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Still，Idon’tseethatshecoulddoanythinglessthantakethem，underthecircumstances，andshe’llhaveAnnetohelpher。
Anne’stickledtodeathoverthewholebusiness，andshehasarealknackywaywithchildren，Imustsay。Dearme，itdoesn’tseemadaysincepoorMatthewbroughtAnneherselfhomeandeverybodylaughedattheideaofMarillabringingupachild。
Andnowshehasadoptedtwins。You’reneversafefrombeingsurprisedtillyou’redead。"
ThefatponyjoggedoverthebridgeinLynde’sHollowandalongtheGreenGableslane。Marilla’sfacewasrathergrim。ItwastenmilesfromEastGraftonandDavyKeithseemedtobepossessedwithapassionforperpetualmotion。ItwasbeyondMarilla’spowertomakehimsitstillandshehadbeeninanagonythewholewaylesthefalloverthebackofthewagonandbreakhisneck，ortumbleoverthedashboardunderthepony’sheels。Indespairshefinallythreatenedtowhiphimsoundlywhenshegothimhome。WhereuponDavyclimbedintoherlap，regardlessofthereins，flunghischubbyarmsaboutherneckandgaveherabear-likehug。
"Idon’tbelieveyoumeanit，"hesaid，smackingherwrinkledcheekaffectionately。"Youdon’tLOOKlikealadywho’dwhipalittleboyjust’causehecouldn’tkeepstill。Didn’tyoufinditawfulhardtokeepstillwhenyouwasonly’soldasme？"
"No，IalwayskeptstillwhenIwastold，"saidMarilla，tryingtospeaksternly，albeitshefeltherheartwaxingsoftwithinherunderDavy’simpulsivecaresses。
"Well，Is’posethatwas’causeyouwasagirl，"saidDavy，squirmingbacktohisplaceafteranotherhug。"YouWASagirlonce，Is’pose，thoughit’sawfulfunnytothinkofit。
Doracansitstill……butthereain’tmuchfuninit_I_don’tthink。
Seemstomeitmustbeslowtobeagirl。Here，Dora，letmelivenyouupabit。"
Davy’smethodof"liveningup"wastograspDora’scurlsinhisfingersandgivethematug。Dorashriekedandthencried。
"Howcanyoubesuchanaughtyboyandyourpoormotherjustlaidinhergravethisveryday？"demandedMarilladespairingly。
"Butshewasgladtodie，"saidDavyconfidentially。"Iknow，’causeshetoldmeso。Shewasawfultiredofbeingsick。
We’dalongtalkthenightbeforeshedied。ShetoldmeyouwasgoingtotakemeandDoraforthewinterandIwastobeagoodboy。
I’mgoingtobegood，butcan’tyoubegoodrunningroundjustaswellassittingstill？AndshesaidIwasalwaystobekindtoDoraandstandupforher，andI’mgoingto。"
"Doyoucallpullingherhairbeingkindtoher？"
"Well，Iain’tgoingtoletanybodyelsepullit，"saidDavy，doublinguphisfistsandfrowning。"They’djustbettertryit。
Ididn’thurthermuch……shejustcried’causeshe’sagirl。
I’mgladI’maboybutI’msorryI’matwin。WhenJimmySprott’ssisterconterdickshimhejustsays，`I’moldernyou，soofcourseIknowbetter，’andthatsettlesHER。ButIcan’ttellDorathat，andshejustgoesonthinkingdiffruntfromme。Youmightletmedrivethegee-geeforaspell，sinceI’maman。"
Altogether，Marillawasathankfulwomanwhenshedroveintoherownyard，wherethewindoftheautumnnightwasdancingwiththebrownleaves。
Annewasatthegatetomeetthemandliftthetwinsout。Dorasubmittedcalmlytobekissed，butDavyrespondedtoAnne’swelcomewithoneofhisheartyhugsandthecheerfulannouncement，"I’mMr。DavyKeith。"
AtthesuppertableDorabehavedlikealittlelady，butDavy’smannersleftmuchtobedesired。
"I’msohungryIain’tgottimetoeatp’litely，"hesaidwhenMarillareprovedhim。"Doraain’thalfashungryasIam。Lookatalltheex’ciseItookontheroadhere。Thatcake’sawfulniceandplummy。
Wehaven’thadanycakeathomeforever’neversolong，’causemotherwastoosicktomakeitandMrs。Sprottsaiditwasasmuchasshecoulddotobakeourbreadforus。AndMrs。WigginsneverputsanyplumsinHERcakes。Catchher！CanIhaveanotherpiece？"
MarillawouldhaverefusedbutAnnecutageneroussecondslice。
However，sheremindedDavythatheoughttosay"Thankyou"forit。
Davymerelygrinnedatherandtookahugebite。Whenhehadfinishedtheslicehesaid，"Ifyou’llgivemeANOTHERpieceI’llsaythankyouforIT。"
"No，youhavehadplentyofcake，"saidMarillainatonewhichAnneknewandDavywastolearntobefinal。
DavywinkedatAnne，andthen，leaningoverthetable，snatchedDora’sfirstpieceofcake，fromwhichshehadjusttakenonedaintylittlebite，outofherveryfingersand，openinghismouthtothefullestextent，crammedthewholeslicein。Dora’sliptrembledandMarillawasspeechlesswithhorror。Annepromptlyexclaimed，withherbest"schoolma’am"air，"Oh，Davy，gentlemendon’tdothingslikethat。"
"Iknowtheydon’t，"saidDavy，assoonashecouldspeak，"butIain’tagemplum。"
"Butdon’tyouwanttobe？"saidshockedAnne。
"CourseIdo。Butyoucan’tbeagemplumtillyougrowup。"
"Oh，indeedyoucan，"Annehastenedtosay，thinkingshesawachancetosowgoodseedbetimes。"Youcanbegintobeagentlemanwhenyouarealittleboy。AndgentlemenNEVERsnatchthingsfromladies……
orforgettosaythankyou……orpullanybody’shair。"
"Theydon’thavemuchfun，that’safact，"saidDavyfrankly。
"IguessI’llwaittillI’mgrownuptobeone。"
Marilla，witharesignedair，hadcutanotherpieceofcakeforDora。
ShedidnotfeelabletocopewithDavyjustthen。Ithadbeenaharddayforher，whatwiththefuneralandthelongdrive。
AtthatmomentshelookedforwardtothefuturewithapessimismthatwouldhavedonecredittoElizaAndrewsherself。
Thetwinswerenotnoticeablyalike，althoughbothwerefair。
Dorahadlongsleekcurlsthatnevergotoutoforder。Davyhadacropoffuzzylittleyellowringletsalloverhisroundhead。
Dora’shazeleyesweregentleandmild；Davy’swereasroguishanddancingasanelf’s。Dora’snosewasstraight，Davy’sapositivesnub；Dorahada"prunesandprisms"mouth，Davy’swasallsmiles；andbesides，hehadadimpleinonecheekandnoneintheother，whichgavehimadear，comical，lopsidedlookwhenhelaughed。
Mirthandmischieflurkedineverycornerofhislittleface。
"They’dbettergotobed，"saidMarilla，whothoughtitwastheeasiestwaytodisposeofthem。"DorawillsleepwithmeandyoucanputDavyinthewestgable。You’renotafraidtosleepalone，areyou，Davy？"
"No；butIain’tgoingtobedforeversolongyet，"saidDavycomfortably。
"Oh，yes，youare。"ThatwasallthemuchtriedMarillasaid，butsomethinginhertonesquelchedevenDavy。HetrottedobedientlyupstairswithAnne。"
WhenI’mgrownuptheveryfirstthingI’mgoingtodoisstayupALL
nightjusttoseewhatitwouldbelike，"hetoldherconfidentially。
InafteryearsMarillaneverthoughtofthatfirstweekofthetwins’sojournatGreenGableswithoutashiver。Notthatitreallywassomuchworsethantheweeksthatfollowedit；butitseemedsobyreasonofitsnovelty。TherewasseldomawakingminuteofanydaywhenDavywasnotinmischiefordevisingit；
buthisfirstnotableexploitoccurredtwodaysafterhisarrival，onSundaymorning……afine，warmday，ashazyandmildasSeptember。
AnnedressedhimforchurchwhileMarillaattendedtoDora。
Davyatfirstobjectedstronglytohavinghisfacewashed。
"Marillawashedityesterday……andMrs。Wigginsscouredmewithhardsoapthedayofthefuneral。That’senoughforoneweek。
Idon’tseethegoodofbeingsoawfulclean。It’slotsmorecomfablebeingdirty。"
"PaulIrvingwasheshisfaceeverydayofhisownaccord，"saidAnneastutely。
DavyhadbeenaninmateofGreenGablesforlittleoverforty-eighthours；buthealreadyworshippedAnneandhatedPaulIrving，whomhehadheardAnnepraisingenthusiasticallythedayafterhisarrival。
IfPaulIrvingwashedhisfaceeveryday，thatsettledit。He，DavyKeith，woulddoittoo，ifitkilledhim。Thesameconsiderationinducedhimtosubmitmeeklytotheotherdetailsofhistoilet，andhewasreallyahandsomelittleladwhenallwasdone。
AnnefeltanalmostmaternalprideinhimassheledhimintotheoldCuthbertpew。
Davybehavedquitewellatfirst，beingoccupiedincastingcovertglancesatallthesmallboyswithinviewandwonderingwhichwasPaulIrving。ThefirsttwohymnsandtheScripturereadingpassedoffuneventfully。Mr。Allanwasprayingwhenthesensationcame。
LaurettaWhitewassittinginfrontofDavy，herheadslightlybentandherfairhairhangingintwolongbraids，betweenwhichatemptingexpanseofwhiteneckshowed，encasedinalooselacefrill。Laurettawasafat，placid-lookingchildofeight，whohadconductedherselfirreproachablyinchurchfromtheveryfirstdayhermothercarriedherthere，aninfantofsixmonths。
Davythrusthishandintohispocketandproduced……acaterpillar，afurry，squirmingcaterpillar。Marillasawandclutchedathimbutshewastoolate。DavydroppedthecaterpillardownLauretta’sneck。
RightintothemiddleofMr。Allan’sprayerburstaseriesofpiercingshrieks。Theministerstoppedappalledandopenedhiseyes。
Everyheadinthecongregationflewup。LaurettaWhitewasdancingupanddowninherpew，clutchingfranticallyatthebackofherdress。
"Ow……mommer……mommer……ow……takeitoff……ow……getitout……ow……thatbadboyputitdownmyneck……ow……mommer……it’sgoingfurtherdown……ow……ow……ow……"
Mrs。Whiteroseandwithasetfacecarriedthehysterical，writhingLaurettaoutofchurch。HershrieksdiedawayinthedistanceandMr。Allanproceededwiththeservice。Buteverybodyfeltthatitwasafailurethatday。ForthefirsttimeinherlifeMarillatooknonoticeofthetextandAnnesatwithscarletcheeksofmortification。
WhentheygothomeMarillaputDavytobedandmadehimstaytherefortherestoftheday。Shewouldnotgivehimanydinnerbutallowedhimaplainteaofbreadandmilk。Annecarriedittohimandsatsorrowfullybyhimwhileheateitwithanunrepentantrelish。
ButAnne’smournfuleyestroubledhim。
"Is’pose，"hesaidreflectively，"thatPaulIrvingwouldn’thavedroppedacaterpillardownagirl’sneckinchurch，wouldhe？"
"Indeedhewouldn’t，"saidAnnesadly。
"Well，I’mkindofsorryIdidit，then，"concededDavy。"Butitwassuchajollybigcaterpillar……Ipickedhimuponthechurchstepsjustaswewentin。Itseemedapitytowastehim。Andsay，wasn’titfuntohearthatgirlyell？"
TuesdayafternoontheAidSocietymetatGreenGables。Annehurriedhomefromschool，forsheknewthatMarillawouldneedalltheassistanceshecouldgive。Dora，neatandproper，inhernicelystarchedwhitedressandblacksash，wassittingwiththemembersoftheAidintheparlor，speakingdemurelywhenspokento，keepingsilencewhennot，andineverywaycomportingherselfasamodelchild。Davy，blissfullydirty，wasmakingmudpiesinthebarnyard。
"Itoldhimhemight，"saidMarillawearily。"Ithoughtitwouldkeephimoutofworsemischief。Hecanonlygetdirtyatthat。
We’llhaveourteasoverbeforewecallhimtohis。Doracanhaveherswithus，butIwouldneverdaretoletDavysitdownatthetablewithalltheAidshere。"
WhenAnnewenttocalltheAidstoteashefoundthatDorawasnotintheparlor。Mrs。JasperBellsaidDavyhadcometothefrontdoorandcalledherout。AhastyconsultationwithMarillainthepantryresultedinadecisiontoletbothchildrenhavetheirteastogetherlateron。
Teawashalfoverwhenthediningroomwasinvadedbyaforlornfigure。MarillaandAnnestaredindismay，theAidsinamazement。
CouldthatbeDora……thatsobbingnondescriptinadrenched，drippingdressandhairfromwhichthewaterwasstreamingonMarilla’snewcoin-spotrug？
"Dora，whathashappenedtoyou？"criedAnne，withaguiltyglanceatMrs。JasperBell，whosefamilywassaidtobetheonlyoneintheworldinwhichaccidentsneveroccurred。
"Davymademewalkthepigpenfence，"wailedDora。"Ididn’twanttobuthecalledmeafraid-cat。AndIfelloffintothepigpenandmydressgotalldirtyandthepigrunnedrightoverme。MydresswasjustawfulbutDavysaidifI’dstandunderthepumphe’dwashitclean，andIdidandhepumpedwaterallovermebutmydressain’tabitcleanerandmyprettysashandshoesisallspoiled。"
AnnedidthehonorsofthetablealonefortherestofthemealwhileMarillawentupstairsandredressedDorainheroldclothes。
Davywascaughtandsenttobedwithoutanysupper。Annewenttohisroomattwilightandtalkedtohimseriously……amethodinwhichshehadgreatfaith，notaltogetherunjustifiedbyresults。
Shetoldhimshefeltverybadlyoverhisconduct。
"Ifeelsorrynowmyself，"admittedDavy，"butthetroubleisI
neverfeelsorryfordoingthingstillafterI’vedidthem。
Dorawouldn’thelpmemakepies，causeshewasafraidofmessingherclo’esandthatmademehoppingmad。Is’posePaulIrvingwouldn’thavemadeHISsisterwalkapigpenfenceifheknewshe’dfallin？"
"No，hewouldneverdreamofsuchathing。Paulisaperfectlittlegentleman。"
Davyscrewedhiseyestightshutandseemedtomeditateonthisforatime。ThenhecrawledupandputhisarmsaboutAnne’sneck，snugglinghisflushedlittlefacedownonhershoulder。
"Anne，don’tyoulikemealittlebit，evenifIain’tagoodboylikePaul？"
"IndeedIdo，"saidAnnesincerely。Somehow，itwasimpossibletohelplikingDavy。"ButI’dlikeyoubetterstillifyouweren’tsonaughty。"
"I……didsomethingelsetoday，"wentonDavyinamuffledvoice。
"I’msorrynowbutI’mawfulscaredtotellyou。Youwon’tbeverycross，willyou？Andyouwon’ttellMarilla，willyou？"
"Idon’tknow，Davy。PerhapsIoughttotellher。ButIthinkI
canpromiseyouIwon’tifyoupromisemethatyouwillneverdoitagain，whateveritis。"
"No，Ineverwill。Anyhow，it’snotlikelyI’dfindanymoreofthemthisyear。Ifoundthisoneonthecellarsteps。"
"Davy，whatisityou’vedone？"
"IputatoadinMarilla’sbed。Youcangoandtakeitoutifyoulike。
Butsay，Anne，wouldn’titbefuntoleaveitthere？"
"DavyKeith！"AnnesprangfromDavy’sclingingarmsandflewacrossthehalltoMarilla’sroom。Thebedwasslightlyrumpled。Shethrewbacktheblanketsinnervoushasteandthereinverytruthwasthetoad，blinkingatherfromunderapillow。
"HowcanIcarrythatawfulthingout？"moanedAnnewithashudder。
ThefireshovelsuggesteditselftoherandshecreptdowntogetitwhileMarillawasbusyinthepantry。Annehadherowntroublescarryingthattoaddownstairs，forithoppedofftheshovelthreetimesandonceshethoughtshehadlostitinthehall。Whenshefinallydepositeditinthecherryorchardshedrewalongbreathofrelief。
"IfMarillaknewshe’dneverfeelsafegettingintobedagaininherlife。I’msogladthatlittlesinnerrepentedintime。
There’sDianasignalingtomefromherwindow。I’mglad……I
reallyfeeltheneedofsomediversion，forwhatwithAnthonyPyeinschoolandDavyKeithathomemynerveshavehadaboutalltheycanendureforoneday。"
IX
AQuestionofColor"ThatoldnuisanceofaRachelLyndewashereagaintoday，pesteringmeforasubscriptiontowardsbuyingacarpetforthevestryroom，"saidMr。Harrisonwrathfully。"IdetestthatwomanmorethananybodyIknow。Shecanputawholesermon，text，comment，andapplication，intosixwords，andthrowitatyoulikeabrick。"
Anne，whowasperchedontheedgeoftheveranda，enjoyingthecharmofamildwestwindblowingacrossanewlyploughedfieldonagrayNovembertwilightandpipingaquaintlittlemelodyamongthetwistedfirsbelowthegarden，turnedherdreamyfaceoverhershoulder。
"Thetroubleis，youandMrs。Lyndedon’tunderstandoneanother，"
sheexplained。"Thatisalwayswhatiswrongwhenpeopledon’tlikeeachother。Ididn’tlikeMrs。Lyndeatfirsteither；butassoonasIcametounderstandherIlearnedto。"
"Mrs。Lyndemaybeanacquiredtastewithsomefolks；butIdidn’tkeeponeatingbananasbecauseIwastoldI’dlearntolikethemifIdid，"growledMr。Harrison。"Andasforunderstandingher，I
understandthatsheisaconfirmedbusybodyandItoldherso。"
"Oh，thatmusthavehurtherfeelingsverymuch，"saidAnnereproachfully。"Howcouldyousaysuchathing？IsaidsomedreadfulthingstoMrs。LyndelongagobutitwaswhenIhadlostmytemper。Icouldn’tsaythemDELIBERATELY。"
"ItwasthetruthandIbelieveintellingthetruthtoeverybody。"
"Butyoudon’ttellthewholetruth，"objectedAnne。"Youonlytellthedisagreeablepartofthetruth。Now，you’vetoldmeadozentimesthatmyhairwasred，butyou’veneveroncetoldmethatIhadanicenose。"
"Idaresayyouknowitwithoutanytelling，"chuckledMr。Harrison。
"IknowIhaveredhairtoo……althoughit’sMUCHdarkerthanitusedtobe……sothere’snoneedoftellingmethateither。"
"Well，well，I’lltryandnotmentionitagainsinceyou’resosensitive。Youmustexcuseme，Anne。I’vegotahabitofbeingoutspokenandfolksmustn’tmindit。"
"Buttheycan’thelpmindingit。AndIdon’tthinkit’sanyhelpthatit’syourhabit。Whatwouldyouthinkofapersonwhowentaboutstickingpinsandneedlesintopeopleandsaying，`Excuseme，youmustn’tmindit……it’sjustahabitI’vegot。’You’dthinkhewascrazy，wouldn’tyou？AndasforMrs。Lyndebeingabusybody，perhapssheis。Butdidyoutellhershehadaverykindheartandalwayshelpedthepoor，andneversaidawordwhenTimothyCottonstoleacrockofbutteroutofherdairyandtoldhiswifehe’dboughtitfromher？Mrs。CottoncastituptoherthenexttimetheymetthatittastedofturnipsandMrs。Lyndejustsaidshewassorryithadturnedoutsopoorly。"
"Isupposeshehassomegoodqualities，"concededMr。Harrisongrudgingly。
"Mostfolkshave。Ihavesomemyself，thoughyoumightneversuspectit。
ButanyhowIain’tgoingtogiveanythingtothatcarpet。Folksareeverlastingbeggingformoneyhere，itseemstome。How’syourprojectofpaintingthehallcomingon？"
"Splendidly。WehadameetingoftheA。V。I。S。lastFridaynightandfoundthatwehadplentyofmoneysubscribedtopainttheandshingletherooftoo。MOSTpeoplegaveveryliberally，Mr。Harrison。"
Annewasasweet-souledlass，butshecouldinstillsomevenomintoinnocentitalicswhenoccasionrequired。
"Whatcolorareyougoingtohaveit？"
"Wehavedecidedonaveryprettygreen。Theroofwillbedarkred，ofcourse。Mr。RogerPyeisgoingtogetthepaintintowntoday。"
"Who’sgotthejob？"
"Mr。JoshuaPyeofCarmody。Hehasnearlyfinishedtheshingling。
Wehadtogivehimthecontract，foreveryoneofthePyes……
andtherearefourfamilies，youknow……saidtheywouldn’tgiveacentunlessJoshuagotit。Theyhadsubscribedtwelvedollarsbetweenthemandwethoughtthatwastoomuchtolose，althoughsomepeoplethinkweshouldn’thavegivenintothePyes。
Mrs。Lyndesaystheytrytoruneverything。"
"ThemainquestioniswillthisJoshuadohisworkwell。IfhedoesIdon’tseethatitmatterswhetherhisnameisPyeorPudding。"
"Hehasthereputationofbeingagoodworkman，thoughtheysayhe’saverypeculiarman。Hehardlyevertalks。"
"He’speculiarenoughallrightthen，"saidMr。Harrisondrily。
"Oratleast，folksherewillcallhimso。IneverwasmuchofatalkertillIcametoAvonleaandthenIhadtobegininself-defenseorMrs。LyndewouldhavesaidIwasdumbandstartedasubscriptiontohavemetaughtsignlanguage。You’renotgoingyet，Anne？"
"Imust。IhavesomesewingtodoforDorathisevening。Besides，DavyisprobablybreakingMarilla’sheartwithsomenewmischiefbythistime。Thismorningthefirstthinghesaidwas，`Wheredoesthedarkgo，Anne？Iwanttoknow。’Itoldhimitwentaroundtotheothersideoftheworldbutafterbreakfasthedeclareditdidn’t……thatitwentdownthewell。Marillasaysshecaughthimhangingoverthewell-boxfourtimestoday，tryingtoreachdowntothedark。"
"He’salimb，"declaredMr。Harrison。"HecameoverhereyesterdayandpulledsixfeathersoutofGinger’stailbeforeI
couldgetinfromthebarn。Thepoorbirdhasbeenmopingeversince。Thosechildrenmustbeasightoftroubletoyoufolks。"
"Everythingthat’sworthhavingissometrouble，"saidAnne，secretlyresolvingtoforgiveDavy’snextoffence，whateveritmightbe，sincehehadavengedheronGinger。
Mr。RogerPyebroughtthehallpainthomethatnightandMr。JoshuaPye，asurly，taciturnman，beganpaintingthenextday。Hewasnotdisturbedinhistask。Thehallwassituatedonwhatwascalled"thelowerroad。"Inlateautumnthisroadwasalwaysmuddyandwet，andpeoplegoingtoCarmodytraveledbythelonger"upper"road。
Thehallwassocloselysurroundedbyfirwoodsthatitwasinvisibleunlessyouwerenearit。Mr。JoshuaPyepaintedawayinthesolitudeandindependencethatweresodeartohisunsociableheart。
FridayafternoonhefinishedhisjobandwenthometoCarmody。
SoonafterhisdepartureMrs。RachelLyndedroveby，havingbravedthemudofthelowerroadoutofcuriositytoseewhatthehalllookedlikeinitsnewcoatofpaint。Whensheroundedthesprucecurveshesaw。
ThesightaffectedMrs。Lyndeoddly。Shedroppedthereins，heldupherhands，andsaid"GraciousProvidence！"Shestaredasifshecouldnotbelievehereyes。Thenshelaughedalmosthysterically。
"Theremustbesomemistake……theremust。IknewthosePyeswouldmakeamessofthings。"
Mrs。Lyndedrovehome，meetingseveralpeopleontheroadandstoppingtotellthemaboutthehall。Thenewsflewlikewildfire。
GilbertBlythe，poringoveratextbookathome，hearditfromhisfather’shiredboyatsunset，andrushedbreathlesslytoGreenGables，joinedonthewaybyFredWright。TheyfoundDianaBarry，JaneAndrews，andAnneShirley，despairpersonified，attheyardgateofGreenGables，underthebigleaflesswillows。
"Itisn’ttruesurely，Anne？"exclaimedGilbert。
"Itistrue，"answeredAnne，lookinglikethemuseoftragedy。
"Mrs。LyndecalledonherwayfromCarmodytotellme。Oh，itissimplydreadful！Whatistheuseoftryingtoimproveanything？"
"Whatisdreadful？"askedOliverSloane，arrivingatthismomentwithabandboxhehadbroughtfromtownforMarilla。
"Haven’tyouheard？"saidJanewrathfully。"Well，itssimplythis……JoshuaPyehasgoneandpaintedthehallblueinsteadofgreen……adeep，brilliantblue，theshadetheyuseforpaintingcartsandwheelbarrows。AndMrs。Lyndesaysitisthemosthideouscolorforabuilding，especiallywhencombinedwitharedroof，thatsheeversaworimagined。YoucouldsimplyhaveknockedmedownwithafeatherwhenIheardit。It’sheartbreaking，afterallthetroublewe’vehad。"
"Howonearthcouldsuchamistakehavehappened？"wailedDiana。
TheblameofthisunmercifuldisasterwaseventuallynarroweddowntothePyes。TheImprovershaddecidedtouseMorton-HarrispaintsandtheMorton-Harrispaintcanswerenumberedaccordingtoacolorcard。Apurchaserchosehisshadeonthecardandorderedbytheaccompanyingnumber。Number147wastheshadeofgreendesiredandwhenMr。RogerPyesentwordtotheImproversbyhisson，JohnAndrew，thathewasgoingtotownandwouldgettheirpaintforthem，theImproverstoldJohnAndrewtotellhisfathertoget147。
JohnAndrewalwaysaverredthathedidso，butMr。RogerPyeasstanchlydeclaredthatJohnAndrewtoldhim157；andtherethematterstandstothisday。
ThatnighttherewasblankdismayineveryAvonleahousewhereanImproverlived。ThegloomatGreenGableswassointensethatitquenchedevenDavy。Anneweptandwouldnotbecomforted。
"Imustcry，evenifIamalmostseventeen，Marilla，"shesobbed。
"Itissomortifying。Anditsoundsthedeathknellofoursociety。
We’llsimplybelaughedoutofexistence。"
Inlife，asindreams，however，thingsoftengobycontraries。TheAvonleapeopledidnotlaugh；theyweretooangry。Theirmoneyhadgonetopaintthehallandconsequentlytheyfeltthemselvesbitterlyaggrievedbythemistake。PublicindignationcenteredonthePyes。
RogerPyeandJohnAndrewhadbungledthematterbetweenthem；
andasforJoshuaPye，hemustbeabornfoolnottosuspecttherewassomethingwrongwhenheopenedthecansandsawthecolorofthepaint。JoshuaPye，whenthusanimadvertedupon，retortedthattheAvonleatasteincolorswasnobusinessofhis，whateverhisprivateopinionmightbe；hehadbeenhiredtopaintthehall，nottotalkaboutit；andhemeanttohavehismoneyforit。
TheImproverspaidhimhismoneyinbitternessofspirit，afterconsultingMr。PeterSloane，whowasamagistrate。
"You’llhavetopayit，"Petertoldhim。"Youcan’tholdhimresponsibleforthemistake，sinceheclaimshewasnevertoldwhatthecolorwassupposedtobebutjustgiventhecansandtoldtogoahead。Butit’saburningshameandthathallcertainlydoeslookawful。"
ThelucklessImproversexpectedthatAvonleawouldbemoreprejudicedthaneveragainstthem；butinstead，publicsympathyveeredaroundintheirfavor。Peoplethoughttheeager，enthusiasticlittlebandwhohadworkedsohardfortheirobjecthadbeenbadlyused。Mrs。LyndetoldthemtokeeponandshowthePyesthattherereallywerepeopleintheworldwhocoulddothingswithoutmakingamuddleofthem。Mr。MajorSpencersentthemwordthathewouldcleanoutallthestumpsalongtheroadfrontofhisfarmandseeditdownwithgrassathisownexpense；
andMrs。HiramSloanecalledattheschoolonedayandbeckonedAnnemysteriouslyoutintotheporchtotellherthatifthe"Sassiety"
wantedtomakeageraniumbedatthecrossroadsinthespringtheyneedn’tbeafraidofhercow，forshewouldseethatthemaraudinganimalwaskeptwithinsafebounds。EvenMr。Harrisonchuckled，ifhechuckledatall，inprivate，andwasallsympathyoutwardly。
"Nevermind，Anne。Mostpaintsfadeugliereveryyearbutthatblueisasuglyasitcanbetobeginwith，soit’sboundtofadeprettier。Andtheroofisshingledandpaintedallright。Folkswillbeabletositinthehallafterthiswithoutbeingleakedon。
You’veaccomplishedsomuchanyhow。"
"ButAvonlea’sbluehallwillbeabywordinalltheneighboringsettlementsfromthistimeout，"saidAnnebitterly。
Anditmustbeconfessedthatitwas。
X
DavyinSearchofaSensationAnne，walkinghomefromschoolthroughtheBirchPathoneNovemberafternoon，feltconvincedafreshthatlifewasaverywonderfulthing。
Thedayhadbeenagoodday；allhadgonewellinherlittlekingdom。
St。ClairDonnellhadnotfoughtanyoftheotherboysoverthequestionofhisname；PrillieRogerson’sfacehadbeensopuffedupfromtheeffectsoftoothachethatshedidnotoncetrytocoquettewiththeboysinhervicinity。BarbaraShawhadmetwithonlyONEaccident……spillingadipperofwateroverthefloor……andAnthonyPyehadnotbeeninschoolatall。
"WhatanicemonththisNovemberhasbeen！"saidAnne，whohadneverquitegotoverherchildishhabitoftalkingtoherself。
"Novemberisusuallysuchadisagreeablemonth……asiftheyearhadsuddenlyfoundoutthatshewasgrowingoldandcoulddonothingbutweepandfretoverit。Thisyearisgrowingoldgracefully……justlikeastatelyoldladywhoknowsshecanbecharmingevenwithgrayhairandwrinkles。We’vehadlovelydaysanddelicioustwilights。Thislastfortnighthasbeensopeaceful，andevenDavyhasbeenalmostwell-behaved。Ireallythinkheisimprovingagreatdeal。Howquietthewoodsaretoday……
notamurmurexceptthatsoftwindpurringinthetreetops！
Itsoundslikesurfonafarawayshore。Howdearthewoodsare！
Youbeautifultrees！Iloveeveryoneofyouasafriend。"
Annepausedtothrowherarmaboutaslimyoungbirchandkissitscream-whitetrunk。Diana，roundingacurveinthepath，sawherandlaughed。
"AnneShirley，you’reonlypretendingtobegrownup。Ibelievewhenyou’realoneyou’reasmuchalittlegirlasyoueverwere。"
"Well，onecan’tgetoverthehabitofbeingalittlegirlallatonce，"saidAnnegaily。"Yousee，IwaslittleforfourteenyearsandI’veonlybeengrown-uppishforscarcelythree。I’msureI
shallalwaysfeellikeachildinthewoods。ThesewalkshomefromschoolarealmosttheonlytimeIhavefordreaming……
exceptthehalf-hourorsobeforeIgotosleep。I’msobusywithteachingandstudyingandhelpingMarillawiththetwinsthatIhaven’tanothermomentforimaginingthings。
Youdon’tknowwhatsplendidadventuresIhaveforalittlewhileafterIgotobedintheeastgableeverynight。IalwaysimagineI’msomethingverybrilliantandtriumphantandsplendid……
agreatprimadonnaoraRedCrossnurseoraqueen。LastnightIwasaqueen。It’sreallysplendidtoimagineyouareaqueen。
Youhaveallthefunofitwithoutanyoftheinconveniencesandyoucanstopbeingaqueenwheneveryouwantto，whichyoucouldn’tinreallife。ButhereinthewoodsIlikebesttoimaginequitedifferentthings……I’madryadlivinginanoldpine，oralittlebrownwood-elfhidingunderacrinkledleaf。Thatwhitebirchyoucaughtmekissingisasisterofmine。Theonlydifferenceis，she’satreeandI’magirl，butthat’snorealdifference。
Whereareyougoing，Diana？"
"DowntotheDicksons。IpromisedtohelpAlbertacutouthernewdress。
Can’tyouwalkdownintheevening，Anne，andcomehomewithme？"
"Imight……sinceFredWrightisawayintown，"saidAnnewitharathertooinnocentface。
Dianablushed，tossedherhead，andwalkedon。Shedidnotlookoffended，however。
AnnefullyintendedtogodowntotheDicksons’thatevening，butshedidnot。WhenshearrivedatGreenGablesshefoundastateofaffairswhichbanishedeveryotherthoughtfromhermind。Marillametherintheyard……awild-eyedMarilla。
"Anne，Doraislost！"
"Dora！Lost！"AnnelookedatDavy，whowasswingingontheyardgate，anddetectedmerrimentinhiseyes。"Davy，doyouknowwheresheis？"
"No，Idon’t，"saidDavystoutly。"Ihaven’tseenhersincedinnertime，crossmyheart。"
"I’vebeenawayeversinceoneo’clock，"saidMarilla。"ThomasLyndetooksickallofasuddenandRachelsentupformetogoatonce。
WhenIlefthereDorawasplayingwithherdollinthekitchenandDavywasmakingmudpiesbehindthebarn。Ionlygothomehalfanhourago……andnoDoratobeseen。DavydeclaresheneversawhersinceIleft。"
"NeitherIdid，"avowedDavysolemnly。
"Shemustbesomewherearound，"saidAnne。"Shewouldneverwanderfarawayalone……youknowhowtimidsheis。Perhapsshehasfallenasleepinoneoftherooms。"
Marillashookherhead。
"I’vehuntedthewholehousethrough。Butshemaybeinsomeofthebuildings。"
Athoroughsearchfollowed。Everycornerofhouse，yard，andoutbuildingswasransackedbythosetwodistractedpeople。AnnerovedtheorchardsandtheHauntedWood，callingDora’sname。
Marillatookacandleandexploredthecellar。Davyaccompaniedeachoftheminturn，andwasfertileinthinkingofplaceswhereDoracouldpossiblybe。Finallytheymetagainintheyard。
"It’samostmysteriousthing，"groanedMarilla。
"Wherecanshebe？"saidAnnemiserably"Maybeshe’stumbledintothewell，"suggestedDavycheerfully。
AnneandMarillalookedfearfullyintoeachother’seyes。
Thethoughthadbeenwiththemboththroughtheirentiresearchbutneitherhaddaredtoputitintowords。
"She……shemighthave，"whisperedMarilla。
Anne，feelingfaintandsick，wenttothewellboxandpeeredover。
Thebucketsatontheshelfinside。Fardownbelowwasatinyglimmerofstillwater。TheCuthbertwellwasthedeepestinAvonlea。IfDora……butAnnecouldnotfacetheidea。
Sheshudderedandturnedaway。
"RunacrossforMr。Harrison，"saidMarilla，wringingherhands。
"Mr。HarrisonandJohnHenryarebothaway……theywenttotowntoday。
I’llgoforMr。Barry。"
Mr。BarrycamebackwithAnne，carryingacoilofropetowhichwasattachedaclaw-likeinstrumentthathadbeenthebusinessendofagrubbingfork。MarillaandAnnestoodby，coldandshakenwithhorroranddread，whileMr。Barrydraggedthewell，andDavy，astridethegate，watchedthegroupwithafaceindicativeofhugeenjoyment。
FinallyMr。Barryshookhishead，witharelievedair。
"Shecan’tbedownthere。It’samightycuriousthingwhereshecouldhavegotto，though。Lookhere，youngman，areyousureyou’venoideawhereyoursisteris？"
"I’vetoldyouadozentimesthatIhaven’t，"saidDavy，withaninjuredair。"Maybeatrampcomeandstoleher。"
"Nonsense，"saidMarillasharply，relievedfromherhorriblefearofthewell。"Anne，doyousupposeshecouldhavestrayedovertoMr。Harrison’s？Shehasalwaysbeentalkingabouthisparroteversincethattimeyoutookherover"
"Ican’tbelieveDorawouldventuresofaralonebutI’llgooverandsee，"saidAnne。
NobodywaslookingatDavyjustthenoritwouldhavebeenseenthataverydecidedchangecameoverhisface。Hequietlyslippedoffthegateandran，asfastashisfatlegscouldcarryhim，tothebarn。
AnnehastenedacrossthefieldstotheHarrisonestablishmentinnoveryhopefulframeofmind。Thehousewaslocked，thewindowshadesweredown，andtherewasnosignofanythinglivingabouttheplace。ShestoodontheverandaandcalledDoraloudly。
Ginger，inthekitchenbehindher，shriekedandsworewithsuddenfierceness；butbetweenhisoutburstsAnneheardaplaintivecryfromthelittlebuildingintheyardwhichservedMr。Harrisonasatoolhouse。Anneflewtothedoor，unhaspedit，andcaughtupasmallmortalwithatearstainedfacewhowassittingforlornlyonanupturnednailkeg。
"Oh，Dora，Dora，whatafrightyouhavegivenus！Howcameyoutobehere？"
"DavyandIcameovertoseeGinger，"sobbedDora，"butwecouldn’tseehimafterall，onlyDavymadehimswearbykickingthedoor。
AndthenDavybroughtmehereandrunoutandshutthedoor；andI
couldn’tgetout。Icriedandcried，Iwasfrightened，andoh，I’msohungryandcold；andIthoughtyou’dnevercome，Anne。"
"Davy？"ButAnnecouldsaynomore。ShecarriedDorahomewithaheavyheart。HerjoyatfindingthechildsafeandsoundwasdrownedoutinthepaincausedbyDavy’sbehavior。ThefreakofshuttingDoraupmighteasilyhavebeenpardoned。ButDavyhadtoldfalsehoods……downrightcoldbloodedfalsehoodsaboutit。
ThatwastheuglyfactandAnnecouldnotshuthereyestoit。
Shecouldhavesatdownandcriedwithsheerdisappointment。
ShehadgrowntoloveDavydearly……howdearlyshehadnotknownuntilthisminute……andithurtherunbearablytodiscoverthathewasguiltyofdeliberatefalsehood。
MarillalistenedtoAnne’staleinasilencethatbodednogoodDavy-ward；Mr。BarrylaughedandadvisedthatDavybesummarilydealtwith。WhenhehadgonehomeAnnesoothedandwarmedthesobbing，shiveringDora，gotherhersupperandputhertobed。
Thenshereturnedtothekitchen，justasMarillacamegrimlyin，leading，orratherpulling，thereluctant，cobwebbyDavy，whomshehadjustfoundhiddenawayinthedarkestcornerofthestable。
Shejerkedhimtothematonthemiddleofthefloorandthenwentandsatdownbytheeastwindow。Annewassittinglimplybythewestwindow。Betweenthemstoodtheculprit。HisbackwastowardMarillaanditwasameek，subdued，frightenedback；buthisfacewastowardAnneandalthoughitwasalittleshamefacedtherewasagleamofcomradeshipinDavy’seyes，asifheknewhehaddonewrongandwasgoingtobepunishedforit，butcouldcountonalaughoveritallwithAnnelateron。
ButnohalfhiddensmileansweredhiminAnne’sgrayeyes，astheremighthavedonehaditbeenonlyaquestionofmischief。
Therewassomethingelse……somethinguglyandrepulsive。
"Howcouldyoubehaveso，Davy？"sheaskedsorrowfully。
Davysquirmeduncomfortably。
"Ijustdiditforfun。ThingshavebeensoawfulquiethereforsolongthatIthoughtitwouldbefuntogiveyoufolksabigscare。
Itwas，too。"
InspiteoffearandalittleremorseDavygrinnedovertherecollection。
"Butyoutoldafalsehoodaboutit，Davy，"saidAnne，moresorrowfullythanever。
Davylookedpuzzled。
"What’safalsehood？Doyoumeanawhopper？"
"Imeanastorythatwasnottrue。"
"CourseIdid，"saidDavyfrankly。"IfIhadn’tyouwouldn’thavebeenscared。IHADtotellit。"
Annewasfeelingthereactionfromherfrightandexertions。
Davy’simpenitentattitudegavethefinishingtouch。
Twobigtearsbrimmedupinhereyes。
"Oh，Davy，howcouldyou？"shesaid，withaquiverinhervoice。
"Don’tyouknowhowwrongitwas？"
Davywasaghast。Annecrying……hehadmadeAnnecry！Afloodofrealremorserolledlikeawaveoverhiswarmlittleheartandengulfedit。
HerushedtoAnne，hurledhimselfintoherlap，flunghisarmsaroundherneck，andburstintotears。
"Ididn’tknowitwaswrongtotellwhoppers，"hesobbed。
"Howdidyouexpectmetoknowitwaswrong？AllMr。Sprott’schildrentoldthemREGULAReveryday，andcrosstheirheartstoo。
Is’posePaulIrvingnevertellswhoppersandhereI’vebeentryingawfulhardtobeasgoodashim，butnowIs’poseyou’llneverlovemeagain。ButIthinkyoumighthavetoldmeitwaswrong。
I’mawfulsorryI’vemadeyoucry，Anne，andI’llnevertellawhopperagain。"
DavyburiedhisfaceinAnne’sshoulderandcriedstormily。
Anne，inasuddengladflashofunderstanding，heldhimtightandlookedoverhiscurlythatchatMarilla。
"Hedidn’tknowitwaswrongtotellfalsehoods，Marilla。
Ithinkwemustforgivehimforthatpartofitthistimeifhewillpromisenevertosaywhatisn’ttrueagain。"
"Ineverwill，nowthatIknowit’sbad，"asseveratedDavybetweensobs。
"Ifyouevercatchmetellingawhopperagainyoucan……"Davygropedmentallyforasuitablepenance……"youcanskinmealive，Anne。"
"Don’tsay`whopper，’Davy……say`falsehood，’"saidtheschoolma’am。
"Why？"queriedDavy，settlingcomfortablydownandlookingupwithatearstained，investigatingface。"Whyain’twhopperasgoodasfalsehood？Iwanttoknow。It’sjustasbigaword。"
"It’sslang；andit’swrongforlittleboystouseslang。"
"There’sanawfullotofthingsit’swrongtodo，"saidDavywithasigh。
"Inevers’posedtherewassomany。I’msorryit’swrongtotellwhop……
falsehoods，’causeit’sawfulhandy，butsinceitisI’mnevergoingtotellanymore。Whatareyougoingtodotomefortellingthemthistime？
Iwanttoknow。"AnnelookedbeseechinglyatMarilla。
"Idon’twanttobetoohardonthechild，"saidMarilla。"I
daresaynobodyeverdidtellhimitwaswrongtotelllies，andthoseSprottchildrenwerenofitcompanionsforhim。PoorMarywastoosicktotrainhimproperlyandIpresumeyoucouldn’texpectasix-year-oldchildtoknowthingslikethatbyinstinct。
Isupposewe’lljusthavetoassumehedoesn’tknowANYTHINGrightandbeginatthebeginning。Buthe’llhavetobepunishedforshuttingDoraup，andIcan’tthinkofanywayexcepttosendhimtobedwithouthissupperandwe’vedonethatsooften。Can’tyousuggestsomethingelse，Anne？Ishouldthinkyououghttobeableto，withthatimaginationyou’realwaystalkingof。"
"ButpunishmentsaresohorridandIliketoimagineonlypleasantthings，"
saidAnne，cuddlingDavy。"Therearesomanyunpleasantthingsintheworldalreadythatthereisnouseinimagininganymore。"
IntheendDavywassenttobed，asusual，theretoremainuntilnoonnextday。Heevidentlydidsomethinking，forwhenAnnewentuptoherroomalittlelatersheheardhimcallinghernamesoftly。
Goingin，shefoundhimsittingupinbed，withhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischinproppedonhishands。
"Anne，"hesaidsolemnly，"isitwrongforeverybodytotellwhop……
falsehoods？Iwanttoknow"
"Yes，indeed。"
"Isitwrongforagrown-upperson？"
"Yes。"
"Then，"saidDavydecidedly，"Marillaisbad，forSHEtellsthem。
Andshe’sworse’nme，forIdidn’tknowitwaswrongbutshedoes。"
"DavyKeith，Marillanevertoldastoryinherlife，"saidAnneindignantly。
"Shedidso。ShetoldmelastTuesdaythatsomethingdreadfulWOULDhappentomeifIdidn’tsaymyprayerseverynight。AndI
haven’tsaidthemforoveraweek，justtoseewhatwouldhappen……
andnothinghas，"concludedDavyinanaggrievedtone。
Annechokedbackamaddesiretolaughwiththeconvictionthatitwouldbefatal，andthenearnestlysetaboutsavingMarilla’sreputation。
"Why，DavyKeith，"shesaidsolemnly，"somethingdreadfulHAShappenedtoyouthisveryday"
Davylookedsceptical。
"Is’poseyoumeanbeingsenttobedwithoutanysupper，"hesaidscornfully，"butTHATisn’tdreadful。Course，Idon’tlikeit，butI’vebeensenttobedsomuchsinceIcomeherethatI’mgettingusedtoit。Andyoudon’tsaveanythingbymakingmegowithoutsuppereither，forIalwayseattwiceasmuchforbreakfast。"
"Idon’tmeanyourbeingsenttobed。Imeanthefactthatyoutoldafalsehoodtoday。And，Davy，"……Anneleanedoverthefootboardofthebedandshookherfingerimpressivelyattheculprit……"foraboytotellwhatisn’ttrueisalmosttheworstthingthatcouldHAPPENtohim……almosttheveryworst。
SoyouseeMarillatoldyouthetruth。"
"ButIthoughtthesomethingbadwouldbeexciting，"protestedDavyinaninjuredtone。
"Marillaisn’ttoblameforwhatyouthought。Badthingsaren’talwaysexciting。They’reveryoftenjustnastyandstupid。"
"ItwasawfulfunnytoseeMarillaandyoulookingdownthewell，though，"
saidDavy，hugginghisknees。
Annekeptasoberfaceuntilshegotdownstairsandthenshecollapsedonthesittingroomloungeandlaugheduntilhersidesached。
"Iwishyou’dtellmethejoke，"saidMarilla，alittlegrimly。
"Ihaven’tseenmuchtolaughattoday。"
"You’lllaughwhenyouhearthis，"assuredAnne。AndMarilladidlaugh，whichshowedhowmuchhereducationhadadvancedsincetheadoptionofAnne。Butshesighedimmediatelyafterwards。
"IsupposeIshouldn’thavetoldhimthat，althoughIheardaministersayittoachildonce。Buthedidaggravatemeso。ItwasthatnightyouwereattheCarmodyconcertandIwasputtinghimtobed。Hesaidhedidn’tseethegoodofprayinguntilhegotbigenoughtobeofsomeimportancetoGod。Anne，Idonotknowwhatwearegoingtodowiththatchild。Ineversawhisbeat。
I’mfeelingcleandiscouraged。"
"Oh，don’tsaythat，Marilla。RememberhowbadIwaswhenIcamehere。"
"Anne，youneverwerebad……NEVER。Iseethatnow，whenI’velearnedwhatrealbadnessis。Youwerealwaysgettingintoterriblescrapes，I’lladmit，butyourmotivewasalwaysgood。
Davyisjustbadfromsheerloveofit。"
"Oh，no，Idon’tthinkitisrealbadnesswithhimeither，"pleadedAnne。
"It’sjustmischief。Anditisratherquietforhimhere，youknow。
Hehasnootherboystoplaywithandhismindhastohavesomethingtooccupyit。Doraissoprimandpropersheisnogoodforaboy’splaymate。Ireallythinkitwouldbebettertoletthemgotoschool，Marilla。"
"No，"saidMarillaresolutely，"myfatheralwayssaidthatnochildshouldbecoopedupinthefourwallsofaschooluntilitwassevenyearsold，andMr。Allansaysthesamething。
Thetwinscanhaveafewlessonsathomebutgotoschooltheyshan’ttillthey’reseven。"
"Well，wemusttrytoreformDavyathomethen，"saidAnnecheerfully。"Withallhisfaultshe’sreallyadearlittlechap。
Ican’thelplovinghim。Marilla，itmaybeadreadfulthingtosay，buthonestly，IlikeDavybetterthanDora，forallshe’ssogood。"
"Idon’tknowbutthatIdo，myself，"confessedMarilla，"anditisn’tfair，forDoraisn’tabitoftrouble。Therecouldn’tbeabetterchildandyou’dhardlyknowshewasinthehouse。"
"Doraistoogood，"saidAnne。"She’dbehavejustaswelliftherewasn’tasoultotellherwhattodo。Shewasbornalreadybroughtup，soshedoesn’tneedus；andIthink，"concludedAnne，hittingonaveryvitaltruth，"thatwealwayslovebestthepeoplewhoneedus。Davyneedsusbadly。"
"Hecertainlyneedssomething，"agreedMarilla。"RachelLyndewouldsayitwasagoodspanking。"
XI
FactsandFancies"Teachingisreallyveryinterestingwork，"wroteAnnetoaQueen’sAcademychum。"JanesaysshethinksitismonotonousbutIdon’tfinditso。Somethingfunnyisalmostsuretohappeneveryday，andthechildrensaysuchamusingthings。Janesaysshepunishesherpupilswhentheymakefunnyspeeches，whichisprobablywhyshefindsteachingmonotonous。ThisafternoonlittleJimmyAndrewswastryingtospell`speckled’andcouldn’tmanageit。`Well，’hesaidfinally，`Ican’tspellitbutIknowwhatitmeans。’
"`What？’Iasked。
"`St。ClairDonnell’sface，miss。’
"St。Clairiscertainlyverymuchfreckled，althoughItrytopreventtheothersfromcommentingonit……forIwasfreckledonceandwelldoIrememberit。ButIdon’tthinkSt。Clairminds。
ItwasbecauseJimmycalledhim`St。Clair’thatSt。Clairpoundedhimonthewayhomefromschool。Iheardofthepounding，butnotofficially，soIdon’tthinkI’lltakeanynoticeofit。
"YesterdayIwastryingtoteachLottieWrighttodoaddition。
Isaid，`Ifyouhadthreecandiesinonehandandtwointheother，howmanywouldyouhavealtogether？’`Amouthful，’saidLottie。
Andinthenaturestudyclass，whenIaskedthemtogivemeagoodreasonwhytoadsshouldn’tbekilled，BenjieSloanegravelyanswered，`Becauseitwouldrainthenextday。’
"It’ssohardnottolaugh，Stella。IhavetosaveupallmyamusementuntilIgethome，andMarillasaysitmakeshernervoustohearwildshrieksofmirthproceedingfromtheeastgablewithoutanyapparentcause。
ShesaysamaninGraftonwentinsaneonceandthatwashowitbegan。
"DidyouknowthatThomasaBecketwascanonizedasaSNAKE？
RoseBellsayshewas……alsothatWilliamTyndaleWROTEtheNewTestament。ClaudeWhitesaysa`glacier’isamanwhoputsinwindowframes！
"Ithinkthemostdifficultthinginteaching，aswellasthemostinteresting，istogetthechildrentotellyoutheirrealthoughtsaboutthings。OnestormydaylastweekIgatheredthemaroundmeatdinnerhourandtriedtogetthemtotalktomejustasifI
wereoneofthemselves。Iaskedthemtotellmethethingstheymostwanted。Someoftheanswerswerecommonplaceenough……dolls，ponies，andskates。Othersweredecidedlyoriginal。
HesterBoulterwanted`towearherSundaydresseverydayandeatinthesittingroom。’HannahBellwanted`tobegoodwithouthavingtotakeanytroubleaboutit。’MarjoryWhite，agedten，wantedtobeaWIDOW。Questionedwhy，shegravelysaidthatifyouweren’tmarriedpeoplecalledyouanoldmaid，andifyouwereyourhusbandbossedyou；butifyouwereawidowthere’dbenodangerofeither。
ThemostremarkablewishwasSallyBell’s。Shewanteda’honeymoon。’
IaskedherifsheknewwhatitwasandshesaidshethoughtitwasanextranicekindofbicyclebecausehercousininMontrealwentonahoneymoonwhenhewasmarriedandhehadalwayshadtheverylatestinbicycles！
"AnotherdayIaskedthemalltotellmethenaughtiestthingtheyhadeverdone。Icouldn’tgettheolderonestodoso，butthethirdclassansweredquitefreely。ElizaBellhad`setfiretoheraunt’scardedrolls。’Askedifshemeanttodoitshesaid，`notaltogether。’Shejusttriedalittleendtoseehowitwouldburnandthewholebundleblazedupinajiffy。EmersonGillishadspenttencentsforcandywhenheshouldhaveputitinhismissionarybox。AnnettaBell’sworstcrimewas`eatingsomeblueberriesthatgrewinthegraveyard。’WillieWhitehad`sliddownthesheephouseroofalotoftimeswithhisSundaytrouserson。’
`ButIwaspunishedforit’causeIhadtowearpatchedpantstoSundaySchoolallsummer，andwhenyou’repunishedforathingyoudon’thavetorepentofit，’declaredWillie。
"Iwishyoucouldseesomeoftheircompositions……somuchdoIwishitthatI’llsendyoucopiesofsomewrittenrecently。
LastweekItoldthefourthclassIwantedthemtowritemelettersaboutanythingtheypleased，addingbywayofsuggestionthattheymighttellmeofsomeplacetheyhadvisitedorsomeinterestingthingorpersontheyhadseen。Theyweretowritethelettersonrealnotepaper，sealtheminanenvelope，andaddressthemtome，allwithoutanyassistancefromotherpeople。LastFridaymorningIfoundapileoflettersonmydeskandthateveningIrealizedafreshthatteachinghasitspleasuresaswellasitspains。Thosecompositionswouldatoneformuch。HereisNedClay’s，address，spelling，andgrammarasoriginallypenned。
"`MissteacherShiRleyGreengabels。
p。e。Islandcanbirds"`DearteacherIthinkIwillwriteyouacompositionaboutbirds。
birdsisveryusefulanimals。mycatcatchesbirds。HisnameisWilliambutpacallshimtom。heisollstripedandhegotoneofhisearsfrozoflastwinter。onlyforthathewouldbeagood-lookingcat。Myunklehasadoptedacat。itcometohishouseonedayandwoudentgoawayandunklesaysithasforgotmorethanmostpeopleeverknowed。heletsitsleeponhisrockingchareandmyauntsayshethinksmoreofitthanhedoesofhischildren。thatisnotright。weoughttobekindtocatsandgivethemnewmilkbutweoughtnotbebettertothemthantoourchildren。thisisollIcanthinkofsonomoreatpresentfromedwardblakeClaY。’"
"St。ClairDonnell’sis，asusual，shortandtothepoint。St。
Clairneverwasteswords。Idonotthinkhechosehissubjectoraddedthepostscriptoutofmaliceaforethought。Itisjustthathehasnotagreatdealoftactorimagination。
"`DearMissShirleyYoutoldustodescribesomethingstrangewehaveseen。IwilldescribetheAvonleaHall。Ithastwodoors，aninsideoneandanoutsideone。Ithassixwindowsandachimney。Ithastwoendsandtwosides。Itispaintedblue。Thatiswhatmakesitstrange。
ItisbuiltonthelowerCarmodyroad。ItisthethirdmostimportantbuildinginAvonlea。Theothersarethechurchandtheblacksmithshop。Theyholddebatingclubsandlecturesinitandconcerts。
Yourstruly，JacobDonnell。
P。S。Thehallisaverybrightblue。’"
"AnnettaBell’sletterwasquitelong，whichsurprisedme，forwritingessaysisnotAnnetta’sforte，andhersaregenerallyasbriefasst。Clair’s。Annettaisaquietlittlepussandamodelofgoodbehavior，butthereisn’tashadowoforginalityinher。
