TheShadowofChange"Harvestisendedandsummerisgone，"quotedAnneShirley，gazingacrosstheshornfieldsdreamily。SheandDianaBarryhadbeenpickingapplesintheGreenGablesorchard，butwerenowrestingfromtheirlaborsinasunnycorner，whereairyfleetsofthistledowndriftedbyonthewingsofawindthatwasstillsummer-sweetwiththeincenseoffernsintheHauntedWood。
Buteverythinginthelandscapearoundthemspokeofautumn。
Theseawasroaringhollowlyinthedistance，thefieldswerebareandsere，scarfedwithgoldenrod，thebrookvalleybelowGreenGablesoverflowedwithastersofetherealpurple，andtheLakeofShiningWaterswasblue——blue——blue；notthechangefulblueofspring，northepaleazureofsummer，butaclear，steadfast，sereneblue，asifthewaterwerepastallmoodsandtensesofemotionandhadsettleddowntoatranquilityunbrokenbyfickledreams。
"Ithasbeenanicesummer，"saidDiana，twistingthenewringonherlefthandwithasmile。"AndMissLavendar’sweddingseemedtocomeasasortofcrowntoit。IsupposeMr。andMrs。IrvingareonthePacificcoastnow。"
"Itseemstometheyhavebeengonelongenoughtogoaroundtheworld，"
sighedAnne。
"Ican’tbelieveitisonlyaweeksincetheyweremarried。
Everythinghaschanged。MissLavendarandMr。andMrs。Allangone——howlonelythemanselookswiththeshuttersallclosed！
Iwentpastitlastnight，anditmademefeelasifeverybodyinithaddied。"
"We’llnevergetanotherministerasniceasMr。Allan，"saidDiana，withgloomyconviction。"Isupposewe’llhaveallkindsofsuppliesthiswinter，andhalftheSundaysnopreachingatall。AndyouandGilbertgone——itwillbeawfullydull。"
"Fredwillbehere，"insinuatedAnneslyly。
"WhenisMrs。Lyndegoingtomoveup？"askedDiana，asifshehadnotheardAnne’sremark。
"Tomorrow。I’mgladshe’scoming——butitwillbeanotherchange。
MarillaandIclearedeverythingoutofthespareroomyesterday。
Doyouknow，Ihatedtodoit？Ofcourse，itwassilly——butitdidseemasifwewerecommittingsacrilege。Thatoldspareroomhasalwaysseemedlikeashrinetome。WhenIwasachildIthoughtitthemostwonderfulapartmentintheworld。YourememberwhataconsumingdesireIhadtosleepinaspareroombed——butnottheGreenGablesspareroom。Oh，no，neverthere！
Itwouldhavebeentooterrible——Icouldn’thavesleptawinkfromawe。IneverWALKEDthroughthatroomwhenMarillasentmeinonanerrand——no，indeed，Itiptoedthroughitandheldmybreath，asifIwereinchurch，andfeltrelievedwhenIgotoutofit。
ThepicturesofGeorgeWhitefieldandtheDukeofWellingtonhungthere，oneoneachsideofthemirror，andfrownedsosternlyatmeallthetimeIwasin，especiallyifIdaredpeepinthemirror，whichwastheonlyoneinthehousethatdidn’ttwistmyfacealittle。
IalwayswonderedhowMarilladaredhousecleanthatroom。Andnowit’snotonlycleanedbutstrippedbare。GeorgeWhitefieldandtheDukehavebeenrelegatedtotheupstairshall。`Sopassesthegloryofthisworld，’"concludedAnne，withalaughinwhichtherewasalittlenoteofregret。Itisneverpleasanttohaveouroldshrinesdesecrated，evenwhenwehaveoutgrownthem。
"I’llbesolonesomewhenyougo，"moanedDianaforthehundredthtime。
"Andtothinkyougonextweek！"
"Butwe’retogetherstill，"saidAnnecheerily。"Wemustn’tletnextweekrobusofthisweek’sjoy。Ihatethethoughtofgoingmyself——homeandIaresuchgoodfriends。Talkofbeinglonesome！
It’sIwhoshouldgroan。YOU’LLbeherewithanynumberofyouroldfriends——ANDFred！WhileIshallbealoneamongstrangers，notknowingasoul！"
"EXCEPTGilbert——ANDCharlieSloane，"saidDiana，imitatingAnne’sitalicsandslyness。
"CharlieSloanewillbeagreatcomfort，ofcourse，"agreedAnnesarcastically；whereuponboththoseirresponsibledamselslaughed。
DianaknewexactlywhatAnnethoughtofCharlieSloane；but，despitesundryconfidentialtalks，shedidnotknowjustwhatAnnethoughtofGilbertBlythe。Tobesure，Anneherselfdidnotknowthat。
"TheboysmaybeboardingattheotherendofKingsport，forallIknow，"Annewenton。"IamgladI’mgoingtoRedmond，andIamsureIshalllikeitafterawhile。ButforthefirstfewweeksIknowIwon’t。Ishan’tevenhavethecomfortoflookingforwardtotheweekendvisithome，asIhadwhenIwenttoQueen’s。
Christmaswillseemlikeathousandyearsaway。"
"Everythingischanging——orgoingtochange，"saidDianasadly。
"Ihaveafeelingthatthingswillneverbethesameagain，Anne。"
"Wehavecometoapartingoftheways，Isuppose，"saidAnnethoughtfully。"Wehadtocometoit。Doyouthink，Diana，thatbeinggrown-upisreallyasniceasweusedtoimagineitwouldbewhenwewerechildren？"
"Idon’tknow——thereareSOMEnicethingsaboutit，"answeredDiana，againcaressingherringwiththatlittlesmilewhichalwayshadtheeffectofmakingAnnefeelsuddenlyleftoutandinexperienced。"Buttherearesomanypuzzlingthings，too。
SometimesIfeelasifbeinggrown-upjustfrightenedme——andthenIwouldgiveanythingtobealittlegirlagain。"
"Isupposewe’llgetusedtobeinggrownupintime，"saidAnnecheerfully。"Therewon’tbesomanyunexpectedthingsaboutitbyandby——though，afterall，Ifancyit’stheunexpectedthingsthatgivespicetolife。We’reeighteen，Diana。Intwomoreyearswe’llbetwenty。WhenIwastenIthoughttwentywasagreenoldage。Innotimeyou’llbeastaid，middle-agedmatron，andIshallbenice，oldmaidAuntAnne，comingtovisityouonvacations。You’llalwayskeepacornerforme，won’tyou，Didarling？Notthespareroom，ofcourse——oldmaidscan’taspiretosparerooms，andIshallbeas’umbleasUriahHeep，andquitecontentwithalittleover-the-porchoroff-the-parlorcubbyhole。"
"Whatnonsenseyoudotalk，Anne，"laughedDiana。"You’llmarrysomebodysplendidandhandsomeandrich——andnospareroominAvonleawillbehalfgorgeousenoughforyou——andyou’llturnupyournoseatallthefriendsofyouryouth。"
"Thatwouldbeapity；mynoseisquitenice，butIfearturningitupwouldspoilit，"saidAnne，pattingthatshapelyorgan。
"Ihaven’tsomanygoodfeaturesthatIcouldaffordtospoilthoseIhave；so，evenifIshouldmarrytheKingoftheCannibalIslands，IpromiseyouIwon’tturnupmynoseatyou，Diana。"
Withanothergaylaughthegirlsseparated，DianatoreturntoOrchardSlope，AnnetowalktothePostOffice。Shefoundaletterawaitingherthere，andwhenGilbertBlytheovertookheronthebridgeovertheLakeofShiningWatersshewassparklingwiththeexcitementofit。
"PriscillaGrantisgoingtoRedmond，too，"sheexclaimed。
"Isn’tthatsplendid？Ihopedshewould，butshedidn’tthinkherfatherwouldconsent。Hehas，however，andwe’retoboardtogether。IfeelthatIcanfaceanarmywithbanners——oralltheprofessorsofRedmondinonefellphalanx——withachumlikePriscillabymyside。"
"Ithinkwe’lllikeKingsport，"saidGilbert。"It’saniceoldburg，theytellme，andhasthefinestnaturalparkintheworld。
I’veheardthatthesceneryinitismagnificent。"
"Iwonderifitwillbe——canbe——anymorebeautifulthanthis，"
murmuredAnne，lookingaroundherwiththeloving，enrapturedeyesofthosetowhom"home"mustalwaysbetheloveliestspotintheworld，nomatterwhatfairerlandsmaylieunderalienstars。
Theywereleaningonthebridgeoftheoldpond，drinkingdeepoftheenchantmentofthedusk，justatthespotwhereAnnehadclimbedfromhersinkingDoryonthedayElainefloateddowntoCamelot。
Thefine，empurplingdyeofsunsetstillstainedthewesternskies，butthemoonwasrisingandthewaterlaylikeagreat，silverdreaminherlight。Remembrancewoveasweetandsubtlespelloverthetwoyoungcreatures。
"Youareveryquiet，Anne，"saidGilbertatlast。
"I’mafraidtospeakormoveforfearallthiswonderfulbeautywillvanishjustlikeabrokensilence，"breathedAnne。
Gilbertsuddenlylaidhishandovertheslenderwhiteonelyingontherailofthebridge。Hishazeleyesdeepenedintodarkness，hisstillboyishlipsopenedtosaysomethingofthedreamandhopethatthrilledhissoul。ButAnnesnatchedherhandawayandturnedquickly。Thespelloftheduskwasbrokenforher。
"Imustgohome，"sheexclaimed，witharatheroverdonecarelessness。
"Marillahadaheadachethisafternoon，andI’msurethetwinswillbeinsomedreadfulmischiefbythistime。Ireallyshouldn’thavestayedawaysolong。"
ShechatteredceaselesslyandinconsequentlyuntiltheyreachedtheGreenGableslane。PoorGilberthardlyhadachancetogetawordinedgewise。Annefeltratherrelievedwhentheyparted。
Therehadbeenanew，secretself-consciousnessinherheartwithregardtoGilbert，eversincethatfleetingmomentofrevelationinthegardenofEchoLodge。Somethingalienhadintrudedintotheold，perfect，school-daycomradeship——somethingthatthreatenedtomarit。
"IneverfeltgladtoseeGilbertgobefore，"shethought，half-
resentfully，half-sorrowfully，asshewalkedaloneupthelane。
"Ourfriendshipwillbespoiledifhegoesonwiththisnonsense。
Itmustn’tbespoiled——Iwon’tletit。Oh，WHYcan’tboysbejustsensible！"
Annehadanuneasydoubtthatitwasnotstrictly"sensible"thatsheshouldstillfeelonherhandthewarmpressureofGilbert’s，asdistinctlyasshehadfeltitfortheswiftsecondhishadrestedthere；andstilllesssensiblethatthesensationwasfarfrombeinganunpleasantone——verydifferentfromthatwhichhadattendedasimilardemonstrationonCharlieSloane’spart，whenshehadbeensittingoutadancewithhimataWhiteSandspartythreenightsbefore。Anneshiveredoverthedisagreeablerecollection。Butallproblemsconnectedwithinfatuatedswainsvanishedfromhermindwhensheenteredthehomely，unsentimentalatmosphereoftheGreenGableskitchenwhereaneight-year-oldboywascryinggrievouslyonthesofa。
"Whatisthematter，Davy？"askedAnne，takinghimupinherarms。
"WhereareMarillaandDora？"
"Marilla’sputtingDoratobed，"sobbedDavy，"andI’mcrying’causeDorafelldowntheoutsidecellarsteps，heelsoverhead，andscrapedalltheskinoffhernose，and——"
"Oh，well，don’tcryaboutit，dear。Ofcourse，youaresorryforher，butcryingwon’thelpherany。She’llbeallrighttomorrow。Cryingneverhelpsanyone，Davy-boy，and——"
"Iain’tcrying’causeDorafelldowncellar，"saidDavy，cuttingshortAnne’swellmeantpreachmentwithincreasingbitterness。
"I’mcrying，causeIwasn’ttheretoseeherfall。I’malwaysmissingsomefunorother，seemstome。"
"Oh，Davy！"Annechokedbackanunholyshriekoflaughter。
"WouldyoucallitfuntoseepoorlittleDorafalldownthestepsandgethurt？"
"Shewasn’tMUCHhurt，"saidDavy，defiantly。"’Course，ifshe’dbeenkilledI’dhavebeenrealsorry，Anne。ButtheKeithsain’tsoeasykilled。They’reliketheBlewetts，Iguess。HerbBlewettfelloffthehayloftlastWednesday，androlledrightdownthroughtheturnipchuteintotheboxstall，wheretheyhadafearfulwild，crosshorse，androlledrightunderhisheels。
Andstillhegotoutalive，withonlythreebonesbroke。Mrs。
Lyndesaystherearesomefolksyoucan’tkillwithameat-axe。
IsMrs。Lyndecomingheretomorrow，Anne？"
"Yes，Davy，andIhopeyou’llbealwaysveryniceandgoodtoher。"
"I’llbeniceandgood。Butwillsheeverputmetobedatnights，Anne？"
"Perhaps。Why？"
"’Cause，"saidDavyverydecidedly，"ifshedoesIwon’tsaymyprayersbeforeherlikeIdobeforeyou，Anne。"
"Whynot？"
"’CauseIdon’tthinkitwouldbenicetotalktoGodbeforestrangers，Anne。DoracansayherstoMrs。Lyndeifshelikes，but_I_won’t。I’llwaittillshe’sgoneandthensay’em。Won’tthatbeallright，Anne？"
"Yes，ifyouaresureyouwon’tforgettosaythem，Davy-boy。"
"Oh，Iwon’tforget，youbet。Ithinksayingmyprayersisgreatfun。
Butitwon’tbeasgoodfunsayingthemaloneassayingthemtoyou。
Iwishyou’dstayhome，Anne。Idon’tseewhatyouwanttogoawayandleaveusfor。"
"Idon’texactlyWANTto，Davy，butIfeelIoughttogo。"
"Ifyoudon’twanttogoyouneedn’t。You’regrownup。When_I_’mgrownupI’mnotgoingtodoonesinglethingIdon’twanttodo，Anne。"
"Allyourlife，Davy，you’llfindyourselfdoingthingsyoudon’twanttodo。"
"Iwon’t，"saidDavyflatly。"Catchme！IhavetodothingsI
don’twanttonow’causeyouandMarilla’llsendmetobedifIdon’t。
ButwhenIgrowupyoucan’tdothat，andthere’llbenobodytotellmenottodothings。Won’tIhavethetime！Say，Anne，MiltyBoultersayshismothersaysyou’regoingtocollegetoseeifyoucancatchaman。
Areyou，Anne？Iwanttoknow。"
ForasecondAnneburnedwithresentment。Thenshelaughed，remindingherselfthatMrs。Boulter’scrudevulgarityofthoughtandspeechcouldnotharmher。
"No，Davy，I’mnot。I’mgoingtostudyandgrowandlearnaboutmanythings。"
"Whatthings？"
"`ShoesandshipsandsealingwaxAndcabbagesandkings，’"
quotedAnne。
"ButifyouDIDwanttocatchamanhowwouldyougoaboutit？
Iwanttoknow，"persistedDavy，forwhomthesubjectevidentlypossessedacertainfascination。
"You’dbetteraskMrs。Boulter，"saidAnnethoughtlessly。"I
thinkit’slikelysheknowsmoreabouttheprocessthanIdo。"
"Iwill，thenexttimeIseeher，"saidDavygravely。
"Davy！Ifyoudo！"criedAnne，realizinghermistake。
"Butyoujusttoldmeto，"protestedDavyaggrieved。
"It’stimeyouwenttobed，"decreedAnne，bywayofgettingoutofthescrape。
AfterDavyhadgonetobedAnnewandereddowntoVictoriaIslandandsattherealone，curtainedwithfine-spun，moonlitgloom，whilethewaterlaughedaroundherinaduetofbrookandwind。
Annehadalwayslovedthatbrook。Manyadreamhadshespunoveritssparklingwaterindaysgoneby。Sheforgotlovelornyouths，andthecayennespeechesofmaliciousneighbors，andalltheproblemsofhergirlishexistence。Inimaginationshesailedoverstoriedseasthatwashthedistantshiningshoresof"faerylandsforlorn，"wherelostAtlantisandElysiumlie，withtheeveningstarforpilot，tothelandofHeart’sDesire。Andshewasricherinthosedreamsthaninrealities；forthingsseenpassaway，butthethingsthatareunseenareeternal。
ChapterII
GarlandsofAutumnThefollowingweekspedswiftly，crowdedwithinnumerable"lastthings，"
asAnnecalledthem。Good-byecallshadtobemadeandreceived，beingpleasantorotherwise，accordingtowhethercallersandcalled-uponwereheartilyinsympathywithAnne’shopes，orthoughtshewastoomuchpuffed-upovergoingtocollegeandthatitwastheirdutyto"takeherdownapegortwo。"
TheA。V。I。S。gaveafarewellpartyinhonorofAnneandGilbertoneeveningatthehomeofJosiePye，choosingthatplace，partlybecauseMr。Pye’shousewaslargeandconvenient，partlybecauseitwasstronglysuspectedthatthePyegirlswouldhavenothingtodowiththeaffairiftheirofferofthehouseforthepartywasnotaccepted。Itwasaverypleasantlittletime，forthePyegirlsweregracious，andsaidanddidnothingtomartheharmonyoftheoccasion——whichwasnotaccordingtotheirwont。
Josiewasunusuallyamiable——somuchsothatsheevenremarkedcondescendinglytoAnne，"Yournewdressisratherbecomingtoyou，Anne。Really，youlookALMOSTPRETTYinit。"
"Howkindofyoutosayso，"respondedAnne，withdancingeyes。
Hersenseofhumorwasdeveloping，andthespeechesthatwouldhavehurtheratfourteenwerebecomingmerelyfoodforamusementnow。JosiesuspectedthatAnnewaslaughingatherbehindthosewickedeyes；butshecontentedherselfwithwhisperingtoGertie，astheywentdownstairs，thatAnneShirleywouldputonmoreairsthanevernowthatshewasgoingtocollege——you’dsee！
Allthe"oldcrowd"wasthere，fullofmirthandzestandyouthfullightheartedness。DianaBarry，rosyanddimpled，shadowedbythefaithfulFred；JaneAndrews，neatandsensibleandplain；RubyGillis，lookingherhandsomestandbrightestinacreamsilkblouse，withredgeraniumsinhergoldenhair；GilbertBlytheandCharlieSloane，bothtryingtokeepasneartheelusiveAnneaspossible；CarrieSloane，lookingpaleandmelancholybecause，soitwasreported，herfatherwouldnotallowOliverKimballtocomeneartheplace；MoodySpurgeonMacPherson，whoseroundfaceandobjectionableearswereasroundandobjectionableasever；andBillyAndrews，whosatinacorneralltheevening，chuckledwhenanyonespoketohim，andwatchedAnneShirleywithagrinofpleasureonhisbroad，freckledcountenance。
Annehadknownbeforehandoftheparty，butshehadnotknownthatsheandGilbertwere，asthefoundersoftheSociety，tobepresentedwithaverycomplimentary"address"and"tokensofrespect"——inhercaseavolumeofShakespeare’splays，inGilbert’safountainpen。Shewassotakenbysurpriseandpleasedbythenicethingssaidintheaddress，readinMoodySpurgeon’smostsolemnandministerialtones，thatthetearsquitedrownedthesparkleofherbiggrayeyes。ShehadworkedhardandfaithfullyfortheA。V。I。S。，anditwarmedthecocklesofherheartthatthemembersappreciatedhereffortssosincerely。
Andtheywereallsoniceandfriendlyandjolly——eventhePyegirlshadtheirmerits；atthatmomentAnnelovedalltheworld。
Sheenjoyedtheeveningtremendously，buttheendofitratherspoiledall。Gilbertagainmadethemistakeofsayingsomethingsentimentaltoherastheyatetheirsupperonthemoonlitverandah；andAnne，topunishhim，wasgracioustoCharlieSloaneandallowedthelattertowalkhomewithher。Shefound，however，thatrevengehurtsnobodyquitesomuchastheonewhotriestoinflictit。GilbertwalkedairilyoffwithRubyGillis，andAnnecouldhearthemlaughingandtalkinggailyastheyloiteredalonginthestill，crispautumnair。Theywereevidentlyhavingthebestofgoodtimes，whileshewashorriblyboredbyCharlieSloane，whotalkedunbrokenlyon，andnever，evenbyaccident，saidonethingthatwasworthlisteningto。
Annegaveanoccasionalabsent"yes"or"no，"andthoughthowbeautifulRubyhadlookedthatnight，howverygogglyCharlie’seyeswereinthemoonlight——worseeventhanbydaylight——andthattheworld，somehow，wasn’tquitesuchaniceplaceasshehadbelievedittobeearlierintheevening。
"I’mjusttiredout——thatiswhatisthematterwithme，"
shesaid，whenshethankfullyfoundherselfaloneinherownroom。
Andshehonestlybelieveditwas。Butacertainlittlegushofjoy，asfromsomesecret，unknownspring，bubbledupinherheartthenextevening，whenshesawGilbertstridingdownthroughtheHauntedWoodandcrossingtheoldlogbridgewiththatfirm，quickstepofhis。SoGilbertwasnotgoingtospendthislasteveningwithRubyGillisafterall！
"Youlooktired，Anne，"hesaid。
"Iamtired，and，worsethanthat，I’mdisgruntled。I’mtiredbecauseI’vebeenpackingmytrunkandsewingallday。ButI’mdisgruntledbecausesixwomenhavebeenheretosaygood-byetome，andeveryoneofthesixmanagedtosaysomethingthatseemedtotakethecolorrightoutoflifeandleaveitasgrayanddismalandcheerlessasaNovembermorning。"
"Spitefuloldcats！"wasGilbert’selegantcomment。
"Oh，no，theyweren’t，"saidAnneseriously。"Thatisjustthetrouble。IftheyhadbeenspitefulcatsIwouldn’thavemindedthem。Buttheyareallnice，kind，motherlysouls，wholikemeandwhomIlike，andthatiswhywhattheysaid，orhinted，hadsuchundueweightwithme。TheyletmeseetheythoughtIwascrazygoingtoRedmondandtryingtotakeaB。A。，andeversinceI’vebeenwonderingifIam。Mrs。PeterSloanesighedandsaidshehopedmystrengthwouldholdouttillIgotthrough；andatonceIsawmyselfahopelessvictimofnervousprostrationattheendofmythirdyear；Mrs。EbenWrightsaiditmustcostanawfullottoputinfouryearsatRedmond；andIfeltallovermethatitwasunpardonableofmetosquanderMarilla’smoneyandmyownonsuchafolly。Mrs。JasperBellsaidshehopedIwouldn’tletcollegespoilme，asitdidsomepeople；andIfeltinmybonesthattheendofmyfourRedmondyearswouldseemeamostinsufferablecreature，thinkingIknewitall，andlookingdownoneverythingandeverybodyinAvonlea；Mrs。ElishaWrightsaidsheunderstoodthatRedmondgirls，especiallythosewhobelongedtoKingsport，were’dreadfuldressyandstuck-up，’andsheguessedIwouldn’tfeelmuchathomeamongthem；andIsawmyself，asnubbed，dowdy，humiliatedcountrygirl，shufflingthroughRedmond’sclassichallsincoppertonedboots。"
Anneendedwithalaughandasighcommingled。Withhersensitivenaturealldisapprovalhadweight，eventhedisapprovalofthoseforwhoseopinionsshehadscantrespect。Forthetimebeinglifewassavorless，andambitionhadgoneoutlikeasnuffedcandle。
"Yousurelydon’tcareforwhattheysaid，"protestedGilbert。
"Youknowexactlyhownarrowtheiroutlookonlifeis，excellentcreaturesthoughtheyare。TodoanythingTHEYhaveneverdoneisanathemamaranatha。YouarethefirstAvonleagirlwhohasevergonetocollege；andyouknowthatallpioneersareconsideredtobeafflictedwithmoonstruckmadness。"
"Oh，Iknow。ButFEELINGissodifferentfromKNOWING。Mycommonsensetellsmeallyoucansay，buttherearetimeswhencommonsensehasnopoweroverme。Commonnonsensetakespossessionofmysoul。Really，afterMrs。ElishawentawayIhardlyhadthehearttofinishpacking。"
"You’rejusttired，Anne。Come，forgetitallandtakeawalkwithme——aramblebackthroughthewoodsbeyondthemarsh。
ThereshouldbesomethingthereIwanttoshowyou。"
"Shouldbe！Don’tyouknowifitisthere？"
"No。Ionlyknowitshouldbe，fromsomethingIsawthereinspring。
Comeon。We’llpretendwearetwochildrenagainandwe’llgothewayofthewind。"
Theystartedgailyoff。Anne，rememberingtheunpleasantnessoftheprecedingevening，wasverynicetoGilbert；andGilbert，whowaslearningwisdom，tookcaretobenothingsavetheschoolboycomradeagain。Mrs。LyndeandMarillawatchedthemfromthekitchenwindow。
"That’llbeamatchsomeday，"Mrs。Lyndesaidapprovingly。
Marillawincedslightly。Inherheartshehopeditwould，butitwentagainsthergraintohearthematterspokenofinMrs。Lynde’sgossipymatter-of-factway。
"They’reonlychildrenyet，"shesaidshortly。
Mrs。Lyndelaughedgood-naturedly。
"Anneiseighteen；IwasmarriedwhenIwasthatage。Weoldfolks，Marilla，aretoomuchgiventothinkingchildrennevergrowup，that’swhat。AnneisayoungwomanandGilbert’saman，andheworshipsthegroundshewalkson，asanyonecansee。
He’safinefellow，andAnnecan’tdobetter。Ihopeshewon’tgetanyromanticnonsenseintoherheadatRedmond。Idon’tapproveofthemcoeducationalplacesandneverdid，that’swhat。
Idon’tbelieve，"concludedMrs。Lyndesolemnly，"thatthestudentsatsuchcollegeseverdomuchelsethanflirt。"
"Theymuststudyalittle，"saidMarilla，withasmile。
"Preciouslittle，"sniffedMrs。Rachel。"However，IthinkAnnewill。Sheneverwasflirtatious。Butshedoesn’tappreciateGilbertathisfullvalue，that’swhat。Oh，Iknowgirls！
CharlieSloaneiswildabouther，too，butI’dneveradvisehertomarryaSloane。TheSloanesaregood，honest，respectablepeople，ofcourse。Butwhenall’ssaidanddone，they’reSLOANES。"
Marillanodded。Toanoutsider，thestatementthatSloaneswereSloanesmightnotbeveryilluminating，butsheunderstood。
Everyvillagehassuchafamily；good，honest，respectablepeopletheymaybe，butSLOANEStheyareandmusteverremain，thoughtheyspeakwiththetonguesofmenandangels。
GilbertandAnne，happilyunconsciousthattheirfuturewasthusbeingsettledbyMrs。Rachel，weresaunteringthroughtheshadowsoftheHauntedWood。Beyond，theharvesthillswerebaskinginanambersunsetradiance，underapale，aerialskyofroseandblue。
Thedistantsprucegroveswereburnishedbronze，andtheirlongshadowsbarredtheuplandmeadows。Butaroundthemalittlewindsangamongthefirtassels，andinittherewasthenoteofautumn。
"Thiswoodreallyishauntednow——byoldmemories，"saidAnne，stoopingtogatherasprayofferns，bleachedtowaxenwhitenessbyfrost。"ItseemstomethatthelittlegirlsDianaandIusedtobeplayherestill，andsitbytheDryad’sBubbleinthetwilights，trystingwiththeghosts。Doyouknow，Icannevergoupthispathintheduskwithoutfeelingabitoftheoldfrightandshiver？Therewasoneespeciallyhorrifyingphantomwhichwecreated——theghostofthemurderedchildthatcreptupbehindyouandlaidcoldfingersonyours。Iconfessthat，tothisday，Icannothelpfancyingitslittle，furtivefootstepsbehindmewhenIcomehereafternightfall。I’mnotafraidoftheWhiteLadyortheheadlessmanortheskeletons，butIwishIhadneverimaginedthatbaby’sghostintoexistence。HowangryMarillaandMrs。Barrywereoverthataffair，"concludedAnne，withreminiscentlaughter。
Thewoodsaroundtheheadofthemarshwerefullofpurplevistas，threadedwithgossamers。Pastadourplantationofgnarledsprucesandamaple-fringed，sun-warmvalleytheyfoundthe"something"
Gilbertwaslookingfor。
"Ah，hereitis，"hesaidwithsatisfaction。
"Anappletree——andawaybackhere！"exclaimedAnnedelightedly。
"Yes，averitableapple-bearingappletree，too，hereintheverymidstofpinesandbeeches，amileawayfromanyorchard。Iwashereonedaylastspringandfoundit，allwhitewithblossom。
SoIresolvedI’dcomeagaininthefallandseeifithadbeenapples。See，it’sloaded。Theylookgood，too——tawnyasrussetsbutwithaduskyredcheek。Mostwildseedlingsaregreenanduninviting。"
"Isupposeitsprangyearsagofromsomechance-sownseed，"saidAnnedreamily。"Andhowithasgrownandflourishedandhelditsownhereallaloneamongaliens，thebravedeterminedthing！"
"Here’safallentreewithacushionofmoss。Sitdown，Anne——
itwillserveforawoodlandthrone。I’llclimbforsomeapples。
Theyallgrowhigh——thetreehadtoreachuptothesunlight。"
Theapplesprovedtobedelicious。Underthetawnyskinwasawhite，whiteflesh，faintlyveinedwithred；and，besidestheirownproperappletaste，theyhadacertainwild，delightfultangnoorchard-grownappleeverpossessed。
"ThefatalappleofEdencouldn’thavehadararerflavor，"
commentedAnne。"Butit’stimeweweregoinghome。See，itwastwilightthreeminutesagoandnowit’smoonlight。Whatapitywecouldn’thavecaughtthemomentoftransformation。Butsuchmomentsneverarecaught，Isuppose。"
"Let’sgobackaroundthemarshandhomebywayofLover’sLane。
Doyoufeelasdisgruntlednowaswhenyoustartedout，Anne？"
"NotI。Thoseappleshavebeenasmannatoahungrysoul。IfeelthatIshallloveRedmondandhaveasplendidfouryearsthere。"
"Andafterthosefouryears——what？"
"Oh，there’sanotherbendintheroadattheirend，"answeredAnnelightly。"I’venoideawhatmaybearoundit——Idon’twanttohave。It’snicernottoknow。"
Lover’sLanewasadearplacethatnight，stillandmysteriouslydiminthepaleradianceofthemoonlight。Theyloiteredthroughitinapleasantchummysilence，neithercaringtotalk。
"IfGilbertwerealwaysashehasbeenthiseveninghowniceandsimpleeverythingwouldbe，"reflectedAnne。
GilbertwaslookingatAnne，asshewalkedalong。Inherlightdress，withherslenderdelicacy，shemadehimthinkofawhiteiris。
"IwonderifIcanevermakehercareforme，"hethought，withapangofself-destruct。
ChapterIII
GreetingandFarewellCharlieSloane，GilbertBlytheandAnneShirleyleftAvonleathefollowingMondaymorning。Annehadhopedforafineday。Dianawastodrivehertothestationandtheywantedthis，theirlastdrivetogetherforsometime，tobeapleasantone。ButwhenAnnewenttobedSundaynighttheeastwindwasmoaningaroundGreenGableswithanominousprophecywhichwasfulfilledinthemorning。
Anneawoketofindraindropspatteringagainstherwindowandshadowingthepond’sgraysurfacewithwideningrings；hillsandseawerehiddeninmist，andthewholeworldseemeddimanddreary。
Annedressedinthecheerlessgraydawn，foranearlystartwasnecessarytocatchtheboattrain；shestruggledagainstthetearsthatWOULDwellupinhereyesinspiteofherself。Shewasleavingthehomethatwassodeartoher，andsomethingtoldherthatshewasleavingitforever，saveasaholidayrefuge。Thingswouldneverbethesameagain；comingbackforvacationswouldnotbelivingthere。
Andoh，howdearandbelovedeverythingwas——thatlittlewhiteporchroom，sacredtothedreamsofgirlhood，theoldSnowQueenatthewindow，thebrookinthehollow，theDryad’sBubble，theHauntedWoods，andLover’sLane——allthethousandandonedearspotswherememoriesoftheoldyearsbided。Couldsheeverbereallyhappyanywhereelse？
BreakfastatGreenGablesthatmorningwasaratherdolefulmeal。
Davy，forthefirsttimeinhislifeprobably，couldnoteat，butblubberedshamelesslyoverhisporridge。Nobodyelseseemedtohavemuchappetite，saveDora，whotuckedawayherrationscomfortably。
Dora，liketheimmortalandmostprudentCharlotte，who"wentoncuttingbreadandbutter"whenherfrenziedlover’sbodyhadbeencarriedpastonashutter，wasoneofthosefortunatecreatureswhoareseldomdisturbedbyanything。EvenateightittookagreatdealtoruffleDora’splacidity。ShewassorryAnnewasgoingaway，ofcourse，butwasthatanyreasonwhysheshouldfailtoappreciateapoachedeggontoast？Notatall。And，seeingthatDavycouldnoteathis，Doraateitforhim。
PromptlyontimeDianaappearedwithhorseandbuggy，herrosyfaceglowingaboveherraincoat。Thegood-byeshadtobesaidthensomehow。Mrs。LyndecameinfromherquarterstogiveAnneaheartyembraceandwarnhertobecarefulofherhealth，whatevershedid。Marilla，brusqueandtearless，peckedAnne’scheekandsaidshesupposedthey’dhearfromherwhenshegotsettled。AcasualobservermighthaveconcludedthatAnne’sgoingmatteredverylittletoher——unlesssaidobserverhadhappenedtogetagoodlookinhereyes。DorakissedAnneprimlyandsqueezedouttwodecorouslittletears；butDavy，whohadbeencryingonthebackporchstepeversincetheyrosefromthetable，refusedtosaygood-byeatall。WhenhesawAnnecomingtowardshimhesprangtohisfeet，boltedupthebackstairs，andhidinaclothescloset，outofwhichhewouldnotcome。HismuffledhowlswerethelastsoundsAnneheardassheleftGreenGables。
ItrainedheavilyallthewaytoBrightRiver，towhichstationtheyhadtogo，sincethebranchlinetrainfromCarmodydidnotconnectwiththeboattrain。CharlieandGilbertwereonthestationplatformwhentheyreachedit，andthetrainwaswhistling。
Annehadjusttimetogetherticketandtrunkcheck，sayahurriedfarewelltoDiana，andhastenonboard。ShewishedsheweregoingbackwithDianatoAvonlea；sheknewshewasgoingtodieofhomesickness。
Andoh，ifonlythatdismalrainwouldstoppouringdownasifthewholeworldwereweepingoversummervanishedandjoysdeparted！
EvenGilbert’spresencebroughthernocomfort，forCharlieSloanewasthere，too，andSloanishnesscouldbetoleratedonlyinfineweather。
Itwasabsolutelyinsufferableinrain。
ButwhentheboatsteamedoutofCharlottetownharborthingstookaturnforthebetter。Therainceasedandthesunbegantoburstoutgoldenlynowandagainbetweentherentsintheclouds，burnishingthegrayseaswithcopper-huedradiance，andlightingupthemiststhatcurtainedtheIsland’sredshoreswithgleamsofgoldforetokeningafinedayafterall。Besides，CharlieSloanepromptlybecamesoseasickthathehadtogobelow，andAnneandGilbertwereleftaloneondeck。
"IamverygladthatalltheSloanesgetseasickassoonastheygoonwater，"thoughtAnnemercilessly。"IamsureIcouldn’ttakemyfarewelllookatthe`ouldsod’withCharliestandingtherepretendingtolooksentimentallyatit，too。"
"Well，we’reoff，"remarkedGilbertunsentimentally。
"Yes，IfeellikeByron’s`ChildeHarold’——onlyitisn’treallymy`nativeshore’thatI’mwatching，"saidAnne，winkinghergrayeyesvigorously。"NovaScotiaisthat，Isuppose。Butone’snativeshoreisthelandonelovesthebest，andthat’sgoodoldP。E。I。forme。Ican’tbelieveIdidn’talwayslivehere。
ThoseelevenyearsbeforeIcameseemlikeabaddream。
It’ssevenyearssinceIcrossedonthisboat——theeveningMrs。SpencerbroughtmeoverfromHopetown。Icanseemyself，inthatdreadfuloldwinceydressandfadedsailorhat，exploringdecksandcabinswithenrapturedcuriosity。Itwasafineevening；
andhowthoseredIslandshoresdidgleaminthesunshine。NowI’mcrossingthestraitagain。Oh，Gilbert，IdohopeI’lllikeRedmondandKingsport，butI’msureIwon’t！"
"Where’sallyourphilosophygone，Anne？"
"It’sallsubmergedunderagreat，swampingwaveoflonelinessandhomesickness。I’velongedforthreeyearstogotoRedmond——andnowI’mgoing——andIwishIweren’t！Nevermind！I
shallbecheerfulandphilosophicalagainafterIhavejustonegoodcry。IMUSThavethat，`asawent’——andI’llhavetowaituntilIgetintomyboardinghousebedtonight，whereveritmaybe，beforeIcanhaveit。ThenAnnewillbeherselfagain。I
wonderifDavyhascomeoutoftheclosetyet。"
ItwasninethatnightwhentheirtrainreachedKingsport，andtheyfoundthemselvesintheblue-whiteglareofthecrowdedstation。
Annefelthorriblybewildered，butamomentlatershewasseizedbyPriscillaGrant，whohadcometoKingsportonSaturday。
"Hereyouare，beloved！AndIsupposeyou’reastiredasIwaswhenIgothereSaturdaynight。"
"Tired！Priscilla，don’ttalkofit。I’mtired，andgreen，andprovincial，andonlyabouttenyearsold。Forpity’ssaketakeyourpoor，broken-downchumtosomeplacewhereshecanhearherselfthink。"
"I’lltakeyourightuptoourboardinghouse。I’veacabreadyoutside。"
"It’ssuchablessingyou’rehere，Prissy。Ifyouweren’tI
thinkIshouldjustsitdownonmysuitcase，hereandnow，andweepbittertears。Whatacomfortonefamiliarfaceisinahowlingwildernessofstrangers！"
"IsthatGilbertBlytheoverthere，Anne？Howhehasgrownupthispastyear！HewasonlyaschoolboywhenItaughtinCarmody。
Andofcoursethat’sCharlieSloane。HEhasn’tchanged——couldn’t！
Helookedjustlikethatwhenhewasborn，andhe’lllooklikethatwhenhe’seighty。Thisway，dear。We’llbehomeintwentyminutes。"
"Home！"groanedAnne。"Youmeanwe’llbeinsomehorribleboardinghouse，inastillmorehorriblehallbedroom，lookingoutonadingybackyard。"
"Itisn’tahorribleboardinghouse，Anne-girl。Here’sourcab。
Hopin——thedriverwillgetyourtrunk。Oh，yes，theboardinghouse——it’sreallyaveryniceplaceofitskind，asyou’lladmittomorrowmorningwhenagoodnight’ssleephasturnedyourbluesrosypink。
It’sabig，old-fashioned，graystonehouseonSt。JohnStreet，justanicelittleconstitutionalfromRedmond。Itusedtobethe`residence’ofgreatfolk，butfashionhasdesertedSt。JohnStreetanditshousesonlydreamnowofbetterdays。They’resobigthatpeoplelivinginthemhavetotakeboardersjusttofillup。Atleast，thatisthereasonourlandladiesareveryanxioustoimpressonus。
They’redelicious，Anne——ourlandladies，Imean。"
"Howmanyarethere？"
"Two。MissHannahHarveyandMissAdaHarvey。Theywereborntwinsaboutfiftyyearsago。"
"Ican’tgetawayfromtwins，itseems，"smiledAnne。"WhereverI
gotheyconfrontme。"
"Oh，they’renottwinsnow，dear。Aftertheyreachedtheageofthirtytheyneverweretwinsagain。MissHannahhasgrownold，nottoogracefully，andMissAdahasstayedthirty，lessgracefullystill。Idon’tknowwhetherMissHannahcansmileornot；I’venevercaughtheratitsofar，butMissAdasmilesallthetimeandthat’sworse。However，they’renice，kindsouls，andtheytaketwoboarderseveryyearbecauseMissHannah’seconomicalsoulcannotbearto`wasteroomspace’——notbecausetheyneedtoorhaveto，asMissAdahastoldmeseventimessinceSaturdaynight。Asforourrooms，Iadmittheyarehallbedrooms，andminedoeslookoutonthebackyard。YourroomisafrontoneandlooksoutonOldSt。John’sgraveyard，whichisjustacrossthestreet。"
"Thatsoundsgruesome，"shiveredAnne。"IthinkI’dratherhavethebackyardview。"
"Oh，no，youwouldn’t。Waitandsee。OldSt。John’sisadarlingplace。It’sbeenagraveyardsolongthatit’sceasedtobeoneandhasbecomeoneofthesightsofKingsport。Iwasallthroughityesterdayforapleasureexertion。There’sabigstonewallandarowofenormoustreesallaroundit，androwsoftreesallthroughit，andthequeerestoldtombstones，withthequeerestandquaintestinscriptions。You’llgotheretostudy，Anne，seeifyoudon’t。Ofcourse，nobodyiseverburiedtherenow。
ButafewyearsagotheyputupabeautifulmonumenttothememoryofNovaScotiansoldierswhofellintheCrimeanWar。
Itisjustoppositetheentrancegatesandthere’s`scopeforimagination’init，asyouusedtosay。Here’syourtrunkatlast——andtheboyscomingtosaygoodnight。MustIreallyshakehandswithCharlieSloane，Anne？Hishandsarealwayssocoldandfishy-feeling。Wemustaskthemtocalloccasionally。
MissHannahgravelytoldmewecouldhave`younggentlemencallers’twoeveningsintheweek，iftheywentawayatareasonablehour；andMissAdaaskedme，smiling，pleasetobesuretheydidn’tsitonherbeautifulcushions。Ipromisedtoseetoit；butgoodnessknowswhereelsetheyCANsit，unlesstheysitonthefloor，fortherearecushionsonEVERYTHING。
MissAdaevenhasanelaborateBattenburgoneontopofthepiano。"
Annewaslaughingbythistime。Priscilla’sgaychatterhadtheintendedeffectofcheeringherup；homesicknessvanishedforthetimebeing，anddidnotevenreturninfullforcewhenshefinallyfoundherselfaloneinherlittlebedroom。Shewenttoherwindowandlookedout。Thestreetbelowwasdimandquiet。
AcrossitthemoonwasshiningabovethetreesinOldSt。John’s，justbehindthegreatdarkheadoftheliononthemonument。
AnnewonderedifitcouldhavebeenonlythatmorningthatshehadleftGreenGables。Shehadthesenseofalongpassageoftimewhichonedayofchangeandtravelgives。
"IsupposethatverymoonislookingdownonGreenGablesnow，"
shemused。"ButIwon’tthinkaboutit——thatwayhomesicknesslies。I’mnotevengoingtohavemygoodcry。I’llputthatofftoamoreconvenientseason，andjustnowI’llgocalmlyandsensiblytobedandtosleep。"
ChapterIV
April’sLadyKingsportisaquaintoldtown，hearkingbacktoearlyColonialdays，andwrappedinitsancientatmosphere，assomefineolddameingarmentsfashionedlikethoseofheryouth。Hereandthereitsproutsoutintomodernity，butatheartitisstillunspoiled；
itisfullofcuriousrelics，andhaloedbytheromanceofmanylegendsofthepast。Onceitwasamerefrontierstationonthefringeofthewilderness，andthosewerethedayswhenIndianskeptlifefrombeingmonotonoustothesettlers。ThenitgrewtobeaboneofcontentionbetweentheBritishandtheFrench，beingoccupiednowbytheoneandnowbytheother，emergingfromeachoccupationwithsomefreshscarofbattlingnationsbrandedonit。
Ithasinitsparkamartellotower，autographedalloverbytourists，adismantledoldFrenchfortonthehillsbeyondthetown，andseveralantiquatedcannoninitspublicsquares。
Ithasotherhistoricspotsalso，whichmaybehuntedoutbythecurious，andnoneismorequaintanddelightfulthanOldSt。John’sCemeteryattheverycoreofthetown，withstreetsofquiet，old-timehousesontwosides，andbusy，bustling，modernthoroughfaresontheothers。EverycitizenofKingsportfeelsathrillofpossessiveprideinOldSt。John’s，for，ifhebeofanypretensionsatall，hehasanancestorburiedthere，withaqueer，crookedslabathishead，orelsesprawlingprotectivelyoverthegrave，onwhichallthemainfactsofhishistoryarerecorded。Forthemostpartnogreatartorskillwaslavishedonthoseoldtombstones。Thelargernumberareofroughlychiselledbrownorgraynativestone，andonlyinafewcasesisthereanyattemptatornamentation。Someareadornedwithskullandcross-bones，andthisgrizzlydecorationisfrequentlycoupledwithacherub’shead。Manyareprostrateandinruins。
IntoalmostallTime’stoothhasbeengnawing，untilsomeinscriptionshavebeencompletelyeffaced，andotherscanonlybedecipheredwithdifficulty。Thegraveyardisveryfullandverybowery，foritissurroundedandintersectedbyrowsofelmsandwillows，beneathwhoseshadethesleepersmustlieverydreamlessly，forevercroonedtobythewindsandleavesoverthem，andquiteundisturbedbytheclamoroftrafficjustbeyond。
AnnetookthefirstofmanyramblesinOldSt。John’sthenextafternoon。
SheandPriscillahadgonetoRedmondintheforenoonandregisteredasstudents，afterwhichtherewasnothingmoretodothatday。Thegirlsgladlymadetheirescape，foritwasnotexhilaratingtobesurroundedbycrowdsofstrangers，mostofwhomhadaratheralienappearance，asifnotquitesurewheretheybelonged。
The"freshettes"stoodaboutindetachedgroupsoftwoorthree，lookingaskanceateachother；the"freshies，"wiserintheirdayandgeneration，hadbandedthemselvestogetheronthebigstaircaseoftheentrancehall，wheretheywereshoutingoutgleeswithallthevigorofyouthfullungs，asaspeciesofdefiancetotheirtraditionalenemies，theSophomores，afewofwhomwereprowlingloftilyabout，lookingproperlydisdainfulofthe"unlickedcubs"onthestairs。GilbertandCharliewerenowheretobeseen。
"LittledidIthinkthedaywouldevercomewhenI’dbegladofthesightofaSloane，"saidPriscilla，astheycrossedthecampus，"butI’dwelcomeCharlie’sgoggleeyesalmostecstatically。Atleast，they’dbefamiliareyes。"
"Oh，"sighedAnne。"Ican’tdescribehowIfeltwhenIwasstandingthere，waitingmyturntoberegistered——asinsignificantastheteeniestdropinamostenormousbucket。
It’sbadenoughtofeelinsignificant，butit’sunbearabletohaveitgrainedintoyoursoulthatyouwillnever，cannever，beanythingbutinsignificant，andthatishowIdidfeel——
asifIwereinvisibletothenakedeyeandsomeofthoseSophsmightsteponme。IknewIwouldgodowntomygraveunwept，unhonoredandunsung。"
"Waittillnextyear，"comfortedPriscilla。"Thenwe’llbeabletolookasboredandsophisticatedasanySophomoreofthemall。
Nodoubtitisratherdreadfultofeelinsignificant；butIthinkit’sbetterthantofeelasbigandawkwardasIdid——asifIweresprawledalloverRedmond。That’showIfelt——IsupposebecauseIwasagoodtwoinchestallerthananyoneelseinthecrowd。
Iwasn’tafraidaSophmightwalkoverme；Iwasafraidthey’dtakemeforanelephant，oranovergrownsampleofapotato-fedIslander。"
"Isupposethetroubleiswecan’tforgivebigRedmondfornotbeinglittleQueen’s，"saidAnne，gatheringabouthertheshredsofheroldcheerfulphilosophytocoverhernakednessofspirit。
"WhenweleftQueen’swekneweverybodyandhadaplaceofourown。
IsupposewehavebeenunconsciouslyexpectingtotakelifeupatRedmondjustwhereweleftoffatQueen’s，andnowwefeelasifthegroundhadslippedfromunderourfeet。I’mthankfulthatneitherMrs。LyndenorMrs。ElishaWrightknow，oreverwillknow，mystateofmindatpresent。Theywouldexultinsaying`Itoldyouso，’andbeconvinceditwasthebeginningoftheend。Whereasitisjusttheendofthebeginning。"
"Exactly。ThatsoundsmoreAnneish。Inalittlewhilewe’llbeacclimatedandacquainted，andallwillbewell。Anne，didyounoticethegirlwhostoodalonejustoutsidethedoorofthecoeds’dressingroomallthemorning——theprettyonewiththebrowneyesandcrookedmouth？"
"Yes，Idid。InoticedherparticularlybecausesheseemedtheonlycreaturetherewhoLOOKEDaslonelyandfriendlessasIFELT。
IhadYOU，butshehadnoone。"
"Ithinkshefeltprettyall-by-herselfish，too。SeveraltimesI
sawhermakeamotionasiftocrossovertous，butsheneverdidit——tooshy，Isuppose。Iwishedshewouldcome。IfIhadn’tfeltsomuchliketheaforesaidelephantI’dhavegonetoher。
ButIcouldn’tlumberacrossthatbighallwithallthoseboyshowlingonthestairs。ShewastheprettiestfreshetteIsawtoday，butprobablyfavorisdeceitfulandevenbeautyisvainonyourfirstdayatRedmond，"concludedPriscillawithalaugh。
"I’mgoingacrosstoOldSt。John’safterlunch，"saidAnne。
"Idon’tknowthatagraveyardisaverygoodplacetogotogetcheeredup，butitseemstheonlyget-at-ableplacewheretherearetrees，andtreesImusthave。I’llsitononeofthoseoldslabsandshutmyeyesandimagineI’mintheAvonleawoods。"
Annedidnotdothat，however，forshefoundenoughofinterestinOldSt。John’stokeephereyeswideopen。Theywentinbytheentrancegates，pastthesimple，massive，stonearchsurmountedbythegreatlionofEngland。
"`AndonInkermanyetthewildbrambleisgory，Andthosebleakheightshenceforthshallbefamousinstory，’"
quotedAnne，lookingatitwithathrill。Theyfoundthemselvesinadim，cool，greenplacewherewindswerefondofpurring。
Upanddownthelonggrassyaislestheywandered，readingthequaint，voluminousepitaphs，carvedinanagethathadmoreleisurethanourown。
"`HerelieththebodyofAlbertCrawford，Esq。，’"readAnnefromaworn，grayslab，"`formanyyearsKeeperofHisMajesty’sOrdnanceatKingsport。Heservedinthearmytillthepeaceof1763，whenheretiredfrombadhealth。Hewasabraveofficer，thebestofhusbands，thebestoffathers，thebestoffriends。
HediedOctober29th，1792，aged84years。’There’sanepitaphforyou，Prissy。Thereiscertainlysome`scopeforimagination’
init。Howfullsuchalifemusthavebeenofadventure！Andasforhispersonalqualities，I’msurehumaneulogycouldn’tgofurther。Iwonderiftheytoldhimhewasallthosebestthingswhilehewasalive。"
"Here’sanother，"saidPriscilla。"Listen——
`TothememoryofAlexanderRoss，whodiedonthe22ndofSeptember，1840，aged43years。Thisisraisedasatributeofaffectionbyonewhomheservedsofaithfullyfor27yearsthathewasregardedasafriend，deservingthefullestconfidenceandattachment。’"
"Averygoodepitaph，"commentedAnnethoughtfully。"Iwouldn’twishabetter。Weareallservantsofsomesort，andifthefactthatwearefaithfulcanbetruthfullyinscribedonourtombstonesnothingmoreneedbeadded。Here’sasorrowfullittlegraystone，Prissy——`tothememoryofafavoritechild。’Andhereisanother`erectedtothememoryofonewhoisburiedelsewhere。’Iwonderwherethatunknowngraveis。Really，Pris，thegraveyardsoftodaywillneverbeasinterestingasthis。Youwereright——Ishallcomehereoften。Iloveitalready。Iseewe’renotalonehere——there’sagirldownattheendofthisavenue。"
"Yes，andIbelieveit’stheverygirlwesawatRedmondthismorning。
I’vebeenwatchingherforfiveminutes。Shehasstartedtocomeuptheavenueexactlyhalfadozentimes，andhalfadozentimeshassheturnedandgoneback。Eithershe’sdreadfullyshyorshehasgotsomethingonherconscience。Let’sgoandmeether。It’seasiertogetacquaintedinagraveyardthanatRedmond，Ibelieve。"
Theywalkeddownthelonggrassyarcadetowardsthestranger，whowassittingonagrayslabunderanenormouswillow。Shewascertainlyverypretty，withavivid，irregular，bewitchingtypeofprettiness。Therewasaglossasofbrownnutsonhersatin-smoothhairandasoft，ripeglowonherroundcheeks。
Hereyeswerebigandbrownandvelvety，underoddly-pointedblackbrows，andhercrookedmouthwasrose-red。Sheworeasmartbrownsuit，withtwoverymodishlittleshoespeepingfrombeneathit；andherhatofdullpinkstraw，wreathedwithgolden-brownpoppies，hadtheindefinable，unmistakableairwhichpertainstothe"creation"ofanartistinmillinery。
Priscillahadasuddenstingingconsciousnessthatherownhathadbeentrimmedbyhervillagestoremilliner，andAnnewondereduncomfortablyiftheblouseshehadmadeherself，andwhichMrs。