JohnDouglasSpeaksatLastAnnewasnotwithoutafeeblehopethatsomethingmightcomeofitafterall。Butnothingdid。JohnDouglascameandtookJanetdriving，andwalkedhomefromprayer-meetingwithher，ashehadbeendoingfortwentyyears，andasheseemedlikelytodofortwentyyearsmore。Thesummerwaned。Annetaughtherschoolandwrotelettersandstudiedalittle。Herwalkstoandfromschoolwerepleasant。Shealwayswentbywayoftheswamp；itwasalovelyplace——aboggysoil，greenwiththegreenestofmossyhillocks；asilverybrookmeanderedthroughitandsprucesstooderectly，theirboughsa-trailwithgray-greenmosses，theirrootsovergrownwithallsortsofwoodlandlovelinesses。
　　Nevertheless，AnnefoundlifeinValleyRoadalittlemonotonous。
　　Tobesure，therewasonedivertingincident。
　　Shehadnotseenthelank，tow-headedSamuelofthepeppermintssincetheeveningofhiscall，saveforchancemeetingsontheroad。
　　ButonewarmAugustnightheappeared，andsolemnlyseatedhimselfontherusticbenchbytheporch。Heworehisusualworkinghabiliments，consistingofvaripatchedtrousers，abluejeanshirt，outattheelbows，andaraggedstrawhat。HewaschewingastrawandhekeptonchewingitwhilehelookedsolemnlyatAnne。Annelaidherbookasidewithasighandtookupherdoily。ConversationwithSamwasreallyoutofthequestion。
　　AfteralongsilenceSamsuddenlyspoke。
　　"I’mleavingoverthere，"hesaidabruptly，wavinghisstrawinthedirectionoftheneighboringhouse。
　　"Oh，areyou？"saidAnnepolitely。
　　"Yep。"
　　"Andwhereareyougoingnow？"
　　"Wall，I’vebeenthinkingsomeofgittingaplaceofmyown。
　　There’sonethat’dsuitmeoveratMillersville。ButefIrentsitI’llwantawoman。"
　　"Isupposeso，"saidAnnevaguely。
　　"Yep。"
　　Therewasanotherlongsilence。FinallySamremovedhisstrawagainandsaid，"Willyehhevme？"
　　"Wh——a——t！"gaspedAnne。
　　"Willyehhevme？"
　　"Doyoumean——MARRYyou？"queriedpoorAnnefeebly。
　　"Yep。"
　　"Why，I’mhardlyacquaintedwithyou，"criedAnneindignantly。
　　"Butyeh’dgitacquaintedwithmeafterwewasmarried，"saidSam。
　　Annegatheredupherpoordignity。
　　"CertainlyIwon’tmarryyou，"shesaidhaughtily。
　　"Wall，yehmightdoworse，"expostulatedSam。"I’magoodworkerandI’vegotsomemoneyinthebank。"
　　"Don’tspeakofthistomeagain。Whateverputsuchanideaintoyourhead？"saidAnne，hersenseofhumorgettingthebetterofherwrath。Itwassuchanabsurdsituation。
　　"Yeh’realikely-lookinggirlandhevaright-smartwayo’stepping，"
　　saidSam。"Idon’twantnolazywoman。Thinkitover。Iwon’tchangemymindyitawhile。Wall，Imustbegitting。Gottermilkthecows。"
　　Anne’sillusionsconcerningproposalshadsufferedsomuchoflateyearsthattherewerefewofthemleft。Soshecouldlaughwholeheartedlyoverthisone，notfeelinganysecretsting。ShemimickedpoorSamtoJanetthatnight，andbothofthemlaughedimmoderatelyoverhisplungeintosentiment。
　　Oneafternoon，whenAnne’ssojourninValleyRoadwasdrawingtoaclose，AlecWardcamedrivingdownto"Wayside"inhothasteforJanet。
　　"TheywantyouattheDouglasplacequick，"hesaid。"IreallybelieveoldMrs。Douglasisgoingtodieatlast，afterpretendingtodoitfortwentyyears。"
　　Janetrantogetherhat。AnneaskedifMrs。Douglaswasworsethanusual。
　　"She’snothalfasbad，"saidAlecsolemnly，"andthat’swhatmakesmethinkit’sserious。Othertimesshe’dbescreamingandthrowingherselfallovertheplace。Thistimeshe’slyingstillandmum。WhenMrs。Douglasismumsheisprettysick，youbet。"
　　"Youdon’tlikeoldMrs。Douglas？"saidAnnecuriously。
　　"IlikecatsasIScats。Idon’tlikecatsasiswomen，"wasAlec’scrypticreply。
　　Janetcamehomeinthetwilight。
　　"Mrs。Douglasisdead，"shesaidwearily。"ShediedsoonafterIgotthere。Shejustspoketomeonce——`Isupposeyou’llmarryJohnnow？’shesaid。Itcutmetotheheart，Anne。
　　TothinkJohn’sownmotherthoughtIwouldn’tmarryhimbecauseofher！Icouldn’tsayawordeither——therewereotherwomenthere。IwasthankfulJohnhadgoneout。"
　　Janetbegantocrydrearily。ButAnnebrewedherahotdrinkofgingerteatohercomforting。Tobesure，Annediscoveredlateronthatshehadusedwhitepepperinsteadofginger；butJanetneverknewthedifference。
　　TheeveningafterthefuneralJanetandAnneweresittingonthefrontporchstepsatsunset。Thewindhadfallenasleepinthepinelandsandluridsheetsofheat-lightningflickeredacrossthenorthernskies。Janetworeheruglyblackdressandlookedherveryworst，hereyesandnoseredfromcrying。Theytalkedlittle，forJanetseemedfaintlytoresentAnne’seffortstocheerherup。Sheplainlypreferredtobemiserable。
　　Suddenlythegate-latchclickedandJohnDouglasstrodeintothegarden。Hewalkedtowardsthemstraightoverthegeraniumbed。
　　Janetstoodup。SodidAnne。Annewasatallgirlandworeawhitedress；butJohnDouglasdidnotseeher。
　　"Janet，"hesaid，"willyoumarryme？"
　　ThewordsburstoutasiftheyhadbeenwantingtobesaidfortwentyyearsandMUSTbeutterednow，beforeanythingelse。
　　Janet’sfacewassoredfromcryingthatitcouldn’tturnanyredder，soitturnedamostunbecomingpurple。
　　"Whydidn’tyouaskmebefore？"shesaidslowly。
　　"Icouldn’t。Shemademepromisenotto——mothermademepromisenotto。Nineteenyearsagoshetookaterriblespell。
　　Wethoughtshecouldn’tlivethroughit。Sheimploredmetopromisenottoaskyoutomarrymewhileshewasalive。Ididn’twanttopromisesuchathing，eventhoughweallthoughtshecouldn’tliveverylong——thedoctoronlygavehersixmonths。
　　Butshebeggeditonherknees，sickandsuffering。Ihadtopromise。"
　　"Whathadyourmotheragainstme？"criedJanet。
　　"Nothing——nothing。Shejustdidn’twantanotherwoman——ANYwoman——therewhileshewasliving。ShesaidifI
　　didn’tpromiseshe’ddierightthereandI’dhavekilledher。
　　SoIpromised。Andshe’sheldmetothatpromiseeversince，thoughI’vegoneonmykneestoherinmyturntobeghertoletmeff。"
　　"Whydidn’tyoutellmethis？"askedJanetchokingly。
　　"IfI’donlyKNOWN！Whydidn’tyoujusttellme？"
　　"ShemademepromiseIwouldn’ttellasoul，"saidJohnhoarsely。
　　"ShesworemetoitontheBible；Janet，I’dneverhavedoneitifI’ddreameditwastobeforsolong。Janet，you’llneverknowwhatI’vesufferedthesenineteenyears。IknowI’vemadeyousuffer，too，butyou’llmarrymeforall，won’tyou，Janet？
　　Oh，Janet，won’tyou？I’vecomeassoonasIcouldtoaskyou。"
　　AtthismomentthestupefiedAnnecametohersensesandrealizedthatshehadnobusinesstobethere。SheslippedawayanddidnotseeJanetuntilthenextmorning，whenthelattertoldhertherestofthestory。
　　"Thatcruel，relentless，deceitfuloldwoman！"criedAnne。
　　"Hush——she’sdead，"saidJanetsolemnly。"Ifshewasn’t——butsheIS。
　　Sowemustn’tspeakevilofher。ButI’mhappyatlast，Anne。AndI
　　wouldn’thavemindedwaitingsolongabitifI’donlyknownwhy。"
　　"Whenareyoutobemarried？"
　　"Nextmonth。Ofcourseitwillbeveryquiet。Isupposepeoplewilltalkterrible。They’llsayImadeenoughhastetosnapJohnupassoonashispoormotherwasoutoftheway。JohnwantedtoletthemknowthetruthbutIsaid，`No，John；afterallshewasyourmother，andwe’llkeepthesecretbetweenus，andnotcastanyshadowonhermemory。Idon’tmindwhatpeoplesay，nowthatIknowthetruthmyself。Itdon’tmatteramite。Letitallbeburiedwiththedead’saysItohim。SoIcoaxedhimroundtoagreewithme。"
　　"You’remuchmoreforgivingthanIcouldeverbe，"Annesaid，rathercrossly。
　　"You’llfeeldifferentlyaboutagoodmanythingswhenyougettobemyage，"saidJanettolerantly。"That’soneofthethingswelearnaswegrowolder——howtoforgive。Itcomeseasieratfortythanitdidattwenty。"
　　ChapterXXXV
　　TheLastRedmondYearOpens"Hereweare，allbackagain，nicelysunburnedandrejoicingasastrongmantorunarace，"saidPhil，sittingdownonasuitcasewithasighofpleasure。"Isn’titjollytoseethisdearoldPatty’sPlaceagain——andAunty——andthecats？Rustyhaslostanotherpieceofear，hasn’the？"
　　"Rustywouldbethenicestcatintheworldifhehadnoearsatall，"
　　declaredAnneloyallyfromhertrunk，whileRustywrithedaboutherlapinafrenzyofwelcome。
　　"Aren’tyougladtoseeusback，Aunty？"demandedPhil。
　　"Yes。ButIwishyou’dtidythingsup，"saidAuntJamesinaplaintively，lookingatthewildernessoftrunksandsuitcasesbywhichthefourlaughing，chatteringgirlsweresurrounded。"Youcantalkjustaswelllateron。WorkfirstandthenplayusedtobemymottowhenIwasagirl。"
　　"Oh，we’vejustreversedthatinthisgeneration，Aunty。
　　OURmottoisplayyourplayandthendigin。Youcandoyourworksomuchbetterifyou’vehadagoodboutofplayfirst。"
　　"Ifyouaregoingtomarryaminister，"saidAuntJamesina，pickingupJosephandherknittingandresigningherselftotheinevitablewiththecharminggracethatmadeherthequeenofhousemothers，"youwillhavetogiveupsuchexpressionsas`digin。’"
　　"Why？"moanedPhil。"Oh，whymustaminister’swifebesupposedtoutteronlyprunesandprisms？Ishan’t。EverybodyonPattersonStreetusesslang——thatistosay，metaphoricallanguage——andifIdidn’ttheywouldthinkmeinsufferablyproudandstuckup。"
　　"Haveyoubrokenthenewstoyourfamily？"askedPriscilla，feedingtheSarah-catbitsfromherlunchbasket。
　　Philnodded。
　　"Howdidtheytakeit？"
　　"Oh，motherrampaged。ButIstoodrockfirm——evenI，PhilippaGordon，whoneverbeforecouldholdfasttoanything。Fatherwascalmer。
　　Father’sowndaddywasaminister，soyouseehehasasoftspotinhisheartforthecloth。IhadJouptoMountHolly，aftermothergrewcalm，andtheybothlovedhim。Butmothergavehimsomefrightfulhintsineveryconversationregardingwhatshehadhopedforme。Oh，myvacationpathwayhasn’tbeenexactlystrewnwithroses，girlsdear。
　　But——I’vewonoutandI’vegotJo。Nothingelsematters。"
　　"Toyou，"saidAuntJamesinadarkly。
　　"NortoJo，either，"retortedPhil。"Youkeeponpityinghim。
　　Why，pray？Ithinkhe’stobeenvied。He’sgettingbrains，beauty，andaheartofgoldinME。"
　　"It’swellweknowhowtotakeyourspeeches，"saidAuntJamesinapatiently。"Ihopeyoudon’ttalklikethatbeforestrangers。
　　Whatwouldtheythink？"
　　"Oh，Idon’twanttoknowwhattheythink。Idon’twanttoseemyselfasothersseeme。I’msureitwouldbehorriblyuncomfortablemostofthetime。Idon’tbelieveBurnswasreallysincereinthatprayer，either。"
　　"Oh，Idaresayweallprayforsomethingsthatwereallydon’twant，ifwewereonlyhonestenoughtolookintoourhearts，"
　　ownedAuntJamesinacandidly。"I’veanotionthatsuchprayersdon’triseveryfar。_I_usedtopraythatImightbeenabledtoforgiveacertainperson，butIknownowIreallydidn’twanttoforgiveher。WhenIfinallygotthatIDIDwanttoIforgaveherwithouthavingtoprayaboutit。"
　　"Ican’tpictureyouasbeingunforgivingforlong，"saidStella。
　　"Oh，Iusedtobe。Butholdingspitedoesn’tseemworthwhilewhenyougetalonginyears。"
　　"Thatremindsme，"saidAnne，andtoldthetaleofJohnandJanet。
　　"Andnowtellusaboutthatromanticsceneyouhintedsodarklyatinoneofyourletters，"demandedPhil。
　　AnneactedoutSamuel’sproposalwithgreatspirit。ThegirlsshriekedwithlaughterandAuntJamesinasmiled。
　　"Itisn’tingoodtastetomakefunofyourbeaux，"shesaidseverely；"but，"sheaddedcalmly，"Ialwaysdiditmyself。"
　　"Tellusaboutyourbeaux，Aunty，"entreatedPhil。"Youmusthavehadanynumberofthem。"
　　"They’renotinthepasttense，"retortedAuntJamesina。
　　"I’vegotthemyet。Therearethreeoldwidowersathomewhohavebeencastingsheep’seyesatmeforsometime。
　　Youchildrenneedn’tthinkyouownalltheromanceintheworld。"
　　"Widowersandsheep’seyesdon’tsoundveryromantic，Aunty。"
　　"Well，no；butyoungfolksaren’talwaysromanticeither。
　　Someofmybeauxcertainlyweren’t。Iusedtolaughatthemscandalous，poorboys。TherewasJimElwood——hewasalwaysinasortofday-dream——neverseemedtosensewhatwasgoingon。
　　Hedidn’twakeuptothefactthatI’dsaid`no’tillayearafterI’dsaidit。Whenhedidgetmarriedhiswifefelloutofthesleighonenightwhentheyweredrivinghomefromchurchandhenevermissedher。ThentherewasDanWinston。Heknewtoomuch。
　　Hekneweverythinginthisworldandmostofwhatisinthenext。
　　Hecouldgiveyouananswertoanyquestion，evenifyouaskedhimwhentheJudgmentDaywastobe。MiltonEdwardswasrealniceandIlikedhimbutIdidn’tmarryhim。Foronething，hetookaweektogetajokethroughhishead，andforanotherheneveraskedme。
　　HoratioReevewasthemostinterestingbeauIeverhad。Butwhenhetoldastoryhedresseditupsothatyoucouldn’tseeitforfrills。
　　Inevercoulddecidewhetherhewaslyingorjustlettinghisimaginationrunloose。"
　　"Andwhatabouttheothers，Aunty？"
　　"Goawayandunpack，"saidAuntJamesina，wavingJosephatthembymistakeforaneedle。"Theothersweretoonicetomakefunof。
　　Ishallrespecttheirmemory。There’saboxofflowersinyourroom，Anne。Theycameaboutanhourago。"
　　AfterthefirstweekthegirlsofPatty’sPlacesettleddowntoasteadygrindofstudy；forthiswastheirlastyearatRedmondandgraduationhonorsmustbefoughtforpersistently。AnnedevotedherselftoEnglish，Priscillaporedoverclassics，andPhilippapoundedawayatMathematics。Sometimestheygrewtired，sometimestheyfeltdiscouraged，sometimesnothingseemedworththestruggleforit。InonesuchmoodStellawandereduptotheblueroomonerainyNovemberevening。Annesatonthefloorinalittlecircleoflightcastbythelampbesideher，amidasurroundingsnowofcrumpledmanuscript。
　　"Whatintheworldareyoudoing？"
　　"JustlookingoversomeoldStoryClubyarns。IwantedsomethingtocheerANDinebriate。I’dstudieduntiltheworldseemedazure。
　　SoIcameuphereanddugtheseoutofmytrunk。Theyaresodrenchedintearsandtragedythattheyareexcruciatinglyfunny。"
　　"I’mblueanddiscouragedmyself，"saidStella，throwingherselfonthecouch。"Nothingseemsworthwhile。Myverythoughtsareold。I’vethoughtthemallbefore。Whatistheuseoflivingafterall，Anne？"
　　"Honey，it’sjustbrainfagthatmakesusfeelthatway，andtheweather。
　　Apouringrainynightlikethis，comingafterahardday’sgrind，wouldsquelchanyonebutaMarkTapley。YouknowitISworthwhiletolive。"
　　"Oh，Isupposeso。ButIcan’tproveittomyselfjustnow。"
　　"Justthinkofallthegreatandnoblesoulswhohavelivedandworkedintheworld，"saidAnnedreamily。"Isn’titworthwhiletocomeafterthemandinheritwhattheywonandtaught？Isn’titworthwhiletothinkwecansharetheirinspiration？Andthen，allthegreatsoulsthatwillcomeinthefuture？Isn’titworthwhiletoworkalittleandpreparethewayforthem——
　　makejustonestepintheirpatheasier？"
　　"Oh，mymindagreeswithyou，Anne。Butmysoulremainsdolefulanduninspired。I’malwaysgrubbyanddingyonrainynights。"
　　"SomenightsIliketherain——Iliketolieinbedandhearitpatteringontheroofanddriftingthroughthepines。"
　　"Ilikeitwhenitstaysontheroof，"saidStella。"Itdoesn’talways。Ispentagruesomenightinanoldcountryfarmhouselastsummer。Theroofleakedandtheraincamepatteringdownonmybed。TherewasnopoetryinTHAT。Ihadtogetupinthe`mirkmidnight’andchivyroundtopullthebedsteadoutofthedrip——anditwasoneofthosesolid，old-fashionedbedsthatweighaton——moreorless。Andthenthatdrip-drop，drip-dropkeptupallnightuntilmynervesjustwenttopieces。You’venoideawhataneerienoiseagreatdropofrainfallingwithamushythudonabarefloormakesinthenight。Itsoundslikeghostlyfootstepsandallthatsortofthing。Whatareyoulaughingover，Anne？"
　　"Thesestories。AsPhilwouldsaytheyarekilling——inmoresensesthanone，foreverybodydiedinthem。Whatdazzlinglylovelyheroineswehad——andhowwedressedthem！Silks——satins——velvets——jewels——laces——theyneverworeanythingelse。HereisoneofJaneAndrews’
　　storiesdepictingherheroineassleepinginabeautifulwhitesatinnightdresstrimmedwithseedpearls。"
　　"Goon，"saidStella。"Ibegintofeelthatlifeisworthlivingaslongasthere’salaughinit。"
　　"Here’soneIwrote。Myheroineisdisportingherselfataball`glitteringfromheadtofootwithlargediamondsofthefirstwater。’Butwhatbootedbeautyorrichattire？`Thepathsofgloryleadbuttothegrave。’Theymusteitherbemurderedordieofabrokenheart。Therewasnoescapeforthem。"
　　"Letmereadsomeofyourstories。"
　　"Well，here’smymasterpiece。Noteitscheerfultitle——`MyGraves。’
　　Ishedquartsoftearswhilewritingit，andtheothergirlsshedgallonswhileIreadit。JaneAndrews’motherscoldedherfrightfullybecauseshehadsomanyhandkerchiefsinthewashthatweek。It’saharrowingtaleofthewanderingsofaMethodistminister’swife。ImadeheraMethodistbecauseitwasnecessarythatsheshouldwander。Sheburiedachildeveryplaceshelivedin。Therewerenineofthemandtheirgraveswereseveredfarapart，rangingfromNewfoundlandtoVancouver。
　　Idescribedthechildren，picturedtheirseveraldeathbeds，anddetailedtheirtombstonesandepitaphs。IhadintendedtoburythewholeninebutwhenIhaddisposedofeightmyinventionofhorrorsgaveoutandIpermittedtheninthtoliveasahopelesscripple。"
　　WhileStellareadMyGraves，punctuatingitstragicparagraphswithchuckles，andRustysleptthesleepofajustcatwhohasbeenoutallnightcurleduponaJaneAndrewstaleofabeautifulmaidenoffifteenwhowenttonurseinalepercolony——ofcoursedyingoftheloathsomediseasefinally——AnneglancedovertheothermanuscriptsandrecalledtheolddaysatAvonleaschoolwhenthemembersoftheStoryClub，sittingunderthesprucetreesordownamongthefernsbythebrook，hadwrittenthem。Whatfuntheyhadhad！
　　Howthesunshineandmirthofthoseoldensummersreturnedassheread。
　　NotalltheglorythatwasGreeceorthegrandeurthatwasRomecouldweavesuchwizardryasthosefunny，tearfultalesoftheStoryClub。
　　AmongthemanuscriptsAnnefoundonewrittenonsheetsofwrappingpaper。
　　Awaveoflaughterfilledhergrayeyesassherecalledthetimeandplaceofitsgenesis。ItwasthesketchshehadwrittenthedayshefellthroughtheroofoftheCobbduckhouseontheToryRoad。
　　Anneglancedoverit，thenfelltoreadingitintently。Itwasalittledialoguebetweenastersandsweet-peas，wildcanariesinthelilacbush，andtheguardianspiritofthegarden。Aftershehadreadit，shesat，staringintospace；andwhenStellahadgoneshesmoothedoutthecrumpledmanuscript。
　　"IbelieveIwill，"shesaidresolutely。
　　ChapterXXXVI
　　TheGardners’Call"HereisaletterwithanIndianstampforyou，AuntJimsie，"
　　saidPhil。"HerearethreeforStella，andtwoforPris，andagloriousfatoneformefromJo。There’snothingforyou，Anne，exceptacircular。"
　　NobodynoticedAnne’sflushasshetookthethinletterPhiltossedhercarelessly。ButafewminuteslaterPhillookeduptoseeatransfiguredAnne。
　　"Honey，whatgoodthinghashappened？"
　　"TheYouth’sFriendhasacceptedalittlesketchIsentthemafortnightago，"saidAnne，tryinghardtospeakasifshewereaccustomedtohavingsketchesacceptedeverymail，butnotquitesucceeding。
　　"AnneShirley！Howglorious！Whatwasit？Whenisittobepublished？Didtheypayyouforit？"
　　"Yes；they’vesentacheckfortendollars，andtheeditorwritesthathewouldliketoseemoreofmywork。Dearman，heshall。
　　ItwasanoldsketchIfoundinmybox。Ire-wroteitandsentitin——butIneverreallythoughtitcouldbeacceptedbecauseithadnoplot，"saidAnne，recallingthebitterexperienceofAveril’sAtonement。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodowiththattendollars，Anne？Let’sallgouptownandgetdrunk，"suggestedPhil。
　　"IAMgoingtosquanderitinawildsoullessrevelofsomesort，"
　　declaredAnnegaily。"Atalleventsitisn’ttaintedmoney——
　　likethecheckIgotforthathorribleReliableBakingPowderstory。
　　IspentITusefullyforclothesandhatedthemeverytimeIputthemon。"
　　"ThinkofhavingarealliveauthoratPatty’sPlace，"saidPriscilla。
　　"It’sagreatresponsibility，"saidAuntJamesinasolemnly。
　　"Indeeditis，"agreedPriswithequalsolemnity。"Authorsarekittlecattle。Youneverknowwhenorhowtheywillbreakout。
　　Annemaymakecopyofus。"
　　"ImeantthattheabilitytowriteforthePresswasagreatresponsibility，"saidAuntJamesinaseverely。"andIhopeAnnerealizes，it。Mydaughterusedtowritestoriesbeforeshewenttotheforeignfield，butnowshehasturnedherattentiontohigherthings。Sheusedtosayhermottowas`Neverwritealineyouwouldbeashamedtoreadatyourownfuneral。’You’dbettertakethatforyours，Anne，ifyouaregoingtoembarkinliterature。
　　Though，tobesure，"addedAuntJamesinaperplexedly，"Elizabethalwaysusedtolaughwhenshesaidit。ShealwayslaughedsomuchthatIdon’tknowhowsheevercametodecideonbeingamissionary。
　　I’mthankfulshedid——Iprayedthatshemight——but——Iwishshehadn’t。"
　　ThenAuntJamesinawonderedwhythosegiddygirlsalllaughed。
　　Anne’seyesshoneallthatday；literaryambitionssproutedandbuddedinherbrain；theirexhilarationaccompaniedhertoJennieCooper’swalkingparty，andnoteventhesightofGilbertandChristine，walkingjustaheadofherandRoy，couldquitesubduethesparkleofherstarryhopes。Nevertheless，shewasnotsoraptfromthingsofearthastobeunabletonoticethatChristine’swalkwasdecidedlyungraceful。
　　"ButIsupposeGilbertlooksonlyatherface。Solikeaman，"
　　thoughtAnnescornfully。
　　"ShallyoubehomeSaturdayafternoon？"askedRoy。
　　"Yes。"
　　"Mymotherandsistersarecomingtocallonyou，"saidRoyquietly。
　　SomethingwentoverAnnewhichmightbedescribedasathrill，butitwashardlyapleasantone。ShehadnevermetanyofRoy’sfamily；
　　sherealizedthesignificanceofhisstatement；andithad，somehow，anirrevocablenessaboutitthatchilledher。
　　"Ishallbegladtoseethem，"shesaidflatly；andthenwonderedifshereallywouldbeglad。Sheoughttobe，ofcourse。Butwoulditnotbesomethingofanordeal？GossiphadfilteredtoAnneregardingthelightinwhichtheGardnersviewedthe"infatuation"ofsonandbrother。Roymusthavebroughtpressuretobearinthematterofthiscall。Anneknewshewouldbeweighedinthebalance。Fromthefactthattheyhadconsentedtocallsheunderstoodthat，willinglyorunwillingly，theyregardedherasapossiblememberoftheirclan。
　　"Ishalljustbemyself。IshallnotTRYtomakeagoodimpression，"
　　thoughtAnneloftily。ButshewaswonderingwhatdressshewouldbetterwearSaturdayafternoon，andifthenewstyleofhighhair-dressingwouldsuitherbetterthantheold；andthewalkingpartywasratherspoiledforher。BynightshehaddecidedthatshewouldwearherbrownchiffononSaturday，butwoulddoherhairlow。
　　FridayafternoonnoneofthegirlshadclassesatRedmond。
　　StellatooktheopportunitytowriteapaperforthePhilomathicSociety，andwassittingatthetableinthecorneroftheliving-roomwithanuntidylitterofnotesandmanuscriptontheflooraroundher。Stellaalwaysvowedshenevercouldwriteanythingunlessshethreweachsheetdownasshecompletedit。
　　Anne，inherflannelblouseandsergeskirt，withherhairratherblownfromherwindywalkhome，wassittingsquarelyinthemiddleofthefloor，teasingtheSarah-catwithawishbone。
　　JosephandRustywerebothcurledupinherlap。Awarmplummyodorfilledthewholehouse，forPriscillawascookinginthekitchen。Presentlyshecamein，enshroudedinahugework-apron，withasmudgeofflouronhernose，toshowAuntJamesinathechocolatecakeshehadjusticed。
　　Atthisauspiciousmomenttheknockersounded。NobodypaidanyattentiontoitsavePhil，whosprangupandopenedit，expectingaboywiththehatshehadboughtthatmorning。OnthedoorstepstoodMrs。Gardnerandherdaughters。
　　Annescrambledtoherfeetsomehow，emptyingtwoindignantcatsoutofherlapasshedidso，andmechanicallyshiftingherwishbonefromherrighthandtoherleft。Priscilla，whowouldhavehadtocrosstheroomtoreachthekitchendoor，lostherhead，wildlyplungedthechocolatecakeunderacushionontheinglenooksofa，anddashedupstairs。Stellabeganfeverishlygatheringuphermanuscript。OnlyAuntJamesinaandPhilremainednormal。Thankstothem，everybodywassoonsittingatease，evenAnne。Priscillacamedown，apronlessandsmudgeless，Stellareducedhercornertodecency，andPhilsavedthesituationbyastreamofreadysmalltalk。
　　Mrs。Gardnerwastallandthinandhandsome，exquisitelygowned，cordialwithacordialitythatseemedatrifleforced。
　　AlineGardnerwasayoungereditionofhermother，lackingthecordiality。Sheendeavoredtobenice，butsucceededonlyinbeinghaughtyandpatronizing。DorothyGardnerwasslimandjollyandrathertomboyish。AnneknewshewasRoy’sfavoritesisterandwarmedtoher。ShewouldhavelookedverymuchlikeRoyifshehadhaddreamydarkeyesinsteadofroguishhazelones。ThankstoherandPhil，thecallreallywentoffverywell，exceptforaslightsenseofstrainintheatmosphereandtworatheruntowardincidents。RustyandJoseph，lefttothemselves，beganagameofchase，andsprangmadlyintoMrs。Gardner’ssilkenlapandoutofitintheirwildcareer。
　　Mrs。Gardnerliftedherlorgnetteandgazedaftertheirflyingformsasifshehadneverseencatsbefore，andAnne，chokingbackslightlynervouslaughter，apologizedasbestshecould。
　　"Youarefondofcats？"saidMrs。Gardner，withaslightintonationoftolerantwonder。
　　Anne，despiteheraffectionforRusty，wasnotespeciallyfondofcats，butMrs。Gardner’stoneannoyedher。InconsequentlysherememberedthatMrs。JohnBlythewassofondofcatsthatshekeptasmanyasherhusbandwouldallow。
　　"TheyAREadorableanimals，aren’tthey？"shesaidwickedly。
　　"Ihaveneverlikedcats，"saidMrs。Gardnerremotely。
　　"Ilovethem，"saidDorothy。"Theyaresoniceandselfish。
　　DogsareTOOgoodandunselfish。Theymakemefeeluncomfortable。
　　Butcatsaregloriouslyhuman。"
　　"Youhavetwodelightfuloldchinadogsthere。MayIlookatthemclosely？"saidAline，crossingtheroomtowardsthefireplaceandtherebybecomingtheunconsciouscauseoftheotheraccident。
　　PickingupMagog，shesatdownonthecushionunderwhichwassecretedPriscilla’schocolatecake。PriscillaandAnneexchangedagonizedglancesbutcoulddonothing。ThestatelyAlinecontinuedtositonthecushionanddiscusschinadogsuntilthetimeofdeparture。
　　DorothylingeredbehindamomenttosqueezeAnne’shandandwhisperimpulsively。
　　"IKNOWyouandIaregoingtobechums。Oh，Royhastoldmeallaboutyou。I’mtheonlyoneofthefamilyhetellsthingsto，poorboy——nobodyCOULDconfideinmammaandAline，youknow。
　　Whatglorioustimesyougirlsmusthavehere！Won’tyouletmecomeoftenandhaveashareinthem？"
　　"Comeasoftenasyoulike，"Annerespondedheartily，thankfulthatoneofRoy’ssisterswaslikable。ShewouldneverlikeAline，somuchwascertain；andAlinewouldneverlikeher，thoughMrs。Gardnermightbewon。Altogether，Annesighedwithreliefwhentheordealwasover。
　　"`OfallsadwordsoftongueorpenThesaddestareitmighthavebeen，’"
　　quotedPriscillatragically，liftingthecushion。"Thiscakeisnowwhatyoumightcallaflatfailure。Andthecushionislikewiseruined。NevertellmethatFridayisn’tunlucky。"
　　"PeoplewhosendwordtheyarecomingonSaturdayshouldn’tcomeonFriday，"saidAuntJamesina。
　　"IfancyitwasRoy’smistake，"saidPhil。"Thatboyisn’treallyresponsibleforwhathesayswhenhetalkstoAnne。WhereISAnne？"
　　Annehadgoneupstairs。Shefeltoddlylikecrying。Butshemadeherselflaughinstead。RustyandJosephhadbeenTOOawful！
　　AndDorothyWASadear。
　　ChapterXXXVII
　　Full-fledgedB。A。’s"IwishIweredead，orthatitweretomorrownight，"groanedPhil。
　　"Ifyoulivelongenoughbothwisheswillcometrue，"saidAnnecalmly。
　　"It’seasyforyoutobeserene。You’reathomeinPhilosophy。
　　I’mnot——andwhenIthinkofthathorriblepapertomorrowIquail。
　　IfIshouldfailinitwhatwouldJosay？"
　　"Youwon’tfail。HowdidyougetoninGreektoday？"
　　"Idon’tknow。PerhapsitwasagoodpaperandperhapsitwasbadenoughtomakeHomerturnoverinhisgrave。I’vestudiedandmulledovernotebooksuntilI’mincapableofforminganopinionofanything。HowthankfullittlePhilwillbewhenallthisexaminatingisover。"
　　"Examinating？Ineverheardsuchaword。"
　　"Well，haven’tIasgoodarighttomakeawordasanyoneelse？"
　　demandedPhil。
　　"Wordsaren’tmade——theygrow，"saidAnne。
　　"Nevermind——Ibeginfaintlytodiscernclearwateraheadwherenoexaminationbreakersloom。Girls，doyou——canyourealizethatourRedmondLifeisalmostover？"
　　"Ican’t，"saidAnne，sorrowfully。"ItseemsjustyesterdaythatPrisandIwerealoneinthatcrowdofFreshmenatRedmond。
　　AndnowweareSeniorsinourfinalexaminations。"
　　"`Potent，wise，andreverendSeniors，’"quotedPhil。"DoyousupposewereallyareanywiserthanwhenwecametoRedmond？"
　　"Youdon’tactasifyouwerebytimes，"saidAuntJamesinaseverely。
　　"Oh，AuntJimsie，haven’twebeenprettygoodgirls，takeusbyandlarge，thesethreewintersyou’vemotheredus？"pleadedPhil。
　　"You’vebeenfourofthedearest，sweetest，goodestgirlsthateverwenttogetherthroughcollege，"averredAuntJamesina，whoneverspoiledacomplimentbymisplacedeconomy。
　　"ButImistrustyouhaven’tanytoomuchsenseyet。It’snottobeexpected，ofcourse。Experienceteachessense。Youcan’tlearnitinacollegecourse。You’vebeentocollegefouryearsandIneverwas，butIknowheapsmorethanyoudo，youngladies。"
　　"`Therearelotsofthingsthatnevergobyrule，There’sapowerfulpileo’knowledgeThatyounevergetatcollege，Thereareheapsofthingsyouneverlearnatschool，’"
　　quotedStella。
　　"HaveyoulearnedanythingatRedmondexceptdeadlanguagesandgeometryandsuchtrash？"queriedAuntJamesina。
　　"Oh，yes。Ithinkwehave，Aunty，"protestedAnne。
　　"We’velearnedthetruthofwhatProfessorWoodleightolduslastPhilomathic，"saidPhil。"Hesaid，`Humoristhespiciestcondimentinthefeastofexistence。Laughatyourmistakesbutlearnfromthem，jokeoveryourtroublesbutgatherstrengthfromthem，makeajestofyourdifficultiesbutovercomethem。’
　　Isn’tthatworthlearning，AuntJimsie？"
　　"Yes，itis，dearie。Whenyou’velearnedtolaughatthethingsthatshouldbelaughedat，andnottolaughatthosethatshouldn’t，you’vegotwisdomandunderstanding。"
　　"WhathaveyougotoutofyourRedmondcourse，Anne？"murmuredPriscillaaside。
　　"Ithink，"saidAnneslowly，"thatIreallyhavelearnedtolookuponeachlittlehindranceasajestandeachgreatoneastheforeshadowingofvictory。Summingup，IthinkthatiswhatRedmondhasgivenme。"
　　"IshallhavetofallbackonanotherProfessorWoodleighquotationtoexpresswhatithasdoneforme，"saidPriscilla。
　　"Yourememberthathesaidinhisaddress，`Thereissomuchintheworldforusallifweonlyhavetheeyestoseeit，andthehearttoloveit，andthehandtogatherittoourselves——
　　somuchinmenandwomen，somuchinartandliterature，somucheverywhereinwhichtodelight，andforwhichtobethankful。’
　　IthinkRedmondhastaughtmethatinsomemeasure，Anne。"
　　"Judgingfromwhatyouall，say"remarkedAuntJamesina，"thesumandsubstanceisthatyoucanlearn——ifyou’vegotnaturalgumptionenough——infouryearsatcollegewhatitwouldtakeabouttwentyyearsoflivingtoteachyou。Well，thatjustifieshighereducationinmyopinion。It’samatterIwasalwaysdubiousaboutbefore。"
　　"Butwhataboutpeoplewhohaven’tnaturalgumption，AuntJimsie？"
　　"Peoplewhohaven’tnaturalgumptionneverlearn，"retortedAuntJamesina，"neitherincollegenorlife。Iftheylivetobeahundredtheyreallydon’tknowanythingmorethanwhentheywereborn。It’stheirmisfortunenottheirfault，poorsouls。
　　ButthoseofuswhohavesomegumptionshoulddulythanktheLordforit。"
　　"Willyoupleasedefinewhatgumptionis，AuntJimsie？"askedPhil。
　　"No，Iwon’t，youngwoman。Anyonewhohasgumptionknowswhatitis，andanyonewhohasn’tcanneverknowwhatitis。Sothereisnoneedofdefiningit。"
　　Thebusydaysflewbyandexaminationswereover。AnnetookHighHonorsinEnglish。PriscillatookHonorsinClassics，andPhilinMathematics。Stellaobtainedagoodall-roundshowing。
　　ThencameConvocation。
　　"ThisiswhatIwouldoncehavecalledanepochinmylife，"
　　saidAnne，asshetookRoy’svioletsoutoftheirboxandgazedatthemthoughtfully。Shemeanttocarrythem，ofcourse，buthereyeswanderedtoanotherboxonhertable。Itwasfilledwithlilies-of-the-valley，asfreshandfragrantasthosewhichbloomedintheGreenGablesyardwhenJunecametoAvonlea。
　　GilbertBlythe’scardlaybesideit。
　　AnnewonderedwhyGilbertshouldhavesentherflowersforConvocation。
　　Shehadseenverylittleofhimduringthepastwinter。HehadcometoPatty’sPlaceonlyoneFridayeveningsincetheChristmasholidays，andtheyrarelymetelsewhere。Sheknewhewasstudyingveryhard，aimingatHighHonorsandtheCooperPrize，andhetooklittlepartinthesocialdoingsofRedmond。Anne’sownwinterhadbeenquitegaysocially。ShehadseenagooddealoftheGardners；sheandDorothywereveryintimate；collegecirclesexpectedtheannouncementofherengagementtoRoyanyday。Anneexpecteditherself。YetjustbeforesheleftPatty’sPlaceforConvocationsheflungRoy’svioletsasideandputGilbert’slilies-of-the-valleyintheirplace。
　　Shecouldnothavetoldwhyshedidit。Somehow，oldAvonleadaysanddreamsandfriendshipsseemedveryclosetoherinthisattainmentofherlong-cherishedambitions。SheandGilberthadoncepicturedoutmerrilythedayonwhichtheyshouldbecappedandgownedgraduatesinArts。ThewonderfuldayhadcomeandRoy’svioletshadnoplaceinit。
　　Onlyheroldfriend’sflowersseemedtobelongtothisfruitionofold-blossominghopeswhichhehadonceshared。
　　Foryearsthisdayhadbeckonedandalluredtoher；butwhenitcametheonesingle，keen，abidingmemoryitleftwithherwasnotthatofthebreathlessmomentwhenthestatelypresidentofRedmondgavehercapanddiplomaandhailedherB。A。；itwasnotoftheflashinGilbert’seyeswhenhesawherlilies，northepuzzledpainedglanceRoygaveherashepassedherontheplatform。
　　ItwasnotofAlineGardner’scondescendingcongratulations，orDorothy’sardent，impulsivegoodwishes。Itwasofonestrange，unaccountablepangthatspoiledthislong-expecteddayforherandleftinitacertainfaintbutenduringflavorofbitterness。
　　TheArtsgraduatesgaveagraduationdancethatnight。WhenAnnedressedforitshetossedasidethepearlbeadssheusuallyworeandtookfromhertrunkthesmallboxthathadcometoGreenGablesonChristmasday。Initwasathread-likegoldchainwithatinypinkenamelheartasapendant。Ontheaccompanyingcardwaswritten，"Withallgoodwishesfromyouroldchum，Gilbert。"Anne，laughingoverthememorytheenamelheartconjuredupthefataldaywhenGilberthadcalledher"Carrots"andvainlytriedtomakehispeacewithapinkcandyheart，hadwrittenhimanicelittlenoteofthanks。
　　Butshehadneverwornthetrinket。Tonightshefasteneditaboutherwhitethroatwithadreamysmile。
　　SheandPhilwalkedtoRedmondtogether。Annewalkedinsilence；
　　Philchatteredofmanythings。Suddenlyshesaid，"IheardtodaythatGilbertBlythe’sengagementtoChristineStuartwastobeannouncedassoonasConvocationwasover。
　　Didyouhearanythingofit？"
　　"No，"saidAnne。
　　"Ithinkit’strue，"saidPhillightly。
　　Annedidnotspeak。Inthedarknessshefeltherfaceburning。
　　Sheslippedherhandinsidehercollarandcaughtatthegoldchain。Oneenergetictwistanditgaveway。Annethrustthebrokentrinketintoherpocket。Herhandsweretremblingandhereyesweresmarting。
　　Butshewasthegayestofallthegayrevellersthatnight，andtoldGilbertunregretfullythathercardwasfullwhenhecametoaskherforadance。Afterwards，whenshesatwiththegirlsbeforethedyingembersatPatty’sPlace，removingthespringchillinessfromtheirsatinskins，nonechattedmoreblithelythansheoftheday’sevents。
　　"MoodySpurgeonMacPhersoncalledheretonightafteryouleft，"
　　saidAuntJamesina，whohadsatuptokeepthefireon。"Hedidn’tknowaboutthegraduationdance。Thatboyoughttosleepwitharubberbandaroundhisheadtotrainhisearsnottostickout。
　　Ihadabeauoncewhodidthatanditimprovedhimimmensely。
　　ItwasIwhosuggestedittohimandhetookmyadvice，butheneverforgavemeforit。"
　　"MoodySpurgeonisaveryseriousyoungman，"yawnedPriscilla。
　　"Heisconcernedwithgravermattersthanhisears。Heisgoingtobeaminister，youknow。"
　　"Well，IsupposetheLorddoesn’tregardtheearsofaman，"
　　saidAuntJamesinagravely，droppingallfurthercriticismofMoodySpurgeon。AuntJamesinahadaproperrespectfortheclotheveninthecaseofanunfledgedparson。
　　ChapterXXXVIII
　　FalseDawn"Justimagine——thisnightweekI’llbeinAvonlea——delightfulthought！"
　　saidAnne，bendingovertheboxinwhichshewaspackingMrs。RachelLynde’squilts。"Butjustimagine——thisnightweekI’llbegoneforeverfromPatty’sPlace——horriblethought！"
　　"IwonderiftheghostofallourlaughterwillechothroughthemaidendreamsofMissPattyandMissMaria，"speculatedPhil。
　　MissPattyandMissMariawerecominghome，afterhavingtrottedovermostofthehabitableglobe。
　　"We’llbebackthesecondweekinMay"wroteMissPatty。"IexpectPatty’sPlacewillseemrathersmallaftertheHalloftheKingsatKarnak，butIneverdidlikebigplacestolivein。AndI’llbegladenoughtobehomeagain。Whenyoustarttravelinglateinlifeyou’reapttodotoomuchofitbecauseyouknowyouhaven’tmuchtimeleft，andit’sathingthatgrowsonyou。I’mafraidMariawillneverbecontentedagain。"
　　"Ishallleaveheremyfanciesanddreamstoblessthenextcomer，"
　　saidAnne，lookingaroundtheblueroomwistfully——herprettyblueroomwhereshehadspentthreesuchhappyyears。Shehadkneltatitswindowtoprayandhadbentfromittowatchthesunsetbehindthepines。Shehadheardtheautumnraindropsbeatingagainstitandhadwelcomedthespringrobinsatitssill。Shewonderedifolddreamscouldhauntrooms——if，whenoneleftforevertheroomwhereshehadjoyedandsufferedandlaughedandwept，somethingofher，intangibleandinvisible，yetnonethelessreal，didnotremainbehindlikeavoicefulmemory。
　　"Ithink，"saidPhil，"thataroomwhereonedreamsandgrievesandrejoicesandlivesbecomesinseparablyconnectedwiththoseprocessesandacquiresapersonalityofitsown。IamsureifI
　　cameintothisroomfiftyyearsfromnowitwouldsay’Anne，Anne’
　　tome。Whatnicetimeswe’vehadhere，honey！Whatchatsandjokesandgoodchummyjamborees！Oh，dearme！I’mtomarryJoinJuneandIknowIwillberapturouslyhappy。ButjustnowIfeelasifIwantedthislovelyRedmondlifetogoonforever。"
　　"I’munreasonableenoughjustnowtowishthat，too，"admittedAnne。
　　"Nomatterwhatdeeperjoysmaycometouslateronwe’llneveragainhavejustthesamedelightful，irresponsibleexistencewe’vehadhere。
　　It’soverforever，Phil。"