第6章

AGoodImaginationGoneWrongSpringhadcomeoncemoretoGreenGables——thebeautifulcapricious，reluctantCanadianspring，lingeringalongthroughAprilandMayinasuccessionofsweet，fresh，chillydays，withpinksunsetsandmiraclesofresurrectionandgrowth。ThemaplesinLover’sLanewereredbuddedandlittlecurlyfernspusheduparoundtheDryad’sBubble。Awayupinthebarrens，behindMr。

SilasSloane’splace，theMayflowersblossomedout，pinkandwhitestarsofsweetnessundertheirbrownleaves。Alltheschoolgirlsandboyshadonegoldenafternoongatheringthem，cominghomeintheclear，echoingtwilightwitharmsandbasketsfulloffloweryspoil。

"I’msosorryforpeoplewholiveinlandswheretherearenoMayflowers，"saidAnne。"Dianasaysperhapstheyhavesomethingbetter，buttherecouldn’tbeanythingbetterthanMayflowers，couldthere，Marilla？AndDianasaysiftheydon’tknowwhattheyareliketheydon’tmissthem。ButIthinkthatisthesaddestthingofall。IthinkitwouldbeTRAGIC，Marilla，nottoknowwhatMayflowersarelikeandNOTtomissthem。DoyouknowwhatIthinkMayflowersare，Marilla？Ithinktheymustbethesoulsoftheflowersthatdiedlastsummerandthisistheirheaven。Butwehadasplendidtimetoday，Marilla。Wehadourlunchdowninabigmossyhollowbyanoldwell——suchaROMANTIC

spot。CharlieSloanedaredArtyGillistojumpoverit，andArtydidbecausehewouldn’ttakeadare。Nobodywouldinschool。ItisveryFASHIONABLEtodare。Mr。PhillipsgavealltheMayflowershefoundtoPrissyAndrewsandIheardhimtosay`sweetstothesweet。’Hegotthatoutofabook，Iknow；butitshowshehassomeimagination。IwasofferedsomeMayflowerstoo，butIrejectedthemwithscorn。Ican’ttellyoutheperson’snamebecauseIhavevowednevertoletitcrossmylips。

WemadewreathsoftheMayflowersandputthemonourhats；andwhenthetimecametogohomewemarchedinprocessiondowntheroad，twobytwo，withourbouquetsandwreaths，singing`MyHomeontheHill。’Oh，itwassothrilling，Marilla。AllMr。SilasSloane’sfolksrushedouttoseeusandeverybodywemetontheroadstoppedandstaredafterus。Wemadearealsensation。"

"Notmuchwonder！Suchsillydoings！"wasMarilla’sresponse。

AftertheMayflowerscametheviolets，andVioletValewasempurpledwiththem。Annewalkedthroughitonherwaytoschoolwithreverentstepsandworshipingeyes，asifshetrodonholyground。

"Somehow，"shetoldDiana，"whenI’mgoingthroughhereIdon’treallycarewhetherGil——whetheranybodygetsaheadofmeinclassornot。ButwhenI’mupinschoolit’salldifferentandI

careasmuchasever。There’ssuchalotofdifferentAnnesinme。

IsometimesthinkthatiswhyI’msuchatroublesomeperson。

IfIwasjusttheoneAnneitwouldbeeversomuchmorecomfortable，butthenitwouldn’tbehalfsointeresting。"

OneJuneevening，whentheorchardswerepinkblossomedagain，whenthefrogsweresingingsilverlysweetinthemarshesabouttheheadoftheLakeofShiningWaters，andtheairwasfullofthesavorofcloverfieldsandbalsamicfirwoods，Annewassittingbyhergablewindow。Shehadbeenstudyingherlessons，butithadgrowntoodarktoseethebook，soshehadfallenintowide-eyedreverie，lookingoutpasttheboughsoftheSnowQueen，oncemorebestarredwithitstuftsofblossom。

Inallessentialrespectsthelittlegablechamberwasunchanged。

Thewallswereaswhite，thepincushionashard，thechairsasstifflyandyellowlyuprightasever。Yetthewholecharacteroftheroomwasaltered。Itwasfullofanewvital，pulsingpersonalitythatseemedtopervadeitandtobequiteindependentofschoolgirlbooksanddressesandribbons，andevenofthecrackedbluejugfullofappleblossomsonthetable。Itwasasifallthedreams，sleepingandwaking，ofitsvividoccupanthadtakenavisiblealthoughunmaterialformandhadtapestriedthebareroomwithsplendidfilmytissuesofrainbowandmoonshine。

PresentlyMarillacamebrisklyinwithsomeofAnne’sfreshlyironedschoolaprons。Shehungthemoverachairandsatdownwithashortsigh。Shehadhadoneofherheadachesthatafternoon，andalthoughthepainhadgoneshefeltweakand"tuckeredout，"assheexpressedit。Annelookedatherwitheyeslimpidwithsympathy。

"IdotrulywishIcouldhavehadtheheadacheinyourplace，Marilla。Iwouldhaveendureditjoyfullyforyoursake。"

"Iguessyoudidyourpartinattendingtotheworkandlettingmerest，"saidMarilla。"Youseemtohavegotonfairlywellandmadefewermistakesthanusual。Ofcourseitwasn’texactlynecessarytostarchMatthew’shandkerchiefs！Andmostpeoplewhentheyputapieintheoventowarmupfordinnertakeitoutandeatitwhenitgetshotinsteadofleavingittobeburnedtoacrisp。Butthatdoesn’tseemtobeyourwayevidently。"

HeadachesalwaysleftMarillasomewhatsarcastic。

"Oh，I’msosorry，"saidAnnepenitently。"IneverthoughtaboutthatpiefromthemomentIputitintheoventillnow，althoughIfeltINSTINCTIVELYthattherewassomethingmissingonthedinnertable。Iwasfirmlyresolved，whenyouleftmeinchargethismorning，nottoimagineanything，butkeepmythoughtsonfacts。IdidprettywelluntilIputthepiein，andthenanirresistibletemptationcametometoimagineIwasanenchantedprincessshutupinalonelytowerwithahandsomeknightridingtomyrescueonacoal-blacksteed。SothatishowIcametoforgetthepie。Ididn’tknowIstarchedthehandkerchiefs。AllthetimeIwasironingIwastryingtothinkofanameforanewislandDianaandIhavediscoveredupthebrook。It’sthemostravishingspot，Marilla。Therearetwomapletreesonitandthebrookflowsrightaroundit。AtlastitstruckmethatitwouldbesplendidtocallitVictoriaIslandbecausewefounditontheQueen’sbirthday。BothDianaandIareveryloyal。ButI’msorryaboutthatpieandthehandkerchiefs。Iwantedtobeextragoodtodaybecauseit’sananniversary。Doyourememberwhathappenedthisdaylastyear，Marilla？"

"No，Ican’tthinkofanythingspecial。"

"Oh，Marilla，itwasthedayIcametoGreenGables。Ishallneverforgetit。Itwastheturningpointinmylife。Ofcourseitwouldn’tseemsoimportanttoyou。I’vebeenhereforayearandI’vebeensohappy。Ofcourse，I’vehadmytroubles，butonecanlivedowntroubles。Areyousorryyoukeptme，Marilla？"

"No，Ican’tsayI’msorry，"saidMarilla，whosometimeswonderedhowshecouldhavelivedbeforeAnnecametoGreenGables，"no，notexactlysorry。Ifyou’vefinishedyourlessons，Anne，IwantyoutorunoverandaskMrs。Barryifshe’lllendmeDiana’sapronpattern。"

"Oh——it’s——it’stoodark，"criedAnne。

"Toodark？Why，it’sonlytwilight。Andgoodnessknowsyou’vegoneoveroftenenoughafterdark。"

"I’llgooverearlyinthemorning，"saidAnneeagerly。"I’llgetupatsunriseandgoover，Marilla。"

"Whathasgotintoyourheadnow，AnneShirley？Iwantthatpatterntocutoutyournewapronthisevening。Goatonceandbesmarttoo。"

"I’llhavetogoaroundbytheroad，then，"saidAnne，takingupherhatreluctantly。

"Gobytheroadandwastehalfanhour！I’dliketocatchyou！"

"Ican’tgothroughtheHauntedWood，Marilla，"criedAnnedesperately。

Marillastared。

"TheHauntedWood！Areyoucrazy？WhatunderthecanopyistheHauntedWood？"

"Thesprucewoodoverthebrook，"saidAnneinawhisper。

"Fiddlesticks！Thereisnosuchthingasahauntedwoodanywhere。

Whohasbeentellingyousuchstuff？"

"Nobody，"confessedAnne。"DianaandIjustimaginedthewoodwashaunted。Alltheplacesaroundhereareso——so——COMMONPLACE。

Wejustgotthisupforourownamusement。WebeganitinApril。

Ahauntedwoodissoveryromantic，Marilla。Wechosethesprucegrovebecauseit’ssogloomy。Oh，wehaveimaginedthemostharrowingthings。There’sawhiteladywalksalongthebrookjustaboutthistimeofthenightandwringsherhandsandutterswailingcries。Sheappearswhenthereistobeadeathinthefamily。AndtheghostofalittlemurderedchildhauntsthecornerupbyIdlewild；itcreepsupbehindyouandlaysitscoldfingersonyourhand——so。Oh，Marilla，itgivesmeashuddertothinkofit。Andthere’saheadlessmanstalksupanddownthepathandskeletonsgloweratyoubetweentheboughs。Oh，Marilla，Iwouldn’tgothroughtheHauntedWoodafterdarknowforanything。I’dbesurethatwhitethingswouldreachoutfrombehindthetreesandgrabme。"

"Dideveranyonehearthelike！"ejaculatedMarilla，whohadlistenedindumbamazement。"AnneShirley，doyoumeantotellmeyoubelieveallthatwickednonsenseofyourownimagination？"

"NotbelieveEXACTLY，"falteredAnne。"Atleast，Idon’tbelieveitindaylight。Butafterdark，Marilla，it’sdifferent。Thatiswhenghostswalk。"

"Therearenosuchthingsasghosts，Anne。"

"Oh，butthereare，Marilla，"criedAnneeagerly。"Iknowpeoplewhohaveseenthem。Andtheyarerespectablepeople。CharlieSloanesaysthathisgrandmothersawhisgrandfatherdrivinghomethecowsonenightafterhe’dbeenburiedforayear。YouknowCharlieSloane’sgrandmotherwouldn’ttellastoryforanything。

She’saveryreligiouswoman。AndMrs。Thomas’sfatherwaspursuedhomeonenightbyalamboffirewithitsheadcutoffhangingbyastripofskin。Hesaidheknewitwasthespiritofhisbrotherandthatitwasawarninghewoulddiewithinninedays。Hedidn’t，buthediedtwoyearsafter，soyouseeitwasreallytrue。AndRubyGillissays——"

"AnneShirley，"interruptedMarillafirmly，"Ineverwanttohearyoutalkinginthisfashionagain。I’vehadmydoubtsaboutthatimaginationofyoursrightalong，andifthisisgoingtobetheoutcomeofit，Iwon’tcountenanceanysuchdoings。You’llgorightovertoBarry’s，andyou’llgothroughthatsprucegrove，justforalessonandawarningtoyou。Andneverletmehearawordoutofyourheadabouthauntedwoodsagain。"

Annemightpleadandcryassheliked——anddid，forherterrorwasveryreal。Herimaginationhadrunawaywithherandsheheldthesprucegroveinmortaldreadafternightfall。ButMarillawasinexorable。Shemarchedtheshrinkingghostseerdowntothespringandorderedhertoproceedstraightawayoverthebridgeandintotheduskyretreatsofwailingladiesandheadlessspectersbeyond。

"Oh，Marilla，howcanyoubesocruel？"sobbedAnne。"Whatwouldyoufeellikeifawhitethingdidsnatchmeupandcarrymeoff？"

"I’llriskit，"saidMarillaunfeelingly。"YouknowIalwaysmeanwhatIsay。I’llcureyouofimaginingghostsintoplaces。

March，now。"

Annemarched。Thatis，shestumbledoverthebridgeandwentshudderingupthehorribledimpathbeyond。Anneneverforgotthatwalk。Bitterlydidsherepentthelicenseshehadgiventoherimagination。Thegoblinsofherfancylurkedineveryshadowabouther，reachingouttheircold，fleshlesshandstograsptheterrifiedsmallgirlwhohadcalledthemintobeing。Awhitestripofbirchbarkblowingupfromthehollowoverthebrownfloorofthegrovemadeherheartstandstill。Thelong-drawnwailoftwooldboughsrubbingagainsteachotherbroughtouttheperspirationinbeadsonherforehead。Theswoopofbatsinthedarknessoverherwasasthewingsofunearthlycreatures。WhenshereachedMr。WilliamBell’sfieldshefledacrossitasifpursuedbyanarmyofwhitethings，andarrivedattheBarrykitchendoorsooutofbreaththatshecouldhardlygaspoutherrequestfortheapronpattern。Dianawasawaysothatshehadnoexcusetolinger。Thedreadfulreturnjourneyhadtobefaced。

Annewentbackoveritwithshuteyes，preferringtotaketheriskofdashingherbrainsoutamongtheboughstothatofseeingawhitething。Whenshefinallystumbledoverthelogbridgeshedrewonelongshiveringbreathofrelief。

"Well，sonothingcaughtyou？"saidMarillaunsympathetically。

"Oh，Mar——Marilla，"chatteredAnne，"I’llb-b-becontt-tentedwithc-c-commonplaceplacesafterthis。"

CHAPTERXXI

ANewDepartureinFlavorings"Dearme，thereisnothingbutmeetingsandpartingsinthisworld，asMrs。Lyndesays，"remarkedAnneplaintively，puttingherslateandbooksdownonthekitchentableonthelastdayofJuneandwipingherredeyeswithaverydamphandkerchief。

"Wasn’titfortunate，Marilla，thatItookanextrahandkerchieftoschooltoday？Ihadapresentimentthatitwouldbeneeded。"

"IneverthoughtyouweresofondofMr。Phillipsthatyou’drequiretwohandkerchiefstodryyourtearsjustbecausehewasgoingaway，"saidMarilla。

"Idon’tthinkIwascryingbecauseIwasreallysoveryfondofhim，"reflectedAnne。"Ijustcriedbecausealltheothersdid。

ItwasRubyGillisstartedit。RubyGillishasalwaysdeclaredshehatedMr。Phillips，butjustassoonashegotuptomakehisfarewellspeechsheburstintotears。Thenallthegirlsbegantocry，oneaftertheother。Itriedtoholdout，Marilla。

ItriedtorememberthetimeMr。PhillipsmademesitwithGil——witha，boy；andthetimehespelledmynamewithoutaneontheblackboard；andhowhesaidIwastheworstdunceheeversawatgeometryandlaughedatmyspelling；andallthetimeshehadbeensohorridandsarcastic；butsomehowIcouldn’t，Marilla，andIjusthadtocrytoo。JaneAndrewshasbeentalkingforamonthabouthowgladshe’dbewhenMr。Phillipswentawayandshedeclaredshe’dnevershedatear。Well，shewasworsethananyofusandhadtoborrowahandkerchieffromherbrother——ofcoursetheboysdidn’tcry——becauseshehadn’tbroughtoneofherown，notexpectingtoneedit。Oh，Marilla，itwasheartrending。Mr。Phillipsmadesuchabeautifulfarewellspeechbeginning，`Thetimehascomeforustopart。’

Itwasveryaffecting。Andhehadtearsinhiseyestoo，Marilla。

Oh，IfeltdreadfullysorryandremorsefulforallthetimesI’dtalkedinschoolanddrawnpicturesofhimonmyslateandmadefunofhimandPrissy。IcantellyouIwishedI’dbeenamodelpupillikeMinnieAndrews。Shehadn’tanythingonherconscience。

Thegirlscriedallthewayhomefromschool。CarrieSloanekeptsayingeveryfewminutes，`Thetimehascomeforustopart，’

andthatwouldstartusoffagainwheneverwewereinanydangerofcheeringup。Idofeeldreadfullysad，Marilla。Butonecan’tfeelquiteinthedepthsofdespairwithtwomonths’vacationbeforethem，canthey，Marilla？Andbesides，wemetthenewministerandhiswifecomingfromthestation。ForallIwasfeelingsobadaboutMr。PhillipsgoingawayIcouldn’thelptakingalittleinterestinanewminister，couldI？Hiswifeisverypretty。Notexactlyregallylovely，ofcourse——itwouldn’tdo，Isuppose，foraministertohavearegallylovelywife，becauseitmightsetabadexample。Mrs。Lyndesaystheminister’swifeoveratNewbridgesetsaverybadexamplebecauseshedressessofashionably。Ournewminister’swifewasdressedinbluemuslinwithlovelypuffedsleevesandahattrimmedwithroses。

JaneAndrewssaidshethoughtpuffedsleevesweretooworldlyforaminister’swife，butIdidn’tmakeanysuchuncharitableremark，Marilla，becauseIknowwhatitistolongforpuffedsleeves。

Besides，she’sonlybeenaminister’swifeforalittlewhile，sooneshouldmakeallowances，shouldn’tthey？TheyaregoingtoboardwithMrs。Lyndeuntilthemanseisready。"

IfMarilla，ingoingdowntoMrs。Lynde’sthatevening，wasactuatedbyanymotivesaveheravowedoneofreturningthequiltingframesshehadborrowedtheprecedingwinter，itwasanamiableweaknesssharedbymostoftheAvonleapeople。ManyathingMrs。Lyndehadlent，sometimesneverexpectingtoseeitagain，camehomethatnightinchargeoftheborrowersthereof。

Anewminister，andmoreoveraministerwithawife，wasalawfulobjectofcuriosityinaquietlittlecountrysettlementwheresensationswerefewandfarbetween。

OldMr。Bentley，theministerwhomAnnehadfoundlackinginimagination，hadbeenpastorofAvonleaforeighteenyears。Hewasawidowerwhenhecame，andawidowerheremained，despitethefactthatgossipregularlymarriedhimtothis，that，ortheotherone，everyyearofhissojourn。IntheprecedingFebruaryhehadresignedhischargeanddepartedamidtheregretsofhispeople，mostofwhomhadtheaffectionbornoflongintercoursefortheirgoodoldministerinspiteofhisshortcomingsasanorator。

SincethentheAvonleachurchhadenjoyedavarietyofreligiousdissipationinlisteningtothemanyandvariouscandidatesand"supplies"whocameSundayafterSundaytopreachontrial。

ThesestoodorfellbythejudgmentofthefathersandmothersinIsrael；butacertainsmall，red-hairedgirlwhosatmeeklyinthecorneroftheoldCuthbertpewalsohadheropinionsaboutthemanddiscussedthesameinfullwithMatthew，Marillaalwaysdecliningfromprincipletocriticizeministersinanyshapeorform。

"Idon’tthinkMr。Smithwouldhavedone，Matthew"wasAnne’sfinalsummingup。"Mrs。Lyndesayshisdeliverywassopoor，butIthinkhisworstfaultwasjustlikeMr。Bentley’s——hehadnoimagination。AndMr。Terryhadtoomuch；heletitrunawaywithhimjustasIdidmineinthematteroftheHauntedWood。

Besides，Mrs。Lyndesayshistheologywasn’tsound。Mr。Greshamwasaverygoodmanandaveryreligiousman，buthetoldtoomanyfunnystoriesandmadethepeoplelaughinchurch；hewasundignified，andyoumusthavesomedignityaboutaminister，mustn’tyou，Matthew？IthoughtMr。Marshallwasdecidedlyattractive；butMrs。Lyndesaysheisn’tmarried，orevenengaged，becauseshemadespecialinquiriesabouthim，andshesaysitwouldneverdotohaveayoungunmarriedministerinAvonlea，becausehemightmarryinthecongregationandthatwouldmaketrouble。Mrs。Lyndeisaveryfarseeingwoman，isn’tshe，Matthew？I’mverygladthey’vecalledMr。Allan。Ilikedhimbecausehissermonwasinterestingandheprayedasifhemeantitandnotjustasifhediditbecausehewasinthehabitofit。Mrs。Lyndesaysheisn’tperfect，butshesaysshesupposeswecouldn’texpectaperfectministerforsevenhundredandfiftydollarsayear，andanyhowhistheologyissoundbecauseshequestionedhimthoroughlyonallthepointsofdoctrine。Andsheknowshiswife’speopleandtheyaremostrespectableandthewomenareallgoodhousekeepers。Mrs。Lyndesaysthatsounddoctrineinthemanandgoodhousekeepinginthewomanmakeanidealcombinationforaminister’sfamily。"

Thenewministerandhiswifewereayoung，pleasant-facedcouple，stillontheirhoneymoon，andfullofallgoodandbeautifulenthusiasmsfortheirchosenlifework。Avonleaopeneditshearttothemfromthestart。Oldandyounglikedthefrank，cheerfulyoungmanwithhishighideals，andthebright，gentlelittleladywhoassumedthemistress-shipofthemanse。

WithMrs。AllanAnnefellpromptlyandwholeheartedlyinlove。

Shehaddiscoveredanotherkindredspirit。

"Mrs。Allanisperfectlylovely，"sheannouncedoneSundayafternoon。

"She’stakenourclassandshe’sasplendidteacher。Shesaidrightawayshedidn’tthinkitwasfairfortheteachertoaskallthequestions，andyouknow，Marilla，thatisexactlywhatI’vealwaysthought。ShesaidwecouldaskheranyquestionwelikedandIaskedeversomany。I’mgoodataskingquestions，Marilla。"

"Ibelieveyou"wasMarilla’semphaticcomment。

"NobodyelseaskedanyexceptRubyGillis，andsheaskediftherewastobeaSunday-schoolpicnicthissummer。Ididn’tthinkthatwasaveryproperquestiontoaskbecauseithadn’tanyconnectionwiththelesson——thelessonwasaboutDanielinthelions’den——butMrs。Allanjustsmiledandsaidshethoughttherewouldbe。Mrs。Allanhasalovelysmile；shehassuchEXQUISITE

dimplesinhercheeks。IwishIhaddimplesinmycheeks，Marilla。

I’mnothalfsoskinnyasIwaswhenIcamehere，butIhavenodimplesyet。IfIhadperhapsIcouldinfluencepeopleforgood。

Mrs。Allansaidweoughtalwaystotrytoinfluenceotherpeopleforgood。Shetalkedsoniceabouteverything。Ineverknewbeforethatreligionwassuchacheerfulthing。Ialwaysthoughtitwaskindofmelancholy，butMrs。Allan’sisn’t，andI’dliketobeaChristianifIcouldbeonelikeher。Iwouldn’twanttobeonelikeMr。SuperintendentBell。"

"It’sverynaughtyofyoutospeaksoaboutMr。Bell，"saidMarillaseverely。"Mr。Bellisarealgoodman。"

"Oh，ofcoursehe’sgood，"agreedAnne，"buthedoesn’tseemtogetanycomfortoutofit。IfIcouldbegoodI’ddanceandsingalldaybecauseIwasgladofit。IsupposeMrs。Allanistoooldtodanceandsingandofcourseitwouldn’tbedignifiedinaminister’swife。ButIcanjustfeelshe’sgladshe’saChristianandthatshe’dbeoneevenifshecouldgettoheavenwithoutit。"

"IsupposewemusthaveMr。andMrs。Allanuptoteasomedaysoon，"saidMarillareflectively。"They’vebeenmosteverywherebuthere。Letmesee。NextWednesdaywouldbeagoodtimetohavethem。Butdon’tsayawordtoMatthewaboutit，forifheknewtheywerecominghe’dfindsomeexcusetobeawaythatday。

He’dgotsousedtoMr。Bentleyhedidn’tmindhim，buthe’sgoingtofindithardtogetacquaintedwithanewminister，andanewminister’swifewillfrightenhimtodeath。"

"I’llbeassecretasthedead，"assuredAnne。"Butoh，Marilla，willyouletmemakeacakefortheoccasion？I’dlovetodosomethingforMrs。Allan，andyouknowIcanmakeaprettygoodcakebythistime。"

"Youcanmakealayercake，"promisedMarilla。

MondayandTuesdaygreatpreparationswentonatGreenGables。

Havingtheministerandhiswifetoteawasaseriousandimportantundertaking，andMarillawasdeterminednottobeeclipsedbyanyoftheAvonleahousekeepers。Annewaswildwithexcitementanddelight。ShetalkeditalloverwithDianaTuesdaynightinthetwilight，astheysatonthebigredstonesbytheDryad’sBubbleandmaderainbowsinthewaterwithlittletwigsdippedinfirbalsam。

"Everythingisready，Diana，exceptmycakewhichI’mtomakeinthemorning，andthebaking-powderbiscuitswhichMarillawillmakejustbeforeteatime。Iassureyou，Diana，thatMarillaandIhavehadabusytwodaysofit。It’ssucharesponsibilityhavingaminister’sfamilytotea。Ineverwentthroughsuchanexperiencebefore。Youshouldjustseeourpantry。It’sasighttobehold。We’regoingtohavejelliedchickenandcoldtongue。

We’retohavetwokindsofjelly，redandyellow，andwhippedcreamandlemonpie，andcherrypie，andthreekindsofcookies，andfruitcake，andMarilla’sfamousyellowplumpreservesthatshekeepsespeciallyforministers，andpoundcakeandlayercake，andbiscuitsasaforesaid；andnewbreadandoldboth，incasetheministerisdyspepticandcan’teatnew。Mrs。Lyndesaysministersaredyspeptic，butIdon’tthinkMr。Allanhasbeenaministerlongenoughforittohavehadabadeffectonhim。

IjustgrowcoldwhenIthinkofmylayercake。Oh，Diana，whatifitshouldn’tbegood！IdreamedlastnightthatIwaschasedallaroundbyafearfulgoblinwithabiglayercakeforahead。"

"It’llbegood，allright，"assuredDiana，whowasaverycomfortablesortoffriend。"I’msurethatpieceoftheoneyoumadethatwehadforlunchinIdlewildtwoweeksagowasperfectlyelegant。"

"Yes；butcakeshavesuchaterriblehabitofturningoutbadjustwhenyouespeciallywantthemtobegood，"sighedAnne，settingaparticularlywell-balsamedtwigafloat。"However，IsupposeIshalljusthavetotrusttoProvidenceandbecarefultoputintheflour。Oh，look，Diana，whatalovelyrainbow！Doyousupposethedryadwillcomeoutafterwegoawayandtakeitforascarf？"

"Youknowthereisnosuchthingasadryad，"saidDiana。

Diana’smotherhadfoundoutabouttheHauntedWoodandhadbeendecidedlyangryoverit。AsaresultDianahadabstainedfromanyfurtherimitativeflightsofimaginationanddidnotthinkitprudenttocultivateaspiritofbeliefeveninharmlessdryads。

"Butit’ssoeasytoimaginethereis，"saidAnne。"EverynightbeforeIgotobed，Ilookoutofmywindowandwonderifthedryadisreallysittinghere，combingherlockswiththespringforamirror。SometimesIlookforherfootprintsinthedewinthemorning。Oh，Diana，don’tgiveupyourfaithinthedryad！"

Wednesdaymorningcame。Annegotupatsunrisebecauseshewastooexcitedtosleep。Shehadcaughtaseverecoldintheheadbyreasonofherdabblinginthespringontheprecedingevening；

butnothingshortofabsolutepneumoniacouldhavequenchedherinterestinculinarymattersthatmorning。Afterbreakfastsheproceededtomakehercake。Whenshefinallyshuttheovendooruponitshedrewalongbreath。

"I’msureIhaven’tforgottenanythingthistime，Marilla。Butdoyouthinkitwillrise？Justsupposeperhapsthebakingpowderisn’tgood？Iuseditoutofthenewcan。AndMrs。Lyndesaysyoucanneverbesureofgettinggoodbakingpowdernowadayswheneverythingissoadulterated。Mrs。LyndesaystheGovernmentoughttotakethematterup，butshesayswe’llneverseethedaywhenaToryGovernmentwilldoit。Marilla，whatifthatcakedoesn’trise？"

"We’llhaveplentywithoutit"wasMarilla’sunimpassionedwayoflookingatthesubject。

Thecakedidrise，however，andcameoutoftheovenaslightandfeatheryasgoldenfoam。Anne，flushedwithdelight，clappedittogetherwithlayersofrubyjellyand，inimagination，sawMrs。

Allaneatingitandpossiblyaskingforanotherpiece！

"You’llbeusingthebestteaset，ofcourse，Marilla，"shesaid。

"CanIfixthetablewithfernsandwildroses？"

"Ithinkthat’sallnonsense，"sniffedMarilla。"Inmyopinionit’stheeatablesthatmatterandnotflummerydecorations。"

"Mrs。BarryhadHERtabledecorated，"saidAnne，whowasnotentirelyguiltlessofthewisdomoftheserpent，"andtheministerpaidheranelegantcompliment。Hesaiditwasafeastfortheeyeaswellasthepalate。"

"Well，doasyoulike，"saidMarilla，whowasquitedeterminednottobesurpassedbyMrs。Barryoranybodyelse。"Onlymindyouleaveenoughroomforthedishesandthefood。"

AnnelaidherselfouttodecorateinamannerandafterafashionthatshouldleaveMrs。Barry’snowhere。Havingabundanceofrosesandfernsandaveryartistictasteofherown，shemadethatteatablesuchathingofbeautythatwhentheministerandhiswifesatdowntoittheyexclaimedinchorusoveritloveliness。

"It’sAnne’sdoings，"saidMarilla，grimlyjust；andAnnefeltthatMrs。Allan’sapprovingsmilewasalmosttoomuchhappinessforthisworld。

Matthewwasthere，havingbeeninveigledintothepartyonlygoodnessandAnneknewhow。HehadbeeninsuchastateofshynessandnervousnessthatMarillahadgivenhimupindespair，butAnnetookhiminhandsosuccessfullythathenowsatatthetableinhisbestclothesandwhitecollarandtalkedtotheministernotuninterestingly。HeneversaidawordtoMrs。Allan，butthatperhapswasnottobeexpected。

AllwentmerryasamarriagebelluntilAnne’slayercakewaspassed。Mrs。Allan，havingalreadybeenhelpedtoabewilderingvariety，declinedit。ButMarilla，seeingthedisappointmentonAnne’sface，saidsmilingly:

"Oh，youmusttakeapieceofthis，Mrs。Allan。Annemadeitonpurposeforyou。"

"InthatcaseImustsampleit，"laughedMrs。Allan，helpingherselftoaplumptriangle，asdidalsotheministerandMarilla。

Mrs。Allantookamouthfulofhersandamostpeculiarexpressioncrossedherface；notaworddidshesay，however，butsteadilyateawayatit。Marillasawtheexpressionandhastenedtotastethecake。

"AnneShirley！"sheexclaimed，"whatonearthdidyouputintothatcake？"

"Nothingbutwhattherecipesaid，Marilla，"criedAnnewithalookofanguish。"Oh，isn’titallright？"

"Allright！It’ssimplyhorrible。Mr。Allan，don’ttrytoeatit。Anne，tasteityourself。Whatflavoringdidyouuse？"

"Vanilla，"saidAnne，herfacescarletwithmortificationaftertastingthecake。"Onlyvanilla。Oh，Marilla，itmusthavebeenthebakingpowder。Ihadmysuspicionsofthatbak——"

"Bakingpowderfiddlesticks！Goandbringmethebottleofvanillayouused。"

Annefledtothepantryandreturnedwithasmallbottlepartiallyfilledwithabrownliquidandlabeledyellowly，"BestVanilla。"

Marillatookit，uncorkedit，smelledit。

"Mercyonus，Anne，you’veflavoredthatcakewithANODYNE

LINIMENT。Ibrokethelinimentbottlelastweekandpouredwhatwasleftintoanoldemptyvanillabottle。Isupposeit’spartlymyfault——Ishouldhavewarnedyou——butforpity’ssakewhycouldn’tyouhavesmelledit？"

Annedissolvedintotearsunderthisdoubledisgrace。

"Icouldn’t——Ihadsuchacold！"andwiththisshefairlyfledtothegablechamber，whereshecastherselfonthebedandweptasonewhorefusestobecomforted。

Presentlyalightstepsoundedonthestairsandsomebodyenteredtheroom。

"Oh，Marilla，"sobbedAnne，withoutlookingup，"I’mdisgracedforever。

Ishallneverbeabletolivethisdown。Itwillgetout——thingsalwaysdogetoutinAvonlea。DianawillaskmehowmycaketurnedoutandIshallhavetotellherthetruth。Ishallalwaysbepointedatasthegirlwhoflavoredacakewithanodyneliniment。Gil——theboysinschoolwillnevergetoverlaughingatit。Oh，Marilla，ifyouhaveasparkofChristianpitydon’ttellmethatImustgodownandwashthedishesafterthis。I’llwashthemwhentheministerandhiswifearegone，butIcannoteverlookMrs。Allaninthefaceagain。Perhapsshe’llthinkItriedtopoisonher。Mrs。Lyndesayssheknowsanorphangirlwhotriedtopoisonherbenefactor。Butthelinimentisn’tpoisonous。It’smeanttobetakeninternally——althoughnotincakes。Won’tyoutellMrs。Allanso，Marilla？"

"Supposeyoujumpupandtellhersoyourself，"saidamerryvoice。

Anneflewup，tofindMrs。Allanstandingbyherbed，surveyingherwithlaughingeyes。

"Mydearlittlegirl，youmusn’tcrylikethis，"shesaid，genuinelydisturbedbyAnne’stragicface。"Why，it’salljustafunnymistakethatanybodymightmake。"

"Oh，no，ittakesmetomakesuchamistake，"saidAnneforlornly。

"AndIwantedtohavethatcakesoniceforyou，Mrs。Allan。"

"Yes，Iknow，dear。AndIassureyouIappreciateyourkindnessandthoughtfulnessjustasmuchasifithadturnedoutallright。

Now，youmustn’tcryanymore，butcomedownwithmeandshowmeyourflowergarden。MissCuthberttellsmeyouhavealittleplotallyourown。Iwanttoseeit，forI’mverymuchinterestedinflowers。"

Annepermittedherselftobeleddownandcomforted，reflectingthatitwasreallyprovidentialthatMrs。Allanwasakindredspirit。Nothingmorewassaidaboutthelinimentcake，andwhentheguestswentawayAnnefoundthatshehadenjoyedtheeveningmorethancouldhavebeenexpected，consideringthatterribleincident。Nevertheless，shesigheddeeply。

"Marilla，isn’titnicetothinkthattomorrowisanewdaywithnomistakesinityet？"

"I’llwarrantyou’llmakeplentyinit，"saidMarilla。"Ineversawyourbeatformakingmistakes，Anne。"

"Yes，andwellIknowit，"admittedAnnemournfully。"Buthaveyouevernoticedoneencouragingthingaboutme，Marilla？

Inevermakethesamemistaketwice。"

"Idon’tknowasthat’smuchbenefitwhenyou’realwaysmakingnewones。"

"Oh，don’tyousee，Marilla？Theremustbealimittothemistakesonepersoncanmake，andwhenIgettotheendofthem，thenI’llbethroughwiththem。That’saverycomfortingthought。"

"Well，you’dbettergoandgivethatcaketothepigs，"saidMarilla。

"Itisn’tfitforanyhumantoeat，notevenJerryBoute。"

CHAPTERXXII

AnneisInvitedOuttoTea"Andwhatareyoureyespoppingoutofyourheadabout。Now？"

askedMarilla，whenAnnehadjustcomeinfromaruntothepostoffice。"Haveyoudiscoveredanotherkindredspirit？"

ExcitementhungaroundAnnelikeagarment，shoneinhereyes，kindledineveryfeature。Shehadcomedancingupthelane，likeawind-blownsprite，throughthemellowsunshineandlazyshadowsoftheAugustevening。

"No，Marilla，butoh，whatdoyouthink？Iaminvitedtoteaatthemansetomorrowafternoon！Mrs。Allanlefttheletterformeatthepostoffice。Justlookatit，Marilla。`MissAnneShirley，GreenGables。’ThatisthefirsttimeIwasevercalled`Miss。’

Suchathrillasitgaveme！Ishallcherishitforeveramongmychoicesttreasures。"

"Mrs。AllantoldmeshemeanttohaveallthemembersofherSunday-schoolclasstoteainturn，"saidMarilla，regardingthewonderfuleventverycoolly。"Youneedn’tgetinsuchafeveroverit。Dolearntotakethingscalmly，child。"

ForAnnetotakethingscalmlywouldhavebeentochangehernature。All"spiritandfireanddew，"asshewas，thepleasuresandpainsoflifecametoherwithtrebledintensity。Marillafeltthisandwasvaguelytroubledoverit，realizingthattheupsanddownsofexistencewouldprobablybearhardlyonthisimpulsivesoulandnotsufficientlyunderstandingthattheequallygreatcapacityfordelightmightmorethancompensate。

ThereforeMarillaconceivedittobeherdutytodrillAnneintoatranquiluniformityofdispositionasimpossibleandalientoherastoadancingsunbeaminoneofthebrookshallows。Shedidnotmakemuchheadway，asshesorrowfullyadmittedtoherself。

ThedownfallofsomedearhopeorplanplungedAnneinto"deepsofaffliction。"Thefulfillmentthereofexaltedhertodizzyrealmsofdelight。Marillahadalmostbeguntodespairofeverfashioningthiswaifoftheworldintohermodellittlegirlofdemuremannersandprimdeportment。NeitherwouldshehavebelievedthatshereallylikedAnnemuchbetterasshewas。

AnnewenttobedthatnightspeechlesswithmiserybecauseMatthewhadsaidthewindwasroundnortheastandhefeareditwouldbearainydaytomorrow。Therustleofthepoplarleavesaboutthehouseworriedher，itsoundedsolikepatteringraindrops，andthefull，farawayroarofthegulf，towhichshelisteneddelightedlyatothertimes，lovingitsstrange，sonorous，hauntingrhythm，nowseemedlikeaprophecyofstormanddisastertoasmallmaidenwhoparticularlywantedafineday。Annethoughtthatthemorningwouldnevercome。

Butallthingshaveanend，evennightsbeforethedayonwhichyouareinvitedtotaketeaatthemanse。Themorning，inspiteofMatthew’spredictions，wasfineandAnne’sspiritssoaredtotheirhighest。

"Oh，Marilla，thereissomethinginmetodaythatmakesmejustloveeverybodyIsee，"sheexclaimedasshewashedthebreakfastdishes。"Youdon’tknowhowgoodIfeel！Wouldn’titbeniceifitcouldlast？IbelieveIcouldbeamodelchildifIwerejustinvitedouttoteaeveryday。Butoh，Marilla，it’sasolemnoccasiontoo。Ifeelsoanxious。WhatifIshouldn’tbehaveproperly？YouknowIneverhadteaatamansebefore，andI’mnotsurethatIknowalltherulesofetiquette，althoughI’vebeenstudyingtherulesgivenintheEtiquetteDepartmentoftheFamilyHeraldeversinceIcamehere。I’msoafraidI’lldosomethingsillyorforgettodosomethingIshoulddo。WoulditbegoodmannerstotakeasecondhelpingofanythingifyouwantedtoVERYmuch？"

"Thetroublewithyou，Anne，isthatyou’rethinkingtoomuchaboutyourself。YoushouldjustthinkofMrs。Allanandwhatwouldbenicestandmostagreeabletoher，"saidMarilla，hittingforonceinherlifeonaverysoundandpithypieceofadvice。

Anneinstantlyrealizedthis。

"Youareright，Marilla。I’lltrynottothinkaboutmyselfatall。"

Anneevidentlygotthroughhervisitwithoutanyseriousbreachof"etiquette，"forshecamehomethroughthetwilight，underagreat，high-sprungskygloriedoverwithtrailsofsaffronandrosycloud，inabeatifiedstateofmindandtoldMarillaallaboutithappily，sittingonthebigred-sandstoneslabatthekitchendoorwithhertiredcurlyheadinMarilla’sginghamlap。

Acoolwindwasblowingdownoverthelongharvestfieldsfromtherimsoffirrywesternhillsandwhistlingthroughthepoplars。OneclearstarhungovertheorchardandthefireflieswereflittingoverinLover’sLane，inandoutamongthefernsandrustlingboughs。Annewatchedthemasshetalkedandsomehowfeltthatwindandstarsandfireflieswerealltangleduptogetherintosomethingunutterablysweetandenchanting。

"Oh，Marilla，I’vehadamostFASCINATINGtime。IfeelthatI

havenotlivedinvainandIshallalwaysfeellikethatevenifIshouldneverbeinvitedtoteaatamanseagain。WhenIgotthereMrs。Allanmetmeatthedoor。Shewasdressedinthesweetestdressofpale-pinkorgandy，withdozensoffrillsandelbowsleeves，andshelookedjustlikeaseraph。IreallythinkI’dliketobeaminister’swifewhenIgrowup，Marilla。A

ministermightn’tmindmyredhairbecausehewouldn’tbethinkingofsuchworldlythings。ButthenofcourseonewouldhavetobenaturallygoodandI’llneverbethat，soIsupposethere’snouseinthinkingaboutit。Somepeoplearenaturallygood，youknow，andothersarenot。I’moneoftheothers。Mrs。

LyndesaysI’mfulloforiginalsin。NomatterhowhardItrytobegoodIcannevermakesuchasuccessofitasthosewhoarenaturallygood。It’sagooddeallikegeometry，Iexpect。Butdon’tyouthinkthetryingsohardoughttocountforsomething？

Mrs。Allanisoneofthenaturallygoodpeople。Iloveherpassionately。Youknowtherearesomepeople，likeMatthewandMrs。Allanthatyoucanloverightoffwithoutanytrouble。Andthereareothers，likeMrs。Lynde，thatyouhavetotryveryhardtolove。YouknowyouOUGHTtolovethembecausetheyknowsomuchandaresuchactiveworkersinthechurch，butyouhavetokeepremindingyourselfofitallthetimeorelseyouforget。

Therewasanotherlittlegirlatthemansetotea，fromtheWhiteSandsSundayschool。HernamewasLauretteBradley，andshewasaverynicelittlegirl。Notexactlyakindredspirit，youknow，butstillverynice。Wehadaneleganttea，andIthinkIkeptalltherulesofetiquetteprettywell。AfterteaMrs。AllanplayedandsangandshegotLaurettaandmetosingtoo。Mrs。

AllansaysIhaveagoodvoiceandshesaysImustsingintheSunday-schoolchoirafterthis。Youcan’tthinkhowIwasthrilledatthemerethought。I’velongedsotosingintheSunday-schoolchoir，asDianadoes，butIfeareditwasanhonorIcouldneveraspireto。LaurettahadtogohomeearlybecausethereisabigconcertintheWhiteSandsHoteltonightandhersisteristoreciteatit。LaurettasaysthattheAmericansatthehotelgiveaconcerteveryfortnightinaidoftheCharlottetownhospital，andtheyasklotsoftheWhiteSandspeopletorecite。Laurettasaidsheexpectedtobeaskedherselfsomeday。Ijustgazedatherinawe。AftershehadgoneMrs。AllanandIhadaheart-to-hearttalk。Itoldhereverything——aboutMrs。ThomasandthetwinsandKatieMauriceandViolettaandcomingtoGreenGablesandmytroublesovergeometry。Andwouldyoubelieveit，Marilla？Mrs。Allantoldmeshewasadunceatgeometrytoo。Youdon’tknowhowthatencouragedme。Mrs。LyndecametothemansejustbeforeIleft，andwhatdoyouthink，Marilla？Thetrusteeshavehiredanewteacherandit’salady。HernameisMissMurielStacy。Isn’tthataromanticname？Mrs。Lyndesaysthey’veneverhadafemaleteacherinAvonleabeforeandshethinksitisadangerousinnovation。ButIthinkitwillbesplendidtohavealadyteacher，andIreallydon’tseehowI’mgoingtolivethroughthetwoweeksbeforeschoolbegins。I’msoimpatienttoseeher。"

CHAPTERXXIII

AnneComestoGriefinanAffairofHonorAnnehadtolivethroughmorethantwoweeks，asithappened。

Almostamonthhavingelapsedsincethelinimentcakeepisode，itwashightimeforhertogetintofreshtroubleofsomesort，littlemistakes，suchasabsentmindedlyemptyingapanofskimmilkintoabasketofyarnballsinthepantryinsteadofintothepigs’bucket，andwalkingcleanovertheedgeofthelogbridgeintothebrookwhilewrappedinimaginativereverie，notreallybeingworthcounting。

AweekaftertheteaatthemanseDianaBarrygaveaparty。

"Smallandselect，"AnneassuredMarilla。"Justthegirlsinourclass。"

Theyhadaverygoodtimeandnothinguntowardhappeneduntilaftertea，whentheyfoundthemselvesintheBarrygarden，alittletiredofalltheirgamesandripeforanyenticingformofmischiefwhichmightpresentitself。Thispresentlytooktheformof"daring。"

DaringwasthefashionableamusementamongtheAvonleasmallfryjustthen。Ithadbegunamongtheboys，butsoonspreadtothegirls，andallthesillythingsthatweredoneinAvonleathatsummerbecausethedoersthereofwere"dared"todothemwouldfillabookbythemselves。

FirstofallCarrieSloanedaredRubyGillistoclimbtoacertainpointinthehugeoldwillowtreebeforethefrontdoor；

whichRubyGillis，albeitinmortaldreadofthefatgreencaterpillarswithwhichsaidtreewasinfestedandwiththefearofhermotherbeforehereyesifsheshouldtearhernewmuslindress，nimblydid，tothediscomfitureoftheaforesaidCarrieSloane。

ThenJosiePyedaredJaneAndrewstohoponherleftlegaroundthegardenwithoutstoppingonceorputtingherrightfoottotheground；whichJaneAndrewsgamelytriedtodo，butgaveoutatthethirdcornerandhadtoconfessherselfdefeated。

Josie’striumphbeingrathermorepronouncedthangoodtastepermitted，AnneShirleydaredhertowalkalongthetopoftheboardfencewhichboundedthegardentotheeast。Now，to"walk"

boardfencesrequiresmoreskillandsteadinessofheadandheelthanonemightsupposewhohasnevertriedit。ButJosiePye，ifdeficientinsomequalitiesthatmakeforpopularity，hadatleastanaturalandinborngift，dulycultivated，forwalkingboardfences。JosiewalkedtheBarryfencewithanairyunconcernwhichseemedtoimplythatalittlethinglikethatwasn’twortha"dare。"Reluctantadmirationgreetedherexploit，formostoftheothergirlscouldappreciateit，havingsufferedmanythingsthemselvesintheireffortstowalkfences。Josiedescendedfromherperch，flushedwithvictory，anddartedadefiantglanceatAnne。

Annetossedherredbraids。

"Idon’tthinkit’ssuchaverywonderfulthingtowalkalittle，low，boardfence，"shesaid。"IknewagirlinMarysvillewhocouldwalktheridgepoleofaroof。"

"Idon’tbelieveit，"saidJosieflatly。"Idon’tbelieveanybodycouldwalkaridgepole。YOUcouldn’t，anyhow。"

"Couldn’tI？"criedAnnerashly。

"ThenIdareyoutodoit，"saidJosiedefiantly。"IdareyoutoclimbupthereandwalktheridgepoleofMr。Barry’skitchenroof。"

Anneturnedpale，buttherewasclearlyonlyonethingtobedone。

Shewalkedtowardthehouse，wherealadderwasleaningagainstthekitchenroof。Allthefifth-classgirlssaid，"Oh！"partlyinexcitement，partlyindismay。

"Don’tyoudoit，Anne，"entreatedDiana。"You’llfalloffandbekilled。NevermindJosiePye。Itisn’tfairtodareanybodytodoanythingsodangerous。"

"Imustdoit。Myhonorisatstake，"saidAnnesolemnly。

"Ishallwalkthatridgepole，Diana，orperishintheattempt。

IfIamkilledyouaretohavemypearlbeadring。"

Anneclimbedtheladderamidbreathlesssilence，gainedtheridgepole，balancedherselfuprightlyonthatprecariousfooting，andstartedtowalkalongit，dizzilyconsciousthatshewasuncomfortablyhighupintheworldandthatwalkingridgepoleswasnotathinginwhichyourimaginationhelpedyououtmuch。

Nevertheless，shemanagedtotakeseveralstepsbeforethecatastrophecame。Thensheswayed，lostherbalance，stumbled，staggered，andfell，slidingdownoverthesun-bakedroofandcrashingoffitthroughthetangleofVirginiacreeperbeneath——

allbeforethedismayedcirclebelowcouldgiveasimultaneous，terrifiedshriek。

IfAnnehadtumbledofftheroofonthesideupwhichshehadascendedDianawouldprobablyhavefallenheirtothepearlbeadringthenandthere。Fortunatelyshefellontheotherside，wheretheroofextendeddownovertheporchsonearlytothegroundthatafalltherefromwasamuchlessseriousthing。

Nevertheless，whenDianaandtheothergirlshadrushedfranticallyaroundthehouse——exceptRubyGillis，whoremainedasifrootedtothegroundandwentintohysterics——theyfoundAnnelyingallwhiteandlimpamongthewreckandruinoftheVirginiacreeper。

"Anne，areyoukilled？"shriekedDiana，throwingherselfonherkneesbesideherfriend。"Oh，Anne，dearAnne，speakjustonewordtomeandtellmeifyou’rekilled。"

Totheimmensereliefofallthegirls，andespeciallyofJosiePye，who，inspiteoflackofimagination，hadbeenseizedwithhorriblevisionsofafuturebrandedasthegirlwhowasthecauseofAnneShirley’searlyandtragicdeath，Annesatdizzilyupandanswereduncertainly:

"No，Diana，Iamnotkilled，butIthinkIamrenderedunconscious。"

"Where？"sobbedCarrieSloane。"Oh，where，Anne？"BeforeAnnecouldanswerMrs。Barryappearedonthescene。AtsightofherAnnetriedtoscrambletoherfeet，butsankbackagainwithasharplittlecryofpain。

"What’sthematter？Wherehaveyouhurtyourself？"demandedMrs。Barry。

"Myankle，"gaspedAnne。"Oh，Diana，pleasefindyourfatherandaskhimtotakemehome。IknowIcanneverwalkthere。AndI’msureIcouldn’thopsofarononefootwhenJanecouldn’tevenhoparoundthegarden。"

MarillawasoutintheorchardpickingapanfulofsummerappleswhenshesawMr。Barrycomingoverthelogbridgeanduptheslope，withMrs。Barrybesidehimandawholeprocessionoflittlegirlstrailingafterhim。InhisarmshecarriedAnne，whoseheadlaylimplyagainsthisshoulder。

AtthatmomentMarillahadarevelation。InthesuddenstaboffearthatpiercedherveryheartsherealizedwhatAnnehadcometomeantoher。ShewouldhaveadmittedthatshelikedAnne——nay，thatshewasveryfondofAnne。ButnowsheknewasshehurriedwildlydowntheslopethatAnnewasdearertoherthananythingelseonearth。

"Mr。Barry，whathashappenedtoher？"shegasped，morewhiteandshakenthantheself-contained，sensibleMarillahadbeenformanyyears。

Anneherselfanswered，liftingherhead。

"Don’tbeveryfrightened，Marilla。IwaswalkingtheridgepoleandIfelloff。IexpectIhavesprainedmyankle。But，Marilla，Imighthavebrokenmyneck。Letuslookonthebrightsideofthings。"

"Imighthaveknownyou’dgoanddosomethingofthesortwhenI

letyougotothatparty，"saidMarilla，sharpandshrewishinherveryrelief。"Bringherinhere，Mr。Barry，andlayheronthesofa。Mercyme，thechildhasgoneandfainted！"

Itwasquitetrue。Overcomebythepainofherinjury，Annehadonemoreofherwishesgrantedtoher。Shehadfainteddeadaway。

Matthew，hastilysummonedfromtheharvestfield，wasstraightwaydispatchedforthedoctor，whoinduetimecame，todiscoverthattheinjurywasmoreseriousthantheyhadsupposed。Anne’sanklewasbroken。

Thatnight，whenMarillawentuptotheeastgable，whereawhite-facedgirlwaslying，aplaintivevoicegreetedherfromthebed。

"Aren’tyouverysorryforme，Marilla？"

"Itwasyourownfault，"saidMarilla，twitchingdowntheblindandlightingalamp。

"Andthatisjustwhyyoushouldbesorryforme，"saidAnne，"becausethethoughtthatitisallmyownfaultiswhatmakesitsohard。IfIcouldblameitonanybodyIwouldfeelsomuchbetter。Butwhatwouldyouhavedone，Marilla，ifyouhadbeendaredtowalkaridgepole？"

"I’dhavestayedongoodfirmgroundandletthemdareaway。

Suchabsurdity！"saidMarilla。

Annesighed。

"Butyouhavesuchstrengthofmind，Marilla。Ihaven’t。IjustfeltthatIcouldn’tbearJosiePye’sscorn。Shewouldhavecrowedovermeallmylife。AndIthinkIhavebeenpunishedsomuchthatyouneedn’tbeverycrosswithme，Marilla。It’snotabitnicetofaint，afterall。Andthedoctorhurtmedreadfullywhenhewassettingmyankle。Iwon’tbeabletogoaroundforsixorsevenweeksandI’llmissthenewladyteacher。Shewon’tbenewanymorebythetimeI’mabletogotoschool。AndGil——

everybodywillgetaheadofmeinclass。Oh，Iamanafflictedmortal。ButI’lltrytobearitallbravelyifonlyyouwon’tbecrosswithme，Marilla。"

"There，there，I’mnotcross，"saidMarilla。"You’reanunluckychild，there’snodoubtaboutthat；butasyousay，you’llhavethesufferingofit。Herenow，tryandeatsomesupper。"

"Isn’titfortunateI’vegotsuchanimagination？"saidAnne。

"Itwillhelpmethroughsplendidly，Iexpect。Whatdopeoplewhohaven’tanyimaginationdowhentheybreaktheirbones，doyousuppose，Marilla？"

Annehadgoodreasontoblessherimaginationmanyatimeandoftduringthetedioussevenweeksthatfollowed。Butshewasnotsolelydependentonit。ShehadmanyvisitorsandnotadaypassedwithoutoneormoreoftheschoolgirlsdroppingintobringherflowersandbooksandtellherallthehappeningsinthejuvenileworldofAvonlea。

"Everybodyhasbeensogoodandkind，Marilla，"sighedAnnehappily，onthedaywhenshecouldfirstlimpacrossthefloor。

"Itisn’tverypleasanttobelaidup；butthereisabrightsidetoit，Marilla。Youfindouthowmanyfriendsyouhave。Why，evenSuperintendentBellcametoseeme，andhe’sreallyaveryfineman。Notakindredspirit，ofcourse；butstillIlikehimandI’mawfullysorryIevercriticizedhisprayers。Ibelievenowhereallydoesmeanthem，onlyhehasgotintothehabitofsayingthemasifhedidn’t。Hecouldgetoverthatifhe’dtakealittletrouble。Igavehimagoodbroadhint。ItoldhimhowhardItriedtomakemyownlittleprivateprayersinteresting。

Hetoldmeallaboutthetimehebrokehisanklewhenhewasaboy。ItdoesseemsostrangetothinkofSuperintendentBelleverbeingaboy。Evenmyimaginationhasitslimits，forI

can’timagineTHAT。WhenItrytoimaginehimasaboyIseehimwithgraywhiskersandspectacles，justashelooksinSundayschool，onlysmall。Now，it’ssoeasytoimagineMrs。Allanasalittlegirl。Mrs。Allanhasbeentoseemefourteentimes。

Isn’tthatsomethingtobeproudof，Marilla？Whenaminister’swifehassomanyclaimsonhertime！Sheissuchacheerfulpersontohavevisityou，too。Shenevertellsyouit’syourownfaultandshehopesyou’llbeabettergirlonaccountofit。

Mrs。Lyndealwaystoldmethatwhenshecametoseeme；andshesaiditinakindofwaythatmademefeelshemighthopeI’dbeabettergirlbutdidn’treallybelieveIwould。EvenJosiePyecametoseeme。IreceivedheraspolitelyasIcould，becauseI

thinkshewassorryshedaredmetowalkaridgepole。IfIhadbeenkilledshewouldhadtocarryadarkburdenofremorseallherlife。Dianahasbeenafaithfulfriend。She’sbeenovereverydaytocheermylonelypillow。Butoh，IshallbesogladwhenIcangotoschoolforI’veheardsuchexcitingthingsaboutthenewteacher。Thegirlsallthinksheisperfectlysweet。

Dianasaysshehastheloveliestfaircurlyhairandsuchfascinatingeyes。Shedressesbeautifully，andhersleevepuffsarebiggerthananybodyelse’sinAvonlea。EveryotherFridayafternoonshehasrecitationsandeverybodyhastosayapieceortakepartinadialogue。Oh，it’sjustglorioustothinkofit。

JosiePyesaysshehatesitbutthatisjustbecauseJosiehassolittleimagination。DianaandRubyGillisandJaneAndrewsarepreparingadialogue，called`AMorningVisit，’fornextFriday。

AndtheFridayafternoonstheydon’thaverecitationsMissStacytakesthemalltothewoodsfora`field’dayandtheystudyfernsandflowersandbirds。Andtheyhavephysicalcultureexerciseseverymorningandevening。Mrs。Lyndesayssheneverheardofsuchgoingsonanditallcomesofhavingaladyteacher。ButIthinkitmustbesplendidandIbelieveIshallfindthatMissStacyisakindredspirit。"

"There’sonethingplaintobeseen，Anne，"saidMarilla，"andthatisthatyourfallofftheBarryroofhasn’tinjuredyourtongueatall。"

CHAPTERXXIV

MissStacyandHerPupilsGetUpaConcertItwasOctoberagainwhenAnnewasreadytogobacktoschool——agloriousOctober，allredandgold，withmellowmorningswhenthevalleyswerefilledwithdelicatemistsasifthespiritofautumnhadpouredtheminforthesuntodrain——amethyst，pearl，silver，rose，andsmoke-blue。Thedewsweresoheavythatthefieldsglistenedlikeclothofsilverandthereweresuchheapsofrustlingleavesinthehollowsofmany-stemmedwoodstoruncrisplythrough。TheBirchPathwasacanopyofyellowandthefernsweresearandbrownallalongit。Therewasatangintheveryairthatinspiredtheheartsofsmallmaidenstripping，unlikesnails，swiftlyandwillinglytoschool；anditWASjollytobebackagainatthelittlebrowndeskbesideDiana，withRubyGillisnoddingacrosstheaisleandCarrieSloanesendingupnotesandJuliaBellpassinga"chew"ofgumdownfromthebackseat。Annedrewalongbreathofhappinessasshesharpenedherpencilandarrangedherpicturecardsinherdesk。Lifewascertainlyveryinteresting。

Inthenewteachershefoundanothertrueandhelpfulfriend。

MissStacywasabright，sympatheticyoungwomanwiththehappygiftofwinningandholdingtheaffectionsofherpupilsandbringingoutthebestthatwasinthemmentallyandmorally。

AnneexpandedlikeaflowerunderthiswholesomeinfluenceandcarriedhometotheadmiringMatthewandthecriticalMarillaglowingaccountsofschoolworkandaims。

"IloveMissStacywithmywholeheart，Marilla。Sheissoladylikeandshehassuchasweetvoice。WhenshepronouncesmynameIfeelINSTINCTIVELYthatshe’sspellingitwithanE。

Wehadrecitationsthisafternoon。Ijustwishyoucouldhavebeentheretohearmerecite`Mary，QueenofScots。’Ijustputmywholesoulintoit。RubyGillistoldmecominghomethatthewayIsaidtheline，`Nowformyfather’sarm，’shesaid，`mywoman’sheartfarewell，’justmadeherbloodruncold。"

"Wellnow，youmightreciteitformesomeofthesedays，outinthebarn，"suggestedMatthew。

"OfcourseIwill，"saidAnnemeditatively，"butIwon’tbeabletodoitsowell，Iknow。Itwon’tbesoexcitingasitiswhenyouhaveawholeschoolfulbeforeyouhangingbreathlesslyonyourwords。IknowIwon’tbeabletomakeyourbloodruncold。"

"Mrs。LyndesaysitmadeHERbloodruncoldtoseetheboysclimbingtotheverytopsofthosebigtreesonBell’shillaftercrows’nestslastFriday，"saidMarilla。"IwonderatMissStacyforencouragingit。"

"Butwewantedacrow’snestfornaturestudy，"explainedAnne。

"Thatwasonourfieldafternoon。Fieldafternoonsaresplendid，Marilla。AndMissStacyexplainseverythingsobeautifully。WehavetowritecompositionsonourfieldafternoonsandIwritethebestones。"

"It’sveryvainofyoutosaysothen。You’dbetterletyourteachersayit。"

"ButsheDIDsayit，Marilla。AndindeedI’mnotvainaboutit。

HowcanIbe，whenI’msuchadunceatgeometry？AlthoughI’mreallybeginningtoseethroughitalittle，too。MissStacymakesitsoclear。Still，I’llneverbegoodatitandI

assureyouitisahumblingreflection。ButIlovewritingcompositions。MostlyMissStacyletsuschooseourownsubjects；

butnextweekwearetowriteacompositiononsomeremarkableperson。It’shardtochooseamongsomanyremarkablepeoplewhohavelived。Mustn’titbesplendidtoberemarkableandhavecompositionswrittenaboutyouafteryou’redead？Oh，Iwoulddearlylovetoberemarkable。IthinkwhenIgrowupI’llbeatrainednurseandgowiththeRedCrossestothefieldofbattleasamessengerofmercy。Thatis，ifIdon’tgooutasaforeignmissionary。Thatwouldbeveryromantic，butonewouldhavetobeverygoodtobeamissionary，andthatwouldbeastumblingblock。Wehavephysicalcultureexerciseseveryday，too。Theymakeyougracefulandpromotedigestion。"

"Promotefiddlesticks！"saidMarilla，whohonestlythoughtitwasallnonsense。

ButallthefieldafternoonsandrecitationFridaysandphysicalculturecontortionspaledbeforeaprojectwhichMissStacybroughtforwardinNovember。ThiswasthatthescholarsofAvonleaschoolshouldgetupaconcertandholditinthehallonChristmasNight，forthelaudablepurposeofhelpingtopayforaschoolhouseflag。Thepupilsoneandalltakinggraciouslytothisplan，thepreparationsforaprogramwerebegunatonce。

Andofalltheexcitedperformers-electnonewassoexcitedasAnneShirley，whothrewherselfintotheundertakingheartandsoul，hamperedasshewasbyMarilla’sdisapproval。Marillathoughtitallrankfoolishness。

"It’sjustfillingyourheadsupwithnonsenseandtakingtimethatoughttobeputonyourlessons，"shegrumbled。"Idon’tapproveofchildren’sgettingupconcertsandracingabouttopractices。Itmakesthemvainandforwardandfondofgadding。"

"Butthinkoftheworthyobject，"pleadedAnne。"Aflagwillcultivateaspiritofpatriotism，Marilla。"

"Fudge！There’spreciouslittlepatriotisminthethoughtsofanyofyou。Allyouwantisagoodtime。"

"Well，whenyoucancombinepatriotismandfun，isn’titallright？Ofcourseit’srealnicetobegettingupaconcert。

We’regoingtohavesixchorusesandDianaistosingasolo。

I’mintwodialogues——`TheSocietyfortheSuppressionofGossip’

and`TheFairyQueen。’Theboysaregoingtohaveadialoguetoo。AndI’mtohavetworecitations，Marilla。IjusttremblewhenIthinkofit，butit’sanicethrillykindoftremble。Andwe’retohaveatableauatthelast——`Faith，HopeandCharity。’

DianaandRubyandIaretobeinit，alldrapedinwhitewithflowinghair。I’mtobeHope，withmyhandsclasped——so——andmyeyesuplifted。I’mgoingtopracticemyrecitationsinthegarret。Don’tbealarmedifyouhearmegroaning。Ihavetogroanheartrendinglyinoneofthem，andit’sreallyhardtogetupagoodartisticgroan，Marilla。JosiePyeissulkybecauseshedidn’tgetthepartshewantedinthedialogue。Shewantedtobethefairyqueen。Thatwouldhavebeenridiculous，forwhoeverheardofafairyqueenasfatasJosie？Fairyqueensmustbeslender。JaneAndrewsistobethequeenandIamtobeoneofhermaidsofhonor。Josiesaysshethinksared-hairedfairyisjustasridiculousasafatone，butIdonotletmyselfmindwhatJosiesays。I’mtohaveawreathofwhiterosesonmyhairandRubyGillisisgoingtolendmeherslippersbecauseI

haven’tanyofmyown。It’snecessaryforfairiestohaveslippers，youknow。Youcouldn’timagineafairywearingboots，couldyou？Especiallywithcoppertoes？Wearegoingtodecoratethehallwithcreepingspruceandfirmottoeswithpinktissue-paperrosesinthem。Andwearealltomarchintwobytwoaftertheaudienceisseated，whileEmmaWhiteplaysamarchontheorgan。Oh，Marilla，IknowyouarenotsoenthusiasticaboutitasIam，butdon’tyouhopeyourlittleAnnewilldistinguishherself？"

"AllIhopeisthatyou’llbehaveyourself。I’llbeheartilygladwhenallthisfussisoverandyou’llbeabletosettledown。Youaresimplygoodfornothingjustnowwithyourheadstuffedfullofdialoguesandgroansandtableaus。Asforyourtongue，it’samarvelit’snotcleanwornout。"

Annesighedandbetookherselftothebackyard，overwhichayoungnewmoonwasshiningthroughtheleaflesspoplarboughsfromanapple-greenwesternsky，andwhereMatthewwassplittingwood。Anneperchedherselfonablockandtalkedtheconcertoverwithhim，sureofanappreciativeandsympatheticlistenerinthisinstanceatleast。

"Wellnow，Ireckonit’sgoingtobeaprettygoodconcert。AndIexpectyou’lldoyourpartfine，"hesaid，smilingdownintohereager，vivaciouslittleface。Annesmiledbackathim。

ThosetwowerethebestoffriendsandMatthewthankedhisstarsmanyatimeandoftthathehadnothingtodowithbringingherup。ThatwasMarilla’sexclusiveduty；ifithadbeenhishewouldhavebeenworriedoverfrequentconflictsbetweeninclinationandsaidduty。Asitwas，hewasfreeto，"spoilAnne"——Marilla’sphrasing——asmuchasheliked。Butitwasnotsuchabadarrangementafterall；alittle"appreciation"

sometimesdoesquiteasmuchgoodasalltheconscientious"bringingup"intheworld。