Therewasanotherpause——solongandsodreadfulthatAnnewasdrivenatlasttolookup。Gilbert’sfacewaswhitetothelips。
　　Andhiseyes——butAnneshudderedandlookedaway。Therewasnothingromanticaboutthis。Mustproposalsbeeithergrotesqueor——horrible？CouldsheeverforgetGilbert’sface？
　　"Isthereanybodyelse？"heaskedatlastinalowvoice。
　　"No——no，"saidAnneeagerly。"Idon’tcareforanyonelikeTHAT——andILIKEyoubetterthananybodyelseintheworld，Gilbert。Andwemust——wemustgoonbeingfriends，Gilbert。"
　　Gilbertgaveabitterlittlelaugh。
　　"Friends！Yourfriendshipcan’tsatisfyme，Anne。Iwantyourlove——andyoutellmeIcanneverhavethat。"
　　"I’msorry。Forgiveme，Gilbert，"wasallAnnecouldsay。
　　Where，oh，wherewereallthegraciousandgracefulspeecheswherewith，inimagination，shehadbeenwonttodismissrejectedsuitors？
　　Gilbertreleasedherhandgently。
　　"Thereisn’tanythingtoforgive。TherehavebeentimeswhenIthoughtyoudidcare。I’vedeceivedmyself，that’sall。Goodbye，Anne。"
　　Annegotherselftoherroom，satdownonherwindowseatbehindthepines，andcriedbitterly。Shefeltasifsomethingincalculablyprecioushadgoneoutofherlife。ItwasGilbert’sfriendship，ofcourse。Oh，whymustsheloseitafterthisfashion？
　　"Whatisthematter，honey？"askedPhil，cominginthroughthemoonlitgloom。
　　Annedidnotanswer。AtthatmomentshewishedPhilwereathousandmilesaway。
　　"Isupposeyou’vegoneandrefusedGilbertBlythe。Youareanidiot，AnneShirley！"
　　"DoyoucallitidiotictorefusetomarryamanIdon’tlove？"
　　saidAnnecoldly，goadedtoreply。
　　"Youdon’tknowlovewhenyouseeit。You’vetrickedsomethingoutwithyourimaginationthatyouthinklove，andyouexpecttherealthingtolooklikethat。There，that’sthefirstsensiblethingI’veeversaidinmylife。IwonderhowImanagedit？"
　　"Phil，"pleadedAnne，"pleasegoawayandleavemealoneforalittlewhile。Myworldhastumbledintopieces。Iwanttoreconstructit。"
　　"WithoutanyGilbertinit？"saidPhil，going。
　　AworldwithoutanyGilbertinit！Annerepeatedthewordsdrearily。
　　Woulditnotbeaverylonely，forlornplace？Well，itwasallGilbert’sfault。Hehadspoiledtheirbeautifulcomradeship。
　　Shemustjustlearntolivewithoutit。
　　ChapterXXI
　　RosesofYesterdayThefortnightAnnespentinBolingbrokewasaverypleasantone，withalittleundercurrentofvaguepainanddissatisfactionrunningthroughitwhenevershethoughtaboutGilbert。Therewasnot，however，muchtimetothinkabouthim。"MountHolly，"thebeautifuloldGordonhomestead，wasaverygayplace，overrunbyPhil’sfriendsofbothsexes。Therewasquiteabewilderingsuccessionofdrives，dances，picnicsandboatingparties，allexpressivelylumpedtogetherbyPhilundertheheadof"jamborees"；
　　AlecandAlonzoweresoconstantlyonhandthatAnnewonderediftheyeverdidanythingbutdanceattendanceonthatwill-o’-the-wispofaPhil。Theywerebothnice，manlyfellows，butAnnewouldnotbedrawnintoanyopinionastowhichwasthenicer。
　　"AndIdependedsoonyoutohelpmemakeupmymindwhichofthemI
　　shouldpromisetomarry，"mournedPhil。
　　"Youmustdothatforyourself。Youarequiteexpertatmakingupyourmindastowhomotherpeopleshouldmarry，"retortedAnne，rathercaustically。
　　"Oh，that’saverydifferentthing，"saidPhil，truly。
　　ButthesweetestincidentofAnne’ssojourninBolingbrokewasthevisittoherbirthplace——thelittleshabbyyellowhouseinanout-of-the-waystreetshehadsooftendreamedabout。Shelookedatitwithdelightedeyes，assheandPhilturnedinatthegate。
　　"It’salmostexactlyasI’vepicturedit，"shesaid。"Thereisnohoneysuckleoverthewindows，butthereisalilactreebythegate，and——yes，therearethemuslincurtainsinthewindows。
　　HowgladIamitisstillpaintedyellow。"
　　Averytall，verythinwomanopenedthedoor。
　　"Yes，theShirleyslivedheretwentyyearsago，"shesaid，inanswertoAnne’squestion。"Theyhaditrented。Iremember’em。
　　Theybothdiedoffeveratonct。Itwasturriblesad。Theyleftababy。Iguessit’sdeadlongago。Itwasasicklything。OldThomasandhiswifetookit——asiftheyhadn’tenoughoftheirown。"
　　"Itdidn’tdie，"saidAnne，smiling。"Iwasthatbaby。"
　　"Youdon’tsayso！Why，youhavegrown，"exclaimedthewoman，asifsheweremuchsurprisedthatAnnewasnotstillababy。
　　"Cometolookatyou，Iseetheresemblance。You’recomplectedlikeyourpa。Hehadredhair。Butyoufavoryourmainyoureyesandmouth。Shewasanicelittlething。Mydarterwenttoschooltoherandwasnighcrazyabouther。TheywasburiedintheonegraveandtheSchoolBoardputupatombstonetothemasarewardforfaithfulservice。Willyoucomein？"
　　"Willyouletmegoalloverthehouse？"askedAnneeagerly。
　　"Laws，yes，youcanifyoulike。’Twon’ttakeyoulong——thereain’tmuchofit。Ikeepatmymantobuildanewkitchen，butheain’toneofyourhustlers。Theparlor’sinthereandthere’stworoomsupstairs。Justprowlaboutyourselves。I’vegottoseetothebaby。Theeastroomwastheoneyouwerebornin。
　　Irememberyourmasayingshelovedtoseethesunrise；andI
　　mindhearingthatyouwasbornjustasthesunwasrisinganditslightonyourfacewasthefirstthingyourmasaw。"
　　Annewentupthenarrowstairsandintothatlittleeastroomwithafullheart。Itwasasashrinetoher。Herehermotherhaddreamedtheexquisite，happydreamsofanticipatedmotherhood；
　　herethatredsunriselighthadfallenoverthembothinthesacredhourofbirth；herehermotherhaddied。Annelookedaboutherreverently，hereyeswithtears。Itwasforheroneofthejeweledhoursoflifethatgleamoutradiantlyforeverinmemory。
　　"Justtothinkofit——motherwasyoungerthanIamnowwhenIwasborn，"
　　shewhispered。
　　WhenAnnewentdownstairstheladyofthehousemetherinthehall。
　　Sheheldoutadustylittlepackettiedwithfadedblueribbon。
　　"Here’sabundleofoldlettersIfoundinthatclosetupstairswhenIcamehere，"shesaid。"Idunnowhattheyare——Ineverbotheredtolookin’em，buttheaddressonthetoponeis`MissBerthaWillis，’andthatwasyourma’smaidenname。
　　Youcantake’emifyou’dkeertohave’em。"
　　"Oh，thankyou——thankyou，"criedAnne，claspingthepacketrapturously。
　　"Thatwasallthatwasinthehouse，"saidherhostess。"Thefurniturewasallsoldtopaythedoctorbills，andMrs。Thomasgotyourma’sclothesandlittlethings。Ireckontheydidn’tlastlongamongthatdroveofThomasyoungsters。Theywasdestructiveyounganimals，asImind’em。"
　　"Ihaven’tonethingthatbelongedtomymother，"saidAnne，chokily。"I——Icanneverthankyouenoughfortheseletters。"
　　"You’requitewelcome。Laws，butyoureyesislikeyourma’s。
　　Shecouldjustabouttalkwithhers。Yourfatherwassorterhomelybutawfulnice。Imindhearingfolkssaywhentheywasmarriedthatthereneverwastwopeoplemoreinlovewitheachother——Porecreatures，theydidn’tlivemuchlonger；buttheywasawfulhappywhiletheywasalive，andIs’posethatcountsforagooddeal。"
　　Annelongedtogethometoreadherpreciousletters；butshemadeonelittlepilgrimagefirst。Shewentalonetothegreencornerofthe"old"Bolingbrokecemeterywhereherfatherandmotherwereburied，andleftontheirgravethewhiteflowersshecarried。ThenshehastenedbacktoMountHolly，shutherselfupinherroom，andreadtheletters。Somewerewrittenbyherfather，somebyhermother。Therewerenotmany——onlyadozeninall——forWalterandBerthaShirleyhadnotbeenoftenseparatedduringtheircourtship。Theletterswereyellowandfadedanddim，blurredwiththetouchofpassingyears。
　　Noprofoundwordsofwisdomweretracedonthestainedandwrinkledpages，butonlylinesofloveandtrust。Thesweetnessofforgottenthingsclungtothem——thefar-off，fondimaginingsofthoselong-deadlovers。BerthaShirleyhadpossessedthegiftofwritingletterswhichembodiedthecharmingpersonalityofthewriterinwordsandthoughtsthatretainedtheirbeautyandfragranceafterthelapseoftime。Thelettersweretender，intimate，sacred。ToAnne，thesweetestofallwastheonewrittenafterherbirthtothefatheronabriefabsence。
　　Itwasfullofaproudyoungmother’saccountsof"baby"——
　　hercleverness，herbrightness，herthousandsweetnesses。
　　"Iloveherbestwhensheisasleepandbetterstillwhensheisawake，"
　　BerthaShirleyhadwritteninthepostscript。Probablyitwasthelastsentenceshehadeverpenned。Theendwasverynearforher。
　　"Thishasbeenthemostbeautifuldayofmylife，"AnnesaidtoPhilthatnight。"I’veFOUNDmyfatherandmother。ThoselettershavemadethemREALtome。I’mnotanorphananylonger。IfeelasifIhadopenedabookandfoundrosesofyesterday，sweetandbeloved，betweenitsleaves。"
　　ChapterXXII
　　SpringandAnneReturntoGreenGablesThefirelightshadowsweredancingoverthekitchenwallsatGreenGables，forthespringeveningwaschilly；throughtheopeneastwindowdriftedinthesubtlysweetvoicesofthenight。
　　Marillawassittingbythefire——atleast，inbody。Inspiritshewasroamingoldenways，withfeetgrownyoung。OflateMarillahadthusspentmanyanhour，whenshethoughtsheshouldhavebeenknittingforthetwins。
　　"IsupposeI’mgrowingold，"shesaid。
　　YetMarillahadchangedbutlittleinthepastnineyears，savetogrowsomethingthinner，andevenmoreangular；therewasalittlemoregrayinthehairthatwasstilltwistedupinthesamehardknot，withtwohairpins——WEREtheythesamehairpins？——
　　stillstuckthroughit。Butherexpressionwasverydifferent；
　　thesomethingaboutthemouthwhichhadhintedatasenseofhumorhaddevelopedwonderfully；hereyesweregentlerandmilder，hersmilemorefrequentandtender。
　　Marillawasthinkingofherwholepastlife，hercrampedbutnotunhappychildhood，thejealouslyhiddendreamsandtheblightedhopesofhergirlhood，thelong，gray，narrow，monotonousyearsofdullmiddlelifethatfollowed。AndthecomingofAnne——
　　thevivid，imaginative，impetuouschildwithherheartoflove，andherworldoffancy，bringingwithhercolorandwarmthandradiance，untilthewildernessofexistencehadblossomedliketherose。MarillafeltthatoutofhersixtyyearsshehadlivedonlytheninethathadfollowedtheadventofAnne。
　　AndAnnewouldbehometomorrownight。
　　Thekitchendooropened。MarillalookedupexpectingtoseeMrs。
　　Lynde。Annestoodbeforeher，tallandstarry-eyed，withherhandsfullofMayflowersandviolets。
　　"AnneShirley！"exclaimedMarilla。Foronceinherlifeshewassurprisedoutofherreserve；shecaughthergirlinherarmsandcrushedherandherflowersagainstherheart，kissingthebrighthairandsweetfacewarmly。"Ineverlookedforyoutilltomorrownight。HowdidyougetfromCarmody？"
　　"Walked，dearestofMarillas。Haven’tIdoneitascoreoftimesintheQueen’sdays？Themailmanistobringmytrunktomorrow；
　　Ijustgothomesickallatonce，andcameadayearlier。Andoh！
　　I’vehadsuchalovelywalkintheMaytwilight；IstoppedbythebarrensandpickedtheseMayflowers；IcamethroughViolet-Vale；
　　it’sjustabigbowlfulofvioletsnow——thedear，sky-tintedthings。Smellthem，Marilla——drinkthemin。"
　　Marillasniffedobligingly，butshewasmoreinterestedinAnnethanindrinkingviolets。
　　"Sitdown，child。Youmustberealtired。I’mgoingtogetyousomesupper。"
　　"There’sadarlingmoonrisebehindthehillstonight，Marilla，andoh，howthefrogssangmehomefromCarmody！Idolovethemusicofthefrogs。Itseemsboundupwithallmyhappiestrecollectionsofoldspringevenings。AnditalwaysremindsmeofthenightIcameherefirst。Doyourememberit，Marilla？"
　　"Well，yes，"saidMarillawithemphasis。"I’mnotlikelytoforgetitever。"
　　"Theyusedtosingsomadlyinthemarshandbrookthatyear。
　　Iwouldlistentothematmywindowinthedusk，andwonderhowtheycouldseemsogladandsosadatthesametime。Oh，butit’sgoodtobehomeagain！RedmondwassplendidandBolingbrokedelightful——butGreenGablesisHOME。"
　　"Gilbertisn’tcominghomethissummer，Ihear，"saidMarilla。
　　"No。"SomethinginAnne’stonemadeMarillaglanceathersharply，butAnnewasapparentlyabsorbedinarranginghervioletsinabowl。"See，aren’ttheysweet？"shewentonhurriedly。"Theyearisabook，isn’tit，Marilla？Spring’spagesarewritteninMayflowersandviolets，summer’sinroses，autumn’sinredmapleleaves，andwinterinhollyandevergreen。"
　　"DidGilbertdowellinhisexaminations？"persistedMarilla。
　　"Excellentlywell。Heledhisclass。ButwherearethetwinsandMrs。Lynde？"
　　"RachelandDoraareoveratMr。Harrison’s。DavyisdownatBoulters’。IthinkIhearhimcomingnow。"
　　Davyburstin，sawAnne，stopped，andthenhurledhimselfuponherwithajoyfulyell。
　　"Oh，Anne，ain’tIgladtoseeyou！Say，Anne，I’vegrowntwoinchessincelastfall。Mrs。Lyndemeasuredmewithhertapetoday，andsay，Anne，seemyfronttooth。It’sgone。Mrs。Lyndetiedoneendofastringtoitandtheotherendtothedoor，andthenshutthedoor。
　　IsoldittoMiltyfortwocents。Milty’scollectingteeth。"
　　"Whatintheworlddoeshewantteethfor？"askedMarilla。
　　"TomakeanecklaceforplayingIndianChief，"explainedDavy，climbinguponAnne’slap。"He’sgotfifteenalready，andeverybody’selse’spromised，sothere’snouseintherestofusstartingtocollect，too。ItellyoutheBoultersaregreatbusinesspeople。"
　　"WereyouagoodboyatMrs。Boulter’s？"askedMarillaseverely。
　　"Yes；butsay，Marilla，I’mtiredofbeinggood。"
　　"You’dgettiredofbeingbadmuchsooner，Davy-boy，"saidAnne。
　　"Well，it’dbefunwhileitlasted，wouldn’tit？"persistedDavy。
　　"Icouldbesorryforitafterwards，couldn’tI？"
　　"Beingsorrywouldn’tdoawaywiththeconsequencesofbeingbad，Davy。Don’tyouremembertheSundaylastsummerwhenyouranawayfromSundaySchool？Youtoldmethenthatbeingbadwasn’tworthwhile。WhatwereyouandMiltydoingtoday？"
　　"Oh，wefishedandchasedthecat，andhuntedforeggs，andyelledattheecho。There’sagreatechointhebushbehindtheBoulterbarn。Say，whatisecho，Anne；Iwanttoknow。"
　　"Echoisabeautifulnymph，Davy，livingfarawayinthewoods，andlaughingattheworldfromamongthehills。"
　　"Whatdoesshelooklike？"
　　"Herhairandeyesaredark，butherneckandarmsarewhiteassnow。
　　Nomortalcaneverseehowfairsheis。Sheisfleeterthanadeer，andthatmockingvoiceofhersisallwecanknowofher。Youcanhearhercallingatnight；youcanhearherlaughingunderthestars。
　　Butyoucanneverseeher。Shefliesafarifyoufollowher，andlaughsatyoualwaysjustoverthenexthill。"
　　"Isthattrue，Anne？Orisitawhopper？"demandedDavystaring。
　　"Davy，"saidAnnedespairingly，"haven’tyousenseenoughtodistinguishbetweenafairytaleandafalsehood？"
　　"ThenwhatisitthatsassesbackfromtheBoulterbush？Iwanttoknow，"insistedDavy。
　　"Whenyouarealittleolder，Davy，I’llexplainitalltoyou。"
　　ThementionofageevidentlygaveanewturntoDavy’sthoughtsforafterafewmomentsofreflection，hewhisperedsolemnly:
　　"Anne，I’mgoingtobemarried。"
　　"When？"askedAnnewithequalsolemnity。
　　"Oh，notuntilI’mgrown-up，ofcourse。"
　　"Well，that’sarelief，Davy。Whoisthelady？"
　　"StellaFletcher；she’sinmyclassatschool。Andsay，Anne，she’stheprettiestgirlyoueversaw。IfIdiebeforeIgrowupyou’llkeepaneyeonher，won’tyou？"
　　"DavyKeith，dostoptalkingsuchnonsense，"saidMarillaseverely。
　　"’Tisn’tnonsense，"protestedDavyinaninjuredtone。"She’smypromisedwife，andifIwastodieshe’dbemypromisedwidow，wouldn’tshe？Andshehasn’tgotasoultolookafterherexceptheroldgrandmother。"
　　"Comeandhaveyoursupper，Anne，"saidMarilla，"anddon’tencouragethatchildinhisabsurdtalk。"
　　ChapterXXIII
　　PaulCannotFindtheRockPeopleLifewasverypleasantinAvonleathatsummer，althoughAnne，amidallhervacationjoys，washauntedbyasenseof"somethinggonewhichshouldbethere。"Shewouldnotadmit，eveninherinmostreflections，thatthiswascausedbyGilbert’sabsence。
　　ButwhenshehadtowalkhomealonefromprayermeetingsandA。V。I。S。pow-wows，whileDianaandFred，andmanyothergaycouples，loiteredalongthedusky，starlitcountryroads，therewasaqueer，lonelyacheinherheartwhichshecouldnotexplainaway。Gilbertdidnotevenwritetoher，asshethoughthemighthavedone。
　　SheknewhewrotetoDianaoccasionally，butshewouldnotinquireabouthim；andDiana，supposingthatAnneheardfromhim，volunteerednoinformation。Gilbert’smother，whowasagay，frank，light-heartedlady，butnotoverburdenedwithtact，hadaveryembarrassinghabitofaskingAnne，alwaysinapainfullydistinctvoiceandalwaysinthepresenceofacrowd，ifshehadheardfromGilbertlately。PoorAnnecouldonlyblushhorriblyandmurmur，"notverylately，"whichwastakenbyall，Mrs。Blytheincluded，tobemerelyamaidenlyevasion。
　　Apartfromthis，Anneenjoyedhersummer。PriscillacameforamerryvisitinJune；and，whenshehadgone，Mr。andMrs。Irving，PaulandCharlottatheFourthcame"home"forJulyandAugust。
　　EchoLodgewasthesceneofgaietiesoncemore，andtheechoesovertheriverwerekeptbusymimickingthelaughterthatrangintheoldgardenbehindthespruces。
　　"MissLavendar"hadnotchanged，excepttogrowevensweeterandprettier。Pauladoredher，andthecompanionshipbetweenthemwasbeautifultosee。
　　"ButIdon’tcallher`mother’justbyitself，"heexplainedtoAnne。"Yousee，THATnamebelongsjusttomyownlittlemother，andIcan’tgiveittoanyoneelse。Youknow，teacher。ButI
　　callher`MotherLavendar’andIlovehernextbesttofather。
　　I——IevenloveheraLITTLEbetterthanyou，teacher。"
　　"Whichisjustasitoughttobe，"answeredAnne。
　　Paulwasthirteennowandverytallforhisyears。Hisfaceandeyeswereasbeautifulasever，andhisfancywasstilllikeaprism，separatingeverythingthatfelluponitintorainbows。HeandAnnehaddelightfulramblestowoodandfieldandshore。Neverweretheretwomorethoroughly"kindredspirits。"
　　CharlottatheFourthhadblossomedoutintoyoungladyhood。Sheworeherhairnowinanenormouspompadorandhaddiscardedtheblueribbonbowsofauldlangsyne，butherfacewasasfreckled，hernoseassnubbed，andhermouthandsmilesaswideasever。
　　"Youdon’tthinkItalkwithaYankeeaccent，doyou，MissShirley，ma’am？"shedemandedanxiously。
　　"Idon’tnoticeit，Charlotta。"
　　"I’mrealgladofthat。TheysaidIdidathome，butIthoughtlikelytheyjustwantedtoaggravateme。Idon’twantnoYankeeaccent。NotthatI’veawordtosayagainsttheYankees，MissShirley，ma’am。They’rerealcivilized。ButgivemeoldP。E。
　　Islandeverytime。"
　　PaulspenthisfirstfortnightwithhisgrandmotherIrvinginAvonlea。Annewastheretomeethimwhenhecame，andfoundhimwildwitheagernesstogettotheshore——NoraandtheGoldenLadyandtheTwinSailorswouldbethere。Hecouldhardlywaittoeathissupper。CouldhenotseeNora’selfinfacepeeringaroundthepoint，watchingforhimwistfully？ButitwasaverysoberPaulwhocamebackfromtheshoreinthetwilight。
　　"Didn’tyoufindyourRockPeople？"askedAnne。
　　Paulshookhischestnutcurlssorrowfully。
　　"TheTwinSailorsandtheGoldenLadynevercameatall，"hesaid。
　　"Norawasthere——butNoraisnotthesame，teacher。Sheischanged。"
　　"Oh，Paul，itisyouwhoarechanged，"saidAnne。"YouhavegrowntoooldfortheRockPeople。Theylikeonlychildrenforplayfellows。IamafraidtheTwinSailorswillneveragaincometoyouinthepearly，enchantedboatwiththesailofmoonshine；
　　andtheGoldenLadywillplaynomoreforyouonhergoldenharp。
　　EvenNorawillnotmeetyoumuchlonger。Youmustpaythepenaltyofgrowing-up，Paul。Youmustleavefairylandbehindyou。"
　　"Youtwotalkasmuchfoolishnessaseveryoudid，"saidoldMrs。Irving，half-indulgently，half-reprovingly。
　　"Oh，no，wedon’t，"saidAnne，shakingherheadgravely。"Wearegettingvery，verywise，anditissuchapity。Weareneverhalfsointerestingwhenwehavelearnedthatlanguageisgivenustoenableustoconcealourthoughts。"
　　"Butitisn’t——itisgivenustoexchangeourthoughts，"saidMrs。Irvingseriously。ShehadneverheardofTallyrandanddidnotunderstandepigrams。
　　AnnespentafortnightofhalcyondaysatEchoLodgeinthegoldenprimeofAugust。WhiletheresheincidentallycontrivedtohurryLudovicSpeedinhisleisurelycourtingofTheodoraDix，asrelateddulyinanotherchronicleofherhistory。[1]ArnoldSherman，anelderlyfriendoftheIrvings，wasthereatthesametime，andaddednotalittletothegeneralpleasantnessoflife。
　　[1]ChroniclesofAvonlea。
　　"Whataniceplay-timethishasbeen，"saidAnne。"Ifeellikeagiantrefreshed。Andit’sonlyafortnightmoretillIgobacktoKingsport，andRedmondandPatty’sPlace。Patty’sPlaceisthedearestspot，MissLavendar。IfeelasifIhadtwohomes——oneatGreenGablesandoneatPatty’sPlace。Butwherehasthesummergone？Itdoesn’tseemadaysinceIcamehomethatspringeveningwiththeMayflowers。WhenIwaslittleIcouldn’tseefromoneendofthesummertotheother。Itstretchedbeforemelikeanunendingseason。Now，`’tisahandbreadth，’tisatale。’"
　　"Anne，areyouandGilbertBlytheasgoodfriendsasyouusedtobe？"
　　askedMissLavendarquietly。
　　"IamjustasmuchGilbert’sfriendaseverIwas，MissLavendar。"
　　MissLavendarshookherhead。
　　"Iseesomething’sgonewrong，Anne。I’mgoingtobeimpertinentandaskwhat。Haveyouquarrelled？"
　　"No；it’sonlythatGilbertwantsmorethanfriendshipandIcan’tgivehimmore。"
　　"Areyousureofthat，Anne？"
　　"Perfectlysure。"
　　"I’mvery，verysorry。"
　　"IwonderwhyeverybodyseemstothinkIoughttomarryGilbertBlythe，"
　　saidAnnepetulantly。
　　"Becauseyouweremadeandmeantforeachother，Anne——thatiswhy。
　　Youneedn’ttossthatyoungheadofyours。It’safact。"
　　ChapterXXIV
　　EnterJonas"PROSPECTPOINT，"August20th。
　　"DearAnne——spelled——with——an——E，"wrotePhil，"Imustpropmyeyelidsopenlongenoughtowriteyou。I’veneglectedyoushamefullythissummer，honey，butallmyothercorrespondentshavebeenneglected，too。Ihaveahugepileofletterstoanswer，soImustgirduptheloinsofmymindandhoein。Excusemymixedmetaphors。I’mfearfullysleepy。LastnightCousinEmilyandIwerecallingataneighbor’s。Therewereseveralothercallersthere，andassoonasthoseunfortunatecreaturesleft，ourhostessandherthreedaughterspickedthemalltopieces。
　　IknewtheywouldbeginonCousinEmilyandmeassoonasthedoorshutbehindus。WhenwecamehomeMrs。Lillyinformedusthattheaforesaidneighbor’shiredboywassupposedtobedownwithscarletfever。YoucanalwaystrustMrs。Lillytotellyoucheerfulthingslikethat。Ihaveahorrorofscarletfever。Icouldn’tsleepwhenIwenttobedforthinkingofit。Itossedandtumbledabout，dreamingfearfuldreamswhenIdidsnoozeforaminute；andatthreeIwakenedupwithahighfever，asorethroat，andaragingheadache。IknewIhadscarletfever；IgotupinapanicandhuntedupCousinEmily’s’doctorbook’toreadupthesymptoms。Anne，Ihadthemall。SoIwentbacktobed，andknowingtheworst，sleptlikeatoptherestofthenight。
　　ThoughwhyatopshouldsleepsounderthananythingelseI
　　nevercouldunderstand。ButthismorningIwasquitewell，soitcouldn’thavebeenthefever。IsupposeifIdidcatchitlastnightitcouldn’thavedevelopedsosoon。Icanrememberthatindaytime，butatthreeo’clockatnightInevercanbelogical。
　　"IsupposeyouwonderwhatI’mdoingatProspectPoint。Well，I
　　alwaysliketospendamonthofsummerattheshore，andfatherinsiststhatIcometohissecond-cousinEmily’s`selectboardinghouse’atProspectPoint。SoafortnightagoIcameasusual。Andasusualold`UncleMarkMiller’broughtmefromthestationwithhisancientbuggyandwhathecallshis`generouspurpose’horse。Heisaniceoldmanandgavemeahandfulofpinkpeppermints。Peppermintsalwaysseemtomesuchareligioussortofcandy——IsupposebecausewhenIwasalittlegirlGrandmotherGordonalwaysgavethemtomeinchurch。OnceI
　　asked，referringtothesmellofpeppermints，`Isthattheodorofsanctity？’Ididn’tliketoeatUncleMark’speppermintsbecausehejustfishedthemlooseoutofhispocket，andhadtopicksomerustynailsandotherthingsfromamongthembeforehegavethemtome。ButIwouldn’thurthisdearoldfeelingsforanything，soIcarefullysowedthemalongtheroadatintervals。
　　Whenthelastonewasgone，UncleMarksaid，alittlerebukingly，`Yeshouldn’ta’etallthemcandiestoonct，MissPhil。You’lllikelyhavethestummick-ache。’
　　"CousinEmilyhasonlyfiveboardersbesidesmyself——fouroldladiesandoneyoungman。Myright-handneighborisMrs。Lilly。
　　Sheisoneofthosepeoplewhoseemtotakeagruesomepleasureindetailingalltheirmanyachesandpainsandsicknesses。
　　Youcannotmentionanyailmentbutshesays，shakingherhead，`Ah，Iknowtoowellwhatthatis’——andthenyougetallthedetails。
　　Jonasdeclaresheoncespokeoflocomotorataxiainhearingandshesaidsheknewtoowellwhatthatwas。Shesufferedfromitfortenyearsandwasfinallycuredbyatravelingdoctor。
　　"WhoisJonas？Justwait，AnneShirley。You’llhearallaboutJonasinthepropertimeandplace。Heisnottobemixedupwithestimableoldladies。
　　"Myleft-handneighboratthetableisMrs。Phinney。Shealwaysspeakswithawailing，dolorousvoice——youarenervouslyexpectinghertoburstintotearseverymoment。Shegivesyoutheimpressionthatlifetoherisindeedavaleoftears，andthatasmile，nevertospeakofalaugh，isafrivolitytrulyreprehensible。ShehasaworseopinionofmethanAuntJamesina，andshedoesn’tlovemehardtoatoneforit，asAuntyJ。does，either。
　　"MissMariaGrimsbysitscati-cornerfromme。ThefirstdayI
　　cameIremarkedtoMissMariathatitlookedalittlelikerain——andMissMarialaughed。Isaidtheroadfromthestationwasverypretty——andMissMarialaughed。Isaidthereseemedtobeafewmosquitoesleftyet——andMissMarialaughed。IsaidthatProspectPointwasasbeautifulasever——andMissMarialaughed。
　　IfIweretosaytoMissMaria，`Myfatherhashangedhimself，mymotherhastakenpoison，mybrotherisinthepenitentiary，andIaminthelaststagesofconsumption，’MissMariawouldlaugh。
　　Shecan’thelpit——shewasbornso；butisverysadandawful。
　　"ThefiftholdladyisMrs。Grant。Sheisasweetoldthing；
　　butsheneversaysanythingbutgoodofanybodyandsosheisaveryuninterestingconversationalist。
　　"AndnowforJonas，Anne。
　　"ThatfirstdayIcameIsawayoungmansittingoppositemeatthetable，smilingatmeasifhehadknownmefrommycradle。
　　Iknew，forUncleMarkhadtoldme，thathisnamewasJonasBlake，thathewasaTheologicalStudentfromSt。Columbia，andthathehadtakenchargeofthePointProspectMissionChurchforthesummer。
　　"Heisaveryuglyyoungman——really，theugliestyoungmanI’veeverseen。Hehasabig，loose-jointedfigurewithabsurdlylonglegs。Hishairistow-colorandlank，hiseyesaregreen，andhismouthisbig，andhisears——butIneverthinkabouthisearsifIcanhelpit。
　　"Hehasalovelyvoice——ifyoushutyoureyesheisadorable——
　　andhecertainlyhasabeautifulsoulanddisposition。
　　"Weweregoodchumsrightway。OfcourseheisagraduateofRedmond，andthatisalinkbetweenus。Wefishedandboatedtogether；andwewalkedonthesandsbymoonlight。Hedidn’tlooksohomelybymoonlightandoh，hewasnice。Nicenessfairlyexhaledfromhim。Theoldladies——exceptMrs。Grant——don’tapproveofJonas，becausehelaughsandjokes——andbecauseheevidentlylikesthesocietyoffrivolousmebetterthantheirs。
　　"Somehow，Anne，Idon’twanthimtothinkmefrivolous。Thisisridiculous。WhyshouldIcarewhatatow-hairedpersoncalledJonas，whomIneversawbeforethinksofme？
　　"LastSundayJonaspreachedinthevillagechurch。Iwent，ofcourse，butIcouldn’trealizethatJonaswasgoingtopreach。
　　Thefactthathewasaminister——orgoingtobeone——persistedinseemingahugejoketome。
　　"Well，Jonaspreached。And，bythetimehehadpreachedtenminutes，IfeltsosmallandinsignificantthatIthoughtImustbeinvisibletothenakedeye。Jonasneversaidawordaboutwomenandheneverlookedatme。ButIrealizedthenandtherewhatapitiful，frivilous，small-souledlittlebutterflyIwas，andhowhorriblydifferentImustbefromJonas’idealwoman。
　　SHEwouldbegrandandstrongandnoble。Hewassoearnestandtenderandtrue。Hewaseverythingaministeroughttobe。
　　IwonderedhowIcouldeverhavethoughthimugly——buthereallyis！——withthoseinspiredeyesandthatintellectualbrowwhichtheroughly-fallinghairhidonweekdays。
　　"ItwasasplendidsermonandIcouldhavelistenedtoitforever，anditmademefeelutterlywretched。Oh，IwishIwaslikeYOU，Anne。
　　"Hecaughtupwithmeontheroadhome，andgrinnedascheerfullyasusual。Buthisgrincouldneverdeceivemeagain。IhadseentheREALJonas。IwonderedifhecouldeverseetheREALPHIL——
　　whomNOBODY，notevenyou，Anne，haseverseenyet。
　　"`Jonas，’Isaid——IforgottocallhimMr。Blake。Wasn’titdreadful？
　　Buttherearetimeswhenthingslikethatdon’tmatter——`Jonas，youwereborntobeaminister。YouCOULDN’Tbeanythingelse。’
　　"`No，Icouldn’t，’hesaidsoberly。`Itriedtobesomethingelseforalongtime——Ididn’twanttobeaminister。ButI
　　cametoseeatlastthatitwastheworkgivenmetodo——andGodhelpingme，Ishalltrytodoit。’
　　"Hisvoicewaslowandreverent。Ithoughtthathewoulddohisworkanddoitwellandnobly；andhappythewomanfittedbynatureandtrainingtohelphimdoit。SHEwouldbenofeather，blownaboutbyeveryficklewindoffancy。SHEwouldalwaysknowwhathattoputon。Probablyshewouldhaveonlyone。Ministersneverhavemuchmoney。Butshewouldn’tmindhavingonehatornoneatall，becauseshewouldhaveJonas。
　　"AnneShirley，don’tyoudaretosayorhintorthinkthatI’vefalleninlovewithMr。Blake。CouldIcareforalank，poor，uglytheologue——namedJonas？AsUncleMarksays，`It’simpossible，andwhat’smoreit’simprobable。’
　　Goodnight，PHIL。"
　　"P。S。Itisimpossible——butIamhorriblyafraidit’strue。
　　I’mhappyandwretchedandscared。HEcanNEVERcareforme，Iknow。DoyouthinkIcouldeverdevelopintoapassableminister’swife，Anne？AndWOULDtheyexpectmetoleadinprayer？PG。"
　　ChapterXXV
　　EnterPrinceCharming"I’mcontrastingtheclaimsofindoorsandout，"saidAnne，lookingfromthewindowofPatty’sPlacetothedistantpinesofthepark。
　　"I’veanafternoontospendinsweetdoingnothing，AuntJimsie。
　　ShallIspenditherewherethereisacosyfire，aplatefulofdeliciousrussets，threepurringandharmoniouscats，andtwoimpeccablechinadogswithgreennoses？OrshallIgotothepark，wherethereisthelureofgraywoodsandofgraywaterlappingontheharborrocks？"
　　"IfIwasasyoungasyou，I’ddecideinfavorofthepark，"saidAuntJamesina，ticklingJoseph’syellowearwithaknittingneedle。
　　"Ithoughtthatyouclaimedtobeasyoungasanyofus，Aunty，"
　　teasedAnne。
　　"Yes，inmysoul。ButI’lladmitmylegsaren’tasyoungasyours。
　　Yougoandgetsomefreshair，Anne。Youlookpalelately。"
　　"IthinkI’llgotothepark，"saidAnnerestlessly。"Idon’tfeelliketamedomesticjoystoday。Iwanttofeelaloneandfreeandwild。Theparkwillbeempty，foreveryonewillbeatthefootballmatch。"
　　"Whydidn’tyougotoit？"
　　"`Nobodyaxedme，sir，shesaid’——atleast，nobodybutthathorridlittleDanRanger。Iwouldn’tgoanywherewithhim；
　　butratherthanhurthispoorlittletenderfeelingsIsaidI
　　wasn’tgoingtothegameatall。Idon’tmind。I’mnotinthemoodforfootballtodaysomehow。"
　　"Yougoandgetsomefreshair，"repeatedAuntJamesina，"buttakeyourumbrella，forIbelieveit’sgoingtorain。I’verheumatisminmyleg。"
　　"Onlyoldpeopleshouldhaverheumatism，Aunty。"
　　"Anybodyisliabletorheumatisminherlegs，Anne。It’sonlyoldpeoplewhoshouldhaverheumatismintheirsouls，though。
　　Thankgoodness，Ineverhave。Whenyougetrheumatisminyoursoulyoumightaswellgoandpickoutyourcoffin。"
　　ItwasNovember——themonthofcrimsonsunsets，partingbirds，deep，sadhymnsofthesea，passionatewind-songsinthepines。
　　Anneroamedthroughthepinelandalleysintheparkand，asshesaid，letthatgreatsweepingwindblowthefogsoutofhersoul。
　　Annewasnotwonttobetroubledwithsoulfog。But，somehow，sinceherreturntoRedmondforthisthirdyear，lifehadnotmirroredherspiritbacktoherwithitsold，perfect，sparklingclearness。
　　Outwardly，existenceatPatty’sPlacewasthesamepleasantroundofworkandstudyandrecreationthatithadalwaysbeen。
　　OnFridayeveningsthebig，fire-lightedlivingroomwascrowdedbycallersandechoedtoendlessjestandlaughter，whileAuntJamesinasmiledbeaminglyonthemall。The"Jonas"ofPhil’slettercameoften，runningupfromSt。Columbiaontheearlytrainanddepartingonthelate。
　　HewasageneralfavoriteatPatty’sPlace，thoughAuntJamesinashookherheadandopinedthatdivinitystudentswerenotwhattheyusedtobe。
　　"He’sVERYnice，mydear，"shetoldPhil，"butministersoughttobegraverandmoredignified。"
　　"Can’tamanlaughandlaughandbeaChristianstill？"demandedPhil。
　　"Oh，MEN——yes。ButIwasspeakingofMINISTERS，mydear，"
　　saidAuntJamesinarebukingly。"Andyoushouldn’tflirtsowithMr。Blake——youreallyshouldn’t。"
　　"I’mnotflirtingwithhim，"protestedPhil。
　　Nobodybelievedher，exceptAnne。Theothersthoughtshewasamusingherselfasusual，andtoldherroundlythatshewasbehavingverybadly。
　　"Mr。Blakeisn’toftheAlec-and-Alonzotype，Phil，"saidStellaseverely。
　　"Hetakesthingsseriously。Youmaybreakhisheart。"
　　"DoyoureallythinkIcould？"askedPhil。"I’dlovetothinkso。"
　　"PhilippaGordon！Ineverthoughtyouwereutterlyunfeeling。
　　Theideaofyousayingyou’dlovetobreakaman’sheart！"
　　"Ididn’tsayso，honey。Quotemecorrectly。IsaidI’dliketothinkICOULDbreakit。IwouldliketoknowIhadthePOWERtodoit。"
　　"Idon’tunderstandyou，Phil。Youareleadingthatmanondeliberately——andyouknowyoudon’tmeananythingbyit。"
　　"ImeantomakehimaskmetomarryhimifIcan，"saidPhilcalmly。
　　"Igiveyouup，"saidStellahopelessly。
　　GilbertcameoccasionallyonFridayevenings。Heseemedalwaysingoodspirits，andheldhisowninthejestsandreparteethatflewabout。HeneithersoughtnoravoidedAnne。
　　Whencircumstancesbroughtthemincontacthetalkedtoherpleasantlyandcourteously，astoanynewly-madeacquaintance。
　　Theoldcamaraderiewasgoneentirely。Annefeltitkeenly；
　　butshetoldherselfshewasverygladandthankfulthatGilberthadgotsocompletelyoverhisdisappointmentinregardtoher。
　　Shehadreallybeenafraid，thatAprileveningintheorchard，thatshehadhurthimterriblyandthatthewoundwouldbelonginhealing。Nowshesawthatsheneednothaveworried。
　　Menhavediedandthewormshaveeatenthembutnotforlove。
　　Gilbertevidentlywasinnodangerofimmediatedissolution。
　　Hewasenjoyinglife，andhewasfullofambitionandzest。
　　Forhimtherewastobenowastingindespairbecauseawomanwasfairandcold。Anne，asshelistenedtotheceaselessbadinagethatwentonbetweenhimandPhil，wonderedifshehadonlyimaginedthatlookinhiseyeswhenshehadtoldhimshecouldnevercareforhim。
　　TherewerenotlackingthosewhowouldgladlyhavesteppedintoGilbert’svacantplace。ButAnnesnubbedthemwithoutfearandwithoutreproach。IftherealPrinceCharmingwasnevertocomeshewouldhavenoneofasubstitute。Soshesternlytoldherselfthatgraydayinthewindypark。
　　SuddenlytherainofAuntJamesina’sprophecycamewithaswishandrush。Anneputupherumbrellaandhurrieddowntheslope。
　　Assheturnedoutontheharborroadasavagegustofwindtorealongit。Instantlyherumbrellaturnedwrongsideout。Anneclutchedatitindespair。Andthen——therecameavoiceclosetoher。
　　"Pardonme——mayIofferyoutheshelterofmyumbrella？"
　　Annelookedup。Tallandhandsomeanddistinguished-looking——dark，melancholy，inscrutableeyes——melting，musical，sympatheticvoice——yes，theveryheroofherdreamsstoodbeforeherintheflesh。Hecouldnothavemorecloselyresembledheridealifhehadbeenmadetoorder。
　　"Thankyou，"shesaidconfusedly。
　　"We’dbetterhurryovertothatlittlepavilliononthepoint，"
　　suggestedtheunknown。"Wecanwaitthereuntilthisshowerisover。Itisnotlikelytorainsoheavilyverylong。"
　　Thewordswereverycommonplace，butoh，thetone！Andthesmilewhichaccompaniedthem！Annefeltherheartbeatingstrangely。
　　Togethertheyscurriedtothepavilionandsatbreathlesslydownunderitsfriendlyroof。Annelaughinglyheldupherfalseumbrella。
　　"ItiswhenmyumbrellaturnsinsideoutthatIamconvincedofthetotaldepravityofinanimatethings，"shesaidgaily。
　　Theraindropssparkledonhershininghair；itsloosenedringscurledaroundherneckandforehead。Hercheekswereflushed，hereyesbigandstarry。Hercompanionlookeddownatheradmiringly。Shefeltherselfblushingunderhisgaze。
　　Whocouldhebe？Why，therewasabitoftheRedmondwhiteandscarletpinnedtohiscoatlapel。Yetshehadthoughtsheknew，bysightatleast，alltheRedmondstudentsexcepttheFreshmen。
　　AndthiscourtlyyouthsurelywasnoFreshman。
　　"Weareschoolmates，Isee，"hesaid，smilingatAnne’scolors。
　　"Thatoughttobesufficientintroduction。MynameisRoyalGardner。
　　AndyouaretheMissShirleywhoreadtheTennysonpaperatthePhilomathictheotherevening，aren’tyou？"
　　"Yes；butIcannotplaceyouatall，"saidAnne，frankly。
　　"Please，whereDOyoubelong？"
　　"IfeelasifIdidn’tbelonganywhereyet。IputinmyFreshmanandSophomoreyearsatRedmondtwoyearsago。I’vebeeninEuropeeversince。NowI’vecomebacktofinishmyArtscourse。"
　　"ThisismyJunioryear，too，"saidAnne。
　　"Soweareclassmatesaswellascollegemates。Iamreconciledtothelossoftheyearsthatthelocusthaseaten，"saidhercompanion，withaworldofmeaninginthosewonderfuleyesofhis。
　　Theraincamesteadilydownforthebestpartofanhour。Butthetimeseemedreallyveryshort。WhenthecloudspartedandaburstofpaleNovembersunshinefellathwarttheharborandthepinesAnneandhercompanionwalkedhometogether。BythetimetheyhadreachedthegateofPatty’sPlacehehadaskedpermissiontocall，andhadreceivedit。Annewentinwithcheeksofflameandherheartbeatingtoherfingertips。Rusty，whoclimbedintoherlapandtriedtokissher，foundaveryabsentwelcome。Anne，withhersoulfullofromanticthrills，hadnoattentiontosparejustthenforacrop-earedpussycat。
　　ThateveningaparcelwasleftatPatty’sPlaceforMissShirley。
　　Itwasaboxcontainingadozenmagnificentroses。Philpouncedimpertinentlyonthecardthatfellfromit，readthenameandthepoeticalquotationwrittenontheback。
　　"RoyalGardner！"sheexclaimed。"Why，Anne，Ididn’tknowyouwereacquaintedwithRoyGardner！"
　　"Imethimintheparkthisafternoonintherain，"explainedAnnehurriedly。"Myumbrellaturnedinsideoutandhecametomyrescuewithhis。"
　　"Oh！"PhilpeeredcuriouslyatAnne。"Andisthatexceedinglycommonplaceincidentanyreasonwhyheshouldsenduslongstemmedrosesbythedozen，withaverysentimentalrhyme？Orwhyweshouldblushdivinestrosy-redwhenwelookathiscard？Anne，thyfacebetrayeththee。"
　　"Don’ttalknonsense，Phil。DoyouknowMr。Gardner？"
　　"I’vemethistwosisters，andIknowofhim。SodoeseverybodyworthwhileinKingsport。TheGardnersareamongtherichest，bluest，ofBluenoses。Royisadorablyhandsomeandclever。
　　Twoyearsagohismother’shealthfailedandhehadtoleavecollegeandgoabroadwithher——hisfatherisdead。Hemusthavebeengreatlydisappointedtohavetogiveuphisclass，buttheysayhewasperfectlysweetaboutit。Fee——fi——fo——fum，Anne。Ismellromance。AlmostdoIenvyyou，butnotquite。
　　Afterall，RoyGardnerisn’tJonas。"
　　"Yougoose！"saidAnneloftily。Butshelaylongawakethatnight，nordidshewishforsleep。Herwakingfanciesweremorealluringthananyvisionofdreamland。HadtherealPrincecomeatlast？
　　Recallingthosegloriousdarkeyeswhichhadgazedsodeeplyintoherown，Annewasverystronglyinclinedtothinkhehad。
　　ChapterXXVI
　　EnterChristineThegirlsatPatty’sPlaceweredressingforthereceptionwhichtheJuniorsweregivingfortheSeniorsinFebruary。Annesurveyedherselfinthemirroroftheblueroomwithgirlishsatisfaction。
　　Shehadaparticularlyprettygownon。Originallyithadbeenonlyasimplelittleslipofcreamsilkwithachiffonoverdress。
　　ButPhilhadinsistedontakingithomewithherintheChristmasholidaysandembroideringtinyrosebudsalloverthechiffon。
　　Phil’sfingersweredeft，andtheresultwasadresswhichwastheenvyofeveryRedmondgirl。EvenAllieBoone，whosefrockscamefromParis，waswonttolookwithlongingeyesonthatrosebudconcoctionasAnnetrailedupthemainstaircaseatRedmondinit。
　　Annewastryingtheeffectofawhiteorchidinherhair。
　　RoyGardnerhadsentherwhiteorchidsforthereception，andsheknewnootherRedmondgirlwouldhavethemthatnight——whenPhilcameinwithadmiringgaze。
　　"Anne，thisiscertainlyyournightforlookinghandsome。
　　NinenightsoutoftenIcaneasilyoutshineyou。Thetenthyoublossomoutsuddenlyintosomethingthateclipsesmealtogether。
　　Howdoyoumanageit？"
　　"It’sthedress，dear。Finefeathers。"
　　"`Tisn’t。ThelasteveningyouflamedoutintobeautyyouworeyouroldblueflannelshirtwaistthatMrs。Lyndemadeyou。
　　IfRoyhadn’talreadylostheadandheartaboutyouhecertainlywouldtonight。ButIdon’tlikeorchidsonyou，Anne。No；itisn’tjealousy。Orchidsdon’tseemtoBELONGtoyou。They’retooexotic——tootropical——tooinsolent。Don’tputtheminyourhair，anyway。"
　　"Well，Iwon’t。IadmitI’mnotfondoforchidsmyself。Idon’tthinkthey’rerelatedtome。Roydoesn’toftensendthem——heknowsIlikeflowersIcanlivewith。Orchidsareonlythingsyoucanvisitwith。"
　　"Jonassentmesomedearpinkrosebudsfortheevening——but——
　　heisn’tcominghimself。Hesaidhehadtoleadaprayer-meetingintheslums！Idon’tbelievehewantedtocome。Anne，I’mhorriblyafraidJonasdoesn’treallycareanythingaboutme。AndI’mtryingtodecidewhetherI’llpineawayanddie，orgoonandgetmyB。A。andbesensibleanduseful。"
　　"Youcouldn’tpossiblybesensibleanduseful，Phil，soyou’dbetterpineawayanddie，"saidAnnecruelly。
　　"HeartlessAnne！"
　　"SillyPhil！YouknowquitewellthatJonaslovesyou。"
　　"But——hewon’tTELLmeso。AndIcan’tMAKEhim。HeLOOKSit，I’lladmit。Butspeak-to-me-only-with-thine-eyesisn’tareallyreliablereasonforembroideringdoiliesandhemstitchingtablecloths。Idon’twanttobeginsuchworkuntilI’mreallyengaged。ItwouldbetemptingFate。"
　　"Mr。Blakeisafraidtoaskyoutomarryhim，Phil。Heispoorandcan’tofferyouahomesuchasyou’vealwayshad。Youknowthatistheonlyreasonhehasn’tspokenlongago。"
　　"Isupposeso，"agreedPhildolefully。"Well"——brighteningup——"ifheWON’TaskmetomarryhimI’llaskhim，that’sall。
　　Soit’sboundtocomeright。Iwon’tworry。Bytheway，GilbertBlytheisgoingaboutconstantlywithChristineStuart。
　　Didyouknow？"
　　Annewastryingtofastenalittlegoldchainaboutherthroat。
　　Shesuddenlyfoundtheclaspdifficulttomanage。WHATwasthematterwithit——orwithherfingers？
　　"No，"shesaidcarelessly。"WhoisChristineStuart？"
　　"RonaldStuart’ssister。She’sinKingsportthiswinterstudyingmusic。Ihaven’tseenher，buttheysayshe’sveryprettyandthatGilbertisquitecrazyoverher。HowangryIwaswhenyourefusedGilbert，Anne。ButRoyGardnerwasforeordainedforyou。
　　Icanseethatnow。Youwereright，afterall。"
　　Annedidnotblush，assheusuallydidwhenthegirlsassumedthathereventualmarriagetoRoyGardnerwasasettledthing。
　　Allatonceshefeltratherdull。Phil’schatterseemedtrivialandthereceptionabore。SheboxedpoorRusty’sears。
　　"Getoffthatcushioninstantly，youcat，you！Whydon’tyoustaydownwhereyoubelong？"
　　Annepickedupherorchidsandwentdownstairs，whereAuntJamesinawaspresidingoverarowofcoatshungbeforethefiretowarm。
　　RoyGardnerwaswaitingforAnneandteasingtheSarah-catwhilehewaited。TheSarah-catdidnotapproveofhim。Shealwaysturnedherbackonhim。ButeverybodyelseatPatty’sPlacelikedhimverymuch。AuntJamesina，carriedawaybyhisunfailinganddeferentialcourtesy，andthepleadingtonesofhisdelightfulvoice，declaredhewasthenicestyoungmansheeverknew，andthatAnnewasaveryfortunategirl。SuchremarksmadeAnnerestive。Roy’swooinghadcertainlybeenasromanticasgirlishheartcoulddesire，but——shewishedAuntJamesinaandthegirlswouldnottakethingssoforgranted。WhenRoymurmuredapoeticalcomplimentashehelpedheronwithhercoat，shedidnotblushandthrillasusual；andhefoundherrathersilentintheirbriefwalktoRedmond。Hethoughtshelookedalittlepalewhenshecameoutofthecoeds’dressingroom；
　　butastheyenteredthereceptionroomhercolorandsparklesuddenlyreturnedtoher。SheturnedtoRoywithhergayestexpression。
　　HesmiledbackatherwithwhatPhilcalled"hisdeep，black，velvetysmile。"YetshereallydidnotseeRoyatall。ShewasacutelyconsciousthatGilbertwasstandingunderthepalmsjustacrosstheroomtalkingtoagirlwhomustbeChristineStuart。
　　Shewasveryhandsome，inthestatelystyledestinedtobecomerathermassiveinmiddlelife。Atallgirl，withlargedark-blueeyes，ivoryoutlines，andaglossofdarknessonhersmoothhair。
　　"ShelooksjustasI’vealwayswantedtolook，"thoughtAnnemiserably。"Rose-leafcomplexion——starryvioleteyes——ravenhair——yes，shehasthemall。It’sawonderhernameisn’tCordeliaFitzgeraldintothebargain！ButIdon’tbelieveherfigureisasgoodasmine，andhernosecertainlyisn’t。"
　　Annefeltalittlecomfortedbythisconclusion。
　　ChapterXXVII
　　MutualConfidencesMarchcameinthatwinterlikethemeekestandmildestoflambs，bringingdaysthatwerecrispandgoldenandtingling，eachfollowedbyafrostypinktwilightwhichgraduallylostitselfinanelflandofmoonshine。
　　OverthegirlsatPatty’sPlacewasfallingtheshadowofAprilexaminations。Theywerestudyinghard；evenPhilhadsettleddowntotextandnotebookswithadoggednessnottobeexpectedofher。
　　"I’mgoingtotaketheJohnsonScholarshipinMathematics，"sheannouncedcalmly。"IcouldtaketheoneinGreekeasily，butI’drathertakethemathematicalonebecauseIwanttoprovetoJonasthatI’mreallyenormouslyclever。"
　　"Jonaslikesyoubetterforyourbigbrowneyesandyourcrookedsmilethanforallthebrainsyoucarryunderyourcurls，"saidAnne。
　　"WhenIwasagirlitwasn’tconsideredlady-liketoknowanythingaboutMathematics，"saidAuntJamesina。"Buttimeshavechanged。
　　Idon’tknowthatit’sallforthebetter。Canyoucook，Phil？"
　　"No，Inevercookedanythinginmylifeexceptagingerbreadanditwasafailure——flatinthemiddleandhillyroundtheedges。
　　Youknowthekind。But，Aunty，whenIbeginingoodearnesttolearntocookdon’tyouthinkthebrainsthatenablemetowinamathematicalscholarshipwillalsoenablemetolearncookingjustaswell？"
　　"Maybe，"saidAuntJamesinacautiously。"Iamnotdecryingthehighereducationofwomen。MydaughterisanM。A。Shecancook，too。ButItaughthertocookBEFOREIletacollegeprofessorteachherMathematics。"
　　Inmid-MarchcamealetterfromMissPattySpofford，sayingthatsheandMissMariahaddecidedtoremainabroadforanotheryear。
　　"SoyoumayhavePatty’sPlacenextwinter，too，"shewrote。
　　"MariaandIaregoingtorunoverEgypt。IwanttoseetheSphinxoncebeforeIdie。"
　　"Fancythosetwodames`runningoverEgypt’！Iwonderifthey’lllookupattheSphinxandknit，"laughedPriscilla。
　　"I’msogladwecankeepPatty’sPlaceforanotheryear，"saidStella。"Iwasafraidthey’dcomeback。Andthenourjollylittlenestherewouldbebrokenup——andwepoorcallownestlingsthrownoutonthecruelworldofboardinghousesagain。"
　　"I’moffforatrampinthepark，"announcedPhil，tossingherbookaside。"IthinkwhenIameightyI’llbegladIwentforawalkintheparktonight。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？"askedAnne。
　　"ComewithmeandI’lltellyou，honey。"
　　TheycapturedintheirrambleallthemysteriesandmagicsofaMarchevening。Verystillandmilditwas，wrappedinagreat，white，broodingsilence——asilencewhichwasyetthreadedthroughwithmanylittlesilverysoundswhichyoucouldhearifyouhearkenedasmuchwithyoursoulasyourears。Thegirlswandereddownalongpinelandaislethatseemedtoleadrightoutintotheheartofadeep-red，overflowingwintersunset。
　　"I’dgohomeandwriteapoemthisblessedminuteifIonlyknewhow，"
　　declaredPhil，pausinginanopenspacewherearosylightwasstainingthegreentipsofthepines。"It’sallsowonderfulhere——thisgreat，whitestillness，andthosedarktreesthatalwaysseemtobethinking。"
　　"`ThewoodswereGod’sfirsttemples，’"quotedAnnesoftly。
　　"Onecan’thelpfeelingreverentandadoringinsuchaplace。
　　IalwaysfeelsonearHimwhenIwalkamongthepines。"
　　"Anne，I’mthehappiestgirlintheworld，"confessedPhilsuddenly。
　　"SoMr。Blakehasaskedyoutomarryhimatlast？"saidAnnecalmly。
　　"Yes。AndIsneezedthreetimeswhilehewasaskingme。
　　Wasn’tthathorrid？ButIsaid`yes’almostbeforehefinished——Iwassoafraidhemightchangehismindandstop。I’mbesottedlyhappy。Icouldn’treallybelievebeforethatJonaswouldevercareforfrivolousme。"