Andrews’excellentadviceandsoughtrefugeatthepostoffice。
　　"TherecomesJohnHenryCarter，"saidMarilla。
　　JohnHenrycamewadingthroughthehailstoneswitharatherscaredgrin。
　　"Oh，ain’tthisawful，MissCuthbert？Mr。Harrisonsentmeovertoseeifyoushadcomeoutallright。"
　　"We’renoneofuskilled，"saidMarillagrimly，"andnoneofthebuildingswasstruck。Ihopeyougotoffequallywell。"
　　"Yas’m。Notquitesowell，ma’am。Wewasstruck。ThelightningknockedoverthekitchenchimblyandcomedowntheflueandknockedoverGinger’scageandtoreaholeinthefloorandwentintothesullar。Yas’m。"
　　"WasGingerhurt？"queriedAnne。
　　"Yas’m。Hewashurtprettybad。Hewaskilled。"LateronAnnewentovertocomfortMr。Harrison。Shefoundhimsittingbythetable，strokingGinger’sgaydeadbodywithatremblinghand。
　　"PoorGingerwon’tcallyouanymorenames，Anne，"hesaidmournfully。
　　AnnecouldneverhaveimaginedherselfcryingonGinger’saccount，butthetearscameintohereyes。
　　"HewasallthecompanyIhad，Anne……andnowhe’sdead。Well，well，I’manoldfooltocaresomuch。I’llletonIdon’tcare。
　　Iknowyou’regoingtosaysomethingsympatheticassoonasI
　　stoptalking……butdon’t。IfyoudidI’dcrylikeababy。
　　Hasn’tthisbeenaterriblestorm？Iguessfolkswon’tlaughatUncleAbe’spredictionsagain。Seemsasifallthestormsthathe’sbeenprophesyingallhislifethatneverhappenedcameallatonce。Beatsallhowhestrucktheverydaythough，don’tit？
　　Lookatthemesswehavehere。Imusthustleroundandgetsomeboardstopatchupthatholeinthefloor。"
　　Avonleafolksdidnothingthenextdaybutvisiteachotherandcomparedamages。Theroadswereimpassableforwheelsbyreasonofthehailstones，sotheywalkedorrodeonhorseback。Themailcamelatewithilltidingsfromallovertheprovince。Houseshadbeenstruck，peoplekilledandinjured；thewholetelephoneandtelegraphsystemhadbeendisorganized，andanynumberofyoungstockexposedinthefieldshadperished。
　　UncleAbewadedouttotheblacksmith’sforgeearlyinthemorningandspentthewholedaythere。ItwasUncleAbe’shouroftriumphandheenjoyedittothefull。ItwouldbedoingUncleAbeaninjusticetosaythathewasgladthestormhadhappened；butsinceithadtobehewasverygladhehadpredictedit……totheveryday，too。UncleAbeforgotthathehadeverdeniedsettingtheday。
　　Asforthetriflingdiscrepancyinthehour，thatwasnothing。
　　GilbertarrivedatGreenGablesintheeveningandfoundMarillaandAnnebusilyengagedinnailingstripsofoilclothoverthebrokenwindows。
　　"Goodnessonlyknowswhenwe’llgetglassforthem，"saidMarilla。
　　"Mr。BarrywentovertoCarmodythisafternoonbutnotapanecouldhegetforloveormoney。LawsonandBlairwerecleanedoutbytheCarmodypeoplebyteno’clock。WasthestormbadatWhiteSands，Gilbert？"
　　"Ishouldsayso。IwascaughtintheschoolwithallthechildrenandIthoughtsomeofthemwouldgomadwithfright。Threeofthemfainted，andtwogirlstookhysterics，andTommyBlewettdidnothingbutshriekatthetopofhisvoicethewholetime。"
　　"Ionlysquealedonce，"saidDavyproudly。"Mygardenwasallsmashedflat，"hecontinuedmournfully，"butsowasDora’s，"headdedinatonewhichindicatedthattherewasyetbalminGilead。
　　Annecamerunningdownfromthewestgable。
　　"Oh，Gilbert，haveyouheardthenews？Mr。LeviBoulter’soldhousewasstruckandburnedtotheground。ItseemstomethatI’mdreadfullywickedtofeelgladoverTHAT，whensomuchdamagehasbeendone。Mr。BoultersayshebelievestheA。V。I。S。magickedupthatstormonpurpose。"
　　"Well，onethingiscertain，"saidGilbert，laughing，"`Observer’
　　hasmadeUncleAbe’sreputationasaweatherprophet。`UncleAbe’sstorm’willgodowninlocalhistory。Itisamostextraordinarycoincidencethatitshouldhavecomeontheverydayweselected。
　　Iactuallyhaveahalfguiltyfeeling，asifIreallyhad`magicked’
　　itup。Wemayaswellrejoiceovertheoldhousebeingremoved，forthere’snotmuchtorejoiceoverwhereouryoungtreesareconcerned。
　　Nottenofthemhaveescaped。"
　　"Ah，well，we’lljusthavetoplantthemoveragainnextspring，"
　　saidAnnephilosophically。"Thatisonegoodthingaboutthisworld……therearealwayssuretobemoresprings。"
　　XXV
　　AnAvonleaScandalOneblitheJunemorning，afortnightafterUncleAbe’sstorm，AnnecameslowlythroughtheGreenGablesyardfromthegarden，carryinginherhandstwoblightedstalksofwhitenarcissus。
　　"Look，Marilla，"shesaidsorroly，holdinguptheflowersbeforetheeyesofagrimlady，withherhaircoifedinagreenginghamapron，whowasgoingintothehousewithapluckedchicken，"thesearetheonlybudsthestormspared……andeventheyareimperfect。
　　I’msosorry……IwantedsomeforMatthew’sgrave。HewasalwayssofondofJunelilies。"
　　"Ikindofmissthemmyself，"admittedMarilla，"thoughitdoesn’tseemrighttolamentoverthemwhensomanyworsethingshavehappened……allthecropsdestroyedaswellasthefruit。"
　　"Butpeoplehavesowntheiroatsoveragain，"saidAnnecomfortingly，"andMr。Harrisonsayshethinksifwehaveagoodsummertheywillcomeoutallrightthoughlate。Andmyannualsareallcomingupagain……butoh，nothingcanreplacetheJunelilies。PoorlittleHesterGraywillhavenoneeither。Iwentallthewaybacktohergardenlastnightbuttherewasn’tone。I’msureshe’llmissthem。"
　　"Idon’tthinkit’srightforyoutosaysuchthings，Anne，I
　　reallydon’t，"saidMarillaseverely。"HesterGrayhasbeendeadforthirtyyearsandherspiritisinheaven……Ihope。"
　　"Yes，butIbelieveshelovesandremembershergardenherestill，"
　　saidAnne。"I’msurenomatterhowlongI’dlivedinheavenI’dliketolookdownandseesomebodyputtingflowersonmygrave。IfIhadhadagardenherelikeHesterGray’sitwouldtakememorethanthirtyyears，eveninheaven，toforgetbeinghomesickforitbyspells。"
　　"Well，don’tletthetwinshearyoutalkinglikethat，"wasMarilla’sfeebleprotest，asshecarriedherchickenintothehouse。
　　Annepinnedhernarcissionherhairandwenttothelanegate，whereshestoodforawhilesunningherselfintheJunebrightnessbeforegoingintoattendtoherSaturdaymorningduties。Theworldwasgrowinglovelyagain；oldMotherNaturewasdoingherbesttoremovethetracesofthestorm，and，thoughshewasnottosucceedfullyformanyamoon，shewasreallyaccomplishingwonders。
　　"IwishIcouldjustbeidlealldaytoday，"Annetoldabluebird，whowassingingandswingingonawillowbough，"butaschoolma’am，whoisalsohelpingtobringuptwins，can’tindulgeinlaziness，birdie。Howsweetyouaresinging，littlebird。YouarejustputtingthefeelingsofmyheartintosongeversomuchbetterthanIcouldmyself。Why，whoiscoming？"
　　Anexpresswagonwasjoltingupthelane，withtwopeopleonthefrontseatandabigtrunkbehind。WhenitdrewnearAnnerecognizedthedriverasthesonofthestationagentatBrightRiver；buthiscompanionwasastranger……ascrapofawomanwhosprangnimblydownatthegatealmostbeforethehorsecametoastandstill。Shewasaveryprettylittleperson，evidentlynearerfiftythanforty，butwithrosycheeks，sparklingblackeyes，andshiningblackhair，surmountedbyawonderfulbefloweredandbeplumedbonnet。Inspiteofhavingdriveneightmilesoveradustyroadshewasasneatasifshehadjuststeppedoutoftheproverbialbandbox。
　　"IsthiswhereMr。JamesA。Harrisonlives？"sheinquiredbriskly。
　　"No，Mr。Harrisonlivesoverthere，"saidAnne，quitelostinastonishment。
　　"Well，IDIDthinkthisplaceseemedtootidy……MUCHtootidyforJamesA。
　　tobelivinghere，unlesshehasgreatlychangedsinceIknewhim，"chirpedthelittlelady。"IsittruethatJamesA。isgoingtobemarriedtosomewomanlivinginthissettlement？"
　　"No，ohno，"criedAnne，flushingsoguiltilythatthestrangerlookedcuriouslyather，asifshehalfsuspectedherofmatrimonialdesignsonMr。Harrison。
　　"ButIsawitinanIslandpaper，"persistedtheFairUnknown。"A
　　friendsentamarkedcopytome……friendsarealwayssoreadytodosuchthings。JamesA。’snamewaswritteninover`newcitizen。’"
　　"Oh，thatnotewasonlymeantasajoke，"gaspedAnne。"Mr。HarrisonhasnointentionofmarryingANYBODY。Iassureyouhehasn’t。"
　　"I’mverygladtohearit，"saidtherosylady，climbingnimblybacktoherseatinthewagon，"becausehehappenstobemarriedalready。
　　_I_amhiswife。Oh，youmaywelllooksurprised。Isupposehehasbeenmasqueradingasabachelorandbreakingheartsrightandleft。
　　Well，well，JamesA。，"noddingvigorouslyoverthefieldsatthelongwhitehouse，"yourfunisover。Iamhere……thoughIwouldn’thavebotheredcomingifIhadn’tthoughtyouwereuptosomemischief。
　　Isuppose，"turningtoAnne，"thatparrotofhisisasprofaneasever？"
　　"Hisparrot……isdead……ITHINK，"gaspedpoorAnne，whocouldn’thavefeltsureofherownnameatthatprecisemoment。
　　"Dead！Everythingwillbeallrightthen，"criedtherosyladyjubilantly。"IcanmanageJamesA。ifthatbirdisoutoftheway。"
　　WithwhichcrypticutteranceshewentjoyfullyonherwayandAnneflewtothekitchendoortomeetMarilla。
　　"Anne，whowasthatwoman？"
　　"Marilla，"saidAnnesolemnly，butwithdancingeyes，"doIlookasifIwerecrazy？"
　　"Notmoresothanusual，"saidMarilla，withnothoughtofbeingsarcastic。
　　"Wellthen，doyouthinkIamawake？"
　　"Anne，whatnonsensehasgotintoyou？Whowasthatwoman，Isay？"
　　"Marilla，ifI’mnotcrazyandnotasleepshecan’tbesuchstuffasdreamsaremadeof……shemustbereal。Anyway，I’msureIcouldn’thaveimaginedsuchabonnet。ShesayssheisMr。Harrison’swife，Marilla。"
　　Marillastaredinherturn。
　　"Hiswife！AnneShirley！Thenwhathashebeenpassinghimselfoffasanunmarriedmanfor？"
　　"Idon’tsupposehedid，really，"saidAnne，tryingtobejust。
　　"Heneversaidhewasn’tmarried。Peoplesimplytookitforgranted。OhMarilla，whatwillMrs。Lyndesaytothis？"
　　TheyfoundoutwhatMrs。Lyndehadtosaywhenshecameupthatevening。Mrs。Lyndewasn’tsurprised！Mrs。Lyndehadalwaysexpectedsomethingofthesort！Mrs。LyndehadalwaysknowntherewasSOMETHINGaboutMr。Harrison！
　　"Tothinkofhisdesertinghiswife！"shesaidindignantly。
　　"It’slikesomethingyou’dreadofintheStates，butwhowouldexpectsuchathingtohappenrighthereinAvonlea？"
　　"Butwedon’tknowthathedesertedher，"protestedAnne，determinedtobelieveherfriendinnocenttillhewasprovedguilty。"Wedon’tknowtherightsofitatall。"
　　"Well，wesoonwill。I’mgoingstraightoverthere，"saidMrs。
　　Lynde，whohadneverlearnedthattherewassuchawordasdelicacyinthedictionary。"I’mnotsupposedtoknowanythingaboutherarrival，andMr。HarrisonwastobringsomemedicineforThomasfromCarmodytoday，sothatwillbeagoodexcuse。I’llfindoutthewholestoryandcomeinandtellyouonthewayback。"
　　Mrs。LynderushedinwhereAnnehadfearedtotread。NothingwouldhaveinducedthelattertogoovertotheHarrisonplace；
　　butshehadhernaturalandpropershareofcuriosityandshefeltsecretlygladthatMrs。Lyndewasgoingtosolvethemystery。
　　SheandMarillawaitedexpectantlyforthatgoodlady’sreturn，butwaitedinvain。Mrs。LyndedidnotrevisitGreenGablesthatnight。
　　Davy，arrivinghomeatnineo’clockfromtheBoulterplace，explainedwhy。
　　"ImetMrs。LyndeandsomestrangewomanintheHollow，"hesaid，"andgracious，howtheyweretalkingbothatonce！Mrs。Lyndesaidtotellyoushewassorryitwastoolatetocalltonight。
　　Anne，I’mawfulhungry。WehadteaatMilty’satfourandIthinkMrs。Boulterisrealmean。Shedidn’tgiveusanypreservesorcake……andeventhebreadwasskurce。"
　　"Davy，whenyougovisitingyoumustnevercriticizeanythingyouaregiventoeat，"saidAnnesolemnly。"Itisverybadmanners。"
　　"Allright……I’llonlythinkit，"saidDavycheerfully。
　　"Dogiveafellowsomesupper，Anne。"
　　AnnelookedatMarilla，whofollowedherintothepantryandshutthedoorcautiously。
　　"Youcangivehimsomejamonhisbread，IknowwhatteaatLeviBoulter’sisapttobe。"
　　Davytookhissliceofbreadandjamwithasigh。
　　"It’sakindofdisappointingworldafterall，"heremarked。
　　"Miltyhasacatthattakesfits……she’stookafitregulareverydayforthreeweeks。Miltysaysit’sawfulfuntowatchher。
　　Iwentdowntodayonpurposetoseeherhaveonebutthemeanoldthingwouldn’ttakeafitandjustkepthealthyashealthy，thoughMiltyandmehungroundalltheafternoonandwaited。Butnevermind"……Davybrightenedupastheinsidiouscomfortoftheplumjamstoleintohissoul……"maybeI’llseeherinonesometimeyet。
　　Itdoesn’tseemlikelyshe’dstophavingthemallatoncewhenshe’sbeensointhehabitofit，doesit？Thisjamisawfulnice。"
　　Davyhadnosorrowsthatplumjamcouldnotcure。
　　Sundayprovedsorainythattherewasnostirringabroad；butbyMondayeverybodyhadheardsomeversionoftheHarrisonstory。TheschoolbuzzedwithitandDavycamehome，fullofinformation。
　　"Marilla，Mr。Harrisonhasanewwife……well，notezacklynew，butthey’vestoppedbeingmarriedforquiteaspell，Miltysays。
　　Ialwayss’posedpeoplehadtokeeponbeingmarriedoncethey’dbegun，butMiltysaysno，there’swaysofstoppingifyoucan’tagree。
　　Miltysaysonewayisjusttostartoffandleaveyourwife，andthat’swhatMr。Harrisondid。MiltysaysMr。Harrisonlefthiswifebecauseshethrowedthingsathim……HARDthings……andArtySloanesaysitwasbecauseshewouldn’tlethimsmoke，andNedClaysaysitwas’causesheneverletupscoldinghim。Iwouldn’tleaveMY
　　wifeforanythinglikethat。I’djustputmyfootdownandsay，`Mrs。Davy，you’vejustgottodowhat’llpleaseME’causeI’maMAN。’
　　THAT’DsettleherprettyquickIguess。ButAnnettaClaysaysSHEleftHIMbecausehewouldn’tscrapehisbootsatthedoorandshedoesn’tblameher。I’mgoingrightovertoMr。Harrison’sthisminutetoseewhatshe’slike。"
　　Davysoonreturned，somewhatcastdown。
　　"Mrs。Harrisonwasaway……she’sgonetoCarmodywithMrs。RachelLyndetogetnewpaperfortheparlor。AndMr。HarrisonsaidtotellAnnetogooverandseehim`causehewantstohaveatalkwithher。Andsay，thefloorisscrubbed，andMr。Harrisonisshaved，thoughtherewasn’tanypreachingyesterday。"
　　TheHarrisonkitchenworeaveryunfamiliarlooktoAnne。Thefloorwasindeedscrubbedtoawonderfulpitchofpurityandsowaseveryarticleoffurnitureintheroom；thestovewaspolisheduntilshecouldseeherfaceinit；thewallswerewhitewashedandthewindowpanessparkledinthesunlight。BythetablesatMr。Harrisoninhisworkingclothes，whichonFridayhadbeennotedforsundryrentsandtattersbutwhichwerenowneatlypatchedandbrushed。
　　Hewassprucelyshavedandwhatlittlehairhehadwascarefullytrimmed。
　　"Sitdown，Anne，sitdown，"saidMr。HarrisoninatonebuttwodegreesremovedfromthatwhichAvonleapeopleusedatfunerals。
　　"Emily’sgoneovertoCarmodywithRachelLynde……she’sstruckupalifelongfriendshipalreadywithRachelLynde。Beatsallhowcontrarywomenare。Well，Anne，myeasytimesareover……allover。
　　It’sneatnessandtidinessformefortherestofmynaturallife，Isuppose。"
　　Mr。Harrisondidhisbesttospeakdolefully，butanirrepressibletwinkleinhiseyebetrayedhim。
　　"Mr。Harrison，youaregladyourwifeiscomeback，"criedAnne，shakingherfingerathim。"Youneedn’tpretendyou’renot，becauseIcanseeitplainly。"
　　Mr。Harrisonrelaxedintoasheepishsmile。
　　"Well……well……I’mgettingusedtoit，"heconceded。"Ican’tsayIwassorrytoseeEmily。Amanreallyneedssomeprotectioninacommunitylikethis，wherehecan’tplayagameofcheckerswithaneighborwithoutbeingaccusedofwantingtomarrythatneighbor’ssisterandhavingitputinthepaper。"
　　"NobodywouldhavesupposedyouwenttoseeIsabellaAndrewsifyouhadn’tpretendedtobeunmarried，"saidAnneseverely。
　　"Ididn’tpretendIwas。Ifanybody’dhaveaskedmeifIwasmarriedI’dhavesaidIwas。Buttheyjusttookitforgranted。
　　Iwasn’tanxioustotalkaboutthematter……Iwasfeelingtoosoreoverit。ItwouldhavebeennutsforMrs。RachelLyndeifshehadknownmywifehadleftme，wouldn’titnow？"
　　"Butsomepeoplesaythatyoulefther。"
　　"Shestartedit，Anne，shestartedit。I’mgoingtotellyouthewholestory，forIdon’twantyoutothinkworseofmethanI
　　deserve……norofEmilyneither。Butlet’sgooutontheveranda。
　　Everythingissofearfulneatinherethatitkindofmakesmehomesick。
　　IsupposeI’llgetusedtoitafterawhilebutiteasesmeuptolookattheyard。Emilyhasn’thadtimetotidyitupyet。"
　　AssoonastheywerecomfortablyseatedontheverandaMr。Harrisonbeganhistaleofwoe。
　　"IlivedinScottsford，NewBrunswick，beforeIcamehere，Anne。
　　Mysisterkepthouseformeandshesuitedmefine；shewasjustreasonablytidyandsheletmealoneandspoiledme……soEmilysays。
　　Butthreeyearsagoshedied。BeforeshediedsheworriedalotaboutwhatwastobecomeofmeandfinallyshegotmetopromiseI’dgetmarried。
　　SheadvisedmetotakeEmilyScottbecauseEmilyhadmoneyofherownandwasapatternhousekeeper。Isaid，saysI，`EmilyScottwouldn’tlookatme。’
　　`Youaskherandsee，’saysmysister；andjusttoeasehermindIpromisedherIwould……andIdid。AndEmilysaidshe’dhaveme。Neverwassosurprisedinmylife，Anne……asmartprettylittlewomanlikeherandanoldfellowlikeme。ItellyouIthoughtatfirstIwasinluck。
　　Well，weweremarriedandtookalittleweddingtriptoSt。Johnforafortnightandthenwewenthome。Wegothomeatteno’clockatnight，andIgiveyoumyword，Anne，thatinhalfanhourthatwomanwasatworkhousecleaning。Oh，Iknowyou’rethinkingmyhouseneededit……
　　you’vegotaveryexpressiveface，Anne；yourthoughtsjustcomeoutonitlikeprint……butitdidn’t，notthatbad。IthadgotprettymixedupwhileIwaskeepingbachelor’shall，Iadmit，butI’dgotawomantocomeinandcleanitupbeforeIwasmarriedandthere’dbeenconsiderablepaintingandfixingdone。ItellyouifyoutookEmilyintoabrandnewwhitemarblepalaceshe’dbeintothescrubbingassoonasshecouldgetanolddresson。Well，shecleanedhousetilloneo’clockthatnightandatfourshewasupandatitagain。Andshekeptonthatway……far’sIcouldseesheneverstopped。Itwasscourandsweepanddusteverlasting，exceptonSundays，andthenshewasjustlongingforMondaytobeginagain。ButitwasherwayofamusingherselfandIcouldhavereconciledmyselftoitifshe’dleftmealone。Butthatshewouldn’tdo。She’dsetouttomakemeoverbutshehadn’tcaughtmeyoungenough。Iwasn’tallowedtocomeintothehouseunlessI
　　changedmybootsforslippersatthedoor。Idarsn’tsmokeapipeformylifeunlessIwenttothebarn。AndIdidn’tusegoodenoughgrammar。Emily’dbeenaschoolteacherinherearlylifeandshe’dnevergotoverit。Thenshehatedtoseemeeatingwithmyknife。Well，thereitwas，pickandnageverlasting。ButI
　　s’pose，Anne，tobefair，_I_wascantankeroustoo。Ididn’ttrytoimproveasImighthavedone……Ijustgotcrankyanddisagreeablewhenshefoundfault。Itoldheronedayshehadn’tcomplainedofmygrammarwhenIproposedtoher。Itwasn’tanoverlytactfulthingtosay。Awomanwouldforgiveamanforbeatinghersoonerthanforhintingshewastoomuchpleasedtogethim。Well，webickeredalonglikethatanditwasn’texactlypleasant，butwemighthavegotusedtoeachotherafteraspellifithadn’tbeenforGinger。Gingerwastherockwesplitonatlast。Emilydidn’tlikeparrotsandshecouldn’tstandGinger’sprofanehabitsofspeech。Iwasattachedtothebirdformybrotherthesailor’ssake。Mybrotherthesailorwasapetofminewhenwewerelittletadsandhe’dsentGingertomewhenhewasdying。Ididn’tseeanysenseingettingworkedupoverhisswearing。There’snothingIhateworse’nprofanityinahumanbeing，butinaparrot，that’sjustrepeatingwhatit’sheardwithnomoreunderstandingofitthanI’dhaveofChinese，allowancesmightbemade。ButEmilycouldn’tseeitthatway。Womenain’tlogical。ShetriedtobreakGingerofswearingbutshehadn’tanybettersuccessthanshehadintryingtomakemestopsaying`I
　　seen’and`themthings。’SeemedasifthemoreshetriedtheworseGingergot，sameasme。
　　"Well，thingswentonlikethis，bothofusgettingraspier，tilltheCLIMAXcame。Emilyinvitedourministerandhiswifetotea，andanotherministerandHISwifethatwasvisitingthem。I’dpromisedtoputGingerawayinsomesafeplacewherenobodywouldhearhim……Emilywouldn’ttouchhiscagewithaten-footpole……andImeanttodoit，forIdidn’twanttheministerstohearanythingunpleasantinmyhouse。Butitslippedmymind……Emilywasworryingmesomuchaboutcleancollarsandgrammarthatitwasn’tanywonder……andIneverthoughtofthatpoorparrottillwesatdowntotea。Justasministernumberonewasintheverymiddleofsayinggrace，Ginger，whowasontheverandaoutsidethediningroomwindow，liftedupHISvoice。ThegobblerhadcomeintoviewintheyardandthesightofagobbleralwayshadanunwholesomeeffectonGinger。Hesurpassedhimselfthattime。
　　Youcansmile，Anne，andIdon’tdenyI’vechuckledsomeoveritsincemyself，butatthetimeIfeltalmostasmuchmortifiedasEmily。
　　IwentoutandcarriedGingertothebarn。Ican’tsayIenjoyedthemeal。IknewbythelookofEmilythattherewastroublebrewingforGingerandJamesA。WhenthefolkswentawayI
　　startedforthecowpastureandonthewayIdidsomethinking。
　　IfeltsorryforEmilyandkindoffanciedIhadn’tbeensothoughtfulofherasImight；andbesides，IwonderediftheministerswouldthinkthatGingerhadlearnedhisvocabularyfromme。Thelongandshortofitwas，IdecidedthatGingerwouldhavetobemercifullydisposedofandwhenI’ddruvthecowshomeIwentintotellEmilyso。
　　ButtherewasnoEmilyandtherewasaletteronthetable……justaccordingtotheruleinstorybooks。EmilywritthatI’dhavetochoosebetweenherandGinger；she’dgonebacktoherownhouseandthereshewouldstaytillIwentandtoldherI’dgotridofthatparrot。
　　"Iwasallriledup，Anne，andIsaidshemightstaytilldoomsdayifshewaitedforthat；andIstucktoit。Ipackedupherbelongingsandsentthemafterher。Itmadeanawfullotoftalk……ScottsfordwasprettynearasbadasAvonleaforgossip……andeverybodysympathizedwithEmily。ItkeptmeallcrossandcantankerousandIsawI’dhavetogetoutorI’dneverhaveanypeace。
　　IconcludedI’dcometotheIsland。I’dbeenherewhenIwasaboyandIlikedit；butEmilyhadalwayssaidshewouldn’tliveinaplacewherefolkswerescaredtowalkoutafterdarkforfearthey’dfallofftheedge。So，justtobecontrary，Imovedoverhere。Andthat’sallthereistoit。Ihadn’teverheardawordfromoraboutEmilytillIcomehomefromthebackfieldSaturdayandfoundherscrubbingthefloorbutwiththefirstdecentdinnerI’dhadsincesheleftmeallreadyonthetable。
　　Shetoldmetoeatitfirstandthenwe’dtalk……bywhichI
　　concludedthatEmilyhadlearnedsomelessonsaboutgettingalongwithaman。Soshe’shereandshe’sgoingtostay……seeingthatGinger’sdeadandtheIsland’ssomebiggerthanshethought。
　　There’sMrs。Lyndeandhernow。No，don’tgo，Anne。StayandgetacquaintedwithEmily。ShetookquiteanotiontoyouSaturday……
　　wantedtoknowwhothathandsomeredhairedgirlwasatthenexthouse。"
　　Mrs。HarrisonwelcomedAnneradiantlyandinsistedonherstayingtotea。
　　"JamesA。hasbeentellingmeallaboutyouandhowkindyou’vebeen，makingcakesandthingsforhim，"shesaid。"Iwanttogetacquaintedwithallmynewneighborsjustassoonaspossible。Mrs。Lyndeisalovelywoman，isn’tshe？Sofriendly。"
　　WhenAnnewenthomeinthesweetJunedusk，Mrs。Harrisonwentwithheracrossthefieldswherethefireflieswerelightingtheirstarrylamps。
　　"Isuppose，"saidMrs。Harrisonconfidentially，"thatJamesA。hastoldyouourstory？"
　　"Yes。"
　　"ThenIneedn’ttellit，forJamesA。isajustmanandhewouldtellthetruth。Theblamewasfarfrombeingallonhisside。
　　Icanseethatnow。Iwasn’tbackinmyownhouseanhourbeforeI
　　wishedIhadn’tbeensohastybutIwouldn’tgivein。IseenowthatIexpectedtoomuchofaman。AndIwasrealfoolishtomindhisbadgrammar。Itdoesn’tmatterifamandoesusebadgrammarsolongasheisagoodprovideranddoesn’tgopokingroundthepantrytoseehowmuchsugaryou’veusedinaweek。IfeelthatJamesA。
　　andIaregoingtoberealhappynow。IwishIknewwho`Observer’
　　is，sothatIcouldthankhim。Iowehimarealdebtofgratitude。"
　　AnnekeptherowncounselandMrs。Harrisonneverknewthathergratitudefounditswaytoitsobject。Annefeltratherbewilderedoverthefar-reachingconsequencesofthosefoolish"notes。"Theyhadreconciledamantohiswifeandmadethereputationofaprophet。
　　Mrs。LyndewasintheGreenGableskitchen。ShehadbeentellingthewholestorytoMarilla。
　　"Well，andhowdoyoulikeMrs。Harrison？"sheaskedAnne。
　　"Verymuch。Ithinkshe’sarealnicelittlewoman。"
　　"That’sexactlywhatsheis，"saidMrs。Rachelwithemphasis，"andasI’vejustbeensayin’toMarilla，IthinkweoughtalltooverlookMr。Harrison’speculiaritiesforhersakeandtrytomakeherfeelathomehere，that’swhat。Well，Imustgetback。
　　Thomas’llbewearyingforme。IgetoutalittlesinceElizacameandhe’sseemedalotbetterthesepastfewdays，butIneverliketobelongawayfromhim。IhearGilbertBlythehasresignedfromWhiteSands。He’llbeofftocollegeinthefall，Isuppose。"
　　Mrs。RachellookedsharplyatAnne，butAnnewasbendingoverasleepyDavynoddingonthesofaandnothingwastobereadinherface。
　　ShecarriedDavyaway，herovalgirlishcheekpressedagainsthiscurlyyellowhead。AstheywentupthestairsDavyflungatiredarmaboutAnne’sneckandgaveherawarmhugandastickykiss。
　　"You’reawfulnice，Anne。MiltyBoulterwroteonhisslatetodayandshowedittoJennieSloane，"`Rosesredandvi’letsblue，Sugar’ssweet，andsoareyou"
　　andthat’spressesmyfeelingsforyouezackly，Anne。"
　　XXVI
　　AroundtheBendThomasLyndefadedoutoflifeasquietlyandunobtrusivelyashehadlivedit。Hiswifewasatender，patient，unweariednurse。
　　SometimesRachelhadbeenalittlehardonherThomasinhealth，whenhisslownessormeeknesshadprovokedher；butwhenhebecameillnovoicecouldbelower，nohandmoregentlyskillful，novigilmoreuncomplaining。
　　"You’vebeenagoodwifetome，Rachel，"heoncesaidsimply，whenshewassittingbyhiminthedusk，holdinghisthin，blanchedoldhandinherwork-hardenedone。"Agoodwife。I’msorryIain’tleavingyoubetteroff；butthechildrenwilllookafteryou。
　　They’reallsmart，capablechildren，justliketheirmother。
　　Agoodmother……agoodwoman……"
　　Hehadfallenasleepthen，andthenextmorning，justasthewhitedawnwascreepingupoverthepointedfirsinthehollow，MarillawentsoftlyintotheeastgableandwakenedAnne。
　　"Anne，ThomasLyndeisgone……theirhiredboyjustbroughttheword。
　　I’mgoingrightdowntoRachel。"
　　OnthedayafterThomasLynde’sfuneralMarillawentaboutGreenGableswithastrangelypreoccupiedair。OccasionallyshelookedatAnne，seemedonthepointofsayingsomething，thenshookherheadandbuttoneduphermouth。AfterteashewentdowntoseeMrs。Rachel；
　　andwhenshereturnedshewenttotheeastgable，whereAnnewascorrectingschoolexercises。
　　"HowisMrs。Lyndetonight？"askedthelatter。
　　"She’sfeelingcalmerandmorecomposed，"answeredMarilla，sittingdownonAnne’sbed……aproceedingwhichbetokenedsomeunusualmentalexcitement，forinMarilla’scodeofhouseholdethicstositonabedafteritwasmadeupwasanunpardonableoffense。
　　"Butshe’sverylonely。Elizahadtogohometoday……hersonisn’twellandshefeltshecouldn’tstayanylonger。"
　　"WhenI’vefinishedtheseexercisesI’llrundownandchatawhilewithMrs。Lynde，"saidAnne。"IhadintendedtostudysomeLatincompositiontonightbutitcanwait。"
　　"IsupposeGilbertBlytheisgoingtocollegeinthefall，"saidMarillajerkily。"Howwouldyouliketogotoo，Anne？"
　　Annelookedupinastonishment。
　　"Iwouldlikeit，ofcourse，Marilla。Butitisn’tpossible。"
　　"Iguessitcanbemadepossible。I’vealwaysfeltthatyoushouldgo。
　　I’veneverfelteasytothinkyouweregivingitalluponmyaccount。"
　　"ButMarilla，I’veneverbeensorryforamomentthatIstayedhome。
　　I’vebeensohappy……Oh，thesepasttwoyearshavejustbeendelightful。"
　　"Oh，yes，Iknowyou’vebeencontentedenough。Butthatisn’tthequestionexactly。Yououghttogoonwithyoureducation。You’vesavedenoughtoputyouthroughoneyearatRedmondandthemoneythestockbroughtinwilldoforanotheryear……andthere’sscholarshipsandthingsyoumightwin。"
　　"Yes，butIcan’tgo，Marilla。Youreyesarebetter，ofcourse；
　　butIcan’tleaveyoualonewiththetwins。Theyneedsomuchlookingafter。"
　　"Iwon’tbealonewiththem。That’swhatImeanttodiscusswithyou。
　　IhadalongtalkwithRacheltonight。Anne，she’sfeelingdreadfulbadoveragoodmanythings。She’snotleftverywelloff。Itseemstheymortgagedthefarmeightyearsagotogivetheyoungestboyastartwhenhewentwest；andthey’veneverbeenabletopaymuchmorethantheinterestsince。AndthenofcourseThomas’illnesshascostagooddeal，onewayoranother。ThefarmwillhavetobesoldandRachelthinksthere’llbehardlyanythingleftafterthebillsaresettled。
　　Shesaysshe’llhavetogoandlivewithElizaandit’sbreakingherhearttothinkofleavingAvonlea。Awomanofheragedoesn’tmakenewfriendsandinterestseasy。And，Anne，asshetalkedaboutitthethoughtcametomethatIwouldaskhertocomeandlivewithme，butIthoughtIoughttotalkitoverwithyoufirstbeforeIsaidanythingtoher。IfIhadRachellivingwithmeyoucouldgotocollege。
　　Howdoyoufeelaboutit？"
　　"Ifeel……asif……somebody……hadhandedme……themoon……andI
　　didn’tknow……exactly……whattodo……withit，"saidAnnedazedly。
　　"ButasforaskingMrs。Lyndetocomehere，thatisforyoutodecide，Marilla。Doyouthink……areyousure……youwouldlikeit？Mrs。Lyndeisagoodwomanandakindneighbor，but……but……"
　　"Butshe’sgotherfaults，youmeantosay？Well，shehas，ofcourse；
　　butIthinkI’dratherputupwithfarworsefaultsthanseeRachelgoawayfromAvonlea。I’dmissherterrible。She’stheonlyclosefriendI’vegothereandI’dbelostwithouther。We’vebeenneighborsforforty-fiveyearsandwe’veneverhadaquarrel……thoughwecamerathernearitthattimeyouflewatMrs。Rachelforcallingyouhomelyandredhaired。Doyouremember，Anne？"
　　"IshouldthinkIdo，"saidAnneruefully。"Peopledon’tforgetthingslikethat。HowIhatedpoorMrs。Rachelatthatmoment！"
　　"Andthenthat`apology’youmadeher。Well，youwereahandful，inallconscience，Anne。Ididfeelsopuzzledandbewilderedhowtomanageyou。Matthewunderstoodyoubetter。"
　　"Matthewunderstoodeverything，"saidAnnesoftly，asshealwaysspokeofhim。
　　"Well，IthinkitcouldbemanagedsothatRachelandIwouldn’tclashatall。Italwaysseemedtomethatthereasontwowomencan’tgetalonginonehouseisthattheytrytosharethesamekitchenandgetineachother’sway。Now，ifRachelcamehere，shecouldhavethenorthgableforherbedroomandthespareroomforakitchenaswellasnot，forwedon’treallyneedaspareroomatall。Shecouldputherstovethereandwhatfurnitureshewantedtokeep，andberealcomfortableandindependent。She’llhaveenoughtoliveonofcourse……herchildren’llseetothat……soallI’dbegivingherwouldbehouseroom。Yes，Anne，farasI’mconcernedI’dlikeit。"
　　"Thenaskher，"saidAnnepromptly。"I’dbeverysorrymyselftoseeMrs。Rachelgoaway。"
　　"Andifshecomes，"continuedMarilla，"Youcangotocollegeaswellasnot。She’llbecompanyformeandshe’lldoforthetwinswhatI
　　can’tdo，sothere’snoreasonintheworldwhyyoushouldn’tgo。"
　　Annehadalongmeditationatherwindowthatnight。Joyandregretstruggledtogetherinherheart。Shehadcomeatlast……suddenlyandunexpectedly……tothebendintheroad；andcollegewasaroundit，withahundredrainbowhopesandvisions；butAnnerealizedaswellthatwhensheroundedthatcurveshemustleavemanysweetthingsbehind……
　　allthelittlesimpledutiesandinterestswhichhadgrownsodeartoherinthelasttwoyearsandwhichshehadglorifiedintobeautyanddelightbytheenthusiasmshehadputintothem。Shemustgiveupherschool……
　　andshelovedeveryoneofherpupils，eventhestupidandnaughtyones。
　　ThemerethoughtofPaulIrvingmadeherwonderifRedmondweresuchanametoconjurewithafterall。
　　"I’veputoutalotoflittlerootsthesetwoyears，"Annetoldthemoon，"andwhenI’mpulledupthey’regoingtohurtagreatdeal。Butit’sbesttogo，Ithink，and，asMarillasays，there’snogoodreasonwhyIshouldn’t。
　　Imustgetoutallmyambitionsanddustthem。"
　　Annesentinherresignationthenextday；andMrs。Rachel，afterahearttohearttalkwithMarilla，gratefullyacceptedtheofferofahomeatGreenGables。Sheelectedtoremaininherownhouseforthesummer，however；thefarmwasnottobesolduntilthefallandthereweremanyarrangementstobemade。
　　"IcertainlyneverthoughtoflivingasfarofftheroadasGreenGables，"
　　sighedMrs。Racheltoherself。"Butreally，GreenGablesdoesn’tseemasoutoftheworldasitusedtodo……Annehaslotsofcompanyandthetwinsmakeitreallively。Andanyhow，I’dratherliveatthebottomofawellthanleaveAvonlea。"
　　ThesetwodecisionsbeingnoisedabroadspeedilyoustedthearrivalofMrs。Harrisoninpopulargossip。SageheadswereshakenoverMarillaCuthbert’srashstepinaskingMrs。Racheltolivewithher。
　　Peopleopinedthattheywouldn’tgetontogether。Theywereboth"toofondoftheirownway，"andmanydolefulpredictionsweremade，noneofwhichdisturbedthepartiesinquestionatall。Theyhadcometoaclearanddistinctunderstandingoftherespectivedutiesandrightsoftheirnewarrangementsandmeanttoabidebythem。
　　"Iwon’tmeddlewithyounoryouwithme，"Mrs。Rachelhadsaiddecidedly，"andasforthetwins，I’llbegladtodoallIcanforthem；butIwon’tundertaketoanswerDavy’squestions，that’swhat。I’mnotanencyclopedia，neitheramIaPhiladelphialawyer。You’llmissAnneforthat。"
　　"SometimesAnne’sanswerswereaboutasqueerasDavy’squestions，"
　　saidMarilladrily。"Thetwinswillmissherandnomistake；butherfuturecan’tbesacrificedtoDavy’sthirstforinformation。
　　WhenheasksquestionsIcan’tanswerI’lljusttellhimchildrenshouldbeseenandnotheard。ThatwashowIwasbroughtup，andIdon’tknowbutwhatitwasjustasgoodawayasallthesenew-fanglednotionsfortrainingchildren。"
　　"Well，Anne’smethodsseemtohaveworkedfairlywellwithDavy，"
　　saidMrs。Lyndesmilingly。"Heisareformedcharacter，that’swhat。"
　　"Heisn’tabadlittlesoul，"concededMarilla。"IneverexpectedtogetasfondofthosechildrenasIhave。Davygetsroundyousomehow……andDoraisalovelychild，althoughsheis……kindof……well，kindof……"
　　"Monotonous？Exactly，"suppliedMrs。Rachel。"Likeabookwhereeverypageisthesame，that’swhat。Dorawillmakeagood，reliablewomanbutshe’llneversetthepondonfire。Well，thatsortoffolksarecomfortabletohaveround，evenifthey’renotasinterestingastheotherkind。"
　　GilbertBlythewasprobablytheonlypersontowhomthenewsofAnne’sresignationbroughtunmixedpleasure。Herpupilslookeduponitasasheercatastrophe。AnnettaBellhadhystericswhenshewenthome。AnthonyPyefoughttwopitchedandunprovokedbattleswithotherboysbywayofrelievinghisfeelings。BarbaraShawcriedallnight。PaulIrvingdefiantlytoldhisgrandmotherthatsheneedn’texpecthimtoeatanyporridgeforaweek。
　　"Ican’tdoit，Grandma，"hesaid。"Idon’treallyknowifIcaneatANYTHING。Ifeelasiftherewasadreadfullumpinmythroat。
　　I’dhavecriedcominghomefromschoolifJakeDonnellhadn’tbeenwatchingme。IbelieveIwillcryafterIgotobed。Itwouldn’tshowonmyeyestomorrow，wouldit？Anditwouldbesucharelief。
　　Butanyway，Ican’teatporridge。I’mgoingtoneedallmystrengthofmindtobearupagainstthis，Grandma，andIwon’thaveanylefttograpplewithporridge。OhGrandma，Idon’tknowwhatI’lldowhenmybeautifulteachergoesaway。MiltyBoultersayshebetsJaneAndrewswillgettheschool。IsupposeMissAndrewsisverynice。ButIknowshewon’tunderstandthingslikeMissShirley。"
　　Dianaalsotookaverypessimisticviewofaffairs。
　　"Itwillbehorriblylonesomeherenextwinter，"shemourned，onetwilightwhenthemoonlightwasraining"airysilver"throughthecherryboughsandfillingtheeastgablewithasoft，dream-likeradianceinwhichthetwogirlssatandtalked，Anneonherlowrockerbythewindow，DianasittingTurkfashiononthebed。"YouandGilbertwillbegone……andtheAllanstoo。TheyaregoingtocallMr。AllantoCharlottetownandofcoursehe’llaccept。It’stoomean。We’llbevacantallwinter，Isuppose，andhavetolistentoalongstringofcandidates……andhalfofthemwon’tbeanygood。"
　　"Ihopetheywon’tcallMr。BaxterfromEastGraftonhere，anyhow，"
　　saidAnnedecidedly。"Hewantsthecallbuthedoespreachsuchgloomysermons。Mr。Bellsayshe’saministeroftheoldschool，butMrs。Lyndesaysthere’snothingwhateverthematterwithhimbutindigestion。Hiswifeisn’taverygoodcook，itseems，andMrs。Lyndesaysthatwhenamanhastoeatsourbreadtwoweeksoutofthreehistheologyisboundtogetakinkinitsomewhere。
　　Mrs。Allanfeelsverybadlyaboutgoingaway。Shesayseverybodyhasbeensokindtohersinceshecamehereasabridethatshefeelsasifshewereleavinglifelongfriends。Andthen，there’sthebaby’sgrave，youknow。Shesaysshedoesn’tseehowshecangoawayandleavethat……itwassuchalittlemiteofathingandonlythreemonthsold，andshesayssheisafraiditwillmissitsmother，althoughsheknowsbetterandwouldn’tsaysotoMr。Allanforanything。Shesaysshehasslippedthroughthebirchgrovebackofthemansenearlyeverynighttothegraveyardandsungalittlelullabytoit。ShetoldmeallaboutitlasteveningwhenIwasupputtingsomeofthoseearlywildrosesonMatthew’sgrave。
　　IpromisedherthataslongasIwasinAvonleaIwouldputflowersonthebaby’sgraveandwhenIwasawayIfeltsurethat……"
　　"ThatIwoulddoit，"suppliedDianaheartily。"OfcourseIwill。
　　AndI’llputthemonMatthew’sgravetoo，foryoursake，Anne。"
　　"Oh，thankyou。Imeanttoaskyoutoifyouwould。AndonlittleHesterGray’stoo？Pleasedon’tforgethers。Doyouknow，I’vethoughtanddreamedsomuchaboutlittleHesterGraythatshehasbecomestrangelyrealtome。Ithinkofher，backthereinherlittlegardeninthatcool，still，greencorner；andIhaveafancythatifIcouldstealbacktheresomespringevening，justatthemagictime’twixtlightanddark，andtiptoesosoftlyupthebeechhillthatmyfootstepscouldnotfrightenher，Iwouldfindthegardenjustasitusedtobe，allsweetwithJuneliliesandearlyroses，withthetinyhousebeyonditallhungwithvines；andlittleHesterGraywouldbethere，withhersofteyes，andthewindrufflingherdarkhair，wanderingabout，puttingherfingertipsunderthechinsoftheliliesandwhisperingsecretswiththeroses；
　　andIwouldgoforward，oh，sosoftly，andholdoutmyhandsandsaytoher，`LittleHesterGray，won’tyouletmebeyourplaymate，forIlovetherosestoo？’Andwewouldsitdownontheoldbenchandtalkalittleanddreamalittle，orjustbebeautifullysilenttogether。AndthenthemoonwouldriseandIwouldlookaroundme……andtherewouldbenoHesterGrayandnolittlevine-hunghouse，andnoroses……onlyanoldwastegardenstarredwithJuneliliesamidthegrasses，andthewindsighing，oh，sosorrowfullyinthecherrytrees。AndIwouldnotknowwhetherithadbeenrealorifIhadjustimagineditall。"
　　Dianacrawledupandgotherbackagainsttheheadboardofthebed。
　　Whenyourcompanionoftwilighthoursaidsuchspookythingsitwasjustaswellnottobeabletofancytherewasanythingbehindyou。
　　"I’mafraidtheImprovementSocietywillgodownwhenyouandGilbertarebothgone，"sheremarkeddolefully。
　　"Notabitoffearofit，"saidAnnebriskly，comingbackfromdreamlandtotheaffairsofpracticallife。"Itistoofirmlyestablishedforthat，especiallysincetheolderpeoplearebecomingsoenthusiasticaboutit。Lookwhattheyaredoingthissummerfortheirlawnsandlanes。Besides，I’llbewatchingforhintsatRedmondandI’llwriteapaperforitnextwinterandsenditover。Don’ttakesuchagloomyviewofthings，Diana。
　　Anddon’tgrudgememylittlehourofgladnessandjubilationnow。
　　Lateron，whenIhavetogoaway，I’llfeelanythingbutglad。"
　　"It’sallrightforyoutobeglad……you’regoingtocollegeandyou’llhaveajollytimeandmakeheapsoflovelynewfriends。"
　　"IhopeIshallmakenewfriends，"saidAnnethoughtfully。
　　"Thepossibilitiesofmakingnewfriendshelptomakelifeveryfascinating。ButnomatterhowmanyfriendsImakethey’llneverbeasdeartomeastheoldones……especiallyacertaingirlwithblackeyesanddimples。Canyouguesswhosheis，Diana？"
　　"Butthere’llbesomanyclevergirlsatRedmond，"sighedDiana，"andI’monlyastupidlittlecountrygirlwhosays`Iseen’
　　sometimes……thoughIreallyknowbetterwhenIstoptothink。
　　Well，ofcoursethesepasttwoyearshavereallybeentoopleasanttolast。IknowSOMEBODYwhoisgladyouaregoingtoRedmondanyhow。
　　Anne，I’mgoingtoaskyouaquestion……aseriousquestion。Don’tbevexedanddoanswerseriously。DoyoucareanythingforGilbert？"
　　"Eversomuchasafriendandnotabitinthewayyoumean，"saidAnnecalmlyanddecidedly；shealsothoughtshewasspeakingsincerely。
　　Dianasighed。Shewished，somehow，thatAnnehadanswereddifferently。
　　"Don’tyoumeanEVERtobemarried，Anne？"
　　"Perhaps……someday……whenImeettherightone，"saidAnne，smilingdreamilyupatthemoonlight。
　　"Buthowcanyoubesurewhenyoudomeettherightone？"persistedDiana。
　　"Oh，Ishouldknowhim……SOMETHINGwouldtellme。Youknowwhatmyidealis，Diana。"
　　"Butpeople’sidealschangesometimes。"
　　"Minewon’t。AndICOULDN’Tcareforanymanwhodidn’tfulfillit。"
　　"Whatifyounevermeethim？"
　　"ThenIshalldieanoldmaid，"wasthecheerfulresponse。"Idaresayitisn’tthehardestdeathbyanymeans。"
　　"Oh，Isupposethedyingwouldbeeasyenough；it’sthelivinganoldmaidIshouldn’tlike，"saidDiana，withnointentionofbeinghumorous。"AlthoughIwouldn’tmindbeinganoldmaidVERYmuchifIcouldbeonelikeMissLavendar。ButInevercouldbe。WhenI’mforty-fiveI’llbehorriblyfat。Andwhiletheremightbesomeromanceaboutathinoldmaidtherecouldn’tpossiblybeanyaboutafatone。Oh，mindyou，NelsonAtkinsproposedtoRubyGillisthreeweeksago。Rubytoldmeallaboutit。Shesayssheneverhadanyintentionoftakinghim，becauseanyonewhomarriedhimwillhavetogoinwiththeoldfolks；butRubysaysthathemadesuchaperfectlybeautifulandromanticproposalthatitsimplysweptheroffherfeet。Butshedidn’twanttodoanythingrashsosheaskedforaweektoconsider；andtwodayslatershewasatameetingoftheSewingCircleathismother’sandtherewasabookcalled`TheCompleteGuidetoEtiquette，’lyingontheparlortable。Rubysaidshesimplycouldn’tdescribeherfeelingswheninasectionofitheaded，`TheDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriage，’
　　shefoundtheveryproposalNelsonhadmade，wordforword。Shewenthomeandwrotehimaperfectlyscathingrefusal；andshesayshisfatherandmotherhavetakenturnswatchinghimeversinceforfearhe’lldrownhimselfintheriver；butRubysaystheyneedn’tbeafraid；forintheDeportmentofCourtshipandMarriageittoldhowarejectedlovershouldbehaveandthere’snothingaboutdrowninginTHAT。AndshesaysWilburBlairisliterallypiningawayforherbutshe’sperfectlyhelplessinthematter。"
　　Annemadeanimpatientmovement。
　　"Ihatetosayit……itseemssodisloyal……but，well，Idon’tlikeRubyGillisnow。IlikedherwhenwewenttoschoolandQueen’stogether……thoughnotsowellasyouandJaneofcourse。
　　ButthislastyearatCarmodysheseemssodifferent……so……so……"
　　"Iknow，"noddedDiana。"It’stheGilliscomingoutinher……
　　shecan’thelpit。Mrs。LyndesaysthatifeveraGillisgirlthoughtaboutanythingbuttheboysshenevershoweditinherwalkandconversation。Shetalksaboutnothingbutboysandwhatcomplimentstheypayher，andhowcrazytheyallareaboutheratCarmody。Andthestrangethingis，theyARE，too……"Dianaadmittedthissomewhatresentfully。"LastnightwhenIsawherinMr。Blair’sstoreshewhisperedtomethatshe’djustmadeanew`mash。’
　　Iwouldn’taskherwhoitwas，becauseIknewshewasdyingtoBEasked。
　　Well，it’swhatRubyalwayswanted，Isuppose。Yourememberevenwhenshewaslittleshealwayssaidshemeanttohavedozensofbeauswhenshegrewupandhavetheverygayesttimeshecouldbeforeshesettleddown。
　　She’ssodifferentfromJane，isn’tshe？Janeissuchanice，sensible，lady-likegirl。"
　　"DearoldJaneisajewel，"agreedAnne，"but，"sheadded，leaningforwardtobestowatenderpatontheplump，dimpledlittlehandhangingoverherpillow，"there’snobodylikemyownDianaafterall。
　　Doyourememberthateveningwefirstmet，Diana，and`swore’
　　eternalfriendshipinyourgarden？We’vekeptthat`oath，’I
　　think……we’veneverhadaquarrelnorevenacoolness。Ishallneverforgetthethrillthatwentovermethedayyoutoldmeyoulovedme。Ihadhadsuchalonely，starvedheartallthroughmychildhood。I’mjustbeginningtorealizehowstarvedandlonelyitreallywas。Nobodycaredanythingformeorwantedtobebotheredwithme。Ishouldhavebeenmiserableifithadn’tbeenforthatstrangelittledream-lifeofmine，whereinIimaginedallthefriendsandloveIcraved。ButwhenIcametoGreenGableseverythingwaschanged。AndthenImetyou。Youdon’tknowwhatyourfriendshipmeanttome。Iwanttothankyouhereandnow，dear，forthewarmandtrueaffectionyou’vealwaysgivenme。"
　　"Andalways，alwayswill，"sobbedDiana。"IshallNEVERloveanybody……anyGIRL……halfaswellasIloveyou。AndifIeverdomarryandhavealittlegirlofmyownI’mgoingtonameherANNE。"
　　XXVII
　　AnAfternoonattheStoneHouse"Whereareyougoing，alldressedup，Anne？"Davywantedtoknow。
　　"Youlookbullyinthatdress。"
　　Annehadcomedowntodinnerinanewdressofpalegreenmuslin……thefirstcolorshehadwornsinceMatthew’sdeath。Itbecameherperfectly，bringingoutallthedelicate，flower-liketintsofherfaceandtheglossandburnishofherhair。
　　"Davy，howmanytimeshaveItoldyouthatyoumustn’tusethatword，"
　　sherebuked。"I’mgoingtoEchoLodge。"
　　"Takemewithyou，"entreatedDavy。
　　"IwouldifIweredriving。ButI’mgoingtowalkandit’stoofarforyoureight-year-oldlegs。Besides，PaulisgoingwithmeandI
　　fearyoudon’tenjoyyourselfinhiscompany。"
　　"Oh，IlikePaullotsbetter’nIdid，"saidDavy，beginningtomakefearfulinroadsintohispudding。"SinceI’vegotprettygoodmyselfIdon’tmindhisbeinggoodersomuch。IfIcankeeponI’llcatchupwithhimsomeday，bothinlegsandgoodness。
　　’Sides，Paul’srealnicetoussecondprimerboysinschool。
　　Hewon’tlettheotherbigboysmeddlewithusandheshowsuslotsofgames。"
　　"HowcamePaultofallintothebrookatnoonhouryesterday？"
　　askedAnne。"Imethimontheplayground，suchadrippingfigurethatIsenthimpromptlyhomeforclotheswithoutwaitingtofindoutwhathadhappened。"
　　"Well，itwaspartlyazacksident，"explainedDavy。"Hestuckhisheadinonpurposebuttherestofhimfellinzacksidentally。
　　WewasalldownatthebrookandPrillieRogersongotmadatPaulaboutsomething……she’sawfulmeanandhorridanyway，ifsheIS
　　pretty……andsaidthathisgrandmotherputhishairupincurlragseverynight。Paulwouldn’thavemindedwhatshesaid，Iguess，butGracieAndrewslaughed，andPaulgotawfulred，’causeGracie’shisgirl，youknow。He’sCLEANGONEonher……bringsherflowersandcarriesherbooksasfarastheshoreroad。Hegotasredasabeetandsaidhisgrandmotherdidn’tdoanysuchthingandhishairwasborncurly。Andthenhelaiddownonthebankandstuckhisheadrightintothespringtoshowthem。Oh，itwasn’tthespringwedrinkoutof……"seeingahorrifiedlookonMarilla’sface……"itwasthelittleonelowerdown。Butthebank’sawfulslippyandPaulwentrightin。Itellyouhemadeabullysplash。