Thevanquishedcommitteeretired，thinkingthingsnotlawfultobeuttered。
\"WehavedoneallwecandoandmustsimplytrusttheresttoProvidence，\"
saidJane，withanunconsciousimitationofMrs。Lynde’stoneandmanner。
\"IwonderifMr。Allancoulddoanything，\"reflectedDiana。
Anneshookherhead。
\"No，it’snousetoworryMr。Allan，especiallynowwhenthebaby’ssosick。Judsonwouldslipawayfromhimassmoothlyasfromus，althoughheHAStakentogoingtochurchquiteregularlyjustnow。
ThatissimplybecauseLouisaSpencer’sfatherisanelderandveryparticularaboutsuchthings。\"
\"JudsonParkeristheonlymaninAvonleawhowoulddreamofrentinghisfences，\"saidJaneindignantly。\"EvenLeviBoulterorLorenzoWhitewouldneverstooptothat，tightfistedastheyare。
Theywouldhavetoomuchrespectforpublicopinion。\"
PublicopinionwascertainlydownonJudsonParkerwhenthefactsbecameknown，butthatdidnothelpmattersmuch。Judsonchuckledtohimselfanddefiedit，andtheImproversweretryingtoreconcilethemselvestotheprospectofseeingtheprettiestpartoftheNewbridgeroaddefacedbyadvertisements，whenAnnerosequietlyatthepresident’scallforreportsofcommitteesontheoccasionofthenextmeetingoftheSociety，andannouncedthatMr。JudsonParkerhadinstructedhertoinformtheSocietythathewasNOTgoingtorenthisfencestothePatentMedicineCompany。
JaneandDianastaredasiftheyfoundithardtobelievetheirears。
Parliamentaryetiquette，whichwasgenerallyverystrictlyenforcedintheA。V。I。S。，forbadethemgivinginstantventtotheircuriosity，butaftertheSocietyadjournedAnnewasbesiegedforexplanations。
Annehadnoexplanationtogive。JudsonParkerhadovertakenherontheroadtheprecedingeveningandtoldherthathehaddecidedtohumortheA。V。I。S。initspeculiarprejudiceagainstpatentmedicineadvertisements。ThatwasallAnnewouldsay，thenoreverafterwards，anditwasthesimpletruth；butwhenJaneAndrews，onherwayhome，confidedtoOliverSloaneherfirmbeliefthattherewasmorebehindJudsonParker’smysteriouschangeofheartthanAnneShirleyhadrevealed，shespokethetruthalso。
AnnehadbeendowntooldMrs。Irving’sontheshoreroadtheprecedingeveningandhadcomehomebyashortcutwhichledherfirstoverthelow-lyingshorefields，andthenthroughthebeechwoodbelowRobertDickson’s，byalittlefootpaththatranouttothemainroadjustabovetheLakeofShiningWaters……knowntounimaginativepeopleasBarry’spond。
Twomenweresittingintheirbuggies，reinedofftothesideoftheroad，justattheentranceofthepath。OnewasJudsonParker；
theotherwasJerryCorcoran，aNewbridgemanagainstwhom，asMrs。Lyndewouldhavetoldyouineloquentitalics，nothingshadyhadeverbeenPROVED。Hewasanagentforagriculturalimplementsandaprominentpersonageinmatterspolitical。Hehadafinger……
somepeoplesaidALLhisfingers……ineverypoliticalpiethatwascooked；andasCanadawasontheeveofageneralelectionJerryCorcoranhadbeenabusymanformanyweeks，canvassingthecountyintheinterestsofhisparty’scandidate。JustasAnneemergedfromundertheoverhangingbeechboughssheheardCorcoransay，\"Ifyou’llvoteforAmesbury，Parker……well，I’veanoteforthatpairofharrowsyou’vegotinthespring。Isupposeyouwouldn’tobjecttohavingitback，eh？\"
\"We……ll，sinceyouputitinthatway，\"drawledJudsonwithagrin，\"IreckonImightaswelldoit。Amanmustlookoutforhisowninterestsinthesehardtimes。\"
BothsawAnneatthismomentandconversationabruptlyceased。
Annebowedfrostilyandwalkedon，withherchinslightlymoretiltedthanusual。SoonJudsonParkerovertookher。
\"Havealift，Anne？\"heinquiredgenially。
\"Thankyou，no，\"saidAnnepolitely，butwithafine，needle-likedisdaininhervoicethatpiercedevenJudsonParker’snonetoosensitiveconsciousness。Hisfacereddenedandhetwitchedhisreinsangrily；butthenextsecondprudentialconsiderationscheckedhim。HelookeduneasilyatAnne，asshewalkedsteadilyon，glancingneithertotherightnortotheleft。HadsheheardCorcoran’sunmistakableofferandhisowntooplainacceptanceofit？
ConfoundCorcoran！Ifhecouldn’tputhismeaningintolessdangerousphraseshe’dgetintotroublesomeoftheselong-come-shorts。Andconfoundredheadedschool-ma’amswithahabitofpoppingoutofbeechwoodswheretheyhadnobusinesstobe。
IfAnnehadheard，JudsonParker，measuringhercorninhisownhalfbushel，asthecountrysayingwent，andcheatinghimselfthereby，assuchpeoplegenerallydo，believedthatshewouldtellitfarandwide。Now，JudsonParker，ashasbeenseen，wasnotoverlyregardfulofpublicopinion；buttobeknownashavingacceptedabribewouldbeanastything；andifiteverreachedIsaacSpencer’searsfarewellforevertoallhopeofwinningLouisaJanewithhercomfortableprospectsastheheiressofawell-to-dofarmer。JudsonParkerknewthatMr。Spencerlookedsomewhataskanceathimasitwas；hecouldnotaffordtotakeanyrisks。
\"Ahem……Anne，I’vebeenwantingtoseeyouaboutthatlittlematterwewerediscussingtheotherday。I’vedecidednottoletmyfencestothatcompanyafterall。Asocietywithanaimlikeyoursoughttobeencouraged。\"
Annethawedoutthemeresttrifle。
\"Thankyou，\"shesaid。
\"And……and……youneedn’tmentionthatlittleconversationofminewithJerry。\"
\"Ihavenointentionofmentioningitinanycase，\"saidAnneicily，forshewouldhaveseeneveryfenceinAvonleapaintedwithadvertisementsbeforeshewouldhavestoopedtobargainwithamanwhowouldsellhisvote。
\"Justso……justso，\"agreedJudson，imaginingthattheyunderstoodeachotherbeautifully。\"Ididn’tsupposeyouwould。
Ofcourse，IwasonlystringingJerry……hethinkshe’ssoall-firedcuteandsmart。I’venointentionofvotingforAmesbury。
I’mgoingtovoteforGrantasI’vealwaysdone……you’llseethatwhentheelectioncomesoff。IjustledJerryontoseeifhewouldcommithimself。Andit’sallrightaboutthefence……youcantelltheImproversthat。\"
\"Ittakesallsortsofpeopletomakeaworld，asI’veoftenheard，butIthinktherearesomewhocouldbespared，\"Annetoldherreflectionintheeastgablemirrorthatnight。\"Iwouldn’thavementionedthedisgracefulthingtoasoulanyhow，somyconscienceisclearonTHATscore。Ireallydon’tknowwhoorwhatistobethankedforthis。_I_didnothingtobringitabout，andit’shardtobelievethatProvidenceeverworksbymeansofthekindofpoliticsmenlikeJudsonParkerandJerryCorcoranhave。\"
XV
TheBeginningofVacationAnnelockedtheschoolhousedooronastill，yellowevening，whenthewindswerepurringinthesprucesaroundtheplayground，andtheshadowswerelongandlazybytheedgeofthewoods。Shedroppedthekeyintoherpocketwithasighofsatisfaction。Theschoolyearwasended，shehadbeenreengagedforthenext，withmanyexpressionsofsatisfaction……onlyMr。HarmonAndrewstoldhersheoughttousethestrapoftener……andtwodelightfulmonthsofawell-earnedvacationbeckonedherinvitingly。Annefeltatpeacewiththeworldandherselfasshewalkeddownthehillwithherbasketofflowersinherhand。SincetheearliestmayflowersAnnehadnevermissedherweeklypilgrimagetoMatthew’sgrave。EveryoneelseinAvonlea，exceptMarilla，hadalreadyforgottenquiet，shy，unimportantMatthewCuthbert；buthismemorywasstillgreeninAnne’sheartandalwayswouldbe。Shecouldneverforgetthekindoldmanwhohadbeenthefirsttogivehertheloveandsympathyherstarvedchildhoodhadcraved。
Atthefootofthehillaboywassittingonthefenceintheshadowofthespruces……aboywithbig，dreamyeyesandabeautiful，sensitiveface。HeswungdownandjoinedAnne，smiling；
butthereweretracesoftearsonhischeeks。
\"IthoughtI’dwaitforyou，teacher，becauseIknewyouweregoingtothegraveyard，\"hesaid，slippinghishandintohers。\"I’mgoingthere，too……I’mtakingthisbouquetofgeraniumstoputonGrandpaIrving’sgraveforgrandma。Andlook，teacher，I’mgoingtoputthisbunchofwhiterosesbesideGrandpa’sgraveinmemoryofmylittlemother……becauseIcan’tgotohergravetoputitthere。
Butdon’tyouthinkshe’llknowallaboutit，justthesame？\"
\"Yes，Iamsureshewill，Paul。\"
\"Yousee，teacher，it’sjustthreeyearstodaysincemylittlemotherdied。It’ssuchalong，longtimebutithurtsjustasmuchasever……andImissherjustasmuchasever。SometimesitseemstomethatIjustcan’tbearit，ithurtsso。\"
Paul’svoicequiveredandhisliptrembled。Helookeddownathisroses，hopingthathisteacherwouldnotnoticethetearsinhiseyes。
\"Andyet，\"saidAnne，verysoftly，\"youwouldn’twantittostophurting……youwouldn’twanttoforgetyourlittlemotherevenifyoucould。\"
\"No，indeed，Iwouldn’t……that’sjustthewayIfeel。You’resogoodatunderstanding，teacher。Nobodyelseunderstandssowell……notevengrandma，althoughshe’ssogoodtome。Fatherunderstoodprettywell，butstillIcouldn’ttalkmuchtohimaboutmother，becauseitmadehimfeelsobad。WhenheputhishandoverhisfaceIalwaysknewitwastimetostop。Poorfather，hemustbedreadfullylonesomewithoutme；butyouseehehasnobodybutahousekeepernowandhethinkshousekeepersarenogoodtobringuplittleboys，especiallywhenhehastobeawayfromhomesomuchonbusiness。
Grandmothersarebetter，nexttomothers。Someday，whenI’mbroughtup，I’llgobacktofatherandwe’renevergoingtobepartedagain。\"
PaulhadtalkedsomuchtoAnneabouthismotherandfatherthatshefeltasifshehadknownthem。Shethoughthismothermusthavebeenverylikewhathewashimself，intemperamentanddisposition；andshehadanideathatStephenIrvingwasaratherreservedmanwithadeepandtendernaturewhichhekepthiddenscrupulouslyfromtheworld。
\"Father’snotveryeasytogetacquaintedwith，\"Paulhadsaidonce。
\"Inevergotreallyacquaintedwithhimuntilaftermylittlemotherdied。
Buthe’ssplendidwhenyoudogettoknowhim。Ilovehimthebestinalltheworld，andGrandmaIrvingnext，andthenyou，teacher。I’dloveyounexttofatherifitwasn’tmyDUTYtoloveGrandmaIrvingbest，becauseshe’sdoingsomuchforme。YOUknow，teacher。IwishshewouldleavethelampinmyroomtillIgotosleep，though。ShetakesitrightoutassoonasshetucksmeupbecauseshesaysImustn’tbeacoward。
I’mNOTscared，butI’dRATHERhavethelight。MylittlemotherusedalwaystositbesidemeandholdmyhandtillIwenttosleep。
Iexpectshespoiledme。Mothersdosometimes，youknow。\"
No，Annedidnotknowthis，althoughshemightimagineit。
ShethoughtsadlyofHER\"littlemother，\"themotherwhohadthoughtherso\"perfectlybeautiful\"andwhohaddiedsolongagoandwasburiedbesideherboyishhusbandinthatunvisitedgravefaraway。AnnecouldnotrememberhermotherandforthisreasonshealmostenviedPaul。
\"Mybirthdayisnextweek，\"saidPaul，astheywalkedupthelongredhill，baskingintheJunesunshine，\"andfatherwrotemethatheissendingmesomethingthathethinksI’lllikebetterthananythingelsehecouldsend。Ibelieveithascomealready，forGrandmaiskeepingthebookcasedrawerlockedandthatissomethingnew。
AndwhenIaskedherwhy，shejustlookedmysteriousandsaidlittleboysmustn’tbetoocurious。It’sveryexcitingtohaveabirthday，isn’tit？I’llbeeleven。You’dneverthinkittolookatme，wouldyou？GrandmasaysI’mverysmallformyageandthatit’sallbecauseIdon’teatenoughporridge。Idomyverybest，butGrandmagivessuchgenerousplatefuls……there’snothingmeanaboutGrandma，Icantellyou。EversinceyouandIhadthattalkaboutprayinggoinghomefromSundaySchoolthatday，teacher……
whenyousaidweoughttoprayaboutallourdifficulties……I’veprayedeverynightthatGodwouldgivemeenoughgracetoenablemetoeateverybitofmyporridgeinthemornings。ButI’veneverbeenabletodoityet，andwhetherit’sbecauseIhavetoolittlegraceortoomuchporridgeIreallycan’tdecide。Grandmasaysfatherwasbroughtuponporridge，anditcertainlydidworkwellinhiscase，foryououghttoseetheshouldershehas。
Butsometimes，\"concludedPaulwithasighandameditativeair\"Ireallythinkporridgewillbethedeathofme。\"
Annepermittedherselfasmile，sincePaulwasnotlookingather。
AllAvonleaknewthatoldMrs。Irvingwasbringinghergrandsonupinaccordancewiththegood，old-fashionedmethodsofdietandmorals。
\"Letushopenot，dear，\"shesaidcheerfully。\"Howareyourrockpeoplecomingon？DoestheoldestTwinstillcontinuetobehavehimself？\"
\"HeHASto，\"saidPaulemphatically。\"HeknowsIwon’tassociatewithhimifhedoesn’t。Heisreallyfullofwickedness，Ithink。\"
\"AndhasNorafoundoutabouttheGoldenLadyyet？\"
\"No；butIthinkshesuspects。I’malmostsureshewatchedmethelasttimeIwenttothecave。_I_don’tmindifshefindsout……
itisonlyforHERsakeIdon’twantherto……sothatherfeelingswon’tbehurt。ButifsheisDETERMINEDtohaveherfeelingshurtitcan’tbehelped。\"
\"IfIweretogototheshoresomenightwithyoudoyouthinkI
couldseeyourrockpeopletoo？\"
Paulshookhisheadgravely。
\"No，Idon’tthinkyoucouldseeMYrockpeople。I’mtheonlypersonwhocanseethem。Butyoucouldseerockpeopleofyourown。You’reoneofthekindthatcan。We’reboththatkind。
YOUknow，teacher，\"headded，squeezingherhandchummily。
\"Isn’titsplendidtobethatkind，teacher？\"
\"Splendid，\"Anneagreed，grayshiningeyeslookingdownintoblueshiningones。AnneandPaulbothknew\"HowfairtherealmImaginationopenstotheview，\"
andbothknewthewaytothathappyland。Theretheroseofjoybloomedimmortalbydaleandstream；cloudsneverdarkenedthesunnysky；sweetbellsneverjangledoutoftune；andkindredspiritsabounded。Theknowledgeofthatland’sgeography……
\"easto’thesun，westo’themoon\"……ispricelesslore，nottobeboughtinanymarketplace。Itmustbethegiftofthegoodfairiesatbirthandtheyearscanneverdefaceitortakeitaway。
Itisbettertopossessit，livinginagarret，thantobetheinhabitantofpalaceswithoutit。
TheAvonleagraveyardwasasyetthegrass-grownsolitudeithadalwaysbeen。Tobesure，theImprovershadaneyeonit，andPriscillaGranthadreadapaperoncemeteriesbeforethelastmeetingoftheSociety。AtsomefuturetimetheImproversmeanttohavethelichened，waywardoldboardfencereplacedbyaneatwirerailing，thegrassmownandtheleaningmonumentsstraightenedup。
AnneputonMatthew’sgravetheflowersshehadbroughtforit，andthenwentovertothelittlepoplarshadedcornerwhereHesterGrayslept。
EversincethedayofthespringpicnicAnnehadputflowersonHester’sgravewhenshevisitedMatthew’s。TheeveningbeforeshehadmadeapilgrimagebacktothelittledesertedgardeninthewoodsandbroughttherefromsomeofHester’sownwhiteroses。
\"Ithoughtyouwouldlikethembetterthananyothers，dear，\"
shesaidsoftly。
AnnewasstillsittingtherewhenashadowfelloverthegrassandshelookeduptoseeMrs。Allan。Theywalkedhometogether。
Mrs。Allan’sfacewasnotthefaceofthegirlbridewhomtheministerhadbroughttoAvonleafiveyearsbefore。Ithadlostsomeofitsbloomandyouthfulcurves，andtherewerefine，patientlinesabouteyesandmouth。Atinygraveinthatverycemeteryaccountedforsomeofthem；andsomenewoneshadcomeduringtherecentillness，nowhappilyover，ofherlittleson。ButMrs。Allan’sdimpleswereassweetandsuddenasever，hereyesasclearandbrightandtrue；andwhatherfacelackedofgirlishbeautywasnowmorethanatonedforinaddedtendernessandstrength。
\"Isupposeyouarelookingforwardtoyourvacation，Anne？\"shesaid，astheyleftthegraveyard。
Annenodded。
\"Yes……Icouldrollthewordasasweetmorselundermytongue。
Ithinkthesummerisgoingtobelovely。Foronething，Mrs。MorganiscomingtotheIslandinJulyandPriscillaisgoingtobringherup。
Ifeeloneofmyold`thrills’atthemerethought。\"
\"Ihopeyou’llhaveagoodtime，Anne。You’veworkedveryhardthispastyearandyouhavesucceeded。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow。I’vecomesofarshortinsomanythings。I
haven’tdonewhatImeanttodowhenIbegantoteachlastfall。
Ihaven’tliveduptomyideals。\"
\"Noneofuseverdo，\"saidMrs。Allanwithasigh。\"Butthen，Anne，youknowwhatLowellsays，`Notfailurebutlowaimiscrime。’
Wemusthaveidealsandtrytoliveuptothem，evenifweneverquitesucceed。Lifewouldbeasorrybusinesswithoutthem。
Withthemit’sgrandandgreat。Holdfasttoyourideals，Anne。\"
\"Ishalltry。ButIhavetoletgomostofmytheories，\"saidAnne，laughingalittle。\"IhadthemostbeautifulsetoftheoriesyoueverknewwhenIstartedoutasaschoolma’am，buteveryoneofthemhasfailedmeatsomepinchoranother。\"
\"Eventhetheoryoncorporalpunishment，\"teasedMrs。Allan。
ButAnneflushed。
\"IshallneverforgivemyselfforwhippingAnthony。\"
\"Nonsense，dear，hedeservedit。Anditagreedwithhim。Youhavehadnotroublewithhimsinceandhehascometothinkthere’snobodylikeyou。Yourkindnesswonhisloveaftertheideathata’girlwasnogood’wasrootedoutofhisstubbornmind。\"
\"Hemayhavedeservedit，butthatisnotthepoint。IfIhadcalmlyanddeliberatelydecidedtowhiphimbecauseIthoughtitajustpunishmentforhimIwouldnotfeeloveritasIdo。Butthetruthis，Mrs。Allan，thatIjustflewintoatemperandwhippedhimbecauseofthat。Iwasn’tthinkingwhetheritwasjustorunjust……evenifhehadn’tdeserveditI’dhavedoneitjustthesame。Thatiswhathumiliatesme。\"
\"Well，weallmakemistakes，dear，sojustputitbehindyou。Weshouldregretourmistakesandlearnfromthem，butnevercarrythemforwardintothefuturewithus。TheregoesGilbertBlytheonhiswheel……homeforhisvacationtoo，Isuppose。Howareyouandhegettingonwithyourstudies？\"
\"Prettywell。WeplantofinishtheVirgiltonight……thereareonlytwentylinestodo。ThenwearenotgoingtostudyanymoreuntilSeptember。\"
\"Doyouthinkyouwillevergettocollege？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow。\"Annelookeddreamilyafartotheopal-tintedhorizon。\"Marilla’seyeswillneverbemuchbetterthantheyarenow，althoughwearesothankfultothinkthattheywillnotgetworse。
Andthentherearethetwins……somehowIdon’tbelievetheirunclewilleverreallysendforthem。Perhapscollegemaybearoundthebendintheroad，butIhaven’tgottothebendyetandIdon’tthinkmuchaboutitlestImightgrowdiscontented。\"
\"Well，Ishouldliketoseeyougotocollege，Anne；butifyouneverdo，don’tbediscontentedaboutit。Wemakeourownliveswhereverweare，afterall……collegecanonlyhelpustodoitmoreeasily。Theyarebroadornarrowaccordingtowhatweputintothem，notwhatwegetout。Lifeisrichandfullhere……
everywhere……ifwecanonlylearnhowtoopenourwholeheartstoitsrichnessandfulness。\"
\"IthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，\"saidAnnethoughtfully，\"andIknowIhavesomuchtofeelthankfulfor……oh，somuch……
mywork，andPaulIrving，andthedeartwins，andallmyfriends。
Doyouknow，Mrs。Allan，I’msothankfulforfriendship。Itbeautifieslifesomuch。\"
\"Truefriendshipisaveryhelpfululthingindeed，\"saidMrs。Allan，\"andweshouldhaveaveryhighidealofit，andneversullyitbyanyfailureintruthandsincerity。Ifearthenameoffriendshipisoftendegradedtoakindofintimacythathasnothingofrealfriendshipinit。\"
\"Yes……likeGertiePye’sandJuliaBell’s。Theyareveryintimateandgoeverywheretogether；butGertieisalwayssayingnastythingsofJuliabehindherbackandeverybodythinkssheisjealousofherbecausesheisalwayssopleasedwhenanybodycriticizesJulia。
Ithinkitisdesecrationtocallthatfriendship。Ifwehavefriendsweshouldlookonlyforthebestinthemandgivethemthebestthatisinus，don’tyouthink？Thenfriendshipwouldbethemostbeautifulthingintheworld。\"
\"FriendshipISverybeautiful，\"smiledMrs。Allan，\"butsomeday……\"
Thenshepausedabruptly。Inthedelicate，white-browedfacebesideher，withitscandideyesandmobilefeatures，therewasstillfarmoreofthechildthanofthewoman。Anne’sheartsofarharboredonlydreamsoffriendshipandambition，andMrs。Allandidnotwishtobrushthebloomfromhersweetunconsciousness。
Soshelefthersentenceforthefutureyearstofinish。
XVI
TheSubstanceofThingsHopedFor\"Anne，\"saidDavyappealingly，scramblingupontheshiny，leather-coveredsofaintheGreenGableskitchen，whereAnnesat，readingaletter，\"Anne，I’mAWFULhungry。You’venoidea。\"
\"I’llgetyouapieceofbreadandbutterinaminute，\"saidAnneabsently。Herletterevidentlycontainedsomeexcitingnews，forhercheekswereaspinkastherosesonthebigbushoutside，andhereyeswereasstarryasonlyAnne’seyescouldbe。
\"ButIain’tbreadandbutterhungry，\"saidDavyinadisgustedtone。
\"I’mplumcakehungry。\"
\"Oh，\"laughedAnne，layingdownherletterandputtingherarmaboutDavytogivehimasqueeze，\"that’sakindofhungerthatcanbeenduredverycomfortably，Davy-boy。Youknowit’soneofMarilla’srulesthatyoucan’thaveanythingbutbreadandbutterbetweenmeals。\"
\"Well，gimmeapiecethen……please。\"
Davyhadbeenatlasttaughttosay\"please，\"buthegenerallytackeditonasanafterthought。HelookedwithapprovalatthegeneroussliceAnnepresentlybroughttohim。\"Youalwaysputsuchanicelotofbutteronit，Anne。Marillaspreadsitprettythin。
Itslipsdownaloteasierwhenthere’splentyofbutter。\"
Theslice\"slippeddown\"withtolerableease，judgingfromitsrapiddisappearance。Davyslidheadfirstoffthesofa，turnedadoublesomersaultontherug，andthensatupandannounceddecidedly，\"Anne，I’vemadeupmymindaboutheaven。Idon’twanttogothere。\"
\"Whynot？\"askedAnnegravely。
\"CauseheavenisinSimonFletcher’sgarret，andIdon’tlikeSimonFletcher。\"
\"Heavenin……SimonFletcher’sgarret！\"gaspedAnne，tooamazedeventolaugh。\"DavyKeith，whateverputsuchanextraordinaryideaintoyourhead？\"
\"MiltyBoultersaysthat’swhereitis。ItwaslastSundayinSundaySchool。ThelessonwasaboutElijahandElisha，andIupandaskedMissRogersonwhereheavenwas。MissRogersonlookedawfuloffended。Shewascrossanyhow，becausewhenshe’daskeduswhatElijahleftElishawhenhewenttoheavenMiltyBoultersaid，`Hisoldclo’es，’andusfellowsalllaughedbeforewethought。I
wishyoucouldthinkfirstanddothingsafterwards，’causethenyouwouldn’tdothem。ButMiltydidn’tmeantobedisrespeckful。
Hejustcouldn’tthinkofthenameofthething。MissRogersonsaidheavenwaswhereGodwasandIwasn’ttoaskquestionslikethat。
Miltynudgedmeandsaidinawhisper，`Heaven’sinUncleSimon’sgarretandI’llesplainaboutitontheroadhome。’Sowhenwewascominghomeheesplained。Milty’sagreathandatesplainingthings。Evenifhedon’tknowanythingaboutathinghe’llmakeupalotofstuffandsoyougetitesplainedallthesame。HismotherisMrs。Simon’ssisterandhewentwithhertothefuneralwhenhiscousin，JaneEllen，died。Theministersaidshe’dgonetoheaven，thoughMiltysaysshewaslyingrightbeforetheminthecoffin。Buthes’posedtheycarriedthecoffintothegarretafterwards。Well，whenMiltyandhismotherwentupstairsafteritwasallovertogetherbonnetheaskedherwhereheavenwasthatJaneEllenhadgoneto，andshepointedrighttotheceilingandsaid，`Upthere。’Miltyknewtherewasn’tanythingbutthegarretovertheceiling，sothat’showHEfoundout。Andhe’sbeenawfulscaredtogotohisUncleSimon’seversince。\"
AnnetookDavyonherkneeanddidherbesttostraightenoutthistheologicaltanglealso。ShewasmuchbetterfittedforthetaskthanMarilla，forsherememberedherownchildhoodandhadaninstinctiveunderstandingofthecuriousideasthatseven-year-oldssometimesgetaboutmattersthatare，ofcourse，veryplainandsimpletogrownuppeople。ShehadjustsucceededinconvincingDavythatheavenwasNOTinSimonFletcher’sgarretwhenMarillacameinfromthegarden，wheresheandDorahadbeenpickingpeas。
Dorawasanindustriouslittlesoulandneverhappierthanwhen\"helping\"invarioussmalltaskssuitedtoherchubbyfingers。Shefedchickens，pickedupchips，wipeddishes，andranerrandsgalore。
Shewasneat，faithfulandobservant；sheneverhadtobetoldhowtodoathingtwiceandneverforgotanyofherlittleduties。
Davy，ontheotherhand，wasratherheedlessandforgetful；buthehadthebornknackofwinninglove，andevenyetAnneandMarillalikedhimthebetter。
WhileDoraproudlyshelledthepeasandDavymadeboatsofthepods，withmastsofmatchesandsailsofpaper，AnnetoldMarillaaboutthewonderfulcontentsofherletter。
\"Oh，Marilla，whatdoyouthink？I’vehadaletterfromPriscillaandshesaysthatMrs。MorganisontheIsland，andthatifitisfineThursdaytheyaregoingtodriveuptoAvonleaandwillreachhereabouttwelve。TheywillspendtheafternoonwithusandgotothehotelatWhiteSandsintheevening，becausesomeofMrs。Morgan’sAmericanfriendsarestayingthere。Oh，Marilla，isn’titwonderful？
IcanhardlybelieveI’mnotdreaming。\"
\"IdaresayMrs。Morganisalotlikeotherpeople，\"saidMarilladrily，althoughshedidfeelatrifleexcitedherself。Mrs。Morganwasafamouswomanandavisitfromherwasnocommonplaceoccurrence。
\"They’llbeheretodinner，then？\"
\"Yes；andoh，Marilla，mayIcookeverybitofthedinnermyself？
IwanttofeelthatIcandosomethingfortheauthorof`TheRosebudGarden，’ifitisonlytocookadinnerforher。
Youwon’tmind，willyou？\"
\"Goodness，I’mnotsofondofstewingoverahotfireinJulythatitwouldvexmeverymuchtohavesomeoneelsedoit。You’requitewelcometothejob。\"
\"Oh，thankyou，\"saidAnne，asifMarillahadjustconferredatremendousfavor，\"I’llmakeoutthemenuthisverynight。\"
\"You’dbetternottrytoputontoomuchstyle，\"warnedMarilla，alittlealarmedbythehigh-flownsoundof\"menu。\"You’lllikelycometogriefifyoudo。\"
\"Oh，I’mnotgoingtoputonany`style，’ifyoumeantryingtodoorhavethingswedon’tusuallyhaveonfestaloccasions，\"assuredAnne。
\"Thatwouldbeaffectation，and，althoughIknowIhaven’tasmuchsenseandsteadinessasagirlofseventeenandaschoolteacheroughttohave，I’mnotsosillyASthat。ButIwanttohaveeverythingasniceanddaintyaspossible。Davy-boy，don’tleavethosepeapodsonthebackstairs……someonemightsliponthem。
I’llhavealightsouptobeginwith……youknowIcanmakelovelycream-of-onionsoup……andthenacoupleofroastfowls。
I’llhavethetwowhiteroosters。Ihaverealaffectionforthoseroostersandthey’vebeenpetseversincethegrayhenhatchedoutjustthetwoofthem……littleballsofyellowdown。
ButIknowtheywouldhavetobesacrificedsometime，andsurelytherecouldn’tbeaworthieroccasionthanthis。Butoh，Marilla，_I_cannotkillthem……notevenforMrs。Morgan’ssake。I’llhavetoaskJohnHenryCartertocomeoveranddoitforme。\"
\"I’lldoit，\"volunteeredDavy，\"ifMarilla’llholdthembythelegs\"
causeIguessit’dtakebothmyhandstomanagetheaxe。It’sawfuljollyfuntoseethemhoppingaboutaftertheirheadsarecutoff。\"
\"ThenI’llhavepeasandbeansandcreamedpotatoesandalettucesalad，forvegetables，\"resumedAnne，\"andfordessert，lemonpiewithwhippedcream，andcoffeeandcheeseandladyfingers。
I’llmakethepiesandladyfingerstomorrowanddoupmywhitemuslindress。AndImusttellDianatonight，forshe’llwanttodouphers。
Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesarenearlyalwaysdressedinwhitemuslin，andDianaandIhavealwaysresolvedthatthatwaswhatwewouldwearifweevermether。Itwillbesuchadelicatecompliment，don’tyouthink？Davy，dear，youmustn’tpokepeapodsintothecracksofthefloor。ImustaskMr。andMrs。AllanandMissStacytodinner，too，forthey’reallveryanxioustomeetMrs。Morgan。It’ssofortunateshe’scomingwhileMissStacyishere。
Davydear，don’tsailthepeapodsinthewaterbucket……goouttothetrough。Oh，IdohopeitwillbefineThursday，andIthinkitwill，forUncleAbesaidlastnightwhenhecalledatMr。Harrison’s，thatitwasgoingtorainmostofthisweek。\"
\"That’sagoodsign，\"agreedMarilla。
AnneranacrosstoOrchardSlopethateveningtotellthenewstoDiana，whowasalsoverymuchexcitedoverit，andtheydiscussedthematterinthehammockswungunderthebigwillowintheBarrygarden。
\"Oh，Anne，mayn’tIhelpyoucookthedinner？\"imploredDiana。
\"YouknowIcanmakesplendidlettucesalad。\"
\"Indeedyou，may\"saidAnneunselfishly。\"AndIshallwantyoutohelpmedecoratetoo。ImeantohavetheparlorsimplyaBOWERofblossoms……andthediningtableistobeadornedwithwildroses。
Oh，Idohopeeverythingwillgosmoothly。Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesNEVERgetintoscrapesoraretakenatadisadvantage，andtheyarealwayssoselfpossessedandsuchgoodhousekeepers。TheyseemtobeBORNgoodhousekeepers。YourememberthatGertrudein`EdgewoodDays’kepthouseforherfatherwhenshewasonlyeightyearsold。WhenIwaseightyearsoldIhardlyknewhowtodoathingexceptbringupchildren。Mrs。Morganmustbeanauthorityongirlswhenshehaswrittensomuchaboutthem，andIdowanthertohaveagoodopinionofus。I’veimagineditalloutadozendifferentways……whatshe’lllooklike，andwhatshe’llsay，andwhatI’llsay。AndI’msoanxiousaboutmynose。Therearesevenfrecklesonit，asyoucansee。TheycameattheA。V。IS。picnic，whenIwentaroundinthesunwithoutmyhat。Isupposeit’sungratefulofmetoworryoverthem，whenIshouldbethankfulthey’renotspreadallovermyfaceastheyoncewere；butIdowishtheyhadn’tcome……allMrs。Morgan’sheroineshavesuchperfectcomplexions。Ican’trecallafreckledoneamongthem。\"
\"Yoursarenotverynoticeable，\"comfortedDiana。\"Tryalittlelemonjuiceonthemtonight。\"
ThenextdayAnnemadeherpiesandladyfingers，diduphermuslindress，andsweptanddustedeveryroominthehouse……aquiteunnecessaryproceeding，forGreenGableswas，asusual，intheapplepieorderdeartoMarilla’sheart。ButAnnefeltthatafleckofdustwouldbeadesecrationinahousethatwastobehonoredbyavisitfromCharlotteE。Morgan。Sheevencleanedoutthe\"catch-all\"closetunderthestairs，althoughtherewasnottheremotestpossibilityofMrs。Morgan’sseeingitsinterior。
\"ButIwanttoFEELthatitisinperfectorder，evenifsheisn’ttoseeit，\"AnnetoldMarilla。\"Youknow，inherbook`GoldenKeys，’
shemakeshertwoheroinesAliceandLouisatakefortheirmottothatverseofLongfellow’s，\"`IntheelderdaysofartBuilderswroughtwithgreatestcareEachminuteandunseenpart，Forthegodsseeeverywhere，’
andsotheyalwayskepttheircellarstairsscrubbedandneverforgottosweepunderthebeds。IshouldhaveaguiltyconscienceifIthoughtthisclosetwasindisorderwhenMrs。Morganwasinthehouse。Eversinceweread`GoldenKeys，’lastApril，DianaandIhavetakenthatverseforourmottotoo。\"
ThatnightJohnHenryCarterandDavybetweenthemcontrivedtoexecutethetwowhiteroosters，andAnnedressedthem，theusuallydistastefultaskglorifiedinhereyesbythedestinationoftheplumpbirds。
\"Idon’tlikepickingfowls，\"shetoldMarilla，\"butisn’titfortunatewedon’thavetoputoursoulsintowhatourhandsmaybedoing？
I’vebeenpickingchickenswithmyhandsbutinimaginationI’vebeenroamingtheMilkyWay。\"
\"Ithoughtyou’dscatteredmorefeathersoverthefloorthanusual，\"
remarkedMarilla。
ThenAnneputDavytobedandmadehimpromisethathewouldbehaveperfectlythenextday。
\"IfI’masgoodasgoodcanbealldaytomorrowwillyouletmebejustasbadasIlikeallthenextday？\"askedDavy。
\"Icouldn’tdothat，\"saidAnnediscreetly，\"butI’lltakeyouandDoraforarowintheflatrighttothebottomofthepond，andwe’llgoashoreonthesandhillsandhaveapicnic。\"
\"It’sabargain，\"saidDavy。\"I’llbegood，youbet。ImeanttogoovertoMr。Harrison’sandfirepeasfrommynewpopgunatGingerbutanotherday’lldoaswell。IespectitwillbejustlikeSunday，butapicnicattheshore’llmakeupforTHAT。\"
XVII
AChapterofAccidentsAnnewokethreetimesinthenightandmadepilgrimagestoherwindowtomakesurethatUncleAbe’spredictionwasnotcomingtrue。
Finallythemorningdawnedpearlyandlustrousinaskyfullofsilversheenandradiance，andthewonderfuldayhadarrived。
Dianaappearedsoonafterbreakfast，withabasketofflowersoveronearmandHERmuslindressovertheother……foritwouldnotdotodonituntilallthedinnerpreparationswerecompleted。
Meanwhilesheworeherafternoonpinkprintandalawnapronfearfullyandwonderfullyruffledandfrilled；andveryneatandprettyandrosyshewas。
\"Youlooksimplysweet，\"saidAnneadmiringly。
Dianasighed。
\"ButI’vehadtoletouteveryoneofmydressesAGAIN。IweighfourpoundsmorethanIdidinJuly。Anne，WHEREwillthisend？
Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesarealltallandslender。\"
\"Well，let’sforgetourtroublesandthinkofourmercies，\"saidAnnegaily。\"Mrs。Allansaysthatwheneverwethinkofanythingthatisatrialtousweshouldalsothinkofsomethingnicethatwecansetoveragainstit。Ifyouareslightlytooplumpyou’vegotthedearestdimples；andifIhaveafrecklednosetheSHAPEofitisallright。Doyouthinkthelemonjuicedidanygood？\"
\"Yes，Ireallythinkitdid，\"saidDianacritically；and，muchelated，Anneledthewaytothegarden，whichwasfullofairyshadowsandwaveringgoldenlights。
\"We’lldecoratetheparlorfirst。Wehaveplentyoftime，forPriscillasaidthey’dbehereabouttwelveorhalfpastatthelatest，sowe’llhavedinneratone。\"
TheremayhavebeentwohappierandmoreexcitedgirlssomewhereinCanadaortheUnitedStatesatthatmoment，butIdoubtit。
Everysnipofthescissors，asroseandpeonyandbluebellfell，seemedtochirp，\"Mrs。Morganiscomingtoday。\"AnnewonderedhowMr。HarrisonCOULDgoonplacidlymowinghayinthefieldacrossthelane，justasifnothingweregoingtohappen。
TheparloratGreenGableswasarathersevereandgloomyapartment，withrigidhorsehairfurniture，stifflacecurtains，andwhiteantimacassarsthatwerealwayslaidataperfectlycorrectangle，exceptatsuchtimesastheyclungtounfortunatepeople’sbuttons。
EvenAnnehadneverbeenabletoinfusemuchgraceintoit，forMarillawouldnotpermitanyalterations。Butitiswonderfulwhatflowerscanaccomplishifyougivethemafairchance；
whenAnneandDianafinishedwiththeroomyouwouldnothaverecognizedit。
Agreatbluebowlfulofsnowballsoverflowedonthepolishedtable。
Theshiningblackmantelpiecewasheapedwithrosesandferns。
Everyshelfofthewhat-notheldasheafofbluebells；thedarkcornersoneithersideofthegratewerelightedupwithjarsfullofglowingcrimsonpeonies，andthegrateitselfwasaflamewithyellowpoppies。Allthissplendorandcolor，mingledwiththesunshinefallingthroughthehoneysucklevinesatthewindowsinaleafyriotofdancingshadowsoverwallsandfloor，madeoftheusuallydismallittleroomtheveritable\"bower\"ofAnne’simagination，andevenextortedatributeofadmirationfromMarilla，whocameintocriticizeandremainedtopraise。
\"Now，wemustsetthetable，\"saidAnne，inthetoneofapriestessabouttoperformsomesacredriteinhonorofadivinity。\"We’llhaveabigvasefulofwildrosesinthecenterandonesingleroseinfrontofeverybody’splate——andaspecialbouquetofrosebudsonlybyMrs。Morgan’s——anallusionto`TheRosebudGarden’youknow。\"
Thetablewassetinthesittingroom，withMarilla’sfinestlinenandthebestchina，glass，andsilver。Youmaybeperfectlycertainthateveryarticleplacedonitwaspolishedorscouredtothehighestpossibleperfectionofglossandglitter。
Thenthegirlstrippedouttothekitchen，whichwasfilledwithappetizingodorsemanatingfromtheoven，wherethechickenswerealreadysizzlingsplendidly。AnnepreparedthepotatoesandDianagotthepeasandbeansready。Then，whileDianashutherselfintothepantrytocompoundthelettucesalad，Anne，whosecheekswerealreadybeginningtoglowcrimson，asmuchwithexcitementasfromtheheatofthefire，preparedthebreadsauceforthechickens，mincedheronionsforthesoup，andfinallywhippedthecreamforherlemonpies。
AndwhataboutDavyallthistime？Washeredeeminghispromisetobegood？Hewas，indeed。Tobesure，heinsistedonremaininginthekitchen，forhiscuriositywantedtoseeallthatwenton。Butashesatquietlyinacorner，busilyengagedinuntyingtheknotsinapieceofherringnethehadbroughthomefromhislasttriptotheshore，nobodyobjectedtothis。
Athalfpasteleventhelettucesaladwasmade，thegoldencirclesofthepieswereheapedwithwhippedcream，andeverythingwassizzlingandbubblingthatoughttosizzleandbubble。
\"We’dbettergoanddressnow，\"saidAnne，\"fortheymaybeherebytwelve。
Wemusthavedinneratsharpone，forthesoupmustbeservedassoonasit’sdone。\"
Seriousindeedwerethetoiletritespresentlyperformedintheeastgable。Annepeeredanxiouslyathernoseandrejoicedtoseethatitsfreckleswerenotatallprominent，thankseithertothelemonjuiceortotheunusualflushonhercheeks。Whentheywerereadytheylookedquiteassweetandtrimandgirlishaseverdidanyof\"Mrs。Morgan’sheroines。\"
\"IdohopeI’llbeabletosaysomethingonceinawhile，andnotsitlikeamute，\"saidDianaanxiously。\"AllMrs。Morgan’sheroinesconversesobeautifully。ButI’mafraidI’llbetongue-tiedandstupid。AndI’llbesuretosay`Iseen。’
Ihaven’toftensaiditsinceMissStacytaughthere；butinmomentsofexcitementit’ssuretopopout。Anne，ifIweretosay`Iseen’beforeMrs。MorganI’ddieofmortification。
Anditwouldbealmostasbadtohavenothingtosay。\"
\"I’mnervousaboutagoodmanythings，\"saidAnne，\"butI
don’tthinkthereismuchfearthatIwon’tbeabletotalk\"
And，todoherjustice，therewasn’t。
Anneshroudedhermuslingloriesinabigapronandwentdowntoconcocthersoup。Marillahaddressedherselfandthetwins，andlookedmoreexcitedthanshehadeverbeenknowntolookbefore。
AthalfpasttwelvetheAllansandMissStacycame。EverythingwasgoingwellbutAnnewasbeginningtofeelnervous。ItwassurelytimeforPriscillaandMrs。Morgantoarrive。ShemadefrequenttripstothegateandlookedasanxiouslydownthelaneaseverhernamesakeintheBluebeardstorypeeredfromthetowercasement。
\"Supposetheydon’tcomeatall？\"shesaidpiteously。
\"Don’tsupposeit。Itwouldbetoomean，\"saidDiana，who，however，wasbeginningtohaveuncomfortablemisgivingsonthesubject。
\"Anne，\"saidMarilla，comingoutfromtheparlor，\"MissStacywantstoseeMissBarry’swillowwareplatter。\"
Annehastenedtothesittingroomclosettogettheplatter。Shehad，inaccordancewithherpromisetoMrs。Lynde，writtentoMissBarryofCharlottetown，askingfortheloanofit。MissBarrywasanoldfriendofAnne’s，andshepromplysenttheplatterout，withaletterexhortingAnnetobeverycarefulofit，forshehadpaidtwentydollarsforit。TheplatterhadserveditspurposeattheAidbazaarandhadthenbeenreturnedtotheGreenGablescloset，forAnnewouldnottrustanybodybutherselftotakeitbacktotown。
Shecarriedtheplattercarefullytothefrontdoorwhereherguestswereenjoyingthecoolbreezethatblewupfromthebrook。
Itwasexaminedandadmired；then，justasAnnehadtakenitbackintoherownhands，aterrificcrashandclattersoundedfromthekitchenpantry。Marilla，Diana，andAnnefledout，thelatterpausingonlylongenoughtosetthepreciousplatterhastilydownonthesecondstepofthestairs。
Whentheyreachedthepantryatrulyharrowingspectaclemettheireyes……aguiltylookingsmallboyscramblingdownfromthetable，withhiscleanprintblouseliberallyplasteredwithyellowfilling，andonthetabletheshatteredremnantsofwhathadbeentwobrave，becreamedlemonpies。
Davyhadfinishedravellingouthisherringnetandhadwoundthetwineintoaball。Thenhehadgoneintothepantrytoputitupontheshelfabovethetable，wherehealreadykeptascoreorsoofsimilarballs，which，sofarascouldbediscovered，servednousefulpurposesavetoyieldthejoyofpossession。Davyhadtoclimbonthetableandreachovertotheshelfatadangerousangle……somethinghehadbeenforbiddenbyMarillatodo，ashehadcometogriefoncebeforeintheexperiment。Theresultinthisinstancewasdisastrous。Davyslippedandcamesprawlingsquarelydownonthelemonpies。Hiscleanblousewasruinedforthattimeandthepiesforalltime。Itis，however，anillwindthatblowsnobodygood，andthepigwaseventuallythegainerbyDavy’smischance。
\"DavyKeith，\"saidMarilla，shakinghimbytheshoulder，\"didn’tI
forbidyoutoclimbuponthattableagain？Didn’tI？\"
\"Iforgot，\"whimperedDavy。\"You’vetoldmenottodosuchanawfullotofthingsthatIcan’trememberthemall。\"
\"Well，youmarchupstairsandstaytheretillafterdinner。
Perhapsyou’llgetthemsortedoutinyourmemorybythattime。
No，Anne，neveryoumindintercedingforhim。I’mnotpunishinghimbecausehespoiledyourpies……thatwasanaccident。
I’mpunishinghimforhisdisobedience。Go，Davy，Isay。\"
\"Ain’tItohaveanydinner？\"wailedDavy。
\"Youcancomedownafterdinnerisoverandhaveyoursinthekitchen。\"
\"Oh，allright，\"saidDavy，somewhatcomforted。\"IknowAnne’llsavesomenicebonesforme，won’tyou，Anne？’CauseyouknowI
didn’tmeantofallonthepies。Say，Anne，sincetheyAREspoiledcan’tItakesomeofthepiecesupstairswithme？\"
\"No，nolemonpieforyou，MasterDavy，\"saidMarilla，pushinghimtowardthehall。\"
Whatshallwedofordessert？\"askedAnne，lookingregretfullyatthewreckandruin。
\"Getoutacrockofstrawberrypreserves，\"saidMarillaconsolingly。
\"There’splentyofwhippedcreamleftinthebowlforit。\"
Oneo’clockcame……butnoPriscillaorMrs。Morgan。Annewasinanagony。Everythingwasdonetoaturnandthesoupwasjustwhatsoupshouldbe，butcouldn’tbedependedontoremainsoforanylengthoftime。
\"Idon’tbelievethey’recomingafterall，\"saidMarillacrossly。
AnneandDianasoughtcomfortineachother’seyes。
AthalfpastoneMarillaagainemergedfromtheparlor。
\"Girls，weMUSThavedinner。Everybodyishungryandit’snousewaitinganylonger。PriscillaandMrs。Morganarenotcoming，that’splain，andnothingisbeingimprovedbywaiting。\"
AnneandDianasetaboutliftingthedinner，withallthezestgoneoutoftheperformance。
\"Idon’tbelieveI’llbeabletoeatamouthful，\"saidDianadolefully。
\"NorI。ButIhopeeverythingwillbeniceforMissStacy’sandMr。andMrs。Allan’ssakes，\"saidAnnelistlessly。
WhenDianadishedthepeasshetastedthemandaverypeculiarexpressioncrossedherface。
\"Anne，didYOUputsugarinthesepeas？\"
\"Yes，\"saidAnne，mashingthepotatoeswiththeairofoneexpectedtodoherduty。\"Iputaspoonfulofsugarin。Wealwaysdo。
Don’tyoulikeit？\"
\"But_I_putaspoonfulintoo，whenIsetthemonthestove，\"saidDiana。
Annedroppedhermasherandtastedthepeasalso。Thenshemadeagrimace。
\"Howawful！Ineverdreamedyouhadputsugarin，becauseIknewyourmotherneverdoes。Ihappenedtothinkofit，forawonder……
I’malwaysforgettingit……soIpoppedaspoonfulin。\"
\"It’sacaseoftoomanycooks，Iguess，\"saidMarilla，whohadlistenedtothisdialoguewitharatherguiltyexpression。
\"Ididn’tthinkyou’drememberaboutthesugar，Anne，forI’mperfectlycertainyouneverdidbefore……so_I_putinaspoonful。\"
Theguestsintheparlorheardpealafterpealoflaughterfromthekitchen，buttheyneverknewwhatthefunwasabout。Therewerenogreenpeasonthedinnertablethatday，however。
\"Well，\"saidAnne，soberingdownagainwithasighofrecollection，\"wehavethesaladanyhowandIdon’tthinkanythinghashappenedtothebeans。Let’scarrythethingsinandgetitover。\"
Itcannotbesaidthatthatdinnerwasanotablesuccesssocially。
TheAllansandMissStacyexertedthemselvestosavethesituationandMarilla’scustomaryplaciditywasnotnoticeablyruffled。
ButAnneandDiana，betweentheirdisappointmentandthereactionfromtheirexcitementoftheforenoon，couldneithertalknoreat。
Annetriedheroicallytobearherpartintheconversationforthesakeofherguests；butallthesparklehadbeenquenchedinherforthetimebeing，and，inspiteofherlovefortheAllansandMissStacy，shecouldn’thelpthinkinghowniceitwouldbewheneverybodyhadgonehomeandshecouldburyherwearinessanddisappointmentinthepillowsoftheeastgable。
Thereisanoldproverbthatreallyseemsattimestobeinspired……\"itneverrainsbutitpours。\"Themeasureofthatday’stribulationswasnotyetfull。JustasMr。Allanhadfinishedreturningthankstherearoseastrange，ominoussoundonthestairs，asofsomehard，heavyobjectboundingfromsteptostep，finishingupwithagrandsmashatthebottom。Everybodyranoutintothehall。Annegaveashriekofdismay。
AtthebottomofthestairslayabigpinkconchshellamidthefragmentsofwhathadbeenMissBarry’splatter；andatthetopofthestairskneltaterrifiedDavy，gazingdownwithwide-openeyesatthehavoc。
\"Davy，\"saidMarillaominously，\"didyouthrowthatconchdownONPURPOSE？\"
\"No，Ineverdid，\"whimperedDavy。\"Iwasjustkneelinghere，quietasquiet，towatchyoufolksthroughthebannisters，andmyfootstruckthatoldthingandpusheditoff……andI’mawfulhungry……andIdowishyou’dlickafellowandhavedonewithit，insteadofalwayssendinghimupstairstomissallthefun。\"
\"Don’tblameDavy，\"saidAnne，gatheringupthefragmentswithtremblingfingers。\"Itwasmyfault。Isetthatplatterthereandforgotallaboutit。Iamproperlypunishedformycarelessness；
butoh，whatwillMissBarrysay？\"
\"Well，youknowsheonlyboughtit，soitisn’tthesameasifitwasanheirloom，\"saidDiana，tryingtoconsole。
Theguestswentawaysoonafter，feelingthatitwasthemosttactfulthingtodo，andAnneandDianawashedthedishes，talkinglessthantheyhadeverbeenknowntodobefore。ThenDianawenthomewithaheadacheandAnnewentwithanothertotheeastgable，whereshestayeduntilMarillacamehomefromthepostofficeatsunset，withaletterfromPriscilla，writtenthedaybefore。Mrs。Morganhadsprainedheranklesoseverelythatshecouldnotleaveherroom。
\"Andoh，Annedear，\"wrotePriscilla，\"I’msosorry，butI’mafraidwewon’tgetuptoGreenGablesatallnow，forbythetimeAunty’sankleiswellshewillhavetogobacktoToronto。Shehastobetherebyacertaindate。\"
\"Well，\"sighedAnne，layingtheletterdownontheredsandstonestepofthebackporch，whereshewassitting，whilethetwilightraineddownoutofadappledsky，\"IalwaysthoughtitwastoogoodtobetruethatMrs。Morganshouldreallycome。Butthere……thatspeechsoundsaspessimisticasMissElizaAndrewsandI’mashamedofmakingit。Afterall，itwasNOTtoogoodtobetrue……thingsjustasgoodandfarbetterarecomingtrueformeallthetime。
AndIsupposetheeventsoftodayhaveafunnysidetoo。
PerhapswhenDianaandIareoldandgrayweshallbeabletolaughoverthem。ButIfeelthatIcan’texpecttodoitbeforethen，forithastrulybeenabitterdisappointment。\"
\"You’llprobablyhaveagoodmanymoreandworsedisappointmentsthanthatbeforeyougetthroughlife，\"saidMarilla，whohonestlythoughtshewasmakingacomfortingspeech。\"Itseemstome，Anne，thatyouarenevergoingtooutgrowyourfashionofsettingyourheartsoonthingsandthencrashingdownintodespairbecauseyoudon’tgetthem。\"
\"IknowI’mtoomuchinclinedthat，way\"agreedAnneruefully。
\"WhenIthinksomethingniceisgoingtohappenIseemtoflyrightuponthewingsofanticipation；andthenthefirstthingIrealizeIdropdowntoearthwithathud。Butreally，Marilla，theflyingpartISgloriousaslongasitlasts……it’slikesoaringthroughasunset。Ithinkitalmostpaysforthethud。\"
\"Well，maybeitdoes，\"admittedMarilla。\"I’dratherwalkcalmlyalonganddowithoutbothflyingandthud。Buteverybodyhasherownwayofliving……Iusedtothinktherewasonlyonerightway……butsinceI’vehadyouandthetwinstobringupIdon’tfeelsosureofit。WhatareyougoingtodoaboutMissBarry’splatter？\"
\"Payherbackthetwentydollarsshepaidforit，Isuppose。
I’msothankfulitwasn’tacherishedheirloombecausethennomoneycouldreplaceit。\"
\"Maybeyoucouldfindonelikeitsomewhereandbuyitforher。\"
\"I’mafraidnot。Plattersasoldasthatareveryscarce。Mrs。
Lyndecouldn’tfindoneanywhereforthesupper。IonlywishI
could，forofcourseMissBarrywouldjustassoonhaveoneplatterasanother，ifbothwereequallyoldandgenuine。Marilla，lookatthatbigstaroverMr。Harrison’smaplegrove，withallthatholyhushofsilveryskyaboutit。Itgivesmeafeelingthatislikeaprayer。Afterall，whenonecanseestarsandskieslikethat，littledisappointmentsandaccidentscan’tmattersomuch，canthey？\"
\"Where’sDavy？\"saidMarilla，withanindifferentglanceatthestar。
\"Inbed。I’vepromisedtotakehimandDoratotheshoreforapicnictomorrow。Ofcourse，theoriginalagreementwasthathemustbegood。ButheTRIEDtobegood……andIhadn’tthehearttodisappointhim。\"
\"You’lldrownyourselforthetwins，rowingaboutthepondinthatflat，\"
grumbledMarilla。\"I’velivedhereforsixtyyearsandI’veneverbeenonthepondyet。\"
\"Well，it’snevertoolatetomend，\"saidAnneroguishly。
\"Supposeyoucomewithustomorrow。We’llshutGreenGablesupandspendthewholedayattheshore，daffingtheworldaside。\"
\"No，thankyou，\"saidMarilla，withindignantemphasis。\"I’dbeanicesight，wouldn’tI，rowingdownthepondinaflat？IthinkI
hearRachelpronouncingonit。There’sMr。Harrisondrivingawaysomewhere。DoyousupposethereisanytruthinthegossipthatMr。HarrisonisgoingtoseeIsabellaAndrews？\"
\"No，I’msurethereisn’t。HejustcalledthereoneeveningonbusinesswithMr。HarmonAndrewsandMrs。Lyndesawhimandsaidsheknewhewascourtingbecausehehadawhitecollaron。
Idon’tbelieveMr。Harrisonwillevermarry。Heseemstohaveaprejudiceagainstmarriage。\"
\"Well，youcannevertellaboutthoseoldbachelors。AndifhehadawhitecollaronI’dagreewithRachelthatitlookssuspicious，forI’msureheneverwasseenwithonebefore。\"
\"IthinkheonlyputitonbecausehewantedtoconcludeabusinessdealwithHarmonAndrews，\"saidAnne。\"I’veheardhimsaythat’stheonlytimeamanneedstobeparticularabouthisappearance，becauseifhelooksprosperousthepartyofthesecondpartwon’tbesolikelytotrytocheathim。IreallyfeelsorryforMr。
Harrison；Idon’tbelievehefeelssatisfiedwithhislife。Itmustbeverylonelytohavenoonetocareaboutexceptaparrot，don’tyouthink？ButInoticeMr。Harrisondoesn’tliketobepitied。Nobodydoes，Iimagine。\"
\"There’sGilbertcomingupthelane，\"saidMarilla。\"Ifhewantsyoutogoforarowonthepondmindyouputonyourcoatandrubbers。There’saheavydewtonight。\"
XVIII
AnAdventureontheToryRoad\"Anne，\"saidDavy，sittingupinbedandproppinghischinonhishands，\"Anne，whereissleep？Peoplegotosleepeverynight，andofcourseIknowit’stheplacewhereIdothethingsIdream，butIwanttoknowWHEREitisandhowIgetthereandbackwithoutknowinganythingaboutit……andinmynightytoo。Whereisit？\"
Annewaskneelingatthewestgablewindowwatchingthesunsetskythatwaslikeagreatflowerwithpetalsofcrocusandaheartoffieryyellow。
SheturnedherheadatDavy’squestionandanswereddreamily，\"`Overthemountainsofthemoon，Downthevalleyoftheshadow。’\"
PaulIrvingwouldhaveknownthemeaningofthis，ormadeameaningoutofitforhimself，ifhedidn’t；butpracticalDavy，who，asAnneoftendespairinglyremarked，hadn’taparticleofimagination，wasonlypuzzledanddisgusted。
\"Anne，Ibelieveyou’rejusttalkingnonsense。\"
\"Ofcourse，Iwas，dearboy。Don’tyouknowthatitisonlyveryfoolishfolkwhotalksenseallthetime？\"
\"Well，IthinkyoumightgiveasensibleanswerwhenIaskasensiblequestion，\"saidDavyinaninjuredtone。
\"Oh，youaretoolittletounderstand，\"saidAnne。Butshefeltratherashamedofsayingit；forhadshenot，inkeenremembranceofmanysimilarsnubsadministeredinherownearlyyears，solemnlyvowedthatshewouldnevertellanychilditwastoolittletounderstand？
Yethereshewasdoingit……sowidesometimesisthegulfbetweentheoryandpractice。
\"Well，I’mdoingmybesttogrow，\"saidDavy，\"butit’sathingyoucan’thurrymuch。IfMarillawasn’tsostingywithherjamIbelieveI’dgrowalotfaster。\"
\"Marillaisnotstingy，Davy，\"saidAnneseverely。\"Itisveryungratefulofyoutosaysuchathing。\"
\"There’sanotherwordthatmeansthesamethingandsoundsalotbetter，butIdon’tjustrememberit，\"saidDavy，frowningintently。
\"IheardMarillasayshewasit，herself，theotherday。\"
\"IfyoumeanECONOMICAL，it’saVERYdifferentthingfrombeingstingy。
Itisanexcellenttraitinapersonifsheiseconomical。
IfMarillahadbeenstingyshewouldn’thavetakenyouandDorawhenyourmotherdied。WouldyouhavelikedtolivewithMrs。Wiggins？\"
\"YoujustbetIwouldn’t！\"Davywasemphaticonthatpoint。\"NorI
don’twanttogoouttoUncleRichardneither。I’dfarratherlivehere，evenifMarillaisthatlong-tailedwordwhenitcomestojam，’causeYOU’REhere，Anne。Say，Anne，won’tyoutellmeastory’foreIgotosleep？Idon’twantafairystory。They’reallrightforgirls，Is’pose，butIwantsomethingexciting……lotsofkillingandshootinginit，andahouseonfire，andin’trustingthingslikethat。\"
FortunatelyforAnne，Marillacalledoutatthismomentfromherroom。
\"Anne，Diana’ssignalingatagreatrate。You’dbetterseewhatshewants。\"
AnnerantotheeastgableandsawflashesoflightcomingthroughthetwilightfromDiana’swindowingroupsoffive，whichmeant，accordingtotheiroldchildishcode，\"ComeoveratonceforIhavesomethingimportanttoreveal。\"AnnethrewherwhiteshawloverherheadandhastenedthroughtheHauntedWoodandacrossMr。Bell’spasturecornertoOrchardSlope。