MissCorneliasighed。GilberthadgonedownandLeslie，whohadbeencrooningoverthesmallJamesMatthewinthedormerwindow，laidhimasleepinhisbasketandwentherway。Assoonasshewassafelyoutofearshot，MissCorneliabentforwardandsaidinaconspirator’swhisper:
\"Anne，dearie，I’daletterfromOwenFordyesterday。
He’sinVancouverjustnow，buthewantstoknowifI
canboardhimforamonthlateron。YOUknowwhatthatmeans。Well，Ihopewe’redoingright。\"
\"We’venothingtodowithit——wecouldn’tpreventhimfromcomingtoFourWindsifhewantedto，\"saidAnnequickly。Shedidnotlikethefeelingofmatch-makingMissCornelia’swhispersgaveher；andthensheweaklysuccumbedherself。
\"Don’tletLeslieknowheiscominguntilheishere，\"
shesaid。\"IfshefoundoutIfeelsureshewouldgoawayatonce。Sheintendstogointhefallanyhow——shetoldmesotheotherday。SheisgoingtoMontrealtotakeupnursingandmakewhatshecanofherlife。\"
\"Oh，well，Anne，dearie，\"saidMissCornelia，noddingsagely\"thatisallasitmaybe。YouandIhavedoneourpartandwemustleavetheresttoHigherHands。\"
CHAPTER35
POLITICSATFOURWINDS
Whenannecamedownstairsagain，theIsland，aswellasallCanada，wasinthethroesofacampaignprecedingageneralelection。Gilbert，whowasanardentConservative，foundhimselfcaughtinthevortex，beingmuchindemandforspeech-makingatthevariouscountyrallies。MissCorneliadidnotapproveofhismixingupinpoliticsandtoldAnneso。
\"Dr。Daveneverdidit。Dr。Blythewillfindheismakingamistake，believeME。Politicsissomethingnodecentmanshouldmeddlewith。\"
\"Isthegovernmentofthecountrytobeleftsolelytotheroguesthen？\"askedAnne。
\"Yes——solongasit’sConservativerogues，\"saidMissCornelia，marchingoffwiththehonorsofwar。\"Menandpoliticiansarealltarredwiththesamebrush。
TheGritshaveitlaidonthickerthantheConservatives，that’sall——CONSIDERABLYthicker。ButGritorTory，myadvicetoDr。Blytheistosteerclearofpolitics。Firstthingyouknow，he’llberunninganelectionhimself，andgoingofftoOttawaforhalftheyearandleavinghispracticetogotothedogs。\"
\"Ah，well，let’snotborrowtrouble，\"saidAnne。\"Therateofinterestistoohigh。Instead，let’slookatLittleJem。ItshouldbespelledwithaG。Isn’theperfectlybeautiful？Justseethedimplesinhiselbows。We’llbringhimuptobeagoodConservative，youandI，MissCornelia。\"
\"Bringhimuptobeagoodman，\"saidMissCornelia。
\"They’rescarceandvaluable；though，mindyou，I
wouldn’tliketoseehimaGrit。Asfortheelection，youandImaybethankfulwedon’tliveoverharbor。
Theairthereisbluethesedays。EveryElliottandCrawfordandMacAllisterisonthewarpath，loadedforbear。Thissideispeacefulandcalm，seeingthere’ssofewmen。CaptainJim’saGrit，butit’smyopinionhe’sashamedofit，forhenevertalkspolitics。Thereisn’tanyearthlydoubtthattheConservativeswillbereturnedwithabigmajorityagain。\"
MissCorneliawasmistaken。OnthemorningaftertheelectionCaptainJimdroppedinatthelittlehousetotellthenews。Sovirulentisthemicrobeofpartypolitics，eveninapeaceableoldman，thatCaptainJim’scheekswereflushedandhiseyeswereflashingwithallhisold-timefire。
\"MistressBlythe，theLiberalsareinwithasweepingmajority。AftereighteenyearsofTorymismanagementthisdown-troddencountryisgoingtohaveachanceatlast。\"
\"Ineverheardyoumakesuchabitterpartisanspeechbefore，CaptainJim。Ididn’tthinkyouhadsomuchpoliticalvenominyou，\"laughedAnne，whowasnotmuchexcitedoverthetidings。LittleJemhadsaid\"Wow-ga\"thatmorning。Whatwereprincipalitiesandpowers，theriseandfallofdynasties，theoverthrowofGritorTory，comparedwiththatmiraculousoccurrence？
\"It’sbeenaccumulatingforalongwhile，\"saidCaptainJim，withadeprecatingsmile。\"IthoughtI
wasonlyamoderateGrit，butwhenthenewscamethatwewereinIfoundouthowGrittyIreallywas。\"
\"YouknowthedoctorandIareConservatives。\"
\"Ah，well，it’stheonlybadthingIknowofeitherofyou，MistressBlythe。CorneliaisaTory，too。I
calledinonmywayfromtheGlentotellherthenews。\"
\"Didn’tyouknowyoutookyourlifeinyourhands？\"
\"Yes，butIcouldn’tresistthetemptation。\"
\"Howdidshetakeit？\"
\"Comparativelycalm，MistressBlythe，comparativelycalm。Shesays，saysshe，`Well，Providencesendsseasonsofhumiliationtoacountry，sameastoindividuals。YouGritshavebeencoldandhungryformanyayear。Makehastetogetwarmedandfed，foryouwon’tbeinlong。’`Well，nowCornelia，’Isays，`mebbeProvidencethinksCanadaneedsareallongspellofhumiliation。’Ah，Susan，haveYOUheardthenews？
TheLiberalsarein。\"
Susanhadjustcomeinfromthekitchen，attendedbytheodorofdelectabledisheswhichalwaysseemedtohoveraroundher。
\"Now，arethey？\"shesaid，withbeautifulunconcern。
\"Well，InevercouldseebutthatmybreadrosejustaslightwhenGritswereinaswhentheywerenot。Andifanyparty，Mrs。Doctor，dear，willmakeitrainbeforetheweekisout，andsaveourkitchengardenfromentireruination，thatisthepartySusanwillvotefor。Inthemeantime，willyoujuststepoutandgivemeyouropiniononthemeatfordinner？Iamfearingthatitisverytough，andIthinkthatwehadbetterchangeourbutcheraswellasourgovernment。\"
Oneevening，aweeklater，AnnewalkeddowntothePoint，toseeifshecouldgetsomefreshfishfromCaptainJim，leavingLittleJemforthefirsttime。Itwasquiteatragedy。Supposehecried？SupposeSusandidnotknowjustexactlywhattodoforhim？Susanwascalmandserene。
\"Ihavehadasmuchexperiencewithhimasyou，Mrs。
Doctor，dear，haveInot？\"
\"Yes，withhim——butnotwithotherbabies。Why，I
lookedafterthreepairsoftwins，whenIwasachild，Susan。Whentheycried，Igavethempeppermintorcastoroilquitecoolly。It’squitecuriousnowtorecallhowlightlyItookallthosebabiesandtheirwoes。\"
\"Oh，well，ifLittleJemcries，Iwilljustclapahotwaterbagonhislittlestomach，\"saidSusan。
\"Nottoohot，youknow，\"saidAnneanxiously。Oh，wasitreallywisetogo？
\"Donotyoufret，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Susanisnotthewomantoburnaweeman。Blesshim，hehasnonotionofcrying。\"
AnnetoreherselfawayfinallyandenjoyedherwalktothePointafterall，throughthelongshadowsofthesun-setting。CaptainJimwasnotinthelivingroomofthelighthouse，butanothermanwas——ahandsome，middle-agedman，withastrong，clean-shavenchin，whowasunknowntoAnne。Nevertheless，whenshesatdown，hebegantotalktoherwithalltheassuranceofanoldacquaintance。Therewasnothingamissinwhathesaidorthewayhesaidit，butAnneratherresentedsuchacooltaking-for-grantedinacompletestranger。
Herreplieswerefrosty，andasfewasdecencyrequired。Nothingdaunted，hercompaniontalkedonforseveralminutes，thenexcusedhimselfandwentaway。
Annecouldhavesworntherewasatwinkleinhiseyeanditannoyedher。Whowasthecreature？Therewassomethingvaguelyfamiliarabouthimbutshewascertainshehadneverseenhimbefore。
\"CaptainJim，whowasthatwhojustwentout？\"sheasked，asCaptainJimcamein。
\"MarshallElliott，\"answeredthecaptain。
\"MarshallElliott！\"criedAnne。\"Oh，CaptainJim——itwasn’t——yes，itWAShisvoice——oh，CaptainJim，I
didn’tknowhim——andIwasquiteinsultingtohim！WHY
didn’thetellme？HemusthaveseenIdidn’tknowhim。\"
\"Hewouldn’tsayawordaboutit——he’djustenjoythejoke。Don’tworryoversnubbinghim——he’llthinkitfun。Yes，Marshall’sshavedoffhisbeardatlastandcuthishair。Hispartyisin，youknow。Ididn’tknowhimmyselffirsttimeIsawhim。HewasupinCarterFlagg’sstoreattheGlenthenightafterelectionday，alongwithacrowdofothers，waitingforthenews。Abouttwelvethe’phonecamethrough——theLiberalswerein。Marshalljustgotupandwalkedout——hedidn’tcheerorshout——helefttheotherstodothat，andtheynearlyliftedtheroofoffCarter’sstore，Ireckon。Ofcourse，alltheTorieswereoverinRaymondRussell’sstore。NotmuchcheeringTHERE。
MarshallwentstraightdownthestreettothesidedoorofAugustusPalmer’sbarbershop。Augustuswasinbedasleep，butMarhallhammeredonthedooruntilhegotupandcomedown，wantingtoknowwhatalltheracketwasabout。
\"Comeintoyourshopanddothebestjobyoueverdidinyourlife，Gus，’saidMarshall。`TheLiberalsareinandyou’regoingtobarberagoodGritbeforethesunrises。’
\"Guswasmadashops——partlybecausehe’dbeendraggedoutofbed，butmorebecausehe’saTory。Hevowedhewouldn’tshaveanymanaftertwelveatnight。
\"`You’lldowhatIwantyoutodo，sonny，’saidMarshall，`orI’lljestturnyouovermykneeandgiveyouoneofthosespankingsyourmotherforgot。’
\"He’dhavedoneit，too，andGusknewit，forMarshallisasstrongasanoxandGusisonlyamidgetofaman。SohegaveinandtowedMarshallintotheshopandwenttowork。`Now，’sayshe，`I’llbarberyouup，butifyousayonewordtomeabouttheGritsgettinginwhileI’mdoingitI’llcutyourthroatwiththisrazor，’sayshe。Youwouldn’thavethoughtmildlittleGuscouldbesobloodthirsty，wouldyou？Showswhatpartypoliticswilldoforaman。Marshallkeptquietandgothishairandbearddisposedofandwenthome。
Whenhisoldhousekeeperheardhimcomeupstairsshepeekedoutofherbedroomdoortoseewhether’twashimorthehiredboy。Andwhenshesawastrangemanstridingdownthehallwithacandleinhishandshescreamedbluemurderandfainteddeadaway。Theyhadtosendforthedoctorbeforetheycouldbringherto，anditwasseveraldaysbeforeshecouldlookatMarshallwithoutshakingallover。\"
CaptainJimhadnofish。Heseldomwentoutinhisboatthatsummer，andhislongtrampingexpeditionswereover。Hespentagreatdealofhistimesittingbyhisseawardwindow，lookingoutoverthegulf，withhisswiftly-whiteningheadleaningonhishand。Hesattheretonightformanysilentminutes，keepingsometrystwiththepastwhichAnnewouldnotdisturb。
PresentlyhepointedtotheirisoftheWest:
\"That’sbeautiful，isn’t，it，MistressBlythe？ButI
wishyoucouldhaveseenthesunrisethismorning。Itwasawonderfulthing——wonderful。I’veseenallkindsofsunrisescomeoverthatgulf。I’vebeenallovertheworld，MistressBlythe，andtakeitallinall，I’veneverseenafinersightthanasummersunriseoverthegulf。Amancan’tpickhistimefordying，MistressBlythe——jestgottogowhentheGreatCaptaingivesHissailingorders。ButifIcouldI’dgooutwhenthemorningcomesacrossthatwater。I’vewatcheditmanyatimeandthoughtwhatathingitwouldbetopassoutthroughthatgreatwhiteglorytowhateverwaswaitingbeyant，onaseathatain’tmappedoutonanyairthlychart。Ithink，MistressBlythe，thatI’dfindlostMargaretthere。\"
CaptainJimhadoftentalkedtoAnneoflostMargaretsincehehadtoldhertheoldstory。Hisloveforhertrembledineverytone——thatlovethathadnevergrownfaintorforgetful。
\"Anyway，IhopewhenmytimecomesI’llgoquickandeasy。Idon’tthinkI’macoward，MistressBlythe——I’velookedanuglydeathinthefacemorethanoncewithoutblenching。Butthethoughtofalingeringdeathdoesgivemeaqueer，sickfeelingofhorror。\"
\"Don’ttalkaboutleavingus，dear，DEARCaptain，Jim，\"pleadedAnne，inachokedvoice，pattingtheoldbrownhand，oncesostrong，butnowgrownveryfeeble。
\"Whatwouldwedowithoutyou？\"
CaptainJimsmiledbeautifully。
\"Oh，you’dgetalongnicely——nicely——butyouwouldn’tforgettheoldmanaltogether，MistressBlythe——no，I
don’tthinkyou’lleverquiteforgethim。TheraceofJosephalwaysremembersoneanother。Butit’llbeamemorythatwon’thurt——Iliketothinkthatmymemorywon’thurtmyfriends——it’llalwaysbekindofpleasanttothem，Ihopeandbelieve。Itwon’tbeverylongnowbeforelostMargaretcallsme，forthelasttime。I’llbeallreadytoanswer。Ijestspokeofthisbecausethere’salittlefavorIwanttoaskyou。Here’sthispooroldMateyofmine\"——CaptainJimreachedoutahandandpokedthebig，warm，velvety，goldenballonthesofa。TheFirstMateuncoiledhimselflikeaspringwithanice，throaty，comfortablesound，halfpurr，halfmeow，stretchedhispawsinair，turnedoverandcoiledhimselfupagain。\"HE’llmissmewhenI
startontheV’yage。Ican’tbeartothinkofleavingthepoorcrittertostarve，likehewasleftbefore。
IfanythinghappenstomewillyougiveMateyabiteandacorner，MistressBlythe？\"
\"IndeedIwill。\"
\"ThenthatisallIhadonmymind。YourLittleJemistohavethefewcuriousthingsIpickedup——I’veseentothat。AndnowIdon’tliketoseetearsinthoseprettyeyes，MistressBlythe。I’llmebbehangonforquiteaspellyet。Iheardyoureadingapieceofpoetryonedaylastwinter——oneofTennyson’spieces。
I’dsorterliketohearitagain，ifyoucouldreciteitforme。\"
Softlyandclearly，whiletheseawindblewinonthem，AnnerepeatedthebeautifullinesofTennyson’swonderfulswansong——\"CrossingtheBar。\"Theoldcaptainkepttimegentlywithhissinewyhand。
\"Yes，yes，MistressBlythe，\"hesaid，whenshehadfinished，\"that’sit，that’sit。Hewasn’tasailor，youtellme——Idunnohowhecouldhaveputanoldsailor’sfeelingsintowordslikethat，ifhewasn’tone。Hedidn’twantany`sadnesso’farewells’andneitherdoI，MistressBlythe——forallwillbewellwithmeandminebeyantthebar。\"
CHAPTER36
BEAUTYFORASHES
\"AnynewsfromGreenGables，Anne？\"
\"Nothingveryespecial，\"repliedAnne，foldingupMarilla’sletter。\"JakeDonnellhasbeenthereshinglingtheroof。Heisafull-fledgedcarpenternow，soitseemshehashadhisownwayinregardtothechoiceofalife-work。Yourememberhismotherwantedhimtobeacollegeprofessor。IshallneverforgetthedayshecametotheschoolandratedmeforfailingtocallhimSt。Clair。\"
\"Doesanyoneevercallhimthatnow？\"
\"Evidentlynot。Itseemsthathehascompletelyliveditdown。Evenhismotherhassuccumbed。IalwaysthoughtthataboywithJake’schinandmouthwouldgethisownwayintheend。DianawritesmethatDorahasabeau。Justthinkofit——thatchild！\"
\"Doraisseventeen，\"saidGilbert。\"CharlieSloaneandIwerebothmadaboutyouwhenyouwereseventeen，Anne。\"
\"Really，Gilbert，wemustbegettingoninyears，\"
saidAnne，withahalf-ruefulsmile，\"whenchildrenwhoweresixwhenwethoughtourselvesgrownupareoldenoughnowtohavebeaux。Dora’sisRalphAndrews——Jane’sbrother。Irememberhimasalittle，round，fat，white-headedfellowwhowasalwaysatthefootofhisclass。ButIunderstandheisquiteafine-lookingyoungmannow。\"
\"Dorawillprobablymarryyoung。She’softhesametypeasCharlottatheFourth——she’llnevermissherfirstchanceforfearshemightnotgetanother。\"
\"Well；ifshemarriesRalphIhopehewillbealittlemoreup-and-comingthanhisbrotherBilly，\"musedAnne。
\"Forinstance，\"saidGilbert，laughing，\"letushopehewillbeabletoproposeonhisownaccount。Anne，wouldyouhavemarriedBillyifhehadaskedyouhimself，insteadofgettingJanetodoitforhim？\"
\"Imighthave。\"Annewentoffintoashriekoflaughterovertherecollectionofherfirstproposal。
\"Theshockofthewholethingmighthavehypnotizedmeintosomesuchrashandfoolishact。Letusbethankfulhediditbyproxy。\"
\"IhadaletterfromGeorgeMooreyesterday，\"saidLeslie，fromthecornerwhereshewasreading。
\"Oh，howishe？\"askedAnneinterestedly，yetwithanunrealfeelingthatshewasinquiringaboutsomeonewhomshedidnotknow。
\"Heiswell，buthefindsitveryhardtoadapthimselftoallthechangesinhisoldhomeandfriends。Heisgoingtoseaagaininthespring。It’sinhisblood，hesays，andhelongsforit。Buthetoldmesomethingthatmademegladforhim，poorfellow。BeforehesailedontheFourSistershewasengagedtoagirlathome。HedidnottellmeanythingaboutherinMontreal，becausehesaidhesupposedshewouldhaveforgottenhimandmarriedsomeoneelselongago，andwithhim，yousee，hisengagementandlovewasstillathingofthepresent。Itwasprettyhardonhim，butwhenhegothomehefoundshehadnevermarriedandstillcaredforhim。Theyaretobemarriedthisfall。
I’mgoingtoaskhimtobringheroverhereforalittletrip；hesayshewantstocomeandseetheplacewherehelivedsomanyyearswithoutknowingit。\"
\"Whatanicelittleromance，\"saidAnne，whoselovefortheromanticwasimmortal。\"Andtothink，\"sheaddedwithasighofself-reproach，\"thatifIhadhadmywayGeorgeMoorewouldneverhavecomeupfromthegraveinwhichhisidentitywasburied。HowIdidfightagainstGilbert’ssuggestion！Well，Iampunished:IshallneverbeabletohaveadifferentopinionfromGilbert’sagain！IfItrytohave，hewillsquelchmebycastingGeorgeMoore’scaseuptome！\"
\"Asifeventhatwouldsquelchawoman！\"mockedGilbert。\"Atleastdonotbecomemyecho，Anne。A
littleoppositiongivesspicetolife。IdonotwantawifelikeJohnMacAllister’sovertheharbor。Nomatterwhathesays，sheatonceremarksinthatdrab，lifelesslittlevoiceofhers，`Thatisverytrue，John，dearme！’\"
AnneandLeslielaughed。Anne’slaughterwassilverandLeslie’sgolden，andthecombinationofthetwowasassatisfactoryasaperfectchordinmusic。
Susan，cominginontheheelsofthelaughter，echoeditwitharesoundingsigh。
\"Why，Susan，whatisthematter？\"askedGilbert。
\"There’snothingwrongwithlittleJem，isthere，Susan？\"criedAnne，startingupinalarm。
\"No，no，calmyourself，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Somethinghashappened，though。Dearme，everythinghasgonecatawampuswithmethisweek。Ispoiledthebread，asyouknowtoowell——andIscorchedthedoctor’sbestshirtbosom——andIbrokeyourbigplatter。Andnow，onthetopofallthis，comeswordthatmysisterMatildahasbrokenherlegandwantsmetogoandstaywithherforaspell。\"
\"Oh，I’mverysorry——sorrythatyoursisterhasmetwithsuchanaccident，Imean，\"exclaimedAnne。
\"Ah，well，manwasmadetomourn，Mrs。Doctor，dear。
ThatsoundsasifitoughttobeintheBible，buttheytellmeapersonnamedBurnswroteit。Andthereisnodoubtthatweareborntotroubleasthesparksflyupward。AsforMatilda，Idonotknowwhattothinkofher。Noneofourfamilyeverbroketheirlegsbefore。
Butwhatevershehasdonesheisstillmysister，andI
feelthatitismydutytogoandwaitonher，ifyoucansparemeforafewweeks，Mrs。Doctor，dear。\"
\"Ofcourse，Susan，ofcourse。Icangetsomeonetohelpmewhileyouaregone。\"
\"IfyoucannotIwillnotgo，Mrs。Doctor，dear，Matilda’slegtothecontrarynotwithstanding。Iwillnothaveyouworried，andthatblessedchildupsetinconsequence，foranynumberoflegs。\"
\"Oh，youmustgotoyoursisteratonce，Susan。Icangetagirlfromthecove，whowilldoforatime。\"
\"Anne，willyouletmecomeandstaywithyouwhileSusanisaway？\"exclaimedLeslie。\"Do！I’dloveto——anditwouldbeanactofcharityonyourpart。
I’msohorriblylonelyoverthereinthatbigbarnofahouse。There’ssolittletodo——andatnightI’mworsethanlonely——I’mfrightenedandnervousinspiteoflockeddoors。Therewasatramparoundtwodaysago。\"
Annejoyfullyagreed，andnextdayLesliewasinstalledasaninmateofthelittlehouseofdreams。MissCorneliawarmlyapprovedofthearrangement。
\"ItseemsProvidential，\"shetoldAnneinconfidence。
\"I’msorryforMatildaClow，butsinceshehadtobreakherlegitcouldn’thavehappenedatabettertime。
LesliewillbeherewhileOwenFordisinFourWinds，andthoseoldcatsupattheGlenwon’tgetthechancetomeow，astheywouldifshewaslivingovertherealoneandOwengoingtoseeher。Theyaredoingenoughofitasitis，becauseshedoesn’tputonmourning。I
saidtooneofthem，`IfyoumeansheshouldputonmourningforGeorgeMoore，itseemstomemorelikehisresurrectionthanhisfuneral；andifit’sDickyoumean，Iconfess_I_can’tseetheproprietyofgoingintoweedsforamanwhodiedthirteenyearsagoandgoodriddancethen！’AndwhenoldLouisaBaldwinremarkedtomethatshethoughtitverystrangethatLeslieshouldneverhavesuspecteditwasn’therownhusband_I_said，`YOUneversuspecteditwasn’tDickMoore，andyouwerenext-doorneighbortohimallhislife，andbynatureyou’retentimesassuspiciousasLeslie。’Butyoucan’tstopsomepeople’stongues，Anne，dearie，andI’mrealthankfulLesliewillbeunderyourroofwhileOweniscourtingher。\"
OwenFordcametothelittlehouseoneAugusteveningwhenLeslieandAnnewereabsorbedinworshippingthebaby。Hepausedattheopendoorofthelivingroom，unseenbythetwowithin，gazingwithgreedyeyesatthebeautifulpicture。Lesliesatonthefloorwiththebabyinherlap，makingecstaticdabsathisfatlittlehandsasheflutteredthemintheair。
\"Oh，youdear，beautiful，belovedbaby，\"shemumbled，catchingoneweehandandcoveringitwithkisses。
\"Isn’thimzedarlingestittysing，\"croonedAnne，hangingoverthearmofherchairadoringly。\"Demittyweepadsarezeverytweetesthandiesinzewholebigworld，isn’tdey，youdarlingittyman。\"
Anne，inthemonthsbeforeLittleJem’scoming，hadporeddiligentlyoverseveralwisevolumes，andpinnedherfaithtooneinespecial，\"SirOracleontheCareandTrainingofChildren。\"SirOracleimploredparentsbyalltheyheldsacrednevertotalk\"babytalk\"totheirchildren。Infantsshouldinvariablybeaddressedinclassicallanguagefromthemomentoftheirbirth。SoshouldtheylearntospeakEnglishundefiledfromtheirearliestutterance。\"How，\"
demandedSirOracle，\"canamotherreasonablyexpectherchildtolearncorrectspeech，whenshecontinuallyaccustomsitsimpressionablegraymattertosuchabsurdexpressionsanddistortionsofournobletongueasthoughtlessmothersinflicteverydayonthehelplesscreaturescommittedtotheircare？Canachildwhoisconstantlycalled`tweetittyweesingie’everattaintoanyproperconceptionofhisownbeingandpossibilitiesanddestiny？\"
Annewasvastlyimpressedwiththis，andinformedGilbertthatshemeanttomakeitaninflexiblerulenever，underanycircumstances，totalk\"babytalk\"toherchildren。Gilbertagreedwithher，andtheymadeasolemncompactonthesubject——acompactwhichAnneshamelesslyviolatedtheveryfirstmomentLittleJemwaslaidinherarms。\"Oh，thedarlingittyweesing！\"shehadexclaimed。Andshehadcontinuedtoviolateiteversince。WhenGilbertteasedhershelaughedSirOracletoscorn。
\"Heneverhadanychildrenofhisown，Gilbert——Iampositivehehadn’torhewouldneverhavewrittensuchrubbish。Youjustcan’thelptalkingbabytalktoababy。Itcomesnatural——andit’sRIGHT。Itwouldbeinhumantotalktothosetiny，soft，velvetylittlecreaturesaswedotogreatbigboysandgirls。Babieswantloveandcuddlingandallthesweetbabytalktheycanget，andLittleJemisgoingtohaveit，blesshisdearittyheartums。\"
\"Butyou’retheworstIeverheard，Anne，\"protestedGilbert，who，notbeingamotherbutonlyafather，wasnotwhollyconvincedyetthatSirOraclewaswrong。\"I
neverheardanythinglikethewayyoutalktothatchild。\"
\"Verylikelyyouneverdid。Goaway——goaway。Didn’tIbringupthreepairsofHammondtwinsbeforeIwaseleven？YouandSirOraclearenothingbutcold-bloodedtheorists。Gilbert，JUSTlookathim！
He’ssmilingatme——heknowswhatwe’retalkingabout。
Andoodestagweeswifevywordmuzzersays，don’too，angel-lover？\"
Gilbertputhisarmaboutthem。\"Ohyoumothers！\"hesaid。\"Youmothers！GodknewwhatHewasaboutwhenHemadeyou。\"
SoLittleJemwastalkedtoandlovedandcuddled；andhethroveasbecameachildofthehouseofdreams。
LesliewasquiteasfoolishoverhimasAnnewas。WhentheirworkwasdoneandGilbertwasoutoftheway，theygavethemselvesovertoshamelessorgiesoflove-makingandecstasiesofadoration，suchasthatinwhichOwenFordhadsurprisedthem。
Lesliewasthefirsttobecomeawareofhim。EveninthetwilightAnnecouldseethesuddenwhitenessthatsweptoverherbeautifulface，blottingoutthecrimsonoflipandcheeks。
Owencameforward，eagerly，blindforamomenttoAnne。
\"Leslie！\"hesaid，holdingouthishand。Itwasthefirsttimehehadevercalledherbyhername；butthehandLesliegavehimwascold；andshewasveryquietalltheevening，whileAnneandGilbertandOwenlaughedandtalkedtogether。Beforehiscallendedsheexcusedherselfandwentupstairs。Owen’sgayspiritsflaggedandhewentawaysoonafterwithadowncastair。
GilbertlookedatAnne。
\"Anne，whatareyouupto？There’ssomethinggoingonthatIdon’tunderstand。Thewholeairheretonighthasbeenchargedwithelectricity。Lesliesitslikethemuseoftragedy；OwenFordjokesandlaughsonthesurface，andwatchesLesliewiththeeyesofhissoul。
Youseemallthetimetobeburstingwithsomesuppressedexcitement。Ownup。Whatsecrethaveyoubeenkeepingfromyourdeceivedhusband？\"
\"Don’tbeagoose，Gilbert，\"wasAnne’sconjugalreply。\"AsforLeslie，sheisabsurdandI’mgoinguptotellherso。\"
AnnefoundLeslieatthedormerwindowofherroom。
Thelittleplacewasfilledwiththerhythmicthunderofthesea。Lesliesatwithlockedhandsinthemistymoonshine——abeautiful，accusingpresence。
\"Anne，\"shesaidinalow，reproachfulvoice，\"didyouknowOwenFordwascomingtoFourWinds？\"
\"Idid，\"saidAnnebrazenly。
\"Oh，youshouldhavetoldme，Anne，\"Lesliecriedpassionately。\"IfIhadknownIwouldhavegoneaway——Iwouldn’thavestayedheretomeethim。Youshouldhavetoldme。Itwasn’tfairofyou，Anne——oh，itwasn’tfair！\"
Leslie’slipsweretremblingandherwholeformwastensewithemotion。ButAnnelaughedheartlessly。ShebentoverandkissedLeslie’supturnedreproachfulface。
\"Leslie，youareanadorablegoose。OwenForddidn’trushfromthePacifictotheAtlanticfromaburningdesiretoseeME。NeitherdoIbelievethathewasinspiredbyanywildandfrenziedpassionforMissCornelia。Takeoffyourtragicairs，mydearfriend，andfoldthemupandputthemawayinlavender。You’llneverneedthemagain。Therearesomepeoplewhocanseethroughagrindstonewhenthereisaholeinit，evenifyoucannot。Iamnotaprophetess，butIshallventureonaprediction。Thebitternessoflifeisoverforyou。Afterthisyouaregoingtohavethejoysandhopes——andIdaresaythesorrows，too——ofahappywoman。TheomenoftheshadowofVenusdidcometrueforyou，Leslie。Theyearinwhichyousawitbroughtyourlife’sbestgiftforyou——yourloveforOwenFord。Now，gorighttobedandhaveagoodsleep。\"
Leslieobeyedordersinsofarthatshewenttobed:
butitmaybequestionedifshesleptmuch。Idonotthinkshedaredtodreamwakingly；lifehadbeensohardforthispoorLeslie，thepathonwhichshehadhadtowalkhadbeensostrait，thatshecouldnotwhispertoherownheartthehopesthatmightwaitonthefuture。Butshewatchedthegreatrevolvinglightbestarringtheshorthoursofthesummernight，andhereyesgrewsoftandbrightandyoungoncemore。Nor，whenOwenFordcamenextday，toaskhertogowithhimtotheshore，didshesayhimnay。
CHAPTER37
MISSCORNELIAMAKESASTARTLINGANNOUNCEMENT
MissCorneliasaileddowntothelittlehouseonedrowsyafternoon，whenthegulfwasthefaint，bleachedblueoftheAugustseas，andtheorangeliliesatthegateofAnne’sgardenhelduptheirimperialcupstobefilledwiththemoltengoldofAugustsunshine。NotthatMissCorneliaconcernedherselfwithpaintedoceansorsun-thirstylilies。Shesatinherfavoriterockerinunusualidleness。Shesewednot，neitherdidshespin。Nordidshesayasinglederogatorywordconcerninganyportionofmankind。Inshort，MissCornelia’sconversationwassingularlydevoidofspicethatday，andGilbert，whohadstayedhometolistentoher，insteadofgoinga-fishing，ashehadintended，felthimselfaggrieved。WhathadcomeoverMissCornelia？Shedidnotlookcastdownorworried。Onthecontrary，therewasacertainairofnervousexultationabouther。
\"WhereisLeslie？\"sheasked——notasifitmatteredmucheither。
\"Owenandshewentraspberryinginthewoodsbackofherfarm，\"answeredAnne。\"Theywon’tbebackbeforesuppertime——ifthen。\"
\"Theydon’tseemtohaveanyideathatthereissuchathingasaclock，\"saidGilbert。\"Ican’tgettothebottomofthataffair。I’mcertainyouwomenpulledstrings。ButAnne，undutifulwife，won’ttellme。
Willyou，MissCornelia？\"
\"No，Ishallnot。But，\"saidMissCornelia，withtheairofonedeterminedtotaketheplungeandhaveitover，\"Iwilltellyousomethingelse。Icametodayonpurposetotellit。Iamgoingtobemarried。\"
AnneandGilbertweresilent。IfMissCorneliahadannouncedherintentionofgoingouttothechannelanddrowningherselfthethingmighthavebeenbelievable。
Thiswasnot。Sotheywaited。OfcourseMissCorneliahadmadeamistake。
\"Well，youbothlooksortofkerflummexed，\"saidMissCornelia，withatwinkleinhereyes。Nowthattheawkwardmomentofrevelationwasover，MissCorneliawasherownwomanagain。\"DoyouthinkI’mtooyoungandinexperiencedformatrimony？\"
\"Youknow——itISratherstaggering，\"saidGilbert，tryingtogatherhiswitstogether。\"I’veheardyousayascoreoftimesthatyouwouldn’tmarrythebestmanintheworld。\"
\"I’mnotgoingtomarrythebestmanintheworld，\"
retortedMissCornelia。\"MarshallElliottisalongwayfrombeingthebest。\"
\"AreyougoingtomarryMarshallElliott？\"exclaimedAnne，recoveringherpowerofspeechunderthissecondshock。
\"Yes。IcouldhavehadhimanytimethesetwentyyearsifI’dliftedmyfinger。ButdoyousupposeIwasgoingtowalkintochurchbesideaperambulatinghaystacklikethat？\"
\"Iamsureweareveryglad——andwewishyouallpossiblehappiness，\"saidAnne，veryflatlyandinadequately，asshefelt。Shewasnotpreparedforsuchanoccasion。ShehadneverimaginedherselfofferingbetrothalfelicitationstoMissCornelia。
\"Thanks，Iknewyouwould，\"saidMissCornelia。\"Youarethefirstofmyfriendstoknowit。\"
\"Weshallbesosorrytoloseyou，though，dearMissCornelia，\"saidAnne，beginningtobealittlesadandsentimental。
\"Oh，youwon’tloseme，\"saidMissCorneliaunsentimentally。\"Youdon’tsupposeIwouldliveoverharborwithallthoseMacAllistersandElliottsandCrawfords，doyou？`FromtheconceitoftheElliotts，theprideoftheMacAllistersandthevain-gloryoftheCrawfords，goodLorddeliverus。’Marshalliscomingtoliveatmyplace。I’msickandtiredofhiredmen。
ThatJimHastingsI’vegotthissummerispositivelytheworstofthespecies。Hewoulddriveanyonetogettingmarried。Whatdoyouthink？Heupsetthechurnyesterdayandspilledabigchurningofcreamovertheyard。Andnotonewhitconcernedaboutitwashe！Justgaveafoolishlaughandsaidcreamwasgoodfortheland。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？ItoldhimI
wasn’tinthehabitoffertilisingmybackyardwithcream。\"
\"Well，Iwishyouallmannerofhappinesstoo，MissCornelia，\"saidGilbert，solemnly；\"but，\"headded，unabletoresistthetemptationtoteaseMissCornelia，despiteAnne’simploringeyes，\"Ifearyourdayofindependenceisdone。Asyouknow，MarshallElliottisaverydeterminedman。\"
\"Ilikeamanwhocansticktoathing，\"retortedMissCornelia。\"AmosGrant，whousedtobeaftermelongago，couldn’t。Youneversawsuchaweather-vane。Hejumpedintothepondtodrownhimselfonceandthenchangedhismindandswumoutagain。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？Marshallwouldhavestucktoitanddrowned。\"
\"Andhehasabitofatemper，theytellme，\"
persistedGilbert。
\"Hewouldn’tbeanElliottifhehadn’t。I’mthankfulhehas。Itwillberealfuntomakehimmad。Andyoucangenerallydosomethingwithatemperymanwhenitcomestorepentingtime。Butyoucan’tdoanythingwithamanwhojustkeepsplacidandaggravating。\"
\"Youknowhe’saGrit，MissCornelia。\"
\"Yes，heIS，\"admittedMissCorneliarathersadly。
\"AndofcoursethereisnohopeofmakingaConservativeofhim。ButatleastheisaPresbyterian。SoIsupposeIshallhavetobesatisfiedwiththat。\"
\"WouldyoumarryhimifhewereaMethodist，MissCornelia？\"
\"No，Iwouldnot。Politicsisforthisworld，butreligionisforboth。\"
\"Andyoumaybea`relict’afterall，MissCornelia。\"
\"NotI。Marshallwilllivemeout。TheElliottsarelong-lived，andtheBryantsarenot。\"
\"Whenareyoutobemarried？\"askedAnne。
\"Inaboutamonth’stime。Myweddingdressistobenavybluesilk。AndIwanttoaskyou，Anne，dearie，ifyouthinkitwouldbeallrighttowearaveilwithanavybluedress。I’vealwaysthoughtI’dliketowearaveilifIevergotmarried。MarshallsaystohaveitifIwantto。Isn’tthatlikeaman？\"
\"Whyshouldn’tyouwearitifyouwantto？\"askedAnne。
\"Well，onedoesn’twanttobedifferentfromotherpeople，\"saidMissCornelia，whowasnotnoticeablylikeanyoneelseonthefaceoftheearth。\"AsIsay，Idofancyaveil。Butmaybeitshouldn’tbewornwithanydressbutawhiteone。Pleasetellme，Anne，dearie，whatyoureallythink。I’llgobyyouradvice。\"
\"Idon’tthinkveilsareusuallywornwithanybutwhitedresses，\"admittedAnne，\"butthatismerelyaconvention；andIamlikeMr。Elliott，MissCornelia。
Idon’tseeanygoodreasonwhyyoushouldn’thaveaveilifyouwantone。\"
ButMissCornelia，whomadehercallsincalicowrappers，shookherhead。
\"Ifitisn’ttheproperthingIwon’twearit，\"shesaid，withasighofregretforalostdream。
\"Sinceyouaredeterminedtobemarried，MissCornelia，\"saidGilbertsolemnly，\"Ishallgiveyoutheexcellentrulesforthemanagementofahusbandwhichmygrandmothergavemymotherwhenshemarriedmyfather。\"
\"Well，IreckonIcanmanageMarshallElliott，\"saidMissCorneliaplacidly。\"Butletushearyourrules。\"
\"Thefirstoneis，catchhim。\"
\"He’scaught。Goon。\"
\"Thesecondoneis，feedhimwell。\"
\"Withenoughpie。Whatnext？\"
\"Thethirdandfourthare——keepyoureyeonhim。\"
\"Ibelieveyou，\"saidMissCorneliaemphatically。
CHAPTER38
REDROSES
ThegardenofthelittlehousewasahauntbelovedofbeesandreddenedbylaterosesthatAugust。Thelittlehousefolklivedmuchinit，andweregiventotakingpicnicsuppersinthegrassycornerbeyondthebrookandsittingaboutinitthroughthetwilightswhengreatnightmothssailedathwartthevelvetgloom。
OneeveningOwenFordfoundLesliealoneinit。AnneandGilbertwereaway，andSusan，whowasexpectedbackthatnight，hadnotyetreturned。
Thenorthernskywasamberandpalegreenoverthefirtops。Theairwascool，forAugustwasnearingSeptember，andLeslieworeacrimsonscarfoverherwhitedress。Togethertheywanderedthroughthelittle，friendly，flower-crowdedpathsinsilence。
Owenmustgosoon。Hisholidaywasnearlyover。
Lesliefoundherheartbeatingwildly。Sheknewthatthisbelovedgardenwastobethesceneofthebindingwordsthatmustsealtheirasyetunwordedunderstanding。
\"Someeveningsastrangeodorblowsdowntheairofthisgarden，likeaphantomperfume，\"saidOwen。\"I
haveneverbeenabletodiscoverfromjustwhatfloweritcomes。Itiselusiveandhauntingandwonderfullysweet。IliketofancyitisthesoulofGrandmotherSelwynpassingonalittlevisittotheoldspotshelovedsowell。Thereshouldbealotoffriendlyghostsaboutthislittleoldhouse。\"
\"Ihavelivedunderitsroofonlyamonth，\"saidLeslie，\"butIloveitasIneverlovedthehouseovertherewhereIhavelivedallmylife。\"
\"Thishousewasbuildedandconsecratedbylove，\"saidOwen。\"Suchhouses，MUSTexertaninfluenceoverthosewholiveinthem。Andthisgarden——itisoversixtyyearsoldandthehistoryofathousandhopesandjoysiswritteninitsblossoms。Someofthoseflowerswereactuallysetoutbytheschoolmaster’sbride，andshehasbeendeadforthirtyyears。Yettheybloomoneverysummer。Lookatthoseredroses，Leslie——howtheyqueenitovereverythingelse！\"
\"Ilovetheredroses，\"saidLeslie。\"Annelikesthepinkonesbest，andGilbertlikesthewhite。ButI
wantthecrimsonones。Theysatisfysomecravinginmeasnootherflowerdoes。\"
\"Theserosesareverylate——theybloomafteralltheothershavegone——andtheyholdallthewarmthandsoulofthesummercometofruition，\"saidOwen，pluckingsomeoftheglowing，half-openedbuds。
\"Theroseisthefloweroflove——theworldhasacclaimeditsoforcenturies。Thepinkrosesarelovehopefulandexpectant——thewhiterosesarelovedeadorforsaken——buttheredroses——ah，Leslie，whataretheredroses？\"
\"Lovetriumphant，\"saidLeslieinalowvoice。
\"Yes——lovetriumphantandperfect。Leslie，youknow——youunderstand。Ihavelovedyoufromthefirst。AndIKNOWyouloveme——Idon’tneedtoaskyou。ButIwanttohearyousayit——mydarling——mydarling！\"
Lesliesaidsomethinginaverylowandtremulousvoice。Theirhandsandlipsmet；itwaslife’ssuprememomentforthemandastheystoodthereintheoldgarden，withitsmanyyearsofloveanddelightandsorrowandglory，hecrownedhershininghairwiththered，redroseofalovetriumphant。
AnneandGilbertreturnedpresently，accompaniedbyCaptainJim。Annelightedafewsticksofdriftwoodinthefireplace，forloveofthepixyflames，andtheysatarounditforanhourofgoodfellowship。
\"WhenIsitlookingatadriftwoodfireit’seasytobelieveI’myoungagain，\"saidCaptainJim。
\"Canyoureadfuturesinthefire，CaptainJim？\"askedOwen。
CaptainJimlookedatthemallaffectionatelyandthenbackagainatLeslie’svividfaceandglowingeyes。
\"Idon’tneedthefiretoreadyourfutures，\"hesaid。
\"Iseehappinessforallofyou——allofyou——forLeslieandMr。Ford——andthedoctorhereandMistressBlythe——andLittleJem——andchildrenthatain’tbornyetbutwillbe。Happinessforyouall——though，mindyou，Ireckonyou’llhaveyourtroublesandworriesandsorrows，too。They’reboundtocome——andnohouse，whetherit’sapalaceoralittlehouseofdreams，canbar’emout。Buttheywon’tgetthebetterofyouifyouface’emTOGETHERwithloveandtrust。Youcanweatheranystormwiththemtwoforcompassandpilot。\"
TheoldmanrosesuddenlyandplacedonehandonLeslie’sheadandoneonAnne’s。
\"Twogood，sweetwomen，\"hesaid。\"Trueandfaithfulandtobedependedon。Yourhusbandswillhavehonorinthegatesbecauseofyou——yourchildrenwillriseupandcallyoublessedintheyearstocome。\"
Therewasastrangesolemnityaboutthelittlescene。
AnneandLesliebowedasthosereceivingabenediction。Gilbertsuddenlybrushedhishandoverhiseyes；OwenFordwasraptasonewhocanseevisions。Allweresilentforaspace。Thelittlehouseofdreamsaddedanotherpoignantandunforgettablemomenttoitsstoreofmemories。
\"Imustbegoingnow，\"saidCaptainJimslowlyatlast。Hetookuphishatandlookedlingeringlyabouttheroom。
\"Goodnight，allofyou，\"hesaid，ashewentout。
Anne，piercedbytheunusualwistfulnessofhisfarewell，rantothedoorafterhim。
\"Comebacksoon，CaptainJim，\"shecalled，ashepassedthroughthelittlegatehungbetweenthefirs。
\"Ay，ay，\"hecalledcheerilybacktoher。ButCaptainJimhadsatbytheoldfiresideofthehouseofdreamsforthelasttime。
Annewentslowlybacktotheothers。
\"It’sso——sopitifultothinkofhimgoingallalonedowntothatlonelyPoint，\"shesaid。\"Andthereisnoonetowelcomehimthere。\"
\"CaptainJimissuchgoodcompanyforothersthatonecan’timaginehimbeinganythingbutgoodcompanyforhimself，\"saidOwen。\"Buthemustoftenbelonely。
Therewasatouchoftheseerabouthimtonight——hespokeasonetowhomithadbeengiventospeak。Well，Imustbegoing，too。\"
AnneandGilbertdiscreetlymeltedaway；butwhenOwenhadgoneAnnereturned，tofindLesliestandingbythehearth。
\"Oh，Leslie——Iknow——andI’msoglad，dear，\"shesaid，puttingherarmsabouther。
\"Anne，myhappinessfrightensme，\"whisperedLeslie。
\"Itseemstoogreattobereal——I’mafraidtospeakofit——tothinkofit。ItseemstomethatitmustjustbeanotherdreamofthishouseofdreamsanditwillvanishwhenIleavehere。\"
\"Well，youarenotgoingtoleavehere——untilOwentakesyou。Youaregoingtostaywithmeuntilthattimescomes。DoyouthinkI’dletyougoovertothatlonely，sadplaceagain？\"
\"Thankyou，dear。ImeanttoaskyouifImightstaywithyou。Ididn’twanttogobackthere——itwouldseemlikegoingbackintothechillanddrearinessoftheoldlifeagain。Anne，Anne，whatafriendyou’vebeentome——`agood，sweetwoman——trueandfaithfulandtobedependedon’——CaptainJimsummedyouup。\"
\"Hesaid`women，’not`woman，’\"smiledAnne。\"PerhapsCaptainJimseesusboththroughtherose-coloredspectaclesofhisloveforus。Butwecantrytoliveuptohisbeliefinus，atleast。\"
\"Doyouremember，Anne，\"saidLeslieslowly，\"thatI
oncesaid——thatnightwemetontheshore——thatIhatedmygoodlooks？Idid——then。ItalwaysseemedtomethatifIhadbeenhomelyDickwouldneverhavethoughtofme。Ihatedmybeautybecauseithadattractedhim，butnow——oh，I’mgladthatIhaveit。It’sallIhavetoofferOwen，——hisartistsouldelightsinit。IfeelasifIdonotcometohimquiteempty-handed。\"
\"Owenlovesyourbeauty，Leslie。Whowouldnot？Butit’sfoolishofyoutosayorthinkthatthatisallyoubringhim。HEwilltellyouthat——Ineedn’t。AndnowImustlockup。IexpectedSusanbacktonight，butshehasnotcome。\"
\"Oh，yes，hereIam，Mrs。Doctor，dear，\"saidSusan，enteringunexpectedlyfromthekitchen，\"andpuffinglikeahendrawingrailsatthat！It’squiteawalkfromtheGlendownhere。\"
\"I’mgladtoseeyouback，Susan。Howisyoursister？\"
\"Sheisabletositup，butofcourseshecannotwalkyet。However，sheisverywellabletogetonwithoutmenow，forherdaughterhascomehomeforhervacation。AndIamthankfultobeback，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Matilda’slegwasbrokenandnomistake，buthertonguewasnot。Shewouldtalkthelegsoffanironpot，thatshewould，Mrs。Doctor，dear，thoughIgrievetosayitofmyownsister。Shewasalwaysagreattalkerandyetshewasthefirstofourfamilytogetmarried。ShereallydidnotcaremuchaboutmarryingJamesClow，butshecouldnotbeartodisobligehim。
NotbutwhatJamesisagoodman——theonlyfaultIhavetofindwithhimisthathealwaysstartsintosaygracewithsuchanunearthlygroan，Mrs。Doctor，dear。
Italwaysfrightensmyappetiteclearaway。Andspeakingofgettingmarried，Mrs。Doctor，dear，isittruethatCorneliaBryantisgoingtobemarriedtoMarshallElliott？\"
\"Yes，quitetrue，Susan。\"
\"Well，Mrs。Doctor，dear，itdoesNOTseemtomefair。
Hereisme，whoneversaidawordagainstthemen，andIcannotgetmarriednohow。AndthereisCorneliaBryant，whoisneverdoneabusingthem，andallshehastodoistoreachoutherhandandpickoneup，asitwere。Itisaverystrangeworld，Mrs。Doctor，dear。\"
\"There’sanotherworld，youknow，Susan。\"
\"Yes，\"saidSusanwithaheavysigh，\"but，Mrs。
Doctor，dear，thereisneithermarryingnorgivinginmarriagethere。\"
CHAPTER39
CAPTAINJIMCROSSESTHEBAR
OnedayinlateSeptemberOwenFord’sbookcameatlast。CaptainJimhadgonefaithfullytotheGlenpostofficeeverydayforamonth，expectingit。Thisdayhehadnotgone，andLesliebroughthiscopyhomewithhersandAnne’s。
\"We’lltakeitdowntohimthisevening，\"saidAnne，excitedasaschoolgirl。
ThelongwalktothePointonthatclear，beguilingeveningalongtheredharborroadwasverypleasant。
Thenthesundroppeddownbehindthewesternhillsintosomevalleythatmusthavebeenfulloflostsunsets，andatthesameinstantthebiglightflashedoutonthewhitetowerofthepoint。
\"CaptainJimisneverlatebythefractionofasecond，\"saidLeslie。
NeitherAnnenorLeslieeverforgotCaptainJim’sfacewhentheygavehimthebook——HISbook，transfiguredandglorified。Thecheeksthathadbeenblanchedoflatesuddenlyflamedwiththecolorofboyhood；hiseyesglowedwithallthefireofyouth；buthishandstrembledasheopenedit。
ItwascalledsimplyTheLife-BookofCaptainJim，andonthetitlepagethenamesofOwenFordandJamesBoydwereprintedascollaborators。ThefrontispiecewasaphotographofCaptainJimhimself，standingatthedoorofthelighthouse，lookingacrossthegulf。OwenFordhad\"snapped\"himonedaywhilethebookwasbeingwritten。CaptainJimhadknownthis，buthehadnotknownthatthepicturewastobeinthebook。
\"Justthinkofit，\"hesaid，\"theoldsailorrightthereinarealprintedbook。Thisistheproudestdayofmylife。I’mliketobust，girls。There’llbenosleepformetonight。I’llreadmybookcleanthroughbeforesun-up。\"
\"We’llgorightawayandleaveyoufreetobeginit，\"
saidAnne。
CaptainJimhadbeenhandlingthebookinakindofreverentrapture。Nowhedecidedlycloseditandlaiditaside。
\"No，no，you’renotgoingawaybeforeyoutakeacupofteawiththeoldman，\"heprotested。\"Icouldn’theartothat——couldyou，Matey？Thelife-bookwillkeep，I
reckon。I’vewaitedforitthismanyayear。IcanwaitalittlelongerwhileI’menjoyingmyfriends。\"
CaptainJimmovedaboutgettinghiskettleontoboil，andsettingouthisbreadandbutter。Despitehisexcitementhedidnotmovewithhisoldbriskness。Hismovementswereslowandhalting。Butthegirlsdidnotoffertohelphim。Theyknewitwouldhurthisfeelings。
\"Youjustpickedtherighteveningtovisitme，\"hesaid，producingacakefromhiscupboard。\"LeetleJoe’smothersentmedownabigbasketfullofcakesandpiestoday。Ablessingonallgoodcooks，saysI。
Lookatthispurtycake，allfrostingandnuts。
’Tain’toftenIcanentertaininsuchstyle。Setin，girls，setin！We’ll`takacupo’kindnessyetforauldlangsyne。’\"
Thegirls\"setin\"rightmerrily。TheteawasuptoCaptainJim’sbestbrewing。LittleJoe’smother’scakewasthelastwordincakes；CaptainJimwastheprinceofgracioushosts，neverevenpermittinghiseyestowandertothecornerwherethelife-booklay，inallitsbraveryofgreenandgold。ButwhenhisdoorfinallyclosedbehindAnneandLeslietheyknewthathewentstraighttoit，andastheywalkedhometheypicturedthedelightoftheoldmanporingovertheprintedpageswhereinhisownlifewasportrayedwithallthecharmandcolorofrealityitself。
\"Iwonderhowhewillliketheending——theendingI
suggested，\"saidLeslie。
Shewasnevertoknow。EarlythenextmorningAnneawakenedtofindGilbertbendingoverher，fullydressed，andwithanexpressionofanxietyonhisface。
\"Areyoucalledout？\"sheaskeddrowsily。
\"No。Anne，I’mafraidthere’ssomethingwrongatthePoint。It’sanhouraftersunrisenow，andthelightisstillburning。YouknowithasalwaysbeenamatterofpridewithCaptainJimtostartthelightthemomentthesunsets，andputitoutthemomentitrises。\"
Annesatupindismay。Throughherwindowshesawthelightblinkingpalelyagainsttheblueskiesofdawn。
\"Perhapshehasfallenasleepoverhislife-book，\"shesaidanxiously，\"orbecomesoabsorbedinitthathehasforgottenthelight。\"
Gilbertshookhishead。
\"Thatwouldn’tbelikeCaptainJim。Anyway，I’mgoingdowntosee。\"
\"WaitaminuteandI’llgowithyou，\"exclaimedAnne。
\"Oh，yes，Imust——LittleJemwillsleepforanhouryet，andI’llcallSusan。Youmayneedawoman’shelpifCaptainJimisill。\"
Itwasanexquisitemorning，fulloftintsandsoundsatonceripeanddelicate。Theharborwassparklinganddimplinglikeagirl；whitegullsweresoaringoverthedunes；beyondthebarwasashining，wonderfulsea。
Thelongfieldsbytheshoreweredewyandfreshinthatfirstfine，purely-tintedlight。Thewindcamedancingandwhistlingupthechanneltoreplacethebeautifulsilencewithamusicmorebeautifulstill。
HaditnotbeenforthebalefulstaronthewhitetowerthatearlywalkwouldhavebeenadelighttoAnneandGilbert。Buttheywentsoftlywithfear。
Theirknockwasnotrespondedto。Gilbertopenedthedoorandtheywentin。
Theoldroomwasveryquiet。Onthetableweretheremnantsofthelittleeveningfeast。Thelampstillburnedonthecornerstand。TheFirstMatewasasleepinasquareofsunshinebythesofa。
CaptainJimlayonthesofa，withhishandsclaspedoverthelife-book，openatthelastpage，lyingonhisbreast。Hiseyeswereclosedandonhisfacewasalookofthemostperfectpeaceandhappiness——thelookofonewhohaslongsoughtandfoundatlast。
\"Heisasleep？\"whisperedAnnetremulously。
Gilbertwenttothesofaandbentoverhimforafewmoments。Thenhestraightenedup。
\"Yes，hesleeps——well，\"headdedquietly。\"Anne，CaptainJimhascrossedthebar。\"
Theycouldnotknowpreciselyatwhathourhehaddied，butAnnealwaysbelievedthathehadhadhiswish，andwentoutwhenthemorningcameacrossthegulf。Outonthatshiningtidehisspiritdrifted，overthesunriseseaofpearlandsilver，tothehavenwherelostMargaretwaited，beyondthestormsandcalms。
CHAPTER40
FAREWELLTOTHEHOUSEOFDREAMS
CaptainJimwasburiedinthelittleover-harborgraveyard，veryneartothespotwheretheweewhiteladyslept。Hisrelativesputupaveryexpensive，veryugly\"monument\"——amonumentatwhichhewouldhavepokedslyfunhadheseenitinlife。Buthisrealmonumentwasintheheartsofthosewhoknewhim，andinthebookthatwastoliveforgenerations。
LesliemournedthatCaptainJimhadnotlivedtoseetheamazingsuccessofit。
\"Howhewouldhavedelightedinthereviews——theyarealmostallsokindly。Andtohaveseenhislife-bookheadingthelistsofthebestsellers——oh，ifhecouldjusthavelivedtoseeit，Anne！\"
ButAnne，despitehergrief，waswiser。
\"Itwasthebookitselfhecaredfor，Leslie——notwhatmightbesaidofit——andhehadit。Hehadreaditallthrough。Thatlastnightmusthavebeenoneofthegreatesthappinessforhim——withthequick，painlessendinghehadhopedforinthemorning。IamgladforOwen’ssakeandyoursthatthebookissuchasuccess——butCaptainJimwassatisfied——IKNOW。\"
Thelighthousestarstillkeptanightlyvigil；asubstitutekeeperhadbeensenttothePoint，untilsuchtimeasanall-wisegovernmentcoulddecidewhichofmanyapplicantswasbestfittedfortheplace——orhadthestrongestpull。TheFirstMatewasathomeinthelittlehouse，belovedbyAnneandGilbertandLeslie，andtoleratedbyaSusanwhohadsmalllikingforcats。
\"IcanputupwithhimforthesakeofCaptainJim，Mrs。Doctor，dear，forIlikedtheoldman。AndIwillseethathegetsbiteandsup，andeverymousethetrapsaccountfor。Butdonotaskmetodomorethanthat，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Catsiscats，andtakemywordforit，theywillneverbeanythingelse。Andatleast，Mrs。Doctor，dear，dokeephimawayfromtheblessedweeman。Picturetoyourselfhowawfulitwouldbeifhewastosuckthedarling’sbreath。\"
\"ThatmightbefitlycalledaCAT-astrophe，\"saidGilbert。
\"Oh，youmaylaugh，doctor，dear，butitwouldbenolaughingmatter。\"
\"Catsneversuckbabies’breaths，\"saidGilbert。
\"Thatisonlyanoldsuperstition，Susan。\"
\"Oh，well，itmaybeasuperstitionoritmaynot，doctor，dear。AllthatIknowis，ithashappened。Mysister’shusband’snephew’swife’scatsuckedtheirbaby’sbreath，andthepoorinnocentwasallbutgonewhentheyfoundit。Andsuperstitionornot，ifIfindthatyellowbeastlurkingnearourbabyIwillwhackhimwiththepoker，Mrs。Doctor，dear。\"
Mr。andMrs。MarshallElliottwerelivingcomfortablyandharmoniouslyinthegreenhouse。Lesliewasbusywithsewing，forsheandOwenweretobemarriedatChristmas。AnnewonderedwhatshewoulddowhenLesliewasgone。
\"Changescomeallthetime。Justassoonasthingsgetreallynicetheychange，\"shesaidwithasigh。
\"TheoldMorganplaceupattheGlenisforsale，\"
saidGilbert，aproposofnothinginespecial。
\"Isit？\"askedAnneindifferently。
\"Yes。NowthatMr。Morganhasgone，Mrs。MorganwantstogotolivewithherchildreninVancouver。Shewillsellcheaply，forabigplacelikethatinasmallvillageliketheGlenwillnotbeveryeasytodisposeof。\"
\"Well，it’scertainlyabeautifulplace，soitislikelyshewillfindapurchaser，\"saidAnne，absently，wonderingwhethersheshouldhemstitchorfeather-stitchlittleJem’s\"short\"dresses。Hewastobeshortenedthenextweek，andAnnefeltreadytocryatthethoughtofit。
\"Supposewebuyit，Anne？\"remarkedGilbertquietly。
Annedroppedhersewingandstaredathim。
\"You’renotinearnest，Gilbert？\"
\"IndeedIam，dear。\"
\"Andleavethisdarlingspot——ourhouseofdreams？\"
saidAnneincredulously。\"Oh，Gilbert，it’s——it’sunthinkable！\"
\"Listenpatientlytome，dear。Iknowjusthowyoufeelaboutit。Ifeelthesame。Butwe’vealwaysknownwewouldhavetomovesomeday。\"
\"Oh，butnotsosoon，Gilbert——notjustyet。\"
\"Wemaynevergetsuchachanceagain。Ifwedon’tbuytheMorganplacesomeoneelsewill——andthereisnootherhouseintheGlenwewouldcaretohave，andnootherreallygoodsiteonwhichtobuild。Thislittlehouseis——well，itisandhasbeenwhatnootherhousecaneverbetous，Iadmit，butyouknowitisout-of-the-waydownhereforadoctor。Wehavefelttheinconvenience，thoughwe’vemadethebestofit。
Andit’satightfitforusnow。Perhaps，inafewyears，whenJemwantsaroomofhisown，itwillbeentirelytoosmall。\"
\"Oh，Iknow——Iknow，\"saidAnne，tearsfillinghereyes。\"Iknowallthatcanbesaidagainstit，butI
loveitso——andit’ssobeautifulhere。\"
\"YouwouldfinditverylonelyhereafterLesliegoes——andCaptainJimhasgonetoo。TheMorganplaceisbeautiful，andintimewewouldloveit。Youknowyouhavealwaysadmiredit，Anne。\"
\"Oh，yes，but——but——thishasallseemedtocomeupsosuddenly，Gilbert。I’mdizzy。TenminutesagoIhadnothoughtofleavingthisdearspot。IwasplanningwhatImeanttodoforitinthespring——whatImeanttodointhegarden。Andifweleavethisplacewhowillgetit？ItISout-of-the-way，soit’slikelysomepoor，shiftless，wanderingfamilywillrentit——andover-runit——andoh，thatwouldbedesecration。Itwouldhurtmehorribly。\"
\"Iknow。Butwecannotsacrificeourownintereststosuchconsiderations，Anne-girl。TheMorganplacewillsuitusineveryessentialparticular——wereallycan’taffordtomisssuchachance。Thinkofthatbiglawnwiththosemagnificentoldtrees；andofthatsplendidhardwoodgrovebehindit——twelveacresofit。Whataplayplaceforourchildren！There’safineorchard，too，andyou’vealwaysadmiredthathighbrickwallaroundthegardenwiththedoorinit——you’vethoughtitwassolikeastory-bookgarden。AndthereisalmostasfineaviewoftheharborandthedunesfromtheMorganplaceasfromhere。\"
\"Youcan’tseethelighthousestarfromit。\"
\"Yes，Youcanseeitfromtheatticwindow。THERE’S
anotheradvantage，Anne-girl——youlovebiggarrets。\"
\"There’snobrookinthegarden。\"
\"Well，no，butthereisonerunningthroughthemaplegroveintotheGlenpond。Andtheponditselfisn’tfaraway。You’llbeabletofancyyouhaveyourownLakeofShiningWatersagain。\"
\"Well，don’tsayanythingmoreaboutitjustnow，Gilbert。Givemetimetothink——togetusedtotheidea。\"
\"Allright。Thereisnogreathurry，ofcourse。
Only——ifwedecidetobuy，itwouldbewelltobemovedinandsettledbeforewinter。\"
Gilbertwentout，andAnneputawayLittleJem’sshortdresseswithtremblinghands。Shecouldnotsewanymorethatday。Withtear-weteyesshewanderedoverthelittledomainwhereshehadreignedsohappyaqueen。TheMorganplacewasallthatGilbertclaimed。
Thegroundswerebeautiful，thehouseoldenoughtohavedignityandreposeandtraditions，andnewenoughtobecomfortableandup-to-date。Annehadalwaysadmiredit；butadmiringisnotloving；andshelovedthishouseofdreamssomuch。ShelovedEVERYTHING
aboutit——thegardenshehadtended，andwhichsomanywomenhadtendedbeforeher——thegleamandsparkleofthelittlebrookthatcreptsoroguishlyacrossthecorner——thegatebetweenthecreakingfirtrees——theoldredsandstonestep——thestatelyLombardies——thetwotinyquaintglasscupboardsoverthechimney-pieceintheliving-room——thecrookedpantrydoorinthekitchen——thetwofunnydormerwindowsupstairs——thelittlejoginthestaircase——why，thesethingswereapartofher！Howcouldsheleavethem？
Andhowthislittlehouse，consecratedaforetimebyloveandjoy，hadbeenre-consecratedforherbyherhappinessandsorrow！Hereshehadspentherbridalmoon；hereweeJoycehadlivedheronebriefday；herethesweetnessofmotherhoodhadcomeagainwithLittleJem；hereshehadheardtheexquisitemusicofherbaby’scooinglaughter；herebelovedfriendshadsatbyherfireside。Joyandgrief，birthanddeath，hadmadesacredforeverthislittlehouseofdreams。
Andnowshemustleaveit。Sheknewthat，evenwhileshehadcontendedagainsttheideatoGilbert。Thelittlehousewasoutgrown。Gilbert’sinterestsmadethechangenecessary；hiswork，successfulthoughithadbeen，washamperedbyhislocation。Annerealisedthattheendoftheirlifeinthisdearplacedrewnigh，andthatshemustfacethefactbravely。Buthowherheartached！
\"Itwillbejustliketearingsomethingoutofmylife，\"shesobbed。\"Andoh，ifIcouldhopethatsomenicefolkwouldcomehereinourplace——oreventhatitwouldbeleftvacant。Thatitselfwouldbebetterthanhavingitoverrunwithsomehordewhoknownothingofthegeographyofdreamland，andnothingofthehistorythathasgiventhishouseitssoulanditsidentity。
Andifsuchatribecomeheretheplacewillgotorackandruininnotime——anoldplacegoesdownsoquicklyifitisnotcarefullyattendedto。They’lltearupmygarden——andlettheLombardiesgetragged——andthepalingwillcometolooklikeamouthwithhalftheteethmissing——andtheroofwillleak——andtheplasterfall——andthey’llstuffpillowsandragsinbrokenwindowpanes——andeverythingwillbeout-at-elbows。\"
Anne’simaginationpicturedforthsovividlythecomingdegenerationofherdearlittlehousethatithurtherasseverelyasifithadalreadybeenanaccomplishedfact。Shesatdownonthestairsandhadalong，bittercry。Susanfoundherthereandenquiredwithmuchconcernwhatthetroublewas。
\"Youhavenotquarrelledwiththedoctor，haveyounow，Mrs。Doctor，dear？Butifyouhave，donotworry。Itisathingquitelikelytohappentomarriedcouples，I
amtold，althoughIhavehadnoexperiencethatwaymyself。Hewillbesorry，andyoucansoonmakeitup。\"
\"No，no，Susan，wehaven’tquarrelled。It’sonly——GilbertisgoingtobuytheMorganplace，andwe’llhavetogoandliveattheGlen。Anditwillbreakmyheart。\"
SusandidnotenterintoAnne’sfeelingsatall。Shewas，indeed，quiterejoicedovertheprospectoflivingattheGlen。Heronegrievanceagainstherplaceinthelittlehousewasitslonesomelocation。
\"Why，Mrs。Doctor，dear，itwillbesplendid。TheMorganhouseissuchafine，bigone。\"
\"Ihatebighouses，\"sobbedAnne。
\"Oh，well，youwillnothatethembythetimeyouhavehalfadozenchildren，\"remarkedSusancalmly。\"Andthishouseistoosmallalreadyforus。Wehavenospareroom，sinceMrs。Mooreishere，andthatpantryisthemostaggravatingplaceIevertriedtoworkin。
Thereisacornereverywayyouturn。Besides，itisout-of-the-worlddownhere。Thereisreallynothingatallbutscenery。\"
\"Outofyourworldperhaps，Susan——butnotoutofmine，\"saidAnnewithafaintsmile。
\"Idonotquiteunderstandyou，Mrs。Doctor，dear，butofcourseIamnotwelleducated。ButifDr。BlythebuystheMorganplacehewillmakenomistake，andthatyoumaytieto。Theyhavewaterinit，andthepantriesandclosetsarebeautiful，andthereisnotanothersuchcellarinP。E。Island，soIhavebeentold。Why，thecellarhere，Mrs。Doctor，dear，hasbeenaheart-breaktome，aswellyouknow。\"
\"Oh，goaway，Susan，goaway，\"saidAnneforlornly。
\"Cellarsandpantriesandclosetsdon’tmakeaHOME。
Whydon’tyouweepwiththosewhoweep？\"
\"Well，Ineverwasmuchhandforweeping，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Iwouldratherfalltoandcheerpeopleupthanweepwiththem。Now，donotyoucryandspoilyourprettyeyes。Thishouseisverywellandhasservedyourturn，butitishightimeyouhadabetter。\"
Susan’spointofviewseemedtobethatofmostpeople。
LesliewastheonlyonewhosympathisedunderstandinglywithAnne。Shehadagoodcry，too，whensheheardthenews。Thentheybothdriedtheirtearsandwenttoworkatthepreparationsformoving。
\"Sincewemustgoletusgoassoonaswecanandhaveitover，\"saidpoorAnnewithbitterresignation。
\"YouknowyouwilllikethatlovelyoldplaceattheGlenafteryouhavelivedinitlongenoughtohavedearmemorieswovenaboutit，\"saidLeslie。\"Friendswillcomethere，astheyhavecomehere——happinesswillglorifyitforyou。Now，it’sjustahousetoyou——buttheyearswillmakeitahome。\"
AnneandLesliehadanothercrythenextweekwhentheyshortenedLittleJem。Annefeltthetragedyofituntileveningwheninhislongnightieshefoundherowndearbabyagain。
\"Butitwillberompersnext——andthentrousers——andinnotimehewillbegrown-up，\"shesighed。
\"Well，youwouldnotwanthimtostayababyalways，Mrs。Doctor，dear，wouldyou？\"saidSusan。\"Blesshisinnocentheart，helookstoosweetforanythinginhislittleshortdresses，withhisdearfeetstickingout。
Andthinkofthesaveintheironing，Mrs。Doctor，dear。\"
\"Anne，IhavejusthadaletterfromOwen，\"saidLeslie，enteringwithabrightface。\"And，oh！Ihavesuchgoodnews。Hewritesmethatheisgoingtobuythisplacefromthechurchtrusteesandkeepittospendoursummervacationsin。Anne，areyounotglad？\"
\"Oh，Leslie，`glad’isn’tthewordforit！Itseemsalmosttoogoodtobetrue。Isha’n’tfeelhalfsobadlynowthatIknowthisdearspotwillneverbedesecratedbyavandaltribe，orlefttotumbledownindecay。Why，it’slovely！It’slovely！\"
OneOctobermorningAnnewakenedtotherealisationthatshehadsleptforthelasttimeundertheroofofherlittlehouse。Thedaywastoobusytoindulgeregretandwheneveningcamethehousewasstrippedandbare。AnneandGilbertwerealoneinittosayfarewell。LeslieandSusanandLittleJemhadgonetotheGlenwiththelastloadoffurniture。Thesunsetlightstreamedinthroughthecurtainlesswindows。
\"Ithasallsuchaheart-broken，reproachfullook，hasn’tit？\"saidAnne。\"Oh，IshallbesohomesickattheGlentonight！\"
\"Wehavebeenveryhappyhere，haven’twe，Anne-girl？\"
saidGilbert，hisvoicefulloffeeling。
Annechoked，unabletoanswer。Gilbertwaitedforheratthefir-treegate，whileshewentoverthehouseandsaidfarewelltoeveryroom。Shewasgoingaway；buttheoldhousewouldstillbethere，lookingseawardthroughitsquaintwindows。Theautumnwindswouldblowarounditmournfully，andthegrayrainwouldbeatuponitandthewhitemistswouldcomeinfromtheseatoenfoldit；andthemoonlightwouldfalloveritandlightuptheoldpathswheretheschoolmasterandhisbridehadwalked。Thereonthatoldharborshorethecharmofstorywouldlinger；thewindwouldstillwhistlealluringlyoverthesilversand-dunes；thewaveswouldstillcallfromtheredrock-coves。
\"Butwewillbegone，\"saidAnnethroughhertears。
Shewentout，closingandlockingthedoorbehindher。
Gilbertwaswaitingforherwithasmile。Thelighthousestarwasgleamingnorthward。Thelittlegarden，whereonlymarigoldsstillbloomed，wasalreadyhoodingitselfinshadows。
Annekneltdownandkissedthewornoldstepwhichshehadcrossedasabride。
\"Good-bye，dearlittlehouseofdreams，\"shesaid。
End