Lyndehadfitted，lookedVERYcountrifiedandhome-madebesidesthestranger’ssmartattire。Foramomentbothgirlsfeltliketurningback。
　　Buttheyhadalreadystoppedandturnedtowardsthegrayslab。
　　Itwastoolatetoretreat，forthebrown-eyedgirlhadevidentlyconcludedthattheywerecomingtospeaktoher。Instantlyshesprangupandcameforwardwithoutstretchedhandandagay，friendlysmileinwhichthereseemednotashadowofeithershynessorburdenedconscience。
　　"Oh，Iwanttoknowwhoyoutwogirlsare，"sheexclaimedeagerly。
　　"I’vebeenDYINGtoknow。IsawyouatRedmondthismorning。
　　Say，wasn’titAWFULthere？ForthetimeIwishedIhadstayedhomeandgotmarried。"
　　AnneandPriscillabothbrokeintounconstrainedlaughteratthisunexpectedconclusion。Thebrown-eyedgirllaughed，too。
　　"Ireallydid。ICOULDhave，youknow。Come，let’sallsitdownonthisgravestoneandgetacquainted。Itwon’tbehard。Iknowwe’regoingtoadoreeachother——IknewitassoonasIsawyouatRedmondthismorning。Iwantedsomuchtogorightoverandhugyouboth。"
　　"Whydidn’tyou？"askedPriscilla。
　　"BecauseIsimplycouldn’tmakeupmymindtodoit。Inevercanmakeupmymindaboutanythingmyself——I’malwaysafflictedwithindecision。JustassoonasIdecidetodosomethingIfeelinmybonesthatanothercoursewouldbethecorrectone。It’sadreadfulmisfortune，butIwasbornthatway，andthereisnouseinblamingmeforit，assomepeopledo。SoIcouldn’tmakeupmymindtogoandspeaktoyou，muchasIwantedto。"
　　"Wethoughtyouweretooshy，"saidAnne。
　　"No，no，dear。Shynessisn’tamongthemanyfailings——orvirtues——ofPhilippaGordon——Philforshort。DocallmePhilrightoff。Now，whatareyourhandles？"
　　"She’sPriscillaGrant，"saidAnne，pointing。
　　"AndSHE’SAnneShirley，"saidPriscilla，pointinginturn。
　　"Andwe’refromtheIsland，"saidbothtogether。
　　"IhailfromBolingbroke，NovaScotia，"saidPhilippa。
　　"Bolingbroke！"exclaimedAnne。"Why，thatiswhereIwasborn。"
　　"Doyoureallymeanit？Why，thatmakesyouaBluenoseafterall。"
　　"No，itdoesn’t，"retortedAnne。"Wasn’titDanO’Connellwhosaidthatifamanwasborninastableitdidn’tmakehimahorse？
　　I’mIslandtothecore。"
　　"Well，I’mgladyouwereborninBolingbrokeanyway。Itmakesuskindofneighbors，doesn’tit？AndIlikethat，becausewhenItellyousecretsitwon’tbeasifIweretellingthemtoastranger。
　　Ihavetotellthem。Ican’tkeepsecrets——it’snousetotry。
　　That’smyworstfailing——that，andindecision，asaforesaid。
　　Wouldyoubelieveit？——ittookmehalfanhourtodecidewhichhattowearwhenIwascominghere——HERE，toagraveyard！
　　AtfirstIinclinedtomybrownonewiththefeather；
　　butassoonasIputitonIthoughtthispinkonewiththefloppybrimwouldbemorebecoming。WhenIgotITpinnedinplaceIlikedthebrownonebetter。AtlastIputthemclosetogetheronthebed，shutmyeyes，andjabbedwithahatpin。
　　Thepinspearedthepinkone，soIputiton。Itisbecoming，isn’tit？Tellme，whatdoyouthinkofmylooks？"
　　Atthisnaivedemand，madeinaperfectlyserioustone，Priscillalaughedagain。ButAnnesaid，impulsivelysqueezingPhilippa’shand，"WethoughtthismorningthatyouweretheprettiestgirlwesawatRedmond。"
　　Philippa’scrookedmouthflashedintoabewitching，crookedsmileoververywhitelittleteeth。
　　"Ithoughtthatmyself，"washernextastoundingstatement，"butIwantedsomeoneelse’sopiniontobolstermineup。
　　Ican’tdecideevenonmyownappearance。JustassoonasI’vedecidedthatI’mprettyIbegintofeelmiserablythatI’mnot。
　　Besides，haveahorribleoldgreat-auntwhoisalwayssayingtome，withamournfulsigh，`Youweresuchaprettybaby。It’sstrangehowchildrenchangewhentheygrowup。’Iadoreaunts，butIdetestgreat-
　　aunts。PleasetellmequiteoftenthatIampretty，ifyoudon’tmind。
　　IfeelsomuchmorecomfortablewhenIcanbelieveI’mpretty。AndI’llbejustasobligingtoyouifyouwantmeto——ICANbe，withaclearconscience。"
　　"Thanks，"laughedAnne，"butPriscillaandIaresofirmlyconvincedofourowngoodlooksthatwedon’tneedanyassuranceaboutthem，soyouneedn’ttrouble。"
　　"Oh，you’relaughingatme。IknowyouthinkI’mabominablyvain，butI’mnot。Therereallyisn’tonesparkofvanityinme。
　　AndI’mneverabitgrudgingaboutpayingcomplimentstoothergirlswhentheydeservethem。I’msogladIknowyoufolks。
　　IcameuponSaturdayandI’venearlydiedofhomesicknesseversince。It’sahorriblefeeling，isn’tit？InBolingbrokeI’manimportantpersonage，andinKingsportI’mjustnobody！
　　ThereweretimeswhenIcouldfeelmysoulturningadelicateblue。
　　Wheredoyouhangout？"
　　"Thirty-eightSt。John’sStreet。"
　　"Betterandbetter。Why，I’mjustaroundthecorneronWallaceStreet。
　　Idon’tlikemyboardinghouse，though。It’sbleakandlonesome，andmyroomlooksoutonsuchanunholybackyard。It’stheugliestplaceintheworld。Asforcats——well，surelyALLtheKingsportcatscan’tcongregatethereatnight，buthalfofthemmust。Iadorecatsonhearthrugs，snoozingbeforenice，friendlyfires，butcatsinbackyardsatmidnightaretotallydifferentanimals。ThefirstnightIwashereIcriedallnight，andsodidthecats。Youshouldhaveseenmynoseinthemorning。HowIwishedIhadneverlefthome！"
　　"Idon’tknowhowyoumanagedtomakeupyourmindtocometoRedmondatall，ifyouarereallysuchanundecidedperson，"saidamusedPriscilla。
　　"Blessyourheart，honey，Ididn’t。Itwasfatherwhowantedmetocomehere。Hisheartwassetonit——why，Idon’tknow。ItseemsperfectlyridiculoustothinkofmestudyingforaB。A。
　　degree，doesn’tit？NotbutwhatIcandoit，allright。
　　Ihaveheapsofbrains。"
　　"Oh！"saidPriscillavaguely。
　　"Yes。Butit’ssuchhardworktousethem。AndB。A。’saresuchlearned，dignified，wise，solemncreatures——theymustbe。No，_I_didn’twanttocometoRedmond。Ididitjusttoobligefather。
　　HeISsuchaduck。Besides，IknewifIstayedhomeI’dhavetogetmarried。Motherwantedthat——wanteditdecidedly。Motherhasplentyofdecision。ButIreallyhatedthethoughtofbeingmarriedforafewyearsyet。IwanttohaveheapsoffunbeforeIsettledown。And，ridiculousastheideaofmybeingaB。A。is，theideaofmybeinganoldmarriedwomanisstillmoreabsurd，isn’tit？I’monlyeighteen。No，IconcludedIwouldrathercometoRedmondthanbemarried。Besides，howcouldI
　　everhavemadeupmymindwhichmantomarry？"
　　"Weretheresomany？"laughedAnne。
　　"Heaps。Theboyslikemeawfully——theyreallydo。Buttherewereonlytwothatmattered。Therestwerealltooyoungandtoopoor。Imustmarryarichman，youknow。"
　　"Whymustyou？"
　　"Honey，youcouldn’timagineMEbeingapoorman’swife，couldyou？
　　Ican’tdoasingleusefulthing，andIamVERYextravagant。Oh，no，myhusbandmusthaveheapsofmoney。Sothatnarrowedthemdowntotwo。
　　ButIcouldn’tdecidebetweentwoanyeasierthanbetweentwohundred。
　　IknewperfectlywellthatwhicheveroneIchoseI’dregretallmylifethatIhadn’tmarriedtheother。"
　　"Didn’tyou——love——eitherofthem？"askedAnne，alittlehesitatingly。
　　Itwasnoteasyforhertospeaktoastrangerofthegreatmysteryandtransformationoflife。
　　"Goodness，no。_I_couldn’tloveanybody。Itisn’tinme。
　　BesidesIwouldn’twantto。Beinginlovemakesyouaperfectslave，_I_think。Anditwouldgiveamansuchpowertohurtyou。
　　I’dbeafraid。No，no，AlecandAlonzoaretwodearboys，andIlikethembothsomuchthatIreallydon’tknowwhichIlikethebetter。
　　Thatisthetrouble。Alecisthebestlooking，ofcourse，andI
　　simplycouldn’tmarryamanwhowasn’thandsome。Heisgood-temperedtoo，andhaslovely，curly，blackhair。He’srathertooperfect——
　　Idon’tbelieveI’dlikeaperfecthusband——somebodyIcouldneverfindfaultwith。"
　　"ThenwhynotmarryAlonzo？"askedPriscillagravely。
　　"ThinkofmarryinganamelikeAlonzo！"saidPhildolefully。
　　"Idon’tbelieveIcouldendureit。Buthehasaclassicnose，anditWOULDbeacomforttohaveanoseinthefamilythatcouldbedependedon。Ican’tdependonmine。Sofar，ittakesaftertheGordonpattern，butI’msoafraiditwilldevelopByrnetendenciesasIgrowolder。Iexamineiteverydayanxiouslytomakesureit’sstillGordon。MotherwasaByrneandhastheByrnenoseintheByrnestdegree。Waittillyouseeit。Iadorenicenoses。
　　Yournoseisawfullynice，AnneShirley。Alonzo’snosenearlyturnedthebalanceinhisfavor。ButALONZO！No，Icouldn’tdecide。
　　IfIcouldhavedoneasIdidwiththehats——stoodthembothuptogether，shutmyeyes，andjabbedwithahatpin——itwouldhavebeenquiteeasy。"
　　"WhatdidAlecandAlonzofeellikewhenyoucameaway？"queriedPriscilla。
　　"Oh，theystillhavehope。Itoldthemthey’dhavetowaittillIcouldmakeupmymind。They’requitewillingtowait。
　　Theybothworshipme，youknow。Meanwhile，Iintendtohaveagoodtime。IexpectIshallhaveheapsofbeauxatRedmond。
　　Ican’tbehappyunlessIhave，youknow。Butdon’tyouthinkthefreshmenarefearfullyhomely？
　　Isawonlyonereallyhandsomefellowamongthem。Hewentawaybeforeyoucame。IheardhischumcallhimGilbert。HischumhadeyesthatstuckoutTHATFAR。Butyou’renotgoingyet，girls？
　　Don’tgoyet。"
　　"Ithinkwemust，"saidAnne，rathercoldly。"It’sgettinglate，andI’vesomeworktodo。"
　　"Butyou’llbothcometoseeme，won’tyou？"askedPhilippa，gettingupandputtinganarmaroundeach。"Andletmecometoseeyou。Iwanttobechummywithyou。I’vetakensuchafancytoyouboth。AndIhaven’tquitedisgustedyouwithmyfrivolity，haveI？"
　　"Notquite，"laughedAnne，respondingtoPhil’ssqueeze，withareturnofcordiality。
　　"BecauseI’mnothalfsosillyasIseemonthesurface，youknow。YoujustacceptPhilippaGordon，astheLordmadeher，withallherfaults，andIbelieveyou’llcometolikeher。
　　Isn’tthisgraveyardasweetplace？I’dlovetobeburiedhere。
　　Here’sagraveIdidn’tseebefore——thisoneintheironrailing——oh，girls，look，see——thestonesaysit’sthegraveofamiddywhowaskilledinthefightbetweentheShannonandtheChesapeake。Justfancy！"
　　Annepausedbytherailingandlookedatthewornstone，herpulsesthrillingwithsuddenexcitement。Theoldgraveyard，withitsover-archingtreesandlongaislesofshadows，fadedfromhersight。
　　Instead，shesawtheKingsportHarborofnearlyacenturyagone。
　　Outofthemistcameslowlyagreatfrigate，brilliantwith"themeteorflagofEngland。"Behindherwasanother，withastill，heroicform，wrappedinhisownstarryflag，lyingonthequarterdeck——thegallantLawrence。Time’sfingerhadturnedbackhispages，andthatwastheShannonsailingtriumphantupthebaywiththeChesapeakeasherprize。
　　"Comeback，AnneShirley——comeback，"laughedPhilippa，pullingherarm。"You’reahundredyearsawayfromus。Comeback。"
　　Annecamebackwithasigh；hereyeswereshiningsoftly。
　　"I’vealwayslovedthatoldstory，"shesaid，"andalthoughtheEnglishwonthatvictory，Ithinkitwasbecauseofthebrave，defeatedcommanderIloveit。Thisgraveseemstobringitsonearandmakeitsoreal。Thispoorlittlemiddywasonlyeighteen。He`diedofdesperatewoundsreceivedingallantaction’——soreadshisepitaph。Itissuchasasoldiermightwishfor。"
　　Beforesheturnedaway，Anneunpinnedthelittleclusterofpurplepansiessheworeanddroppeditsoftlyonthegraveoftheboywhohadperishedinthegreatsea-duel。
　　"Well，whatdoyouthinkofournewfriend？"askedPriscilla，whenPhilhadleftthem。
　　"Ilikeher。Thereissomethingverylovableabouther，inspiteofallhernonsense。Ibelieve，asshesaysherself，thatsheisn’thalfassillyasshesounds。She’sadear，kissablebaby——andIdon’tknowthatshe’lleverreallygrowup。"
　　"Ilikeher，too，"saidPriscilla，decidedly。"ShetalksasmuchaboutboysasRubyGillisdoes。ButitalwaysenragesorsickensmetohearRuby，whereasIjustwantedtolaughgood-naturedlyatPhil。Now，whatisthewhyofthat？"
　　"Thereisadifference，"saidAnnemeditatively。"Ithinkit’sbecauseRubyisreallysoCONSCIOUSofboys。Sheplaysatloveandlove-making。Besides，youfeel，whensheisboastingofherbeauxthatsheisdoingittorubitwellintoyouthatyouhaven’thalfsomany。Now，whenPhiltalksofherbeauxitsoundsasifshewasjustspeakingofchums。Shereallylooksuponboysasgoodcomrades，andsheispleasedwhenshehasdozensofthemtagginground，simplybecauseshelikestobepopularandtobethoughtpopular。EvenAlexandAlonzo——I’llneverbeabletothinkofthosetwonamesseparatelyafterthis——aretoherjusttwoplayfellowswhowanthertoplaywiththemalltheirlives。I’mgladwemether，andI’mgladwewenttoOldSt。John’s。IbelieveI’veputforthatinysoul-rootintoKingsportsoilthisafternoon。Ihopeso。Ihatetofeeltransplanted。"
　　ChapterV
　　LettersfromHomeForthenextthreeweeksAnneandPriscillacontinuedtofeelasstrangersinastrangeland。Then，suddenly，everythingseemedtofallintofocus——Redmond，professors，classes，students，studies，socialdoings。Lifebecamehomogeneousagain，insteadofbeingmadeupofdetachedfragments。TheFreshmen，insteadofbeingacollectionofunrelatedindividuals，foundthemselvesaclass，withaclassspirit，aclassyell，classinterests，classantipathiesandclassambitions。Theywonthedayintheannual"ArtsRush"againsttheSophomores，andtherebygainedtherespectofalltheclasses，andanenormous，confidence-givingopinionofthemselves。ForthreeyearstheSophomoreshadwoninthe"rush"；thatthevictoryofthisyearperchedupontheFreshmen’sbannerwasattributedtothestrategicgeneralshipofGilbertBlythe，whomarshalledthecampaignandoriginatedcertainnewtactics，whichdemoralizedtheSophsandswepttheFreshmentotriumph。AsarewardofmerithewaselectedpresidentoftheFreshmanClass，apositionofhonorandresponsibility——fromaFreshpointofview，atleast——covetedbymany。Hewasalsoinvitedtojointhe"Lambs"——RedmondeseforLambaTheta——acomplimentrarelypaidtoaFreshman。AsapreparatoryinitiationordealhehadtoparadetheprincipalbusinessstreetsofKingsportforawholedaywearingasunbonnetandavoluminouskitchenapronofgaudilyfloweredcalico。Thishedidcheerfully，doffinghissunbonnetwithcourtlygracewhenhemetladiesofhisacquaintance。CharlieSloane，whohadnotbeenaskedtojointheLambs，toldAnnehedidnotseehowBlythecoulddoit，andHE，forhispart，couldneverhumiliatehimselfso。
　　"FancyCharlieSloaneina`caliker’apronanda`sunbunnit，’"
　　giggledPriscilla。"He’dlookexactlylikehisoldGrandmotherSloane。Gilbert，now，lookedasmuchlikeamaninthemasinhisownproperhabiliments。"
　　AnneandPriscillafoundthemselvesinthethickofthesociallifeofRedmond。ThatthiscameaboutsospeedilywasdueingreatmeasuretoPhilippaGordon。Philippawasthedaughterofarichandwell-knownman，andbelongedtoanoldandexclusive"Bluenose"family。This，combinedwithherbeautyandcharm——acharmacknowledgedbyallwhomether——promptlyopenedthegatesofallcliques，clubsandclassesinRedmondtoher；andwhereshewentAnneandPriscillawent，too。Phil"adored"AnneandPriscilla，especiallyAnne。Shewasaloyallittlesoul，crystal-freefromanyformofsnobbishness。"Loveme，lovemyfriends"seemedtobeherunconsciousmotto。Withouteffort，shetookthemwithherintohereverwideningcircleofacquaintanceship，andthetwoAvonleagirlsfoundtheirsocialpathwayatRedmondmadeveryeasyandpleasantforthem，totheenvyandwondermentoftheotherfreshettes，who，lackingPhilippa’ssponsorship，weredoomedtoremainratheronthefringeofthingsduringtheirfirstcollegeyear。
　　ToAnneandPriscilla，withtheirmoreseriousviewsoflife，Philremainedtheamusing，lovablebabyshehadseemedontheirfirstmeeting。Yet，asshesaidherself，shehad"heaps"ofbrains。Whenorwhereshefoundtimetostudywasamystery，forsheseemedalwaysindemandforsomekindof"fun，"andherhomeeveningswerecrowdedwithcallers。Shehadallthe"beaux"thatheartcoulddesire，fornine-tenthsoftheFreshmenandabigfractionofalltheotherclasseswererivalsforhersmiles。
　　Shewasnaivelydelightedoverthis，andgleefullyrecountedeachnewconquesttoAnneandPriscilla，withcommentsthatmighthavemadetheunluckylover’searsburnfiercely。
　　"AlecandAlonzodon’tseemtohaveanyseriousrivalyet，"
　　remarkedAnne，teasingly。
　　"Notone，"agreedPhilippa。"Iwritethembotheveryweekandtellthemallaboutmyyoungmenhere。I’msureitmustamusethem。
　　But，ofcourse，theoneIlikebestIcan’tget。GilbertBlythewon’ttakeanynoticeofme，excepttolookatmeasifIwereanicelittlekittenhe’dliketopat。ToowellIknowthereason。
　　Ioweyouagrudge，QueenAnne。IreallyoughttohateyouandinsteadIloveyoumadly，andI’mmiserableifIdon’tseeyoueveryday。You’redifferentfromanygirlIeverknewbefore。
　　WhenyoulookatmeinacertainwayIfeelwhataninsignificant，frivolouslittlebeastIam，andIlongtobebetterandwiserandstronger。AndthenImakegoodresolutions；butthefirstnice-lookingmanniewhocomesmywayknocksthemalloutofmyhead。Isn’tcollegelifemagnificent？
　　It’ssofunnytothinkIhateditthatfirstday。ButifIhadn’tImightnevergotreallyacquaintedwithyou。Anne，pleasetellmeoveragainthatyoulikemealittlebit。Iyearntohearit。"
　　"Ilikeyouabigbit——andIthinkyou’readear，sweet，adorable，velvety，clawless，little——kitten，"laughedAnne，"butIdon’tseewhenyouevergettimetolearnyourlessons。"
　　Philmusthavefoundtimeforsheheldherownineveryclassofheryear。EventhegrumpyoldprofessorofMathematics，whodetestedcoeds，andhadbitterlyopposedtheiradmissiontoRedmond，couldn’tfloorher。Sheledthefreshetteseverywhere，exceptinEnglish，whereAnneShirleyleftherfarbehind。AnneherselffoundthestudiesofherFreshmanyearveryeasy，thanksingreatparttothesteadyworksheandGilberthadputinduringthosetwopastyearsinAvonlea。Thislefthermoretimeforasociallifewhichshethoroughlyenjoyed。ButneverforamomentdidsheforgetAvonleaandthefriendsthere。Toher，thehappiestmomentsineachweekwerethoseinwhichletterscamefromhome。ItwasnotuntilshehadgotherfirstlettersthatshebegantothinkshecouldeverlikeKingsportorfeelathomethere。Beforetheycame，Avonleahadseemedthousandsofmilesaway；thoselettersbroughtitnearandlinkedtheoldlifetothenewsocloselythattheybegantoseemoneandthesame，insteadoftwohopelesslysegregatedexistences。Thefirstbatchcontainedsixletters，fromJaneAndrews，RubyGillis，DianaBarry，Marilla，Mrs。LyndeandDavy。Jane’swasacopperplateproduction，withevery"t"nicelycrossedandevery"i"preciselydotted，andnotaninterestingsentenceinit。Shenevermentionedtheschool，concerningwhichAnnewasavidtohear；sheneveransweredoneofthequestionsAnnehadaskedinherletter。
　　ButshetoldAnnehowmanyyardsoflaceshehadrecentlycrocheted，andthekindofweathertheywerehavinginAvonlea，andhowsheintendedtohavehernewdressmade，andthewayshefeltwhenherheadached。RubyGilliswroteagushingepistledeploringAnne’sabsence，assuringhershewashorriblymissedineverything，askingwhattheRedmond"fellows"werelike，andfillingtherestwithaccountsofherownharrowingexperienceswithhernumerousadmirers。Itwasasilly，harmlessletter，andAnnewouldhavelaughedoverithaditnotbeenforthepostscript。
　　"GilbertseemstobeenjoyingRedmond，judgingfromhisletters，"
　　wroteRuby。"Idon’tthinkCharlieissostuckonit。"
　　SoGilbertwaswritingtoRuby！Verywell。Hehadaperfectrightto，ofcourse。Only——！！AnnedidnotknowthatRubyhadwrittenthefirstletterandthatGilberthadanswereditfrommerecourtesy。ShetossedRuby’sletterasidecontemptuously。
　　ButittookallDiana’sbreezy，newsy，delightfulepistletobanishthestingofRuby’spostscript。Diana’slettercontainedalittletoomuchFred，butwasotherwisecrowdedandcrossedwithitemsofinterest，andAnnealmostfeltherselfbackinAvonleawhilereadingit。Marilla’swasaratherprimandcolorlessepistle，severelyinnocentofgossiporemotion。
　　YetsomehowitconveyedtoAnneawhiffofthewholesome，simplelifeatGreenGables，withitssavorofancientpeace，andthesteadfastabidinglovethatwasthereforher。Mrs。Lynde’sletterwasfullofchurchnews。Havingbrokenuphousekeeping，Mrs。Lyndehadmoretimethanevertodevotetochurchaffairsandhadflungherselfintothemheartandsoul。Shewasatpresentmuchworkedupoverthepoor"supplies"theywerehavinginthevacantAvonleapulpit。
　　"Idon’tbelieveanybutfoolsentertheministrynowadays，"shewrotebitterly。"Suchcandidatesastheyhavesentus，andsuchstuffastheypreach！Halfofitain’ttrue，and，what’sworse，itain’tsounddoctrine。Theonewehavenowistheworstofthelot。Hemostlytakesatextandpreachesaboutsomethingelse。
　　Andhesayshedoesn’tbelievealltheheathenwillbeeternallylost。Theidea！Iftheywon’tallthemoneywe’vebeengivingtoForeignMissionswillbecleanwasted，that’swhat！LastSundaynightheannouncedthatnextSundayhe’dpreachontheaxe-headthatswam。Ithinkhe’dbetterconfinehimselftotheBibleandleavesensationalsubjectsalone。Thingshavecometoaprettypassifaministercan’tfindenoughinHolyWrittopreachabout，that’swhat。Whatchurchdoyouattend，Anne？I
　　hopeyougoregularly。Peopleareapttogetsocarelessaboutchurch-goingawayfromhome，andIunderstandcollegestudentsaregreatsinnersinthisrespect。I’mtoldmanyofthemactuallystudytheirlessonsonSunday。Ihopeyou’llneversinkthatlow，Anne。Rememberhowyouwerebroughtup。Andbeverycarefulwhatfriendsyoumake。Youneverknowwhatsortofcreaturesareinthemcolleges。Outwardlytheymaybeaswhitedsepulchersandinwardlyasraveningwolves，that’swhat。You’dbetternothaveanythingtosaytoanyyoungmanwhoisn’tfromtheIsland。
　　"Iforgottotellyouwhathappenedthedaytheministercalledhere。ItwasthefunniestthingIeversaw。IsaidtoMarilla，`IfAnnehadbeenherewouldn’tshehavehadalaugh？’EvenMarillalaughed。Youknowhe’saveryshort，fatlittlemanwithbowlegs。Well，thatoldpigofMr。Harrison’s——thebig，tallone——hadwanderedoverherethatdayagainandbrokeintotheyard，anditgotintothebackporch，unbeknownstous，anditwastherewhentheministerappearedinthedoorway。Itmadeonewildbolttogetout，buttherewasnowheretobolttoexceptbetweenthembowlegs。Sothereitwent，and，beingasitwassobigandtheministersolittle，ittookhimcleanoffhisfeetandcarriedhimaway。Hishatwentonewayandhiscaneanother，justasMarillaandIgottothedoor。I’llneverforgetthelookofhim。Andthatpoorpigwasnearscaredtodeath。I’llneverbeabletoreadthataccountintheBibleoftheswinethatrushedmadlydownthesteepplaceintotheseawithoutseeingMr。Harrison’spigcareeringdownthehillwiththatminister。
　　IguessthepigthoughthehadtheOldBoyonhisbackinsteadofinsideofhim。Iwasthankfulthetwinsweren’tabout。
　　Itwouldn’thavebeentherightthingforthemtohaveseenaministerinsuchanundignifiedpredicament。Justbeforetheygottothebrooktheministerjumpedofforfelloff。
　　Thepigrushedthroughthebrooklikemadandupthroughthewoods。
　　MarillaandIrundownandhelpedtheministergetupandbrushhiscoat。Hewasn’thurt，buthewasmad。HeseemedtoholdMarillaandmeresponsibleforitall，thoughwetoldhimthepigdidn’tbelongtous，andhadbeenpesteringusallsummer。
　　Besides，whatdidhecometothebackdoorfor？You’dneverhavecaughtMr。Allandoingthat。It’llbealongtimebeforewegetamanlikeMr。Allan。Butit’sanillwindthatblowsnogood。
　　We’veneverseenhooforhairofthatpigsince，andit’smybeliefweneverwill。
　　"ThingsisprettyquietinAvonlea。Idon’tfindGreenGablesaslonesomeasIexpected。IthinkI’llstartanothercottonwarpquiltthiswinter。Mrs。SilasSloanehasahandsomenewapple-leafpattern。
　　"WhenIfeelthatImusthavesomeexcitementIreadthemurdertrialsinthatBostonpapermyniecesendsme。Ineverusedtodoit，butthey’rerealinteresting。TheStatesmustbeanawfulplace。Ihopeyou’llnevergothere，Anne。Butthewaygirlsroamovertheearthnowissomethingterrible。ItalwaysmakesmethinkofSatanintheBookofJob，goingtoandfroandwalkingupanddown。Idon’tbelievetheLordeverintendedit，that’swhat。
　　"Davyhasbeenprettygoodsinceyouwentaway。OnedayhewasbadandMarillapunishedhimbymakinghimwearDora’sapronallday，andthenhewentandcutallDora’sapronsup。Ispankedhimforthatandthenhewentandchasedmyroostertodeath。
　　"TheMacPhersonshavemoveddowntomyplace。She’sagreathousekeeperandveryparticular。She’srootedallmyJuneliliesupbecauseshesaystheymakeagardenlooksountidy。Thomassetthemliliesoutwhenweweremarried。Herhusbandseemsanicesortofaman，butshecan’tgetoverbeinganoldmaid，that’swhat。
　　"Don’tstudytoohard，andbesureandputyourwinterunderclothesonassoonastheweathergetscool。
　　Marillaworriesalotaboutyou，butItellheryou’vegotalotmoresensethanIeverthoughtyouwouldhaveatonetime，andthatyou’llbeallright。"
　　Davy’sletterplungedintoagrievanceatthestart。
　　"Dearanne，pleasewriteandtellmarillanottotiemetotheraleofthebridgewhenIgofishingtheboysmakefunofmewhenshedoes。Itsawfullonesomeherewithoutyoubutgratefuninschool。Janeandrewsiscrosserthanyou。Iscaredmrs。lyndewithajackylanternlastnite。ShewasoffelmadandshewasmadcauseIchasedheroldroosterroundtheyardtillhefelldownded。Ididn’tmeantomakehimfalldownded。Whatmadehimdie，anne，Iwanttoknow。mrs。lyndethrewhimintothepigpenshemiteofsoldhimtomr。blair。mr。blairisgiving50senseapeaceforgooddedroostersnow。Iherdmrs。lyndeaskingtheministertoprayforher。Whatdidshedothatwassobad，anne，Iwanttoknow。I’vegotakitewithamagnificenttail，anne。Miltyboltertoldmeagratestoryinschoolyesterday。itistroo。oldJoeMoseyandLeonwereplayingcardsonenitelastweekinthewoods。Thecardswereonastumpandabigblackmanbiggerthanthetreescomealongandgrabbedthecardsandthestumpanddisaperedwithanoyslikethunder。
　　Illbettheywereskared。Miltysaystheblackmanwastheoldharry。washe，anne，Iwanttoknow。Mr。kimballoveratspenservaleisverysickandwillhavetogotothehospitable。
　　pleaseexcusemewhileIaskmarillaifthatsspelledrite。
　　Marillasaysitsthesilemhehastogotonottheotherplace。
　　Hethinkshehasasnakeinsideofhim。whatsitliketohaveasnakeinsideofyou，anne。Iwanttoknow。mrs。lawrencebellissickto。mrs。lyndesaysthatallthatisthematterwithheristhatshethinkstoomuchaboutherinsides。"
　　"Iwonder，"saidAnne，asshefoldedupherletters，"whatMrs。
　　LyndewouldthinkofPhilippa。"
　　ChapterVI
　　InthePark"Whatareyougoingtodowithyourselvestoday，girls？"
　　askedPhilippa，poppingintoAnne’sroomoneSaturdayafternoon。
　　"Wearegoingforawalkinthepark，"answeredAnne。"Ioughttostayinandfinishmyblouse。ButIcouldn’tsewonadaylikethis。
　　There’ssomethingintheairthatgetsintomybloodandmakesasortofgloryinmysoul。MyfingerswouldtwitchandI’dsewacrookedseam。
　　Soit’shofortheparkandthepines。"
　　"Does`we’includeanyonebutyourselfandPriscilla？"
　　"Yes，itincludesGilbertandCharlie，andwe’llbeverygladifitwillincludeyou，also。"
　　"But，"saidPhilippadolefully，"ifIgoI’llhavetobegooseberry，andthatwillbeanewexperienceforPhilippaGordon。"
　　"Well，newexperiencesarebroadening。Comealong，andyou’llbeabletosympathizewithallpoorsoulswhohavetoplaygooseberryoften。Butwhereareallthevictims？"
　　"Oh，Iwastiredofthemallandsimplycouldn’tbebotheredwithanyofthemtoday。Besides，I’vebeenfeelingalittleblue——
　　justapale，elusiveazure。Itisn’tseriousenoughforanythingdarker。IwroteAlecandAlonzolastweek。Iputthelettersintoenvelopesandaddressedthem，butIdidn’tsealthemup。
　　Thateveningsomethingfunnyhappened。Thatis，Alecwouldthinkitfunny，butAlonzowouldn’tbelikelyto。Iwasinahurry，soIsnatchedAlec’sletter——asIthought——outoftheenvelopeandscribbleddownapostscript。ThenImailedbothletters。I
　　gotAlonzo’sreplythismorning。Girls，Ihadputthatpostscripttohisletterandhewasfurious。Ofcoursehe’llgetoverit——
　　andIdon’tcareifhedoesn’t——butitspoiledmyday。
　　SoIthoughtI’dcometoyoudarlingstogetcheeredup。
　　AfterthefootballseasonopensIwon’thaveanyspareSaturdayafternoons。Iadorefootball。I’vegotthemostgorgeouscapandsweaterstripedinRedmondcolorstoweartothegames。
　　Tobesure，alittlewayoffI’lllooklikeawalkingbarber’spole。
　　DoyouknowthatthatGilbertofyourshasbeenelectedCaptainoftheFreshmanfootballteam？"
　　"Yes，hetoldussolastevening，"saidPriscilla，seeingthatoutragedAnnewouldnotanswer。"HeandCharlieweredown。
　　Weknewtheywerecoming，sowepainstakinglyputoutofsightoroutofreachallMissAda’scushions。ThatveryelaborateonewiththeraisedembroideryIdroppedonthefloorinthecornerbehindthechairitwason。Ithoughtitwouldbesafethere。
　　Butwouldyoubelieveit？CharlieSloanemadeforthatchair，noticedthecushionbehindit，solemnlyfisheditup，andsatonitthewholeevening。Suchawreckofacushionasitwas！PoorMissAdaaskedmetoday，stillsmiling，butoh，soreproachfully，whyIhadallowedittobesatupon。ItoldherIhadn’t——thatitwasamatterofpredestinationcoupledwithinveterateSloanishnessandIwasn’tamatchforbothcombined。"
　　"MissAda’scushionsarereallygettingonmynerves，"saidAnne。
　　"Shefinishedtwonewoneslastweek，stuffedandembroideredwithinaninchoftheirlives。Therebeingabsolutelynoothercushionlessplacetoputthemshestoodthemupagainstthewallonthestairlanding。Theytoppleoverhalfthetimeandifwecomeupordownthestairsinthedarkwefalloverthem。LastSunday，whenDr。Davisprayedforallthoseexposedtotheperilsofthesea，Iaddedinthought`andforallthosewholiveinhouseswherecushionsarelovednotwiselybuttoowell！’
　　There！we’reready，andIseetheboyscomingthroughOldSt。John’s。
　　Doyoucastinyourlotwithus，Phil？"
　　"I’llgo，ifIcanwalkwithPriscillaandCharlie。Thatwillbeabearabledegreeofgooseberry。ThatGilbertofyoursisadarling，Anne，butwhydoeshegoaroundsomuchwithGoggle-eyes？"
　　Annestiffened。ShehadnogreatlikingforCharlieSloane；buthewasofAvonlea，sonooutsiderhadanybusinesstolaughathim。
　　"CharlieandGilberthavealwaysbeenfriends，"shesaidcoldly。
　　"Charlieisaniceboy。He’snottoblameforhiseyes。"
　　"Don’ttellmethat！Heis！Hemusthavedonesomethingdreadfulinapreviousexistencetobepunishedwithsucheyes。
　　PrisandIaregoingtohavesuchsportwithhimthisafternoon。
　　We’llmakefunofhimtohisfaceandhe’llneverknowit。"
　　Doubtless，"theabandonedP’s，"asAnnecalledthem，didcarryouttheiramiableintentions。ButSloanewasblissfullyignorant；hethoughthewasquiteafinefellowtobewalkingwithtwosuchcoeds，especiallyPhilippaGordon，theclassbeautyandbelle。ItmustsurelyimpressAnne。Shewouldseethatsomepeopleappreciatedhimathisrealvalue。
　　GilbertandAnneloiteredalittlebehindtheothers，enjoyingthecalm，stillbeautyoftheautumnafternoonunderthepinesofthepark，ontheroadthatclimbedandtwistedroundtheharborshore。
　　"Thesilencehereislikeaprayer，isn’tit？"saidAnne，herfaceupturnedtotheshiningsky。"HowIlovethepines！
　　Theyseemtostriketheirrootsdeepintotheromanceofalltheages。
　　Itissocomfortingtocreepawaynowandthenforagoodtalkwiththem。
　　Ialwaysfeelsohappyouthere。"
　　"`Andsoinmountainsolitudeso’ertakenAsbysomespelldivine，TheircaresdropfromthemliketheneedlesshakenFromoutthegustypine，’"
　　quotedGilbert。
　　"Theymakeourlittleambitionsseemratherpetty，don’tthey，Anne？"
　　"Ithink，ifeveranygreatsorrowcametome，Iwouldcometothepinesforcomfort，"saidAnnedreamily。
　　"Ihopenogreatsorroweverwillcometoyou，Anne，"saidGilbert，whocouldnotconnecttheideaofsorrowwiththevivid，joyouscreaturebesidehim，unwittingthatthosewhocansoartothehighestheightscanalsoplungetothedeepestdepths，andthatthenatureswhichenjoymostkeenlyarethosewhichalsosuffermostsharply。
　　"Buttheremust——sometime，"musedAnne。"Lifeseemslikeacupofgloryheldtomylipsjustnow。Buttheremustbesomebitternessinit——thereisineverycup。Ishalltasteminesomeday。Well，IhopeIshallbestrongandbravetomeetit。
　　AndIhopeitwon’tbethroughmyownfaultthatitwillcome。
　　DoyourememberwhatDr。DavissaidlastSundayevening——thatthesorrowsGodsentusbroughtcomfortandstrengthwiththem，whilethesorrowswebroughtonourselves，throughfollyorwickedness，werebyfarthehardesttobear？Butwemustn’ttalkofsorrowonanafternoonlikethis。It’smeantforthesheerjoyofliving，isn’tit？"
　　"IfIhadmywayI’dshuteverythingoutofyourlifebuthappinessandpleasure，Anne，"saidGilbertinthetonethatmeant"dangerahead。"
　　"Thenyouwouldbeveryunwise，"rejoinedAnnehastily。"I’msurenolifecanbeproperlydevelopedandroundedoutwithoutsometrialandsorrow——thoughIsupposeitisonlywhenweareprettycomfortablethatweadmitit。Come——theothershavegottothepavilionandarebeckoningtous。"
　　Theyallsatdowninthelittlepaviliontowatchanautumnsunsetofdeepredfireandpallidgold。TotheirleftlayKingsport，itsroofsandspiresdimintheirshroudofvioletsmoke。
　　Totheirrightlaytheharbor，takingontintsofroseandcopperasitstretchedoutintothesunset。Beforethemthewatershimmered，satinsmoothandsilvergray，andbeyond，cleanshavenWilliam’sIslandloomedoutofthemist，guardingthetownlikeasturdybulldog。
　　Itslighthousebeaconflaredthroughthemistlikeabalefulstar，andwasansweredbyanotherinthefarhorizon。
　　"Didyoueverseesuchastrong-lookingplace？"askedPhilippa。
　　"Idon’twantWilliam’sIslandespecially，butI’msureIcouldn’tgetitifIdid。Lookatthatsentryonthesummitofthefort，rightbesidetheflag。Doesn’thelookasifhehadsteppedoutofaromance？"
　　"Speakingofromance，"saidPriscilla，"we’vebeenlookingforheather——but，ofcourse，wecouldn’tfindany。It’stoolateintheseason，Isuppose。"
　　"Heather！"exclaimedAnne。"Heatherdoesn’tgrowinAmerica，doesit？"
　　"Therearejusttwopatchesofitinthewholecontinent，"saidPhil，"onerighthereinthepark，andonesomewhereelseinNovaScotia，Iforgetwhere。ThefamousHighlandRegiment，theBlackWatch，campedhereoneyear，and，whenthemenshookoutthestrawoftheirbedsinthespring，someseedsofheathertookroot。"
　　"Oh，howdelightful！"saidenchantedAnne。
　　"Let’sgohomearoundbySpoffordAvenue，"suggestedGilbert。
　　"Wecanseeall`thehandsomehouseswherethewealthynoblesdwell。’SpoffordAvenueisthefinestresidentialstreetinKingsport。Nobodycanbuildonitunlesshe’samillionaire。"
　　"Oh，do，"saidPhil。"There’saperfectlykillinglittleplaceI
　　wanttoshowyou，Anne。ITwasn’tbuiltbyamillionaire。It’sthefirstplaceafteryouleavethepark，andmusthavegrownwhileSpoffordAvenuewasstillacountryroad。ItDIDgrow——
　　itwasn’tbuilt！Idon’tcareforthehousesontheAvenue。
　　They’retoobrandnewandplateglassy。Butthislittlespotisadream——anditsname——butwaittillyouseeit。"
　　Theysawitastheywalkedupthepine-fringedhillfromthepark。
　　Justonthecrest，whereSpoffordAvenuepeteredoutintoaplainroad，wasalittlewhiteframehousewithgroupsofpinesoneithersideofit，stretchingtheirarmsprotectinglyoveritslowroof。Itwascoveredwithredandgoldvines，throughwhichitsgreen-shutteredwindowspeeped。Beforeitwasatinygarden，surroundedbyalowstonewall。Octoberthoughitwas，thegardenwasstillverysweetwithdear，old-fashioned，unworldlyflowersandshrubs——sweetmay，southern-wood，lemonverbena，alyssum，petunias，marigoldsandchrysanthemums。Atinybrickwall，inherring-bonepattern，ledfromthegatetothefrontporch。Thewholeplacemighthavebeentransplantedfromsomeremotecountryvillage；yettherewassomethingaboutitthatmadeitsnearestneighbor，thebiglawn-encircledpalaceofatobaccoking，lookexceedinglycrudeandshowyandill-bredbycontrast。AsPhilsaid，itwasthedifferencebetweenbeingbornandbeingmade。
　　"It’sthedearestplaceIeversaw，"saidAnnedelightedly。"Itgivesmeoneofmyold，delightfulfunnyaches。It’sdearerandquainterthanevenMissLavendar’sstonehouse。"
　　"It’sthenameIwantyoutonoticeespecially，"saidPhil。
　　"Look——inwhiteletters，aroundthearchwayoverthegate。
　　`Patty’sPlace。’Isn’tthatkilling？EspeciallyonthisAvenueofPinehurstsandElmwoldsandCedarcrofts？`Patty’sPlace，’
　　ifyouplease！Iadoreit。"
　　"HaveyouanyideawhoPattyis？"askedPriscilla。
　　"PattySpoffordisthenameoftheoldladywhoownsit，I’vediscovered。Shelivestherewithherniece，andthey’velivedthereforhundredsofyears，moreorless——maybealittleless，Anne。Exaggerationismerelyaflightofpoeticfancy。Iunderstandthatwealthyfolkhavetriedtobuythelottimeandagain——it’sreallyworthasmallfortunenow，youknow——but`Patty’won’tselluponanyconsideration。Andthere’sanappleorchardbehindthehouseinplaceofabackyard——you’llseeitwhenwegetalittlepast——
　　arealappleorchardonSpoffordAvenue！"
　　"I’mgoingtodreamabout`Patty’sPlace’tonight，"saidAnne。
　　"Why，IfeelasifIbelongedtoit。Iwonderif，byanychance，we’lleverseetheinsideofit。"
　　"Itisn’tlikely，"saidPriscilla。
　　Annesmiledmysteriously。
　　"No，itisn’tlikely。ButIbelieveitwillhappen。Ihaveaqueer，creepy，crawlyfeeling——youcancallitapresentiment，ifyoulike——that`Patty’sPlace’andIaregoingtobebetteracquaintedyet。"
　　ChapterVII
　　HomeAgainThosefirstthreeweeksatRedmondhadseemedlong；buttherestofthetermflewbyonwingsofwind。BeforetheyrealizedittheRedmondstudentsfoundthemselvesinthegrindofChristmasexaminations，emergingtherefrommoreorlesstriumphantly。ThehonorofleadingintheFreshmanclassesfluctuatedbetweenAnne，GilbertandPhilippa；Priscilladidverywell；CharlieSloanescrapedthroughrespectably，andcomportedhimselfascomplacentlyasifhehadledineverything。
　　"Ican’treallybelievethatthistimetomorrowI’llbeinGreenGables，"
　　saidAnneonthenightbeforedeparture。"ButIshallbe。Andyou，Phil，willbeinBolingbrokewithAlecandAlonzo。"
　　"I’mlongingtoseethem，"admittedPhil，betweenthechocolateshewasnibbling。"Theyreallyaresuchdearboys，youknow。
　　There’stobenoendofdancesanddrivesandgeneraljamborees。
　　Ishallneverforgiveyou，QueenAnne，fornotcominghomewithmefortheholidays。"
　　"`Never’meansthreedayswithyou，Phil。Itwasdearofyoutoaskme——andI’dlovetogotoBolingbrokesomeday。ButI
　　can’tgothisyear——IMUSTgohome。Youdon’tknowhowmyheartlongsforit。"
　　"Youwon’thavemuchofatime，"saidPhilscornfully。"There’llbeoneortwoquiltingparties，Isuppose；andalltheoldgossipswilltalkyouovertoyourfaceandbehindyourback。
　　You’lldieoflonesomeness，child。"
　　"InAvonlea？"saidAnne，highlyamused。
　　"Now，ifyou’dcomewithmeyou’dhaveaperfectlygorgeoustime。
　　Bolingbrokewouldgowildoveryou，QueenAnne——yourhairandyourstyleand，oh，everything！You’resoDIFFERENT。You’dbesuchasuccess——andIwouldbaskinreflectedglory——`nottherosebutneartherose。’Docome，afterall，Anne。"
　　"Yourpictureofsocialtriumphsisquitefascinating，Phil，butI’llpaintonetooffsetit。I’mgoinghometoanoldcountryfarmhouse，oncegreen，ratherfadednow，setamongleaflessappleorchards。ThereisabrookbelowandaDecemberfirwoodbeyond，whereI’veheardharpssweptbythefingersofrainandwind。
　　Thereisapondnearbythatwillbegrayandbroodingnow。Therewillbetwooldishladiesinthehouse，onetallandthin，oneshortandfat；andtherewillbetwotwins，oneaperfectmodel，theotherwhatMrs。Lyndecallsa`holyterror。’Therewillbealittleroomupstairsovertheporch，whereolddreamshangthick，andabig，fat，gloriousfeatherbedwhichwillalmostseemtheheightofluxuryafteraboardinghousemattress。Howdoyoulikemypicture，Phil？"
　　"Itseemsaverydullone，"saidPhil，withagrimace。
　　"Oh，butI’veleftoutthetransformingthing，"saidAnnesoftly。
　　"There’llbelovethere，Phil——faithful，tenderlove，suchasI’llneverfindanywhereelseintheworld——lovethat’swaitingforme。Thatmakesmypictureamasterpiece，doesn’tit，evenifthecolorsarenotverybrilliant？"
　　Philsilentlygotup，tossedherboxofchocolatesaway，wentuptoAnne，andputherarmsabouther。
　　"Anne，IwishIwaslikeyou，"shesaidsoberly。
　　DianametAnneattheCarmodystationthenextnight，andtheydrovehometogetherundersilent，star-sowndepthsofsky。GreenGableshadaveryfestalappearanceastheydroveupthelane。
　　Therewasalightineverywindow，theglowbreakingoutthroughthedarknesslikeflame-redblossomsswungagainstthedarkbackgroundoftheHauntedWood。Andintheyardwasabravebonfirewithtwogaylittlefiguresdancingaroundit，oneofwhichgaveanunearthlyyellasthebuggyturnedinunderthepoplars。
　　"DavymeansthatforanIndianwar-whoop，"saidDiana。"Mr。
　　Harrison’shiredboytaughtittohim，andhe’sbeenpracticingituptowelcomeyouwith。Mrs。Lyndesaysithaswornhernervestoafrazzle。Hecreepsupbehindher，youknow，andthenletsgo。Hewasdeterminedtohaveabonfireforyou，too。He’sbeenpilingupbranchesforafortnightandpesteringMarillatobeletpoursomekeroseneoiloveritbeforesettingitonfire。
　　Iguessshedid，bythesmell，thoughMrs。LyndesaiduptothelastthatDavywouldblowhimselfandeverybodyelseupifhewaslet。"
　　Annewasoutofthebuggybythistime，andDavywasrapturouslyhuggingherknees，whileevenDorawasclingingtoherhand。
　　"Isn’tthatabullybonfire，Anne？Justletmeshowyouhowtopokeit——seethesparks？Ididitforyou，Anne，’causeIwassogladyouwerecominghome。"
　　ThekitchendooropenedandMarilla’sspareformdarkenedagainsttheinnerlight。ShepreferredtomeetAnneintheshadows，forshewashorriblyafraidthatshewasgoingtocrywithjoy——
　　she，stern，repressedMarilla，whothoughtalldisplayofdeepemotionunseemly。Mrs。Lyndewasbehindher，sonsy，kindly，matronly，asofyore。ThelovethatAnnehadtoldPhilwaswaitingforhersurroundedherandenfoldedherwithitsblessinganditssweetness。Nothing，afterall，couldcomparewitholdties，oldfriends，andoldGreenGables！HowstarryAnne’seyeswereastheysatdowntotheloadedsuppertable，howpinkhercheeks，howsilver-clearherlaughter！AndDianawasgoingtostayallnight，too。Howlikethedearoldtimesitwas！Andtherose-budtea-setgracedthetable！WithMarillatheforceofnaturecouldnofurthergo。
　　"IsupposeyouandDianawillnowproceedtotalkallnight，"
　　saidMarillasarcastically，asthegirlswentupstairs。
　　Marillawasalwayssarcasticafteranyself-betrayal。
　　"Yes，"agreedAnnegaily，"butI’mgoingtoputDavytobedfirst。
　　Heinsistsonthat。"
　　"Youbet，"saidDavy，astheywentalongthehall。"Iwantsomebodytosaymyprayerstoagain。It’snofunsayingthemalone。"
　　"Youdon’tsaythemalone，Davy。Godisalwayswithyoutohearyou。"
　　"Well，Ican’tseeHim，"objectedDavy。"IwanttopraytosomebodyIcansee，butIWON’TsaythemtoMrs。LyndeorMarilla，therenow！"
　　Nevertheless，whenDavywasgarbedinhisgrayflannelnighty，hedidnotseeminahurrytobegin。HestoodbeforeAnne，shufflingonebarefootovertheother，andlookedundecided。
　　"Come，dear，kneeldown，"saidAnne。
　　DavycameandburiedhisheadinAnne’slap，buthedidnotkneeldown。
　　"Anne，"hesaidinamuffledvoice。"Idon’tfeellikeprayingafterall。
　　Ihaven’tfeltlikeitforaweeknow。I——IDIDN’Tpraylastnightnorthenightbefore。"
　　"Whynot，Davy？"askedAnnegently。
　　"You——youwon’tbemadifItellyou？"imploredDavy。
　　Anneliftedthelittlegray-flannelledbodyonherkneeandcuddledhisheadonherarm。
　　"DoIeverget`mad’whenyoutellmethings，Davy？"
　　"No-o-o，youneverdo。Butyougetsorry，andthat’sworse。
　　You’llbeawfulsorrywhenItellyouthis，Anne——andyou’llbe’shamedofme，Is’pose。"
　　"Haveyoudonesomethingnaughty，Davy，andisthatwhyyoucan’tsayyourprayers？"
　　"No，Ihaven’tdoneanythingnaughty——yet。ButIwanttodoit。"
　　"Whatisit，Davy？"
　　"I——Iwanttosayabadword，Anne，"blurtedoutDavy，withadesperateeffort。"IheardMr。Harrison’shiredboysayitonedaylastweek，andeversinceI’vebeenwantingtosayitALLthetime——evenwhenI’msayingmyprayers。"
　　"Sayitthen，Davy。"
　　Davyliftedhisflushedfaceinamazement。
　　"But，Anne，it’sanAWFULbadword。"
　　"SAYIT！"
　　Davygaveheranotherincredulouslook，theninalowvoicehesaidthedreadfulword。Thenextminutehisfacewasburrowingagainsther。
　　"Oh，Anne，I’llneversayitagain——never。I’llneverWANTtosayitagain。Iknewitwasbad，butIdidn’ts’poseitwasso——so——Ididn’ts’poseitwaslikeTHAT。"
　　"No，Idon’tthinkyou’lleverwanttosayitagain，Davy——orthinkit，either。AndIwouldn’tgoaboutmuchwithMr。Harrison’shiredboyifIwereyou。"
　　"Hecanmakebullywar-whoops，"saidDavyalittleregretfully。
　　"Butyoudon’twantyourmindfilledwithbadwords，doyou，Davy——wordsthatwillpoisonitanddriveoutallthatisgoodandmanly？"
　　"No，"saidDavy，owl-eyedwithintrospection。
　　"Thendon’tgowiththosepeoplewhousethem。Andnowdoyoufeelasifyoucouldsayyourprayers，Davy？"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidDavy，eagerlywrigglingdownonhisknees，"Icansaythemnowallright。Iain’tscarednowtosay`ifIshoulddiebeforeIwake，’likeIwaswhenIwaswantingtosaythatword。"
　　ProbablyAnneandDianadidemptyouttheirsoulstoeachotherthatnight，butnorecordoftheirconfidenceshasbeenpreserved。
　　Theybothlookedasfreshandbright-eyedatbreakfastasonlyyouthcanlookafterunlawfulhoursofrevelryandconfession。
　　Therehadbeennosnowuptothistime，butasDianacrossedtheoldlogbridgeonherhomewardwaythewhiteflakeswerebeginningtoflutterdownoverthefieldsandwoods，russetandgrayintheirdreamlesssleep。Soonthefar-awayslopesandhillsweredimandwraith-likethroughtheirgauzyscarfing，asifpaleautumnhadflungamistybridalveiloverherhairandwaswaitingforherwintrybridegroom。SotheyhadawhiteChristmasafterall，andaverypleasantdayitwas。IntheforenoonlettersandgiftscamefromMissLavendarandPaul；
　　AnneopenedtheminthecheerfulGreenGableskitchen，whichwasfilledwithwhatDavy，sniffinginecstasy，called"prettysmells。"
　　"MissLavendarandMr。Irvingaresettledintheirnewhomenow，"
　　reportedAnne。"IamsureMissLavendarisperfectlyhappy——
　　Iknowitbythegeneraltoneofherletter——butthere’sanotefromCharlottatheFourth。Shedoesn’tlikeBostonatall，andsheisfearfullyhomesick。MissLavendarwantsmetogothroughtoEchoLodgesomedaywhileI’mhomeandlightafiretoairit，andseethatthecushionsaren’tgettingmoldy。IthinkI’llgetDianatogooverwithmenextweek，andwecanspendtheeveningwithTheodoraDix。IwanttoseeTheodora。Bytheway，isLudovicSpeedstillgoingtoseeher？"
　　"Theysayso，"saidMarilla，"andhe’slikelytocontinueit。
　　Folkshavegivenupexpectingthatthatcourtshipwilleverarriveanywhere。"
　　"I’dhurryhimupabit，ifIwasTheodora，that’swhat，"saidMrs。Lynde。Andthereisnottheslightestdoubtbutthatshewould。
　　TherewasalsoacharacteristicscrawlfromPhilippa，fullofAlecandAlonzo，whattheysaidandwhattheydid，andhowtheylookedwhentheysawher。
　　"ButIcan’tmakeupmymindyetwhichtomarry，"wrotePhil。
　　"Idowishyouhadcomewithmetodecideforme。Someonewillhaveto。WhenIsawAlecmyheartgaveagreatthumpandI
　　thought，`Hemightbetherightone。’Andthen，whenAlonzocame，thumpwentmyheartagain。Sothat’snoguide，thoughitshouldbe，accordingtoallthenovelsI’veeverread。Now，Anne，YOURheartwouldn’tthumpforanybodybutthegenuinePrinceCharming，wouldit？
　　Theremustbesomethingradicallywrongwithmine。ButI’mhavingaperfectlygorgeoustime。HowIwishyouwerehere！It’ssnowingtoday，andI’mrapturous。Iwassoafraidwe’dhaveagreenChristmasandIloathethem。Youknow，whenChristmasisadirtygrayey-browneyaffair，lookingasifithadbeenleftoverahundredyearsagoandhadbeeninsoakeversince，itiscalledaGREENChristmas！
　　Don’taskmewhy。AsLordDundrearysays，`therearethomethingthnofellowcanunderthtand。’
　　"Anne，didyouevergetonastreetcarandthendiscoverthatyouhadn’tanymoneywithyoutopayyourfare？Idid，theotherday。
　　It’squiteawful。IhadanickelwithmewhenIgotonthecar。
　　Ithoughtitwasintheleftpocketofmycoat。WhenIgotsettleddowncomfortablyIfeltforit。Itwasn’tthere。
　　Ihadacoldchill。Ifeltintheotherpocket。Notthere。
　　Ihadanotherchill。ThenIfeltinalittleinsidepocket。
　　Allinvain。Ihadtwochillsatonce。
　　"Itookoffmygloves，laidthemontheseat，andwentoverallmypocketsagain。Itwasnotthere。Istoodupandshookmyself，andthenlookedonthefloor。Thecarwasfullofpeople，whoweregoinghomefromtheopera，andtheyallstaredatme，butIwaspastcaringforalittlethinglikethat。
　　"ButIcouldnotfindmyfare。IconcludedImusthaveputitinmymouthandswalloweditinadvertently。
　　"Ididn’tknowwhattodo。Wouldtheconductor，Iwondered，stopthecarandputmeoffinignominyandshame？WasitpossiblethatIcouldconvincehimthatIwasmerelythevictimofmyownabsentmindedness，andnotanunprincipledcreaturetryingtoobtainarideuponfalsepretenses？HowIwishedthatAlecorAlonzowerethere。Buttheyweren’tbecauseIwantedthem。
　　IfIHADN’Twantedthemtheywouldhavebeentherebythedozen。
　　AndIcouldn’tdecidewhattosaytotheconductorwhenhecamearound。AssoonasIgotonesentenceofexplanationmappedoutinmymindIfeltnobodycouldbelieveitandImustcomposeanother。ItseemedtherewasnothingtodobuttrustinProvidence，andforallthecomfortthatgavemeImightaswellhavebeentheoldladywho，whentoldbythecaptainduringastormthatshemustputhertrustintheAlmightyexclaimed，`Oh，Captain，isitasbadasthat？’
　　"Justattheconventionalmoment，whenallhopehadfled，andtheconductorwasholdingouthisboxtothepassengernexttome，IsuddenlyrememberedwhereIhadputthatwretchedcoinoftherealm。
　　Ihadn’tswalloweditafterall。Imeeklyfisheditoutoftheindexfingerofmygloveandpokeditinthebox。Ismiledateverybodyandfeltthatitwasabeautifulworld。"
　　ThevisittoEchoLodgewasnottheleastpleasantofmanypleasantholidayoutings。AnneandDianawentbacktoitbytheoldwayofthebeechwoods，carryingalunchbasketwiththem。