ingratefulremembranceofhersympathyandencouragementFlowersspringtoblossomwhereshewalksThecarefulwaysofduty，Ourhard，stifflinesoflifewithherAreflowingcurvesofbeauty。
AnIrateNeighborAtall，slimgirl，\"half-pastsixteen，\"withseriousgrayeyesandhairwhichherfriendscalledauburn，hadsatdownonthebroadredsandstonedoorstepofaPrinceEdwardIslandfarmhouseoneripeafternooninAugust，firmlyresolvedtoconstruesomanylinesofVirgil。
ButanAugustafternoon，withbluehazesscarfingtheharvestslopes，littlewindswhisperingelfishlyinthepoplars，andadancingslendorofredpoppiesoutflamingagainstthedarkcoppiceofyoungfirsinacornerofthecherryorchard，wasfitterfordreamsthandeadlanguages。
TheVirgilsoonslippedunheededtotheground，andAnne，herchinproppedonherclaspedhands，andhereyesonthesplendidmassoffluffycloudsthatwereheapingupjustoverMr。J。A。Harrison’shouselikeagreatwhitemountain，wasfarawayinadeliciousworldwhereacertainschoolteacherwasdoingawonderfulwork，shapingthedestiniesoffuturestatesmen，andinspiringyouthfulmindsandheartswithhighandloftyambitions。
Tobesure，ifyoucamedowntoharshfacts……which，itmustbeconfessed，Anneseldomdiduntilshehadto……itdidnotseemlikelythattherewasmuchpromisingmaterialforcelebritiesinAvonleaschool；butyoucouldnevertellwhatmighthappenifateacherusedherinfluenceforgood。
Annehadcertainrose-tintedidealsofwhatateachermightaccomplishifsheonlywenttherightwayaboutit；andshewasinthemidstofadelightfulscene，fortyyearshence，withafamouspersonage……justexactlywhathewastobefamousforwasleftinconvenienthaziness，butAnnethoughtitwouldberathernicetohavehimacollegepresidentoraCanadianpremier……bowinglowoverherwrinkledhandandassuringherthatitwasshewhohadfirstkindledhisambition，andthatallhissuccessinlifewasduetothelessonsshehadinstilledsolongagoinAvonleaschool。Thispleasantvisionwasshatteredbyamostunpleasantinterruption。
AdemurelittleJerseycowcamescuttlingdownthelaneandfivesecondslaterMr。Harrisonarrived……if\"arrived\"benottoomildatermtodescribethemannerofhisirruptionintotheyard。
Hebouncedoverthefencewithoutwaitingtoopenthegate，andangrilyconfrontedastonishedAnne，whohadrisentoherfeetandstoodlookingathiminsomebewilderment。Mr。Harrisonwastheirnewrighthandneighborandshehadnevermethimbefore，althoughshehadseenhimonceortwice。
InearlyApril，beforeAnnehadcomehomefromQueen’s，Mr。RobertBell，whosefarmadjoinedtheCuthbertplaceonthewest，hadsoldoutandmovedtoCharlottetown。HisfarmhadbeenboughtbyacertainMr。J。A。
Harrison，whosename，andthefactthathewasaNewBrunswickman，wereallthatwasknownabouthim。ButbeforehehadbeenamonthinAvonleahehadwonthereputationofbeinganoddperson……\"acrank，\"
Mrs。RachelLyndesaid。Mrs。Rachelwasanoutspokenlady，asthoseofyouwhomayhavealreadymadeheracquaintancewillremember。
Mr。Harrisonwascertainlydifferentfromotherpeople……andthatistheessentialcharacteristicofacrank，aseverybodyknows。
Inthefirstplacehekepthouseforhimselfandhadpubliclystatedthathewantednofoolsofwomenaroundhisdiggings。
FeminineAvonleatookitsrevengebythegruesometalesitrelatedabouthishouse-keepingandcooking。HehadhiredlittleJohnHenryCarterofWhiteSandsandJohnHenrystartedthestories。
Foronething，therewasneveranystatedtimeformealsintheHarrisonestablishment。Mr。Harrison\"gotabite\"whenhefelthungry，andifJohnHenrywerearoundatthetime，hecameinforashare，butifhewerenot，hehadtowaituntilMr。Harrison’snexthungryspell。JohnHenrymournfullyaverredthathewouldhavestarvedtodeathifitwasn’tthathegothomeonSundaysandgotagoodfillingup，andthathismotheralwaysgavehimabasketof\"grub\"totakebackwithhimonMondaymornings。
Asforwashingdishes，Mr。HarrisonnevermadeanypretenceofdoingitunlessarainySundaycame。Thenhewenttoworkandwashedthemallatonceintherainwaterhogshead，andleftthemtodraindry。
Again，Mr。Harrisonwas\"close。\"WhenhewasaskedtosubscribetotheRev。Mr。Allan’ssalaryhesaidhe’dwaitandseehowmanydollars’worthofgoodhegotoutofhispreachingfirst……hedidn’tbelieveinbuyingapiginapoke。AndwhenMrs。Lyndewenttoaskforacontributiontomissions……andincidentallytoseetheinsideofthehouse……hetoldherthereweremoreheathensamongtheoldwomangossipsinAvonleathananywhereelseheknewof，andhe’dcheerfullycontributetoamissionforChristianizingthemifshe’dundertakeit。Mrs。RachelgotherselfawayandsaiditwasamercypoorMrs。RobertBellwassafeinhergrave，foritwouldhavebrokenherhearttoseethestateofherhouseinwhichsheusedtotakesomuchpride。
\"Why，shescrubbedthekitchenflooreverysecondday，\"Mrs。LyndetoldMarillaCuthbertindignantly，\"andifyoucouldseeitnow！
IhadtoholdupmyskirtsasIwalkedacrossit。\"
Finally，Mr。HarrisonkeptaparrotcalledGinger。NobodyinAvonleahadeverkeptaparrotbefore；consequentlythatproceedingwasconsideredbarelyrespectable。Andsuchaparrot！
IfyoutookJohnHenryCarter’swordforit，neverwassuchanunholybird。Itsworeterribly。Mrs。CarterwouldhavetakenJohnHenryawayatonceifshehadbeensureshecouldgetanotherplaceforhim。Besides，GingerhadbittenapiecerightoutofthebackofJohnHenry’sneckonedaywhenhehadstoopeddowntoonearthecage。Mrs。CartershowedeverybodythemarkwhenthelucklessJohnHenrywenthomeonSundays。
AllthesethingsflashedthroughAnne’smindasMr。Harrisonstood，quitespeechlesswithwrathapparently，beforeher。InhismostamiablemoodMr。Harrisoncouldnothavebeenconsideredahandsomeman；hewasshortandfatandbald；andnow，withhisroundfacepurplewithrageandhisprominentblueeyesalmoststickingoutofhishead，Annethoughthewasreallytheugliestpersonshehadeverseen。
AllatonceMr。Harrisonfoundhisvoice。
\"I’mnotgoingtoputupwiththis，\"hespluttered，\"notadaylonger，doyouhear，miss。Blessmysoul，thisisthethirdtime，miss……
thethirdtime！Patiencehasceasedtobeavirtue，miss。
Iwarnedyourauntthelasttimenottoletitoccuragain……
andshe’sletit……she’sdoneit……whatdoesshemeanbyit，thatiswhatIwanttoknow。ThatiswhatI’mhereabout，miss。\"
\"Willyouexplainwhatthetroubleis？\"askedAnne，inhermostdignifiedmanner。Shehadbeenpracticingitconsiderablyoflatetohaveitingoodworkingorderwhenschoolbegan；butithadnoapparenteffectontheirateJ。A。Harrison。
\"Trouble，isit？Blessmysoul，troubleenough，Ishouldthink。
Thetroubleis，miss，thatIfoundthatJerseycowofyouraunt’sinmyoatsagain，nothalfanhourago。Thethirdtime，markyou。
IfoundherinlastTuesdayandIfoundherinyesterday。Icamehereandtoldyourauntnottoletitoccuragain。Shehasletitoccuragain。Where’syouraunt，miss？Ijustwanttoseeherforaminuteandgiveherapieceofmymind……apieceofJ。A。
Harrison’smind，miss。\"
\"IfyoumeanMissMarillaCuthbert，sheisnotmyaunt，andshehasgonedowntoEastGraftontoseeadistantrelativeofherswhoisveryill，\"saidAnne，withdueincreaseofdignityateveryword。
\"Iamverysorrythatmycowshouldhavebrokenintoyouroats……
sheismycowandnotMissCuthbert’s……MatthewgavehertomethreeyearsagowhenshewasalittlecalfandheboughtherfromMr。Bell。\"
\"Sorry，miss！Sorryisn’tgoingtohelpmattersany。You’dbettergoandlookatthehavocthatanimalhasmadeinmyoats……trampledthemfromcentertocircumference，miss。\"
\"Iamverysorry，\"repeatedAnnefirmly，\"butperhapsifyoukeptyourfencesinbetterrepairDollymightnothavebrokenin。ItisyourpartofthelinefencethatseparatesyouroatfieldfromourpastureandInoticedtheotherdaythatitwasnotinverygoodcondition。\"
\"Myfenceisallright，\"snappedMr。Harrison，angrierthaneveratthiscarryingofthewarintotheenemy’scountry。\"Thejailfencecouldn’tkeepademonofacowlikethatout。AndIcantellyou，youredheadedsnippet，thatifthecowisyours，asyousay，you’dbebetteremployedinwatchingheroutofotherpeople’sgrainthaninsittingroundreadingyellowcoverednovels，\"……withascathingglanceattheinnocenttan-coloredVirgilbyAnne’sfeet。
SomethingatthatmomentwasredbesidesAnne’shair……whichhadalwaysbeenatenderpointwithher。
\"I’dratherhaveredhairthannoneatall，exceptalittlefringeroundmyears，\"sheflashed。
Theshottold，forMr。Harrisonwasreallyverysensitiveabouthisbaldhead。HisangerchokedhimupagainandhecouldonlyglarespeechlesslyatAnne，whorecoveredhertemperandfollowedupheradvantage。
\"Icanmakeallowanceforyou，Mr。Harrison，becauseIhaveanimagination。IcaneasilyimaginehowverytryingitmustbetofindacowinyouroatsandIshallnotcherishanyhardfeelingsagainstyouforthethingsyou’vesaid。IpromiseyouthatDollyshallneverbreakintoyouroatsagain。IgiveyoumywordofhonoronTHATpoint。\"
\"Well，mindyoushedoesn’t，\"mutteredMr。Harrisoninasomewhatsubduedtone；buthestampedoffangrilyenoughandAnneheardhimgrowlingtohimselfuntilhewasoutofearshot。
Grievouslydisturbedinmind，AnnemarchedacrosstheyardandshutthenaughtyJerseyupinthemilkingpen。
\"Shecan’tpossiblygetoutofthatunlessshetearsthefencedown，\"
shereflected。\"Shelooksprettyquietnow。Idaresayshehassickenedherselfonthoseoats。IwishI’dsoldhertoMr。
Shearerwhenhewantedherlastweek，butIthoughtitwasjustaswelltowaituntilwehadtheauctionofthestockandletthemallgotogether。IbelieveitistrueaboutMr。Harrisonbeingacrank。
Certainlythere’snothingofthekindredspiritaboutHIM。\"
Annehadalwaysaweathereyeopenforkindredspirits。
MarillaCuthbertwasdrivingintotheyardasAnnereturnedfromthehouse，andthelatterflewtogetteaready。Theydiscussedthematterattheteatable。
\"I’llbegladwhentheauctionisover，\"saidMarilla。\"ItistoomuchresponsibilityhavingsomuchstockabouttheplaceandnobodybutthatunreliableMartintolookafterthem。HehasnevercomebackyetandhepromisedthathewouldcertainlybebacklastnightifI’dgivehimthedayofftogotohisaunt’sfuneral。I
don’tknowhowmanyauntshehasgot，Iamsure。That’sthefourththat’sdiedsincehehiredhereayearago。I’llbemorethanthankfulwhenthecropisinandMr。Barrytakesoverthefarm。
We’llhavetokeepDollyshutupinthepentillMartincomes，forshemustbeputinthebackpastureandthefencestherehavetobefixed。Ideclare，itisaworldoftrouble，asRachelsays。
Here’spoorMaryKeithdyingandwhatistobecomeofthosetwochildrenofhersismorethanIknow。ShehasabrotherinBritishColumbiaandshehaswrittentohimaboutthem，butshehasn’theardfromhimyet。\"
\"Whatarethechildrenlike？Howoldarethey？\"
\"Sixpast……they’retwins。\"
\"Oh，I’vealwaysbeenespeciallyinterestedintwinseversinceMrs。Hammondhadsomany，\"saidAnneeagerly。\"Aretheypretty？\"
\"Goodness，youcouldn’ttell……theyweretoodirty。DavyhadbeenoutmakingmudpiesandDorawentouttocallhimin。Davypushedherheadfirstintothebiggestpieandthen，becauseshecried，hegotintoithimselfandwallowedinittoshowheritwasnothingtocryabout。MarysaidDorawasreallyaverygoodchildbutthatDavywasfullofmischief。Hehasneverhadanybringingupyoumightsay。HisfatherdiedwhenhewasababyandMaryhasbeensickalmosteversince。\"
\"I’malwayssorryforchildrenthathavenobringingup，\"saidAnnesoberly。\"Youknow_I_hadn’tanytillyoutookmeinhand。
Ihopetheirunclewilllookafterthem。JustwhatrelationisMrs。Keithtoyou？\"
\"Mary？Noneintheworld。Itwasherhusband……hewasourthirdcousin。There’sMrs。Lyndecomingthroughtheyard。
Ithoughtshe’dbeuptohearaboutMary\"
\"Don’ttellheraboutMr。Harrisonandthecow，\"imploredAnne。
Marillapromised；butthepromisewasquiteunnecessary，forMrs。Lyndewasnosoonerfairlyseatedthanshesaid，\"IsawMr。HarrisonchasingyourJerseyoutofhisoatstodaywhenIwascominghomefromCarmody。Ithoughthelookedprettymad。
Didhemakemuchofarumpus？\"
AnneandMarillafurtivelyexchangedamusedsmiles。FewthingsinAvonleaeverescapedMrs。Lynde。ItwasonlythatmorningAnnehadsaid，\"Ifyouwenttoyourownroomatmidnight，lockedthedoor，pulleddowntheblind，andSNEEZED，Mrs。Lyndewouldaskyouthenextdayhowyourcoldwas！\"
\"Ibelievehedid，\"admittedMarilla。\"Iwasaway。HegaveAnneapieceofhismind。\"
\"Ithinkheisaverydisagreeableman，\"saidAnne，witharesentfultossofherruddyhead。
\"Youneversaidatruerword，\"saidMrs。Rachelsolemnly。\"Iknewthere’dbetroublewhenRobertBellsoldhisplacetoaNewBrunswickman，that’swhat。Idon’tknowwhatAvonleaiscomingto，withsomanystrangepeoplerushingintoit。It’llsoonnotbesafetogotosleepinourbeds。\"
\"Why，whatotherstrangersarecomingin？\"askedMarilla。
\"Haven’tyouheard？Well，there’safamilyofDonnells，foronething。They’verentedPeterSloane’soldhouse。Peterhashiredthemantorunhismill。Theybelongdowneastandnobodyknowsanythingaboutthem。ThenthatshiftlessTimothyCottonfamilyaregoingtomoveupfromWhiteSandsandthey’llsimplybeaburdenonthepublic。Heisinconsumption……whenheisn’tstealing……
andhiswifeisaslack-twistedcreaturethatcan’tturnherhandtoathing。ShewashesherdishesSITTINGDOWN。Mrs。GeorgePyehastakenherhusband’sorphannephew，AnthonyPye。He’llbegoingtoschooltoyou，Anne，soyoumanyexpecttrouble，that’swhat。
Andyou’llhaveanotherstrangepupil，too。PaulIrvingiscomingfromtheStatestolivewithhisgrandmother。Yourememberhisfather，Marilla……StephenIrving，himthatjiltedLavendarLewisoveratGrafton？\"
\"Idon’tthinkhejiltedher。Therewasaquarrel……Isupposetherewasblameonbothsides。\"
\"Well，anyway，hedidn’tmarryher，andshe’sbeenasqueeraspossibleeversince，theysay……livingallbyherselfinthatlittlestonehouseshecallsEchoLodge。StephenwentofftotheStatesandwentintobusinesswithhisuncleandmarriedaYankee。
He’sneverbeenhomesince，thoughhismotherhasbeenuptoseehimonceortwice。Hiswifediedtwoyearsagoandhe’ssendingtheboyhometohismotherforaspell。He’stenyearsoldandI
don’tknowifhe’llbeaverydesirablepupil。YoucannevertellaboutthoseYankees。\"
MrsLyndelookeduponallpeoplewhohadthemisfortunetobebornorbroughtupelsewherethaninPrinceEdwardIslandwithadecidedcan-any-good-thing-come-out-of-Nazarethair。TheyMIGHTbegoodpeople，ofcourse；butyouwereonthesafesideindoubtingit。
Shehadaspecialprejudiceagainst\"Yankees。\"HerhusbandhadbeencheatedoutoftendollarsbyanemployerforwhomhehadonceworkedinBostonandneitherangelsnorprincipalitiesnorpowerscouldhaveconvincedMrs。RachelthatthewholeUnitedStateswasnotresponsibleforit。
\"Avonleaschoolwon’tbetheworseforalittlenewblood，\"saidMarilladrily，\"andifthisboyisanythinglikehisfatherhe’llbeallright。SteveIrvingwasthenicestboythatwaseverraisedintheseparts，thoughsomepeopledidcallhimproud。IshouldthinkMrs。Irvingwouldbeverygladtohavethechild。Shehasbeenverylonesomesinceherhusbanddied。\"
\"Oh，theboymaybewellenough，buthe’llbedifferentfromAvonleachildren，\"saidMrs。Rachel，asifthatclinchedthematter。
Mrs。Rachel’sopinionsconcerninganyperson，place，orthing，werealwayswarrantedtowear。\"What’sthisIhearaboutyourgoingtostartupaVillageImprovementSociety，Anne？\"
\"IwasjusttalkingitoverwithsomeofthegirlsandboysatthelastDebatingClub，\"saidAnne，flushing。\"Theythoughtitwouldberathernice……andsodoMr。andMrs。Allan。Lotsofvillageshavethemnow。\"
\"Well，you’llgetintonoendofhotwaterifyoudo。Betterleaveitalone，Anne，that’swhat。Peopledon’tlikebeingimproved。\"
\"Oh，wearenotgoingtotrytoimprovethePEOPLE。ItisAvonleaitself。Therearelotsofthingswhichmightbedonetomakeitprettier。Forinstance，ifwecouldcoaxMr。LeviBoultertopulldownthatdreadfuloldhouseonhisupperfarmwouldn’tthatbeanimprovement？\"
\"Itcertainlywould，\"admittedMrs。Rachel。\"Thatoldruinhasbeenaneyesoretothesettlementforyears。ButifyouImproverscancoaxLeviBoultertodoanythingforthepublicthatheisn’ttobepaidfordoing，mayIbetheretoseeandheartheprocess，that’swhat。Idon’twanttodiscourageyou，Anne，fortheremaybesomethinginyouridea，thoughIsupposeyoudidgetitoutofsomerubbishyYankeemagazine；butyou’llhaveyourhandsfullwithyourschoolandIadviseyouasafriendnottobotherwithyourimprovements，that’swhat。Butthere，Iknowyou’llgoaheadwithitifyou’vesetyourmindonit。Youwerealwaysonetocarryathingthroughsomehow。\"
SomethingaboutthefirmoutlinesofAnne’slipstoldthatMrs。
Rachelwasnotfarastrayinthisestimate。Anne’sheartwasbentonformingtheImprovementSociety。GilbertBlythe，whowastoteachinWhiteSandsbutwouldalwaysbehomefromFridaynighttoMondaymorning，wasenthusiasticaboutit；
andmostoftheotherfolkswerewillingtogoinforanythingthatmeantoccasionalmeetingsandconsequentlysome\"fun。\"
Asforwhatthe\"improvements\"weretobe，nobodyhadanyveryclearideaexceptAnneandGilbert。TheyhadtalkedthemoverandplannedthemoutuntilanidealAvonleaexistedintheirminds，ifnowhereelse。
Mrs。Rachelhadstillanotheritemofnews。
\"They’vegiventheCarmodyschooltoaPriscillaGrant。Didn’tyougotoQueen’swithagirlofthatname，Anne？\"
\"Yes，indeed。PriscillatoteachatCarmody！Howperfectlylovely！\"exclaimedAnne，hergrayeyeslightingupuntiltheylookedlikeeveningstars，causingMrs。LyndetowonderanewifshewouldevergetitsettledtohersatisfactionwhetherAnneShirleywerereallyaprettygirlornot。
II
SellinginHasteandRepentingatLeisureAnnedroveovertoCarmodyonashoppingexpeditionthenextafternoonandtookDianaBarrywithher。Dianawas，ofcourse，apledgedmemberoftheImprovementSociety，andthetwogirlstalkedaboutlittleelseallthewaytoCarmodyandback。
\"Theveryfirstthingweoughttodowhenwegetstartedistohavethathallpainted，\"saidDiana，astheydrovepasttheAvonleahall，arathershabbybuildingsetdowninawoodedhollow，withsprucetreeshoodingitaboutonallsides。\"It’sadisgracefullookingplaceandwemustattendtoitevenbeforewetrytogetMr。LeviBouldertopullhishousedown。Fathersayswe’llneversucceedinDOINGthat。LeviBoulteristoomeantospendthetimeitwouldtake。\"
\"Perhapshe’lllettheboystakeitdowniftheypromisetohaultheboardsandsplitthemupforhimforkindlingwood，\"saidAnnehopefully。
\"Wemustdoourbestandbecontenttogoslowlyatfirst。Wecan’texpecttoimproveeverythingallatonce。We’llhavetoeducatepublicsentimentfirst，ofcourse。\"
Dianawasn’texactlysurewhateducatingpublicsentimentmeant；
butitsoundedfineandshefeltratherproudthatshewasgoingtobelongtoasocietywithsuchanaiminview。
\"Ithoughtofsomethinglastnightthatwecoulddo，Anne。
Youknowthatthree-corneredpieceofgroundwheretheroadsfromCarmodyandNewbridgeandWhiteSandsmeet？It’sallgrownoverwithyoungspruce；butwouldn’titbenicetohavethemallclearedout，andjustleavethetwoorthreebirchtreesthatareonit？\"
\"Splendid，\"agreedAnnegaily。\"Andhavearusticseatputunderthebirches。Andwhenspringcomeswe’llhaveaflower-bedmadeinthemiddleofitandplantgeraniums。\"
\"Yes；onlywe’llhavetodevisesomewayofgettingoldMrs。HiramSloanetokeephercowofftheroad，orshe’lleatourgeraniumsup，\"laughedDiana。\"Ibegintoseewhatyoumeanbyeducatingpublicsentiment，Anne。There’stheoldBoulterhousenow。Didyoueverseesucharookery？Andperchedrightclosetotheroadtoo。Anoldhousewithitswindowsgonealwaysmakesmethinkofsomethingdeadwithitseyespickedout。\"
\"Ithinkanold，desertedhouseissuchasadsight，\"saidAnnedreamily。\"Italwaysseemstometobethinkingaboutitspastandmourningforitsold-timejoys。Marillasaysthatalargefamilywasraisedinthatoldhouselongago，andthatitwasarealprettyplace，withalovelygardenandrosesclimbingalloverit。
Itwasfulloflittlechildrenandlaughterandsongs；andnowitisempty，andnothingeverwandersthroughitbutthewind。Howlonelyandsorrowfulitmustfeel！Perhapstheyallcomebackonmoonlitnights……theghostsofthelittlechildrenoflongagoandtherosesandthesongs……andforalittlewhiletheoldhousecandreamitisyoungandjoyousagain。\"
Dianashookherhead。
\"Ineverimaginethingslikethataboutplacesnow，Anne。Don’tyourememberhowcrossmotherandMarillawerewhenweimaginedghostsintotheHauntedWood？TothisdayIcan’tgothroughthatbushcomfortablyafterdark；andifIbeganimaginingsuchthingsabouttheoldBoulterhouseI’dbefrightenedtopassittoo。
Besides，thosechildrenaren’tdead。They’reallgrownupanddoingwell……andoneofthemisabutcher。Andflowersandsongscouldn’thaveghostsanyhow。\"
Annesmotheredalittlesigh。ShelovedDianadearlyandtheyhadalwaysbeengoodcomrades。Butshehadlongagolearnedthatwhenshewanderedintotherealmoffancyshemustgoalone。Thewaytoitwasbyanenchantedpathwherenotevenherdearestmightfollowher。
Athunder-showercameupwhilethegirlswereatCarmody；itdidnotlastlong，however，andthedrivehome，throughlaneswheretheraindropssparkledontheboughsandlittleleafyvalleyswherethedrenchedfernsgaveoutspicyodors，wasdelightful。ButjustastheyturnedintotheCuthbertlaneAnnesawsomethingthatspoiledthebeautyofthelandscapeforher。
BeforethemontherightextendedMr。Harrison’sbroad，gray-greenfieldoflateoats，wetandluxuriant；andthere，standingsquarelyinthemiddleofit，uptohersleeksidesinthelushgrowth，andblinkingatthemcalmlyovertheinterveningtassels，wasaJerseycow！
Annedroppedthereinsandstoodupwithatighteningofthelipsthatbodednogoodtothepredatoryquadruped。Notawordsaidshe，butsheclimbednimblydownoverthewheels，andwhiskedacrossthefencebeforeDianaunderstoodwhathadhappened。
\"Anne，comeback，\"shriekedthelatter，assoonasshefoundhervoice。\"You’llruinyourdressinthatwetgrain……ruinit。
Shedoesn’thearme！Well，she’llnevergetthatcowoutbyherself。
Imustgoandhelpher，ofcourse。\"
Annewaschargingthroughthegrainlikeamadthing。Dianahoppedbrisklydown，tiedthehorsesecurelytoapost，turnedtheskirtofherprettyginghamdressoverhershoulders，mountedthefence，andstartedinpursuitofherfranticfriend。ShecouldrunfasterthanAnne，whowashamperedbyherclinginganddrenchedskirt，andsoonovertookher。BehindthemtheyleftatrailthatwouldbreakMr。Harrison’sheartwhenheshouldseeit。
\"Anne，formercy’ssake，stop，\"pantedpoorDiana。\"I’mrightoutofbreathandyouarewettotheskin。\"
\"Imust……get……thatcow……out……before……Mr。Harrison……seesher，\"gaspedAnne。\"Idon’t……care……ifI’m……drowned……ifwe……can……only……dothat。\"
ButtheJerseycowappearedtoseenogoodreasonforbeinghustledoutofherlusciousbrowsingground。Nosoonerhadthetwobreathlessgirlsgotnearherthansheturnedandboltedsquarelyfortheoppositecornerofthefield。
\"Headheroff，\"screamedAnne。\"Run，Diana，run。\"
Dianadidrun。Annetriedto，andthewickedJerseywentaroundthefieldasifshewerepossessed。Privately，Dianathoughtshewas。
ItwasfullytenminutesbeforetheyheadedheroffanddroveherthroughthecornergapintotheCuthbertlane。
ThereisnodenyingthatAnnewasinanythingbutanangelictemperatthatprecisemoment。Nordiditsootheherintheleasttobeholdabuggyhaltedjustoutsidethelane，whereinsatMr。
ShearerofCarmodyandhisson，bothofwhomworeabroadsmile。
\"Iguessyou’dbetterhavesoldmethatcowwhenIwantedtobuyherlastweek，Anne，\"chuckledMr。Shearer。
\"I’llsellhertoyounow，ifyouwanther，\"saidherflushedanddisheveledowner。\"Youmayhaveherthisveryminute。\"
\"Done。I’llgiveyoutwentyforherasIofferedbefore，andJimherecandriveherrightovertoCarmody。She’llgototownwiththerestoftheshipmentthisevening。Mr。ReedofBrightonwantsaJerseycow。\"
FiveminuteslaterJimShearerandtheJerseycowweremarchinguptheroad，andimpulsiveAnnewasdrivingalongtheGreenGableslanewithhertwentydollars。
\"WhatwillMarillasay？\"askedDiana。
\"Oh，shewon’tcare。Dollywasmyowncowanditisn’tlikelyshe’dbringmorethantwentydollarsattheauction。Butohdear，ifMr。Harrisonseesthatgrainhewillknowshehasbeeninagain，andaftermygivinghimmywordofhonorthatI’dneverletithappen！Well，ithastaughtmealessonnottogivemywordofhonoraboutcows。Acowthatcouldjumpoverorbreakthroughourmilk-penfencecouldn’tbetrustedanywhere。\"
MarillahadgonedowntoMrs。Lynde’s，andwhenshereturnedknewallaboutDolly’ssaleandtransfer，forMrs。Lyndehadseenmostofthetransactionfromherwindowandguessedtherest。
\"Isupposeit’sjustaswellshe’sgone，thoughyouDOdothingsinadreadfulheadlongfashion，Anne。Idon’tseehowshegotoutofthepen，though。Shemusthavebrokensomeoftheboardsoff。\"
\"Ididn’tthinkoflooking，\"saidAnne，\"butI’llgoandseenow。
Martinhasnevercomebackyet。Perhapssomemoreofhisauntshavedied。Ithinkit’ssomethinglikeMr。PeterSloaneandtheoctogenarians。TheothereveningMrs。SloanewasreadinganewspaperandshesaidtoMr。Sloane，`Iseeherethatanotheroctogenarianhasjustdied。Whatisanoctogenarian，Peter？’AndMr。Sloanesaidhedidn’tknow，buttheymustbeverysicklycreatures，foryouneverheardtellofthembuttheyweredying。
That’sthewaywithMartin’saunts。\"
\"Martin’sjustlikealltherestofthoseFrench，\"saidMarillaindisgust。
\"Youcan’tdependonthemforaday。\"MarillawaslookingoverAnne’sCarmodypurchaseswhensheheardashrillshriekinthebarnyard。
AminutelaterAnnedashedintothekitchen，wringingherhands。
\"AnneShirley，what’sthematternow？\"
\"Oh，Marilla，whatevershallIdo？Thisisterrible。Andit’sallmyfault。Oh，willIEVERlearntostopandreflectalittlebeforedoingrecklessthings？Mrs。LyndealwaystoldmeIwoulddosomethingdreadfulsomeday，andnowI’vedoneit！\"
\"Anne，youarethemostexasperatinggirl！WHATisityou’vedone？\"
\"SoldMr。Harrison’sJerseycow……theoneheboughtfromMr。Bell……toMr。Shearer！Dollyisoutinthemilkingpenthisveryminute。\"
\"AnneShirley，areyoudreaming？\"
\"IonlywishIwere。There’snodreamaboutit，thoughit’sverylikeanightmare。AndMr。Harrison’scowisinCharlottetownbythistime。Oh，Marilla，IthoughtI’dfinishedgettingintoscrapes，andhereIamintheveryworstoneIeverwasininmylife。
WhatcanIdo？\"
\"Do？There’snothingtodo，child，exceptgoandseeMr。Harrisonaboutit。WecanofferhimourJerseyinexchangeifhedoesn’twanttotakethemoney。Sheisjustasgoodashis。\"
\"I’msurehe’llbeawfullycrossanddisagreeableaboutit，though，\"
moanedAnne。
\"Idaresayhewill。Heseemstobeanirritablesortofaman。
I’llgoandexplaintohimifyoulike。\"
\"No，indeed，I’mnotasmeanasthat，\"exclaimedAnne。\"ThisisallmyfaultandI’mcertainlynotgoingtoletyoutakemypunishment。
I’llgomyselfandI’llgoatonce。Thesoonerit’soverthebetter，foritwillbeterriblyhumiliating。\"
PoorAnnegotherhatandhertwentydollarsandwaspassingoutwhenshehappenedtoglancethroughtheopenpantrydoor。Onthetablereposedanutcakewhichshehadbakedthatmorning……aparticularlytoothsomeconcoctionicedwithpinkicingandadornedwithwalnuts。AnnehadintendeditforFridayevening，whentheyouthofAvonleaweretomeetatGreenGablestoorganizetheImprovementSociety。ButwhatweretheycomparedtothejustlyoffendedMr。Harrison？Annethoughtthatcakeoughttosoftentheheartofanyman，especiallyonewhohadtodohisowncooking，andshepromptlypoppeditintoabox。ShewouldtakeittoMr。Harrisonasapeaceoffering。
\"Thatis，ifhegivesmeachancetosayanythingatall，\"shethoughtruefully，assheclimbedthelanefenceandstartedonashortcutacrossthefields，goldeninthelightofthedreamyAugustevening。\"Iknownowjusthowpeoplefeelwhoarebeingledtoexecution。\"
III
Mr。HarrisonatHomeMr。Harrison’shousewasanold-fashioned，low-eaved，whitewashedstructure，setagainstathicksprucegrove。
Mr。Harrisonhimselfwassittingonhisvineshadedveranda，inhisshirtsleeves，enjoyinghiseveningpipe。Whenherealizedwhowascomingupthepathhesprangsuddenlytohisfeet，boltedintothehouse，andshutthedoor。Thiswasmerelytheuncomfortableresultofhissurprise，mingledwithagooddealofshameoverhisoutburstoftemperthedaybefore。ButitnearlyswepttheremnantofhercouragefromAnne’sheart。
\"Ifhe’ssocrossnowwhatwillhebewhenhehearswhatI’vedone，\"shereflectedmiserably，assherappedatthedoor。
ButMr。Harrisonopenedit，smilingsheepishly，andinvitedhertoenterinatonequitemildandfriendly，ifsomewhatnervous。
Hehadlaidasidehispipeanddonnedhiscoat；heofferedAnneaverydustychairverypolitely，andherreceptionwouldhavepassedoffpleasantlyenoughifithadnotbeenforthetelltaleofaparrotwhowaspeeringthroughthebarsofhiscagewithwickedgoldeneyes。
NosoonerhadAnneseatedherselfthanGingerexclaimed，\"Blessmysoul，what’sthatredheadedsnippetcomingherefor？\"
Itwouldbehardtosaywhosefacewastheredder，Mr。Harrison’sorAnne’s。
\"Don’tyoumindthatparrot，\"saidMr。Harrison，castingafuriousglanceatGinger。\"He’s……he’salwaystalkingnonsense。Igothimfrommybrotherwhowasasailor。Sailorsdon’talwaysusethechoicestlanguage，andparrotsareveryimitativebirds。\"
\"SoIshouldthink，\"saidpoorAnne，theremembranceofhererrandquellingherresentment。Shecouldn’taffordtosnubMr。Harrisonunderthecircumstances，thatwascertain。Whenyouhadjustsoldaman’sJerseycowoffhand，withouthisknowledgeorconsentyoumustnotmindifhisparrotrepeateduncomplimentarythings。
Nevertheless，the\"redheadedsnippet\"wasnotquitesomeekasshemightotherwisehavebeen。
\"I’vecometoconfesssomethingtoyou，Mr。Harrison，\"shesaidresolutely。\"It’s……it’sabout……thatJerseycow\"
\"Blessmysoul，\"exclaimedMr。Harrisonnervously，\"hasshegoneandbrokenintomyoatsagain？Well，nevermind……nevermindifshehas。It’snodifference……noneatall。I……Iwastoohastyyesterday，that’safact。Nevermindifshehas。\"
\"Oh，ifitwereonlythat，\"sighedAnne。\"Butit’stentimesworse。Idon’t……\"
\"Blessmysoul，doyoumeantosayshe’sgotintomywheat？\"
\"No……no……notthewheat。But……\"
\"Thenit’sthecabbages！She’sbrokenintomycabbagesthatIwasraisingforExhibition，hey？\"
\"It’sNOTthecabbages，Mr。Harrison。I’lltellyoueverything……
thatiswhatIcamefor——butpleasedon’tinterruptme。Itmakesmesonervous。Justletmetellmystoryanddon’tsayanythingtillIgetthrough——andthennodoubtyou’llsayplenty，\"
Anneconcluded，butinthoughtonly。
\"Iwon’tsayanotherword，\"saidMr。Harrison，andhedidn’t。ButGingerwasnotboundbyanycontractofsilenceandkeptejaculating，\"Redheadedsnippet\"atintervalsuntilAnnefeltquitewild。
\"IshutmyJerseycowupinourpenyesterday。ThismorningIwenttoCarmodyandwhenIcamebackIsawaJerseycowinyouroats。
DianaandIchasedheroutandyoucan’timaginewhatahardtimewehad。Iwassodreadfullywetandtiredandvexed——andMr。
Shearercamebythatveryminuteandofferedtobuythecow。I
soldhertohimonthespotfortwentydollars。Itwaswrongofme。
IshouldhavewaitedandconsultedMarilla，ofcourse。ButI’mdreadfullygiventodoingthingswithoutthinking——everybodywhoknowsmewilltellyouthat。Mr。Shearertookthecowrightawaytoshipherontheafternoontrain。\"
\"Redheadedsnippet，\"quotedGingerinatoneofprofoundcontempt。
AtthispointMr。Harrisonaroseand，withanexpressionthatwouldhavestruckterrorintoanybirdbutaparrot，carriedGinger’scageintoanadjoiningroomandshutthedoor。Gingershrieked，swore，andotherwiseconductedhimselfinkeepingwithhisreputation，butfindinghimselfleftalone，relapsedintosulkysilence。
\"Excusemeandgoon，\"saidMr。Harrison，sittingdownagain。
\"Mybrotherthesailornevertaughtthatbirdanymanners。\"
\"IwenthomeandafterteaIwentouttothemilkingpen。Mr。
Harrison，\"……Anneleanedforward，claspingherhandswithheroldchildishgesture，whileherbiggrayeyesgazedimploringlyintoMr。Harrison’sembarrassedface……\"Ifoundmycowstillshutupinthepen。ItwasYOURcowIhadsoldtoMr。Shearer。\"
\"Blessmysoul，\"exclaimedMr。Harrison，inblankamazementatthisunlooked-forconclusion。\"WhataVERYextraordinarything！\"
\"Oh，itisn’tintheleastextraordinarythatIshouldbegettingmyselfandotherpeopleintoscrapes，\"saidAnnemournfully。
\"I’mnotedforthat。YoumightsupposeI’dhavegrownoutofitbythistime……I’llbeseventeennextMarch……butitseemsthatIhaven’t。Mr。Harrison，isittoomuchtohopethatyou’llforgiveme？I’mafraidit’stoolatetogetyourcowback，buthereisthemoneyforher……oryoucanhavemineinexchangeifyou’drather。She’saverygoodcow。AndIcan’texpresshowsorryIamforitall。\"
\"Tut，tut，\"saidMr。Harrisonbriskly，\"don’tsayanotherwordaboutit，miss。It’sofnoconsequence……noconsequencewhatever。
Accidentswillhappen。I’mtoohastymyselfsometimes，miss……
fartoohasty。ButIcan’thelpspeakingoutjustwhatIthinkandfolksmusttakemeastheyfindme。Ifthatcowhadbeeninmycabbagesnow……butnevermind，shewasn’t，soit’sallright。IthinkI’dratherhaveyourcowinexchange，sinceyouwanttoberidofher。\"
\"Oh，thankyou，Mr。Harrison。I’msogladyouarenotvexed。
Iwasafraidyouwouldbe。\"
\"AndIsupposeyouwerescaredtodeathtocomehereandtellme，afterthefussImadeyesterday，hey？Butyoumustn’tmindme，I’materribleoutspokenoldfellow，that’sall……awfulapttotellthetruth，nomatterifitisabitplain。\"
\"SoisMrs。Lynde，\"saidAnne，beforeshecouldpreventherself。
\"Who？Mrs。Lynde？Don’tyoutellmeI’mlikethatoldgossip，\"
saidMr。Harrisonirritably。\"I’mnot……notabit。Whathaveyougotinthatbox？\"
\"Acake，\"saidAnnearchly。InherreliefatMr。Harrison’sunexpectedamiabilityherspiritssoaredupwardfeather-light。
\"Ibroughtitoverforyou……Ithoughtperhapsyoudidn’thavecakeveryoften。\"
\"Idon’t，that’safact，andI’mmightyfondofit，too。I’mmuchobligedtoyou。Itlooksgoodontop。Ihopeit’sgoodallthewaythrough。\"
\"Itis，\"saidAnne，gailyconfident。\"IhavemadecakesinmytimethatwereNOT，asMrs。Allancouldtellyou，butthisoneisallright。
ImadeitfortheImprovementSociety，butIcanmakeanotherforthem。\"
\"Well，I’lltellyouwhat，miss，youmusthelpmeeatit。I’llputthekettleonandwe’llhaveacupoftea。Howwillthatdo？\"
\"Willyouletmemakethetea？\"saidAnnedubiously。
Mr。Harrisonchuckled。
\"Iseeyouhaven’tmuchconfidenceinmyabilitytomaketea。
You’rewrong……Icanbrewupasgoodajorumofteaasyoueverdrank。Butgoaheadyourself。FortunatelyitrainedlastSunday，sothere’splentyofcleandishes。\"
Annehoppedbrisklyupandwenttowork。Shewashedtheteapotinseveralwatersbeforesheputtheteatosteep。Thenshesweptthestoveandsetthetable，bringingthedishesoutofthepantry。
ThestateofthatpantryhorrifiedAnne，butshewiselysaidnothing。Mr。Harrisontoldherwheretofindthebreadandbutterandacanofpeaches。Anneadornedthetablewithabouquetfromthegardenandshuthereyestothestainsonthetablecloth。SoontheteawasreadyandAnnefoundherselfsittingoppositeMr。
Harrisonathisowntable，pouringhisteaforhim，andchattingfreelytohimaboutherschoolandfriendsandplans。Shecouldhardlybelievetheevidenceofhersenses。
Mr。HarrisonhadbroughtGingerback，averringthatthepoorbirdwouldbelonesome；andAnne，feelingthatshecouldforgiveeverybodyandeverything，offeredhimawalnut。ButGinger’sfeelingshadbeengrievouslyhurtandherejectedalloverturesoffriendship。Hesatmoodilyonhisperchandruffledhisfeathersupuntilhelookedlikeamereballofgreenandgold。
\"WhydoyoucallhimGinger？\"askedAnne，wholikedappropriatenamesandthoughtGingeraccordednotatallwithsuchgorgeousplumage。
\"Mybrotherthesailornamedhim。Maybeithadsomereferencetohistemper。Ithinkalotofthatbirdthough……you’dbesurprisedifyouknewhowmuch。Hehashisfaultsofcourse。
Thatbirdhascostmeagooddealonewayandanother。Somepeopleobjecttohisswearinghabitsbuthecan’tbebrokenofthem。
I’vetried……otherpeoplehavetried。Somefolkshaveprejudicesagainstparrots。Silly，ain’tit？Ilikethemmyself。Ginger’salotofcompanytome。Nothingwouldinducemetogivethatbirdup……nothingintheworld，miss。\"
Mr。HarrisonflungthelastsentenceatAnneasexplosivelyasifhesuspectedherofsomelatentdesignofpersuadinghimtogiveGingerup。Anne，however，wasbeginningtolikethequeer，fussy，fidgetylittleman，andbeforethemealwasovertheywerequitegoodfriends。Mr。HarrisonfoundoutabouttheImprovementSocietyandwasdisposedtoapproveofit。
\"That’sright。Goahead。There’slotsofroomforimprovementinthissettlement……andinthepeopletoo。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknow，\"flashedAnne。Toherself，ortoherparticularcronies，shemightadmitthatthereweresomesmallimperfections，easilyremovable，inAvonleaanditsinhabitants。ButtohearapracticaloutsiderlikeMr。Harrisonsayingitwasanentirelydifferentthing。\"IthinkAvonleaisalovelyplace；andthepeopleinitareverynice，too。\"
\"Iguessyou’vegotaspiceoftemper，\"commentedMr。Harrison，surveyingtheflushedcheeksandindignanteyesoppositehim。
\"Itgoeswithhairlikeyours，Ireckon。AvonleaisaprettydecentplaceorIwouldn’thavelocatedhere；butIsupposeevenyouwilladmitthatithasSOMEfaults？\"
\"Ilikeitallthebetterforthem，\"saidloyalAnne。\"Idon’tlikeplacesorpeopleeitherthathaven’tanyfaults。Ithinkatrulyperfectpersonwouldbeveryuninteresting。Mrs。MiltonWhitesaysshenevermetaperfectperson，butshe’sheardenoughaboutone……herhusband’sfirstwife。Don’tyouthinkitmustbeveryuncomfortabletobemarriedtoamanwhosefirstwifewasperfect？\"
\"Itwouldbemoreuncomfortabletobemarriedtotheperfectwife，\"
declaredMr。Harrison，withasuddenandinexplicablewarmth。
WhenteawasoverAnneinsistedonwashingthedishes，althoughMr。
Harrisonassuredherthattherewereenoughinthehousetodoforweeksyet。Shewoulddearlyhavelovedtosweeptheflooralso，butnobroomwasvisibleandshedidnotliketoaskwhereitwasforfeartherewasn’toneatall。
\"Youmightrunacrossandtalktomeonceinawhile，\"suggestedMr。Harrisonwhenshewasleaving。\"’Tisn’tfarandfolksoughttobeneighborly。I’mkindofinterestedinthatsocietyofyours。
Seemstomethere’llbesomefuninit。Whoareyougoingtotacklefirst？\"
\"WearenotgoingtomeddlewithPEOPLE……itisonlyPLACESwemeantoimprove，\"saidAnne，inadignifiedtone。SherathersuspectedthatMr。Harrisonwasmakingfunoftheproject。
WhenshehadgoneMr。Harrisonwatchedherfromthewindow……alithe，girlishshape，trippinglightheartedlyacrossthefieldsinthesunsetafterglow。
\"I’macrusty，lonesome，crabbedoldchap，\"hesaidaloud，\"butthere’ssomethingaboutthatlittlegirlmakesmefeelyoungagain……andit’ssuchapleasantsensationI’dliketohaveitrepeatedonceinawhile。\"
\"Redheadedsnippet，\"croakedGingermockingly。
Mr。Harrisonshookhisfistattheparrot。
\"Youornerybird，\"hemuttered，\"IalmostwishI’dwrungyourneckwhenmybrotherthesailorbroughtyouhome。Willyouneverbedonegettingmeintotrouble？\"
AnneranhomeblithelyandrecountedheradventurestoMarilla，whohadbeennotalittlealarmedbyherlongabsenceandwasonthepointofstartingouttolookforher。
\"It’saprettygoodworld，afterall，isn’tit，Marilla？\"concludedAnnehappily。\"Mrs。Lyndewascomplainingtheotherdaythatitwasn’tmuchofaworld。Shesaidwheneveryoulookedforwardtoanythingpleasantyouweresuretobemoreorlessdisappointed……perhapsthatistrue。Butthereisagoodsidetoittoo。
Thebadthingsdon’talwayscomeuptoyourexpectationseither……theynearlyalwaysturnouteversomuchbetterthanyouthink。
IlookedforwardtoadreadfullyunpleasantexperiencewhenIwentovertoMr。Harrison’stonight；andinsteadhewasquitekindandIhadalmostanicetime。Ithinkwe’regoingtoberealgoodfriendsifwemakeplentyofallowancesforeachother，andeverythinghasturnedoutforthebest。Butallthesame，Marilla，Ishallcertainlyneveragainsellacowbeforemakingsuretowhomshebelongs。AndIdoNOTlikeparrots！\"
IV
DifferentOpinionsOneeveningatsunset，JaneAndrews，GilbertBlythe，andAnneShirleywerelingeringbyafenceintheshadowofgentlyswayingspruceboughs，whereawoodcutknownastheBirchPathjoinedthemainroad。JanehadbeenuptospendtheafternoonwithAnne，whowalkedpartofthewayhomewithher；atthefencetheymetGilbert，andallthreewerenowtalkingaboutthefatefulmorrow；forthatmorrowwasthefirstofSeptemberandtheschoolswouldopen。JanewouldgotoNewbridgeandGilberttoWhiteSands。
\"Youbothhavetheadvantageofme，\"sighedAnne。\"You’regoingtoteachchildrenwhodon’tknowyou，butIhavetoteachmyownoldschoolmates，andMrs。Lyndesaysshe’safraidtheywon’trespectmeastheywouldastrangerunlessI’mverycrossfromthefirst。
ButIdon’tbelieveateachershouldbecross。Oh，itseemstomesucharesponsibility！\"
\"Iguesswe’llgetonallright，\"saidJanecomfortably。Janewasnottroubledbyanyaspirationstobeaninfluenceforgood。
Shemeanttoearnhersalaryfairly，pleasethetrustees，andgethernameontheSchoolInspector’srollofhonor。FurtherambitionsJanehadnone。\"Themainthingwillbetokeeporderandateacherhastobealittlecrosstodothat。Ifmypupilswon’tdoasItellthemIshallpunishthem。\"
\"How？\"
\"Givethemagoodwhipping，ofcourse。\"
\"Oh，Jane，youwouldn’t，\"criedAnne，shocked。\"Jane，youCOULDN’T！\"
\"Indeed，Icouldandwould，iftheydeservedit，\"saidJanedecidedly。
\"IcouldNEVERwhipachild，\"saidAnnewithequaldecision。
\"Idon’tbelieveinitATALL。MissStacyneverwhippedanyofusandshehadperfectorder；andMr。Phillipswasalwayswhippingandhehadnoorderatall。No，ifIcan’tgetalongwithoutwhippingIshallnottrytoteachschool。Therearebetterwaysofmanaging。
Ishalltrytowinmypupils’affectionsandthentheywillWANTtodowhatItellthem。\"
\"Butsupposetheydon’t？\"saidpracticalJane。
\"Iwouldn’twhipthemanyhow。I’msureitwouldn’tdoanygood。
Oh，don’twhipyourpupils，Janedear，nomatterwhattheydo。\"
\"Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，Gilbert？\"demandedJane。\"Don’tyouthinktherearesomechildrenwhoreallyneedawhippingnowandthen？\"
\"Don’tyouthinkit’sacruel，barbarousthingtowhipachild……
ANYchild？\"exclaimedAnne，herfaceflushingwithearnestness。
\"Well，\"saidGilbertslowly，tornbetweenhisrealconvictionsandhiswishtomeasureuptoAnne’sideal，\"there’ssomethingtobesaidonbothsides。Idon’tbelieveinwhippingchildrenMUCH。
