CAPTAINJIM
\"OldDoctorDave\"and\"Mrs。DoctorDave\"hadcomedowntothelittlehousetogreetthebrideandgroom。
DoctorDavewasabig，jolly，white-whiskeredoldfellow，andMrs。Doctorwasatrimrosy-cheeked，silver-hairedlittleladywhotookAnneatoncetoherheart，literallyandfiguratively。
\"I’msogladtoseeyou，dear。Youmustberealtired。We’vegotabiteofsupperready，andCaptainJimbroughtupsometroutforyou。CaptainJim——whereareyou？Oh，he’sslippedouttoseetothehorse，I
suppose。Comeupstairsandtakeyourthingsoff。\"
Annelookedaboutherwithbright，appreciativeeyesasshefollowedMrs。DoctorDaveupstairs。Shelikedtheappearanceofhernewhomeverymuch。ItseemedtohavetheatmosphereofGreenGablesandtheflavorofheroldtraditions。
\"IthinkIwouldhavefoundMissElizabethRussella`kindredspirit，’\"shemurmuredwhenshewasaloneinherroom。Thereweretwowindowsinit；thedormeronelookedoutonthelowerharborandthesand-barandtheFourWindslight。
\"AmagiccasementopeningonthefoamOfperilousseasinfairylandsforlorn，\"
quotedAnnesoftly。Thegablewindowgaveaviewofalittleharvest-huedvalleythroughwhichabrookran。
Halfamileupthebrookwastheonlyhouseinsight——anold，rambling，grayonesurroundedbyhugewillowsthroughwhichitswindowspeered，likeshy，seekingeyes，intothedusk。Annewonderedwholivedthere；theywouldbehernearestneighborsandshehopedtheywouldbenice。Shesuddenlyfoundherselfthinkingofthebeautifulgirlwiththewhitegeese。
\"Gilbertthoughtshedidn’tbelonghere，\"musedAnne，\"butIfeelsureshedoes。Therewassomethingaboutherthatmadeherpartoftheseaandtheskyandtheharbor。FourWindsisinherblood。\"
WhenAnnewentdownstairsGilbertwasstandingbeforethefireplacetalkingtoastranger。BothturnedasAnneentered。
\"Anne，thisisCaptainBoyd。CaptainBoyd，mywife。\"
ItwasthefirsttimeGilberthadsaid\"mywife\"toanybodybutAnne，andhenarrowlyescapedburstingwiththeprideofit。TheoldcaptainheldoutasinewyhandtoAnne；theysmiledateachotherandwerefriendsfromthatmoment。Kindredspiritflashedrecognitiontokindredspirit。
\"I’mrightdownpleasedtomeetyou，MistressBlythe；
andIhopeyou’llbeashappyasthefirstbridewaswhocamehere。Ican’twishyounobetterthanTHAT。
Butyourhusbanddoesn’tintroducemejestexactlyright。`CaptainJim’ismyweek-a-daynameandyoumightaswellbeginasyou’resartaintoendup——callingmethat。Yousartainlyareanicelittlebride，MistressBlythe。LookingatyousortermakesmefeelthatI’vejestbeenmarriedmyself。\"
AmidthelaughterthatfollowedMrs。DoctorDaveurgedCaptainJimtostayandhavesupperwiththem。
\"Thankyoukindly。’Twillbearealtreat，MistressDoctor。Imostlyhastoeatmymealsalone，withthereflectionofmyuglyoldphizinalooking-glassoppositeforcompany。’Tisn’toftenIhaveachancetositdownwithtwosuchsweet，purtyladies。\"
CaptainJim’scomplimentsmaylookverybaldonpaper，buthepaidthemwithsuchagracious，gentledeferenceoftoneandlookthatthewomanuponwhomtheywerebestowedfeltthatshewasbeingofferedaqueen’stributeinakinglyfashion。
CaptainJimwasahigh-souled，simple-mindedoldman，witheternalyouthinhiseyesandheart。Hehadatall，ratherungainlyfigure，somewhatstooped，yetsuggestiveofgreatstrengthandendurance；aclean-shavenfacedeeplylinedandbronzed；athickmaneofiron-grayhairfallingquitetohisshoulders，andapairofremarkablyblue，deep-seteyes，whichsometimestwinkledandsometimesdreamed，andsometimeslookedoutseawardwithawistfulquestinthem，asofoneseekingsomethingpreciousandlost。
AnnewastolearnonedaywhatitwasforwhichCaptainJimlooked。
ItcouldnotbedeniedthatCaptainJimwasahomelyman。Hissparejaws，ruggedmouth，andsquarebrowwerenotfashionedonthelinesofbeauty；andhehadpassedthroughmanyhardshipsandsorrowswhichhadmarkedhisbodyaswellashissoul；butthoughatfirstsightAnnethoughthimplainsheneverthoughtanythingmoreaboutit——thespiritshiningthroughthatruggedtenementbeautifieditsowholly。
Theygatheredgailyaroundthesuppertable。ThehearthfirebanishedthechilloftheSeptemberevening，butthewindowofthediningroomwasopenandseabreezesenteredattheirownsweetwill。Theviewwasmagnificent，takingintheharborandthesweepoflow，purplehillsbeyond。ThetablewasheapedwithMrs。Doctor’sdelicaciesbutthepiecederesistancewasundoubtedlythebigplatterofseatrout。
\"Thoughtthey’dbesortertastyaftertravelling，\"
saidCaptainJim。\"They’refreshastroutcanbe，MistressBlythe。TwohoursagotheywereswimmingintheGlenPond。\"
\"Whoisattendingtothelighttonight，CaptainJim？\"
askedDoctorDave。
\"NephewAlec。HeunderstandsitaswellasIdo。
Well，now，I’mrealgladyouaskedmetostaytosupper。I’mproperhungry——didn’thavemuchofadinnertoday。\"
\"Ibelieveyouhalfstarveyourselfmostofthetimedownatthatlight，\"saidMrs。DoctorDaveseverely。
\"Youwon’ttakethetroubletogetupadecentmeal。\"
\"Oh，Ido，MistressDoctor，Ido，\"protestedCaptainJim。\"Why，Ilivelikeakinggen’rally。LastnightIwasuptotheGlenandtookhometwopoundsofsteak。
Imeanttohaveaspankinggooddinnertoday。\"
\"Andwhathappenedtothesteak？\"askedMrs。DoctorDave。\"Didyouloseitonthewayhome？\"
\"No。\"CaptainJimlookedsheepish。\"Justatbedtimeapoor，ornerysortofdogcamealongandaskedforanight’slodging。Guesshebelongedtosomeofthefishermen’longshore。Icouldn’tturnthepoorcurout——hehadasorefoot。SoIshuthimintheporch，withanoldbagtolieon，andwenttobed。ButsomehowIcouldn’tsleep。Cometothinkitover，I
sorterrememberedthatthedoglookedhungry。\"
\"Andyougotupandgavehimthatsteak——ALLthatsteak，\"saidMrs。DoctorDave，withakindoftriumphantreproof。
\"Well，therewasn’tanythingelseTOgivehim，\"saidCaptainJimdeprecatingly。\"Nothingadog’dcarefor，thatis。IreckonheWAShungry，forhemadeabouttwobitesofit。Ihadafinesleeptherestofthenightbutmydinnerhadtobesorterscanty——potatoesandpoint，asyoumightsay。Thedog，helitoutforhomethismorning。IreckonHEweren’tavegetarian。\"
\"Theideaofstarvingyourselfforaworthlessdog！\"
sniffedMrs。Doctor。
\"Youdon’tknowbuthemaybeworthalottosomebody，\"protestedCaptainJim。\"Hedidn’tLOOKofmuchaccount，butyoucan’tgobylooksinjedgingadog。Likemeself，hemightbearealbeautyinside。
TheFirstMatedidn’tapproveofhim，I’llallow。Hislanguagewasrightdownforcible。ButtheFirstMateisprejudiced。Nouseintakingacat’sopinionofadog。
’Tennyrate，Ilostmydinner，sothisnicespreadinthisdee-lightfulcompanyisrealpleasant。It’sagreatthingtohavegoodneighbors。\"
\"Wholivesinthehouseamongthewillowsupthebrook？\"askedAnne。
\"Mrs。DickMoore，\"saidCaptainJim——\"andherhusband，\"headded，asifbywayofanafterthought。
Annesmiled，anddeducedamentalpictureofMrs。DickMoorefromCaptainJim’swayofputtingit；evidentlyasecondMrs。RachelLynde。
\"Youhaven’tmanyneighbors，MistressBlythe，\"CaptainJimwenton。\"Thissideoftheharborismightythinlysettled。MostofthelandbelongstoMr。HowardupyanderpasttheGlen，andherentsitoutforpasture。
Theothersideoftheharbor，now，isthickwithfolks——’speciallyMacAllisters。There’sawholecolonyofMacAllistersyoucan’tthrowastonebutyouhitone。IwastalkingtooldLeonBlacquieretheotherday。He’sbeenworkingontheharborallsummer。
`Dey’renearlyallMacAllistersoverthar，’hetoldme。
`Dare’sNeilMacAllisterandSandyMacAllisterandWilliamMacAllisterandAlecMacAllisterandAngusMacAllister——andIbelievedare’sdeDevilMacAllister。’\"
\"TherearenearlyasmanyElliottsandCrawfords，\"
saidDoctorDave，afterthelaughterhadsubsided。
\"Youknow，Gilbert，wefolkonthissideofFourWindshaveanoldsaying——`FromtheconceitoftheElliotts，theprideoftheMacAllisters，andthevaingloryoftheCrawfords，goodLorddeliverus。’\"
\"There’saplentyoffinepeopleamongthem，though，\"
saidCaptainJim。\"IsailedwithWilliamCrawfordformanyayear，andforcourageandenduranceandtruththatmanhadn’tanequal。They’vegotbrainsoveronthatsideofFourWinds。Mebbethat’swhythissideissorterinclinedtopickon’em。Strange，ain’tit，howfolksseemtoresentanyonebeingbornamiteclevererthantheybe。\"
DoctorDave，whohadafortyyears’feudwiththeover-harborpeople，laughedandsubsided。
\"Wholivesinthatbrilliantemeraldhouseabouthalfamileuptheroad？\"askedGilbert。
CaptainJimsmileddelightedly。
\"MissCorneliaBryant。She’lllikelybeovertoseeyousoon，seeingyou’rePresbyterians。IfyouwereMethodistsshewouldn’tcomeatall。CorneliahasaholyhorrorofMethodists。\"
\"She’squiteacharacter，\"chuckledDoctorDave。\"A
mostinveterateman-hater！\"
\"Sourgrapes？\"queriedGilbert，laughing。
\"No，’tisn’tsourgrapes，\"answeredCaptainJimseriously。\"Corneliacouldhavehadherpickwhenshewasyoung。Evenyetshe’sonlytosaythewordtoseetheoldwidowersjump。ShejestseemstohavebeenbornwithasortofchronicspiteaginmenandMethodists。She’sgotthebitteresttongueandthekindestheartinFourWinds。Whereverthere’sanytrouble，thatwomanisthere，doingeverythingtohelpinthetenderestway。Sheneversaysaharshwordaboutanotherwoman，andifshelikestocarduspoorscalawagsofmendownIreckonourtougholdhidescanstandit。\"
\"Shealwaysspeakswellofyou，CaptainJim，\"saidMrs。Doctor。
\"Yes，I’mafraidso。Idon’thalflikeit。Itmakesmefeelasiftheremustbesomethingsorterunnateralaboutme。\"
CHAPTER7
THESCHOOLMASTER’SBRIDE
\"Whowasthefirstbridewhocametothishouse，CaptainJim？\"Anneasked，astheysataroundthefireplaceaftersupper。
\"WassheapartofthestoryI’veheardwasconnectedwiththishouse？\"askedGilbert。\"Somebodytoldmeyoucouldtellit，CaptainJim。\"
\"Well，yes，Iknowit。IreckonI’mtheonlypersonlivinginFourWindsnowthatcanremembertheschoolmaster’sbrideasshewaswhenshecometotheIsland。She’sbeendeadthisthirtyyear，butshewasoneofthemwomenyouneverforget。\"
\"Tellusthestory，\"pleadedAnne。\"Iwanttofindoutallaboutthewomenwhohavelivedinthishousebeforeme。\"
\"Well，there’sjestbeenthree——ElizabethRussell，andMrs。NedRussell，andtheschoolmaster’sbride。
ElizabethRussellwasanice，cleverlittlecritter，andMrs。Nedwasanicewoman，too。Buttheyweren’teverliketheschoolmaster’sbride。
\"Theschoolmaster’snamewasJohnSelwyn。HecameoutfromtheOldCountrytoteachschoolattheGlenwhenI
wasaboyofsixteen。Hewasn’tmuchliketheusualrunofderelictswhousedtocomeouttoP。E。I。toteachschoolinthemdays。Mostofthemwereclever，drunkencritterswhotaughtthechildrenthethreeR’swhentheyweresober，andlambastedthemwhentheywasn’t。ButJohnSelwynwasafine，handsomeyoungfellow。Heboardedatmyfather’s，andheandmewerecronies，thoughhewastenyearsolder’nme。Wereadandwalkedandtalkedaheaptogether。Heknewaboutallthepoetrythatwaseverwritten，Ireckon，andheusedtoquoteittomealongshoreintheevenings。
Dadthoughtitanawfulwasteoftime，buthesorterenduredit，hopingit’dputmeoffthenotionofgoingtosea。Well，nothingcoulddoTHAT——mothercomeofaraceofsea-goingfolkanditwasborninme。ButI
lovedtohearJohnreadandrecite。It’salmostsixtyyearsago，butIcouldrepeatyardsofpoetryIlearnedfromhim。Nearlysixtyyears！\"
CaptainJimwassilentforaspace，gazingintotheglowingfireinaquestofthebygones。Then，withasigh，heresumedhisstory。
\"IrememberonespringeveningImethimonthesand-hills。Helookedsorteruplifted——jestlikeyoudid，Dr。Blythe，whenyoubroughtMistressBlytheintonight。IthoughtofhimtheminuteIseenyou。Andhetoldmethathehadasweetheartbackhomeandthatshewascomingouttohim。Iwasn’tmore’nhalfpleased，orneryyounglumpofselfishnessthatIwas；I
thoughthewouldn’tbeasmuchmyfriendaftershecame。ButI’denoughdecencynottolethimseeit。
Hetoldmeallabouther。HernamewasPersisLeigh，andshewouldhavecomeoutwithhimifithadn’tbeenforherolduncle。Hewassick，andhe’dlookedafterherwhenherparentsdiedandshewouldn’tleavehim。
AndnowhewasdeadandshewascomingouttomarryJohnSelwyn。’Twasn’tnoeasyjourneyforawomaninthemdays。Thereweren’tnosteamers，youmustricollect。
\"`Whendoyouexpecther？’saysI。
\"`ShesailsontheRoyalWilliam，the20thofJune，’
sayshe，`andsosheshouldbeherebymid-July。I
mustsetCarpenterJohnsontobuildingmeahomeforher。Herlettercometoday。IknowbeforeIopeneditthatithadgoodnewsforme。Isawherafewnightsago。’
\"Ididn’tunderstandhim，andthenheexplained——thoughIdidn’tunderstandTHATmuchbetter。
Hesaidhehadagift——oracurse。Themwashiswords，MistressBlythe——agiftoracurse。Hedidn’tknowwhichitwas。Hesaidagreat-great-grandmotherofhishadhadit，andtheyburnedherforawitchonaccountofit。Hesaidqueerspells——trances，Ithinkwasthenamehegive’em——comeoverhimnowandagain。Aretheresuchthings，Doctor？\"
\"Therearepeoplewhoarecertainlysubjecttotrances，\"answeredGilbert。\"Thematterismoreinthelineofpsychicalresearchthanmedical。WhatwerethetrancesofthisJohnSelwynlike？\"
\"Likedreams，\"saidtheoldDoctorskeptically。
\"Hesaidhecouldseethingsinthem，\"saidCaptainJimslowly。
\"Mindyou，I’mtellingyoujestwhatHEsaid——thingsthatwerehappening——thingsthatwereGOINGtohappen。
Hesaidtheyweresometimesacomforttohimandsometimesahorror。Fournightsbeforethishe’dbeeninone——wentintoitwhilehewassittinglookingatthefire。AndhesawanoldroomheknewwellinEngland，andPersisLeighinit，holdingoutherhandstohimandlookinggladandhappy。Soheknewhewasgoingtoheargoodnewsofher。\"
\"Adream——adream，\"scoffedtheoldDoctor。
\"Likely——likely，\"concededCaptainJim。\"That’swhat_I_saidtohimatthetime。Itwasavastmorecomfortabletothinkso。Ididn’tliketheideaofhimseeingthingslikethat——itwasrealuncanny。
\"`No，’sayshe，`Ididn’tdreamit。Butwewon’ttalkofthisagain。Youwon’tbesomuchmyfriendifyouthinkmuchaboutit。’
\"Itoldhimnothingcouldmakemeanylesshisfriend。
Buthejestshookhisheadandsays，sayshe:
\"`Lad，Iknow。I’velostfriendsbeforebecauseofthis。Idon’tblamethem。TherearetimeswhenIfeelhardlyfriendlytomyselfbecauseofit。Suchapowerhasabitofdivinityinit——whetherofagoodoranevildivinitywhoshallsay？AndwemortalsallshrinkfromtooclosecontactwithGodordevil。’
\"Themwashiswords。Irememberthemasif’twasyesterday，thoughIdidn’tknowjestwhathemeant。
Whatdoyous’poseheDIDmean，doctor？\"
\"Idoubtifheknewwhathemeanthimself，\"saidDoctorDavetestily。
\"IthinkIunderstand，\"whisperedAnne。Shewaslisteninginheroldattitudeofclaspedlipsandshiningeyes。CaptainJimtreatedhimselftoanadmiringsmilebeforehewentonwithhisstory。
\"Well，purtysoonalltheGlenandFourWindspeopleknewtheschoolmaster’sbridewascoming，andtheywereallgladbecausetheythoughtsomuchofhim。Andeverybodytookaninterestinhisnewhouse——THIS
house。Hepickedthissiteforit，becauseyoucouldseetheharborandheartheseafromit。Hemadethegardenoutthereforhisbride，buthedidn’tplanttheLombardies。Mrs。NedRussellplantedTHEM。Butthere’sadoublerowofrose-bushesinthegardenthatthelittlegirlswhowenttotheGlenschoolsetouttherefortheschoolmaster’sbride。Hesaidtheywerepinkforhercheeksandwhiteforherbrowandredforherlips。He’dquotedpoetrysomuchthathesortergotintothehabitoftalkingit，too，Ireckon。
\"Almosteverybodysenthimsomelittlepresenttohelpoutthefurnishingofthehouse。WhentheRussellscameintoittheywerewell-to-doandfurnisheditrealhandsome，asyoucansee；butthefirstfurniturethatwentintoitwasplainenough。Thislittlehousewasrichinlove，though。Thewomensentinquiltsandtableclothsandtowels，andonemanmadeachestforher，andanotheratableandsoon。EvenblindoldAuntMargaretBoydwovealittlebasketforheroutofthesweet-scentedsand-hillgrass。Theschoolmaster’swifeuseditforyearstokeepherhandkerchiefsin。
\"Well，atlasteverythingwasready——eventothelogsinthebigfireplacereadyforlighting。’Twasn’texactlyTHISfireplace，though’twasinthesameplace。
MissElizabethhadthisputinwhenshemadethehouseoverfifteenyearsago。Itwasabig，old-fashionedfireplacewhereyoucouldhaveroastedanox。Many’sthetimeI’vesathereandspunyarns，same’sI’mdoingtonight。\"
Againtherewasasilence，whileCaptainJimkeptapassingtrystwithvisitantsAnneandGilbertcouldnotsee——thefolkswhohadsatwithhimaroundthatfireplaceinthevanishedyears，withmirthandbridaljoyshiningineyeslongsinceclosedforeverunderchurchyardsodorheavingleaguesofsea。Hereonoldennightschildrenhadtossedlaughterlightlytoandfro。Hereonwintereveningsfriendshadgathered。Danceandmusicandjesthadbeenhere。
Hereyouthsandmaidenshaddreamed。ForCaptainJimthelittlehousewastenantedwithshapesentreatingremembrance。
\"ItwasthefirstofJulywhenthehousewasfinished。
Theschoolmasterbegantocountthedaysthen。Weusedtoseehimwalkingalongtheshore，andwe’dsaytoeachother，`She’llsoonbewithhimnow。’
\"ShewasexpectedthemiddleofJuly，butshedidn’tcomethen。Nobodyfeltanxious。Vesselswereoftendelayedfordaysandmebbeweeks。TheRoyalWilliamwasaweekoverdue——andthentwo——andthenthree。Andatlastwebegantobefrightened，anditgotworseandworse。Fin’llyIcouldn’tbeartolookintoJohnSelwyn’seyes。D’yeknow，MistressBlythe\"——CaptainJimloweredhisvoice——\"Iusedtothinkthattheylookedjustlikewhathisoldgreat-great-grandmother’smusthavebeenwhentheywereburninghertodeath。Heneversaidmuchbuthetaughtschoollikeamaninadreamandthenhurriedtotheshore。Manyanighthewalkedtherefromdarktodawn。Peoplesaidhewaslosinghismind。Everybodyhadgivenuphope——theRoyalWilliamwaseightweeksoverdue。ItwasthemiddleofSeptemberandtheschoolmaster’sbridehadn’tcome——neverwouldcome，wethought。
\"Therewasabigstormthenthatlastedthreedays，andontheeveningafteritdiedawayIwenttotheshore。
Ifoundtheschoolmasterthere，leaningwithhisarmsfoldedagainstabigrock，gazingouttosea。
\"Ispoketohimbuthedidn’tanswer。HiseyesseemedtobelookingatsomethingIcouldn’tsee。Hisfacewasset，likeadeadman’s。
\"`John——John，’Icalledout——jestlikethat——jestlikeafrightenedchild，`wakeup——wakeup。’
\"Thatstrange，awfullookseemedtosorterfadeoutofhiseyes。
Heturnedhisheadandlookedatme。I’veneverforgothisface——neverwillforgetittillIshipsformylastvoyage。
\"`Alliswell，lad，’hesays。`I’veseentheRoyalWilliamcomingaroundEastPoint。Shewillbeherebydawn。TomorrownightIshallsitwithmybridebymyownhearth-fire。’
\"Doyouthinkhedidseeit？\"demandedCaptainJimabruptly。
\"Godknows，\"saidGilbertsoftly。\"Greatloveandgreatpainmightcompassweknownotwhatmarvels。\"
\"Iamsurehedidseeit，\"saidAnneearnestly。
\"Fol-de-rol，\"saidDoctorDave，buthespokewithlessconvictionthanusual。
\"Because，youknow，\"saidCaptainJimsolemnly，\"theRoyalWilliamcameintoFourWindsHarboratdaylightthenextmorning。
EverysoulintheGlenandalongtheshorewasattheoldwharftomeether。Theschoolmasterhadbeenwatchingthereallnight。Howwecheeredasshesailedupthechannel。\"
CaptainJim’seyeswereshining。TheywerelookingattheFourWindsHarborofsixtyyearsagone，withabatteredoldshipsailingthroughthesunrisesplendor。
\"AndPersisLeighwasonboard？\"askedAnne。
\"Yes——herandthecaptain’swife。They’dhadanawfulpassage——stormafterstorm——andtheirprovisionsgiveout，too。Buttheretheywereatlast。WhenPersisLeighsteppedontotheoldwharfJohnSelwyntookherinhisarms——andfolksstoppedcheeringandbeguntocry。Icriedmyself，though’twasyears，mindyou，aforeI’dadmitit。Ain’titfunnyhowashamedboysareoftears？\"
\"WasPersisLeighbeautiful？\"askedAnne。
\"Well，Idon’tknowthatyou’dcallherbeautifulexactly——I——don’t——know，\"saidCaptainJimslowly。
\"Somehow，younevergotsofaralongastowonderifshewashandsomeornot。Itjestdidn’tmatter。Therewassomethingsosweetandwinsomeaboutherthatyouhadtoloveher，thatwasall。Butshewaspleasanttolookat——big，clear，hazeleyesandheapsofglossybrownhair，andanEnglishskin。Johnandherweremarriedatourhousethatnightatearlycandle-lighting；everybodyfromfarandnearwastheretoseeitandweallbroughtthemdownhereafterwards。
MistressSelwynlightedthefire，andwewentawayandleftthemsittinghere，jestasJohnhadseeninthatvisionofhis。Astrangething——astrangething！ButI’veseenaturriblelotofstrangethingsinmytime。\"
CaptainJimshookhisheadsagely。
\"It’sadearstory，\"saidAnne，feelingthatforonceshehadgotenoughromancetosatisfyher。\"Howlongdidtheylivehere？\"
\"Fifteenyears。Iranofftoseasoonaftertheyweremarried，liketheyoungscalawagIwas。ButeverytimeIcomebackfromavoyageI’dheadforhere，evenbeforeIwenthome，andtellMistressSelwynallaboutit。Fifteenhappyyears！Theyhadasortoftalentforhappiness，themtwo。Somefolksarelikethat，ifyou’venoticed。TheyCOULDN’Tbeunhappyforlong，nomatterwhathappened。Theyquarrelledonceortwice，fortheywasbothhigh-sperrited。ButMistressSelwynsaystomeonce，saysshe，laughinginthatprettywayofhers，`IfeltdreadfulwhenJohnandIquarrelled，butunderneathitallIwasveryhappybecauseIhadsuchanicehusbandtoquarrelwithandmakeitupwith。’ThentheymovedtoCharlottetown，andNedRussellboughtthishouseandbroughthisbridehere。
Theywereagayyoungpair，asIrememberthem。MissElizabethRussellwasAlec’ssister。Shecametolivewiththemayearorsolater，andshewasacreatureofmirth，too。ThewallsofthishousemustbesorterSOAKEDwithlaughingandgoodtimes。You’rethethirdbrideI’veseencomehere，MistressBlythe——andthehandsomest。\"
CaptainJimcontrivedtogivehissunflowercomplimentthedelicacyofaviolet，andAnneworeitproudly。
Shewaslookingherbestthatnight，withthebridalroseonhercheeksandthelove-lightinhereyes；evengruffoldDoctorDavegaveheranapprovingglance，andtoldhiswife，astheydrovehometogether，thatthatred-headedwifeoftheboy’swassomethingofabeauty。
\"Imustbegettingbacktothelight，\"announcedCaptainJim。\"I’veenj’yedthiseveningsomethingtremenjus。\"
\"Youmustcomeoftentoseeus，\"saidAnne。
\"Iwonderifyou’dgivethatinvitationifyouknewhowlikelyI’llbetoacceptit，\"CaptainJimremarkedwhimsically。
\"WhichisanotherwayofsayingyouwonderifImeanit，\"smiledAnne。\"Ido，`crossmyheart，’asweusedtosayatschool。\"
\"ThenI’llcome。You’relikelytobepesteredwithmeatanyhour。AndI’llbeproudtohaveyoudropdownandvisitmenowandthen，too。Gin’rallyIhaven’tanyonetotalktobuttheFirstMate，blesshissociableheart。He’samightygoodlistener，andhasforgotmore’nanyMacAllisterofthemalleverknew，butheisn’tmuchofaconversationalist。You’reyoungandI’mold，butoursoulsareaboutthesameage，I
reckon。WebothbelongtotheracethatknowsJoseph，asCorneliaBryantwouldsay。\"
\"TheracethatknowsJoseph？\"puzzledAnne。
\"Yes。Corneliadividesallthefolksintheworldintotwokinds——theracethatknowsJosephandtheracethatdon’t。Ifapersonsorterseeseyetoeyewithyou，andhasprettymuchthesameideasaboutthings，andthesametasteinjokes——why，thenhebelongstotheracethatknowsJoseph。\"
\"Oh，Iunderstand，\"exclaimedAnne，lightbreakinginuponher。
\"It’swhatIusedtocall——andstillcallinquotationmarks`kindredspirits。’\"
\"Jestso——jestso，\"agreedCaptainJim。\"We’reit，whateverITis。Whenyoucomeintonight，MistressBlythe，Isaystomyself，saysI，`Yes，she’softheracethatknowsJoseph。’AndmightygladIwas，forifitwasn’tsowecouldn’thavehadanyrealsatisfactionineachother’scompany。TheracethatknowsJosephisthesaltoftheairth，Ireckon。\"
ThemoonhadjustrisenwhenAnneandGilbertwenttothedoorwiththeirguests。FourWindsHarborwasbeginningtobeathingofdreamandglamourandenchantment——aspellboundhavenwherenotempestmighteverravin。TheLombardiesdownthelane，tallandsombreasthepriestlyformsofsomemysticband，weretippedwithsilver。
\"AlwayslikedLombardies，\"saidCaptainJim，wavingalongarmatthem。\"They’rethetreesofprincesses。
They’reoutoffashionnow。Folkscomplainthattheydieatthetopandgetragged-looking。Sotheydo——sotheydo，ifyoudon’triskyourneckeveryspringclimbingupalightladdertotrimthemout。IalwaysdiditforMissElizabeth，soherLombardiesnevergotout-at-elbows。Shewasespeciallyfondofthem。Shelikedtheirdignityandstand-offishness。THEYdon’thobnobwitheveryTom，DickandHarry。Ifit’smaplesforcompany，MistressBlythe，it’sLombardiesforsociety。\"
\"Whatabeautifulnight，\"saidMrs。DoctorDave，assheclimbedintotheDoctor’sbuggy。
\"Mostnightsarebeautiful，\"saidCaptainJim。\"ButI
’lowthatmoonlightoverFourWindsmakesmesorterwonderwhat’sleftforheaven。Themoon’sagreatfriendofmine，MistressBlythe。I’velovedhereversinceIcanremember。WhenIwasalittlechapofeightIfellasleepinthegardenoneeveningandwasn’tmissed。IwokeupalonginthenightandIwasmostscaredtodeath。Whatshadowsandqueernoisestherewas！Idursn’tmove。Jestcrouchedtherequaking，poorsmallmite。Seemed’sifthereweren’tanyoneintheworldbutmeselfanditwasmightybig。
ThenallatonceIsawthemoonlookingdownatmethroughtheappleboughs，jestlikeanoldfriend。I
wascomfortedrightoff。Gotupandwalkedtothehouseasbraveasalion，lookingather。Many’sthenightI’vewatchedherfromthedeckofmyvessel，onseasfarawayfromhere。Whydon’tyoufolkstellmetotakeintheslackofmyjawandgohome？\"
Thelaughterofthegoodnightsdiedaway。AnneandGilbertwalkedhandinhandaroundtheirgarden。Thebrookthatranacrossthecornerdimpledpellucidlyintheshadowsofthebirches。Thepoppiesalongitsbankswerelikeshallowcupsofmoonlight。Flowersthathadbeenplantedbythehandsoftheschoolmaster’sbrideflungtheirsweetnessontheshadowyair，likethebeautyandblessingofsacredyesterdays。Annepausedinthegloomtogatheraspray。
\"Ilovetosmellflowersinthedark，\"shesaid。\"Yougetholdoftheirsoulthen。Oh，Gilbert，thislittlehouseisallI’vedreamedit。AndI’msogladthatwearenotthefirstwhohavekeptbridaltrysthere！\"
CHAPTER8
MISSCORNELIABRYANTCOMESTOCALL
ThatSeptemberwasamonthofgoldenmistsandpurplehazesatFourWindsHarbor——amonthofsun-steepeddaysandofnightsthatwereswimminginmoonlight，orpulsatingwithstars。Nostormmarredit，noroughwindblew。AnneandGilbertputtheirnestinorder，rambledontheshores，sailedontheharbor，droveaboutFourWindsandtheGlen，orthroughtheferny，sequesteredroadsofthewoodsaroundtheharborhead；
inshort，hadsuchahoneymoonasanyloversintheworldmighthaveenviedthem。
\"Iflifeweretostopshortjustnowitwouldstillhavebeenrichlyworthwhile，justforthesakeofthesepastfourweeks，wouldn’tit？\"saidAnne。\"I
don’tsupposewewilleverhavefoursuchperfectweeksagain——butwe’veHADthem。Everything——wind，weather，folks，houseofdreams——hasconspiredtomakeourhoneymoondelightful。Therehasn’tevenbeenarainydaysincewecamehere。\"
\"Andwehaven’tquarrelledonce，\"teasedGilbert。
\"Well，`that’sapleasureallthegreaterforbeingdeferred，’\"quotedAnne。\"I’msogladwedecidedtospendourhoneymoonhere。Ourmemoriesofitwillalwaysbelonghere，inourhouseofdreams，insteadofbeingscatteredaboutinstrangeplaces。\"
TherewasacertaintangofromanceandadventureintheatmosphereoftheirnewhomewhichAnnehadneverfoundinAvonlea。There，althoughshehadlivedinsightofthesea，ithadnotenteredintimatelyintoherlife。InFourWindsitsurroundedherandcalledtoherconstantly。Fromeverywindowofhernewhomeshesawsomevaryingaspectofit。Itshauntingmurmurwaseverinherears。VesselssaileduptheharboreverydaytothewharfattheGlen，orsailedoutagainthroughthesunset，boundforportsthatmightbehalfwayroundtheglobe。Fishingboatswentwhite-wingeddownthechannelinthemornings，andreturnedladenintheevenings。Sailorsandfisher-folktravelledthered，windingharborroads，light-heartedandcontent。Therewasalwaysacertainsenseofthingsgoingtohappen——ofadventuresandfarings-forth。ThewaysofFourWindswerelessstaidandsettledandgroovedthanthoseofAvonlea；windsofchangeblewoverthem；theseacalledevertothedwellersonshore，andeventhosewhomightnotansweritscallfeltthethrillandunrestandmysteryandpossibilitiesofit。
\"Iunderstandnowwhysomemenmustgotosea，\"saidAnne。\"Thatdesirewhichcomestousallattimes——`tosailbeyondthebourneofsunset’——mustbeveryimperiouswhenitisborninyou。Idon’twonderCaptainJimranawaybecauseofit。Ineverseeashipsailingoutofthechannel，oragullsoaringoverthesand-bar，withoutwishingIwereonboardtheshiporhadwings，notlikeadove`toflyawayandbeatrest，’butlikeagull，tosweepoutintotheveryheartofastorm。\"
\"You’llstayrightherewithme，Anne-girl，\"saidGilbertlazily。\"Iwon’thaveyouflyingawayfrommeintotheheartsofstorms。\"
Theyweresittingontheirredsand-stonedoorstepinthelateafternoon。Greattranquillitieswereallabouttheminlandandseaandsky。Silverygullsweresoaringoverthem。Thehorizonswerelacedwithlongtrailsoffrail，pinkishclouds。Thehushedairwasthreadedwithamurmurousrefrainofminstrelwindsandwaves。Paleasterswereblowinginthesereandmistymeadowsbetweenthemandtheharbor。
\"Doctorswhohavetobeupallnightwaitingonsickfolkdon’tfeelveryadventurous，Isuppose，\"Annesaidindulgently。\"Ifyouhadhadagoodsleeplastnight，Gilbert，you’dbeasreadyasIamforaflightofimagination。\"
\"Ididgoodworklastnight，Anne，\"saidGilbertquietly。\"UnderGod，Isavedalife。ThisisthefirsttimeIcouldeverreallyclaimthat。InothercasesImayhavehelped；but，Anne，ifIhadnotstayedatAllonby’slastnightandfoughtdeathhandtohand，thatwomanwouldhavediedbeforemorning。ItriedanexperimentthatwascertainlynevertriedinFourWindsbefore。Idoubtifitwasevertriedanywherebeforeoutsideofahospital。ItwasanewthinginKingsporthospitallastwinter。IcouldneverhavedaredtryithereifIhadnotbeenabsolutelycertainthattherewasnootherchance。Iriskedit——anditsucceeded。
Asaresult，agoodwifeandmotherissavedforlongyearsofhappinessandusefulness。AsIdrovehomethismorning，whilethesunwasrisingovertheharbor，IthankedGodthatIhadchosentheprofessionIdid。
Ihadfoughtagoodfightandwon——thinkofit，Anne，WON，againsttheGreatDestroyer。It’swhatIdreamedofdoinglongagowhenwetalkedtogetherofwhatwewantedtodoinlife。Thatdreamofminecametruethismorning。\"
\"Wasthattheonlyoneofyourdreamsthathascometrue？\"askedAnne，whoknewperfectlywellwhatthesubstanceofhisanswerwouldbe，butwantedtohearitagain。
\"YOUknow，Anne-girl，\"saidGilbert，smilingintohereyes。AtthatmomenttherewerecertainlytwoperfectlyhappypeoplesittingonthedoorstepofalittlewhitehouseontheFourWindsHarborshore。
PresentlyGilbertsaid，withachangeoftone，\"DoIordoInotseeafull-riggedshipsailingupourlane？\"
Annelookedandsprangup。
\"ThatmustbeeitherMissCorneliaBryantorMrs。Moorecomingtocall，\"shesaid。
\"I’mgoingintotheoffice，andifitisMissCorneliaIwarnyouthatI’lleavesdrop，\"saidGilbert。\"FromallI’veheardregardingMissCorneliaIconcludethatherconversationwillnotbedull，tosaytheleast。\"
\"ItmaybeMrs。Moore。\"
\"Idon’tthinkMrs。Mooreisbuiltonthoselines。I
sawherworkinginhergardentheotherday，and，thoughIwastoofarawaytoseeclearly，Ithoughtshewasratherslender。Shedoesn’tseemverysociallyinclinedwhenshehasnevercalledonyouyet，althoughshe’syournearestneighbor。\"
\"Shecan’tbelikeMrs。Lynde，afterall，orcuriositywouldhavebroughther，\"saidAnne。\"Thiscalleris，Ithink，MissCornelia。\"
MissCorneliaitwas；moreover，MissCorneliahadnotcometomakeanybriefandfashionableweddingcall。
Shehadherworkunderherarminasubstantialparcel，andwhenAnneaskedhertostayshepromptlytookoffhercapacioussun-hat，whichhadbeenheldonherhead，despiteirreverentSeptemberbreezes，byatightelasticbandunderherhardlittleknoboffairhair。
NohatpinsforMissCornelia，anitpleaseye！
ElasticbandshadbeengoodenoughforhermotherandtheyweregoodenoughforHER。Shehadafresh，round，pink-and-whiteface，andjollybrowneyes。Shedidnotlookintheleastlikethetraditionaloldmaid，andtherewassomethinginherexpressionwhichwonAnneinstantly。WithheroldinstinctivequicknesstodiscernkindredspiritssheknewshewasgoingtolikeMissCornelia，inspiteofuncertainodditiesofopinion，andcertainodditiesofattire。
NobodybutMissCorneliawouldhavecometomakeacallarrayedinastripedblue-and-whiteapronandawrapperofchocolateprint，withadesignofhuge，pinkrosesscatteredoverit。AndnobodybutMissCorneliacouldhavelookeddignifiedandsuitablygarbedinit。HadMissCorneliabeenenteringapalacetocallonaprince’sbride，shewouldhavebeenjustasdignifiedandjustaswhollymistressofthesituation。Shewouldhavetrailedherrose-spatteredflounceoverthemarblefloorsjustasunconcernedly，andshewouldhaveproceededjustascalmlytodisabusethemindoftheprincessofanyideathatthepossessionofamereman，beheprinceorpeasant，wasanythingtobragof。
\"I’vebroughtmywork，Mrs。Blythe，dearie，\"sheremarked，unrollingsomedaintymaterial。\"I’minahurrytogetthisdone，andthereisn’tanytimetolose。\"
AnnelookedinsomesurpriseatthewhitegarmentspreadoverMissCornelia’samplelap。Itwascertainlyababy’sdress，anditwasmostbeautifullymade，withtinyfrillsandtucks。MissCorneliaadjustedherglassesandfelltoembroideringwithexquisitestitches。
\"ThisisforMrs。FredProctorupattheGlen，\"sheannounced。\"She’sexpectinghereighthbabyanydaynow，andnotastitchhasshereadyforit。Theothersevenhaveworeoutallshemadeforthefirst，andshe’sneverhadtimeorstrengthorspirittomakeanymore。Thatwomanisamartyr，Mrs。Blythe，believeME。
WhenshemarriedFredProctor_I_knewhowitwouldturnout。Hewasoneofyourwicked，fascinatingmen。
Afterhegotmarriedheleftoffbeingfascinatingandjustkeptonbeingwicked。Hedrinksandheneglectshisfamily。Isn’tthatlikeaman？Idon’tknowhowMrs。Proctorwouldeverkeepherchildrendecentlyclothedifherneighborsdidn’thelpherout。\"
AsAnnewasafterwardstolearn，MissCorneliawastheonlyneighborwhotroubledherselfmuchaboutthedecencyoftheyoungProctors。
\"WhenIheardthiseighthbabywascomingIdecidedtomakesomethingsforit，\"MissCorneliawenton。
\"ThisisthelastandIwanttofinishittoday。\"
\"It’scertainlyverypretty，\"saidAnne。\"I’llgetmysewingandwe’llhavealittlethimblepartyoftwo。
Youareabeautifulsewer，MissBryant。\"
\"Yes，I’mthebestsewerintheseparts，\"saidMissCorneliainamatter-of-facttone。\"Ioughttobe！
Lord，I’vedonemoreofitthanifI’dhadahundredchildrenofmyown，believeME！Is’poseI’mafool，tobeputtinghandembroideryonthisdressforaneighthbaby。But，Lord，Mrs。Blythe，dearie，itisn’ttoblameforbeingtheeighth，andIkindofwishedittohaveonerealprettydress，justasifitWAS
wanted。Nobody’swantingthepoormite——soIputsomeextrafussonitslittlethingsjustonthataccount。\"
\"Anybabymightbeproudofthatdress，\"saidAnne，feelingstillmorestronglythatshewasgoingtolikeMissCornelia。
\"Is’poseyou’vebeenthinkingIwasnevercomingtocallonyou，\"resumedMissCornelia。\"Butthisisharvestmonth，youknow，andI’vebeenbusy——andalotofextrahandshanginground，eatingmore’ntheywork，justlikethemen。I’dhavecomeyesterday，butIwenttoMrs。RoderickMacAllister’sfuneral。AtfirstI
thoughtmyheadwasachingsobadlyIcouldn’tenjoymyselfifIdidgo。Butshewasahundredyearsold，andI’dalwayspromisedmyselfthatI’dgotoherfuneral。\"
\"Wasitasuccessfulfunction？\"askedAnne，noticingthattheofficedoorwasajar。
\"What’sthat？Oh，yes，itwasatremendousfuneral。
Shehadaverylargeconnection。Therewasoveronehundredandtwentycarriagesintheprocession。Therewasoneortwofunnythingshappened。IthoughtthatdieIwouldtoseeoldJoeBradshaw，whoisaninfidelandneverdarkensthedoorofachurch，singing`SafeintheArmsofJesus’withgreatgustoandfervor。Hegloriesinsinging——that’swhyhenevermissesafuneral。PoorMrs。Bradshawdidn’tlookmuchlikesinging——allworeoutslaving。OldJoestartsoutonceinawhiletobuyherapresentandbringshomesomenewkindoffarmmachinery。Isn’tthatlikeaman？
Butwhatelsewouldyouexpectofamanwhonevergoestochurch，evenaMethodistone？IwasrealthankfultoseeyouandtheyoungDoctorinthePresbyterianchurchyourfirstSunday。Nodoctorformewhoisn’taPresbyterian。\"
\"WewereintheMethodistchurchlastSundayevening，\"
saidAnnewickedly。
\"Oh，Is’poseDr。BlythehastogototheMethodistchurchonceinawhileorhewouldn’tgettheMethodistpractice。\"
\"Welikedthesermonverymuch，\"declaredAnneboldly。
\"AndIthoughttheMethodistminster’sprayerwasoneofthemostbeautifulIeverheard。\"
\"Oh，I’venodoubthecanpray。IneverheardanyonemakemorebeautifulprayersthanoldSimonBentley，whowasalwaysdrunk，orhopingtobe，andthedrunkerhewasthebetterheprayed。\"
\"TheMethodistministerisveryfinelooking，\"saidAnne，forthebenefitoftheofficedoor。
\"Yes，he’squiteornamental，\"agreedMissCornelia。
\"Oh，andVERYladylike。Andhethinksthateverygirlwholooksathimfallsinlovewithhim——asifaMethodistminister，wanderingaboutlikeanyJew，wassuchaprize！IfyouandtheyoungdoctortakeMY
advice，youwon’thavemuchtodowiththeMethodists。
Mymottois——ifyouAREaPresbyterian，BEaPresbyterian。\"
\"Don’tyouthinkthatMethodistsgotoheavenaswellasPresbyterians？\"askedAnnesmilelessly。
\"Thatisn’tforUStodecide。It’sinhigherhandsthanours，\"saidMissCorneliasolemnly。\"ButIain’tgoingtoassociatewiththemonearthwhateverImayhavetodoinheaven。THISMethodistministerisn’tmarried。Thelastonetheyhadwas，andhiswifewasthesilliest，flightiestlittlethingIeversaw。I
toldherhusbandoncethatheshouldhavewaitedtillshewasgrownupbeforehemarriedher。Hesaidhewantedtohavethetrainingofher。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？\"
\"It’sratherhardtodecidejustwhenpeopleAREgrownup，\"laughedAnne。
\"That’satrueword，dearie。Somearegrownupwhenthey’reborn，andothersain’tgrownupwhenthey’reeighty，believeME。ThatsameMrs。RoderickIwasspeakingofnevergrewup。Shewasasfoolishwhenshewasahundredaswhenshewasten。\"
\"Perhapsthatwaswhyshelivedsolong，\"suggestedAnne。
\"Maybe’twas。_I_’dratherlivefiftysensibleyearsthanahundredfoolishones。\"
\"Butjustthinkwhatadullworlditwouldbeifeveryonewassensible，\"pleadedAnne。
MissCorneliadisdainedanyskirmishofflippantepigram。
\"Mrs。RoderickwasaMilgrave，andtheMilgravesneverhadmuchsense。Hernephew，EbenezerMilgrave，usedtobeinsaneforyears。Hebelievedhewasdeadandusedtorageathiswifebecauseshewouldn’tburyhim。
_I_’da-doneit。\"
MissCornelialookedsogrimlydeterminedthatAnnecouldalmostseeherwithaspadeinherhand。
\"Don’tyouknowANYgoodhusbands，MissBryant？\"
\"Oh，yes，lotsofthem——overyonder，\"saidMissCornelia，wavingherhandthroughtheopenwindowtowardsthelittlegraveyardofthechurchacrosstheharbor。
\"Butliving——goingaboutintheflesh？\"persistedAnne。
\"Oh，there’safew，justtoshowthatwithGodallthingsarepossible，\"acknowledgedMissCorneliareluctantly。\"Idon’tdenythatanoddmanhereandthere，ifhe’scaughtyoungandtrainedupproper，andifhismotherhasspankedhimwellbeforehand，mayturnoutadecentbeing。YOURhusband，now，isn’tsobad，asmengo，fromallIhear。Is’pose\"——MissCornelialookedsharplyatAnneoverherglasses——\"youthinkthere’snobodylikehimintheworld。\"
\"Thereisn’t，\"saidAnnepromptly。
\"Ah，well，Iheardanotherbridesaythatonce，\"
sighedMissCornelia。\"JennieDeanthoughtwhenshemarriedthattherewasn’tanybodylikeHERhusbandintheworld。Andshewasright——therewasn’t！Andagoodthing，too，believeME！Heledheranawfullife——andhewascourtinghissecondwifewhileJenniewasdying。
Wasn’tthatlikeaman？However，IhopeYOUR
confidencewillbebetterjustified，dearie。Theyoungdoctoristakingrealwell。Iwasafraidatfirsthemightn’t，forfolkshereaboutshavealwaysthoughtoldDoctorDavetheonlydoctorintheworld。DoctorDavehadn’tmuchtact，tobesure——hewasalwaystalkingofropesinhouseswheresomeonehadhangedhimself。Butfolksforgottheirhurtfeelingswhentheyhadapainintheirstomachs。Ifhe’dbeenaministerinsteadofadoctorthey’dneverhaveforgivenhim。Soul-achedoesn’tworryfolksnearasmuchasstomach-ache。
Seeingaswe’rebothPresbyteriansandnoMethodistsaround，willyoutellmeyourcandidopinionofOUR
minister？\"
\"Why——really——I——well，\"hesitatedAnne。
MissCornelianodded。
\"Exactly。Iagreewithyou，dearie。WemadeamistakewhenwecalledHIM。Hisfacejustlookslikeoneofthoselong，narrowstonesinthegraveyard，doesn’tit？
`Sacredtothememory’oughttobewrittenonhisforehead。Ishallneverforgetthefirstsermonhepreachedafterhecame。Itwasonthesubjectofeveryonedoingwhattheywerebestfittedfor——averygoodsubject，ofcourse；butsuchillustrationsasheused！Hesaid，`Ifyouhadacowandanappletree，andifyoutiedtheappletreeinyourstableandplantedthecowinyourorchard，withherlegsup，howmuchmilkwouldyougetfromtheappletree，orhowmanyapplesfromthecow？’Didyoueverhearthelikeinyourborndays，dearie？IwassothankfultherewerenoMethodiststherethatday——they’dneverhavebeendonehootingoverit。ButwhatIdislikemostinhimishishabitofagreeingwitheverybody，nomatterwhatissaid。Ifyousaidtohim，`You’reascoundrel，’he’dsay，withthatsmoothsmileofhis，`Yes，that’sso。’Aministershouldhavemorebackbone。Thelongandtheshortofitis，Iconsiderhimareverendjackass。But，ofcourse，thisisjustbetweenyouandme。WhenthereareMethodistsinhearingIpraisehimtotheskies。Somefolksthinkhiswifedressestoogay，but_I_saywhenshehastolivewithafacelikethatsheneedssomethingtocheerherup。You’llneverhearMEcondemningawomanforherdress。I’monlytoothankfulwhenherhusbandisn’ttoomeanandmiserlytoallowit。NotthatI
bothermuchwithdressmyself。Womenjustdresstopleasethemen，andI’dneverstooptoTHAT。Ihavehadarealplacid，comfortablelife，dearie，andit’sjustbecauseInevercaredacentwhatthementhought。\"
\"Whydoyouhatethemenso，MissBryant？\"
\"Lord，dearie，Idon’thatethem。Theyaren’tworthit。Ijustsortofdespisethem。IthinkI’lllikeYOURhusbandifhekeepsonashehasbegun。ButapartfromhimabouttheonlymenintheworldI’vemuchuseforaretheolddoctorandCaptainJim。\"
\"CaptainJimiscertainlysplendid，\"agreedAnnecordially。
\"CaptainJimisagoodman，buthe’skindofvexinginoneway。YouCAN’Tmakehimmad。I’vetriedfortwentyyearsandhejustkeepsonbeingplacid。Itdoessortofrileme。AndIs’posethewomanheshouldhavemarriedgotamanwhowentintotantrumstwiceaday。\"
\"Whowasshe？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow，dearie。IneverrememberofCaptainJimmakinguptoanybody。Hewasedgingonoldasfarasmymemorygoes。He’sseventy-six，youknow。I
neverheardanyreasonforhisstayingabachelor，buttheremustbeone，believeME。Hesailedallhislifetillfiveyearsago，andthere’snocorneroftheearthhehasn’tpokedhisnoseinto。HeandElizabethRussellweregreatcronies，alltheirlives，buttheyneverhadanynotionofsweet-hearting。Elizabethnevermarried，thoughshehadplentyofchances。Shewasagreatbeautywhenshewasyoung。TheyearthePrinceofWalescametotheIslandshewasvisitingheruncleinCharlottetownandhewasaGovernmentofficial，andsoshegotinvitedtothegreatball。
Shewastheprettiestgirlthere，andthePrincedancedwithher，andalltheotherwomenhedidn’tdancewithwerefuriousaboutit，becausetheirsocialstandingwashigherthanhersandtheysaidheshouldn’thavepassedthemover。Elizabethwasalwaysveryproudofthatdance。Meanfolkssaidthatwaswhyshenevermarried——shecouldn’tputupwithanordinarymanafterdancingwithaprince。Butthatwasn’tso。Shetoldmethereasononce——itwasbecauseshehadsuchatemperthatshewasafraidshecouldn’tlivepeaceablywithanyman。SheHADanawfultemper——sheusedtohavetogoupstairsandbitepiecesoutofherbureautokeepitdownbytimes。ButItoldherthatwasn’tanyreasonfornotmarryingifshewantedto。There’snoreasonwhyweshouldletthemenhaveamonopolyoftemper，isthere，Mrs。Blythe，dearie？\"
\"I’veabitoftempermyself，\"sighedAnne。
\"It’swellyouhave，dearie。Youwon’tbehalfsolikelytobetroddenon，believeME！My，howthatgoldenglowofyoursisblooming！Yourgardenlooksfine。PoorElizabethalwaystooksuchcareofit。\"
\"Iloveit，\"saidAnne。\"I’mgladit’ssofullofold-fashionedflowers。Speakingofgardening，wewanttogetamantodigupthatlittlelotbeyondthefirgroveandsetitoutwithstrawberryplantsforus。
Gilbertissobusyhewillnevergettimeforitthisfall。Doyouknowanyonewecanget？\"
\"Well，HenryHammondupattheGlengoesoutdoingjobslikethat。He’lldo，maybe。He’salwaysaheapmoreinterestedinhiswagesthaninhiswork，justlikeaman，andhe’ssoslowintheuptakethathestandsstillforfiveminutesbeforeitdawnsonhimthathe’sstopped。Hisfatherthrewastumpathimwhenhewassmall。
Nicegentlemissile，wasn’tit？Solikeaman！
Course，theboynevergotoverit。Buthe’stheonlyoneIcanrecommendatall。Hepaintedmyhouseformelastspring。Itlooksrealnicenow，don’tyouthink？\"
Annewassavedbytheclockstrikingfive。
\"Lord，isitthatlate？\"exclaimedMissCornelia。
\"Howtimedoesslipbywhenyou’reenjoyingyourself！
Well，Imustbetakemyselfhome。\"
\"No，indeed！Youaregoingtostayandhaveteawithus，\"saidAnneeagerly。
\"Areyouaskingmebecauseyouthinkyououghtto，orbecauseyoureallywantto？\"demandedMissCornelia。
\"BecauseIreallywantto。\"
\"ThenI’llstay。YOUbelongtotheracethatknowsJoseph。\"
\"Iknowwearegoingtobefriends，\"saidAnne，withthesmilethatonlytheyofthehouseholdoffaitheversaw。
\"Yes，weare，dearie。Thankgoodness，wecanchooseourfriends。Wehavetotakeourrelativesastheyare，andbethankfuliftherearenopenitentiarybirdsamongthem。NotthatI’vemany——nonenearerthansecondcousins。I’makindoflonelysoul，Mrs。
Blythe。\"
TherewasawistfulnoteinMissCornelia’svoice。
\"IwishyouwouldcallmeAnne，\"exclaimedAnneimpulsively。\"ItwouldseemmoreHOMEY。EveryoneinFourWinds，exceptmyhusband，callsmeMrs。Blythe，anditmakesmefeellikeastranger。DoyouknowthatyournameisverynearbeingtheoneIyearnedafterwhenIwasachild。Ihated`Anne’andIcalledmyself`Cordelia’inimagination。\"
\"IlikeAnne。Itwasmymother’sname。Old-fashionednamesarethebestandsweetestinmyopinion。Ifyou’regoingtogetteayoumightsendtheyoungdoctortotalktome。He’sbeenlyingonthesofainthatofficeeversinceIcame，laughingfittokilloverwhatI’vebeensaying。\"
\"Howdidyouknow？\"criedAnne，tooaghastatthisinstanceofMissCornelia’suncannypresciencetomakeapolitedenial。
\"IsawhimsittingbesideyouwhenIcameupthelane，andIknowmen’stricks，\"retortedMissCornelia。
\"There，I’vefinishedmylittledress，dearie，andtheeighthbabycancomeassoonasitpleases。\"