Lyndehadfitted，lookedVERYcountrifiedandhome-madebesidesthestranger’ssmartattire。Foramomentbothgirlsfeltliketurningback。
Buttheyhadalreadystoppedandturnedtowardsthegrayslab。
Itwastoolatetoretreat，forthebrown-eyedgirlhadevidentlyconcludedthattheywerecomingtospeaktoher。Instantlyshesprangupandcameforwardwithoutstretchedhandandagay，friendlysmileinwhichthereseemednotashadowofeithershynessorburdenedconscience。
\"Oh，Iwanttoknowwhoyoutwogirlsare，\"sheexclaimedeagerly。
\"I’vebeenDYINGtoknow。IsawyouatRedmondthismorning。
Say，wasn’titAWFULthere？ForthetimeIwishedIhadstayedhomeandgotmarried。\"
AnneandPriscillabothbrokeintounconstrainedlaughteratthisunexpectedconclusion。Thebrown-eyedgirllaughed，too。
\"Ireallydid。ICOULDhave，youknow。Come，let’sallsitdownonthisgravestoneandgetacquainted。Itwon’tbehard。Iknowwe’regoingtoadoreeachother——IknewitassoonasIsawyouatRedmondthismorning。Iwantedsomuchtogorightoverandhugyouboth。\"
\"Whydidn’tyou？\"askedPriscilla。
\"BecauseIsimplycouldn’tmakeupmymindtodoit。Inevercanmakeupmymindaboutanythingmyself——I’malwaysafflictedwithindecision。JustassoonasIdecidetodosomethingIfeelinmybonesthatanothercoursewouldbethecorrectone。It’sadreadfulmisfortune，butIwasbornthatway，andthereisnouseinblamingmeforit，assomepeopledo。SoIcouldn’tmakeupmymindtogoandspeaktoyou，muchasIwantedto。\"
\"Wethoughtyouweretooshy，\"saidAnne。
\"No，no，dear。Shynessisn’tamongthemanyfailings——orvirtues——ofPhilippaGordon——Philforshort。DocallmePhilrightoff。Now，whatareyourhandles？\"
\"She’sPriscillaGrant，\"saidAnne，pointing。
\"AndSHE’SAnneShirley，\"saidPriscilla，pointinginturn。
\"Andwe’refromtheIsland，\"saidbothtogether。
\"IhailfromBolingbroke，NovaScotia，\"saidPhilippa。
\"Bolingbroke！\"exclaimedAnne。\"Why，thatiswhereIwasborn。\"
\"Doyoureallymeanit？Why，thatmakesyouaBluenoseafterall。\"
\"No，itdoesn’t，\"retortedAnne。\"Wasn’titDanO’Connellwhosaidthatifamanwasborninastableitdidn’tmakehimahorse？
I’mIslandtothecore。\"
\"Well，I’mgladyouwereborninBolingbrokeanyway。Itmakesuskindofneighbors，doesn’tit？AndIlikethat，becausewhenItellyousecretsitwon’tbeasifIweretellingthemtoastranger。
Ihavetotellthem。Ican’tkeepsecrets——it’snousetotry。
That’smyworstfailing——that，andindecision，asaforesaid。
Wouldyoubelieveit？——ittookmehalfanhourtodecidewhichhattowearwhenIwascominghere——HERE，toagraveyard！
AtfirstIinclinedtomybrownonewiththefeather；
butassoonasIputitonIthoughtthispinkonewiththefloppybrimwouldbemorebecoming。WhenIgotITpinnedinplaceIlikedthebrownonebetter。AtlastIputthemclosetogetheronthebed，shutmyeyes，andjabbedwithahatpin。
Thepinspearedthepinkone，soIputiton。Itisbecoming，isn’tit？Tellme，whatdoyouthinkofmylooks？\"
Atthisnaivedemand，madeinaperfectlyserioustone，Priscillalaughedagain。ButAnnesaid，impulsivelysqueezingPhilippa’shand，\"WethoughtthismorningthatyouweretheprettiestgirlwesawatRedmond。\"
Philippa’scrookedmouthflashedintoabewitching，crookedsmileoververywhitelittleteeth。
\"Ithoughtthatmyself，\"washernextastoundingstatement，\"butIwantedsomeoneelse’sopiniontobolstermineup。
Ican’tdecideevenonmyownappearance。JustassoonasI’vedecidedthatI’mprettyIbegintofeelmiserablythatI’mnot。
Besides，haveahorribleoldgreat-auntwhoisalwayssayingtome，withamournfulsigh，`Youweresuchaprettybaby。It’sstrangehowchildrenchangewhentheygrowup。’Iadoreaunts，butIdetestgreat-
aunts。PleasetellmequiteoftenthatIampretty，ifyoudon’tmind。
IfeelsomuchmorecomfortablewhenIcanbelieveI’mpretty。AndI’llbejustasobligingtoyouifyouwantmeto——ICANbe，withaclearconscience。\"
\"Thanks，\"laughedAnne，\"butPriscillaandIaresofirmlyconvincedofourowngoodlooksthatwedon’tneedanyassuranceaboutthem，soyouneedn’ttrouble。\"
\"Oh，you’relaughingatme。IknowyouthinkI’mabominablyvain，butI’mnot。Therereallyisn’tonesparkofvanityinme。
AndI’mneverabitgrudgingaboutpayingcomplimentstoothergirlswhentheydeservethem。I’msogladIknowyoufolks。
IcameuponSaturdayandI’venearlydiedofhomesicknesseversince。It’sahorriblefeeling，isn’tit？InBolingbrokeI’manimportantpersonage，andinKingsportI’mjustnobody！
ThereweretimeswhenIcouldfeelmysoulturningadelicateblue。
Wheredoyouhangout？\"
\"Thirty-eightSt。John’sStreet。\"
\"Betterandbetter。Why，I’mjustaroundthecorneronWallaceStreet。
Idon’tlikemyboardinghouse，though。It’sbleakandlonesome，andmyroomlooksoutonsuchanunholybackyard。It’stheugliestplaceintheworld。Asforcats——well，surelyALLtheKingsportcatscan’tcongregatethereatnight，buthalfofthemmust。Iadorecatsonhearthrugs，snoozingbeforenice，friendlyfires，butcatsinbackyardsatmidnightaretotallydifferentanimals。ThefirstnightIwashereIcriedallnight，andsodidthecats。Youshouldhaveseenmynoseinthemorning。HowIwishedIhadneverlefthome！\"
\"Idon’tknowhowyoumanagedtomakeupyourmindtocometoRedmondatall，ifyouarereallysuchanundecidedperson，\"saidamusedPriscilla。
\"Blessyourheart，honey，Ididn’t。Itwasfatherwhowantedmetocomehere。Hisheartwassetonit——why，Idon’tknow。ItseemsperfectlyridiculoustothinkofmestudyingforaB。A。
degree，doesn’tit？NotbutwhatIcandoit，allright。
Ihaveheapsofbrains。\"
\"Oh！\"saidPriscillavaguely。
\"Yes。Butit’ssuchhardworktousethem。AndB。A。’saresuchlearned，dignified，wise，solemncreatures——theymustbe。No，_I_didn’twanttocometoRedmond。Ididitjusttoobligefather。
HeISsuchaduck。Besides，IknewifIstayedhomeI’dhavetogetmarried。Motherwantedthat——wanteditdecidedly。Motherhasplentyofdecision。ButIreallyhatedthethoughtofbeingmarriedforafewyearsyet。IwanttohaveheapsoffunbeforeIsettledown。And，ridiculousastheideaofmybeingaB。A。is，theideaofmybeinganoldmarriedwomanisstillmoreabsurd，isn’tit？I’monlyeighteen。No，IconcludedIwouldrathercometoRedmondthanbemarried。Besides，howcouldI
everhavemadeupmymindwhichmantomarry？\"
\"Weretheresomany？\"laughedAnne。
\"Heaps。Theboyslikemeawfully——theyreallydo。Buttherewereonlytwothatmattered。Therestwerealltooyoungandtoopoor。Imustmarryarichman，youknow。\"
\"Whymustyou？\"
\"Honey，youcouldn’timagineMEbeingapoorman’swife，couldyou？
Ican’tdoasingleusefulthing，andIamVERYextravagant。Oh，no，myhusbandmusthaveheapsofmoney。Sothatnarrowedthemdowntotwo。
ButIcouldn’tdecidebetweentwoanyeasierthanbetweentwohundred。
IknewperfectlywellthatwhicheveroneIchoseI’dregretallmylifethatIhadn’tmarriedtheother。\"
\"Didn’tyou——love——eitherofthem？\"askedAnne，alittlehesitatingly。
Itwasnoteasyforhertospeaktoastrangerofthegreatmysteryandtransformationoflife。
\"Goodness，no。_I_couldn’tloveanybody。Itisn’tinme。
BesidesIwouldn’twantto。Beinginlovemakesyouaperfectslave，_I_think。Anditwouldgiveamansuchpowertohurtyou。
I’dbeafraid。No，no，AlecandAlonzoaretwodearboys，andIlikethembothsomuchthatIreallydon’tknowwhichIlikethebetter。
Thatisthetrouble。Alecisthebestlooking，ofcourse，andI
simplycouldn’tmarryamanwhowasn’thandsome。Heisgood-temperedtoo，andhaslovely，curly，blackhair。He’srathertooperfect——
Idon’tbelieveI’dlikeaperfecthusband——somebodyIcouldneverfindfaultwith。\"
\"ThenwhynotmarryAlonzo？\"askedPriscillagravely。
\"ThinkofmarryinganamelikeAlonzo！\"saidPhildolefully。
\"Idon’tbelieveIcouldendureit。Buthehasaclassicnose，anditWOULDbeacomforttohaveanoseinthefamilythatcouldbedependedon。Ican’tdependonmine。Sofar，ittakesaftertheGordonpattern，butI’msoafraiditwilldevelopByrnetendenciesasIgrowolder。Iexamineiteverydayanxiouslytomakesureit’sstillGordon。MotherwasaByrneandhastheByrnenoseintheByrnestdegree。Waittillyouseeit。Iadorenicenoses。
Yournoseisawfullynice，AnneShirley。Alonzo’snosenearlyturnedthebalanceinhisfavor。ButALONZO！No，Icouldn’tdecide。
IfIcouldhavedoneasIdidwiththehats——stoodthembothuptogether，shutmyeyes，andjabbedwithahatpin——itwouldhavebeenquiteeasy。\"
\"WhatdidAlecandAlonzofeellikewhenyoucameaway？\"queriedPriscilla。
\"Oh，theystillhavehope。Itoldthemthey’dhavetowaittillIcouldmakeupmymind。They’requitewillingtowait。
Theybothworshipme，youknow。Meanwhile，Iintendtohaveagoodtime。IexpectIshallhaveheapsofbeauxatRedmond。
Ican’tbehappyunlessIhave，youknow。Butdon’tyouthinkthefreshmenarefearfullyhomely？
Isawonlyonereallyhandsomefellowamongthem。Hewentawaybeforeyoucame。IheardhischumcallhimGilbert。HischumhadeyesthatstuckoutTHATFAR。Butyou’renotgoingyet，girls？
Don’tgoyet。\"
\"Ithinkwemust，\"saidAnne，rathercoldly。\"It’sgettinglate，andI’vesomeworktodo。\"
\"Butyou’llbothcometoseeme，won’tyou？\"askedPhilippa，gettingupandputtinganarmaroundeach。\"Andletmecometoseeyou。Iwanttobechummywithyou。I’vetakensuchafancytoyouboth。AndIhaven’tquitedisgustedyouwithmyfrivolity，haveI？\"
\"Notquite，\"laughedAnne，respondingtoPhil’ssqueeze，withareturnofcordiality。
\"BecauseI’mnothalfsosillyasIseemonthesurface，youknow。YoujustacceptPhilippaGordon，astheLordmadeher，withallherfaults，andIbelieveyou’llcometolikeher。
Isn’tthisgraveyardasweetplace？I’dlovetobeburiedhere。
Here’sagraveIdidn’tseebefore——thisoneintheironrailing——oh，girls，look，see——thestonesaysit’sthegraveofamiddywhowaskilledinthefightbetweentheShannonandtheChesapeake。Justfancy！\"
Annepausedbytherailingandlookedatthewornstone，herpulsesthrillingwithsuddenexcitement。Theoldgraveyard，withitsover-archingtreesandlongaislesofshadows，fadedfromhersight。
Instead，shesawtheKingsportHarborofnearlyacenturyagone。
Outofthemistcameslowlyagreatfrigate，brilliantwith\"themeteorflagofEngland。\"Behindherwasanother，withastill，heroicform，wrappedinhisownstarryflag，lyingonthequarterdeck——thegallantLawrence。Time’sfingerhadturnedbackhispages，andthatwastheShannonsailingtriumphantupthebaywiththeChesapeakeasherprize。
\"Comeback，AnneShirley——comeback，\"laughedPhilippa，pullingherarm。\"You’reahundredyearsawayfromus。Comeback。\"
Annecamebackwithasigh；hereyeswereshiningsoftly。
\"I’vealwayslovedthatoldstory，\"shesaid，\"andalthoughtheEnglishwonthatvictory，Ithinkitwasbecauseofthebrave，defeatedcommanderIloveit。Thisgraveseemstobringitsonearandmakeitsoreal。Thispoorlittlemiddywasonlyeighteen。He`diedofdesperatewoundsreceivedingallantaction’——soreadshisepitaph。Itissuchasasoldiermightwishfor。\"
Beforesheturnedaway，Anneunpinnedthelittleclusterofpurplepansiessheworeanddroppeditsoftlyonthegraveoftheboywhohadperishedinthegreatsea-duel。
\"Well，whatdoyouthinkofournewfriend？\"askedPriscilla，whenPhilhadleftthem。
\"Ilikeher。Thereissomethingverylovableabouther，inspiteofallhernonsense。Ibelieve，asshesaysherself，thatsheisn’thalfassillyasshesounds。She’sadear，kissablebaby——andIdon’tknowthatshe’lleverreallygrowup。\"
\"Ilikeher，too，\"saidPriscilla，decidedly。\"ShetalksasmuchaboutboysasRubyGillisdoes。ButitalwaysenragesorsickensmetohearRuby，whereasIjustwantedtolaughgood-naturedlyatPhil。Now，whatisthewhyofthat？\"
\"Thereisadifference，\"saidAnnemeditatively。\"Ithinkit’sbecauseRubyisreallysoCONSCIOUSofboys。Sheplaysatloveandlove-making。Besides，youfeel，whensheisboastingofherbeauxthatsheisdoingittorubitwellintoyouthatyouhaven’thalfsomany。Now，whenPhiltalksofherbeauxitsoundsasifshewasjustspeakingofchums。Shereallylooksuponboysasgoodcomrades，andsheispleasedwhenshehasdozensofthemtagginground，simplybecauseshelikestobepopularandtobethoughtpopular。EvenAlexandAlonzo——I’llneverbeabletothinkofthosetwonamesseparatelyafterthis——aretoherjusttwoplayfellowswhowanthertoplaywiththemalltheirlives。I’mgladwemether，andI’mgladwewenttoOldSt。John’s。IbelieveI’veputforthatinysoul-rootintoKingsportsoilthisafternoon。Ihopeso。Ihatetofeeltransplanted。\"
ChapterV
LettersfromHomeForthenextthreeweeksAnneandPriscillacontinuedtofeelasstrangersinastrangeland。Then，suddenly，everythingseemedtofallintofocus——Redmond，professors，classes，students，studies，socialdoings。Lifebecamehomogeneousagain，insteadofbeingmadeupofdetachedfragments。TheFreshmen，insteadofbeingacollectionofunrelatedindividuals，foundthemselvesaclass，withaclassspirit，aclassyell，classinterests，classantipathiesandclassambitions。Theywonthedayintheannual\"ArtsRush\"againsttheSophomores，andtherebygainedtherespectofalltheclasses，andanenormous，confidence-givingopinionofthemselves。ForthreeyearstheSophomoreshadwoninthe\"rush\"；thatthevictoryofthisyearperchedupontheFreshmen’sbannerwasattributedtothestrategicgeneralshipofGilbertBlythe，whomarshalledthecampaignandoriginatedcertainnewtactics，whichdemoralizedtheSophsandswepttheFreshmentotriumph。AsarewardofmerithewaselectedpresidentoftheFreshmanClass，apositionofhonorandresponsibility——fromaFreshpointofview，atleast——covetedbymany。Hewasalsoinvitedtojointhe\"Lambs\"——RedmondeseforLambaTheta——acomplimentrarelypaidtoaFreshman。AsapreparatoryinitiationordealhehadtoparadetheprincipalbusinessstreetsofKingsportforawholedaywearingasunbonnetandavoluminouskitchenapronofgaudilyfloweredcalico。Thishedidcheerfully，doffinghissunbonnetwithcourtlygracewhenhemetladiesofhisacquaintance。CharlieSloane，whohadnotbeenaskedtojointheLambs，toldAnnehedidnotseehowBlythecoulddoit，andHE，forhispart，couldneverhumiliatehimselfso。
\"FancyCharlieSloaneina`caliker’apronanda`sunbunnit，’\"
giggledPriscilla。\"He’dlookexactlylikehisoldGrandmotherSloane。Gilbert，now，lookedasmuchlikeamaninthemasinhisownproperhabiliments。\"
AnneandPriscillafoundthemselvesinthethickofthesociallifeofRedmond。ThatthiscameaboutsospeedilywasdueingreatmeasuretoPhilippaGordon。Philippawasthedaughterofarichandwell-knownman，andbelongedtoanoldandexclusive\"Bluenose\"family。This，combinedwithherbeautyandcharm——acharmacknowledgedbyallwhomether——promptlyopenedthegatesofallcliques，clubsandclassesinRedmondtoher；andwhereshewentAnneandPriscillawent，too。Phil\"adored\"AnneandPriscilla，especiallyAnne。Shewasaloyallittlesoul，crystal-freefromanyformofsnobbishness。\"Loveme，lovemyfriends\"seemedtobeherunconsciousmotto。Withouteffort，shetookthemwithherintohereverwideningcircleofacquaintanceship，andthetwoAvonleagirlsfoundtheirsocialpathwayatRedmondmadeveryeasyandpleasantforthem，totheenvyandwondermentoftheotherfreshettes，who，lackingPhilippa’ssponsorship，weredoomedtoremainratheronthefringeofthingsduringtheirfirstcollegeyear。
ToAnneandPriscilla，withtheirmoreseriousviewsoflife，Philremainedtheamusing，lovablebabyshehadseemedontheirfirstmeeting。Yet，asshesaidherself，shehad\"heaps\"ofbrains。Whenorwhereshefoundtimetostudywasamystery，forsheseemedalwaysindemandforsomekindof\"fun，\"andherhomeeveningswerecrowdedwithcallers。Shehadallthe\"beaux\"thatheartcoulddesire，fornine-tenthsoftheFreshmenandabigfractionofalltheotherclasseswererivalsforhersmiles。
Shewasnaivelydelightedoverthis，andgleefullyrecountedeachnewconquesttoAnneandPriscilla，withcommentsthatmighthavemadetheunluckylover’searsburnfiercely。
\"AlecandAlonzodon’tseemtohaveanyseriousrivalyet，\"
remarkedAnne，teasingly。
\"Notone，\"agreedPhilippa。\"Iwritethembotheveryweekandtellthemallaboutmyyoungmenhere。I’msureitmustamusethem。
But，ofcourse，theoneIlikebestIcan’tget。GilbertBlythewon’ttakeanynoticeofme，excepttolookatmeasifIwereanicelittlekittenhe’dliketopat。ToowellIknowthereason。
Ioweyouagrudge，QueenAnne。IreallyoughttohateyouandinsteadIloveyoumadly，andI’mmiserableifIdon’tseeyoueveryday。You’redifferentfromanygirlIeverknewbefore。
WhenyoulookatmeinacertainwayIfeelwhataninsignificant，frivolouslittlebeastIam，andIlongtobebetterandwiserandstronger。AndthenImakegoodresolutions；butthefirstnice-lookingmanniewhocomesmywayknocksthemalloutofmyhead。Isn’tcollegelifemagnificent？
It’ssofunnytothinkIhateditthatfirstday。ButifIhadn’tImightnevergotreallyacquaintedwithyou。Anne，pleasetellmeoveragainthatyoulikemealittlebit。Iyearntohearit。\"
\"Ilikeyouabigbit——andIthinkyou’readear，sweet，adorable，velvety，clawless，little——kitten，\"laughedAnne，\"butIdon’tseewhenyouevergettimetolearnyourlessons。\"
Philmusthavefoundtimeforsheheldherownineveryclassofheryear。EventhegrumpyoldprofessorofMathematics，whodetestedcoeds，andhadbitterlyopposedtheiradmissiontoRedmond，couldn’tfloorher。Sheledthefreshetteseverywhere，exceptinEnglish，whereAnneShirleyleftherfarbehind。AnneherselffoundthestudiesofherFreshmanyearveryeasy，thanksingreatparttothesteadyworksheandGilberthadputinduringthosetwopastyearsinAvonlea。Thislefthermoretimeforasociallifewhichshethoroughlyenjoyed。ButneverforamomentdidsheforgetAvonleaandthefriendsthere。Toher，thehappiestmomentsineachweekwerethoseinwhichletterscamefromhome。ItwasnotuntilshehadgotherfirstlettersthatshebegantothinkshecouldeverlikeKingsportorfeelathomethere。Beforetheycame，Avonleahadseemedthousandsofmilesaway；thoselettersbroughtitnearandlinkedtheoldlifetothenewsocloselythattheybegantoseemoneandthesame，insteadoftwohopelesslysegregatedexistences。Thefirstbatchcontainedsixletters，fromJaneAndrews，RubyGillis，DianaBarry，Marilla，Mrs。LyndeandDavy。Jane’swasacopperplateproduction，withevery\"t\"nicelycrossedandevery\"i\"preciselydotted，andnotaninterestingsentenceinit。Shenevermentionedtheschool，concerningwhichAnnewasavidtohear；sheneveransweredoneofthequestionsAnnehadaskedinherletter。
ButshetoldAnnehowmanyyardsoflaceshehadrecentlycrocheted，andthekindofweathertheywerehavinginAvonlea，andhowsheintendedtohavehernewdressmade，andthewayshefeltwhenherheadached。RubyGilliswroteagushingepistledeploringAnne’sabsence，assuringhershewashorriblymissedineverything，askingwhattheRedmond\"fellows\"werelike，andfillingtherestwithaccountsofherownharrowingexperienceswithhernumerousadmirers。Itwasasilly，harmlessletter，andAnnewouldhavelaughedoverithaditnotbeenforthepostscript。
\"GilbertseemstobeenjoyingRedmond，judgingfromhisletters，\"
wroteRuby。\"Idon’tthinkCharlieissostuckonit。\"
SoGilbertwaswritingtoRuby！Verywell。Hehadaperfectrightto，ofcourse。Only——！！AnnedidnotknowthatRubyhadwrittenthefirstletterandthatGilberthadanswereditfrommerecourtesy。ShetossedRuby’sletterasidecontemptuously。
ButittookallDiana’sbreezy，newsy，delightfulepistletobanishthestingofRuby’spostscript。Diana’slettercontainedalittletoomuchFred，butwasotherwisecrowdedandcrossedwithitemsofinterest，andAnnealmostfeltherselfbackinAvonleawhilereadingit。Marilla’swasaratherprimandcolorlessepistle，severelyinnocentofgossiporemotion。
YetsomehowitconveyedtoAnneawhiffofthewholesome，simplelifeatGreenGables，withitssavorofancientpeace，andthesteadfastabidinglovethatwasthereforher。Mrs。Lynde’sletterwasfullofchurchnews。Havingbrokenuphousekeeping，Mrs。Lyndehadmoretimethanevertodevotetochurchaffairsandhadflungherselfintothemheartandsoul。Shewasatpresentmuchworkedupoverthepoor\"supplies\"theywerehavinginthevacantAvonleapulpit。
\"Idon’tbelieveanybutfoolsentertheministrynowadays，\"shewrotebitterly。\"Suchcandidatesastheyhavesentus，andsuchstuffastheypreach！Halfofitain’ttrue，and，what’sworse，itain’tsounddoctrine。Theonewehavenowistheworstofthelot。Hemostlytakesatextandpreachesaboutsomethingelse。
Andhesayshedoesn’tbelievealltheheathenwillbeeternallylost。Theidea！Iftheywon’tallthemoneywe’vebeengivingtoForeignMissionswillbecleanwasted，that’swhat！LastSundaynightheannouncedthatnextSundayhe’dpreachontheaxe-headthatswam。Ithinkhe’dbetterconfinehimselftotheBibleandleavesensationalsubjectsalone。Thingshavecometoaprettypassifaministercan’tfindenoughinHolyWrittopreachabout，that’swhat。Whatchurchdoyouattend，Anne？I
hopeyougoregularly。Peopleareapttogetsocarelessaboutchurch-goingawayfromhome，andIunderstandcollegestudentsaregreatsinnersinthisrespect。I’mtoldmanyofthemactuallystudytheirlessonsonSunday。Ihopeyou’llneversinkthatlow，Anne。Rememberhowyouwerebroughtup。Andbeverycarefulwhatfriendsyoumake。Youneverknowwhatsortofcreaturesareinthemcolleges。Outwardlytheymaybeaswhitedsepulchersandinwardlyasraveningwolves，that’swhat。You’dbetternothaveanythingtosaytoanyyoungmanwhoisn’tfromtheIsland。
\"Iforgottotellyouwhathappenedthedaytheministercalledhere。ItwasthefunniestthingIeversaw。IsaidtoMarilla，`IfAnnehadbeenherewouldn’tshehavehadalaugh？’EvenMarillalaughed。Youknowhe’saveryshort，fatlittlemanwithbowlegs。Well，thatoldpigofMr。Harrison’s——thebig，tallone——hadwanderedoverherethatdayagainandbrokeintotheyard，anditgotintothebackporch，unbeknownstous，anditwastherewhentheministerappearedinthedoorway。Itmadeonewildbolttogetout，buttherewasnowheretobolttoexceptbetweenthembowlegs。Sothereitwent，and，beingasitwassobigandtheministersolittle，ittookhimcleanoffhisfeetandcarriedhimaway。Hishatwentonewayandhiscaneanother，justasMarillaandIgottothedoor。I’llneverforgetthelookofhim。Andthatpoorpigwasnearscaredtodeath。I’llneverbeabletoreadthataccountintheBibleoftheswinethatrushedmadlydownthesteepplaceintotheseawithoutseeingMr。Harrison’spigcareeringdownthehillwiththatminister。
IguessthepigthoughthehadtheOldBoyonhisbackinsteadofinsideofhim。Iwasthankfulthetwinsweren’tabout。
Itwouldn’thavebeentherightthingforthemtohaveseenaministerinsuchanundignifiedpredicament。Justbeforetheygottothebrooktheministerjumpedofforfelloff。
Thepigrushedthroughthebrooklikemadandupthroughthewoods。
MarillaandIrundownandhelpedtheministergetupandbrushhiscoat。Hewasn’thurt，buthewasmad。HeseemedtoholdMarillaandmeresponsibleforitall，thoughwetoldhimthepigdidn’tbelongtous，andhadbeenpesteringusallsummer。
Besides，whatdidhecometothebackdoorfor？You’dneverhavecaughtMr。Allandoingthat。It’llbealongtimebeforewegetamanlikeMr。Allan。Butit’sanillwindthatblowsnogood。
We’veneverseenhooforhairofthatpigsince，andit’smybeliefweneverwill。
\"ThingsisprettyquietinAvonlea。Idon’tfindGreenGablesaslonesomeasIexpected。IthinkI’llstartanothercottonwarpquiltthiswinter。Mrs。SilasSloanehasahandsomenewapple-leafpattern。
\"WhenIfeelthatImusthavesomeexcitementIreadthemurdertrialsinthatBostonpapermyniecesendsme。Ineverusedtodoit，butthey’rerealinteresting。TheStatesmustbeanawfulplace。Ihopeyou’llnevergothere，Anne。Butthewaygirlsroamovertheearthnowissomethingterrible。ItalwaysmakesmethinkofSatanintheBookofJob，goingtoandfroandwalkingupanddown。Idon’tbelievetheLordeverintendedit，that’swhat。
\"Davyhasbeenprettygoodsinceyouwentaway。OnedayhewasbadandMarillapunishedhimbymakinghimwearDora’sapronallday，andthenhewentandcutallDora’sapronsup。Ispankedhimforthatandthenhewentandchasedmyroostertodeath。
\"TheMacPhersonshavemoveddowntomyplace。She’sagreathousekeeperandveryparticular。She’srootedallmyJuneliliesupbecauseshesaystheymakeagardenlooksountidy。Thomassetthemliliesoutwhenweweremarried。Herhusbandseemsanicesortofaman，butshecan’tgetoverbeinganoldmaid，that’swhat。
\"Don’tstudytoohard，andbesureandputyourwinterunderclothesonassoonastheweathergetscool。
Marillaworriesalotaboutyou，butItellheryou’vegotalotmoresensethanIeverthoughtyouwouldhaveatonetime，andthatyou’llbeallright。\"
Davy’sletterplungedintoagrievanceatthestart。
\"Dearanne，pleasewriteandtellmarillanottotiemetotheraleofthebridgewhenIgofishingtheboysmakefunofmewhenshedoes。Itsawfullonesomeherewithoutyoubutgratefuninschool。Janeandrewsiscrosserthanyou。Iscaredmrs。lyndewithajackylanternlastnite。ShewasoffelmadandshewasmadcauseIchasedheroldroosterroundtheyardtillhefelldownded。Ididn’tmeantomakehimfalldownded。Whatmadehimdie，anne，Iwanttoknow。mrs。lyndethrewhimintothepigpenshemiteofsoldhimtomr。blair。mr。blairisgiving50senseapeaceforgooddedroostersnow。Iherdmrs。lyndeaskingtheministertoprayforher。Whatdidshedothatwassobad，anne，Iwanttoknow。I’vegotakitewithamagnificenttail，anne。Miltyboltertoldmeagratestoryinschoolyesterday。itistroo。oldJoeMoseyandLeonwereplayingcardsonenitelastweekinthewoods。Thecardswereonastumpandabigblackmanbiggerthanthetreescomealongandgrabbedthecardsandthestumpanddisaperedwithanoyslikethunder。
Illbettheywereskared。Miltysaystheblackmanwastheoldharry。washe，anne，Iwanttoknow。Mr。kimballoveratspenservaleisverysickandwillhavetogotothehospitable。
pleaseexcusemewhileIaskmarillaifthatsspelledrite。
Marillasaysitsthesilemhehastogotonottheotherplace。
Hethinkshehasasnakeinsideofhim。whatsitliketohaveasnakeinsideofyou，anne。Iwanttoknow。mrs。lawrencebellissickto。mrs。lyndesaysthatallthatisthematterwithheristhatshethinkstoomuchaboutherinsides。\"
\"Iwonder，\"saidAnne，asshefoldedupherletters，\"whatMrs。
LyndewouldthinkofPhilippa。\"
ChapterVI
InthePark\"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselvestoday，girls？\"
askedPhilippa，poppingintoAnne’sroomoneSaturdayafternoon。
\"Wearegoingforawalkinthepark，\"answeredAnne。\"Ioughttostayinandfinishmyblouse。ButIcouldn’tsewonadaylikethis。
There’ssomethingintheairthatgetsintomybloodandmakesasortofgloryinmysoul。MyfingerswouldtwitchandI’dsewacrookedseam。
Soit’shofortheparkandthepines。\"
\"Does`we’includeanyonebutyourselfandPriscilla？\"
\"Yes，itincludesGilbertandCharlie，andwe’llbeverygladifitwillincludeyou，also。\"
\"But，\"saidPhilippadolefully，\"ifIgoI’llhavetobegooseberry，andthatwillbeanewexperienceforPhilippaGordon。\"
\"Well，newexperiencesarebroadening。Comealong，andyou’llbeabletosympathizewithallpoorsoulswhohavetoplaygooseberryoften。Butwhereareallthevictims？\"
\"Oh，Iwastiredofthemallandsimplycouldn’tbebotheredwithanyofthemtoday。Besides，I’vebeenfeelingalittleblue——
justapale，elusiveazure。Itisn’tseriousenoughforanythingdarker。IwroteAlecandAlonzolastweek。Iputthelettersintoenvelopesandaddressedthem，butIdidn’tsealthemup。
Thateveningsomethingfunnyhappened。Thatis，Alecwouldthinkitfunny，butAlonzowouldn’tbelikelyto。Iwasinahurry，soIsnatchedAlec’sletter——asIthought——outoftheenvelopeandscribbleddownapostscript。ThenImailedbothletters。I
gotAlonzo’sreplythismorning。Girls，Ihadputthatpostscripttohisletterandhewasfurious。Ofcoursehe’llgetoverit——
andIdon’tcareifhedoesn’t——butitspoiledmyday。
SoIthoughtI’dcometoyoudarlingstogetcheeredup。
AfterthefootballseasonopensIwon’thaveanyspareSaturdayafternoons。Iadorefootball。I’vegotthemostgorgeouscapandsweaterstripedinRedmondcolorstoweartothegames。
Tobesure，alittlewayoffI’lllooklikeawalkingbarber’spole。
DoyouknowthatthatGilbertofyourshasbeenelectedCaptainoftheFreshmanfootballteam？\"
\"Yes，hetoldussolastevening，\"saidPriscilla，seeingthatoutragedAnnewouldnotanswer。\"HeandCharlieweredown。
Weknewtheywerecoming，sowepainstakinglyputoutofsightoroutofreachallMissAda’scushions。ThatveryelaborateonewiththeraisedembroideryIdroppedonthefloorinthecornerbehindthechairitwason。Ithoughtitwouldbesafethere。
Butwouldyoubelieveit？CharlieSloanemadeforthatchair，noticedthecushionbehindit，solemnlyfisheditup，andsatonitthewholeevening。Suchawreckofacushionasitwas！PoorMissAdaaskedmetoday，stillsmiling，butoh，soreproachfully，whyIhadallowedittobesatupon。ItoldherIhadn’t——thatitwasamatterofpredestinationcoupledwithinveterateSloanishnessandIwasn’tamatchforbothcombined。\"
\"MissAda’scushionsarereallygettingonmynerves，\"saidAnne。
\"Shefinishedtwonewoneslastweek，stuffedandembroideredwithinaninchoftheirlives。Therebeingabsolutelynoothercushionlessplacetoputthemshestoodthemupagainstthewallonthestairlanding。Theytoppleoverhalfthetimeandifwecomeupordownthestairsinthedarkwefalloverthem。LastSunday，whenDr。Davisprayedforallthoseexposedtotheperilsofthesea，Iaddedinthought`andforallthosewholiveinhouseswherecushionsarelovednotwiselybuttoowell！’
There！we’reready，andIseetheboyscomingthroughOldSt。John’s。
Doyoucastinyourlotwithus，Phil？\"
\"I’llgo，ifIcanwalkwithPriscillaandCharlie。Thatwillbeabearabledegreeofgooseberry。ThatGilbertofyoursisadarling，Anne，butwhydoeshegoaroundsomuchwithGoggle-eyes？\"
Annestiffened。ShehadnogreatlikingforCharlieSloane；buthewasofAvonlea，sonooutsiderhadanybusinesstolaughathim。
\"CharlieandGilberthavealwaysbeenfriends，\"shesaidcoldly。
\"Charlieisaniceboy。He’snottoblameforhiseyes。\"
\"Don’ttellmethat！Heis！Hemusthavedonesomethingdreadfulinapreviousexistencetobepunishedwithsucheyes。
PrisandIaregoingtohavesuchsportwithhimthisafternoon。
We’llmakefunofhimtohisfaceandhe’llneverknowit。\"
Doubtless，\"theabandonedP’s，\"asAnnecalledthem，didcarryouttheiramiableintentions。ButSloanewasblissfullyignorant；hethoughthewasquiteafinefellowtobewalkingwithtwosuchcoeds，especiallyPhilippaGordon，theclassbeautyandbelle。ItmustsurelyimpressAnne。Shewouldseethatsomepeopleappreciatedhimathisrealvalue。
GilbertandAnneloiteredalittlebehindtheothers，enjoyingthecalm，stillbeautyoftheautumnafternoonunderthepinesofthepark，ontheroadthatclimbedandtwistedroundtheharborshore。
\"Thesilencehereislikeaprayer，isn’tit？\"saidAnne，herfaceupturnedtotheshiningsky。\"HowIlovethepines！
Theyseemtostriketheirrootsdeepintotheromanceofalltheages。
Itissocomfortingtocreepawaynowandthenforagoodtalkwiththem。
Ialwaysfeelsohappyouthere。\"
\"`Andsoinmountainsolitudeso’ertakenAsbysomespelldivine，TheircaresdropfromthemliketheneedlesshakenFromoutthegustypine，’\"
quotedGilbert。
\"Theymakeourlittleambitionsseemratherpetty，don’tthey，Anne？\"
\"Ithink，ifeveranygreatsorrowcametome，Iwouldcometothepinesforcomfort，\"saidAnnedreamily。
\"Ihopenogreatsorroweverwillcometoyou，Anne，\"saidGilbert，whocouldnotconnecttheideaofsorrowwiththevivid，joyouscreaturebesidehim，unwittingthatthosewhocansoartothehighestheightscanalsoplungetothedeepestdepths，andthatthenatureswhichenjoymostkeenlyarethosewhichalsosuffermostsharply。
\"Buttheremust——sometime，\"musedAnne。\"Lifeseemslikeacupofgloryheldtomylipsjustnow。Buttheremustbesomebitternessinit——thereisineverycup。Ishalltasteminesomeday。Well，IhopeIshallbestrongandbravetomeetit。
AndIhopeitwon’tbethroughmyownfaultthatitwillcome。
DoyourememberwhatDr。DavissaidlastSundayevening——thatthesorrowsGodsentusbroughtcomfortandstrengthwiththem，whilethesorrowswebroughtonourselves，throughfollyorwickedness，werebyfarthehardesttobear？Butwemustn’ttalkofsorrowonanafternoonlikethis。It’smeantforthesheerjoyofliving，isn’tit？\"
\"IfIhadmywayI’dshuteverythingoutofyourlifebuthappinessandpleasure，Anne，\"saidGilbertinthetonethatmeant\"dangerahead。\"
\"Thenyouwouldbeveryunwise，\"rejoinedAnnehastily。\"I’msurenolifecanbeproperlydevelopedandroundedoutwithoutsometrialandsorrow——thoughIsupposeitisonlywhenweareprettycomfortablethatweadmitit。Come——theothershavegottothepavilionandarebeckoningtous。\"
Theyallsatdowninthelittlepaviliontowatchanautumnsunsetofdeepredfireandpallidgold。TotheirleftlayKingsport，itsroofsandspiresdimintheirshroudofvioletsmoke。
Totheirrightlaytheharbor，takingontintsofroseandcopperasitstretchedoutintothesunset。Beforethemthewatershimmered，satinsmoothandsilvergray，andbeyond，cleanshavenWilliam’sIslandloomedoutofthemist，guardingthetownlikeasturdybulldog。
Itslighthousebeaconflaredthroughthemistlikeabalefulstar，andwasansweredbyanotherinthefarhorizon。
\"Didyoueverseesuchastrong-lookingplace？\"askedPhilippa。
\"Idon’twantWilliam’sIslandespecially，butI’msureIcouldn’tgetitifIdid。Lookatthatsentryonthesummitofthefort，rightbesidetheflag。Doesn’thelookasifhehadsteppedoutofaromance？\"
\"Speakingofromance，\"saidPriscilla，\"we’vebeenlookingforheather——but，ofcourse，wecouldn’tfindany。It’stoolateintheseason，Isuppose。\"
\"Heather！\"exclaimedAnne。\"Heatherdoesn’tgrowinAmerica，doesit？\"
\"Therearejusttwopatchesofitinthewholecontinent，\"saidPhil，\"onerighthereinthepark，andonesomewhereelseinNovaScotia，Iforgetwhere。ThefamousHighlandRegiment，theBlackWatch，campedhereoneyear，and，whenthemenshookoutthestrawoftheirbedsinthespring，someseedsofheathertookroot。\"
\"Oh，howdelightful！\"saidenchantedAnne。
\"Let’sgohomearoundbySpoffordAvenue，\"suggestedGilbert。
\"Wecanseeall`thehandsomehouseswherethewealthynoblesdwell。’SpoffordAvenueisthefinestresidentialstreetinKingsport。Nobodycanbuildonitunlesshe’samillionaire。\"
\"Oh，do，\"saidPhil。\"There’saperfectlykillinglittleplaceI
wanttoshowyou，Anne。ITwasn’tbuiltbyamillionaire。It’sthefirstplaceafteryouleavethepark，andmusthavegrownwhileSpoffordAvenuewasstillacountryroad。ItDIDgrow——
itwasn’tbuilt！Idon’tcareforthehousesontheAvenue。
They’retoobrandnewandplateglassy。Butthislittlespotisadream——anditsname——butwaittillyouseeit。\"
Theysawitastheywalkedupthepine-fringedhillfromthepark。
Justonthecrest，whereSpoffordAvenuepeteredoutintoaplainroad，wasalittlewhiteframehousewithgroupsofpinesoneithersideofit，stretchingtheirarmsprotectinglyoveritslowroof。Itwascoveredwithredandgoldvines，throughwhichitsgreen-shutteredwindowspeeped。Beforeitwasatinygarden，surroundedbyalowstonewall。Octoberthoughitwas，thegardenwasstillverysweetwithdear，old-fashioned，unworldlyflowersandshrubs——sweetmay，southern-wood，lemonverbena，alyssum，petunias，marigoldsandchrysanthemums。Atinybrickwall，inherring-bonepattern，ledfromthegatetothefrontporch。Thewholeplacemighthavebeentransplantedfromsomeremotecountryvillage；yettherewassomethingaboutitthatmadeitsnearestneighbor，thebiglawn-encircledpalaceofatobaccoking，lookexceedinglycrudeandshowyandill-bredbycontrast。AsPhilsaid，itwasthedifferencebetweenbeingbornandbeingmade。
\"It’sthedearestplaceIeversaw，\"saidAnnedelightedly。\"Itgivesmeoneofmyold，delightfulfunnyaches。It’sdearerandquainterthanevenMissLavendar’sstonehouse。\"
\"It’sthenameIwantyoutonoticeespecially，\"saidPhil。
\"Look——inwhiteletters，aroundthearchwayoverthegate。
`Patty’sPlace。’Isn’tthatkilling？EspeciallyonthisAvenueofPinehurstsandElmwoldsandCedarcrofts？`Patty’sPlace，’
ifyouplease！Iadoreit。\"
\"HaveyouanyideawhoPattyis？\"askedPriscilla。
\"PattySpoffordisthenameoftheoldladywhoownsit，I’vediscovered。Shelivestherewithherniece，andthey’velivedthereforhundredsofyears，moreorless——maybealittleless，Anne。Exaggerationismerelyaflightofpoeticfancy。Iunderstandthatwealthyfolkhavetriedtobuythelottimeandagain——it’sreallyworthasmallfortunenow，youknow——but`Patty’won’tselluponanyconsideration。Andthere’sanappleorchardbehindthehouseinplaceofabackyard——you’llseeitwhenwegetalittlepast——
arealappleorchardonSpoffordAvenue！\"
\"I’mgoingtodreamabout`Patty’sPlace’tonight，\"saidAnne。
\"Why，IfeelasifIbelongedtoit。Iwonderif，byanychance，we’lleverseetheinsideofit。\"
\"Itisn’tlikely，\"saidPriscilla。
Annesmiledmysteriously。
\"No，itisn’tlikely。ButIbelieveitwillhappen。Ihaveaqueer，creepy，crawlyfeeling——youcancallitapresentiment，ifyoulike——that`Patty’sPlace’andIaregoingtobebetteracquaintedyet。\"
ChapterVII
HomeAgainThosefirstthreeweeksatRedmondhadseemedlong；buttherestofthetermflewbyonwingsofwind。BeforetheyrealizedittheRedmondstudentsfoundthemselvesinthegrindofChristmasexaminations，emergingtherefrommoreorlesstriumphantly。ThehonorofleadingintheFreshmanclassesfluctuatedbetweenAnne，GilbertandPhilippa；Priscilladidverywell；CharlieSloanescrapedthroughrespectably，andcomportedhimselfascomplacentlyasifhehadledineverything。
\"Ican’treallybelievethatthistimetomorrowI’llbeinGreenGables，\"
saidAnneonthenightbeforedeparture。\"ButIshallbe。Andyou，Phil，willbeinBolingbrokewithAlecandAlonzo。\"
\"I’mlongingtoseethem，\"admittedPhil，betweenthechocolateshewasnibbling。\"Theyreallyaresuchdearboys，youknow。
There’stobenoendofdancesanddrivesandgeneraljamborees。
Ishallneverforgiveyou，QueenAnne，fornotcominghomewithmefortheholidays。\"
\"`Never’meansthreedayswithyou，Phil。Itwasdearofyoutoaskme——andI’dlovetogotoBolingbrokesomeday。ButI
can’tgothisyear——IMUSTgohome。Youdon’tknowhowmyheartlongsforit。\"
\"Youwon’thavemuchofatime，\"saidPhilscornfully。\"There’llbeoneortwoquiltingparties，Isuppose；andalltheoldgossipswilltalkyouovertoyourfaceandbehindyourback。
You’lldieoflonesomeness，child。\"
\"InAvonlea？\"saidAnne，highlyamused。
\"Now，ifyou’dcomewithmeyou’dhaveaperfectlygorgeoustime。
Bolingbrokewouldgowildoveryou，QueenAnne——yourhairandyourstyleand，oh，everything！You’resoDIFFERENT。You’dbesuchasuccess——andIwouldbaskinreflectedglory——`nottherosebutneartherose。’Docome，afterall，Anne。\"
\"Yourpictureofsocialtriumphsisquitefascinating，Phil，butI’llpaintonetooffsetit。I’mgoinghometoanoldcountryfarmhouse，oncegreen，ratherfadednow，setamongleaflessappleorchards。ThereisabrookbelowandaDecemberfirwoodbeyond，whereI’veheardharpssweptbythefingersofrainandwind。
Thereisapondnearbythatwillbegrayandbroodingnow。Therewillbetwooldishladiesinthehouse，onetallandthin，oneshortandfat；andtherewillbetwotwins，oneaperfectmodel，theotherwhatMrs。Lyndecallsa`holyterror。’Therewillbealittleroomupstairsovertheporch，whereolddreamshangthick，andabig，fat，gloriousfeatherbedwhichwillalmostseemtheheightofluxuryafteraboardinghousemattress。Howdoyoulikemypicture，Phil？\"
\"Itseemsaverydullone，\"saidPhil，withagrimace。
\"Oh，butI’veleftoutthetransformingthing，\"saidAnnesoftly。
\"There’llbelovethere，Phil——faithful，tenderlove，suchasI’llneverfindanywhereelseintheworld——lovethat’swaitingforme。Thatmakesmypictureamasterpiece，doesn’tit，evenifthecolorsarenotverybrilliant？\"
Philsilentlygotup，tossedherboxofchocolatesaway，wentuptoAnne，andputherarmsabouther。
\"Anne，IwishIwaslikeyou，\"shesaidsoberly。
DianametAnneattheCarmodystationthenextnight，andtheydrovehometogetherundersilent，star-sowndepthsofsky。GreenGableshadaveryfestalappearanceastheydroveupthelane。
Therewasalightineverywindow，theglowbreakingoutthroughthedarknesslikeflame-redblossomsswungagainstthedarkbackgroundoftheHauntedWood。Andintheyardwasabravebonfirewithtwogaylittlefiguresdancingaroundit，oneofwhichgaveanunearthlyyellasthebuggyturnedinunderthepoplars。
\"DavymeansthatforanIndianwar-whoop，\"saidDiana。\"Mr。
Harrison’shiredboytaughtittohim，andhe’sbeenpracticingituptowelcomeyouwith。Mrs。Lyndesaysithaswornhernervestoafrazzle。Hecreepsupbehindher，youknow，andthenletsgo。Hewasdeterminedtohaveabonfireforyou，too。He’sbeenpilingupbranchesforafortnightandpesteringMarillatobeletpoursomekeroseneoiloveritbeforesettingitonfire。
Iguessshedid，bythesmell，thoughMrs。LyndesaiduptothelastthatDavywouldblowhimselfandeverybodyelseupifhewaslet。\"
Annewasoutofthebuggybythistime，andDavywasrapturouslyhuggingherknees，whileevenDorawasclingingtoherhand。
\"Isn’tthatabullybonfire，Anne？Justletmeshowyouhowtopokeit——seethesparks？Ididitforyou，Anne，’causeIwassogladyouwerecominghome。\"
ThekitchendooropenedandMarilla’sspareformdarkenedagainsttheinnerlight。ShepreferredtomeetAnneintheshadows，forshewashorriblyafraidthatshewasgoingtocrywithjoy——
she，stern，repressedMarilla，whothoughtalldisplayofdeepemotionunseemly。Mrs。Lyndewasbehindher，sonsy，kindly，matronly，asofyore。ThelovethatAnnehadtoldPhilwaswaitingforhersurroundedherandenfoldedherwithitsblessinganditssweetness。Nothing，afterall，couldcomparewitholdties，oldfriends，andoldGreenGables！HowstarryAnne’seyeswereastheysatdowntotheloadedsuppertable，howpinkhercheeks，howsilver-clearherlaughter！AndDianawasgoingtostayallnight，too。Howlikethedearoldtimesitwas！Andtherose-budtea-setgracedthetable！WithMarillatheforceofnaturecouldnofurthergo。
\"IsupposeyouandDianawillnowproceedtotalkallnight，\"
saidMarillasarcastically，asthegirlswentupstairs。
Marillawasalwayssarcasticafteranyself-betrayal。
\"Yes，\"agreedAnnegaily，\"butI’mgoingtoputDavytobedfirst。
Heinsistsonthat。\"
\"Youbet，\"saidDavy，astheywentalongthehall。\"Iwantsomebodytosaymyprayerstoagain。It’snofunsayingthemalone。\"
\"Youdon’tsaythemalone，Davy。Godisalwayswithyoutohearyou。\"
\"Well，Ican’tseeHim，\"objectedDavy。\"IwanttopraytosomebodyIcansee，butIWON’TsaythemtoMrs。LyndeorMarilla，therenow！\"
Nevertheless，whenDavywasgarbedinhisgrayflannelnighty，hedidnotseeminahurrytobegin。HestoodbeforeAnne，shufflingonebarefootovertheother，andlookedundecided。
\"Come，dear，kneeldown，\"saidAnne。
DavycameandburiedhisheadinAnne’slap，buthedidnotkneeldown。
\"Anne，\"hesaidinamuffledvoice。\"Idon’tfeellikeprayingafterall。
Ihaven’tfeltlikeitforaweeknow。I——IDIDN’Tpraylastnightnorthenightbefore。\"
\"Whynot，Davy？\"askedAnnegently。
\"You——youwon’tbemadifItellyou？\"imploredDavy。
Anneliftedthelittlegray-flannelledbodyonherkneeandcuddledhisheadonherarm。
\"DoIeverget`mad’whenyoutellmethings，Davy？\"
\"No-o-o，youneverdo。Butyougetsorry，andthat’sworse。
You’llbeawfulsorrywhenItellyouthis，Anne——andyou’llbe’shamedofme，Is’pose。\"
\"Haveyoudonesomethingnaughty，Davy，andisthatwhyyoucan’tsayyourprayers？\"
\"No，Ihaven’tdoneanythingnaughty——yet。ButIwanttodoit。\"
\"Whatisit，Davy？\"
\"I——Iwanttosayabadword，Anne，\"blurtedoutDavy，withadesperateeffort。\"IheardMr。Harrison’shiredboysayitonedaylastweek，andeversinceI’vebeenwantingtosayitALLthetime——evenwhenI’msayingmyprayers。\"
\"Sayitthen，Davy。\"
Davyliftedhisflushedfaceinamazement。
\"But，Anne，it’sanAWFULbadword。\"
\"SAYIT！\"
Davygaveheranotherincredulouslook，theninalowvoicehesaidthedreadfulword。Thenextminutehisfacewasburrowingagainsther。
\"Oh，Anne，I’llneversayitagain——never。I’llneverWANTtosayitagain。Iknewitwasbad，butIdidn’ts’poseitwasso——so——Ididn’ts’poseitwaslikeTHAT。\"
\"No，Idon’tthinkyou’lleverwanttosayitagain，Davy——orthinkit，either。AndIwouldn’tgoaboutmuchwithMr。Harrison’shiredboyifIwereyou。\"
\"Hecanmakebullywar-whoops，\"saidDavyalittleregretfully。
\"Butyoudon’twantyourmindfilledwithbadwords，doyou，Davy——wordsthatwillpoisonitanddriveoutallthatisgoodandmanly？\"
\"No，\"saidDavy，owl-eyedwithintrospection。
\"Thendon’tgowiththosepeoplewhousethem。Andnowdoyoufeelasifyoucouldsayyourprayers，Davy？\"
\"Oh，yes，\"saidDavy，eagerlywrigglingdownonhisknees，\"Icansaythemnowallright。Iain’tscarednowtosay`ifIshoulddiebeforeIwake，’likeIwaswhenIwaswantingtosaythatword。\"
ProbablyAnneandDianadidemptyouttheirsoulstoeachotherthatnight，butnorecordoftheirconfidenceshasbeenpreserved。
Theybothlookedasfreshandbright-eyedatbreakfastasonlyyouthcanlookafterunlawfulhoursofrevelryandconfession。
Therehadbeennosnowuptothistime，butasDianacrossedtheoldlogbridgeonherhomewardwaythewhiteflakeswerebeginningtoflutterdownoverthefieldsandwoods，russetandgrayintheirdreamlesssleep。Soonthefar-awayslopesandhillsweredimandwraith-likethroughtheirgauzyscarfing，asifpaleautumnhadflungamistybridalveiloverherhairandwaswaitingforherwintrybridegroom。SotheyhadawhiteChristmasafterall，andaverypleasantdayitwas。IntheforenoonlettersandgiftscamefromMissLavendarandPaul；
AnneopenedtheminthecheerfulGreenGableskitchen，whichwasfilledwithwhatDavy，sniffinginecstasy，called\"prettysmells。\"
\"MissLavendarandMr。Irvingaresettledintheirnewhomenow，\"
reportedAnne。\"IamsureMissLavendarisperfectlyhappy——
Iknowitbythegeneraltoneofherletter——butthere’sanotefromCharlottatheFourth。Shedoesn’tlikeBostonatall，andsheisfearfullyhomesick。MissLavendarwantsmetogothroughtoEchoLodgesomedaywhileI’mhomeandlightafiretoairit，andseethatthecushionsaren’tgettingmoldy。IthinkI’llgetDianatogooverwithmenextweek，andwecanspendtheeveningwithTheodoraDix。IwanttoseeTheodora。Bytheway，isLudovicSpeedstillgoingtoseeher？\"
\"Theysayso，\"saidMarilla，\"andhe’slikelytocontinueit。
Folkshavegivenupexpectingthatthatcourtshipwilleverarriveanywhere。\"
\"I’dhurryhimupabit，ifIwasTheodora，that’swhat，\"saidMrs。Lynde。Andthereisnottheslightestdoubtbutthatshewould。
TherewasalsoacharacteristicscrawlfromPhilippa，fullofAlecandAlonzo，whattheysaidandwhattheydid，andhowtheylookedwhentheysawher。
\"ButIcan’tmakeupmymindyetwhichtomarry，\"wrotePhil。
\"Idowishyouhadcomewithmetodecideforme。Someonewillhaveto。WhenIsawAlecmyheartgaveagreatthumpandI
thought，`Hemightbetherightone。’Andthen，whenAlonzocame，thumpwentmyheartagain。Sothat’snoguide，thoughitshouldbe，accordingtoallthenovelsI’veeverread。Now，Anne，YOURheartwouldn’tthumpforanybodybutthegenuinePrinceCharming，wouldit？
Theremustbesomethingradicallywrongwithmine。ButI’mhavingaperfectlygorgeoustime。HowIwishyouwerehere！It’ssnowingtoday，andI’mrapturous。Iwassoafraidwe’dhaveagreenChristmasandIloathethem。Youknow，whenChristmasisadirtygrayey-browneyaffair，lookingasifithadbeenleftoverahundredyearsagoandhadbeeninsoakeversince，itiscalledaGREENChristmas！
Don’taskmewhy。AsLordDundrearysays，`therearethomethingthnofellowcanunderthtand。’
\"Anne，didyouevergetonastreetcarandthendiscoverthatyouhadn’tanymoneywithyoutopayyourfare？Idid，theotherday。
It’squiteawful。IhadanickelwithmewhenIgotonthecar。
Ithoughtitwasintheleftpocketofmycoat。WhenIgotsettleddowncomfortablyIfeltforit。Itwasn’tthere。
Ihadacoldchill。Ifeltintheotherpocket。Notthere。
Ihadanotherchill。ThenIfeltinalittleinsidepocket。
Allinvain。Ihadtwochillsatonce。
\"Itookoffmygloves，laidthemontheseat，andwentoverallmypocketsagain。Itwasnotthere。Istoodupandshookmyself，andthenlookedonthefloor。Thecarwasfullofpeople，whoweregoinghomefromtheopera，andtheyallstaredatme，butIwaspastcaringforalittlethinglikethat。
\"ButIcouldnotfindmyfare。IconcludedImusthaveputitinmymouthandswalloweditinadvertently。
\"Ididn’tknowwhattodo。Wouldtheconductor，Iwondered，stopthecarandputmeoffinignominyandshame？WasitpossiblethatIcouldconvincehimthatIwasmerelythevictimofmyownabsentmindedness，andnotanunprincipledcreaturetryingtoobtainarideuponfalsepretenses？HowIwishedthatAlecorAlonzowerethere。Buttheyweren’tbecauseIwantedthem。
IfIHADN’Twantedthemtheywouldhavebeentherebythedozen。
AndIcouldn’tdecidewhattosaytotheconductorwhenhecamearound。AssoonasIgotonesentenceofexplanationmappedoutinmymindIfeltnobodycouldbelieveitandImustcomposeanother。ItseemedtherewasnothingtodobuttrustinProvidence，andforallthecomfortthatgavemeImightaswellhavebeentheoldladywho，whentoldbythecaptainduringastormthatshemustputhertrustintheAlmightyexclaimed，`Oh，Captain，isitasbadasthat？’
\"Justattheconventionalmoment，whenallhopehadfled，andtheconductorwasholdingouthisboxtothepassengernexttome，IsuddenlyrememberedwhereIhadputthatwretchedcoinoftherealm。
Ihadn’tswalloweditafterall。Imeeklyfisheditoutoftheindexfingerofmygloveandpokeditinthebox。Ismiledateverybodyandfeltthatitwasabeautifulworld。\"
ThevisittoEchoLodgewasnottheleastpleasantofmanypleasantholidayoutings。AnneandDianawentbacktoitbytheoldwayofthebeechwoods，carryingalunchbasketwiththem。