Janeaskedhimwhatonearthhewasdoingandhesaidhewasrepeatingthemultiplicationtableoverandovertosteadyhisnervesandforpity’ssakenottointerrupthim，becauseifhestoppedforamomenthegotfrightenedandforgoteverythingheeverknew，butthemultiplicationtablekeptallhisfactsfirmlyintheirproperplace！
\"WhenwewereassignedtoourroomsMissStacyhadtoleaveus。
JaneandIsattogetherandJanewassocomposedthatIenviedher。
Noneedofthemultiplicationtableforgood，steady，sensibleJane！IwonderedifIlookedasIfeltandiftheycouldhearmyheartthumpingclearacrosstheroom。
ThenamancameinandbegandistributingtheEnglishexaminationsheets。MyhandsgrewcoldthenandmyheadfairlywhirledaroundasIpickeditup。Justoneawfulmoment——Diana，IfeltexactlyasIdidfouryearsagowhenIaskedMarillaifImightstayatGreenGables——andtheneverythingclearedupinmymindandmyheartbeganbeatingagain——Iforgottosaythatithadstoppedaltogether！——forIknewIcoulddosomethingwithTHATpaperanyhow。
\"Atnoonwewenthomefordinnerandthenbackagainforhistoryintheafternoon。ThehistorywasaprettyhardpaperandIgotdreadfullymixedupinthedates。Still，IthinkIdidfairlywelltoday。Butoh，Diana，tomorrowthegeometryexamcomesoffandwhenIthinkofitittakeseverybitofdeterminationI
possesstokeepfromopeningmyEuclid。IfIthoughtthemultiplicationtablewouldhelpmeanyIwouldreciteitfromnowtilltomorrowmorning。
\"Iwentdowntoseetheothergirlsthisevening。OnmywayImetMoodySpurgeonwanderingdistractedlyaround。Hesaidheknewhehadfailedinhistoryandhewasborntobeadisappointmenttohisparentsandhewasgoinghomeonthemorningtrain；anditwouldbeeasiertobeacarpenterthanaminister，anyhow。I
cheeredhimupandpersuadedhimtostaytotheendbecauseitwouldbeunfairtoMissStacyifhedidn’t。SometimesIhavewishedIwasbornaboy，butwhenIseeMoodySpurgeonI’malwaysgladI’magirlandnothissister。
\"RubywasinhystericswhenIreachedtheirboardinghouse；shehadjustdiscoveredafearfulmistakeshehadmadeinherEnglishpaper。Whensherecoveredwewentuptownandhadanicecream。
Howwewishedyouhadbeenwithus。
\"Oh，Diana，ifonlythegeometryexaminationwereover！
Butthere，asMrs。Lyndewouldsay，thesunwillgoonrisingandsettingwhetherIfailingeometryornot。
Thatistruebutnotespeciallycomforting。IthinkI’dratheritdidn’tgoonifIfailed！
Yoursdevotedly，Anne\"
ThegeometryexaminationandalltheotherswereoverinduetimeandAnnearrivedhomeonFridayevening，rathertiredbutwithanairofchastenedtriumphabouther。DianawasoveratGreenGableswhenshearrivedandtheymetasiftheyhadbeenpartedforyears。
\"Youolddarling，it’sperfectlysplendidtoseeyoubackagain。
Itseemslikeanagesinceyouwenttotownandoh，Anne，howdidyougetalong？\"
\"Prettywell，Ithink，ineverythingbutthegeometry。Idon’tknowwhetherIpassedinitornotandIhaveacreepy，crawlypresentimentthatIdidn’t。Oh，howgooditistobeback！GreenGablesisthedearest，loveliestspotintheworld。\"
\"Howdidtheothersdo？\"
\"Thegirlssaytheyknowtheydidn’tpass，butIthinktheydidprettywell。Josiesaysthegeometrywassoeasyachildoftencoulddoit！MoodySpurgeonstillthinkshefailedinhistoryandCharliesayshefailedinalgebra。Butwedon’treallyknowanythingaboutitandwon’tuntilthepasslistisout。Thatwon’tbeforafortnight。Fancylivingafortnightinsuchsuspense！
IwishIcouldgotosleepandneverwakeupuntilitisover。\"
DianaknewitwouldbeuselesstoaskhowGilbertBlythehadfared，soshemerelysaid:
\"Oh，you’llpassallright。Don’tworry。\"
\"I’drathernotpassatallthannotcomeoutprettywelluponthelist，\"flashedAnne，bywhichshemeant——andDianaknewshemeant——thatsuccesswouldbeincompleteandbitterifshedidnotcomeoutaheadofGilbertBlythe。
WiththisendinviewAnnehadstrainedeverynerveduringtheexaminations。SohadGilbert。TheyhadmetandpassedeachotheronthestreetadozentimeswithoutanysignofrecognitionandeverytimeAnnehadheldherheadalittlehigherandwishedalittlemoreearnestlythatshehadmadefriendswithGilbertwhenheaskedher，andvowedalittlemoredeterminedlytosurpasshimintheexamination。SheknewthatallAvonleajuniorwaswonderingwhichwouldcomeoutfirst；sheevenknewthatJimmyGloverandNedWrighthadabetonthequestionandthatJosiePyehadsaidtherewasnodoubtintheworldthatGilbertwouldbefirst；andshefeltthatherhumiliationwouldbeunbearableifshefailed。
Butshehadanotherandnoblermotiveforwishingtodowell。
Shewantedto\"passhigh\"forthesakeofMatthewandMarilla——
especiallyMatthew。Matthewhaddeclaredtoherhisconvictionthatshe\"wouldbeatthewholeIsland。\"That，Annefelt，wassomethingitwouldbefoolishtohopeforeveninthewildestdreams。Butshedidhopeferventlythatshewouldbeamongthefirsttenatleast，sothatshemightseeMatthew’skindlybrowneyesgleamwithprideinherachievement。That，shefelt，wouldbeasweetrewardindeedforallherhardworkandpatientgrubbingamongunimaginativeequationsandconjugations。
AttheendofthefortnightAnnetookto\"haunting\"thepostofficealso，inthedistractedcompanyofJane，Ruby，andJosie，openingtheCharlottetowndailieswithshakinghandsandcold，sinkawayfeelingsasbadasanyexperiencedduringtheEntranceweek。CharlieandGilbertwerenotabovedoingthistoo，butMoodySpurgeonstayedresolutelyaway。
\"Ihaven’tgotthegrittogothereandlookatapaperincoldblood，\"hetoldAnne。\"I’mjustgoingtowaituntilsomebodycomesandtellsmesuddenlywhetherI’vepassedornot。\"
WhenthreeweekshadgonebywithoutthepasslistappearingAnnebegantofeelthatshereallycouldn’tstandthestrainmuchlonger。
HerappetitefailedandherinterestinAvonleadoingslanguished。
Mrs。LyndewantedtoknowwhatelseyoucouldexpectwithaTorysuperintendentofeducationattheheadofaffairs，andMatthew，notingAnne’spalenessandindifferenceandthelaggingstepsthatboreherhomefromthepostofficeeveryafternoon，beganseriouslytowonderifhehadn’tbettervoteGritatthenextelection。
Butoneeveningthenewscame。Annewassittingatheropenwindow，forthetimeforgetfulofthewoesofexaminationsandthecaresoftheworld，asshedrankinthebeautyofthesummerdusk，sweet-scentedwithflowerbreathsfromthegardenbelowandsibilantandrustlingfromthestirofpoplars。Theeasternskyabovethefirswasflushedfaintlypinkfromthereflectionofthewest，andAnnewaswonderingdreamilyifthespiritofcolorlookedlikethat，whenshesawDianacomeflyingdownthroughthefirs，overthelogbridge，anduptheslope，withaflutteringnewspaperinherhand。
Annesprangtoherfeet，knowingatoncewhatthatpapercontained。Thepasslistwasout！Herheadwhirledandherheartbeatuntilithurther。Shecouldnotmoveastep。ItseemedanhourtoherbeforeDianacamerushingalongthehallandburstintotheroomwithoutevenknocking，sogreatwasherexcitement。
\"Anne，you’vepassed，\"shecried，\"passedtheVERYFIRST——youandGilbertboth——you’reties——butyournameisfirst。Oh，I’msoproud！\"
DianaflungthepaperonthetableandherselfonAnne’sbed，utterlybreathlessandincapableoffurtherspeech。Annelightedthelamp，oversettingthematchsafeandusinguphalfadozenmatchesbeforehershakinghandscouldaccomplishthetask。
Thenshesnatchedupthepaper。Yes，shehadpassed——therewashernameattheverytopofalistoftwohundred！Thatmomentwasworthlivingfor。
\"Youdidjustsplendidly，Anne，\"puffedDiana，recoveringsufficientlytositupandspeak，forAnne，starryeyedandrapt，hadnotutteredaword。\"FatherbroughtthepaperhomefromBrightRivernottenminutesago——itcameoutontheafternoontrain，youknow，andwon’tbeheretilltomorrowbymail——andwhenIsawthepasslistIjustrushedoverlikeawildthing。
You’veallpassed，everyoneofyou，MoodySpurgeonandall，althoughhe’sconditionedinhistory。JaneandRubydidprettywell——they’rehalfwayup——andsodidCharlie。Josiejustscrapedthroughwiththreemarkstospare，butyou’llseeshe’llputonasmanyairsasifshe’dled。Won’tMissStacybedelighted？
Oh，Anne，whatdoesitfeelliketoseeyournameattheheadofapasslistlikethat？IfitweremeIknowI’dgocrazywithjoy。
Iamprettynearcrazyasitis，butyou’reascalmandcoolasaspringevening。\"
\"I’mjustdazzledinside，\"saidAnne。\"Iwanttosayahundredthings，andIcan’tfindwordstosaythemin。Ineverdreamedofthis——yes，Ididtoo，justonce！IletmyselfthinkONCE，`WhatifIshouldcomeoutfirst？’quakingly，youknow，foritseemedsovainandpresumptuoustothinkIcouldleadtheIsland。
Excusemeaminute，Diana。ImustrunrightouttothefieldtotellMatthew。Thenwe’llgouptheroadandtellthegoodnewstotheothers。\"
TheyhurriedtothehayfieldbelowthebarnwhereMatthewwascoilinghay，and，asluckwouldhaveit，Mrs。LyndewastalkingtoMarillaatthelanefence。
\"Oh，Matthew，\"exclaimedAnne，\"I’vepassedandI’mfirst——oroneofthefirst！I’mnotvain，butI’mthankful。\"
\"Wellnow，Ialwayssaidit，\"saidMatthew，gazingatthepasslistdelightedly。\"Iknewyoucouldbeatthemalleasy。\"
\"You’vedoneprettywell，Imustsay，Anne，\"saidMarilla，tryingtohideherextremeprideinAnnefromMrs。Rachel’scriticaleye。Butthatgoodsoulsaidheartily:
\"Ijustguessshehasdonewell，andfarbeitfrommetobebackwardinsayingit。You’reacredittoyourfriends，Anne，that’swhat，andwe’reallproudofyou。\"
ThatnightAnne，whohadwoundupthedelightfuleveningwithaseriouslittletalkwithMrs。Allanatthemanse，kneltsweetlybyheropenwindowinagreatsheenofmoonshineandmurmuredaprayerofgratitudeandaspirationthatcamestraightfromherheart。Therewasinitthankfulnessforthepastandreverentpetitionforthefuture；andwhenshesleptonherwhitepillowherdreamswereasfairandbrightandbeautifulasmaidenhoodmightdesire。
CHAPTERXXXIII
TheHotelConcertPutonyourwhiteorgandy，byallmeans，Anne，\"advisedDianadecidedly。
Theyweretogetherintheeastgablechamber；outsideitwasonlytwilight——alovelyyellowish-greentwilightwithaclear-bluecloudlesssky。Abigroundmoon，slowlydeepeningfromherpallidlusterintoburnishedsilver，hungovertheHauntedWood；
theairwasfullofsweetsummersounds——sleepybirdstwittering，freakishbreezes，farawayvoicesandlaughter。ButinAnne’sroomtheblindwasdrawnandthelamplighted，foranimportanttoiletwasbeingmade。
Theeastgablewasaverydifferentplacefromwhatithadbeenonthatnightfouryearsbefore，whenAnnehadfeltitsbarenesspenetratetothemarrowofherspiritwithitsinhospitablechill。
Changeshadcreptin，Marillaconnivingatthemresignedly，untilitwasassweetanddaintyanestasayounggirlcoulddesire。
ThevelvetcarpetwiththepinkrosesandthepinksilkcurtainsofAnne’searlyvisionshadcertainlynevermaterialized；butherdreamshadkeptpacewithhergrowth，anditisnotprobableshelamentedthem。Thefloorwascoveredwithaprettymatting，andthecurtainsthatsoftenedthehighwindowandflutteredinthevagrantbreezeswereofpale-greenartmuslin。Thewalls，hungnotwithgoldandsilverbrocadetapestry，butwithadaintyapple-blossompaper，wereadornedwithafewgoodpicturesgivenAnnebyMrs。Allan。MissStacy’sphotographoccupiedtheplaceofhonor，andAnnemadeasentimentalpointofkeepingfreshflowersonthebracketunderit。Tonightaspikeofwhiteliliesfaintlyperfumedtheroomlikethedreamofafragrance。Therewasno\"mahoganyfurniture，\"buttherewasawhite-paintedbookcasefilledwithbooks，acushionedwickerrocker，atoilettablebefrilledwithwhitemuslin，aquaint，gilt-framedmirrorwithchubbypinkCupidsandpurplegrapespaintedoveritsarchedtop，thatusedtohanginthespareroom，andalowwhitebed。
AnnewasdressingforaconcertattheWhiteSandsHotel。
TheguestshadgotitupinaidoftheCharlottetownhospital，andhadhuntedoutalltheavailableamateurtalentinthesurroundingdistrictstohelpitalong。BerthaSampsonandPearlClayoftheWhiteSandsBaptistchoirhadbeenaskedtosingaduet；MiltonClarkofNewbridgewastogiveaviolinsolo；
WinnieAdellaBlairofCarmodywastosingaScotchballad；andLauraSpencerofSpencervaleandAnneShirleyofAvonleaweretorecite。
AsAnnewouldhavesaidatonetime，itwas\"anepochinherlife，\"
andshewasdeliciouslyathrillwiththeexcitementofit。
MatthewwasintheseventhheavenofgratifiedprideoverthehonorconferredonhisAnneandMarillawasnotfarbehind，althoughshewouldhavediedratherthanadmitit，andsaidshedidn’tthinkitwasveryproperforalotofyoungfolkstobegaddingovertothehotelwithoutanyresponsiblepersonwiththem。
AnneandDianaweretodriveoverwithJaneAndrewsandherbrotherBillyintheirdouble-seatedbuggy；andseveralotherAvonleagirlsandboysweregoingtoo。Therewasapartyofvisitorsexpectedoutfromtown，andaftertheconcertasupperwastobegiventotheperformers。
\"Doyoureallythinktheorgandywillbebest？\"queriedAnneanxiously。
\"Idon’tthinkit’sasprettyasmyblue-floweredmuslin——anditcertainlyisn’tsofashionable。\"
\"Butitsuitsyoueversomuchbetter，\"saidDiana。\"It’ssosoftandfrillyandclinging。Themuslinisstiff，andmakesyoulooktoodressedup。Buttheorgandyseemsasifitgrewonyou。\"
Annesighedandyielded。Dianawasbeginningtohaveareputationfornotabletasteindressing，andheradviceonsuchsubjectswasmuchsoughtafter。Shewaslookingveryprettyherselfonthisparticularnightinadressofthelovelywild-rosepink，fromwhichAnnewasforeverdebarred；butshewasnottotakeanypartintheconcert，soherappearancewasofminorimportance。AllherpainswerebestoweduponAnne，who，shevowed，must，forthecreditofAvonlea，bedressedandcombedandadornedtotheQueen’staste。
\"Pulloutthatfrillalittlemore——so；here，letmetieyoursash；nowforyourslippers。I’mgoingtobraidyourhairintwothickbraids，andtiethemhalfwayupwithbigwhitebows——no，don’tpulloutasinglecurloveryourforehead——justhavethesoftpart。Thereisnowayyoudoyourhairsuitsyousowell，Anne，andMrs。AllansaysyoulooklikeaMadonnawhenyoupartitso。Ishallfastenthislittlewhitehouserosejustbehindyourear。Therewasjustoneonmybush，andIsaveditforyou。\"
\"ShallIputmypearlbeadson？\"askedAnne。\"Matthewbroughtmeastringfromtownlastweek，andIknowhe’dliketoseethemonme。\"
Dianapursedupherlips，putherblackheadononesidecritically，andfinallypronouncedinfavorofthebeads，whichwerethereupontiedaroundAnne’sslimmilk-whitethroat。
\"There’ssomethingsostylishaboutyou，Anne，\"saidDiana，withunenviousadmiration。\"Youholdyourheadwithsuchanair。
Isupposeit’syourfigure。Iamjustadumpling。I’vealwaysbeenafraidofit，andnowIknowitisso。Well，IsupposeI
shalljusthavetoresignmyselftoit。\"
\"Butyouhavesuchdimples，\"saidAnne，smilingaffectionatelyintothepretty，vivaciousfacesonearherown。\"Lovelydimples，likelittledentsincream。Ihavegivenupallhopeofdimples。
Mydimple-dreamwillnevercometrue；butsomanyofmydreamshavethatImustn’tcomplain。AmIallreadynow？\"
\"Allready，\"assuredDiana，asMarillaappearedinthedoorway，agauntfigurewithgrayerhairthanofyoreandnofewerangles，butwithamuchsofterface。\"Comerightinandlookatourelocutionist，Marilla。Doesn’tshelooklovely？\"
Marillaemittedasoundbetweenasniffandagrunt。
\"Shelooksneatandproper。Ilikethatwayoffixingherhair。
ButIexpectshe’llruinthatdressdrivingoverthereinthedustanddewwithit，anditlooksmosttoothinforthesedampnights。
Organdy’sthemostunserviceablestuffintheworldanyhow，andI
toldMatthewsowhenhegotit。ButthereisnouseinsayinganythingtoMatthewnowadays。Timewaswhenhewouldtakemyadvice，butnowhejustbuysthingsforAnneregardless，andtheclerksatCarmodyknowtheycanpalmanythingoffonhim。Justletthemtellhimathingisprettyandfashionable，andMatthewplunkshismoneydownforit。Mindyoukeepyourskirtclearofthewheel，Anne，andputyourwarmjacketon。\"
ThenMarillastalkeddownstairs，thinkingproudlyhowsweetAnnelooked，withthat\"Onemoonbeamfromtheforeheadtothecrown\"
andregrettingthatshecouldnotgototheconcertherselftohearhergirlrecite。
\"IwonderifitIStoodampformydress，\"saidAnneanxiously。
\"Notabitofit，\"saidDiana，pullingupthewindowblind。
\"It’saperfectnight，andtherewon’tbeanydew。Lookatthemoonlight。\"
\"I’msogladmywindowlookseastintothesunrising，\"saidAnne，goingovertoDiana。\"It’ssosplendidtoseethemorningcomingupoverthoselonghillsandglowingthroughthosesharpfirtops。
It’sneweverymorning，andIfeelasifIwashedmyverysoulinthatbathofearliestsunshine。Oh，Diana，Ilovethislittleroomsodearly。Idon’tknowhowI’llgetalongwithoutitwhenIgototownnextmonth。\"
\"Don’tspeakofyourgoingawaytonight，\"beggedDiana。\"Idon’twanttothinkofit，itmakesmesomiserable，andIdowanttohaveagoodtimethisevening。Whatareyougoingtorecite，Anne？
Andareyounervous？\"
\"Notabit。I’verecitedsoofteninpublicIdon’tmindatallnow。I’vedecidedtogive`TheMaiden’sVow。’It’ssopathetic。
LauraSpencerisgoingtogiveacomicrecitation，butI’drathermakepeoplecrythanlaugh。\"
\"Whatwillyoureciteiftheyencoreyou？\"
\"Theywon’tdreamofencoringme，\"scoffedAnne，whowasnotwithoutherownsecrethopesthattheywould，andalreadyvisionedherselftellingMatthewallaboutitatthenextmorning’sbreakfasttable。\"ThereareBillyandJanenow——
Ihearthewheels。Comeon。\"
BillyAndrewsinsistedthatAnneshouldrideonthefrontseatwithhim，sosheunwillinglyclimbedup。Shewouldhavemuchpreferredtositbackwiththegirls，whereshecouldhavelaughedandchatteredtoherheart’scontent。TherewasnotmuchofeitherlaughterorchatterinBilly。Hewasabig，fat，stolidyouthoftwenty，witharound，expressionlessface，andapainfullackofconversationalgifts。ButheadmiredAnneimmensely，andwaspuffedupwithprideovertheprospectofdrivingtoWhiteSandswiththatslim，uprightfigurebesidehim。
Anne，bydintoftalkingoverhershouldertothegirlsandoccasionallypassingasopofcivilitytoBilly——whogrinnedandchuckledandnevercouldthinkofanyreplyuntilitwastoolate——contrivedtoenjoythedriveinspiteofall。Itwasanightforenjoyment。Theroadwasfullofbuggies，allboundforthehotel，andlaughter，silverclear，echoedandreechoedalongit。
Whentheyreachedthehotelitwasablazeoflightfromtoptobottom。Theyweremetbytheladiesoftheconcertcommittee，oneofwhomtookAnneofftotheperformers’dressingroomwhichwasfilledwiththemembersofaCharlottetownSymphonyClub，amongwhomAnnefeltsuddenlyshyandfrightenedandcountrified。
Herdress，which，intheeastgable，hadseemedsodaintyandpretty，nowseemedsimpleandplain——toosimpleandplain，shethought，amongallthesilksandlacesthatglistenedandrustledaroundher。Whatwereherpearlbeadscomparedtothediamondsofthebig，handsomeladynearher？Andhowpoorheroneweewhiterosemustlookbesideallthehothouseflowerstheotherswore！
Annelaidherhatandjacketaway，andshrankmiserablyintoacorner。
ShewishedherselfbackinthewhiteroomatGreenGables。
Itwasstillworseontheplatformofthebigconcerthallofthehotel，whereshepresentlyfoundherself。Theelectriclightsdazzledhereyes，theperfumeandhumbewilderedher。ShewishedsheweresittingdownintheaudiencewithDianaandJane，whoseemedtobehavingasplendidtimeawayattheback。Shewaswedgedinbetweenastoutladyinpinksilkandatall，scornful-lookinggirlinawhite-lacedress。ThestoutladyoccasionallyturnedherheadsquarelyaroundandsurveyedAnnethroughhereyeglassesuntilAnne，acutelysensitiveofbeingsoscrutinized，feltthatshemustscreamaloud；andthewhite-lacegirlkepttalkingaudiblytohernextneighboraboutthe\"countrybumpkins\"and\"rusticbelles\"intheaudience，languidlyanticipating\"suchfun\"fromthedisplaysoflocaltalentontheprogram。
Annebelievedthatshewouldhatethatwhite-lacegirltotheendoflife。
UnfortunatelyforAnne，aprofessionalelocutionistwasstayingatthehotelandhadconsentedtorecite。Shewasalithe，dark-eyedwomaninawonderfulgownofshimmeringgraystufflikewovenmoonbeams，withgemsonherneckandinherdarkhair。
Shehadamarvelouslyflexiblevoiceandwonderfulpowerofexpression；theaudiencewentwildoverherselection。Anne，forgettingallaboutherselfandhertroublesforthetime，listenedwithraptandshiningeyes；butwhentherecitationendedshesuddenlyputherhandsoverherface。Shecouldnevergetupandreciteafterthat——never。Hadsheeverthoughtshecouldrecite？Oh，ifshewereonlybackatGreenGables！
Atthisunpropitiousmomenthernamewascalled。SomehowAnne——whodidnotnoticetheratherguiltylittlestartofsurprisethewhite-lacegirlgave，andwouldnothaveunderstoodthesubtlecomplimentimpliedthereinifshehad——gotonherfeet，andmoveddizzilyouttothefront。ShewassopalethatDianaandJane，downintheaudience，claspedeachother’shandsinnervoussympathy。
Annewasthevictimofanoverwhelmingattackofstagefright。
Oftenasshehadrecitedinpublic，shehadneverbeforefacedsuchanaudienceasthis，andthesightofitparalyzedherenergiescompletely。Everythingwassostrange，sobrilliant，sobewildering——therowsofladiesineveningdress，thecriticalfaces，thewholeatmosphereofwealthandcultureabouther。
VerydifferentthisfromtheplainbenchesattheDebatingClub，filledwiththehomely，sympatheticfacesoffriendsandneighbors。
Thesepeople，shethought，wouldbemercilesscritics。Perhaps，likethewhite-lacegirl，theyanticipatedamusementfromher\"rustic\"
efforts。Shefelthopelessly，helplesslyashamedandmiserable。
Herkneestrembled，herheartfluttered，ahorriblefaintnesscameoverher；notawordcouldsheutter，andthenextmomentshewouldhavefledfromtheplatformdespitethehumiliationwhich，shefelt，musteverafterbeherportionifshedidso。
Butsuddenly，asherdilated，frightenedeyesgazedoutovertheaudience，shesawGilbertBlytheawayatthebackoftheroom，bendingforwardwithasmileonhisface——asmilewhichseemedtoAnneatoncetriumphantandtaunting。Inrealityitwasnothingofthekind。GilbertwasmerelysmilingwithappreciationofthewholeaffairingeneralandoftheeffectproducedbyAnne’sslenderwhiteformandspiritualfaceagainstabackgroundofpalmsinparticular。JosiePye，whomhehaddrivenover，satbesidehim，andherfacecertainlywasbothtriumphantandtaunting。ButAnnedidnotseeJosie，andwouldnothavecaredifshehad。Shedrewalongbreathandflungherheadupproudly，courageanddeterminationtinglingoverherlikeanelectricshock。SheWOULDNOTfailbeforeGilbertBlythe——heshouldneverbeabletolaughather，never，never！Herfrightandnervousnessvanished；andshebeganherrecitation，herclear，sweetvoicereachingtothefarthestcorneroftheroomwithoutatremororabreak。Self-possessionwasfullyrestoredtoher，andinthereactionfromthathorriblemomentofpowerlessnesssherecitedasshehadneverdonebefore。Whenshefinishedtherewereburstsofhonestapplause。Anne，steppingbacktoherseat，blushingwithshynessanddelight，foundherhandvigorouslyclaspedandshakenbythestoutladyinpinksilk。
\"Mydear，youdidsplendidly，\"shepuffed。\"I’vebeencryinglikeababy，actuallyIhave。There，they’reencoringyou——
they’reboundtohaveyouback！\"
\"Oh，Ican’tgo，\"saidAnneconfusedly。\"Butyet——Imust，orMatthewwillbedisappointed。Hesaidtheywouldencoreme。\"
\"Thendon’tdisappointMatthew，\"saidthepinklady，laughing。
Smiling，blushing，limpideyed，Annetrippedbackandgaveaquaint，funnylittleselectionthatcaptivatedheraudiencestillfurther。
Therestoftheeveningwasquitealittletriumphforher。
Whentheconcertwasover，thestout，pinklady——whowasthewifeofanAmericanmillionaire——tookherunderherwing，andintroducedhertoeverybody；andeverybodywasverynicetoher。
Theprofessionalelocutionist，Mrs。Evans，cameandchattedwithher，tellingherthatshehadacharmingvoiceand\"interpreted\"
herselectionsbeautifully。Eventhewhite-lacegirlpaidheralanguidlittlecompliment。Theyhadsupperinthebig，beautifullydecorateddiningroom；DianaandJanewereinvitedtopartakeofthis，also，sincetheyhadcomewithAnne，butBillywasnowheretobefound，havingdecampedinmortalfearofsomesuchinvitation。Hewasinwaitingforthem，withtheteam，however，whenitwasallover，andthethreegirlscamemerrilyoutintothecalm，whitemoonshineradiance。Annebreatheddeeply，andlookedintotheclearskybeyondthedarkboughsofthefirs。
Oh，itwasgoodtobeoutagaininthepurityandsilenceofthenight！
Howgreatandstillandwonderfuleverythingwas，withthemurmuroftheseasoundingthroughitandthedarklingcliffsbeyondlikegrimgiantsguardingenchantedcoasts。
\"Hasn’titbeenaperfectlysplendidtime？\"sighedJane，astheydroveaway。\"IjustwishIwasarichAmericanandcouldspendmysummeratahotelandwearjewelsandlow-neckeddressesandhaveicecreamandchickensaladeveryblessedday。I’msureitwouldbeeversomuchmorefunthanteachingschool。Anne，yourrecitationwassimplygreat，althoughIthoughtatfirstyouwerenevergoingtobegin。IthinkitwasbetterthanMrs。Evans’s。\"
\"Oh，no，don’tsaythingslikethat，Jane，\"saidAnnequickly，\"becauseitsoundssilly。Itcouldn’tbebetterthanMrs。Evans’s，youknow，forsheisaprofessional，andI’monlyaschoolgirl，withalittleknackofreciting。I’mquitesatisfiedifthepeoplejustlikedmineprettywell。\"
\"I’veacomplimentforyou，Anne，\"saidDiana。\"AtleastIthinkitmustbeacomplimentbecauseofthetonehesaiditin。Partofitwasanyhow。TherewasanAmericansittingbehindJaneandme——sucharomantic-lookingman，withcoal-blackhairandeyes。
JosiePyesaysheisadistinguishedartist，andthathermother’scousininBostonismarriedtoamanthatusedtogotoschoolwithhim。Well，weheardhimsay——didn’twe，Jane？——`WhoisthatgirlontheplatformwiththesplendidTitianhair？ShehasafaceIshouldliketopaint。’Therenow，Anne。ButwhatdoesTitianhairmean？\"
\"Beinginterpreteditmeansplainred，Iguess，\"laughedAnne。
\"Titianwasaveryfamousartistwholikedtopaintred-hairedwomen。\"
\"DIDyouseeallthediamondsthoseladieswore？\"sighedJane。
\"Theyweresimplydazzling。Wouldn’tyoujustlovetoberich，girls？\"
\"WeARErich，\"saidAnnestaunchly。\"Why，wehavesixteenyearstoourcredit，andwe’rehappyasqueens，andwe’veallgotimaginations，moreorless。Lookatthatsea，girls——allsilverandshadowandvisionofthingsnotseen。Wecouldn’tenjoyitslovelinessanymoreifwehadmillionsofdollarsandropesofdiamonds。
Youwouldn’tchangeintoanyofthosewomenifyoucould。
Wouldyouwanttobethatwhite-lacegirlandwearasourlookallyourlife，asifyou’dbeenbornturningupyournoseattheworld？Orthepinklady，kindandniceassheis，sostoutandshortthatyou’dreallynofigureatall？OrevenMrs。Evans，withthatsad，sadlookinhereyes？Shemusthavebeendreadfullyunhappysometimetohavesuchalook。YouKNOWyouwouldn’t，JaneAndrews！\"
\"IDON’Tknow——exactly，\"saidJaneunconvinced。\"Ithinkdiamondswouldcomfortapersonforagooddeal。\"
\"Well，Idon’twanttobeanyonebutmyself，evenifI
gouncomfortedbydiamondsallmylife，\"declaredAnne。
\"I’mquitecontenttobeAnneofGreenGables，withmystringofpearlbeads。IknowMatthewgavemeasmuchlovewiththemaseverwentwithMadamethePinkLady’sjewels。\"
CHAPTERXXXIV
AQueen’sGirlThenextthreeweekswerebusyonesatGreenGables，forAnnewasgettingreadytogotoQueen’s，andtherewasmuchsewingtobedone，andmanythingstobetalkedoverandarranged。Anne’soutfitwasampleandpretty，forMatthewsawtothat，andMarillaforoncemadenoobjectionswhatevertoanythinghepurchasedorsuggested。More——
oneeveningshewentuptotheeastgablewithherarmsfullofadelicatepalegreenmaterial。
\"Anne，here’ssomethingforanicelightdressforyou。
Idon’tsupposeyoureallyneedit；you’veplentyofprettywaists；butIthoughtmaybeyou’dlikesomethingrealdressytowearifyouwereaskedoutanywhereofaneveningintown，toapartyoranythinglikethat。IhearthatJaneandRubyandJosiehavegot`eveningdresses，’astheycallthem，andIdon’tmeanyoushallbebehindthem。
IgotMrs。Allantohelpmepickitintownlastweek，andwe’llgetEmilyGillistomakeitforyou。Emilyhasgottaste，andherfitsaren’ttobeequaled。\"
\"Oh，Marilla，it’sjustlovely，\"saidAnne。\"Thankyousomuch。Idon’tbelieveyououghttobesokindtome——it’smakingithardereverydayformetogoaway。\"
ThegreendresswasmadeupwithasmanytucksandfrillsandshirringsasEmily’stastepermitted。AnneputitononeeveningforMatthew’sandMarilla’sbenefit，andrecited\"TheMaiden’sVow\"fortheminthekitchen。
AsMarillawatchedthebright，animatedfaceandgracefulmotionsherthoughtswentbacktotheeveningAnnehadarrivedatGreenGables，andmemoryrecalledavividpictureoftheodd，frightenedchildinherpreposterousyellowish-brownwinceydress，theheartbreaklookingoutofhertearfuleyes。SomethinginthememorybroughttearstoMarilla’sowneyes。
\"Ideclare，myrecitationhasmadeyoucry，Marilla，\"
saidAnnegailystoopingoverMarilla’schairtodropabutterflykissonthatlady’scheek。\"Now，Icallthatapositivetriumph。\"
\"No，Iwasn’tcryingoveryourpiece，\"saidMarilla，whowouldhavescornedtobebetrayedintosuchweaknessbyanypoetrystuff。\"Ijustcouldn’thelpthinkingofthelittlegirlyouusedtobe，Anne。AndIwaswishingyoucouldhavestayedalittlegirl，evenwithallyourqueerways。
You’vegrownupnowandyou’regoingaway；andyoulooksotallandstylishandso——so——differentaltogetherinthatdress——asifyoudidn’tbelonginAvonleaatall——
andIjustgotlonesomethinkingitallover。\"
\"Marilla！\"AnnesatdownonMarilla’sginghamlap，tookMarilla’slinedfacebetweenherhands，andlookedgravelyandtenderlyintoMarilla’seyes。\"I’mnotabitchanged——
notreally。I’monlyjustpruneddownandbranchedout。
TherealME——backhere——isjustthesame。Itwon’tmakeabitofdifferencewhereIgoorhowmuchIchangeoutwardly；
atheartIshallalwaysbeyourlittleAnne，whowillloveyouandMatthewanddearGreenGablesmoreandbettereverydayofherlife。\"
AnnelaidherfreshyoungcheekagainstMarilla’sfadedone，andreachedoutahandtopatMatthew’sshoulder。
MarillawouldhavegivenmuchjustthentohavepossessedAnne’spowerofputtingherfeelingsintowords；butnatureandhabithadwilleditotherwise，andshecouldonlyputherarmscloseabouthergirlandholdhertenderlytoherheart，wishingthatsheneedneverlethergo。
Matthew，withasuspiciousmoistureinhiseyes，gotupandwentout-of-doors。Underthestarsofthebluesummernighthewalkedagitatedlyacrosstheyardtothegateunderthepoplars。
\"Wellnow，Iguesssheain’tbeenmuchspoiled，\"hemuttered，proudly。\"Iguessmyputtinginmyoaroccasionalneverdidmuchharmafterall。She’ssmartandpretty，andloving，too，whichisbetterthanalltherest。
She’sbeenablessingtous，andthereneverwasaluckiermistakethanwhatMrs。Spencermade——ifitWASluck。
Idon’tbelieveitwasanysuchthing。ItwasProvidence，becausetheAlmightysawweneededher，Ireckon。\"
ThedayfinallycamewhenAnnemustgototown。SheandMatthewdroveinonefineSeptembermorning，afteratearfulpartingwithDianaandanuntearfulpracticalone——
onMarilla’ssideatleast——withMarilla。ButwhenAnnehadgoneDianadriedhertearsandwenttoabeachpicnicatWhiteSandswithsomeofherCarmodycousins，whereshecontrivedtoenjoyherselftolerablywell；whileMarillaplungedfiercelyintounnecessaryworkandkeptatitalldaylongwiththebitterestkindofheartache——theachethatburnsandgnawsandcannotwashitselfawayinreadytears。Butthatnight，whenMarillawenttobed，acutelyandmiserablyconsciousthatthelittlegableroomattheendofthehallwasuntenantedbyanyvividyounglifeandunstirredbyanysoftbreathing，sheburiedherfaceinherpillow，andweptforhergirlinapassionofsobsthatappalledherwhenshegrewcalmenoughtoreflecthowverywickeditmustbetotakeonsoaboutasinfulfellowcreature。
AnneandtherestoftheAvonleascholarsreachedtownjustintimetohurryofftotheAcademy。Thatfirstdaypassedpleasantlyenoughinawhirlofexcitement，meetingallthenewstudents，learningtoknowtheprofessorsbysightandbeingassortedandorganizedintoclasses。
AnneintendedtakinguptheSecondYearworkbeingadvisedtodosobyMissStacy；GilbertBlytheelectedtodothesame。
ThismeantgettingaFirstClassteacher’slicenseinoneyearinsteadoftwo，iftheyweresuccessful；butitalsomeantmuchmoreandharderwork。Jane，Ruby，Josie，Charlie，andMoodySpurgeon，notbeingtroubledwiththestirringsofambition，werecontenttotakeuptheSecondClasswork。Annewasconsciousofapangoflonelinesswhenshefoundherselfinaroomwithfiftyotherstudents，notoneofwhomsheknew，exceptthetall，brown-hairedboyacrosstheroom；andknowinghiminthefashionshedid，didnothelphermuch，asshereflectedpessimistically。Yetshewasundeniablygladthattheywereinthesameclass；theoldrivalrycouldstillbecarriedon，andAnnewouldhardlyhaveknownwhattodoifithadbeenlacking。
\"Iwouldn’tfeelcomfortablewithoutit，\"shethought。
\"Gilbertlooksawfullydetermined。Isupposehe’smakinguphismind，hereandnow，towinthemedal。Whatasplendidchinhehas！Inevernoticeditbefore。IdowishJaneandRubyhadgoneinforFirstClass，too。IsupposeI
won’tfeelsomuchlikeacatinastrangegarretwhenIgetacquainted，though。Iwonderwhichofthegirlsherearegoingtobemyfriends。It’sreallyaninterestingspeculation。
OfcourseIpromisedDianathatnoQueen’sgirl，nomatterhowmuchIlikedher，shouldeverbeasdeartomeassheis；
butI’velotsofsecond-bestaffectionstobestow。Ilikethelookofthatgirlwiththebrowneyesandthecrimsonwaist。Shelooksvividandred-rosy；there’sthatpale，faironegazingoutofthewindow。Shehaslovelyhair，andlooksasifsheknewathingortwoaboutdreams。I’dliketoknowthemboth——knowthemwell——wellenoughtowalkwithmyarmabouttheirwaists，andcallthemnicknames。ButjustnowI
don’tknowthemandtheydon’tknowme，andprobablydon’twanttoknowmeparticularly。Oh，it’slonesome！\"
ItwaslonesomerstillwhenAnnefoundherselfaloneinherhallbedroomthatnightattwilight。Shewasnottoboardwiththeothergirls，whoallhadrelativesintowntotakepityonthem。MissJosephineBarrywouldhavelikedtoboardher，butBeechwoodwassofarfromtheAcademythatitwasoutofthequestion；somissBarryhuntedupaboarding-house，assuringMatthewandMarillathatitwastheveryplaceforAnne。
\"Theladywhokeepsitisareducedgentlewoman，\"
explainedMissBarry。\"HerhusbandwasaBritishofficer，andsheisverycarefulwhatsortofboardersshetakes。
Annewillnotmeetwithanyobjectionablepersonsunderherroof。Thetableisgood，andthehouseisneartheAcademy，inaquietneighborhood。\"
Allthismightbequitetrue，andindeed，provedtobeso，butitdidnotmateriallyhelpAnneinthefirstagonyofhomesicknessthatseizeduponher。Shelookeddismallyabouthernarrowlittleroom，withitsdull-papered，picturelesswalls，itssmallironbedsteadandemptybook-
case；andahorriblechokecameintoherthroatasshethoughtofherownwhiteroomatGreenGables，whereshewouldhavethepleasantconsciousnessofagreatgreenstilloutdoors，ofsweetpeasgrowinginthegarden，andmoonlightfallingontheorchard，ofthebrookbelowtheslopeandthespruceboughstossinginthenightwindbeyondit，ofavaststarrysky，andthelightfromDiana’swindowshiningoutthroughthegapinthetrees。Heretherewasnothingofthis；Anneknewthatoutsideofherwindowwasahardstreet，withanetworkoftelephonewiresshuttingoutthesky，thetrampofalienfeet，andathousandlightsgleamingonstrangerfaces。Sheknewthatshewasgoingtocry，andfoughtagainstit。
\"IWON’Tcry。It’ssilly——andweak——there’sthethirdtearsplashingdownbymynose。Therearemorecoming！
Imustthinkofsomethingfunnytostopthem。Butthere’snothingfunnyexceptwhatisconnectedwithAvonlea，andthatonlymakesthingsworse——four——five——I’mgoinghomenextFriday，butthatseemsahundredyearsaway。Oh，Matthewisnearlyhomebynow——andMarillaisatthegate，lookingdownthelaneforhim——six——seven——eight——
oh，there’snouseincountingthem！They’recominginafloodpresently。Ican’tcheerup——Idon’tWANTtocheerup。It’snicertobemiserable！\"
Thefloodoftearswouldhavecome，nodoubt，hadnotJosiePyeappearedatthatmoment。InthejoyofseeingafamiliarfaceAnneforgotthattherehadneverbeenmuchlovelostbetweenherandJosie。AsapartofAvonlealifeevenaPyewaswelcome。
\"I’msogladyoucameup，\"Annesaidsincerely。
\"You’vebeencrying，\"remarkedJosie，withaggravatingpity。
\"Isupposeyou’rehomesick——somepeoplehavesolittleself-controlinthatrespect。I’venointentionofbeinghomesick，Icantellyou。Town’stoojollyafterthatpokyoldAvonlea。IwonderhowIeverexistedtheresolong。
Youshouldn’tcry，Anne；itisn’tbecoming，foryournoseandeyesgetred，andthenyouseemALLred。I’daperfectlyscrumptioustimeintheAcademytoday。OurFrenchprofessorissimplyaduck。Hismoustachewouldgiveyoukerwollowpsoftheheart。Haveyouanythingeatablearound，Anne？I’mliterallystarving。Ah，IguessedlikelyMarilla’dloadyouupwithcake。That’swhyIcalledround。OtherwiseI’dhavegonetotheparktohearthebandplaywithFrankStockley。HeboardssameplaceasIdo，andhe’sasport。
Henoticedyouinclasstoday，andaskedmewhothered-headedgirlwas。ItoldhimyouwereanorphanthattheCuthbertshadadopted，andnobodyknewverymuchaboutwhatyou’dbeenbeforethat。\"
Annewaswonderingif，afterall，solitudeandtearswerenotmoresatisfactorythanJosiePye’scompanionshipwhenJaneandRubyappeared，eachwithaninchofQueen’scolorribbon——purpleandscarlet——pinnedproudlytohercoat。AsJosiewasnot\"speaking\"toJanejustthenshehadtosubsideintocomparativeharmlessness。
\"Well，\"saidJanewithasigh，\"IfeelasifI’dlivedmanymoonssincethemorning。IoughttobehomestudyingmyVirgil——thathorridoldprofessorgaveustwentylinestostartinontomorrow。ButIsimplycouldn’tsettledowntostudytonight。Anne，methinksIseethetracesoftears。Ifyou’vebeencryingDOownup。Itwillrestoremyself-respect，forIwassheddingtearsfreelybeforeRubycamealong。I
don’tmindbeingagoosesomuchifsomebodyelseisgoosey，too。Cake？You’llgivemeateenypiece，won’tyou？Thankyou。IthastherealAvonleaflavor。\"
Ruby，perceivingtheQueen’scalendarlyingonthetable，wantedtoknowifAnnemeanttotryforthegoldmedal。
Anneblushedandadmittedshewasthinkingofit。
\"Oh，thatremindsme，\"saidJosie，\"Queen’sistogetoneoftheAveryscholarshipsafterall。Thewordcametoday。
FrankStockleytoldme——hisuncleisoneoftheboardofgovernors，youknow。ItwillbeannouncedintheAcademytomorrow。\"
AnAveryscholarship！Annefeltherheartbeatmorequickly，andthehorizonsofherambitionshiftedandbroadenedasifbymagic。BeforeJosiehadtoldthenewsAnne’shighestpinnacleofaspirationhadbeenateacher’sprovinciallicense，FirstClass，attheendoftheyear，andperhapsthemedal！ButnowinonemomentAnnesawherselfwinningtheAveryscholarship，takinganArtscourseatRedmondCollege，andgraduatinginagownandmortarboard，beforetheechoofJosie’swordshaddiedaway。FortheAveryscholarshipwasinEnglish，andAnnefeltthathereherfootwasonnativeheath。？？？
AwealthymanufacturerofNewBrunswickhaddiedandleftpartofhisfortunetoendowalargenumberofscholarshipstobedistributedamongthevarioushighschoolsandacademiesoftheMaritimeProvinces，accordingtotheirrespectivestandings。TherehadbeenmuchdoubtwhetheronewouldbeallottedtoQueen’s，butthematterwassettledatlast，andattheendoftheyearthegraduatewhomadethehighestmarkinEnglishandEnglishLiteraturewouldwinthescholarship——
twohundredandfiftydollarsayearforfouryearsatRedmondCollege。NowonderthatAnnewenttobedthatnightwithtinglingcheeks！
\"I’llwinthatscholarshipifhardworkcandoit，\"sheresolved。\"Wouldn’tMatthewbeproudifIgottobeaB。A。？
Oh，it’sdelightfultohaveambitions。I’msogladIhavesuchalot。Andthereneverseemstobeanyendtothem——
that’sthebestofit。Justassoonasyouattaintooneambitionyouseeanotheroneglitteringhigherupstill。
Itdoesmakelifesointeresting。\"
CHAPTERXXXV
TheWinteratQueen’sAnne’shomesicknessworeoff，greatlyhelpedinthewearingbyherweekendvisitshome。AslongastheopenweatherlastedtheAvonleastudentswentouttoCarmodyonthenewbranchrailwayeveryFridaynight。DianaandseveralotherAvonleayoungfolksweregenerallyonhandtomeetthemandtheyallwalkedovertoAvonleainamerryparty。AnnethoughtthoseFridayeveninggypsyingsovertheautumnalhillsinthecrispgoldenair，withthehomelightsofAvonleatwinklingbeyond，werethebestanddearesthoursinthewholeweek。
GilbertBlythenearlyalwayswalkedwithRubyGillisandcarriedhersatchelforher。Rubywasaveryhandsomeyounglady，nowthinkingherselfquiteasgrownupasshereallywas；
sheworeherskirtsaslongashermotherwouldletheranddidherhairupintown，thoughshehadtotakeitdownwhenshewenthome。Shehadlarge，bright-blueeyes，abrilliantcomplexion，andaplumpshowyfigure。Shelaughedagreatdeal，wascheerfulandgood-tempered，andenjoyedthepleasantthingsoflifefrankly。
\"ButIshouldn’tthinkshewasthesortofgirlGilbertwouldlike，\"
whisperedJanetoAnne。Annedidnotthinksoeither，butshewouldnothavesaidsofortheAveryscholarship。Shecouldnothelpthinking，too，thatitwouldbeverypleasanttohavesuchafriendasGilberttojestandchatterwithandexchangeideasaboutbooksandstudiesandambitions。Gilberthadambitions，sheknew，andRubyGillisdidnotseemthesortofpersonwithwhomsuchcouldbeprofitablydiscussed。
TherewasnosillysentimentinAnne’sideasconcerningGilbert。
Boysweretoher，whenshethoughtaboutthematall，merelypossiblegoodcomrades。IfsheandGilberthadbeenfriendsshewouldnothavecaredhowmanyotherfriendshehadnorwithwhomhewalked。Shehadageniusforfriendship；
girlfriendsshehadinplenty；butshehadavagueconsciousnessthatmasculinefriendshipmightalsobeagoodthingtoroundoutone’sconceptionsofcompanionshipandfurnishbroaderstandpointsofjudgmentandcomparison。NotthatAnnecouldhaveputherfeelingsonthematterintojustsuchcleardefinition。
ButshethoughtthatifGilberthadeverwalkedhomewithherfromthetrain，overthecrispfieldsandalongthefernybyways，theymighthavehadmanyandmerryandinterestingconversationsaboutthenewworldthatwasopeningaroundthemandtheirhopesandambitionstherein。Gilbertwasacleveryoungfellow，withhisownthoughtsaboutthingsandadeterminationtogetthebestoutoflifeandputthebestintoit。RubyGillistoldJaneAndrewsthatshedidn’tunderstandhalfthethingsGilbertBlythesaid；
hetalkedjustlikeAnneShirleydidwhenshehadathoughtfulfitonandforherpartshedidn’tthinkitanyfuntobebotheringaboutbooksandthatsortofthingwhenyoudidn’thaveto。FrankStockleyhadlotsmoredashandgo，butthenhewasn’thalfasgood-lookingasGilbertandshereallycouldn’tdecidewhichshelikedbest！
IntheAcademyAnnegraduallydrewalittlecircleoffriendsabouther，thoughtful，imaginative，ambitiousstudentslikeherself。Withthe\"rose-red\"girl，StellaMaynard，andthe\"dreamgirl，\"PriscillaGrant，shesoonbecameintimate，findingthelatterpalespiritual-lookingmaidentobefulltothebrimofmischiefandpranksandfun，whilethevivid，black-eyedStellahadaheartfulofwistfuldreamsandfancies，asaerialandrainbow-likeasAnne’sown。
AftertheChristmasholidaystheAvonleastudentsgaveupgoinghomeonFridaysandsettleddowntohardwork。
BythistimealltheQueen’sscholarshadgravitatedintotheirownplacesintheranksandthevariousclasseshadassumeddistinctandsettledshadingsofindividuality。
Certainfactshadbecomegenerallyaccepted。Itwasadmittedthatthemedalcontestantshadpracticallynarroweddowntothree——GilbertBlythe，AnneShirley，andLewisWilson；theAveryscholarshipwasmoredoubtful，anyoneofacertainsixbeingapossiblewinner。Thebronzemedalformathematicswasconsideredasgoodaswonbyafat，funnylittleup-countryboywithabumpyforeheadandapatchedcoat。
RubyGilliswasthehandsomestgirloftheyearattheAcademy；
intheSecondYearclassesStellaMaynardcarriedoffthepalmforbeauty，withsmallbutcriticalminorityinfavorofAnneShirley。
EthelMarrwasadmittedbyallcompetentjudgestohavethemoststylishmodesofhair-dressing，andJaneAndrews——plain，plodding，conscientiousJane——carriedoffthehonorsinthedomesticsciencecourse。
EvenJosiePyeattainedacertainpreeminenceasthesharpest-
tonguedyoungladyinattendanceatQueen’s。SoitmaybefairlystatedthatMissStacy’soldpupil’sheldtheirowninthewiderarenaoftheacademicalcourse。
Anneworkedhardandsteadily。HerrivalrywithGilbertwasasintenseasithadeverbeeninAvonleaschool，althoughitwasnotknownintheclassatlarge，butsomehowthebitternesshadgoneoutofit。AnnenolongerwishedtowinforthesakeofdefeatingGilbert；rather，fortheproudconsciousnessofawell-wonvictoryoveraworthyfoeman。
Itwouldbeworthwhiletowin，butshenolongerthoughtlifewouldbeinsupportableifshedidnot。
Inspiteoflessonsthestudentsfoundopportunitiesforpleasanttimes。AnnespentmanyofhersparehoursatBeechwoodandgenerallyateherSundaydinnersthereandwenttochurchwithMissBarry。Thelatterwas，assheadmitted，growingold，butherblackeyeswerenotdimnorthevigorofhertongueintheleastabated。ButsheneversharpenedthelatteronAnne，whocontinuedtobeaprimefavoritewiththecriticaloldlady。
\"ThatAnne-girlimprovesallthetime，\"shesaid。\"Igettiredofothergirls——thereissuchaprovokingandeternalsamenessaboutthem。Annehasasmanyshadesasarainbowandeveryshadeistheprettiestwhileitlasts。Idon’tknowthatsheisasamusingasshewaswhenshewasachild，butshemakesmeloveherandIlikepeoplewhomakemelovethem。
Itsavesmesomuchtroubleinmakingmyselflovethem。\"
Then，almostbeforeanybodyrealizedit，springhadcome；
outinAvonleatheMayflowerswerepeepingpinklyoutontheserebarrenswheresnow-wreathslingered；andthe\"mistofgreen\"wasonthewoodsandinthevalleys。
ButinCharlottetownharassedQueen’sstudentsthoughtandtalkedonlyofexaminations。
\"Itdoesn’tseempossiblethatthetermisnearlyover，\"
saidAnne。\"Why，lastfallitseemedsolongtolookforwardto——awholewinterofstudiesandclasses。Andhereweare，withtheexamsloomingupnextweek。Girls，sometimesIfeelasifthoseexamsmeanteverything，butwhenIlookatthebigbudsswellingonthosechestnuttreesandthemistyblueairattheendofthestreetstheydon’tseemhalfsoimportant。\"
JaneandRubyandJosie，whohaddroppedin，didnottakethisviewofit。Tothemthecomingexaminationswereconstantlyveryimportantindeed——farmoreimportantthanchestnutbudsorMaytimehazes。ItwasallverywellforAnne，whowassureofpassingatleast，tohavehermomentsofbelittlingthem，butwhenyourwholefuturedependedonthem——asthegirlstrulythoughttheirsdid——
youcouldnotregardthemphilosophically。
\"I’velostsevenpoundsinthelasttwoweeks，\"sighedJane。\"It’snousetosaydon’tworry。IWILLworry。
Worryinghelpsyousome——itseemsasifyouweredoingsomethingwhenyou’reworrying。ItwouldbedreadfulifI
failedtogetmylicenseaftergoingtoQueen’sallwinterandspendingsomuchmoney。\"
\"_I_don’tcare，\"saidJosiePye。\"IfIdon’tpassthisyearI’mcomingbacknext。Myfathercanaffordtosendme。
Anne，FrankStockleysaysthatProfessorTremainesaidGilbertBlythewassuretogetthemedalandthatEmilyClaywouldlikelywintheAveryscholarship。\"
\"Thatmaymakemefeelbadlytomorrow，Josie，\"laughedAnne，\"butjustnowIhonestlyfeelthataslongasIknowthevioletsarecomingoutallpurpledowninthehollowbelowGreenGablesandthatlittlefernsarepokingtheirheadsupinLovers’Lane，it’snotagreatdealofdifferencewhetherIwintheAveryornot。I’vedonemybestandI
begintounderstandwhatismeantbythe`joyofthestrife。’
Nexttotryingandwinning，thebestthingistryingandfailing。
Girls，don’ttalkaboutexams！Lookatthatarchofpalegreenskyoverthosehousesandpicturetoyourselfwhatitmustlooklikeoverthepurply-darkbeech-woodsbackofAvonlea。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtowearforcommencement，Jane？\"
askedRubypractically。
JaneandJosiebothansweredatonceandthechatterdriftedintoasideeddyoffashions。ButAnne，withherelbowsonthewindowsill，hersoftcheeklaidagainstherclaspedhands，andhereyesfilledwithvisions，lookedoutunheedinglyacrosscityroofandspiretothatgloriousdomeofsunsetskyandwoveherdreamsofapossiblefuturefromthegoldentissueofyouth’sownoptimism。AlltheBeyondwasherswithitspossibilitieslurkingrosilyintheoncomingyears——eachyeararoseofpromisetobewovenintoanimmortalchaplet。
CHAPTERXXXVI
TheGloryandtheDreamOnthemorningwhenthefinalresultsofalltheexamina-
tionsweretobepostedonthebulletinboardatQueen’s，AnneandJanewalkeddownthestreettogether。Janewassmilingandhappy；examinationswereoverandshewascomfortablysureshehadmadeapassatleast；furtherconsiderationstroubledJanenotatall；shehadnosoaringambitionsandconsequentlywasnotaffectedwiththeunrestattendantthereon。Forwepayapriceforeverythingwegetortakeinthisworld；andalthoughambitionsarewellworthhaving，theyarenottobecheaplywon，butexacttheirduesofworkandself-denial，anxietyanddiscouragement。Annewaspaleandquiet；intenmoreminutesshewouldknowwhohadwonthemedalandwhotheAvery。
Beyondthosetenminutestheredidnotseem，justthen，tobeanythingworthbeingcalledTime。
\"Ofcourseyou’llwinoneofthemanyhow，\"saidJane，whocouldn’tunderstandhowthefacultycouldbesounfairastoorderitotherwise。
\"IhavenothopeoftheAvery，\"saidAnne。\"EverybodysaysEmilyClaywillwinit。AndI’mnotgoingtomarchuptothatbulletinboardandlookatitbeforeeverybody。
Ihaven’tthemoralcourage。I’mgoingstraighttothegirls’
dressingroom。Youmustreadtheannouncementsandthencomeandtellme，Jane。AndIimploreyouinthenameofouroldfriendshiptodoitasquicklyaspossible。
IfIhavefailedjustsayso，withouttryingtobreakitgently；andwhateveryoudoDON’Tsympathizewithme。
Promisemethis，Jane。\"
Janepromisedsolemnly；but，asithappened，therewasnonecessityforsuchapromise。WhentheywentuptheentrancestepsofQueen’stheyfoundthehallfullofboyswhowerecarryingGilbertBlythearoundontheirshouldersandyellingatthetopsoftheirvoices，\"HurrahforBlythe，Medalist！\"
ForamomentAnnefeltonesickeningpangofdefeatanddisappointment。SoshehadfailedandGilberthadwon！
Well，Matthewwouldbesorry——hehadbeensosureshewouldwin。
Andthen！
Somebodycalledout:
\"ThreecheersforMissShirley，winneroftheAvery！\"
\"Oh，Anne，\"gaspedJane，astheyfledtothegirls’dressingroomamidheartycheers。\"Oh，AnneI’msoproud！Isn’titsplendid？\"
AndthenthegirlswerearoundthemandAnnewasthecenterofalaughing，congratulatinggroup。Hershoulderswerethumpedandherhandsshakenvigorously。ShewaspushedandpulledandhuggedandamongitallshemanagedtowhispertoJane:
\"Oh，won’tMatthewandMarillabepleased！Imustwritethenewshomerightaway。\"
Commencementwasthenextimportanthappening。TheexerciseswereheldinthebigassemblyhalloftheAcademy。Addressesweregiven，essaysread，songssung，thepublicawardofdiplomas，prizesandmedalsmade。
MatthewandMarillawerethere，witheyesandearsforonlyonestudentontheplatform——atallgirlinpalegreen，withfaintlyflushedcheeksandstarryeyes，whoreadthebestessayandwaspointedoutandwhisperedaboutastheAverywinner。
\"Reckonyou’regladwekepther，Marilla？\"whisperedMatthew，speakingforthefirsttimesincehehadenteredthehall，whenAnnehadfinishedheressay。
\"It’snotthefirsttimeI’vebeenglad，\"retortedMarilla。
\"Youdoliketorubthingsin，MatthewCuthbert。\"
MissBarry，whowassittingbehindthem，leanedforwardandpokedMarillainthebackwithherparasol。
\"Aren’tyouproudofthatAnne-girl？Iam，\"shesaid。
AnnewenthometoAvonleawithMatthewandMarillathatevening。ShehadnotbeenhomesinceAprilandshefeltthatshecouldnotwaitanotherday。Theappleblossomswereoutandtheworldwasfreshandyoung。DianawasatGreenGablestomeether。Inherownwhiteroom，whereMarillahadsetafloweringhouseroseonthewindowsill，Annelookedaboutheranddrewalongbreathofhappiness。
\"Oh，Diana，it’ssogoodtobebackagain。It’ssogoodtoseethosepointedfirscomingoutagainstthepinksky——
andthatwhiteorchardandtheoldSnowQueen。Isn’tthebreathofthemintdelicious？Andthattearose——why，it’sasongandahopeandaprayerallinone。Andit’sGOODtoseeyouagain，Diana！\"
\"IthoughtyoulikethatStellaMaynardbetterthanme，\"
saidDianareproachfully。\"JosiePyetoldmeyoudid。
JosiesaidyouwereINFATUATEDwithher。\"
AnnelaughedandpeltedDianawiththefaded\"Junelilies\"
ofherbouquet。
\"StellaMaynardisthedearestgirlintheworldexceptoneandyouarethatone，Diana，\"shesaid。\"Iloveyoumorethanever——andI’vesomanythingstotellyou。ButjustnowIfeelasifitwerejoyenoughtosithereandlookatyou。I’mtired，Ithink——tiredofbeingstudiousandambitious。Imeantospendatleasttwohourstomorrowlyingoutintheorchardgrass，thinkingofabsolutelynothing。\"
\"You’vedonesplendidly，Anne。Isupposeyouwon’tbeteachingnowthatyou’vewontheAvery？\"
\"No。I’mgoingtoRedmondinSeptember。Doesn’titseemwonderful？I’llhaveabrandnewstockofambitionlaidinbythattimeafterthreeglorious，goldenmonthsofvacation。JaneandRubyaregoingtoteach。Isn’titsplendidtothinkweallgotthrougheventoMoodySpurgeonandJosiePye？\"
\"TheNewbridgetrusteeshaveofferedJanetheirschoolalready，\"
saidDiana。\"GilbertBlytheisgoingtoteach，too。Hehasto。
Hisfathercan’taffordtosendhimtocollegenextyear，afterall，sohemeanstoearnhisownwaythrough。Iexpecthe’llgettheschoolhereifMissAmesdecidestoleave。\"
Annefeltaqueerlittlesensationofdismayedsurprise。
Shehadnotknownthis；shehadexpectedthatGilbertwouldbegoingtoRedmondalso。Whatwouldshedowithouttheirinspiringrivalry？Wouldnotwork，evenatacoeducationalcollegewitharealdegreeinprospect，beratherflatwithoutherfriendtheenemy？
ThenextmorningatbreakfastitsuddenlystruckAnnethatMatthewwasnotlookingwell。Surelyhewasmuchgrayerthanhehadbeenayearbefore。
\"Marilla，\"shesaidhesitatinglywhenhehadgoneout，\"isMatthewquitewell？\"
\"No，heisn’t，\"saidMarillainatroubledtone。\"He’shadsomerealbadspellswithhisheartthisspringandhewon’tsparehimselfamite。I’vebeenrealworriedabouthim，buthe’ssomebetterthiswhilebackandwe’vegotagoodhiredman，soI’mhopinghe’llkindofrestandpickup。
Maybehewillnowyou’rehome。Youalwayscheerhimup。\"
AnneleanedacrossthetableandtookMarilla’sfaceinherhands。
\"YouarenotlookingaswellyourselfasI’dliketoseeyou，Marilla。Youlooktired。I’mafraidyou’vebeenworkingtoohard。Youmusttakearest，nowthatI’mhome。
I’mjustgoingtotakethisonedayofftovisitallthedearoldspotsandhuntupmyolddreams，andthenitwillbeyourturntobelazywhileIdothework。\"
Marillasmiledaffectionatelyathergirl。
\"It’snotthework——it’smyhead。I’vegotapainsooftennow——behindmyeyes。DoctorSpencer’sbeenfussingwithglasses，buttheydon’tdomeanygood。Thereisadistin-
guishedoculistcomingtotheIslandthelastofJuneandthedoctorsaysImustseehim。IguessI’llhaveto。
Ican’treadorsewwithanycomfortnow。Well，Anne，you’vedonerealwellatQueen’sImustsay。TotakeFirstClassLicenseinoneyearandwintheAveryscholarship——well，well，Mrs。Lyndesayspridegoesbeforeafallandshedoesn’tbelieveinthehighereducationofwomenatall；
shesaysitunfitsthemforwoman’struesphere。Idon’tbelieveawordofit。SpeakingofRachelremindsme——didyouhearanythingabouttheAbbeyBanklately，Anne？\"
\"Ihearditwasshaky，\"answeredAnne。\"Why？\"
\"ThatiswhatRachelsaid。Shewasuphereonedaylastweekandsaidtherewassometalkaboutit。Matthewfeltrealworried。Allwehavesavedisinthatbank——everypenny。IwantedMatthewtoputitintheSavingsBankinthefirstplace，butoldMr。Abbeywasagreatfriendoffather’sandhe’dalwaysbankedwithhim。Matthewsaidanybankwithhimattheheadofitwasgoodenoughforanybody。\"
\"Ithinkhehasonlybeenitsnominalheadformanyyears，\"saidAnne。\"Heisaveryoldman；hisnephewsarereallyattheheadoftheinstitution。\"
\"Well，whenRacheltoldusthat，IwantedMatthewtodrawourmoneyrightoutandhesaidhe’dthinkofit。ButMr。Russelltoldhimyesterdaythatthebankwasallright。\"
Annehadhergooddayinthecompanionshipoftheoutdoorworld。
