Ithink，asyousay，Anne，thattherearebetterwaysofmanagingasarule，andthatcorporalpunishmentshouldbealastresort。
Butontheotherhand，asJanesays，Ibelievethereisanoccasionalchildwhocan’tbeinfluencedinanyotherwayandwho，inshort，needsawhippingandwouldbeimprovedbyit。Corporalpunishmentasalastresortistobemyrule。\"
Gilbert，havingtriedtopleasebothsides，succeeded，asisusualandeminentlyright，inpleasingneither。Janetossedherhead。
\"I’llwhipmypupilswhenthey’renaughty。It’stheshortestandeasiestwayofconvincingthem。\"
AnnegaveGilbertadisappointedglance。
\"Ishallneverwhipachild，\"sherepeatedfirmly。\"Ifeelsureitisn’teitherrightornecessary。\"
\"Supposeaboysaucedyoubackwhenyoutoldhimtodosomething？\"
saidJane。
\"I’dkeephiminafterschoolandtalkkindlyandfirmlytohim，\"
saidAnne。\"Thereissomegoodineverypersonifyoucanfindit。
Itisateacher’sdutytofindanddevelopit。ThatiswhatourSchoolManagementprofessoratQueen’stoldus，youknow。Doyousupposeyoucouldfindanygoodinachildbywhippinghim？It’sfarmoreimportanttoinfluencethechildrenarightthanitiseventoteachthemthethreeR’s，ProfessorRenniesays。\"
\"ButtheInspectorexaminestheminthethreeR’s，mindyou，andhewon’tgiveyouagoodreportiftheydon’tcomeuptohisstandard，\"protestedJane。
\"I’dratherhavemypupilslovemeandlookbacktomeinafteryearsasarealhelperthanbeontherollofhonor，\"assertedAnnedecidedly。
\"Wouldn’tyoupunishchildrenatall，whentheymisbehaved？\"askedGilbert。
\"Oh，yes，IsupposeIshallhaveto，althoughIknowI’llhatetodoit。Butyoucankeeptheminatrecessorstandthemonthefloororgivethemlinestowrite。\"
\"Isupposeyouwon’tpunishthegirlsbymakingthemsitwiththeboys？\"
saidJaneslyly。
GilbertandAnnelookedateachotherandsmiledratherfoolishly。
Onceuponatime，AnnehadbeenmadetositwithGilbertforpunishmentandsadandbitterhadbeentheconsequencesthereof。
\"Well，timewilltellwhichisthebestway，\"saidJanephilosophicallyastheyparted。
AnnewentbacktoGreenGablesbywayofBirchPath，shadowy，rustling，fern-scented，throughVioletValeandpastWillowmere，wheredarkandlightkissedeachotherunderthefirs，anddownthroughLover’sLane……spotssheandDianahadsonamedlongago。Shewalkedslowly，enjoyingthesweetnessofwoodandfieldandthestarrysummertwilight，andthinkingsoberlyaboutthenewdutiesshewastotakeuponthemorrow。WhenshereachedtheyardatGreenGablesMrs。Lynde’sloud，decidedtonesfloatedoutthroughtheopenkitchenwindow。
\"Mrs。Lyndehascomeuptogivemegoodadviceabouttomorrow，\"
thoughtAnnewithagrimace，\"butIdon’tbelieveI’llgoin。
Heradviceismuchlikepepper，Ithink……excellentinsmallquantitiesbutratherscorchinginherdoses。I’llrunoverandhaveachatwithMr。Harrisoninstead。\"
ThiswasnotthefirsttimeAnnehadrunoverandchattedwithMr。
HarrisonsincethenotableaffairoftheJerseycow。ShehadbeenthereseveraleveningsandMr。Harrisonandshewereverygoodfriends，althoughthereweretimesandseasonswhenAnnefoundtheoutspokennessonwhichhepridedhimselfrathertrying。Gingerstillcontinuedtoregardherwithsuspicion，andneverfailedtogreethersarcasticallyas\"redheadedsnippet。\"Mr。HarrisonhadtriedvainlytobreakhimofthehabitbyjumpingexcitedlyupwheneverhesawAnnecomingandexclaiming，\"Blessmysoul，here’sthatprettylittlegirlagain，\"orsomethingequallyflattering。ButGingersawthroughtheschemeandscornedit。AnnewasnevertoknowhowmanycomplimentsMr。Harrisonpaidherbehindherback。Hecertainlyneverpaidheranytoherface。
\"Well，Isupposeyou’vebeenbackinthewoodslayinginasupplyofswitchesfortomorrow？\"washisgreetingasAnnecameuptheverandasteps。
\"No，indeed，\"saidAnneindignantly。Shewasanexcellenttargetforteasingbecauseshealwaystookthingssoseriously。\"Ishallneverhaveaswitchinmyschool，Mr。Harrison。Ofcourse，Ishallhavetohaveapointer，butIshalluseitforpointingONLY。\"
\"Soyoumeantostraptheminstead？Well，Idon’tknowbutyou’reright。
Aswitchstingsmoreatthetimebutthestrapsmartslonger，that’safact。\"
\"Ishallnotuseanythingofthesort。I’mnotgoingtowhipmypupils。\"
\"Blessmysoul，\"exclaimedMr。Harrisoningenuineastonishment，\"howdoyoulayouttokeeporderthen？\"
\"Ishallgovernbyaffection，Mr。Harrison。\"
\"Itwon’tdo，\"saidMr。Harrison，\"won’tdoatall，Anne。
`Sparetherodandspoilthechild。’WhenIwenttoschoolthemasterwhippedmeregulareverydaybecausehesaidifIwasn’tinmischiefjustthenIwasplottingit。\"
\"Methodshavechangedsinceyourschooldays，Mr。Harrison。\"
\"Buthumannaturehasn’t。Markmywords，you’llnevermanagetheyoungfryunlessyoukeeparodinpickleforthem。Thethingisimpossible。\"
\"Well，I’mgoingtotrymywayfirst，\"saidAnne，whohadafairlystrongwillofherownandwasapttoclingverytenaciouslytohertheories。
\"You’reprettystubborn，Ireckon，\"wasMr。Harrison’swayofputtingit。\"Well，well，we’llsee。Somedaywhenyougetriledup……andpeoplewithhairlikeyoursaredesperateapttogetriled……you’llforgetallyourprettylittlenotionsandgivesomeofthemawhaling。You’retooyoungtobeteachinganyhow……fartooyoungandchildish。\"
Altogether，Annewenttobedthatnightinaratherpessimisticmood。
ShesleptpoorlyandwassopaleandtragicatbreakfastnextmorningthatMarillawasalarmedandinsistedonmakinghertakeacupofscorchinggingertea。Annesippeditpatiently，althoughshecouldnotimaginewhatgoodgingerteawoulddo。Haditbeensomemagicbrew，potenttoconferageandexperience，Annewouldhaveswallowedaquartofitwithoutflinching。
\"Marilla，whatifIfail！\"
\"You’llhardlyfailcompletelyinonedayandthere’splentymoredayscoming，\"saidMarilla。\"Thetroublewithyou，Anne，isthatyou’llexpecttoteachthosechildreneverythingandreformalltheirfaultsrightoff，andifyoucan’tyou’llthinkyou’vefailed。\"
V
AFull-fledgedSchoolma’amWhenAnnereachedtheschoolthatmorning……forthefirsttimeinherlifeshehadtraversedtheBirchPathdeafandblindtoitsbeauties……allwasquietandstill。Theprecedingteacherhadtrainedthechildrentobeintheirplacesatherarrival，andwhenAnneenteredtheschoolroomshewasconfrontedbyprimrowsof\"shiningmorningfaces\"andbright，inquisitiveeyes。Shehungupherhatandfacedherpupils，hopingthatshedidnotlookasfrightenedandfoolishasshefeltandthattheywouldnotperceivehowshewastrembling。
Shehadsatupuntilnearlytwelvetheprecedingnightcomposingaspeechshemeanttomaketoherpupilsuponopeningtheschool。
Shehadrevisedandimproveditpainstakingly，andthenshehadlearneditoffbyheart。Itwasaverygoodspeechandhadsomeveryfineideasinit，especiallyaboutmutualhelpandearneststrivingafterknowledge。Theonlytroublewasthatshecouldnotnowrememberawordofit。
Afterwhatseemedtoherayear……abouttensecondsinreality……shesaidfaintly，\"TakeyourTestaments，please，\"andsankbreathlesslyintoherchairundercoveroftherustleandclatterofdesklidsthatfollowed。WhilethechildrenreadtheirversesAnnemarshalledhershakywitsintoorderandlookedoverthearrayoflittlepilgrimstotheGrownupLand。
Mostofthemwere，ofcourse，quitewellknowntoher。Herownclassmateshadpassedoutintheprecedingyearbuttheresthadallgonetoschoolwithher，exceptingtheprimerclassandtennewcomerstoAvonlea。Annesecretlyfeltmoreinterestinthesetenthaninthosewhosepossibilitieswerealreadyfairlywellmappedouttoher。Tobesure，theymightbejustascommonplaceastherest；butontheotherhandthereMIGHTbeageniusamongthem。Itwasathrillingidea。
SittingbyhimselfatacornerdeskwasAnthonyPye。Hehadadark，sullenlittleface，andwasstaringatAnnewithahostileexpressioninhisblackeyes。Anneinstantlymadeuphermindthatshewouldwinthatboy’saffectionanddiscomfitthePyesutterly。
IntheothercorneranotherstrangeboywassittingwithArtySloane……ajollylookinglittlechap，withasnubnose，freckledface，andbig，lightblueeyes，fringedwithwhitishlashes……
probablytheDonNELLboy；andifresemblancewentforanything，hissisterwassittingacrosstheaislewithMaryBell。Annewonderedwhatsortofmotherthechildhad，tosendhertoschooldressedasshewas。Sheworeafadedpinksilkdress，trimmedwithagreatdealofcottonlace，soiledwhitekidslippers，andsilkstockings。Hersandyhairwastorturedintoinnumerablekinkyandunnaturalcurls，surmountedbyaflamboyantbowofpinkribbonbiggerthanherhead。Judgingfromherexpressionshewasverywellsatisfiedwithherself。
Apalelittlething，withsmoothripplesoffine，silky，fawn-coloredhairflowingoverhershoulders，must，Annethought，beAnnettaBell，whoseparentshadformerlylivedintheNewbridgeschooldistrict，but，byreasonofhaulingtheirhousefiftyyardsnorthofitsoldsitewerenowinAvonlea。ThreepallidlittlegirlscrowdedintooneseatwerecertainlyCottons；andtherewasnodoubtthatthesmallbeautywiththelongbrowncurlsandhazeleyes，whowascastingcoquettishlooksatJackGillsovertheedgeofherTestament，wasPrillieRogerson，whosefatherhadrecentlymarriedasecondwifeandbroughtPrilliehomefromhergrandmother’sinGrafton。Atall，awkwardgirlinabackseat，whoseemedtohavetoomanyfeetandhands，Annecouldnotplaceatall，butlaterondiscoveredthathernamewasBarbaraShawandthatshehadcometolivewithanAvonleaaunt。ShewasalsotofindthatifBarbaraevermanagedtowalkdowntheaislewithoutfallingoverherownorsomebodyelse’sfeettheAvonleascholarswrotetheunusualfactupontheporchwalltocommemorateit。
ButwhenAnne’seyesmetthoseoftheboyatthefrontdeskfacingherown，aqueerlittlethrillwentoverher，asifshehadfoundhergenius。SheknewthismustbePaulIrvingandthatMrs。RachelLyndehadbeenrightforoncewhensheprophesiedthathewouldbeunliketheAvonleachildren。Morethanthat，Annerealizedthathewasunlikeotherchildrenanywhere，andthattherewasasoulsubtlyakintoherowngazingatheroutoftheverydarkblueeyesthatwerewatchinghersointently。
SheknewPaulwastenbuthelookednomorethaneight。Hehadthemostbeautifullittlefaceshehadeverseeninachild……
featuresofexquisitedelicacyandrefinement，framedinahaloofchestnutcurls。Hismouthwasdelicious，beingfullwithoutpouting，thecrimsonlipsjustsoftlytouchingandcurvingintofinelyfinishedlittlecornersthatnarrowlyescapedbeingdimpled。
Hehadasober，grave，meditativeexpression，asifhisspiritwasmucholderthanhisbody；butwhenAnnesmiledsoftlyathimitvanishedinasuddenansweringsmile，whichseemedanilluminationofhiswholebeing，asifsomelamphadsuddenlykindledintoflameinsideofhim，irradiatinghimfromtoptotoe。Bestofall，itwasinvoluntary，bornofnoexternaleffortormotive，butsimplytheoutflashingofahiddenpersonality，rareandfineandsweet。
WithaquickinterchangeofsmilesAnneandPaulwerefastfriendsforeverbeforeawordhadpassedbetweenthem。
Thedaywentbylikeadream。Annecouldneverclearlyrecallitafterwards。Italmostseemedasifitwerenotshewhowasteachingbutsomebodyelse。Sheheardclassesandworkedsumsandsetcopiesmechanically。Thechildrenbehavedquitewell；onlytwocasesofdisciplineoccurred。MorleyAndrewswascaughtdrivingapairoftrainedcricketsintheaisle。AnnestoodMorleyontheplatformforanhourand……whichMorleyfeltmuchmorekeenly……
confiscatedhiscrickets。SheputtheminaboxandonthewayfromschoolsetthemfreeinVioletVale；butMorleybelieved，thenandeverafterwards，thatshetookthemhomeandkeptthemforherownamusement。
TheotherculpritwasAnthonyPye，whopouredthelastdropsofwaterfromhisslatebottledownthebackofAureliaClay’sneck。
AnnekeptAnthonyinatrecessandtalkedtohimaboutwhatwasexpectedofgentlemen，admonishinghimthattheyneverpouredwaterdownladies’necks。Shewantedallherboystobegentlemen，shesaid。
Herlittlelecturewasquitekindandtouching；butunfortunatelyAnthonyremainedabsolutelyuntouched。Helistenedtoherinsilence，withthesamesullenexpression，andwhistledscornfullyashewentout。
Annesighed；andthencheeredherselfupbyrememberingthatwinningaPye’saffections，likethebuildingofRome，wasn’ttheworkofaday。
Infact，itwasdoubtfulwhethersomeofthePyeshadanyaffectionstowin；butAnnehopedbetterthingsofAnthony，wholookedasifhemightbearatherniceboyifoneevergotbehindhissullenness。
WhenschoolwasdismissedandthechildrenhadgoneAnnedroppedwearilyintoherchair。Herheadachedandshefeltwoefullydiscouraged。Therewasnorealreasonfordiscouragement，sincenothingverydreadfulhadoccurred；butAnnewasverytiredandinclinedtobelievethatshewouldneverlearntoliketeaching。
Andhowterribleitwouldbetobedoingsomethingyoudidn’tlikeeverydayfor……well，sayfortyyears。Annewasoftwomindswhethertohavehercryoutthenandthere，orwaittillshewassafelyinherownwhiteroomathome。Beforeshecoulddecidetherewasaclickofheelsandasilkenswishontheporchfloor，andAnnefoundherselfconfrontedbyaladywhoseappearancemadeherrecallarecentcriticismofMr。Harrison’sonanoverdressedfemalehehadseeninaCharlottetownstore。\"Shelookedlikeahead-oncollisionbetweenafashionplateandanightmare。\"
Thenewcomerwasgorgeouslyarrayedinapalebluesummersilk，puffed，frilled，andshirredwhereverpuff，frill，orshirringcouldpossiblybeplaced。Herheadwassurmountedbyahugewhitechiffonhat，bedeckedwiththreelongbutratherstringyostrichfeathers。Aveilofpinkchiffon，lavishlysprinkledwithhugeblackdots，hunglikeaflouncefromthehatbrimtohershouldersandfloatedoffintwoairystreamersbehindher。Sheworeallthejewelrythatcouldbecrowdedononesmallwoman，andaverystrongodorofperfumeattendedher。
\"IamMrs。DonNELL……Mrs。H。B。DonNELL，\"announcedthisvision，\"andIhavecomeintoseeyouaboutsomethingClariceAlmiratoldmewhenshecamehometodinnertoday。ItannoyedmeEXCESSIVELY。\"
\"I’msorry，\"falteredAnne，vainlytryingtorecollectanyincidentofthemorningconnectedwiththeDonnellchildren。
\"ClariceAlmiratoldmethatyoupronouncedournameDONnell。Now，MissShirley，thecorrectpronunciationofournameisDonNELL……
accentonthelastsyllable。Ihopeyou’llrememberthisinfuture。\"
\"I’lltryto，\"gaspedAnne，chokingbackawilddesiretolaugh。
\"Iknowbyexperiencethatit’sveryunpleasanttohaveone’snameSPELLEDwrongandIsupposeitmustbeevenworsetohaveitpronouncedwrong。\"
\"Certainlyitis。AndClariceAlmiraalsoinformedmethatyoucallmysonJacob。\"
\"HetoldmehisnamewasJacob，\"protestedAnne。
\"Imightwellhaveexpectedthat，\"saidMrs。H。B。Donnell，inatonewhichimpliedthatgratitudeinchildrenwasnottobelookedforinthisdegenerateage。\"Thatboyhassuchplebeiantastes，MissShirley。WhenhewasbornIwantedtocallhimSt。Clair……itsoundsSOaristocratic，doesn’tit？ButhisfatherinsistedheshouldbecalledJacobafterhisuncle。Iyielded，becauseUncleJacobwasaricholdbachelor。Andwhatdoyouthink，MissShirley？WhenourinnocentboywasfiveyearsoldUncleJacobactuallywentandgotmarriedandnowhehasthreeboysofhisown。Didyoueverhearofsuchingratitude？Themomenttheinvitationtothewedding……forhehadtheimpertinencetosendusaninvitation，MissShirley……cametothehouseIsaid，`NomoreJacobsforme，thankyou。’FromthatdayIcalledmysonSt。
ClairandSt。ClairIamdeterminedheshallbecalled。HisfatherobstinatelycontinuestocallhimJacob，andtheboyhimselfhasaperfectlyunaccountablepreferenceforthevulgarname。
ButSt。ClairheisandSt。Clairheshallremain。Youwillkindlyrememberthis，MissShirley，willyounot？THANKyou。ItoldClariceAlmirathatIwassureitwasonlyamisunderstandingandthatawordwouldsetitright。Donnell……accentonthelastsyllable……andSt。Clair……onnoaccountJacob。You’llremember？
THANKyou。\"
WhenMrs。H。B。DonNELLhadskimmedawayAnnelockedtheschooldoorandwenthome。AtthefootofthehillshefoundPaulIrvingbytheBirchPath。HeheldouttoheraclusterofthedaintylittlewildorchidswhichAvonleachildrencalled\"ricelillies。\"
\"Please，teacher，IfoundtheseinMr。Wright’sfield，\"hesaidshyly，\"andIcamebacktogivethemtoyoubecauseIthoughtyouwerethekindofladythatwouldlikethem，andbecause……\"heliftedhisbigbeautifuleyes……\"Ilikeyou，teacher。\"
\"Youdarling，\"saidAnne，takingthefragrantspikes。AsifPaul’swordshadbeenaspellofmagic，discouragementandwearinesspassedfromherspirit，andhopeupwelledinherheartlikeadancingfountain。ShewentthroughtheBirchPathlight-footedly，attendedbythesweetnessofherorchidsasbyabenediction。
\"Well，howdidyougetalong？\"Marillawantedtoknow。
\"AskmethatamonthlaterandImaybeabletotellyou。Ican’tnow……Idon’tknowmyself……I’mtoonearit。Mythoughtsfeelasiftheyhadbeenallstirredupuntiltheywerethickandmuddy。TheonlythingIfeelreallysureofhavingaccomplishedtodayisthatItaughtCliffieWrightthatAisA。Heneverknewitbefore。Isn’titsomethingtohavestartedasoulalongapaththatmayendinShakespeareandParadiseLost？\"
Mrs。Lyndecameuplateronwithmoreencouragement。Thatgoodladyhadwaylaidtheschoolchildrenathergateanddemandedofthemhowtheylikedtheirnewteacher。
\"Andeveryoneofthemsaidtheylikedyousplendid，Anne，exceptAnthonyPye。Imustadmithedidn’t。Hesaidyou`weren’tanygood，justlikeallgirlteachers。’There’sthePyeleavenforyou。
Butnevermind。\"
\"I’mnotgoingtomind，\"saidAnnequietly，\"andI’mgoingtomakeAnthonyPyelikemeyet。Patienceandkindnesswillsurelywinhim。\"
\"Well，youcannevertellaboutaPye，\"saidMrs。Rachelcautiously。
\"Theygobycontraries，likedreams，oftenasnot。AsforthatDonNELLwoman，she’llgetnoDonNELLingfromme，Icanassureyou。
ThenameisDONnellandalwayshasbeen。Thewomaniscrazy，that’swhat。
ShehasapugdogshecallsQueenieandithasitsmealsatthetablealongwiththefamily，eatingoffachinaplate。I’dbeafraidofajudgmentifIwasher。ThomassaysDonnellhimselfisasensible，hard-workingman，buthehadn’tmuchgumptionwhenhepickedoutawife，that’swhat。\"
VI
AllSortsandConditionsofMen……andwomenASeptemberdayonPrinceEdwardIslandhills；acrispwindblowingupoverthesanddunesfromthesea；alongredroad，windingthroughfieldsandwoods，nowloopingitselfaboutacornerofthicksetspruces，nowthreadingaplantationofyoungmapleswithgreatfeatherysheetsoffernsbeneaththem，nowdippingdownintoahollowwhereabrookflashedoutofthewoodsandintothemagain，nowbaskinginopensunshinebetweenribbonsofgolden-rodandsmoke-blueasters；airathrillwiththepipingsofmyriadsofcrickets，thosegladlittlepensionersofthesummerhills；aplumpbrownponyamblingalongtheroad；twogirlsbehindhim，fulltothelipswiththesimple，pricelessjoyofyouthandlife。
\"Oh，thisisadayleftoverfromEden，isn’tit，Diana？\"……andAnnesighedforsheerhappiness。\"Theairhasmagicinit。Lookatthepurpleinthecupoftheharvestvalley，Diana。Andoh，dosmellthedyingfir！It’scomingupfromthatlittlesunnyhollowwhereMr。EbenWrighthasbeencuttingfencepoles。Blissisitonsuchadaytobealive；buttosmelldyingfirisveryheaven。
That’stwothirdsWordsworthandonethirdAnneShirley。Itdoesn’tseempossiblethatthereshouldbedyingfirinheaven，doesit？Andyetitdoesn’tseemtomethatheavenwouldbequiteperfectifyoucouldn’tgetawhiffofdeadfirasyouwentthroughitswoods。Perhapswe’llhavetheodortherewithoutthedeath。
Yes，Ithinkthatwillbetheway。Thatdeliciousaromamustbethesoulsofthefirs……andofcourseitwillbejustsoulsinheaven。\"
\"Treeshaven’tsouls，\"saidpracticalDiana，\"butthesmellofdeadfiriscertainlylovely。I’mgoingtomakeacushionandfillitwithfirneedles。You’dbettermakeonetoo，Anne。\"
\"IthinkIshall……anduseitformynaps。I’dbecertaintodreamIwasadryadorawoodnymphthen。ButjustthisminuteI’mwellcontenttobeAnneShirley，Avonleaschoolma’am，drivingoveraroadlikethisonsuchasweet，friendlyday。\"
\"It’salovelydaybutwehaveanythingbutalovelytaskbeforeus，\"
sighedDiana。\"Whyonearthdidyouoffertocanvassthisroad，Anne？
AlmostallthecranksinAvonlealivealongit，andwe’llprobablybetreatedasifwewerebeggingforourselves。It’stheveryworstroadofall。\"
\"ThatiswhyIchoseit。OfcourseGilbertandFredwouldhavetakenthisroadifwehadaskedthem。Butyousee，Diana，IfeelmyselfresponsiblefortheA。V。I。S。，sinceIwasthefirsttosuggestit，anditseemstomethatIoughttodothemostdisagreeablethings。I’msorryonyouraccount；butyouneedn’tsayawordatthecrankyplaces。I’lldoallthetalking……
Mrs。LyndewouldsayIwaswellableto。Mrs。Lyndedoesn’tknowwhethertoapproveofourenterpriseornot。Sheinclinesto，whensheremembersthatMr。andMrs。Allanareinfavorofit；
butthefactthatvillageimprovementsocietiesfirstoriginatedintheStatesisacountagainstit。SosheishaltingbetweentwoopinionsandonlysuccesswilljustifyusinMrs。Lynde’seyes。
PriscillaisgoingtowriteapaperforournextImprovementmeeting，andIexpectitwillbegood，forherauntissuchacleverwriterandnodoubtitrunsinthefamily。IshallneverforgetthethrillitgavemewhenIfoundoutthatMrs。CharlotteE。MorganwasPriscilla’saunt。
ItseemedsowonderfulthatIwasafriendofthegirlwhoseauntwrote`EdgewoodDays’and`TheRosebudGarden。’\"
\"WheredoesMrs。Morganlive？\"
\"InToronto。AndPriscillasayssheiscomingtotheIslandforavisitnextsummer，andifitispossiblePriscillaisgoingtoarrangetohaveusmeether。Thatseemsalmosttoogoodtobetrue——butit’ssomethingpleasanttoimagineafteryougotobed。\"
TheAvonleaVillageImprovementSocietywasanorganizedfact。
GilbertBlythewaspresident，FredWrightvice-president，AnneShirleysecretary，andDianaBarrytreasurer。The\"Improvers，\"astheywerepromptlychristened，weretomeetonceafortnightatthehomesofthemembers。Itwasadmittedthattheycouldnotexpecttoaffectmanyimprovementssolateintheseason；buttheymeanttoplanthenextsummer’scampaign，collectanddiscussideas，writeandreadpapers，and，asAnnesaid，educatethepublicsentimentgenerally。
Therewassomedisapproval，ofcourse，and……whichtheImproversfeltmuchmorekeenly……agooddealofridicule。Mr。ElishaWrightwasreportedtohavesaidthatamoreappropriatenamefortheorganizationwouldbeCourtingClub。Mrs。HiramSloanedeclaredshehadheardtheImproversmeanttoploughupalltheroadsidesandsetthemoutwithgeraniums。Mr。LeviBoulterwarnedhisneighborsthattheImproverswouldinsistthateverybodypulldownhishouseandrebuilditafterplansapprovedbythesociety。
Mr。JamesSpencersentthemwordthathewishedtheywouldkindlyshoveldownthechurchhill。EbenWrighttoldAnnethathewishedtheImproverscouldinduceoldJosiahSloanetokeephiswhiskerstrimmed。
Mr。LawrenceBellsaidhewouldwhitewashhisbarnsifnothingelsewouldpleasethembuthewouldNOThanglacecurtainsinthecowstablewindows。
Mr。MajorSpenceraskedCliftonSloane，anImproverwhodrovethemilktotheCarmodycheesefactory，ifitwastruethateverybodywouldhavetohavehismilk-standhand-paintednextsummerandkeepanembroideredcenterpieceonit。
Inspiteof……orperhaps，humannaturebeingwhatitis，becauseof……this，theSocietywentgamelytoworkattheonlyimprovementtheycouldhopetobringaboutthatfall。Atthesecondmeeting，intheBarryparlor，OliverSloanemovedthattheytartasubscriptiontore-shingleandpaintthehall；JuliaBellsecondedit，withanuneasyfeelingthatshewasdoingsomethingnotexactlyladylike。
Gilbertputthemotion，itwascarriedunanimously，andAnnegravelyrecordeditinherminutes。Thenextthingwastoappointacommittee，andGertiePye，determinednottoletJuliaBellcarryoffallthelaurels，boldlymovedthatMissJaneAndrewsbechairmanofsaidcommittee。
Thismotionbeingalsodulysecondedandcarried，JanereturnedthecomplimentbyappointingGertieonthecommittee，alongwithGilbert，Anne，Diana，andFredWright。Thecommitteechosetheirroutesinprivateconclave。AnneandDianaweretoldofffortheNewbridgeroad，GilbertandFredfortheWhiteSandsroad，andJaneandGertiefortheCarmodyroad。
\"Because，\"explainedGilberttoAnne，astheywalkedhometogetherthroughtheHauntedWood，\"thePyesalllivealongthatroadandtheywon’tgiveacentunlessoneofthemselvescanvassesthem。\"
ThenextSaturdayAnneandDianastartedout。Theydrovetotheendoftheroadandcanvassedhomeward，callingfirstonthe\"Andrewgirls。\"
\"IfCatherineisalonewemaygetsomething，\"saidDiana，\"butifElizaistherewewon’t。\"
Elizawasthere……verymuchso……andlookedevengrimmerthanusual。MissElizawasoneofthosepeoplewhogiveyoutheimpressionthatlifeisindeedavaleoftears，andthatasmile，nevertospeakofalaugh，isawasteofnervousenergytrulyreprehensible。TheAndrewgirlshadbeen\"girls\"forfiftyoddyearsandseemedlikelytoremaingirlstotheendoftheirearthlypilgrimage。Catherine，itwassaid，hadnotentirelygivenuphope，butEliza，whowasbornapessimist，hadneverhadany。TheylivedinalittlebrownhousebuiltinasunnycornerscoopedoutofMarkAndrew’sbeechwoods。Elizacomplainedthatitwasterriblehotinsummer，butCatherinewaswonttosayitwaslovelyandwarminwinter。
Elizawassewingpatchwork，notbecauseitwasneededbutsimplyasaprotestagainstthefrivolouslaceCatherinewascrocheting。
ElizalistenedwithafrownandCatherinewithasmile，asthegirlsexplainedtheirerrand。Tobesure，wheneverCatherinecaughtEliza’seyeshediscardedthesmileinguiltyconfusion；
butitcreptbackthenextmoment。
\"IfIhadmoneytowaste，\"saidElizagrimly，\"I’dburnitupandhavethefunofseeingablazemaybe；butIwouldn’tgiveittothathall，notacent。It’snobenefittothesettlement……justaplaceforyoungfolkstomeetandcarryonwhenthey’sbetterbehomeintheirbeds。\"
\"Oh，Eliza，youngfolksmusthavesomeamusement，\"protestedCatherine。
\"Idon’tseethenecessity。Wedidn’tgadabouttohallsandplaceswhenwewereyoung，CatherineAndrews。Thisworldisgettingworseeveryday\"
\"Ithinkit’sgettingbetter，\"saidCatherinefirmly。
\"YOUthink！\"MissEliza’svoiceexpressedtheutmostcontempt。
\"Itdoesn’tsignifywhatyouTHINK，CatherineAndrews。Factsisfacts。\"
\"Well，Ialwaysliketolookonthebrightside，Eliza。\"
\"Thereisn’tanybrightside。\"
\"Oh，indeedthereis，\"criedAnne，whocouldn’tenduresuchheresyinsilence。\"Why，thereareeversomanybrightsides，MissAndrews。
It’sreallyabeautifulworld。\"
\"Youwon’thavesuchahighopinionofitwhenyou’velivedaslonginitasIhave，\"retortedMissElizasourly，\"andyouwon’tbesoenthusiasticaboutimprovingiteither。Howisyourmother，Diana？
Dearme，butshehasfailedoflate。Shelooksterriblerundown。
AndhowlongisitbeforeMarillaexpectstobestoneblind，Anne？\"
\"Thedoctorthinkshereyeswillnotgetanyworseifsheisverycareful，\"falteredAnne。
Elizashookherhead。
\"Doctorsalwaystalklikethatjusttokeeppeoplecheeredup。Iwouldn’thavemuchhopeifIwasher。It’sbesttobepreparedfortheworst。\"
\"Butoughtn’twebepreparedforthebesttoo？\"pleadedAnne。
\"It’sjustaslikelytohappenastheworst。\"
\"Notinmyexperience，andI’vefifty-sevenyearstosetagainstyoursixteen，\"retortedEliza。\"Going，areyou？Well，IhopethisnewsocietyofyourswillbeabletokeepAvonleafromrunninganyfurtherdownhillbutIhaven’tmuchhopeofit。\"
AnneandDianagotthemselvesthankfullyout，anddroveawayasfastasthefatponycouldgo。AstheyroundedthecurvebelowthebeechwoodaplumpfigurecamespeedingoverMr。Andrews’pasture，wavingtothemexcitedly。ItwasCatherineAndrewsandshewassooutofbreaththatshecouldhardlyspeak，butshethrustacoupleofquartersintoAnne’shand。
\"That’smycontributiontopaintingthehall，\"shegasped。\"I’dliketogiveyouadollarbutIdon’tdaretakemorefrommyeggmoneyforElizawouldfinditoutifIdid。I’mrealinterestedinyoursocietyandIbelieveyou’regoingtodoalotofgood。
I’manoptimist。IHAVEtobe，livingwithEliza。Imusthurrybackbeforeshemissesme……shethinksI’mfeedingthehens。
Ihopeyou’llhavegoodluckcanvassing，anddon’tbecastdownoverwhatElizasaid。TheworldISgettingbetter……itcertainlyis。\"
ThenexthousewasDanielBlair’s。
\"Now，italldependsonwhetherhiswifeishomeornot，\"saidDiana，astheyjoltedalongadeep-ruttedlane。\"Ifsheiswewon’tgetacent。
EverybodysaysDanBlairdoesn’tdarehavehishaircutwithoutaskingherpermission；andit’scertainshe’sveryclose，tostateitmoderately。
Shesaysshehastobejustbeforeshe’sgenerous。ButMrs。Lyndesaysshe’ssomuch`before’thatgenerositynevercatchesupwithheratall。\"
AnnerelatedtheirexperienceattheBlairplacetoMarillathatevening。
\"Wetiedthehorseandthenrappedatthekitchendoor。
Nobodycamebutthedoorwasopenandwecouldhearsomebodyinthepantry，goingondreadfully。Wecouldn’tmakeoutthewordsbutDianasayssheknowstheywereswearingbythesoundofthem。
Ican’tbelievethatofMr。Blair，forheisalwayssoquietandmeek；
butatleasthehadgreatprovocation，forMarilla，whenthatpoormancametothedoor，redasabeet，withperspirationstreamingdownhisface，hehadononeofhiswife’sbigginghamaprons。`Ican’tgetthisdurnedthingoff，’hesaid，`forthestringsaretiedinahardknotandIcan’tbust’em，soyou’llhavetoexcuseme，ladies。’
Webeggedhimnottomentionitandwentinandsatdown。Mr。Blairsatdowntoo；hetwistedtheapronaroundtohisbackandrolleditup，buthedidlooksoashamedandworriedthatIfeltsorryforhim，andDianasaidshefearedwehadcalledataninconvenienttime。
`Oh，notatall，’saidMr。Blair，tryingtosmile……youknowheisalwaysverypolite……’I’malittlebusy……gettingreadytobakeacakeasitwere。MywifegotatelegramtodaythathersisterfromMontrealiscomingtonightandshe’sgonetothetraintomeetherandleftordersformetomakeacakefortea。
ShewritouttherecipeandtoldmewhattodobutI’vecleanforgothalfthedirectionsalready。Anditsays，\"flavoraccordingtotaste。\"
Whatdoesthatmean？Howcanyoutell？Andwhatifmytastedoesn’thappentobeotherpeople’staste？Wouldatablespoonofvanillabeenoughforasmalllayercake？\"
\"Ifeltsorrierthaneverforthepoorman。Hedidn’tseemtobeinhispropersphereatall。IhadheardofhenpeckedhusbandsandnowIfeltthatIsawone。Itwasonmylipstosay，`Mr。Blair，ifyou’llgiveusasubscriptionforthehallI’llmixupyourcakeforyou。’ButIsuddenlythoughtitwouldn’tbeneighborlytodrivetoosharpabargainwithafellowcreatureindistress。SoI
offeredtomixthecakeforhimwithoutanyconditionsatall。
Hejustjumpedatmyoffer。Hesaidhe’dbeenusedtomakinghisownbreadbeforehewasmarriedbuthefearedcakewasbeyondhim，andyethehatedtodisappointhiswife。Hegotmeanotherapron，andDianabeattheeggsandImixedthecake。Mr。Blairranaboutandgotusthematerials。HehadforgottenallabouthisapronandwhenheranitstreamedoutbehindhimandDianasaidshethoughtshewoulddietoseeit。Hesaidhecouldbakethecakeallright……hewasusedtothat……andthenheaskedforourlistandheputdownfourdollars。Soyouseewewererewarded。Butevenifhehadn’tgivenacentI’dalwaysfeelthatwehaddoneatrulyChristianactinhelpinghim。\"
TheodoreWhite’swasthenextstoppingplace。NeitherAnnenorDianahadeverbeentherebefore，andtheyhadonlyaveryslightacquaintancewithMrs。Theodore，whowasnotgiventohospitality。
Shouldtheygotothebackorfrontdoor？WhiletheyheldawhisperedconsultationMrs。Theodoreappearedatthefrontdoorwithanarmfulofnewspapers。Deliberatelyshelaidthemdownonebyoneontheporchfloorandtheporchsteps，andthendownthepathtotheveryfeetofhermystifiedcallers。
\"Willyoupleasewipeyourfeetcarefullyonthegrassandthenwalkonthesepapers？\"shesaidanxiously。\"I’vejustsweptthehousealloverandIcan’thaveanymoredusttrackedin。
Thepath’sbeenrealmuddysincetherainyesterday。\"
\"Don’tyoudarelaugh，\"warnedAnneinawhisper，astheymarchedalongthenewspapers。\"AndIimploreyou，Diana，nottolookatme，nomatterwhatshesays，orIshallnotbeabletokeepasoberface。\"
Thepapersextendedacrossthehallandintoaprim，flecklessparlor。
AnneandDianasatdowngingerlyonthenearestchairsandexplainedtheirerrand。Mrs。Whiteheardthempolitely，interruptingonlytwice，oncetochaseoutanadventurousfly，andoncetopickupatinywispofgrassthathadfallenonthecarpetfromAnne’sdress。Annefeltwretchedlyguilty；butMrs。Whitesubscribedtwodollarsandpaidthemoneydown……\"topreventusfromhavingtogobackforit，\"
Dianasaidwhentheygotaway。Mrs。Whitehadthenewspapersgatheredupbeforetheyhadtheirhorseuntiedandastheydroveoutoftheyardtheysawherbusilywieldingabroominthehall。
\"I’vealwaysheardthatMrs。TheodoreWhitewastheneatestwomanaliveandI’llbelieveitafterthis，\"saidDiana，givingwaytohersuppressedlaughterassoonasitwassafe。
\"Iamgladshehasnochildren，\"saidAnnesolemnly。\"Itwouldbedreadfulbeyondwordsforthemifshehad。\"
AttheSpencers’Mrs。IsabellaSpencermadethemmiserablebysayingsomethingill-naturedabouteveryoneinAvonlea。Mr。ThomasBoulterrefusedtogiveanythingbecausethehall，whenithadbeenbuilt，twentyyearsbefore，hadn’tbeenbuiltonthesiteherecommended。
Mrs。EstherBell，whowasthepictureofhealth，tookhalfanhourtodetailallherachesandpains，andsadlyputdownfiftycentsbecauseshewouldn’tbetherethattimenextyeartodoit……no，shewouldbeinhergrave。
Theirworstreception，however，wasatSimonFletcher’s。Whentheydroveintotheyardtheysawtwofacespeeringatthemthroughtheporchwindow。Butalthoughtheyrappedandwaitedpatientlyandpersistentlynobodycametothedoor。TwodecidedlyruffledandindignantgirlsdroveawayfromSimonFletcher’s。EvenAnneadmittedthatshewasbeginningtofeeldiscouraged。Butthetideturnedafterthat。SeveralSloanehomesteadscamenext，wheretheygotliberalsubscriptions，andfromthattotheendtheyfaredwell，withonlyanoccasionalsnub。TheirlastplaceofcallwasatRobertDickson’sbythepondbridge。Theystayedtoteahere，althoughtheywerenearlyhome，ratherthanriskoffendingMrs。
Dickson，whohadthereputationofbeingavery\"touchy\"woman。
WhiletheywerethereoldMrs。JamesWhitecalledin。
\"I’vejustbeendowntoLorenzo’s，\"sheannounced。\"He’stheproudestmaninAvonleathisminute。Whatdoyouthink？There’sabrandnewboythere……andaftersevengirlsthat’squiteanevent，Icantellyou。\"Anneprickedupherears，andwhentheydroveawayshesaid。
\"I’mgoingstraighttoLorenzoWhite’s。\"
\"ButhelivesontheWhiteSandsroadandit’squiteadistanceoutofour，way\"protestedDiana。\"GilbertandFredwillcanvasshim。\"
\"TheyarenotgoingarounduntilnextSaturdayanditwillbetoolatebythen，\"saidAnnefirmly。\"Thenoveltywillbewornoff。
LorenzoWhiteisdreadfullymeanbuthewillsubscribetoANYTHING
justnow。Wemustn’tletsuchagoldenopportunityslip，Diana。\"
TheresultjustifiedAnne’sforesight。Mr。Whitemetthemintheyard，beaminglikethesunuponanEasterday。WhenAnneaskedforasubscriptionheagreedenthusiastically。
\"Certain，certain。Justputmedownforadollarmorethanthehighestsubscriptionyou’vegot。\"
\"Thatwillbefivedollars……Mr。DanielBlairputdownfour，\"
saidAnne，halfafraid。ButLorenzodidnotflinch。
\"Fiveitis……andhere’sthemoneyonthespot。Now，Iwantyoutocomeintothehouse。There’ssomethinginthereworthseeing……
somethingveryfewpeoplehaveseenasyet。JustcomeinandpassYOURopinion。\"
\"Whatwillwesayifthebabyisn’tpretty？\"whisperedDianaintrepidationastheyfollowedtheexcitedLorenzointothehouse。
\"Oh，therewillcertainlybesomethingelsenicetosayaboutit，\"
saidAnneeasily。\"Therealwaysisaboutababy。\"
ThebabyWASpretty，however，andMr。Whitefeltthathegothisfivedollars’worthofthegirls’honestdelightovertheplumplittlenewcomer。Butthatwasthefirst，last，andonlytimethatLorenzoWhiteeversubscribedtoanything。
Anne，tiredasshewas，madeonemoreeffortforthepublicwealthatnight，slippingoverthefieldstointerviewMr。Harrison，whowasasusualsmokinghispipeontheverandawithGingerbesidehim。
StricklyspeakinghewasontheCarmodyroad；butJaneandGertie，whowerenotacquaintedwithhimsavebydoubtfulreport，hadnervouslybeggedAnnetocanvasshim。
Mr。Harrison，however，flatlyrefusedtosubscribeacent，andallAnne’swileswereinvain。
\"ButIthoughtyouapprovedofoursociety，Mr。Harrison，\"shemourned。
\"SoIdo……soIdo……butmyapprovaldoesn’tgoasdeepasmypocket，Anne。\"
\"AfewmoreexperiencessuchasIhavehadtodaywouldmakemeasmuchofapessimistasMissElizaAndrews，\"Annetoldherreflectionintheeastgablemirroratbedtime。
VII
ThePointingofDutyAnneleanedbackinherchaironemildOctobereveningandsighed。
Shewassittingatatablecoveredwithtextbooksandexercises，butthecloselywrittensheetsofpaperbeforeherhadnoapparentconnectionwithstudiesorschoolwork。
\"Whatisthematter？\"askedGilbert，whohadarrivedattheopenkitchendoorjustintimetohearthesigh。
Annecolored，andthrustherwritingoutofsightundersomeschoolcompositions。
\"Nothingverydreadful。Iwasjusttryingtowriteoutsomeofmythoughts，asProfessorHamiltonadvisedme，butIcouldn’tgetthemtopleaseme。Theyseemsostillandfoolishdirectlythey’rewrittendownonwhitepaperwithblackink。Fanciesarelikeshadows……
youcan’tcagethem，they’resuchwayward，dancingthings。
ButperhapsI’lllearnthesecretsomedayifIkeepontrying。
Ihaven’tagreatmanysparemoments，youknow。BythetimeI
finishcorrectingschoolexercisesandcompositions，Idon’talwaysfeellikewritinganyofmyown。\"
\"Youaregettingonsplendidlyinschool，Anne。Allthechildrenlikeyou，\"saidGilbert，sittingdownonthestonestep。
\"No，notall。AnthonyPyedoesn’tandWON’Tlikeme。Whatisworse，hedoesn’trespectme……no，hedoesn’t。HesimplyholdsmeincontemptandIdon’tmindconfessingtoyouthatitworriesmemiserably。
Itisn’tthatheissoverybad……heisonlyrathermischievous，butnoworsethansomeoftheothers。Heseldomdisobeysme；butheobeyswithascornfulairoftolerationasifitwasn’tworthwhiledisputingthepointorhewould……andithasabadeffectontheothers。
I’vetriedeverywaytowinhimbutI’mbeginningtofearInevershall。
Iwantto，forhe’sratheracutelittlelad，ifheISaPye，andI
couldlikehimifhe’dletme。\"
\"Probablyit’smerelytheeffectofwhathehearsathome。\"
\"Notaltogether。Anthonyisanindependentlittlechapandmakesuphisownmindaboutthings。Hehasalwaysgonetomenbeforeandhesaysgirlteachersarenogood。Well，we’llseewhatpatienceandkindnesswilldo。Ilikeovercomingdifficultiesandteachingisreallyveryinterestingwork。PaulIrvingmakesupforallthatislackingintheothers。Thatchildisaperfectdarling，Gilbert，andageniusintothebargain。I’mpersuadedtheworldwillhearofhimsomeday，\"concludedAnneinatoneofconviction。
\"Iliketeaching，too，\"saidGilbert。\"It’sgoodtraining，foronething。
Why，Anne，I’velearnedmoreintheweeksI’vebeenteachingtheyoungtheideasofWhiteSandsthanIlearnedinalltheyearsIwenttoschoolmyself。
Weallseemtobegettingonprettywell。TheNewbridgepeoplelikeJane，Ihear；andIthinkWhiteSandsistolerablysatisfiedwithyourhumbleservant……allexceptMr。AndrewSpencer。ImetMrs。PeterBlewettonmywayhomelastnightandshetoldmeshethoughtitherdutytoinformmethatMr。Spencerdidn’tapproveofmymethods。\"
\"Haveyouevernoticed，\"askedAnnereflectively，\"thatwhenpeoplesayitistheirdutytotellyouacertainthingyoumayprepareforsomethingdisagreeable？Whyisitthattheyneverseemtothinkitadutytotellyouthepleasantthingstheyhearaboutyou？
Mrs。H。B。DonNELLcalledattheschoolagainyesterdayandtoldmeshethoughtitHERdutytoinformmethatMrs。HarmonAndrewdidn’tapproveofmyreadingfairytalestothechildren，andthatMr。RogersonthoughtPrilliewasn’tcomingonfastenoughinarithmetic。IfPrilliewouldspendlesstimemakingeyesattheboysoverherslateshemightdobetter。IfeelquitesurethatJackGillisworksherclasssumsforher，thoughI’veneverbeenabletocatchhimred-handed。\"
\"HaveyousucceededinreconcilingMrs。DonNELL’shopefulsontohissaintlyname？\"
\"Yes，\"laughedAnne，\"butitwasreallyadifficulttask。Atfirst，whenIcalledhim`St。Clair’hewouldnottaketheleastnoticeuntilI’dspokentwoorthreetimes；andthen，whentheotherboysnudgedhim，hewouldlookupwithsuchanaggrievedair，asifI’dcalledhimJohnorCharlieandhecouldn’tbeexpectedtoknowImeanthim。SoIkepthiminafterschoolonenightandtalkedkindlytohim。ItoldhimhismotherwishedmetocallhimSt。ClairandIcouldn’tgoagainstherwishes。Hesawitwhenitwasallexplainedout……he’sreallyaveryreasonablelittlefellow……andhesaid_I_couldcallhimSt。Clairbutthathe’d`lickthestuffing’outofanyoftheboysthattriedit。
Ofcourse，Ihadtorebukehimagainforusingsuchshockinglanguage。
Sincethen_I_callhimSt。ClairandtheboyscallhimJakeandallgoessmoothly。Heinformsmethathemeanstobeacarpenter，butMrs。DonNELLsaysIamtomakeacollegeprofessoroutofhim。\"
ThementionofcollegegaveanewdirectiontoGilbert’sthoughts，andtheytalkedforatimeoftheirplansandwishes……gravely，earnestly，hopefully，asyouthlovestotalk，whilethefutureisyetanuntroddenpathfullofwonderfulpossibilities。
Gilberthadfinallymadeuphismindthathewasgoingtobeadoctor。
\"It’sasplendidprofession，\"hesaidenthusiastically。\"Afellowhastofightsomethingallthroughlife……didn’tsomebodyoncedefinemanasafightinganimal？……andIwanttofightdiseaseandpainandignorance……whichareallmembersoneofanother。
Iwanttodomyshareofhonest，realworkintheworld，Anne……
addalittletothesumofhumanknowledgethatallthegoodmenhavebeenaccumulatingsinceitbegan。ThefolkswholivedbeforemehavedonesomuchformethatIwanttoshowmygratitudebydoingsomethingforthefolkswhowillliveafterme。Itseemstomethatistheonlywayafellowcangetsquarewithhisobligationstotherace。\"
\"I’dliketoaddsomebeautytolife，\"saidAnnedreamily。\"Idon’texactlywanttomakepeopleKNOWmore……thoughIknowthatISthenoblestambition……butI’dlovetomakethemhaveapleasantertimebecauseofme……tohavesomelittlejoyorhappythoughtthatwouldneverhaveexistedifIhadn’tbeenborn。\"
\"Ithinkyou’refulfillingthatambitioneveryday，\"saidGilbertadmiringly。
Andhewasright。Annewasoneofthechildrenoflightbybirthright。
Aftershehadpassedthroughalifewithasmileorawordthrownacrossitlikeagleamofsunshinetheownerofthatlifesawit，forthetimebeingatleast，ashopefulandlovelyandofgoodreport。
FinallyGilbertroseregretfully。
\"Well，ImustrunuptoMacPhersons’。MoodySpurgeoncamehomefromQueen’stodayforSundayandhewastobringmeoutabookProfessorBoydislendingme。\"
\"AndImustgetMarilla’stea。ShewenttoseeMrs。Keiththiseveningandshewillsoonbeback。\"
AnnehadteareadywhenMarillacamehome；thefirewascracklingcheerily，avaseoffrost-bleachedfernsandruby-redmapleleavesadornedthetable，anddelectableodorsofhamandtoastpervadedtheair。ButMarillasankintoherchairwithadeepsigh。
\"Areyoureyestroublingyou？Doesyourheadache？\"queriedAnneanxiously。
\"No。I’monlytired……andworried。It’saboutMaryandthosechildren……Maryisworse……shecan’tlastmuchlonger。Andasforthetwins，_I_don’tknowwhatistobecomeofthem。\"
\"Hasn’ttheirunclebeenheardfrom？\"
\"Yes，Maryhadaletterfromhim。He’sworkinginalumbercampand`shackingit，’whateverthatmeans。Anyway，hesayshecan’tpossiblytakethechildrentillthespring。Heexpectstobemarriedthenandwillhaveahometotakethemto；buthesaysshemustgetsomeoftheneighborstokeepthemforthewinter。
Shesaysshecan’tbeartoaskanyofthem。MarynevergotonanytoowellwiththeEastGraftonpeopleandthat’safact。
Andthelongandshortofitis，Anne，thatI’msureMarywantsmetotakethosechildren……shedidn’tsaysobutsheLOOKEDit。\"
\"Oh！\"Anneclaspedherhands，allathrillwithexcitement。
\"Andofcourseyouwill，Marilla，won’tyou？\"
\"Ihaven’tmadeupmymind，\"saidMarillarathertartly。\"Idon’trushintothingsinyourheadlongway，Anne。Thirdcousinshipisaprettyslimclaim。Anditwillbeafearfulresponsibilitytohavetwochildrenofsixyearstolookafter……twins，atthat。\"
Marillahadanideathattwinswerejusttwiceasbadassinglechildren。
\"Twinsareveryinteresting……atleastonepairofthem，\"saidAnne。
\"It’sonlywhentherearetwoorthreepairsthatitgetsmonotonous。
AndIthinkitwouldberealniceforyoutohavesomethingtoamuseyouwhenI’mawayinschool。\"
\"Idon’treckonthere’dbemuchamusementinit……moreworryandbotherthananythingelse，Ishouldsay。Itwouldn’tbesoriskyiftheywereevenasoldasyouwerewhenItookyou。Iwouldn’tmindDorasomuch……sheseemsgoodandquiet。ButthatDavyisalimb。\"
AnnewasfondofchildrenandherheartyearnedovertheKeithtwins。
Theremembranceofherownneglectedchildhoodwasveryvividwithherstill。SheknewthatMarilla’sonlyvulnerablepointwashersterndevotiontowhatshebelievedtobeherduty，andAnneskillfullymarshalledherargumentsalongthisline。
\"IfDavyisnaughtyit’sallthemorereasonwhyheshouldhavegoodtraining，isn’tit，Marilla？Ifwedon’ttakethemwedon’tknowwhowill，norwhatkindofinfluencesmaysurroundthem。
SupposeMrs。Keith’snextdoorneighbors，theSprotts，weretotakethem。Mrs。LyndesaysHenrySprottisthemostprofanemanthateverlivedandyoucan’tbelieveawordhischildrensay。
Wouldn’titbedreadfultohavethetwinslearnanythinglikethat？
OrsupposetheywenttotheWiggins’。Mrs。LyndesaysthatMr。
Wigginssellseverythingofftheplacethatcanbesoldandbringshisfamilyuponskimmilk。Youwouldn’tlikeyourrelationstobestarved，eveniftheywereonlythirdcousins，wouldyou？Itseemstome，Marilla，thatitisourdutytotakethem。\"
\"Isupposeitis，\"assentedMarillagloomily。\"IdaresayI’lltellMaryI’lltakethem。Youneedn’tlooksodelighted，Anne。Itwillmeanagooddealofextraworkforyou。Ican’tsewastitchonaccountofmyeyes，soyou’llhavetoseetothemakingandmendingoftheirclothes。Andyoudon’tlikesewing。\"
\"Ihateit，\"saidAnnecalmly，\"butifyouarewillingtotakethosechildrenfromasenseofdutysurelyIcandotheirsewingfromasenseofduty。Itdoespeoplegoodtohavetodothingstheydon’tlike……inmoderation。\"
VIII
MarillaAdoptsTwinsMrs。RachelLyndewassittingatherkitchenwindow，knittingaquilt，justasshehadbeensittingoneeveningseveralyearspreviouslywhenMatthewCuthberthaddrivendownoverthehillwithwhatMrs。Rachelcalled\"hisimportedorphan。\"Butthathadbeeninspringtime；andthiswaslateautumn，andallthewoodswereleaflessandthefieldssereandbrown。ThesunwasjustsettingwithagreatdealofpurpleandgoldenpompbehindthedarkwoodswestofAvonleawhenabuggydrawnbyacomfortablebrownnagcamedownthehill。Mrs。Rachelpeeredatiteagerly。
\"There’sMarillagettinghomefromthefuneral，\"shesaidtoherhusband，whowaslyingonthekitchenlounge。ThomasLyndelaymoreontheloungenowadaysthanhehadbeenusedtodo，butMrs。
Rachel，whowassosharpatnoticinganythingbeyondherownhousehold，hadnotasyetnoticedthis。\"Andshe’sgotthetwinswithher，……yes，there’sDavyleaningoverthedashboardgrabbingatthepony’stailandMarillajerkinghimback。
Dora’ssittingupontheseatasprimasyouplease。Shealwayslooksasifshe’djustbeenstarchedandironed。Well，poorMarillaisgoingtohaveherhandsfullthiswinterandnomistake。