Oh，Anne，Anne，Ididn’tmeantosaythat……itjustslippedoutbeforeIthought。HemadeaSPLENDIDsplash。Buthelookedsofunnywhenhecrawledout，allwetandmuddy。Thegirlslaughedmore’never，butGraciedidn’tlaugh。Shelookedsorry。Gracie’sanicegirlbutshe’sgotasnubnose。WhenIgetbigenoughtohaveagirlIwon’thaveonewithasnubnose……I’llpickonewithaprettynoselikeyours，Anne。"
　　"Aboywhomakessuchamessofsyrupalloverhisfacewhenheiseatinghispuddingwillnevergetagirltolookathim，"saidMarillaseverely。
　　"ButI’llwashmyfacebeforeIgocourting，"protestedDavy，tryingtoimprovemattersbyrubbingthebackofhishandoverthesmears。"AndI’llwashbehindmyearstoo，withoutbeingtold。
　　Irememberedtothismorning，Marilla。Idon’tforgethalfasoftenasIdid。But……"andDavysighed……"there’ssomanycornersaboutafellowthatit’sawfulhardtorememberthemall。Well，ifIcan’tgotoMissLavendar’sI’llgooverandseeMrs。Harrison。
　　Mrs。Harrison’sanawfulnicewoman，Itellyou。Shekeepsajarofcookiesinherpantrya-purposeforlittleboys，andshealwaysgivesmethescrapingsoutofapanshe’smixedupaplumcakein。
　　Agoodmanyplumssticktothesides，yousee。Mr。Harrisonwasalwaysaniceman，buthe’stwiceasnicesincehegotmarriedoveragain。Iguessgettingmarriedmakesfolksnicer。Whydon’tYOU
　　getmarried，Marilla？Iwanttoknow。"
　　Marilla’sstateofsingleblessednesshadneverbeenasorepointwithher，sosheansweredamiably，withanexchangeofsignificantlookswithAnne，thatshesupposeditwasbecausenobodywouldhaveher。
　　"Butmaybeyouneveraskedanybodytohaveyou，"protestedDavy。
　　"Oh，Davy，"saidDoraprimly，shockedintospeakingwithoutbeingspokento，"it’stheMENthathavetodotheasking。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhytheyhavetodoitALWAYS，"grumbledDavy。
　　"Seemstomeeverything’sputonthemeninthisworld。
　　CanIhavesomemorepudding，Marilla？"
　　"You’vehadasmuchaswasgoodforyou，"saidMarilla；butshegavehimamoderatesecondhelping。
　　"Iwishpeoplecouldliveonpudding。Whycan’tthey，Marilla？
　　Iwanttoknow。"
　　"Becausethey’dsoongettiredofit。"
　　"I’dliketotrythatformyself，"saidskepticalDavy。"ButI
　　guessit’sbettertohavepuddingonlyonfishandcompanydaysthannoneatall。TheyneverhaveanyatMiltyBoulter’s。
　　Miltysayswhencompanycomeshismothergivesthemcheeseandcutsitherself……onelittlebitapieceandoneoverformanners。"
　　"IfMiltyBoultertalkslikethatabouthismotheratleastyouneedn’trepeatit，"saidMarillaseverely。
　　"Blessmysoul，"……DavyhadpickedthisexpressionupfromMr。Harrisonanduseditwithgreatgusto……"Miltymeantitasacompelment。He’sawfulproudofhismother，causefolkssayshecouldscratchalivingonarock。"
　　"I……Isupposethempeskyhensareinmypansybedagain，"
　　saidMarilla，risingandgoingouthurriedly。
　　TheslanderedhenswerenowherenearthepansybedandMarilladidnotevenglanceatit。Instead，shesatdownonthecellarhatchandlaugheduntilshewasashamedofherself。
　　WhenAnneandPaulreachedthestonehousethatafternoontheyfoundMissLavendarandCharlottatheFourthinthegarden，weeding，raking，clipping，andtrimmingasiffordearlife。
　　MissLavendarherself，allgayandsweetinthefrillsandlacessheloved，droppedhershearsandranjoyouslytomeetherguests，whileCharlottatheFourthgrinnedcheerfully。
　　"Welcome，Anne。Ithoughtyou’dcometoday。Youbelongtotheafternoonsoitbroughtyou。Thingsthatbelongtogetheraresuretocometogether。Whatalotoftroublethatwouldsavesomepeopleiftheyonlyknewit。Buttheydon’t……andsotheywastebeautifulenergymovingheavenandearthtobringthingstogetherthatDON’Tbelong。Andyou，Paul……why，you’vegrown！You’rehalfaheadtallerthanwhenyouwereherebefore。"
　　"Yes，I’vebeguntogrowlikepigweedinthenight，asMrs。Lyndesays，"
　　saidPaul，infrankdelightoverthefact。"Grandmasaysit’stheporridgetakingeffectatlast。Perhapsitis。Goodnessknows……"
　　Paulsigheddeeply……"I’veeatenenoughtomakeanyonegrow。
　　Idohope，nowthatI’vebegun，I’llkeepontillI’mastallasfather。
　　Heissixfeet，youknow，MissLavendar。"
　　Yes，MissLavendardidknow；theflushonherprettycheeksdeepenedalittle；shetookPaul’shandononesideandAnne’sontheotherandwalkedtothehouseinsilence。
　　"Isitagooddayfortheechoes，MissLavendar？"queriedPaulanxiously。
　　ThedayofhisfirstvisithadbeentoowindyforechoesandPaulhadbeenmuchdisappointed。
　　"Yes，justthebestkindofaday，"answeredMissLavendar，rousingherselffromherreverie。"Butfirstweareallgoingtohavesomethingtoeat。Iknowyoutwofolksdidn’twalkallthewaybackherethroughthosebeechwoodswithoutgettinghungry，andCharlottatheFourthandIcaneatanyhouroftheday……wehavesuchobligingappetites。Sowe’lljustmakearaidonthepantry。
　　Fortunatelyit’slovelyandfull。IhadapresentimentthatIwasgoingtohavecompanytodayandCharlottatheFourthandIprepared。"
　　"Ithinkyouareoneofthepeoplewhoalwayshavenicethingsintheirpantry，"declaredPaul。"Grandma’slikethattoo。Butshedoesn’tapproveofsnacksbetweenmeals。Iwonder，"headdedmeditatively，"ifIOUGHTtoeatthemawayfromhomewhenIknowshedoesn’tapprove。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tthinkshewoulddisapproveafteryouhavehadalongwalk。Thatmakesadifference，"saidMissLavendar，exchangingamusedglanceswithAnneoverPaul’sbrowncurls。
　　"IsupposethatsnacksAREextremelyunwholesome。ThatiswhywehavethemsooftenatEchoLodge。We……CharlottatheFourthandI……liveindefianceofeveryknownlawofdiet。Weeatallsortsofindigestiblethingswheneverwehappentothinkofit，bydayornight；andweflourishlikegreenbaytrees。Wearealwaysintendingtoreform。Whenwereadanyarticleinapaperwarningusagainstsomethingwelikewecutitoutandpinituponthekitchenwallsothatwe’llrememberit。Butwenevercansomehow……untilafterwe’vegoneandeatenthatverything。Nothinghaseverkilledusyet；butCharlottatheFourthhasbeenknowntohavebaddreamsafterwehadeatendoughnutsandmincepieandfruitcakebeforewewenttobed。"
　　"GrandmaletsmehaveaglassofmilkandasliceofbreadandbutterbeforeIgotobed；andonSundaynightssheputsjamonthebread，"
　　saidPaul。"SoI’malwaysgladwhenit’sSundaynight……formorereasonsthanone。Sundayisaverylongdayontheshoreroad。
　　Grandmasaysit’salltooshortforherandthatfatherneverfoundSundaystiresomewhenhewasalittleboy。Itwouldn’tseemsolongifIcouldtalktomyrockpeoplebutIneverdothatbecauseGrandmadoesn’tapproveofitonSundays。Ithinkagooddeal；butI’mafraidmythoughtsareworldly。GrandmasaysweshouldneverthinkanythingbutreligiousthoughtsonSundays。Butteacherheresaidoncethateveryreallybeautifulthoughtwasreligious，nomatterwhatitwasabout，orwhatdaywethoughtiton。ButIfeelsureGrandmathinksthatsermonsandSundaySchoollessonsaretheonlythingsyoucanthinktrulyreligiousthoughtsabout。AndwhenitcomestoadifferenceofopinionbetweenGrandmaandteacherIdon’tknowwhattodo。Inmyheart"……
　　PaullaidhishandonhisbreastandraisedveryseriousblueeyestoMissLavendar’simmediatelysympatheticface……"Iagreewithteacher。
　　Butthen，yousee，GrandmahasbroughtfatherupHERwayandmadeabrilliantsuccessofhim；andteacherhasneverbroughtanybodyupyet，thoughshe’shelpingwithDavyandDora。Butyoucan’ttellhowthey’llturnouttilltheyAREgrownup。SosometimesIfeelasifitmightbesafertogobyGrandma’sopinions。"
　　"Ithinkitwould，"agreedAnnesolemnly。"Anyway，IdaresaythatifyourGrandmaandIbothgotdowntowhatwereallydomean，underourdifferentwaysofexpressingit，we’dfindoutwebothmeantmuchthesamething。You’dbettergobyherwayofexpressingit，sinceit’sbeentheresultofexperience。We’llhavetowaituntilweseehowthetwinsdoturnoutbeforewecanbesurethatmywayisequallygood。"
　　Afterlunchtheywentbacktothegarden，wherePaulmadetheacquaintanceoftheechoes，tohiswonderanddelight，whileAnneandMissLavendarsatonthestonebenchunderthepoplarandtalked。
　　"Soyouaregoingawayinthefall？"saidMissLavendarwistfully。
　　"Ioughttobegladforyoursake，Anne……butI’mhorribly，selfishlysorry。Ishallmissyousomuch。Oh，sometimes，Ithinkitisofnousetomakefriends。Theyonlygooutofyourlifeafterawhileandleaveahurtthatisworsethantheemptinessbeforetheycame。"
　　"ThatsoundslikesomethingMissElizaAndrewsmightsaybutneverMissLavendar，"saidAnne。"NOTHINGisworsethanemptiness……andI’mnotgoingoutofyourlife。Therearesuchthingsaslettersandvacations。Dearest，I’mafraidyou’relookingalittlepaleandtired。"
　　"Oh……hoo……hoo……hoo，"wentPaulonthedyke，wherehehadbeenmakingnoisesdiligently……notallofthemmelodiousinthemaking，butallcomingbacktransmutedintotheverygoldandsilverofsoundbythefairyalchemistsovertheriver。MissLavendarmadeanimpatientmovementwithherprettyhands。
　　"I’mjusttiredofeverything……evenoftheechoes。Thereisnothinginmylifebutechoes……echoesoflosthopesanddreamsandjoys。
　　They’rebeautifulandmocking。OhAnne，it’shorridofmetotalklikethiswhenIhavecompany。It’sjustthatI’mgettingoldanditdoesn’tagreewithme。IknowI’llbefearfullycrankybythetimeI’msixty。ButperhapsallIneedisacourseofbluepills。"
　　AtthismomentCharlottatheFourth，whohaddisappearedafterlunch，returned，andannouncedthatthenortheastcornerofMr。JohnKimball’spasturewasredwithearlystrawberries，andwouldn’tMissShirleyliketogoandpicksome。
　　"Earlystrawberriesfortea！"exclaimedMissLavendar。"Oh，I’mnotsooldasIthought……andIdon’tneedasinglebluepill！
　　Girls，whenyoucomebackwithyourstrawberrieswe’llhaveteaouthereunderthesilverpoplar。I’llhaveitallreadyforyouwithhome-growncream。"
　　AnneandCharlottatheFourthaccordinglybetookthemselvesbacktoMr。Kimball’spasture，agreenremoteplacewheretheairwasassoftasvelvetandfragrantasabedofvioletsandgoldenasamber。
　　"Oh，isn’titsweetandfreshbackhere？"breathedAnne。"IjustfeelasifIweredrinkinginthesunshine。"
　　"Yes，ma’am，sodoI。That’sjustexactlyhowIfeeltoo，ma’am，"
　　agreedCharlottatheFourth，whowouldhavesaidpreciselythesamethingifAnnehadremarkedthatshefeltlikeapelicanofthewilderness。AlwaysafterAnnehadvisitedEchoLodgeCharlottatheFourthmountedtoherlittleroomoverthekitchenandtriedbeforeherlookingglasstospeakandlookandmovelikeAnne。Charlottacouldneverflatterherselfthatshequitesucceeded；butpracticemakesperfect，asCharlottahadlearnedatschool，andshefondlyhopedthatintimeshemightcatchthetrickofthatdaintyupliftofchin，thatquick，starryoutflashingofeyes，thatfashionofwalkingasifyouwereaboughswayinginthewind。ItseemedsoeasywhenyouwatchedAnne。CharlottatheFourthadmiredAnnewholeheartedly。Itwasnotthatshethoughthersoveryhandsome。
　　DianaBarry’sbeautyofcrimsoncheekandblackcurlswasmuchmoretoCharlottatheFourth’stastethanAnne’smoonshinecharmofluminousgrayeyesandthepale，everchangingrosesofhercheeks。
　　"ButI’dratherlooklikeyouthanbepretty，"shetoldAnnesincerely。
　　Annelaughed，sippedthehoneyfromthetribute，andcastawaythesting。
　　Shewasusedtotakinghercomplimentsmixed。PublicopinionneveragreedonAnne’slooks。Peoplewhohadheardhercalledhandsomemetherandweredisappointed。Peoplewhohadheardhercalledplainsawherandwonderedwhereotherpeople’seyeswere。Anneherselfwouldneverbelievethatshehadanyclaimtobeauty。
　　Whenshelookedintheglassallshesawwasalittlepalefacewithsevenfrecklesonthenosethereof。Hermirrorneverrevealedtohertheelusive，ever-varyingplayoffeelingthatcameandwentoverherfeatureslikearosyilluminatingflame，orthecharmofdreamandlaughteralternatinginherbigeyes。
　　WhileAnnewasnotbeautifulinanystrictlydefinedsenseofthewordshepossessedacertainevasivecharmanddistinctionofappearancethatleftbeholderswithapleasurablesenseofsatisfactioninthatsoftlyroundedgirlhoodofhers，withallitsstronglyfeltpotentialities。ThosewhoknewAnnebestfelt，withoutrealizingthattheyfeltit，thathergreatestattractionwastheauraofpossibilitysurroundingher……thepoweroffuturedevelopmentthatwasinher。Sheseemedtowalkinanatmosphereofthingsabouttohappen。
　　Astheypicked，CharlottatheFourthconfidedtoAnneherfearsregardingMissLavendar。Thewarm-heartedlittlehandmaidenwashonestlyworriedoverheradoredmistress’condition。
　　"MissLavendarisn’twell，MissShirley，ma’am。I’msuresheisn’t，thoughshenevercomplains。Shehasn’tseemedlikeherselfthislongwhile，ma’am……notsincethatdayyouandPaulwereheretogetherbefore。Ifeelsureshecaughtcoldthatnight，ma’am。
　　Afteryouandhimhadgoneshewentoutandwalkedinthegardenforlongafterdarkwithnothingbutalittleshawlonher。
　　TherewasalotofsnowonthewalksandIfeelsureshegotachill，ma’am。EversincethenI’venoticedheractingtiredandlonesomelike。Shedon’tseemtotakeaninterestinanything，ma’am。
　　Sheneverpretendscompany’scoming，norfixesupforit，nornothing，ma’am。It’sonlywhenyoucomesheseemstochirkupabit。Andtheworstsignofall，MissShirley，ma’am……"CharlottatheFourthloweredhervoiceasifshewereabouttotellsomeexceedinglyweirdandawfulsymptomindeed……"isthatshenevergetscrossnowwhenIbreaksthings。Why，MissShirley，ma’am，yesterdayI
　　brukhergreenandyallerbowlthat’salwaysstoodonthebookcase。
　　HergrandmotherbroughtitoutfromEnglandandMissLavendarwasawfulchoiceofit。Iwasdustingitjustascareful，MissShirley，ma’am，anditslippedout，sofashion，aforeIcouldgrabholtofit，andbrukintoaboutfortymillyunpieces。ItellyouIwassorryandscared。IthoughtMissLavendarwouldscoldmeawful，ma’am；
　　andI’druthershehadthantakeitthewayshedid。Shejustcomeinandhardlylookedatitandsaid，`It’snomatter，Charlotta。
　　Takeupthepiecesandthrowthemaway。’Justlikethat，MissShirley，ma’am……`takeupthepiecesandthrowthemaway，’asifitwasn’thergrandmother’sbowlfromEngland。Oh，sheisn’twellandIfeelawfulbadaboutit。She’sgotnobodytolookafterherbutme。"
　　CharlottatheFourth’seyesbrimmedupwithtears。Annepattedthelittlebrownpawholdingthecrackedpinkcupsympathetically。
　　"IthinkMissLavendarneedsachange，Charlotta。Shestaysherealonetoomuch。Can’tweinducehertogoawayforalittletrip？"
　　Charlottashookherhead，withitsrampantbows，disconsolately。
　　"Idon’tthinkso，MissShirley，ma’am。MissLavendarhatesvisiting。
　　She’sonlygotthreerelationssheevervisitsandshesaysshejustgoestoseethemasafamilyduty。Lasttimewhenshecomehomeshesaidshewasn’tgoingtovisitforfamilydutynomore。
　　`I’vecomehomeinlovewithloneliness，Charlotta，’shesaystome，`andIneverwanttostrayfrommyownvineandfigtreeagain。
　　Myrelationstrysohardtomakeanoldladyofmeandithasabadeffectonme。’Justlikethat，MissShirley，ma’am。
　　’Ithasaverybadeffectonme。’SoIdon’tthinkitwoulddoanygoodtocoaxhertogovisiting。"
　　"Wemustseewhatcanbedone，"saidAnnedecidedly，assheputthelastpossibleberryinherpinkcup。"JustassoonasIhavemyvacationI’llcomethroughandspendawholeweekwithyou。
　　We’llhaveapicniceverydayandpretendallsortsofinterestingthings，andseeifwecan’tcheerMissLavendarup。"
　　"Thatwillbetheverything，MissShirley，ma’am，"exclaimedCharlottatheFourthinrapture。ShewasgladforMissLavendar’ssakeandforherowntoo。WithawholeweekinwhichtostudyAnneconstantlyshewouldsurelybeabletolearnhowtomoveandbehavelikeher。
　　WhenthegirlsgotbacktoEchoLodgetheyfoundthatMissLavendarandPaulhadcarriedthelittlesquaretableoutofthekitchentothegardenandhadeverythingreadyfortea。Nothingevertastedsodeliciousasthosestrawberriesandcream，eatenunderagreatblueskyallcurdledoverwithfluffylittlewhiteclouds，andinthelongshadowsofthewoodwithitslispingsanditsmurmurings。
　　AfterteaAnnehelpedCharlottawashthedishesinthekitchen，whileMissLavendarsatonthestonebenchwithPaulandheardallabouthisrockpeople。Shewasagoodlistener，thissweetMissLavendar，butjustatthelastitstruckPaulthatshehadsuddenlylostinterestintheTwinSailors。
　　"MissLavendar，whydoyoulookatmelikethat？"heaskedgravely。
　　"HowdoIlook，Paul？"
　　"JustasifyouwerelookingthroughmeatsomebodyIputyouinmindof，"
　　saidPaul，whohadsuchoccasionalflashesofuncannyinsightthatitwasn’tquitesafetohavesecretswhenhewasabout。
　　"YoudoputmeinmindofsomebodyIknewlongago，"saidMissLavendardreamily。
　　"Whenyouwereyoung？"
　　"Yes，whenIwasyoung。DoIseemveryoldtoyou，Paul？"
　　"Doyouknow，Ican’tmakeupmymindaboutthat，"saidPaulconfidentially。"Yourhairlooksold……Ineverknewayoungpersonwithwhitehair。Butyoureyesareasyoungasmybeautifulteacher’swhenyoulaugh。Itellyouwhat，MissLavendar"……
　　Paul’svoiceandfacewereassolemnasajudge’s……"Ithinkyouwouldmakeasplendidmother。Youhavejusttherightlookinyoureyes……thelookmylittlemotheralwayshad。Ithinkit’sapityyouhaven’tanyboysofyourown。"
　　"Ihavealittledreamboy，Paul。"
　　"Oh，haveyoureally？Howoldishe？"
　　"AboutyourageIthink。HeoughttobeolderbecauseIdreamedhimlongbeforeyouwereborn。ButI’llneverlethimgetanyolderthanelevenortwelve；becauseifIdidsomedayhemightgrowupaltogetherandthenI’dlosehim。"
　　"Iknow，"noddedPaul。"That’sthebeautyofdream-people……theystayanyageyouwantthem。YouandmybeautifulteacherandmemyselfaretheonlyfolksintheworldthatIknowofthathavedream-people。Isn’titfunnyandniceweshouldallknoweachother？ButIguessthatkindofpeoplealwaysfindeachotherout。
　　Grandmaneverhasdream-peopleandMaryJoethinksI’mwrongintheupperstorybecauseIhavethem。ButIthinkit’ssplendidtohavethem。
　　YOUknow，MissLavendar。Tellmeallaboutyourlittledream-boy。"
　　"Hehasblueeyesandcurlyhair。Hestealsinandwakensmewithakisseverymorning。Thenalldayheplayshereinthegarden……
　　andIplaywithhim。Suchgamesaswehave。Werunracesandtalkwiththeechoes；andItellhimstories。Andwhentwilightcomes……"
　　"Iknow，"interruptedPauleagerly。"Hecomesandsitsbesideyou……
　　SO……becauseofcourseattwelvehe’dbetoobigtoclimbintoyourlap……andlayshisheadonyourshoulder……SO……andyouputyourarmsabouthimandholdhimtight，tight，andrestyourcheekonhishead……
　　yes，that’stheveryway。Oh，youDOknow，MissLavendar。"
　　Annefoundthetwoofthemtherewhenshecameoutofthestonehouse，andsomethinginMissLavendar’sfacemadeherhatetodisturbthem。
　　"I’mafraidwemustgo，Paul，ifwewanttogethomebeforedark。
　　MissLavendar，I’mgoingtoinvitemyselftoEchoLodgeforawholeweekprettysoon。"
　　"IfyoucomeforaweekI’llkeepyoufortwo，"threatenedMissLavendar。
　　XXVIII
　　ThePrinceComesBacktotheEnchantedPalaceThelastdayofschoolcameandwent。Atriumphant"semi-annualexamination"washeldandAnne’spupilsacquittedthemselvessplendidly。Attheclosetheygaveheranaddressandawritingdesk。Allthegirlsandladiespresentcried，andsomeoftheboyshaditcastuptothemlateronthattheycriedtoo，althoughtheyalwaysdeniedit。
　　Mrs。HarmonAndrews，Mrs。PeterSloane，andMrs。WilliamBellwalkedhometogetherandtalkedthingsover。
　　"IdothinkitissuchapityAnneisleavingwhenthechildrenseemsomuchattachedtoher，"sighedMrs。PeterSloane，whohadahabitofsighingovereverythingandevenfinishedoffherjokesthatway。
　　"Tobesure，"sheaddedhastily，"weallknowwe’llhaveagoodteachernextyeartoo。"
　　"Janewilldoherduty，I’venodoubt，"saidMrs。Andrewsratherstiffly。
　　"Idon’tsupposeshe’lltellthechildrenquitesomanyfairytalesorspendsomuchtimeroamingaboutthewoodswiththem。ButshehashernameontheInspector’sRollofHonorandtheNewbridgepeopleareinaterriblestateoverherleaving。"
　　"I’mrealgladAnneisgoingtocollege，"saidMrs。Bell。
　　"Shehasalwayswanteditanditwillbeasplendidthingforher。"
　　"Well，Idon’tknow。"Mrs。Andrewswasdeterminednottoagreefullywithanybodythatday。"Idon’tseethatAnneneedsanymoreeducation。
　　She’llprobablybemarryingGilbertBlythe，ifhisinfatuationforherlaststillhegetsthroughcollege，andwhatgoodwillLatinandGreekdoherthen？Iftheytaughtyouatcollegehowtomanageamantheremightbesomesenseinhergoing。"
　　Mrs。HarmonAndrews，soAvonleagossipwhispered，hadneverlearnedhowtomanageher"man，"andasaresulttheAndrewshouseholdwasnotexactlyamodelofdomestichappiness。
　　"IseethattheCharlottetowncalltoMr。AllanisupbeforethePresbytery，"saidMrs。Bell。"Thatmeanswe’llbelosinghimsoon，Isuppose。"
　　"They’renotgoingbeforeSeptember，"saidMrs。Sloane。"Itwillbeagreatlosstothecommunity……thoughIalwaysdidthinkthatMrs。Allandressedrathertoogayforaminister’swife。
　　Butwearenoneofusperfect。DidyounoticehowneatandsnugMr。Harrisonlookedtoday？Ineversawsuchachangedman。HegoestochurcheverySundayandhassubscribedtothesalary。"
　　"Hasn’tthatPaulIrvinggrowntobeabigboy？"saidMrs。Andrews。
　　"Hewassuchamiteforhisagewhenhecamehere。IdeclareI
　　hardlyknewhimtoday。He’sgettingtolookalotlikehisfather。"
　　"He’sasmartboy，"saidMrs。Bell。
　　"He’ssmartenough，but"……Mrs。Andrewsloweredhervoice……"I
　　believehetellsqueerstories。Graciecamehomefromschoolonedaylastweekwiththegreatestrigmarolehehadtoldheraboutpeoplewholiveddownattheshore……storiestherecouldn’tbeawordoftruthin，youknow。ItoldGracienottobelievethem，andshesaidPauldidn’tintendherto。Butifhedidn’twhatdidhetellthemtoherfor？"
　　"AnnesaysPaulisagenius，"saidMrs。Sloane。
　　"Hemaybe。YouneverknowwhattoexpectofthemAmericans，"
　　saidMrs。Andrews。Mrs。Andrews’onlyacquaintancewiththeword"genius"wasderivedfromthecolloquialfashionofcallinganyeccentricindividual"aqueergenius。"Sheprobablythought，withMaryJoe，thatitmeantapersonwithsomethingwronginhisupperstory。
　　BackintheschoolroomAnnewassittingaloneatherdesk，asshehadsatonthefirstdayofschooltwoyearsbefore，herfaceleaningonherhand，herdewyeyeslookingwistfullyoutofthewindowtotheLakeofShiningWaters。Herheartwassowrungoverthepartingwithherpupilsthatforamomentcollegehadlostallitscharm。ShestillfelttheclaspofAnnettaBell’sarmsaboutherneckandheardthechildishwail，"I’llNEVERloveanyteacherasmuchasyou，MissShirley，never，never。"
　　Fortwoyearsshehadworkedearnestlyandfaithfully，makingmanymistakesandlearningfromthem。Shehadhadherreward。Shehadtaughtherscholarssomething，butshefeltthattheyhadtaughthermuchmore……lessonsoftenderness，self-control，innocentwisdom，loreofchildishhearts。Perhapsshehadnotsucceededin"inspiring"anywonderfulambitionsinherpupils，butshehadtaughtthem，morebyherownsweetpersonalitythanbyallhercarefulprecepts，thatitwasgoodandnecessaryintheyearsthatwerebeforethemtolivetheirlivesfinelyandgraciously，holdingfasttotruthandcourtesyandkindness，keepingalooffromallthatsavoredoffalsehoodandmeannessandvulgarity。Theywere，perhaps，allunconsciousofhavinglearnedsuchlessons；buttheywouldrememberandpracticethemlongaftertheyhadforgottenthecapitalofAfghanistanandthedatesoftheWarsoftheRoses。
　　"Anotherchapterinmylifeisclosed，"saidAnnealoud，asshelockedherdesk。Shereallyfeltverysadoverit；buttheromanceintheideaofthat"closedchapter"didcomfortheralittle。
　　AnnespentafortnightatEchoLodgeearlyinhervacationandeverybodyconcernedhadagoodtime。
　　ShetookMissLavendaronashoppingexpeditiontotownandpersuadedhertobuyaneworgandydress；thencametheexcitementofcuttingandmakingittogether，whilethehappyCharlottatheFourthbastedandsweptupclippings。MissLavendarhadcomplainedthatshecouldnotfeelmuchinterestinanything，butthesparklecamebacktohereyesoverherprettydress。
　　"Whatafoolish，frivolouspersonImustbe，"shesighed。
　　"I’mwholesomelyashamedtothinkthatanewdress……
　　evenitisaforget-me-notorgandy……shouldexhilaratemeso，whenagoodconscienceandanextracontributiontoForeignMissionscouldn’tdoit。"
　　MidwayinhervisitAnnewenthometoGreenGablesforadaytomendthetwins’stockingsandsettleupDavy’saccumulatedstoreofquestions。
　　IntheeveningshewentdowntotheshoreroadtoseePaulIrving。
　　Asshepassedbythelow，squarewindowoftheIrvingsittingroomshecaughtaglimpseofPaulonsomebody’slap；butthenextmomenthecameflyingthroughthehall。
　　"Oh，MissShirley，"hecriedexcitedly，"youcan’tthinkwhathashappened！Somethingsosplendid。Fatherishere……
　　justthinkofthat！Fatherishere！Comerightin。Father，thisismybeautifulteacher。YOUknow，father。"
　　StephenIrvingcameforwardtomeetAnnewithasmile。Hewasatall，handsomemanofmiddleage，withiron-grayhair，deep-set，darkblueeyes，andastrong，sadface，splendidlymodeledaboutchinandbrow。Justthefaceforaheroofromance，Annethoughtwithathrillofintensesatisfaction。Itwassodisappointingtomeetsomeonewhooughttobeaheroandfindhimbaldorstooped，orotherwiselackinginmanlybeauty。AnnewouldhavethoughtitdreadfuliftheobjectofMissLavendar’sromancehadnotlookedthepart。
　　"Sothisismylittleson’s`beautifulteacher，’ofwhomIhaveheardsomuch，"saidMr。Irvingwithaheartyhandshake。"Paul’slettershavebeensofullofyou，MissShirley，thatIfeelasifI
　　wereprettywellacquaintedwithyoualready。IwanttothankyouforwhatyouhavedoneforPaul。Ithinkthatyourinfluencehasbeenjustwhatheneeded。Motherisoneofthebestanddearestofwomen；butherrobust，matter-of-factScotchcommonsensecouldnotalwaysunderstandatemperamentlikemyladdie’s。Whatwaslackinginheryouhavesupplied。Betweenyou，IthinkPaul’straininginthesetwopastyearshasbeenasnearlyidealasamotherlessboy’scouldbe。"
　　Everybodylikestobeappreciated。UnderMr。Irving’spraiseAnne’sface"burstflowerlikeintorosybloom，"andthebusy，wearymanoftheworld，lookingather，thoughthehadneverseenafairer，sweeterslipofgirlhoodthanthislittle"downeast"
　　schoolteacherwithherredhairandwonderfuleyes。
　　Paulsatbetweenthemblissfullyhappy。
　　"Ineverdreamedfatherwascoming，"hesaidradiantly。"EvenGrandmadidn’tknowit。Itwasagreatsurprise。Asageneralthing……"
　　Paulshookhisbrowncurlsgravely……"Idon’tliketobesurprised。
　　Youloseallthefunofexpectingthingswhenyou’resurprised。
　　Butinacaselikethisitisallright。FathercamelastnightafterIhadgonetobed。AndafterGrandmaandMaryJoehadstoppedbeingsurprisedheandGrandmacameupstairstolookatme，notmeaningtowakemeuptillmorning。ButIwokerightupandsawfather。
　　ItellyouIjustsprangathim。"
　　"Withahuglikeabear’s，"saidMr。Irving，puttinghisarmsaroundPaul’sshouldersmilingly。"Ihardlyknewmyboy，hehadgrownsobigandbrownandsturdy。"
　　"Idon’tknowwhichwasthemostpleasedtoseefather，GrandmaorI，"
　　continuedPaul。"Grandma’sbeeninkitchenalldaymakingthethingsfatherlikestoeat。Shewouldn’ttrustthemtoMaryJoe，shesays。
　　That’sHERwayofshowinggladness。_I_likebestjusttositandtalktofather。ButI’mgoingtoleaveyouforalittlewhilenowifyou’llexcuseme。ImustgetthecowsforMaryJoe。Thatisoneofmydailyduties。"
　　WhenPaulhadscamperedawaytodohis"dailyduty"Mr。IrvingtalkedtoAnneofvariousmatters。ButAnnefeltthathewasthinkingofsomethingelseunderneathallthetime。Presentlyitcametothesurface。
　　"InPaul’slastletterhespokeofgoingwithyoutovisitanold……
　　friendofmine……MissLewisatthestonehouseinGrafton。
　　Doyouknowherwell？"
　　"Yes，indeed，sheisaverydearfriendofmine，"wasAnne’sdemurereply，whichgavenohintofthesuddenthrillthattingledoverherfromheadtofootatMr。Irving’squestion。Anne"feltinstinctively"thatromancewaspeepingatheraroundacorner。
　　Mr。Irvingroseandwenttothewindow，lookingoutonagreat，golden，billowingseawhereawildwindwasharping。Forafewmomentstherewassilenceinthelittledark-walledroom。ThenheturnedandlookeddownintoAnne’ssympatheticfacewithasmile，half-whimsical，half-tender。
　　"Iwonderhowmuchyouknow，"hesaid。
　　"Iknowallaboutit，"repliedAnnepromptly。"Yousee，"sheexplainedhastily，"MissLavendarandIareveryintimate。Shewouldn’ttellthingsofsuchasacrednaturetoeverybody。Wearekindredspirits。"
　　"Yes，Ibelieveyouare。Well，Iamgoingtoaskafavorofyou。
　　IwouldliketogoandseeMissLavendarifshewillletme。WillyouaskherifImaycome？"
　　Wouldshenot？Oh，indeedshewould！Yes，thiswasromance，thevery，therealthing，withallthecharmofrhymeandstoryanddream。
　　Itwasalittlebelated，perhaps，likearosebloominginOctoberwhichshouldhavebloomedinJune；butnonethelessarose，allsweetnessandfragrance，withthegleamofgoldinitsheart。
　　NeverdidAnne’sfeetbearheronamorewillingerrandthanonthatwalkthroughthebeechwoodstoGraftonthenextmorning。
　　ShefoundMissLavendarinthegarden。Annewasfearfullyexcited。
　　Herhandsgrewcoldandhervoicetrembled。
　　"MissLavendar，Ihavesomethingtotellyou……somethingveryimportant。
　　Canyouguesswhatitis？"
　　AnneneversupposedthatMissLavendarcouldGUESS；butMissLavendar’sfacegrewverypaleandMissLavendarsaidinaquiet，stillvoice，fromwhichallthecolorandsparklethatMissLavendar’svoiceusuallysuggestedhadfaded。
　　"StephenIrvingishome？"
　　"Howdidyouknow？Whotoldyou？"criedAnnedisappointedly，vexedthathergreatrevelationhadbeenanticipated。
　　"Nobody。Iknewthatmustbeit，justfromthewayyouspoke。"
　　"Hewantstocomeandseeyou，"saidAnne。"MayIsendhimwordthathemay？"
　　"Yes，ofcourse，"flutteredMissLavendar。"Thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldn’t。Heisonlycomingasanyoldfriendmight。"
　　AnnehadherownopinionaboutthatasshehastenedintothehousetowriteanoteatMissLavendar’sdesk。
　　"Oh，it’sdelightfultobelivinginastorybook，"shethoughtgaily。
　　"Itwillcomeoutallrightofcourse……itmust……andPaulwillhaveamotherafterhisownheartandeverybodywillbehappy。
　　ButMr。IrvingwilltakeMissLavendaraway……anddearknowswhatwillhappentothelittlestonehouse……andsotherearetwosidestoit，asthereseemstobetoeverythinginthisworld。"
　　TheimportantnotewaswrittenandAnneherselfcarriedittotheGraftonpostoffice，whereshewaylaidthemailcarrierandaskedhimtoleaveitattheAvonleaoffice。
　　"It’ssoveryimportant，"Anneassuredhimanxiously。ThemailcarrierwasarathergrumpyoldpersonagewhodidnotatalllookthepartofamessengerofCupid；andAnnewasnonetoocertainthathismemorywastobetrusted。Buthesaidhewoulddohisbesttorememberandshehadtobecontentedwiththat。
　　CharlottatheFourthfeltthatsomemysterypervadedthestonehousethatafternoon……amysteryfromwhichshewasexcluded。
　　MissLavendarroamedaboutthegardeninadistractedfashion。
　　Anne，too，seemedpossessedbyademonofunrest，andwalkedtoandfroandwentupanddown。CharlottatheFourthenduredittillatienceceasedtobeavirtue；thensheconfrontedAnneontheoccasionofthatromanticyoungperson’sthirdaimlessperegrinationthroughthekitchen。
　　"Please，MissShirley，ma’am，"saidCharlottatheFourth，withanindignanttossofherverybluebows，"it’splaintobeseenyouandMissLavendarhavegotasecretandIthink，beggingyourpardonifI’mtooforward，MissShirley，ma’am，thatit’srealmeannottotellmewhenwe’veallbeensuchchums。"
　　"Oh，Charlottadear，I’dhavetoldyouallaboutitifitweremysecret……butit’sMissLavendar’s，yousee。However，I’lltellyouthismuch……andifnothingcomesofityoumustneverbreatheawordaboutittoalivingsoul。Yousee，PrinceCharmingiscomingtonight。Hecamelongago，butinafoolishmomentwentawayandwanderedafarandforgotthesecretofthemagicpathwaytotheenchantedcastle，wheretheprincesswasweepingherfaithfulheartoutforhim。Butatlastheremembereditagainandtheprincessiswaitingstill……becausenobodybutherowndearprincecouldcarryheroff。"
　　"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，whatisthatinprose？"gaspedthemystifiedCharlotta。
　　Annelaughed。
　　"Inprose，anoldfriendofMissLavendar’siscomingtoseehertonight。"
　　"Doyoumeananoldbeauofhers？"demandedtheliteralCharlotta。
　　"ThatisprobablywhatIdomean……inprose，"answeredAnnegravely。
　　"ItisPaul’sfather……StephenIrving。Andgoodnessknowswhatwillcomeofit，butletushopeforthebest，Charlotta。"
　　"Ihopethathe’llmarryMissLavendar，"wasCharlotta’sunequivocalresponse。
　　"Somewomen’sintendedfromthestarttobeoldmaids，andI’mafraidI’moneofthem，MissShirley，ma’am，becauseI’veawfullittlepatiencewiththemen。
　　ButMissLavendarneverwas。AndI’vebeenawfulworried，thinkingwhatonearthshe’ddowhenIgotsobigI’dHAVEtogotoBoston。Thereain’tanymoregirlsinourfamilyanddearknowswhatshe’ddoifshegotsomestrangerthatmightlaughatherpretendingsandleavethingslyingroundoutoftheirplaceandnotbewillingtobecalledCharlottatheFifth。
　　Shemightgetsomeonewhowouldn’tbeasunluckyasmeinbreakingdishesbutshe’dnevergetanyonewho’dloveherbetter。"
　　Andthefaithfullittlehandmaidendashedtotheovendoorwithasniff。
　　TheywentthroughtheformofhavingteaasusualthatnightatEchoLodge；butnobodyreallyateanything。AfterteaMissLavendarwenttoherroomandputonhernewforget-me-notorgandy，whileAnnedidherhairforher。Bothweredreadfullyexcited；
　　butMissLavendarpretendedtobeverycalmandindifferent。
　　"Imustreallymendthatrentinthecurtaintomorrow，"shesaidanxiously，inspectingitasifitweretheonlythingofanyimportancejustthen。"Thosecurtainshavenotwornaswellastheyshould，consideringthepriceIpaid。Dearme，CharlottahasforgottentodustthestairrailingAGAIN。IreallyMUST
　　speaktoheraboutit。"
　　AnnewassittingontheporchstepswhenStephenIrvingcamedownthelaneandacrossthegarden。
　　"Thisistheoneplacewheretimestandsstill，"hesaid，lookingaroundhimwithdelightedeyes。"ThereisnothingchangedaboutthishouseorgardensinceIwasheretwenty-fiveyearsago。
　　Itmakesmefeelyoungagain。"
　　"Youknowtimealwaysdoesstandstillinanenchantedpalace，"saidAnneseriously。"Itisonlywhentheprincecomesthatthingsbegintohappen。"
　　Mr。Irvingsmiledalittlesadlyintoherupliftedface，allastarwithitsyouthandpromise。
　　"Sometimestheprincecomestoolate，"hesaid。HedidnotaskAnnetotranslateherremarkintoprose。Likeallkindredspiritshe"understood。"
　　"Oh，no，notifheistherealprincecomingtothetrueprincess，"
　　saidAnne，shakingherredheaddecidedly，assheopenedtheparlordoor。
　　WhenhehadgoneinsheshutittightlybehindhimandturnedtoconfrontCharlottatheFourth，whowasinthehall，all"nodsandbecksandwreathedsmiles。"
　　"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，"shebreathed，"Ipeekedfromthekitchenwindow……andhe’sawfulhandsome……andjusttherightageforMissLavendar。Andoh，MissShirley，ma’am，doyouthinkitwouldbemuchharmtolistenatthedoor？"
　　"Itwouldbedreadful，Charlotta，"saidAnnefirmly，"sojustyoucomeawaywithmeoutofthereachoftemptation。"
　　"Ican’tdoanything，andit’sawfultohangroundjustwaiting，"sighedCharlotta。"Whatifhedon’tproposeafterall，MissShirley，ma’am？
　　Youcanneverbesureofthemmen。Myoldersister，CharlottatheFirst，thoughtshewasengagedtooneonce。ButitturnedoutHEhadadifferentopinionandshesaysshe’llnevertrustoneofthemagain。
　　AndIheardofanothercasewhereamanthoughthewantedonegirlawfulbadwhenitwasreallyhersisterhewantedallthetime。
　　Whenamandon’tknowhisownmind，MissShirley，ma’am，how’sapoorwomangoingtobesureofit？"
　　"We’llgotothekitchenandcleanthesilverspoons，"saidAnne。
　　"That’sataskwhichwon’trequiremuchthinkingfortunately……
　　forICOULDN’Tthinktonight。Anditwillpassthetime。"
　　Itpassedanhour。Then，justasAnnelaiddownthelastshiningspoon，theyheardthefrontdoorshut。Bothsoughtcomfortfearfullyineachother’seyes。
　　"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，"gaspedCharlotta，"ifhe’sgoingawaythisearlythere’snothingintoitandneverwillbe。"Theyflewtothewindow。
　　Mr。Irvinghadnointentionofgoingaway。HeandMissLavendarwerestrollingslowlydownthemiddlepathtothestonebench。
　　"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，he’sgothisarmaroundherwaist，"
　　whisperedCharlottatheFourthdelightedly。"Hemusthaveproposedtoherorshe’dneverallowit。"
　　AnnecaughtCharlottatheFourthbyherownplumpwaistanddancedheraroundthekitchenuntiltheywerebothoutofbreath。
　　"Oh，Charlotta，"shecriedgaily，"I’mneitheraprophetessnorthedaughterofaprophetessbutI’mgoingtomakeaprediction。
　　There’llbeaweddinginthisoldstonehousebeforethemapleleavesarered。Doyouwantthattranslatedintoprose，Charlotta？"
　　"No，Icanunderstandthat，"saidCharlotta。"Aweddingain’tpoetry。Why，MissShirley，ma’am，you’recrying！Whatfor？"
　　"Oh，becauseit’sallsobeautiful……andstorybookish……andromantic……andsad，"saidAnne，winkingthetearsoutofhereyes。"It’sallperfectlylovely……butthere’salittlesadnessmixedupinittoo，somehow。"
　　"Oh，ofcoursethere’sareskinmarryinganybody，"concededCharlottatheFourth，"but，whenall’ssaidanddone，MissShirley，ma’am，there’smanyaworsethingthanahusband。"
　　XXIX
　　PoetryandProseForthenextmonthAnnelivedinwhat，forAvonlea，mightbecalledawhirlofexcitement。ThepreparationofherownmodestoutfitforRedmondwasofsecondaryimportance。MissLavendarwasgettingreadytobemarriedandthestonehousewasthesceneofendlessconsultationsandplanningsanddiscussions，withCharlottatheFourthhoveringontheoutskirtsofthingsinagitateddelightandwonder。
　　Thenthedressmakercame，andtherewastheraptureandwretchednessofchoosingfashionsandbeingfitted。AnneandDianaspenthalftheirtimeatEchoLodgeandtherewerenightswhenAnnecouldnotsleepforwonderingwhethershehaddonerightinadvisingMissLavendartoselectbrownratherthannavyblueforhertravelingdress，andtohavehergraysilkmadeprincess。
　　EverybodyconcernedinMissLavendar’sstorywasveryhappy。
　　PaulIrvingrushedtoGreenGablestotalkthenewsoverwithAnneassoonashisfatherhadtoldhim。
　　"IknewIcouldtrustfathertopickmeoutanicelittlesecondmother，"
　　hesaidproudly。"It’safinethingtohaveafatheryoucandependon，teacher。IjustloveMissLavendar。Grandmaispleased，too。Shesaysshe’srealgladfatherdidn’tpickoutanAmericanforhissecondwife，because，althoughitturnedoutallrightthefirsttime，suchathingwouldn’tbelikelytohappentwice。Mrs。LyndesaysshethoroughlyapprovesofthematchandthinksitslikelyMissLavendarwillgiveupherqueernotionsandbelikeotherpeople，nowthatshe’sgoingtobemarried。ButIhopeshewon’tgiveherqueernotionsup，teacher，becauseIlikethem。AndIdon’twanthertobelikeotherpeople。
　　Therearetoomanyotherpeoplearoundasitis。YOUknow，teacher。"
　　CharlottatheFourthwasanotherradiantperson。
　　"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，ithasallturnedoutsobeautiful。
　　WhenMr。IrvingandMissLavendarcomebackfromtheirtowerI’mtogouptoBostonandlivewiththem……andmeonlyfifteen，andtheothergirlsneverwenttilltheyweresixteen。Ain’tMr。Irvingsplendid？Hejustworshipsthegroundshetreadsonanditmakesmefeelsoqueersometimestoseethelookinhiseyeswhenhe’swatchingher。Itbeggarsdescription，MissShirley，ma’am。
　　I’mawfulthankfulthey’resofondofeachother。It’sthebestway，whenall’ssaidanddone，thoughsomefolkscangetalongwithoutit。
　　I’vegotanauntwhohasbeenmarriedthreetimesandsaysshemarriedthefirsttimeforloveandthelasttwotimesforstrictlybusiness，andwashappywithallthreeexceptatthetimesofthefunerals。
　　ButIthinkshetookaresk，MissShirley，ma’am。"
　　"Oh，it’sallsoromantic，"breathedAnnetoMarillathatnight。
　　"IfIhadn’ttakenthewrongpaththatdaywewenttoMr。Kimball’sI’dneverhaveknownMissLavendar；andifIhadn’tmetherI’dneverhavetakenPaulthere……andhe’dneverhavewrittentohisfatheraboutvisitingMissLavendarjustasMr。IrvingwasstartingforSanFrancisco。Mr。IrvingsayswheneverhegotthatletterhemadeuphismindtosendhispartnertoSanFranciscoandcomehereinstead。
　　Hehadn’theardanythingofMissLavendarforfifteenyears。Somebodyhadtoldhimthenthatshewastobemarriedandhethoughtshewasandneveraskedanybodyanythingabouther。Andnoweverythinghascomeright。
　　AndIhadahandinbringingitabout。Perhaps，asMrs。Lyndesays，everythingisforeordainedanditwasboundtohappenanyway。Butevenso，it’snicetothinkonewasaninstrumentusedbypredestination。Yesindeed，it’sveryromantic。"
　　"Ican’tseethatit’ssoterriblyromanticatall，"saidMarillarathercrisply。MarillathoughtAnnewastooworkedupaboutitandhadplentytodowithgettingreadyforcollegewithout"traipsing"
　　toEchoLodgetwodaysoutofthreehelpingMissLavendar。"Inthefirstplacetwoyoungfoolsquarrelandturnsulky；thenSteveIrvinggoestotheStatesandafteraspellgetsmarriedupthereandisperfectlyhappyfromallaccounts。Thenhiswifediesandafteradecentintervalhethinkshe’llcomehomeandseeifhisfirstfancy’llhavehim。Meanwhile，she’sbeenlivingsingle，probablybecausenobodyniceenoughcamealongtowanther，andtheymeetandagreetobemarriedafterall。Now，whereistheromanceinallthat？"
　　"Oh，thereisn’tany，whenyouputitthatway，"gaspedAnne，ratherasifsomebodyhadthrowncoldwateroverher。"Isupposethat’showitlooksinprose。Butit’sverydifferentifyoulookatitthroughpoetry……and_I_thinkit’snicer……"Annerecoveredherselfandhereyesshoneandhercheeksflushed……"tolookatitthroughpoetry。"
　　Marillaglancedattheradiantyoungfaceandrefrainedfromfurthersarcasticcomments。Perhapssomerealizationcametoherthatafterallitwasbettertohave，likeAnne，"thevisionandthefacultydivine"……thatgiftwhichtheworldcannotbestowortakeaway，oflookingatlifethroughsometransfiguring……orrevealing？……medium，wherebyeverythingseemedapparelledincelestiallight，wearingagloryandafreshnessnotvisibletothosewho，likeherselfandCharlottatheFourth，lookedatthingsonlythroughprose。
　　"When’stheweddingtobe？"sheaskedafterapause。
　　"ThelastWednesdayinAugust。Theyaretobemarriedinthegardenunderthehoneysuckletrellis……theveryspotwhereMr。Irvingproposedtohertwenty-fiveyearsago。Marilla，thatISromantic，eveninprose。There’stobenobodythereexceptMrs。IrvingandPaulandGilbertandDianaandI，andMissLavendar’scousins。Andtheywillleaveonthesixo’clocktrainforatriptothePacificcoast。WhentheycomebackinthefallPaulandCharlottatheFourtharetogouptoBostontolivewiththem。
　　ButEchoLodgeistobeleftjustasitis……onlyofcoursethey’llsellthehensandcow，andboardupthewindows……andeverysummerthey’recomingdowntoliveinit。I’msoglad。ItwouldhavehurtmedreadfullynextwinteratRedmondtothinkofthatdearstonehouseallstrippedanddeserted，withemptyrooms……orfarworsestill，withotherpeoplelivinginit。ButIcanthinkofitnow，justasI’vealwaysseenit，waitinghappilyforthesummertobringlifeandlaughterbacktoitagain。"
　　Therewasmoreromanceintheworldthanthatwhichhadfallentotheshareofthemiddle-agedloversofthestonehouse。
　　AnnestumbledsuddenlyonitoneeveningwhenshewentovertoOrchardSlopebythewoodcutandcameoutintotheBarrygarden。
　　DianaBarryandFredWrightwerestandingtogetherunderthebigwillow。
　　Dianawasleaningagainstthegraytrunk，herlashescastdownonverycrimsoncheeks。OnehandwasheldbyFred，whostoodwithhisfacebenttowardher，stammeringsomethinginlowearnesttones。
　　Therewerenootherpeopleintheworldexcepttheirtwoselvesatthatmagicmoment；soneitherofthemsawAnne，who，afteronedazedglanceofcomprehension，turnedandspednoiselesslybackthroughthesprucewood，neverstoppingtillshegainedherowngableroom，whereshesatbreathlesslydownbyherwindowandtriedtocollectherscatteredwits。
　　"DianaandFredareinlovewitheachother，"shegasped。
　　"Oh，itdoesseemso……so……soHOPELESSLYgrownup。"
　　Anne，oflate，hadnotbeenwithouthersuspicionsthatDianawasprovingfalsetothemelancholyByronicheroofherearlydreams。
　　Butas"thingsseenaremightierthanthingsheard，"orsuspected，therealizationthatitwasactuallysocametoherwithalmosttheshockofperfectsurprise。Thiswassucceededbyaqueer，littlelonelyfeeling……asif，somehow，Dianahadgoneforwardintoanewworld，shuttingagatebehindher，leavingAnneontheoutside。
　　"Thingsarechangingsofastitalmostfrightensme，"Annethought，alittlesadly。"AndI’mafraidthatthiscan’thelpmakingsomedifferencebetweenDianaandme。I’msureIcan’ttellherallmysecretsafterthis……shemighttellFred。AndwhatCANsheseeinFred？He’sveryniceandjolly……buthe’sjustFredWright。"
　　Itisalwaysaverypuzzlingquestion……whatcansomebodyseeinsomebodyelse？Buthowfortunateafterallthatitisso，forifeverybodysawalike……well，inthatcase，astheoldIndiansaid，"Everybodywouldwantmysquaw。"ItwasplainthatDianaDIDseesomethinginFredWright，howeverAnne’seyesmightbeholden。
　　DianacametoGreenGablesthenextevening，apensive，shyyounglady，andtoldAnnethewholestoryintheduskyseclusionoftheeastgable。Bothgirlscriedandkissedandlaughed。
　　"I’msohappy，"saidDiana，"butitdoesseemridiculoustothinkofmebeingengaged。"
　　"Whatisitreallyliketobeengaged？"askedAnnecuriously。
　　"Well，thatalldependsonwhoyou’reengagedto，"answeredDiana，withthatmaddeningairofsuperiorwisdomalwaysassumedbythosewhoareengagedoverthosewhoarenot。"It’sperfectlylovelytobeengagedtoFred……butIthinkitwouldbesimplyhorridtobeengagedtoanyoneelse。"
　　"There’snotmuchcomfortfortherestofusinthat，seeingthatthereisonlyoneFred，"laughedAnne。
　　"Oh，Anne，youdon’tunderstand，"saidDianainvexation。"Ididn’tmeanTHAT……it’ssohardtoexplain。Nevermind，you’llunderstandsometime，whenyourownturncomes。"
　　"Blessyou，dearestofDianas，Iunderstandnow。Whatisanimaginationforifnottoenableyoutopeepatlifethroughotherpeople’seyes？"
　　"Youmustbemybridesmaid，youknow，Anne。Promisemethat……
　　whereveryoumaybewhenI’mmarried。"
　　"I’llcomefromtheendsoftheearthifnecessary，"promisedAnnesolemnly。
　　"Ofcourse，itwon’tbeforeversolongyet，"saidDiana，blushing。
　　"Threeyearsattheveryleast……forI’monlyeighteenandmothersaysnodaughterofhersshallbemarriedbeforeshe’stwenty-one。
　　Besides，Fred’sfatherisgoingtobuytheAbrahamFletcherfarmforhimandhesayshe’sgottohaveittwothirdspaidforbeforehe’llgiveittohiminhisownname。Butthreeyearsisn’tanytoomuchtimetogetreadyforhousekeeping，forIhaven’taspeckoffancyworkmadeyet。ButI’mgoingtobegincrochetingdoiliestomorrow。
　　MyraGillishadthirty-sevendoilieswhenshewasmarriedandI’mdeterminedIshallhaveasmanyasshehad。"
　　"Isupposeitwouldbeperfectlyimpossibletokeephousewithonlythirty-sixdoilies，"concededAnne，withasolemnfacebutdancingeyes。
　　Dianalookedhurt。
　　"Ididn’tthinkyou’dmakefunofme，Anne，"shesaidreproachfully。
　　"Dearest，Iwasn’tmakingfunofyou，"criedAnnerepentantly。
　　"Iwasonlyteasingyouabit。Ithinkyou’llmakethesweetestlittlehousekeeperintheworld。AndIthinkit’sperfectlylovelyofyoutobeplanningalreadyforyourhomeo’dreams。"
　　Annehadnosoonerutteredthephrase，"homeo’dreams，"thanitcaptivatedherfancyandsheimmediatelybegantheerectionofoneofherown。Itwas，ofcourse，tenantedbyanidealmaster，dark，proud，andmelancholy；butoddlyenough，GilbertBlythepersistedinhangingabouttoo，helpingherarrangepictures，layoutgardens，andaccomplishsundryothertaskswhichaproudandmelancholyheroevidentlyconsideredbeneathhisdignity。AnnetriedtobanishGilbert’simagefromhercastleinSpainbut，somehow，hewentonbeingthere，soAnne，beinginahurry，gaveuptheattemptandpursuedheraerialarchitecturewithsuchsuccessthather"homeo’dreams"wasbuiltandfurnishedbeforeDianaspokeagain。
　　"Isuppose，Anne，youmustthinkit’sfunnyIshouldlikeFredsowellwhenhe’ssodifferentfromthekindofmanI’vealwayssaidI
　　wouldmarry……thetall，slenderkind？ButsomehowIwouldn’twantFredtobetallandslender……because，don’tyousee，hewouldn’tbeFredthen。Ofcourse，"addedDianaratherdolefully，"wewillbeadreadfullypudgycouple。Butafterallthat’sbetterthanoneofusbeingshortandfatandtheothertallandlean，likeMorganSloaneandhiswife。Mrs。Lyndesaysitalwaysmakesherthinkofthelongandshortofitwhensheseesthemtogether。"
　　"Well，"saidAnnetoherselfthatnight，asshebrushedherhairbeforehergiltframedmirror，"IamgladDianaissohappyandsatisfied。Butwhenmyturncomes……ifiteverdoes……Idohopethere’llbesomethingalittlemorethrillingaboutit。ButthenDianathoughtsotoo，once。I’veheardhersaytimeandagainshe’dnevergetengagedanypokycommonplaceway……he’dHAVEtodosomethingsplendidtowinher。Butshehaschanged。PerhapsI’llchangetoo。ButIwon’t……andI’mdeterminedIwon’t。Oh，Ithinktheseengagementsaredreadfullyunsettlingthingswhentheyhappentoyourintimatefriends。"
　　XXX
　　AWeddingattheStoneHouseThelastweekinAugustcame。MissLavendarwastobemarriedinit。
　　TwoweekslaterAnneandGilbertwouldleaveforRedmondCollege。
　　Inaweek’stimeMrs。RachelLyndewouldmovetoGreenGablesandsetupherlaresandpenatesintheerstwhilespareroom，whichwasalreadypreparedforhercoming。ShehadsoldallhersuperfluoushouseholdplenishingsbyauctionandwasatpresentrevelinginthecongenialoccupationofhelpingtheAllanspackup。Mr。AllanwastopreachhisfarewellsermonthenextSunday。Theoldorderwaschangingrapidlytogiveplacetothenew，asAnnefeltwithalittlesadnessthreadingallherexcitementandhappiness。
　　"Changesain’ttotallypleasantbutthey’reexcellentthings，"
　　saidMr。Harrisonphilosophically。"Twoyearsisaboutlongenoughforthingstostayexactlythesame。Iftheystayedputanylongertheymightgrowmossy。"
　　Mr。Harrisonwassmokingonhisveranda。Hiswifehadself-sacrificinglytoldthathemightsmokeinthehouseifhetookcaretositbyanopenwindow。Mr。Harrisonrewardedthisconcessionbygoingoutdoorsaltogethertosmokeinfineweather，andsomutualgoodwillreigned。
　　AnnehadcomeovertoaskMrs。Harrisonforsomeofheryellowdahlias。
　　SheandDianaweregoingthroughtoEchoLodgethateveningtohelpMissLavendarandCharlottatheFourthwiththeirfinalpreparationsforthemorrow’sbridal。MissLavendarherselfneverhaddahlias；
　　shedidnotlikethemandtheywouldnothavesuitedthefineretirementofherold-fashionedgarden。ButflowersofanykindwereratherscarceinAvonleaandtheneighboringdistrictsthatsummer，thankstoUncleAbe’sstorm；andAnneandDianathoughtthatacertainoldcream-coloredstonejug，usuallykeptsacredtodoughnuts，brimmedoverwithyellowdahlias，wouldbejustthethingtosetinadimangleofthestonehousestairs，againstthedarkbackgroundofredhallpaper。
　　"Is’poseyou’llbestartingoffforcollegeinafortnight’stime？"
　　continuedMr。Harrison。"Well，we’regoingtomissyouanawfullot，Emilyandme。Tobesure，Mrs。Lynde’llbeoverthereinyourplace。
　　Thereain’tnobodybutasubstitutecanbefoundforthem。"
　　TheironyofMr。Harrison’stoneisquiteuntransferabletopaper。
　　Inspiteofhiswife’sintimacywithMrs。Lynde，thebestthatcouldbesaidoftherelationshipbetweenherandMr。Harrisonevenunderthenewregime，wasthattheypreservedanarmedneutrality。
　　"Yes，I’mgoing，"saidAnne。"I’mverygladwithmyhead……andverysorrywithmyheart。"
　　"Is’poseyou’llbescoopingupallthehonorsthatarelyingroundlooseatRedmond。"
　　"Imaytryforoneortwoofthem，"confessedAnne，"butI
　　don’tcaresomuchforthingslikethatasIdidtwoyearsago。
　　WhatIwanttogetoutofmycollegecourseissomeknowledgeofthebestwayoflivinglifeanddoingthemostandbestwithit。
　　Iwanttolearntounderstandandhelpotherpeopleandmyself。"
　　Mr。Harrisonnodded。
　　"That’stheideaexactly。That’swhatcollegeoughttobefor，insteadofforturningoutalotofB。A。’s，sochockfullofbook-learningandvanitythatthereain’troomforanythingelse。
　　You’reallright。Collegewon’tbeabletodoyoumuchharm，Ireckon。"
　　DianaandAnnedroveovertoEchoLodgeaftertea，takingwiththemallthefloweryspoilthatseveralpredatoryexpeditionsintheirownandtheirneighbors’gardenshadyielded。Theyfoundthestonehouseagogwithexcitement。CharlottatheFourthwasflyingaroundwithsuchvimandbrisknessthatherbluebowsseemedreallytopossessthepowerofbeingeverywhereatonce。LikethehelmetofNavarre，Charlotta’sbluebowswavedeverinthethickestofthefray。
　　"Praisebetogoodnessyou’vecome，"shesaiddevoutly，"forthere’sheapsofthingstodo……andthefrostingonthatcakeWON’Tharden……andthere’sallthesilvertoberubbedupyet……
　　andthehorsehairtrunktobepacked……andtheroostersforthechickensaladarerunningouttherebeyantthehenhouseyet，crowing，MissShirley，ma’am。AndMissLavendarain’ttobetrustedtodoathing。IwasthankfulwhenMr。Irvingcameafewminutesagoandtookheroffforawalkinthewoods。
　　Courting’sallrightinitsplace，MissShirley，ma’am，butifyoutrytomixitupwithcookingandscouringeverything’sspoiled。
　　That’sMYopinion，MissShirley，ma’am。"
　　AnneandDianaworkedsoheartilythatbyteno’clockevenCharlottatheFourthwassatisfied。Shebraidedherhairininnumerableplaitsandtookherwearylittlebonesofftobed。
　　"ButI’msureIshan’tsleepablessedwink，MissShirley，ma’am，forfearthatsomething’llgowrongatthelastminute……thecreamwon’twhip……orMr。Irving’llhaveastrokeandnotbeabletocome。"
　　"Heisn’tinthehabitofhavingstrokes，ishe？"askedDiana，thedimpledcornersofhermouthtwitching。ToDiana，CharlottatheFourthwas，ifnotexactlyathingofbeauty，certainlyajoyforever。
　　"They’renotthingsthatgobyhabit，"saidCharlottatheFourthwithdignity。"TheyjustHAPPEN……andthereyouare。ANYBODY
　　canhaveastroke。Youdon’thavetolearnhow。Mr。Irvinglooksalotlikeanuncleofminethathadoneoncejustashewassittingdowntodinneroneday。Butmaybeeverything’llgoallright。Inthisworldyou’vejustgottohopeforthebestandpreparefortheworstandtakewhateverGodsends。"
　　"TheonlythingI’mworriedaboutisthatitwon’tbefinetomorrow，"
　　saidDiana。"UncleAbepredictedrainforthemiddleoftheweek，andeversincethebigstormIcan’thelpbelievingthere’sagooddealinwhatUncleAbesays。"
　　Anne，whoknewbetterthanDianajusthowmuchUncleAbehadtodowiththestorm，wasnotmuchdisturbedbythis。Shesleptthesleepofthejustandweary，andwasrousedatanunearthlyhourbyCharlottatheFourth。
　　"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，it’sawfultocallyousoearly，"camewailingthroughthekeyhole，"butthere’ssomuchtodoyet……andoh，MissShirley，ma’am，I’mskeeredit’sgoingtorainandIwishyou’dgetupandtellmeyouthinkitain’t。"Anneflewtothewindow，hopingagainsthopethatCharlottatheFourthwassayingthismerelybywayofrousinghereffectually。Butalas，themorningdidlookunpropitious。BelowthewindowMissLavendar’sgarden，whichshouldhavebeenagloryofpalevirginsunshine，laydimandwindless；andtheskyoverthefirswasdarkwithmoodyclouds。
　　"Isn’tittoomean！"saidDiana。
　　"Wemusthopeforthebest，"saidAnnedeterminedly。"Ifitonlydoesn’tactuallyrain，acool，pearlygraydaylikethiswouldreallybenicerthanhotsunshine。"
　　"Butitwillrain，"mournedCharlotta，creepingintotheroom，afigureoffun，withhermanybraidswoundaboutherhead，theends，tiedupwithwhitethread，stickingoutinalldirections。"It’llholdofftillthelastminuteandthenpourcatsanddogs。Andallthefolkswillgetsopping……andtrackmudalloverthehouse……
　　andtheywon’tbeabletobemarriedunderthehoneysuckle……andit’sawfulunluckyfornosuntoshineonabride，saywhatyouwill，MissShirley，ma’am。_I_knewthingsweregoingtoowelltolast。"
　　CharlottatheFourthseemedcertainlytohaveborrowedaleafoutofMissElizaAndrews’book。
　　Itdidnotrain，thoughitkeptonlookingasifitmeantto。
　　Bynoontheroomsweredecorated，thetablebeautifullylaid；
　　andupstairswaswaitingabride，"adornedforherhusband。"
　　"Youdolooksweet，"saidAnnerapturously。
　　"Lovely，"echoedDiana。
　　"Everything’sready，MissShirley，ma’am，andnothingdreadfulhashappenedYET，"wasCharlotta’scheerfulstatementasshebetookherselftoherlittlebackroomtodress。Outcameallthebraids；
　　theresultantrampantcrinklinesswasplaitedintotwotailsandtied，notwithtwobowsalone，butwithfour，ofbrand-newribbon，brightlyblue。ThetwoupperbowsrathergavetheimpressionofovergrownwingssproutingfromCharlotta’sneck，somewhatafterthefashionofRaphael’scherubs。ButCharlottatheFourththoughtthemverybeautiful，andaftershehadrustledintoawhitedress，sostifflystarchedthatitcouldstandalone，shesurveyedherselfinherglasswithgreatsatisfaction……asatisfactionwhichlasteduntilshewentoutinthehallandcaughtaglimpsethroughthespareroomdoorofatallgirlinsomesoftlyclinginggown，pinningwhite，star-likeflowersonthesmoothripplesofherruddyhair。
　　"Oh，I’llNEVERbeabletolooklikeMissShirley，"thoughtpoorCharlottadespairingly。"Youjusthavetobebornso，Iguess……
　　don’tseem’sifanyamountofpracticecouldgiveyouthatAIR。"
　　Byoneo’clocktheguestshadcome，includingMr。andMrs。Allan，forMr。AllanwastoperformtheceremonyintheabsenceoftheGraftonministeronhisvacation。Therewasnoformalityaboutthemarriage。MissLavendarcamedownthestairstomeetherbridegroomatthefoot，andashetookherhandsheliftedherbigbrowneyestohiswithalookthatmadeCharlottatheFourth，whointerceptedit，feelqueererthanever。Theywentouttothehoneysucklearbor，whereMr。Allanwasawaitingthem。Theguestsgroupedthemselvesastheypleased。AnneandDianastoodbytheoldstonebench，withCharlottatheFourthbetweenthem，desperatelyclutchingtheirhandsinhercold，tremulouslittlepaws。
　　Mr。Allanopenedhisbluebookandtheceremonyproceeded。JustasMissLavendarandStephenIrvingwerepronouncedmanandwifeaverybeautifulandsymbolicthinghappened。Thesunsuddenlyburstthroughthegrayandpouredafloodofradianceonthehappybride。Instantlythegardenwasalivewithdancingshadowsandflickeringlights。
　　"Whatalovelyomen，"thoughtAnne，assherantokissthebride。
　　Thenthethreegirlslefttherestoftheguestslaughingaroundthebridalpairwhiletheyflewintothehousetoseethatallwasinreadinessforthefeast。
　　"Thanksbetogoodness，it’sover，MissShirley，ma’am，"breathedCharlottatheFourth，"andthey’remarriedsafeandsound，nomatterwhathappensnow。Thebagsofriceareinthepantry，ma’am，andtheoldshoesarebehindthedoor，andthecreamforwhippingisonthesullarsteps。"
　　AthalfpasttwoMr。andMrs。Irvingleft，andeverybodywenttoBrightRivertoseethemoffontheafternoontrain。AsMissLavendar……Ibegherpardon，Mrs。Irving……steppedfromthedoorofheroldhomeGilbertandthegirlsthrewthericeandCharlottatheFourthhurledanoldshoewithsuchexcellentaimthatshestruckMr。Allansquarelyonthehead。ButitwasreservedforPaultogivetheprettiestsend-off。Hepoppedoutoftheporchringingfuriouslyahugeoldbrassdinnerbellwhichhadadornedthediningroommantel。Paul’sonlymotivewastomakeajoyfulnoise；butastheclangordiedaway，frompointandcurveandhillacrosstherivercamethechimeof"fairyweddingbells，"
　　ringingclearly，sweetly，faintlyandmorefaint，asifMissLavendar’sbelovedechoeswerebiddinghergreetingandfarewell。
　　Andso，amidthisbenedictionofsweetsounds，MissLavendardroveawayfromtheoldlifeofdreamsandmake-believestoafullerlifeofrealitiesinthebusyworldbeyond。
　　TwohourslaterAnneandCharlottatheFourthcamedownthelaneagain。
　　GilberthadgonetoWestGraftononanerrandandDianahadtokeepanengagementathome。AnneandCharlottahadcomebacktoputthingsinorderandlockupthelittlestonehouse。Thegardenwasapooloflategoldensunshine，withbutterflieshoveringandbeesbooming；
　　butthelittlehousehadalreadythatindefinableairofdesolationwhichalwaysfollowsafestivity。
　　"Ohdearme，don’titlooklonesome？"sniffedCharlottatheFourth，whohadbeencryingallthewayhomefromthestation。"Aweddingain’tmuchcheerfullerthanafuneralafterall，whenit’sallover，MissShirley，ma’am。"
　　Abusyeveningfollowed。Thedecorationshadtoberemoved，thedisheswashed，theuneatendelicaciespackedintoabasketforthedelectationofCharlottatheFourth’syoungbrothersathome。
　　Annewouldnotrestuntileverythingwasinapple-pieorder；afterCharlottahadgonehomewithherplunderAnnewentoverthestillrooms，feelinglikeonewhotrodalonesomebanquethalldeserted，andclosedtheblinds。ThenshelockedthedoorandsatdownunderthesilverpoplartowaitforGilbert，feelingverytiredbutstillunweariedlythinking"long，longthoughts。"
　　"Whatareyouthinkingof，Anne？"askedGilbert，comingdownthewalk。Hehadlefthishorseandbuggyoutattheroad。
　　"OfMissLavendarandMr。Irving，"answeredAnnedreamily。"Isn’titbeautifultothinkhoweverythinghasturnedout……howtheyhavecometogetheragainafteralltheyearsofseparationandmisunderstanding？"
　　"Yes，it’sbeautiful，"saidGilbert，lookingsteadilydownintoAnne’supliftedface，"butwouldn’tithavebeenmorebeautifulstill，Anne，iftherehadbeenNOseparationormisunderstanding……
　　iftheyhadcomehandinhandallthewaythroughlife，withnomemoriesbehindthembutthosewhichbelongedtoeachother？"
　　ForamomentAnne’sheartflutteredqueerlyandforthefirsttimehereyesfalteredunderGilbert’sgazeandarosyflushstainedthepalenessofherface。Itwasasifaveilthathadhungbeforeherinnerconsciousnesshadbeenlifted，givingtoherviewarevelationofunsuspectedfeelingsandrealities。Perhaps，afterall，romancedidnotcomeintoone’slifewithpompandblare，likeagayknightridingdown；perhapsitcrepttoone’ssidelikeanoldfriendthroughquietways；perhapsitrevealeditselfinseemingprose，untilsomesuddenshaftofilluminationflungathwartitspagesbetrayedtherhythmandthemusic，perhaps……
　　perhaps……loveunfoldednaturallyoutofabeautifulfriendship，asagolden-heartedroseslippingfromitsgreensheath。
　　Thentheveildroppedagain；buttheAnnewhowalkedupthedarklanewasnotquitethesameAnnewhohaddrivengailydownittheeveningbefore。Thepageofgirlhoodhadbeenturned，asbyanunseenfinger，andthepageofwomanhoodwasbeforeherwithallitscharmandmystery，itspainandgladness。
　　Gilbertwiselysaidnothingmore；butinhissilencehereadthehistoryofthenextfouryearsinthelightofAnne’srememberedblush。Fouryearsofearnest，happywork……andthentheguerdonofausefulknowledgegainedandasweetheartwon。
　　Behindtheminthegardenthelittlestonehousebroodedamongtheshadows。Itwaslonelybutnotforsaken。Ithadnotyetdonewithdreamsandlaughterandthejoyoflife；thereweretobefuturesummersforthelittlestonehouse；meanwhile，itcouldwait。Andovertheriverinpurpledurancetheechoesbidedtheirtime。
　　End