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*******The Project Gutenberg Etext of Anne of The Island******* ANNE of the ISLAND by Lucy Maud Montgo ery

to all the g!rls all o"er the #orld #ho ha"e $#anted ore$ about ANNE

All %rec!ous th!ngs d!sco"ered late To those that see& the !ssue forth' (or Lo"e !n se)uel #or&s #!th (ate' And dra#s the "e!l fro h!dden #orth* +TENN,S-N

Table of .ontents I The Shado# of .hange * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * / II Garlands of Autu n * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 01 III Greet!ng and (are#ell* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 12 I3 A%r!l4s Lady * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 52 3 Letters fro 6o e* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 27 3I In the Par&* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 89 3II 6o e Aga!n * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * /: 3III Anne4s (!rst Pro%osal* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *:9; I< An =n#elco e Lo"er and a >elco e (r!end* * * * * * *::1 < Patty4s Place* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *:02 <I The ?ound of L!fe* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *:1/ <II $A"er!l4s Atone ent$ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *:;1 <III The >ay of Transgressors * * * * * * * * * * * * * *:2; <I3 The Su ons* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *:8: <3 A Drea Turned =%s!de Do#n * * * * * * * * * * * * *:/5 <3I Adjusted ?elat!onsh!%s * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *090 <3II A Letter fro Da"y * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *0:/ <3III M!ss @ose%!ne ?e e bers the Anne+g!rl* * * * * * * *00;

<I< An Interlude * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *015 << G!lbert S%ea&s * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *059 <<I ?oses of ,esterday * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *05/ <<II S%r!ng and Anne ?eturn to Green Gables * * * * * * *0;2 <<III Paul .annot (!nd the ?oc& Peo%le * * * * * * * * * *021 <<I3 Enter @onas* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *02/ <<3 Enter Pr!nce .har !ng* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *078 <<3I Enter .hr!st!ne* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *088 <<3II Mutual .onf!dences * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *0/5 <<3III A @une E"en!ng * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *191 <<I< D!ana4s >edd!ng* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *1:: <<< Mrs* S&!nner4s ?o ance * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *1:7 <<<I Anne to Ph!l!%%a * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *101 <<<II Tea #!th Mrs* Douglas* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *108 <<<III $6e @ust Ae%t .o !ng and .o !ng$ * * * * * * * * * *112 <<<I3 @ohn Douglas S%ea&s at Last* * * * * * * * * * * * *150 <<<3 The Last ?ed ond ,ear -%ens* * * * * * * * * * * * *1;9 <<<3: The Gardners4 .all * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *12: <<<3II (ull+fledged B*A*4s* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *179 <<<3III (alse Da#n * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *17/ <<<I< Deals #!th >edd!ngs* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *188 <L A Boo& of ?e"elat!on * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *599 <LI Lo"e Ta&es =% the Glass of T! e* * * * * * * * * * *597

ANNE of the ISLAND by Lucy Maud Montgo ery

.ha%ter I The Shado# of .hange $6ar"est !s ended and su er !s gone'$ )uoted Anne Sh!rley' gaC!ng across the shorn f!elds drea !ly* She and D!ana Barry had been %!c&!ng a%%les !n the Green Gables orchard' but #ere no# rest!ng fro the!r labors !n a sunny corner' #here a!ry fleets of th!stledo#n dr!fted by on the #!ngs of a #!nd that #as st!ll su er+s#eet #!th the !ncense of ferns !n the 6aunted >ood*

But e"eryth!ng !n the landsca%e around the s%o&e of autu n* The sea #as roar!ng hollo#ly !n the d!stance' the f!elds #ere bare and sere' scarfed #!th golden rod' the broo& "alley belo# Green Gables o"erflo#ed #!th asters of ethereal %ur%le' and the La&e of Sh!n!ng >aters #as blue ++ blue ++ blueD not the changeful blue of s%r!ng' nor the %ale aCure of su er' but a clear' steadfast' serene blue' as !f the #ater #ere %ast all oods and tenses of e ot!on and had settled do#n to a tran)u!l!ty unbro&en by f!c&le drea s* $It has been a n!ce su er'$ sa!d D!ana' t#!st!ng the ne# r!ng on her left hand #!th a s !le* $And M!ss La"endar4s #edd!ng see ed to co e as a sort of cro#n to !t* I su%%ose Mr* and Mrs* Ir"!ng are on the Pac!f!c coast no#*$ $It see s to e they ha"e been gone long enough to go around the #orld'$ s!ghed Anne* $I can4t bel!e"e !t !s only a #ee& s!nce they #ere arr!ed* E"eryth!ng has changed* M!ss La"endar and Mr* and Mrs* Allan gone ++ ho# lonely the anse loo&s #!th the shutters all closedE I #ent %ast !t last n!ght' and !t ade e feel as !f e"erybody !n !t had d!ed*$ $>e4ll ne"er get another !n!ster as n!ce as Mr* Allan'$ sa!d D!ana' #!th gloo y con"!ct!on* $I su%%ose #e4ll ha"e all &!nds of su%%l!es th!s #!nter' and half the Sundays no %reach!ng at all* And you and G!lbert gone ++ !t #!ll be a#fully dull*$ $(red #!ll be here'$ !ns!nuated Anne slyly* $>hen !s Mrs* Lynde go!ng to had not heard Anne4s re ar&* o"e u%F$ as&ed D!ana' as !f she

$To orro#* I4 glad she4s co !ng ++ but !t #!ll be another change* Mar!lla and I cleared e"eryth!ng out of the s%are roo yesterday* Do you &no#' I hated to do !tF -f course' !t #as s!lly ++ but !t d!d see as !f #e #ere co !tt!ng sacr!lege* That old s%are roo has al#ays see ed l!&e a shr!ne to e* >hen I #as a ch!ld I thought !t the ost #onderful a%art ent !n the #orld* ,ou re e ber #hat a consu !ng des!re I had to slee% !n a s%are roo bed ++ but not the Green Gables s%are roo * -h' no' ne"er thereE It #ould ha"e been too terr!ble ++ I couldn4t ha"e sle%t a #!n& fro a#e* I ne"er >ALAED through that roo #hen Mar!lla sent e !n on an errand ++ no' !ndeed' I t!%toed through !t and held y breath' as !f I #ere !n church' and felt rel!e"ed #hen I got out of !t*

The %!ctures of George >h!tef!eld and the Du&e of >ell!ngton hung there' one on each s!de of the !rror' and fro#ned so sternly at e all the t! e I #as !n' es%ec!ally !f I dared %ee% !n the !rror' #h!ch #as the only one !n the house that d!dn4t t#!st y face a l!ttle* I al#ays #ondered ho# Mar!lla dared houseclean that roo * And no# !t4s not only cleaned but str!%%ed bare* George >h!tef!eld and the Du&e ha"e been relegated to the u%sta!rs hall* GSo %asses the glory of th!s #orld'4 $ concluded Anne' #!th a laugh !n #h!ch there #as a l!ttle note of regret* It !s ne"er %leasant to ha"e our old shr!nes desecrated' e"en #hen #e ha"e outgro#n the * $I4ll be so loneso e #hen you go'$ $And to th!n& you go next #ee&E$ oaned D!ana for the hundredth t! e*

$But #e4re together st!ll'$ sa!d Anne cheer!ly* $>e ustn4t let next #ee& rob us of th!s #ee&4s joy* I hate the thought of go!ng yself ++ ho e and I are such good fr!ends* Tal& of be!ng loneso eE It4s I #ho should groan* ,-=4LL be here #!th any nu ber of your old fr!ends ++ AND (redE >h!le I shall be alone a ong strangers' not &no#!ng a soulE$ $E<.EPT G!lbert ++ AND .harl!e Sloane'$ sa!d D!ana' ! !tat!ng Anne4s !tal!cs and slyness* $.harl!e Sloane #!ll be a great co fort' of course'$ agreed Anne sarcast!callyD #hereu%on both those !rres%ons!ble da sels laughed* D!ana &ne# exactly #hat Anne thought of .harl!e SloaneD but' des%!te sundry conf!dent!al tal&s' she d!d not &no# just #hat Anne thought of G!lbert Blythe* To be sure' Anne herself d!d not &no# that* $The boys ay be board!ng at the other end of A!ngs%ort' for all I &no#'$ Anne #ent on* $I a glad I4 go!ng to ?ed ond' and I a sure I shall l!&e !t after a #h!le* But for the f!rst fe# #ee&s I &no# I #on4t* I shan4t e"en ha"e the co fort of loo&!ng for#ard to the #ee&end "!s!t ho e' as I had #hen I #ent to Hueen4s* .hr!st as #!ll see l!&e a thousand years a#ay*$ $E"eryth!ng !s chang!ng ++ or go!ng to change'$ sa!d D!ana sadly* $I ha"e a feel!ng that th!ngs #!ll ne"er be the sa e aga!n' Anne*$ $>e ha"e co e to a %art!ng of the #ays' I su%%ose'$ sa!d Anne thoughtfully* $>e had to co e to !t* Do you th!n&' D!ana' that be!ng gro#n+u% !s really as n!ce as #e used to ! ag!ne !t #ould be #hen #e #ere ch!ldrenF$

$I don4t &no# ++ there are S-ME n!ce th!ngs about !t'$ ans#ered D!ana' aga!n caress!ng her r!ng #!th that l!ttle s !le #h!ch al#ays had the effect of a&!ng Anne feel suddenly left out and !nex%er!enced* $But there are so any %uCCl!ng th!ngs' too* So et! es I feel as !f be!ng gro#n+u% just fr!ghtened e ++ and then I #ould g!"e anyth!ng to be a l!ttle g!rl aga!n*$ $I su%%ose #e4ll get used to be!ng gro#nu% !n t! e'$ sa!d Anne cheerfully* $There #on4t be so any unex%ected th!ngs about !t by and by ++ though' after all' I fancy !t4s the unex%ected th!ngs that g!"e s%!ce to l!fe* >e4re e!ghteen' D!ana* In t#o ore years #e4ll be t#enty* >hen I #as ten I thought t#enty #as a green old age* In no t! e you4ll be a sta!d' !ddle+aged atron' and I shall be n!ce' old a!d Aunt Anne' co !ng to "!s!t you on "acat!ons* ,ou4ll al#ays &ee% a corner for e' #on4t you' D! darl!ngF Not the s%are roo ' of course ++ old a!ds can4t as%!re to s%are roo s' and I shall be as 4u ble as =r!ah 6ee%' and )u!te content #!th a l!ttle o"er+the+%orch or off+the+%arlor cubby hole*$ $>hat nonsense you do tal&' Anne'$ laughed D!ana* $,ou4ll arry so ebody s%lend!d and handso e and r!ch ++ and no s%are roo !n A"onlea #!ll be half gorgeous enough for you ++ and you4ll turn u% your nose at all the fr!ends of your youth*$ $That #ould be a %!tyD y nose !s )u!te n!ce' but I fear turn!ng !t u% #ould s%o!l !t'$ sa!d Anne' %att!ng that sha%ely organ* $I ha"en4t so any good features that I could afford to s%o!l those I ha"eD so' e"en !f I should arry the A!ng of the .ann!bal Islands' I %ro !se you I #on4t turn u% y nose at you' D!ana*$ >!th another gay laugh the g!rls se%arated' D!ana to return to -rchard Slo%e' Anne to #al& to the Post -ff!ce* She found a letter a#a!t!ng her there' and #hen G!lbert Blythe o"ertoo& her on the br!dge o"er the La&e of Sh!n!ng >aters she #as s%ar&l!ng #!th the exc!te ent of !t* $Pr!sc!lla Grant !s go!ng to ?ed ond' too'$ she excla! ed* $Isn4t that s%lend!dF I ho%ed she #ould' but she d!dn4t th!n& her father #ould consent* 6e has' ho#e"er' and #e4re to board together* I feel that I can face an ar y #!th banners ++ or all the %rofessors of ?ed ond !n one fell %halanx ++ #!th a chu l!&e Pr!sc!lla by y s!de*$ $I th!n& #e4ll l!&e A!ngs%ort'$ sa!d G!lbert* $It4s a n!ce old burg' they tell e' and has the f!nest natural %ar& !n the #orld*

I4"e heard that the scenery !n !t !s

agn!f!cent*$

$I #onder !f !t #!ll be ++ can be ++ any ore beaut!ful than th!s'$ ur ured Anne' loo&!ng around her #!th the lo"!ng' enra%tured eyes of those to #ho $ho e$ ust al#ays be the lo"el!est s%ot !n the #orld' no atter #hat fa!rer lands ay l!e under al!en stars* They #ere lean!ng on the br!dge of the old %ond' dr!n&!ng dee% of the enchant ent of the dus&' just at the s%ot #here Anne had cl! bed fro her s!n&!ng Dory on the day Ela!ne floated do#n to .a elot* The f!ne' e %ur%l!ng dye of sunset st!ll sta!ned the #estern s&!es' but the oon #as r!s!ng and the #ater lay l!&e a great' s!l"er drea !n her l!ght* ?e e brance #o"e a s#eet and subtle s%ell o"er the t#o young creatures* $,ou are "ery )u!et' Anne'$ sa!d G!lbert at last* $I4 afra!d to s%ea& or o"e for fear all th!s #onderful beauty #!ll "an!sh just l!&e a bro&en s!lence'$ breathed Anne* G!lbert suddenly la!d h!s hand o"er the slender #h!te one ly!ng on the ra!l of the br!dge* 6!s haCel eyes dee%ened !nto dar&ness' h!s st!ll boy!sh l!%s o%ened to say so eth!ng of the drea and ho%e that thr!lled h!s soul* But Anne snatched her hand a#ay and turned )u!c&ly* The s%ell of the dus& #as bro&en for her* $I ust go ho e'$ she excla! ed' #!th a rather o"erdone carelessness* $Mar!lla had a headache th!s afternoon' and I4 sure the t#!ns #!ll be !n so e dreadful !sch!ef by th!s t! e* I really shouldn4t ha"e stayed a#ay so long*$ She chattered ceaselessly and !nconse)uently unt!l they reached the Green Gables lane* Poor G!lbert hardly had a chance to get a #ord !n edge#!se* Anne felt rather rel!e"ed #hen they %arted* There had been a ne#' secret self+consc!ousness !n her heart #!th regard to G!lbert' e"er s!nce that fleet!ng o ent of re"elat!on !n the garden of Echo Lodge* So eth!ng al!en had !ntruded !nto the old' %erfect' school+day co radesh!% ++ so eth!ng that threatened to ar !t* $I ne"er felt glad to see G!lbert go before'$ she thought' half+ resentfully' half+sorro#fully' as she #al&ed alone u% the lane* $-ur fr!endsh!% #!ll be s%o!led !f he goes on #!th th!s nonsense* It ustn4t be s%o!led ++ I #on4t let !t* -h' >6, can4t boys be just sens!bleE$

Anne had an uneasy doubt that !t #as not str!ctly $sens!ble$ that she should st!ll feel on her hand the #ar %ressure of G!lbert4s' as d!st!nctly as she had felt !t for the s#!ft second h!s had rested thereD and st!ll less sens!ble that the sensat!on #as far fro be!ng an un%leasant one ++ "ery d!fferent fro that #h!ch had attended a s! !lar de onstrat!on on .harl!e Sloane4s %art' #hen she had been s!tt!ng out a dance #!th h! at a >h!te Sands %arty three n!ghts before* Anne sh!"ered o"er the d!sagreeable recollect!on* But all %roble s connected #!th !nfatuated s#a!ns "an!shed fro her !nd #hen she entered the ho ely' unsent! ental at os%here of the Green Gables &!tchen #here an e!ght+year+old boy #as cry!ng gr!e"ously on the sofa* $>hat !s the atter' Da"yF$ as&ed Anne' ta&!ng h! $>here are Mar!lla and DoraF$ u% !n her ar s*

$Mar!lla4s %utt!ng Dora to bed'$ sobbed Da"y' $and I4 cry!ng 4cause Dora fell do#n the outs!de cellar ste%s' heels o"er head' and scra%ed all the s&!n off her nose' and ++ $ $-h' #ell' don4t cry about !t' dear* -f course' you are sorry for her' but cry!ng #on4t hel% her any* She4ll be all r!ght to orro#* .ry!ng ne"er hel%s any one' Da"y+boy' and ++ $ $I a!n4t cry!ng 4cause Dora fell do#n cellar'$ sa!d Da"y' cutt!ng short Anne4s #ell eant %reach ent #!th !ncreas!ng b!tterness* $I4 cry!ng' cause I #asn4t there to see her fall* I4 al#ays !ss!ng so e fun or other' see s to e*$ $-h' Da"yE$ Anne cho&ed bac& an unholy shr!e& of laughter* $>ould you call !t fun to see %oor l!ttle Dora fall do#n the ste%s and get hurtF$ $She #asn4t M=.6 hurt'$ sa!d Da"y' def!antly* $4.ourse' !f she4d been &!lled I4d ha"e been real sorry' Anne* But the Ae!ths a!n4t so easy &!lled* They4re l!&e the Ble#etts' I guess* 6erb Ble#ett fell off the hayloft last >ednesday' and rolled r!ght do#n through the turn!% chute !nto the box stall' #here they had a fearful #!ld' cross horse' and rolled r!ght under h!s heels* And st!ll he got out al!"e' #!th only three bones bro&e* Mrs* Lynde says there are so e fol&s you can4t &!ll #!th a eat+axe* Is Mrs* Lynde co !ng here to orro#' AnneF$ $,es' Da"y' and I ho%e you4ll be al#ays "ery n!ce and good to her*$ $I4ll be n!ce and good* But #!ll she e"er %ut e to bed at n!ghts' AnneF$

$Perha%s* >hyF$ $4.ause'$ sa!d Da"y "ery dec!dedly' $!f she does I #on4t say %rayers before her l!&e I do before you' Anne*$ $>hy notF$ $4.ause I don4t th!n& !t #ould be n!ce to tal& to God before strangers' Anne* Dora can say hers to Mrs* Lynde !f she l!&es' but III #on4t* I4ll #a!t t!ll she4s gone and then say 4e * >on4t that be all r!ght' AnneF$ $,es' !f you are sure you #on4t forget to say the ' Da"y+boy*$ $-h' I #on4t forget' you bet* I th!n& say!ng y %rayers !s great fun* But !t #on4t be as good fun say!ng the alone as say!ng the to you* I #!sh you4d stay ho e' Anne* I don4t see #hat you #ant to go a#ay and lea"e us for*$ $I don4t exactly >ANT to' Da"y' but I feel I ought to go*$ $If you don4t #ant to go you needn4t* ,ou4re gro#n u%* >hen III4 gro#n u% I4 not go!ng to do one s!ngle th!ng I don4t #ant to do' Anne*$ $All your l!fe' Da"y' you4ll f!nd yourself do!ng th!ngs you don4t #ant to do*$ $I #on4t'$ sa!d Da"y flatly* $.atch eE I ha"e to do th!ngs I don4t #ant to no# 4cause you and Mar!lla4ll send e to bed !f I don4t* But #hen I gro# u% you can4t do that' and there4ll be nobody to tell e not to do th!ngs* >on4t I ha"e the t! eE Say' Anne' M!lty Boulter says h!s other says you4re go!ng to college to see !f you can catch a an* Are you' AnneF I #ant to &no#*$ (or a second Anne burned #!th resent ent* Then she laughed' re !nd!ng herself that Mrs* Boulter4s crude "ulgar!ty of thought and s%eech could not har her* $No' Da"y' I4 $>hat th!ngsF$ $GShoes and sh!%s and seal!ng #ax And cabbages and &!ngs'4$ not* I4 go!ng to study and gro# and learn about any th!ngs*$ y

)uoted Anne* $But !f you DID #ant to catch a an ho# #ould you go about !tF I #ant to &no#'$ %ers!sted Da"y' for #ho the subject e"!dently %ossessed a certa!n fasc!nat!on* $,ou4d better as& Mrs* Boulter'$ sa!d Anne thoughtlessly* $I th!n& !t4s l!&ely she &no#s ore about the %rocess than I do*$ $I #!ll' the next t! e I see her'$ sa!d Da"y gra"ely* $Da"yE If you doE$ cr!ed Anne' real!C!ng her $But you just told !sta&e*

e to'$ %rotested Da"y aggr!e"ed*

$It4s t! e you #ent to bed'$ decreed Anne' by #ay of gett!ng out of the scra%e* After Da"y had gone to bed Anne #andered do#n to 3!ctor!a Island and sat there alone' curta!ned #!th f!ne+s%un' oonl!t gloo ' #h!le the #ater laughed around her !n a duet of broo& and #!nd* Anne had al#ays lo"ed that broo&* Many a drea had she s%un o"er !ts s%ar&l!ng #ater !n days gone by* She forgot lo"elorn youths' and the cayenne s%eeches of al!c!ous ne!ghbors' and all the %roble s of her g!rl!sh ex!stence* In ! ag!nat!on she sa!led o"er stor!ed seas that #ash the d!stant sh!n!ng shores of $faery lands forlorn'$ #here lost Atlant!s and Elys!u l!e' #!th the e"en!ng star for %!lot' to the land of 6eart4s Des!re* And she #as r!cher !n those drea s than !n real!t!esD for th!ngs seen %ass a#ay' but the th!ngs that are unseen are eternal*

.ha%ter II Garlands of Autu n The follo#!ng #ee& s%ed s#!ftly' cro#ded #!th !nnu erable $last th!ngs'$ as Anne called the * Good+bye calls had to be ade and rece!"ed' be!ng %leasant or other#!se' accord!ng to #hether callers and called+u%on #ere heart!ly !n sy %athy #!th Anne4s ho%es' or thought she #as too uch %uffed+u% o"er go!ng to college and that !t #as the!r duty to $ta&e her do#n a %eg or t#o*$

The A*3*I*S* ga"e a fare#ell %arty !n honor of Anne and G!lbert one e"en!ng at the ho e of @os!e Pye' choos!ng that %lace' %artly because Mr* Pye4s house #as large and con"en!ent' %artly because !t #as strongly sus%ected that the Pye g!rls #ould ha"e noth!ng to do #!th the affa!r !f the!r offer of the house for the %arty #as not acce%ted* It #as a "ery %leasant l!ttle t! e' for the Pye g!rls #ere grac!ous' and sa!d and d!d noth!ng to ar the har ony of the occas!on ++ #h!ch #as not accord!ng to the!r #ont* @os!e #as unusually a !able ++ so uch so that she e"en re ar&ed condescend!ngly to Anne' $,our ne# dress !s rather beco !ng to you' Anne* ?eally' you loo& ALM-ST P?ETT, !n !t*$ $6o# &!nd of you to say so'$ res%onded Anne' #!th danc!ng eyes* 6er sense of hu or #as de"elo%!ng' and the s%eeches that #ould ha"e hurt her at fourteen #ere beco !ng erely food for a use ent no#* @os!e sus%ected that Anne #as laugh!ng at her beh!nd those #!c&ed eyesD but she contented herself #!th #h!s%er!ng to Gert!e' as they #ent do#nsta!rs' that Anne Sh!rley #ould %ut on ore a!rs than e"er no# that she #as go!ng to college ++ you4d seeE All the $old cro#d$ #as there' full of !rth and Cest and youthful l!ghtheartedness* D!ana Barry' rosy and d! %led' shado#ed by the fa!thful (redD @ane Andre#s' neat and sens!ble and %la!nD ?uby G!ll!s' loo&!ng her handso est and br!ghtest !n a crea s!l& blouse' #!th red geran!u s !n her golden ha!rD G!lbert Blythe and .harl!e Sloane' both try!ng to &ee% as near the elus!"e Anne as %oss!bleD .arr!e Sloane' loo&!ng %ale and elancholy because' so !t #as re%orted' her father #ould not allo# -l!"er A! ball to co e near the %laceD Moody S%urgeon MacPherson' #hose round face and object!onable ears #ere as round and object!onable as e"erD and B!lly Andre#s' #ho sat !n a corner all the e"en!ng' chuc&led #hen any one s%o&e to h! ' and #atched Anne Sh!rley #!th a gr!n of %leasure on h!s broad' frec&led countenance* Anne had &no#n beforehand of the %arty' but she had not &no#n that she and G!lbert #ere' as the founders of the Soc!ety' to be %resented #!th a "ery co %l! entary $address$ and $to&ens of res%ect$ ++ !n her case a "olu e of Sha&es%eare4s %lays' !n G!lbert4s a founta!n %en* She #as so ta&en by sur%r!se and %leased by the n!ce th!ngs sa!d !n the address' read !n Moody S%urgeon4s ost sole n and !n!ster!al tones' that the tears )u!te dro#ned the s%ar&le of her b!g gray eyes* She had #or&ed hard and fa!thfully for the A*3*I*S*' and !t #ar ed the coc&les of her heart that the e bers a%%rec!ated her efforts so s!ncerely*

And they #ere all so n!ce and fr!endly and jolly ++ e"en the Pye g!rls had the!r er!tsD at that o ent Anne lo"ed all the #orld* She enjoyed the e"en!ng tre endously' but the end of !t rather s%o!led all* G!lbert aga!n ade the !sta&e of say!ng so eth!ng sent! ental to her as they ate the!r su%%er on the oonl!t "erandahD and Anne' to %un!sh h! ' #as grac!ous to .harl!e Sloane and allo#ed the latter to #al& ho e #!th her* She found' ho#e"er' that re"enge hurts nobody )u!te so uch as the one #ho tr!es to !nfl!ct !t* G!lbert #al&ed a!r!ly off #!th ?uby G!ll!s' and Anne could hear the laugh!ng and tal&!ng ga!ly as they lo!tered along !n the st!ll' cr!s% autu n a!r* They #ere e"!dently ha"!ng the best of good t! es' #h!le she #as horr!bly bored by .harl!e Sloane' #ho tal&ed unbro&enly on' and ne"er' e"en by acc!dent' sa!d one th!ng that #as #orth l!sten!ng to* Anne ga"e an occas!onal absent $yes$ or $no'$ and thought ho# beaut!ful ?uby had loo&ed that n!ght' ho# "ery goggly .harl!e4s eyes #ere !n the oonl!ght ++ #orse e"en than by dayl!ght ++ and that the #orld' so eho#' #asn4t )u!te such a n!ce %lace as she had bel!e"ed !t to be earl!er !n the e"en!ng* $I4 just t!red out ++ that !s #hat !s the atter #!th e'$ she sa!d' #hen she than&fully found herself alone !n her o#n roo * And she honestly bel!e"ed !t #as* But a certa!n l!ttle gush of joy' as fro so e secret' un&no#n s%r!ng' bubbled u% !n her heart the next e"en!ng' #hen she sa# G!lbert str!d!ng do#n through the 6aunted >ood and cross!ng the old log br!dge #!th that f!r ' )u!c& ste% of h!s* So G!lbert #as not go!ng to s%end th!s last e"en!ng #!th ?uby G!ll!s after allE $,ou loo& t!red' Anne'$ he sa!d* $I a t!red' and' #orse than that' I4 d!sgruntled* I4 t!red because I4"e been %ac&!ng y trun& and se#!ng all day* But I4 d!sgruntled because s!x #o en ha"e been here to say good+bye to e' and e"ery one of the s!x anaged to say so eth!ng that see ed to ta&e the color r!ght out of l!fe and lea"e !t as gray and d!s al and cheerless as a No"e ber orn!ng*$ $S%!teful old catsE$ #as G!lbert4s elegant co ent*

$-h' no' they #eren4t'$ sa!d Anne ser!ously* $That !s just the trouble* If they had been s%!teful cats I #ouldn4t ha"e !nded the * But they are all n!ce' &!nd' otherly souls' #ho l!&e e and #ho I l!&e' and that !s #hy #hat they sa!d' or h!nted' had such undue #e!ght #!th e* They let e see they thought I #as

craCy go!ng to ?ed ond and try!ng to ta&e a B*A*' and e"er s!nce I4"e been #onder!ng !f I a * Mrs* Peter Sloane s!ghed and sa!d she ho%ed y strength #ould hold out t!ll I got throughD and at once I sa# yself a ho%eless "!ct! of ner"ous %rostrat!on at the end of y th!rd yearD Mrs* Eben >r!ght sa!d !t ust cost an a#ful lot to %ut !n four years at ?ed ondD and I felt all o"er e that !t #as un%ardonable of e to s)uander Mar!lla4s oney and y o#n on such a folly* Mrs* @as%er Bell sa!d she ho%ed I #ouldn4t let college s%o!l e' as !t d!d so e %eo%leD and I felt !n y bones that the end of y four ?ed ond years #ould see e a ost !nsufferable creature' th!n&!ng I &ne# !t all' and loo&!ng do#n on e"eryth!ng and e"erybody !n A"onleaD Mrs* El!sha >r!ght sa!d she understood that ?ed ond g!rls' es%ec!ally those #ho belonged to A!ngs%ort' #ere 4dreadful dressy and stuc&+u%'4 and she guessed I #ouldn4t feel uch at ho e a ong the D and I sa# yself' a snubbed' do#dy' hu !l!ated country g!rl' shuffl!ng through ?ed ond4s class!c halls !n co%%ertoned boots*$ Anne ended #!th a laugh and a s!gh co !ngled* >!th her sens!t!"e nature all d!sa%%ro"al had #e!ght' e"en the d!sa%%ro"al of those for #hose o%!n!ons she had scant res%ect* (or the t! e be!ng l!fe #as sa"orless' and a b!t!on had gone out l!&e a snuffed candle* $,ou surely don4t care for #hat they sa!d'$ %rotested G!lbert* $,ou &no# exactly ho# narro# the!r outloo& on l!fe !s' excellent creatures though they are* To do anyth!ng T6E, ha"e ne"er done !s anathe a aranatha* ,ou are the f!rst A"onlea g!rl #ho has e"er gone to collegeD and you &no# that all %!oneers are cons!dered to be affl!cted #!th oonstruc& adness*$ $-h' I &no#* But (EELING !s so d!fferent fro AN->ING* My co sense tells e all you can say' but there are t! es #hen co on sense has no %o#er o"er e* .o on nonsense ta&es %ossess!on of y soul* ?eally' after Mrs* El!sha #ent a#ay I hardly had the heart to f!n!sh %ac&!ng*$ $,ou4re just t!red' Anne* .o e' forget !t all and ta&e a #al& #!th e ++ a ra ble bac& through the #oods beyond the arsh* There should be so eth!ng there I #ant to sho# you*$ $Should beE Don4t you &no# !f !t !s thereF$ $No* I only &no# !t should be' fro so eth!ng I sa# there !n s%r!ng* .o e on* >e4ll %retend #e are t#o ch!ldren aga!n and #e4ll go the #ay of the #!nd*$ on

They started ga!ly off* Anne' re e ber!ng the un%leasantness of the %reced!ng e"en!ng' #as "ery n!ce to G!lbertD and G!lbert' #ho #as learn!ng #!sdo ' too& care to be noth!ng sa"e the schoolboy co rade aga!n* Mrs* Lynde and Mar!lla #atched the fro the &!tchen #!ndo#* $That4ll be a atch so e day'$ Mrs* Lynde sa!d a%%ro"!ngly*

Mar!lla #!nced sl!ghtly* In her heart she ho%ed !t #ould' but !t #ent aga!nst her gra!n to hear the atter s%o&en of !n Mrs* Lynde4s goss!%y atter+of+fact #ay* $They4re only ch!ldren yet'$ she sa!d shortly* Mrs* Lynde laughed good+naturedly* $Anne !s e!ghteenD I #as arr!ed #hen I #as that age* >e old fol&s' Mar!lla' are too uch g!"en to th!n&!ng ch!ldren ne"er gro# u%' that4s #hat* Anne !s a young #o an and G!lbert4s a an' and he #orsh!%s the ground she #al&s on' as any one can see* 6e4s a f!ne fello#' and Anne can4t do better* I ho%e she #on4t get any ro ant!c nonsense !nto her head at ?ed ond* I don4t a%%ro"e of the coeducat!onal %laces and ne"er d!d' that4s #hat* I don4t bel!e"e'$ concluded Mrs* Lynde sole nly' $that the students at such colleges e"er do uch else than fl!rt*$ $They ust study a l!ttle'$ sa!d Mar!lla' #!th a s !le*

$Prec!ous l!ttle'$ sn!ffed Mrs* ?achel* $6o#e"er' I th!n& Anne #!ll* She ne"er #as fl!rtat!ous* But she doesn4t a%%rec!ate G!lbert at h!s full "alue' that4s #hat* -h' I &no# g!rlsE .harl!e Sloane !s #!ld about her' too' but I4d ne"er ad"!se her to arry a Sloane* The Sloanes are good' honest' res%ectable %eo%le' of course* But #hen all4s sa!d and done' they4re SL-ANES*$ Mar!lla nodded* To an outs!der' the state ent that Sloanes #ere Sloanes !ght not be "ery !llu !nat!ng' but she understood* E"ery "!llage has such a fa !lyD good' honest' res%ectable %eo%le they ay be' but SL-ANES they are and ust e"er re a!n' though they s%ea& #!th the tongues of en and angels* G!lbert and Anne' ha%%!ly unconsc!ous that the!r future #as thus be!ng settled by Mrs* ?achel' #ere saunter!ng through the shado#s of the 6aunted >ood* Beyond' the har"est h!lls #ere bas&!ng !n an a ber sunset rad!ance' under a %ale' aer!al s&y of rose and blue* The d!stant s%ruce gro"es #ere burn!shed bronCe' and the!r long shado#s

barred the u%land eado#s* But around the a l!ttle #!nd sang a ong the f!r tassels' and !n !t there #as the note of autu n* $Th!s #ood really !s haunted no# ++ by old e or!es'$ sa!d Anne' stoo%!ng to gather a s%ray of ferns' bleached to #axen #h!teness by frost* $It see s to e that the l!ttle g!rls D!ana and I used to be %lay here st!ll' and s!t by the Dryad4s Bubble !n the t#!l!ghts' tryst!ng #!th the ghosts* Do you &no#' I can ne"er go u% th!s %ath !n the dus& #!thout feel!ng a b!t of the old fr!ght and sh!"erF There #as one es%ec!ally horr!fy!ng %hanto #h!ch #e created ++ the ghost of the urdered ch!ld that cre%t u% beh!nd you and la!d cold f!ngers on yours* I confess that' to th!s day' I cannot hel% fancy!ng !ts l!ttle' furt!"e footste%s beh!nd e #hen I co e here after n!ghtfall* I4 not afra!d of the >h!te Lady or the headless an or the s&eletons' but I #!sh I had ne"er ! ag!ned that baby4s ghost !nto ex!stence* 6o# angry Mar!lla and Mrs* Barry #ere o"er that affa!r'$ concluded Anne' #!th re !n!scent laughter* The #oods around the head of the arsh #ere full of %ur%le "!stas' threaded #!th gossa ers* Past a dour %lantat!on of gnarled s%ruces and a a%le+fr!nged' sun+#ar "alley they found the $so eth!ng$ G!lbert #as loo&!ng for* $Ah' here !t !s'$ he sa!d #!th sat!sfact!on* $An a%%le tree ++ and a#ay bac& hereE$ excla! ed Anne del!ghtedly* $,es' a "er!table a%%le+bear!ng a%%le tree' too' here !n the "ery !dst of %!nes and beeches' a !le a#ay fro any orchard* I #as here one day last s%r!ng and found !t' all #h!te #!th blosso * So I resol"ed I4d co e aga!n !n the fall and see !f !t had been a%%les* See' !t4s loaded* They loo& good' too ++ ta#ny as russets but #!th a dus&y red chee&* Most #!ld seedl!ngs are green and un!n"!t!ng*$ $I su%%ose !t s%rang years ago fro so e chance+so#n seed'$ sa!d Anne drea !ly*$ And ho# !t has gro#n and flour!shed and held !ts o#n here all alone a ong al!ens' the bra"e deter !ned th!ngE$ $6ere4s a fallen tree #!th a cush!on of oss* S!t do#n' Anne ++ !t #!ll ser"e for a #oodland throne* I4ll cl! b for so e a%%les* They all gro# h!gh ++ the tree had to reach u% to the sunl!ght*$ The a%%les %ro"ed to be del!c!ous* =nder the ta#ny s&!n #as a #h!te' #h!te flesh' fa!ntly "e!ned #!th redD and' bes!des the!r

o#n %ro%er a%%le taste' they had a certa!n #!ld' del!ghtful tang no orchard+gro#n a%%le e"er %ossessed* $The fatal a%%le of Eden couldn4t ha"e had a rarer fla"or'$ co ented Anne* $But !t4s t! e #e #ere go!ng ho e* See' !t #as t#!l!ght three !nutes ago and no# !t4s oonl!ght* >hat a %!ty #e couldn4t ha"e caught the o ent of transfor at!on* But such o ents ne"er are caught' I su%%ose*$ $Let4s go bac& around the arsh and ho e by #ay of Lo"er4s Lane* Do you feel as d!sgruntled no# as #hen you started out' AnneF$ $Not I* Those a%%les ha"e been as anna to a hungry soul* I feel that I shall lo"e ?ed ond and ha"e a s%lend!d four years there*$ $And after those four years ++ #hatF$ $-h' there4s another bend !n the road at the!r end'$ ans#ered Anne l!ghtly* $I4"e no !dea #hat ay be around !t ++ I don4t #ant to ha"e* It4s n!cer not to &no#*$ Lo"er4s Lane #as a dear %lace that n!ght' st!ll and yster!ously d! !n the %ale rad!ance of the oonl!ght* They lo!tered through !t !n a %leasant chu y s!lence' ne!ther car!ng to tal&* $If G!lbert #ere al#ays as he has been th!s e"en!ng ho# n!ce and s! %le e"eryth!ng #ould be'$ reflected Anne* G!lbert #as loo&!ng at Anne' as she #al&ed along* In her l!ght dress' #!th her slender del!cacy' she ade h! th!n& of a #h!te !r!s* $I #onder !f I can e"er %ang of self+destruct* a&e her care for e'$ he thought' #!th a

.ha%ter III Greet!ng and (are#ell .harl!e Sloane' G!lbert Blythe and Anne Sh!rley left A"onlea the follo#!ng Monday orn!ng* Anne had ho%ed for a f!ne day* D!ana #as to dr!"e her to the stat!on and they #anted th!s' the!r last dr!"e together for so e t! e' to be a %leasant one* But #hen Anne

#ent to bed Sunday n!ght the east #!nd #as oan!ng around Green Gables #!th an o !nous %ro%hecy #h!ch #as fulf!lled !n the orn!ng* Anne a#o&e to f!nd ra!ndro%s %atter!ng aga!nst her #!ndo# and shado#!ng the %ond4s gray surface #!th #!den!ng r!ngsD h!lls and sea #ere h!dden !n !st' and the #hole #orld see ed d! and dreary* Anne dressed !n the cheerless gray da#n' for an early start #as necessary to catch the boat tra!nD she struggled aga!nst the tears that >-=LD #ell u% !n her eyes !n s%!te of herself* She #as lea"!ng the ho e that #as so dear to her' and so eth!ng told her that she #as lea"!ng !t fore"er' sa"e as a hol!day refuge* Th!ngs #ould ne"er be the sa e aga!nD co !ng bac& for "acat!ons #ould not be l!"!ng there* And oh' ho# dear and belo"ed e"eryth!ng #as ++ that l!ttle #h!te %orch roo ' sacred to the drea s of g!rlhood' the old Sno# Hueen at the #!ndo#' the broo& !n the hollo#' the Dryad4s Bubble' the 6aunted >oods' and Lo"er4s Lane ++ all the thousand and one dear s%ots #here e or!es of the old years b!ded* .ould she e"er be really ha%%y any#here elseF Brea&fast at Green Gables that orn!ng #as a rather doleful eal* Da"y' for the f!rst t! e !n h!s l!fe %robably' could not eat' but blubbered sha elessly o"er h!s %orr!dge* Nobody else see ed to ha"e uch a%%et!te' sa"e Dora' #ho tuc&ed a#ay her rat!ons co fortably* Dora' l!&e the ! ortal and ost %rudent .harlotte' #ho $#ent on cutt!ng bread and butter$ #hen her frenC!ed lo"er4s body had been carr!ed %ast on a shutter' #as one of those fortunate creatures #ho are seldo d!sturbed by anyth!ng* E"en at e!ght !t too& a great deal to ruffle Dora4s %lac!d!ty* She #as sorry Anne #as go!ng a#ay' of course' but #as that any reason #hy she should fa!l to a%%rec!ate a %oached egg on toastF Not at all* And' see!ng that Da"y could not eat h!s' Dora ate !t for h! * Pro %tly on t! e D!ana a%%eared #!th horse and buggy' her rosy face glo#!ng abo"e her ra!ncoat* The good+byes had to be sa!d then so eho#* Mrs* Lynde ca e !n fro her )uarters to g!"e Anne a hearty e brace and #arn her to be careful of her health' #hate"er she d!d* Mar!lla' brus)ue and tearless' %ec&ed Anne4s chee& and sa!d she su%%osed they4d hear fro her #hen she got settled* A casual obser"er !ght ha"e concluded that Anne4s go!ng attered "ery l!ttle to her ++ unless sa!d obser"er had ha%%ened to get a good loo& !n her eyes* Dora &!ssed Anne %r! ly and s)ueeCed out t#o decorous l!ttle tearsD but Da"y' #ho had been cry!ng on the bac& %orch ste% e"er s!nce they rose fro the table' refused to say good+bye at all* >hen he sa# Anne co !ng to#ards h! he s%rang to h!s feet' bolted u% the bac& sta!rs' and h!d !n a clothes closet' out of #h!ch he #ould not co e* 6!s uffled ho#ls #ere the last sounds Anne heard as she left Green Gables*

It ra!ned hea"!ly all the #ay to Br!ght ?!"er' to #h!ch stat!on they had to go' s!nce the branch l!ne tra!n fro .ar ody d!d not connect #!th the boat tra!n* .harl!e and G!lbert #ere on the stat!on %latfor #hen they reached !t' and the tra!n #as #h!stl!ng* Anne had just t! e to get her t!c&et and trun& chec&' say a hurr!ed fare#ell to D!ana' and hasten on board* She #!shed she #ere go!ng bac& #!th D!ana to A"onleaD she &ne# she #as go!ng to d!e of ho es!c&ness* And oh' !f only that d!s al ra!n #ould sto% %our!ng do#n as !f the #hole #orld #ere #ee%!ng o"er su er "an!shed and joys de%artedE E"en G!lbert4s %resence brought her no co fort' for .harl!e Sloane #as there' too' and Sloan!shness could be tolerated only !n f!ne #eather* It #as absolutely !nsufferable !n ra!n* But #hen the boat stea ed out of .harlotteto#n harbor th!ngs too& a turn for the better* The ra!n ceased and the sun began to burst out goldenly no# and aga!n bet#een the rents !n the clouds' burn!sh!ng the gray seas #!th co%%er+hued rad!ance' and l!ght!ng u% the !sts that curta!ned the Island4s red shores #!th glea s of gold foreto&en!ng a f!ne day after all* Bes!des' .harl!e Sloane %ro %tly beca e so seas!c& that he had to go belo#' and Anne and G!lbert #ere left alone on dec&* $I a "ery glad that all the Sloanes get seas!c& as soon as they go on #ater'$ thought Anne erc!lessly* $I a sure I couldn4t ta&e y fare#ell loo& at the Gould sod4 #!th .harl!e stand!ng there %retend!ng to loo& sent! entally at !t' too*$ $>ell' #e4re off'$ re ar&ed G!lbert unsent! entally* $,es' I feel l!&e Byron4s G.h!lde 6arold4 ++ only !t !sn4t really y Gnat!"e shore4 that I4 #atch!ng'$ sa!d Anne' #!n&!ng her gray eyes "!gorously* $No"a Scot!a !s that' I su%%ose* But one4s nat!"e shore !s the land one lo"es the best' and that4s good old P*E*I* for e* I can4t bel!e"e I d!dn4t al#ays l!"e here* Those ele"en years before I ca e see l!&e a bad drea * It4s se"en years s!nce I crossed on th!s boat ++ the e"en!ng Mrs* S%encer brought e o"er fro 6o%eto#n* I can see yself' !n that dreadful old #!ncey dress and faded sa!lor hat' ex%lor!ng dec&s and cab!ns #!th enra%tured cur!os!ty* It #as a f!ne e"en!ngD and ho# those red Island shores d!d glea !n the sunsh!ne* No# I4 cross!ng the stra!t aga!n* -h' G!lbert' I do ho%e I4ll l!&e ?ed ond and A!ngs%ort' but I4 sure I #on4tE$ $>here4s all your %h!loso%hy gone' AnneF$ $It4s all sub erged under a great' s#a %!ng #a"e of lonel!ness

and ho es!c&ness* I4"e longed for three years to go to ?ed ond ++ and no# I4 go!ng ++ and I #!sh I #eren4tE Ne"er !ndE I shall be cheerful and %h!loso%h!cal aga!n after I ha"e just one good cry* I M=ST ha"e that' Gas a #ent4 ++ and I4ll ha"e to #a!t unt!l I get !nto y board!nghouse bed ton!ght' #here"er !t ay be' before I can ha"e !t* Then Anne #!ll be herself aga!n* I #onder !f Da"y has co e out of the closet yet*$ It #as n!ne that n!ght #hen the!r tra!n reached A!ngs%ort' and they found the sel"es !n the blue+#h!te glare of the cro#ded stat!on* Anne felt horr!bly be#!ldered' but a o ent later she #as se!Ced by Pr!sc!lla Grant' #ho had co e to A!ngs%ort on Saturday* $6ere you are' belo"edE And I su%%ose you4re as t!red as I #as #hen I got here Saturday n!ght*$ $T!redE Pr!sc!lla' don4t tal& of !t* I4 t!red' and green' and %ro"!nc!al' and only about ten years old* (or %!ty4s sa&e ta&e your %oor' bro&en+do#n chu to so e %lace #here she can hear herself th!n&*$ $I4ll ta&e you r!ght u% to our board!nghouse* I4"e a cab ready outs!de*$ $It4s such a bless!ng you4re here' Pr!ssy* If you #eren4t I th!n& I should just s!t do#n on y su!tcase' here and no#' and #ee% b!tter tears* >hat a co fort one fa !l!ar face !s !n a ho#l!ng #!lderness of strangersE$ $Is that G!lbert Blythe o"er there' AnneF 6o# he has gro#n u% th!s %ast yearE 6e #as only a schoolboy #hen I taught !n .ar ody* And of course that4s .harl!e Sloane* 6E hasn4t changed ++ couldn4tE 6e loo&ed just l!&e that #hen he #as born' and he4ll loo& l!&e that #hen he4s e!ghty* Th!s #ay' dear* >e4ll be ho e !n t#enty !nutes*$ $6o eE$ groaned Anne* $,ou ean #e4ll be !n so e horr!ble board!nghouse' !n a st!ll ore horr!ble hall bedroo ' loo&!ng out on a d!ngy bac& yard*$ $It !sn4t a horr!ble board!nghouse' Anne+g!rl* 6ere4s our cab* 6o% !n ++ the dr!"er #!ll get your trun&* -h' yes' the board!nghouse ++ !t4s really a "ery n!ce %lace of !ts &!nd' as you4ll ad !t to orro# orn!ng #hen a good n!ght4s slee% has turned your blues rosy %!n&* It4s a b!g' old+fash!oned' gray stone house on St* @ohn Street' just a n!ce l!ttle const!tut!onal fro ?ed ond* It used to be the Gres!dence4 of great fol&' but fash!on has deserted St* @ohn Street and !ts houses only drea no# of better days* They4re so b!g that %eo%le l!"!ng !n the ha"e to ta&e boarders just to f!ll u%* At least'

that !s the reason our landlad!es are "ery anx!ous to ! %ress on us* They4re del!c!ous' Anne ++ our landlad!es' I ean*$ $6o# any are thereF$

$T#o* M!ss 6annah 6ar"ey and M!ss Ada 6ar"ey* They #ere born t#!ns about f!fty years ago*$ $I can4t get a#ay fro t#!ns' !t see s'$ s !led Anne* $>here"er I go they confront e*$ $-h' they4re not t#!ns no#' dear* After they reached the age of th!rty they ne"er #ere t#!ns aga!n* M!ss 6annah has gro#n old' not too gracefully' and M!ss Ada has stayed th!rty' less gracefully st!ll* I don4t &no# #hether M!ss 6annah can s !le or notD I4"e ne"er caught her at !t so far' but M!ss Ada s !les all the t! e and that4s #orse* 6o#e"er' they4re n!ce' &!nd souls' and they ta&e t#o boarders e"ery year because M!ss 6annah4s econo !cal soul cannot bear to G#aste roo s%ace4 ++ not because they need to or ha"e to' as M!ss Ada has told e se"en t! es s!nce Saturday n!ght* As for our roo s' I ad !t they are hall bedroo s' and !ne does loo& out on the bac& yard* ,our roo !s a front one and loo&s out on -ld St* @ohn4s gra"eyard' #h!ch !s just across the street*$ $That sounds grueso e'$ sh!"ered Anne* $I th!n& I4d rather ha"e the bac& yard "!e#*$ $-h' no' you #ouldn4t* >a!t and see* -ld St* @ohn4s !s a darl!ng %lace* It4s been a gra"eyard so long that !t4s ceased to be one and has beco e one of the s!ghts of A!ngs%ort* I #as all through !t yesterday for a %leasure exert!on* There4s a b!g stone #all and a ro# of enor ous trees all around !t' and ro#s of trees all through !t' and the )ueerest old to bstones' #!th the )ueerest and )ua!ntest !nscr!%t!ons* ,ou4ll go there to study' Anne' see !f you don4t* -f course' nobody !s e"er bur!ed there no#* But a fe# years ago they %ut u% a beaut!ful onu ent to the e ory of No"a Scot!an sold!ers #ho fell !n the .r! ean >ar* It !s just o%%os!te the entrance gates and there4s Gsco%e for ! ag!nat!on4 !n !t' as you used to say* 6ere4s your trun& at last ++ and the boys co !ng to say good n!ght* Must I really sha&e hands #!th .harl!e Sloane' AnneF 6!s hands are al#ays so cold and f!shy+feel!ng* >e ust as& the to call occas!onally* M!ss 6annah gra"ely told e #e could ha"e Gyoung gentle en callers4 t#o e"en!ngs !n the #ee&' !f they #ent a#ay at a reasonable hourD and M!ss Ada as&ed e' s !l!ng' %lease to be

sure they d!dn4t s!t on her beaut!ful cush!ons* I %ro !sed to see to !tD but goodness &no#s #here else they .AN s!t' unless they s!t on the floor' for there are cush!ons on E3E?,T6ING* M!ss Ada e"en has an elaborate Battenburg one on to% of the %!ano*$ Anne #as laugh!ng by th!s t! e* Pr!sc!lla4s gay chatter had the !ntended effect of cheer!ng her u%D ho es!c&ness "an!shed for the t! e be!ng' and d!d not e"en return !n full force #hen she f!nally found herself alone !n her l!ttle bedroo * She #ent to her #!ndo# and loo&ed out* The street belo# #as d! and )u!et* Across !t the oon #as sh!n!ng abo"e the trees !n -ld St* @ohn4s' just beh!nd the great dar& head of the l!on on the onu ent* Anne #ondered !f !t could ha"e been only that orn!ng that she had left Green Gables* She had the sense of a long %assage of t! e #h!ch one day of change and tra"el g!"es* $I su%%ose that "ery oon !s loo&!ng do#n on Green Gables no#'$ she used* $But I #on4t th!n& about !t ++ that #ay ho es!c&ness l!es* I4 not e"en go!ng to ha"e y good cry* I4ll %ut that off to a ore con"en!ent season' and just no# I4ll go cal ly and sens!bly to bed and to slee%*$

.ha%ter I3 A%r!l4s Lady A!ngs%ort !s a )ua!nt old to#n' hear&!ng bac& to early .olon!al days' and #ra%%ed !n !ts anc!ent at os%here' as so e f!ne old da e !n gar ents fash!oned l!&e those of her youth* 6ere and there !t s%routs out !nto odern!ty' but at heart !t !s st!ll uns%o!ledD !t !s full of cur!ous rel!cs' and haloed by the ro ance of any legends of the %ast* -nce !t #as a ere front!er stat!on on the fr!nge of the #!lderness' and those #ere the days #hen Ind!ans &e%t l!fe fro be!ng onotonous to the settlers* Then !t gre# to be a bone of content!on bet#een the Br!t!sh and the (rench' be!ng occu%!ed no# by the one and no# by the other' e erg!ng fro each occu%at!on #!th so e fresh scar of battl!ng nat!ons branded on !t* It has !n !ts %ar& a artello to#er' autogra%hed all o"er by tour!sts' a d!s antled old (rench fort on the h!lls beyond the to#n' and se"eral ant!)uated cannon !n !ts %ubl!c s)uares* It has other h!stor!c s%ots also' #h!ch ay be hunted out by the

cur!ous' and none !s ore )ua!nt and del!ghtful than -ld St* @ohn4s .e etery at the "ery core of the to#n' #!th streets of )u!et' old+t! e houses on t#o s!des' and busy' bustl!ng' odern thoroughfares on the others* E"ery c!t!Cen of A!ngs%ort feels a thr!ll of %ossess!"e %r!de !n -ld St* @ohn4s' for' !f he be of any %retens!ons at all' he has an ancestor bur!ed there' #!th a )ueer' croo&ed slab at h!s head' or else s%ra#l!ng %rotect!"ely o"er the gra"e' on #h!ch all the a!n facts of h!s h!story are recorded* (or the ost %art no great art or s&!ll #as la"!shed on those old to bstones* The larger nu ber are of roughly ch!selled bro#n or gray nat!"e stone' and only !n a fe# cases !s there any atte %t at orna entat!on* So e are adorned #!th s&ull and cross+bones' and th!s gr!CCly decorat!on !s fre)uently cou%led #!th a cherub4s head* Many are %rostrate and !n ru!ns* Into al ost all T! e4s tooth has been gna#!ng' unt!l so e !nscr!%t!ons ha"e been co %letely effaced' and others can only be dec!%hered #!th d!ff!culty* The gra"eyard !s "ery full and "ery bo#ery' for !t !s surrounded and !ntersected by ro#s of el s and #!llo#s' beneath #hose shade the slee%ers ust l!e "ery drea lessly' fore"er crooned to by the #!nds and lea"es o"er the ' and )u!te und!sturbed by the cla or of traff!c just beyond* Anne too& the f!rst of any ra bles !n -ld St* @ohn4s the next afternoon* She and Pr!sc!lla had gone to ?ed ond !n the forenoon and reg!stered as students' after #h!ch there #as noth!ng ore to do that day* The g!rls gladly ade the!r esca%e' for !t #as not exh!larat!ng to be surrounded by cro#ds of strangers' ost of #ho had a rather al!en a%%earance' as !f not )u!te sure #here they belonged* The $freshettes$ stood about !n detached grou%s of t#o or three' loo&!ng as&ance at each otherD the $fresh!es'$ #!ser !n the!r day and generat!on' had banded the sel"es together on the b!g sta!rcase of the entrance hall' #here they #ere shout!ng out glees #!th all the "!gor of youthful lungs' as a s%ec!es of def!ance to the!r trad!t!onal ene !es' the So%ho ores' a fe# of #ho #ere %ro#l!ng loft!ly about' loo&!ng %ro%erly d!sda!nful of the $unl!c&ed cubs$ on the sta!rs* G!lbert and .harl!e #ere no#here to be seen* $L!ttle d!d I th!n& the day #ould e"er co e #hen I4d be glad of the s!ght of a Sloane'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' as they crossed the ca %us' $but I4d #elco e .harl!e4s goggle eyes al ost ecstat!cally* At least' they4d be fa !l!ar eyes*$ $-h'$ s!ghed Anne* $I can4t descr!be ho# I felt #hen I #as stand!ng there' #a!t!ng y turn to be reg!stered ++ as

!ns!gn!f!cant as the teen!est dro% !n a ost enor ous buc&et* It4s bad enough to feel !ns!gn!f!cant' but !t4s unbearable to ha"e !t gra!ned !nto your soul that you #!ll ne"er' can ne"er' be anyth!ng but !ns!gn!f!cant' and that !s ho# I d!d feel ++ as !f I #ere !n"!s!ble to the na&ed eye and so e of those So%hs !ght ste% on e* I &ne# I #ould go do#n to y gra"e un#e%t' unhonored and unsung*$ $>a!t t!ll next year'$ co forted Pr!sc!lla* $Then #e4ll be able to loo& as bored and so%h!st!cated as any So%ho ore of the all* No doubt !t !s rather dreadful to feel !ns!gn!f!cantD but I th!n& !t4s better than to feel as b!g and a#&#ard as I d!d ++ as !f I #ere s%ra#led all o"er ?ed ond* That4s ho# I felt ++ I su%%ose because I #as a good t#o !nches taller than any one else !n the cro#d* I #asn4t afra!d a So%h !ght #al& o"er eD I #as afra!d they4d ta&e e for an ele%hant' or an o"ergro#n sa %le of a %otato+fed Islander*$ $I su%%ose the trouble !s #e can4t forg!"e b!g ?ed ond for not be!ng l!ttle Hueen4s'$ sa!d Anne' gather!ng about her the shreds of her old cheerful %h!loso%hy to co"er her na&edness of s%!r!t* $>hen #e left Hueen4s #e &ne# e"erybody and had a %lace of our o#n* I su%%ose #e ha"e been unconsc!ously ex%ect!ng to ta&e l!fe u% at ?ed ond just #here #e left off at Hueen4s' and no# #e feel as !f the ground had sl!%%ed fro under our feet* I4 than&ful that ne!ther Mrs* Lynde nor Mrs* El!sha >r!ght &no#' or e"er #!ll &no#' y state of !nd at %resent* They #ould exult !n say!ng GI told you so'4 and be con"!nced !t #as the beg!nn!ng of the end* >hereas !t !s just the end of the beg!nn!ng*$ $Exactly* That sounds ore Anne!sh* In a l!ttle #h!le #e4ll be accl! ated and ac)ua!nted' and all #!ll be #ell* Anne' d!d you not!ce the g!rl #ho stood alone just outs!de the door of the coeds4 dress!ng roo all the orn!ng ++ the %retty one #!th the bro#n eyes and croo&ed outhF$ $,es' I d!d* I not!ced her %art!cularly because she see ed the only creature there #ho L--AED as lonely and fr!endless as I (ELT* I had ,-=' but she had no one*$ $I th!n& she felt %retty all+by+herself!sh' too* Se"eral t! es I sa# her a&e a ot!on as !f to cross o"er to us' but she ne"er d!d !t ++ too shy' I su%%ose* I #!shed she #ould co e* If I hadn4t felt so uch l!&e the aforesa!d ele%hant I4d ha"e gone to her* But I couldn4t lu ber across that b!g hall #!th all those boys ho#l!ng on the sta!rs* She #as the %rett!est freshette I sa# today' but %robably fa"or !s dece!tful and e"en beauty !s "a!n on your

f!rst day at ?ed ond'$ concluded Pr!sc!lla #!th a laugh* $I4 go!ng across to -ld St* @ohn4s after lunch'$ sa!d Anne* $I don4t &no# that a gra"eyard !s a "ery good %lace to go to get cheered u%' but !t see s the only get+at+able %lace #here there are trees' and trees I ust ha"e* I4ll s!t on one of those old slabs and shut y eyes and ! ag!ne I4 !n the A"onlea #oods*$ Anne d!d not do that' ho#e"er' for she found enough of !nterest !n -ld St* @ohn4s to &ee% her eyes #!de o%en* They #ent !n by the entrance gates' %ast the s! %le' ass!"e' stone arch sur ounted by the great l!on of England* $GAnd on In&er an yet the #!ld bra ble !s gory' And those blea& he!ghts henceforth shall be fa ous !n story'4$ )uoted Anne' loo&!ng at !t #!th a thr!ll* They found the sel"es !n a d! ' cool' green %lace #here #!nds #ere fond of %urr!ng* =% and do#n the long grassy a!sles they #andered' read!ng the )ua!nt' "olu !nous e%!ta%hs' car"ed !n an age that had ore le!sure than our o#n* $G6ere l!eth the body of Albert .ra#ford' Es)*'4$ read Anne fro a #orn' gray slab' $Gfor any years Aee%er of 6!s Majesty4s -rdnance at A!ngs%ort* 6e ser"ed !n the ar y t!ll the %eace of :721' #hen he ret!red fro bad health* 6e #as a bra"e off!cer' the best of husbands' the best of fathers' the best of fr!ends* 6e d!ed -ctober 0/th' :7/0' aged 85 years*4 There4s an e%!ta%h for you' Pr!ssy* There !s certa!nly so e Gsco%e for ! ag!nat!on4 !n !t* 6o# full such a l!fe ust ha"e been of ad"entureE And as for h!s %ersonal )ual!t!es' I4 sure hu an eulogy couldn4t go further* I #onder !f they told h! he #as all those best th!ngs #h!le he #as al!"e*$ $6ere4s another'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla* $L!sten ++ GTo the e ory of Alexander ?oss' #ho d!ed on the 00nd of Se%te ber' :859' aged 51 years* Th!s !s ra!sed as a tr!bute of affect!on by one #ho he ser"ed so fa!thfully for 07 years that he #as regarded as a fr!end' deser"!ng the fullest conf!dence and attach ent*4 $ $A "ery good e%!ta%h'$ co ented Anne thoughtfully* $I #ouldn4t #!sh a better* >e are all ser"ants of so e sort' and !f the fact that #e are fa!thful can be truthfully !nscr!bed on our to bstones noth!ng ore need be added* 6ere4s a sorro#ful l!ttle gray stone' Pr!ssy ++ Gto the e ory of a fa"or!te ch!ld*4 And here !s another

Gerected to the e ory of one #ho !s bur!ed else#here*4 I #onder #here that un&no#n gra"e !s* ?eally' Pr!s' the gra"eyards of today #!ll ne"er be as !nterest!ng as th!s* ,ou #ere r!ght ++ I shall co e here often* I lo"e !t already* I see #e4re not alone here ++ there4s a g!rl do#n at the end of th!s a"enue*$ $,es' and I bel!e"e !t4s the "ery g!rl #e sa# at ?ed ond th!s orn!ng* I4"e been #atch!ng her for f!"e !nutes* She has started to co e u% the a"enue exactly half a doCen t! es' and half a doCen t! es has she turned and gone bac&* E!ther she4s dreadfully shy or she has got so eth!ng on her consc!ence* Let4s go and eet her* It4s eas!er to get ac)ua!nted !n a gra"eyard than at ?ed ond' I bel!e"e*$ They #al&ed do#n the long grassy arcade to#ards the stranger' #ho #as s!tt!ng on a gray slab under an enor ous #!llo#* She #as certa!nly "ery %retty' #!th a "!"!d' !rregular' be#!tch!ng ty%e of %rett!ness* There #as a gloss as of bro#n nuts on her sat!n+s ooth ha!r and a soft' r!%e glo# on her round chee&s* 6er eyes #ere b!g and bro#n and "el"ety' under oddly+%o!nted blac& bro#s' and her croo&ed outh #as rose+red* She #ore a s art bro#n su!t' #!th t#o "ery od!sh l!ttle shoes %ee%!ng fro beneath !tD and her hat of dull %!n& stra#' #reathed #!th golden+bro#n %o%%!es' had the !ndef!nable' un !sta&able a!r #h!ch %erta!ns to the $creat!on$ of an art!st !n !ll!nery* Pr!sc!lla had a sudden st!ng!ng consc!ousness that her o#n hat had been tr! ed by her "!llage store !ll!ner' and Anne #ondered unco fortably !f the blouse she had ade herself' and #h!ch Mrs* Lynde had f!tted' loo&ed 3E?, countr!f!ed and ho e+ ade bes!des the stranger4s s art att!re* (or a o ent both g!rls felt l!&e turn!ng bac&* But they had already sto%%ed and turned to#ards the gray slab* It #as too late to retreat' for the bro#n+eyed g!rl had e"!dently concluded that they #ere co !ng to s%ea& to her* Instantly she s%rang u% and ca e for#ard #!th outstretched hand and a gay' fr!endly s !le !n #h!ch there see ed not a shado# of e!ther shyness or burdened consc!ence* $-h' I #ant to &no# #ho you t#o g!rls are'$ she excla! ed eagerly* $I4"e been D,ING to &no#* I sa# you at ?ed ond th!s orn!ng* Say' #asn4t !t A>(=L thereF (or the t! e I #!shed I had stayed ho e and got arr!ed*$ Anne and Pr!sc!lla both bro&e !nto unconstra!ned laughter at th!s unex%ected conclus!on* The bro#n+eyed g!rl laughed' too*

$I really d!d* I .-=LD ha"e' you &no#* .o e' let4s all s!t do#n on th!s gra"estone and get ac)ua!nted* It #on4t be hard* I &no# #e4re go!ng to adore each other ++ I &ne# !t as soon as I sa# you at ?ed ond th!s orn!ng* I #anted so uch to go r!ght o"er and hug you both*$ $>hy d!dn4t youF$ as&ed Pr!sc!lla* $Because I s! %ly couldn4t a&e u% y !nd to do !t* I ne"er can a&e u% y !nd about anyth!ng yself ++ I4 al#ays affl!cted #!th !ndec!s!on* @ust as soon as I dec!de to do so eth!ng I feel !n y bones that another course #ould be the correct one* It4s a dreadful !sfortune' but I #as born that #ay' and there !s no use !n bla !ng e for !t' as so e %eo%le do* So I couldn4t a&e u% y !nd to go and s%ea& to you' uch as I #anted to*$ $>e thought you #ere too shy'$ sa!d Anne* $No' no' dear* Shyness !sn4t a ong the any fa!l!ngs ++ or "!rtues ++ of Ph!l!%%a Gordon ++ Ph!l for short* Do call e Ph!l r!ght off* No#' #hat are your handlesF$ $She4s Pr!sc!lla Grant'$ sa!d Anne' %o!nt!ng* $And S6E4S Anne Sh!rley'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' %o!nt!ng !n turn* $And #e4re fro $I ha!l fro the Island'$ sa!d both together*

Bol!ngbro&e' No"a Scot!a'$ sa!d Ph!l!%%a*

$Bol!ngbro&eE$ excla! ed Anne* $>hy' that !s #here I #as born*$ $Do you really ean !tF >hy' that a&es you a Bluenose after all*$

$No' !t doesn4t'$ retorted Anne* $>asn4t !t Dan -4.onnell #ho sa!d that !f a an #as born !n a stable !t d!dn4t a&e h! a horseF I4 Island to the core*$ $>ell' I4 glad you #ere born !n Bol!ngbro&e any#ay* It a&es us &!nd of ne!ghbors' doesn4t !tF And I l!&e that' because #hen I tell you secrets !t #on4t be as !f I #ere tell!ng the to a stranger* I ha"e to tell the * I can4t &ee% secrets ++ !t4s no use to try* That4s y #orst fa!l!ng ++ that' and !ndec!s!on' as aforesa!d* >ould you bel!e"e !tF ++ !t too& e half an hour to dec!de #h!ch hat to #ear #hen I #as co !ng here ++ 6E?E' to a gra"eyardE At f!rst I !ncl!ned to y bro#n one #!th the featherD

but as soon as I %ut !t on I thought th!s %!n& one #!th the flo%%y br! #ould be ore beco !ng* >hen I got IT %!nned !n %lace I l!&ed the bro#n one better* At last I %ut the close together on the bed' shut y eyes' and jabbed #!th a hat %!n* The %!n s%eared the %!n& one' so I %ut !t on* It !s beco !ng' !sn4t !tF Tell e' #hat do you th!n& of y loo&sF$ At th!s na!"e de and' ade !n a %erfectly ser!ous tone' Pr!sc!lla laughed aga!n* But Anne sa!d' ! %uls!"ely s)ueeC!ng Ph!l!%%a4s hand' $>e thought th!s at ?ed ond*$ orn!ng that you #ere the %rett!est g!rl #e sa#

Ph!l!%%a4s croo&ed outh flashed !nto a be#!tch!ng' croo&ed s !le o"er "ery #h!te l!ttle teeth* $I thought that yself'$ #as her next astound!ng state ent' $but I #anted so e one else4s o%!n!on to bolster !ne u%* I can4t dec!de e"en on y o#n a%%earance* @ust as soon as I4"e dec!ded that I4 %retty I beg!n to feel !serably that I4 not* Bes!des' ha"e a horr!ble old great+aunt #ho !s al#ays say!ng to e' #!th a ournful s!gh' G,ou #ere such a %retty baby* It4s strange ho# ch!ldren change #hen they gro# u%*4 I adore aunts' but I detest great+ aunts* Please tell e )u!te often that I a %retty' !f you don4t !nd* I feel so uch ore co fortable #hen I can bel!e"e I4 %retty* And I4ll be just as obl!g!ng to you !f you #ant e to ++ I .AN be' #!th a clear consc!ence*$ $Than&s'$ laughed Anne' $but Pr!sc!lla and I are so f!r ly con"!nced of our o#n good loo&s that #e don4t need any assurance about the ' so you needn4t trouble*$ $-h' you4re laugh!ng at e* I &no# you th!n& I4 abo !nably "a!n' but I4 not* There really !sn4t one s%ar& of "an!ty !n e* And I4 ne"er a b!t grudg!ng about %ay!ng co %l! ents to other g!rls #hen they deser"e the * I4 so glad I &no# you fol&s* I ca e u% on Saturday and I4"e nearly d!ed of ho es!c&ness e"er s!nce* It4s a horr!ble feel!ng' !sn4t !tF In Bol!ngbro&e I4 an ! %ortant %ersonage' and !n A!ngs%ort I4 just nobodyE There #ere t! es #hen I could feel y soul turn!ng a del!cate blue* >here do you hang outF$ $Th!rty+e!ght St* @ohn4s Street*$ $Better and better* >hy' I4 just around the corner on >allace Street*

I don4t l!&e y board!nghouse' though* It4s blea& and loneso e' and y roo loo&s out on such an unholy bac& yard* It4s the ugl!est %lace !n the #orld* As for cats ++ #ell' surely ALL the A!ngs%ort cats can4t congregate there at n!ght' but half of the ust* I adore cats on hearth rugs' snooC!ng before n!ce' fr!endly f!res' but cats !n bac& yards at !dn!ght are totally d!fferent an! als* The f!rst n!ght I #as here I cr!ed all n!ght' and so d!d the cats* ,ou should ha"e seen y nose !n the orn!ng* 6o# I #!shed I had ne"er left ho eE$ $I don4t &no# ho# you anaged to a&e u% your !nd to co e to ?ed ond at all' !f you are really such an undec!ded %erson'$ sa!d a used Pr!sc!lla* $Bless your heart' honey' I d!dn4t* It #as father #ho #anted e to co e here* 6!s heart #as set on !t ++ #hy' I don4t &no#* It see s %erfectly r!d!culous to th!n& of e study!ng for a B*A* degree' doesn4t !tF Not but #hat I can do !t' all r!ght* I ha"e hea%s of bra!ns*$ $-hE$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla "aguely* $,es* But !t4s such hard #or& to use the * And B*A*4s are such learned' d!gn!f!ed' #!se' sole n creatures ++ they ust be* No' III d!dn4t #ant to co e to ?ed ond* I d!d !t just to obl!ge father* 6e IS such a duc&* Bes!des' I &ne# !f I stayed ho e I4d ha"e to get arr!ed* Mother #anted that ++ #anted !t dec!dedly* Mother has %lenty of dec!s!on* But I really hated the thought of be!ng arr!ed for a fe# years yet* I #ant to ha"e hea%s of fun before I settle do#n* And' r!d!culous as the !dea of y be!ng a B*A* !s' the !dea of y be!ng an old arr!ed #o an !s st!ll ore absurd' !sn4t !tF I4 only e!ghteen* No' I concluded I #ould rather co e to ?ed ond than be arr!ed* Bes!des' ho# could I e"er ha"e ade u% y !nd #h!ch an to arryF$ $>ere there so anyF$ laughed Anne*

$6ea%s* The boys l!&e e a#fully ++ they really do* But there #ere only t#o that attered* The rest #ere all too young and too %oor* I ust arry a r!ch an' you &no#*$ $>hy ust youF$

$6oney' you couldn4t ! ag!ne ME be!ng a %oor an4s #!fe' could youF I can4t do a s!ngle useful th!ng' and I a 3E?, extra"agant* -h' no' y husband ust ha"e hea%s of oney* So that narro#ed the do#n to t#o* But I couldn4t dec!de bet#een t#o any eas!er than bet#een t#o hundred*

I &ne# %erfectly #ell that #h!che"er one I chose I4d regret all that I hadn4t arr!ed the other*$

y l!fe

$D!dn4t you ++ lo"e ++ e!ther of the F$ as&ed Anne' a l!ttle hes!tat!ngly* It #as not easy for her to s%ea& to a stranger of the great ystery and transfor at!on of l!fe* $Goodness' no* III couldn4t lo"e anybody* It !sn4t !n e* Bes!des I #ouldn4t #ant to* Be!ng !n lo"e a&es you a %erfect sla"e' III th!n&* And !t #ould g!"e a an such %o#er to hurt you* I4d be afra!d* No' no' Alec and AlonCo are t#o dear boys' and I l!&e the both so uch that I really don4t &no# #h!ch I l!&e the better* That !s the trouble* Alec !s the best loo&!ng' of course' and I s! %ly couldn4t arry a an #ho #asn4t handso e* 6e !s good+te %ered too' and has lo"ely' curly' blac& ha!r* 6e4s rather too %erfect ++ I don4t bel!e"e I4d l!&e a %erfect husband ++ so ebody I could ne"er f!nd fault #!th*$ $Then #hy not arry AlonCoF$ as&ed Pr!sc!lla gra"ely*

$Th!n& of arry!ng a na e l!&e AlonCoE$ sa!d Ph!l dolefully* $I don4t bel!e"e I could endure !t* But he has a class!c nose' and !t >-=LD be a co fort to ha"e a nose !n the fa !ly that could be de%ended on* I can4t de%end on !ne* So far' !t ta&es after the Gordon %attern' but I4 so afra!d !t #!ll de"elo% Byrne tendenc!es as I gro# older* I exa !ne !t e"ery day anx!ously to a&e sure !t4s st!ll Gordon* Mother #as a Byrne and has the Byrne nose !n the Byrnest degree* >a!t t!ll you see !t* I adore n!ce noses* ,our nose !s a#fully n!ce' Anne Sh!rley* AlonCo4s nose nearly turned the balance !n h!s fa"or* But AL-NJ-E No' I couldn4t dec!de* If I could ha"e done as I d!d #!th the hats ++ stood the both u% together' shut y eyes' and jabbed #!th a hat%!n ++ !t #ould ha"e been )u!te easy*$ $>hat d!d Alec and AlonCo feel l!&e #hen you ca e a#ayF$ )uer!ed Pr!sc!lla* $-h' they st!ll ha"e ho%e* I told the they4d ha"e to #a!t t!ll I could a&e u% y !nd* They4re )u!te #!ll!ng to #a!t* They both #orsh!% e' you &no#* Mean#h!le' I !ntend to ha"e a good t! e* I ex%ect I shall ha"e hea%s of beaux at ?ed ond* I can4t be ha%%y unless I ha"e' you &no#* But don4t you th!n& the fresh en are fearfully ho elyF I sa# only one really handso e fello# a ong the * 6e #ent a#ay before you ca e* I heard h!s chu call h! G!lbert* 6!s chu had eyes that stuc& out T6AT (A?* But you4re not go!ng yet' g!rlsF

Don4t go yet*$ $I th!n& #e ust'$ sa!d Anne' rather coldly* $It4s gett!ng late' and I4"e so e #or& to do*$ $But you4ll both co e to see e' #on4t youF$ as&ed Ph!l!%%a' gett!ng u% and %utt!ng an ar around each* $And let e co e to see you* I #ant to be chu y #!th you* I4"e ta&en such a fancy to you both* And I ha"en4t )u!te d!sgusted you #!th y fr!"ol!ty' ha"e IF$ $Not )u!te'$ laughed Anne' res%ond!ng to Ph!l4s s)ueeCe' #!th a return of cord!al!ty* $Because I4 not half so s!lly as I see on the surface' you &no#* ,ou just acce%t Ph!l!%%a Gordon' as the Lord ade her' #!th all her faults' and I bel!e"e you4ll co e to l!&e her* Isn4t th!s gra"eyard a s#eet %laceF I4d lo"e to be bur!ed here* 6ere4s a gra"e I d!dn4t see before ++ th!s one !n the !ron ra!l!ng ++ oh' g!rls' loo&' see ++ the stone says !t4s the gra"e of a !ddy #ho #as &!lled !n the f!ght bet#een the Shannon and the .hesa%ea&e* @ust fancyE$ Anne %aused by the ra!l!ng and loo&ed at the #orn stone' her %ulses thr!ll!ng #!th sudden exc!te ent* The old gra"eyard' #!th !ts o"er+arch!ng trees and long a!sles of shado#s' faded fro her s!ght* Instead' she sa# the A!ngs%ort 6arbor of nearly a century agone* -ut of the !st ca e slo#ly a great fr!gate' br!ll!ant #!th $the eteor flag of England*$ Beh!nd her #as another' #!th a st!ll' hero!c for ' #ra%%ed !n h!s o#n starry flag' ly!ng on the )uarter dec& ++ the gallant La#rence* T! e4s f!nger had turned bac& h!s %ages' and that #as the Shannon sa!l!ng tr!u %hant u% the bay #!th the .hesa%ea&e as her %r!Ce* $.o e bac&' Anne Sh!rley ++ co e bac&'$ laughed Ph!l!%%a' %ull!ng her ar * $,ou4re a hundred years a#ay fro us* .o e bac&*$ Anne ca e bac& #!th a s!ghD her eyes #ere sh!n!ng softly* $I4"e al#ays lo"ed that old story'$ she sa!d' $and although the Engl!sh #on that "!ctory' I th!n& !t #as because of the bra"e' defeated co ander I lo"e !t* Th!s gra"e see s to br!ng !t so near and a&e !t so real* Th!s %oor l!ttle !ddy #as only e!ghteen* 6e Gd!ed of des%erate #ounds rece!"ed !n gallant act!on4 ++ so reads h!s e%!ta%h* It !s such as a sold!er !ght #!sh for*$

Before she turned a#ay' Anne un%!nned the l!ttle cluster of %ur%le %ans!es she #ore and dro%%ed !t softly on the gra"e of the boy #ho had %er!shed !n the great sea+duel* $>ell' #hat do you th!n& of our ne# fr!endF$ as&ed Pr!sc!lla' #hen Ph!l had left the * $I l!&e her* There !s so eth!ng "ery lo"able about her' !n s%!te of all her nonsense* I bel!e"e' as she says herself' that she !sn4t half as s!lly as she sounds* She4s a dear' &!ssable baby ++ and I don4t &no# that she4ll e"er really gro# u%*$ $I l!&e her' too'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' dec!dedly* $She tal&s as uch about boys as ?uby G!ll!s does* But !t al#ays enrages or s!c&ens e to hear ?uby' #hereas I just #anted to laugh good+naturedly at Ph!l* No#' #hat !s the #hy of thatF$ $There !s a d!fference'$ sa!d Anne ed!tat!"ely* $I th!n& !t4s because ?uby !s really so .-NS.I-=S of boys* She %lays at lo"e and lo"e+ a&!ng* Bes!des' you feel' #hen she !s boast!ng of her beaux that she !s do!ng !t to rub !t #ell !nto you that you ha"en4t half so any* No#' #hen Ph!l tal&s of her beaux !t sounds as !f she #as just s%ea&!ng of chu s* She really loo&s u%on boys as good co rades' and she !s %leased #hen she has doCens of the tagg!ng round' s! %ly because she l!&es to be %o%ular and to be thought %o%ular* E"en Alex and AlonCo ++ I4ll ne"er be able to th!n& of those t#o na es se%arately after th!s ++ are to her just t#o %layfello#s #ho #ant her to %lay #!th the all the!r l!"es* I4 glad #e et her' and I4 glad #e #ent to -ld St* @ohn4s* I bel!e"e I4"e %ut forth a t!ny soul+root !nto A!ngs%ort so!l th!s afternoon* I ho%e so* I hate to feel trans%lanted*$

.ha%ter 3 Letters fro 6o e

(or the next three #ee&s Anne and Pr!sc!lla cont!nued to feel as strangers !n a strange land* Then' suddenly' e"eryth!ng see ed to fall !nto focus ++ ?ed ond' %rofessors' classes' students' stud!es' soc!al do!ngs* L!fe beca e ho ogeneous aga!n' !nstead of be!ng ade u% of detached frag ents* The (resh en' !nstead of

be!ng a collect!on of unrelated !nd!"!duals' found the sel"es a class' #!th a class s%!r!t' a class yell' class !nterests' class ant!%ath!es and class a b!t!ons* They #on the day !n the annual $Arts ?ush$ aga!nst the So%ho ores' and thereby ga!ned the res%ect of all the classes' and an enor ous' conf!dence+g!"!ng o%!n!on of the sel"es* (or three years the So%ho ores had #on !n the $rush$D that the "!ctory of th!s year %erched u%on the (resh en4s banner #as attr!buted to the strateg!c generalsh!% of G!lbert Blythe' #ho arshalled the ca %a!gn and or!g!nated certa!n ne# tact!cs' #h!ch de oral!Ced the So%hs and s#e%t the (resh en to tr!u %h* As a re#ard of er!t he #as elected %res!dent of the (resh an .lass' a %os!t!on of honor and res%ons!b!l!ty ++ fro a (resh %o!nt of "!e#' at least ++ co"eted by any* 6e #as also !n"!ted to jo!n the $La bs$ ++ ?ed ondese for La ba Theta ++ a co %l! ent rarely %a!d to a (resh an* As a %re%aratory !n!t!at!on ordeal he had to %arade the %r!nc!%al bus!ness streets of A!ngs%ort for a #hole day #ear!ng a sunbonnet and a "olu !nous &!tchen a%ron of gaud!ly flo#ered cal!co* Th!s he d!d cheerfully' doff!ng h!s sunbonnet #!th courtly grace #hen he et lad!es of h!s ac)ua!ntance* .harl!e Sloane' #ho had not been as&ed to jo!n the La bs' told Anne he d!d not see ho# Blythe could do !t' and 6E' for h!s %art' could ne"er hu !l!ate h! self so* $(ancy .harl!e Sloane !n a Gcal!&er4 a%ron and a Gsunbunn!t'4 $ g!ggled Pr!sc!lla* $6e4d loo& exactly l!&e h!s old Grand other Sloane* G!lbert' no#' loo&ed as uch l!&e a an !n the as !n h!s o#n %ro%er hab!l! ents*$ Anne and Pr!sc!lla found the sel"es !n the th!c& of the soc!al l!fe of ?ed ond* That th!s ca e about so s%eed!ly #as due !n great easure to Ph!l!%%a Gordon* Ph!l!%%a #as the daughter of a r!ch and #ell+&no#n an' and belonged to an old and exclus!"e $Bluenose$ fa !ly* Th!s' co b!ned #!th her beauty and char ++ a char ac&no#ledged by all #ho et her ++ %ro %tly o%ened the gates of all cl!)ues' clubs and classes !n ?ed ond to herD and #here she #ent Anne and Pr!sc!lla #ent' too* Ph!l $adored$ Anne and Pr!sc!lla' es%ec!ally Anne* She #as a loyal l!ttle soul' crystal+free fro any for of snobb!shness* $Lo"e e' lo"e y fr!ends$ see ed to be her unconsc!ous otto* >!thout effort' she too& the #!th her !nto her e"er #!den!ng c!rcle of ac)ua!ntancesh!%' and the t#o A"onlea g!rls found the!r soc!al %ath#ay at ?ed ond ade "ery easy and %leasant for the ' to the en"y and #onder ent of the other freshettes' #ho' lac&!ng Ph!l!%%a4s s%onsorsh!%' #ere doo ed to re a!n rather on the fr!nge of th!ngs dur!ng the!r f!rst college year*

To Anne and Pr!sc!lla' #!th the!r ore ser!ous "!e#s of l!fe' Ph!l re a!ned the a us!ng' lo"able baby she had see ed on the!r f!rst eet!ng* ,et' as she sa!d herself' she had $hea%s$ of bra!ns* >hen or #here she found t! e to study #as a ystery' for she see ed al#ays !n de and for so e &!nd of $fun'$ and her ho e e"en!ngs #ere cro#ded #!th callers* She had all the $beaux$ that heart could des!re' for n!ne+tenths of the (resh en and a b!g fract!on of all the other classes #ere r!"als for her s !les* She #as na!"ely del!ghted o"er th!s' and gleefully recounted each ne# con)uest to Anne and Pr!sc!lla' #!th co ents that !ght ha"e ade the unluc&y lo"er4s ears burn f!ercely* $Alec and AlonCo don4t see re ar&ed Anne' teas!ngly* to ha"e any ser!ous r!"al yet'$

$Not one'$ agreed Ph!l!%%a* $I #r!te the both e"ery #ee& and tell the all about y young en here* I4 sure !t ust a use the * But' of course' the one I l!&e best I can4t get* G!lbert Blythe #on4t ta&e any not!ce of e' exce%t to loo& at e as !f I #ere a n!ce l!ttle &!tten he4d l!&e to %at* Too #ell I &no# the reason* I o#e you a grudge' Hueen Anne* I really ought to hate you and !nstead I lo"e you adly' and I4 !serable !f I don4t see you e"ery day* ,ou4re d!fferent fro any g!rl I e"er &ne# before* >hen you loo& at e !n a certa!n #ay I feel #hat an !ns!gn!f!cant' fr!"olous l!ttle beast I a ' and I long to be better and #!ser and stronger* And then I a&e good resolut!onsD but the f!rst n!ce+loo&!ng ann!e #ho co es y #ay &noc&s the all out of y head* Isn4t college l!fe agn!f!centF It4s so funny to th!n& I hated !t that f!rst day* But !f I hadn4t I !ght ne"er got really ac)ua!nted #!th you* Anne' %lease tell e o"er aga!n that you l!&e e a l!ttle b!t* I yearn to hear !t*$ $I l!&e you a b!g b!t ++ and I th!n& you4re a dear' s#eet' adorable' "el"ety' cla#less' l!ttle ++ &!tten'$ laughed Anne' $but I don4t see #hen you e"er get t! e to learn your lessons*$ Ph!l ust ha"e found t! e for she held her o#n !n e"ery class of her year* E"en the gru %y old %rofessor of Mathe at!cs' #ho detested coeds' and had b!tterly o%%osed the!r ad !ss!on to ?ed ond' couldn4t floor her* She led the freshettes e"ery#here' exce%t !n Engl!sh' #here Anne Sh!rley left her far beh!nd* Anne herself found the stud!es of her (resh an year "ery easy' than&s !n great %art to the steady #or& she and G!lbert had %ut !n dur!ng those t#o %ast years !n A"onlea* Th!s left her ore t! e for a soc!al l!fe #h!ch she thoroughly enjoyed* But ne"er for a o ent d!d she forget A"onlea and the fr!ends there* To her' the

ha%%!est o ents !n each #ee& #ere those !n #h!ch letters ca e fro ho e* It #as not unt!l she had got her f!rst letters that she began to th!n& she could e"er l!&e A!ngs%ort or feel at ho e there* Before they ca e' A"onlea had see ed thousands of !les a#ayD those letters brought !t near and l!n&ed the old l!fe to the ne# so closely that they began to see one and the sa e' !nstead of t#o ho%elessly segregated ex!stences* The f!rst batch conta!ned s!x letters' fro @ane Andre#s' ?uby G!ll!s' D!ana Barry' Mar!lla' Mrs* Lynde and Da"y* @ane4s #as a co%%er%late %roduct!on' #!th e"ery $t$ n!cely crossed and e"ery $!$ %rec!sely dotted' and not an !nterest!ng sentence !n !t* She ne"er ent!oned the school' concern!ng #h!ch Anne #as a"!d to hearD she ne"er ans#ered one of the )uest!ons Anne had as&ed !n her letter* But she told Anne ho# any yards of lace she had recently crocheted' and the &!nd of #eather they #ere ha"!ng !n A"onlea' and ho# she !ntended to ha"e her ne# dress ade' and the #ay she felt #hen her head ached* ?uby G!ll!s #rote a gush!ng e%!stle de%lor!ng Anne4s absence' assur!ng her she #as horr!bly !ssed !n e"eryth!ng' as&!ng #hat the ?ed ond $fello#s$ #ere l!&e' and f!ll!ng the rest #!th accounts of her o#n harro#!ng ex%er!ences #!th her nu erous ad !rers* It #as a s!lly' har less letter' and Anne #ould ha"e laughed o"er !t had !t not been for the %ostscr!%t* $G!lbert see s to be enjoy!ng ?ed ond' judg!ng fro h!s letters'$ #rote ?uby* $I don4t th!n& .harl!e !s so stuc& on !t*$ So G!lbert #as #r!t!ng to ?ubyE 3ery #ell* 6e had a %erfect r!ght to' of course* -nly ++ EE Anne d!d not &no# that ?uby had #r!tten the f!rst letter and that G!lbert had ans#ered !t fro ere courtesy* She tossed ?uby4s letter as!de conte %tuously* But !t too& all D!ana4s breeCy' ne#sy' del!ghtful e%!stle to ban!sh the st!ng of ?uby4s %ostscr!%t* D!ana4s letter conta!ned a l!ttle too uch (red' but #as other#!se cro#ded and crossed #!th !te s of !nterest' and Anne al ost felt herself bac& !n A"onlea #h!le read!ng !t* Mar!lla4s #as a rather %r! and colorless e%!stle' se"erely !nnocent of goss!% or e ot!on* ,et so eho# !t con"eyed to Anne a #h!ff of the #holeso e' s! %le l!fe at Green Gables' #!th !ts sa"or of anc!ent %eace' and the steadfast ab!d!ng lo"e that #as there for her* Mrs* Lynde4s letter #as full of church ne#s* 6a"!ng bro&en u% house&ee%!ng' Mrs* Lynde had ore t! e than e"er to de"ote to church affa!rs and had flung herself !nto the heart and soul* She #as at %resent uch #or&ed u% o"er the %oor $su%%l!es$ they #ere ha"!ng !n the "acant A"onlea %ul%!t* $I don4t bel!e"e any but fools enter the !n!stry no#adays'$ she #rote b!tterly* $Such cand!dates as they ha"e sent us' and such

stuff as they %reachE 6alf of !t a!n4t true' and' #hat4s #orse' !t a!n4t sound doctr!ne* The one #e ha"e no# !s the #orst of the lot* 6e ostly ta&es a text and %reaches about so eth!ng else* And he says he doesn4t bel!e"e all the heathen #!ll be eternally lost* The !deaE If they #on4t all the oney #e4"e been g!"!ng to (ore!gn M!ss!ons #!ll be clean #asted' that4s #hatE Last Sunday n!ght he announced that next Sunday he4d %reach on the axe+head that s#a * I th!n& he4d better conf!ne h! self to the B!ble and lea"e sensat!onal subjects alone* Th!ngs ha"e co e to a %retty %ass !f a !n!ster can4t f!nd enough !n 6oly >r!t to %reach about' that4s #hat* >hat church do you attend' AnneF I ho%e you go regularly* Peo%le are a%t to get so careless about church+go!ng a#ay fro ho e' and I understand college students are great s!nners !n th!s res%ect* I4 told any of the actually study the!r lessons on Sunday* I ho%e you4ll ne"er s!n& that lo#' Anne* ?e e ber ho# you #ere brought u%* And be "ery careful #hat fr!ends you a&e* ,ou ne"er &no# #hat sort of creatures are !n the colleges* -ut#ardly they ay be as #h!ted se%ulchers and !n#ardly as ra"en!ng #ol"es' that4s #hat* ,ou4d better not ha"e anyth!ng to say to any young an #ho !sn4t fro the Island* $I forgot to tell you #hat ha%%ened the day the !n!ster called here* It #as the funn!est th!ng I e"er sa#* I sa!d to Mar!lla' GIf Anne had been here #ouldn4t she ha"e had a laughF4 E"en Mar!lla laughed* ,ou &no# he4s a "ery short' fat l!ttle an #!th bo# legs* >ell' that old %!g of Mr* 6arr!son4s ++ the b!g' tall one ++ had #andered o"er here that day aga!n and bro&e !nto the yard' and !t got !nto the bac& %orch' unbe&no#ns to us' and !t #as there #hen the !n!ster a%%eared !n the door#ay* It ade one #!ld bolt to get out' but there #as no#here to bolt to exce%t bet#een the bo# legs* So there !t #ent' and' be!ng as !t #as so b!g and the !n!ster so l!ttle' !t too& h! clean off h!s feet and carr!ed h! a#ay* 6!s hat #ent one #ay and h!s cane another' just as Mar!lla and I got to the door* I4ll ne"er forget the loo& of h! * And that %oor %!g #as near scared to death* I4ll ne"er be able to read that account !n the B!ble of the s#!ne that rushed adly do#n the stee% %lace !nto the sea #!thout see!ng Mr* 6arr!son4s %!g career!ng do#n the h!ll #!th that !n!ster* I guess the %!g thought he had the -ld Boy on h!s bac& !nstead of !ns!de of h! * I #as than&ful the t#!ns #eren4t about* It #ouldn4t ha"e been the r!ght th!ng for the to ha"e seen a !n!ster !n such an und!gn!f!ed %red!ca ent* @ust before they got to the broo& the !n!ster ju %ed off or fell off* The %!g rushed through the broo& l!&e ad and u% through the #oods* Mar!lla and I run do#n and hel%ed the !n!ster get u% and brush h!s coat* 6e #asn4t hurt' but he #as ad* 6e see ed to hold

Mar!lla and e res%ons!ble for !t all' though #e told h! the %!g d!dn4t belong to us' and had been %ester!ng us all su er* Bes!des' #hat d!d he co e to the bac& door forF ,ou4d ne"er ha"e caught Mr* Allan do!ng that* It4ll be a long t! e before #e get a an l!&e Mr* Allan* But !t4s an !ll #!nd that blo#s no good* >e4"e ne"er seen hoof or ha!r of that %!g s!nce' and !t4s y bel!ef #e ne"er #!ll* $Th!ngs !s %retty )u!et !n A"onlea* I don4t f!nd Green Gables as loneso e as I ex%ected* I th!n& I4ll start another cotton #ar% )u!lt th!s #!nter* Mrs* S!las Sloane has a handso e ne# a%%le+leaf %attern* $>hen I feel that I ust ha"e so e exc!te ent I read the urder tr!als !n that Boston %a%er y n!ece sends e* I ne"er used to do !t' but they4re real !nterest!ng* The States ust be an a#ful %lace* I ho%e you4ll ne"er go there' Anne* But the #ay g!rls roa o"er the earth no# !s so eth!ng terr!ble* It al#ays a&es e th!n& of Satan !n the Boo& of @ob' go!ng to and fro and #al&!ng u% and do#n* I don4t bel!e"e the Lord e"er !ntended !t' that4s #hat* $Da"y has been %retty good s!nce you #ent a#ay* -ne day he #as bad and Mar!lla %un!shed h! by a&!ng h! #ear Dora4s a%ron all day' and then he #ent and cut all Dora4s a%rons u%* I s%an&ed h! for that and then he #ent and chased y rooster to death* $The MacPhersons ha"e o"ed do#n to y %lace* She4s a great house&ee%er and "ery %art!cular* She4s rooted all y @une l!l!es u% because she says they a&e a garden loo& so unt!dy* Tho as set the l!l!es out #hen #e #ere arr!ed* 6er husband see s a n!ce sort of a an' but she can4t get o"er be!ng an old a!d' that4s #hat* $Don4t study too hard' and be sure and %ut your #!nter underclothes on as soon as the #eather gets cool* Mar!lla #orr!es a lot about you' but I tell her you4"e got a lot ore sense than I e"er thought you #ould ha"e at one t! e' and that you4ll be all r!ght*$ Da"y4s letter %lunged !nto a gr!e"ance at the start* $Dear anne' %lease #r!te and tell ar!lla not to t!e e to the rale of the br!dge #hen I go f!sh!ng the boys a&e fun of e #hen she does* Its a#ful loneso e here #!thout you but grate fun !n school* @ane andre#s !s crosser than you* I scared rs* lynde #!th a jac&y lantern last n!te* She #as offel ad and she #as

ad cause I chased her old rooster round the yard t!ll he fell do#n ded* I d!dn4t ean to a&e h! fall do#n ded* >hat ade h! d!e' anne' I #ant to &no#* rs* lynde thre# h! !nto the %!g %en she !te of sold h! to r* bla!r* r* bla!r !s g!"!ng ;9 sense a%eace for good ded roosters no#* I herd rs* lynde as&!ng the !n!ster to %ray for her* >hat d!d she do that #as so bad' anne' I #ant to &no#* I4"e got a &!te #!th a agn!f!cent ta!l' anne* M!lty bolter told e a grate story !n school yesterday* !t !s troo* old @oe Mosey and Leon #ere %lay!ng cards one n!te last #ee& !n the #oods* The cards #ere on a stu % and a b!g blac& an b!gger than the trees co e along and grabbed the cards and the stu % and d!sa%ered #!th a noys l!&e thunder* Ill bet they #ere s&ared* M!lty says the blac& an #as the old harry* #as he' anne' I #ant to &no#* Mr* &! ball o"er at s%enser"ale !s "ery s!c& and #!ll ha"e to go to the hos%!table* %lease excuse e #h!le I as& ar!lla !f thats s%elled r!te* Mar!lla says !ts the s!le he has to go to not the other %lace* 6e th!n&s he has a sna&e !ns!de of h! * #hats !t l!&e to ha"e a sna&e !ns!de of you' anne* I #ant to &no#* rs* la#rence bell !s s!c& to* rs* lynde says that all that !s the atter #!th her !s that she th!n&s too uch about her !ns!des*$ $I #onder'$ sa!d Anne' as she folded u% her letters' $#hat Mrs* Lynde #ould th!n& of Ph!l!%%a*$

.ha%ter 3I In the Par& $>hat are you go!ng to do #!th yoursel"es today' g!rlsF$ as&ed Ph!l!%%a' %o%%!ng !nto Anne4s roo one Saturday afternoon* $>e are go!ng for a #al& !n the %ar&'$ ans#ered Anne* $I ought to stay !n and f!n!sh y blouse* But I couldn4t se# on a day l!&e th!s* There4s so eth!ng !n the a!r that gets !nto y blood and a&es a sort of glory !n y soul* My f!ngers #ould t#!tch and I4d se# a croo&ed sea * So !t4s ho for the %ar& and the %!nes*$ $Does G#e4 !nclude any one but yourself and Pr!sc!llaF$ $,es' !t !ncludes G!lbert and .harl!e' and #e4ll be "ery glad !f !t #!ll !nclude you' also*$

$But'$ sa!d Ph!l!%%a dolefully' $!f I go I4ll ha"e to be gooseberry' and that #!ll be a ne# ex%er!ence for Ph!l!%%a Gordon*$ $>ell' ne# ex%er!ences are broaden!ng* .o e along' and you4ll be able to sy %ath!Ce #!th all %oor souls #ho ha"e to %lay gooseberry often* But #here are all the "!ct! sF$ $-h' I #as t!red of the all and s! %ly couldn4t be bothered #!th any of the today* Bes!des' I4"e been feel!ng a l!ttle blue ++ just a %ale' elus!"e aCure* It !sn4t ser!ous enough for anyth!ng dar&er* I #rote Alec and AlonCo last #ee&* I %ut the letters !nto en"elo%es and addressed the ' but I d!dn4t seal the u%* That e"en!ng so eth!ng funny ha%%ened* That !s' Alec #ould th!n& !t funny' but AlonCo #ouldn4t be l!&ely to* I #as !n a hurry' so I snatched Alec4s letter ++ as I thought ++ out of the en"elo%e and scr!bbled do#n a %ostscr!%t* Then I a!led both letters* I got AlonCo4s re%ly th!s orn!ng* G!rls' I had %ut that %ostscr!%t to h!s letter and he #as fur!ous* -f course he4ll get o"er !t ++ and I don4t care !f he doesn4t ++ but !t s%o!led y day* So I thought I4d co e to you darl!ngs to get cheered u%* After the football season o%ens I #on4t ha"e any s%are Saturday afternoons* I adore football* I4"e got the ost gorgeous ca% and s#eater str!%ed !n ?ed ond colors to #ear to the ga es* To be sure' a l!ttle #ay off I4ll loo& l!&e a #al&!ng barber4s %ole* Do you &no# that that G!lbert of yours has been elected .a%ta!n of the (resh an football tea F$ $,es' he told us so last e"en!ng'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' see!ng that outraged Anne #ould not ans#er* $6e and .harl!e #ere do#n* >e &ne# they #ere co !ng' so #e %a!nsta&!ngly %ut out of s!ght or out of reach all M!ss Ada4s cush!ons* That "ery elaborate one #!th the ra!sed e bro!dery I dro%%ed on the floor !n the corner beh!nd the cha!r !t #as on* I thought !t #ould be safe there* But #ould you bel!e"e !tF .harl!e Sloane ade for that cha!r' not!ced the cush!on beh!nd !t' sole nly f!shed !t u%' and sat on !t the #hole e"en!ng* Such a #rec& of a cush!on as !t #asE Poor M!ss Ada as&ed e today' st!ll s !l!ng' but oh' so re%roachfully' #hy I had allo#ed !t to be sat u%on* I told her I hadn4t ++ that !t #as a atter of %redest!nat!on cou%led #!th !n"eterate Sloan!shness and I #asn4t a atch for both co b!ned*$ $M!ss Ada4s cush!ons are really gett!ng on y ner"es'$ sa!d Anne* $She f!n!shed t#o ne# ones last #ee&' stuffed and e bro!dered #!th!n an !nch of the!r l!"es* There be!ng absolutely no other cush!onless %lace to %ut the she stood the u% aga!nst the #all

on the sta!r land!ng* They to%%le o"er half the t! e and !f #e co e u% or do#n the sta!rs !n the dar& #e fall o"er the * Last Sunday' #hen Dr* Da"!s %rayed for all those ex%osed to the %er!ls of the sea' I added !n thought Gand for all those #ho l!"e !n houses #here cush!ons are lo"ed not #!sely but too #ellE4 ThereE #e4re ready' and I see the boys co !ng through -ld St* @ohn4s* Do you cast !n your lot #!th us' Ph!lF$ $I4ll go' !f I can #al& #!th Pr!sc!lla and .harl!e* That #!ll be a bearable degree of gooseberry* That G!lbert of yours !s a darl!ng' Anne' but #hy does he go around so uch #!th Goggle+eyesF$ Anne st!ffened* She had no great l!&!ng for .harl!e SloaneD but he #as of A"onlea' so no outs!der had any bus!ness to laugh at h! * $.harl!e and G!lbert ha"e al#ays been fr!ends'$ she sa!d coldly* $.harl!e !s a n!ce boy* 6e4s not to bla e for h!s eyes*$ $Don4t tell e thatE 6e !sE 6e ust ha"e done so eth!ng dreadful !n a %re"!ous ex!stence to be %un!shed #!th such eyes* Pr!s and I are go!ng to ha"e such s%ort #!th h! th!s afternoon* >e4ll a&e fun of h! to h!s face and he4ll ne"er &no# !t*$ Doubtless' $the abandoned P4s'$ as Anne called the ' d!d carry out the!r a !able !ntent!ons* But Sloane #as bl!ssfully !gnorantD he thought he #as )u!te a f!ne fello# to be #al&!ng #!th t#o such coeds' es%ec!ally Ph!l!%%a Gordon' the class beauty and belle* It ust surely ! %ress Anne* She #ould see that so e %eo%le a%%rec!ated h! at h!s real "alue* G!lbert and Anne lo!tered a l!ttle beh!nd the others' enjoy!ng the cal ' st!ll beauty of the autu n afternoon under the %!nes of the %ar&' on the road that cl! bed and t#!sted round the harbor shore* $The s!lence here !s l!&e a %rayer' !sn4t !tF$ sa!d Anne' her face u%turned to the sh!n!ng s&y* $6o# I lo"e the %!nesE They see to str!&e the!r roots dee% !nto the ro ance of all the ages* It !s so co fort!ng to cree% a#ay no# and then for a good tal& #!th the * I al#ays feel so ha%%y out here*$ $GAnd so !n ounta!n sol!tudes o4erta&en As by so e s%ell d!"!ne' The!r cares dro% fro the l!&e the needles sha&en (ro out the gusty %!ne'4$ )uoted G!lbert*

$They

a&e our l!ttle a b!t!ons see

rather %etty' don4t they' AnneF$ e' I #ould co e to the

$I th!n&' !f e"er any great sorro# ca e to %!nes for co fort'$ sa!d Anne drea !ly*

$I ho%e no great sorro# e"er #!ll co e to you' Anne'$ sa!d G!lbert' #ho could not connect the !dea of sorro# #!th the "!"!d' joyous creature bes!de h! ' un#!tt!ng that those #ho can soar to the h!ghest he!ghts can also %lunge to the dee%est de%ths' and that the natures #h!ch enjoy ost &eenly are those #h!ch also suffer ost shar%ly* $But there ust ++ so et! e'$ used Anne* $L!fe see s l!&e a cu% of glory held to y l!%s just no#* But there ust be so e b!tterness !n !t ++ there !s !n e"ery cu%* I shall taste !ne so e day* >ell' I ho%e I shall be strong and bra"e to eet !t* And I ho%e !t #on4t be through y o#n fault that !t #!ll co e* Do you re e ber #hat Dr* Da"!s sa!d last Sunday e"en!ng ++ that the sorro#s God sent us brought co fort and strength #!th the ' #h!le the sorro#s #e brought on oursel"es' through folly or #!c&edness' #ere by far the hardest to bearF But #e ustn4t tal& of sorro# on an afternoon l!&e th!s* It4s eant for the sheer joy of l!"!ng' !sn4t !tF$ $If I had y #ay I4d shut e"eryth!ng out of your l!fe but ha%%!ness and %leasure' Anne'$ sa!d G!lbert !n the tone that eant $danger ahead*$ $Then you #ould be "ery un#!se'$ rejo!ned Anne hast!ly* $I4 sure no l!fe can be %ro%erly de"elo%ed and rounded out #!thout so e tr!al and sorro# ++ though I su%%ose !t !s only #hen #e are %retty co fortable that #e ad !t !t* .o e ++ the others ha"e got to the %a"!l!on and are bec&on!ng to us*$ They all sat do#n !n the l!ttle %a"!l!on to #atch an autu n sunset of dee% red f!re and %all!d gold* To the!r left lay A!ngs%ort' !ts roofs and s%!res d! !n the!r shroud of "!olet s o&e* To the!r r!ght lay the harbor' ta&!ng on t!nts of rose and co%%er as !t stretched out !nto the sunset* Before the the #ater sh! ered' sat!n s ooth and s!l"er gray' and beyond' clean sha"en >!ll!a 4s Island loo ed out of the !st' guard!ng the to#n l!&e a sturdy bulldog* Its l!ghthouse beacon flared through the !st l!&e a baleful star' and #as ans#ered by another !n the far hor!Con* $D!d you e"er see such a strong+loo&!ng %laceF$ as&ed Ph!l!%%a*

$I don4t #ant >!ll!a 4s Island es%ec!ally' but I4 sure I couldn4t get !t !f I d!d* Loo& at that sentry on the su !t of the fort' r!ght bes!de the flag* Doesn4t he loo& as !f he had ste%%ed out of a ro anceF$ $S%ea&!ng of ro ance'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' $#e4"e been loo&!ng for heather ++ but' of course' #e couldn4t f!nd any* It4s too late !n the season' I su%%ose*$ $6eatherE$ excla! ed Anne* $6eather doesn4t gro# !n A er!ca' does !tF$ $There are just t#o %atches of !t !n the #hole cont!nent'$ sa!d Ph!l' $one r!ght here !n the %ar&' and one so e#here else !n No"a Scot!a' I forget #here* The fa ous 6!ghland ?eg! ent' the Blac& >atch' ca %ed here one year' and' #hen the en shoo& out the stra# of the!r beds !n the s%r!ng' so e seeds of heather too& root*$ $-h' ho# del!ghtfulE$ sa!d enchanted Anne* $Let4s go ho e around by S%offord A"enue'$ suggested G!lbert* $>e can see all Gthe handso e houses #here the #ealthy nobles d#ell*4 S%offord A"enue !s the f!nest res!dent!al street !n A!ngs%ort* Nobody can bu!ld on !t unless he4s a !ll!ona!re*$ $-h' do'$ sa!d Ph!l* $There4s a %erfectly &!ll!ng l!ttle %lace I #ant to sho# you' Anne* IT #asn4t bu!lt by a !ll!ona!re* It4s the f!rst %lace after you lea"e the %ar&' and ust ha"e gro#n #h!le S%offord A"enue #as st!ll a country road* It DID gro# ++ !t #asn4t bu!ltE I don4t care for the houses on the A"enue* They4re too brand ne# and %lateglassy* But th!s l!ttle s%ot !s a drea ++ and !ts na e ++ but #a!t t!ll you see !t*$ They sa# !t as they #al&ed u% the %!ne+fr!nged h!ll fro the %ar&* @ust on the crest' #here S%offord A"enue %etered out !nto a %la!n road' #as a l!ttle #h!te fra e house #!th grou%s of %!nes on e!ther s!de of !t' stretch!ng the!r ar s %rotect!ngly o"er !ts lo# roof* It #as co"ered #!th red and gold "!nes' through #h!ch !ts green+shuttered #!ndo#s %ee%ed* Before !t #as a t!ny garden' surrounded by a lo# stone #all* -ctober though !t #as' the garden #as st!ll "ery s#eet #!th dear' old+fash!oned' un#orldly flo#ers and shrubs ++ s#eet ay' southern+#ood' le on "erbena' alyssu ' %etun!as' ar!golds and chrysanthe u s* A t!ny br!c& #all' !n herr!ng+bone %attern' led fro the gate to the front %orch* The #hole %lace !ght ha"e been trans%lanted fro so e re ote country "!llageD yet there #as so eth!ng about !t that

ade !ts nearest ne!ghbor' the b!g la#n+enc!rcled %alace of a tobacco &!ng' loo& exceed!ngly crude and sho#y and !ll+bred by contrast* As Ph!l sa!d' !t #as the d!fference bet#een be!ng born and be!ng ade* $It4s the dearest %lace I e"er sa#'$ sa!d Anne del!ghtedly* $It g!"es e one of y old' del!ghtful funny aches* It4s dearer and )ua!nter than e"en M!ss La"endar4s stone house*$ $It4s the na e I #ant you to not!ce es%ec!ally'$ sa!d Ph!l* $Loo& ++ !n #h!te letters' around the arch#ay o"er the gate* GPatty4s Place*4 Isn4t that &!ll!ngF Es%ec!ally on th!s A"enue of P!nehursts and El #olds and .edarcroftsF GPatty4s Place'4 !f you %leaseE I adore !t*$ $6a"e you any !dea #ho Patty !sF$ as&ed Pr!sc!lla* $Patty S%offord !s the na e of the old lady #ho o#ns !t' I4"e d!sco"ered* She l!"es there #!th her n!ece' and they4"e l!"ed there for hundreds of years' ore or less ++ aybe a l!ttle less' Anne* Exaggerat!on !s erely a fl!ght of %oet!c fancy* I understand that #ealthy fol& ha"e tr!ed to buy the lot t! e and aga!n ++ !t4s really #orth a s all fortune no#' you &no# ++ but GPatty4 #on4t sell u%on any cons!derat!on* And there4s an a%%le orchard beh!nd the house !n %lace of a bac& yard ++ you4ll see !t #hen #e get a l!ttle %ast ++ a real a%%le orchard on S%offord A"enueE$ $I4 go!ng to drea about GPatty4s Place4 ton!ght'$ sa!d Anne* $>hy' I feel as !f I belonged to !t* I #onder !f' by any chance' #e4ll e"er see the !ns!de of !t*$ $It !sn4t l!&ely'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla* Anne s !led yster!ously*

$No' !t !sn4t l!&ely* But I bel!e"e !t #!ll ha%%en* I ha"e a )ueer' cree%y' cra#ly feel!ng ++ you can call !t a %resent! ent' !f you l!&e ++ that GPatty4s Place4 and I are go!ng to be better ac)ua!nted yet*$

.ha%ter 3II 6o e Aga!n

Those f!rst three #ee&s at ?ed ond had see ed longD but the rest of the ter fle# by on #!ngs of #!nd* Before they real!Ced !t the ?ed ond students found the sel"es !n the gr!nd of .hr!st as exa !nat!ons' e erg!ng therefro ore or less tr!u %hantly* The honor of lead!ng !n the (resh an classes fluctuated bet#een Anne' G!lbert and Ph!l!%%aD Pr!sc!lla d!d "ery #ellD .harl!e Sloane scra%ed through res%ectably' and co %orted h! self as co %lacently as !f he had led !n e"eryth!ng* $I can4t really bel!e"e that th!s t! e to orro# I4ll be !n Green Gables'$ sa!d Anne on the n!ght before de%arture* $But I shall be* And you' Ph!l' #!ll be !n Bol!ngbro&e #!th Alec and AlonCo*$ $I4 long!ng to see the '$ ad !tted Ph!l' bet#een the chocolate she #as n!bbl!ng* $They really are such dear boys' you &no#* There4s to be no end of dances and dr!"es and general ja borees* I shall ne"er forg!"e you' Hueen Anne' for not co !ng ho e #!th e for the hol!days*$ $GNe"er4 eans three days #!th you' Ph!l* It #as dear of you to as& e ++ and I4d lo"e to go to Bol!ngbro&e so e day* But I can4t go th!s year ++ I M=ST go ho e* ,ou don4t &no# ho# y heart longs for !t*$ $,ou #on4t ha"e uch of a t! e'$ sa!d Ph!l scornfully* $There4ll be one or t#o )u!lt!ng %art!es' I su%%oseD and all the old goss!%s #!ll tal& you o"er to your face and beh!nd your bac&* ,ou4ll d!e of loneso eness' ch!ld*$ $In A"onleaF$ sa!d Anne' h!ghly a used* $No#' !f you4d co e #!th e you4d ha"e a %erfectly gorgeous t! e* Bol!ngbro&e #ould go #!ld o"er you' Hueen Anne ++ your ha!r and your style and' oh' e"eryth!ngE ,ou4re so DI((E?ENT* ,ou4d be such a success ++ and I #ould bas& !n reflected glory ++ Gnot the rose but near the rose*4 Do co e' after all' Anne*$ $,our %!cture of soc!al tr!u %hs !s )u!te fasc!nat!ng' Ph!l' but I4ll %a!nt one to offset !t* I4 go!ng ho e to an old country far house' once green' rather faded no#' set a ong leafless a%%le orchards* There !s a broo& belo# and a Dece ber f!r #ood beyond' #here I4"e heard har%s s#e%t by the f!ngers of ra!n and #!nd* There !s a %ond nearby that #!ll be gray and brood!ng no#* There #!ll be t#o old!sh lad!es !n the house' one tall and th!n' one

short and fatD and there #!ll be t#o t#!ns' one a %erfect odel' the other #hat Mrs* Lynde calls a Gholy terror*4 There #!ll be a l!ttle roo u%sta!rs o"er the %orch' #here old drea s hang th!c&' and a b!g' fat' glor!ous feather bed #h!ch #!ll al ost see the he!ght of luxury after a board!nghouse attress* 6o# do you l!&e y %!cture' Ph!lF$ $It see s a "ery dull one'$ sa!d Ph!l' #!th a gr! ace* $-h' but I4"e left out the transfor !ng th!ng'$ sa!d Anne softly* $There4ll be lo"e there' Ph!l ++ fa!thful' tender lo"e' such as I4ll ne"er f!nd any#here else !n the #orld ++ lo"e that4s #a!t!ng for e* That a&es y %!cture a aster%!ece' doesn4t !t' e"en !f the colors are not "ery br!ll!antF$ Ph!l s!lently got u%' tossed her box of chocolates a#ay' #ent u% to Anne' and %ut her ar s about her* $Anne' I #!sh I #as l!&e you'$ she sa!d soberly* D!ana et Anne at the .ar ody stat!on the next n!ght' and they dro"e ho e together under s!lent' star+so#n de%ths of s&y* Green Gables had a "ery festal a%%earance as they dro"e u% the lane* There #as a l!ght !n e"ery #!ndo#' the glo# brea&!ng out through the dar&ness l!&e fla e+red blosso s s#ung aga!nst the dar& bac&ground of the 6aunted >ood* And !n the yard #as a bra"e bonf!re #!th t#o gay l!ttle f!gures danc!ng around !t' one of #h!ch ga"e an unearthly yell as the buggy turned !n under the %o%lars* $Da"y eans that for an Ind!an #ar+#hoo%'$ sa!d D!ana* $Mr* 6arr!son4s h!red boy taught !t to h! ' and he4s been %ract!c!ng !t u% to #elco e you #!th* Mrs* Lynde says !t has #orn her ner"es to a fraCCle* 6e cree%s u% beh!nd her' you &no#' and then lets go* 6e #as deter !ned to ha"e a bonf!re for you' too* 6e4s been %!l!ng u% branches for a fortn!ght and %ester!ng Mar!lla to be let %our so e &erosene o!l o"er !t before sett!ng !t on f!re* I guess she d!d' by the s ell' though Mrs* Lynde sa!d u% to the last that Da"y #ould blo# h! self and e"erybody else u% !f he #as let*$ Anne #as out of the buggy by th!s t! e' and Da"y #as ra%turously hugg!ng her &nees' #h!le e"en Dora #as cl!ng!ng to her hand* $Isn4t that a bully bonf!re' AnneF @ust let e sho# you ho# to %o&e !t ++ see the s%ar&sF I d!d !t for you' Anne' 4cause I #as so glad you #ere co !ng ho e*$

The &!tchen door o%ened and Mar!lla4s s%are for dar&ened aga!nst the !nner l!ght* She %referred to eet Anne !n the shado#s' for she #as horr!bly afra!d that she #as go!ng to cry #!th joy ++ she' stern' re%ressed Mar!lla' #ho thought all d!s%lay of dee% e ot!on unsee ly* Mrs* Lynde #as beh!nd her' sonsy' &!ndly' atronly' as of yore* The lo"e that Anne had told Ph!l #as #a!t!ng for her surrounded her and enfolded her #!th !ts bless!ng and !ts s#eetness* Noth!ng' after all' could co %are #!th old t!es' old fr!ends' and old Green GablesE 6o# starry Anne4s eyes #ere as they sat do#n to the loaded su%%er table' ho# %!n& her chee&s' ho# s!l"er+clear her laughterE And D!ana #as go!ng to stay all n!ght' too* 6o# l!&e the dear old t! es !t #asE And the rose+bud tea+set graced the tableE >!th Mar!lla the force of nature could no further go* $I su%%ose you and D!ana #!ll no# %roceed to tal& all n!ght'$ sa!d Mar!lla sarcast!cally' as the g!rls #ent u%sta!rs* Mar!lla #as al#ays sarcast!c after any self+betrayal* $,es'$ agreed Anne ga!ly' $but I4 6e !ns!sts on that*$ go!ng to %ut Da"y to bed f!rst*

$,ou bet'$ sa!d Da"y' as they #ent along the hall* $I #ant so ebody to say y %rayers to aga!n* It4s no fun say!ng the alone*$ $,ou don4t say the alone' Da"y* God !s al#ays #!th you to hear you*$

$>ell' I can4t see 6! '$ objected Da"y* $I #ant to %ray to so ebody I can see' but I >-N4T say the to Mrs* Lynde or Mar!lla' there no#E$ Ne"ertheless' #hen Da"y #as garbed !n h!s gray flannel n!ghty' he d!d not see !n a hurry to beg!n* 6e stood before Anne' shuffl!ng one bare foot o"er the other' and loo&ed undec!ded* $.o e' dear' &neel do#n'$ sa!d Anne* Da"y ca e and bur!ed h!s head !n Anne4s la%' but he d!d not &neel do#n* $Anne'$ he sa!d !n a uffled "o!ce* $I don4t feel l!&e %ray!ng after all* I ha"en4t felt l!&e !t for a #ee& no#* I ++ I DIDN4T %ray last n!ght nor the n!ght before*$ $>hy not' Da"yF$ as&ed Anne gently* $,ou ++ you #on4t be ad !f I tell youF$ ! %lored Da"y*

Anne l!fted the l!ttle gray+flannelled body on her &nee and cuddled h!s head on her ar * $Do I e"er get G ad4 #hen you tell e th!ngs' Da"yF$

$No+o+o' you ne"er do* But you get sorry' and that4s #orse* ,ou4ll be a#ful sorry #hen I tell you th!s' Anne ++ and you4ll be 4sha ed of e' I s4%ose*$ $6a"e you done so eth!ng naughty' Da"y' and !s that #hy you can4t say your %rayersF$ $No' I ha"en4t done anyth!ng naughty ++ yet* But I #ant to do !t*$ $>hat !s !t' Da"yF$ $I ++ I #ant to say a bad #ord' Anne'$ blurted out Da"y' #!th a des%erate effort* $I heard Mr* 6arr!son4s h!red boy say !t one day last #ee&' and e"er s!nce I4"e been #ant!ng to say !t ALL the t! e ++ e"en #hen I4 say!ng y %rayers*$ $Say !t then' Da"y*$ Da"y l!fted h!s flushed face !n a aCe ent* $But' Anne' !t4s an A>(=L bad #ord*$ $SA, ITE$ Da"y ga"e her another !ncredulous loo&' then !n a lo# "o!ce he sa!d the dreadful #ord* The next !nute h!s face #as burro#!ng aga!nst her* $-h' Anne' I4ll ne"er say !t aga!n ++ ne"er* I4ll ne"er >ANT to say !t aga!n* I &ne# !t #as bad' but I d!dn4t s4%ose !t #as so ++ so ++ I d!dn4t s4%ose !t #as l!&e T6AT*$ $No' I don4t th!n& you4ll e"er #ant to say !t aga!n' Da"y ++ or th!n& !t' e!ther* And I #ouldn4t go about uch #!th Mr* 6arr!son4s h!red boy !f I #ere you*$ $6e can a&e bully #ar+#hoo%s'$ sa!d Da"y a l!ttle regretfully*

$But you don4t #ant your !nd f!lled #!th bad #ords' do you' Da"y ++ #ords that #!ll %o!son !t and dr!"e out all that !s good and anlyF$

$No'$ sa!d Da"y' o#l+eyed #!th !ntros%ect!on* $Then don4t go #!th those %eo%le #ho use the * And no# do you feel as !f you could say your %rayers' Da"yF$ $-h' yes'$ sa!d Da"y' eagerly #r!ggl!ng do#n on h!s &nees' $I can say the no# all r!ght* I a!n4t scared no# to say G!f I should d!e before I #a&e'4 l!&e I #as #hen I #as #ant!ng to say that #ord*$ Probably Anne and D!ana d!d e %ty out the!r souls to each other that n!ght' but no record of the!r conf!dences has been %reser"ed* They both loo&ed as fresh and br!ght+eyed at brea&fast as only youth can loo& after unla#ful hours of re"elry and confess!on* There had been no sno# u% to th!s t! e' but as D!ana crossed the old log br!dge on her ho e#ard #ay the #h!te fla&es #ere beg!nn!ng to flutter do#n o"er the f!elds and #oods' russet and gray !n the!r drea less slee%* Soon the far+a#ay slo%es and h!lls #ere d! and #ra!th+l!&e through the!r gauCy scarf!ng' as !f %ale autu n had flung a !sty br!dal "e!l o"er her ha!r and #as #a!t!ng for her #!ntry br!degroo * So they had a #h!te .hr!st as after all' and a "ery %leasant day !t #as* In the forenoon letters and g!fts ca e fro M!ss La"endar and PaulD Anne o%ened the !n the cheerful Green Gables &!tchen' #h!ch #as f!lled #!th #hat Da"y' sn!ff!ng !n ecstasy' called $%retty s ells*$ $M!ss La"endar and Mr* Ir"!ng are settled !n the!r ne# ho e no#'$ re%orted Anne* $I a sure M!ss La"endar !s %erfectly ha%%y ++ I &no# !t by the general tone of her letter ++ but there4s a note fro .harlotta the (ourth* She doesn4t l!&e Boston at all' and she !s fearfully ho es!c&* M!ss La"endar #ants e to go through to Echo Lodge so e day #h!le I4 ho e and l!ght a f!re to a!r !t' and see that the cush!ons aren4t gett!ng oldy* I th!n& I4ll get D!ana to go o"er #!th e next #ee&' and #e can s%end the e"en!ng #!th Theodora D!x* I #ant to see Theodora* By the #ay' !s Ludo"!c S%eed st!ll go!ng to see herF$ $They say so'$ sa!d Mar!lla' $and he4s l!&ely to cont!nue !t* (ol&s ha"e g!"en u% ex%ect!ng that that courtsh!% #!ll e"er arr!"e any#here*$ $I4d hurry h! u% a b!t' !f I #as Theodora' that4s #hat'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde* And there !s not the sl!ghtest doubt but that she #ould* There #as also a character!st!c scra#l fro Ph!l!%%a' full of Alec and AlonCo' #hat they sa!d and #hat they d!d' and ho# they loo&ed #hen they sa# her*

$But I can4t a&e u% y !nd yet #h!ch to arry'$ #rote Ph!l* $I do #!sh you had co e #!th e to dec!de for e* So e one #!ll ha"e to* >hen I sa# Alec y heart ga"e a great thu % and I thought' G6e !ght be the r!ght one*4 And then' #hen AlonCo ca e' thu % #ent y heart aga!n* So that4s no gu!de' though !t should be' accord!ng to all the no"els I4"e e"er read* No#' Anne' ,-=? heart #ouldn4t thu % for anybody but the genu!ne Pr!nce .har !ng' #ould !tF There ust be so eth!ng rad!cally #rong #!th !ne* But I4 ha"!ng a %erfectly gorgeous t! e* 6o# I #!sh you #ere hereE It4s sno#!ng today' and I4 ra%turous* I #as so afra!d #e4d ha"e a green .hr!st as and I loathe the * ,ou &no#' #hen .hr!st as !s a d!rty grayey+bro#ney affa!r' loo&!ng as !f !t had been left o"er a hundred years ago and had been !n soa& e"er s!nce' !t !s called a G?EEN .hr!st asE Don4t as& e #hy* As Lord Dundreary says' Gthere are tho e th!ngth no fello# can underthtand*4 $Anne' d!d you e"er get on a street car and then d!sco"er that you hadn4t any oney #!th you to %ay your fareF I d!d' the other day* It4s )u!te a#ful* I had a n!c&el #!th e #hen I got on the car* I thought !t #as !n the left %oc&et of y coat* >hen I got settled do#n co fortably I felt for !t* It #asn4t there* I had a cold ch!ll* I felt !n the other %oc&et* Not there* I had another ch!ll* Then I felt !n a l!ttle !ns!de %oc&et* All !n "a!n* I had t#o ch!lls at once* $I too& off y glo"es' la!d the on the seat' and #ent o"er all y %oc&ets aga!n* It #as not there* I stood u% and shoo& yself' and then loo&ed on the floor* The car #as full of %eo%le' #ho #ere go!ng ho e fro the o%era' and they all stared at e' but I #as %ast car!ng for a l!ttle th!ng l!&e that* $But I could not f!nd y fare* I concluded I y outh and s#allo#ed !t !nad"ertently* ust ha"e %ut !t !n

$I d!dn4t &no# #hat to do* >ould the conductor' I #ondered' sto% the car and %ut e off !n !gno !ny and sha eF >as !t %oss!ble that I could con"!nce h! that I #as erely the "!ct! of y o#n absent !ndedness' and not an un%r!nc!%led creature try!ng to obta!n a r!de u%on false %retensesF 6o# I #!shed that Alec or AlonCo #ere there* But they #eren4t because I #anted the * If I 6ADN4T #anted the they #ould ha"e been there by the doCen* And I couldn4t dec!de #hat to say to the conductor #hen he ca e around* As soon as I got one sentence of ex%lanat!on a%%ed out !n y !nd I felt nobody could bel!e"e !t and I ust co %ose another* It see ed there #as noth!ng to do but trust !n

Pro"!dence' and for all the co fort that ga"e e I !ght as #ell ha"e been the old lady #ho' #hen told by the ca%ta!n dur!ng a stor that she ust %ut her trust !n the Al !ghty excla! ed' G-h' .a%ta!n' !s !t as bad as thatF4 $@ust at the con"ent!onal o ent' #hen all ho%e had fled' and the conductor #as hold!ng out h!s box to the %assenger next to e' I suddenly re e bered #here I had %ut that #retched co!n of the real * I hadn4t s#allo#ed !t after all* I ee&ly f!shed !t out of the !ndex f!nger of y glo"e and %o&ed !t !n the box* I s !led at e"erybody and felt that !t #as a beaut!ful #orld*$ The "!s!t to Echo Lodge #as not the least %leasant of any %leasant hol!day out!ngs* Anne and D!ana #ent bac& to !t by the old #ay of the beech #oods' carry!ng a lunch bas&et #!th the * Echo Lodge' #h!ch had been closed e"er s!nce M!ss La"endar4s #edd!ng' #as br!efly thro#n o%en to #!nd and sunsh!ne once ore' and f!rel!ght gl! ered aga!n !n the l!ttle roo s* The %erfu e of M!ss La"endar4s rose bo#l st!ll f!lled the a!r* It #as hardly %oss!ble to bel!e"e that M!ss La"endar #ould not co e tr!%%!ng !n %resently' #!th her bro#n eyes a+star #!th #elco e' and that .harlotta the (ourth' blue of bo# and #!de of s !le' #ould not %o% through the door* Paul' too' see ed ho"er!ng around' #!th h!s fa!ry fanc!es* $It really a&es e feel a l!ttle b!t l!&e a ghost re"!s!t!ng the old t! e gl! %ses of the oon'$ laughed Anne* $Let4s go out and see !f the echoes are at ho e* Br!ng the old horn* It !s st!ll beh!nd the &!tchen door*$ The echoes #ere at ho e' o"er the #h!te r!"er' as s!l"er+clear and ult!tud!nous as e"erD and #hen they had ceased to ans#er the g!rls loc&ed u% Echo Lodge aga!n and #ent a#ay !n the %erfect half hour that follo#s the rose and saffron of a #!nter sunset*

.ha%ter 3III Anne4s (!rst Pro%osal The old year d!d not sl!% a#ay !n a green t#!l!ght' #!th a %!n&y+yello# sunset* Instead' !t #ent out #!th a #!ld' #h!te bluster and blo#* It #as one of the n!ghts #hen the stor +#!nd

hurtles o"er the froCen eado#s and blac& hollo#s' and oans around the ea"es l!&e a lost creature' and dr!"es the sno# shar%ly aga!nst the sha&!ng %anes* $@ust the sort of n!ght %eo%le l!&e to cuddle do#n bet#een the!r blan&ets and count the!r erc!es'$ sa!d Anne to @ane Andre#s' #ho had co e u% to s%end the afternoon and stay all n!ght* But #hen they #ere cuddled bet#een the!r blan&ets' !n Anne4s l!ttle %orch roo ' !t #as not her erc!es of #h!ch @ane #as th!n&!ng* $Anne'$ she sa!d "ery sole nly' $I #ant to tell you so eth!ng* May I$ Anne #as feel!ng rather slee%y after the %arty ?uby G!ll!s had g!"en the n!ght before* She #ould uch rather ha"e gone to slee% than l!sten to @ane4s conf!dences' #h!ch she #as sure #ould bore her* She had no %ro%het!c !n&l!ng of #hat #as co !ng* Probably @ane #as engaged' tooD ru or a"erred that ?uby G!ll!s #as engaged to the S%encer"ale schoolteacher' about #ho all the g!rls #ere sa!d to be )u!te #!ld* $I4ll soon be the only fancy+free a!den of our old )uartet'$ thought Anne' dro#s!ly* Aloud she sa!d' $-f course*$ $Anne'$ sa!d @ane' st!ll brother B!llyF$ ore sole nly' $#hat do you th!n& of y

Anne gas%ed o"er th!s unex%ected )uest!on' and floundered hel%lessly !n her thoughts* Goodness' #hat DID she th!n& of B!lly Andre#sF She had ne"er thought AN,T6ING about h! round+faced' stu%!d' %er%etually s !l!ng' good+natured B!lly Andre#s* D!d AN,B-D, e"er th!n& about B!lly Andre#sF $I ++ I don4t understand' @ane'$ she sta ean ++ exactlyF$ $Do you l!&e B!llyF$ as&ed @ane bluntly* ered* $>hat do you

++

$>hy ++ #hy ++ yes' I l!&e h! ' of course'$ gas%ed Anne' #onder!ng !f she #ere tell!ng the l!teral truth* .erta!nly she d!d not DISl!&e B!lly* But could the !nd!fferent tolerance #!th #h!ch she regarded h! ' #hen he ha%%ened to be !n her range of "!s!on' be cons!dered %os!t!"e enough for l!&!ngF >6AT #as @ane try!ng to eluc!dateF $>ould you l!&e h! for a husbandF$ as&ed @ane cal ly*

$A husbandE$ Anne had been s!tt!ng u% !n bed' the better to #restle #!th the %roble of her exact o%!n!on of B!lly Andre#s* No# she fell flatly bac& on her %!llo#s' the "ery breath gone out of her* $>hose husbandF$ $,ours' of course'$ ans#ered @ane* $B!lly #ants to arry you* 6e4s al#ays been craCy about you ++ and no# father has g!"en h! the u%%er far !n h!s o#n na e and there4s noth!ng to %re"ent h! fro gett!ng arr!ed* But he4s so shy he couldn4t as& you h! self !f you4d ha"e h! ' so he got e to do !t* I4d rather not ha"e' but he ga"e e no %eace t!ll I sa!d I #ould' !f I got a good chance* >hat do you th!n& about !t' AnneF$ >as !t a drea F >as !t one of those n!ght are th!ngs !n #h!ch you f!nd yourself engaged or arr!ed to so e one you hate or don4t &no#' #!thout the sl!ghtest !dea ho# !t e"er ca e aboutF No' she' Anne Sh!rley' #as ly!ng there' #!de a#a&e' !n her o#n bed' and @ane Andre#s #as bes!de her' cal ly %ro%os!ng for her brother B!lly* Anne d!d not &no# #hether she #anted to #r!the or laughD but she could do ne!ther' for @ane4s feel!ngs ust not be hurt* $I ++ I couldn4t arry B!ll' you &no#' @ane'$ she anaged to gas%* $>hy' such an !dea ne"er occurred to e ++ ne"erE$ $I don4t su%%ose !t d!d'$ agreed @ane* $B!lly has al#ays been far too shy to th!n& of court!ng* But you !ght th!n& !t o"er' Anne* B!lly !s a good fello#* I ust say that' !f he !s y brother* 6e has no bad hab!ts and he4s a great #or&er' and you can de%end on h! * GA b!rd !n the hand !s #orth t#o !n the bush*4 6e told e to tell you he4d be )u!te #!ll!ng to #a!t t!ll you got through college' !f you !ns!sted' though he4d ?AT6E? get arr!ed th!s s%r!ng before the %lant!ng beg!ns* 6e4d al#ays be "ery good to you' I4 sure' and you &no#' Anne' I4d lo"e to ha"e you for a s!ster*$ $I can4t arry B!lly'$ sa!d Anne dec!dedly* She had reco"ered her #!ts' and #as e"en feel!ng a l!ttle angry* It #as all so r!d!culous* $There !s no use th!n&!ng of !t' @ane* I don4t care anyth!ng for h! !n that #ay' and you ust tell h! so*$ $>ell' I d!dn4t su%%ose you #ould'$ sa!d @ane #!th a res!gned s!gh' feel!ng that she had done her best* $I told B!lly I d!dn4t bel!e"e !t #as a b!t of use to as& you' but he !ns!sted* >ell' you4"e ade your dec!s!on' Anne' and I ho%e you #on4t regret !t*$ @ane s%o&e rather coldly* She had been %erfectly sure that the ena ored B!lly had no chance at all of !nduc!ng Anne to arry h! *

Ne"ertheless' she felt a l!ttle resent ent that Anne Sh!rley' #ho #as' after all' erely an ado%ted or%han' #!thout &!th or &!n' should refuse her brother ++ one of the A"onlea Andre#s* >ell' %r!de so et! es goes before a fall' @ane reflected o !nously* Anne %er !tted herself to s !le !n the dar&ness o"er the !dea that she !ght e"er regret not arry!ng B!lly Andre#s* $I ho%e B!lly #on4t feel "ery badly o"er !t'$ she sa!d n!cely* @ane ade a o"e ent as !f she #ere toss!ng her head on her %!llo#*

$-h' he #on4t brea& h!s heart* B!lly has too uch good sense for that* 6e l!&es Nett!e Ble#ett %retty #ell' too' and other #ould rather he arr!ed her than any one* She4s such a good anager and sa"er* I th!n&' #hen B!lly !s once sure you #on4t ha"e h! ' he4ll ta&e Nett!e* Please don4t ent!on th!s to any one' #!ll you' AnneF$ $.erta!nly not'$ sa!d Anne' #ho had no des!re #hate"er to %ubl!sh abroad the fact that B!lly Andre#s #anted to arry her' %referr!ng her' #hen all #as sa!d and done' to Nett!e Ble#ett* Nett!e Ble#ettE $And no# I su%%ose #e4d better go to slee%'$ suggested @ane* To slee% #ent @ane eas!ly and s%eed!lyD but' though "ery unl!&e MacBeth !n ost res%ects' she had certa!nly contr!"ed to urder slee% for Anne* That %ro%osed+to da sel lay on a #a&eful %!llo# unt!l the #ee s a4s' but her ed!tat!ons #ere far fro be!ng ro ant!c* It #as not' ho#e"er' unt!l the next orn!ng that she had an o%%ortun!ty to !ndulge !n a good laugh o"er the #hole affa!r* >hen @ane had gone ho e ++ st!ll #!th a h!nt of frost !n "o!ce and anner because Anne had decl!ned so ungratefully and dec!dedly the honor of an all!ance #!th the 6ouse of Andre#s ++ Anne retreated to the %orch roo ' shut the door' and had her laugh out at last* $If I could only share the jo&e #!th so e oneE$ she thought* $But I can4t* D!ana !s the only one I4d #ant to tell' and' e"en !f I hadn4t s#orn secrecy to @ane' I can4t tell D!ana th!ngs no#* She tells e"eryth!ng to (red ++ I &no# she does* >ell' I4"e had y f!rst %ro%osal* I su%%osed !t #ould co e so e day ++ but I certa!nly ne"er thought !t #ould be by %roxy* It4s a#fully funny ++ and yet there4s a st!ng !n !t' too' so eho#*$ Anne &ne# )u!te #ell #here!n the st!ng cons!sted' though she d!d not %ut !t !nto #ords* She had had her secret drea s of the f!rst t! e so e one should as& her the great )uest!on*

And !t had' !n those drea s' al#ays been "ery ro ant!c and beaut!fulK and the $so e one$ #as to be "ery handso e and dar&+eyed and d!st!ngu!shed+loo&!ng and elo)uent' #hether he #ere Pr!nce .har !ng to be enra%tured #!th $yes'$ or one to #ho a regretful' beaut!fully #orded' but ho%eless refusal ust be g!"en* If the latter' the refusal #as to be ex%ressed so del!cately that !t #ould be next best th!ng to acce%tance' and he #ould go a#ay' after &!ss!ng her hand' assur!ng her of h!s unalterable' l!fe+long de"ot!on* And !t #ould al#ays be a beaut!ful e ory' to be %roud of and a l!ttle sad about' also* And no#' th!s thr!ll!ng ex%er!ence had turned out to be erely grotes)ue* B!lly Andre#s had got h!s s!ster to %ro%ose for h! because h!s father had g!"en h! the u%%er far D and !f Anne #ouldn4t $ha"e h! $ Nett!e Ble#ett #ould* There #as ro ance for you' #!th a "engeanceE Anne laughed ++ and then s!ghed* The bloo had been brushed fro one l!ttle a!den drea * >ould the %a!nful %rocess go on unt!l e"eryth!ng beca e %rosa!c and hu +dru F

.ha%ter I< An =n#elco e Lo"er and a >elco e (r!end The second ter at ?ed ond s%ed as )u!c&ly as had the f!rst ++ $actually #h!CCed a#ay'$ Ph!l!%%a sa!d* Anne enjoyed !t thoroughly !n all !ts %hases ++ the st! ulat!ng class r!"alry' the a&!ng and dee%en!ng of ne# and hel%ful fr!endsh!%s' the gay l!ttle soc!al stunts' the do!ngs of the "ar!ous soc!et!es of #h!ch she #as a e ber' the #!den!ng of hor!Cons and !nterests* She stud!ed hard' for she had ade u% her !nd to #!n the Thorburn Scholarsh!% !n Engl!sh* Th!s be!ng #on' eant that she could co e bac& to ?ed ond the next year #!thout trench!ng on Mar!lla4s s all sa"!ngs ++ so eth!ng Anne #as deter !ned she #ould not do* G!lbert' too' #as !n full chase after a scholarsh!%' but found %lenty of t! e for fre)uent calls at Th!rty+e!ght' St* @ohn4s* 6e #as Anne4s escort at nearly all the college affa!rs' and she &ne# that the!r na es #ere cou%led !n ?ed ond goss!%* Anne raged o"er th!s but #as hel%lessD she could not cast an old fr!end l!&e G!lbert as!de' es%ec!ally #hen he had gro#n suddenly #!se and #ary' as behoo"ed h! !n the dangerous %rox! !ty of ore than one ?ed ond youth #ho #ould gladly ha"e ta&en h!s %lace by the s!de of the slender' red+ha!red coed' #hose gray eyes #ere as allur!ng

as stars of e"en!ng* Anne #as ne"er attended by the cro#d of #!ll!ng "!ct! s #ho ho"ered around Ph!l!%%a4s con)uer!ng arch through her (resh an yearD but there #as a lan&y' bra!ny (resh!e' a jolly' l!ttle' round So%ho ore' and a tall' learned @un!or #ho all l!&ed to call at Th!rty+e!ght' St* @ohn4s' and tal& o"er 4olog!es and 4!s s' as #ell as l!ghter subjects' #!th Anne' !n the becush!oned %arlor of that do !c!le* G!lbert d!d not lo"e any of the ' and he #as exceed!ngly careful to g!"e none of the the ad"antage o"er h! by any unt! ely d!s%lay of h!s real feel!ngs Anne+#ard* To her he had beco e aga!n the boy+co rade of A"onlea days' and as such could hold h!s o#n aga!nst any s !tten s#a!n #ho had so far entered the l!sts aga!nst h! * As a co %an!on' Anne honestly ac&no#ledged nobody could be so sat!sfactory as G!lbertD she #as "ery glad' so she told herself' that he had e"!dently dro%%ed all nonsens!cal !deas ++ though she s%ent cons!derable t! e secretly #onder!ng #hy* -nly one d!sagreeable !nc!dent arred that #!nter* .harl!e Sloane' s!tt!ng bolt u%r!ght on M!ss Ada4s ost dearly belo"ed cush!on' as&ed Anne one n!ght !f she #ould %ro !se $to beco e Mrs* .harl!e Sloane so e day*$ .o !ng after B!lly Andre#s4 %roxy effort' th!s #as not )u!te the shoc& to Anne4s ro ant!c sens!b!l!t!es that !t #ould other#!se ha"e beenD but !t #as certa!nly another heart+rend!ng d!s!llus!on* She #as angry' too' for she felt that she had ne"er g!"en .harl!e the sl!ghtest encourage ent to su%%ose such a th!ng %oss!ble* But #hat could you ex%ect of a Sloane' as Mrs* ?achel Lynde #ould as& scornfullyF .harl!e4s #hole att!tude' tone' a!r' #ords' fa!rly ree&ed #!th Sloan!shness* $6e #as conferr!ng a great honor ++ no doubt #hate"er about that* And #hen Anne' utterly !nsens!ble to the honor' refused h! ' as del!cately and cons!derately as she could ++ for e"en a Sloane had feel!ngs #h!ch ought not to be unduly lacerated ++ Sloan!shness st!ll further betrayed !tself* .harl!e certa!nly d!d not ta&e h!s d!s !ssal as Anne4s ! ag!nary rejected su!tors d!d* Instead' he beca e angry' and sho#ed !tD he sa!d t#o or three )u!te nasty th!ngsD Anne4s te %er flashed u% ut!nously and she retorted #!th a cutt!ng l!ttle s%eech #hose &eenness %!erced e"en .harl!e4s %rotect!"e Sloan!shness and reached the )u!c&D he caught u% h!s hat and flung h! self out of the house #!th a "ery red faceD Anne rushed u%sta!rs' fall!ng t#!ce o"er M!ss Ada4s cush!ons on the #ay' and thre# herself on her bed' !n tears of hu !l!at!on and rage* 6ad she actually stoo%ed to )uarrel #!th a SloaneF >as !t %oss!ble anyth!ng .harl!e Sloane could say had %o#er to a&e her angryF -h' th!s #as degradat!on' !ndeed ++ #orse e"en than be!ng the r!"al of Nett!e Ble#ettE $I #!sh I need ne"er see the horr!ble creature aga!n'$ she sobbed

"!nd!ct!"ely !nto her %!llo#s* She could not a"o!d see!ng h! aga!n' but the outraged .harl!e too& care that !t should not be at "ery close )uarters* M!ss Ada4s cush!ons #ere henceforth safe fro h!s de%redat!ons' and #hen he et Anne on the street' or !n ?ed ond4s halls' h!s bo# #as !cy !n the extre e* ?elat!ons bet#een these t#o old school ates cont!nued to be thus stra!ned for nearly a yearE Then .harl!e transferred h!s bl!ghted affect!ons to a round' rosy' snub+nosed' blue+eyed' l!ttle So%ho ore #ho a%%rec!ated the as they deser"ed' #hereu%on he forga"e Anne and condescended to be c!"!l to her aga!nD !n a %atron!C!ng anner !ntended to sho# her just #hat she had lost* -ne day Anne scurr!ed exc!tedly !nto Pr!sc!lla4s roo * $?ead that'$ she cr!ed' toss!ng Pr!sc!lla a letter* $It4s fro Stella ++ and she4s co !ng to ?ed ond next year ++ and #hat do you th!n& of her !deaF I th!n& !t4s a %erfectly s%lend!d one' !f #e can only carry !t out* Do you su%%ose #e can' Pr!sF$ $I4ll be better able to tell you #hen I f!nd out #hat !t !s'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' cast!ng as!de a Gree& lex!con and ta&!ng u% Stella4s letter* Stella Maynard had been one of the!r chu s at Hueen4s Acade y and had been teach!ng school e"er s!nce* $But I4 go!ng to g!"e !t u%' Anne dear'$ she #rote' $and go to college next year* As I too& the th!rd year at Hueen4s I can enter the So%ho ore year* I4 t!red of teach!ng !n a bac& country school* So e day I4 go!ng to #r!te a treat!se on GThe Tr!als of a .ountry School ar *4 It #!ll be a harro#!ng b!t of real!s * It see s to be the %re"a!l!ng ! %ress!on that #e l!"e !n clo"er' and ha"e noth!ng to do but dra# our )uarter4s salary* My treat!se shall tell the truth about us* >hy' !f a #ee& should %ass #!thout so e one tell!ng e that I a do!ng easy #or& for b!g %ay I #ould conclude that I !ght as #ell order y ascens!on robe G! ed!ately and to onct*4 G>ell' you get your oney easy'4 so e rate+%ayer #!ll tell e' condescend!ngly* GAll you ha"e to do !s to s!t there and hear lessons*4 I used to argue the atter at f!rst' but I4 #!ser no#* (acts are stubborn th!ngs' but as so e one has #!sely sa!d' not half so stubborn as fallac!es* So I only s !le loft!ly no# !n elo)uent s!lence* >hy' I ha"e n!ne grades !n y school and I ha"e to teach a l!ttle of e"eryth!ng' fro !n"est!gat!ng the !nter!ors of earth#or s to the study of the solar syste * My youngest %u%!l !s four ++ h!s other sends h! to school to Gget h! out of the #ay4 ++ and y oldest t#enty

++ !t Gsuddenly struc& h! 4 that !t #ould be eas!er to go to school and get an educat!on than follo# the %lough any longer* In the #!ld effort to cra all sorts of research !nto s!x hours a day I don4t #onder !f the ch!ldren feel l!&e the l!ttle boy #ho #as ta&en to see the b!ogra%h* GI ha"e to loo& for #hat4s co !ng next before I &no# #hat #ent last'4 he co %la!ned* I feel l!&e that yself* $And the letters I get' AnneE To y4s other #r!tes e that To y !s not co !ng on !n ar!th et!c as fast as she #ould l!&e* 6e !s only !n s! %le reduct!on yet' and @ohnny @ohnson !s !n fract!ons' and @ohnny !sn4t half as s art as her To y' and she can4t understand !t* And Susy4s father #ants to &no# #hy Susy can4t #r!te a letter #!thout !ss%ell!ng half the #ords' and D!c&4s aunt #ants e to change h!s seat' because that bad Bro#n boy he !s s!tt!ng #!th !s teach!ng h! to say naughty #ords* $As to the f!nanc!al %art ++ but I4ll not beg!n on that* Those #ho the gods #!sh to destroy they f!rst a&e country school ar sE $There' I feel better' after that gro#l* After all' I4"e enjoyed these %ast t#o years* But I4 co !ng to ?ed ond* $And no#' Anne' I4"e a l!ttle %lan* ,ou &no# ho# I loathe board!ng* I4"e boarded for four years and I4 so t!red of !t* I don4t feel l!&e endur!ng three years ore of !t* No#' #hy can4t you and Pr!sc!lla and I club together' rent a l!ttle house so e#here !n A!ngs%ort' and board oursel"esF It #ould be chea%er than any other #ay* -f course' #e #ould ha"e to ha"e a house&ee%er and I ha"e one ready on the s%ot* ,ou4"e heard e s%ea& of Aunt @a es!naF She4s the s#eetest aunt that e"er l!"ed' !n s%!te of her na e* She can4t hel% thatE She #as called @a es!na because her father' #hose na e #as @a es' #as dro#ned at sea a onth before she #as born* I al#ays call her Aunt @! s!e* >ell' her only daughter has recently arr!ed and gone to the fore!gn !ss!on f!eld* Aunt @a es!na !s left alone !n a great b!g house' and she !s horr!bly loneso e* She #!ll co e to A!ngs%ort and &ee% house for us !f #e #ant her' and I &no# you4ll both lo"e her* The ore I th!n& of the %lan the ore I l!&e !t* >e could ha"e such good' !nde%endent t! es* $No#' !f you and Pr!sc!lla agree to !t' #ouldn4t !t be a good !dea for you' #ho are on the s%ot' to loo& around and see !f you can f!nd a su!table house th!s s%r!ngF That #ould be better than lea"!ng !t t!ll the fall* If you could get a furn!shed one so

uch the better' but !f not' #e can scare u% a fe# st!c&s of f!n!ture bet#een us and old fa !ly fr!ends #!th att!cs* Anyho#' dec!de as soon as you can and #r!te e' so that Aunt @a es!na #!ll &no# #hat %lans to a&e for next year*$ $I th!n& !t4s a good !dea'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla* $So do I'$ agreed Anne del!ghtedly* $-f course' #e ha"e a n!ce board!nghouse here' but' #hen all4s sa!d and done' a board!nghouse !sn4t ho e* So let4s go house+hunt!ng at once' before exa s co e on*$ $I4 afra!d !t #!ll be hard enough to get a really su!table house'$ #arned Pr!sc!lla* $Don4t ex%ect too uch' Anne* N!ce houses !n n!ce local!t!es #!ll %robably be a#ay beyond our eans* >e4ll l!&ely ha"e to content oursel"es #!th a shabby l!ttle %lace on so e street #hereon l!"e %eo%le #ho to &no# !s to be un&no#n' and a&e l!fe !ns!de co %ensate for the outs!de*$ Accord!ngly they #ent house+hunt!ng' but to f!nd just #hat they #anted %ro"ed e"en harder than Pr!sc!lla had feared* 6ouses there #ere galore' furn!shed and unfurn!shedD but one #as too b!g' another too s allD th!s one too ex%ens!"e' that one too far fro ?ed ond* Exa s #ere on and o"erD the last #ee& of the ter ca e and st!ll the!r $house o4drea s'$ as Anne called !t' re a!ned a castle !n the a!r* $>e shall ha"e to g!"e u% and #a!t t!ll the fall' I su%%ose'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla #ear!ly' as they ra bled through the %ar& on one of A%r!l4s darl!ng days of breeCe and blue' #hen the harbor #as crea !ng and sh! er!ng beneath the %earl+hued !sts float!ng o"er !t* $>e ay f!nd so e shac& to shelter us thenD and !f not' board!nghouses #e shall ha"e al#ays #!th us*$ $I4 not go!ng to #orry about !t just no#' any#ay' and s%o!l th!s lo"ely afternoon'$ sa!d Anne' gaC!ng around her #!th del!ght* The fresh ch!ll a!r #as fa!ntly charged #!th the aro a of %!ne balsa ' and the s&y abo"e #as crystal clear and blue ++ a great !n"erted cu% of bless!ng* $S%r!ng !s s!ng!ng !n y blood today' and the lure of A%r!l !s abroad on the a!r* I4 see!ng "!s!ons and drea !ng drea s' Pr!s* That4s because the #!nd !s fro the #est* I do lo"e the #est #!nd* It s!ngs of ho%e and gladness' doesn4t !tF >hen the east #!nd blo#s I al#ays th!n& of sorro#ful ra!n on the ea"es and sad #a"es on a gray shore* >hen I get old I shall ha"e rheu at!s #hen the #!nd !s east*$ $And !sn4t !t jolly #hen you d!scard furs and #!nter gar ents

for the f!rst t! e and sally forth' l!&e th!s' !n s%r!ng att!reF$ laughed Pr!sc!lla* $Don4t you feel as !f you had been ade o"er ne#F$ $E"eryth!ng !s ne# !n the s%r!ng'$ sa!d Anne* $S%r!ngs the sel"es are al#ays so ne#' too* No s%r!ng !s e"er just l!&e any other s%r!ng* It al#ays has so eth!ng of !ts o#n to be !ts o#n %ecul!ar s#eetness* See ho# green the grass !s around that l!ttle %ond' and ho# the #!llo# buds are burst!ng*$ $And exa s are o"er and gone ++ the t! e of .on"ocat!on #!ll co e soon ++ next >ednesday* Th!s day next #ee& #e4ll be ho e*$ $I4 glad'$ sa!d Anne drea !ly* $There are so any th!ngs I #ant to do* I #ant to s!t on the bac& %orch ste%s and feel the breeCe blo#!ng do#n o"er Mr* 6arr!son4s f!elds* I #ant to hunt ferns !n the 6aunted >ood and gather "!olets !n 3!olet 3ale* Do you re e ber the day of our golden %!cn!c' Pr!sc!llaF I #ant to hear the frogs s!ng!ng and the %o%lars #h!s%er!ng* But I4"e learned to lo"e A!ngs%ort' too' and I4 glad I4 co !ng bac& next fall* If I hadn4t #on the Thorburn I don4t bel!e"e I could ha"e* I .-=LDN4T ta&e any of Mar!lla4s l!ttle hoard*$ $If #e could only f!nd a houseE$ s!ghed Pr!sc!lla* $Loo& o"er there at A!ngs%ort' Anne ++ houses' houses e"ery#here' and not one for us*$ $Sto% !t' Pr!s* GThe best !s yet to be*4 L!&e the old ?o an' #e4ll f!nd a house or bu!ld one* -n a day l!&e th!s there4s no such #ord as fa!l !n y br!ght lex!con*$ They l!ngered !n the %ar& unt!l sunset' l!"!ng !n the a aC!ng !racle and glory and #onder of the s%r!ngt!deD and they #ent ho e as usual' by #ay of S%offord A"enue' that they !ght ha"e the del!ght of loo&!ng at Patty4s Place* $I feel as !f so eth!ng yster!ous #ere go!ng to ha%%en r!ght a#ay ++ Gby the %r!c&!ng of y thu bs'4 $ sa!d Anne' as they #ent u% the slo%e* $It4s a n!ce story+boo&!sh feel!ng* >hy ++ #hy ++ #hyE Pr!sc!lla Grant' loo& o"er there and tell e !f !t4s true' or a I see!n4 th!ngsF$ Pr!sc!lla loo&ed* Anne4s thu bs and eyes had not dece!"ed her* -"er the arched gate#ay of Patty4s Place dangled a l!ttle' odest s!gn* It sa!d $To Let' (urn!shed* In)u!re >!th!n*$ $Pr!sc!lla'$ sa!d Anne' !n a #h!s%er' $do you su%%ose !t4s

%oss!ble that #e could rent Patty4s PlaceF$ $No' I don4t'$ a"erred Pr!sc!lla* $It #ould be too good to be true* (a!ry tales don4t ha%%en no#adays* I #on4t ho%e' Anne* The d!sa%%o!nt ent #ould be too a#ful to bear* They4re sure to #ant ore for !t than #e can afford* ?e e ber' !t4s on S%offord A"enue*$ $>e ust f!nd out anyho#'$ sa!d Anne resolutely* $It4s too late to call th!s e"en!ng' but #e4ll co e to orro#* -h' Pr!s' !f #e can get th!s darl!ng s%otE I4"e al#ays felt that y fortunes #ere l!n&ed #!th Patty4s Place' e"er s!nce I sa# !t f!rst*$

.ha%ter < Patty4s Place The next e"en!ng found the tread!ng resolutely the herr!ng+bone #al& through the t!ny garden* The A%r!l #!nd #as f!ll!ng the %!ne trees #!th !ts roundelay' and the gro"e #as al!"e #!th rob!ns ++ great' %lu %' saucy fello#s' strutt!ng along the %aths* The g!rls rang rather t! !dly' and #ere ad !tted by a gr! and anc!ent hand a!den* The door o%ened d!rectly !nto a large l!"!ng+roo ' #here by a cheery l!ttle f!re sat t#o other lad!es' both of #ho #ere also gr! and anc!ent* Exce%t that one loo&ed to be about se"enty and the other f!fty' there see ed l!ttle d!fference bet#een the * Each had a aC!ngly b!g' l!ght+blue eyes beh!nd steel+r! ed s%ectaclesD each #ore a ca% and a gray sha#lD each #as &n!tt!ng #!thout haste and #!thout restD each roc&ed %lac!dly and loo&ed at the g!rls #!thout s%ea&!ngD and just beh!nd each sat a large #h!te ch!na dog' #!th round green s%ots all o"er !t' a green nose and green ears* Those dogs ca%tured Anne4s fancy on the s%otD they see ed l!&e the t#!n guard!an de!t!es of Patty4s Place* (or a fe# !nutes nobody s%o&e* The g!rls #ere too ner"ous to f!nd #ords' and ne!ther the anc!ent lad!es nor the ch!na dogs see ed con"ersat!onally !ncl!ned* Anne glanced about the roo * >hat a dear %lace !t #asE Another door o%ened out of !t d!rectly !nto the %!ne gro"e and the rob!ns ca e boldly u% on the "ery ste%* The floor #as s%otted #!th round' bra!ded ats' such as Mar!lla ade at Green Gables' but #h!ch #ere cons!dered out of date

e"ery#here else' e"en !n A"onlea* And yet here they #ere on S%offord A"enueE A b!g' %ol!shed grandfather4s cloc& t!c&ed loudly and sole nly !n a corner* There #ere del!ghtful l!ttle cu%boards o"er the antel%!ece' beh!nd #hose glass doors glea ed )ua!nt b!ts of ch!na* The #alls #ere hung #!th old %r!nts and s!lhouettes* In one corner the sta!rs #ent u%' and at the f!rst lo# turn #as a long #!ndo# #!th an !n"!t!ng seat* It #as all just as Anne had &no#n !t ust be* By th!s t! e the s!lence had gro#n too dreadful' and Pr!sc!lla nudged Anne to !nt! ate that she ust s%ea&* $>e ++ #e ++ sa# by your s!gn that th!s house !s to let'$ sa!d Anne fa!ntly' address!ng the older lady' #ho #as e"!dently M!ss Patty S%offord* $-h' yes'$ sa!d M!ss Patty* $I !ntended to ta&e that s!gn do#n today*$ $Then ++ then #e are too late'$ sa!d Anne sorro#fully* $,ou4"e let !t to so e one elseF$ $No' but #e ha"e dec!ded not to let !t at all*$ $-h' I4 so sorry'$ excla! ed Anne ! %uls!"ely* $I lo"e th!s %lace so* I d!d ho%e #e could ha"e got !t*$ Then d!d M!ss Patty lay do#n her &n!tt!ng' ta&e off her s%ecs' rub the ' %ut the on aga!n' and for the f!rst t! e loo& at Anne as at a hu an be!ng* The other lady follo#ed her exa %le so %erfectly that she !ght as #ell ha"e been a reflect!on !n a !rror* $,ou L-3E !t'$ sa!d M!ss Patty #!th e %has!s* $Does that ean that you really L-3E !tF -r that you erely l!&e the loo&s of !tF The g!rls no#adays !ndulge !n such exaggerated state ents that one ne"er can tell #hat they D- ean* It #asn4t so !n y young days* T6EN a g!rl d!d not say she L-3ED turn!%s' !n just the sa e tone as she !ght ha"e sa!d she lo"ed her other or her Sa"!or*$ Anne4s consc!ence bore her u%* $I really do lo"e !t'$ she sa!d gently* $I4"e lo"ed !t e"er s!nce I sa# !t last fall* My t#o college chu s and I #ant to &ee% house next year !nstead of board!ng' so #e are loo&!ng for a l!ttle %lace to rentD and #hen I sa# that th!s house #as to let I #as so ha%%y*$ $If you lo"e !t' you can ha"e !t'$ sa!d M!ss Patty* $Mar!a and I dec!ded today that #e #ould not let !t after all' because #e d!d

not l!&e any of the %eo%le #ho ha"e #anted !t* >e don4t 6A3E to let !t* >e can afford to go to Euro%e e"en !f #e don4t let !t* It #ould hel% us out' but not for gold #!ll I let y ho e %ass !nto the %ossess!on of such %eo%le as ha"e co e here and loo&ed at !t* ,-= are d!fferent* I bel!e"e you do lo"e !t and #!ll be good to !t* ,ou can ha"e !t*$ $If ++ !f #e can afford to %ay #hat you as& for !t'$ hes!tated Anne* M!ss Patty na ed the a ount re)u!red* Anne and Pr!sc!lla loo&ed at each other* Pr!sc!lla shoo& her head* $I4 afra!d #e can4t afford )u!te so uch'$ sa!d Anne' cho&!ng bac& her d!sa%%o!nt ent* $,ou see' #e are only college g!rls and #e are %oor*$ $>hat #ere you th!n&!ng you could affordF$ de anded M!ss Patty' ceas!ng not to &n!t* Anne na ed her a ount* M!ss Patty nodded gra"ely* $That #!ll do* As I told you' !t !s not str!ctly necessary that #e should let !t at all* >e are not r!ch' but #e ha"e enough to go to Euro%e on* I ha"e ne"er been !n Euro%e !n y l!fe' and ne"er ex%ected or #anted to go* But y n!ece there' Mar!a S%offord' has ta&en a fancy to go* No#' you &no# a young %erson l!&e Mar!a can4t go globetrott!ng alone*$ $No ++ I ++ I su%%ose not'$ ur ured Anne' see!ng that M!ss Patty #as )u!te sole nly !n earnest* $-f course not* So I ha"e to go along to loo& after her* I ex%ect to enjoy !t' tooD I4 se"enty years old' but I4 not t!red of l!"!ng yet* I daresay I4d ha"e gone to Euro%e before !f the !dea had occurred to e* >e shall be a#ay for t#o years' %erha%s three* >e sa!l !n @une and #e shall send you the &ey' and lea"e all !n order for you to ta&e %ossess!on #hen you choose* >e shall %ac& a#ay a fe# th!ngs #e %r!Ce es%ec!ally' but all the rest #!ll be left*$ $>!ll you lea"e the ch!na dogsF$ as&ed Anne t! !dly* $>ould you l!&e e toF$

$-h' !ndeed' yes* They are del!ghtful*$ A %leased ex%ress!on ca e !nto M!ss Patty4s face*

$I th!n& a great deal of those dogs'$ she sa!d %roudly* $They are o"er a hundred years old' and they ha"e sat on e!ther s!de of th!s f!re%lace e"er s!nce y brother Aaron brought the fro London f!fty years ago* S%offord A"enue #as called after y brother Aaron*$ $A f!ne an he #as'$ sa!d M!ss Mar!a' s%ea&!ng for the f!rst t! e* $Ah' you don4t see the l!&e of h! no#adays*$ $6e #as a good uncle to you' Mar!a'$ sa!d M!ss Patty' #!th e"!dent e ot!on* $,ou do #ell to re e ber h! *$ $I shall al#ays re e ber h! '$ sa!d M!ss Mar!a sole nly* $I can see h! ' th!s !nute' stand!ng there before that f!re' #!th h!s hands under h!s coat+ta!ls' bea !ng on us*$ M!ss Mar!a too& out her hand&erch!ef and #!%ed her eyesD but M!ss Patty ca e resolutely bac& fro the reg!ons of sent! ent to those of bus!ness* $I shall lea"e the dogs #here they are' !f you #!ll %ro !se to be "ery careful of the '$ she sa!d* $The!r na es are Gog and Magog* Gog loo&s to the r!ght and Magog to the left* And there4s just one th!ng ore* ,ou don4t object' I ho%e' to th!s house be!ng called Patty4s PlaceF$ $No' !ndeed* >e th!n& that !s one of the n!cest th!ngs about !t*$ $,ou ha"e sense' I see'$ sa!d M!ss Patty !n a tone of great sat!sfact!on* $>ould you bel!e"e !tF All the %eo%le #ho ca e here to rent the house #anted to &no# !f they couldn4t ta&e the na e off the gate dur!ng the!r occu%at!on of !t* I told the roundly that the na e #ent #!th the house* Th!s has been Patty4s Place e"er s!nce y brother Aaron left !t to e !n h!s #!ll' and Patty4s Place !t shall re a!n unt!l I d!e and Mar!a d!es* After that ha%%ens the next %ossessor can call !t any fool na e he l!&es'$ concluded M!ss Patty' uch as she !ght ha"e sa!d' $After that ++ the deluge*$ $And no#' #ouldn4t you l!&e to go o"er the house and see !t all before #e cons!der the barga!n adeF$ (urther ex%lorat!on st!ll further del!ghted the g!rls* Bes!des the b!g l!"!ng+roo ' there #as a &!tchen and a s all bedroo do#nsta!rs* =%sta!rs #ere three roo s' one large and t#o s all* Anne too& an es%ec!al fancy to one of the s all ones' loo&!ng out !nto the b!g %!nes' and ho%ed !t #ould be hers* It #as %a%ered !n %ale blue and had a l!ttle' old+t! ey to!let table #!th sconces for candles* There #as a d!a ond+%aned #!ndo# #!th a seat under the blue usl!n fr!lls that #ould be a sat!sfy!ng s%ot for study!ng or drea !ng*

$It4s all so del!c!ous that I &no# #e are go!ng to #a&e u% and f!nd !t a fleet!ng "!s!on of the n!ght'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla as they #ent a#ay* $M!ss Patty and M!ss Mar!a are hardly such stuff as drea s are ade of'$ laughed Anne* $.an you fancy the Gglobe+trott!ng4 ++ es%ec!ally !n those sha#ls and ca%sF$ $I su%%ose they4ll ta&e the off #hen they really beg!n to trot'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla' $but I &no# they4ll ta&e the!r &n!tt!ng #!th the e"ery#here* They s! %ly couldn4t be %arted fro !t* They #!ll #al& about >est !nster Abbey and &n!t' I feel sure* Mean#h!le' Anne' #e shall be l!"!ng !n Patty4s Place ++ and on S%offord A"enue* I feel l!&e a !ll!ona!ress e"en no#*$ $I feel l!&e one of the orn!ng stars that sang for joy'$ sa!d Anne*

Ph!l Gordon cre%t !nto Th!rty+e!ght' St* @ohn4s' that n!ght and flung herself on Anne4s bed* $G!rls' dear' I4 t!red to death* I feel l!&e the an #!thout a country ++ or #as !t #!thout a shado#F I forget #h!ch* Any#ay' I4"e been %ac&!ng u%*$ $And I su%%ose you are #orn out because you couldn4t dec!de #h!ch th!ngs to %ac& f!rst' or #here to %ut the '$ laughed Pr!sc!lla* $E+Cac&ly* And #hen I had got e"eryth!ng ja ed !n so eho#' and y landlady and her a!d had both sat on !t #h!le I loc&ed !t' I d!sco"ered I had %ac&ed a #hole lot of th!ngs I #anted for .on"ocat!on at the "ery botto * I had to unloc& the old th!ng and %o&e and d!"e !nto !t for an hour before I f!shed out #hat I #anted* I #ould get hold of so eth!ng that felt l!&e #hat I #as loo&!ng for' and I4d yan& !t u%' and !t #ould be so eth!ng else* No' Anne' I d!d N-T s#ear*$ $I d!dn4t say you d!d*$ $>ell' you loo&ed !t* But I ad !t y thoughts "erged on the %rofane* And I ha"e such a cold !n the head ++ I can do noth!ng but sn!ffle' s!gh and sneeCe* Isn4t that all!terat!"e agony for youF Hueen Anne' do say so eth!ng to cheer e u%*$ $?e e ber that next Thursday n!ght' you4ll be bac& !n the land of Alec and AlonCo'$ suggested Anne* Ph!l shoo& her head dolefully*

$More all!terat!on* No' I don4t #ant Alec and AlonCo #hen I ha"e a cold !n the head* But #hat has ha%%ened you t#oF No# that I loo& at you closely you see all l!ghted u% #!th an !nternal !r!descence* >hy' you4re actually S6ININGE >hat4s u%F$ $>e are go!ng to l!"e !n Patty4s Place next #!nter'$ sa!d Anne tr!u %hantly* $L!"e' ar& you' not boardE >e4"e rented !t' and Stella Maynard !s co !ng' and her aunt !s go!ng to &ee% house for us*$ Ph!l bounced u%' #!%ed her nose' and fell on her &nees before Anne* $G!rls ++ g!rls ++ let e co e' too* -h' I4ll be so good* If there4s no roo for e I4ll slee% !n the l!ttle doghouse !n the orchard ++ I4"e seen !t* -nly let e co e*$ $Get u%' you goose*$ $I #on4t st!r off y arro# bones t!ll you tell #!th you next #!nter*$ e I can l!"e

Anne and Pr!sc!lla loo&ed at each other* Then Anne sa!d slo#ly' $Ph!l dear' #e4d lo"e to ha"e you* But #e ay as #ell s%ea& %la!nly* I4 %oor ++ Pr!s !s %oor ++ Stella Maynard !s %oor ++ our house&ee%!ng #!ll ha"e to be "ery s! %le and our table %la!n* ,ou4d ha"e to l!"e as #e #ould* No#' you are r!ch and your board!nghouse fare attests the fact*$ $-h' #hat do I care for thatF$ de anded Ph!l trag!cally* $Better a d!nner of herbs #here your chu s are than a stalled ox !n a lonely board!nghouse* Don4t th!n& I4 ALL sto ach' g!rls* I4ll be #!ll!ng to l!"e on bread and #ater ++ #!th just a LEETLE ja ++ !f you4ll let e co e*$ $And then'$ cont!nued Anne' $there #!ll be a good deal of #or& to be done* Stella4s aunt can4t do !t all* >e all ex%ect to ha"e our chores to do* No#' you ++ $ $To!l not' ne!ther do I s%!n'$ f!n!shed Ph!l!%%a* $But I4ll learn to do th!ngs* ,ou4ll only ha"e to sho# e once* I .AN a&e y o#n bed to beg!n #!th* And re e ber that' though I can4t coo&' I .AN &ee% y te %er* That4s so eth!ng* And I NE3E? gro#l about the #eather* That4s ore* -h' %lease' %leaseE I ne"er #anted anyth!ng so uch !n y l!fe ++ and th!s floor !s a#fully hard*$ $There4s just one ore th!ng'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla resolutely* $,ou' Ph!l' as all ?ed ond &no#s' enterta!n callers al ost e"ery

e"en!ng* No#' at Patty4s Place #e can4t do that* >e ha"e dec!ded that #e shall be at ho e to our fr!ends on (r!day e"en!ngs only* If you co e #!th us you4ll ha"e to ab!de by that rule*$ $>ell' you don4t th!n& I4ll !nd that' do youF >hy' I4 glad of !t* I &ne# I should ha"e had so e such rule yself' but I hadn4t enough dec!s!on to a&e !t or st!c& to !t* >hen I can shuffle off the res%ons!b!l!ty on you !t #!ll be a real rel!ef* If you #on4t let e cast !n y lot #!th you I4ll d!e of the d!sa%%o!nt ent and then I4ll co e bac& and haunt you* I4ll ca % on the "ery doorste% of Patty4s Place and you #on4t be able to go out or co e !n #!thout fall!ng o"er y s%oo&*$ Aga!n Anne and Pr!sc!lla exchanged elo)uent loo&s* $>ell'$ sa!d Anne' $of course #e can4t %ro !se to ta&e you unt!l #e4"e consulted #!th StellaD but I don4t th!n& she4ll object' and' as far as #e are concerned' you ay co e and glad #elco e*$ $If you get t!red of our s! %le l!fe you can lea"e us' and no )uest!ons as&ed'$ added Pr!sc!lla* Ph!l s%rang u%' hugged the rejo!c!ng* both jub!lantly' and #ent on her #ay

$I ho%e th!ngs #!ll go r!ght'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla soberly* $>e ust MAAE the go r!ght'$ a"o#ed Anne* $I th!n& Ph!l #!ll f!t !nto our 4a%%y l!ttle 4o e "ery #ell*$ $-h' Ph!l4s a dear to rattle round #!th and be chu s* And' of course' the ore there are of us the eas!er !t #!ll be on our sl! %urses* But ho# #!ll she be to l!"e #!thF ,ou ha"e to su er and #!nter #!th any one before you &no# !f she4s LI3ABLE or not*$ $-h' #ell' #e4ll all be %ut to the test' as far as that goes* And #e ust )u!t us l!&e sens!ble fol&' l!"!ng and let l!"e* Ph!l !sn4t self!sh' though she4s a l!ttle thoughtless' and I bel!e"e #e #!ll all get on beaut!fully !n Patty4s Place*$

.ha%ter <I The ?ound of L!fe

Anne #as bac& !n A"onlea #!th the luster of the Thorburn Scholarsh!% on her bro#* Peo%le told her she hadn4t changed uch' !n a tone #h!ch h!nted they #ere sur%r!sed and a l!ttle d!sa%%o!nted she hadn4t* A"onlea had not changed' e!ther* At least' so !t see ed at f!rst* But as Anne sat !n the Green Gables %e#' on the f!rst Sunday after her return' and loo&ed o"er the congregat!on' she sa# se"eral l!ttle changes #h!ch' all co !ng ho e to her at once' ade her real!Ce that t! e d!d not )u!te stand st!ll' e"en !n A"onlea* A ne# !n!ster #as !n the %ul%!t* In the %e#s ore than one fa !l!ar face #as !ss!ng fore"er* -ld $=ncle Abe'$ h!s %ro%hesy!ng o"er and done #!th' Mrs* Peter Sloane' #ho had s!ghed' !t #as to be ho%ed' for the last t! e' T! othy .otton' #ho' as Mrs* ?achel Lynde sa!d $had actually anaged to d!e at last after %ract!c!ng at !t for t#enty years'$ and old @os!ah Sloane' #ho nobody &ne# !n h!s coff!n because he had h!s #h!s&ers neatly tr! ed' #ere all slee%!ng !n the l!ttle gra"eyard beh!nd the church* And B!lly Andre#s #as arr!ed to Nett!e Ble#ettE They $a%%eared out$ that Sunday* >hen B!lly' bea !ng #!th %r!de and ha%%!ness' sho#ed h!s be+%lu ed and be+s!l&ed br!de !nto the 6ar on Andre#s4 %e#' Anne dro%%ed her l!ds to h!de her danc!ng eyes* She recalled the stor y #!nter n!ght of the .hr!st as hol!days #hen @ane had %ro%osed for B!lly* 6e certa!nly had not bro&en h!s heart o"er h!s reject!on* Anne #ondered !f @ane had also %ro%osed to Nett!e for h! ' or !f he had ustered enough s%un& to as& the fateful )uest!on h! self* All the Andre#s fa !ly see ed to share !n h!s %r!de and %leasure' fro Mrs* 6ar on !n the %e# to @ane !n the cho!r* @ane had res!gned fro the A"onlea school and !ntended to go >est !n the fall* $.an4t get a beau !n A"onlea' that4s #hat'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel Lynde scornfully* $SA,S she th!n&s she4ll ha"e better health out >est* I ne"er heard her health #as %oor before*$ $@ane !s a n!ce g!rl'$ Anne had sa!d loyally* $She ne"er tr!ed to attract attent!on' as so e d!d*$ $-h' she ne"er chased the boys' !f that4s #hat you ean'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel* $But she4d l!&e to be arr!ed' just as uch as anybody' that4s #hat* >hat else #ould ta&e her out >est to so e forsa&en %lace #hose only reco endat!on !s that en are %lenty and #o en scarceF Don4t you tell eE$ But !t #as not at @ane' Anne gaCed that day !n d!s ay and sur%r!se* It #as at ?uby G!ll!s' #ho sat bes!de her !n the cho!r* >hat had ha%%ened to ?ubyF She #as e"en handso er than e"erD but her blue eyes #ere too br!ght and lustrous' and the color of her chee&s #as

hect!cally br!ll!antD bes!des' she #as "ery th!nD the hands that held her hy n+boo& #ere al ost trans%arent !n the!r del!cacy* $Is ?uby G!ll!s !llF$ Anne as&ed of Mrs* Lynde' as they #ent ho e fro church* $?uby G!ll!s !s dy!ng of gallo%!ng consu %t!on'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde bluntly* $E"erybody &no#s !t exce%t herself and her (AMIL,* They #on4t g!"e !n* If you as& T6EM' she4s %erfectly #ell* She hasn4t been able to teach s!nce she had that attac& of congest!on !n the #!nter' but she says she4s go!ng to teach aga!n !n the fall' and she4s after the >h!te Sands school* She4ll be !n her gra"e' %oor g!rl' #hen >h!te Sands school o%ens' that4s #hat*$ Anne l!stened !n shoc&ed s!lence* ?uby G!ll!s' her old school+chu ' dy!ngF .ould !t be %oss!bleF -f late years they had gro#n a%artD but the old t!e of school+g!rl !nt! acy #as there' and ade !tself felt shar%ly !n the tug the ne#s ga"e at Anne4s heartstr!ngs* ?uby' the br!ll!ant' the erry' the co)uett!shE It #as ! %oss!ble to assoc!ate the thought of her #!th anyth!ng l!&e death* She had greeted Anne #!th gay cord!al!ty after church' and urged her to co e u% the next e"en!ng* $I4ll be a#ay Tuesday and >ednesday e"en!ngs'$ she had #h!s%ered tr!u %hantly* $There4s a concert at .ar ody and a %arty at >h!te Sands* 6erb S%encer4s go!ng to ta&e e* 6e4s y LATEST* Be sure to co e u% to orro#* I4 dy!ng for a good tal& #!th you* I #ant to hear all about your do!ngs at ?ed ond*$ Anne &ne# that ?uby eant that she #anted to tell Anne all about her o#n recent fl!rtat!ons' but she %ro !sed to go' and D!ana offered to go #!th her* $I4"e been #ant!ng to go to see ?uby for a long #h!le'$ she told Anne' #hen they left Green Gables the next e"en!ng' $but I really couldn4t go alone* It4s so a#ful to hear ?uby rattl!ng on as she does' and %retend!ng there !s noth!ng the atter #!th her' e"en #hen she can hardly s%ea& for cough!ng* She4s f!ght!ng so hard for her l!fe' and yet she hasn4t any chance at all' they say*$ The g!rls #al&ed s!lently do#n the red' t#!l!t road* The rob!ns #ere s!ng!ng "es%ers !n the h!gh treeto%s' f!ll!ng the golden a!r #!th the!r jub!lant "o!ces* The s!l"er flut!ng of the frogs ca e fro arshes and %onds' o"er f!elds #here seeds #ere beg!nn!ng to st!r #!th l!fe and thr!ll to the sunsh!ne and ra!n that had

dr!fted o"er the * The a!r #as fragrant #!th the #!ld' s#eet' #holeso e s ell of young ras%berry co%ses* >h!te !sts #ere ho"er!ng !n the s!lent hollo#s and "!olet stars #ere sh!n!ng bluely on the broo&lands* $>hat a beaut!ful sunset'$ sa!d D!ana* $Loo&' Anne' !t4s just l!&e a land !n !tself' !sn4t !tF That long' lo# bac& of %ur%le cloud !s the shore' and the clear s&y further on !s l!&e a golden sea*$ $If #e could sa!l to !t !n the oonsh!ne boat Paul #rote of !n h!s old co %os!t!on ++ you re e berF ++ ho# n!ce !t #ould be'$ sa!d Anne' rous!ng fro her re"er!e* $Do you th!n& #e could f!nd all our yesterdays there' D!ana ++ all our old s%r!ngs and blosso sF The beds of flo#ers that Paul sa# there are the roses that ha"e bloo ed for us !n the %astF$ $Don4tE$ sa!d D!ana* $,ou a&e e feel as !f #e #ere old #o en #!th e"eryth!ng !n l!fe beh!nd us*$ $I th!n& I4"e al ost felt as !f #e #ere s!nce I heard about %oor ?uby'$ sa!d Anne* $If !t !s true that she !s dy!ng any other sad th!ng !ght be true' too*$ $,ou don4t !nd call!ng !n at El!sha >r!ght4s for a o ent' do youF$ as&ed D!ana* $Mother as&ed e to lea"e th!s l!ttle d!sh of jelly for Aunt Atossa*$ $>ho !s Aunt AtossaF$ $-h' ha"en4t you heardF She4s Mrs* Sa son .oates of S%encer"ale ++ Mrs* El!sha >r!ght4s aunt* She4s father4s aunt' too* 6er husband d!ed last #!nter and she #as left "ery %oor and lonely' so the >r!ghts too& her to l!"e #!th the * Mother thought #e ought to ta&e her' but father %ut h!s foot do#n* L!"e #!th Aunt Atossa he #ould not*$ $Is she so terr!bleF$ as&ed Anne absently* $,ou4ll %robably see #hat she4s l!&e before #e can get a#ay'$ sa!d D!ana s!gn!f!cantly* $(ather says she has a face l!&e a hatchet ++ !t cuts the a!r* But her tongue !s shar%er st!ll*$ Late as !t #as Aunt Atossa #as cutt!ng %otato sets !n the >r!ght &!tchen* She #ore a faded old #ra%%er' and her gray ha!r #as dec!dedly unt!dy* Aunt Atossa d!d not l!&e be!ng $caught !n a &!lter'$ so she #ent out of her #ay to be d!sagreeable*

$-h' so you4re Anne Sh!rleyF$ she sa!d' #hen D!ana !ntroduced Anne* $I4"e heard of you*$ 6er tone ! %l!ed that she had heard noth!ng good* $Mrs* Andre#s #as tell!ng e you #ere ho e* She sa!d you had ! %ro"ed a good deal*$ There #as no doubt Aunt Atossa thought there #as %lenty of roo for further ! %ro"e ent* She ceased not fro cutt!ng sets #!th uch energy* $Is !t any use to as& you to s!t do#nF$ she !n)u!red sarcast!cally* $-f course' there4s noth!ng "ery enterta!n!ng here for you* The rest are all a#ay*$ $Mother sent you th!s l!ttle %ot of rhubarb jelly'$ sa!d D!ana %leasantly* $She ade !t today and thought you !ght l!&e so e*$ $-h' than&s'$ sa!d Aunt Atossa sourly* $I ne"er fancy your other4s jelly ++ she al#ays a&es !t too s#eet* 6o#e"er' I4ll try to #orry so e do#n* My a%%et!te4s been dreadful %oor th!s s%r!ng* I4 far fro #ell'$ cont!nued Aunt Atossa sole nly' $but st!ll I &ee% a+do!ng* Peo%le #ho can4t #or& aren4t #anted here* If !t !sn4t too uch trouble #!ll you be condescend!ng enough to set the jelly !n the %antryF I4 !n a hurry to get these s%uds done ton!ght* I su%%ose you t#o LADIES ne"er do anyth!ng l!&e th!s* ,ou4d be afra!d of s%o!l!ng your hands*$ $I used to cut %otato sets before #e rented the far '$ s !led Anne* $I do !t yet'$ laughed D!ana* $I cut sets three days last #ee&* -f course'$ she added teas!ngly' $I d!d y hands u% !n le on ju!ce and &!d glo"es e"ery n!ght after !t*$ Aunt Atossa sn!ffed* $I su%%ose you got that not!on out of so e of those s!lly agaC!nes you read so any of* I #onder your other allo#s you* But she al#ays s%o!led you* >e all thought #hen George arr!ed her she #ouldn4t be a su!table #!fe for h! *$ Aunt Atossa s!ghed hea"!ly' as !f all forebod!ngs u%on the occas!on of George Barry4s arr!age had been a %ly and dar&ly fulf!lled* $Go!ng' are youF$ she !n)u!red' as the g!rls rose* $>ell' I su%%ose you can4t f!nd uch a use ent tal&!ng to an old #o an l!&e e* It4s such a %!ty the boys a!n4t ho e*$

$>e #ant to run !n and see ?uby G!ll!s a l!ttle #h!le'$ ex%la!ned D!ana* $-h' anyth!ng does for an excuse' of course'$ sa!d Aunt Atossa' a !ably* $@ust #h!% !n and #h!% out before you ha"e t! e to say ho#+do decently* It4s college a!rs' I s4%ose* ,ou4d be #!ser to &ee% a#ay fro ?uby G!ll!s* The doctors say consu %t!on4s catch!ng* I al#ays &ne# ?uby4d get so eth!ng' gadd!ng off to Boston last fall for a "!s!t* Peo%le #ho a!n4t content to stay ho e al#ays catch so eth!ng*$ $Peo%le #ho don4t go "!s!t!ng catch th!ngs' too* So et! es they e"en d!e'$ sa!d D!ana sole nly* $Then they don4t ha"e the sel"es to bla e for !t'$ retorted Aunt Atossa tr!u %hantly* $I hear you are to be arr!ed !n @une' D!ana*$ $There !s no truth !n that re%ort'$ sa!d D!ana' blush!ng* $>ell' don4t %ut !t off too long'$ sa!d Aunt Atossa s!gn!f!cantly* $,ou4ll fade soon ++ you4re all co %lex!on and ha!r* And the >r!ghts are terr!ble f!c&le* ,ou ought to #ear a hat' MISS S6I?LE,* ,our nose !s frec&l!ng scandalous* My' but you A?E redheadedE >ell' I s4%ose #e4re all as the Lord ade usE G!"e Mar!lla .uthbert y res%ects* She4s ne"er been to see e s!nce I co e to A"onlea' but I s4%ose I oughtn4t to co %la!n* The .uthberts al#ays d!d th!n& the sel"es a cut h!gher than any one else round here*$ $-h' !sn4t she dreadfulF$ gas%ed D!ana' as they esca%ed do#n the lane* $She4s #orse than M!ss El!Ca Andre#s'$ sa!d Anne* $But then th!n& of l!"!ng all your l!fe #!th a na e l!&e AtossaE >ouldn4t !t sour al ost any oneF She should ha"e tr!ed to ! ag!ne her na e #as .ordel!a* It !ght ha"e hel%ed her a great deal* It certa!nly hel%ed e !n the days #hen I d!dn4t l!&e ANNE*$ $@os!e Pye #!ll be just l!&e her #hen she gro#s u%'$ sa!d D!ana* $@os!e4s other and Aunt Atossa are cous!ns' you &no#* -h' dear' I4 glad that4s o"er* She4s so al!c!ous ++ she see s to %ut a bad fla"or !n e"eryth!ng* (ather tells such a funny story about her* -ne t! e they had a !n!ster !n S%encer"ale #ho #as a "ery good' s%!r!tual an but "ery deaf* 6e couldn4t hear any ord!nary con"ersat!on at all* >ell' they used to ha"e a %rayer eet!ng on Sunday e"en!ngs' and all the church e bers %resent #ould get u% and %ray !n turn' or say a fe# #ords on so e B!ble "erse* But one e"en!ng Aunt Atossa bounced u%* She d!dn4t e!ther %ray or %reach* Instead' she l!t !nto e"erybody else !n the church and

ga"e the a fearful ra&!ng do#n' call!ng the r!ght out by na e and tell!ng the ho# they all had beha"ed' and cast!ng u% all the )uarrels and scandals of the %ast ten years* (!nally she #ound u% by say!ng that she #as d!sgusted #!th S%encer"ale church and she ne"er eant to dar&en !ts door aga!n' and she ho%ed a fearful judg ent #ould co e u%on !t* Then she sat do#n out of breath' and the !n!ster' #ho hadn4t heard a #ord she sa!d' ! ed!ately re ar&ed' !n a "ery de"out "o!ce' Ga enE The Lord grant our dear s!ster4s %rayerE4 ,ou ought to hear father tell the story*$ $S%ea&!ng of stor!es' D!ana'$ re ar&ed Anne' !n a s!gn!f!cant' conf!dent!al tone' $do you &no# that lately I ha"e been #onder!ng !f I could #r!te a short story ++ a story that #ould be good enough to be %ubl!shedF$ $>hy' of course you could'$ sa!d D!ana' after she had gras%ed the a aC!ng suggest!on* $,ou used to #r!te %erfectly thr!ll!ng stor!es years ago !n our old Story .lub*$ $>ell' I hardly eant one of that &!nd of stor!es'$ s !led Anne* $I4"e been th!n&!ng about !t a l!ttle of late' but I4 al ost afra!d to try' for' !f I should fa!l' !t #ould be too hu !l!at!ng*$ $I heard Pr!sc!lla say once that all Mrs* Morgan4s f!rst stor!es #ere rejected* But I4 sure yours #ouldn4t be' Anne' for !t4s l!&ely ed!tors ha"e ore sense no#adays*$ $Margaret Burton' one of the @un!or g!rls at ?ed ond' #rote a story last #!nter and !t #as %ubl!shed !n the .anad!an >o an* I really do th!n& I could #r!te one at least as good*$ $And #!ll you ha"e !t %ubl!shed !n the .anad!an >o anF$ $I !ght try one of the b!gger agaC!nes f!rst* It all de%ends on #hat &!nd of a story I #r!te*$ $>hat !s !t to be aboutF$ $I don4t &no# yet* I #ant to get hold of a good %lot* I bel!e"e th!s !s "ery necessary fro an ed!tor4s %o!nt of "!e#* The only th!ng I4"e settled on !s the hero!ne4s na e* It !s to be A3E?IL LESTE?* ?ather %retty' don4t you th!n&F Don4t ent!on th!s to any one' D!ana* I ha"en4t told anybody but you and Mr* 6arr!son* 6E #asn4t "ery encourag!ng ++ he sa!d there #as far too uch trash #r!tten no#adays as !t #as' and he4d ex%ected so eth!ng better of e' after a year at college*$

$>hat does Mr* 6arr!son &no# about !tF$ de anded D!ana scornfully* They found the G!ll!s ho e gay #!th l!ghts and callers* Leonard A! ball' of S%encer"ale' and Morgan Bell' of .ar ody' #ere glar!ng at each other across the %arlor* Se"eral erry g!rls had dro%%ed !n* ?uby #as dressed !n #h!te and her eyes and chee&s #ere "ery br!ll!ant* She laughed and chattered !ncessantly' and after the other g!rls had gone she too& Anne u%sta!rs to d!s%lay her ne# su er dresses* $I4"e a blue s!l& to a&e u% yet' but !t4s a l!ttle hea"y for su er #ear* I th!n& I4ll lea"e !t unt!l the fall* I4 go!ng to teach !n >h!te Sands' you &no#* 6o# do you l!&e y hatF That one you had on !n church yesterday #as real d!n&y* But I l!&e so eth!ng br!ghter for yself* D!d you not!ce those t#o r!d!culous boys do#nsta!rsF They4"e both co e deter !ned to s!t each other out* I don4t care a s!ngle b!t about e!ther of the ' you &no#* 6erb S%encer !s the one I l!&e* So et! es I really do th!n& he4s M?* ?IG6T* At .hr!st as I thought the S%encer"ale school aster #as that* But I found out so eth!ng about h! that turned e aga!nst h! * 6e nearly #ent !nsane #hen I turned h! do#n* I #!sh those t#o boys hadn4t co e ton!ght* I #anted to ha"e a n!ce good tal& #!th you' Anne' and tell you such hea%s of th!ngs* ,ou and I #ere al#ays good chu s' #eren4t #eF$ ?uby sl!%%ed her ar about Anne4s #a!st #!th a shallo# l!ttle laugh* But just for a o ent the!r eyes et' and' beh!nd all the luster of ?uby4s' Anne sa# so eth!ng that ade her heart ache* $.o e u% often' #on4t you' AnneF$ #h!s%ered ?uby* $.o e alone ++ I #ant you*$ $Are you feel!ng )u!te #ell' ?ubyF$ $MeE >hy' I4 %erfectly #ell* I ne"er felt better !n y l!fe* -f course' that congest!on last #!nter %ulled e do#n a l!ttle* But just see y color* I don4t loo& uch l!&e an !n"al!d' I4 sure*$ ?uby4s "o!ce #as al ost shar%* She %ulled her ar a#ay fro Anne' as !f !n resent ent' and ran do#nsta!rs' #here she #as gayer than e"er' a%%arently so uch absorbed !n banter!ng her t#o s#a!ns that D!ana and Anne felt rather out of !t and soon #ent a#ay*

.ha%ter <II $A"er!l4s Atone ent$ $>hat are you drea !ng of' AnneF$ The t#o g!rls #ere lo!ter!ng one e"en!ng !n a fa!ry hollo# of the broo&* (erns nodded !n !t' and l!ttle grasses #ere green' and #!ld %ears hung f!nely+scented' #h!te curta!ns around !t* Anne roused herself fro $I #as th!n&!ng out her re"er!e #!th a ha%%y s!gh*

y story' D!ana*$

$-h' ha"e you really begun !tF$ cr!ed D!ana' all al!ght #!th eager !nterest !n a o ent* $,es' I ha"e only a fe# %ages #r!tten' but I ha"e !t all %retty #ell thought out* I4"e had such a t! e to get a su!table %lot* None of the %lots that suggested the sel"es su!ted a g!rl na ed A3E?IL*$ $.ouldn4t you ha"e changed her na eF$ $No' the th!ng #as ! %oss!ble* I tr!ed to' but I couldn4t do !t' any ore than I could change yours* A3E?IL #as so real to e that no atter #hat other na e I tr!ed to g!"e her I just thought of her as A3E?IL beh!nd !t all* But f!nally I got a %lot that atched her* Then ca e the exc!te ent of choos!ng na es for all y characters* ,ou ha"e no !dea ho# fasc!nat!ng that !s* I4"e la!n a#a&e for hours th!n&!ng o"er those na es* The hero4s na e !s PE?.E3AL DAL?,MPLE*$ $6a"e you na ed ALL the charactersF$ as&ed D!ana #!stfully* $If you hadn4t I #as go!ng to as& you to let e na e one ++ just so e un! %ortant %erson* I4d feel as !f I had a share !n the story then*$ $,ou ay na e the l!ttle h!red boy #ho l!"ed #!th the LESTE?S'$ conceded Anne* $6e !s not "ery ! %ortant' but he !s the only one left unna ed*$ $.all h! ?A,M-ND (ITJ-SB-?NE'$ suggested D!ana' #ho had a store of such na es la!d a#ay !n her e ory' rel!cs of the old $Story .lub'$ #h!ch she and Anne and @ane Andre#s and ?uby G!ll!s had

had !n the!r schooldays* Anne shoo& her head doubtfully* $I4 afra!d that !s too ar!stocrat!c a na e for a chore boy' D!ana* I couldn4t ! ag!ne a (!tCosborne feed!ng %!gs and %!c&!ng u% ch!%s' could youF$ D!ana d!dn4t see #hy' !f you had an ! ag!nat!on at all' you couldn4t stretch !t to that extentD but %robably Anne &ne# best' and the chore boy #as f!nally chr!stened ?-BE?T ?A,' to be called B-BB, should occas!on re)u!re* $6o# uch do you su%%ose you4ll get for !tF$ as&ed D!ana*

But Anne had not thought about th!s at all* She #as !n %ursu!t of fa e' not f!lthy lucre' and her l!terary drea s #ere as yet unta!nted by ercenary cons!derat!ons* $,ou4ll let e read !t' #on4t youF$ %leaded D!ana*

$>hen !t !s f!n!shed I4ll read !t to you and Mr* 6arr!son' and I shall #ant you to cr!t!c!Ce !t SE3E?EL,* No one else shall see !t unt!l !t !s %ubl!shed*$ $6o# are you go!ng to end !t ++ ha%%!ly or unha%%!lyF$ $I4 not sure* I4d l!&e !t to end unha%%!ly' because that #ould be so uch ore ro ant!c* But I understand ed!tors ha"e a %rejud!ce aga!nst sad end!ngs* I heard Professor 6a !lton say once that nobody but a gen!us should try to #r!te an unha%%y end!ng* And'$ concluded Anne odestly' $I4 anyth!ng but a gen!us*$

$-h I l!&e ha%%y end!ngs best* ,ou4d better let h! arry her'$ sa!d D!ana' #ho' es%ec!ally s!nce her engage ent to (red' thought th!s #as ho# e"ery story should end* $But you l!&e to cry o"er stor!esF$ $-h' yes' !n the r!ght at last*$ !ddle of the * But I l!&e e"eryth!ng to co e

$I ust ha"e one %athet!c scene !n !t'$ sa!d Anne thoughtfully* $I !ght let ?-BE?T ?A, be !njured !n an acc!dent and ha"e a death scene*$

$No' you ustn4t &!ll B-BB, off'$ declared D!ana' laugh!ng* $6e belongs to e and I #ant h! to l!"e and flour!sh* A!ll so ebody else !f you ha"e to*$ (or the next fortn!ght Anne #r!thed or re"eled' accord!ng to ood' !n her l!terary %ursu!ts* No# she #ould be jub!lant o"er a br!ll!ant !dea' no# des%a!r!ng because so e contrary character #ould N-T beha"e %ro%erly* D!ana could not understand th!s* $MAAE the do as you #ant the to'$ she sa!d*

$I can4t'$ ourned Anne* $A"er!l !s such an un anageable hero!ne* She >ILL do and say th!ngs I ne"er eant her to* Then that s%o!ls e"eryth!ng that #ent before and I ha"e to #r!te !t all o"er aga!n*$ (!nally' ho#e"er' the story #as f!n!shed' and Anne read !t to D!ana !n the seclus!on of the %orch gable* She had ach!e"ed her $%athet!c scene$ #!thout sacr!f!c!ng ?-BE?T ?A,' and she &e%t a #atchful eye on D!ana as she read !t* D!ana rose to the occas!on and cr!ed %ro%erlyD but' #hen the end ca e' she loo&ed a l!ttle d!sa%%o!nted* $>hy d!d you &!ll MA=?I.E LENN-<F$ she as&ed re%roachfully* $6e #as the "!lla!n'$ %rotested Anne* $6e had to be %un!shed*$ $I l!&e h! best of the all'$ sa!d unreasonable D!ana*

$>ell' he4s dead' and he4ll ha"e to stay dead'$ sa!d Anne' rather resentfully* $If I had let h! l!"e he4d ha"e gone on %ersecut!ng A3E?IL and PE?.E3AL*$ $,es ++ unless you had refor ed h! *$ $That #ouldn4t ha"e been ro ant!c' and' bes!des' !t #ould ha"e ade the story too long*$ $>ell' any#ay' !t4s a %erfectly elegant story' Anne' and #!ll a&e you fa ous' of that I4 sure* 6a"e you got a t!tle for !tF$ $-h' I dec!ded on the t!tle long ago* I call !t A3E?IL4S AT-NEMENT* Doesn4t that sound n!ce and all!terat!"eF No#' D!ana' tell e cand!dly' do you see any faults !n y storyF$ $>ell'$ hes!tated D!ana' $that %art #here A3E?IL a&es the ca&e

doesn4t see to e )u!te ro ant!c enough to atch the rest* It4s just #hat anybody !ght do* 6ero!nes shouldn4t do coo&!ng' III th!n&*$ $>hy' that !s #here the hu or co es !n' and !t4s one of the best %arts of the #hole story'$ sa!d Anne* And !t ay be stated that !n th!s she #as )u!te r!ght* D!ana %rudently refra!ned fro any further cr!t!c!s ' but Mr* 6arr!son #as uch harder to %lease* (!rst he told her there #as ent!rely too uch descr!%t!on !n the story* $.ut out all those flo#ery %assages'$ he sa!d unfeel!ngly* Anne had an unco fortable con"!ct!on that Mr* 6arr!son #as r!ght' and she forced herself to ex%unge ost of her belo"ed descr!%t!ons' though !t too& three re+#r!t!ngs before the story could be %runed do#n to %lease the fast!d!ous Mr* 6arr!son* $I4"e left out ALL the descr!%t!ons but the sunset'$ she sa!d at last* $I s! %ly .-=LDN4T let !t go* It #as the best of the all*$ $It hasn4t anyth!ng to do #!th the story'$ sa!d Mr* 6arr!son' $and you shouldn4t ha"e la!d the scene a ong r!ch c!ty %eo%le* >hat do you &no# of the F >hy d!dn4t you lay !t r!ght here !n A"onlea ++ chang!ng the na e' of course' or else Mrs* ?achel Lynde #ould %robably th!n& she #as the hero!ne*$ $-h' that #ould ne"er ha"e done'$ %rotested Anne* $A"onlea !s the dearest %lace !n the #orld' but !t !sn4t )u!te ro ant!c enough for the scene of a story*$ $I daresay there4s been any a ro ance !n A"onlea ++ and any a tragedy' too'$ sa!d Mr* 6arr!son dr!ly* $But your fol&s a!n4t l!&e real fol&s any#here* They tal& too uch and use too h!gh+flo#n language* There4s one %lace #here that DAL?,MPLE cha% tal&s e"en on for t#o %ages' and ne"er lets the g!rl get a #ord !n edge#!se* If he4d done that !n real l!fe she4d ha"e %!tched h! *$ $I don4t bel!e"e !t'$ sa!d Anne flatly* In her secret soul she thought that the beaut!ful' %oet!cal th!ngs sa!d to A3E?IL #ould #!n any g!rl4s heart co %letely* Bes!des' !t #as grueso e to hear of A3E?IL' the stately' )ueen+l!&e A3E?IL' $%!tch!ng$ any one* A3E?IL $decl!ned her su!tors*$ $Anyho#'$ resu ed the erc!less Mr* 6arr!son' $I don4t see #hy MA=?I.E LENN-< d!dn4t get her* 6e #as t#!ce the an the other !s*

6e d!d bad th!ngs' but he d!d the * Perce"al hadn4t t! e for anyth!ng but oon!ng*$ $Moon!ng*$ That #as e"en #orse than $%!tch!ngE$ $MA=?I.E LENN-< #as the "!lla!n'$ sa!d Anne !nd!gnantly* $I don4t see #hy e"ery one l!&es h! better than PE?.E3AL*$ $Perce"al !s too good* 6e4s aggra"at!ng* Next t! e you #r!te about a hero %ut a l!ttle s%!ce of hu an nature !n h! *$ $A3E?IL couldn4t ha"e arr!ed MA=?I.E* 6e #as bad*$

$She4d ha"e refor ed h! * ,ou can refor a anD you can4t refor a jelly+f!sh' of course* ,our story !sn4t bad ++ !t4s &!nd of !nterest!ng' I4ll ad !t* But you4re too young to #r!te a story that #ould be #orth #h!le* >a!t ten years*$ Anne ade u% her !nd that the next t! e she #rote a story she #ouldn4t as& anybody to cr!t!c!Ce !t* It #as too d!scourag!ng* She #ould not read the story to G!lbert' although she told h! about !t* $If !t !s a success you4ll see !t #hen !t !s %ubl!shed' G!lbert' but !f !t !s a fa!lure nobody shall e"er see !t*$ Mar!lla &ne# noth!ng about the "enture* In ! ag!nat!on Anne sa# herself read!ng a story out of a agaC!ne to Mar!lla' entra%%!ng her !nto %ra!se of !t ++ for !n ! ag!nat!on all th!ngs are %oss!ble ++ and then tr!u %hantly announc!ng herself the author* -ne day Anne too& to the Post -ff!ce a long' bul&y en"elo%e' addressed' #!th the del!ghtful conf!dence of youth and !nex%er!ence' to the "ery b!ggest of the $b!g$ agaC!nes* D!ana #as as exc!ted o"er !t as Anne herself* $6o# long do you su%%ose !t #!ll be before you hear fro she as&ed* !tF$

$It shouldn4t be longer than a fortn!ght* -h' ho# ha%%y and %roud I shall be !f !t !s acce%tedE$ $-f course !t #!ll be acce%ted' and they #!ll l!&ely as& you to send the ore* ,ou ay be as fa ous as Mrs* Morgan so e day' Anne' and then ho# %roud I4ll be of &no#!ng you'$ sa!d D!ana' #ho %ossessed' at least' the str!&!ng er!t of an unself!sh

ad !rat!on of the g!fts and graces of her fr!ends* A #ee& of del!ghtful drea !ng follo#ed' and then ca e a b!tter a#a&en!ng* -ne e"en!ng D!ana found Anne !n the %orch gable' #!th sus%!c!ous+loo&!ng eyes* -n the table lay a long en"elo%e and a cru %led anuscr!%t* $Anne' your story hasn4t co e bac&F$ cr!ed D!ana !ncredulously* $,es' !t has'$ sa!d Anne shortly* $>ell' that ed!tor ust be craCy* >hat reason d!d he g!"eF$

$No reason at all* There !s just a %r!nted sl!% say!ng that !t #asn4t found acce%table*$ $I ne"er thought uch of that agaC!ne' any#ay'$ sa!d D!ana hotly* $The stor!es !n !t are not half as !nterest!ng as those !n the .anad!an >o an' although !t costs so uch ore* I su%%ose the ed!tor !s %rejud!ced aga!nst any one #ho !sn4t a ,an&ee* Don4t be d!scouraged' Anne* ?e e ber ho# Mrs* Morgan4s stor!es ca e bac&* Send yours to the .anad!an >o an*$ $I bel!e"e I #!ll'$ sa!d Anne' %luc&!ng u% heart* $And !f !t !s %ubl!shed I4ll send that A er!can ed!tor a ar&ed co%y* But I4ll cut the sunset out* I bel!e"e Mr* 6arr!son #as r!ght*$ -ut ca e the sunsetD but !n s%!te of th!s hero!c ut!lat!on the ed!tor of the .anad!an >o an sent A"er!l4s Atone ent bac& so %ro %tly that the !nd!gnant D!ana declared that !t couldn4t ha"e been read at all' and "o#ed she #as go!ng to sto% her subscr!%t!on ! ed!ately* Anne too& th!s second reject!on #!th the cal ness of des%a!r* She loc&ed the story a#ay !n the garret trun& #here the old Story .lub tales re%osedD but f!rst she y!elded to D!ana4s entreat!es and ga"e her a co%y* $Th!s !s the end of y l!terary a b!t!ons'$ she sa!d b!tterly*

She ne"er ent!oned the atter to Mr* 6arr!son' but one e"en!ng he as&ed her bluntly !f her story had been acce%ted* $No' the ed!tor #ouldn4t ta&e !t'$ she ans#ered br!efly* Mr* 6arr!son loo&ed s!de#!se at the flushed' del!cate %rof!le* $>ell' I su%%ose you4ll &ee% on #r!t!ng the '$ he sa!d encourag!ngly*

$No' I shall ne"er try to #r!te a story aga!n'$ declared Anne' #!th the ho%eless f!nal!ty of n!neteen #hen a door !s shut !n !ts face* $I #ouldn4t g!"e u% altogether'$ sa!d Mr* 6arr!son reflect!"ely* $I4d #r!te a story once !n a #h!le' but I #ouldn4t %ester ed!tors #!th !t* I4d #r!te of %eo%le and %laces l!&e I &ne#' and I4d a&e y characters tal& e"eryday Engl!shD and I4d let the sun r!se and set !n the usual )u!et #ay #!thout uch fuss o"er the fact* If I had to ha"e "!lla!ns at all' I4d g!"e the a chance' Anne ++ I4d g!"e the a chance* There are so e terr!ble bad en !n the #orld' I su%%ose' but you4d ha"e to go a long %!ece to f!nd the ++ though Mrs* Lynde bel!e"es #e4re all bad* But ost of us ha"e got a l!ttle decency so e#here !n us* Aee% on #r!t!ng' Anne*$ $No* It #as "ery fool!sh of e to atte %t !t* >hen I4 through ?ed ond I4ll st!c& to teach!ng* I can teach* I can4t #r!te stor!es*$ $It4ll be t! e for you to be gett!ng a husband #hen you4re through ?ed ond'$ sa!d Mr* 6arr!son* $I don4t bel!e"e !n %utt!ng arry!ng off too long ++ l!&e I d!d*$ Anne got u% and arched ho e* There #ere t! es #hen Mr* 6arr!son #as really !ntolerable* $P!tch!ng'$ $ oon!ng'$ and $gett!ng a husband*$ -#EE

.ha%ter <III The >ay of Transgressors Da"y and Dora #ere ready for Sunday School* They #ere go!ng alone' #h!ch d!d not often ha%%en' for Mrs* Lynde al#ays attended Sunday School* But Mrs* Lynde had t#!sted her an&le and #as la e' so she #as stay!ng ho e th!s orn!ng* The t#!ns #ere also to re%resent the fa !ly at church' for Anne had gone a#ay the e"en!ng before to s%end Sunday #!th fr!ends !n .ar ody' and Mar!lla had one of her headaches* Da"y ca e do#nsta!rs slo#ly* Dora #as #a!t!ng !n the hall for h! ' ha"!ng been ade ready by Mrs* Lynde* Da"y had attended to h!s o#n %re%arat!ons* 6e had a cent !n h!s %oc&et for the Sunday School collect!on' and a f!"e+cent %!ece for the church collect!onD he carr!ed h!s B!ble !n one hand and h!s Sunday School )uarterly !n the otherD he &ne# h!s lesson and h!s Golden Text and h!s catech!s )uest!on %erfectly* 6ad he not stud!ed the ++ %erforce

++ !n Mrs* Lynde4s &!tchen' all last Sunday afternoonF Da"y' therefore' should ha"e been !n a %lac!d fra e of !nd* As a atter of fact' des%!te text and catech!s ' he #as !n#ardly as a ra"en!ng #olf* Mrs* Lynde l! %ed out of her &!tchen as he jo!ned Dora* $Are you cleanF$ she de anded se"erely* $,es ++ all of e that sho#s'$ Da"y ans#ered #!th a def!ant sco#l*

Mrs* ?achel s!ghed* She had her sus%!c!ons about Da"y4s nec& and ears* But she &ne# that !f she atte %ted to a&e a %ersonal exa !nat!on Da"y #ould l!&ely ta&e to h!s heels and she could not %ursue h! today* $>ell' be sure you beha"e yoursel"es'$ she #arned the * $Don4t #al& !n the dust* Don4t sto% !n the %orch to tal& to the other ch!ldren* Don4t s)u!r or #r!ggle !n your %laces* Don4t forget the Golden Text* Don4t lose your collect!on or forget to %ut !t !n* Don4t #h!s%er at %rayer t! e' and don4t forget to %ay attent!on to the ser on*$ Da"y de!gned no res%onse* 6e arched a#ay do#n the lane' follo#ed by the ee& Dora* But h!s soul seethed #!th!n* Da"y had suffered' or thought he had suffered' any th!ngs at the hands and tongue of Mrs* ?achel Lynde s!nce she had co e to Green Gables' for Mrs* Lynde could not l!"e #!th anybody' #hether they #ere n!ne or n!nety' #!thout try!ng to br!ng the u% %ro%erly* And !t #as only the %reced!ng afternoon that she had !nterfered to !nfluence Mar!lla aga!nst allo#!ng Da"y to go f!sh!ng #!th the T! othy .ottons* Da"y #as st!ll bo!l!ng o"er th!s* As soon as he #as out of the lane Da"y sto%%ed and t#!sted h!s countenance !nto such an unearthly and terr!f!c contort!on that Dora' although she &ne# h!s g!fts !n that res%ect' #as honestly alar ed lest he should ne"er !n the #orld be able to get !t stra!ghtened out aga!n* $Darn her'$ ex%loded Da"y* $-h' Da"y' don4t s#ear'$ gas%ed Dora !n d!s ay* $GDarn4 !sn4t s#ear!ng ++ not real s#ear!ng* And I don4t care !f !t !s'$ retorted Da"y rec&lessly* $>ell' !f you M=ST say dreadful #ords don4t say the Da"y #as as yet far fro on Sunday'$ %leaded Dora*

re%entance' but !n h!s secret soul he felt that'

%erha%s' he had gone a l!ttle too far* $I4 go!ng to !n"ent a s#ear #ord of y o#n'$ he declared*

$God #!ll %un!sh you !f you do'$ sa!d Dora sole nly* $Then I th!n& God !s a ean old sca %'$ retorted Da"y* $Doesn4t 6e &no# a fello# ust ha"e so e #ay of 4s%ress!ng h!s feel!ngsF$ $Da"yEEE$ sa!d Dora* She ex%ected that Da"y #ould be struc& do#n dead on the s%ot* But noth!ng ha%%ened* $Any#ay' I a!n4t go!ng to stand any ore of Mrs* Lynde4s boss!ng'$ s%luttered Da"y* $Anne and Mar!lla ay ha"e the r!ght to boss e' but S6E hasn4t* I4 go!ng to do e"ery s!ngle th!ng she told e not to do* ,ou #atch e*$ In gr! ' del!berate s!lence' #h!le Dora #atched h! #!th the fasc!nat!on of horror' Da"y ste%%ed off the green grass of the roads!de' an&le dee% !nto the f!ne dust #h!ch four #ee&s of ra!nless #eather had ade on the road' and arched along !n !t' shuffl!ng h!s feet "!c!ously unt!l he #as en"elo%ed !n a haCy cloud* $That4s the beg!nn!ng'$ he announced tr!u %hantly*$ And I4 go!ng to sto% !n the %orch and tal& as long as there4s anybody there to tal& to* I4 go!ng to s)u!r and #r!ggle and #h!s%er' and I4 go!ng to say I don4t &no# the Golden Text* And I4 go!ng to thro# a#ay both of y collect!ons ?IG6T N->*$ And Da"y hurled cent and n!c&el o"er Mr* Barry4s fence #!th f!erce del!ght* $Satan ade you do that'$ sa!d Dora re%roachfully*

$6e d!dn4t'$ cr!ed Da"y !nd!gnantly* $I just thought !t out for yself* And I4"e thought of so eth!ng else* I4 not go!ng to Sunday School or church at all* I4 go!ng u% to %lay #!th the .ottons* They told e yesterday they #eren4t go!ng to Sunday School today' 4cause the!r other #as a#ay and there #as nobody to a&e the * .o e along' Dora' #e4ll ha"e a great t! e*$ $I don4t #ant to go'$ %rotested Dora* $,ou4"e got to'$ sa!d Da"y* $If you don4t co e I4ll tell Mar!lla that (ran& Bell &!ssed you !n school last Monday*$

$I couldn4t hel% !t* I d!dn4t &no# he #as go!ng to'$ cr!ed Dora' blush!ng scarlet* $>ell' you d!dn4t sla% h! or see a b!t cross'$ retorted Da"y* $I4ll tell her T6AT' too' !f you don4t co e* >e4ll ta&e the short cut u% th!s f!eld*$ $I4 afra!d of those co#s'$ %rotested %oor Dora' see!ng a %ros%ect of esca%e* $The "ery !dea of your be!ng scared of those co#s'$ scoffed Da"y* $>hy' they4re both younger than you*$ $They4re b!gger'$ sa!d Dora* $They #on4t hurt you* .o e along' no#* Th!s !s great* >hen I gro# u% I a!n4t go!ng to bother go!ng to church at all* I bel!e"e I can get to hea"en by yself*$ $,ou4ll go to the other %lace !f you brea& the Sabbath day'$ sa!d unha%%y Dora' follo#!ng h! sorely aga!nst her #!ll* But Da"y #as not scared ++ yet* 6ell #as "ery far off' and the del!ghts of a f!sh!ng ex%ed!t!on #!th the .ottons #ere "ery near* 6e #!shed Dora had ore s%un&* She &e%t loo&!ng bac& as !f she #ere go!ng to cry e"ery !nute' and that s%o!led a fello#4s fun* 6ang g!rls' any#ay* Da"y d!d not say $darn$ th!s t! e' e"en !n thought* 6e #as not sorry ++ yet ++ that he had sa!d !t once' but !t !ght be as #ell not to te %t the =n&no#n Po#ers too far on one day* The s all .ottons #ere %lay!ng !n the!r bac& yard' and ha!led Da"y4s a%%earance #!th #hoo%s of del!ght* Pete' To y' Adol%hus' and M!rabel .otton #ere all alone* The!r other and older s!sters #ere a#ay* Dora #as than&ful M!rabel #as there' at least* She had been afra!d she #ould be alone !n a cro#d of boys* M!rabel #as al ost as bad as a boy ++ she #as so no!sy and sunburned and rec&less* But at least she #ore dresses* $>e4"e co e to go f!sh!ng'$ announced Da"y* $>hoo%'$ yelled the .ottons* They rushed a#ay to d!g #or s at once' M!rabel lead!ng the "an #!th a t!n can* Dora could ha"e sat do#n and cr!ed* -h' !f only that hateful (ran& Bell had ne"er &!ssed herE Then she could ha"e def!ed Da"y' and gone to her belo"ed Sunday School* They dared not' of course' go f!sh!ng on the %ond' #here they

#ould be seen by %eo%le go!ng to church* They had to resort to the broo& !n the #oods beh!nd the .otton house* But !t #as full of trout' and they had a glor!ous t! e that orn!ng ++ at least the .ottons certa!nly had' and Da"y see ed to ha"e !t* Not be!ng ent!rely bereft of %rudence' he had d!scarded boots and stoc&!ngs and borro#ed To y .otton4s o"eralls* Thus accoutered' bog and arsh and undergro#th had no terrors for h! * Dora #as fran&ly and an!festly !serable* She follo#ed the others !n the!r %eregr!nat!ons fro %ool to %ool' clas%!ng her B!ble and )uarterly t!ghtly and th!n&!ng #!th b!tterness of soul of her belo"ed class #here she should be s!tt!ng that "ery o ent' before a teacher she adored* Instead' here she #as roa !ng the #oods #!th those half+#!ld .ottons' try!ng to &ee% her boots clean and her %retty #h!te dress free fro rents and sta!ns* M!rabel had offered the loan of an a%ron but Dora had scornfully refused* The trout b!t as they al#ays do on Sundays* In an hour the transgressors had all the f!sh they #anted' so they returned to the house' uch to Dora4s rel!ef* She sat %r! ly on a hencoo% !n the yard #h!le the others %layed an u%roar!ous ga e of tagD and then they all cl! bed to the to% of the %!g+house roof and cut the!r !n!t!als on the saddleboard* The flat+roofed henhouse and a %!le of stra# beneath ga"e Da"y another !ns%!rat!on* They s%ent a s%lend!d half hour cl! b!ng on the roof and d!"!ng off !nto the stra# #!th #hoo%s and yells* But e"en unla#ful %leasures ust co e to an end* >hen the ru ble of #heels o"er the %ond br!dge told that %eo%le #ere go!ng ho e fro church Da"y &ne# they ust go* 6e d!scarded To y4s o"eralls' resu ed h!s o#n r!ghtful att!re' and turned a#ay fro h!s str!ng of trout #!th a s!gh* No use to th!n& of ta&!ng the ho e* $>ell' hadn4t #e a s%lend!d t! eF$ he de anded def!antly' as they #ent do#n the h!ll f!eld* $I hadn4t'$ sa!d Dora flatly* $And I don4t bel!e"e you had ++ really ++ e!ther'$ she added' #!th a flash of !ns!ght that #as not to be ex%ected of her* $I had so'$ cr!ed Da"y' but !n the "o!ce of one #ho doth %rotest too $No #onder you hadn4t ++ just s!tt!ng there l!&e a ++ l!&e a ule*$ $I a!n4t go!ng to' 4soc!ate #!th the .ottons'$ sa!d Dora loft!ly* $The .ottons are all r!ght'$ retorted Da"y* $And they ha"e far better t! es than #e ha"e* They do just as they %lease and say just #hat they uch*

l!&e before e"erybody* III4

go!ng to do that' too' after th!s*$

$There are lots of th!ngs you #ouldn4t dare say before e"erybody'$ a"erred Dora* $No' there !sn4t*$ $There !s' too* >ould you'$ de anded Dora gra"ely' $#ould you say Gto cat4 before the !n!sterF$ Th!s #as a staggerer* Da"y #as not %re%ared for such a concrete exa %le of the freedo of s%eech* But one d!d not ha"e to be cons!stent #!th Dora* $-f course not'$ he ad !tted sul&!ly* $GTo cat4 !sn4t a holy #ord* I #ouldn4t before a !n!ster at all*$ $But !f you had toF$ %ers!sted Dora* $I4d call !t a Tho as %ussy'$ sa!d Da"y* $III th!n& Ggentle an cat4 #ould be ore %ol!te'$ reflected Dora* ent!on such an an! al

$,-= th!n&!ngE$ retorted Da"y #!th #!ther!ng scorn* Da"y #as not feel!ng co fortable' though he #ould ha"e d!ed before he ad !tted !t to Dora* No# that the exh!larat!on of truant del!ghts had d!ed a#ay' h!s consc!ence #as beg!nn!ng to g!"e h! salutary t#!nges* After all' %erha%s !t #ould ha"e been better to ha"e gone to Sunday School and church* Mrs* Lynde !ght be bossyD but there #as al#ays a box of coo&!es !n her &!tchen cu%board and she #as not st!ngy* At th!s !ncon"en!ent o ent Da"y re e bered that #hen he had torn h!s ne# school %ants the #ee& before' Mrs* Lynde had ended the beaut!fully and ne"er sa!d a #ord to Mar!lla about the * But Da"y4s cu% of !n!)u!ty #as not yet full* 6e #as to d!sco"er that one s!n de ands another to co"er !t* They had d!nner #!th Mrs* Lynde that day' and the f!rst th!ng she as&ed Da"y #as' $>ere all your class !n Sunday School todayF$ $,es4 '$ sa!d Da"y #!th a gul%* $All #ere there ++ 4ce%t one*$

$D!d you say your Golden Text and catech!s F$ $,es4 *$ $D!d you %ut your collect!on !nF$ $,es4 *$ $>as Mrs* Malcol MacPherson !n churchF$

$I don4t &no#*$ Th!s' at least' #as the truth' thought #retched Da"y* $>as the Lad!es4 A!d announced for next #ee&F$ $,es4 $ ++ )ua&!ngly* $>as %rayer+ eet!ngF$ $I ++ I don4t &no#*$ $,-= should &no#* ,ou should l!sten >hat #as Mr* 6ar"ey4s textF$ ore attent!"ely to the announce ents*

Da"y too& a frant!c gul% of #ater and s#allo#ed !t and the last %rotest of consc!ence together* 6e gl!bly rec!ted an old Golden Text learned se"eral #ee&s ago* (ortunately Mrs* Lynde no# sto%%ed )uest!on!ng h! D but Da"y d!d not enjoy h!s d!nner* 6e could only eat one hel%!ng of %udd!ng* $>hat4s the atter #!th youF$ de anded justly aston!shed Mrs* Lynde* $Are you s!c&F$ $No'$ uttered Da"y*

$,ou loo& %ale* ,ou4d better &ee% out of the sun th!s afternoon'$ ad on!shed Mrs* Lynde* $Do you &no# ho# any l!es you told Mrs* LyndeF$ as&ed Dora re%roachfully' as soon as they #ere alone after d!nner* Da"y' goaded to des%erat!on' turned f!ercely* $I don4t &no# and I don4t care'$ he sa!d* $,ou just shut u%' Dora Ae!th*$

Then %oor Da"y betoo& h! self to a secluded retreat beh!nd the #ood%!le to th!n& o"er the #ay of transgressors* Green Gables #as #ra%%ed !n dar&ness and s!lence #hen Anne reached ho e* She lost no t! e go!ng to bed' for she #as "ery t!red and slee%y* There had been se"eral A"onlea joll!f!cat!ons the %reced!ng #ee&' !n"ol"!ng rather late hours* Anne4s head #as hardly on her %!llo# before she #as half aslee%D but just then her door #as softly o%ened and a %lead!ng "o!ce sa!d' $Anne*$ Anne sat u% dro#s!ly* $Da"y' !s that youF >hat !s the atterF$

A #h!te+clad f!gure flung !tself across the floor and on to the bed* $Anne'$ sobbed Da"y' gett!ng h!s ar s about her nec&* $I4 a#ful glad you4re ho e* I couldn4t go to slee% t!ll I4d told so ebody*$ $Told so ebody #hatF$ $6o# !s4rubul I a *$ !serable' dearF$

$>hy are you

$4.ause I #as so bad today' Anne* -h' I #as a#ful bad ++ badder4n I4"e e"er been yet*$ $>hat d!d you doF$ $-h' I4 afra!d to tell you* ,ou4ll ne"er l!&e e aga!n' Anne* I couldn4t say y %rayers ton!ght* I couldn4t tell God #hat I4d done* I #as 4sha ed to ha"e 6! &no#*$ $But 6e &ne# any#ay' Da"y*$ $That4s #hat Dora sa!d* But I thought %4ra%s 6e !ghtn4t ha"e not!ced just at the t! e* Any#ay' I4d rather tell you f!rst*$ $>6AT !s !t you d!dF$ -ut !t all ca e !n a rush* $I run a#ay fro Sunday School ++ and #ent f!sh!ng #!th the .ottons ++ and I told e"er so any #ho%%ers to Mrs* Lynde ++ ohE 4 ost half a doCen ++ and ++ and ++ I ++ I sa!d a s#ear #ord'

Anne ++ a %retty near s#ear #ord' anyho# ++ and I called God na es*$ There #as s!lence* Da"y d!dn4t &no# #hat to a&e of !t* >as Anne so shoc&ed that she ne"er #ould s%ea& to h! aga!nF $Anne' #hat are you go!ng to do to eF$ he #h!s%ered*

$Noth!ng' dear* ,ou4"e been %un!shed already' I th!n&*$ $No' I ha"en4t* Noth!ng4s been done to e*$

$,ou4"e been "ery unha%%y e"er s!nce you d!d #rong' ha"en4t youF$ $,ou betE$ sa!d Da"y e %hat!cally* $That #as your consc!ence %un!sh!ng you' Da"y*$ $>hat4s y consc!enceF I #ant to &no#*$

$It4s so eth!ng !n you' Da"y' that al#ays tells you #hen you are do!ng #rong and a&es you unha%%y !f you %ers!st !n do!ng !t* 6a"en4t you not!ced thatF$ $,es' but I d!dn4t &no# #hat !t #as* I #!sh I d!dn4t ha"e !t* I4d ha"e lots ore fun* >here !s y consc!ence' AnneF I #ant to &no#* Is !t !n y sto achF$ $No' !t4s !n your soul'$ ans#ered Anne' than&ful for the dar&ness' s!nce gra"!ty ust be %reser"ed !n ser!ous atters* $I s4%ose I can4t get clear of !t then'$ sa!d Da"y #!th a s!gh* $Are you go!ng to tell Mar!lla and Mrs* Lynde on e' AnneF$ $No' dear' I4 not go!ng to tell any one* ,ou are sorry you #ere naughty' aren4t youF$ $,ou betE$ $And you4ll ne"er be bad l!&e that aga!n*$ $No' but ++ $ added Da"y caut!ously' $I !ght be bad so e other #ay*$

$,ou #on4t say naughty #ords' or run a#ay on Sundays' or tell falsehoods to co"er u% your s!nsF$ $No* It doesn4t %ay'$ sa!d Da"y*

$>ell' Da"y' just tell God you are sorry and as& 6! $6a"e ,-= forg!"en $,es' dear*$ $Then'$ sa!d Da"y joyously' $I don4t care $Da"yE$ e' AnneF$

to forg!"e you*$

uch #hether God does or not*$

$-h ++ I4ll as& 6! ++ I4ll as& 6! '$ sa!d Da"y )u!c&ly' scra bl!ng off the bed' con"!nced by Anne4s tone that he ust ha"e sa!d so eth!ng dreadful* $I don4t !nd as&!ng 6! ' Anne* ++ Please' God' I4 a#ful sorry I beha"ed bad today and I4ll try to be good on Sundays al#ays and %lease forg!"e e* ++ There no#' Anne*$ $>ell' no#' run off to bed l!&e a good boy*$ $All r!ght* Say' I don4t feel Good n!ght*$ $Good n!ght*$ Anne sl!%%ed do#n on her %!llo#s #!th a s!gh of rel!ef* -h ++ ho# slee%y ++ she #asE In another second ++ $AnneE$ Da"y #as bac& aga!n by her bed* Anne dragged her eyes o%en* $>hat !s !t no#' dearF$ she as&ed' try!ng to &ee% a note of ! %at!ence out of her "o!ce* $Anne' ha"e you e"er not!ced ho# Mr* 6arr!son s%!tsF Do you s4%ose' !f I %ract!ce hard' I can learn to s%!t just l!&e h! F$ Anne sat u%* $Da"y Ae!th'$ she sa!d' $go stra!ght to your bed and don4t let catch you out of !t aga!n ton!ghtE Go' no#E$ Da"y #ent' and stood not u%on the order of h!s go!ng* e !s4rubul any ore* I feel f!ne*

.ha%ter <I3 The Su ons

Anne #as s!tt!ng #!th ?uby G!ll!s !n the G!ll!s4 garden after the day had cre%t l!nger!ngly through !t and #as gone* It had been a #ar ' s o&y su er afternoon* The #orld #as !n a s%lendor of out+flo#er!ng* The !dle "alleys #ere full of haCes* The #ood#ays #ere %ran&ed #!th shado#s and the f!elds #!th the %ur%le of the asters* Anne had g!"en u% a oonl!ght dr!"e to the >h!te Sands beach that she !ght s%end the e"en!ng #!th ?uby* She had so s%ent any e"en!ngs that su er' although she often #ondered #hat good !t d!d any one' and so et! es #ent ho e dec!d!ng that she could not go aga!n* ?uby gre# %aler as the su er #anedD the >h!te Sands school #as g!"en u% ++ $her father thought !t better that she shouldn4t teach t!ll Ne# ,ear4s$ ++ and the fancy #or& she lo"ed oftener and oftener fell fro hands gro#n too #eary for !t* But she #as al#ays gay' al#ays ho%eful' al#ays chatter!ng and #h!s%er!ng of her beaux' and the!r r!"alr!es and des%a!rs* It #as th!s that ade Anne4s "!s!ts hard for her* >hat had once been s!lly or a us!ng #as grueso e' no#D !t #as death %eer!ng through a #!lful as& of l!fe* ,et ?uby see ed to cl!ng to her' and ne"er let her go unt!l she had %ro !sed to co e aga!n soon* Mrs* Lynde gru bled about Anne4s fre)uent "!s!ts' and declared she #ould catch consu %t!onD e"en Mar!lla #as dub!ous* $E"ery t! e you go to see ?uby you co e ho e loo&!ng t!red out'$ she sa!d* $It4s so "ery sad and dreadful'$ sa!d Anne !n a lo# tone* $?uby doesn4t see to real!Ce her cond!t!on !n the least* And yet I so eho# feel she needs hel% ++ cra"es !t ++ and I #ant to g!"e !t to her and can4t* All the t! e I4 #!th her I feel as !f I #ere #atch!ng her struggle #!th an !n"!s!ble foe ++ try!ng to %ush !t bac& #!th such feeble res!stance as she has* That !s #hy I co e ho e t!red*$ But ton!ght Anne d!d not feel th!s so &eenly* ?uby #as strangely )u!et* She sa!d not a #ord about %art!es and dr!"es and dresses and $fello#s*$ She lay !n the ha oc&' #!th her untouched #or& bes!de her' and a #h!te sha#l #ra%%ed about her th!n shoulders* 6er long yello# bra!ds of ha!r ++ ho# Anne had en"!ed those beaut!ful bra!ds !n old schooldaysE ++ lay on e!ther s!de of her*

She had ta&en the %!ns out ++ they ade her head ache' she sa!d* The hect!c flush #as gone for the t! e' lea"!ng her %ale and ch!ldl!&e* The oon rose !n the s!l"ery s&y' e %earl!ng the clouds around her* Belo#' the %ond sh! ered !n !ts haCy rad!ance* @ust beyond the G!ll!s ho estead #as the church' #!th the old gra"eyard bes!de !t* The oonl!ght shone on the #h!te stones' br!ng!ng the out !n clear+cut rel!ef aga!nst the dar& trees beh!nd* $6o# strange the gra"eyard loo&s by oonl!ghtE$ sa!d ?uby suddenly* $6o# ghostlyE$ she shuddered* $Anne' !t #on4t be long no# before I4ll be ly!ng o"er there* ,ou and D!ana and all the rest #!ll be go!ng about' full of l!fe ++ and I4ll be there ++ !n the old gra"eyard ++ deadE$ The sur%r!se of !t be#!ldered Anne* (or a fe# o ents she could not s%ea&*

$,ou &no# !t4s so' don4t youF$ sa!d ?uby !ns!stently* $,es' I &no#'$ ans#ered Anne !n a lo# tone* $Dear ?uby' I &no#*$ $E"erybody &no#s !t'$ sa!d ?uby b!tterly* $I &no# !t ++ I4"e &no#n !t all su er' though I #ouldn4t g!"e !n* And' oh' Anne$ ++ she reached out and caught Anne4s hand %lead!ngly' ! %uls!"ely ++ $I don4t #ant to d!e* I4 A(?AID to d!e*$ $>hy should you be afra!d' ?ubyF$ as&ed Anne )u!etly* $Because ++ because ++ oh' I4 not afra!d but that I4ll go to hea"en' Anne* I4 a church e ber* But ++ !t4ll be all so d!fferent* I th!n& ++ and th!n& ++ and I get so fr!ghtened ++ and ++ and ++ ho es!c&* 6ea"en ust be "ery beaut!ful' of course' the B!ble says so ++ but' Anne' IT >-N4T BE >6AT I43E BEEN =SED T-*$ Through Anne4s !nd dr!fted an !ntrus!"e recollect!on of a funny story she had heard Ph!l!%%a Gordon tell ++ the story of so e old an #ho had sa!d "ery uch the sa e th!ng about the #orld to co e* It had sounded funny then ++ she re e bered ho# she and Pr!sc!lla had laughed o"er !t* But !t d!d not see !n the least hu orous no#' co !ng fro ?uby4s %ale' tre bl!ng l!%s* It #as sad' trag!c ++ and trueE 6ea"en could not be #hat ?uby had been used to* There had been noth!ng !n her gay' fr!"olous l!fe' her shallo# !deals and as%!rat!ons' to f!t her for that great change' or a&e the l!fe to co e see to her anyth!ng but al!en and unreal and undes!rable* Anne #ondered hel%lessly #hat she could say that #ould hel% her* .ould she say anyth!ngF $I th!n&' ?uby'$

she began hes!tat!ngly ++ for !t #as d!ff!cult for Anne to s%ea& to any one of the dee%est thoughts of her heart' or the ne# !deas that had "aguely begun to sha%e the sel"es !n her !nd' concern!ng the great yster!es of l!fe here and hereafter' su%ersed!ng her old ch!ld!sh conce%t!ons' and !t #as hardest of all to s%ea& of the to such as ?uby G!ll!s ++ $I th!n&' %erha%s' #e ha"e "ery !sta&en !deas about hea"en ++ #hat !t !s and #hat !t holds for us* I don4t th!n& !t can be so "ery d!fferent fro l!fe here as ost %eo%le see to th!n&* I bel!e"e #e4ll just go on l!"!ng' a good deal as #e l!"e here ++ and be -=?SEL3ES just the sa e ++ only !t #!ll be eas!er to be good and to ++ follo# the h!ghest* All the h!ndrances and %er%lex!t!es #!ll be ta&en a#ay' and #e shall see clearly* Don4t be afra!d' ?uby*$ $I can4t hel% !t'$ sa!d ?uby %!t!fully* $E"en !f #hat you say about hea"en !s true ++ and you can4t be sure ++ !t ay be only that ! ag!nat!on of yours ++ !t #on4t be @=ST the sa e* It .AN4T be* I #ant to go on l!"!ng 6E?E* I4 so young' Anne* I ha"en4t had y l!fe* I4"e fought so hard to l!"e ++ and !t !sn4t any use ++ I ha"e to d!e ++ and lea"e E3E?,T6ING I care for*$ Anne sat !n a %a!n that #as al ost !ntolerable* She could not tell co fort!ng falsehoodsD and all that ?uby sa!d #as so horr!bly true* She >AS lea"!ng e"eryth!ng she cared for* She had la!d u% her treasures on earth onlyD she had l!"ed solely for the l!ttle th!ngs of l!fe ++ the th!ngs that %ass ++ forgett!ng the great th!ngs that go on#ard !nto etern!ty' br!dg!ng the gulf bet#een the t#o l!"es and a&!ng of death a ere %ass!ng fro one d#ell!ng to the other ++ fro t#!l!ght to unclouded day* God #ould ta&e care of her there ++ Anne bel!e"ed ++ she #ould learn ++ but no# !t #as no #onder her soul clung' !n bl!nd hel%lessness' to the only th!ngs she &ne# and lo"ed* ?uby ra!sed herself on her ar and l!fted u% her br!ght' beaut!ful blue eyes to the oonl!t s&!es* $I #ant to l!"e'$ she sa!d' !n a tre bl!ng "o!ce* $I #ant to l!"e l!&e other g!rls* I ++ I #ant to be arr!ed' Anne ++ and ++ and ++ ha"e l!ttle ch!ldren* ,ou &no# I al#ays lo"ed bab!es' Anne* I couldn4t say th!s to any one but you* I &no# you understand* And then %oor 6erb ++ he ++ he lo"es e and I lo"e h! ' Anne* The others eant noth!ng to e' but 6E does ++ and !f I could l!"e I #ould be h!s #!fe and be so ha%%y* -h' Anne' !t4s hard*$ ?uby san& bac& on her %!llo#s and sobbed con"uls!"ely* Anne %ressed her hand !n an agony of sy %athy ++ s!lent sy %athy' #h!ch %erha%s hel%ed ?uby ore than bro&en' ! %erfect #ords could

ha"e doneD for %resently she gre# cal er and her sobs ceased* $I4 glad I4"e told you th!s' Anne'$ she #h!s%ered* $It has hel%ed e just to say !t all out* I4"e #anted to all su er ++ e"ery t! e you ca e* I #anted to tal& !t o"er #!th you ++ but I .-=LDN4T* It see ed as !f !t #ould a&e death so S=?E !f I SAID I #as go!ng to d!e' or !f any one else sa!d !t or h!nted !t* I #ouldn4t say !t' or e"en th!n& !t* In the dayt! e' #hen %eo%le #ere around e and e"eryth!ng #as cheerful' !t #asn4t so hard to &ee% fro th!n&!ng of !t* But !n the n!ght' #hen I couldn4t slee% ++ !t #as so dreadful' Anne* I couldn4t get a#ay fro !t then* Death just ca e and stared e !n the face' unt!l I got so fr!ghtened I could ha"e screa ed* $But you #on4t be fr!ghtened any ore' ?uby' #!ll youF ,ou4ll be bra"e' and bel!e"e that all !s go!ng to be #ell #!th you*$ $I4ll try* I4ll th!n& o"er #hat you ha"e sa!d' and try to bel!e"e !t* And you4ll co e u% as often as you can' #on4t you' AnneF$ $,es' dear*$ $It ++ !t #on4t be "ery long no#' Anne* I feel sure of that* And I4d rather ha"e you than any one else* I al#ays l!&ed you best of all the g!rls I #ent to school #!th* ,ou #ere ne"er jealous' or ean' l!&e so e of the #ere* Poor E >h!te #as u% to see e yesterday* ,ou re e ber E and I #ere such chu s for three years #hen #e #ent to schoolF And then #e )uarrelled the t! e of the school concert* >e4"e ne"er s%o&en to each other s!nce* >asn4t !t s!llyF Anyth!ng l!&e that see s s!lly N->* But E and I ade u% the old )uarrel yesterday* She sa!d she4d ha"e s%o&en years ago' only she thought I #ouldn4t* And I ne"er s%o&e to her because I #as sure she #ouldn4t s%ea& to e* Isn4t !t strange ho# %eo%le !sunderstand each other' AnneF$ $Most of the trouble !n l!fe co es fro !sunderstand!ng' I th!n&'$ sa!d Anne* $I ust go no#' ?uby* It4s gett!ng late ++ and you shouldn4t be out !n the da %*$ $,ou4ll co e u% soon aga!n*$ $,es' "ery soon* And !f there4s anyth!ng I can do to hel% you I4ll be so glad*$ $I &no#* ,ou 6A3E hel%ed e already* Noth!ng see s )u!te so dreadful no#* Good n!ght' Anne*$

$Good n!ght' dear*$ Anne #al&ed ho e "ery slo#ly !n the oonl!ght* The e"en!ng had changed so eth!ng for her* L!fe held a d!fferent ean!ng' a dee%er %ur%ose* -n the surface !t #ould go on just the sa eD but the dee%s had been st!rred* It ust not be #!th her as #!th %oor butterfly ?uby* >hen she ca e to the end of one l!fe !t ust not be to face the next #!th the shr!n&!ng terror of so eth!ng #holly d!fferent ++ so eth!ng for #h!ch accusto ed thought and !deal and as%!rat!on had unf!tted her* The l!ttle th!ngs of l!fe' s#eet and excellent !n the!r %lace' ust not be the th!ngs l!"ed forD the h!ghest ust be sought and follo#edD the l!fe of hea"en ust be begun here on earth* That good n!ght !n the garden #as for all t! e* Anne ne"er sa# ?uby !n l!fe aga!n* The next n!ght the A*3*I*S* ga"e a fare#ell %arty to @ane Andre#s before her de%arture for the >est* And' #h!le l!ght feet danced and br!ght eyes laughed and erry tongues chattered' there ca e a su ons to a soul !n A"onlea that !ght not be d!sregarded or e"aded* The next orn!ng the #ord #ent fro house to house that ?uby G!ll!s #as dead* She had d!ed !n her slee%' %a!nlessly and cal ly' and on her face #as a s !le ++ as !f' after all' death had co e as a &!ndly fr!end to lead her o"er the threshold' !nstead of the gr!sly %hanto she had dreaded* Mrs* ?achel Lynde sa!d e %hat!cally after the funeral that ?uby G!ll!s #as the handso est cor%se she e"er la!d eyes on* 6er lo"el!ness' as she lay' #h!te+clad' a ong the del!cate flo#ers that Anne had %laced about her' #as re e bered and tal&ed of for years !n A"onlea* ?uby had al#ays been beaut!fulD but her beauty had been of the earth' earthyD !t had had a certa!n !nsolent )ual!ty !n !t' as !f !t flaunted !tself !n the beholder4s eyeD s%!r!t had ne"er shone through !t' !ntellect had ne"er ref!ned !t* But death had touched !t and consecrated !t' br!ng!ng out del!cate odel!ngs and %ur!ty of outl!ne ne"er seen before ++ do!ng #hat l!fe and lo"e and great sorro# and dee% #o anhood joys !ght ha"e done for ?uby* Anne' loo&!ng do#n through a !st of tears' at her old %layfello#' thought she sa# the face God had eant ?uby to ha"e' and re e bered !t so al#ays* Mrs* G!ll!s called Anne as!de !nto a "acant roo before the funeral %rocess!on left the house' and ga"e her a s all %ac&et* $I #ant you to ha"e th!s'$ she sobbed* $?uby #ould ha"e l!&ed you to ha"e !t* It4s the e bro!dered center%!ece she #as #or&!ng at*

It !sn4t )u!te f!n!shed ++ the needle !s st!c&!ng !n !t just #here her %oor l!ttle f!ngers %ut !t the last t! e she la!d !t do#n' the afternoon before she d!ed*$ $There4s al#ays a %!ece of unf!n!shed #or& left'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde' #!th tears !n her eyes* $But I su%%ose there4s al#ays so e one to f!n!sh !t*$ $6o# d!ff!cult !t !s to real!Ce that one #e ha"e al#ays &no#n can really be dead'$ sa!d Anne' as she and D!ana #al&ed ho e* $?uby !s the f!rst of our school ates to go* -ne by one' sooner or later' all the rest of us ust follo#*$ $,es' I su%%ose so'$ sa!d D!ana unco fortably* She d!d not #ant to tal& of that* She #ould ha"e %referred to ha"e d!scussed the deta!ls of the funeral ++ the s%lend!d #h!te "el"et cas&et Mr* G!ll!s had !ns!sted on ha"!ng for ?uby ++ $the G!ll!ses ust al#ays a&e a s%lurge' e"en at funerals'$ )uoth Mrs* ?achel Lynde ++ 6erb S%encer4s sad face' the uncontrolled' hyster!c gr!ef of one of ?uby4s s!sters ++ but Anne #ould not tal& of these th!ngs* She see ed #ra%%ed !n a re"er!e !n #h!ch D!ana felt loneso ely that she had ne!ther lot nor %art* $?uby G!ll!s #as a great g!rl to laugh'$ sa!d Da"y suddenly* $>!ll she laugh as uch !n hea"en as she d!d !n A"onlea' AnneF I #ant to &no#*$ $,es' I th!n& she #!ll'$ sa!d Anne* $-h' Anne'$ %rotested D!ana' #!th a rather shoc&ed s !le* $>ell' #hy not' D!anaF$ as&ed Anne ser!ously* $Do you th!n& #e4ll ne"er laugh !n hea"enF$ $-h ++ I ++ I don4t &no#$ floundered D!ana* $It doesn4t see just r!ght' so eho#* ,ou &no# !t4s rather dreadful to laugh !n church*$ $But hea"en #on4t be l!&e church ++ all the t! e'$ sa!d Anne* $I ho%e !t a!n4t'$ sa!d Da"y e %hat!cally* $If !t !s I don4t #ant to go* .hurch !s a#ful dull* Any#ay' I don4t ean to go for e"er so long* I ean to l!"e to be a hundred years old' l!&e Mr* Tho as Ble#ett of >h!te Sands* 6e says he4s l!"ed so long 4cause he al#ays s o&ed tobacco and !t &!lled all the ger s* .an I s o&e tobacco %retty soon' AnneF$

$No' Da"y' I ho%e you4ll ne"er use tobacco'$ sa!d Anne absently* $>hat4ll you feel l!&e !f the ger s &!ll e thenF$ de anded Da"y*

.ha%ter <3 A Drea Turned =%s!de Do#n

$@ust one ore #ee& and #e go bac& to ?ed ond'$ sa!d Anne* She #as ha%%y at the thought of return!ng to #or&' classes and ?ed ond fr!ends* Pleas!ng "!s!ons #ere also be!ng #o"en around Patty4s Place* There #as a #ar %leasant sense of ho e !n the thought of !t' e"en though she had ne"er l!"ed there* But the su er had been a "ery ha%%y one' too ++ a t! e of glad l!"!ng #!th su er suns and s&!es' a t! e of &een del!ght !n #holeso e th!ngsD a t! e of rene#!ng and dee%en!ng of old fr!endsh!%sD a t! e !n #h!ch she had learned to l!"e ore nobly' to #or& ore %at!ently' to %lay ore heart!ly* $All l!fe lessons are not learned at college'$ she thought* $L!fe teaches the e"ery#here*$ But alas' the f!nal #ee& of that %leasant "acat!on #as s%o!led for Anne' by one of those ! %!sh ha%%en!ngs #h!ch are l!&e a drea turned u%s!de do#n* $Been #r!t!ng any ore stor!es latelyF$ !n)u!red Mr* 6arr!son gen!ally one e"en!ng #hen Anne #as ta&!ng tea #!th h! and Mrs* 6arr!son* $No'$ ans#ered Anne' rather cr!s%ly* $>ell' no offense eant* Mrs* 6!ra Sloane told e the other day that a b!g en"elo%e addressed to the ?oll!ngs ?el!able Ba&!ng Po#der .o %any of Montreal had been dro%%ed !nto the %ost off!ce box a onth ago' and she sus%!c!oned that so ebody #as try!ng for the %r!Ce they4d offered for the best story that !ntroduced the na e of the!r ba&!ng %o#der* She sa!d !t #asn4t addressed !n your #r!t!ng' but I thought aybe !t #as you*$ $Indeed' noE I sa# the %r!Ce offer' but I4d ne"er drea of co %et!ng for !t* I th!n& !t #ould be %erfectly d!sgraceful to

#r!te a story to ad"ert!se a ba&!ng %o#der* It #ould be al ost as bad as @udson Par&er4s %atent ed!c!ne fence*$ So s%a&e Anne loft!ly' l!ttle drea !ng of the "alley of hu !l!at!on a#a!t!ng her* That "ery e"en!ng D!ana %o%%ed !nto the %orch gable' br!ght+eyed and rosy chee&ed' carry!ng a letter* $-h' Anne' here4s a letter for you* I #as at the off!ce' so I thought I4d br!ng !t along* Do o%en !t )u!c&* If !t !s #hat I bel!e"e !t !s I shall just be #!ld #!th del!ght*$ Anne' %uCCled' o%ened the letter and glanced o"er the ty%e#r!tten contents* M!ss Anne Sh!rley' Green Gables' A"onlea' P*E* Island* $DEA? MADAMK >e ha"e uch %leasure !n !nfor !ng you that your char !ng story GA"er!l4s Atone ent4 has #on the %r!Ce of t#enty+f!"e dollars offered !n our recent co %et!t!on* >e enclose the chec& here#!th* >e are arrang!ng for the %ubl!cat!on of the story !n se"eral %ro !nent .anad!an ne#s%a%ers' and #e also !ntend to ha"e !t %r!nted !n %a %hlet for for d!str!but!on a ong our %atrons* Than&!ng you for the !nterest you ha"e sho#n !n our enter%r!se' #e re a!n' ,ours "ery truly' T6E ?-LLINGS ?ELIABLE BAAING P->DE? .o*$ $I don4t understand'$ sa!d Anne' blan&ly* D!ana cla%%ed her hands* $-h' I ANE> !t #ould #!n the %r!Ce ++ I #as sure of !t* III sent your story !nto the co %et!t!on' Anne*$ $D!ana ++ BarryE$ $,es' I d!d'$ sa!d D!ana gleefully' %erch!ng herself on the bed* $>hen I sa# the offer I thought of your story !n a !nute' and at f!rst I thought I4d as& you to send !t !n* But then I #as afra!d you #ouldn4t ++ you had so l!ttle fa!th left !n !t* So I just dec!ded I4d send the co%y you ga"e e' and say noth!ng about !t*

Then' !f !t d!dn4t #!n the %r!Ce' you4d ne"er &no# and you #ouldn4t feel badly o"er !t' because the stor!es that fa!led #ere not to be returned' and !f !t d!d you4d ha"e such a del!ghtful sur%r!se*$ D!ana #as not the ost d!scern!ng of ortals' but just at th!s o ent !t struc& her that Anne #as not loo&!ng exactly o"erjoyed* The sur%r!se #as there' beyond doubt ++ but #here #as the del!ghtF $>hy' Anne' you don4t see Anne !nstantly a b!t %leasedE$ she excla! ed*

anufactured a s !le and %ut !t on*

$-f course I couldn4t be anyth!ng but %leased o"er your unself!sh #!sh to g!"e e %leasure'$ she sa!d slo#ly* $But you &no# ++ I4 so a aCed ++ I can4t real!Ce !t ++ and I don4t understand* There #asn4t a #ord !n y story about ++ about ++ $ Anne cho&ed a l!ttle o"er the #ord ++ $ba&!ng %o#der*$ $-h' III %ut that !n'$ sa!d D!ana' reassured* $It #as as easy as #!n& ++ and of course y ex%er!ence !n our old Story .lub hel%ed e* ,ou &no# the scene #here A"er!l a&es the ca&eF >ell' I just stated that she used the ?oll!ngs ?el!able !n !t' and that #as #hy !t turned out so #ellD and then' !n the last %aragra%h' #here PE?.E3AL clas%s A3E?IL !n h!s ar s and says' GS#eetheart' the beaut!ful co !ng years #!ll br!ng us the fulf!l ent of our ho e of drea s'4 I added' G!n #h!ch #e #!ll ne"er use any ba&!ng %o#der exce%t ?oll!ngs ?el!able*4$ $-h'$ gas%ed %oor Anne' as !f so e one had dashed cold #ater on her* $And you4"e #on the t#enty+f!"e dollars'$ cont!nued D!ana jub!lantly* $>hy' I heard Pr!sc!lla say once that the .anad!an >o an only %ays f!"e dollars for a storyE$ Anne held out the hateful %!n& sl!% !n sha&!ng f!ngers* $I can4t ta&e !t ++ !t4s yours by r!ght' D!ana* ,ou sent the story !n and ade the alterat!ons* I ++ I #ould certa!nly ne"er ha"e sent !t* So you ust ta&e the chec&*$ $I4d l!&e to see yself'$ sa!d D!ana scornfully* $>hy' #hat I d!d #asn4t any trouble* The honor of be!ng a fr!end of the %r!Ce#!nner !s enough for e* >ell' I ust go* I should ha"e gone stra!ght ho e fro the %ost off!ce for #e ha"e co %any* But I s! %ly had to co e and hear the ne#s* I4 so glad for your sa&e' Anne*$

Anne suddenly bent for#ard' %ut her ar s about D!ana' and &!ssed her chee&* $I th!n& you are the s#eetest and truest fr!end !n the #orld' D!ana'$ she sa!d' #!th a l!ttle tre ble !n her "o!ce' $and I assure you I a%%rec!ate the ot!"e of #hat you4"e done*$ D!ana' %leased and e barrassed' got herself a#ay' and %oor Anne' after fl!ng!ng the !nnocent chec& !nto her bureau dra#er as !f !t #ere blood+ oney' cast herself on her bed and #e%t tears of sha e and outraged sens!b!l!ty* -h' she could ne"er l!"e th!s do#n ++ ne"erE G!lbert arr!"ed at dus&' br! !ng o"er #!th congratulat!ons' for he had called at -rchard Slo%e and heard the ne#s* But h!s congratulat!ons d!ed on h!s l!%s at s!ght of Anne4s face* $>hy' Anne' #hat !s the atterF I ex%ected to f!nd you rad!ant o"er #!nn!ng ?oll!ngs ?el!able %r!Ce* Good for youE$ $-h' G!lbert' not you'$ ! %lored Anne' !n an ET+T= B?=TE tone* $I thought ,-= #ould understand* .an4t you see ho# a#ful !t !sF$ $I ust confess I can4t* >6AT !s #rongF$

$E"eryth!ng'$ oaned Anne* $I feel as !f I #ere d!sgraced fore"er* >hat do you th!n& a other #ould feel l!&e !f she found her ch!ld tattooed o"er #!th a ba&!ng %o#der ad"ert!se entF I feel just the sa e* I lo"ed y %oor l!ttle story' and I #rote !t out of the best that #as !n e* And !t !s SA.?ILEGE to ha"e !t degraded to the le"el of a ba&!ng %o#der ad"ert!se ent* Don4t you re e ber #hat Professor 6a !lton used to tell us !n the l!terature class at Hueen4sF 6e sa!d #e #ere ne"er to #r!te a #ord for a lo# or un#orthy ot!"e' but al#ays to cl!ng to the "ery h!ghest !deals* >hat #!ll he th!n& #hen he hears I4"e #r!tten a story to ad"ert!se ?oll!ngs ?el!ableF And' oh' #hen !t gets out at ?ed ondE Th!n& ho# I4ll be teased and laughed atE$ $That you #on4t'$ sa!d G!lbert' #onder!ng uneas!ly !f !t #ere that confounded @un!or4s o%!n!on !n %art!cular o"er #h!ch Anne #as #orr!ed* $The ?eds #!ll th!n& just as I thought ++ that you' be!ng l!&e n!ne out of ten of us' not o"erburdened #!th #orldly #ealth' had ta&en th!s #ay of earn!ng an honest %enny to hel% yourself through the year* I don4t see that there4s anyth!ng lo# or un#orthy about that' or anyth!ng r!d!culous e!ther* -ne #ould rather #r!te aster%!eces of l!terature no doubt ++ but ean#h!le board and tu!t!on fees ha"e to be %a!d*$

Th!s co onsense' atter+of+fact "!e# of the case cheered Anne a l!ttle* At least !t re o"ed her dread of be!ng laughed at' though the dee%er hurt of an outraged !deal re a!ned*

.ha%ter <3I Adjusted ?elat!onsh!%s $It4s the ho !est s%ot I e"er sa# ++ !t4s ho !er than ho e'$ a"o#ed Ph!l!%%a Gordon' loo&!ng about her #!th del!ghted eyes* They #ere all asse bled at t#!l!ght !n the b!g l!"!ng+roo at Patty4s Place ++ Anne and Pr!sc!lla' Ph!l and Stella' Aunt @a es!na' ?usty' @ose%h' the Sarah+.at' and Gog and Magog* The f!rel!ght shado#s #ere danc!ng o"er the #allsD the cats #ere %urr!ngD and a huge bo#l of hothouse chrysanthe u s' sent to Ph!l by one of the "!ct! s' shone through the golden gloo l!&e crea y oons* It #as three #ee&s s!nce they had cons!dered the sel"es settled' and already all bel!e"ed the ex%er! ent #ould be a success* The f!rst fortn!ght after the!r return had been a %leasantly exc!t!ng oneD they had been busy sett!ng u% the!r household goods' organ!C!ng the!r l!ttle establ!sh ent' and adjust!ng d!fferent o%!n!ons* Anne #as not o"er+sorry to lea"e A"onlea #hen the t! e ca e to return to college* The last fe# days of her "acat!on had not been %leasant* 6er %r!Ce story had been %ubl!shed !n the Island %a%ersD and Mr* >!ll!a Bla!r had' u%on the counter of h!s store' a huge %!le of %!n&' green and yello# %a %hlets' conta!n!ng !t' one of #h!ch he ga"e to e"ery custo er* 6e sent a co %l! entary bundle to Anne' #ho %ro %tly dro%%ed the all !n the &!tchen sto"e* 6er hu !l!at!on #as the conse)uence of her o#n !deals only' for A"onlea fol&s thought !t )u!te s%lend!d that she should ha"e #on the %r!Ce* 6er any fr!ends regarded her #!th honest ad !rat!onD her fe# foes #!th scornful en"y* @os!e Pye sa!d she bel!e"ed Anne Sh!rley had just co%!ed the storyD she #as sure she re e bered read!ng !t !n a %a%er years before* The Sloanes' #ho had found out or guessed that .harl!e had been $turned do#n'$ sa!d they d!dn4t th!n& !t #as uch to be %roud ofD al ost any one could ha"e done !t' !f she tr!ed* Aunt Atossa told Anne she #as "ery sorry to hear she had ta&en to #r!t!ng no"elsD nobody born and bred !n A"onlea #ould do !tD that #as

#hat ca e of ado%t!ng or%hans fro goodness &ne# #here' #!th goodness &ne# #hat &!nd of %arents* E"en Mrs* ?achel Lynde #as dar&ly dub!ous about the %ro%r!ety of #r!t!ng f!ct!on' though she #as al ost reconc!led to !t by that t#enty+f!"e dollar chec&* $It !s %erfectly a aC!ng' the %r!ce they %ay for such l!es' that4s #hat'$ she sa!d' half+%roudly' half+se"erely* All th!ngs cons!dered' !t #as a rel!ef #hen go!ng+a#ay t! e ca e* And !t #as "ery jolly to be bac& at ?ed ond' a #!se' ex%er!enced So%h #!th hosts of fr!ends to greet on the erry o%en!ng day* Pr!s and Stella and G!lbert #ere there' .harl!e Sloane' loo&!ng ore ! %ortant than e"er a So%ho ore loo&ed before' Ph!l' #!th the Alec+and+AlonCo )uest!on st!ll unsettled' and Moody S%urgeon MacPherson* Moody S%urgeon had been teach!ng school e"er s!nce lea"!ng Hueen4s' but h!s other had concluded !t #as h!gh t! e he ga"e !t u% and turned h!s attent!on to learn!ng ho# to be a !n!ster* Poor Moody S%urgeon fell on hard luc& at the "ery beg!nn!ng of h!s college career* 6alf a doCen ruthless So%hs' #ho #ere a ong h!s fello#+boarders' s#oo%ed do#n u%on h! one n!ght and sha"ed half of h!s head* In th!s gu!se the luc&less Moody S%urgeon had to go about unt!l h!s ha!r gre# aga!n* 6e told Anne b!tterly that there #ere t! es #hen he had h!s doubts as to #hether he #as really called to be a !n!ster* Aunt @a es!na d!d not co e unt!l the g!rls had Patty4s Place ready for her* M!ss Patty had sent the &ey to Anne' #!th a letter !n #h!ch she sa!d Gog and Magog #ere %ac&ed !n a box under the s%are+roo bed' but !ght be ta&en out #hen #antedD !n a %ostscr!%t she added that she ho%ed the g!rls #ould be careful about %utt!ng u% %!ctures* The l!"!ng roo had been ne#ly %a%ered f!"e years before and she and M!ss Mar!a d!d not #ant any ore holes ade !n that ne# %a%er than #as absolutely necessary* (or the rest she trusted e"eryth!ng to Anne* 6o# those g!rls enjoyed %utt!ng the!r nest !n orderE As Ph!l sa!d' !t #as al ost as good as gett!ng arr!ed* ,ou had the fun of ho e a&!ng #!thout the bother of a husband* All brought so eth!ng #!th the to adorn or a&e co fortable the l!ttle house* Pr!s and Ph!l and Stella had &n!c&+&nac&s and %!ctures galore' #h!ch latter they %roceeded to hang accord!ng to taste' !n rec&less d!sregard of M!ss Patty4s ne# %a%er* $>e4ll %utty the holes u% #hen #e lea"e' dear ++ she4ll ne"er &no#'$ they sa!d to %rotest!ng Anne*

D!ana had g!"en Anne a %!ne needle cush!on and M!ss Ada had g!"en both her and Pr!sc!lla a fearfully and #onderfully e bro!dered one* Mar!lla had sent a b!g box of %reser"es' and dar&ly h!nted at a ha %er for Than&sg!"!ng' and Mrs* Lynde ga"e Anne a %atch#or& )u!lt and loaned her f!"e ore* $,ou ta&e the '$ she sa!d author!tat!"ely* $They !ght as #ell be !n use as %ac&ed a#ay !n that trun& !n the garret for oths to gna#*$ No oths #ould e"er ha"e "entured near those )u!lts' for they ree&ed of othballs to such an extent that they had to be hung !n the orchard of Patty4s Place a full fortn!ght before they could be endured !ndoors* 3er!ly' ar!stocrat!c S%offord A"enue had rarely beheld such a d!s%lay* The gruff old !ll!ona!re #ho l!"ed $next door$ ca e o"er and #anted to buy the gorgeous red and yello# $tul!%+%attern$ one #h!ch Mrs* ?achel had g!"en Anne* 6e sa!d h!s other used to a&e )u!lts l!&e that' and by @o"e' he #anted one to re !nd h! of her* Anne #ould not sell !t' uch to h!s d!sa%%o!nt ent' but she #rote all about !t to Mrs* Lynde* That h!ghly+grat!f!ed lady sent #ord bac& that she had one just l!&e !t to s%are' so the tobacco &!ng got h!s )u!lt after all' and !ns!sted on ha"!ng !t s%read on h!s bed' to the d!sgust of h!s fash!onable #!fe* Mrs* Lynde4s )u!lts ser"ed a "ery useful %ur%ose that #!nter* Patty4s Place for all !ts any "!rtues' had !ts faults also* It #as really a rather cold houseD and #hen the frosty n!ghts ca e the g!rls #ere "ery glad to snuggle do#n under Mrs* Lynde4s )u!lts' and ho%ed that the loan of the !ght be accounted unto her for r!ghteousness* Anne had the blue roo she had co"eted at s!ght* Pr!sc!lla and Stella had the large one* Ph!l #as bl!ssfully content #!th the l!ttle one o"er the &!tchenD and Aunt @a es!na #as to ha"e the do#nsta!rs one off the l!"!ng+roo * ?usty at f!rst sle%t on the doorste%* Anne' #al&!ng ho e fro ?ed ond a fe# days after her return' beca e a#are that the %eo%le that she et sur"eyed her #!th a co"ert' !ndulgent s !le* Anne #ondered uneas!ly #hat #as the atter #!th her* >as her hat croo&edF >as her belt looseF .ran!ng her head to !n"est!gate' Anne' for the f!rst t! e' sa# ?usty* Trott!ng along beh!nd her' close to her heels' #as )u!te the ost forlorn s%ec! en of the cat tr!be she had e"er beheld* The an! al #as #ell %ast &!tten+hood' lan&' th!n' d!sre%utable loo&!ng* P!eces of both ears #ere lac&!ng' one eye #as

te %orar!ly out of re%a!r' and one jo#l lud!crously s#ollen* As for color' !f a once blac& cat had been #ell and thoroughly s!nged the result #ould ha"e rese bled the hue of th!s #a!f4s th!n' draggled' uns!ghtly fur* Anne $shooed'$ but the cat #ould not $shoo*$ As long as she stood he sat bac& on h!s haunches and gaCed at her re%roachfully out of h!s one good eyeD #hen she resu ed her #al& he follo#ed* Anne res!gned herself to h!s co %any unt!l she reached the gate of Patty4s Place' #h!ch she coldly shut !n h!s face' fondly su%%os!ng she had seen the last of h! * But #hen' f!fteen !nutes later' Ph!l o%ened the door' there sat the rusty+bro#n cat on the ste%* More' he %ro %tly darted !n and s%rang u%on Anne4s la% #!th a half+%lead!ng' half+tr!u %hant $ !ao#*$ $Anne'$ sa!d Stella se"erely' $do you o#n that an! alF$ $No' I do N-T'$ %rotested d!sgusted Anne* $The creature follo#ed e ho e fro so e#here* I couldn4t get r!d of h! * =gh' get do#n* I l!&e decent cats reasonably #ellD but I don4t l!&e beast!es of your co %lex!on*$ Pussy' ho#e"er' refused to get do#n* 6e coolly curled u% !n Anne4s la% and began to %urr* $6e has e"!dently ado%ted you'$ laughed Pr!sc!lla* $I #on4t BE ado%ted'$ sa!d Anne stubbornly* $The %oor creature !s star"!ng'$ sa!d Ph!l %!ty!ngly* $>hy' h!s bones are al ost co !ng through h!s s&!n*$ $>ell' I4ll g!"e h! a s)uare eal and then he #hence he ca e'$ sa!d Anne resolutely* ust return to

The cat #as fed and %ut out* In the orn!ng he #as st!ll on the doorste%* -n the doorste% he cont!nued to s!t' bolt!ng !n #hene"er the door #as o%ened* No coolness of #elco e had the least effect on h! D of nobody sa"e Anne d!d he ta&e the least not!ce* -ut of co %ass!on the g!rls fed h! D but #hen a #ee& had %assed they dec!ded that so eth!ng ust be done* The cat4s a%%earance had ! %ro"ed* 6!s eye and chee& had resu ed the!r nor al a%%earanceD he #as not )u!te so th!nD and he had been seen #ash!ng h!s face* $But for all that #e can4t &ee% h! '$ sa!d Stella* $Aunt @! s!e

!s co !ng next #ee& and she #!ll br!ng the Sarah+cat #!th her* >e can4t &ee% t#o catsD and !f #e d!d th!s ?usty .oat #ould f!ght all the t! e #!th the Sarah+cat* 6e4s a f!ghter by nature* 6e had a %!tched battle last e"en!ng #!th the tobacco+&!ng4s cat and routed h! ' horse' foot and art!llery*$ $>e ust get r!d of h! '$ agreed Anne' loo&!ng dar&ly at the subject of the!r d!scuss!on' #ho #as %urr!ng on the hearth rug #!th an a!r of la b+l!&e ee&ness* $But the )uest!on !s ++ ho#F 6o# can four un%rotected fe ales get r!d of a cat #ho #on4t be got r!d ofF$ >e ust chlorofor hu ane #ay*$ h! '$ sa!d Ph!l br!s&ly* $That !s the ost

$>ho of us &no#s anyth!ng about chlorofor !ng a catF$ de anded Anne gloo !ly* $I do' honey* It4s one of y fe# ++ sadly fe# ++ useful acco %l!sh ents* I4"e d!s%osed of se"eral at ho e* ,ou ta&e the cat !n the orn!ng and g!"e h! a good brea&fast* Then you ta&e an old burla% bag ++ there4s one !n the bac& %orch ++ %ut the cat on !t and turn o"er h! a #ooden box* Then ta&e a t#o+ounce bottle of chlorofor ' uncor& !t' and sl!% !t under the edge of the box* Put a hea"y #e!ght on to% of the box and lea"e !t t!ll e"en!ng* The cat #!ll be dead' curled u% %eacefully as !f he #ere aslee%* No %a!n ++ no struggle*$ $It sounds easy'$ sa!d Anne dub!ously* $It IS easy* @ust lea"e !t to e* I4ll see to !t'$ sa!d Ph!l reassur!ngly*

Accord!ngly the chlorofor #as %rocured' and the next orn!ng ?usty #as lured to h!s doo * 6e ate h!s brea&fast' l!c&ed h!s cho%s' and cl! bed !nto Anne4s la%* Anne4s heart !sga"e her* Th!s %oor creature lo"ed her ++ trusted her* 6o# could she be a %arty to th!s destruct!onF $6ere' ta&e h! '$ she sa!d hast!ly to Ph!l* $I feel l!&e a urderess*$

$6e #on4t suffer' you &no#'$ co forted Ph!l' but Anne had fled* The fatal deed #as done !n the bac& %orch* Nobody #ent near !t that day* But at dus& Ph!l declared that ?usty ust be bur!ed* $Pr!s and Stella ust d!g h!s gra"e !n the orchard'$ declared Ph!l' $and Anne ust co e #!th e to l!ft the box off* That4s the %art

I al#ays hate*$ The t#o cons%!rators t!%+toed reluctantly to the bac& %orch* Ph!l g!ngerly l!fted the stone she had %ut on the box* Suddenly' fa!nt but d!st!nct' sounded an un !sta&able e# under the box* $6e ++ he !sn4t dead'$ gas%ed Anne' s!tt!ng blan&ly do#n on the &!tchen doorste%* $6e ust be'$ sa!d Ph!l !ncredulously* e# %ro"ed that he #asn4t* The t#o g!rls stared at

Another t!ny each other*$

>hat #!ll #e doF$ )uest!oned Anne* $>hy !n the #orld don4t you co eF$ de anded Stella' a%%ear!ng !n the door#ay* $>e4"e got the gra"e ready* G>hat s!lent st!ll and s!lent allF4$ she )uoted teas!ngly* $G-h' no' the "o!ces of the dead Sound l!&e the d!stant torrent4s fall'4$ %ro %tly counter+)uoted Anne' %o!nt!ng sole nly to the box* A burst of laughter bro&e the tens!on* $>e ust lea"e h! here t!ll orn!ng'$ sa!d Ph!l' re%lac!ng the stone* $6e hasn4t e#ed for f!"e !nutes* Perha%s the e#s #e heard #ere h!s dy!ng groan* -r %erha%s #e erely ! ag!ned the ' under the stra!n of our gu!lty consc!ences*$ But' #hen the box #as l!fted !n the orn!ng' ?usty bounded at one gay lea% to Anne4s shoulder #here he began to l!c& her face affect!onately* Ne"er #as there a cat ore dec!dedly al!"e* $6ere4s a &not hole !n the box'$ groaned Ph!l* $I ne"er sa# !t* That4s #hy he d!dn4t d!e* No#' #e4"e got to do !t all o"er aga!n*$ $No' #e ha"en4t'$ declared Anne suddenly* $?usty !sn4t go!ng to be &!lled aga!n* 6e4s y cat ++ and you4"e just got to a&e the best of !t*$ $-h' #ell' !f you4ll settle #!th Aunt @! s!e and the Sarah+cat'$ sa!d Stella' #!th the a!r of one #ash!ng her hands of the #hole affa!r* (ro that t! e ?usty #as one of the fa !ly* 6e sle%t o4n!ghts on the scrubb!ng cush!on !n the bac& %orch and l!"ed on the fat of the land* By the t! e Aunt @a es!na ca e he #as %lu % and glossy and tolerably

res%ectable* But' l!&e A!%l!ng4s cat' he $#al&ed by h! self*$ 6!s %a# #as aga!nst e"ery cat' and e"ery cat4s %a# aga!nst h! * -ne by one he "an)u!shed the ar!stocrat!c fel!nes of S%offord A"enue* As for hu an be!ngs' he lo"ed Anne and Anne alone* Nobody else e"en dared stro&e h! * An angry s%!t and so eth!ng that sounded uch l!&e "ery ! %ro%er language greeted any one #ho d!d* $The a!rs that cat %uts on are %erfectly !ntolerable'$ declared Stella* $6! #as a n!ce old %ussens' h! #as'$ "o#ed Anne' cuddl!ng her %et def!antly*

$>ell' I don4t &no# ho# he and the Sarah+cat #!ll e"er a&e out to l!"e together'$ sa!d Stella %es! !st!cally* $.at+f!ghts !n the orchard o4n!ghts are bad enough* But cat+f!ghts here !n the l!"!ngroo are unth!n&able*$ In due t! e Aunt @a es!na arr!"ed* Anne and Pr!sc!lla and Ph!l had a#a!ted her ad"ent rather dub!ouslyD but #hen Aunt @a es!na #as enthroned !n the roc&!ng cha!r before the o%en f!re they f!gurat!"ely bo#ed do#n and #orsh!%%ed her* Aunt @a es!na #as a t!ny old #o an #!th a l!ttle' softly+tr!angular face' and large' soft blue eyes that #ere al!ght #!th un)uenchable youth' and as full of ho%es as a g!rl4s* She had %!n& chee&s and sno#+#h!te ha!r #h!ch she #ore !n )ua!nt l!ttle %uffs o"er her ears* $It4s a "ery old+fash!oned #ay'$ she sa!d' &n!tt!ng !ndustr!ously at so eth!ng as da!nty and %!n& as a sunset cloud* $But III a old+fash!oned* My clothes are' and !t stands to reason y o%!n!ons are' too* I don4t say they4re any the better of that' !nd you* In fact' I daresay they4re a good deal the #orse* But they4"e #orn n!ce and easy* Ne# shoes are s arter than old ones' but the old ones are ore co fortable* I4 old enough to !ndulge yself !n the atter of shoes and o%!n!ons* I ean to ta&e !t real easy here* I &no# you ex%ect e to loo& after you and &ee% you %ro%er' but I4 not go!ng to do !t* ,ou4re old enough to &no# ho# to beha"e !f you4re e"er go!ng to be* So' as far as I a concerned'$ concluded Aunt @a es!na' #!th a t#!n&le !n her young eyes' $you can all go to destruct!on !n your o#n #ay*$ $-h' #!ll so ebody se%arate those catsF$ %leaded Stella' shudder!ngly* Aunt @a es!na had brought #!th her not only the Sarah+cat but @ose%h* @ose%h' she ex%la!ned' had belonged to a dear fr!end of hers #ho had gone to l!"e !n 3ancou"er* $She couldn4t ta&e @ose%h #!th her so she begged e to ta&e h! * I really couldn4t refuse* 6e4s a beaut!ful cat ++ that !s' h!s

d!s%os!t!on !s beaut!ful* She called h! !s of any colors*$

@ose%h because h!s coat

It certa!nly #as* @ose%h' as the d!sgusted Stella sa!d' loo&ed l!&e a #al&!ng rag+bag* It #as ! %oss!ble to say #hat h!s ground color #as* 6!s legs #ere #h!te #!th blac& s%ots on the * 6!s bac& #as gray #!th a huge %atch of yello# on one s!de and a blac& %atch on the other* 6!s ta!l #as yello# #!th a gray t!%* -ne ear #as blac& and one yello#* A blac& %atch o"er one eye ga"e h! a fearfully ra&!sh loo&* In real!ty he #as ee& and !noffens!"e' of a soc!able d!s%os!t!on* In one res%ect' !f !n no other' @ose%h #as l!&e a l!ly of the f!eld* 6e to!led not ne!ther d!d he s%!n or catch !ce* ,et Solo on !n all h!s glory sle%t not on softer cush!ons' or feasted ore fully on fat th!ngs* @ose%h and the Sarah+cat arr!"ed by ex%ress !n se%arate boxes* After they had been released and fed' @ose%h selected the cush!on and corner #h!ch a%%ealed to h! ' and the Sarah+cat gra"ely sat herself do#n before the f!re and %roceeded to #ash her face* She #as a large' slee&' gray+and+#h!te cat' #!th an enor ous d!gn!ty #h!ch #as not at all ! %a!red by any consc!ousness of her %leb!an or!g!n* She had been g!"en to Aunt @a es!na by her #asher#o an* $6er na e #as Sarah' so y husband al#ays called %uss the Sarah+cat'$ ex%la!ned Aunt @a es!na* $She !s e!ght years old' and a re ar&able ouser* Don4t #orry' Stella* The Sarah+cat NE3E? f!ghts and @ose%h rarely*$ $They4ll ha"e to f!ght here !n self+defense'$ sa!d Stella* At th!s juncture ?usty arr!"ed on the scene* 6e bounded joyously half #ay across the roo before he sa# the !ntruders* Then he sto%%ed shortD h!s ta!l ex%anded unt!l !t #as as b!g as three ta!ls* The fur on h!s bac& rose u% !n a def!ant archD ?usty lo#ered h!s head' uttered a fearful shr!e& of hatred and def!ance' and launched h! self at the Sarah+cat* The stately an! al had sto%%ed #ash!ng her face and #as loo&!ng at h! cur!ously* She et h!s onslaught #!th one conte %tuous s#ee% of her ca%able %a#* ?usty #ent roll!ng hel%lessly o"er on the rugD he %!c&ed h! self u% daCedly* >hat sort of a cat #as th!s #ho had boxed h!s earsF 6e loo&ed dub!ously at the Sarah+cat* >ould he or #ould he notF The Sarah+cat del!berately turned her bac& on h! and resu ed her to!let o%erat!ons* ?usty dec!ded that he #ould not* 6e ne"er d!d* (ro that t! e on the Sarah+cat ruled the roost* ?usty ne"er aga!n !nterfered #!th her*

But @ose%h rashly sat u% and ya#ned* ?usty' burn!ng to a"enge h!s d!sgrace' s#oo%ed do#n u%on h! * @ose%h' %ac!f!c by nature' could f!ght u%on occas!on and f!ght #ell* The result #as a ser!es of dra#n battles* E"ery day ?usty and @ose%h fought at s!ght* Anne too& ?usty4s %art and detested @ose%h* Stella #as !n des%a!r* But Aunt @a es!na only laughed* Let the f!ght !t out'$ she sa!d tolerantly* $They4ll a&e fr!ends after a b!t* @ose%h needs so e exerc!se ++ he #as gett!ng too fat* And ?usty has to learn he !sn4t the only cat !n the #orld*$ E"entually @ose%h and ?usty acce%ted the s!tuat!on and fro s#orn ene !es beca e s#orn fr!ends* They sle%t on the sa e cush!on #!th the!r %a#s about each other' and gra"ely #ashed each other4s faces* $>e4"e all got used to each other'$ sa!d Ph!l* $And I4"e learned ho# to #ash d!shes and s#ee% a floor*$ $But you needn4t try to laughed Anne* a&e us bel!e"e you can chlorofor a cat'$

$It #as all the fault of the &nothole'$ %rotested Ph!l* $It #as a good th!ng the &nothole #as there'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na rather se"erely* $A!ttens 6A3E to be dro#ned' I ad !t' or the #orld #ould be o"errun* But no decent' gro#n+u% cat should be done to death ++ unless he suc&s eggs*$ $,ou #ouldn4t ha"e thought ?usty "ery decent !f you4d seen h! #hen he ca e here'$ sa!d Stella* $6e %os!t!"ely loo&ed l!&e the -ld N!c&*$ $I don4t bel!e"e -ld N!c& can be so "ery' ugly$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na reflect!"ely* $6e #ouldn4t do so uch har !f he #as* III al#ays th!n& of h! as a rather handso e gentle an*$

.ha%ter <3II A Letter fro Da"y

$It4s beg!nn!ng to sno#' g!rls'$ sa!d Ph!l' co !ng !n one No"e ber e"en!ng' $and there are the lo"el!est l!ttle stars and

crosses all o"er the garden #al&* I ne"er not!ced before #hat ex)u!s!te th!ngs sno#fla&es really are* -ne has t! e to not!ce th!ngs l!&e that !n the s! %le l!fe* Bless you all for %er !tt!ng e to l!"e !t* It4s really del!ghtful to feel #orr!ed because butter has gone u% f!"e cents a %ound*$ $6as !tF$ de anded Stella' #ho &e%t the household accounts* $It has ++ and here4s your butter* I4 gett!ng )u!te ex%ert at It4s better fun than fl!rt!ng'$ concluded Ph!l gra"ely* $E"eryth!ng !s go!ng u% scandalously'$ s!ghed Stella* $Ne"er !nd* Than& goodness a!r and sal"at!on are st!ll free'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $And so !s laughter'$ added Anne* $There4s no tax on !t yet and that !s #ell' because you4re all go!ng to laugh %resently* I4 go!ng to read you Da"y4s letter* 6!s s%ell!ng has ! %ro"ed ! ensely th!s %ast year' though he !s not strong on a%ostro%hes' and he certa!nly %ossesses the g!ft of #r!t!ng an !nterest!ng letter* L!sten and laugh' before #e settle do#n to the e"en!ng4s study+gr!nd*$ $Dear Anne'$ ran Da"y4s letter' $I ta&e y %en to tell you that #e are all %retty #ell and ho%e th!s #!ll f!nd you the sa e* It4s sno#!ng so e today and Mar!lla says the old #o an !n the s&y !s sha&!ng her feather beds* Is the old #o an !n the s&y God4s #!fe' AnneF I #ant to &no#* $Mrs* Lynde has been real s!c& but she !s better no#* She fell do#n the cellar sta!rs last #ee&* >hen she fell she grabbed hold of the shelf #!th all the !l& %a!ls and ste#%ans on !t' and !t ga"e #ay and #ent do#n #!th her and ade a s%lend!d crash* Mar!lla thought !t #as an earth)ua&e at f!rst* -ne of the ste#%ans #as all d!nged u% and Mrs* Lynde straned her r!bs* The doctor ca e and ga"e her ed!c!ne to rub on her r!bs but she d!dn4t under stand h! and too& !t all !ns!de !nstead* The doctor sa!d !t #as a #onder !t d!dent &!ll her but !t d!dent and !t cured her r!bs and Mrs* Lynde says doctors dont &no# uch anyho#* But #e couldent f!x u% the ste#%an* Mar!lla had to thro# !t out* Than&sg!"!ng #as last #ee&* There #as no school and #e had a great d!nner* I et !nce %!e and rost tur&ey and frut ca&e and donuts and cheese and ja and cho&lut ca&e* Mar!lla sa!d I4d d!e but I d!dent* Dora had eara&e after !t' only !t #asent !n her ears !t #as !n her stu !c&* I d!dent ar&et!ng*

ha"e eara&e any#here* $-ur ne# teacher !s a an* 6e does th!ngs for jo&es* Last #ee& he ade all us th!rd+class boys #r!te a co %os!shun on #hat &!nd of a #!fe #e4d l!&e to ha"e and the g!rls on #hat &!nd of a husband* 6e laughed f!t to &!ll #hen he read the * Th!s #as !ne* I thought youd l!&e to see !t* $GThe &!nd of a #!fe I4d l!&e to 6a"e* $GShe ust ha"e good anners and get y eals on t! e and do #hat I tell her and al#ays be "ery %ol!te to e* She ust be f!fteen yers old* She ust be good to the %oor and &ee% her house t!dy and be good te %ered and go to church regularly* She ust be "ery handso e and ha"e curly ha!r* If I get a #!fe that !s just #hat I l!&e Ill be an a#ful good husband to her* I th!n& a #o an ought to be a#ful good to her husband* So e %oor #o en ha"ent any husbands* GT6E END*4$ $I #as at Mrs* Isaac >r!ghts funeral at >h!te Sands last #ee&* The husband of the cor%se felt real sorry* Mrs* Lynde says Mrs* >r!ghts grandfather stole a shee% but Mar!lla says #e ustent s%ea& !ll of the dead* >hy ustent #e' AnneF I #ant to &no#* It4s %retty safe' a!n4t !tF $Mrs* Lynde #as a#ful ad the other day because I as&ed her !f she #as al!"e !n Noah4s t! e* I d!dent ean to hurt her feel!ngs* I just #anted to &no#* >as she' AnneF $Mr* 6arr!son #anted to get r!d of h!s dog* So he hunged h! once but he co e to l!fe and scooted for the barn #h!le Mr* 6arr!son #as d!gg!ng the gra"e' so he hunged h! aga!n and he stayed dead that t! e* Mr* 6arr!son has a ne# an #or&!ng for h! * 6e4s a#ful o&#ard* Mr* 6arr!son says he !s left handed !n both h!s feet* Mr* Barry4s h!red an !s laCy* Mrs* Barry says that but Mr* Barry says he a!nt laCy exactly only he th!n&s !t eas!er to %ray for th!ngs than to #or& for the * $Mrs* 6ar on Andre#s %r!Ce %!g that she tal&ed so uch of d!ed !n a f!t* Mrs* Lynde says !t #as a judg ent on her for %r!de* But I th!n& !t #as hard on the %!g* M!lty Boulter has been s!c&* The doctor ga"e h! ed!c!ne and !t tasted horr!d* I offered to ta&e !t for h! for a )uarter but the Boulters are so ean*

M!lty says he4d rather ta&e !t h! self and sa"e h!s oney* I as&ed Mrs* Boulter ho# a %erson #ould go about catch!ng a an and she got a#ful ad and sa!d she d!dent &no#' shed ne"er chased en* $The A*3*I*S* !s go!ng to %a!nt the hall aga!n* They4re t!red of ha"!ng !t blue* $The ne# !n!ster #as here to tea last n!ght* 6e too& three %!eces of %!e* If I d!d that Mrs* Lynde #ould call e %!ggy* And he et fast and too& b!g b!tes and Mar!lla !s al#ays tell!ng e not to do that* >hy can !n!sters do #hat boys can4tF I #ant to &no#* $I ha"en4t any ore ne#s* 6ere are s!x &!sses* xxxxxx* Dora sends one* 6eres hers* x* $,our lo"!ng fr!end DA3ID AEIT6$ $P*S* Anne' #ho #as the de"!ls fatherF I #ant to &no#*$

.ha%ter <3III M!ss @ose%!ne ?e e bers the Anne+g!rl >hen .hr!st as hol!days ca e the g!rls of Patty4s Place scattered to the!r res%ect!"e ho es' but Aunt @a es!na elected to stay #here she #as* $I couldn4t go to any of the %laces I4"e been !n"!ted and ta&e those three cats'$ she sa!d* $And I4 not go!ng to lea"e the %oor creatures here alone for nearly three #ee&s* If #e had any decent ne!ghbors #ho #ould feed the I !ght' but there4s noth!ng exce%t !ll!ona!res on th!s street* So I4ll stay here and &ee% Patty4s Place #ar for you*$ Anne #ent ho e #!th the usual joyous ant!c!%at!ons ++ #h!ch #ere not #holly fulf!lled* She found A"onlea !n the gr!% of such an early' cold' and stor y #!nter as e"en the $oldest !nhab!tant$ could not recall* Green Gables #as l!terally he ed !n by huge dr!fts* Al ost e"ery day of that !ll+starred "acat!on !t stor ed

f!ercelyD and e"en on f!ne days !t dr!fted unceas!ngly* No sooner #ere the roads bro&en than they f!lled !n aga!n* It #as al ost ! %oss!ble to st!r out* The A*3*I*S* tr!ed' on three e"en!ngs' to ha"e a %arty !n honor of the college students' and on each e"en!ng the stor #as so #!ld that nobody could go' so they ga"e u% the atte %t !n des%a!r* Anne' des%!te her lo"e of and loyalty to Green Gables' could not hel% th!n&!ng long!ngly of Patty4s Place' !ts cosy o%en f!re' Aunt @a es!na4s !rthful eyes' the three cats' the erry chatter of the g!rls' the %leasantness of (r!day e"en!ngs #hen college fr!ends dro%%ed !n to tal& of gra"e and gay* Anne #as lonelyD D!ana' dur!ng the #hole of the hol!days' #as ! %r!soned at ho e #!th a bad attac& of bronch!t!s* She could not co e to Green Gables and !t #as rarely Anne could get to -rchard Slo%e' for the old #ay through the 6aunted >ood #as ! %assable #!th dr!fts' and the long #ay o"er the froCen La&e of Sh!n!ng >aters #as al ost as bad* ?uby G!ll!s #as slee%!ng !n the #h!te+hea%ed gra"eyardD @ane Andre#s #as teach!ng a school on #estern %ra!r!es* G!lbert' to be sure' #as st!ll fa!thful' and #aded u% to Green Gables e"ery %oss!ble e"en!ng* But G!lbert4s "!s!ts #ere not #hat they once #ere* Anne al ost dreaded the * It #as "ery d!sconcert!ng to loo& u% !n the !dst of a sudden s!lence and f!nd G!lbert4s haCel eyes f!xed u%on her #!th a )u!te un !sta&able ex%ress!on !n the!r gra"e de%thsD and !t #as st!ll ore d!sconcert!ng to f!nd herself blush!ng hotly and unco fortably under h!s gaCe' just as !f ++ just as !f ++ #ell' !t #as "ery e barrass!ng* Anne #!shed herself bac& at Patty4s Place' #here there #as al#ays so ebody else about to ta&e the edge off a del!cate s!tuat!on* At Green Gables Mar!lla #ent %ro %tly to Mrs* Lynde4s do a!n #hen G!lbert ca e and !ns!sted on ta&!ng the t#!ns #!th her* The s!gn!f!cance of th!s #as un !sta&able and Anne #as !n a hel%less fury o"er !t* Da"y' ho#e"er' #as %erfectly ha%%y* 6e re"eled !n gett!ng out !n the orn!ng and sho"el!ng out the %aths to the #ell and henhouse* 6e glor!ed !n the .hr!st as+t!de del!cac!es #h!ch Mar!lla and Mrs* Lynde "!ed #!th each other !n %re%ar!ng for Anne' and he #as read!ng an enthrall!ng tale' !n a school l!brary boo&' of a #onderful hero #ho see ed blessed #!th a !raculous faculty for gett!ng !nto scra%es fro #h!ch he #as usually del!"ered by an earth)ua&e or a "olcan!c ex%los!on' #h!ch ble# h! h!gh and dry out of h!s troubles' landed h! !n a fortune' and closed the story #!th %ro%er E.LAT* $I tell you !t4s a bully story' Anne'$ he sa!d ecstat!cally*

$I4d e"er so

uch rather read !t than the B!ble*$

$>ould youF$ s !led Anne* Da"y %eered cur!ously at her* $,ou don4t see a b!t shoc&ed' Anne* Mrs* Lynde #as a#ful shoc&ed #hen I sa!d !t to her*$ $No' I4 not shoc&ed' Da"y* I th!n& !t4s )u!te natural that a n!ne+year+old boy #ould sooner read an ad"enture story than the B!ble* But #hen you are older I ho%e and th!n& that you #!ll real!Ce #hat a #onderful boo& the B!ble !s*$ $-h' I th!n& so e %arts of !t are f!ne'$ conceded Da"y* $That story about @ose%h no# ++ !t4s bully* But !f I4d been @ose%h III #ouldn4t ha"e forg!"e the brothers* No' s!ree' Anne* I4d ha"e cut all the!r heads off* Mrs* Lynde #as a#ful ad #hen I sa!d that and shut the B!ble u% and sa!d she4d ne"er read e any ore of !t !f I tal&ed l!&e that* So I don4t tal& no# #hen she reads !t Sunday afternoonsD I just th!n& th!ngs and say the to M!lty Boulter next day !n school* I told M!lty the story about El!sha and the bears and !t scared h! so he4s ne"er ade fun of Mr* 6arr!son4s bald head once* Are there any bears on P*E* Island' AnneF I #ant to &no#*$ $Not no#adays'$ sa!d Anne' absently' as the #!nd ble# a scud of sno# aga!nst the #!ndo#* $-h' dear' #!ll !t e"er sto% stor !ng*$ $God &no#s'$ sa!d Da"y a!r!ly' %re%ar!ng to resu e h!s read!ng* Anne >AS shoc&ed th!s t! e* $Da"yE$ she excla! ed re%roachfully* $Mrs* Lynde says that'$ %rotested Da"y* $-ne n!ght last #ee& Mar!lla sa!d G>!ll Ludo"!c S%eed and Theodora D!x E3E? get arr!ed$ and Mrs* Lynde sa!d' GGod &no#s4 ++ just l!&e that*$ $>ell' !t #asn4t r!ght for her to say !t'$ sa!d Anne' %ro %tly dec!d!ng u%on #h!ch horn of th!s d!le a to e %ale herself* $It !sn4t r!ght for anybody to ta&e that na e !n "a!n or s%ea& !t l!ghtly' Da"y* Don4t e"er do !t aga!n*$ $Not !f I say !t slo# and sole n' l!&e the Da"y gra"ely* !n!sterF$ )uer!ed

$No' not e"en then*$ $>ell' I #on4t* Ludo"!c S%eed and Theodora D!x l!"e !n M!ddle Grafton and Mrs* ?achel says he has been court!ng her for a hundred years* >on4t they soon be too old to get arr!ed' AnneF I ho%e G!lbert #on4t court ,-= that long* >hen are you go!ng to be arr!ed' AnneF Mrs* Lynde says !t4s a sure th!ng*$ $Mrs* Lynde !s a ++$ began Anne hotlyD then sto%%ed* $A#ful old goss!%'$ co %leted Da"y cal ly* $That4s #hat e"ery one calls her* But !s !t a sure th!ng' AnneF I #ant to &no#*$ $,ou4re a "ery s!lly l!ttle boy' Da"y'$ sa!d Anne' stal&!ng haught!ly out of the roo * The &!tchen #as deserted and she sat do#n by the #!ndo# !n the fast fall!ng #!ntry t#!l!ght* The sun had set and the #!nd had d!ed do#n* A %ale ch!lly oon loo&ed out beh!nd a ban& of %ur%le clouds !n the #est* The s&y faded out' but the str!% of yello# along the #estern hor!Con gre# br!ghter and f!ercer' as !f all the stray glea s of l!ght #ere concentrat!ng !n one s%otD the d!stant h!lls' r! ed #!th %r!est+l!&e f!rs' stood out !n dar& d!st!nctness aga!nst !t* Anne loo&ed across the st!ll' #h!te f!elds' cold and l!feless !n the harsh l!ght of that gr! sunset' and s!ghed* She #as "ery lonelyD and she #as sad at heartD for she #as #onder!ng !f she #ould be able to return to ?ed ond next year* It d!d not see l!&ely* The only scholarsh!% %oss!ble !n the So%ho ore year #as a "ery s all affa!r* She #ould not ta&e Mar!lla4s oneyD and there see ed l!ttle %ros%ect of be!ng able to earn enough !n the su er "acat!on* $I su%%ose I4ll just ha"e to dro% out next year'$ she thought drear!ly' $and teach a d!str!ct school aga!n unt!l I earn enough to f!n!sh y course* And by that t! e all y old class #!ll ha"e graduated and Patty4s Place #!ll be out of the )uest!on* But thereE I4 not go!ng to be a co#ard* I4 than&ful I can earn y #ay through !f necessary*$ $6ere4s Mr* 6arr!son #ad!ng u% the lane'$ announced Da"y' runn!ng out* $I ho%e he4s brought the a!l* It4s three days s!nce #e got !t* I #ant to see #hat the %es&y Gr!ts are do!ng* I4 a .onser"at!"e' Anne* And I tell you' you ha"e to &ee% your eye on the Gr!ts*$ Mr* 6arr!son had brought the a!l' and erry letters fro Stella and Pr!sc!lla and Ph!l soon d!ss!%ated Anne4s blues* Aunt @a es!na' too' had #r!tten' say!ng that she #as &ee%!ng the hearth+f!re al!ght' and that the cats #ere all #ell' and the house %lants do!ng f!ne*

$The #eather has been real cold'$ she #rote' $so I let the cats slee% !n the house ++ ?usty and @ose%h on the sofa !n the l!"!ng+roo ' and the Sarah+cat on the foot of y bed* It4s real co %any to hear her %urr!ng #hen I #a&e u% !n the n!ght and th!n& of y %oor daughter !n the fore!gn f!eld* If !t #as any#here but !n Ind!a I #ouldn4t #orry' but they say the sna&es out there are terr!ble* It ta&es all the Sarah+cats4s %urr!ng to dr!"e a#ay the thought of those sna&es* I ha"e enough fa!th for e"eryth!ng but the sna&es* I can4t th!n& #hy Pro"!dence e"er ade the * So et! es I don4t th!n& 6e d!d* I4 !ncl!ned to bel!e"e the -ld 6arry had a hand !n a&!ng T6EM*$ Anne had left a th!n' ty%e#r!tten co un!cat!on t!ll the last' th!n&!ng !t un! %ortant* >hen she had read !t she sat "ery st!ll' #!th tears !n her eyes* $>hat !s the atter' AnneF$ as&ed Mar!lla*

$M!ss @ose%h!ne Barry !s dead'$ sa!d Anne' !n a lo# tone* $So she has gone at last'$ sa!d Mar!lla* $>ell' she has been s!c& for o"er a year' and the Barrys ha"e been ex%ect!ng to hear of her death any t! e* It !s #ell she !s at rest for she has suffered dreadfully' Anne* She #as al#ays &!nd to you*$ $She has been &!nd to the last' Mar!lla* Th!s letter !s fro She has left e a thousand dollars !n her #!ll*$ her la#yer*

$Grac!ous' a!n4t that an a#ful lot of oney'$ excla! ed Da"y* $She4s the #o an you and D!ana l!t on #hen you ju %ed !nto the s%are roo bed' a!n4t sheF D!ana told e that story* Is that #hy she left you so uchF$ $6ush' Da"y'$ sa!d Anne gently* She sl!%%ed a#ay to the %orch gable #!th a full heart' lea"!ng Mar!lla and Mrs* Lynde to tal& o"er the ne#s to the!r hearts4 content* $Do you s4%ose Anne #!ll e"er get arr!ed no#F$ s%eculated Da"y anx!ously* $>hen Dorcas Sloane got arr!ed last su er she sa!d !f she4d had enough oney to l!"e on she4d ne"er ha"e been bothered #!th a an' but e"en a #!do#er #!th e!ght ch!ldren #as better4n l!"!ng #!th a s!ster+!n+la#*$ $Da"y Ae!th' do hold your tongue'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel se"erely* $The #ay you tal& !s scandalous for a s all boy' that4s #hat*$

.ha%ter <I< An Interlude $To th!n& that th!s !s y t#ent!eth b!rthday' and that I4"e left y teens beh!nd e fore"er'$ sa!d Anne' #ho #as curled u% on the hearth+rug #!th ?usty !n her la%' to Aunt @a es!na #ho #as read!ng !n her %et cha!r* They #ere alone !n the l!"!ng roo * Stella and Pr!sc!lla had gone to a co !ttee eet!ng and Ph!l #as u%sta!rs adorn!ng herself for a %arty* $I su%%ose you feel &!nd of' sorry$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $The teens are such a n!ce %art of l!fe* I4 glad I4"e ne"er gone out of the yself*$ Anne laughed* $,ou ne"er #!ll' Aunty* ,ou4ll be e!ghteen #hen you should be a hundred* ,es' I4 sorry' and a l!ttle d!ssat!sf!ed as #ell* M!ss Stacy told e long ago that by the t! e I #as t#enty y character #ould be for ed' for good or e"!l* I don4t feel that !t4s #hat !t should be* It4s full of fla#s*$ $So4s e"erybody4s'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na cheerfully* $M!ne4s crac&ed !n a hundred %laces* ,our M!ss Stacy l!&ely eant that #hen you are t#enty your character #ould ha"e got !ts %er anent bent !n one d!rect!on or 4tother' and #ould go on de"elo%!ng !n that l!ne* Don4t #orry o"er !t' Anne* Do your duty by God and your ne!ghbor and yourself' and ha"e a good t! e* That4s y %h!loso%hy and !t4s al#ays #or&ed %retty #ell* >here4s Ph!l off to ton!ghtF$ $She4s go!ng to a dance' and she4s got the s#eetest dress for !t ++ crea y yello# s!l& and cob#ebby lace* It just su!ts those bro#n t!nts of hers*$ $There4s ag!c !n the #ords Gs!l&4 and Glace'4 !sn4t thereF$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $The "ery sound of the a&es e feel l!&e s&!%%!ng off to a dance* And ,ELL-> s!l&* It a&es one th!n& of a dress of sunsh!ne* I al#ays #anted a yello# s!l& dress' but f!rst y other and then y husband #ouldn4t hear of !t* The "ery f!rst th!ng I4 go!ng to do #hen I get to hea"en !s to get a yello# s!l& dress*$

A !d Anne4s %eal of laughter Ph!l ca e do#nsta!rs' tra!l!ng clouds of glory' and sur"eyed herself !n the long o"al !rror on the #all* $A flatter!ng loo&!ng glass !s a %ro oter of a !ab!l!ty'$ she sa!d* $The one !n y roo does certa!nly a&e e green* Do I loo& %retty n!ce' AnneF$ $Do you really &no# ho# %retty you are' Ph!lF$ as&ed Anne' !n honest ad !rat!on* $-f course I do* >hat are loo&!ng glasses and en forF That #asn4t #hat I eant* Are all y ends tuc&ed !nF Is y s&!rt stra!ghtF And #ould th!s rose loo& better lo#er do#nF I4 afra!d !t4s too h!gh ++ !t #!ll a&e e loo& lo%+s!ded* But I hate th!ngs t!c&l!ng y ears*$ $E"eryth!ng !s just r!ght' and that south#est d! %le of yours !s lo"ely*$ $Anne' there4s one th!ng !n %art!cular I l!&e about you ++ you4re so ungrudg!ng* There !sn4t a %art!cle of en"y !n you*$ $>hy should she be en"!ousF$ de anded Aunt @a es!na* $She4s not )u!te as goodloo&!ng as you' aybe' but she4s got a far handso er nose*$ $I &no# !t'$ conceded Ph!l* $My nose al#ays has been a great co fort to e'$ confessed Anne*

$And I lo"e the #ay your ha!r gro#s on your forehead' Anne* And that one #ee curl' al#ays loo&!ng as !f !t #ere go!ng to dro%' but ne"er dro%%!ng' !s del!c!ous* But as for noses' !ne !s a dreadful #orry to e* I &no# by the t! e I4 forty !t #!ll be Byrney* >hat do you th!n& I4ll loo& l!&e #hen I4 forty' AnneF$ $L!&e an old' atronly' arr!ed #o an'$ teased Anne*

$I #on4t'$ sa!d Ph!l' s!tt!ng do#n co fortably to #a!t for her escort* $@ose%h' you cal!co beast!e' don4t you dare ju % on y la%* I #on4t go to a dance all o"er cat ha!rs* No' Anne' I >-N4T loo& atronly* But no doubt I4ll be arr!ed*$ $To Alec or AlonCoF$ as&ed Anne* $To one of the ' I su%%ose'$ s!ghed Ph!l' $!f I can e"er dec!de #h!ch*$ $It shouldn4t be hard to dec!de'$ scolded Aunt @a es!na*

$I #as born a see+sa# Aunty' and noth!ng can e"er %re"ent $,ou ought to be ore le"elheaded' Ph!l!%%a*$

e fro

teeter!ng*$

$It4s best to be le"elheaded' of course'$ agreed Ph!l!%%a' $but you !ss lots of fun* As for Alec and AlonCo' !f you &ne# the you4d understand #hy !t4s d!ff!cult to choose bet#een the * They4re e)ually n!ce*$ $Then ta&e so ebody #ho !s n!cer$ suggested Aunt @a es!na* $There4s that Sen!or #ho !s so de"oted to you ++ >!ll Lesl!e* 6e has such n!ce' large' !ld eyes*$ $They4re a l!ttle b!t too large and too sa!d Ph!l cruelly* !ld ++ l!&e a co#4s'$

$>hat do you say about George Par&erF$ $There4s noth!ng to say about h! exce%t that he al#ays loo&s as !f he had just been starched and !roned*$ $Marr 6ol#orthy then* ,ou can4t f!nd a fault #!th h! *$ $No' he #ould do !f he #asn4t %oor* I ust arry a r!ch an' Aunt @a es!na* That ++ and good loo&s ++ !s an !nd!s%ensable )ual!f!cat!on* I4d arry G!lbert Blythe !f he #ere r!ch*$ $-h' #ould youF$ sa!d Anne' rather "!c!ously* $>e don4t l!&e that !dea a l!ttle b!t' although #e don4t #ant G!lbert oursel"es' oh' no'$ oc&ed Ph!l* $But don4t let4s tal& of d!sagreeable subjects* I4ll ha"e to arry so et! e' I su%%ose' but I shall %ut off the e"!l day as long as I can*$ $,ou ustn4t arry anybody you don4t lo"e' Ph!l' #hen all4s sa!d and done'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $G-h' hearts that lo"ed !n the good old #ay 6a"e been out o4 the fash!on th!s any a day*4$ tr!lled Ph!l oc&!ngly* $There4s the carr!age* I fly ++ B!+b!' you t#o old+fash!oned darl!ngs*$ >hen Ph!l had gone Aunt @a es!na loo&ed sole nly at Anne* $That g!rl !s %retty and s#eet and goodhearted' but do you th!n& she !s )u!te r!ght !n her !nd' by s%ells' AnneF$

$-h' I don4t th!n& there4s anyth!ng the atter #!th Ph!l4s !nd'$ sa!d Anne' h!d!ng a s !le* $It4s just her #ay of tal&!ng*$ Aunt @a es!na shoo& her head* $>ell' I ho%e so' Anne* I do ho%e so' because I lo"e her* But III can4t understand her ++ she beats e* She !sn4t l!&e any of the g!rls I e"er &ne#' or any of the g!rls I #as yself*$ $6o# any g!rls #ere you' Aunt @! s!eF$ y dear*$

$About half a doCen'

.ha%ter << G!lbert S%ea&s $Th!s has been a dull' %rosy day'$ ya#ned Ph!l' stretch!ng herself !dly on the sofa' ha"!ng %re"!ously d!s%ossessed t#o exceed!ngly !nd!gnant cats* Anne loo&ed u% fro P!c&#!c& Pa%ers* No# that s%r!ng exa !nat!ons #ere o"er she #as treat!ng herself to D!c&ens* $It has been a %rosy day for us'$ she sa!d thoughtfully' $but to so e %eo%le !t has been a #onderful day* So e one has been ra%turously ha%%y !n !t* Perha%s a great deed has been done so e#here today ++ or a great %oe #r!tten ++ or a great an born* And so e heart has been bro&en' Ph!l*$ $>hy d!d you s%o!l your %retty thought by tagg!ng that last sentence on' honeyF$ gru bled Ph!l* $I don4t l!&e to th!n& of bro&en hearts ++ or anyth!ng un%leasant*$ $Do you th!n& you4ll be able to sh!r& un%leasant th!ngs all your l!fe' Ph!lF$ $Dear e' no* A I not u% aga!nst the no#F ,ou don4t call Alec and AlonCo %leasant th!ngs' do you' #hen they s! %ly %lague y l!fe outF$ $,ou ne"er ta&e anyth!ng ser!ously' Ph!l*$

$>hy should IF There are enough fol&s #ho do* The #orld needs %eo%le l!&e e' Anne' just to a use !t* It #ould be a terr!ble %lace !f E3E?,B-D, #ere !ntellectual and ser!ous and !n dee%' deadly earnest* M, !ss!on !s' as @os!ah Allen says' Gto char and allure*4 .onfess no#* 6asn4t l!fe at Patty4s Place been really uch br!ghter and %leasanter th!s %ast #!nter because I4"e been here to lea"en youF$ $,es' !t has'$ o#ned Anne* $And you all lo"e e ++ e"en Aunt @a es!na' #ho th!n&s I4 star& ad* So #hy should I try to be d!fferentF -h' dear' I4 so slee%y* I #as a#a&e unt!l one last n!ght' read!ng a harro#!ng ghost story* I read !t !n bed' and after I had f!n!shed !t do you su%%ose I could get out of bed to %ut the l!ght outF NoE And !f Stella had not fortunately co e !n late that la % #ould ha"e burned good and br!ght t!ll orn!ng* >hen I heard Stella I called her !n' ex%la!ned y %red!ca ent' and got her to %ut out the l!ght* If I had got out yself to do !t I &ne# so eth!ng #ould grab e by the feet #hen I #as gett!ng !n aga!n* By the #ay' Anne' has Aunt @a es!na dec!ded #hat to do th!s su erF$ $,es' she4s go!ng to stay here* I &no# she4s do!ng !t for the sa&e of those blessed cats' although she says !t4s too uch trouble to o%en her o#n house' and she hates "!s!t!ng*$ $>hat are you read!ngF$ $P!c&#!c&*$ $That4s a boo& that al#ays a&es e hungry'$ sa!d Ph!l* $There4s so uch good eat!ng !n !t* The characters see al#ays to be re"el!ng on ha and eggs and !l& %unch* I generally go on a cu%board ru age after read!ng P!c&#!c&* The ere thought re !nds e that I4 star"!ng* Is there any t!db!t !n the %antry' Hueen AnneF$ $I ade a le on %!e th!s orn!ng* ,ou ay ha"e a %!ece of !t*$

Ph!l dashed out to the %antry and Anne betoo& herself to the orchard !n co %any #!th ?usty* It #as a o!st' %leasantly+ odorous n!ght !n early s%r!ng* The sno# #as not )u!te all gone fro the %ar&D a l!ttle d!ngy ban& of !t yet lay under the %!nes of the harbor road' screened fro the !nfluence of A%r!l suns* It &e%t the harbor road uddy' and ch!lled the e"en!ng a!r* But grass #as gro#!ng green !n sheltered s%ots and G!lbert had found so e %ale' s#eet arbutus !n a h!dden corner*

6e ca e u% fro

the %ar&' h!s hands full of !t*

Anne #as s!tt!ng on the b!g gray boulder !n the orchard loo&!ng at the %oe of a bare' b!rchen bough hang!ng aga!nst the %ale red sunset #!th the "ery %erfect!on of grace* She #as bu!ld!ng a castle !n a!r ++ a #ondrous ans!on #hose sunl!t courts and stately halls #ere stee%ed !n Araby4s %erfu e' and #here she re!gned )ueen and chatela!ne* She fro#ned as she sa# G!lbert co !ng through the orchard* -f late she had anaged not to be left alone #!th G!lbert* But he had caught her fa!rly no#D and e"en ?usty had deserted her* G!lbert sat do#n bes!de her on the boulder and held out h!s Mayflo#ers* $Don4t these re !nd you of ho e and our old schoolday %!cn!cs' AnneF$ Anne too& the $I4 and bur!ed her face !n the * !nute'$ she sa!d ra%turously*

!n Mr* S!las Sloane4s barrens th!s "ery

$I su%%ose you #!ll be there !n real!ty !n a fe# daysF$ $No' not for a fortn!ght* I4 go!ng to "!s!t #!th Ph!l !n Bol!ngbro&e before I go ho e* ,ou4ll be !n A"onlea before I #!ll*$ $No' I shall not be !n A"onlea at all th!s su er' Anne* I4"e been offered a job !n the Da!ly Ne#s off!ce and I4 go!ng to ta&e !t*$ $-h'$ sa!d Anne "aguely* She #ondered #hat a #hole A"onlea su er #ould be l!&e #!thout G!lbert* So eho# she d!d not l!&e the %ros%ect* $>ell'$ she concluded flatly' $!t !s a good th!ng for you' of course*$ $,es' I4"e been ho%!ng I #ould get !t* It #!ll hel% e out next year*$

$,ou ustn4t #or& too 6A?D'$ sa!d Anne' #!thout any "ery clear !dea of #hat she #as say!ng* She #!shed des%erately that Ph!l #ould co e out* $,ou4"e stud!ed "ery constantly th!s #!nter* Isn4t th!s a del!ghtful e"en!ngF Do you &no#' I found a cluster of #h!te "!olets under that old t#!sted tree o"er there todayF I felt as !f I had d!sco"ered a gold !ne*$ $,ou are al#ays d!sco"er!ng gold !nes'$ sa!d G!lbert ++ also absently* ore'$ suggested Anne eagerly*

$Let us go and see !f #e can f!nd so e $I4ll call Ph!l and ++ $

$Ne"er !nd Ph!l and the "!olets just no#' Anne'$ sa!d G!lbert )u!etly' ta&!ng her hand !n a clas% fro #h!ch she could not free !t* $There !s so eth!ng I #ant to say to you*$ $-h' don4t say !t'$ cr!ed Anne' %lead!ngly* $Don4t ++ PLEASE' G!lbert*$ $I ust* Th!ngs can4t go on l!&e th!s any longer* Anne' I lo"e you* ,ou &no# I do* I ++ I can4t tell you ho# uch* >!ll you %ro !se e that so e day you4ll be y #!feF$ $I ++ I can4t'$ sa!d Anne !serably* $-h' G!lbert ++ you ++ you4"e s%o!led e"eryth!ng*$ $Don4t you care for e at allF$ G!lbert as&ed after a "ery dreadful %ause' dur!ng #h!ch Anne had not dared to loo& u%* $Not ++ not !n that #ay* I do care a great deal for you as a fr!end* But I don4t lo"e you' G!lbert*$ $But can4t you g!"e e so e ho%e that you #!ll ++ yetF$

$No' I can4t'$ excla! ed Anne des%erately* $I ne"er' ne"er can lo"e you ++ !n that #ay ++ G!lbert* ,ou ust ne"er s%ea& of th!s to e aga!n*$ There #as another %ause ++ so long and so dreadful that Anne #as dr!"en at last to loo& u%* G!lbert4s face #as #h!te to the l!%s* And h!s eyes ++ but Anne shuddered and loo&ed a#ay* There #as noth!ng ro ant!c about th!s* Must %ro%osals be e!ther grotes)ue or ++ horr!bleF .ould she e"er forget G!lbert4s faceF $Is there anybody elseF$ he as&ed at last !n a lo# "o!ce* $No ++ no'$ sa!d Anne eagerly* $I don4t care for any one l!&e T6AT ++ and I LIAE you better than anybody else !n the #orld' G!lbert* And #e ust ++ #e ust go on be!ng fr!ends' G!lbert*$ G!lbert ga"e a b!tter l!ttle laugh* $(r!endsE ,our fr!endsh!% can4t sat!sfy e' Anne* I #ant your lo"e ++ and you tell e I can ne"er ha"e that*$ $I4 sorry* (org!"e e' G!lbert'$ #as all Anne could say* >here' oh' #here #ere all the grac!ous and graceful s%eeches #here#!th' !n ! ag!nat!on' she had been #ont to d!s !ss rejected su!torsF

G!lbert released her hand gently* $There !sn4t anyth!ng to forg!"e* There ha"e been t! es #hen I thought you d!d care* I4"e dece!"ed yself' that4s all* Goodbye' Anne*$ Anne got herself to her roo ' sat do#n on her #!ndo# seat beh!nd the %!nes' and cr!ed b!tterly* She felt as !f so eth!ng !ncalculably %rec!ous had gone out of her l!fe* It #as G!lbert4s fr!endsh!%' of course* -h' #hy ust she lose !t after th!s fash!onF $>hat !s the atter' honeyF$ as&ed Ph!l' co !ng !n through the oonl!t gloo * Anne d!d not ans#er* At that thousand !les a#ay* o ent she #!shed Ph!l #ere a

$I su%%ose you4"e gone and refused G!lbert Blythe* ,ou are an !d!ot' Anne Sh!rleyE$ $Do you call !t !d!ot!c to refuse to arry a sa!d Anne coldly' goaded to re%ly* an I don4t lo"eF$

$,ou don4t &no# lo"e #hen you see !t* ,ou4"e tr!c&ed so eth!ng out #!th your ! ag!nat!on that you th!n& lo"e' and you ex%ect the real th!ng to loo& l!&e that* There' that4s the f!rst sens!ble th!ng I4"e e"er sa!d !n y l!fe* I #onder ho# I anaged !tF$ $Ph!l'$ %leaded Anne' $%lease go a#ay and lea"e e alone for a l!ttle #h!le* My #orld has tu bled !nto %!eces* I #ant to reconstruct !t*$ $>!thout any G!lbert !n !tF$ sa!d Ph!l' go!ng* A #orld #!thout any G!lbert !n !tE Anne re%eated the #ords drear!ly* >ould !t not be a "ery lonely' forlorn %laceF >ell' !t #as all G!lbert4s fault* 6e had s%o!led the!r beaut!ful co radesh!%* She ust just learn to l!"e #!thout !t*

.ha%ter <<I ?oses of ,esterday

The fortn!ght Anne s%ent !n Bol!ngbro&e #as a "ery %leasant one' #!th a l!ttle under current of "ague %a!n and d!ssat!sfact!on runn!ng through !t #hene"er she thought about G!lbert* There #as not' ho#e"er' uch t! e to th!n& about h! * $Mount 6olly'$ the beaut!ful old Gordon ho estead' #as a "ery gay %lace' o"errun by Ph!l4s fr!ends of both sexes* There #as )u!te a be#!lder!ng success!on of dr!"es' dances' %!cn!cs and boat!ng %art!es' all ex%ress!"ely lu %ed together by Ph!l under the head of $ja borees$D Alec and AlonCo #ere so constantly on hand that Anne #ondered !f they e"er d!d anyth!ng but dance attendance on that #!ll+o4+the+#!s% of a Ph!l* They #ere both n!ce' anly fello#s' but Anne #ould not be dra#n !nto any o%!n!on as to #h!ch #as the n!cer* $And I de%ended so on you to hel% e a&e u% should %ro !se to arry'$ ourned Ph!l* y !nd #h!ch of the I

$,ou ust do that for yourself* ,ou are )u!te ex%ert at a&!ng u% your !nd as to #ho other %eo%le should arry'$ retorted Anne' rather caust!cally* $-h' that4s a "ery d!fferent th!ng'$ sa!d Ph!l' truly* But the s#eetest !nc!dent of Anne4s sojourn !n Bol!ngbro&e #as the "!s!t to her b!rth%lace ++ the l!ttle shabby yello# house !n an out+of+the+#ay street she had so often drea ed about* She loo&ed at !t #!th del!ghted eyes' as she and Ph!l turned !n at the gate* $It4s al ost exactly as I4"e %!ctured !t'$ she sa!d* $There !s no honeysuc&le o"er the #!ndo#s' but there !s a l!lac tree by the gate' and ++ yes' there are the usl!n curta!ns !n the #!ndo#s* 6o# glad I a !t !s st!ll %a!nted yello#*$ A "ery tall' "ery th!n #o an o%ened the door* $,es' the Sh!rleys l!"ed here t#enty years ago'$ she sa!d' !n ans#er to Anne4s )uest!on* $They had !t rented* I re e ber 4e * They both d!ed of fe"er at onct* It #as turr!ble sad* They left a baby* I guess !t4s dead long ago* It #as a s!c&ly th!ng* -ld Tho as and h!s #!fe too& !t ++ as !f they hadn4t enough of the!r o#n*$ $It d!dn4t d!e'$ sa!d Anne' s !l!ng* $I #as that baby*$ $,ou don4t say soE >hy' you ha"e gro#n'$ excla! ed the #o an' as !f she #ere uch sur%r!sed that Anne #as not st!ll a baby* $.o e to loo& at you' I see the rese blance* ,ou4re co %lected

l!&e your %a* 6e had red ha!r* But you fa"or your a !n your eyes and outh* She #as a n!ce l!ttle th!ng* My darter #ent to school to her and #as n!gh craCy about her* They #as bur!ed !n the one gra"e and the School Board %ut u% a to bstone to the as a re#ard for fa!thful ser"!ce* >!ll you co e !nF$ $>!ll you let e go all o"er the houseF$ as&ed Anne eagerly*

$La#s' yes' you can !f you l!&e* 4T#on4t ta&e you long ++ there a!n4t uch of !t* I &ee% at y an to bu!ld a ne# &!tchen' but he a!n4t one of your hustlers* The %arlor4s !n there and there4s t#o roo s u%sta!rs* @ust %ro#l about yoursel"es* I4"e got to see to the baby* The east roo #as the one you #ere born !n* I re e ber your a say!ng she lo"ed to see the sunr!seD and I !nd hear!ng that you #as born just as the sun #as r!s!ng and !ts l!ght on your face #as the f!rst th!ng your a sa#*$ Anne #ent u% the narro# sta!rs and !nto that l!ttle east roo #!th a full heart* It #as as a shr!ne to her* 6ere her other had drea ed the ex)u!s!te' ha%%y drea s of ant!c!%ated otherhoodD here that red sunr!se l!ght had fallen o"er the both !n the sacred hour of b!rthD here her other had d!ed* Anne loo&ed about her re"erently' her eyes #!th tears* It #as for her one of the je#eled hours of l!fe that glea out rad!antly fore"er !n e ory* $@ust to th!n& of !t ++ she #h!s%ered* other #as younger than I a no# #hen I #as born'$

>hen Anne #ent do#nsta!rs the lady of the house et her !n the hall* She held out a dusty l!ttle %ac&et t!ed #!th faded blue r!bbon* $6ere4s a bundle of old letters I found !n that closet u%sta!rs #hen I ca e here'$ she sa!d* $I dunno #hat they are ++ I ne"er bothered to loo& !n 4e ' but the address on the to% one !s GM!ss Bertha >!ll!s'4 and that #as your a4s a!den na e* ,ou can ta&e 4e !f you4d &eer to ha"e 4e *$ $-h' than& you ++ than& you'$ cr!ed Anne' clas%!ng the %ac&et ra%turously* $That #as all that #as !n the house'$ sa!d her hostess* $The furn!ture #as all sold to %ay the doctor b!lls' and Mrs* Tho as got your a4s clothes and l!ttle th!ngs* I rec&on they d!dn4t last long a ong that dro"e of Tho as youngsters* They #as destruct!"e young an! als' as I !nd 4e *$ $I ha"en4t one th!ng that belonged to y other'$ sa!d Anne'

cho&!ly* $I ++ I can ne"er than& you enough for these letters*$ $,ou4re )u!te #elco e* La#s' but your eyes !s l!&e your a4s* She could just about tal& #!th hers* ,our father #as sorter ho ely but a#ful n!ce* I !nd hear!ng fol&s say #hen they #as arr!ed that there ne"er #as t#o %eo%le ore !n lo"e #!th each other ++ Pore creatures' they d!dn4t l!"e uch longerD but they #as a#ful ha%%y #h!le they #as al!"e' and I s4%ose that counts for a good deal*$ Anne longed to get ho e to read her %rec!ous lettersD but she ade one l!ttle %!lgr! age f!rst* She #ent alone to the green corner of the $old$ Bol!ngbro&e ce etery #here her father and other #ere bur!ed' and left on the!r gra"e the #h!te flo#ers she carr!ed* Then she hastened bac& to Mount 6olly' shut herself u% !n her roo ' and read the letters* So e #ere #r!tten by her father' so e by her other* There #ere not any ++ only a doCen !n all ++ for >alter and Bertha Sh!rley had not been often se%arated dur!ng the!r courtsh!%* The letters #ere yello# and faded and d! ' blurred #!th the touch of %ass!ng years* No %rofound #ords of #!sdo #ere traced on the sta!ned and #r!n&led %ages' but only l!nes of lo"e and trust* The s#eetness of forgotten th!ngs clung to the ++ the far+off' fond ! ag!n!ngs of those long+dead lo"ers* Bertha Sh!rley had %ossessed the g!ft of #r!t!ng letters #h!ch e bod!ed the char !ng %ersonal!ty of the #r!ter !n #ords and thoughts that reta!ned the!r beauty and fragrance after the la%se of t! e* The letters #ere tender' !nt! ate' sacred* To Anne' the s#eetest of all #as the one #r!tten after her b!rth to the father on a br!ef absence* It #as full of a %roud young other4s accounts of $baby$ ++ her cle"erness' her br!ghtness' her thousand s#eetnesses* $I lo"e her best #hen she !s aslee% and better st!ll #hen she !s a#a&e'$ Bertha Sh!rley had #r!tten !n the %ostscr!%t* Probably !t #as the last sentence she had e"er %enned* The end #as "ery near for her* $Th!s has been the ost beaut!ful day of y l!fe'$ Anne sa!d to Ph!l that n!ght* $I4"e (-=ND y father and other* Those letters ha"e ade the ?EAL to e* I4 not an or%han any longer* I feel as !f I had o%ened a boo& and found roses of yesterday' s#eet and belo"ed' bet#een !ts lea"es*$

.ha%ter <<II

S%r!ng and Anne ?eturn to Green Gables The f!rel!ght shado#s #ere danc!ng o"er the &!tchen #alls at Green Gables' for the s%r!ng e"en!ng #as ch!llyD through the o%en east #!ndo# dr!fted !n the subtly s#eet "o!ces of the n!ght* Mar!lla #as s!tt!ng by the f!re ++ at least' !n body* In s%!r!t she #as roa !ng olden #ays' #!th feet gro#n young* -f late Mar!lla had thus s%ent any an hour' #hen she thought she should ha"e been &n!tt!ng for the t#!ns* $I su%%ose I4 gro#!ng old'$ she sa!d*

,et Mar!lla had changed but l!ttle !n the %ast n!ne years' sa"e to gro# so eth!ng th!nner' and e"en ore angularD there #as a l!ttle ore gray !n the ha!r that #as st!ll t#!sted u% !n the sa e hard &not' #!th t#o ha!r%!ns ++ >E?E they the sa e ha!r%!nsF ++ st!ll stuc& through !t* But her ex%ress!on #as "ery d!fferentD the so eth!ng about the outh #h!ch had h!nted at a sense of hu or had de"elo%ed #onderfullyD her eyes #ere gentler and !lder' her s !le ore fre)uent and tender* Mar!lla #as th!n&!ng of her #hole %ast l!fe' her cra %ed but not unha%%y ch!ldhood' the jealously h!dden drea s and the bl!ghted ho%es of her g!rlhood' the long' gray' narro#' onotonous years of dull !ddle l!fe that follo#ed* And the co !ng of Anne ++ the "!"!d' ! ag!nat!"e' ! %etuous ch!ld #!th her heart of lo"e' and her #orld of fancy' br!ng!ng #!th her color and #ar th and rad!ance' unt!l the #!lderness of ex!stence had blosso ed l!&e the rose* Mar!lla felt that out of her s!xty years she had l!"ed only the n!ne that had follo#ed the ad"ent of Anne* And Anne #ould be ho e to orro# n!ght* The &!tchen door o%ened* Mar!lla loo&ed u% ex%ect!ng to see Mrs* Lynde* Anne stood before her' tall and starry+eyed' #!th her hands full of Mayflo#ers and "!olets* $Anne Sh!rleyE$ excla! ed Mar!lla* (or once !n her l!fe she #as sur%r!sed out of her reser"eD she caught her g!rl !n her ar s and crushed her and her flo#ers aga!nst her heart' &!ss!ng the br!ght ha!r and s#eet face #ar ly* $I ne"er loo&ed for you t!ll to orro# n!ght* 6o# d!d you get fro .ar odyF$ $>al&ed' dearest of Mar!llas* 6a"en4t I done !t a score of t! es !n the Hueen4s daysF The a!l an !s to br!ng y trun& to orro#D

I just got ho es!c& all at once' and ca e a day earl!er* And ohE I4"e had such a lo"ely #al& !n the May t#!l!ghtD I sto%%ed by the barrens and %!c&ed these Mayflo#ersD I ca e through 3!olet+3aleD !t4s just a b!g bo#lful of "!olets no# ++ the dear' s&y+t!nted th!ngs* S ell the ' Mar!lla ++ dr!n& the !n*$ Mar!lla sn!ffed obl!g!ngly' but she #as than !n dr!n&!ng "!olets* $S!t do#n' ch!ld* ,ou so e su%%er*$ ore !nterested !n Anne go!ng to get you

ust be real t!red* I4

$There4s a darl!ng oonr!se beh!nd the h!lls ton!ght' Mar!lla' and oh' ho# the frogs sang e ho e fro .ar odyE I do lo"e the us!c of the frogs* It see s bound u% #!th all y ha%%!est recollect!ons of old s%r!ng e"en!ngs* And !t al#ays re !nds e of the n!ght I ca e here f!rst* Do you re e ber !t' Mar!llaF$ $>ell' yes'$ sa!d Mar!lla #!th e %has!s* $I4 forget !t e"er*$ not l!&ely to

$They used to s!ng so adly !n the arsh and broo& that year* I #ould l!sten to the at y #!ndo# !n the dus&' and #onder ho# they could see so glad and so sad at the sa e t! e* -h' but !t4s good to be ho e aga!nE ?ed ond #as s%lend!d and Bol!ngbro&e del!ghtful ++ but Green Gables !s 6-ME*$ $G!lbert !sn4t co !ng ho e th!s su er' I hear'$ sa!d Mar!lla*

$No*$ So eth!ng !n Anne4s tone ade Mar!lla glance at her shar%ly' but Anne #as a%%arently absorbed !n arrang!ng her "!olets !n a bo#l* $See' aren4t they s#eetF$ she #ent on hurr!edly* $The year !s a boo&' !sn4t !t' Mar!llaF S%r!ng4s %ages are #r!tten !n Mayflo#ers and "!olets' su er4s !n roses' autu n4s !n red a%le lea"es' and #!nter !n holly and e"ergreen*$ $D!d G!lbert do #ell !n h!s exa !nat!onsF$ %ers!sted Mar!lla* $Excellently #ell* 6e led h!s class* But #here are the t#!ns and Mrs* LyndeF$ $?achel and Dora are o"er at Mr* 6arr!son4s* Da"y !s do#n at Boulters4* I th!n& I hear h! co !ng no#*$ Da"y burst !n' sa# Anne' sto%%ed' and then hurled h! self u%on her #!th a joyful yell*

$-h' Anne' a!n4t I glad to see youE Say' Anne' I4"e gro#n t#o !nches s!nce last fall* Mrs* Lynde easured e #!th her ta%e today' and say' Anne' see y front tooth* It4s gone* Mrs* Lynde t!ed one end of a str!ng to !t and the other end to the door' and then shut the door* I sold !t to M!lty for t#o cents* M!lty4s collect!ng teeth*$ $>hat !n the #orld does he #ant teeth forF$ as&ed Mar!lla* $To a&e a nec&lace for %lay!ng Ind!an .h!ef'$ ex%la!ned Da"y' cl! b!ng u%on Anne4s la%* $6e4s got f!fteen already' and e"erybody4s else4s %ro !sed' so there4s no use !n the rest of us start!ng to collect' too* I tell you the Boulters are great bus!ness %eo%le*$ $>ere you a good boy at Mrs* Boulter4sF$ as&ed Mar!lla se"erely* $,esD but say' Mar!lla' I4 t!red of be!ng good*$ uch sooner' Da"y+boy'$ sa!d Anne*

$,ou4d get t!red of be!ng bad

$>ell' !t4d be fun #h!le !t lasted' #ouldn4t !tF$ %ers!sted Da"y* $I could be sorry for !t after#ards' couldn4t IF$ $Be!ng sorry #ouldn4t do a#ay #!th the conse)uences of be!ng bad' Da"y* Don4t you re e ber the Sunday last su er #hen you ran a#ay fro Sunday SchoolF ,ou told e then that be!ng bad #asn4t #orth #h!le* >hat #ere you and M!lty do!ng todayF$ $-h' #e f!shed and chased the cat' and hunted for eggs' and yelled at the echo* There4s a great echo !n the bush beh!nd the Boulter barn* Say' #hat !s echo' AnneD I #ant to &no#*$ $Echo !s a beaut!ful ny %h' Da"y' l!"!ng far a#ay !n the #oods' and laugh!ng at the #orld fro a ong the h!lls*$ $>hat does she loo& l!&eF$ $6er ha!r and eyes are dar&' but her nec& and ar s are #h!te as sno#* No ortal can e"er see ho# fa!r she !s* She !s fleeter than a deer' and that oc&!ng "o!ce of hers !s all #e can &no# of her* ,ou can hear her call!ng at n!ghtD you can hear her laugh!ng under the stars* But you can ne"er see her* She fl!es afar !f you follo# her' and laughs at you al#ays just o"er the next h!ll*$ $Is that true' AnneF -r !s !t a #ho%%erF$ de anded Da"y star!ng*

$Da"y'$ sa!d Anne des%a!r!ngly' $ha"en4t you sense enough to d!st!ngu!sh bet#een a fa!rytale and a falsehoodF$ $Then #hat !s !t that sasses bac& fro to &no#'$ !ns!sted Da"y* the Boulter bushF I #ant

$>hen you are a l!ttle older' Da"y' I4ll ex%la!n !t all to you*$ The ent!on of age e"!dently ga"e a ne# turn to Da"y4s thoughts for after a fe# o ents of reflect!on' he #h!s%ered sole nlyK $Anne' I4 go!ng to be arr!ed*$

$>henF$ as&ed Anne #!th e)ual sole n!ty* $-h' not unt!l I4 gro#n+u%' of course*$

$>ell' that4s a rel!ef' Da"y* >ho !s the ladyF$ $Stella (letcherD she4s !n y class at school* And say' Anne' she4s the %rett!est g!rl you e"er sa#* If I d!e before I gro# u% you4ll &ee% an eye on her' #on4t youF$ $Da"y Ae!th' do sto% tal&!ng such nonsense'$ sa!d Mar!lla se"erely* $ 4T!sn4t nonsense'$ %rotested Da"y !n an !njured tone* $She4s y %ro !sed #!fe' and !f I #as to d!e she4d be y %ro !sed #!do#' #ouldn4t sheF And she hasn4t got a soul to loo& after her exce%t her old grand other*$ $.o e and ha"e your su%%er' Anne'$ sa!d Mar!lla' $and don4t encourage that ch!ld !n h!s absurd tal&*$

.ha%ter <<III Paul .annot (!nd the ?oc& Peo%le L!fe #as "ery %leasant !n A"onlea that su er' although Anne' a !d all her "acat!on joys' #as haunted by a sense of $so eth!ng gone #h!ch should be there*$ She #ould not ad !t' e"en !n her !n ost reflect!ons' that th!s #as caused by G!lbert4s absence*

But #hen she had to #al& ho e alone fro %rayer eet!ngs and A*3*I*S* %o#+#o#s' #h!le D!ana and (red' and any other gay cou%les' lo!tered along the dus&y' starl!t country roads' there #as a )ueer' lonely ache !n her heart #h!ch she could not ex%la!n a#ay* G!lbert d!d not e"en #r!te to her' as she thought he !ght ha"e done* She &ne# he #rote to D!ana occas!onally' but she #ould not !n)u!re about h! D and D!ana' su%%os!ng that Anne heard fro h! ' "olunteered no !nfor at!on* G!lbert4s other' #ho #as a gay' fran&' l!ght+hearted lady' but not o"erburdened #!th tact' had a "ery e barrass!ng hab!t of as&!ng Anne' al#ays !n a %a!nfully d!st!nct "o!ce and al#ays !n the %resence of a cro#d' !f she had heard fro G!lbert lately* Poor Anne could only blush horr!bly and ur ur' $not "ery lately'$ #h!ch #as ta&en by all' Mrs* Blythe !ncluded' to be erely a a!denly e"as!on* A%art fro th!s' Anne enjoyed her su er* Pr!sc!lla ca e for a erry "!s!t !n @uneD and' #hen she had gone' Mr* and Mrs* Ir"!ng' Paul and .harlotta the (ourth ca e $ho e$ for @uly and August* Echo Lodge #as the scene of ga!et!es once ore' and the echoes o"er the r!"er #ere &e%t busy ! !c&!ng the laughter that rang !n the old garden beh!nd the s%ruces* $M!ss La"endar$ had not changed' exce%t to gro# e"en s#eeter and %rett!er* Paul adored her' and the co %an!onsh!% bet#een the #as beaut!ful to see* $But I don4t call her G other4 just by !tself'$ he ex%la!ned to Anne* $,ou see' T6AT na e belongs just to y o#n l!ttle other' and I can4t g!"e !t to any one else* ,ou &no#' teacher* But I call her GMother La"endar4 and I lo"e her next best to father* I ++ I e"en lo"e her a LITTLE better than you' teacher*$ $>h!ch !s just as !t ought to be'$ ans#ered Anne* Paul #as th!rteen no# and "ery tall for h!s years* 6!s face and eyes #ere as beaut!ful as e"er' and h!s fancy #as st!ll l!&e a %r!s ' se%arat!ng e"eryth!ng that fell u%on !t !nto ra!nbo#s* 6e and Anne had del!ghtful ra bles to #ood and f!eld and shore* Ne"er #ere there t#o ore thoroughly $&!ndred s%!r!ts*$ .harlotta the (ourth had blosso ed out !nto young ladyhood* She #ore her ha!r no# !n an enor ous %o %ador and had d!scarded the blue r!bbon bo#s of auld lang syne' but her face #as as frec&led' her nose as snubbed' and her outh and s !les as #!de as e"er* $,ou don4t th!n& I tal& #!th a ,an&ee accent' do you' M!ss

Sh!rley'

a4a F$ she de anded anx!ously*

$I don4t not!ce !t' .harlotta*$ $I4 real glad of that* They sa!d I d!d at ho e' but I thought l!&ely they just #anted to aggra"ate e* I don4t #ant no ,an&ee accent* Not that I4"e a #ord to say aga!nst the ,an&ees' M!ss Sh!rley' a4a * They4re real c!"!l!Ced* But g!"e e old P*E* Island e"ery t! e*$ Paul s%ent h!s f!rst fortn!ght #!th h!s grand other Ir"!ng !n A"onlea* Anne #as there to eet h! #hen he ca e' and found h! #!ld #!th eagerness to get to the shore ++ Nora and the Golden Lady and the T#!n Sa!lors #ould be there* 6e could hardly #a!t to eat h!s su%%er* .ould he not see Nora4s elf!n face %eer!ng around the %o!nt' #atch!ng for h! #!stfullyF But !t #as a "ery sober Paul #ho ca e bac& fro the shore !n the t#!l!ght* $D!dn4t you f!nd your ?oc& Peo%leF$ as&ed Anne* Paul shoo& h!s chestnut curls sorro#fully* $The T#!n Sa!lors and the Golden Lady ne"er ca e at all'$ he sa!d* $Nora #as there ++ but Nora !s not the sa e' teacher* She !s changed*$ $-h' Paul' !t !s you #ho are changed'$ sa!d Anne* $,ou ha"e gro#n too old for the ?oc& Peo%le* They l!&e only ch!ldren for %layfello#s* I a afra!d the T#!n Sa!lors #!ll ne"er aga!n co e to you !n the %early' enchanted boat #!th the sa!l of oonsh!neD and the Golden Lady #!ll %lay no ore for you on her golden har%* E"en Nora #!ll not eet you uch longer* ,ou ust %ay the %enalty of gro#!ng+u%' Paul* ,ou ust lea"e fa!ryland beh!nd you*$ $,ou t#o tal& as uch fool!shness as e"er you d!d'$ sa!d old Mrs* Ir"!ng' half+!ndulgently' half+re%ro"!ngly* $-h' no' #e don4t'$ sa!d Anne' sha&!ng her head gra"ely* $>e are gett!ng "ery' "ery #!se' and !t !s such a %!ty* >e are ne"er half so !nterest!ng #hen #e ha"e learned that language !s g!"en us to enable us to conceal our thoughts*$ $But !t !sn4t ++ !t !s g!"en us to exchange our thoughts'$ sa!d Mrs* Ir"!ng ser!ously* She had ne"er heard of Tallyrand and d!d not understand e%!gra s* Anne s%ent a fortn!ght of halcyon days at Echo Lodge !n the

golden %r! e of August* >h!le there she !nc!dentally contr!"ed to hurry Ludo"!c S%eed !n h!s le!surely court!ng of Theodora D!x' as related duly !n another chron!cle of her h!story*L:M Arnold Sher an' an elderly fr!end of the Ir"!ngs' #as there at the sa e t! e' and added not a l!ttle to the general %leasantness of l!fe* NL:M .hron!cles of A"onlea*O $>hat a n!ce %lay+t! e th!s has been'$ sa!d Anne* $I feel l!&e a g!ant refreshed* And !t4s only a fortn!ght ore t!ll I go bac& to A!ngs%ort' and ?ed ond and Patty4s Place* Patty4s Place !s the dearest s%ot' M!ss La"endar* I feel as !f I had t#o ho es ++ one at Green Gables and one at Patty4s Place* But #here has the su er goneF It doesn4t see a day s!nce I ca e ho e that s%r!ng e"en!ng #!th the Mayflo#ers* >hen I #as l!ttle I couldn4t see fro one end of the su er to the other* It stretched before e l!&e an unend!ng season* No#' G4t!s a handbreadth' 4t!s a tale*4$ $Anne' are you and G!lbert Blythe as good fr!ends as you used to beF$ as&ed M!ss La"endar )u!etly* $I a just as uch G!lbert4s fr!end as e"er I #as' M!ss La"endar*$

M!ss La"endar shoo& her head* $I see so eth!ng4s gone #rong' Anne* I4 and as& #hat* 6a"e you )uarrelledF$ $NoD !t4s only that G!lbert #ants g!"e h! ore*$ $Are you sure of that' AnneF$ $Perfectly sure*$ $I4 "ery' "ery sorry*$ arry G!lbert Blythe'$ go!ng to be ! %ert!nent

ore than fr!endsh!% and I can4t

$I #onder #hy e"erybody see s to th!n& I ought to sa!d Anne %etulantly*

$Because you #ere ade and eant for each other' Anne ++ that !s #hy* ,ou needn4t toss that young head of yours* It4s a fact*$

.ha%ter <<I3 Enter @onas $P?-SPE.T P-INT' $August 09th* $Dear Anne ++ s%elled ++ #!th ++ an ++ E'$ #rote Ph!l' $I ust %ro% y eyel!ds o%en long enough to #r!te you* I4"e neglected you sha efully th!s su er' honey' but all y other corres%ondents ha"e been neglected' too* I ha"e a huge %!le of letters to ans#er' so I ust g!rd u% the lo!ns of y !nd and hoe !n* Excuse y !xed eta%hors* I4 fearfully slee%y* Last n!ght .ous!n E !ly and I #ere call!ng at a ne!ghbor4s* There #ere se"eral other callers there' and as soon as those unfortunate creatures left' our hostess and her three daughters %!c&ed the all to %!eces* I &ne# they #ould beg!n on .ous!n E !ly and e as soon as the door shut beh!nd us* >hen #e ca e ho e Mrs* L!lly !nfor ed us that the aforesa!d ne!ghbor4s h!red boy #as su%%osed to be do#n #!th scarlet fe"er* ,ou can al#ays trust Mrs* L!lly to tell you cheerful th!ngs l!&e that* I ha"e a horror of scarlet fe"er* I couldn4t slee% #hen I #ent to bed for th!n&!ng of !t* I tossed and tu bled about' drea !ng fearful drea s #hen I d!d snooCe for a !nuteD and at three I #a&ened u% #!th a h!gh fe"er' a sore throat' and a rag!ng headache* I &ne# I had scarlet fe"erD I got u% !n a %an!c and hunted u% .ous!n E !ly4s 4doctor boo&4 to read u% the sy %to s* Anne' I had the all* So I #ent bac& to bed' and &no#!ng the #orst' sle%t l!&e a to% the rest of the n!ght* Though #hy a to% should slee% sounder than anyth!ng else I ne"er could understand* But th!s orn!ng I #as )u!te #ell' so !t couldn4t ha"e been the fe"er* I su%%ose !f I d!d catch !t last n!ght !t couldn4t ha"e de"elo%ed so soon* I can re e ber that !n dayt! e' but at three o4cloc& at n!ght I ne"er can be log!cal* $I su%%ose you #onder #hat I4 do!ng at Pros%ect Po!nt* >ell' I al#ays l!&e to s%end a onth of su er at the shore' and father !ns!sts that I co e to h!s second+cous!n E !ly4s Gselect board!nghouse4 at Pros%ect Po!nt* So a fortn!ght ago I ca e as usual* And as usual old G=ncle Mar& M!ller4 brought e fro the stat!on #!th h!s anc!ent buggy and #hat he calls h!s Ggenerous %ur%ose4 horse* 6e !s a n!ce old an and ga"e e a handful of %!n& %e%%er !nts* Pe%%er !nts al#ays see to e such a rel!g!ous sort of candy ++ I su%%ose because #hen I #as a l!ttle g!rl Grand other Gordon al#ays ga"e the to e !n church* -nce I as&ed' referr!ng to the s ell of %e%%er !nts' GIs that the odor

of sanct!tyF4 I d!dn4t l!&e to eat =ncle Mar&4s %e%%er !nts because he just f!shed the loose out of h!s %oc&et' and had to %!c& so e rusty na!ls and other th!ngs fro a ong the before he ga"e the to e* But I #ouldn4t hurt h!s dear old feel!ngs for anyth!ng' so I carefully so#ed the along the road at !nter"als* >hen the last one #as gone' =ncle Mar& sa!d' a l!ttle rebu&!ngly' G,e shouldn4t a4et all the cand!es to onct' M!ss Ph!l* ,ou4ll l!&ely ha"e the stu !c&+ache*4 $.ous!n E !ly has only f!"e boarders bes!des yself ++ four old lad!es and one young an* My r!ght+hand ne!ghbor !s Mrs* L!lly* She !s one of those %eo%le #ho see to ta&e a grueso e %leasure !n deta!l!ng all the!r any aches and %a!ns and s!c&nesses* ,ou cannot ent!on any a!l ent but she says' sha&!ng her head' GAh' I &no# too #ell #hat that !s4 ++ and then you get all the deta!ls* @onas declares he once s%o&e of loco otor atax!a !n hear!ng and she sa!d she &ne# too #ell #hat that #as* She suffered fro !t for ten years and #as f!nally cured by a tra"el!ng doctor* $>ho !s @onasF @ust #a!t' Anne Sh!rley* ,ou4ll hear all about @onas !n the %ro%er t! e and %lace* 6e !s not to be !xed u% #!th est! able old lad!es* $My left+hand ne!ghbor at the table !s Mrs* Ph!nney* She al#ays s%ea&s #!th a #a!l!ng' dolorous "o!ce ++ you are ner"ously ex%ect!ng her to burst !nto tears e"ery o ent* She g!"es you the ! %ress!on that l!fe to her !s !ndeed a "ale of tears' and that a s !le' ne"er to s%ea& of a laugh' !s a fr!"ol!ty truly re%rehens!ble* She has a #orse o%!n!on of e than Aunt @a es!na' and she doesn4t lo"e e hard to atone for !t' as Aunty @* does' e!ther* $M!ss Mar!a Gr! sby s!ts cat!+corner fro e* The f!rst day I ca e I re ar&ed to M!ss Mar!a that !t loo&ed a l!ttle l!&e ra!n ++ and M!ss Mar!a laughed* I sa!d the road fro the stat!on #as "ery %retty ++ and M!ss Mar!a laughed* I sa!d there see ed to be a fe# os)u!toes left yet ++ and M!ss Mar!a laughed* I sa!d that Pros%ect Po!nt #as as beaut!ful as e"er ++ and M!ss Mar!a laughed* If I #ere to say to M!ss Mar!a' GMy father has hanged h! self' y other has ta&en %o!son' y brother !s !n the %en!tent!ary' and I a !n the last stages of consu %t!on'4 M!ss Mar!a #ould laugh* She can4t hel% !t ++ she #as born soD but !s "ery sad and a#ful* $The f!fth old lady !s Mrs* Grant* She !s a s#eet old th!ngD but she ne"er says anyth!ng but good of anybody and so she !s a "ery un!nterest!ng con"ersat!onal!st*

$And no# for @onas' Anne* $That f!rst day I ca e I sa# a young an s!tt!ng o%%os!te e at the table' s !l!ng at e as !f he had &no#n e fro y cradle* I &ne#' for =ncle Mar& had told e' that h!s na e #as @onas Bla&e' that he #as a Theolog!cal Student fro St* .olu b!a' and that he had ta&en charge of the Po!nt Pros%ect M!ss!on .hurch for the su er* $6e !s a "ery ugly young an ++ really' the ugl!est young an I4"e e"er seen* 6e has a b!g' loose+jo!nted f!gure #!th absurdly long legs* 6!s ha!r !s to#+color and lan&' h!s eyes are green' and h!s outh !s b!g' and h!s ears ++ but I ne"er th!n& about h!s ears !f I can hel% !t* $6e has a lo"ely "o!ce ++ !f you shut your eyes he !s adorable ++ and he certa!nly has a beaut!ful soul and d!s%os!t!on* $>e #ere good chu s r!ght #ay* -f course he !s a graduate of ?ed ond' and that !s a l!n& bet#een us* >e f!shed and boated togetherD and #e #al&ed on the sands by oonl!ght* 6e d!dn4t loo& so ho ely by oonl!ght and oh' he #as n!ce* N!ceness fa!rly exhaled fro h! * The old lad!es ++ exce%t Mrs* Grant ++ don4t a%%ro"e of @onas' because he laughs and jo&es ++ and because he e"!dently l!&es the soc!ety of fr!"olous e better than the!rs* $So eho#' Anne' I don4t #ant h! to th!n& e fr!"olous* Th!s !s r!d!culous* >hy should I care #hat a to#+ha!red %erson called @onas' #ho I ne"er sa# before th!n&s of eF $Last Sunday @onas %reached !n the "!llage church* I #ent' of course' but I couldn4t real!Ce that @onas #as go!ng to %reach* The fact that he #as a !n!ster ++ or go!ng to be one ++ %ers!sted !n see !ng a huge jo&e to e* $>ell' @onas %reached* And' by the t! e he had %reached ten !nutes' I felt so s all and !ns!gn!f!cant that I thought I ust be !n"!s!ble to the na&ed eye* @onas ne"er sa!d a #ord about #o en and he ne"er loo&ed at e* But I real!Ced then and there #hat a %!t!ful' fr!"!lous' s all+souled l!ttle butterfly I #as' and ho# horr!bly d!fferent I ust be fro @onas4 !deal #o an* S6E #ould be grand and strong and noble* 6e #as so earnest and tender and true* 6e #as e"eryth!ng a !n!ster ought to be* I #ondered ho# I could e"er ha"e thought h! ugly ++ but he really !sE ++ #!th those !ns%!red eyes and that !ntellectual bro# #h!ch the roughly+fall!ng ha!r h!d on #ee& days*

$It #as a s%lend!d ser on and I could ha"e l!stened to !t fore"er' and !t ade e feel utterly #retched* -h' I #!sh I #as l!&e ,-=' Anne* $6e caught u% #!th e on the road ho e' and gr!nned as cheerfully as usual* But h!s gr!n could ne"er dece!"e e aga!n* I had seen the ?EAL @onas* I #ondered !f he could e"er see the ?EAL P6IL ++ #ho N-B-D,' not e"en you' Anne' has e"er seen yet* $G@onas'4 I sa!d ++ I forgot to call h! Mr* Bla&e* >asn4t !t dreadfulF But there are t! es #hen th!ngs l!&e that don4t atter ++ G@onas' you #ere born to be a !n!ster* ,ou .-=LDN4T be anyth!ng else*4 $GNo' I couldn4t'4 he sa!d soberly* GI tr!ed to be so eth!ng else for a long t! e ++ I d!dn4t #ant to be a !n!ster* But I ca e to see at last that !t #as the #or& g!"en e to do ++ and God hel%!ng e' I shall try to do !t*4 $6!s "o!ce #as lo# and re"erent* I thought that he #ould do h!s #or& and do !t #ell and noblyD and ha%%y the #o an f!tted by nature and tra!n!ng to hel% h! do !t* S6E #ould be no feather' blo#n about by e"ery f!c&le #!nd of fancy* S6E #ould al#ays &no# #hat hat to %ut on* Probably she #ould ha"e only one* M!n!sters ne"er ha"e uch oney* But she #ouldn4t !nd ha"!ng one hat or none at all' because she #ould ha"e @onas* $Anne Sh!rley' don4t you dare to say or h!nt or th!n& that I4"e fallen !n lo"e #!th Mr* Bla&e* .ould I care for a lan&' %oor' ugly theologue ++ na ed @onasF As =ncle Mar& says' GIt4s ! %oss!ble' and #hat4s ore !t4s ! %robable*4 Good n!ght' P6IL*$ $P*S* It !s ! %oss!ble ++ but I a horr!bly afra!d !t4s true* I4 ha%%y and #retched and scared* 6E can NE3E? care for I &no#* Do you th!n& I could e"er de"elo% !nto a %assable !n!ster4s #!fe' AnneF And >-=LD they ex%ect e to lead !n %rayerF P G*$ e'

.ha%ter <<3 Enter Pr!nce .har !ng

$I4 contrast!ng the cla! s of !ndoors and out'$ sa!d Anne' loo&!ng fro the #!ndo# of Patty4s Place to the d!stant %!nes of the %ar&* $I4"e an afternoon to s%end !n s#eet do!ng noth!ng' Aunt @! s!e* Shall I s%end !t here #here there !s a cosy f!re' a %lateful of del!c!ous russets' three %urr!ng and har on!ous cats' and t#o ! %eccable ch!na dogs #!th green nosesF -r shall I go to the %ar&' #here there !s the lure of gray #oods and of gray #ater la%%!ng on the harbor roc&sF$ $If I #as as young as you' I4d dec!de !n fa"or of the %ar&'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na' t!c&l!ng @ose%h4s yello# ear #!th a &n!tt!ng needle* $I thought that you cla! ed to be as young as any of us' Aunty'$ teased Anne* $,es' !n y soul* But I4ll ad !t y legs aren4t as young as yours* ,ou go and get so e fresh a!r' Anne* ,ou loo& %ale lately*$ $I th!n& I4ll go to the %ar&'$ sa!d Anne restlessly* $I don4t feel l!&e ta e do est!c joys today* I #ant to feel alone and free and #!ld* The %ar& #!ll be e %ty' for e"ery one #!ll be at the football atch*$ $>hy d!dn4t you go to !tF$ $GNobody axed e' s!r' she sa!d4 ++ at least' nobody but that horr!d l!ttle Dan ?anger* I #ouldn4t go any#here #!th h! D but rather than hurt h!s %oor l!ttle tender feel!ngs I sa!d I #asn4t go!ng to the ga e at all* I don4t !nd* I4 not !n the ood for football today so eho#*$ $,ou go and get so e fresh a!r'$ re%eated Aunt @a es!na' $but ta&e your u brella' for I bel!e"e !t4s go!ng to ra!n* I4"e rheu at!s !n y leg*$ $-nly old %eo%le should ha"e rheu at!s ' Aunty*$ $Anybody !s l!able to rheu at!s !n her legs' Anne* It4s only old %eo%le #ho should ha"e rheu at!s !n the!r souls' though* Than& goodness' I ne"er ha"e* >hen you get rheu at!s !n your soul you !ght as #ell go and %!c& out your coff!n*$ It #as No"e ber ++ the onth of cr! son sunsets' %art!ng b!rds' dee%' sad hy ns of the sea' %ass!onate #!nd+songs !n the %!nes*

Anne roa ed through the %!neland alleys !n the %ar& and' as she sa!d' let that great s#ee%!ng #!nd blo# the fogs out of her soul* Anne #as not #ont to be troubled #!th soul fog* But' so eho#' s!nce her return to ?ed ond for th!s th!rd year' l!fe had not !rrored her s%!r!t bac& to her #!th !ts old' %erfect' s%ar&l!ng clearness* -ut#ardly' ex!stence at Patty4s Place #as the sa e %leasant round of #or& and study and recreat!on that !t had al#ays been* -n (r!day e"en!ngs the b!g' f!re+l!ghted l!"!ngroo #as cro#ded by callers and echoed to endless jest and laughter' #h!le Aunt @a es!na s !led bea !ngly on the all* The $@onas$ of Ph!l4s letter ca e often' runn!ng u% fro St* .olu b!a on the early tra!n and de%art!ng on the late* 6e #as a general fa"or!te at Patty4s Place' though Aunt @a es!na shoo& her head and o%!ned that d!"!n!ty students #ere not #hat they used to be* $6e4s 3E?, n!ce' y dear'$ she told Ph!l' $but gra"er and ore d!gn!f!ed*$ $.an4t a !n!sters ought to be

an laugh and laugh and be a .hr!st!an st!llF$ de anded Ph!l*

$-h' MEN ++ yes* But I #as s%ea&!ng of MINISTE?S' y dear'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na rebu&!ngly*$ And you shouldn4t fl!rt so #!th Mr* Bla&e ++ you really shouldn4t*$ $I4 not fl!rt!ng #!th h! '$ %rotested Ph!l*

Nobody bel!e"ed her' exce%t Anne* The others thought she #as a us!ng herself as usual' and told her roundly that she #as beha"!ng "ery badly* $Mr* Bla&e !sn4t of the Alec+and+AlonCo ty%e' Ph!l'$ sa!d Stella se"erely* $6e ta&es th!ngs ser!ously* ,ou ay brea& h!s heart*$ $Do you really th!n& I couldF$ as&ed Ph!l* $I4d lo"e to th!n& so*$ $Ph!l!%%a GordonE I ne"er thought you #ere utterly unfeel!ng* The !dea of you say!ng you4d lo"e to brea& a an4s heartE$ $I d!dn4t say so' honey* Huote e correctly* I sa!d I4d l!&e to th!n& I .-=LD brea& !t* I #ould l!&e to &no# I had the P->E? to do !t*$ $I don4t understand you' Ph!l* ,ou are lead!ng that ++ and you &no# you don4t ean anyth!ng by !t*$ $I ean to a&e h! as& e to arry h! an on del!berately

!f I can'$ sa!d Ph!l cal ly*

$I g!"e you u%'$ sa!d Stella ho%elessly*

G!lbert ca e occas!onally on (r!day e"en!ngs* 6e see ed al#ays !n good s%!r!ts' and held h!s o#n !n the jests and re%artee that fle# about* 6e ne!ther sought nor a"o!ded Anne* >hen c!rcu stances brought the !n contact he tal&ed to her %leasantly and courteously' as to any ne#ly+ ade ac)ua!ntance* The old ca arader!e #as gone ent!rely* Anne felt !t &eenlyD but she told herself she #as "ery glad and than&ful that G!lbert had got so co %letely o"er h!s d!sa%%o!nt ent !n regard to her* She had really been afra!d' that A%r!l e"en!ng !n the orchard' that she had hurt h! terr!bly and that the #ound #ould be long !n heal!ng* No# she sa# that she need not ha"e #orr!ed* Men ha"e d!ed and the #or s ha"e eaten the but not for lo"e* G!lbert e"!dently #as !n no danger of ! ed!ate d!ssolut!on* 6e #as enjoy!ng l!fe' and he #as full of a b!t!on and Cest* (or h! there #as to be no #ast!ng !n des%a!r because a #o an #as fa!r and cold* Anne' as she l!stened to the ceaseless bad!nage that #ent on bet#een h! and Ph!l' #ondered !f she had only ! ag!ned that loo& !n h!s eyes #hen she had told h! she could ne"er care for h! * There #ere not lac&!ng those #ho #ould gladly ha"e ste%%ed !nto G!lbert4s "acant %lace* But Anne snubbed the #!thout fear and #!thout re%roach* If the real Pr!nce .har !ng #as ne"er to co e she #ould ha"e none of a subst!tute* So she sternly told herself that gray day !n the #!ndy %ar&* Suddenly the ra!n of Aunt @a es!na4s %ro%hecy ca e #!th a s#!sh and rush* Anne %ut u% her u brella and hurr!ed do#n the slo%e* As she turned out on the harbor road a sa"age gust of #!nd tore along !t* Instantly her u brella turned #rong s!de out* Anne clutched at !t !n des%a!r* And then ++ there ca e a "o!ce close to her* $Pardon e ++ ay I offer you the shelter of y u brellaF$

Anne loo&ed u%* Tall and handso e and d!st!ngu!shed+loo&!ng ++ dar&' elancholy' !nscrutable eyes ++ elt!ng' us!cal' sy %athet!c "o!ce ++ yes' the "ery hero of her drea s stood before her !n the flesh* 6e could not ha"e ore closely rese bled her !deal !f he had been ade to order* $Than& you'$ she sa!d confusedly* $>e4d better hurry o"er to that l!ttle %a"!ll!on on the %o!nt'$ suggested the un&no#n* $>e can #a!t there unt!l th!s sho#er !s o"er* It !s not l!&ely to ra!n so hea"!ly "ery long*$

The #ords #ere "ery co on%lace' but oh' the toneE And the s !le #h!ch acco %an!ed the E Anne felt her heart beat!ng strangely* Together they scurr!ed to the %a"!l!on and sat breathlessly do#n under !ts fr!endly roof* Anne laugh!ngly held u% her false u brella* $It !s #hen y u brella turns !ns!de out that I a con"!nced of the total de%ra"!ty of !nan! ate th!ngs'$ she sa!d ga!ly* The ra!ndro%s s%ar&led on her sh!n!ng ha!rD !ts loosened r!ngs curled around her nec& and forehead* 6er chee&s #ere flushed' her eyes b!g and starry* 6er co %an!on loo&ed do#n at her ad !r!ngly* She felt herself blush!ng under h!s gaCe* >ho could he beF >hy' there #as a b!t of the ?ed ond #h!te and scarlet %!nned to h!s coat la%el* ,et she had thought she &ne#' by s!ght at least' all the ?ed ond students exce%t the (resh en* And th!s courtly youth surely #as no (resh an* $>e are school ates' I see'$ he sa!d' s !l!ng at Anne4s colors* $That ought to be suff!c!ent !ntroduct!on* My na e !s ?oyal Gardner* And you are the M!ss Sh!rley #ho read the Tennyson %a%er at the Ph!lo ath!c the other e"en!ng' aren4t youF$ $,esD but I cannot %lace you at all'$ sa!d Anne' fran&ly* $Please' #here D- you belongF$ $I feel as !f I d!dn4t belong any#here yet* I %ut !n y (resh an and So%ho ore years at ?ed ond t#o years ago* I4"e been !n Euro%e e"er s!nce* No# I4"e co e bac& to f!n!sh y Arts course*$ $Th!s !s y @un!or year' too'$ sa!d Anne*

$So #e are class ates as #ell as college ates* I a reconc!led to the loss of the years that the locust has eaten'$ sa!d her co %an!on' #!th a #orld of ean!ng !n those #onderful eyes of h!s* The ra!n ca e stead!ly do#n for the best %art of an hour* But the t! e see ed really "ery short* >hen the clouds %arted and a burst of %ale No"e ber sunsh!ne fell ath#art the harbor and the %!nes Anne and her co %an!on #al&ed ho e together* By the t! e they had reached the gate of Patty4s Place he had as&ed %er !ss!on to call' and had rece!"ed !t* Anne #ent !n #!th chee&s of fla e and her heart beat!ng to her f!ngert!%s* ?usty' #ho cl! bed !nto her la% and tr!ed to &!ss her' found a "ery absent #elco e* Anne' #!th her soul full of ro ant!c thr!lls'

had no attent!on to s%are just then for a cro%+eared %ussy cat* That e"en!ng a %arcel #as left at Patty4s Place for M!ss Sh!rley* It #as a box conta!n!ng a doCen agn!f!cent roses* Ph!l %ounced ! %ert!nently on the card that fell fro !t' read the na e and the %oet!cal )uotat!on #r!tten on the bac&* $?oyal GardnerE$ she excla! ed* $>hy' Anne' I d!dn4t &no# you #ere ac)ua!nted #!th ?oy GardnerE$ $I et h! !n the %ar& th!s afternoon !n the ra!n'$ ex%la!ned Anne hurr!edly* $My u brella turned !ns!de out and he ca e to y rescue #!th h!s*$ $-hE$ Ph!l %eered cur!ously at Anne*$ And !s that exceed!ngly co on%lace !nc!dent any reason #hy he should send us longste roses by the doCen' #!th a "ery sent! ental rhy eF -r #hy #e should blush d!"!nest rosy+red #hen #e loo& at h!s cardF Anne' thy face betrayeth thee*$ $Don4t tal& nonsense' Ph!l* Do you &no# Mr* GardnerF$ $I4"e et h!s t#o s!sters' and I &no# of h! * So does e"erybody #orth#h!le !n A!ngs%ort* The Gardners are a ong the r!chest' bluest' of Bluenoses* ?oy !s adorably handso e and cle"er* T#o years ago h!s other4s health fa!led and he had to lea"e college and go abroad #!th her ++ h!s father !s dead* 6e ust ha"e been greatly d!sa%%o!nted to ha"e to g!"e u% h!s class' but they say he #as %erfectly s#eet about !t* (ee ++ f! ++ fo ++ fu ' Anne* I s ell ro ance* Al ost do I en"y you' but not )u!te* After all' ?oy Gardner !sn4t @onas*$ $,ou gooseE$ sa!d Anne loft!ly* But she lay long a#a&e that n!ght' nor d!d she #!sh for slee%* 6er #a&!ng fanc!es #ere ore allur!ng than any "!s!on of drea land* 6ad the real Pr!nce co e at lastF ?ecall!ng those glor!ous dar& eyes #h!ch had gaCed so dee%ly !nto her o#n' Anne #as "ery strongly !ncl!ned to th!n& he had* ed

.ha%ter <<3I Enter .hr!st!ne

The g!rls at Patty4s Place #ere dress!ng for the rece%t!on #h!ch the @un!ors #ere g!"!ng for the Sen!ors !n (ebruary* Anne sur"eyed herself !n the !rror of the blue roo #!th g!rl!sh sat!sfact!on* She had a %art!cularly %retty go#n on* -r!g!nally !t had been only a s! %le l!ttle sl!% of crea s!l& #!th a ch!ffon o"erdress* But Ph!l had !ns!sted on ta&!ng !t ho e #!th her !n the .hr!st as hol!days and e bro!der!ng t!ny rosebuds all o"er the ch!ffon* Ph!l4s f!ngers #ere deft' and the result #as a dress #h!ch #as the en"y of e"ery ?ed ond g!rl* E"en All!e Boone' #hose froc&s ca e fro Par!s' #as #ont to loo& #!th long!ng eyes on that rosebud concoct!on as Anne tra!led u% the a!n sta!rcase at ?ed ond !n !t* Anne #as try!ng the effect of a #h!te orch!d !n her ha!r* ?oy Gardner had sent her #h!te orch!ds for the rece%t!on' and she &ne# no other ?ed ond g!rl #ould ha"e the that n!ght ++ #hen Ph!l ca e !n #!th ad !r!ng gaCe* $Anne' th!s !s certa!nly your n!ght for loo&!ng handso e* N!ne n!ghts out of ten I can eas!ly outsh!ne you* The tenth you blosso out suddenly !nto so eth!ng that ecl!%ses e altogether* 6o# do you anage !tF$ $It4s the dress' dear* (!ne feathers*$ $GT!sn4t* The last e"en!ng you fla ed out !nto beauty you #ore your old blue flannel sh!rt#a!st that Mrs* Lynde ade you* If ?oy hadn4t already lost head and heart about you he certa!nly #ould ton!ght* But I don4t l!&e orch!ds on you' Anne* NoD !t !sn4t jealousy* -rch!ds don4t see to BEL-NG to you* They4re too exot!c ++ too tro%!cal ++ too !nsolent* Don4t %ut the !n your ha!r' any#ay*$ $>ell' I #on4t* I ad !t I4 not fond of orch!ds yself* I don4t th!n& they4re related to e* ?oy doesn4t often send the ++ he &no#s I l!&e flo#ers I can l!"e #!th* -rch!ds are only th!ngs you can "!s!t #!th*$ $@onas sent e so e dear %!n& rosebuds for the e"en!ng ++ but ++ he !sn4t co !ng h! self* 6e sa!d he had to lead a %rayer+ eet!ng !n the slu sE I don4t bel!e"e he #anted to co e* Anne' I4 horr!bly afra!d @onas doesn4t really care anyth!ng about e* And I4 try!ng to dec!de #hether I4ll %!ne a#ay and d!e' or go on and get y B*A* and be sens!ble and useful*$ $,ou couldn4t %oss!bly be sens!ble and useful' Ph!l' so you4d better %!ne a#ay and d!e'$ sa!d Anne cruelly*

$6eartless AnneE$ $S!lly Ph!lE ,ou &no# )u!te #ell that @onas lo"es you*$ $But ++ he #on4t TELL e so* And I can4t MAAE h! * 6e L--AS !t' I4ll ad !t* But s%ea&+to+ e+only+#!th+th!ne+eyes !sn4t a really rel!able reason for e bro!der!ng do!l!es and he st!tch!ng tablecloths* I don4t #ant to beg!n such #or& unt!l I4 really engaged* It #ould be te %t!ng (ate*$ $Mr* Bla&e !s afra!d to as& you to arry h! ' Ph!l* 6e !s %oor and can4t offer you a ho e such as you4"e al#ays had* ,ou &no# that !s the only reason he hasn4t s%o&en long ago*$ $I su%%ose so'$ agreed Ph!l dolefully* $>ell$ ++ br!ghten!ng u% ++ $!f he >-N4T as& e to arry h! I4ll as& h! ' that4s all* So !t4s bound to co e r!ght* I #on4t #orry* By the #ay' G!lbert Blythe !s go!ng about constantly #!th .hr!st!ne Stuart* D!d you &no#F$ Anne #as try!ng to fasten a l!ttle gold cha!n about her throat* She suddenly found the clas% d!ff!cult to anage* >6AT #as the atter #!th !t ++ or #!th her f!ngersF $No'$ she sa!d carelessly*$ >ho !s .hr!st!ne StuartF$ $?onald Stuart4s s!ster* She4s !n A!ngs%ort th!s #!nter study!ng us!c* I ha"en4t seen her' but they say she4s "ery %retty and that G!lbert !s )u!te craCy o"er her* 6o# angry I #as #hen you refused G!lbert' Anne* But ?oy Gardner #as foreorda!ned for you* I can see that no#* ,ou #ere r!ght' after all*$ Anne d!d not blush' as she usually d!d #hen the g!rls assu ed that her e"entual arr!age to ?oy Gardner #as a settled th!ng* All at once she felt rather dull* Ph!l4s chatter see ed tr!"!al and the rece%t!on a bore* She boxed %oor ?usty4s ears* $Get off that cush!on !nstantly' you cat' youE >hy don4t you stay do#n #here you belongF$ Anne %!c&ed u% her orch!ds and #ent do#nsta!rs' #here Aunt @a es!na #as %res!d!ng o"er a ro# of coats hung before the f!re to #ar * ?oy Gardner #as #a!t!ng for Anne and teas!ng the Sarah+cat #h!le he #a!ted* The Sarah+cat d!d not a%%ro"e of h! * She al#ays turned her bac& on h! * But e"erybody else at Patty4s Place l!&ed

h! "ery uch* Aunt @a es!na' carr!ed a#ay by h!s unfa!l!ng and deferent!al courtesy' and the %lead!ng tones of h!s del!ghtful "o!ce' declared he #as the n!cest young an she e"er &ne#' and that Anne #as a "ery fortunate g!rl* Such re ar&s ade Anne rest!"e* ?oy4s #oo!ng had certa!nly been as ro ant!c as g!rl!sh heart could des!re' but ++ she #!shed Aunt @a es!na and the g!rls #ould not ta&e th!ngs so for granted* >hen ?oy ur ured a %oet!cal co %l! ent as he hel%ed her on #!th her coat' she d!d not blush and thr!ll as usualD and he found her rather s!lent !n the!r br!ef #al& to ?ed ond* 6e thought she loo&ed a l!ttle %ale #hen she ca e out of the coeds4 dress!ng roo D but as they entered the rece%t!on roo her color and s%ar&le suddenly returned to her* She turned to ?oy #!th her gayest ex%ress!on* 6e s !led bac& at her #!th #hat Ph!l called $h!s dee%' blac&' "el"ety s !le*$ ,et she really d!d not see ?oy at all* She #as acutely consc!ous that G!lbert #as stand!ng under the %al s just across the roo tal&!ng to a g!rl #ho ust be .hr!st!ne Stuart* She #as "ery handso e' !n the stately style dest!ned to beco e rather ass!"e !n !ddle l!fe* A tall g!rl' #!th large dar&+blue eyes' !"ory outl!nes' and a gloss of dar&ness on her s ooth ha!r* $She loo&s just as I4"e al#ays #anted to loo&'$ thought Anne !serably* $?ose+leaf co %lex!on ++ starry "!olet eyes ++ ra"en ha!r ++ yes' she has the all* It4s a #onder her na e !sn4t .ordel!a (!tCgerald !nto the barga!nE But I don4t bel!e"e her f!gure !s as good as !ne' and her nose certa!nly !sn4t*$ Anne felt a l!ttle co forted by th!s conclus!on*

.ha%ter <<3II Mutual .onf!dences March ca e !n that #!nter l!&e the ee&est and !ldest of la bs' br!ng!ng days that #ere cr!s% and golden and t!ngl!ng' each follo#ed by a frosty %!n& t#!l!ght #h!ch gradually lost !tself !n an elfland of oonsh!ne* -"er the g!rls at Patty4s Place #as fall!ng the shado# of A%r!l exa !nat!ons* They #ere study!ng hardD e"en Ph!l had settled do#n to text and noteboo&s #!th a doggedness not to be ex%ected of her*

$I4 go!ng to ta&e the @ohnson Scholarsh!% !n Mathe at!cs'$ she announced cal ly* $I could ta&e the one !n Gree& eas!ly' but I4d rather ta&e the athe at!cal one because I #ant to %ro"e to @onas that I4 really enor ously cle"er*$ $@onas l!&es you better for your b!g bro#n eyes and your croo&ed s !le than for all the bra!ns you carry under your curls'$ sa!d Anne* $>hen I #as a g!rl !t #asn4t cons!dered lady+l!&e to &no# anyth!ng about Mathe at!cs'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $But t! es ha"e changed* I don4t &no# that !t4s all for the better* .an you coo&' Ph!lF$ $No' I ne"er coo&ed anyth!ng !n y l!fe exce%t a g!ngerbread and !t #as a fa!lure ++ flat !n the !ddle and h!lly round the edges* ,ou &no# the &!nd* But' Aunty' #hen I beg!n !n good earnest to learn to coo& don4t you th!n& the bra!ns that enable e to #!n a athe at!cal scholarsh!% #!ll also enable e to learn coo&!ng just as #ellF$ $Maybe'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na caut!ously* $I a not decry!ng the h!gher educat!on of #o en* My daughter !s an M*A* She can coo&' too* But I taught her to coo& BE(-?E I let a college %rofessor teach her Mathe at!cs*$ In !d+March ca e a letter fro M!ss Patty S%offord' say!ng that she and M!ss Mar!a had dec!ded to re a!n abroad for another year* $So you ay ha"e Patty4s Place next #!nter' too'$ she #rote* $Mar!a and I are go!ng to run o"er Egy%t* I #ant to see the S%h!nx once before I d!e*$ $(ancy those t#o da es Grunn!ng o"er Egy%t4E I #onder !f they4ll loo& u% at the S%h!nx and &n!t'$ laughed Pr!sc!lla* $I4 so glad #e can &ee% Patty4s Place for another year'$ sa!d Stella* $I #as afra!d they4d co e bac&* And then our jolly l!ttle nest here #ould be bro&en u% ++ and #e %oor callo# nestl!ngs thro#n out on the cruel #orld of board!nghouses aga!n*$ $I4 off for a tra % !n the %ar&'$ announced Ph!l' toss!ng her boo& as!de* $I th!n& #hen I a e!ghty I4ll be glad I #ent for a #al& !n the %ar& ton!ght*$ $>hat do you $.o e #!th eanF$ as&ed Anne* e and I4ll tell you' honey*$

They ca%tured !n the!r ra ble all the yster!es and ag!cs of a March e"en!ng* 3ery st!ll and !ld !t #as' #ra%%ed !n a great' #h!te' brood!ng s!lence ++ a s!lence #h!ch #as yet threaded through #!th any l!ttle s!l"ery sounds #h!ch you could hear !f you hear&ened as uch #!th your soul as your ears* The g!rls #andered do#n a long %!neland a!sle that see ed to lead r!ght out !nto the heart of a dee%+red' o"erflo#!ng #!nter sunset* $I4d go ho e and #r!te a %oe th!s blessed !nute !f I only &ne# ho#'$ declared Ph!l' %aus!ng !n an o%en s%ace #here a rosy l!ght #as sta!n!ng the green t!%s of the %!nes* $It4s all so #onderful here ++ th!s great' #h!te st!llness' and those dar& trees that al#ays see to be th!n&!ng*$ $GThe #oods #ere God4s f!rst te %les'4$ )uoted Anne softly* $-ne can4t hel% feel!ng re"erent and ador!ng !n such a %lace* I al#ays feel so near 6! #hen I #al& a ong the %!nes*$ $Anne' I4 the ha%%!est g!rl !n the #orld'$ confessed Ph!l suddenly* arry h! at lastF$ sa!d Anne cal ly*

$So Mr* Bla&e has as&ed you to

$,es* And I sneeCed three t! es #h!le he #as as&!ng e* >asn4t that horr!dF But I sa!d Gyes4 al ost before he f!n!shed ++ I #as so afra!d he !ght change h!s !nd and sto%* I4 besottedly ha%%y* I couldn4t really bel!e"e before that @onas #ould e"er care for fr!"olous e*$ $Ph!l' you4re not really fr!"olous'$ sa!d Anne gra"ely* $4>ay do#n underneath that fr!"olous exter!or of yours you4"e got a dear' loyal' #o anly l!ttle soul* >hy do you h!de !t soF$ $I can4t hel% !t' Hueen Anne* ,ou are r!ght ++ I4 not fr!"olous at heart* But there4s a sort of fr!"olous s&!n o"er y soul and I can4t ta&e !t off* As Mrs* Poyser says' I4d ha"e to be hatched o"er aga!n and hatched d!fferent before I could change !t* But @onas &no#s the real e and lo"es e' fr!"ol!ty and all* And I lo"e h! * I ne"er #as so sur%r!sed !n y l!fe as I #as #hen I found out I lo"ed h! * I4d ne"er thought !t %oss!ble to fall !n lo"e #!th an ugly an* (ancy e co !ng do#n to one sol!tary beau* And one na ed @onasE But I ean to call h! @o* That4s such a n!ce' cr!s% l!ttle na e* I couldn4t n!c&na e AlonCo*$ $>hat about Alec and AlonCoF$ $-h' I told the at .hr!st as that I ne"er could arry e!ther of

the * It see s so funny no# to re e ber that I e"er thought !t %oss!ble that I !ght* They felt so badly I just cr!ed o"er both of the ++ ho#led* But I &ne# there #as only one an !n the #orld I could e"er arry* I had ade u% y o#n !nd for once and !t #as real easy' too* It4s "ery del!ghtful to feel so sure' and &no# !t4s your o#n sureness and not so ebody else4s*$ $Do you su%%ose you4ll be able to &ee% !t u%F$ $Ma&!ng u% y !nd' you eanF I don4t &no#' but @o has g!"en e a s%lend!d rule* 6e says' #hen I4 %er%lexed' just to do #hat I #ould #!sh I had done #hen I shall be e!ghty* Anyho#' @o can a&e u% h!s !nd )u!c&ly enough' and !t #ould be unco fortable to ha"e too uch !nd !n the sa e house*$ $>hat #!ll your father and other sayF$

$(ather #on4t say uch* 6e th!n&s e"eryth!ng I do r!ght* But other >ILL tal&* -h' her tongue #!ll be as Byrney as her nose* But !n the end !t #!ll be all r!ght*$ $,ou4ll ha"e to g!"e u% a good any th!ngs you4"e al#ays had' #hen you arry Mr* Bla&e' Ph!l*$ $But I4ll ha"e 6IM* I #on4t !ss the other th!ngs* >e4re to be arr!ed a year fro next @une* @o graduates fro St* .olu b!a th!s s%r!ng' you &no#* Then he4s go!ng to ta&e a l!ttle !ss!on church do#n on Patterson Street !n the slu s* (ancy e !n the slu sE But I4d go there or to Greenland4s !cy ounta!ns #!th h! *$ $And th!s !s the g!rl #ho #ould NE3E? co ented Anne to a young %!ne tree* arry a an #ho #asn4t r!ch'$

$-h' don4t cast u% the foll!es of y youth to e* I shall be %oor as ga!ly as I4"e been r!ch* ,ou4ll see* I4 go!ng to learn ho# to coo& and a&e o"er dresses* I4"e learned ho# to ar&et s!nce I4"e l!"ed at Patty4s PlaceD and once I taught a Sunday School class for a #hole su er* Aunt @a es!na says I4ll ru!n @o4s career !f I arry h! * But I #on4t* I &no# I ha"en4t uch sense or sobr!ety' but I4"e got #hat !s e"er so uch better ++ the &nac& of a&!ng %eo%le l!&e e* There !s a an !n Bol!ngbro&e #ho l!s%s and al#ays test!f!es !n %rayer+ eet!ng* 6e says' 4If you can4t th!ne l!&e an electr!c thtar th!ne l!&e a candletht!c&*4 I4ll be @o4s l!ttle candlest!c&*$ $Ph!l' you4re !ncorr!g!ble* >ell' I lo"e you so uch that

I can4t a&e n!ce' l!ght' congratulatory l!ttle s%eeches* But I4 heart+glad of your ha%%!ness*$ $I &no#* Those b!g gray eyes of yours are br! !ng o"er #!th real fr!endsh!%' Anne* So e day I4ll loo& the sa e #ay at you* ,ou4re go!ng to arry ?oy' aren4t you' AnneF$ $My dear Ph!l!%%a' d!d you e"er hear of the fa ous Betty Baxter' #ho Grefused a an before he4d axed her4F I a not go!ng to e ulate that celebrated lady by e!ther refus!ng or acce%t!ng any one before he Gaxes4 e*$ $All ?ed ond &no#s that ?oy !s craCy about you'$ sa!d Ph!l cand!dly*$ And you D- lo"e h! ' don4t you' AnneF$ $I ++ I su%%ose so'$ sa!d Anne reluctantly* She felt that she ought to be blush!ng #h!le a&!ng such a confess!onD but she #as notD on the other hand' she al#ays blushed hotly #hen any one sa!d anyth!ng about G!lbert Blythe or .hr!st!ne Stuart !n her hear!ng* G!lbert Blythe and .hr!st!ne Stuart #ere noth!ng to her ++ absolutely noth!ng* But Anne had g!"en u% try!ng to analyCe the reason of her blushes* As for ?oy' of course she #as !n lo"e #!th h! ++ adly so* 6o# could she hel% !tF >as he not her !dealF >ho could res!st those glor!ous dar& eyes' and that %lead!ng "o!ceF >ere not half the ?ed ond g!rls #!ldly en"!ousF And #hat a char !ng sonnet he had sent her' #!th a box of "!olets' on her b!rthdayE Anne &ne# e"ery #ord of !t by heart* It #as "ery good stuff of !ts &!nd' too* Not exactly u% to the le"el of Aeats or Sha&es%eare ++ e"en Anne #as not so dee%ly !n lo"e as to th!n& that* But !t #as "ery tolerable agaC!ne "erse* And !t #as addressed to 6E? ++ not to Laura or Beatr!ce or the Ma!d of Athens' but to her' Anne Sh!rley* To be told !n rhyth !cal cadences that her eyes #ere stars of the orn!ng ++ that her chee& had the flush !t stole fro the sunr!se ++ that her l!%s #ere redder than the roses of Parad!se' #as thr!ll!ngly ro ant!c* G!lbert #ould ne"er ha"e drea ed of #r!t!ng a sonnet to her eyebro#s* But then' G!lbert could see a jo&e* She had once told ?oy a funny story ++ and he had not seen the %o!nt of !t* She recalled the chu y laugh she and G!lbert had had together o"er !t' and #ondered uneas!ly !f l!fe #!th a an #ho had no sense of hu or !ght not be so e#hat un!nterest!ng !n the long run* But #ho could ex%ect a elancholy' !nscrutable hero to see the hu orous s!de of th!ngsF It #ould be flatly unreasonable*

.ha%ter <<3III

A @une E"en!ng $I #onder #hat !t #ould be l!&e to l!"e !n a #orld #here !t #as al#ays @une'$ sa!d Anne' as she ca e through the s%!ce and bloo of the t#!l!t orchard to the front door ste%s' #here Mar!lla and Mrs* ?achel #ere s!tt!ng' tal&!ng o"er Mrs* Sa son .oates4 funeral' #h!ch they had attended that day* Dora sat bet#een the ' d!l!gently study!ng her lessonsD but Da"y #as s!tt!ng ta!lor+fash!on on the grass' loo&!ng as gloo y and de%ressed as h!s s!ngle d! %le #ould let h! * $,ou4d get t!red of !t'$ sa!d Mar!lla' #!th a s!gh* $I daresayD but just no# I feel that !t #ould ta&e e a long t! e to get t!red of !t' !f !t #ere all as char !ng as today* E"eryth!ng lo"es @une* Da"y+boy' #hy th!s elancholy No"e ber face !n blosso +t! eF$ $I4 just s!c& and t!red of l!"!ng'$ sa!d the youthful %ess! !st* e' ho# sadE$

$At ten yearsF Dear

$I4 not a&!ng fun'$ sa!d Da"y #!th d!gn!ty* $I4 d!s ++ d!s ++ d!scouraged$ ++ br!ng!ng out the b!g #ord #!th a "al!ant effort* $>hy and #hereforeF$ as&ed Anne' s!tt!ng do#n bes!de h! * $4.ause the ne# teacher that co e #hen Mr* 6ol es got s!c& g!"e e ten su s to do for Monday* It4ll ta&e e all day to orro# to do the * It !sn4t fa!r to ha"e to #or& Saturdays* M!lty Boulter sa!d he #ouldn4t do the ' but Mar!lla says I4"e got to* I don4t l!&e M!ss .arson a b!t*$ $Don4t tal& l!&e that about your teacher' Da"y Ae!th'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel se"erely* $M!ss .arson !s a "ery f!ne g!rl* There !s no nonsense about her*$ $That doesn4t sound "ery attract!"e'$ laughed Anne* $I l!&e %eo%le to ha"e a l!ttle nonsense about the * But I4 !ncl!ned to ha"e a better o%!n!on of M!ss .arson than you ha"e* I sa# her !n %rayer+ eet!ng last n!ght' and she has a %a!r of eyes that can4t al#ays loo& sens!ble* No#' Da"y+boy' ta&e heart of grace* GTo orro# #!ll br!ng another day4 and I4ll hel% you #!th the su s as far as !n e l!es* Don4t #aste th!s lo"ely hour Gt#!xt l!ght and dar& #orry!ng o"er ar!th et!c*$

$>ell' I #on4t'$ sa!d Da"y' br!ghten!ng u%* $If you hel% e #!th the su s I4ll ha"e 4e done !n t! e to go f!sh!ng #!th M!lty* I #!sh old Aunt Atossa4s funeral #as to orro# !nstead of today* I #anted to go to !t 4cause M!lty sa!d h!s other sa!d Aunt Atossa #ould be sure to r!se u% !n her coff!n and say sarcast!c th!ngs to the fol&s that co e to see her bur!ed* But Mar!lla sa!d she d!dn4t*$ $Poor Atossa la!d !n her coff!n %eaceful enough'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde sole nly* $I ne"er sa# her loo& so %leasant before' that4s #hat* >ell' there #eren4t any tears shed o"er her' %oor old soul* The El!sha >r!ghts are than&ful to be r!d of her' and I can4t say I bla e the a !te*$ $It see s to e a ost dreadful th!ng to go out of the #orld and not lea"e one %erson beh!nd you #ho !s sorry you are gone'$ sa!d Anne' shudder!ng* $Nobody exce%t her %arents e"er lo"ed %oor Atossa' that4s certa!n' not e"en her husband'$ a"erred Mrs* Lynde* $She #as h!s fourth #!fe* 6e4d sort of got !nto the hab!t of arry!ng* 6e only l!"ed a fe# years after he arr!ed her* The doctor sa!d he d!ed of dys%e%s!a' but I shall al#ays a!nta!n that he d!ed of Atossa4s tongue' that4s #hat* Poor soul' she al#ays &ne# e"eryth!ng about her ne!ghbors' but she ne"er #as "ery #ell ac)ua!nted #!th herself* >ell' she4s gone anyho#D and I su%%ose the next exc!te ent #!ll be D!ana4s #edd!ng*$ $It see s funny and horr!ble to th!n& of D!ana4s be!ng arr!ed'$ s!ghed Anne' hugg!ng her &nees and loo&!ng through the ga% !n the 6aunted >ood to the l!ght that #as sh!n!ng !n D!ana4s roo * $I don4t see #hat4s horr!ble about !t' #hen she4s do!ng so #ell'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde e %hat!cally* $(red >r!ght has a f!ne far and he !s a odel young an*$ $6e certa!nly !sn4t the #!ld' dash!ng' #!c&ed' young an D!ana once #anted to arry'$ s !led Anne* $(red !s extre ely good*$ $That4s just #hat he ought to be* >ould you #ant D!ana to a #!c&ed anF -r arry one yourselfF$ arry

$-h' no* I #ouldn4t #ant to arry anybody #ho #as #!c&ed' but I th!n& I4d l!&e !t !f he .-=LD be #!c&ed and >-=LDN4T* No#' (red !s 6-PELESSL, good*$ $,ou4ll ha"e ore sense so e day' I ho%e'$ sa!d Mar!lla*

Mar!lla s%o&e rather b!tterly* She #as gr!e"ously d!sa%%o!nted*

She &ne# Anne had refused G!lbert Blythe* A"onlea goss!% buCCed o"er the fact' #h!ch had lea&ed out' nobody &ne# ho#* Perha%s .harl!e Sloane had guessed and told h!s guesses for truth* Perha%s D!ana had betrayed !t to (red and (red had been !nd!screet* At all e"ents !t #as &no#nD Mrs* Blythe no longer as&ed Anne' !n %ubl!c or %r!"ate' !f she had heard lately fro G!lbert' but %assed her by #!th a frosty bo#* Anne' #ho had al#ays l!&ed G!lbert4s erry' young+hearted other' #as gr!e"ed !n secret o"er th!s* Mar!lla sa!d noth!ngD but Mrs* Lynde ga"e Anne any exas%erated d!gs about !t' unt!l fresh goss!% reached that #orthy lady' through the ed!u of Moody S%urgeon MacPherson4s other' that Anne had another $beau$ at college' #ho #as r!ch and handso e and good all !n one* After that Mrs* ?achel held her tongue' though she st!ll #!shed !n her !n ost heart that Anne had acce%ted G!lbert* ?!ches #ere all "ery #ellD but e"en Mrs* ?achel' %ract!cal soul though she #as' d!d not cons!der the the one essent!al* If Anne $l!&ed$ the 6andso e =n&no#n better than G!lbert there #as noth!ng ore to be sa!dD but Mrs* ?achel #as dreadfully afra!d that Anne #as go!ng to a&e the !sta&e of arry!ng for oney* Mar!lla &ne# Anne too #ell to fear th!sD but she felt that so eth!ng !n the un!"ersal sche e of th!ngs had gone sadly a#ry* $>hat !s to be' #!ll be'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel gloo !ly' $and #hat !sn4t to be ha%%ens so et! es* I can4t hel% bel!e"!ng !t4s go!ng to ha%%en !n Anne4s case' !f Pro"!dence doesn4t !nterfere' that4s #hat*$ Mrs* ?achel s!ghed* She #as afra!d Pro"!dence #ouldn4t !nterfereD and she d!dn4t dare to* Anne had #andered do#n to the Dryad4s Bubble and #as curled u% a ong the ferns at the root of the b!g #h!te b!rch #here she and G!lbert had so often sat !n su ers gone by* 6e had gone !nto the ne#s%a%er off!ce aga!n #hen college closed' and A"onlea see ed "ery dull #!thout h! * 6e ne"er #rote to her' and Anne !ssed the letters that ne"er ca e* To be sure' ?oy #rote t#!ce a #ee&D h!s letters #ere ex)u!s!te co %os!t!ons #h!ch #ould ha"e read beaut!fully !n a e o!r or b!ogra%hy* Anne felt herself ore dee%ly !n lo"e #!th h! than e"er #hen she read the D but her heart ne"er ga"e the )ueer' )u!c&' %a!nful bound at s!ght of h!s letters #h!ch !t had g!"en one day #hen Mrs* 6!ra Sloane had handed her out an en"elo%e addressed !n G!lbert4s blac&' u%r!ght hand#r!t!ng* Anne had hurr!ed ho e to the east gable and o%ened !t eagerly ++ to f!nd a ty%e#r!tten co%y of so e college soc!ety re%ort ++ $only that and noth!ng ore*$ Anne flung the har less screed across her roo and sat do#n to #r!te an es%ec!ally n!ce e%!stle to ?oy*

D!ana #as to be arr!ed !n f!"e ore days* The gray house at -rchard Slo%e #as !n a tur o!l of ba&!ng and bre#!ng and bo!l!ng and ste#!ng' for there #as to be a b!g' old+t! ey #edd!ng* Anne' of course' #as to be br!des a!d' as had been arranged #hen they #ere t#el"e years old' and G!lbert #as co !ng fro A!ngs%ort to be best an* Anne #as enjoy!ng the exc!te ent of the "ar!ous %re%arat!ons' but under !t all she carr!ed a l!ttle heartache* She #as' !n a sense' los!ng her dear old chu D D!ana4s ne# ho e #ould be t#o !les fro Green Gables' and the old constant co %an!onsh!% could ne"er be the!rs aga!n* Anne loo&ed u% at D!ana4s l!ght and thought ho# !t had beaconed to her for any yearsD but soon !t #ould sh!ne through the su er t#!l!ghts no ore* T#o b!g' %a!nful tears #elled u% !n her gray eyes* $-h'$ she thought' $ho# horr!ble !t !s that %eo%le ha"e to gro# u% ++ and arry ++ and .6ANGEE$

.ha%ter <<I< D!ana4s >edd!ng $After all' the only real roses are the %!n& ones'$ sa!d Anne' as she t!ed #h!te r!bbon around D!ana4s bou)uet !n the #est#ardloo&!ng gable at -rchard Slo%e* $They are the flo#ers of lo"e and fa!th*$ D!ana #as stand!ng ner"ously !n the !ddle of the roo ' arrayed !n her br!dal #h!te' her blac& curls frosted o"er #!th the f!l of her #edd!ng "e!l* Anne had dra%ed that "e!l' !n accordance #!th the sent! ental co %act of years before* $It4s all %retty uch as I used to ! ag!ne !t long ago' #hen I #e%t o"er your !ne"!table arr!age and our conse)uent %art!ng'$ she laughed* $,ou are the br!de of y drea s' D!ana' #!th the Glo"ely !sty "e!l4D and I a ,-=? br!des a!d* But' alasE I ha"en4t the %uffed slee"es ++ though these short lace ones are e"en %rett!er* Ne!ther !s y heart #holly brea&!ng nor do I exactly hate (red*$ $>e are not really %art!ng' Anne'$ %rotested D!ana* $I4 not go!ng far a#ay* >e4ll lo"e each other just as uch as e"er* >e4"e al#ays &e%t that Goath4 of fr!endsh!% #e s#ore long ago'

ha"en4t #eF$ $,es* >e4"e &e%t !t fa!thfully* >e4"e had a beaut!ful fr!endsh!%' D!ana* >e4"e ne"er arred !t by one )uarrel or coolness or un&!nd #ordD and I ho%e !t #!ll al#ays be so* But th!ngs can4t be )u!te the sa e after th!s* ,ou4ll ha"e other !nterests* I4ll just be on the outs!de* But Gsuch !s l!fe4 as Mrs* ?achel says* Mrs* ?achel has g!"en you one of her belo"ed &n!tted )u!lts of the Gtobacco str!%e4 %attern' and she says #hen I a arr!ed she4ll g!"e e one' too*$ $The ean th!ng about your gett!ng arr!ed !s that I #on4t be able to be your br!des a!d'$ la ented D!ana* $I4 to be Ph!l4s br!des a!d next @une' #hen she arr!es Mr* Bla&e' and then I ust sto%' for you &no# the %ro"erb Gthree t! es a br!des a!d' ne"er a br!de'4 $ sa!d Anne' %ee%!ng through the #!ndo# o"er the %!n& and sno# of the blosso !ng orchard beneath* $6ere co es the !n!ster' D!ana*$ $-h' Anne'$ gas%ed D!ana' suddenly turn!ng "ery %ale and beg!nn!ng to tre ble* $-h' Anne ++ I4 so ner"ous ++ I can4t go through #!th !t ++ Anne' I &no# I4 go!ng to fa!nt*$ $If you do I4ll drag you do#n to the ra!n#ater hogshed and dro% you !n'$ sa!d Anne unsy %athet!cally* $.heer u%' dearest* Gett!ng arr!ed can4t be so "ery terr!ble #hen so any %eo%le sur"!"e the cere ony* See ho# cool and co %osed I a ' and ta&e courage*$ $>a!t t!ll your turn co es' M!ss Anne* -h' Anne' I hear father co !ng u%sta!rs* G!"e e y bou)uet* Is y "e!l r!ghtF A I "ery %aleF$ $,ou loo& just lo"ely* D!' darl!ng' &!ss e good+bye for the last t! e* D!ana Barry #!ll ne"er &!ss e aga!n*$ $D!ana >r!ght #!ll' though* There' other4s call!ng* .o e*$

(ollo#!ng the s! %le' old+fash!oned #ay !n "ogue then' Anne #ent do#n to the %arlor on G!lbert4s ar * They et at the to% of the sta!rs for the f!rst t! e s!nce they had left A!ngs%ort' for G!lbert had arr!"ed only that day* G!lbert shoo& hands courteously* 6e #as loo&!ng "ery #ell' though' as Anne !nstantly noted' rather th!n* 6e #as not %aleD there #as a flush on h!s chee& that had burned !nto !t as Anne ca e along the hall to#ards h! ' !n her soft' #h!te dress #!th

l!l!es+of+the+"alley !n the sh!n!ng asses of her ha!r* As they entered the cro#ded %arlor together a l!ttle ur ur of ad !rat!on ran around the roo * $>hat a f!ne+loo&!ng %a!r they are'$ #h!s%ered the ! %ress!ble Mrs* ?achel to Mar!lla* (red a bled !n alone' #!th a "ery red face' and then D!ana s#e%t !n on her father4s ar * She d!d not fa!nt' and noth!ng unto#ard occurred to !nterru%t the cere ony* (east!ng and erry+ a&!ng follo#edD then' as the e"en!ng #aned' (red and D!ana dro"e a#ay through the oonl!ght to the!r ne# ho e' and G!lbert #al&ed #!th Anne to Green Gables* So eth!ng of the!r old co radesh!% had returned dur!ng the !nfor al !rth of the e"en!ng* -h' !t #as n!ce to be #al&!ng o"er that #ell+&no#n road #!th G!lbert aga!nE The n!ght #as so "ery st!ll that one should ha"e been able to hear the #h!s%er of roses !n blosso ++ the laughter of da!s!es ++ the %!%!ng of grasses ++ any s#eet sounds' all tangled u% together* The beauty of oonl!ght on fa !l!ar f!elds !rrad!ated the #orld* $.an4t #e ta&e a ra ble u% Lo"ers4 Lane before you go !nF$ as&ed G!lbert as they crossed the br!dge o"er the La&e of Sh!n!ng >aters' !n #h!ch the oon lay l!&e a great' dro#ned blosso of gold* Anne assented read!ly* Lo"ers4 Lane #as a "er!table %ath !n a fa!ryland that n!ght ++ a sh! er!ng' yster!ous %lace' full of #!Cardry !n the #h!te+#o"en enchant ent of oonl!ght* There had been a t! e #hen such a #al& #!th G!lbert through Lo"ers4 Lane #ould ha"e been far too dangerous* But ?oy and .hr!st!ne had ade !t "ery safe no#* Anne found herself th!n&!ng a good deal about .hr!st!ne as she chatted l!ghtly to G!lbert* She had et her se"eral t! es before lea"!ng A!ngs%ort' and had been char !ngly s#eet to her* .hr!st!ne had also been char !ngly s#eet* Indeed' they #ere a ost cord!al %a!r* But for all that' the!r ac)ua!ntance had not r!%ened !nto fr!endsh!%* E"!dently .hr!st!ne #as not a &!ndred s%!r!t* $Are you go!ng to be !n A"onlea all su erF$ as&ed G!lbert*

$No* I4 go!ng do#n east to 3alley ?oad next #ee&* Esther 6aythorne #ants e to teach for her through @uly and August* They ha"e a su er ter !n that school' and Esther !sn4t feel!ng #ell* So I4 go!ng to subst!tute for her* In one #ay I don4t !nd* Do you &no#' I4 beg!nn!ng to feel a l!ttle b!t l!&e a stranger !n A"onlea no#F It a&es e sorry ++ but !t4s true* It4s )u!te

a%%all!ng to see the nu ber of ch!ldren #ho ha"e shot u% !nto b!g boys and g!rls ++ really young en and #o en ++ these %ast t#o years* 6alf of y %u%!ls are gro#n u%* It a&es e feel a#fully old to see the !n the %laces you and I and our ates used to f!ll*$ Anne laughed and s!ghed* She felt "ery old and ature and #!se ++ #h!ch sho#ed ho# young she #as* She told herself that she longed greatly to go bac& to those dear erry days #hen l!fe #as seen through a rosy !st of ho%e and !llus!on' and %ossessed an !ndef!nable so eth!ng that had %assed a#ay fore"er* >here #as !t no# ++ the glory and the drea F $GSo #ags the #orld a#ay'4 $ )uoted G!lbert %ract!cally' and a tr!fle absently* Anne #ondered !f he #ere th!n&!ng of .hr!st!ne* -h' A"onlea #as go!ng to be so lonely no# ++ #!th D!ana goneE

.ha%ter <<< Mrs* S&!nner4s ?o ance Anne ste%%ed off the tra!n at 3alley ?oad stat!on and loo&ed about to see !f any one had co e to eet her* She #as to board #!th a certa!n M!ss @anet S#eet' but she sa# no one #ho ans#ered !n the least to her %reconce%t!on of that lady' as for ed fro Esther4s letter* The only %erson !n s!ght #as an elderly #o an' s!tt!ng !n a #agon #!th a!l bags %!led around her* T#o hundred #ould ha"e been a char!table guess at her #e!ghtD her face #as as round and red as a har"est+ oon and al ost as featureless* She #ore a t!ght' blac&' cash ere dress' ade !n the fash!on of ten years ago' a l!ttle dusty blac& stra# hat tr! ed #!th bo#s of yello# r!bbon' and faded blac& lace !ts* $6ere' you'$ she called' #a"!ng her #h!% at Anne* $Are you the ne# 3alley ?oad school a4a F$ $,es*$ $>ell' I thought so* 3alley ?oad !s noted for !ts good+loo&!ng school a4a s' just as M!llers"!lle !s noted for !ts hu ly ones* @anet S#eet as&ed e th!s orn!ng !f I could br!ng you out* I sa!d' GSart!n I &!n' !f she don4t !nd be!ng scrunched u% so e* Th!s r!g of !ne4s &!nder s all for the a!l bags and I4 so e

heft!er than Tho asE4 @ust #a!t' !ss' t!ll I sh!ft these bags a b!t and I4ll tuc& you !n so eho#* It4s only t#o !les to @anet4s* 6er next+door ne!ghbor4s h!red boy !s co !ng for your trun& ton!ght* My na e !s S&!nner ++ A el!a S&!nner*$ Anne #as e"entually tuc&ed !n' exchang!ng a used s !les #!th herself dur!ng the %rocess* $@og along' blac& are'$ co anded Mrs* S&!nner' gather!ng u% the re!ns !n her %udgy hands* $Th!s !s y f!rst tr!% on the a!l ro#te* Tho as #anted to hoe h!s turn!%s today so he as&ed e to co e* So I jest sot do#n and too& a stand!ng+u% snac& and started* I sorter l!&e !t* -4 course !t4s rather tejus* Part of the t! e I s!ts and th!n&s and the rest I jest s!ts* @og along' blac& are* I #ant to g!t ho e a!rly* Tho as !s terr!ble loneso e #hen I4 a#ay* ,ou see' #e ha"en4t been arr!ed "ery long*$ $-hE$ sa!d Anne %ol!tely* $@ust a onth* Tho as courted e for )u!te a s%ell' though* It #as real ro ant!c*$ Anne tr!ed to %!cture Mrs* S&!nner on s%ea&!ng ter s #!th ro ance and fa!led* $-hF$ she sa!d aga!n* $,es* ,4see' there #as another an after e* @og along' blac& are* I4d been a #!dder so long fol&s had g!"en u% ex%ect!ng e to arry aga!n* But #hen y darter ++ she4s a school a4a l!&e you ++ #ent out >est to teach I felt real loneso e and #asn4t no#!se sot aga!nst the !dea* B! e+by Tho as began to co e u% and so d!d the other feller ++ >!ll!a -bad!ah Sea an' h!s na e #as* (or a long t! e I couldn4t a&e u% y !nd #h!ch of the to ta&e' and they &e%4 co !ng and co !ng' and I &e%4 #orry!ng* ,4see' >*-* #as r!ch ++ he had a f!ne %lace and carr!ed cons!derable style* 6e #as by far the best atch* @og along' blac& are*$ $>hy d!dn4t you arry h! F$ as&ed Anne* e'$ ans#ered Mrs* S&!nner' sole nly*

$>ell' y4see' he d!dn4t lo"e

Anne o%ened her eyes #!dely and loo&ed at Mrs* S&!nner* But there #as not a gl!nt of hu or on that lady4s face* E"!dently Mrs* S&!nner sa# noth!ng a us!ng !n her o#n case* $6e4d been a #!dder+ an for three yers' and h!s s!ster &e%t house for h! * Then she got arr!ed and he just #anted so e one to loo& after h!s house*

It #as #orth loo&!ng after' too' !nd you that* It4s a handso e house* @og along' blac& are* As for Tho as' he #as %oor' and !f h!s house d!dn4t lea& !n dry #eather !t #as about all that could be sa!d for !t' though !t loo&s &!nd of %!ctureas&e#* But' y4see' I lo"ed Tho as' and I d!dn4t care one red cent for >*-* So I argued !t out #!th yself* GSarah .ro#e'4 say I ++ y f!rst #as a .ro#e ++ Gyou can arry your r!ch an !f you l!&e but you #on4t be ha%%y* (ol&s can4t get along together !n th!s #orld #!thout a l!ttle b!t of lo"e* ,ou4d just better t!e u% to Tho as' for he lo"es you and you lo"e h! and noth!ng else a!n4t go!ng to do you*4 @og along' blac& are* So I told Tho as I4d ta&e h! * All the t! e I #as gett!ng ready I ne"er dared dr!"e %ast >*-*4s %lace for fear the s!ght of that f!ne house of h!s #ould %ut e !n the s#!thers aga!n* But no# I ne"er th!n& of !t at all' and I4 just that co fortable and ha%%y #!th Tho as* @og along' blac& are*$ $6o# d!d >!ll!a -bad!ah ta&e !tF$ )uer!ed Anne*

$-h' he ru %ussed a b!t* But he4s go!ng to see a s&!nny old a!d !n M!llers"!lle no#' and I guess she4ll ta&e h! fast enough* She4ll a&e h! a better #!fe than h!s f!rst d!d* >*-* ne"er #anted to arry her* 6e just as&ed her to arry h! 4cause h!s father #anted h! to' ne"er drea !ng but that she4d say Gno*4 But !nd you' she sa!d 4yes*4 There #as a %red!ca ent for you* @og along' blac& are* She #as a great house&ee%er' but ost a#ful ean* She #ore the sa e bonnet for e!ghteen years* Then she got a ne# one and >*-* et her on the road and d!dn4t &no# her* @og along' blac& are* I feel that I4d a narrer esca%e* I !ght ha"e arr!ed h! and been ost a#ful !serable' l!&e y %oor cous!n' @ane Ann* @ane Ann arr!ed a r!ch an she d!dn4t care anyth!ng about' and she hasn4t the l!fe of a dog* She co e to see e last #ee& and says' says she' GSarah S&!nner' I en"y you* I4d rather l!"e !n a l!ttle hut on the s!de of the road #!th a an I #as fond of than !n y b!g house #!th the one I4"e got*4 @ane Ann4s an a!n4t such a bad sort' nuther' though he4s so contrary that he #ears h!s fur coat #hen the ther o eter4s at n!nety* The only #ay to g!t h! to do anyth!ng !s to coax h! to do the o%%os!te* But there a!n4t any lo"e to s ooth th!ngs do#n and !t4s a %oor #ay of l!"!ng* @og along' blac& are* There4s @anet4s %lace !n the hollo# ++ G>ays!de'4 she calls !t* Hu!te %!ctureas&e#' a!n4t !tF I guess you4ll be glad to g!t out of th!s' #!th all the a!l bags ja !ng round you*$ $,es' but I ha"e enjoyed Anne s!ncerely* y dr!"e #!th you "ery uch'$ sa!d

$G!t a#ay no#E$ sa!d Mrs* S&!nner' h!ghly flattered* $>a!t t!ll I tell Tho as that* 6e al#ays feels dretful t!c&led #hen I g!t a co %l! ent* @og along' blac& are* >ell' here #e are* I ho%e you4ll g!t on #ell !n the school' !ss* There4s a short cut to !t through the a4sh bac& of @anet4s* If you ta&e that #ay be a#ful &eerful* If you once got stuc& !n that blac& ud you4d be suc&ed r!ght do#n and ne"er seen or heard tell of aga!n t!ll the day of judg ent' l!&e Ada Pal er4s co#* @og along' blac& are*$

.ha%ter <<<I Anne to Ph!l!%%a $Anne Sh!rley to Ph!l!%%a Gordon' greet!ng* $>ell+belo"ed' !t4s h!gh t! e I #as #r!t!ng you* 6ere a I' !nstalled once ore as a country Gschool a4a 4 at 3alley ?oad' board!ng at G>ays!de'4 the ho e of M!ss @anet S#eet* @anet !s a dear soul and "ery n!celoo&!ngD tall' but not o"er+tallD stout!sh' yet #!th a certa!n restra!nt of outl!ne suggest!"e of a thr!fty soul #ho !s not go!ng to be o"erla"!sh e"en !n the atter of a"o!rdu%o!s* She has a &not of soft' cr! %y' bro#n ha!r #!th a thread of gray !n !t' a sunny face #!th rosy chee&s' and b!g' &!nd eyes as blue as forget+ e+nots* Moreo"er' she !s one of those del!ghtful' old+fash!oned coo&s #ho don4t care a b!t !f they ru!n your d!gest!on as long as they can g!"e you feasts of fat th!ngs* $I l!&e herD and she l!&es e ++ %r!nc!%ally' !t see s' because she had a s!ster na ed Anne #ho d!ed young* $GI4 real glad to see you'4 she sa!d br!s&ly' #hen I landed !n her yard* GMy' you don4t loo& a !te l!&e I ex%ected* I #as sure you4d be dar& ++ y s!ster Anne #as dar&* And here you4re redheadedE4 $(or a fe# !nutes I thought I #asn4t go!ng to l!&e @anet as uch as I had ex%ected at f!rst s!ght* Then I re !nded yself that I really ust be ore sens!ble than to be %rejud!ced aga!nst any one s! %ly because she called y ha!r red* Probably the #ord Gauburn4 #as not !n @anet4s "ocabulary at all* $G>ays!de4 !s a dear sort of l!ttle s%ot* The house !s s all and #h!te' set do#n !n a del!ghtful l!ttle hollo# that dro%s a#ay fro the road* Bet#een road and house !s an orchard and

flo#er+garden all !xed u% together* The front door #al& !s bordered #!th )uahog cla +shells ++ Gco#+ha#&s'4 @anet calls the D there !s 3!rg!n!a .ree%er o"er the %orch and oss on the roof* My roo !s a neat l!ttle s%ot Goff the %arlor4 ++ just b!g enough for the bed and e* -"er the head of y bed there !s a %!cture of ?obby Burns stand!ng at 6!ghland Mary4s gra"e' shado#ed by an enor ous #ee%!ng #!llo# tree* ?obby4s face !s so lugubr!ous that !t !s no #onder I ha"e bad drea s* >hy' the f!rst n!ght I #as here I drea ed I .-=LDN4T LA=G6* $The %arlor !s t!ny and neat* Its one #!ndo# !s so shaded by a huge #!llo# that the roo has a grotto+l!&e effect of e erald gloo * There are #onderful t!d!es on the cha!rs' and gay ats on the floor' and boo&s and cards carefully arranged on a round table' and "ases of dr!ed grass on the antel+%!ece* Bet#een the "ases !s a cheerful decorat!on of %reser"ed coff!n %lates ++ f!"e !n all' %erta!n!ng res%ect!"ely to @anet4s father and other' a brother' her s!ster Anne' and a h!red an #ho d!ed here onceE If I go suddenly !nsane so e of these days G&no# all en by these %resents4 that those coff!n+%lates ha"e caused !t* $But !t4s all del!ghtful and I sa!d so* @anet lo"ed e for !t' just as she detested %oor Esther because Esther had sa!d so uch shade #as unhyg!en!c and had objected to slee%!ng on a feather bed* No#' I glory !n feather+beds' and the ore unhyg!en!c and feathery they are the ore I glory* @anet says !t !s such a co fort to see e eatD she had been so afra!d I #ould be l!&e M!ss 6aythorne' #ho #ouldn4t eat anyth!ng but fru!t and hot #ater for brea&fast and tr!ed to a&e @anet g!"e u% fry!ng th!ngs* Esther !s really a dear g!rl' but she !s rather g!"en to fads* The trouble !s that she hasn4t enough ! ag!nat!on and 6AS a tendency to !nd!gest!on* $@anet told e I could ha"e the use of the %arlor #hen any young en calledE I don4t th!n& there are any to call* I ha"en4t seen a young an !n 3alley ?oad yet' exce%t the next+door h!red boy ++ Sa Tol!"er' a "ery tall' lan&' to#+ha!red youth* 6e ca e o"er one e"en!ng recently and sat for an hour on the garden fence' near the front %orch #here @anet and I #ere do!ng fancy+#or&* The only re ar&s he "olunteered !n all that t! e #ere' G6e" a %e%%er !nt' !ssE De# no#+f!ne th!ng for carA??6' %e%%er !nts'4 and' GPo#erful lot o4 ju %+grasses round here tern!ght* ,e%*4 $But there !s a lo"e affa!r go!ng on here* It see s to be y fortune to be !xed u%' ore or less act!"ely' #!th elderly lo"e affa!rs* Mr* and Mrs* Ir"!ng al#ays say that I brought about

the!r arr!age* Mrs* Ste%hen .lar& of .ar ody %ers!sts !n be!ng ost grateful to e for a suggest!on #h!ch so ebody else #ould %robably ha"e ade !f I hadn4t* I do really th!n&' though' that Ludo"!c S%eed #ould ne"er ha"e got any further along than %lac!d courtsh!% !f I had not hel%ed h! and Theodora D!x out* $In the %resent affa!r I a only a %ass!"e s%ectator* I4"e tr!ed once to hel% th!ngs along and ade an a#ful ess of !t* So I shall not eddle aga!n* I4ll tell you all about !t #hen #e eet*$

.ha%ter <<<II Tea #!th Mrs* Douglas -n the f!rst Thursday n!ght of Anne4s sojourn !n 3alley ?oad @anet as&ed her to go to %rayer+ eet!ng* @anet blosso ed out l!&e a rose to attend that %rayer+ eet!ng* She #ore a %ale+blue' %ansy+s%r!n&led usl!n dress #!th ore ruffles than one #ould e"er ha"e su%%osed econo !cal @anet could be gu!lty of' and a #h!te leghorn hat #!th %!n& roses and three ostr!ch feathers on !t* Anne felt )u!te a aCed* Later on' she found out @anet4s ot!"e !n so array!ng herself ++ a ot!"e as old as Eden* 3alley ?oad %rayer+ eet!ngs see ed to be essent!ally fe !n!ne* There #ere th!rty+t#o #o en %resent' t#o half+gro#n boys' and one sol!tary an' bes!de the !n!ster* Anne found herself study!ng th!s an* 6e #as not handso e or young or gracefulD he had re ar&ably long legs ++ so long that he had to &ee% the co!led u% under h!s cha!r to d!s%ose of the ++ and he #as stoo%shouldered* 6!s hands #ere b!g' h!s ha!r #anted barber!ng' and h!s oustache #as un&e %t* But Anne thought she l!&ed h!s faceD !t #as &!nd and honest and tenderD there #as so eth!ng else !n !t' too ++ just #hat' Anne found !t hard to def!ne* She f!nally concluded that th!s an had suffered and been strong' and !t had been ade an!fest !n h!s face* There #as a sort of %at!ent' hu orous endurance !n h!s ex%ress!on #h!ch !nd!cated that he #ould go to the sta&e !f need be' but #ould &ee% on loo&!ng %leasant unt!l he really had to beg!n s)u!r !ng* >hen %rayer+ eet!ng #as o"er th!s $May I see you ho e' @anetF$ an ca e u% to @anet and sa!d'

@anet too& h!s ar ++ $as %r! ly and shyly as !f she #ere no ore than s!xteen' ha"!ng her f!rst escort ho e'$ Anne told the g!rls at Patty4s Place later on* $M!ss Sh!rley' %er !t e to !ntroduce Mr* Douglas'$ she sa!d st!ffly*

Mr* Douglas nodded and sa!d' $I #as loo&!ng at you !n %rayer+ eet!ng' !ss' and th!n&!ng #hat a n!ce l!ttle g!rl you #ere*$ Such a s%eech fro n!nety+n!ne %eo%le out of a hundred #ould ha"e annoyed Anne b!tterlyD but the #ay !n #h!ch Mr* Douglas sa!d !t ade her feel that she had rece!"ed a "ery real and %leas!ng co %l! ent* She s !led a%%rec!at!"ely at h! and dro%%ed obl!g!ngly beh!nd on the oonl!t road* So @anet had a beauE Anne #as del!ghted* @anet #ould a&e a %aragon of a #!fe ++ cheery' econo !cal' tolerant' and a "ery )ueen of coo&s* It #ould be a flagrant #aste on Nature4s %art to &ee% her a %er anent old a!d* $@ohn Douglas as&ed e to ta&e you u% to see h!s other'$ sa!d @anet the next day* $She4s bed+r!d a lot of the t! e and ne"er goes out of the house* But she4s %o#erful fond of co %any and al#ays #ants to see y boarders* .an you go u% th!s e"en!ngF$ Anne assentedD but later !n the day Mr* Douglas called on h!s other4s behalf to !n"!te the u% to tea on Saturday e"en!ng* $-h' #hy d!dn4t you %ut on your %retty %ansy dressF$ as&ed Anne' #hen they left ho e* It #as a hot day' and %oor @anet' bet#een her exc!te ent and her hea"y blac& cash ere dress' loo&ed as !f she #ere be!ng bro!led al!"e* $-ld Mrs* Douglas #ould th!n& !t terr!ble fr!"olous and unsu!table' I4 afra!d* @ohn l!&es that dress' though'$ she added #!stfully* The old Douglas ho estead #as half a !le fro $>ays!de$ crest!ng a #!ndy h!ll* The house !tself #as large and co fortable' old enough to be d!gn!f!ed' and g!rdled #!th a%le gro"es and orchards* There #ere b!g' tr! barns beh!nd !t' and e"eryth!ng bes%o&e %ros%er!ty* >hate"er the %at!ent endurance !n Mr* Douglas4 face had eant !t hadn4t' so Anne reflected' eant debts and duns* @ohn Douglas et the at the door and too& the !nto the s!tt!ng+roo ' #here h!s other #as enthroned !n an ar cha!r*

Anne had ex%ected old Mrs* Douglas to be tall and th!n' because Mr* Douglas #as* Instead' she #as a t!ny scra% of a #o an' #!th soft %!n& chee&s' !ld blue eyes' and a outh l!&e a baby4s* Dressed !n a beaut!ful' fash!onably+ ade blac& s!l& dress' #!th a fluffy #h!te sha#l o"er her shoulders' and her sno#y ha!r sur ounted by a da!nty lace ca%' she !ght ha"e %osed as a grand other doll* $6o# do you do' @anet dearF$ she sa!d s#eetly* $I a so glad to see you aga!n' dear*$ She %ut u% her %retty old face to be &!ssed* $And th!s !s our ne# teacher* I4 del!ghted to eet you* My son has been s!ng!ng your %ra!ses unt!l I4 half jealous' and I4 sure @anet ought to be #holly so*$ Poor @anet blushed' Anne sa!d so eth!ng %ol!te and con"ent!onal' and then e"erybody sat do#n and ade tal&* It #as hard #or&' e"en for Anne' for nobody see ed at ease exce%t old Mrs* Douglas' #ho certa!nly d!d not f!nd any d!ff!culty !n tal&!ng* She ade @anet s!t by her and stro&ed her hand occas!onally* @anet sat and s !led' loo&!ng horr!bly unco fortable !n her h!deous dress' and @ohn Douglas sat #!thout s !l!ng* At the tea table Mrs* Douglas gracefully as&ed @anet to %our the tea* @anet turned redder than e"er but d!d !t* Anne #rote a descr!%t!on of that eal to Stella* $>e had cold tongue and ch!c&en and stra#berry %reser"es' le on %!e and tarts and chocolate ca&e and ra!s!n coo&!es and %ound ca&e and fru!t ca&e ++ and a fe# other th!ngs' !nclud!ng ore %!e ++ cara el %!e' I th!n& !t #as* After I had eaten t#!ce as uch as #as good for e' Mrs* Douglas s!ghed and sa!d she feared she had noth!ng to te %t y a%%et!te* $GI4 afra!d dear @anet4s coo&!ng has s%o!led you for any other'4 she sa!d s#eetly* G-f course nobody !n 3alley ?oad as%!res to r!"al 6E?* >-N4T you ha"e another %!ece of %!e' M!ss Sh!rleyF ,ou ha"en4t eaten AN,T6ING*4 $Stella' I had eaten a hel%!ng of tongue and one of ch!c&en' three b!scu!ts' a generous allo#ance of %reser"es' a %!ece of %!e' a tart' and a s)uare of chocolate ca&eE$ After tea Mrs* Douglas s !led bene"olently and told @ohn to ta&e $dear @anet$ out !nto the garden and get her so e roses* $M!ss Sh!rley #!ll &ee% e co %any #h!le you are out ++ #on4t youF$ she sa!d %la!nt!"ely* She settled do#n !n her

ar cha!r #!th a s!gh* $I a a "ery fra!l old #o an' M!ss Sh!rley* (or o"er t#enty years I4"e been a great sufferer* (or t#enty long' #eary years I4"e been dy!ng by !nches*$ $6o# %a!nfulE$ sa!d Anne' try!ng to be sy %athet!c and succeed!ng only !n feel!ng !d!ot!c* $There ha"e been scores of n!ghts #hen they4"e thought I could ne"er l!"e to see the da#n'$ #ent on Mrs* Douglas sole nly* $Nobody &no#s #hat I4"e gone through ++ nobody can &no# but yself* >ell' !t can4t last "ery uch longer no#* My #eary %!lgr! age #!ll soon be o"er' M!ss Sh!rley* It !s a great co fort to e that @ohn #!ll ha"e such a good #!fe to loo& after h! #hen h!s other !s gone ++ a great co fort' M!ss Sh!rley*$ $@anet !s a lo"ely #o an'$ sa!d Anne #ar ly* $Lo"elyE A beaut!ful character'$ assented Mrs* Douglas* $And a %erfect house&ee%er ++ so eth!ng I ne"er #as* My health #ould not %er !t !t' M!ss Sh!rley* I a !ndeed than&ful that @ohn has ade such a #!se cho!ce* I ho%e and bel!e"e that he #!ll be ha%%y* 6e !s y only son' M!ss Sh!rley' and h!s ha%%!ness l!es "ery near y heart*$ $-f course'$ sa!d Anne stu%!dly* (or the f!rst t! e !n her l!fe she #as stu%!d* ,et she could not ! ag!ne #hy* She see ed to ha"e absolutely noth!ng to say to th!s s#eet' s !l!ng' angel!c old lady #ho #as %att!ng her hand so &!ndly* $.o e and see e soon aga!n' dear @anet'$ sa!d Mrs* Douglas lo"!ngly' #hen they left* $,ou don4t co e half often enough* But then I su%%ose @ohn #!ll be br!ng!ng you here to stay all the t! e one of these days*$ Anne' ha%%en!ng to glance at @ohn Douglas' as h!s other s%o&e' ga"e a %os!t!"e start of d!s ay* 6e loo&ed as a tortured an !ght loo& #hen h!s tor entors ga"e the rac& the last turn of %oss!ble endurance* She felt sure he ust be !ll and hurr!ed %oor blush!ng @anet a#ay* $Isn4t old Mrs* Douglas a s#eet #o anF$ as&ed @anet' as they #ent do#n the road* $M ++ '$ ans#ered Anne absently* She #as #onder!ng #hy @ohn Douglas had loo&ed so*

$She4s been a terr!ble sufferer'$ sa!d @anet feel!ngly* $She ta&es terr!ble s%ells* It &ee%s @ohn all #orr!ed u%* 6e4s scared to lea"e ho e for fear h!s other #!ll ta&e a s%ell and nobody there but the h!red g!rl*$

.ha%ter <<<III $6e @ust Ae%t .o !ng and .o !ng$ Three days later Anne ca e ho e fro school and found @anet cry!ng* Tears and @anet see ed so !ncongruous that Anne #as honestly alar ed* $-h' #hat !s the $I4 ++ I4 atterF$ she cr!ed anx!ously*

forty today'$ sobbed @anet*

$>ell' you #ere nearly that yesterday and !t d!dn4t hurt'$ co forted Anne' try!ng not to s !le* $But ++ but'$ #ent on @anet #!th a b!g gul%' $@ohn Douglas #on4t as& e to arry h! *$ $-h' but he #!ll'$ sa!d Anne la ely* $,ou ust g!"e h! t! e' @anet

$T! eE$ sa!d @anet #!th !ndescr!bable scorn* $6e has had t#enty years* 6o# uch t! e does he #antF$ $Do you ean that @ohn Douglas has been co !ng to see you for t#enty yearsF$ $6e has* And he has ne"er so uch as ent!oned arr!age to e* And I don4t bel!e"e he e"er #!ll no#* I4"e ne"er sa!d a #ord to a ortal about !t' but !t see s to e I4"e just got to tal& !t out #!th so e one at last or go craCy* @ohn Douglas begun to go #!th e t#enty years ago' before other d!ed* >ell' he &e%t co !ng and co !ng' and after a s%ell I begun a&!ng )u!lts and th!ngsD but he ne"er sa!d anyth!ng about gett!ng arr!ed' only just &e%t co !ng and co !ng* There #asn4t anyth!ng I could do* Mother d!ed #hen #e4d been go!ng together for e!ght years* I thought he aybe #ould s%ea& out then' see!ng as I #as left alone !n the #orld* 6e #as real &!nd and feel!ng' and d!d e"eryth!ng he could for e' but he ne"er sa!d arry* And that4s

the #ay !t has been go!ng on e"er s!nce* Peo%le bla e ME for !t* They say I #on4t arry h! because h!s other !s so s!c&ly and I don4t #ant the bother of #a!t!ng on her* >hy' I4d L-3E to #a!t on @ohn4s otherE But I let the th!n& so* I4d rather they4d bla e e than %!ty eE It4s so dreadful hu !l!at!ng that @ohn #on4t as& e* And >6, #on4t heF See s to e !f I only &ne# h!s reason I #ouldn4t !nd !t so uch*$ $Perha%s h!s other doesn4t #ant h! to arry anybody'$ suggested Anne*

$-h' she does* She4s told e t! e and aga!n that she4d lo"e to see @ohn settled before her t! e co es* She4s al#ays g!"!ng h! h!nts ++ you heard her yourself the other day* I thought I4d ha4 gone through the floor*$ $It4s beyond e'$ sa!d Anne hel%lessly* She thought of Ludo"!c S%eed* But the cases #ere not %arallel* @ohn Douglas #as not a an of Ludo"!c4s ty%e* $,ou should sho# ore s%!r!t' @anet'$ she #ent on resolutely* $>hy d!dn4t you send h! about h!s bus!ness long agoF$ $I couldn4t'$ sa!d %oor @anet %athet!cally* $,ou see' Anne' I4"e al#ays been a#ful fond of @ohn* 6e !ght just as #ell &ee% co !ng as not' for there #as ne"er anybody else I4d #ant' so !t d!dn4t atter*$ $But !t !ght ha"e ade h! s%ea& out l!&e a an'$ urged Anne*

@anet shoo& her head* $No' I guess not* I #as afra!d to try' any#ay' for fear he4d th!n& I eant !t and just go* I su%%ose I4 a %oor+s%!r!ted creature' but that !s ho# I feel* And I can4t hel% !t*$ $-h' you .-=LD hel% !t' @anet* It !sn4t too late yet* Ta&e a f!r stand* Let that an &no# you are not go!ng to endure h!s sh!llyshally!ng any longer* I4LL bac& you u%*$ $I dunno'$ sa!d @anet ho%elessly* $I dunno !f I could e"er get u% enough s%un&* Th!ngs ha"e dr!fted so long* But I4ll th!n& !t o"er*$ Anne felt that she #as d!sa%%o!nted !n @ohn Douglas* She had l!&ed h! so #ell' and she had not thought h! the sort of an #ho #ould %lay fast and loose #!th a #o an4s feel!ngs for t#enty years* 6e certa!nly should be taught a lesson' and Anne felt "!nd!ct!"ely that she #ould enjoy see!ng the %rocess* Therefore she #as del!ghted

#hen @anet told her' as they #ere go!ng to %rayer+ eet!ng the next n!ght' that she eant to sho# so e $s%err!t*$ $I4ll let @ohn Douglas see I4 not go!ng to be trodden on any longer*$

$,ou are %erfectly r!ght'$ sa!d Anne e %hat!cally* >hen %rayer+ eet!ng #as o"er @ohn Douglas ca e u% #!th h!s usual re)uest* @anet loo&ed fr!ghtened but resolute* $No' than& you'$ she sa!d !c!ly* $I &no# the road ho e %retty #ell alone* I ought to' see!ng I4"e been tra"el!ng !t for forty years* So you needn4t trouble yourself' M?* Douglas*$ Anne #as loo&!ng at @ohn DouglasD and' !n that br!ll!ant oonl!ght' she sa# the last t#!st of the rac& aga!n* >!thout a #ord he turned and strode do#n the road* $Sto%E Sto%E$ Anne called #!ldly after h! ' not car!ng !n the least for the other du bfounded onloo&ers* $Mr* Douglas' sto%E .o e bac&*$ @ohn Douglas sto%%ed but he d!d not co e bac&* Anne fle# do#n the road' caught h!s ar and fa!rly dragged h! bac& to @anet* $,ou ust co e bac&'$ she sa!d ! %lor!ngly* $It4s all a !sta&e' Mr* Douglas ++ all y fault* I ade @anet do !t* She d!dn4t #ant to ++ but !t4s all r!ght no#' !sn4t !t' @anetF$ >!thout a #ord @anet too& h!s ar and #al&ed a#ay* Anne follo#ed the ee&ly ho e and sl!%%ed !n by the bac& door* $>ell' you are a n!ce %erson to bac& e u%'$ sa!d @anet sarcast!cally*

$I couldn4t hel% !t' @anet'$ sa!d Anne re%entantly* $I just felt as !f I had stood by and seen urder done* I 6AD to run after h! *$ $-h' I4 just as glad you d!d* >hen I sa# @ohn Douglas a&!ng off do#n that road I just felt as !f e"ery l!ttle b!t of joy and ha%%!ness that #as left !n y l!fe #as go!ng #!th h! * It #as an a#ful feel!ng*$ $D!d he as& you #hy you d!d !tF$ as&ed Anne* $No' he ne"er sa!d a #ord about !t'$ re%l!ed @anet dully*

.ha%ter <<<I3 @ohn Douglas S%ea&s at Last Anne #as not #!thout a feeble ho%e that so eth!ng !ght co e of !t after all* But noth!ng d!d* @ohn Douglas ca e and too& @anet dr!"!ng' and #al&ed ho e fro %rayer+ eet!ng #!th her' as he had been do!ng for t#enty years' and as he see ed l!&ely to do for t#enty years ore* The su er #aned* Anne taught her school and #rote letters and stud!ed a l!ttle* 6er #al&s to and fro school #ere %leasant* She al#ays #ent by #ay of the s#a %D !t #as a lo"ely %lace ++ a boggy so!l' green #!th the greenest of ossy h!lloc&sD a s!l"ery broo& eandered through !t and s%ruces stood erectly' the!r boughs a+tra!l #!th gray+green osses' the!r roots o"ergro#n #!th all sorts of #oodland lo"el!nesses* Ne"ertheless' Anne found l!fe !n 3alley ?oad a l!ttle To be sure' there #as one d!"ert!ng !nc!dent* onotonous*

She had not seen the lan&' to#+headed Sa uel of the %e%%er !nts s!nce the e"en!ng of h!s call' sa"e for chance eet!ngs on the road* But one #ar August n!ght he a%%eared' and sole nly seated h! self on the rust!c bench by the %orch* 6e #ore h!s usual #or&!ng hab!l! ents' cons!st!ng of "ar!%atched trousers' a blue jean sh!rt' out at the elbo#s' and a ragged stra# hat* 6e #as che#!ng a stra# and he &e%t on che#!ng !t #h!le he loo&ed sole nly at Anne* Anne la!d her boo& as!de #!th a s!gh and too& u% her do!ly* .on"ersat!on #!th Sa #as really out of the )uest!on* After a long s!lence Sa suddenly s%o&e*

$I4 lea"!ng o"er there'$ he sa!d abru%tly' #a"!ng h!s stra# !n the d!rect!on of the ne!ghbor!ng house* $-h' are youF$ sa!d Anne %ol!tely* $,e%*$ $And #here are you go!ng no#F$ $>all' I4"e been th!n&!ng so e of g!tt!ng a %lace of y o#n* There4s one that4d su!t e o"er at M!llers"!lle* But ef I rents !t I4ll #ant a #o an*$

$I su%%ose so'$ sa!d Anne "aguely* $,e%*$ There #as another long s!lence* (!nally Sa aga!n and sa!d' $>!ll yeh he" eF$ re o"ed h!s stra#

$>h ++ a ++ tE$ gas%ed Anne* $>!ll yeh he" $Do you $,e%*$ $>hy' I4 hardly ac)ua!nted #!th you'$ cr!ed Anne !nd!gnantly* e after #e #as arr!ed'$ sa!d Sa * eF$

ean ++ MA??, youF$ )uer!ed %oor Anne feebly*

$But yeh4d g!t ac)ua!nted #!th

Anne gathered u% her %oor d!gn!ty* $.erta!nly I #on4t arry you'$ she sa!d haught!ly* a good #or&er

$>all' yeh !ght do #orse'$ ex%ostulated Sa * $I4 and I4"e got so e oney !n the ban&*$

$Don4t s%ea& of th!s to e aga!n* >hate"er %ut such an !dea !nto your headF$ sa!d Anne' her sense of hu or gett!ng the better of her #rath* It #as such an absurd s!tuat!on* $,eh4re a l!&ely+loo&!ng g!rl and he" a r!ght+s art #ay o4 ste%%!ng'$ sa!d Sa * $I don4t #ant no laCy #o an* Th!n& !t o"er* I #on4t change y !nd y!t a#h!le* >all' I ust be g!tt!ng* Gotter !l& the co#s*$ Anne4s !llus!ons concern!ng %ro%osals had suffered so uch of late years that there #ere fe# of the left* So she could laugh #holeheartedly o"er th!s one' not feel!ng any secret st!ng* She ! !c&ed %oor Sa to @anet that n!ght' and both of the laughed ! oderately o"er h!s %lunge !nto sent! ent* -ne afternoon' #hen Anne4s sojourn !n 3alley ?oad #as dra#!ng to a close' Alec >ard ca e dr!"!ng do#n to $>ays!de$ !n hot haste for @anet*

$They #ant you at the Douglas %lace )u!c&'$ he sa!d* $I really bel!e"e old Mrs* Douglas !s go!ng to d!e at last' after %retend!ng to do !t for t#enty years*$ @anet ran to get her hat* Anne as&ed !f Mrs* Douglas #as #orse than usual* $She4s not half as bad'$ sa!d Alec sole nly' $and that4s #hat a&es e th!n& !t4s ser!ous* -ther t! es she4d be screa !ng and thro#!ng herself all o"er the %lace* Th!s t! e she4s ly!ng st!ll and u * >hen Mrs* Douglas !s u she !s %retty s!c&' you bet*$ $,ou don4t l!&e old Mrs* DouglasF$ sa!d Anne cur!ously* $I l!&e cats as IS cats* I don4t l!&e cats as !s #o en'$ #as Alec4s cry%t!c re%ly* @anet ca e ho e !n the t#!l!ght* $Mrs* Douglas !s dead'$ she sa!d #ear!ly* $She d!ed soon after I got there* She just s%o&e to e once ++ GI su%%ose you4ll arry @ohn no#F4 she sa!d* It cut e to the heart' Anne* To th!n& @ohn4s o#n other thought I #ouldn4t arry h! because of herE I couldn4t say a #ord e!ther ++ there #ere other #o en there* I #as than&ful @ohn had gone out*$ @anet began to cry drear!ly* But Anne bre#ed her a hot dr!n& of g!nger tea to her co fort!ng* To be sure' Anne d!sco"ered later on that she had used #h!te %e%%er !nstead of g!ngerD but @anet ne"er &ne# the d!fference* The e"en!ng after the funeral @anet and Anne #ere s!tt!ng on the front %orch ste%s at sunset* The #!nd had fallen aslee% !n the %!nelands and lur!d sheets of heat+l!ghtn!ng fl!c&ered across the northern s&!es* @anet #ore her ugly blac& dress and loo&ed her "ery #orst' her eyes and nose red fro cry!ng* They tal&ed l!ttle' for @anet see ed fa!ntly to resent Anne4s efforts to cheer her u%* She %la!nly %referred to be !serable* Suddenly the gate+latch cl!c&ed and @ohn Douglas strode !nto the garden* 6e #al&ed to#ards the stra!ght o"er the geran!u bed* @anet stood u%* So d!d Anne* Anne #as a tall g!rl and #ore a #h!te dressD but @ohn Douglas d!d not see her* $@anet'$ he sa!d' $#!ll you arry eF$

The #ords burst out as !f they had been #ant!ng to be sa!d

for t#enty years and M=ST be uttered no#' before anyth!ng else* @anet4s face #as so red fro cry!ng that !t couldn4t turn any redder' so !t turned a ost unbeco !ng %ur%le* $>hy d!dn4t you as& e beforeF$ she sa!d slo#ly*

$I couldn4t* She ade e %ro !se not to ++ other ade e %ro !se not to* N!neteen years ago she too& a terr!ble s%ell* >e thought she couldn4t l!"e through !t* She ! %lored e to %ro !se not to as& you to arry e #h!le she #as al!"e* I d!dn4t #ant to %ro !se such a th!ng' e"en though #e all thought she couldn4t l!"e "ery long ++ the doctor only ga"e her s!x onths* But she begged !t on her &nees' s!c& and suffer!ng* I had to %ro !se*$ $>hat had your other aga!nst eF$ cr!ed @anet*

$Noth!ng ++ noth!ng* She just d!dn4t #ant another #o an ++ AN, #o an ++ there #h!le she #as l!"!ng* She sa!d !f I d!dn4t %ro !se she4d d!e r!ght there and I4d ha"e &!lled her* So I %ro !sed* And she4s held e to that %ro !se e"er s!nce' though I4"e gone on y &nees to her !n y turn to beg her to let e ff*$ $>hy d!dn4t you tell e th!sF$ as&ed @anet cho&!ngly* $If I4d only AN->NE >hy d!dn4t you just tell eF$ $She ade e %ro !se I #ouldn4t tell a soul'$ sa!d @ohn hoarsely* $She s#ore e to !t on the B!bleD @anet' I4d ne"er ha"e done !t !f I4d drea ed !t #as to be for so long* @anet' you4ll ne"er &no# #hat I4"e suffered these n!neteen years* I &no# I4"e ade you suffer' too' but you4ll arry e for all' #on4t you' @anetF -h' @anet' #on4t youF I4"e co e as soon as I could to as& you*$ At th!s o ent the stu%ef!ed Anne ca e to her senses and real!Ced that she had no bus!ness to be there* She sl!%%ed a#ay and d!d not see @anet unt!l the next orn!ng' #hen the latter told her the rest of the story* $That cruel' relentless' dece!tful old #o anE$ cr!ed Anne* $6ush ++ she4s dead'$ sa!d @anet sole nly* $If she #asn4t ++ but she IS* So #e ustn4t s%ea& e"!l of her* But I4 ha%%y at last' Anne* And I #ouldn4t ha"e !nded #a!t!ng so long a b!t !f I4d only &no#n #hy*$ $>hen are you to be arr!edF$

$Next onth* -f course !t #!ll be "ery )u!et* I su%%ose %eo%le #!ll tal& terr!ble* They4ll say I ade enough haste to sna% @ohn u% as soon as h!s %oor other #as out of the #ay* @ohn #anted to let the &no# the truth but I sa!d' GNo' @ohnD after all she #as your other' and #e4ll &ee% the secret bet#een us' and not cast any shado# on her e ory* I don4t !nd #hat %eo%le say' no# that I &no# the truth yself* It don4t atter a !te* Let !t all be bur!ed #!th the dead4 says I to h! * So I coaxed h! round to agree #!th e*$ $,ou4re uch ore forg!"!ng than I could e"er be'$ Anne sa!d' rather crossly* $,ou4ll feel d!fferently about a good any th!ngs #hen you get to be y age'$ sa!d @anet tolerantly* $That4s one of the th!ngs #e learn as #e gro# older ++ ho# to forg!"e* It co es eas!er at forty than !t d!d at t#enty*$

.ha%ter <<<3 The Last ?ed ond ,ear -%ens $6ere #e are' all bac& aga!n' n!cely sunburned and rejo!c!ng as a strong an to run a race'$ sa!d Ph!l' s!tt!ng do#n on a su!tcase #!th a s!gh of %leasure* $Isn4t !t jolly to see th!s dear old Patty4s Place aga!n ++ and Aunty ++ and the catsF ?usty has lost another %!ece of ear' hasn4t heF$ $?usty #ould be the n!cest cat !n the #orld !f he had no ears at all'$ declared Anne loyally fro her trun&' #h!le ?usty #r!thed about her la% !n a frenCy of #elco e* $Aren4t you glad to see us bac&' AuntyF$ de anded Ph!l* $,es* But I #!sh you4d t!dy th!ngs u%'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na %la!nt!"ely' loo&!ng at the #!lderness of trun&s and su!tcases by #h!ch the four laugh!ng' chatter!ng g!rls #ere surrounded* $,ou can tal& just as #ell later on* >or& f!rst and then %lay used to be y otto #hen I #as a g!rl*$ $-h' #e4"e just re"ersed that !n th!s generat!on' Aunty* -=? otto !s %lay your %lay and then d!g !n* ,ou can do your

#or& so

uch better !f you4"e had a good bout of %lay f!rst*$

$If you are go!ng to arry a !n!ster'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na' %!c&!ng u% @ose%h and her &n!tt!ng and res!gn!ng herself to the !ne"!table #!th the char !ng grace that ade her the )ueen of house others' $you #!ll ha"e to g!"e u% such ex%ress!ons as Gd!g !n*4$ $>hyF$ oaned Ph!l* $-h' #hy ust a !n!ster4s #!fe be su%%osed to utter only %runes and %r!s sF I shan4t* E"erybody on Patterson Street uses slang ++ that !s to say' eta%hor!cal language ++ and !f I d!dn4t they #ould th!n& e !nsufferably %roud and stuc& u%*$ $6a"e you bro&en the ne#s to your fa !lyF$ as&ed Pr!sc!lla' feed!ng the Sarah+cat b!ts fro her lunchbas&et* Ph!l nodded* $6o# d!d they ta&e !tF$ $-h' other ra %aged* But I stood roc&f!r ++ e"en I' Ph!l!%%a Gordon' #ho ne"er before could hold fast to anyth!ng* (ather #as cal er* (ather4s o#n daddy #as a !n!ster' so you see he has a soft s%ot !n h!s heart for the cloth* I had @o u% to Mount 6olly' after other gre# cal ' and they both lo"ed h! * But other ga"e h! so e fr!ghtful h!nts !n e"ery con"ersat!on regard!ng #hat she had ho%ed for e* -h' y "acat!on %ath#ay hasn4t been exactly stre#n #!th roses' g!rls dear* But ++ I4"e #on out and I4"e got @o* Noth!ng else atters*$ $To you'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na dar&ly* $Nor to @o' e!ther'$ retorted Ph!l* $,ou &ee% on %!ty!ng h! * >hy' %rayF I th!n& he4s to be en"!ed* 6e4s gett!ng bra!ns' beauty' and a heart of gold !n ME*$ $It4s #ell #e &no# ho# to ta&e your s%eeches'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na %at!ently* $I ho%e you don4t tal& l!&e that before strangers* >hat #ould they th!n&F$ $-h' I don4t #ant to &no# #hat they th!n&* I don4t #ant to see yself as others see e* I4 sure !t #ould be horr!bly unco fortable ost of the t! e* I don4t bel!e"e Burns #as really s!ncere !n that %rayer' e!ther*$ $-h' I daresay #e all %ray for so e th!ngs that #e really don4t #ant' !f #e #ere only honest enough to loo& !nto our hearts'$

o#ned Aunt @a es!na cand!dly* $I4"e a not!on that such %rayers don4t r!se "ery far* III used to %ray that I !ght be enabled to forg!"e a certa!n %erson' but I &no# no# I really d!dn4t #ant to forg!"e her* >hen I f!nally got that I DID #ant to I forga"e her #!thout ha"!ng to %ray about !t*$ $I can4t %!cture you as be!ng unforg!"!ng for long'$ sa!d Stella* $-h' I used to be* But hold!ng s%!te doesn4t see #hen you get along !n years*$ $That re !nds #orth #h!le

e'$ sa!d Anne' and told the tale of @ohn and @anet*

$And no# tell us about that ro ant!c scene you h!nted so dar&ly at !n one of your letters'$ de anded Ph!l* Anne acted out Sa uel4s %ro%osal #!th great s%!r!t* The g!rls shr!e&ed #!th laughter and Aunt @a es!na s !led* $It !sn4t !n good taste to a&e fun of your beaux'$ she sa!d se"erelyD $but'$ she added cal ly' $I al#ays d!d !t yself*$ $Tell us about your beaux' Aunty' $en treated Ph!l* $,ou ha"e had any nu ber of the *$ ust

$They4re not !n the %ast tense'$ retorted Aunt @a es!na* $I4"e got the yet* There are three old #!do#ers at ho e #ho ha"e been cast!ng shee%4s eyes at e for so e t! e* ,ou ch!ldren needn4t th!n& you o#n all the ro ance !n the #orld*$ $>!do#ers and shee%4s eyes don4t sound "ery ro ant!c' Aunty*$ $>ell' noD but young fol&s aren4t al#ays ro ant!c e!ther* So e of y beaux certa!nly #eren4t* I used to laugh at the scandalous' %oor boys* There #as @! El#ood ++ he #as al#ays !n a sort of day+drea ++ ne"er see ed to sense #hat #as go!ng on* 6e d!dn4t #a&e u% to the fact that I4d sa!d Gno4 t!ll a year after I4d sa!d !t* >hen he d!d get arr!ed h!s #!fe fell out of the sle!gh one n!ght #hen they #ere dr!"!ng ho e fro church and he ne"er !ssed her* Then there #as Dan >!nston* 6e &ne# too uch* 6e &ne# e"eryth!ng !n th!s #orld and ost of #hat !s !n the next* 6e could g!"e you an ans#er to any )uest!on' e"en !f you as&ed h! #hen the @udg ent Day #as to be* M!lton Ed#ards #as real n!ce and I l!&ed h! but I d!dn4t arry h! * (or one th!ng' he too& a #ee& to get a jo&e through h!s head' and for another he ne"er as&ed e* 6orat!o ?ee"e #as the ost !nterest!ng beau I e"er had* But #hen he

told a story he dressed !t u% so that you couldn4t see !t for fr!lls* I ne"er could dec!de #hether he #as ly!ng or just lett!ng h!s ! ag!nat!on run loose*$ $And #hat about the others' AuntyF$ $Go a#ay and un%ac&'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na' #a"!ng @ose%h at the !sta&e for a needle* $The others #ere too n!ce to a&e fun of* I shall res%ect the!r e ory* There4s a box of flo#ers !n your roo ' Anne* They ca e about an hour ago*$ by

After the f!rst #ee& the g!rls of Patty4s Place settled do#n to a steady gr!nd of studyD for th!s #as the!r last year at ?ed ond and graduat!on honors ust be fought for %ers!stently* Anne de"oted herself to Engl!sh' Pr!sc!lla %ored o"er class!cs' and Ph!l!%%a %ounded a#ay at Mathe at!cs* So et! es they gre# t!red' so et! es they felt d!scouraged' so et! es noth!ng see ed #orth the struggle for !t* In one such ood Stella #andered u% to the blue roo one ra!ny No"e ber e"en!ng* Anne sat on the floor !n a l!ttle c!rcle of l!ght cast by the la % bes!de her' a !d a surround!ng sno# of cru %led anuscr!%t* $>hat !n the #orld are you do!ngF$ $@ust loo&!ng o"er so e old Story .lub yarns* I #anted so eth!ng to cheer AND !nebr!ate* I4d stud!ed unt!l the #orld see ed aCure* So I ca e u% here and dug these out of y trun&* They are so drenched !n tears and tragedy that they are excruc!at!ngly funny*$ $I4 blue and d!scouraged yself'$ sa!d Stella' thro#!ng herself on the couch* $Noth!ng see s #orth#h!le* My "ery thoughts are old* I4"e thought the all before* >hat !s the use of l!"!ng after all' AnneF$ $6oney' !t4s just bra!n fag that a&es us feel that #ay' and the #eather* A %our!ng ra!ny n!ght l!&e th!s' co !ng after a hard day4s gr!nd' #ould s)uelch any one but a Mar& Ta%ley* ,ou &no# !t IS #orth#h!le to l!"e*$ $-h' I su%%ose so* But I can4t %ro"e !t to yself just no#*$

$@ust th!n& of all the great and noble souls #ho ha"e l!"ed and #or&ed !n the #orld'$ sa!d Anne drea !ly* $Isn4t !t #orth#h!le to co e after the and !nher!t #hat they #on and taughtF Isn4t !t #orth#h!le to th!n& #e can share the!r !ns%!rat!onF And then' all the great souls that #!ll co e !n the futureF Isn4t !t #orth#h!le to #or& a l!ttle and %re%are the #ay for the ++

a&e just one ste% !n the!r %ath eas!erF$ $-h' y !nd agrees #!th you' Anne* But y soul re a!ns doleful and un!ns%!red* I4 al#ays grubby and d!ngy on ra!ny n!ghts*$ $So e n!ghts I l!&e the ra!n ++ I l!&e to l!e !n bed and hear !t %atter!ng on the roof and dr!ft!ng through the %!nes*$ $I l!&e !t #hen !t stays on the roof'$ sa!d Stella* $It doesn4t al#ays* I s%ent a grueso e n!ght !n an old country far house last su er* The roof lea&ed and the ra!n ca e %atter!ng do#n on y bed* There #as no %oetry !n T6AT* I had to get u% !n the G !r& !dn!ght4 and ch!"y round to %ull the bedstead out of the dr!% ++ and !t #as one of those sol!d' old+fash!oned beds that #e!gh a ton ++ ore or less* And then that dr!%+dro%' dr!%+dro% &e%t u% all n!ght unt!l y ner"es just #ent to %!eces* ,ou4"e no !dea #hat an eer!e no!se a great dro% of ra!n fall!ng #!th a ushy thud on a bare floor a&es !n the n!ght* It sounds l!&e ghostly footste%s and all that sort of th!ng* >hat are you laugh!ng o"er' AnneF$ $These stor!es* As Ph!l #ould say they are &!ll!ng ++ !n ore senses than one' for e"erybody d!ed !n the * >hat daCCl!ngly lo"ely hero!nes #e had ++ and ho# #e dressed the E S!l&s ++ sat!ns ++ "el"ets ++ je#els ++ laces ++ they ne"er #ore anyth!ng else* 6ere !s one of @ane Andre#s4 stor!es de%!ct!ng her hero!ne as slee%!ng !n a beaut!ful #h!te sat!n n!ghtdress tr! ed #!th seed %earls*$ $Go on'$ sa!d Stella* $I beg!n to feel that l!fe !s #orth l!"!ng as long as there4s a laugh !n !t*$ $6ere4s one I #rote* My hero!ne !s d!s%ort!ng herself at a ball Ggl!tter!ng fro head to foot #!th large d!a onds of the f!rst #ater*4 But #hat booted beauty or r!ch att!reF GThe %aths of glory lead but to the gra"e*4 They ust e!ther be urdered or d!e of a bro&en heart* There #as no esca%e for the *$ $Let e read so e of your stor!es*$

$>ell' here4s y aster%!ece* Note !ts cheerful t!tle ++ GMy Gra"es*4 I shed )uarts of tears #h!le #r!t!ng !t' and the other g!rls shed gallons #h!le I read !t* @ane Andre#s4 other scolded her fr!ghtfully because she had so any hand&erch!efs !n the #ash that #ee&* It4s a harro#!ng tale of the #ander!ngs of a Method!st !n!ster4s #!fe* I ade her a Method!st because !t #as necessary that she should #ander* She bur!ed a ch!ld e"ery %lace she l!"ed !n* There #ere n!ne of the and the!r

gra"es #ere se"ered far a%art' rang!ng fro Ne#foundland to 3ancou"er* I descr!bed the ch!ldren' %!ctured the!r se"eral death beds' and deta!led the!r to bstones and e%!ta%hs* I had !ntended to bury the #hole n!ne but #hen I had d!s%osed of e!ght y !n"ent!on of horrors ga"e out and I %er !tted the n!nth to l!"e as a ho%eless cr!%%le*$ >h!le Stella read My Gra"es' %unctuat!ng !ts trag!c %aragra%hs #!th chuc&les' and ?usty sle%t the slee% of a just cat #ho has been out all n!ght curled u% on a @ane Andre#s tale of a beaut!ful a!den of f!fteen #ho #ent to nurse !n a le%er colony ++ of course dy!ng of the loathso e d!sease f!nally ++ Anne glanced o"er the other anuscr!%ts and recalled the old days at A"onlea school #hen the e bers of the Story .lub' s!tt!ng under the s%ruce trees or do#n a ong the ferns by the broo&' had #r!tten the * >hat fun they had hadE 6o# the sunsh!ne and !rth of those olden su ers returned as she read* Not all the glory that #as Greece or the grandeur that #as ?o e could #ea"e such #!Cardry as those funny' tearful tales of the Story .lub* A ong the anuscr!%ts Anne found one #r!tten on sheets of #ra%%!ng %a%er* A #a"e of laughter f!lled her gray eyes as she recalled the t! e and %lace of !ts genes!s* It #as the s&etch she had #r!tten the day she fell through the roof of the .obb duc&house on the Tory ?oad* Anne glanced o"er !t' then fell to read!ng !t !ntently* It #as a l!ttle d!alogue bet#een asters and s#eet+%eas' #!ld canar!es !n the l!lac bush' and the guard!an s%!r!t of the garden* After she had read !t' she sat' star!ng !nto s%aceD and #hen Stella had gone she s oothed out the cru %led anuscr!%t* $I bel!e"e I #!ll'$ she sa!d resolutely*

.ha%ter <<<3I The Gardners4.all $6ere !s a letter #!th an Ind!an sta % for you' Aunt @! s!e'$ sa!d Ph!l* $6ere are three for Stella' and t#o for Pr!s' and a glor!ous fat one for e fro @o* There4s noth!ng for you' Anne' exce%t a c!rcular*$ Nobody not!ced Anne4s flush as she too& the th!n letter Ph!l tossed her carelessly* But a fe# !nutes later Ph!l loo&ed u% to see a transf!gured Anne*

$6oney' #hat good th!ng has ha%%enedF$ $The ,outh4s (r!end has acce%ted a l!ttle s&etch I sent the a fortn!ght ago'$ sa!d Anne' try!ng hard to s%ea& as !f she #ere accusto ed to ha"!ng s&etches acce%ted e"ery a!l' but not )u!te succeed!ng* $Anne Sh!rleyE 6o# glor!ousE >hat #as !tF >hen !s !t to be %ubl!shedF D!d they %ay you for !tF$ $,esD they4"e sent a chec& for ten dollars' and the ed!tor #r!tes that he #ould l!&e to see ore of y #or&* Dear an' he shall* It #as an old s&etch I found !n y box* I re+#rote !t and sent !t !n ++ but I ne"er really thought !t could be acce%ted because !t had no %lot'$ sa!d Anne' recall!ng the b!tter ex%er!ence of A"er!l4s Atone ent* $>hat are you go!ng to do #!th that ten dollars' AnneF Let4s all go u% to#n and get drun&'$ suggested Ph!l* $I AM go!ng to s)uander !t !n a #!ld soulless re"el of so e sort'$ declared Anne ga!ly* $At all e"ents !t !sn4t ta!nted oney ++ l!&e the chec& I got for that horr!ble ?el!able Ba&!ng Po#der story* I s%ent IT usefully for clothes and hated the e"ery t! e I %ut the on*$ $Th!n& of ha"!ng a real l!"e author at Patty4s Place'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla* $It4s a great res%ons!b!l!ty'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na sole nly* $Indeed !t !s'$ agreed Pr!s #!th e)ual sole n!ty* $Authors are &!ttle cattle* ,ou ne"er &no# #hen or ho# they #!ll brea& out* Anne ay a&e co%y of us*$ $I eant that the ab!l!ty to #r!te for the Press #as a great res%ons!b!l!ty'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na se"erely* $and I ho%e Anne real!Ces' !t* My daughter used to #r!te stor!es before she #ent to the fore!gn f!eld' but no# she has turned her attent!on to h!gher th!ngs* She used to say her otto #as GNe"er #r!te a l!ne you #ould be asha ed to read at your o#n funeral*4 ,ou4d better ta&e that for yours' Anne' !f you are go!ng to e bar& !n l!terature* Though' to be sure'$ added Aunt @a es!na %er%lexedly' $El!Cabeth al#ays used to laugh #hen she sa!d !t* She al#ays laughed so uch that I don4t &no# ho# she e"er ca e to dec!de on be!ng a !ss!onary* I4 than&ful she d!d ++ I %rayed that she !ght ++ but ++ I #!sh she hadn4t*$

Then Aunt @a es!na #ondered #hy those g!ddy g!rls all laughed* Anne4s eyes shone all that dayD l!terary a b!t!ons s%routed and budded !n her bra!nD the!r exh!larat!on acco %an!ed her to @enn!e .oo%er4s #al&!ng %arty' and not e"en the s!ght of G!lbert and .hr!st!ne' #al&!ng just ahead of her and ?oy' could )u!te subdue the s%ar&le of her starry ho%es* Ne"ertheless' she #as not so ra%t fro th!ngs of earth as to be unable to not!ce that .hr!st!ne4s #al& #as dec!dedly ungraceful* $But I su%%ose G!lbert loo&s only at her face* So l!&e a thought Anne scornfully* $Shall you be ho e Saturday afternoonF$ as&ed ?oy* $,es*$ $My other and s!sters are co !ng to call on you'$ sa!d ?oy )u!etly* an'$

So eth!ng #ent o"er Anne #h!ch !ght be descr!bed as a thr!ll' but !t #as hardly a %leasant one* She had ne"er et any of ?oy4s fa !lyD she real!Ced the s!gn!f!cance of h!s state entD and !t had' so eho#' an !rre"ocableness about !t that ch!lled her* $I shall be glad to see the '$ she sa!d flatlyD and then #ondered !f she really #ould be glad* She ought to be' of course* But #ould !t not be so eth!ng of an ordealF Goss!% had f!ltered to Anne regard!ng the l!ght !n #h!ch the Gardners "!e#ed the $!nfatuat!on$ of son and brother* ?oy ust ha"e brought %ressure to bear !n the atter of th!s call* Anne &ne# she #ould be #e!ghed !n the balance* (ro the fact that they had consented to call she understood that' #!ll!ngly or un#!ll!ngly' they regarded her as a %oss!ble e ber of the!r clan* $I shall just be yself* I shall not T?, to a&e a good ! %ress!on'$ thought Anne loft!ly* But she #as #onder!ng #hat dress she #ould better #ear Saturday afternoon' and !f the ne# style of h!gh ha!r+dress!ng #ould su!t her better than the oldD and the #al&!ng %arty #as rather s%o!led for her* By n!ght she had dec!ded that she #ould #ear her bro#n ch!ffon on Saturday' but #ould do her ha!r lo#* (r!day afternoon none of the g!rls had classes at ?ed ond* Stella too& the o%%ortun!ty to #r!te a %a%er for the Ph!lo ath!c Soc!ety' and #as s!tt!ng at the table !n the corner of the l!"!ng+roo #!th an unt!dy l!tter of notes and anuscr!%t on the

floor around her* Stella al#ays "o#ed she ne"er could #r!te anyth!ng unless she thre# each sheet do#n as she co %leted !t* Anne' !n her flannel blouse and serge s&!rt' #!th her ha!r rather blo#n fro her #!ndy #al& ho e' #as s!tt!ng s)uarely !n the !ddle of the floor' teas!ng the Sarah+cat #!th a #!shbone* @ose%h and ?usty #ere both curled u% !n her la%* A #ar %lu y odor f!lled the #hole house' for Pr!sc!lla #as coo&!ng !n the &!tchen* Presently she ca e !n' enshrouded !n a huge #or&+a%ron' #!th a s udge of flour on her nose' to sho# Aunt @a es!na the chocolate ca&e she had just !ced* At th!s aus%!c!ous o ent the &noc&er sounded* Nobody %a!d any attent!on to !t sa"e Ph!l' #ho s%rang u% and o%ened !t' ex%ect!ng a boy #!th the hat she had bought that orn!ng* -n the doorste% stood Mrs* Gardner and her daughters* Anne scra bled to her feet so eho#' e %ty!ng t#o !nd!gnant cats out of her la% as she d!d so' and echan!cally sh!ft!ng her #!shbone fro her r!ght hand to her left* Pr!sc!lla' #ho #ould ha"e had to cross the roo to reach the &!tchen door' lost her head' #!ldly %lunged the chocolate ca&e under a cush!on on the !nglenoo& sofa' and dashed u%sta!rs* Stella began fe"er!shly gather!ng u% her anuscr!%t* -nly Aunt @a es!na and Ph!l re a!ned nor al* Than&s to the ' e"erybody #as soon s!tt!ng at ease' e"en Anne* Pr!sc!lla ca e do#n' a%ronless and s udgeless' Stella reduced her corner to decency' and Ph!l sa"ed the s!tuat!on by a strea of ready s all tal&* Mrs* Gardner #as tall and th!n and handso e' ex)u!s!tely go#ned' cord!al #!th a cord!al!ty that see ed a tr!fle forced* Al!ne Gardner #as a younger ed!t!on of her other' lac&!ng the cord!al!ty* She endea"ored to be n!ce' but succeeded only !n be!ng haughty and %atron!C!ng* Dorothy Gardner #as sl! and jolly and rather to boy!sh* Anne &ne# she #as ?oy4s fa"or!te s!ster and #ar ed to her* She #ould ha"e loo&ed "ery uch l!&e ?oy !f she had had drea y dar& eyes !nstead of rogu!sh haCel ones* Than&s to her and Ph!l' the call really #ent off "ery #ell' exce%t for a sl!ght sense of stra!n !n the at os%here and t#o rather unto#ard !nc!dents* ?usty and @ose%h' left to the sel"es' began a ga e of chase' and s%rang adly !nto Mrs* Gardner4s s!l&en la% and out of !t !n the!r #!ld career* Mrs* Gardner l!fted her lorgnette and gaCed after the!r fly!ng for s as !f she had ne"er seen cats before' and Anne' cho&!ng bac& sl!ghtly ner"ous laughter' a%olog!Ced as best she could* $,ou are fond of catsF$ sa!d Mrs* Gardner' #!th a sl!ght

!ntonat!on of tolerant #onder* Anne' des%!te her affect!on for ?usty' #as not es%ec!ally fond of cats' but Mrs* Gardner4s tone annoyed her* Inconse)uently she re e bered that Mrs* @ohn Blythe #as so fond of cats that she &e%t as any as her husband #ould allo#* $They A?E adorable an! als' aren4t theyF$ she sa!d #!c&edly* $I ha"e ne"er l!&ed cats'$ sa!d Mrs* Gardner re otely* $I lo"e the '$ sa!d Dorothy* $They are so n!ce and self!sh* Dogs are T-- good and unself!sh* They a&e e feel unco fortable* But cats are glor!ously hu an*$ $,ou ha"e t#o del!ghtful old ch!na dogs there* May I loo& at the closelyF$ sa!d Al!ne' cross!ng the roo to#ards the f!re%lace and thereby beco !ng the unconsc!ous cause of the other acc!dent* P!c&!ng u% Magog' she sat do#n on the cush!on under #h!ch #as secreted Pr!sc!lla4s chocolate ca&e* Pr!sc!lla and Anne exchanged agon!Ced glances but could do noth!ng* The stately Al!ne cont!nued to s!t on the cush!on and d!scuss ch!na dogs unt!l the t! e of de%arture* Dorothy l!ngered beh!nd a #h!s%er ! %uls!"ely* o ent to s)ueeCe Anne4s hand and

$I AN-> you and I are go!ng to be chu s* -h' ?oy has told e all about you* I4 the only one of the fa !ly he tells th!ngs to' %oor boy ++ nobody .-=LD conf!de !n a a and Al!ne' you &no#* >hat glor!ous t! es you g!rls ust ha"e hereE >on4t you let e co e often and ha"e a share !n the F$ $.o e as often as you l!&e'$ Anne res%onded heart!ly' than&ful that one of ?oy4s s!sters #as l!&able* She #ould ne"er l!&e Al!ne' so uch #as certa!nD and Al!ne #ould ne"er l!&e her' though Mrs* Gardner !ght be #on* Altogether' Anne s!ghed #!th rel!ef #hen the ordeal #as o"er* $G-f all sad #ords of tongue or %en The saddest are !t !ght ha"e been'4$ )uoted Pr!sc!lla trag!cally' l!ft!ng the cush!on* $Th!s ca&e !s no# #hat you !ght call a flat fa!lure* And the cush!on !s l!&e#!se ru!ned* Ne"er tell e that (r!day !sn4t unluc&y*$ $Peo%le #ho send #ord they are co !ng on Saturday shouldn4t co e

on (r!day'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $I fancy !t #as ?oy4s !sta&e'$ sa!d Ph!l* $That boy !sn4t really res%ons!ble for #hat he says #hen he tal&s to Anne* >here IS AnneF$ Anne had gone u%sta!rs* She felt oddly l!&e cry!ng* But she ade herself laugh !nstead* ?usty and @ose%h had been T-- a#fulE And Dorothy >AS a dear*

.ha%ter <<<3II (ull+fledged B*A*4s $I #!sh I #ere dead' or that !t #ere to orro# n!ght'$ groaned Ph!l* $If you l!"e long enough both #!shes #!ll co e true'$ sa!d Anne cal ly* $It4s easy for you to be serene* ,ou4re at ho e !n Ph!loso%hy* I4 not ++ and #hen I th!n& of that horr!ble %a%er to orro# I )ua!l* If I should fa!l !n !t #hat #ould @o sayF$ $,ou #on4t fa!l* 6o# d!d you get on !n Gree& todayF$ $I don4t &no#* Perha%s !t #as a good %a%er and %erha%s !t #as bad enough to a&e 6o er turn o"er !n h!s gra"e* I4"e stud!ed and ulled o"er noteboo&s unt!l I4 !nca%able of for !ng an o%!n!on of anyth!ng* 6o# than&ful l!ttle Ph!l #!ll be #hen all th!s exa !nat!ng !s o"er*$ $Exa !nat!ngF I ne"er heard such a #ord*$ $>ell' ha"en4t I as good a r!ght to de anded Ph!l* $>ords aren4t a&e a #ord as any one elseF$

ade ++ they gro#'$ sa!d Anne*

$Ne"er !nd ++ I beg!n fa!ntly to d!scern clear #ater ahead #here no exa !nat!on brea&ers loo * G!rls' do you ++ can you real!Ce that our ?ed ond L!fe !s al ost o"erF$ $I can4t'$ sa!d Anne' sorro#fully* $It see s just yesterday that Pr!s and I #ere alone !n that cro#d of (resh en at ?ed ond*

And no# #e are Sen!ors !n our f!nal exa !nat!ons*$ $GPotent' #!se' and re"erend Sen!ors'4$ )uoted Ph!l* $Do you su%%ose #e really are any #!ser than #hen #e ca e to ?ed ondF$ $,ou don4t act as !f you #ere by t! es'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na se"erely* $-h' Aunt @! s!e' ha"en4t #e been %retty good g!rls' ta&e us by and large' these three #!nters you4"e othered usF$ %leaded Ph!l* $,ou4"e been four of the dearest' s#eetest' goodest g!rls that e"er #ent together through college'$ a"erred Aunt @a es!na' #ho ne"er s%o!led a co %l! ent by !s%laced econo y* $But I !strust you ha"en4t any too uch sense yet* It4s not to be ex%ected' of course* Ex%er!ence teaches sense* ,ou can4t learn !t !n a college course* ,ou4"e been to college four years and I ne"er #as' but I &no# hea%s ore than you do' young lad!es*$ $GThere are lots of th!ngs that ne"er go by rule' There4s a %o#erful %!le o4 &no#ledge That you ne"er get at college' There are hea%s of th!ngs you ne"er learn at school'4$ )uoted Stella* $6a"e you learned anyth!ng at ?ed ond exce%t dead languages and geo etry and such trashF$ )uer!ed Aunt @a es!na* $-h' yes* I th!n& #e ha"e' Aunty'$ %rotested Anne* $>e4"e learned the truth of #hat Professor >oodle!gh told us last Ph!lo ath!c'$ sa!d Ph!l* $6e sa!d' G6u or !s the s%!c!est cond! ent !n the feast of ex!stence* Laugh at your !sta&es but learn fro the ' jo&e o"er your troubles but gather strength fro the ' a&e a jest of your d!ff!cult!es but o"erco e the *4 Isn4t that #orth learn!ng' Aunt @! s!eF$ $,es' !t !s' dear!e* >hen you4"e learned to laugh at the th!ngs that should be laughed at' and not to laugh at those that shouldn4t' you4"e got #!sdo and understand!ng*$ $>hat ha"e you got out of your ?ed ond course' AnneF$ Pr!sc!lla as!de* ur ured

$I th!n&'$ sa!d Anne slo#ly' $that I really ha"e learned to loo&

u%on each l!ttle h!ndrance as a jest and each great one as the foreshado#!ng of "!ctory* Su !ng u%' I th!n& that !s #hat ?ed ond has g!"en e*$ $I shall ha"e to fall bac& on another Professor >oodle!gh )uotat!on to ex%ress #hat !t has done for e'$ sa!d Pr!sc!lla* $,ou re e ber that he sa!d !n h!s address' GThere !s so uch !n the #orld for us all !f #e only ha"e the eyes to see !t' and the heart to lo"e !t' and the hand to gather !t to oursel"es ++ so uch !n en and #o en' so uch !n art and l!terature' so uch e"ery#here !n #h!ch to del!ght' and for #h!ch to be than&ful*4 I th!n& ?ed ond has taught e that !n so e easure' Anne*$ $@udg!ng fro #hat you all' say$ re ar&ed Aunt @a es!na' $the su and substance !s that you can learn ++ !f you4"e got natural gu %t!on enough ++ !n four years at college #hat !t #ould ta&e about t#enty years of l!"!ng to teach you* >ell' that just!f!es h!gher educat!on !n y o%!n!on* It4s a atter I #as al#ays dub!ous about before*$ $But #hat about %eo%le #ho ha"en4t natural gu %t!on' Aunt @! s!eF$ $Peo%le #ho ha"en4t natural gu %t!on ne"er learn'$ retorted Aunt @a es!na' $ne!ther !n college nor l!fe* If they l!"e to be a hundred they really don4t &no# anyth!ng ore than #hen they #ere born* It4s the!r !sfortune not the!r fault' %oor souls* But those of us #ho ha"e so e gu %t!on should duly than& the Lord for !t*$ $>!ll you %lease def!ne #hat gu %t!on !s' Aunt @! s!eF$ as&ed Ph!l* $No' I #on4t' young #o an* Any one #ho has gu %t!on &no#s #hat !t !s' and any one #ho hasn4t can ne"er &no# #hat !t !s* So there !s no need of def!n!ng !t*$ The busy days fle# by and exa !nat!ons #ere o"er* Anne too& 6!gh 6onors !n Engl!sh* Pr!sc!lla too& 6onors !n .lass!cs' and Ph!l !n Mathe at!cs* Stella obta!ned a good all+round sho#!ng* Then ca e .on"ocat!on* $Th!s !s #hat I #ould once ha"e called an e%och !n y l!fe'$ sa!d Anne' as she too& ?oy4s "!olets out of the!r box and gaCed at the thoughtfully* She eant to carry the ' of course' but her eyes #andered to another box on her table* It #as f!lled #!th l!l!es+of+the+"alley' as fresh and fragrant as those #h!ch bloo ed !n the Green Gables yard #hen @une ca e to A"onlea*

G!lbert Blythe4s card lay bes!de !t* Anne #ondered #hy G!lbert should ha"e sent her flo#ers for .on"ocat!on* She had seen "ery l!ttle of h! dur!ng the %ast #!nter* 6e had co e to Patty4s Place only one (r!day e"en!ng s!nce the .hr!st as hol!days' and they rarely et else#here* She &ne# he #as study!ng "ery hard' a! !ng at 6!gh 6onors and the .oo%er Pr!Ce' and he too& l!ttle %art !n the soc!al do!ngs of ?ed ond* Anne4s o#n #!nter had been )u!te gay soc!ally* She had seen a good deal of the GardnersD she and Dorothy #ere "ery !nt! ateD college c!rcles ex%ected the announce ent of her engage ent to ?oy any day* Anne ex%ected !t herself* ,et just before she left Patty4s Place for .on"ocat!on she flung ?oy4s "!olets as!de and %ut G!lbert4s l!l!es+of+the+"alley !n the!r %lace* She could not ha"e told #hy she d!d !t* So eho#' old A"onlea days and drea s and fr!endsh!%s see ed "ery close to her !n th!s atta!n ent of her long+cher!shed a b!t!ons* She and G!lbert had once %!cturedout err!ly the day on #h!ch they should be ca%%ed and go#ned graduates !n Arts* The #onderful day had co e and ?oy4s "!olets had no %lace !n !t* -nly her old fr!end4s flo#ers see ed to belong to th!s fru!t!on of old+blosso !ng ho%es #h!ch he had once shared* (or years th!s day had bec&oned and allured to herD but #hen !t ca e the one s!ngle' &een' ab!d!ng e ory !t left #!th her #as not that of the breathless o ent #hen the stately %res!dent of ?ed ond ga"e her ca% and d!%lo a and ha!led her B*A*D !t #as not of the flash !n G!lbert4s eyes #hen he sa# her l!l!es' nor the %uCCled %a!ned glance ?oy ga"e her as he %assed her on the %latfor * It #as not of Al!ne Gardner4s condescend!ng congratulat!ons' or Dorothy4s ardent' ! %uls!"e good #!shes* It #as of one strange' unaccountable %ang that s%o!led th!s long+ex%ected day for her and left !n !t a certa!n fa!nt but endur!ng fla"or of b!tterness* The Arts graduates ga"e a graduat!on dance that n!ght* >hen Anne dressed for !t she tossed as!de the %earl beads she usually #ore and too& fro her trun& the s all box that had co e to Green Gables on .hr!st as day* In !t #as a thread+l!&e gold cha!n #!th a t!ny %!n& ena el heart as a %endant* -n the acco %any!ng card #as #r!tten' $>!th all good #!shes fro your old chu ' G!lbert*$ Anne' laugh!ng o"er the e ory the ena el heart conjured u% the fatal day #hen G!lbert had called her $.arrots$ and "a!nly tr!ed to a&e h!s %eace #!th a %!n& candy heart' had #r!tten h! a n!ce l!ttle note of than&s* But she had ne"er #orn the tr!n&et* Ton!ght she fastened !t about her #h!te throat #!th a drea y s !le* She and Ph!l #al&ed to ?ed ond together* Anne #al&ed !n s!lenceD Ph!l chattered of any th!ngs* Suddenly she sa!d'

$I heard today that G!lbert Blythe4s engage ent to .hr!st!ne Stuart #as to be announced as soon as .on"ocat!on #as o"er* D!d you hear anyth!ng of !tF$ $No'$ sa!d Anne* $I th!n& !t4s true'$ sa!d Ph!l l!ghtly* Anne d!d not s%ea&* In the dar&ness she felt her face burn!ng* She sl!%%ed her hand !ns!de her collar and caught at the gold cha!n* -ne energet!c t#!st and !t ga"e #ay* Anne thrust the bro&en tr!n&et !nto her %oc&et* 6er hands #ere tre bl!ng and her eyes #ere s art!ng* But she #as the gayest of all the gay re"ellers that n!ght' and told G!lbert unregretfully that her card #as full #hen he ca e to as& her for a dance* After#ards' #hen she sat #!th the g!rls before the dy!ng e bers at Patty4s Place' re o"!ng the s%r!ng ch!ll!ness fro the!r sat!n s&!ns' none chatted ore bl!thely than she of the day4s e"ents* $Moody S%urgeon MacPherson called here ton!ght after you left'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na' #ho had sat u% to &ee% the f!re on* $6e d!dn4t &no# about the graduat!on dance* That boy ought to slee% #!th a rubber band around h!s head to tra!n h!s ears not to st!c& out* I had a beau once #ho d!d that and !t ! %ro"ed h! ! ensely* It #as I #ho suggested !t to h! and he too& y ad"!ce' but he ne"er forga"e e for !t*$ $Moody S%urgeon !s a "ery ser!ous young an'$ ya#ned Pr!sc!lla* $6e !s concerned #!th gra"er atters than h!s ears* 6e !s go!ng to be a !n!ster' you &no#*$ $>ell' I su%%ose the Lord doesn4t regard the ears of a an'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na gra"ely' dro%%!ng all further cr!t!c!s of Moody S%urgeon* Aunt @a es!na had a %ro%er res%ect for the cloth e"en !n the case of an unfledged %arson*

.ha%ter <<<3III (alse Da#n

$@ust ! ag!ne ++ th!s n!ght #ee& I4ll be !n A"onlea ++ del!ghtful thoughtE$ sa!d Anne' bend!ng o"er the box !n #h!ch she #as %ac&!ng Mrs* ?achel Lynde4s )u!lts* $But just ! ag!ne ++ th!s n!ght #ee& I4ll be gone fore"er fro Patty4s Place ++ horr!ble thoughtE$ $I #onder !f the ghost of all our laughter #!ll echo through the drea s of M!ss Patty and M!ss Mar!a'$ s%eculated Ph!l* a!den

M!ss Patty and M!ss Mar!a #ere co !ng ho e' after ha"!ng trotted o"er ost of the hab!table globe* $>e4ll be bac& the second #ee& !n May$ #rote M!ss Patty* $I ex%ect Patty4s Place #!ll see rather s all after the 6all of the A!ngs at Aarna&' but I ne"er d!d l!&e b!g %laces to l!"e !n* And I4ll be glad enough to be ho e aga!n* >hen you start tra"el!ng late !n l!fe you4re a%t to do too uch of !t because you &no# you ha"en4t uch t! e left' and !t4s a th!ng that gro#s on you* I4 afra!d Mar!a #!ll ne"er be contented aga!n*$ $I shall lea"e here y fanc!es and drea s to bless the next co er'$ sa!d Anne' loo&!ng around the blue roo #!stfully ++ her %retty blue roo #here she had s%ent three such ha%%y years* She had &nelt at !ts #!ndo# to %ray and had bent fro !t to #atch the sunset beh!nd the %!nes* She had heard the autu n ra!ndro%s beat!ng aga!nst !t and had #elco ed the s%r!ng rob!ns at !ts s!ll* She #ondered !f old drea s could haunt roo s ++ !f' #hen one left fore"er the roo #here she had joyed and suffered and laughed and #e%t' so eth!ng of her' !ntang!ble and !n"!s!ble' yet nonetheless real' d!d not re a!n beh!nd l!&e a "o!ceful e ory* $I th!n&'$ sa!d Ph!l' $that a roo #here one drea s and gr!e"es and rejo!ces and l!"es beco es !nse%arably connected #!th those %rocesses and ac)u!res a %ersonal!ty of !ts o#n* I a sure !f I ca e !nto th!s roo f!fty years fro no# !t #ould say 4Anne' Anne4 to e* >hat n!ce t! es #e4"e had here' honeyE >hat chats and jo&es and good chu y ja boreesE -h' dear eE I4 to arry @o !n @une and I &no# I #!ll be ra%turously ha%%y* But just no# I feel as !f I #anted th!s lo"ely ?ed ond l!fe to go on fore"er*$ $I4 unreasonable enough just no# to #!sh that' too'$ ad !tted Anne* $No atter #hat dee%er joys ay co e to us later on #e4ll ne"er aga!n ha"e just the sa e del!ghtful' !rres%ons!ble ex!stence #e4"e had here* It4s o"er fore"er' Ph!l*$ $>hat are you go!ng to do #!th ?ustyF$ as&ed Ph!l' as that

%r!"!leged %ussy %added !nto the roo * $I a go!ng to ta&e h! ho e #!th e and @ose%h and the Sarah+cat'$ announced Aunt @a es!na' follo#!ng ?usty* $It #ould be a sha e to se%arate those cats no# that they ha"e learned to l!"e together* It4s a hard lesson for cats and hu ans to learn*$ $I4 sorry to %art #!th ?usty'$ sa!d Anne regretfully' $but !t #ould be no use to ta&e h! to Green Gables* Mar!lla detests cats' and Da"y #ould tease h!s l!fe out* Bes!des' I don4t su%%ose I4ll be ho e "ery long* I4"e been offered the %r!nc!%alsh!% of the Su ers!de 6!gh School*$ $Are you go!ng to acce%t !tF$ as&ed Ph!l* $I ++ I ha"en4t dec!ded yet'$ ans#ered Anne' #!th a confused flush* Ph!l nodded understand!ngly* Naturally Anne4s %lans could not be settled unt!l ?oy had s%o&en* 6e #ould soon ++ there #as no doubt of that* And there #as no doubt that Anne #ould say $yes$ #hen he sa!d $>!ll you %leaseF$ Anne herself regarded the state of affa!rs #!th a seldo +ruffled co %lacency* She #as dee%ly !n lo"e #!th ?oy* True' !t #as not just #hat she had ! ag!ned lo"e to be* But #as anyth!ng !n l!fe' Anne as&ed herself #ear!ly' l!&e one4s ! ag!nat!on of !tF It #as the old d!a ond d!s!llus!on of ch!ldhood re%eated ++ the sa e d!sa%%o!nt ent she had felt #hen she had f!rst seen the ch!ll s%ar&le !nstead of the %ur%le s%lendor she had ant!c!%ated* $That4s not y !dea of a d!a ond'$ she had sa!d* But ?oy #as a dear fello# and they #ould be "ery ha%%y together' e"en !f so e !ndef!nable Cest #as !ss!ng out of l!fe* >hen ?oy ca e do#n that e"en!ng and as&ed Anne to #al& !n the %ar& e"ery one at Patty4s Place &ne# #hat he had co e to sayD and e"ery one &ne#' or thought they &ne#' #hat Anne4s ans#er #ould be* $Anne !s a "ery fortunate g!rl'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na* $I su%%ose so'$ sa!d Stella' shrugg!ng her shoulders* $?oy !s a n!ce fello# and all that* But there4s really noth!ng !n h! *$ $That sounds "ery l!&e a jealous re ar&' Stella Maynard'$ sa!d Aunt @a es!na rebu&!ngly* $It does ++ but I a not jealous'$ sa!d Stella cal ly* $I lo"e Anne and I l!&e ?oy* E"erybody says she !s a&!ng a br!ll!ant atch' and e"en Mrs* Gardner th!n&s her char !ng no#* It all sounds as !f !t #ere ade !n hea"en' but I ha"e y doubts*

Ma&e the

ost of that' Aunt @a es!na*$

?oy as&ed Anne to arry h! !n the l!ttle %a"!l!on on the harbor shore #here they had tal&ed on the ra!ny day of the!r f!rst eet!ng* Anne thought !t "ery ro ant!c that he should ha"e chosen that s%ot* And h!s %ro%osal #as as beaut!fully #orded as !f he had co%!ed !t' as one of ?uby G!ll!s4 lo"ers had done' out of a De%ort ent of .ourtsh!% and Marr!age* The #hole effect #as )u!te fla#less* And !t #as also s!ncere* There #as no doubt that ?oy eant #hat he sa!d* There #as no false note to jar the sy %hony* Anne felt that she ought to be thr!ll!ng fro head to foot* But she #asn4tD she #as horr!bly cool* >hen ?oy %aused for h!s ans#er she o%ened her l!%s to say her fateful yes* And then ++ she found herself tre bl!ng as !f she #ere reel!ng bac& fro a %rec!%!ce* To her ca e one of those o ents #hen #e real!Ce' as by a bl!nd!ng flash of !llu !nat!on' ore than all our %re"!ous years ha"e taught us* She %ulled her hand fro ?oy4s* $-h' I can4t arry you ++ I can4t ++ I can4t'$ she cr!ed' #!ldly*

?oy turned %ale ++ and also loo&ed rather fool!sh* 6e had ++ s all bla e to h! ++ felt "ery sure* $>hat do you eanF$ he sta ered*

$I ean that I can4t arry you'$ re%eated Anne des%erately* $I thought I could ++ but I can4t*$ $>hy can4t youF$ ?oy as&ed ore cal ly*

$Because ++ I don4t care enough for you*$ A cr! son strea& ca e !nto ?oy4s face* $So you4"e just been a us!ng yourself these t#o yearsF$ he sa!d slo#ly* $No' no' I ha"en4t'$ gas%ed %oor Anne* -h' ho# could she ex%la!nF She .-=LDN4T ex%la!n* There are so e th!ngs that cannot be ex%la!ned* $I d!d th!n& I cared ++ truly I d!d ++ but I &no# no# I don4t*$ $,ou ha"e ru!ned y l!fe'$ sa!d ?oy b!tterly* !serably' #!th hot chee&s and !nutes loo&!ng out sea#ard*

$(org!"e e'$ %leaded Anne st!ng!ng eyes*

?oy turned a#ay and stood for a fe#

>hen he ca e bac& to Anne' he #as "ery %ale aga!n* $,ou can g!"e e no ho%eF$ he sa!d* utely*

Anne shoo& her head

$Then ++ good+bye'$ sa!d ?oy* $I can4t understand !t ++ I can4t bel!e"e you are not the #o an I4"e bel!e"ed you to be* But re%roaches are !dle bet#een us* ,ou are the only #o an I can e"er lo"e* I than& you for your fr!endsh!%' at least* Good+bye' Anne*$ $Good+bye'$ faltered Anne* >hen ?oy had gone she sat for a long t! e !n the %a"!l!on' #atch!ng a #h!te !st cree%!ng subtly and re orselessly land#ard u% the harbor* It #as her hour of hu !l!at!on and self+conte %t and sha e* The!r #a"es #ent o"er her* And yet' underneath !t all' #as a )ueer sense of reco"ered freedo * She sl!%%ed !nto Patty4s Place !n the dus& and esca%ed to her roo * But Ph!l #as there on the #!ndo# seat* $>a!t'$ sa!d Anne' flush!ng to ant!c!%ate the scene* $>a!t t!l you hear #hat I ha"e to say* Ph!l' ?oy as&ed e to arry h! +and I refused*$ $,ou ++ you ?E(=SED h! F$ sa!d Ph!l blan&ly* $,es*$ $Anne Sh!rley' are you !n your sensesF$ $I th!n& so'$ sa!d Anne #ear!ly* $-h' Ph!l' don4t scold ,ou don4t understand*$ e*

$I certa!nly don4t understand* ,ou4"e encouraged ?oy Gardner !n e"ery #ay for t#o years ++ and no# you tell e you4"e refused h! * Then you4"e just been fl!rt!ng scandalously #!th h! * Anne' I couldn4t ha"e bel!e"ed !t of ,-=*$ $I >ASN4T fl!rt!ng #!th h! ++ I honestly thought I cared u% to the last !nute ++ and then ++ #ell' I just &ne# I NE3E? could arry h! *$ $I su%%ose'$ sa!d Ph!l cruelly' $that you !ntended to arry h! for h!s oney' and then your better self rose u% and %re"ented you*$ $I DIDN4T* I ne"er thought about h!s oney* -h' I can4t ex%la!n

!t to you any

ore than I could to h! *$

$>ell' I certa!nly th!n& you ha"e treated ?oy sha efully'$ sa!d Ph!l !n exas%erat!on* $6e4s handso e and cle"er and r!ch and good* >hat ore do you #antF$ $I #ant so e one #ho BEL-NGS !n y l!fe* 6e doesn4t* I #as s#e%t off y feet at f!rst by h!s good loo&s and &nac& of %ay!ng ro ant!c co %l! entsD and later on I thought I M=ST be !n lo"e because he #as y dar&+eyed !deal*$ $I a bad enough for not &no#!ng sa!d Ph!l* y o#n !nd' but you are #orse'$ !nd

$III D- &no# y o#n !nd'$ %rotested Anne* $The trouble !s' y changes and then I ha"e to get ac)ua!nted #!th !t all o"er aga!n*$ $>ell' I su%%ose there !s no use !n say!ng anyth!ng to you*$ $There !s no need' Ph!l* I4 !n the dust* Th!s has s%o!led e"eryth!ng bac&#ards* I can ne"er th!n& of ?ed ond days #!thout recall!ng the hu !l!at!on of th!s e"en!ng* ?oy des%!ses e ++ and you des%!se e ++ and I des%!se yself*$ $,ou %oor darl!ng'$ sa!d Ph!l' elt!ng* $@ust co e here and let e co fort you* I4"e no r!ght to scold you* I4d ha"e arr!ed Alec or AlonCo !f I hadn4t et @o* -h' Anne' th!ngs are so !xed+u% !n real l!fe* They aren4t clear+cut and tr! ed off' as they are !n no"els*$ $I ho%e that N- one #!ll e"er aga!n as& e to arry h! as long as I l!"e'$ sobbed %oor Anne' de"outly bel!e"!ng that she eant !t*

.ha%ter <<<I< Deals #!th >edd!ngs Anne felt that l!fe %artoo& of the nature of an ant!cl! ax dur!ng the f!rst fe# #ee&s after her return to Green Gables* She !ssed the erry co radesh!% of Patty4s Place* She had drea ed so e br!ll!ant drea s dur!ng the %ast #!nter and no# they lay !n the dust around her* In her %resent ood of self+d!sgust' she could

not ! ed!ately beg!n drea !ng aga!n* And she d!sco"ered that' #h!le sol!tude #!th drea s !s glor!ous' sol!tude #!thout the has fe# char s* She had not seen ?oy aga!n after the!r %a!nful %art!ng !n the %ar& %a"!l!onD but Dorothy ca e to see her before she left A!ngs%ort* $I4 a#fully sorry you #on4t arry ?oy'$ she sa!d* $I d!d #ant you for a s!ster* But you are )u!te r!ght* 6e #ould bore you to death* I lo"e h! ' and he !s a dear s#eet boy' but really he !sn4t a b!t !nterest!ng* 6e loo&s as !f he ought to be' but he !sn4t*$ $Th!s #on4t s%o!l -=? fr!endsh!%' #!ll !t' DorothyF$ Anne had as&ed #!stfully* $No' !ndeed* ,ou4re too good to lose* If I can4t ha"e you for a s!ster I ean to &ee% you as a chu any#ay* And don4t fret o"er ?oy* 6e !s feel!ng terr!bly just no# ++ I ha"e to l!sten to h!s out%our!ngs e"ery day ++ but he4ll get o"er !t* 6e al#ays does*$ $-h ++ AL>A,SF$ sa!d Anne #!th a sl!ght change of "o!ce* $So he has Ggot o"er !t4 beforeF$ $Dear e' yes'$ sa!d Dorothy fran&ly* $T#!ce before* And he ra"ed to e just the sa e both t! es* Not that the others actually refused h! ++ they s! %ly announced the!r engage ents to so e one else* -f course' #hen he et you he "o#ed to e that he had ne"er really lo"ed before ++ that the %re"!ous affa!rs had been erely boy!sh fanc!es* But I don4t th!n& you need #orry*$ Anne dec!ded not to #orry* 6er feel!ngs #ere a !xture of rel!ef and resent ent* ?oy had certa!nly told her she #as the only one he had e"er lo"ed* No doubt he bel!e"ed !t* But !t #as a co fort to feel that she had not' !n all l!&el!hood' ru!ned h!s l!fe* There #ere other goddesses' and ?oy' accord!ng to Dorothy' ust needs be #orsh!%%!ng at so e shr!ne* Ne"ertheless' l!fe #as str!%%ed of se"eral ore !llus!ons' and Anne began to th!n& drear!ly that !t see ed rather bare* She ca e do#n fro the %orch gable on the e"en!ng of her return #!th a sorro#ful face* $>hat has ha%%ened to the old Sno# Hueen' Mar!llaF$ $-h' I &ne# you4d feel bad o"er that'$ sa!d Mar!lla* $I felt bad yself* That tree #as there e"er s!nce I #as a young g!rl* It ble# do#n !n the

b!g gale #e had !n March* It #as rotten at the core*$ $I4ll !ss !t so'$ gr!e"ed Anne* $The %orch gable doesn4t see the sa e roo #!thout !t* I4ll ne"er loo& fro !ts #!ndo# aga!n #!thout a sense of loss* And oh' I ne"er ca e ho e to Green Gables before that D!ana #asn4t here to #elco e e*$ $D!ana has so eth!ng else to th!n& of just no#'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde s!gn!f!cantly* $>ell' tell e all the A"onlea ne#s'$ sa!d Anne' s!tt!ng do#n on the %orch ste%s' #here the e"en!ng sunsh!ne fell o"er her ha!r !n a f!ne golden ra!n* $There !sn4t uch ne#s exce%t #hat #e4"e #rote you'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde* $I su%%ose you ha"en4t heard that S! on (letcher bro&e h!s leg last #ee&* It4s a great th!ng for h!s fa !ly* They4re gett!ng a hundred th!ngs done that they4"e al#ays #anted to do but couldn4t as long as he #as about' the old cran&*$ $6e ca e of an aggra"at!ng fa !ly'$ re ar&ed Mar!lla* $Aggra"at!ngF >ell' ratherE 6!s other used to get u% !n %rayer+ eet!ng and tell all her ch!ldren4s shortco !ngs and as& %rayers for the * G.ourse !t ade the ad' and #orse than e"er*$ $,ou ha"en4t told Anne the ne#s about @ane'$ suggested Mar!lla* $-h' @ane'$ sn!ffed Mrs* Lynde* $>ell'$ she conceded grudg!ngly' $@ane Andre#s !s ho e fro the >est ++ ca e last #ee& ++ and she4s go!ng to be arr!ed to a >!nn!%eg !ll!ona!re* ,ou ay be sure Mrs* 6ar on lost no t! e !n tell!ng !t far and #!de*$ $Dear old @ane ++ I4 so glad'$ sa!d Anne heart!ly* $She deser"es the good th!ngs of l!fe*$ $-h' I a!n4t say!ng anyth!ng aga!nst @ane* She4s a n!ce enough g!rl* But she !sn4t !n the !ll!ona!re class' and you4ll f!nd there4s not uch to reco end that an but h!s oney' that4s #hat* Mrs* 6ar on says he4s an Engl!sh an #ho has ade oney !n !nes but III bel!e"e he4ll turn out to be a ,an&ee* 6e certa!nly ust ha"e oney' for he has just sho#ered @ane #!th je#elry* 6er engage ent r!ng !s a d!a ond cluster so b!g that !t loo&s l!&e a %laster on @ane4s fat %a#*$ Mrs* Lynde could not &ee% so e b!tterness out of her tone* 6ere #as @ane Andre#s' that %la!n l!ttle %lodder' engaged

to a !ll!ona!re' #h!le Anne' !t see ed' #as not yet bes%o&en by any one' r!ch or %oor* And Mrs* 6ar on Andre#s d!d brag !nsufferably* $>hat has G!lbert Blythe been do!ng to at collegeF$ as&ed Mar!lla* $I sa# h! #hen he ca e ho e last #ee&' and he !s so %ale and th!n I hardly &ne# h! *$ $6e stud!ed "ery hard last #!nter'$ sa!d Anne* $,ou &no# he too& 6!gh 6onors !n .lass!cs and the .oo%er Pr!Ce* It hasn4t been ta&en for f!"e yearsE So I th!n& he4s rather run do#n* >e4re all a l!ttle t!red*$ $Anyho#' you4re a B*A* and @ane Andre#s !sn4t and ne"er #!ll be'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde' #!th gloo y sat!sfact!on* A fe# e"en!ngs later Anne #ent do#n to see @ane' but the latter #as a#ay !n .harlotteto#n ++ $gett!ng se#!ng done'$ Mrs* 6ar on !nfor ed Anne %roudly* $-f course an A"onlea dress a&er #ouldn4t do for @ane under the c!rcu stances*$ $I4"e heard so eth!ng "ery n!ce about @ane'$ sa!d Anne* $,es' @ane has done %retty #ell' e"en !f she !sn4t a B*A*'$ sa!d Mrs* 6ar on' #!th a sl!ght toss of her head* $Mr* Ingl!s !s #orth !ll!ons' and they4re go!ng to Euro%e on the!r #edd!ng tour* >hen they co e bac& they4ll l!"e !n a %erfect ans!on of arble !n >!nn!%eg* @ane has only one trouble ++ she can coo& so #ell and her husband #on4t let her coo&* 6e !s so r!ch he h!res h!s coo&!ng done* They4re go!ng to &ee% a coo& and t#o other a!ds and a coach an and a an+of+all+#or&* But #hat about ,-=' AnneF I don4t hear anyth!ng of your be!ng arr!ed' after all your college+go!ng*$ $-h'$ laughed Anne' $I a go!ng to be an old a!d* I really can4t f!nd any one to su!t e*$ It #as rather #!c&ed of her* She del!berately eant to re !nd Mrs* Andre#s that !f she beca e an old a!d !t #as not because she had not had at least one chance of arr!age* But Mrs* 6ar on too& s#!ft re"enge* $>ell' the o"er+%art!cular g!rls generally get left' I not!ce* And #hat4s th!s I hear about G!lbert Blythe be!ng engaged to a M!ss StuartF .harl!e Sloane tells e she !s %erfectly beaut!ful* Is !t trueF$ $I don4t &no# !f !t !s true that he !s engaged to M!ss Stuart'$

re%l!ed Anne' #!th S%artan co %osure' $but !t !s certa!nly true that she !s "ery lo"ely*$ $I once thought you and G!lbert #ould ha"e ade a atch of !t'$ sa!d Mrs* 6ar on* $If you don4t ta&e care' Anne' all of your beaux #!ll sl!% through your f!ngers*$ Anne dec!ded not to cont!nue her duel #!th Mrs* 6ar on* ,ou could not fence #!th an antagon!st #ho et ra%!er thrust #!th blo# of battle axe* $S!nce @ane !s a#ay'$ she sa!d' r!s!ng haught!ly' $I don4t th!n& I can stay longer th!s orn!ng* I4ll co e do#n #hen she co es ho e*$ $Do'$ sa!d Mrs* 6ar on effus!"ely* $@ane !sn4t a b!t %roud* She just eans to assoc!ate #!th her old fr!ends the sa e as e"er* She4ll be real glad to see you*$ @ane4s !ll!ona!re arr!"ed the last of May and carr!ed her off !n a blaCe of s%lendor* Mrs* Lynde #as s%!tefully grat!f!ed to f!nd that Mr* Ingl!s #as e"ery day of forty' and short and th!n and gray!sh* Mrs* Lynde d!d not s%are h! !n her enu erat!on of h!s shortco !ngs' you ay be sure* $It #!ll ta&e all h!s gold to g!ld a %!ll l!&e h! ' that4s #hat'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel sole nly* $6e loo&s &!nd and good+hearted'$ sa!d Anne loyally' $and I4 sure he th!n&s the #orld of @ane*$ $6u %hE$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel* Ph!l Gordon #as arr!ed the next #ee& and Anne #ent o"er to Bol!ngbro&e to be her br!des a!d* Ph!l ade a da!nty fa!ry of a br!de' and the ?e"* @o #as so rad!ant !n h!s ha%%!ness that nobody thought h! %la!n* $>e4re go!ng for a lo"ers4 saunter through the land of E"angel!ne'$ sa!d Ph!l' $and then #e4ll settle do#n on Patterson Street* Mother th!n&s !t !s terr!ble ++ she th!n&s @o !ght at least ta&e a church !n a decent %lace* But the #!lderness of the Patterson slu s #!ll blosso l!&e the rose for e !f @o !s there* -h' Anne' I4 so ha%%y y heart aches #!th !t*$ Anne #as al#ays glad !n the ha%%!ness of her fr!endsD but !t !s so et! es a l!ttle lonely to be surrounded e"ery#here by a

ha%%!ness that !s not your o#n* And !t #as just the sa e #hen she #ent bac& to A"onlea* Th!s t! e !t #as D!ana #ho #as bathed !n the #onderful glory that co es to a #o an #hen her f!rst+born !s la!d bes!de her* Anne loo&ed at the #h!te young other #!th a certa!n a#e that had ne"er entered !nto her feel!ngs for D!ana before* .ould th!s %ale #o an #!th the ra%ture !n her eyes be the l!ttle blac&+curled' rosy+chee&ed D!ana she had %layed #!th !n "an!shed schooldaysF It ga"e her a )ueer desolate feel!ng that she herself so eho# belonged only !n those %ast years and had no bus!ness !n the %resent at all* $Isn4t he %erfectly beaut!fulF$ sa!d D!ana %roudly* The l!ttle fat fello# #as absurdly l!&e (red ++ just as round' just as red* Anne really could not say consc!ent!ously that she thought h! beaut!ful' but she "o#ed s!ncerely that he #as s#eet and &!ssable and altogether del!ghtful* $Before he ca e I #anted a g!rl' so that I could call her ANNE'$ sa!d D!ana* $But no# that l!ttle (red !s here I #ouldn4t exchange h! for a !ll!on g!rls* 6e just .-=LDN4T ha"e been anyth!ng but h!s o#n %rec!ous self*$ $GE"ery l!ttle baby !s the s#eetest and the best'4 $ )uoted Mrs* Allan ga!ly* $If l!ttle Anne 6AD co e you4d ha"e felt just the sa e about her*$ Mrs* Allan #as "!s!t!ng !n A"onlea' for the f!rst t! e s!nce lea"!ng !t* She #as as gay and s#eet and sy %athet!c as e"er* 6er old g!rl fr!ends had #elco ed her bac& ra%turously* The re!gn!ng !n!ster4s #!fe #as an est! able lady' but she #as not exactly a &!ndred s%!r!t* $I can hardly #a!t t!ll he gets old enough to tal&'$ s!ghed D!ana* $I just long to hear h! say G other*4 And oh' I4 deter !ned that h!s f!rst e ory of e shall be a n!ce one* The f!rst e ory I ha"e of y other !s of her sla%%!ng e for so eth!ng I had done* I a sure I deser"ed !t' and other #as al#ays a good other and I lo"e her dearly* But I do #!sh y f!rst e ory of her #as n!cer*$ $I ha"e just one e ory of y other and !t !s the s#eetest of all y e or!es'$ sa!d Mrs* Allan* $I #as f!"e years old' and I had been allo#ed to go to school one day #!th y t#o older s!sters* >hen school ca e out y s!sters #ent ho e !n d!fferent grou%s' each su%%os!ng I #as #!th the other* Instead I had run off #!th a l!ttle g!rl I had %layed #!th at recess* >e #ent to her ho e' #h!ch #as

near the school' and began a&!ng ud %!es* >e #ere ha"!ng a glor!ous t! e #hen y older s!ster arr!"ed' breathless and angry* $G,ou naughty g!rl$ she cr!ed' snatch!ng y reluctant hand and dragg!ng e along #!th her* G.o e ho e th!s !nute* -h' you4re go!ng to catch !tE Mother !s a#ful cross* She !s go!ng to g!"e you a good #h!%%!ng*4 $I had ne"er been #h!%%ed* Dread and terror f!lled y %oor l!ttle heart* I ha"e ne"er been so !serable !n y l!fe as I #as on that #al& ho e* I had not eant to be naughty* Phe y .a eron had as&ed e to go ho e #!th her and I had not &no#n !t #as #rong to go* And no# I #as to be #h!%%ed for !t* >hen #e got ho e y s!ster dragged e !nto the &!tchen #here other #as s!tt!ng by the f!re !n the t#!l!ght* My %oor #ee legs #ere tre bl!ng so that I could hardly stand* And other ++ other just too& e u% !n her ar s' #!thout one #ord of rebu&e or harshness' &!ssed e and held e close to her heart* GI #as so fr!ghtened you #ere lost' darl!ng'4 she sa!d tenderly* I could see the lo"e sh!n!ng !n her eyes as she loo&ed do#n on e* She ne"er scolded or re%roached e for #hat I had done ++ only told e I ust ne"er go a#ay aga!n #!thout as&!ng %er !ss!on* She d!ed "ery soon after#ards* That !s the only e ory I ha"e of her* Isn4t !t a beaut!ful oneF$ Anne felt lonel!er than e"er as she #al&ed ho e' go!ng by #ay of the B!rch Path and >!llo# ere* She had not #al&ed that #ay for any oons* It #as a dar&ly+%ur%le bloo y n!ght* The a!r #as hea"y #!th blosso fragrance ++ al ost too hea"y* The cloyed senses reco!led fro !t as fro an o"erfull cu%* The b!rches of the %ath had gro#n fro the fa!ry sa%l!ngs of old to b!g trees* E"eryth!ng had changed* Anne felt that she #ould be glad #hen the su er #as o"er and she #as a#ay at #or& aga!n* Perha%s l!fe #ould not see so e %ty then* $GI4"e tr!ed the #orld ++ !t #ears no The color!ng of ro ance !t #ore'4$ ore

s!ghed Anne ++ and #as stra!ght#ay uch co forted by the ro ance !n the !dea of the #orld be!ng denuded of ro anceE

.ha%ter <L

A Boo& of ?e"elat!on The Ir"!ngs ca e bac& to Echo Lodge for the su er' and Anne s%ent a ha%%y three #ee&s there !n @uly* M!ss La"endar had not changedD .harlotta the (ourth #as a "ery gro#n+u% young lady no#' but st!ll adored Anne s!ncerely* $>hen all4s sa!d and done' M!ss Sh!rley' a4a ' I ha"en4t seen any one !n Boston that4s e)ual to you'$ she sa!d fran&ly* Paul #as al ost gro#n u%' too* 6e #as s!xteen' h!s chestnut curls had g!"en %lace to close+cro%%ed bro#n loc&s' and he #as ore !nterested !n football than fa!r!es* But the bond bet#een h! and h!s old teacher st!ll held* A!ndred s%!r!ts alone do not change #!th chang!ng years* It #as a #et' blea&' cruel e"en!ng !n @uly #hen Anne ca e bac& to Green Gables* -ne of the f!erce su er stor s #h!ch so et! es s#ee% o"er the gulf #as ra"ag!ng the sea* As Anne ca e !n the f!rst ra!ndro%s dashed aga!nst the %anes* $>as that Paul #ho brought you ho eF$ as&ed Mar!lla* $>hy d!dn4t you a&e h! stay all n!ght* It4s go!ng to be a #!ld e"en!ng*$ $6e4ll reach Echo Lodge before the ra!n gets "ery hea"y' I th!n&* Any#ay' he #anted to go bac& ton!ght* >ell' I4"e had a s%lend!d "!s!t' but I4 glad to see you dear fol&s aga!n* GEast' #est' ha e4s best*4 Da"y' ha"e you been gro#!ng aga!n latelyF$ $I4"e gro#ed a #hole !nch s!nce you left'$ sa!d Da"y %roudly* $I4 as tall as M!lty Boulter no#* A!n4t I glad* 6e4ll ha"e to sto% cro#!ng about be!ng b!gger* Say' Anne' d!d you &no# that G!lbert Blythe !s dy!ngF$ Anne stood )u!te s!lent and ot!onless' loo&!ng at Da"y* 6er face had gone so #h!te that Mar!lla thought she #as go!ng to fa!nt* $Da"y' hold your tongue'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel angr!ly* $Anne' don4t loo& l!&e that ++ D-N4T L--A LIAE T6ATE >e d!dn4t to tell you so suddenly*$ $Is ++ !t ++ trueF$ as&ed Anne !n a "o!ce that #as not hers* $G!lbert !s "ery !ll'$ sa!d Mrs* Lynde gra"ely* $6e too& do#n #!th ty%ho!d fe"er just after you left for Echo Lodge* D!d you ne"er hear of !tF$ ean

$No'$ sa!d that un&no#n "o!ce* $It #as a "ery bad case fro the start* The doctor sa!d he4d been terr!bly run do#n* They4"e a tra!ned nurse and e"eryth!ng4s been done* D-N4T loo& l!&e that' Anne* >h!le there4s l!fe there4s ho%e*$ $Mr* 6arr!son #as here th!s e"en!ng and he sa!d they had no ho%e of h! '$ re!terated Da"y* Mar!lla' loo&!ng old and #orn and t!red' got u% and out of the &!tchen* arched Da"y gr! ly

$-h' D-N4T loo& so' dear'$ sa!d Mrs* ?achel' %utt!ng her &!nd old ar s about the %all!d g!rl* $I ha"en4t g!"en u% ho%e' !ndeed I ha"en4t* 6e4s got the Blythe const!tut!on !n h!s fa"or' that4s #hat*$ Anne gently %ut Mrs* Lynde4s ar s a#ay fro her' #al&ed bl!ndly across the &!tchen' through the hall' u% the sta!rs to her old roo * At !ts #!ndo# she &nelt do#n' star!ng out unsee!ngly* It #as "ery dar&* The ra!n #as beat!ng do#n o"er the sh!"er!ng f!elds* The 6aunted >oods #as full of the groans of !ghty trees #rung !n the te %est' and the a!r throbbed #!th the thunderous crash of b!llo#s on the d!stant shore* And G!lbert #as dy!ngE There !s a boo& of ?e"elat!on !n e"ery one4s l!fe' as there !s !n the B!ble* Anne read hers that b!tter n!ght' as she &e%t her agon!Ced "!g!l through the hours of stor and dar&ness* She lo"ed G!lbert ++ had al#ays lo"ed h! E She &ne# that no#* She &ne# that she could no ore cast h! out of her l!fe #!thout agony than she could ha"e cut off her r!ght hand and cast !t fro her* And the &no#ledge had co e too late ++ too late e"en for the b!tter solace of be!ng #!th h! at the last* If she had not been so bl!nd ++ so fool!sh ++ she #ould ha"e had the r!ght to go to h! no#* But he #ould ne"er &no# that she lo"ed h! ++ he #ould go a#ay fro th!s l!fe th!n&!ng that she d!d not care* -h' the blac& years of e %t!ness stretch!ng before herE She could not l!"e through the ++ she could notE She co#ered do#n by her #!ndo# and #!shed' for the f!rst t! e !n her gay young l!fe' that she could d!e' too* If G!lbert #ent a#ay fro her' #!thout one #ord or s!gn or essage' she could not l!"e* Noth!ng #as of any "alue #!thout h! * She belonged to h! and he to her* In her hour of su%re e agony she had no doubt of that* 6e d!d not lo"e .hr!st!ne Stuart ++ ne"er had lo"ed .hr!st!ne Stuart* -h' #hat a fool she had been not to real!Ce #hat the bond #as that had held her to G!lbert ++ to th!n& that the flattered fancy she had felt for ?oy Gardner had been lo"e* And no# she ust %ay for her folly as for a cr! e*

Mrs* Lynde and Mar!lla cre%t to her door before they #ent to bed' shoo& the!r heads doubtfully at each other o"er the s!lence' and #ent a#ay* The stor raged all n!ght' but #hen the da#n ca e !t #as s%ent* Anne sa# a fa!ry fr!nge of l!ght on the s&!rts of dar&ness* Soon the eastern h!llto%s had a f!re+shot ruby r! * The clouds rolled the sel"es a#ay !nto great' soft' #h!te asses on the hor!ConD the s&y glea ed blue and s!l"ery* A hush fell o"er the #orld* Anne rose fro her &nees and cre%t do#nsta!rs* The freshness of the ra!n+#!nd ble# aga!nst her #h!te face as she #ent out !nto the yard' and cooled her dry' burn!ng eyes* A erry roll!c&!ng #h!stle #as l!lt!ng u% the lane* A o ent later Pac!f!)ue Buote ca e !n s!ght* Anne4s %hys!cal strength suddenly fa!led her* If she had not clutched at a lo# #!llo# bough she #ould ha"e fallen* Pac!f!)ue #as George (letcher4s h!red an' and George (letcher l!"ed next door to the Blythes* Mrs* (letcher #as G!lbert4s aunt* Pac!f!)ue #ould &no# !f ++ !f ++ Pac!f!)ue #ould &no# #hat there #as to be &no#n* Pac!f!)ue strode sturd!ly on along the red lane' #h!stl!ng* 6e d!d not see Anne* She ade three fut!le atte %ts to call h! * 6e #as al ost %ast before she succeeded !n a&!ng her )u!"er!ng l!%s call' $Pac!f!)ueE$ Pac!f!)ue turned #!th a gr!n and a cheerful good $Pac!f!)ue'$ sa!d Anne fa!ntly' $d!d you co e fro (letcher4s th!s orn!ngF$ orn!ng* George

$Sure'$ sa!d Pac!f!)ue a !ably* $I got de #ord las4 n!ght dat y fader' he #as seec&* It #as so stor y dat I couldn4t go den' so I start "a!r early d!s orn!n4* I4 go!n4 troo de #oods for short cut*$ $D!d you hear ho# G!lbert Blythe #as th!s orn!ngF$ Anne4s des%erat!on dro"e her to the )uest!on* E"en the #orst #ould be ore endurable than th!s h!deous sus%ense* $6e4s better'$ sa!d Pac!f!)ue* $6e got de turn las4 n!ght* De doctor say he4ll be all r!ght no# d!s soon #h!le* 6ad close sha"e' doughE Dat boy' he jus4 &eel h! self at college* >ell' I us4 hurry* De old an' he4ll be !n hurry to see e*$

Pac!f!)ue resu ed h!s #al& and h!s #h!stle* Anne gaCed after h! #!th eyes #here joy #as dr!"!ng out the stra!ned angu!sh of the n!ght* 6e #as a "ery lan&' "ery ragged' "ery ho ely youth* But !n her s!ght he #as as beaut!ful as those #ho br!ng good t!d!ngs on the ounta!ns* Ne"er' as long as she l!"ed' #ould Anne see Pac!f!)ue4s bro#n' round' blac&+eyed face #!thout a #ar re e brance of the o ent #hen he had g!"en to her the o!l of joy for ourn!ng* Long after Pac!f!)ue4s gay #h!stle had faded !nto the %hanto of us!c and then !nto s!lence far u% under the a%les of Lo"er4s Lane Anne stood under the #!llo#s' tast!ng the %o!gnant s#eetness of l!fe #hen so e great dread has been re o"ed fro !t* The orn!ng #as a cu% f!lled #!th !st and gla or* In the corner near her #as a r!ch sur%r!se of ne#+blo#n' crystal+de#ed roses* The tr!lls and tr!c&les of song fro the b!rds !n the b!g tree abo"e her see ed !n %erfect accord #!th her ood* A sentence fro a "ery old' "ery true' "ery #onderful Boo& ca e to her l!%s' $>ee%!ng ay endure for a n!ght but joy co eth !n the orn!ng*$

<LI Lo"e Ta&es =% the Glass of T! e $I4"e co e u% to as& you to go for one of our old+t! e ra bles through Se%te ber #oods and Go"er h!lls #here s%!ces gro#'4 th!s afternoon'$ sa!d G!lbert' co !ng suddenly around the %orch corner* $Su%%ose #e "!s!t 6ester Gray4s garden*$ Anne' s!tt!ng on the stone ste% #!th her la% full of a %ale' f!l y' green stuff' loo&ed u% rather blan&ly* $-h' I #!sh I could'$ she sa!d slo#ly' $but I really can4t' G!lbert* I4 go!ng to Al!ce Penhallo#4s #edd!ng th!s e"en!ng' you &no#* I4"e got to do so eth!ng to th!s dress' and by the t! e !t4s f!n!shed I4ll ha"e to get ready* I4 so sorry* I4d lo"e to go*$ $>ell' can you go to orro# afternoon' thenF$ as&ed G!lbert' a%%arently not uch d!sa%%o!nted* $,es' I th!n& so*$

$In that case I shall h!e e ho e at once to do so eth!ng I should other#!se ha"e to do to orro#* So Al!ce Penhallo# !s to be arr!ed ton!ght* Three #edd!ngs for you !n one su er' Anne ++ Ph!l4s' Al!ce4s' and @ane4s* I4ll ne"er forg!"e @ane for not !n"!t!ng e to her #edd!ng*$ $,ou really can4t bla e her #hen you th!n& of the tre endous Andre#s connect!on #ho had to be !n"!ted* The house could hardly hold the all* I #as only b!dden by grace of be!ng @ane4s old chu ++ at least on @ane4s %art* I th!n& Mrs* 6ar on4s ot!"e for !n"!t!ng e #as to let e see @ane4s sur%ass!ng gorgeousness*$ $Is !t true that she #ore so any d!a onds that you couldn4t tell #here the d!a onds left off and @ane beganF$ Anne laughed* $She certa!nly #ore a good any* >hat #!th all the d!a onds and #h!te sat!n and tulle and lace and roses and orange blosso s' %r! l!ttle @ane #as al ost lost to s!ght* But she #as 3E?, ha%%y' and so #as Mr* Ingl!s ++ and so #as Mrs* 6ar on*$ $Is that the dress you4re go!ng to #ear ton!ghtF$ as&ed G!lbert' loo&!ng do#n at the fluffs and fr!lls* $,es* Isn4t !t %rettyF And I shall #ear starflo#ers !n The 6aunted >ood !s full of the th!s su er*$ y ha!r*

G!lbert had a sudden "!s!on of Anne' arrayed !n a fr!lly green go#n' #!th the "!rg!nal cur"es of ar s and throat sl!%%!ng out of !t' and #h!te stars sh!n!ng aga!nst the co!ls of her ruddy ha!r* The "!s!on ade h! catch h!s breath* But he turned l!ghtly a#ay* $>ell' I4ll be u% to orro#* 6o%e you4ll ha"e a n!ce t! e ton!ght*$ Anne loo&ed after h! as he strode a#ay' and s!ghed* G!lbert #as fr!endly ++ "ery fr!endly ++ far too fr!endly* 6e had co e )u!te often to Green Gables after h!s reco"ery' and so eth!ng of the!r old co radesh!% had returned* But Anne no longer found !t sat!sfy!ng* The rose of lo"e ade the blosso of fr!endsh!% %ale and scentless by contrast* And Anne had aga!n begun to doubt !f G!lbert no# felt anyth!ng for her but fr!endsh!%* In the co on l!ght of co on day her rad!ant certa!nty of that ra%t orn!ng had faded* She #as haunted by a !serable fear that her !sta&e could ne"er be rect!f!ed* It #as )u!te l!&ely that !t #as .hr!st!ne #ho G!lbert lo"ed after all*

Perha%s he #as e"en engaged to her* Anne tr!ed to %ut all unsettl!ng ho%es out of her heart' and reconc!le herself to a future #here #or& and a b!t!on ust ta&e the %lace of lo"e* She could do good' !f not noble' #or& as a teacherD and the success her l!ttle s&etches #ere beg!nn!ng to eet #!th !n certa!n ed!tor!al sanctu s augured #ell for her budd!ng l!terary drea s* But ++ but ++ Anne %!c&ed u% her green dress and s!ghed aga!n* >hen G!lbert ca e the next afternoon he found Anne #a!t!ng for h! ' fresh as the da#n and fa!r as a star' after all the ga!ety of the %reced!ng n!ght* She #ore a green dress ++ not the one she had #orn to the #edd!ng' but an old one #h!ch G!lbert had told her at a ?ed ond rece%t!on he l!&ed es%ec!ally* It #as just the shade of green that brought out the r!ch t!nts of her ha!r' and the starry gray of her eyes and the !r!s+l!&e del!cacy of her s&!n* G!lbert' glanc!ng at her s!de#ays as they #al&ed along a shado#y #ood%ath' thought she had ne"er loo&ed so lo"ely* Anne' glanc!ng s!de#ays at G!lbert' no# and then' thought ho# uch older he loo&ed s!nce h!s !llness* It #as as !f he had %ut boyhood beh!nd h! fore"er* The day #as beaut!ful and the #ay #as beaut!ful* Anne #as al ost sorry #hen they reached 6ester Gray4s garden' and sat do#n on the old bench* But !t #as beaut!ful there' too ++ as beaut!ful as !t had been on the fara#ay day of the Golden P!cn!c' #hen D!ana and @ane and Pr!sc!lla and she had found !t* Then !t had been lo"ely #!th narc!ssus and "!oletsD no# golden rod had &!ndled !ts fa!ry torches !n the corners and asters dotted !t bluely* The call of the broo& ca e u% through the #oods fro the "alley of b!rches #!th all !ts old allure entD the ello# a!r #as full of the %urr of the seaD beyond #ere f!elds r! ed by fences bleached s!l"ery gray !n the suns of any su ers' and long h!lls scarfed #!th the shado#s of autu nal cloudsD #!th the blo#!ng of the #est #!nd old drea s returned* $I th!n&'$ sa!d Anne softly' $that Gthe land #here drea s co e true4 !s !n the blue haCe yonder' o"er that l!ttle "alley*$ $6a"e you any unfulf!lled drea s' AnneF$ as&ed G!lbert* So eth!ng !n h!s tone ++ so eth!ng she had not heard s!nce that !serable e"en!ng !n the orchard at Patty4s Place ++ ade Anne4s heart beat #!ldly* But she ade ans#er l!ghtly* $-f course* E"erybody has* It #ouldn4t do for us to ha"e all our drea s fulf!lled* >e #ould be as good as dead !f #e had noth!ng left to drea about* >hat a del!c!ous aro a that

lo#+descend!ng sun !s extract!ng fro the asters and ferns* I #!sh #e could see %erfu es as #ell as s ell the * I4 sure they #ould be "ery beaut!ful*$ G!lbert #as not to be thus s!detrac&ed* $I ha"e a drea '$ he sa!d slo#ly* $I %ers!st !n drea !ng !t' although !t has often see ed to e that !t could ne"er co e true* I drea of a ho e #!th a hearth+f!re !n !t' a cat and dog' the footste%s of fr!ends ++ and ,-=E$ Anne #anted to s%ea& but she could f!nd no #ords* 6a%%!ness #as brea&!ng o"er her l!&e a #a"e* It al ost fr!ghtened her* $I as&ed you a )uest!on o"er t#o years ago' Anne* If I as& !t aga!n today #!ll you g!"e e a d!fferent ans#erF$ St!ll Anne could not s%ea&* But she l!fted her eyes' sh!n!ng #!th all the lo"e+ra%ture of countless generat!ons' and loo&ed !nto h!s for a o ent* 6e #anted no other ans#er* They l!ngered !n the old garden unt!l t#!l!ght' s#eet as dus& !n Eden ust ha"e been' cre%t o"er !t* There #as so uch to tal& o"er and recall ++ th!ngs sa!d and done and heard and thought and felt and !sunderstood* $I thought you lo"ed .hr!st!ne Stuart'$ Anne told h! ' as re%roachfully as !f she had not g!"en h! e"ery reason to su%%ose that she lo"ed ?oy Gardner* G!lbert laughed boy!shly* $.hr!st!ne #as engaged to so ebody !n her ho e to#n* I &ne# !t and she &ne# I &ne# !t* >hen her brother graduated he told e h!s s!ster #as co !ng to A!ngs%ort the next #!nter to ta&e us!c' and as&ed e !f I #ould loo& after her a b!t' as she &ne# no one and #ould be "ery lonely* So I d!d* And then I l!&ed .hr!st!ne for her o#n sa&e* She !s one of the n!cest g!rls I4"e e"er &no#n* I &ne# college goss!% cred!ted us #!th be!ng !n lo"e #!th each other* I d!dn4t care* Noth!ng attered uch to e for a t! e there' after you told e you could ne"er lo"e e' Anne* There #as nobody else ++ there ne"er could be anybody else for e but you* I4"e lo"ed you e"er s!nce that day you bro&e your slate o"er y head !n school*$ $I don4t see ho# you could &ee% on lo"!ng e #hen I #as such a

l!ttle fool'$ sa!d Anne* $>ell' I tr!ed to sto%'$ sa!d G!lbert fran&ly' $not because I thought you #hat you call yourself' but because I felt sure there #as no chance for e after Gardner ca e on the scene* But I couldn4t ++ and I can4t tell you' e!ther' #hat !t4s eant to e these t#o years to bel!e"e you #ere go!ng to arry h! ' and be told e"ery #ee& by so e busybody that your engage ent #as on the %o!nt of be!ng announced* I bel!e"ed !t unt!l one blessed day #hen I #as s!tt!ng u% after the fe"er* I got a letter fro Ph!l Gordon ++ Ph!l Bla&e' rather ++ !n #h!ch she told e there #as really noth!ng bet#een you and ?oy' and ad"!sed e to Gtry aga!n*4 >ell' the doctor #as a aCed at y ra%!d reco"ery after that*$ Anne laughed ++ then sh!"ered* $I can ne"er forget the n!ght I thought you #ere dy!ng' G!lbert* -h' I &ne# ++ I ANE> then ++ and I thought !t #as too late*$ $But !t #asn4t' s#eetheart* -h' Anne' th!s a&es u% for e"eryth!ng' doesn4t !tF Let4s resol"e to &ee% th!s day sacred to %erfect beauty all our l!"es for the g!ft !t has g!"en us*$ $It4s the b!rthday of our ha%%!ness'$ sa!d Anne softly* $I4"e al#ays lo"ed th!s old garden of 6ester Gray4s' and no# !t #!ll be dearer than e"er*$ $But I4ll ha"e to as& you to #a!t a long t! e' Anne'$ sa!d G!lbert sadly* $It #!ll be three years before I4ll f!n!sh y ed!cal course* And e"en then there #!ll be no d!a ond sunbursts and arble halls*$ Anne laughed* $I don4t #ant sunbursts and arble halls* I just #ant ,-=* ,ou see I4 )u!te as sha eless as Ph!l about !t* Sunbursts and arble halls ay be all "ery #ell' but there !s ore Gsco%e for ! ag!nat!on4 #!thout the * And as for the #a!t!ng' that doesn4t atter* >e4ll just be ha%%y' #a!t!ng and #or&!ng for each other ++ and drea !ng* -h' drea s #!ll be "ery s#eet no#*$ G!lbert dre# her close to h! and &!ssed her* Then they #al&ed ho e together !n the dus&' cro#ned &!ng and )ueen !n the br!dal real of lo"e' along #!nd!ng %aths fr!nged #!th the s#eetest flo#ers that e"er bloo ed' and o"er haunted eado#s #here #!nds of ho%e and e ory ble#*

End of Project Gutenberg Etext of Anne of the Island*

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