Still，Idon’tseethatshecoulddoanythinglessthantakethem，underthecircumstances，andshe’llhaveAnnetohelpher。
　　Anne’stickledtodeathoverthewholebusiness，andshehasarealknackywaywithchildren，Imustsay。Dearme，itdoesn’tseemadaysincepoorMatthewbroughtAnneherselfhomeandeverybodylaughedattheideaofMarillabringingupachild。
　　Andnowshehasadoptedtwins。You’reneversafefrombeingsurprisedtillyou’redead。"
　　ThefatponyjoggedoverthebridgeinLynde’sHollowandalongtheGreenGableslane。Marilla’sfacewasrathergrim。ItwastenmilesfromEastGraftonandDavyKeithseemedtobepossessedwithapassionforperpetualmotion。ItwasbeyondMarilla’spowertomakehimsitstillandshehadbeeninanagonythewholewaylesthefalloverthebackofthewagonandbreakhisneck，ortumbleoverthedashboardunderthepony’sheels。Indespairshefinallythreatenedtowhiphimsoundlywhenshegothimhome。WhereuponDavyclimbedintoherlap，regardlessofthereins，flunghischubbyarmsaboutherneckandgaveherabear-likehug。
　　"Idon’tbelieveyoumeanit，"hesaid，smackingherwrinkledcheekaffectionately。"Youdon’tLOOKlikealadywho’dwhipalittleboyjust’causehecouldn’tkeepstill。Didn’tyoufinditawfulhardtokeepstillwhenyouwasonly’soldasme？"
　　"No，IalwayskeptstillwhenIwastold，"saidMarilla，tryingtospeaksternly，albeitshefeltherheartwaxingsoftwithinherunderDavy’simpulsivecaresses。
　　"Well，Is’posethatwas’causeyouwasagirl，"saidDavy，squirmingbacktohisplaceafteranotherhug。"YouWASagirlonce，Is’pose，thoughit’sawfulfunnytothinkofit。
　　Doracansitstill……butthereain’tmuchfuninit_I_don’tthink。
　　Seemstomeitmustbeslowtobeagirl。Here，Dora，letmelivenyouupabit。"
　　Davy’smethodof"liveningup"wastograspDora’scurlsinhisfingersandgivethematug。Dorashriekedandthencried。
　　"Howcanyoubesuchanaughtyboyandyourpoormotherjustlaidinhergravethisveryday？"demandedMarilladespairingly。
　　"Butshewasgladtodie，"saidDavyconfidentially。"Iknow，’causeshetoldmeso。Shewasawfultiredofbeingsick。
　　We’dalongtalkthenightbeforeshedied。ShetoldmeyouwasgoingtotakemeandDoraforthewinterandIwastobeagoodboy。
　　I’mgoingtobegood，butcan’tyoubegoodrunningroundjustaswellassittingstill？AndshesaidIwasalwaystobekindtoDoraandstandupforher，andI’mgoingto。"
　　"Doyoucallpullingherhairbeingkindtoher？"
　　"Well，Iain’tgoingtoletanybodyelsepullit，"saidDavy，doublinguphisfistsandfrowning。"They’djustbettertryit。
　　Ididn’thurthermuch……shejustcried’causeshe’sagirl。
　　I’mgladI’maboybutI’msorryI’matwin。WhenJimmySprott’ssisterconterdickshimhejustsays，`I’moldernyou，soofcourseIknowbetter，’andthatsettlesHER。ButIcan’ttellDorathat，andshejustgoesonthinkingdiffruntfromme。Youmightletmedrivethegee-geeforaspell，sinceI’maman。"
　　Altogether，Marillawasathankfulwomanwhenshedroveintoherownyard，wherethewindoftheautumnnightwasdancingwiththebrownleaves。
　　Annewasatthegatetomeetthemandliftthetwinsout。Dorasubmittedcalmlytobekissed，butDavyrespondedtoAnne’swelcomewithoneofhisheartyhugsandthecheerfulannouncement，"I’mMr。DavyKeith。"
　　AtthesuppertableDorabehavedlikealittlelady，butDavy’smannersleftmuchtobedesired。
　　"I’msohungryIain’tgottimetoeatp’litely，"hesaidwhenMarillareprovedhim。"Doraain’thalfashungryasIam。Lookatalltheex’ciseItookontheroadhere。Thatcake’sawfulniceandplummy。
　　Wehaven’thadanycakeathomeforever’neversolong，’causemotherwastoosicktomakeitandMrs。Sprottsaiditwasasmuchasshecoulddotobakeourbreadforus。AndMrs。WigginsneverputsanyplumsinHERcakes。Catchher！CanIhaveanotherpiece？"
　　MarillawouldhaverefusedbutAnnecutageneroussecondslice。
　　However，sheremindedDavythatheoughttosay"Thankyou"forit。
　　Davymerelygrinnedatherandtookahugebite。Whenhehadfinishedtheslicehesaid，"Ifyou’llgivemeANOTHERpieceI’llsaythankyouforIT。"
　　"No，youhavehadplentyofcake，"saidMarillainatonewhichAnneknewandDavywastolearntobefinal。
　　DavywinkedatAnne，andthen，leaningoverthetable，snatchedDora’sfirstpieceofcake，fromwhichshehadjusttakenonedaintylittlebite，outofherveryfingersand，openinghismouthtothefullestextent，crammedthewholeslicein。Dora’sliptrembledandMarillawasspeechlesswithhorror。Annepromptlyexclaimed，withherbest"schoolma’am"air，"Oh，Davy，gentlemendon’tdothingslikethat。"
　　"Iknowtheydon’t，"saidDavy，assoonashecouldspeak，"butIain’tagemplum。"
　　"Butdon’tyouwanttobe？"saidshockedAnne。
　　"CourseIdo。Butyoucan’tbeagemplumtillyougrowup。"
　　"Oh，indeedyoucan，"Annehastenedtosay，thinkingshesawachancetosowgoodseedbetimes。"Youcanbegintobeagentlemanwhenyouarealittleboy。AndgentlemenNEVERsnatchthingsfromladies……
　　orforgettosaythankyou……orpullanybody’shair。"
　　"Theydon’thavemuchfun，that’safact，"saidDavyfrankly。
　　"IguessI’llwaittillI’mgrownuptobeone。"
　　Marilla，witharesignedair，hadcutanotherpieceofcakeforDora。
　　ShedidnotfeelabletocopewithDavyjustthen。Ithadbeenaharddayforher，whatwiththefuneralandthelongdrive。
　　AtthatmomentshelookedforwardtothefuturewithapessimismthatwouldhavedonecredittoElizaAndrewsherself。
　　Thetwinswerenotnoticeablyalike，althoughbothwerefair。
　　Dorahadlongsleekcurlsthatnevergotoutoforder。Davyhadacropoffuzzylittleyellowringletsalloverhisroundhead。
　　Dora’shazeleyesweregentleandmild；Davy’swereasroguishanddancingasanelf’s。Dora’snosewasstraight，Davy’sapositivesnub；Dorahada"prunesandprisms"mouth，Davy’swasallsmiles；andbesides，hehadadimpleinonecheekandnoneintheother，whichgavehimadear，comical，lopsidedlookwhenhelaughed。
　　Mirthandmischieflurkedineverycornerofhislittleface。
　　"They’dbettergotobed，"saidMarilla，whothoughtitwastheeasiestwaytodisposeofthem。"DorawillsleepwithmeandyoucanputDavyinthewestgable。You’renotafraidtosleepalone，areyou，Davy？"
　　"No；butIain’tgoingtobedforeversolongyet，"saidDavycomfortably。
　　"Oh，yes，youare。"ThatwasallthemuchtriedMarillasaid，butsomethinginhertonesquelchedevenDavy。HetrottedobedientlyupstairswithAnne。"
　　WhenI’mgrownuptheveryfirstthingI’mgoingtodoisstayupALL
　　nightjusttoseewhatitwouldbelike，"hetoldherconfidentially。
　　InafteryearsMarillaneverthoughtofthatfirstweekofthetwins’sojournatGreenGableswithoutashiver。Notthatitreallywassomuchworsethantheweeksthatfollowedit；butitseemedsobyreasonofitsnovelty。TherewasseldomawakingminuteofanydaywhenDavywasnotinmischiefordevisingit；
　　buthisfirstnotableexploitoccurredtwodaysafterhisarrival，onSundaymorning……afine，warmday，ashazyandmildasSeptember。
　　AnnedressedhimforchurchwhileMarillaattendedtoDora。
　　Davyatfirstobjectedstronglytohavinghisfacewashed。
　　"Marillawashedityesterday……andMrs。Wigginsscouredmewithhardsoapthedayofthefuneral。That’senoughforoneweek。
　　Idon’tseethegoodofbeingsoawfulclean。It’slotsmorecomfablebeingdirty。"
　　"PaulIrvingwasheshisfaceeverydayofhisownaccord，"saidAnneastutely。
　　DavyhadbeenaninmateofGreenGablesforlittleoverforty-eighthours；buthealreadyworshippedAnneandhatedPaulIrving，whomhehadheardAnnepraisingenthusiasticallythedayafterhisarrival。
　　IfPaulIrvingwashedhisfaceeveryday，thatsettledit。He，DavyKeith，woulddoittoo，ifitkilledhim。Thesameconsiderationinducedhimtosubmitmeeklytotheotherdetailsofhistoilet，andhewasreallyahandsomelittleladwhenallwasdone。
　　AnnefeltanalmostmaternalprideinhimassheledhimintotheoldCuthbertpew。
　　Davybehavedquitewellatfirst，beingoccupiedincastingcovertglancesatallthesmallboyswithinviewandwonderingwhichwasPaulIrving。ThefirsttwohymnsandtheScripturereadingpassedoffuneventfully。Mr。Allanwasprayingwhenthesensationcame。
　　LaurettaWhitewassittinginfrontofDavy，herheadslightlybentandherfairhairhangingintwolongbraids，betweenwhichatemptingexpanseofwhiteneckshowed，encasedinalooselacefrill。Laurettawasafat，placid-lookingchildofeight，whohadconductedherselfirreproachablyinchurchfromtheveryfirstdayhermothercarriedherthere，aninfantofsixmonths。
　　Davythrusthishandintohispocketandproduced……acaterpillar，afurry，squirmingcaterpillar。Marillasawandclutchedathimbutshewastoolate。DavydroppedthecaterpillardownLauretta’sneck。
　　RightintothemiddleofMr。Allan’sprayerburstaseriesofpiercingshrieks。Theministerstoppedappalledandopenedhiseyes。
　　Everyheadinthecongregationflewup。LaurettaWhitewasdancingupanddowninherpew，clutchingfranticallyatthebackofherdress。
　　"Ow……mommer……mommer……ow……takeitoff……ow……getitout……ow……thatbadboyputitdownmyneck……ow……mommer……it’sgoingfurtherdown……ow……ow……ow……"
　　Mrs。Whiteroseandwithasetfacecarriedthehysterical，writhingLaurettaoutofchurch。HershrieksdiedawayinthedistanceandMr。Allanproceededwiththeservice。Buteverybodyfeltthatitwasafailurethatday。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeMarillatooknonoticeofthetextandAnnesatwithscarletcheeksofmortification。
　　WhentheygothomeMarillaputDavytobedandmadehimstaytherefortherestoftheday。Shewouldnotgivehimanydinnerbutallowedhimaplainteaofbreadandmilk。Annecarriedittohimandsatsorrowfullybyhimwhileheateitwithanunrepentantrelish。
　　ButAnne’smournfuleyestroubledhim。
　　"Is’pose，"hesaidreflectively，"thatPaulIrvingwouldn’thavedroppedacaterpillardownagirl’sneckinchurch，wouldhe？"
　　"Indeedhewouldn’t，"saidAnnesadly。
　　"Well，I’mkindofsorryIdidit，then，"concededDavy。"Butitwassuchajollybigcaterpillar……Ipickedhimuponthechurchstepsjustaswewentin。Itseemedapitytowastehim。Andsay，wasn’titfuntohearthatgirlyell？"
　　TuesdayafternoontheAidSocietymetatGreenGables。Annehurriedhomefromschool，forsheknewthatMarillawouldneedalltheassistanceshecouldgive。Dora，neatandproper，inhernicelystarchedwhitedressandblacksash，wassittingwiththemembersoftheAidintheparlor，speakingdemurelywhenspokento，keepingsilencewhennot，andineverywaycomportingherselfasamodelchild。Davy，blissfullydirty，wasmakingmudpiesinthebarnyard。
　　"Itoldhimhemight，"saidMarillawearily。"Ithoughtitwouldkeephimoutofworsemischief。Hecanonlygetdirtyatthat。
　　We’llhaveourteasoverbeforewecallhimtohis。Doracanhaveherswithus，butIwouldneverdaretoletDavysitdownatthetablewithalltheAidshere。"
　　WhenAnnewenttocalltheAidstoteashefoundthatDorawasnotintheparlor。Mrs。JasperBellsaidDavyhadcometothefrontdoorandcalledherout。AhastyconsultationwithMarillainthepantryresultedinadecisiontoletbothchildrenhavetheirteastogetherlateron。
　　Teawashalfoverwhenthediningroomwasinvadedbyaforlornfigure。MarillaandAnnestaredindismay，theAidsinamazement。
　　CouldthatbeDora……thatsobbingnondescriptinadrenched，drippingdressandhairfromwhichthewaterwasstreamingonMarilla’snewcoin-spotrug？
　　"Dora，whathashappenedtoyou？"criedAnne，withaguiltyglanceatMrs。JasperBell，whosefamilywassaidtobetheonlyoneintheworldinwhichaccidentsneveroccurred。
　　"Davymademewalkthepigpenfence，"wailedDora。"Ididn’twanttobuthecalledmeafraid-cat。AndIfelloffintothepigpenandmydressgotalldirtyandthepigrunnedrightoverme。MydresswasjustawfulbutDavysaidifI’dstandunderthepumphe’dwashitclean，andIdidandhepumpedwaterallovermebutmydressain’tabitcleanerandmyprettysashandshoesisallspoiled。"
　　AnnedidthehonorsofthetablealonefortherestofthemealwhileMarillawentupstairsandredressedDorainheroldclothes。
　　Davywascaughtandsenttobedwithoutanysupper。Annewenttohisroomattwilightandtalkedtohimseriously……amethodinwhichshehadgreatfaith，notaltogetherunjustifiedbyresults。
　　Shetoldhimshefeltverybadlyoverhisconduct。
　　"Ifeelsorrynowmyself，"admittedDavy，"butthetroubleisI
　　neverfeelsorryfordoingthingstillafterI’vedidthem。
　　Dorawouldn’thelpmemakepies，causeshewasafraidofmessingherclo’esandthatmademehoppingmad。Is’posePaulIrvingwouldn’thavemadeHISsisterwalkapigpenfenceifheknewshe’dfallin？"
　　"No，hewouldneverdreamofsuchathing。Paulisaperfectlittlegentleman。"
　　Davyscrewedhiseyestightshutandseemedtomeditateonthisforatime。ThenhecrawledupandputhisarmsaboutAnne’sneck，snugglinghisflushedlittlefacedownonhershoulder。
　　"Anne，don’tyoulikemealittlebit，evenifIain’tagoodboylikePaul？"
　　"IndeedIdo，"saidAnnesincerely。Somehow，itwasimpossibletohelplikingDavy。"ButI’dlikeyoubetterstillifyouweren’tsonaughty。"
　　"I……didsomethingelsetoday，"wentonDavyinamuffledvoice。
　　"I’msorrynowbutI’mawfulscaredtotellyou。Youwon’tbeverycross，willyou？Andyouwon’ttellMarilla，willyou？"
　　"Idon’tknow，Davy。PerhapsIoughttotellher。ButIthinkI
　　canpromiseyouIwon’tifyoupromisemethatyouwillneverdoitagain，whateveritis。"
　　"No，Ineverwill。Anyhow，it’snotlikelyI’dfindanymoreofthemthisyear。Ifoundthisoneonthecellarsteps。"
　　"Davy，whatisityou’vedone？"
　　"IputatoadinMarilla’sbed。Youcangoandtakeitoutifyoulike。
　　Butsay，Anne，wouldn’titbefuntoleaveitthere？"
　　"DavyKeith！"AnnesprangfromDavy’sclingingarmsandflewacrossthehalltoMarilla’sroom。Thebedwasslightlyrumpled。Shethrewbacktheblanketsinnervoushasteandthereinverytruthwasthetoad，blinkingatherfromunderapillow。
　　"HowcanIcarrythatawfulthingout？"moanedAnnewithashudder。
　　ThefireshovelsuggesteditselftoherandshecreptdowntogetitwhileMarillawasbusyinthepantry。Annehadherowntroublescarryingthattoaddownstairs，forithoppedofftheshovelthreetimesandonceshethoughtshehadlostitinthehall。Whenshefinallydepositeditinthecherryorchardshedrewalongbreathofrelief。
　　"IfMarillaknewshe’dneverfeelsafegettingintobedagaininherlife。I’msogladthatlittlesinnerrepentedintime。
　　There’sDianasignalingtomefromherwindow。I’mglad……I
　　reallyfeeltheneedofsomediversion，forwhatwithAnthonyPyeinschoolandDavyKeithathomemynerveshavehadaboutalltheycanendureforoneday。"
　　IX
　　AQuestionofColor"ThatoldnuisanceofaRachelLyndewashereagaintoday，pesteringmeforasubscriptiontowardsbuyingacarpetforthevestryroom，"saidMr。Harrisonwrathfully。"IdetestthatwomanmorethananybodyIknow。Shecanputawholesermon，text，comment，andapplication，intosixwords，andthrowitatyoulikeabrick。"
　　Anne，whowasperchedontheedgeoftheveranda，enjoyingthecharmofamildwestwindblowingacrossanewlyploughedfieldonagrayNovembertwilightandpipingaquaintlittlemelodyamongthetwistedfirsbelowthegarden，turnedherdreamyfaceoverhershoulder。
　　"Thetroubleis，youandMrs。Lyndedon’tunderstandoneanother，"
　　sheexplained。"Thatisalwayswhatiswrongwhenpeopledon’tlikeeachother。Ididn’tlikeMrs。Lyndeatfirsteither；butassoonasIcametounderstandherIlearnedto。"
　　"Mrs。Lyndemaybeanacquiredtastewithsomefolks；butIdidn’tkeeponeatingbananasbecauseIwastoldI’dlearntolikethemifIdid，"growledMr。Harrison。"Andasforunderstandingher，I
　　understandthatsheisaconfirmedbusybodyandItoldherso。"
　　"Oh，thatmusthavehurtherfeelingsverymuch，"saidAnnereproachfully。"Howcouldyousaysuchathing？IsaidsomedreadfulthingstoMrs。LyndelongagobutitwaswhenIhadlostmytemper。Icouldn’tsaythemDELIBERATELY。"
　　"ItwasthetruthandIbelieveintellingthetruthtoeverybody。"
　　"Butyoudon’ttellthewholetruth，"objectedAnne。"Youonlytellthedisagreeablepartofthetruth。Now，you’vetoldmeadozentimesthatmyhairwasred，butyou’veneveroncetoldmethatIhadanicenose。"
　　"Idaresayyouknowitwithoutanytelling，"chuckledMr。Harrison。
　　"IknowIhaveredhairtoo……althoughit’sMUCHdarkerthanitusedtobe……sothere’snoneedoftellingmethateither。"
　　"Well，well，I’lltryandnotmentionitagainsinceyou’resosensitive。Youmustexcuseme，Anne。I’vegotahabitofbeingoutspokenandfolksmustn’tmindit。"
　　"Buttheycan’thelpmindingit。AndIdon’tthinkit’sanyhelpthatit’syourhabit。Whatwouldyouthinkofapersonwhowentaboutstickingpinsandneedlesintopeopleandsaying，`Excuseme，youmustn’tmindit……it’sjustahabitI’vegot。’You’dthinkhewascrazy，wouldn’tyou？AndasforMrs。Lyndebeingabusybody，perhapssheis。Butdidyoutellhershehadaverykindheartandalwayshelpedthepoor，andneversaidawordwhenTimothyCottonstoleacrockofbutteroutofherdairyandtoldhiswifehe’dboughtitfromher？Mrs。CottoncastituptoherthenexttimetheymetthatittastedofturnipsandMrs。Lyndejustsaidshewassorryithadturnedoutsopoorly。"
　　"Isupposeshehassomegoodqualities，"concededMr。Harrisongrudgingly。
　　"Mostfolkshave。Ihavesomemyself，thoughyoumightneversuspectit。
　　ButanyhowIain’tgoingtogiveanythingtothatcarpet。Folksareeverlastingbeggingformoneyhere，itseemstome。How’syourprojectofpaintingthehallcomingon？"
　　"Splendidly。WehadameetingoftheA。V。I。S。lastFridaynightandfoundthatwehadplentyofmoneysubscribedtopainttheandshingletherooftoo。MOSTpeoplegaveveryliberally，Mr。Harrison。"
　　Annewasasweet-souledlass，butshecouldinstillsomevenomintoinnocentitalicswhenoccasionrequired。
　　"Whatcolorareyougoingtohaveit？"
　　"Wehavedecidedonaveryprettygreen。Theroofwillbedarkred，ofcourse。Mr。RogerPyeisgoingtogetthepaintintowntoday。"
　　"Who’sgotthejob？"
　　"Mr。JoshuaPyeofCarmody。Hehasnearlyfinishedtheshingling。
　　Wehadtogivehimthecontract，foreveryoneofthePyes……
　　andtherearefourfamilies，youknow……saidtheywouldn’tgiveacentunlessJoshuagotit。Theyhadsubscribedtwelvedollarsbetweenthemandwethoughtthatwastoomuchtolose，althoughsomepeoplethinkweshouldn’thavegivenintothePyes。
　　Mrs。Lyndesaystheytrytoruneverything。"
　　"ThemainquestioniswillthisJoshuadohisworkwell。IfhedoesIdon’tseethatitmatterswhetherhisnameisPyeorPudding。"
　　"Hehasthereputationofbeingagoodworkman，thoughtheysayhe’saverypeculiarman。Hehardlyevertalks。"
　　"He’speculiarenoughallrightthen，"saidMr。Harrisondrily。
　　"Oratleast，folksherewillcallhimso。IneverwasmuchofatalkertillIcametoAvonleaandthenIhadtobegininself-defenseorMrs。LyndewouldhavesaidIwasdumbandstartedasubscriptiontohavemetaughtsignlanguage。You’renotgoingyet，Anne？"
　　"Imust。IhavesomesewingtodoforDorathisevening。Besides，DavyisprobablybreakingMarilla’sheartwithsomenewmischiefbythistime。Thismorningthefirstthinghesaidwas，`Wheredoesthedarkgo，Anne？Iwanttoknow。’Itoldhimitwentaroundtotheothersideoftheworldbutafterbreakfasthedeclareditdidn’t……thatitwentdownthewell。Marillasaysshecaughthimhangingoverthewell-boxfourtimestoday，tryingtoreachdowntothedark。"
　　"He’salimb，"declaredMr。Harrison。"HecameoverhereyesterdayandpulledsixfeathersoutofGinger’stailbeforeI
　　couldgetinfromthebarn。Thepoorbirdhasbeenmopingeversince。Thosechildrenmustbeasightoftroubletoyoufolks。"
　　"Everythingthat’sworthhavingissometrouble，"saidAnne，secretlyresolvingtoforgiveDavy’snextoffence，whateveritmightbe，sincehehadavengedheronGinger。
　　Mr。RogerPyebroughtthehallpainthomethatnightandMr。JoshuaPye，asurly，taciturnman，beganpaintingthenextday。Hewasnotdisturbedinhistask。Thehallwassituatedonwhatwascalled"thelowerroad。"Inlateautumnthisroadwasalwaysmuddyandwet，andpeoplegoingtoCarmodytraveledbythelonger"upper"road。
　　Thehallwassocloselysurroundedbyfirwoodsthatitwasinvisibleunlessyouwerenearit。Mr。JoshuaPyepaintedawayinthesolitudeandindependencethatweresodeartohisunsociableheart。
　　FridayafternoonhefinishedhisjobandwenthometoCarmody。
　　SoonafterhisdepartureMrs。RachelLyndedroveby，havingbravedthemudofthelowerroadoutofcuriositytoseewhatthehalllookedlikeinitsnewcoatofpaint。Whensheroundedthesprucecurveshesaw。
　　ThesightaffectedMrs。Lyndeoddly。Shedroppedthereins，heldupherhands，andsaid"GraciousProvidence！"Shestaredasifshecouldnotbelievehereyes。Thenshelaughedalmosthysterically。
　　"Theremustbesomemistake……theremust。IknewthosePyeswouldmakeamessofthings。"
　　Mrs。Lyndedrovehome，meetingseveralpeopleontheroadandstoppingtotellthemaboutthehall。Thenewsflewlikewildfire。
　　GilbertBlythe，poringoveratextbookathome，hearditfromhisfather’shiredboyatsunset，andrushedbreathlesslytoGreenGables，joinedonthewaybyFredWright。TheyfoundDianaBarry，JaneAndrews，andAnneShirley，despairpersonified，attheyardgateofGreenGables，underthebigleaflesswillows。
　　"Itisn’ttruesurely，Anne？"exclaimedGilbert。
　　"Itistrue，"answeredAnne，lookinglikethemuseoftragedy。
　　"Mrs。LyndecalledonherwayfromCarmodytotellme。Oh，itissimplydreadful！Whatistheuseoftryingtoimproveanything？"
　　"Whatisdreadful？"askedOliverSloane，arrivingatthismomentwithabandboxhehadbroughtfromtownforMarilla。
　　"Haven’tyouheard？"saidJanewrathfully。"Well，itssimplythis……JoshuaPyehasgoneandpaintedthehallblueinsteadofgreen……adeep，brilliantblue，theshadetheyuseforpaintingcartsandwheelbarrows。AndMrs。Lyndesaysitisthemosthideouscolorforabuilding，especiallywhencombinedwitharedroof，thatsheeversaworimagined。YoucouldsimplyhaveknockedmedownwithafeatherwhenIheardit。It’sheartbreaking，afterallthetroublewe’vehad。"
　　"Howonearthcouldsuchamistakehavehappened？"wailedDiana。
　　TheblameofthisunmercifuldisasterwaseventuallynarroweddowntothePyes。TheImprovershaddecidedtouseMorton-HarrispaintsandtheMorton-Harrispaintcanswerenumberedaccordingtoacolorcard。Apurchaserchosehisshadeonthecardandorderedbytheaccompanyingnumber。Number147wastheshadeofgreendesiredandwhenMr。RogerPyesentwordtotheImproversbyhisson，JohnAndrew，thathewasgoingtotownandwouldgettheirpaintforthem，theImproverstoldJohnAndrewtotellhisfathertoget147。
　　JohnAndrewalwaysaverredthathedidso，butMr。RogerPyeasstanchlydeclaredthatJohnAndrewtoldhim157；andtherethematterstandstothisday。
　　ThatnighttherewasblankdismayineveryAvonleahousewhereanImproverlived。ThegloomatGreenGableswassointensethatitquenchedevenDavy。Anneweptandwouldnotbecomforted。
　　"Imustcry，evenifIamalmostseventeen，Marilla，"shesobbed。
　　"Itissomortifying。Anditsoundsthedeathknellofoursociety。
　　We’llsimplybelaughedoutofexistence。"
　　Inlife，asindreams，however，thingsoftengobycontraries。TheAvonleapeopledidnotlaugh；theyweretooangry。Theirmoneyhadgonetopaintthehallandconsequentlytheyfeltthemselvesbitterlyaggrievedbythemistake。PublicindignationcenteredonthePyes。
　　RogerPyeandJohnAndrewhadbungledthematterbetweenthem；
　　andasforJoshuaPye，hemustbeabornfoolnottosuspecttherewassomethingwrongwhenheopenedthecansandsawthecolorofthepaint。JoshuaPye，whenthusanimadvertedupon，retortedthattheAvonleatasteincolorswasnobusinessofhis，whateverhisprivateopinionmightbe；hehadbeenhiredtopaintthehall，nottotalkaboutit；andhemeanttohavehismoneyforit。
　　TheImproverspaidhimhismoneyinbitternessofspirit，afterconsultingMr。PeterSloane，whowasamagistrate。
　　"You’llhavetopayit，"Petertoldhim。"Youcan’tholdhimresponsibleforthemistake，sinceheclaimshewasnevertoldwhatthecolorwassupposedtobebutjustgiventhecansandtoldtogoahead。Butit’saburningshameandthathallcertainlydoeslookawful。"
　　ThelucklessImproversexpectedthatAvonleawouldbemoreprejudicedthaneveragainstthem；butinstead，publicsympathyveeredaroundintheirfavor。Peoplethoughttheeager，enthusiasticlittlebandwhohadworkedsohardfortheirobjecthadbeenbadlyused。Mrs。LyndetoldthemtokeeponandshowthePyesthattherereallywerepeopleintheworldwhocoulddothingswithoutmakingamuddleofthem。Mr。MajorSpencersentthemwordthathewouldcleanoutallthestumpsalongtheroadfrontofhisfarmandseeditdownwithgrassathisownexpense；
　　andMrs。HiramSloanecalledattheschoolonedayandbeckonedAnnemysteriouslyoutintotheporchtotellherthatifthe"Sassiety"
　　wantedtomakeageraniumbedatthecrossroadsinthespringtheyneedn’tbeafraidofhercow，forshewouldseethatthemaraudinganimalwaskeptwithinsafebounds。EvenMr。Harrisonchuckled，ifhechuckledatall，inprivate，andwasallsympathyoutwardly。
　　"Nevermind，Anne。Mostpaintsfadeugliereveryyearbutthatblueisasuglyasitcanbetobeginwith，soit’sboundtofadeprettier。Andtheroofisshingledandpaintedallright。Folkswillbeabletositinthehallafterthiswithoutbeingleakedon。
　　You’veaccomplishedsomuchanyhow。"
　　"ButAvonlea’sbluehallwillbeabywordinalltheneighboringsettlementsfromthistimeout，"saidAnnebitterly。
　　Anditmustbeconfessedthatitwas。
　　X
　　DavyinSearchofaSensationAnne，walkinghomefromschoolthroughtheBirchPathoneNovemberafternoon，feltconvincedafreshthatlifewasaverywonderfulthing。
　　Thedayhadbeenagoodday；allhadgonewellinherlittlekingdom。
　　St。ClairDonnellhadnotfoughtanyoftheotherboysoverthequestionofhisname；PrillieRogerson’sfacehadbeensopuffedupfromtheeffectsoftoothachethatshedidnotoncetrytocoquettewiththeboysinhervicinity。BarbaraShawhadmetwithonlyONEaccident……spillingadipperofwateroverthefloor……andAnthonyPyehadnotbeeninschoolatall。
　　"WhatanicemonththisNovemberhasbeen！"saidAnne，whohadneverquitegotoverherchildishhabitoftalkingtoherself。
　　"Novemberisusuallysuchadisagreeablemonth……asiftheyearhadsuddenlyfoundoutthatshewasgrowingoldandcoulddonothingbutweepandfretoverit。Thisyearisgrowingoldgracefully……justlikeastatelyoldladywhoknowsshecanbecharmingevenwithgrayhairandwrinkles。We’vehadlovelydaysanddelicioustwilights。Thislastfortnighthasbeensopeaceful，andevenDavyhasbeenalmostwell-behaved。Ireallythinkheisimprovingagreatdeal。Howquietthewoodsaretoday……
　　notamurmurexceptthatsoftwindpurringinthetreetops！
　　Itsoundslikesurfonafarawayshore。Howdearthewoodsare！
　　Youbeautifultrees！Iloveeveryoneofyouasafriend。"
　　Annepausedtothrowherarmaboutaslimyoungbirchandkissitscream-whitetrunk。Diana，roundingacurveinthepath，sawherandlaughed。
　　"AnneShirley，you’reonlypretendingtobegrownup。Ibelievewhenyou’realoneyou’reasmuchalittlegirlasyoueverwere。"
　　"Well，onecan’tgetoverthehabitofbeingalittlegirlallatonce，"saidAnnegaily。"Yousee，IwaslittleforfourteenyearsandI’veonlybeengrown-uppishforscarcelythree。I’msureI
　　shallalwaysfeellikeachildinthewoods。ThesewalkshomefromschoolarealmosttheonlytimeIhavefordreaming……
　　exceptthehalf-hourorsobeforeIgotosleep。I’msobusywithteachingandstudyingandhelpingMarillawiththetwinsthatIhaven’tanothermomentforimaginingthings。
　　Youdon’tknowwhatsplendidadventuresIhaveforalittlewhileafterIgotobedintheeastgableeverynight。IalwaysimagineI’msomethingverybrilliantandtriumphantandsplendid……
　　agreatprimadonnaoraRedCrossnurseoraqueen。LastnightIwasaqueen。It’sreallysplendidtoimagineyouareaqueen。
　　Youhaveallthefunofitwithoutanyoftheinconveniencesandyoucanstopbeingaqueenwheneveryouwantto，whichyoucouldn’tinreallife。ButhereinthewoodsIlikebesttoimaginequitedifferentthings……I’madryadlivinginanoldpine，oralittlebrownwood-elfhidingunderacrinkledleaf。Thatwhitebirchyoucaughtmekissingisasisterofmine。Theonlydifferenceis，she’satreeandI’magirl，butthat’snorealdifference。
　　Whereareyougoing，Diana？"
　　"DowntotheDicksons。IpromisedtohelpAlbertacutouthernewdress。
　　Can’tyouwalkdownintheevening，Anne，andcomehomewithme？"
　　"Imight……sinceFredWrightisawayintown，"saidAnnewitharathertooinnocentface。
　　Dianablushed，tossedherhead，andwalkedon。Shedidnotlookoffended，however。
　　AnnefullyintendedtogodowntotheDicksons’thatevening，butshedidnot。WhenshearrivedatGreenGablesshefoundastateofaffairswhichbanishedeveryotherthoughtfromhermind。Marillametherintheyard……awild-eyedMarilla。
　　"Anne，Doraislost！"
　　"Dora！Lost！"AnnelookedatDavy，whowasswingingontheyardgate，anddetectedmerrimentinhiseyes。"Davy，doyouknowwheresheis？"
　　"No，Idon’t，"saidDavystoutly。"Ihaven’tseenhersincedinnertime，crossmyheart。"
　　"I’vebeenawayeversinceoneo’clock，"saidMarilla。"ThomasLyndetooksickallofasuddenandRachelsentupformetogoatonce。
　　WhenIlefthereDorawasplayingwithherdollinthekitchenandDavywasmakingmudpiesbehindthebarn。Ionlygothomehalfanhourago……andnoDoratobeseen。DavydeclaresheneversawhersinceIleft。"
　　"NeitherIdid，"avowedDavysolemnly。
　　"Shemustbesomewherearound，"saidAnne。"Shewouldneverwanderfarawayalone……youknowhowtimidsheis。Perhapsshehasfallenasleepinoneoftherooms。"
　　Marillashookherhead。
　　"I’vehuntedthewholehousethrough。Butshemaybeinsomeofthebuildings。"
　　Athoroughsearchfollowed。Everycornerofhouse，yard，andoutbuildingswasransackedbythosetwodistractedpeople。AnnerovedtheorchardsandtheHauntedWood，callingDora’sname。
　　Marillatookacandleandexploredthecellar。Davyaccompaniedeachoftheminturn，andwasfertileinthinkingofplaceswhereDoracouldpossiblybe。Finallytheymetagainintheyard。
　　"It’samostmysteriousthing，"groanedMarilla。
　　"Wherecanshebe？"saidAnnemiserably"Maybeshe’stumbledintothewell，"suggestedDavycheerfully。
　　AnneandMarillalookedfearfullyintoeachother’seyes。
　　Thethoughthadbeenwiththemboththroughtheirentiresearchbutneitherhaddaredtoputitintowords。
　　"She……shemighthave，"whisperedMarilla。
　　Anne，feelingfaintandsick，wenttothewellboxandpeeredover。
　　Thebucketsatontheshelfinside。Fardownbelowwasatinyglimmerofstillwater。TheCuthbertwellwasthedeepestinAvonlea。IfDora……butAnnecouldnotfacetheidea。
　　Sheshudderedandturnedaway。
　　"RunacrossforMr。Harrison，"saidMarilla，wringingherhands。
　　"Mr。HarrisonandJohnHenryarebothaway……theywenttotowntoday。
　　I’llgoforMr。Barry。"
　　Mr。BarrycamebackwithAnne，carryingacoilofropetowhichwasattachedaclaw-likeinstrumentthathadbeenthebusinessendofagrubbingfork。MarillaandAnnestoodby，coldandshakenwithhorroranddread，whileMr。Barrydraggedthewell，andDavy，astridethegate，watchedthegroupwithafaceindicativeofhugeenjoyment。
　　FinallyMr。Barryshookhishead，witharelievedair。
　　"Shecan’tbedownthere。It’samightycuriousthingwhereshecouldhavegotto，though。Lookhere，youngman，areyousureyou’venoideawhereyoursisteris？"
　　"I’vetoldyouadozentimesthatIhaven’t，"saidDavy，withaninjuredair。"Maybeatrampcomeandstoleher。"
　　"Nonsense，"saidMarillasharply，relievedfromherhorriblefearofthewell。"Anne，doyousupposeshecouldhavestrayedovertoMr。Harrison’s？Shehasalwaysbeentalkingabouthisparroteversincethattimeyoutookherover"
　　"Ican’tbelieveDorawouldventuresofaralonebutI’llgooverandsee，"saidAnne。
　　NobodywaslookingatDavyjustthenoritwouldhavebeenseenthataverydecidedchangecameoverhisface。Hequietlyslippedoffthegateandran，asfastashisfatlegscouldcarryhim，tothebarn。
　　AnnehastenedacrossthefieldstotheHarrisonestablishmentinnoveryhopefulframeofmind。Thehousewaslocked，thewindowshadesweredown，andtherewasnosignofanythinglivingabouttheplace。ShestoodontheverandaandcalledDoraloudly。
　　Ginger，inthekitchenbehindher，shriekedandsworewithsuddenfierceness；butbetweenhisoutburstsAnneheardaplaintivecryfromthelittlebuildingintheyardwhichservedMr。Harrisonasatoolhouse。Anneflewtothedoor，unhaspedit，andcaughtupasmallmortalwithatearstainedfacewhowassittingforlornlyonanupturnednailkeg。
　　"Oh，Dora，Dora，whatafrightyouhavegivenus！Howcameyoutobehere？"
　　"DavyandIcameovertoseeGinger，"sobbedDora，"butwecouldn’tseehimafterall，onlyDavymadehimswearbykickingthedoor。
　　AndthenDavybroughtmehereandrunoutandshutthedoor；andI
　　couldn’tgetout。Icriedandcried，Iwasfrightened，andoh，I’msohungryandcold；andIthoughtyou’dnevercome，Anne。"
　　"Davy？"ButAnnecouldsaynomore。ShecarriedDorahomewithaheavyheart。HerjoyatfindingthechildsafeandsoundwasdrownedoutinthepaincausedbyDavy’sbehavior。ThefreakofshuttingDoraupmighteasilyhavebeenpardoned。ButDavyhadtoldfalsehoods……downrightcoldbloodedfalsehoodsaboutit。
　　ThatwastheuglyfactandAnnecouldnotshuthereyestoit。
　　Shecouldhavesatdownandcriedwithsheerdisappointment。
　　ShehadgrowntoloveDavydearly……howdearlyshehadnotknownuntilthisminute……andithurtherunbearablytodiscoverthathewasguiltyofdeliberatefalsehood。
　　MarillalistenedtoAnne’staleinasilencethatbodednogoodDavy-ward；Mr。BarrylaughedandadvisedthatDavybesummarilydealtwith。WhenhehadgonehomeAnnesoothedandwarmedthesobbing，shiveringDora，gotherhersupperandputhertobed。
　　Thenshereturnedtothekitchen，justasMarillacamegrimlyin，leading，orratherpulling，thereluctant，cobwebbyDavy，whomshehadjustfoundhiddenawayinthedarkestcornerofthestable。
　　Shejerkedhimtothematonthemiddleofthefloorandthenwentandsatdownbytheeastwindow。Annewassittinglimplybythewestwindow。Betweenthemstoodtheculprit。HisbackwastowardMarillaanditwasameek，subdued，frightenedback；buthisfacewastowardAnneandalthoughitwasalittleshamefacedtherewasagleamofcomradeshipinDavy’seyes，asifheknewhehaddonewrongandwasgoingtobepunishedforit，butcouldcountonalaughoveritallwithAnnelateron。
　　ButnohalfhiddensmileansweredhiminAnne’sgrayeyes，astheremighthavedonehaditbeenonlyaquestionofmischief。
　　Therewassomethingelse……somethinguglyandrepulsive。
　　"Howcouldyoubehaveso，Davy？"sheaskedsorrowfully。
　　Davysquirmeduncomfortably。
　　"Ijustdiditforfun。ThingshavebeensoawfulquiethereforsolongthatIthoughtitwouldbefuntogiveyoufolksabigscare。
　　Itwas，too。"
　　InspiteoffearandalittleremorseDavygrinnedovertherecollection。
　　"Butyoutoldafalsehoodaboutit，Davy，"saidAnne，moresorrowfullythanever。
　　Davylookedpuzzled。
　　"What’safalsehood？Doyoumeanawhopper？"
　　"Imeanastorythatwasnottrue。"
　　"CourseIdid，"saidDavyfrankly。"IfIhadn’tyouwouldn’thavebeenscared。IHADtotellit。"
　　Annewasfeelingthereactionfromherfrightandexertions。
　　Davy’simpenitentattitudegavethefinishingtouch。
　　Twobigtearsbrimmedupinhereyes。
　　"Oh，Davy，howcouldyou？"shesaid，withaquiverinhervoice。
　　"Don’tyouknowhowwrongitwas？"
　　Davywasaghast。Annecrying……hehadmadeAnnecry！Afloodofrealremorserolledlikeawaveoverhiswarmlittleheartandengulfedit。
　　HerushedtoAnne，hurledhimselfintoherlap，flunghisarmsaroundherneck，andburstintotears。
　　"Ididn’tknowitwaswrongtotellwhoppers，"hesobbed。
　　"Howdidyouexpectmetoknowitwaswrong？AllMr。Sprott’schildrentoldthemREGULAReveryday，andcrosstheirheartstoo。
　　Is’posePaulIrvingnevertellswhoppersandhereI’vebeentryingawfulhardtobeasgoodashim，butnowIs’poseyou’llneverlovemeagain。ButIthinkyoumighthavetoldmeitwaswrong。
　　I’mawfulsorryI’vemadeyoucry，Anne，andI’llnevertellawhopperagain。"
　　DavyburiedhisfaceinAnne’sshoulderandcriedstormily。
　　Anne，inasuddengladflashofunderstanding，heldhimtightandlookedoverhiscurlythatchatMarilla。
　　"Hedidn’tknowitwaswrongtotellfalsehoods，Marilla。
　　Ithinkwemustforgivehimforthatpartofitthistimeifhewillpromisenevertosaywhatisn’ttrueagain。"
　　"Ineverwill，nowthatIknowit’sbad，"asseveratedDavybetweensobs。
　　"Ifyouevercatchmetellingawhopperagainyoucan……"Davygropedmentallyforasuitablepenance……"youcanskinmealive，Anne。"
　　"Don’tsay`whopper，’Davy……say`falsehood，’"saidtheschoolma’am。
　　"Why？"queriedDavy，settlingcomfortablydownandlookingupwithatearstained，investigatingface。"Whyain’twhopperasgoodasfalsehood？Iwanttoknow。It’sjustasbigaword。"
　　"It’sslang；andit’swrongforlittleboystouseslang。"
　　"There’sanawfullotofthingsit’swrongtodo，"saidDavywithasigh。
　　"Inevers’posedtherewassomany。I’msorryit’swrongtotellwhop……
　　falsehoods，’causeit’sawfulhandy，butsinceitisI’mnevergoingtotellanymore。Whatareyougoingtodotomefortellingthemthistime？
　　Iwanttoknow。"AnnelookedbeseechinglyatMarilla。
　　"Idon’twanttobetoohardonthechild，"saidMarilla。"I
　　daresaynobodyeverdidtellhimitwaswrongtotelllies，andthoseSprottchildrenwerenofitcompanionsforhim。PoorMarywastoosicktotrainhimproperlyandIpresumeyoucouldn’texpectasix-year-oldchildtoknowthingslikethatbyinstinct。
　　Isupposewe’lljusthavetoassumehedoesn’tknowANYTHINGrightandbeginatthebeginning。Buthe’llhavetobepunishedforshuttingDoraup，andIcan’tthinkofanywayexcepttosendhimtobedwithouthissupperandwe’vedonethatsooften。Can’tyousuggestsomethingelse，Anne？Ishouldthinkyououghttobeableto，withthatimaginationyou’realwaystalkingof。"
　　"ButpunishmentsaresohorridandIliketoimagineonlypleasantthings，"
　　saidAnne，cuddlingDavy。"Therearesomanyunpleasantthingsintheworldalreadythatthereisnouseinimagininganymore。"
　　IntheendDavywassenttobed，asusual，theretoremainuntilnoonnextday。Heevidentlydidsomethinking，forwhenAnnewentuptoherroomalittlelatersheheardhimcallinghernamesoftly。
　　Goingin，shefoundhimsittingupinbed，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischinproppedonhishands。
　　"Anne，"hesaidsolemnly，"isitwrongforeverybodytotellwhop……
　　falsehoods？Iwanttoknow"
　　"Yes，indeed。"
　　"Isitwrongforagrown-upperson？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"Then，"saidDavydecidedly，"Marillaisbad，forSHEtellsthem。
　　Andshe’sworse’nme，forIdidn’tknowitwaswrongbutshedoes。"
　　"DavyKeith，Marillanevertoldastoryinherlife，"saidAnneindignantly。
　　"Shedidso。ShetoldmelastTuesdaythatsomethingdreadfulWOULDhappentomeifIdidn’tsaymyprayerseverynight。AndI
　　haven’tsaidthemforoveraweek，justtoseewhatwouldhappen……
　　andnothinghas，"concludedDavyinanaggrievedtone。
　　Annechokedbackamaddesiretolaughwiththeconvictionthatitwouldbefatal，andthenearnestlysetaboutsavingMarilla’sreputation。
　　"Why，DavyKeith，"shesaidsolemnly，"somethingdreadfulHAShappenedtoyouthisveryday"
　　Davylookedsceptical。
　　"Is’poseyoumeanbeingsenttobedwithoutanysupper，"hesaidscornfully，"butTHATisn’tdreadful。Course，Idon’tlikeit，butI’vebeensenttobedsomuchsinceIcomeherethatI’mgettingusedtoit。Andyoudon’tsaveanythingbymakingmegowithoutsuppereither，forIalwayseattwiceasmuchforbreakfast。"
　　"Idon’tmeanyourbeingsenttobed。Imeanthefactthatyoutoldafalsehoodtoday。And，Davy，"……Anneleanedoverthefootboardofthebedandshookherfingerimpressivelyattheculprit……"foraboytotellwhatisn’ttrueisalmosttheworstthingthatcouldHAPPENtohim……almosttheveryworst。
　　SoyouseeMarillatoldyouthetruth。"
　　"ButIthoughtthesomethingbadwouldbeexciting，"protestedDavyinaninjuredtone。
　　"Marillaisn’ttoblameforwhatyouthought。Badthingsaren’talwaysexciting。They’reveryoftenjustnastyandstupid。"
　　"ItwasawfulfunnytoseeMarillaandyoulookingdownthewell，though，"
　　saidDavy，hugginghisknees。
　　Annekeptasoberfaceuntilshegotdownstairsandthenshecollapsedonthesittingroomloungeandlaugheduntilhersidesached。
　　"Iwishyou’dtellmethejoke，"saidMarilla，alittlegrimly。
　　"Ihaven’tseenmuchtolaughattoday。"
　　"You’lllaughwhenyouhearthis，"assuredAnne。AndMarilladidlaugh，whichshowedhowmuchhereducationhadadvancedsincetheadoptionofAnne。Butshesighedimmediatelyafterwards。
　　"IsupposeIshouldn’thavetoldhimthat，althoughIheardaministersayittoachildonce。Buthedidaggravatemeso。ItwasthatnightyouwereattheCarmodyconcertandIwasputtinghimtobed。Hesaidhedidn’tseethegoodofprayinguntilhegotbigenoughtobeofsomeimportancetoGod。Anne，Idonotknowwhatwearegoingtodowiththatchild。Ineversawhisbeat。
　　I’mfeelingcleandiscouraged。"
　　"Oh，don’tsaythat，Marilla。RememberhowbadIwaswhenIcamehere。"
　　"Anne，youneverwerebad……NEVER。Iseethatnow，whenI’velearnedwhatrealbadnessis。Youwerealwaysgettingintoterriblescrapes，I’lladmit，butyourmotivewasalwaysgood。
　　Davyisjustbadfromsheerloveofit。"
　　"Oh，no，Idon’tthinkitisrealbadnesswithhimeither，"pleadedAnne。
　　"It’sjustmischief。Anditisratherquietforhimhere，youknow。
　　Hehasnootherboystoplaywithandhismindhastohavesomethingtooccupyit。Doraissoprimandpropersheisnogoodforaboy’splaymate。Ireallythinkitwouldbebettertoletthemgotoschool，Marilla。"
　　"No，"saidMarillaresolutely，"myfatheralwayssaidthatnochildshouldbecoopedupinthefourwallsofaschooluntilitwassevenyearsold，andMr。Allansaysthesamething。
　　Thetwinscanhaveafewlessonsathomebutgotoschooltheyshan’ttillthey’reseven。"
　　"Well，wemusttrytoreformDavyathomethen，"saidAnnecheerfully。"Withallhisfaultshe’sreallyadearlittlechap。
　　Ican’thelplovinghim。Marilla，itmaybeadreadfulthingtosay，buthonestly，IlikeDavybetterthanDora，forallshe’ssogood。"
　　"Idon’tknowbutthatIdo，myself，"confessedMarilla，"anditisn’tfair，forDoraisn’tabitoftrouble。Therecouldn’tbeabetterchildandyou’dhardlyknowshewasinthehouse。"
　　"Doraistoogood，"saidAnne。"She’dbehavejustaswelliftherewasn’tasoultotellherwhattodo。Shewasbornalreadybroughtup，soshedoesn’tneedus；andIthink，"concludedAnne，hittingonaveryvitaltruth，"thatwealwayslovebestthepeoplewhoneedus。Davyneedsusbadly。"
　　"Hecertainlyneedssomething，"agreedMarilla。"RachelLyndewouldsayitwasagoodspanking。"
　　XI
　　FactsandFancies"Teachingisreallyveryinterestingwork，"wroteAnnetoaQueen’sAcademychum。"JanesaysshethinksitismonotonousbutIdon’tfinditso。Somethingfunnyisalmostsuretohappeneveryday，andthechildrensaysuchamusingthings。Janesaysshepunishesherpupilswhentheymakefunnyspeeches，whichisprobablywhyshefindsteachingmonotonous。ThisafternoonlittleJimmyAndrewswastryingtospell`speckled’andcouldn’tmanageit。`Well，’hesaidfinally，`Ican’tspellitbutIknowwhatitmeans。’
　　"`What？’Iasked。
　　"`St。ClairDonnell’sface，miss。’
　　"St。Clairiscertainlyverymuchfreckled，althoughItrytopreventtheothersfromcommentingonit……forIwasfreckledonceandwelldoIrememberit。ButIdon’tthinkSt。Clairminds。
　　ItwasbecauseJimmycalledhim`St。Clair’thatSt。Clairpoundedhimonthewayhomefromschool。Iheardofthepounding，butnotofficially，soIdon’tthinkI’lltakeanynoticeofit。
　　"YesterdayIwastryingtoteachLottieWrighttodoaddition。
　　Isaid，`Ifyouhadthreecandiesinonehandandtwointheother，howmanywouldyouhavealtogether？’`Amouthful，’saidLottie。
　　Andinthenaturestudyclass，whenIaskedthemtogivemeagoodreasonwhytoadsshouldn’tbekilled，BenjieSloanegravelyanswered，`Becauseitwouldrainthenextday。’
　　"It’ssohardnottolaugh，Stella。IhavetosaveupallmyamusementuntilIgethome，andMarillasaysitmakeshernervoustohearwildshrieksofmirthproceedingfromtheeastgablewithoutanyapparentcause。
　　ShesaysamaninGraftonwentinsaneonceandthatwashowitbegan。
　　"DidyouknowthatThomasaBecketwascanonizedasaSNAKE？
　　RoseBellsayshewas……alsothatWilliamTyndaleWROTEtheNewTestament。ClaudeWhitesaysa`glacier’isamanwhoputsinwindowframes！
　　"Ithinkthemostdifficultthinginteaching，aswellasthemostinteresting，istogetthechildrentotellyoutheirrealthoughtsaboutthings。OnestormydaylastweekIgatheredthemaroundmeatdinnerhourandtriedtogetthemtotalktomejustasifI
　　wereoneofthemselves。Iaskedthemtotellmethethingstheymostwanted。Someoftheanswerswerecommonplaceenough……dolls，ponies，andskates。Othersweredecidedlyoriginal。
　　HesterBoulterwanted`towearherSundaydresseverydayandeatinthesittingroom。’HannahBellwanted`tobegoodwithouthavingtotakeanytroubleaboutit。’MarjoryWhite，agedten，wantedtobeaWIDOW。Questionedwhy，shegravelysaidthatifyouweren’tmarriedpeoplecalledyouanoldmaid，andifyouwereyourhusbandbossedyou；butifyouwereawidowthere’dbenodangerofeither。
　　ThemostremarkablewishwasSallyBell’s。Shewanteda’honeymoon。’
　　IaskedherifsheknewwhatitwasandshesaidshethoughtitwasanextranicekindofbicyclebecausehercousininMontrealwentonahoneymoonwhenhewasmarriedandhehadalwayshadtheverylatestinbicycles！
　　"AnotherdayIaskedthemalltotellmethenaughtiestthingtheyhadeverdone。Icouldn’tgettheolderonestodoso，butthethirdclassansweredquitefreely。ElizaBellhad`setfiretoheraunt’scardedrolls。’Askedifshemeanttodoitshesaid，`notaltogether。’Shejusttriedalittleendtoseehowitwouldburnandthewholebundleblazedupinajiffy。EmersonGillishadspenttencentsforcandywhenheshouldhaveputitinhismissionarybox。AnnettaBell’sworstcrimewas`eatingsomeblueberriesthatgrewinthegraveyard。’WillieWhitehad`sliddownthesheephouseroofalotoftimeswithhisSundaytrouserson。’
　　`ButIwaspunishedforit’causeIhadtowearpatchedpantstoSundaySchoolallsummer，andwhenyou’repunishedforathingyoudon’thavetorepentofit，’declaredWillie。
　　"Iwishyoucouldseesomeoftheircompositions……somuchdoIwishitthatI’llsendyoucopiesofsomewrittenrecently。
　　LastweekItoldthefourthclassIwantedthemtowritemelettersaboutanythingtheypleased，addingbywayofsuggestionthattheymighttellmeofsomeplacetheyhadvisitedorsomeinterestingthingorpersontheyhadseen。Theyweretowritethelettersonrealnotepaper，sealtheminanenvelope，andaddressthemtome，allwithoutanyassistancefromotherpeople。LastFridaymorningIfoundapileoflettersonmydeskandthateveningIrealizedafreshthatteachinghasitspleasuresaswellasitspains。Thosecompositionswouldatoneformuch。HereisNedClay’s，address，spelling，andgrammarasoriginallypenned。
　　"`MissteacherShiRleyGreengabels。
　　p。e。Islandcanbirds"`DearteacherIthinkIwillwriteyouacompositionaboutbirds。
　　birdsisveryusefulanimals。mycatcatchesbirds。HisnameisWilliambutpacallshimtom。heisollstripedandhegotoneofhisearsfrozoflastwinter。onlyforthathewouldbeagood-lookingcat。Myunklehasadoptedacat。itcometohishouseonedayandwoudentgoawayandunklesaysithasforgotmorethanmostpeopleeverknowed。heletsitsleeponhisrockingchareandmyauntsayshethinksmoreofitthanhedoesofhischildren。thatisnotright。weoughttobekindtocatsandgivethemnewmilkbutweoughtnotbebettertothemthantoourchildren。thisisollIcanthinkofsonomoreatpresentfromedwardblakeClaY。’"
　　"St。ClairDonnell’sis，asusual，shortandtothepoint。St。
　　Clairneverwasteswords。Idonotthinkhechosehissubjectoraddedthepostscriptoutofmaliceaforethought。Itisjustthathehasnotagreatdealoftactorimagination。
　　"`DearMissShirleyYoutoldustodescribesomethingstrangewehaveseen。IwilldescribetheAvonleaHall。Ithastwodoors，aninsideoneandanoutsideone。Ithassixwindowsandachimney。Ithastwoendsandtwosides。Itispaintedblue。Thatiswhatmakesitstrange。
　　ItisbuiltonthelowerCarmodyroad。ItisthethirdmostimportantbuildinginAvonlea。Theothersarethechurchandtheblacksmithshop。Theyholddebatingclubsandlecturesinitandconcerts。
　　Yourstruly，JacobDonnell。
　　P。S。Thehallisaverybrightblue。’"
　　"AnnettaBell’sletterwasquitelong，whichsurprisedme，forwritingessaysisnotAnnetta’sforte，andhersaregenerallyasbriefasst。Clair’s。Annettaisaquietlittlepussandamodelofgoodbehavior，butthereisn’tashadowoforginalityinher。