Anne’sConfessionONtheMondayeveningbeforethepicnicMarillacamedownfromherroomwithatroubledface。
\"Anne，\"shesaidtothatsmallpersonage，whowasshellingpeasbythespotlesstableandsinging，\"NellyoftheHazelDell\"withavigorandexpressionthatdidcredittoDiana’steaching，\"didyouseeanythingofmyamethystbrooch？IthoughtIstuckitinmypincushionwhenIcamehomefromchurchyesterdayevening，butIcan’tfinditanywhere。\"
\"I——IsawitthisafternoonwhenyouwereawayattheAidSociety，\"saidAnne，alittleslowly。\"IwaspassingyourdoorwhenIsawitonthecushion，soIwentintolookatit。\"
\"Didyoutouchit？\"saidMarillasternly。
\"Y-e-e-s，\"admittedAnne，\"ItookitupandIpinneditonmybreastjusttoseehowitwouldlook。\"
\"Youhadnobusinesstodoanythingofthesort。It’sverywronginalittlegirltomeddle。Youshouldn’thavegoneintomyroominthefirstplaceandyoushouldn’thavetouchedabroochthatdidn’tbelongtoyouinthesecond。Wheredidyouputit？\"
\"Oh，Iputitbackonthebureau。Ihadn’titonaminute。
Truly，Ididn’tmeantomeddle，Marilla。Ididn’tthinkaboutitsbeingwrongtogoinandtryonthebrooch；butIseenowthatitwasandI’llneverdoitagain。That’sonegoodthingaboutme。Ineverdothesamenaughtythingtwice。\"
\"Youdidn’tputitback，\"saidMarilla。\"Thatbroochisn’tanywhereonthebureau。You’vetakenitoutorsomething，Anne。\"
\"Ididputitback，\"saidAnnequickly——pertly，Marillathought。
\"Idon’tjustrememberwhetherIstuckitonthepincushionorlaiditinthechinatray。ButI’mperfectlycertainIputitback。\"
\"I’llgoandhaveanotherlook，\"saidMarilla，determiningtobejust。\"Ifyouputthatbroochbackit’stherestill。Ifitisn’tI’llknowyoudidn’t，that’sall！\"
Marillawenttoherroomandmadeathoroughsearch，notonlyoverthebureaubutineveryotherplaceshethoughtthebroochmightpossiblybe。Itwasnottobefoundandshereturnedtothekitchen。
\"Anne，thebroochisgone。Byyourownadmissionyouwerethelastpersontohandleit。Now，whathaveyoudonewithit？
Tellmethetruthatonce。Didyoutakeitoutandloseit？\"
\"No，Ididn’t，\"saidAnnesolemnly，meetingMarilla’sangrygazesquarely。\"Inevertookthebroochoutofyourroomandthatisthetruth，ifIwastobeledtotheblockforit——althoughI’mnotverycertainwhatablockis。Sothere，Marilla。\"
Anne’s\"sothere\"wasonlyintendedtoemphasizeherassertion，butMarillatookitasadisplayofdefiance。
\"Ibelieveyouaretellingmeafalsehood，Anne，\"shesaidsharply。\"Iknowyouare。Therenow，don’tsayanythingmoreunlessyouarepreparedtotellthewholetruth。Gotoyourroomandstaythereuntilyouarereadytoconfess。\"
\"WillItakethepeaswithme？\"saidAnnemeekly。
\"No，I’llfinishshellingthemmyself。DoasIbidyou。\"
WhenAnnehadgoneMarillawentabouthereveningtasksinaverydisturbedstateofmind。Shewasworriedabouthervaluablebrooch。WhatifAnnehadlostit？Andhowwickedofthechildtodenyhavingtakenit，whenanybodycouldseeshemusthave！
Withsuchaninnocentface，too！
\"Idon’tknowwhatIwouldn’tsoonerhavehadhappen，\"thoughtMarilla，asshenervouslyshelledthepeas。\"Ofcourse，Idon’tsupposeshemeanttostealitoranythinglikethat。She’sjusttakenittoplaywithorhelpalongthatimaginationofhers。
Shemusthavetakenit，that’sclear，fortherehasn’tbeenasoulinthatroomsinceshewasinit，byherownstory，untilI
wentuptonight。Andthebroochisgone，there’snothingsurer。
Isupposeshehaslostitandisafraidtoownupforfearshe’llbepunished。It’sadreadfulthingtothinkshetellsfalsehoods。
It’safarworsethingthanherfitoftemper。It’safearfulresponsibilitytohaveachildinyourhouseyoucan’ttrust。
Slynessanduntruthfulness——that’swhatshehasdisplayed。
IdeclareIfeelworseaboutthatthanaboutthebrooch。Ifshe’donlyhavetoldthetruthaboutitIwouldn’tmindsomuch。\"
Marillawenttoherroomatintervalsallthroughtheeveningandsearchedforthebrooch，withoutfindingit。Abedtimevisittotheeastgableproducednoresult。AnnepersistedindenyingthatsheknewanythingaboutthebroochbutMarillawasonlythemorefirmlyconvincedthatshedid。
ShetoldMatthewthestorythenextmorning。Matthewwasconfoundedandpuzzled；hecouldnotsoquicklylosefaithinAnnebuthehadtoadmitthatcircumstanceswereagainsther。
\"You’resureithasn’tfelldownbehindthebureau？\"wastheonlysuggestionhecouldoffer。
\"I’vemovedthebureauandI’vetakenoutthedrawersandI’velookedineverycrackandcranny\"wasMarilla’spositiveanswer。
\"Thebroochisgoneandthatchildhastakenitandliedaboutit。
That’stheplain，uglytruth，MatthewCuthbert，andwemightaswelllookitintheface。\"
\"Wellnow，whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"Matthewaskedforlornly，feelingsecretlythankfulthatMarillaandnothehadtodealwiththesituation。Hefeltnodesiretoputhisoarinthistime。
\"She’llstayinherroomuntilsheconfesses，\"saidMarillagrimly，rememberingthesuccessofthismethodintheformercase。\"Thenwe’llsee。Perhapswe’llbeabletofindthebroochifshe’llonlytellwhereshetookit；butinanycaseshe’llhavetobeseverelypunished，Matthew。\"
\"Wellnow，you’llhavetopunishher，\"saidMatthew，reachingforhishat。\"I’venothingtodowithit，remember。Youwarnedmeoffyourself。\"
Marillafeltdesertedbyeveryone。ShecouldnotevengotoMrs。
Lyndeforadvice。Shewentuptotheeastgablewithaveryseriousfaceandleftitwithafacemoreseriousstill。Annesteadfastlyrefusedtoconfess。Shepersistedinassertingthatshehadnottakenthebrooch。ThechildhadevidentlybeencryingandMarillafeltapangofpitywhichshesternlyrepressed。Bynightshewas，assheexpressedit，\"beatout。\"
\"You’llstayinthisroomuntilyouconfess，Anne。Youcanmakeupyourmindtothat，\"shesaidfirmly。
\"Butthepicnicistomorrow，Marilla，\"criedAnne。\"Youwon’tkeepmefromgoingtothat，willyou？You’lljustletmeoutfortheafternoon，won’tyou？ThenI’llstayhereaslongasyoulikeAFTERWARDScheerfully。ButIMUSTgotothepicnic。\"
\"You’llnotgotopicnicsnoranywhereelseuntilyou’veconfessed，Anne。\"
\"Oh，Marilla，\"gaspedAnne。
ButMarillahadgoneoutandshutthedoor。
Wednesdaymorningdawnedasbrightandfairasifexpresslymadetoorderforthepicnic。BirdssangaroundGreenGables；theMadonnaliliesinthegardensentoutwhiffsofperfumethatenteredinonviewlesswindsateverydoorandwindow，andwanderedthroughhallsandroomslikespiritsofbenediction。
ThebirchesinthehollowwavedjoyfulhandsasifwatchingforAnne’susualmorninggreetingfromtheeastgable。ButAnnewasnotatherwindow。WhenMarillatookherbreakfastuptohershefoundthechildsittingprimlyonherbed，paleandresolute，withtight-shutlipsandgleamingeyes。
\"Marilla，I’mreadytoconfess。\"
\"Ah！\"Marillalaiddownhertray。Onceagainhermethodhadsucceeded；buthersuccesswasverybittertoher。\"Letmehearwhatyouhavetosaythen，Anne。\"
\"Itooktheamethystbrooch，\"saidAnne，asifrepeatingalessonshehadlearned。\"Itookitjustasyousaid。Ididn’tmeantotakeitwhenIwentin。Butitdidlooksobeautiful，Marilla，whenIpinneditonmybreastthatIwasovercomebyanirresistibletemptation。IimaginedhowperfectlythrillingitwouldbetotakeittoIdlewildandplayIwastheLadyCordeliaFitzgerald。ItwouldbesomucheasiertoimagineIwastheLadyCordeliaifIhadarealamethystbroochon。DianaandImakenecklacesofroseberriesbutwhatareroseberriescomparedtoamethysts？SoItookthebrooch。IthoughtIcouldputitbackbeforeyoucamehome。Iwentallthewayaroundbytheroadtolengthenoutthetime。WhenIwasgoingoverthebridgeacrosstheLakeofShiningWatersItookthebroochofftohaveanotherlookatit。Oh，howitdidshineinthesunlight！Andthen，whenIwasleaningoverthebridge，itjustslippedthroughmyfingers——so——andwentdown——down——down，allpurplysparkling，andsankforevermorebeneaththeLakeofShiningWaters。Andthat’sthebestIcandoatconfessing，Marilla。\"
Marillafelthotangersurgeupintoherheartagain。Thischildhadtakenandlosthertreasuredamethystbroochandnowsattherecalmlyrecitingthedetailsthereofwithouttheleastapparentcompunctionorrepentance。
\"Anne，thisisterrible，\"shesaid，tryingtospeakcalmly。
\"YouaretheverywickedestgirlIeverheardof\"
\"Yes，IsupposeIam，\"agreedAnnetranquilly。\"AndIknowI’llhavetobepunished。It’llbeyourdutytopunishme，Marilla。
Won’tyoupleasegetitoverrightoffbecauseI’dliketogotothepicnicwithnothingonmymind。\"
\"Picnic，indeed！You’llgotonopicnictoday，AnneShirley。
Thatshallbeyourpunishment。Anditisn’thalfsevereenougheitherforwhatyou’vedone！\"
\"Notgotothepicnic！\"AnnesprangtoherfeetandclutchedMarilla’shand。\"ButyouPROMISEDmeImight！Oh，Marilla，I
mustgotothepicnic。ThatwaswhyIconfessed。Punishmeanywayyoulikebutthat。Oh，Marilla，please，please，letmegotothepicnic。Thinkoftheicecream！ForanythingyouknowImayneverhaveachancetotasteicecreamagain。\"
MarilladisengagedAnne’sclinginghandsstonily。
\"Youneedn’tplead，Anne。Youarenotgoingtothepicnicandthat’sfinal。No，notaword。\"
AnnerealizedthatMarillawasnottobemoved。Sheclaspedherhandstogether，gaveapiercingshriek，andthenflungherselffacedownwardonthebed，cryingandwrithinginanutterabandonmentofdisappointmentanddespair。
\"Fortheland’ssake！\"gaspedMarilla，hasteningfromtheroom。
\"Ibelievethechildiscrazy。Nochildinhersenseswouldbehaveasshedoes。Ifsheisn’tshe’sutterlybad。Ohdear，I’mafraidRachelwasrightfromthefirst。ButI’veputmyhandtotheplowandIwon’tlookback。\"
Thatwasadismalmorning。Marillaworkedfiercelyandscrubbedtheporchfloorandthedairyshelveswhenshecouldfindnothingelsetodo。Neithertheshelvesnortheporchneededit——butMarilladid。Thenshewentoutandrakedtheyard。
WhendinnerwasreadyshewenttothestairsandcalledAnne。A
tear-stainedfaceappeared，lookingtragicallyoverthebanisters。
\"Comedowntoyourdinner，Anne。\"
\"Idon’twantanydinner，Marilla，\"saidAnne，sobbingly。\"I
couldn’teatanything。Myheartisbroken。You’llfeelremorseofconsciencesomeday，Iexpect，forbreakingit，Marilla，butI
forgiveyou。RememberwhenthetimecomesthatIforgiveyou。
Butpleasedon’taskmetoeatanything，especiallyboiledporkandgreens。Boiledporkandgreensaresounromanticwhenoneisinaffliction。\"
Exasperated，MarillareturnedtothekitchenandpouredouthertaleofwoetoMatthew，who，betweenhissenseofjusticeandhisunlawfulsympathywithAnne，wasamiserableman。
\"Wellnow，sheshouldn’thavetakenthebrooch，Marilla，ortoldstoriesaboutit，\"headmitted，mournfulysurveyinghisplatefulofunromanticporkandgreensasifhe，likeAnne，thoughtitafoodunsuitedtocrisesoffeeling，\"butshe’ssuchalittlething——suchaninterestinglittlething。Don’tyouthinkit’sprettyroughnottolethergotothepicnicwhenshe’ssosetonit？\"
\"MatthewCuthbert，I’mamazedatyou。IthinkI’veletheroffentirelytooeasy。Andshedoesn’tappeartorealizehowwickedshe’sbeenatall——that’swhatworriesmemost。Ifshe’dreallyfeltsorryitwouldn’tbesobad。Andyoudon’tseemtorealizeit，neither；you’remakingexcusesforherallthetimetoyourself——Icanseethat。\"
\"Wellnow，she’ssuchalittlething，\"feeblyreiteratedMatthew。
\"Andthereshouldbeallowancesmade，Marilla。Youknowshe’sneverhadanybringingup。\"
\"Well，she’shavingitnow\"retortedMarilla。
TheretortsilencedMatthewifitdidnotconvincehim。Thatdinnerwasaverydismalmeal。TheonlycheerfulthingaboutitwasJerryBuote，thehiredboy，andMarillaresentedhischeerfulnessasapersonalinsult。
WhenherdisheswerewashedandherbreadspongesetandherhensfedMarillarememberedthatshehadnoticedasmallrentinherbestblacklaceshawlwhenshehadtakenitoffonMondayafternoononreturningfromtheLadies’Aid。
Shewouldgoandmendit。Theshawlwasinaboxinhertrunk。
AsMarillalifteditout，thesunlight，fallingthroughthevinesthatclusteredthicklyaboutthewindow，struckuponsomethingcaughtintheshawl——somethingthatglitteredandsparkledinfacetsofvioletlight。Marillasnatchedatitwithagasp。Itwastheamethystbrooch，hangingtoathreadofthelacebyitscatch！
\"Dearlifeandheart，\"saidMarillablankly，\"whatdoesthismean？Here’smybroochsafeandsoundthatIthoughtwasatthebottomofBarry’spond。Whateverdidthatgirlmeanbysayingshetookitandlostit？IdeclareIbelieveGreenGablesisbewitched。IremembernowthatwhenItookoffmyshawlMondayafternoonIlaiditonthebureauforaminute。Isupposethebroochgotcaughtinitsomehow。Well！\"
Marillabetookherselftotheeastgable，broochinhand。Annehadcriedherselfoutandwassittingdejectedlybythewindow。
\"AnneShirley，\"saidMarillasolemnly，\"I’vejustfoundmybroochhangingtomyblacklaceshawl。NowIwanttoknowwhatthatrigmaroleyoutoldmethismorningmeant。\"
\"Why，yousaidyou’dkeepmehereuntilIconfessed，\"returnedAnnewearily，\"andsoIdecidedtoconfessbecauseIwasboundtogettothepicnic。IthoughtoutaconfessionlastnightafterI
wenttobedandmadeitasinterestingasIcould。AndIsaiditoverandoversothatIwouldn’tforgetit。Butyouwouldn’tletmegotothepicnicafterall，soallmytroublewaswasted。\"
Marillahadtolaughinspiteofherself。Butherconscienceprickedher。
\"Anne，youdobeatall！ButIwaswrong——Iseethatnow。
Ishouldn’thavedoubtedyourwordwhenI’dneverknownyoutotellastory。Ofcourse，itwasn’trightforyoutoconfesstoathingyouhadn’tdone——itwasverywrongtodoso。ButIdroveyoutoit。Soifyou’llforgiveme，Anne，I’llforgiveyouandwe’llstartsquareagain。Andnowgetyourselfreadyforthepicnic。\"
Anneflewuplikearocket。
\"Oh，Marilla，isn’tittoolate？\"
\"No，it’sonlytwoo’clock。Theywon’tbemorethanwellgatheredyetandit’llbeanhourbeforetheyhavetea。Washyourfaceandcombyourhairandputonyourgingham。I’llfillabasketforyou。There’splentyofstuffbakedinthehouse。
AndI’llgetJerrytohitchupthesorrelanddriveyoudowntothepicnicground。\"
\"Oh，Marilla，\"exclaimedAnne，flyingtothewashstand。\"FiveminutesagoIwassomiserableIwaswishingI’dneverbeenbornandnowIwouldn’tchangeplaceswithanangel！\"
Thatnightathoroughlyhappy，completelytired-outAnnereturnedtoGreenGablesinastateofbeatificationimpossibletodescribe。
\"Oh，Marilla，I’vehadaperfectlyscrumptioustime。ScrumptiousisanewwordIlearnedtoday。IheardMaryAliceBelluseit。
Isn’titveryexpressive？Everythingwaslovely。WehadasplendidteaandthenMr。HarmonAndrewstookusallforarowontheLakeofShiningWaters——sixofusatatime。AndJaneAndrewsnearlyfelloverboard。ShewasleaningouttopickwaterliliesandifMr。Andrewshadn’tcaughtherbyhersashjustinthenickoftimeshe’dfalleninandprob’lybeendrowned。
Iwishithadbeenme。Itwouldhavebeensucharomanticexperiencetohavebeennearlydrowned。Itwouldbesuchathrillingtaletotell。Andwehadtheicecream。Wordsfailmetodescribethaticecream。Marilla，Iassureyouitwassublime。\"
ThateveningMarillatoldthewholestorytoMatthewoverherstockingbasket。
\"I’mwillingtoownupthatImadeamistake，\"sheconcludedcandidly，\"butI’velearnedalesson。IhavetolaughwhenI
thinkofAnne’s`confession，’althoughIsupposeIshouldn’tforitreallywasafalsehood。Butitdoesn’tseemasbadastheotherwouldhavebeen，somehow，andanyhowI’mresponsibleforit。Thatchildishardtounderstandinsomerespects。ButI
believeshe’llturnoutallrightyet。Andthere’sonethingcertain，nohousewilleverbedullthatshe’sin。\"
CHAPTERXV
ATempestintheSchoolTeapot\"Whatasplendidday！\"saidAnne，drawingalongbreath。\"Isn’titgoodjusttobealiveonadaylikethis？Ipitythepeoplewhoaren’tbornyetformissingit。Theymayhavegooddays，ofcourse，buttheycanneverhavethisone。Andit’ssplendiderstilltohavesuchalovelywaytogotoschoolby，isn’tit？\"
\"It’salotnicerthangoingroundbytheroad；thatissodustyandhot，\"saidDianapractically，peepingintoherdinnerbasketandmentallycalculatingifthethreejuicy，toothsome，raspberrytartsreposingthereweredividedamongtengirlshowmanybiteseachgirlwouldhave。
ThelittlegirlsofAvonleaschoolalwayspooledtheirlunches，andtoeatthreeraspberrytartsallaloneoreventosharethemonlywithone’sbestchumwouldhaveforeverandeverbrandedas\"awfulmean\"thegirlwhodidit。Andyet，whenthetartsweredividedamongtengirlsyoujustgotenoughtotantalizeyou。
ThewayAnneandDianawenttoschoolWASaprettyone。AnnethoughtthosewalkstoandfromschoolwithDianacouldn’tbeimproveduponevenbyimagination。Goingaroundbythemainroadwouldhavebeensounromantic；buttogobyLover’sLaneandWillowmereandVioletValeandtheBirchPathwasromantic，ifeveranythingwas。
Lover’sLaneopenedoutbelowtheorchardatGreenGablesandstretchedfarupintothewoodstotheendoftheCuthbertfarm。
Itwasthewaybywhichthecowsweretakentothebackpastureandthewoodhauledhomeinwinter。AnnehadnameditLover’sLanebeforeshehadbeenamonthatGreenGables。
\"Notthatloverseverreallywalkthere，\"sheexplainedtoMarilla，\"butDianaandIarereadingaperfectlymagnificentbookandthere’saLover’sLaneinit。Sowewanttohaveone，too。Andit’saveryprettyname，don’tyouthink？Soromantic！Wecan’timaginetheloversintoit，youknow。Ilikethatlanebecauseyoucanthinkoutloudtherewithoutpeoplecallingyoucrazy。\"
Anne，startingoutaloneinthemorning，wentdownLover’sLaneasfarasthebrook。HereDianamether，andthetwolittlegirlswentonupthelaneundertheleafyarchofmaples——\"maplesaresuchsociabletrees，\"saidAnne；\"they’realwaysrustlingandwhisperingtoyou\"——untiltheycametoarusticbridge。ThentheyleftthelaneandwalkedthroughMr。Barry’sbackfieldandpastWillowmere。BeyondWillowmerecameVioletVale——alittlegreendimpleintheshadowofMr。AndrewBell’sbigwoods。\"Ofcoursetherearenovioletstherenow，\"AnnetoldMarilla，\"butDianasaystherearemillionsoftheminspring。Oh，Marilla，can’tyoujustimagineyouseethem？Itactuallytakesawaymybreath。InameditVioletVale。Dianasayssheneversawthebeatofmeforhittingonfancynamesforplaces。It’snicetobecleveratsomething，isn’tit？ButDiananamedtheBirchPath。Shewantedto，soIlether；butI’msureIcouldhavefoundsomethingmorepoeticalthanplainBirchPath。Anybodycanthinkofanamelikethat。ButtheBirchPathisoneoftheprettiestplacesintheworld，Marilla。\"
Itwas。OtherpeoplebesidesAnnethoughtsowhentheystumbledonit。Itwasalittlenarrow，twistingpath，windingdownoveralonghillstraightthroughMr。Bell’swoods，wherethelightcamedownsiftedthroughsomanyemeraldscreensthatitwasasflawlessastheheartofadiamond。Itwasfringedinallitslengthwithslimyoungbirches，whitestemmedandlissomboughed；
fernsandstarflowersandwildlilies-of-the-valleyandscarlettuftsofpigeonberriesgrewthicklyalongit；andalwaystherewasadelightfulspicinessintheairandmusicofbirdcallsandthemurmurandlaughofwoodwindsinthetreesoverhead。Nowandthenyoumightseearabbitskippingacrosstheroadifyouwerequiet——which，withAnneandDiana，happenedaboutonceinabluemoon。Downinthevalleythepathcameouttothemainroadandthenitwasjustupthesprucehilltotheschool。
TheAvonleaschoolwasawhitewashedbuilding，lowintheeavesandwideinthewindows，furnishedinsidewithcomfortablesubstantialold-fashioneddesksthatopenedandshut，andwerecarvedallovertheirlidswiththeinitialsandhieroglyphicsofthreegenerationsofschoolchildren。Theschoolhousewassetbackfromtheroadandbehinditwasaduskyfirwoodandabrookwhereallthechildrenputtheirbottlesofmilkinthemorningtokeepcoolandsweetuntildinnerhour。
MarillahadseenAnnestartofftoschoolonthefirstdayofSeptemberwithmanysecretmisgivings。Annewassuchanoddgirl。
Howwouldshegetonwiththeotherchildren？Andhowonearthwouldsheevermanagetoholdhertongueduringschoolhours？
ThingswentbetterthanMarillafeared，however。Annecamehomethateveninginhighspirits。
\"IthinkI’mgoingtolikeschoolhere，\"sheannounced。\"Idon’tthinkmuchofthemaster，through。He’sallthetimecurlinghismustacheandmakingeyesatPrissyAndrews。Prissyisgrownup，youknow。She’ssixteenandshe’sstudyingfortheentranceexaminationintoQueen’sAcademyatCharlottetownnextyear。
TillieBoultersaysthemasterisDEADGONEonher。She’sgotabeautifulcomplexionandcurlybrownhairandshedoesitupsoelegantly。Shesitsinthelongseatatthebackandhesitsthere，too，mostofthetime——toexplainherlessons，hesays。
ButRubyGillissaysshesawhimwritingsomethingonherslateandwhenPrissyreaditsheblushedasredasabeetandgiggled；
andRubyGillissaysshedoesn’tbelieveithadanythingtodowiththelesson。\"
\"AnneShirley，don’tletmehearyoutalkingaboutyourteacherinthatwayagain，\"saidMarillasharply。\"Youdon’tgotoschooltocriticizethemaster。IguesshecanteachYOUsomething，andit’syourbusinesstolearn。AndIwantyoutounderstandrightoffthatyouarenottocomehometellingtalesabouthim。
ThatissomethingIwon’tencourage。Ihopeyouwereagoodgirl。\"
\"IndeedIwas，\"saidAnnecomfortably。\"Itwasn’tsohardasyoumightimagine，either。IsitwithDiana。OurseatisrightbythewindowandwecanlookdowntotheLakeofShiningWaters。
Therearealotofnicegirlsinschoolandwehadscrumptiousfunplayingatdinnertime。It’ssonicetohavealotoflittlegirlstoplaywith。ButofcourseIlikeDianabestandalwayswill。IADOREDiana。I’mdreadfullyfarbehindtheothers。
They’reallinthefifthbookandI’monlyinthefourth。Ifeelthatit’skindofadisgrace。Butthere’snotoneofthemhassuchanimaginationasIhaveandIsoonfoundthatout。WehadreadingandgeographyandCanadianhistoryanddictationtoday。
Mr。Phillipssaidmyspellingwasdisgracefulandheheldupmyslatesothateverybodycouldseeit，allmarkedover。Ifeltsomortified，Marilla；hemighthavebeenpolitertoastranger，I
think。RubyGillisgavemeanappleandSophiaSloanelentmealovelypinkcardwith`MayIseeyouhome？’onit。I’mtogiveitbacktohertomorrow。AndTillieBoulterletmewearherbeadringalltheafternoon。CanIhavesomeofthosepearlbeadsofftheoldpincushioninthegarrettomakemyselfaring？Andoh，Marilla，JaneAndrewstoldmethatMinnieMacPhersontoldherthatsheheardPrissyAndrewstellSaraGillisthatIhadaveryprettynose。Marilla，thatisthefirstcomplimentIhaveeverhadinmylifeandyoucan’timaginewhatastrangefeelingitgaveme。Marilla，haveIreallyaprettynose？Iknowyou’lltellmethetruth。\"
\"Yournoseiswellenough，\"saidMarillashortly。SecretlyshethoughtAnne’snosewasaremarkableprettyone；butshehadnointentionoftellingherso。
Thatwasthreeweeksagoandallhadgonesmoothlysofar。Andnow，thiscrispSeptembermorning，AnneandDianaweretrippingblithelydowntheBirchPath，twoofthehappiestlittlegirlsinAvonlea。
\"IguessGilbertBlythewillbeinschooltoday，\"saidDiana。
\"He’sbeenvisitinghiscousinsoverinNewBrunswickallsummerandheonlycamehomeSaturdaynight。He’sAW’FLYhandsome，Anne。
Andheteasesthegirlssomethingterrible。Hejusttormentsourlivesout。\"
Diana’svoiceindicatedthatsheratherlikedhavingherlifetormentedoutthannot。
\"GilbertBlythe？\"saidAnne。\"Isn’thisnamethat’swrittenupontheporchwallwithJuliaBell’sandabig`TakeNotice’overthem？\"
\"Yes，\"saidDiana，tossingherhead，\"butI’msurehedoesn’tlikeJuliaBellsoverymuch。I’veheardhimsayhestudiedthemultiplicationtablebyherfreckles。\"
\"Oh，don’tspeakaboutfrecklestome，\"imploredAnne。\"Itisn’tdelicatewhenI’vegotsomany。ButIdothinkthatwritingtake-noticesuponthewallabouttheboysandgirlsisthesilliestever。Ishouldjustliketoseeanybodydaretowritemynameupwithaboy’s。Not，ofcourse，\"shehastenedtoadd，\"thatanybodywould。\"
Annesighed。Shedidn’twanthernamewrittenup。Butitwasalittlehumiliatingtoknowthattherewasnodangerofit。
\"Nonsense，\"saidDiana，whoseblackeyesandglossytresseshadplayedsuchhavocwiththeheartsofAvonleaschoolboysthathernamefiguredontheporchwallsinhalfadozentake-notices。
\"It’sonlymeantasajoke。Anddon’tyoubetoosureyournamewon’teverbewrittenup。CharlieSloaneisDEADGONEonyou。
Hetoldhismother——hisMOTHER，mindyou——thatyouwerethesmartestgirlinschool。That’sbetterthanbeinggoodlooking。\"
\"No，itisn’t，\"saidAnne，femininetothecore。\"I’dratherbeprettythanclever。AndIhateCharlieSloane，Ican’tbearaboywithgoggleeyes。IfanyonewrotemynameupwithhisI’dneverGET
overit，DianaBarry。ButitISnicetokeepheadofyourclass。\"
\"You’llhaveGilbertinyourclassafterthis，\"saidDiana，\"andhe’susedtobeingheadofhisclass，Icantellyou。He’sonlyinthefourthbookalthoughhe’snearlyfourteen。FouryearsagohisfatherwassickandhadtogoouttoAlbertaforhishealthandGilbertwentwithhim。TheyweretherethreeyearsandGildidn’tgotoschoolhardlyanyuntiltheycameback。Youwon’tfinditsoeasytokeepheadafterthis，Anne。\"
\"I’mglad，\"saidAnnequickly。\"Icouldn’treallyfeelproudofkeepingheadoflittleboysandgirlsofjustnineorten。Igotupyesterdayspelling`ebullition。’JosiePyewasheadand，mindyou，shepeepedinherbook。Mr。Phillipsdidn’tseeher——hewaslookingatPrissyAndrews——butIdid。Ijustsweptheralookoffreezingscornandshegotasredasabeetandspelleditwrongafterall。\"
\"ThosePyegirlsarecheatsallround，\"saidDianaindignantly，astheyclimbedthefenceofthemainroad。\"GertiePyeactuallywentandputhermilkbottleinmyplaceinthebrookyesterday。
Didyouever？Idon’tspeaktohernow。\"
WhenMr。PhillipswasinthebackoftheroomhearingPrissyAndrews’sLatin，DianawhisperedtoAnne，\"That’sGilbertBlythesittingrightacrosstheaislefromyou，Anne。Justlookathimandseeifyoudon’tthinkhe’shandsome。\"
Annelookedaccordingly。Shehadagoodchancetodoso，forthesaidGilbertBlythewasabsorbedinstealthilypinningthelongyellowbraidofRubyGillis，whosatinfrontofhim，tothebackofherseat。Hewasatallboy，withcurlybrownhair，roguishhazeleyes，andamouthtwistedintoateasingsmile。PresentlyRubyGillisstarteduptotakeasumtothemaster；shefellbackintoherseatwithalittleshriek，believingthatherhairwaspulledoutbytheroots。EverybodylookedatherandMr。
PhillipsglaredsosternlythatRubybegantocry。Gilberthadwhiskedthepinoutofsightandwasstudyinghishistorywiththesoberestfaceintheworld；butwhenthecommotionsubsidedhelookedatAnneandwinkedwithinexpressibledrollery。
\"IthinkyourGilbertBlytheIShandsome，\"confidedAnnetoDiana，\"butIthinkhe’sverybold。Itisn’tgoodmannerstowinkatastrangegirl。\"
Butitwasnotuntiltheafternoonthatthingsreallybegantohappen。
Mr。PhillipswasbackinthecornerexplainingaprobleminalgebratoPrissyAndrewsandtherestofthescholarsweredoingprettymuchastheypleasedeatinggreenapples，whispering，drawingpicturesontheirslates，anddrivingcricketsharnessedtostrings，upanddownaisle。GilbertBlythewastryingtomakeAnneShirleylookathimandfailingutterly，becauseAnnewasatthatmomenttotallyobliviousnotonlytotheveryexistenceofGilbertBlythe，butofeveryotherscholarinAvonleaschoolitself。
WithherchinproppedonherhandsandhereyesfixedontheblueglimpseoftheLakeofShiningWatersthatthewestwindowafforded，shewasfarawayinagorgeousdreamlandhearingandseeingnothingsaveherownwonderfulvisions。
GilbertBlythewasn’tusedtoputtinghimselfouttomakeagirllookathimandmeetingwithfailure。SheSHOULDlookathim，thatred-hairedShirleygirlwiththelittlepointedchinandthebigeyesthatweren’tliketheeyesofanyothergirlinAvonleaschool。
Gilbertreachedacrosstheaisle，pickeduptheendofAnne’slongredbraid，helditoutatarm’slengthandsaidinapiercingwhisper:
\"Carrots！Carrots！\"
ThenAnnelookedathimwithavengeance！
Shedidmorethanlook。Shesprangtoherfeet，herbrightfanciesfallenintocurelessruin。SheflashedoneindignantglanceatGilbertfromeyeswhoseangrysparklewasswiftlyquenchedinequallyangrytears。
\"Youmean，hatefulboy！\"sheexclaimedpassionately。\"Howdareyou！\"
Andthen——thwack！AnnehadbroughtherslatedownonGilbert’sheadandcrackedit——slatenothead——clearacross。
Avonleaschoolalwaysenjoyedascene。Thiswasanespeciallyenjoyableone。Everybodysaid\"Oh\"inhorrifieddelight。Dianagasped。RubyGillis，whowasinclinedtobehysterical，begantocry。TommySloanelethisteamofcricketsescapehimaltogetherwhilehestaredopen-mouthedatthetableau。
Mr。PhillipsstalkeddowntheaisleandlaidhishandheavilyonAnne’sshoulder。
\"AnneShirley，whatdoesthismean？\"hesaidangrily。Annereturnednoanswer。Itwasaskingtoomuchoffleshandbloodtoexpecthertotellbeforethewholeschoolthatshehadbeencalled\"carrots。\"Gilbertitwaswhospokeupstoutly。
\"ItwasmyfaultMr。Phillips。Iteasedher。\"
Mr。PhillipspaidnoheedtoGilbert。
\"Iamsorrytoseeapupilofminedisplayingsuchatemperandsuchavindictivespirit，\"hesaidinasolemntone，asifthemerefactofbeingapupilofhisoughttorootoutallevilpassionsfromtheheartsofsmallimperfectmortals。\"Anne，goandstandontheplatforminfrontoftheblackboardfortherestoftheafternoon。\"
Annewouldhaveinfinitelypreferredawhippingtothispunishmentunderwhichhersensitivespiritquiveredasfromawhiplash。Withawhite，setfacesheobeyed。Mr。Phillipstookachalkcrayonandwroteontheblackboardaboveherhead。
\"AnnShirleyhasaverybadtemper。AnnShirleymustlearntocontrolhertemper，\"andthenreaditoutloudsothateventheprimerclass，whocouldn’treadwriting，shouldunderstandit。
Annestoodtheretherestoftheafternoonwiththatlegendaboveher。Shedidnotcryorhangherhead。Angerwasstilltoohotinherheartforthatanditsustainedheramidallheragonyofhumiliation。Withresentfuleyesandpassion-redcheekssheconfrontedalikeDiana’ssympatheticgazeandCharlieSloane’sindignantnodsandJosiePye’smalicioussmiles。AsforGilbertBlythe，shewouldnotevenlookathim。ShewouldNEVERlookathimagain！Shewouldneverspeaktohim！！
WhenschoolwasdismissedAnnemarchedoutwithherredheadheldhigh。GilbertBlythetriedtointerceptherattheporchdoor。
\"I’mawfullysorryImadefunofyourhair，Anne，\"hewhisperedcontritely。\"HonestIam。Don’tbemadforkeeps，now\"
Annesweptbydisdainfully，withoutlookorsignofhearing。\"Ohhowcouldyou，Anne？\"breathedDianaastheywentdowntheroadhalfreproachfully，halfadmiringly。DianafeltthatSHEcouldneverhaveresistedGilbert’splea。
\"IshallneverforgiveGilbertBlythe，\"saidAnnefirmly。
\"AndMr。Phillipsspelledmynamewithoutane，too。
Theironhasenteredintomysoul，Diana。\"
Dianahadn’ttheleastideawhatAnnemeantbutsheunderstooditwassomethingterrible。
\"Youmustn’tmindGilbertmakingfunofyourhair，\"shesaidsoothingly。\"Why，hemakesfunofallthegirls。Helaughsatminebecauseit’ssoblack。He’scalledmeacrowadozentimes；
andIneverheardhimapologizeforanythingbefore，either。\"
\"There’sagreatdealofdifferencebetweenbeingcalledacrowandbeingcalledcarrots，\"saidAnnewithdignity。\"GilbertBlythehashurtmyfeelingsEXCRUCIATINGLY，Diana。\"
Itispossiblethemattermighthaveblownoverwithoutmoreexcruciationifnothingelsehadhappened。Butwhenthingsbegintohappentheyareapttokeepon。
AvonleascholarsoftenspentnoonhourpickingguminMr。Bell’ssprucegroveoverthehillandacrosshisbigpasturefield。
FromtheretheycouldkeepaneyeonEbenWright’shouse，wherethemasterboarded。WhentheysawMr。Phillipsemergingtherefromtheyranfortheschoolhouse；butthedistancebeingaboutthreetimeslongerthanMr。Wright’slanetheywereveryapttoarrivethere，breathlessandgasping，somethreeminutestoolate。
OnthefollowingdayMr。Phillipswasseizedwithoneofhisspasmodicfitsofreformandannouncedbeforegoinghometodinner，thatheshouldexpecttofindallthescholarsintheirseatswhenhereturned。Anyonewhocameinlatewouldbepunished。
AlltheboysandsomeofthegirlswenttoMr。Bell’ssprucegroveasusual，fullyintendingtostayonlylongenoughto\"pickachew。\"Butsprucegrovesareseductiveandyellownutsofgumbeguiling；theypickedandloiteredandstrayed；andasusualthefirstthingthatrecalledthemtoasenseoftheflightoftimewasJimmyGlovershoutingfromthetopofapatriarchaloldspruce\"Master’scoming。\"
Thegirlswhowereontheground，startedfirstandmanagedtoreachtheschoolhouseintimebutwithoutasecondtospare。Theboys，whohadtowrigglehastilydownfromthetrees，werelater；
andAnne，whohadnotbeenpickinggumatallbutwaswanderinghappilyinthefarendofthegrove，waistdeepamongthebracken，singingsoftlytoherself，withawreathofriceliliesonherhairasifsheweresomewilddivinityoftheshadowyplaces，waslatestofall。Annecouldrunlikeadeer，however；
runshedidwiththeimpishresultthatsheovertooktheboysatthedoorandwassweptintotheschoolhouseamongthemjustasMr。Phillipswasintheactofhanginguphishat。
Mr。Phillips’sbriefreformingenergywasover；hedidn’twantthebotherofpunishingadozenpupils；butitwasnecessarytodosomethingtosavehisword，sohelookedaboutforascapegoatandfounditinAnne，whohaddroppedintoherseat，gaspingforbreath，withaforgottenlilywreathhangingaskewoveroneearandgivingheraparticularlyrakishanddisheveledappearance。
\"AnneShirley，sinceyouseemtobesofondoftheboys’companyweshallindulgeyourtasteforitthisafternoon，\"hesaidsarcastically。\"TakethoseflowersoutofyourhairandsitwithGilbertBlythe。\"
Theotherboyssnickered。Diana，turningpalewithpity，pluckedthewreathfromAnne’shairandsqueezedherhand。Annestaredatthemasterasifturnedtostone。
\"DidyouhearwhatIsaid，Anne？\"queriedMr。Phillipssternly。
\"Yes，sir，\"saidAnneslowly\"butIdidn’tsupposeyoureallymeantit。\"
\"IassureyouIdid\"——stillwiththesarcasticinflectionwhichallthechildren，andAnneespecially，hated。Itflickedontheraw。
\"Obeymeatonce。\"
ForamomentAnnelookedasifshemeanttodisobey。Then，realizingthattherewasnohelpforit，sherosehaughtily，steppedacrosstheaisle，satdownbesideGilbertBlythe，andburiedherfaceinherarmsonthedesk。RubyGillis，whogotaglimpseofitasitwentdown，toldtheothersgoinghomefromschoolthatshe’d\"acksuallyneverseenanythinglikeit——itwassowhite，withawfullittleredspotsinit。\"
ToAnne，thiswasastheendofallthings。Itwasbadenoughtobesingledoutforpunishmentfromamongadozenequallyguiltyones；itwasworsestilltobesenttositwithaboy，butthatthatboyshouldbeGilbertBlythewasheapinginsultoninjurytoadegreeutterlyunbearable。Annefeltthatshecouldnotbearitanditwouldbeofnousetotry。Herwholebeingseethedwithshameandangerandhumiliation。
Atfirsttheotherscholarslookedandwhisperedandgiggledandnudged。ButasAnneneverliftedherheadandasGilbertworkedfractionsasifhiswholesoulwasabsorbedinthemandthemonly，theysoonreturnedtotheirowntasksandAnnewasforgotten。
WhenMr。PhillipscalledthehistoryclassoutAnneshouldhavegone，butAnnedidnotmove，andMr。Phillips，whohadbeenwritingsomeverses\"ToPriscilla\"beforehecalledtheclass，wasthinkingaboutanobstinaterhymestillandnevermissedher。
Once，whennobodywaslooking，Gilberttookfromhisdeskalittlepinkcandyheartwithagoldmottoonit，\"Youaresweet，\"andslippeditunderthecurveofAnne’sarm。WhereuponAnnearose，tookthepinkheartgingerlybetweenthetipsofherfingers，droppeditonthefloor，groundittopowderbeneathherheel，andresumedherpositionwithoutdeigningtobestowaglanceonGilbert。
WhenschoolwentoutAnnemarchedtoherdesk，ostentatiouslytookouteverythingtherein，booksandwritingtablet，penandink，testamentandarithmetic，andpiledthemneatlyonhercrackedslate。
\"Whatareyoutakingallthosethingshomefor，Anne？\"Dianawantedtoknow，assoonastheywereoutontheroad。Shehadnotdaredtoaskthequestionbefore。
\"Iamnotcomingbacktoschoolanymore，\"saidAnne。
DianagaspedandstaredatAnnetoseeifshemeantit。
\"WillMarillaletyoustayhome？\"sheasked。
\"She’llhaveto，\"saidAnne。\"I’llNEVERgotoschooltothatmanagain。\"
\"Oh，Anne！\"Dianalookedasifshewerereadytocry。\"Idothinkyou’remean。WhatshallIdo？Mr。PhillipswillmakemesitwiththathorridGertiePye——Iknowhewillbecausesheissittingalone。Docomeback，Anne。\"
\"I’ddoalmostanythingintheworldforyou，Diana，\"saidAnnesadly。
\"I’dletmyselfbetornlimbfromlimbifitwoulddoyouanygood。
ButIcan’tdothis，sopleasedon’taskit。Youharrowupmyverysoul。\"
\"Justthinkofallthefunyouwillmiss，\"mournedDiana。\"Wearegoingtobuildtheloveliestnewhousedownbythebrook；andwe’llbeplayingballnextweekandyou’veneverplayedball，Anne。
It’stremendouslyexciting。Andwe’regoingtolearnanewsong——
JaneAndrewsispracticingitupnow；andAliceAndrewsisgoingtobringanewPansybooknextweekandwe’reallgoingtoreaditoutloud，chapterabout，downbythebrook。Andyouknowyouaresofondofreadingoutloud，Anne。\"
NothingmovedAnneintheleast。Hermindwasmadeup。ShewouldnotgotoschooltoMr。Phillipsagain；shetoldMarillasowhenshegothome。
\"Nonsense，\"saidMarilla。
\"Itisn’tnonsenseatall，\"saidAnne，gazingatMarillawithsolemn，reproachfuleyes。\"Don’tyouunderstand，Marilla？I’vebeeninsulted。\"
\"Insultedfiddlesticks！You’llgotoschooltomorrowasusual。\"
\"Oh，no。\"Anneshookherheadgently。\"I’mnotgoingback，Marilla。\"I’lllearnmylessonsathomeandI’llbeasgoodasI
canbeandholdmytongueallthetimeifit’spossibleatall。
ButIwillnotgobacktoschool，Iassureyou。\"
MarillasawsomethingremarkablylikeunyieldingstubbornnesslookingoutofAnne’ssmallface。Sheunderstoodthatshewouldhavetroubleinovercomingit；butshere-solvedwiselytosaynothingmorejustthen。\"I’llrundownandseeRachelaboutitthisevening，\"shethought。\"There’snousereasoningwithAnnenow。She’stooworkedupandI’veanideashecanbeawfulstubbornifshetakesthenotion。FarasIcanmakeoutfromherstory，Mr。Phillipshasbeencarryingmatterswitharatherhighhand。
Butitwouldneverdotosaysotoher。I’lljusttalkitoverwithRachel。She’ssenttenchildrentoschoolandsheoughttoknowsomethingaboutit。She’llhaveheardthewholestory，too，bythistime。\"
MarillafoundMrs。Lyndeknittingquiltsasindustriouslyandcheerfullyasusual。
\"IsupposeyouknowwhatI’vecomeabout，\"shesaid，alittleshamefacedly。
Mrs。Rachelnodded。
\"AboutAnne’sfussinschool，Ireckon，\"shesaid。\"TillieBoulterwasinonherwayhomefromschoolandtoldmeaboutit。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhattodowithher，\"saidMarilla。\"Shedeclaresshewon’tgobacktoschool。Ineversawachildsoworkedup。
I’vebeenexpectingtroubleeversinceshestartedtoschool。
Iknewthingsweregoingtoosmoothtolast。She’ssohighstrung。
Whatwouldyouadvise，Rachel？\"
\"Well，sinceyou’veaskedmyadvice，Marilla，\"saidMrs。Lyndeamiably——Mrs。Lyndedearlylovedtobeaskedforadvice——\"I’djusthumorheralittleatfirst，that’swhatI’ddo。It’smybeliefthatMr。Phillipswasinthewrong。Ofcourse，itdoesn’tdotosaysotothechildren，youknow。Andofcoursehedidrighttopunishheryesterdayforgivingwaytotemper。Buttodayitwasdifferent。TheotherswhowerelateshouldhavebeenpunishedaswellasAnne，that’swhat。AndIdon’tbelieveinmakingthegirlssitwiththeboysforpunishment。Itisn’tmodest。TillieBoulterwasrealindignant。ShetookAnne’spartrightthroughandsaidallthescholarsdidtoo。Anneseemsrealpopularamongthem，somehow。Ineverthoughtshe’dtakewiththemsowell。\"
\"ThenyoureallythinkI’dbetterletherstayhome，\"saidMarillainamazement。
\"Yes。ThatisIwouldn’tsayschooltoheragainuntilshesaiditherself。Dependuponit，Marilla，she’llcooloffinaweekorsoandbereadyenoughtogobackofherownaccord，that’swhat，while，ifyouweretomakehergobackrightoff，dearknowswhatfreakortantrumshe’dtakenextandmakemoretroublethanever。Thelessfussmadethebetter，inmyopinion。
Shewon’tmissmuchbynotgoingtoschool，asfarasTHATgoes。
Mr。Phillipsisn’tanygoodatallasateacher。Theorderhekeepsisscandalous，that’swhat，andheneglectstheyoungfryandputsallhistimeonthosebigscholarshe’sgettingreadyforQueen’s。He’dneverhavegottheschoolforanotheryearifhisunclehadn’tbeenatrustee——THEtrustee，forhejustleadstheothertwoaroundbythenose，that’swhat。Ideclare，Idon’tknowwhateducationinthisIslandiscomingto。\"
Mrs。Rachelshookherhead，asmuchastosayifshewereonlyattheheadoftheeducationalsystemoftheProvincethingswouldbemuchbettermanaged。
MarillatookMrs。Rachel’sadviceandnotanotherwordwassaidtoAnneaboutgoingbacktoschool。Shelearnedherlessonsathome，didherchores，andplayedwithDianainthechillypurpleautumntwilights；butwhenshemetGilbertBlytheontheroadorencounteredhiminSundayschoolshepassedhimbywithanicycontemptthatwasnowhitthawedbyhisevidentdesiretoappeaseher。EvenDiana’seffortsasapeacemakerwereofnoavail。
AnnehadevidentlymadeuphermindtohateGilbertBlythetotheendoflife。
AsmuchasshehatedGilbert，however，didsheloveDiana，withalltheloveofherpassionatelittleheart，equallyintenseinitslikesanddislikes。OneeveningMarilla，cominginfromtheorchardwithabasketofapples，foundAnnesittingalongbytheeastwindowinthetwilight，cryingbitterly。
\"Whatever’sthematternow，Anne？\"sheasked。
\"It’saboutDiana，\"sobbedAnneluxuriously。\"IloveDianaso，Marilla。Icannoteverlivewithouther。ButIknowverywellwhenwegrowupthatDianawillgetmarriedandgoawayandleaveme。Andoh，whatshallIdo？Ihateherhusband——Ijusthatehimfuriously。I’vebeenimaginingitallout——theweddingandeverything——Dianadressedinsnowygarments，withaveil，andlookingasbeautifulandregalasaqueen；andmethebridesmaid，withalovelydresstoo，andpuffedsleeves，butwithabreakinghearthidbeneathmysmilingface。AndthenbiddingDianagoodbye-e-e——\"HereAnnebrokedownentirelyandweptwithincreasingbitterness。
Marillaturnedquicklyawaytohidehertwitchingface；butitwasnouse；shecollapsedonthenearestchairandburstintosuchaheartyandunusualpealoflaughterthatMatthew，crossingtheyardoutside，haltedinamazement。WhenhadheheardMarillalaughlikethatbefore？
\"Well，AnneShirley，\"saidMarillaassoonasshecouldspeak，\"ifyoumustborrowtrouble，forpity’ssakeborrowithandierhome。Ishouldthinkyouhadanimagination，sureenough。\"
CHAPTERXVI
DianaIsInvitedtoTeawithTragicResultsOCTOBERwasabeautifulmonthatGreenGables，whenthebirchesinthehollowturnedasgoldenassunshineandthemaplesbehindtheorchardwereroyalcrimsonandthewildcherrytreesalongthelaneputontheloveliestshadesofdarkredandbronzygreen，whilethefieldssunnedthemselvesinaftermaths。
Annereveledintheworldofcolorabouther。
\"Oh，Marilla，\"sheexclaimedoneSaturdaymorning，comingdancinginwithherarmsfullofgorgeousboughs\"’I’msogladIliveinaworldwherethereareOctobers。ItwouldbeterribleifwejustskippedfromSeptembertoNovember，wouldn’tit？Lookatthesemaplebranches。Don’ttheygiveyouathrill——severalthrills？I’mgoingtodecoratemyroomwiththem。\"
\"Messythings，\"saidMarilla，whoseaestheticsensewasnotnoticeablydeveloped。\"Youclutterupyourroomentirelytoomuchwithout-of-doorsstuff，Anne。Bedroomsweremadetosleepin。\"
\"Oh，anddreamintoo，Marilla。Andyouknowonecandreamsomuchbetterinaroomwherethereareprettythings。I’mgoingtoputtheseboughsintheoldbluejugandsetthemonmytable。\"
\"Mindyoudon’tdropleavesalloverthestairsthen。I’mgoingonameetingoftheAidSocietyatCarmodythisafternoon，Anne，andIwon’tlikelybehomebeforedark。You’llhavetogetMatthewandJerrytheirsupper，somindyoudon’tforgettoputtheteatodrawuntilyousitdownatthetableasyoudidlasttime。\"
\"Itwasdreadfulofmetoforget，\"saidAnneapologetically，\"butthatwastheafternoonIwastryingtothinkofanameforVioletValeanditcrowdedotherthingsout。Matthewwassogood。Heneverscoldedabit。Heputtheteadownhimselfandsaidwecouldwaitawhileaswellasnot。AndItoldhimalovelyfairystorywhilewewerewaiting，sohedidn’tfindthetimelongatall。Itwasabeautifulfairystory，Marilla。Iforgottheendofit，soImadeupanendforitmyselfandMatthewsaidhecouldn’ttellwherethejoincamein。\"
\"Matthewwouldthinkitallright，Anne，ifyoutookanotiontogetupandhavedinnerinthemiddleofthenight。Butyoukeepyourwitsaboutyouthistime。And——Idon’treallyknowifI’mdoingright——itmaymakeyoumoreaddlepatedthanever——butyoucanaskDianatocomeoverandspendtheafternoonwithyouandhaveteahere。\"
\"Oh，Marilla！\"Anneclaspedherhands。\"Howperfectlylovely！
YouAREabletoimaginethingsafterallorelseyou’dneverhaveunderstoodhowI’velongedforthatverything。Itwillseemsoniceandgrown-uppish。NofearofmyforgettingtoputtheteatodrawwhenIhavecompany。Oh，Marilla，canIusetherosebudsprayteaset？\"
\"No，indeed！Therosebudteaset！Well，whatnext？YouknowI
neverusethatexceptfortheministerortheAids。You’llputdowntheoldbrownteaset。Butyoucanopenthelittleyellowcrockofcherrypreserves。It’stimeitwasbeingusedanyhow——I
believeit’sbeginningtowork。Andyoucancutsomefruitcakeandhavesomeofthecookiesandsnaps。\"
\"Icanjustimaginemyselfsittingdownattheheadofthetableandpouringoutthetea，\"saidAnne，shuttinghereyesecstatically。\"AndaskingDianaifshetakessugar！Iknowshedoesn’tbutofcourseI’llaskherjustasifIdidn’tknow。Andthenpressinghertotakeanotherpieceoffruitcakeandanotherhelpingofpreserves。Oh，Marilla，it’sawonderfulsensationjusttothinkofit。CanItakeherintothespareroomtolayoffherhatwhenshecomes？Andthenintotheparlortosit？\"
\"No。Thesittingroomwilldoforyouandyourcompany。Butthere’sabottlehalffullofraspberrycordialthatwasleftoverfromthechurchsocialtheothernight。It’sonthesecondshelfofthesitting-roomclosetandyouandDianacanhaveitifyoulike，andacookytoeatwithitalongintheafternoon，forIdaresayMatthew’llbelatecomingintoteasincehe’shaulingpotatoestothevessel。\"
Anneflewdowntothehollow，pasttheDryad’sBubbleandupthesprucepathtoOrchardSlope，toaskDianatotea。AsaresultjustafterMarillahaddrivenofftoCarmody，Dianacameover，dressedinHERsecond-bestdressandlookingexactlyasitispropertolookwhenaskedouttotea。Atothertimesshewaswonttorunintothekitchenwithoutknocking；butnowsheknockedprimlyatthefrontdoor。AndwhenAnne，dressedinhersecondbest，asprimlyopenedit，bothlittlegirlsshookhandsasgravelyasiftheyhadnevermetbefore。ThisunnaturalsolemnitylasteduntilafterDianahadbeentakentotheeastgabletolayoffherhatandthenhadsatfortenminutesinthesittingroom，toesinposition。
\"Howisyourmother？\"inquiredAnnepolitely，justasifshehadnotseenMrs。Barrypickingapplesthatmorninginexcellenthealthandspirits。
\"Sheisverywell，thankyou。IsupposeMr。CuthbertishaulingpotatoestotheLILYSANDSthisafternoon，ishe？\"saidDiana，whohadriddendowntoMr。HarmonAndrews’sthatmorninginMatthew’scart。
\"Yes。Ourpotatocropisverygoodthisyear。Ihopeyourfather’scropisgoodtoo。\"
\"Itisfairlygood，thankyou。Haveyoupickedmanyofyourapplesyet？\"
\"Oh，eversomany，\"saidAnneforgettingtobedignifiedandjumpingupquickly。\"Let’sgoouttotheorchardandgetsomeoftheRedSweetings，Diana。Marillasayswecanhaveallthatareleftonthetree。Marillaisaverygenerouswoman。Shesaidwecouldhavefruitcakeandcherrypreservesfortea。Butitisn’tgoodmannerstotellyourcompanywhatyouaregoingtogivethemtoeat，soIwon’ttellyouwhatshesaidwecouldhavetodrink。
OnlyitbeginswithanRandaCandit’sbrightredcolor。I
lovebrightreddrinks，don’tyou？Theytastetwiceasgoodasanyothercolor。\"
Theorchard，withitsgreatsweepingboughsthatbenttothegroundwithfruit，provedsodelightfulthatthelittlegirlsspentmostoftheafternooninit，sittinginagrassycornerwherethefrosthadsparedthegreenandthemellowautumnsunshinelingeredwarmly，eatingapplesandtalkingashardastheycould。DianahadmuchtotellAnneofwhatwentoninschool。ShehadtositwithGertiePyeandshehatedit；Gertiesqueakedherpencilallthetimeanditjustmadeher——Diana’s——bloodruncold；RubyGillishadcharmedallherwartsaway，true’syoulive，withamagicpebblethatoldMaryJoefromtheCreekgaveher。Youhadtorubthewartswiththepebbleandthenthrowitawayoveryourleftshoulderatthetimeofthenewmoonandthewartswouldallgo。CharlieSloane’snamewaswrittenupwithEmWhite’sontheporchwallandEmWhitewasAWFULMADaboutit；SamBoulterhad\"sassed\"Mr。
PhillipsinclassandMr。PhillipswhippedhimandSam’sfathercamedowntotheschoolanddaredMr。Phillipstolayahandononeofhischildrenagain；andMattieAndrewshadanewredhoodandabluecrossoverwithtasselsonitandtheairssheputonaboutitwereperfectlysickening；andLizzieWrightdidn’tspeaktoMamieWilsonbecauseMamieWilson’sgrown-upsisterhadcutoutLizzieWright’sgrown-upsisterwithherbeau；andeverybodymissedAnnesoandwishedshe’scometoschoolagain；andGilbertBlythe——
ButAnnedidn’twanttohearaboutGilbertBlythe。Shejumpeduphurriedlyandsaidsupposetheygoinandhavesomeraspberrycordial。
Annelookedonthesecondshelfoftheroompantrybuttherewasnobottleofraspberrycordialthere。Searchrevealeditawaybackonthetopshelf。Anneputitonatrayandsetitonthetablewithatumbler。
\"Now，pleasehelpyourself，Diana，\"shesaidpolitely。\"Idon’tbelieveI’llhaveanyjustnow。Idon’tfeelasifIwantedanyafterallthoseapples。\"
Dianapouredherselfoutatumblerful，lookedatitsbright-redhueadmiringly，andthensippeditdaintily。
\"That’sawfullyniceraspberrycordial，Anne，\"shesaid。\"I
didn’tknowraspberrycordialwassonice。\"
\"I’mrealgladyoulikeit。Takeasmuchasyouwant。I’mgoingtorunoutandstirthefireup。Therearesomanyresponsibilitiesonaperson’smindwhenthey’rekeepinghouse，isn’tthere？\"
WhenAnnecamebackfromthekitchenDianawasdrinkinghersecondglassfulofcordial；and，beingentreatedtheretobyAnne，sheofferednoparticularobjectiontothedrinkingofathird。
Thetumblerfulsweregenerousonesandtheraspberrycordialwascertainlyverynice。
\"ThenicestIeverdrank，\"saidDiana。\"It’seversomuchnicerthanMrs。Lynde’s，althoughshebragsofherssomuch。Itdoesn’ttasteabitlikehers。\"
\"IshouldthinkMarilla’sraspberrycordialwouldprob’lybemuchnicerthanMrs。Lynde’s，\"saidAnneloyally。\"Marillaisafamouscook。SheistryingtoteachmetocookbutIassureyou，Diana，itisuphillwork。There’ssolittlescopeforimaginationincookery。Youjusthavetogobyrules。ThelasttimeImadeacakeIforgottoputtheflourin。Iwasthinkingthelovelieststoryaboutyouandme，Diana。Ithoughtyouweredesperatelyillwithsmallpoxandeverybodydesertedyou，butI
wentboldlytoyourbedsideandnursedyoubacktolife；andthenItookthesmallpoxanddiedandIwasburiedunderthosepoplartreesinthegraveyardandyouplantedarosebushbymygraveandwatereditwithyourtears；andyounever，neverforgotthefriendofyouryouthwhosacrificedherlifeforyou。Oh，itwassuchapathetictale，Diana。ThetearsjustraineddownovermycheekswhileImixedthecake。ButIforgottheflourandthecakewasadismalfailure。Flourissoessentialtocakes，youknow。MarillawasverycrossandIdon’twonder。I’magreattrialtoher。Shewasterriblymortifiedaboutthepuddingsaucelastweek。WehadaplumpuddingfordinneronTuesdayandtherewashalfthepuddingandapitcherfulofsauceleftover。
Marillasaidtherewasenoughforanotherdinnerandtoldmetosetitonthepantryshelfandcoverit。Imeanttocoveritjustasmuchascouldbe，Diana，butwhenIcarrieditinIwasimaginingIwasanun——ofcourseI’maProtestantbutIimaginedIwasaCatholic——takingtheveiltoburyabrokenheartincloisteredseclusion；andIforgotallaboutcoveringthepuddingsauce。Ithoughtofitnextmorningandrantothepantry。
Diana，fancyifyoucanmyextremehorroratfindingamousedrownedinthatpuddingsauce！IliftedthemouseoutwithaspoonandthrewitoutintheyardandthenIwashedthespooninthreewaters。MarillawasoutmilkingandIfullyintendedtoaskherwhenshecameinifI’dgivethesaucetothepigs；butwhenshedidcomeinIwasimaginingthatIwasafrostfairygoingthroughthewoodsturningthetreesredandyellow，whichevertheywantedtobe，soIneverthoughtaboutthepuddingsauceagainandMarillasentmeouttopickapples。
Well，Mr。andMrs。ChesterRossfromSpencervalecameherethatmorning。Youknowtheyareverystylishpeople，especiallyMrs。
ChesterRoss。WhenMarillacalledmeindinnerwasallreadyandeverybodywasatthetable。ItriedtobeaspoliteanddignifiedasIcouldbe，forIwantedMrs。ChesterRosstothinkIwasaladylikelittlegirlevenifIwasn’tpretty。EverythingwentrightuntilIsawMarillacomingwiththeplumpuddinginonehandandthepitcherofpuddingsauceWARMEDUP，intheother。
Diana，thatwasaterriblemoment。IrememberedeverythingandI
juststoodupinmyplaceandshriekedout`Marilla，youmustn’tusethatpuddingsauce。Therewasamousedrownedinit。I
forgottotellyoubefore。’Oh，Diana，IshallneverforgetthatawfulmomentifIlivetobeahundred。Mrs。ChesterRossjustLOOKEDatmeandIthoughtIwouldsinkthroughthefloorwithmortification。Sheissuchaperfecthousekeeperandfancywhatshemusthavethoughtofus。Marillaturnedredasfirebutsheneversaidaword——then。Shejustcarriedthatsauceandpuddingoutandbroughtinsomestrawberrypreserves。Sheevenofferedmesome，butIcouldn’tswallowamouthful。Itwaslikeheapingcoalsoffireonmyhead。AfterMrs。ChesterRosswentaway，Marillagavemeadreadfulscolding。Why，Diana，whatisthematter？\"
Dianahadstoodupveryunsteadily；thenshesatdownagain，puttingherhandstoherhead。
\"I’m——I’mawfulsick，\"shesaid，alittlethickly。\"I——I——mustgorighthome。\"
\"Oh，youmustn’tdreamofgoinghomewithoutyourtea，\"criedAnneindistress。\"I’llgetitrightoff——I’llgoandputtheteadownthisveryminute。\"
\"Imustgohome，\"repeatedDiana，stupidlybutdeterminedly。
\"Letmegetyoualunchanyhow，\"imploredAnne。\"Letmegiveyouabitoffruitcakeandsomeofthecherrypreserves。Liedownonthesofaforalittlewhileandyou’llbebetter。Wheredoyoufeelbad？\"
\"Imustgohome，\"saidDiana，andthatwasallshewouldsay。InvainAnnepleaded。
\"Ineverheardofcompanygoinghomewithouttea，\"shemourned。
\"Oh，Diana，doyousupposethatit’spossibleyou’rereallytakingthesmallpox？IfyouareI’llgoandnurseyou，youcandependonthat。I’llneverforsakeyou。ButIdowishyou’dstaytillaftertea。Wheredoyoufeelbad？\"
\"I’mawfuldizzy，\"saidDiana。
Andindeed，shewalkedverydizzily。Anne，withtearsofdisappointmentinhereyes，gotDiana’shatandwentwithherasfarastheBarryyardfence。ThensheweptallthewaybacktoGreenGables，whereshesorrowfullyputtheremainderoftheraspberrycordialbackintothepantryandgotteareadyforMatthewandJerry，withallthezestgoneoutoftheperformance。
