitagain。That’sonegoodthingaboutme。Ineverdothesamenaughtythingtwice。"

"Youdidn’tputitback，"saidMarilla。"Thatbroochisn’tanywhereonthebureau。You’vetakenitoutorsomething，Anne。"

"Ididputitback，"saidAnnequickly——pertly，Marillathought。

"Idon’tjustrememberwhetherIstuckitonthepincushionorlaiditinthechinatray。ButI’mperfectlycertainIputitback。"

"I’llgoandhaveanotherlook，"saidMarilla，determiningtobejust。"Ifyouputthatbroochbackit’stherestill。Ifitisn’tI’llknowyoudidn’t，that’sall！"

Marillawenttoherroomandmadeathoroughsearch，notonlyoverthebureaubutineveryotherplaceshethoughtthebroochmightpossiblybe。Itwasnottobefoundandshereturnedtothekitchen。

"Anne，thebroochisgone。Byyourownadmissionyouwerethelastpersontohandleit。Now，whathaveyoudonewithit？

Tellmethetruthatonce。Didyoutakeitoutandloseit？"

"No，Ididn’t，"saidAnnesolemnly，meetingMarilla’sangrygazesquarely。"Inevertookthebroochoutofyourroomandthatisthetruth，ifIwastobeledtotheblockforit——althoughI’mnotverycertainwhatablockis。Sothere，Marilla。"

Anne’s"sothere"wasonlyintendedtoemphasizeherassertion，butMarillatookitasadisplayofdefiance。

"Ibelieveyouaretellingmeafalsehood，Anne，"shesaidsharply。"Iknowyouare。Therenow，don’tsayanythingmoreunlessyouarepreparedtotellthewholetruth。Gotoyourroomandstaythereuntilyouarereadytoconfess。"

"WillItakethepeaswithme？"saidAnnemeekly。

"No，I’llfinishshellingthemmyself。DoasIbidyou。"

WhenAnnehadgoneMarillawentabouthereveningtasksinaverydisturbedstateofmind。Shewasworriedabouthervaluablebrooch。WhatifAnnehadlostit？Andhowwickedofthechildtodenyhavingtakenit，whenanybodycouldseeshemusthave！

Withsuchaninnocentface，too！

"Idon’tknowwhatIwouldn’tsoonerhavehadhappen，"thoughtMarilla，asshenervouslyshelledthepeas。"Ofcourse，Idon’tsupposeshemeanttostealitoranythinglikethat。She’sjusttakenittoplaywithorhelpalongthatimaginationofhers。

Shemusthavetakenit，that’sclear，fortherehasn’tbeenasoulinthatroomsinceshewasinit，byherownstory，untilI

wentuptonight。Andthebroochisgone，there’snothingsurer。

Isupposeshehaslostitandisafraidtoownupforfearshe’llbepunished。It’sadreadfulthingtothinkshetellsfalsehoods。

It’safarworsethingthanherfitoftemper。It’safearfulresponsibilitytohaveachildinyourhouseyoucan’ttrust。

Slynessanduntruthfulness——that’swhatshehasdisplayed。

IdeclareIfeelworseaboutthatthanaboutthebrooch。Ifshe’donlyhavetoldthetruthaboutitIwouldn’tmindsomuch。"

Marillawenttoherroomatintervalsallthroughtheeveningandsearchedforthebrooch，withoutfindingit。Abedtimevisittotheeastgableproducednoresult。AnnepersistedindenyingthatsheknewanythingaboutthebroochbutMarillawasonlythemorefirmlyconvincedthatshedid。

ShetoldMatthewthestorythenextmorning。Matthewwasconfoundedandpuzzled；hecouldnotsoquicklylosefaithinAnnebuthehadtoadmitthatcircumstanceswereagainsther。

"You’resureithasn’tfelldownbehindthebureau？"wastheonlysuggestionhecouldoffer。

"I’vemovedthebureauandI’vetakenoutthedrawersandI’velookedineverycrackandcranny"wasMarilla’spositiveanswer。

"Thebroochisgoneandthatchildhastakenitandliedaboutit。

That’stheplain，uglytruth，MatthewCuthbert，andwemightaswelllookitintheface。"

"Wellnow，whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"Matthewaskedforlornly，feelingsecretlythankfulthatMarillaandnothehadtodealwiththesituation。Hefeltnodesiretoputhisoarinthistime。

"She’llstayinherroomuntilsheconfesses，"saidMarillagrimly，rememberingthesuccessofthismethodintheformercase。"Thenwe’llsee。Perhapswe’llbeabletofindthebroochifshe’llonlytellwhereshetookit；butinanycaseshe’llhavetobeseverelypunished，Matthew。"

"Wellnow，you’llhavetopunishher，"saidMatthew，reachingforhishat。"I’venothingtodowithit，remember。Youwarnedmeoffyourself。"

Marillafeltdesertedbyeveryone。ShecouldnotevengotoMrs。

Lyndeforadvice。Shewentuptotheeastgablewithaveryseriousfaceandleftitwithafacemoreseriousstill。Annesteadfastlyrefusedtoconfess。Shepersistedinassertingthatshehadnottakenthebrooch。ThechildhadevidentlybeencryingandMarillafeltapangofpitywhichshesternlyrepressed。Bynightshewas，assheexpressedit，"beatout。"

"You’llstayinthisroomuntilyouconfess，Anne。Youcanmakeupyourmindtothat，"shesaidfirmly。

"Butthepicnicistomorrow，Marilla，"criedAnne。"Youwon’tkeepmefromgoingtothat，willyou？You’lljustletmeoutfortheafternoon，won’tyou？ThenI’llstayhereaslongasyoulikeAFTERWARDScheerfully。ButIMUSTgotothepicnic。"

"You’llnotgotopicnicsnoranywhereelseuntilyou’veconfessed，Anne。"

"Oh，Marilla，"gaspedAnne。

ButMarillahadgoneoutandshutthedoor。

Wednesdaymorningdawnedasbrightandfairasifexpresslymadetoorderforthepicnic。BirdssangaroundGreenGables；theMadonnaliliesinthegardensentoutwhiffsofperfumethatenteredinonviewlesswindsateverydoorandwindow，andwanderedthroughhallsandroomslikespiritsofbenediction。

ThebirchesinthehollowwavedjoyfulhandsasifwatchingforAnne’susualmorninggreetingfromtheeastgable。ButAnnewasnotatherwindow。WhenMarillatookherbreakfastuptohershefoundthechildsittingprimlyonherbed，paleandresolute，withtight-shutlipsandgleamingeyes。

"Marilla，I’mreadytoconfess。"

"Ah！"Marillalaiddownhertray。Onceagainhermethodhadsucceeded；buthersuccesswasverybittertoher。"Letmehearwhatyouhavetosaythen，Anne。"

"Itooktheamethystbrooch，"saidAnne，asifrepeatingalessonshehadlearned。"Itookitjustasyousaid。Ididn’tmeantotakeitwhenIwentin。Butitdidlooksobeautiful，Marilla，whenIpinneditonmybreastthatIwasovercomebyanirresistibletemptation。IimaginedhowperfectlythrillingitwouldbetotakeittoIdlewildandplayIwastheLadyCordeliaFitzgerald。ItwouldbesomucheasiertoimagineIwastheLadyCordeliaifIhadarealamethystbroochon。DianaandImakenecklacesofroseberriesbutwhatareroseberriescomparedtoamethysts？SoItookthebrooch。IthoughtIcouldputitbackbeforeyoucamehome。Iwentallthewayaroundbytheroadtolengthenoutthetime。WhenIwasgoingoverthebridgeacrosstheLakeofShiningWatersItookthebroochofftohaveanotherlookatit。Oh，howitdidshineinthesunlight！Andthen，whenIwasleaningoverthebridge，itjustslippedthroughmyfingers——so——andwentdown——down——down，allpurplysparkling，andsankforevermorebeneaththeLakeofShiningWaters。Andthat’sthebestIcandoatconfessing，Marilla。"

Marillafelthotangersurgeupintoherheartagain。Thischildhadtakenandlosthertreasuredamethystbroochandnowsattherecalmlyrecitingthedetailsthereofwithouttheleastapparentcompunctionorrepentance。

"Anne，thisisterrible，"shesaid，tryingtospeakcalmly。

"YouaretheverywickedestgirlIeverheardof"

"Yes，IsupposeIam，"agreedAnnetranquilly。"AndIknowI’llhavetobepunished。It’llbeyourdutytopunishme，Marilla。

Won’tyoupleasegetitoverrightoffbecauseI’dliketogotothepicnicwithnothingonmymind。"

"Picnic，indeed！You’llgotonopicnictoday，AnneShirley。

Thatshallbeyourpunishment。Anditisn’thalfsevereenougheitherforwhatyou’vedone！"

"Notgotothepicnic！"AnnesprangtoherfeetandclutchedMarilla’shand。"ButyouPROMISEDmeImight！Oh，Marilla，I

mustgotothepicnic。ThatwaswhyIconfessed。Punishmeanywayyoulikebutthat。Oh，Marilla，please，please，letmegotothepicnic。Thinkoftheicecream！ForanythingyouknowImayneverhaveachancetotasteicecreamagain。"

MarilladisengagedAnne’sclinginghandsstonily。

"Youneedn’tplead，Anne。Youarenotgoingtothepicnicandthat’sfinal。No，notaword。"

AnnerealizedthatMarillawasnottobemoved。Sheclaspedherhandstogether，gaveapiercingshriek，andthenflungherselffacedownwardonthebed，cryingandwrithinginanutterabandonmentofdisappointmentanddespair。

"Fortheland’ssake！"gaspedMarilla，hasteningfromtheroom。

"Ibelievethechildiscrazy。Nochildinhersenseswouldbehaveasshedoes。Ifsheisn’tshe’sutterlybad。Ohdear，I’mafraidRachelwasrightfromthefirst。ButI’veputmyhandtotheplowandIwon’tlookback。"

Thatwasadismalmorning。Marillaworkedfiercelyandscrubbedtheporchfloorandthedairyshelveswhenshecouldfindnothingelsetodo。Neithertheshelvesnortheporchneededit——butMarilladid。Thenshewentoutandrakedtheyard。

WhendinnerwasreadyshewenttothestairsandcalledAnne。A

tear-stainedfaceappeared，lookingtragicallyoverthebanisters。

"Comedowntoyourdinner，Anne。"

"Idon’twantanydinner，Marilla，"saidAnne，sobbingly。"I

couldn’teatanything。Myheartisbroken。You’llfeelremorseofconsciencesomeday，Iexpect，forbreakingit，Marilla，butI

forgiveyou。RememberwhenthetimecomesthatIforgiveyou。

Butpleasedon’taskmetoeatanything，especiallyboiledporkandgreens。Boiledporkandgreensaresounromanticwhenoneisinaffliction。"

Exasperated，MarillareturnedtothekitchenandpouredouthertaleofwoetoMatthew，who，betweenhissenseofjusticeandhisunlawfulsympathywithAnne，wasamiserableman。

"Wellnow，sheshouldn’thavetakenthebrooch，Marilla，ortoldstoriesaboutit，"headmitted，mournfulysurveyinghisplatefulofunromanticporkandgreensasifhe，likeAnne，thoughtitafoodunsuitedtocrisesoffeeling，"butshe’ssuchalittlething——suchaninterestinglittlething。Don’tyouthinkit’sprettyroughnottolethergotothepicnicwhenshe’ssosetonit？"

"MatthewCuthbert，I’mamazedatyou。IthinkI’veletheroffentirelytooeasy。Andshedoesn’tappeartorealizehowwickedshe’sbeenatall——that’swhatworriesmemost。Ifshe’dreallyfeltsorryitwouldn’tbesobad。Andyoudon’tseemtorealizeit，neither；you’remakingexcusesforherallthetimetoyourself——Icanseethat。"

"Wellnow，she’ssuchalittlething，"feeblyreiteratedMatthew。

"Andthereshouldbeallowancesmade，Marilla。Youknowshe’sneverhadanybringingup。"

"Well，she’shavingitnow"retortedMarilla。

TheretortsilencedMatthewifitdidnotconvincehim。Thatdinnerwasaverydismalmeal。TheonlycheerfulthingaboutitwasJerryBuote，thehiredboy，andMarillaresentedhischeerfulnessasapersonalinsult。

WhenherdisheswerewashedandherbreadspongesetandherhensfedMarillarememberedthatshehadnoticedasmallrentinherbestblacklaceshawlwhenshehadtakenitoffonMondayafternoononreturningfromtheLadies’Aid。

Shewouldgoandmendit。Theshawlwasinaboxinhertrunk。

AsMarillalifteditout，thesunlight，fallingthroughthevinesthatclusteredthicklyaboutthewindow，struckuponsomethingcaughtintheshawl——somethingthatglitteredandsparkledinfacetsofvioletlight。Marillasnatchedatitwithagasp。Itwastheamethystbrooch，hangingtoathreadofthelacebyitscatch！

"Dearlifeandheart，"saidMarillablankly，"whatdoesthismean？Here’smybroochsafeandsoundthatIthoughtwasatthebottomofBarry’spond。Whateverdidthatgirlmeanbysayingshetookitandlostit？IdeclareIbelieveGreenGablesisbewitched。IremembernowthatwhenItookoffmyshawlMondayafternoonIlaiditonthebureauforaminute。Isupposethebroochgotcaughtinitsomehow。Well！"

Marillabetookherselftotheeastgable，broochinhand。Annehadcriedherselfoutandwassittingdejectedlybythewindow。

"AnneShirley，"saidMarillasolemnly，"I’vejustfoundmybroochhangingtomyblacklaceshawl。NowIwanttoknowwhatthatrigmaroleyoutoldmethismorningmeant。"

"Why，yousaidyou’dkeepmehereuntilIconfessed，"returnedAnnewearily，"andsoIdecidedtoconfessbecauseIwasboundtogettothepicnic。IthoughtoutaconfessionlastnightafterI

wenttobedandmadeitasinterestingasIcould。AndIsaiditoverandoversothatIwouldn’tforgetit。Butyouwouldn’tletmegotothepicnicafterall，soallmytroublewaswasted。"

Marillahadtolaughinspiteofherself。Butherconscienceprickedher。

"Anne，youdobeatall！ButIwaswrong——Iseethatnow。

Ishouldn’thavedoubtedyourwordwhenI’dneverknownyoutotellastory。Ofcourse，itwasn’trightforyoutoconfesstoathingyouhadn’tdone——itwasverywrongtodoso。ButIdroveyoutoit。Soifyou’llforgiveme，Anne，I’llforgiveyouandwe’llstartsquareagain。Andnowgetyourselfreadyforthepicnic。"

Anneflewuplikearocket。

"Oh，Marilla，isn’tittoolate？"

"No，it’sonlytwoo’clock。Theywon’tbemorethanwellgatheredyetandit’llbeanhourbeforetheyhavetea。Washyourfaceandcombyourhairandputonyourgingham。I’llfillabasketforyou。There’splentyofstuffbakedinthehouse。

AndI’llgetJerrytohitchupthesorrelanddriveyoudowntothepicnicground。"

"Oh，Marilla，"exclaimedAnne，flyingtothewashstand。"FiveminutesagoIwassomiserableIwaswishingI’dneverbeenbornandnowIwouldn’tchangeplaceswithanangel！"

Thatnightathoroughlyhappy，completelytired-outAnnereturnedtoGreenGablesinastateofbeatificationimpossibletodescribe。

"Oh，Marilla，I’vehadaperfectlyscrumptioustime。ScrumptiousisanewwordIlearnedtoday。IheardMaryAliceBelluseit。

Isn’titveryexpressive？Everythingwaslovely。WehadasplendidteaandthenMr。HarmonAndrewstookusallforarowontheLakeofShiningWaters——sixofusatatime。AndJaneAndrewsnearlyfelloverboard。ShewasleaningouttopickwaterliliesandifMr。Andrewshadn’tcaughtherbyhersashjustinthenickoftimeshe’dfalleninandprob’lybeendrowned。

Iwishithadbeenme。Itwouldhavebeensucharomanticexperiencetohavebeennearlydrowned。Itwouldbesuchathrillingtaletotell。Andwehadtheicecream。Wordsfailmetodescribethaticecream。Marilla，Iassureyouitwassublime。"

ThateveningMarillatoldthewholestorytoMatthewoverherstockingbasket。

"I’mwillingtoownupthatImadeamistake，"sheconcludedcandidly，"butI’velearnedalesson。IhavetolaughwhenI

thinkofAnne’s`confession，’althoughIsupposeIshouldn’tforitreallywasafalsehood。Butitdoesn’tseemasbadastheotherwouldhavebeen，somehow，andanyhowI’mresponsibleforit。Thatchildishardtounderstandinsomerespects。ButI

believeshe’llturnoutallrightyet。Andthere’sonethingcertain，nohousewilleverbedullthatshe’sin。"

CHAPTERXV

ATempestintheSchoolTeapot"Whatasplendidday！"saidAnne，drawingalongbreath。"Isn’titgoodjusttobealiveonadaylikethis？Ipitythepeoplewhoaren’tbornyetformissingit。Theymayhavegooddays，ofcourse，buttheycanneverhavethisone。Andit’ssplendiderstilltohavesuchalovelywaytogotoschoolby，isn’tit？"

"It’salotnicerthangoingroundbytheroad；thatissodustyandhot，"saidDianapractically，peepingintoherdinnerbasketandmentallycalculatingifthethreejuicy，toothsome，raspberrytartsreposingthereweredividedamongtengirlshowmanybiteseachgirlwouldhave。

ThelittlegirlsofAvonleaschoolalwayspooledtheirlunches，andtoeatthreeraspberrytartsallaloneoreventosharethemonlywithone’sbestchumwouldhaveforeverandeverbrandedas"awfulmean"thegirlwhodidit。Andyet，whenthetartsweredividedamongtengirlsyoujustgotenoughtotantalizeyou。

ThewayAnneandDianawenttoschoolWASaprettyone。AnnethoughtthosewalkstoandfromschoolwithDianacouldn’tbeimproveduponevenbyimagination。Goingaroundbythemainroadwouldhavebeensounromantic；buttogobyLover’sLaneandWillowmereandVioletValeandtheBirchPathwasromantic，ifeveranythingwas。

Lover’sLaneopenedoutbelowtheorchardatGreenGablesandstretchedfarupintothewoodstotheendoftheCuthbertfarm。

Itwasthewaybywhichthecowsweretakentothebackpastureandthewoodhauledhomeinwinter。AnnehadnameditLover’sLanebeforeshehadbeenamonthatGreenGables。

"Notthatloverseverreallywalkthere，"sheexplainedtoMarilla，"butDianaandIarereadingaperfectlymagnificentbookandthere’saLover’sLaneinit。Sowewanttohaveone，too。Andit’saveryprettyname，don’tyouthink？Soromantic！Wecan’timaginetheloversintoit，youknow。Ilikethatlanebecauseyoucanthinkoutloudtherewithoutpeoplecallingyoucrazy。"

Anne，startingoutaloneinthemorning，wentdownLover’sLaneasfarasthebrook。HereDianamether，andthetwolittlegirlswentonupthelaneundertheleafyarchofmaples——"maplesaresuchsociabletrees，"saidAnne；"they’realwaysrustlingandwhisperingtoyou"——untiltheycametoarusticbridge。ThentheyleftthelaneandwalkedthroughMr。Barry’sbackfieldandpastWillowmere。BeyondWillowmerecameVioletVale——alittlegreendimpleintheshadowofMr。AndrewBell’sbigwoods。"Ofcoursetherearenovioletstherenow，"AnnetoldMarilla，"butDianasaystherearemillionsoftheminspring。Oh，Marilla，can’tyoujustimagineyouseethem？Itactuallytakesawaymybreath。InameditVioletVale。Dianasayssheneversawthebeatofmeforhittingonfancynamesforplaces。It’snicetobecleveratsomething，isn’tit？ButDiananamedtheBirchPath。Shewantedto，soIlether；butI’msureIcouldhavefoundsomethingmorepoeticalthanplainBirchPath。Anybodycanthinkofanamelikethat。ButtheBirchPathisoneoftheprettiestplacesintheworld，Marilla。"

Itwas。OtherpeoplebesidesAnnethoughtsowhentheystumbledonit。Itwasalittlenarrow，twistingpath，windingdownoveralonghillstraightthroughMr。Bell’swoods，wherethelightcamedownsiftedthroughsomanyemeraldscreensthatitwasasflawlessastheheartofadiamond。Itwasfringedinallitslengthwithslimyoungbirches，whitestemmedandlissomboughed；

fernsandstarflowersandwildlilies-of-the-valleyandscarlettuftsofpigeonberriesgrewthicklyalongit；andalwaystherewasadelightfulspicinessintheairandmusicofbirdcallsandthemurmurandlaughofwoodwindsinthetreesoverhead。Nowandthenyoumightseearabbitskippingacrosstheroadifyouwerequiet——which，withAnneandDiana，happenedaboutonceinabluemoon。Downinthevalleythepathcameouttothemainroadandthenitwasjustupthesprucehilltotheschool。

TheAvonleaschoolwasawhitewashedbuilding，lowintheeavesandwideinthewindows，furnishedinsidewithcomfortablesubstantialold-fashioneddesksthatopenedandshut，andwerecarvedallovertheirlidswiththeinitialsandhieroglyphicsofthreegenerationsofschoolchildren。Theschoolhousewassetbackfromtheroadandbehinditwasaduskyfirwoodandabrookwhereallthechildrenputtheirbottlesofmilkinthemorningtokeepcoolandsweetuntildinnerhour。

MarillahadseenAnnestartofftoschoolonthefirstdayofSeptemberwithmanysecretmisgivings。Annewassuchanoddgirl。

Howwouldshegetonwiththeotherchildren？Andhowonearthwouldsheevermanagetoholdhertongueduringschoolhours？

ThingswentbetterthanMarillafeared，however。Annecamehomethateveninginhighspirits。

"IthinkI’mgoingtolikeschoolhere，"sheannounced。"Idon’tthinkmuchofthemaster，through。He’sallthetimecurlinghismustacheandmakingeyesatPrissyAndrews。Prissyisgrownup，youknow。She’ssixteenandshe’sstudyingfortheentranceexaminationintoQueen’sAcademyatCharlottetownnextyear。

TillieBoultersaysthemasterisDEADGONEonher。She’sgotabeautifulcomplexionandcurlybrownhairandshedoesitupsoelegantly。Shesitsinthelongseatatthebackandhesitsthere，too，mostofthetime——toexplainherlessons，hesays。

ButRubyGillissaysshesawhimwritingsomethingonherslateandwhenPrissyreaditsheblushedasredasabeetandgiggled；

andRubyGillissaysshedoesn’tbelieveithadanythingtodowiththelesson。"

"AnneShirley，don’tletmehearyoutalkingaboutyourteacherinthatwayagain，"saidMarillasharply。"Youdon’tgotoschooltocriticizethemaster。IguesshecanteachYOUsomething，andit’syourbusinesstolearn。AndIwantyoutounderstandrightoffthatyouarenottocomehometellingtalesabouthim。

ThatissomethingIwon’tencourage。Ihopeyouwereagoodgirl。"

"IndeedIwas，"saidAnnecomfortably。"Itwasn’tsohardasyoumightimagine，either。IsitwithDiana。OurseatisrightbythewindowandwecanlookdowntotheLakeofShiningWaters。

Therearealotofnicegirlsinschoolandwehadscrumptiousfunplayingatdinnertime。It’ssonicetohavealotoflittlegirlstoplaywith。ButofcourseIlikeDianabestandalwayswill。IADOREDiana。I’mdreadfullyfarbehindtheothers。

They’reallinthefifthbookandI’monlyinthefourth。Ifeelthatit’skindofadisgrace。Butthere’snotoneofthemhassuchanimaginationasIhaveandIsoonfoundthatout。WehadreadingandgeographyandCanadianhistoryanddictationtoday。

Mr。Phillipssaidmyspellingwasdisgracefulandheheldupmyslatesothateverybodycouldseeit，allmarkedover。Ifeltsomortified，Marilla；hemighthavebeenpolitertoastranger，I

think。RubyGillisgavemeanappleandSophiaSloanelentmealovelypinkcardwith`MayIseeyouhome？’onit。I’mtogiveitbacktohertomorrow。AndTillieBoulterletmewearherbeadringalltheafternoon。CanIhavesomeofthosepearlbeadsofftheoldpincushioninthegarrettomakemyselfaring？Andoh，Marilla，JaneAndrewstoldmethatMinnieMacPhersontoldherthatsheheardPrissyAndrewstellSaraGillisthatIhadaveryprettynose。Marilla，thatisthefirstcomplimentIhaveeverhadinmylifeandyoucan’timaginewhatastrangefeelingitgaveme。Marilla，haveIreallyaprettynose？Iknowyou’lltellmethetruth。"

"Yournoseiswellenough，"saidMarillashortly。SecretlyshethoughtAnne’snosewasaremarkableprettyone；butshehadnointentionoftellingherso。

Thatwasthreeweeksagoandallhadgonesmoothlysofar。Andnow，thiscrispSeptembermorning，AnneandDianaweretrippingblithelydowntheBirchPath，twoofthehappiestlittlegirlsinAvonlea。

"IguessGilbertBlythewillbeinschooltoday，"saidDiana。

"He’sbeenvisitinghiscousinsoverinNewBrunswickallsummerandheonlycamehomeSaturdaynight。He’sAW’FLYhandsome，Anne。

Andheteasesthegirlssomethingterrible。Hejusttormentsourlivesout。"

Diana’svoiceindicatedthatsheratherlikedhavingherlifetormentedoutthannot。

"GilbertBlythe？"saidAnne。"Isn’thisnamethat’swrittenupontheporchwallwithJuliaBell’sandabig`TakeNotice’overthem？"

"Yes，"saidDiana，tossingherhead，"butI’msurehedoesn’tlikeJuliaBellsoverymuch。I’veheardhimsayhestudiedthemultiplicationtablebyherfreckles。"

"Oh，don’tspeakaboutfrecklestome，"imploredAnne。"Itisn’tdelicatewhenI’vegotsomany。ButIdothinkthatwritingtake-noticesuponthewallabouttheboysandgirlsisthesilliestever。Ishouldjustliketoseeanybodydaretowritemynameupwithaboy’s。Not，ofcourse，"shehastenedtoadd，"thatanybodywould。"

Annesighed。Shedidn’twanthernamewrittenup。Butitwasalittlehumiliatingtoknowthattherewasnodangerofit。

"Nonsense，"saidDiana，whoseblackeyesandglossytresseshadplayedsuchhavocwiththeheartsofAvonleaschoolboysthathernamefiguredontheporchwallsinhalfadozentake-notices。

"It’sonlymeantasajoke。Anddon’tyoubetoosureyournamewon’teverbewrittenup。CharlieSloaneisDEADGONEonyou。

Hetoldhismother——hisMOTHER，mindyou——thatyouwerethesmartestgirlinschool。That’sbetterthanbeinggoodlooking。"

"No，itisn’t，"saidAnne，femininetothecore。"I’dratherbeprettythanclever。AndIhateCharlieSloane，Ican’tbearaboywithgoggleeyes。IfanyonewrotemynameupwithhisI’dneverGET

overit，DianaBarry。ButitISnicetokeepheadofyourclass。"

"You’llhaveGilbertinyourclassafterthis，"saidDiana，"andhe’susedtobeingheadofhisclass，Icantellyou。He’sonlyinthefourthbookalthoughhe’snearlyfourteen。FouryearsagohisfatherwassickandhadtogoouttoAlbertaforhishealthandGilbertwentwithhim。TheyweretherethreeyearsandGildidn’tgotoschoolhardlyanyuntiltheycameback。Youwon’tfinditsoeasytokeepheadafterthis，Anne。"

"I’mglad，"saidAnnequickly。"Icouldn’treallyfeelproudofkeepingheadoflittleboysandgirlsofjustnineorten。Igotupyesterdayspelling`ebullition。’JosiePyewasheadand，mindyou，shepeepedinherbook。Mr。Phillipsdidn’tseeher——hewaslookingatPrissyAndrews——butIdid。Ijustsweptheralookoffreezingscornandshegotasredasabeetandspelleditwrongafterall。"

"ThosePyegirlsarecheatsallround，"saidDianaindignantly，astheyclimbedthefenceofthemainroad。"GertiePyeactuallywentandputhermilkbottleinmyplaceinthebrookyesterday。

Didyouever？Idon’tspeaktohernow。"

WhenMr。PhillipswasinthebackoftheroomhearingPrissyAndrews’sLatin，DianawhisperedtoAnne，"That’sGilbertBlythesittingrightacrosstheaislefromyou，Anne。Justlookathimandseeifyoudon’tthinkhe’shandsome。"

Annelookedaccordingly。Shehadagoodchancetodoso，forthesaidGilbertBlythewasabsorbedinstealthilypinningthelongyellowbraidofRubyGillis，whosatinfrontofhim，tothebackofherseat。Hewasatallboy，withcurlybrownhair，roguishhazeleyes，andamouthtwistedintoateasingsmile。PresentlyRubyGillisstarteduptotakeasumtothemaster；shefellbackintoherseatwithalittleshriek，believingthatherhairwaspulledoutbytheroots。EverybodylookedatherandMr。

PhillipsglaredsosternlythatRubybegantocry。Gilberthadwhiskedthepinoutofsightandwasstudyinghishistorywiththesoberestfaceintheworld；butwhenthecommotionsubsidedhelookedatAnneandwinkedwithinexpressibledrollery。

"IthinkyourGilbertBlytheIShandsome，"confidedAnnetoDiana，"butIthinkhe’sverybold。Itisn’tgoodmannerstowinkatastrangegirl。"

Butitwasnotuntiltheafternoonthatthingsreallybegantohappen。

Mr。PhillipswasbackinthecornerexplainingaprobleminalgebratoPrissyAndrewsandtherestofthescholarsweredoingprettymuchastheypleasedeatinggreenapples，whispering，drawingpicturesontheirslates，anddrivingcricketsharnessedtostrings，upanddownaisle。GilbertBlythewastryingtomakeAnneShirleylookathimandfailingutterly，becauseAnnewasatthatmomenttotallyobliviousnotonlytotheveryexistenceofGilbertBlythe，butofeveryotherscholarinAvonleaschoolitself。

WithherchinproppedonherhandsandhereyesfixedontheblueglimpseoftheLakeofShiningWatersthatthewestwindowafforded，shewasfarawayinagorgeousdreamlandhearingandseeingnothingsaveherownwonderfulvisions。

GilbertBlythewasn’tusedtoputtinghimselfouttomakeagirllookathimandmeetingwithfailure。SheSHOULDlookathim，thatred-hairedShirleygirlwiththelittlepointedchinandthebigeyesthatweren’tliketheeyesofanyothergirlinAvonleaschool。

Gilbertreachedacrosstheaisle，pickeduptheendofAnne’slongredbraid，helditoutatarm’slengthandsaidinapiercingwhisper:

"Carrots！Carrots！"

ThenAnnelookedathimwithavengeance！

Shedidmorethanlook。Shesprangtoherfeet，herbrightfanciesfallenintocurelessruin。SheflashedoneindignantglanceatGilbertfromeyeswhoseangrysparklewasswiftlyquenchedinequallyangrytears。

"Youmean，hatefulboy！"sheexclaimedpassionately。"Howdareyou！"

Andthen——thwack！AnnehadbroughtherslatedownonGilbert’sheadandcrackedit——slatenothead——clearacross。

Avonleaschoolalwaysenjoyedascene。Thiswasanespeciallyenjoyableone。Everybodysaid"Oh"inhorrifieddelight。Dianagasped。RubyGillis，whowasinclinedtobehysterical，begantocry。TommySloanelethisteamofcricketsescapehimaltogetherwhilehestaredopen-mouthedatthetableau。

Mr。PhillipsstalkeddowntheaisleandlaidhishandheavilyonAnne’sshoulder。

"AnneShirley，whatdoesthismean？"hesaidangrily。Annereturnednoanswer。Itwasaskingtoomuchoffleshandbloodtoexpecthertotellbeforethewholeschoolthatshehadbeencalled"carrots。"Gilbertitwaswhospokeupstoutly。

"ItwasmyfaultMr。Phillips。Iteasedher。"

Mr。PhillipspaidnoheedtoGilbert。

"Iamsorrytoseeapupilofminedisplayingsuchatemperandsuchavindictivespirit，"hesaidinasolemntone，asifthemerefactofbeingapupilofhisoughttorootoutallevilpassionsfromtheheartsofsmallimperfectmortals。"Anne，goandstandontheplatforminfrontoftheblackboardfortherestoftheafternoon。"

Annewouldhaveinfinitelypreferredawhippingtothispunishmentunderwhichhersensitivespiritquiveredasfromawhiplash。Withawhite，setfacesheobeyed。Mr。Phillipstookachalkcrayonandwroteontheblackboardaboveherhead。

"AnnShirleyhasaverybadtemper。AnnShirleymustlearntocontrolhertemper，"andthenreaditoutloudsothateventheprimerclass，whocouldn’treadwriting，shouldunderstandit。

Annestoodtheretherestoftheafternoonwiththatlegendaboveher。Shedidnotcryorhangherhead。Angerwasstilltoohotinherheartforthatanditsustainedheramidallheragonyofhumiliation。Withresentfuleyesandpassion-redcheekssheconfrontedalikeDiana’ssympatheticgazeandCharlieSloane’sindignantnodsandJosiePye’smalicioussmiles。AsforGilbertBlythe，shewouldnotevenlookathim。ShewouldNEVERlookathimagain！Shewouldneverspeaktohim！！

WhenschoolwasdismissedAnnemarchedoutwithherredheadheldhigh。GilbertBlythetriedtointerceptherattheporchdoor。

"I’mawfullysorryImadefunofyourhair，Anne，"hewhisperedcontritely。"HonestIam。Don’tbemadforkeeps，now"

Annesweptbydisdainfully，withoutlookorsignofhearing。"Ohhowcouldyou，Anne？"breathedDianaastheywentdowntheroadhalfreproachfully，halfadmiringly。DianafeltthatSHEcouldneverhaveresistedGilbert’splea。

"IshallneverforgiveGilbertBlythe，"saidAnnefirmly。

"AndMr。Phillipsspelledmynamewithoutane，too。

Theironhasenteredintomysoul，Diana。"

Dianahadn’ttheleastideawhatAnnemeantbutsheunderstooditwassomethingterrible。

"Youmustn’tmindGilbertmakingfunofyourhair，"shesaidsoothingly。"Why，hemakesfunofallthegirls。Helaughsatminebecauseit’ssoblack。He’scalledmeacrowadozentimes；

andIneverheardhimapologizeforanythingbefore，either。"

"There’sagreatdealofdifferencebetweenbeingcalledacrowandbeingcalledcarrots，"saidAnnewithdignity。"GilbertBlythehashurtmyfeelingsEXCRUCIATINGLY，Diana。"

Itispossiblethemattermighthaveblownoverwithoutmoreexcruciationifnothingelsehadhappened。Butwhenthingsbegintohappentheyareapttokeepon。

AvonleascholarsoftenspentnoonhourpickingguminMr。Bell’ssprucegroveoverthehillandacrosshisbigpasturefield。

FromtheretheycouldkeepaneyeonEbenWright’shouse，wherethemasterboarded。WhentheysawMr。Phillipsemergingtherefromtheyranfortheschoolhouse；butthedistancebeingaboutthreetimeslongerthanMr。Wright’slanetheywereveryapttoarrivethere，breathlessandgasping，somethreeminutestoolate。

OnthefollowingdayMr。Phillipswasseizedwithoneofhisspasmodicfitsofreformandannouncedbeforegoinghometodinner，thatheshouldexpecttofindallthescholarsintheirseatswhenhereturned。Anyonewhocameinlatewouldbepunished。

AlltheboysandsomeofthegirlswenttoMr。Bell’ssprucegroveasusual，fullyintendingtostayonlylongenoughto"pickachew。"Butsprucegrovesareseductiveandyellownutsofgumbeguiling；theypickedandloiteredandstrayed；andasusualthefirstthingthatrecalledthemtoasenseoftheflightoftimewasJimmyGlovershoutingfromthetopofapatriarchaloldspruce"Master’scoming。"

Thegirlswhowereontheground，startedfirstandmanagedtoreachtheschoolhouseintimebutwithoutasecondtospare。Theboys，whohadtowrigglehastilydownfromthetrees，werelater；

andAnne，whohadnotbeenpickinggumatallbutwaswanderinghappilyinthefarendofthegrove，waistdeepamongthebracken，singingsoftlytoherself，withawreathofriceliliesonherhairasifsheweresomewilddivinityoftheshadowyplaces，waslatestofall。Annecouldrunlikeadeer，however；

runshedidwiththeimpishresultthatsheovertooktheboysatthedoorandwassweptintotheschoolhouseamongthemjustasMr。Phillipswasintheactofhanginguphishat。

Mr。Phillips’sbriefreformingenergywasover；hedidn’twantthebotherofpunishingadozenpupils；butitwasnecessarytodosomethingtosavehisword，sohelookedaboutforascapegoatandfounditinAnne，whohaddroppedintoherseat，gaspingforbreath，withaforgottenlilywreathhangingaskewoveroneearandgivingheraparticularlyrakishanddisheveledappearance。

"AnneShirley，sinceyouseemtobesofondoftheboys’companyweshallindulgeyourtasteforitthisafternoon，"hesaidsarcastically。"TakethoseflowersoutofyourhairandsitwithGilbertBlythe。"

Theotherboyssnickered。Diana，turningpalewithpity，pluckedthewreathfromAnne’shairandsqueezedherhand。Annestaredatthemasterasifturnedtostone。

"DidyouhearwhatIsaid，Anne？"queriedMr。Phillipssternly。

"Yes，sir，"saidAnneslowly"butIdidn’tsupposeyoureallymeantit。"

"IassureyouIdid"——stillwiththesarcasticinflectionwhichallthechildren，andAnneespecially，hated。Itflickedontheraw。

"Obeymeatonce。"

ForamomentAnnelookedasifshemeanttodisobey。Then，realizingthattherewasnohelpforit，sherosehaughtily，steppedacrosstheaisle，satdownbesideGilbertBlythe，andburiedherfaceinherarmsonthedesk。RubyGillis，whogotaglimpseofitasitwentdown，toldtheothersgoinghomefromschoolthatshe’d"acksuallyneverseenanythinglikeit——itwassowhite，withawfullittleredspotsinit。"

ToAnne，thiswasastheendofallthings。Itwasbadenoughtobesingledoutforpunishmentfromamongadozenequallyguiltyones；itwasworsestilltobesenttositwithaboy，butthatthatboyshouldbeGilbertBlythewasheapinginsultoninjurytoadegreeutterlyunbearable。Annefeltthatshecouldnotbearitanditwouldbeofnousetotry。Herwholebeingseethedwithshameandangerandhumiliation。

Atfirsttheotherscholarslookedandwhisperedandgiggledandnudged。ButasAnneneverliftedherheadandasGilbertworkedfractionsasifhiswholesoulwasabsorbedinthemandthemonly，theysoonreturnedtotheirowntasksandAnnewasforgotten。

WhenMr。PhillipscalledthehistoryclassoutAnneshouldhavegone，butAnnedidnotmove，andMr。Phillips，whohadbeenwritingsomeverses"ToPriscilla"beforehecalledtheclass，wasthinkingaboutanobstinaterhymestillandnevermissedher。

Once，whennobodywaslooking，Gilberttookfromhisdeskalittlepinkcandyheartwithagoldmottoonit，"Youaresweet，"andslippeditunderthecurveofAnne’sarm。WhereuponAnnearose，tookthepinkheartgingerlybetweenthetipsofherfingers，droppeditonthefloor，groundittopowderbeneathherheel，andresumedherpositionwithoutdeigningtobestowaglanceonGilbert。

WhenschoolwentoutAnnemarchedtoherdesk，ostentatiouslytookouteverythingtherein，booksandwritingtablet，penandink，testamentandarithmetic，andpiledthemneatlyonhercrackedslate。

"Whatareyoutakingallthosethingshomefor，Anne？"Dianawantedtoknow，assoonastheywereoutontheroad。Shehadnotdaredtoaskthequestionbefore。

"Iamnotcomingbacktoschoolanymore，"saidAnne。

DianagaspedandstaredatAnnetoseeifshemeantit。

"WillMarillaletyoustayhome？"sheasked。

"She’llhaveto，"saidAnne。"I’llNEVERgotoschooltothatmanagain。"

"Oh，Anne！"Dianalookedasifshewerereadytocry。"Idothinkyou’remean。WhatshallIdo？Mr。PhillipswillmakemesitwiththathorridGertiePye——Iknowhewillbecausesheissittingalone。Docomeback，Anne。"

"I’ddoalmostanythingintheworldforyou，Diana，"saidAnnesadly。

"I’dletmyselfbetornlimbfromlimbifitwoulddoyouanygood。

ButIcan’tdothis，sopleasedon’taskit。Youharrowupmyverysoul。"

"Justthinkofallthefunyouwillmiss，"mournedDiana。"Wearegoingtobuildtheloveliestnewhousedownbythebrook；andwe’llbeplayingballnextweekandyou’veneverplayedball，Anne。

It’stremendouslyexciting。Andwe’regoingtolearnanewsong——

JaneAndrewsispracticingitupnow；andAliceAndrewsisgoingtobringanewPansybooknextweekandwe’reallgoingtoreaditoutloud，chapterabout，downbythebrook。Andyouknowyouaresofondofreadingoutloud，Anne。"

NothingmovedAnneintheleast。Hermindwasmadeup。ShewouldnotgotoschooltoMr。Phillipsagain；shetoldMarillasowhenshegothome。

"Nonsense，"saidMarilla。

"Itisn’tnonsenseatall，"saidAnne，gazingatMarillawithsolemn，reproachfuleyes。"Don’tyouunderstand，Marilla？I’vebeeninsulted。"

"Insultedfiddlesticks！You’llgotoschooltomorrowasusual。"

"Oh，no。"Anneshookherheadgently。"I’mnotgoingback，Marilla。"I’lllearnmylessonsathomeandI’llbeasgoodasI

canbeandholdmytongueallthetimeifit’spossibleatall。

ButIwillnotgobacktoschool，Iassureyou。"

MarillasawsomethingremarkablylikeunyieldingstubbornnesslookingoutofAnne’ssmallface。Sheunderstoodthatshewouldhavetroubleinovercomingit；butshere-solvedwiselytosaynothingmorejustthen。"I’llrundownandseeRachelaboutitthisevening，"shethought。"There’snousereasoningwithAnnenow。She’stooworkedupandI’veanideashecanbeawfulstubbornifshetakesthenotion。FarasIcanmakeoutfromherstory，Mr。Phillipshasbeencarryingmatterswitharatherhighhand。

Butitwouldneverdotosaysotoher。I’lljusttalkitoverwithRachel。She’ssenttenchildrentoschoolandsheoughttoknowsomethingaboutit。She’llhaveheardthewholestory，too，bythistime。"

MarillafoundMrs。Lyndeknittingquiltsasindustriouslyandcheerfullyasusual。

"IsupposeyouknowwhatI’vecomeabout，"shesaid，alittleshamefacedly。

Mrs。Rachelnodded。

"AboutAnne’sfussinschool，Ireckon，"shesaid。"TillieBoulterwasinonherwayhomefromschoolandtoldmeaboutit。"

"Idon’tknowwhattodowithher，"saidMarilla。"Shedeclaresshewon’tgobacktoschool。Ineversawachildsoworkedup。

I’vebeenexpectingtroubleeversinceshestartedtoschool。

Iknewthingsweregoingtoosmoothtolast。She’ssohighstrung。

Whatwouldyouadvise，Rachel？"

"Well，sinceyou’veaskedmyadvice，Marilla，"saidMrs。Lyndeamiably——Mrs。Lyndedearlylovedtobeaskedforadvice——"I’djusthumorheralittleatfirst，that’swhatI’ddo。It’smybeliefthatMr。Phillipswasinthewrong。Ofcourse，itdoesn’tdotosaysotothechildren，youknow。Andofcoursehedidrighttopunishheryesterdayforgivingwaytotemper。Buttodayitwasdifferent。TheotherswhowerelateshouldhavebeenpunishedaswellasAnne，that’swhat。AndIdon’tbelieveinmakingthegirlssitwiththeboysforpunishment。Itisn’tmodest。TillieBoulterwasrealindignant。ShetookAnne’spartrightthroughandsaidallthescholarsdidtoo。Anneseemsrealpopularamongthem，somehow。Ineverthoughtshe’dtakewiththemsowell。"

"ThenyoureallythinkI’dbetterletherstayhome，"saidMarillainamazement。

"Yes。ThatisIwouldn’tsayschooltoheragainuntilshesaiditherself。Dependuponit，Marilla，she’llcooloffinaweekorsoandbereadyenoughtogobackofherownaccord，that’swhat，while，ifyouweretomakehergobackrightoff，dearknowswhatfreakortantrumshe’dtakenextandmakemoretroublethanever。Thelessfussmadethebetter，inmyopinion。

Shewon’tmissmuchbynotgoingtoschool，asfarasTHATgoes。

Mr。Phillipsisn’tanygoodatallasateacher。Theorderhekeepsisscandalous，that’swhat，andheneglectstheyoungfryandputsallhistimeonthosebigscholarshe’sgettingreadyforQueen’s。He’dneverhavegottheschoolforanotheryearifhisunclehadn’tbeenatrustee——THEtrustee，forhejustleadstheothertwoaroundbythenose，that’swhat。Ideclare，Idon’tknowwhateducationinthisIslandiscomingto。"

Mrs。Rachelshookherhead，asmuchastosayifshewereonlyattheheadoftheeducationalsystemoftheProvincethingswouldbemuchbettermanaged。

MarillatookMrs。Rachel’sadviceandnotanotherwordwassaidtoAnneaboutgoingbacktoschool。Shelearnedherlessonsathome，didherchores，andplayedwithDianainthechillypurpleautumntwilights；butwhenshemetGilbertBlytheontheroadorencounteredhiminSundayschoolshepassedhimbywithanicycontemptthatwasnowhitthawedbyhisevidentdesiretoappeaseher。EvenDiana’seffortsasapeacemakerwereofnoavail。

AnnehadevidentlymadeuphermindtohateGilbertBlythetotheendoflife。

AsmuchasshehatedGilbert，however，didsheloveDiana，withalltheloveofherpassionatelittleheart，equallyintenseinitslikesanddislikes。OneeveningMarilla，cominginfromtheorchardwithabasketofapples，foundAnnesittingalongbytheeastwindowinthetwilight，cryingbitterly。

"Whatever’sthematternow，Anne？"sheasked。

"It’saboutDiana，"sobbedAnneluxuriously。"IloveDianaso，Marilla。Icannoteverlivewithouther。ButIknowverywellwhenwegrowupthatDianawillgetmarriedandgoawayandleaveme。Andoh，whatshallIdo？Ihateherhusband——Ijusthatehimfuriously。I’vebeenimaginingitallout——theweddingandeverything——Dianadressedinsnowygarments，withaveil，andlookingasbeautifulandregalasaqueen；andmethebridesmaid，withalovelydresstoo，andpuffedsleeves，butwithabreakinghearthidbeneathmysmilingface。AndthenbiddingDianagoodbye-e-e——"HereAnnebrokedownentirelyandweptwithincreasingbitterness。

Marillaturnedquicklyawaytohidehertwitchingface；butitwasnouse；shecollapsedonthenearestchairandburstintosuchaheartyandunusualpealoflaughterthatMatthew，crossingtheyardoutside，haltedinamazement。WhenhadheheardMarillalaughlikethatbefore？

"Well，AnneShirley，"saidMarillaassoonasshecouldspeak，"ifyoumustborrowtrouble，forpity’ssakeborrowithandierhome。Ishouldthinkyouhadanimagination，sureenough。"

CHAPTERXVI

DianaIsInvitedtoTeawithTragicResultsOCTOBERwasabeautifulmonthatGreenGables，whenthebirchesinthehollowturnedasgoldenassunshineandthemaplesbehindtheorchardwereroyalcrimsonandthewildcherrytreesalongthelaneputontheloveliestshadesofdarkredandbronzygreen，whilethefieldssunnedthemselvesinaftermaths。

Annereveledintheworldofcolorabouther。

"Oh，Marilla，"sheexclaimedoneSaturdaymorning，comingdancinginwithherarmsfullofgorgeousboughs"’I’msogladIliveinaworldwherethereareOctobers。ItwouldbeterribleifwejustskippedfromSeptembertoNovember，wouldn’tit？Lookatthesemaplebranches。Don’ttheygiveyouathrill——severalthrills？I’mgoingtodecoratemyroomwiththem。"

"Messythings，"saidMarilla，whoseaestheticsensewasnotnoticeablydeveloped。"Youclutterupyourroomentirelytoomuchwithout-of-doorsstuff，Anne。Bedroomsweremadetosleepin。"

"Oh，anddreamintoo，Marilla。Andyouknowonecandreamsomuchbetterinaroomwherethereareprettythings。I’mgoingtoputtheseboughsintheoldbluejugandsetthemonmytable。"

"Mindyoudon’tdropleavesalloverthestairsthen。I’mgoingonameetingoftheAidSocietyatCarmodythisafternoon，Anne，andIwon’tlikelybehomebeforedark。You’llhavetogetMatthewandJerrytheirsupper，somindyoudon’tforgettoputtheteatodrawuntilyousitdownatthetableasyoudidlasttime。"

"Itwasdreadfulofmetoforget，"saidAnneapologetically，"butthatwastheafternoonIwastryingtothinkofanameforVioletValeanditcrowdedotherthingsout。Matthewwassogood。Heneverscoldedabit。Heputtheteadownhimselfandsaidwecouldwaitawhileaswellasnot。AndItoldhimalovelyfairystorywhilewewerewaiting，sohedidn’tfindthetimelongatall。Itwasabeautifulfairystory，Marilla。Iforgottheendofit，soImadeupanendforitmyselfandMatthewsaidhecouldn’ttellwherethejoincamein。"

"Matthewwouldthinkitallright，Anne，ifyoutookanotiontogetupandhavedinnerinthemiddleofthenight。Butyoukeepyourwitsaboutyouthistime。And——Idon’treallyknowifI’mdoingright——itmaymakeyoumoreaddlepatedthanever——butyoucanaskDianatocomeoverandspendtheafternoonwithyouandhaveteahere。"

"Oh，Marilla！"Anneclaspedherhands。"Howperfectlylovely！

YouAREabletoimaginethingsafterallorelseyou’dneverhaveunderstoodhowI’velongedforthatverything。Itwillseemsoniceandgrown-uppish。NofearofmyforgettingtoputtheteatodrawwhenIhavecompany。Oh，Marilla，canIusetherosebudsprayteaset？"

"No，indeed！Therosebudteaset！Well，whatnext？YouknowI

neverusethatexceptfortheministerortheAids。You’llputdowntheoldbrownteaset。Butyoucanopenthelittleyellowcrockofcherrypreserves。It’stimeitwasbeingusedanyhow——I

believeit’sbeginningtowork。Andyoucancutsomefruitcakeandhavesomeofthecookiesandsnaps。"

"Icanjustimaginemyselfsittingdownattheheadofthetableandpouringoutthetea，"saidAnne，shuttinghereyesecstatically。"AndaskingDianaifshetakessugar！Iknowshedoesn’tbutofcourseI’llaskherjustasifIdidn’tknow。Andthenpressinghertotakeanotherpieceoffruitcakeandanotherhelpingofpreserves。Oh，Marilla，it’sawonderfulsensationjusttothinkofit。CanItakeherintothespareroomtolayoffherhatwhenshecomes？Andthenintotheparlortosit？"

"No。Thesittingroomwilldoforyouandyourcompany。Butthere’sabottlehalffullofraspberrycordialthatwasleftoverfromthechurchsocialtheothernight。It’sonthesecondshelfofthesitting-roomclosetandyouandDianacanhaveitifyoulike，andacookytoeatwithitalongintheafternoon，forIdaresayMatthew’llbelatecomingintoteasincehe’shaulingpotatoestothevessel。"

Anneflewdowntothehollow，pasttheDryad’sBubbleandupthesprucepathtoOrchardSlope，toaskDianatotea。AsaresultjustafterMarillahaddrivenofftoCarmody，Dianacameover，dressedinHERsecond-bestdressandlookingexactlyasitispropertolookwhenaskedouttotea。Atothertimesshewaswonttorunintothekitchenwithoutknocking；butnowsheknockedprimlyatthefrontdoor。AndwhenAnne，dressedinhersecondbest，asprimlyopenedit，bothlittlegirlsshookhandsasgravelyasiftheyhadnevermetbefore。ThisunnaturalsolemnitylasteduntilafterDianahadbeentakentotheeastgabletolayoffherhatandthenhadsatfortenminutesinthesittingroom，toesinposition。

"Howisyourmother？"inquiredAnnepolitely，justasifshehadnotseenMrs。Barrypickingapplesthatmorninginexcellenthealthandspirits。

"Sheisverywell，thankyou。IsupposeMr。CuthbertishaulingpotatoestotheLILYSANDSthisafternoon，ishe？"saidDiana，whohadriddendowntoMr。HarmonAndrews’sthatmorninginMatthew’scart。

"Yes。Ourpotatocropisverygoodthisyear。Ihopeyourfather’scropisgoodtoo。"

"Itisfairlygood，thankyou。Haveyoupickedmanyofyourapplesyet？"

"Oh，eversomany，"saidAnneforgettingtobedignifiedandjumpingupquickly。"Let’sgoouttotheorchardandgetsomeoftheRedSweetings，Diana。Marillasayswecanhaveallthatareleftonthetree。Marillaisaverygenerouswoman。Shesaidwecouldhavefruitcakeandcherrypreservesfortea。Butitisn’tgoodmannerstotellyourcompanywhatyouaregoingtogivethemtoeat，soIwon’ttellyouwhatshesaidwecouldhavetodrink。

OnlyitbeginswithanRandaCandit’sbrightredcolor。I

lovebrightreddrinks，don’tyou？Theytastetwiceasgoodasanyothercolor。"

Theorchard，withitsgreatsweepingboughsthatbenttothegroundwithfruit，provedsodelightfulthatthelittlegirlsspentmostoftheafternooninit，sittinginagrassycornerwherethefrosthadsparedthegreenandthemellowautumnsunshinelingeredwarmly，eatingapplesandtalkingashardastheycould。DianahadmuchtotellAnneofwhatwentoninschool。ShehadtositwithGertiePyeandshehatedit；Gertiesqueakedherpencilallthetimeanditjustmadeher——Diana’s——bloodruncold；RubyGillishadcharmedallherwartsaway，true’syoulive，withamagicpebblethatoldMaryJoefromtheCreekgaveher。Youhadtorubthewartswiththepebbleandthenthrowitawayoveryourleftshoulderatthetimeofthenewmoonandthewartswouldallgo。CharlieSloane’snamewaswrittenupwithEmWhite’sontheporchwallandEmWhitewasAWFULMADaboutit；SamBoulterhad"sassed"Mr。

PhillipsinclassandMr。PhillipswhippedhimandSam’sfathercamedowntotheschoolanddaredMr。Phillipstolayahandononeofhischildrenagain；andMattieAndrewshadanewredhoodandabluecrossoverwithtasselsonitandtheairssheputonaboutitwereperfectlysickening；andLizzieWrightdidn’tspeaktoMamieWilsonbecauseMamieWilson’sgrown-upsisterhadcutoutLizzieWright’sgrown-upsisterwithherbeau；andeverybodymissedAnnesoandwishedshe’scometoschoolagain；andGilbertBlythe——

ButAnnedidn’twanttohearaboutGilbertBlythe。Shejumpeduphurriedlyandsaidsupposetheygoinandhavesomeraspberrycordial。

Annelookedonthesecondshelfoftheroompantrybuttherewasnobottleofraspberrycordialthere。Searchrevealeditawaybackonthetopshelf。Anneputitonatrayandsetitonthetablewithatumbler。

"Now，pleasehelpyourself，Diana，"shesaidpolitely。"Idon’tbelieveI’llhaveanyjustnow。Idon’tfeelasifIwantedanyafterallthoseapples。"

Dianapouredherselfoutatumblerful，lookedatitsbright-redhueadmiringly，andthensippeditdaintily。

"That’sawfullyniceraspberrycordial，Anne，"shesaid。"I

didn’tknowraspberrycordialwassonice。"

"I’mrealgladyoulikeit。Takeasmuchasyouwant。I’mgoingtorunoutandstirthefireup。Therearesomanyresponsibilitiesonaperson’smindwhenthey’rekeepinghouse，isn’tthere？"

WhenAnnecamebackfromthekitchenDianawasdrinkinghersecondglassfulofcordial；and，beingentreatedtheretobyAnne，sheofferednoparticularobjectiontothedrinkingofathird。

Thetumblerfulsweregenerousonesandtheraspberrycordialwascertainlyverynice。

"ThenicestIeverdrank，"saidDiana。"It’seversomuchnicerthanMrs。Lynde’s，althoughshebragsofherssomuch。Itdoesn’ttasteabitlikehers。"

"IshouldthinkMarilla’sraspberrycordialwouldprob’lybemuchnicerthanMrs。Lynde’s，"saidAnneloyally。"Marillaisafamouscook。SheistryingtoteachmetocookbutIassureyou，Diana，itisuphillwork。There’ssolittlescopeforimaginationincookery。Youjusthavetogobyrules。ThelasttimeImadeacakeIforgottoputtheflourin。Iwasthinkingthelovelieststoryaboutyouandme，Diana。Ithoughtyouweredesperatelyillwithsmallpoxandeverybodydesertedyou，butI

wentboldlytoyourbedsideandnursedyoubacktolife；andthenItookthesmallpoxanddiedandIwasburiedunderthosepoplartreesinthegraveyardandyouplantedarosebushbymygraveandwatereditwithyourtears；andyounever，neverforgotthefriendofyouryouthwhosacrificedherlifeforyou。Oh，itwassuchapathetictale，Diana。ThetearsjustraineddownovermycheekswhileImixedthecake。ButIforgottheflourandthecakewasadismalfailure。Flourissoessentialtocakes，youknow。MarillawasverycrossandIdon’twonder。I’magreattrialtoher。Shewasterriblymortifiedaboutthepuddingsaucelastweek。WehadaplumpuddingfordinneronTuesdayandtherewashalfthepuddingandapitcherfulofsauceleftover。

Marillasaidtherewasenoughforanotherdinnerandtoldmetosetitonthepantryshelfandcoverit。Imeanttocoveritjustasmuchascouldbe，Diana，butwhenIcarrieditinIwasimaginingIwasanun——ofcourseI’maProtestantbutIimaginedIwasaCatholic——takingtheveiltoburyabrokenheartincloisteredseclusion；andIforgotallaboutcoveringthepuddingsauce。Ithoughtofitnextmorningandrantothepantry。

Diana，fancyifyoucanmyextremehorroratfindingamousedrownedinthatpuddingsauce！IliftedthemouseoutwithaspoonandthrewitoutintheyardandthenIwashedthespooninthreewaters。MarillawasoutmilkingandIfullyintendedtoaskherwhenshecameinifI’dgivethesaucetothepigs；butwhenshedidcomeinIwasimaginingthatIwasafrostfairygoingthroughthewoodsturningthetreesredandyellow，whichevertheywantedtobe，soIneverthoughtaboutthepuddingsauceagainandMarillasentmeouttopickapples。

Well，Mr。andMrs。ChesterRossfromSpencervalecameherethatmorning。Youknowtheyareverystylishpeople，especiallyMrs。

ChesterRoss。WhenMarillacalledmeindinnerwasallreadyandeverybodywasatthetable。ItriedtobeaspoliteanddignifiedasIcouldbe，forIwantedMrs。ChesterRosstothinkIwasaladylikelittlegirlevenifIwasn’tpretty。EverythingwentrightuntilIsawMarillacomingwiththeplumpuddinginonehandandthepitcherofpuddingsauceWARMEDUP，intheother。

Diana，thatwasaterriblemoment。IrememberedeverythingandI

juststoodupinmyplaceandshriekedout`Marilla，youmustn’tusethatpuddingsauce。Therewasamousedrownedinit。I

forgottotellyoubefore。’Oh，Diana，IshallneverforgetthatawfulmomentifIlivetobeahundred。Mrs。ChesterRossjustLOOKEDatmeandIthoughtIwouldsinkthroughthefloorwithmortification。Sheissuchaperfecthousekeeperandfancywhatshemusthavethoughtofus。Marillaturnedredasfirebutsheneversaidaword——then。Shejustcarriedthatsauceandpuddingoutandbroughtinsomestrawberrypreserves。Sheevenofferedmesome，butIcouldn’tswallowamouthful。Itwaslikeheapingcoalsoffireonmyhead。AfterMrs。ChesterRosswentaway，Marillagavemeadreadfulscolding。Why，Diana，whatisthematter？"

Dianahadstoodupveryunsteadily；thenshesatdownagain，puttingherhandstoherhead。

"I’m——I’mawfulsick，"shesaid，alittlethickly。"I——I——mustgorighthome。"

"Oh，youmustn’tdreamofgoinghomewithoutyourtea，"criedAnneindistress。"I’llgetitrightoff——I’llgoandputtheteadownthisveryminute。"

"Imustgohome，"repeatedDiana，stupidlybutdeterminedly。

"Letmegetyoualunchanyhow，"imploredAnne。"Letmegiveyouabitoffruitcakeandsomeofthecherrypreserves。Liedownonthesofaforalittlewhileandyou’llbebetter。Wheredoyoufeelbad？"

"Imustgohome，"saidDiana，andthatwasallshewouldsay。InvainAnnepleaded。

"Ineverheardofcompanygoinghomewithouttea，"shemourned。

"Oh，Diana，doyousupposethatit’spossibleyou’rereallytakingthesmallpox？IfyouareI’llgoandnurseyou，youcandependonthat。I’llneverforsakeyou。ButIdowishyou’dstaytillaftertea。Wheredoyoufeelbad？"

"I’mawfuldizzy，"saidDiana。

Andindeed，shewalkedverydizzily。Anne，withtearsofdisappointmentinhereyes，gotDiana’shatandwentwithherasfarastheBarryyardfence。ThensheweptallthewaybacktoGreenGables，whereshesorrowfullyputtheremainderoftheraspberrycordialbackintothepantryandgotteareadyforMatthewandJerry，withallthezestgoneoutoftheperformance。