Still，Idon’tseethatshecoulddoanythinglessthantakethem，underthecircumstances，andshe’llhaveAnnetohelpher。
Anne’stickledtodeathoverthewholebusiness，andshehasarealknackywaywithchildren，Imustsay。Dearme，itdoesn’tseemadaysincepoorMatthewbroughtAnneherselfhomeandeverybodylaughedattheideaofMarillabringingupachild。
Andnowshehasadoptedtwins。You’reneversafefrombeingsurprisedtillyou’redead。\"
ThefatponyjoggedoverthebridgeinLynde’sHollowandalongtheGreenGableslane。Marilla’sfacewasrathergrim。ItwastenmilesfromEastGraftonandDavyKeithseemedtobepossessedwithapassionforperpetualmotion。ItwasbeyondMarilla’spowertomakehimsitstillandshehadbeeninanagonythewholewaylesthefalloverthebackofthewagonandbreakhisneck，ortumbleoverthedashboardunderthepony’sheels。Indespairshefinallythreatenedtowhiphimsoundlywhenshegothimhome。WhereuponDavyclimbedintoherlap，regardlessofthereins，flunghischubbyarmsaboutherneckandgaveherabear-likehug。
\"Idon’tbelieveyoumeanit，\"hesaid，smackingherwrinkledcheekaffectionately。\"Youdon’tLOOKlikealadywho’dwhipalittleboyjust’causehecouldn’tkeepstill。Didn’tyoufinditawfulhardtokeepstillwhenyouwasonly’soldasme？\"
\"No，IalwayskeptstillwhenIwastold，\"saidMarilla，tryingtospeaksternly，albeitshefeltherheartwaxingsoftwithinherunderDavy’simpulsivecaresses。
\"Well，Is’posethatwas’causeyouwasagirl，\"saidDavy，squirmingbacktohisplaceafteranotherhug。\"YouWASagirlonce，Is’pose，thoughit’sawfulfunnytothinkofit。
Doracansitstill……butthereain’tmuchfuninit_I_don’tthink。
Seemstomeitmustbeslowtobeagirl。Here，Dora，letmelivenyouupabit。\"
Davy’smethodof\"liveningup\"wastograspDora’scurlsinhisfingersandgivethematug。Dorashriekedandthencried。
\"Howcanyoubesuchanaughtyboyandyourpoormotherjustlaidinhergravethisveryday？\"demandedMarilladespairingly。
\"Butshewasgladtodie，\"saidDavyconfidentially。\"Iknow，’causeshetoldmeso。Shewasawfultiredofbeingsick。
We’dalongtalkthenightbeforeshedied。ShetoldmeyouwasgoingtotakemeandDoraforthewinterandIwastobeagoodboy。
I’mgoingtobegood，butcan’tyoubegoodrunningroundjustaswellassittingstill？AndshesaidIwasalwaystobekindtoDoraandstandupforher，andI’mgoingto。\"
\"Doyoucallpullingherhairbeingkindtoher？\"
\"Well，Iain’tgoingtoletanybodyelsepullit，\"saidDavy，doublinguphisfistsandfrowning。\"They’djustbettertryit。
Ididn’thurthermuch……shejustcried’causeshe’sagirl。
I’mgladI’maboybutI’msorryI’matwin。WhenJimmySprott’ssisterconterdickshimhejustsays，`I’moldernyou，soofcourseIknowbetter，’andthatsettlesHER。ButIcan’ttellDorathat，andshejustgoesonthinkingdiffruntfromme。Youmightletmedrivethegee-geeforaspell，sinceI’maman。\"
Altogether，Marillawasathankfulwomanwhenshedroveintoherownyard，wherethewindoftheautumnnightwasdancingwiththebrownleaves。
Annewasatthegatetomeetthemandliftthetwinsout。Dorasubmittedcalmlytobekissed，butDavyrespondedtoAnne’swelcomewithoneofhisheartyhugsandthecheerfulannouncement，\"I’mMr。DavyKeith。\"
AtthesuppertableDorabehavedlikealittlelady，butDavy’smannersleftmuchtobedesired。
\"I’msohungryIain’tgottimetoeatp’litely，\"hesaidwhenMarillareprovedhim。\"Doraain’thalfashungryasIam。Lookatalltheex’ciseItookontheroadhere。Thatcake’sawfulniceandplummy。
Wehaven’thadanycakeathomeforever’neversolong，’causemotherwastoosicktomakeitandMrs。Sprottsaiditwasasmuchasshecoulddotobakeourbreadforus。AndMrs。WigginsneverputsanyplumsinHERcakes。Catchher！CanIhaveanotherpiece？\"
MarillawouldhaverefusedbutAnnecutageneroussecondslice。
However，sheremindedDavythatheoughttosay\"Thankyou\"forit。
Davymerelygrinnedatherandtookahugebite。Whenhehadfinishedtheslicehesaid，\"Ifyou’llgivemeANOTHERpieceI’llsaythankyouforIT。\"
\"No，youhavehadplentyofcake，\"saidMarillainatonewhichAnneknewandDavywastolearntobefinal。
DavywinkedatAnne，andthen，leaningoverthetable，snatchedDora’sfirstpieceofcake，fromwhichshehadjusttakenonedaintylittlebite，outofherveryfingersand，openinghismouthtothefullestextent，crammedthewholeslicein。Dora’sliptrembledandMarillawasspeechlesswithhorror。Annepromptlyexclaimed，withherbest\"schoolma’am\"air，\"Oh，Davy，gentlemendon’tdothingslikethat。\"
\"Iknowtheydon’t，\"saidDavy，assoonashecouldspeak，\"butIain’tagemplum。\"
\"Butdon’tyouwanttobe？\"saidshockedAnne。
\"CourseIdo。Butyoucan’tbeagemplumtillyougrowup。\"
\"Oh，indeedyoucan，\"Annehastenedtosay，thinkingshesawachancetosowgoodseedbetimes。\"Youcanbegintobeagentlemanwhenyouarealittleboy。AndgentlemenNEVERsnatchthingsfromladies……
orforgettosaythankyou……orpullanybody’shair。\"
\"Theydon’thavemuchfun，that’safact，\"saidDavyfrankly。
\"IguessI’llwaittillI’mgrownuptobeone。\"
Marilla，witharesignedair，hadcutanotherpieceofcakeforDora。
ShedidnotfeelabletocopewithDavyjustthen。Ithadbeenaharddayforher，whatwiththefuneralandthelongdrive。
AtthatmomentshelookedforwardtothefuturewithapessimismthatwouldhavedonecredittoElizaAndrewsherself。
Thetwinswerenotnoticeablyalike，althoughbothwerefair。
Dorahadlongsleekcurlsthatnevergotoutoforder。Davyhadacropoffuzzylittleyellowringletsalloverhisroundhead。
Dora’shazeleyesweregentleandmild；Davy’swereasroguishanddancingasanelf’s。Dora’snosewasstraight，Davy’sapositivesnub；Dorahada\"prunesandprisms\"mouth，Davy’swasallsmiles；andbesides，hehadadimpleinonecheekandnoneintheother，whichgavehimadear，comical，lopsidedlookwhenhelaughed。
Mirthandmischieflurkedineverycornerofhislittleface。
\"They’dbettergotobed，\"saidMarilla，whothoughtitwastheeasiestwaytodisposeofthem。\"DorawillsleepwithmeandyoucanputDavyinthewestgable。You’renotafraidtosleepalone，areyou，Davy？\"
\"No；butIain’tgoingtobedforeversolongyet，\"saidDavycomfortably。
\"Oh，yes，youare。\"ThatwasallthemuchtriedMarillasaid，butsomethinginhertonesquelchedevenDavy。HetrottedobedientlyupstairswithAnne。\"
WhenI’mgrownuptheveryfirstthingI’mgoingtodoisstayupALL
nightjusttoseewhatitwouldbelike，\"hetoldherconfidentially。
InafteryearsMarillaneverthoughtofthatfirstweekofthetwins’sojournatGreenGableswithoutashiver。Notthatitreallywassomuchworsethantheweeksthatfollowedit；butitseemedsobyreasonofitsnovelty。TherewasseldomawakingminuteofanydaywhenDavywasnotinmischiefordevisingit；
buthisfirstnotableexploitoccurredtwodaysafterhisarrival，onSundaymorning……afine，warmday，ashazyandmildasSeptember。
AnnedressedhimforchurchwhileMarillaattendedtoDora。
Davyatfirstobjectedstronglytohavinghisfacewashed。
\"Marillawashedityesterday……andMrs。Wigginsscouredmewithhardsoapthedayofthefuneral。That’senoughforoneweek。
Idon’tseethegoodofbeingsoawfulclean。It’slotsmorecomfablebeingdirty。\"
\"PaulIrvingwasheshisfaceeverydayofhisownaccord，\"saidAnneastutely。
DavyhadbeenaninmateofGreenGablesforlittleoverforty-eighthours；buthealreadyworshippedAnneandhatedPaulIrving，whomhehadheardAnnepraisingenthusiasticallythedayafterhisarrival。
IfPaulIrvingwashedhisfaceeveryday，thatsettledit。He，DavyKeith，woulddoittoo，ifitkilledhim。Thesameconsiderationinducedhimtosubmitmeeklytotheotherdetailsofhistoilet，andhewasreallyahandsomelittleladwhenallwasdone。
AnnefeltanalmostmaternalprideinhimassheledhimintotheoldCuthbertpew。
Davybehavedquitewellatfirst，beingoccupiedincastingcovertglancesatallthesmallboyswithinviewandwonderingwhichwasPaulIrving。ThefirsttwohymnsandtheScripturereadingpassedoffuneventfully。Mr。Allanwasprayingwhenthesensationcame。
LaurettaWhitewassittinginfrontofDavy，herheadslightlybentandherfairhairhangingintwolongbraids，betweenwhichatemptingexpanseofwhiteneckshowed，encasedinalooselacefrill。Laurettawasafat，placid-lookingchildofeight，whohadconductedherselfirreproachablyinchurchfromtheveryfirstdayhermothercarriedherthere，aninfantofsixmonths。
Davythrusthishandintohispocketandproduced……acaterpillar，afurry，squirmingcaterpillar。Marillasawandclutchedathimbutshewastoolate。DavydroppedthecaterpillardownLauretta’sneck。
RightintothemiddleofMr。Allan’sprayerburstaseriesofpiercingshrieks。Theministerstoppedappalledandopenedhiseyes。
Everyheadinthecongregationflewup。LaurettaWhitewasdancingupanddowninherpew，clutchingfranticallyatthebackofherdress。
\"Ow……mommer……mommer……ow……takeitoff……ow……getitout……ow……thatbadboyputitdownmyneck……ow……mommer……it’sgoingfurtherdown……ow……ow……ow……\"
Mrs。Whiteroseandwithasetfacecarriedthehysterical，writhingLaurettaoutofchurch。HershrieksdiedawayinthedistanceandMr。Allanproceededwiththeservice。Buteverybodyfeltthatitwasafailurethatday。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeMarillatooknonoticeofthetextandAnnesatwithscarletcheeksofmortification。
WhentheygothomeMarillaputDavytobedandmadehimstaytherefortherestoftheday。Shewouldnotgivehimanydinnerbutallowedhimaplainteaofbreadandmilk。Annecarriedittohimandsatsorrowfullybyhimwhileheateitwithanunrepentantrelish。
ButAnne’smournfuleyestroubledhim。
\"Is’pose，\"hesaidreflectively，\"thatPaulIrvingwouldn’thavedroppedacaterpillardownagirl’sneckinchurch，wouldhe？\"
\"Indeedhewouldn’t，\"saidAnnesadly。
\"Well，I’mkindofsorryIdidit，then，\"concededDavy。\"Butitwassuchajollybigcaterpillar……Ipickedhimuponthechurchstepsjustaswewentin。Itseemedapitytowastehim。Andsay，wasn’titfuntohearthatgirlyell？\"
TuesdayafternoontheAidSocietymetatGreenGables。Annehurriedhomefromschool，forsheknewthatMarillawouldneedalltheassistanceshecouldgive。Dora，neatandproper，inhernicelystarchedwhitedressandblacksash，wassittingwiththemembersoftheAidintheparlor，speakingdemurelywhenspokento，keepingsilencewhennot，andineverywaycomportingherselfasamodelchild。Davy，blissfullydirty，wasmakingmudpiesinthebarnyard。
\"Itoldhimhemight，\"saidMarillawearily。\"Ithoughtitwouldkeephimoutofworsemischief。Hecanonlygetdirtyatthat。
We’llhaveourteasoverbeforewecallhimtohis。Doracanhaveherswithus，butIwouldneverdaretoletDavysitdownatthetablewithalltheAidshere。\"
WhenAnnewenttocalltheAidstoteashefoundthatDorawasnotintheparlor。Mrs。JasperBellsaidDavyhadcometothefrontdoorandcalledherout。AhastyconsultationwithMarillainthepantryresultedinadecisiontoletbothchildrenhavetheirteastogetherlateron。
Teawashalfoverwhenthediningroomwasinvadedbyaforlornfigure。MarillaandAnnestaredindismay，theAidsinamazement。
CouldthatbeDora……thatsobbingnondescriptinadrenched，drippingdressandhairfromwhichthewaterwasstreamingonMarilla’snewcoin-spotrug？
\"Dora，whathashappenedtoyou？\"criedAnne，withaguiltyglanceatMrs。JasperBell，whosefamilywassaidtobetheonlyoneintheworldinwhichaccidentsneveroccurred。
\"Davymademewalkthepigpenfence，\"wailedDora。\"Ididn’twanttobuthecalledmeafraid-cat。AndIfelloffintothepigpenandmydressgotalldirtyandthepigrunnedrightoverme。MydresswasjustawfulbutDavysaidifI’dstandunderthepumphe’dwashitclean，andIdidandhepumpedwaterallovermebutmydressain’tabitcleanerandmyprettysashandshoesisallspoiled。\"
AnnedidthehonorsofthetablealonefortherestofthemealwhileMarillawentupstairsandredressedDorainheroldclothes。
Davywascaughtandsenttobedwithoutanysupper。Annewenttohisroomattwilightandtalkedtohimseriously……amethodinwhichshehadgreatfaith，notaltogetherunjustifiedbyresults。
Shetoldhimshefeltverybadlyoverhisconduct。
\"Ifeelsorrynowmyself，\"admittedDavy，\"butthetroubleisI
neverfeelsorryfordoingthingstillafterI’vedidthem。
Dorawouldn’thelpmemakepies，causeshewasafraidofmessingherclo’esandthatmademehoppingmad。Is’posePaulIrvingwouldn’thavemadeHISsisterwalkapigpenfenceifheknewshe’dfallin？\"
\"No，hewouldneverdreamofsuchathing。Paulisaperfectlittlegentleman。\"
Davyscrewedhiseyestightshutandseemedtomeditateonthisforatime。ThenhecrawledupandputhisarmsaboutAnne’sneck，snugglinghisflushedlittlefacedownonhershoulder。
\"Anne，don’tyoulikemealittlebit，evenifIain’tagoodboylikePaul？\"
\"IndeedIdo，\"saidAnnesincerely。Somehow，itwasimpossibletohelplikingDavy。\"ButI’dlikeyoubetterstillifyouweren’tsonaughty。\"
\"I……didsomethingelsetoday，\"wentonDavyinamuffledvoice。
\"I’msorrynowbutI’mawfulscaredtotellyou。Youwon’tbeverycross，willyou？Andyouwon’ttellMarilla，willyou？\"
\"Idon’tknow，Davy。PerhapsIoughttotellher。ButIthinkI
canpromiseyouIwon’tifyoupromisemethatyouwillneverdoitagain，whateveritis。\"
\"No，Ineverwill。Anyhow，it’snotlikelyI’dfindanymoreofthemthisyear。Ifoundthisoneonthecellarsteps。\"
\"Davy，whatisityou’vedone？\"
\"IputatoadinMarilla’sbed。Youcangoandtakeitoutifyoulike。
Butsay，Anne，wouldn’titbefuntoleaveitthere？\"
\"DavyKeith！\"AnnesprangfromDavy’sclingingarmsandflewacrossthehalltoMarilla’sroom。Thebedwasslightlyrumpled。Shethrewbacktheblanketsinnervoushasteandthereinverytruthwasthetoad，blinkingatherfromunderapillow。
\"HowcanIcarrythatawfulthingout？\"moanedAnnewithashudder。
ThefireshovelsuggesteditselftoherandshecreptdowntogetitwhileMarillawasbusyinthepantry。Annehadherowntroublescarryingthattoaddownstairs，forithoppedofftheshovelthreetimesandonceshethoughtshehadlostitinthehall。Whenshefinallydepositeditinthecherryorchardshedrewalongbreathofrelief。
\"IfMarillaknewshe’dneverfeelsafegettingintobedagaininherlife。I’msogladthatlittlesinnerrepentedintime。
There’sDianasignalingtomefromherwindow。I’mglad……I
reallyfeeltheneedofsomediversion，forwhatwithAnthonyPyeinschoolandDavyKeithathomemynerveshavehadaboutalltheycanendureforoneday。\"
IX
AQuestionofColor\"ThatoldnuisanceofaRachelLyndewashereagaintoday，pesteringmeforasubscriptiontowardsbuyingacarpetforthevestryroom，\"saidMr。Harrisonwrathfully。\"IdetestthatwomanmorethananybodyIknow。Shecanputawholesermon，text，comment，andapplication，intosixwords，andthrowitatyoulikeabrick。\"
Anne，whowasperchedontheedgeoftheveranda，enjoyingthecharmofamildwestwindblowingacrossanewlyploughedfieldonagrayNovembertwilightandpipingaquaintlittlemelodyamongthetwistedfirsbelowthegarden，turnedherdreamyfaceoverhershoulder。
\"Thetroubleis，youandMrs。Lyndedon’tunderstandoneanother，\"
sheexplained。\"Thatisalwayswhatiswrongwhenpeopledon’tlikeeachother。Ididn’tlikeMrs。Lyndeatfirsteither；butassoonasIcametounderstandherIlearnedto。\"
\"Mrs。Lyndemaybeanacquiredtastewithsomefolks；butIdidn’tkeeponeatingbananasbecauseIwastoldI’dlearntolikethemifIdid，\"growledMr。Harrison。\"Andasforunderstandingher，I
understandthatsheisaconfirmedbusybodyandItoldherso。\"
\"Oh，thatmusthavehurtherfeelingsverymuch，\"saidAnnereproachfully。\"Howcouldyousaysuchathing？IsaidsomedreadfulthingstoMrs。LyndelongagobutitwaswhenIhadlostmytemper。Icouldn’tsaythemDELIBERATELY。\"
\"ItwasthetruthandIbelieveintellingthetruthtoeverybody。\"
\"Butyoudon’ttellthewholetruth，\"objectedAnne。\"Youonlytellthedisagreeablepartofthetruth。Now，you’vetoldmeadozentimesthatmyhairwasred，butyou’veneveroncetoldmethatIhadanicenose。\"
\"Idaresayyouknowitwithoutanytelling，\"chuckledMr。Harrison。
\"IknowIhaveredhairtoo……althoughit’sMUCHdarkerthanitusedtobe……sothere’snoneedoftellingmethateither。\"
\"Well，well，I’lltryandnotmentionitagainsinceyou’resosensitive。Youmustexcuseme，Anne。I’vegotahabitofbeingoutspokenandfolksmustn’tmindit。\"
\"Buttheycan’thelpmindingit。AndIdon’tthinkit’sanyhelpthatit’syourhabit。Whatwouldyouthinkofapersonwhowentaboutstickingpinsandneedlesintopeopleandsaying，`Excuseme，youmustn’tmindit……it’sjustahabitI’vegot。’You’dthinkhewascrazy，wouldn’tyou？AndasforMrs。Lyndebeingabusybody，perhapssheis。Butdidyoutellhershehadaverykindheartandalwayshelpedthepoor，andneversaidawordwhenTimothyCottonstoleacrockofbutteroutofherdairyandtoldhiswifehe’dboughtitfromher？Mrs。CottoncastituptoherthenexttimetheymetthatittastedofturnipsandMrs。Lyndejustsaidshewassorryithadturnedoutsopoorly。\"
\"Isupposeshehassomegoodqualities，\"concededMr。Harrisongrudgingly。
\"Mostfolkshave。Ihavesomemyself，thoughyoumightneversuspectit。
ButanyhowIain’tgoingtogiveanythingtothatcarpet。Folksareeverlastingbeggingformoneyhere，itseemstome。How’syourprojectofpaintingthehallcomingon？\"
\"Splendidly。WehadameetingoftheA。V。I。S。lastFridaynightandfoundthatwehadplentyofmoneysubscribedtopainttheandshingletherooftoo。MOSTpeoplegaveveryliberally，Mr。Harrison。\"
Annewasasweet-souledlass，butshecouldinstillsomevenomintoinnocentitalicswhenoccasionrequired。
\"Whatcolorareyougoingtohaveit？\"
\"Wehavedecidedonaveryprettygreen。Theroofwillbedarkred，ofcourse。Mr。RogerPyeisgoingtogetthepaintintowntoday。\"
\"Who’sgotthejob？\"
\"Mr。JoshuaPyeofCarmody。Hehasnearlyfinishedtheshingling。
Wehadtogivehimthecontract，foreveryoneofthePyes……
andtherearefourfamilies，youknow……saidtheywouldn’tgiveacentunlessJoshuagotit。Theyhadsubscribedtwelvedollarsbetweenthemandwethoughtthatwastoomuchtolose，althoughsomepeoplethinkweshouldn’thavegivenintothePyes。
Mrs。Lyndesaystheytrytoruneverything。\"
\"ThemainquestioniswillthisJoshuadohisworkwell。IfhedoesIdon’tseethatitmatterswhetherhisnameisPyeorPudding。\"
\"Hehasthereputationofbeingagoodworkman，thoughtheysayhe’saverypeculiarman。Hehardlyevertalks。\"
\"He’speculiarenoughallrightthen，\"saidMr。Harrisondrily。
\"Oratleast，folksherewillcallhimso。IneverwasmuchofatalkertillIcametoAvonleaandthenIhadtobegininself-defenseorMrs。LyndewouldhavesaidIwasdumbandstartedasubscriptiontohavemetaughtsignlanguage。You’renotgoingyet，Anne？\"
\"Imust。IhavesomesewingtodoforDorathisevening。Besides，DavyisprobablybreakingMarilla’sheartwithsomenewmischiefbythistime。Thismorningthefirstthinghesaidwas，`Wheredoesthedarkgo，Anne？Iwanttoknow。’Itoldhimitwentaroundtotheothersideoftheworldbutafterbreakfasthedeclareditdidn’t……thatitwentdownthewell。Marillasaysshecaughthimhangingoverthewell-boxfourtimestoday，tryingtoreachdowntothedark。\"
\"He’salimb，\"declaredMr。Harrison。\"HecameoverhereyesterdayandpulledsixfeathersoutofGinger’stailbeforeI
couldgetinfromthebarn。Thepoorbirdhasbeenmopingeversince。Thosechildrenmustbeasightoftroubletoyoufolks。\"
\"Everythingthat’sworthhavingissometrouble，\"saidAnne，secretlyresolvingtoforgiveDavy’snextoffence，whateveritmightbe，sincehehadavengedheronGinger。
Mr。RogerPyebroughtthehallpainthomethatnightandMr。JoshuaPye，asurly，taciturnman，beganpaintingthenextday。Hewasnotdisturbedinhistask。Thehallwassituatedonwhatwascalled\"thelowerroad。\"Inlateautumnthisroadwasalwaysmuddyandwet，andpeoplegoingtoCarmodytraveledbythelonger\"upper\"road。
Thehallwassocloselysurroundedbyfirwoodsthatitwasinvisibleunlessyouwerenearit。Mr。JoshuaPyepaintedawayinthesolitudeandindependencethatweresodeartohisunsociableheart。
FridayafternoonhefinishedhisjobandwenthometoCarmody。
SoonafterhisdepartureMrs。RachelLyndedroveby，havingbravedthemudofthelowerroadoutofcuriositytoseewhatthehalllookedlikeinitsnewcoatofpaint。Whensheroundedthesprucecurveshesaw。
ThesightaffectedMrs。Lyndeoddly。Shedroppedthereins，heldupherhands，andsaid\"GraciousProvidence！\"Shestaredasifshecouldnotbelievehereyes。Thenshelaughedalmosthysterically。
\"Theremustbesomemistake……theremust。IknewthosePyeswouldmakeamessofthings。\"
Mrs。Lyndedrovehome，meetingseveralpeopleontheroadandstoppingtotellthemaboutthehall。Thenewsflewlikewildfire。
GilbertBlythe，poringoveratextbookathome，hearditfromhisfather’shiredboyatsunset，andrushedbreathlesslytoGreenGables，joinedonthewaybyFredWright。TheyfoundDianaBarry，JaneAndrews，andAnneShirley，despairpersonified，attheyardgateofGreenGables，underthebigleaflesswillows。
\"Itisn’ttruesurely，Anne？\"exclaimedGilbert。
\"Itistrue，\"answeredAnne，lookinglikethemuseoftragedy。
\"Mrs。LyndecalledonherwayfromCarmodytotellme。Oh，itissimplydreadful！Whatistheuseoftryingtoimproveanything？\"
\"Whatisdreadful？\"askedOliverSloane，arrivingatthismomentwithabandboxhehadbroughtfromtownforMarilla。
\"Haven’tyouheard？\"saidJanewrathfully。\"Well，itssimplythis……JoshuaPyehasgoneandpaintedthehallblueinsteadofgreen……adeep，brilliantblue，theshadetheyuseforpaintingcartsandwheelbarrows。AndMrs。Lyndesaysitisthemosthideouscolorforabuilding，especiallywhencombinedwitharedroof，thatsheeversaworimagined。YoucouldsimplyhaveknockedmedownwithafeatherwhenIheardit。It’sheartbreaking，afterallthetroublewe’vehad。\"
\"Howonearthcouldsuchamistakehavehappened？\"wailedDiana。
TheblameofthisunmercifuldisasterwaseventuallynarroweddowntothePyes。TheImprovershaddecidedtouseMorton-HarrispaintsandtheMorton-Harrispaintcanswerenumberedaccordingtoacolorcard。Apurchaserchosehisshadeonthecardandorderedbytheaccompanyingnumber。Number147wastheshadeofgreendesiredandwhenMr。RogerPyesentwordtotheImproversbyhisson，JohnAndrew，thathewasgoingtotownandwouldgettheirpaintforthem，theImproverstoldJohnAndrewtotellhisfathertoget147。
JohnAndrewalwaysaverredthathedidso，butMr。RogerPyeasstanchlydeclaredthatJohnAndrewtoldhim157；andtherethematterstandstothisday。
ThatnighttherewasblankdismayineveryAvonleahousewhereanImproverlived。ThegloomatGreenGableswassointensethatitquenchedevenDavy。Anneweptandwouldnotbecomforted。
\"Imustcry，evenifIamalmostseventeen，Marilla，\"shesobbed。
\"Itissomortifying。Anditsoundsthedeathknellofoursociety。
We’llsimplybelaughedoutofexistence。\"
Inlife，asindreams，however，thingsoftengobycontraries。TheAvonleapeopledidnotlaugh；theyweretooangry。Theirmoneyhadgonetopaintthehallandconsequentlytheyfeltthemselvesbitterlyaggrievedbythemistake。PublicindignationcenteredonthePyes。
RogerPyeandJohnAndrewhadbungledthematterbetweenthem；
andasforJoshuaPye，hemustbeabornfoolnottosuspecttherewassomethingwrongwhenheopenedthecansandsawthecolorofthepaint。JoshuaPye，whenthusanimadvertedupon，retortedthattheAvonleatasteincolorswasnobusinessofhis，whateverhisprivateopinionmightbe；hehadbeenhiredtopaintthehall，nottotalkaboutit；andhemeanttohavehismoneyforit。
TheImproverspaidhimhismoneyinbitternessofspirit，afterconsultingMr。PeterSloane，whowasamagistrate。
\"You’llhavetopayit，\"Petertoldhim。\"Youcan’tholdhimresponsibleforthemistake，sinceheclaimshewasnevertoldwhatthecolorwassupposedtobebutjustgiventhecansandtoldtogoahead。Butit’saburningshameandthathallcertainlydoeslookawful。\"
ThelucklessImproversexpectedthatAvonleawouldbemoreprejudicedthaneveragainstthem；butinstead，publicsympathyveeredaroundintheirfavor。Peoplethoughttheeager，enthusiasticlittlebandwhohadworkedsohardfortheirobjecthadbeenbadlyused。Mrs。LyndetoldthemtokeeponandshowthePyesthattherereallywerepeopleintheworldwhocoulddothingswithoutmakingamuddleofthem。Mr。MajorSpencersentthemwordthathewouldcleanoutallthestumpsalongtheroadfrontofhisfarmandseeditdownwithgrassathisownexpense；
andMrs。HiramSloanecalledattheschoolonedayandbeckonedAnnemysteriouslyoutintotheporchtotellherthatifthe\"Sassiety\"
wantedtomakeageraniumbedatthecrossroadsinthespringtheyneedn’tbeafraidofhercow，forshewouldseethatthemaraudinganimalwaskeptwithinsafebounds。EvenMr。Harrisonchuckled，ifhechuckledatall，inprivate，andwasallsympathyoutwardly。
\"Nevermind，Anne。Mostpaintsfadeugliereveryyearbutthatblueisasuglyasitcanbetobeginwith，soit’sboundtofadeprettier。Andtheroofisshingledandpaintedallright。Folkswillbeabletositinthehallafterthiswithoutbeingleakedon。
You’veaccomplishedsomuchanyhow。\"
\"ButAvonlea’sbluehallwillbeabywordinalltheneighboringsettlementsfromthistimeout，\"saidAnnebitterly。
Anditmustbeconfessedthatitwas。
X
DavyinSearchofaSensationAnne，walkinghomefromschoolthroughtheBirchPathoneNovemberafternoon，feltconvincedafreshthatlifewasaverywonderfulthing。
Thedayhadbeenagoodday；allhadgonewellinherlittlekingdom。
St。ClairDonnellhadnotfoughtanyoftheotherboysoverthequestionofhisname；PrillieRogerson’sfacehadbeensopuffedupfromtheeffectsoftoothachethatshedidnotoncetrytocoquettewiththeboysinhervicinity。BarbaraShawhadmetwithonlyONEaccident……spillingadipperofwateroverthefloor……andAnthonyPyehadnotbeeninschoolatall。
\"WhatanicemonththisNovemberhasbeen！\"saidAnne，whohadneverquitegotoverherchildishhabitoftalkingtoherself。
\"Novemberisusuallysuchadisagreeablemonth……asiftheyearhadsuddenlyfoundoutthatshewasgrowingoldandcoulddonothingbutweepandfretoverit。Thisyearisgrowingoldgracefully……justlikeastatelyoldladywhoknowsshecanbecharmingevenwithgrayhairandwrinkles。We’vehadlovelydaysanddelicioustwilights。Thislastfortnighthasbeensopeaceful，andevenDavyhasbeenalmostwell-behaved。Ireallythinkheisimprovingagreatdeal。Howquietthewoodsaretoday……
notamurmurexceptthatsoftwindpurringinthetreetops！
Itsoundslikesurfonafarawayshore。Howdearthewoodsare！
Youbeautifultrees！Iloveeveryoneofyouasafriend。\"
Annepausedtothrowherarmaboutaslimyoungbirchandkissitscream-whitetrunk。Diana，roundingacurveinthepath，sawherandlaughed。
\"AnneShirley，you’reonlypretendingtobegrownup。Ibelievewhenyou’realoneyou’reasmuchalittlegirlasyoueverwere。\"
\"Well，onecan’tgetoverthehabitofbeingalittlegirlallatonce，\"saidAnnegaily。\"Yousee，IwaslittleforfourteenyearsandI’veonlybeengrown-uppishforscarcelythree。I’msureI
shallalwaysfeellikeachildinthewoods。ThesewalkshomefromschoolarealmosttheonlytimeIhavefordreaming……
exceptthehalf-hourorsobeforeIgotosleep。I’msobusywithteachingandstudyingandhelpingMarillawiththetwinsthatIhaven’tanothermomentforimaginingthings。
Youdon’tknowwhatsplendidadventuresIhaveforalittlewhileafterIgotobedintheeastgableeverynight。IalwaysimagineI’msomethingverybrilliantandtriumphantandsplendid……
agreatprimadonnaoraRedCrossnurseoraqueen。LastnightIwasaqueen。It’sreallysplendidtoimagineyouareaqueen。
Youhaveallthefunofitwithoutanyoftheinconveniencesandyoucanstopbeingaqueenwheneveryouwantto，whichyoucouldn’tinreallife。ButhereinthewoodsIlikebesttoimaginequitedifferentthings……I’madryadlivinginanoldpine，oralittlebrownwood-elfhidingunderacrinkledleaf。Thatwhitebirchyoucaughtmekissingisasisterofmine。Theonlydifferenceis，she’satreeandI’magirl，butthat’snorealdifference。
Whereareyougoing，Diana？\"
\"DowntotheDicksons。IpromisedtohelpAlbertacutouthernewdress。
Can’tyouwalkdownintheevening，Anne，andcomehomewithme？\"
\"Imight……sinceFredWrightisawayintown，\"saidAnnewitharathertooinnocentface。
Dianablushed，tossedherhead，andwalkedon。Shedidnotlookoffended，however。
AnnefullyintendedtogodowntotheDicksons’thatevening，butshedidnot。WhenshearrivedatGreenGablesshefoundastateofaffairswhichbanishedeveryotherthoughtfromhermind。Marillametherintheyard……awild-eyedMarilla。
\"Anne，Doraislost！\"
\"Dora！Lost！\"AnnelookedatDavy，whowasswingingontheyardgate，anddetectedmerrimentinhiseyes。\"Davy，doyouknowwheresheis？\"
\"No，Idon’t，\"saidDavystoutly。\"Ihaven’tseenhersincedinnertime，crossmyheart。\"
\"I’vebeenawayeversinceoneo’clock，\"saidMarilla。\"ThomasLyndetooksickallofasuddenandRachelsentupformetogoatonce。
WhenIlefthereDorawasplayingwithherdollinthekitchenandDavywasmakingmudpiesbehindthebarn。Ionlygothomehalfanhourago……andnoDoratobeseen。DavydeclaresheneversawhersinceIleft。\"
\"NeitherIdid，\"avowedDavysolemnly。
\"Shemustbesomewherearound，\"saidAnne。\"Shewouldneverwanderfarawayalone……youknowhowtimidsheis。Perhapsshehasfallenasleepinoneoftherooms。\"
Marillashookherhead。
\"I’vehuntedthewholehousethrough。Butshemaybeinsomeofthebuildings。\"
Athoroughsearchfollowed。Everycornerofhouse，yard，andoutbuildingswasransackedbythosetwodistractedpeople。AnnerovedtheorchardsandtheHauntedWood，callingDora’sname。
Marillatookacandleandexploredthecellar。Davyaccompaniedeachoftheminturn，andwasfertileinthinkingofplaceswhereDoracouldpossiblybe。Finallytheymetagainintheyard。
\"It’samostmysteriousthing，\"groanedMarilla。
\"Wherecanshebe？\"saidAnnemiserably\"Maybeshe’stumbledintothewell，\"suggestedDavycheerfully。
AnneandMarillalookedfearfullyintoeachother’seyes。
Thethoughthadbeenwiththemboththroughtheirentiresearchbutneitherhaddaredtoputitintowords。
\"She……shemighthave，\"whisperedMarilla。
Anne，feelingfaintandsick，wenttothewellboxandpeeredover。
Thebucketsatontheshelfinside。Fardownbelowwasatinyglimmerofstillwater。TheCuthbertwellwasthedeepestinAvonlea。IfDora……butAnnecouldnotfacetheidea。
Sheshudderedandturnedaway。
\"RunacrossforMr。Harrison，\"saidMarilla，wringingherhands。
\"Mr。HarrisonandJohnHenryarebothaway……theywenttotowntoday。
I’llgoforMr。Barry。\"
Mr。BarrycamebackwithAnne，carryingacoilofropetowhichwasattachedaclaw-likeinstrumentthathadbeenthebusinessendofagrubbingfork。MarillaandAnnestoodby，coldandshakenwithhorroranddread，whileMr。Barrydraggedthewell，andDavy，astridethegate，watchedthegroupwithafaceindicativeofhugeenjoyment。
FinallyMr。Barryshookhishead，witharelievedair。
\"Shecan’tbedownthere。It’samightycuriousthingwhereshecouldhavegotto，though。Lookhere，youngman，areyousureyou’venoideawhereyoursisteris？\"
\"I’vetoldyouadozentimesthatIhaven’t，\"saidDavy，withaninjuredair。\"Maybeatrampcomeandstoleher。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidMarillasharply，relievedfromherhorriblefearofthewell。\"Anne，doyousupposeshecouldhavestrayedovertoMr。Harrison’s？Shehasalwaysbeentalkingabouthisparroteversincethattimeyoutookherover\"
\"Ican’tbelieveDorawouldventuresofaralonebutI’llgooverandsee，\"saidAnne。
NobodywaslookingatDavyjustthenoritwouldhavebeenseenthataverydecidedchangecameoverhisface。Hequietlyslippedoffthegateandran，asfastashisfatlegscouldcarryhim，tothebarn。
AnnehastenedacrossthefieldstotheHarrisonestablishmentinnoveryhopefulframeofmind。Thehousewaslocked，thewindowshadesweredown，andtherewasnosignofanythinglivingabouttheplace。ShestoodontheverandaandcalledDoraloudly。
Ginger，inthekitchenbehindher，shriekedandsworewithsuddenfierceness；butbetweenhisoutburstsAnneheardaplaintivecryfromthelittlebuildingintheyardwhichservedMr。Harrisonasatoolhouse。Anneflewtothedoor，unhaspedit，andcaughtupasmallmortalwithatearstainedfacewhowassittingforlornlyonanupturnednailkeg。
\"Oh，Dora，Dora，whatafrightyouhavegivenus！Howcameyoutobehere？\"
\"DavyandIcameovertoseeGinger，\"sobbedDora，\"butwecouldn’tseehimafterall，onlyDavymadehimswearbykickingthedoor。
AndthenDavybroughtmehereandrunoutandshutthedoor；andI
couldn’tgetout。Icriedandcried，Iwasfrightened，andoh，I’msohungryandcold；andIthoughtyou’dnevercome，Anne。\"
\"Davy？\"ButAnnecouldsaynomore。ShecarriedDorahomewithaheavyheart。HerjoyatfindingthechildsafeandsoundwasdrownedoutinthepaincausedbyDavy’sbehavior。ThefreakofshuttingDoraupmighteasilyhavebeenpardoned。ButDavyhadtoldfalsehoods……downrightcoldbloodedfalsehoodsaboutit。
ThatwastheuglyfactandAnnecouldnotshuthereyestoit。
Shecouldhavesatdownandcriedwithsheerdisappointment。
ShehadgrowntoloveDavydearly……howdearlyshehadnotknownuntilthisminute……andithurtherunbearablytodiscoverthathewasguiltyofdeliberatefalsehood。
MarillalistenedtoAnne’staleinasilencethatbodednogoodDavy-ward；Mr。BarrylaughedandadvisedthatDavybesummarilydealtwith。WhenhehadgonehomeAnnesoothedandwarmedthesobbing，shiveringDora，gotherhersupperandputhertobed。
Thenshereturnedtothekitchen，justasMarillacamegrimlyin，leading，orratherpulling，thereluctant，cobwebbyDavy，whomshehadjustfoundhiddenawayinthedarkestcornerofthestable。
Shejerkedhimtothematonthemiddleofthefloorandthenwentandsatdownbytheeastwindow。Annewassittinglimplybythewestwindow。Betweenthemstoodtheculprit。HisbackwastowardMarillaanditwasameek，subdued，frightenedback；buthisfacewastowardAnneandalthoughitwasalittleshamefacedtherewasagleamofcomradeshipinDavy’seyes，asifheknewhehaddonewrongandwasgoingtobepunishedforit，butcouldcountonalaughoveritallwithAnnelateron。
ButnohalfhiddensmileansweredhiminAnne’sgrayeyes，astheremighthavedonehaditbeenonlyaquestionofmischief。
Therewassomethingelse……somethinguglyandrepulsive。
\"Howcouldyoubehaveso，Davy？\"sheaskedsorrowfully。
Davysquirmeduncomfortably。
\"Ijustdiditforfun。ThingshavebeensoawfulquiethereforsolongthatIthoughtitwouldbefuntogiveyoufolksabigscare。
Itwas，too。\"
InspiteoffearandalittleremorseDavygrinnedovertherecollection。
\"Butyoutoldafalsehoodaboutit，Davy，\"saidAnne，moresorrowfullythanever。
Davylookedpuzzled。
\"What’safalsehood？Doyoumeanawhopper？\"
\"Imeanastorythatwasnottrue。\"
\"CourseIdid，\"saidDavyfrankly。\"IfIhadn’tyouwouldn’thavebeenscared。IHADtotellit。\"
Annewasfeelingthereactionfromherfrightandexertions。
Davy’simpenitentattitudegavethefinishingtouch。
Twobigtearsbrimmedupinhereyes。
\"Oh，Davy，howcouldyou？\"shesaid，withaquiverinhervoice。
\"Don’tyouknowhowwrongitwas？\"
Davywasaghast。Annecrying……hehadmadeAnnecry！Afloodofrealremorserolledlikeawaveoverhiswarmlittleheartandengulfedit。
HerushedtoAnne，hurledhimselfintoherlap，flunghisarmsaroundherneck，andburstintotears。
\"Ididn’tknowitwaswrongtotellwhoppers，\"hesobbed。
\"Howdidyouexpectmetoknowitwaswrong？AllMr。Sprott’schildrentoldthemREGULAReveryday，andcrosstheirheartstoo。
Is’posePaulIrvingnevertellswhoppersandhereI’vebeentryingawfulhardtobeasgoodashim，butnowIs’poseyou’llneverlovemeagain。ButIthinkyoumighthavetoldmeitwaswrong。
I’mawfulsorryI’vemadeyoucry，Anne，andI’llnevertellawhopperagain。\"
DavyburiedhisfaceinAnne’sshoulderandcriedstormily。
Anne，inasuddengladflashofunderstanding，heldhimtightandlookedoverhiscurlythatchatMarilla。
\"Hedidn’tknowitwaswrongtotellfalsehoods，Marilla。
Ithinkwemustforgivehimforthatpartofitthistimeifhewillpromisenevertosaywhatisn’ttrueagain。\"
\"Ineverwill，nowthatIknowit’sbad，\"asseveratedDavybetweensobs。
\"Ifyouevercatchmetellingawhopperagainyoucan……\"Davygropedmentallyforasuitablepenance……\"youcanskinmealive，Anne。\"
\"Don’tsay`whopper，’Davy……say`falsehood，’\"saidtheschoolma’am。
\"Why？\"queriedDavy，settlingcomfortablydownandlookingupwithatearstained，investigatingface。\"Whyain’twhopperasgoodasfalsehood？Iwanttoknow。It’sjustasbigaword。\"
\"It’sslang；andit’swrongforlittleboystouseslang。\"
\"There’sanawfullotofthingsit’swrongtodo，\"saidDavywithasigh。
\"Inevers’posedtherewassomany。I’msorryit’swrongtotellwhop……
falsehoods，’causeit’sawfulhandy，butsinceitisI’mnevergoingtotellanymore。Whatareyougoingtodotomefortellingthemthistime？
Iwanttoknow。\"AnnelookedbeseechinglyatMarilla。
\"Idon’twanttobetoohardonthechild，\"saidMarilla。\"I
daresaynobodyeverdidtellhimitwaswrongtotelllies，andthoseSprottchildrenwerenofitcompanionsforhim。PoorMarywastoosicktotrainhimproperlyandIpresumeyoucouldn’texpectasix-year-oldchildtoknowthingslikethatbyinstinct。
Isupposewe’lljusthavetoassumehedoesn’tknowANYTHINGrightandbeginatthebeginning。Buthe’llhavetobepunishedforshuttingDoraup，andIcan’tthinkofanywayexcepttosendhimtobedwithouthissupperandwe’vedonethatsooften。Can’tyousuggestsomethingelse，Anne？Ishouldthinkyououghttobeableto，withthatimaginationyou’realwaystalkingof。\"
\"ButpunishmentsaresohorridandIliketoimagineonlypleasantthings，\"
saidAnne，cuddlingDavy。\"Therearesomanyunpleasantthingsintheworldalreadythatthereisnouseinimagininganymore。\"
IntheendDavywassenttobed，asusual，theretoremainuntilnoonnextday。Heevidentlydidsomethinking，forwhenAnnewentuptoherroomalittlelatersheheardhimcallinghernamesoftly。
Goingin，shefoundhimsittingupinbed，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischinproppedonhishands。
\"Anne，\"hesaidsolemnly，\"isitwrongforeverybodytotellwhop……
falsehoods？Iwanttoknow\"
\"Yes，indeed。\"
\"Isitwrongforagrown-upperson？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Then，\"saidDavydecidedly，\"Marillaisbad，forSHEtellsthem。
Andshe’sworse’nme，forIdidn’tknowitwaswrongbutshedoes。\"
\"DavyKeith，Marillanevertoldastoryinherlife，\"saidAnneindignantly。
\"Shedidso。ShetoldmelastTuesdaythatsomethingdreadfulWOULDhappentomeifIdidn’tsaymyprayerseverynight。AndI
haven’tsaidthemforoveraweek，justtoseewhatwouldhappen……
andnothinghas，\"concludedDavyinanaggrievedtone。
Annechokedbackamaddesiretolaughwiththeconvictionthatitwouldbefatal，andthenearnestlysetaboutsavingMarilla’sreputation。
\"Why，DavyKeith，\"shesaidsolemnly，\"somethingdreadfulHAShappenedtoyouthisveryday\"
Davylookedsceptical。
\"Is’poseyoumeanbeingsenttobedwithoutanysupper，\"hesaidscornfully，\"butTHATisn’tdreadful。Course，Idon’tlikeit，butI’vebeensenttobedsomuchsinceIcomeherethatI’mgettingusedtoit。Andyoudon’tsaveanythingbymakingmegowithoutsuppereither，forIalwayseattwiceasmuchforbreakfast。\"
\"Idon’tmeanyourbeingsenttobed。Imeanthefactthatyoutoldafalsehoodtoday。And，Davy，\"……Anneleanedoverthefootboardofthebedandshookherfingerimpressivelyattheculprit……\"foraboytotellwhatisn’ttrueisalmosttheworstthingthatcouldHAPPENtohim……almosttheveryworst。
SoyouseeMarillatoldyouthetruth。\"
\"ButIthoughtthesomethingbadwouldbeexciting，\"protestedDavyinaninjuredtone。
\"Marillaisn’ttoblameforwhatyouthought。Badthingsaren’talwaysexciting。They’reveryoftenjustnastyandstupid。\"
\"ItwasawfulfunnytoseeMarillaandyoulookingdownthewell，though，\"
saidDavy，hugginghisknees。
Annekeptasoberfaceuntilshegotdownstairsandthenshecollapsedonthesittingroomloungeandlaugheduntilhersidesached。
\"Iwishyou’dtellmethejoke，\"saidMarilla，alittlegrimly。
\"Ihaven’tseenmuchtolaughattoday。\"
\"You’lllaughwhenyouhearthis，\"assuredAnne。AndMarilladidlaugh，whichshowedhowmuchhereducationhadadvancedsincetheadoptionofAnne。Butshesighedimmediatelyafterwards。
\"IsupposeIshouldn’thavetoldhimthat，althoughIheardaministersayittoachildonce。Buthedidaggravatemeso。ItwasthatnightyouwereattheCarmodyconcertandIwasputtinghimtobed。Hesaidhedidn’tseethegoodofprayinguntilhegotbigenoughtobeofsomeimportancetoGod。Anne，Idonotknowwhatwearegoingtodowiththatchild。Ineversawhisbeat。
I’mfeelingcleandiscouraged。\"
\"Oh，don’tsaythat，Marilla。RememberhowbadIwaswhenIcamehere。\"
\"Anne，youneverwerebad……NEVER。Iseethatnow，whenI’velearnedwhatrealbadnessis。Youwerealwaysgettingintoterriblescrapes，I’lladmit，butyourmotivewasalwaysgood。
Davyisjustbadfromsheerloveofit。\"
\"Oh，no，Idon’tthinkitisrealbadnesswithhimeither，\"pleadedAnne。
\"It’sjustmischief。Anditisratherquietforhimhere，youknow。
Hehasnootherboystoplaywithandhismindhastohavesomethingtooccupyit。Doraissoprimandpropersheisnogoodforaboy’splaymate。Ireallythinkitwouldbebettertoletthemgotoschool，Marilla。\"
\"No，\"saidMarillaresolutely，\"myfatheralwayssaidthatnochildshouldbecoopedupinthefourwallsofaschooluntilitwassevenyearsold，andMr。Allansaysthesamething。
Thetwinscanhaveafewlessonsathomebutgotoschooltheyshan’ttillthey’reseven。\"
\"Well，wemusttrytoreformDavyathomethen，\"saidAnnecheerfully。\"Withallhisfaultshe’sreallyadearlittlechap。
Ican’thelplovinghim。Marilla，itmaybeadreadfulthingtosay，buthonestly，IlikeDavybetterthanDora，forallshe’ssogood。\"
\"Idon’tknowbutthatIdo，myself，\"confessedMarilla，\"anditisn’tfair，forDoraisn’tabitoftrouble。Therecouldn’tbeabetterchildandyou’dhardlyknowshewasinthehouse。\"
\"Doraistoogood，\"saidAnne。\"She’dbehavejustaswelliftherewasn’tasoultotellherwhattodo。Shewasbornalreadybroughtup，soshedoesn’tneedus；andIthink，\"concludedAnne，hittingonaveryvitaltruth，\"thatwealwayslovebestthepeoplewhoneedus。Davyneedsusbadly。\"
\"Hecertainlyneedssomething，\"agreedMarilla。\"RachelLyndewouldsayitwasagoodspanking。\"
XI
FactsandFancies\"Teachingisreallyveryinterestingwork，\"wroteAnnetoaQueen’sAcademychum。\"JanesaysshethinksitismonotonousbutIdon’tfinditso。Somethingfunnyisalmostsuretohappeneveryday，andthechildrensaysuchamusingthings。Janesaysshepunishesherpupilswhentheymakefunnyspeeches，whichisprobablywhyshefindsteachingmonotonous。ThisafternoonlittleJimmyAndrewswastryingtospell`speckled’andcouldn’tmanageit。`Well，’hesaidfinally，`Ican’tspellitbutIknowwhatitmeans。’
\"`What？’Iasked。
\"`St。ClairDonnell’sface，miss。’
\"St。Clairiscertainlyverymuchfreckled，althoughItrytopreventtheothersfromcommentingonit……forIwasfreckledonceandwelldoIrememberit。ButIdon’tthinkSt。Clairminds。
ItwasbecauseJimmycalledhim`St。Clair’thatSt。Clairpoundedhimonthewayhomefromschool。Iheardofthepounding，butnotofficially，soIdon’tthinkI’lltakeanynoticeofit。
\"YesterdayIwastryingtoteachLottieWrighttodoaddition。
Isaid，`Ifyouhadthreecandiesinonehandandtwointheother，howmanywouldyouhavealtogether？’`Amouthful，’saidLottie。
Andinthenaturestudyclass，whenIaskedthemtogivemeagoodreasonwhytoadsshouldn’tbekilled，BenjieSloanegravelyanswered，`Becauseitwouldrainthenextday。’
\"It’ssohardnottolaugh，Stella。IhavetosaveupallmyamusementuntilIgethome，andMarillasaysitmakeshernervoustohearwildshrieksofmirthproceedingfromtheeastgablewithoutanyapparentcause。
ShesaysamaninGraftonwentinsaneonceandthatwashowitbegan。
\"DidyouknowthatThomasaBecketwascanonizedasaSNAKE？
RoseBellsayshewas……alsothatWilliamTyndaleWROTEtheNewTestament。ClaudeWhitesaysa`glacier’isamanwhoputsinwindowframes！
\"Ithinkthemostdifficultthinginteaching，aswellasthemostinteresting，istogetthechildrentotellyoutheirrealthoughtsaboutthings。OnestormydaylastweekIgatheredthemaroundmeatdinnerhourandtriedtogetthemtotalktomejustasifI
wereoneofthemselves。Iaskedthemtotellmethethingstheymostwanted。Someoftheanswerswerecommonplaceenough……dolls，ponies，andskates。Othersweredecidedlyoriginal。
HesterBoulterwanted`towearherSundaydresseverydayandeatinthesittingroom。’HannahBellwanted`tobegoodwithouthavingtotakeanytroubleaboutit。’MarjoryWhite，agedten，wantedtobeaWIDOW。Questionedwhy，shegravelysaidthatifyouweren’tmarriedpeoplecalledyouanoldmaid，andifyouwereyourhusbandbossedyou；butifyouwereawidowthere’dbenodangerofeither。
ThemostremarkablewishwasSallyBell’s。Shewanteda’honeymoon。’
IaskedherifsheknewwhatitwasandshesaidshethoughtitwasanextranicekindofbicyclebecausehercousininMontrealwentonahoneymoonwhenhewasmarriedandhehadalwayshadtheverylatestinbicycles！
\"AnotherdayIaskedthemalltotellmethenaughtiestthingtheyhadeverdone。Icouldn’tgettheolderonestodoso，butthethirdclassansweredquitefreely。ElizaBellhad`setfiretoheraunt’scardedrolls。’Askedifshemeanttodoitshesaid，`notaltogether。’Shejusttriedalittleendtoseehowitwouldburnandthewholebundleblazedupinajiffy。EmersonGillishadspenttencentsforcandywhenheshouldhaveputitinhismissionarybox。AnnettaBell’sworstcrimewas`eatingsomeblueberriesthatgrewinthegraveyard。’WillieWhitehad`sliddownthesheephouseroofalotoftimeswithhisSundaytrouserson。’
`ButIwaspunishedforit’causeIhadtowearpatchedpantstoSundaySchoolallsummer，andwhenyou’repunishedforathingyoudon’thavetorepentofit，’declaredWillie。
\"Iwishyoucouldseesomeoftheircompositions……somuchdoIwishitthatI’llsendyoucopiesofsomewrittenrecently。
LastweekItoldthefourthclassIwantedthemtowritemelettersaboutanythingtheypleased，addingbywayofsuggestionthattheymighttellmeofsomeplacetheyhadvisitedorsomeinterestingthingorpersontheyhadseen。Theyweretowritethelettersonrealnotepaper，sealtheminanenvelope，andaddressthemtome，allwithoutanyassistancefromotherpeople。LastFridaymorningIfoundapileoflettersonmydeskandthateveningIrealizedafreshthatteachinghasitspleasuresaswellasitspains。Thosecompositionswouldatoneformuch。HereisNedClay’s，address，spelling，andgrammarasoriginallypenned。
\"`MissteacherShiRleyGreengabels。
p。e。Islandcanbirds\"`DearteacherIthinkIwillwriteyouacompositionaboutbirds。
birdsisveryusefulanimals。mycatcatchesbirds。HisnameisWilliambutpacallshimtom。heisollstripedandhegotoneofhisearsfrozoflastwinter。onlyforthathewouldbeagood-lookingcat。Myunklehasadoptedacat。itcometohishouseonedayandwoudentgoawayandunklesaysithasforgotmorethanmostpeopleeverknowed。heletsitsleeponhisrockingchareandmyauntsayshethinksmoreofitthanhedoesofhischildren。thatisnotright。weoughttobekindtocatsandgivethemnewmilkbutweoughtnotbebettertothemthantoourchildren。thisisollIcanthinkofsonomoreatpresentfromedwardblakeClaY。’\"
\"St。ClairDonnell’sis，asusual，shortandtothepoint。St。
Clairneverwasteswords。Idonotthinkhechosehissubjectoraddedthepostscriptoutofmaliceaforethought。Itisjustthathehasnotagreatdealoftactorimagination。
\"`DearMissShirleyYoutoldustodescribesomethingstrangewehaveseen。IwilldescribetheAvonleaHall。Ithastwodoors，aninsideoneandanoutsideone。Ithassixwindowsandachimney。Ithastwoendsandtwosides。Itispaintedblue。Thatiswhatmakesitstrange。
ItisbuiltonthelowerCarmodyroad。ItisthethirdmostimportantbuildinginAvonlea。Theothersarethechurchandtheblacksmithshop。Theyholddebatingclubsandlecturesinitandconcerts。
Yourstruly，JacobDonnell。
P。S。Thehallisaverybrightblue。’\"
\"AnnettaBell’sletterwasquitelong，whichsurprisedme，forwritingessaysisnotAnnetta’sforte，andhersaregenerallyasbriefasst。Clair’s。Annettaisaquietlittlepussandamodelofgoodbehavior，butthereisn’tashadowoforginalityinher。