ThatbridgeledAnne’sdancingfeetupoverawoodedhillbeyond，whereperpetualtwilightreignedunderthestraight，thick-growingfirsandspruces；theonlyflowersthereweremyriadsofdelicate\"Junebells，\"thoseshyestandsweetestofwoodlandblooms，andafewpale，aerialstarflowers，likethespiritsoflastyear’sblossoms。
Gossamersglimmeredlikethreadsofsilveramongthetreesandthefirboughsandtasselsseemedtoutterfriendlyspeech。
Alltheserapturedvoyagesofexplorationweremadeintheoddhalfhourswhichshewasallowedforplay，andAnnetalkedMatthewandMarillahalfdeafoverherdiscoveries。
NotthatMatthewcomplained，tobesure；helistenedtoitallwithawordlesssmileofenjoymentonhisface；
Marillapermittedthe\"chatter\"untilshefoundherselfbecomingtoointerestedinit，whereuponshealwayspromptlyquenchedAnnebyacurtcommandtoholdhertongue。
AnnewasoutintheorchardwhenMrs。Rachelcame，wanderingatherownsweetwillthroughthelush，tremu-
lousgrassessplashedwithruddyeveningsunshine；sothatgoodladyhadanexcellentchancetotalkherillnessfullyover，describingeveryacheandpulsebeatwithsuchevidentenjoymentthatMarillathoughtevengrippemustbringitscompensations。WhendetailswereexhaustedMrs。Rachelintroducedtherealreasonofhercall。
\"I’vebeenhearingsomesurprisingthingsaboutyouandMatthew。\"
\"Idon’tsupposeyouareanymoresurprisedthanIammyself，\"
saidMarilla。\"I’mgettingovermysurprisenow。\"
\"Itwastoobadtherewassuchamistake，\"saidMrs。
Rachelsympathetically。\"Couldn’tyouhavesentherback？\"
\"Isupposewecould，butwedecidednotto。Matthewtookafancytoher。AndImustsayIlikehermyself——
althoughIadmitshehasherfaults。Thehouseseemsadifferentplacealready。She’sarealbrightlittlething。\"
Marillasaidmorethanshehadintendedtosaywhenshebegan，forshereaddisapprovalinMrs。Rachel’sexpression。
\"It’sagreatresponsibilityyou’vetakenonyourself，\"
saidthatladygloomily，\"especiallywhenyou’veneverhadanyexperiencewithchildren。Youdon’tknowmuchaboutherorherrealdisposition，Isuppose，andthere’snoguessinghowachildlikethatwillturnout。ButIdon’twanttodiscourageyouI’msure，Marilla。\"
\"I’mnotfeelingdiscouraged，\"wasMarilla’sdryresponse。
\"whenImakeupmymindtodoathingitstaysmadeup。
Isupposeyou’dliketoseeAnne。I’llcallherin。\"
Annecamerunninginpresently，herfacesparklingwiththedelightofherorchardrovings；but，abashedatfindingthedelightherselfintheunexpectedpresenceofastranger，shehaltedconfusedlyinsidethedoor。Shecertainlywasanodd-lookinglittlecreatureintheshorttightwinceydressshehadwornfromtheasylum，belowwhichherthinlegsseemedungracefullylong。Herfrecklesweremorenumerousandobtrusivethanever；thewindhadruffledherhatlesshairintoover-brilliantdisorder；ithadneverlookedredderthanatthatmoment。
\"Well，theydidn’tpickyouforyourlooks，that’ssureandcertain，\"wasMrs。RachelLynde’semphaticcomment。
Mrs。Rachelwasoneofthosedelightfulandpopularpeoplewhopridethemselvesonspeakingtheirmindwithoutfearorfavor。\"She’sterribleskinnyandhomely，Marilla。
Comehere，child，andletmehavealookatyou。Lawfulheart，didanyoneeverseesuchfreckles？Andhairasredascarrots！Comehere，child，Isay。\"
Anne\"camethere，\"butnotexactlyasMrs。Rachelexpected。WithoneboundshecrossedthekitchenfloorandstoodbeforeMrs。Rachel，herfacescarletwithanger，herlipsquivering，andherwholeslenderformtremblingfromheadtofoot。
\"Ihateyou，\"shecriedinachokedvoice，stampingherfootonthefloor。\"Ihateyou——Ihateyou——Ihateyou——\"
alouderstampwitheachassertionofhatred。\"Howdareyoucallmeskinnyandugly？HowdareyousayI’mfreckledandredheaded？Youarearude，impolite，unfeelingwoman！\"
\"Anne！\"exclaimedMarillainconsternation。
ButAnnecontinuedtofaceMrs。Rachelundauntedly，headup，eyesblazing，handsclenched，passionateindignationexhalingfromherlikeanatmosphere。
\"Howdareyousaysuchthingsaboutme？\"sherepeatedvehemently。\"Howwouldyouliketohavesuchthingssaidaboutyou？Howwouldyouliketobetoldthatyouarefatandclumsyandprobablyhadn’tasparkofimaginationinyou？Idon’tcareifIdohurtyourfeelingsbysayingso！
IhopeIhurtthem。YouhavehurtmineworsethantheywereeverhurtbeforeevenbyMrs。Thomas’intoxicatedhusband。AndI’llNEVERforgiveyouforit，never，never！\"
Stamp！Stamp！
\"Didanybodyeverseesuchatemper！\"exclaimedthehorrifiedMrs。Rachel。
\"AnnegotoyourroomandstaythereuntilIcomeup，\"
saidMarilla，recoveringherpowersofspeechwithdifficulty。
Anne，burstingintotears，rushedtothehalldoor，slammedituntilthetinsontheporchwalloutsiderattledinsympathy，andfledthroughthehallandupthestairslikeawhirlwind。Asubduedslamabovetoldthatthedooroftheeastgablehadbeenshutwithequalvehemence。
\"Well，Idon’tenvyyouyourjobbringingTHATup，Marilla，\"saidMrs。Rachelwithunspeakablesolemnity。
Marillaopenedherlipstosaysheknewnotwhatofapologyordeprecation。Whatshedidsaywasasurprisetoherselfthenandeverafterwards。
\"Youshouldn’thavetwittedheraboutherlooks，Rachel。\"
\"MarillaCuthbert，youdon’tmeantosaythatyouareupholdingherinsuchaterribledisplayoftemperaswe’vejustseen？\"demandedMrs。Rachelindignantly。
\"No，\"saidMarillaslowly，\"I’mnottryingtoexcuseher。She’sbeenverynaughtyandI’llhavetogiveheratalkingtoaboutit。Butwemustmakeallowancesforher。She’sneverbeentaughtwhatisright。AndyouWEREtoohardonher，Rachel。\"
Marillacouldnothelptackingonthatlastsentence，althoughshewasagainsurprisedatherselffordoingit。
Mrs。Rachelgotupwithanairofoffendeddignity。
\"Well，IseethatI’llhavetobeverycarefulwhatIsayafterthis，Marilla，sincethefinefeelingsoforphans，broughtfromgoodnessknowswhere，havetobeconsideredbeforeanythingelse。Oh，no，I’mnotvexed——don’tworryyourself。I’mtoosorryforyoutoleaveanyroomforangerinmymind。You’llhaveyourowntroubleswiththatchild。
Butifyou’lltakemyadvice——whichIsupposeyouwon’tdo，althoughI’vebroughtuptenchildrenandburiedtwo——you’lldothat`talkingto’youmentionwithafair-
sizedbirchswitch。IshouldthinkTHATwouldbethemosteffectivelanguageforthatkindofachild。HertempermatchesherhairIguess。Well，goodevening，Marilla。
Ihopeyou’llcomedowntoseemeoftenasusual。Butyoucan’texpectmetovisithereagaininahurry，ifI’mliabletobeflownatandinsultedinsuchafashion。
It’ssomethingnewinMYexperience。\"
WhereatMrs。Rachelsweptoutandaway——ifafatwomanwhoalwayswaddledCOULDbesaidtosweepaway——andMarillawithaverysolemnfacebetookherselftotheeastgable。
Onthewayupstairsshepondereduneasilyastowhatsheoughttodo。Shefeltnolittledismayoverthescenethathadjustbeenenacted。HowunfortunatethatAnneshouldhavedisplayedsuchtemperbeforeMrs。RachelLynde，ofallpeople！ThenMarillasuddenlybecameawareofanuncomfortableandrebukingconsciousnessthatshefeltmorehumiliationoverthisthansorrowoverthediscoveryofsuchaseriousdefectinAnne’sdisposition。
Andhowwasshetopunishher？Theamiablesuggestionofthebirchswitch——totheefficiencyofwhichallofMrs。
Rachel’sownchildrencouldhavebornesmartingtestimony——
didnotappealtoMarilla。Shedidnotbelieveshecouldwhipachild。No，someothermethodofpunishmentmustbefoundtobringAnnetoaproperrealizationoftheenormityofheroffense。
MarillafoundAnnefacedownwardonherbed，cryingbitterly，quiteobliviousofmuddybootsonacleancounterpane。
\"Anne，\"shesaidnotungently。
Noanswer。
\"Anne，\"withgreaterseverity，\"getoffthatbedthisminuteandlistentowhatIhavetosaytoyou。\"
Annesquirmedoffthebedandsatrigidlyonachairbesideit，herfaceswollenandtear-stainedandhereyesfixedstubbornlyonthefloor。
\"Thisisanicewayforyoutobehave。Anne！Aren’tyouashamedofyourself？\"
\"Shehadn’tanyrighttocallmeuglyandredheaded，\"
retortedAnne，evasiveanddefiant。
\"Youhadn’tanyrighttoflyintosuchafuryandtalkthewayyoudidtoher，Anne。Iwasashamedofyou——
thoroughlyashamedofyou。IwantedyoutobehavenicelytoMrs。Lynde，andinsteadofthatyouhavedisgracedme。
I’msureIdon’tknowwhyyoushouldloseyourtemperlikethatjustbecauseMrs。Lyndesaidyouwereredhairedandhomely。Yousayityourselfoftenenough。\"
\"Oh，butthere’ssuchadifferencebetweensayingathingyourselfandhearingotherpeoplesayit，\"wailedAnne。\"Youmayknowathingisso，butyoucan’thelphopingotherpeopledon’tquitethinkitis。IsupposeyouthinkIhaveanawfultemper，butIcouldn’thelpit。
Whenshesaidthosethingssomethingjustroserightupinmeandchokedme。IHADtoflyoutather。\"
\"Well，youmadeafineexhibitionofyourselfImustsay。
Mrs。Lyndewillhaveanicestorytotellaboutyoueverywhere——andshe’lltellit，too。Itwasadreadfulthingforyoutoloseyourtemperlikethat，Anne。\"
\"Justimaginehowyouwouldfeelifsomebodytoldyoutoyourfacethatyouwereskinnyandugly，\"pleadedAnnetearfully。
AnoldremembrancesuddenlyroseupbeforeMarilla。
Shehadbeenaverysmallchildwhenshehadheardoneauntsayofhertoanother，\"Whatapitysheissuchadark，homelylittlething。\"Marillawaseverydayoffiftybeforethestinghadgoneoutofthatmemory。
\"Idon’tsaythatIthinkMrs。Lyndewasexactlyrightinsayingwhatshedidtoyou，Anne，\"sheadmittedinasoftertone。\"Rachelistoooutspoken。Butthatisnoexcuseforsuchbehavioronyourpart。Shewasastrangerandanelderlypersonandmyvisitor——allthreeverygoodreasonswhyyoushouldhavebeenrespectfultoher。Youwererudeandsaucyand\"——Marillahadasavinginspirationofpunishment——\"youmustgotoherandtellheryouareverysorryforyourbadtemperandaskhertoforgiveyou。\"
\"Icanneverdothat，\"saidAnnedeterminedlyanddarkly。
\"Youcanpunishmeinanywayyoulike，Marilla。Youcanshutmeupinadark，dampdungeoninhabitedbysnakesandtoadsandfeedmeonlyonbreadandwaterandIshallnotcomplain。ButIcannotaskMrs。Lyndetoforgiveme。\"
\"We’renotinthehabitofshuttingpeopleupindarkdampdungeons，\"saidMarilladrily，\"especiallyasthey’reratherscarceinAvonlea。ButapologizetoMrs。Lyndeyoumustandshallandyou’llstayhereinyourroomuntilyoucantellmeyou’rewillingtodoit。\"
\"Ishallhavetostayhereforeverthen，\"saidAnnemournfully，\"becauseIcan’ttellMrs。LyndeI’msorryI
saidthosethingstoher。HowcanI？I’mNOTsorry。I’msorryI’vevexedyou；butI’mGLADItoldherjustwhatIdid。
Itwasagreatsatisfaction。Ican’tsayI’msorrywhenI’mnot，canI？Ican’tevenIMAGINEI’msorry。\"
\"Perhapsyourimaginationwillbeinbetterworkingorderbythemorning，\"saidMarilla，risingtodepart。
\"You’llhavethenighttothinkoveryourconductinandcometoabetterframeofmind。YousaidyouwouldtrytobeaverygoodgirlifwekeptyouatGreenGables，butImustsayithasn’tseemedverymuchlikeitthisevening。\"
LeavingthisParthianshafttorankleinAnne’sstormybosom，Marilladescendedtothekitchen，grievouslytroubledinmindandvexedinsoul。ShewasasangrywithherselfaswithAnne，because，wheneversherecalledMrs。
Rachel’sdumbfoundedcountenanceherlipstwitchedwithamusementandshefeltamostreprehensibledesiretolaugh。
CHAPTERX
Anne’sApologyMarillasaidnothingtoMatthewabouttheaffairthatevening；butwhenAnneprovedstillrefractorythenextmorninganexplanationhadtobemadetoaccountforherabsencefromthebreakfasttable。MarillatoldMatthewthewholestory，takingpainstoimpresshimwithaduesenseoftheenormityofAnne’sbehavior。
\"It’sagoodthingRachelLyndegotacallingdown；she’sameddlesomeoldgossip，\"wasMatthew’sconsolatoryrejoinder。
\"MatthewCuthbert，I’mastonishedatyou。YouknowthatAnne’sbehaviorwasdreadful，andyetyoutakeherpart！
Isupposeyou’llbesayingnextthingthatsheoughtn’ttobepunishedatall！\"
\"Wellnow——no——notexactly，\"saidMatthewuneasily。I
reckonsheoughttobepunishedalittle。Butdon’tbetoohardonher，Marilla。Recollectshehasn’teverhadanyonetoteachherright。You’re——you’regoingtogivehersomethingtoeat，aren’tyou？\"
\"Whendidyoueverhearofmestarvingpeopleintogoodbehavior？\"demandedMarillaindignantly。\"She’llhavehermealsregular，andI’llcarrythemuptohermyself。
Butshe’llstayupthereuntilshe’swillingtoapologizetoMrs。Lynde，andthat’sfinal，Matthew。\"
Breakfast，dinner，andsupperwereverysilentmeals——forAnnestillremainedobdurate。AftereachmealMarillacarriedawell-filledtraytotheeastgableandbroughtitdownlateronnotnoticeablydepleted。Mattheweyeditslastdescentwithatroubledeye。HadAnneeatenanythingatall？
WhenMarillawentoutthateveningtobringthecowsfromthebackpasture，Matthew，whohadbeenhangingaboutthebarnsandwatching，slippedintothehousewiththeairofaburglarandcreptupstairs。AsageneralthingMatthewgravitatedbetweenthekitchenandthelittlebedroomoffthehallwhereheslept；onceinawhileheventureduncomfortablyintotheparlororsittingroomwhentheministercametotea。ButhehadneverbeenupstairsinhisownhousesincethespringhehelpedMarillapaperthesparebedroom，andthatwasfouryearsago。
Hetiptoedalongthehallandstoodforseveralminutesoutsidethedooroftheeastgablebeforehesummonedcouragetotaponitwithhisfingersandthenopenthedoortopeepin。
Annewassittingontheyellowchairbythewindowgazingmournfullyoutintothegarden。Verysmallandunhappyshelooked，andMatthew’sheartsmotehim。
Hesoftlyclosedthedoorandtiptoedovertoher。
\"Anne，\"hewhispered，asifafraidofbeingoverheard，\"howareyoumakingit，Anne？\"
Annesmiledwanly。
\"Prettywell。Iimagineagooddeal，andthathelpstopassthetime。Ofcourse，it’sratherlonesome。Butthen，Imayaswellgetusedtothat。\"
Annesmiledagain，bravelyfacingthelongyearsofsolitaryimprisonmentbeforeher。
Matthewrecollectedthathemustsaywhathehadcometosaywithoutlossoftime，lestMarillareturnprematurely。
\"Wellnow，Anne，don’tyouthinkyou’dbetterdoitandhaveitoverwith？\"hewhispered。\"It’llhavetobedonesoonerorlater，youknow，forMarilla’sadreadfuldeter-
minedwoman——dreadfuldetermined，Anne。Doitrightoff，Isay，andhaveitover。\"
\"DoyoumeanapologizetoMrs。Lynde？\"
\"Yes——apologize——that’stheveryword，\"saidMattheweagerly。
\"Justsmoothitoversotospeak。That’swhatIwastryingtogetat。\"
\"IsupposeIcoulddoittoobligeyou，\"saidAnnethoughtfully。\"ItwouldbetrueenoughtosayIamsorry，becauseIAMsorrynow。Iwasn’tabitsorrylastnight。
Iwasmadclearthrough，andIstayedmadallnight。IknowIdidbecauseIwokeupthreetimesandIwasjustfuriouseverytime。Butthismorningitwasover。Iwasn’tinatemperanymore——anditleftadreadfulsortofgoneness，too。Ifeltsoashamedofmyself。ButIjustcouldn’tthinkofgoingandtellingMrs。Lyndeso。Itwouldbesohumili-
ating。ImadeupmymindI’dstayshutuphereforeverratherthandothat。Butstill——I’ddoanythingforyou——ifyoureallywantmeto——\"
\"Wellnow，ofcourseIdo。It’sterriblelonesomedownstairswithoutyou。Justgoandsmooththingsover——
that’sagoodgirl。\"
\"Verywell，\"saidAnneresignedly。\"I’lltellMarillaassoonasshecomesinI’verepented。\"
\"That’sright——that’sright，Anne。Butdon’ttellMarillaI
saidanythingaboutit。ShemightthinkIwasputtingmyoarinandIpromisednottodothat。\"
\"Wildhorseswon’tdragthesecretfromme，\"promisedAnnesolemnly。\"Howwouldwildhorsesdragasecretfromapersonanyhow？\"
ButMatthewwasgone，scaredathisownsuccess。HefledhastilytotheremotestcornerofthehorsepasturelestMarillashouldsuspectwhathehadbeenupto。Marillaherself，uponherreturntothehouse，wasagreeablysurprisedtohearaplaintivevoicecalling，\"Marilla\"overthebanisters。
\"Well？\"shesaid，goingintothehall。
\"I’msorryIlostmytemperandsaidrudethings，andI’mwillingtogoandtellMrs。Lyndeso。\"
\"Verywell。\"Marilla’scrispnessgavenosignofherrelief。ShehadbeenwonderingwhatunderthecanopysheshoulddoifAnnedidnotgivein。\"I’lltakeyoudownaftermilking。\"
Accordingly，aftermilking，beholdMarillaandAnnewalkingdownthelane，theformererectandtriumphant，thelatterdroopinganddejected。ButhalfwaydownAnne’sdejectionvanishedasifbyenchantment。Sheliftedherheadandsteppedlightlyalong，hereyesfixedonthesunsetskyandanairofsubduedexhilarationabouther。
Marillabeheldthechangedisapprovingly。ThiswasnomeekpenitentsuchasitbehoovedhertotakeintothepresenceoftheoffendedMrs。Lynde。
\"Whatareyouthinkingof，Anne？\"sheaskedsharply。
\"I’mimaginingoutwhatImustsaytoMrs。Lynde，\"
answeredAnnedreamily。
Thiswassatisfactory——orshouldhavebeenso。ButMarillacouldnotridherselfofthenotionthatsomethinginherschemeofpunishmentwasgoingaskew。Annehadnobusinesstolooksoraptandradiant。
RaptandradiantAnnecontinueduntiltheywereintheverypresenceofMrs。Lynde，whowassittingknittingbyherkitchenwindow。Thentheradiancevanished。Mournfulpenitenceappearedoneveryfeature。BeforeawordwasspokenAnnesuddenlywentdownonherkneesbeforetheastonishedMrs。Rachelandheldoutherhandsbeseechingly。
\"Oh，Mrs。Lynde，Iamsoextremelysorry，\"shesaidwithaquiverinhervoice。\"Icouldneverexpressallmysorrow，no，notifIusedupawholedictionary。Youmustjustimagineit。Ibehavedterriblytoyou——andI’vedisgracedthedearfriends，MatthewandMarilla，whohaveletmestayatGreenGablesalthoughI’mnotaboy。
I’madreadfullywickedandungratefulgirl，andIdeservetobepunishedandcastoutbyrespectablepeopleforever。
Itwasverywickedofmetoflyintoatemperbecauseyoutoldmethetruth。ItWASthetruth；everywordyousaidwastrue。MyhairisredandI’mfreckledandskinnyandugly。WhatIsaidtoyouwastrue，too，butIshouldn’thavesaidit。Oh，Mrs。Lynde，please，please，forgiveme。
Ifyourefuseitwillbealifelongsorrowonapoorlittleorphangirlwouldyou，evenifshehadadreadfultemper？
Oh，Iamsureyouwouldn’t。Pleasesayyouforgiveme，Mrs。Lynde。\"
Anneclaspedherhandstogether，bowedherhead，andwaitedforthewordofjudgment。
Therewasnomistakinghersincerity——itbreathedineverytoneofhervoice。BothMarillaandMrs。Lynderecognizeditsunmistakablering。Buttheformerunder-
stoodindismaythatAnnewasactuallyenjoyinghervalleyofhumiliation——wasrevelinginthethoroughnessofherabasement。Wherewasthewholesomepunishmentuponwhichshe，Marilla，hadplumedherself？Annehadturneditintoaspeciesofpositivepleasure。
GoodMrs。Lynde，notbeingoverburdenedwithperception，didnotseethis。SheonlyperceivedthatAnnehadmadeaverythoroughapologyandallresentmentvanishedfromherkindly，ifsomewhatofficious，heart。
\"There，there，getup，child，\"shesaidheartily。\"OfcourseIforgiveyou。IguessIwasalittletoohardonyou，anyway。ButI’msuchanoutspokenperson。Youjustmustn’tmindme，that’swhat。Itcan’tbedeniedyourhairisterriblered；butIknewagirlonce——wenttoschoolwithher，infact——whosehairwaseverymiteasredasyourswhenshewasyoung，butwhenshegrewupitdarkenedtoarealhandsomeauburn。Iwouldn’tbeamitesurprisedifyoursdid，too——notamite。\"
\"Oh，Mrs。Lynde！\"Annedrewalongbreathassherosetoherfeet。\"Youhavegivenmeahope。Ishallalwaysfeelthatyouareabenefactor。Oh，IcouldendureanythingifI
onlythoughtmyhairwouldbeahandsomeauburnwhenI
grewup。Itwouldbesomucheasiertobegoodifone’shairwasahandsomeauburn，don’tyouthink？AndnowmayIgooutintoyourgardenandsitonthatbenchundertheapple-treeswhileyouandMarillaaretalking？Thereissomuchmorescopeforimaginationoutthere。\"
\"Laws，yes，runalong，child。AndyoucanpickabouquetofthemwhiteJuneliliesoverinthecornerifyoulike。\"
AsthedoorclosedbehindAnneMrs。Lyndegotbrisklyuptolightalamp。
\"She’sarealoddlittlething。Takethischair，Marilla；
it’seasierthantheoneyou’vegot；Ijustkeepthatforthehiredboytositon。Yes，shecertainlyisanoddchild，butthereissomethingkindoftakingaboutherafterall。
Idon’tfeelsosurprisedatyouandMatthewkeepingherasIdid——norsosorryforyou，either。Shemayturnoutallright。Ofcourse，shehasaqueerwayofexpressingherself——
alittletoo——well，tookindofforcible，youknow；butshe’lllikelygetoverthatnowthatshe’scometoliveamongcivilizedfolks。Andthen，hertemper’sprettyquick，I
guess；butthere’sonecomfort，achildthathasaquicktemper，justblazeupandcooldown，ain’tneverlikelytobeslyordeceitful。Preservemefromaslychild，that’swhat。Onthewhole，Marilla，Ikindoflikeher。\"
WhenMarillawenthomeAnnecameoutofthefragranttwilightoftheorchardwithasheafofwhitenarcissiinherhands。
\"Iapologizedprettywell，didn’tI？\"shesaidproudlyastheywentdownthelane。\"IthoughtsinceIhadtodoitImightaswelldoitthoroughly。\"
\"Youdiditthoroughly，allrightenough，\"wasMarilla’scomment。Marillawasdismayedatfindingherselfinclinedtolaughovertherecollection。ShehadalsoanuneasyfeelingthatsheoughttoscoldAnneforapologizingsowell；
butthen，thatwasridiculous！Shecompromisedwithherconsciencebysayingseverely:
\"Ihopeyouwon’thaveoccasiontomakemanymoresuchapologies。Ihopeyou’lltrytocontrolyourtempernow，Anne。\"
\"Thatwouldn’tbesohardifpeoplewouldn’ttwitmeaboutmylooks，\"saidAnnewithasigh。\"Idon’tgetcrossaboutotherthings；butI’mSOtiredofbeingtwittedaboutmyhairanditjustmakesmeboilrightover。DoyousupposemyhairwillreallybeahandsomeauburnwhenIgrowup？\"
\"Youshouldn’tthinksomuchaboutyourlooks，Anne。I’mafraidyouareaveryvainlittlegirl。\"
\"HowcanIbevainwhenIknowI’mhomely？\"protestedAnne。\"Iloveprettythings；andIhatetolookintheglassandseesomethingthatisn’tpretty。Itmakesmefeelsosorrowful——justasIfeelwhenIlookatanyuglything。Ipityitbecauseitisn’tbeautiful。\"
\"Handsomeisashandsomedoes，\"quotedMarilla。
\"I’vehadthatsaidtomebefore，butIhavemydoubtsaboutit，\"remarkedskepticalAnne，sniffingathernarcissi。
\"Oh，aren’ttheseflowerssweet！ItwaslovelyofMrs。
Lyndetogivethemtome。IhavenohardfeelingsagainstMrs。Lyndenow。Itgivesyoualovely，comfortablefeelingtoapologizeandbeforgiven，doesn’tit？Aren’tthestarsbrighttonight？Ifyoucouldliveinastar，whichonewouldyoupick？I’dlikethatlovelyclearbigoneawayoverthereabovethatdarkhill。\"
\"Anne，doholdyourtongue。\"saidMarilla，thoroughlywornouttryingtofollowthegyrationsofAnne’sthoughts。
Annesaidnomoreuntiltheyturnedintotheirownlane。
Alittlegypsywindcamedownittomeetthem，ladenwiththespicyperfumeofyoungdew-wetferns。FarupintheshadowsacheerfullightgleamedoutthroughthetreesfromthekitchenatGreenGables。AnnesuddenlycameclosetoMarillaandslippedherhandintotheolderwoman’shardpalm。
\"It’slovelytobegoinghomeandknowit’shome，\"shesaid。
\"IloveGreenGablesalready，andIneverlovedanyplacebefore。
Noplaceeverseemedlikehome。Oh，Marilla，I’msohappy。
Icouldprayrightnowandnotfinditabithard。\"
SomethingwarmandpleasantwelledupinMarilla’sheartattouchofthatthinlittlehandinherown——athrobofthematernityshehadmissed，perhaps。Itsveryunaccustomednessandsweetnessdisturbedher。Shehastenedtorestorehersensationstotheirnormalcalmbyinculcatingamoral。
\"Ifyou’llbeagoodgirlyou’llalwaysbehappy，Anne。
Andyoushouldneverfindithardtosayyourprayers。\"
\"Sayingone’sprayersisn’texactlythesamethingaspraying，\"
saidAnnemeditatively。\"ButI’mgoingtoimaginethatI’mthewindthatisblowingupthereinthosetreetops。WhenI
gettiredofthetreesI’llimagineI’mgentlywavingdownhereintheferns——andthenI’llflyovertoMrs。Lynde’sgardenandsettheflowersdancing——andthenI’llgowithonegreatswoopoverthecloverfield——andthenI’llblowovertheLakeofShiningWatersandrippleitallupintolittlesparklingwaves。
Oh，there’ssomuchscopeforimaginationinawind！SoI’llnottalkanymorejustnow，Marilla。\"
\"Thanksbetogoodnessforthat，\"breathedMarillaindevoutrelief。
CHAPTERXI
Anne’sImpressionsofSunday-School\"Well，howdoyoulikethem？\"saidMarilla。
Annewasstandinginthegableroom，lookingsolemnlyatthreenewdressesspreadoutonthebed。OnewasofsnuffycoloredginghamwhichMarillahadbeentemptedtobuyfromapeddlertheprecedingsummerbecauseitlookedsoserviceable；onewasofblack-and-whitecheckeredsateenwhichshehadpickedupatabargaincounterinthewinter；andonewasastiffprintofanuglyblueshadewhichshehadpurchasedthatweekataCarmodystore。
Shehadmadethemupherself，andtheywereallmadealike——plainskirtsfulledtightlytoplainwaists，withsleevesasplainaswaistandskirtandtightassleevescouldbe。
\"I’llimaginethatIlikethem，\"saidAnnesoberly。
\"Idon’twantyoutoimagineit，\"saidMarilla，offended。
\"Oh，Icanseeyoudon’tlikethedresses！Whatisthematterwiththem？Aren’ttheyneatandcleanandnew？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Thenwhydon’tyoulikethem？\"
\"They’re——they’renot——pretty，\"saidAnnereluctantly。
\"Pretty！\"Marillasniffed。\"Ididn’ttroublemyheadaboutgettingprettydressesforyou。Idon’tbelieveinpamperingvanity，Anne，I’lltellyouthatrightoff。Thosedressesaregood，sensible，serviceabledresses，withoutanyfrillsorfurbelowsaboutthem，andthey’reallyou’llgetthissummer。Thebrownginghamandtheblueprintwilldoyouforschoolwhenyoubegintogo。ThesateenisforchurchandSundayschool。I’llexpectyoutokeepthemneatandcleanandnottotearthem。Ishouldthinkyou’dbegratefultogetmostanythingafterthoseskimpywinceythingsyou’vebeenwearing。\"
\"Oh，IAMgrateful，\"protestedAnne。\"ButI’dbeeversomuchgratefullerif——ifyou’dmadejustoneofthemwithpuffedsleeves。Puffedsleevesaresofashionablenow。
Itwouldgivemesuchathrill，Marilla，justtowearadresswithpuffedsleeves。\"
\"Well，you’llhavetodowithoutyourthrill。Ihadn’tanymaterialtowasteonpuffedsleeves。Ithinktheyareridiculous-lookingthingsanyhow。Iprefertheplain，sensibleones。\"
\"ButI’dratherlookridiculouswheneverybodyelsedoesthanplainandsensibleallbymyself，\"persistedAnnemournfully。
\"Trustyouforthat！Well，hangthosedressescarefullyupinyourcloset，andthensitdownandlearntheSundayschoollesson。IgotaquarterlyfromMr。Bellforyouandyou’llgotoSundayschooltomorrow，\"saidMarilla，disap-
pearingdownstairsinhighdudgeon。
Anneclaspedherhandsandlookedatthedresses。
\"Ididhopetherewouldbeawhiteonewithpuffedsleeves，\"shewhispereddisconsolately。\"Iprayedforone，butIdidn’tmuchexpectitonthataccount。Ididn’tsupposeGodwouldhavetimetobotheraboutalittleorphangirl’sdress。IknewI’djusthavetodependonMarillaforit。Well，fortunatelyIcanimaginethatoneofthemisofsnow-whitemuslinwithlovelylacefrillsandthree-puffedsleeves。\"
ThenextmorningwarningsofasickheadachepreventedMarillafromgoingtoSunday-schoolwithAnne。
\"You’llhavetogodownandcallforMrs。Lynde，Anne。\"
shesaid。\"She’llseethatyougetintotherightclass。
Now，mindyoubehaveyourselfproperly。StaytopreachingafterwardsandaskMrs。Lyndetoshowyouourpew。Here’sacentforcollection。Don’tstareatpeopleanddon’tfidget。
Ishallexpectyoutotellmethetextwhenyoucomehome。\"
Annestartedoffirreproachable，arrayedinthestiffblack-
and-whitesateen，which，whiledecentasregardslengthandcertainlynotopentothechargeofskimpiness，contrivedtoemphasizeeverycornerandangleofherthinfigure。
Herhatwasalittle，flat，glossy，newsailor，theextremeplainnessofwhichhadlikewisemuchdisappointedAnne，whohadpermittedherselfsecretvisionsofribbonandflowers。Thelatter，however，weresuppliedbeforeAnnereachedthemainroad，forbeingconfrontedhalfwaydownthelanewithagoldenfrenzyofwind-stirredbuttercupsandagloryofwildroses，Annepromptlyandliberallygarlandedherhatwithaheavywreathofthem。WhateverotherpeoplemighthavethoughtoftheresultitsatisfiedAnne，andshetrippedgailydowntheroad，holdingherruddyheadwithitsdecorationofpinkandyellowveryproudly。
WhenshehadreachedMrs。Lynde’shouseshefoundthatladygone。Nothingdaunted，Anneproceededonwardtothechurchalone。Intheporchshefoundacrowdoflittlegirls，allmoreorlessgailyattiredinwhitesandbluesandpinks，andallstaringwithcuriouseyesatthisstrangerintheirmidst，withherextraordinaryheadadornment。AvonlealittlegirlshadalreadyheardqueerstoriesaboutAnne。
Mrs。Lyndesaidshehadanawfultemper；JerryBuote，thehiredboyatGreenGables，saidshetalkedallthetimetoherselfortothetreesandflowerslikeacrazygirl。
Theylookedatherandwhisperedtoeachotherbehindtheirquarterlies。Nobodymadeanyfriendlyadvances，thenorlateronwhentheopeningexerciseswereoverandAnnefoundherselfinMissRogerson’sclass。
MissRogersonwasamiddle-agedladywhohadtaughtaSunday-schoolclassfortwentyyears。Hermethodofteachingwastoasktheprintedquestionsfromthequarterlyandlooksternlyoveritsedgeattheparticularlittlegirlshethoughtoughttoanswerthequestion。ShelookedveryoftenatAnne，andAnne，thankstoMarilla’sdrilling，answeredpromptly；butitmaybequestionedifsheunderstoodverymuchabouteitherquestionoranswer。
ShedidnotthinkshelikedMissRogerson，andshefeltverymiserable；everyotherlittlegirlintheclasshadpuffedsleeves。Annefeltthatlifewasreallynotworthlivingwithoutpuffedsleeves。
\"Well，howdidyoulikeSundayschool？\"MarillawantedtoknowwhenAnnecamehome。Herwreathhavingfaded，Annehaddiscardeditinthelane，soMarillawassparedtheknowledgeofthatforatime。
\"Ididn’tlikeitabit。Itwashorrid。\"
\"AnneShirley！\"saidMarillarebukingly。
Annesatdownontherockerwithalongsigh，kissedoneofBonny’sleaves，andwavedherhandtoablossomingfuchsia。
\"TheymighthavebeenlonesomewhileIwasaway，\"sheexplained。\"AndnowabouttheSundayschool。Ibehavedwell，justasyoutoldme。Mrs。Lyndewasgone，butI
wentrightonmyself。Iwentintothechurch，withalotofotherlittlegirls，andIsatinthecornerofapewbythewindowwhiletheopeningexerciseswenton。Mr。Bellmadeanawfullylongprayer。IwouldhavebeendreadfullytiredbeforehegotthroughifIhadn’tbeensittingbythatwindow。ButitlookedrightoutontheLakeofShiningWaters，soIjustgazedatthatandimaginedallsortsofsplendidthings。\"
\"Youshouldn’thavedoneanythingofthesort。YoushouldhavelistenedtoMr。Bell。\"
\"Buthewasn’ttalkingtome，\"protestedAnne。\"HewastalkingtoGodandhedidn’tseemtobeverymuchinter-
estedinit，either。IthinkhethoughtGodwastoofaroffthough。Therewaslongrowofwhitebircheshangingoverthelakeandthesunshinefelldownthroughthem，’way，’waydown，deepintothewater。Oh，Marilla，itwaslikeabeautifuldream！ItgavemeathrillandIjustsaid，`Thankyouforit，God，’twoorthreetimes。\"
\"Notoutloud，Ihope，\"saidMarillaanxiously。
\"Oh，no，justundermybreath。Well，Mr。BelldidgetthroughatlastandtheytoldmetogointotheclassroomwithMissRogerson’sclass。Therewerenineothergirlsinit。
Theyallhadpuffedsleeves。Itriedtoimagineminewerepuffed，too，butIcouldn’t。Whycouldn’tI？ItwasaseasyascouldbetoimaginetheywerepuffedwhenIwasaloneintheeastgable，butitwasawfullyhardthereamongtheotherswhohadreallytrulypuffs。\"
\"Youshouldn’thavebeenthinkingaboutyoursleevesinSundayschool。Youshouldhavebeenattendingtothelesson。
Ihopeyouknewit。\"
\"Oh，yes；andIansweredalotofquestions。MissRogersonaskedeversomany。Idon’tthinkitwasfairforhertodoalltheasking。TherewerelotsIwantedtoaskher，butIdidn’tliketobecauseIdidn’tthinkshewasakindredspirit。Thenalltheotherlittlegirlsrecitedaparaphrase。
SheaskedmeifIknewany。ItoldherIdidn’t，butIcouldrecite，`TheDogatHisMaster’sGrave’ifsheliked。
That’sintheThirdRoyalReader。Itisn’tareallytrulyreligiouspieceofpoetry，butit’ssosadandmelancholythatitmightaswellbe。Shesaiditwouldn’tdoandshetoldmetolearnthenineteenthparaphrasefornextSunday。
Ireaditoverinchurchafterwardsandit’ssplendid。Therearetwolinesinparticularthatjustthrillme。
\"`QuickastheslaughteredsquadronsfellInMidian’sevilday。’
Idon’tknowwhat`squadrons’meansnor`Midian，’either，butitsoundsSOtragical。IcanhardlywaituntilnextSundaytoreciteit。I’llpracticeitalltheweek。AfterSundayschoolIaskedMissRogerson——becauseMrs。Lyndewastoofaraway——toshowmeyourpew。IsatjustasstillasIcouldandthetextwasRevelations，thirdchapter，secondandthirdverses。Itwasaverylongtext。IfIwasaministerI’dpicktheshort，snappyones。Thesermonwasawfullylong，too。Isupposetheministerhadtomatchittothetext。Ididn’tthinkhewasabitinteresting。Thetroublewithhimseemstobethathehasn’tenoughimagination。
Ididn’tlistentohimverymuch。IjustletmythoughtsrunandIthoughtofthemostsurprisingthings。\"
Marillafelthelplesslythatallthisshouldbesternlyreproved，butshewashamperedbytheundeniablefactthatsomeofthethingsAnnehadsaid，especiallyabouttheminister’ssermonsandMr。Bell’sprayers，werewhatsheherselfhadreallythoughtdeepdowninherheartforyears，buthadnevergivenexpressionto。Italmostseemedtoherthatthosesecret，unuttered，criticalthoughtshadsuddenlytakenvisibleandaccusingshapeandforminthepersonofthisoutspokenmorselofneglectedhumanity。
CHAPTERXII
ASolemnVowandPromiseItwasnotuntilthenextFridaythatMarillaheardthestoryoftheflower-wreathedhat。ShecamehomefromMrs。Lynde’sandcalledAnnetoaccount。
\"Anne，Mrs。RachelsaysyouwenttochurchlastSundaywithyourhatriggedoutridiculouswithrosesandbuttercups。Whatonearthputyouuptosuchacaper？
Apretty-lookingobjectyoumusthavebeen！\"
\"Oh。Iknowpinkandyellowaren’tbecomingtome，\"beganAnne。
\"Becomingfiddlesticks！Itwasputtingflowersonyourhatatall，nomatterwhatcolortheywere，thatwasridiculous。Youarethemostaggravatingchild！\"
\"Idon’tseewhyit’sanymoreridiculoustowearflowersonyourhatthanonyourdress，\"protestedAnne。\"Lotsoflittlegirlstherehadbouquetspinnedontheirdresses。
What’sthedifference？\"
Marillawasnottobedrawnfromthesafeconcreteintodubiouspathsoftheabstract。
\"Don’tanswermebacklikethat，Anne。Itwasverysillyofyoutodosuchathing。Neverletmecatchyouatsuchatrickagain。Mrs。Rachelsaysshethoughtshewouldsinkthroughthefloorwhenshecomeinallriggedoutlikethat。Shecouldn’tgetnearenoughtotellyoutotakethemofftillitwastoolate。Shesayspeopletalkedaboutitsomethingdreadful。OfcoursetheywouldthinkIhadnobettersensethantoletyougodeckedoutlikethat。\"
\"Oh，I’msosorry，\"saidAnne，tearswellingintohereyes。
\"Ineverthoughtyou’dmind。TherosesandbuttercupsweresosweetandprettyIthoughtthey’dlooklovelyonmyhat。Lotsofthelittlegirlshadartificialflowersontheirhats。I’mafraidI’mgoingtobeadreadfultrialtoyou。Maybeyou’dbettersendmebacktotheasylum。
Thatwouldbeterrible；Idon’tthinkIcouldendureit；
mostlikelyIwouldgointoconsumption；I’msothinasitis，yousee。Butthatwouldbebetterthanbeingatrialtoyou。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidMarilla，vexedatherselfforhavingmadethechildcry。\"Idon’twanttosendyoubacktotheasylum，I’msure。AllIwantisthatyoushouldbehavelikeotherlittlegirlsandnotmakeyourselfridiculous。Don’tcryanymore。I’vegotsomenewsforyou。DianaBarrycamehomethisafternoon。I’mgoinguptoseeifIcanborrowaskirtpatternfromMrs。Barry，andifyoulikeyoucancomewithmeandgetacquaintedwithDiana。\"
Annerosetoherfeet，withclaspedhands，thetearsstillglisteningonhercheeks；thedishtowelshehadbeenhemmingslippedunheededtothefloor。
\"Oh，Marilla，I’mfrightened——nowthatithascomeI’mactuallyfrightened。Whatifsheshouldn’tlikeme！Itwouldbethemosttragicaldisappointmentofmylife。\"
\"Now，don’tgetintoafluster。AndIdowishyouwouldn’tusesuchlongwords。Itsoundssofunnyinalittlegirl。
IguessDiana’lllikeyouwellenough。It’shermotheryou’vegottoreckonwith。Ifshedoesn’tlikeyouitwon’tmatterhowmuchDianadoes。IfshehasheardaboutyouroutbursttoMrs。LyndeandgoingtochurchwithbuttercupsroundyourhatIdon’tknowwhatshe’llthinkofyou。Youmustbepoliteandwellbehaved，anddon’tmakeanyofyourstartlingspeeches。Forpity’ssake，ifthechildisn’tactuallytrembling！\"
AnneWAStrembling。Herfacewaspaleandtense。
\"Oh，Marilla，you’dbeexcited，too，ifyouweregoingtomeetalittlegirlyouhopedtobeyourbosomfriendandwhosemothermightn’tlikeyou，\"shesaidasshehastenedtogetherhat。
TheywentovertoOrchardSlopebytheshortcutacrossthebrookandupthefirryhillgrove。Mrs。BarrycametothekitchendoorinanswertoMarilla’sknock。Shewasatallblack-eyed，black-hairedwoman，withaveryresolutemouth。Shehadthereputationofbeingverystrictwithherchildren。
\"Howdoyoudo，Marilla？\"shesaidcordially。\"Comein。
Andthisisthelittlegirlyouhaveadopted，Isuppose？\"
\"Yes，thisisAnneShirley，\"saidMarilla。
\"SpelledwithanE，\"gaspedAnne，who，tremulousandexcitedasshewas，wasdeterminedthereshouldbenomisunderstandingonthatimportantpoint。
Mrs。Barry，nothearingornotcomprehending，merelyshookhandsandsaidkindly:
\"Howareyou？\"
\"Iamwellinbodyalthoughconsiderablerumpledupinspirit，thankyouma’am，\"saidAnnegravely。ThenasidetoMarillainanaudiblewhisper，\"Therewasn’tanythingstartlinginthat，wasthere，Marilla？\"
Dianawassittingonthesofa，readingabookwhichshedroppedwhenthecallersentered。Shewasaveryprettylittlegirl，withhermother’sblackeyesandhair，androsycheeks，andthemerryexpressionwhichwasherinheritancefromherfather。
\"ThisismylittlegirlDiana，\"saidMrs。Barry。\"Diana，youmighttakeAnneoutintothegardenandshowheryourflowers。Itwillbebetterforyouthanstrainingyoureyesoverthatbook。Shereadsentirelytoomuch——\"thistoMarillaasthelittlegirlswentout——\"andIcan’tpreventher，forherfatheraidsandabetsher。She’salwaysporingoverabook。I’mgladshehastheprospectofaplaymate——
perhapsitwilltakehermoreout-of-doors。\"
Outsideinthegarden，whichwasfullofmellowsunsetlightstreamingthroughthedarkoldfirstothewestofit，stoodAnneandDiana，gazingbashfullyateachotheroveraclumpofgorgeoustigerlilies。
TheBarrygardenwasabowerywildernessofflowerswhichwouldhavedelightedAnne’sheartatanytimelessfraughtwithdestiny。Itwasencircledbyhugeoldwillowsandtallfirs，beneathwhichflourishedflowersthatlovedtheshade。Prim，right-angledpathsneatlyborderedwithclamshells，intersecteditlikemoistredribbonsandinthebedsbetweenold-fashionedflowersranriot。Therewererosybleeding-heartsandgreatsplendidcrimsonpeonies；
white，fragrantnarcissiandthorny，sweetScotchroses；
pinkandblueandwhitecolumbinesandlilac-tintedBouncingBets；clumpsofsouthernwoodandribbongrassandmint；
purpleAdam-and-Eve，daffodils，andmassesofsweetcloverwhitewithitsdelicate，fragrant，featherysprays；
scarletlightningthatshotitsfierylancesoverprimwhitemusk-flowers；agardenitwaswheresunshinelingeredandbeeshummed，andwinds，beguiledintoloitering，purredandrustled。
\"Oh，Diana，\"saidAnneatlast，claspingherhandsandspeakingalmostinawhisper，\"oh，doyouthinkyoucanlikemealittle——enoughtobemybosomfriend？\"
Dianalaughed。Dianaalwayslaughedbeforeshespoke。
\"Why，Iguessso，\"shesaidfrankly。\"I’mawfullygladyou’vecometoliveatGreenGables。Itwillbejollytohavesomebodytoplaywith。Thereisn’tanyothergirlwholivesnearenoughtoplaywith，andI’venosistersbigenough。\"
\"Willyousweartobemyfriendforeverandever？\"demandedAnneeagerly。
Dianalookedshocked。
\"Whyit’sdreadfullywickedtoswear，\"shesaidrebukingly。
\"Ohno，notmykindofswearing。Therearetwokinds，youknow。\"
\"Ineverheardofbutonekind，\"saidDianadoubtfully。
\"Therereallyisanother。Oh，itisn’twickedatall。Itjustmeansvowingandpromisingsolemnly。\"
\"Well，Idon’tminddoingthat，\"agreedDiana，relieved。
\"Howdoyoudoit？\"
\"Wemustjoinhands——so，\"saidAnnegravely。\"Itoughttobeoverrunningwater。We’lljustimaginethispathisrunningwater。I’llrepeattheoathfirst。Isolemnlysweartobefaithfultomybosomfriend，DianaBarry，aslongasthesunandmoonshallendure。Nowyousayitandputmynamein。\"
Dianarepeatedthe\"oath\"withalaughforeandaft。Thenshesaid:
\"You’reaqueergirl，Anne。Iheardbeforethatyouwerequeer。ButIbelieveI’mgoingtolikeyourealwell。\"
WhenMarillaandAnnewenthomeDianawentwiththemasforasthelogbridge。Thetwolittlegirlswalkedwiththeirarmsabouteachother。Atthebrooktheypartedwithmanypromisestospendthenextafternoontogether。
\"Well，didyoufindDianaakindredspirit？\"askedMarillaastheywentupthroughthegardenofGreenGables。
\"Ohyes，\"sighedAnne，blissfullyunconsciousofanysarcasmonMarilla’spart。\"OhMarilla，I’mthehappiestgirlonPrinceEdwardIslandthisverymoment。IassureyouI’llsaymyprayerswitharightgood-willtonight。
DianaandIaregoingtobuildaplayhouseinMr。WilliamBell’sbirchgrovetomorrow。CanIhavethosebrokenpiecesofchinathatareoutinthewoodshed？Diana’sbirthdayisinFebruaryandmineisinMarch。Don’tyouthinkthatisaverystrangecoincidence？Dianaisgoingtolendmeabooktoread。Shesaysit’sperfectlysplendidandtremendouslyexciting。She’sgoingtoshowmeaplacebackinthewoodswherericeliliesgrow。Don’tyouthinkDianahasgotverysoulfuleyes？IwishIhadsoulfuleyes。Dianaisgoingtoteachmetosingasongcalled`NellyintheHazelDell。’She’sgoingtogivemeapicturetoputupinmyroom；it’saperfectlybeautifulpicture，shesays——alovelyladyinapalebluesilkdress。
Asewing-machineagentgaveittoher。IwishIhadsomethingtogiveDiana。I’maninchtallerthanDiana，butsheiseversomuchfatter；shesaysshe’dliketobethinbecauseit’ssomuchmoregraceful，butI’mafraidsheonlysaidittosoothemyfeelings。We’regoingtotheshoresomedaytogathershells。
WehaveagreedtocallthespringdownbythelogbridgetheDryad’sBubble。Isn’tthataperfectlyelegantname？Ireadastoryonceaboutaspringcalledthat。Adryadissortofagrown-upfairy，Ithink。\"
\"Well，allIhopeisyouwon’ttalkDianatodeath，\"saidMarilla。\"Butrememberthisinallyourplanning，Anne。
You’renotgoingtoplayallthetimenormostofit。You’llhaveyourworktodoandit’llhavetobedonefirst。\"
Anne’scupofhappinesswasfull，andMatthewcausedittooverflow。HehadjustgothomefromatriptothestoreatCarmody，andhesheepishlyproducedasmallparcelfromhispocketandhandedittoAnne，withadeprecatorylookatMarilla。
\"Iheardyousayyoulikedchocolatesweeties，soIgotyousome，\"hesaid。
\"Humph，\"sniffedMarilla。\"It’llruinherteethandstomach。
There，there，child，don’tlooksodismal。Youcaneatthose，sinceMatthewhasgoneandgotthem。He’dbetterhavebroughtyoupeppermints。They’rewholesomer。Don’tsickenyourselfeatingallthematoncenow。\"
\"Oh，no，indeed，Iwon’t，\"saidAnneeagerly。\"I’lljusteatonetonight，Marilla。AndIcangiveDianahalfofthem，can’tI？TheotherhalfwilltastetwiceassweettomeifIgivesometoher。It’sdelightfultothinkIhavesomethingtogiveher。\"
\"Iwillsayitforthechild，\"saidMarillawhenAnnehadgonetohergable，\"sheisn’tstingy。I’mglad，forofallfaultsIdeteststinginessinachild。Dearme，it’sonlythreeweekssinceshecame，anditseemsasifshe’dbeenherealways。Ican’timaginetheplacewithouther。Now，don’tbelookingItold-you-so，Matthew。That’sbadenoughinawoman，butitisn’ttobeenduredinaman。I’mperfectlywillingtoownupthatI’mgladIconsentedtokeepthechildandthatI’mgettingfondofher，butdon’tyourubitin，MatthewCuthbert。\"
CHAPTERXIII
TheDelightsofAnticipation\"It’stimeAnnewasintodohersewing，\"saidMarilla，glancingattheclockandthenoutintotheyellowAugustafternoonwhereeverythingdrowsedintheheat。\"ShestayedplayingwithDianamorethanhalfanhourmore’nIgaveherleaveto；andnowshe’sperchedoutthereonthewoodpiletalkingtoMatthew，nineteentothedozen，whensheknowsperfectlywellsheoughttobeatherwork。Andofcoursehe’slisteningtoherlikeaperfectninny。
Ineversawsuchaninfatuatedman。Themoreshetalksandtheodderthethingsshesays，themorehe’sdelightedevidently。
AnneShirley，youcomerightinherethisminute，doyouhearme！\"
AseriesofstaccatotapsonthewestwindowbroughtAnneflyinginfromtheyard，eyesshining，cheeksfaintlyflushedwithpink，unbraidedhairstreamingbehindherinatorrentofbrightness。
\"Oh，Marilla，\"sheexclaimedbreathlessly，\"there’sgoingtobeaSunday-schoolpicnicnextweek——inMr。HarmonAndrews’sfield，rightnearthelakeofShiningWaters。AndMrs。SuperintendentBellandMrs。RachelLyndearegoingtomakeicecream——thinkofit，Marilla——ICECREAM！And，oh，Marilla，canIgotoit？\"
\"Justlookattheclock，ifyouplease，Anne。WhattimedidI
tellyoutocomein？\"
\"Twoo’clock——butisn’titsplendidaboutthepicnic，Marilla？
PleasecanIgo？Oh，I’veneverbeentoapicnic——I’vedreamedofpicnics，butI’venever——\"
\"Yes，Itoldyoutocomeattwoo’clock。Andit’saquartertothree。I’dliketoknowwhyyoudidn’tobeyme，Anne。\"
\"Why，Imeantto，Marilla，asmuchascouldbe。ButyouhavenoideahowfascinatingIdlewildis。Andthen，ofcourse，IhadtotellMatthewaboutthepicnic。Matthewissuchasympatheticlistener。PleasecanIgo？\"
\"You’llhavetolearntoresistthefascinationofIdlewhatever-
you-call-it。WhenItellyoutocomeinatacertaintimeI
meanthattimeandnothalfanhourlater。Andyouneedn’tstoptodiscoursewithsympatheticlistenersonyourway，either。
Asforthepicnic，ofcourseyoucango。You’reaSunday-schoolscholar，andit’snotlikelyI’drefusetoletyougowhenalltheotherlittlegirlsaregoing。\"
\"But——but，\"falteredAnne，\"Dianasaysthateverybodymusttakeabasketofthingstoeat。Ican’tcook，asyouknow，Marilla，and——and——Idon’tmindgoingtoapicnicwithoutpuffedsleevessomuch，butI’dfeelterriblyhumiliatedifIhadtogowithoutabasket。It’sbeenpreyingonmymindeversinceDianatoldme。\"
\"Well，itneedn’tpreyanylonger。I’llbakeyouabasket。\"
\"Oh，youdeargoodMarilla。Oh，youaresokindtome。Oh，I’msomuchobligedtoyou。\"
Gettingthroughwithher\"ohs\"AnnecastherselfintoMarilla’sarmsandrapturouslykissedhersallowcheek。ItwasthefirsttimeinherwholelifethatchildishlipshadvoluntarilytouchedMarilla’sface。Againthatsuddensensationofstartlingsweetnessthrilledher。ShewassecretlyvastlypleasedatAnne’simpulsivecaress，whichwasprobablythereasonwhyshesaidbrusquely:
\"There，there，nevermindyourkissingnonsense。I’dsoonerseeyoudoingstrictlyasyou’retold。Asforcooking，Imeantobegingivingyoulessonsinthatsomeofthesedays。Butyou’resofeatherbrained，Anne，I’vebeenwaitingtoseeifyou’dsoberdownalittleandlearntobesteadybeforeIbegin。You’vegottokeepyourwitsaboutyouincookingandnotstopinthemiddleofthingstoletyourthoughtsroveallovercreation。Now，getoutyourpatchworkandhaveyoursquaredonebeforeteatime。\"
\"IdoNOTlikepatchwork，\"saidAnnedolefully，huntingoutherworkbasketandsittingdownbeforealittleheapofredandwhitediamondswithasigh。\"Ithinksomekindsofsewingwouldbenice；butthere’snoscopeforimaginationinpatchwork。It’sjustonelittleseamafteranotherandyouneverseemtobegettinganywhere。ButofcourseI’dratherbeAnneofGreenGablessewingpatchworkthanAnneofanyotherplacewithnothingtodobutplay。IwishtimewentasquicksewingpatchesasitdoeswhenI’mplayingwithDiana，though。Oh，wedohavesucheleganttimes，Marilla。Ihavetofurnishmostoftheimagination，butI’mwellabletodothat。Dianaissimplyperfectineveryotherway。YouknowthatlittlepieceoflandacrossthebrookthatrunsupbetweenourfarmandMr。Barry’s。
ItbelongstoMr。WilliamBell，andrightinthecornerthereisalittleringofwhitebirchtrees——themostromanticspot，Marilla。DianaandIhaveourplayhousethere。WecallitIdlewild。Isn’tthatapoeticalname？Iassureyouittookmesometimetothinkitout。IstayedawakenearlyawholenightbeforeIinventedit。Then，justasIwasdroppingofftosleep，itcamelikeaninspiration。DianawasENRAPTUREDwhensheheardit。Wehavegotourhousefixedupelegantly。Youmustcomeandseeit，Marilla——won’tyou？Wehavegreatbigstones，allcoveredwithmoss，forseats，andboardsfromtreetotreeforshelves。Andwehaveallourdishesonthem。Ofcourse，they’reallbrokenbutit’stheeasiestthingintheworldtoimaginethattheyarewhole。There’sapieceofaplatewithasprayofredandyellowivyonitthatisespeciallybeautiful。Wekeepitintheparlorandwehavethefairyglassthere，too。Thefairyglassisaslovelyasadream。Dianafounditoutinthewoodsbehindtheirchickenhouse。It’sallfullofrainbows——justlittleyoungrainbowsthathaven’tgrownbigyet——andDiana’smothertoldheritwasbrokenoffahanginglamptheyoncehad。Butit’snicetoimaginethefairieslostitonenightwhentheyhadaball，sowecallitthefairyglass。
Matthewisgoingtomakeusatable。Oh，wehavenamedthatlittleroundpooloverinMr。Barry’sfieldWillowmere。IgotthatnameoutofthebookDianalentme。Thatwasathrillingbook，Marilla。Theheroinehadfivelovers。I’dbesatisfiedwithone，wouldn’tyou？Shewasveryhandsomeandshewentthroughgreattribulations。Shecouldfaintaseasyasanything。
I’dlovetobeabletofaint，wouldn’tyou，Marilla？It’ssoromantic。ButI’mreallyveryhealthyforallI’msothin。
IbelieveI’mgettingfatter，though。Don’tyouthinkIam？
IlookatmyelbowseverymorningwhenIgetuptoseeifanydimplesarecoming。Dianaishavinganewdressmadewithelbowsleeves。Sheisgoingtowearittothepicnic。Oh，IdohopeitwillbefinenextWednesday。Idon’tfeelthatIcouldendurethedisappointmentifanythinghappenedtopreventmefromgettingtothepicnic。IsupposeI’dlivethroughit，butI’mcertainitwouldbealifelongsorrow。Itwouldn’tmatterifI
gottoahundredpicnicsinafteryears；theywouldn’tmakeupformissingthisone。They’regoingtohaveboatsontheLakeofShiningWaters——andicecream，asItoldyou。Ihavenevertastedicecream。Dianatriedtoexplainwhatitwaslike，butI
guessicecreamisoneofthosethingsthatarebeyondimagination。\"
\"Anne，youhavetalkedevenonfortenminutesbytheclock，\"
saidMarilla。\"Now，justforcuriosity’ssake，seeifyoucanholdyourtongueforthesamelengthoftime。\"
Anneheldhertongueasdesired。Butfortherestoftheweekshetalkedpicnicandthoughtpicnicanddreamedpicnic。OnSaturdayitrainedandsheworkedherselfupintosuchafranticstatelestitshouldkeeponraininguntilandoverWednesdaythatMarillamadehersewanextrapatchworksquarebywayofsteadyinghernerves。
OnSundayAnneconfidedtoMarillaonthewayhomefromchurchthatshegrewactuallycoldalloverwithexcitementwhentheministerannouncedthepicnicfromthepulpit。
\"Suchathrillaswentupanddownmyback，Marilla！Idon’tthinkI’deverreallybelieveduntilthenthattherewashonestlygoingtobeapicnic。Icouldn’thelpfearingI’donlyimaginedit。
Butwhenaministersaysathinginthepulpityoujusthavetobelieveit。\"
\"Yousetyourhearttoomuchonthings，Anne，\"saidMarilla，withasigh。\"I’mafraidthere’llbeagreatmanydisappointmentsinstoreforyouthroughlife。\"
\"Oh，Marilla，lookingforwardtothingsishalfthepleasureofthem，\"exclaimedAnne。\"Youmayn’tgetthethingsthemselves；
butnothingcanpreventyoufromhavingthefunoflookingforwardtothem。Mrs。Lyndesays，`Blessedaretheywhoexpectnothingfortheyshallnotbedisappointed。’ButIthinkitwouldbeworsetoexpectnothingthantobedisappointed。\"
Marillaworeheramethystbroochtochurchthatdayasusual。
Marillaalwaysworeheramethystbroochtochurch。Shewouldhavethoughtitrathersacrilegioustoleaveitoff——asbadasforgettingherBibleorhercollectiondime。ThatamethystbroochwasMarilla’smosttreasuredpossession。AseafaringunclehadgivenittohermotherwhointurnhadbequeathedittoMarilla。Itwasanold-fashionedoval，containingabraidofhermother’shair，surroundedbyaborderofveryfineamethysts。
Marillaknewtoolittleaboutpreciousstonestorealizehowfinetheamethystsactuallywere；butshethoughtthemverybeautifulandwasalwayspleasantlyconsciousoftheirvioletshimmeratherthroat，abovehergoodbrownsatindress，evenalthoughshecouldnotseeit。
Annehadbeensmittenwithdelightedadmirationwhenshefirstsawthatbrooch。
\"Oh，Marilla，it’saperfectlyelegantbrooch。Idon’tknowhowyoucanpayattentiontothesermonortheprayerswhenyouhaveiton。Icouldn’t，Iknow。Ithinkamethystsarejustsweet。
TheyarewhatIusedtothinkdiamondswerelike。Longago，beforeIhadeverseenadiamond，IreadaboutthemandItriedtoimaginewhattheywouldbelike。Ithoughttheywouldbelovelyglimmeringpurplestones。WhenIsawarealdiamondinalady’sringonedayIwassodisappointedIcried。Ofcourse，itwasverylovelybutitwasn’tmyideaofadiamond。Willyouletmeholdthebroochforoneminute，Marilla？Doyouthinkamethystscanbethesoulsofgoodviolets？\"
