第7章

MatthewInsistsonPuffedSleevesMatthewwashavingabadtenminutesofit。Hehadcomeintothekitchen，inthetwilightofacold，grayDecemberevening，andhadsatdowninthewoodboxcornertotakeoffhisheavyboots，unconsciousofthefactthatAnneandabevyofherschoolmateswerehavingapracticeof"TheFairyQueen"inthesittingroom。

Presentlytheycametroopingthroughthehallandoutintothekitchen，laughingandchatteringgaily。TheydidnotseeMatthew，whoshrankbashfullybackintotheshadowsbeyondthewoodboxwithabootinonehandandabootjackintheother，andhewatchedthemshylyfortheaforesaidtenminutesastheyputoncapsandjacketsandtalkedaboutthedialogueandtheconcert。

Annestoodamongthem，brighteyedandanimatedasthey；

butMatthewsuddenlybecameconsciousthattherewassomethingaboutherdifferentfromhermates。AndwhatworriedMatthewwasthatthedifferenceimpressedhimasbeingsomethingthatshouldnotexist。Annehadabrighterface，andbigger，starriereyes，andmoredelicatefeaturesthantheother；evenshy，unobservantMatthewhadlearnedtotakenoteofthesethings；butthedifferencethatdisturbedhimdidnotconsistinanyoftheserespects。Theninwhatdiditconsist？

Matthewwashauntedbythisquestionlongafterthegirlshadgone，arminarm，downthelong，hard-frozenlaneandAnnehadbetakenherselftoherbooks。HecouldnotreferittoMarilla，who，hefelt，wouldbequitesuretosniffscornfullyandremarkthattheonlydifferenceshesawbetweenAnneandtheothergirlswasthattheysometimeskepttheirtonguesquietwhileAnneneverdid。

This，Matthewfelt，wouldbenogreathelp。

Hehadrecoursetohispipethateveningtohelphimstudyitout，muchtoMarilla’sdisgust。AftertwohoursofsmokingandhardreflectionMatthewarrivedatasolutionofhisproblem。

Annewasnotdressedliketheothergirls！

ThemoreMatthewthoughtaboutthematterthemorehewasconvincedthatAnneneverhadbeendressedliketheothergirls——neversinceshehadcometoGreenGables。Marillakeptherclothedinplain，darkdresses，allmadeafterthesameunvaryingpattern。IfMatthewknewtherewassuchathingasfashionindressitwasasmuchashedid；buthewasquitesurethatAnne’ssleevesdidnotlookatalllikethesleevestheothergirlswore。Herecalledtheclusteroflittlegirlshehadseenaroundherthatevening——allgayinwaistsofredandblueandpinkandwhite——andhewonderedwhyMarillaalwayskepthersoplainlyandsoberlygowned。

Ofcourse，itmustbeallright。MarillaknewbestandMarillawasbringingherup。Probablysomewise，inscrutablemotivewastobeservedthereby。Butsurelyitwoulddonoharmtoletthechildhaveoneprettydress——somethinglikeDianaBarryalwayswore。

Matthewdecidedthathewouldgiveherone；thatsurelycouldnotbeobjectedtoasanunwarrantedputtinginofhisoar。

Christmaswasonlyafortnightoff。Anicenewdresswouldbetheverythingforapresent。Matthew，withasighofsatisfaction，putawayhispipeandwenttobed，whileMarillaopenedallthedoorsandairedthehouse。

TheverynexteveningMatthewbetookhimselftoCarmodytobuythedress，determinedtogettheworstoverandhavedonewithit。

Itwouldbe，hefeltassured，notriflingordeal。ThereweresomethingsMatthewcouldbuyandprovehimselfnomeanbargainer；

butheknewhewouldbeatthemercyofshopkeeperswhenitcametobuyingagirl’sdress。

AftermuchcogitationMatthewresolvedtogotoSamuelLawson’sstoreinsteadofWilliamBlair’s。Tobesure，theCuthbertsalwayshadgonetoWilliamBlair’s；itwasalmostasmuchamatterofconsciencewiththemastoattendthePresbyterianchurchandvoteConservative。ButWilliamBlair’stwodaughtersfrequentlywaitedoncustomersthereandMatthewheldtheminabsolutedread。Hecouldcontrivetodealwiththemwhenheknewexactlywhathewantedandcouldpointitout；butinsuchamatterasthis，requiringexplanationandconsultation，Matthewfeltthathemustbesureofamanbehindthecounter。SohewouldgotoLawson’s，whereSamuelorhissonwouldwaitonhim。

Alas！MatthewdidnotknowthatSamuel，intherecentexpansionofhisbusiness，hadsetupaladyclerkalso；shewasanieceofhiswife’sandaverydashingyoungpersonindeed，withahuge，droopingpompadour，big，rollingbrowneyes，andamostextensiveandbewilderingsmile。Shewasdressedwithexceedingsmartnessandworeseveralbanglebraceletsthatglitteredandrattledandtinkledwitheverymovementofherhands。Matthewwascoveredwithconfusionatfindingherthereatall；andthosebanglescompletelywreckedhiswitsatonefellswoop。

"WhatcanIdoforyouthisevening，Mr。Cuthbert？"MissLucillaHarrisinquired，brisklyandingratiatingly，tappingthecounterwithbothhands。

"Haveyouany——any——any——wellnow，sayanygardenrakes？"

stammeredMatthew。

MissHarrislookedsomewhatsurprised，aswellshemight，tohearamaninquiringforgardenrakesinthemiddleofDecember。

"Ibelievewehaveoneortwoleftover，"shesaid，"butthey’reupstairsinthelumberroom。I’llgoandsee。"DuringherabsenceMatthewcollectedhisscatteredsensesforanothereffort。

WhenMissHarrisreturnedwiththerakeandcheerfullyinquired:

"Anythingelsetonight，Mr。Cuthbert？"Matthewtookhiscourageinbothhandsandreplied:"Wellnow，sinceyousuggestit，I

mightaswell——take——thatis——lookat——buysome——somehayseed。"

MissHarrishadheardMatthewCuthbertcalledodd。

Shenowconcludedthathewasentirelycrazy。

"Weonlykeephayseedinthespring，"sheexplainedloftily。

"We’venoneonhandjustnow。"

"Oh，certainly——certainly——justasyousay，"stammeredunhappyMatthew，seizingtherakeandmakingforthedoor。Atthethresholdherecollectedthathehadnotpaidforitandheturnedmiserablyback。WhileMissHarriswascountingouthischangeheralliedhispowersforafinaldesperateattempt。

"Wellnow——ifitisn’ttoomuchtrouble——Imightaswell——thatis——I’dliketolookat——at——somesugar。"

"Whiteorbrown？"queriedMissHarrispatiently。

"Oh——wellnow——brown，"saidMatthewfeebly。

"There’sabarrelofitoverthere，"saidMissHarris，shakingherbanglesatit。"It’stheonlykindwehave。"

"I’ll——I’lltaketwentypoundsofit，"saidMatthew，withbeadsofperspirationstandingonhisforehead。

Matthewhaddrivenhalfwayhomebeforehewashisownmanagain。

Ithadbeenagruesomeexperience，butitservedhimright，hethought，forcommittingtheheresyofgoingtoastrangestore。

Whenhereachedhomehehidtherakeinthetoolhouse，butthesugarhecarriedintoMarilla。

"Brownsugar！"exclaimedMarilla。"Whateverpossessedyoutogetsomuch？YouknowIneveruseitexceptforthehiredman’sporridgeorblackfruitcake。Jerry’sgoneandI’vemademycakelongago。It’snotgoodsugar，either——it’scoarseanddark——WilliamBlairdoesn’tusuallykeepsugarlikethat。"

"I——Ithoughtitmightcomeinhandysometime，"saidMatthew，makinggoodhisescape。

WhenMatthewcametothinkthematteroverhedecidedthatawomanwasrequiredtocopewiththesituation。Marillawasoutofthequestion。Matthewfeltsureshewouldthrowcoldwateronhisprojectatonce。RemainedonlyMrs。Lynde；forofnootherwomaninAvonleawouldMatthewhavedaredtoaskadvice。ToMrs。

Lyndehewentaccordingly，andthatgoodladypromptlytookthematteroutoftheharassedman’shands。

"PickoutadressforyoutogiveAnne？TobesureIwill。I’mgoingtoCarmodytomorrowandI’llattendtoit。Haveyousomethingparticularinmind？No？Well，I’lljustgobymyownjudgmentthen。IbelieveanicerichbrownwouldjustsuitAnne，andWilliamBlairhassomenewgloriainthat’srealpretty。

Perhapsyou’dlikemetomakeitupforher，too，seeingthatifMarillawastomakeitAnnewouldprobablygetwindofitbeforethetimeandspoilthesurprise？Well，I’lldoit。No，itisn’tamiteoftrouble。Ilikesewing。I’llmakeittofitmyniece，JennyGillis，forsheandAnneareaslikeastwopeasasfarasfiguregoes。"

"Wellnow，I’mmuchobliged，"saidMatthew，"and——and——I

dunno——butI’dlike——Ithinktheymakethesleevesdifferentnowadaystowhattheyusedtobe。Ifitwouldn’tbeaskingtoomuchI——I’dlikethemmadeinthenewway。"

"Puffs？Ofcourse。Youneedn’tworryaspeckmoreaboutit，Matthew。I’llmakeitupintheverylatestfashion，"saidMrs。

Lynde。ToherselfsheaddedwhenMatthewhadgone:

"It’llbearealsatisfactiontoseethatpoorchildwearingsomethingdecentforonce。ThewayMarilladressesherispositivelyridiculous，that’swhat，andI’veachedtotellhersoplainlyadozentimes。I’veheldmytonguethough，forIcanseeMarilladoesn’twantadviceandshethinkssheknowsmoreaboutbringingchildrenupthanIdoforallshe’sanoldmaid。

Butthat’salwaystheway。Folksthathasbroughtupchildrenknowthatthere’snohardandfastmethodintheworldthat’llsuiteverychild。Butthemasneverhavethinkit’sallasplainandeasyasRuleofThree——justsetyourthreetermsdownsofashion，andthesum’llworkoutcorrect。Butfleshandblooddon’tcomeundertheheadofarithmeticandthat’swhereMarillaCuthbertmakeshermistake。Isupposeshe’stryingtocultivateaspiritofhumilityinAnnebydressingherasshedoes；butit’smorelikelytocultivateenvyanddiscontent。I’msurethechildmustfeelthedifferencebetweenherclothesandtheothergirls’。

ButtothinkofMatthewtakingnoticeofit！Thatmaniswakingupafterbeingasleepforoversixtyyears。"

MarillaknewallthefollowingfortnightthatMatthewhadsomethingonhismind，butwhatitwasshecouldnotguess，untilChristmasEve，whenMrs。Lyndebroughtupthenewdress。

Marillabehavedprettywellonthewhole，althoughitisverylikelyshedistrustedMrs。Lynde’sdiplomaticexplanationthatshehadmadethedressbecauseMatthewwasafraidAnnewouldfindoutaboutittoosoonifMarillamadeit。

"SothisiswhatMatthewhasbeenlookingsomysteriousoverandgrinningabouttohimselffortwoweeks，isit？"shesaidalittlestifflybuttolerantly。"Iknewhewasuptosomefoolishness。

Well，ImustsayIdon’tthinkAnneneededanymoredresses。

Imadeherthreegood，warm，serviceableonesthisfall，andanythingmoreissheerextravagance。There’senoughmaterialinthosesleevesalonetomakeawaist，Ideclarethereis。

You’lljustpamperAnne’svanity，Matthew，andshe’sasvainasapeacocknow。Well，Ihopeshe’llbesatisfiedatlast，forIknowshe’sbeenhankeringafterthosesillysleeveseversincetheycamein，althoughsheneversaidawordafterthefirst。

Thepuffshavebeengettingbiggerandmoreridiculousrightalong；they’reasbigasballoonsnow。Nextyearanybodywhowearsthemwillhavetogothroughadoorsideways。"

Christmasmorningbrokeonabeautifulwhiteworld。IthadbeenaverymildDecemberandpeoplehadlookedforwardtoagreenChristmas；butjustenoughsnowfellsoftlyinthenighttotransfigureAvonlea。Annepeepedoutfromherfrostedgablewindowwithdelightedeyes。ThefirsintheHauntedWoodwereallfeatheryandwonderful；thebirchesandwildcherrytreeswereoutlinedinpearl；theplowedfieldswerestretchesofsnowydimples；andtherewasacrisptangintheairthatwasglorious。

AnnerandownstairssinginguntilhervoicereechoedthroughGreenGables。

"MerryChristmas，Marilla！MerryChristmas，Matthew！

Isn’titalovelyChristmas？I’msogladit’swhite。

AnyotherkindofChristmasdoesn’tseemreal，doesit？

Idon’tlikegreenChristmases。They’renotgreen——

they’rejustnastyfadedbrownsandgrays。Whatmakespeoplecallthemgreen？Why——why——Matthew，isthatforme？

Oh，Matthew！"

MatthewhadsheepishlyunfoldedthedressfromitspaperswathingsandhelditoutwithadeprecatoryglanceatMarilla，whofeignedtobecontemptuouslyfillingtheteapot，butneverthelesswatchedthesceneoutofthecornerofhereyewitharatherinterestedair。

Annetookthedressandlookedatitinreverentsilence。Oh，howprettyitwas——alovelysoftbrowngloriawithalltheglossofsilk；askirtwithdaintyfrillsandshirrings；awaistelaboratelypintuckedinthemostfashionableway，withalittleruffleoffilmylaceattheneck。Butthesleeves——theywerethecrowningglory！Longelbowcuffs，andabovethemtwobeautifulpuffsdividedbyrowsofshirringandbowsofbrown-silkribbon。

"That’saChristmaspresentforyou，Anne，"saidMatthewshyly。

"Why——why——Anne，don’tyoulikeit？Wellnow——wellnow。"

ForAnne’seyeshadsuddenlyfilledwithtears。

"Likeit！Oh，Matthew！"Annelaidthedressoverachairandclaspedherhands。"Matthew，it’sperfectlyexquisite。Oh，I

canneverthankyouenough。Lookatthosesleeves！Oh，itseemstomethismustbeahappydream。"

"Well，well，letushavebreakfast，"interruptedMarilla。"I

mustsay，Anne，Idon’tthinkyouneededthedress；butsinceMatthewhasgotitforyou，seethatyoutakegoodcareofit。

There’sahairribbonMrs。Lyndeleftforyou。It’sbrown，tomatchthedress。Comenow，sitin。"

"Idon’tseehowI’mgoingtoeatbreakfast，"saidAnnerapturously。

"Breakfastseemssocommonplaceatsuchanexcitingmoment。I’dratherfeastmyeyesonthatdress。I’msogladthatpuffedsleevesarestillfashionable。ItdidseemtomethatI’dnevergetoveritiftheywentoutbeforeIhadadresswiththem。I’dneverhavefeltquitesatisfied，yousee。ItwaslovelyofMrs。Lyndetogivemetheribbontoo。IfeelthatIoughttobeaverygoodgirlindeed。

It’sattimeslikethisI’msorryI’mnotamodellittlegirl；

andIalwaysresolvethatIwillbeinfuture。Butsomehowit’shardtocarryoutyourresolutionswhenirresistibletemptationscome。

Still，Ireallywillmakeanextraeffortafterthis。"

WhenthecommonplacebreakfastwasoverDianaappeared，crossingthewhitelogbridgeinthehollow，agaylittlefigureinhercrimsonulster。Anneflewdowntheslopetomeether。

"MerryChristmas，Diana！Andoh，it’sawonderfulChristmas。I’vesomethingsplendidtoshowyou。Matthewhasgivenmetheloveliestdress，withSUCHsleeves。Icouldn’tevenimagineanynicer。"

"I’vegotsomethingmoreforyou，"saidDianabreathlessly。

"Here——thisbox。AuntJosephinesentusoutabigboxwitheversomanythingsinit——andthisisforyou。I’dhavebroughtitoverlastnight，butitdidn’tcomeuntilafterdark，andIneverfeelverycomfortablecomingthroughtheHauntedWoodinthedarknow。"

Anneopenedtheboxandpeepedin。Firstacardwith"FortheAnne-girlandMerryChristmas，"writtenonit；andthen，apairofthedaintiestlittlekidslippers，withbeadedtoesandsatinbowsandglisteningbuckles。

"Oh，"saidAnne，"Diana，thisistoomuch。Imustbedreaming。"

"Icallitprovidential，"saidDiana。"Youwon’thavetoborrowRuby’sslippersnow，andthat’sablessing，forthey’retwosizestoobigforyou，anditwouldbeawfultohearafairyshuffling。

JosiePyewouldbedelighted。Mindyou，RobWrightwenthomewithGertiePyefromthepracticenightbeforelast。Didyoueverhearanythingequaltothat？"

AlltheAvonleascholarswereinafeverofexcitementthatday，forthehallhadtobedecoratedandalastgrandrehearsalheld。

Theconcertcameoffintheeveningandwasapronouncedsuccess。

Thelittlehallwascrowded；alltheperformersdidexcellentlywell，butAnnewasthebrightparticularstaroftheoccasion，asevenenvy，intheshapeofJosiePye，darednotdeny。

"Oh，hasn’titbeenabrilliantevening？"sighedAnne，whenitwasalloverandsheandDianawerewalkinghometogetherunderadark，starrysky。

"Everythingwentoffverywell，"saidDianapractically。"Iguesswemusthavemadeasmuchastendollars。Mindyou，Mr。AllanisgoingtosendanaccountofittotheCharlottetownpapers。"

"Oh，Diana，willwereallyseeournamesinprint？Itmakesmethrilltothinkofit。Yoursolowasperfectlyelegant，Diana。

Ifeltprouderthanyoudidwhenitwasencored。Ijustsaidtomyself，`Itismydearbosomfriendwhoissohonored。’"

"Well，yourrecitationsjustbroughtdownthehouse，Anne。

Thatsadonewassimplysplendid。"

"Oh，Iwassonervous，Diana。WhenMr。AllancalledoutmynameIreallycannottellhowIevergotuponthatplatform。Ifeltasifamillioneyeswerelookingatmeandthroughme，andforonedreadfulmomentIwassureIcouldn’tbeginatall。ThenI

thoughtofmylovelypuffedsleevesandtookcourage。IknewthatImustliveuptothosesleeves，Diana。SoIstartedin，andmyvoiceseemedtobecomingfromeversofaraway。Ijustfeltlikeaparrot。It’sprovidentialthatIpracticedthoserecitationssooftenupinthegarret，orI’dneverhavebeenabletogetthrough。DidIgroanallright？"

"Yes，indeed，yougroanedlovely，"assuredDiana。

"IsawoldMrs。SloanewipingawaytearswhenIsatdown。

ItwassplendidtothinkIhadtouchedsomebody’sheart。

It’ssoromantictotakepartinaconcert，isn’tit？

Oh，it’sbeenaverymemorableoccasionindeed。"

"Wasn’ttheboys’dialoguefine？"saidDiana。"GilbertBlythewasjustsplendid。Anne，Idothinkit’sawfulmeanthewayyoutreatGil。WaittillItellyou。Whenyouranofftheplatformafterthefairydialogueoneofyourrosesfelloutofyourhair。

IsawGilpickitupandputitinhisbreastpocket。Therenow。

You’resoromanticthatI’msureyououghttobepleasedatthat。"

"It’snothingtomewhatthatpersondoes，"saidAnneloftily。

"Isimplyneverwasteathoughtonhim，Diana。"

ThatnightMarillaandMatthew，whohadbeenouttoaconcertforthefirsttimeintwentyyears，satforawhilebythekitchenfireafterAnnehadgonetobed。

"Wellnow，IguessourAnnedidaswellasanyofthem，"saidMatthewproudly。

"Yes，shedid，"admittedMarilla。"She’sabrightchild，Matthew。Andshelookedrealnicetoo。I’vebeenkindofopposedtothisconcertscheme，butIsupposethere’snorealharminitafterall。Anyhow，IwasproudofAnnetonight，althoughI’mnotgoingtotellherso。"

"Wellnow，IwasproudofherandIdidtellherso’foreshewentupstairs，"saidMatthew。"Wemustseewhatwecandoforhersomeofthesedays，Marilla。Iguessshe’llneedsomethingmorethanAvonleaschoolbyandby。"

"There’stimeenoughtothinkofthat，"saidMarilla。"She’sonlythirteeninMarch。Thoughtonightitstruckmeshewasgrowingquiteabiggirl。Mrs。Lyndemadethatdressamitetoolong，anditmakesAnnelooksotall。She’squicktolearnandI

guessthebestthingwecandoforherwillbetosendhertoQueen’safteraspell。Butnothingneedbesaidaboutthatforayearortwoyet。"

"Wellnow，it’lldonoharmtobethinkingitoveroffandon，"

saidMatthew。"Thingslikethatareallthebetterforlotsofthinkingover。"

CHAPTERXXVI

TheStoryClubIsFormedJuniorAvonleafoundithardtosettledowntohumdrumexistenceagain。ToAnneinparticularthingsseemedfearfullyflat，stale，andunprofitableafterthegobletofexcitementshehadbeensippingforweeks。Couldshegobacktotheformerquietpleasuresofthosefarawaydaysbeforetheconcert？Atfirst，asshetoldDiana，shedidnotreallythinkshecould。

"I’mpositivelycertain，Diana，thatlifecanneverbequitethesameagainasitwasinthoseoldendays，"shesaidmournfully，asifreferringtoaperiodofatleastfiftyyearsback。

"PerhapsafterawhileI’llgetusedtoit，butI’mafraidconcertsspoilpeopleforeverydaylife。IsupposethatiswhyMarilladisapprovesofthem。Marillaissuchasensiblewoman。

Itmustbeagreatdealbettertobesensible；butstill，Idon’tbelieveI’dreallywanttobeasensibleperson，becausetheyaresounromantic。Mrs。Lyndesaysthereisnodangerofmyeverbeingone，butyoucannevertell。IfeeljustnowthatImaygrowuptobesensibleyet。ButperhapsthatisonlybecauseI’mtired。Isimplycouldn’tsleeplastnightforeversolong。I

justlayawakeandimaginedtheconcertoverandoveragain。

That’sonesplendidthingaboutsuchaffairs——it’ssolovelytolookbacktothem。"

Eventually，however，Avonleaschoolslippedbackintoitsoldgrooveandtookupitsoldinterests。Tobesure，theconcertlefttraces。RubyGillisandEmmaWhite，whohadquarreledoverapointofprecedenceintheirplatformseats，nolongersatatthesamedesk，andapromisingfriendshipofthreeyearswasbrokenup。JosiePyeandJuliaBelldidnot"speak"forthreemonths，becauseJosiePyehadtoldBessieWrightthatJuliaBell’sbowwhenshegotuptorecitemadeherthinkofachickenjerkingitshead，andBessietoldJulia。NoneoftheSloaneswouldhaveanydealingswiththeBells，becausetheBellshaddeclaredthattheSloaneshadtoomuchtodointheprogram，andtheSloaneshadretortedthattheBellswerenotcapableofdoingthelittletheyhadtodoproperly。Finally，CharlieSloanefoughtMoodySpurgeonMacPherson，becauseMoodySpurgeonhadsaidthatAnneShirleyputonairsaboutherrecitations，andMoodySpurgeonwas"licked"；consequentlyMoodySpurgeon’ssister，EllaMay，wouldnot"speak"toAnneShirleyalltherestofthewinter。

Withtheexceptionofthesetriflingfrictions，workinMissStacy’slittlekingdomwentonwithregularityandsmoothness。

Thewinterweeksslippedby。Itwasanunusuallymildwinter，withsolittlesnowthatAnneandDianacouldgotoschoolnearlyeverydaybywayoftheBirchPath。OnAnne’sbirthdaytheyweretrippinglightlydownit，keepingeyesandearsalertamidalltheirchatter，forMissStacyhadtoldthemthattheymustsoonwriteacompositionon"AWinter’sWalkintheWoods，"anditbehoovedthemtobeobservant。

"Justthink，Diana，I’mthirteenyearsoldtoday，"remarkedAnneinanawedvoice。"IcanscarcelyrealizethatI’minmyteens。

WhenIwokethismorningitseemedtomethateverythingmustbedifferent。You’vebeenthirteenforamonth，soIsupposeitdoesn’tseemsuchanoveltytoyouasitdoestome。Itmakeslifeseemsomuchmoreinteresting。IntwomoreyearsI’llbereallygrownup。It’sagreatcomforttothinkthatI’llbeabletousebigwordsthenwithoutbeinglaughedat。"

"RubyGillissaysshemeanstohaveabeauassoonasshe’sfifteen，"

saidDiana。

"RubyGillisthinksofnothingbutbeaus，"saidAnnedisdainfully。

"She’sactuallydelightedwhenanyonewriteshernameupinatake-noticeforallshepretendstobesomad。ButI’mafraidthatisanuncharitablespeech。Mrs。Allansaysweshouldnevermakeuncharitablespeeches；buttheydoslipoutsooftenbeforeyouthink，don’tthey？Isimplycan’ttalkaboutJosiePyewithoutmakinganuncharitablespeech，soInevermentionheratall。

Youmayhavenoticedthat。I’mtryingtobeasmuchlikeMrs。AllanasIpossiblycan，forIthinkshe’sperfect。

Mr。Allanthinkssotoo。Mrs。Lyndesayshejustworshipsthegroundshetreadsonandshedoesn’treallythinkitrightforaministertosethisaffectionssomuchonamortalbeing。Butthen，Diana，evenministersarehumanandhavetheirbesettingsinsjustlikeeverybodyelse。IhadsuchaninterestingtalkwithMrs。AllanaboutbesettingsinslastSundayafternoon。Therearejustafewthingsit’spropertotalkaboutonSundaysandthatisoneofthem。Mybesettingsinisimaginingtoomuchandforgettingmyduties。I’mstrivingveryhardtoovercomeitandnowthatI’mreallythirteenperhapsI’llgetonbetter。"

"Infourmoreyearswe’llbeabletoputourhairup，"saidDiana。

"AliceBellisonlysixteenandsheiswearinghersup，butIthinkthat’sridiculous。IshallwaituntilI’mseventeen。"

"IfIhadAliceBell’scrookednose，"saidAnnedecidedly，"Iwouldn’t——butthere！Iwon’tsaywhatIwasgoingtobecauseitwasextremelyuncharitable。Besides，Iwascomparingitwithmyownnoseandthat’svanity。I’mafraidIthinktoomuchaboutmynoseeversinceIheardthatcomplimentaboutitlongago。

Itreallyisagreatcomforttome。Oh，Diana，look，there’sarabbit。That’ssomethingtorememberforourwoodscomposition。

Ireallythinkthewoodsarejustaslovelyinwinterasinsummer。They’resowhiteandstill，asiftheywereasleepanddreamingprettydreams。"

"Iwon’tmindwritingthatcompositionwhenitstimecomes，"

sighedDiana。"Icanmanagetowriteaboutthewoods，buttheonewe’retohandinMondayisterrible。TheideaofMissStacytellingustowriteastoryoutofourownheads！"

"Why，it’saseasyaswink，"saidAnne。

"It’seasyforyoubecauseyouhaveanimagination，"retortedDiana，"butwhatwouldyoudoifyouhadbeenbornwithoutone？

Isupposeyouhaveyourcompositionalldone？"

Annenodded，tryinghardnottolookvirtuouslycomplacentandfailingmiserably。

"IwroteitlastMondayevening。It’scalled`TheJealousRival；

orInDeathNotDivided。’IreadittoMarillaandshesaiditwasstuffandnonsense。ThenIreadittoMatthewandhesaiditwasfine。

ThatisthekindofcriticIlike。It’sasad，sweetstory。IjustcriedlikeachildwhileIwaswritingit。It’sabouttwobeautifulmaidenscalledCordeliaMontmorencyandGeraldineSeymourwholivedinthesamevillageandweredevotedlyattachedtoeachother。

Cordeliawasaregalbrunettewithacoronetofmidnighthairanddusklyflashingeyes。Geraldinewasaqueenlyblondewithhairlikespungoldandvelvetypurpleeyes。"

"Ineversawanybodywithpurpleeyes，"saidDianadubiously。

"NeitherdidI。Ijustimaginedthem。Iwantedsomethingoutofthecommon。Geraldinehadanalabasterbrowtoo。I’vefoundoutwhatanalabasterbrowis。Thatisoneoftheadvantagesofbeingthirteen。

Youknowsomuchmorethanyoudidwhenyouwereonlytwelve。"

"Well，whatbecameofCordeliaandGeraldine？"askedDiana，whowasbeginningtofeelratherinterestedintheirfate。

"Theygrewinbeautysidebysideuntiltheyweresixteen。ThenBertramDeVerecametotheirnativevillageandfellinlovewiththefairGeraldine。Hesavedherlifewhenherhorseranawaywithherinacarriage，andshefaintedinhisarmsandhecarriedherhomethreemiles；because，youunderstand，thecarriagewasallsmashedup。IfounditratherhardtoimaginetheproposalbecauseIhadnoexperiencetogoby。IaskedRubyGillisifsheknewanythingabouthowmenproposedbecauseI

thoughtshe’dlikelybeanauthorityonthesubject，havingsomanysistersmarried。RubytoldmeshewashidinthehallpantrywhenMalcolmAndresproposedtohersisterSusan。ShesaidMalcolmtoldSusanthathisdadhadgivenhimthefarminhisownnameandthensaid，`Whatdoyousay，darlingpet，ifwegethitchedthisfall？’AndSusansaid，`Yes——no——Idon’tknow——letmesee’——andtheretheywere，engagedasquickasthat。

ButIdidn’tthinkthatsortofaproposalwasaveryromanticone，sointheendIhadtoimagineitoutaswellasIcould。ImadeitveryfloweryandpoeticalandBertramwentonhisknees，althoughRubyGillissaysitisn’tdonenowadays。Geraldineacceptedhiminaspeechapagelong。IcantellyouItookalotoftroublewiththatspeech。IrewroteitfivetimesandI

lookuponitasmymasterpiece。BertramgaveheradiamondringandarubynecklaceandtoldhertheywouldgotoEuropeforaweddingtour，forhewasimmenselywealthy。Butthen，alas，shadowsbegantodarkenovertheirpath。CordeliawassecretlyinlovewithBertramherselfandwhenGeraldinetoldherabouttheengagementshewassimplyfurious，especiallywhenshesawthenecklaceandthediamondring。AllheraffectionforGeraldineturnedtobitterhateandshevowedthatsheshouldnevermarryBertram。ButshepretendedtobeGeraldine’sfriendthesameasever。OneeveningtheywerestandingonthebridgeoverarushingturbulentstreamandCordelia，thinkingtheywerealone，pushedGeraldineoverthebrinkwithawild，mocking，`Ha，ha，ha。’ButBertramsawitallandheatonceplungedintothecurrent，exclaiming，`Iwillsavethee，mypeerlessGeraldine。’

Butalas，hehadforgottenhecouldn’tswim，andtheywerebothdrowned，claspedineachother’sarms。Theirbodieswerewashedashoresoonafterwards。Theywereburiedintheonegraveandtheirfuneralwasmostimposing，Diana。It’ssomuchmoreromantictoendastoryupwithafuneralthanawedding。AsforCordelia，shewentinsanewithremorseandwasshutupinalunaticasylum。

Ithoughtthatwasapoeticalretributionforhercrime。"

"Howperfectlylovely！"sighedDiana，whobelongedtoMatthew’sschoolofcritics。"Idon’tseehowyoucanmakeupsuchthrillingthingsoutofyourownhead，Anne。Iwishmyimaginationwasasgoodasyours。"

"Itwouldbeifyou’donlycultivateit，"saidAnnecheeringly。

"I’vejustthoughtofaplan，Diana。Letyouandmehaveastorycluballourownandwritestoriesforpractice。I’llhelpyoualonguntilyoucandothembyyourself。Yououghttocultivateyourimagination，youknow。MissStacysaysso。Onlywemusttaketherightway。ItoldherabouttheHauntedWood，butshesaidwewentthewrongwayaboutitinthat。"

Thiswashowthestoryclubcameintoexistence。ItwaslimitedtoDianaandAnneatfirst，butsoonitwasextendedtoincludeJaneAndrewsandRubyGillisandoneortwootherswhofeltthattheirimaginationsneededcultivating。Noboyswereallowedinit——althoughRubyGillisopinedthattheiradmissionwouldmakeitmoreexciting——andeachmemberhadtoproduceonestoryaweek。

"It’sextremelyinteresting，"AnnetoldMarilla。"Eachgirlhastoreadherstoryoutloudandthenwetalkitover。Wearegoingtokeepthemallsacredlyandhavethemtoreadtoourdescendants。

Weeachwriteunderanom-de-plume。MineisRosamondMontmorency。

Allthegirlsdoprettywell。RubyGillisisrathersentimental。

Sheputstoomuchlovemakingintoherstoriesandyouknowtoomuchisworsethantoolittle。Janeneverputsanybecauseshesaysitmakesherfeelsosillywhenshehadtoreaditoutloud。

Jane’sstoriesareextremelysensible。ThenDianaputstoomanymurdersintohers。Shesaysmostofthetimeshedoesn’tknowwhattodowiththepeoplesoshekillsthemofftogetridofthem。

Imostlyalwayshavetotellthemwhattowriteabout，butthatisn’thardforI’vemillionsofideas。"

"Ithinkthisstory-writingbusinessisthefoolishestyet，"

scoffedMarilla。"You’llgetapackofnonsenseintoyourheadsandwastetimethatshouldbeputonyourlessons。

Readingstoriesisbadenoughbutwritingthemisworse。"

"Butwe’resocarefultoputamoralintothemall，Marilla，"

explainedAnne。"Iinsistuponthat。Allthegoodpeoplearerewardedandallthebadonesaresuitablypunished。I’msurethatmusthaveawholesomeeffect。Themoralisthegreatthing。

Mr。Allansaysso。IreadoneofmystoriestohimandMrs。Allanandtheybothagreedthatthemoralwasexcellent。Onlytheylaughedinthewrongplaces。Ilikeitbetterwhenpeoplecry。JaneandRubyalmostalwayscrywhenIcometothepatheticparts。DianawroteherAuntJosephineaboutourclubandherAuntJosephinewrotebackthatweweretosendhersomeofourstories。Sowecopiedoutfourofourverybestandsentthem。MissJosephineBarrywrotebackthatshehadneverreadanythingsoamusinginherlife。Thatkindofpuzzledusbecausethestorieswereallverypatheticandalmosteverybodydied。ButI’mgladMissBarrylikedthem。Itshowsourclubisdoingsomegoodintheworld。Mrs。Allansaysthatoughttobeourobjectineverything。IdoreallytrytomakeitmyobjectbutIforgetsooftenwhenI’mhavingfun。IhopeIshallbealittlelikeMrs。AllanwhenIgrowup。Doyouthinkthereisanyprospectofit，Marilla？"

"Ishouldn’tsaytherewasagreatdeal"wasMarilla’sencouraginganswer。"I’msureMrs。Allanwasneversuchasilly，forgetfullittlegirlasyouare。"

"No；butshewasn’talwayssogoodassheisnoweither，"saidAnneseriously。"Shetoldmesoherself——thatis，shesaidshewasadreadfulmischiefwhenshewasagirlandwasalwaysgettingintoscrapes。IfeltsoencouragedwhenIheardthat。

Isitverywickedofme，Marilla，tofeelencouragedwhenIhearthatotherpeoplehavebeenbadandmischievous？Mrs。Lyndesaysitis。Mrs。Lyndesaysshealwaysfeelsshockedwhenshehearsofanyoneeverhavingbeennaughty，nomatterhowsmalltheywere。

Mrs。Lyndesayssheonceheardaministerconfessthatwhenhewasaboyhestoleastrawberrytartoutofhisaunt’spantryandsheneverhadanyrespectforthatministeragain。Now，Iwouldn’thavefeltthatway。I’dhavethoughtthatitwasrealnobleofhimtoconfessit，andI’dhavethoughtwhatanencouragingthingitwouldbeforsmallboysnowadayswhodonaughtythingsandaresorryforthemtoknowthatperhapstheymaygrowuptobeministersinspiteofit。That’showI’dfeel，Marilla。"

"ThewayIfeelatpresent，Anne，"saidMarilla，"isthatit’shightimeyouhadthosedisheswashed。You’vetakenhalfanhourlongerthanyoushouldwithallyourchattering。Learntoworkfirstandtalkafterwards。"

CHAPTERXXVII

VanityandVexationofSpiritMarilla，walkinghomeonelateAprileveningfromanAidmeeting，realizedthatthewinterwasoverandgonewiththethrillofdelightthatspringneverfailstobringtotheoldestandsaddestaswellastotheyoungestandmerriest。Marillawasnotgiventosubjectiveanalysisofherthoughtsandfeelings。SheprobablyimaginedthatshewasthinkingabouttheAidsandtheirmissionaryboxandthenewcarpetforthevestryroom，butunderthesereflectionswasaharmoniousconsciousnessofredfieldssmokingintopale-purplymistsinthedecliningsun，oflong，sharp-pointedfirshadowsfallingoverthemeadowbeyondthebrook，ofstill，crimson-buddedmaplesaroundamirrorlikewoodpool，ofawakeningintheworldandastirofhiddenpulsesunderthegraysod。ThespringwasabroadinthelandandMarilla’ssober，middle-agedstepwaslighterandswifterbecauseofitsdeep，primalgladness。

HereyesdweltaffectionatelyonGreenGables，peeringthroughitsnetworkoftreesandreflectingthesunlightbackfromitswindowsinseverallittlecoruscationsofglory。Marilla，asshepickedherstepsalongthedamplane，thoughtthatitwasreallyasatisfactiontoknowthatshewasgoinghometoabrisklysnappingwoodfireandatablenicelyspreadfortea，insteadoftothecoldcomfortofoldAidmeetingeveningsbeforeAnnehadcometoGreenGables。

Consequently，whenMarillaenteredherkitchenandfoundthefireblackout，withnosignofAnneanywhere，shefeltjustlydisappointedandirritated。ShehadtoldAnnetobesureandhaveteareadyatfiveo’clock，butnowshemusthurrytotakeoffhersecond-bestdressandpreparethemealherselfagainstMatthew’sreturnfromplowing。

"I’llsettleMissAnnewhenshecomeshome，"saidMarillagrimly，assheshavedupkindlingswithacarvingknifeandwithmorevimthanwasstrictlynecessary。Matthewhadcomeinandwaswaitingpatientlyforhisteainhiscorner。"She’sgaddingoffsomewherewithDiana，writingstoriesorpracticingdialoguesorsomesuchtomfoolery，andneverthinkingonceaboutthetimeorherduties。

She’sjustgottobepulledupshortandsuddenonthissortofthing。

Idon’tcareifMrs。Allandoessayshe’sthebrightestandsweetestchildsheeverknew。Shemaybebrightandsweetenough，butherheadisfullofnonsenseandthere’sneveranyknowingwhatshapeit’llbreakoutinnext。Justassoonasshegrowsoutofonefreakshetakesupwithanother。Butthere！HereIamsayingtheverythingIwassoriledwithRachelLyndeforsayingattheAidtoday。

IwasrealgladwhenMrs。AllanspokeupforAnne，forifshehadn’tIknowI’dhavesaidsomethingtoosharptoRachelbeforeeverybody。

Anne’sgotplentyoffaults，goodnessknows，andfarbeitfrommetodenyit。ButI’mbringingherupandnotRachelLynde，who’dpickfaultsintheAngelGabrielhimselfifhelivedinAvonlea。

Justthesame，AnnehasnobusinesstoleavethehouselikethiswhenItoldhershewastostayhomethisafternoonandlookafterthings。

Imustsay，withallherfaults，IneverfoundherdisobedientoruntrustworthybeforeandI’mrealsorrytofindhersonow。"

"Wellnow，Idunno，"saidMatthew，who，beingpatientandwiseand，aboveall，hungry，haddeemeditbesttoletMarillatalkherwrathoutunhindered，havinglearnedbyexperiencethatshegotthroughwithwhateverworkwasonhandmuchquickerifnotdelayedbyuntimelyargument。"Perhapsyou’rejudginghertoohasty，Marilla。Don’tcallheruntrustworthyuntilyou’resureshehasdisobeyedyou。Mebbeitcanallbeexplained——Anne’sagreathandatexplaining。"

"She’snotherewhenItoldhertostay，"retortedMarilla。"I

reckonshe’llfindithardtoexplainTHATtomysatisfaction。

OfcourseIknewyou’dtakeherpart，Matthew。ButI’mbringingherup，notyou。"

Itwasdarkwhensupperwasready，andstillnosignofAnne，cominghurriedlyoverthelogbridgeorupLover’sLane，breathlessandrepentantwithasenseofneglectedduties。

Marillawashedandputawaythedishesgrimly。Then，wantingacandletolightherwaydownthecellar，shewentuptotheeastgablefortheonethatgenerallystoodonAnne’stable。

Lightingit，sheturnedaroundtoseeAnneherselflyingonthebed，facedownwardamongthepillows。

"Mercyonus，"saidastonishedMarilla，"haveyoubeenasleep，Anne？"

"No，"wasthemuffledreply。

"Areyousickthen？"demandedMarillaanxiously，goingovertothebed。

Annecowereddeeperintoherpillowsasifdesirousofhidingherselfforeverfrommortaleyes。

"No。Butplease，Marilla，goawayanddon’tlookatme。I’minthedepthsofdespairandIdon’tcarewhogetsheadinclassorwritesthebestcompositionorsingsintheSunday-schoolchoiranymore。LittlethingslikethatareofnoimportancenowbecauseIdon’tsupposeI’lleverbeabletogoanywhereagain。

Mycareerisclosed。Please，Marilla，goawayanddon’tlookatme。"

"Didanyoneeverhearthelike？"themystifiedMarillawantedtoknow。

"AnneShirley，whateveristhematterwithyou？Whathaveyoudone？

Getrightupthisminuteandtellme。Thisminute，Isay。Therenow，whatisit？"

Annehadslidtothefloorindespairingobedience。

"Lookatmyhair，Marilla，"shewhispered。

Accordingly，MarillaliftedhercandleandlookedscrutinizinglyatAnne’shair，flowinginheavymassesdownherback。Itcertainlyhadaverystrangeappearance。

"AnneShirley，whathaveyoudonetoyourhair？Why，it’sGREEN！"

Greenitmightbecalled，ifitwereanyearthlycolor——aqueer，dull，bronzygreen，withstreakshereandthereoftheoriginalredtoheightentheghastlyeffect。NeverinallherlifehadMarillaseenanythingsogrotesqueasAnne’shairatthatmoment。

"Yes，it’sgreen，"moanedAnne。"Ithoughtnothingcouldbeasbadasredhair。ButnowIknowit’stentimesworsetohavegreenhair。Oh，Marilla，youlittleknowhowutterlywretchedIam。"

"Ilittleknowhowyougotintothisfix，butImeantofindout，"saidMarilla。"Comerightdowntothekitchen——it’stoocolduphere——andtellmejustwhatyou’vedone。I’vebeenexpectingsomethingqueerforsometime。Youhaven’tgotintoanyscrapeforovertwomonths，andIwassureanotheronewasdue。Now，then，whatdidyoudotoyourhair？"

"Idyedit。"

"Dyedit！Dyedyourhair！AnneShirley，didn’tyouknowitwasawickedthingtodo？"

"Yes，Iknewitwasalittlewicked，"admittedAnne。"ButI

thoughtitwasworthwhiletobealittlewickedtogetridofredhair。Icountedthecost，Marilla。Besides，Imeanttobeextragoodinotherwaystomakeupforit。"

"Well，"saidMarillasarcastically，"ifI’ddecideditwasworthwhiletodyemyhairI’dhavedyeditadecentcoloratleast。I

wouldn’thavedyeditgreen。"

"ButIdidn’tmeantodyeitgreen，Marilla，"protestedAnnedejectedly。"IfIwaswickedImeanttobewickedtosomepurpose。Hesaiditwouldturnmyhairabeautifulravenblack——hepositivelyassuredmethatitwould。HowcouldIdoubthisword，Marilla？Iknowwhatitfeelsliketohaveyourworddoubted。AndMrs。Allansaysweshouldneversuspectanyoneofnottellingusthetruthunlesswehaveproofthatthey’renot。

Ihaveproofnow——greenhairisproofenoughforanybody。ButI

hadn’tthenandIbelievedeverywordhesaidIMPLICITLY。"

"Whosaid？Whoareyoutalkingabout？"

"Thepeddlerthatwasherethisafternoon。Iboughtthedyefromhim。"

"AnneShirley，howoftenhaveItoldyounevertoletoneofthoseItaliansinthehouse！Idon’tbelieveinencouragingthemtocomearoundatall。"

"Oh，Ididn’tlethiminthehouse。Irememberedwhatyoutoldme，andIwentout，carefullyshutthedoor，andlookedathisthingsonthestep。Besides，hewasn’tanItalian——hewasaGermanJew。HehadabigboxfullofveryinterestingthingsandhetoldmehewasworkinghardtomakeenoughmoneytobringhiswifeandchildrenoutfromGermany。Hespokesofeelinglyaboutthemthatittouchedmyheart。Iwantedtobuysomethingfromhimtohelphiminsuchaworthyobject。ThenallatonceIsawthebottleofhairdye。Thepeddlersaiditwaswarrantedtodyeanyhairabeautifulravenblackandwouldn’twashoff。InatriceIsawmyselfwithbeautifulraven-blackhairandthetemptationwasirresistible。Butthepriceofthebottlewasseventy-fivecentsandIhadonlyfiftycentsleftoutofmychickenmoney。Ithinkthepeddlerhadaverykindheart，forhesaidthat，seeingitwasme，he’dsellitforfiftycentsandthatwasjustgivingitaway。SoIboughtit，andassoonashehadgoneIcameuphereandapplieditwithanoldhairbrushasthedirectionssaid。Iusedupthewholebottle，andoh，Marilla，whenIsawthedreadfulcoloritturnedmyhairI

repentedofbeingwicked，Icantellyou。AndI’vebeenrepentingeversince。"

"Well，Ihopeyou’llrepenttogoodpurpose，"saidMarillaseverely，"andthatyou’vegotyoureyesopenedtowhereyourvanityhasledyou，Anne。Goodnessknowswhat’stobedone。I

supposethefirstthingistogiveyourhairagoodwashingandseeifthatwilldoanygood。"

Accordingly，Annewashedherhair，scrubbingitvigorouslywithsoapandwater，butforallthedifferenceitmadeshemightaswellhavebeenscouringitsoriginalred。Thepeddlerhadcertainlyspokenthetruthwhenhedeclaredthatthedyewouldn’twashoff，howeverhisveracitymightbeimpeachedinotherrespects。

"Oh，Marilla，whatshallIdo？"questionedAnneintears。

"Icanneverlivethisdown。Peoplehaveprettywellforgottenmyothermistakes——thelinimentcakeandsettingDianadrunkandflyingintoatemperwithMrs。Lynde。Butthey’llneverforgetthis。

TheywillthinkIamnotrespectable。Oh，Marilla，`whatatangledwebweweavewhenfirstwepracticetodeceive。’Thatispoetry，butitistrue。Andoh，howJosiePyewilllaugh！Marilla，ICANNOT

faceJosiePye。IamtheunhappiestgirlinPrinceEdwardIsland。"

Anne’sunhappinesscontinuedforaweek。Duringthattimeshewentnowhereandshampooedherhaireveryday。Dianaaloneofoutsidersknewthefatalsecret，butshepromisedsolemnlynevertotell，anditmaybestatedhereandnowthatshekeptherword。AttheendoftheweekMarillasaiddecidedly:

"It’snouse，Anne。Thatisfastdyeifevertherewasany。

Yourhairmustbecutoff；thereisnootherway。Youcan’tgooutwithitlookinglikethat。"

Anne’slipsquivered，butsherealizedthebittertruthofMarilla’sremarks。Withadismalsighshewentforthescissors。

"Pleasecutitoffatonce，Marilla，andhaveitover。Oh，I

feelthatmyheartisbroken。Thisissuchanunromanticaffliction。Thegirlsinbookslosetheirhairinfeversorsellittogetmoneyforsomegooddeed，andI’msureIwouldn’tmindlosingmyhairinsomesuchfashionhalfsomuch。Butthereisnothingcomfortinginhavingyourhaircutoffbecauseyou’vedyeditadreadfulcolor，isthere？I’mgoingtoweepallthetimeyou’recuttingitoff，ifitwon’tinterfere。Itseemssuchatragicthing。"

Anneweptthen，butlateron，whenshewentupstairsandlookedintheglass，shewascalmwithdespair。Marillahaddoneherworkthoroughlyandithadbeennecessarytoshinglethehairascloselyaspossible。Theresultwasnotbecoming，tostatethecaseasmildlyasmaybe。Annepromptlyturnedherglasstothewall。

"I’llnever，neverlookatmyselfagainuntilmyhairgrows，"sheexclaimedpassionately。

Thenshesuddenlyrightedtheglass。

"Yes，Iwill，too。I’ddopenanceforbeingwickedthatway。

I’lllookatmyselfeverytimeIcometomyroomandseehowuglyIam。AndIwon’ttrytoimagineitaway，either。IneverthoughtIwasvainaboutmyhair，ofallthings，butnowIknowI

was，inspiteofitsbeingred，becauseitwassolongandthickandcurly。Iexpectsomethingwillhappentomynosenext。"

Anne’sclippedheadmadeasensationinschoolonthefollowingMonday，buttoherreliefnobodyguessedtherealreasonforit，notevenJosiePye，who，however，didnotfailtoinformAnnethatshelookedlikeaperfectscarecrow。

"Ididn’tsayanythingwhenJosiesaidthattome，"AnneconfidedthateveningtoMarilla，whowaslyingonthesofaafteroneofherheadaches，"becauseIthoughtitwaspartofmypunishmentandIoughttobearitpatiently。It’shardtobetoldyoulooklikeascarecrowandIwantedtosaysomethingback。ButIdidn’t。

IjustsweptheronescornfullookandthenIforgaveher。

Itmakesyoufeelveryvirtuouswhenyouforgivepeople，doesn’tit？ImeantodevoteallmyenergiestobeinggoodafterthisandIshallnevertrytobebeautifulagain。Ofcourseit’sbettertobegood。Iknowitis，butit’ssometimessohardtobelieveathingevenwhenyouknowit。Idoreallywanttobegood，Marilla，likeyouandMrs。AllanandMissStacy，andgrowuptobeacredittoyou。Dianasayswhenmyhairbeginstogrowtotieablackvelvetribbonaroundmyheadwithabowatoneside。Shesaysshethinksitwillbeverybecoming。Iwillcallitasnood——thatsoundssoromantic。ButamItalkingtoomuch，Marilla？Doesithurtyourhead？"

"Myheadisbetternow。Itwasterriblebadthisafternoon，though。Theseheadachesofminearegettingworseandworse。

I’llhavetoseeadoctoraboutthem。Asforyourchatter，I

don’tknowthatImindit——I’vegotsousedtoit。"

WhichwasMarilla’swayofsayingthatshelikedtohearit。

CHAPTERXXVIII

AnUnfortunateLilyMaidOFcourseyoumustbeElaine，Anne，"saidDiana。"Icouldneverhavethecouragetofloatdownthere。"

"NorI，"saidRubyGillis，withashiver。"Idon’tmindfloatingdownwhenthere’stwoorthreeofusintheflatandwecansitup。

It’sfunthen。ButtoliedownandpretendIwasdead——Ijustcouldn’t。

I’ddiereallyoffright。"

"Ofcourseitwouldberomantic，"concededJaneAndrews，"butI

knowIcouldn’tkeepstill。I’dbepoppingupeveryminuteorsotoseewhereIwasandifIwasn’tdriftingtoofarout。Andyouknow，Anne，thatwouldspoiltheeffect。"

"Butit’ssoridiculoustohavearedheadedElaine，"mournedAnne。"I’mnotafraidtofloatdownandI’dlovetobeElaine。

Butit’sridiculousjustthesame。RubyoughttobeElainebecausesheissofairandhassuchlovelylonggoldenhair——

Elainehad`allherbrighthairstreamingdown，’youknow。

AndElainewasthelilymaid。Now，ared-hairedpersoncannotbealilymaid。"

"YourcomplexionisjustasfairasRuby’s，"saidDianaearnestly，"andyourhairiseversomuchdarkerthanitusedtobebeforeyoucutit。"

"Oh，doyoureallythinkso？"exclaimedAnne，flushingsensitivelywithdelight。"I’vesometimesthoughtitwasmyself——butIneverdaredtoaskanyoneforfearshewouldtellmeitwasn’t。Doyouthinkitcouldbecalledauburnnow，Diana？"

"Yes，andIthinkitisrealpretty，"saidDiana，lookingadmiringlyattheshort，silkycurlsthatclusteredoverAnne’sheadandwereheldinplacebyaveryjauntyblackvelvetribbonandbow。

Theywerestandingonthebankofthepond，belowOrchardSlope，wherealittleheadlandfringedwithbirchesranoutfromthebank；atitstipwasasmallwoodenplatformbuiltoutintothewaterfortheconvenienceoffishermenandduckhunters。RubyandJanewerespendingthemidsummerafternoonwithDiana，andAnnehadcomeovertoplaywiththem。

AnneandDianahadspentmostoftheirplaytimethatsummeronandaboutthepond。Idlewildwasathingofthepast，Mr。Bellhavingruthlesslycutdownthelittlecircleoftreesinhisbackpastureinthespring。Annehadsatamongthestumpsandwept，notwithoutaneyetotheromanceofit；butshewasspeedilyconsoled，for，afterall，assheandDianasaid，biggirlsofthirteen，goingonfourteen，weretoooldforsuchchildishamusementsasplayhouses，andthereweremorefascinatingsportstobefoundaboutthepond。Itwassplendidtofishfortroutoverthebridgeandthetwogirlslearnedtorowthemselvesaboutinthelittleflat-bottomeddoryMr。Barrykeptforduckshooting。

ItwasAnne’sideathattheydramatizeElaine。TheyhadstudiedTennyson’spoeminschooltheprecedingwinter，theSuperintendentofEducationhavingprescribeditintheEnglishcourseforthePrinceEdwardIslandschools。Theyhadanalyzedandparseditandtornittopiecesingeneraluntilitwasawondertherewasanymeaningatallleftinitforthem，butatleastthefairlilymaidandLancelotandGuinevereandKingArthurhadbecomeveryrealpeopletothem，andAnnewasdevouredbysecretregretthatshehadnotbeenborninCamelot。Thosedays，shesaid，weresomuchmoreromanticthanthepresent。

Anne’splanwashailedwithenthusiasm。Thegirlshaddiscoveredthatiftheflatwerepushedofffromthelandingplaceitwoulddriftdownwiththecurrentunderthebridgeandfinallystranditselfonanotherheadlandlowerdownwhichranoutatacurveinthepond。TheyhadoftengonedownlikethisandnothingcouldbemoreconvenientforplayingElaine。

"Well，I’llbeElaine，"saidAnne，yieldingreluctantly，for，althoughshewouldhavebeendelightedtoplaytheprincipalcharacter，yetherartisticsensedemandedfitnessforitandthis，shefelt，herlimitationsmadeimpossible。"Ruby，youmustbeKingArthurandJanewillbeGuinevereandDianamustbeLancelot。

Butfirstyoumustbethebrothersandthefather。Wecan’thavetheolddumbservitorbecausethereisn’troomfortwointheflatwhenoneislyingdown。Wemustpallthebargeallitslengthinblackestsamite。Thatoldblackshawlofyourmother’swillbejustthething，Diana。"

Theblackshawlhavingbeenprocured，Annespreaditovertheflatandthenlaydownonthebottom，withclosedeyesandhandsfoldedoverherbreast。

"Oh，shedoeslookreallydead，"whisperedRubyGillisnervously，watchingthestill，whitelittlefaceundertheflickeringshadowsofthebirches。"Itmakesmefeelfrightened，girls。

Doyousupposeit’sreallyrighttoactlikethis？Mrs。Lyndesaysthatallplay-actingisabominablywicked。"

"Ruby，youshouldn’ttalkaboutMrs。Lynde，"saidAnneseverely。

"ItspoilstheeffectbecausethisishundredsofyearsbeforeMrs。Lyndewasborn。Jane，youarrangethis。It’ssillyforElainetobetalkingwhenshe’sdead。"

Janerosetotheoccasion。Clothofgoldforcoverlettherewasnone，butanoldpianoscarfofyellowJapanesecrepewasanexcellentsubstitute。Awhitelilywasnotobtainablejustthen，buttheeffectofatallblueirisplacedinoneofAnne’sfoldedhandswasallthatcouldbedesired。

"Now，she’sallready，"saidJane。"Wemustkissherquietbrowsand，Diana，yousay，`Sister，farewellforever，’andRuby，yousay，`Farewell，sweetsister，’bothofyouassorrowfullyasyoupossiblycan。

Anne，forgoodnesssakesmilealittle。YouknowElaine`layasthoughshesmiled。’That’sbetter。Nowpushtheflatoff。"

Theflatwasaccordinglypushedoff，scrapingroughlyoveranoldembeddedstakeintheprocess。DianaandJaneandRubyonlywaitedlongenoughtoseeitcaughtinthecurrentandheadedforthebridgebeforescamperingupthroughthewoods，acrosstheroad，anddowntothelowerheadlandwhere，asLancelotandGuinevereandtheKing，theyweretobeinreadinesstoreceivethelilymaid。

ForafewminutesAnne，driftingslowlydown，enjoyedtheromanceofhersituationtothefull。Thensomethinghappenednotatallromantic。Theflatbegantoleak。InaveryfewmomentsitwasnecessaryforElainetoscrambletoherfeet，pickupherclothofgoldcoverletandpallofblackestsamiteandgazeblanklyatabigcrackinthebottomofherbargethroughwhichthewaterwasliterallypouring。Thatsharpstakeatthelandinghadtornoffthestripofbattingnailedontheflat。Annedidnotknowthis，butitdidnottakeherlongtorealizethatshewasinadangerousplight。Atthisratetheflatwouldfillandsinklongbeforeitcoulddrifttothelowerheadland。Whereweretheoars？Leftbehindatthelanding！

Annegaveonegaspinglittlescreamwhichnobodyeverheard；shewaswhitetothelips，butshedidnotloseherself-possession。

Therewasonechance——justone。

"Iwashorriblyfrightened，"shetoldMrs。Allanthenextday，"anditseemedlikeyearswhiletheflatwasdriftingdowntothebridgeandthewaterrisinginiteverymoment。Iprayed，Mrs。

Allan，mostearnestly，butIdidn’tshutmyeyestopray，forI

knewtheonlywayGodcouldsavemewastolettheflatfloatcloseenoughtooneofthebridgepilesformetoclimbuponit。

Youknowthepilesarejustoldtreetrunksandtherearelotsofknotsandoldbranchstubsonthem。Itwaspropertopray，butIhadtodomypartbywatchingoutandrightwellIknewit。I

justsaid，`DearGod，pleasetaketheflatclosetoapileandI’lldotherest，’overandoveragain。Undersuchcircumstancesyoudon’tthinkmuchaboutmakingafloweryprayer。Butminewasanswered，fortheflatbumpedrightintoapileforaminuteandIflungthescarfandtheshawlovermyshoulderandscrambleduponabigprovidentialstub。AndthereIwas，Mrs。Allan，clingingtothatslipperyoldpilewithnowayofgettingupordown。Itwasaveryunromanticposition，butIdidn’tthinkaboutthatatthetime。Youdon’tthinkmuchaboutromancewhenyouhavejustescapedfromawaterygrave。IsaidagratefulprayeratonceandthenIgaveallmyattentiontoholdingontight，forIknewIshouldprobablyhavetodependonhumanaidtogetbacktodryland。"

Theflatdriftedunderthebridgeandthenpromptlysankinmidstream。Ruby，Jane，andDiana，alreadyawaitingitonthelowerheadland，sawitdisappearbeforetheirveryeyesandhadnotadoubtbutthatAnnehadgonedownwithit。Foramomenttheystoodstill，whiteassheets，frozenwithhorroratthetragedy；then，shriekingatthetopsoftheirvoices，theystartedonafranticrunupthroughthewoods，neverpausingastheycrossedthemainroadtoglancethewayofthebridge。

Anne，clingingdesperatelytoherprecariousfoothold，sawtheirflyingformsandheardtheirshrieks。Helpwouldsooncome，butmeanwhileherpositionwasaveryuncomfortableone。

Theminutespassedby，eachseeminganhourtotheunfortunatelilymaid。Whydidn’tsomebodycome？Wherehadthegirlsgone？

Supposetheyhadfainted，oneandall！Supposenobodyevercame！

Supposeshegrewsotiredandcrampedthatshecouldholdonnolonger！Annelookedatthewickedgreendepthsbelowher，waveringwithlong，oilyshadows，andshivered。Herimaginationbegantosuggestallmannerofgruesomepossibilitiestoher。

Then，justasshethoughtshereallycouldnotenduretheacheinherarmsandwristsanothermoment，GilbertBlythecamerowingunderthebridgeinHarmonAndrews’sdory！

Gilbertglancedupand，muchtohisamazement，beheldalittlewhitescornfulfacelookingdownuponhimwithbig，frightenedbutalsoscornfulgrayeyes。

"AnneShirley！Howonearthdidyougetthere？"heexclaimed。

Withoutwaitingforananswerhepulledclosetothepileandextendedhishand。Therewasnohelpforit；Anne，clingingtoGilbertBlythe’shand，scrambleddownintothedory，whereshesat，drabbledandfurious，inthesternwithherarmsfullofdrippingshawlandwetcrepe。Itwascertainlyextremelydifficulttobedignifiedunderthecircumstances！

"Whathashappened，Anne？"askedGilbert，takinguphisoars。

"WewereplayingElaine"explainedAnnefrigidly，withoutevenlookingatherrescuer，"andIhadtodriftdowntoCamelotinthebarge——Imeantheflat。TheflatbegantoleakandIclimbedoutonthepile。Thegirlswentforhelp。Willyoubekindenoughtorowmetothelanding？"

GilbertobliginglyrowedtothelandingandAnne，disdainingassistance，sprangnimblyonshore。

"I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，"shesaidhaughtilyassheturnedaway。

ButGilberthadalsosprungfromtheboatandnowlaidadetaininghandonherarm。

"Anne，"hesaidhurriedly，"lookhere。Can’twebegoodfriends？

I’mawfullysorryImadefunofyourhairthattime。Ididn’tmeantovexyouandIonlymeantitforajoke。Besides，it’ssolongago。Ithinkyourhairisawfullyprettynow——honestIdo。

Let’sbefriends。"