第6章
Therewasanotherpause——solongandsodreadfulthatAnnewasdrivenatlasttolookup。Gilbert’sfacewaswhitetothelips。
Andhiseyes——butAnneshudderedandlookedaway。Therewasnothingromanticaboutthis。Mustproposalsbeeithergrotesqueor——horrible？CouldsheeverforgetGilbert’sface？
"Isthereanybodyelse？"heaskedatlastinalowvoice。
"No——no，"saidAnneeagerly。"Idon’tcareforanyonelikeTHAT——andILIKEyoubetterthananybodyelseintheworld，Gilbert。Andwemust——wemustgoonbeingfriends，Gilbert。"
Gilbertgaveabitterlittlelaugh。
"Friends！Yourfriendshipcan’tsatisfyme，Anne。Iwantyourlove——andyoutellmeIcanneverhavethat。"
"I’msorry。Forgiveme，Gilbert，"wasallAnnecouldsay。
Where，oh，wherewereallthegraciousandgracefulspeecheswherewith，inimagination，shehadbeenwonttodismissrejectedsuitors？
Gilbertreleasedherhandgently。
"Thereisn’tanythingtoforgive。TherehavebeentimeswhenIthoughtyoudidcare。I’vedeceivedmyself，that’sall。Goodbye，Anne。"
Annegotherselftoherroom，satdownonherwindowseatbehindthepines，andcriedbitterly。Shefeltasifsomethingincalculablyprecioushadgoneoutofherlife。ItwasGilbert’sfriendship，ofcourse。Oh，whymustsheloseitafterthisfashion？
"Whatisthematter，honey？"askedPhil，cominginthroughthemoonlitgloom。
Annedidnotanswer。AtthatmomentshewishedPhilwereathousandmilesaway。
"Isupposeyou’vegoneandrefusedGilbertBlythe。Youareanidiot，AnneShirley！"
"DoyoucallitidiotictorefusetomarryamanIdon’tlove？"
saidAnnecoldly，goadedtoreply。
"Youdon’tknowlovewhenyouseeit。You’vetrickedsomethingoutwithyourimaginationthatyouthinklove，andyouexpecttherealthingtolooklikethat。There，that’sthefirstsensiblethingI’veeversaidinmylife。IwonderhowImanagedit？"
"Phil，"pleadedAnne，"pleasegoawayandleavemealoneforalittlewhile。Myworldhastumbledintopieces。Iwanttoreconstructit。"
"WithoutanyGilbertinit？"saidPhil，going。
AworldwithoutanyGilbertinit！Annerepeatedthewordsdrearily。
Woulditnotbeaverylonely，forlornplace？Well，itwasallGilbert’sfault。Hehadspoiledtheirbeautifulcomradeship。
Shemustjustlearntolivewithoutit。
ChapterXXI
RosesofYesterdayThefortnightAnnespentinBolingbrokewasaverypleasantone，withalittleundercurrentofvaguepainanddissatisfactionrunningthroughitwhenevershethoughtaboutGilbert。Therewasnot，however，muchtimetothinkabouthim。"MountHolly，"thebeautifuloldGordonhomestead，wasaverygayplace，overrunbyPhil’sfriendsofbothsexes。Therewasquiteabewilderingsuccessionofdrives，dances，picnicsandboatingparties，allexpressivelylumpedtogetherbyPhilundertheheadof"jamborees"；
AlecandAlonzoweresoconstantlyonhandthatAnnewonderediftheyeverdidanythingbutdanceattendanceonthatwill-o’-the-wispofaPhil。Theywerebothnice，manlyfellows，butAnnewouldnotbedrawnintoanyopinionastowhichwasthenicer。
"AndIdependedsoonyoutohelpmemakeupmymindwhichofthemI
shouldpromisetomarry，"mournedPhil。
"Youmustdothatforyourself。Youarequiteexpertatmakingupyourmindastowhomotherpeopleshouldmarry，"retortedAnne，rathercaustically。
"Oh，that’saverydifferentthing，"saidPhil，truly。
ButthesweetestincidentofAnne’ssojourninBolingbrokewasthevisittoherbirthplace——thelittleshabbyyellowhouseinanout-of-the-waystreetshehadsooftendreamedabout。Shelookedatitwithdelightedeyes，assheandPhilturnedinatthegate。
"It’salmostexactlyasI’vepicturedit，"shesaid。"Thereisnohoneysuckleoverthewindows，butthereisalilactreebythegate，and——yes，therearethemuslincurtainsinthewindows。
HowgladIamitisstillpaintedyellow。"
Averytall，verythinwomanopenedthedoor。
"Yes，theShirleyslivedheretwentyyearsago，"shesaid，inanswertoAnne’squestion。"Theyhaditrented。Iremember’em。
Theybothdiedoffeveratonct。Itwasturriblesad。Theyleftababy。Iguessit’sdeadlongago。Itwasasicklything。OldThomasandhiswifetookit——asiftheyhadn’tenoughoftheirown。"
"Itdidn’tdie，"saidAnne，smiling。"Iwasthatbaby。"
"Youdon’tsayso！Why，youhavegrown，"exclaimedthewoman，asifsheweremuchsurprisedthatAnnewasnotstillababy。
"Cometolookatyou，Iseetheresemblance。You’recomplectedlikeyourpa。Hehadredhair。Butyoufavoryourmainyoureyesandmouth。Shewasanicelittlething。Mydarterwenttoschooltoherandwasnighcrazyabouther。TheywasburiedintheonegraveandtheSchoolBoardputupatombstonetothemasarewardforfaithfulservice。Willyoucomein？"
"Willyouletmegoalloverthehouse？"askedAnneeagerly。
"Laws，yes，youcanifyoulike。’Twon’ttakeyoulong——thereain’tmuchofit。Ikeepatmymantobuildanewkitchen，butheain’toneofyourhustlers。Theparlor’sinthereandthere’stworoomsupstairs。Justprowlaboutyourselves。I’vegottoseetothebaby。Theeastroomwastheoneyouwerebornin。
Irememberyourmasayingshelovedtoseethesunrise；andI
mindhearingthatyouwasbornjustasthesunwasrisinganditslightonyourfacewasthefirstthingyourmasaw。"
Annewentupthenarrowstairsandintothatlittleeastroomwithafullheart。Itwasasashrinetoher。Herehermotherhaddreamedtheexquisite，happydreamsofanticipatedmotherhood；
herethatredsunriselighthadfallenoverthembothinthesacredhourofbirth；herehermotherhaddied。Annelookedaboutherreverently，hereyeswithtears。Itwasforheroneofthejeweledhoursoflifethatgleamoutradiantlyforeverinmemory。
"Justtothinkofit——motherwasyoungerthanIamnowwhenIwasborn，"
shewhispered。
WhenAnnewentdownstairstheladyofthehousemetherinthehall。
Sheheldoutadustylittlepackettiedwithfadedblueribbon。
"Here’sabundleofoldlettersIfoundinthatclosetupstairswhenIcamehere，"shesaid。"Idunnowhattheyare——Ineverbotheredtolookin’em，buttheaddressonthetoponeis`MissBerthaWillis，’andthatwasyourma’smaidenname。
Youcantake’emifyou’dkeertohave’em。"
"Oh，thankyou——thankyou，"criedAnne，claspingthepacketrapturously。
"Thatwasallthatwasinthehouse，"saidherhostess。"Thefurniturewasallsoldtopaythedoctorbills，andMrs。Thomasgotyourma’sclothesandlittlethings。Ireckontheydidn’tlastlongamongthatdroveofThomasyoungsters。Theywasdestructiveyounganimals，asImind’em。"
"Ihaven’tonethingthatbelongedtomymother，"saidAnne，chokily。"I——Icanneverthankyouenoughfortheseletters。"
"You’requitewelcome。Laws，butyoureyesislikeyourma’s。
Shecouldjustabouttalkwithhers。Yourfatherwassorterhomelybutawfulnice。Imindhearingfolkssaywhentheywasmarriedthatthereneverwastwopeoplemoreinlovewitheachother——Porecreatures，theydidn’tlivemuchlonger；buttheywasawfulhappywhiletheywasalive，andIs’posethatcountsforagooddeal。"
Annelongedtogethometoreadherpreciousletters；butshemadeonelittlepilgrimagefirst。Shewentalonetothegreencornerofthe"old"Bolingbrokecemeterywhereherfatherandmotherwereburied，andleftontheirgravethewhiteflowersshecarried。ThenshehastenedbacktoMountHolly，shutherselfupinherroom，andreadtheletters。Somewerewrittenbyherfather，somebyhermother。Therewerenotmany——onlyadozeninall——forWalterandBerthaShirleyhadnotbeenoftenseparatedduringtheircourtship。Theletterswereyellowandfadedanddim，blurredwiththetouchofpassingyears。
Noprofoundwordsofwisdomweretracedonthestainedandwrinkledpages，butonlylinesofloveandtrust。Thesweetnessofforgottenthingsclungtothem——thefar-off，fondimaginingsofthoselong-deadlovers。BerthaShirleyhadpossessedthegiftofwritingletterswhichembodiedthecharmingpersonalityofthewriterinwordsandthoughtsthatretainedtheirbeautyandfragranceafterthelapseoftime。Thelettersweretender，intimate，sacred。ToAnne，thesweetestofallwastheonewrittenafterherbirthtothefatheronabriefabsence。
Itwasfullofaproudyoungmother’saccountsof"baby"——
hercleverness，herbrightness，herthousandsweetnesses。
"Iloveherbestwhensheisasleepandbetterstillwhensheisawake，"
BerthaShirleyhadwritteninthepostscript。Probablyitwasthelastsentenceshehadeverpenned。Theendwasverynearforher。
"Thishasbeenthemostbeautifuldayofmylife，"AnnesaidtoPhilthatnight。"I’veFOUNDmyfatherandmother。ThoselettershavemadethemREALtome。I’mnotanorphananylonger。IfeelasifIhadopenedabookandfoundrosesofyesterday，sweetandbeloved，betweenitsleaves。"
ChapterXXII
SpringandAnneReturntoGreenGablesThefirelightshadowsweredancingoverthekitchenwallsatGreenGables，forthespringeveningwaschilly；throughtheopeneastwindowdriftedinthesubtlysweetvoicesofthenight。
Marillawassittingbythefire——atleast，inbody。Inspiritshewasroamingoldenways，withfeetgrownyoung。OflateMarillahadthusspentmanyanhour，whenshethoughtsheshouldhavebeenknittingforthetwins。
"IsupposeI’mgrowingold，"shesaid。
YetMarillahadchangedbutlittleinthepastnineyears，savetogrowsomethingthinner，andevenmoreangular；therewasalittlemoregrayinthehairthatwasstilltwistedupinthesamehardknot，withtwohairpins——WEREtheythesamehairpins？——
stillstuckthroughit。Butherexpressionwasverydifferent；
thesomethingaboutthemouthwhichhadhintedatasenseofhumorhaddevelopedwonderfully；hereyesweregentlerandmilder，hersmilemorefrequentandtender。
Marillawasthinkingofherwholepastlife，hercrampedbutnotunhappychildhood，thejealouslyhiddendreamsandtheblightedhopesofhergirlhood，thelong，gray，narrow，monotonousyearsofdullmiddlelifethatfollowed。AndthecomingofAnne——
thevivid，imaginative，impetuouschildwithherheartoflove，andherworldoffancy，bringingwithhercolorandwarmthandradiance，untilthewildernessofexistencehadblossomedliketherose。MarillafeltthatoutofhersixtyyearsshehadlivedonlytheninethathadfollowedtheadventofAnne。
AndAnnewouldbehometomorrownight。
Thekitchendooropened。MarillalookedupexpectingtoseeMrs。
Lynde。Annestoodbeforeher，tallandstarry-eyed，withherhandsfullofMayflowersandviolets。
"AnneShirley！"exclaimedMarilla。Foronceinherlifeshewassurprisedoutofherreserve；shecaughthergirlinherarmsandcrushedherandherflowersagainstherheart，kissingthebrighthairandsweetfacewarmly。"Ineverlookedforyoutilltomorrownight。HowdidyougetfromCarmody？"
"Walked，dearestofMarillas。Haven’tIdoneitascoreoftimesintheQueen’sdays？Themailmanistobringmytrunktomorrow；
Ijustgothomesickallatonce，andcameadayearlier。Andoh！
I’vehadsuchalovelywalkintheMaytwilight；IstoppedbythebarrensandpickedtheseMayflowers；IcamethroughViolet-Vale；
it’sjustabigbowlfulofvioletsnow——thedear，sky-tintedthings。Smellthem，Marilla——drinkthemin。"
Marillasniffedobligingly，butshewasmoreinterestedinAnnethanindrinkingviolets。
"Sitdown，child。Youmustberealtired。I’mgoingtogetyousomesupper。"
"There’sadarlingmoonrisebehindthehillstonight，Marilla，andoh，howthefrogssangmehomefromCarmody！Idolovethemusicofthefrogs。Itseemsboundupwithallmyhappiestrecollectionsofoldspringevenings。AnditalwaysremindsmeofthenightIcameherefirst。Doyourememberit，Marilla？"
"Well，yes，"saidMarillawithemphasis。"I’mnotlikelytoforgetitever。"
"Theyusedtosingsomadlyinthemarshandbrookthatyear。
Iwouldlistentothematmywindowinthedusk，andwonderhowtheycouldseemsogladandsosadatthesametime。Oh，butit’sgoodtobehomeagain！RedmondwassplendidandBolingbrokedelightful——butGreenGablesisHOME。"
"Gilbertisn’tcominghomethissummer，Ihear，"saidMarilla。
"No。"SomethinginAnne’stonemadeMarillaglanceathersharply，butAnnewasapparentlyabsorbedinarranginghervioletsinabowl。"See，aren’ttheysweet？"shewentonhurriedly。"Theyearisabook，isn’tit，Marilla？Spring’spagesarewritteninMayflowersandviolets，summer’sinroses，autumn’sinredmapleleaves，andwinterinhollyandevergreen。"
"DidGilbertdowellinhisexaminations？"persistedMarilla。
"Excellentlywell。Heledhisclass。ButwherearethetwinsandMrs。Lynde？"
"RachelandDoraareoveratMr。Harrison’s。DavyisdownatBoulters’。IthinkIhearhimcomingnow。"
Davyburstin，sawAnne，stopped，andthenhurledhimselfuponherwithajoyfulyell。
"Oh，Anne，ain’tIgladtoseeyou！Say，Anne，I’vegrowntwoinchessincelastfall。Mrs。Lyndemeasuredmewithhertapetoday，andsay，Anne，seemyfronttooth。It’sgone。Mrs。Lyndetiedoneendofastringtoitandtheotherendtothedoor，andthenshutthedoor。
IsoldittoMiltyfortwocents。Milty’scollectingteeth。"
"Whatintheworlddoeshewantteethfor？"askedMarilla。
"TomakeanecklaceforplayingIndianChief，"explainedDavy，climbinguponAnne’slap。"He’sgotfifteenalready，andeverybody’selse’spromised，sothere’snouseintherestofusstartingtocollect，too。ItellyoutheBoultersaregreatbusinesspeople。"
"WereyouagoodboyatMrs。Boulter’s？"askedMarillaseverely。
"Yes；butsay，Marilla，I’mtiredofbeinggood。"
"You’dgettiredofbeingbadmuchsooner，Davy-boy，"saidAnne。
"Well，it’dbefunwhileitlasted，wouldn’tit？"persistedDavy。
"Icouldbesorryforitafterwards，couldn’tI？"
"Beingsorrywouldn’tdoawaywiththeconsequencesofbeingbad，Davy。Don’tyouremembertheSundaylastsummerwhenyouranawayfromSundaySchool？Youtoldmethenthatbeingbadwasn’tworthwhile。WhatwereyouandMiltydoingtoday？"
"Oh，wefishedandchasedthecat，andhuntedforeggs，andyelledattheecho。There’sagreatechointhebushbehindtheBoulterbarn。Say，whatisecho，Anne；Iwanttoknow。"
"Echoisabeautifulnymph，Davy，livingfarawayinthewoods，andlaughingattheworldfromamongthehills。"
"Whatdoesshelooklike？"
"Herhairandeyesaredark，butherneckandarmsarewhiteassnow。
Nomortalcaneverseehowfairsheis。Sheisfleeterthanadeer，andthatmockingvoiceofhersisallwecanknowofher。Youcanhearhercallingatnight；youcanhearherlaughingunderthestars。
Butyoucanneverseeher。Shefliesafarifyoufollowher，andlaughsatyoualwaysjustoverthenexthill。"
"Isthattrue，Anne？Orisitawhopper？"demandedDavystaring。
"Davy，"saidAnnedespairingly，"haven’tyousenseenoughtodistinguishbetweenafairytaleandafalsehood？"
"ThenwhatisitthatsassesbackfromtheBoulterbush？Iwanttoknow，"insistedDavy。
"Whenyouarealittleolder，Davy，I’llexplainitalltoyou。"
ThementionofageevidentlygaveanewturntoDavy’sthoughtsforafterafewmomentsofreflection，hewhisperedsolemnly:
"Anne，I’mgoingtobemarried。"
"When？"askedAnnewithequalsolemnity。
"Oh，notuntilI’mgrown-up，ofcourse。"
"Well，that’sarelief，Davy。Whoisthelady？"
"StellaFletcher；she’sinmyclassatschool。Andsay，Anne，she’stheprettiestgirlyoueversaw。IfIdiebeforeIgrowupyou’llkeepaneyeonher，won’tyou？"
"DavyKeith，dostoptalkingsuchnonsense，"saidMarillaseverely。
"’Tisn’tnonsense，"protestedDavyinaninjuredtone。"She’smypromisedwife，andifIwastodieshe’dbemypromisedwidow，wouldn’tshe？Andshehasn’tgotasoultolookafterherexceptheroldgrandmother。"
"Comeandhaveyoursupper，Anne，"saidMarilla，"anddon’tencouragethatchildinhisabsurdtalk。"
ChapterXXIII
PaulCannotFindtheRockPeopleLifewasverypleasantinAvonleathatsummer，althoughAnne，amidallhervacationjoys，washauntedbyasenseof"somethinggonewhichshouldbethere。"Shewouldnotadmit，eveninherinmostreflections，thatthiswascausedbyGilbert’sabsence。
ButwhenshehadtowalkhomealonefromprayermeetingsandA。V。I。S。pow-wows，whileDianaandFred，andmanyothergaycouples，loiteredalongthedusky，starlitcountryroads，therewasaqueer，lonelyacheinherheartwhichshecouldnotexplainaway。Gilbertdidnotevenwritetoher，asshethoughthemighthavedone。
SheknewhewrotetoDianaoccasionally，butshewouldnotinquireabouthim；andDiana，supposingthatAnneheardfromhim，volunteerednoinformation。Gilbert’smother，whowasagay，frank，light-heartedlady，butnotoverburdenedwithtact，hadaveryembarrassinghabitofaskingAnne，alwaysinapainfullydistinctvoiceandalwaysinthepresenceofacrowd，ifshehadheardfromGilbertlately。PoorAnnecouldonlyblushhorriblyandmurmur，"notverylately，"whichwastakenbyall，Mrs。Blytheincluded，tobemerelyamaidenlyevasion。
Apartfromthis，Anneenjoyedhersummer。PriscillacameforamerryvisitinJune；and，whenshehadgone，Mr。andMrs。Irving，PaulandCharlottatheFourthcame"home"forJulyandAugust。
EchoLodgewasthesceneofgaietiesoncemore，andtheechoesovertheriverwerekeptbusymimickingthelaughterthatrangintheoldgardenbehindthespruces。
"MissLavendar"hadnotchanged，excepttogrowevensweeterandprettier。Pauladoredher，andthecompanionshipbetweenthemwasbeautifultosee。
"ButIdon’tcallher`mother’justbyitself，"heexplainedtoAnne。"Yousee，THATnamebelongsjusttomyownlittlemother，andIcan’tgiveittoanyoneelse。Youknow，teacher。ButI
callher`MotherLavendar’andIlovehernextbesttofather。
I——IevenloveheraLITTLEbetterthanyou，teacher。"
"Whichisjustasitoughttobe，"answeredAnne。
Paulwasthirteennowandverytallforhisyears。Hisfaceandeyeswereasbeautifulasever，andhisfancywasstilllikeaprism，separatingeverythingthatfelluponitintorainbows。HeandAnnehaddelightfulramblestowoodandfieldandshore。Neverweretheretwomorethoroughly"kindredspirits。"
CharlottatheFourthhadblossomedoutintoyoungladyhood。Sheworeherhairnowinanenormouspompadorandhaddiscardedtheblueribbonbowsofauldlangsyne，butherfacewasasfreckled，hernoseassnubbed，andhermouthandsmilesaswideasever。
"Youdon’tthinkItalkwithaYankeeaccent，doyou，MissShirley，ma’am？"shedemandedanxiously。
"Idon’tnoticeit，Charlotta。"
"I’mrealgladofthat。TheysaidIdidathome，butIthoughtlikelytheyjustwantedtoaggravateme。Idon’twantnoYankeeaccent。NotthatI’veawordtosayagainsttheYankees，MissShirley，ma’am。They’rerealcivilized。ButgivemeoldP。E。
Islandeverytime。"
PaulspenthisfirstfortnightwithhisgrandmotherIrvinginAvonlea。Annewastheretomeethimwhenhecame，andfoundhimwildwitheagernesstogettotheshore——NoraandtheGoldenLadyandtheTwinSailorswouldbethere。Hecouldhardlywaittoeathissupper。CouldhenotseeNora’selfinfacepeeringaroundthepoint，watchingforhimwistfully？ButitwasaverysoberPaulwhocamebackfromtheshoreinthetwilight。
"Didn’tyoufindyourRockPeople？"askedAnne。
Paulshookhischestnutcurlssorrowfully。
"TheTwinSailorsandtheGoldenLadynevercameatall，"hesaid。
"Norawasthere——butNoraisnotthesame，teacher。Sheischanged。"
"Oh，Paul，itisyouwhoarechanged，"saidAnne。"YouhavegrowntoooldfortheRockPeople。Theylikeonlychildrenforplayfellows。IamafraidtheTwinSailorswillneveragaincometoyouinthepearly，enchantedboatwiththesailofmoonshine；
andtheGoldenLadywillplaynomoreforyouonhergoldenharp。
EvenNorawillnotmeetyoumuchlonger。Youmustpaythepenaltyofgrowing-up，Paul。Youmustleavefairylandbehindyou。"
"Youtwotalkasmuchfoolishnessaseveryoudid，"saidoldMrs。Irving，half-indulgently，half-reprovingly。
"Oh，no，wedon’t，"saidAnne，shakingherheadgravely。"Wearegettingvery，verywise，anditissuchapity。Weareneverhalfsointerestingwhenwehavelearnedthatlanguageisgivenustoenableustoconcealourthoughts。"
"Butitisn’t——itisgivenustoexchangeourthoughts，"saidMrs。Irvingseriously。ShehadneverheardofTallyrandanddidnotunderstandepigrams。
AnnespentafortnightofhalcyondaysatEchoLodgeinthegoldenprimeofAugust。WhiletheresheincidentallycontrivedtohurryLudovicSpeedinhisleisurelycourtingofTheodoraDix，asrelateddulyinanotherchronicleofherhistory。[1]ArnoldSherman，anelderlyfriendoftheIrvings，wasthereatthesametime，andaddednotalittletothegeneralpleasantnessoflife。
([1]ChroniclesofAvonlea。)
"Whataniceplay-timethishasbeen，"saidAnne。"Ifeellikeagiantrefreshed。Andit’sonlyafortnightmoretillIgobacktoKingsport，andRedmondandPatty’sPlace。Patty’sPlaceisthedearestspot，MissLavendar。IfeelasifIhadtwohomes——oneatGreenGablesandoneatPatty’sPlace。Butwherehasthesummergone？Itdoesn’tseemadaysinceIcamehomethatspringeveningwiththeMayflowers。WhenIwaslittleIcouldn’tseefromoneendofthesummertotheother。Itstretchedbeforemelikeanunendingseason。Now，`’tisahandbreadth，’tisatale。’"
"Anne，areyouandGilbertBlytheasgoodfriendsasyouusedtobe？"
askedMissLavendarquietly。
"IamjustasmuchGilbert’sfriendaseverIwas，MissLavendar。"
MissLavendarshookherhead。
"Iseesomething’sgonewrong，Anne。I’mgoingtobeimpertinentandaskwhat。Haveyouquarrelled？"
"No；it’sonlythatGilbertwantsmorethanfriendshipandIcan’tgivehimmore。"
"Areyousureofthat，Anne？"
"Perfectlysure。"
"I’mvery，verysorry。"
"IwonderwhyeverybodyseemstothinkIoughttomarryGilbertBlythe，"
saidAnnepetulantly。
"Becauseyouweremadeandmeantforeachother，Anne——thatiswhy。
Youneedn’ttossthatyoungheadofyours。It’safact。"
ChapterXXIV
EnterJonas"PROSPECTPOINT，"August20th。
"DearAnne——spelled——with——an——E，"wrotePhil，"Imustpropmyeyelidsopenlongenoughtowriteyou。I’veneglectedyoushamefullythissummer，honey，butallmyothercorrespondentshavebeenneglected，too。Ihaveahugepileofletterstoanswer，soImustgirduptheloinsofmymindandhoein。Excusemymixedmetaphors。I’mfearfullysleepy。LastnightCousinEmilyandIwerecallingataneighbor’s。Therewereseveralothercallersthere，andassoonasthoseunfortunatecreaturesleft，ourhostessandherthreedaughterspickedthemalltopieces。
IknewtheywouldbeginonCousinEmilyandmeassoonasthedoorshutbehindus。WhenwecamehomeMrs。Lillyinformedusthattheaforesaidneighbor’shiredboywassupposedtobedownwithscarletfever。YoucanalwaystrustMrs。Lillytotellyoucheerfulthingslikethat。Ihaveahorrorofscarletfever。Icouldn’tsleepwhenIwenttobedforthinkingofit。Itossedandtumbledabout，dreamingfearfuldreamswhenIdidsnoozeforaminute；andatthreeIwakenedupwithahighfever，asorethroat，andaragingheadache。IknewIhadscarletfever；IgotupinapanicandhuntedupCousinEmily’s’doctorbook’toreadupthesymptoms。Anne，Ihadthemall。SoIwentbacktobed，andknowingtheworst，sleptlikeatoptherestofthenight。
ThoughwhyatopshouldsleepsounderthananythingelseI
nevercouldunderstand。ButthismorningIwasquitewell，soitcouldn’thavebeenthefever。IsupposeifIdidcatchitlastnightitcouldn’thavedevelopedsosoon。Icanrememberthatindaytime，butatthreeo’clockatnightInevercanbelogical。
"IsupposeyouwonderwhatI’mdoingatProspectPoint。Well，I
alwaysliketospendamonthofsummerattheshore，andfatherinsiststhatIcometohissecond-cousinEmily’s`selectboardinghouse’atProspectPoint。SoafortnightagoIcameasusual。Andasusualold`UncleMarkMiller’broughtmefromthestationwithhisancientbuggyandwhathecallshis`generouspurpose’horse。Heisaniceoldmanandgavemeahandfulofpinkpeppermints。Peppermintsalwaysseemtomesuchareligioussortofcandy——IsupposebecausewhenIwasalittlegirlGrandmotherGordonalwaysgavethemtomeinchurch。OnceI
asked，referringtothesmellofpeppermints，`Isthattheodorofsanctity？’Ididn’tliketoeatUncleMark’speppermintsbecausehejustfishedthemlooseoutofhispocket，andhadtopicksomerustynailsandotherthingsfromamongthembeforehegavethemtome。ButIwouldn’thurthisdearoldfeelingsforanything，soIcarefullysowedthemalongtheroadatintervals。
Whenthelastonewasgone，UncleMarksaid，alittlerebukingly，`Yeshouldn’ta’etallthemcandiestoonct，MissPhil。You’lllikelyhavethestummick-ache。’
"CousinEmilyhasonlyfiveboardersbesidesmyself——fouroldladiesandoneyoungman。Myright-handneighborisMrs。Lilly。
Sheisoneofthosepeoplewhoseemtotakeagruesomepleasureindetailingalltheirmanyachesandpainsandsicknesses。
Youcannotmentionanyailmentbutshesays，shakingherhead，`Ah，Iknowtoowellwhatthatis’——andthenyougetallthedetails。
Jonasdeclaresheoncespokeoflocomotorataxiainhearingandshesaidsheknewtoowellwhatthatwas。Shesufferedfromitfortenyearsandwasfinallycuredbyatravelingdoctor。
"WhoisJonas？Justwait，AnneShirley。You’llhearallaboutJonasinthepropertimeandplace。Heisnottobemixedupwithestimableoldladies。
"Myleft-handneighboratthetableisMrs。Phinney。Shealwaysspeakswithawailing，dolorousvoice——youarenervouslyexpectinghertoburstintotearseverymoment。Shegivesyoutheimpressionthatlifetoherisindeedavaleoftears，andthatasmile，nevertospeakofalaugh，isafrivolitytrulyreprehensible。ShehasaworseopinionofmethanAuntJamesina，andshedoesn’tlovemehardtoatoneforit，asAuntyJ。does，either。
"MissMariaGrimsbysitscati-cornerfromme。ThefirstdayI
cameIremarkedtoMissMariathatitlookedalittlelikerain——andMissMarialaughed。Isaidtheroadfromthestationwasverypretty——andMissMarialaughed。Isaidthereseemedtobeafewmosquitoesleftyet——andMissMarialaughed。IsaidthatProspectPointwasasbeautifulasever——andMissMarialaughed。
IfIweretosaytoMissMaria，`Myfatherhashangedhimself，mymotherhastakenpoison，mybrotherisinthepenitentiary，andIaminthelaststagesofconsumption，’MissMariawouldlaugh。
Shecan’thelpit——shewasbornso；butisverysadandawful。
"ThefiftholdladyisMrs。Grant。Sheisasweetoldthing；
butsheneversaysanythingbutgoodofanybodyandsosheisaveryuninterestingconversationalist。
"AndnowforJonas，Anne。
"ThatfirstdayIcameIsawayoungmansittingoppositemeatthetable，smilingatmeasifhehadknownmefrommycradle。
Iknew，forUncleMarkhadtoldme，thathisnamewasJonasBlake，thathewasaTheologicalStudentfromSt。Columbia，andthathehadtakenchargeofthePointProspectMissionChurchforthesummer。
"Heisaveryuglyyoungman——really，theugliestyoungmanI’veeverseen。Hehasabig，loose-jointedfigurewithabsurdlylonglegs。Hishairistow-colorandlank，hiseyesaregreen，andhismouthisbig，andhisears——butIneverthinkabouthisearsifIcanhelpit。
"Hehasalovelyvoice——ifyoushutyoureyesheisadorable——
andhecertainlyhasabeautifulsoulanddisposition。
"Weweregoodchumsrightway。OfcourseheisagraduateofRedmond，andthatisalinkbetweenus。Wefishedandboatedtogether；andwewalkedonthesandsbymoonlight。Hedidn’tlooksohomelybymoonlightandoh，hewasnice。Nicenessfairlyexhaledfromhim。Theoldladies——exceptMrs。Grant——don’tapproveofJonas，becausehelaughsandjokes——andbecauseheevidentlylikesthesocietyoffrivolousmebetterthantheirs。
"Somehow，Anne，Idon’twanthimtothinkmefrivolous。Thisisridiculous。WhyshouldIcarewhatatow-hairedpersoncalledJonas，whomIneversawbeforethinksofme？
"LastSundayJonaspreachedinthevillagechurch。Iwent，ofcourse，butIcouldn’trealizethatJonaswasgoingtopreach。
Thefactthathewasaminister——orgoingtobeone——persistedinseemingahugejoketome。
"Well，Jonaspreached。And，bythetimehehadpreachedtenminutes，IfeltsosmallandinsignificantthatIthoughtImustbeinvisibletothenakedeye。Jonasneversaidawordaboutwomenandheneverlookedatme。ButIrealizedthenandtherewhatapitiful，frivilous，small-souledlittlebutterflyIwas，andhowhorriblydifferentImustbefromJonas’idealwoman。
SHEwouldbegrandandstrongandnoble。Hewassoearnestandtenderandtrue。Hewaseverythingaministeroughttobe。
IwonderedhowIcouldeverhavethoughthimugly——buthereallyis！——withthoseinspiredeyesandthatintellectualbrowwhichtheroughly-fallinghairhidonweekdays。
"ItwasasplendidsermonandIcouldhavelistenedtoitforever，anditmademefeelutterlywretched。Oh，IwishIwaslikeYOU，Anne。
"Hecaughtupwithmeontheroadhome，andgrinnedascheerfullyasusual。Buthisgrincouldneverdeceivemeagain。IhadseentheREALJonas。IwonderedifhecouldeverseetheREALPHIL——
whomNOBODY，notevenyou，Anne，haseverseenyet。
"`Jonas，’Isaid——IforgottocallhimMr。Blake。Wasn’titdreadful？
Buttherearetimeswhenthingslikethatdon’tmatter——`Jonas，youwereborntobeaminister。YouCOULDN’Tbeanythingelse。’
"`No，Icouldn’t，’hesaidsoberly。`Itriedtobesomethingelseforalongtime——Ididn’twanttobeaminister。ButI
cametoseeatlastthatitwastheworkgivenmetodo——andGodhelpingme，Ishalltrytodoit。’
"Hisvoicewaslowandreverent。Ithoughtthathewoulddohisworkanddoitwellandnobly；andhappythewomanfittedbynatureandtrainingtohelphimdoit。SHEwouldbenofeather，blownaboutbyeveryficklewindoffancy。SHEwouldalwaysknowwhathattoputon。Probablyshewouldhaveonlyone。Ministersneverhavemuchmoney。Butshewouldn’tmindhavingonehatornoneatall，becauseshewouldhaveJonas。
"AnneShirley，don’tyoudaretosayorhintorthinkthatI’vefalleninlovewithMr。Blake。CouldIcareforalank，poor，uglytheologue——namedJonas？AsUncleMarksays，`It’simpossible，andwhat’smoreit’simprobable。’
Goodnight，PHIL。"
"P。S。Itisimpossible——butIamhorriblyafraidit’strue。
I’mhappyandwretchedandscared。HEcanNEVERcareforme，Iknow。DoyouthinkIcouldeverdevelopintoapassableminister’swife，Anne？AndWOULDtheyexpectmetoleadinprayer？PG。"
ChapterXXV
EnterPrinceCharming"I’mcontrastingtheclaimsofindoorsandout，"saidAnne，lookingfromthewindowofPatty’sPlacetothedistantpinesofthepark。
"I’veanafternoontospendinsweetdoingnothing，AuntJimsie。
ShallIspenditherewherethereisacosyfire，aplatefulofdeliciousrussets，threepurringandharmoniouscats，andtwoimpeccablechinadogswithgreennoses？OrshallIgotothepark，wherethereisthelureofgraywoodsandofgraywaterlappingontheharborrocks？"
"IfIwasasyoungasyou，I’ddecideinfavorofthepark，"saidAuntJamesina，ticklingJoseph’syellowearwithaknittingneedle。
"Ithoughtthatyouclaimedtobeasyoungasanyofus，Aunty，"
teasedAnne。
"Yes，inmysoul。ButI’lladmitmylegsaren’tasyoungasyours。
Yougoandgetsomefreshair，Anne。Youlookpalelately。"
"IthinkI’llgotothepark，"saidAnnerestlessly。"Idon’tfeelliketamedomesticjoystoday。Iwanttofeelaloneandfreeandwild。Theparkwillbeempty，foreveryonewillbeatthefootballmatch。"
"Whydidn’tyougotoit？"
"`Nobodyaxedme，sir，shesaid’——atleast，nobodybutthathorridlittleDanRanger。Iwouldn’tgoanywherewithhim；
butratherthanhurthispoorlittletenderfeelingsIsaidI
wasn’tgoingtothegameatall。Idon’tmind。I’mnotinthemoodforfootballtodaysomehow。"
"Yougoandgetsomefreshair，"repeatedAuntJamesina，"buttakeyourumbrella，forIbelieveit’sgoingtorain。I’verheumatisminmyleg。"
"Onlyoldpeopleshouldhaverheumatism，Aunty。"
"Anybodyisliabletorheumatisminherlegs，Anne。It’sonlyoldpeoplewhoshouldhaverheumatismintheirsouls，though。
Thankgoodness，Ineverhave。Whenyougetrheumatisminyoursoulyoumightaswellgoandpickoutyourcoffin。"
ItwasNovember——themonthofcrimsonsunsets，partingbirds，deep，sadhymnsofthesea，passionatewind-songsinthepines。
Anneroamedthroughthepinelandalleysintheparkand，asshesaid，letthatgreatsweepingwindblowthefogsoutofhersoul。
Annewasnotwonttobetroubledwithsoulfog。But，somehow，sinceherreturntoRedmondforthisthirdyear，lifehadnotmirroredherspiritbacktoherwithitsold，perfect，sparklingclearness。
Outwardly，existenceatPatty’sPlacewasthesamepleasantroundofworkandstudyandrecreationthatithadalwaysbeen。
OnFridayeveningsthebig，fire-lightedlivingroomwascrowdedbycallersandechoedtoendlessjestandlaughter，whileAuntJamesinasmiledbeaminglyonthemall。The"Jonas"ofPhil’slettercameoften，runningupfromSt。Columbiaontheearlytrainanddepartingonthelate。
HewasageneralfavoriteatPatty’sPlace，thoughAuntJamesinashookherheadandopinedthatdivinitystudentswerenotwhattheyusedtobe。
"He’sVERYnice，mydear，"shetoldPhil，"butministersoughttobegraverandmoredignified。"
"Can’tamanlaughandlaughandbeaChristianstill？"demandedPhil。
"Oh，MEN——yes。ButIwasspeakingofMINISTERS，mydear，"
saidAuntJamesinarebukingly。"Andyoushouldn’tflirtsowithMr。Blake——youreallyshouldn’t。"
"I’mnotflirtingwithhim，"protestedPhil。
Nobodybelievedher，exceptAnne。Theothersthoughtshewasamusingherselfasusual，andtoldherroundlythatshewasbehavingverybadly。
"Mr。Blakeisn’toftheAlec-and-Alonzotype，Phil，"saidStellaseverely。
"Hetakesthingsseriously。Youmaybreakhisheart。"
"DoyoureallythinkIcould？"askedPhil。"I’dlovetothinkso。"
"PhilippaGordon！Ineverthoughtyouwereutterlyunfeeling。
Theideaofyousayingyou’dlovetobreakaman’sheart！"
"Ididn’tsayso，honey。Quotemecorrectly。IsaidI’dliketothinkICOULDbreakit。IwouldliketoknowIhadthePOWERtodoit。"
"Idon’tunderstandyou，Phil。Youareleadingthatmanondeliberately——andyouknowyoudon’tmeananythingbyit。"
"ImeantomakehimaskmetomarryhimifIcan，"saidPhilcalmly。
"Igiveyouup，"saidStellahopelessly。
GilbertcameoccasionallyonFridayevenings。Heseemedalwaysingoodspirits，andheldhisowninthejestsandreparteethatflewabout。HeneithersoughtnoravoidedAnne。
Whencircumstancesbroughtthemincontacthetalkedtoherpleasantlyandcourteously，astoanynewly-madeacquaintance。
Theoldcamaraderiewasgoneentirely。Annefeltitkeenly；
butshetoldherselfshewasverygladandthankfulthatGilberthadgotsocompletelyoverhisdisappointmentinregardtoher。
Shehadreallybeenafraid，thatAprileveningintheorchard，thatshehadhurthimterriblyandthatthewoundwouldbelonginhealing。Nowshesawthatsheneednothaveworried。
Menhavediedandthewormshaveeatenthembutnotforlove。
Gilbertevidentlywasinnodangerofimmediatedissolution。
Hewasenjoyinglife，andhewasfullofambitionandzest。
Forhimtherewastobenowastingindespairbecauseawomanwasfairandcold。Anne，asshelistenedtotheceaselessbadinagethatwentonbetweenhimandPhil，wonderedifshehadonlyimaginedthatlookinhiseyeswhenshehadtoldhimshecouldnevercareforhim。
TherewerenotlackingthosewhowouldgladlyhavesteppedintoGilbert’svacantplace。ButAnnesnubbedthemwithoutfearandwithoutreproach。IftherealPrinceCharmingwasnevertocomeshewouldhavenoneofasubstitute。Soshesternlytoldherselfthatgraydayinthewindypark。
SuddenlytherainofAuntJamesina’sprophecycamewithaswishandrush。Anneputupherumbrellaandhurrieddowntheslope。
Assheturnedoutontheharborroadasavagegustofwindtorealongit。Instantlyherumbrellaturnedwrongsideout。Anneclutchedatitindespair。Andthen——therecameavoiceclosetoher。
"Pardonme——mayIofferyoutheshelterofmyumbrella？"
Annelookedup。Tallandhandsomeanddistinguished-looking——dark，melancholy，inscrutableeyes——melting，musical，sympatheticvoice——yes，theveryheroofherdreamsstoodbeforeherintheflesh。Hecouldnothavemorecloselyresembledheridealifhehadbeenmadetoorder。
"Thankyou，"shesaidconfusedly。
"We’dbetterhurryovertothatlittlepavilliononthepoint，"
suggestedtheunknown。"Wecanwaitthereuntilthisshowerisover。Itisnotlikelytorainsoheavilyverylong。"
Thewordswereverycommonplace，butoh，thetone！Andthesmilewhichaccompaniedthem！Annefeltherheartbeatingstrangely。
Togethertheyscurriedtothepavilionandsatbreathlesslydownunderitsfriendlyroof。Annelaughinglyheldupherfalseumbrella。
"ItiswhenmyumbrellaturnsinsideoutthatIamconvincedofthetotaldepravityofinanimatethings，"shesaidgaily。
Theraindropssparkledonhershininghair；itsloosenedringscurledaroundherneckandforehead。Hercheekswereflushed，hereyesbigandstarry。Hercompanionlookeddownatheradmiringly。Shefeltherselfblushingunderhisgaze。
Whocouldhebe？Why，therewasabitoftheRedmondwhiteandscarletpinnedtohiscoatlapel。Yetshehadthoughtsheknew，bysightatleast，alltheRedmondstudentsexcepttheFreshmen。
AndthiscourtlyyouthsurelywasnoFreshman。
"Weareschoolmates，Isee，"hesaid，smilingatAnne’scolors。
"Thatoughttobesufficientintroduction。MynameisRoyalGardner。
AndyouaretheMissShirleywhoreadtheTennysonpaperatthePhilomathictheotherevening，aren’tyou？"
"Yes；butIcannotplaceyouatall，"saidAnne，frankly。
"Please，whereDOyoubelong？"
"IfeelasifIdidn’tbelonganywhereyet。IputinmyFreshmanandSophomoreyearsatRedmondtwoyearsago。I’vebeeninEuropeeversince。NowI’vecomebacktofinishmyArtscourse。"
"ThisismyJunioryear，too，"saidAnne。
"Soweareclassmatesaswellascollegemates。Iamreconciledtothelossoftheyearsthatthelocusthaseaten，"saidhercompanion，withaworldofmeaninginthosewonderfuleyesofhis。
Theraincamesteadilydownforthebestpartofanhour。Butthetimeseemedreallyveryshort。WhenthecloudspartedandaburstofpaleNovembersunshinefellathwarttheharborandthepinesAnneandhercompanionwalkedhometogether。BythetimetheyhadreachedthegateofPatty’sPlacehehadaskedpermissiontocall，andhadreceivedit。Annewentinwithcheeksofflameandherheartbeatingtoherfingertips。Rusty，whoclimbedintoherlapandtriedtokissher，foundaveryabsentwelcome。Anne，withhersoulfullofromanticthrills，hadnoattentiontosparejustthenforacrop-earedpussycat。
ThateveningaparcelwasleftatPatty’sPlaceforMissShirley。
Itwasaboxcontainingadozenmagnificentroses。Philpouncedimpertinentlyonthecardthatfellfromit，readthenameandthepoeticalquotationwrittenontheback。
"RoyalGardner！"sheexclaimed。"Why，Anne，Ididn’tknowyouwereacquaintedwithRoyGardner！"
"Imethimintheparkthisafternoonintherain，"explainedAnnehurriedly。"Myumbrellaturnedinsideoutandhecametomyrescuewithhis。"
"Oh！"PhilpeeredcuriouslyatAnne。"Andisthatexceedinglycommonplaceincidentanyreasonwhyheshouldsenduslongstemmedrosesbythedozen，withaverysentimentalrhyme？Orwhyweshouldblushdivinestrosy-redwhenwelookathiscard？Anne，thyfacebetrayeththee。"
"Don’ttalknonsense，Phil。DoyouknowMr。Gardner？"
"I’vemethistwosisters，andIknowofhim。SodoeseverybodyworthwhileinKingsport。TheGardnersareamongtherichest，bluest，ofBluenoses。Royisadorablyhandsomeandclever。
Twoyearsagohismother’shealthfailedandhehadtoleavecollegeandgoabroadwithher——hisfatherisdead。Hemusthavebeengreatlydisappointedtohavetogiveuphisclass，buttheysayhewasperfectlysweetaboutit。Fee——fi——fo——fum，Anne。Ismellromance。AlmostdoIenvyyou，butnotquite。
Afterall，RoyGardnerisn’tJonas。"
"Yougoose！"saidAnneloftily。Butshelaylongawakethatnight，nordidshewishforsleep。Herwakingfanciesweremorealluringthananyvisionofdreamland。HadtherealPrincecomeatlast？
Recallingthosegloriousdarkeyeswhichhadgazedsodeeplyintoherown，Annewasverystronglyinclinedtothinkhehad。
ChapterXXVI
EnterChristineThegirlsatPatty’sPlaceweredressingforthereceptionwhichtheJuniorsweregivingfortheSeniorsinFebruary。Annesurveyedherselfinthemirroroftheblueroomwithgirlishsatisfaction。
Shehadaparticularlyprettygownon。Originallyithadbeenonlyasimplelittleslipofcreamsilkwithachiffonoverdress。
ButPhilhadinsistedontakingithomewithherintheChristmasholidaysandembroideringtinyrosebudsalloverthechiffon。
Phil’sfingersweredeft，andtheresultwasadresswhichwastheenvyofeveryRedmondgirl。EvenAllieBoone，whosefrockscamefromParis，waswonttolookwithlongingeyesonthatrosebudconcoctionasAnnetrailedupthemainstaircaseatRedmondinit。
Annewastryingtheeffectofawhiteorchidinherhair。
RoyGardnerhadsentherwhiteorchidsforthereception，andsheknewnootherRedmondgirlwouldhavethemthatnight——whenPhilcameinwithadmiringgaze。
"Anne，thisiscertainlyyournightforlookinghandsome。
NinenightsoutoftenIcaneasilyoutshineyou。Thetenthyoublossomoutsuddenlyintosomethingthateclipsesmealtogether。
Howdoyoumanageit？"
"It’sthedress，dear。Finefeathers。"
"`Tisn’t。ThelasteveningyouflamedoutintobeautyyouworeyouroldblueflannelshirtwaistthatMrs。Lyndemadeyou。
IfRoyhadn’talreadylostheadandheartaboutyouhecertainlywouldtonight。ButIdon’tlikeorchidsonyou，Anne。No；itisn’tjealousy。Orchidsdon’tseemtoBELONGtoyou。They’retooexotic——tootropical——tooinsolent。Don’tputtheminyourhair，anyway。"
"Well，Iwon’t。IadmitI’mnotfondoforchidsmyself。Idon’tthinkthey’rerelatedtome。Roydoesn’toftensendthem——heknowsIlikeflowersIcanlivewith。Orchidsareonlythingsyoucanvisitwith。"
"Jonassentmesomedearpinkrosebudsfortheevening——but——
heisn’tcominghimself。Hesaidhehadtoleadaprayer-meetingintheslums！Idon’tbelievehewantedtocome。Anne，I’mhorriblyafraidJonasdoesn’treallycareanythingaboutme。AndI’mtryingtodecidewhetherI’llpineawayanddie，orgoonandgetmyB。A。andbesensibleanduseful。"
"Youcouldn’tpossiblybesensibleanduseful，Phil，soyou’dbetterpineawayanddie，"saidAnnecruelly。
"HeartlessAnne！"
"SillyPhil！YouknowquitewellthatJonaslovesyou。"
"But——hewon’tTELLmeso。AndIcan’tMAKEhim。HeLOOKSit，I’lladmit。Butspeak-to-me-only-with-thine-eyesisn’tareallyreliablereasonforembroideringdoiliesandhemstitchingtablecloths。Idon’twanttobeginsuchworkuntilI’mreallyengaged。ItwouldbetemptingFate。"
"Mr。Blakeisafraidtoaskyoutomarryhim，Phil。Heispoorandcan’tofferyouahomesuchasyou’vealwayshad。Youknowthatistheonlyreasonhehasn’tspokenlongago。"
"Isupposeso，"agreedPhildolefully。"Well"——brighteningup——"ifheWON’TaskmetomarryhimI’llaskhim，that’sall。
Soit’sboundtocomeright。Iwon’tworry。Bytheway，GilbertBlytheisgoingaboutconstantlywithChristineStuart。
Didyouknow？"
Annewastryingtofastenalittlegoldchainaboutherthroat。
Shesuddenlyfoundtheclaspdifficulttomanage。WHATwasthematterwithit——orwithherfingers？
"No，"shesaidcarelessly。"WhoisChristineStuart？"
"RonaldStuart’ssister。She’sinKingsportthiswinterstudyingmusic。Ihaven’tseenher，buttheysayshe’sveryprettyandthatGilbertisquitecrazyoverher。HowangryIwaswhenyourefusedGilbert，Anne。ButRoyGardnerwasforeordainedforyou。
Icanseethatnow。Youwereright，afterall。"
Annedidnotblush，assheusuallydidwhenthegirlsassumedthathereventualmarriagetoRoyGardnerwasasettledthing。
Allatonceshefeltratherdull。Phil’schatterseemedtrivialandthereceptionabore。SheboxedpoorRusty’sears。
"Getoffthatcushioninstantly，youcat，you！Whydon’tyoustaydownwhereyoubelong？"
Annepickedupherorchidsandwentdownstairs，whereAuntJamesinawaspresidingoverarowofcoatshungbeforethefiretowarm。
RoyGardnerwaswaitingforAnneandteasingtheSarah-catwhilehewaited。TheSarah-catdidnotapproveofhim。Shealwaysturnedherbackonhim。ButeverybodyelseatPatty’sPlacelikedhimverymuch。AuntJamesina，carriedawaybyhisunfailinganddeferentialcourtesy，andthepleadingtonesofhisdelightfulvoice，declaredhewasthenicestyoungmansheeverknew，andthatAnnewasaveryfortunategirl。SuchremarksmadeAnnerestive。Roy’swooinghadcertainlybeenasromanticasgirlishheartcoulddesire，but——shewishedAuntJamesinaandthegirlswouldnottakethingssoforgranted。WhenRoymurmuredapoeticalcomplimentashehelpedheronwithhercoat，shedidnotblushandthrillasusual；andhefoundherrathersilentintheirbriefwalktoRedmond。Hethoughtshelookedalittlepalewhenshecameoutofthecoeds’dressingroom；
butastheyenteredthereceptionroomhercolorandsparklesuddenlyreturnedtoher。SheturnedtoRoywithhergayestexpression。
HesmiledbackatherwithwhatPhilcalled"hisdeep，black，velvetysmile。"YetshereallydidnotseeRoyatall。ShewasacutelyconsciousthatGilbertwasstandingunderthepalmsjustacrosstheroomtalkingtoagirlwhomustbeChristineStuart。
Shewasveryhandsome，inthestatelystyledestinedtobecomerathermassiveinmiddlelife。Atallgirl，withlargedark-blueeyes，ivoryoutlines，andaglossofdarknessonhersmoothhair。
"ShelooksjustasI’vealwayswantedtolook，"thoughtAnnemiserably。"Rose-leafcomplexion——starryvioleteyes——ravenhair——yes，shehasthemall。It’sawonderhernameisn’tCordeliaFitzgeraldintothebargain！ButIdon’tbelieveherfigureisasgoodasmine，andhernosecertainlyisn’t。"
Annefeltalittlecomfortedbythisconclusion。
ChapterXXVII
MutualConfidencesMarchcameinthatwinterlikethemeekestandmildestoflambs，bringingdaysthatwerecrispandgoldenandtingling，eachfollowedbyafrostypinktwilightwhichgraduallylostitselfinanelflandofmoonshine。
OverthegirlsatPatty’sPlacewasfallingtheshadowofAprilexaminations。Theywerestudyinghard；evenPhilhadsettleddowntotextandnotebookswithadoggednessnottobeexpectedofher。
"I’mgoingtotaketheJohnsonScholarshipinMathematics，"sheannouncedcalmly。"IcouldtaketheoneinGreekeasily，butI’drathertakethemathematicalonebecauseIwanttoprovetoJonasthatI’mreallyenormouslyclever。"
"Jonaslikesyoubetterforyourbigbrowneyesandyourcrookedsmilethanforallthebrainsyoucarryunderyourcurls，"saidAnne。
"WhenIwasagirlitwasn’tconsideredlady-liketoknowanythingaboutMathematics，"saidAuntJamesina。"Buttimeshavechanged。
Idon’tknowthatit’sallforthebetter。Canyoucook，Phil？"
"No，Inevercookedanythinginmylifeexceptagingerbreadanditwasafailure——flatinthemiddleandhillyroundtheedges。
Youknowthekind。But，Aunty，whenIbeginingoodearnesttolearntocookdon’tyouthinkthebrainsthatenablemetowinamathematicalscholarshipwillalsoenablemetolearncookingjustaswell？"
"Maybe，"saidAuntJamesinacautiously。"Iamnotdecryingthehighereducationofwomen。MydaughterisanM。A。Shecancook，too。ButItaughthertocookBEFOREIletacollegeprofessorteachherMathematics。"
Inmid-MarchcamealetterfromMissPattySpofford，sayingthatsheandMissMariahaddecidedtoremainabroadforanotheryear。
"SoyoumayhavePatty’sPlacenextwinter，too，"shewrote。
"MariaandIaregoingtorunoverEgypt。IwanttoseetheSphinxoncebeforeIdie。"
"Fancythosetwodames`runningoverEgypt’！Iwonderifthey’lllookupattheSphinxandknit，"laughedPriscilla。
"I’msogladwecankeepPatty’sPlaceforanotheryear，"saidStella。"Iwasafraidthey’dcomeback。Andthenourjollylittlenestherewouldbebrokenup——andwepoorcallownestlingsthrownoutonthecruelworldofboardinghousesagain。"
"I’moffforatrampinthepark，"announcedPhil，tossingherbookaside。"IthinkwhenIameightyI’llbegladIwentforawalkintheparktonight。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"askedAnne。
"ComewithmeandI’lltellyou，honey。"
TheycapturedintheirrambleallthemysteriesandmagicsofaMarchevening。Verystillandmilditwas，wrappedinagreat，white，broodingsilence——asilencewhichwasyetthreadedthroughwithmanylittlesilverysoundswhichyoucouldhearifyouhearkenedasmuchwithyoursoulasyourears。Thegirlswandereddownalongpinelandaislethatseemedtoleadrightoutintotheheartofadeep-red，overflowingwintersunset。
"I’dgohomeandwriteapoemthisblessedminuteifIonlyknewhow，"
declaredPhil，pausinginanopenspacewherearosylightwasstainingthegreentipsofthepines。"It’sallsowonderfulhere——thisgreat，whitestillness，andthosedarktreesthatalwaysseemtobethinking。"
"`ThewoodswereGod’sfirsttemples，’"quotedAnnesoftly。
"Onecan’thelpfeelingreverentandadoringinsuchaplace。
IalwaysfeelsonearHimwhenIwalkamongthepines。"
"Anne，I’mthehappiestgirlintheworld，"confessedPhilsuddenly。
"SoMr。Blakehasaskedyoutomarryhimatlast？"saidAnnecalmly。
"Yes。AndIsneezedthreetimeswhilehewasaskingme。
Wasn’tthathorrid？ButIsaid`yes’almostbeforehefinished——Iwassoafraidhemightchangehismindandstop。I’mbesottedlyhappy。Icouldn’treallybelievebeforethatJonaswouldevercareforfrivolousme。"