CAPTAINJIM
　　"OldDoctorDave"and"Mrs。DoctorDave"hadcomedowntothelittlehousetogreetthebrideandgroom。
　　DoctorDavewasabig，jolly，white-whiskeredoldfellow，andMrs。Doctorwasatrimrosy-cheeked，silver-hairedlittleladywhotookAnneatoncetoherheart，literallyandfiguratively。
　　"I’msogladtoseeyou，dear。Youmustberealtired。We’vegotabiteofsupperready，andCaptainJimbroughtupsometroutforyou。CaptainJim——whereareyou？Oh，he’sslippedouttoseetothehorse，I
　　suppose。Comeupstairsandtakeyourthingsoff。"
　　Annelookedaboutherwithbright，appreciativeeyesasshefollowedMrs。DoctorDaveupstairs。Shelikedtheappearanceofhernewhomeverymuch。ItseemedtohavetheatmosphereofGreenGablesandtheflavorofheroldtraditions。
　　"IthinkIwouldhavefoundMissElizabethRussella`kindredspirit，’"shemurmuredwhenshewasaloneinherroom。Thereweretwowindowsinit；thedormeronelookedoutonthelowerharborandthesand-barandtheFourWindslight。
　　"AmagiccasementopeningonthefoamOfperilousseasinfairylandsforlorn，"
　　quotedAnnesoftly。Thegablewindowgaveaviewofalittleharvest-huedvalleythroughwhichabrookran。
　　Halfamileupthebrookwastheonlyhouseinsight——anold，rambling，grayonesurroundedbyhugewillowsthroughwhichitswindowspeered，likeshy，seekingeyes，intothedusk。Annewonderedwholivedthere；theywouldbehernearestneighborsandshehopedtheywouldbenice。Shesuddenlyfoundherselfthinkingofthebeautifulgirlwiththewhitegeese。
　　"Gilbertthoughtshedidn’tbelonghere，"musedAnne，"butIfeelsureshedoes。Therewassomethingaboutherthatmadeherpartoftheseaandtheskyandtheharbor。FourWindsisinherblood。"
　　WhenAnnewentdownstairsGilbertwasstandingbeforethefireplacetalkingtoastranger。BothturnedasAnneentered。
　　"Anne，thisisCaptainBoyd。CaptainBoyd，mywife。"
　　ItwasthefirsttimeGilberthadsaid"mywife"toanybodybutAnne，andhenarrowlyescapedburstingwiththeprideofit。TheoldcaptainheldoutasinewyhandtoAnne；theysmiledateachotherandwerefriendsfromthatmoment。Kindredspiritflashedrecognitiontokindredspirit。
　　"I’mrightdownpleasedtomeetyou，MistressBlythe；
　　andIhopeyou’llbeashappyasthefirstbridewaswhocamehere。Ican’twishyounobetterthanTHAT。
　　Butyourhusbanddoesn’tintroducemejestexactlyright。`CaptainJim’ismyweek-a-daynameandyoumightaswellbeginasyou’resartaintoendup——callingmethat。Yousartainlyareanicelittlebride，MistressBlythe。LookingatyousortermakesmefeelthatI’vejestbeenmarriedmyself。"
　　AmidthelaughterthatfollowedMrs。DoctorDaveurgedCaptainJimtostayandhavesupperwiththem。
　　"Thankyoukindly。’Twillbearealtreat，MistressDoctor。Imostlyhastoeatmymealsalone，withthereflectionofmyuglyoldphizinalooking-glassoppositeforcompany。’Tisn’toftenIhaveachancetositdownwithtwosuchsweet，purtyladies。"
　　CaptainJim’scomplimentsmaylookverybaldonpaper，buthepaidthemwithsuchagracious，gentledeferenceoftoneandlookthatthewomanuponwhomtheywerebestowedfeltthatshewasbeingofferedaqueen’stributeinakinglyfashion。
　　CaptainJimwasahigh-souled，simple-mindedoldman，witheternalyouthinhiseyesandheart。Hehadatall，ratherungainlyfigure，somewhatstooped，yetsuggestiveofgreatstrengthandendurance；aclean-shavenfacedeeplylinedandbronzed；athickmaneofiron-grayhairfallingquitetohisshoulders，andapairofremarkablyblue，deep-seteyes，whichsometimestwinkledandsometimesdreamed，andsometimeslookedoutseawardwithawistfulquestinthem，asofoneseekingsomethingpreciousandlost。
　　AnnewastolearnonedaywhatitwasforwhichCaptainJimlooked。
　　ItcouldnotbedeniedthatCaptainJimwasahomelyman。Hissparejaws，ruggedmouth，andsquarebrowwerenotfashionedonthelinesofbeauty；andhehadpassedthroughmanyhardshipsandsorrowswhichhadmarkedhisbodyaswellashissoul；butthoughatfirstsightAnnethoughthimplainsheneverthoughtanythingmoreaboutit——thespiritshiningthroughthatruggedtenementbeautifieditsowholly。
　　Theygatheredgailyaroundthesuppertable。ThehearthfirebanishedthechilloftheSeptemberevening，butthewindowofthediningroomwasopenandseabreezesenteredattheirownsweetwill。Theviewwasmagnificent，takingintheharborandthesweepoflow，purplehillsbeyond。ThetablewasheapedwithMrs。Doctor’sdelicaciesbutthepiecederesistancewasundoubtedlythebigplatterofseatrout。
　　"Thoughtthey’dbesortertastyaftertravelling，"
　　saidCaptainJim。"They’refreshastroutcanbe，MistressBlythe。TwohoursagotheywereswimmingintheGlenPond。"
　　"Whoisattendingtothelighttonight，CaptainJim？"
　　askedDoctorDave。
　　"NephewAlec。HeunderstandsitaswellasIdo。
　　Well，now，I’mrealgladyouaskedmetostaytosupper。I’mproperhungry——didn’thavemuchofadinnertoday。"
　　"Ibelieveyouhalfstarveyourselfmostofthetimedownatthatlight，"saidMrs。DoctorDaveseverely。
　　"Youwon’ttakethetroubletogetupadecentmeal。"
　　"Oh，Ido，MistressDoctor，Ido，"protestedCaptainJim。"Why，Ilivelikeakinggen’rally。LastnightIwasuptotheGlenandtookhometwopoundsofsteak。
　　Imeanttohaveaspankinggooddinnertoday。"
　　"Andwhathappenedtothesteak？"askedMrs。DoctorDave。"Didyouloseitonthewayhome？"
　　"No。"CaptainJimlookedsheepish。"Justatbedtimeapoor，ornerysortofdogcamealongandaskedforanight’slodging。Guesshebelongedtosomeofthefishermen’longshore。Icouldn’tturnthepoorcurout——hehadasorefoot。SoIshuthimintheporch，withanoldbagtolieon，andwenttobed。ButsomehowIcouldn’tsleep。Cometothinkitover，I
　　sorterrememberedthatthedoglookedhungry。"
　　"Andyougotupandgavehimthatsteak——ALLthatsteak，"saidMrs。DoctorDave，withakindoftriumphantreproof。
　　"Well，therewasn’tanythingelseTOgivehim，"saidCaptainJimdeprecatingly。"Nothingadog’dcarefor，thatis。IreckonheWAShungry，forhemadeabouttwobitesofit。Ihadafinesleeptherestofthenightbutmydinnerhadtobesorterscanty——potatoesandpoint，asyoumightsay。Thedog，helitoutforhomethismorning。IreckonHEweren’tavegetarian。"
　　"Theideaofstarvingyourselfforaworthlessdog！"
　　sniffedMrs。Doctor。
　　"Youdon’tknowbuthemaybeworthalottosomebody，"protestedCaptainJim。"Hedidn’tLOOKofmuchaccount，butyoucan’tgobylooksinjedgingadog。Likemeself，hemightbearealbeautyinside。
　　TheFirstMatedidn’tapproveofhim，I’llallow。Hislanguagewasrightdownforcible。ButtheFirstMateisprejudiced。Nouseintakingacat’sopinionofadog。
　　’Tennyrate，Ilostmydinner，sothisnicespreadinthisdee-lightfulcompanyisrealpleasant。It’sagreatthingtohavegoodneighbors。"
　　"Wholivesinthehouseamongthewillowsupthebrook？"askedAnne。
　　"Mrs。DickMoore，"saidCaptainJim——"andherhusband，"headded，asifbywayofanafterthought。
　　Annesmiled，anddeducedamentalpictureofMrs。DickMoorefromCaptainJim’swayofputtingit；evidentlyasecondMrs。RachelLynde。
　　"Youhaven’tmanyneighbors，MistressBlythe，"CaptainJimwenton。"Thissideoftheharborismightythinlysettled。MostofthelandbelongstoMr。HowardupyanderpasttheGlen，andherentsitoutforpasture。
　　Theothersideoftheharbor，now，isthickwithfolks——’speciallyMacAllisters。There’sawholecolonyofMacAllistersyoucan’tthrowastonebutyouhitone。IwastalkingtooldLeonBlacquieretheotherday。He’sbeenworkingontheharborallsummer。
　　`Dey’renearlyallMacAllistersoverthar，’hetoldme。
　　`Dare’sNeilMacAllisterandSandyMacAllisterandWilliamMacAllisterandAlecMacAllisterandAngusMacAllister——andIbelievedare’sdeDevilMacAllister。’"
　　"TherearenearlyasmanyElliottsandCrawfords，"
　　saidDoctorDave，afterthelaughterhadsubsided。
　　"Youknow，Gilbert，wefolkonthissideofFourWindshaveanoldsaying——`FromtheconceitoftheElliotts，theprideoftheMacAllisters，andthevaingloryoftheCrawfords，goodLorddeliverus。’"
　　"There’saplentyoffinepeopleamongthem，though，"
　　saidCaptainJim。"IsailedwithWilliamCrawfordformanyayear，andforcourageandenduranceandtruththatmanhadn’tanequal。They’vegotbrainsoveronthatsideofFourWinds。Mebbethat’swhythissideissorterinclinedtopickon’em。Strange，ain’tit，howfolksseemtoresentanyonebeingbornamiteclevererthantheybe。"
　　DoctorDave，whohadafortyyears’feudwiththeover-harborpeople，laughedandsubsided。
　　"Wholivesinthatbrilliantemeraldhouseabouthalfamileuptheroad？"askedGilbert。
　　CaptainJimsmileddelightedly。
　　"MissCorneliaBryant。She’lllikelybeovertoseeyousoon，seeingyou’rePresbyterians。IfyouwereMethodistsshewouldn’tcomeatall。CorneliahasaholyhorrorofMethodists。"
　　"She’squiteacharacter，"chuckledDoctorDave。"A
　　mostinveterateman-hater！"
　　"Sourgrapes？"queriedGilbert，laughing。
　　"No，’tisn’tsourgrapes，"answeredCaptainJimseriously。"Corneliacouldhavehadherpickwhenshewasyoung。Evenyetshe’sonlytosaythewordtoseetheoldwidowersjump。ShejestseemstohavebeenbornwithasortofchronicspiteaginmenandMethodists。She’sgotthebitteresttongueandthekindestheartinFourWinds。Whereverthere’sanytrouble，thatwomanisthere，doingeverythingtohelpinthetenderestway。Sheneversaysaharshwordaboutanotherwoman，andifshelikestocarduspoorscalawagsofmendownIreckonourtougholdhidescanstandit。"
　　"Shealwaysspeakswellofyou，CaptainJim，"saidMrs。Doctor。
　　"Yes，I’mafraidso。Idon’thalflikeit。Itmakesmefeelasiftheremustbesomethingsorterunnateralaboutme。"
　　CHAPTER7
　　THESCHOOLMASTER’SBRIDE
　　"Whowasthefirstbridewhocametothishouse，CaptainJim？"Anneasked，astheysataroundthefireplaceaftersupper。
　　"WassheapartofthestoryI’veheardwasconnectedwiththishouse？"askedGilbert。"Somebodytoldmeyoucouldtellit，CaptainJim。"
　　"Well，yes，Iknowit。IreckonI’mtheonlypersonlivinginFourWindsnowthatcanremembertheschoolmaster’sbrideasshewaswhenshecometotheIsland。She’sbeendeadthisthirtyyear，butshewasoneofthemwomenyouneverforget。"
　　"Tellusthestory，"pleadedAnne。"Iwanttofindoutallaboutthewomenwhohavelivedinthishousebeforeme。"
　　"Well，there’sjestbeenthree——ElizabethRussell，andMrs。NedRussell，andtheschoolmaster’sbride。
　　ElizabethRussellwasanice，cleverlittlecritter，andMrs。Nedwasanicewoman，too。Buttheyweren’teverliketheschoolmaster’sbride。
　　"Theschoolmaster’snamewasJohnSelwyn。HecameoutfromtheOldCountrytoteachschoolattheGlenwhenI
　　wasaboyofsixteen。Hewasn’tmuchliketheusualrunofderelictswhousedtocomeouttoP。E。I。toteachschoolinthemdays。Mostofthemwereclever，drunkencritterswhotaughtthechildrenthethreeR’swhentheyweresober，andlambastedthemwhentheywasn’t。ButJohnSelwynwasafine，handsomeyoungfellow。Heboardedatmyfather’s，andheandmewerecronies，thoughhewastenyearsolder’nme。Wereadandwalkedandtalkedaheaptogether。Heknewaboutallthepoetrythatwaseverwritten，Ireckon，andheusedtoquoteittomealongshoreintheevenings。
　　Dadthoughtitanawfulwasteoftime，buthesorterenduredit，hopingit’dputmeoffthenotionofgoingtosea。Well，nothingcoulddoTHAT——mothercomeofaraceofsea-goingfolkanditwasborninme。ButI
　　lovedtohearJohnreadandrecite。It’salmostsixtyyearsago，butIcouldrepeatyardsofpoetryIlearnedfromhim。Nearlysixtyyears！"
　　CaptainJimwassilentforaspace，gazingintotheglowingfireinaquestofthebygones。Then，withasigh，heresumedhisstory。
　　"IrememberonespringeveningImethimonthesand-hills。Helookedsorteruplifted——jestlikeyoudid，Dr。Blythe，whenyoubroughtMistressBlytheintonight。IthoughtofhimtheminuteIseenyou。Andhetoldmethathehadasweetheartbackhomeandthatshewascomingouttohim。Iwasn’tmore’nhalfpleased，orneryyounglumpofselfishnessthatIwas；I
　　thoughthewouldn’tbeasmuchmyfriendaftershecame。ButI’denoughdecencynottolethimseeit。
　　Hetoldmeallabouther。HernamewasPersisLeigh，andshewouldhavecomeoutwithhimifithadn’tbeenforherolduncle。Hewassick，andhe’dlookedafterherwhenherparentsdiedandshewouldn’tleavehim。
　　AndnowhewasdeadandshewascomingouttomarryJohnSelwyn。’Twasn’tnoeasyjourneyforawomaninthemdays。Thereweren’tnosteamers，youmustricollect。
　　"`Whendoyouexpecther？’saysI。
　　"`ShesailsontheRoyalWilliam，the20thofJune，’
　　sayshe，`andsosheshouldbeherebymid-July。I
　　mustsetCarpenterJohnsontobuildingmeahomeforher。Herlettercometoday。IknowbeforeIopeneditthatithadgoodnewsforme。Isawherafewnightsago。’
　　"Ididn’tunderstandhim，andthenheexplained——thoughIdidn’tunderstandTHATmuchbetter。
　　Hesaidhehadagift——oracurse。Themwashiswords，MistressBlythe——agiftoracurse。Hedidn’tknowwhichitwas。Hesaidagreat-great-grandmotherofhishadhadit，andtheyburnedherforawitchonaccountofit。Hesaidqueerspells——trances，Ithinkwasthenamehegive’em——comeoverhimnowandagain。Aretheresuchthings，Doctor？"
　　"Therearepeoplewhoarecertainlysubjecttotrances，"answeredGilbert。"Thematterismoreinthelineofpsychicalresearchthanmedical。WhatwerethetrancesofthisJohnSelwynlike？"
　　"Likedreams，"saidtheoldDoctorskeptically。
　　"Hesaidhecouldseethingsinthem，"saidCaptainJimslowly。
　　"Mindyou，I’mtellingyoujestwhatHEsaid——thingsthatwerehappening——thingsthatwereGOINGtohappen。
　　Hesaidtheyweresometimesacomforttohimandsometimesahorror。Fournightsbeforethishe’dbeeninone——wentintoitwhilehewassittinglookingatthefire。AndhesawanoldroomheknewwellinEngland，andPersisLeighinit，holdingoutherhandstohimandlookinggladandhappy。Soheknewhewasgoingtoheargoodnewsofher。"
　　"Adream——adream，"scoffedtheoldDoctor。
　　"Likely——likely，"concededCaptainJim。"That’swhat_I_saidtohimatthetime。Itwasavastmorecomfortabletothinkso。Ididn’tliketheideaofhimseeingthingslikethat——itwasrealuncanny。
　　"`No，’sayshe，`Ididn’tdreamit。Butwewon’ttalkofthisagain。Youwon’tbesomuchmyfriendifyouthinkmuchaboutit。’
　　"Itoldhimnothingcouldmakemeanylesshisfriend。
　　Buthejestshookhisheadandsays，sayshe:
　　"`Lad，Iknow。I’velostfriendsbeforebecauseofthis。Idon’tblamethem。TherearetimeswhenIfeelhardlyfriendlytomyselfbecauseofit。Suchapowerhasabitofdivinityinit——whetherofagoodoranevildivinitywhoshallsay？AndwemortalsallshrinkfromtooclosecontactwithGodordevil。’
　　"Themwashiswords。Irememberthemasif’twasyesterday，thoughIdidn’tknowjestwhathemeant。
　　Whatdoyous’poseheDIDmean，doctor？"
　　"Idoubtifheknewwhathemeanthimself，"saidDoctorDavetestily。
　　"IthinkIunderstand，"whisperedAnne。Shewaslisteninginheroldattitudeofclaspedlipsandshiningeyes。CaptainJimtreatedhimselftoanadmiringsmilebeforehewentonwithhisstory。
　　"Well，purtysoonalltheGlenandFourWindspeopleknewtheschoolmaster’sbridewascoming，andtheywereallgladbecausetheythoughtsomuchofhim。Andeverybodytookaninterestinhisnewhouse——THIS
　　house。Hepickedthissiteforit，becauseyoucouldseetheharborandheartheseafromit。Hemadethegardenoutthereforhisbride，buthedidn’tplanttheLombardies。Mrs。NedRussellplantedTHEM。Butthere’sadoublerowofrose-bushesinthegardenthatthelittlegirlswhowenttotheGlenschoolsetouttherefortheschoolmaster’sbride。Hesaidtheywerepinkforhercheeksandwhiteforherbrowandredforherlips。He’dquotedpoetrysomuchthathesortergotintothehabitoftalkingit，too，Ireckon。
　　"Almosteverybodysenthimsomelittlepresenttohelpoutthefurnishingofthehouse。WhentheRussellscameintoittheywerewell-to-doandfurnisheditrealhandsome，asyoucansee；butthefirstfurniturethatwentintoitwasplainenough。Thislittlehousewasrichinlove，though。Thewomensentinquiltsandtableclothsandtowels，andonemanmadeachestforher，andanotheratableandsoon。EvenblindoldAuntMargaretBoydwovealittlebasketforheroutofthesweet-scentedsand-hillgrass。Theschoolmaster’swifeuseditforyearstokeepherhandkerchiefsin。
　　"Well，atlasteverythingwasready——eventothelogsinthebigfireplacereadyforlighting。’Twasn’texactlyTHISfireplace，though’twasinthesameplace。
　　MissElizabethhadthisputinwhenshemadethehouseoverfifteenyearsago。Itwasabig，old-fashionedfireplacewhereyoucouldhaveroastedanox。Many’sthetimeI’vesathereandspunyarns，same’sI’mdoingtonight。"
　　Againtherewasasilence，whileCaptainJimkeptapassingtrystwithvisitantsAnneandGilbertcouldnotsee——thefolkswhohadsatwithhimaroundthatfireplaceinthevanishedyears，withmirthandbridaljoyshiningineyeslongsinceclosedforeverunderchurchyardsodorheavingleaguesofsea。Hereonoldennightschildrenhadtossedlaughterlightlytoandfro。Hereonwintereveningsfriendshadgathered。Danceandmusicandjesthadbeenhere。
　　Hereyouthsandmaidenshaddreamed。ForCaptainJimthelittlehousewastenantedwithshapesentreatingremembrance。
　　"ItwasthefirstofJulywhenthehousewasfinished。
　　Theschoolmasterbegantocountthedaysthen。Weusedtoseehimwalkingalongtheshore，andwe’dsaytoeachother，`She’llsoonbewithhimnow。’
　　"ShewasexpectedthemiddleofJuly，butshedidn’tcomethen。Nobodyfeltanxious。Vesselswereoftendelayedfordaysandmebbeweeks。TheRoyalWilliamwasaweekoverdue——andthentwo——andthenthree。Andatlastwebegantobefrightened，anditgotworseandworse。Fin’llyIcouldn’tbeartolookintoJohnSelwyn’seyes。D’yeknow，MistressBlythe"——CaptainJimloweredhisvoice——"Iusedtothinkthattheylookedjustlikewhathisoldgreat-great-grandmother’smusthavebeenwhentheywereburninghertodeath。Heneversaidmuchbuthetaughtschoollikeamaninadreamandthenhurriedtotheshore。Manyanighthewalkedtherefromdarktodawn。Peoplesaidhewaslosinghismind。Everybodyhadgivenuphope——theRoyalWilliamwaseightweeksoverdue。ItwasthemiddleofSeptemberandtheschoolmaster’sbridehadn’tcome——neverwouldcome，wethought。
　　"Therewasabigstormthenthatlastedthreedays，andontheeveningafteritdiedawayIwenttotheshore。
　　Ifoundtheschoolmasterthere，leaningwithhisarmsfoldedagainstabigrock，gazingouttosea。
　　"Ispoketohimbuthedidn’tanswer。HiseyesseemedtobelookingatsomethingIcouldn’tsee。Hisfacewasset，likeadeadman’s。
　　"`John——John，’Icalledout——jestlikethat——jestlikeafrightenedchild，`wakeup——wakeup。’
　　"Thatstrange，awfullookseemedtosorterfadeoutofhiseyes。
　　Heturnedhisheadandlookedatme。I’veneverforgothisface——neverwillforgetittillIshipsformylastvoyage。
　　"`Alliswell，lad，’hesays。`I’veseentheRoyalWilliamcomingaroundEastPoint。Shewillbeherebydawn。TomorrownightIshallsitwithmybridebymyownhearth-fire。’
　　"Doyouthinkhedidseeit？"demandedCaptainJimabruptly。
　　"Godknows，"saidGilbertsoftly。"Greatloveandgreatpainmightcompassweknownotwhatmarvels。"
　　"Iamsurehedidseeit，"saidAnneearnestly。
　　"Fol-de-rol，"saidDoctorDave，buthespokewithlessconvictionthanusual。
　　"Because，youknow，"saidCaptainJimsolemnly，"theRoyalWilliamcameintoFourWindsHarboratdaylightthenextmorning。
　　EverysoulintheGlenandalongtheshorewasattheoldwharftomeether。Theschoolmasterhadbeenwatchingthereallnight。Howwecheeredasshesailedupthechannel。"
　　CaptainJim’seyeswereshining。TheywerelookingattheFourWindsHarborofsixtyyearsagone，withabatteredoldshipsailingthroughthesunrisesplendor。
　　"AndPersisLeighwasonboard？"askedAnne。
　　"Yes——herandthecaptain’swife。They’dhadanawfulpassage——stormafterstorm——andtheirprovisionsgiveout，too。Buttheretheywereatlast。WhenPersisLeighsteppedontotheoldwharfJohnSelwyntookherinhisarms——andfolksstoppedcheeringandbeguntocry。Icriedmyself，though’twasyears，mindyou，aforeI’dadmitit。Ain’titfunnyhowashamedboysareoftears？"
　　"WasPersisLeighbeautiful？"askedAnne。
　　"Well，Idon’tknowthatyou’dcallherbeautifulexactly——I——don’t——know，"saidCaptainJimslowly。
　　"Somehow，younevergotsofaralongastowonderifshewashandsomeornot。Itjestdidn’tmatter。Therewassomethingsosweetandwinsomeaboutherthatyouhadtoloveher，thatwasall。Butshewaspleasanttolookat——big，clear，hazeleyesandheapsofglossybrownhair，andanEnglishskin。Johnandherweremarriedatourhousethatnightatearlycandle-lighting；everybodyfromfarandnearwastheretoseeitandweallbroughtthemdownhereafterwards。
　　MistressSelwynlightedthefire，andwewentawayandleftthemsittinghere，jestasJohnhadseeninthatvisionofhis。Astrangething——astrangething！ButI’veseenaturriblelotofstrangethingsinmytime。"
　　CaptainJimshookhisheadsagely。
　　"It’sadearstory，"saidAnne，feelingthatforonceshehadgotenoughromancetosatisfyher。"Howlongdidtheylivehere？"
　　"Fifteenyears。Iranofftoseasoonaftertheyweremarried，liketheyoungscalawagIwas。ButeverytimeIcomebackfromavoyageI’dheadforhere，evenbeforeIwenthome，andtellMistressSelwynallaboutit。Fifteenhappyyears！Theyhadasortoftalentforhappiness，themtwo。Somefolksarelikethat，ifyou’venoticed。TheyCOULDN’Tbeunhappyforlong，nomatterwhathappened。Theyquarrelledonceortwice，fortheywasbothhigh-sperrited。ButMistressSelwynsaystomeonce，saysshe，laughinginthatprettywayofhers，`IfeltdreadfulwhenJohnandIquarrelled，butunderneathitallIwasveryhappybecauseIhadsuchanicehusbandtoquarrelwithandmakeitupwith。’ThentheymovedtoCharlottetown，andNedRussellboughtthishouseandbroughthisbridehere。
　　Theywereagayyoungpair，asIrememberthem。MissElizabethRussellwasAlec’ssister。Shecametolivewiththemayearorsolater，andshewasacreatureofmirth，too。ThewallsofthishousemustbesorterSOAKEDwithlaughingandgoodtimes。You’rethethirdbrideI’veseencomehere，MistressBlythe——andthehandsomest。"
　　CaptainJimcontrivedtogivehissunflowercomplimentthedelicacyofaviolet，andAnneworeitproudly。
　　Shewaslookingherbestthatnight，withthebridalroseonhercheeksandthelove-lightinhereyes；evengruffoldDoctorDavegaveheranapprovingglance，andtoldhiswife，astheydrovehometogether，thatthatred-headedwifeoftheboy’swassomethingofabeauty。
　　"Imustbegettingbacktothelight，"announcedCaptainJim。"I’veenj’yedthiseveningsomethingtremenjus。"
　　"Youmustcomeoftentoseeus，"saidAnne。
　　"Iwonderifyou’dgivethatinvitationifyouknewhowlikelyI’llbetoacceptit，"CaptainJimremarkedwhimsically。
　　"WhichisanotherwayofsayingyouwonderifImeanit，"smiledAnne。"Ido，`crossmyheart，’asweusedtosayatschool。"
　　"ThenI’llcome。You’relikelytobepesteredwithmeatanyhour。AndI’llbeproudtohaveyoudropdownandvisitmenowandthen，too。Gin’rallyIhaven’tanyonetotalktobuttheFirstMate，blesshissociableheart。He’samightygoodlistener，andhasforgotmore’nanyMacAllisterofthemalleverknew，butheisn’tmuchofaconversationalist。You’reyoungandI’mold，butoursoulsareaboutthesameage，I
　　reckon。WebothbelongtotheracethatknowsJoseph，asCorneliaBryantwouldsay。"
　　"TheracethatknowsJoseph？"puzzledAnne。
　　"Yes。Corneliadividesallthefolksintheworldintotwokinds——theracethatknowsJosephandtheracethatdon’t。Ifapersonsorterseeseyetoeyewithyou，andhasprettymuchthesameideasaboutthings，andthesametasteinjokes——why，thenhebelongstotheracethatknowsJoseph。"
　　"Oh，Iunderstand，"exclaimedAnne，lightbreakinginuponher。
　　"It’swhatIusedtocall——andstillcallinquotationmarks`kindredspirits。’"
　　"Jestso——jestso，"agreedCaptainJim。"We’reit，whateverITis。Whenyoucomeintonight，MistressBlythe，Isaystomyself，saysI，`Yes，she’softheracethatknowsJoseph。’AndmightygladIwas，forifitwasn’tsowecouldn’thavehadanyrealsatisfactionineachother’scompany。TheracethatknowsJosephisthesaltoftheairth，Ireckon。"
　　ThemoonhadjustrisenwhenAnneandGilbertwenttothedoorwiththeirguests。FourWindsHarborwasbeginningtobeathingofdreamandglamourandenchantment——aspellboundhavenwherenotempestmighteverravin。TheLombardiesdownthelane，tallandsombreasthepriestlyformsofsomemysticband，weretippedwithsilver。
　　"AlwayslikedLombardies，"saidCaptainJim，wavingalongarmatthem。"They’rethetreesofprincesses。
　　They’reoutoffashionnow。Folkscomplainthattheydieatthetopandgetragged-looking。Sotheydo——sotheydo，ifyoudon’triskyourneckeveryspringclimbingupalightladdertotrimthemout。IalwaysdiditforMissElizabeth，soherLombardiesnevergotout-at-elbows。Shewasespeciallyfondofthem。Shelikedtheirdignityandstand-offishness。THEYdon’thobnobwitheveryTom，DickandHarry。Ifit’smaplesforcompany，MistressBlythe，it’sLombardiesforsociety。"
　　"Whatabeautifulnight，"saidMrs。DoctorDave，assheclimbedintotheDoctor’sbuggy。
　　"Mostnightsarebeautiful，"saidCaptainJim。"ButI
　　’lowthatmoonlightoverFourWindsmakesmesorterwonderwhat’sleftforheaven。Themoon’sagreatfriendofmine，MistressBlythe。I’velovedhereversinceIcanremember。WhenIwasalittlechapofeightIfellasleepinthegardenoneeveningandwasn’tmissed。IwokeupalonginthenightandIwasmostscaredtodeath。Whatshadowsandqueernoisestherewas！Idursn’tmove。Jestcrouchedtherequaking，poorsmallmite。Seemed’sifthereweren’tanyoneintheworldbutmeselfanditwasmightybig。
　　ThenallatonceIsawthemoonlookingdownatmethroughtheappleboughs，jestlikeanoldfriend。I
　　wascomfortedrightoff。Gotupandwalkedtothehouseasbraveasalion，lookingather。Many’sthenightI’vewatchedherfromthedeckofmyvessel，onseasfarawayfromhere。Whydon’tyoufolkstellmetotakeintheslackofmyjawandgohome？"
　　Thelaughterofthegoodnightsdiedaway。AnneandGilbertwalkedhandinhandaroundtheirgarden。Thebrookthatranacrossthecornerdimpledpellucidlyintheshadowsofthebirches。Thepoppiesalongitsbankswerelikeshallowcupsofmoonlight。Flowersthathadbeenplantedbythehandsoftheschoolmaster’sbrideflungtheirsweetnessontheshadowyair，likethebeautyandblessingofsacredyesterdays。Annepausedinthegloomtogatheraspray。
　　"Ilovetosmellflowersinthedark，"shesaid。"Yougetholdoftheirsoulthen。Oh，Gilbert，thislittlehouseisallI’vedreamedit。AndI’msogladthatwearenotthefirstwhohavekeptbridaltrysthere！"
　　CHAPTER8
　　MISSCORNELIABRYANTCOMESTOCALL
　　ThatSeptemberwasamonthofgoldenmistsandpurplehazesatFourWindsHarbor——amonthofsun-steepeddaysandofnightsthatwereswimminginmoonlight，orpulsatingwithstars。Nostormmarredit，noroughwindblew。AnneandGilbertputtheirnestinorder，rambledontheshores，sailedontheharbor，droveaboutFourWindsandtheGlen，orthroughtheferny，sequesteredroadsofthewoodsaroundtheharborhead；
　　inshort，hadsuchahoneymoonasanyloversintheworldmighthaveenviedthem。
　　"Iflifeweretostopshortjustnowitwouldstillhavebeenrichlyworthwhile，justforthesakeofthesepastfourweeks，wouldn’tit？"saidAnne。"I
　　don’tsupposewewilleverhavefoursuchperfectweeksagain——butwe’veHADthem。Everything——wind，weather，folks，houseofdreams——hasconspiredtomakeourhoneymoondelightful。Therehasn’tevenbeenarainydaysincewecamehere。"
　　"Andwehaven’tquarrelledonce，"teasedGilbert。
　　"Well，`that’sapleasureallthegreaterforbeingdeferred，’"quotedAnne。"I’msogladwedecidedtospendourhoneymoonhere。Ourmemoriesofitwillalwaysbelonghere，inourhouseofdreams，insteadofbeingscatteredaboutinstrangeplaces。"
　　TherewasacertaintangofromanceandadventureintheatmosphereoftheirnewhomewhichAnnehadneverfoundinAvonlea。There，althoughshehadlivedinsightofthesea，ithadnotenteredintimatelyintoherlife。InFourWindsitsurroundedherandcalledtoherconstantly。Fromeverywindowofhernewhomeshesawsomevaryingaspectofit。Itshauntingmurmurwaseverinherears。VesselssaileduptheharboreverydaytothewharfattheGlen，orsailedoutagainthroughthesunset，boundforportsthatmightbehalfwayroundtheglobe。Fishingboatswentwhite-wingeddownthechannelinthemornings，andreturnedladenintheevenings。Sailorsandfisher-folktravelledthered，windingharborroads，light-heartedandcontent。Therewasalwaysacertainsenseofthingsgoingtohappen——ofadventuresandfarings-forth。ThewaysofFourWindswerelessstaidandsettledandgroovedthanthoseofAvonlea；windsofchangeblewoverthem；theseacalledevertothedwellersonshore，andeventhosewhomightnotansweritscallfeltthethrillandunrestandmysteryandpossibilitiesofit。
　　"Iunderstandnowwhysomemenmustgotosea，"saidAnne。"Thatdesirewhichcomestousallattimes——`tosailbeyondthebourneofsunset’——mustbeveryimperiouswhenitisborninyou。Idon’twonderCaptainJimranawaybecauseofit。Ineverseeashipsailingoutofthechannel，oragullsoaringoverthesand-bar，withoutwishingIwereonboardtheshiporhadwings，notlikeadove`toflyawayandbeatrest，’butlikeagull，tosweepoutintotheveryheartofastorm。"
　　"You’llstayrightherewithme，Anne-girl，"saidGilbertlazily。"Iwon’thaveyouflyingawayfrommeintotheheartsofstorms。"
　　Theyweresittingontheirredsand-stonedoorstepinthelateafternoon。Greattranquillitieswereallabouttheminlandandseaandsky。Silverygullsweresoaringoverthem。Thehorizonswerelacedwithlongtrailsoffrail，pinkishclouds。Thehushedairwasthreadedwithamurmurousrefrainofminstrelwindsandwaves。Paleasterswereblowinginthesereandmistymeadowsbetweenthemandtheharbor。
　　"Doctorswhohavetobeupallnightwaitingonsickfolkdon’tfeelveryadventurous，Isuppose，"Annesaidindulgently。"Ifyouhadhadagoodsleeplastnight，Gilbert，you’dbeasreadyasIamforaflightofimagination。"
　　"Ididgoodworklastnight，Anne，"saidGilbertquietly。"UnderGod，Isavedalife。ThisisthefirsttimeIcouldeverreallyclaimthat。InothercasesImayhavehelped；but，Anne，ifIhadnotstayedatAllonby’slastnightandfoughtdeathhandtohand，thatwomanwouldhavediedbeforemorning。ItriedanexperimentthatwascertainlynevertriedinFourWindsbefore。Idoubtifitwasevertriedanywherebeforeoutsideofahospital。ItwasanewthinginKingsporthospitallastwinter。IcouldneverhavedaredtryithereifIhadnotbeenabsolutelycertainthattherewasnootherchance。Iriskedit——anditsucceeded。
　　Asaresult，agoodwifeandmotherissavedforlongyearsofhappinessandusefulness。AsIdrovehomethismorning，whilethesunwasrisingovertheharbor，IthankedGodthatIhadchosentheprofessionIdid。
　　Ihadfoughtagoodfightandwon——thinkofit，Anne，WON，againsttheGreatDestroyer。It’swhatIdreamedofdoinglongagowhenwetalkedtogetherofwhatwewantedtodoinlife。Thatdreamofminecametruethismorning。"
　　"Wasthattheonlyoneofyourdreamsthathascometrue？"askedAnne，whoknewperfectlywellwhatthesubstanceofhisanswerwouldbe，butwantedtohearitagain。
　　"YOUknow，Anne-girl，"saidGilbert，smilingintohereyes。AtthatmomenttherewerecertainlytwoperfectlyhappypeoplesittingonthedoorstepofalittlewhitehouseontheFourWindsHarborshore。
　　PresentlyGilbertsaid，withachangeoftone，"DoIordoInotseeafull-riggedshipsailingupourlane？"
　　Annelookedandsprangup。
　　"ThatmustbeeitherMissCorneliaBryantorMrs。Moorecomingtocall，"shesaid。
　　"I’mgoingintotheoffice，andifitisMissCorneliaIwarnyouthatI’lleavesdrop，"saidGilbert。"FromallI’veheardregardingMissCorneliaIconcludethatherconversationwillnotbedull，tosaytheleast。"
　　"ItmaybeMrs。Moore。"
　　"Idon’tthinkMrs。Mooreisbuiltonthoselines。I
　　sawherworkinginhergardentheotherday，and，thoughIwastoofarawaytoseeclearly，Ithoughtshewasratherslender。Shedoesn’tseemverysociallyinclinedwhenshehasnevercalledonyouyet，althoughshe’syournearestneighbor。"
　　"Shecan’tbelikeMrs。Lynde，afterall，orcuriositywouldhavebroughther，"saidAnne。"Thiscalleris，Ithink，MissCornelia。"
　　MissCorneliaitwas；moreover，MissCorneliahadnotcometomakeanybriefandfashionableweddingcall。
　　Shehadherworkunderherarminasubstantialparcel，andwhenAnneaskedhertostayshepromptlytookoffhercapacioussun-hat，whichhadbeenheldonherhead，despiteirreverentSeptemberbreezes，byatightelasticbandunderherhardlittleknoboffairhair。
　　NohatpinsforMissCornelia，anitpleaseye！
　　ElasticbandshadbeengoodenoughforhermotherandtheyweregoodenoughforHER。Shehadafresh，round，pink-and-whiteface，andjollybrowneyes。Shedidnotlookintheleastlikethetraditionaloldmaid，andtherewassomethinginherexpressionwhichwonAnneinstantly。WithheroldinstinctivequicknesstodiscernkindredspiritssheknewshewasgoingtolikeMissCornelia，inspiteofuncertainodditiesofopinion，andcertainodditiesofattire。
　　NobodybutMissCorneliawouldhavecometomakeacallarrayedinastripedblue-and-whiteapronandawrapperofchocolateprint，withadesignofhuge，pinkrosesscatteredoverit。AndnobodybutMissCorneliacouldhavelookeddignifiedandsuitablygarbedinit。HadMissCorneliabeenenteringapalacetocallonaprince’sbride，shewouldhavebeenjustasdignifiedandjustaswhollymistressofthesituation。Shewouldhavetrailedherrose-spatteredflounceoverthemarblefloorsjustasunconcernedly，andshewouldhaveproceededjustascalmlytodisabusethemindoftheprincessofanyideathatthepossessionofamereman，beheprinceorpeasant，wasanythingtobragof。
　　"I’vebroughtmywork，Mrs。Blythe，dearie，"sheremarked，unrollingsomedaintymaterial。"I’minahurrytogetthisdone，andthereisn’tanytimetolose。"
　　AnnelookedinsomesurpriseatthewhitegarmentspreadoverMissCornelia’samplelap。Itwascertainlyababy’sdress，anditwasmostbeautifullymade，withtinyfrillsandtucks。MissCorneliaadjustedherglassesandfelltoembroideringwithexquisitestitches。
　　"ThisisforMrs。FredProctorupattheGlen，"sheannounced。"She’sexpectinghereighthbabyanydaynow，andnotastitchhasshereadyforit。Theothersevenhaveworeoutallshemadeforthefirst，andshe’sneverhadtimeorstrengthorspirittomakeanymore。Thatwomanisamartyr，Mrs。Blythe，believeME。
　　WhenshemarriedFredProctor_I_knewhowitwouldturnout。Hewasoneofyourwicked，fascinatingmen。
　　Afterhegotmarriedheleftoffbeingfascinatingandjustkeptonbeingwicked。Hedrinksandheneglectshisfamily。Isn’tthatlikeaman？Idon’tknowhowMrs。Proctorwouldeverkeepherchildrendecentlyclothedifherneighborsdidn’thelpherout。"
　　AsAnnewasafterwardstolearn，MissCorneliawastheonlyneighborwhotroubledherselfmuchaboutthedecencyoftheyoungProctors。
　　"WhenIheardthiseighthbabywascomingIdecidedtomakesomethingsforit，"MissCorneliawenton。
　　"ThisisthelastandIwanttofinishittoday。"
　　"It’scertainlyverypretty，"saidAnne。"I’llgetmysewingandwe’llhavealittlethimblepartyoftwo。
　　Youareabeautifulsewer，MissBryant。"
　　"Yes，I’mthebestsewerintheseparts，"saidMissCorneliainamatter-of-facttone。"Ioughttobe！
　　Lord，I’vedonemoreofitthanifI’dhadahundredchildrenofmyown，believeME！Is’poseI’mafool，tobeputtinghandembroideryonthisdressforaneighthbaby。But，Lord，Mrs。Blythe，dearie，itisn’ttoblameforbeingtheeighth，andIkindofwishedittohaveonerealprettydress，justasifitWAS
　　wanted。Nobody’swantingthepoormite——soIputsomeextrafussonitslittlethingsjustonthataccount。"
　　"Anybabymightbeproudofthatdress，"saidAnne，feelingstillmorestronglythatshewasgoingtolikeMissCornelia。
　　"Is’poseyou’vebeenthinkingIwasnevercomingtocallonyou，"resumedMissCornelia。"Butthisisharvestmonth，youknow，andI’vebeenbusy——andalotofextrahandshanginground，eatingmore’ntheywork，justlikethemen。I’dhavecomeyesterday，butIwenttoMrs。RoderickMacAllister’sfuneral。AtfirstI
　　thoughtmyheadwasachingsobadlyIcouldn’tenjoymyselfifIdidgo。Butshewasahundredyearsold，andI’dalwayspromisedmyselfthatI’dgotoherfuneral。"
　　"Wasitasuccessfulfunction？"askedAnne，noticingthattheofficedoorwasajar。
　　"What’sthat？Oh，yes，itwasatremendousfuneral。
　　Shehadaverylargeconnection。Therewasoveronehundredandtwentycarriagesintheprocession。Therewasoneortwofunnythingshappened。IthoughtthatdieIwouldtoseeoldJoeBradshaw，whoisaninfidelandneverdarkensthedoorofachurch，singing`SafeintheArmsofJesus’withgreatgustoandfervor。Hegloriesinsinging——that’swhyhenevermissesafuneral。PoorMrs。Bradshawdidn’tlookmuchlikesinging——allworeoutslaving。OldJoestartsoutonceinawhiletobuyherapresentandbringshomesomenewkindoffarmmachinery。Isn’tthatlikeaman？
　　Butwhatelsewouldyouexpectofamanwhonevergoestochurch，evenaMethodistone？IwasrealthankfultoseeyouandtheyoungDoctorinthePresbyterianchurchyourfirstSunday。Nodoctorformewhoisn’taPresbyterian。"
　　"WewereintheMethodistchurchlastSundayevening，"
　　saidAnnewickedly。
　　"Oh，Is’poseDr。BlythehastogototheMethodistchurchonceinawhileorhewouldn’tgettheMethodistpractice。"
　　"Welikedthesermonverymuch，"declaredAnneboldly。
　　"AndIthoughttheMethodistminster’sprayerwasoneofthemostbeautifulIeverheard。"
　　"Oh，I’venodoubthecanpray。IneverheardanyonemakemorebeautifulprayersthanoldSimonBentley，whowasalwaysdrunk，orhopingtobe，andthedrunkerhewasthebetterheprayed。"
　　"TheMethodistministerisveryfinelooking，"saidAnne，forthebenefitoftheofficedoor。
　　"Yes，he’squiteornamental，"agreedMissCornelia。
　　"Oh，andVERYladylike。Andhethinksthateverygirlwholooksathimfallsinlovewithhim——asifaMethodistminister，wanderingaboutlikeanyJew，wassuchaprize！IfyouandtheyoungdoctortakeMY
　　advice，youwon’thavemuchtodowiththeMethodists。
　　Mymottois——ifyouAREaPresbyterian，BEaPresbyterian。"
　　"Don’tyouthinkthatMethodistsgotoheavenaswellasPresbyterians？"askedAnnesmilelessly。
　　"Thatisn’tforUStodecide。It’sinhigherhandsthanours，"saidMissCorneliasolemnly。"ButIain’tgoingtoassociatewiththemonearthwhateverImayhavetodoinheaven。THISMethodistministerisn’tmarried。Thelastonetheyhadwas，andhiswifewasthesilliest，flightiestlittlethingIeversaw。I
　　toldherhusbandoncethatheshouldhavewaitedtillshewasgrownupbeforehemarriedher。Hesaidhewantedtohavethetrainingofher。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？"
　　"It’sratherhardtodecidejustwhenpeopleAREgrownup，"laughedAnne。
　　"That’satrueword，dearie。Somearegrownupwhenthey’reborn，andothersain’tgrownupwhenthey’reeighty，believeME。ThatsameMrs。RoderickIwasspeakingofnevergrewup。Shewasasfoolishwhenshewasahundredaswhenshewasten。"
　　"Perhapsthatwaswhyshelivedsolong，"suggestedAnne。
　　"Maybe’twas。_I_’dratherlivefiftysensibleyearsthanahundredfoolishones。"
　　"Butjustthinkwhatadullworlditwouldbeifeveryonewassensible，"pleadedAnne。
　　MissCorneliadisdainedanyskirmishofflippantepigram。
　　"Mrs。RoderickwasaMilgrave，andtheMilgravesneverhadmuchsense。Hernephew，EbenezerMilgrave，usedtobeinsaneforyears。Hebelievedhewasdeadandusedtorageathiswifebecauseshewouldn’tburyhim。
　　_I_’da-doneit。"
　　MissCornelialookedsogrimlydeterminedthatAnnecouldalmostseeherwithaspadeinherhand。
　　"Don’tyouknowANYgoodhusbands，MissBryant？"
　　"Oh，yes，lotsofthem——overyonder，"saidMissCornelia，wavingherhandthroughtheopenwindowtowardsthelittlegraveyardofthechurchacrosstheharbor。
　　"Butliving——goingaboutintheflesh？"persistedAnne。
　　"Oh，there’safew，justtoshowthatwithGodallthingsarepossible，"acknowledgedMissCorneliareluctantly。"Idon’tdenythatanoddmanhereandthere，ifhe’scaughtyoungandtrainedupproper，andifhismotherhasspankedhimwellbeforehand，mayturnoutadecentbeing。YOURhusband，now，isn’tsobad，asmengo，fromallIhear。Is’pose"——MissCornelialookedsharplyatAnneoverherglasses——"youthinkthere’snobodylikehimintheworld。"
　　"Thereisn’t，"saidAnnepromptly。
　　"Ah，well，Iheardanotherbridesaythatonce，"
　　sighedMissCornelia。"JennieDeanthoughtwhenshemarriedthattherewasn’tanybodylikeHERhusbandintheworld。Andshewasright——therewasn’t！Andagoodthing，too，believeME！Heledheranawfullife——andhewascourtinghissecondwifewhileJenniewasdying。
　　Wasn’tthatlikeaman？However，IhopeYOUR
　　confidencewillbebetterjustified，dearie。Theyoungdoctoristakingrealwell。Iwasafraidatfirsthemightn’t，forfolkshereaboutshavealwaysthoughtoldDoctorDavetheonlydoctorintheworld。DoctorDavehadn’tmuchtact，tobesure——hewasalwaystalkingofropesinhouseswheresomeonehadhangedhimself。Butfolksforgottheirhurtfeelingswhentheyhadapainintheirstomachs。Ifhe’dbeenaministerinsteadofadoctorthey’dneverhaveforgivenhim。Soul-achedoesn’tworryfolksnearasmuchasstomach-ache。
　　Seeingaswe’rebothPresbyteriansandnoMethodistsaround，willyoutellmeyourcandidopinionofOUR
　　minister？"
　　"Why——really——I——well，"hesitatedAnne。
　　MissCornelianodded。
　　"Exactly。Iagreewithyou，dearie。WemadeamistakewhenwecalledHIM。Hisfacejustlookslikeoneofthoselong，narrowstonesinthegraveyard，doesn’tit？
　　`Sacredtothememory’oughttobewrittenonhisforehead。Ishallneverforgetthefirstsermonhepreachedafterhecame。Itwasonthesubjectofeveryonedoingwhattheywerebestfittedfor——averygoodsubject，ofcourse；butsuchillustrationsasheused！Hesaid，`Ifyouhadacowandanappletree，andifyoutiedtheappletreeinyourstableandplantedthecowinyourorchard，withherlegsup，howmuchmilkwouldyougetfromtheappletree，orhowmanyapplesfromthecow？’Didyoueverhearthelikeinyourborndays，dearie？IwassothankfultherewerenoMethodiststherethatday——they’dneverhavebeendonehootingoverit。ButwhatIdislikemostinhimishishabitofagreeingwitheverybody，nomatterwhatissaid。Ifyousaidtohim，`You’reascoundrel，’he’dsay，withthatsmoothsmileofhis，`Yes，that’sso。’Aministershouldhavemorebackbone。Thelongandtheshortofitis，Iconsiderhimareverendjackass。But，ofcourse，thisisjustbetweenyouandme。WhenthereareMethodistsinhearingIpraisehimtotheskies。Somefolksthinkhiswifedressestoogay，but_I_saywhenshehastolivewithafacelikethatsheneedssomethingtocheerherup。You’llneverhearMEcondemningawomanforherdress。I’monlytoothankfulwhenherhusbandisn’ttoomeanandmiserlytoallowit。NotthatI
　　bothermuchwithdressmyself。Womenjustdresstopleasethemen，andI’dneverstooptoTHAT。Ihavehadarealplacid，comfortablelife，dearie，andit’sjustbecauseInevercaredacentwhatthementhought。"
　　"Whydoyouhatethemenso，MissBryant？"
　　"Lord，dearie，Idon’thatethem。Theyaren’tworthit。Ijustsortofdespisethem。IthinkI’lllikeYOURhusbandifhekeepsonashehasbegun。ButapartfromhimabouttheonlymenintheworldI’vemuchuseforaretheolddoctorandCaptainJim。"
　　"CaptainJimiscertainlysplendid，"agreedAnnecordially。
　　"CaptainJimisagoodman，buthe’skindofvexinginoneway。YouCAN’Tmakehimmad。I’vetriedfortwentyyearsandhejustkeepsonbeingplacid。Itdoessortofrileme。AndIs’posethewomanheshouldhavemarriedgotamanwhowentintotantrumstwiceaday。"
　　"Whowasshe？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow，dearie。IneverrememberofCaptainJimmakinguptoanybody。Hewasedgingonoldasfarasmymemorygoes。He’sseventy-six，youknow。I
　　neverheardanyreasonforhisstayingabachelor，buttheremustbeone，believeME。Hesailedallhislifetillfiveyearsago，andthere’snocorneroftheearthhehasn’tpokedhisnoseinto。HeandElizabethRussellweregreatcronies，alltheirlives，buttheyneverhadanynotionofsweet-hearting。Elizabethnevermarried，thoughshehadplentyofchances。Shewasagreatbeautywhenshewasyoung。TheyearthePrinceofWalescametotheIslandshewasvisitingheruncleinCharlottetownandhewasaGovernmentofficial，andsoshegotinvitedtothegreatball。
　　Shewastheprettiestgirlthere，andthePrincedancedwithher，andalltheotherwomenhedidn’tdancewithwerefuriousaboutit，becausetheirsocialstandingwashigherthanhersandtheysaidheshouldn’thavepassedthemover。Elizabethwasalwaysveryproudofthatdance。Meanfolkssaidthatwaswhyshenevermarried——shecouldn’tputupwithanordinarymanafterdancingwithaprince。Butthatwasn’tso。Shetoldmethereasononce——itwasbecauseshehadsuchatemperthatshewasafraidshecouldn’tlivepeaceablywithanyman。SheHADanawfultemper——sheusedtohavetogoupstairsandbitepiecesoutofherbureautokeepitdownbytimes。ButItoldherthatwasn’tanyreasonfornotmarryingifshewantedto。There’snoreasonwhyweshouldletthemenhaveamonopolyoftemper，isthere，Mrs。Blythe，dearie？"
　　"I’veabitoftempermyself，"sighedAnne。
　　"It’swellyouhave，dearie。Youwon’tbehalfsolikelytobetroddenon，believeME！My，howthatgoldenglowofyoursisblooming！Yourgardenlooksfine。PoorElizabethalwaystooksuchcareofit。"
　　"Iloveit，"saidAnne。"I’mgladit’ssofullofold-fashionedflowers。Speakingofgardening，wewanttogetamantodigupthatlittlelotbeyondthefirgroveandsetitoutwithstrawberryplantsforus。
　　Gilbertissobusyhewillnevergettimeforitthisfall。Doyouknowanyonewecanget？"
　　"Well，HenryHammondupattheGlengoesoutdoingjobslikethat。He’lldo，maybe。He’salwaysaheapmoreinterestedinhiswagesthaninhiswork，justlikeaman，andhe’ssoslowintheuptakethathestandsstillforfiveminutesbeforeitdawnsonhimthathe’sstopped。Hisfatherthrewastumpathimwhenhewassmall。
　　Nicegentlemissile，wasn’tit？Solikeaman！
　　Course，theboynevergotoverit。Buthe’stheonlyoneIcanrecommendatall。Hepaintedmyhouseformelastspring。Itlooksrealnicenow，don’tyouthink？"
　　Annewassavedbytheclockstrikingfive。
　　"Lord，isitthatlate？"exclaimedMissCornelia。
　　"Howtimedoesslipbywhenyou’reenjoyingyourself！
　　Well，Imustbetakemyselfhome。"
　　"No，indeed！Youaregoingtostayandhaveteawithus，"saidAnneeagerly。
　　"Areyouaskingmebecauseyouthinkyououghtto，orbecauseyoureallywantto？"demandedMissCornelia。
　　"BecauseIreallywantto。"
　　"ThenI’llstay。YOUbelongtotheracethatknowsJoseph。"
　　"Iknowwearegoingtobefriends，"saidAnne，withthesmilethatonlytheyofthehouseholdoffaitheversaw。
　　"Yes，weare，dearie。Thankgoodness，wecanchooseourfriends。Wehavetotakeourrelativesastheyare，andbethankfuliftherearenopenitentiarybirdsamongthem。NotthatI’vemany——nonenearerthansecondcousins。I’makindoflonelysoul，Mrs。
　　Blythe。"
　　TherewasawistfulnoteinMissCornelia’svoice。
　　"IwishyouwouldcallmeAnne，"exclaimedAnneimpulsively。"ItwouldseemmoreHOMEY。EveryoneinFourWinds，exceptmyhusband，callsmeMrs。Blythe，anditmakesmefeellikeastranger。DoyouknowthatyournameisverynearbeingtheoneIyearnedafterwhenIwasachild。Ihated`Anne’andIcalledmyself`Cordelia’inimagination。"
　　"IlikeAnne。Itwasmymother’sname。Old-fashionednamesarethebestandsweetestinmyopinion。Ifyou’regoingtogetteayoumightsendtheyoungdoctortotalktome。He’sbeenlyingonthesofainthatofficeeversinceIcame，laughingfittokilloverwhatI’vebeensaying。"
　　"Howdidyouknow？"criedAnne，tooaghastatthisinstanceofMissCornelia’suncannypresciencetomakeapolitedenial。
　　"IsawhimsittingbesideyouwhenIcameupthelane，andIknowmen’stricks，"retortedMissCornelia。
　　"There，I’vefinishedmylittledress，dearie，andtheeighthbabycancomeassoonasitpleases。"