Hereisherletter——
\"`Dearestteacher，IthinkIwillwriteyoualettertotellyouhowmuchIloveyou。
Iloveyouwithmywholeheartandsoulandmind……withallthereisofmetolove……andIwanttoserveyouforever。
Itwouldbemyhighestprivilege。ThatiswhyItrysohardtobegoodinschoolandlearnmylessuns。
\"`Youaresobeautiful，myteacher。Yourvoiceislikemusicandyoureyesarelikepansieswhenthedewisonthem。Youarelikeatallstatelyqueen。Yourhairislikeripplinggold。AnthonyPyesaysitisred，butyouneedn’tpayanyattentiontoAnthony。
\"`IhaveonlyknownyouforafewmonthsbutIcannotrealizethattherewaseveratimewhenIdidnotknowyou……whenyouhadnotcomeintomylifetoblessandhallowit。Iwillalwayslookbacktothisyearasthemostwonderfulinmylifebecauseitbroughtyoutome。Besides，it’stheyearwemovedtoAvonleafromNewbridge。Myloveforyouhasmademylifeveryrichandithaskeptmefrommuchofharmandevil。Iowethisalltoyou，mysweetestteacher。
\"`IshallneverforgethowsweetyoulookedthelasttimeIsawyouinthatblackdresswithflowersinyourhair。Ishallseeyoulikethatforever，evenwhenwearebotholdandgray。Youwillalwaysbeyoungandfairtome，dearestteacher。Iamthinkingofyouallthetime……inthemorningandatthenoontideandatthetwilight。Iloveyouwhenyoulaughandwhenyousigh……evenwhenyoulookdisdainful。IneversawyoulookcrossthoughAnthonyPyesaysyoualwayslooksobutIdon’twonderyoulookcrossathimforhedeservesit。Iloveyouineverydress……youseemmoreadorableineachnewdressthanthelast。
\"`Dearestteacher，goodnight。Thesunhassetandthestarsareshining……starsthatareasbrightandbeautifulasyoureyes。
Ikissyourhandsandface，mysweet。MayGodwatchoveryouandprotectyoufromallharm。
YourafecksionatepupilAnnettaBell。’\"
\"Thisextraordinaryletterpuzzledmenotalittle。IknewAnnettacouldn’thavecomposeditanymorethanshecouldfly。WhenIwenttoschoolthenextdayItookherforawalkdowntothebrookatrecessandaskedhertotellmethetruthabouttheletter。
Annettacriedand’fessedupfreely。Shesaidshehadneverwrittenaletterandshedidn’tknowhowto，orwhattosay，buttherewasbundleoflovelettersinhermother’stopbureaudrawerwhichhadbeenwrittentoherbyanold`beau。’
\"`Itwasn’tfather，’sobbedAnnetta，`itwassomeonewhowasstudyingforaminister，andsohecouldwritelovelyletters，butmadidn’tmarryhimafterall。Shesaidshecouldn’tmakeoutwhathewasdrivingathalfthetime。ButIthoughtthelettersweresweetandthatI’djustcopythingsoutofthemhereandtheretowriteyou。Iput\"teacher\"whereheput\"lady\"andIputinsomethingofmyownwhenIcouldthinkofitandIchangedsomewords。
Iput\"dress\"inplaceof\"mood。\"Ididn’tknowjustwhata\"mood\"
wasbutIs’poseditwassomethingtowear。Ididn’ts’poseyou’dknowthedifference。Idon’tseehowyoufoundoutitwasn’tallmine。Youmustbeawfulclever，teacher。’
\"ItoldAnnettaitwasverywrongtocopyanotherperson’sletterandpassitoffasherown。ButI’mafraidthatallAnnettarepentedofwasbeingfoundout。
\"`AndIdoloveyou，teacher，’shesobbed。`Itwasalltrue，eveniftheministerwroteitfirst。Idoloveyouwithallmyheart。’
\"It’sverydifficulttoscoldanybodyproperlyundersuchcircumstances。
\"HereisBarbaraShaw’sletter。Ican’treproducetheblotsoftheoriginal。
\"`Dearteacher，Yousaidwemightwriteaboutavisit。Inevervisitedbutonce。
ItwasatmyAuntMary’slastwinter。MyAuntMaryisaveryparticularwomanandagreathousekeeper。ThefirstnightIwastherewewereattea。
Iknockedoverajugandbrokeit。AuntMarysaidshehadhadthatjugeversinceshewasmarriedandnobodyhadeverbrokenitbefore。
WhenwegotupIsteppedonherdressandallthegatherstoreoutoftheskirt。ThenextmorningwhenIgotupIhitthepitcheragainstthebasinandcrackedthembothandIupsetacupofteaonthetableclothatbreakfast。WhenIwashelpingAuntMarywiththedinnerdishesI
droppedachinaplateanditsmashed。ThateveningIfelldownstairsandsprainedmyankleandhadtostayinbedforaweek。IheardAuntMarytellUncleJosephitwasamercyorI’dhavebrokeneverythinginthehouse。
WhenIgotbetteritwastimetogohome。Idon’tlikevisitingverymuch。
Ilikegoingtoschoolbetter，especiallysinceIcametoAvonlea。
Yoursrespectfully，Barbara。Shaw。’\"
\"WillieWhite’sbegan，RespectedMiss，IwanttotellyouaboutmyVeryBraveAunt。ShelivesinOntarioandonedayshewentouttothebarnandsawadogintheyard。
Thedoghadnobusinesstheresoshegotastickandwhackedhimhardanddrovehimintothebarnandshuthimup。Prettysoonamancamelookingforaninaginarylion’Query；——DidWilliemeanamenagerielion？`thathadrunawayfromacircus。AnditturnedoutthatthedogwasalionandmyVeryBraveAunthaddruvhimintothebarnwithastick。Itwasawondershewasnotetupbutshewasverybrave。EmersonGillissaysifshethoughtitwasadogshewasn’tanybraverthanifitreallywasadog。ButEmersonisjealousbecausehehasn’tgotaBraveAunthimself，nothingbutuncles。’\"
\"Ihavekeptthebestforthelast。YoulaughatmebecauseI
thinkPaulisageniusbutIamsurehisletterwillconvinceyouthatheisaveryuncommonchild。Paullivesawaydownneartheshorewithhisgrandmotherandhehasnoplaymates……norealplaymates。YourememberourSchoolManagementprofessortoldusthatwemustnothave`favorites’amongourpupils，butIcan’thelplovingPaulIrvingthebestofallmine。Idon’tthinkitdoesanyharm，though，foreverybodylovesPaul，evenMrs。Lynde，whosaysshecouldneverhavebelievedshe’dgetsofondofaYankee。
Theotherboysinschoollikehimtoo。Thereisnothingweakorgirlishabouthiminspiteofhisdreamsandfancies。Heisverymanlyandcanholdhisowninallgames。HefoughtSt。ClairDonnellrecentlybecauseSt。ClairsaidtheUnionJackwasawayaheadoftheStarsandStripesasaflag。Theresultwasadrawnbattleandamutualagreementtorespecteachother’spatriotismhenceforth。St。ClairsayshecanhittheHARDESTbutPaulcanhittheOFTENEST。
\"Paul’sLetter。
Mydearteacher，Youtolduswemightwriteyouaboutsomeinterestingpeopleweknew。
IthinkthemostinterestingpeopleIknowaremyrockpeopleandI
meantotellyouaboutthem。IhavenevertoldanybodyaboutthemexceptgrandmaandfatherbutIwouldliketohaveyouknowaboutthembecauseyouunderstandthings。Thereareagreatmanypeoplewhodonotunderstandthingssothereisnouseintellingthem。
Myrockpeopleliveattheshore。Iusedtovisitthemalmosteveryeveningbeforethewintercame。NowIcan’tgotillspring，buttheywillbethere，forpeoplelikethatneverchange……thatisthesplendidthingaboutthem。NorawasthefirstoneofthemI
gotacquaintedwithandsoIthinkIloveherthebest。ShelivesinAndrews’Coveandshehasblackhairandblackeyes，andsheknowsallaboutthemermaidsandthewaterkelpies。Yououghttohearthestoriesshecantell。ThentherearetheTwinSailors。
Theydon’tliveanywhere，theysailallthetime，buttheyoftencomeashoretotalktome。Theyareapairofjollytarsandtheyhaveseeneverythingintheworld……andmorethanwhatisintheworld。DoyouknowwhathappenedtotheyoungestTwinSailoronce？Hewassailingandhesailedrightintoamoonglade。A
moongladeisthetrackthefullmoonmakesonthewaterwhenitisrisingfromthesea，youknow，teacher。Well，theyoungestTwinSailorsailedalongthemoongladetillhecamerightuptothemoon，andtherewasalittlegoldendoorinthemoonandheopeneditandsailedrightthrough。Hehadsomewonderfuladventuresinthemoonbutitwouldmakethislettertoolongtotellthem。
ThenthereistheGoldenLadyofthecave。OnedayIfoundabigcavedownontheshoreandIwentawayinandafterawhileIfoundtheGoldenLady。Shehasgoldenhairrightdowntoherfeetandherdressisallglitteringandglisteninglikegoldthatisalive。
Andshehasagoldenharpandplaysonitalldaylong……youcanhearthemusicanytimealongshoreifyoulistencarefullybutmostpeoplewouldthinkitwasonlythewindamongtherocks。
I’venevertoldNoraabouttheGoldenLady。Iwasafraiditmighthurtherfeelings。ItevenhurtherfeelingsifItalkedtoolongwiththeTwinSailors。
IalwaysmettheTwinSailorsattheStripedRocks。TheyoungestTwinSailorisverygood-temperedbuttheoldestTwinSailorcanlookdreadfullyfierceattimes。IhavemysuspicionsaboutthatoldestTwin。Ibelievehe’dbeapirateifhedared。There’sreallysomethingverymysteriousabouthim。HesworeonceandItoldhimifheeverdiditagainheneedn’tcomeashoretotalktomebecauseI’dpromisedgrandmotherI’dneverassociatewithanybodythatswore。
Hewasprettywellscared，Icantellyou，andhesaidifIwouldforgivehimhewouldtakemetothesunset。SothenexteveningwhenIwassittingontheStripedRockstheoldestTwincamesailingovertheseainanenchantedboatandIgotinher。Theboatwasallpearlyandrainbowy，liketheinsideofthemusselshells，andhersailwaslikemoonshine。Well，wesailedrightacrosstothesunset。Thinkofthat，teacher，I’vebeeninthesunset。Andwhatdoyousupposeitis？Thesunsetisalandallflowers。Wesailedintoagreatgarden，andthecloudsarebedsofflowers。Wesailedintoagreatharbor，allthecolorofgold，andIsteppedrightoutoftheboatonabigmeadowallcoveredwithbuttercupsasbigasroses。Istayedthereforeversolong。ItseemednearlyayearbuttheOldestTwinsaysitwasonlyafewminutes。Yousee，inthesunsetlandthetimeiseversomuchlongerthanitishere。
YourlovingpupilPaulIrving。
P。S。ofcourse，thisletterisn’treallytrue，teacher。
P。I。’\"
XII
AJonahDayItreallybeganthenightbeforewitharestless，wakefulvigilofgrumblingtoothache。WhenAnnearoseinthedull，bitterwintermorningshefeltthatlifewasflat，stale，andunprofitable。
Shewenttoschoolinnoangelicmood。Hercheekwasswollenandherfaceached。Theschoolroomwascoldandsmoky，forthefirerefusedtoburnandthechildrenwerehuddledaboutitinshiveringgroups。Annesentthemtotheirseatswithasharpertonethanshehadeverusedbefore。AnthonyPyestruttedtohiswithhisusualimpertinentswaggerandshesawhimwhispersomethingtohisseat-mateandthenglanceatherwithagrin。
Never，soitseemedtoAnne，hadtherebeensomanysqueakypencilsastherewerethatmorning；andwhenBarbaraShawcameuptothedeskwithasumshetrippedoverthecoalscuttlewithdisastrousresults。Thecoalrolledtoeverypartoftheroom，herslatewasbrokenintofragments，andwhenshepickedherselfup，herface，stainedwithcoaldust，senttheboysintoroarsoflaughter。
Anneturnedfromthesecondreaderclasswhichshewashearing。
\"Really，Barbara，\"shesaidicily，\"ifyoucannotmovewithoutfallingoversomethingyou’dbetterremaininyourseat。Itispositivelydisgracefulforagirlofyouragetobesoawkward。\"
PoorBarbarastumbledbacktoherdesk，hertearscombiningwiththecoaldusttoproduceaneffecttrulygrotesque。Neverbeforehadherbeloved，sympatheticteacherspokentoherinsuchatoneorfashion，andBarbarawasheartbroken。Anneherselffeltaprickofconsciencebutitonlyservedtoincreasehermentalirritation，andthesecondreaderclassrememberthatlessonyet，aswellastheunmercifulinflictionofarithmeticthatfollowed。JustasAnnewassnappingthesumsoutSt。ClairDonnellarrivedbreathlessly。
\"Youarehalfanhourlate，St。Clair，\"Anneremindedhimfrigidly。
\"Whyisthis？\"
\"Please，miss，Ihadtohelpmamakeapuddingfordinner’causewe’reexpectingcompanyandClariceAlmira’ssick，\"
wasSt。Clair’sanswer，giveninaperfectlyrespectfulvoicebutneverthelessprovocativeofgreatmirthamonghismates。
\"Takeyourseatandworkoutthesixproblemsonpageeighty-fourofyourarithmeticforpunishment，\"saidAnne。St。Clairlookedratheramazedathertonebuthewentmeeklytohisdeskandtookouthisslate。ThenhestealthilypassedasmallparceltoJoeSloaneacrosstheaisle。Annecaughthimintheactandjumpedtoafatalconclusionaboutthatparcel。
OldMrs。HiramSloanehadlatelytakentomakingandselling\"nutcakes\"bywayofaddingtoherscantyincome。ThecakeswerespeciallytemptingtosmallboysandforseveralweeksAnnehadhadnotalittletroubleinregardtothem。OntheirwaytoschooltheboyswouldinvesttheirsparecashatMrs。Hiram’s，bringthecakesalongwiththemtoschool，and，ifpossible，eatthemandtreattheirmatesduringschoolhours。Annehadwarnedthemthatiftheybroughtanymorecakestoschooltheywouldbeconfiscated；
andyetherewasSt。ClairDonnellcoollypassingaparcelofthem，wrappedupintheblueandwhitestripedpaperMrs。Hiramused，underherveryeyes。
\"Joseph，\"saidAnnequietly，\"bringthatparcelhere。\"
Joe，startledandabashed，obeyed。Hewasafaturchinwhoalwaysblushedandstutteredwhenhewasfrightened。NeverdidanybodylookmoreguiltythanpoorJoeatthatmoment。
\"Throwitintothefire，\"saidAnne。
Joelookedveryblank。
\"P……p……p……lease，m……m……miss，\"hebegan。
\"DoasItellyou，Joseph，withoutanywordsaboutit。\"
\"B……b……butm……m……miss……th……th……they’re……\"
gaspedJoeindesperation。
\"Joseph，areyougoingtoobeymeorareyouNOT？\"saidAnne。
Abolderandmoreself-possessedladthanJoeSloanewouldhavebeenoverawedbyhertoneandthedangerousflashofhereyes。
ThiswasanewAnnewhomnoneofherpupilshadeverseenbefore。
Joe，withanagonizedglanceatSt。Clair，wenttothestove，openedthebig，squarefrontdoor，andthrewtheblueandwhiteparcelin，beforeSt。Clair，whohadsprungtohisfeet，couldutteraword。Thenhedodgedbackjustintime。
ForafewmomentstheterrifiedoccupantsofAvonleaschooldidnotknowwhetheritwasanearthquakeoravolcanicexplosionthathadoccurred。TheinnocentlookingparcelwhichAnnehadrashlysupposedtocontainMrs。Hiram’snutcakesreallyheldanassortmentoffirecrackersandpinwheelsforwhichWarrenSloanehadsenttotownbySt。ClairDonnell’sfatherthedaybefore，intendingtohaveabirthdaycelebrationthatevening。Thecrackerswentoffinathunderclapofnoiseandthepinwheelsburstingoutofthedoorspunmadlyaroundtheroom，hissingandspluttering。Annedroppedintoherchairwhitewithdismayandallthegirlsclimbedshriekingupontheirdesks。JoeSloanestoodasonetransfixedinthemidstofthecommotionandSt。Clair，helplesswithlaughter，rockedtoandfrointheaisle。PrillieRogersonfaintedandAnnettaBellwentintohysterics。
Itseemedalongtime，althoughitwasreallyonlyafewminutes，beforethelastpinwheelsubsided。Anne，recoveringherself，sprangtoopendoorsandwindowsandletoutthegasandsmokewhichfilledtheroom。ThenshehelpedthegirlscarrytheunconsciousPrillieintotheporch，whereBarbaraShaw，inanagonyofdesiretobeuseful，pouredapailfulofhalffrozenwateroverPrillie’sfaceandshouldersbeforeanyonecouldstopher。
Itwasafullhourbeforequietwasrestored……butitwasaquietthatmightbefelt。Everybodyrealizedthateventheexplosionhadnotclearedtheteacher’smentalatmosphere。
Nobody，exceptAnthonyPye，daredwhisperaword。NedClayaccidentallysqueakedhispencilwhileworkingasum，caughtAnne’seyeandwishedthefloorwouldopenandswallowhimup。
Thegeographyclasswerewhiskedthroughacontinentwithaspeedthatmadethemdizzy。Thegrammarclasswereparsedandanalyzedwithinaninchoftheirlives。ChesterSloane，spelling\"odoriferous\"
withtwof’s，wasmadetofeelthathecouldneverlivedownthedisgraceofit，eitherinthisworldorthatwhichistocome。
Anneknewthatshehadmadeherselfridiculousandthattheincidentwouldbelaughedoverthatnightatascoreoftea-tables，buttheknowledgeonlyangeredherfurther。Inacalmermoodshecouldhavecarriedoffthesituationwithalaughbutnowthatwasimpossible；sosheignoreditinicydisdain。
WhenAnnereturnedtotheschoolafterdinnerallthechildrenwereasusualintheirseatsandeveryfacewasbentstudiouslyoveradeskexceptAnthonyPye’s。HepeeredacrosshisbookatAnne，hisblackeyessparklingwithcuriosityandmockery。Annetwitchedopenthedrawerofherdeskinsearchofchalkandunderherveryhandalivelymousesprangoutofthedrawer，scamperedoverthedesk，andleapedtothefloor。
Annescreamedandsprangback，asifithadbeenasnake，andAnthonyPyelaughedaloud。
Thenasilencefell……averycreepy，uncomfortablesilence。
AnnettaBellwasoftwomindswhethertogointohystericsagainornot，especiallyasshedidn’tknowjustwherethemousehadgone。
Butshedecidednotto。Whocouldtakeanycomfortoutofhystericswithateachersowhite-facedandsoblazing-eyedstandingbeforeone？
\"Whoputthatmouseinmydesk？\"saidAnne。HervoicewasquitelowbutitmadeashivergoupanddownPaulIrving’sspine。JoeSloanecaughthereye，feltresponsiblefromthecrownofhisheadtothesoleofhisfeet，butstutteredoutwildly，\"N……n……notm……m……met……t……teacher，n……n……notm……m……me。\"
AnnepaidnoattentiontothewretchedJoseph。ShelookedatAnthonyPye，andAnthonyPyelookedbackunabashedandunashamed。
\"Anthony，wasityou？\"
\"Yes，itwas，\"saidAnthonyinsolently。
Annetookherpointerfromherdesk。Itwasalong，heavyhardwoodpointer。
\"Comehere，Anthony。\"
ItwasfarfrombeingthemostseverepunishmentAnthonyPyehadeverundergone。Anne，eventhestormy-souledAnneshewasatthatmoment，couldnothavepunishedanychildcruelly。ButthepointernippedkeenlyandfinallyAnthony’sbravadofailedhim；hewincedandthetearscametohiseyes。
Anne，conscience-stricken，droppedthepointerandtoldAnthonytogotohisseat。Shesatdownatherdeskfeelingashamed，repentant，andbitterlymortified。Herquickangerwasgoneandshewouldhavegivenmuchtohavebeenabletoseekreliefintears。Soallherboastshadcometothis……shehadactuallywhippedoneofherpupils。HowJanewouldtriumph！AndhowMr。Harrisonwouldchuckle！Butworsethanthis，bitterestthoughtofall，shehadlostherlastchanceofwinningAnthonyPye。
Neverwouldhelikehernow。
Anne，bywhatsomebodyhascalled\"aHerculaneumeffort，\"keptbackhertearsuntilshegothomethatnight。Thensheshutherselfintheeastgableroomandweptallhershameandremorseanddisappointmentintoherpillows……weptsolongthatMarillagrewalarmed，invadedtheroom，andinsistedonknowingwhatthetroublewas。
\"Thetroubleis，I’vegotthingsthematterwithmyconscience，\"
sobbedAnne。\"Oh，thishasbeensuchaJonahday，Marilla。I’msoashamedofmyself。IlostmytemperandwhippedAnthonyPye。\"
\"I’mgladtohearit，\"saidMarillawithdecision。\"It’swhatyoushouldhavedonelongago。\"
\"Oh，no，no，Marilla。AndIdon’tseehowIcaneverlookthosechildreninthefaceagain。IfeelthatIhavehumiliatedmyselftotheverydust。Youdon’tknowhowcrossandhatefulandhorridIwas。Ican’tforgettheexpressioninPaulIrving’seyes……helookedsosurprisedanddisappointed。Oh，Marilla，IHAVEtriedsohardtobepatientandtowinAnthony’sliking……andnowithasallgonefornothing。\"
Marillapassedherhardwork-wornhandoverthegirl’sglossy，tumbledhairwithawonderfultenderness。WhenAnne’ssobsgrewquietershesaid，verygentlyforher，\"Youtakethingstoomuchtoheart，Anne。Weallmakemistakes……butpeopleforgetthem。AndJonahdayscometoeverybody。AsforAnthonyPye，whyneedyoucareifhedoesdislikeyou？Heistheonlyone。\"
\"Ican’thelpit。Iwanteverybodytolovemeandithurtsmesowhenanybodydoesn’t。AndAnthonyneverwillnow。Oh，Ijustmadeanidiotofmyselftoday，Marilla。I’lltellyouthewholestory。\"
Marillalistenedtothewholestory，andifshesmiledatcertainpartsofitAnneneverknew。Whenthetalewasendedshesaidbriskly，\"Well，nevermind。Thisday’sdoneandthere’sanewonecomingtomorrow，withnomistakesinityet，asyouusedtosayyourself。
Justcomedownstairsandhaveyoursupper。You’llseeifagoodcupofteaandthoseplumpuffsImadetodaywon’theartenyouup。\"
\"Plumpuffswon’tministertoaminddiseased，\"saidAnnedisconsolately；
butMarillathoughtitagoodsignthatshehadrecoveredsufficientlytoadaptaquotation。
Thecheerfulsuppertable，withthetwins’brightfaces，andMarilla’smatchlessplumpuffs……ofwhichDavyatefour……
did\"heartenherup\"considerablyafterall。Shehadagoodsleepthatnightandandawakenedinthemorningtofindherselfandtheworldtransformed。Ithadsnowedsoftlyandthicklyallthroughthehoursofdarknessandthebeautifulwhiteness，glitteringinthefrostysunshine，lookedlikeamantleofcharitycastoverallthemistakesandhumiliationsofthepast。
\"Everymornisafreshbeginning，Everymornistheworldmadenew，\"
sangAnne，asshedressed。
OwingtothesnowshehadtogoaroundbytheroadtoschoolandshethoughtitwascertainlyanimpishcoincidencethatAnthonyPyeshouldcomeploughingalongjustasshelefttheGreenGableslane。
Shefeltasguiltyasiftheirpositionswerereversed；buttoherunspeakableastonishmentAnthonynotonlyliftedhiscap……whichhehadneverdonebefore……butsaideasily，\"Kindofbadwalking，ain’tit？CanItakethosebooksforyou，teacher？\"
Annesurrenderedherbooksandwonderedifshecouldpossiblybeawake。
Anthonywalkedoninsilencetotheschool，butwhenAnnetookherbooksshesmileddownathim……notthestereotyped\"kind\"smileshehadsopersistentlyassumedforhisbenefitbutasuddenoutflashingofgoodcomradeship。Anthonysmiled……no，ifthetruthmustbetold，AnthonyGRINNEDback。Agrinisnotgenerallysupposedtobearespectfulthing；yetAnnesuddenlyfeltthatifshehadnotyetwonAnthony’slikingshehad，somehoworother，wonhisrespect。
Mrs。RachelLyndecameupthenextSaturdayandconfirmedthis。
\"Well，Anne，Iguessyou’vewonoverAnthonyPye，that’swhat。
Hesayshebelievesyouaresomegoodafterall，evenifyouareagirl。Saysthatwhippingyougavehimwas`justasgoodasaman’s。’\"
\"Ineverexpectedtowinhimbywhippinghim，though，\"saidAnne，alittlemournfully，feelingthatheridealshadplayedherfalsesomewhere。
\"Itdoesn’tseemright。I’msuremytheoryofkindnesscan’tbewrong。\"
\"No，butthePyesareanexceptiontoeveryknownrule，that’swhat，\"
declaredMrs。Rachelwithconviction。
Mr。Harrisonsaid，\"Thoughtyou’dcometoit，\"whenheheardit，andJanerubbeditinratherunmercifully。
XIII
AGoldenPicnicAnne，onherwaytoOrchardSlope，metDiana，boundforGreenGables，justwherethemossyoldlogbridgespannedthebrookbelowtheHauntedWood，andtheysatdownbythemarginoftheDryad’sBubble，wheretinyfernswereunrollinglikecurly-headedgreenpixyfolkwakeningupfromanap。
\"IwasjustonmywayovertoinviteyoutohelpmecelebratemybirthdayonSaturday，\"saidAnne。
\"Yourbirthday？ButyourbirthdaywasinMarch！\"
\"Thatwasn’tmyfault，\"laughedAnne。\"Ifmyparentshadconsultedmeitwouldneverhavehappenedthen。Ishouldhavechosentobeborninspring，ofcourse。Itmustbedelightfultocomeintotheworldwiththemayflowersandviolets。Youwouldalwaysfeelthatyouweretheirfostersister。ButsinceIdidn’t，thenextbestthingistocelebratemybirthdayinthespring。PriscillaiscomingoverSaturdayandJanewillbehome。We’llallfourstartofftothewoodsandspendagoldendaymakingtheacquaintanceofthespring。Wenoneofusreallyknowheryet，butwe’llmeetherbackthereaswenevercananywhereelse。Iwanttoexploreallthosefieldsandlonelyplacesanyhow。IhaveaconvictionthattherearescoresofbeautifulnookstherethathaveneverreallybeenSEENalthoughtheymayhavebeenLOOKEDat。We’llmakefriendswithwindandskyandsun，andbringhomethespringinourhearts。\"
\"ItSOUNDSawfullynice，\"saidDiana，withsomeinwarddistrustofAnne’smagicofwords。\"Butwon’titbeverydampinsomeplacesyet？\"
\"Oh，we’llwearrubbers，\"wasAnne’sconcessiontopracticalities。
\"AndIwantyoutocomeoverearlySaturdaymorningandhelpmepreparelunch。I’mgoingtohavethedaintiestthingspossible……
thingsthatwillmatchthespring，youunderstand……littlejellytartsandladyfingers，anddropcookiesfrostedwithpinkandyellowicing，andbuttercupcake。Andwemusthavesandwichestoo，thoughthey’reNOTverypoetical。\"
Saturdayprovedanidealdayforapicnic……adayofbreezeandblue，warm，sunny，withalittlerollickingwindblowingacrossmeadowandorchard。Overeverysunlituplandandfieldwasadelicate，flower-starredgreen。
Mr。Harrison，harrowingatthebackofhisfarmandfeelingsomeofthespringwitch-workeveninhissober，middle-agedblood，sawfourgirls，basketladen，trippingacrosstheendofhisfieldwhereitjoinedafringingwoodlandofbirchandfir。Theirblithevoicesandlaughterechoeddowntohim。
\"It’ssoeasytobehappyonadaylikethis，isn’tit？\"Annewassaying，withtrueAnneishphilosophy。\"Let’strytomakethisareallygoldenday，girls，adaytowhichwecanalwayslookbackwithdelight。We’retoseekforbeautyandrefusetoseeanythingelse。
`Begone，dullcare！’Jane，youarethinkingofsomethingthatwentwronginschoolyesterday。\"
\"Howdoyouknow？\"gaspedJane，amazed。
\"Oh，Iknowtheexpression……I’vefeltitoftenenoughonmyownface。Butputitoutofyourmind，there’sadear。ItwillkeeptillMonday……orifitdoesn’tsomuchthebetter。Oh，girls，girls，seethatpatchofviolets！There’ssomethingformemory’spicturegallery。WhenI’meightyyearsold……ifIeveram……
IshallshutmyeyesandseethosevioletsjustasIseethemnow。
That’sthefirstgoodgiftourdayhasgivenus。\"
\"IfakisscouldbeseenIthinkitwouldlooklikeaviolet，\"
saidPriscilla。
Anneglowed。
\"I’msogladyouSPOKEthatthought，Priscilla，insteadofjustthinkingitandkeepingittoyourself。Thisworldwouldbeamuchmoreinterestingplace……althoughitISveryinterestinganyhow……
ifpeoplespokeouttheirrealthoughts。\"
\"Itwouldbetoohottoholdsomefolks，\"quotedJanesagely。
\"Isupposeitmightbe，butthatwouldbetheirownfaultsforthinkingnastythings。Anyhow，wecantellallourthoughtstodaybecausewearegoingtohavenothingbutbeautifulthoughts。
Everybodycansayjustwhatcomesintoherhead。THATisconversation。
Here’salittlepathIneversawbefore。Let’sexploreit。\"
Thepathwasawindingone，sonarrowthatthegirlswalkedinsinglefileandeventhenthefirboughsbrushedtheirfaces。
Underthefirswerevelvetycushionsofmoss，andfurtheron，wherethetreesweresmallerandfewer，thegroundwasrichinavarietyofgreengrowingthings。
\"Whatalotofelephant’sears，\"exclaimedDiana。\"I’mgoingtopickabigbunch，they’resopretty。\"
\"Howdidsuchgracefulfeatherythingsevercometohavesuchadreadfulname？\"askedPriscilla。
\"Becausethepersonwhofirstnamedthemeitherhadnoimaginationatallorelsefartoomuch，\"saidAnne，\"Oh，girls，lookatthat！\"
\"That\"wasashallowwoodlandpoolinthecenterofalittleopengladewherethepathended。Lateronintheseasonitwouldbedriedupanditsplacefilledwitharankgrowthofferns；butnowitwasaglimmeringplacidsheet，roundasasaucerandclearascrystal。
Aringofslenderyoungbirchesencircleditandlittlefernsfringeditsmargin。
\"HOWsweet！\"saidJane。
\"Letusdancearounditlikewood-nymphs，\"criedAnne，droppingherbasketandextendingherhands。
ButthedancewasnotasuccessforthegroundwasboggyandJane’srubberscameoff。
\"Youcan’tbeawood-nymphifyouhavetowearrubbers，\"
washerdecision。
\"Well，wemustnamethisplacebeforeweleaveit，\"
saidAnne，yieldingtotheindisputablelogicoffacts。
\"Everybodysuggestanameandwe’lldrawlots。Diana？\"
\"BirchPool，\"suggestedDianapromptly。
\"CrystalLake，\"saidJane。
Anne，standingbehindthem，imploredPriscillawithhereyesnottoperpetrateanothersuchnameandPriscillarosetotheoccasionwith\"Glimmer-glass。\"Anne’sselectionwas\"TheFairies’Mirror。\"
ThenameswerewrittenonstripsofbirchbarkwithapencilSchoolma’amJaneproducedfromherpocket，andplacedinAnne’shat。ThenPriscillashuthereyesanddrewone。\"CrystalLake，\"
readJanetriumphantly。CrystalLakeitwas，andifAnnethoughtthatchancehadplayedthepoolashabbytrickshedidnotsayso。
Pushingthroughtheundergrowthbeyond，thegirlscameouttotheyounggreenseclusionofMr。SilasSloane’sbackpasture。Acrossittheyfoundtheentrancetoalanestrikingupthroughthewoodsandvotedtoexploreitalso。Itrewardedtheirquestwithasuccessionofprettysurprises。First，skirtingMr。Sloane’spasture，cameanarchwayofwildcherrytreesallinbloom。Thegirlsswungtheirhatsontheirarmsandwreathedtheirhairwiththecreamy，fluffyblossoms。
Thenthelaneturnedatrightanglesandplungedintoasprucewoodsothickanddarkthattheywalkedinagloomasoftwilight，withnotaglimpseofskyorsunlighttobeseen。
\"Thisiswherethebadwoodelvesdwell，\"whisperedAnne。\"Theyareimpishandmaliciousbuttheycan’tharmus，becausetheyarenotallowedtodoevilinthespring。Therewasonepeepingatusaroundthatoldtwistedfir；anddidn’tyouseeagroupofthemonthatbigfrecklytoadstoolwejustpassed？Thegoodfairiesalwaysdwellinthesunshinyplaces。\"
\"Iwishtherereallywerefairies，\"saidJane。\"Wouldn’titbenicetohavethreewishesgrantedyou……orevenonlyone？
Whatwouldyouwishfor，girls，ifyoucouldhaveawishgranted？
I’dwishtoberichandbeautifulandclever。\"
\"I’dwishtobetallandslender，\"saidDiana。
\"Iwouldwishtobefamous，\"saidPriscilla。Annethoughtofherhairandthendismissedthethoughtasunworthy。
\"I’dwishitmightbespringallthetimeandineverybody’sheartandallourlives，\"shesaid。
\"Butthat，\"saidPriscilla，\"wouldbejustwishingthisworldwerelikeheaven。\"
\"Onlylikeapartofheaven。Intheotherpartstherewouldbesummerandautumn……yes，andabitofwinter，too。IthinkI
wantglitteringsnowyfieldsandwhitefrostsinheavensometimes。
Don’tyou，Jane？\"
\"I……Idon’tknow，\"saidJaneuncomfortably。Janewasagoodgirl，amemberofthechurch，whotriedconscientiouslytoliveuptoherprofessionandbelievedeverythingshehadbeentaught。Butsheneverthoughtaboutheavenanymorethanshecouldhelp，forallthat。
\"MinnieMayaskedmetheotherdayifwewouldwearourbestdresseseverydayinheaven，\"laughedDiana。
\"Anddidn’tyoutellherwewould？\"askedAnne。
\"Mercy，no！Itoldherwewouldn’tbethinkingofdressesatallthere。\"
\"Oh，Ithinkwewill……aLITTLE，\"saidAnneearnestly。
\"There’llbeplentyoftimeinalleternityforitwithoutneglectingmoreimportantthings。Ibelievewe’llallwearbeautifuldresses……orIsupposeRAIMENTwouldbeamoresuitablewayofspeaking。IshallwanttowearpinkforafewcenturiesatfirSt……itwouldtakemethatlongtogettiredofit，Ifeelsure。IdolovepinksoandIcanneverwearitinTHISworld。\"
Pastthesprucesthelanedippeddownintoasunnylittleopenwherealogbridgespannedabrook；andthencamethegloryofasunlitbeechwoodwheretheairwasliketransparentgoldenwine，andtheleavesfreshandgreen，andthewoodflooramosaicoftremuloussunshine。Thenmorewildcherries，andalittlevalleyoflissomefirs，andthenahillsosteepthatthegirlslosttheirbreathclimbingit；butwhentheyreachedthetopandcameoutintotheopentheprettiestsurpriseofallawaitedthem。
Beyondwerethe\"backfields\"ofthefarmsthatranouttotheupperCarmodyroad。Justbeforethem，hemmedinbybeechesandfirsbutopentothesouth，wasalittlecornerandinitagarden……orwhathadoncebeenagarden。Atumbledownstonedyke，overgrownwithmossesandgrass，surroundedit。Alongtheeasternsideranarowofgardencherrytrees，whiteasasnowdrift。
Thereweretracesofoldpathsstillandadoublelineofrosebushesthroughthemiddle；butalltherestofthespacewasasheetofyellowandwhitenarcissi，intheirairiest，mostlavish，wind-swayedbloomabovethelushgreengrasses。
\"Oh，howperfectlylovely！\"threeofthegirlscried。Anneonlygazedineloquentsilence。
\"Howintheworlddoesithappenthatthereeverwasagardenbackhere？\"
saidPriscillainamazement。
\"ItmustbeHesterGray’sgarden，\"saidDiana。\"I’veheardmotherspeakofitbutIneversawitbefore，andIwouldn’thavesupposedthatitcouldbeinexistencestill。You’veheardthestory，Anne？\"
\"No，butthenameseemsfamiliartome。\"
\"Oh，you’veseenitinthegraveyard。Sheisburieddownthereinthepoplarcorner。Youknowthelittlebrownstonewiththeopeninggatescarvedonitand`SacredtothememoryofHesterGray，agedtwenty-two。’JordanGrayisburiedrightbesideherbutthere’snostonetohim。It’sawonderMarillanevertoldyouaboutit，Anne。Tobesure，ithappenedthirtyyearsagoandeverybodyhasforgotten。\"
\"Well，ifthere’sastorywemusthaveit，\"saidAnne。\"Let’ssitrightdownhereamongthenarcissiandDianawilltellit。Why，girls，therearehundredsofthem……they’vespreadovereverything。
Itlooksasifthegardenwerecarpetedwithmoonshineandsunshinecombined。Thisisadiscoveryworthmaking。
TothinkthatI’velivedwithinamileofthisplaceforsixyearsandhaveneverseenitbefore！Now，Diana。\"
\"Longago，\"beganDiana，\"thisfarmbelongedtooldMr。DavidGray。
Hedidn’tliveonit……helivedwhereSilasSloanelivesnow。
Hehadoneson，Jordan，andhewentuptoBostononewintertoworkandwhilehewastherehefellinlovewithagirlnamedHesterMurray。
Shewasworkinginastoreandshehatedit。She’dbeenbroughtupinthecountryandshealwayswantedtogetback。WhenJordanaskedhertomarryhimshesaidshewouldifhe’dtakeherawaytosomequietspotwhereshe’dseenothingbutfieldsandtrees。SohebroughthertoAvonlea。Mrs。LyndesaidhewastakingafearfulriskinmarryingaYankee，andit’scertainthatHesterwasverydelicateandaverypoorhousekeeper；butmothersaysshewasveryprettyandsweetandJordanjustworshippedthegroundshewalkedon。Well，Mr。GraygaveJordanthisfarmandhebuiltalittlehousebackhereandJordanandHesterlivedinitforfouryears。SheneverwentoutmuchandhardlyanybodywenttoseeherexceptmotherandMrs。Lynde。Jordanmadeherthisgardenandshewascrazyaboutitandspentmostofhertimeinit。
Shewasn’tmuchofahousekeeperbutshehadaknackwithflowers。
Andthenshegotsick。Mothersaysshethinksshewasinconsumptionbeforesheevercamehere。Sheneverreallylaidupbutjustgrewweakerandweakerallthetime。Jordanwouldn’thaveanybodytowaitonher。Hediditallhimselfandmothersayshewasastenderandgentleasawoman。Everydayhe’dwrapherinashawlandcarryherouttothegardenandshe’dliethereonabenchquitehappy。TheysaysheusedtomakeJordankneeldownbyhereverynightandmorningandpraywithherthatshemightdieoutinthegardenwhenthetimecame。Andherprayerwasanswered。OnedayJordancarriedherouttothebenchandthenhepickedalltherosesthatwereoutandheapedthemoverher；andshejustsmiledupathim……andclosedhereyes……andthat，\"concludedDianasoftly，\"wastheend。\"
\"Oh，whatadearstory，\"sighedAnne，wipingawayhertears。
\"WhatbecameofJordan？\"askedPriscilla。
\"HesoldthefarmafterHesterdiedandwentbacktoBoston。
Mr。JabezSloaneboughtthefarmandhauledthelittlehouseouttotheroad。JordandiedabouttenyearsafterandhewasbroughthomeandburiedbesideHester。\"
\"Ican’tunderstandhowshecouldhavewantedtolivebackhere，awayfromeverything，\"saidJane。
\"Oh，IcaneasilyunderstandTHAT，\"saidAnnethoughtfully。\"I
wouldn’twantitmyselfforasteadything，because，althoughI
lovethefieldsandwoods，Ilovepeopletoo。ButIcanunderstanditinHester。Shewastiredtodeathofthenoiseofthebigcityandthecrowdsofpeoplealwayscomingandgoingandcaringnothingforher。Shejustwantedtoescapefromitalltosomestill，green，friendlyplacewhereshecouldreSt。Andshegotjustwhatshewanted，whichissomethingveryfewpeopledo，Ibelieve。Shehadfourbeautifulyearsbeforeshedied……fouryearsofperfecthappiness，soIthinkshewastobeenviedmorethanpitied。Andthentoshutyoureyesandfallasleepamongroses，withtheoneyoulovedbestonearthsmilingdownatyou……oh，Ithinkitwasbeautiful！\"
\"Shesetoutthosecherrytreesoverthere，\"saidDiana。\"Shetoldmothershe’dneverlivetoeattheirfruit，butshewantedtothinkthatsomethingshehadplantedwouldgoonlivingandhelpingtomaketheworldbeautifulaftershewasdead。\"
\"I’msogladwecamethisway，\"saidAnne，theshining-eyed。
\"Thisismyadoptedbirthday，youknow，andthisgardenanditsstoryisthebirthdaygiftithasgivenme。DidyourmotherevertellyouwhatHesterGraylookedlike，Diana？\"
\"No……onlyjustthatshewaspretty。\"
\"I’mrathergladofthat，becauseIcanimaginewhatshelookedlike，withoutbeinghamperedbyfacts。Ithinkshewasveryslightandsmall，withsoftlycurlingdarkhairandbig，sweet，timidbrowneyes，andalittlewistful，paleface。\"
ThegirlslefttheirbasketsinHester’sgardenandspenttherestoftheafternoonramblinginthewoodsandfieldssurroundingit，discoveringmanyprettynooksandlanes。Whentheygothungrytheyhadlunchintheprettiestspotofall……onthesteepbankofagurglingbrookwherewhitebirchesshotupoutoflongfeatherygrasses。ThegirlssatdownbytherootsanddidfulljusticetoAnne’sdainties，eventheunpoeticalsandwichesbeinggreatlyappreciatedbyhearty，unspoiledappetitessharpenedbyallthefreshairandexercisetheyhadenjoyed。Annehadbroughtglassesandlemonadeforherguests，butforherownpartdrankcoldbrookwaterfromacupfashionedoutofbirchbark。Thecupleaked，andthewatertastedofearth，asbrookwaterisapttodoinspring；
butAnnethoughtitmoreappropriatetotheoccasionthanlemonade。
\"Lookdoyouseethatpoem？\"shesaidsuddenly，pointing。
\"Where？\"JaneandDianastared，asifexpectingtoseeRunicrhymesonthebirchtrees。
\"There……downinthebrook……thatoldgreen，mossylogwiththewaterflowingoveritinthosesmoothripplesthatlookasifthey’dbeencombed，andthatsingleshaftofsunshinefallingrightathwartit，fardownintothepool。Oh，it’sthemostbeautifulpoemIeversaw。\"
\"Ishouldrathercallitapicture，\"saidJane。\"Apoemislinesandverses。\"
\"Ohdearme，no。\"Anneshookherheadwithitsfluffywildcherrycoronalpositively。\"ThelinesandversesareonlytheoutwardgarmentsofthepoemandarenomorereallyitthanyourrufflesandflouncesareYOU，Jane。Therealpoemisthesoulwithinthem……andthatbeautifulbitisthesoulofanunwrittenpoem。
Itisnoteverydayoneseesasoul……evenofapoem。\"
\"Iwonderwhatasoul……aperson’ssoul……wouldlooklike，\"
saidPriscilladreamily。
\"Likethat，Ishouldthink，\"answeredAnne，pointingtoaradianceofsiftedsunlightstreamingthroughabirchtree。\"Onlywithshapeandfeaturesofcourse。Iliketofancysoulsasbeingmadeoflight。
Andsomeareallshotthroughwithrosystainsandquivers……andsomehaveasoftglitterlikemoonlightonthesea……andsomearepaleandtransparentlikemistatdawn。\"
\"Ireadsomewhereoncethatsoulswerelikeflowers，\"saidPriscilla。
\"Thenyoursoulisagoldennarcissus，\"saidAnne，\"andDiana’sislikeared，redrose。Jane’sisanappleblossom，pinkandwholesomeandsweet。\"
\"Andyourownisawhiteviolet，withpurplestreaksinitsheart，\"
finishedPriscilla。
JanewhisperedtoDianathatshereallycouldnotunderstandwhattheyweretalkingabout。Couldshe？
Thegirlswenthomebythelightofacalmgoldensunset，theirbasketsfilledwithnarcissusblossomsfromHester’sgarden，someofwhichAnnecarriedtothecemeterynextdayandlaiduponHester’sgrave。Minstrelrobinswerewhistlinginthefirsandthefrogsweresinginginthemarshes。Allthebasinsamongthehillswerebrimmedwithtopazandemeraldlight。
\"Well，wehavehadalovelytimeafterall，\"saidDiana，asifshehadhardlyexpectedtohaveitwhenshesetout。
\"Ithasbeenatrulygoldenday，\"saidPriscilla。
\"I’mreallyawfullyfondofthewoodsmyself，\"saidJane。
Annesaidnothing。ShewaslookingafarintothewesternskyandthinkingoflittleHesterGray。
XIV
ADangerAvertedAnne，walkinghomefromthepostofficeoneFridayevening，wasjoinedbyMrs。Lynde，whowasasusualcumberedwithallthecaresofchurchandstate。
\"I’vejustbeendowntoTimothyCotton’stoseeifIcouldgetAliceLouisetohelpmeforafewdays，\"shesaid。\"Ihadherlastweek，for，thoughshe’stooslowtostopquick，she’sbetterthannobody。Butshe’ssickandcan’tcome。Timothy’ssittingthere，too，coughingandcomplaining。He’sbeendyingfortenyearsandhe’llgoondyingfortenyearsmore。Thatkindcan’tevendieandhavedonewithit……theycan’tsticktoanything，eventobeingsick，longenoughtofinishit。They’reaterribleshiftlessfamilyandwhatistobecomeofthemIdon’tknow，butperhapsProvidencedoes。\"
Mrs。LyndesighedasifsheratherdoubtedtheextentofProvidentialknowledgeonthesubject。
\"MarillawasinabouthereyesagainTuesday，wasn’tshe？
Whatdidthespecialistthinkofthem？\"shecontinued。
\"Hewasmuchpleased，\"saidAnnebrightly。\"Hesaysthereisagreatimprovementinthemandhethinksthedangerofherlosinghersightcompletelyispast。Buthesaysshe’llneverbeabletoreadmuchordoanyfinehand-workagain。Howareyourpreparationsforyourbazaarcomingon？\"
TheLadies’AidSocietywaspreparingforafairandsupper，andMrs。Lyndewastheheadandfrontoftheenterprise。
\"Prettywell……andthatremindsme。Mrs。Allanthinksitwouldbenicetofixupaboothlikeanold-timekitchenandserveasupperofbakedbeans，doughnuts，pie，andsoon。
We’recollectingold-fashionedfixingseverywhere。Mrs。
SimonFletcherisgoingtolendushermother’sbraidedrugsandMrs。LeviBoultersomeoldchairsandAuntMaryShawwilllendushercupboardwiththeglassdoors。IsupposeMarillawillletushaveherbrasscandlesticks？Andwewantalltheolddisheswecanget。Mrs。Allanisspeciallysetonhavingarealbluewillowwareplatterifwecanfindone。Butnobodyseemstohaveone。Doyouknowwherewecouldgetone？\"
\"MissJosephineBarryhasone。I’llwriteandaskherifshe’lllenditfortheoccasion，\"saidAnne。
\"Well，Iwishyouwould。Iguesswe’llhavethesupperinaboutafortnight’stime。UncleAbeAndrewsisprophesyingrainandstormsforaboutthattime；andthat’saprettysuresignwe’llhavefineweather。\"
Thesaid\"UncleAbe，\"itmaybementioned，wasatleastlikeotherprophetsinthathehadsmallhonorinhisowncountry。
Hewas，infact，consideredinthelightofastandingjoke，forfewofhisweatherpredictionswereeverfulfilled。
Mr。ElishaWright，wholaboredundertheimpressionthathewasalocalwit，usedtosaythatnobodyinAvonleaeverthoughtoflookingintheCharlottetowndailiesforweatherprobabilities。No；theyjustaskedUncleAbewhatitwasgoingtobetomorrowandexpectedtheopposite。
Nothingdaunted，UncleAbekeptonprophesying。
\"Wewanttohavethefairoverbeforetheelectioncomesoff，\"
continuedMrs。Lynde，\"forthecandidateswillbesuretocomeandspendlotsofmoney。TheToriesarebribingrightandleft，sotheymightaswellbegivenachancetospendtheirmoneyhonestlyforonce。\"
Annewasared-hotConservative，outofloyaltytoMatthew’smemory，butshesaidnothing。SheknewbetterthantogetMrs。Lyndestartedonpolitics。ShehadaletterforMarilla，postmarkedfromatowninBritishColumbia。
\"It’sprobablyfromthechildren’suncle，\"shesaidexcitedly，whenshegothome。\"Oh，Marilla，Iwonderwhathesaysaboutthem。\"
\"Thebestplanmightbetoopenitandsee，\"saidMarillacurtly。
Acloseobservermighthavethoughtthatshewasexcitedalso，butshewouldratherhavediedthanshowit。
Annetoreopentheletterandglancedoverthesomewhatuntidyandpoorlywrittencontents。
\"Hesayshecan’ttakethechildrenthisspring……he’sbeensickmostofthewinterandhisweddingisputoff。Hewantstoknowifwecankeepthemtillthefallandhe’lltryandtakethemthen。
Wewill，ofcourse，won’tweMarilla？\"
\"Idon’tseethatthereisanythingelseforustodo，\"saidMarillarathergrimly，althoughshefeltasecretrelief。
\"Anyhowthey’renotsomuchtroubleastheywere……orelsewe’vegotusedtothem。Davyhasimprovedagreatdeal。\"
\"HisMANNERSarecertainlymuchbetter，\"saidAnnecautiously，asifshewerenotpreparedtosayasmuchforhismorals。
Annehadcomehomefromschoolthepreviousevening，tofindMarillaawayatanAidmeeting，Doraasleeponthekitchensofa，andDavyinthesittingroomcloset，blissfullyabsorbingthecontentsofajarofMarilla’sfamousyellowplumpreserves……
\"companyjam，\"Davycalledit……whichhehadbeenforbiddentotouch。HelookedveryguiltywhenAnnepouncedonhimandwhiskedhimoutofthecloset。
\"DavyKeith，don’tyouknowthatitisverywrongofyoutobeeatingthatjam，whenyouweretoldnevertomeddlewithanythinginTHATcloset？\"
\"Yes，Iknewitwaswrong，\"admittedDavyuncomfortably，\"butplumjamisawfulnice，Anne。IjustpeepedinanditlookedsogoodI
thoughtI’dtakejustaweenytaste。Istuckmyfingerin……\"
Annegroaned……\"andlickeditclean。AnditwassomuchgooderthanI’deverthoughtthatIgotaspoonandjustSAILEDIN。\"
AnnegavehimsuchaseriouslectureonthesinofstealingplumjamthatDavybecameconsciencestrickenandpromisedwithrepentantkissesnevertodoitagain。
\"Anyhow，there’llbeplentyofjaminheaven，that’sonecomfort，\"
hesaidcomplacently。
Annenippedasmileinthebud。
\"Perhapstherewill……ifwewantit，\"shesaid，\"Butwhatmakesyouthinkso？\"
\"Why，it’sinthecatechism，\"saidDavy。
\"Oh，no，thereisnothinglikeTHATinthecatechism，Davy。\"
\"ButItellyouthereis，\"persistedDavy。\"ItwasinthatquestionMarillataughtmelastSunday。`WhyshouldweloveGod？’
Itsays，`BecauseHemakespreserves，andredeemsus。’Preservesisjustaholywayofsayingjam。\"
\"Imustgetadrinkofwater，\"saidAnnehastily。WhenshecamebackitcosthersometimeandtroubletoexplaintoDavythatacertaincommainthesaidcatechismquestionmadeagreatdealofdifferenceinthemeaning。
\"Well，Ithoughtitwastoogoodtobetrue，\"hesaidatlast，withasighofdisappointedconviction。\"Andbesides，Ididn’tseewhenHe’dfindtimetomakejamifit’soneendlessSabbathday，asthehymnsays。Idon’tbelieveIwanttogotoheaven。Won’tthereeverbeanySaturdaysinheaven，Anne？\"
\"Yes，Saturdays，andeveryotherkindofbeautifuldays。Andeverydayinheavenwillbemorebeautifulthantheonebeforeit，Davy，\"
assuredAnne，whowasrathergladthatMarillawasnotbytobeshocked。
Marilla，itisneedlesstosay，wasbringingthetwinsupinthegoodoldwaysoftheologyanddiscouragedallfancifulspeculationsthereupon。
DavyandDoraweretaughtahymn，acatechismquestion，andtwoBibleverseseverySunday。Doralearnedmeeklyandrecitedlikealittlemachine，withperhapsasmuchunderstandingorinterestasifshewereone。Davy，onthecontrary，hadalivelycuriosity，andfrequentlyaskedquestionswhichmadeMarillatrembleforhisfate。
\"ChesterSloanesayswe’lldonothingallthetimeinheavenbutwalkaroundinwhitedressesandplayonharps；andhesayshehopeshewon’thavetogotillhe’sanoldman，’causemaybehe’lllikeitbetterthen。AndhethinksitwillbehorridtoweardressesandIthinksotoo。Whycan’tmenangelsweartrousers，Anne？ChesterSloaneisinterestedinthosethings，’causethey’regoingtomakeaministerofhim。He’sgottobeaminister’causehisgrandmotherleftthemoneytosendhimtocollegeandhecan’thaveitunlessheisaminister。Shethoughtaministerwassucha’spectablethingtohaveinafamily。Chestersayshedoesn’tmindmuch……thoughhe’dratherbeablacksmith……buthe’sboundtohaveallthefunhecanbeforehebeginstobeaminister，’causehedoesn’texpecttohavemuchafterwards。Iain’tgoingtobeaminister。I’mgoingtobeastorekeeper，likeMr。Blair，andkeepheapsofcandyandbananas。ButI’dratherlikegoingtoyourkindofaheavenifthey’dletmeplayamouthorganinsteadofaharp。
Doyous’posetheywould？\"
\"Yes，Ithinktheywouldifyouwantedit，\"wasallAnnecouldtrustherselftosay。
TheA。V。I。S。metatMr。HarmonAndrews’thateveningandafullattendancehadbeenrequested，sinceimportantbusinesswastobediscussed。TheA。V。I。S。wasinaflourishingcondition，andhadalreadyaccomplishedwonders。EarlyinthespringMr。MajorSpencerhadredeemedhispromiseandhadstumped，graded，andseededdownalltheroadfrontofhisfarm。Adozenothermen，somepromptedbyadeterminationnottoletaSpencergetaheadofthem，othersgoadedintoactionbyImproversintheirownhouseholds，hadfollowedhisexample。Theresultwasthattherewerelongstripsofsmoothvelvetturfwhereoncehadbeenunsightlyundergrowthorbrush。Thefarmfrontsthathadnotbeendonelookedsobadlybycontrastthattheirownersweresecretlyshamedintoresolvingtoseewhattheycoulddoanotherspring。
Thetriangleofgroundatthecrossroadshadalsobeenclearedandseededdown，andAnne’sbedofgeraniums，unharmedbyanymaraudingcow，wasalreadysetoutinthecenter。
Altogether，theImproversthoughtthattheyweregettingonbeautifully，evenifMr。LeviBoulter，tactfullyapproachedbyacarefullyselectedcommitteeinregardtotheoldhouseonhisupperfarm，didbluntlytellthemthathewasn’tgoingtohaveitmeddledwith。
Atthisespecialmeetingtheyintendedtodrawupapetitiontotheschooltrustees，humblyprayingthatafencebeputaroundtheschoolgrounds；andaplanwasalsotobediscussedforplantingafewornamentaltreesbythechurch，ifthefundsofthesocietywouldpermitofit……for，asAnnesaid，therewasnouseinstartinganothersubscriptionaslongasthehallremainedblue。
ThememberswereassembledintheAndrews’parlorandJanewasalreadyonherfeettomovetheappointmentofacommitteewhichshouldfindoutandreportonthepriceofsaidtrees，whenGertiePyesweptin，pompadouredandfrilledwithinaninchofherlife。
Gertiehadahabitofbeinglate……\"tomakeherentrancemoreeffective，\"spitefulpeoplesaid。Gertie’sentranceinthisinstancewascertainlyeffective，forshepauseddramaticallyonthemiddleofthefloor，threwupherhands，rolledhereyes，andexclaimed，\"I’vejustheardsomethingperfectlyawful。
WhatDOyouthink？Mr。JudsonParkerISGOINGTORENTALL
THEROADFENCEOFHISFARMTOAPATENTMEDICINECOMPANYTO
PAINTADVERTISEMENTSON。\"
ForonceinherlifeGertiePyemadeallthesensationshedesired。
IfshehadthrownabombamongthecomplacentImproversshecouldhardlyhavemademore。
\"ItCAN’Tbetrue，\"saidAnneblankly。
\"That’sjustwhat_I_saidwhenIhearditfirst，don’tyouknow，\"
saidGertie，whowasenjoyingherselfhugely。\"_I_saiditcouldn’tbetrue……thatJudsonParkerwouldn’thavetheHEARTtodoit，don’tyouknow。ButfathermethimthisafternoonandaskedhimaboutitandhesaiditWAStrue。Justfancy！Hisfarmisside-ontotheNewbridgeroadandhowperfectlyawfulitwilllooktoseeadvertisementsofpillsandplastersallalongit，don’tyouknow？\"
TheImproversDIDknow，alltoowell。Eventheleastimaginativeamongthemcouldpicturethegrotesqueeffectofhalfamileofboardfenceadornedwithsuchadvertisements。Allthoughtofchurchandschoolgroundsvanishedbeforethisnewdanger。
Parliamentaryrulesandregulationswereforgotten，andAnne，indespair，gaveuptryingtokeepminutesatall。Everybodytalkedatonceandfearfulwasthehubbub。
\"Oh，letuskeepcalm，\"imploredAnne，whowasthemostexcitedofthemall，\"andtrytothinkofsomewayofpreventinghim。\"
\"Idon’tknowhowyou’regoingtopreventhim，\"exclaimedJanebitterly。
\"EverybodyknowswhatJudsonParkeris。He’ddoANYTHINGformoney。
Hehasn’taSPARKofpublicspiritorANYsenseofthebeautiful。\"
Theprospectlookedratherunpromising。JudsonParkerandhissisterweretheonlyParkersinAvonlea，sothatnoleveragecouldbeexertedbyfamilyconnections。MarthaParkerwasaladyofalltoocertainagewhodisapprovedofyoungpeopleingeneralandtheImproversinparticular。Judsonwasajovial，smooth-spokenman，souniformlygoodnaturedandblandthatitwassurprisinghowfewfriendshehad。Perhapshehadgotthebetterintoomanybusinesstransactions……whichseldommakesforpopularity。Hewasreputedtobevery\"sharp\"anditwasthegeneralopinionthathe\"hadn’tmuchprinciple。\"
\"IfJudsonParkerhasachanceto`turnanhonestpenny，’ashesayshimself，he’llneverloseit，\"declaredFredWright。
\"IsthereNOBODYwhohasanyinfluenceoverhim？\"askedAnnedespairingly。
\"HegoestoseeLouisaSpenceratWhiteSands，\"suggestedCarrieSloane。\"Perhapsshecouldcoaxhimnottorenthisfences。\"
\"Notshe，\"saidGilbertemphatically。\"IknowLouisaSpencerwell。
Shedoesn’t`believe’inVillageImprovementSocieties，butsheDOESbelieveindollarsandcents。She’dbemorelikelytourgeJudsononthantodissuadehim。\"
\"Theonlythingtodoistoappointacommitteetowaitonhimandprotest，\"
saidJuliaBell，\"andyoumustsendgirls，forhe’dhardlybeciviltoboys……but_I_won’tgo，sonobodyneednominateme。\"
\"BettersendAnnealone，\"saidOliverSloane。\"ShecantalkJudsonoverifanybodycan。\"
Anneprotested。Shewaswillingtogoanddothetalking；butshemusthaveotherswithher\"formoralsupport。\"DianaandJanewerethereforeappointedtosupporthermorallyandtheImproversbrokeup，buzzinglikeangrybeeswithindignation。Annewassoworriedthatshedidn’tsleepuntilnearlymorning，andthenshedreamedthatthetrusteeshadputafencearoundtheschoolandpainted\"TryPurplePills\"alloverit。
ThecommitteewaitedonJudsonParkerthenextafternoon。AnnepleadedeloquentlyagainsthisnefariousdesignandJaneandDianasupportedhermorallyandvaliantly。Judsonwassleek，suave，flattering；
paidthemseveralcomplimentsofthedelicacyofsunflowers；
feltrealbadtorefusesuchcharmingyoungladies……butbusinesswasbusiness；couldn’taffordtoletsentimentstandinthewaythesehardtimes。
\"ButI’lltellwhatIWILLdo，\"hesaid，withatwinkleinhislight，fulleyes。\"I’lltelltheagenthemustuseonlyhandsome，tastycolors……redandyellowandsoon。I’lltellhimhemustn’tpainttheadsBLUEonanyaccount。\"