第9章

Oh，Anne，Anne，Ididn’tmeantosaythat……itjustslippedoutbeforeIthought。HemadeaSPLENDIDsplash。Buthelookedsofunnywhenhecrawledout，allwetandmuddy。Thegirlslaughedmore’never，butGraciedidn’tlaugh。Shelookedsorry。Gracie’sanicegirlbutshe’sgotasnubnose。WhenIgetbigenoughtohaveagirlIwon’thaveonewithasnubnose……I’llpickonewithaprettynoselikeyours，Anne。"

"Aboywhomakessuchamessofsyrupalloverhisfacewhenheiseatinghispuddingwillnevergetagirltolookathim，"saidMarillaseverely。

"ButI’llwashmyfacebeforeIgocourting，"protestedDavy，tryingtoimprovemattersbyrubbingthebackofhishandoverthesmears。"AndI’llwashbehindmyearstoo，withoutbeingtold。

Irememberedtothismorning，Marilla。Idon’tforgethalfasoftenasIdid。But……"andDavysighed……"there’ssomanycornersaboutafellowthatit’sawfulhardtorememberthemall。Well，ifIcan’tgotoMissLavendar’sI’llgooverandseeMrs。Harrison。

Mrs。Harrison’sanawfulnicewoman，Itellyou。Shekeepsajarofcookiesinherpantrya-purposeforlittleboys，andshealwaysgivesmethescrapingsoutofapanshe’smixedupaplumcakein。

Agoodmanyplumssticktothesides，yousee。Mr。Harrisonwasalwaysaniceman，buthe’stwiceasnicesincehegotmarriedoveragain。Iguessgettingmarriedmakesfolksnicer。Whydon’tYOU

getmarried，Marilla？Iwanttoknow。"

Marilla’sstateofsingleblessednesshadneverbeenasorepointwithher，sosheansweredamiably，withanexchangeofsignificantlookswithAnne，thatshesupposeditwasbecausenobodywouldhaveher。

"Butmaybeyouneveraskedanybodytohaveyou，"protestedDavy。

"Oh，Davy，"saidDoraprimly，shockedintospeakingwithoutbeingspokento，"it’stheMENthathavetodotheasking。"

"Idon’tknowwhytheyhavetodoitALWAYS，"grumbledDavy。

"Seemstomeeverything’sputonthemeninthisworld。

CanIhavesomemorepudding，Marilla？"

"You’vehadasmuchaswasgoodforyou，"saidMarilla；butshegavehimamoderatesecondhelping。

"Iwishpeoplecouldliveonpudding。Whycan’tthey，Marilla？

Iwanttoknow。"

"Becausethey’dsoongettiredofit。"

"I’dliketotrythatformyself，"saidskepticalDavy。"ButI

guessit’sbettertohavepuddingonlyonfishandcompanydaysthannoneatall。TheyneverhaveanyatMiltyBoulter’s。

Miltysayswhencompanycomeshismothergivesthemcheeseandcutsitherself……onelittlebitapieceandoneoverformanners。"

"IfMiltyBoultertalkslikethatabouthismotheratleastyouneedn’trepeatit，"saidMarillaseverely。

"Blessmysoul，"……DavyhadpickedthisexpressionupfromMr。Harrisonanduseditwithgreatgusto……"Miltymeantitasacompelment。He’sawfulproudofhismother，causefolkssayshecouldscratchalivingonarock。"

"I……Isupposethempeskyhensareinmypansybedagain，"

saidMarilla，risingandgoingouthurriedly。

TheslanderedhenswerenowherenearthepansybedandMarilladidnotevenglanceatit。Instead，shesatdownonthecellarhatchandlaugheduntilshewasashamedofherself。

WhenAnneandPaulreachedthestonehousethatafternoontheyfoundMissLavendarandCharlottatheFourthinthegarden，weeding，raking，clipping，andtrimmingasiffordearlife。

MissLavendarherself，allgayandsweetinthefrillsandlacessheloved，droppedhershearsandranjoyouslytomeetherguests，whileCharlottatheFourthgrinnedcheerfully。

"Welcome，Anne。Ithoughtyou’dcometoday。Youbelongtotheafternoonsoitbroughtyou。Thingsthatbelongtogetheraresuretocometogether。Whatalotoftroublethatwouldsavesomepeopleiftheyonlyknewit。Buttheydon’t……andsotheywastebeautifulenergymovingheavenandearthtobringthingstogetherthatDON’Tbelong。Andyou，Paul……why，you’vegrown！You’rehalfaheadtallerthanwhenyouwereherebefore。"

"Yes，I’vebeguntogrowlikepigweedinthenight，asMrs。Lyndesays，"

saidPaul，infrankdelightoverthefact。"Grandmasaysit’stheporridgetakingeffectatlast。Perhapsitis。Goodnessknows……"

Paulsigheddeeply……"I’veeatenenoughtomakeanyonegrow。

Idohope，nowthatI’vebegun，I’llkeepontillI’mastallasfather。

Heissixfeet，youknow，MissLavendar。"

Yes，MissLavendardidknow；theflushonherprettycheeksdeepenedalittle；shetookPaul’shandononesideandAnne’sontheotherandwalkedtothehouseinsilence。

"Isitagooddayfortheechoes，MissLavendar？"queriedPaulanxiously。

ThedayofhisfirstvisithadbeentoowindyforechoesandPaulhadbeenmuchdisappointed。

"Yes，justthebestkindofaday，"answeredMissLavendar，rousingherselffromherreverie。"Butfirstweareallgoingtohavesomethingtoeat。Iknowyoutwofolksdidn’twalkallthewaybackherethroughthosebeechwoodswithoutgettinghungry，andCharlottatheFourthandIcaneatanyhouroftheday……wehavesuchobligingappetites。Sowe’lljustmakearaidonthepantry。

Fortunatelyit’slovelyandfull。IhadapresentimentthatIwasgoingtohavecompanytodayandCharlottatheFourthandIprepared。"

"Ithinkyouareoneofthepeoplewhoalwayshavenicethingsintheirpantry，"declaredPaul。"Grandma’slikethattoo。Butshedoesn’tapproveofsnacksbetweenmeals。Iwonder，"headdedmeditatively，"ifIOUGHTtoeatthemawayfromhomewhenIknowshedoesn’tapprove。"

"Oh，Idon’tthinkshewoulddisapproveafteryouhavehadalongwalk。Thatmakesadifference，"saidMissLavendar，exchangingamusedglanceswithAnneoverPaul’sbrowncurls。

"IsupposethatsnacksAREextremelyunwholesome。ThatiswhywehavethemsooftenatEchoLodge。We……CharlottatheFourthandI……liveindefianceofeveryknownlawofdiet。Weeatallsortsofindigestiblethingswheneverwehappentothinkofit，bydayornight；andweflourishlikegreenbaytrees。Wearealwaysintendingtoreform。Whenwereadanyarticleinapaperwarningusagainstsomethingwelikewecutitoutandpinituponthekitchenwallsothatwe’llrememberit。Butwenevercansomehow……untilafterwe’vegoneandeatenthatverything。Nothinghaseverkilledusyet；butCharlottatheFourthhasbeenknowntohavebaddreamsafterwehadeatendoughnutsandmincepieandfruitcakebeforewewenttobed。"

"GrandmaletsmehaveaglassofmilkandasliceofbreadandbutterbeforeIgotobed；andonSundaynightssheputsjamonthebread，"

saidPaul。"SoI’malwaysgladwhenit’sSundaynight……formorereasonsthanone。Sundayisaverylongdayontheshoreroad。

Grandmasaysit’salltooshortforherandthatfatherneverfoundSundaystiresomewhenhewasalittleboy。Itwouldn’tseemsolongifIcouldtalktomyrockpeoplebutIneverdothatbecauseGrandmadoesn’tapproveofitonSundays。Ithinkagooddeal；butI’mafraidmythoughtsareworldly。GrandmasaysweshouldneverthinkanythingbutreligiousthoughtsonSundays。Butteacherheresaidoncethateveryreallybeautifulthoughtwasreligious，nomatterwhatitwasabout，orwhatdaywethoughtiton。ButIfeelsureGrandmathinksthatsermonsandSundaySchoollessonsaretheonlythingsyoucanthinktrulyreligiousthoughtsabout。AndwhenitcomestoadifferenceofopinionbetweenGrandmaandteacherIdon’tknowwhattodo。Inmyheart"……

PaullaidhishandonhisbreastandraisedveryseriousblueeyestoMissLavendar’simmediatelysympatheticface……"Iagreewithteacher。

Butthen，yousee，GrandmahasbroughtfatherupHERwayandmadeabrilliantsuccessofhim；andteacherhasneverbroughtanybodyupyet，thoughshe’shelpingwithDavyandDora。Butyoucan’ttellhowthey’llturnouttilltheyAREgrownup。SosometimesIfeelasifitmightbesafertogobyGrandma’sopinions。"

"Ithinkitwould，"agreedAnnesolemnly。"Anyway，IdaresaythatifyourGrandmaandIbothgotdowntowhatwereallydomean，underourdifferentwaysofexpressingit，we’dfindoutwebothmeantmuchthesamething。You’dbettergobyherwayofexpressingit，sinceit’sbeentheresultofexperience。We’llhavetowaituntilweseehowthetwinsdoturnoutbeforewecanbesurethatmywayisequallygood。"

Afterlunchtheywentbacktothegarden，wherePaulmadetheacquaintanceoftheechoes，tohiswonderanddelight，whileAnneandMissLavendarsatonthestonebenchunderthepoplarandtalked。

"Soyouaregoingawayinthefall？"saidMissLavendarwistfully。

"Ioughttobegladforyoursake，Anne……butI’mhorribly，selfishlysorry。Ishallmissyousomuch。Oh，sometimes，Ithinkitisofnousetomakefriends。Theyonlygooutofyourlifeafterawhileandleaveahurtthatisworsethantheemptinessbeforetheycame。"

"ThatsoundslikesomethingMissElizaAndrewsmightsaybutneverMissLavendar，"saidAnne。"NOTHINGisworsethanemptiness……andI’mnotgoingoutofyourlife。Therearesuchthingsaslettersandvacations。Dearest，I’mafraidyou’relookingalittlepaleandtired。"

"Oh……hoo……hoo……hoo，"wentPaulonthedyke，wherehehadbeenmakingnoisesdiligently……notallofthemmelodiousinthemaking，butallcomingbacktransmutedintotheverygoldandsilverofsoundbythefairyalchemistsovertheriver。MissLavendarmadeanimpatientmovementwithherprettyhands。

"I’mjusttiredofeverything……evenoftheechoes。Thereisnothinginmylifebutechoes……echoesoflosthopesanddreamsandjoys。

They’rebeautifulandmocking。OhAnne，it’shorridofmetotalklikethiswhenIhavecompany。It’sjustthatI’mgettingoldanditdoesn’tagreewithme。IknowI’llbefearfullycrankybythetimeI’msixty。ButperhapsallIneedisacourseofbluepills。"

AtthismomentCharlottatheFourth，whohaddisappearedafterlunch，returned，andannouncedthatthenortheastcornerofMr。JohnKimball’spasturewasredwithearlystrawberries，andwouldn’tMissShirleyliketogoandpicksome。

"Earlystrawberriesfortea！"exclaimedMissLavendar。"Oh，I’mnotsooldasIthought……andIdon’tneedasinglebluepill！

Girls，whenyoucomebackwithyourstrawberrieswe’llhaveteaouthereunderthesilverpoplar。I’llhaveitallreadyforyouwithhome-growncream。"

AnneandCharlottatheFourthaccordinglybetookthemselvesbacktoMr。Kimball’spasture，agreenremoteplacewheretheairwasassoftasvelvetandfragrantasabedofvioletsandgoldenasamber。

"Oh，isn’titsweetandfreshbackhere？"breathedAnne。"IjustfeelasifIweredrinkinginthesunshine。"

"Yes，ma’am，sodoI。That’sjustexactlyhowIfeeltoo，ma’am，"

agreedCharlottatheFourth，whowouldhavesaidpreciselythesamethingifAnnehadremarkedthatshefeltlikeapelicanofthewilderness。AlwaysafterAnnehadvisitedEchoLodgeCharlottatheFourthmountedtoherlittleroomoverthekitchenandtriedbeforeherlookingglasstospeakandlookandmovelikeAnne。Charlottacouldneverflatterherselfthatshequitesucceeded；butpracticemakesperfect，asCharlottahadlearnedatschool，andshefondlyhopedthatintimeshemightcatchthetrickofthatdaintyupliftofchin，thatquick，starryoutflashingofeyes，thatfashionofwalkingasifyouwereaboughswayinginthewind。ItseemedsoeasywhenyouwatchedAnne。CharlottatheFourthadmiredAnnewholeheartedly。Itwasnotthatshethoughthersoveryhandsome。

DianaBarry’sbeautyofcrimsoncheekandblackcurlswasmuchmoretoCharlottatheFourth’stastethanAnne’smoonshinecharmofluminousgrayeyesandthepale，everchangingrosesofhercheeks。

"ButI’dratherlooklikeyouthanbepretty，"shetoldAnnesincerely。

Annelaughed，sippedthehoneyfromthetribute，andcastawaythesting。

Shewasusedtotakinghercomplimentsmixed。PublicopinionneveragreedonAnne’slooks。Peoplewhohadheardhercalledhandsomemetherandweredisappointed。Peoplewhohadheardhercalledplainsawherandwonderedwhereotherpeople’seyeswere。Anneherselfwouldneverbelievethatshehadanyclaimtobeauty。

Whenshelookedintheglassallshesawwasalittlepalefacewithsevenfrecklesonthenosethereof。Hermirrorneverrevealedtohertheelusive，ever-varyingplayoffeelingthatcameandwentoverherfeatureslikearosyilluminatingflame，orthecharmofdreamandlaughteralternatinginherbigeyes。

WhileAnnewasnotbeautifulinanystrictlydefinedsenseofthewordshepossessedacertainevasivecharmanddistinctionofappearancethatleftbeholderswithapleasurablesenseofsatisfactioninthatsoftlyroundedgirlhoodofhers，withallitsstronglyfeltpotentialities。ThosewhoknewAnnebestfelt，withoutrealizingthattheyfeltit，thathergreatestattractionwastheauraofpossibilitysurroundingher……thepoweroffuturedevelopmentthatwasinher。Sheseemedtowalkinanatmosphereofthingsabouttohappen。

Astheypicked，CharlottatheFourthconfidedtoAnneherfearsregardingMissLavendar。Thewarm-heartedlittlehandmaidenwashonestlyworriedoverheradoredmistress’condition。

"MissLavendarisn’twell，MissShirley，ma’am。I’msuresheisn’t，thoughshenevercomplains。Shehasn’tseemedlikeherselfthislongwhile，ma’am……notsincethatdayyouandPaulwereheretogetherbefore。Ifeelsureshecaughtcoldthatnight，ma’am。

Afteryouandhimhadgoneshewentoutandwalkedinthegardenforlongafterdarkwithnothingbutalittleshawlonher。

TherewasalotofsnowonthewalksandIfeelsureshegotachill，ma’am。EversincethenI’venoticedheractingtiredandlonesomelike。Shedon’tseemtotakeaninterestinanything，ma’am。

Sheneverpretendscompany’scoming，norfixesupforit，nornothing，ma’am。It’sonlywhenyoucomesheseemstochirkupabit。Andtheworstsignofall，MissShirley，ma’am……"CharlottatheFourthloweredhervoiceasifshewereabouttotellsomeexceedinglyweirdandawfulsymptomindeed……"isthatshenevergetscrossnowwhenIbreaksthings。Why，MissShirley，ma’am，yesterdayI

brukhergreenandyallerbowlthat’salwaysstoodonthebookcase。

HergrandmotherbroughtitoutfromEnglandandMissLavendarwasawfulchoiceofit。Iwasdustingitjustascareful，MissShirley，ma’am，anditslippedout，sofashion，aforeIcouldgrabholtofit，andbrukintoaboutfortymillyunpieces。ItellyouIwassorryandscared。IthoughtMissLavendarwouldscoldmeawful，ma’am；

andI’druthershehadthantakeitthewayshedid。Shejustcomeinandhardlylookedatitandsaid，`It’snomatter，Charlotta。

Takeupthepiecesandthrowthemaway。’Justlikethat，MissShirley，ma’am……`takeupthepiecesandthrowthemaway，’asifitwasn’thergrandmother’sbowlfromEngland。Oh，sheisn’twellandIfeelawfulbadaboutit。She’sgotnobodytolookafterherbutme。"

CharlottatheFourth’seyesbrimmedupwithtears。Annepattedthelittlebrownpawholdingthecrackedpinkcupsympathetically。

"IthinkMissLavendarneedsachange，Charlotta。Shestaysherealonetoomuch。Can’tweinducehertogoawayforalittletrip？"

Charlottashookherhead，withitsrampantbows，disconsolately。

"Idon’tthinkso，MissShirley，ma’am。MissLavendarhatesvisiting。

She’sonlygotthreerelationssheevervisitsandshesaysshejustgoestoseethemasafamilyduty。Lasttimewhenshecomehomeshesaidshewasn’tgoingtovisitforfamilydutynomore。

`I’vecomehomeinlovewithloneliness，Charlotta，’shesaystome，`andIneverwanttostrayfrommyownvineandfigtreeagain。

Myrelationstrysohardtomakeanoldladyofmeandithasabadeffectonme。’Justlikethat，MissShirley，ma’am。

’Ithasaverybadeffectonme。’SoIdon’tthinkitwoulddoanygoodtocoaxhertogovisiting。"

"Wemustseewhatcanbedone，"saidAnnedecidedly，assheputthelastpossibleberryinherpinkcup。"JustassoonasIhavemyvacationI’llcomethroughandspendawholeweekwithyou。

We’llhaveapicniceverydayandpretendallsortsofinterestingthings，andseeifwecan’tcheerMissLavendarup。"

"Thatwillbetheverything，MissShirley，ma’am，"exclaimedCharlottatheFourthinrapture。ShewasgladforMissLavendar’ssakeandforherowntoo。WithawholeweekinwhichtostudyAnneconstantlyshewouldsurelybeabletolearnhowtomoveandbehavelikeher。

WhenthegirlsgotbacktoEchoLodgetheyfoundthatMissLavendarandPaulhadcarriedthelittlesquaretableoutofthekitchentothegardenandhadeverythingreadyfortea。Nothingevertastedsodeliciousasthosestrawberriesandcream，eatenunderagreatblueskyallcurdledoverwithfluffylittlewhiteclouds，andinthelongshadowsofthewoodwithitslispingsanditsmurmurings。

AfterteaAnnehelpedCharlottawashthedishesinthekitchen，whileMissLavendarsatonthestonebenchwithPaulandheardallabouthisrockpeople。Shewasagoodlistener，thissweetMissLavendar，butjustatthelastitstruckPaulthatshehadsuddenlylostinterestintheTwinSailors。

"MissLavendar，whydoyoulookatmelikethat？"heaskedgravely。

"HowdoIlook，Paul？"

"JustasifyouwerelookingthroughmeatsomebodyIputyouinmindof，"

saidPaul，whohadsuchoccasionalflashesofuncannyinsightthatitwasn’tquitesafetohavesecretswhenhewasabout。

"YoudoputmeinmindofsomebodyIknewlongago，"saidMissLavendardreamily。

"Whenyouwereyoung？"

"Yes，whenIwasyoung。DoIseemveryoldtoyou，Paul？"

"Doyouknow，Ican’tmakeupmymindaboutthat，"saidPaulconfidentially。"Yourhairlooksold……Ineverknewayoungpersonwithwhitehair。Butyoureyesareasyoungasmybeautifulteacher’swhenyoulaugh。Itellyouwhat，MissLavendar"……

Paul’svoiceandfacewereassolemnasajudge’s……"Ithinkyouwouldmakeasplendidmother。Youhavejusttherightlookinyoureyes……thelookmylittlemotheralwayshad。Ithinkit’sapityyouhaven’tanyboysofyourown。"

"Ihavealittledreamboy，Paul。"

"Oh，haveyoureally？Howoldishe？"

"AboutyourageIthink。HeoughttobeolderbecauseIdreamedhimlongbeforeyouwereborn。ButI’llneverlethimgetanyolderthanelevenortwelve；becauseifIdidsomedayhemightgrowupaltogetherandthenI’dlosehim。"

"Iknow，"noddedPaul。"That’sthebeautyofdream-people……theystayanyageyouwantthem。YouandmybeautifulteacherandmemyselfaretheonlyfolksintheworldthatIknowofthathavedream-people。Isn’titfunnyandniceweshouldallknoweachother？ButIguessthatkindofpeoplealwaysfindeachotherout。

Grandmaneverhasdream-peopleandMaryJoethinksI’mwrongintheupperstorybecauseIhavethem。ButIthinkit’ssplendidtohavethem。

YOUknow，MissLavendar。Tellmeallaboutyourlittledream-boy。"

"Hehasblueeyesandcurlyhair。Hestealsinandwakensmewithakisseverymorning。Thenalldayheplayshereinthegarden……

andIplaywithhim。Suchgamesaswehave。Werunracesandtalkwiththeechoes；andItellhimstories。Andwhentwilightcomes……"

"Iknow，"interruptedPauleagerly。"Hecomesandsitsbesideyou……

SO……becauseofcourseattwelvehe’dbetoobigtoclimbintoyourlap……andlayshisheadonyourshoulder……SO……andyouputyourarmsabouthimandholdhimtight，tight，andrestyourcheekonhishead……

yes，that’stheveryway。Oh，youDOknow，MissLavendar。"

Annefoundthetwoofthemtherewhenshecameoutofthestonehouse，andsomethinginMissLavendar’sfacemadeherhatetodisturbthem。

"I’mafraidwemustgo，Paul，ifwewanttogethomebeforedark。

MissLavendar，I’mgoingtoinvitemyselftoEchoLodgeforawholeweekprettysoon。"

"IfyoucomeforaweekI’llkeepyoufortwo，"threatenedMissLavendar。

XXVIII

ThePrinceComesBacktotheEnchantedPalaceThelastdayofschoolcameandwent。Atriumphant"semi-annualexamination"washeldandAnne’spupilsacquittedthemselvessplendidly。Attheclosetheygaveheranaddressandawritingdesk。Allthegirlsandladiespresentcried，andsomeoftheboyshaditcastuptothemlateronthattheycriedtoo，althoughtheyalwaysdeniedit。

Mrs。HarmonAndrews，Mrs。PeterSloane，andMrs。WilliamBellwalkedhometogetherandtalkedthingsover。

"IdothinkitissuchapityAnneisleavingwhenthechildrenseemsomuchattachedtoher，"sighedMrs。PeterSloane，whohadahabitofsighingovereverythingandevenfinishedoffherjokesthatway。

"Tobesure，"sheaddedhastily，"weallknowwe’llhaveagoodteachernextyeartoo。"

"Janewilldoherduty，I’venodoubt，"saidMrs。Andrewsratherstiffly。

"Idon’tsupposeshe’lltellthechildrenquitesomanyfairytalesorspendsomuchtimeroamingaboutthewoodswiththem。ButshehashernameontheInspector’sRollofHonorandtheNewbridgepeopleareinaterriblestateoverherleaving。"

"I’mrealgladAnneisgoingtocollege，"saidMrs。Bell。

"Shehasalwayswanteditanditwillbeasplendidthingforher。"

"Well，Idon’tknow。"Mrs。Andrewswasdeterminednottoagreefullywithanybodythatday。"Idon’tseethatAnneneedsanymoreeducation。

She’llprobablybemarryingGilbertBlythe，ifhisinfatuationforherlaststillhegetsthroughcollege，andwhatgoodwillLatinandGreekdoherthen？Iftheytaughtyouatcollegehowtomanageamantheremightbesomesenseinhergoing。"

Mrs。HarmonAndrews，soAvonleagossipwhispered，hadneverlearnedhowtomanageher"man，"andasaresulttheAndrewshouseholdwasnotexactlyamodelofdomestichappiness。

"IseethattheCharlottetowncalltoMr。AllanisupbeforethePresbytery，"saidMrs。Bell。"Thatmeanswe’llbelosinghimsoon，Isuppose。"

"They’renotgoingbeforeSeptember，"saidMrs。Sloane。"Itwillbeagreatlosstothecommunity……thoughIalwaysdidthinkthatMrs。Allandressedrathertoogayforaminister’swife。

Butwearenoneofusperfect。DidyounoticehowneatandsnugMr。Harrisonlookedtoday？Ineversawsuchachangedman。HegoestochurcheverySundayandhassubscribedtothesalary。"

"Hasn’tthatPaulIrvinggrowntobeabigboy？"saidMrs。Andrews。

"Hewassuchamiteforhisagewhenhecamehere。IdeclareI

hardlyknewhimtoday。He’sgettingtolookalotlikehisfather。"

"He’sasmartboy，"saidMrs。Bell。

"He’ssmartenough，but"……Mrs。Andrewsloweredhervoice……"I

believehetellsqueerstories。Graciecamehomefromschoolonedaylastweekwiththegreatestrigmarolehehadtoldheraboutpeoplewholiveddownattheshore……storiestherecouldn’tbeawordoftruthin，youknow。ItoldGracienottobelievethem，andshesaidPauldidn’tintendherto。Butifhedidn’twhatdidhetellthemtoherfor？"

"AnnesaysPaulisagenius，"saidMrs。Sloane。

"Hemaybe。YouneverknowwhattoexpectofthemAmericans，"

saidMrs。Andrews。Mrs。Andrews’onlyacquaintancewiththeword"genius"wasderivedfromthecolloquialfashionofcallinganyeccentricindividual"aqueergenius。"Sheprobablythought，withMaryJoe，thatitmeantapersonwithsomethingwronginhisupperstory。

BackintheschoolroomAnnewassittingaloneatherdesk，asshehadsatonthefirstdayofschooltwoyearsbefore，herfaceleaningonherhand，herdewyeyeslookingwistfullyoutofthewindowtotheLakeofShiningWaters。Herheartwassowrungoverthepartingwithherpupilsthatforamomentcollegehadlostallitscharm。ShestillfelttheclaspofAnnettaBell’sarmsaboutherneckandheardthechildishwail，"I’llNEVERloveanyteacherasmuchasyou，MissShirley，never，never。"

Fortwoyearsshehadworkedearnestlyandfaithfully，makingmanymistakesandlearningfromthem。Shehadhadherreward。Shehadtaughtherscholarssomething，butshefeltthattheyhadtaughthermuchmore……lessonsoftenderness，self-control，innocentwisdom，loreofchildishhearts。Perhapsshehadnotsucceededin"inspiring"anywonderfulambitionsinherpupils，butshehadtaughtthem，morebyherownsweetpersonalitythanbyallhercarefulprecepts，thatitwasgoodandnecessaryintheyearsthatwerebeforethemtolivetheirlivesfinelyandgraciously，holdingfasttotruthandcourtesyandkindness，keepingalooffromallthatsavoredoffalsehoodandmeannessandvulgarity。Theywere，perhaps，allunconsciousofhavinglearnedsuchlessons；buttheywouldrememberandpracticethemlongaftertheyhadforgottenthecapitalofAfghanistanandthedatesoftheWarsoftheRoses。

"Anotherchapterinmylifeisclosed，"saidAnnealoud，asshelockedherdesk。Shereallyfeltverysadoverit；buttheromanceintheideaofthat"closedchapter"didcomfortheralittle。

AnnespentafortnightatEchoLodgeearlyinhervacationandeverybodyconcernedhadagoodtime。

ShetookMissLavendaronashoppingexpeditiontotownandpersuadedhertobuyaneworgandydress；thencametheexcitementofcuttingandmakingittogether，whilethehappyCharlottatheFourthbastedandsweptupclippings。MissLavendarhadcomplainedthatshecouldnotfeelmuchinterestinanything，butthesparklecamebacktohereyesoverherprettydress。

"Whatafoolish，frivolouspersonImustbe，"shesighed。

"I’mwholesomelyashamedtothinkthatanewdress……

evenitisaforget-me-notorgandy……shouldexhilaratemeso，whenagoodconscienceandanextracontributiontoForeignMissionscouldn’tdoit。"

MidwayinhervisitAnnewenthometoGreenGablesforadaytomendthetwins’stockingsandsettleupDavy’saccumulatedstoreofquestions。

IntheeveningshewentdowntotheshoreroadtoseePaulIrving。

Asshepassedbythelow，squarewindowoftheIrvingsittingroomshecaughtaglimpseofPaulonsomebody’slap；butthenextmomenthecameflyingthroughthehall。

"Oh，MissShirley，"hecriedexcitedly，"youcan’tthinkwhathashappened！Somethingsosplendid。Fatherishere……

justthinkofthat！Fatherishere！Comerightin。Father，thisismybeautifulteacher。YOUknow，father。"

StephenIrvingcameforwardtomeetAnnewithasmile。Hewasatall，handsomemanofmiddleage，withiron-grayhair，deep-set，darkblueeyes，andastrong，sadface，splendidlymodeledaboutchinandbrow。Justthefaceforaheroofromance，Annethoughtwithathrillofintensesatisfaction。Itwassodisappointingtomeetsomeonewhooughttobeaheroandfindhimbaldorstooped，orotherwiselackinginmanlybeauty。AnnewouldhavethoughtitdreadfuliftheobjectofMissLavendar’sromancehadnotlookedthepart。

"Sothisismylittleson’s`beautifulteacher，’ofwhomIhaveheardsomuch，"saidMr。Irvingwithaheartyhandshake。"Paul’slettershavebeensofullofyou，MissShirley，thatIfeelasifI

wereprettywellacquaintedwithyoualready。IwanttothankyouforwhatyouhavedoneforPaul。Ithinkthatyourinfluencehasbeenjustwhatheneeded。Motherisoneofthebestanddearestofwomen；butherrobust，matter-of-factScotchcommonsensecouldnotalwaysunderstandatemperamentlikemyladdie’s。Whatwaslackinginheryouhavesupplied。Betweenyou，IthinkPaul’straininginthesetwopastyearshasbeenasnearlyidealasamotherlessboy’scouldbe。"

Everybodylikestobeappreciated。UnderMr。Irving’spraiseAnne’sface"burstflowerlikeintorosybloom，"andthebusy，wearymanoftheworld，lookingather，thoughthehadneverseenafairer，sweeterslipofgirlhoodthanthislittle"downeast"

schoolteacherwithherredhairandwonderfuleyes。

Paulsatbetweenthemblissfullyhappy。

"Ineverdreamedfatherwascoming，"hesaidradiantly。"EvenGrandmadidn’tknowit。Itwasagreatsurprise。Asageneralthing……"

Paulshookhisbrowncurlsgravely……"Idon’tliketobesurprised。

Youloseallthefunofexpectingthingswhenyou’resurprised。

Butinacaselikethisitisallright。FathercamelastnightafterIhadgonetobed。AndafterGrandmaandMaryJoehadstoppedbeingsurprisedheandGrandmacameupstairstolookatme，notmeaningtowakemeuptillmorning。ButIwokerightupandsawfather。

ItellyouIjustsprangathim。"

"Withahuglikeabear’s，"saidMr。Irving，puttinghisarmsaroundPaul’sshouldersmilingly。"Ihardlyknewmyboy，hehadgrownsobigandbrownandsturdy。"

"Idon’tknowwhichwasthemostpleasedtoseefather，GrandmaorI，"

continuedPaul。"Grandma’sbeeninkitchenalldaymakingthethingsfatherlikestoeat。Shewouldn’ttrustthemtoMaryJoe，shesays。

That’sHERwayofshowinggladness。_I_likebestjusttositandtalktofather。ButI’mgoingtoleaveyouforalittlewhilenowifyou’llexcuseme。ImustgetthecowsforMaryJoe。Thatisoneofmydailyduties。"

WhenPaulhadscamperedawaytodohis"dailyduty"Mr。IrvingtalkedtoAnneofvariousmatters。ButAnnefeltthathewasthinkingofsomethingelseunderneathallthetime。Presentlyitcametothesurface。

"InPaul’slastletterhespokeofgoingwithyoutovisitanold……

friendofmine……MissLewisatthestonehouseinGrafton。

Doyouknowherwell？"

"Yes，indeed，sheisaverydearfriendofmine，"wasAnne’sdemurereply，whichgavenohintofthesuddenthrillthattingledoverherfromheadtofootatMr。Irving’squestion。Anne"feltinstinctively"thatromancewaspeepingatheraroundacorner。

Mr。Irvingroseandwenttothewindow，lookingoutonagreat，golden，billowingseawhereawildwindwasharping。Forafewmomentstherewassilenceinthelittledark-walledroom。ThenheturnedandlookeddownintoAnne’ssympatheticfacewithasmile，half-whimsical，half-tender。

"Iwonderhowmuchyouknow，"hesaid。

"Iknowallaboutit，"repliedAnnepromptly。"Yousee，"sheexplainedhastily，"MissLavendarandIareveryintimate。Shewouldn’ttellthingsofsuchasacrednaturetoeverybody。Wearekindredspirits。"

"Yes，Ibelieveyouare。Well，Iamgoingtoaskafavorofyou。

IwouldliketogoandseeMissLavendarifshewillletme。WillyouaskherifImaycome？"

Wouldshenot？Oh，indeedshewould！Yes，thiswasromance，thevery，therealthing，withallthecharmofrhymeandstoryanddream。

Itwasalittlebelated，perhaps，likearosebloominginOctoberwhichshouldhavebloomedinJune；butnonethelessarose，allsweetnessandfragrance，withthegleamofgoldinitsheart。

NeverdidAnne’sfeetbearheronamorewillingerrandthanonthatwalkthroughthebeechwoodstoGraftonthenextmorning。

ShefoundMissLavendarinthegarden。Annewasfearfullyexcited。

Herhandsgrewcoldandhervoicetrembled。

"MissLavendar，Ihavesomethingtotellyou……somethingveryimportant。

Canyouguesswhatitis？"

AnneneversupposedthatMissLavendarcouldGUESS；butMissLavendar’sfacegrewverypaleandMissLavendarsaidinaquiet，stillvoice，fromwhichallthecolorandsparklethatMissLavendar’svoiceusuallysuggestedhadfaded。

"StephenIrvingishome？"

"Howdidyouknow？Whotoldyou？"criedAnnedisappointedly，vexedthathergreatrevelationhadbeenanticipated。

"Nobody。Iknewthatmustbeit，justfromthewayyouspoke。"

"Hewantstocomeandseeyou，"saidAnne。"MayIsendhimwordthathemay？"

"Yes，ofcourse，"flutteredMissLavendar。"Thereisnoreasonwhyheshouldn’t。Heisonlycomingasanyoldfriendmight。"

AnnehadherownopinionaboutthatasshehastenedintothehousetowriteanoteatMissLavendar’sdesk。

"Oh，it’sdelightfultobelivinginastorybook，"shethoughtgaily。

"Itwillcomeoutallrightofcourse……itmust……andPaulwillhaveamotherafterhisownheartandeverybodywillbehappy。

ButMr。IrvingwilltakeMissLavendaraway……anddearknowswhatwillhappentothelittlestonehouse……andsotherearetwosidestoit，asthereseemstobetoeverythinginthisworld。"

TheimportantnotewaswrittenandAnneherselfcarriedittotheGraftonpostoffice，whereshewaylaidthemailcarrierandaskedhimtoleaveitattheAvonleaoffice。

"It’ssoveryimportant，"Anneassuredhimanxiously。ThemailcarrierwasarathergrumpyoldpersonagewhodidnotatalllookthepartofamessengerofCupid；andAnnewasnonetoocertainthathismemorywastobetrusted。Buthesaidhewoulddohisbesttorememberandshehadtobecontentedwiththat。

CharlottatheFourthfeltthatsomemysterypervadedthestonehousethatafternoon……amysteryfromwhichshewasexcluded。

MissLavendarroamedaboutthegardeninadistractedfashion。

Anne，too，seemedpossessedbyademonofunrest，andwalkedtoandfroandwentupanddown。CharlottatheFourthenduredittillatienceceasedtobeavirtue；thensheconfrontedAnneontheoccasionofthatromanticyoungperson’sthirdaimlessperegrinationthroughthekitchen。

"Please，MissShirley，ma’am，"saidCharlottatheFourth，withanindignanttossofherverybluebows，"it’splaintobeseenyouandMissLavendarhavegotasecretandIthink，beggingyourpardonifI’mtooforward，MissShirley，ma’am，thatit’srealmeannottotellmewhenwe’veallbeensuchchums。"

"Oh，Charlottadear，I’dhavetoldyouallaboutitifitweremysecret……butit’sMissLavendar’s，yousee。However，I’lltellyouthismuch……andifnothingcomesofityoumustneverbreatheawordaboutittoalivingsoul。Yousee，PrinceCharmingiscomingtonight。Hecamelongago，butinafoolishmomentwentawayandwanderedafarandforgotthesecretofthemagicpathwaytotheenchantedcastle，wheretheprincesswasweepingherfaithfulheartoutforhim。Butatlastheremembereditagainandtheprincessiswaitingstill……becausenobodybutherowndearprincecouldcarryheroff。"

"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，whatisthatinprose？"gaspedthemystifiedCharlotta。

Annelaughed。

"Inprose，anoldfriendofMissLavendar’siscomingtoseehertonight。"

"Doyoumeananoldbeauofhers？"demandedtheliteralCharlotta。

"ThatisprobablywhatIdomean……inprose，"answeredAnnegravely。

"ItisPaul’sfather……StephenIrving。Andgoodnessknowswhatwillcomeofit，butletushopeforthebest，Charlotta。"

"Ihopethathe’llmarryMissLavendar，"wasCharlotta’sunequivocalresponse。

"Somewomen’sintendedfromthestarttobeoldmaids，andI’mafraidI’moneofthem，MissShirley，ma’am，becauseI’veawfullittlepatiencewiththemen。

ButMissLavendarneverwas。AndI’vebeenawfulworried，thinkingwhatonearthshe’ddowhenIgotsobigI’dHAVEtogotoBoston。Thereain’tanymoregirlsinourfamilyanddearknowswhatshe’ddoifshegotsomestrangerthatmightlaughatherpretendingsandleavethingslyingroundoutoftheirplaceandnotbewillingtobecalledCharlottatheFifth。

Shemightgetsomeonewhowouldn’tbeasunluckyasmeinbreakingdishesbutshe’dnevergetanyonewho’dloveherbetter。"

Andthefaithfullittlehandmaidendashedtotheovendoorwithasniff。

TheywentthroughtheformofhavingteaasusualthatnightatEchoLodge；butnobodyreallyateanything。AfterteaMissLavendarwenttoherroomandputonhernewforget-me-notorgandy，whileAnnedidherhairforher。Bothweredreadfullyexcited；

butMissLavendarpretendedtobeverycalmandindifferent。

"Imustreallymendthatrentinthecurtaintomorrow，"shesaidanxiously，inspectingitasifitweretheonlythingofanyimportancejustthen。"Thosecurtainshavenotwornaswellastheyshould，consideringthepriceIpaid。Dearme，CharlottahasforgottentodustthestairrailingAGAIN。IreallyMUST

speaktoheraboutit。"

AnnewassittingontheporchstepswhenStephenIrvingcamedownthelaneandacrossthegarden。

"Thisistheoneplacewheretimestandsstill，"hesaid，lookingaroundhimwithdelightedeyes。"ThereisnothingchangedaboutthishouseorgardensinceIwasheretwenty-fiveyearsago。

Itmakesmefeelyoungagain。"

"Youknowtimealwaysdoesstandstillinanenchantedpalace，"saidAnneseriously。"Itisonlywhentheprincecomesthatthingsbegintohappen。"

Mr。Irvingsmiledalittlesadlyintoherupliftedface，allastarwithitsyouthandpromise。

"Sometimestheprincecomestoolate，"hesaid。HedidnotaskAnnetotranslateherremarkintoprose。Likeallkindredspiritshe"understood。"

"Oh，no，notifheistherealprincecomingtothetrueprincess，"

saidAnne，shakingherredheaddecidedly，assheopenedtheparlordoor。

WhenhehadgoneinsheshutittightlybehindhimandturnedtoconfrontCharlottatheFourth，whowasinthehall，all"nodsandbecksandwreathedsmiles。"

"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，"shebreathed，"Ipeekedfromthekitchenwindow……andhe’sawfulhandsome……andjusttherightageforMissLavendar。Andoh，MissShirley，ma’am，doyouthinkitwouldbemuchharmtolistenatthedoor？"

"Itwouldbedreadful，Charlotta，"saidAnnefirmly，"sojustyoucomeawaywithmeoutofthereachoftemptation。"

"Ican’tdoanything，andit’sawfultohangroundjustwaiting，"sighedCharlotta。"Whatifhedon’tproposeafterall，MissShirley，ma’am？

Youcanneverbesureofthemmen。Myoldersister，CharlottatheFirst，thoughtshewasengagedtooneonce。ButitturnedoutHEhadadifferentopinionandshesaysshe’llnevertrustoneofthemagain。

AndIheardofanothercasewhereamanthoughthewantedonegirlawfulbadwhenitwasreallyhersisterhewantedallthetime。

Whenamandon’tknowhisownmind，MissShirley，ma’am，how’sapoorwomangoingtobesureofit？"

"We’llgotothekitchenandcleanthesilverspoons，"saidAnne。

"That’sataskwhichwon’trequiremuchthinkingfortunately……

forICOULDN’Tthinktonight。Anditwillpassthetime。"

Itpassedanhour。Then，justasAnnelaiddownthelastshiningspoon，theyheardthefrontdoorshut。Bothsoughtcomfortfearfullyineachother’seyes。

"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，"gaspedCharlotta，"ifhe’sgoingawaythisearlythere’snothingintoitandneverwillbe。"Theyflewtothewindow。

Mr。Irvinghadnointentionofgoingaway。HeandMissLavendarwerestrollingslowlydownthemiddlepathtothestonebench。

"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，he’sgothisarmaroundherwaist，"

whisperedCharlottatheFourthdelightedly。"Hemusthaveproposedtoherorshe’dneverallowit。"

AnnecaughtCharlottatheFourthbyherownplumpwaistanddancedheraroundthekitchenuntiltheywerebothoutofbreath。

"Oh，Charlotta，"shecriedgaily，"I’mneitheraprophetessnorthedaughterofaprophetessbutI’mgoingtomakeaprediction。

There’llbeaweddinginthisoldstonehousebeforethemapleleavesarered。Doyouwantthattranslatedintoprose，Charlotta？"

"No，Icanunderstandthat，"saidCharlotta。"Aweddingain’tpoetry。Why，MissShirley，ma’am，you’recrying！Whatfor？"

"Oh，becauseit’sallsobeautiful……andstorybookish……andromantic……andsad，"saidAnne，winkingthetearsoutofhereyes。"It’sallperfectlylovely……butthere’salittlesadnessmixedupinittoo，somehow。"

"Oh，ofcoursethere’sareskinmarryinganybody，"concededCharlottatheFourth，"but，whenall’ssaidanddone，MissShirley，ma’am，there’smanyaworsethingthanahusband。"

XXIX

PoetryandProseForthenextmonthAnnelivedinwhat，forAvonlea，mightbecalledawhirlofexcitement。ThepreparationofherownmodestoutfitforRedmondwasofsecondaryimportance。MissLavendarwasgettingreadytobemarriedandthestonehousewasthesceneofendlessconsultationsandplanningsanddiscussions，withCharlottatheFourthhoveringontheoutskirtsofthingsinagitateddelightandwonder。

Thenthedressmakercame，andtherewastheraptureandwretchednessofchoosingfashionsandbeingfitted。AnneandDianaspenthalftheirtimeatEchoLodgeandtherewerenightswhenAnnecouldnotsleepforwonderingwhethershehaddonerightinadvisingMissLavendartoselectbrownratherthannavyblueforhertravelingdress，andtohavehergraysilkmadeprincess。

EverybodyconcernedinMissLavendar’sstorywasveryhappy。

PaulIrvingrushedtoGreenGablestotalkthenewsoverwithAnneassoonashisfatherhadtoldhim。

"IknewIcouldtrustfathertopickmeoutanicelittlesecondmother，"

hesaidproudly。"It’safinethingtohaveafatheryoucandependon，teacher。IjustloveMissLavendar。Grandmaispleased，too。Shesaysshe’srealgladfatherdidn’tpickoutanAmericanforhissecondwife，because，althoughitturnedoutallrightthefirsttime，suchathingwouldn’tbelikelytohappentwice。Mrs。LyndesaysshethoroughlyapprovesofthematchandthinksitslikelyMissLavendarwillgiveupherqueernotionsandbelikeotherpeople，nowthatshe’sgoingtobemarried。ButIhopeshewon’tgiveherqueernotionsup，teacher，becauseIlikethem。AndIdon’twanthertobelikeotherpeople。

Therearetoomanyotherpeoplearoundasitis。YOUknow，teacher。"

CharlottatheFourthwasanotherradiantperson。

"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，ithasallturnedoutsobeautiful。

WhenMr。IrvingandMissLavendarcomebackfromtheirtowerI’mtogouptoBostonandlivewiththem……andmeonlyfifteen，andtheothergirlsneverwenttilltheyweresixteen。Ain’tMr。Irvingsplendid？Hejustworshipsthegroundshetreadsonanditmakesmefeelsoqueersometimestoseethelookinhiseyeswhenhe’swatchingher。Itbeggarsdescription，MissShirley，ma’am。

I’mawfulthankfulthey’resofondofeachother。It’sthebestway，whenall’ssaidanddone，thoughsomefolkscangetalongwithoutit。

I’vegotanauntwhohasbeenmarriedthreetimesandsaysshemarriedthefirsttimeforloveandthelasttwotimesforstrictlybusiness，andwashappywithallthreeexceptatthetimesofthefunerals。

ButIthinkshetookaresk，MissShirley，ma’am。"

"Oh，it’sallsoromantic，"breathedAnnetoMarillathatnight。

"IfIhadn’ttakenthewrongpaththatdaywewenttoMr。Kimball’sI’dneverhaveknownMissLavendar；andifIhadn’tmetherI’dneverhavetakenPaulthere……andhe’dneverhavewrittentohisfatheraboutvisitingMissLavendarjustasMr。IrvingwasstartingforSanFrancisco。Mr。IrvingsayswheneverhegotthatletterhemadeuphismindtosendhispartnertoSanFranciscoandcomehereinstead。

Hehadn’theardanythingofMissLavendarforfifteenyears。Somebodyhadtoldhimthenthatshewastobemarriedandhethoughtshewasandneveraskedanybodyanythingabouther。Andnoweverythinghascomeright。

AndIhadahandinbringingitabout。Perhaps，asMrs。Lyndesays，everythingisforeordainedanditwasboundtohappenanyway。Butevenso，it’snicetothinkonewasaninstrumentusedbypredestination。Yesindeed，it’sveryromantic。"

"Ican’tseethatit’ssoterriblyromanticatall，"saidMarillarathercrisply。MarillathoughtAnnewastooworkedupaboutitandhadplentytodowithgettingreadyforcollegewithout"traipsing"

toEchoLodgetwodaysoutofthreehelpingMissLavendar。"Inthefirstplacetwoyoungfoolsquarrelandturnsulky；thenSteveIrvinggoestotheStatesandafteraspellgetsmarriedupthereandisperfectlyhappyfromallaccounts。Thenhiswifediesandafteradecentintervalhethinkshe’llcomehomeandseeifhisfirstfancy’llhavehim。Meanwhile，she’sbeenlivingsingle，probablybecausenobodyniceenoughcamealongtowanther，andtheymeetandagreetobemarriedafterall。Now，whereistheromanceinallthat？"

"Oh，thereisn’tany，whenyouputitthatway，"gaspedAnne，ratherasifsomebodyhadthrowncoldwateroverher。"Isupposethat’showitlooksinprose。Butit’sverydifferentifyoulookatitthroughpoetry……and_I_thinkit’snicer……"Annerecoveredherselfandhereyesshoneandhercheeksflushed……"tolookatitthroughpoetry。"

Marillaglancedattheradiantyoungfaceandrefrainedfromfurthersarcasticcomments。Perhapssomerealizationcametoherthatafterallitwasbettertohave，likeAnne，"thevisionandthefacultydivine"……thatgiftwhichtheworldcannotbestowortakeaway，oflookingatlifethroughsometransfiguring……orrevealing？……medium，wherebyeverythingseemedapparelledincelestiallight，wearingagloryandafreshnessnotvisibletothosewho，likeherselfandCharlottatheFourth，lookedatthingsonlythroughprose。

"When’stheweddingtobe？"sheaskedafterapause。

"ThelastWednesdayinAugust。Theyaretobemarriedinthegardenunderthehoneysuckletrellis……theveryspotwhereMr。Irvingproposedtohertwenty-fiveyearsago。Marilla，thatISromantic，eveninprose。There’stobenobodythereexceptMrs。IrvingandPaulandGilbertandDianaandI，andMissLavendar’scousins。Andtheywillleaveonthesixo’clocktrainforatriptothePacificcoast。WhentheycomebackinthefallPaulandCharlottatheFourtharetogouptoBostontolivewiththem。

ButEchoLodgeistobeleftjustasitis……onlyofcoursethey’llsellthehensandcow，andboardupthewindows……andeverysummerthey’recomingdowntoliveinit。I’msoglad。ItwouldhavehurtmedreadfullynextwinteratRedmondtothinkofthatdearstonehouseallstrippedanddeserted，withemptyrooms……orfarworsestill，withotherpeoplelivinginit。ButIcanthinkofitnow，justasI’vealwaysseenit，waitinghappilyforthesummertobringlifeandlaughterbacktoitagain。"

Therewasmoreromanceintheworldthanthatwhichhadfallentotheshareofthemiddle-agedloversofthestonehouse。

AnnestumbledsuddenlyonitoneeveningwhenshewentovertoOrchardSlopebythewoodcutandcameoutintotheBarrygarden。

DianaBarryandFredWrightwerestandingtogetherunderthebigwillow。

Dianawasleaningagainstthegraytrunk，herlashescastdownonverycrimsoncheeks。OnehandwasheldbyFred，whostoodwithhisfacebenttowardher，stammeringsomethinginlowearnesttones。

Therewerenootherpeopleintheworldexcepttheirtwoselvesatthatmagicmoment；soneitherofthemsawAnne，who，afteronedazedglanceofcomprehension，turnedandspednoiselesslybackthroughthesprucewood，neverstoppingtillshegainedherowngableroom，whereshesatbreathlesslydownbyherwindowandtriedtocollectherscatteredwits。

"DianaandFredareinlovewitheachother，"shegasped。

"Oh，itdoesseemso……so……soHOPELESSLYgrownup。"

Anne，oflate，hadnotbeenwithouthersuspicionsthatDianawasprovingfalsetothemelancholyByronicheroofherearlydreams。

Butas"thingsseenaremightierthanthingsheard，"orsuspected，therealizationthatitwasactuallysocametoherwithalmosttheshockofperfectsurprise。Thiswassucceededbyaqueer，littlelonelyfeeling……asif，somehow，Dianahadgoneforwardintoanewworld，shuttingagatebehindher，leavingAnneontheoutside。

"Thingsarechangingsofastitalmostfrightensme，"Annethought，alittlesadly。"AndI’mafraidthatthiscan’thelpmakingsomedifferencebetweenDianaandme。I’msureIcan’ttellherallmysecretsafterthis……shemighttellFred。AndwhatCANsheseeinFred？He’sveryniceandjolly……buthe’sjustFredWright。"

Itisalwaysaverypuzzlingquestion……whatcansomebodyseeinsomebodyelse？Buthowfortunateafterallthatitisso，forifeverybodysawalike……well，inthatcase，astheoldIndiansaid，"Everybodywouldwantmysquaw。"ItwasplainthatDianaDIDseesomethinginFredWright，howeverAnne’seyesmightbeholden。

DianacametoGreenGablesthenextevening，apensive，shyyounglady，andtoldAnnethewholestoryintheduskyseclusionoftheeastgable。Bothgirlscriedandkissedandlaughed。

"I’msohappy，"saidDiana，"butitdoesseemridiculoustothinkofmebeingengaged。"

"Whatisitreallyliketobeengaged？"askedAnnecuriously。

"Well，thatalldependsonwhoyou’reengagedto，"answeredDiana，withthatmaddeningairofsuperiorwisdomalwaysassumedbythosewhoareengagedoverthosewhoarenot。"It’sperfectlylovelytobeengagedtoFred……butIthinkitwouldbesimplyhorridtobeengagedtoanyoneelse。"

"There’snotmuchcomfortfortherestofusinthat，seeingthatthereisonlyoneFred，"laughedAnne。

"Oh，Anne，youdon’tunderstand，"saidDianainvexation。"Ididn’tmeanTHAT……it’ssohardtoexplain。Nevermind，you’llunderstandsometime，whenyourownturncomes。"

"Blessyou，dearestofDianas，Iunderstandnow。Whatisanimaginationforifnottoenableyoutopeepatlifethroughotherpeople’seyes？"

"Youmustbemybridesmaid，youknow，Anne。Promisemethat……

whereveryoumaybewhenI’mmarried。"

"I’llcomefromtheendsoftheearthifnecessary，"promisedAnnesolemnly。

"Ofcourse，itwon’tbeforeversolongyet，"saidDiana，blushing。

"Threeyearsattheveryleast……forI’monlyeighteenandmothersaysnodaughterofhersshallbemarriedbeforeshe’stwenty-one。

Besides，Fred’sfatherisgoingtobuytheAbrahamFletcherfarmforhimandhesayshe’sgottohaveittwothirdspaidforbeforehe’llgiveittohiminhisownname。Butthreeyearsisn’tanytoomuchtimetogetreadyforhousekeeping，forIhaven’taspeckoffancyworkmadeyet。ButI’mgoingtobegincrochetingdoiliestomorrow。

MyraGillishadthirty-sevendoilieswhenshewasmarriedandI’mdeterminedIshallhaveasmanyasshehad。"

"Isupposeitwouldbeperfectlyimpossibletokeephousewithonlythirty-sixdoilies，"concededAnne，withasolemnfacebutdancingeyes。

Dianalookedhurt。

"Ididn’tthinkyou’dmakefunofme，Anne，"shesaidreproachfully。

"Dearest，Iwasn’tmakingfunofyou，"criedAnnerepentantly。

"Iwasonlyteasingyouabit。Ithinkyou’llmakethesweetestlittlehousekeeperintheworld。AndIthinkit’sperfectlylovelyofyoutobeplanningalreadyforyourhomeo’dreams。"

Annehadnosoonerutteredthephrase，"homeo’dreams，"thanitcaptivatedherfancyandsheimmediatelybegantheerectionofoneofherown。Itwas，ofcourse，tenantedbyanidealmaster，dark，proud，andmelancholy；butoddlyenough，GilbertBlythepersistedinhangingabouttoo，helpingherarrangepictures，layoutgardens，andaccomplishsundryothertaskswhichaproudandmelancholyheroevidentlyconsideredbeneathhisdignity。AnnetriedtobanishGilbert’simagefromhercastleinSpainbut，somehow，hewentonbeingthere，soAnne，beinginahurry，gaveuptheattemptandpursuedheraerialarchitecturewithsuchsuccessthather"homeo’dreams"wasbuiltandfurnishedbeforeDianaspokeagain。

"Isuppose，Anne，youmustthinkit’sfunnyIshouldlikeFredsowellwhenhe’ssodifferentfromthekindofmanI’vealwayssaidI

wouldmarry……thetall，slenderkind？ButsomehowIwouldn’twantFredtobetallandslender……because，don’tyousee，hewouldn’tbeFredthen。Ofcourse，"addedDianaratherdolefully，"wewillbeadreadfullypudgycouple。Butafterallthat’sbetterthanoneofusbeingshortandfatandtheothertallandlean，likeMorganSloaneandhiswife。Mrs。Lyndesaysitalwaysmakesherthinkofthelongandshortofitwhensheseesthemtogether。"

"Well，"saidAnnetoherselfthatnight，asshebrushedherhairbeforehergiltframedmirror，"IamgladDianaissohappyandsatisfied。Butwhenmyturncomes……ifiteverdoes……Idohopethere’llbesomethingalittlemorethrillingaboutit。ButthenDianathoughtsotoo，once。I’veheardhersaytimeandagainshe’dnevergetengagedanypokycommonplaceway……he’dHAVEtodosomethingsplendidtowinher。Butshehaschanged。PerhapsI’llchangetoo。ButIwon’t……andI’mdeterminedIwon’t。Oh，Ithinktheseengagementsaredreadfullyunsettlingthingswhentheyhappentoyourintimatefriends。"

XXX

AWeddingattheStoneHouseThelastweekinAugustcame。MissLavendarwastobemarriedinit。

TwoweekslaterAnneandGilbertwouldleaveforRedmondCollege。

Inaweek’stimeMrs。RachelLyndewouldmovetoGreenGablesandsetupherlaresandpenatesintheerstwhilespareroom，whichwasalreadypreparedforhercoming。ShehadsoldallhersuperfluoushouseholdplenishingsbyauctionandwasatpresentrevelinginthecongenialoccupationofhelpingtheAllanspackup。Mr。AllanwastopreachhisfarewellsermonthenextSunday。Theoldorderwaschangingrapidlytogiveplacetothenew，asAnnefeltwithalittlesadnessthreadingallherexcitementandhappiness。

"Changesain’ttotallypleasantbutthey’reexcellentthings，"

saidMr。Harrisonphilosophically。"Twoyearsisaboutlongenoughforthingstostayexactlythesame。Iftheystayedputanylongertheymightgrowmossy。"

Mr。Harrisonwassmokingonhisveranda。Hiswifehadself-sacrificinglytoldthathemightsmokeinthehouseifhetookcaretositbyanopenwindow。Mr。Harrisonrewardedthisconcessionbygoingoutdoorsaltogethertosmokeinfineweather，andsomutualgoodwillreigned。

AnnehadcomeovertoaskMrs。Harrisonforsomeofheryellowdahlias。

SheandDianaweregoingthroughtoEchoLodgethateveningtohelpMissLavendarandCharlottatheFourthwiththeirfinalpreparationsforthemorrow’sbridal。MissLavendarherselfneverhaddahlias；

shedidnotlikethemandtheywouldnothavesuitedthefineretirementofherold-fashionedgarden。ButflowersofanykindwereratherscarceinAvonleaandtheneighboringdistrictsthatsummer，thankstoUncleAbe’sstorm；andAnneandDianathoughtthatacertainoldcream-coloredstonejug，usuallykeptsacredtodoughnuts，brimmedoverwithyellowdahlias，wouldbejustthethingtosetinadimangleofthestonehousestairs，againstthedarkbackgroundofredhallpaper。

"Is’poseyou’llbestartingoffforcollegeinafortnight’stime？"

continuedMr。Harrison。"Well，we’regoingtomissyouanawfullot，Emilyandme。Tobesure，Mrs。Lynde’llbeoverthereinyourplace。

Thereain’tnobodybutasubstitutecanbefoundforthem。"

TheironyofMr。Harrison’stoneisquiteuntransferabletopaper。

Inspiteofhiswife’sintimacywithMrs。Lynde，thebestthatcouldbesaidoftherelationshipbetweenherandMr。Harrisonevenunderthenewregime，wasthattheypreservedanarmedneutrality。

"Yes，I’mgoing，"saidAnne。"I’mverygladwithmyhead……andverysorrywithmyheart。"

"Is’poseyou’llbescoopingupallthehonorsthatarelyingroundlooseatRedmond。"

"Imaytryforoneortwoofthem，"confessedAnne，"butI

don’tcaresomuchforthingslikethatasIdidtwoyearsago。

WhatIwanttogetoutofmycollegecourseissomeknowledgeofthebestwayoflivinglifeanddoingthemostandbestwithit。

Iwanttolearntounderstandandhelpotherpeopleandmyself。"

Mr。Harrisonnodded。

"That’stheideaexactly。That’swhatcollegeoughttobefor，insteadofforturningoutalotofB。A。’s，sochockfullofbook-learningandvanitythatthereain’troomforanythingelse。

You’reallright。Collegewon’tbeabletodoyoumuchharm，Ireckon。"

DianaandAnnedroveovertoEchoLodgeaftertea，takingwiththemallthefloweryspoilthatseveralpredatoryexpeditionsintheirownandtheirneighbors’gardenshadyielded。Theyfoundthestonehouseagogwithexcitement。CharlottatheFourthwasflyingaroundwithsuchvimandbrisknessthatherbluebowsseemedreallytopossessthepowerofbeingeverywhereatonce。LikethehelmetofNavarre，Charlotta’sbluebowswavedeverinthethickestofthefray。

"Praisebetogoodnessyou’vecome，"shesaiddevoutly，"forthere’sheapsofthingstodo……andthefrostingonthatcakeWON’Tharden……andthere’sallthesilvertoberubbedupyet……

andthehorsehairtrunktobepacked……andtheroostersforthechickensaladarerunningouttherebeyantthehenhouseyet，crowing，MissShirley，ma’am。AndMissLavendarain’ttobetrustedtodoathing。IwasthankfulwhenMr。Irvingcameafewminutesagoandtookheroffforawalkinthewoods。

Courting’sallrightinitsplace，MissShirley，ma’am，butifyoutrytomixitupwithcookingandscouringeverything’sspoiled。

That’sMYopinion，MissShirley，ma’am。"

AnneandDianaworkedsoheartilythatbyteno’clockevenCharlottatheFourthwassatisfied。Shebraidedherhairininnumerableplaitsandtookherwearylittlebonesofftobed。

"ButI’msureIshan’tsleepablessedwink，MissShirley，ma’am，forfearthatsomething’llgowrongatthelastminute……thecreamwon’twhip……orMr。Irving’llhaveastrokeandnotbeabletocome。"

"Heisn’tinthehabitofhavingstrokes，ishe？"askedDiana，thedimpledcornersofhermouthtwitching。ToDiana，CharlottatheFourthwas，ifnotexactlyathingofbeauty，certainlyajoyforever。

"They’renotthingsthatgobyhabit，"saidCharlottatheFourthwithdignity。"TheyjustHAPPEN……andthereyouare。ANYBODY

canhaveastroke。Youdon’thavetolearnhow。Mr。Irvinglooksalotlikeanuncleofminethathadoneoncejustashewassittingdowntodinneroneday。Butmaybeeverything’llgoallright。Inthisworldyou’vejustgottohopeforthebestandpreparefortheworstandtakewhateverGodsends。"

"TheonlythingI’mworriedaboutisthatitwon’tbefinetomorrow，"

saidDiana。"UncleAbepredictedrainforthemiddleoftheweek，andeversincethebigstormIcan’thelpbelievingthere’sagooddealinwhatUncleAbesays。"

Anne，whoknewbetterthanDianajusthowmuchUncleAbehadtodowiththestorm，wasnotmuchdisturbedbythis。Shesleptthesleepofthejustandweary，andwasrousedatanunearthlyhourbyCharlottatheFourth。

"Oh，MissShirley，ma’am，it’sawfultocallyousoearly，"camewailingthroughthekeyhole，"butthere’ssomuchtodoyet……andoh，MissShirley，ma’am，I’mskeeredit’sgoingtorainandIwishyou’dgetupandtellmeyouthinkitain’t。"Anneflewtothewindow，hopingagainsthopethatCharlottatheFourthwassayingthismerelybywayofrousinghereffectually。Butalas，themorningdidlookunpropitious。BelowthewindowMissLavendar’sgarden，whichshouldhavebeenagloryofpalevirginsunshine，laydimandwindless；andtheskyoverthefirswasdarkwithmoodyclouds。

"Isn’tittoomean！"saidDiana。

"Wemusthopeforthebest，"saidAnnedeterminedly。"Ifitonlydoesn’tactuallyrain，acool，pearlygraydaylikethiswouldreallybenicerthanhotsunshine。"

"Butitwillrain，"mournedCharlotta，creepingintotheroom，afigureoffun，withhermanybraidswoundaboutherhead，theends，tiedupwithwhitethread，stickingoutinalldirections。"It’llholdofftillthelastminuteandthenpourcatsanddogs。Andallthefolkswillgetsopping……andtrackmudalloverthehouse……

andtheywon’tbeabletobemarriedunderthehoneysuckle……andit’sawfulunluckyfornosuntoshineonabride，saywhatyouwill，MissShirley，ma’am。_I_knewthingsweregoingtoowelltolast。"

CharlottatheFourthseemedcertainlytohaveborrowedaleafoutofMissElizaAndrews’book。

Itdidnotrain，thoughitkeptonlookingasifitmeantto。

Bynoontheroomsweredecorated，thetablebeautifullylaid；

andupstairswaswaitingabride，"adornedforherhusband。"

"Youdolooksweet，"saidAnnerapturously。

"Lovely，"echoedDiana。

"Everything’sready，MissShirley，ma’am，andnothingdreadfulhashappenedYET，"wasCharlotta’scheerfulstatementasshebetookherselftoherlittlebackroomtodress。Outcameallthebraids；

theresultantrampantcrinklinesswasplaitedintotwotailsandtied，notwithtwobowsalone，butwithfour，ofbrand-newribbon，brightlyblue。ThetwoupperbowsrathergavetheimpressionofovergrownwingssproutingfromCharlotta’sneck，somewhatafterthefashionofRaphael’scherubs。ButCharlottatheFourththoughtthemverybeautiful，andaftershehadrustledintoawhitedress，sostifflystarchedthatitcouldstandalone，shesurveyedherselfinherglasswithgreatsatisfaction……asatisfactionwhichlasteduntilshewentoutinthehallandcaughtaglimpsethroughthespareroomdoorofatallgirlinsomesoftlyclinginggown，pinningwhite，star-likeflowersonthesmoothripplesofherruddyhair。

"Oh，I’llNEVERbeabletolooklikeMissShirley，"thoughtpoorCharlottadespairingly。"Youjusthavetobebornso，Iguess……

don’tseem’sifanyamountofpracticecouldgiveyouthatAIR。"

Byoneo’clocktheguestshadcome，includingMr。andMrs。Allan，forMr。AllanwastoperformtheceremonyintheabsenceoftheGraftonministeronhisvacation。Therewasnoformalityaboutthemarriage。MissLavendarcamedownthestairstomeetherbridegroomatthefoot，andashetookherhandsheliftedherbigbrowneyestohiswithalookthatmadeCharlottatheFourth，whointerceptedit，feelqueererthanever。Theywentouttothehoneysucklearbor，whereMr。Allanwasawaitingthem。Theguestsgroupedthemselvesastheypleased。AnneandDianastoodbytheoldstonebench，withCharlottatheFourthbetweenthem，desperatelyclutchingtheirhandsinhercold，tremulouslittlepaws。

Mr。Allanopenedhisbluebookandtheceremonyproceeded。JustasMissLavendarandStephenIrvingwerepronouncedmanandwifeaverybeautifulandsymbolicthinghappened。Thesunsuddenlyburstthroughthegrayandpouredafloodofradianceonthehappybride。Instantlythegardenwasalivewithdancingshadowsandflickeringlights。

"Whatalovelyomen，"thoughtAnne，assherantokissthebride。

Thenthethreegirlslefttherestoftheguestslaughingaroundthebridalpairwhiletheyflewintothehousetoseethatallwasinreadinessforthefeast。

"Thanksbetogoodness，it’sover，MissShirley，ma’am，"breathedCharlottatheFourth，"andthey’remarriedsafeandsound，nomatterwhathappensnow。Thebagsofriceareinthepantry，ma’am，andtheoldshoesarebehindthedoor，andthecreamforwhippingisonthesullarsteps。"

AthalfpasttwoMr。andMrs。Irvingleft，andeverybodywenttoBrightRivertoseethemoffontheafternoontrain。AsMissLavendar……Ibegherpardon，Mrs。Irving……steppedfromthedoorofheroldhomeGilbertandthegirlsthrewthericeandCharlottatheFourthhurledanoldshoewithsuchexcellentaimthatshestruckMr。Allansquarelyonthehead。ButitwasreservedforPaultogivetheprettiestsend-off。Hepoppedoutoftheporchringingfuriouslyahugeoldbrassdinnerbellwhichhadadornedthediningroommantel。Paul’sonlymotivewastomakeajoyfulnoise；butastheclangordiedaway，frompointandcurveandhillacrosstherivercamethechimeof"fairyweddingbells，"

ringingclearly，sweetly，faintlyandmorefaint，asifMissLavendar’sbelovedechoeswerebiddinghergreetingandfarewell。

Andso，amidthisbenedictionofsweetsounds，MissLavendardroveawayfromtheoldlifeofdreamsandmake-believestoafullerlifeofrealitiesinthebusyworldbeyond。

TwohourslaterAnneandCharlottatheFourthcamedownthelaneagain。

GilberthadgonetoWestGraftononanerrandandDianahadtokeepanengagementathome。AnneandCharlottahadcomebacktoputthingsinorderandlockupthelittlestonehouse。Thegardenwasapooloflategoldensunshine，withbutterflieshoveringandbeesbooming；

butthelittlehousehadalreadythatindefinableairofdesolationwhichalwaysfollowsafestivity。

"Ohdearme，don’titlooklonesome？"sniffedCharlottatheFourth，whohadbeencryingallthewayhomefromthestation。"Aweddingain’tmuchcheerfullerthanafuneralafterall，whenit’sallover，MissShirley，ma’am。"

Abusyeveningfollowed。Thedecorationshadtoberemoved，thedisheswashed，theuneatendelicaciespackedintoabasketforthedelectationofCharlottatheFourth’syoungbrothersathome。

Annewouldnotrestuntileverythingwasinapple-pieorder；afterCharlottahadgonehomewithherplunderAnnewentoverthestillrooms，feelinglikeonewhotrodalonesomebanquethalldeserted，andclosedtheblinds。ThenshelockedthedoorandsatdownunderthesilverpoplartowaitforGilbert，feelingverytiredbutstillunweariedlythinking"long，longthoughts。"

"Whatareyouthinkingof，Anne？"askedGilbert，comingdownthewalk。Hehadlefthishorseandbuggyoutattheroad。

"OfMissLavendarandMr。Irving，"answeredAnnedreamily。"Isn’titbeautifultothinkhoweverythinghasturnedout……howtheyhavecometogetheragainafteralltheyearsofseparationandmisunderstanding？"

"Yes，it’sbeautiful，"saidGilbert，lookingsteadilydownintoAnne’supliftedface，"butwouldn’tithavebeenmorebeautifulstill，Anne，iftherehadbeenNOseparationormisunderstanding……

iftheyhadcomehandinhandallthewaythroughlife，withnomemoriesbehindthembutthosewhichbelongedtoeachother？"

ForamomentAnne’sheartflutteredqueerlyandforthefirsttimehereyesfalteredunderGilbert’sgazeandarosyflushstainedthepalenessofherface。Itwasasifaveilthathadhungbeforeherinnerconsciousnesshadbeenlifted，givingtoherviewarevelationofunsuspectedfeelingsandrealities。Perhaps，afterall，romancedidnotcomeintoone’slifewithpompandblare，likeagayknightridingdown；perhapsitcrepttoone’ssidelikeanoldfriendthroughquietways；perhapsitrevealeditselfinseemingprose，untilsomesuddenshaftofilluminationflungathwartitspagesbetrayedtherhythmandthemusic，perhaps……

perhaps……loveunfoldednaturallyoutofabeautifulfriendship，asagolden-heartedroseslippingfromitsgreensheath。

Thentheveildroppedagain；buttheAnnewhowalkedupthedarklanewasnotquitethesameAnnewhohaddrivengailydownittheeveningbefore。Thepageofgirlhoodhadbeenturned，asbyanunseenfinger，andthepageofwomanhoodwasbeforeherwithallitscharmandmystery，itspainandgladness。

Gilbertwiselysaidnothingmore；butinhissilencehereadthehistoryofthenextfouryearsinthelightofAnne’srememberedblush。Fouryearsofearnest，happywork……andthentheguerdonofausefulknowledgegainedandasweetheartwon。

Behindtheminthegardenthelittlestonehousebroodedamongtheshadows。Itwaslonelybutnotforsaken。Ithadnotyetdonewithdreamsandlaughterandthejoyoflife；thereweretobefuturesummersforthelittlestonehouse；meanwhile，itcouldwait。Andovertheriverinpurpledurancetheechoesbidedtheirtime。

End