Andrews’excellentadviceandsoughtrefugeatthepostoffice。
\"TherecomesJohnHenryCarter，\"saidMarilla。
JohnHenrycamewadingthroughthehailstoneswitharatherscaredgrin。
\"Oh，ain’tthisawful，MissCuthbert？Mr。Harrisonsentmeovertoseeifyoushadcomeoutallright。\"
\"We’renoneofuskilled，\"saidMarillagrimly，\"andnoneofthebuildingswasstruck。Ihopeyougotoffequallywell。\"
\"Yas’m。Notquitesowell，ma’am。Wewasstruck。ThelightningknockedoverthekitchenchimblyandcomedowntheflueandknockedoverGinger’scageandtoreaholeinthefloorandwentintothesullar。Yas’m。\"
\"WasGingerhurt？\"queriedAnne。
\"Yas’m。Hewashurtprettybad。Hewaskilled。\"LateronAnnewentovertocomfortMr。Harrison。Shefoundhimsittingbythetable，strokingGinger’sgaydeadbodywithatremblinghand。
\"PoorGingerwon’tcallyouanymorenames，Anne，\"hesaidmournfully。
AnnecouldneverhaveimaginedherselfcryingonGinger’saccount，butthetearscameintohereyes。
\"HewasallthecompanyIhad，Anne……andnowhe’sdead。Well，well，I’manoldfooltocaresomuch。I’llletonIdon’tcare。
Iknowyou’regoingtosaysomethingsympatheticassoonasI
stoptalking……butdon’t。IfyoudidI’dcrylikeababy。
Hasn’tthisbeenaterriblestorm？Iguessfolkswon’tlaughatUncleAbe’spredictionsagain。Seemsasifallthestormsthathe’sbeenprophesyingallhislifethatneverhappenedcameallatonce。Beatsallhowhestrucktheverydaythough，don’tit？
Lookatthemesswehavehere。Imusthustleroundandgetsomeboardstopatchupthatholeinthefloor。\"
Avonleafolksdidnothingthenextdaybutvisiteachotherandcomparedamages。Theroadswereimpassableforwheelsbyreasonofthehailstones，sotheywalkedorrodeonhorseback。Themailcamelatewithilltidingsfromallovertheprovince。Houseshadbeenstruck，peoplekilledandinjured；thewholetelephoneandtelegraphsystemhadbeendisorganized，andanynumberofyoungstockexposedinthefieldshadperished。
UncleAbewadedouttotheblacksmith’sforgeearlyinthemorningandspentthewholedaythere。ItwasUncleAbe’shouroftriumphandheenjoyedittothefull。ItwouldbedoingUncleAbeaninjusticetosaythathewasgladthestormhadhappened；butsinceithadtobehewasverygladhehadpredictedit……totheveryday，too。UncleAbeforgotthathehadeverdeniedsettingtheday。
Asforthetriflingdiscrepancyinthehour，thatwasnothing。
GilbertarrivedatGreenGablesintheeveningandfoundMarillaandAnnebusilyengagedinnailingstripsofoilclothoverthebrokenwindows。
\"Goodnessonlyknowswhenwe’llgetglassforthem，\"saidMarilla。
\"Mr。BarrywentovertoCarmodythisafternoonbutnotapanecouldhegetforloveormoney。LawsonandBlairwerecleanedoutbytheCarmodypeoplebyteno’clock。WasthestormbadatWhiteSands，Gilbert？\"
\"Ishouldsayso。IwascaughtintheschoolwithallthechildrenandIthoughtsomeofthemwouldgomadwithfright。Threeofthemfainted，andtwogirlstookhysterics，andTommyBlewettdidnothingbutshriekatthetopofhisvoicethewholetime。\"
\"Ionlysquealedonce，\"saidDavyproudly。\"Mygardenwasallsmashedflat，\"hecontinuedmournfully，\"butsowasDora’s，\"headdedinatonewhichindicatedthattherewasyetbalminGilead。
Annecamerunningdownfromthewestgable。
\"Oh，Gilbert，haveyouheardthenews？Mr。LeviBoulter’soldhousewasstruckandburnedtotheground。ItseemstomethatI’mdreadfullywickedtofeelgladoverTHAT，whensomuchdamagehasbeendone。Mr。BoultersayshebelievestheA。V。I。S。magickedupthatstormonpurpose。\"
\"Well，onethingiscertain，\"saidGilbert，laughing，\"`Observer’
hasmadeUncleAbe’sreputationasaweatherprophet。`UncleAbe’sstorm’willgodowninlocalhistory。Itisamostextraordinarycoincidencethatitshouldhavecomeontheverydayweselected。
Iactuallyhaveahalfguiltyfeeling，asifIreallyhad`magicked’
itup。Wemayaswellrejoiceovertheoldhousebeingremoved，forthere’snotmuchtorejoiceoverwhereouryoungtreesareconcerned。
Nottenofthemhaveescaped。\"
\"Ah，well，we’lljusthavetoplantthemoveragainnextspring，\"
saidAnnephilosophically。\"Thatisonegoodthingaboutthisworld……therearealwayssuretobemoresprings。\"
XXV
AnAvonleaScandalOneblitheJunemorning，afortnightafterUncleAbe’sstorm，AnnecameslowlythroughtheGreenGablesyardfromthegarden，carryinginherhandstwoblightedstalksofwhitenarcissus。
\"Look，Marilla，\"shesaidsorroly，holdinguptheflowersbeforetheeyesofagrimlady，withherhaircoifedinagreenginghamapron，whowasgoingintothehousewithapluckedchicken，\"thesearetheonlybudsthestormspared……andeventheyareimperfect。
I’msosorry……IwantedsomeforMatthew’sgrave。HewasalwayssofondofJunelilies。\"
\"Ikindofmissthemmyself，\"admittedMarilla，\"thoughitdoesn’tseemrighttolamentoverthemwhensomanyworsethingshavehappened……allthecropsdestroyedaswellasthefruit。\"
\"Butpeoplehavesowntheiroatsoveragain，\"saidAnnecomfortingly，\"andMr。Harrisonsayshethinksifwehaveagoodsummertheywillcomeoutallrightthoughlate。Andmyannualsareallcomingupagain……butoh，nothingcanreplacetheJunelilies。PoorlittleHesterGraywillhavenoneeither。Iwentallthewaybacktohergardenlastnightbuttherewasn’tone。I’msureshe’llmissthem。\"
\"Idon’tthinkit’srightforyoutosaysuchthings，Anne，I
reallydon’t，\"saidMarillaseverely。\"HesterGrayhasbeendeadforthirtyyearsandherspiritisinheaven……Ihope。\"
\"Yes，butIbelieveshelovesandremembershergardenherestill，\"
saidAnne。\"I’msurenomatterhowlongI’dlivedinheavenI’dliketolookdownandseesomebodyputtingflowersonmygrave。IfIhadhadagardenherelikeHesterGray’sitwouldtakememorethanthirtyyears，eveninheaven，toforgetbeinghomesickforitbyspells。\"
\"Well，don’tletthetwinshearyoutalkinglikethat，\"wasMarilla’sfeebleprotest，asshecarriedherchickenintothehouse。
Annepinnedhernarcissionherhairandwenttothelanegate，whereshestoodforawhilesunningherselfintheJunebrightnessbeforegoingintoattendtoherSaturdaymorningduties。Theworldwasgrowinglovelyagain；oldMotherNaturewasdoingherbesttoremovethetracesofthestorm，and，thoughshewasnottosucceedfullyformanyamoon，shewasreallyaccomplishingwonders。
\"IwishIcouldjustbeidlealldaytoday，\"Annetoldabluebird，whowassingingandswingingonawillowbough，\"butaschoolma’am，whoisalsohelpingtobringuptwins，can’tindulgeinlaziness，birdie。Howsweetyouaresinging，littlebird。YouarejustputtingthefeelingsofmyheartintosongeversomuchbetterthanIcouldmyself。Why，whoiscoming？\"
Anexpresswagonwasjoltingupthelane，withtwopeopleonthefrontseatandabigtrunkbehind。WhenitdrewnearAnnerecognizedthedriverasthesonofthestationagentatBrightRiver；buthiscompanionwasastranger……ascrapofawomanwhosprangnimblydownatthegatealmostbeforethehorsecametoastandstill。Shewasaveryprettylittleperson，evidentlynearerfiftythanforty，butwithrosycheeks，sparklingblackeyes，andshiningblackhair，surmountedbyawonderfulbefloweredandbeplumedbonnet。Inspiteofhavingdriveneightmilesoveradustyroadshewasasneatasifshehadjuststeppedoutoftheproverbialbandbox。
\"IsthiswhereMr。JamesA。Harrisonlives？\"sheinquiredbriskly。
\"No，Mr。Harrisonlivesoverthere，\"saidAnne，quitelostinastonishment。
\"Well，IDIDthinkthisplaceseemedtootidy……MUCHtootidyforJamesA。
tobelivinghere，unlesshehasgreatlychangedsinceIknewhim，\"chirpedthelittlelady。\"IsittruethatJamesA。isgoingtobemarriedtosomewomanlivinginthissettlement？\"
\"No，ohno，\"criedAnne，flushingsoguiltilythatthestrangerlookedcuriouslyather，asifshehalfsuspectedherofmatrimonialdesignsonMr。Harrison。
\"ButIsawitinanIslandpaper，\"persistedtheFairUnknown。\"A
friendsentamarkedcopytome……friendsarealwayssoreadytodosuchthings。JamesA。’snamewaswritteninover`newcitizen。’\"
\"Oh，thatnotewasonlymeantasajoke，\"gaspedAnne。\"Mr。HarrisonhasnointentionofmarryingANYBODY。Iassureyouhehasn’t。\"
\"I’mverygladtohearit，\"saidtherosylady，climbingnimblybacktoherseatinthewagon，\"becausehehappenstobemarriedalready。
_I_amhiswife。Oh，youmaywelllooksurprised。Isupposehehasbeenmasqueradingasabachelorandbreakingheartsrightandleft。
Well，well，JamesA。，\"noddingvigorouslyoverthefieldsatthelongwhitehouse，\"yourfunisover。Iamhere……thoughIwouldn’thavebotheredcomingifIhadn’tthoughtyouwereuptosomemischief。
Isuppose，\"turningtoAnne，\"thatparrotofhisisasprofaneasever？\"
\"Hisparrot……isdead……ITHINK，\"gaspedpoorAnne，whocouldn’thavefeltsureofherownnameatthatprecisemoment。
\"Dead！Everythingwillbeallrightthen，\"criedtherosyladyjubilantly。\"IcanmanageJamesA。ifthatbirdisoutoftheway。\"
WithwhichcrypticutteranceshewentjoyfullyonherwayandAnneflewtothekitchendoortomeetMarilla。
\"Anne，whowasthatwoman？\"
\"Marilla，\"saidAnnesolemnly，butwithdancingeyes，\"doIlookasifIwerecrazy？\"
\"Notmoresothanusual，\"saidMarilla，withnothoughtofbeingsarcastic。
\"Wellthen，doyouthinkIamawake？\"
\"Anne，whatnonsensehasgotintoyou？Whowasthatwoman，Isay？\"
\"Marilla，ifI’mnotcrazyandnotasleepshecan’tbesuchstuffasdreamsaremadeof……shemustbereal。Anyway，I’msureIcouldn’thaveimaginedsuchabonnet。ShesayssheisMr。Harrison’swife，Marilla。\"
Marillastaredinherturn。
\"Hiswife！AnneShirley！Thenwhathashebeenpassinghimselfoffasanunmarriedmanfor？\"
\"Idon’tsupposehedid，really，\"saidAnne，tryingtobejust。
\"Heneversaidhewasn’tmarried。Peoplesimplytookitforgranted。OhMarilla，whatwillMrs。Lyndesaytothis？\"
TheyfoundoutwhatMrs。Lyndehadtosaywhenshecameupthatevening。Mrs。Lyndewasn’tsurprised！Mrs。Lyndehadalwaysexpectedsomethingofthesort！Mrs。LyndehadalwaysknowntherewasSOMETHINGaboutMr。Harrison！
\"Tothinkofhisdesertinghiswife！\"shesaidindignantly。
\"It’slikesomethingyou’dreadofintheStates，butwhowouldexpectsuchathingtohappenrighthereinAvonlea？\"
\"Butwedon’tknowthathedesertedher，\"protestedAnne，determinedtobelieveherfriendinnocenttillhewasprovedguilty。\"Wedon’tknowtherightsofitatall。\"
\"Well，wesoonwill。I’mgoingstraightoverthere，\"saidMrs。
Lynde，whohadneverlearnedthattherewassuchawordasdelicacyinthedictionary。\"I’mnotsupposedtoknowanythingaboutherarrival，andMr。HarrisonwastobringsomemedicineforThomasfromCarmodytoday，sothatwillbeagoodexcuse。I’llfindoutthewholestoryandcomeinandtellyouonthewayback。\"
Mrs。LynderushedinwhereAnnehadfearedtotread。NothingwouldhaveinducedthelattertogoovertotheHarrisonplace；
butshehadhernaturalandpropershareofcuriosityandshefeltsecretlygladthatMrs。Lyndewasgoingtosolvethemystery。
SheandMarillawaitedexpectantlyforthatgoodlady’sreturn，butwaitedinvain。Mrs。LyndedidnotrevisitGreenGablesthatnight。
Davy，arrivinghomeatnineo’clockfromtheBoulterplace，explainedwhy。
\"ImetMrs。LyndeandsomestrangewomanintheHollow，\"hesaid，\"andgracious，howtheyweretalkingbothatonce！Mrs。Lyndesaidtotellyoushewassorryitwastoolatetocalltonight。
Anne，I’mawfulhungry。WehadteaatMilty’satfourandIthinkMrs。Boulterisrealmean。Shedidn’tgiveusanypreservesorcake……andeventhebreadwasskurce。\"
\"Davy，whenyougovisitingyoumustnevercriticizeanythingyouaregiventoeat，\"saidAnnesolemnly。\"Itisverybadmanners。\"
\"Allright……I’llonlythinkit，\"saidDavycheerfully。
\"Dogiveafellowsomesupper，Anne。\"
AnnelookedatMarilla，whofollowedherintothepantryandshutthedoorcautiously。
\"Youcangivehimsomejamonhisbread，IknowwhatteaatLeviBoulter’sisapttobe。\"
Davytookhissliceofbreadandjamwithasigh。
\"It’sakindofdisappointingworldafterall，\"heremarked。
\"Miltyhasacatthattakesfits……she’stookafitregulareverydayforthreeweeks。Miltysaysit’sawfulfuntowatchher。
Iwentdowntodayonpurposetoseeherhaveonebutthemeanoldthingwouldn’ttakeafitandjustkepthealthyashealthy，thoughMiltyandmehungroundalltheafternoonandwaited。Butnevermind\"……Davybrightenedupastheinsidiouscomfortoftheplumjamstoleintohissoul……\"maybeI’llseeherinonesometimeyet。
Itdoesn’tseemlikelyshe’dstophavingthemallatoncewhenshe’sbeensointhehabitofit，doesit？Thisjamisawfulnice。\"
Davyhadnosorrowsthatplumjamcouldnotcure。
Sundayprovedsorainythattherewasnostirringabroad；butbyMondayeverybodyhadheardsomeversionoftheHarrisonstory。TheschoolbuzzedwithitandDavycamehome，fullofinformation。
\"Marilla，Mr。Harrisonhasanewwife……well，notezacklynew，butthey’vestoppedbeingmarriedforquiteaspell，Miltysays。
Ialwayss’posedpeoplehadtokeeponbeingmarriedoncethey’dbegun，butMiltysaysno，there’swaysofstoppingifyoucan’tagree。
Miltysaysonewayisjusttostartoffandleaveyourwife，andthat’swhatMr。Harrisondid。MiltysaysMr。Harrisonlefthiswifebecauseshethrowedthingsathim……HARDthings……andArtySloanesaysitwasbecauseshewouldn’tlethimsmoke，andNedClaysaysitwas’causesheneverletupscoldinghim。Iwouldn’tleaveMY
wifeforanythinglikethat。I’djustputmyfootdownandsay，`Mrs。Davy，you’vejustgottodowhat’llpleaseME’causeI’maMAN。’
THAT’DsettleherprettyquickIguess。ButAnnettaClaysaysSHEleftHIMbecausehewouldn’tscrapehisbootsatthedoorandshedoesn’tblameher。I’mgoingrightovertoMr。Harrison’sthisminutetoseewhatshe’slike。\"
Davysoonreturned，somewhatcastdown。
\"Mrs。Harrisonwasaway……she’sgonetoCarmodywithMrs。RachelLyndetogetnewpaperfortheparlor。AndMr。HarrisonsaidtotellAnnetogooverandseehim`causehewantstohaveatalkwithher。Andsay，thefloorisscrubbed，andMr。Harrisonisshaved，thoughtherewasn’tanypreachingyesterday。\"
TheHarrisonkitchenworeaveryunfamiliarlooktoAnne。Thefloorwasindeedscrubbedtoawonderfulpitchofpurityandsowaseveryarticleoffurnitureintheroom；thestovewaspolisheduntilshecouldseeherfaceinit；thewallswerewhitewashedandthewindowpanessparkledinthesunlight。BythetablesatMr。Harrisoninhisworkingclothes，whichonFridayhadbeennotedforsundryrentsandtattersbutwhichwerenowneatlypatchedandbrushed。
Hewassprucelyshavedandwhatlittlehairhehadwascarefullytrimmed。
\"Sitdown，Anne，sitdown，\"saidMr。HarrisoninatonebuttwodegreesremovedfromthatwhichAvonleapeopleusedatfunerals。
\"Emily’sgoneovertoCarmodywithRachelLynde……she’sstruckupalifelongfriendshipalreadywithRachelLynde。Beatsallhowcontrarywomenare。Well，Anne，myeasytimesareover……allover。
It’sneatnessandtidinessformefortherestofmynaturallife，Isuppose。\"
Mr。Harrisondidhisbesttospeakdolefully，butanirrepressibletwinkleinhiseyebetrayedhim。
\"Mr。Harrison，youaregladyourwifeiscomeback，\"criedAnne，shakingherfingerathim。\"Youneedn’tpretendyou’renot，becauseIcanseeitplainly。\"
Mr。Harrisonrelaxedintoasheepishsmile。
\"Well……well……I’mgettingusedtoit，\"heconceded。\"Ican’tsayIwassorrytoseeEmily。Amanreallyneedssomeprotectioninacommunitylikethis，wherehecan’tplayagameofcheckerswithaneighborwithoutbeingaccusedofwantingtomarrythatneighbor’ssisterandhavingitputinthepaper。\"
\"NobodywouldhavesupposedyouwenttoseeIsabellaAndrewsifyouhadn’tpretendedtobeunmarried，\"saidAnneseverely。
\"Ididn’tpretendIwas。Ifanybody’dhaveaskedmeifIwasmarriedI’dhavesaidIwas。Buttheyjusttookitforgranted。
Iwasn’tanxioustotalkaboutthematter……Iwasfeelingtoosoreoverit。ItwouldhavebeennutsforMrs。RachelLyndeifshehadknownmywifehadleftme，wouldn’titnow？\"
\"Butsomepeoplesaythatyoulefther。\"
\"Shestartedit，Anne，shestartedit。I’mgoingtotellyouthewholestory，forIdon’twantyoutothinkworseofmethanI
deserve……norofEmilyneither。Butlet’sgooutontheveranda。
Everythingissofearfulneatinherethatitkindofmakesmehomesick。
IsupposeI’llgetusedtoitafterawhilebutiteasesmeuptolookattheyard。Emilyhasn’thadtimetotidyitupyet。\"
AssoonastheywerecomfortablyseatedontheverandaMr。Harrisonbeganhistaleofwoe。
\"IlivedinScottsford，NewBrunswick，beforeIcamehere，Anne。
Mysisterkepthouseformeandshesuitedmefine；shewasjustreasonablytidyandsheletmealoneandspoiledme……soEmilysays。
Butthreeyearsagoshedied。BeforeshediedsheworriedalotaboutwhatwastobecomeofmeandfinallyshegotmetopromiseI’dgetmarried。
SheadvisedmetotakeEmilyScottbecauseEmilyhadmoneyofherownandwasapatternhousekeeper。Isaid，saysI，`EmilyScottwouldn’tlookatme。’
`Youaskherandsee，’saysmysister；andjusttoeasehermindIpromisedherIwould……andIdid。AndEmilysaidshe’dhaveme。Neverwassosurprisedinmylife，Anne……asmartprettylittlewomanlikeherandanoldfellowlikeme。ItellyouIthoughtatfirstIwasinluck。
Well，weweremarriedandtookalittleweddingtriptoSt。Johnforafortnightandthenwewenthome。Wegothomeatteno’clockatnight，andIgiveyoumyword，Anne，thatinhalfanhourthatwomanwasatworkhousecleaning。Oh，Iknowyou’rethinkingmyhouseneededit……
you’vegotaveryexpressiveface，Anne；yourthoughtsjustcomeoutonitlikeprint……butitdidn’t，notthatbad。IthadgotprettymixedupwhileIwaskeepingbachelor’shall，Iadmit，butI’dgotawomantocomeinandcleanitupbeforeIwasmarriedandthere’dbeenconsiderablepaintingandfixingdone。ItellyouifyoutookEmilyintoabrandnewwhitemarblepalaceshe’dbeintothescrubbingassoonasshecouldgetanolddresson。Well，shecleanedhousetilloneo’clockthatnightandatfourshewasupandatitagain。Andshekeptonthatway……far’sIcouldseesheneverstopped。Itwasscourandsweepanddusteverlasting，exceptonSundays，andthenshewasjustlongingforMondaytobeginagain。ButitwasherwayofamusingherselfandIcouldhavereconciledmyselftoitifshe’dleftmealone。Butthatshewouldn’tdo。She’dsetouttomakemeoverbutshehadn’tcaughtmeyoungenough。Iwasn’tallowedtocomeintothehouseunlessI
changedmybootsforslippersatthedoor。Idarsn’tsmokeapipeformylifeunlessIwenttothebarn。AndIdidn’tusegoodenoughgrammar。Emily’dbeenaschoolteacherinherearlylifeandshe’dnevergotoverit。Thenshehatedtoseemeeatingwithmyknife。Well，thereitwas，pickandnageverlasting。ButI
s’pose，Anne，tobefair，_I_wascantankeroustoo。Ididn’ttrytoimproveasImighthavedone……Ijustgotcrankyanddisagreeablewhenshefoundfault。Itoldheronedayshehadn’tcomplainedofmygrammarwhenIproposedtoher。Itwasn’tanoverlytactfulthingtosay。Awomanwouldforgiveamanforbeatinghersoonerthanforhintingshewastoomuchpleasedtogethim。Well，webickeredalonglikethatanditwasn’texactlypleasant，butwemighthavegotusedtoeachotherafteraspellifithadn’tbeenforGinger。Gingerwastherockwesplitonatlast。Emilydidn’tlikeparrotsandshecouldn’tstandGinger’sprofanehabitsofspeech。Iwasattachedtothebirdformybrotherthesailor’ssake。Mybrotherthesailorwasapetofminewhenwewerelittletadsandhe’dsentGingertomewhenhewasdying。Ididn’tseeanysenseingettingworkedupoverhisswearing。There’snothingIhateworse’nprofanityinahumanbeing，butinaparrot，that’sjustrepeatingwhatit’sheardwithnomoreunderstandingofitthanI’dhaveofChinese，allowancesmightbemade。ButEmilycouldn’tseeitthatway。Womenain’tlogical。ShetriedtobreakGingerofswearingbutshehadn’tanybettersuccessthanshehadintryingtomakemestopsaying`I
seen’and`themthings。’SeemedasifthemoreshetriedtheworseGingergot，sameasme。
\"Well，thingswentonlikethis，bothofusgettingraspier，tilltheCLIMAXcame。Emilyinvitedourministerandhiswifetotea，andanotherministerandHISwifethatwasvisitingthem。I’dpromisedtoputGingerawayinsomesafeplacewherenobodywouldhearhim……Emilywouldn’ttouchhiscagewithaten-footpole……andImeanttodoit，forIdidn’twanttheministerstohearanythingunpleasantinmyhouse。Butitslippedmymind……Emilywasworryingmesomuchaboutcleancollarsandgrammarthatitwasn’tanywonder……andIneverthoughtofthatpoorparrottillwesatdowntotea。Justasministernumberonewasintheverymiddleofsayinggrace，Ginger，whowasontheverandaoutsidethediningroomwindow，liftedupHISvoice。ThegobblerhadcomeintoviewintheyardandthesightofagobbleralwayshadanunwholesomeeffectonGinger。Hesurpassedhimselfthattime。
Youcansmile，Anne，andIdon’tdenyI’vechuckledsomeoveritsincemyself，butatthetimeIfeltalmostasmuchmortifiedasEmily。
IwentoutandcarriedGingertothebarn。Ican’tsayIenjoyedthemeal。IknewbythelookofEmilythattherewastroublebrewingforGingerandJamesA。WhenthefolkswentawayI
startedforthecowpastureandonthewayIdidsomethinking。
IfeltsorryforEmilyandkindoffanciedIhadn’tbeensothoughtfulofherasImight；andbesides，IwonderediftheministerswouldthinkthatGingerhadlearnedhisvocabularyfromme。Thelongandshortofitwas，IdecidedthatGingerwouldhavetobemercifullydisposedofandwhenI’ddruvthecowshomeIwentintotellEmilyso。
ButtherewasnoEmilyandtherewasaletteronthetable……justaccordingtotheruleinstorybooks。EmilywritthatI’dhavetochoosebetweenherandGinger；she’dgonebacktoherownhouseandthereshewouldstaytillIwentandtoldherI’dgotridofthatparrot。
\"Iwasallriledup，Anne，andIsaidshemightstaytilldoomsdayifshewaitedforthat；andIstucktoit。Ipackedupherbelongingsandsentthemafterher。Itmadeanawfullotoftalk……ScottsfordwasprettynearasbadasAvonleaforgossip……andeverybodysympathizedwithEmily。ItkeptmeallcrossandcantankerousandIsawI’dhavetogetoutorI’dneverhaveanypeace。
IconcludedI’dcometotheIsland。I’dbeenherewhenIwasaboyandIlikedit；butEmilyhadalwayssaidshewouldn’tliveinaplacewherefolkswerescaredtowalkoutafterdarkforfearthey’dfallofftheedge。So，justtobecontrary，Imovedoverhere。Andthat’sallthereistoit。Ihadn’teverheardawordfromoraboutEmilytillIcomehomefromthebackfieldSaturdayandfoundherscrubbingthefloorbutwiththefirstdecentdinnerI’dhadsincesheleftmeallreadyonthetable。
Shetoldmetoeatitfirstandthenwe’dtalk……bywhichI
concludedthatEmilyhadlearnedsomelessonsaboutgettingalongwithaman。Soshe’shereandshe’sgoingtostay……seeingthatGinger’sdeadandtheIsland’ssomebiggerthanshethought。
There’sMrs。Lyndeandhernow。No，don’tgo，Anne。StayandgetacquaintedwithEmily。ShetookquiteanotiontoyouSaturday……
wantedtoknowwhothathandsomeredhairedgirlwasatthenexthouse。\"
Mrs。HarrisonwelcomedAnneradiantlyandinsistedonherstayingtotea。
\"JamesA。hasbeentellingmeallaboutyouandhowkindyou’vebeen，makingcakesandthingsforhim，\"shesaid。\"Iwanttogetacquaintedwithallmynewneighborsjustassoonaspossible。Mrs。Lyndeisalovelywoman，isn’tshe？Sofriendly。\"
WhenAnnewenthomeinthesweetJunedusk，Mrs。Harrisonwentwithheracrossthefieldswherethefireflieswerelightingtheirstarrylamps。
\"Isuppose，\"saidMrs。Harrisonconfidentially，\"thatJamesA。hastoldyouourstory？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"ThenIneedn’ttellit，forJamesA。isajustmanandhewouldtellthetruth。Theblamewasfarfrombeingallonhisside。
Icanseethatnow。Iwasn’tbackinmyownhouseanhourbeforeI
wishedIhadn’tbeensohastybutIwouldn’tgivein。IseenowthatIexpectedtoomuchofaman。AndIwasrealfoolishtomindhisbadgrammar。Itdoesn’tmatterifamandoesusebadgrammarsolongasheisagoodprovideranddoesn’tgopokingroundthepantrytoseehowmuchsugaryou’veusedinaweek。IfeelthatJamesA。
andIaregoingtoberealhappynow。IwishIknewwho`Observer’
is，sothatIcouldthankhim。Iowehimarealdebtofgratitude。\"
AnnekeptherowncounselandMrs。Harrisonneverknewthathergratitudefounditswaytoitsobject。Annefeltratherbewilderedoverthefar-reachingconsequencesofthosefoolish\"notes。\"Theyhadreconciledamantohiswifeandmadethereputationofaprophet。
Mrs。LyndewasintheGreenGableskitchen。ShehadbeentellingthewholestorytoMarilla。
\"Well，andhowdoyoulikeMrs。Harrison？\"sheaskedAnne。
\"Verymuch。Ithinkshe’sarealnicelittlewoman。\"
\"That’sexactlywhatsheis，\"saidMrs。Rachelwithemphasis，\"andasI’vejustbeensayin’toMarilla，IthinkweoughtalltooverlookMr。Harrison’speculiaritiesforhersakeandtrytomakeherfeelathomehere，that’swhat。Well，Imustgetback。
Thomas’llbewearyingforme。IgetoutalittlesinceElizacameandhe’sseemedalotbetterthesepastfewdays，butIneverliketobelongawayfromhim。IhearGilbertBlythehasresignedfromWhiteSands。He’llbeofftocollegeinthefall，Isuppose。\"
Mrs。RachellookedsharplyatAnne，butAnnewasbendingoverasleepyDavynoddingonthesofaandnothingwastobereadinherface。
ShecarriedDavyaway，herovalgirlishcheekpressedagainsthiscurlyyellowhead。AstheywentupthestairsDavyflungatiredarmaboutAnne’sneckandgaveherawarmhugandastickykiss。
\"You’reawfulnice，Anne。MiltyBoulterwroteonhisslatetodayandshowedittoJennieSloane，\"`Rosesredandvi’letsblue，Sugar’ssweet，andsoareyou\"
andthat’spressesmyfeelingsforyouezackly，Anne。\"
XXVI
AroundtheBendThomasLyndefadedoutoflifeasquietlyandunobtrusivelyashehadlivedit。Hiswifewasatender，patient，unweariednurse。
SometimesRachelhadbeenalittlehardonherThomasinhealth，whenhisslownessormeeknesshadprovokedher；butwhenhebecameillnovoicecouldbelower，nohandmoregentlyskillful，novigilmoreuncomplaining。
\"You’vebeenagoodwifetome，Rachel，\"heoncesaidsimply，whenshewassittingbyhiminthedusk，holdinghisthin，blanchedoldhandinherwork-hardenedone。\"Agoodwife。I’msorryIain’tleavingyoubetteroff；butthechildrenwilllookafteryou。
They’reallsmart，capablechildren，justliketheirmother。
Agoodmother……agoodwoman……\"
Hehadfallenasleepthen，andthenextmorning，justasthewhitedawnwascreepingupoverthepointedfirsinthehollow，MarillawentsoftlyintotheeastgableandwakenedAnne。
\"Anne，ThomasLyndeisgone……theirhiredboyjustbroughttheword。
I’mgoingrightdowntoRachel。\"
OnthedayafterThomasLynde’sfuneralMarillawentaboutGreenGableswithastrangelypreoccupiedair。OccasionallyshelookedatAnne，seemedonthepointofsayingsomething，thenshookherheadandbuttoneduphermouth。AfterteashewentdowntoseeMrs。Rachel；
andwhenshereturnedshewenttotheeastgable，whereAnnewascorrectingschoolexercises。
\"HowisMrs。Lyndetonight？\"askedthelatter。
\"She’sfeelingcalmerandmorecomposed，\"answeredMarilla，sittingdownonAnne’sbed……aproceedingwhichbetokenedsomeunusualmentalexcitement，forinMarilla’scodeofhouseholdethicstositonabedafteritwasmadeupwasanunpardonableoffense。
\"Butshe’sverylonely。Elizahadtogohometoday……hersonisn’twellandshefeltshecouldn’tstayanylonger。\"
\"WhenI’vefinishedtheseexercisesI’llrundownandchatawhilewithMrs。Lynde，\"saidAnne。\"IhadintendedtostudysomeLatincompositiontonightbutitcanwait。\"
\"IsupposeGilbertBlytheisgoingtocollegeinthefall，\"saidMarillajerkily。\"Howwouldyouliketogotoo，Anne？\"
Annelookedupinastonishment。
\"Iwouldlikeit，ofcourse，Marilla。Butitisn’tpossible。\"
\"Iguessitcanbemadepossible。I’vealwaysfeltthatyoushouldgo。
I’veneverfelteasytothinkyouweregivingitalluponmyaccount。\"
\"ButMarilla，I’veneverbeensorryforamomentthatIstayedhome。
I’vebeensohappy……Oh，thesepasttwoyearshavejustbeendelightful。\"
\"Oh，yes，Iknowyou’vebeencontentedenough。Butthatisn’tthequestionexactly。Yououghttogoonwithyoureducation。You’vesavedenoughtoputyouthroughoneyearatRedmondandthemoneythestockbroughtinwilldoforanotheryear……andthere’sscholarshipsandthingsyoumightwin。\"
\"Yes，butIcan’tgo，Marilla。Youreyesarebetter，ofcourse；
butIcan’tleaveyoualonewiththetwins。Theyneedsomuchlookingafter。\"
\"Iwon’tbealonewiththem。That’swhatImeanttodiscusswithyou。
IhadalongtalkwithRacheltonight。Anne，she’sfeelingdreadfulbadoveragoodmanythings。She’snotleftverywelloff。Itseemstheymortgagedthefarmeightyearsagotogivetheyoungestboyastartwhenhewentwest；andthey’veneverbeenabletopaymuchmorethantheinterestsince。AndthenofcourseThomas’illnesshascostagooddeal，onewayoranother。ThefarmwillhavetobesoldandRachelthinksthere’llbehardlyanythingleftafterthebillsaresettled。
Shesaysshe’llhavetogoandlivewithElizaandit’sbreakingherhearttothinkofleavingAvonlea。Awomanofheragedoesn’tmakenewfriendsandinterestseasy。And，Anne，asshetalkedaboutitthethoughtcametomethatIwouldaskhertocomeandlivewithme，butIthoughtIoughttotalkitoverwithyoufirstbeforeIsaidanythingtoher。IfIhadRachellivingwithmeyoucouldgotocollege。
Howdoyoufeelaboutit？\"
\"Ifeel……asif……somebody……hadhandedme……themoon……andI
didn’tknow……exactly……whattodo……withit，\"saidAnnedazedly。
\"ButasforaskingMrs。Lyndetocomehere，thatisforyoutodecide，Marilla。Doyouthink……areyousure……youwouldlikeit？Mrs。Lyndeisagoodwomanandakindneighbor，but……but……\"
\"Butshe’sgotherfaults，youmeantosay？Well，shehas，ofcourse；
butIthinkI’dratherputupwithfarworsefaultsthanseeRachelgoawayfromAvonlea。I’dmissherterrible。She’stheonlyclosefriendI’vegothereandI’dbelostwithouther。We’vebeenneighborsforforty-fiveyearsandwe’veneverhadaquarrel……thoughwecamerathernearitthattimeyouflewatMrs。Rachelforcallingyouhomelyandredhaired。Doyouremember，Anne？\"
\"IshouldthinkIdo，\"saidAnneruefully。\"Peopledon’tforgetthingslikethat。HowIhatedpoorMrs。Rachelatthatmoment！\"
\"Andthenthat`apology’youmadeher。Well，youwereahandful，inallconscience，Anne。Ididfeelsopuzzledandbewilderedhowtomanageyou。Matthewunderstoodyoubetter。\"
\"Matthewunderstoodeverything，\"saidAnnesoftly，asshealwaysspokeofhim。
\"Well，IthinkitcouldbemanagedsothatRachelandIwouldn’tclashatall。Italwaysseemedtomethatthereasontwowomencan’tgetalonginonehouseisthattheytrytosharethesamekitchenandgetineachother’sway。Now，ifRachelcamehere，shecouldhavethenorthgableforherbedroomandthespareroomforakitchenaswellasnot，forwedon’treallyneedaspareroomatall。Shecouldputherstovethereandwhatfurnitureshewantedtokeep，andberealcomfortableandindependent。She’llhaveenoughtoliveonofcourse……herchildren’llseetothat……soallI’dbegivingherwouldbehouseroom。Yes，Anne，farasI’mconcernedI’dlikeit。\"
\"Thenaskher，\"saidAnnepromptly。\"I’dbeverysorrymyselftoseeMrs。Rachelgoaway。\"
\"Andifshecomes，\"continuedMarilla，\"Youcangotocollegeaswellasnot。She’llbecompanyformeandshe’lldoforthetwinswhatI
can’tdo，sothere’snoreasonintheworldwhyyoushouldn’tgo。\"
Annehadalongmeditationatherwindowthatnight。Joyandregretstruggledtogetherinherheart。Shehadcomeatlast……suddenlyandunexpectedly……tothebendintheroad；andcollegewasaroundit，withahundredrainbowhopesandvisions；butAnnerealizedaswellthatwhensheroundedthatcurveshemustleavemanysweetthingsbehind……
allthelittlesimpledutiesandinterestswhichhadgrownsodeartoherinthelasttwoyearsandwhichshehadglorifiedintobeautyanddelightbytheenthusiasmshehadputintothem。Shemustgiveupherschool……
andshelovedeveryoneofherpupils，eventhestupidandnaughtyones。
ThemerethoughtofPaulIrvingmadeherwonderifRedmondweresuchanametoconjurewithafterall。
\"I’veputoutalotoflittlerootsthesetwoyears，\"Annetoldthemoon，\"andwhenI’mpulledupthey’regoingtohurtagreatdeal。Butit’sbesttogo，Ithink，and，asMarillasays，there’snogoodreasonwhyIshouldn’t。
Imustgetoutallmyambitionsanddustthem。\"
Annesentinherresignationthenextday；andMrs。Rachel，afterahearttohearttalkwithMarilla，gratefullyacceptedtheofferofahomeatGreenGables。Sheelectedtoremaininherownhouseforthesummer，however；thefarmwasnottobesolduntilthefallandthereweremanyarrangementstobemade。
\"IcertainlyneverthoughtoflivingasfarofftheroadasGreenGables，\"
sighedMrs。Racheltoherself。\"Butreally，GreenGablesdoesn’tseemasoutoftheworldasitusedtodo……Annehaslotsofcompanyandthetwinsmakeitreallively。Andanyhow，I’dratherliveatthebottomofawellthanleaveAvonlea。\"
ThesetwodecisionsbeingnoisedabroadspeedilyoustedthearrivalofMrs。Harrisoninpopulargossip。SageheadswereshakenoverMarillaCuthbert’srashstepinaskingMrs。Racheltolivewithher。
Peopleopinedthattheywouldn’tgetontogether。Theywereboth\"toofondoftheirownway，\"andmanydolefulpredictionsweremade，noneofwhichdisturbedthepartiesinquestionatall。Theyhadcometoaclearanddistinctunderstandingoftherespectivedutiesandrightsoftheirnewarrangementsandmeanttoabidebythem。
\"Iwon’tmeddlewithyounoryouwithme，\"Mrs。Rachelhadsaiddecidedly，\"andasforthetwins，I’llbegladtodoallIcanforthem；butIwon’tundertaketoanswerDavy’squestions，that’swhat。I’mnotanencyclopedia，neitheramIaPhiladelphialawyer。You’llmissAnneforthat。\"
\"SometimesAnne’sanswerswereaboutasqueerasDavy’squestions，\"
saidMarilladrily。\"Thetwinswillmissherandnomistake；butherfuturecan’tbesacrificedtoDavy’sthirstforinformation。
WhenheasksquestionsIcan’tanswerI’lljusttellhimchildrenshouldbeseenandnotheard。ThatwashowIwasbroughtup，andIdon’tknowbutwhatitwasjustasgoodawayasallthesenew-fanglednotionsfortrainingchildren。\"
\"Well，Anne’smethodsseemtohaveworkedfairlywellwithDavy，\"
saidMrs。Lyndesmilingly。\"Heisareformedcharacter，that’swhat。\"
\"Heisn’tabadlittlesoul，\"concededMarilla。\"IneverexpectedtogetasfondofthosechildrenasIhave。Davygetsroundyousomehow……andDoraisalovelychild，althoughsheis……kindof……well，kindof……\"
\"Monotonous？Exactly，\"suppliedMrs。Rachel。\"Likeabookwhereeverypageisthesame，that’swhat。Dorawillmakeagood，reliablewomanbutshe’llneversetthepondonfire。Well，thatsortoffolksarecomfortabletohaveround，evenifthey’renotasinterestingastheotherkind。\"
GilbertBlythewasprobablytheonlypersontowhomthenewsofAnne’sresignationbroughtunmixedpleasure。Herpupilslookeduponitasasheercatastrophe。AnnettaBellhadhystericswhenshewenthome。AnthonyPyefoughttwopitchedandunprovokedbattleswithotherboysbywayofrelievinghisfeelings。BarbaraShawcriedallnight。PaulIrvingdefiantlytoldhisgrandmotherthatsheneedn’texpecthimtoeatanyporridgeforaweek。
\"Ican’tdoit，Grandma，\"hesaid。\"Idon’treallyknowifIcaneatANYTHING。Ifeelasiftherewasadreadfullumpinmythroat。
I’dhavecriedcominghomefromschoolifJakeDonnellhadn’tbeenwatchingme。IbelieveIwillcryafterIgotobed。Itwouldn’tshowonmyeyestomorrow，wouldit？Anditwouldbesucharelief。
Butanyway，Ican’teatporridge。I’mgoingtoneedallmystrengthofmindtobearupagainstthis，Grandma，andIwon’thaveanylefttograpplewithporridge。OhGrandma，Idon’tknowwhatI’lldowhenmybeautifulteachergoesaway。MiltyBoultersayshebetsJaneAndrewswillgettheschool。IsupposeMissAndrewsisverynice。ButIknowshewon’tunderstandthingslikeMissShirley。\"
Dianaalsotookaverypessimisticviewofaffairs。
\"Itwillbehorriblylonesomeherenextwinter，\"shemourned，onetwilightwhenthemoonlightwasraining\"airysilver\"throughthecherryboughsandfillingtheeastgablewithasoft，dream-likeradianceinwhichthetwogirlssatandtalked，Anneonherlowrockerbythewindow，DianasittingTurkfashiononthebed。\"YouandGilbertwillbegone……andtheAllanstoo。TheyaregoingtocallMr。AllantoCharlottetownandofcoursehe’llaccept。It’stoomean。We’llbevacantallwinter，Isuppose，andhavetolistentoalongstringofcandidates……andhalfofthemwon’tbeanygood。\"
\"Ihopetheywon’tcallMr。BaxterfromEastGraftonhere，anyhow，\"
saidAnnedecidedly。\"Hewantsthecallbuthedoespreachsuchgloomysermons。Mr。Bellsayshe’saministeroftheoldschool，butMrs。Lyndesaysthere’snothingwhateverthematterwithhimbutindigestion。Hiswifeisn’taverygoodcook，itseems，andMrs。Lyndesaysthatwhenamanhastoeatsourbreadtwoweeksoutofthreehistheologyisboundtogetakinkinitsomewhere。
Mrs。Allanfeelsverybadlyaboutgoingaway。Shesayseverybodyhasbeensokindtohersinceshecamehereasabridethatshefeelsasifshewereleavinglifelongfriends。Andthen，there’sthebaby’sgrave，youknow。Shesaysshedoesn’tseehowshecangoawayandleavethat……itwassuchalittlemiteofathingandonlythreemonthsold，andshesayssheisafraiditwillmissitsmother，althoughsheknowsbetterandwouldn’tsaysotoMr。Allanforanything。Shesaysshehasslippedthroughthebirchgrovebackofthemansenearlyeverynighttothegraveyardandsungalittlelullabytoit。ShetoldmeallaboutitlasteveningwhenIwasupputtingsomeofthoseearlywildrosesonMatthew’sgrave。
IpromisedherthataslongasIwasinAvonleaIwouldputflowersonthebaby’sgraveandwhenIwasawayIfeltsurethat……\"
\"ThatIwoulddoit，\"suppliedDianaheartily。\"OfcourseIwill。
AndI’llputthemonMatthew’sgravetoo，foryoursake，Anne。\"
\"Oh，thankyou。Imeanttoaskyoutoifyouwould。AndonlittleHesterGray’stoo？Pleasedon’tforgethers。Doyouknow，I’vethoughtanddreamedsomuchaboutlittleHesterGraythatshehasbecomestrangelyrealtome。Ithinkofher，backthereinherlittlegardeninthatcool，still，greencorner；andIhaveafancythatifIcouldstealbacktheresomespringevening，justatthemagictime’twixtlightanddark，andtiptoesosoftlyupthebeechhillthatmyfootstepscouldnotfrightenher，Iwouldfindthegardenjustasitusedtobe，allsweetwithJuneliliesandearlyroses，withthetinyhousebeyonditallhungwithvines；andlittleHesterGraywouldbethere，withhersofteyes，andthewindrufflingherdarkhair，wanderingabout，puttingherfingertipsunderthechinsoftheliliesandwhisperingsecretswiththeroses；
andIwouldgoforward，oh，sosoftly，andholdoutmyhandsandsaytoher，`LittleHesterGray，won’tyouletmebeyourplaymate，forIlovetherosestoo？’Andwewouldsitdownontheoldbenchandtalkalittleanddreamalittle，orjustbebeautifullysilenttogether。AndthenthemoonwouldriseandIwouldlookaroundme……andtherewouldbenoHesterGrayandnolittlevine-hunghouse，andnoroses……onlyanoldwastegardenstarredwithJuneliliesamidthegrasses，andthewindsighing，oh，sosorrowfullyinthecherrytrees。AndIwouldnotknowwhetherithadbeenrealorifIhadjustimagineditall。\"
Dianacrawledupandgotherbackagainsttheheadboardofthebed。
Whenyourcompanionoftwilighthoursaidsuchspookythingsitwasjustaswellnottobeabletofancytherewasanythingbehindyou。
\"I’mafraidtheImprovementSocietywillgodownwhenyouandGilbertarebothgone，\"sheremarkeddolefully。
\"Notabitoffearofit，\"saidAnnebriskly，comingbackfromdreamlandtotheaffairsofpracticallife。\"Itistoofirmlyestablishedforthat，especiallysincetheolderpeoplearebecomingsoenthusiasticaboutit。Lookwhattheyaredoingthissummerfortheirlawnsandlanes。Besides，I’llbewatchingforhintsatRedmondandI’llwriteapaperforitnextwinterandsenditover。Don’ttakesuchagloomyviewofthings，Diana。
Anddon’tgrudgememylittlehourofgladnessandjubilationnow。
Lateron，whenIhavetogoaway，I’llfeelanythingbutglad。\"
\"It’sallrightforyoutobeglad……you’regoingtocollegeandyou’llhaveajollytimeandmakeheapsoflovelynewfriends。\"
\"IhopeIshallmakenewfriends，\"saidAnnethoughtfully。
\"Thepossibilitiesofmakingnewfriendshelptomakelifeveryfascinating。ButnomatterhowmanyfriendsImakethey’llneverbeasdeartomeastheoldones……especiallyacertaingirlwithblackeyesanddimples。Canyouguesswhosheis，Diana？\"
\"Butthere’llbesomanyclevergirlsatRedmond，\"sighedDiana，\"andI’monlyastupidlittlecountrygirlwhosays`Iseen’
sometimes……thoughIreallyknowbetterwhenIstoptothink。
Well，ofcoursethesepasttwoyearshavereallybeentoopleasanttolast。IknowSOMEBODYwhoisgladyouaregoingtoRedmondanyhow。
Anne，I’mgoingtoaskyouaquestion……aseriousquestion。Don’tbevexedanddoanswerseriously。DoyoucareanythingforGilbert？\"
\"Eversomuchasafriendandnotabitinthewayyoumean，\"saidAnnecalmlyanddecidedly；shealsothoughtshewasspeakingsincerely。
Dianasighed。Shewished，somehow，thatAnnehadanswereddifferently。
\"Don’tyoumeanEVERtobemarried，Anne？\"
\"Perhaps……someday……whenImeettherightone，\"saidAnne，smilingdreamilyupatthemoonlight。
\"Buthowcanyoubesurewhenyoudomeettherightone？\"persistedDiana。
\"Oh，Ishouldknowhim……SOMETHINGwouldtellme。Youknowwhatmyidealis，Diana。\"
\"Butpeople’sidealschangesometimes。\"
\"Minewon’t。AndICOULDN’Tcareforanymanwhodidn’tfulfillit。\"
\"Whatifyounevermeethim？\"
\"ThenIshalldieanoldmaid，\"wasthecheerfulresponse。\"Idaresayitisn’tthehardestdeathbyanymeans。\"
\"Oh，Isupposethedyingwouldbeeasyenough；it’sthelivinganoldmaidIshouldn’tlike，\"saidDiana，withnointentionofbeinghumorous。\"AlthoughIwouldn’tmindbeinganoldmaidVERYmuchifIcouldbeonelikeMissLavendar。ButInevercouldbe。WhenI’mforty-fiveI’llbehorriblyfat。Andwhiletheremightbesomeromanceaboutathinoldmaidtherecouldn’tpossiblybeanyaboutafatone。Oh，mindyou，NelsonAtkinsproposedtoRubyGillisthreeweeksago。Rubytoldmeallaboutit。Shesayssheneverhadanyintentionoftakinghim，becauseanyonewhomarriedhimwillhavetogoinwiththeoldfolks；butRubysaysthathemadesuchaperfectlybeautifulandromanticproposalthatitsimplysweptheroffherfeet。Butshedidn’twanttodoanythingrashsosheaskedforaweektoconsider；andtwodayslatershewasatameetingoftheSewingCircleathismother’sandtherewasabookcalled`TheCompleteGuidetoEtiquette，’lyingontheparlortable。Rubysaidshesimplycouldn’tdescribeherfeelingswheninasectionofitheaded，`TheDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriage，’
shefoundtheveryproposalNelsonhadmade，wordforword。Shewenthomeandwrotehimaperfectlyscathingrefusal；andshesayshisfatherandmotherhavetakenturnswatchinghimeversinceforfearhe’lldrownhimselfintheriver；butRubysaystheyneedn’tbeafraid；forintheDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriageittoldhowarejectedlovershouldbehaveandthere’snothingaboutdrowninginTHAT。AndshesaysWilburBlairisliterallypiningawayforherbutshe’sperfectlyhelplessinthematter。\"
Annemadeanimpatientmovement。
\"Ihatetosayit……itseemssodisloyal……but，well，Idon’tlikeRubyGillisnow。IlikedherwhenwewenttoschoolandQueen’stogether……thoughnotsowellasyouandJaneofcourse。
ButthislastyearatCarmodysheseemssodifferent……so……so……\"
\"Iknow，\"noddedDiana。\"It’stheGilliscomingoutinher……
shecan’thelpit。Mrs。LyndesaysthatifeveraGillisgirlthoughtaboutanythingbuttheboysshenevershoweditinherwalkandconversation。Shetalksaboutnothingbutboysandwhatcomplimentstheypayher，andhowcrazytheyallareaboutheratCarmody。Andthestrangethingis，theyARE，too……\"Dianaadmittedthissomewhatresentfully。\"LastnightwhenIsawherinMr。Blair’sstoreshewhisperedtomethatshe’djustmadeanew`mash。’
Iwouldn’taskherwhoitwas，becauseIknewshewasdyingtoBEasked。
Well，it’swhatRubyalwayswanted，Isuppose。Yourememberevenwhenshewaslittleshealwayssaidshemeanttohavedozensofbeauswhenshegrewupandhavetheverygayesttimeshecouldbeforeshesettleddown。
She’ssodifferentfromJane，isn’tshe？Janeissuchanice，sensible，lady-likegirl。\"
\"DearoldJaneisajewel，\"agreedAnne，\"but，\"sheadded，leaningforwardtobestowatenderpatontheplump，dimpledlittlehandhangingoverherpillow，\"there’snobodylikemyownDianaafterall。
Doyourememberthateveningwefirstmet，Diana，and`swore’
eternalfriendshipinyourgarden？We’vekeptthat`oath，’I
think……we’veneverhadaquarrelnorevenacoolness。Ishallneverforgetthethrillthatwentovermethedayyoutoldmeyoulovedme。Ihadhadsuchalonely，starvedheartallthroughmychildhood。I’mjustbeginningtorealizehowstarvedandlonelyitreallywas。Nobodycaredanythingformeorwantedtobebotheredwithme。Ishouldhavebeenmiserableifithadn’tbeenforthatstrangelittledream-lifeofmine，whereinIimaginedallthefriendsandloveIcraved。ButwhenIcametoGreenGableseverythingwaschanged。AndthenImetyou。Youdon’tknowwhatyourfriendshipmeanttome。Iwanttothankyouhereandnow，dear，forthewarmandtrueaffectionyou’vealwaysgivenme。\"
\"Andalways，alwayswill，\"sobbedDiana。\"IshallNEVERloveanybody……anyGIRL……halfaswellasIloveyou。AndifIeverdomarryandhavealittlegirlofmyownI’mgoingtonameherANNE。\"
XXVII
AnAfternoonattheStoneHouse\"Whereareyougoing，alldressedup，Anne？\"Davywantedtoknow。
\"Youlookbullyinthatdress。\"
Annehadcomedowntodinnerinanewdressofpalegreenmuslin……thefirstcolorshehadwornsinceMatthew’sdeath。Itbecameherperfectly，bringingoutallthedelicate，flower-liketintsofherfaceandtheglossandburnishofherhair。
\"Davy，howmanytimeshaveItoldyouthatyoumustn’tusethatword，\"
sherebuked。\"I’mgoingtoEchoLodge。\"
\"Takemewithyou，\"entreatedDavy。
\"IwouldifIweredriving。ButI’mgoingtowalkandit’stoofarforyoureight-year-oldlegs。Besides，PaulisgoingwithmeandI
fearyoudon’tenjoyyourselfinhiscompany。\"
\"Oh，IlikePaullotsbetter’nIdid，\"saidDavy，beginningtomakefearfulinroadsintohispudding。\"SinceI’vegotprettygoodmyselfIdon’tmindhisbeinggoodersomuch。IfIcankeeponI’llcatchupwithhimsomeday，bothinlegsandgoodness。
’Sides，Paul’srealnicetoussecondprimerboysinschool。
Hewon’tlettheotherbigboysmeddlewithusandheshowsuslotsofgames。\"
\"HowcamePaultofallintothebrookatnoonhouryesterday？\"
askedAnne。\"Imethimontheplayground，suchadrippingfigurethatIsenthimpromptlyhomeforclotheswithoutwaitingtofindoutwhathadhappened。\"
\"Well，itwaspartlyazacksident，\"explainedDavy。\"Hestuckhisheadinonpurposebuttherestofhimfellinzacksidentally。
WewasalldownatthebrookandPrillieRogersongotmadatPaulaboutsomething……she’sawfulmeanandhorridanyway，ifsheIS
pretty……andsaidthathisgrandmotherputhishairupincurlragseverynight。Paulwouldn’thavemindedwhatshesaid，Iguess，butGracieAndrewslaughed，andPaulgotawfulred，’causeGracie’shisgirl，youknow。He’sCLEANGONEonher……bringsherflowersandcarriesherbooksasfarastheshoreroad。Hegotasredasabeetandsaidhisgrandmotherdidn’tdoanysuchthingandhishairwasborncurly。Andthenhelaiddownonthebankandstuckhisheadrightintothespringtoshowthem。Oh，itwasn’tthespringwedrinkoutof……\"seeingahorrifiedlookonMarilla’sface……\"itwasthelittleonelowerdown。Butthebank’sawfulslippyandPaulwentrightin。Itellyouhemadeabullysplash。