第8章

ForamomentAnnehesitated。Shehadanodd，newlyawakenedconsciousnessunderallheroutrageddignitythatthehalf-shy，half-eagerexpressioninGilbert’shazeleyeswassomethingthatwasverygoodtosee。Herheartgaveaquick，queerlittlebeat。

Butthebitternessofheroldgrievancepromptlystiffenedupherwaveringdetermination。Thatsceneoftwoyearsbeforeflashedbackintoherrecollectionasvividlyasifithadtakenplaceyesterday。Gilberthadcalledher"carrots"andhadbroughtaboutherdisgracebeforethewholeschool。Herresentment，whichtootherandolderpeoplemightbeaslaughableasitscause，wasinnowhitallayedandsoftenedbytimeseemingly。

ShehatedGilbertBlythe！Shewouldneverforgivehim！

"No，"shesaidcoldly，"Ishallneverbefriendswithyou，GilbertBlythe；andIdon’twanttobe！"

"Allright！"Gilbertsprangintohisskiffwithanangrycolorinhischeeks。"I’llneveraskyoutobefriendsagain，AnneShirley。

AndIdon’tcareeither！"

Hepulledawaywithswiftdefiantstrokes，andAnnewentupthesteep，fernylittlepathunderthemaples。Sheheldherheadveryhigh，butshewasconsciousofanoddfeelingofregret。

ShealmostwishedshehadansweredGilbertdifferently。Ofcourse，hehadinsultedherterribly，butstill——！Altogether，Anneratherthoughtitwouldbearelieftositdownandhaveagoodcry。Shewasreallyquiteunstrung，forthereactionfromherfrightandcrampedclingingwasmakingitselffelt。

HalfwayupthepathshemetJaneandDianarushingbacktothepondinastatenarrowlyremovedfrompositivefrenzy。TheyhadfoundnobodyatOrchardSlope，bothMr。andMrs。Barrybeingaway。

HereRubyGillishadsuccumbedtohysterics，andwaslefttorecoverfromthemasbestshemight，whileJaneandDianaflewthroughtheHauntedWoodandacrossthebrooktoGreenGables。

Theretheyhadfoundnobodyeither，forMarillahadgonetoCarmodyandMatthewwasmakinghayinthebackfield。

"Oh，Anne，"gaspedDiana，fairlyfallingontheformer’sneckandweepingwithreliefanddelight，"oh，Anne——wethought——youwere——drowned——andwefeltlikemurderers——becausewehadmade——yoube——Elaine。AndRubyisinhysterics——oh，Anne，howdidyouescape？"

"Iclimbedupononeofthepiles，"explainedAnnewearily，"andGilbertBlythecamealonginMr。Andrews’sdoryandbroughtmetoland。"

"Oh，Anne，howsplendidofhim！Why，it’ssoromantic！"saidJane，findingbreathenoughforutteranceatlast。"Ofcourseyou’llspeaktohimafterthis。"

"OfcourseIwon’t，"flashedAnne，withamomentaryreturnofheroldspirit。"AndIdon’twantevertoheartheword`romantic’again，JaneAndrews。I’mawfullysorryyouweresofrightened，girls。Itisallmyfault。IfeelsureIwasbornunderanunluckystar。EverythingIdogetsmeormydearestfriendsintoascrape。We’vegoneandlostyourfather’sflat，Diana，andIhaveapresentimentthatwe’llnotbeallowedtorowonthepondanymore。"

Anne’spresentimentprovedmoretrustworthythanpresentimentsareapttodo。GreatwastheconsternationintheBarryandCuthberthouseholdswhentheeventsoftheafternoonbecameknown。

"Willyoueverhaveanysense，Anne？"groanedMarilla。

"Oh，yes，IthinkIwill，Marilla，"returnedAnneoptimistically。

Agoodcry，indulgedinthegratefulsolitudeoftheeastgable，hadsoothedhernervesandrestoredhertoherwontedcheerfulness。

"Ithinkmyprospectsofbecomingsensiblearebrighternowthanever"

"Idon’tseehow，"saidMarilla。

"Well，"explainedAnne，"I’velearnedanewandvaluablelessontoday。

EversinceIcametoGreenGablesI’vebeenmakingmistakes，andeachmistakehashelpedtocuremeofsomegreatshortcoming。Theaffairoftheamethystbroochcuredmeofmeddlingwiththingsthatdidn’tbelongtome。TheHauntedWoodmistakecuredmeoflettingmyimaginationrunawaywithme。Thelinimentcakemistakecuredmeofcarelessnessincooking。Dyeingmyhaircuredmeofvanity。

Ineverthinkaboutmyhairandnosenow——atleast，veryseldom。

Andtoday’smistakeisgoingtocuremeofbeingtooromantic。

IhavecometotheconclusionthatitisnousetryingtoberomanticinAvonlea。ItwasprobablyeasyenoughintoweredCamelothundredsofyearsago，butromanceisnotappreciatednow。

Ifeelquitesurethatyouwillsoonseeagreatimprovementinmeinthisrespect，Marilla。"

"I’msureIhopeso，"saidMarillaskeptically。

ButMatthew，whohadbeensittingmutelyinhiscorner，laidahandonAnne’sshoulderwhenMarillahadgoneout。

"Don’tgiveupallyourromance，Anne，"hewhisperedshyly，"alittleofitisagoodthing——nottoomuch，ofcourse——butkeepalittleofit，Anne，keepalittleofit。"

CHAPTERXXIX

AnEpochinAnne’sLifeAnnewasbringingthecowshomefromthebackpasturebywayofLover’sLane。ItwasaSeptembereveningandallthegapsandclearingsinthewoodswerebrimmedupwithrubysunsetlight。

Hereandtherethelanewassplashedwithit，butforthemostpartitwasalreadyquiteshadowybeneaththemaples，andthespacesunderthefirswerefilledwithaclearvioletdusklikeairywine。Thewindswereoutintheirtops，andthereisnosweetermusiconearththanthatwhichthewindmakesinthefirtreesatevening。

Thecowsswungplacidlydownthelane，andAnnefollowedthemdreamily，repeatingaloudthebattlecantofromMARMION——whichhadalsobeenpartoftheirEnglishcoursetheprecedingwinterandwhichMissStacyhadmadethemlearnoffbyheart——andexultinginitsrushinglinesandtheclashofspearsinitsimagery。WhenshecametothelinesThestubbornspearsmenstillmadegoodTheirdarkimpenetrablewood，shestoppedinecstasytoshuthereyesthatshemightthebetterfancyherselfoneofthatheroicring。WhensheopenedthemagainitwastobeholdDianacomingthroughthegatethatledintotheBarryfieldandlookingsoimportantthatAnneinstantlydivinedtherewasnewstobetold。Butbetraytooeagercuriosityshewouldnot。

"Isn’tthiseveningjustlikeapurpledream，Diana？Itmakesmesogladtobealive。InthemorningsIalwaysthinkthemorningsarebest；butwheneveningcomesIthinkit’slovelierstill。"

"It’saveryfineevening，"saidDiana，"butoh，Ihavesuchnews，Anne。Guess。Youcanhavethreeguesses。"

"CharlotteGillisisgoingtobemarriedinthechurchafterallandMrs。Allanwantsustodecorateit，"criedAnne。

"No。Charlotte’sbeauwon’tagreetothat，becausenobodyeverhasbeenmarriedinthechurchyet，andhethinksitwouldseemtoomuchlikeafuneral。It’stoomean，becauseitwouldbesuchfun。

Guessagain。"

"Jane’smotherisgoingtoletherhaveabirthdayparty？"

Dianashookherhead，herblackeyesdancingwithmerriment。

"Ican’tthinkwhatitcanbe，"saidAnneindespair，"unlessit’sthatMoodySpurgeonMacPhersonsawyouhomefromprayermeetinglastnight。Didhe？"

"Ishouldthinknot，"exclaimedDianaindignantly。"Iwouldn’tbelikelytoboastofitifhedid，thehorridcreature！Iknewyoucouldn’tguessit。MotherhadaletterfromAuntJosephinetoday，andAuntJosephinewantsyouandmetogototownnextTuesdayandstopwithherfortheExhibition。There！"

"Oh，Diana，"whisperedAnne，findingitnecessarytoleanupagainstamapletreeforsupport，"doyoureallymeanit？ButI’mafraidMarillawon’tletmego。Shewillsaythatshecan’tencouragegaddingabout。ThatwaswhatshesaidlastweekwhenJaneinvitedmetogowiththemintheirdouble-seatedbuggytotheAmericanconcertattheWhiteSandsHotel。Iwantedtogo，butMarillasaidI’dbebetterathomelearningmylessonsandsowouldJane。

Iwasbitterlydisappointed，Diana。IfeltsoheartbrokenthatIwouldn’tsaymyprayerswhenIwenttobed。ButIrepentedofthatandgotupinthemiddleofthenightandsaidthem。"

"I’lltellyou，"saidDiana，"we’llgetMothertoaskMarilla。

She’llbemorelikelytoletyougothen；andifshedoeswe’llhavethetimeofourlives，Anne。I’veneverbeentoanExhibition，andit’ssoaggravatingtoheartheothergirlstalkingabouttheirtrips。JaneandRubyhavebeentwice，andthey’regoingthisyearagain。"

"I’mnotgoingtothinkaboutitatalluntilIknowwhetherI

cangoornot，"saidAnneresolutely。"IfIdidandthenwasdisappointed，itwouldbemorethanIcouldbear。ButincaseI

dogoI’mverygladmynewcoatwillbereadybythattime。

Marilladidn’tthinkIneededanewcoat。ShesaidmyoldonewoulddoverywellforanotherwinterandthatIoughttobesatisfiedwithhavinganewdress。Thedressisverypretty，Diana——navyblueandmadesofashionably。Marillaalwaysmakesmydressesfashionablynow，becauseshesaysshedoesn’tintendtohaveMatthewgoingtoMrs。Lyndetomakethem。I’msoglad。

Itiseversomucheasiertobegoodifyourclothesarefashionable。Atleast，itiseasierforme。Isupposeitdoesn’tmakesuchadifferencetonaturallygoodpeople。ButMatthewsaidImusthaveanewcoat，soMarillaboughtalovelypieceofbluebroadcloth，andit’sbeingmadebyarealdressmakeroveratCarmody。It’stobedoneSaturdaynight，andI’mtryingnottoimaginemyselfwalkingupthechurchaisleonSundayinmynewsuitandcap，becauseI’mafraiditisn’trighttoimaginesuchthings。Butitjustslipsintomymindinspiteofme。Mycapissopretty。MatthewboughtitformethedaywewereoveratCarmody。Itisoneofthoselittlebluevelvetonesthatarealltherage，withgoldcordandtassels。Yournewhatiselegant，Diana，andsobecoming。WhenIsawyoucomeintochurchlastSundaymyheartswelledwithpridetothinkyouweremydearestfriend。Doyousupposeit’swrongforustothinksomuchaboutourclothes？Marillasaysitisverysinful。Butitissuchaninterestingsubject，isn’tit？"

MarillaagreedtoletAnnegototown，anditwasarrangedthatMr。BarryshouldtakethegirlsinonthefollowingTuesday。AsCharlottetownwasthirtymilesawayandMr。Barrywishedtogoandreturnthesameday，itwasnecessarytomakeaveryearlystart。ButAnnecounteditalljoy，andwasupbeforesunriseonTuesdaymorning。Aglancefromherwindowassuredherthatthedaywouldbefine，fortheeasternskybehindthefirsoftheHauntedWoodwasallsilveryandcloudless。ThroughthegapinthetreesalightwasshininginthewesterngableofOrchardSlope，atokenthatDianawasalsoup。

AnnewasdressedbythetimeMatthewhadthefireonandhadthebreakfastreadywhenMarillacamedown，butforherownpartwasmuchtooexcitedtoeat。Afterbreakfastthejauntynewcapandjacketweredonned，andAnnehastenedoverthebrookandupthroughthefirstoOrchardSlope。Mr。BarryandDianawerewaitingforher，andtheyweresoonontheroad。

Itwasalongdrive，butAnneandDianaenjoyedeveryminuteofit。

Itwasdelightfultorattlealongoverthemoistroadsintheearlyredsunlightthatwascreepingacrosstheshornharvestfields。

Theairwasfreshandcrisp，andlittlesmoke-bluemistscurledthroughthevalleysandfloatedofffromthehills。

Sometimestheroadwentthroughwoodswheremapleswerebeginningtohangoutscarletbanners；sometimesitcrossedriversonbridgesthatmadeAnne’sfleshcringewiththeold，half-delightfulfear；sometimesitwoundalongaharborshoreandpassedbyalittleclusterofweather-grayfishinghuts；againitmountedtohillswhenceafarsweepofcurvinguplandormisty-blueskycouldbeseen；butwhereveritwenttherewasmuchofinteresttodiscuss。Itwasalmostnoonwhentheyreachedtownandfoundtheirwayto"Beechwood。"Itwasquiteafineoldmansion，setbackfromthestreetinaseclusionofgreenelmsandbranchingbeeches。MissBarrymetthematthedoorwithatwinkleinhersharpblackeyes。

"Soyou’vecometoseemeatlast，youAnne-girl，"shesaid。

"Mercy，child，howyouhavegrown！You’retallerthanIam，I

declare。Andyou’reeversomuchbetterlookingthanyouusedtobe，too。ButIdaresayyouknowthatwithoutbeingtold。"

"IndeedIdidn’t，"saidAnneradiantly。"IknowI’mnotsofreckledasIusedtobe，soI’vemuchtobethankfulfor，butIreallyhadn’tdaredtohopetherewasanyotherimprovement。

I’msogladyouthinkthereis，MissBarry。"MissBarry’shousewasfurnishedwith"greatmagnificence，"asAnnetoldMarillaafterward。ThetwolittlecountrygirlswereratherabashedbythesplendoroftheparlorwhereMissBarryleftthemwhenshewenttoseeaboutdinner。

"Isn’titjustlikeapalace？"whisperedDiana。"IneverwasinAuntJosephine’shousebefore，andI’dnoideaitwassogrand。

IjustwishJuliaBellcouldseethis——sheputsonsuchairsabouthermother’sparlor。"

"Velvetcarpet，"sighedAnneluxuriously，"andsilkcurtains！

I’vedreamedofsuchthings，Diana。ButdoyouknowIdon’tbelieveIfeelverycomfortablewiththemafterall。Therearesomanythingsinthisroomandallsosplendidthatthereisnoscopeforimagination。Thatisoneconsolationwhenyouarepoor——therearesomanymorethingsyoucanimagineabout。"

TheirsojournintownwassomethingthatAnneandDianadatedfromforyears。Fromfirsttolastitwascrowdedwithdelights。

OnWednesdayMissBarrytookthemtotheExhibitiongroundsandkeptthemthereallday。

"Itwassplendid，"AnnerelatedtoMarillalateron。"Ineverimaginedanythingsointeresting。Idon’treallyknowwhichdepartmentwasthemostinteresting。IthinkIlikedthehorsesandtheflowersandthefancyworkbest。JosiePyetookfirstprizeforknittedlace。Iwasrealgladshedid。AndIwasgladthatIfeltglad，foritshowsI’mimproving，don’tyouthink，Marilla，whenIcanrejoiceinJosie’ssuccess？Mr。HarmonAndrewstooksecondprizeforGravensteinapplesandMr。Belltookfirstprizeforapig。DianasaidshethoughtitwasridiculousforaSunday-schoolsuperintendenttotakeaprizeinpigs，butIdon’tseewhy。Doyou？Shesaidshewouldalwaysthinkofitafterthiswhenhewasprayingsosolemnly。ClaraLouiseMacPhersontookaprizeforpainting，andMrs。Lyndegotfirstprizeforhomemadebutterandcheese。SoAvonleawasprettywellrepresented，wasn’tit？Mrs。Lyndewastherethatday，andIneverknewhowmuchIreallylikedheruntilIsawherfamiliarfaceamongallthosestrangers。Therewerethousandsofpeoplethere，Marilla。Itmademefeeldreadfullyinsignificant。

AndMissBarrytookusuptothegrandstandtoseethehorseraces。Mrs。Lyndewouldn’tgo；shesaidhorseracingwasanabominationand，shebeingachurchmember，thoughtitherboundendutytosetagoodexamplebystayingaway。ButthereweresomanythereIdon’tbelieveMrs。Lynde’sabsencewouldeverbenoticed。Idon’tthink，though，thatIoughttogoveryoftentohorseraces，becausetheyAREawfullyfascinating。

Dianagotsoexcitedthatsheofferedtobetmetencentsthattheredhorsewouldwin。Ididn’tbelievehewould，butI

refusedtobet，becauseIwantedtotellMrs。Allanallabouteverything，andIfeltsureitwouldn’tdototellherthat。

It’salwayswrongtodoanythingyoucan’ttelltheminister’swife。It’sasgoodasanextraconsciencetohaveaminister’swifeforyourfriend。AndIwasverygladIdidn’tbet，becausetheredhorseDIDwin，andIwouldhavelosttencents。Soyouseethatvirtuewasitsownreward。Wesawamangoupinaballoon。I’dlovetogoupinaballoon，Marilla；itwouldbesimplythrilling；andwesawamansellingfortunes。Youpaidhimtencentsandalittlebirdpickedoutyourfortuneforyou。

MissBarrygaveDianaandmetencentseachtohaveourfortunestold。MinewasthatIwouldmarryadark-complectedmanwhowasverywealthy，andIwouldgoacrosswatertolive。IlookedcarefullyatallthedarkmenIsawafterthat，butIdidn’tcaremuchforanyofthem，andanyhowIsupposeit’stooearlytobelookingoutforhimyet。Oh，itwasanever-to-be-forgottenday，Marilla。IwassotiredIcouldn’tsleepatnight。MissBarryputusinthespareroom，accordingtopromise。Itwasanelegantroom，Marilla，butsomehowsleepinginaspareroomisn’twhatIusedtothinkitwas。That’stheworstofgrowingup，andI’mbeginningtorealizeit。Thethingsyouwantedsomuchwhenyouwereachilddon’tseemhalfsowonderfultoyouwhenyougetthem。"

Thursdaythegirlshadadriveinthepark，andintheeveningMissBarrytookthemtoaconcertintheAcademyofMusic，whereanotedprimadonnawastosing。ToAnnetheeveningwasaglitteringvisionofdelight。

"Oh，Marilla，itwasbeyonddescription。IwassoexcitedI

couldn’teventalk，soyoumayknowwhatitwaslike。Ijustsatinenrapturedsilence。MadameSelitskywasperfectlybeautiful，andworewhitesatinanddiamonds。ButwhenshebegantosingI

neverthoughtaboutanythingelse。Oh，Ican’ttellyouhowI

felt。Butitseemedtomethatitcouldneverbehardtobegoodanymore。IfeltlikeIdowhenIlookuptothestars。Tearscameintomyeyes，but，oh，theyweresuchhappytears。Iwassosorrywhenitwasallover，andItoldMissBarryIdidn’tseehowIwasevertoreturntocommonlifeagain。Shesaidshethoughtifwewentovertotherestaurantacrossthestreetandhadanicecreamitmighthelpme。Thatsoundedsoprosaic；buttomysurpriseIfoundittrue。Theicecreamwasdelicious，Marilla，anditwassolovelyanddissipatedtobesittingthereeatingitateleveno’clockatnight。Dianasaidshebelievedshewasbornforcitylife。MissBarryaskedmewhatmyopinionwas，butIsaidIwouldhavetothinkitoververyseriouslybeforeIcouldtellherwhatIreallythought。SoIthoughtitoverafterIwenttobed。Thatisthetothinkthingsout。AndI

cametotheconclusion，Marilla，thatIwasn’tbornforcitylifeandthatIwasgladofit。It’snicetobeeatingicecreamatbrilliantrestaurantsateleveno’clockatnightonceinawhile；

butasaregularthingI’dratherbeintheeastgableateleven，soundasleep，butkindofknowingeveninmysleepthatthestarswereshiningoutsideandthatthewindwasblowinginthefirsacrossthebrook。ItoldMissBarrysoatbreakfastthenextmorningandshelaughed。MissBarrygenerallylaughedatanythingIsaid，evenwhenIsaidthemostsolemnthings。

Idon’tthinkIlikedit，Marilla，becauseIwasn’ttryingtobefunny。Butsheisamosthospitableladyandtreatedusroyally。"

Fridaybroughtgoing-hometime，andMr。Barrydroveinforthegirls。

"Well，Ihopeyou’veenjoyedyourselves，"saidMissBarry，asshebadethemgood-bye。

"Indeedwehave，"saidDiana。

"Andyou，Anne-girl？"

"I’veenjoyedeveryminuteofthetime，"saidAnne，throwingherarmsimpulsivelyabouttheoldwoman’sneckandkissingherwrinkledcheek。DianawouldneverhavedaredtodosuchathingandfeltratheraghastatAnne’sfreedom。ButMissBarrywaspleased，andshestoodonherverandaandwatchedthebuggyoutofsight。Thenshewentbackintoherbighousewithasigh。Itseemedverylonely，lackingthosefreshyounglives。MissBarrywasaratherselfisholdlady，ifthetruthmustbetold，andhadnevercaredmuchforanybodybutherself。Shevaluedpeopleonlyastheywereofservicetoheroramusedher。Annehadamusedher，andconsequentlystoodhighintheoldlady’sgoodgraces。

ButMissBarryfoundherselfthinkinglessaboutAnne’squaintspeechesthanofherfreshenthusiasms，hertransparentemotions，herlittlewinningways，andthesweetnessofhereyesandlips。

"IthoughtMarillaCuthbertwasanoldfoolwhenIheardshe’dadoptedagirloutofanorphanasylum，"shesaidtoherself，"butIguessshedidn’tmakemuchofamistakeafterall。IfI’dachildlikeAnneinthehouseallthetimeI’dbeabetterandhappierwoman。"

AnneandDianafoundthedrivehomeaspleasantasthedrivein——pleasanter，indeed，sincetherewasthedelightfulconsciousnessofhomewaitingattheendofit。ItwassunsetwhentheypassedthroughWhiteSandsandturnedintotheshoreroad。

Beyond，theAvonleahillscameoutdarklyagainstthesaffronsky。

Behindthemthemoonwasrisingoutoftheseathatgrewallradiantandtransfiguredinherlight。Everylittlecovealongthecurvingroadwasamarvelofdancingripples。Thewavesbrokewithasoftswishontherocksbelowthem，andthetangoftheseawasinthestrong，freshair。

"Oh，butit’sgoodtobealiveandtobegoinghome，"breathedAnne。

WhenshecrossedthelogbridgeoverthebrookthekitchenlightofGreenGableswinkedherafriendlywelcomeback，andthroughtheopendoorshonethehearthfire，sendingoutitswarmredglowathwartthechillyautumnnight。Anneranblithelyupthehillandintothekitchen，whereahotsupperwaswaitingonthetable。

"Soyou’vegotback？"saidMarilla，foldingupherknitting。

"Yes，andoh，it’ssogoodtobeback，"saidAnnejoyously。"I

couldkisseverything，eventotheclock。Marilla，abroiledchicken！Youdon’tmeantosayyoucookedthatforme！"

"Yes，Idid，"saidMarilla。"Ithoughtyou’dbehungryaftersuchadriveandneedsomethingrealappetizing。Hurryandtakeoffyourthings，andwe’llhavesupperassoonasMatthewcomesin。

I’mgladyou’vegotback，Imustsay。It’sbeenfearfullonesomeherewithoutyou，andIneverputinfourlongerdays。"

AftersupperAnnesatbeforethefirebetweenMatthewandMarilla，andgavethemafullaccountofhervisit。

"I’vehadasplendidtime，"sheconcludedhappily，"andIfeelthatitmarksanepochinmylife。Butthebestofitallwasthecominghome。"

CHAPTERXXX

TheQueensClassIsOrganizedMarillalaidherknittingonherlapandleanedbackinherchair。

Hereyesweretired，andshethoughtvaguelythatshemustseeabouthavingherglasseschangedthenexttimeshewenttotown，forhereyeshadgrowntiredveryoftenoflate。

Itwasnearlydark，forthefullNovembertwilighthadfallenaroundGreenGables，andtheonlylightinthekitchencamefromthedancingredflamesinthestove。

AnnewascurledupTurk-fashiononthehearthrug，gazingintothatjoyousglowwherethesunshineofahundredsummerswasbeingdistilledfromthemaplecordwood。Shehadbeenreading，butherbookhadslippedtothefloor，andnowshewasdreaming，withasmileonherpartedlips。GlitteringcastlesinSpainwereshapingthemselvesoutofthemistsandrainbowsofherlivelyfancy；adventureswonderfulandenthrallingwerehappeningtoherincloudland——adventuresthatalwaysturnedouttriumphantlyandneverinvolvedherinscrapeslikethoseofactuallife。

Marillalookedatherwithatendernessthatwouldneverhavebeensufferedtorevealitselfinanyclearerlightthanthatsoftminglingoffireshineandshadow。ThelessonofalovethatshoulddisplayitselfeasilyinspokenwordandopenlookwasoneMarillacouldneverlearn。Butshehadlearnedtolovethisslim，gray-eyedgirlwithanaffectionallthedeeperandstrongerfromitsveryundemonstrativeness。Herlovemadeherafraidofbeingundulyindulgent，indeed。Shehadanuneasyfeelingthatitwasrathersinfultosetone’sheartsointenselyonanyhumancreatureasshehadsethersonAnne，andperhapssheperformedasortofunconsciouspenanceforthisbybeingstricterandmorecriticalthanifthegirlhadbeenlessdeartoher。

CertainlyAnneherselfhadnoideahowMarillalovedher。

ShesometimesthoughtwistfullythatMarillawasveryhardtopleaseanddistinctlylackinginsympathyandunderstanding。

Butshealwayscheckedthethoughtreproachfully，rememberingwhatsheowedtoMarilla。

"Anne，"saidMarillaabruptly，"MissStacywasherethisafternoonwhenyouwereoutwithDiana。"

Annecamebackfromherotherworldwithastartandasigh。

"Wasshe？Oh，I’msosorryIwasn’tin。Whydidn’tyoucallme，Marilla？DianaandIwereonlyoverintheHauntedWood。It’slovelyinthewoodsnow。Allthelittlewoodthings——thefernsandthesatinleavesandthecrackerberries——havegonetosleep，justasifsomebodyhadtuckedthemawayuntilspringunderablanketofleaves。Ithinkitwasalittlegrayfairywitharainbowscarfthatcametiptoeingalongthelastmoonlightnightanddidit。Dianawouldn’tsaymuchaboutthat，though。DianahasneverforgottenthescoldinghermothergaveheraboutimaginingghostsintotheHauntedWood。IthadaverybadeffectonDiana’simagination。Itblightedit。Mrs。LyndesaysMyrtleBellisablightedbeing。IaskedRubyGilliswhyMyrtlewasblighted，andRubysaidsheguesseditwasbecauseheryoungmanhadgonebackonher。RubyGillisthinksofnothingbutyoungmen，andtheoldershegetstheworsesheis。Youngmenareallverywellintheirplace，butitdoesn’tdotodragthemintoeverything，doesit？DianaandIarethinkingseriouslyofpromisingeachotherthatwewillnevermarrybutbeniceoldmaidsandlivetogetherforever。Dianahasn’tquitemadeuphermindthough，becauseshethinksperhapsitwouldbenoblertomarrysomewild，dashing，wickedyoungmanandreformhim。DianaandItalkagreatdealaboutserioussubjectsnow，youknow。Wefeelthatwearesomucholderthanweusedtobethatitisn’tbecomingtotalkofchildishmatters。It’ssuchasolemnthingtobealmostfourteen，Marilla。MissStacytookallusgirlswhoareinourteensdowntothebrooklastWednesday，andtalkedtousaboutit。Shesaidwecouldn’tbetoocarefulwhathabitsweformedandwhatidealsweacquiredinourteens，becausebythetimeweweretwentyourcharacterswouldbedevelopedandthefoundationlaidforourwholefuturelife。Andshesaidifthefoundationwasshakywecouldneverbuildanythingreallyworthwhileonit。DianaandItalkedthematterovercominghomefromschool。Wefeltextremelysolemn，Marilla。Andwedecidedthatwewouldtrytobeverycarefulindeedandformrespectablehabitsandlearnallwecouldandbeassensibleaspossible，sothatbythetimeweweretwentyourcharacterswouldbeproperlydeveloped。It’sperfectlyappallingtothinkofbeingtwenty，Marilla。Itsoundssofearfullyoldandgrownup。ButwhywasMissStacyherethisafternoon？"

"ThatiswhatIwanttotellyou，Anne，ifyou’llevergivemeachancetogetawordinedgewise。Shewastalkingaboutyou。"

"Aboutme？"Annelookedratherscared。Thensheflushedandexclaimed:

"Oh，Iknowwhatshewassaying。Imeanttotellyou，Marilla，honestlyIdid，butIforgot。MissStacycaughtmereadingBenHurinschoolyesterdayafternoonwhenIshouldhavebeenstudyingmyCanadianhistory。JaneAndrewslentittome。Iwasreadingitatdinnerhour，andIhadjustgottothechariotracewhenschoolwentin。Iwassimplywildtoknowhowitturnedout——

althoughIfeltsureBenHurmustwin，becauseitwouldn’tbepoeticaljusticeifhedidn’t——soIspreadthehistoryopenonmydesklidandthentuckedBenHurbetweenthedeskandmyknee。

IjustlookedasifIwerestudyingCanadianhistory，youknow，whileallthewhileIwasrevelinginBenHur。IwassointerestedinitthatInevernoticedMissStacycomingdowntheaisleuntilallatonceIjustlookedupandthereshewaslookingdownatme，soreproachful-like。Ican’ttellyouhowashamedIfelt，Marilla，especiallywhenIheardJosiePyegiggling。MissStacytookBenHuraway，butsheneversaidawordthen。Shekeptmeinatrecessandtalkedtome。ShesaidIhaddoneverywrongintworespects。First，IwaswastingthetimeIoughttohaveputonmystudies；andsecondly，IwasdeceivingmyteacherintryingtomakeitappearIwasreadingahistorywhenitwasastorybookinstead。Ihadneverrealizeduntilthatmoment，Marilla，thatwhatIwasdoingwasdeceitful。

Iwasshocked。Icriedbitterly，andaskedMissStacytoforgivemeandI’dneverdosuchathingagain；andIofferedtodopenancebyneversomuchaslookingatBenHurforawholeweek，noteventoseehowthechariotraceturnedout。ButMissStacysaidshewouldn’trequirethat，andsheforgavemefreely。SoI

thinkitwasn’tverykindofhertocomeupheretoyouaboutitafterall。"

"MissStacynevermentionedsuchathingtome，Anne，anditsonlyyourguiltyconsciencethat’sthematterwithyou。Youhavenobusinesstobetakingstorybookstoschool。Youreadtoomanynovelsanyhow。WhenIwasagirlIwasn’tsomuchasallowedtolookatanovel。"

"Oh，howcanyoucallBenHuranovelwhenit’sreallysuchareligiousbook？"protestedAnne。"Ofcourseit’salittletooexcitingtobeproperreadingforSunday，andIonlyreaditonweekdays。AndIneverreadANYbooknowunlesseitherMissStacyorMrs。Allanthinksitisaproperbookforagirlthirteenandthree-quarterstoread。MissStacymademepromisethat。Shefoundmereadingabookonedaycalled，TheLuridMysteryoftheHauntedHall。ItwasoneRubyGillishadlentme，and，oh，Marilla，itwassofascinatingandcreepy。Itjustcurdledthebloodinmyveins。ButMissStacysaiditwasaverysilly，unwholesomebook，andsheaskedmenottoreadanymoreofitoranylikeit。Ididn’tmindpromisingnottoreadanymorelikeit，butitwasAGONIZINGtogivebackthatbookwithoutknowinghowitturnedout。ButmyloveforMissStacystoodthetestandIdid。It’sreallywonderful，Marilla，whatyoucandowhenyou’retrulyanxioustopleaseacertainperson。"

"Well，IguessI’lllightthelampandgettowork，"saidMarilla。"Iseeplainlythatyoudon’twanttohearwhatMissStacyhadtosay。You’remoreinterestedinthesoundofyourowntonguethaninanythingelse。"

"Oh，indeed，Marilla，Idowanttohearit，"criedAnnecontritely。

"Iwon’tsayanotherword——notone。IknowItalktoomuch，butI

amreallytryingtoovercomeit，andalthoughIsayfartoomuch，yetifyouonlyknewhowmanythingsIwanttosayanddon’t，you’dgivemesomecreditforit。Pleasetellme，Marilla。"

"Well，MissStacywantstoorganizeaclassamongheradvancedstudentswhomeantostudyfortheentranceexaminationintoQueen’s。Sheintendstogivethemextralessonsforanhourafterschool。AndshecametoaskMatthewandmeifwewouldliketohaveyoujoinit。Whatdoyouthinkaboutityourself，Anne？WouldyouliketogotoQueen’sandpassforateacher？"

"Oh，Marilla！"Annestraightenedtoherkneesandclaspedherhands。"It’sbeenthedreamofmylife——thatis，forthelastsixmonths，eversinceRubyandJanebegantotalkofstudyingfortheEntrance。ButIdidn’tsayanythingaboutit，becauseI

supposeditwouldbeperfectlyuseless。I’dlovetobeateacher。

Butwon’titbedreadfullyexpensive？Mr。AndrewssaysitcosthimonehundredandfiftydollarstoputPrissythrough，andPrissywasn’tadunceingeometry。"

"Iguessyouneedn’tworryaboutthatpartofit。WhenMatthewandItookyoutobringupweresolvedwewoulddothebestwecouldforyouandgiveyouagoodeducation。Ibelieveinagirlbeingfittedtoearnherownlivingwhethersheeverhastoornot。

You’llalwayshaveahomeatGreenGablesaslongasMatthewandIarehere，butnobodyknowswhatisgoingtohappeninthisuncertainworld，andit’sjustaswelltobeprepared。

SoyoucanjointheQueen’sclassifyoulike，Anne。"

"Oh，Marilla，thankyou。"AnneflungherarmsaboutMarilla’swaistandlookedupearnestlyintoherface。"I’mextremelygratefultoyouandMatthew。AndI’llstudyashardasIcananddomyverybesttobeacredittoyou。Iwarnyounottoexpectmuchingeometry，butIthinkIcanholdmyowninanythingelseifIworkhard。"

"Idaresayyou’llgetalongwellenough。MissStacysaysyouarebrightanddiligent。"NotforworldswouldMarillahavetoldAnnejustwhatMissStacyhadsaidabouther；thatwouldhavebeentopampervanity。"Youneedn’trushtoanyextremeofkillingyourselfoveryourbooks。Thereisnohurry。Youwon’tbereadytotrytheEntranceforayearandahalfyet。Butit’swelltobeginintimeandbethoroughlygrounded，MissStacysays。"

"Ishalltakemoreinterestthaneverinmystudiesnow，"saidAnneblissfully，"becauseIhaveapurposeinlife。Mr。Allansayseverybodyshouldhaveapurposeinlifeandpursueitfaithfully。Onlyhesayswemustfirstmakesurethatitisaworthypurpose。IwouldcallitaworthypurposetowanttobeateacherlikeMissStacy，wouldn’tyou，Marilla？Ithinkit’saverynobleprofession。"

TheQueen’sclasswasorganizedinduetime。GilbertBlythe，AnneShirley，RubyGillis，JaneAndrews，JosiePye，CharlieSloane，andMoodySpurgeonMacPhersonjoinedit。DianaBarrydidnot，asherparentsdidnotintendtosendhertoQueen’s。ThisseemednothingshortofacalamitytoAnne。Never，sincethenightonwhichMinnieMayhadhadthecroup，hadsheandDianabeenseparatedinanything。OntheeveningwhentheQueen’sclassfirstremainedinschoolfortheextralessonsandAnnesawDianagoslowlyoutwiththeothers，towalkhomealonethroughtheBirchPathandVioletVale，itwasalltheformercoulddotokeepherseatandrefrainfromrushingimpulsivelyafterherchum。

Alumpcameintoherthroat，andshehastilyretiredbehindthepagesofherupliftedLatingrammartohidethetearsinhereyes。

NotforworldswouldAnnehavehadGilbertBlytheorJosiePyeseethosetears。

"But，oh，Marilla，IreallyfeltthatIhadtastedthebitternessofdeath，asMr。AllansaidinhissermonlastSunday，whenI

sawDianagooutalone，"shesaidmournfullythatnight。"I

thoughthowsplendiditwouldhavebeenifDianahadonlybeengoingtostudyfortheEntrance，too。Butwecan’thavethingsperfectinthisimperfectworld，asMrs。Lyndesays。Mrs。Lyndeisn’texactlyacomfortingpersonsometimes，butthere’snodoubtshesaysagreatmanyverytruethings。AndIthinktheQueen’sclassisgoingtobeextremelyinteresting。JaneandRubyarejustgoingtostudytobeteachers。Thatistheheightoftheirambition。Rubysaysshewillonlyteachfortwoyearsaftershegetsthrough，andthensheintendstobemarried。Janesaysshewilldevoteherwholelifetoteaching，andnever，nevermarry，becauseyouarepaidasalaryforteaching，butahusbandwon’tpayyouanything，andgrowlsifyouaskforashareintheeggandbuttermoney。IexpectJanespeaksfrommournfulexperience，forMrs。Lyndesaysthatherfatherisaperfectoldcrank，andmeanerthansecondskimmings。JosiePyesayssheisjustgoingtocollegeforeducation’ssake，becauseshewon’thavetoearnherownliving；shesaysofcourseitisdifferentwithorphanswhoarelivingoncharity——THEYhavetohustle。

MoodySpurgeonisgoingtobeaminister。Mrs。Lyndesayshecouldn’tbeanythingelsewithanamelikethattoliveupto。

Ihopeitisn’twickedofme，Marilla，butreallythethoughtofMoodySpurgeonbeingaministermakesmelaugh。He’ssuchafunny-lookingboywiththatbigfatface，andhislittleblueeyes，andhisearsstickingoutlikeflaps。Butperhapshewillbemoreintellectuallookingwhenhegrowsup。CharlieSloanesayshe’sgoingtogointopoliticsandbeamemberofParliament，butMrs。Lyndesayshe’llneversucceedatthat，becausetheSloanesareallhonestpeople，andit’sonlyrascalsthatgetoninpoliticsnowadays。"

"WhatisGilbertBlythegoingtobe？"queriedMarilla，seeingthatAnnewasopeningherCaesar。

"Idon’thappentoknowwhatGilbertBlythe’sambitioninlifeis——

ifhehasany，"saidAnnescornfully。

TherewasopenrivalrybetweenGilbertandAnnenow。Previouslytherivalryhadbeenratheronesided，buttherewasnolongeranydoubtthatGilbertwasasdeterminedtobefirstinclassasAnnewas。

Hewasafoemanworthyofhersteel。Theothermembersoftheclasstacitlyacknowledgedtheirsuperiority，andneverdreamedoftryingtocompetewiththem。

Sincethedaybythepondwhenshehadrefusedtolistentohispleaforforgiveness，Gilbert，savefortheaforesaiddeterminedrivalry，hadevincednorecognitionwhateveroftheexistenceofAnneShirley。Hetalkedandjestedwiththeothergirls，exchangedbooksandpuzzleswiththem，discussedlessonsandplans，sometimeswalkedhomewithoneortheotherofthemfromprayermeetingorDebatingClub。ButAnneShirleyhesimplyignored，andAnnefoundoutthatitisnotpleasanttobeignored。Itwasinvainthatshetoldherselfwithatossofherheadthatshedidnotcare。

Deepdowninherwayward，femininelittleheartsheknewthatshedidcare，andthatifshehadthatchanceoftheLakeofShiningWatersagainshewouldanswerverydifferently。

Allatonce，asitseemed，andtohersecretdismay，shefoundthattheoldresentmentshehadcherishedagainsthimwasgone——gonejustwhenshemostneededitssustainingpower。

Itwasinvainthatsherecalledeveryincidentandemotionofthatmemorableoccasionandtriedtofeeltheoldsatisfyinganger。

Thatdaybythepondhadwitnesseditslastspasmodicflicker。

Annerealizedthatshehadforgivenandforgottenwithoutknowingit。

Butitwastoolate。

AndatleastneitherGilbertnoranybodyelse，notevenDiana，shouldeversuspecthowsorryshewasandhowmuchshewishedshehadn’tbeensoproudandhorrid！Shedeterminedto"shroudherfeelingsindeepestoblivion，"anditmaybestatedhereandnowthatshedidit，sosuccessfullythatGilbert，whopossiblywasnotquitesoindifferentasheseemed，couldnotconsolehimselfwithanybeliefthatAnnefelthisretaliatoryscorn。TheonlypoorcomforthehadwasthatshesnubbedCharlieSloane，unmercifully，continually，andundeservedly。

Otherwisethewinterpassedawayinaroundofpleasantdutiesandstudies。ForAnnethedaysslippedbylikegoldenbeadsonthenecklaceoftheyear。Shewashappy，eager，interested；

therewerelessonstobelearnedandhonortobewon；delightfulbookstoread；newpiecestobepracticedfortheSunday-schoolchoir；pleasantSaturdayafternoonsatthemansewithMrs。Allan；

andthen，almostbeforeAnnerealizedit，springhadcomeagaintoGreenGablesandalltheworldwasabloomoncemore。

Studiespalledjustaweebitthen；theQueen’sclass，leftbehindinschoolwhiletheothersscatteredtogreenlanesandleafywoodcutsandmeadowbyways，lookedwistfullyoutofthewindowsanddiscoveredthatLatinverbsandFrenchexerciseshadsomehowlostthetangandzesttheyhadpossessedinthecrispwintermonths。EvenAnneandGilbertlaggedandgrewindifferent。

Teacherandtaughtwerealikegladwhenthetermwasendedandthegladvacationdaysstretchedrosilybeforethem。

"Butyou’vedonegoodworkthispastyear，"MissStacytoldthemonthelastevening，"andyoudeserveagood，jollyvacation。

Havethebesttimeyoucanintheout-of-doorworldandlayinagoodstockofhealthandvitalityandambitiontocarryyouthroughnextyear。Itwillbethetugofwar，youknow——thelastyearbeforetheEntrance。"

"Areyougoingtobebacknextyear，MissStacy？"askedJosiePye。

JosiePyeneverscrupledtoaskquestions；inthisinstancetherestoftheclassfeltgratefultoher；noneofthemwouldhavedaredtoaskitofMissStacy，butallwantedto，fortherehadbeenalarmingrumorsrunningatlargethroughtheschoolforsometimethatMissStacywasnotcomingbackthenextyear——thatshehadbeenofferedapositioninthegradeschoolofherownhomedistrictandmeanttoaccept。TheQueen’sclasslistenedinbreathlesssuspenseforheranswer。

"Yes，IthinkIwill，"saidMissStacy。"Ithoughtoftakinganotherschool，butIhavedecidedtocomebacktoAvonlea。Totellthetruth，I’vegrownsointerestedinmypupilsherethatI

foundIcouldn’tleavethem。SoI’llstayandseeyouthrough。"

"Hurrah！"saidMoodySpurgeon。MoodySpurgeonhadneverbeensocarriedawaybyhisfeelingsbefore，andheblusheduncomfortablyeverytimehethoughtaboutitforaweek。

"Oh，I’msoglad，"saidAnne，withshiningeyes。"DearStacy，itwouldbeperfectlydreadfulifyoudidn’tcomeback。Idon’tbelieveIcouldhavethehearttogoonwithmystudiesatallifanotherteachercamehere。"

WhenAnnegothomethatnightshestackedallhertextbooksawayinanoldtrunkintheattic，lockedit，andthrewthekeyintotheblanketbox。

"I’mnotevengoingtolookataschoolbookinvacation，"shetoldMarilla。"I’vestudiedashardallthetermasIpossiblycouldandI’veporedoverthatgeometryuntilIknoweverypropositioninthefirstbookoffbyheart，evenwhenthelettersAREchanged。IjustfeeltiredofeverythingsensibleandI’mgoingtoletmyimaginationrunriotforthesummer。Oh，youneedn’tbealarmed，Marilla。I’llonlyletitrunriotwithinreasonablelimits。ButIwanttohavearealgoodjollytimethissummer，formaybeit’sthelastsummerI’llbealittlegirl。Mrs。LyndesaysthatifIkeepstretchingoutnextyearasI’vedonethisI’llhavetoputonlongerskirts。ShesaysI’mallrunningtolegsandeyes。AndwhenIputonlongerskirtsIshallfeelthatIhavetoliveuptothemandbeverydignified。

Itwon’tevendotobelieveinfairiesthen，I’mafraid；soI’mgoingtobelieveinthemwithallmywholeheartthissummer。

Ithinkwe’regoingtohaveaverygayvacation。RubyGillisisgoingtohaveabirthdaypartysoonandthere’stheSundayschoolpicnicandthemissionaryconcertnextmonth。

AndMrs。Barrysaysthatsomeeveninghe’lltakeDianaandmeovertotheWhiteSandsHotelandhavedinnerthere。Theyhavedinnerthereintheevening，youknow。JaneAndrewswasoveroncelastsummerandshesaysitwasadazzlingsighttoseetheelectriclightsandtheflowersandalltheladyguestsinsuchbeautifuldresses。Janesaysitwasherfirstglimpseintohighlifeandshe’llneverforgetittoherdyingday。"

Mrs。LyndecameupthenextafternoontofindoutwhyMarillahadnotbeenattheAidmeetingonThursday。WhenMarillawasnotatAidmeetingpeopleknewtherewassomethingwrongatGreenGables。

"MatthewhadabadspellwithhisheartThursday，"Marillaexplained，"andIdidn’tfeellikeleavinghim。Oh，yes，he’sallrightagainnow，buthetakesthemspellsoftenerthanheusedtoandI’manxiousabouthim。Thedoctorsayshemustbecarefultoavoidexcitement。That’seasyenough，forMatthewdoesn’tgoaboutlookingforexcitementbyanymeansandneverdid，buthe’snottodoanyveryheavyworkeitherandyoumightaswelltellMatthewnottobreatheasnottowork。Comeandlayoffyourthings，Rachel。You’llstaytotea？"

"Well，seeingyou’resopressing，perhapsImightaswell，stay"

saidMrs。Rachel，whohadnottheslightestintentionofdoinganythingelse。

Mrs。RachelandMarillasatcomfortablyintheparlorwhileAnnegottheteaandmadehotbiscuitsthatwerelightandwhiteenoughtodefyevenMrs。Rachel’scriticism。

"ImustsayAnnehasturnedoutarealsmartgirl，"admittedMrs。Rachel，asMarillaaccompaniedhertotheendofthelaneatsunset。"Shemustbeagreathelptoyou。"

"Sheis，"saidMarilla，"andshe’srealsteadyandreliablenow。

Iusedtobeafraidshe’dnevergetoverherfeatherbrainedways，butshehasandIwouldn’tbeafraidtotrustherinanythingnow。"

"Ineverwouldhavethoughtshe’dhaveturnedoutsowellthatfirstdayIwasherethreeyearsago，"saidMrs。Rachel。

"Lawfulheart，shallIeverforgetthattantrumofhers！

WhenIwenthomethatnightIsaystoThomas，saysI，`Markmywords，Thomas，MarillaCuthbert’lllivetoruethestepshe’stook。’ButIwasmistakenandI’mrealgladofit。Iain’toneofthosekindofpeople，Marilla，ascanneverbebroughttoownupthatthey’vemadeamistake。No，thatneverwasmyway，thankgoodness。

IdidmakeamistakeinjudgingAnne，butitweren’tnowonder，foranodder，unexpectederwitchofachildthereneverwasinthisworld，that’swhat。Therewasnocipheringheroutbytherulesthatworkedwithotherchildren。It’snothingshortofwonderfulhowshe’simprovedthesethreeyears，butespeciallyinlooks。She’sarealprettygirlgottobe，thoughI

can’tsayI’moverlypartialtothatpale，big-eyedstylemyself。

Ilikemoresnapandcolor，likeDianaBarryhasorRubyGillis。

RubyGillis’slooksarerealshowy。Butsomehow——Idon’tknowhowitisbutwhenAnneandthemaretogether，thoughsheain’thalfashandsome，shemakesthemlookkindofcommonandoverdone——

somethinglikethemwhiteJuneliliesshecallsnarcissusalongsideofthebig，redpeonies，that’swhat。"

CHAPTERXXXI

WheretheBrookandRiverMeetAnnehadher"good"summerandenjoyeditwholeheartedly。SheandDianafairlylivedoutdoors，revelinginallthedelightsthatLover’sLaneandtheDryad’sBubbleandWillowmereandVictoriaIslandafforded。MarillaofferednoobjectionstoAnne’sgypsyings。TheSpencervaledoctorwhohadcomethenightMinnieMayhadthecroupmetAnneatthehouseofapatientoneafternoonearlyinvacation，lookedheroversharply，screweduphismouth，shookhishead，andsentamessagetoMarillaCuthbertbyanotherperson。Itwas:

"Keepthatredheadedgirlofyoursintheopenairallsummeranddon’tletherreadbooksuntilshegetsmorespringintoherstep。"

ThismessagefrightenedMarillawholesomely。ShereadAnne’sdeathwarrantbyconsumptioninitunlessitwasscrupulouslyobeyed。

Asaresult，Annehadthegoldensummerofherlifeasfarasfreedomandfrolicwent。Shewalked，rowed，berried，anddreamedtoherheart’scontent；andwhenSeptembercameshewasbright-eyedandalert，withastepthatwouldhavesatisfiedtheSpencervaledoctorandaheartfullofambitionandzestoncemore。

"Ifeeljustlikestudyingwithmightandmain，"shedeclaredasshebroughtherbooksdownfromtheattic。"Oh，yougoodoldfriends，I’mgladtoseeyourhonestfacesoncemore——yes，evenyou，geometry。I’vehadaperfectlybeautifulsummer，Marilla，andnowI’mrejoicingasastrongmantorunarace，asMr。AllansaidlastSunday。Doesn’tMr。Allanpreachmagnificentsermons？

Mrs。Lyndesaysheisimprovingeverydayandthefirstthingweknowsomecitychurchwillgobblehimupandthenwe’llbeleftandhavetoturntoandbreakinanothergreenpreacher。ButI

don’tseetheuseofmeetingtroublehalfway，doyou，Marilla？I

thinkitwouldbebetterjusttoenjoyMr。Allanwhilewehavehim。

IfIwereamanIthinkI’dbeaminister。Theycanhavesuchaninfluenceforgood，iftheirtheologyissound；anditmustbethrillingtopreachsplendidsermonsandstiryourhearers’hearts。Whycan’twomenbeministers，Marilla？IaskedMrs。Lyndethatandshewasshockedandsaiditwouldbeascandalousthing。ShesaidtheremightbefemaleministersintheStatesandshebelievedtherewas，butthankgoodnesswehadn’tgottothatstageinCanadayetandshehopedweneverwould。

ButIdon’tseewhy。Ithinkwomenwouldmakesplendidministers。

Whenthereisasocialtobegotuporachurchteaoranythingelsetoraisemoneythewomenhavetoturntoanddothework。

I’msureMrs。LyndecanprayeverybitaswellasSuperintendentBellandI’venodoubtshecouldpreachtoowithalittlepractice。"

"Yes，Ibelieveshecould，"saidMarilladryly。"Shedoesplentyofunofficialpreachingasitis。NobodyhasmuchofachancetogowronginAvonleawithRacheltooverseethem。"

"Marilla，"saidAnneinaburstofconfidence，"Iwanttotellyousomethingandaskyouwhatyouthinkaboutit。Ithasworriedmeterribly——onSundayafternoons，thatis，whenIthinkspeciallyaboutsuchmatters。Idoreallywanttobegood；andwhenI’mwithyouorMrs。AllanorMissStacyIwantitmorethaneverandIwanttodojustwhatwouldpleaseyouandwhatyouwouldapproveof。ButmostlywhenI’mwithMrs。LyndeI

feeldesperatelywickedandasifIwantedtogoanddotheverythingshetellsmeIoughtn’ttodo。Ifeelirresistiblytemptedtodoit。Now，whatdoyouthinkisthereasonIfeellikethat？

Doyouthinkit’sbecauseI’mreallybadandunregenerate？"

Marillalookeddubiousforamoment。Thenshelaughed。

"IfyouareIguessIamtoo，Anne，forRacheloftenhasthatveryeffectonme。Isometimesthinkshe’dhavemoreofaninfluenceforgood，asyousayyourself，ifshedidn’tkeepnaggingpeopletodoright。Thereshouldhavebeenaspecialcommandmentagainstnagging。Butthere，Ishouldn’ttalkso。

RachelisagoodChristianwomanandshemeanswell。Thereisn’takindersoulinAvonleaandshenevershirkshershareofwork。"

"I’mverygladyoufeelthesame，"saidAnnedecidedly。"It’ssoencouraging。Ishan’tworrysomuchoverthatafterthis。ButI

daresaythere’llbeotherthingstoworryme。Theykeepcomingupnewallthetime——thingstoperplexyou，youknow。Yousettleonequestionandthere’sanotherrightafter。Therearesomanythingstobethoughtoveranddecidedwhenyou’rebeginningtogrowup。Itkeepsmebusyallthetimethinkingthemoveranddecidingwhatisright。It’saseriousthingtogrowup，isn’tit，Marilla？ButwhenIhavesuchgoodfriendsasyouandMatthewandMrs。AllanandMissStacyIoughttogrowupsuccessfully，andI’msureitwillbemyownfaultifIdon’t。

Ifeelit’sagreatresponsibilitybecauseIhaveonlytheonechance。IfIdon’tgrowuprightIcan’tgobackandbeginoveragain。I’vegrowntwoinchesthissummer，Marilla。Mr。GillismeasuredmeatRuby’sparty。I’msogladyoumademynewdresseslonger。Thatdark-greenoneissoprettyanditwassweetofyoutoputontheflounce。OfcourseIknowitwasn’treallynecessary，butflouncesaresostylishthisfallandJosiePyehasflouncesonallherdresses。IknowI’llbeabletostudybetterbecauseofmine。Ishallhavesuchacomfortablefeelingdeepdowninmymindaboutthatflounce。"

"It’sworthsomethingtohavethat，"admittedMarilla。

MissStacycamebacktoAvonleaschoolandfoundallherpupilseagerforworkoncemore。EspeciallydidtheQueen’sclassgirduptheirloinsforthefray，forattheendofthecomingyear，dimlyshadowingtheirpathwayalready，loomedupthatfatefulthingknownas"theEntrance，"atthethoughtofwhichoneandallfelttheirheartssinkintotheirveryshoes。Supposetheydidnotpass！ThatthoughtwasdoomedtohauntAnnethroughthewakinghoursofthatwinter，Sundayafternoonsinclusive，tothealmostentireexclusionofmoralandtheologicalproblems。WhenAnnehadbaddreamsshefoundherselfstaringmiserablyatpasslistsoftheEntranceexams，whereGilbertBlythe’snamewasblazonedatthetopandinwhichhersdidnotappearatall。

Butitwasajolly，busy，happyswift-flyingwinter。Schoolworkwasasinteresting，classrivalryasabsorbing，asofyore。Newworldsofthought，feeling，andambition，fresh，fascinatingfieldsofunexploredknowledgeseemedtobeopeningoutbeforeAnne’seagereyes。

"Hillspeepedo’erhillandAlpsonAlpsarose。"

MuchofallthiswasduetoMissStacy’stactful，careful，broadmindedguidance。SheledherclasstothinkandexploreanddiscoverforthemselvesandencouragedstrayingfromtheoldbeatenpathstoadegreethatquiteshockedMrs。Lyndeandtheschooltrustees，whoviewedallinnovationsonestablishedmethodsratherdubiously。

ApartfromherstudiesAnneexpandedsocially，forMarilla，mindfuloftheSpencervaledoctor’sdictum，nolongervetoedoccasionaloutings。TheDebatingClubflourishedandgaveseveralconcerts；therewereoneortwopartiesalmostvergingongrown-upaffairs；thereweresleighdrivesandskatingfrolicsgalore。

BetweentimesAnnegrew，shootingupsorapidlythatMarillawasastonishedoneday，whentheywerestandingsidebyside，tofindthegirlwastallerthanherself。

"Why，Anne，howyou’vegrown！"shesaid，almostunbelievingly。A

sighfollowedonthewords。MarillafeltaqueerregretoverAnne’sinches。Thechildshehadlearnedtolovehadvanishedsomehowandherewasthistall，serious-eyedgirloffifteen，withthethoughtfulbrowsandtheproudlypoisedlittlehead，inherplace。Marillalovedthegirlasmuchasshehadlovedthechild，butshewasconsciousofaqueersorrowfulsenseofloss。

Andthatnight，whenAnnehadgonetoprayermeetingwithDiana，Marillasataloneinthewintrytwilightandindulgedintheweaknessofacry。Matthew，cominginwithalantern，caughtheratitandgazedatherinsuchconsternationthatMarillahadtolaughthroughhertears。

"IwasthinkingaboutAnne，"sheexplained。"She’sgottobesuchabiggirl——andshe’llprobablybeawayfromusnextwinter。

I’llmissherterrible。"

"She’llbeabletocomehomeoften，"comfortedMatthew，towhomAnnewasasyetandalwayswouldbethelittle，eagergirlhehadbroughthomefromBrightRiveronthatJuneeveningfouryearsbefore。

"ThebranchrailroadwillbebuilttoCarmodybythattime。"

"Itwon’tbethesamethingashavingherhereallthetime，"

sighedMarillagloomily，determinedtoenjoyherluxuryofgriefuncomforted。"Butthere——mencan’tunderstandthesethings！"

TherewereotherchangesinAnnenolessrealthanthephysicalchange。

Foronething，shebecamemuchquieter。Perhapsshethoughtallthemoreanddreamedasmuchasever，butshecertainlytalkedless。

Marillanoticedandcommentedonthisalso。

"Youdon’tchatterhalfasmuchasyouusedto，Anne，norusehalfasmanybigwords。Whathascomeoveryou？"

Annecoloredandlaughedalittle，asshedroppedherbookandlookeddreamilyoutofthewindow，wherebigfatredbudswereburstingoutonthecreeperinresponsetothelureofthespringsunshine。

"Idon’tknow——Idon’twanttotalkasmuch，"shesaid，dentingherchinthoughtfullywithherforefinger。"It’snicertothinkdear，prettythoughtsandkeeptheminone’sheart，liketreasures。

Idon’tliketohavethemlaughedatorwonderedover。

AndsomehowIdon’twanttousebigwordsanymore。

It’salmostapity，isn’tit，nowthatI’mreallygrowingbigenoughtosaythemifIdidwantto。It’sfuntobealmostgrownupinsomeways，butit’snotthekindoffunIexpected，Marilla。There’ssomuchtolearnanddoandthinkthatthereisn’ttimeforbigwords。Besides，MissStacysaystheshortonesaremuchstrongerandbetter。Shemakesuswriteallouressaysassimplyaspossible。Itwashardatfirst。

IwassousedtocrowdinginallthefinebigwordsIcouldthinkof——andIthoughtofanynumberofthem。ButI’vegotusedtoitnowandIseeit’ssomuchbetter。"

"Whathasbecomeofyourstoryclub？Ihaven’theardyouspeakofitforalongtime。"

"Thestoryclubisn’tinexistenceanylonger。Wehadn’ttimeforit——andanyhowIthinkwehadgottiredofit。Itwassillytobewritingaboutloveandmurderandelopementsandmysteries。

MissStacysometimeshasuswriteastoryfortrainingincomposition，butshewon’tletuswriteanythingbutwhatmighthappeninAvonleainourownlives，andshecriticizesitverysharplyandmakesuscriticizeourowntoo。IneverthoughtmycompositionshadsomanyfaultsuntilIbegantolookforthemmyself。IfeltsoashamedIwantedtogiveupaltogether，butMissStacysaidIcouldlearntowritewellifIonlytrainedmyselftobemyownseverestcritic。AndsoIamtryingto。"

"You’veonlytwomoremonthsbeforetheEntrance，"saidMarilla。

"Doyouthinkyou’llbeabletogetthrough？"

Anneshivered。

"Idon’tknow。SometimesIthinkI’llbeallright——andthenI

gethorriblyafraid。We’vestudiedhardandMissStacyhasdrilledusthoroughly，butwemayn’tgetthroughforallthat。

We’veeachgotastumblingblock。Mineisgeometryofcourse，andJane’sisLatin，andRubyandCharlie’sisalgebra，andJosie’sisarithmetic。MoodySpurgeonsayshefeelsitinhisbonesthatheisgoingtofailinEnglishhistory。MissStacyisgoingtogiveusexaminationsinJunejustashardaswe’llhaveattheEntranceandmarkusjustasstrictly，sowe’llhavesomeidea。

Iwishitwasallover，Marilla。Ithauntsme。SometimesIwakeupinthenightandwonderwhatI’lldoifIdon’tpass。"

"Why，gotoschoolnextyearandtryagain，"saidMarillaunconcernedly。

"Oh，Idon’tbelieveI’dhavetheheartforit。Itwouldbesuchadisgracetofail，especiallyifGil——iftheotherspassed。AndIgetsonervousinanexaminationthatI’mlikelytomakeamessofit。IwishIhadnerveslikeJaneAndrews。Nothingrattlesher。"

Annesighedand，dragginghereyesfromthewitcheriesofthespringworld，thebeckoningdayofbreezeandblue，andthegreenthingsupspringinginthegarden，buriedherselfresolutelyinherbook。Therewouldbeothersprings，butifshedidnotsucceedinpassingtheEntrance，Annefeltconvincedthatshewouldneverrecoversufficientlytoenjoythem。

CHAPTERXXXII

ThePassListIsOutWiththeendofJunecamethecloseofthetermandthecloseofMissStacy’sruleinAvonleaschool。AnneandDianawalkedhomethateveningfeelingverysoberindeed。RedeyesanddamphandkerchiefsboreconvincingtestimonytothefactthatMissStacy’sfarewellwordsmusthavebeenquiteastouchingasMr。Phillips’shadbeenundersimilarcircumstancesthreeyearsbefore。Dianalookedbackattheschoolhousefromthefootofthesprucehillandsigheddeeply。

"Itdoesseemasifitwastheendofeverything，doesn’tit？"

shesaiddismally。

"Yououghtn’ttofeelhalfasbadlyasIdo，"saidAnne，huntingvainlyforadryspotonherhandkerchief。"You’llbebackagainnextwinter，butIsupposeI’veleftthedearoldschoolforever——

ifIhavegoodluck，thatis。"

"Itwon’tbeabitthesame。MissStacywon’tbethere，noryounorJanenorRubyprobably。Ishallhavetositallalone，forI

couldn’tbeartohaveanotherdeskmateafteryou。Oh，wehavehadjollytimes，haven’twe，Anne？It’sdreadfultothinkthey’reallover。"

TwobigtearsrolleddownbyDiana’snose。

"IfyouwouldstopcryingIcould，"saidAnneimploringly。"JustassoonasIputawaymyhankyIseeyoubrimmingupandthatstartsmeoffagain。AsMrs。Lyndesays，`Ifyoucan’tbecheerful，beascheerfulasyoucan。’Afterall，IdaresayI’llbebacknextyear。ThisisoneofthetimesIKNOWI’mnotgoingtopass。

They’regettingalarminglyfrequent。"

"Why，youcameoutsplendidlyintheexamsMissStacygave。"

"Yes，butthoseexamsdidn’tmakemenervous。WhenIthinkoftherealthingyoucan’timaginewhatahorridcoldflutteryfeelingcomesroundmyheart。AndthenmynumberisthirteenandJosiePyesaysit’ssounlucky。IamNOTsuperstitiousandIknowitcanmakenodifference。ButstillIwishitwasn’tthirteen。"

"IdowishIwasgoinginwithyou，"saidDiana。"Wouldn’twehaveaperfectlyeleganttime？ButIsupposeyou’llhavetocramintheevenings。"

"No；MissStacyhasmadeuspromisenottoopenabookatall。

Shesaysitwouldonlytireandconfuseusandwearetogooutwalkingandnotthinkabouttheexamsatallandgotobedearly。

It’sgoodadvice，butIexpectitwillbehardtofollow；goodadviceisapttobe，Ithink。PrissyAndrewstoldmethatshesatuphalfthenighteverynightofherEntranceweekandcrammedfordearlife；andIhaddeterminedtositupATLEASTaslongasshedid。ItwassokindofyourAuntJosephinetoaskmetostayatBeechwoodwhileI’mintown。"

"You’llwritetomewhileyou’rein，won’tyou？"

"I’llwriteTuesdaynightandtellyouhowthefirstdaygoes，"

promisedAnne。

"I’llbehauntingthepostofficeWednesday，"vowedDiana。

AnnewenttotownthefollowingMondayandonWednesdayDianahauntedthepostoffice，asagreed，andgotherletter。

"DearestDiana"[wroteAnne]，"HereitisTuesdaynightandI’mwritingthisinthelibraryatBeechwood。LastnightIwashorriblylonesomeallaloneinmyroomandwishedsomuchyouwerewithme。Icouldn’t"cram"

becauseI’dpromisedMissStacynotto，butitwasashardtokeepfromopeningmyhistoryasitusedtobetokeepfromreadingastorybeforemylessonswerelearned。

"ThismorningMissStacycameformeandwewenttotheAcademy，callingforJaneandRubyandJosieonourway。Rubyaskedmetofeelherhandsandtheywereascoldasice。JosiesaidIlookedasifIhadn’tsleptawinkandshedidn’tbelieveIwasstrongenoughtostandthegrindoftheteacher’scourseevenifIdidgetthrough。TherearetimesandseasonsevenyetwhenIdon’tfeelthatI’vemadeanygreatheadwayinlearningtolikeJosiePye！

"WhenwereachedtheAcademytherewerescoresofstudentstherefromallovertheIsland。ThefirstpersonwesawwasMoodySpurgeonsittingonthestepsandmutteringawaytohimself。