ForamomentAnnehesitated。Shehadanodd，newlyawakenedconsciousnessunderallheroutrageddignitythatthehalf-shy，half-eagerexpressioninGilbert’shazeleyeswassomethingthatwasverygoodtosee。Herheartgaveaquick，queerlittlebeat。
Butthebitternessofheroldgrievancepromptlystiffenedupherwaveringdetermination。Thatsceneoftwoyearsbeforeflashedbackintoherrecollectionasvividlyasifithadtakenplaceyesterday。Gilberthadcalledher\"carrots\"andhadbroughtaboutherdisgracebeforethewholeschool。Herresentment，whichtootherandolderpeoplemightbeaslaughableasitscause，wasinnowhitallayedandsoftenedbytimeseemingly。
ShehatedGilbertBlythe！Shewouldneverforgivehim！
\"No，\"shesaidcoldly，\"Ishallneverbefriendswithyou，GilbertBlythe；andIdon’twanttobe！\"
\"Allright！\"Gilbertsprangintohisskiffwithanangrycolorinhischeeks。\"I’llneveraskyoutobefriendsagain，AnneShirley。
AndIdon’tcareeither！\"
Hepulledawaywithswiftdefiantstrokes，andAnnewentupthesteep，fernylittlepathunderthemaples。Sheheldherheadveryhigh，butshewasconsciousofanoddfeelingofregret。
ShealmostwishedshehadansweredGilbertdifferently。Ofcourse，hehadinsultedherterribly，butstill——！Altogether，Anneratherthoughtitwouldbearelieftositdownandhaveagoodcry。Shewasreallyquiteunstrung，forthereactionfromherfrightandcrampedclingingwasmakingitselffelt。
HalfwayupthepathshemetJaneandDianarushingbacktothepondinastatenarrowlyremovedfrompositivefrenzy。TheyhadfoundnobodyatOrchardSlope，bothMr。andMrs。Barrybeingaway。
HereRubyGillishadsuccumbedtohysterics，andwaslefttorecoverfromthemasbestshemight，whileJaneandDianaflewthroughtheHauntedWoodandacrossthebrooktoGreenGables。
Theretheyhadfoundnobodyeither，forMarillahadgonetoCarmodyandMatthewwasmakinghayinthebackfield。
\"Oh，Anne，\"gaspedDiana，fairlyfallingontheformer’sneckandweepingwithreliefanddelight，\"oh，Anne——wethought——youwere——drowned——andwefeltlikemurderers——becausewehadmade——yoube——Elaine。AndRubyisinhysterics——oh，Anne，howdidyouescape？\"
\"Iclimbedupononeofthepiles，\"explainedAnnewearily，\"andGilbertBlythecamealonginMr。Andrews’sdoryandbroughtmetoland。\"
\"Oh，Anne，howsplendidofhim！Why，it’ssoromantic！\"saidJane，findingbreathenoughforutteranceatlast。\"Ofcourseyou’llspeaktohimafterthis。\"
\"OfcourseIwon’t，\"flashedAnne，withamomentaryreturnofheroldspirit。\"AndIdon’twantevertoheartheword`romantic’again，JaneAndrews。I’mawfullysorryyouweresofrightened，girls。Itisallmyfault。IfeelsureIwasbornunderanunluckystar。EverythingIdogetsmeormydearestfriendsintoascrape。We’vegoneandlostyourfather’sflat，Diana，andIhaveapresentimentthatwe’llnotbeallowedtorowonthepondanymore。\"
Anne’spresentimentprovedmoretrustworthythanpresentimentsareapttodo。GreatwastheconsternationintheBarryandCuthberthouseholdswhentheeventsoftheafternoonbecameknown。
\"Willyoueverhaveanysense，Anne？\"groanedMarilla。
\"Oh，yes，IthinkIwill，Marilla，\"returnedAnneoptimistically。
Agoodcry，indulgedinthegratefulsolitudeoftheeastgable，hadsoothedhernervesandrestoredhertoherwontedcheerfulness。
\"Ithinkmyprospectsofbecomingsensiblearebrighternowthanever\"
\"Idon’tseehow，\"saidMarilla。
\"Well，\"explainedAnne，\"I’velearnedanewandvaluablelessontoday。
EversinceIcametoGreenGablesI’vebeenmakingmistakes，andeachmistakehashelpedtocuremeofsomegreatshortcoming。Theaffairoftheamethystbroochcuredmeofmeddlingwiththingsthatdidn’tbelongtome。TheHauntedWoodmistakecuredmeoflettingmyimaginationrunawaywithme。Thelinimentcakemistakecuredmeofcarelessnessincooking。Dyeingmyhaircuredmeofvanity。
Ineverthinkaboutmyhairandnosenow——atleast，veryseldom。
Andtoday’smistakeisgoingtocuremeofbeingtooromantic。
IhavecometotheconclusionthatitisnousetryingtoberomanticinAvonlea。ItwasprobablyeasyenoughintoweredCamelothundredsofyearsago，butromanceisnotappreciatednow。
Ifeelquitesurethatyouwillsoonseeagreatimprovementinmeinthisrespect，Marilla。\"
\"I’msureIhopeso，\"saidMarillaskeptically。
ButMatthew，whohadbeensittingmutelyinhiscorner，laidahandonAnne’sshoulderwhenMarillahadgoneout。
\"Don’tgiveupallyourromance，Anne，\"hewhisperedshyly，\"alittleofitisagoodthing——nottoomuch，ofcourse——butkeepalittleofit，Anne，keepalittleofit。\"
CHAPTERXXIX
AnEpochinAnne’sLifeAnnewasbringingthecowshomefromthebackpasturebywayofLover’sLane。ItwasaSeptembereveningandallthegapsandclearingsinthewoodswerebrimmedupwithrubysunsetlight。
Hereandtherethelanewassplashedwithit，butforthemostpartitwasalreadyquiteshadowybeneaththemaples，andthespacesunderthefirswerefilledwithaclearvioletdusklikeairywine。Thewindswereoutintheirtops，andthereisnosweetermusiconearththanthatwhichthewindmakesinthefirtreesatevening。
Thecowsswungplacidlydownthelane，andAnnefollowedthemdreamily，repeatingaloudthebattlecantofromMARMION——whichhadalsobeenpartoftheirEnglishcoursetheprecedingwinterandwhichMissStacyhadmadethemlearnoffbyheart——andexultinginitsrushinglinesandtheclashofspearsinitsimagery。WhenshecametothelinesThestubbornspearsmenstillmadegoodTheirdarkimpenetrablewood，shestoppedinecstasytoshuthereyesthatshemightthebetterfancyherselfoneofthatheroicring。WhensheopenedthemagainitwastobeholdDianacomingthroughthegatethatledintotheBarryfieldandlookingsoimportantthatAnneinstantlydivinedtherewasnewstobetold。Butbetraytooeagercuriosityshewouldnot。
\"Isn’tthiseveningjustlikeapurpledream，Diana？Itmakesmesogladtobealive。InthemorningsIalwaysthinkthemorningsarebest；butwheneveningcomesIthinkit’slovelierstill。\"
\"It’saveryfineevening，\"saidDiana，\"butoh，Ihavesuchnews，Anne。Guess。Youcanhavethreeguesses。\"
\"CharlotteGillisisgoingtobemarriedinthechurchafterallandMrs。Allanwantsustodecorateit，\"criedAnne。
\"No。Charlotte’sbeauwon’tagreetothat，becausenobodyeverhasbeenmarriedinthechurchyet，andhethinksitwouldseemtoomuchlikeafuneral。It’stoomean，becauseitwouldbesuchfun。
Guessagain。\"
\"Jane’smotherisgoingtoletherhaveabirthdayparty？\"
Dianashookherhead，herblackeyesdancingwithmerriment。
\"Ican’tthinkwhatitcanbe，\"saidAnneindespair，\"unlessit’sthatMoodySpurgeonMacPhersonsawyouhomefromprayermeetinglastnight。Didhe？\"
\"Ishouldthinknot，\"exclaimedDianaindignantly。\"Iwouldn’tbelikelytoboastofitifhedid，thehorridcreature！Iknewyoucouldn’tguessit。MotherhadaletterfromAuntJosephinetoday，andAuntJosephinewantsyouandmetogototownnextTuesdayandstopwithherfortheExhibition。There！\"
\"Oh，Diana，\"whisperedAnne，findingitnecessarytoleanupagainstamapletreeforsupport，\"doyoureallymeanit？ButI’mafraidMarillawon’tletmego。Shewillsaythatshecan’tencouragegaddingabout。ThatwaswhatshesaidlastweekwhenJaneinvitedmetogowiththemintheirdouble-seatedbuggytotheAmericanconcertattheWhiteSandsHotel。Iwantedtogo，butMarillasaidI’dbebetterathomelearningmylessonsandsowouldJane。
Iwasbitterlydisappointed，Diana。IfeltsoheartbrokenthatIwouldn’tsaymyprayerswhenIwenttobed。ButIrepentedofthatandgotupinthemiddleofthenightandsaidthem。\"
\"I’lltellyou，\"saidDiana，\"we’llgetMothertoaskMarilla。
She’llbemorelikelytoletyougothen；andifshedoeswe’llhavethetimeofourlives，Anne。I’veneverbeentoanExhibition，andit’ssoaggravatingtoheartheothergirlstalkingabouttheirtrips。JaneandRubyhavebeentwice，andthey’regoingthisyearagain。\"
\"I’mnotgoingtothinkaboutitatalluntilIknowwhetherI
cangoornot，\"saidAnneresolutely。\"IfIdidandthenwasdisappointed，itwouldbemorethanIcouldbear。ButincaseI
dogoI’mverygladmynewcoatwillbereadybythattime。
Marilladidn’tthinkIneededanewcoat。ShesaidmyoldonewoulddoverywellforanotherwinterandthatIoughttobesatisfiedwithhavinganewdress。Thedressisverypretty，Diana——navyblueandmadesofashionably。Marillaalwaysmakesmydressesfashionablynow，becauseshesaysshedoesn’tintendtohaveMatthewgoingtoMrs。Lyndetomakethem。I’msoglad。
Itiseversomucheasiertobegoodifyourclothesarefashionable。Atleast，itiseasierforme。Isupposeitdoesn’tmakesuchadifferencetonaturallygoodpeople。ButMatthewsaidImusthaveanewcoat，soMarillaboughtalovelypieceofbluebroadcloth，andit’sbeingmadebyarealdressmakeroveratCarmody。It’stobedoneSaturdaynight，andI’mtryingnottoimaginemyselfwalkingupthechurchaisleonSundayinmynewsuitandcap，becauseI’mafraiditisn’trighttoimaginesuchthings。Butitjustslipsintomymindinspiteofme。Mycapissopretty。MatthewboughtitformethedaywewereoveratCarmody。Itisoneofthoselittlebluevelvetonesthatarealltherage，withgoldcordandtassels。Yournewhatiselegant，Diana，andsobecoming。WhenIsawyoucomeintochurchlastSundaymyheartswelledwithpridetothinkyouweremydearestfriend。Doyousupposeit’swrongforustothinksomuchaboutourclothes？Marillasaysitisverysinful。Butitissuchaninterestingsubject，isn’tit？\"
MarillaagreedtoletAnnegototown，anditwasarrangedthatMr。BarryshouldtakethegirlsinonthefollowingTuesday。AsCharlottetownwasthirtymilesawayandMr。Barrywishedtogoandreturnthesameday，itwasnecessarytomakeaveryearlystart。ButAnnecounteditalljoy，andwasupbeforesunriseonTuesdaymorning。Aglancefromherwindowassuredherthatthedaywouldbefine，fortheeasternskybehindthefirsoftheHauntedWoodwasallsilveryandcloudless。ThroughthegapinthetreesalightwasshininginthewesterngableofOrchardSlope，atokenthatDianawasalsoup。
AnnewasdressedbythetimeMatthewhadthefireonandhadthebreakfastreadywhenMarillacamedown，butforherownpartwasmuchtooexcitedtoeat。Afterbreakfastthejauntynewcapandjacketweredonned，andAnnehastenedoverthebrookandupthroughthefirstoOrchardSlope。Mr。BarryandDianawerewaitingforher，andtheyweresoonontheroad。
Itwasalongdrive，butAnneandDianaenjoyedeveryminuteofit。
Itwasdelightfultorattlealongoverthemoistroadsintheearlyredsunlightthatwascreepingacrosstheshornharvestfields。
Theairwasfreshandcrisp，andlittlesmoke-bluemistscurledthroughthevalleysandfloatedofffromthehills。
Sometimestheroadwentthroughwoodswheremapleswerebeginningtohangoutscarletbanners；sometimesitcrossedriversonbridgesthatmadeAnne’sfleshcringewiththeold，half-delightfulfear；sometimesitwoundalongaharborshoreandpassedbyalittleclusterofweather-grayfishinghuts；againitmountedtohillswhenceafarsweepofcurvinguplandormisty-blueskycouldbeseen；butwhereveritwenttherewasmuchofinteresttodiscuss。Itwasalmostnoonwhentheyreachedtownandfoundtheirwayto\"Beechwood。\"Itwasquiteafineoldmansion，setbackfromthestreetinaseclusionofgreenelmsandbranchingbeeches。MissBarrymetthematthedoorwithatwinkleinhersharpblackeyes。
\"Soyou’vecometoseemeatlast，youAnne-girl，\"shesaid。
\"Mercy，child，howyouhavegrown！You’retallerthanIam，I
declare。Andyou’reeversomuchbetterlookingthanyouusedtobe，too。ButIdaresayyouknowthatwithoutbeingtold。\"
\"IndeedIdidn’t，\"saidAnneradiantly。\"IknowI’mnotsofreckledasIusedtobe，soI’vemuchtobethankfulfor，butIreallyhadn’tdaredtohopetherewasanyotherimprovement。
I’msogladyouthinkthereis，MissBarry。\"MissBarry’shousewasfurnishedwith\"greatmagnificence，\"asAnnetoldMarillaafterward。ThetwolittlecountrygirlswereratherabashedbythesplendoroftheparlorwhereMissBarryleftthemwhenshewenttoseeaboutdinner。
\"Isn’titjustlikeapalace？\"whisperedDiana。\"IneverwasinAuntJosephine’shousebefore，andI’dnoideaitwassogrand。
IjustwishJuliaBellcouldseethis——sheputsonsuchairsabouthermother’sparlor。\"
\"Velvetcarpet，\"sighedAnneluxuriously，\"andsilkcurtains！
I’vedreamedofsuchthings，Diana。ButdoyouknowIdon’tbelieveIfeelverycomfortablewiththemafterall。Therearesomanythingsinthisroomandallsosplendidthatthereisnoscopeforimagination。Thatisoneconsolationwhenyouarepoor——therearesomanymorethingsyoucanimagineabout。\"
TheirsojournintownwassomethingthatAnneandDianadatedfromforyears。Fromfirsttolastitwascrowdedwithdelights。
OnWednesdayMissBarrytookthemtotheExhibitiongroundsandkeptthemthereallday。
\"Itwassplendid，\"AnnerelatedtoMarillalateron。\"Ineverimaginedanythingsointeresting。Idon’treallyknowwhichdepartmentwasthemostinteresting。IthinkIlikedthehorsesandtheflowersandthefancyworkbest。JosiePyetookfirstprizeforknittedlace。Iwasrealgladshedid。AndIwasgladthatIfeltglad，foritshowsI’mimproving，don’tyouthink，Marilla，whenIcanrejoiceinJosie’ssuccess？Mr。HarmonAndrewstooksecondprizeforGravensteinapplesandMr。Belltookfirstprizeforapig。DianasaidshethoughtitwasridiculousforaSunday-schoolsuperintendenttotakeaprizeinpigs，butIdon’tseewhy。Doyou？Shesaidshewouldalwaysthinkofitafterthiswhenhewasprayingsosolemnly。ClaraLouiseMacPhersontookaprizeforpainting，andMrs。Lyndegotfirstprizeforhomemadebutterandcheese。SoAvonleawasprettywellrepresented，wasn’tit？Mrs。Lyndewastherethatday，andIneverknewhowmuchIreallylikedheruntilIsawherfamiliarfaceamongallthosestrangers。Therewerethousandsofpeoplethere，Marilla。Itmademefeeldreadfullyinsignificant。
AndMissBarrytookusuptothegrandstandtoseethehorseraces。Mrs。Lyndewouldn’tgo；shesaidhorseracingwasanabominationand，shebeingachurchmember，thoughtitherboundendutytosetagoodexamplebystayingaway。ButthereweresomanythereIdon’tbelieveMrs。Lynde’sabsencewouldeverbenoticed。Idon’tthink，though，thatIoughttogoveryoftentohorseraces，becausetheyAREawfullyfascinating。
Dianagotsoexcitedthatsheofferedtobetmetencentsthattheredhorsewouldwin。Ididn’tbelievehewould，butI
refusedtobet，becauseIwantedtotellMrs。Allanallabouteverything，andIfeltsureitwouldn’tdototellherthat。
It’salwayswrongtodoanythingyoucan’ttelltheminister’swife。It’sasgoodasanextraconsciencetohaveaminister’swifeforyourfriend。AndIwasverygladIdidn’tbet，becausetheredhorseDIDwin，andIwouldhavelosttencents。Soyouseethatvirtuewasitsownreward。Wesawamangoupinaballoon。I’dlovetogoupinaballoon，Marilla；itwouldbesimplythrilling；andwesawamansellingfortunes。Youpaidhimtencentsandalittlebirdpickedoutyourfortuneforyou。
MissBarrygaveDianaandmetencentseachtohaveourfortunestold。MinewasthatIwouldmarryadark-complectedmanwhowasverywealthy，andIwouldgoacrosswatertolive。IlookedcarefullyatallthedarkmenIsawafterthat，butIdidn’tcaremuchforanyofthem，andanyhowIsupposeit’stooearlytobelookingoutforhimyet。Oh，itwasanever-to-be-forgottenday，Marilla。IwassotiredIcouldn’tsleepatnight。MissBarryputusinthespareroom，accordingtopromise。Itwasanelegantroom，Marilla，butsomehowsleepinginaspareroomisn’twhatIusedtothinkitwas。That’stheworstofgrowingup，andI’mbeginningtorealizeit。Thethingsyouwantedsomuchwhenyouwereachilddon’tseemhalfsowonderfultoyouwhenyougetthem。\"
Thursdaythegirlshadadriveinthepark，andintheeveningMissBarrytookthemtoaconcertintheAcademyofMusic，whereanotedprimadonnawastosing。ToAnnetheeveningwasaglitteringvisionofdelight。
\"Oh，Marilla，itwasbeyonddescription。IwassoexcitedI
couldn’teventalk，soyoumayknowwhatitwaslike。Ijustsatinenrapturedsilence。MadameSelitskywasperfectlybeautiful，andworewhitesatinanddiamonds。ButwhenshebegantosingI
neverthoughtaboutanythingelse。Oh，Ican’ttellyouhowI
felt。Butitseemedtomethatitcouldneverbehardtobegoodanymore。IfeltlikeIdowhenIlookuptothestars。Tearscameintomyeyes，but，oh，theyweresuchhappytears。Iwassosorrywhenitwasallover，andItoldMissBarryIdidn’tseehowIwasevertoreturntocommonlifeagain。Shesaidshethoughtifwewentovertotherestaurantacrossthestreetandhadanicecreamitmighthelpme。Thatsoundedsoprosaic；buttomysurpriseIfoundittrue。Theicecreamwasdelicious，Marilla，anditwassolovelyanddissipatedtobesittingthereeatingitateleveno’clockatnight。Dianasaidshebelievedshewasbornforcitylife。MissBarryaskedmewhatmyopinionwas，butIsaidIwouldhavetothinkitoververyseriouslybeforeIcouldtellherwhatIreallythought。SoIthoughtitoverafterIwenttobed。Thatisthetothinkthingsout。AndI
cametotheconclusion，Marilla，thatIwasn’tbornforcitylifeandthatIwasgladofit。It’snicetobeeatingicecreamatbrilliantrestaurantsateleveno’clockatnightonceinawhile；
butasaregularthingI’dratherbeintheeastgableateleven，soundasleep，butkindofknowingeveninmysleepthatthestarswereshiningoutsideandthatthewindwasblowinginthefirsacrossthebrook。ItoldMissBarrysoatbreakfastthenextmorningandshelaughed。MissBarrygenerallylaughedatanythingIsaid，evenwhenIsaidthemostsolemnthings。
Idon’tthinkIlikedit，Marilla，becauseIwasn’ttryingtobefunny。Butsheisamosthospitableladyandtreatedusroyally。\"
Fridaybroughtgoing-hometime，andMr。Barrydroveinforthegirls。
\"Well，Ihopeyou’veenjoyedyourselves，\"saidMissBarry，asshebadethemgood-bye。
\"Indeedwehave，\"saidDiana。
\"Andyou，Anne-girl？\"
\"I’veenjoyedeveryminuteofthetime，\"saidAnne，throwingherarmsimpulsivelyabouttheoldwoman’sneckandkissingherwrinkledcheek。DianawouldneverhavedaredtodosuchathingandfeltratheraghastatAnne’sfreedom。ButMissBarrywaspleased，andshestoodonherverandaandwatchedthebuggyoutofsight。Thenshewentbackintoherbighousewithasigh。Itseemedverylonely，lackingthosefreshyounglives。MissBarrywasaratherselfisholdlady，ifthetruthmustbetold，andhadnevercaredmuchforanybodybutherself。Shevaluedpeopleonlyastheywereofservicetoheroramusedher。Annehadamusedher，andconsequentlystoodhighintheoldlady’sgoodgraces。
ButMissBarryfoundherselfthinkinglessaboutAnne’squaintspeechesthanofherfreshenthusiasms，hertransparentemotions，herlittlewinningways，andthesweetnessofhereyesandlips。
\"IthoughtMarillaCuthbertwasanoldfoolwhenIheardshe’dadoptedagirloutofanorphanasylum，\"shesaidtoherself，\"butIguessshedidn’tmakemuchofamistakeafterall。IfI’dachildlikeAnneinthehouseallthetimeI’dbeabetterandhappierwoman。\"
AnneandDianafoundthedrivehomeaspleasantasthedrivein——pleasanter，indeed，sincetherewasthedelightfulconsciousnessofhomewaitingattheendofit。ItwassunsetwhentheypassedthroughWhiteSandsandturnedintotheshoreroad。
Beyond，theAvonleahillscameoutdarklyagainstthesaffronsky。
Behindthemthemoonwasrisingoutoftheseathatgrewallradiantandtransfiguredinherlight。Everylittlecovealongthecurvingroadwasamarvelofdancingripples。Thewavesbrokewithasoftswishontherocksbelowthem，andthetangoftheseawasinthestrong，freshair。
\"Oh，butit’sgoodtobealiveandtobegoinghome，\"breathedAnne。
WhenshecrossedthelogbridgeoverthebrookthekitchenlightofGreenGableswinkedherafriendlywelcomeback，andthroughtheopendoorshonethehearthfire，sendingoutitswarmredglowathwartthechillyautumnnight。Anneranblithelyupthehillandintothekitchen，whereahotsupperwaswaitingonthetable。
\"Soyou’vegotback？\"saidMarilla，foldingupherknitting。
\"Yes，andoh，it’ssogoodtobeback，\"saidAnnejoyously。\"I
couldkisseverything，eventotheclock。Marilla，abroiledchicken！Youdon’tmeantosayyoucookedthatforme！\"
\"Yes，Idid，\"saidMarilla。\"Ithoughtyou’dbehungryaftersuchadriveandneedsomethingrealappetizing。Hurryandtakeoffyourthings，andwe’llhavesupperassoonasMatthewcomesin。
I’mgladyou’vegotback，Imustsay。It’sbeenfearfullonesomeherewithoutyou，andIneverputinfourlongerdays。\"
AftersupperAnnesatbeforethefirebetweenMatthewandMarilla，andgavethemafullaccountofhervisit。
\"I’vehadasplendidtime，\"sheconcludedhappily，\"andIfeelthatitmarksanepochinmylife。Butthebestofitallwasthecominghome。\"
CHAPTERXXX
TheQueensClassIsOrganizedMarillalaidherknittingonherlapandleanedbackinherchair。
Hereyesweretired，andshethoughtvaguelythatshemustseeabouthavingherglasseschangedthenexttimeshewenttotown，forhereyeshadgrowntiredveryoftenoflate。
Itwasnearlydark，forthefullNovembertwilighthadfallenaroundGreenGables，andtheonlylightinthekitchencamefromthedancingredflamesinthestove。
AnnewascurledupTurk-fashiononthehearthrug，gazingintothatjoyousglowwherethesunshineofahundredsummerswasbeingdistilledfromthemaplecordwood。Shehadbeenreading，butherbookhadslippedtothefloor，andnowshewasdreaming，withasmileonherpartedlips。GlitteringcastlesinSpainwereshapingthemselvesoutofthemistsandrainbowsofherlivelyfancy；adventureswonderfulandenthrallingwerehappeningtoherincloudland——adventuresthatalwaysturnedouttriumphantlyandneverinvolvedherinscrapeslikethoseofactuallife。
Marillalookedatherwithatendernessthatwouldneverhavebeensufferedtorevealitselfinanyclearerlightthanthatsoftminglingoffireshineandshadow。ThelessonofalovethatshoulddisplayitselfeasilyinspokenwordandopenlookwasoneMarillacouldneverlearn。Butshehadlearnedtolovethisslim，gray-eyedgirlwithanaffectionallthedeeperandstrongerfromitsveryundemonstrativeness。Herlovemadeherafraidofbeingundulyindulgent，indeed。Shehadanuneasyfeelingthatitwasrathersinfultosetone’sheartsointenselyonanyhumancreatureasshehadsethersonAnne，andperhapssheperformedasortofunconsciouspenanceforthisbybeingstricterandmorecriticalthanifthegirlhadbeenlessdeartoher。
CertainlyAnneherselfhadnoideahowMarillalovedher。
ShesometimesthoughtwistfullythatMarillawasveryhardtopleaseanddistinctlylackinginsympathyandunderstanding。
Butshealwayscheckedthethoughtreproachfully，rememberingwhatsheowedtoMarilla。
\"Anne，\"saidMarillaabruptly，\"MissStacywasherethisafternoonwhenyouwereoutwithDiana。\"
Annecamebackfromherotherworldwithastartandasigh。
\"Wasshe？Oh，I’msosorryIwasn’tin。Whydidn’tyoucallme，Marilla？DianaandIwereonlyoverintheHauntedWood。It’slovelyinthewoodsnow。Allthelittlewoodthings——thefernsandthesatinleavesandthecrackerberries——havegonetosleep，justasifsomebodyhadtuckedthemawayuntilspringunderablanketofleaves。Ithinkitwasalittlegrayfairywitharainbowscarfthatcametiptoeingalongthelastmoonlightnightanddidit。Dianawouldn’tsaymuchaboutthat，though。DianahasneverforgottenthescoldinghermothergaveheraboutimaginingghostsintotheHauntedWood。IthadaverybadeffectonDiana’simagination。Itblightedit。Mrs。LyndesaysMyrtleBellisablightedbeing。IaskedRubyGilliswhyMyrtlewasblighted，andRubysaidsheguesseditwasbecauseheryoungmanhadgonebackonher。RubyGillisthinksofnothingbutyoungmen，andtheoldershegetstheworsesheis。Youngmenareallverywellintheirplace，butitdoesn’tdotodragthemintoeverything，doesit？DianaandIarethinkingseriouslyofpromisingeachotherthatwewillnevermarrybutbeniceoldmaidsandlivetogetherforever。Dianahasn’tquitemadeuphermindthough，becauseshethinksperhapsitwouldbenoblertomarrysomewild，dashing，wickedyoungmanandreformhim。DianaandItalkagreatdealaboutserioussubjectsnow，youknow。Wefeelthatwearesomucholderthanweusedtobethatitisn’tbecomingtotalkofchildishmatters。It’ssuchasolemnthingtobealmostfourteen，Marilla。MissStacytookallusgirlswhoareinourteensdowntothebrooklastWednesday，andtalkedtousaboutit。Shesaidwecouldn’tbetoocarefulwhathabitsweformedandwhatidealsweacquiredinourteens，becausebythetimeweweretwentyourcharacterswouldbedevelopedandthefoundationlaidforourwholefuturelife。Andshesaidifthefoundationwasshakywecouldneverbuildanythingreallyworthwhileonit。DianaandItalkedthematterovercominghomefromschool。Wefeltextremelysolemn，Marilla。Andwedecidedthatwewouldtrytobeverycarefulindeedandformrespectablehabitsandlearnallwecouldandbeassensibleaspossible，sothatbythetimeweweretwentyourcharacterswouldbeproperlydeveloped。It’sperfectlyappallingtothinkofbeingtwenty，Marilla。Itsoundssofearfullyoldandgrownup。ButwhywasMissStacyherethisafternoon？\"
\"ThatiswhatIwanttotellyou，Anne，ifyou’llevergivemeachancetogetawordinedgewise。Shewastalkingaboutyou。\"
\"Aboutme？\"Annelookedratherscared。Thensheflushedandexclaimed:
\"Oh，Iknowwhatshewassaying。Imeanttotellyou，Marilla，honestlyIdid，butIforgot。MissStacycaughtmereadingBenHurinschoolyesterdayafternoonwhenIshouldhavebeenstudyingmyCanadianhistory。JaneAndrewslentittome。Iwasreadingitatdinnerhour，andIhadjustgottothechariotracewhenschoolwentin。Iwassimplywildtoknowhowitturnedout——
althoughIfeltsureBenHurmustwin，becauseitwouldn’tbepoeticaljusticeifhedidn’t——soIspreadthehistoryopenonmydesklidandthentuckedBenHurbetweenthedeskandmyknee。
IjustlookedasifIwerestudyingCanadianhistory，youknow，whileallthewhileIwasrevelinginBenHur。IwassointerestedinitthatInevernoticedMissStacycomingdowntheaisleuntilallatonceIjustlookedupandthereshewaslookingdownatme，soreproachful-like。Ican’ttellyouhowashamedIfelt，Marilla，especiallywhenIheardJosiePyegiggling。MissStacytookBenHuraway，butsheneversaidawordthen。Shekeptmeinatrecessandtalkedtome。ShesaidIhaddoneverywrongintworespects。First，IwaswastingthetimeIoughttohaveputonmystudies；andsecondly，IwasdeceivingmyteacherintryingtomakeitappearIwasreadingahistorywhenitwasastorybookinstead。Ihadneverrealizeduntilthatmoment，Marilla，thatwhatIwasdoingwasdeceitful。
Iwasshocked。Icriedbitterly，andaskedMissStacytoforgivemeandI’dneverdosuchathingagain；andIofferedtodopenancebyneversomuchaslookingatBenHurforawholeweek，noteventoseehowthechariotraceturnedout。ButMissStacysaidshewouldn’trequirethat，andsheforgavemefreely。SoI
thinkitwasn’tverykindofhertocomeupheretoyouaboutitafterall。\"
\"MissStacynevermentionedsuchathingtome，Anne，anditsonlyyourguiltyconsciencethat’sthematterwithyou。Youhavenobusinesstobetakingstorybookstoschool。Youreadtoomanynovelsanyhow。WhenIwasagirlIwasn’tsomuchasallowedtolookatanovel。\"
\"Oh，howcanyoucallBenHuranovelwhenit’sreallysuchareligiousbook？\"protestedAnne。\"Ofcourseit’salittletooexcitingtobeproperreadingforSunday，andIonlyreaditonweekdays。AndIneverreadANYbooknowunlesseitherMissStacyorMrs。Allanthinksitisaproperbookforagirlthirteenandthree-quarterstoread。MissStacymademepromisethat。Shefoundmereadingabookonedaycalled，TheLuridMysteryoftheHauntedHall。ItwasoneRubyGillishadlentme，and，oh，Marilla，itwassofascinatingandcreepy。Itjustcurdledthebloodinmyveins。ButMissStacysaiditwasaverysilly，unwholesomebook，andsheaskedmenottoreadanymoreofitoranylikeit。Ididn’tmindpromisingnottoreadanymorelikeit，butitwasAGONIZINGtogivebackthatbookwithoutknowinghowitturnedout。ButmyloveforMissStacystoodthetestandIdid。It’sreallywonderful，Marilla，whatyoucandowhenyou’retrulyanxioustopleaseacertainperson。\"
\"Well，IguessI’lllightthelampandgettowork，\"saidMarilla。\"Iseeplainlythatyoudon’twanttohearwhatMissStacyhadtosay。You’remoreinterestedinthesoundofyourowntonguethaninanythingelse。\"
\"Oh，indeed，Marilla，Idowanttohearit，\"criedAnnecontritely。
\"Iwon’tsayanotherword——notone。IknowItalktoomuch，butI
amreallytryingtoovercomeit，andalthoughIsayfartoomuch，yetifyouonlyknewhowmanythingsIwanttosayanddon’t，you’dgivemesomecreditforit。Pleasetellme，Marilla。\"
\"Well，MissStacywantstoorganizeaclassamongheradvancedstudentswhomeantostudyfortheentranceexaminationintoQueen’s。Sheintendstogivethemextralessonsforanhourafterschool。AndshecametoaskMatthewandmeifwewouldliketohaveyoujoinit。Whatdoyouthinkaboutityourself，Anne？WouldyouliketogotoQueen’sandpassforateacher？\"
\"Oh，Marilla！\"Annestraightenedtoherkneesandclaspedherhands。\"It’sbeenthedreamofmylife——thatis，forthelastsixmonths，eversinceRubyandJanebegantotalkofstudyingfortheEntrance。ButIdidn’tsayanythingaboutit，becauseI
supposeditwouldbeperfectlyuseless。I’dlovetobeateacher。
Butwon’titbedreadfullyexpensive？Mr。AndrewssaysitcosthimonehundredandfiftydollarstoputPrissythrough，andPrissywasn’tadunceingeometry。\"
\"Iguessyouneedn’tworryaboutthatpartofit。WhenMatthewandItookyoutobringupweresolvedwewoulddothebestwecouldforyouandgiveyouagoodeducation。Ibelieveinagirlbeingfittedtoearnherownlivingwhethersheeverhastoornot。
You’llalwayshaveahomeatGreenGablesaslongasMatthewandIarehere，butnobodyknowswhatisgoingtohappeninthisuncertainworld，andit’sjustaswelltobeprepared。
SoyoucanjointheQueen’sclassifyoulike，Anne。\"
\"Oh，Marilla，thankyou。\"AnneflungherarmsaboutMarilla’swaistandlookedupearnestlyintoherface。\"I’mextremelygratefultoyouandMatthew。AndI’llstudyashardasIcananddomyverybesttobeacredittoyou。Iwarnyounottoexpectmuchingeometry，butIthinkIcanholdmyowninanythingelseifIworkhard。\"
\"Idaresayyou’llgetalongwellenough。MissStacysaysyouarebrightanddiligent。\"NotforworldswouldMarillahavetoldAnnejustwhatMissStacyhadsaidabouther；thatwouldhavebeentopampervanity。\"Youneedn’trushtoanyextremeofkillingyourselfoveryourbooks。Thereisnohurry。Youwon’tbereadytotrytheEntranceforayearandahalfyet。Butit’swelltobeginintimeandbethoroughlygrounded，MissStacysays。\"
\"Ishalltakemoreinterestthaneverinmystudiesnow，\"saidAnneblissfully，\"becauseIhaveapurposeinlife。Mr。Allansayseverybodyshouldhaveapurposeinlifeandpursueitfaithfully。Onlyhesayswemustfirstmakesurethatitisaworthypurpose。IwouldcallitaworthypurposetowanttobeateacherlikeMissStacy，wouldn’tyou，Marilla？Ithinkit’saverynobleprofession。\"
TheQueen’sclasswasorganizedinduetime。GilbertBlythe，AnneShirley，RubyGillis，JaneAndrews，JosiePye，CharlieSloane，andMoodySpurgeonMacPhersonjoinedit。DianaBarrydidnot，asherparentsdidnotintendtosendhertoQueen’s。ThisseemednothingshortofacalamitytoAnne。Never，sincethenightonwhichMinnieMayhadhadthecroup，hadsheandDianabeenseparatedinanything。OntheeveningwhentheQueen’sclassfirstremainedinschoolfortheextralessonsandAnnesawDianagoslowlyoutwiththeothers，towalkhomealonethroughtheBirchPathandVioletVale，itwasalltheformercoulddotokeepherseatandrefrainfromrushingimpulsivelyafterherchum。
Alumpcameintoherthroat，andshehastilyretiredbehindthepagesofherupliftedLatingrammartohidethetearsinhereyes。
NotforworldswouldAnnehavehadGilbertBlytheorJosiePyeseethosetears。
\"But，oh，Marilla，IreallyfeltthatIhadtastedthebitternessofdeath，asMr。AllansaidinhissermonlastSunday，whenI
sawDianagooutalone，\"shesaidmournfullythatnight。\"I
thoughthowsplendiditwouldhavebeenifDianahadonlybeengoingtostudyfortheEntrance，too。Butwecan’thavethingsperfectinthisimperfectworld，asMrs。Lyndesays。Mrs。Lyndeisn’texactlyacomfortingpersonsometimes，butthere’snodoubtshesaysagreatmanyverytruethings。AndIthinktheQueen’sclassisgoingtobeextremelyinteresting。JaneandRubyarejustgoingtostudytobeteachers。Thatistheheightoftheirambition。Rubysaysshewillonlyteachfortwoyearsaftershegetsthrough，andthensheintendstobemarried。Janesaysshewilldevoteherwholelifetoteaching，andnever，nevermarry，becauseyouarepaidasalaryforteaching，butahusbandwon’tpayyouanything，andgrowlsifyouaskforashareintheeggandbuttermoney。IexpectJanespeaksfrommournfulexperience，forMrs。Lyndesaysthatherfatherisaperfectoldcrank，andmeanerthansecondskimmings。JosiePyesayssheisjustgoingtocollegeforeducation’ssake，becauseshewon’thavetoearnherownliving；shesaysofcourseitisdifferentwithorphanswhoarelivingoncharity——THEYhavetohustle。
MoodySpurgeonisgoingtobeaminister。Mrs。Lyndesayshecouldn’tbeanythingelsewithanamelikethattoliveupto。
Ihopeitisn’twickedofme，Marilla，butreallythethoughtofMoodySpurgeonbeingaministermakesmelaugh。He’ssuchafunny-lookingboywiththatbigfatface，andhislittleblueeyes，andhisearsstickingoutlikeflaps。Butperhapshewillbemoreintellectuallookingwhenhegrowsup。CharlieSloanesayshe’sgoingtogointopoliticsandbeamemberofParliament，butMrs。Lyndesayshe’llneversucceedatthat，becausetheSloanesareallhonestpeople，andit’sonlyrascalsthatgetoninpoliticsnowadays。\"
\"WhatisGilbertBlythegoingtobe？\"queriedMarilla，seeingthatAnnewasopeningherCaesar。
\"Idon’thappentoknowwhatGilbertBlythe’sambitioninlifeis——
ifhehasany，\"saidAnnescornfully。
TherewasopenrivalrybetweenGilbertandAnnenow。Previouslytherivalryhadbeenratheronesided，buttherewasnolongeranydoubtthatGilbertwasasdeterminedtobefirstinclassasAnnewas。
Hewasafoemanworthyofhersteel。Theothermembersoftheclasstacitlyacknowledgedtheirsuperiority，andneverdreamedoftryingtocompetewiththem。
Sincethedaybythepondwhenshehadrefusedtolistentohispleaforforgiveness，Gilbert，savefortheaforesaiddeterminedrivalry，hadevincednorecognitionwhateveroftheexistenceofAnneShirley。Hetalkedandjestedwiththeothergirls，exchangedbooksandpuzzleswiththem，discussedlessonsandplans，sometimeswalkedhomewithoneortheotherofthemfromprayermeetingorDebatingClub。ButAnneShirleyhesimplyignored，andAnnefoundoutthatitisnotpleasanttobeignored。Itwasinvainthatshetoldherselfwithatossofherheadthatshedidnotcare。
Deepdowninherwayward，femininelittleheartsheknewthatshedidcare，andthatifshehadthatchanceoftheLakeofShiningWatersagainshewouldanswerverydifferently。
Allatonce，asitseemed，andtohersecretdismay，shefoundthattheoldresentmentshehadcherishedagainsthimwasgone——gonejustwhenshemostneededitssustainingpower。
Itwasinvainthatsherecalledeveryincidentandemotionofthatmemorableoccasionandtriedtofeeltheoldsatisfyinganger。
Thatdaybythepondhadwitnesseditslastspasmodicflicker。
Annerealizedthatshehadforgivenandforgottenwithoutknowingit。
Butitwastoolate。
AndatleastneitherGilbertnoranybodyelse，notevenDiana，shouldeversuspecthowsorryshewasandhowmuchshewishedshehadn’tbeensoproudandhorrid！Shedeterminedto\"shroudherfeelingsindeepestoblivion，\"anditmaybestatedhereandnowthatshedidit，sosuccessfullythatGilbert，whopossiblywasnotquitesoindifferentasheseemed，couldnotconsolehimselfwithanybeliefthatAnnefelthisretaliatoryscorn。TheonlypoorcomforthehadwasthatshesnubbedCharlieSloane，unmercifully，continually，andundeservedly。
Otherwisethewinterpassedawayinaroundofpleasantdutiesandstudies。ForAnnethedaysslippedbylikegoldenbeadsonthenecklaceoftheyear。Shewashappy，eager，interested；
therewerelessonstobelearnedandhonortobewon；delightfulbookstoread；newpiecestobepracticedfortheSunday-schoolchoir；pleasantSaturdayafternoonsatthemansewithMrs。Allan；
andthen，almostbeforeAnnerealizedit，springhadcomeagaintoGreenGablesandalltheworldwasabloomoncemore。
Studiespalledjustaweebitthen；theQueen’sclass，leftbehindinschoolwhiletheothersscatteredtogreenlanesandleafywoodcutsandmeadowbyways，lookedwistfullyoutofthewindowsanddiscoveredthatLatinverbsandFrenchexerciseshadsomehowlostthetangandzesttheyhadpossessedinthecrispwintermonths。EvenAnneandGilbertlaggedandgrewindifferent。
Teacherandtaughtwerealikegladwhenthetermwasendedandthegladvacationdaysstretchedrosilybeforethem。
\"Butyou’vedonegoodworkthispastyear，\"MissStacytoldthemonthelastevening，\"andyoudeserveagood，jollyvacation。
Havethebesttimeyoucanintheout-of-doorworldandlayinagoodstockofhealthandvitalityandambitiontocarryyouthroughnextyear。Itwillbethetugofwar，youknow——thelastyearbeforetheEntrance。\"
\"Areyougoingtobebacknextyear，MissStacy？\"askedJosiePye。
JosiePyeneverscrupledtoaskquestions；inthisinstancetherestoftheclassfeltgratefultoher；noneofthemwouldhavedaredtoaskitofMissStacy，butallwantedto，fortherehadbeenalarmingrumorsrunningatlargethroughtheschoolforsometimethatMissStacywasnotcomingbackthenextyear——thatshehadbeenofferedapositioninthegradeschoolofherownhomedistrictandmeanttoaccept。TheQueen’sclasslistenedinbreathlesssuspenseforheranswer。
\"Yes，IthinkIwill，\"saidMissStacy。\"Ithoughtoftakinganotherschool，butIhavedecidedtocomebacktoAvonlea。Totellthetruth，I’vegrownsointerestedinmypupilsherethatI
foundIcouldn’tleavethem。SoI’llstayandseeyouthrough。\"
\"Hurrah！\"saidMoodySpurgeon。MoodySpurgeonhadneverbeensocarriedawaybyhisfeelingsbefore，andheblusheduncomfortablyeverytimehethoughtaboutitforaweek。
\"Oh，I’msoglad，\"saidAnne，withshiningeyes。\"DearStacy，itwouldbeperfectlydreadfulifyoudidn’tcomeback。Idon’tbelieveIcouldhavethehearttogoonwithmystudiesatallifanotherteachercamehere。\"
WhenAnnegothomethatnightshestackedallhertextbooksawayinanoldtrunkintheattic，lockedit，andthrewthekeyintotheblanketbox。
\"I’mnotevengoingtolookataschoolbookinvacation，\"shetoldMarilla。\"I’vestudiedashardallthetermasIpossiblycouldandI’veporedoverthatgeometryuntilIknoweverypropositioninthefirstbookoffbyheart，evenwhenthelettersAREchanged。IjustfeeltiredofeverythingsensibleandI’mgoingtoletmyimaginationrunriotforthesummer。Oh，youneedn’tbealarmed，Marilla。I’llonlyletitrunriotwithinreasonablelimits。ButIwanttohavearealgoodjollytimethissummer，formaybeit’sthelastsummerI’llbealittlegirl。Mrs。LyndesaysthatifIkeepstretchingoutnextyearasI’vedonethisI’llhavetoputonlongerskirts。ShesaysI’mallrunningtolegsandeyes。AndwhenIputonlongerskirtsIshallfeelthatIhavetoliveuptothemandbeverydignified。
Itwon’tevendotobelieveinfairiesthen，I’mafraid；soI’mgoingtobelieveinthemwithallmywholeheartthissummer。
Ithinkwe’regoingtohaveaverygayvacation。RubyGillisisgoingtohaveabirthdaypartysoonandthere’stheSundayschoolpicnicandthemissionaryconcertnextmonth。
AndMrs。Barrysaysthatsomeeveninghe’lltakeDianaandmeovertotheWhiteSandsHotelandhavedinnerthere。Theyhavedinnerthereintheevening，youknow。JaneAndrewswasoveroncelastsummerandshesaysitwasadazzlingsighttoseetheelectriclightsandtheflowersandalltheladyguestsinsuchbeautifuldresses。Janesaysitwasherfirstglimpseintohighlifeandshe’llneverforgetittoherdyingday。\"
Mrs。LyndecameupthenextafternoontofindoutwhyMarillahadnotbeenattheAidmeetingonThursday。WhenMarillawasnotatAidmeetingpeopleknewtherewassomethingwrongatGreenGables。
\"MatthewhadabadspellwithhisheartThursday，\"Marillaexplained，\"andIdidn’tfeellikeleavinghim。Oh，yes，he’sallrightagainnow，buthetakesthemspellsoftenerthanheusedtoandI’manxiousabouthim。Thedoctorsayshemustbecarefultoavoidexcitement。That’seasyenough，forMatthewdoesn’tgoaboutlookingforexcitementbyanymeansandneverdid，buthe’snottodoanyveryheavyworkeitherandyoumightaswelltellMatthewnottobreatheasnottowork。Comeandlayoffyourthings，Rachel。You’llstaytotea？\"
\"Well，seeingyou’resopressing，perhapsImightaswell，stay\"
saidMrs。Rachel，whohadnottheslightestintentionofdoinganythingelse。
Mrs。RachelandMarillasatcomfortablyintheparlorwhileAnnegottheteaandmadehotbiscuitsthatwerelightandwhiteenoughtodefyevenMrs。Rachel’scriticism。
\"ImustsayAnnehasturnedoutarealsmartgirl，\"admittedMrs。Rachel，asMarillaaccompaniedhertotheendofthelaneatsunset。\"Shemustbeagreathelptoyou。\"
\"Sheis，\"saidMarilla，\"andshe’srealsteadyandreliablenow。
Iusedtobeafraidshe’dnevergetoverherfeatherbrainedways，butshehasandIwouldn’tbeafraidtotrustherinanythingnow。\"
\"Ineverwouldhavethoughtshe’dhaveturnedoutsowellthatfirstdayIwasherethreeyearsago，\"saidMrs。Rachel。
\"Lawfulheart，shallIeverforgetthattantrumofhers！
WhenIwenthomethatnightIsaystoThomas，saysI，`Markmywords，Thomas，MarillaCuthbert’lllivetoruethestepshe’stook。’ButIwasmistakenandI’mrealgladofit。Iain’toneofthosekindofpeople，Marilla，ascanneverbebroughttoownupthatthey’vemadeamistake。No，thatneverwasmyway，thankgoodness。
IdidmakeamistakeinjudgingAnne，butitweren’tnowonder，foranodder，unexpectederwitchofachildthereneverwasinthisworld，that’swhat。Therewasnocipheringheroutbytherulesthatworkedwithotherchildren。It’snothingshortofwonderfulhowshe’simprovedthesethreeyears，butespeciallyinlooks。She’sarealprettygirlgottobe，thoughI
can’tsayI’moverlypartialtothatpale，big-eyedstylemyself。
Ilikemoresnapandcolor，likeDianaBarryhasorRubyGillis。
RubyGillis’slooksarerealshowy。Butsomehow——Idon’tknowhowitisbutwhenAnneandthemaretogether，thoughsheain’thalfashandsome，shemakesthemlookkindofcommonandoverdone——
somethinglikethemwhiteJuneliliesshecallsnarcissusalongsideofthebig，redpeonies，that’swhat。\"
CHAPTERXXXI
WheretheBrookandRiverMeetAnnehadher\"good\"summerandenjoyeditwholeheartedly。SheandDianafairlylivedoutdoors，revelinginallthedelightsthatLover’sLaneandtheDryad’sBubbleandWillowmereandVictoriaIslandafforded。MarillaofferednoobjectionstoAnne’sgypsyings。TheSpencervaledoctorwhohadcomethenightMinnieMayhadthecroupmetAnneatthehouseofapatientoneafternoonearlyinvacation，lookedheroversharply，screweduphismouth，shookhishead，andsentamessagetoMarillaCuthbertbyanotherperson。Itwas:
\"Keepthatredheadedgirlofyoursintheopenairallsummeranddon’tletherreadbooksuntilshegetsmorespringintoherstep。\"
ThismessagefrightenedMarillawholesomely。ShereadAnne’sdeathwarrantbyconsumptioninitunlessitwasscrupulouslyobeyed。
Asaresult，Annehadthegoldensummerofherlifeasfarasfreedomandfrolicwent。Shewalked，rowed，berried，anddreamedtoherheart’scontent；andwhenSeptembercameshewasbright-eyedandalert，withastepthatwouldhavesatisfiedtheSpencervaledoctorandaheartfullofambitionandzestoncemore。
\"Ifeeljustlikestudyingwithmightandmain，\"shedeclaredasshebroughtherbooksdownfromtheattic。\"Oh，yougoodoldfriends，I’mgladtoseeyourhonestfacesoncemore——yes，evenyou，geometry。I’vehadaperfectlybeautifulsummer，Marilla，andnowI’mrejoicingasastrongmantorunarace，asMr。AllansaidlastSunday。Doesn’tMr。Allanpreachmagnificentsermons？
Mrs。Lyndesaysheisimprovingeverydayandthefirstthingweknowsomecitychurchwillgobblehimupandthenwe’llbeleftandhavetoturntoandbreakinanothergreenpreacher。ButI
don’tseetheuseofmeetingtroublehalfway，doyou，Marilla？I
thinkitwouldbebetterjusttoenjoyMr。Allanwhilewehavehim。
IfIwereamanIthinkI’dbeaminister。Theycanhavesuchaninfluenceforgood，iftheirtheologyissound；anditmustbethrillingtopreachsplendidsermonsandstiryourhearers’hearts。Whycan’twomenbeministers，Marilla？IaskedMrs。Lyndethatandshewasshockedandsaiditwouldbeascandalousthing。ShesaidtheremightbefemaleministersintheStatesandshebelievedtherewas，butthankgoodnesswehadn’tgottothatstageinCanadayetandshehopedweneverwould。
ButIdon’tseewhy。Ithinkwomenwouldmakesplendidministers。
Whenthereisasocialtobegotuporachurchteaoranythingelsetoraisemoneythewomenhavetoturntoanddothework。
I’msureMrs。LyndecanprayeverybitaswellasSuperintendentBellandI’venodoubtshecouldpreachtoowithalittlepractice。\"
\"Yes，Ibelieveshecould，\"saidMarilladryly。\"Shedoesplentyofunofficialpreachingasitis。NobodyhasmuchofachancetogowronginAvonleawithRacheltooverseethem。\"
\"Marilla，\"saidAnneinaburstofconfidence，\"Iwanttotellyousomethingandaskyouwhatyouthinkaboutit。Ithasworriedmeterribly——onSundayafternoons，thatis，whenIthinkspeciallyaboutsuchmatters。Idoreallywanttobegood；andwhenI’mwithyouorMrs。AllanorMissStacyIwantitmorethaneverandIwanttodojustwhatwouldpleaseyouandwhatyouwouldapproveof。ButmostlywhenI’mwithMrs。LyndeI
feeldesperatelywickedandasifIwantedtogoanddotheverythingshetellsmeIoughtn’ttodo。Ifeelirresistiblytemptedtodoit。Now，whatdoyouthinkisthereasonIfeellikethat？
Doyouthinkit’sbecauseI’mreallybadandunregenerate？\"
Marillalookeddubiousforamoment。Thenshelaughed。
\"IfyouareIguessIamtoo，Anne，forRacheloftenhasthatveryeffectonme。Isometimesthinkshe’dhavemoreofaninfluenceforgood，asyousayyourself，ifshedidn’tkeepnaggingpeopletodoright。Thereshouldhavebeenaspecialcommandmentagainstnagging。Butthere，Ishouldn’ttalkso。
RachelisagoodChristianwomanandshemeanswell。Thereisn’takindersoulinAvonleaandshenevershirkshershareofwork。\"
\"I’mverygladyoufeelthesame，\"saidAnnedecidedly。\"It’ssoencouraging。Ishan’tworrysomuchoverthatafterthis。ButI
daresaythere’llbeotherthingstoworryme。Theykeepcomingupnewallthetime——thingstoperplexyou，youknow。Yousettleonequestionandthere’sanotherrightafter。Therearesomanythingstobethoughtoveranddecidedwhenyou’rebeginningtogrowup。Itkeepsmebusyallthetimethinkingthemoveranddecidingwhatisright。It’saseriousthingtogrowup，isn’tit，Marilla？ButwhenIhavesuchgoodfriendsasyouandMatthewandMrs。AllanandMissStacyIoughttogrowupsuccessfully，andI’msureitwillbemyownfaultifIdon’t。
Ifeelit’sagreatresponsibilitybecauseIhaveonlytheonechance。IfIdon’tgrowuprightIcan’tgobackandbeginoveragain。I’vegrowntwoinchesthissummer，Marilla。Mr。GillismeasuredmeatRuby’sparty。I’msogladyoumademynewdresseslonger。Thatdark-greenoneissoprettyanditwassweetofyoutoputontheflounce。OfcourseIknowitwasn’treallynecessary，butflouncesaresostylishthisfallandJosiePyehasflouncesonallherdresses。IknowI’llbeabletostudybetterbecauseofmine。Ishallhavesuchacomfortablefeelingdeepdowninmymindaboutthatflounce。\"
\"It’sworthsomethingtohavethat，\"admittedMarilla。
MissStacycamebacktoAvonleaschoolandfoundallherpupilseagerforworkoncemore。EspeciallydidtheQueen’sclassgirduptheirloinsforthefray，forattheendofthecomingyear，dimlyshadowingtheirpathwayalready，loomedupthatfatefulthingknownas\"theEntrance，\"atthethoughtofwhichoneandallfelttheirheartssinkintotheirveryshoes。Supposetheydidnotpass！ThatthoughtwasdoomedtohauntAnnethroughthewakinghoursofthatwinter，Sundayafternoonsinclusive，tothealmostentireexclusionofmoralandtheologicalproblems。WhenAnnehadbaddreamsshefoundherselfstaringmiserablyatpasslistsoftheEntranceexams，whereGilbertBlythe’snamewasblazonedatthetopandinwhichhersdidnotappearatall。
Butitwasajolly，busy，happyswift-flyingwinter。Schoolworkwasasinteresting，classrivalryasabsorbing，asofyore。Newworldsofthought，feeling，andambition，fresh，fascinatingfieldsofunexploredknowledgeseemedtobeopeningoutbeforeAnne’seagereyes。
\"Hillspeepedo’erhillandAlpsonAlpsarose。\"
MuchofallthiswasduetoMissStacy’stactful，careful，broadmindedguidance。SheledherclasstothinkandexploreanddiscoverforthemselvesandencouragedstrayingfromtheoldbeatenpathstoadegreethatquiteshockedMrs。Lyndeandtheschooltrustees，whoviewedallinnovationsonestablishedmethodsratherdubiously。
ApartfromherstudiesAnneexpandedsocially，forMarilla，mindfuloftheSpencervaledoctor’sdictum，nolongervetoedoccasionaloutings。TheDebatingClubflourishedandgaveseveralconcerts；therewereoneortwopartiesalmostvergingongrown-upaffairs；thereweresleighdrivesandskatingfrolicsgalore。
BetweentimesAnnegrew，shootingupsorapidlythatMarillawasastonishedoneday，whentheywerestandingsidebyside，tofindthegirlwastallerthanherself。
\"Why，Anne，howyou’vegrown！\"shesaid，almostunbelievingly。A
sighfollowedonthewords。MarillafeltaqueerregretoverAnne’sinches。Thechildshehadlearnedtolovehadvanishedsomehowandherewasthistall，serious-eyedgirloffifteen，withthethoughtfulbrowsandtheproudlypoisedlittlehead，inherplace。Marillalovedthegirlasmuchasshehadlovedthechild，butshewasconsciousofaqueersorrowfulsenseofloss。
Andthatnight，whenAnnehadgonetoprayermeetingwithDiana，Marillasataloneinthewintrytwilightandindulgedintheweaknessofacry。Matthew，cominginwithalantern，caughtheratitandgazedatherinsuchconsternationthatMarillahadtolaughthroughhertears。
\"IwasthinkingaboutAnne，\"sheexplained。\"She’sgottobesuchabiggirl——andshe’llprobablybeawayfromusnextwinter。
I’llmissherterrible。\"
\"She’llbeabletocomehomeoften，\"comfortedMatthew，towhomAnnewasasyetandalwayswouldbethelittle，eagergirlhehadbroughthomefromBrightRiveronthatJuneeveningfouryearsbefore。
\"ThebranchrailroadwillbebuilttoCarmodybythattime。\"
\"Itwon’tbethesamethingashavingherhereallthetime，\"
sighedMarillagloomily，determinedtoenjoyherluxuryofgriefuncomforted。\"Butthere——mencan’tunderstandthesethings！\"
TherewereotherchangesinAnnenolessrealthanthephysicalchange。
Foronething，shebecamemuchquieter。Perhapsshethoughtallthemoreanddreamedasmuchasever，butshecertainlytalkedless。
Marillanoticedandcommentedonthisalso。
\"Youdon’tchatterhalfasmuchasyouusedto，Anne，norusehalfasmanybigwords。Whathascomeoveryou？\"
Annecoloredandlaughedalittle，asshedroppedherbookandlookeddreamilyoutofthewindow，wherebigfatredbudswereburstingoutonthecreeperinresponsetothelureofthespringsunshine。
\"Idon’tknow——Idon’twanttotalkasmuch，\"shesaid，dentingherchinthoughtfullywithherforefinger。\"It’snicertothinkdear，prettythoughtsandkeeptheminone’sheart，liketreasures。
Idon’tliketohavethemlaughedatorwonderedover。
AndsomehowIdon’twanttousebigwordsanymore。
It’salmostapity，isn’tit，nowthatI’mreallygrowingbigenoughtosaythemifIdidwantto。It’sfuntobealmostgrownupinsomeways，butit’snotthekindoffunIexpected，Marilla。There’ssomuchtolearnanddoandthinkthatthereisn’ttimeforbigwords。Besides，MissStacysaystheshortonesaremuchstrongerandbetter。Shemakesuswriteallouressaysassimplyaspossible。Itwashardatfirst。
IwassousedtocrowdinginallthefinebigwordsIcouldthinkof——andIthoughtofanynumberofthem。ButI’vegotusedtoitnowandIseeit’ssomuchbetter。\"
\"Whathasbecomeofyourstoryclub？Ihaven’theardyouspeakofitforalongtime。\"
\"Thestoryclubisn’tinexistenceanylonger。Wehadn’ttimeforit——andanyhowIthinkwehadgottiredofit。Itwassillytobewritingaboutloveandmurderandelopementsandmysteries。
MissStacysometimeshasuswriteastoryfortrainingincomposition，butshewon’tletuswriteanythingbutwhatmighthappeninAvonleainourownlives，andshecriticizesitverysharplyandmakesuscriticizeourowntoo。IneverthoughtmycompositionshadsomanyfaultsuntilIbegantolookforthemmyself。IfeltsoashamedIwantedtogiveupaltogether，butMissStacysaidIcouldlearntowritewellifIonlytrainedmyselftobemyownseverestcritic。AndsoIamtryingto。\"
\"You’veonlytwomoremonthsbeforetheEntrance，\"saidMarilla。
\"Doyouthinkyou’llbeabletogetthrough？\"
Anneshivered。
\"Idon’tknow。SometimesIthinkI’llbeallright——andthenI
gethorriblyafraid。We’vestudiedhardandMissStacyhasdrilledusthoroughly，butwemayn’tgetthroughforallthat。
We’veeachgotastumblingblock。Mineisgeometryofcourse，andJane’sisLatin，andRubyandCharlie’sisalgebra，andJosie’sisarithmetic。MoodySpurgeonsayshefeelsitinhisbonesthatheisgoingtofailinEnglishhistory。MissStacyisgoingtogiveusexaminationsinJunejustashardaswe’llhaveattheEntranceandmarkusjustasstrictly，sowe’llhavesomeidea。
Iwishitwasallover，Marilla。Ithauntsme。SometimesIwakeupinthenightandwonderwhatI’lldoifIdon’tpass。\"
\"Why，gotoschoolnextyearandtryagain，\"saidMarillaunconcernedly。
\"Oh，Idon’tbelieveI’dhavetheheartforit。Itwouldbesuchadisgracetofail，especiallyifGil——iftheotherspassed。AndIgetsonervousinanexaminationthatI’mlikelytomakeamessofit。IwishIhadnerveslikeJaneAndrews。Nothingrattlesher。\"
Annesighedand，dragginghereyesfromthewitcheriesofthespringworld，thebeckoningdayofbreezeandblue，andthegreenthingsupspringinginthegarden，buriedherselfresolutelyinherbook。Therewouldbeothersprings，butifshedidnotsucceedinpassingtheEntrance，Annefeltconvincedthatshewouldneverrecoversufficientlytoenjoythem。
CHAPTERXXXII
ThePassListIsOutWiththeendofJunecamethecloseofthetermandthecloseofMissStacy’sruleinAvonleaschool。AnneandDianawalkedhomethateveningfeelingverysoberindeed。RedeyesanddamphandkerchiefsboreconvincingtestimonytothefactthatMissStacy’sfarewellwordsmusthavebeenquiteastouchingasMr。Phillips’shadbeenundersimilarcircumstancesthreeyearsbefore。Dianalookedbackattheschoolhousefromthefootofthesprucehillandsigheddeeply。
\"Itdoesseemasifitwastheendofeverything，doesn’tit？\"
shesaiddismally。
\"Yououghtn’ttofeelhalfasbadlyasIdo，\"saidAnne，huntingvainlyforadryspotonherhandkerchief。\"You’llbebackagainnextwinter，butIsupposeI’veleftthedearoldschoolforever——
ifIhavegoodluck，thatis。\"
\"Itwon’tbeabitthesame。MissStacywon’tbethere，noryounorJanenorRubyprobably。Ishallhavetositallalone，forI
couldn’tbeartohaveanotherdeskmateafteryou。Oh，wehavehadjollytimes，haven’twe，Anne？It’sdreadfultothinkthey’reallover。\"
TwobigtearsrolleddownbyDiana’snose。
\"IfyouwouldstopcryingIcould，\"saidAnneimploringly。\"JustassoonasIputawaymyhankyIseeyoubrimmingupandthatstartsmeoffagain。AsMrs。Lyndesays，`Ifyoucan’tbecheerful，beascheerfulasyoucan。’Afterall，IdaresayI’llbebacknextyear。ThisisoneofthetimesIKNOWI’mnotgoingtopass。
They’regettingalarminglyfrequent。\"
\"Why，youcameoutsplendidlyintheexamsMissStacygave。\"
\"Yes，butthoseexamsdidn’tmakemenervous。WhenIthinkoftherealthingyoucan’timaginewhatahorridcoldflutteryfeelingcomesroundmyheart。AndthenmynumberisthirteenandJosiePyesaysit’ssounlucky。IamNOTsuperstitiousandIknowitcanmakenodifference。ButstillIwishitwasn’tthirteen。\"
\"IdowishIwasgoinginwithyou，\"saidDiana。\"Wouldn’twehaveaperfectlyeleganttime？ButIsupposeyou’llhavetocramintheevenings。\"
\"No；MissStacyhasmadeuspromisenottoopenabookatall。
Shesaysitwouldonlytireandconfuseusandwearetogooutwalkingandnotthinkabouttheexamsatallandgotobedearly。
It’sgoodadvice，butIexpectitwillbehardtofollow；goodadviceisapttobe，Ithink。PrissyAndrewstoldmethatshesatuphalfthenighteverynightofherEntranceweekandcrammedfordearlife；andIhaddeterminedtositupATLEASTaslongasshedid。ItwassokindofyourAuntJosephinetoaskmetostayatBeechwoodwhileI’mintown。\"
\"You’llwritetomewhileyou’rein，won’tyou？\"
\"I’llwriteTuesdaynightandtellyouhowthefirstdaygoes，\"
promisedAnne。
\"I’llbehauntingthepostofficeWednesday，\"vowedDiana。
AnnewenttotownthefollowingMondayandonWednesdayDianahauntedthepostoffice，asagreed，andgotherletter。
\"DearestDiana\"[wroteAnne]，\"HereitisTuesdaynightandI’mwritingthisinthelibraryatBeechwood。LastnightIwashorriblylonesomeallaloneinmyroomandwishedsomuchyouwerewithme。Icouldn’t\"cram\"
becauseI’dpromisedMissStacynotto，butitwasashardtokeepfromopeningmyhistoryasitusedtobetokeepfromreadingastorybeforemylessonswerelearned。
\"ThismorningMissStacycameformeandwewenttotheAcademy，callingforJaneandRubyandJosieonourway。Rubyaskedmetofeelherhandsandtheywereascoldasice。JosiesaidIlookedasifIhadn’tsleptawinkandshedidn’tbelieveIwasstrongenoughtostandthegrindoftheteacher’scourseevenifIdidgetthrough。TherearetimesandseasonsevenyetwhenIdon’tfeelthatI’vemadeanygreatheadwayinlearningtolikeJosiePye！
\"WhenwereachedtheAcademytherewerescoresofstudentstherefromallovertheIsland。ThefirstpersonwesawwasMoodySpurgeonsittingonthestepsandmutteringawaytohimself。
