第5章

ThenextdaywasSundayandastherainpoureddownintorrentsfromdawntillduskAnnedidnotstirabroadfromGreenGables。

MondayafternoonMarillasentherdowntoMrs。Lynde’sonanerrand。InaveryshortspaceoftimeAnnecameflyingbackupthelanewithtearsrollingdownhercheeks。Intothekitchenshedashedandflungherselffacedownwardonthesofainanagony。

"Whateverhasgonewrongnow，Anne？"queriedMarillaindoubtanddismay。"Idohopeyouhaven’tgoneandbeensaucytoMrs。Lyndeagain。"

NoanswerfromAnnesavemoretearsandstormiersobs！

"AnneShirley，whenIaskyouaquestionIwanttobeanswered。

Sitrightupthisveryminuteandtellmewhatyouarecryingabout。"

Annesatup，tragedypersonified。

"Mrs。LyndewasuptoseeMrs。BarrytodayandMrs。Barrywasinanawfulstate，"shewailed。"ShesaysthatIsetDianaDRUNK

Saturdayandsentherhomeinadisgracefulcondition。AndshesaysImustbeathoroughlybad，wickedlittlegirlandshe’snever，nevergoingtoletDianaplaywithmeagain。Oh，Marilla，I’mjustovercomewithwoe。"

Marillastaredinblankamazement。

"SetDianadrunk！"shesaidwhenshefoundhervoice。"AnneareyouorMrs。Barrycrazy？Whatonearthdidyougiveher？"

"Notathingbutraspberrycordial，"sobbedAnne。"Ineverthoughtraspberrycordialwouldsetpeopledrunk，Marilla——noteveniftheydrankthreebigtumblerfulsasDianadid。Oh，itsoundsso——so——likeMrs。Thomas’shusband！ButIdidn’tmeantosetherdrunk。"

"Drunkfiddlesticks！"saidMarilla，marchingtothesittingroompantry。Thereontheshelfwasabottlewhichsheatoncerecognizedasonecontainingsomeofherthree-year-oldhomemadecurrantwineforwhichshewascelebratedinAvonlea，althoughcertainofthestrictersort，Mrs。Barryamongthem，disapprovedstronglyofit。AndatthesametimeMarillarecollectedthatshehadputthebottleofraspberrycordialdowninthecellarinsteadofinthepantryasshehadtoldAnne。

Shewentbacktothekitchenwiththewinebottleinherhand。

Herfacewastwitchinginspiteofherself。

"Anne，youcertainlyhaveageniusforgettingintotrouble。YouwentandgaveDianacurrantwineinsteadofraspberrycordial。

Didn’tyouknowthedifferenceyourself？"

"Inevertastedit，"saidAnne。"Ithoughtitwasthecordial。

Imeanttobeso——so——hospitable。Dianagotawfullysickandhadtogohome。Mrs。BarrytoldMrs。Lyndeshewassimplydeaddrunk。Shejustlaughedsilly-likewhenhermotheraskedherwhatwasthematterandwenttosleepandsleptforhours。Hermothersmelledherbreathandknewshewasdrunk。Shehadafearfulheadachealldayyesterday。Mrs。Barryissoindignant。

ShewillneverbelievebutwhatIdiditonpurpose。"

"IshouldthinkshewouldbetterpunishDianaforbeingsogreedyastodrinkthreeglassfulsofanything，"saidMarillashortly。

"Why，threeofthosebigglasseswouldhavemadehersickevenifithadonlybeencordial。Well，thisstorywillbeanicehandleforthosefolkswhoaresodownonmeformakingcurrantwine，althoughIhaven’tmadeanyforthreeyearseversinceIfoundoutthattheministerdidn’tapprove。Ijustkeptthatbottleforsickness。There，there，child，don’tcry。Ican’tseeasyouweretoblamealthoughI’msorryithappenedso。"

"Imustcry，"saidAnne。"Myheartisbroken。Thestarsintheircoursesfightagainstme，Marilla。DianaandIarepartedforever。

Oh，Marilla，Ilittledreamedofthiswhenfirstwesworeourvowsoffriendship。"

"Don’tbefoolish，Anne。Mrs。Barrywillthinkbetterofitwhenshefindsyou’renottoblame。Isupposeshethinksyou’vedoneitforasillyjokeorsomethingofthatsort。You’dbestgoupthiseveningandtellherhowitwas。"

"MycouragefailsmeatthethoughtoffacingDiana’sinjuredmother，"sighedAnne。"Iwishyou’dgo，Marilla。You’resomuchmoredignifiedthanIam。Likelyshe’dlistentoyouquickerthantome。"

"Well，Iwill，"saidMarilla，reflectingthatitwouldprobablybethewisercourse。"Don’tcryanymore，Anne。Itwillbeallright。"

MarillahadchangedhermindaboutitbeingallrightbythetimeshegotbackfromOrchardSlope。Annewaswatchingforhercomingandflewtotheporchdoortomeether。

"Oh，Marilla，Iknowbyyourfacethatit’sbeennouse，"shesaidsorrowfully。"Mrs。Barrywon’tforgiveme？"

"Mrs。Barryindeed！"snappedMarilla。"OfalltheunreasonablewomenIeversawshe’stheworst。Itoldheritwasallamistakeandyouweren’ttoblame，butshejustsimplydidn’tbelieveme。AndsherubbeditwellinaboutmycurrantwineandhowI’dalwayssaiditcouldn’thavetheleasteffectonanybody。

Ijusttoldherplainlythatcurrantwinewasn’tmeanttobedrunkthreetumblerfulsatatimeandthatifachildIhadtodowithwassogreedyI’dsoberherupwitharightgoodspanking。"

Marillawhiskedintothekitchen，grievouslydisturbed，leavingaverymuchdistractedlittlesoulintheporchbehindher。

PresentlyAnnesteppedoutbareheadedintothechillautumndusk；

verydeterminedlyandsteadilyshetookherwaydownthroughtheserecloverfieldoverthelogbridgeandupthroughthesprucegrove，lightedbyapalelittlemoonhanginglowoverthewesternwoods。Mrs。Barry，comingtothedoorinanswertoatimidknock，foundawhite-lippedeager-eyedsuppliantonthedoorstep。

Herfacehardened。Mrs。Barrywasawomanofstrongprejudicesanddislikes，andherangerwasofthecold，sullensortwhichisalwayshardesttoovercome。Todoherjustice，shereallybelievedAnnehadmadeDianadrunkoutofsheermaliceprepense，？？？

andshewashonestlyanxioustopreserveherlittledaughterfromthecontaminationoffurtherintimacywithsuchachild。

"Whatdoyouwant？"shesaidstiffly。

Anneclaspedherhands。

"Oh，Mrs。Barry，pleaseforgiveme。Ididnotmeanto——to——intoxicateDiana。HowcouldI？Justimagineifyouwereapoorlittleorphangirlthatkindpeoplehadadoptedandyouhadjustonebosomfriendinalltheworld。Doyouthinkyouwouldintoxicateheronpurpose？Ithoughtitwasonlyraspberrycordial。Iwasfirmlyconvinceditwasraspberrycordial。Oh，pleasedon’tsaythatyouwon’tletDianaplaywithmeanymore。

Ifyoudoyouwillcovermylifewithadarkcloudofwoe。"

ThisspeechwhichwouldhavesoftenedgoodMrs。Lynde’sheartinatwinkling，hadnoeffectonMrs。Barryexcepttoirritateherstillmore。ShewassuspiciousofAnne’sbigwordsanddramaticgesturesandimaginedthatthechildwasmakingfunofher。Soshesaid，coldlyandcruelly:

"Idon’tthinkyouareafitlittlegirlforDianatoassociatewith。You’dbettergohomeandbehaveyourself。"

Anne’slipsquivered。

"Won’tyouletmeseeDianajustoncetosayfarewell？"sheimplored。

"DianahasgoneovertoCarmodywithherfather，"saidMrs。

Barry，goinginandshuttingthedoor。

AnnewentbacktoGreenGablescalmwithdespair。

"Mylasthopeisgone，"shetoldMarilla。"IwentupandsawMrs。Barrymyselfandshetreatedmeveryinsultingly。Marilla，IdoNOTthinksheisawell-bredwoman。ThereisnothingmoretodoexcepttoprayandIhaven’tmuchhopethatthat’lldomuchgoodbecause，Marilla，IdonotbelievethatGodHimselfcandoverymuchwithsuchanobstinatepersonasMrs。Barry。"

"Anne，youshouldn’tsaysuchthings"rebukedMarilla，strivingtoovercomethatunholytendencytolaughterwhichshewasdismayedtofindgrowinguponher。Andindeed，whenshetoldthewholestorytoMatthewthatnight，shedidlaughheartilyoverAnne’stribulations。

ButwhensheslippedintotheeastgablebeforegoingtobedandfoundthatAnnehadcriedherselftosleepanunaccustomedsoftnesscreptintoherface。

"Poorlittlesoul，"shemurmured，liftingaloosecurlofhairfromthechild’stear-stainedface。Thenshebentdownandkissedtheflushedcheekonthepillow。

CHAPTERXVII

ANewInterestinLifeTHEnextafternoonAnne，bendingoverherpatchworkatthekitchenwindow，happenedtoglanceoutandbeheldDianadownbytheDryad’sBubblebeckoningmysteriously。InatriceAnnewasoutofthehouseandflyingdowntothehollow，astonishmentandhopestrugglinginherexpressiveeyes。ButthehopefadedwhenshesawDiana’sdejectedcountenance。

"Yourmotherhasn’trelented？"shegasped。

Dianashookherheadmournfully。

"No；andoh，Anne，shesaysI’mnevertoplaywithyouagain。

I’vecriedandcriedandItoldheritwasn’tyourfault，butitwasn’tanyuse。Ihadeversuchatimecoaxinghertoletmecomedownandsaygood-byetoyou。ShesaidIwasonlytostaytenminutesandshe’stimingmebytheclock。"

"Tenminutesisn’tverylongtosayaneternalfarewellin，"saidAnnetearfully。"Oh，Diana，willyoupromisefaithfullynevertoforgetme，thefriendofyouryouth，nomatterwhatdearerfriendsmaycaressthee？"

"IndeedIwill，"sobbedDiana，"andI’llneverhaveanotherbosomfriend——Idon’twanttohave。Icouldn’tloveanybodyasIloveyou。"

"Oh，Diana，"criedAnne，claspingherhands，"doyouLOVEme？"

"Why，ofcourseIdo。Didn’tyouknowthat？"

"No。"Annedrewalongbreath。"IthoughtyouLIKEDmeofcoursebutIneverhopedyouLOVEDme。Why，Diana，Ididn’tthinkanybodycouldloveme。NobodyeverhaslovedmesinceIcanremember。Oh，thisiswonderful！It’sarayoflightwhichwillforevershineonthedarknessofapathseveredfromthee，Diana。

Oh，justsayitonceagain。"

"Iloveyoudevotedly，Anne，"saidDianastanchly，"andIalwayswill，youmaybesureofthat。"

"AndIwillalwayslovethee，Diana，"saidAnne，solemnlyextendingherhand。"Intheyearstocomethymemorywillshinelikeastarovermylonelylife，asthatlaststorywereadtogethersays。Diana，wiltthougivemealockofthyjet-blacktressesinpartingtotreasureforevermore？"

"Haveyougotanythingtocutitwith？"queriedDiana，wipingawaythetearswhichAnne’saffectingaccentshadcausedtoflowafresh，andreturningtopracticalities。

"Yes。I’vegotmypatchworkscissorsinmyapronpocketfortunately，"saidAnne。ShesolemnlyclippedoneofDiana’scurls。"Faretheewell，mybelovedfriend。Henceforthwemustbeasstrangersthoughlivingsidebyside。Butmyheartwilleverbefaithfultothee。"

AnnestoodandwatchedDianaoutofsight，mournfullywavingherhandtothelatterwheneversheturnedtolookback。Thenshereturnedtothehouse，notalittleconsoledforthetimebeingbythisromanticparting。

"Itisallover，"sheinformedMarilla。"Ishallneverhaveanotherfriend。I’mreallyworseoffthaneverbefore，forI

haven’tKatieMauriceandViolettanow。AndevenifIhaditwouldn’tbethesame。Somehow，littledreamgirlsarenotsatisfyingafterarealfriend。DianaandIhadsuchanaffectingfarewelldownbythespring。Itwillbesacredinmymemoryforever。IusedthemostpatheticlanguageIcouldthinkofandsaid`thou’and`thee。’`Thou’and`thee’seemsomuchmoreromanticthan`you。’DianagavemealockofherhairandI’mgoingtosewitupinalittlebagandwearitaroundmyneckallmylife。Pleaseseethatitisburiedwithme，forIdon’tbelieveI’llliveverylong。PerhapswhensheseesmelyingcoldanddeadbeforeherMrs。BarrymayfeelremorseforwhatshehasdoneandwillletDianacometomyfuneral。"

"Idon’tthinkthereismuchfearofyourdyingofgriefaslongasyoucantalk，Anne，"saidMarillaunsympathetically。

ThefollowingMondayAnnesurprisedMarillabycomingdownfromherroomwithherbasketofbooksonherarmandhip？？？lipsprimmedupintoalineofdetermination。

"I’mgoingbacktoschool，"sheannounced。"Thatisallthereisleftinlifeforme，nowthatmyfriendhasbeenruthlesslytornfromme。InschoolIcanlookatherandmuseoverdaysdeparted。"

"You’dbettermuseoveryourlessonsandsums，"saidMarilla，concealingherdelightatthisdevelopmentofthesituation。"Ifyou’regoingbacktoschoolIhopewe’llhearnomoreofbreakingslatesoverpeople’sheadsandsuchcarryingson。Behaveyourselfanddojustwhatyourteachertellsyou。"

"I’lltrytobeamodelpupil，"agreedAnnedolefully。"Therewon’tbemuchfuninit，Iexpect。Mr。PhillipssaidMinnieAndrewswasamodelpupilandthereisn’tasparkofimaginationorlifeinher。Sheisjustdullandpokyandneverseemstohaveagoodtime。ButIfeelsodepressedthatperhapsitwillcomeeasytomenow。I’mgoingroundbytheroad。Icouldn’tbeartogobytheBirchPathallalone。IshouldweepbittertearsifIdid。"

Annewaswelcomedbacktoschoolwithopenarms。Herimaginationhadbeensorelymissedingames，hervoiceinthesingingandherdramaticabilityintheperusalaloudofbooksatdinnerhour。

RubyGillissmuggledthreeblueplumsovertoherduringtestamentreading；EllaMayMacPhersongaveheranenormousyellowpansycutfromthecoversofafloralcatalogue——aspeciesofdeskdecorationmuchprizedinAvonleaschool。SophiaSloaneofferedtoteachheraperfectlyelegantnewpatternofknitlace，sonicefortrimmingaprons。KatieBoultergaveheraperfumebottletokeepslatewaterin，andJuliaBellcopiedcarefullyonapieceofpalepinkpaperscallopedontheedgesthefollowingeffusion:

WhentwilightdropshercurtaindownAndpinsitwithastarRememberthatyouhaveafriendThoughshemaywanderfar。

"It’ssonicetobeappreciated，"sighedAnnerapturouslytoMarillathatnight。

Thegirlswerenottheonlyscholarswho"appreciated"her。WhenAnnewenttoherseatafterdinnerhour——shehadbeentoldbyMr。

PhillipstositwiththemodelMinnieAndrews——shefoundonherdeskabigluscious"strawberryapple。"AnnecaughtitupallreadytotakeabitewhensherememberedthattheonlyplaceinAvonleawherestrawberryapplesgrewwasintheoldBlytheorchardontheothersideoftheLakeofShiningWaters。Annedroppedtheappleasifitwereared-hotcoalandostentatiouslywipedherfingersonherhandkerchief。Theapplelayuntouchedonherdeskuntilthenextmorning，whenlittleTimothyAndrews，whoswepttheschoolandkindledthefire，annexeditasoneofhisperquisites。CharlieSloane’sslatepencil，gorgeouslybedizenedwithstripedredandyellowpaper，costingtwocentswhereordinarypencilscostonlyone，whichhesentuptoherafterdinnerhour，metwithamorefavorablereception。AnnewasgraciouslypleasedtoacceptitandrewardedthedonorwithasmilewhichexaltedthatinfatuatedyouthstraightwayintotheseventhheavenofdelightandcausedhimtomakesuchfearfulerrorsinhisdictationthatMr。Phillipskepthiminafterschooltorewriteit。

Butas，TheCaesar’spageantshornofBrutus’bustDidbutofRome’sbestsonremindhermore。

sothemarkedabsenceofanytributeorrecognitionfromDianaBarrywhowassittingwithGertiePyeembitteredAnne’slittletriumph。

"Dianamightjusthavesmiledatmeonce，Ithink，"shemournedtoMarillathatnight。Butthenextmorninganotemostfearfullyandwonderfullytwistedandfolded，andasmallparcelwerepassedacrosstoAnne。

DearAnne(rantheformer)

MothersaysI’mnottoplaywithyouortalktoyoueveninschool。Itisn’tmyfaultanddon’tbecrossatme，becauseI

loveyouasmuchasever。ImissyouawfullytotellallmysecretstoandIdon’tlikeGertiePyeonebit。Imadeyouoneofthenewbookmarkersoutofredtissuepaper。Theyareawfullyfashionablenowandonlythreegirlsinschoolknowhowtomakethem。WhenyoulookatitrememberYourtruefriendDianaBarry。

Annereadthenote，kissedthebookmark，anddispatchedapromptreplybacktotheothersideoftheschool。

MyowndarlingDiana:——

OfcourseIamnotcrossatyoubecauseyouhavetoobeyyourmother。Ourspiritscancommune。Ishallkeepyourlovelypresentforever。MinnieAndrewsisaverynicelittlegirl——althoughshehasnoimagination——butafterhavingbeenDiana’sbusumfriendIcannotbeMinnie’s。Pleaseexcusemistakesbecausemyspellingisn’tverygoodyet，althoughmuchimprooved。

YoursuntildeathusdopartAnneorCordeliaShirley。

P。S。Ishallsleepwithyourletterundermypillowtonight。

A。ORC。S。

MarillapessimisticallyexpectedmoretroublesinceAnnehadagainbeguntogotoschool。Butnonedeveloped。PerhapsAnnecaughtsomethingofthe"model"spiritfromMinnieAndrews；atleastshegotonverywellwithMr。Phillipsthenceforth。Sheflungherselfintoherstudiesheartandsoul，determinednottobeoutdoneinanyclassbyGilbertBlythe。Therivalrybetweenthemwassoonapparent；itwasentirelygoodnaturedonGilbert’sside；butitismuchtobefearedthatthesamethingcannotbesaidofAnne，whohadcertainlyanunpraiseworthytenacityforholdinggrudges。Shewasasintenseinherhatredsasinherloves。ShewouldnotstooptoadmitthatshemeanttorivalGilbertinschoolwork，becausethatwouldhavebeentoacknowledgehisexistencewhichAnnepersistentlyignored；buttherivalrywasthereandhonorsfluctuatedbetweenthem。NowGilbertwasheadofthespellingclass；nowAnne，withatossofherlongredbraids，spelledhimdown。OnemorningGilberthadallhissumsdonecorrectlyandhadhisnamewrittenontheblackboardontherollofhonor；thenextmorningAnne，havingwrestledwildlywithdecimalstheentireeveningbefore，wouldbefirst。Oneawfuldaytheyweretiesandtheirnameswerewrittenuptogether。Itwasalmostasbadasatake-noticeandAnne’smortificationwasasevidentasGilbert’ssatisfaction。Whenthewrittenexaminationsattheendofeachmonthwereheldthesuspensewasterrible。ThefirstmonthGilbertcameoutthreemarksahead。ThesecondAnnebeathimbyfive。ButhertriumphwasmarredbythefactthatGilbertcongratulatedherheartilybeforethewholeschool。Itwouldhavebeeneversomuchsweetertoherifhehadfeltthestingofhisdefeat。

Mr。Phillipsmightnotbeaverygoodteacher；butapupilsoinflexiblydeterminedonlearningasAnnewascouldhardlyescapemakingprogressunderanykindofteacher。BytheendofthetermAnneandGilbertwerebothpromotedintothefifthclassandallowedtobeginstudyingtheelementsof"thebranches"——bywhichLatin，geometry，French，andalgebraweremeant。IngeometryAnnemetherWaterloo。

"It’sperfectlyawfulstuff，Marilla，"shegroaned。"I’msureI’llneverbeabletomakeheadortailofit。Thereisnoscopeforimaginationinitatall。Mr。PhillipssaysI’mtheworstdunceheeversawatit。AndGil——Imeansomeoftheothersaresosmartatit。Itisextremelymortifying，Marilla。

EvenDianagetsalongbetterthanIdo。ButIdon’tmindbeingbeatenbyDiana。EvenalthoughwemeetasstrangersnowIstillloveherwithanINEXTINGUISHABLElove。Itmakesmeverysadattimestothinkabouther。Butreally，Marilla，onecan’tstaysadverylonginsuchaninterestingworld，canone？"

CHAPTERXVIII

AnnetotheRescueALLthingsgreatarewoundupwithallthingslittle。AtfirstglanceitmightnotseemthatthedecisionofacertainCanadianPremiertoincludePrinceEdwardIslandinapoliticaltourcouldhavemuchoranythingtodowiththefortunesoflittleAnneShirleyatGreenGables。Butithad。

ItwasaJanuarythePremiercame，toaddresshisloyalsupportersandsuchofhisnonsupportersaschosetobepresentatthemonstermassmeetingheldinCharlottetown。MostoftheAvonleapeoplewereonPremier’ssideofpolitics；henceonthenightofthemeetingnearlyallthemenandagoodlyproportionofthewomenhadgonetotownthirtymilesaway。Mrs。RachelLyndehadgonetoo。Mrs。RachelLyndewasared-hotpoliticianandcouldn’thavebelievedthatthepoliticalrallycouldbecarriedthroughwithouther，althoughshewasontheoppositesideofpolitics。Soshewenttotownandtookherhusband——Thomaswouldbeusefulinlookingafterthehorse——andMarillaCuthbertwithher。Marillahadasneakinginterestinpoliticsherself，andasshethoughtitmightbeheronlychancetoseeareallivePremier，shepromptlytookit，leavingAnneandMatthewtokeephouseuntilherreturnthefollowingday。

Hence，whileMarillaandMrs。Rachelwereenjoyingthemselveshugelyatthemassmeeting，AnneandMatthewhadthecheerfulkitchenatGreenGablesalltothemselves。Abrightfirewasglowingintheold-fashionedWaterloostoveandblue-whitefrostcrystalswereshiningonthewindowpanes。MatthewnoddedoveraFARMERS’ADVOCATEonthesofaandAnneatthetablestudiedherlessonswithgrimdetermination，despitesundrywistfulglancesattheclockshelf，wherelayanewbookthatJaneAndrewshadlentherthatday。Janehadassuredherthatitwaswarrantedtoproduceanynumberofthrills，orwordstothateffect，andAnne’sfingerstingledtoreachoutforit。ButthatwouldmeanGilbertBlythe’striumphonthemorrow。Anneturnedherbackontheclockshelfandtriedtoimagineitwasn’tthere。

"Matthew，didyoueverstudygeometrywhenyouwenttoschool？"

"Wellnow，no，Ididn’t，"saidMatthew，comingoutofhisdozewithastart。

"Iwishyouhad，"sighedAnne，"becausethenyou’dbeabletosympathizewithme。Youcan’tsympathizeproperlyifyou’veneverstudiedit。Itiscastingacloudovermywholelife。I’msuchadunceatit，Matthew。"

"Wellnow，Idunno，"saidMatthewsoothingly。"Iguessyou’reallrightatanything。Mr。PhillipstoldmelastweekinBlair’sstoreatCarmodythatyouwasthesmartestscholarinschoolandwasmakingrapidprogress。`Rapidprogress’washisverywords。There’sthemasrunsdownTeddyPhillipsandsaysheain’tmuchofateacher，butIguesshe’sallright。"

MatthewwouldhavethoughtanyonewhopraisedAnnewas"allright。"

"I’msureI’dgetonbetterwithgeometryifonlyhewouldn’tchangetheletters，"complainedAnne。"IlearnthepropositionoffbyheartandthenhedrawsitontheblackboardandputsdifferentlettersfromwhatareinthebookandIgetallmixedup。Idon’tthinkateachershouldtakesuchameanadvantage，doyou？We’restudyingagriculturenowandI’vefoundoutatlastwhatmakestheroadsred。It’sagreatcomfort。IwonderhowMarillaandMrs。Lyndeareenjoyingthemselves。Mrs。LyndesaysCanadaisgoingtothedogsthewaythingsarebeingrunatOttawaandthatit’sanawfulwarningtotheelectors。Shesaysifwomenwereallowedtovotewewouldsoonseeablessedchange。

Whatwaydoyouvote，Matthew？"

"Conservative，"saidMatthewpromptly。TovoteConservativewaspartofMatthew’sreligion。

"ThenI’mConservativetoo，"saidAnnedecidedly。"I’mgladbecauseGil——becausesomeoftheboysinschoolareGrits。I

guessMr。PhillipsisaGrittoobecausePrissyAndrews’sfatherisone，andRubyGillissaysthatwhenamaniscourtinghealwayshastoagreewiththegirl’smotherinreligionandherfatherinpolitics。Isthattrue，Matthew？"

"Wellnow，Idunno，"saidMatthew。

"Didyouevergocourting，Matthew？"

"Wellnow，no，Idunno’sIeverdid，"saidMatthew，whohadcertainlyneverthoughtofsuchathinginhiswholeexistence。

Annereflectedwithherchininherhands。

"Itmustberatherinteresting，don’tyouthink，Matthew？RubyGillissayswhenshegrowsupshe’sgoingtohaveeversomanybeausonthestringandhavethemallcrazyabouther；butI

thinkthatwouldbetooexciting。I’dratherhavejustoneinhisrightmind。ButRubyGillisknowsagreatdealaboutsuchmattersbecauseshehassomanybigsisters，andMrs。LyndesaystheGillisgirlshavegoneofflikehotcakes。Mr。PhillipsgoesuptoseePrissyAndrewsnearlyeveryevening。HesaysitistohelpherwithherlessonsbutMirandaSloaneisstudyingforQueen’stoo，andIshouldthinksheneededhelpalotmorethanPrissybecauseshe’seversomuchstupider，buthenevergoestohelpherintheeveningsatall。ThereareagreatmanythingsinthisworldthatIcan’tunderstandverywell，Matthew。"

"Wellnow，IdunnoasIcomprehendthemallmyself，"acknowledgedMatthew。

"Well，IsupposeImustfinishupmylessons。Iwon’tallowmyselftoopenthatnewbookJanelentmeuntilI’mthrough。Butit’saterribletemptation，Matthew。EvenwhenIturnmybackonitIcanseeittherejustasplain。Janesaidshecriedherselfsickoverit。Iloveabookthatmakesmecry。ButIthinkI’llcarrythatbookintothesittingroomandlockitinthejamclosetandgiveyouthekey。AndyoumustNOTgiveittome，Matthew，untilmylessonsaredone，notevenifIimploreyouonmybendedknees。It’sallverywelltosayresisttemptation，butit’seversomucheasiertoresistitifyoucan’tgetthekey。AndthenshallIrundownthecellarandgetsomerussets，Matthew？Wouldn’tyoulikesomerussets？"

"Wellnow，IdunnobutwhatIwould，"saidMatthew，whoneveraterussetsbutknewAnne’sweaknessforthem。

JustasAnneemergedtriumphantlyfromthecellarwithherplatefulofrussetscamethesoundofflyingfootstepsontheicyboardwalkoutsideandthenextmomentthekitchendoorwasflungopenandinrushedDianaBarry，whitefacedandbreathless，withashawlwrappedhastilyaroundherhead。Annepromptlyletgoofhercandleandplateinhersurprise，andplate，candle，andapplescrashedtogetherdownthecellarladderandwerefoundatthebottomembeddedinmeltedgrease，thenextday，byMarilla，whogatheredthemupandthankedmercythehousehadn’tbeensetonfire。

"Whateveristhematter，Diana？"criedAnne。"Hasyourmotherrelentedatlast？"

"Oh，Anne，docomequick，"imploredDiananervously。"MinnieMayisawfulsick——she’sgotcroup。YoungMaryJoesays——andFatherandMotherareawaytotownandthere’snobodytogoforthedoctor。MinnieMayisawfulbadandYoungMaryJoedoesn’tknowwhattodo——andoh，Anne，I’msoscared！"

Matthew，withoutaword，reachedoutforcapandcoat，slippedpastDianaandawayintothedarknessoftheyard。

"He’sgonetoharnessthesorrelmaretogotoCarmodyforthedoctor，"saidAnne，whowashurryingonhoodandjacket。"Iknowitaswellasifhe’dsaidso。MatthewandIaresuchkindredspiritsIcanreadhisthoughtswithoutwordsatall。"

"Idon’tbelievehe’llfindthedoctoratCarmody，"sobbedDiana。

"IknowthatDr。BlairwenttotownandIguessDr。Spencerwouldgotoo。YoungMaryJoeneversawanybodywithcroupandMrs。Lyndeisaway。Oh，Anne！"

"Don’tcry，Di，"saidAnnecheerily。"Iknowexactlywhattodoforcroup。YouforgetthatMrs。Hammondhadtwinsthreetimes。

Whenyoulookafterthreepairsoftwinsyounaturallygetalotofexperience。Theyallhadcroupregularly。JustwaittillI

gettheipecacbottle——youmayn’thaveanyatyourhouse。Comeonnow。"

ThetwolittlegirlshastenedouthandinhandandhurriedthroughLover’sLaneandacrossthecrustedfieldbeyond，forthesnowwastoodeeptogobytheshorterwoodway。Anne，althoughsincerelysorryforMinnieMay，wasfarfrombeinginsensibletotheromanceofthesituationandtothesweetnessofoncemoresharingthatromancewithakindredspirit。

Thenightwasclearandfrosty，allebonyofshadowandsilverofsnowyslope；bigstarswereshiningoverthesilentfields；hereandtherethedarkpointedfirsstoodupwithsnowpowderingtheirbranchesandthewindwhistlingthroughthem。Annethoughtitwastrulydelightfultogoskimmingthroughallthismysteryandlovelinesswithyourbosomfriendwhohadbeensolongestranged。

MinnieMay，agedthree，wasreallyverysick。Shelayonthekitchensofafeverishandrestless，whileherhoarsebreathingcouldbeheardalloverthehouse。YoungMaryJoe，abuxom，broad-facedFrenchgirlfromthecreek，whomMrs。Barryhadengagedtostaywiththechildrenduringherabsence，washelplessandbewildered，quiteincapableofthinkingwhattodo，ordoingitifshethoughtofit。

Annewenttoworkwithskillandpromptness。

"MinnieMayhascroupallright；she’sprettybad，butI’veseenthemworse。Firstwemusthavelotsofhotwater。Ideclare，Diana，thereisn’tmorethanacupfulinthekettle！There，I’vefilleditup，and，MaryJoe，youmayputsomewoodinthestove。

Idon’twanttohurtyourfeelingsbutitseemstomeyoumighthavethoughtofthisbeforeifyou’danyimagination。Now，I’llundressMinnieMayandputhertobedandyoutrytofindsomesoftflannelcloths，Diana。I’mgoingtogiveheradoseofipecacfirstofall。"

MinnieMaydidnottakekindlytotheipecacbutAnnehadnotbroughtupthreepairsoftwinsfornothing。Downthatipecacwent，notonlyonce，butmanytimesduringthelong，anxiousnightwhenthetwolittlegirlsworkedpatientlyoverthesufferingMinnieMay，andYoungMaryJoe，honestlyanxioustodoallshecould，keptuparoaringfireandheatedmorewaterthanwouldhavebeenneededforahospitalofcroupybabies。

Itwasthreeo’clockwhenMatthewcamewithadoctor，forhehadbeenobligedtogoallthewaytoSpencervaleforone。Butthepressingneedforassistancewaspast。MinnieMaywasmuchbetterandwassleepingsoundly。

"Iwasawfullyneargivingupindespair，"explainedAnne。"ShegotworseandworseuntilshewassickerthanevertheHammondtwinswere，eventhelastpair。Iactuallythoughtshewasgoingtochoketodeath。IgavehereverydropofipecacinthatbottleandwhenthelastdosewentdownIsaidtomyself——nottoDianaorYoungMaryJoe，becauseIdidn’twanttoworrythemanymorethantheywereworried，butIhadtosayittomyselfjusttorelievemyfeelings——`ThisisthelastlingeringhopeandI

fear，tisavainone。’Butinaboutthreeminutesshecoughedupthephlegmandbegantogetbetterrightaway。Youmustjustimaginemyrelief，doctor，becauseIcan’texpressitinwords。

Youknowtherearesomethingsthatcannotbeexpressedinwords。"

"Yes，Iknow，"noddedthedoctor。HelookedatAnneasifhewerethinkingsomethingsaboutherthatcouldn’tbeexpressedinwords。Lateron，however，heexpressedthemtoMr。andMrs。Barry。

"ThatlittleredheadedgirltheyhaveoveratCuthbert’sisassmartastheymake’em。Itellyoushesavedthatbaby’slife，foritwouldhavebeentoolatebythetimeIgotthere。Sheseemstohaveaskillandpresenceofmindperfectlywonderfulinachildofherage。Ineversawanythingliketheeyesofherwhenshewasexplainingthecasetome。"

Annehadgonehomeinthewonderful，white-frostedwintermorning，heavyeyedfromlossofsleep，butstilltalkingunweariedlytoMatthewastheycrossedthelongwhitefieldandwalkedundertheglitteringfairyarchoftheLover’sLanemaples。

"Oh，Matthew，isn’titawonderfulmorning？TheworldlookslikesomethingGodhadjustimaginedforHisownpleasure，doesn’tit？

ThosetreeslookasifIcouldblowthemawaywithabreath——pouf！I’msogladIliveinaworldwheretherearewhitefrosts，aren’tyou？AndI’msogladMrs。Hammondhadthreepairsoftwinsafterall。Ifshehadn’tImightn’thaveknownwhattodoforMinnieMay。I’mrealsorryIwasevercrosswithMrs。

Hammondforhavingtwins。But，oh，Matthew，I’msosleepy。I

can’tgotoschool。IjustknowIcouldn’tkeepmyeyesopenandI’dbesostupid。Butlhatetostayhome，forGil——someoftheotherswillgetheadoftheclass，andit’ssohardtogetupagain——althoughofcoursetheharderitisthemoresatisfactionyouhavewhenyoudogetup，haven’tyou？"

"Wellnow，Iguessyou’llmanageallright，"saidMatthew，lookingatAnne’swhitelittlefaceandthedarkshadowsunderhereyes。"Youjustgorighttobedandhaveagoodsleep。I’lldoallthechores。"

AnneaccordinglywenttobedandsleptsolongandsoundlythatitwaswelloninthewhiteandrosywinterafternoonwhensheawokeanddescendedtothekitchenwhereMarilla，whohadarrivedhomeinthemeantime，wassittingknitting。

"Oh，didyouseethePremier？"exclaimedAnneatonce。"WhatdidhelooklikeMarilla？"

"Well，henevergottobePremieronaccountofhislooks，"saidMarilla。"Suchanoseasthatmanhad！Buthecanspeak。IwasproudofbeingaConservative。RachelLynde，ofcourse，beingaLiberal，hadnouseforhim。Yourdinnerisintheoven，Anne，andyoucangetyourselfsomeblueplumpreserveoutofthepantry。Iguessyou’rehungry。Matthewhasbeentellingmeaboutlastnight。Imustsayitwasfortunateyouknewwhattodo。Iwouldn’thavehadanyideamyself，forIneversawacaseofcroup。Therenow，nevermindtalkingtillyou’vehadyourdinner。Icantellbythelookofyouthatyou’rejustfullupwithspeeches，butthey’llkeep。"

MarillahadsomethingtotellAnne，butshedidnottellitjustthenforsheknewifshedidAnne’sconsequentexcitementwouldliftherclearoutoftheregionofsuchmaterialmattersasappetiteordinner。NotuntilAnnehadfinishedhersaucerofblueplumsdidMarillasay:

"Mrs。Barrywasherethisafternoon，Anne。Shewantedtoseeyou，butIwouldn’twakeyouup。ShesaysyousavedMinnieMay’slife，andsheisverysorrysheactedasshedidinthataffairofthecurrantwine。Shesayssheknowsnowyoudidn’tmeantosetDianadrunk，andshehopesyou’llforgiveherandbegoodfriendswithDianaagain。You’retogooverthiseveningifyoulikeforDianacan’tstiroutsidethedooronaccountofabadcoldshecaughtlastnight。Now，AnneShirley，forpity’ssakedon’tflyupintotheair。"

Thewarningseemednotunnecessary，soupliftedandaerialwasAnne’sexpressionandattitudeasshesprangtoherfeet，herfaceirradiatedwiththeflameofherspirit。

"Oh，Marilla，canIgorightnow——withoutwashingmydishes？

I’llwashthemwhenIcomeback，butIcannottiemyselfdowntoanythingsounromanticasdishwashingatthisthrillingmoment。"

"Yes，yes，runalong，"saidMarillaindulgently。"AnneShirley——areyoucrazy？Comebackthisinstantandputsomethingonyou。Imightaswellcalltothewind。She’sgonewithoutacaporwrap。Lookathertearingthroughtheorchardwithherhairstreaming。It’llbeamercyifshedoesn’tcatchherdeathofcold。"

Annecamedancinghomeinthepurplewintertwilightacrossthesnowyplaces。Afarinthesouthwestwasthegreatshimmering，pearl-likesparkleofaneveningstarinaskythatwaspalegoldenandetherealroseovergleamingwhitespacesanddarkglensofspruce。Thetinklesofsleighbellsamongthesnowyhillscamelikeelfinchimesthroughthefrostyair，buttheirmusicwasnotsweeterthanthesonginAnne’sheartandonherlips。

"Youseebeforeyouaperfectlyhappyperson，Marilla，"sheannounced。"I’mperfectlyhappy——yes，inspiteofmyredhair。

JustatpresentIhaveasoulaboveredhair。Mrs。Barrykissedmeandcriedandsaidshewassosorryandshecouldneverrepayme。Ifeltfearfullyembarrassed，Marilla，butIjustsaidaspolitelyasIcould，`Ihavenohardfeelingsforyou，Mrs。

Barry。IassureyouonceforallthatIdidnotmeantointoxicateDianaandhenceforthIshallcoverthepastwiththemantleofoblivion。’Thatwasaprettydignifiedwayofspeakingwasn’tit，Marilla？

IfeltthatIwasheapingcoalsoffireonMrs。Barry’shead。

AndDianaandIhadalovelyafternoon。DianashowedmeanewfancycrochetstitchherauntoveratCarmodytaughther。NotasoulinAvonleaknowsitbutus，andwepledgedasolemnvownevertorevealittoanyoneelse。Dianagavemeabeautifulcardwithawreathofrosesonitandaverseofpoetry:

"IfyoulovemeasIloveyouNothingbutdeathcanpartustwo。

Andthatistrue，Marilla。We’regoingtoaskMr。Phillipstoletussittogetherinschoolagain，andGertiePyecangowithMinnieAndrews。Wehadaneleganttea。Mrs。Barryhadtheverybestchinasetout，Marilla，justasifIwasrealcompany。I

can’ttellyouwhatathrillitgaveme。Nobodyeverusedtheirverybestchinaonmyaccountbefore。Andwehadfruitcakeandpoundcakeanddoughnutsandtwokindsofpreserves，Marilla。

AndMrs。BarryaskedmeifItookteaandsaid`Pa，whydon’tyoupassthebiscuitstoAnne？’Itmustbelovelytobegrownup，Marilla，whenjustbeingtreatedasifyouwereissonice。"

"Idon’tknowaboutthat，"saidMarilla，withabriefsigh。

"Well，anyway，whenIamgrownup，"saidAnnedecidedly，"I’malwaysgoingtotalktolittlegirlsasiftheyweretoo，andI’llneverlaughwhentheyusebigwords。Iknowfromsorrowfulexperiencehowthathurtsone’sfeelings。AfterteaDianaandI

madetaffy。Thetaffywasn’tverygood，IsupposebecauseneitherDiananorIhadevermadeanybefore。DianaleftmetostiritwhileshebutteredtheplatesandIforgotandletitburn；andthenwhenwesetitoutontheplatformtocoolthecatwalkedoveroneplateandthathadtobethrownaway。Butthemakingofitwassplendidfun。ThenwhenIcamehomeMrs。BarryaskedmetocomeoverasoftenasIcouldandDianastoodatthewindowandthrewkissestomeallthewaydowntoLover’sLane。

Iassureyou，Marilla，thatIfeellikeprayingtonightandI’mgoingtothinkoutaspecialbrand-newprayerinhonoroftheoccasion。"

CHAPTERXIX

AConcertaCatastropheandaConfession"MARILLA，canIgoovertoseeDianajustforaminute？"askedAnne，runningbreathlesslydownfromtheeastgableoneFebruaryevening。

"Idon’tseewhatyouwanttobetraipsingaboutafterdarkfor，"

saidMarillashortly。"YouandDianawalkedhomefromschooltogetherandthenstooddownthereinthesnowforhalfanhourmore，yourtonguesgoingthewholeblessedtime，clickety-clack。

SoIdon’tthinkyou’reverybadlyofftoseeheragain。"

"Butshewantstoseeme，"pleadedAnne。"Shehassomethingveryimportanttotellme。"

"Howdoyouknowshehas？"

"Becauseshejustsignaledtomefromherwindow。Wehavearrangedawaytosignalwithourcandlesandcardboard。Wesetthecandleonthewindowsillandmakeflashesbypassingthecardboardbackandforth。Somanyflashesmeanacertainthing。

Itwasmyidea，Marilla。"

"I’llwarrantyouitwas，"saidMarillaemphatically。"Andthenextthingyou’llbesettingfiretothecurtainswithyoursignalingnonsense。"

"Oh，we’reverycareful，Marilla。Andit’ssointeresting。Twoflashesmean，`Areyouthere？’Threemean`yes’andfour`no。’

Fivemean，`Comeoverassoonaspossible，becauseIhavesomethingimportanttoreveal。’Dianahasjustsignaledfiveflashes，andI’mreallysufferingtoknowwhatitis。"

"Well，youneedn’tsufferanylonger，"saidMarillasarcastically。"Youcango，butyou’retobebackhereinjusttenminutes，rememberthat。"

Annedidrememberitandwasbackinthestipulatedtime，althoughprobablynomortalwilleverknowjustwhatitcosthertoconfinethediscussionofDiana’simportantcommunicationwithinthelimitsoftenminutes。Butatleastshehadmadegooduseofthem。

"Oh，Marilla，whatdoyouthink？YouknowtomorrowisDiana’sbirthday。Well，hermothertoldhershecouldaskmetogohomewithherfromschoolandstayallnightwithher。AndhercousinsarecomingoverfromNewbridgeinabigpungsleightogototheDebatingClubconcertatthehalltomorrownight。AndtheyaregoingtotakeDianaandmetotheconcert——ifyou’llletmego，thatis。Youwill，won’tyou，Marilla？Oh，Ifeelsoexcited。"

"Youcancalmdownthen，becauseyou’renotgoing。You’rebetterathomeinyourownbed，andasforthatclubconcert，it’sallnonsense，andlittlegirlsshouldnotbeallowedtogoouttosuchplacesatall。"

"I’msuretheDebatingClubisamostrespectableaffair，"

pleadedAnne。

"I’mnotsayingitisn’t。Butyou’renotgoingtobegingaddingabouttoconcertsandstayingoutallhoursofthenight。Prettydoingsforchildren。I’msurprisedatMrs。Barry’slettingDianago。"

"Butit’ssuchaveryspecialoccasion，"mournedAnne，onthevergeoftears。"Dianahasonlyonebirthdayinayear。Itisn’tasifbirthdayswerecommonthings，Marilla。PrissyAndrewsisgoingtorecite`CurfewMustNotRingTonight。’Thatissuchagoodmoralpiece，Marilla，I’msureitwoulddomelotsofgoodtohearit。Andthechoiraregoingtosingfourlovelypatheticsongsthatareprettynearasgoodashymns。Andoh，Marilla，theministerisgoingtotakepart；yes，indeed，heis；he’sgoingtogiveanaddress。Thatwillbejustaboutthesamethingasasermon。Please，mayn’tIgo，Marilla？"

"YouheardwhatIsaid，Anne，didn’tyou？Takeoffyourbootsnowandgotobed。It’spasteight。"

"There’sjustonemorething，Marilla，"saidAnne，withtheairofproducingthelastshotinherlocker。"Mrs。BarrytoldDianathatwemightsleepinthespare-roombed。ThinkofthehonorofyourlittleAnnebeingputinthespare-roombed。"

"It’sanhonoryou’llhavetogetalongwithout。Gotobed，Anne，anddon’tletmehearanotherwordoutofyou。"

WhenAnne，withtearsrollingoverhercheeks，hadgonesorrowfullyupstairs，Matthew，whohadbeenapparentlysoundasleepontheloungeduringthewholedialogue，openedhiseyesandsaiddecidedly:

"Wellnow，Marilla，IthinkyououghttoletAnnego。"

"Idon’tthen，"retortedMarilla。"Who’sbringingthischildup，Matthew，youorme？"

"Wellnow，you，"admittedMatthew。

"Don’tinterferethen。"

"Wellnow，Iain’tinterfering。Itain’tinterferingtohaveyourownopinion。AndmyopinionisthatyououghttoletAnnego。"

"You’dthinkIoughttoletAnnegotothemoonifshetookthenotion，I’venodoubt"wasMarilla’samiablerejoinder。"ImighthaveletherspendthenightwithDiana，ifthatwasall。ButI

don’tapproveofthisconcertplan。She’dgothereandcatchcoldlikeasnot，andhaveherheadfilledupwithnonsenseandexcitement。Itwouldunsettleherforaweek。Iunderstandthatchild’sdispositionandwhat’sgoodforitbetterthanyou，Matthew。"

"IthinkyououghttoletAnnego，"repeatedMatthewfirmly。

Argumentwasnothisstrongpoint，butholdingfasttohisopinioncertainlywas。Marillagaveagaspofhelplessnessandtookrefugeinsilence。Thenextmorning，whenAnnewaswashingthebreakfastdishesinthepantry，MatthewpausedonhiswayouttothebarntosaytoMarillaagain:

"IthinkyououghttoletAnnego，Marilla。"

ForamomentMarillalookedthingsnotlawfultobeuttered。

Thensheyieldedtotheinevitableandsaidtartly:

"Verywell，shecango，sincenothingelse’llpleaseyou。"

Anneflewoutofthepantry，drippingdishclothinhand。

"Oh，Marilla，Marilla，saythoseblessedwordsagain。"

"Iguessonceisenoughtosaythem。ThisisMatthew’sdoingsandIwashmyhandsofit。Ifyoucatchpneumoniasleepinginastrangebedorcomingoutofthathothallinthemiddleofthenight，don’tblameme，blameMatthew。AnneShirley，you’redrippinggreasywateralloverthefloor。Ineversawsuchacarelesschild。"

"Oh，IknowI’magreattrialtoyou，Marilla，"saidAnnerepentantly。"Imakesomanymistakes。ButthenjustthinkofallthemistakesIdon’tmake，althoughImight。I’llgetsomesandandscrubupthespotsbeforeIgotoschool。Oh，Marilla，myheartwasjustsetongoingtothatconcert。Ineverwastoaconcertinmylife，andwhentheothergirlstalkabouttheminschoolIfeelsooutofit。Youdidn’tknowjusthowIfeltaboutit，butyouseeMatthewdid。Matthewunderstandsme，andit’ssonicetobeunderstood，Marilla。"

Annewastooexcitedtodoherselfjusticeastolessonsthatmorninginschool。GilbertBlythespelledherdowninclassandleftherclearoutofsightinmentalarithmetic。Anne’sconsequenthumiliationwaslessthanitmighthavebeen，however，inviewoftheconcertandthespare-roombed。SheandDianatalkedsoconstantlyaboutitalldaythatwithastricterteacherthanMr。Phillipsdiredisgracemustinevitablyhavebeentheirportion。

Annefeltthatshecouldnothaveborneitifshehadnotbeengoingtotheconcert，fornothingelsewasdiscussedthatdayinschool。TheAvonleaDebatingClub，whichmetfortnightlyallwinter，hadhadseveralsmallerfreeentertainments；butthiswastobeabigaffair，admissiontencents，inaidofthelibrary。

TheAvonleayoungpeoplehadbeenpracticingforweeks，andallthescholarswereespeciallyinterestedinitbyreasonofolderbrothersandsisterswhoweregoingtotakepart。Everybodyinschoolovernineyearsofageexpectedtogo，exceptCarrieSloane，whosefathersharedMarilla’sopinionsaboutsmallgirlsgoingouttonightconcerts。CarrieSloanecriedintohergrammaralltheafternoonandfeltthatlifewasnotworthliving。

ForAnnetherealexcitementbeganwiththedismissalofschoolandincreasedtherefromincrescendountilitreachedtoacrashofpositiveecstasyintheconcertitself。Theyhada"perfectlyeleganttea；"andthencamethedeliciousoccupationofdressinginDiana’slittleroomupstairs。DianadidAnne’sfronthairinthenewpompadourstyleandAnnetiedDiana’sbowswiththeespecialknackshepossessed；andtheyexperimentedwithatleasthalfadozendifferentwaysofarrangingtheirbackhair。Atlasttheywereready，cheeksscarletandeyesglowingwithexcitement。

True，Annecouldnothelpalittlepangwhenshecontrastedherplainblacktamandshapeless，tight-sleeved，homemadegray-clothcoatwithDiana’sjauntyfurcapandsmartlittlejacket。Butsherememberedintimethatshehadanimaginationandcoulduseit。

ThenDiana’scousins，theMurraysfromNewbridge，came；theyallcrowdedintothebigpungsleigh，amongstrawandfurryrobes。

Annereveledinthedrivetothehall，slippingalongoverthesatin-smoothroadswiththesnowcrispingundertherunners。

Therewasamagnificentsunset，andthesnowyhillsanddeep-bluewateroftheSt。LawrenceGulfseemedtorim？？？inthesplendorlikeahugebowlofpearlandsapphirebrimmedwithwineandfire。Tinklesofsleighbellsanddistantlaughter，thatseemedlikethemirthofwoodelves，camefromeveryquarter。

"Oh，Diana，"breathedAnne，squeezingDiana’smittenedhandunderthefurrobe，"isn’titalllikeabeautifuldream？DoIreallylookthesameasusual？Ifeelsodifferentthatitseemstomeitmustshowinmylooks。"

"Youlookawfullynice，"saidDiana，whohavingjustreceivedacomplimentfromoneofhercousins，feltthatsheoughttopassiton。"You’vegottheloveliestcolor。"

Theprogramthatnightwasaseriesof"thrills"foratleastonelistenerintheaudience，and，asAnneassuredDiana，everysucceedingthrillwasthrillierthanthelast。WhenPrissyAndrews，attiredinanewpink-silkwaistwithastringofpearlsabouthersmoothwhitethroatandrealcarnationsinherhair——rumorwhisperedthatthemasterhadsentallthewaytotownforthemforher——"climbedtheslimyladder，darkwithoutonerayoflight，"Anneshiveredinluxurioussympathy；whenthechoirsang"FarAbovetheGentleDaisies"Annegazedattheceilingasifitwerefrescoedwithangels；whenSamSloaneproceededtoexplainandillustrate"HowSockerySetaHen"Annelaugheduntilpeoplesittingnearherlaughedtoo，moreoutofsympathywithherthanwithamusementataselectionthatwasratherthreadbareeveninAvonlea；andwhenMr。PhillipsgaveMarkAntony’sorationoverthedeadbodyofCaesarinthemostheartstirringtones——lookingatPrissyAndrewsattheendofeverysentence——AnnefeltthatshecouldriseandmutinyonthespotifbutoneRomancitizenledtheway。

Onlyonenumberontheprogramfailedtointeresther。WhenGilbertBlytherecited"BingenontheRhine"AnnepickedupRhodaMurray’slibrarybookandreadituntilhehadfinished，whenshesatrigidlystiffandmotionlesswhileDianaclappedherhandsuntiltheytingled。

Itwaselevenwhentheygothome，satedwithdissipation，butwiththeexceedingsweetpleasureoftalkingitalloverstilltocome。Everybodyseemedasleepandthehousewasdarkandsilent。

AnneandDianatiptoedintotheparlor，alongnarrowroomoutofwhichthespareroomopened。Itwaspleasantlywarmanddimlylightedbytheembersofafireinthegrate。

"Let’sundresshere，"saidDiana。"It’ssoniceandwarm。"

"Hasn’titbeenadelightfultime？"sighedAnnerapturously。"Itmustbesplendidtogetupandrecitethere。Doyousupposewewilleverbeaskedtodoit，Diana？"

"Yes，ofcourse，someday。They’realwayswantingthebigscholarstorecite。GilbertBlythedoesoftenandhe’sonlytwoyearsolderthanus。Oh，Anne，howcouldyoupretendnottolistentohim？Whenhecametotheline，"THERE’SANOTHER，notASISTER，helookedrightdownatyou。"

"Diana，"saidAnnewithdignity，"youaremybosomfriend，butI

cannotallowevenyoutospeaktomeofthatperson。Areyoureadyforbed？Let’srunaraceandseewho’llgettothebedfirst。"

ThesuggestionappealedtoDiana。Thetwolittlewhite-cladfiguresflewdownthelongroom，throughthespare-roomdoor，andboundedonthebedatthesamemoment。Andthen——something——movedbeneaththem，therewasagaspandacry——andsomebodysaidinmuffledaccents:

"Mercifulgoodness！"

AnneandDianawereneverabletotelljusthowtheygotoffthatbedandoutoftheroom。Theyonlyknewthatafteronefranticrushtheyfoundthemselvestiptoeingshiveringlyupstairs。

"Oh，whowasit——WHATwasit？"whisperedAnne，herteethchatteringwithcoldandfright。

"ItwasAuntJosephine，"saidDiana，gaspingwithlaughter。"Oh，Anne，itwasAuntJosephine，howevershecametobethere。Oh，andIknowshewillbefurious。It’sdreadful——it’sreallydreadful——butdidyoueverknowanythingsofunny，Anne？"

"WhoisyourAuntJosephine？"

"She’sfather’sauntandshelivesinCharlottetown。She’sawfullyold——seventyanyhow——andIdon’tbelieveshewasEVERalittlegirl。Wewereexpectingheroutforavisit，butnotsosoon。She’sawfullyprimandproperandshe’llscolddreadfullyaboutthis，Iknow。Well，we’llhavetosleepwithMinnieMay——andyoucan’tthinkhowshekicks。"

MissJosephineBarrydidnotappearattheearlybreakfastthenextmorning。Mrs。Barrysmiledkindlyatthetwolittlegirls。

"Didyouhaveagoodtimelastnight？Itriedtostayawakeuntilyoucamehome，forIwantedtotellyouAuntJosephinehadcomeandthatyouwouldhavetogoupstairsafterall，butIwassotiredIfellasleep。Ihopeyoudidn’tdisturbyouraunt，Diana。"

Dianapreservedadiscreetsilence，butsheandAnneexchangedfurtivesmilesofguiltyamusementacrossthetable。AnnehurriedhomeafterbreakfastandsoremainedinblissfulignoranceofthedisturbancewhichpresentlyresultedintheBarryhouseholduntilthelateafternoon，whenshewentdowntoMrs。Lynde’sonanerrandforMarilla。

"SoyouandDiananearlyfrightenedpooroldMissBarrytodeathlastnight？"saidMrs。Lyndeseverely，butwithatwinkleinhereye。"Mrs。BarrywashereafewminutesagoonherwaytoCarmody。She’sfeelingrealworriedoverit。OldMissBarrywasinaterribletemperwhenshegotupthismorning——andJosephineBarry’stemperisnojoke，Icantellyouthat。Shewouldn’tspeaktoDianaatall。"

"Itwasn’tDiana’sfault，"saidAnnecontritely。"Itwasmine。

Isuggestedracingtoseewhowouldgetintobedfirst。"

"Iknewit！"saidMrs。Lynde，withtheexultationofacorrectguesser。"Iknewthatideacameoutofyourhead。Well，it’smadeanicelotoftrouble，that’swhat。OldMissBarrycameouttostayforamonth，butshedeclaresshewon’tstayanotherdayandisgoingrightbacktotowntomorrow，Sundayandallasitis。She’dhavegonetodayiftheycouldhavetakenher。Shehadpromisedtopayforaquarter’smusiclessonsforDiana，butnowsheisdeterminedtodonothingatallforsuchatomboy。Oh，I

guesstheyhadalivelytimeofittherethismorning。TheBarrysmustfeelcutup。OldMissBarryisrichandthey’dliketokeeponthegoodsideofher。Ofcourse，Mrs。Barrydidn’tsayjustthattome，butI’maprettygoodjudgeofhumannature，that’swhat。"

"I’msuchanunluckygirl，"mournedAnne。"I’malwaysgettingintoscrapesmyselfandgettingmybestfriends——peopleI’dshedmyheart’sbloodfor——intothemtoo。Canyoutellmewhyitisso，Mrs。Lynde？"

"It’sbecauseyou’retooheedlessandimpulsive，child，that’swhat。Youneverstoptothink——whatevercomesintoyourheadtosayordoyousayordoitwithoutamoment’sreflection。"

"Oh，butthat’sthebestofit，"protestedAnne。"Somethingjustflashesintoyourmind，soexciting，andyoumustoutwithit。

Ifyoustoptothinkitoveryouspoilitall。Haven’tyouneverfeltthatyourself，Mrs。Lynde？"

No，Mrs。Lyndehadnot。Sheshookherheadsagely。

"Youmustlearntothinkalittle，Anne，that’swhat。Theproverbyouneedtogobyis`Lookbeforeyouleap’——especiallyintospare-roombeds。"

Mrs。Lyndelaughedcomfortablyoverhermildjoke，butAnneremainedpensive。Shesawnothingtolaughatinthesituation，whichtohereyesappearedveryserious。WhensheleftMrs。

Lynde’sshetookherwayacrossthecrustedfieldstoOrchardSlope。Dianametheratthekitchendoor。

"YourAuntJosephinewasverycrossaboutit，wasn’tshe？"

whisperedAnne。

"Yes，"answeredDiana，stiflingagigglewithanapprehensiveglanceoverhershoulderattheclosedsitting-roomdoor。"Shewasfairlydancingwithrage，Anne。Oh，howshescolded。ShesaidIwastheworst-behavedgirlsheeversawandthatmyparentsoughttobeashamedofthewaytheyhadbroughtmeup。

Shesaysshewon’tstayandI’msureIdon’tcare。ButFatherandMotherdo。"

"Whydidn’tyoutellthemitwasmyfault？"demandedAnne。

"It’slikelyI’ddosuchathing，isn’tit？"saidDianawithjustscorn。"I’mnotelltale，AnneShirley，andanyhowIwasjustasmuchtoblameasyou。"

"Well，I’mgoingintotellhermyself，"saidAnneresolutely。

Dianastared。

"AnneShirley，you’dnever！why——she’lleatyoualive！"

"Don’tfrightenmeanymorethanIamfrightened，"imploredAnne。

"I’dratherwalkuptoacannon’smouth。ButI’vegottodoit，Diana。ItwasmyfaultandI’vegottoconfess。I’vehadpracticeinconfessing，fortunately。"

"Well，she’sintheroom，"saidDiana。"Youcangoinifyouwantto。Iwouldn’tdare。AndIdon’tbelieveyou’lldoabitofgood。"

WiththisencouragementAnnebeardedthelioninitsden——thatistosay，walkedresolutelyuptothesitting-roomdoorandknockedfaintly。Asharp"Comein"followed。

MissJosephineBarry，thin，prim，andrigid，wasknittingfiercelybythefire，herwrathquiteunappeasedandhereyessnappingthroughhergold-rimmedglasses。Shewheeledaroundinherchair，expectingtoseeDiana，andbeheldawhite-facedgirlwhosegreateyeswerebrimmedupwithamixtureofdesperatecourageandshrinkingterror。

"Whoareyou？"demandedMissJosephineBarry，withoutceremony。

"I’mAnneofGreenGables，"saidthesmallvisitortremulously，claspingherhandswithhercharacteristicgesture，"andI’vecometoconfess，ifyouplease。"

"Confesswhat？"

"Thatitwasallmyfaultaboutjumpingintobedonyoulastnight。Isuggestedit。Dianawouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathing，Iamsure。Dianaisaveryladylikegirl，MissBarry。Soyoumustseehowunjustitistoblameher。"

"Oh，Imust，hey？IratherthinkDianadidhershareofthejumpingatleast。Suchcarryingsoninarespectablehouse！"

"Butwewereonlyinfun，"persistedAnne。"Ithinkyououghttoforgiveus，MissBarry，nowthatwe’veapologized。Andanyhow，pleaseforgiveDianaandletherhavehermusiclessons。Diana’sheartissetonhermusiclessons，MissBarry，andIknowtoowellwhatitistosetyourheartonathingandnotgetit。Ifyoumustbecrosswithanyone，becrosswithme。I’vebeensousedinmyearlydaystohavingpeoplecrossatmethatIcanendureitmuchbetterthanDianacan。"

Muchofthesnaphadgoneoutoftheoldlady’seyesbythistimeandwasreplacedbyatwinkleofamusedinterest。Butshestillsaidseverely:

"Idon’tthinkitisanyexcuseforyouthatyouwereonlyinfun。LittlegirlsneverindulgedinthatkindoffunwhenIwasyoung。Youdon’tknowwhatitistobeawakenedoutofasoundsleep，afteralongandarduousjourney，bytwogreatgirlscomingbouncedownonyou。"

"Idon’tKNOW，butIcanIMAGINE，"saidAnneeagerly。"I’msureitmusthavebeenverydisturbing。Butthen，thereisoursideofittoo。Haveyouanyimagination，MissBarry？Ifyouhave，justputyourselfinourplace。Wedidn’tknowtherewasanybodyinthatbedandyounearlyscaredustodeath。Itwassimplyawfulthewaywefelt。Andthenwecouldn’tsleepinthespareroomafterbeingpromised。Isupposeyouareusedtosleepinginsparerooms。Butjustimaginewhatyouwouldfeellikeifyouwerealittleorphangirlwhohadneverhadsuchanhonor。"

Allthesnaphadgonebythistime。MissBarryactuallylaughed——asoundwhichcausedDiana，waitinginspeechlessanxietyinthekitchenoutside，togiveagreatgaspofrelief。

"I’mafraidmyimaginationisalittlerusty——it’ssolongsinceIusedit，"shesaid。"Idaresayyourclaimtosympathyisjustasstrongasmine。Italldependsonthewaywelookatit。Sitdownhereandtellmeaboutyourself。"

"IamverysorryIcan’t，"saidAnnefirmly。"Iwouldliketo，becauseyouseemlikeaninterestinglady，andyoumightevenbeakindredspiritalthoughyoudon’tlookverymuchlikeit。ButitismydutytogohometoMissMarillaCuthbert。MissMarillaCuthbertisaverykindladywhohastakenmetobringupproperly。Sheisdoingherbest，butitisverydiscouragingwork。YoumustnotblameherbecauseIjumpedonthebed。ButbeforeIgoIdowishyouwouldtellmeifyouwillforgiveDianaandstayjustaslongasyoumeanttoinAvonlea。"

"IthinkperhapsIwillifyouwillcomeoverandtalktomeoccasionally，"saidMissBarry。

ThateveningMissBarrygaveDianaasilverbanglebraceletandtoldtheseniormembersofthehouseholdthatshehadunpackedhervalise。

"I’vemadeupmymindtostaysimplyforthesakeofgettingbetteracquaintedwiththatAnne-girl，"shesaidfrankly。"Sheamusesme，andatmytimeoflifeanamusingpersonisararity。"

Marilla’sonlycommentwhensheheardthestorywas，"Itoldyouso。"ThiswasforMatthew’sbenefit。

MissBarrystayedhermonthoutandover。Shewasamoreagreeableguestthanusual，forAnnekeptheringoodhumor。

Theybecamefirmfriends。

WhenMissBarrywentawayshesaid:

"Remember，youAnne-girl，whenyoucometotownyou’retovisitmeandI’llputyouinmyverysparestspare-roombedtosleep。"

"MissBarrywasakindredspirit，afterall，"AnneconfidedtoMarilla。"Youwouldn’tthinksotolookather，butsheis。Youdon’tfinditrightoutatfirst，asinMatthew’scase，butafterawhileyoucometoseeit。KindredspiritsarenotsoscarceasIusedtothink。It’ssplendidtofindouttherearesomanyofthemintheworld。"