第9章

Janeaskedhimwhatonearthhewasdoingandhesaidhewasrepeatingthemultiplicationtableoverandovertosteadyhisnervesandforpity’ssakenottointerrupthim，becauseifhestoppedforamomenthegotfrightenedandforgoteverythingheeverknew，butthemultiplicationtablekeptallhisfactsfirmlyintheirproperplace！

"WhenwewereassignedtoourroomsMissStacyhadtoleaveus。

JaneandIsattogetherandJanewassocomposedthatIenviedher。

Noneedofthemultiplicationtableforgood，steady，sensibleJane！IwonderedifIlookedasIfeltandiftheycouldhearmyheartthumpingclearacrosstheroom。

ThenamancameinandbegandistributingtheEnglishexaminationsheets。MyhandsgrewcoldthenandmyheadfairlywhirledaroundasIpickeditup。Justoneawfulmoment——Diana，IfeltexactlyasIdidfouryearsagowhenIaskedMarillaifImightstayatGreenGables——andtheneverythingclearedupinmymindandmyheartbeganbeatingagain——Iforgottosaythatithadstoppedaltogether！——forIknewIcoulddosomethingwithTHATpaperanyhow。

"Atnoonwewenthomefordinnerandthenbackagainforhistoryintheafternoon。ThehistorywasaprettyhardpaperandIgotdreadfullymixedupinthedates。Still，IthinkIdidfairlywelltoday。Butoh，Diana，tomorrowthegeometryexamcomesoffandwhenIthinkofitittakeseverybitofdeterminationI

possesstokeepfromopeningmyEuclid。IfIthoughtthemultiplicationtablewouldhelpmeanyIwouldreciteitfromnowtilltomorrowmorning。

"Iwentdowntoseetheothergirlsthisevening。OnmywayImetMoodySpurgeonwanderingdistractedlyaround。Hesaidheknewhehadfailedinhistoryandhewasborntobeadisappointmenttohisparentsandhewasgoinghomeonthemorningtrain；anditwouldbeeasiertobeacarpenterthanaminister，anyhow。I

cheeredhimupandpersuadedhimtostaytotheendbecauseitwouldbeunfairtoMissStacyifhedidn’t。SometimesIhavewishedIwasbornaboy，butwhenIseeMoodySpurgeonI’malwaysgladI’magirlandnothissister。

"RubywasinhystericswhenIreachedtheirboardinghouse；shehadjustdiscoveredafearfulmistakeshehadmadeinherEnglishpaper。Whensherecoveredwewentuptownandhadanicecream。

Howwewishedyouhadbeenwithus。

"Oh，Diana，ifonlythegeometryexaminationwereover！

Butthere，asMrs。Lyndewouldsay，thesunwillgoonrisingandsettingwhetherIfailingeometryornot。

Thatistruebutnotespeciallycomforting。IthinkI’dratheritdidn’tgoonifIfailed！

Yoursdevotedly，Anne"

ThegeometryexaminationandalltheotherswereoverinduetimeandAnnearrivedhomeonFridayevening，rathertiredbutwithanairofchastenedtriumphabouther。DianawasoveratGreenGableswhenshearrivedandtheymetasiftheyhadbeenpartedforyears。

"Youolddarling，it’sperfectlysplendidtoseeyoubackagain。

Itseemslikeanagesinceyouwenttotownandoh，Anne，howdidyougetalong？"

"Prettywell，Ithink，ineverythingbutthegeometry。Idon’tknowwhetherIpassedinitornotandIhaveacreepy，crawlypresentimentthatIdidn’t。Oh，howgooditistobeback！GreenGablesisthedearest，loveliestspotintheworld。"

"Howdidtheothersdo？"

"Thegirlssaytheyknowtheydidn’tpass，butIthinktheydidprettywell。Josiesaysthegeometrywassoeasyachildoftencoulddoit！MoodySpurgeonstillthinkshefailedinhistoryandCharliesayshefailedinalgebra。Butwedon’treallyknowanythingaboutitandwon’tuntilthepasslistisout。Thatwon’tbeforafortnight。Fancylivingafortnightinsuchsuspense！

IwishIcouldgotosleepandneverwakeupuntilitisover。"

DianaknewitwouldbeuselesstoaskhowGilbertBlythehadfared，soshemerelysaid:

"Oh，you’llpassallright。Don’tworry。"

"I’drathernotpassatallthannotcomeoutprettywelluponthelist，"flashedAnne，bywhichshemeant——andDianaknewshemeant——thatsuccesswouldbeincompleteandbitterifshedidnotcomeoutaheadofGilbertBlythe。

WiththisendinviewAnnehadstrainedeverynerveduringtheexaminations。SohadGilbert。TheyhadmetandpassedeachotheronthestreetadozentimeswithoutanysignofrecognitionandeverytimeAnnehadheldherheadalittlehigherandwishedalittlemoreearnestlythatshehadmadefriendswithGilbertwhenheaskedher，andvowedalittlemoredeterminedlytosurpasshimintheexamination。SheknewthatallAvonleajuniorwaswonderingwhichwouldcomeoutfirst；sheevenknewthatJimmyGloverandNedWrighthadabetonthequestionandthatJosiePyehadsaidtherewasnodoubtintheworldthatGilbertwouldbefirst；andshefeltthatherhumiliationwouldbeunbearableifshefailed。

Butshehadanotherandnoblermotiveforwishingtodowell。

Shewantedto"passhigh"forthesakeofMatthewandMarilla——

especiallyMatthew。Matthewhaddeclaredtoherhisconvictionthatshe"wouldbeatthewholeIsland。"That，Annefelt，wassomethingitwouldbefoolishtohopeforeveninthewildestdreams。Butshedidhopeferventlythatshewouldbeamongthefirsttenatleast，sothatshemightseeMatthew’skindlybrowneyesgleamwithprideinherachievement。That，shefelt，wouldbeasweetrewardindeedforallherhardworkandpatientgrubbingamongunimaginativeequationsandconjugations。

AttheendofthefortnightAnnetookto"haunting"thepostofficealso，inthedistractedcompanyofJane，Ruby，andJosie，openingtheCharlottetowndailieswithshakinghandsandcold，sinkawayfeelingsasbadasanyexperiencedduringtheEntranceweek。CharlieandGilbertwerenotabovedoingthistoo，butMoodySpurgeonstayedresolutelyaway。

"Ihaven’tgotthegrittogothereandlookatapaperincoldblood，"hetoldAnne。"I’mjustgoingtowaituntilsomebodycomesandtellsmesuddenlywhetherI’vepassedornot。"

WhenthreeweekshadgonebywithoutthepasslistappearingAnnebegantofeelthatshereallycouldn’tstandthestrainmuchlonger。

HerappetitefailedandherinterestinAvonleadoingslanguished。

Mrs。LyndewantedtoknowwhatelseyoucouldexpectwithaTorysuperintendentofeducationattheheadofaffairs，andMatthew，notingAnne’spalenessandindifferenceandthelaggingstepsthatboreherhomefromthepostofficeeveryafternoon，beganseriouslytowonderifhehadn’tbettervoteGritatthenextelection。

Butoneeveningthenewscame。Annewassittingatheropenwindow，forthetimeforgetfulofthewoesofexaminationsandthecaresoftheworld，asshedrankinthebeautyofthesummerdusk，sweet-scentedwithflowerbreathsfromthegardenbelowandsibilantandrustlingfromthestirofpoplars。Theeasternskyabovethefirswasflushedfaintlypinkfromthereflectionofthewest，andAnnewaswonderingdreamilyifthespiritofcolorlookedlikethat，whenshesawDianacomeflyingdownthroughthefirs，overthelogbridge，anduptheslope，withaflutteringnewspaperinherhand。

Annesprangtoherfeet，knowingatoncewhatthatpapercontained。Thepasslistwasout！Herheadwhirledandherheartbeatuntilithurther。Shecouldnotmoveastep。ItseemedanhourtoherbeforeDianacamerushingalongthehallandburstintotheroomwithoutevenknocking，sogreatwasherexcitement。

"Anne，you’vepassed，"shecried，"passedtheVERYFIRST——youandGilbertboth——you’reties——butyournameisfirst。Oh，I’msoproud！"

DianaflungthepaperonthetableandherselfonAnne’sbed，utterlybreathlessandincapableoffurtherspeech。Annelightedthelamp，oversettingthematchsafeandusinguphalfadozenmatchesbeforehershakinghandscouldaccomplishthetask。

Thenshesnatchedupthepaper。Yes，shehadpassed——therewashernameattheverytopofalistoftwohundred！Thatmomentwasworthlivingfor。

"Youdidjustsplendidly，Anne，"puffedDiana，recoveringsufficientlytositupandspeak，forAnne，starryeyedandrapt，hadnotutteredaword。"FatherbroughtthepaperhomefromBrightRivernottenminutesago——itcameoutontheafternoontrain，youknow，andwon’tbeheretilltomorrowbymail——andwhenIsawthepasslistIjustrushedoverlikeawildthing。

You’veallpassed，everyoneofyou，MoodySpurgeonandall，althoughhe’sconditionedinhistory。JaneandRubydidprettywell——they’rehalfwayup——andsodidCharlie。Josiejustscrapedthroughwiththreemarkstospare，butyou’llseeshe’llputonasmanyairsasifshe’dled。Won’tMissStacybedelighted？

Oh，Anne，whatdoesitfeelliketoseeyournameattheheadofapasslistlikethat？IfitweremeIknowI’dgocrazywithjoy。

Iamprettynearcrazyasitis，butyou’reascalmandcoolasaspringevening。"

"I’mjustdazzledinside，"saidAnne。"Iwanttosayahundredthings，andIcan’tfindwordstosaythemin。Ineverdreamedofthis——yes，Ididtoo，justonce！IletmyselfthinkONCE，`WhatifIshouldcomeoutfirst？’quakingly，youknow，foritseemedsovainandpresumptuoustothinkIcouldleadtheIsland。

Excusemeaminute，Diana。ImustrunrightouttothefieldtotellMatthew。Thenwe’llgouptheroadandtellthegoodnewstotheothers。"

TheyhurriedtothehayfieldbelowthebarnwhereMatthewwascoilinghay，and，asluckwouldhaveit，Mrs。LyndewastalkingtoMarillaatthelanefence。

"Oh，Matthew，"exclaimedAnne，"I’vepassedandI’mfirst——oroneofthefirst！I’mnotvain，butI’mthankful。"

"Wellnow，Ialwayssaidit，"saidMatthew，gazingatthepasslistdelightedly。"Iknewyoucouldbeatthemalleasy。"

"You’vedoneprettywell，Imustsay，Anne，"saidMarilla，tryingtohideherextremeprideinAnnefromMrs。Rachel’scriticaleye。Butthatgoodsoulsaidheartily:

"Ijustguessshehasdonewell，andfarbeitfrommetobebackwardinsayingit。You’reacredittoyourfriends，Anne，that’swhat，andwe’reallproudofyou。"

ThatnightAnne，whohadwoundupthedelightfuleveningwithaseriouslittletalkwithMrs。Allanatthemanse，kneltsweetlybyheropenwindowinagreatsheenofmoonshineandmurmuredaprayerofgratitudeandaspirationthatcamestraightfromherheart。Therewasinitthankfulnessforthepastandreverentpetitionforthefuture；andwhenshesleptonherwhitepillowherdreamswereasfairandbrightandbeautifulasmaidenhoodmightdesire。

CHAPTERXXXIII

TheHotelConcertPutonyourwhiteorgandy，byallmeans，Anne，"advisedDianadecidedly。

Theyweretogetherintheeastgablechamber；outsideitwasonlytwilight——alovelyyellowish-greentwilightwithaclear-bluecloudlesssky。Abigroundmoon，slowlydeepeningfromherpallidlusterintoburnishedsilver，hungovertheHauntedWood；

theairwasfullofsweetsummersounds——sleepybirdstwittering，freakishbreezes，farawayvoicesandlaughter。ButinAnne’sroomtheblindwasdrawnandthelamplighted，foranimportanttoiletwasbeingmade。

Theeastgablewasaverydifferentplacefromwhatithadbeenonthatnightfouryearsbefore，whenAnnehadfeltitsbarenesspenetratetothemarrowofherspiritwithitsinhospitablechill。

Changeshadcreptin，Marillaconnivingatthemresignedly，untilitwasassweetanddaintyanestasayounggirlcoulddesire。

ThevelvetcarpetwiththepinkrosesandthepinksilkcurtainsofAnne’searlyvisionshadcertainlynevermaterialized；butherdreamshadkeptpacewithhergrowth，anditisnotprobableshelamentedthem。Thefloorwascoveredwithaprettymatting，andthecurtainsthatsoftenedthehighwindowandflutteredinthevagrantbreezeswereofpale-greenartmuslin。Thewalls，hungnotwithgoldandsilverbrocadetapestry，butwithadaintyapple-blossompaper，wereadornedwithafewgoodpicturesgivenAnnebyMrs。Allan。MissStacy’sphotographoccupiedtheplaceofhonor，andAnnemadeasentimentalpointofkeepingfreshflowersonthebracketunderit。Tonightaspikeofwhiteliliesfaintlyperfumedtheroomlikethedreamofafragrance。Therewasno"mahoganyfurniture，"buttherewasawhite-paintedbookcasefilledwithbooks，acushionedwickerrocker，atoilettablebefrilledwithwhitemuslin，aquaint，gilt-framedmirrorwithchubbypinkCupidsandpurplegrapespaintedoveritsarchedtop，thatusedtohanginthespareroom，andalowwhitebed。

AnnewasdressingforaconcertattheWhiteSandsHotel。

TheguestshadgotitupinaidoftheCharlottetownhospital，andhadhuntedoutalltheavailableamateurtalentinthesurroundingdistrictstohelpitalong。BerthaSampsonandPearlClayoftheWhiteSandsBaptistchoirhadbeenaskedtosingaduet；MiltonClarkofNewbridgewastogiveaviolinsolo；

WinnieAdellaBlairofCarmodywastosingaScotchballad；andLauraSpencerofSpencervaleandAnneShirleyofAvonleaweretorecite。

AsAnnewouldhavesaidatonetime，itwas"anepochinherlife，"

andshewasdeliciouslyathrillwiththeexcitementofit。

MatthewwasintheseventhheavenofgratifiedprideoverthehonorconferredonhisAnneandMarillawasnotfarbehind，althoughshewouldhavediedratherthanadmitit，andsaidshedidn’tthinkitwasveryproperforalotofyoungfolkstobegaddingovertothehotelwithoutanyresponsiblepersonwiththem。

AnneandDianaweretodriveoverwithJaneAndrewsandherbrotherBillyintheirdouble-seatedbuggy；andseveralotherAvonleagirlsandboysweregoingtoo。Therewasapartyofvisitorsexpectedoutfromtown，andaftertheconcertasupperwastobegiventotheperformers。

"Doyoureallythinktheorgandywillbebest？"queriedAnneanxiously。

"Idon’tthinkit’sasprettyasmyblue-floweredmuslin——anditcertainlyisn’tsofashionable。"

"Butitsuitsyoueversomuchbetter，"saidDiana。"It’ssosoftandfrillyandclinging。Themuslinisstiff，andmakesyoulooktoodressedup。Buttheorgandyseemsasifitgrewonyou。"

Annesighedandyielded。Dianawasbeginningtohaveareputationfornotabletasteindressing，andheradviceonsuchsubjectswasmuchsoughtafter。Shewaslookingveryprettyherselfonthisparticularnightinadressofthelovelywild-rosepink，fromwhichAnnewasforeverdebarred；butshewasnottotakeanypartintheconcert，soherappearancewasofminorimportance。AllherpainswerebestoweduponAnne，who，shevowed，must，forthecreditofAvonlea，bedressedandcombedandadornedtotheQueen’staste。

"Pulloutthatfrillalittlemore——so；here，letmetieyoursash；nowforyourslippers。I’mgoingtobraidyourhairintwothickbraids，andtiethemhalfwayupwithbigwhitebows——no，don’tpulloutasinglecurloveryourforehead——justhavethesoftpart。Thereisnowayyoudoyourhairsuitsyousowell，Anne，andMrs。AllansaysyoulooklikeaMadonnawhenyoupartitso。Ishallfastenthislittlewhitehouserosejustbehindyourear。Therewasjustoneonmybush，andIsaveditforyou。"

"ShallIputmypearlbeadson？"askedAnne。"Matthewbroughtmeastringfromtownlastweek，andIknowhe’dliketoseethemonme。"

Dianapursedupherlips，putherblackheadononesidecritically，andfinallypronouncedinfavorofthebeads，whichwerethereupontiedaroundAnne’sslimmilk-whitethroat。

"There’ssomethingsostylishaboutyou，Anne，"saidDiana，withunenviousadmiration。"Youholdyourheadwithsuchanair。

Isupposeit’syourfigure。Iamjustadumpling。I’vealwaysbeenafraidofit，andnowIknowitisso。Well，IsupposeI

shalljusthavetoresignmyselftoit。"

"Butyouhavesuchdimples，"saidAnne，smilingaffectionatelyintothepretty，vivaciousfacesonearherown。"Lovelydimples，likelittledentsincream。Ihavegivenupallhopeofdimples。

Mydimple-dreamwillnevercometrue；butsomanyofmydreamshavethatImustn’tcomplain。AmIallreadynow？"

"Allready，"assuredDiana，asMarillaappearedinthedoorway，agauntfigurewithgrayerhairthanofyoreandnofewerangles，butwithamuchsofterface。"Comerightinandlookatourelocutionist，Marilla。Doesn’tshelooklovely？"

Marillaemittedasoundbetweenasniffandagrunt。

"Shelooksneatandproper。Ilikethatwayoffixingherhair。

ButIexpectshe’llruinthatdressdrivingoverthereinthedustanddewwithit，anditlooksmosttoothinforthesedampnights。

Organdy’sthemostunserviceablestuffintheworldanyhow，andI

toldMatthewsowhenhegotit。ButthereisnouseinsayinganythingtoMatthewnowadays。Timewaswhenhewouldtakemyadvice，butnowhejustbuysthingsforAnneregardless，andtheclerksatCarmodyknowtheycanpalmanythingoffonhim。Justletthemtellhimathingisprettyandfashionable，andMatthewplunkshismoneydownforit。Mindyoukeepyourskirtclearofthewheel，Anne，andputyourwarmjacketon。"

ThenMarillastalkeddownstairs，thinkingproudlyhowsweetAnnelooked，withthat"Onemoonbeamfromtheforeheadtothecrown"

andregrettingthatshecouldnotgototheconcertherselftohearhergirlrecite。

"IwonderifitIStoodampformydress，"saidAnneanxiously。

"Notabitofit，"saidDiana，pullingupthewindowblind。

"It’saperfectnight，andtherewon’tbeanydew。Lookatthemoonlight。"

"I’msogladmywindowlookseastintothesunrising，"saidAnne，goingovertoDiana。"It’ssosplendidtoseethemorningcomingupoverthoselonghillsandglowingthroughthosesharpfirtops。

It’sneweverymorning，andIfeelasifIwashedmyverysoulinthatbathofearliestsunshine。Oh，Diana，Ilovethislittleroomsodearly。Idon’tknowhowI’llgetalongwithoutitwhenIgototownnextmonth。"

"Don’tspeakofyourgoingawaytonight，"beggedDiana。"Idon’twanttothinkofit，itmakesmesomiserable，andIdowanttohaveagoodtimethisevening。Whatareyougoingtorecite，Anne？

Andareyounervous？"

"Notabit。I’verecitedsoofteninpublicIdon’tmindatallnow。I’vedecidedtogive`TheMaiden’sVow。’It’ssopathetic。

LauraSpencerisgoingtogiveacomicrecitation，butI’drathermakepeoplecrythanlaugh。"

"Whatwillyoureciteiftheyencoreyou？"

"Theywon’tdreamofencoringme，"scoffedAnne，whowasnotwithoutherownsecrethopesthattheywould，andalreadyvisionedherselftellingMatthewallaboutitatthenextmorning’sbreakfasttable。"ThereareBillyandJanenow——

Ihearthewheels。Comeon。"

BillyAndrewsinsistedthatAnneshouldrideonthefrontseatwithhim，sosheunwillinglyclimbedup。Shewouldhavemuchpreferredtositbackwiththegirls，whereshecouldhavelaughedandchatteredtoherheart’scontent。TherewasnotmuchofeitherlaughterorchatterinBilly。Hewasabig，fat，stolidyouthoftwenty，witharound，expressionlessface，andapainfullackofconversationalgifts。ButheadmiredAnneimmensely，andwaspuffedupwithprideovertheprospectofdrivingtoWhiteSandswiththatslim，uprightfigurebesidehim。

Anne，bydintoftalkingoverhershouldertothegirlsandoccasionallypassingasopofcivilitytoBilly——whogrinnedandchuckledandnevercouldthinkofanyreplyuntilitwastoolate——contrivedtoenjoythedriveinspiteofall。Itwasanightforenjoyment。Theroadwasfullofbuggies，allboundforthehotel，andlaughter，silverclear，echoedandreechoedalongit。

Whentheyreachedthehotelitwasablazeoflightfromtoptobottom。Theyweremetbytheladiesoftheconcertcommittee，oneofwhomtookAnneofftotheperformers’dressingroomwhichwasfilledwiththemembersofaCharlottetownSymphonyClub，amongwhomAnnefeltsuddenlyshyandfrightenedandcountrified。

Herdress，which，intheeastgable，hadseemedsodaintyandpretty，nowseemedsimpleandplain——toosimpleandplain，shethought，amongallthesilksandlacesthatglistenedandrustledaroundher。Whatwereherpearlbeadscomparedtothediamondsofthebig，handsomeladynearher？Andhowpoorheroneweewhiterosemustlookbesideallthehothouseflowerstheotherswore！

Annelaidherhatandjacketaway，andshrankmiserablyintoacorner。

ShewishedherselfbackinthewhiteroomatGreenGables。

Itwasstillworseontheplatformofthebigconcerthallofthehotel，whereshepresentlyfoundherself。Theelectriclightsdazzledhereyes，theperfumeandhumbewilderedher。ShewishedsheweresittingdownintheaudiencewithDianaandJane，whoseemedtobehavingasplendidtimeawayattheback。Shewaswedgedinbetweenastoutladyinpinksilkandatall，scornful-lookinggirlinawhite-lacedress。ThestoutladyoccasionallyturnedherheadsquarelyaroundandsurveyedAnnethroughhereyeglassesuntilAnne，acutelysensitiveofbeingsoscrutinized，feltthatshemustscreamaloud；andthewhite-lacegirlkepttalkingaudiblytohernextneighboraboutthe"countrybumpkins"and"rusticbelles"intheaudience，languidlyanticipating"suchfun"fromthedisplaysoflocaltalentontheprogram。

Annebelievedthatshewouldhatethatwhite-lacegirltotheendoflife。

UnfortunatelyforAnne，aprofessionalelocutionistwasstayingatthehotelandhadconsentedtorecite。Shewasalithe，dark-eyedwomaninawonderfulgownofshimmeringgraystufflikewovenmoonbeams，withgemsonherneckandinherdarkhair。

Shehadamarvelouslyflexiblevoiceandwonderfulpowerofexpression；theaudiencewentwildoverherselection。Anne，forgettingallaboutherselfandhertroublesforthetime，listenedwithraptandshiningeyes；butwhentherecitationendedshesuddenlyputherhandsoverherface。Shecouldnevergetupandreciteafterthat——never。Hadsheeverthoughtshecouldrecite？Oh，ifshewereonlybackatGreenGables！

Atthisunpropitiousmomenthernamewascalled。SomehowAnne——whodidnotnoticetheratherguiltylittlestartofsurprisethewhite-lacegirlgave，andwouldnothaveunderstoodthesubtlecomplimentimpliedthereinifshehad——gotonherfeet，andmoveddizzilyouttothefront。ShewassopalethatDianaandJane，downintheaudience，claspedeachother’shandsinnervoussympathy。

Annewasthevictimofanoverwhelmingattackofstagefright。

Oftenasshehadrecitedinpublic，shehadneverbeforefacedsuchanaudienceasthis，andthesightofitparalyzedherenergiescompletely。Everythingwassostrange，sobrilliant，sobewildering——therowsofladiesineveningdress，thecriticalfaces，thewholeatmosphereofwealthandcultureabouther。

VerydifferentthisfromtheplainbenchesattheDebatingClub，filledwiththehomely，sympatheticfacesoffriendsandneighbors。

Thesepeople，shethought，wouldbemercilesscritics。Perhaps，likethewhite-lacegirl，theyanticipatedamusementfromher"rustic"

efforts。Shefelthopelessly，helplesslyashamedandmiserable。

Herkneestrembled，herheartfluttered，ahorriblefaintnesscameoverher；notawordcouldsheutter，andthenextmomentshewouldhavefledfromtheplatformdespitethehumiliationwhich，shefelt，musteverafterbeherportionifshedidso。

Butsuddenly，asherdilated，frightenedeyesgazedoutovertheaudience，shesawGilbertBlytheawayatthebackoftheroom，bendingforwardwithasmileonhisface——asmilewhichseemedtoAnneatoncetriumphantandtaunting。Inrealityitwasnothingofthekind。GilbertwasmerelysmilingwithappreciationofthewholeaffairingeneralandoftheeffectproducedbyAnne’sslenderwhiteformandspiritualfaceagainstabackgroundofpalmsinparticular。JosiePye，whomhehaddrivenover，satbesidehim，andherfacecertainlywasbothtriumphantandtaunting。ButAnnedidnotseeJosie，andwouldnothavecaredifshehad。Shedrewalongbreathandflungherheadupproudly，courageanddeterminationtinglingoverherlikeanelectricshock。SheWOULDNOTfailbeforeGilbertBlythe——heshouldneverbeabletolaughather，never，never！Herfrightandnervousnessvanished；andshebeganherrecitation，herclear，sweetvoicereachingtothefarthestcorneroftheroomwithoutatremororabreak。Self-possessionwasfullyrestoredtoher，andinthereactionfromthathorriblemomentofpowerlessnesssherecitedasshehadneverdonebefore。Whenshefinishedtherewereburstsofhonestapplause。Anne，steppingbacktoherseat，blushingwithshynessanddelight，foundherhandvigorouslyclaspedandshakenbythestoutladyinpinksilk。

"Mydear，youdidsplendidly，"shepuffed。"I’vebeencryinglikeababy，actuallyIhave。There，they’reencoringyou——

they’reboundtohaveyouback！"

"Oh，Ican’tgo，"saidAnneconfusedly。"Butyet——Imust，orMatthewwillbedisappointed。Hesaidtheywouldencoreme。"

"Thendon’tdisappointMatthew，"saidthepinklady，laughing。

Smiling，blushing，limpideyed，Annetrippedbackandgaveaquaint，funnylittleselectionthatcaptivatedheraudiencestillfurther。

Therestoftheeveningwasquitealittletriumphforher。

Whentheconcertwasover，thestout，pinklady——whowasthewifeofanAmericanmillionaire——tookherunderherwing，andintroducedhertoeverybody；andeverybodywasverynicetoher。

Theprofessionalelocutionist，Mrs。Evans，cameandchattedwithher，tellingherthatshehadacharmingvoiceand"interpreted"

herselectionsbeautifully。Eventhewhite-lacegirlpaidheralanguidlittlecompliment。Theyhadsupperinthebig，beautifullydecorateddiningroom；DianaandJanewereinvitedtopartakeofthis，also，sincetheyhadcomewithAnne，butBillywasnowheretobefound，havingdecampedinmortalfearofsomesuchinvitation。Hewasinwaitingforthem，withtheteam，however，whenitwasallover，andthethreegirlscamemerrilyoutintothecalm，whitemoonshineradiance。Annebreatheddeeply，andlookedintotheclearskybeyondthedarkboughsofthefirs。

Oh，itwasgoodtobeoutagaininthepurityandsilenceofthenight！

Howgreatandstillandwonderfuleverythingwas，withthemurmuroftheseasoundingthroughitandthedarklingcliffsbeyondlikegrimgiantsguardingenchantedcoasts。

"Hasn’titbeenaperfectlysplendidtime？"sighedJane，astheydroveaway。"IjustwishIwasarichAmericanandcouldspendmysummeratahotelandwearjewelsandlow-neckeddressesandhaveicecreamandchickensaladeveryblessedday。I’msureitwouldbeeversomuchmorefunthanteachingschool。Anne，yourrecitationwassimplygreat，althoughIthoughtatfirstyouwerenevergoingtobegin。IthinkitwasbetterthanMrs。Evans’s。"

"Oh，no，don’tsaythingslikethat，Jane，"saidAnnequickly，"becauseitsoundssilly。Itcouldn’tbebetterthanMrs。Evans’s，youknow，forsheisaprofessional，andI’monlyaschoolgirl，withalittleknackofreciting。I’mquitesatisfiedifthepeoplejustlikedmineprettywell。"

"I’veacomplimentforyou，Anne，"saidDiana。"AtleastIthinkitmustbeacomplimentbecauseofthetonehesaiditin。Partofitwasanyhow。TherewasanAmericansittingbehindJaneandme——sucharomantic-lookingman，withcoal-blackhairandeyes。

JosiePyesaysheisadistinguishedartist，andthathermother’scousininBostonismarriedtoamanthatusedtogotoschoolwithhim。Well，weheardhimsay——didn’twe，Jane？——`WhoisthatgirlontheplatformwiththesplendidTitianhair？ShehasafaceIshouldliketopaint。’Therenow，Anne。ButwhatdoesTitianhairmean？"

"Beinginterpreteditmeansplainred，Iguess，"laughedAnne。

"Titianwasaveryfamousartistwholikedtopaintred-hairedwomen。"

"DIDyouseeallthediamondsthoseladieswore？"sighedJane。

"Theyweresimplydazzling。Wouldn’tyoujustlovetoberich，girls？"

"WeARErich，"saidAnnestaunchly。"Why，wehavesixteenyearstoourcredit，andwe’rehappyasqueens，andwe’veallgotimaginations，moreorless。Lookatthatsea，girls——allsilverandshadowandvisionofthingsnotseen。Wecouldn’tenjoyitslovelinessanymoreifwehadmillionsofdollarsandropesofdiamonds。

Youwouldn’tchangeintoanyofthosewomenifyoucould。

Wouldyouwanttobethatwhite-lacegirlandwearasourlookallyourlife，asifyou’dbeenbornturningupyournoseattheworld？Orthepinklady，kindandniceassheis，sostoutandshortthatyou’dreallynofigureatall？OrevenMrs。Evans，withthatsad，sadlookinhereyes？Shemusthavebeendreadfullyunhappysometimetohavesuchalook。YouKNOWyouwouldn’t，JaneAndrews！"

"IDON’Tknow——exactly，"saidJaneunconvinced。"Ithinkdiamondswouldcomfortapersonforagooddeal。"

"Well，Idon’twanttobeanyonebutmyself，evenifI

gouncomfortedbydiamondsallmylife，"declaredAnne。

"I’mquitecontenttobeAnneofGreenGables，withmystringofpearlbeads。IknowMatthewgavemeasmuchlovewiththemaseverwentwithMadamethePinkLady’sjewels。"

CHAPTERXXXIV

AQueen’sGirlThenextthreeweekswerebusyonesatGreenGables，forAnnewasgettingreadytogotoQueen’s，andtherewasmuchsewingtobedone，andmanythingstobetalkedoverandarranged。Anne’soutfitwasampleandpretty，forMatthewsawtothat，andMarillaforoncemadenoobjectionswhatevertoanythinghepurchasedorsuggested。More——

oneeveningshewentuptotheeastgablewithherarmsfullofadelicatepalegreenmaterial。

"Anne，here’ssomethingforanicelightdressforyou。

Idon’tsupposeyoureallyneedit；you’veplentyofprettywaists；butIthoughtmaybeyou’dlikesomethingrealdressytowearifyouwereaskedoutanywhereofaneveningintown，toapartyoranythinglikethat。IhearthatJaneandRubyandJosiehavegot`eveningdresses，’astheycallthem，andIdon’tmeanyoushallbebehindthem。

IgotMrs。Allantohelpmepickitintownlastweek，andwe’llgetEmilyGillistomakeitforyou。Emilyhasgottaste，andherfitsaren’ttobeequaled。"

"Oh，Marilla，it’sjustlovely，"saidAnne。"Thankyousomuch。Idon’tbelieveyououghttobesokindtome——it’smakingithardereverydayformetogoaway。"

ThegreendresswasmadeupwithasmanytucksandfrillsandshirringsasEmily’stastepermitted。AnneputitononeeveningforMatthew’sandMarilla’sbenefit，andrecited"TheMaiden’sVow"fortheminthekitchen。

AsMarillawatchedthebright，animatedfaceandgracefulmotionsherthoughtswentbacktotheeveningAnnehadarrivedatGreenGables，andmemoryrecalledavividpictureoftheodd，frightenedchildinherpreposterousyellowish-brownwinceydress，theheartbreaklookingoutofhertearfuleyes。SomethinginthememorybroughttearstoMarilla’sowneyes。

"Ideclare，myrecitationhasmadeyoucry，Marilla，"

saidAnnegailystoopingoverMarilla’schairtodropabutterflykissonthatlady’scheek。"Now，Icallthatapositivetriumph。"

"No，Iwasn’tcryingoveryourpiece，"saidMarilla，whowouldhavescornedtobebetrayedintosuchweaknessbyanypoetrystuff。"Ijustcouldn’thelpthinkingofthelittlegirlyouusedtobe，Anne。AndIwaswishingyoucouldhavestayedalittlegirl，evenwithallyourqueerways。

You’vegrownupnowandyou’regoingaway；andyoulooksotallandstylishandso——so——differentaltogetherinthatdress——asifyoudidn’tbelonginAvonleaatall——

andIjustgotlonesomethinkingitallover。"

"Marilla！"AnnesatdownonMarilla’sginghamlap，tookMarilla’slinedfacebetweenherhands，andlookedgravelyandtenderlyintoMarilla’seyes。"I’mnotabitchanged——

notreally。I’monlyjustpruneddownandbranchedout。

TherealME——backhere——isjustthesame。Itwon’tmakeabitofdifferencewhereIgoorhowmuchIchangeoutwardly；

atheartIshallalwaysbeyourlittleAnne，whowillloveyouandMatthewanddearGreenGablesmoreandbettereverydayofherlife。"

AnnelaidherfreshyoungcheekagainstMarilla’sfadedone，andreachedoutahandtopatMatthew’sshoulder。

MarillawouldhavegivenmuchjustthentohavepossessedAnne’spowerofputtingherfeelingsintowords；butnatureandhabithadwilleditotherwise，andshecouldonlyputherarmscloseabouthergirlandholdhertenderlytoherheart，wishingthatsheneedneverlethergo。

Matthew，withasuspiciousmoistureinhiseyes，gotupandwentout-of-doors。Underthestarsofthebluesummernighthewalkedagitatedlyacrosstheyardtothegateunderthepoplars。

"Wellnow，Iguesssheain’tbeenmuchspoiled，"hemuttered，proudly。"Iguessmyputtinginmyoaroccasionalneverdidmuchharmafterall。She’ssmartandpretty，andloving，too，whichisbetterthanalltherest。

She’sbeenablessingtous，andthereneverwasaluckiermistakethanwhatMrs。Spencermade——ifitWASluck。

Idon’tbelieveitwasanysuchthing。ItwasProvidence，becausetheAlmightysawweneededher，Ireckon。"

ThedayfinallycamewhenAnnemustgototown。SheandMatthewdroveinonefineSeptembermorning，afteratearfulpartingwithDianaandanuntearfulpracticalone——

onMarilla’ssideatleast——withMarilla。ButwhenAnnehadgoneDianadriedhertearsandwenttoabeachpicnicatWhiteSandswithsomeofherCarmodycousins，whereshecontrivedtoenjoyherselftolerablywell；whileMarillaplungedfiercelyintounnecessaryworkandkeptatitalldaylongwiththebitterestkindofheartache——theachethatburnsandgnawsandcannotwashitselfawayinreadytears。Butthatnight，whenMarillawenttobed，acutelyandmiserablyconsciousthatthelittlegableroomattheendofthehallwasuntenantedbyanyvividyounglifeandunstirredbyanysoftbreathing，sheburiedherfaceinherpillow，andweptforhergirlinapassionofsobsthatappalledherwhenshegrewcalmenoughtoreflecthowverywickeditmustbetotakeonsoaboutasinfulfellowcreature。

AnneandtherestoftheAvonleascholarsreachedtownjustintimetohurryofftotheAcademy。Thatfirstdaypassedpleasantlyenoughinawhirlofexcitement，meetingallthenewstudents，learningtoknowtheprofessorsbysightandbeingassortedandorganizedintoclasses。

AnneintendedtakinguptheSecondYearworkbeingadvisedtodosobyMissStacy；GilbertBlytheelectedtodothesame。

ThismeantgettingaFirstClassteacher’slicenseinoneyearinsteadoftwo，iftheyweresuccessful；butitalsomeantmuchmoreandharderwork。Jane，Ruby，Josie，Charlie，andMoodySpurgeon，notbeingtroubledwiththestirringsofambition，werecontenttotakeuptheSecondClasswork。Annewasconsciousofapangoflonelinesswhenshefoundherselfinaroomwithfiftyotherstudents，notoneofwhomsheknew，exceptthetall，brown-hairedboyacrosstheroom；andknowinghiminthefashionshedid，didnothelphermuch，asshereflectedpessimistically。Yetshewasundeniablygladthattheywereinthesameclass；theoldrivalrycouldstillbecarriedon，andAnnewouldhardlyhaveknownwhattodoifithadbeenlacking。

"Iwouldn’tfeelcomfortablewithoutit，"shethought。

"Gilbertlooksawfullydetermined。Isupposehe’smakinguphismind，hereandnow，towinthemedal。Whatasplendidchinhehas！Inevernoticeditbefore。IdowishJaneandRubyhadgoneinforFirstClass，too。IsupposeI

won’tfeelsomuchlikeacatinastrangegarretwhenIgetacquainted，though。Iwonderwhichofthegirlsherearegoingtobemyfriends。It’sreallyaninterestingspeculation。

OfcourseIpromisedDianathatnoQueen’sgirl，nomatterhowmuchIlikedher，shouldeverbeasdeartomeassheis；

butI’velotsofsecond-bestaffectionstobestow。Ilikethelookofthatgirlwiththebrowneyesandthecrimsonwaist。Shelooksvividandred-rosy；there’sthatpale，faironegazingoutofthewindow。Shehaslovelyhair，andlooksasifsheknewathingortwoaboutdreams。I’dliketoknowthemboth——knowthemwell——wellenoughtowalkwithmyarmabouttheirwaists，andcallthemnicknames。ButjustnowI

don’tknowthemandtheydon’tknowme，andprobablydon’twanttoknowmeparticularly。Oh，it’slonesome！"

ItwaslonesomerstillwhenAnnefoundherselfaloneinherhallbedroomthatnightattwilight。Shewasnottoboardwiththeothergirls，whoallhadrelativesintowntotakepityonthem。MissJosephineBarrywouldhavelikedtoboardher，butBeechwoodwassofarfromtheAcademythatitwasoutofthequestion；somissBarryhuntedupaboarding-house，assuringMatthewandMarillathatitwastheveryplaceforAnne。

"Theladywhokeepsitisareducedgentlewoman，"

explainedMissBarry。"HerhusbandwasaBritishofficer，andsheisverycarefulwhatsortofboardersshetakes。

Annewillnotmeetwithanyobjectionablepersonsunderherroof。Thetableisgood，andthehouseisneartheAcademy，inaquietneighborhood。"

Allthismightbequitetrue，andindeed，provedtobeso，butitdidnotmateriallyhelpAnneinthefirstagonyofhomesicknessthatseizeduponher。Shelookeddismallyabouthernarrowlittleroom，withitsdull-papered，picturelesswalls，itssmallironbedsteadandemptybook-

case；andahorriblechokecameintoherthroatasshethoughtofherownwhiteroomatGreenGables，whereshewouldhavethepleasantconsciousnessofagreatgreenstilloutdoors，ofsweetpeasgrowinginthegarden，andmoonlightfallingontheorchard，ofthebrookbelowtheslopeandthespruceboughstossinginthenightwindbeyondit，ofavaststarrysky，andthelightfromDiana’swindowshiningoutthroughthegapinthetrees。Heretherewasnothingofthis；Anneknewthatoutsideofherwindowwasahardstreet，withanetworkoftelephonewiresshuttingoutthesky，thetrampofalienfeet，andathousandlightsgleamingonstrangerfaces。Sheknewthatshewasgoingtocry，andfoughtagainstit。

"IWON’Tcry。It’ssilly——andweak——there’sthethirdtearsplashingdownbymynose。Therearemorecoming！

Imustthinkofsomethingfunnytostopthem。Butthere’snothingfunnyexceptwhatisconnectedwithAvonlea，andthatonlymakesthingsworse——four——five——I’mgoinghomenextFriday，butthatseemsahundredyearsaway。Oh，Matthewisnearlyhomebynow——andMarillaisatthegate，lookingdownthelaneforhim——six——seven——eight——

oh，there’snouseincountingthem！They’recominginafloodpresently。Ican’tcheerup——Idon’tWANTtocheerup。It’snicertobemiserable！"

Thefloodoftearswouldhavecome，nodoubt，hadnotJosiePyeappearedatthatmoment。InthejoyofseeingafamiliarfaceAnneforgotthattherehadneverbeenmuchlovelostbetweenherandJosie。AsapartofAvonlealifeevenaPyewaswelcome。

"I’msogladyoucameup，"Annesaidsincerely。

"You’vebeencrying，"remarkedJosie，withaggravatingpity。

"Isupposeyou’rehomesick——somepeoplehavesolittleself-controlinthatrespect。I’venointentionofbeinghomesick，Icantellyou。Town’stoojollyafterthatpokyoldAvonlea。IwonderhowIeverexistedtheresolong。

Youshouldn’tcry，Anne；itisn’tbecoming，foryournoseandeyesgetred，andthenyouseemALLred。I’daperfectlyscrumptioustimeintheAcademytoday。OurFrenchprofessorissimplyaduck。Hismoustachewouldgiveyoukerwollowpsoftheheart。Haveyouanythingeatablearound，Anne？I’mliterallystarving。Ah，IguessedlikelyMarilla’dloadyouupwithcake。That’swhyIcalledround。OtherwiseI’dhavegonetotheparktohearthebandplaywithFrankStockley。HeboardssameplaceasIdo，andhe’sasport。

Henoticedyouinclasstoday，andaskedmewhothered-headedgirlwas。ItoldhimyouwereanorphanthattheCuthbertshadadopted，andnobodyknewverymuchaboutwhatyou’dbeenbeforethat。"

Annewaswonderingif，afterall，solitudeandtearswerenotmoresatisfactorythanJosiePye’scompanionshipwhenJaneandRubyappeared，eachwithaninchofQueen’scolorribbon——purpleandscarlet——pinnedproudlytohercoat。AsJosiewasnot"speaking"toJanejustthenshehadtosubsideintocomparativeharmlessness。

"Well，"saidJanewithasigh，"IfeelasifI’dlivedmanymoonssincethemorning。IoughttobehomestudyingmyVirgil——thathorridoldprofessorgaveustwentylinestostartinontomorrow。ButIsimplycouldn’tsettledowntostudytonight。Anne，methinksIseethetracesoftears。Ifyou’vebeencryingDOownup。Itwillrestoremyself-respect，forIwassheddingtearsfreelybeforeRubycamealong。I

don’tmindbeingagoosesomuchifsomebodyelseisgoosey，too。Cake？You’llgivemeateenypiece，won’tyou？Thankyou。IthastherealAvonleaflavor。"

Ruby，perceivingtheQueen’scalendarlyingonthetable，wantedtoknowifAnnemeanttotryforthegoldmedal。

Anneblushedandadmittedshewasthinkingofit。

"Oh，thatremindsme，"saidJosie，"Queen’sistogetoneoftheAveryscholarshipsafterall。Thewordcametoday。

FrankStockleytoldme——hisuncleisoneoftheboardofgovernors，youknow。ItwillbeannouncedintheAcademytomorrow。"

AnAveryscholarship！Annefeltherheartbeatmorequickly，andthehorizonsofherambitionshiftedandbroadenedasifbymagic。BeforeJosiehadtoldthenewsAnne’shighestpinnacleofaspirationhadbeenateacher’sprovinciallicense，FirstClass，attheendoftheyear，andperhapsthemedal！ButnowinonemomentAnnesawherselfwinningtheAveryscholarship，takinganArtscourseatRedmondCollege，andgraduatinginagownandmortarboard，beforetheechoofJosie’swordshaddiedaway。FortheAveryscholarshipwasinEnglish，andAnnefeltthathereherfootwasonnativeheath。？？？

AwealthymanufacturerofNewBrunswickhaddiedandleftpartofhisfortunetoendowalargenumberofscholarshipstobedistributedamongthevarioushighschoolsandacademiesoftheMaritimeProvinces，accordingtotheirrespectivestandings。TherehadbeenmuchdoubtwhetheronewouldbeallottedtoQueen’s，butthematterwassettledatlast，andattheendoftheyearthegraduatewhomadethehighestmarkinEnglishandEnglishLiteraturewouldwinthescholarship——

twohundredandfiftydollarsayearforfouryearsatRedmondCollege。NowonderthatAnnewenttobedthatnightwithtinglingcheeks！

"I’llwinthatscholarshipifhardworkcandoit，"sheresolved。"Wouldn’tMatthewbeproudifIgottobeaB。A。？

Oh，it’sdelightfultohaveambitions。I’msogladIhavesuchalot。Andthereneverseemstobeanyendtothem——

that’sthebestofit。Justassoonasyouattaintooneambitionyouseeanotheroneglitteringhigherupstill。

Itdoesmakelifesointeresting。"

CHAPTERXXXV

TheWinteratQueen’sAnne’shomesicknessworeoff，greatlyhelpedinthewearingbyherweekendvisitshome。AslongastheopenweatherlastedtheAvonleastudentswentouttoCarmodyonthenewbranchrailwayeveryFridaynight。DianaandseveralotherAvonleayoungfolksweregenerallyonhandtomeetthemandtheyallwalkedovertoAvonleainamerryparty。AnnethoughtthoseFridayeveninggypsyingsovertheautumnalhillsinthecrispgoldenair，withthehomelightsofAvonleatwinklingbeyond，werethebestanddearesthoursinthewholeweek。

GilbertBlythenearlyalwayswalkedwithRubyGillisandcarriedhersatchelforher。Rubywasaveryhandsomeyounglady，nowthinkingherselfquiteasgrownupasshereallywas；

sheworeherskirtsaslongashermotherwouldletheranddidherhairupintown，thoughshehadtotakeitdownwhenshewenthome。Shehadlarge，bright-blueeyes，abrilliantcomplexion，andaplumpshowyfigure。Shelaughedagreatdeal，wascheerfulandgood-tempered，andenjoyedthepleasantthingsoflifefrankly。

"ButIshouldn’tthinkshewasthesortofgirlGilbertwouldlike，"

whisperedJanetoAnne。Annedidnotthinksoeither，butshewouldnothavesaidsofortheAveryscholarship。Shecouldnothelpthinking，too，thatitwouldbeverypleasanttohavesuchafriendasGilberttojestandchatterwithandexchangeideasaboutbooksandstudiesandambitions。Gilberthadambitions，sheknew，andRubyGillisdidnotseemthesortofpersonwithwhomsuchcouldbeprofitablydiscussed。

TherewasnosillysentimentinAnne’sideasconcerningGilbert。

Boysweretoher，whenshethoughtaboutthematall，merelypossiblegoodcomrades。IfsheandGilberthadbeenfriendsshewouldnothavecaredhowmanyotherfriendshehadnorwithwhomhewalked。Shehadageniusforfriendship；

girlfriendsshehadinplenty；butshehadavagueconsciousnessthatmasculinefriendshipmightalsobeagoodthingtoroundoutone’sconceptionsofcompanionshipandfurnishbroaderstandpointsofjudgmentandcomparison。NotthatAnnecouldhaveputherfeelingsonthematterintojustsuchcleardefinition。

ButshethoughtthatifGilberthadeverwalkedhomewithherfromthetrain，overthecrispfieldsandalongthefernybyways，theymighthavehadmanyandmerryandinterestingconversationsaboutthenewworldthatwasopeningaroundthemandtheirhopesandambitionstherein。Gilbertwasacleveryoungfellow，withhisownthoughtsaboutthingsandadeterminationtogetthebestoutoflifeandputthebestintoit。RubyGillistoldJaneAndrewsthatshedidn’tunderstandhalfthethingsGilbertBlythesaid；

hetalkedjustlikeAnneShirleydidwhenshehadathoughtfulfitonandforherpartshedidn’tthinkitanyfuntobebotheringaboutbooksandthatsortofthingwhenyoudidn’thaveto。FrankStockleyhadlotsmoredashandgo，butthenhewasn’thalfasgood-lookingasGilbertandshereallycouldn’tdecidewhichshelikedbest！

IntheAcademyAnnegraduallydrewalittlecircleoffriendsabouther，thoughtful，imaginative，ambitiousstudentslikeherself。Withthe"rose-red"girl，StellaMaynard，andthe"dreamgirl，"PriscillaGrant，shesoonbecameintimate，findingthelatterpalespiritual-lookingmaidentobefulltothebrimofmischiefandpranksandfun，whilethevivid，black-eyedStellahadaheartfulofwistfuldreamsandfancies，asaerialandrainbow-likeasAnne’sown。

AftertheChristmasholidaystheAvonleastudentsgaveupgoinghomeonFridaysandsettleddowntohardwork。

BythistimealltheQueen’sscholarshadgravitatedintotheirownplacesintheranksandthevariousclasseshadassumeddistinctandsettledshadingsofindividuality。

Certainfactshadbecomegenerallyaccepted。Itwasadmittedthatthemedalcontestantshadpracticallynarroweddowntothree——GilbertBlythe，AnneShirley，andLewisWilson；theAveryscholarshipwasmoredoubtful，anyoneofacertainsixbeingapossiblewinner。Thebronzemedalformathematicswasconsideredasgoodaswonbyafat，funnylittleup-countryboywithabumpyforeheadandapatchedcoat。

RubyGilliswasthehandsomestgirloftheyearattheAcademy；

intheSecondYearclassesStellaMaynardcarriedoffthepalmforbeauty，withsmallbutcriticalminorityinfavorofAnneShirley。

EthelMarrwasadmittedbyallcompetentjudgestohavethemoststylishmodesofhair-dressing，andJaneAndrews——plain，plodding，conscientiousJane——carriedoffthehonorsinthedomesticsciencecourse。

EvenJosiePyeattainedacertainpreeminenceasthesharpest-

tonguedyoungladyinattendanceatQueen’s。SoitmaybefairlystatedthatMissStacy’soldpupil’sheldtheirowninthewiderarenaoftheacademicalcourse。

Anneworkedhardandsteadily。HerrivalrywithGilbertwasasintenseasithadeverbeeninAvonleaschool，althoughitwasnotknownintheclassatlarge，butsomehowthebitternesshadgoneoutofit。AnnenolongerwishedtowinforthesakeofdefeatingGilbert；rather，fortheproudconsciousnessofawell-wonvictoryoveraworthyfoeman。

Itwouldbeworthwhiletowin，butshenolongerthoughtlifewouldbeinsupportableifshedidnot。

Inspiteoflessonsthestudentsfoundopportunitiesforpleasanttimes。AnnespentmanyofhersparehoursatBeechwoodandgenerallyateherSundaydinnersthereandwenttochurchwithMissBarry。Thelatterwas，assheadmitted，growingold，butherblackeyeswerenotdimnorthevigorofhertongueintheleastabated。ButsheneversharpenedthelatteronAnne，whocontinuedtobeaprimefavoritewiththecriticaloldlady。

"ThatAnne-girlimprovesallthetime，"shesaid。"Igettiredofothergirls——thereissuchaprovokingandeternalsamenessaboutthem。Annehasasmanyshadesasarainbowandeveryshadeistheprettiestwhileitlasts。Idon’tknowthatsheisasamusingasshewaswhenshewasachild，butshemakesmeloveherandIlikepeoplewhomakemelovethem。

Itsavesmesomuchtroubleinmakingmyselflovethem。"

Then，almostbeforeanybodyrealizedit，springhadcome；

outinAvonleatheMayflowerswerepeepingpinklyoutontheserebarrenswheresnow-wreathslingered；andthe"mistofgreen"wasonthewoodsandinthevalleys。

ButinCharlottetownharassedQueen’sstudentsthoughtandtalkedonlyofexaminations。

"Itdoesn’tseempossiblethatthetermisnearlyover，"

saidAnne。"Why，lastfallitseemedsolongtolookforwardto——awholewinterofstudiesandclasses。Andhereweare，withtheexamsloomingupnextweek。Girls，sometimesIfeelasifthoseexamsmeanteverything，butwhenIlookatthebigbudsswellingonthosechestnuttreesandthemistyblueairattheendofthestreetstheydon’tseemhalfsoimportant。"

JaneandRubyandJosie，whohaddroppedin，didnottakethisviewofit。Tothemthecomingexaminationswereconstantlyveryimportantindeed——farmoreimportantthanchestnutbudsorMaytimehazes。ItwasallverywellforAnne，whowassureofpassingatleast，tohavehermomentsofbelittlingthem，butwhenyourwholefuturedependedonthem——asthegirlstrulythoughttheirsdid——

youcouldnotregardthemphilosophically。

"I’velostsevenpoundsinthelasttwoweeks，"sighedJane。"It’snousetosaydon’tworry。IWILLworry。

Worryinghelpsyousome——itseemsasifyouweredoingsomethingwhenyou’reworrying。ItwouldbedreadfulifI

failedtogetmylicenseaftergoingtoQueen’sallwinterandspendingsomuchmoney。"

"_I_don’tcare，"saidJosiePye。"IfIdon’tpassthisyearI’mcomingbacknext。Myfathercanaffordtosendme。

Anne，FrankStockleysaysthatProfessorTremainesaidGilbertBlythewassuretogetthemedalandthatEmilyClaywouldlikelywintheAveryscholarship。"

"Thatmaymakemefeelbadlytomorrow，Josie，"laughedAnne，"butjustnowIhonestlyfeelthataslongasIknowthevioletsarecomingoutallpurpledowninthehollowbelowGreenGablesandthatlittlefernsarepokingtheirheadsupinLovers’Lane，it’snotagreatdealofdifferencewhetherIwintheAveryornot。I’vedonemybestandI

begintounderstandwhatismeantbythe`joyofthestrife。’

Nexttotryingandwinning，thebestthingistryingandfailing。

Girls，don’ttalkaboutexams！Lookatthatarchofpalegreenskyoverthosehousesandpicturetoyourselfwhatitmustlooklikeoverthepurply-darkbeech-woodsbackofAvonlea。"

"Whatareyougoingtowearforcommencement，Jane？"

askedRubypractically。

JaneandJosiebothansweredatonceandthechatterdriftedintoasideeddyoffashions。ButAnne，withherelbowsonthewindowsill，hersoftcheeklaidagainstherclaspedhands，andhereyesfilledwithvisions，lookedoutunheedinglyacrosscityroofandspiretothatgloriousdomeofsunsetskyandwoveherdreamsofapossiblefuturefromthegoldentissueofyouth’sownoptimism。AlltheBeyondwasherswithitspossibilitieslurkingrosilyintheoncomingyears——eachyeararoseofpromisetobewovenintoanimmortalchaplet。

CHAPTERXXXVI

TheGloryandtheDreamOnthemorningwhenthefinalresultsofalltheexamina-

tionsweretobepostedonthebulletinboardatQueen’s，AnneandJanewalkeddownthestreettogether。Janewassmilingandhappy；examinationswereoverandshewascomfortablysureshehadmadeapassatleast；furtherconsiderationstroubledJanenotatall；shehadnosoaringambitionsandconsequentlywasnotaffectedwiththeunrestattendantthereon。Forwepayapriceforeverythingwegetortakeinthisworld；andalthoughambitionsarewellworthhaving，theyarenottobecheaplywon，butexacttheirduesofworkandself-denial，anxietyanddiscouragement。Annewaspaleandquiet；intenmoreminutesshewouldknowwhohadwonthemedalandwhotheAvery。

Beyondthosetenminutestheredidnotseem，justthen，tobeanythingworthbeingcalledTime。

"Ofcourseyou’llwinoneofthemanyhow，"saidJane，whocouldn’tunderstandhowthefacultycouldbesounfairastoorderitotherwise。

"IhavenothopeoftheAvery，"saidAnne。"EverybodysaysEmilyClaywillwinit。AndI’mnotgoingtomarchuptothatbulletinboardandlookatitbeforeeverybody。

Ihaven’tthemoralcourage。I’mgoingstraighttothegirls’

dressingroom。Youmustreadtheannouncementsandthencomeandtellme，Jane。AndIimploreyouinthenameofouroldfriendshiptodoitasquicklyaspossible。

IfIhavefailedjustsayso，withouttryingtobreakitgently；andwhateveryoudoDON’Tsympathizewithme。

Promisemethis，Jane。"

Janepromisedsolemnly；but，asithappened，therewasnonecessityforsuchapromise。WhentheywentuptheentrancestepsofQueen’stheyfoundthehallfullofboyswhowerecarryingGilbertBlythearoundontheirshouldersandyellingatthetopsoftheirvoices，"HurrahforBlythe，Medalist！"

ForamomentAnnefeltonesickeningpangofdefeatanddisappointment。SoshehadfailedandGilberthadwon！

Well，Matthewwouldbesorry——hehadbeensosureshewouldwin。

Andthen！

Somebodycalledout:

"ThreecheersforMissShirley，winneroftheAvery！"

"Oh，Anne，"gaspedJane，astheyfledtothegirls’dressingroomamidheartycheers。"Oh，AnneI’msoproud！Isn’titsplendid？"

AndthenthegirlswerearoundthemandAnnewasthecenterofalaughing，congratulatinggroup。Hershoulderswerethumpedandherhandsshakenvigorously。ShewaspushedandpulledandhuggedandamongitallshemanagedtowhispertoJane:

"Oh，won’tMatthewandMarillabepleased！Imustwritethenewshomerightaway。"

Commencementwasthenextimportanthappening。TheexerciseswereheldinthebigassemblyhalloftheAcademy。Addressesweregiven，essaysread，songssung，thepublicawardofdiplomas，prizesandmedalsmade。

MatthewandMarillawerethere，witheyesandearsforonlyonestudentontheplatform——atallgirlinpalegreen，withfaintlyflushedcheeksandstarryeyes，whoreadthebestessayandwaspointedoutandwhisperedaboutastheAverywinner。

"Reckonyou’regladwekepther，Marilla？"whisperedMatthew，speakingforthefirsttimesincehehadenteredthehall，whenAnnehadfinishedheressay。

"It’snotthefirsttimeI’vebeenglad，"retortedMarilla。

"Youdoliketorubthingsin，MatthewCuthbert。"

MissBarry，whowassittingbehindthem，leanedforwardandpokedMarillainthebackwithherparasol。

"Aren’tyouproudofthatAnne-girl？Iam，"shesaid。

AnnewenthometoAvonleawithMatthewandMarillathatevening。ShehadnotbeenhomesinceAprilandshefeltthatshecouldnotwaitanotherday。Theappleblossomswereoutandtheworldwasfreshandyoung。DianawasatGreenGablestomeether。Inherownwhiteroom，whereMarillahadsetafloweringhouseroseonthewindowsill，Annelookedaboutheranddrewalongbreathofhappiness。

"Oh，Diana，it’ssogoodtobebackagain。It’ssogoodtoseethosepointedfirscomingoutagainstthepinksky——

andthatwhiteorchardandtheoldSnowQueen。Isn’tthebreathofthemintdelicious？Andthattearose——why，it’sasongandahopeandaprayerallinone。Andit’sGOODtoseeyouagain，Diana！"

"IthoughtyoulikethatStellaMaynardbetterthanme，"

saidDianareproachfully。"JosiePyetoldmeyoudid。

JosiesaidyouwereINFATUATEDwithher。"

AnnelaughedandpeltedDianawiththefaded"Junelilies"

ofherbouquet。

"StellaMaynardisthedearestgirlintheworldexceptoneandyouarethatone，Diana，"shesaid。"Iloveyoumorethanever——andI’vesomanythingstotellyou。ButjustnowIfeelasifitwerejoyenoughtosithereandlookatyou。I’mtired，Ithink——tiredofbeingstudiousandambitious。Imeantospendatleasttwohourstomorrowlyingoutintheorchardgrass，thinkingofabsolutelynothing。"

"You’vedonesplendidly，Anne。Isupposeyouwon’tbeteachingnowthatyou’vewontheAvery？"

"No。I’mgoingtoRedmondinSeptember。Doesn’titseemwonderful？I’llhaveabrandnewstockofambitionlaidinbythattimeafterthreeglorious，goldenmonthsofvacation。JaneandRubyaregoingtoteach。Isn’titsplendidtothinkweallgotthrougheventoMoodySpurgeonandJosiePye？"

"TheNewbridgetrusteeshaveofferedJanetheirschoolalready，"

saidDiana。"GilbertBlytheisgoingtoteach，too。Hehasto。

Hisfathercan’taffordtosendhimtocollegenextyear，afterall，sohemeanstoearnhisownwaythrough。Iexpecthe’llgettheschoolhereifMissAmesdecidestoleave。"

Annefeltaqueerlittlesensationofdismayedsurprise。

Shehadnotknownthis；shehadexpectedthatGilbertwouldbegoingtoRedmondalso。Whatwouldshedowithouttheirinspiringrivalry？Wouldnotwork，evenatacoeducationalcollegewitharealdegreeinprospect，beratherflatwithoutherfriendtheenemy？

ThenextmorningatbreakfastitsuddenlystruckAnnethatMatthewwasnotlookingwell。Surelyhewasmuchgrayerthanhehadbeenayearbefore。

"Marilla，"shesaidhesitatinglywhenhehadgoneout，"isMatthewquitewell？"

"No，heisn’t，"saidMarillainatroubledtone。"He’shadsomerealbadspellswithhisheartthisspringandhewon’tsparehimselfamite。I’vebeenrealworriedabouthim，buthe’ssomebetterthiswhilebackandwe’vegotagoodhiredman，soI’mhopinghe’llkindofrestandpickup。

Maybehewillnowyou’rehome。Youalwayscheerhimup。"

AnneleanedacrossthetableandtookMarilla’sfaceinherhands。

"YouarenotlookingaswellyourselfasI’dliketoseeyou，Marilla。Youlooktired。I’mafraidyou’vebeenworkingtoohard。Youmusttakearest，nowthatI’mhome。

I’mjustgoingtotakethisonedayofftovisitallthedearoldspotsandhuntupmyolddreams，andthenitwillbeyourturntobelazywhileIdothework。"

Marillasmiledaffectionatelyathergirl。

"It’snotthework——it’smyhead。I’vegotapainsooftennow——behindmyeyes。DoctorSpencer’sbeenfussingwithglasses，buttheydon’tdomeanygood。Thereisadistin-

guishedoculistcomingtotheIslandthelastofJuneandthedoctorsaysImustseehim。IguessI’llhaveto。

Ican’treadorsewwithanycomfortnow。Well，Anne，you’vedonerealwellatQueen’sImustsay。TotakeFirstClassLicenseinoneyearandwintheAveryscholarship——well，well，Mrs。Lyndesayspridegoesbeforeafallandshedoesn’tbelieveinthehighereducationofwomenatall；

shesaysitunfitsthemforwoman’struesphere。Idon’tbelieveawordofit。SpeakingofRachelremindsme——didyouhearanythingabouttheAbbeyBanklately，Anne？"

"Ihearditwasshaky，"answeredAnne。"Why？"

"ThatiswhatRachelsaid。Shewasuphereonedaylastweekandsaidtherewassometalkaboutit。Matthewfeltrealworried。Allwehavesavedisinthatbank——everypenny。IwantedMatthewtoputitintheSavingsBankinthefirstplace，butoldMr。Abbeywasagreatfriendoffather’sandhe’dalwaysbankedwithhim。Matthewsaidanybankwithhimattheheadofitwasgoodenoughforanybody。"

"Ithinkhehasonlybeenitsnominalheadformanyyears，"saidAnne。"Heisaveryoldman；hisnephewsarereallyattheheadoftheinstitution。"

"Well，whenRacheltoldusthat，IwantedMatthewtodrawourmoneyrightoutandhesaidhe’dthinkofit。ButMr。Russelltoldhimyesterdaythatthebankwasallright。"

Annehadhergooddayinthecompanionshipoftheoutdoorworld。