第5章

Thevanquishedcommitteeretired，thinkingthingsnotlawfultobeuttered。

"WehavedoneallwecandoandmustsimplytrusttheresttoProvidence，"

saidJane，withanunconsciousimitationofMrs。Lynde’stoneandmanner。

"IwonderifMr。Allancoulddoanything，"reflectedDiana。

Anneshookherhead。

"No，it’snousetoworryMr。Allan，especiallynowwhenthebaby’ssosick。Judsonwouldslipawayfromhimassmoothlyasfromus，althoughheHAStakentogoingtochurchquiteregularlyjustnow。

ThatissimplybecauseLouisaSpencer’sfatherisanelderandveryparticularaboutsuchthings。"

"JudsonParkeristheonlymaninAvonleawhowoulddreamofrentinghisfences，"saidJaneindignantly。"EvenLeviBoulterorLorenzoWhitewouldneverstooptothat，tightfistedastheyare。

Theywouldhavetoomuchrespectforpublicopinion。"

PublicopinionwascertainlydownonJudsonParkerwhenthefactsbecameknown，butthatdidnothelpmattersmuch。Judsonchuckledtohimselfanddefiedit，andtheImproversweretryingtoreconcilethemselvestotheprospectofseeingtheprettiestpartoftheNewbridgeroaddefacedbyadvertisements，whenAnnerosequietlyatthepresident’scallforreportsofcommitteesontheoccasionofthenextmeetingoftheSociety，andannouncedthatMr。JudsonParkerhadinstructedhertoinformtheSocietythathewasNOTgoingtorenthisfencestothePatentMedicineCompany。

JaneandDianastaredasiftheyfoundithardtobelievetheirears。

Parliamentaryetiquette，whichwasgenerallyverystrictlyenforcedintheA。V。I。S。，forbadethemgivinginstantventtotheircuriosity，butaftertheSocietyadjournedAnnewasbesiegedforexplanations。

Annehadnoexplanationtogive。JudsonParkerhadovertakenherontheroadtheprecedingeveningandtoldherthathehaddecidedtohumortheA。V。I。S。initspeculiarprejudiceagainstpatentmedicineadvertisements。ThatwasallAnnewouldsay，thenoreverafterwards，anditwasthesimpletruth；butwhenJaneAndrews，onherwayhome，confidedtoOliverSloaneherfirmbeliefthattherewasmorebehindJudsonParker’smysteriouschangeofheartthanAnneShirleyhadrevealed，shespokethetruthalso。

AnnehadbeendowntooldMrs。Irving’sontheshoreroadtheprecedingeveningandhadcomehomebyashortcutwhichledherfirstoverthelow-lyingshorefields，andthenthroughthebeechwoodbelowRobertDickson’s，byalittlefootpaththatranouttothemainroadjustabovetheLakeofShiningWaters……knowntounimaginativepeopleasBarry’spond。

Twomenweresittingintheirbuggies，reinedofftothesideoftheroad，justattheentranceofthepath。OnewasJudsonParker；

theotherwasJerryCorcoran，aNewbridgemanagainstwhom，asMrs。Lyndewouldhavetoldyouineloquentitalics，nothingshadyhadeverbeenPROVED。Hewasanagentforagriculturalimplementsandaprominentpersonageinmatterspolitical。Hehadafinger……

somepeoplesaidALLhisfingers……ineverypoliticalpiethatwascooked；andasCanadawasontheeveofageneralelectionJerryCorcoranhadbeenabusymanformanyweeks，canvassingthecountyintheinterestsofhisparty’scandidate。JustasAnneemergedfromundertheoverhangingbeechboughssheheardCorcoransay，"Ifyou’llvoteforAmesbury，Parker……well，I’veanoteforthatpairofharrowsyou’vegotinthespring。Isupposeyouwouldn’tobjecttohavingitback，eh？"

"We……ll，sinceyouputitinthatway，"drawledJudsonwithagrin，"IreckonImightaswelldoit。Amanmustlookoutforhisowninterestsinthesehardtimes。"

BothsawAnneatthismomentandconversationabruptlyceased。

Annebowedfrostilyandwalkedon，withherchinslightlymoretiltedthanusual。SoonJudsonParkerovertookher。

"Havealift，Anne？"heinquiredgenially。

"Thankyou，no，"saidAnnepolitely，butwithafine，needle-likedisdaininhervoicethatpiercedevenJudsonParker’snonetoosensitiveconsciousness。Hisfacereddenedandhetwitchedhisreinsangrily；butthenextsecondprudentialconsiderationscheckedhim。HelookeduneasilyatAnne，asshewalkedsteadilyon，glancingneithertotherightnortotheleft。HadsheheardCorcoran’sunmistakableofferandhisowntooplainacceptanceofit？

ConfoundCorcoran！Ifhecouldn’tputhismeaningintolessdangerousphraseshe’dgetintotroublesomeoftheselong-come-shorts。Andconfoundredheadedschool-ma’amswithahabitofpoppingoutofbeechwoodswheretheyhadnobusinesstobe。

IfAnnehadheard，JudsonParker，measuringhercorninhisownhalfbushel，asthecountrysayingwent，andcheatinghimselfthereby，assuchpeoplegenerallydo，believedthatshewouldtellitfarandwide。Now，JudsonParker，ashasbeenseen，wasnotoverlyregardfulofpublicopinion；buttobeknownashavingacceptedabribewouldbeanastything；andifiteverreachedIsaacSpencer’searsfarewellforevertoallhopeofwinningLouisaJanewithhercomfortableprospectsastheheiressofawell-to-dofarmer。JudsonParkerknewthatMr。Spencerlookedsomewhataskanceathimasitwas；hecouldnotaffordtotakeanyrisks。

"Ahem……Anne，I’vebeenwantingtoseeyouaboutthatlittlematterwewerediscussingtheotherday。I’vedecidednottoletmyfencestothatcompanyafterall。Asocietywithanaimlikeyoursoughttobeencouraged。"

Annethawedoutthemeresttrifle。

"Thankyou，"shesaid。

"And……and……youneedn’tmentionthatlittleconversationofminewithJerry。"

"Ihavenointentionofmentioningitinanycase，"saidAnneicily，forshewouldhaveseeneveryfenceinAvonleapaintedwithadvertisementsbeforeshewouldhavestoopedtobargainwithamanwhowouldsellhisvote。

"Justso……justso，"agreedJudson，imaginingthattheyunderstoodeachotherbeautifully。"Ididn’tsupposeyouwould。

Ofcourse，IwasonlystringingJerry……hethinkshe’ssoall-firedcuteandsmart。I’venointentionofvotingforAmesbury。

I’mgoingtovoteforGrantasI’vealwaysdone……you’llseethatwhentheelectioncomesoff。IjustledJerryontoseeifhewouldcommithimself。Andit’sallrightaboutthefence……youcantelltheImproversthat。"

"Ittakesallsortsofpeopletomakeaworld，asI’veoftenheard，butIthinktherearesomewhocouldbespared，"Annetoldherreflectionintheeastgablemirrorthatnight。"Iwouldn’thavementionedthedisgracefulthingtoasoulanyhow，somyconscienceisclearonTHATscore。Ireallydon’tknowwhoorwhatistobethankedforthis。_I_didnothingtobringitabout，andit’shardtobelievethatProvidenceeverworksbymeansofthekindofpoliticsmenlikeJudsonParkerandJerryCorcoranhave。"

XV

TheBeginningofVacationAnnelockedtheschoolhousedooronastill，yellowevening，whenthewindswerepurringinthesprucesaroundtheplayground，andtheshadowswerelongandlazybytheedgeofthewoods。Shedroppedthekeyintoherpocketwithasighofsatisfaction。Theschoolyearwasended，shehadbeenreengagedforthenext，withmanyexpressionsofsatisfaction……onlyMr。HarmonAndrewstoldhersheoughttousethestrapoftener……andtwodelightfulmonthsofawell-earnedvacationbeckonedherinvitingly。Annefeltatpeacewiththeworldandherselfasshewalkeddownthehillwithherbasketofflowersinherhand。SincetheearliestmayflowersAnnehadnevermissedherweeklypilgrimagetoMatthew’sgrave。EveryoneelseinAvonlea，exceptMarilla，hadalreadyforgottenquiet，shy，unimportantMatthewCuthbert；buthismemorywasstillgreeninAnne’sheartandalwayswouldbe。Shecouldneverforgetthekindoldmanwhohadbeenthefirsttogivehertheloveandsympathyherstarvedchildhoodhadcraved。

Atthefootofthehillaboywassittingonthefenceintheshadowofthespruces……aboywithbig，dreamyeyesandabeautiful，sensitiveface。HeswungdownandjoinedAnne，smiling；

butthereweretracesoftearsonhischeeks。

"IthoughtI’dwaitforyou，teacher，becauseIknewyouweregoingtothegraveyard，"hesaid，slippinghishandintohers。"I’mgoingthere，too……I’mtakingthisbouquetofgeraniumstoputonGrandpaIrving’sgraveforgrandma。Andlook，teacher，I’mgoingtoputthisbunchofwhiterosesbesideGrandpa’sgraveinmemoryofmylittlemother……becauseIcan’tgotohergravetoputitthere。

Butdon’tyouthinkshe’llknowallaboutit，justthesame？"

"Yes，Iamsureshewill，Paul。"

"Yousee，teacher，it’sjustthreeyearstodaysincemylittlemotherdied。It’ssuchalong，longtimebutithurtsjustasmuchasever……andImissherjustasmuchasever。SometimesitseemstomethatIjustcan’tbearit，ithurtsso。"

Paul’svoicequiveredandhisliptrembled。Helookeddownathisroses，hopingthathisteacherwouldnotnoticethetearsinhiseyes。

"Andyet，"saidAnne，verysoftly，"youwouldn’twantittostophurting……youwouldn’twanttoforgetyourlittlemotherevenifyoucould。"

"No，indeed，Iwouldn’t……that’sjustthewayIfeel。You’resogoodatunderstanding，teacher。Nobodyelseunderstandssowell……notevengrandma，althoughshe’ssogoodtome。Fatherunderstoodprettywell，butstillIcouldn’ttalkmuchtohimaboutmother，becauseitmadehimfeelsobad。WhenheputhishandoverhisfaceIalwaysknewitwastimetostop。Poorfather，hemustbedreadfullylonesomewithoutme；butyouseehehasnobodybutahousekeepernowandhethinkshousekeepersarenogoodtobringuplittleboys，especiallywhenhehastobeawayfromhomesomuchonbusiness。

Grandmothersarebetter，nexttomothers。Someday，whenI’mbroughtup，I’llgobacktofatherandwe’renevergoingtobepartedagain。"

PaulhadtalkedsomuchtoAnneabouthismotherandfatherthatshefeltasifshehadknownthem。Shethoughthismothermusthavebeenverylikewhathewashimself，intemperamentanddisposition；andshehadanideathatStephenIrvingwasaratherreservedmanwithadeepandtendernaturewhichhekepthiddenscrupulouslyfromtheworld。

"Father’snotveryeasytogetacquaintedwith，"Paulhadsaidonce。

"Inevergotreallyacquaintedwithhimuntilaftermylittlemotherdied。

Buthe’ssplendidwhenyoudogettoknowhim。Ilovehimthebestinalltheworld，andGrandmaIrvingnext，andthenyou，teacher。I’dloveyounexttofatherifitwasn’tmyDUTYtoloveGrandmaIrvingbest，becauseshe’sdoingsomuchforme。YOUknow，teacher。IwishshewouldleavethelampinmyroomtillIgotosleep，though。ShetakesitrightoutassoonasshetucksmeupbecauseshesaysImustn’tbeacoward。

I’mNOTscared，butI’dRATHERhavethelight。MylittlemotherusedalwaystositbesidemeandholdmyhandtillIwenttosleep。

Iexpectshespoiledme。Mothersdosometimes，youknow。"

No，Annedidnotknowthis，althoughshemightimagineit。

ShethoughtsadlyofHER"littlemother，"themotherwhohadthoughtherso"perfectlybeautiful"andwhohaddiedsolongagoandwasburiedbesideherboyishhusbandinthatunvisitedgravefaraway。AnnecouldnotrememberhermotherandforthisreasonshealmostenviedPaul。

"Mybirthdayisnextweek，"saidPaul，astheywalkedupthelongredhill，baskingintheJunesunshine，"andfatherwrotemethatheissendingmesomethingthathethinksI’lllikebetterthananythingelsehecouldsend。Ibelieveithascomealready，forGrandmaiskeepingthebookcasedrawerlockedandthatissomethingnew。

AndwhenIaskedherwhy，shejustlookedmysteriousandsaidlittleboysmustn’tbetoocurious。It’sveryexcitingtohaveabirthday，isn’tit？I’llbeeleven。You’dneverthinkittolookatme，wouldyou？GrandmasaysI’mverysmallformyageandthatit’sallbecauseIdon’teatenoughporridge。Idomyverybest，butGrandmagivessuchgenerousplatefuls……there’snothingmeanaboutGrandma，Icantellyou。EversinceyouandIhadthattalkaboutprayinggoinghomefromSundaySchoolthatday，teacher……

whenyousaidweoughttoprayaboutallourdifficulties……I’veprayedeverynightthatGodwouldgivemeenoughgracetoenablemetoeateverybitofmyporridgeinthemornings。ButI’veneverbeenabletodoityet，andwhetherit’sbecauseIhavetoolittlegraceortoomuchporridgeIreallycan’tdecide。Grandmasaysfatherwasbroughtuponporridge，anditcertainlydidworkwellinhiscase，foryououghttoseetheshouldershehas。

Butsometimes，"concludedPaulwithasighandameditativeair"Ireallythinkporridgewillbethedeathofme。"

Annepermittedherselfasmile，sincePaulwasnotlookingather。

AllAvonleaknewthatoldMrs。Irvingwasbringinghergrandsonupinaccordancewiththegood，old-fashionedmethodsofdietandmorals。

"Letushopenot，dear，"shesaidcheerfully。"Howareyourrockpeoplecomingon？DoestheoldestTwinstillcontinuetobehavehimself？"

"HeHASto，"saidPaulemphatically。"HeknowsIwon’tassociatewithhimifhedoesn’t。Heisreallyfullofwickedness，Ithink。"

"AndhasNorafoundoutabouttheGoldenLadyyet？"

"No；butIthinkshesuspects。I’malmostsureshewatchedmethelasttimeIwenttothecave。_I_don’tmindifshefindsout……

itisonlyforHERsakeIdon’twantherto……sothatherfeelingswon’tbehurt。ButifsheisDETERMINEDtohaveherfeelingshurtitcan’tbehelped。"

"IfIweretogototheshoresomenightwithyoudoyouthinkI

couldseeyourrockpeopletoo？"

Paulshookhisheadgravely。

"No，Idon’tthinkyoucouldseeMYrockpeople。I’mtheonlypersonwhocanseethem。Butyoucouldseerockpeopleofyourown。You’reoneofthekindthatcan。We’reboththatkind。

YOUknow，teacher，"headded，squeezingherhandchummily。

"Isn’titsplendidtobethatkind，teacher？"

"Splendid，"Anneagreed，grayshiningeyeslookingdownintoblueshiningones。AnneandPaulbothknew"HowfairtherealmImaginationopenstotheview，"

andbothknewthewaytothathappyland。Theretheroseofjoybloomedimmortalbydaleandstream；cloudsneverdarkenedthesunnysky；sweetbellsneverjangledoutoftune；andkindredspiritsabounded。Theknowledgeofthatland’sgeography……

"easto’thesun，westo’themoon"……ispricelesslore，nottobeboughtinanymarketplace。Itmustbethegiftofthegoodfairiesatbirthandtheyearscanneverdefaceitortakeitaway。

Itisbettertopossessit，livinginagarret，thantobetheinhabitantofpalaceswithoutit。

TheAvonleagraveyardwasasyetthegrass-grownsolitudeithadalwaysbeen。Tobesure，theImprovershadaneyeonit，andPriscillaGranthadreadapaperoncemeteriesbeforethelastmeetingoftheSociety。AtsomefuturetimetheImproversmeanttohavethelichened，waywardoldboardfencereplacedbyaneatwirerailing，thegrassmownandtheleaningmonumentsstraightenedup。

AnneputonMatthew’sgravetheflowersshehadbroughtforit，andthenwentovertothelittlepoplarshadedcornerwhereHesterGrayslept。

EversincethedayofthespringpicnicAnnehadputflowersonHester’sgravewhenshevisitedMatthew’s。TheeveningbeforeshehadmadeapilgrimagebacktothelittledesertedgardeninthewoodsandbroughttherefromsomeofHester’sownwhiteroses。

"Ithoughtyouwouldlikethembetterthananyothers，dear，"

shesaidsoftly。

AnnewasstillsittingtherewhenashadowfelloverthegrassandshelookeduptoseeMrs。Allan。Theywalkedhometogether。

Mrs。Allan’sfacewasnotthefaceofthegirlbridewhomtheministerhadbroughttoAvonleafiveyearsbefore。Ithadlostsomeofitsbloomandyouthfulcurves，andtherewerefine，patientlinesabouteyesandmouth。Atinygraveinthatverycemeteryaccountedforsomeofthem；andsomenewoneshadcomeduringtherecentillness，nowhappilyover，ofherlittleson。ButMrs。Allan’sdimpleswereassweetandsuddenasever，hereyesasclearandbrightandtrue；andwhatherfacelackedofgirlishbeautywasnowmorethanatonedforinaddedtendernessandstrength。

"Isupposeyouarelookingforwardtoyourvacation，Anne？"shesaid，astheyleftthegraveyard。

Annenodded。

"Yes……Icouldrollthewordasasweetmorselundermytongue。

Ithinkthesummerisgoingtobelovely。Foronething，Mrs。MorganiscomingtotheIslandinJulyandPriscillaisgoingtobringherup。

Ifeeloneofmyold`thrills’atthemerethought。"

"Ihopeyou’llhaveagoodtime，Anne。You’veworkedveryhardthispastyearandyouhavesucceeded。"

"Oh，Idon’tknow。I’vecomesofarshortinsomanythings。I

haven’tdonewhatImeanttodowhenIbegantoteachlastfall。

Ihaven’tliveduptomyideals。"

"Noneofuseverdo，"saidMrs。Allanwithasigh。"Butthen，Anne，youknowwhatLowellsays，`Notfailurebutlowaimiscrime。’

Wemusthaveidealsandtrytoliveuptothem，evenifweneverquitesucceed。Lifewouldbeasorrybusinesswithoutthem。

Withthemit’sgrandandgreat。Holdfasttoyourideals，Anne。"

"Ishalltry。ButIhavetoletgomostofmytheories，"saidAnne，laughingalittle。"IhadthemostbeautifulsetoftheoriesyoueverknewwhenIstartedoutasaschoolma’am，buteveryoneofthemhasfailedmeatsomepinchoranother。"

"Eventhetheoryoncorporalpunishment，"teasedMrs。Allan。

ButAnneflushed。

"IshallneverforgivemyselfforwhippingAnthony。"

"Nonsense，dear，hedeservedit。Anditagreedwithhim。Youhavehadnotroublewithhimsinceandhehascometothinkthere’snobodylikeyou。Yourkindnesswonhisloveaftertheideathata’girlwasnogood’wasrootedoutofhisstubbornmind。"

"Hemayhavedeservedit，butthatisnotthepoint。IfIhadcalmlyanddeliberatelydecidedtowhiphimbecauseIthoughtitajustpunishmentforhimIwouldnotfeeloveritasIdo。Butthetruthis，Mrs。Allan，thatIjustflewintoatemperandwhippedhimbecauseofthat。Iwasn’tthinkingwhetheritwasjustorunjust……evenifhehadn’tdeserveditI’dhavedoneitjustthesame。Thatiswhathumiliatesme。"

"Well，weallmakemistakes，dear，sojustputitbehindyou。Weshouldregretourmistakesandlearnfromthem，butnevercarrythemforwardintothefuturewithus。TheregoesGilbertBlytheonhiswheel……homeforhisvacationtoo，Isuppose。Howareyouandhegettingonwithyourstudies？"

"Prettywell。WeplantofinishtheVirgiltonight……thereareonlytwentylinestodo。ThenwearenotgoingtostudyanymoreuntilSeptember。"

"Doyouthinkyouwillevergettocollege？"

"Oh，Idon’tknow。"Annelookeddreamilyafartotheopal-tintedhorizon。"Marilla’seyeswillneverbemuchbetterthantheyarenow，althoughwearesothankfultothinkthattheywillnotgetworse。

Andthentherearethetwins……somehowIdon’tbelievetheirunclewilleverreallysendforthem。Perhapscollegemaybearoundthebendintheroad，butIhaven’tgottothebendyetandIdon’tthinkmuchaboutitlestImightgrowdiscontented。"

"Well，Ishouldliketoseeyougotocollege，Anne；butifyouneverdo，don’tbediscontentedaboutit。Wemakeourownliveswhereverweare，afterall……collegecanonlyhelpustodoitmoreeasily。Theyarebroadornarrowaccordingtowhatweputintothem，notwhatwegetout。Lifeisrichandfullhere……

everywhere……ifwecanonlylearnhowtoopenourwholeheartstoitsrichnessandfulness。"

"IthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，"saidAnnethoughtfully，"andIknowIhavesomuchtofeelthankfulfor……oh，somuch……

mywork，andPaulIrving，andthedeartwins，andallmyfriends。

Doyouknow，Mrs。Allan，I’msothankfulforfriendship。Itbeautifieslifesomuch。"

"Truefriendshipisaveryhelpfululthingindeed，"saidMrs。Allan，"andweshouldhaveaveryhighidealofit，andneversullyitbyanyfailureintruthandsincerity。Ifearthenameoffriendshipisoftendegradedtoakindofintimacythathasnothingofrealfriendshipinit。"

"Yes……likeGertiePye’sandJuliaBell’s。Theyareveryintimateandgoeverywheretogether；butGertieisalwayssayingnastythingsofJuliabehindherbackandeverybodythinkssheisjealousofherbecausesheisalwayssopleasedwhenanybodycriticizesJulia。

Ithinkitisdesecrationtocallthatfriendship。Ifwehavefriendsweshouldlookonlyforthebestinthemandgivethemthebestthatisinus，don’tyouthink？Thenfriendshipwouldbethemostbeautifulthingintheworld。"

"FriendshipISverybeautiful，"smiledMrs。Allan，"butsomeday……"

Thenshepausedabruptly。Inthedelicate，white-browedfacebesideher，withitscandideyesandmobilefeatures，therewasstillfarmoreofthechildthanofthewoman。Anne’sheartsofarharboredonlydreamsoffriendshipandambition，andMrs。Allandidnotwishtobrushthebloomfromhersweetunconsciousness。

Soshelefthersentenceforthefutureyearstofinish。

XVI

TheSubstanceofThingsHopedFor"Anne，"saidDavyappealingly，scramblingupontheshiny，leather-coveredsofaintheGreenGableskitchen，whereAnnesat，readingaletter，"Anne，I’mAWFULhungry。You’venoidea。"

"I’llgetyouapieceofbreadandbutterinaminute，"saidAnneabsently。Herletterevidentlycontainedsomeexcitingnews，forhercheekswereaspinkastherosesonthebigbushoutside，andhereyeswereasstarryasonlyAnne’seyescouldbe。

"ButIain’tbreadandbutterhungry，"saidDavyinadisgustedtone。

"I’mplumcakehungry。"

"Oh，"laughedAnne，layingdownherletterandputtingherarmaboutDavytogivehimasqueeze，"that’sakindofhungerthatcanbeenduredverycomfortably，Davy-boy。Youknowit’soneofMarilla’srulesthatyoucan’thaveanythingbutbreadandbutterbetweenmeals。"

"Well，gimmeapiecethen……please。"

Davyhadbeenatlasttaughttosay"please，"buthegenerallytackeditonasanafterthought。HelookedwithapprovalatthegeneroussliceAnnepresentlybroughttohim。"Youalwaysputsuchanicelotofbutteronit，Anne。Marillaspreadsitprettythin。

Itslipsdownaloteasierwhenthere’splentyofbutter。"

Theslice"slippeddown"withtolerableease，judgingfromitsrapiddisappearance。Davyslidheadfirstoffthesofa，turnedadoublesomersaultontherug，andthensatupandannounceddecidedly，"Anne，I’vemadeupmymindaboutheaven。Idon’twanttogothere。"

"Whynot？"askedAnnegravely。

"CauseheavenisinSimonFletcher’sgarret，andIdon’tlikeSimonFletcher。"

"Heavenin……SimonFletcher’sgarret！"gaspedAnne，tooamazedeventolaugh。"DavyKeith，whateverputsuchanextraordinaryideaintoyourhead？"

"MiltyBoultersaysthat’swhereitis。ItwaslastSundayinSundaySchool。ThelessonwasaboutElijahandElisha，andIupandaskedMissRogersonwhereheavenwas。MissRogersonlookedawfuloffended。Shewascrossanyhow，becausewhenshe’daskeduswhatElijahleftElishawhenhewenttoheavenMiltyBoultersaid，`Hisoldclo’es，’andusfellowsalllaughedbeforewethought。I

wishyoucouldthinkfirstanddothingsafterwards，’causethenyouwouldn’tdothem。ButMiltydidn’tmeantobedisrespeckful。

Hejustcouldn’tthinkofthenameofthething。MissRogersonsaidheavenwaswhereGodwasandIwasn’ttoaskquestionslikethat。

Miltynudgedmeandsaidinawhisper，`Heaven’sinUncleSimon’sgarretandI’llesplainaboutitontheroadhome。’Sowhenwewascominghomeheesplained。Milty’sagreathandatesplainingthings。Evenifhedon’tknowanythingaboutathinghe’llmakeupalotofstuffandsoyougetitesplainedallthesame。HismotherisMrs。Simon’ssisterandhewentwithhertothefuneralwhenhiscousin，JaneEllen，died。Theministersaidshe’dgonetoheaven，thoughMiltysaysshewaslyingrightbeforetheminthecoffin。Buthes’posedtheycarriedthecoffintothegarretafterwards。Well，whenMiltyandhismotherwentupstairsafteritwasallovertogetherbonnetheaskedherwhereheavenwasthatJaneEllenhadgoneto，andshepointedrighttotheceilingandsaid，`Upthere。’Miltyknewtherewasn’tanythingbutthegarretovertheceiling，sothat’showHEfoundout。Andhe’sbeenawfulscaredtogotohisUncleSimon’seversince。"

AnnetookDavyonherkneeanddidherbesttostraightenoutthistheologicaltanglealso。ShewasmuchbetterfittedforthetaskthanMarilla，forsherememberedherownchildhoodandhadaninstinctiveunderstandingofthecuriousideasthatseven-year-oldssometimesgetaboutmattersthatare，ofcourse，veryplainandsimpletogrownuppeople。ShehadjustsucceededinconvincingDavythatheavenwasNOTinSimonFletcher’sgarretwhenMarillacameinfromthegarden，wheresheandDorahadbeenpickingpeas。

Dorawasanindustriouslittlesoulandneverhappierthanwhen"helping"invarioussmalltaskssuitedtoherchubbyfingers。Shefedchickens，pickedupchips，wipeddishes，andranerrandsgalore。

Shewasneat，faithfulandobservant；sheneverhadtobetoldhowtodoathingtwiceandneverforgotanyofherlittleduties。

Davy，ontheotherhand，wasratherheedlessandforgetful；buthehadthebornknackofwinninglove，andevenyetAnneandMarillalikedhimthebetter。

WhileDoraproudlyshelledthepeasandDavymadeboatsofthepods，withmastsofmatchesandsailsofpaper，AnnetoldMarillaaboutthewonderfulcontentsofherletter。

"Oh，Marilla，whatdoyouthink？I’vehadaletterfromPriscillaandshesaysthatMrs。MorganisontheIsland，andthatifitisfineThursdaytheyaregoingtodriveuptoAvonleaandwillreachhereabouttwelve。TheywillspendtheafternoonwithusandgotothehotelatWhiteSandsintheevening，becausesomeofMrs。Morgan’sAmericanfriendsarestayingthere。Oh，Marilla，isn’titwonderful？

IcanhardlybelieveI’mnotdreaming。"

"IdaresayMrs。Morganisalotlikeotherpeople，"saidMarilladrily，althoughshedidfeelatrifleexcitedherself。Mrs。Morganwasafamouswomanandavisitfromherwasnocommonplaceoccurrence。

"They’llbeheretodinner，then？"

"Yes；andoh，Marilla，mayIcookeverybitofthedinnermyself？

IwanttofeelthatIcandosomethingfortheauthorof`TheRosebudGarden，’ifitisonlytocookadinnerforher。

Youwon’tmind，willyou？"

"Goodness，I’mnotsofondofstewingoverahotfireinJulythatitwouldvexmeverymuchtohavesomeoneelsedoit。You’requitewelcometothejob。"

"Oh，thankyou，"saidAnne，asifMarillahadjustconferredatremendousfavor，"I’llmakeoutthemenuthisverynight。"

"You’dbetternottrytoputontoomuchstyle，"warnedMarilla，alittlealarmedbythehigh-flownsoundof"menu。"You’lllikelycometogriefifyoudo。"

"Oh，I’mnotgoingtoputonany`style，’ifyoumeantryingtodoorhavethingswedon’tusuallyhaveonfestaloccasions，"assuredAnne。

"Thatwouldbeaffectation，and，althoughIknowIhaven’tasmuchsenseandsteadinessasagirlofseventeenandaschoolteacheroughttohave，I’mnotsosillyASthat。ButIwanttohaveeverythingasniceanddaintyaspossible。Davy-boy，don’tleavethosepeapodsonthebackstairs……someonemightsliponthem。

I’llhavealightsouptobeginwith……youknowIcanmakelovelycream-of-onionsoup……andthenacoupleofroastfowls。

I’llhavethetwowhiteroosters。Ihaverealaffectionforthoseroostersandthey’vebeenpetseversincethegrayhenhatchedoutjustthetwoofthem……littleballsofyellowdown。

ButIknowtheywouldhavetobesacrificedsometime，andsurelytherecouldn’tbeaworthieroccasionthanthis。Butoh，Marilla，_I_cannotkillthem……notevenforMrs。Morgan’ssake。I’llhavetoaskJohnHenryCartertocomeoveranddoitforme。"

"I’lldoit，"volunteeredDavy，"ifMarilla’llholdthembythelegs"

causeIguessit’dtakebothmyhandstomanagetheaxe。It’sawfuljollyfuntoseethemhoppingaboutaftertheirheadsarecutoff。"

"ThenI’llhavepeasandbeansandcreamedpotatoesandalettucesalad，forvegetables，"resumedAnne，"andfordessert，lemonpiewithwhippedcream，andcoffeeandcheeseandladyfingers。

I’llmakethepiesandladyfingerstomorrowanddoupmywhitemuslindress。AndImusttellDianatonight，forshe’llwanttodouphers。

Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesarenearlyalwaysdressedinwhitemuslin，andDianaandIhavealwaysresolvedthatthatwaswhatwewouldwearifweevermether。Itwillbesuchadelicatecompliment，don’tyouthink？Davy，dear，youmustn’tpokepeapodsintothecracksofthefloor。ImustaskMr。andMrs。AllanandMissStacytodinner，too，forthey’reallveryanxioustomeetMrs。Morgan。It’ssofortunateshe’scomingwhileMissStacyishere。

Davydear，don’tsailthepeapodsinthewaterbucket……goouttothetrough。Oh，IdohopeitwillbefineThursday，andIthinkitwill，forUncleAbesaidlastnightwhenhecalledatMr。Harrison’s，thatitwasgoingtorainmostofthisweek。"

"That’sagoodsign，"agreedMarilla。

AnneranacrosstoOrchardSlopethateveningtotellthenewstoDiana，whowasalsoverymuchexcitedoverit，andtheydiscussedthematterinthehammockswungunderthebigwillowintheBarrygarden。

"Oh，Anne，mayn’tIhelpyoucookthedinner？"imploredDiana。

"YouknowIcanmakesplendidlettucesalad。"

"Indeedyou，may"saidAnneunselfishly。"AndIshallwantyoutohelpmedecoratetoo。ImeantohavetheparlorsimplyaBOWERofblossoms……andthediningtableistobeadornedwithwildroses。

Oh，Idohopeeverythingwillgosmoothly。Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesNEVERgetintoscrapesoraretakenatadisadvantage，andtheyarealwayssoselfpossessedandsuchgoodhousekeepers。TheyseemtobeBORNgoodhousekeepers。YourememberthatGertrudein`EdgewoodDays’kepthouseforherfatherwhenshewasonlyeightyearsold。WhenIwaseightyearsoldIhardlyknewhowtodoathingexceptbringupchildren。Mrs。Morganmustbeanauthorityongirlswhenshehaswrittensomuchaboutthem，andIdowanthertohaveagoodopinionofus。I’veimagineditalloutadozendifferentways……whatshe’lllooklike，andwhatshe’llsay，andwhatI’llsay。AndI’msoanxiousaboutmynose。Therearesevenfrecklesonit，asyoucansee。TheycameattheA。V。IS。picnic，whenIwentaroundinthesunwithoutmyhat。Isupposeit’sungratefulofmetoworryoverthem，whenIshouldbethankfulthey’renotspreadallovermyfaceastheyoncewere；butIdowishtheyhadn’tcome……allMrs。Morgan’sheroineshavesuchperfectcomplexions。Ican’trecallafreckledoneamongthem。"

"Yoursarenotverynoticeable，"comfortedDiana。"Tryalittlelemonjuiceonthemtonight。"

ThenextdayAnnemadeherpiesandladyfingers，diduphermuslindress，andsweptanddustedeveryroominthehouse……aquiteunnecessaryproceeding，forGreenGableswas，asusual，intheapplepieorderdeartoMarilla’sheart。ButAnnefeltthatafleckofdustwouldbeadesecrationinahousethatwastobehonoredbyavisitfromCharlotteE。Morgan。Sheevencleanedoutthe"catch-all"closetunderthestairs，althoughtherewasnottheremotestpossibilityofMrs。Morgan’sseeingitsinterior。

"ButIwanttoFEELthatitisinperfectorder，evenifsheisn’ttoseeit，"AnnetoldMarilla。"Youknow，inherbook`GoldenKeys，’

shemakeshertwoheroinesAliceandLouisatakefortheirmottothatverseofLongfellow’s，"`IntheelderdaysofartBuilderswroughtwithgreatestcareEachminuteandunseenpart，Forthegodsseeeverywhere，’

andsotheyalwayskepttheircellarstairsscrubbedandneverforgottosweepunderthebeds。IshouldhaveaguiltyconscienceifIthoughtthisclosetwasindisorderwhenMrs。Morganwasinthehouse。Eversinceweread`GoldenKeys，’lastApril，DianaandIhavetakenthatverseforourmottotoo。"

ThatnightJohnHenryCarterandDavybetweenthemcontrivedtoexecutethetwowhiteroosters，andAnnedressedthem，theusuallydistastefultaskglorifiedinhereyesbythedestinationoftheplumpbirds。

"Idon’tlikepickingfowls，"shetoldMarilla，"butisn’titfortunatewedon’thavetoputoursoulsintowhatourhandsmaybedoing？

I’vebeenpickingchickenswithmyhandsbutinimaginationI’vebeenroamingtheMilkyWay。"

"Ithoughtyou’dscatteredmorefeathersoverthefloorthanusual，"

remarkedMarilla。

ThenAnneputDavytobedandmadehimpromisethathewouldbehaveperfectlythenextday。

"IfI’masgoodasgoodcanbealldaytomorrowwillyouletmebejustasbadasIlikeallthenextday？"askedDavy。

"Icouldn’tdothat，"saidAnnediscreetly，"butI’lltakeyouandDoraforarowintheflatrighttothebottomofthepond，andwe’llgoashoreonthesandhillsandhaveapicnic。"

"It’sabargain，"saidDavy。"I’llbegood，youbet。ImeanttogoovertoMr。Harrison’sandfirepeasfrommynewpopgunatGingerbutanotherday’lldoaswell。IespectitwillbejustlikeSunday，butapicnicattheshore’llmakeupforTHAT。"

XVII

AChapterofAccidentsAnnewokethreetimesinthenightandmadepilgrimagestoherwindowtomakesurethatUncleAbe’spredictionwasnotcomingtrue。

Finallythemorningdawnedpearlyandlustrousinaskyfullofsilversheenandradiance，andthewonderfuldayhadarrived。

Dianaappearedsoonafterbreakfast，withabasketofflowersoveronearmandHERmuslindressovertheother……foritwouldnotdotodonituntilallthedinnerpreparationswerecompleted。

Meanwhilesheworeherafternoonpinkprintandalawnapronfearfullyandwonderfullyruffledandfrilled；andveryneatandprettyandrosyshewas。

"Youlooksimplysweet，"saidAnneadmiringly。

Dianasighed。

"ButI’vehadtoletouteveryoneofmydressesAGAIN。IweighfourpoundsmorethanIdidinJuly。Anne，WHEREwillthisend？

Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesarealltallandslender。"

"Well，let’sforgetourtroublesandthinkofourmercies，"saidAnnegaily。"Mrs。Allansaysthatwheneverwethinkofanythingthatisatrialtousweshouldalsothinkofsomethingnicethatwecansetoveragainstit。Ifyouareslightlytooplumpyou’vegotthedearestdimples；andifIhaveafrecklednosetheSHAPEofitisallright。Doyouthinkthelemonjuicedidanygood？"

"Yes，Ireallythinkitdid，"saidDianacritically；and，muchelated，Anneledthewaytothegarden，whichwasfullofairyshadowsandwaveringgoldenlights。

"We’lldecoratetheparlorfirst。Wehaveplentyoftime，forPriscillasaidthey’dbehereabouttwelveorhalfpastatthelatest，sowe’llhavedinneratone。"

TheremayhavebeentwohappierandmoreexcitedgirlssomewhereinCanadaortheUnitedStatesatthatmoment，butIdoubtit。

Everysnipofthescissors，asroseandpeonyandbluebellfell，seemedtochirp，"Mrs。Morganiscomingtoday。"AnnewonderedhowMr。HarrisonCOULDgoonplacidlymowinghayinthefieldacrossthelane，justasifnothingweregoingtohappen。

TheparloratGreenGableswasarathersevereandgloomyapartment，withrigidhorsehairfurniture，stifflacecurtains，andwhiteantimacassarsthatwerealwayslaidataperfectlycorrectangle，exceptatsuchtimesastheyclungtounfortunatepeople’sbuttons。

EvenAnnehadneverbeenabletoinfusemuchgraceintoit，forMarillawouldnotpermitanyalterations。Butitiswonderfulwhatflowerscanaccomplishifyougivethemafairchance；

whenAnneandDianafinishedwiththeroomyouwouldnothaverecognizedit。

Agreatbluebowlfulofsnowballsoverflowedonthepolishedtable。

Theshiningblackmantelpiecewasheapedwithrosesandferns。

Everyshelfofthewhat-notheldasheafofbluebells；thedarkcornersoneithersideofthegratewerelightedupwithjarsfullofglowingcrimsonpeonies，andthegrateitselfwasaflamewithyellowpoppies。Allthissplendorandcolor，mingledwiththesunshinefallingthroughthehoneysucklevinesatthewindowsinaleafyriotofdancingshadowsoverwallsandfloor，madeoftheusuallydismallittleroomtheveritable"bower"ofAnne’simagination，andevenextortedatributeofadmirationfromMarilla，whocameintocriticizeandremainedtopraise。

"Now，wemustsetthetable，"saidAnne，inthetoneofapriestessabouttoperformsomesacredriteinhonorofadivinity。"We’llhaveabigvasefulofwildrosesinthecenterandonesingleroseinfrontofeverybody’splate——andaspecialbouquetofrosebudsonlybyMrs。Morgan’s——anallusionto`TheRosebudGarden’youknow。"

Thetablewassetinthesittingroom，withMarilla’sfinestlinenandthebestchina，glass，andsilver。Youmaybeperfectlycertainthateveryarticleplacedonitwaspolishedorscouredtothehighestpossibleperfectionofglossandglitter。

Thenthegirlstrippedouttothekitchen，whichwasfilledwithappetizingodorsemanatingfromtheoven，wherethechickenswerealreadysizzlingsplendidly。AnnepreparedthepotatoesandDianagotthepeasandbeansready。Then，whileDianashutherselfintothepantrytocompoundthelettucesalad，Anne，whosecheekswerealreadybeginningtoglowcrimson，asmuchwithexcitementasfromtheheatofthefire，preparedthebreadsauceforthechickens，mincedheronionsforthesoup，andfinallywhippedthecreamforherlemonpies。

AndwhataboutDavyallthistime？Washeredeeminghispromisetobegood？Hewas，indeed。Tobesure，heinsistedonremaininginthekitchen，forhiscuriositywantedtoseeallthatwenton。Butashesatquietlyinacorner，busilyengagedinuntyingtheknotsinapieceofherringnethehadbroughthomefromhislasttriptotheshore，nobodyobjectedtothis。

Athalfpasteleventhelettucesaladwasmade，thegoldencirclesofthepieswereheapedwithwhippedcream，andeverythingwassizzlingandbubblingthatoughttosizzleandbubble。

"We’dbettergoanddressnow，"saidAnne，"fortheymaybeherebytwelve。

Wemusthavedinneratsharpone，forthesoupmustbeservedassoonasit’sdone。"

Seriousindeedwerethetoiletritespresentlyperformedintheeastgable。Annepeeredanxiouslyathernoseandrejoicedtoseethatitsfreckleswerenotatallprominent，thankseithertothelemonjuiceortotheunusualflushonhercheeks。Whentheywerereadytheylookedquiteassweetandtrimandgirlishaseverdidanyof"Mrs。Morgan’sheroines。"

"IdohopeI’llbeabletosaysomethingonceinawhile，andnotsitlikeamute，"saidDianaanxiously。"AllMrs。Morgan’sheroinesconversesobeautifully。ButI’mafraidI’llbetongue-tiedandstupid。AndI’llbesuretosay`Iseen。’

Ihaven’toftensaiditsinceMissStacytaughthere；butinmomentsofexcitementit’ssuretopopout。Anne，ifIweretosay`Iseen’beforeMrs。MorganI’ddieofmortification。

Anditwouldbealmostasbadtohavenothingtosay。"

"I’mnervousaboutagoodmanythings，"saidAnne，"butI

don’tthinkthereismuchfearthatIwon’tbeabletotalk"

And，todoherjustice，therewasn’t。

Anneshroudedhermuslingloriesinabigapronandwentdowntoconcocthersoup。Marillahaddressedherselfandthetwins，andlookedmoreexcitedthanshehadeverbeenknowntolookbefore。

AthalfpasttwelvetheAllansandMissStacycame。EverythingwasgoingwellbutAnnewasbeginningtofeelnervous。ItwassurelytimeforPriscillaandMrs。Morgantoarrive。ShemadefrequenttripstothegateandlookedasanxiouslydownthelaneaseverhernamesakeintheBluebeardstorypeeredfromthetowercasement。

"Supposetheydon’tcomeatall？"shesaidpiteously。

"Don’tsupposeit。Itwouldbetoomean，"saidDiana，who，however，wasbeginningtohaveuncomfortablemisgivingsonthesubject。

"Anne，"saidMarilla，comingoutfromtheparlor，"MissStacywantstoseeMissBarry’swillowwareplatter。"

Annehastenedtothesittingroomclosettogettheplatter。Shehad，inaccordancewithherpromisetoMrs。Lynde，writtentoMissBarryofCharlottetown，askingfortheloanofit。MissBarrywasanoldfriendofAnne’s，andshepromplysenttheplatterout，withaletterexhortingAnnetobeverycarefulofit，forshehadpaidtwentydollarsforit。TheplatterhadserveditspurposeattheAidbazaarandhadthenbeenreturnedtotheGreenGablescloset，forAnnewouldnottrustanybodybutherselftotakeitbacktotown。

Shecarriedtheplattercarefullytothefrontdoorwhereherguestswereenjoyingthecoolbreezethatblewupfromthebrook。

Itwasexaminedandadmired；then，justasAnnehadtakenitbackintoherownhands，aterrificcrashandclattersoundedfromthekitchenpantry。Marilla，Diana，andAnnefledout，thelatterpausingonlylongenoughtosetthepreciousplatterhastilydownonthesecondstepofthestairs。

Whentheyreachedthepantryatrulyharrowingspectaclemettheireyes……aguiltylookingsmallboyscramblingdownfromthetable，withhiscleanprintblouseliberallyplasteredwithyellowfilling，andonthetabletheshatteredremnantsofwhathadbeentwobrave，becreamedlemonpies。

Davyhadfinishedravellingouthisherringnetandhadwoundthetwineintoaball。Thenhehadgoneintothepantrytoputitupontheshelfabovethetable，wherehealreadykeptascoreorsoofsimilarballs，which，sofarascouldbediscovered，servednousefulpurposesavetoyieldthejoyofpossession。Davyhadtoclimbonthetableandreachovertotheshelfatadangerousangle……somethinghehadbeenforbiddenbyMarillatodo，ashehadcometogriefoncebeforeintheexperiment。Theresultinthisinstancewasdisastrous。Davyslippedandcamesprawlingsquarelydownonthelemonpies。Hiscleanblousewasruinedforthattimeandthepiesforalltime。Itis，however，anillwindthatblowsnobodygood，andthepigwaseventuallythegainerbyDavy’smischance。

"DavyKeith，"saidMarilla，shakinghimbytheshoulder，"didn’tI

forbidyoutoclimbuponthattableagain？Didn’tI？"

"Iforgot，"whimperedDavy。"You’vetoldmenottodosuchanawfullotofthingsthatIcan’trememberthemall。"

"Well，youmarchupstairsandstaytheretillafterdinner。

Perhapsyou’llgetthemsortedoutinyourmemorybythattime。

No，Anne，neveryoumindintercedingforhim。I’mnotpunishinghimbecausehespoiledyourpies……thatwasanaccident。

I’mpunishinghimforhisdisobedience。Go，Davy，Isay。"

"Ain’tItohaveanydinner？"wailedDavy。

"Youcancomedownafterdinnerisoverandhaveyoursinthekitchen。"

"Oh，allright，"saidDavy，somewhatcomforted。"IknowAnne’llsavesomenicebonesforme，won’tyou，Anne？’CauseyouknowI

didn’tmeantofallonthepies。Say，Anne，sincetheyAREspoiledcan’tItakesomeofthepiecesupstairswithme？"

"No，nolemonpieforyou，MasterDavy，"saidMarilla，pushinghimtowardthehall。"

Whatshallwedofordessert？"askedAnne，lookingregretfullyatthewreckandruin。

"Getoutacrockofstrawberrypreserves，"saidMarillaconsolingly。

"There’splentyofwhippedcreamleftinthebowlforit。"

Oneo’clockcame……butnoPriscillaorMrs。Morgan。Annewasinanagony。Everythingwasdonetoaturnandthesoupwasjustwhatsoupshouldbe，butcouldn’tbedependedontoremainsoforanylengthoftime。

"Idon’tbelievethey’recomingafterall，"saidMarillacrossly。

AnneandDianasoughtcomfortineachother’seyes。

AthalfpastoneMarillaagainemergedfromtheparlor。

"Girls，weMUSThavedinner。Everybodyishungryandit’snousewaitinganylonger。PriscillaandMrs。Morganarenotcoming，that’splain，andnothingisbeingimprovedbywaiting。"

AnneandDianasetaboutliftingthedinner，withallthezestgoneoutoftheperformance。

"Idon’tbelieveI’llbeabletoeatamouthful，"saidDianadolefully。

"NorI。ButIhopeeverythingwillbeniceforMissStacy’sandMr。andMrs。Allan’ssakes，"saidAnnelistlessly。

WhenDianadishedthepeasshetastedthemandaverypeculiarexpressioncrossedherface。

"Anne，didYOUputsugarinthesepeas？"

"Yes，"saidAnne，mashingthepotatoeswiththeairofoneexpectedtodoherduty。"Iputaspoonfulofsugarin。Wealwaysdo。

Don’tyoulikeit？"

"But_I_putaspoonfulintoo，whenIsetthemonthestove，"saidDiana。

Annedroppedhermasherandtastedthepeasalso。Thenshemadeagrimace。

"Howawful！Ineverdreamedyouhadputsugarin，becauseIknewyourmotherneverdoes。Ihappenedtothinkofit，forawonder……

I’malwaysforgettingit……soIpoppedaspoonfulin。"

"It’sacaseoftoomanycooks，Iguess，"saidMarilla，whohadlistenedtothisdialoguewitharatherguiltyexpression。

"Ididn’tthinkyou’drememberaboutthesugar，Anne，forI’mperfectlycertainyouneverdidbefore……so_I_putinaspoonful。"

Theguestsintheparlorheardpealafterpealoflaughterfromthekitchen，buttheyneverknewwhatthefunwasabout。Therewerenogreenpeasonthedinnertablethatday，however。

"Well，"saidAnne，soberingdownagainwithasighofrecollection，"wehavethesaladanyhowandIdon’tthinkanythinghashappenedtothebeans。Let’scarrythethingsinandgetitover。"

Itcannotbesaidthatthatdinnerwasanotablesuccesssocially。

TheAllansandMissStacyexertedthemselvestosavethesituationandMarilla’scustomaryplaciditywasnotnoticeablyruffled。

ButAnneandDiana，betweentheirdisappointmentandthereactionfromtheirexcitementoftheforenoon，couldneithertalknoreat。

Annetriedheroicallytobearherpartintheconversationforthesakeofherguests；butallthesparklehadbeenquenchedinherforthetimebeing，and，inspiteofherlovefortheAllansandMissStacy，shecouldn’thelpthinkinghowniceitwouldbewheneverybodyhadgonehomeandshecouldburyherwearinessanddisappointmentinthepillowsoftheeastgable。

Thereisanoldproverbthatreallyseemsattimestobeinspired……"itneverrainsbutitpours。"Themeasureofthatday’stribulationswasnotyetfull。JustasMr。Allanhadfinishedreturningthankstherearoseastrange，ominoussoundonthestairs，asofsomehard，heavyobjectboundingfromsteptostep，finishingupwithagrandsmashatthebottom。Everybodyranoutintothehall。Annegaveashriekofdismay。

AtthebottomofthestairslayabigpinkconchshellamidthefragmentsofwhathadbeenMissBarry’splatter；andatthetopofthestairskneltaterrifiedDavy，gazingdownwithwide-openeyesatthehavoc。

"Davy，"saidMarillaominously，"didyouthrowthatconchdownONPURPOSE？"

"No，Ineverdid，"whimperedDavy。"Iwasjustkneelinghere，quietasquiet，towatchyoufolksthroughthebannisters，andmyfootstruckthatoldthingandpusheditoff……andI’mawfulhungry……andIdowishyou’dlickafellowandhavedonewithit，insteadofalwayssendinghimupstairstomissallthefun。"

"Don’tblameDavy，"saidAnne，gatheringupthefragmentswithtremblingfingers。"Itwasmyfault。Isetthatplatterthereandforgotallaboutit。Iamproperlypunishedformycarelessness；

butoh，whatwillMissBarrysay？"

"Well，youknowsheonlyboughtit，soitisn’tthesameasifitwasanheirloom，"saidDiana，tryingtoconsole。

Theguestswentawaysoonafter，feelingthatitwasthemosttactfulthingtodo，andAnneandDianawashedthedishes，talkinglessthantheyhadeverbeenknowntodobefore。ThenDianawenthomewithaheadacheandAnnewentwithanothertotheeastgable，whereshestayeduntilMarillacamehomefromthepostofficeatsunset，withaletterfromPriscilla，writtenthedaybefore。Mrs。Morganhadsprainedheranklesoseverelythatshecouldnotleaveherroom。

"Andoh，Annedear，"wrotePriscilla，"I’msosorry，butI’mafraidwewon’tgetuptoGreenGablesatallnow，forbythetimeAunty’sankleiswellshewillhavetogobacktoToronto。Shehastobetherebyacertaindate。"

"Well，"sighedAnne，layingtheletterdownontheredsandstonestepofthebackporch，whereshewassitting，whilethetwilightraineddownoutofadappledsky，"IalwaysthoughtitwastoogoodtobetruethatMrs。Morganshouldreallycome。Butthere……thatspeechsoundsaspessimisticasMissElizaAndrewsandI’mashamedofmakingit。Afterall，itwasNOTtoogoodtobetrue……thingsjustasgoodandfarbetterarecomingtrueformeallthetime。

AndIsupposetheeventsoftodayhaveafunnysidetoo。

PerhapswhenDianaandIareoldandgrayweshallbeabletolaughoverthem。ButIfeelthatIcan’texpecttodoitbeforethen，forithastrulybeenabitterdisappointment。"

"You’llprobablyhaveagoodmanymoreandworsedisappointmentsthanthatbeforeyougetthroughlife，"saidMarilla，whohonestlythoughtshewasmakingacomfortingspeech。"Itseemstome，Anne，thatyouarenevergoingtooutgrowyourfashionofsettingyourheartsoonthingsandthencrashingdownintodespairbecauseyoudon’tgetthem。"

"IknowI’mtoomuchinclinedthat，way"agreedAnneruefully。

"WhenIthinksomethingniceisgoingtohappenIseemtoflyrightuponthewingsofanticipation；andthenthefirstthingIrealizeIdropdowntoearthwithathud。Butreally，Marilla，theflyingpartISgloriousaslongasitlasts……it’slikesoaringthroughasunset。Ithinkitalmostpaysforthethud。"

"Well，maybeitdoes，"admittedMarilla。"I’dratherwalkcalmlyalonganddowithoutbothflyingandthud。Buteverybodyhasherownwayofliving……Iusedtothinktherewasonlyonerightway……butsinceI’vehadyouandthetwinstobringupIdon’tfeelsosureofit。WhatareyougoingtodoaboutMissBarry’splatter？"

"Payherbackthetwentydollarsshepaidforit，Isuppose。

I’msothankfulitwasn’tacherishedheirloombecausethennomoneycouldreplaceit。"

"Maybeyoucouldfindonelikeitsomewhereandbuyitforher。"

"I’mafraidnot。Plattersasoldasthatareveryscarce。Mrs。

Lyndecouldn’tfindoneanywhereforthesupper。IonlywishI

could，forofcourseMissBarrywouldjustassoonhaveoneplatterasanother，ifbothwereequallyoldandgenuine。Marilla，lookatthatbigstaroverMr。Harrison’smaplegrove，withallthatholyhushofsilveryskyaboutit。Itgivesmeafeelingthatislikeaprayer。Afterall，whenonecanseestarsandskieslikethat，littledisappointmentsandaccidentscan’tmattersomuch，canthey？"

"Where’sDavy？"saidMarilla，withanindifferentglanceatthestar。

"Inbed。I’vepromisedtotakehimandDoratotheshoreforapicnictomorrow。Ofcourse，theoriginalagreementwasthathemustbegood。ButheTRIEDtobegood……andIhadn’tthehearttodisappointhim。"

"You’lldrownyourselforthetwins，rowingaboutthepondinthatflat，"

grumbledMarilla。"I’velivedhereforsixtyyearsandI’veneverbeenonthepondyet。"

"Well，it’snevertoolatetomend，"saidAnneroguishly。

"Supposeyoucomewithustomorrow。We’llshutGreenGablesupandspendthewholedayattheshore，daffingtheworldaside。"

"No，thankyou，"saidMarilla，withindignantemphasis。"I’dbeanicesight，wouldn’tI，rowingdownthepondinaflat？IthinkI

hearRachelpronouncingonit。There’sMr。Harrisondrivingawaysomewhere。DoyousupposethereisanytruthinthegossipthatMr。HarrisonisgoingtoseeIsabellaAndrews？"

"No，I’msurethereisn’t。HejustcalledthereoneeveningonbusinesswithMr。HarmonAndrewsandMrs。Lyndesawhimandsaidsheknewhewascourtingbecausehehadawhitecollaron。

Idon’tbelieveMr。Harrisonwillevermarry。Heseemstohaveaprejudiceagainstmarriage。"

"Well，youcannevertellaboutthoseoldbachelors。AndifhehadawhitecollaronI’dagreewithRachelthatitlookssuspicious，forI’msureheneverwasseenwithonebefore。"

"IthinkheonlyputitonbecausehewantedtoconcludeabusinessdealwithHarmonAndrews，"saidAnne。"I’veheardhimsaythat’stheonlytimeamanneedstobeparticularabouthisappearance，becauseifhelooksprosperousthepartyofthesecondpartwon’tbesolikelytotrytocheathim。IreallyfeelsorryforMr。

Harrison；Idon’tbelievehefeelssatisfiedwithhislife。Itmustbeverylonelytohavenoonetocareaboutexceptaparrot，don’tyouthink？ButInoticeMr。Harrisondoesn’tliketobepitied。Nobodydoes，Iimagine。"

"There’sGilbertcomingupthelane，"saidMarilla。"Ifhewantsyoutogoforarowonthepondmindyouputonyourcoatandrubbers。There’saheavydewtonight。"

XVIII

AnAdventureontheToryRoad"Anne，"saidDavy，sittingupinbedandproppinghischinonhishands，"Anne，whereissleep？Peoplegotosleepeverynight，andofcourseIknowit’stheplacewhereIdothethingsIdream，butIwanttoknowWHEREitisandhowIgetthereandbackwithoutknowinganythingaboutit……andinmynightytoo。Whereisit？"

Annewaskneelingatthewestgablewindowwatchingthesunsetskythatwaslikeagreatflowerwithpetalsofcrocusandaheartoffieryyellow。

SheturnedherheadatDavy’squestionandanswereddreamily，"`Overthemountainsofthemoon，Downthevalleyoftheshadow。’"

PaulIrvingwouldhaveknownthemeaningofthis，ormadeameaningoutofitforhimself，ifhedidn’t；butpracticalDavy，who，asAnneoftendespairinglyremarked，hadn’taparticleofimagination，wasonlypuzzledanddisgusted。

"Anne，Ibelieveyou’rejusttalkingnonsense。"

"Ofcourse，Iwas，dearboy。Don’tyouknowthatitisonlyveryfoolishfolkwhotalksenseallthetime？"

"Well，IthinkyoumightgiveasensibleanswerwhenIaskasensiblequestion，"saidDavyinaninjuredtone。

"Oh，youaretoolittletounderstand，"saidAnne。Butshefeltratherashamedofsayingit；forhadshenot，inkeenremembranceofmanysimilarsnubsadministeredinherownearlyyears，solemnlyvowedthatshewouldnevertellanychilditwastoolittletounderstand？

Yethereshewasdoingit……sowidesometimesisthegulfbetweentheoryandpractice。

"Well，I’mdoingmybesttogrow，"saidDavy，"butit’sathingyoucan’thurrymuch。IfMarillawasn’tsostingywithherjamIbelieveI’dgrowalotfaster。"

"Marillaisnotstingy，Davy，"saidAnneseverely。"Itisveryungratefulofyoutosaysuchathing。"

"There’sanotherwordthatmeansthesamethingandsoundsalotbetter，butIdon’tjustrememberit，"saidDavy，frowningintently。

"IheardMarillasayshewasit，herself，theotherday。"

"IfyoumeanECONOMICAL，it’saVERYdifferentthingfrombeingstingy。

Itisanexcellenttraitinapersonifsheiseconomical。

IfMarillahadbeenstingyshewouldn’thavetakenyouandDorawhenyourmotherdied。WouldyouhavelikedtolivewithMrs。Wiggins？"

"YoujustbetIwouldn’t！"Davywasemphaticonthatpoint。"NorI

don’twanttogoouttoUncleRichardneither。I’dfarratherlivehere，evenifMarillaisthatlong-tailedwordwhenitcomestojam，’causeYOU’REhere，Anne。Say，Anne，won’tyoutellmeastory’foreIgotosleep？Idon’twantafairystory。They’reallrightforgirls，Is’pose，butIwantsomethingexciting……lotsofkillingandshootinginit，andahouseonfire，andin’trustingthingslikethat。"

FortunatelyforAnne，Marillacalledoutatthismomentfromherroom。

"Anne，Diana’ssignalingatagreatrate。You’dbetterseewhatshewants。"

AnnerantotheeastgableandsawflashesoflightcomingthroughthetwilightfromDiana’swindowingroupsoffive，whichmeant，accordingtotheiroldchildishcode，"ComeoveratonceforIhavesomethingimportanttoreveal。"AnnethrewherwhiteshawloverherheadandhastenedthroughtheHauntedWoodandacrossMr。Bell’spasturecornertoOrchardSlope。