\"Phil，you’renotreallyfrivolous，\"saidAnnegravely。\"’Waydownunderneaththatfrivolousexteriorofyoursyou’vegotadear，loyal，womanlylittlesoul。Whydoyouhideitso？\"
\"Ican’thelpit，QueenAnne。Youareright——I’mnotfrivolousatheart。Butthere’sasortoffrivolousskinovermysoulandIcan’ttakeitoff。AsMrs。Poysersays，I’dhavetobehatchedoveragainandhatcheddifferentbeforeIcouldchangeit。ButJonasknowstherealmeandlovesme，frivolityandall。AndI
lovehim。IneverwassosurprisedinmylifeasIwaswhenI
foundoutIlovedhim。I’dneverthoughtitpossibletofallinlovewithanuglyman。Fancymecomingdowntoonesolitarybeau。AndonenamedJonas！ButImeantocallhimJo。That’ssuchanice，crisplittlename。Icouldn’tnicknameAlonzo。\"
\"WhataboutAlecandAlonzo？\"
\"Oh，ItoldthematChristmasthatInevercouldmarryeitherofthem。ItseemssofunnynowtorememberthatIeverthoughtitpossiblethatImight。TheyfeltsobadlyIjustcriedoverbothofthem——howled。ButIknewtherewasonlyonemanintheworldIcouldevermarry。Ihadmadeupmyownmindforonceanditwasrealeasy，too。It’sverydelightfultofeelsosure，andknowit’syourownsurenessandnotsomebodyelse’s。\"
\"Doyousupposeyou’llbeabletokeepitup？\"
\"Makingupmymind，youmean？Idon’tknow，butJohasgivenmeasplendidrule。Hesays，whenI’mperplexed，justtodowhatI
wouldwishIhaddonewhenIshallbeeighty。Anyhow，Jocanmakeuphismindquicklyenough，anditwouldbeuncomfortabletohavetoomuchmindinthesamehouse。\"
\"Whatwillyourfatherandmothersay？\"
\"Fatherwon’tsaymuch。HethinkseverythingIdoright。
ButmotherWILLtalk。Oh，hertonguewillbeasByrneyashernose。Butintheenditwillbeallright。\"
\"You’llhavetogiveupagoodmanythingsyou’vealwayshad，whenyoumarryMr。Blake，Phil。\"
\"ButI’llhaveHIM。Iwon’tmisstheotherthings。We’retobemarriedayearfromnextJune。JograduatesfromSt。Columbiathisspring，youknow。Thenhe’sgoingtotakealittlemissionchurchdownonPattersonStreetintheslums。Fancymeintheslums！ButI’dgothereortoGreenland’sicymountainswithhim。\"
\"AndthisisthegirlwhowouldNEVERmarryamanwhowasn’trich，\"
commentedAnnetoayoungpinetree。
\"Oh，don’tcastupthefolliesofmyyouthtome。IshallbepoorasgailyasI’vebeenrich。You’llsee。I’mgoingtolearnhowtocookandmakeoverdresses。I’velearnedhowtomarketsinceI’velivedatPatty’sPlace；andonceItaughtaSundaySchoolclassforawholesummer。AuntJamesinasaysI’llruinJo’scareerifImarryhim。ButIwon’t。IknowIhaven’tmuchsenseorsobriety，butI’vegotwhatiseversomuchbetter——
theknackofmakingpeoplelikeme。ThereisamaninBolingbrokewholispsandalwaystestifiesinprayer-meeting。
Hesays，’Ifyoucan’tthinelikeanelectricthtarthinelikeacandlethtick。’I’llbeJo’slittlecandlestick。\"
\"Phil，you’reincorrigible。Well，IloveyousomuchthatIcan’tmakenice，light，congratulatorylittlespeeches。
ButI’mheart-gladofyourhappiness。\"
\"Iknow。Thosebiggrayeyesofyoursarebrimmingoverwithrealfriendship，Anne。SomedayI’lllookthesamewayatyou。
You’regoingtomarryRoy，aren’tyou，Anne？\"
\"MydearPhilippa，didyoueverhearofthefamousBettyBaxter，who`refusedamanbeforehe’daxedher’？Iamnotgoingtoemulatethatcelebratedladybyeitherrefusingoracceptinganyonebeforehe`axes’me。\"
\"AllRedmondknowsthatRoyiscrazyaboutyou，\"saidPhilcandidly。\"
AndyouDOlovehim，don’tyou，Anne？\"
\"I——Isupposeso，\"saidAnnereluctantly。Shefeltthatsheoughttobeblushingwhilemakingsuchaconfession；butshewasnot；
ontheotherhand，shealwaysblushedhotlywhenanyonesaidanythingaboutGilbertBlytheorChristineStuartinherhearing。
GilbertBlytheandChristineStuartwerenothingtoher——
absolutelynothing。ButAnnehadgivenuptryingtoanalyzethereasonofherblushes。AsforRoy，ofcourseshewasinlovewithhim——madlyso。Howcouldshehelpit？Washenotherideal？Whocouldresistthosegloriousdarkeyes，andthatpleadingvoice？WerenothalftheRedmondgirlswildlyenvious？
Andwhatacharmingsonnethehadsenther，withaboxofviolets，onherbirthday！Annekneweverywordofitbyheart。Itwasverygoodstuffofitskind，too。NotexactlyuptothelevelofKeatsorShakespeare——evenAnnewasnotsodeeplyinloveastothinkthat。
Butitwasverytolerablemagazineverse。AnditwasaddressedtoHER——
nottoLauraorBeatriceortheMaidofAthens，buttoher，AnneShirley。
Tobetoldinrhythmicalcadencesthathereyeswerestarsofthemorning——thathercheekhadtheflushitstolefromthesunrise——thatherlipswereredderthantherosesofParadise，wasthrillinglyromantic。
Gilbertwouldneverhavedreamedofwritingasonnettohereyebrows。
Butthen，Gilbertcouldseeajoke。ShehadoncetoldRoyafunnystory——andhehadnotseenthepointofit。SherecalledthechummylaughsheandGilberthadhadtogetheroverit，andwondereduneasilyiflifewithamanwhohadnosenseofhumormightnotbesomewhatuninterestinginthelongrun。Butwhocouldexpectamelancholy，inscrutableherotoseethehumoroussideofthings？Itwouldbeflatlyunreasonable。
ChapterXXVIII
AJuneEvening\"IwonderwhatitwouldbeliketoliveinaworldwhereitwasalwaysJune，\"saidAnne，asshecamethroughthespiceandbloomofthetwilitorchardtothefrontdoorsteps，whereMarillaandMrs。Rachelweresitting，talkingoverMrs。SamsonCoates’funeral，whichtheyhadattendedthatday。Dorasatbetweenthem，diligentlystudyingherlessons；butDavywassittingtailor-fashiononthegrass，lookingasgloomyanddepressedashissingledimplewouldlethim。
\"You’dgettiredofit，\"saidMarilla，withasigh。
\"Idaresay；butjustnowIfeelthatitwouldtakemealongtimetogettiredofit，ifitwereallascharmingastoday。
EverythinglovesJune。Davy-boy，whythismelancholyNovemberfaceinblossom-time？\"
\"I’mjustsickandtiredofliving，\"saidtheyouthfulpessimist。
\"Attenyears？Dearme，howsad！\"
\"I’mnotmakingfun，\"saidDavywithdignity。\"I’mdis——dis——
discouraged\"——bringingoutthebigwordwithavalianteffort。
\"Whyandwherefore？\"askedAnne，sittingdownbesidehim。
\"’CausethenewteacherthatcomewhenMr。HolmesgotsickgivemetensumstodoforMonday。It’lltakemealldaytomorrowtodothem。Itisn’tfairtohavetoworkSaturdays。MiltyBoultersaidhewouldn’tdothem，butMarillasaysI’vegotto。Idon’tlikeMissCarsonabit。\"
\"Don’ttalklikethataboutyourteacher，DavyKeith，\"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。\"MissCarsonisaveryfinegirl。
Thereisnononsenseabouther。\"
\"Thatdoesn’tsoundveryattractive，\"laughedAnne。\"Ilikepeopletohavealittlenonsenseaboutthem。ButI’minclinedtohaveabetteropinionofMissCarsonthanyouhave。Isawherinprayer-meetinglastnight，andshehasapairofeyesthatcan’talwayslooksensible。Now，Davy-boy，takeheartofgrace。
`Tomorrowwillbringanotherday’andI’llhelpyouwiththesumsasfarasinmelies。Don’twastethislovelyhour`twixtlightanddarkworryingoverarithmetic。\"
\"Well，Iwon’t，\"saidDavy，brighteningup。\"IfyouhelpmewiththesumsI’llhave’emdoneintimetogofishingwithMilty。
IwisholdAuntAtossa’sfuneralwastomorrowinsteadoftoday。
Iwantedtogotoit’causeMiltysaidhismothersaidAuntAtossawouldbesuretoriseupinhercoffinandsaysarcasticthingstothefolksthatcometoseeherburied。ButMarillasaidshedidn’t。\"
\"PoorAtossalaidinhercoffinpeacefulenough，\"saidMrs。Lyndesolemnly。\"Ineversawherlooksopleasantbefore，that’swhat。
Well，thereweren’tmanytearsshedoverher，pooroldsoul。
TheElishaWrightsarethankfultoberidofher，andIcan’tsayIblamethemamite。\"
\"Itseemstomeamostdreadfulthingtogooutoftheworldandnotleaveonepersonbehindyouwhoissorryyouaregone，\"saidAnne，shuddering。
\"NobodyexceptherparentseverlovedpoorAtossa，that’scertain，notevenherhusband，\"averredMrs。Lynde。\"Shewashisfourthwife。He’dsortofgotintothehabitofmarrying。Heonlylivedafewyearsafterhemarriedher。
Thedoctorsaidhediedofdyspepsia，butIshallalwaysmaintainthathediedofAtossa’stongue，that’swhat。Poorsoul，shealwayskneweverythingaboutherneighbors，butsheneverwasverywellacquaintedwithherself。Well，she’sgoneanyhow；andIsupposethenextexcitementwillbeDiana’swedding。\"
\"ItseemsfunnyandhorribletothinkofDiana’sbeingmarried，\"
sighedAnne，huggingherkneesandlookingthroughthegapintheHauntedWoodtothelightthatwasshininginDiana’sroom。
\"Idon’tseewhat’shorribleaboutit，whenshe’sdoingsowell，\"
saidMrs。Lyndeemphatically。\"FredWrighthasafinefarmandheisamodelyoungman。\"
\"Hecertainlyisn’tthewild，dashing，wicked，youngmanDianaoncewantedtomarry，\"smiledAnne。\"Fredisextremelygood。\"
\"That’sjustwhatheoughttobe。WouldyouwantDianatomarryawickedman？Ormarryoneyourself？\"
\"Oh，no。Iwouldn’twanttomarryanybodywhowaswicked，butIthinkI’dlikeitifheCOULDbewickedandWOULDN’T。
Now，FredisHOPELESSLYgood。\"
\"You’llhavemoresensesomeday，Ihope，\"saidMarilla。
Marillaspokeratherbitterly。Shewasgrievouslydisappointed。
SheknewAnnehadrefusedGilbertBlythe。Avonleagossipbuzzedoverthefact，whichhadleakedout，nobodyknewhow。PerhapsCharlieSloanehadguessedandtoldhisguessesfortruth。
PerhapsDianahadbetrayedittoFredandFredhadbeenindiscreet。
Atalleventsitwasknown；Mrs。BlythenolongeraskedAnne，inpublicorprivate，ifshehadheardlatelyfromGilbert，butpassedherbywithafrostybow。Anne，whohadalwayslikedGilbert’smerry，young-heartedmother，wasgrievedinsecretoverthis。
Marillasaidnothing；butMrs。LyndegaveAnnemanyexasperateddigsaboutit，untilfreshgossipreachedthatworthylady，throughthemediumofMoodySpurgeonMacPherson’smother，thatAnnehadanother\"beau\"atcollege，whowasrichandhandsomeandgoodallinone。AfterthatMrs。Rachelheldhertongue，thoughshestillwishedinherinmostheartthatAnnehadacceptedGilbert。Richeswereallverywell；
butevenMrs。Rachel，practicalsoulthoughshewas，didnotconsiderthemtheoneessential。IfAnne\"liked\"theHandsomeUnknownbetterthanGilberttherewasnothingmoretobesaid；
butMrs。RachelwasdreadfullyafraidthatAnnewasgoingtomakethemistakeofmarryingformoney。MarillaknewAnnetoowelltofearthis；butshefeltthatsomethingintheuniversalschemeofthingshadgonesadlyawry。
\"Whatistobe，willbe，\"saidMrs。Rachelgloomily，\"andwhatisn’ttobehappenssometimes。Ican’thelpbelievingit’sgoingtohappeninAnne’scase，ifProvidencedoesn’tinterfere，that’swhat。\"
Mrs。Rachelsighed。ShewasafraidProvidencewouldn’tinterfere；
andshedidn’tdareto。
AnnehadwandereddowntotheDryad’sBubbleandwascurledupamongthefernsattherootofthebigwhitebirchwheresheandGilberthadsooftensatinsummersgoneby。Hehadgoneintothenewspaperofficeagainwhencollegeclosed，andAvonleaseemedverydullwithouthim。Heneverwrotetoher，andAnnemissedthelettersthatnevercame。Tobesure，Roywrotetwiceaweek；hisletterswereexquisitecompositionswhichwouldhavereadbeautifullyinamemoirorbiography。Annefeltherselfmoredeeplyinlovewithhimthaneverwhenshereadthem；butherheartnevergavethequeer，quick，painfulboundatsightofhisletterswhichithadgivenonedaywhenMrs。HiramSloanehadhandedheroutanenvelopeaddressedinGilbert’sblack，uprighthandwriting。Annehadhurriedhometotheeastgableandopenediteagerly——tofindatypewrittencopyofsomecollegesocietyreport——\"onlythatandnothingmore。\"AnneflungtheharmlessscreedacrossherroomandsatdowntowriteanespeciallyniceepistletoRoy。
Dianawastobemarriedinfivemoredays。ThegrayhouseatOrchardSlopewasinaturmoilofbakingandbrewingandboilingandstewing，fortherewastobeabig，old-timeywedding。Anne，ofcourse，wastobebridesmaid，ashadbeenarrangedwhentheyweretwelveyearsold，andGilbertwascomingfromKingsporttobebestman。Annewasenjoyingtheexcitementofthevariouspreparations，butunderitallshecarriedalittleheartache。
Shewas，inasense，losingherdearoldchum；Diana’snewhomewouldbetwomilesfromGreenGables，andtheoldconstantcompanionshipcouldneverbetheirsagain。AnnelookedupatDiana’slightandthoughthowithadbeaconedtoherformanyyears；
butsoonitwouldshinethroughthesummertwilightsnomore。
Twobig，painfultearswelledupinhergrayeyes。
\"Oh，\"shethought，\"howhorribleitisthatpeoplehavetogrowup——andmarry——andCHANGE！\"
ChapterXXIX
Diana’sWedding\"Afterall，theonlyrealrosesarethepinkones，\"saidAnne，asshetiedwhiteribbonaroundDiana’sbouquetinthewestwardlookinggableatOrchardSlope。\"Theyaretheflowersofloveandfaith。\"
Dianawasstandingnervouslyinthemiddleoftheroom，arrayedinherbridalwhite，herblackcurlsfrostedoverwiththefilmofherweddingveil。Annehaddrapedthatveil，inaccordancewiththesentimentalcompactofyearsbefore。
\"It’sallprettymuchasIusedtoimagineitlongago，whenI
weptoveryourinevitablemarriageandourconsequentparting，\"
shelaughed。\"Youarethebrideofmydreams，Diana，withthe`lovelymistyveil’；andIamYOURbridesmaid。But，alas！
Ihaven’tthepuffedsleeves——thoughtheseshortlaceonesareevenprettier。NeitherismyheartwhollybreakingnordoI
exactlyhateFred。\"
\"Wearenotreallyparting，Anne，\"protestedDiana。\"I’mnotgoingfaraway。We’llloveeachotherjustasmuchasever。
We’vealwayskeptthat`oath’offriendshipwesworelongago，haven’twe？\"
\"Yes。We’vekeptitfaithfully。We’vehadabeautifulfriendship，Diana。We’venevermarreditbyonequarrelorcoolnessorunkindword；andIhopeitwillalwaysbeso。
Butthingscan’tbequitethesameafterthis。You’llhaveotherinterests。I’lljustbeontheoutside。But`suchislife’asMrs。Rachelsays。Mrs。Rachelhasgivenyouoneofherbelovedknittedquiltsofthe`tobaccostripe’pattern，andshesayswhenIammarriedshe’llgivemeone，too。\"
\"ThemeanthingaboutyourgettingmarriedisthatIwon’tbeabletobeyourbridesmaid，\"lamentedDiana。
\"I’mtobePhil’sbridesmaidnextJune，whenshemarriesMr。Blake，andthenImuststop，foryouknowtheproverb`threetimesabridesmaid，neverabride，’\"saidAnne，peepingthroughthewindowoverthepinkandsnowoftheblossomingorchardbeneath。\"Herecomestheminister，Diana。\"
\"Oh，Anne，\"gaspedDiana，suddenlyturningverypaleandbeginningtotremble。\"Oh，Anne——I’msonervous——Ican’tgothroughwithit——Anne，IknowI’mgoingtofaint。\"
\"IfyoudoI’lldragyoudowntotherainwaterhogshedanddropyouin，\"saidAnneunsympathetically。\"Cheerup，dearest。
Gettingmarriedcan’tbesoveryterriblewhensomanypeoplesurvivetheceremony。SeehowcoolandcomposedIam，andtakecourage。\"
\"Waittillyourturncomes，MissAnne。Oh，Anne，Ihearfathercomingupstairs。Givememybouquet。Ismyveilright？AmI
verypale？\"
\"Youlookjustlovely。Di，darling，kissmegood-byeforthelasttime。DianaBarrywillneverkissmeagain。\"
\"DianaWrightwill，though。There，mother’scalling。Come。\"
Followingthesimple，old-fashionedwayinvoguethen，AnnewentdowntotheparloronGilbert’sarm。TheymetatthetopofthestairsforthefirsttimesincetheyhadleftKingsport，forGilberthadarrivedonlythatday。Gilbertshookhandscourteously。
Hewaslookingverywell，though，asAnneinstantlynoted，ratherthin。
Hewasnotpale；therewasaflushonhischeekthathadburnedintoitasAnnecamealongthehalltowardshim，inhersoft，whitedresswithlilies-of-the-valleyintheshiningmassesofherhair。Astheyenteredthecrowdedparlortogetheralittlemurmurofadmirationranaroundtheroom。\"Whatafine-lookingpairtheyare，\"whisperedtheimpressibleMrs。RacheltoMarilla。
Fredambledinalone，withaveryredface，andthenDianasweptinonherfather’sarm。Shedidnotfaint，andnothinguntowardoccurredtointerrupttheceremony。Feastingandmerry-makingfollowed；then，astheeveningwaned，FredandDianadroveawaythroughthemoonlighttotheirnewhome，andGilbertwalkedwithAnnetoGreenGables。
Somethingoftheiroldcomradeshiphadreturnedduringtheinformalmirthoftheevening。Oh，itwasnicetobewalkingoverthatwell-knownroadwithGilbertagain！
Thenightwassoverystillthatoneshouldhavebeenabletohearthewhisperofrosesinblossom——thelaughterofdaisies——thepipingofgrasses——manysweetsounds，alltangleduptogether。
Thebeautyofmoonlightonfamiliarfieldsirradiatedtheworld。
\"Can’twetakearambleupLovers’Lanebeforeyougoin？\"askedGilbertastheycrossedthebridgeovertheLakeofShiningWaters，inwhichthemoonlaylikeagreat，drownedblossomofgold。
Anneassentedreadily。Lovers’Lanewasaveritablepathinafairylandthatnight——ashimmering，mysteriousplace，fullofwizardryinthewhite-wovenenchantmentofmoonlight。TherehadbeenatimewhensuchawalkwithGilbertthroughLovers’Lanewouldhavebeenfartoodangerous。ButRoyandChristinehadmadeitverysafenow。AnnefoundherselfthinkingagooddealaboutChristineasshechattedlightlytoGilbert。ShehadmetherseveraltimesbeforeleavingKingsport，andhadbeencharminglysweettoher。Christinehadalsobeencharminglysweet。Indeed，theywereamostcordialpair。Butforallthat，theiracquaintancehadnotripenedintofriendship。EvidentlyChristinewasnotakindredspirit。
\"AreyougoingtobeinAvonleaallsummer？\"askedGilbert。
\"No。I’mgoingdowneasttoValleyRoadnextweek。EstherHaythornewantsmetoteachforherthroughJulyandAugust。
Theyhaveasummerterminthatschool，andEstherisn’tfeelingwell。
SoI’mgoingtosubstituteforher。InonewayIdon’tmind。
Doyouknow，I’mbeginningtofeelalittlebitlikeastrangerinAvonleanow？Itmakesmesorry——butit’strue。It’squiteappallingtoseethenumberofchildrenwhohaveshotupintobigboysandgirls——reallyyoungmenandwomen——thesepasttwoyears。
Halfofmypupilsaregrownup。ItmakesmefeelawfullyoldtoseethemintheplacesyouandIandourmatesusedtofill。\"
Annelaughedandsighed。Shefeltveryoldandmatureandwise——whichshowedhowyoungshewas。Shetoldherselfthatshelongedgreatlytogobacktothosedearmerrydayswhenlifewasseenthrougharosymistofhopeandillusion，andpossessedanindefinablesomethingthathadpassedawayforever。Wherewasitnow——thegloryandthedream？
\"`Sowagstheworldaway，’\"quotedGilbertpractically，andatrifleabsently。AnnewonderedifhewerethinkingofChristine。
Oh，Avonleawasgoingtobesolonelynow——withDianagone！
ChapterXXX
Mrs。Skinner’sRomanceAnnesteppedoffthetrainatValleyRoadstationandlookedabouttoseeifanyonehadcometomeether。ShewastoboardwithacertainMissJanetSweet，butshesawnoonewhoansweredintheleasttoherpreconceptionofthatlady，asformedfromEsther’sletter。Theonlypersoninsightwasanelderlywoman，sittinginawagonwithmailbagspiledaroundher。Twohundredwouldhavebeenacharitableguessatherweight；herfacewasasroundandredasaharvest-moonandalmostasfeatureless。
Sheworeatight，black，cashmeredress，madeinthefashionoftenyearsago，alittledustyblackstrawhattrimmedwithbowsofyellowribbon，andfadedblacklacemits。
\"Here，you，\"shecalled，wavingherwhipatAnne。\"AreyouthenewValleyRoadschoolma’am？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Well，Ithoughtso。ValleyRoadisnotedforitsgood-lookingschoolma’ams，justasMillersvilleisnotedforitshumlyones。
JanetSweetaskedmethismorningifIcouldbringyouout。I
said，`SartinIkin，ifshedon’tmindbeingscrunchedupsome。
Thisrigofmine’skindersmallforthemailbagsandI’msomeheftierthanThomas！’Justwait，miss，tillIshiftthesebagsabitandI’lltuckyouinsomehow。It’sonlytwomilestoJanet’s。
Hernext-doorneighbor’shiredboyiscomingforyourtrunktonight。
MynameisSkinner——AmeliaSkinner。\"
Annewaseventuallytuckedin，exchangingamusedsmileswithherselfduringtheprocess。
\"Jogalong，blackmare，\"commandedMrs。Skinner，gatheringupthereinsinherpudgyhands。\"Thisismyfirsttriponthemailrowte。
Thomaswantedtohoehisturnipstodaysoheaskedmetocome。
SoIjestsotdownandtookastanding-upsnackandstarted。
Isorterlikeit。O’courseit’srathertejus。PartofthetimeIsitsandthinksandtherestIjestsits。Jogalong，blackmare。Iwanttogithomeairly。ThomasisterriblelonesomewhenI’maway。Yousee，wehaven’tbeenmarriedverylong。\"
\"Oh！\"saidAnnepolitely。
\"Justamonth。Thomascourtedmeforquiteaspell，though。Itwasrealromantic。\"AnnetriedtopictureMrs。Skinneronspeakingtermswithromanceandfailed。
\"Oh？\"shesaidagain。
\"Yes。Y’see，therewasanothermanafterme。Jogalong，blackmare。
I’dbeenawiddersolongfolkshadgivenupexpectingmetomarryagain。
Butwhenmydarter——she’saschoolma’amlikeyou——wentoutWesttoteachIfeltreallonesomeandwasn’tnowisesotagainsttheidea。
Bime-byThomasbegantocomeupandsodidtheotherfeller——
WilliamObadiahSeaman，hisnamewas。ForalongtimeIcouldn’tmakeupmymindwhichofthemtotake，andtheykep’comingandcoming，andIkep’worrying。Y’see，W。O。wasrich——hehadafineplaceandcarriedconsiderablestyle。Hewasbyfarthebestmatch。Jogalong，blackmare。\"
\"Whydidn’tyoumarryhim？\"askedAnne。
\"Well，y’see，hedidn’tloveme，\"answeredMrs。Skinner，solemnly。
AnneopenedhereyeswidelyandlookedatMrs。Skinner。Buttherewasnotaglintofhumoronthatlady’sface。EvidentlyMrs。Skinnersawnothingamusinginherowncase。
\"He’dbeenawidder-manforthreeyers，andhissisterkepthouseforhim。
Thenshegotmarriedandhejustwantedsomeonetolookafterhishouse。
Itwasworthlookingafter，too，mindyouthat。It’sahandsomehouse。
Jogalong，blackmare。AsforThomas，hewaspoor，andifhishousedidn’tleakindryweatheritwasaboutallthatcouldbesaidforit，thoughitlookskindofpictureaskew。But，y’see，IlovedThomas，andIdidn’tcareoneredcentforW。O。SoIargueditoutwithmyself。
`SarahCrowe，’sayI——myfirstwasaCrowe——`youcanmarryyourrichmanifyoulikebutyouwon’tbehappy。Folkscan’tgetalongtogetherinthisworldwithoutalittlebitoflove。
You’djustbettertieuptoThomas，forhelovesyouandyoulovehimandnothingelseain’tgoingtodoyou。’Jogalong，blackmare。
SoItoldThomasI’dtakehim。AllthetimeIwasgettingreadyIneverdareddrivepastW。O。’splaceforfearthesightofthatfinehouseofhiswouldputmeintheswithersagain。ButnowI
neverthinkofitatall，andI’mjustthatcomfortableandhappywithThomas。Jogalong，blackmare。\"
\"HowdidWilliamObadiahtakeit？\"queriedAnne。
\"Oh，herumpussedabit。Buthe’sgoingtoseeaskinnyoldmaidinMillersvillenow，andIguessshe’lltakehimfastenough。
She’llmakehimabetterwifethanhisfirstdid。W。O。neverwantedtomarryher。Hejustaskedhertomarryhim’causehisfatherwantedhimto，neverdreamingbutthatshe’dsay`no。’
Butmindyou，shesaid’yes。’Therewasapredicamentforyou。
Jogalong，blackmare。Shewasagreathousekeeper，butmostawfulmean。Sheworethesamebonnetforeighteenyears。ThenshegotanewoneandW。O。metherontheroadanddidn’tknowher。
Jogalong，blackmare。IfeelthatI’danarrerescape。Imighthavemarriedhimandbeenmostawfulmiserable，likemypoorcousin，JaneAnn。JaneAnnmarriedarichmanshedidn’tcareanythingabout，andshehasn’tthelifeofadog。Shecometoseemelastweekandsays，saysshe，`SarahSkinner，Ienvyyou。
I’dratherliveinalittlehutonthesideoftheroadwithamanIwasfondofthaninmybighousewiththeoneI’vegot。’
JaneAnn’smanain’tsuchabadsort，nuther，thoughhe’ssocontrarythathewearshisfurcoatwhenthethermometer’satninety。Theonlywaytogithimtodoanythingistocoaxhimtodotheopposite。Butthereain’tanylovetosmooththingsdownandit’sapoorwayofliving。Jogalong，blackmare。
There’sJanet’splaceinthehollow——`Wayside，’shecallsit。
Quitepictureaskew，ain’tit？Iguessyou’llbegladtogitoutofthis，withallthemmailbagsjammingroundyou。\"
\"Yes，butIhaveenjoyedmydrivewithyouverymuch，\"saidAnnesincerely。
\"Gitawaynow！\"saidMrs。Skinner，highlyflattered。\"WaittillItellThomasthat。HealwaysfeelsdretfultickledwhenIgitacompliment。Jogalong，blackmare。Well，hereweare。Ihopeyou’llgitonwellintheschool，miss。There’sashortcuttoitthroughthema’shbackofJanet’s。Ifyoutakethatwaybeawfulkeerful。Ifyouoncegotstuckinthatblackmudyou’dbesuckedrightdownandneverseenorheardtellofagaintillthedayofjudgment，likeAdamPalmer’scow。Jogalong，blackmare。\"
ChapterXXXI
AnnetoPhilippa\"AnneShirleytoPhilippaGordon，greeting。
\"Well-beloved，it’shightimeIwaswritingyou。HereamI，installedoncemoreasacountry`schoolma’am’atValleyRoad，boardingat`Wayside，’thehomeofMissJanetSweet。Janetisadearsoulandverynicelooking；tall，butnotover-tall；stoutish，yetwithacertainrestraintofoutlinesuggestiveofathriftysoulwhoisnotgoingtobeoverlavisheveninthematterofavoirdupois。Shehasaknotofsoft，crimpy，brownhairwithathreadofgrayinit，asunnyfacewithrosycheeks，andbig，kindeyesasblueasforget-me-nots。Moreover，sheisoneofthosedelightful，old-fashionedcookswhodon’tcareabitiftheyruinyourdigestionaslongastheycangiveyoufeastsoffatthings。
\"Ilikeher；andshelikesme——principally，itseems，becauseshehadasisternamedAnnewhodiedyoung。
\"`I’mrealgladtoseeyou，’shesaidbriskly，whenIlandedinheryard。
`My，youdon’tlookamitelikeIexpected。Iwassureyou’dbedark——
mysisterAnnewasdark。Andhereyou’reredheaded！’
\"ForafewminutesIthoughtIwasn’tgoingtolikeJanetasmuchasIhadexpectedatfirstsight。ThenIremindedmyselfthatI
reallymustbemoresensiblethantobeprejudicedagainstanyonesimplybecauseshecalledmyhairred。Probablytheword`auburn’wasnotinJanet’svocabularyatall。
\"`Wayside’isadearsortoflittlespot。Thehouseissmallandwhite，setdowninadelightfullittlehollowthatdropsawayfromtheroad。Betweenroadandhouseisanorchardandflower-gardenallmixeduptogether。Thefrontdoorwalkisborderedwithquahogclam-shells——`cow-hawks，’Janetcallsthem；
thereisVirginiaCreeperovertheporchandmossontheroof。
Myroomisaneatlittlespot`offtheparlor’——justbigenoughforthebedandme。OvertheheadofmybedthereisapictureofRobbyBurnsstandingatHighlandMary’sgrave，shadowedbyanenormousweepingwillowtree。Robby’sfaceissolugubriousthatitisnowonderIhavebaddreams。Why，thefirstnightIwashereIdreamedICOULDN’TLAUGH。
\"Theparloristinyandneat。Itsonewindowissoshadedbyahugewillowthattheroomhasagrotto-likeeffectofemeraldgloom。
Therearewonderfultidiesonthechairs，andgaymatsonthefloor，andbooksandcardscarefullyarrangedonaroundtable，andvasesofdriedgrassonthemantel-piece。Betweenthevasesisacheerfuldecorationofpreservedcoffinplates——fiveinall，pertainingrespectivelytoJanet’sfatherandmother，abrother，hersisterAnne，andahiredmanwhodiedhereonce！IfIgosuddenlyinsanesomeofthesedays`knowallmenbythesepresents’thatthosecoffin-plateshavecausedit。
\"Butit’salldelightfulandIsaidso。Janetlovedmeforit，justasshedetestedpoorEstherbecauseEstherhadsaidsomuchshadewasunhygienicandhadobjectedtosleepingonafeatherbed。
Now，Igloryinfeather-beds，andthemoreunhygienicandfeatherytheyarethemoreIglory。Janetsaysitissuchacomforttoseemeeat；shehadbeensoafraidIwouldbelikeMissHaythorne，whowouldn’teatanythingbutfruitandhotwaterforbreakfastandtriedtomakeJanetgiveupfryingthings。Estherisreallyadeargirl，butsheisrathergiventofads。Thetroubleisthatshehasn’tenoughimaginationandHASatendencytoindigestion。
\"JanettoldmeIcouldhavetheuseoftheparlorwhenanyyoungmencalled！Idon’tthinktherearemanytocall。Ihaven’tseenayoungmaninValleyRoadyet，exceptthenext-doorhiredboy——SamToliver，averytall，lank，tow-hairedyouth。
Hecameoveroneeveningrecentlyandsatforanhouronthegardenfence，nearthefrontporchwhereJanetandIweredoingfancy-work。Theonlyremarkshevolunteeredinallthattimewere，`Hevapeppermint，miss！Dewnow-finethingforcarARRH，peppermints，’and，`Powerfulloto’jump-grassesroundhereternight。Yep。’
\"Butthereisaloveaffairgoingonhere。Itseemstobemyfortunetobemixedup，moreorlessactively，withelderlyloveaffairs。Mr。andMrs。IrvingalwayssaythatIbroughtabouttheirmarriage。Mrs。StephenClarkofCarmodypersistsinbeingmostgratefultomeforasuggestionwhichsomebodyelsewouldprobablyhavemadeifIhadn’t。Idoreallythink，though，thatLudovicSpeedwouldneverhavegotanyfurtheralongthanplacidcourtshipifIhadnothelpedhimandTheodoraDixout。
\"InthepresentaffairIamonlyapassivespectator。I’vetriedoncetohelpthingsalongandmadeanawfulmessofit。SoI
shallnotmeddleagain。I’lltellyouallaboutitwhenwemeet。\"
ChapterXXXII
TeawithMrs。DouglasOnthefirstThursdaynightofAnne’ssojourninValleyRoadJanetaskedhertogotoprayer-meeting。Janetblossomedoutlikearosetoattendthatprayer-meeting。Sheworeapale-blue，pansy-sprinkledmuslindresswithmorerufflesthanonewouldeverhavesupposedeconomicalJanetcouldbeguiltyof，andawhiteleghornhatwithpinkrosesandthreeostrichfeathersonit。
Annefeltquiteamazed。Lateron，shefoundoutJanet’smotiveinsoarrayingherself——amotiveasoldasEden。
ValleyRoadprayer-meetingsseemedtobeessentiallyfeminine。
Therewerethirty-twowomenpresent，twohalf-grownboys，andonesolitaryman，besidetheminister。Annefoundherselfstudyingthisman。Hewasnothandsomeoryoungorgraceful；hehadremarkablylonglegs——solongthathehadtokeepthemcoiledupunderhischairtodisposeofthem——andhewasstoopshouldered。
Hishandswerebig，hishairwantedbarbering，andhismoustachewasunkempt。ButAnnethoughtshelikedhisface；itwaskindandhonestandtender；therewassomethingelseinit，too——justwhat，Annefoundithardtodefine。Shefinallyconcludedthatthismanhadsufferedandbeenstrong，andithadbeenmademanifestinhisface。
Therewasasortofpatient，humorousenduranceinhisexpressionwhichindicatedthathewouldgotothestakeifneedbe，butwouldkeeponlookingpleasantuntilhereallyhadtobeginsquirming。
Whenprayer-meetingwasoverthismancameuptoJanetandsaid，\"MayIseeyouhome，Janet？\"
Janettookhisarm——\"asprimlyandshylyasifshewerenomorethansixteen，havingherfirstescorthome，\"AnnetoldthegirlsatPatty’sPlacelateron。
\"MissShirley，permitmetointroduceMr。Douglas，\"shesaidstiffly。
Mr。Douglasnoddedandsaid，\"Iwaslookingatyouinprayer-meeting，miss，andthinkingwhatanicelittlegirlyouwere。\"
Suchaspeechfromninety-ninepeopleoutofahundredwouldhaveannoyedAnnebitterly；butthewayinwhichMr。Douglassaiditmadeherfeelthatshehadreceivedaveryrealandpleasingcompliment。
Shesmiledappreciativelyathimanddroppedobliginglybehindonthemoonlitroad。
SoJanethadabeau！Annewasdelighted。Janetwouldmakeaparagonofawife——cheery，economical，tolerant，andaveryqueenofcooks。
ItwouldbeaflagrantwasteonNature’sparttokeepherapermanentoldmaid。
\"JohnDouglasaskedmetotakeyouuptoseehismother，\"saidJanetthenextday。\"She’sbed-ridalotofthetimeandnevergoesoutofthehouse。Butshe’spowerfulfondofcompanyandalwayswantstoseemyboarders。Canyougoupthisevening？\"
Anneassented；butlaterinthedayMr。Douglascalledonhismother’sbehalftoinvitethemuptoteaonSaturdayevening。
\"Oh，whydidn’tyouputonyourprettypansydress？\"askedAnne，whentheylefthome。Itwasahotday，andpoorJanet，betweenherexcitementandherheavyblackcashmeredress，lookedasifshewerebeingbroiledalive。
\"OldMrs。Douglaswouldthinkitterriblefrivolousandunsuitable，I’mafraid。Johnlikesthatdress，though，\"sheaddedwistfully。
TheoldDouglashomesteadwashalfamilefrom\"Wayside\"crestingawindyhill。Thehouseitselfwaslargeandcomfortable，oldenoughtobedignified，andgirdledwithmaplegrovesandorchards。
Therewerebig，trimbarnsbehindit，andeverythingbespokeprosperity。
WhateverthepatientenduranceinMr。Douglas’facehadmeantithadn’t，soAnnereflected，meantdebtsandduns。
JohnDouglasmetthematthedoorandtookthemintothesitting-room，wherehismotherwasenthronedinanarmchair。
AnnehadexpectedoldMrs。Douglastobetallandthin，becauseMr。Douglaswas。Instead，shewasatinyscrapofawoman，withsoftpinkcheeks，mildblueeyes，andamouthlikeababy’s。
Dressedinabeautiful，fashionably-madeblacksilkdress，withafluffywhiteshawloverhershoulders，andhersnowyhairsurmountedbyadaintylacecap，shemighthaveposedasagrandmotherdoll。
\"Howdoyoudo，Janetdear？\"shesaidsweetly。\"Iamsogladtoseeyouagain，dear。\"Sheputupherprettyoldfacetobekissed。
\"Andthisisournewteacher。I’mdelightedtomeetyou。MysonhasbeensingingyourpraisesuntilI’mhalfjealous，andI’msureJanetoughttobewhollyso。\"
PoorJanetblushed，Annesaidsomethingpoliteandconventional，andtheneverybodysatdownandmadetalk。Itwashardwork，evenforAnne，fornobodyseemedateaseexceptoldMrs。Douglas，whocertainlydidnotfindanydifficultyintalking。ShemadeJanetsitbyherandstrokedherhandoccasionally。Janetsatandsmiled，lookinghorriblyuncomfortableinherhideousdress，andJohnDouglassatwithoutsmiling。
AttheteatableMrs。DouglasgracefullyaskedJanettopourthetea。Janetturnedredderthaneverbutdidit。AnnewroteadescriptionofthatmealtoStella。
\"Wehadcoldtongueandchickenandstrawberrypreserves，lemonpieandtartsandchocolatecakeandraisincookiesandpoundcakeandfruitcake——andafewotherthings，includingmorepie——caramelpie，Ithinkitwas。AfterIhadeatentwiceasmuchaswasgoodforme，Mrs。Douglassighedandsaidshefearedshehadnothingtotemptmyappetite。
\"`I’mafraiddearJanet’scookinghasspoiledyouforanyother，’
shesaidsweetly。`OfcoursenobodyinValleyRoadaspirestorivalHER。WON’Tyouhaveanotherpieceofpie，MissShirley？
Youhaven’teatenANYTHING。’
\"Stella，Ihadeatenahelpingoftongueandoneofchicken，threebiscuits，agenerousallowanceofpreserves，apieceofpie，atart，andasquareofchocolatecake！\"
AfterteaMrs。DouglassmiledbenevolentlyandtoldJohntotake\"dearJanet\"outintothegardenandgethersomeroses。
\"MissShirleywillkeepmecompanywhileyouareout——
won’tyou？\"shesaidplaintively。Shesettleddowninherarmchairwithasigh。
\"Iamaveryfrailoldwoman，MissShirley。ForovertwentyyearsI’vebeenagreatsufferer。Fortwentylong，wearyyearsI’vebeendyingbyinches。\"
\"Howpainful！\"saidAnne，tryingtobesympatheticandsucceedingonlyinfeelingidiotic。
\"Therehavebeenscoresofnightswhenthey’vethoughtIcouldneverlivetoseethedawn，\"wentonMrs。Douglassolemnly。
\"NobodyknowswhatI’vegonethrough——nobodycanknowbutmyself。Well，itcan’tlastverymuchlongernow。Mywearypilgrimagewillsoonbeover，MissShirley。ItisagreatcomforttomethatJohnwillhavesuchagoodwifetolookafterhimwhenhismotherisgone——agreatcomfort，MissShirley。\"
\"Janetisalovelywoman，\"saidAnnewarmly。
\"Lovely！Abeautifulcharacter，\"assentedMrs。Douglas。\"Andaperfecthousekeeper——somethingIneverwas。Myhealthwouldnotpermitit，MissShirley。IamindeedthankfulthatJohnhasmadesuchawisechoice。Ihopeandbelievethathewillbehappy。
Heismyonlyson，MissShirley，andhishappinessliesverynearmyheart。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidAnnestupidly。Forthefirsttimeinherlifeshewasstupid。Yetshecouldnotimaginewhy。Sheseemedtohaveabsolutelynothingtosaytothissweet，smiling，angelicoldladywhowaspattingherhandsokindly。
\"Comeandseemesoonagain，dearJanet，\"saidMrs。Douglaslovingly，whentheyleft。\"Youdon’tcomehalfoftenenough。
ButthenIsupposeJohnwillbebringingyouheretostayallthetimeoneofthesedays。\"Anne，happeningtoglanceatJohnDouglas，ashismotherspoke，gaveapositivestartofdismay。
Helookedasatorturedmanmightlookwhenhistormentorsgavetherackthelastturnofpossibleendurance。ShefeltsurehemustbeillandhurriedpoorblushingJanetaway。
\"Isn’toldMrs。Douglasasweetwoman？\"askedJanet，astheywentdowntheroad。
\"M——m，\"answeredAnneabsently。ShewaswonderingwhyJohnDouglashadlookedso。
\"She’sbeenaterriblesufferer，\"saidJanetfeelingly。
\"Shetakesterriblespells。ItkeepsJohnallworriedup。
He’sscaredtoleavehomeforfearhismotherwilltakeaspellandnobodytherebutthehiredgirl。\"
ChapterXXXIII
\"HeJustKeptComingandComing\"
ThreedayslaterAnnecamehomefromschoolandfoundJanetcrying。
TearsandJanetseemedsoincongruousthatAnnewashonestlyalarmed。
\"Oh，whatisthematter？\"shecriedanxiously。
\"I’m——I’mfortytoday，\"sobbedJanet。
\"Well，youwerenearlythatyesterdayanditdidn’thurt，\"
comfortedAnne，tryingnottosmile。
\"But——but，\"wentonJanetwithabiggulp，\"JohnDouglaswon’taskmetomarryhim。\"
\"Oh，buthewill，\"saidAnnelamely。\"Youmustgivehimtime，Janet\"Time！\"saidJanetwithindescribablescorn。\"Hehashadtwentyyears。
Howmuchtimedoeshewant？\"
\"DoyoumeanthatJohnDouglashasbeencomingtoseeyoufortwentyyears？\"
\"Hehas。Andhehasneversomuchasmentionedmarriagetome。
AndIdon’tbelieveheeverwillnow。I’veneversaidawordtoamortalaboutit，butitseemstomeI’vejustgottotalkitoutwithsomeoneatlastorgocrazy。JohnDouglasbeguntogowithmetwentyyearsago，beforemotherdied。Well，hekeptcomingandcoming，andafteraspellIbegunmakingquiltsandthings；butheneversaidanythingaboutgettingmarried，onlyjustkeptcomingandcoming。Therewasn’tanythingIcoulddo。
Motherdiedwhenwe’dbeengoingtogetherforeightyears。
Ithoughthemaybewouldspeakoutthen，seeingasIwasleftaloneintheworld。Hewasrealkindandfeeling，anddideverythinghecouldforme，butheneversaidmarry。Andthat’sthewayithasbeengoingoneversince。PeopleblameMEforit。
TheysayIwon’tmarryhimbecausehismotherissosicklyandI
don’twantthebotherofwaitingonher。Why，I’dLOVEtowaitonJohn’smother！ButIletthemthinkso。I’dratherthey’dblamemethanpityme！It’ssodreadfulhumiliatingthatJohnwon’taskme。AndWHYwon’the？SeemstomeifIonlyknewhisreasonIwouldn’tminditsomuch。\"
\"Perhapshismotherdoesn’twanthimtomarryanybody，\"suggestedAnne。
\"Oh，shedoes。She’stoldmetimeandagainthatshe’dlovetoseeJohnsettledbeforehertimecomes。She’salwaysgivinghimhints——
youheardheryourselftheotherday。IthoughtI’dha’gonethroughthefloor。\"
\"It’sbeyondme，\"saidAnnehelplessly。ShethoughtofLudovicSpeed。
Butthecaseswerenotparallel。JohnDouglaswasnotamanofLudovic’stype。
\"Youshouldshowmorespirit，Janet，\"shewentonresolutely。
\"Whydidn’tyousendhimabouthisbusinesslongago？\"
\"Icouldn’t，\"saidpoorJanetpathetically。\"Yousee，Anne，I’vealwaysbeenawfulfondofJohn。Hemightjustaswellkeepcomingasnot，fortherewasneveranybodyelseI’dwant，soitdidn’tmatter。\"
\"Butitmighthavemadehimspeakoutlikeaman，\"urgedAnne。
Janetshookherhead。
\"No，Iguessnot。Iwasafraidtotry，anyway，forfearhe’dthinkImeantitandjustgo。IsupposeI’mapoor-spiritedcreature，butthatishowIfeel。AndIcan’thelpit。\"
\"Oh，youCOULDhelpit，Janet。Itisn’ttoolateyet。Takeafirmstand。Letthatmanknowyouarenotgoingtoendurehisshillyshallyinganylonger。I’LLbackyouup。\"
\"Idunno，\"saidJanethopelessly。\"IdunnoifIcouldevergetupenoughspunk。Thingshavedriftedsolong。ButI’llthinkitover。\"
AnnefeltthatshewasdisappointedinJohnDouglas。Shehadlikedhimsowell，andshehadnotthoughthimthesortofmanwhowouldplayfastandloosewithawoman’sfeelingsfortwentyyears。
Hecertainlyshouldbetaughtalesson，andAnnefeltvindictivelythatshewouldenjoyseeingtheprocess。ThereforeshewasdelightedwhenJanettoldher，astheyweregoingtoprayer-meetingthenextnight，thatshemeanttoshowsome\"sperrit。\"
\"I’llletJohnDouglasseeI’mnotgoingtobetroddenonanylonger。\"
\"Youareperfectlyright，\"saidAnneemphatically。
Whenprayer-meetingwasoverJohnDouglascameupwithhisusualrequest。
Janetlookedfrightenedbutresolute。
\"No，thankyou，\"shesaidicily。\"Iknowtheroadhomeprettywellalone。
Ioughtto，seeingI’vebeentravelingitforfortyyears。Soyouneedn’ttroubleyourself，MR。Douglas。\"
AnnewaslookingatJohnDouglas；and，inthatbrilliantmoonlight，shesawthelasttwistoftherackagain。Withoutawordheturnedandstrodedowntheroad。
\"Stop！Stop！\"Annecalledwildlyafterhim，notcaringintheleastfortheotherdumbfoundedonlookers。\"Mr。Douglas，stop！Comeback。\"
JohnDouglasstoppedbuthedidnotcomeback。Anneflewdowntheroad，caughthisarmandfairlydraggedhimbacktoJanet。
\"Youmustcomeback，\"shesaidimploringly。\"It’sallamistake，Mr。Douglas——allmyfault。ImadeJanetdoit。Shedidn’twantto——butit’sallrightnow，isn’tit，Janet？\"
WithoutawordJanettookhisarmandwalkedaway。Annefollowedthemmeeklyhomeandslippedinbythebackdoor。
\"Well，youareanicepersontobackmeup，\"saidJanetsarcastically。
\"Icouldn’thelpit，Janet，\"saidAnnerepentantly。\"IjustfeltasifIhadstoodbyandseenmurderdone。IHADtorunafterhim。\"
\"Oh，I’mjustasgladyoudid。WhenIsawJohnDouglasmakingoffdownthatroadIjustfeltasifeverylittlebitofjoyandhappinessthatwasleftinmylifewasgoingwithhim。Itwasanawfulfeeling。\"
\"Didheaskyouwhyyoudidit？\"askedAnne。
\"No，heneversaidawordaboutit，\"repliedJanetdully。