第7章

"Phil，you’renotreallyfrivolous，"saidAnnegravely。"’Waydownunderneaththatfrivolousexteriorofyoursyou’vegotadear，loyal，womanlylittlesoul。Whydoyouhideitso？"

"Ican’thelpit，QueenAnne。Youareright——I’mnotfrivolousatheart。Butthere’sasortoffrivolousskinovermysoulandIcan’ttakeitoff。AsMrs。Poysersays，I’dhavetobehatchedoveragainandhatcheddifferentbeforeIcouldchangeit。ButJonasknowstherealmeandlovesme，frivolityandall。AndI

lovehim。IneverwassosurprisedinmylifeasIwaswhenI

foundoutIlovedhim。I’dneverthoughtitpossibletofallinlovewithanuglyman。Fancymecomingdowntoonesolitarybeau。AndonenamedJonas！ButImeantocallhimJo。That’ssuchanice，crisplittlename。Icouldn’tnicknameAlonzo。"

"WhataboutAlecandAlonzo？"

"Oh，ItoldthematChristmasthatInevercouldmarryeitherofthem。ItseemssofunnynowtorememberthatIeverthoughtitpossiblethatImight。TheyfeltsobadlyIjustcriedoverbothofthem——howled。ButIknewtherewasonlyonemanintheworldIcouldevermarry。Ihadmadeupmyownmindforonceanditwasrealeasy，too。It’sverydelightfultofeelsosure，andknowit’syourownsurenessandnotsomebodyelse’s。"

"Doyousupposeyou’llbeabletokeepitup？"

"Makingupmymind，youmean？Idon’tknow，butJohasgivenmeasplendidrule。Hesays，whenI’mperplexed，justtodowhatI

wouldwishIhaddonewhenIshallbeeighty。Anyhow，Jocanmakeuphismindquicklyenough，anditwouldbeuncomfortabletohavetoomuchmindinthesamehouse。"

"Whatwillyourfatherandmothersay？"

"Fatherwon’tsaymuch。HethinkseverythingIdoright。

ButmotherWILLtalk。Oh，hertonguewillbeasByrneyashernose。Butintheenditwillbeallright。"

"You’llhavetogiveupagoodmanythingsyou’vealwayshad，whenyoumarryMr。Blake，Phil。"

"ButI’llhaveHIM。Iwon’tmisstheotherthings。We’retobemarriedayearfromnextJune。JograduatesfromSt。Columbiathisspring，youknow。Thenhe’sgoingtotakealittlemissionchurchdownonPattersonStreetintheslums。Fancymeintheslums！ButI’dgothereortoGreenland’sicymountainswithhim。"

"AndthisisthegirlwhowouldNEVERmarryamanwhowasn’trich，"

commentedAnnetoayoungpinetree。

"Oh，don’tcastupthefolliesofmyyouthtome。IshallbepoorasgailyasI’vebeenrich。You’llsee。I’mgoingtolearnhowtocookandmakeoverdresses。I’velearnedhowtomarketsinceI’velivedatPatty’sPlace；andonceItaughtaSundaySchoolclassforawholesummer。AuntJamesinasaysI’llruinJo’scareerifImarryhim。ButIwon’t。IknowIhaven’tmuchsenseorsobriety，butI’vegotwhatiseversomuchbetter——

theknackofmakingpeoplelikeme。ThereisamaninBolingbrokewholispsandalwaystestifiesinprayer-meeting。

Hesays，’Ifyoucan’tthinelikeanelectricthtarthinelikeacandlethtick。’I’llbeJo’slittlecandlestick。"

"Phil，you’reincorrigible。Well，IloveyousomuchthatIcan’tmakenice，light，congratulatorylittlespeeches。

ButI’mheart-gladofyourhappiness。"

"Iknow。Thosebiggrayeyesofyoursarebrimmingoverwithrealfriendship，Anne。SomedayI’lllookthesamewayatyou。

You’regoingtomarryRoy，aren’tyou，Anne？"

"MydearPhilippa，didyoueverhearofthefamousBettyBaxter，who`refusedamanbeforehe’daxedher’？Iamnotgoingtoemulatethatcelebratedladybyeitherrefusingoracceptinganyonebeforehe`axes’me。"

"AllRedmondknowsthatRoyiscrazyaboutyou，"saidPhilcandidly。"

AndyouDOlovehim，don’tyou，Anne？"

"I——Isupposeso，"saidAnnereluctantly。Shefeltthatsheoughttobeblushingwhilemakingsuchaconfession；butshewasnot；

ontheotherhand，shealwaysblushedhotlywhenanyonesaidanythingaboutGilbertBlytheorChristineStuartinherhearing。

GilbertBlytheandChristineStuartwerenothingtoher——

absolutelynothing。ButAnnehadgivenuptryingtoanalyzethereasonofherblushes。AsforRoy，ofcourseshewasinlovewithhim——madlyso。Howcouldshehelpit？Washenotherideal？Whocouldresistthosegloriousdarkeyes，andthatpleadingvoice？WerenothalftheRedmondgirlswildlyenvious？

Andwhatacharmingsonnethehadsenther，withaboxofviolets，onherbirthday！Annekneweverywordofitbyheart。Itwasverygoodstuffofitskind，too。NotexactlyuptothelevelofKeatsorShakespeare——evenAnnewasnotsodeeplyinloveastothinkthat。

Butitwasverytolerablemagazineverse。AnditwasaddressedtoHER——

nottoLauraorBeatriceortheMaidofAthens，buttoher，AnneShirley。

Tobetoldinrhythmicalcadencesthathereyeswerestarsofthemorning——thathercheekhadtheflushitstolefromthesunrise——thatherlipswereredderthantherosesofParadise，wasthrillinglyromantic。

Gilbertwouldneverhavedreamedofwritingasonnettohereyebrows。

Butthen，Gilbertcouldseeajoke。ShehadoncetoldRoyafunnystory——andhehadnotseenthepointofit。SherecalledthechummylaughsheandGilberthadhadtogetheroverit，andwondereduneasilyiflifewithamanwhohadnosenseofhumormightnotbesomewhatuninterestinginthelongrun。Butwhocouldexpectamelancholy，inscrutableherotoseethehumoroussideofthings？Itwouldbeflatlyunreasonable。

ChapterXXVIII

AJuneEvening"IwonderwhatitwouldbeliketoliveinaworldwhereitwasalwaysJune，"saidAnne，asshecamethroughthespiceandbloomofthetwilitorchardtothefrontdoorsteps，whereMarillaandMrs。Rachelweresitting，talkingoverMrs。SamsonCoates’funeral，whichtheyhadattendedthatday。Dorasatbetweenthem，diligentlystudyingherlessons；butDavywassittingtailor-fashiononthegrass，lookingasgloomyanddepressedashissingledimplewouldlethim。

"You’dgettiredofit，"saidMarilla，withasigh。

"Idaresay；butjustnowIfeelthatitwouldtakemealongtimetogettiredofit，ifitwereallascharmingastoday。

EverythinglovesJune。Davy-boy，whythismelancholyNovemberfaceinblossom-time？"

"I’mjustsickandtiredofliving，"saidtheyouthfulpessimist。

"Attenyears？Dearme，howsad！"

"I’mnotmakingfun，"saidDavywithdignity。"I’mdis——dis——

discouraged"——bringingoutthebigwordwithavalianteffort。

"Whyandwherefore？"askedAnne，sittingdownbesidehim。

"’CausethenewteacherthatcomewhenMr。HolmesgotsickgivemetensumstodoforMonday。It’lltakemealldaytomorrowtodothem。Itisn’tfairtohavetoworkSaturdays。MiltyBoultersaidhewouldn’tdothem，butMarillasaysI’vegotto。Idon’tlikeMissCarsonabit。"

"Don’ttalklikethataboutyourteacher，DavyKeith，"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。"MissCarsonisaveryfinegirl。

Thereisnononsenseabouther。"

"Thatdoesn’tsoundveryattractive，"laughedAnne。"Ilikepeopletohavealittlenonsenseaboutthem。ButI’minclinedtohaveabetteropinionofMissCarsonthanyouhave。Isawherinprayer-meetinglastnight，andshehasapairofeyesthatcan’talwayslooksensible。Now，Davy-boy，takeheartofgrace。

`Tomorrowwillbringanotherday’andI’llhelpyouwiththesumsasfarasinmelies。Don’twastethislovelyhour`twixtlightanddarkworryingoverarithmetic。"

"Well，Iwon’t，"saidDavy，brighteningup。"IfyouhelpmewiththesumsI’llhave’emdoneintimetogofishingwithMilty。

IwisholdAuntAtossa’sfuneralwastomorrowinsteadoftoday。

Iwantedtogotoit’causeMiltysaidhismothersaidAuntAtossawouldbesuretoriseupinhercoffinandsaysarcasticthingstothefolksthatcometoseeherburied。ButMarillasaidshedidn’t。"

"PoorAtossalaidinhercoffinpeacefulenough，"saidMrs。Lyndesolemnly。"Ineversawherlooksopleasantbefore，that’swhat。

Well，thereweren’tmanytearsshedoverher，pooroldsoul。

TheElishaWrightsarethankfultoberidofher，andIcan’tsayIblamethemamite。"

"Itseemstomeamostdreadfulthingtogooutoftheworldandnotleaveonepersonbehindyouwhoissorryyouaregone，"saidAnne，shuddering。

"NobodyexceptherparentseverlovedpoorAtossa，that’scertain，notevenherhusband，"averredMrs。Lynde。"Shewashisfourthwife。He’dsortofgotintothehabitofmarrying。Heonlylivedafewyearsafterhemarriedher。

Thedoctorsaidhediedofdyspepsia，butIshallalwaysmaintainthathediedofAtossa’stongue，that’swhat。Poorsoul，shealwayskneweverythingaboutherneighbors，butsheneverwasverywellacquaintedwithherself。Well，she’sgoneanyhow；andIsupposethenextexcitementwillbeDiana’swedding。"

"ItseemsfunnyandhorribletothinkofDiana’sbeingmarried，"

sighedAnne，huggingherkneesandlookingthroughthegapintheHauntedWoodtothelightthatwasshininginDiana’sroom。

"Idon’tseewhat’shorribleaboutit，whenshe’sdoingsowell，"

saidMrs。Lyndeemphatically。"FredWrighthasafinefarmandheisamodelyoungman。"

"Hecertainlyisn’tthewild，dashing，wicked，youngmanDianaoncewantedtomarry，"smiledAnne。"Fredisextremelygood。"

"That’sjustwhatheoughttobe。WouldyouwantDianatomarryawickedman？Ormarryoneyourself？"

"Oh，no。Iwouldn’twanttomarryanybodywhowaswicked，butIthinkI’dlikeitifheCOULDbewickedandWOULDN’T。

Now，FredisHOPELESSLYgood。"

"You’llhavemoresensesomeday，Ihope，"saidMarilla。

Marillaspokeratherbitterly。Shewasgrievouslydisappointed。

SheknewAnnehadrefusedGilbertBlythe。Avonleagossipbuzzedoverthefact，whichhadleakedout，nobodyknewhow。PerhapsCharlieSloanehadguessedandtoldhisguessesfortruth。

PerhapsDianahadbetrayedittoFredandFredhadbeenindiscreet。

Atalleventsitwasknown；Mrs。BlythenolongeraskedAnne，inpublicorprivate，ifshehadheardlatelyfromGilbert，butpassedherbywithafrostybow。Anne，whohadalwayslikedGilbert’smerry，young-heartedmother，wasgrievedinsecretoverthis。

Marillasaidnothing；butMrs。LyndegaveAnnemanyexasperateddigsaboutit，untilfreshgossipreachedthatworthylady，throughthemediumofMoodySpurgeonMacPherson’smother，thatAnnehadanother"beau"atcollege，whowasrichandhandsomeandgoodallinone。AfterthatMrs。Rachelheldhertongue，thoughshestillwishedinherinmostheartthatAnnehadacceptedGilbert。Richeswereallverywell；

butevenMrs。Rachel，practicalsoulthoughshewas，didnotconsiderthemtheoneessential。IfAnne"liked"theHandsomeUnknownbetterthanGilberttherewasnothingmoretobesaid；

butMrs。RachelwasdreadfullyafraidthatAnnewasgoingtomakethemistakeofmarryingformoney。MarillaknewAnnetoowelltofearthis；butshefeltthatsomethingintheuniversalschemeofthingshadgonesadlyawry。

"Whatistobe，willbe，"saidMrs。Rachelgloomily，"andwhatisn’ttobehappenssometimes。Ican’thelpbelievingit’sgoingtohappeninAnne’scase，ifProvidencedoesn’tinterfere，that’swhat。"

Mrs。Rachelsighed。ShewasafraidProvidencewouldn’tinterfere；

andshedidn’tdareto。

AnnehadwandereddowntotheDryad’sBubbleandwascurledupamongthefernsattherootofthebigwhitebirchwheresheandGilberthadsooftensatinsummersgoneby。Hehadgoneintothenewspaperofficeagainwhencollegeclosed，andAvonleaseemedverydullwithouthim。Heneverwrotetoher，andAnnemissedthelettersthatnevercame。Tobesure，Roywrotetwiceaweek；hisletterswereexquisitecompositionswhichwouldhavereadbeautifullyinamemoirorbiography。Annefeltherselfmoredeeplyinlovewithhimthaneverwhenshereadthem；butherheartnevergavethequeer，quick，painfulboundatsightofhisletterswhichithadgivenonedaywhenMrs。HiramSloanehadhandedheroutanenvelopeaddressedinGilbert’sblack，uprighthandwriting。Annehadhurriedhometotheeastgableandopenediteagerly——tofindatypewrittencopyofsomecollegesocietyreport——"onlythatandnothingmore。"AnneflungtheharmlessscreedacrossherroomandsatdowntowriteanespeciallyniceepistletoRoy。

Dianawastobemarriedinfivemoredays。ThegrayhouseatOrchardSlopewasinaturmoilofbakingandbrewingandboilingandstewing，fortherewastobeabig，old-timeywedding。Anne，ofcourse，wastobebridesmaid，ashadbeenarrangedwhentheyweretwelveyearsold，andGilbertwascomingfromKingsporttobebestman。Annewasenjoyingtheexcitementofthevariouspreparations，butunderitallshecarriedalittleheartache。

Shewas，inasense，losingherdearoldchum；Diana’snewhomewouldbetwomilesfromGreenGables，andtheoldconstantcompanionshipcouldneverbetheirsagain。AnnelookedupatDiana’slightandthoughthowithadbeaconedtoherformanyyears；

butsoonitwouldshinethroughthesummertwilightsnomore。

Twobig，painfultearswelledupinhergrayeyes。

"Oh，"shethought，"howhorribleitisthatpeoplehavetogrowup——andmarry——andCHANGE！"

ChapterXXIX

Diana’sWedding"Afterall，theonlyrealrosesarethepinkones，"saidAnne，asshetiedwhiteribbonaroundDiana’sbouquetinthewestwardlookinggableatOrchardSlope。"Theyaretheflowersofloveandfaith。"

Dianawasstandingnervouslyinthemiddleoftheroom，arrayedinherbridalwhite，herblackcurlsfrostedoverwiththefilmofherweddingveil。Annehaddrapedthatveil，inaccordancewiththesentimentalcompactofyearsbefore。

"It’sallprettymuchasIusedtoimagineitlongago，whenI

weptoveryourinevitablemarriageandourconsequentparting，"

shelaughed。"Youarethebrideofmydreams，Diana，withthe`lovelymistyveil’；andIamYOURbridesmaid。But，alas！

Ihaven’tthepuffedsleeves——thoughtheseshortlaceonesareevenprettier。NeitherismyheartwhollybreakingnordoI

exactlyhateFred。"

"Wearenotreallyparting，Anne，"protestedDiana。"I’mnotgoingfaraway。We’llloveeachotherjustasmuchasever。

We’vealwayskeptthat`oath’offriendshipwesworelongago，haven’twe？"

"Yes。We’vekeptitfaithfully。We’vehadabeautifulfriendship，Diana。We’venevermarreditbyonequarrelorcoolnessorunkindword；andIhopeitwillalwaysbeso。

Butthingscan’tbequitethesameafterthis。You’llhaveotherinterests。I’lljustbeontheoutside。But`suchislife’asMrs。Rachelsays。Mrs。Rachelhasgivenyouoneofherbelovedknittedquiltsofthe`tobaccostripe’pattern，andshesayswhenIammarriedshe’llgivemeone，too。"

"ThemeanthingaboutyourgettingmarriedisthatIwon’tbeabletobeyourbridesmaid，"lamentedDiana。

"I’mtobePhil’sbridesmaidnextJune，whenshemarriesMr。Blake，andthenImuststop，foryouknowtheproverb`threetimesabridesmaid，neverabride，’"saidAnne，peepingthroughthewindowoverthepinkandsnowoftheblossomingorchardbeneath。"Herecomestheminister，Diana。"

"Oh，Anne，"gaspedDiana，suddenlyturningverypaleandbeginningtotremble。"Oh，Anne——I’msonervous——Ican’tgothroughwithit——Anne，IknowI’mgoingtofaint。"

"IfyoudoI’lldragyoudowntotherainwaterhogshedanddropyouin，"saidAnneunsympathetically。"Cheerup，dearest。

Gettingmarriedcan’tbesoveryterriblewhensomanypeoplesurvivetheceremony。SeehowcoolandcomposedIam，andtakecourage。"

"Waittillyourturncomes，MissAnne。Oh，Anne，Ihearfathercomingupstairs。Givememybouquet。Ismyveilright？AmI

verypale？"

"Youlookjustlovely。Di，darling，kissmegood-byeforthelasttime。DianaBarrywillneverkissmeagain。"

"DianaWrightwill，though。There，mother’scalling。Come。"

Followingthesimple，old-fashionedwayinvoguethen，AnnewentdowntotheparloronGilbert’sarm。TheymetatthetopofthestairsforthefirsttimesincetheyhadleftKingsport，forGilberthadarrivedonlythatday。Gilbertshookhandscourteously。

Hewaslookingverywell，though，asAnneinstantlynoted，ratherthin。

Hewasnotpale；therewasaflushonhischeekthathadburnedintoitasAnnecamealongthehalltowardshim，inhersoft，whitedresswithlilies-of-the-valleyintheshiningmassesofherhair。Astheyenteredthecrowdedparlortogetheralittlemurmurofadmirationranaroundtheroom。"Whatafine-lookingpairtheyare，"whisperedtheimpressibleMrs。RacheltoMarilla。

Fredambledinalone，withaveryredface，andthenDianasweptinonherfather’sarm。Shedidnotfaint，andnothinguntowardoccurredtointerrupttheceremony。Feastingandmerry-makingfollowed；then，astheeveningwaned，FredandDianadroveawaythroughthemoonlighttotheirnewhome，andGilbertwalkedwithAnnetoGreenGables。

Somethingoftheiroldcomradeshiphadreturnedduringtheinformalmirthoftheevening。Oh，itwasnicetobewalkingoverthatwell-knownroadwithGilbertagain！

Thenightwassoverystillthatoneshouldhavebeenabletohearthewhisperofrosesinblossom——thelaughterofdaisies——thepipingofgrasses——manysweetsounds，alltangleduptogether。

Thebeautyofmoonlightonfamiliarfieldsirradiatedtheworld。

"Can’twetakearambleupLovers’Lanebeforeyougoin？"askedGilbertastheycrossedthebridgeovertheLakeofShiningWaters，inwhichthemoonlaylikeagreat，drownedblossomofgold。

Anneassentedreadily。Lovers’Lanewasaveritablepathinafairylandthatnight——ashimmering，mysteriousplace，fullofwizardryinthewhite-wovenenchantmentofmoonlight。TherehadbeenatimewhensuchawalkwithGilbertthroughLovers’Lanewouldhavebeenfartoodangerous。ButRoyandChristinehadmadeitverysafenow。AnnefoundherselfthinkingagooddealaboutChristineasshechattedlightlytoGilbert。ShehadmetherseveraltimesbeforeleavingKingsport，andhadbeencharminglysweettoher。Christinehadalsobeencharminglysweet。Indeed，theywereamostcordialpair。Butforallthat，theiracquaintancehadnotripenedintofriendship。EvidentlyChristinewasnotakindredspirit。

"AreyougoingtobeinAvonleaallsummer？"askedGilbert。

"No。I’mgoingdowneasttoValleyRoadnextweek。EstherHaythornewantsmetoteachforherthroughJulyandAugust。

Theyhaveasummerterminthatschool，andEstherisn’tfeelingwell。

SoI’mgoingtosubstituteforher。InonewayIdon’tmind。

Doyouknow，I’mbeginningtofeelalittlebitlikeastrangerinAvonleanow？Itmakesmesorry——butit’strue。It’squiteappallingtoseethenumberofchildrenwhohaveshotupintobigboysandgirls——reallyyoungmenandwomen——thesepasttwoyears。

Halfofmypupilsaregrownup。ItmakesmefeelawfullyoldtoseethemintheplacesyouandIandourmatesusedtofill。"

Annelaughedandsighed。Shefeltveryoldandmatureandwise——whichshowedhowyoungshewas。Shetoldherselfthatshelongedgreatlytogobacktothosedearmerrydayswhenlifewasseenthrougharosymistofhopeandillusion，andpossessedanindefinablesomethingthathadpassedawayforever。Wherewasitnow——thegloryandthedream？

"`Sowagstheworldaway，’"quotedGilbertpractically，andatrifleabsently。AnnewonderedifhewerethinkingofChristine。

Oh，Avonleawasgoingtobesolonelynow——withDianagone！

ChapterXXX

Mrs。Skinner’sRomanceAnnesteppedoffthetrainatValleyRoadstationandlookedabouttoseeifanyonehadcometomeether。ShewastoboardwithacertainMissJanetSweet，butshesawnoonewhoansweredintheleasttoherpreconceptionofthatlady，asformedfromEsther’sletter。Theonlypersoninsightwasanelderlywoman，sittinginawagonwithmailbagspiledaroundher。Twohundredwouldhavebeenacharitableguessatherweight；herfacewasasroundandredasaharvest-moonandalmostasfeatureless。

Sheworeatight，black，cashmeredress，madeinthefashionoftenyearsago，alittledustyblackstrawhattrimmedwithbowsofyellowribbon，andfadedblacklacemits。

"Here，you，"shecalled，wavingherwhipatAnne。"AreyouthenewValleyRoadschoolma’am？"

"Yes。"

"Well，Ithoughtso。ValleyRoadisnotedforitsgood-lookingschoolma’ams，justasMillersvilleisnotedforitshumlyones。

JanetSweetaskedmethismorningifIcouldbringyouout。I

said，`SartinIkin，ifshedon’tmindbeingscrunchedupsome。

Thisrigofmine’skindersmallforthemailbagsandI’msomeheftierthanThomas！’Justwait，miss，tillIshiftthesebagsabitandI’lltuckyouinsomehow。It’sonlytwomilestoJanet’s。

Hernext-doorneighbor’shiredboyiscomingforyourtrunktonight。

MynameisSkinner——AmeliaSkinner。"

Annewaseventuallytuckedin，exchangingamusedsmileswithherselfduringtheprocess。

"Jogalong，blackmare，"commandedMrs。Skinner，gatheringupthereinsinherpudgyhands。"Thisismyfirsttriponthemailrowte。

Thomaswantedtohoehisturnipstodaysoheaskedmetocome。

SoIjestsotdownandtookastanding-upsnackandstarted。

Isorterlikeit。O’courseit’srathertejus。PartofthetimeIsitsandthinksandtherestIjestsits。Jogalong，blackmare。Iwanttogithomeairly。ThomasisterriblelonesomewhenI’maway。Yousee，wehaven’tbeenmarriedverylong。"

"Oh！"saidAnnepolitely。

"Justamonth。Thomascourtedmeforquiteaspell，though。Itwasrealromantic。"AnnetriedtopictureMrs。Skinneronspeakingtermswithromanceandfailed。

"Oh？"shesaidagain。

"Yes。Y’see，therewasanothermanafterme。Jogalong，blackmare。

I’dbeenawiddersolongfolkshadgivenupexpectingmetomarryagain。

Butwhenmydarter——she’saschoolma’amlikeyou——wentoutWesttoteachIfeltreallonesomeandwasn’tnowisesotagainsttheidea。

Bime-byThomasbegantocomeupandsodidtheotherfeller——

WilliamObadiahSeaman，hisnamewas。ForalongtimeIcouldn’tmakeupmymindwhichofthemtotake，andtheykep’comingandcoming，andIkep’worrying。Y’see，W。O。wasrich——hehadafineplaceandcarriedconsiderablestyle。Hewasbyfarthebestmatch。Jogalong，blackmare。"

"Whydidn’tyoumarryhim？"askedAnne。

"Well，y’see，hedidn’tloveme，"answeredMrs。Skinner，solemnly。

AnneopenedhereyeswidelyandlookedatMrs。Skinner。Buttherewasnotaglintofhumoronthatlady’sface。EvidentlyMrs。Skinnersawnothingamusinginherowncase。

"He’dbeenawidder-manforthreeyers，andhissisterkepthouseforhim。

Thenshegotmarriedandhejustwantedsomeonetolookafterhishouse。

Itwasworthlookingafter，too，mindyouthat。It’sahandsomehouse。

Jogalong，blackmare。AsforThomas，hewaspoor，andifhishousedidn’tleakindryweatheritwasaboutallthatcouldbesaidforit，thoughitlookskindofpictureaskew。But，y’see，IlovedThomas，andIdidn’tcareoneredcentforW。O。SoIargueditoutwithmyself。

`SarahCrowe，’sayI——myfirstwasaCrowe——`youcanmarryyourrichmanifyoulikebutyouwon’tbehappy。Folkscan’tgetalongtogetherinthisworldwithoutalittlebitoflove。

You’djustbettertieuptoThomas，forhelovesyouandyoulovehimandnothingelseain’tgoingtodoyou。’Jogalong，blackmare。

SoItoldThomasI’dtakehim。AllthetimeIwasgettingreadyIneverdareddrivepastW。O。’splaceforfearthesightofthatfinehouseofhiswouldputmeintheswithersagain。ButnowI

neverthinkofitatall，andI’mjustthatcomfortableandhappywithThomas。Jogalong，blackmare。"

"HowdidWilliamObadiahtakeit？"queriedAnne。

"Oh，herumpussedabit。Buthe’sgoingtoseeaskinnyoldmaidinMillersvillenow，andIguessshe’lltakehimfastenough。

She’llmakehimabetterwifethanhisfirstdid。W。O。neverwantedtomarryher。Hejustaskedhertomarryhim’causehisfatherwantedhimto，neverdreamingbutthatshe’dsay`no。’

Butmindyou，shesaid’yes。’Therewasapredicamentforyou。

Jogalong，blackmare。Shewasagreathousekeeper，butmostawfulmean。Sheworethesamebonnetforeighteenyears。ThenshegotanewoneandW。O。metherontheroadanddidn’tknowher。

Jogalong，blackmare。IfeelthatI’danarrerescape。Imighthavemarriedhimandbeenmostawfulmiserable，likemypoorcousin，JaneAnn。JaneAnnmarriedarichmanshedidn’tcareanythingabout，andshehasn’tthelifeofadog。Shecometoseemelastweekandsays，saysshe，`SarahSkinner，Ienvyyou。

I’dratherliveinalittlehutonthesideoftheroadwithamanIwasfondofthaninmybighousewiththeoneI’vegot。’

JaneAnn’smanain’tsuchabadsort，nuther，thoughhe’ssocontrarythathewearshisfurcoatwhenthethermometer’satninety。Theonlywaytogithimtodoanythingistocoaxhimtodotheopposite。Butthereain’tanylovetosmooththingsdownandit’sapoorwayofliving。Jogalong，blackmare。

There’sJanet’splaceinthehollow——`Wayside，’shecallsit。

Quitepictureaskew，ain’tit？Iguessyou’llbegladtogitoutofthis，withallthemmailbagsjammingroundyou。"

"Yes，butIhaveenjoyedmydrivewithyouverymuch，"saidAnnesincerely。

"Gitawaynow！"saidMrs。Skinner，highlyflattered。"WaittillItellThomasthat。HealwaysfeelsdretfultickledwhenIgitacompliment。Jogalong，blackmare。Well，hereweare。Ihopeyou’llgitonwellintheschool，miss。There’sashortcuttoitthroughthema’shbackofJanet’s。Ifyoutakethatwaybeawfulkeerful。Ifyouoncegotstuckinthatblackmudyou’dbesuckedrightdownandneverseenorheardtellofagaintillthedayofjudgment，likeAdamPalmer’scow。Jogalong，blackmare。"

ChapterXXXI

AnnetoPhilippa"AnneShirleytoPhilippaGordon，greeting。

"Well-beloved，it’shightimeIwaswritingyou。HereamI，installedoncemoreasacountry`schoolma’am’atValleyRoad，boardingat`Wayside，’thehomeofMissJanetSweet。Janetisadearsoulandverynicelooking；tall，butnotover-tall；stoutish，yetwithacertainrestraintofoutlinesuggestiveofathriftysoulwhoisnotgoingtobeoverlavisheveninthematterofavoirdupois。Shehasaknotofsoft，crimpy，brownhairwithathreadofgrayinit，asunnyfacewithrosycheeks，andbig，kindeyesasblueasforget-me-nots。Moreover，sheisoneofthosedelightful，old-fashionedcookswhodon’tcareabitiftheyruinyourdigestionaslongastheycangiveyoufeastsoffatthings。

"Ilikeher；andshelikesme——principally，itseems，becauseshehadasisternamedAnnewhodiedyoung。

"`I’mrealgladtoseeyou，’shesaidbriskly，whenIlandedinheryard。

`My，youdon’tlookamitelikeIexpected。Iwassureyou’dbedark——

mysisterAnnewasdark。Andhereyou’reredheaded！’

"ForafewminutesIthoughtIwasn’tgoingtolikeJanetasmuchasIhadexpectedatfirstsight。ThenIremindedmyselfthatI

reallymustbemoresensiblethantobeprejudicedagainstanyonesimplybecauseshecalledmyhairred。Probablytheword`auburn’wasnotinJanet’svocabularyatall。

"`Wayside’isadearsortoflittlespot。Thehouseissmallandwhite，setdowninadelightfullittlehollowthatdropsawayfromtheroad。Betweenroadandhouseisanorchardandflower-gardenallmixeduptogether。Thefrontdoorwalkisborderedwithquahogclam-shells——`cow-hawks，’Janetcallsthem；

thereisVirginiaCreeperovertheporchandmossontheroof。

Myroomisaneatlittlespot`offtheparlor’——justbigenoughforthebedandme。OvertheheadofmybedthereisapictureofRobbyBurnsstandingatHighlandMary’sgrave，shadowedbyanenormousweepingwillowtree。Robby’sfaceissolugubriousthatitisnowonderIhavebaddreams。Why，thefirstnightIwashereIdreamedICOULDN’TLAUGH。

"Theparloristinyandneat。Itsonewindowissoshadedbyahugewillowthattheroomhasagrotto-likeeffectofemeraldgloom。

Therearewonderfultidiesonthechairs，andgaymatsonthefloor，andbooksandcardscarefullyarrangedonaroundtable，andvasesofdriedgrassonthemantel-piece。Betweenthevasesisacheerfuldecorationofpreservedcoffinplates——fiveinall，pertainingrespectivelytoJanet’sfatherandmother，abrother，hersisterAnne，andahiredmanwhodiedhereonce！IfIgosuddenlyinsanesomeofthesedays`knowallmenbythesepresents’thatthosecoffin-plateshavecausedit。

"Butit’salldelightfulandIsaidso。Janetlovedmeforit，justasshedetestedpoorEstherbecauseEstherhadsaidsomuchshadewasunhygienicandhadobjectedtosleepingonafeatherbed。

Now，Igloryinfeather-beds，andthemoreunhygienicandfeatherytheyarethemoreIglory。Janetsaysitissuchacomforttoseemeeat；shehadbeensoafraidIwouldbelikeMissHaythorne，whowouldn’teatanythingbutfruitandhotwaterforbreakfastandtriedtomakeJanetgiveupfryingthings。Estherisreallyadeargirl，butsheisrathergiventofads。Thetroubleisthatshehasn’tenoughimaginationandHASatendencytoindigestion。

"JanettoldmeIcouldhavetheuseoftheparlorwhenanyyoungmencalled！Idon’tthinktherearemanytocall。Ihaven’tseenayoungmaninValleyRoadyet，exceptthenext-doorhiredboy——SamToliver，averytall，lank，tow-hairedyouth。

Hecameoveroneeveningrecentlyandsatforanhouronthegardenfence，nearthefrontporchwhereJanetandIweredoingfancy-work。Theonlyremarkshevolunteeredinallthattimewere，`Hevapeppermint，miss！Dewnow-finethingforcarARRH，peppermints，’and，`Powerfulloto’jump-grassesroundhereternight。Yep。’

"Butthereisaloveaffairgoingonhere。Itseemstobemyfortunetobemixedup，moreorlessactively，withelderlyloveaffairs。Mr。andMrs。IrvingalwayssaythatIbroughtabouttheirmarriage。Mrs。StephenClarkofCarmodypersistsinbeingmostgratefultomeforasuggestionwhichsomebodyelsewouldprobablyhavemadeifIhadn’t。Idoreallythink，though，thatLudovicSpeedwouldneverhavegotanyfurtheralongthanplacidcourtshipifIhadnothelpedhimandTheodoraDixout。

"InthepresentaffairIamonlyapassivespectator。I’vetriedoncetohelpthingsalongandmadeanawfulmessofit。SoI

shallnotmeddleagain。I’lltellyouallaboutitwhenwemeet。"

ChapterXXXII

TeawithMrs。DouglasOnthefirstThursdaynightofAnne’ssojourninValleyRoadJanetaskedhertogotoprayer-meeting。Janetblossomedoutlikearosetoattendthatprayer-meeting。Sheworeapale-blue，pansy-sprinkledmuslindresswithmorerufflesthanonewouldeverhavesupposedeconomicalJanetcouldbeguiltyof，andawhiteleghornhatwithpinkrosesandthreeostrichfeathersonit。

Annefeltquiteamazed。Lateron，shefoundoutJanet’smotiveinsoarrayingherself——amotiveasoldasEden。

ValleyRoadprayer-meetingsseemedtobeessentiallyfeminine。

Therewerethirty-twowomenpresent，twohalf-grownboys，andonesolitaryman，besidetheminister。Annefoundherselfstudyingthisman。Hewasnothandsomeoryoungorgraceful；hehadremarkablylonglegs——solongthathehadtokeepthemcoiledupunderhischairtodisposeofthem——andhewasstoopshouldered。

Hishandswerebig，hishairwantedbarbering，andhismoustachewasunkempt。ButAnnethoughtshelikedhisface；itwaskindandhonestandtender；therewassomethingelseinit，too——justwhat，Annefoundithardtodefine。Shefinallyconcludedthatthismanhadsufferedandbeenstrong，andithadbeenmademanifestinhisface。

Therewasasortofpatient，humorousenduranceinhisexpressionwhichindicatedthathewouldgotothestakeifneedbe，butwouldkeeponlookingpleasantuntilhereallyhadtobeginsquirming。

Whenprayer-meetingwasoverthismancameuptoJanetandsaid，"MayIseeyouhome，Janet？"

Janettookhisarm——"asprimlyandshylyasifshewerenomorethansixteen，havingherfirstescorthome，"AnnetoldthegirlsatPatty’sPlacelateron。

"MissShirley，permitmetointroduceMr。Douglas，"shesaidstiffly。

Mr。Douglasnoddedandsaid，"Iwaslookingatyouinprayer-meeting，miss，andthinkingwhatanicelittlegirlyouwere。"

Suchaspeechfromninety-ninepeopleoutofahundredwouldhaveannoyedAnnebitterly；butthewayinwhichMr。Douglassaiditmadeherfeelthatshehadreceivedaveryrealandpleasingcompliment。

Shesmiledappreciativelyathimanddroppedobliginglybehindonthemoonlitroad。

SoJanethadabeau！Annewasdelighted。Janetwouldmakeaparagonofawife——cheery，economical，tolerant，andaveryqueenofcooks。

ItwouldbeaflagrantwasteonNature’sparttokeepherapermanentoldmaid。

"JohnDouglasaskedmetotakeyouuptoseehismother，"saidJanetthenextday。"She’sbed-ridalotofthetimeandnevergoesoutofthehouse。Butshe’spowerfulfondofcompanyandalwayswantstoseemyboarders。Canyougoupthisevening？"

Anneassented；butlaterinthedayMr。Douglascalledonhismother’sbehalftoinvitethemuptoteaonSaturdayevening。

"Oh，whydidn’tyouputonyourprettypansydress？"askedAnne，whentheylefthome。Itwasahotday，andpoorJanet，betweenherexcitementandherheavyblackcashmeredress，lookedasifshewerebeingbroiledalive。

"OldMrs。Douglaswouldthinkitterriblefrivolousandunsuitable，I’mafraid。Johnlikesthatdress，though，"sheaddedwistfully。

TheoldDouglashomesteadwashalfamilefrom"Wayside"crestingawindyhill。Thehouseitselfwaslargeandcomfortable，oldenoughtobedignified，andgirdledwithmaplegrovesandorchards。

Therewerebig，trimbarnsbehindit，andeverythingbespokeprosperity。

WhateverthepatientenduranceinMr。Douglas’facehadmeantithadn’t，soAnnereflected，meantdebtsandduns。

JohnDouglasmetthematthedoorandtookthemintothesitting-room，wherehismotherwasenthronedinanarmchair。

AnnehadexpectedoldMrs。Douglastobetallandthin，becauseMr。Douglaswas。Instead，shewasatinyscrapofawoman，withsoftpinkcheeks，mildblueeyes，andamouthlikeababy’s。

Dressedinabeautiful，fashionably-madeblacksilkdress，withafluffywhiteshawloverhershoulders，andhersnowyhairsurmountedbyadaintylacecap，shemighthaveposedasagrandmotherdoll。

"Howdoyoudo，Janetdear？"shesaidsweetly。"Iamsogladtoseeyouagain，dear。"Sheputupherprettyoldfacetobekissed。

"Andthisisournewteacher。I’mdelightedtomeetyou。MysonhasbeensingingyourpraisesuntilI’mhalfjealous，andI’msureJanetoughttobewhollyso。"

PoorJanetblushed，Annesaidsomethingpoliteandconventional，andtheneverybodysatdownandmadetalk。Itwashardwork，evenforAnne，fornobodyseemedateaseexceptoldMrs。Douglas，whocertainlydidnotfindanydifficultyintalking。ShemadeJanetsitbyherandstrokedherhandoccasionally。Janetsatandsmiled，lookinghorriblyuncomfortableinherhideousdress，andJohnDouglassatwithoutsmiling。

AttheteatableMrs。DouglasgracefullyaskedJanettopourthetea。Janetturnedredderthaneverbutdidit。AnnewroteadescriptionofthatmealtoStella。

"Wehadcoldtongueandchickenandstrawberrypreserves，lemonpieandtartsandchocolatecakeandraisincookiesandpoundcakeandfruitcake——andafewotherthings，includingmorepie——caramelpie，Ithinkitwas。AfterIhadeatentwiceasmuchaswasgoodforme，Mrs。Douglassighedandsaidshefearedshehadnothingtotemptmyappetite。

"`I’mafraiddearJanet’scookinghasspoiledyouforanyother，’

shesaidsweetly。`OfcoursenobodyinValleyRoadaspirestorivalHER。WON’Tyouhaveanotherpieceofpie，MissShirley？

Youhaven’teatenANYTHING。’

"Stella，Ihadeatenahelpingoftongueandoneofchicken，threebiscuits，agenerousallowanceofpreserves，apieceofpie，atart，andasquareofchocolatecake！"

AfterteaMrs。DouglassmiledbenevolentlyandtoldJohntotake"dearJanet"outintothegardenandgethersomeroses。

"MissShirleywillkeepmecompanywhileyouareout——

won’tyou？"shesaidplaintively。Shesettleddowninherarmchairwithasigh。

"Iamaveryfrailoldwoman，MissShirley。ForovertwentyyearsI’vebeenagreatsufferer。Fortwentylong，wearyyearsI’vebeendyingbyinches。"

"Howpainful！"saidAnne，tryingtobesympatheticandsucceedingonlyinfeelingidiotic。

"Therehavebeenscoresofnightswhenthey’vethoughtIcouldneverlivetoseethedawn，"wentonMrs。Douglassolemnly。

"NobodyknowswhatI’vegonethrough——nobodycanknowbutmyself。Well，itcan’tlastverymuchlongernow。Mywearypilgrimagewillsoonbeover，MissShirley。ItisagreatcomforttomethatJohnwillhavesuchagoodwifetolookafterhimwhenhismotherisgone——agreatcomfort，MissShirley。"

"Janetisalovelywoman，"saidAnnewarmly。

"Lovely！Abeautifulcharacter，"assentedMrs。Douglas。"Andaperfecthousekeeper——somethingIneverwas。Myhealthwouldnotpermitit，MissShirley。IamindeedthankfulthatJohnhasmadesuchawisechoice。Ihopeandbelievethathewillbehappy。

Heismyonlyson，MissShirley，andhishappinessliesverynearmyheart。"

"Ofcourse，"saidAnnestupidly。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshewasstupid。Yetshecouldnotimaginewhy。Sheseemedtohaveabsolutelynothingtosaytothissweet，smiling，angelicoldladywhowaspattingherhandsokindly。

"Comeandseemesoonagain，dearJanet，"saidMrs。Douglaslovingly，whentheyleft。"Youdon’tcomehalfoftenenough。

ButthenIsupposeJohnwillbebringingyouheretostayallthetimeoneofthesedays。"Anne，happeningtoglanceatJohnDouglas，ashismotherspoke，gaveapositivestartofdismay。

Helookedasatorturedmanmightlookwhenhistormentorsgavetherackthelastturnofpossibleendurance。ShefeltsurehemustbeillandhurriedpoorblushingJanetaway。

"Isn’toldMrs。Douglasasweetwoman？"askedJanet，astheywentdowntheroad。

"M——m，"answeredAnneabsently。ShewaswonderingwhyJohnDouglashadlookedso。

"She’sbeenaterriblesufferer，"saidJanetfeelingly。

"Shetakesterriblespells。ItkeepsJohnallworriedup。

He’sscaredtoleavehomeforfearhismotherwilltakeaspellandnobodytherebutthehiredgirl。"

ChapterXXXIII

"HeJustKeptComingandComing"

ThreedayslaterAnnecamehomefromschoolandfoundJanetcrying。

TearsandJanetseemedsoincongruousthatAnnewashonestlyalarmed。

"Oh，whatisthematter？"shecriedanxiously。

"I’m——I’mfortytoday，"sobbedJanet。

"Well，youwerenearlythatyesterdayanditdidn’thurt，"

comfortedAnne，tryingnottosmile。

"But——but，"wentonJanetwithabiggulp，"JohnDouglaswon’taskmetomarryhim。"

"Oh，buthewill，"saidAnnelamely。"Youmustgivehimtime，Janet"Time！"saidJanetwithindescribablescorn。"Hehashadtwentyyears。

Howmuchtimedoeshewant？"

"DoyoumeanthatJohnDouglashasbeencomingtoseeyoufortwentyyears？"

"Hehas。Andhehasneversomuchasmentionedmarriagetome。

AndIdon’tbelieveheeverwillnow。I’veneversaidawordtoamortalaboutit，butitseemstomeI’vejustgottotalkitoutwithsomeoneatlastorgocrazy。JohnDouglasbeguntogowithmetwentyyearsago，beforemotherdied。Well，hekeptcomingandcoming，andafteraspellIbegunmakingquiltsandthings；butheneversaidanythingaboutgettingmarried，onlyjustkeptcomingandcoming。Therewasn’tanythingIcoulddo。

Motherdiedwhenwe’dbeengoingtogetherforeightyears。

Ithoughthemaybewouldspeakoutthen，seeingasIwasleftaloneintheworld。Hewasrealkindandfeeling，anddideverythinghecouldforme，butheneversaidmarry。Andthat’sthewayithasbeengoingoneversince。PeopleblameMEforit。

TheysayIwon’tmarryhimbecausehismotherissosicklyandI

don’twantthebotherofwaitingonher。Why，I’dLOVEtowaitonJohn’smother！ButIletthemthinkso。I’dratherthey’dblamemethanpityme！It’ssodreadfulhumiliatingthatJohnwon’taskme。AndWHYwon’the？SeemstomeifIonlyknewhisreasonIwouldn’tminditsomuch。"

"Perhapshismotherdoesn’twanthimtomarryanybody，"suggestedAnne。

"Oh，shedoes。She’stoldmetimeandagainthatshe’dlovetoseeJohnsettledbeforehertimecomes。She’salwaysgivinghimhints——

youheardheryourselftheotherday。IthoughtI’dha’gonethroughthefloor。"

"It’sbeyondme，"saidAnnehelplessly。ShethoughtofLudovicSpeed。

Butthecaseswerenotparallel。JohnDouglaswasnotamanofLudovic’stype。

"Youshouldshowmorespirit，Janet，"shewentonresolutely。

"Whydidn’tyousendhimabouthisbusinesslongago？"

"Icouldn’t，"saidpoorJanetpathetically。"Yousee，Anne，I’vealwaysbeenawfulfondofJohn。Hemightjustaswellkeepcomingasnot，fortherewasneveranybodyelseI’dwant，soitdidn’tmatter。"

"Butitmighthavemadehimspeakoutlikeaman，"urgedAnne。

Janetshookherhead。

"No，Iguessnot。Iwasafraidtotry，anyway，forfearhe’dthinkImeantitandjustgo。IsupposeI’mapoor-spiritedcreature，butthatishowIfeel。AndIcan’thelpit。"

"Oh，youCOULDhelpit，Janet。Itisn’ttoolateyet。Takeafirmstand。Letthatmanknowyouarenotgoingtoendurehisshillyshallyinganylonger。I’LLbackyouup。"

"Idunno，"saidJanethopelessly。"IdunnoifIcouldevergetupenoughspunk。Thingshavedriftedsolong。ButI’llthinkitover。"

AnnefeltthatshewasdisappointedinJohnDouglas。Shehadlikedhimsowell，andshehadnotthoughthimthesortofmanwhowouldplayfastandloosewithawoman’sfeelingsfortwentyyears。

Hecertainlyshouldbetaughtalesson，andAnnefeltvindictivelythatshewouldenjoyseeingtheprocess。ThereforeshewasdelightedwhenJanettoldher，astheyweregoingtoprayer-meetingthenextnight，thatshemeanttoshowsome"sperrit。"

"I’llletJohnDouglasseeI’mnotgoingtobetroddenonanylonger。"

"Youareperfectlyright，"saidAnneemphatically。

Whenprayer-meetingwasoverJohnDouglascameupwithhisusualrequest。

Janetlookedfrightenedbutresolute。

"No，thankyou，"shesaidicily。"Iknowtheroadhomeprettywellalone。

Ioughtto，seeingI’vebeentravelingitforfortyyears。Soyouneedn’ttroubleyourself，MR。Douglas。"

AnnewaslookingatJohnDouglas；and，inthatbrilliantmoonlight，shesawthelasttwistoftherackagain。Withoutawordheturnedandstrodedowntheroad。

"Stop！Stop！"Annecalledwildlyafterhim，notcaringintheleastfortheotherdumbfoundedonlookers。"Mr。Douglas，stop！Comeback。"

JohnDouglasstoppedbuthedidnotcomeback。Anneflewdowntheroad，caughthisarmandfairlydraggedhimbacktoJanet。

"Youmustcomeback，"shesaidimploringly。"It’sallamistake，Mr。Douglas——allmyfault。ImadeJanetdoit。Shedidn’twantto——butit’sallrightnow，isn’tit，Janet？"

WithoutawordJanettookhisarmandwalkedaway。Annefollowedthemmeeklyhomeandslippedinbythebackdoor。

"Well，youareanicepersontobackmeup，"saidJanetsarcastically。

"Icouldn’thelpit，Janet，"saidAnnerepentantly。"IjustfeltasifIhadstoodbyandseenmurderdone。IHADtorunafterhim。"

"Oh，I’mjustasgladyoudid。WhenIsawJohnDouglasmakingoffdownthatroadIjustfeltasifeverylittlebitofjoyandhappinessthatwasleftinmylifewasgoingwithhim。Itwasanawfulfeeling。"

"Didheaskyouwhyyoudidit？"askedAnne。

"No，heneversaidawordaboutit，"repliedJanetdully。