第3章

EchoLodge，whichhadbeenclosedeversinceMissLavendar’swedding，wasbrieflythrownopentowindandsunshineoncemore，andfirelightglimmeredagaininthelittlerooms。TheperfumeofMissLavendar’srosebowlstillfilledtheair。ItwashardlypossibletobelievethatMissLavendarwouldnotcometrippinginpresently，withherbrowneyesa-starwithwelcome，andthatCharlottatheFourth，blueofbowandwideofsmile，wouldnotpopthroughthedoor。Paul，too，seemedhoveringaround，withhisfairyfancies。

"Itreallymakesmefeelalittlebitlikeaghostrevisitingtheoldtimeglimpsesofthemoon，"laughedAnne。"Let’sgooutandseeiftheechoesareathome。Bringtheoldhorn。Itisstillbehindthekitchendoor。"

Theechoeswereathome，overthewhiteriver，assilver-clearandmultitudinousasever；andwhentheyhadceasedtoanswerthegirlslockedupEchoLodgeagainandwentawayintheperfecthalfhourthatfollowstheroseandsaffronofawintersunset。

ChapterVIII

Anne’sFirstProposalTheoldyeardidnotslipawayinagreentwilight，withapinky-yellowsunset。Instead，itwentoutwithawild，whiteblusterandblow。Itwasoneofthenightswhenthestorm-windhurtlesoverthefrozenmeadowsandblackhollows，andmoansaroundtheeaveslikealostcreature，anddrivesthesnowsharplyagainsttheshakingpanes。

"Justthesortofnightpeopleliketocuddledownbetweentheirblanketsandcounttheirmercies，"saidAnnetoJaneAndrews，whohadcomeuptospendtheafternoonandstayallnight。Butwhentheywerecuddledbetweentheirblankets，inAnne’slittleporchroom，itwasnothermerciesofwhichJanewasthinking。

"Anne，"shesaidverysolemnly，"Iwanttotellyousomething。MayI"

AnnewasfeelingrathersleepyafterthepartyRubyGillishadgiventhenightbefore。ShewouldmuchratherhavegonetosleepthanlistentoJane’sconfidences，whichshewassurewouldboreher。

Shehadnopropheticinklingofwhatwascoming。ProbablyJanewasengaged，too；rumoraverredthatRubyGilliswasengagedtotheSpencervaleschoolteacher，aboutwhomallthegirlsweresaidtobequitewild。

"I’llsoonbetheonlyfancy-freemaidenofouroldquartet，"

thoughtAnne，drowsily。Aloudshesaid，"Ofcourse。"

"Anne，"saidJane，stillmoresolemnly，"whatdoyouthinkofmybrotherBilly？"

Annegaspedoverthisunexpectedquestion，andflounderedhelplesslyinherthoughts。Goodness，whatDIDshethinkofBillyAndrews？ShehadneverthoughtANYTHINGabouthim——

round-faced，stupid，perpetuallysmiling，good-naturedBillyAndrews。DidANYBODYeverthinkaboutBillyAndrews？

"I——Idon’tunderstand，Jane，"shestammered。"Whatdoyoumean——exactly？"

"DoyoulikeBilly？"askedJanebluntly。

"Why——why——yes，Ilikehim，ofcourse，"gaspedAnne，wonderingifsheweretellingtheliteraltruth。CertainlyshedidnotDISlikeBilly。Butcouldtheindifferenttolerancewithwhichsheregardedhim，whenhehappenedtobeinherrangeofvision，beconsideredpositiveenoughforliking？WHATwasJanetryingtoelucidate？

"Wouldyoulikehimforahusband？"askedJanecalmly。

"Ahusband！"Annehadbeensittingupinbed，thebettertowrestlewiththeproblemofherexactopinionofBillyAndrews。

Nowshefellflatlybackonherpillows，theverybreathgoneoutofher。"Whosehusband？"

"Yours，ofcourse，"answeredJane。"Billywantstomarryyou。

He’salwaysbeencrazyaboutyou——andnowfatherhasgivenhimtheupperfarminhisownnameandthere’snothingtopreventhimfromgettingmarried。Buthe’ssoshyhecouldn’taskyouhimselfifyou’dhavehim，sohegotmetodoit。I’drathernothave，buthegavemenopeacetillIsaidIwould，ifIgotagoodchance。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，Anne？"

Wasitadream？Wasitoneofthosenightmarethingsinwhichyoufindyourselfengagedormarriedtosomeoneyouhateordon’tknow，withouttheslightestideahowitevercameabout？

No，she，AnneShirley，waslyingthere，wideawake，inherownbed，andJaneAndrewswasbesideher，calmlyproposingforherbrotherBilly。

Annedidnotknowwhethershewantedtowritheorlaugh；butshecoulddoneither，forJane’sfeelingsmustnotbehurt。

"I——Icouldn’tmarryBill，youknow，Jane，"shemanagedtogasp。

"Why，suchanideaneveroccurredtome——never！"

"Idon’tsupposeitdid，"agreedJane。"Billyhasalwaysbeenfartooshytothinkofcourting。Butyoumightthinkitover，Anne。

Billyisagoodfellow。Imustsaythat，ifheismybrother。

Hehasnobadhabitsandhe’sagreatworker，andyoucandependonhim。`Abirdinthehandisworthtwointhebush。’Hetoldmetotellyouhe’dbequitewillingtowaittillyougotthroughcollege，ifyouinsisted，thoughhe’dRATHERgetmarriedthisspringbeforetheplantingbegins。He’dalwaysbeverygoodtoyou，I’msure，andyouknow，Anne，I’dlovetohaveyouforasister。"

"Ican’tmarryBilly，"saidAnnedecidedly。Shehadrecoveredherwits，andwasevenfeelingalittleangry。Itwasallsoridiculous。"Thereisnousethinkingofit，Jane。Idon’tcareanythingforhiminthatway，andyoumusttellhimso。"

"Well，Ididn’tsupposeyouwould，"saidJanewitharesignedsigh，feelingthatshehaddoneherbest。"ItoldBillyIdidn’tbelieveitwasabitofusetoaskyou，butheinsisted。Well，you’vemadeyourdecision，Anne，andIhopeyouwon’tregretit。"

Janespokerathercoldly。ShehadbeenperfectlysurethattheenamoredBillyhadnochanceatallofinducingAnnetomarryhim。

Nevertheless，shefeltalittleresentmentthatAnneShirley，whowas，afterall，merelyanadoptedorphan，withoutkithorkin，shouldrefuseherbrother——oneoftheAvonleaAndrews。Well，pridesometimesgoesbeforeafall，Janereflectedominously。

AnnepermittedherselftosmileinthedarknessovertheideathatshemighteverregretnotmarryingBillyAndrews。

"IhopeBillywon’tfeelverybadlyoverit，"shesaidnicely。

Janemadeamovementasifsheweretossingherheadonherpillow。

"Oh，hewon’tbreakhisheart。Billyhastoomuchgoodsenseforthat。

HelikesNettieBlewettprettywell，too，andmotherwouldratherhemarriedherthananyone。She’ssuchagoodmanagerandsaver。

Ithink，whenBillyisoncesureyouwon’thavehim，he’lltakeNettie。

Pleasedon’tmentionthistoanyone，willyou，Anne？"

"Certainlynot，"saidAnne，whohadnodesirewhatevertopublishabroadthefactthatBillyAndrewswantedtomarryher，preferringher，whenallwassaidanddone，toNettieBlewett。NettieBlewett！

"AndnowIsupposewe’dbettergotosleep，"suggestedJane。

TosleepwentJaneeasilyandspeedily；but，thoughveryunlikeMacBethinmostrespects，shehadcertainlycontrivedtomurdersleepforAnne。Thatproposed-todamsellayonawakefulpillowuntiltheweesma’s，buthermeditationswerefarfrombeingromantic。

Itwasnot，however，untilthenextmorningthatshehadanopportunitytoindulgeinagoodlaughoverthewholeaffair。WhenJanehadgonehome——stillwithahintoffrostinvoiceandmannerbecauseAnnehaddeclinedsoungratefullyanddecidedlythehonorofanalliancewiththeHouseofAndrews——Anneretreatedtotheporchroom，shutthedoor，andhadherlaughoutatlast。

"IfIcouldonlysharethejokewithsomeone！"shethought。

"ButIcan’t。DianaistheonlyoneI’dwanttotell，and，evenifIhadn’tswornsecrecytoJane，Ican’ttellDianathingsnow。

ShetellseverythingtoFred——Iknowshedoes。Well，I’vehadmyfirstproposal。Isupposeditwouldcomesomeday——butI

certainlyneverthoughtitwouldbebyproxy。It’sawfullyfunny——andyetthere’sastinginit，too，somehow。"

Anneknewquitewellwhereinthestingconsisted，thoughshedidnotputitintowords。Shehadhadhersecretdreamsofthefirsttimesomeoneshouldaskherthegreatquestion。

Andithad，inthosedreams，alwaysbeenveryromanticandbeautiful:

andthe"someone"wastobeveryhandsomeanddark-eyedanddistinguished-lookingandeloquent，whetherhewerePrinceCharmingtobeenrapturedwith"yes，"oronetowhomaregretful，beautifullyworded，buthopelessrefusalmustbegiven。Ifthelatter，therefusalwastobeexpressedsodelicatelythatitwouldbenextbestthingtoacceptance，andhewouldgoaway，afterkissingherhand，assuringherofhisunalterable，life-longdevotion。Anditwouldalwaysbeabeautifulmemory，tobeproudofandalittlesadabout，also。

Andnow，thisthrillingexperiencehadturnedouttobemerelygrotesque。

BillyAndrewshadgothissistertoproposeforhimbecausehisfatherhadgivenhimtheupperfarm；andifAnnewouldn’t"havehim"NettieBlewettwould。

Therewasromanceforyou，withavengeance！Annelaughed——andthensighed。

Thebloomhadbeenbrushedfromonelittlemaidendream。Wouldthepainfulprocessgoonuntileverythingbecameprosaicandhum-drum？

ChapterIX

AnUnwelcomeLoverandaWelcomeFriendThesecondtermatRedmondspedasquicklyashadthefirst——

"actuallywhizzedaway，"Philippasaid。Anneenjoyeditthoroughlyinallitsphases——thestimulatingclassrivalry，themakinganddeepeningofnewandhelpfulfriendships，thegaylittlesocialstunts，thedoingsofthevarioussocietiesofwhichshewasamember，thewideningofhorizonsandinterests。

Shestudiedhard，forshehadmadeuphermindtowintheThorburnScholarshipinEnglish。Thisbeingwon，meantthatshecouldcomebacktoRedmondthenextyearwithouttrenchingonMarilla’ssmallsavings——somethingAnnewasdeterminedshewouldnotdo。

Gilbert，too，wasinfullchaseafterascholarship，butfoundplentyoftimeforfrequentcallsatThirty-eight，St。John’s。

HewasAnne’sescortatnearlyallthecollegeaffairs，andsheknewthattheirnameswerecoupledinRedmondgossip。Anneragedoverthisbutwashelpless；shecouldnotcastanoldfriendlikeGilbertaside，especiallywhenhehadgrownsuddenlywiseandwary，asbehoovedhiminthedangerousproximityofmorethanoneRedmondyouthwhowouldgladlyhavetakenhisplacebythesideoftheslender，red-hairedcoed，whosegrayeyeswereasalluringasstarsofevening。AnnewasneverattendedbythecrowdofwillingvictimswhohoveredaroundPhilippa’sconqueringmarchthroughherFreshmanyear；buttherewasalanky，brainyFreshie，ajolly，little，roundSophomore，andatall，learnedJuniorwhoalllikedtocallatThirty-eight，St。John’s，andtalkover’ologiesand’isms，aswellaslightersubjects，withAnne，inthebecushionedparlorofthatdomicile。Gilbertdidnotloveanyofthem，andhewasexceedinglycarefultogivenoneofthemtheadvantageoverhimbyanyuntimelydisplayofhisrealfeelingsAnne-ward。Toherhehadbecomeagaintheboy-comradeofAvonleadays，andassuchcouldholdhisownagainstanysmittenswainwhohadsofarenteredthelistsagainsthim。

Asacompanion，AnnehonestlyacknowledgednobodycouldbesosatisfactoryasGilbert；shewasveryglad，soshetoldherself，thathehadevidentlydroppedallnonsensicalideas——thoughshespentconsiderabletimesecretlywonderingwhy。

Onlyonedisagreeableincidentmarredthatwinter。CharlieSloane，sittingboltuprightonMissAda’smostdearlybelovedcushion，askedAnneonenightifshewouldpromise"tobecomeMrs。CharlieSloanesomeday。"ComingafterBillyAndrews’proxyeffort，thiswasnotquitetheshocktoAnne’sromanticsensibilitiesthatitwouldotherwisehavebeen；butitwascertainlyanotherheart-rendingdisillusion。Shewasangry，too，forshefeltthatshehadnevergivenCharlietheslightestencouragementtosupposesuchathingpossible。ButwhatcouldyouexpectofaSloane，asMrs。RachelLyndewouldaskscornfully？Charlie’swholeattitude，tone，air，words，fairlyreekedwithSloanishness。"Hewasconferringagreathonor——nodoubtwhateveraboutthat。AndwhenAnne，utterlyinsensibletothehonor，refusedhim，asdelicatelyandconsideratelyasshecould——forevenaSloanehadfeelingswhichoughtnottobeundulylacerated——Sloanishnessstillfurtherbetrayeditself。

CharliecertainlydidnottakehisdismissalasAnne’simaginaryrejectedsuitorsdid。Instead，hebecameangry，andshowedit；

hesaidtwoorthreequitenastythings；Anne’stemperflashedupmutinouslyandsheretortedwithacuttinglittlespeechwhosekeennesspiercedevenCharlie’sprotectiveSloanishnessandreachedthequick；hecaughtuphishatandflunghimselfoutofthehousewithaveryredface；Annerushedupstairs，fallingtwiceoverMissAda’scushionsontheway，andthrewherselfonherbed，intearsofhumiliationandrage。HadsheactuallystoopedtoquarrelwithaSloane？WasitpossibleanythingCharlieSloanecouldsayhadpowertomakeherangry？Oh，thiswasdegradation，indeed——worseeventhanbeingtherivalofNettieBlewett！

"IwishIneedneverseethehorriblecreatureagain，"shesobbedvindictivelyintoherpillows。

Shecouldnotavoidseeinghimagain，buttheoutragedCharlietookcarethatitshouldnotbeatveryclosequarters。MissAda’scushionswerehenceforthsafefromhisdepredations，andwhenhemetAnneonthestreet，orinRedmond’shalls，hisbowwasicyintheextreme。Relationsbetweenthesetwooldschoolmatescontinuedtobethusstrainedfornearlyayear！

ThenCharlietransferredhisblightedaffectionstoaround，rosy，snub-nosed，blue-eyed，littleSophomorewhoappreciatedthemastheydeserved，whereuponheforgaveAnneandcondescendedtobeciviltoheragain；inapatronizingmannerintendedtoshowherjustwhatshehadlost。

OnedayAnnescurriedexcitedlyintoPriscilla’sroom。

"Readthat，"shecried，tossingPriscillaaletter。"It’sfromStella——andshe’scomingtoRedmondnextyear——andwhatdoyouthinkofheridea？Ithinkit’saperfectlysplendidone，ifwecanonlycarryitout。Doyousupposewecan，Pris？"

"I’llbebetterabletotellyouwhenIfindoutwhatitis，"

saidPriscilla，castingasideaGreeklexiconandtakingupStella’sletter。StellaMaynardhadbeenoneoftheirchumsatQueen’sAcademyandhadbeenteachingschooleversince。

"ButI’mgoingtogiveitup，Annedear，"shewrote，"andgotocollegenextyear。AsItookthethirdyearatQueen’sIcanentertheSophomoreyear。I’mtiredofteachinginabackcountryschool。SomedayI’mgoingtowriteatreatiseon`TheTrialsofaCountrySchoolmarm。’Itwillbeaharrowingbitofrealism。Itseemstobetheprevailingimpressionthatweliveinclover，andhavenothingtodobutdrawourquarter’ssalary。

Mytreatiseshalltellthetruthaboutus。Why，ifaweekshouldpasswithoutsomeonetellingmethatIamdoingeasyworkforbigpayIwouldconcludethatImightaswellordermyascensionrobe`immediatelyandtoonct。’`Well，yougetyourmoneyeasy，’

somerate-payerwilltellme，condescendingly。`Allyouhavetodoistositthereandhearlessons。’Iusedtoarguethematteratfirst，butI’mwisernow。Factsarestubbornthings，butassomeonehaswiselysaid，nothalfsostubbornasfallacies。

SoIonlysmileloftilynowineloquentsilence。Why，IhaveninegradesinmyschoolandIhavetoteachalittleofeverything，frominvestigatingtheinteriorsofearthwormstothestudyofthesolarsystem。Myyoungestpupilisfour——hismothersendshimtoschoolto`gethimoutoftheway’——andmyoldesttwenty——it`suddenlystruckhim’thatitwouldbeeasiertogotoschoolandgetaneducationthanfollowtheploughanylonger。

InthewildefforttocramallsortsofresearchintosixhoursadayIdon’twonderifthechildrenfeellikethelittleboywhowastakentoseethebiograph。`Ihavetolookforwhat’scomingnextbeforeIknowwhatwentlast，’hecomplained。Ifeellikethatmyself。

"AndthelettersIget，Anne！Tommy’smotherwritesmethatTommyisnotcomingoninarithmeticasfastasshewouldlike。

Heisonlyinsimplereductionyet，andJohnnyJohnsonisinfractions，andJohnnyisn’thalfassmartasherTommy，andshecan’tunderstandit。AndSusy’sfatherwantstoknowwhySusycan’twritealetterwithoutmisspellinghalfthewords，andDick’sauntwantsmetochangehisseat，becausethatbadBrownboyheissittingwithisteachinghimtosaynaughtywords。

"Astothefinancialpart——butI’llnotbeginonthat。Thosewhomthegodswishtodestroytheyfirstmakecountryschoolmarms！

"There，Ifeelbetter，afterthatgrowl。Afterall，I’veenjoyedthesepasttwoyears。ButI’mcomingtoRedmond。

"Andnow，Anne，I’vealittleplan。YouknowhowIloatheboarding。

I’veboardedforfouryearsandI’msotiredofit。Idon’tfeellikeenduringthreeyearsmoreofit。

Now，whycan’tyouandPriscillaandIclubtogether，rentalittlehousesomewhereinKingsport，andboardourselves？

Itwouldbecheaperthananyotherway。Ofcourse，wewouldhavetohaveahousekeeperandIhaveonereadyonthespot。

You’veheardmespeakofAuntJamesina？She’sthesweetestauntthateverlived，inspiteofhername。Shecan’thelpthat！

ShewascalledJamesinabecauseherfather，whosenamewasJames，wasdrownedatseaamonthbeforeshewasborn。IalwayscallherAuntJimsie。Well，heronlydaughterhasrecentlymarriedandgonetotheforeignmissionfield。AuntJamesinaisleftaloneinagreatbighouse，andsheishorriblylonesome。ShewillcometoKingsportandkeephouseforusifwewanther，andI

knowyou’llbothloveher。ThemoreIthinkoftheplanthemoreIlikeit。Wecouldhavesuchgood，independenttimes。

"Now，ifyouandPriscillaagreetoit，wouldn’titbeagoodideaforyou，whoareonthespot，tolookaroundandseeifyoucanfindasuitablehousethisspring？Thatwouldbebetterthanleavingittillthefall。Ifyoucouldgetafurnishedonesomuchthebetter，butifnot，wecanscareupafewsticksoffiniturebetweenusandoldfamilyfriendswithattics。Anyhow，decideassoonasyoucanandwriteme，sothatAuntJamesinawillknowwhatplanstomakefornextyear。"

"Ithinkit’sagoodidea，"saidPriscilla。

"SodoI，"agreedAnnedelightedly。"Ofcourse，wehaveaniceboardinghousehere，but，whenall’ssaidanddone，aboardinghouseisn’thome。Solet’sgohouse-huntingatonce，beforeexamscomeon。"

"I’mafraiditwillbehardenoughtogetareallysuitablehouse，"

warnedPriscilla。"Don’texpecttoomuch，Anne。Nicehousesinnicelocalitieswillprobablybeawaybeyondourmeans。We’lllikelyhavetocontentourselveswithashabbylittleplaceonsomestreetwhereonlivepeoplewhomtoknowistobeunknown，andmakelifeinsidecompensatefortheoutside。"

Accordinglytheywenthouse-hunting，buttofindjustwhattheywantedprovedevenharderthanPriscillahadfeared。

Housesthereweregalore，furnishedandunfurnished；butonewastoobig，anothertoosmall；thisonetooexpensive，thatonetoofarfromRedmond。Examswereonandover；thelastweekofthetermcameandstilltheir"houseo’dreams，"asAnnecalledit，remainedacastleintheair。

"Weshallhavetogiveupandwaittillthefall，Isuppose，"saidPriscillawearily，astheyrambledthroughtheparkononeofApril’sdarlingdaysofbreezeandblue，whentheharborwascreamingandshimmeringbeneaththepearl-huedmistsfloatingoverit。"Wemayfindsomeshacktoshelterusthen；andifnot，boardinghousesweshallhavealwayswithus。"

"I’mnotgoingtoworryaboutitjustnow，anyway，andspoilthislovelyafternoon，"saidAnne，gazingaroundherwithdelight。

Thefreshchillairwasfaintlychargedwiththearomaofpinebalsam，andtheskyabovewascrystalclearandblue——agreatinvertedcupofblessing。"Springissinginginmybloodtoday，andthelureofAprilisabroadontheair。I’mseeingvisionsanddreamingdreams，Pris。That’sbecausethewindisfromthewest。Idolovethewestwind。Itsingsofhopeandgladness，doesn’tit？WhentheeastwindblowsIalwaysthinkofsorrowfulrainontheeavesandsadwavesonagrayshore。WhenIgetoldIshallhaverheumatismwhenthewindiseast。"

"Andisn’titjollywhenyoudiscardfursandwintergarmentsforthefirsttimeandsallyforth，likethis，inspringattire？"

laughedPriscilla。"Don’tyoufeelasifyouhadbeenmadeovernew？"

"Everythingisnewinthespring，"saidAnne。"Springsthemselvesarealwayssonew，too。Nospringiseverjustlikeanyotherspring。

Italwayshassomethingofitsowntobeitsownpeculiarsweetness。

Seehowgreenthegrassisaroundthatlittlepond，andhowthewillowbudsarebursting。"

"Andexamsareoverandgone——thetimeofConvocationwillcomesoon——nextWednesday。Thisdaynextweekwe’llbehome。"

"I’mglad，"saidAnnedreamily。"TherearesomanythingsIwanttodo。IwanttositonthebackporchstepsandfeelthebreezeblowingdownoverMr。Harrison’sfields。IwanttohuntfernsintheHauntedWoodandgathervioletsinVioletVale。Doyourememberthedayofourgoldenpicnic，Priscilla？Iwanttohearthefrogssingingandthepoplarswhispering。ButI’velearnedtoloveKingsport，too，andI’mgladI’mcomingbacknextfall。

IfIhadn’twontheThorburnIdon’tbelieveIcouldhave。I

COULDN’TtakeanyofMarilla’slittlehoard。"

"Ifwecouldonlyfindahouse！"sighedPriscilla。"LookoverthereatKingsport，Anne——houses，houseseverywhere，andnotoneforus。"

"Stopit，Pris。`Thebestisyettobe。’LiketheoldRoman，we’llfindahouseorbuildone。Onadaylikethisthere’snosuchwordasfailinmybrightlexicon。"

Theylingeredintheparkuntilsunset，livingintheamazingmiracleandgloryandwonderofthespringtide；andtheywenthomeasusual，bywayofSpoffordAvenue，thattheymighthavethedelightoflookingatPatty’sPlace。

"Ifeelasifsomethingmysteriousweregoingtohappenrightaway——`bytheprickingofmythumbs，’"saidAnne，astheywentuptheslope。"It’sanicestory-bookishfeeling。Why——why——

why！PriscillaGrant，lookoverthereandtellmeifit’strue，oramIseein’things？"

Priscillalooked。Anne’sthumbsandeyeshadnotdeceivedher。

OverthearchedgatewayofPatty’sPlacedangledalittle，modestsign。Itsaid"ToLet，Furnished。InquireWithin。"

"Priscilla，"saidAnne，inawhisper，"doyousupposeit’spossiblethatwecouldrentPatty’sPlace？"

"No，Idon’t，"averredPriscilla。"Itwouldbetoogoodtobetrue。Fairytalesdon’thappennowadays。Iwon’thope，Anne。

Thedisappointmentwouldbetooawfultobear。They’resuretowantmoreforitthanwecanafford。Remember，it’sonSpoffordAvenue。"

"Wemustfindoutanyhow，"saidAnneresolutely。"It’stoolatetocallthisevening，butwe’llcometomorrow。Oh，Pris，ifwecangetthisdarlingspot！I’vealwaysfeltthatmyfortuneswerelinkedwithPatty’sPlace，eversinceIsawitfirst。"

ChapterX

Patty’sPlaceThenexteveningfoundthemtreadingresolutelytheherring-bonewalkthroughthetinygarden。TheAprilwindwasfillingthepinetreeswithitsroundelay，andthegrovewasalivewithrobins——great，plump，saucyfellows，struttingalongthepaths。

Thegirlsrangrathertimidly，andwereadmittedbyagrimandancienthandmaiden。Thedooropeneddirectlyintoalargeliving-room，wherebyacheerylittlefiresattwootherladies，bothofwhomwerealsogrimandancient。Exceptthatonelookedtobeaboutseventyandtheotherfifty，thereseemedlittledifferencebetweenthem。Eachhadamazinglybig，light-blueeyesbehindsteel-rimmedspectacles；eachworeacapandagrayshawl；

eachwasknittingwithouthasteandwithoutrest；eachrockedplacidlyandlookedatthegirlswithoutspeaking；andjustbehindeachsatalargewhitechinadog，withroundgreenspotsalloverit，agreennoseandgreenears。ThosedogscapturedAnne’sfancyonthespot；theyseemedlikethetwinguardiandeitiesofPatty’sPlace。

Forafewminutesnobodyspoke。Thegirlsweretoonervoustofindwords，andneithertheancientladiesnorthechinadogsseemedconversationallyinclined。Anneglancedabouttheroom。

Whatadearplaceitwas！Anotherdooropenedoutofitdirectlyintothepinegroveandtherobinscameboldlyupontheverystep。

Thefloorwasspottedwithround，braidedmats，suchasMarillamadeatGreenGables，butwhichwereconsideredoutofdateeverywhereelse，eveninAvonlea。AndyetheretheywereonSpoffordAvenue！Abig，polishedgrandfather’sclocktickedloudlyandsolemnlyinacorner。Thereweredelightfullittlecupboardsoverthemantelpiece，behindwhoseglassdoorsgleamedquaintbitsofchina。Thewallswerehungwitholdprintsandsilhouettes。Inonecornerthestairswentup，andatthefirstlowturnwasalongwindowwithaninvitingseat。ItwasalljustasAnnehadknownitmustbe。

Bythistimethesilencehadgrowntoodreadful，andPriscillanudgedAnnetointimatethatshemustspeak。

"We——we——sawbyyoursignthatthishouseistolet，"saidAnnefaintly，addressingtheolderlady，whowasevidentlyMissPattySpofford。

"Oh，yes，"saidMissPatty。"Iintendedtotakethatsigndowntoday。"

"Then——thenwearetoolate，"saidAnnesorrowfully。"You’veletittosomeoneelse？"

"No，butwehavedecidednottoletitatall。"

"Oh，I’msosorry，"exclaimedAnneimpulsively。"Ilovethisplaceso。

Ididhopewecouldhavegotit。"

ThendidMissPattylaydownherknitting，takeoffherspecs，rubthem，putthemonagain，andforthefirsttimelookatAnneasatahumanbeing。Theotherladyfollowedherexamplesoperfectlythatshemightaswellhavebeenareflectioninamirror。

"YouLOVEit，"saidMissPattywithemphasis。"DoesthatmeanthatyoureallyLOVEit？Orthatyoumerelylikethelooksofit？

ThegirlsnowadaysindulgeinsuchexaggeratedstatementsthatonenevercantellwhattheyDOmean。Itwasn’tsoinmyyoungdays。

THENagirldidnotsaysheLOVEDturnips，injustthesametoneasshemighthavesaidshelovedhermotherorherSavior。"

Anne’sconscienceboreherup。

"Ireallydoloveit，"shesaidgently。"I’velovediteversinceIsawitlastfall。MytwocollegechumsandIwanttokeephousenextyearinsteadofboarding，sowearelookingforalittleplacetorent；andwhenIsawthatthishousewastoletIwassohappy。"

"Ifyouloveit，youcanhaveit，"saidMissPatty。"MariaandI

decidedtodaythatwewouldnotletitafterall，becausewedidnotlikeanyofthepeoplewhohavewantedit。Wedon’tHAVEtoletit。WecanaffordtogotoEuropeevenifwedon’tletit。

Itwouldhelpusout，butnotforgoldwillIletmyhomepassintothepossessionofsuchpeopleashavecomehereandlookedatit。YOUaredifferent。Ibelieveyoudoloveitandwillbegoodtoit。Youcanhaveit。"

"If——ifwecanaffordtopaywhatyouaskforit，"hesitatedAnne。

MissPattynamedtheamountrequired。AnneandPriscillalookedateachother。Priscillashookherhead。

"I’mafraidwecan’taffordquitesomuch，"saidAnne，chokingbackherdisappointment。"Yousee，weareonlycollegegirlsandwearepoor。"

"Whatwereyouthinkingyoucouldafford？"demandedMissPatty，ceasingnottoknit。

Annenamedheramount。MissPattynoddedgravely。

"Thatwilldo。AsItoldyou，itisnotstrictlynecessarythatweshouldletitatall。Wearenotrich，butwehaveenoughtogotoEuropeon。IhaveneverbeeninEuropeinmylife，andneverexpectedorwantedtogo。Butmyniecethere，MariaSpofford，hastakenafancytogo。Now，youknowayoungpersonlikeMariacan’tgoglobetrottingalone。"

"No——I——Isupposenot，"murmuredAnne，seeingthatMissPattywasquitesolemnlyinearnest。

"Ofcoursenot。SoIhavetogoalongtolookafterher。Iexpecttoenjoyit，too；I’mseventyyearsold，butI’mnottiredoflivingyet。

IdaresayI’dhavegonetoEuropebeforeiftheideahadoccurredtome。

Weshallbeawayfortwoyears，perhapsthree。WesailinJuneandweshallsendyouthekey，andleaveallinorderforyoutotakepossessionwhenyouchoose。Weshallpackawayafewthingsweprizeespecially，butalltherestwillbeleft。"

"Willyouleavethechinadogs？"askedAnnetimidly。

"Wouldyoulikemeto？"

"Oh，indeed，yes。Theyaredelightful。"

ApleasedexpressioncameintoMissPatty’sface。

"Ithinkagreatdealofthosedogs，"shesaidproudly。"Theyareoverahundredyearsold，andtheyhavesatoneithersideofthisfireplaceeversincemybrotherAaronbroughtthemfromLondonfiftyyearsago。SpoffordAvenuewascalledaftermybrotherAaron。"

"Afinemanhewas，"saidMissMaria，speakingforthefirsttime。

"Ah，youdon’tseethelikeofhimnowadays。"

"Hewasagooduncletoyou，Maria，"saidMissPatty，withevidentemotion。

"Youdowelltorememberhim。"

"Ishallalwaysrememberhim，"saidMissMariasolemnly。"Icanseehim，thisminute，standingtherebeforethatfire，withhishandsunderhiscoat-tails，beamingonus。"

MissMariatookoutherhandkerchiefandwipedhereyes；butMissPattycameresolutelybackfromtheregionsofsentimenttothoseofbusiness。

"Ishallleavethedogswheretheyare，ifyouwillpromisetobeverycarefulofthem，"shesaid。"TheirnamesareGogandMagog。

GoglookstotherightandMagogtotheleft。Andthere’sjustonethingmore。Youdon’tobject，Ihope，tothishousebeingcalledPatty’sPlace？"

"No，indeed。Wethinkthatisoneofthenicestthingsaboutit。"

"Youhavesense，Isee，"saidMissPattyinatoneofgreatsatisfaction。

"Wouldyoubelieveit？Allthepeoplewhocameheretorentthehousewantedtoknowiftheycouldn’ttakethenameoffthegateduringtheiroccupationofit。Itoldthemroundlythatthenamewentwiththehouse。

ThishasbeenPatty’sPlaceeversincemybrotherAaronleftittomeinhiswill，andPatty’sPlaceitshallremainuntilIdieandMariadies。

Afterthathappensthenextpossessorcancallitanyfoolnamehelikes，"

concludedMissPatty，muchasshemighthavesaid，"Afterthat——thedeluge。"

"Andnow，wouldn’tyouliketogooverthehouseandseeitallbeforeweconsiderthebargainmade？"

Furtherexplorationstillfurtherdelightedthegirls。Besidesthebigliving-room，therewasakitchenandasmallbedroomdownstairs。

Upstairswerethreerooms，onelargeandtwosmall。Annetookanespecialfancytooneofthesmallones，lookingoutintothebigpines，andhopeditwouldbehers。Itwaspaperedinpaleblueandhadalittle，old-timeytoilettablewithsconcesforcandles。Therewasadiamond-panedwindowwithaseatunderthebluemuslinfrillsthatwouldbeasatisfyingspotforstudyingordreaming。

"It’sallsodeliciousthatIknowwearegoingtowakeupandfinditafleetingvisionofthenight，"saidPriscillaastheywentaway。

"MissPattyandMissMariaarehardlysuchstuffasdreamsaremadeof，"laughedAnne。"Canyoufancythem`globe-trotting’——

especiallyinthoseshawlsandcaps？"

"Isupposethey’lltakethemoffwhentheyreallybegintotrot，"

saidPriscilla，"butIknowthey’lltaketheirknittingwiththemeverywhere。Theysimplycouldn’tbepartedfromit。

TheywillwalkaboutWestminsterAbbeyandknit，Ifeelsure。

Meanwhile，Anne，weshallbelivinginPatty’sPlace——andonSpoffordAvenue。Ifeellikeamillionairessevennow。"

"Ifeellikeoneofthemorningstarsthatsangforjoy，"saidAnne。

PhilGordoncreptintoThirty-eight，St。John’s，thatnightandflungherselfonAnne’sbed。

"Girls，dear，I’mtiredtodeath。Ifeellikethemanwithoutacountry——

orwasitwithoutashadow？Iforgetwhich。Anyway，I’vebeenpackingup。"

"AndIsupposeyouarewornoutbecauseyoucouldn’tdecidewhichthingstopackfirst，orwheretoputthem，"laughedPriscilla。

"E-zackly。AndwhenIhadgoteverythingjammedinsomehow，andmylandladyandhermaidhadbothsatonitwhileIlockedit，I

discoveredIhadpackedawholelotofthingsIwantedforConvocationattheverybottom。IhadtounlocktheoldthingandpokeanddiveintoitforanhourbeforeIfishedoutwhatI

wanted。IwouldgetholdofsomethingthatfeltlikewhatIwaslookingfor，andI’dyankitup，anditwouldbesomethingelse。

No，Anne，IdidNOTswear。"

"Ididn’tsayyoudid。"

"Well，youlookedit。ButIadmitmythoughtsvergedontheprofane。

AndIhavesuchacoldinthehead——Icandonothingbutsniffle，sighandsneeze。Isn’tthatalliterativeagonyforyou？QueenAnne，dosaysomethingtocheermeup。"

"RememberthatnextThursdaynight，you’llbebackinthelandofAlecandAlonzo，"suggestedAnne。

Philshookherheaddolefully。

"Morealliteration。No，Idon’twantAlecandAlonzowhenIhaveacoldinthehead。Butwhathashappenedyoutwo？NowthatIlookatyoucloselyyouseemalllightedupwithaninternaliridescence。

Why，you’reactuallySHINING！What’sup？"

"WearegoingtoliveinPatty’sPlacenextwinter，"saidAnnetriumphantly。

"Live，markyou，notboard！We’verentedit，andStellaMaynardiscoming，andherauntisgoingtokeephouseforus。"

Philbouncedup，wipedhernose，andfellonherkneesbeforeAnne。

"Girls——girls——letmecome，too。Oh，I’llbesogood。Ifthere’snoroomformeI’llsleepinthelittledoghouseintheorchard——I’veseenit。Onlyletmecome。"

"Getup，yougoose。"

"Iwon’tstiroffmymarrowbonestillyoutellmeIcanlivewithyounextwinter。"

AnneandPriscillalookedateachother。ThenAnnesaidslowly，"Phildear，we’dlovetohaveyou。Butwemayaswellspeakplainly。

I’mpoor——Prisispoor——StellaMaynardispoor——ourhousekeepingwillhavetobeverysimpleandourtableplain。You’dhavetoliveaswewould。Now，youarerichandyourboardinghousefareatteststhefact。"

"Oh，whatdoIcareforthat？"demandedPhiltragically。

"Betteradinnerofherbswhereyourchumsarethanastalledoxinalonelyboardinghouse。Don’tthinkI’mALLstomach，girls。

I’llbewillingtoliveonbreadandwater——withjustaLEETLE

jam——ifyou’llletmecome。"

"Andthen，"continuedAnne，"therewillbeagooddealofworktobedone。

Stella’sauntcan’tdoitall。Weallexpecttohaveourchorestodo。

Now，you——"

"Toilnot，neitherdoIspin，"finishedPhilippa。"ButI’lllearntodothings。You’llonlyhavetoshowmeonce。ICANmakemyownbedtobeginwith。Andrememberthat，thoughIcan’tcook，ICANkeepmytemper。That’ssomething。AndINEVERgrowlabouttheweather。That’smore。Oh，please，please！Ineverwantedanythingsomuchinmylife——andthisfloorisawfullyhard。"

"There’sjustonemorething，"saidPriscillaresolutely。

"You，Phil，asallRedmondknows，entertaincallersalmosteveryevening。Now，atPatty’sPlacewecan’tdothat。WehavedecidedthatweshallbeathometoourfriendsonFridayeveningsonly。

Ifyoucomewithusyou’llhavetoabidebythatrule。"

"Well，youdon’tthinkI’llmindthat，doyou？Why，I’mgladofit。

IknewIshouldhavehadsomesuchrulemyself，butIhadn’tenoughdecisiontomakeitorsticktoit。WhenIcanshuffleofftheresponsibilityonyouitwillbearealrelief。Ifyouwon’tletmecastinmylotwithyouI’lldieofthedisappointmentandthenI’llcomebackandhauntyou。I’llcampontheverydoorstepofPatty’sPlaceandyouwon’tbeabletogooutorcomeinwithoutfallingovermyspook。"

AgainAnneandPriscillaexchangedeloquentlooks。

"Well，"saidAnne，"ofcoursewecan’tpromisetotakeyouuntilwe’veconsultedwithStella；butIdon’tthinkshe’llobject，and，asfarasweareconcerned，youmaycomeandgladwelcome。"

"Ifyougettiredofoursimplelifeyoucanleaveus，andnoquestionsasked，"addedPriscilla。

Philsprangup，huggedthembothjubilantly，andwentonherwayrejoicing。

"Ihopethingswillgoright，"saidPriscillasoberly。

"WemustMAKEthemgoright，"avowedAnne。"IthinkPhilwillfitintoour’appylittle’omeverywell。"

"Oh，Phil’sadeartorattleroundwithandbechums。And，ofcourse，themorethereareofustheeasieritwillbeonourslimpurses。

Buthowwillshebetolivewith？Youhavetosummerandwinterwithanyonebeforeyouknowifshe’sLIVABLEornot。"

"Oh，well，we’llallbeputtothetest，asfarasthatgoes。

Andwemustquituslikesensiblefolk，livingandletlive。

Philisn’tselfish，thoughshe’salittlethoughtless，andI

believewewillallgetonbeautifullyinPatty’sPlace。"

ChapterXI

TheRoundofLifeAnnewasbackinAvonleawiththelusteroftheThorburnScholarshiponherbrow。Peopletoldhershehadn’tchangedmuch，inatonewhichhintedtheyweresurprisedandalittledisappointedshehadn’t。

Avonleahadnotchanged，either。Atleast，soitseemedatfirst。

ButasAnnesatintheGreenGablespew，onthefirstSundayafterherreturn，andlookedoverthecongregation，shesawseverallittlechangeswhich，allcominghometoheratonce，madeherrealizethattimedidnotquitestandstill，eveninAvonlea。Anewministerwasinthepulpit。Inthepewsmorethanonefamiliarfacewasmissingforever。

Old"UncleAbe，"hisprophesyingoveranddonewith，Mrs。PeterSloane，whohadsighed，itwastobehoped，forthelasttime，TimothyCotton，who，asMrs。RachelLyndesaid"hadactuallymanagedtodieatlastafterpracticingatitfortwentyyears，"andoldJosiahSloane，whomnobodyknewinhiscoffinbecausehehadhiswhiskersneatlytrimmed，wereallsleepinginthelittlegraveyardbehindthechurch。AndBillyAndrewswasmarriedtoNettieBlewett！They"appearedout"thatSunday。

WhenBilly，beamingwithprideandhappiness，showedhisbe-plumedandbe-silkedbrideintotheHarmonAndrews’pew，Annedroppedherlidstohideherdancingeyes。SherecalledthestormywinternightoftheChristmasholidayswhenJanehadproposedforBilly。Hecertainlyhadnotbrokenhisheartoverhisrejection。AnnewonderedifJanehadalsoproposedtoNettieforhim，orifhehadmusteredenoughspunktoaskthefatefulquestionhimself。AlltheAndrewsfamilyseemedtoshareinhisprideandpleasure，fromMrs。HarmoninthepewtoJaneinthechoir。JanehadresignedfromtheAvonleaschoolandintendedtogoWestinthefall。

"Can’tgetabeauinAvonlea，that’swhat，"saidMrs。RachelLyndescornfully。"SAYSshethinksshe’llhavebetterhealthoutWest。

Ineverheardherhealthwaspoorbefore。"

"Janeisanicegirl，"Annehadsaidloyally。"Shenevertriedtoattractattention，assomedid。"

"Oh，sheneverchasedtheboys，ifthat’swhatyoumean，"saidMrs。Rachel。"Butshe’dliketobemarried，justasmuchasanybody，that’swhat。WhatelsewouldtakeheroutWesttosomeforsakenplacewhoseonlyrecommendationisthatmenareplentyandwomenscarce？Don’tyoutellme！"

ButitwasnotatJane，Annegazedthatdayindismayandsurprise。

ItwasatRubyGillis，whosatbesideherinthechoir。WhathadhappenedtoRuby？Shewasevenhandsomerthanever；butherblueeyesweretoobrightandlustrous，andthecolorofhercheekswashecticallybrilliant；besides，shewasverythin；thehandsthatheldherhymn-bookwerealmosttransparentintheirdelicacy。

"IsRubyGillisill？"AnneaskedofMrs。Lynde，astheywenthomefromchurch。

"RubyGillisisdyingofgallopingconsumption，"saidMrs。Lyndebluntly。"EverybodyknowsitexceptherselfandherFAMILY。

Theywon’tgivein。IfyouaskTHEM，she’sperfectlywell。

Shehasn’tbeenabletoteachsinceshehadthatattackofcongestioninthewinter，butshesaysshe’sgoingtoteachagaininthefall，andshe’saftertheWhiteSandsschool。

She’llbeinhergrave，poorgirl，whenWhiteSandsschoolopens，that’swhat。"

Annelistenedinshockedsilence。RubyGillis，heroldschool-chum，dying？Coulditbepossible？Oflateyearstheyhadgrownapart；

buttheoldtieofschool-girlintimacywasthere，andmadeitselffeltsharplyinthetugthenewsgaveatAnne’sheartstrings。

Ruby，thebrilliant，themerry，thecoquettish！Itwasimpossibletoassociatethethoughtofherwithanythinglikedeath。ShehadgreetedAnnewithgaycordialityafterchurch，andurgedhertocomeupthenextevening。

"I’llbeawayTuesdayandWednesdayevenings，"shehadwhisperedtriumphantly。"There’saconcertatCarmodyandapartyatWhiteSands。HerbSpencer’sgoingtotakeme。He’smyLATEST。Besuretocomeuptomorrow。I’mdyingforagoodtalkwithyou。IwanttohearallaboutyourdoingsatRedmond。"

AnneknewthatRubymeantthatshewantedtotellAnneallaboutherownrecentflirtations，butshepromisedtogo，andDianaofferedtogowithher。

"I’vebeenwantingtogotoseeRubyforalongwhile，"shetoldAnne，whentheyleftGreenGablesthenextevening，"butIreallycouldn’tgoalone。It’ssoawfultohearRubyrattlingonasshedoes，andpretendingthereisnothingthematterwithher，evenwhenshecanhardlyspeakforcoughing。She’sfightingsohardforherlife，andyetshehasn’tanychanceatall，theysay。"

Thegirlswalkedsilentlydownthered，twilitroad。Therobinsweresingingvespersinthehightreetops，fillingthegoldenairwiththeirjubilantvoices。Thesilverflutingofthefrogscamefrommarshesandponds，overfieldswhereseedswerebeginningtostirwithlifeandthrilltothesunshineandrainthathaddriftedoverthem。Theairwasfragrantwiththewild，sweet，wholesomesmellofyoungraspberrycopses。Whitemistswerehoveringinthesilenthollowsandvioletstarswereshiningbluelyonthebrooklands。

"Whatabeautifulsunset，"saidDiana。"Look，Anne，it’sjustlikealandinitself，isn’tit？Thatlong，lowbackofpurplecloudistheshore，andtheclearskyfurtheronislikeagoldensea。"

"IfwecouldsailtoitinthemoonshineboatPaulwroteofinhisoldcomposition——youremember？——howniceitwouldbe，"

saidAnne，rousingfromherreverie。"Doyouthinkwecouldfindallouryesterdaysthere，Diana——allouroldspringsandblossoms？ThebedsofflowersthatPaulsawtherearetherosesthathavebloomedforusinthepast？"

"Don’t！"saidDiana。"Youmakemefeelasifwewereoldwomenwitheverythinginlifebehindus。"

"IthinkI’vealmostfeltasifweweresinceIheardaboutpoorRuby，"

saidAnne。"Ifitistruethatsheisdyinganyothersadthingmightbetrue，too。"

"Youdon’tmindcallinginatElishaWright’sforamoment，doyou？"

askedDiana。"MotheraskedmetoleavethislittledishofjellyforAuntAtossa。"

"WhoisAuntAtossa？"

"Oh，haven’tyouheard？She’sMrs。SamsonCoatesofSpencervale——Mrs。ElishaWright’saunt。She’sfather’saunt，too。Herhusbanddiedlastwinterandshewasleftverypoorandlonely，sotheWrightstookhertolivewiththem。Motherthoughtweoughttotakeher，butfatherputhisfootdown。LivewithAuntAtossahewouldnot。"

"Isshesoterrible？"askedAnneabsently。

"You’llprobablyseewhatshe’slikebeforewecangetaway，"

saidDianasignificantly。"Fathersaysshehasafacelikeahatchet——itcutstheair。Buthertongueissharperstill。"

LateasitwasAuntAtossawascuttingpotatosetsintheWrightkitchen。Sheworeafadedoldwrapper，andhergrayhairwasdecidedlyuntidy。AuntAtossadidnotlikebeing"caughtinakilter，"soshewentoutofherwaytobedisagreeable。

"Oh，soyou’reAnneShirley？"shesaid，whenDianaintroducedAnne。

"I’veheardofyou。"Hertoneimpliedthatshehadheardnothinggood。

"Mrs。Andrewswastellingmeyouwerehome。Shesaidyouhadimprovedagooddeal。"

TherewasnodoubtAuntAtossathoughttherewasplentyofroomforfurtherimprovement。Sheceasednotfromcuttingsetswithmuchenergy。

"Isitanyusetoaskyoutositdown？"sheinquiredsarcastically。

"Ofcourse，there’snothingveryentertaininghereforyou。Therestareallaway。"

"Mothersentyouthislittlepotofrhubarbjelly，"saidDianapleasantly。"Shemadeittodayandthoughtyoumightlikesome。"

"Oh，thanks，"saidAuntAtossasourly。"Ineverfancyyourmother’sjelly——shealwaysmakesittoosweet。However，I’lltrytoworrysomedown。Myappetite’sbeendreadfulpoorthisspring。I’mfarfromwell，"continuedAuntAtossasolemnly，"butstillIkeepa-doing。Peoplewhocan’tworkaren’twantedhere。

Ifitisn’ttoomuchtroublewillyoubecondescendingenoughtosetthejellyinthepantry？I’minahurrytogetthesespudsdonetonight。IsupposeyoutwoLADIESneverdoanythinglikethis。

You’dbeafraidofspoilingyourhands。"

"Iusedtocutpotatosetsbeforewerentedthefarm，"smiledAnne。

"Idoityet，"laughedDiana。"Icutsetsthreedayslastweek。

Ofcourse，"sheaddedteasingly，"Ididmyhandsupinlemonjuiceandkidgloveseverynightafterit。"

AuntAtossasniffed。

"Isupposeyougotthatnotionoutofsomeofthosesillymagazinesyoureadsomanyof。Iwonderyourmotherallowsyou。

Butshealwaysspoiledyou。WeallthoughtwhenGeorgemarriedhershewouldn’tbeasuitablewifeforhim。"

AuntAtossasighedheavily，asifallforebodingsupontheoccasionofGeorgeBarry’smarriagehadbeenamplyanddarklyfulfilled。

"Going，areyou？"sheinquired，asthegirlsrose。"Well，I

supposeyoucan’tfindmuchamusementtalkingtoanoldwomanlikeme。It’ssuchapitytheboysain’thome。"

"WewanttoruninandseeRubyGillisalittlewhile，"explainedDiana。

"Oh，anythingdoesforanexcuse，ofcourse，"saidAuntAtossa，amiably。

"Justwhipinandwhipoutbeforeyouhavetimetosayhow-dodecently。

It’scollegeairs，Is’pose。You’dbewisertokeepawayfromRubyGillis。

Thedoctorssayconsumption’scatching。IalwaysknewRuby’dgetsomething，gaddingofftoBostonlastfallforavisit。Peoplewhoain’tcontenttostayhomealwayscatchsomething。"

"Peoplewhodon’tgovisitingcatchthings，too。Sometimestheyevendie，"

saidDianasolemnly。

"Thentheydon’thavethemselvestoblameforit，"retortedAuntAtossatriumphantly。"IhearyouaretobemarriedinJune，Diana。"

"Thereisnotruthinthatreport，"saidDiana，blushing。

"Well，don’tputitofftoolong，"saidAuntAtossasignificantly。

"You’llfadesoon——you’reallcomplexionandhair。AndtheWrightsareterriblefickle。Yououghttowearahat，MISSSHIRLEY。Yournoseisfrecklingscandalous。My，butyouAREredheaded！Well，Is’posewe’reallastheLordmadeus！GiveMarillaCuthbertmyrespects。

She’sneverbeentoseemesinceIcometoAvonlea，butIs’poseI

oughtn’ttocomplain。TheCuthbertsalwaysdidthinkthemselvesacuthigherthananyoneelseroundhere。"

"Oh，isn’tshedreadful？"gaspedDiana，astheyescapeddownthelane。

"She’sworsethanMissElizaAndrews，"saidAnne。"ButthenthinkoflivingallyourlifewithanamelikeAtossa！Wouldn’titsouralmostanyone？SheshouldhavetriedtoimaginehernamewasCordelia。

Itmighthavehelpedheragreatdeal。ItcertainlyhelpedmeinthedayswhenIdidn’tlikeANNE。"

"JosiePyewillbejustlikeherwhenshegrowsup，"saidDiana。

"Josie’smotherandAuntAtossaarecousins，youknow。Oh，dear，I’mgladthat’sover。She’ssomalicious——sheseemstoputabadflavorineverything。Fathertellssuchafunnystoryabouther。

OnetimetheyhadaministerinSpencervalewhowasaverygood，spiritualmanbutverydeaf。Hecouldn’thearanyordinaryconversationatall。Well，theyusedtohaveaprayermeetingonSundayevenings，andallthechurchmemberspresentwouldgetupandprayinturn，orsayafewwordsonsomeBibleverse。ButoneeveningAuntAtossabouncedup。Shedidn’teitherprayorpreach。Instead，shelitintoeverybodyelseinthechurchandgavethemafearfulrakingdown，callingthemrightoutbynameandtellingthemhowtheyallhadbehaved，andcastingupallthequarrelsandscandalsofthepasttenyears。FinallyshewoundupbysayingthatshewasdisgustedwithSpencervalechurchandshenevermeanttodarkenitsdooragain，andshehopedafearfuljudgmentwouldcomeuponit。Thenshesatdownoutofbreath，andtheminister，whohadn’theardawordshesaid，immediatelyremarked，inaverydevoutvoice，`amen！TheLordgrantourdearsister’sprayer！’Yououghttohearfathertellthestory。"

"Speakingofstories，Diana，"remarkedAnne，inasignificant，confidentialtone，"doyouknowthatlatelyIhavebeenwonderingifIcouldwriteashortstory——astorythatwouldbegoodenoughtobepublished？"

"Why，ofcourseyoucould，"saidDiana，aftershehadgraspedtheamazingsuggestion。"YouusedtowriteperfectlythrillingstoriesyearsagoinouroldStoryClub。"

"Well，Ihardlymeantoneofthatkindofstories，"smiledAnne。

"I’vebeenthinkingaboutitalittleoflate，butI’malmostafraidtotry，for，ifIshouldfail，itwouldbetoohumiliating。"

"IheardPriscillasayoncethatallMrs。Morgan’sfirststorieswererejected。ButI’msureyourswouldn’tbe，Anne，forit’slikelyeditorshavemoresensenowadays。"

"MargaretBurton，oneoftheJuniorgirlsatRedmond，wroteastorylastwinteranditwaspublishedintheCanadianWoman。

IreallydothinkIcouldwriteoneatleastasgood。"

"AndwillyouhaveitpublishedintheCanadianWoman？"

"Imighttryoneofthebiggermagazinesfirst。ItalldependsonwhatkindofastoryIwrite。"

"Whatisittobeabout？"

"Idon’tknowyet。Iwanttogetholdofagoodplot。Ibelievethisisverynecessaryfromaneditor’spointofview。TheonlythingI’vesettledonistheheroine’sname。ItistobeAVERIL

LESTER。Ratherpretty，don’tyouthink？Don’tmentionthistoanyone，Diana。Ihaven’ttoldanybodybutyouandMr。Harrison。

HEwasn’tveryencouraging——hesaidtherewasfartoomuchtrashwrittennowadaysasitwas，andhe’dexpectedsomethingbetterofme，afterayearatcollege。"

"WhatdoesMr。Harrisonknowaboutit？"demandedDianascornfully。

TheyfoundtheGillishomegaywithlightsandcallers。LeonardKimball，ofSpencervale，andMorganBell，ofCarmody，wereglaringateachotheracrosstheparlor。Severalmerrygirlshaddroppedin。

Rubywasdressedinwhiteandhereyesandcheekswereverybrilliant。

Shelaughedandchatteredincessantly，andaftertheothergirlshadgoneshetookAnneupstairstodisplayhernewsummerdresses。

"I’veabluesilktomakeupyet，butit’salittleheavyforsummerwear。IthinkI’llleaveituntilthefall。I’mgoingtoteachinWhiteSands，youknow。Howdoyoulikemyhat？

Thatoneyouhadoninchurchyesterdaywasrealdinky。

ButIlikesomethingbrighterformyself。Didyounoticethosetworidiculousboysdownstairs？They’vebothcomedeterminedtositeachotherout。Idon’tcareasinglebitabouteitherofthem，youknow。HerbSpenceristheoneIlike。

SometimesIreallydothinkhe’sMR。RIGHT。AtChristmasI

thoughttheSpencervaleschoolmasterwasthat。ButIfoundoutsomethingabouthimthatturnedmeagainsthim。HenearlywentinsanewhenIturnedhimdown。Iwishthosetwoboyshadn’tcometonight。Iwantedtohaveanicegoodtalkwithyou，Anne，andtellyousuchheapsofthings。YouandIwerealwaysgoodchums，weren’twe？"

RubyslippedherarmaboutAnne’swaistwithashallowlittlelaugh。

Butjustforamomenttheireyesmet，and，behindallthelusterofRuby’s，Annesawsomethingthatmadeherheartache。

"Comeupoften，won’tyou，Anne？"whisperedRuby。"Comealone——

Iwantyou。"

"Areyoufeelingquitewell，Ruby？"

"Me！Why，I’mperfectlywell。Ineverfeltbetterinmylife。

Ofcourse，thatcongestionlastwinterpulledmedownalittle。

Butjustseemycolor。Idon’tlookmuchlikeaninvalid，I’msure。"

Ruby’svoicewasalmostsharp。ShepulledherarmawayfromAnne，asifinresentment，andrandownstairs，whereshewasgayerthanever，apparentlysomuchabsorbedinbanteringhertwoswainsthatDianaandAnnefeltratheroutofitandsoonwentaway。

ChapterXII

"Averil’sAtonement"

"Whatareyoudreamingof，Anne？"

Thetwogirlswereloiteringoneeveninginafairyhollowofthebrook。Fernsnoddedinit，andlittlegrassesweregreen，andwildpearshungfinely-scented，whitecurtainsaroundit。