AGoodImaginationGoneWrongSpringhadcomeoncemoretoGreenGables——thebeautifulcapricious，reluctantCanadianspring，lingeringalongthroughAprilandMayinasuccessionofsweet，fresh，chillydays，withpinksunsetsandmiraclesofresurrectionandgrowth。ThemaplesinLover’sLanewereredbuddedandlittlecurlyfernspusheduparoundtheDryad’sBubble。Awayupinthebarrens，behindMr。
SilasSloane’splace，theMayflowersblossomedout，pinkandwhitestarsofsweetnessundertheirbrownleaves。Alltheschoolgirlsandboyshadonegoldenafternoongatheringthem，cominghomeintheclear，echoingtwilightwitharmsandbasketsfulloffloweryspoil。
\"I’msosorryforpeoplewholiveinlandswheretherearenoMayflowers，\"saidAnne。\"Dianasaysperhapstheyhavesomethingbetter，buttherecouldn’tbeanythingbetterthanMayflowers，couldthere，Marilla？AndDianasaysiftheydon’tknowwhattheyareliketheydon’tmissthem。ButIthinkthatisthesaddestthingofall。IthinkitwouldbeTRAGIC，Marilla，nottoknowwhatMayflowersarelikeandNOTtomissthem。DoyouknowwhatIthinkMayflowersare，Marilla？Ithinktheymustbethesoulsoftheflowersthatdiedlastsummerandthisistheirheaven。Butwehadasplendidtimetoday，Marilla。Wehadourlunchdowninabigmossyhollowbyanoldwell——suchaROMANTIC
spot。CharlieSloanedaredArtyGillistojumpoverit，andArtydidbecausehewouldn’ttakeadare。Nobodywouldinschool。ItisveryFASHIONABLEtodare。Mr。PhillipsgavealltheMayflowershefoundtoPrissyAndrewsandIheardhimtosay`sweetstothesweet。’Hegotthatoutofabook，Iknow；butitshowshehassomeimagination。IwasofferedsomeMayflowerstoo，butIrejectedthemwithscorn。Ican’ttellyoutheperson’snamebecauseIhavevowednevertoletitcrossmylips。
WemadewreathsoftheMayflowersandputthemonourhats；andwhenthetimecametogohomewemarchedinprocessiondowntheroad，twobytwo，withourbouquetsandwreaths，singing`MyHomeontheHill。’Oh，itwassothrilling，Marilla。AllMr。SilasSloane’sfolksrushedouttoseeusandeverybodywemetontheroadstoppedandstaredafterus。Wemadearealsensation。\"
\"Notmuchwonder！Suchsillydoings！\"wasMarilla’sresponse。
AftertheMayflowerscametheviolets，andVioletValewasempurpledwiththem。Annewalkedthroughitonherwaytoschoolwithreverentstepsandworshipingeyes，asifshetrodonholyground。
\"Somehow，\"shetoldDiana，\"whenI’mgoingthroughhereIdon’treallycarewhetherGil——whetheranybodygetsaheadofmeinclassornot。ButwhenI’mupinschoolit’salldifferentandI
careasmuchasever。There’ssuchalotofdifferentAnnesinme。
IsometimesthinkthatiswhyI’msuchatroublesomeperson。
IfIwasjusttheoneAnneitwouldbeeversomuchmorecomfortable，butthenitwouldn’tbehalfsointeresting。\"
OneJuneevening，whentheorchardswerepinkblossomedagain，whenthefrogsweresingingsilverlysweetinthemarshesabouttheheadoftheLakeofShiningWaters，andtheairwasfullofthesavorofcloverfieldsandbalsamicfirwoods，Annewassittingbyhergablewindow。Shehadbeenstudyingherlessons，butithadgrowntoodarktoseethebook，soshehadfallenintowide-eyedreverie，lookingoutpasttheboughsoftheSnowQueen，oncemorebestarredwithitstuftsofblossom。
Inallessentialrespectsthelittlegablechamberwasunchanged。
Thewallswereaswhite，thepincushionashard，thechairsasstifflyandyellowlyuprightasever。Yetthewholecharacteroftheroomwasaltered。Itwasfullofanewvital，pulsingpersonalitythatseemedtopervadeitandtobequiteindependentofschoolgirlbooksanddressesandribbons，andevenofthecrackedbluejugfullofappleblossomsonthetable。Itwasasifallthedreams，sleepingandwaking，ofitsvividoccupanthadtakenavisiblealthoughunmaterialformandhadtapestriedthebareroomwithsplendidfilmytissuesofrainbowandmoonshine。
PresentlyMarillacamebrisklyinwithsomeofAnne’sfreshlyironedschoolaprons。Shehungthemoverachairandsatdownwithashortsigh。Shehadhadoneofherheadachesthatafternoon，andalthoughthepainhadgoneshefeltweakand\"tuckeredout，\"assheexpressedit。Annelookedatherwitheyeslimpidwithsympathy。
\"IdotrulywishIcouldhavehadtheheadacheinyourplace，Marilla。Iwouldhaveendureditjoyfullyforyoursake。\"
\"Iguessyoudidyourpartinattendingtotheworkandlettingmerest，\"saidMarilla。\"Youseemtohavegotonfairlywellandmadefewermistakesthanusual。Ofcourseitwasn’texactlynecessarytostarchMatthew’shandkerchiefs！Andmostpeoplewhentheyputapieintheoventowarmupfordinnertakeitoutandeatitwhenitgetshotinsteadofleavingittobeburnedtoacrisp。Butthatdoesn’tseemtobeyourwayevidently。\"
HeadachesalwaysleftMarillasomewhatsarcastic。
\"Oh，I’msosorry，\"saidAnnepenitently。\"IneverthoughtaboutthatpiefromthemomentIputitintheoventillnow，althoughIfeltINSTINCTIVELYthattherewassomethingmissingonthedinnertable。Iwasfirmlyresolved，whenyouleftmeinchargethismorning，nottoimagineanything，butkeepmythoughtsonfacts。IdidprettywelluntilIputthepiein，andthenanirresistibletemptationcametometoimagineIwasanenchantedprincessshutupinalonelytowerwithahandsomeknightridingtomyrescueonacoal-blacksteed。SothatishowIcametoforgetthepie。Ididn’tknowIstarchedthehandkerchiefs。AllthetimeIwasironingIwastryingtothinkofanameforanewislandDianaandIhavediscoveredupthebrook。It’sthemostravishingspot，Marilla。Therearetwomapletreesonitandthebrookflowsrightaroundit。AtlastitstruckmethatitwouldbesplendidtocallitVictoriaIslandbecausewefounditontheQueen’sbirthday。BothDianaandIareveryloyal。ButI’msorryaboutthatpieandthehandkerchiefs。Iwantedtobeextragoodtodaybecauseit’sananniversary。Doyourememberwhathappenedthisdaylastyear，Marilla？\"
\"No，Ican’tthinkofanythingspecial。\"
\"Oh，Marilla，itwasthedayIcametoGreenGables。Ishallneverforgetit。Itwastheturningpointinmylife。Ofcourseitwouldn’tseemsoimportanttoyou。I’vebeenhereforayearandI’vebeensohappy。Ofcourse，I’vehadmytroubles，butonecanlivedowntroubles。Areyousorryyoukeptme，Marilla？\"
\"No，Ican’tsayI’msorry，\"saidMarilla，whosometimeswonderedhowshecouldhavelivedbeforeAnnecametoGreenGables，\"no，notexactlysorry。Ifyou’vefinishedyourlessons，Anne，IwantyoutorunoverandaskMrs。Barryifshe’lllendmeDiana’sapronpattern。\"
\"Oh——it’s——it’stoodark，\"criedAnne。
\"Toodark？Why，it’sonlytwilight。Andgoodnessknowsyou’vegoneoveroftenenoughafterdark。\"
\"I’llgooverearlyinthemorning，\"saidAnneeagerly。\"I’llgetupatsunriseandgoover，Marilla。\"
\"Whathasgotintoyourheadnow，AnneShirley？Iwantthatpatterntocutoutyournewapronthisevening。Goatonceandbesmarttoo。\"
\"I’llhavetogoaroundbytheroad，then，\"saidAnne，takingupherhatreluctantly。
\"Gobytheroadandwastehalfanhour！I’dliketocatchyou！\"
\"Ican’tgothroughtheHauntedWood，Marilla，\"criedAnnedesperately。
Marillastared。
\"TheHauntedWood！Areyoucrazy？WhatunderthecanopyistheHauntedWood？\"
\"Thesprucewoodoverthebrook，\"saidAnneinawhisper。
\"Fiddlesticks！Thereisnosuchthingasahauntedwoodanywhere。
Whohasbeentellingyousuchstuff？\"
\"Nobody，\"confessedAnne。\"DianaandIjustimaginedthewoodwashaunted。Alltheplacesaroundhereareso——so——COMMONPLACE。
Wejustgotthisupforourownamusement。WebeganitinApril。
Ahauntedwoodissoveryromantic，Marilla。Wechosethesprucegrovebecauseit’ssogloomy。Oh，wehaveimaginedthemostharrowingthings。There’sawhiteladywalksalongthebrookjustaboutthistimeofthenightandwringsherhandsandutterswailingcries。Sheappearswhenthereistobeadeathinthefamily。AndtheghostofalittlemurderedchildhauntsthecornerupbyIdlewild；itcreepsupbehindyouandlaysitscoldfingersonyourhand——so。Oh，Marilla，itgivesmeashuddertothinkofit。Andthere’saheadlessmanstalksupanddownthepathandskeletonsgloweratyoubetweentheboughs。Oh，Marilla，Iwouldn’tgothroughtheHauntedWoodafterdarknowforanything。I’dbesurethatwhitethingswouldreachoutfrombehindthetreesandgrabme。\"
\"Dideveranyonehearthelike！\"ejaculatedMarilla，whohadlistenedindumbamazement。\"AnneShirley，doyoumeantotellmeyoubelieveallthatwickednonsenseofyourownimagination？\"
\"NotbelieveEXACTLY，\"falteredAnne。\"Atleast，Idon’tbelieveitindaylight。Butafterdark，Marilla，it’sdifferent。Thatiswhenghostswalk。\"
\"Therearenosuchthingsasghosts，Anne。\"
\"Oh，butthereare，Marilla，\"criedAnneeagerly。\"Iknowpeoplewhohaveseenthem。Andtheyarerespectablepeople。CharlieSloanesaysthathisgrandmothersawhisgrandfatherdrivinghomethecowsonenightafterhe’dbeenburiedforayear。YouknowCharlieSloane’sgrandmotherwouldn’ttellastoryforanything。
She’saveryreligiouswoman。AndMrs。Thomas’sfatherwaspursuedhomeonenightbyalamboffirewithitsheadcutoffhangingbyastripofskin。Hesaidheknewitwasthespiritofhisbrotherandthatitwasawarninghewoulddiewithinninedays。Hedidn’t，buthediedtwoyearsafter，soyouseeitwasreallytrue。AndRubyGillissays——\"
\"AnneShirley，\"interruptedMarillafirmly，\"Ineverwanttohearyoutalkinginthisfashionagain。I’vehadmydoubtsaboutthatimaginationofyoursrightalong，andifthisisgoingtobetheoutcomeofit，Iwon’tcountenanceanysuchdoings。You’llgorightovertoBarry’s，andyou’llgothroughthatsprucegrove，justforalessonandawarningtoyou。Andneverletmehearawordoutofyourheadabouthauntedwoodsagain。\"
Annemightpleadandcryassheliked——anddid，forherterrorwasveryreal。Herimaginationhadrunawaywithherandsheheldthesprucegroveinmortaldreadafternightfall。ButMarillawasinexorable。Shemarchedtheshrinkingghostseerdowntothespringandorderedhertoproceedstraightawayoverthebridgeandintotheduskyretreatsofwailingladiesandheadlessspectersbeyond。
\"Oh，Marilla，howcanyoubesocruel？\"sobbedAnne。\"Whatwouldyoufeellikeifawhitethingdidsnatchmeupandcarrymeoff？\"
\"I’llriskit，\"saidMarillaunfeelingly。\"YouknowIalwaysmeanwhatIsay。I’llcureyouofimaginingghostsintoplaces。
March，now。\"
Annemarched。Thatis，shestumbledoverthebridgeandwentshudderingupthehorribledimpathbeyond。Anneneverforgotthatwalk。Bitterlydidsherepentthelicenseshehadgiventoherimagination。Thegoblinsofherfancylurkedineveryshadowabouther，reachingouttheircold，fleshlesshandstograsptheterrifiedsmallgirlwhohadcalledthemintobeing。Awhitestripofbirchbarkblowingupfromthehollowoverthebrownfloorofthegrovemadeherheartstandstill。Thelong-drawnwailoftwooldboughsrubbingagainsteachotherbroughtouttheperspirationinbeadsonherforehead。Theswoopofbatsinthedarknessoverherwasasthewingsofunearthlycreatures。WhenshereachedMr。WilliamBell’sfieldshefledacrossitasifpursuedbyanarmyofwhitethings，andarrivedattheBarrykitchendoorsooutofbreaththatshecouldhardlygaspoutherrequestfortheapronpattern。Dianawasawaysothatshehadnoexcusetolinger。Thedreadfulreturnjourneyhadtobefaced。
Annewentbackoveritwithshuteyes，preferringtotaketheriskofdashingherbrainsoutamongtheboughstothatofseeingawhitething。Whenshefinallystumbledoverthelogbridgeshedrewonelongshiveringbreathofrelief。
\"Well，sonothingcaughtyou？\"saidMarillaunsympathetically。
\"Oh，Mar——Marilla，\"chatteredAnne，\"I’llb-b-becontt-tentedwithc-c-commonplaceplacesafterthis。\"
CHAPTERXXI
ANewDepartureinFlavorings\"Dearme，thereisnothingbutmeetingsandpartingsinthisworld，asMrs。Lyndesays，\"remarkedAnneplaintively，puttingherslateandbooksdownonthekitchentableonthelastdayofJuneandwipingherredeyeswithaverydamphandkerchief。
\"Wasn’titfortunate，Marilla，thatItookanextrahandkerchieftoschooltoday？Ihadapresentimentthatitwouldbeneeded。\"
\"IneverthoughtyouweresofondofMr。Phillipsthatyou’drequiretwohandkerchiefstodryyourtearsjustbecausehewasgoingaway，\"saidMarilla。
\"Idon’tthinkIwascryingbecauseIwasreallysoveryfondofhim，\"reflectedAnne。\"Ijustcriedbecausealltheothersdid。
ItwasRubyGillisstartedit。RubyGillishasalwaysdeclaredshehatedMr。Phillips，butjustassoonashegotuptomakehisfarewellspeechsheburstintotears。Thenallthegirlsbegantocry，oneaftertheother。Itriedtoholdout，Marilla。
ItriedtorememberthetimeMr。PhillipsmademesitwithGil——witha，boy；andthetimehespelledmynamewithoutaneontheblackboard；andhowhesaidIwastheworstdunceheeversawatgeometryandlaughedatmyspelling；andallthetimeshehadbeensohorridandsarcastic；butsomehowIcouldn’t，Marilla，andIjusthadtocrytoo。JaneAndrewshasbeentalkingforamonthabouthowgladshe’dbewhenMr。Phillipswentawayandshedeclaredshe’dnevershedatear。Well，shewasworsethananyofusandhadtoborrowahandkerchieffromherbrother——ofcoursetheboysdidn’tcry——becauseshehadn’tbroughtoneofherown，notexpectingtoneedit。Oh，Marilla，itwasheartrending。Mr。Phillipsmadesuchabeautifulfarewellspeechbeginning，`Thetimehascomeforustopart。’
Itwasveryaffecting。Andhehadtearsinhiseyestoo，Marilla。
Oh，IfeltdreadfullysorryandremorsefulforallthetimesI’dtalkedinschoolanddrawnpicturesofhimonmyslateandmadefunofhimandPrissy。IcantellyouIwishedI’dbeenamodelpupillikeMinnieAndrews。Shehadn’tanythingonherconscience。
Thegirlscriedallthewayhomefromschool。CarrieSloanekeptsayingeveryfewminutes，`Thetimehascomeforustopart，’
andthatwouldstartusoffagainwheneverwewereinanydangerofcheeringup。Idofeeldreadfullysad，Marilla。Butonecan’tfeelquiteinthedepthsofdespairwithtwomonths’vacationbeforethem，canthey，Marilla？Andbesides，wemetthenewministerandhiswifecomingfromthestation。ForallIwasfeelingsobadaboutMr。PhillipsgoingawayIcouldn’thelptakingalittleinterestinanewminister，couldI？Hiswifeisverypretty。Notexactlyregallylovely，ofcourse——itwouldn’tdo，Isuppose，foraministertohavearegallylovelywife，becauseitmightsetabadexample。Mrs。Lyndesaystheminister’swifeoveratNewbridgesetsaverybadexamplebecauseshedressessofashionably。Ournewminister’swifewasdressedinbluemuslinwithlovelypuffedsleevesandahattrimmedwithroses。
JaneAndrewssaidshethoughtpuffedsleevesweretooworldlyforaminister’swife，butIdidn’tmakeanysuchuncharitableremark，Marilla，becauseIknowwhatitistolongforpuffedsleeves。
Besides，she’sonlybeenaminister’swifeforalittlewhile，sooneshouldmakeallowances，shouldn’tthey？TheyaregoingtoboardwithMrs。Lyndeuntilthemanseisready。\"
IfMarilla，ingoingdowntoMrs。Lynde’sthatevening，wasactuatedbyanymotivesaveheravowedoneofreturningthequiltingframesshehadborrowedtheprecedingwinter，itwasanamiableweaknesssharedbymostoftheAvonleapeople。ManyathingMrs。Lyndehadlent，sometimesneverexpectingtoseeitagain，camehomethatnightinchargeoftheborrowersthereof。
Anewminister，andmoreoveraministerwithawife，wasalawfulobjectofcuriosityinaquietlittlecountrysettlementwheresensationswerefewandfarbetween。
OldMr。Bentley，theministerwhomAnnehadfoundlackinginimagination，hadbeenpastorofAvonleaforeighteenyears。Hewasawidowerwhenhecame，andawidowerheremained，despitethefactthatgossipregularlymarriedhimtothis，that，ortheotherone，everyyearofhissojourn。IntheprecedingFebruaryhehadresignedhischargeanddepartedamidtheregretsofhispeople，mostofwhomhadtheaffectionbornoflongintercoursefortheirgoodoldministerinspiteofhisshortcomingsasanorator。
SincethentheAvonleachurchhadenjoyedavarietyofreligiousdissipationinlisteningtothemanyandvariouscandidatesand\"supplies\"whocameSundayafterSundaytopreachontrial。
ThesestoodorfellbythejudgmentofthefathersandmothersinIsrael；butacertainsmall，red-hairedgirlwhosatmeeklyinthecorneroftheoldCuthbertpewalsohadheropinionsaboutthemanddiscussedthesameinfullwithMatthew，Marillaalwaysdecliningfromprincipletocriticizeministersinanyshapeorform。
\"Idon’tthinkMr。Smithwouldhavedone，Matthew\"wasAnne’sfinalsummingup。\"Mrs。Lyndesayshisdeliverywassopoor，butIthinkhisworstfaultwasjustlikeMr。Bentley’s——hehadnoimagination。AndMr。Terryhadtoomuch；heletitrunawaywithhimjustasIdidmineinthematteroftheHauntedWood。
Besides，Mrs。Lyndesayshistheologywasn’tsound。Mr。Greshamwasaverygoodmanandaveryreligiousman，buthetoldtoomanyfunnystoriesandmadethepeoplelaughinchurch；hewasundignified，andyoumusthavesomedignityaboutaminister，mustn’tyou，Matthew？IthoughtMr。Marshallwasdecidedlyattractive；butMrs。Lyndesaysheisn’tmarried，orevenengaged，becauseshemadespecialinquiriesabouthim，andshesaysitwouldneverdotohaveayoungunmarriedministerinAvonlea，becausehemightmarryinthecongregationandthatwouldmaketrouble。Mrs。Lyndeisaveryfarseeingwoman，isn’tshe，Matthew？I’mverygladthey’vecalledMr。Allan。Ilikedhimbecausehissermonwasinterestingandheprayedasifhemeantitandnotjustasifhediditbecausehewasinthehabitofit。Mrs。Lyndesaysheisn’tperfect，butshesaysshesupposeswecouldn’texpectaperfectministerforsevenhundredandfiftydollarsayear，andanyhowhistheologyissoundbecauseshequestionedhimthoroughlyonallthepointsofdoctrine。Andsheknowshiswife’speopleandtheyaremostrespectableandthewomenareallgoodhousekeepers。Mrs。Lyndesaysthatsounddoctrineinthemanandgoodhousekeepinginthewomanmakeanidealcombinationforaminister’sfamily。\"
Thenewministerandhiswifewereayoung，pleasant-facedcouple，stillontheirhoneymoon，andfullofallgoodandbeautifulenthusiasmsfortheirchosenlifework。Avonleaopeneditshearttothemfromthestart。Oldandyounglikedthefrank，cheerfulyoungmanwithhishighideals，andthebright，gentlelittleladywhoassumedthemistress-shipofthemanse。
WithMrs。AllanAnnefellpromptlyandwholeheartedlyinlove。
Shehaddiscoveredanotherkindredspirit。
\"Mrs。Allanisperfectlylovely，\"sheannouncedoneSundayafternoon。
\"She’stakenourclassandshe’sasplendidteacher。Shesaidrightawayshedidn’tthinkitwasfairfortheteachertoaskallthequestions，andyouknow，Marilla，thatisexactlywhatI’vealwaysthought。ShesaidwecouldaskheranyquestionwelikedandIaskedeversomany。I’mgoodataskingquestions，Marilla。\"
\"Ibelieveyou\"wasMarilla’semphaticcomment。
\"NobodyelseaskedanyexceptRubyGillis，andsheaskediftherewastobeaSunday-schoolpicnicthissummer。Ididn’tthinkthatwasaveryproperquestiontoaskbecauseithadn’tanyconnectionwiththelesson——thelessonwasaboutDanielinthelions’den——butMrs。Allanjustsmiledandsaidshethoughttherewouldbe。Mrs。Allanhasalovelysmile；shehassuchEXQUISITE
dimplesinhercheeks。IwishIhaddimplesinmycheeks，Marilla。
I’mnothalfsoskinnyasIwaswhenIcamehere，butIhavenodimplesyet。IfIhadperhapsIcouldinfluencepeopleforgood。
Mrs。Allansaidweoughtalwaystotrytoinfluenceotherpeopleforgood。Shetalkedsoniceabouteverything。Ineverknewbeforethatreligionwassuchacheerfulthing。Ialwaysthoughtitwaskindofmelancholy，butMrs。Allan’sisn’t，andI’dliketobeaChristianifIcouldbeonelikeher。Iwouldn’twanttobeonelikeMr。SuperintendentBell。\"
\"It’sverynaughtyofyoutospeaksoaboutMr。Bell，\"saidMarillaseverely。\"Mr。Bellisarealgoodman。\"
\"Oh，ofcoursehe’sgood，\"agreedAnne，\"buthedoesn’tseemtogetanycomfortoutofit。IfIcouldbegoodI’ddanceandsingalldaybecauseIwasgladofit。IsupposeMrs。Allanistoooldtodanceandsingandofcourseitwouldn’tbedignifiedinaminister’swife。ButIcanjustfeelshe’sgladshe’saChristianandthatshe’dbeoneevenifshecouldgettoheavenwithoutit。\"
\"IsupposewemusthaveMr。andMrs。Allanuptoteasomedaysoon，\"saidMarillareflectively。\"They’vebeenmosteverywherebuthere。Letmesee。NextWednesdaywouldbeagoodtimetohavethem。Butdon’tsayawordtoMatthewaboutit，forifheknewtheywerecominghe’dfindsomeexcusetobeawaythatday。
He’dgotsousedtoMr。Bentleyhedidn’tmindhim，buthe’sgoingtofindithardtogetacquaintedwithanewminister，andanewminister’swifewillfrightenhimtodeath。\"
\"I’llbeassecretasthedead，\"assuredAnne。\"Butoh，Marilla，willyouletmemakeacakefortheoccasion？I’dlovetodosomethingforMrs。Allan，andyouknowIcanmakeaprettygoodcakebythistime。\"
\"Youcanmakealayercake，\"promisedMarilla。
MondayandTuesdaygreatpreparationswentonatGreenGables。
Havingtheministerandhiswifetoteawasaseriousandimportantundertaking，andMarillawasdeterminednottobeeclipsedbyanyoftheAvonleahousekeepers。Annewaswildwithexcitementanddelight。ShetalkeditalloverwithDianaTuesdaynightinthetwilight，astheysatonthebigredstonesbytheDryad’sBubbleandmaderainbowsinthewaterwithlittletwigsdippedinfirbalsam。
\"Everythingisready，Diana，exceptmycakewhichI’mtomakeinthemorning，andthebaking-powderbiscuitswhichMarillawillmakejustbeforeteatime。Iassureyou，Diana，thatMarillaandIhavehadabusytwodaysofit。It’ssucharesponsibilityhavingaminister’sfamilytotea。Ineverwentthroughsuchanexperiencebefore。Youshouldjustseeourpantry。It’sasighttobehold。We’regoingtohavejelliedchickenandcoldtongue。
We’retohavetwokindsofjelly，redandyellow，andwhippedcreamandlemonpie，andcherrypie，andthreekindsofcookies，andfruitcake，andMarilla’sfamousyellowplumpreservesthatshekeepsespeciallyforministers，andpoundcakeandlayercake，andbiscuitsasaforesaid；andnewbreadandoldboth，incasetheministerisdyspepticandcan’teatnew。Mrs。Lyndesaysministersaredyspeptic，butIdon’tthinkMr。Allanhasbeenaministerlongenoughforittohavehadabadeffectonhim。
IjustgrowcoldwhenIthinkofmylayercake。Oh，Diana，whatifitshouldn’tbegood！IdreamedlastnightthatIwaschasedallaroundbyafearfulgoblinwithabiglayercakeforahead。\"
\"It’llbegood，allright，\"assuredDiana，whowasaverycomfortablesortoffriend。\"I’msurethatpieceoftheoneyoumadethatwehadforlunchinIdlewildtwoweeksagowasperfectlyelegant。\"
\"Yes；butcakeshavesuchaterriblehabitofturningoutbadjustwhenyouespeciallywantthemtobegood，\"sighedAnne，settingaparticularlywell-balsamedtwigafloat。\"However，IsupposeIshalljusthavetotrusttoProvidenceandbecarefultoputintheflour。Oh，look，Diana，whatalovelyrainbow！Doyousupposethedryadwillcomeoutafterwegoawayandtakeitforascarf？\"
\"Youknowthereisnosuchthingasadryad，\"saidDiana。
Diana’smotherhadfoundoutabouttheHauntedWoodandhadbeendecidedlyangryoverit。AsaresultDianahadabstainedfromanyfurtherimitativeflightsofimaginationanddidnotthinkitprudenttocultivateaspiritofbeliefeveninharmlessdryads。
\"Butit’ssoeasytoimaginethereis，\"saidAnne。\"EverynightbeforeIgotobed，Ilookoutofmywindowandwonderifthedryadisreallysittinghere，combingherlockswiththespringforamirror。SometimesIlookforherfootprintsinthedewinthemorning。Oh，Diana，don’tgiveupyourfaithinthedryad！\"
Wednesdaymorningcame。Annegotupatsunrisebecauseshewastooexcitedtosleep。Shehadcaughtaseverecoldintheheadbyreasonofherdabblinginthespringontheprecedingevening；
butnothingshortofabsolutepneumoniacouldhavequenchedherinterestinculinarymattersthatmorning。Afterbreakfastsheproceededtomakehercake。Whenshefinallyshuttheovendooruponitshedrewalongbreath。
\"I’msureIhaven’tforgottenanythingthistime，Marilla。Butdoyouthinkitwillrise？Justsupposeperhapsthebakingpowderisn’tgood？Iuseditoutofthenewcan。AndMrs。Lyndesaysyoucanneverbesureofgettinggoodbakingpowdernowadayswheneverythingissoadulterated。Mrs。LyndesaystheGovernmentoughttotakethematterup，butshesayswe’llneverseethedaywhenaToryGovernmentwilldoit。Marilla，whatifthatcakedoesn’trise？\"
\"We’llhaveplentywithoutit\"wasMarilla’sunimpassionedwayoflookingatthesubject。
Thecakedidrise，however，andcameoutoftheovenaslightandfeatheryasgoldenfoam。Anne，flushedwithdelight，clappedittogetherwithlayersofrubyjellyand，inimagination，sawMrs。
Allaneatingitandpossiblyaskingforanotherpiece！
\"You’llbeusingthebestteaset，ofcourse，Marilla，\"shesaid。
\"CanIfixthetablewithfernsandwildroses？\"
\"Ithinkthat’sallnonsense，\"sniffedMarilla。\"Inmyopinionit’stheeatablesthatmatterandnotflummerydecorations。\"
\"Mrs。BarryhadHERtabledecorated，\"saidAnne，whowasnotentirelyguiltlessofthewisdomoftheserpent，\"andtheministerpaidheranelegantcompliment。Hesaiditwasafeastfortheeyeaswellasthepalate。\"
\"Well，doasyoulike，\"saidMarilla，whowasquitedeterminednottobesurpassedbyMrs。Barryoranybodyelse。\"Onlymindyouleaveenoughroomforthedishesandthefood。\"
AnnelaidherselfouttodecorateinamannerandafterafashionthatshouldleaveMrs。Barry’snowhere。Havingabundanceofrosesandfernsandaveryartistictasteofherown，shemadethatteatablesuchathingofbeautythatwhentheministerandhiswifesatdowntoittheyexclaimedinchorusoveritloveliness。
\"It’sAnne’sdoings，\"saidMarilla，grimlyjust；andAnnefeltthatMrs。Allan’sapprovingsmilewasalmosttoomuchhappinessforthisworld。
Matthewwasthere，havingbeeninveigledintothepartyonlygoodnessandAnneknewhow。HehadbeeninsuchastateofshynessandnervousnessthatMarillahadgivenhimupindespair，butAnnetookhiminhandsosuccessfullythathenowsatatthetableinhisbestclothesandwhitecollarandtalkedtotheministernotuninterestingly。HeneversaidawordtoMrs。Allan，butthatperhapswasnottobeexpected。
AllwentmerryasamarriagebelluntilAnne’slayercakewaspassed。Mrs。Allan，havingalreadybeenhelpedtoabewilderingvariety，declinedit。ButMarilla，seeingthedisappointmentonAnne’sface，saidsmilingly:
\"Oh，youmusttakeapieceofthis，Mrs。Allan。Annemadeitonpurposeforyou。\"
\"InthatcaseImustsampleit，\"laughedMrs。Allan，helpingherselftoaplumptriangle，asdidalsotheministerandMarilla。
Mrs。Allantookamouthfulofhersandamostpeculiarexpressioncrossedherface；notaworddidshesay，however，butsteadilyateawayatit。Marillasawtheexpressionandhastenedtotastethecake。
\"AnneShirley！\"sheexclaimed，\"whatonearthdidyouputintothatcake？\"
\"Nothingbutwhattherecipesaid，Marilla，\"criedAnnewithalookofanguish。\"Oh，isn’titallright？\"
\"Allright！It’ssimplyhorrible。Mr。Allan，don’ttrytoeatit。Anne，tasteityourself。Whatflavoringdidyouuse？\"
\"Vanilla，\"saidAnne，herfacescarletwithmortificationaftertastingthecake。\"Onlyvanilla。Oh，Marilla，itmusthavebeenthebakingpowder。Ihadmysuspicionsofthatbak——\"
\"Bakingpowderfiddlesticks！Goandbringmethebottleofvanillayouused。\"
Annefledtothepantryandreturnedwithasmallbottlepartiallyfilledwithabrownliquidandlabeledyellowly，\"BestVanilla。\"
Marillatookit，uncorkedit，smelledit。
\"Mercyonus，Anne，you’veflavoredthatcakewithANODYNE
LINIMENT。Ibrokethelinimentbottlelastweekandpouredwhatwasleftintoanoldemptyvanillabottle。Isupposeit’spartlymyfault——Ishouldhavewarnedyou——butforpity’ssakewhycouldn’tyouhavesmelledit？\"
Annedissolvedintotearsunderthisdoubledisgrace。
\"Icouldn’t——Ihadsuchacold！\"andwiththisshefairlyfledtothegablechamber，whereshecastherselfonthebedandweptasonewhorefusestobecomforted。
Presentlyalightstepsoundedonthestairsandsomebodyenteredtheroom。
\"Oh，Marilla，\"sobbedAnne，withoutlookingup，\"I’mdisgracedforever。
Ishallneverbeabletolivethisdown。Itwillgetout——thingsalwaysdogetoutinAvonlea。DianawillaskmehowmycaketurnedoutandIshallhavetotellherthetruth。Ishallalwaysbepointedatasthegirlwhoflavoredacakewithanodyneliniment。Gil——theboysinschoolwillnevergetoverlaughingatit。Oh，Marilla，ifyouhaveasparkofChristianpitydon’ttellmethatImustgodownandwashthedishesafterthis。I’llwashthemwhentheministerandhiswifearegone，butIcannoteverlookMrs。Allaninthefaceagain。Perhapsshe’llthinkItriedtopoisonher。Mrs。Lyndesayssheknowsanorphangirlwhotriedtopoisonherbenefactor。Butthelinimentisn’tpoisonous。It’smeanttobetakeninternally——althoughnotincakes。Won’tyoutellMrs。Allanso，Marilla？\"
\"Supposeyoujumpupandtellhersoyourself，\"saidamerryvoice。
Anneflewup，tofindMrs。Allanstandingbyherbed，surveyingherwithlaughingeyes。
\"Mydearlittlegirl，youmusn’tcrylikethis，\"shesaid，genuinelydisturbedbyAnne’stragicface。\"Why，it’salljustafunnymistakethatanybodymightmake。\"
\"Oh，no，ittakesmetomakesuchamistake，\"saidAnneforlornly。
\"AndIwantedtohavethatcakesoniceforyou，Mrs。Allan。\"
\"Yes，Iknow，dear。AndIassureyouIappreciateyourkindnessandthoughtfulnessjustasmuchasifithadturnedoutallright。
Now，youmustn’tcryanymore，butcomedownwithmeandshowmeyourflowergarden。MissCuthberttellsmeyouhavealittleplotallyourown。Iwanttoseeit，forI’mverymuchinterestedinflowers。\"
Annepermittedherselftobeleddownandcomforted，reflectingthatitwasreallyprovidentialthatMrs。Allanwasakindredspirit。Nothingmorewassaidaboutthelinimentcake，andwhentheguestswentawayAnnefoundthatshehadenjoyedtheeveningmorethancouldhavebeenexpected，consideringthatterribleincident。Nevertheless，shesigheddeeply。
\"Marilla，isn’titnicetothinkthattomorrowisanewdaywithnomistakesinityet？\"
\"I’llwarrantyou’llmakeplentyinit，\"saidMarilla。\"Ineversawyourbeatformakingmistakes，Anne。\"
\"Yes，andwellIknowit，\"admittedAnnemournfully。\"Buthaveyouevernoticedoneencouragingthingaboutme，Marilla？
Inevermakethesamemistaketwice。\"
\"Idon’tknowasthat’smuchbenefitwhenyou’realwaysmakingnewones。\"
\"Oh，don’tyousee，Marilla？Theremustbealimittothemistakesonepersoncanmake，andwhenIgettotheendofthem，thenI’llbethroughwiththem。That’saverycomfortingthought。\"
\"Well，you’dbettergoandgivethatcaketothepigs，\"saidMarilla。
\"Itisn’tfitforanyhumantoeat，notevenJerryBoute。\"
CHAPTERXXII
AnneisInvitedOuttoTea\"Andwhatareyoureyespoppingoutofyourheadabout。Now？\"
askedMarilla，whenAnnehadjustcomeinfromaruntothepostoffice。\"Haveyoudiscoveredanotherkindredspirit？\"
ExcitementhungaroundAnnelikeagarment，shoneinhereyes，kindledineveryfeature。Shehadcomedancingupthelane，likeawind-blownsprite，throughthemellowsunshineandlazyshadowsoftheAugustevening。
\"No，Marilla，butoh，whatdoyouthink？Iaminvitedtoteaatthemansetomorrowafternoon！Mrs。Allanlefttheletterformeatthepostoffice。Justlookatit，Marilla。`MissAnneShirley，GreenGables。’ThatisthefirsttimeIwasevercalled`Miss。’
Suchathrillasitgaveme！Ishallcherishitforeveramongmychoicesttreasures。\"
\"Mrs。AllantoldmeshemeanttohaveallthemembersofherSunday-schoolclasstoteainturn，\"saidMarilla，regardingthewonderfuleventverycoolly。\"Youneedn’tgetinsuchafeveroverit。Dolearntotakethingscalmly，child。\"
ForAnnetotakethingscalmlywouldhavebeentochangehernature。All\"spiritandfireanddew，\"asshewas，thepleasuresandpainsoflifecametoherwithtrebledintensity。Marillafeltthisandwasvaguelytroubledoverit，realizingthattheupsanddownsofexistencewouldprobablybearhardlyonthisimpulsivesoulandnotsufficientlyunderstandingthattheequallygreatcapacityfordelightmightmorethancompensate。
ThereforeMarillaconceivedittobeherdutytodrillAnneintoatranquiluniformityofdispositionasimpossibleandalientoherastoadancingsunbeaminoneofthebrookshallows。Shedidnotmakemuchheadway，asshesorrowfullyadmittedtoherself。
ThedownfallofsomedearhopeorplanplungedAnneinto\"deepsofaffliction。\"Thefulfillmentthereofexaltedhertodizzyrealmsofdelight。Marillahadalmostbeguntodespairofeverfashioningthiswaifoftheworldintohermodellittlegirlofdemuremannersandprimdeportment。NeitherwouldshehavebelievedthatshereallylikedAnnemuchbetterasshewas。
AnnewenttobedthatnightspeechlesswithmiserybecauseMatthewhadsaidthewindwasroundnortheastandhefeareditwouldbearainydaytomorrow。Therustleofthepoplarleavesaboutthehouseworriedher，itsoundedsolikepatteringraindrops，andthefull，farawayroarofthegulf，towhichshelisteneddelightedlyatothertimes，lovingitsstrange，sonorous，hauntingrhythm，nowseemedlikeaprophecyofstormanddisastertoasmallmaidenwhoparticularlywantedafineday。Annethoughtthatthemorningwouldnevercome。
Butallthingshaveanend，evennightsbeforethedayonwhichyouareinvitedtotaketeaatthemanse。Themorning，inspiteofMatthew’spredictions，wasfineandAnne’sspiritssoaredtotheirhighest。
\"Oh，Marilla，thereissomethinginmetodaythatmakesmejustloveeverybodyIsee，\"sheexclaimedasshewashedthebreakfastdishes。\"Youdon’tknowhowgoodIfeel！Wouldn’titbeniceifitcouldlast？IbelieveIcouldbeamodelchildifIwerejustinvitedouttoteaeveryday。Butoh，Marilla，it’sasolemnoccasiontoo。Ifeelsoanxious。WhatifIshouldn’tbehaveproperly？YouknowIneverhadteaatamansebefore，andI’mnotsurethatIknowalltherulesofetiquette，althoughI’vebeenstudyingtherulesgivenintheEtiquetteDepartmentoftheFamilyHeraldeversinceIcamehere。I’msoafraidI’lldosomethingsillyorforgettodosomethingIshoulddo。WoulditbegoodmannerstotakeasecondhelpingofanythingifyouwantedtoVERYmuch？\"
\"Thetroublewithyou，Anne，isthatyou’rethinkingtoomuchaboutyourself。YoushouldjustthinkofMrs。Allanandwhatwouldbenicestandmostagreeabletoher，\"saidMarilla，hittingforonceinherlifeonaverysoundandpithypieceofadvice。
Anneinstantlyrealizedthis。
\"Youareright，Marilla。I’lltrynottothinkaboutmyselfatall。\"
Anneevidentlygotthroughhervisitwithoutanyseriousbreachof\"etiquette，\"forshecamehomethroughthetwilight，underagreat，high-sprungskygloriedoverwithtrailsofsaffronandrosycloud，inabeatifiedstateofmindandtoldMarillaallaboutithappily，sittingonthebigred-sandstoneslabatthekitchendoorwithhertiredcurlyheadinMarilla’sginghamlap。
Acoolwindwasblowingdownoverthelongharvestfieldsfromtherimsoffirrywesternhillsandwhistlingthroughthepoplars。OneclearstarhungovertheorchardandthefireflieswereflittingoverinLover’sLane，inandoutamongthefernsandrustlingboughs。Annewatchedthemasshetalkedandsomehowfeltthatwindandstarsandfireflieswerealltangleduptogetherintosomethingunutterablysweetandenchanting。
\"Oh，Marilla，I’vehadamostFASCINATINGtime。IfeelthatI
havenotlivedinvainandIshallalwaysfeellikethatevenifIshouldneverbeinvitedtoteaatamanseagain。WhenIgotthereMrs。Allanmetmeatthedoor。Shewasdressedinthesweetestdressofpale-pinkorgandy，withdozensoffrillsandelbowsleeves，andshelookedjustlikeaseraph。IreallythinkI’dliketobeaminister’swifewhenIgrowup，Marilla。A
ministermightn’tmindmyredhairbecausehewouldn’tbethinkingofsuchworldlythings。ButthenofcourseonewouldhavetobenaturallygoodandI’llneverbethat，soIsupposethere’snouseinthinkingaboutit。Somepeoplearenaturallygood，youknow，andothersarenot。I’moneoftheothers。Mrs。
LyndesaysI’mfulloforiginalsin。NomatterhowhardItrytobegoodIcannevermakesuchasuccessofitasthosewhoarenaturallygood。It’sagooddeallikegeometry，Iexpect。Butdon’tyouthinkthetryingsohardoughttocountforsomething？
Mrs。Allanisoneofthenaturallygoodpeople。Iloveherpassionately。Youknowtherearesomepeople，likeMatthewandMrs。Allanthatyoucanloverightoffwithoutanytrouble。Andthereareothers，likeMrs。Lynde，thatyouhavetotryveryhardtolove。YouknowyouOUGHTtolovethembecausetheyknowsomuchandaresuchactiveworkersinthechurch，butyouhavetokeepremindingyourselfofitallthetimeorelseyouforget。
Therewasanotherlittlegirlatthemansetotea，fromtheWhiteSandsSundayschool。HernamewasLauretteBradley，andshewasaverynicelittlegirl。Notexactlyakindredspirit，youknow，butstillverynice。Wehadaneleganttea，andIthinkIkeptalltherulesofetiquetteprettywell。AfterteaMrs。AllanplayedandsangandshegotLaurettaandmetosingtoo。Mrs。
AllansaysIhaveagoodvoiceandshesaysImustsingintheSunday-schoolchoirafterthis。Youcan’tthinkhowIwasthrilledatthemerethought。I’velongedsotosingintheSunday-schoolchoir，asDianadoes，butIfeareditwasanhonorIcouldneveraspireto。LaurettahadtogohomeearlybecausethereisabigconcertintheWhiteSandsHoteltonightandhersisteristoreciteatit。LaurettasaysthattheAmericansatthehotelgiveaconcerteveryfortnightinaidoftheCharlottetownhospital，andtheyasklotsoftheWhiteSandspeopletorecite。Laurettasaidsheexpectedtobeaskedherselfsomeday。Ijustgazedatherinawe。AftershehadgoneMrs。AllanandIhadaheart-to-hearttalk。Itoldhereverything——aboutMrs。ThomasandthetwinsandKatieMauriceandViolettaandcomingtoGreenGablesandmytroublesovergeometry。Andwouldyoubelieveit，Marilla？Mrs。Allantoldmeshewasadunceatgeometrytoo。Youdon’tknowhowthatencouragedme。Mrs。LyndecametothemansejustbeforeIleft，andwhatdoyouthink，Marilla？Thetrusteeshavehiredanewteacherandit’salady。HernameisMissMurielStacy。Isn’tthataromanticname？Mrs。Lyndesaysthey’veneverhadafemaleteacherinAvonleabeforeandshethinksitisadangerousinnovation。ButIthinkitwillbesplendidtohavealadyteacher，andIreallydon’tseehowI’mgoingtolivethroughthetwoweeksbeforeschoolbegins。I’msoimpatienttoseeher。\"
CHAPTERXXIII
AnneComestoGriefinanAffairofHonorAnnehadtolivethroughmorethantwoweeks，asithappened。
Almostamonthhavingelapsedsincethelinimentcakeepisode，itwashightimeforhertogetintofreshtroubleofsomesort，littlemistakes，suchasabsentmindedlyemptyingapanofskimmilkintoabasketofyarnballsinthepantryinsteadofintothepigs’bucket，andwalkingcleanovertheedgeofthelogbridgeintothebrookwhilewrappedinimaginativereverie，notreallybeingworthcounting。
AweekaftertheteaatthemanseDianaBarrygaveaparty。
\"Smallandselect，\"AnneassuredMarilla。\"Justthegirlsinourclass。\"
Theyhadaverygoodtimeandnothinguntowardhappeneduntilaftertea，whentheyfoundthemselvesintheBarrygarden，alittletiredofalltheirgamesandripeforanyenticingformofmischiefwhichmightpresentitself。Thispresentlytooktheformof\"daring。\"
DaringwasthefashionableamusementamongtheAvonleasmallfryjustthen。Ithadbegunamongtheboys，butsoonspreadtothegirls，andallthesillythingsthatweredoneinAvonleathatsummerbecausethedoersthereofwere\"dared\"todothemwouldfillabookbythemselves。
FirstofallCarrieSloanedaredRubyGillistoclimbtoacertainpointinthehugeoldwillowtreebeforethefrontdoor；
whichRubyGillis，albeitinmortaldreadofthefatgreencaterpillarswithwhichsaidtreewasinfestedandwiththefearofhermotherbeforehereyesifsheshouldtearhernewmuslindress，nimblydid，tothediscomfitureoftheaforesaidCarrieSloane。
ThenJosiePyedaredJaneAndrewstohoponherleftlegaroundthegardenwithoutstoppingonceorputtingherrightfoottotheground；whichJaneAndrewsgamelytriedtodo，butgaveoutatthethirdcornerandhadtoconfessherselfdefeated。
Josie’striumphbeingrathermorepronouncedthangoodtastepermitted，AnneShirleydaredhertowalkalongthetopoftheboardfencewhichboundedthegardentotheeast。Now，to\"walk\"
boardfencesrequiresmoreskillandsteadinessofheadandheelthanonemightsupposewhohasnevertriedit。ButJosiePye，ifdeficientinsomequalitiesthatmakeforpopularity，hadatleastanaturalandinborngift，dulycultivated，forwalkingboardfences。JosiewalkedtheBarryfencewithanairyunconcernwhichseemedtoimplythatalittlethinglikethatwasn’twortha\"dare。\"Reluctantadmirationgreetedherexploit，formostoftheothergirlscouldappreciateit，havingsufferedmanythingsthemselvesintheireffortstowalkfences。Josiedescendedfromherperch，flushedwithvictory，anddartedadefiantglanceatAnne。
Annetossedherredbraids。
\"Idon’tthinkit’ssuchaverywonderfulthingtowalkalittle，low，boardfence，\"shesaid。\"IknewagirlinMarysvillewhocouldwalktheridgepoleofaroof。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveit，\"saidJosieflatly。\"Idon’tbelieveanybodycouldwalkaridgepole。YOUcouldn’t，anyhow。\"
\"Couldn’tI？\"criedAnnerashly。
\"ThenIdareyoutodoit，\"saidJosiedefiantly。\"IdareyoutoclimbupthereandwalktheridgepoleofMr。Barry’skitchenroof。\"
Anneturnedpale，buttherewasclearlyonlyonethingtobedone。
Shewalkedtowardthehouse，wherealadderwasleaningagainstthekitchenroof。Allthefifth-classgirlssaid，\"Oh！\"partlyinexcitement，partlyindismay。
\"Don’tyoudoit，Anne，\"entreatedDiana。\"You’llfalloffandbekilled。NevermindJosiePye。Itisn’tfairtodareanybodytodoanythingsodangerous。\"
\"Imustdoit。Myhonorisatstake，\"saidAnnesolemnly。
\"Ishallwalkthatridgepole，Diana，orperishintheattempt。
IfIamkilledyouaretohavemypearlbeadring。\"
Anneclimbedtheladderamidbreathlesssilence，gainedtheridgepole，balancedherselfuprightlyonthatprecariousfooting，andstartedtowalkalongit，dizzilyconsciousthatshewasuncomfortablyhighupintheworldandthatwalkingridgepoleswasnotathinginwhichyourimaginationhelpedyououtmuch。
Nevertheless，shemanagedtotakeseveralstepsbeforethecatastrophecame。Thensheswayed，lostherbalance，stumbled，staggered，andfell，slidingdownoverthesun-bakedroofandcrashingoffitthroughthetangleofVirginiacreeperbeneath——
allbeforethedismayedcirclebelowcouldgiveasimultaneous，terrifiedshriek。
IfAnnehadtumbledofftheroofonthesideupwhichshehadascendedDianawouldprobablyhavefallenheirtothepearlbeadringthenandthere。Fortunatelyshefellontheotherside，wheretheroofextendeddownovertheporchsonearlytothegroundthatafalltherefromwasamuchlessseriousthing。
Nevertheless，whenDianaandtheothergirlshadrushedfranticallyaroundthehouse——exceptRubyGillis，whoremainedasifrootedtothegroundandwentintohysterics——theyfoundAnnelyingallwhiteandlimpamongthewreckandruinoftheVirginiacreeper。
\"Anne，areyoukilled？\"shriekedDiana，throwingherselfonherkneesbesideherfriend。\"Oh，Anne，dearAnne，speakjustonewordtomeandtellmeifyou’rekilled。\"
Totheimmensereliefofallthegirls，andespeciallyofJosiePye，who，inspiteoflackofimagination，hadbeenseizedwithhorriblevisionsofafuturebrandedasthegirlwhowasthecauseofAnneShirley’searlyandtragicdeath，Annesatdizzilyupandanswereduncertainly:
\"No，Diana，Iamnotkilled，butIthinkIamrenderedunconscious。\"
\"Where？\"sobbedCarrieSloane。\"Oh，where，Anne？\"BeforeAnnecouldanswerMrs。Barryappearedonthescene。AtsightofherAnnetriedtoscrambletoherfeet，butsankbackagainwithasharplittlecryofpain。
\"What’sthematter？Wherehaveyouhurtyourself？\"demandedMrs。Barry。
\"Myankle，\"gaspedAnne。\"Oh，Diana，pleasefindyourfatherandaskhimtotakemehome。IknowIcanneverwalkthere。AndI’msureIcouldn’thopsofarononefootwhenJanecouldn’tevenhoparoundthegarden。\"
MarillawasoutintheorchardpickingapanfulofsummerappleswhenshesawMr。Barrycomingoverthelogbridgeanduptheslope，withMrs。Barrybesidehimandawholeprocessionoflittlegirlstrailingafterhim。InhisarmshecarriedAnne，whoseheadlaylimplyagainsthisshoulder。
AtthatmomentMarillahadarevelation。InthesuddenstaboffearthatpiercedherveryheartsherealizedwhatAnnehadcometomeantoher。ShewouldhaveadmittedthatshelikedAnne——nay，thatshewasveryfondofAnne。ButnowsheknewasshehurriedwildlydowntheslopethatAnnewasdearertoherthananythingelseonearth。
\"Mr。Barry，whathashappenedtoher？\"shegasped，morewhiteandshakenthantheself-contained，sensibleMarillahadbeenformanyyears。
Anneherselfanswered，liftingherhead。
\"Don’tbeveryfrightened，Marilla。IwaswalkingtheridgepoleandIfelloff。IexpectIhavesprainedmyankle。But，Marilla，Imighthavebrokenmyneck。Letuslookonthebrightsideofthings。\"
\"Imighthaveknownyou’dgoanddosomethingofthesortwhenI
letyougotothatparty，\"saidMarilla，sharpandshrewishinherveryrelief。\"Bringherinhere，Mr。Barry，andlayheronthesofa。Mercyme，thechildhasgoneandfainted！\"
Itwasquitetrue。Overcomebythepainofherinjury，Annehadonemoreofherwishesgrantedtoher。Shehadfainteddeadaway。
Matthew，hastilysummonedfromtheharvestfield，wasstraightwaydispatchedforthedoctor，whoinduetimecame，todiscoverthattheinjurywasmoreseriousthantheyhadsupposed。Anne’sanklewasbroken。
Thatnight，whenMarillawentuptotheeastgable，whereawhite-facedgirlwaslying，aplaintivevoicegreetedherfromthebed。
\"Aren’tyouverysorryforme，Marilla？\"
\"Itwasyourownfault，\"saidMarilla，twitchingdowntheblindandlightingalamp。
\"Andthatisjustwhyyoushouldbesorryforme，\"saidAnne，\"becausethethoughtthatitisallmyownfaultiswhatmakesitsohard。IfIcouldblameitonanybodyIwouldfeelsomuchbetter。Butwhatwouldyouhavedone，Marilla，ifyouhadbeendaredtowalkaridgepole？\"
\"I’dhavestayedongoodfirmgroundandletthemdareaway。
Suchabsurdity！\"saidMarilla。
Annesighed。
\"Butyouhavesuchstrengthofmind，Marilla。Ihaven’t。IjustfeltthatIcouldn’tbearJosiePye’sscorn。Shewouldhavecrowedovermeallmylife。AndIthinkIhavebeenpunishedsomuchthatyouneedn’tbeverycrosswithme，Marilla。It’snotabitnicetofaint，afterall。Andthedoctorhurtmedreadfullywhenhewassettingmyankle。Iwon’tbeabletogoaroundforsixorsevenweeksandI’llmissthenewladyteacher。Shewon’tbenewanymorebythetimeI’mabletogotoschool。AndGil——
everybodywillgetaheadofmeinclass。Oh，Iamanafflictedmortal。ButI’lltrytobearitallbravelyifonlyyouwon’tbecrosswithme，Marilla。\"
\"There，there，I’mnotcross，\"saidMarilla。\"You’reanunluckychild，there’snodoubtaboutthat；butasyousay，you’llhavethesufferingofit。Herenow，tryandeatsomesupper。\"
\"Isn’titfortunateI’vegotsuchanimagination？\"saidAnne。
\"Itwillhelpmethroughsplendidly，Iexpect。Whatdopeoplewhohaven’tanyimaginationdowhentheybreaktheirbones，doyousuppose，Marilla？\"
Annehadgoodreasontoblessherimaginationmanyatimeandoftduringthetedioussevenweeksthatfollowed。Butshewasnotsolelydependentonit。ShehadmanyvisitorsandnotadaypassedwithoutoneormoreoftheschoolgirlsdroppingintobringherflowersandbooksandtellherallthehappeningsinthejuvenileworldofAvonlea。
\"Everybodyhasbeensogoodandkind，Marilla，\"sighedAnnehappily，onthedaywhenshecouldfirstlimpacrossthefloor。
\"Itisn’tverypleasanttobelaidup；butthereisabrightsidetoit，Marilla。Youfindouthowmanyfriendsyouhave。Why，evenSuperintendentBellcametoseeme，andhe’sreallyaveryfineman。Notakindredspirit，ofcourse；butstillIlikehimandI’mawfullysorryIevercriticizedhisprayers。Ibelievenowhereallydoesmeanthem，onlyhehasgotintothehabitofsayingthemasifhedidn’t。Hecouldgetoverthatifhe’dtakealittletrouble。Igavehimagoodbroadhint。ItoldhimhowhardItriedtomakemyownlittleprivateprayersinteresting。
Hetoldmeallaboutthetimehebrokehisanklewhenhewasaboy。ItdoesseemsostrangetothinkofSuperintendentBelleverbeingaboy。Evenmyimaginationhasitslimits，forI
can’timagineTHAT。WhenItrytoimaginehimasaboyIseehimwithgraywhiskersandspectacles，justashelooksinSundayschool，onlysmall。Now，it’ssoeasytoimagineMrs。Allanasalittlegirl。Mrs。Allanhasbeentoseemefourteentimes。
Isn’tthatsomethingtobeproudof，Marilla？Whenaminister’swifehassomanyclaimsonhertime！Sheissuchacheerfulpersontohavevisityou，too。Shenevertellsyouit’syourownfaultandshehopesyou’llbeabettergirlonaccountofit。
Mrs。Lyndealwaystoldmethatwhenshecametoseeme；andshesaiditinakindofwaythatmademefeelshemighthopeI’dbeabettergirlbutdidn’treallybelieveIwould。EvenJosiePyecametoseeme。IreceivedheraspolitelyasIcould，becauseI
thinkshewassorryshedaredmetowalkaridgepole。IfIhadbeenkilledshewouldhadtocarryadarkburdenofremorseallherlife。Dianahasbeenafaithfulfriend。She’sbeenovereverydaytocheermylonelypillow。Butoh，IshallbesogladwhenIcangotoschoolforI’veheardsuchexcitingthingsaboutthenewteacher。Thegirlsallthinksheisperfectlysweet。
Dianasaysshehastheloveliestfaircurlyhairandsuchfascinatingeyes。Shedressesbeautifully，andhersleevepuffsarebiggerthananybodyelse’sinAvonlea。EveryotherFridayafternoonshehasrecitationsandeverybodyhastosayapieceortakepartinadialogue。Oh，it’sjustglorioustothinkofit。
JosiePyesaysshehatesitbutthatisjustbecauseJosiehassolittleimagination。DianaandRubyGillisandJaneAndrewsarepreparingadialogue，called`AMorningVisit，’fornextFriday。
AndtheFridayafternoonstheydon’thaverecitationsMissStacytakesthemalltothewoodsfora`field’dayandtheystudyfernsandflowersandbirds。Andtheyhavephysicalcultureexerciseseverymorningandevening。Mrs。Lyndesayssheneverheardofsuchgoingsonanditallcomesofhavingaladyteacher。ButIthinkitmustbesplendidandIbelieveIshallfindthatMissStacyisakindredspirit。\"
\"There’sonethingplaintobeseen，Anne，\"saidMarilla，\"andthatisthatyourfallofftheBarryroofhasn’tinjuredyourtongueatall。\"
CHAPTERXXIV
MissStacyandHerPupilsGetUpaConcertItwasOctoberagainwhenAnnewasreadytogobacktoschool——agloriousOctober，allredandgold，withmellowmorningswhenthevalleyswerefilledwithdelicatemistsasifthespiritofautumnhadpouredtheminforthesuntodrain——amethyst，pearl，silver，rose，andsmoke-blue。Thedewsweresoheavythatthefieldsglistenedlikeclothofsilverandthereweresuchheapsofrustlingleavesinthehollowsofmany-stemmedwoodstoruncrisplythrough。TheBirchPathwasacanopyofyellowandthefernsweresearandbrownallalongit。Therewasatangintheveryairthatinspiredtheheartsofsmallmaidenstripping，unlikesnails，swiftlyandwillinglytoschool；anditWASjollytobebackagainatthelittlebrowndeskbesideDiana，withRubyGillisnoddingacrosstheaisleandCarrieSloanesendingupnotesandJuliaBellpassinga\"chew\"ofgumdownfromthebackseat。Annedrewalongbreathofhappinessasshesharpenedherpencilandarrangedherpicturecardsinherdesk。Lifewascertainlyveryinteresting。
Inthenewteachershefoundanothertrueandhelpfulfriend。
MissStacywasabright，sympatheticyoungwomanwiththehappygiftofwinningandholdingtheaffectionsofherpupilsandbringingoutthebestthatwasinthemmentallyandmorally。
AnneexpandedlikeaflowerunderthiswholesomeinfluenceandcarriedhometotheadmiringMatthewandthecriticalMarillaglowingaccountsofschoolworkandaims。
\"IloveMissStacywithmywholeheart，Marilla。Sheissoladylikeandshehassuchasweetvoice。WhenshepronouncesmynameIfeelINSTINCTIVELYthatshe’sspellingitwithanE。
Wehadrecitationsthisafternoon。Ijustwishyoucouldhavebeentheretohearmerecite`Mary，QueenofScots。’Ijustputmywholesoulintoit。RubyGillistoldmecominghomethatthewayIsaidtheline，`Nowformyfather’sarm，’shesaid，`mywoman’sheartfarewell，’justmadeherbloodruncold。\"
\"Wellnow，youmightreciteitformesomeofthesedays，outinthebarn，\"suggestedMatthew。
\"OfcourseIwill，\"saidAnnemeditatively，\"butIwon’tbeabletodoitsowell，Iknow。Itwon’tbesoexcitingasitiswhenyouhaveawholeschoolfulbeforeyouhangingbreathlesslyonyourwords。IknowIwon’tbeabletomakeyourbloodruncold。\"
\"Mrs。LyndesaysitmadeHERbloodruncoldtoseetheboysclimbingtotheverytopsofthosebigtreesonBell’shillaftercrows’nestslastFriday，\"saidMarilla。\"IwonderatMissStacyforencouragingit。\"
\"Butwewantedacrow’snestfornaturestudy，\"explainedAnne。
\"Thatwasonourfieldafternoon。Fieldafternoonsaresplendid，Marilla。AndMissStacyexplainseverythingsobeautifully。WehavetowritecompositionsonourfieldafternoonsandIwritethebestones。\"
\"It’sveryvainofyoutosaysothen。You’dbetterletyourteachersayit。\"
\"ButsheDIDsayit，Marilla。AndindeedI’mnotvainaboutit。
HowcanIbe，whenI’msuchadunceatgeometry？AlthoughI’mreallybeginningtoseethroughitalittle，too。MissStacymakesitsoclear。Still，I’llneverbegoodatitandI
assureyouitisahumblingreflection。ButIlovewritingcompositions。MostlyMissStacyletsuschooseourownsubjects；
butnextweekwearetowriteacompositiononsomeremarkableperson。It’shardtochooseamongsomanyremarkablepeoplewhohavelived。Mustn’titbesplendidtoberemarkableandhavecompositionswrittenaboutyouafteryou’redead？Oh，Iwoulddearlylovetoberemarkable。IthinkwhenIgrowupI’llbeatrainednurseandgowiththeRedCrossestothefieldofbattleasamessengerofmercy。Thatis，ifIdon’tgooutasaforeignmissionary。Thatwouldbeveryromantic，butonewouldhavetobeverygoodtobeamissionary，andthatwouldbeastumblingblock。Wehavephysicalcultureexerciseseveryday，too。Theymakeyougracefulandpromotedigestion。\"
\"Promotefiddlesticks！\"saidMarilla，whohonestlythoughtitwasallnonsense。
ButallthefieldafternoonsandrecitationFridaysandphysicalculturecontortionspaledbeforeaprojectwhichMissStacybroughtforwardinNovember。ThiswasthatthescholarsofAvonleaschoolshouldgetupaconcertandholditinthehallonChristmasNight，forthelaudablepurposeofhelpingtopayforaschoolhouseflag。Thepupilsoneandalltakinggraciouslytothisplan，thepreparationsforaprogramwerebegunatonce。
Andofalltheexcitedperformers-electnonewassoexcitedasAnneShirley，whothrewherselfintotheundertakingheartandsoul，hamperedasshewasbyMarilla’sdisapproval。Marillathoughtitallrankfoolishness。
\"It’sjustfillingyourheadsupwithnonsenseandtakingtimethatoughttobeputonyourlessons，\"shegrumbled。\"Idon’tapproveofchildren’sgettingupconcertsandracingabouttopractices。Itmakesthemvainandforwardandfondofgadding。\"
\"Butthinkoftheworthyobject，\"pleadedAnne。\"Aflagwillcultivateaspiritofpatriotism，Marilla。\"
\"Fudge！There’spreciouslittlepatriotisminthethoughtsofanyofyou。Allyouwantisagoodtime。\"
\"Well，whenyoucancombinepatriotismandfun，isn’titallright？Ofcourseit’srealnicetobegettingupaconcert。
We’regoingtohavesixchorusesandDianaistosingasolo。
I’mintwodialogues——`TheSocietyfortheSuppressionofGossip’
and`TheFairyQueen。’Theboysaregoingtohaveadialoguetoo。AndI’mtohavetworecitations，Marilla。IjusttremblewhenIthinkofit，butit’sanicethrillykindoftremble。Andwe’retohaveatableauatthelast——`Faith，HopeandCharity。’
DianaandRubyandIaretobeinit，alldrapedinwhitewithflowinghair。I’mtobeHope，withmyhandsclasped——so——andmyeyesuplifted。I’mgoingtopracticemyrecitationsinthegarret。Don’tbealarmedifyouhearmegroaning。Ihavetogroanheartrendinglyinoneofthem，andit’sreallyhardtogetupagoodartisticgroan，Marilla。JosiePyeissulkybecauseshedidn’tgetthepartshewantedinthedialogue。Shewantedtobethefairyqueen。Thatwouldhavebeenridiculous，forwhoeverheardofafairyqueenasfatasJosie？Fairyqueensmustbeslender。JaneAndrewsistobethequeenandIamtobeoneofhermaidsofhonor。Josiesaysshethinksared-hairedfairyisjustasridiculousasafatone，butIdonotletmyselfmindwhatJosiesays。I’mtohaveawreathofwhiterosesonmyhairandRubyGillisisgoingtolendmeherslippersbecauseI
haven’tanyofmyown。It’snecessaryforfairiestohaveslippers，youknow。Youcouldn’timagineafairywearingboots，couldyou？Especiallywithcoppertoes？Wearegoingtodecoratethehallwithcreepingspruceandfirmottoeswithpinktissue-paperrosesinthem。Andwearealltomarchintwobytwoaftertheaudienceisseated，whileEmmaWhiteplaysamarchontheorgan。Oh，Marilla，IknowyouarenotsoenthusiasticaboutitasIam，butdon’tyouhopeyourlittleAnnewilldistinguishherself？\"
\"AllIhopeisthatyou’llbehaveyourself。I’llbeheartilygladwhenallthisfussisoverandyou’llbeabletosettledown。Youaresimplygoodfornothingjustnowwithyourheadstuffedfullofdialoguesandgroansandtableaus。Asforyourtongue，it’samarvelit’snotcleanwornout。\"
Annesighedandbetookherselftothebackyard，overwhichayoungnewmoonwasshiningthroughtheleaflesspoplarboughsfromanapple-greenwesternsky，andwhereMatthewwassplittingwood。Anneperchedherselfonablockandtalkedtheconcertoverwithhim，sureofanappreciativeandsympatheticlistenerinthisinstanceatleast。
\"Wellnow，Ireckonit’sgoingtobeaprettygoodconcert。AndIexpectyou’lldoyourpartfine，\"hesaid，smilingdownintohereager，vivaciouslittleface。Annesmiledbackathim。
ThosetwowerethebestoffriendsandMatthewthankedhisstarsmanyatimeandoftthathehadnothingtodowithbringingherup。ThatwasMarilla’sexclusiveduty；ifithadbeenhishewouldhavebeenworriedoverfrequentconflictsbetweeninclinationandsaidduty。Asitwas，hewasfreeto，\"spoilAnne\"——Marilla’sphrasing——asmuchasheliked。Butitwasnotsuchabadarrangementafterall；alittle\"appreciation\"
sometimesdoesquiteasmuchgoodasalltheconscientious\"bringingup\"intheworld。
