Annerousedherselffromherreveriewithahappysigh。
　　"Iwasthinkingoutmystory，Diana。"
　　"Oh，haveyoureallybegunit？"criedDiana，allalightwitheagerinterestinamoment。
　　"Yes，Ihaveonlyafewpageswritten，butIhaveitallprettywellthoughtout。I’vehadsuchatimetogetasuitableplot。
　　NoneoftheplotsthatsuggestedthemselvessuitedagirlnamedAVERIL。"
　　"Couldn’tyouhavechangedhername？"
　　"No，thethingwasimpossible。Itriedto，butIcouldn’tdoit，anymorethanIcouldchangeyours。AVERILwassorealtomethatnomatterwhatothernameItriedtogiveherIjustthoughtofherasAVERILbehinditall。ButfinallyIgotaplotthatmatchedher。Thencametheexcitementofchoosingnamesforallmycharacters。Youhavenoideahowfascinatingthatis。
　　I’velainawakeforhoursthinkingoverthosenames。Thehero’snameisPERCEVALDALRYMPLE。"
　　"HaveyounamedALLthecharacters？"askedDianawistfully。"Ifyouhadn’tIwasgoingtoaskyoutoletmenameone——justsomeunimportantperson。I’dfeelasifIhadashareinthestorythen。"
　　"YoumaynamethelittlehiredboywholivedwiththeLESTERS，"
　　concededAnne。"Heisnotveryimportant，butheistheonlyoneleftunnamed。"
　　"CallhimRAYMONDFITZOSBORNE，"suggestedDiana，whohadastoreofsuchnameslaidawayinhermemory，relicsoftheold"StoryClub，"whichsheandAnneandJaneAndrewsandRubyGillishadhadintheirschooldays。
　　Anneshookherheaddoubtfully。
　　"I’mafraidthatistooaristocraticanameforachoreboy，Diana。Icouldn’timagineaFitzosbornefeedingpigsandpickingupchips，couldyou？"
　　Dianadidn’tseewhy，ifyouhadanimaginationatall，youcouldn’tstretchittothatextent；butprobablyAnneknewbest，andthechoreboywasfinallychristenedROBERTRAY，tobecalledBOBBYshouldoccasionrequire。
　　"Howmuchdoyousupposeyou’llgetforit？"askedDiana。
　　ButAnnehadnotthoughtaboutthisatall。Shewasinpursuitoffame，notfilthylucre，andherliterarydreamswereasyetuntaintedbymercenaryconsiderations。
　　"You’llletmereadit，won’tyou？"pleadedDiana。
　　"WhenitisfinishedI’llreadittoyouandMr。Harrison，andI
　　shallwantyoutocriticizeitSEVERELY。Nooneelseshallseeituntilitispublished。"
　　"Howareyougoingtoendit——happilyorunhappily？"
　　"I’mnotsure。I’dlikeittoendunhappily，becausethatwouldbesomuchmoreromantic。ButIunderstandeditorshaveaprejudiceagainstsadendings。IheardProfessorHamiltonsayoncethatnobodybutageniusshouldtrytowriteanunhappyending。
　　And，"concludedAnnemodestly，"I’manythingbutagenius。"
　　"OhIlikehappyendingsbest。You’dbetterlethimmarryher，"
　　saidDiana，who，especiallysinceherengagementtoFred，thoughtthiswashoweverystoryshouldend。
　　"Butyouliketocryoverstories？"
　　"Oh，yes，inthemiddleofthem。ButIlikeeverythingtocomerightatlast。"
　　"Imusthaveonepatheticsceneinit，"saidAnnethoughtfully。
　　"ImightletROBERTRAYbeinjuredinanaccidentandhaveadeathscene。"
　　"No，youmustn’tkillBOBBYoff，"declaredDiana，laughing。
　　"HebelongstomeandIwanthimtoliveandflourish。Killsomebodyelseifyouhaveto。"
　　ForthenextfortnightAnnewrithedorreveled，accordingtomood，inherliterarypursuits。Nowshewouldbejubilantoverabrilliantidea，nowdespairingbecausesomecontrarycharacterwouldNOTbehaveproperly。Dianacouldnotunderstandthis。
　　"MAKEthemdoasyouwantthemto，"shesaid。
　　"Ican’t，"mournedAnne。"Averilissuchanunmanageableheroine。
　　SheWILLdoandsaythingsInevermeantherto。ThenthatspoilseverythingthatwentbeforeandIhavetowriteitalloveragain。"
　　Finally，however，thestorywasfinished，andAnnereadittoDianaintheseclusionoftheporchgable。Shehadachievedher"patheticscene"withoutsacrificingROBERTRAY，andshekeptawatchfuleyeonDianaasshereadit。Dianarosetotheoccasionandcriedproperly；but，whentheendcame，shelookedalittledisappointed。
　　"WhydidyoukillMAURICELENNOX？"sheaskedreproachfully。
　　"Hewasthevillain，"protestedAnne。"Hehadtobepunished。"
　　"Ilikehimbestofthemall，"saidunreasonableDiana。
　　"Well，he’sdead，andhe’llhavetostaydead，"saidAnne，ratherresentfully。"IfIhadlethimlivehe’dhavegoneonpersecutingAVERILandPERCEVAL。"
　　"Yes——unlessyouhadreformedhim。"
　　"Thatwouldn’thavebeenromantic，and，besides，itwouldhavemadethestorytoolong。"
　　"Well，anyway，it’saperfectlyelegantstory，Anne，andwillmakeyoufamous，ofthatI’msure。Haveyougotatitleforit？"
　　"Oh，Idecidedonthetitlelongago。IcallitAVERIL’S
　　ATONEMENT。Doesn’tthatsoundniceandalliterative？Now，Diana，tellmecandidly，doyouseeanyfaultsinmystory？"
　　"Well，"hesitatedDiana，"thatpartwhereAVERILmakesthecakedoesn’tseemtomequiteromanticenoughtomatchtherest。It’sjustwhatanybodymightdo。Heroinesshouldn’tdocooking，_I_think。"
　　"Why，thatiswherethehumorcomesin，andit’soneofthebestpartsofthewholestory，"saidAnne。Anditmaybestatedthatinthisshewasquiteright。
　　Dianaprudentlyrefrainedfromanyfurthercriticism，butMr。Harrisonwasmuchhardertoplease。Firsthetoldhertherewasentirelytoomuchdescriptioninthestory。
　　"Cutoutallthoseflowerypassages，"hesaidunfeelingly。
　　AnnehadanuncomfortableconvictionthatMr。Harrisonwasright，andsheforcedherselftoexpungemostofherbeloveddescriptions，thoughittookthreere-writingsbeforethestorycouldbepruneddowntopleasethefastidiousMr。Harrison。
　　"I’veleftoutALLthedescriptionsbutthesunset，"shesaidatlast。
　　"IsimplyCOULDN’Tletitgo。Itwasthebestofthemall。"
　　"Ithasn’tanythingtodowiththestory，"saidMr。Harrison，"andyoushouldn’thavelaidthesceneamongrichcitypeople。
　　Whatdoyouknowofthem？Whydidn’tyoulayitrighthereinAvonlea——changingthename，ofcourse，orelseMrs。RachelLyndewouldprobablythinkshewastheheroine。"
　　"Oh，thatwouldneverhavedone，"protestedAnne。"Avonleaisthedearestplaceintheworld，butitisn’tquiteromanticenoughforthesceneofastory。"
　　"Idaresaythere’sbeenmanyaromanceinAvonlea——andmanyatragedy，too，"saidMr。Harrisondrily。"Butyourfolksain’tlikerealfolksanywhere。Theytalktoomuchandusetoohigh-flownlanguage。There’soneplacewherethatDALRYMPLEchaptalksevenonfortwopages，andneverletsthegirlgetawordinedgewise。Ifhe’ddonethatinreallifeshe’dhavepitchedhim。"
　　"Idon’tbelieveit，"saidAnneflatly。Inhersecretsoulshethoughtthatthebeautiful，poeticalthingssaidtoAVERILwouldwinanygirl’sheartcompletely。Besides，itwasgruesometohearofAVERIL，thestately，queen-likeAVERIL，"pitching"anyone。
　　AVERIL"declinedhersuitors。"
　　"Anyhow，"resumedthemercilessMr。Harrison，"Idon’tseewhyMAURICELENNOXdidn’tgether。Hewastwicethemantheotheris。
　　Hedidbadthings，buthedidthem。Percevalhadn’ttimeforanythingbutmooning。"
　　"Mooning。"Thatwasevenworsethan"pitching！"
　　"MAURICELENNOXwasthevillain，"saidAnneindignantly。
　　"Idon’tseewhyeveryonelikeshimbetterthanPERCEVAL。"
　　"Percevalistoogood。He’saggravating。Nexttimeyouwriteaboutaheroputalittlespiceofhumannatureinhim。"
　　"AVERILcouldn’thavemarriedMAURICE。Hewasbad。"
　　"She’dhavereformedhim。Youcanreformaman；youcan’treformajelly-fish，ofcourse。Yourstoryisn’tbad——it’skindofinteresting，I’lladmit。Butyou’retooyoungtowriteastorythatwouldbeworthwhile。Waittenyears。"
　　Annemadeuphermindthatthenexttimeshewroteastoryshewouldn’taskanybodytocriticizeit。Itwastoodiscouraging。
　　ShewouldnotreadthestorytoGilbert，althoughshetoldhimaboutit。
　　"Ifitisasuccessyou’llseeitwhenitispublished，Gilbert，butifitisafailurenobodyshalleverseeit。"
　　Marillaknewnothingabouttheventure。InimaginationAnnesawherselfreadingastoryoutofamagazinetoMarilla，entrappingherintopraiseofit——forinimaginationallthingsarepossible——andthentriumphantlyannouncingherselftheauthor。
　　OnedayAnnetooktothePostOfficealong，bulkyenvelope，addressed，withthedelightfulconfidenceofyouthandinexperience，totheverybiggestofthe"big"magazines。
　　DianawasasexcitedoveritasAnneherself。
　　"Howlongdoyousupposeitwillbebeforeyouhearfromit？"
　　sheasked。
　　"Itshouldn’tbelongerthanafortnight。Oh，howhappyandproudIshallbeifitisaccepted！"
　　"Ofcourseitwillbeaccepted，andtheywilllikelyaskyoutosendthemmore。YoumaybeasfamousasMrs。Morgansomeday，Anne，andthenhowproudI’llbeofknowingyou，"saidDiana，whopossessed，atleast，thestrikingmeritofanunselfishadmirationofthegiftsandgracesofherfriends。
　　Aweekofdelightfuldreamingfollowed，andthencameabitterawakening。
　　OneeveningDianafoundAnneintheporchgable，withsuspicious-lookingeyes。Onthetablelayalongenvelopeandacrumpledmanuscript。
　　"Anne，yourstoryhasn’tcomeback？"criedDianaincredulously。
　　"Yes，ithas，"saidAnneshortly。
　　"Well，thateditormustbecrazy。Whatreasondidhegive？"
　　"Noreasonatall。Thereisjustaprintedslipsayingthatitwasn’tfoundacceptable。"
　　"Ineverthoughtmuchofthatmagazine，anyway，"saidDianahotly。
　　"ThestoriesinitarenothalfasinterestingasthoseintheCanadianWoman，althoughitcostssomuchmore。Isupposetheeditorisprejudicedagainstanyonewhoisn’taYankee。
　　Don’tbediscouraged，Anne。RememberhowMrs。Morgan’sstoriescameback。SendyourstotheCanadianWoman。"
　　"IbelieveIwill，"saidAnne，pluckingupheart。"AndifitispublishedI’llsendthatAmericaneditoramarkedcopy。ButI’llcutthesunsetout。IbelieveMr。Harrisonwasright。"
　　Outcamethesunset；butinspiteofthisheroicmutilationtheeditoroftheCanadianWomansentAveril’sAtonementbacksopromptlythattheindignantDianadeclaredthatitcouldn’thavebeenreadatall，andvowedshewasgoingtostophersubscriptionimmediately。Annetookthissecondrejectionwiththecalmnessofdespair。ShelockedthestoryawayinthegarrettrunkwheretheoldStoryClubtalesreposed；butfirstsheyieldedtoDiana’sentreatiesandgaveheracopy。
　　"Thisistheendofmyliteraryambitions，"shesaidbitterly。
　　ShenevermentionedthemattertoMr。Harrison，butoneeveningheaskedherbluntlyifherstoryhadbeenaccepted。
　　"No，theeditorwouldn’ttakeit，"sheansweredbriefly。
　　Mr。Harrisonlookedsidewiseattheflushed，delicateprofile。
　　"Well，Isupposeyou’llkeeponwritingthem，"hesaidencouragingly。
　　"No，Ishallnevertrytowriteastoryagain，"declaredAnne，withthehopelessfinalityofnineteenwhenadoorisshutinitsface。
　　"Iwouldn’tgiveupaltogether，"saidMr。Harrisonreflectively。"I’dwriteastoryonceinawhile，butIwouldn’tpestereditorswithit。
　　I’dwriteofpeopleandplaceslikeIknew，andI’dmakemycharacterstalkeverydayEnglish；andI’dletthesunriseandsetintheusualquietwaywithoutmuchfussoverthefact。IfIhadtohavevillainsatall，I’dgivethemachance，Anne——I’dgivethemachance。
　　Therearesometerriblebadmenintheworld，Isuppose，butyou’dhavetogoalongpiecetofindthem——thoughMrs。Lyndebelieveswe’reallbad。Butmostofushavegotalittledecencysomewhereinus。
　　Keeponwriting，Anne。"
　　"No。Itwasveryfoolishofmetoattemptit。WhenI’mthroughRedmondI’llsticktoteaching。Icanteach。Ican’twritestories。"
　　"It’llbetimeforyoutobegettingahusbandwhenyou’rethroughRedmond，"saidMr。Harrison。"Idon’tbelieveinputtingmarryingofftoolong——likeIdid。"
　　Annegotupandmarchedhome。ThereweretimeswhenMr。Harrisonwasreallyintolerable。"Pitching，""mooning，"and"gettingahusband。"Ow！！
　　ChapterXIII
　　TheWayofTransgressorsDavyandDorawerereadyforSundaySchool。Theyweregoingalone，whichdidnotoftenhappen，forMrs。LyndealwaysattendedSundaySchool。
　　ButMrs。Lyndehadtwistedherankleandwaslame，soshewasstayinghomethismorning。Thetwinswerealsotorepresentthefamilyatchurch，forAnnehadgoneawaytheeveningbeforetospendSundaywithfriendsinCarmody，andMarillahadoneofherheadaches。
　　Davycamedownstairsslowly。Dorawaswaitinginthehallforhim，havingbeenmadereadybyMrs。Lynde。Davyhadattendedtohisownpreparations。
　　HehadacentinhispocketfortheSundaySchoolcollection，andafive-centpieceforthechurchcollection；hecarriedhisBibleinonehandandhisSundaySchoolquarterlyintheother；heknewhislessonandhisGoldenTextandhiscatechismquestionperfectly。Hadhenotstudiedthem——perforce——inMrs。Lynde’skitchen，alllastSundayafternoon？Davy，therefore，shouldhavebeeninaplacidframeofmind。Asamatteroffact，despitetextandcatechism，hewasinwardlyasaraveningwolf。
　　Mrs。LyndelimpedoutofherkitchenashejoinedDora。
　　"Areyouclean？"shedemandedseverely。
　　"Yes——allofmethatshows，"Davyansweredwithadefiantscowl。
　　Mrs。Rachelsighed。ShehadhersuspicionsaboutDavy’sneckandears。ButsheknewthatifsheattemptedtomakeapersonalexaminationDavywouldlikelytaketohisheelsandshecouldnotpursuehimtoday。
　　"Well，besureyoubehaveyourselves，"shewarnedthem。"Don’twalkinthedust。Don’tstopintheporchtotalktotheotherchildren。
　　Don’tsquirmorwriggleinyourplaces。Don’tforgettheGoldenText。
　　Don’tloseyourcollectionorforgettoputitin。Don’twhisperatprayertime，anddon’tforgettopayattentiontothesermon。"
　　Davydeignednoresponse。Hemarchedawaydownthelane，followedbythemeekDora。Buthissoulseethedwithin。
　　Davyhadsuffered，orthoughthehadsuffered，manythingsatthehandsandtongueofMrs。RachelLyndesinceshehadcometoGreenGables，forMrs。Lyndecouldnotlivewithanybody，whethertheywerenineorninety，withouttryingtobringthemupproperly。
　　AnditwasonlytheprecedingafternoonthatshehadinterferedtoinfluenceMarillaagainstallowingDavytogofishingwiththeTimothyCottons。Davywasstillboilingoverthis。
　　AssoonashewasoutofthelaneDavystoppedandtwistedhiscountenanceintosuchanunearthlyandterrificcontortionthatDora，althoughsheknewhisgiftsinthatrespect，washonestlyalarmedlestheshouldneverintheworldbeabletogetitstraightenedoutagain。
　　"Darnher，"explodedDavy。
　　"Oh，Davy，don’tswear，"gaspedDoraindismay。
　　"`Darn’isn’tswearing——notrealswearing。AndIdon’tcareifitis，"retortedDavyrecklessly。
　　"Well，ifyouMUSTsaydreadfulwordsdon’tsaythemonSunday，"pleadedDora。
　　Davywasasyetfarfromrepentance，butinhissecretsoulhefeltthat，perhaps，hehadgonealittletoofar。
　　"I’mgoingtoinventaswearwordofmyown，"hedeclared。
　　"Godwillpunishyouifyoudo，"saidDorasolemnly。
　　"ThenIthinkGodisameanoldscamp，"retortedDavy。"Doesn’tHeknowafellowmusthavesomewayof’spressinghisfeelings？"
　　"Davy！！！"saidDora。SheexpectedthatDavywouldbestruckdowndeadonthespot。Butnothinghappened。
　　"Anyway，Iain’tgoingtostandanymoreofMrs。Lynde’sbossing，"
　　splutteredDavy。"AnneandMarillamayhavetherighttobossme，butSHEhasn’t。I’mgoingtodoeverysinglethingshetoldmenottodo。
　　Youwatchme。"
　　Ingrim，deliberatesilence，whileDorawatchedhimwiththefascinationofhorror，Davysteppedoffthegreengrassoftheroadside，ankledeepintothefinedustwhichfourweeksofrainlessweatherhadmadeontheroad，andmarchedalonginit，shufflinghisfeetviciouslyuntilhewasenvelopedinahazycloud。
　　"That’sthebeginning，"heannouncedtriumphantly。"AndI’mgoingtostopintheporchandtalkaslongasthere’sanybodytheretotalkto。I’mgoingtosquirmandwriggleandwhisper，andI’mgoingtosayIdon’tknowtheGoldenText。AndI’mgoingtothrowawaybothofmycollectionsRIGHTNOW。"
　　AndDavyhurledcentandnickeloverMr。Barry’sfencewithfiercedelight。
　　"Satanmadeyoudothat，"saidDorareproachfully。
　　"Hedidn’t，"criedDavyindignantly。"Ijustthoughtitoutformyself。
　　AndI’vethoughtofsomethingelse。I’mnotgoingtoSundaySchoolorchurchatall。I’mgoinguptoplaywiththeCottons。Theytoldmeyesterdaytheyweren’tgoingtoSundaySchooltoday，’causetheirmotherwasawayandtherewasnobodytomakethem。Comealong，Dora，we’llhaveagreattime。"
　　"Idon’twanttogo，"protestedDora。
　　"You’vegotto，"saidDavy。"Ifyoudon’tcomeI’lltellMarillathatFrankBellkissedyouinschoollastMonday。"
　　"Icouldn’thelpit。Ididn’tknowhewasgoingto，"criedDora，blushingscarlet。
　　"Well，youdidn’tslaphimorseemabitcross，"retortedDavy。
　　"I’lltellherTHAT，too，ifyoudon’tcome。We’lltaketheshortcutupthisfield。"
　　"I’mafraidofthosecows，"protestedpoorDora，seeingaprospectofescape。
　　"Theveryideaofyourbeingscaredofthosecows，"scoffedDavy。
　　"Why，they’rebothyoungerthanyou。"
　　"They’rebigger，"saidDora。
　　"Theywon’thurtyou。Comealong，now。Thisisgreat。WhenI
　　growupIain’tgoingtobothergoingtochurchatall。I
　　believeIcangettoheavenbymyself。"
　　"You’llgototheotherplaceifyoubreaktheSabbathday，"
　　saidunhappyDora，followinghimsorelyagainstherwill。
　　ButDavywasnotscared——yet。Hellwasveryfaroff，andthedelightsofafishingexpeditionwiththeCottonswereverynear。
　　HewishedDorahadmorespunk。Shekeptlookingbackasifsheweregoingtocryeveryminute，andthatspoiledafellow’sfun。
　　Hanggirls，anyway。Davydidnotsay"darn"thistime，eveninthought。
　　Hewasnotsorry——yet——thathehadsaiditonce，butitmightbeaswellnottotempttheUnknownPowerstoofarononeday。
　　ThesmallCottonswereplayingintheirbackyard，andhailedDavy’sappearancewithwhoopsofdelight。Pete，Tommy，Adolphus，andMirabelCottonwereallalone。Theirmotherandoldersisterswereaway。DorawasthankfulMirabelwasthere，atleast。
　　Shehadbeenafraidshewouldbealoneinacrowdofboys。Mirabelwasalmostasbadasaboy——shewassonoisyandsunburnedandreckless。
　　Butatleastsheworedresses。
　　"We’vecometogofishing，"announcedDavy。
　　"Whoop，"yelledtheCottons。Theyrushedawaytodigwormsatonce，Mirabelleadingthevanwithatincan。Doracouldhavesatdownandcried。Oh，ifonlythathatefulFrankBellhadneverkissedher！
　　ThenshecouldhavedefiedDavy，andgonetoherbelovedSundaySchool。
　　Theydarednot，ofcourse，gofishingonthepond，wheretheywouldbeseenbypeoplegoingtochurch。TheyhadtoresorttothebrookinthewoodsbehindtheCottonhouse。Butitwasfulloftrout，andtheyhadaglorioustimethatmorning——atleasttheCottonscertainlyhad，andDavyseemedtohaveit。Notbeingentirelybereftofprudence，hehaddiscardedbootsandstockingsandborrowedTommyCotton’soveralls。Thusaccoutered，bogandmarshandundergrowthhadnoterrorsforhim。Dorawasfranklyandmanifestlymiserable。Shefollowedtheothersintheirperegrinationsfrompooltopool，claspingherBibleandquarterlytightlyandthinkingwithbitternessofsoulofherbelovedclasswheresheshouldbesittingthatverymoment，beforeateachersheadored。Instead，hereshewasroamingthewoodswiththosehalf-wildCottons，tryingtokeepherbootscleanandherprettywhitedressfreefromrentsandstains。MirabelhadofferedtheloanofanapronbutDorahadscornfullyrefused。
　　ThetroutbitastheyalwaysdoonSundays。Inanhourthetransgressorshadallthefishtheywanted，sotheyreturnedtothehouse，muchtoDora’srelief。Shesatprimlyonahencoopintheyardwhiletheothersplayedanuproariousgameoftag；andthentheyallclimbedtothetopofthepig-houseroofandcuttheirinitialsonthesaddleboard。Theflat-roofedhenhouseandapileofstrawbeneathgaveDavyanotherinspiration。Theyspentasplendidhalfhourclimbingontheroofanddivingoffintothestrawwithwhoopsandyells。
　　Butevenunlawfulpleasuresmustcometoanend。WhentherumbleofwheelsoverthepondbridgetoldthatpeopleweregoinghomefromchurchDavyknewtheymustgo。HediscardedTommy’soveralls，resumedhisownrightfulattire，andturnedawayfromhisstringoftroutwithasigh。Nousetothinkoftakingthemhome。
　　"Well，hadn’tweasplendidtime？"hedemandeddefiantly，astheywentdownthehillfield。
　　"Ihadn’t，"saidDoraflatly。"AndIdon’tbelieveyouhad——
　　really——either，"sheadded，withaflashofinsightthatwasnottobeexpectedofher。
　　"Ihadso，"criedDavy，butinthevoiceofonewhodothprotesttoomuch。
　　"Nowonderyouhadn’t——justsittingtherelikea——likeamule。"
　　"Iain’tgoingto，’sociatewiththeCottons，"saidDoraloftily。
　　"TheCottonsareallright，"retortedDavy。"Andtheyhavefarbettertimesthanwehave。Theydojustastheypleaseandsayjustwhattheylikebeforeeverybody。_I_’mgoingtodothat，too，afterthis。"
　　"Therearelotsofthingsyouwouldn’tdaresaybeforeeverybody，"
　　averredDora。
　　"No，thereisn’t。"
　　"Thereis，too。Wouldyou，"demandedDoragravely，"wouldyousay`tomcat’beforetheminister？"
　　Thiswasastaggerer。Davywasnotpreparedforsuchaconcreteexampleofthefreedomofspeech。ButonedidnothavetobeconsistentwithDora。
　　"Ofcoursenot，"headmittedsulkily。
　　"`Tomcat’isn’taholyword。Iwouldn’tmentionsuchananimalbeforeaministeratall。"
　　"Butifyouhadto？"persistedDora。
　　"I’dcallitaThomaspussy，"saidDavy。
　　"_I_think`gentlemancat’wouldbemorepolite，"reflectedDora。
　　"YOUthinking！"retortedDavywithwitheringscorn。
　　Davywasnotfeelingcomfortable，thoughhewouldhavediedbeforeheadmittedittoDora。Nowthattheexhilarationoftruantdelightshaddiedaway，hisconsciencewasbeginningtogivehimsalutarytwinges。Afterall，perhapsitwouldhavebeenbettertohavegonetoSundaySchoolandchurch。Mrs。Lyndemightbebossy；buttherewasalwaysaboxofcookiesinherkitchencupboardandshewasnotstingy。AtthisinconvenientmomentDavyrememberedthatwhenhehadtornhisnewschoolpantstheweekbefore，Mrs。LyndehadmendedthembeautifullyandneversaidawordtoMarillaaboutthem。
　　ButDavy’scupofiniquitywasnotyetfull。Hewastodiscoverthatonesindemandsanothertocoverit。TheyhaddinnerwithMrs。Lyndethatday，andthefirstthingsheaskedDavywas，"WereallyourclassinSundaySchooltoday？"
　　"Yes’m，"saidDavywithagulp。"Allwerethere——’ceptone。"
　　"DidyousayyourGoldenTextandcatechism？"
　　"Yes’m。"
　　"Didyouputyourcollectionin？"
　　"Yes’m。"
　　"WasMrs。MalcolmMacPhersoninchurch？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"This，atleast，wasthetruth，thoughtwretchedDavy。
　　"WastheLadies’Aidannouncedfornextweek？"
　　"Yes’m"——quakingly。
　　"Wasprayer-meeting？"
　　"I——Idon’tknow。"
　　"YOUshouldknow。Youshouldlistenmoreattentivelytotheannouncements。
　　WhatwasMr。Harvey’stext？"
　　Davytookafranticgulpofwaterandswalloweditandthelastprotestofconsciencetogether。HegliblyrecitedanoldGoldenTextlearnedseveralweeksago。FortunatelyMrs。Lyndenowstoppedquestioninghim；butDavydidnotenjoyhisdinner。
　　Hecouldonlyeatonehelpingofpudding。
　　"What’sthematterwithyou？"demandedjustlyastonishedMrs。Lynde。
　　"Areyousick？"
　　"No，"mutteredDavy。
　　"Youlookpale。You’dbetterkeepoutofthesunthisafternoon，"
　　admonishedMrs。Lynde。
　　"DoyouknowhowmanyliesyoutoldMrs。Lynde？"askedDorareproachfully，assoonastheywerealoneafterdinner。
　　Davy，goadedtodesperation，turnedfiercely。
　　"Idon’tknowandIdon’tcare，"hesaid。"Youjustshutup，DoraKeith。"
　　ThenpoorDavybetookhimselftoasecludedretreatbehindthewoodpiletothinkoverthewayoftransgressors。
　　GreenGableswaswrappedindarknessandsilencewhenAnnereachedhome。Shelostnotimegoingtobed，forshewasverytiredandsleepy。TherehadbeenseveralAvonleajollificationstheprecedingweek，involvingratherlatehours。Anne’sheadwashardlyonherpillowbeforeshewashalfasleep；butjustthenherdoorwassoftlyopenedandapleadingvoicesaid，"Anne。"
　　Annesatupdrowsily。
　　"Davy，isthatyou？Whatisthematter？"
　　Awhite-cladfigureflungitselfacrossthefloorandontothebed。
　　"Anne，"sobbedDavy，gettinghisarmsaboutherneck。"I’mawfulgladyou’rehome。Icouldn’tgotosleeptillI’dtoldsomebody。"
　　"Toldsomebodywhat？"
　　"Howmis’rubulIam。"
　　"Whyareyoumiserable，dear？"
　　"’CauseIwassobadtoday，Anne。Oh，Iwasawfulbad——
　　badder’nI’veeverbeenyet。"
　　"Whatdidyoudo？"
　　"Oh，I’mafraidtotellyou。You’llneverlikemeagain，Anne。
　　Icouldn’tsaymyprayerstonight。Icouldn’ttellGodwhatI’ddone。Iwas’shamedtohaveHimknow。"
　　"ButHeknewanyway，Davy。"
　　"That’swhatDorasaid。ButIthoughtp’rapsHemightn’thavenoticedjustatthetime。Anyway，I’drathertellyoufirst。"
　　"WHATisityoudid？"
　　Outitallcameinarush。
　　"IrunawayfromSundaySchool——andwentfishingwiththeCottons——andItoldeversomanywhopperstoMrs。Lynde——oh！
　　’mosthalfadozen——and——and——I——Isaidaswearword，Anne——aprettynearswearword，anyhow——andIcalledGodnames。"
　　Therewassilence。Davydidn’tknowwhattomakeofit。WasAnnesoshockedthatsheneverwouldspeaktohimagain？
　　"Anne，whatareyougoingtodotome？"hewhispered。
　　"Nothing，dear。You’vebeenpunishedalready，Ithink。"
　　"No，Ihaven’t。Nothing’sbeendonetome。"
　　"You’vebeenveryunhappyeversinceyoudidwrong，haven’tyou？"
　　"Youbet！"saidDavyemphatically。
　　"Thatwasyourconsciencepunishingyou，Davy。"
　　"What’smyconscience？Iwanttoknow。"
　　"It’ssomethinginyou，Davy，thatalwaystellsyouwhenyouaredoingwrongandmakesyouunhappyifyoupersistindoingit。
　　Haven’tyounoticedthat？"
　　"Yes，butIdidn’tknowwhatitwas。IwishIdidn’thaveit。
　　I’dhavelotsmorefun。Whereismyconscience，Anne？Iwanttoknow。
　　Isitinmystomach？"
　　"No，it’sinyoursoul，"answeredAnne，thankfulforthedarkness，sincegravitymustbepreservedinseriousmatters。
　　"Is’poseIcan’tgetclearofitthen，"saidDavywithasigh。
　　"AreyougoingtotellMarillaandMrs。Lyndeonme，Anne？"
　　"No，dear，I’mnotgoingtotellanyone。Youaresorryyouwerenaughty，aren’tyou？"
　　"Youbet！"
　　"Andyou’llneverbebadlikethatagain。"
　　"No，but——"addedDavycautiously，"Imightbebadsomeotherway。"
　　"Youwon’tsaynaughtywords，orrunawayonSundays，ortellfalsehoodstocoverupyoursins？"
　　"No。Itdoesn’tpay，"saidDavy。
　　"Well，Davy，justtellGodyouaresorryandaskHimtoforgiveyou。"
　　"HaveYOUforgivenme，Anne？"
　　"Yes，dear。"
　　"Then，"saidDavyjoyously，"Idon’tcaremuchwhetherGoddoesornot。"
　　"Davy！"
　　"Oh——I’llaskHim——I’llaskHim，"saidDavyquickly，scramblingoffthebed，convincedbyAnne’stonethathemusthavesaidsomethingdreadful。"Idon’tmindaskingHim，Anne——
　　Please，God，I’mawfulsorryIbehavedbadtodayandI’lltrytobegoodonSundaysalwaysandpleaseforgiveme——
　　Therenow，Anne。"
　　"Well，now，runofftobedlikeagoodboy。"
　　"Allright。Say，Idon’tfeelmis’rubulanymore。Ifeelfine。
　　Goodnight。"
　　"Goodnight。"
　　Anneslippeddownonherpillowswithasighofrelief。Oh——
　　howsleepy——shewas！Inanothersecond——
　　"Anne！"Davywasbackagainbyherbed。Annedraggedhereyesopen。
　　"Whatisitnow，dear？"sheasked，tryingtokeepanoteofimpatienceoutofhervoice。
　　"Anne，haveyouevernoticedhowMr。Harrisonspits？Doyous’pose，ifIpracticehard，Icanlearntospitjustlikehim？"
　　Annesatup。
　　"DavyKeith，"shesaid，"gostraighttoyourbedanddon’tletmecatchyououtofitagaintonight！Go，now！"
　　Davywent，andstoodnotupontheorderofhisgoing。
　　ChapterXIV
　　TheSummonsAnnewassittingwithRubyGillisintheGillis’gardenafterthedayhadcreptlingeringlythroughitandwasgone。Ithadbeenawarm，smokysummerafternoon。Theworldwasinasplendorofout-flowering。
　　Theidlevalleyswerefullofhazes。Thewoodwayswereprankedwithshadowsandthefieldswiththepurpleoftheasters。
　　AnnehadgivenupamoonlightdrivetotheWhiteSandsbeachthatshemightspendtheeveningwithRuby。Shehadsospentmanyeveningsthatsummer，althoughsheoftenwonderedwhatgooditdidanyone，andsometimeswenthomedecidingthatshecouldnotgoagain。
　　Rubygrewpalerasthesummerwaned；theWhiteSandsschoolwasgivenup——"herfatherthoughtitbetterthatsheshouldn’tteachtillNewYear’s"——andthefancyworkshelovedoftenerandoftenerfellfromhandsgrowntoowearyforit。Butshewasalwaysgay，alwayshopeful，alwayschatteringandwhisperingofherbeaux，andtheirrivalriesanddespairs。ItwasthisthatmadeAnne’svisitshardforher。Whathadoncebeensillyoramusingwasgruesome，now；itwasdeathpeeringthroughawilfulmaskoflife。YetRubyseemedtoclingtoher，andneverlethergountilshehadpromisedtocomeagainsoon。Mrs。LyndegrumbledaboutAnne’sfrequentvisits，anddeclaredshewouldcatchconsumption；evenMarillawasdubious。
　　"EverytimeyougotoseeRubyyoucomehomelookingtiredout，"
　　shesaid。
　　"It’ssoverysadanddreadful，"saidAnneinalowtone。"Rubydoesn’tseemtorealizeherconditionintheleast。AndyetI
　　somehowfeelsheneedshelp——cravesit——andIwanttogiveittoherandcan’t。AllthetimeI’mwithherIfeelasifIwerewatchingherstrugglewithaninvisiblefoe——tryingtopushitbackwithsuchfeebleresistanceasshehas。ThatiswhyIcomehometired。"
　　ButtonightAnnedidnotfeelthissokeenly。Rubywasstrangelyquiet。Shesaidnotawordaboutpartiesanddrivesanddressesand"fellows。"Shelayinthehammock，withheruntouchedworkbesideher，andawhiteshawlwrappedaboutherthinshoulders。
　　Herlongyellowbraidsofhair——howAnnehadenviedthosebeautifulbraidsinoldschooldays！——layoneithersideofher。
　　Shehadtakenthepinsout——theymadeherheadache，shesaid。
　　Thehecticflushwasgoneforthetime，leavingherpaleandchildlike。
　　Themoonroseinthesilverysky，empearlingthecloudsaroundher。Below，thepondshimmeredinitshazyradiance。
　　JustbeyondtheGillishomesteadwasthechurch，withtheoldgraveyardbesideit。Themoonlightshoneonthewhitestones，bringingthemoutinclear-cutreliefagainstthedarktreesbehind。
　　"Howstrangethegraveyardlooksbymoonlight！"saidRubysuddenly。
　　"Howghostly！"sheshuddered。"Anne，itwon’tbelongnowbeforeI’llbelyingoverthere。YouandDianaandalltherestwillbegoingabout，fulloflife——andI’llbethere——intheoldgraveyard——dead！"
　　ThesurpriseofitbewilderedAnne。Forafewmomentsshecouldnotspeak。
　　"Youknowit’sso，don’tyou？"saidRubyinsistently。
　　"Yes，Iknow，"answeredAnneinalowtone。"DearRuby，Iknow。"
　　"Everybodyknowsit，"saidRubybitterly。"Iknowit——I’veknownitallsummer，thoughIwouldn’tgivein。And，oh，Anne"——
　　shereachedoutandcaughtAnne’shandpleadingly，impulsively——"Idon’twanttodie。I’mAFRAIDtodie。"
　　"Whyshouldyoubeafraid，Ruby？"askedAnnequietly。
　　"Because——because——oh，I’mnotafraidbutthatI’llgotoheaven，Anne。I’machurchmember。But——it’llbeallsodifferent。Ithink——andthink——andIgetsofrightened——
　　and——and——homesick。Heavenmustbeverybeautiful，ofcourse，theBiblesaysso——but，Anne，ITWON’TBEWHATI’VEBEENUSEDTO。"
　　ThroughAnne’sminddriftedanintrusiverecollectionofafunnystoryshehadheardPhilippaGordontell——thestoryofsomeoldmanwhohadsaidverymuchthesamethingabouttheworldtocome。
　　Ithadsoundedfunnythen——sherememberedhowsheandPriscillahadlaughedoverit。Butitdidnotseemintheleasthumorousnow，comingfromRuby’spale，tremblinglips。
　　Itwassad，tragic——andtrue！HeavencouldnotbewhatRubyhadbeenusedto。Therehadbeennothinginhergay，frivolouslife，hershallowidealsandaspirations，tofitherforthatgreatchange，ormakethelifetocomeseemtoheranythingbutalienandunrealandundesirable。Annewonderedhelplesslywhatshecouldsaythatwouldhelpher。Couldshesayanything？"Ithink，Ruby，"
　　shebeganhesitatingly——foritwasdifficultforAnnetospeaktoanyoneofthedeepestthoughtsofherheart，orthenewideasthathadvaguelybeguntoshapethemselvesinhermind，concerningthegreatmysteriesoflifehereandhereafter，supersedingheroldchildishconceptions，anditwashardestofalltospeakofthemtosuchasRubyGillis——"Ithink，perhaps，wehaveverymistakenideasaboutheaven——whatitisandwhatitholdsforus。Idon’tthinkitcanbesoverydifferentfromlifehereasmostpeopleseemtothink。Ibelievewe’lljustgoonliving，agooddealaswelivehere——andbeOURSELVESjustthesame——onlyitwillbeeasiertobegoodandto——followthehighest。Allthehindrancesandperplexitieswillbetakenaway，andweshallseeclearly。Don’tbeafraid，Ruby。"
　　"Ican’thelpit，"saidRubypitifully。"Evenifwhatyousayaboutheavenistrue——andyoucan’tbesure——itmaybeonlythatimaginationofyours——itwon’tbeJUSTthesame。ItCAN’Tbe。
　　IwanttogoonlivingHERE。I’msoyoung，Anne。Ihaven’thadmylife。I’vefoughtsohardtolive——anditisn’tanyuse——Ihavetodie——andleaveEVERYTHINGIcarefor。"Annesatinapainthatwasalmostintolerable。Shecouldnottellcomfortingfalsehoods；andallthatRubysaidwassohorriblytrue。SheWASleavingeverythingshecaredfor。Shehadlaiduphertreasuresonearthonly；shehadlivedsolelyforthelittlethingsoflife——thethingsthatpass——forgettingthegreatthingsthatgoonwardintoeternity，bridgingthegulfbetweenthetwolivesandmakingofdeathamerepassingfromonedwellingtotheother——fromtwilighttouncloudedday。Godwouldtakecareofherthere——Annebelieved——shewouldlearn——butnowitwasnowonderhersoulclung，inblindhelplessness，totheonlythingssheknewandloved。
　　Rubyraisedherselfonherarmandliftedupherbright，beautifulblueeyestothemoonlitskies。
　　"Iwanttolive，"shesaid，inatremblingvoice。"Iwanttolivelikeothergirls。I——Iwanttobemarried，Anne——and——
　　and——havelittlechildren。YouknowIalwayslovedbabies，Anne。
　　Icouldn’tsaythistoanyonebutyou。Iknowyouunderstand。
　　AndthenpoorHerb——he——helovesmeandIlovehim，Anne。
　　Theothersmeantnothingtome，butHEdoes——andifIcouldliveIwouldbehiswifeandbesohappy。Oh，Anne，it’shard。"
　　Rubysankbackonherpillowsandsobbedconvulsively。Annepressedherhandinanagonyofsympathy——silentsympathy，whichperhapshelpedRubymorethanbroken，imperfectwordscouldhavedone；forpresentlyshegrewcalmerandhersobsceased。
　　"I’mgladI’vetoldyouthis，Anne，"shewhispered。"Ithashelpedmejusttosayitallout。I’vewantedtoallsummer——
　　everytimeyoucame。Iwantedtotalkitoverwithyou——butICOULDN’T。ItseemedasifitwouldmakedeathsoSUREifI
　　SAIDIwasgoingtodie，orifanyoneelsesaiditorhintedit。
　　Iwouldn’tsayit，oreventhinkit。Inthedaytime，whenpeoplewerearoundmeandeverythingwascheerful，itwasn’tsohardtokeepfromthinkingofit。Butinthenight，whenIcouldn’tsleep——itwassodreadful，Anne。Icouldn’tgetawayfromitthen。
　　Deathjustcameandstaredmeintheface，untilIgotsofrightenedIcouldhavescreamed。
　　"Butyouwon’tbefrightenedanymore，Ruby，willyou？You’llbebrave，andbelievethatallisgoingtobewellwithyou。"
　　"I’lltry。I’llthinkoverwhatyouhavesaid，andtrytobelieveit。
　　Andyou’llcomeupasoftenasyoucan，won’tyou，Anne？"
　　"Yes，dear。"
　　"It——itwon’tbeverylongnow，Anne。Ifeelsureofthat。
　　AndI’dratherhaveyouthananyoneelse。IalwayslikedyoubestofallthegirlsIwenttoschoolwith。Youwereneverjealous，ormean，likesomeofthemwere。PoorEmWhitewasuptoseemeyesterday。YourememberEmandIweresuchchumsforthreeyearswhenwewenttoschool？Andthenwequarrelledthetimeoftheschoolconcert。We’veneverspokentoeachothersince。Wasn’titsilly？AnythinglikethatseemssillyNOW。
　　ButEmandImadeuptheoldquarrelyesterday。Shesaidshe’dhavespokenyearsago，onlyshethoughtIwouldn’t。AndIneverspoketoherbecauseIwassureshewouldn’tspeaktome。Isn’titstrangehowpeoplemisunderstandeachother，Anne？"
　　"Mostofthetroubleinlifecomesfrommisunderstanding，Ithink，"
　　saidAnne。"Imustgonow，Ruby。It’sgettinglate——andyoushouldn’tbeoutinthedamp。"
　　"You’llcomeupsoonagain。"
　　"Yes，verysoon。Andifthere’sanythingIcandotohelpyouI’llbesoglad。"
　　"Iknow。YouHAVEhelpedmealready。Nothingseemsquitesodreadfulnow。Goodnight，Anne。"
　　"Goodnight，dear。"
　　Annewalkedhomeveryslowlyinthemoonlight。Theeveninghadchangedsomethingforher。Lifeheldadifferentmeaning，adeeperpurpose。Onthesurfaceitwouldgoonjustthesame；butthedeepshadbeenstirred。ItmustnotbewithheraswithpoorbutterflyRuby。Whenshecametotheendofonelifeitmustnotbetofacethenextwiththeshrinkingterrorofsomethingwhollydifferent——somethingforwhichaccustomedthoughtandidealandaspirationhadunfittedher。Thelittlethingsoflife，sweetandexcellentintheirplace，mustnotbethethingslivedfor；
　　thehighestmustbesoughtandfollowed；thelifeofheavenmustbebegunhereonearth。
　　Thatgoodnightinthegardenwasforalltime。AnneneversawRubyinlifeagain。ThenextnighttheA。V。I。S。gaveafarewellpartytoJaneAndrewsbeforeherdeparturefortheWest。And，whilelightfeetdancedandbrighteyeslaughedandmerrytongueschattered，therecameasummonstoasoulinAvonleathatmightnotbedisregardedorevaded。ThenextmorningthewordwentfromhousetohousethatRubyGilliswasdead。Shehaddiedinhersleep，painlesslyandcalmly，andonherfacewasasmile——
　　asif，afterall，deathhadcomeasakindlyfriendtoleadheroverthethreshold，insteadofthegrislyphantomshehaddreaded。
　　Mrs。RachelLyndesaidemphaticallyafterthefuneralthatRubyGilliswasthehandsomestcorpsesheeverlaideyeson。Herloveliness，asshelay，white-clad，amongthedelicateflowersthatAnnehadplacedabouther，wasrememberedandtalkedofforyearsinAvonlea。Rubyhadalwaysbeenbeautiful；butherbeautyhadbeenoftheearth，earthy；ithadhadacertaininsolentqualityinit，asifitflaunteditselfinthebeholder’seye；
　　spirithadnevershonethroughit，intellecthadneverrefinedit。
　　Butdeathhadtoucheditandconsecratedit，bringingoutdelicatemodelingsandpurityofoutlineneverseenbefore——doingwhatlifeandloveandgreatsorrowanddeepwomanhoodjoysmighthavedoneforRuby。Anne，lookingdownthroughamistoftears，atheroldplayfellow，thoughtshesawthefaceGodhadmeantRubytohave，andremembereditsoalways。
　　Mrs。GilliscalledAnneasideintoavacantroombeforethefuneralprocessionleftthehouse，andgaveherasmallpacket。
　　"Iwantyoutohavethis，"shesobbed。"Rubywouldhavelikedyoutohaveit。It’stheembroideredcenterpieceshewasworkingat。
　　Itisn’tquitefinished——theneedleisstickinginitjustwhereherpoorlittlefingersputitthelasttimeshelaiditdown，theafternoonbeforeshedied。"
　　"There’salwaysapieceofunfinishedworkleft，"saidMrs。Lynde，withtearsinhereyes。"ButIsupposethere’salwayssomeonetofinishit。"
　　"Howdifficultitistorealizethatonewehavealwaysknowncanreallybedead，"saidAnne，assheandDianawalkedhome。
　　"Rubyisthefirstofourschoolmatestogo。Onebyone，soonerorlater，alltherestofusmustfollow。"
　　"Yes，Isupposeso，"saidDianauncomfortably。Shedidnotwanttotalkofthat。Shewouldhavepreferredtohavediscussedthedetailsofthefuneral——thesplendidwhitevelvetcasketMr。GillishadinsistedonhavingforRuby——"theGillisesmustalwaysmakeasplurge，evenatfunerals，"quothMrs。RachelLynde——HerbSpencer’ssadface，theuncontrolled，hystericgriefofoneofRuby’ssisters——butAnnewouldnottalkofthesethings。
　　SheseemedwrappedinareverieinwhichDianafeltlonesomelythatshehadneitherlotnorpart。
　　"RubyGilliswasagreatgirltolaugh，"saidDavysuddenly。
　　"WillshelaughasmuchinheavenasshedidinAvonlea，Anne？
　　Iwanttoknow。"
　　"Yes，Ithinkshewill，"saidAnne。
　　"Oh，Anne，"protestedDiana，witharathershockedsmile。
　　"Well，whynot，Diana？"askedAnneseriously。"Doyouthinkwe’llneverlaughinheaven？"
　　"Oh——I——Idon’tknow"flounderedDiana。"Itdoesn’tseemjustright，somehow。Youknowit’sratherdreadfultolaughinchurch。"
　　"Butheavenwon’tbelikechurch——allthetime，"saidAnne。
　　"Ihopeitain’t，"saidDavyemphatically。"IfitisIdon’twanttogo。Churchisawfuldull。Anyway，Idon’tmeantogoforeversolong。Imeantolivetobeahundredyearsold，likeMr。ThomasBlewettofWhiteSands。Hesayshe’slivedsolong’causehealwayssmokedtobaccoanditkilledallthegerms。
　　CanIsmoketobaccoprettysoon，Anne？"
　　"No，Davy，Ihopeyou’llneverusetobacco，"saidAnneabsently。
　　"What’llyoufeellikeifthegermskillmethen？"demandedDavy。
　　ChapterXV
　　ADreamTurnedUpsideDown"JustonemoreweekandwegobacktoRedmond，"saidAnne。
　　Shewashappyatthethoughtofreturningtowork，classesandRedmondfriends。PleasingvisionswerealsobeingwovenaroundPatty’sPlace。Therewasawarmpleasantsenseofhomeinthethoughtofit，eventhoughshehadneverlivedthere。
　　Butthesummerhadbeenaveryhappyone，too——atimeofgladlivingwithsummersunsandskies，atimeofkeendelightinwholesomethings；
　　atimeofrenewinganddeepeningofoldfriendships；atimeinwhichshehadlearnedtolivemorenobly，toworkmorepatiently，toplaymoreheartily。
　　"Alllifelessonsarenotlearnedatcollege，"shethought。
　　"Lifeteachesthemeverywhere。"
　　Butalas，thefinalweekofthatpleasantvacationwasspoiledforAnne，byoneofthoseimpishhappeningswhicharelikeadreamturnedupsidedown。
　　"Beenwritinganymorestorieslately？"inquiredMr。HarrisongeniallyoneeveningwhenAnnewastakingteawithhimandMrs。Harrison。
　　"No，"answeredAnne，rathercrisply。
　　"Well，nooffensemeant。Mrs。HiramSloanetoldmetheotherdaythatabigenvelopeaddressedtotheRollingsReliableBakingPowderCompanyofMontrealhadbeendroppedintothepostofficeboxamonthago，andshesuspicionedthatsomebodywastryingfortheprizethey’dofferedforthebeststorythatintroducedthenameoftheirbakingpowder。Shesaiditwasn’taddressedinyourwriting，butIthoughtmaybeitwasyou。"
　　"Indeed，no！Isawtheprizeoffer，butI’dneverdreamofcompetingforit。Ithinkitwouldbeperfectlydisgracefultowriteastorytoadvertiseabakingpowder。ItwouldbealmostasbadasJudsonParker’spatentmedicinefence。"
　　SospakeAnneloftily，littledreamingofthevalleyofhumiliationawaitingher。ThatveryeveningDianapoppedintotheporchgable，bright-eyedandrosycheeked，carryingaletter。
　　"Oh，Anne，here’saletterforyou。Iwasattheoffice，soI
　　thoughtI’dbringitalong。Doopenitquick。IfitiswhatI
　　believeitisIshalljustbewildwithdelight。"Anne，puzzled，openedtheletterandglancedoverthetypewrittencontents。
　　MissAnneShirley，GreenGables，Avonlea，P。E。Island。
　　"DEARMADAM:Wehavemuchpleasureininformingyouthatyourcharmingstory`Averil’sAtonement’haswontheprizeoftwenty-fivedollarsofferedinourrecentcompetition。
　　Weenclosethecheckherewith。WearearrangingforthepublicationofthestoryinseveralprominentCanadiannewspapers，andwealsointendtohaveitprintedinpamphletformfordistributionamongourpatrons。
　　Thankingyoufortheinterestyouhaveshowninourenterprise，weremain，Yoursverytruly，THEROLLINGSRELIABLE
　　BAKINGPOWDERCo。"
　　"Idon’tunderstand，"saidAnne，blankly。
　　Dianaclappedherhands。
　　"Oh，IKNEWitwouldwintheprize——Iwassureofit。
　　_I_sentyourstoryintothecompetition，Anne。"
　　"Diana——Barry！"
　　"Yes，Idid，"saidDianagleefully，perchingherselfonthebed。
　　"WhenIsawtheofferIthoughtofyourstoryinaminute，andatfirstIthoughtI’daskyoutosenditin。ButthenIwasafraidyouwouldn’t——youhadsolittlefaithleftinit。SoIjustdecidedI’dsendthecopyyougaveme，andsaynothingaboutit。
　　Then，ifitdidn’twintheprize，you’dneverknowandyouwouldn’tfeelbadlyoverit，becausethestoriesthatfailedwerenottobereturned，andifitdidyou’dhavesuchadelightfulsurprise。"