ingratefulremembranceofhersympathyandencouragementFlowersspringtoblossomwhereshewalksThecarefulwaysofduty，Ourhard，stifflinesoflifewithherAreflowingcurvesofbeauty。
　　AnIrateNeighborAtall，slimgirl，"half-pastsixteen，"withseriousgrayeyesandhairwhichherfriendscalledauburn，hadsatdownonthebroadredsandstonedoorstepofaPrinceEdwardIslandfarmhouseoneripeafternooninAugust，firmlyresolvedtoconstruesomanylinesofVirgil。
　　ButanAugustafternoon，withbluehazesscarfingtheharvestslopes，littlewindswhisperingelfishlyinthepoplars，andadancingslendorofredpoppiesoutflamingagainstthedarkcoppiceofyoungfirsinacornerofthecherryorchard，wasfitterfordreamsthandeadlanguages。
　　TheVirgilsoonslippedunheededtotheground，andAnne，herchinproppedonherclaspedhands，andhereyesonthesplendidmassoffluffycloudsthatwereheapingupjustoverMr。J。A。Harrison’shouselikeagreatwhitemountain，wasfarawayinadeliciousworldwhereacertainschoolteacherwasdoingawonderfulwork，shapingthedestiniesoffuturestatesmen，andinspiringyouthfulmindsandheartswithhighandloftyambitions。
　　Tobesure，ifyoucamedowntoharshfacts……which，itmustbeconfessed，Anneseldomdiduntilshehadto……itdidnotseemlikelythattherewasmuchpromisingmaterialforcelebritiesinAvonleaschool；butyoucouldnevertellwhatmighthappenifateacherusedherinfluenceforgood。
　　Annehadcertainrose-tintedidealsofwhatateachermightaccomplishifsheonlywenttherightwayaboutit；andshewasinthemidstofadelightfulscene，fortyyearshence，withafamouspersonage……justexactlywhathewastobefamousforwasleftinconvenienthaziness，butAnnethoughtitwouldberathernicetohavehimacollegepresidentoraCanadianpremier……bowinglowoverherwrinkledhandandassuringherthatitwasshewhohadfirstkindledhisambition，andthatallhissuccessinlifewasduetothelessonsshehadinstilledsolongagoinAvonleaschool。Thispleasantvisionwasshatteredbyamostunpleasantinterruption。
　　AdemurelittleJerseycowcamescuttlingdownthelaneandfivesecondslaterMr。Harrisonarrived……if"arrived"benottoomildatermtodescribethemannerofhisirruptionintotheyard。
　　Hebouncedoverthefencewithoutwaitingtoopenthegate，andangrilyconfrontedastonishedAnne，whohadrisentoherfeetandstoodlookingathiminsomebewilderment。Mr。Harrisonwastheirnewrighthandneighborandshehadnevermethimbefore，althoughshehadseenhimonceortwice。
　　InearlyApril，beforeAnnehadcomehomefromQueen’s，Mr。RobertBell，whosefarmadjoinedtheCuthbertplaceonthewest，hadsoldoutandmovedtoCharlottetown。HisfarmhadbeenboughtbyacertainMr。J。A。
　　Harrison，whosename，andthefactthathewasaNewBrunswickman，wereallthatwasknownabouthim。ButbeforehehadbeenamonthinAvonleahehadwonthereputationofbeinganoddperson……"acrank，"
　　Mrs。RachelLyndesaid。Mrs。Rachelwasanoutspokenlady，asthoseofyouwhomayhavealreadymadeheracquaintancewillremember。
　　Mr。Harrisonwascertainlydifferentfromotherpeople……andthatistheessentialcharacteristicofacrank，aseverybodyknows。
　　Inthefirstplacehekepthouseforhimselfandhadpubliclystatedthathewantednofoolsofwomenaroundhisdiggings。
　　FeminineAvonleatookitsrevengebythegruesometalesitrelatedabouthishouse-keepingandcooking。HehadhiredlittleJohnHenryCarterofWhiteSandsandJohnHenrystartedthestories。
　　Foronething，therewasneveranystatedtimeformealsintheHarrisonestablishment。Mr。Harrison"gotabite"whenhefelthungry，andifJohnHenrywerearoundatthetime，hecameinforashare，butifhewerenot，hehadtowaituntilMr。Harrison’snexthungryspell。JohnHenrymournfullyaverredthathewouldhavestarvedtodeathifitwasn’tthathegothomeonSundaysandgotagoodfillingup，andthathismotheralwaysgavehimabasketof"grub"totakebackwithhimonMondaymornings。
　　Asforwashingdishes，Mr。HarrisonnevermadeanypretenceofdoingitunlessarainySundaycame。Thenhewenttoworkandwashedthemallatonceintherainwaterhogshead，andleftthemtodraindry。
　　Again，Mr。Harrisonwas"close。"WhenhewasaskedtosubscribetotheRev。Mr。Allan’ssalaryhesaidhe’dwaitandseehowmanydollars’worthofgoodhegotoutofhispreachingfirst……hedidn’tbelieveinbuyingapiginapoke。AndwhenMrs。Lyndewenttoaskforacontributiontomissions……andincidentallytoseetheinsideofthehouse……hetoldherthereweremoreheathensamongtheoldwomangossipsinAvonleathananywhereelseheknewof，andhe’dcheerfullycontributetoamissionforChristianizingthemifshe’dundertakeit。Mrs。RachelgotherselfawayandsaiditwasamercypoorMrs。RobertBellwassafeinhergrave，foritwouldhavebrokenherhearttoseethestateofherhouseinwhichsheusedtotakesomuchpride。
　　"Why，shescrubbedthekitchenflooreverysecondday，"Mrs。LyndetoldMarillaCuthbertindignantly，"andifyoucouldseeitnow！
　　IhadtoholdupmyskirtsasIwalkedacrossit。"
　　Finally，Mr。HarrisonkeptaparrotcalledGinger。NobodyinAvonleahadeverkeptaparrotbefore；consequentlythatproceedingwasconsideredbarelyrespectable。Andsuchaparrot！
　　IfyoutookJohnHenryCarter’swordforit，neverwassuchanunholybird。Itsworeterribly。Mrs。CarterwouldhavetakenJohnHenryawayatonceifshehadbeensureshecouldgetanotherplaceforhim。Besides，GingerhadbittenapiecerightoutofthebackofJohnHenry’sneckonedaywhenhehadstoopeddowntoonearthecage。Mrs。CartershowedeverybodythemarkwhenthelucklessJohnHenrywenthomeonSundays。
　　AllthesethingsflashedthroughAnne’smindasMr。Harrisonstood，quitespeechlesswithwrathapparently，beforeher。InhismostamiablemoodMr。Harrisoncouldnothavebeenconsideredahandsomeman；hewasshortandfatandbald；andnow，withhisroundfacepurplewithrageandhisprominentblueeyesalmoststickingoutofhishead，Annethoughthewasreallytheugliestpersonshehadeverseen。
　　AllatonceMr。Harrisonfoundhisvoice。
　　"I’mnotgoingtoputupwiththis，"hespluttered，"notadaylonger，doyouhear，miss。Blessmysoul，thisisthethirdtime，miss……
　　thethirdtime！Patiencehasceasedtobeavirtue，miss。
　　Iwarnedyourauntthelasttimenottoletitoccuragain……
　　andshe’sletit……she’sdoneit……whatdoesshemeanbyit，thatiswhatIwanttoknow。ThatiswhatI’mhereabout，miss。"
　　"Willyouexplainwhatthetroubleis？"askedAnne，inhermostdignifiedmanner。Shehadbeenpracticingitconsiderablyoflatetohaveitingoodworkingorderwhenschoolbegan；butithadnoapparenteffectontheirateJ。A。Harrison。
　　"Trouble，isit？Blessmysoul，troubleenough，Ishouldthink。
　　Thetroubleis，miss，thatIfoundthatJerseycowofyouraunt’sinmyoatsagain，nothalfanhourago。Thethirdtime，markyou。
　　IfoundherinlastTuesdayandIfoundherinyesterday。Icamehereandtoldyourauntnottoletitoccuragain。Shehasletitoccuragain。Where’syouraunt，miss？Ijustwanttoseeherforaminuteandgiveherapieceofmymind……apieceofJ。A。
　　Harrison’smind，miss。"
　　"IfyoumeanMissMarillaCuthbert，sheisnotmyaunt，andshehasgonedowntoEastGraftontoseeadistantrelativeofherswhoisveryill，"saidAnne，withdueincreaseofdignityateveryword。
　　"Iamverysorrythatmycowshouldhavebrokenintoyouroats……
　　sheismycowandnotMissCuthbert’s……MatthewgavehertomethreeyearsagowhenshewasalittlecalfandheboughtherfromMr。Bell。"
　　"Sorry，miss！Sorryisn’tgoingtohelpmattersany。You’dbettergoandlookatthehavocthatanimalhasmadeinmyoats……trampledthemfromcentertocircumference，miss。"
　　"Iamverysorry，"repeatedAnnefirmly，"butperhapsifyoukeptyourfencesinbetterrepairDollymightnothavebrokenin。ItisyourpartofthelinefencethatseparatesyouroatfieldfromourpastureandInoticedtheotherdaythatitwasnotinverygoodcondition。"
　　"Myfenceisallright，"snappedMr。Harrison，angrierthaneveratthiscarryingofthewarintotheenemy’scountry。"Thejailfencecouldn’tkeepademonofacowlikethatout。AndIcantellyou，youredheadedsnippet，thatifthecowisyours，asyousay，you’dbebetteremployedinwatchingheroutofotherpeople’sgrainthaninsittingroundreadingyellowcoverednovels，"……withascathingglanceattheinnocenttan-coloredVirgilbyAnne’sfeet。
　　SomethingatthatmomentwasredbesidesAnne’shair……whichhadalwaysbeenatenderpointwithher。
　　"I’dratherhaveredhairthannoneatall，exceptalittlefringeroundmyears，"sheflashed。
　　Theshottold，forMr。Harrisonwasreallyverysensitiveabouthisbaldhead。HisangerchokedhimupagainandhecouldonlyglarespeechlesslyatAnne，whorecoveredhertemperandfollowedupheradvantage。
　　"Icanmakeallowanceforyou，Mr。Harrison，becauseIhaveanimagination。IcaneasilyimaginehowverytryingitmustbetofindacowinyouroatsandIshallnotcherishanyhardfeelingsagainstyouforthethingsyou’vesaid。IpromiseyouthatDollyshallneverbreakintoyouroatsagain。IgiveyoumywordofhonoronTHATpoint。"
　　"Well，mindyoushedoesn’t，"mutteredMr。Harrisoninasomewhatsubduedtone；buthestampedoffangrilyenoughandAnneheardhimgrowlingtohimselfuntilhewasoutofearshot。
　　Grievouslydisturbedinmind，AnnemarchedacrosstheyardandshutthenaughtyJerseyupinthemilkingpen。
　　"Shecan’tpossiblygetoutofthatunlessshetearsthefencedown，"
　　shereflected。"Shelooksprettyquietnow。Idaresayshehassickenedherselfonthoseoats。IwishI’dsoldhertoMr。
　　Shearerwhenhewantedherlastweek，butIthoughtitwasjustaswelltowaituntilwehadtheauctionofthestockandletthemallgotogether。IbelieveitistrueaboutMr。Harrisonbeingacrank。
　　Certainlythere’snothingofthekindredspiritaboutHIM。"
　　Annehadalwaysaweathereyeopenforkindredspirits。
　　MarillaCuthbertwasdrivingintotheyardasAnnereturnedfromthehouse，andthelatterflewtogetteaready。Theydiscussedthematterattheteatable。
　　"I’llbegladwhentheauctionisover，"saidMarilla。"ItistoomuchresponsibilityhavingsomuchstockabouttheplaceandnobodybutthatunreliableMartintolookafterthem。HehasnevercomebackyetandhepromisedthathewouldcertainlybebacklastnightifI’dgivehimthedayofftogotohisaunt’sfuneral。I
　　don’tknowhowmanyauntshehasgot，Iamsure。That’sthefourththat’sdiedsincehehiredhereayearago。I’llbemorethanthankfulwhenthecropisinandMr。Barrytakesoverthefarm。
　　We’llhavetokeepDollyshutupinthepentillMartincomes，forshemustbeputinthebackpastureandthefencestherehavetobefixed。Ideclare，itisaworldoftrouble，asRachelsays。
　　Here’spoorMaryKeithdyingandwhatistobecomeofthosetwochildrenofhersismorethanIknow。ShehasabrotherinBritishColumbiaandshehaswrittentohimaboutthem，butshehasn’theardfromhimyet。"
　　"Whatarethechildrenlike？Howoldarethey？"
　　"Sixpast……they’retwins。"
　　"Oh，I’vealwaysbeenespeciallyinterestedintwinseversinceMrs。Hammondhadsomany，"saidAnneeagerly。"Aretheypretty？"
　　"Goodness，youcouldn’ttell……theyweretoodirty。DavyhadbeenoutmakingmudpiesandDorawentouttocallhimin。Davypushedherheadfirstintothebiggestpieandthen，becauseshecried，hegotintoithimselfandwallowedinittoshowheritwasnothingtocryabout。MarysaidDorawasreallyaverygoodchildbutthatDavywasfullofmischief。Hehasneverhadanybringingupyoumightsay。HisfatherdiedwhenhewasababyandMaryhasbeensickalmosteversince。"
　　"I’malwayssorryforchildrenthathavenobringingup，"saidAnnesoberly。"Youknow_I_hadn’tanytillyoutookmeinhand。
　　Ihopetheirunclewilllookafterthem。JustwhatrelationisMrs。Keithtoyou？"
　　"Mary？Noneintheworld。Itwasherhusband……hewasourthirdcousin。There’sMrs。Lyndecomingthroughtheyard。
　　Ithoughtshe’dbeuptohearaboutMary"
　　"Don’ttellheraboutMr。Harrisonandthecow，"imploredAnne。
　　Marillapromised；butthepromisewasquiteunnecessary，forMrs。Lyndewasnosoonerfairlyseatedthanshesaid，"IsawMr。HarrisonchasingyourJerseyoutofhisoatstodaywhenIwascominghomefromCarmody。Ithoughthelookedprettymad。
　　Didhemakemuchofarumpus？"
　　AnneandMarillafurtivelyexchangedamusedsmiles。FewthingsinAvonleaeverescapedMrs。Lynde。ItwasonlythatmorningAnnehadsaid，"Ifyouwenttoyourownroomatmidnight，lockedthedoor，pulleddowntheblind，andSNEEZED，Mrs。Lyndewouldaskyouthenextdayhowyourcoldwas！"
　　"Ibelievehedid，"admittedMarilla。"Iwasaway。HegaveAnneapieceofhismind。"
　　"Ithinkheisaverydisagreeableman，"saidAnne，witharesentfultossofherruddyhead。
　　"Youneversaidatruerword，"saidMrs。Rachelsolemnly。"Iknewthere’dbetroublewhenRobertBellsoldhisplacetoaNewBrunswickman，that’swhat。Idon’tknowwhatAvonleaiscomingto，withsomanystrangepeoplerushingintoit。It’llsoonnotbesafetogotosleepinourbeds。"
　　"Why，whatotherstrangersarecomingin？"askedMarilla。
　　"Haven’tyouheard？Well，there’safamilyofDonnells，foronething。They’verentedPeterSloane’soldhouse。Peterhashiredthemantorunhismill。Theybelongdowneastandnobodyknowsanythingaboutthem。ThenthatshiftlessTimothyCottonfamilyaregoingtomoveupfromWhiteSandsandthey’llsimplybeaburdenonthepublic。Heisinconsumption……whenheisn’tstealing……
　　andhiswifeisaslack-twistedcreaturethatcan’tturnherhandtoathing。ShewashesherdishesSITTINGDOWN。Mrs。GeorgePyehastakenherhusband’sorphannephew，AnthonyPye。He’llbegoingtoschooltoyou，Anne，soyoumanyexpecttrouble，that’swhat。
　　Andyou’llhaveanotherstrangepupil，too。PaulIrvingiscomingfromtheStatestolivewithhisgrandmother。Yourememberhisfather，Marilla……StephenIrving，himthatjiltedLavendarLewisoveratGrafton？"
　　"Idon’tthinkhejiltedher。Therewasaquarrel……Isupposetherewasblameonbothsides。"
　　"Well，anyway，hedidn’tmarryher，andshe’sbeenasqueeraspossibleeversince，theysay……livingallbyherselfinthatlittlestonehouseshecallsEchoLodge。StephenwentofftotheStatesandwentintobusinesswithhisuncleandmarriedaYankee。
　　He’sneverbeenhomesince，thoughhismotherhasbeenuptoseehimonceortwice。Hiswifediedtwoyearsagoandhe’ssendingtheboyhometohismotherforaspell。He’stenyearsoldandI
　　don’tknowifhe’llbeaverydesirablepupil。YoucannevertellaboutthoseYankees。"
　　MrsLyndelookeduponallpeoplewhohadthemisfortunetobebornorbroughtupelsewherethaninPrinceEdwardIslandwithadecidedcan-any-good-thing-come-out-of-Nazarethair。TheyMIGHTbegoodpeople，ofcourse；butyouwereonthesafesideindoubtingit。
　　Shehadaspecialprejudiceagainst"Yankees。"HerhusbandhadbeencheatedoutoftendollarsbyanemployerforwhomhehadonceworkedinBostonandneitherangelsnorprincipalitiesnorpowerscouldhaveconvincedMrs。RachelthatthewholeUnitedStateswasnotresponsibleforit。
　　"Avonleaschoolwon’tbetheworseforalittlenewblood，"saidMarilladrily，"andifthisboyisanythinglikehisfatherhe’llbeallright。SteveIrvingwasthenicestboythatwaseverraisedintheseparts，thoughsomepeopledidcallhimproud。IshouldthinkMrs。Irvingwouldbeverygladtohavethechild。Shehasbeenverylonesomesinceherhusbanddied。"
　　"Oh，theboymaybewellenough，buthe’llbedifferentfromAvonleachildren，"saidMrs。Rachel，asifthatclinchedthematter。
　　Mrs。Rachel’sopinionsconcerninganyperson，place，orthing，werealwayswarrantedtowear。"What’sthisIhearaboutyourgoingtostartupaVillageImprovementSociety，Anne？"
　　"IwasjusttalkingitoverwithsomeofthegirlsandboysatthelastDebatingClub，"saidAnne，flushing。"Theythoughtitwouldberathernice……andsodoMr。andMrs。Allan。Lotsofvillageshavethemnow。"
　　"Well，you’llgetintonoendofhotwaterifyoudo。Betterleaveitalone，Anne，that’swhat。Peopledon’tlikebeingimproved。"
　　"Oh，wearenotgoingtotrytoimprovethePEOPLE。ItisAvonleaitself。Therearelotsofthingswhichmightbedonetomakeitprettier。Forinstance，ifwecouldcoaxMr。LeviBoultertopulldownthatdreadfuloldhouseonhisupperfarmwouldn’tthatbeanimprovement？"
　　"Itcertainlywould，"admittedMrs。Rachel。"Thatoldruinhasbeenaneyesoretothesettlementforyears。ButifyouImproverscancoaxLeviBoultertodoanythingforthepublicthatheisn’ttobepaidfordoing，mayIbetheretoseeandheartheprocess，that’swhat。Idon’twanttodiscourageyou，Anne，fortheremaybesomethinginyouridea，thoughIsupposeyoudidgetitoutofsomerubbishyYankeemagazine；butyou’llhaveyourhandsfullwithyourschoolandIadviseyouasafriendnottobotherwithyourimprovements，that’swhat。Butthere，Iknowyou’llgoaheadwithitifyou’vesetyourmindonit。Youwerealwaysonetocarryathingthroughsomehow。"
　　SomethingaboutthefirmoutlinesofAnne’slipstoldthatMrs。
　　Rachelwasnotfarastrayinthisestimate。Anne’sheartwasbentonformingtheImprovementSociety。GilbertBlythe，whowastoteachinWhiteSandsbutwouldalwaysbehomefromFridaynighttoMondaymorning，wasenthusiasticaboutit；
　　andmostoftheotherfolkswerewillingtogoinforanythingthatmeantoccasionalmeetingsandconsequentlysome"fun。"
　　Asforwhatthe"improvements"weretobe，nobodyhadanyveryclearideaexceptAnneandGilbert。TheyhadtalkedthemoverandplannedthemoutuntilanidealAvonleaexistedintheirminds，ifnowhereelse。
　　Mrs。Rachelhadstillanotheritemofnews。
　　"They’vegiventheCarmodyschooltoaPriscillaGrant。Didn’tyougotoQueen’swithagirlofthatname，Anne？"
　　"Yes，indeed。PriscillatoteachatCarmody！Howperfectlylovely！"exclaimedAnne，hergrayeyeslightingupuntiltheylookedlikeeveningstars，causingMrs。LyndetowonderanewifshewouldevergetitsettledtohersatisfactionwhetherAnneShirleywerereallyaprettygirlornot。
　　II
　　SellinginHasteandRepentingatLeisureAnnedroveovertoCarmodyonashoppingexpeditionthenextafternoonandtookDianaBarrywithher。Dianawas，ofcourse，apledgedmemberoftheImprovementSociety，andthetwogirlstalkedaboutlittleelseallthewaytoCarmodyandback。
　　"Theveryfirstthingweoughttodowhenwegetstartedistohavethathallpainted，"saidDiana，astheydrovepasttheAvonleahall，arathershabbybuildingsetdowninawoodedhollow，withsprucetreeshoodingitaboutonallsides。"It’sadisgracefullookingplaceandwemustattendtoitevenbeforewetrytogetMr。LeviBouldertopullhishousedown。Fathersayswe’llneversucceedinDOINGthat。LeviBoulteristoomeantospendthetimeitwouldtake。"
　　"Perhapshe’lllettheboystakeitdowniftheypromisetohaultheboardsandsplitthemupforhimforkindlingwood，"saidAnnehopefully。
　　"Wemustdoourbestandbecontenttogoslowlyatfirst。Wecan’texpecttoimproveeverythingallatonce。We’llhavetoeducatepublicsentimentfirst，ofcourse。"
　　Dianawasn’texactlysurewhateducatingpublicsentimentmeant；
　　butitsoundedfineandshefeltratherproudthatshewasgoingtobelongtoasocietywithsuchanaiminview。
　　"Ithoughtofsomethinglastnightthatwecoulddo，Anne。
　　Youknowthatthree-corneredpieceofgroundwheretheroadsfromCarmodyandNewbridgeandWhiteSandsmeet？It’sallgrownoverwithyoungspruce；butwouldn’titbenicetohavethemallclearedout，andjustleavethetwoorthreebirchtreesthatareonit？"
　　"Splendid，"agreedAnnegaily。"Andhavearusticseatputunderthebirches。Andwhenspringcomeswe’llhaveaflower-bedmadeinthemiddleofitandplantgeraniums。"
　　"Yes；onlywe’llhavetodevisesomewayofgettingoldMrs。HiramSloanetokeephercowofftheroad，orshe’lleatourgeraniumsup，"laughedDiana。"Ibegintoseewhatyoumeanbyeducatingpublicsentiment，Anne。There’stheoldBoulterhousenow。Didyoueverseesucharookery？Andperchedrightclosetotheroadtoo。Anoldhousewithitswindowsgonealwaysmakesmethinkofsomethingdeadwithitseyespickedout。"
　　"Ithinkanold，desertedhouseissuchasadsight，"saidAnnedreamily。"Italwaysseemstometobethinkingaboutitspastandmourningforitsold-timejoys。Marillasaysthatalargefamilywasraisedinthatoldhouselongago，andthatitwasarealprettyplace，withalovelygardenandrosesclimbingalloverit。
　　Itwasfulloflittlechildrenandlaughterandsongs；andnowitisempty，andnothingeverwandersthroughitbutthewind。Howlonelyandsorrowfulitmustfeel！Perhapstheyallcomebackonmoonlitnights……theghostsofthelittlechildrenoflongagoandtherosesandthesongs……andforalittlewhiletheoldhousecandreamitisyoungandjoyousagain。"
　　Dianashookherhead。
　　"Ineverimaginethingslikethataboutplacesnow，Anne。Don’tyourememberhowcrossmotherandMarillawerewhenweimaginedghostsintotheHauntedWood？TothisdayIcan’tgothroughthatbushcomfortablyafterdark；andifIbeganimaginingsuchthingsabouttheoldBoulterhouseI’dbefrightenedtopassittoo。
　　Besides，thosechildrenaren’tdead。They’reallgrownupanddoingwell……andoneofthemisabutcher。Andflowersandsongscouldn’thaveghostsanyhow。"
　　Annesmotheredalittlesigh。ShelovedDianadearlyandtheyhadalwaysbeengoodcomrades。Butshehadlongagolearnedthatwhenshewanderedintotherealmoffancyshemustgoalone。Thewaytoitwasbyanenchantedpathwherenotevenherdearestmightfollowher。
　　Athunder-showercameupwhilethegirlswereatCarmody；itdidnotlastlong，however，andthedrivehome，throughlaneswheretheraindropssparkledontheboughsandlittleleafyvalleyswherethedrenchedfernsgaveoutspicyodors，wasdelightful。ButjustastheyturnedintotheCuthbertlaneAnnesawsomethingthatspoiledthebeautyofthelandscapeforher。
　　BeforethemontherightextendedMr。Harrison’sbroad，gray-greenfieldoflateoats，wetandluxuriant；andthere，standingsquarelyinthemiddleofit，uptohersleeksidesinthelushgrowth，andblinkingatthemcalmlyovertheinterveningtassels，wasaJerseycow！
　　Annedroppedthereinsandstoodupwithatighteningofthelipsthatbodednogoodtothepredatoryquadruped。Notawordsaidshe，butsheclimbednimblydownoverthewheels，andwhiskedacrossthefencebeforeDianaunderstoodwhathadhappened。
　　"Anne，comeback，"shriekedthelatter，assoonasshefoundhervoice。"You’llruinyourdressinthatwetgrain……ruinit。
　　Shedoesn’thearme！Well，she’llnevergetthatcowoutbyherself。
　　Imustgoandhelpher，ofcourse。"
　　Annewaschargingthroughthegrainlikeamadthing。Dianahoppedbrisklydown，tiedthehorsesecurelytoapost，turnedtheskirtofherprettyginghamdressoverhershoulders，mountedthefence，andstartedinpursuitofherfranticfriend。ShecouldrunfasterthanAnne，whowashamperedbyherclinginganddrenchedskirt，andsoonovertookher。BehindthemtheyleftatrailthatwouldbreakMr。Harrison’sheartwhenheshouldseeit。
　　"Anne，formercy’ssake，stop，"pantedpoorDiana。"I’mrightoutofbreathandyouarewettotheskin。"
　　"Imust……get……thatcow……out……before……Mr。Harrison……seesher，"gaspedAnne。"Idon’t……care……ifI’m……drowned……ifwe……can……only……dothat。"
　　ButtheJerseycowappearedtoseenogoodreasonforbeinghustledoutofherlusciousbrowsingground。Nosoonerhadthetwobreathlessgirlsgotnearherthansheturnedandboltedsquarelyfortheoppositecornerofthefield。
　　"Headheroff，"screamedAnne。"Run，Diana，run。"
　　Dianadidrun。Annetriedto，andthewickedJerseywentaroundthefieldasifshewerepossessed。Privately，Dianathoughtshewas。
　　ItwasfullytenminutesbeforetheyheadedheroffanddroveherthroughthecornergapintotheCuthbertlane。
　　ThereisnodenyingthatAnnewasinanythingbutanangelictemperatthatprecisemoment。Nordiditsootheherintheleasttobeholdabuggyhaltedjustoutsidethelane，whereinsatMr。
　　ShearerofCarmodyandhisson，bothofwhomworeabroadsmile。
　　"Iguessyou’dbetterhavesoldmethatcowwhenIwantedtobuyherlastweek，Anne，"chuckledMr。Shearer。
　　"I’llsellhertoyounow，ifyouwanther，"saidherflushedanddisheveledowner。"Youmayhaveherthisveryminute。"
　　"Done。I’llgiveyoutwentyforherasIofferedbefore，andJimherecandriveherrightovertoCarmody。She’llgototownwiththerestoftheshipmentthisevening。Mr。ReedofBrightonwantsaJerseycow。"
　　FiveminuteslaterJimShearerandtheJerseycowweremarchinguptheroad，andimpulsiveAnnewasdrivingalongtheGreenGableslanewithhertwentydollars。
　　"WhatwillMarillasay？"askedDiana。
　　"Oh，shewon’tcare。Dollywasmyowncowanditisn’tlikelyshe’dbringmorethantwentydollarsattheauction。Butohdear，ifMr。Harrisonseesthatgrainhewillknowshehasbeeninagain，andaftermygivinghimmywordofhonorthatI’dneverletithappen！Well，ithastaughtmealessonnottogivemywordofhonoraboutcows。Acowthatcouldjumpoverorbreakthroughourmilk-penfencecouldn’tbetrustedanywhere。"
　　MarillahadgonedowntoMrs。Lynde’s，andwhenshereturnedknewallaboutDolly’ssaleandtransfer，forMrs。Lyndehadseenmostofthetransactionfromherwindowandguessedtherest。
　　"Isupposeit’sjustaswellshe’sgone，thoughyouDOdothingsinadreadfulheadlongfashion，Anne。Idon’tseehowshegotoutofthepen，though。Shemusthavebrokensomeoftheboardsoff。"
　　"Ididn’tthinkoflooking，"saidAnne，"butI’llgoandseenow。
　　Martinhasnevercomebackyet。Perhapssomemoreofhisauntshavedied。Ithinkit’ssomethinglikeMr。PeterSloaneandtheoctogenarians。TheothereveningMrs。SloanewasreadinganewspaperandshesaidtoMr。Sloane，`Iseeherethatanotheroctogenarianhasjustdied。Whatisanoctogenarian，Peter？’AndMr。Sloanesaidhedidn’tknow，buttheymustbeverysicklycreatures，foryouneverheardtellofthembuttheyweredying。
　　That’sthewaywithMartin’saunts。"
　　"Martin’sjustlikealltherestofthoseFrench，"saidMarillaindisgust。
　　"Youcan’tdependonthemforaday。"MarillawaslookingoverAnne’sCarmodypurchaseswhensheheardashrillshriekinthebarnyard。
　　AminutelaterAnnedashedintothekitchen，wringingherhands。
　　"AnneShirley，what’sthematternow？"
　　"Oh，Marilla，whatevershallIdo？Thisisterrible。Andit’sallmyfault。Oh，willIEVERlearntostopandreflectalittlebeforedoingrecklessthings？Mrs。LyndealwaystoldmeIwoulddosomethingdreadfulsomeday，andnowI’vedoneit！"
　　"Anne，youarethemostexasperatinggirl！WHATisityou’vedone？"
　　"SoldMr。Harrison’sJerseycow……theoneheboughtfromMr。Bell……toMr。Shearer！Dollyisoutinthemilkingpenthisveryminute。"
　　"AnneShirley，areyoudreaming？"
　　"IonlywishIwere。There’snodreamaboutit，thoughit’sverylikeanightmare。AndMr。Harrison’scowisinCharlottetownbythistime。Oh，Marilla，IthoughtI’dfinishedgettingintoscrapes，andhereIamintheveryworstoneIeverwasininmylife。
　　WhatcanIdo？"
　　"Do？There’snothingtodo，child，exceptgoandseeMr。Harrisonaboutit。WecanofferhimourJerseyinexchangeifhedoesn’twanttotakethemoney。Sheisjustasgoodashis。"
　　"I’msurehe’llbeawfullycrossanddisagreeableaboutit，though，"
　　moanedAnne。
　　"Idaresayhewill。Heseemstobeanirritablesortofaman。
　　I’llgoandexplaintohimifyoulike。"
　　"No，indeed，I’mnotasmeanasthat，"exclaimedAnne。"ThisisallmyfaultandI’mcertainlynotgoingtoletyoutakemypunishment。
　　I’llgomyselfandI’llgoatonce。Thesoonerit’soverthebetter，foritwillbeterriblyhumiliating。"
　　PoorAnnegotherhatandhertwentydollarsandwaspassingoutwhenshehappenedtoglancethroughtheopenpantrydoor。Onthetablereposedanutcakewhichshehadbakedthatmorning……aparticularlytoothsomeconcoctionicedwithpinkicingandadornedwithwalnuts。AnnehadintendeditforFridayevening，whentheyouthofAvonleaweretomeetatGreenGablestoorganizetheImprovementSociety。ButwhatweretheycomparedtothejustlyoffendedMr。Harrison？Annethoughtthatcakeoughttosoftentheheartofanyman，especiallyonewhohadtodohisowncooking，andshepromptlypoppeditintoabox。ShewouldtakeittoMr。Harrisonasapeaceoffering。
　　"Thatis，ifhegivesmeachancetosayanythingatall，"shethoughtruefully，assheclimbedthelanefenceandstartedonashortcutacrossthefields，goldeninthelightofthedreamyAugustevening。"Iknownowjusthowpeoplefeelwhoarebeingledtoexecution。"
　　III
　　Mr。HarrisonatHomeMr。Harrison’shousewasanold-fashioned，low-eaved，whitewashedstructure，setagainstathicksprucegrove。
　　Mr。Harrisonhimselfwassittingonhisvineshadedveranda，inhisshirtsleeves，enjoyinghiseveningpipe。Whenherealizedwhowascomingupthepathhesprangsuddenlytohisfeet，boltedintothehouse，andshutthedoor。Thiswasmerelytheuncomfortableresultofhissurprise，mingledwithagooddealofshameoverhisoutburstoftemperthedaybefore。ButitnearlyswepttheremnantofhercouragefromAnne’sheart。
　　"Ifhe’ssocrossnowwhatwillhebewhenhehearswhatI’vedone，"shereflectedmiserably，assherappedatthedoor。
　　ButMr。Harrisonopenedit，smilingsheepishly，andinvitedhertoenterinatonequitemildandfriendly，ifsomewhatnervous。
　　Hehadlaidasidehispipeanddonnedhiscoat；heofferedAnneaverydustychairverypolitely，andherreceptionwouldhavepassedoffpleasantlyenoughifithadnotbeenforthetelltaleofaparrotwhowaspeeringthroughthebarsofhiscagewithwickedgoldeneyes。
　　NosoonerhadAnneseatedherselfthanGingerexclaimed，"Blessmysoul，what’sthatredheadedsnippetcomingherefor？"
　　Itwouldbehardtosaywhosefacewastheredder，Mr。Harrison’sorAnne’s。
　　"Don’tyoumindthatparrot，"saidMr。Harrison，castingafuriousglanceatGinger。"He’s……he’salwaystalkingnonsense。Igothimfrommybrotherwhowasasailor。Sailorsdon’talwaysusethechoicestlanguage，andparrotsareveryimitativebirds。"
　　"SoIshouldthink，"saidpoorAnne，theremembranceofhererrandquellingherresentment。Shecouldn’taffordtosnubMr。Harrisonunderthecircumstances，thatwascertain。Whenyouhadjustsoldaman’sJerseycowoffhand，withouthisknowledgeorconsentyoumustnotmindifhisparrotrepeateduncomplimentarythings。
　　Nevertheless，the"redheadedsnippet"wasnotquitesomeekasshemightotherwisehavebeen。
　　"I’vecometoconfesssomethingtoyou，Mr。Harrison，"shesaidresolutely。"It’s……it’sabout……thatJerseycow"
　　"Blessmysoul，"exclaimedMr。Harrisonnervously，"hasshegoneandbrokenintomyoatsagain？Well，nevermind……nevermindifshehas。It’snodifference……noneatall。I……Iwastoohastyyesterday，that’safact。Nevermindifshehas。"
　　"Oh，ifitwereonlythat，"sighedAnne。"Butit’stentimesworse。Idon’t……"
　　"Blessmysoul，doyoumeantosayshe’sgotintomywheat？"
　　"No……no……notthewheat。But……"
　　"Thenit’sthecabbages！She’sbrokenintomycabbagesthatIwasraisingforExhibition，hey？"
　　"It’sNOTthecabbages，Mr。Harrison。I’lltellyoueverything……
　　thatiswhatIcamefor——butpleasedon’tinterruptme。Itmakesmesonervous。Justletmetellmystoryanddon’tsayanythingtillIgetthrough——andthennodoubtyou’llsayplenty，"
　　Anneconcluded，butinthoughtonly。
　　"Iwon’tsayanotherword，"saidMr。Harrison，andhedidn’t。ButGingerwasnotboundbyanycontractofsilenceandkeptejaculating，"Redheadedsnippet"atintervalsuntilAnnefeltquitewild。
　　"IshutmyJerseycowupinourpenyesterday。ThismorningIwenttoCarmodyandwhenIcamebackIsawaJerseycowinyouroats。
　　DianaandIchasedheroutandyoucan’timaginewhatahardtimewehad。Iwassodreadfullywetandtiredandvexed——andMr。
　　Shearercamebythatveryminuteandofferedtobuythecow。I
　　soldhertohimonthespotfortwentydollars。Itwaswrongofme。
　　IshouldhavewaitedandconsultedMarilla，ofcourse。ButI’mdreadfullygiventodoingthingswithoutthinking——everybodywhoknowsmewilltellyouthat。Mr。Shearertookthecowrightawaytoshipherontheafternoontrain。"
　　"Redheadedsnippet，"quotedGingerinatoneofprofoundcontempt。
　　AtthispointMr。Harrisonaroseand，withanexpressionthatwouldhavestruckterrorintoanybirdbutaparrot，carriedGinger’scageintoanadjoiningroomandshutthedoor。Gingershrieked，swore，andotherwiseconductedhimselfinkeepingwithhisreputation，butfindinghimselfleftalone，relapsedintosulkysilence。
　　"Excusemeandgoon，"saidMr。Harrison，sittingdownagain。
　　"Mybrotherthesailornevertaughtthatbirdanymanners。"
　　"IwenthomeandafterteaIwentouttothemilkingpen。Mr。
　　Harrison，"……Anneleanedforward，claspingherhandswithheroldchildishgesture，whileherbiggrayeyesgazedimploringlyintoMr。Harrison’sembarrassedface……"Ifoundmycowstillshutupinthepen。ItwasYOURcowIhadsoldtoMr。Shearer。"
　　"Blessmysoul，"exclaimedMr。Harrison，inblankamazementatthisunlooked-forconclusion。"WhataVERYextraordinarything！"
　　"Oh，itisn’tintheleastextraordinarythatIshouldbegettingmyselfandotherpeopleintoscrapes，"saidAnnemournfully。
　　"I’mnotedforthat。YoumightsupposeI’dhavegrownoutofitbythistime……I’llbeseventeennextMarch……butitseemsthatIhaven’t。Mr。Harrison，isittoomuchtohopethatyou’llforgiveme？I’mafraidit’stoolatetogetyourcowback，buthereisthemoneyforher……oryoucanhavemineinexchangeifyou’drather。She’saverygoodcow。AndIcan’texpresshowsorryIamforitall。"
　　"Tut，tut，"saidMr。Harrisonbriskly，"don’tsayanotherwordaboutit，miss。It’sofnoconsequence……noconsequencewhatever。
　　Accidentswillhappen。I’mtoohastymyselfsometimes，miss……
　　fartoohasty。ButIcan’thelpspeakingoutjustwhatIthinkandfolksmusttakemeastheyfindme。Ifthatcowhadbeeninmycabbagesnow……butnevermind，shewasn’t，soit’sallright。IthinkI’dratherhaveyourcowinexchange，sinceyouwanttoberidofher。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，Mr。Harrison。I’msogladyouarenotvexed。
　　Iwasafraidyouwouldbe。"
　　"AndIsupposeyouwerescaredtodeathtocomehereandtellme，afterthefussImadeyesterday，hey？Butyoumustn’tmindme，I’materribleoutspokenoldfellow，that’sall……awfulapttotellthetruth，nomatterifitisabitplain。"
　　"SoisMrs。Lynde，"saidAnne，beforeshecouldpreventherself。
　　"Who？Mrs。Lynde？Don’tyoutellmeI’mlikethatoldgossip，"
　　saidMr。Harrisonirritably。"I’mnot……notabit。Whathaveyougotinthatbox？"
　　"Acake，"saidAnnearchly。InherreliefatMr。Harrison’sunexpectedamiabilityherspiritssoaredupwardfeather-light。
　　"Ibroughtitoverforyou……Ithoughtperhapsyoudidn’thavecakeveryoften。"
　　"Idon’t，that’safact，andI’mmightyfondofit，too。I’mmuchobligedtoyou。Itlooksgoodontop。Ihopeit’sgoodallthewaythrough。"
　　"Itis，"saidAnne，gailyconfident。"IhavemadecakesinmytimethatwereNOT，asMrs。Allancouldtellyou，butthisoneisallright。
　　ImadeitfortheImprovementSociety，butIcanmakeanotherforthem。"
　　"Well，I’lltellyouwhat，miss，youmusthelpmeeatit。I’llputthekettleonandwe’llhaveacupoftea。Howwillthatdo？"
　　"Willyouletmemakethetea？"saidAnnedubiously。
　　Mr。Harrisonchuckled。
　　"Iseeyouhaven’tmuchconfidenceinmyabilitytomaketea。
　　You’rewrong……Icanbrewupasgoodajorumofteaasyoueverdrank。Butgoaheadyourself。FortunatelyitrainedlastSunday，sothere’splentyofcleandishes。"
　　Annehoppedbrisklyupandwenttowork。Shewashedtheteapotinseveralwatersbeforesheputtheteatosteep。Thenshesweptthestoveandsetthetable，bringingthedishesoutofthepantry。
　　ThestateofthatpantryhorrifiedAnne，butshewiselysaidnothing。Mr。Harrisontoldherwheretofindthebreadandbutterandacanofpeaches。Anneadornedthetablewithabouquetfromthegardenandshuthereyestothestainsonthetablecloth。SoontheteawasreadyandAnnefoundherselfsittingoppositeMr。
　　Harrisonathisowntable，pouringhisteaforhim，andchattingfreelytohimaboutherschoolandfriendsandplans。Shecouldhardlybelievetheevidenceofhersenses。
　　Mr。HarrisonhadbroughtGingerback，averringthatthepoorbirdwouldbelonesome；andAnne，feelingthatshecouldforgiveeverybodyandeverything，offeredhimawalnut。ButGinger’sfeelingshadbeengrievouslyhurtandherejectedalloverturesoffriendship。Hesatmoodilyonhisperchandruffledhisfeathersupuntilhelookedlikeamereballofgreenandgold。
　　"WhydoyoucallhimGinger？"askedAnne，wholikedappropriatenamesandthoughtGingeraccordednotatallwithsuchgorgeousplumage。
　　"Mybrotherthesailornamedhim。Maybeithadsomereferencetohistemper。Ithinkalotofthatbirdthough……you’dbesurprisedifyouknewhowmuch。Hehashisfaultsofcourse。
　　Thatbirdhascostmeagooddealonewayandanother。Somepeopleobjecttohisswearinghabitsbuthecan’tbebrokenofthem。
　　I’vetried……otherpeoplehavetried。Somefolkshaveprejudicesagainstparrots。Silly，ain’tit？Ilikethemmyself。Ginger’salotofcompanytome。Nothingwouldinducemetogivethatbirdup……nothingintheworld，miss。"
　　Mr。HarrisonflungthelastsentenceatAnneasexplosivelyasifhesuspectedherofsomelatentdesignofpersuadinghimtogiveGingerup。Anne，however，wasbeginningtolikethequeer，fussy，fidgetylittleman，andbeforethemealwasovertheywerequitegoodfriends。Mr。HarrisonfoundoutabouttheImprovementSocietyandwasdisposedtoapproveofit。
　　"That’sright。Goahead。There’slotsofroomforimprovementinthissettlement……andinthepeopletoo。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow，"flashedAnne。Toherself，ortoherparticularcronies，shemightadmitthatthereweresomesmallimperfections，easilyremovable，inAvonleaanditsinhabitants。ButtohearapracticaloutsiderlikeMr。Harrisonsayingitwasanentirelydifferentthing。"IthinkAvonleaisalovelyplace；andthepeopleinitareverynice，too。"
　　"Iguessyou’vegotaspiceoftemper，"commentedMr。Harrison，surveyingtheflushedcheeksandindignanteyesoppositehim。
　　"Itgoeswithhairlikeyours，Ireckon。AvonleaisaprettydecentplaceorIwouldn’thavelocatedhere；butIsupposeevenyouwilladmitthatithasSOMEfaults？"
　　"Ilikeitallthebetterforthem，"saidloyalAnne。"Idon’tlikeplacesorpeopleeitherthathaven’tanyfaults。Ithinkatrulyperfectpersonwouldbeveryuninteresting。Mrs。MiltonWhitesaysshenevermetaperfectperson，butshe’sheardenoughaboutone……herhusband’sfirstwife。Don’tyouthinkitmustbeveryuncomfortabletobemarriedtoamanwhosefirstwifewasperfect？"
　　"Itwouldbemoreuncomfortabletobemarriedtotheperfectwife，"
　　declaredMr。Harrison，withasuddenandinexplicablewarmth。
　　WhenteawasoverAnneinsistedonwashingthedishes，althoughMr。
　　Harrisonassuredherthattherewereenoughinthehousetodoforweeksyet。Shewoulddearlyhavelovedtosweeptheflooralso，butnobroomwasvisibleandshedidnotliketoaskwhereitwasforfeartherewasn’toneatall。
　　"Youmightrunacrossandtalktomeonceinawhile，"suggestedMr。Harrisonwhenshewasleaving。"’Tisn’tfarandfolksoughttobeneighborly。I’mkindofinterestedinthatsocietyofyours。
　　Seemstomethere’llbesomefuninit。Whoareyougoingtotacklefirst？"
　　"WearenotgoingtomeddlewithPEOPLE……itisonlyPLACESwemeantoimprove，"saidAnne，inadignifiedtone。SherathersuspectedthatMr。Harrisonwasmakingfunoftheproject。
　　WhenshehadgoneMr。Harrisonwatchedherfromthewindow……alithe，girlishshape，trippinglightheartedlyacrossthefieldsinthesunsetafterglow。
　　"I’macrusty，lonesome，crabbedoldchap，"hesaidaloud，"butthere’ssomethingaboutthatlittlegirlmakesmefeelyoungagain……andit’ssuchapleasantsensationI’dliketohaveitrepeatedonceinawhile。"
　　"Redheadedsnippet，"croakedGingermockingly。
　　Mr。Harrisonshookhisfistattheparrot。
　　"Youornerybird，"hemuttered，"IalmostwishI’dwrungyourneckwhenmybrotherthesailorbroughtyouhome。Willyouneverbedonegettingmeintotrouble？"
　　AnneranhomeblithelyandrecountedheradventurestoMarilla，whohadbeennotalittlealarmedbyherlongabsenceandwasonthepointofstartingouttolookforher。
　　"It’saprettygoodworld，afterall，isn’tit，Marilla？"concludedAnnehappily。"Mrs。Lyndewascomplainingtheotherdaythatitwasn’tmuchofaworld。Shesaidwheneveryoulookedforwardtoanythingpleasantyouweresuretobemoreorlessdisappointed……perhapsthatistrue。Butthereisagoodsidetoittoo。
　　Thebadthingsdon’talwayscomeuptoyourexpectationseither……theynearlyalwaysturnouteversomuchbetterthanyouthink。
　　IlookedforwardtoadreadfullyunpleasantexperiencewhenIwentovertoMr。Harrison’stonight；andinsteadhewasquitekindandIhadalmostanicetime。Ithinkwe’regoingtoberealgoodfriendsifwemakeplentyofallowancesforeachother，andeverythinghasturnedoutforthebest。Butallthesame，Marilla，Ishallcertainlyneveragainsellacowbeforemakingsuretowhomshebelongs。AndIdoNOTlikeparrots！"
　　IV
　　DifferentOpinionsOneeveningatsunset，JaneAndrews，GilbertBlythe，andAnneShirleywerelingeringbyafenceintheshadowofgentlyswayingspruceboughs，whereawoodcutknownastheBirchPathjoinedthemainroad。JanehadbeenuptospendtheafternoonwithAnne，whowalkedpartofthewayhomewithher；atthefencetheymetGilbert，andallthreewerenowtalkingaboutthefatefulmorrow；forthatmorrowwasthefirstofSeptemberandtheschoolswouldopen。JanewouldgotoNewbridgeandGilberttoWhiteSands。
　　"Youbothhavetheadvantageofme，"sighedAnne。"You’regoingtoteachchildrenwhodon’tknowyou，butIhavetoteachmyownoldschoolmates，andMrs。Lyndesaysshe’safraidtheywon’trespectmeastheywouldastrangerunlessI’mverycrossfromthefirst。
　　ButIdon’tbelieveateachershouldbecross。Oh，itseemstomesucharesponsibility！"
　　"Iguesswe’llgetonallright，"saidJanecomfortably。Janewasnottroubledbyanyaspirationstobeaninfluenceforgood。
　　Shemeanttoearnhersalaryfairly，pleasethetrustees，andgethernameontheSchoolInspector’srollofhonor。FurtherambitionsJanehadnone。"Themainthingwillbetokeeporderandateacherhastobealittlecrosstodothat。Ifmypupilswon’tdoasItellthemIshallpunishthem。"
　　"How？"
　　"Givethemagoodwhipping，ofcourse。"
　　"Oh，Jane，youwouldn’t，"criedAnne，shocked。"Jane，youCOULDN’T！"
　　"Indeed，Icouldandwould，iftheydeservedit，"saidJanedecidedly。
　　"IcouldNEVERwhipachild，"saidAnnewithequaldecision。
　　"Idon’tbelieveinitATALL。MissStacyneverwhippedanyofusandshehadperfectorder；andMr。Phillipswasalwayswhippingandhehadnoorderatall。No，ifIcan’tgetalongwithoutwhippingIshallnottrytoteachschool。Therearebetterwaysofmanaging。
　　Ishalltrytowinmypupils’affectionsandthentheywillWANTtodowhatItellthem。"
　　"Butsupposetheydon’t？"saidpracticalJane。
　　"Iwouldn’twhipthemanyhow。I’msureitwouldn’tdoanygood。
　　Oh，don’twhipyourpupils，Janedear，nomatterwhattheydo。"
　　"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，Gilbert？"demandedJane。"Don’tyouthinktherearesomechildrenwhoreallyneedawhippingnowandthen？"
　　"Don’tyouthinkit’sacruel，barbarousthingtowhipachild……
　　ANYchild？"exclaimedAnne，herfaceflushingwithearnestness。
　　"Well，"saidGilbertslowly，tornbetweenhisrealconvictionsandhiswishtomeasureuptoAnne’sideal，"there’ssomethingtobesaidonbothsides。Idon’tbelieveinwhippingchildrenMUCH。