第1章

TheShadowofChange"Harvestisendedandsummerisgone，"quotedAnneShirley，gazingacrosstheshornfieldsdreamily。SheandDianaBarryhadbeenpickingapplesintheGreenGablesorchard，butwerenowrestingfromtheirlaborsinasunnycorner，whereairyfleetsofthistledowndriftedbyonthewingsofawindthatwasstillsummer-sweetwiththeincenseoffernsintheHauntedWood。

Buteverythinginthelandscapearoundthemspokeofautumn。

Theseawasroaringhollowlyinthedistance，thefieldswerebareandsere，scarfedwithgoldenrod，thebrookvalleybelowGreenGablesoverflowedwithastersofetherealpurple，andtheLakeofShiningWaterswasblue——blue——blue；notthechangefulblueofspring，northepaleazureofsummer，butaclear，steadfast，sereneblue，asifthewaterwerepastallmoodsandtensesofemotionandhadsettleddowntoatranquilityunbrokenbyfickledreams。

"Ithasbeenanicesummer，"saidDiana，twistingthenewringonherlefthandwithasmile。"AndMissLavendar’sweddingseemedtocomeasasortofcrowntoit。IsupposeMr。andMrs。IrvingareonthePacificcoastnow。"

"Itseemstometheyhavebeengonelongenoughtogoaroundtheworld，"

sighedAnne。

"Ican’tbelieveitisonlyaweeksincetheyweremarried。

Everythinghaschanged。MissLavendarandMr。andMrs。Allangone——howlonelythemanselookswiththeshuttersallclosed！

Iwentpastitlastnight，anditmademefeelasifeverybodyinithaddied。"

"We’llnevergetanotherministerasniceasMr。Allan，"saidDiana，withgloomyconviction。"Isupposewe’llhaveallkindsofsuppliesthiswinter，andhalftheSundaysnopreachingatall。AndyouandGilbertgone——itwillbeawfullydull。"

"Fredwillbehere，"insinuatedAnneslyly。

"WhenisMrs。Lyndegoingtomoveup？"askedDiana，asifshehadnotheardAnne’sremark。

"Tomorrow。I’mgladshe’scoming——butitwillbeanotherchange。

MarillaandIclearedeverythingoutofthespareroomyesterday。

Doyouknow，Ihatedtodoit？Ofcourse，itwassilly——butitdidseemasifwewerecommittingsacrilege。Thatoldspareroomhasalwaysseemedlikeashrinetome。WhenIwasachildIthoughtitthemostwonderfulapartmentintheworld。YourememberwhataconsumingdesireIhadtosleepinaspareroombed——butnottheGreenGablesspareroom。Oh，no，neverthere！

Itwouldhavebeentooterrible——Icouldn’thavesleptawinkfromawe。IneverWALKEDthroughthatroomwhenMarillasentmeinonanerrand——no，indeed，Itiptoedthroughitandheldmybreath，asifIwereinchurch，andfeltrelievedwhenIgotoutofit。

ThepicturesofGeorgeWhitefieldandtheDukeofWellingtonhungthere，oneoneachsideofthemirror，andfrownedsosternlyatmeallthetimeIwasin，especiallyifIdaredpeepinthemirror，whichwastheonlyoneinthehousethatdidn’ttwistmyfacealittle。

IalwayswonderedhowMarilladaredhousecleanthatroom。Andnowit’snotonlycleanedbutstrippedbare。GeorgeWhitefieldandtheDukehavebeenrelegatedtotheupstairshall。`Sopassesthegloryofthisworld，’"concludedAnne，withalaughinwhichtherewasalittlenoteofregret。Itisneverpleasanttohaveouroldshrinesdesecrated，evenwhenwehaveoutgrownthem。

"I’llbesolonesomewhenyougo，"moanedDianaforthehundredthtime。

"Andtothinkyougonextweek！"

"Butwe’retogetherstill，"saidAnnecheerily。"Wemustn’tletnextweekrobusofthisweek’sjoy。Ihatethethoughtofgoingmyself——homeandIaresuchgoodfriends。Talkofbeinglonesome！

It’sIwhoshouldgroan。YOU’LLbeherewithanynumberofyouroldfriends——ANDFred！WhileIshallbealoneamongstrangers，notknowingasoul！"

"EXCEPTGilbert——ANDCharlieSloane，"saidDiana，imitatingAnne’sitalicsandslyness。

"CharlieSloanewillbeagreatcomfort，ofcourse，"agreedAnnesarcastically；whereuponboththoseirresponsibledamselslaughed。

DianaknewexactlywhatAnnethoughtofCharlieSloane；but，despitesundryconfidentialtalks，shedidnotknowjustwhatAnnethoughtofGilbertBlythe。Tobesure，Anneherselfdidnotknowthat。

"TheboysmaybeboardingattheotherendofKingsport，forallIknow，"Annewenton。"IamgladI’mgoingtoRedmond，andIamsureIshalllikeitafterawhile。ButforthefirstfewweeksIknowIwon’t。Ishan’tevenhavethecomfortoflookingforwardtotheweekendvisithome，asIhadwhenIwenttoQueen’s。

Christmaswillseemlikeathousandyearsaway。"

"Everythingischanging——orgoingtochange，"saidDianasadly。

"Ihaveafeelingthatthingswillneverbethesameagain，Anne。"

"Wehavecometoapartingoftheways，Isuppose，"saidAnnethoughtfully。"Wehadtocometoit。Doyouthink，Diana，thatbeinggrown-upisreallyasniceasweusedtoimagineitwouldbewhenwewerechildren？"

"Idon’tknow——thereareSOMEnicethingsaboutit，"answeredDiana，againcaressingherringwiththatlittlesmilewhichalwayshadtheeffectofmakingAnnefeelsuddenlyleftoutandinexperienced。"Buttherearesomanypuzzlingthings，too。

SometimesIfeelasifbeinggrown-upjustfrightenedme——andthenIwouldgiveanythingtobealittlegirlagain。"

"Isupposewe’llgetusedtobeinggrownupintime，"saidAnnecheerfully。"Therewon’tbesomanyunexpectedthingsaboutitbyandby——though，afterall，Ifancyit’stheunexpectedthingsthatgivespicetolife。We’reeighteen，Diana。Intwomoreyearswe’llbetwenty。WhenIwastenIthoughttwentywasagreenoldage。Innotimeyou’llbeastaid，middle-agedmatron，andIshallbenice，oldmaidAuntAnne，comingtovisityouonvacations。You’llalwayskeepacornerforme，won’tyou，Didarling？Notthespareroom，ofcourse——oldmaidscan’taspiretosparerooms，andIshallbeas’umbleasUriahHeep，andquitecontentwithalittleover-the-porchoroff-the-parlorcubbyhole。"

"Whatnonsenseyoudotalk，Anne，"laughedDiana。"You’llmarrysomebodysplendidandhandsomeandrich——andnospareroominAvonleawillbehalfgorgeousenoughforyou——andyou’llturnupyournoseatallthefriendsofyouryouth。"

"Thatwouldbeapity；mynoseisquitenice，butIfearturningitupwouldspoilit，"saidAnne，pattingthatshapelyorgan。

"Ihaven’tsomanygoodfeaturesthatIcouldaffordtospoilthoseIhave；so，evenifIshouldmarrytheKingoftheCannibalIslands，IpromiseyouIwon’tturnupmynoseatyou，Diana。"

Withanothergaylaughthegirlsseparated，DianatoreturntoOrchardSlope，AnnetowalktothePostOffice。Shefoundaletterawaitingherthere，andwhenGilbertBlytheovertookheronthebridgeovertheLakeofShiningWatersshewassparklingwiththeexcitementofit。

"PriscillaGrantisgoingtoRedmond，too，"sheexclaimed。

"Isn’tthatsplendid？Ihopedshewould，butshedidn’tthinkherfatherwouldconsent。Hehas，however，andwe’retoboardtogether。IfeelthatIcanfaceanarmywithbanners——oralltheprofessorsofRedmondinonefellphalanx——withachumlikePriscillabymyside。"

"Ithinkwe’lllikeKingsport，"saidGilbert。"It’saniceoldburg，theytellme，andhasthefinestnaturalparkintheworld。

I’veheardthatthesceneryinitismagnificent。"

"Iwonderifitwillbe——canbe——anymorebeautifulthanthis，"

murmuredAnne，lookingaroundherwiththeloving，enrapturedeyesofthosetowhom"home"mustalwaysbetheloveliestspotintheworld，nomatterwhatfairerlandsmaylieunderalienstars。

Theywereleaningonthebridgeoftheoldpond，drinkingdeepoftheenchantmentofthedusk，justatthespotwhereAnnehadclimbedfromhersinkingDoryonthedayElainefloateddowntoCamelot。

Thefine，empurplingdyeofsunsetstillstainedthewesternskies，butthemoonwasrisingandthewaterlaylikeagreat，silverdreaminherlight。Remembrancewoveasweetandsubtlespelloverthetwoyoungcreatures。

"Youareveryquiet，Anne，"saidGilbertatlast。

"I’mafraidtospeakormoveforfearallthiswonderfulbeautywillvanishjustlikeabrokensilence，"breathedAnne。

Gilbertsuddenlylaidhishandovertheslenderwhiteonelyingontherailofthebridge。Hishazeleyesdeepenedintodarkness，hisstillboyishlipsopenedtosaysomethingofthedreamandhopethatthrilledhissoul。ButAnnesnatchedherhandawayandturnedquickly。Thespelloftheduskwasbrokenforher。

"Imustgohome，"sheexclaimed，witharatheroverdonecarelessness。

"Marillahadaheadachethisafternoon，andI’msurethetwinswillbeinsomedreadfulmischiefbythistime。Ireallyshouldn’thavestayedawaysolong。"

ShechatteredceaselesslyandinconsequentlyuntiltheyreachedtheGreenGableslane。PoorGilberthardlyhadachancetogetawordinedgewise。Annefeltratherrelievedwhentheyparted。

Therehadbeenanew，secretself-consciousnessinherheartwithregardtoGilbert，eversincethatfleetingmomentofrevelationinthegardenofEchoLodge。Somethingalienhadintrudedintotheold，perfect，school-daycomradeship——somethingthatthreatenedtomarit。

"IneverfeltgladtoseeGilbertgobefore，"shethought，half-

resentfully，half-sorrowfully，asshewalkedaloneupthelane。

"Ourfriendshipwillbespoiledifhegoesonwiththisnonsense。

Itmustn’tbespoiled——Iwon’tletit。Oh，WHYcan’tboysbejustsensible！"

Annehadanuneasydoubtthatitwasnotstrictly"sensible"thatsheshouldstillfeelonherhandthewarmpressureofGilbert’s，asdistinctlyasshehadfeltitfortheswiftsecondhishadrestedthere；andstilllesssensiblethatthesensationwasfarfrombeinganunpleasantone——verydifferentfromthatwhichhadattendedasimilardemonstrationonCharlieSloane’spart，whenshehadbeensittingoutadancewithhimataWhiteSandspartythreenightsbefore。Anneshiveredoverthedisagreeablerecollection。Butallproblemsconnectedwithinfatuatedswainsvanishedfromhermindwhensheenteredthehomely，unsentimentalatmosphereoftheGreenGableskitchenwhereaneight-year-oldboywascryinggrievouslyonthesofa。

"Whatisthematter，Davy？"askedAnne，takinghimupinherarms。

"WhereareMarillaandDora？"

"Marilla’sputtingDoratobed，"sobbedDavy，"andI’mcrying’causeDorafelldowntheoutsidecellarsteps，heelsoverhead，andscrapedalltheskinoffhernose，and——"

"Oh，well，don’tcryaboutit，dear。Ofcourse，youaresorryforher，butcryingwon’thelpherany。She’llbeallrighttomorrow。Cryingneverhelpsanyone，Davy-boy，and——"

"Iain’tcrying’causeDorafelldowncellar，"saidDavy，cuttingshortAnne’swellmeantpreachmentwithincreasingbitterness。

"I’mcrying，causeIwasn’ttheretoseeherfall。I’malwaysmissingsomefunorother，seemstome。"

"Oh，Davy！"Annechokedbackanunholyshriekoflaughter。

"WouldyoucallitfuntoseepoorlittleDorafalldownthestepsandgethurt？"

"Shewasn’tMUCHhurt，"saidDavy，defiantly。"’Course，ifshe’dbeenkilledI’dhavebeenrealsorry，Anne。ButtheKeithsain’tsoeasykilled。They’reliketheBlewetts，Iguess。HerbBlewettfelloffthehayloftlastWednesday，androlledrightdownthroughtheturnipchuteintotheboxstall，wheretheyhadafearfulwild，crosshorse，androlledrightunderhisheels。

Andstillhegotoutalive，withonlythreebonesbroke。Mrs。

Lyndesaystherearesomefolksyoucan’tkillwithameat-axe。

IsMrs。Lyndecomingheretomorrow，Anne？"

"Yes，Davy，andIhopeyou’llbealwaysveryniceandgoodtoher。"

"I’llbeniceandgood。Butwillsheeverputmetobedatnights，Anne？"

"Perhaps。Why？"

"’Cause，"saidDavyverydecidedly，"ifshedoesIwon’tsaymyprayersbeforeherlikeIdobeforeyou，Anne。"

"Whynot？"

"’CauseIdon’tthinkitwouldbenicetotalktoGodbeforestrangers，Anne。DoracansayherstoMrs。Lyndeifshelikes，but_I_won’t。I’llwaittillshe’sgoneandthensay’em。Won’tthatbeallright，Anne？"

"Yes，ifyouaresureyouwon’tforgettosaythem，Davy-boy。"

"Oh，Iwon’tforget，youbet。Ithinksayingmyprayersisgreatfun。

Butitwon’tbeasgoodfunsayingthemaloneassayingthemtoyou。

Iwishyou’dstayhome，Anne。Idon’tseewhatyouwanttogoawayandleaveusfor。"

"Idon’texactlyWANTto，Davy，butIfeelIoughttogo。"

"Ifyoudon’twanttogoyouneedn’t。You’regrownup。When_I_’mgrownupI’mnotgoingtodoonesinglethingIdon’twanttodo，Anne。"

"Allyourlife，Davy，you’llfindyourselfdoingthingsyoudon’twanttodo。"

"Iwon’t，"saidDavyflatly。"Catchme！IhavetodothingsI

don’twanttonow’causeyouandMarilla’llsendmetobedifIdon’t。

ButwhenIgrowupyoucan’tdothat，andthere’llbenobodytotellmenottodothings。Won’tIhavethetime！Say，Anne，MiltyBoultersayshismothersaysyou’regoingtocollegetoseeifyoucancatchaman。

Areyou，Anne？Iwanttoknow。"

ForasecondAnneburnedwithresentment。Thenshelaughed，remindingherselfthatMrs。Boulter’scrudevulgarityofthoughtandspeechcouldnotharmher。

"No，Davy，I’mnot。I’mgoingtostudyandgrowandlearnaboutmanythings。"

"Whatthings？"

"`ShoesandshipsandsealingwaxAndcabbagesandkings，’"

quotedAnne。

"ButifyouDIDwanttocatchamanhowwouldyougoaboutit？

Iwanttoknow，"persistedDavy，forwhomthesubjectevidentlypossessedacertainfascination。

"You’dbetteraskMrs。Boulter，"saidAnnethoughtlessly。"I

thinkit’slikelysheknowsmoreabouttheprocessthanIdo。"

"Iwill，thenexttimeIseeher，"saidDavygravely。

"Davy！Ifyoudo！"criedAnne，realizinghermistake。

"Butyoujusttoldmeto，"protestedDavyaggrieved。

"It’stimeyouwenttobed，"decreedAnne，bywayofgettingoutofthescrape。

AfterDavyhadgonetobedAnnewandereddowntoVictoriaIslandandsattherealone，curtainedwithfine-spun，moonlitgloom，whilethewaterlaughedaroundherinaduetofbrookandwind。

Annehadalwayslovedthatbrook。Manyadreamhadshespunoveritssparklingwaterindaysgoneby。Sheforgotlovelornyouths，andthecayennespeechesofmaliciousneighbors，andalltheproblemsofhergirlishexistence。Inimaginationshesailedoverstoriedseasthatwashthedistantshiningshoresof"faerylandsforlorn，"wherelostAtlantisandElysiumlie，withtheeveningstarforpilot，tothelandofHeart’sDesire。Andshewasricherinthosedreamsthaninrealities；forthingsseenpassaway，butthethingsthatareunseenareeternal。

ChapterII

GarlandsofAutumnThefollowingweekspedswiftly，crowdedwithinnumerable"lastthings，"

asAnnecalledthem。Good-byecallshadtobemadeandreceived，beingpleasantorotherwise，accordingtowhethercallersandcalled-uponwereheartilyinsympathywithAnne’shopes，orthoughtshewastoomuchpuffed-upovergoingtocollegeandthatitwastheirdutyto"takeherdownapegortwo。"

TheA。V。I。S。gaveafarewellpartyinhonorofAnneandGilbertoneeveningatthehomeofJosiePye，choosingthatplace，partlybecauseMr。Pye’shousewaslargeandconvenient，partlybecauseitwasstronglysuspectedthatthePyegirlswouldhavenothingtodowiththeaffairiftheirofferofthehouseforthepartywasnotaccepted。Itwasaverypleasantlittletime，forthePyegirlsweregracious，andsaidanddidnothingtomartheharmonyoftheoccasion——whichwasnotaccordingtotheirwont。

Josiewasunusuallyamiable——somuchsothatsheevenremarkedcondescendinglytoAnne，"Yournewdressisratherbecomingtoyou，Anne。Really，youlookALMOSTPRETTYinit。"

"Howkindofyoutosayso，"respondedAnne，withdancingeyes。

Hersenseofhumorwasdeveloping，andthespeechesthatwouldhavehurtheratfourteenwerebecomingmerelyfoodforamusementnow。JosiesuspectedthatAnnewaslaughingatherbehindthosewickedeyes；butshecontentedherselfwithwhisperingtoGertie，astheywentdownstairs，thatAnneShirleywouldputonmoreairsthanevernowthatshewasgoingtocollege——you’dsee！

Allthe"oldcrowd"wasthere，fullofmirthandzestandyouthfullightheartedness。DianaBarry，rosyanddimpled，shadowedbythefaithfulFred；JaneAndrews，neatandsensibleandplain；RubyGillis，lookingherhandsomestandbrightestinacreamsilkblouse，withredgeraniumsinhergoldenhair；GilbertBlytheandCharlieSloane，bothtryingtokeepasneartheelusiveAnneaspossible；CarrieSloane，lookingpaleandmelancholybecause，soitwasreported，herfatherwouldnotallowOliverKimballtocomeneartheplace；MoodySpurgeonMacPherson，whoseroundfaceandobjectionableearswereasroundandobjectionableasever；andBillyAndrews，whosatinacorneralltheevening，chuckledwhenanyonespoketohim，andwatchedAnneShirleywithagrinofpleasureonhisbroad，freckledcountenance。

Annehadknownbeforehandoftheparty，butshehadnotknownthatsheandGilbertwere，asthefoundersoftheSociety，tobepresentedwithaverycomplimentary"address"and"tokensofrespect"——inhercaseavolumeofShakespeare’splays，inGilbert’safountainpen。Shewassotakenbysurpriseandpleasedbythenicethingssaidintheaddress，readinMoodySpurgeon’smostsolemnandministerialtones，thatthetearsquitedrownedthesparkleofherbiggrayeyes。ShehadworkedhardandfaithfullyfortheA。V。I。S。，anditwarmedthecocklesofherheartthatthemembersappreciatedhereffortssosincerely。

Andtheywereallsoniceandfriendlyandjolly——eventhePyegirlshadtheirmerits；atthatmomentAnnelovedalltheworld。

Sheenjoyedtheeveningtremendously，buttheendofitratherspoiledall。Gilbertagainmadethemistakeofsayingsomethingsentimentaltoherastheyatetheirsupperonthemoonlitverandah；andAnne，topunishhim，wasgracioustoCharlieSloaneandallowedthelattertowalkhomewithher。Shefound，however，thatrevengehurtsnobodyquitesomuchastheonewhotriestoinflictit。GilbertwalkedairilyoffwithRubyGillis，andAnnecouldhearthemlaughingandtalkinggailyastheyloiteredalonginthestill，crispautumnair。Theywereevidentlyhavingthebestofgoodtimes，whileshewashorriblyboredbyCharlieSloane，whotalkedunbrokenlyon，andnever，evenbyaccident，saidonethingthatwasworthlisteningto。

Annegaveanoccasionalabsent"yes"or"no，"andthoughthowbeautifulRubyhadlookedthatnight，howverygogglyCharlie’seyeswereinthemoonlight——worseeventhanbydaylight——andthattheworld，somehow，wasn’tquitesuchaniceplaceasshehadbelievedittobeearlierintheevening。

"I’mjusttiredout——thatiswhatisthematterwithme，"

shesaid，whenshethankfullyfoundherselfaloneinherownroom。

Andshehonestlybelieveditwas。Butacertainlittlegushofjoy，asfromsomesecret，unknownspring，bubbledupinherheartthenextevening，whenshesawGilbertstridingdownthroughtheHauntedWoodandcrossingtheoldlogbridgewiththatfirm，quickstepofhis。SoGilbertwasnotgoingtospendthislasteveningwithRubyGillisafterall！

"Youlooktired，Anne，"hesaid。

"Iamtired，and，worsethanthat，I’mdisgruntled。I’mtiredbecauseI’vebeenpackingmytrunkandsewingallday。ButI’mdisgruntledbecausesixwomenhavebeenheretosaygood-byetome，andeveryoneofthesixmanagedtosaysomethingthatseemedtotakethecolorrightoutoflifeandleaveitasgrayanddismalandcheerlessasaNovembermorning。"

"Spitefuloldcats！"wasGilbert’selegantcomment。

"Oh，no，theyweren’t，"saidAnneseriously。"Thatisjustthetrouble。IftheyhadbeenspitefulcatsIwouldn’thavemindedthem。Buttheyareallnice，kind，motherlysouls，wholikemeandwhomIlike，andthatiswhywhattheysaid，orhinted，hadsuchundueweightwithme。TheyletmeseetheythoughtIwascrazygoingtoRedmondandtryingtotakeaB。A。，andeversinceI’vebeenwonderingifIam。Mrs。PeterSloanesighedandsaidshehopedmystrengthwouldholdouttillIgotthrough；andatonceIsawmyselfahopelessvictimofnervousprostrationattheendofmythirdyear；Mrs。EbenWrightsaiditmustcostanawfullottoputinfouryearsatRedmond；andIfeltallovermethatitwasunpardonableofmetosquanderMarilla’smoneyandmyownonsuchafolly。Mrs。JasperBellsaidshehopedIwouldn’tletcollegespoilme，asitdidsomepeople；andIfeltinmybonesthattheendofmyfourRedmondyearswouldseemeamostinsufferablecreature，thinkingIknewitall，andlookingdownoneverythingandeverybodyinAvonlea；Mrs。ElishaWrightsaidsheunderstoodthatRedmondgirls，especiallythosewhobelongedtoKingsport，were’dreadfuldressyandstuck-up，’andsheguessedIwouldn’tfeelmuchathomeamongthem；andIsawmyself，asnubbed，dowdy，humiliatedcountrygirl，shufflingthroughRedmond’sclassichallsincoppertonedboots。"

Anneendedwithalaughandasighcommingled。Withhersensitivenaturealldisapprovalhadweight，eventhedisapprovalofthoseforwhoseopinionsshehadscantrespect。Forthetimebeinglifewassavorless，andambitionhadgoneoutlikeasnuffedcandle。

"Yousurelydon’tcareforwhattheysaid，"protestedGilbert。

"Youknowexactlyhownarrowtheiroutlookonlifeis，excellentcreaturesthoughtheyare。TodoanythingTHEYhaveneverdoneisanathemamaranatha。YouarethefirstAvonleagirlwhohasevergonetocollege；andyouknowthatallpioneersareconsideredtobeafflictedwithmoonstruckmadness。"

"Oh，Iknow。ButFEELINGissodifferentfromKNOWING。Mycommonsensetellsmeallyoucansay，buttherearetimeswhencommonsensehasnopoweroverme。Commonnonsensetakespossessionofmysoul。Really，afterMrs。ElishawentawayIhardlyhadthehearttofinishpacking。"

"You’rejusttired，Anne。Come，forgetitallandtakeawalkwithme——aramblebackthroughthewoodsbeyondthemarsh。

ThereshouldbesomethingthereIwanttoshowyou。"

"Shouldbe！Don’tyouknowifitisthere？"

"No。Ionlyknowitshouldbe，fromsomethingIsawthereinspring。

Comeon。We’llpretendwearetwochildrenagainandwe’llgothewayofthewind。"

Theystartedgailyoff。Anne，rememberingtheunpleasantnessoftheprecedingevening，wasverynicetoGilbert；andGilbert，whowaslearningwisdom，tookcaretobenothingsavetheschoolboycomradeagain。Mrs。LyndeandMarillawatchedthemfromthekitchenwindow。

"That’llbeamatchsomeday，"Mrs。Lyndesaidapprovingly。

Marillawincedslightly。Inherheartshehopeditwould，butitwentagainsthergraintohearthematterspokenofinMrs。Lynde’sgossipymatter-of-factway。

"They’reonlychildrenyet，"shesaidshortly。

Mrs。Lyndelaughedgood-naturedly。

"Anneiseighteen；IwasmarriedwhenIwasthatage。Weoldfolks，Marilla，aretoomuchgiventothinkingchildrennevergrowup，that’swhat。AnneisayoungwomanandGilbert’saman，andheworshipsthegroundshewalkson，asanyonecansee。

He’safinefellow，andAnnecan’tdobetter。Ihopeshewon’tgetanyromanticnonsenseintoherheadatRedmond。Idon’tapproveofthemcoeducationalplacesandneverdid，that’swhat。

Idon’tbelieve，"concludedMrs。Lyndesolemnly，"thatthestudentsatsuchcollegeseverdomuchelsethanflirt。"

"Theymuststudyalittle，"saidMarilla，withasmile。

"Preciouslittle，"sniffedMrs。Rachel。"However，IthinkAnnewill。Sheneverwasflirtatious。Butshedoesn’tappreciateGilbertathisfullvalue，that’swhat。Oh，Iknowgirls！

CharlieSloaneiswildabouther，too，butI’dneveradvisehertomarryaSloane。TheSloanesaregood，honest，respectablepeople，ofcourse。Butwhenall’ssaidanddone，they’reSLOANES。"

Marillanodded。Toanoutsider，thestatementthatSloaneswereSloanesmightnotbeveryilluminating，butsheunderstood。

Everyvillagehassuchafamily；good，honest，respectablepeopletheymaybe，butSLOANEStheyareandmusteverremain，thoughtheyspeakwiththetonguesofmenandangels。

GilbertandAnne，happilyunconsciousthattheirfuturewasthusbeingsettledbyMrs。Rachel，weresaunteringthroughtheshadowsoftheHauntedWood。Beyond，theharvesthillswerebaskinginanambersunsetradiance，underapale，aerialskyofroseandblue。

Thedistantsprucegroveswereburnishedbronze，andtheirlongshadowsbarredtheuplandmeadows。Butaroundthemalittlewindsangamongthefirtassels，andinittherewasthenoteofautumn。

"Thiswoodreallyishauntednow——byoldmemories，"saidAnne，stoopingtogatherasprayofferns，bleachedtowaxenwhitenessbyfrost。"ItseemstomethatthelittlegirlsDianaandIusedtobeplayherestill，andsitbytheDryad’sBubbleinthetwilights，trystingwiththeghosts。Doyouknow，Icannevergoupthispathintheduskwithoutfeelingabitoftheoldfrightandshiver？Therewasoneespeciallyhorrifyingphantomwhichwecreated——theghostofthemurderedchildthatcreptupbehindyouandlaidcoldfingersonyours。Iconfessthat，tothisday，Icannothelpfancyingitslittle，furtivefootstepsbehindmewhenIcomehereafternightfall。I’mnotafraidoftheWhiteLadyortheheadlessmanortheskeletons，butIwishIhadneverimaginedthatbaby’sghostintoexistence。HowangryMarillaandMrs。Barrywereoverthataffair，"concludedAnne，withreminiscentlaughter。

Thewoodsaroundtheheadofthemarshwerefullofpurplevistas，threadedwithgossamers。Pastadourplantationofgnarledsprucesandamaple-fringed，sun-warmvalleytheyfoundthe"something"

Gilbertwaslookingfor。

"Ah，hereitis，"hesaidwithsatisfaction。

"Anappletree——andawaybackhere！"exclaimedAnnedelightedly。

"Yes，averitableapple-bearingappletree，too，hereintheverymidstofpinesandbeeches，amileawayfromanyorchard。Iwashereonedaylastspringandfoundit，allwhitewithblossom。

SoIresolvedI’dcomeagaininthefallandseeifithadbeenapples。See，it’sloaded。Theylookgood，too——tawnyasrussetsbutwithaduskyredcheek。Mostwildseedlingsaregreenanduninviting。"

"Isupposeitsprangyearsagofromsomechance-sownseed，"saidAnnedreamily。"Andhowithasgrownandflourishedandhelditsownhereallaloneamongaliens，thebravedeterminedthing！"

"Here’safallentreewithacushionofmoss。Sitdown，Anne——

itwillserveforawoodlandthrone。I’llclimbforsomeapples。

Theyallgrowhigh——thetreehadtoreachuptothesunlight。"

Theapplesprovedtobedelicious。Underthetawnyskinwasawhite，whiteflesh，faintlyveinedwithred；and，besidestheirownproperappletaste，theyhadacertainwild，delightfultangnoorchard-grownappleeverpossessed。

"ThefatalappleofEdencouldn’thavehadararerflavor，"

commentedAnne。"Butit’stimeweweregoinghome。See，itwastwilightthreeminutesagoandnowit’smoonlight。Whatapitywecouldn’thavecaughtthemomentoftransformation。Butsuchmomentsneverarecaught，Isuppose。"

"Let’sgobackaroundthemarshandhomebywayofLover’sLane。

Doyoufeelasdisgruntlednowaswhenyoustartedout，Anne？"

"NotI。Thoseappleshavebeenasmannatoahungrysoul。IfeelthatIshallloveRedmondandhaveasplendidfouryearsthere。"

"Andafterthosefouryears——what？"

"Oh，there’sanotherbendintheroadattheirend，"answeredAnnelightly。"I’venoideawhatmaybearoundit——Idon’twanttohave。It’snicernottoknow。"

Lover’sLanewasadearplacethatnight，stillandmysteriouslydiminthepaleradianceofthemoonlight。Theyloiteredthroughitinapleasantchummysilence，neithercaringtotalk。

"IfGilbertwerealwaysashehasbeenthiseveninghowniceandsimpleeverythingwouldbe，"reflectedAnne。

GilbertwaslookingatAnne，asshewalkedalong。Inherlightdress，withherslenderdelicacy，shemadehimthinkofawhiteiris。

"IwonderifIcanevermakehercareforme，"hethought，withapangofself-destruct。

ChapterIII

GreetingandFarewellCharlieSloane，GilbertBlytheandAnneShirleyleftAvonleathefollowingMondaymorning。Annehadhopedforafineday。Dianawastodrivehertothestationandtheywantedthis，theirlastdrivetogetherforsometime，tobeapleasantone。ButwhenAnnewenttobedSundaynighttheeastwindwasmoaningaroundGreenGableswithanominousprophecywhichwasfulfilledinthemorning。

Anneawoketofindraindropspatteringagainstherwindowandshadowingthepond’sgraysurfacewithwideningrings；hillsandseawerehiddeninmist，andthewholeworldseemeddimanddreary。

Annedressedinthecheerlessgraydawn，foranearlystartwasnecessarytocatchtheboattrain；shestruggledagainstthetearsthatWOULDwellupinhereyesinspiteofherself。Shewasleavingthehomethatwassodeartoher，andsomethingtoldherthatshewasleavingitforever，saveasaholidayrefuge。Thingswouldneverbethesameagain；comingbackforvacationswouldnotbelivingthere。

Andoh，howdearandbelovedeverythingwas——thatlittlewhiteporchroom，sacredtothedreamsofgirlhood，theoldSnowQueenatthewindow，thebrookinthehollow，theDryad’sBubble，theHauntedWoods，andLover’sLane——allthethousandandonedearspotswherememoriesoftheoldyearsbided。Couldsheeverbereallyhappyanywhereelse？

BreakfastatGreenGablesthatmorningwasaratherdolefulmeal。

Davy，forthefirsttimeinhislifeprobably，couldnoteat，butblubberedshamelesslyoverhisporridge。Nobodyelseseemedtohavemuchappetite，saveDora，whotuckedawayherrationscomfortably。

Dora，liketheimmortalandmostprudentCharlotte，who"wentoncuttingbreadandbutter"whenherfrenziedlover’sbodyhadbeencarriedpastonashutter，wasoneofthosefortunatecreatureswhoareseldomdisturbedbyanything。EvenateightittookagreatdealtoruffleDora’splacidity。ShewassorryAnnewasgoingaway，ofcourse，butwasthatanyreasonwhysheshouldfailtoappreciateapoachedeggontoast？Notatall。And，seeingthatDavycouldnoteathis，Doraateitforhim。

PromptlyontimeDianaappearedwithhorseandbuggy，herrosyfaceglowingaboveherraincoat。Thegood-byeshadtobesaidthensomehow。Mrs。LyndecameinfromherquarterstogiveAnneaheartyembraceandwarnhertobecarefulofherhealth，whatevershedid。Marilla，brusqueandtearless，peckedAnne’scheekandsaidshesupposedthey’dhearfromherwhenshegotsettled。AcasualobservermighthaveconcludedthatAnne’sgoingmatteredverylittletoher——unlesssaidobserverhadhappenedtogetagoodlookinhereyes。DorakissedAnneprimlyandsqueezedouttwodecorouslittletears；butDavy，whohadbeencryingonthebackporchstepeversincetheyrosefromthetable，refusedtosaygood-byeatall。WhenhesawAnnecomingtowardshimhesprangtohisfeet，boltedupthebackstairs，andhidinaclothescloset，outofwhichhewouldnotcome。HismuffledhowlswerethelastsoundsAnneheardassheleftGreenGables。

ItrainedheavilyallthewaytoBrightRiver，towhichstationtheyhadtogo，sincethebranchlinetrainfromCarmodydidnotconnectwiththeboattrain。CharlieandGilbertwereonthestationplatformwhentheyreachedit，andthetrainwaswhistling。

Annehadjusttimetogetherticketandtrunkcheck，sayahurriedfarewelltoDiana，andhastenonboard。ShewishedsheweregoingbackwithDianatoAvonlea；sheknewshewasgoingtodieofhomesickness。

Andoh，ifonlythatdismalrainwouldstoppouringdownasifthewholeworldwereweepingoversummervanishedandjoysdeparted！

EvenGilbert’spresencebroughthernocomfort，forCharlieSloanewasthere，too，andSloanishnesscouldbetoleratedonlyinfineweather。

Itwasabsolutelyinsufferableinrain。

ButwhentheboatsteamedoutofCharlottetownharborthingstookaturnforthebetter。Therainceasedandthesunbegantoburstoutgoldenlynowandagainbetweentherentsintheclouds，burnishingthegrayseaswithcopper-huedradiance，andlightingupthemiststhatcurtainedtheIsland’sredshoreswithgleamsofgoldforetokeningafinedayafterall。Besides，CharlieSloanepromptlybecamesoseasickthathehadtogobelow，andAnneandGilbertwereleftaloneondeck。

"IamverygladthatalltheSloanesgetseasickassoonastheygoonwater，"thoughtAnnemercilessly。"IamsureIcouldn’ttakemyfarewelllookatthe`ouldsod’withCharliestandingtherepretendingtolooksentimentallyatit，too。"

"Well，we’reoff，"remarkedGilbertunsentimentally。

"Yes，IfeellikeByron’s`ChildeHarold’——onlyitisn’treallymy`nativeshore’thatI’mwatching，"saidAnne，winkinghergrayeyesvigorously。"NovaScotiaisthat，Isuppose。Butone’snativeshoreisthelandonelovesthebest，andthat’sgoodoldP。E。I。forme。Ican’tbelieveIdidn’talwayslivehere。

ThoseelevenyearsbeforeIcameseemlikeabaddream。

It’ssevenyearssinceIcrossedonthisboat——theeveningMrs。SpencerbroughtmeoverfromHopetown。Icanseemyself，inthatdreadfuloldwinceydressandfadedsailorhat，exploringdecksandcabinswithenrapturedcuriosity。Itwasafineevening；

andhowthoseredIslandshoresdidgleaminthesunshine。NowI’mcrossingthestraitagain。Oh，Gilbert，IdohopeI’lllikeRedmondandKingsport，butI’msureIwon’t！"

"Where’sallyourphilosophygone，Anne？"

"It’sallsubmergedunderagreat，swampingwaveoflonelinessandhomesickness。I’velongedforthreeyearstogotoRedmond——andnowI’mgoing——andIwishIweren’t！Nevermind！I

shallbecheerfulandphilosophicalagainafterIhavejustonegoodcry。IMUSThavethat，`asawent’——andI’llhavetowaituntilIgetintomyboardinghousebedtonight，whereveritmaybe，beforeIcanhaveit。ThenAnnewillbeherselfagain。I

wonderifDavyhascomeoutoftheclosetyet。"

ItwasninethatnightwhentheirtrainreachedKingsport，andtheyfoundthemselvesintheblue-whiteglareofthecrowdedstation。

Annefelthorriblybewildered，butamomentlatershewasseizedbyPriscillaGrant，whohadcometoKingsportonSaturday。

"Hereyouare，beloved！AndIsupposeyou’reastiredasIwaswhenIgothereSaturdaynight。"

"Tired！Priscilla，don’ttalkofit。I’mtired，andgreen，andprovincial，andonlyabouttenyearsold。Forpity’ssaketakeyourpoor，broken-downchumtosomeplacewhereshecanhearherselfthink。"

"I’lltakeyourightuptoourboardinghouse。I’veacabreadyoutside。"

"It’ssuchablessingyou’rehere，Prissy。Ifyouweren’tI

thinkIshouldjustsitdownonmysuitcase，hereandnow，andweepbittertears。Whatacomfortonefamiliarfaceisinahowlingwildernessofstrangers！"

"IsthatGilbertBlytheoverthere，Anne？Howhehasgrownupthispastyear！HewasonlyaschoolboywhenItaughtinCarmody。

Andofcoursethat’sCharlieSloane。HEhasn’tchanged——couldn’t！

Helookedjustlikethatwhenhewasborn，andhe’lllooklikethatwhenhe’seighty。Thisway，dear。We’llbehomeintwentyminutes。"

"Home！"groanedAnne。"Youmeanwe’llbeinsomehorribleboardinghouse，inastillmorehorriblehallbedroom，lookingoutonadingybackyard。"

"Itisn’tahorribleboardinghouse，Anne-girl。Here’sourcab。

Hopin——thedriverwillgetyourtrunk。Oh，yes，theboardinghouse——it’sreallyaveryniceplaceofitskind，asyou’lladmittomorrowmorningwhenagoodnight’ssleephasturnedyourbluesrosypink。

It’sabig，old-fashioned，graystonehouseonSt。JohnStreet，justanicelittleconstitutionalfromRedmond。Itusedtobethe`residence’ofgreatfolk，butfashionhasdesertedSt。JohnStreetanditshousesonlydreamnowofbetterdays。They’resobigthatpeoplelivinginthemhavetotakeboardersjusttofillup。Atleast，thatisthereasonourlandladiesareveryanxioustoimpressonus。

They’redelicious，Anne——ourlandladies，Imean。"

"Howmanyarethere？"

"Two。MissHannahHarveyandMissAdaHarvey。Theywereborntwinsaboutfiftyyearsago。"

"Ican’tgetawayfromtwins，itseems，"smiledAnne。"WhereverI

gotheyconfrontme。"

"Oh，they’renottwinsnow，dear。Aftertheyreachedtheageofthirtytheyneverweretwinsagain。MissHannahhasgrownold，nottoogracefully，andMissAdahasstayedthirty，lessgracefullystill。Idon’tknowwhetherMissHannahcansmileornot；I’venevercaughtheratitsofar，butMissAdasmilesallthetimeandthat’sworse。However，they’renice，kindsouls，andtheytaketwoboarderseveryyearbecauseMissHannah’seconomicalsoulcannotbearto`wasteroomspace’——notbecausetheyneedtoorhaveto，asMissAdahastoldmeseventimessinceSaturdaynight。Asforourrooms，Iadmittheyarehallbedrooms，andminedoeslookoutonthebackyard。YourroomisafrontoneandlooksoutonOldSt。John’sgraveyard，whichisjustacrossthestreet。"

"Thatsoundsgruesome，"shiveredAnne。"IthinkI’dratherhavethebackyardview。"

"Oh，no，youwouldn’t。Waitandsee。OldSt。John’sisadarlingplace。It’sbeenagraveyardsolongthatit’sceasedtobeoneandhasbecomeoneofthesightsofKingsport。Iwasallthroughityesterdayforapleasureexertion。There’sabigstonewallandarowofenormoustreesallaroundit，androwsoftreesallthroughit，andthequeerestoldtombstones，withthequeerestandquaintestinscriptions。You’llgotheretostudy，Anne，seeifyoudon’t。Ofcourse，nobodyiseverburiedtherenow。

ButafewyearsagotheyputupabeautifulmonumenttothememoryofNovaScotiansoldierswhofellintheCrimeanWar。

Itisjustoppositetheentrancegatesandthere’s`scopeforimagination’init，asyouusedtosay。Here’syourtrunkatlast——andtheboyscomingtosaygoodnight。MustIreallyshakehandswithCharlieSloane，Anne？Hishandsarealwayssocoldandfishy-feeling。Wemustaskthemtocalloccasionally。

MissHannahgravelytoldmewecouldhave`younggentlemencallers’twoeveningsintheweek，iftheywentawayatareasonablehour；andMissAdaaskedme，smiling，pleasetobesuretheydidn’tsitonherbeautifulcushions。Ipromisedtoseetoit；butgoodnessknowswhereelsetheyCANsit，unlesstheysitonthefloor，fortherearecushionsonEVERYTHING。

MissAdaevenhasanelaborateBattenburgoneontopofthepiano。"

Annewaslaughingbythistime。Priscilla’sgaychatterhadtheintendedeffectofcheeringherup；homesicknessvanishedforthetimebeing，anddidnotevenreturninfullforcewhenshefinallyfoundherselfaloneinherlittlebedroom。Shewenttoherwindowandlookedout。Thestreetbelowwasdimandquiet。

AcrossitthemoonwasshiningabovethetreesinOldSt。John’s，justbehindthegreatdarkheadoftheliononthemonument。

AnnewonderedifitcouldhavebeenonlythatmorningthatshehadleftGreenGables。Shehadthesenseofalongpassageoftimewhichonedayofchangeandtravelgives。

"IsupposethatverymoonislookingdownonGreenGablesnow，"

shemused。"ButIwon’tthinkaboutit——thatwayhomesicknesslies。I’mnotevengoingtohavemygoodcry。I’llputthatofftoamoreconvenientseason，andjustnowI’llgocalmlyandsensiblytobedandtosleep。"

ChapterIV

April’sLadyKingsportisaquaintoldtown，hearkingbacktoearlyColonialdays，andwrappedinitsancientatmosphere，assomefineolddameingarmentsfashionedlikethoseofheryouth。Hereandthereitsproutsoutintomodernity，butatheartitisstillunspoiled；

itisfullofcuriousrelics，andhaloedbytheromanceofmanylegendsofthepast。Onceitwasamerefrontierstationonthefringeofthewilderness，andthosewerethedayswhenIndianskeptlifefrombeingmonotonoustothesettlers。ThenitgrewtobeaboneofcontentionbetweentheBritishandtheFrench，beingoccupiednowbytheoneandnowbytheother，emergingfromeachoccupationwithsomefreshscarofbattlingnationsbrandedonit。

Ithasinitsparkamartellotower，autographedalloverbytourists，adismantledoldFrenchfortonthehillsbeyondthetown，andseveralantiquatedcannoninitspublicsquares。

Ithasotherhistoricspotsalso，whichmaybehuntedoutbythecurious，andnoneismorequaintanddelightfulthanOldSt。John’sCemeteryattheverycoreofthetown，withstreetsofquiet，old-timehousesontwosides，andbusy，bustling，modernthoroughfaresontheothers。EverycitizenofKingsportfeelsathrillofpossessiveprideinOldSt。John’s，for，ifhebeofanypretensionsatall，hehasanancestorburiedthere，withaqueer，crookedslabathishead，orelsesprawlingprotectivelyoverthegrave，onwhichallthemainfactsofhishistoryarerecorded。Forthemostpartnogreatartorskillwaslavishedonthoseoldtombstones。Thelargernumberareofroughlychiselledbrownorgraynativestone，andonlyinafewcasesisthereanyattemptatornamentation。Someareadornedwithskullandcross-bones，andthisgrizzlydecorationisfrequentlycoupledwithacherub’shead。Manyareprostrateandinruins。

IntoalmostallTime’stoothhasbeengnawing，untilsomeinscriptionshavebeencompletelyeffaced，andotherscanonlybedecipheredwithdifficulty。Thegraveyardisveryfullandverybowery，foritissurroundedandintersectedbyrowsofelmsandwillows，beneathwhoseshadethesleepersmustlieverydreamlessly，forevercroonedtobythewindsandleavesoverthem，andquiteundisturbedbytheclamoroftrafficjustbeyond。

AnnetookthefirstofmanyramblesinOldSt。John’sthenextafternoon。

SheandPriscillahadgonetoRedmondintheforenoonandregisteredasstudents，afterwhichtherewasnothingmoretodothatday。Thegirlsgladlymadetheirescape，foritwasnotexhilaratingtobesurroundedbycrowdsofstrangers，mostofwhomhadaratheralienappearance，asifnotquitesurewheretheybelonged。

The"freshettes"stoodaboutindetachedgroupsoftwoorthree，lookingaskanceateachother；the"freshies，"wiserintheirdayandgeneration，hadbandedthemselvestogetheronthebigstaircaseoftheentrancehall，wheretheywereshoutingoutgleeswithallthevigorofyouthfullungs，asaspeciesofdefiancetotheirtraditionalenemies，theSophomores，afewofwhomwereprowlingloftilyabout，lookingproperlydisdainfulofthe"unlickedcubs"onthestairs。GilbertandCharliewerenowheretobeseen。

"LittledidIthinkthedaywouldevercomewhenI’dbegladofthesightofaSloane，"saidPriscilla，astheycrossedthecampus，"butI’dwelcomeCharlie’sgoggleeyesalmostecstatically。Atleast，they’dbefamiliareyes。"

"Oh，"sighedAnne。"Ican’tdescribehowIfeltwhenIwasstandingthere，waitingmyturntoberegistered——asinsignificantastheteeniestdropinamostenormousbucket。

It’sbadenoughtofeelinsignificant，butit’sunbearabletohaveitgrainedintoyoursoulthatyouwillnever，cannever，beanythingbutinsignificant，andthatishowIdidfeel——

asifIwereinvisibletothenakedeyeandsomeofthoseSophsmightsteponme。IknewIwouldgodowntomygraveunwept，unhonoredandunsung。"

"Waittillnextyear，"comfortedPriscilla。"Thenwe’llbeabletolookasboredandsophisticatedasanySophomoreofthemall。

Nodoubtitisratherdreadfultofeelinsignificant；butIthinkit’sbetterthantofeelasbigandawkwardasIdid——asifIweresprawledalloverRedmond。That’showIfelt——IsupposebecauseIwasagoodtwoinchestallerthananyoneelseinthecrowd。

Iwasn’tafraidaSophmightwalkoverme；Iwasafraidthey’dtakemeforanelephant，oranovergrownsampleofapotato-fedIslander。"

"Isupposethetroubleiswecan’tforgivebigRedmondfornotbeinglittleQueen’s，"saidAnne，gatheringabouthertheshredsofheroldcheerfulphilosophytocoverhernakednessofspirit。

"WhenweleftQueen’swekneweverybodyandhadaplaceofourown。

IsupposewehavebeenunconsciouslyexpectingtotakelifeupatRedmondjustwhereweleftoffatQueen’s，andnowwefeelasifthegroundhadslippedfromunderourfeet。I’mthankfulthatneitherMrs。LyndenorMrs。ElishaWrightknow，oreverwillknow，mystateofmindatpresent。Theywouldexultinsaying`Itoldyouso，’andbeconvinceditwasthebeginningoftheend。Whereasitisjusttheendofthebeginning。"

"Exactly。ThatsoundsmoreAnneish。Inalittlewhilewe’llbeacclimatedandacquainted，andallwillbewell。Anne，didyounoticethegirlwhostoodalonejustoutsidethedoorofthecoeds’dressingroomallthemorning——theprettyonewiththebrowneyesandcrookedmouth？"

"Yes，Idid。InoticedherparticularlybecausesheseemedtheonlycreaturetherewhoLOOKEDaslonelyandfriendlessasIFELT。

IhadYOU，butshehadnoone。"

"Ithinkshefeltprettyall-by-herselfish，too。SeveraltimesI

sawhermakeamotionasiftocrossovertous，butsheneverdidit——tooshy，Isuppose。Iwishedshewouldcome。IfIhadn’tfeltsomuchliketheaforesaidelephantI’dhavegonetoher。

ButIcouldn’tlumberacrossthatbighallwithallthoseboyshowlingonthestairs。ShewastheprettiestfreshetteIsawtoday，butprobablyfavorisdeceitfulandevenbeautyisvainonyourfirstdayatRedmond，"concludedPriscillawithalaugh。

"I’mgoingacrosstoOldSt。John’safterlunch，"saidAnne。

"Idon’tknowthatagraveyardisaverygoodplacetogotogetcheeredup，butitseemstheonlyget-at-ableplacewheretherearetrees，andtreesImusthave。I’llsitononeofthoseoldslabsandshutmyeyesandimagineI’mintheAvonleawoods。"

Annedidnotdothat，however，forshefoundenoughofinterestinOldSt。John’stokeephereyeswideopen。Theywentinbytheentrancegates，pastthesimple，massive，stonearchsurmountedbythegreatlionofEngland。

"`AndonInkermanyetthewildbrambleisgory，Andthosebleakheightshenceforthshallbefamousinstory，’"

quotedAnne，lookingatitwithathrill。Theyfoundthemselvesinadim，cool，greenplacewherewindswerefondofpurring。

Upanddownthelonggrassyaislestheywandered，readingthequaint，voluminousepitaphs，carvedinanagethathadmoreleisurethanourown。

"`HerelieththebodyofAlbertCrawford，Esq。，’"readAnnefromaworn，grayslab，"`formanyyearsKeeperofHisMajesty’sOrdnanceatKingsport。Heservedinthearmytillthepeaceof1763，whenheretiredfrombadhealth。Hewasabraveofficer，thebestofhusbands，thebestoffathers，thebestoffriends。

HediedOctober29th，1792，aged84years。’There’sanepitaphforyou，Prissy。Thereiscertainlysome`scopeforimagination’

init。Howfullsuchalifemusthavebeenofadventure！Andasforhispersonalqualities，I’msurehumaneulogycouldn’tgofurther。Iwonderiftheytoldhimhewasallthosebestthingswhilehewasalive。"

"Here’sanother，"saidPriscilla。"Listen——

`TothememoryofAlexanderRoss，whodiedonthe22ndofSeptember，1840，aged43years。Thisisraisedasatributeofaffectionbyonewhomheservedsofaithfullyfor27yearsthathewasregardedasafriend，deservingthefullestconfidenceandattachment。’"

"Averygoodepitaph，"commentedAnnethoughtfully。"Iwouldn’twishabetter。Weareallservantsofsomesort，andifthefactthatwearefaithfulcanbetruthfullyinscribedonourtombstonesnothingmoreneedbeadded。Here’sasorrowfullittlegraystone，Prissy——`tothememoryofafavoritechild。’Andhereisanother`erectedtothememoryofonewhoisburiedelsewhere。’Iwonderwherethatunknowngraveis。Really，Pris，thegraveyardsoftodaywillneverbeasinterestingasthis。Youwereright——Ishallcomehereoften。Iloveitalready。Iseewe’renotalonehere——there’sagirldownattheendofthisavenue。"

"Yes，andIbelieveit’stheverygirlwesawatRedmondthismorning。

I’vebeenwatchingherforfiveminutes。Shehasstartedtocomeuptheavenueexactlyhalfadozentimes，andhalfadozentimeshassheturnedandgoneback。Eithershe’sdreadfullyshyorshehasgotsomethingonherconscience。Let’sgoandmeether。It’seasiertogetacquaintedinagraveyardthanatRedmond，Ibelieve。"

Theywalkeddownthelonggrassyarcadetowardsthestranger，whowassittingonagrayslabunderanenormouswillow。Shewascertainlyverypretty，withavivid，irregular，bewitchingtypeofprettiness。Therewasaglossasofbrownnutsonhersatin-smoothhairandasoft，ripeglowonherroundcheeks。

Hereyeswerebigandbrownandvelvety，underoddly-pointedblackbrows，andhercrookedmouthwasrose-red。Sheworeasmartbrownsuit，withtwoverymodishlittleshoespeepingfrombeneathit；andherhatofdullpinkstraw，wreathedwithgolden-brownpoppies，hadtheindefinable，unmistakableairwhichpertainstothe"creation"ofanartistinmillinery。

Priscillahadasuddenstingingconsciousnessthatherownhathadbeentrimmedbyhervillagestoremilliner，andAnnewondereduncomfortablyiftheblouseshehadmadeherself，andwhichMrs。