\"I’vegoodnewsforyou，Anne，\"saidDiana。\"MotherandIhavejustgothomefromCarmody，andIsawMarySentnerfromSpencervaleinMr。Blair’sstore。ShesaystheoldCoppgirlsontheToryRoadhaveawillow-wareplatterandshethinksit’sexactlyliketheonewehadatthesupper。Shesaysthey’lllikelysellit，forMarthaCopphasneverbeenknowntokeepanythingsheCOULDsell；
butiftheywon’tthere’saplatteratWesleyKeyson’satSpencervaleandsheknowsthey’dsellit，butsheisn’tsureit’sjustthesamekindasAuntJosephine’s。\"
\"I’llgorightovertoSpencervaleafterittomorrow，\"saidAnneresolutely，\"andyoumustcomewithme。Itwillbesuchaweightoffmymind，forIhavetogototowndayaftertomorrowandhowcanIfaceyourAuntJosephinewithoutawillow-wareplatter？
ItwouldbeevenworsethanthetimeIhadtoconfessaboutjumpingonthespareroombed。\"
Bothgirlslaughedovertheoldmemory……concerningwhich，ifanyofmyreadersareignorantandcurious，ImustreferthemtoAnne’searlierhistory。
Thenextafternoonthegirlsfaredforthontheirplatterhuntingexpedition。ItwastenmilestoSpencervaleandthedaywasnotespeciallypleasantfortraveling。Itwasverywarmandwindless，andthedustontheroadwassuchasmighthavebeenexpectedaftersixweeksofdryweather。
\"Oh，Idowishitwouldrainsoon，\"sighedAnne。\"Everythingissoparchedup。Thepoorfieldsjustseempitifultomeandthetreesseemtobestretchingouttheirhandspleadingforrain。Asformygarden，ithurtsmeeverytimeIgointoit。IsupposeIshouldn’tcomplainaboutagardenwhenthefarmers’cropsaresufferingso。
Mr。Harrisonsayshispasturesaresoscorchedupthathispoorcowscanhardlygetabitetoeatandhefeelsguiltyofcrueltytoanimalseverytimehemeetstheireyes。\"
AfterawearisomedrivethegirlsreachedSpencervaleandturneddownthe\"Tory\"Road……agreen，solitaryhighwaywherethestripsofgrassbetweenthewheeltracksboreevidencetolackoftravel。
Alongmostofitsextentitwaslinedwiththick-setyoungsprucescrowdingdowntotheroadway，withhereandthereabreakwherethebackfieldofaSpencervalefarmcameouttothefenceoranexpanseofstumpswasaflamewithfireweedandgoldenrod。
\"WhyisitcalledtheToryRoad？\"askedAnne。
\"Mr。Allansaysitisontheprincipleofcallingaplaceagrovebecausetherearenotreesinit，\"saidDiana，\"fornobodylivesalongtheroadexcepttheCoppgirlsandoldMartinBovyeratthefurtherend，whoisaLiberal。TheTorygovernmentrantheroadthroughwhentheywereinpowerjusttoshowtheyweredoingsomething。\"
Diana’sfatherwasaLiberal，forwhichreasonsheandAnneneverdiscussedpolitics。GreenGablesfolkhadalwaysbeenConservatives。
FinallythegirlscametotheoldCopphomestead……aplaceofsuchexceedingexternalneatnessthatevenGreenGableswouldhavesufferedbycontrast。Thehousewasaveryold-fashionedone，situatedonaslope，whichfacthadnecessitatedthebuildingofastonebasementunderoneend。Thehouseandout-buildingswereallwhitewashedtoaconditionofblindingperfectionandnotaweedwasvisibleintheprimkitchengardensurroundedbyitswhitepaling。
\"Theshadesarealldown，\"saidDianaruefully。\"Ibelievethatnobodyishome。\"
Thisprovedtobethecase。Thegirlslookedateachotherinperplexity。
\"Idon’tknowwhattodo，\"saidAnne。\"IfIweresuretheplatterwastherightkindIwouldnotmindwaitinguntiltheycamehome。
Butifitisn’titmaybetoolatetogotoWesleyKeyson’safterward。\"
Dianalookedatacertainlittlesquarewindowoverthebasement。
\"Thatisthepantrywindow，Ifeelsure，\"shesaid，\"becausethishouseisjustlikeUncleCharles’atNewbridge，andthatistheirpantrywindow。Theshadeisn’tdown，soifweclimbedupontheroofofthatlittlehousewecouldlookintothepantryandmightbeabletoseetheplatter。Doyouthinkitwouldbeanyharm？\"
\"No，Idon’tthinkso，\"decidedAnne，afterduereflection，\"sinceourmotiveisnotidlecuriosity。\"
Thisimportantpointofethicsbeingsettled，Annepreparedtomounttheaforesaid\"littlehouse，\"aconstructionoflathes，withapeakedroof，whichhadintimespastservedasahabitationforducks。TheCoppgirlshadgivenupkeepingducks……\"becausetheyweresuchuntidybirds\"……
andthehousehadnotbeeninuseforsomeyears，saveasanabodeofcorrectionforsettinghens。Althoughscrupulouslywhitewashedithadbecomesomewhatshaky，andAnnefeltratherdubiousasshescrambledupfromthevantagepointofakegplacedonabox。
\"I’mafraiditwon’tbearmyweight，\"shesaidasshegingerlysteppedontheroof。
\"Leanonthewindowsill，\"advisedDiana，andAnneaccordinglyleaned。
Muchtoherdelight，shesaw，asshepeeredthroughthepane，awillow-wareplatter，exactlysuchasshewasinquestof，ontheshelfinfrontofthewindow。Somuchshesawbeforethecatastrophecame。InherjoyAnneforgottheprecariousnatureofherfooting，incautiouslyceasedtoleanonthewindowsill，gaveanimpulsivelittlehopofpleasure……andthenextmomentshehadcrashedthroughtheroofuptoherarmpits，andthereshehung，quiteunabletoextricateherself。Dianadashedintotheduckhouseand，seizingherunfortunatefriendbythewaist，triedtodrawherdown。
\"Ow……don’t，\"shriekedpoorAnne。\"Therearesomelongsplintersstickingintome。Seeifyoucanputsomethingundermyfeet……thenperhapsIcandrawmyselfup。\"
DianahastilydraggedinthepreviouslymentionedkegandAnnefoundthatitwasjustsufficientlyhightofurnishasecurerestingplaceforherfeet。Butshecouldnotreleaseherself。
\"CouldIpullyououtifIcrawledup？\"suggestedDiana。
Anneshookherheadhopelessly。
\"No……thesplintershurttoobadly。Ifyoucanfindanaxeyoumightchopmeout，though。Ohdear，IdoreallybegintobelievethatIwasbornunderanill-omenedstar。\"
Dianasearchedfaithfullybutnoaxewastobefound。
\"I’llhavetogoforhelp，\"shesaid，returningtotheprisoner。
\"No，indeed，youwon’t，\"saidAnnevehemently。\"IfyoudothestoryofthiswillgetouteverywhereandIshallbeashamedtoshowmyface。
No，wemustjustwaituntiltheCoppgirlscomehomeandbindthemtosecrecy。They’llknowwheretheaxeisandgetmeout。
I’mnotuncomfortable，aslongasIkeepperfectlystill……
notuncomfortableinBODYImean。IwonderwhattheCoppgirlsvaluethishouseat。IshallhavetopayforthedamageI’vedone，butIwouldn’tmindthatifIwereonlysuretheywouldunderstandmymotiveinpeepinginattheirpantrywindow。MysolecomfortisthattheplatterisjustthekindIwantandifMissCoppwillonlysellittomeIshallberesignedtowhathashappened。\"
\"WhatiftheCoppgirlsdon’tcomehomeuntilafternight……ortilltomorrow？\"suggestedDiana。
\"Ifthey’renotbackbysunsetyou’llhavetogoforotherassistance，Isuppose，\"saidAnnereluctantly，\"butyoumustn’tgountilyoureallyhaveto。Ohdear，thisisadreadfulpredicament。
Iwouldn’tmindmymisfortunessomuchiftheywereromantic，asMrs。Morgan’sheroines’alwaysare，buttheyarealwaysjustsimplyridiculous。FancywhattheCoppgirlswillthinkwhentheydriveintotheiryardandseeagirl’sheadandshouldersstickingoutoftheroofofoneoftheirouthouses。Listen……isthatawagon？No，Diana，Ibelieveitisthunder。\"
Thunderitwasundoubtedly，andDiana，havingmadeahastypilgrimagearoundthehouse，returnedtoannouncethataveryblackcloudwasrisingrapidlyinthenorthwest。
\"Ibelievewe’regoingtohaveaheavythunder-shower，\"sheexclaimedindismay，\"Oh，Anne，whatwillwedo？\"
\"Wemustprepareforit，\"saidAnnetranquilly。Athunderstormseemedatrifleincomparisonwithwhathadalreadyhappened。
\"You’dbetterdrivethehorseandbuggyintothatopenshed。
Fortunatelymyparasolisinthebuggy。Here……takemyhatwithyou。MarillatoldmeIwasagoosetoputonmybesthattocometotheToryRoadandshewasright，asshealwaysis。\"
Dianauntiedtheponyanddroveintotheshed，justasthefirstheavydropsofrainfell。Thereshesatandwatchedtheresultingdownpour，whichwassothickandheavythatshecouldhardlyseeAnnethroughit，holdingtheparasolbravelyoverherbarehead。
Therewasnotagreatdealofthunder，butforthebestpartofanhourtheraincamemerrilydown。OccasionallyAnneslantedbackherparasolandwavedanencouraginghandtoherfriend；Butconversationatthatdistancewasquiteoutofthequestion。
Finallytherainceased，thesuncameout，andDianaventuredacrossthepuddlesoftheyard。
\"Didyougetverywet？\"sheaskedanxiously。
\"Oh，no，\"returnedAnnecheerfully。\"Myheadandshouldersarequitedryandmyskirtisonlyalittledampwheretherainbeatthroughthelathes。Don’tpityme，Diana，forIhaven’tmindeditatall。Ikeptthinkinghowmuchgoodtherainwilldoandhowgladmygardenmustbeforit，andimaginingwhattheflowersandbudswouldthinkwhenthedropsbegantofall。Iimaginedoutamostinterestingdialoguebetweentheastersandthesweetpeasandthewildcanariesinthelilacbushandtheguardianspiritofthegarden。
WhenIgohomeImeantowriteitdown。IwishIhadapencilandpapertodoitnow，becauseIdaresayI’llforgetthebestpartsbeforeIreachhome。\"
Dianathefaithfulhadapencilanddiscoveredasheetofwrappingpaperintheboxofthebuggy。Annefoldedupherdrippingparasol，putonherhat，spreadthewrappingpaperonashingleDianahandedup，andwroteouthergardenidylunderconditionsthatcouldhardlybeconsideredasfavorabletoliterature。
Nevertheless，theresultwasquitepretty，andDianawas\"enraptured\"whenAnnereadittoher。
\"Oh，Anne，it’ssweet……justsweet。DOsendittothe`CanadianWoman。’\"
Anneshookherhead。
\"Oh，no，itwouldn’tbesuitableatall。ThereisnoPLOTinit，yousee。It’sjustastringoffancies。Ilikewritingsuchthings，butofcoursenothingofthesortwouldeverdoforpublication，foreditorsinsistonplots，soPriscillasays。Oh，there’sMissSarahCoppnow。PLEASE，Diana，goandexplain。\"
MissSarahCoppwasasmallperson，garbedinshabbyblack，withahatchosenlessforvainadornmentthanforqualitiesthatwouldwearwell。
Shelookedasamazedasmightbeexpectedonseeingthecurioustableauinheryard，butwhensheheardDiana’sexplanationshewasallsympathy。
Shehurriedlyunlockedthebackdoor，producedtheaxe，andwithafewskillfullblowssetAnnefree。Thelatter，somewhattiredandstiff，duckeddownintotheinteriorofherprisonandthankfullyemergedintolibertyoncemore。
\"MissCopp，\"shesaidearnestly。\"IassureyouIlookedintoyourpantrywindowonlytodiscoverifyouhadawillow-wareplatter。
Ididn’tseeanythingelse——Ididn’tLOOKforanythingelse。\"
\"Blessyou，that’sallright，\"saidMissSarahamiably。\"Youneedn’tworry——there’snoharmdone。Thankgoodness，weCoppskeepourpantriespresentableatalltimesanddon’tcarewhoseesintothem。Asforthatoldduckhouse，I’mgladit’ssmashed，formaybenowMarthawillagreetohavingittakendown。SheneverwouldbeforeforfearitmightcomeinhandysometimeandI’vehadtowhitewashiteveryspring。ButyoumightaswellarguewithapostaswithMartha。Shewenttotowntoday——Idrovehertothestation。
Andyouwanttobuymyplatter。Well，whatwillyougiveforit？\"
\"Twentydollars，\"saidAnne，whowasnevermeanttomatchbusinesswitswithaCopp，orshewouldnothaveofferedherpriceatthestart。
\"Well，I’llsee，\"saidMissSarahcautiously。\"Thatplatterisminefortunately，orI’dneverdaretosellitwhenMarthawasn’there。
Asitis，Idaresayshe’llraiseafuss。Martha’sthebossofthisestablishmentIcantellyou。I’mgettingawfultiredoflivingunderanotherwoman’sthumb。Butcomein，comein。Youmustberealtiredandhungry。I’lldothebestIcanforyouinthewayofteabutIwarnyounottoexpectanythingbutbreadandbutterandsomecowcumbers。Marthalockedupallthecakeandcheeseandpreservesaforeshewent。Shealwaysdoes，becauseshesaysI’mtooextravagantwiththemifcompanycomes。\"
Thegirlswerehungryenoughtodojusticetoanyfare，andtheyenjoyedMissSarah’sexcellentbreadandbutterand\"cowcumbers\"
thoroughly。WhenthemealwasoverMissSarahsaid，\"Idon’tknowasImindsellingtheplatter。Butit’sworthtwenty-fivedollars。It’saveryoldplatter。\"
DianagaveAnne’sfootagentlekickunderthetable，meaning，\"Don’tagree——she’llletitgofortwentyifyouholdout。\"
ButAnnewasnotmindedtotakeanychancesinregardtothatpreciousplatter。Shepromptlyagreedtogivetwenty-fiveandMissSarahlookedasifshefeltsorryshehadn’taskedforthirty。
\"Well，Iguessyoumayhaveit。IwantallthemoneyIcanscareupjustnow。Thefactis——\"MissSarahthrewupherheadimportantly，withaproudflushonherthincheeks——\"I’mgoingtobemarried——toLutherWallace。Hewantedmetwentyyearsago。
Ilikedhimrealwellbuthewaspoorthenandfatherpackedhimoff。
Is’poseIshouldn’thavelethimgosomeekbutIwastimidandfrightenedoffather。Besides，Ididn’tknowmenweresoskurse。\"
Whenthegirlsweresafelyaway，DianadrivingandAnneholdingthecovetedplattercarefullyonherlap，thegreen，rain-freshenedsolitudesoftheToryRoadwereenlivenedbyripplesofgirlishlaughter。
\"I’llamuseyourAuntJosephinewiththe`strangeeventfulhistory’
ofthisafternoonwhenIgototowntomorrow。We’vehadarathertryingtimebutit’sovernow。I’vegottheplatter，andthatrainhaslaidthedustbeautifully。So`all’swellthatendswell。’\"
\"We’renothomeyet，\"saidDianaratherpessimistically，\"andthere’snotellingwhatmayhappenbeforeweare。You’resuchagirltohaveadventures，Anne。\"
\"Havingadventurescomesnaturaltosomepeople，\"saidAnneserenely。\"Youjusthaveagiftforthemoryouhaven’t。\"
XIX
JustaHappyDay\"Afterall，\"AnnehadsaidtoMarillaonce，\"Ibelievethenicestandsweetestdaysarenotthoseonwhichanythingverysplendidorwonderfulorexcitinghappensbutjustthosethatbringsimplelittlepleasures，followingoneanothersoftly，likepearlsslippingoffastring。\"
LifeatGreenGableswasfullofjustsuchdays，forAnne’sadventuresandmisadventures，likethoseofotherpeople，didnotallhappenatonce，butweresprinkledovertheyear，withlongstretchesofharmless，happydaysbetween，filledwithworkanddreamsandlaughterandlessons。
SuchadaycamelateinAugust。IntheforenoonAnneandDianarowedthedelightedtwinsdownthepondtothesandshoretopick\"sweetgrass\"
andpaddleinthesurf，overwhichthewindwasharpinganoldlyriclearnedwhentheworldwasyoung。
IntheafternoonAnnewalkeddowntotheoldIrvingplacetoseePaul。
Shefoundhimstretchedoutonthegrassybankbesidethethickfirgrovethatshelteredthehouseonthenorth，absorbedinabookoffairytales。Hesprangupradiantlyatsightofher。
\"Oh，I’msogladyou’vecome，teacher，\"hesaideagerly，\"becauseGrandma’saway。You’llstayandhaveteawithme，won’tyou？
It’ssolonesometohaveteaallbyoneself。YOUknow，teacher。
I’vehadseriousthoughtsofaskingYoungMaryJoetositdownandeatherteawithme，butIexpectGrandmawouldn’tapprove。
ShesaystheFrenchhavetobekeptintheirplace。Andanyhow，it’sdifficulttotalkwithYoungMaryJoe。Shejustlaughsandsays，`Well，yousdobeatalldekidsIeverknowed。’Thatisn’tmyideaofconversation。\"
\"OfcourseI’llstaytotea，\"saidAnnegaily。\"Iwasdyingtobeasked。Mymouthhasbeenwateringforsomemoreofyourgrandma’sdeliciousshortbreadeversinceIhadteaherebefore。\"
Paullookedverysober。
\"Ifitdependedonme，teacher，\"hesaid，standingbeforeAnnewithhishandsinhispocketsandhisbeautifullittlefaceshadowedwithsuddencare，\"Youshouldhaveshortbreadwitharightgoodwill。
ButitdependsonMaryJoe。IheardGrandmatellherbeforesheleftthatshewasn’ttogivemeanyshortcakebecauseitwastoorichforlittleboys’stomachs。ButmaybeMaryJoewillcutsomeforyouifIpromiseIwon’teatany。Letushopeforthebest。\"
\"Yes，letus，\"agreedAnne，whomthischeerfulphilosophysuitedexactly，\"andifMaryJoeproveshard-heartedandwon’tgivemeanyshortbreaditdoesn’tmatterintheleast，soyouarenottoworryoverthat。\"
\"You’resureyouwon’tmindifshedoesn’t？\"saidPaulanxiously。
\"Perfectlysure，dearheart。\"
\"ThenIwon’tworry，\"saidPaul，withalongbreathofrelief，\"especiallyasIreallythinkMaryJoewilllistentoreason。
She’snotanaturallyunreasonableperson，butshehaslearnedbyexperiencethatitdoesn’tdotodisobeyGrandma’sorders。
Grandmaisanexcellentwomanbutpeoplemustdoasshetellsthem。
ShewasverymuchpleasedwithmethismorningbecauseImanagedatlasttoeatallmyplatefulofporridge。ItwasagreateffortbutIsucceeded。Grandmasaysshethinksshe’llmakeamanofmeyet。
But，teacher，Iwanttoaskyouaveryimportantquestion。
Youwillanswerittruthfully，won’tyou？\"
\"I’lltry，\"promisedAnne。
\"DoyouthinkI’mwronginmyupperstory？\"askedPaul，asifhisveryexistencedependedonherreply。
\"Goodness，no，Paul，\"exclaimedAnneinamazement。\"Certainlyyou’renot。Whatputsuchanideaintoyourhead？\"
\"MaryJoe……butshedidn’tknowIheardher。Mrs。PeterSloane’shiredgirl，Veronica，cametoseeMaryJoelasteveningandIheardthemtalkinginthekitchenasIwasgoingthroughthehall。
IheardMaryJoesay，`DatPaul，heisdequeeres’leetleboy。
Hetalksdatqueer。Itinkdere’ssometingwronginhisupperstory。’
Icouldn’tsleeplastnightforeversolong，thinkingofit，andwonderingifMaryJoewasright。Icouldn’tbeartoaskGrandmaaboutitsomehow，butImadeupmymindI’daskyou。I’msogladyouthinkI’mallrightinmyupperstory。\"
\"Ofcourseyouare。MaryJoeisasilly，ignorantgirl，andyouarenevertoworryaboutanythingshesays，\"saidAnneindignantly，secretlyresolvingtogiveMrs。IrvingadiscreethintastotheadvisabilityofrestrainingMaryJoe’stongue。
\"Well，that’saweightoffmymind，\"saidPaul。\"I’mperfectlyhappynow，teacher，thankstoyou。Itwouldn’tbenicetohavesomethingwronginyourupperstory，wouldit，teacher？
IsupposethereasonMaryJoeimaginesIhaveisbecauseItellherwhatIthinkaboutthingssometimes。\"
\"Itisaratherdangerouspractice，\"admittedAnne，outofthedepthsofherownexperience。
\"Well，byandbyI’lltellyouthethoughtsItoldMaryJoeandyoucanseeforyourselfifthere’sanythingqueerinthem，\"saidPaul，\"butI’llwaittillitbeginstogetdark。ThatisthetimeIachetotellpeoplethings，andwhennobodyelseishandyIjustHAVEtotellMaryJoe。ButafterthisIwon’t，ifitmakesherimagineI’mwronginmyupperstory。I’lljustacheandbearit。\"
\"AndiftheachegetstoobadyoucancomeuptoGreenGablesandtellmeyourthoughts，\"suggestedAnne，withallthegravitythatendearedhertochildren，whosodearlylovetobetakenseriously。
\"Yes，Iwill。ButIhopeDavywon’tbetherewhenIgobecausehemakesfacesatme。Idon’tmindVERYmuchbecauseheissuchalittleboyandIamquiteabigone，butstillitisnotpleasanttohavefacesmadeatyou。AndDavymakessuchterribleones。
SometimesIamfrightenedhewillnevergethisfacestraightenedoutagain。HemakesthematmeinchurchwhenIoughttobethinkingofsacredthings。Doralikesmethough，andIlikeher，butnotsowellasIdidbeforeshetoldMinnieMayBarrythatshemeanttomarrymewhenIgrewup。ImaymarrysomebodywhenIgrowupbutI’mfartooyoungtobethinkingofityet，don’tyouthink，teacher？\"
\"Ratheryoung，\"agreedteacher。
\"Speakingofmarrying，remindsmeofanotherthingthathasbeentroublingmeoflate，\"continuedPaul。\"Mrs。LyndewasdownhereonedaylastweekhavingteawithGrandma，andGrandmamademeshowhermylittlemother’spicture……theonefathersentmeformybirthdaypresent。Ididn’texactlywanttoshowittoMrs。Lynde。
Mrs。Lyndeisagood，kindwoman，butsheisn’tthesortofpersonyouwanttoshowyourmother’spictureto。YOUknow，teacher。
ButofcourseIobeyedGrandma。Mrs。Lyndesaidshewasveryprettyutkindofactressylooking，andmusthavebeenanawfullotyoungerthanfather。Thenshesaid，`Someofthesedaysyourpawillbemarryingagainlikely。Howwillyouliketohaveanewma，MasterPaul？’Well，theideaalmosttookmybreathaway，teacher，butIwasn’tgoingtoletMrs。LyndeseeTHAT。Ijustlookedherstraightintheface……likethis……andIsaid，`Mrs。Lynde，fathermadeaprettygoodjobofpickingoutmyfirstmotherandI
couldtrusthimtopickoutjustasgoodaonethesecondtime。’
AndICANtrusthim，teacher。Butstill，Ihope，ifheeverdoesgivemeanewmother，he’llaskmyopinionaboutherbeforeit’stoolate。There’sMaryJoecomingtocallustotea。I’llgoandconsultwithherabouttheshortbread。\"
Asaresultofthe\"consultation，\"MaryJoecuttheshortbreadandaddedadishofpreservestothebilloffare。AnnepouredtheteaandsheandPaulhadaverymerrymealinthedimoldsittingroomwhosewindowswereopentothegulfbreezes，andtheytalkedsomuch\"nonsense\"thatMaryJoewasquitescandalizedandtoldVeronicathenexteveningthat\"deschoolmees\"wasasqueerasPaul。
AfterteaPaultookAnneuptohisroomtoshowherhismother’spicture，whichhadbeenthemysteriousbirthdaypresentkeptbyMrs。Irvinginthebookcase。Paul’slittlelow-ceilingedroomwasasoftwhirlofruddylightfromthesunthatwassettingovertheseaandswingingshadowsfromthefirtreesthatgrewclosetothesquare，deep-setwindow。Fromoutthissoftglowandglamorshoneasweet，girlishface，withtendermothereyes，thatwashangingonthewallatthefootofthebed。
\"That’smylittlemother，\"saidPaulwithlovingpride。\"IgotGrandmatohangittherewhereI’dseeitassoonasIopenedmyeyesinthemorning。InevermindnothavingthelightwhenIgotobednow，becauseitjustseemsasifmylittlemotherwasrightherewithme。FatherknewjustwhatIwouldlikeforabirthdaypresent，althoughheneveraskedme。Isn’titwonderfulhowmuchfathersDOknow？\"
\"Yourmotherwasverylovely，Paul，andyoulookalittlelikeher。
Buthereyesandhairaredarkerthanyours。\"
\"Myeyesarethesamecolorasfather’s，\"saidPaul，flyingabouttheroomtoheapallavailablecushionsonthewindowseat，\"butfather’shairisgray。Hehaslotsofit，butitisgray。
Yousee，fatherisnearlyfifty。That’sripeoldage，isn’tit？
Butit’sonlyOUTSIDEhe’sold。INSIDEhe’sjustasyoungasanybody。
Now，teacher，pleasesithere；andI’llsitatyourfeet。MayIlaymyheadagainstyourknee？That’sthewaymylittlemotherandI
usedtosit。Oh，thisisrealsplendid，Ithink。\"
\"Now，IwanttohearthosethoughtswhichMaryJoepronouncessoqueer，\"
saidAnne，pattingthemopofcurlsatherside。Paulneverneededanycoaxingtotellhisthoughts……atleast，tocongenialsouls。
\"Ithoughtthemoutinthefirgroveonenight，\"hesaiddreamily。
\"OfcourseIdidn’tBELIEVEthembutITHOUGHTthem。YOUknow，teacher。AndthenIwantedtotellthemtosomebodyandtherewasnobodybutMaryJoe。MaryJoewasinthepantrysettingbreadandIsatdownonthebenchbesideherandIsaid，`MaryJoe，doyouknowwhatIthink？Ithinktheeveningstarisalighthouseonthelandwherethefairiesdwell。’AndMaryJoesaid，`Well，yousaredequeerone。Dareain’tnosuchtingasfairies。’Iwasverymuchprovoked。Ofcourse，Iknewtherearenofairies；butthatneedn’tpreventmythinkingthereis。Youknow，teacher。ButItriedagainquitepatiently。Isaid，`Wellthen，MaryJoe，doyouknowwhatIthink？Ithinkanangelwalksovertheworldafterthesunsets……agreat，tall，whiteangel，withsilveryfoldedwings……
andsingstheflowersandbirdstosleep。Childrencanhearhimiftheyknowhowtolisten。’ThenMaryJoeheldupherhandsalloverflourandsaid，`Well，yousaredequeerleetleboy。
Yousmakemefeelscare。’Andshereallydidlookedscared。
Iwentoutthenandwhisperedtherestofmythoughtstothegarden。
Therewasalittlebirchtreeinthegardenanditdied。Grandmasaysthesaltspraykilledit；butIthinkthedryadbelongingtoitwasafoolishdryadwhowanderedawaytoseetheworldandgotlost。
Andthelittletreewassolonelyitdiedofabrokenheart。\"
\"Andwhenthepoor，foolishlittledryadgetstiredoftheworldandcomesbacktohertreeHERheartwillbreak，\"saidAnne。
\"Yes；butifdryadsarefoolishtheymusttaketheconsequences，justasiftheywererealpeople，\"saidPaulgravely。\"DoyouknowwhatIthinkaboutthenewmoon，teacher？Ithinkitisalittlegoldenboatfullofdreams。\"
\"Andwhenittipsonacloudsomeofthemspilloutandfallintoyoursleep。\"
\"Exactly，teacher。Oh，youDOknow。AndIthinkthevioletsarelittlesnipsoftheskythatfelldownwhentheangelscutoutholesforthestarstoshinethrough。Andthebuttercupsaremadeoutofoldsunshine；andIthinkthesweetpeaswillbebutterflieswhentheygotoheaven。Now，teacher，doyouseeanythingsoveryqueeraboutthosethoughts？\"
\"No，laddiedear，theyarenotqueeratall；theyarestrangeandbeautifulthoughtsforalittleboytothink，andsopeoplewhocouldn’tthinkanythingofthesortthemselves，iftheytriedforahundredyears，thinkthemqueer。Butkeeponthinkingthem，Paul……somedayyouaregoingtobeapoet，Ibelieve。\"
WhenAnnereachedhomeshefoundaverydifferenttypeofboyhoodwaitingtobeputtobed。Davywassulky；andwhenAnnehadundressedhimhebouncedintobedandburiedhisfaceinthepillow。
\"Davy，youhaveforgottentosayyourprayers，\"saidAnnerebukingly。
\"No，Ididn’tforget，\"saidDavydefiantly，\"butIain’tgoingtosaymyprayersanymore。I’mgoingtogiveuptryingtobegood，’causenomatterhowgoodIamyou’dlikePaulIrvingbetter。
SoImightaswellbebadandhavethefunofit。\"
\"Idon’tlikePaulIrvingBETTER，\"saidAnneseriously。\"Ilikeyoujustaswell，onlyinadifferentway。\"
\"ButIwantyoutolikemethesameway，\"poutedDavy。
\"Youcan’tlikedifferentpeoplethesameway。Youdon’tlikeDoraandmethesameway，doyou？\"
Davysatupandreflected。
\"No……o……o，\"headmittedatlast，\"IlikeDorabecauseshe’smysisterbutIlikeyoubecauseyou’reYOU。\"
\"AndIlikePaulbecauseheisPaulandDavybecauseheisDavy，\"
saidAnnegaily。
\"Well，IkindofwishI’dsaidmyprayersthen，\"saidDavy，convincedbythislogic。\"Butit’stoomuchbothergettingoutnowtosaythem。
I’llsaythemtwiceoverinthemorning，Anne。Won’tthatdoaswell？\"
No，Annewaspositiveitwouldnotdoaswell。SoDavyscrambledoutandkneltdownatherknee。Whenhehadfinishedhisdevotionsheleanedbackonhislittle，bare，brownheelsandlookedupather。
\"Anne，I’mgooderthanIusedtobe。\"
\"Yes，indeedyouare，Davy，\"saidAnne，whoneverhesitatedtogivecreditwherecreditwasdue。
\"IKNOWI’mgooder，\"saidDavyconfidently，\"andI’lltellyouhowIknowit。TodayMarillagivemetwopiecesofbreadandjam，oneformeandoneforDora。OnewasagooddealbiggerthantheotherandMarilladidn’tsaywhichwasmine。ButIgivethebiggestpiecetoDora。Thatwasgoodofme，wasn’tit？\"
\"Verygood，andverymanly，Davy。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"admittedDavy，\"Dorawasn’tveryhungryandsheonlyethalfhersliceandthenshegivetheresttome。ButIdidn’tknowshewasgoingtodothatwhenIgiveittoher，soIWASgood，Anne。\"
InthetwilightAnnesauntereddowntotheDryad’sBubbleandsawGilbertBlythecomingdownthroughtheduskyHauntedWood。ShehadasuddenrealizationthatGilbertwasaschoolboynolonger。Andhowmanlyhelooked——thetall，frank-facedfellow，withtheclear，straightforwardeyesandthebroadshoulders。AnnethoughtGilbertwasaveryhandsomelad，eventhoughhedidn’tlookatalllikeheridealman。SheandDianahadlongagodecidedwhatkindofamantheyadmiredandtheirtastesseemedexactlysimilar。Hemustbeverytallanddistinguishedlooking，withmelancholy，inscrutableeyes，andamelting，sympatheticvoice。TherewasnothingeithermelancholyorinscrutableinGilbert’sphysiognomy，butofcoursethatdidn’tmatterinfriendship！
GilbertstretchedhimselfoutonthefernsbesidetheBubbleandlookedapprovinglyatAnne。IfGilberthadbeenaskedtodescribehisidealwomanthedescriptionwouldhaveansweredpointforpointtoAnne，eventothoseseventinyfreckleswhoseobnoxiouspresencestillcontinuedtovexhersoul。Gilbertwasasyetlittlemorethanaboy；butaboyhashisdreamsashaveothers，andinGilbert’sfuturetherewasalwaysagirlwithbig，limpidgrayeyes，andafaceasfineanddelicateasaflower。Hehadmadeuphismind，also，thathisfuturemustbeworthyofitsgoddess。
EveninquietAvonleathereweretemptationstobemetandfaced。
WhiteSandsyouthwerearather\"fast\"set，andGilbertwaspopularwhereverhewent。ButhemeanttokeephimselfworthyofAnne’sfriendshipandperhapssomedistantdayherlove；andhewatchedoverwordandthoughtanddeedasjealouslyasifhercleareyesweretopassinjudgmentonit。Sheheldoverhimtheunconsciousinfluencethateverygirl，whoseidealsarehighandpure，wieldsoverherfriends；aninfluencewhichwouldendureaslongasshewasfaithfultothoseidealsandwhichshewouldascertainlyloseifshewereeverfalsetothem。InGilbert’seyesAnne’sgreatestcharmwasthefactthatsheneverstoopedtothepettypracticesofsomanyoftheAvonleagirls——thesmalljealousies，thelittledeceitsandrivalries，thepalpablebidsforfavor。Anneheldherselfapartfromallthis，notconsciouslyorofdesign，butsimplybecauseanythingofthesortwasutterlyforeigntohertransparent，impulsivenature，crystalclearinitsmotivesandaspirations。
ButGilbertdidnotattempttoputhisthoughtsintowords，forhehadalreadytoogoodreasontoknowthatAnnewouldmercilesslyandfrostilynipallattemptsatsentimentinthebud——orlaughathim，whichwastentimesworse。
\"Youlooklikearealdryadunderthatbirchtree，\"hesaidteasingly。
\"Ilovebirchtrees，\"saidAnne，layinghercheekagainstthecreamysatinoftheslimbole，withoneofthepretty，caressinggesturesthatcamesonaturaltoher。
\"Thenyou’llbegladtohearthatMr。MajorSpencerhasdecidedtosetoutarowofwhitebirchesallalongtheroadfrontofhisfarm，bywayofencouragingtheA。V。I。S。，\"saidGilbert。
\"Hewastalkingtomeaboutittoday。MajorSpenceristhemostprogressiveandpublic-spiritedmaninAvonlea。AndMr。WilliamBellisgoingtosetoutasprucehedgealonghisroadfrontanduphislane。OurSocietyisgettingonsplendidly，Anne。Itispasttheexperimentalstageandisanacceptedfact。TheolderfolksarebeginningtotakeaninterestinitandtheWhiteSandspeoplearetalkingofstartingonetoo。EvenElishaWrighthascomearoundsincethatdaytheAmericansfromthehotelhadthepicnicattheshore。TheypraisedourroadsidessohighlyandsaidtheyweresomuchprettierthaninanyotherpartoftheIsland。Andwhen，induetime，theotherfarmersfollowMr。Spencer’sgoodexampleandplantornamentaltreesandhedgesalongtheirroadfrontsAvonleawillbetheprettiestsettlementintheprovince。\"
\"TheAidsaretalkingoftakingupthegraveyard，\"saidAnne，\"andI
hopetheywill，becausetherewillhavetobeasubscriptionforthat，anditwouldbenousefortheSocietytotryitafterthehallaffair。
ButtheAidswouldneverhavestirredinthematteriftheSocietyhadn’tputitintotheirthoughtsunofficially。Thosetreesweplantedonthechurchgroundsareflourishing，andthetrusteeshavepromisedmethattheywillfenceintheschoolgroundsnextyear。
IftheydoI’llhaveanarbordayandeveryscholarshallplantatree；
andwe’llhaveagardeninthecornerbytheroad。\"
\"We’vesucceededinalmostallourplanssofar，exceptingettingtheoldBoulterhouseremoved，\"saidGilbert，\"andI’vegivenTHATupindespair。
Leviwon’thaveittakendownjusttovexus。There’sacontrarystreakinalltheBoultersandit’sstronglydevelopedinhim。\"
\"JuliaBellwantstosendanothercommitteetohim，butIthinkthebetterwaywilljustbetoleavehimseverelyalone，\"saidAnnesagely。
\"AndtrusttoProvidence，asMrs。Lyndesays，\"smiledGilbert。
\"Certainly，nomorecommittees。Theyonlyaggravatehim。
JuliaBellthinksyoucandoanything，ifyouonlyhaveacommitteetoattemptit。Nextspring，Anne，wemuststartanagitationfornicelawnsandgrounds。We’llsowgoodseedbetimesthiswinter。
I’veatreatisehereonlawnsandlawnmakingandI’mgoingtoprepareapaperonthesubjectsoon。Well，Isupposeourvacationisalmostover。SchoolopensMonday。HasRubyGillisgottheCarmodyschool？\"
\"Yes；Priscillawrotethatshehadtakenherownhomeschool，sotheCarmodytrusteesgaveittoRuby。I’msorryPriscillaisnotcomingback，butsinceshecan’tI’mgladRubyhasgottheschool。
ShewillbehomeforSaturdaysanditwillseemlikeoldtimes，tohaveherandJaneandDianaandmyselfalltogetheragain。\"
Marilla，justhomefromMrs。Lynde’s，wassittingonthebackporchstepwhenAnnereturnedtothehouse。
\"RachelandIhavedecidedtohaveourcruisetotowntomorrow，\"
shesaid。\"Mr。LyndeisfeelingbetterthisweekandRachelwantstogobeforehehasanothersickspell。\"
\"Iintendtogetupextraearlytomorrowmorning，forI’veeversomuchtodo，\"saidAnnevirtuously。\"Foronething，I’mgoingtoshiftthefeathersfrommyoldbedticktothenewone。IoughttohavedoneitlongagobutI’vejustkeptputtingitoff……
it’ssuchadetestabletask。It’saverybadhabittoputoffdisagreeablethings，andInevermeantoagain，orelseIcan’tcomfortablytellmypupilsnottodoit。Thatwouldbeinconsistent。
ThenIwanttomakeacakeforMr。HarrisonandfinishmypaperongardensfortheA。V。I。S。，andwriteStella，andwashandstarchmymuslindress，andmakeDora’snewapron。\"
\"Youwon’tgethalfdone，\"saidMarillapessimistically。\"Ineveryetplannedtodoalotofthingsbutsomethinghappenedtopreventme。\"
XX
TheWayItOftenHappensAnnerosebetimesthenextmorningandblithelygreetedthefreshday，whenthebannersofthesunrisewereshakentriumphantlyacrossthepearlyskies。GreenGableslayinapoolofsunshine，fleckedwiththedancingshadowsofpoplarandwillow。BeyondthelandwasMr。Harrison’swheatfield，agreat，windrippledexpanseofpalegold。
TheworldwassobeautifulthatAnnespenttenblissfulminuteshangingidlyoverthegardengatedrinkingthelovelinessin。
AfterbreakfastMarillamadereadyforherjourney。Dorawastogowithher，havingbeenlongpromisedthistreat。
\"Now，Davy，youtrytobeagoodboyanddon’tbotherAnne，\"shestraitlychargedhim。\"IfyouaregoodI’llbringyouastripedcandycanefromtown。\"
Foralas，Marillahadstoopedtotheevilhabitofbribingpeopletobegood！
\"Iwon’tbebadonpurpose，buts’posenI’mbadzacksidentally？\"
Davywantedtoknow。
\"You’llhavetoguardagainstaccidents，\"admonishedMarilla。
\"Anne，ifMr。Shearercomestodaygetaniceroastandsomesteak。
Ifhedoesn’tyou’llhavetokillafowlfordinnertomorrow。\"
Annenodded。
\"I’mnotgoingtobothercookinganydinnerforjustDavyandmyselftoday，\"
shesaid。\"ThatcoldhambonewilldofornoonlunchandI’llhavesomesteakfriedforyouwhenyoucomehomeatnight。\"
\"I’mgoingtohelpMr。Harrisonhauldulsethismorning，\"announcedDavy。
\"Heaskedmeto，andIguesshe’llaskmetodinnertoo。Mr。Harrisonisanawfulkindman。He’sarealsociableman。IhopeI’llbelikehimwhenIgrowup。ImeanBEHAVElikehim……Idon’twanttoLOOKlikehim。
ButIguessthere’snodanger，forMrs。LyndesaysI’maveryhandsomechild。
Doyous’poseit’lllast，Anne？Iwanttoknow\"
\"Idaresayitwill，\"saidAnnegravely。\"YouAREahandsomeboy，Davy，\"……Marillalookedvolumesofdisapproval……\"butyoumustliveuptoitandbejustasniceandgentlemanlyasyoulooktobe。\"
\"AndyoutoldMinnieMayBarrytheotherday，whenyoufoundhercrying’causesomeonesaidshewasugly，thatifshewasniceandkindandlovingpeoplewouldn’tmindherlooks，\"saidDavydiscontentedly。
\"Seemstomeyoucan’tgetoutofbeinggoodinthisworldforsomereasonor’nother。YoujustHAVEtobehave。\"
\"Don’tyouwanttobegood？\"askedMarilla，whohadlearnedagreatdealbuthadnotyetlearnedthefutilityofaskingsuchquestions。
\"Yes，IwanttobegoodbutnotTOOgood，\"saidDavycautiously。
\"Youdon’thavetobeverygoodtobeaSundaySchoolsuperintendent。
Mr。Bell’sthat，andhe’sarealbadman。\"
\"Indeedhe’snot，\"saidMarilaindignantly。
\"Heis……hesaysheishimself，\"asseveratedDavy。\"HesaiditwhenheprayedinSundaySchoollastSunday。Hesaidhewasavilewormandamiserablesinnerandguiltyoftheblackest’niquity。
Whatdidhedothatwassobad，Marilla？Didhekillanybody？
Orstealthecollectioncents？Iwanttoknow。\"
FortunatelyMrs。LyndecamedrivingupthelaneatthismomentandMarillamadeoff，feelingthatshehadescapedfromthesnareofthefowler，andwishingdevoutlythatMr。Bellwerenotquitesohighlyfigurativeinhispublicpetitions，especiallyinthehearingofsmallboyswhowerealways\"wantingtoknow。\"
Anne，leftaloneinherglory，workedwithawill。Thefloorwasswept，thebedsmade，thehensfed，themuslindresswashedandhungoutontheline。ThenAnnepreparedforthetransferoffeathers。Shemountedtothegarretanddonnedthefirstolddressthatcametohand……anavybluecashmereshehadwornatfourteen。Itwasdecidedlyontheshortsideandas\"skimpy\"asthenotablewinceyAnnehadwornupontheoccasionofherdebutatGreenGables；butatleastitwouldnotbemateriallyinjuredbydownandfeathers。AnnecompletedhertoiletbytyingabigredandwhitespottedhandkerchiefthathadbelongedtoMatthewoverherhead，and，thusaccoutred，betookherselftothekitchenchamber，whitherMarilla，beforeherdeparture，hadhelpedhercarrythefeatherbed。
AcrackedmirrorhungbythechamberwindowandinanunluckymomentAnnelookedintoit。Therewerethosesevenfrecklesonhernose，morerampantthanever，orsoitseemedintheglareoflightfromtheunshadedwindow。
\"Oh，Iforgottorubthatlotiononlastnight，\"shethought。
\"I’dbetterrundowntothepantryanddoitnow。\"
Annehadalreadysufferedmanythingstryingtoremovethosefreckles。
Ononeoccasiontheentireskinhadpeeledoffhernosebutthefrecklesremained。Afewdayspreviouslyshehadfoundarecipeforafrecklelotioninamagazineand，astheingredientswerewithinherreach，shestraightwaycompoundedit，muchtothedisgustofMarilla，whothoughtthatifProvidencehadplacedfrecklesonyournoseitwasyourboundendutytoleavethemthere。
Annescurrieddowntothepantry，which，alwaysdimfromthebigwillowgrowingclosetothewindow，wasnowalmostdarkbyreasonoftheshadedrawntoexcludeflies。Annecaughtthebottlecontainingthelotionfromtheshelfandcopiouslyanointedhernosetherewithbymeansofalittlespongesacredtothepurpose。
Thisimportantdutydone，shereturnedtoherwork。AnyonewhohasevershiftedfeathersfromoneticktoanotherwillnotneedtobetoldthatwhenAnnefinishedshewasasighttobehold。Herdresswaswhitewithdownandfluff，andherfronthair，escapingfromunderthehandkerchief，wasadornedwithaveritablehalooffeathers。
Atthisauspiciousmomentaknocksoundedatthekitchendoor。
\"ThatmustbeMr。Shearer，\"thoughtAnne。\"I’minadreadfulmessbutI’llhavetorundownasIam，forhe’salwaysinahurry。\"
DownflewAnnetothekitchendoor。Ifeveracharitablefloordidopentoswallowupamiserable，befeathereddamseltheGreenGablesporchfloorshouldpromptlyhaveengulfedAnneatthatmoment。
OnthedoorstepwerestandingPriscillaGrant，goldenandfairinsilkattire，ashort，stoutgray-hairedladyinatweedsuit，andanotherlady，tallstately，wonderfullygowned，withabeautiful，highbredfaceandlarge，black-lashedvioleteyes，whomAnne\"instinctivelyfelt，\"asshewouldhavesaidinherearlierdays，tobeMrs。CharlotteE。Morgan。
InthedismayofthemomentonethoughtstoodoutfromtheconfusionofAnne’smindandshegraspedatitasattheproverbialstraw。AllMrs。Morgan’sheroineswerenotedfor\"risingtotheoccasion。\"Nomatterwhattheirtroubleswere，theyinvariablyrosetotheoccasionandshowedtheirsuperiorityoverallillsoftime，space，andquantity。AnnethereforefeltitwasHERdutytorisetotheoccasionandshedidit，soperfectlythatPriscillaafterwarddeclaredsheneveradmiredAnneShirleymorethanatthatmoment。Nomatterwhatheroutragedfeelingswereshedidnotshowthem。ShegreetedPriscillaandwasintroducedtohercompanionsascalmlyandcomposedlyasifshehadbeenarrayedinpurpleandfinelinen。Tobesure，itwassomewhatofashocktofindthattheladyshehadinstinctivelyfelttobeMrs。MorganwasnotMrs。Morganatall，butanunknownMrs。Pendexter，whilethestoutlittlegray-hairedwomanwasMrs。Morgan；butinthegreatershockthelesserlostitspower。
Anneusheredhergueststothespareroomandthenceintotheparlor，wheresheleftthemwhileshehastenedouttohelpPriscillaunharnessherhorse。
\"It’sdreadfultocomeuponyousounexpectedlyasthis，\"
apologizedPriscilla，\"butIdidnotknowtilllastnightthatwewerecoming。AuntCharlotteisgoingawayMondayandshehadpromisedtospendtodaywithafriendintown。Butlastnightherfriendtelephonedtohernottocomebecausetheywerequarantinedforscarletfever。SoIsuggestedwecomehereinstead，forIknewyouwerelongingtoseeher。WecalledattheWhiteSandsHotelandbroughtMrs。Pendexterwithus。Sheisafriendofaunt’sandlivesinNewYorkandherhusbandisamillionaire。Wecan’tstayverylong，forMrs。Pendexterhastobebackatthehotelbyfiveo’clock。\"
SeveraltimeswhiletheywereputtingawaythehorseAnnecaughtPriscillalookingatherinafurtive，puzzledway。
\"Sheneedn’tstareatmeso，\"Annethoughtalittleresentfully。
\"Ifshedoesn’tKNOWwhatitistochangeafeatherbedshemightIMAGINEit。\"
WhenPriscillahadgonetotheparlor，andbeforeAnnecouldescapeupstairs，Dianawalkedintothekitchen。Annecaughtherastonishedfriendbythearm。
\"DianaBarry，whodoyousupposeisinthatparloratthisverymoment？Mrs。CharlotteE。Morgan……andaNewYorkmillionaire’swife……andhereIamlikeTHIS……andNOTATHINGINTHEHOUSE
FORDINNERBUTACOLDHAMBONE，Diana！\"
BythistimeAnnehadbecomeawarethatDianawasstaringatherinpreciselythesamebewilderedfashionasPriscillahaddone。
Itwasreallytoomuch。
\"Oh，Diana，don’tlookatmeso，\"sheimplored。\"YOU，atleast，mustknowthattheneatestpersonintheworldcouldn’temptyfeathersfromonetickintoanotherandremainneatintheprocess。\"
\"It……it……isn’tthefeathers，\"hesitatedDiana。\"It’s……
it’s……yournose，Anne。\"
\"Mynose？Oh，Diana，surelynothinghasgonewrongwithit！\"
Annerushedtothelittlelookingglassoverthesink。Oneglancerevealedthefataltruth。Hernosewasabrilliantscarlet！
Annesatdownonthesofa，herdauntlessspiritsubduedatlast。
\"Whatisthematterwithit？\"askedDiana，curiosityovercomingdelicacy。
\"IthoughtIwasrubbingmyfrecklelotiononit，butImusthaveusedthatreddyeMarillahasformarkingthepatternonherrugs，\"
wasthedespairingresponse。\"WhatshallIdo？\"
\"Washitoff，\"saidDianapractically。
\"Perhapsitwon’twashoff。FirstIdyemyhair；thenIdyemynose。
MarillacutmyhairoffwhenIdyeditbutthatremedywouldhardlybepracticableinthiscase。Well，thisisanotherpunishmentforvanityandIsupposeIdeserveit……thoughthere’snotmuchcomfortinTHAT。
Itisreallyalmostenoughtomakeonebelieveinill-luck，thoughMrs。
Lyndesaysthereisnosuchthing，becauseeverythingisforeordained。\"
FortunatelythedyewashedoffeasilyandAnne，somewhatconsoled，betookherselftotheeastgablewhileDianaranhome。PresentlyAnnecamedownagain，clothedandinherrightmind。Themuslindressshehadfondlyhopedtowearwasbobbingmerrilyaboutonthelineoutside，soshewasforcedtocontentherselfwithherblacklawn。ShehadthefireonandtheteasteepingwhenDianareturned；thelatterworeHERmuslin，atleast，andcarriedacoveredplatterinherhand。
\"Mothersentyouthis，\"shesaid，liftingthecoveranddisplayinganicelycarvedandjointedchickentoAnne’sgreatfuleyes。
Thechickenwassupplementedbylightnewbread，excellentbutterandcheese，Marilla’sfruitcakeandadishofpreservedplums，floatingintheirgoldensyrupasincongealedsummersunshine。
Therewasabigbowlfulofpink-and-whiteastersalso，bywayofdecoration；yetthespreadseemedverymeagerbesidetheelaborateoneformerlypreparedforMrs。Morgan。
Anne’shungryguests，however，didnotseemtothinkanythingwaslackingandtheyatethesimpleviandswithapparentenjoyment。
ButafterthefirstfewmomentsAnnethoughtnomoreofwhatwasorwasnotonherbilloffare。Mrs。Morgan’sappearancemightbesomewhatdisappointing，asevenherloyalworshippershadbeenforcedtoadmittoeachother；butsheprovedtobeadelightfulconversationalist。Shehadtraveledextensivelyandwasanexcellentstoryteller。Shehadseenmuchofmenandwomen，andcrystalizedherexperiencesintowittylittlesentencesandepigramswhichmadeherhearersfeelasiftheywerelisteningtooneofthepeopleincleverbooks。Butunderallhersparkletherewasastronglyfeltundercurrentoftrue，womanlysympathyandkindheartednesswhichwonaffectionaseasilyasherbrilliancywonadmiration。Nordidshemonopolizetheconversation。Shecoulddrawothersoutasskillfullyandfullyasshecouldtalkherself，andAnneandDianafoundthemselveschatteringfreelytoher。Mrs。
Pendextersaidlittle；shemerelysmiledwithherlovelyeyesandlips，andatechickenandfruitcakeandpreserveswithsuchexquisitegracethatsheconveyedtheimpressionofdiningonambrosiaandhoneydew。
Butthen，asAnnesaidtoDianalateron，anybodysodivinelybeautifulasMrs。Pendexterdidn’tneedtotalk；itwasenoughforherjusttoLOOK。
AfterdinnertheyallhadawalkthroughLover’sLaneandVioletValeandtheBirchPath，thenbackthroughtheHauntedWoodtotheDryad’sBubble，wheretheysatdownandtalkedforadelightfullasthalfhour。Mrs。MorganwantedtoknowhowtheHauntedWoodcamebyitsname，andlaugheduntilshecriedwhensheheardthestoryandAnne’sdramaticaccountofacertainmemorablewalkthroughitatthewitchinghouroftwilight。
\"Ithasindeedbeenafeastofreasonandflowofsoul，hasn’tit？\"
saidAnne，whenherguestshadgoneandsheandDianawerealoneagain。
\"Idon’tknowwhichIenjoyedmore……listeningtoMrs。MorganorgazingatMrs。Pendexter。Ibelievewehadanicertimethanifwe’dknowntheywerecomingandbeencumberedwithmuchserving。
Youmuststaytoteawithme，Diana，andwe’lltalkitallover。\"
\"PriscillasaysMrs。Pendexter’shusband’ssisterismarriedtoanEnglishearl；andyetshetookasecondhelpingoftheplumpreserves，\"
saidDiana，asifthetwofactsweresomehowincompatible。
\"IdaresayeventheEnglishearlhimselfwouldn’thaveturneduphisaristocraticnoseatMarilla’splumpreserves，\"saidAnneproudly。
AnnedidnotmentionthemisfortunewhichhadbefallenHERnosewhensherelatedtheday’shistorytoMarillathatevening。Butshetookthebottleoffrecklelotionandemptieditoutofthewindow。
\"Ishallnevertryanybeautifyingmessesagain，\"shesaid，darklyresolute。\"Theymaydoforcareful，deliberatepeople；butforanyonesohopelesslygivenovertomakingmistakesasIseemtobeit’stemptingfatetomeddlewiththem。\"
XXI
SweetMissLavendarSchoolopenedandAnnereturnedtoherwork，withfewertheoriesbutconsiderablymoreexperience。Shehadseveralnewpupils，six-andseven-year-oldsjustventuring，round-eyed，intoaworldofwonder。
AmongthemwereDavyandDora。DavysatwithMiltyBoulter，whohadbeengoingtoschoolforayearandwasthereforequiteamanoftheworld。
DorahadmadeacompactatSundaySchoolthepreviousSundaytositwithLilySloane；butLilySloanenotcomingthefirstday，shewastemporarilyassignedtoMirabelCotton，whowastenyearsoldandtherefore，inDora’seyes，oneofthe\"biggirls。\"
\"Ithinkschoolisgreatfun，\"DavytoldMarillawhenhegothomethatnight。\"YousaidI’dfindithardtositstillandIdid……
youmostlydotellthetruth，Inotice……butyoucanwriggleyourlegsaboutunderthedeskandthathelpsalot。It’ssplendidtohavesomanyboystoplaywith。IsitwithMiltyBoulterandhe’sfine。He’slongerthanmebutI’mwider。It’snicertositinthebackseatsbutyoucan’tsittheretillyourlegsgrowlongenoughtotouchthefloor。MiltydrawedapictureofAnneonhisslateanditwasawfuluglyandItoldhimifhemadepicturesofAnnelikethatI’dlickhimatrecess。IthoughtfirstI’ddrawoneofhimandputhornsandatailonit，butIwasafraiditwouldhurthisfeelings，andAnnesaysyoushouldneverhurtanyone’sfeelings。Itseemsit’sdreadfultohaveyourfeelingshurt。It’sbettertoknockaboydownthanhurthisfeelingsifyouMUSTdosomething。Miltysaidhewasn’tscaredofmebuthe’djustassooncallitsomebodyelseto’bligeme，soherubbedoutAnne’snameandprintedBarbaraShaw’sunderit。Miltydoesn’tlikeBarbara’causeshecallshimasweetlittleboyandonceshepattedhimonhishead。\"
Dorasaidprimlythatshelikedschool；butshewasveryquiet，evenforher；andwhenattwilightMarillabadehergoupstairstobedshehesitatedandbegantocry。
\"I’m……I’mfrightened，\"shesobbed。\"I……Idon’twanttogoupstairsaloneinthedark。\"
\"Whatnotionhaveyougotintoyourheadnow？\"demandedMarilla。
\"I’msureyou’vegonetobedaloneallsummerandneverbeenfrightenedbefore。\"
Dorastillcontinuedtocry，soAnnepickedherup，cuddledhersympathetically，andwhispered，\"TellAnneallaboutit，sweetheart。Whatareyoufrightenedof？\"
\"Of……ofMirabelCotton’suncle，\"sobbedDora。\"MirabelCottontoldmeallaboutherfamilytodayinschool。Nearlyeverybodyinherfamilyhasdied……allhergrandfathersandgrandmothersandeversomanyunclesandaunts。Theyhaveahabitofdying，Mirabelsays。
Mirabel’sawfulproudofhavingsomanydeadrelations，andshetoldmewhattheyalldiedof，andwhattheysaid，andhowtheylookedintheircoffins。AndMirabelsaysoneofheruncleswasseenwalkingaroundthehouseafterhewasburied。Hermothersawhim。Idon’tmindtherestsomuchbutIcan’thelpthinkingaboutthatuncle。\"
AnnewentupstairswithDoraandsatbyheruntilshefellasleep。
ThenextdayMirabelCottonwaskeptinatrecessand\"gentlybutfirmly\"giventounderstandthatwhenyouweresounfortunateastopossessanunclewhopersistedinwalkingabouthousesafterhehadbeendecentlyinterreditwasnotingoodtastetotalkaboutthateccentricgentlemantoyourdeskmateoftenderyears。Mirabelthoughtthisveryharsh。TheCottonshadnotmuchtoboastof。
Howwasshetokeepupherprestigeamongherschoolmatesifshewereforbiddentomakecapitaloutofthefamilyghost？
SeptemberslippedbyintoagoldandcrimsongraciousnessofOctober。
OneFridayeveningDianacameover。
\"I’daletterfromEllaKimballtoday，Anne，andshewantsustogoovertoteatomorrowafternoontomeethercousin，IreneTrent，fromtown。
Butwecan’tgetoneofourhorsestogo，forthey’llallbeinusetomorrow，andyourponyislame……soIsupposewecan’tgo。\"
\"Whycan’twewalk？\"suggestedAnne。\"Ifwegostraightbackthroughthewoodswe’llstriketheWestGraftonroadnotfarfromtheKimballplace。IwasthroughthatwaylastwinterandIknowtheroad。It’snomorethanfourmilesandwewon’thavetowalkhome，forOliverKimballwillbesuretodriveus。He’llbeonlytoogladoftheexcuse，forhegoestoseeCarrieSloaneandtheysayhisfatherwillhardlyeverlethimhaveahorse。\"
Itwasaccordinglyarrangedthattheyshouldwalk，andthefollowingafternoontheysetout，goingbywayofLover’sLanetothebackoftheCuthbertfarm，wheretheyfoundaroadleadingintotheheartofacresofglimmeringbeechandmaplewoods，whichwereallinawondrousglowofflameandgold，lyinginagreatpurplestillnessandpeace。
\"It’sasiftheyearwerekneelingtoprayinavastcathedralfullofmellowstainedlight，isn’tit？\"saidAnnedreamily。\"Itdoesn’tseemrighttohurrythroughit，doesit？Itseemsirreverent，likerunninginachurch。\"
\"WeMUSThurrythough，\"saidDiana，glancingatherwatch。
\"We’veleftourselveslittleenoughtimeasitis。\"
\"Well，I’llwalkfastbutdon’taskmetotalk，\"saidAnne，quickeningherpace。\"Ijustwanttodrinktheday’slovelinessin……IfeelasifshewereholdingitouttomylipslikeacupofairywineandI’lltakeasipateverystep。\"
Perhapsitwasbecauseshewassoabsorbedin\"drinkingitin\"thatAnnetooktheleftturningwhentheycametoaforkintheroad。
Sheshouldhavetakentheright，buteverafterwardshecounteditthemostfortunatemistakeofherlife。Theycameoutfinallytoalonely，grassyroad，withnothinginsightalongitbutranksofsprucesaplings。
\"Why，wherearewe？\"exclaimedDianainbewilderment。\"Thisisn’ttheWestGraftonroad。\"
\"No，it’sthebaselineroadinMiddleGrafton，\"saidAnne，rathershamefacedly。\"Imusthavetakenthewrongturningatthefork。
Idon’tknowwhereweareexactly，butwemustbeallofthreemilesfromKimballs’still。\"
\"Thenwecan’tgettherebyfive，forit’shalfpastfournow，\"
saidDiana，withadespairinglookatherwatch。\"We’llarriveaftertheyhavehadtheirtea，andthey’llhaveallthebotherofgettingoursoveragain。\"
\"We’dbetterturnbackandgohome，\"suggestedAnnehumbly。
ButDiana，afterconsideration，vetoedthis。
\"No，wemayaswellgoandspendtheevening，sincewehavecomethisfar\"
Afewyardsfurtheronthegirlscametoaplacewheretheroadforkedagain。
\"Whichofthesedowetake？\"askedDianadubiously。
Anneshookherhead。
\"Idon’tknowandwecan’taffordtomakeanymoremistakes。Hereisagateandalaneleadingrightintothewood。Theremustbeahouseattheotherside。Letusgodownandinquire。\"
\"Whataromanticoldlanethisit，\"saidDiana，astheywalkedalongitstwistsandturns。Itranunderpatriarchaloldfirswhosebranchesmetabove，creatingaperpetualgloominwhichnothingexceptmosscouldgrow。Oneitherhandwerebrownwoodfloors，crossedhereandtherebyfallenlancesofsunlight。
