EchoLodge，whichhadbeenclosedeversinceMissLavendar’swedding，wasbrieflythrownopentowindandsunshineoncemore，andfirelightglimmeredagaininthelittlerooms。TheperfumeofMissLavendar’srosebowlstillfilledtheair。ItwashardlypossibletobelievethatMissLavendarwouldnotcometrippinginpresently，withherbrowneyesa-starwithwelcome，andthatCharlottatheFourth，blueofbowandwideofsmile，wouldnotpopthroughthedoor。Paul，too，seemedhoveringaround，withhisfairyfancies。
\"Itreallymakesmefeelalittlebitlikeaghostrevisitingtheoldtimeglimpsesofthemoon，\"laughedAnne。\"Let’sgooutandseeiftheechoesareathome。Bringtheoldhorn。Itisstillbehindthekitchendoor。\"
Theechoeswereathome，overthewhiteriver，assilver-clearandmultitudinousasever；andwhentheyhadceasedtoanswerthegirlslockedupEchoLodgeagainandwentawayintheperfecthalfhourthatfollowstheroseandsaffronofawintersunset。
ChapterVIII
Anne’sFirstProposalTheoldyeardidnotslipawayinagreentwilight，withapinky-yellowsunset。Instead，itwentoutwithawild，whiteblusterandblow。Itwasoneofthenightswhenthestorm-windhurtlesoverthefrozenmeadowsandblackhollows，andmoansaroundtheeaveslikealostcreature，anddrivesthesnowsharplyagainsttheshakingpanes。
\"Justthesortofnightpeopleliketocuddledownbetweentheirblanketsandcounttheirmercies，\"saidAnnetoJaneAndrews，whohadcomeuptospendtheafternoonandstayallnight。Butwhentheywerecuddledbetweentheirblankets，inAnne’slittleporchroom，itwasnothermerciesofwhichJanewasthinking。
\"Anne，\"shesaidverysolemnly，\"Iwanttotellyousomething。MayI\"
AnnewasfeelingrathersleepyafterthepartyRubyGillishadgiventhenightbefore。ShewouldmuchratherhavegonetosleepthanlistentoJane’sconfidences，whichshewassurewouldboreher。
Shehadnopropheticinklingofwhatwascoming。ProbablyJanewasengaged，too；rumoraverredthatRubyGilliswasengagedtotheSpencervaleschoolteacher，aboutwhomallthegirlsweresaidtobequitewild。
\"I’llsoonbetheonlyfancy-freemaidenofouroldquartet，\"
thoughtAnne，drowsily。Aloudshesaid，\"Ofcourse。\"
\"Anne，\"saidJane，stillmoresolemnly，\"whatdoyouthinkofmybrotherBilly？\"
Annegaspedoverthisunexpectedquestion，andflounderedhelplesslyinherthoughts。Goodness，whatDIDshethinkofBillyAndrews？ShehadneverthoughtANYTHINGabouthim——
round-faced，stupid，perpetuallysmiling，good-naturedBillyAndrews。DidANYBODYeverthinkaboutBillyAndrews？
\"I——Idon’tunderstand，Jane，\"shestammered。\"Whatdoyoumean——exactly？\"
\"DoyoulikeBilly？\"askedJanebluntly。
\"Why——why——yes，Ilikehim，ofcourse，\"gaspedAnne，wonderingifsheweretellingtheliteraltruth。CertainlyshedidnotDISlikeBilly。Butcouldtheindifferenttolerancewithwhichsheregardedhim，whenhehappenedtobeinherrangeofvision，beconsideredpositiveenoughforliking？WHATwasJanetryingtoelucidate？
\"Wouldyoulikehimforahusband？\"askedJanecalmly。
\"Ahusband！\"Annehadbeensittingupinbed，thebettertowrestlewiththeproblemofherexactopinionofBillyAndrews。
Nowshefellflatlybackonherpillows，theverybreathgoneoutofher。\"Whosehusband？\"
\"Yours，ofcourse，\"answeredJane。\"Billywantstomarryyou。
He’salwaysbeencrazyaboutyou——andnowfatherhasgivenhimtheupperfarminhisownnameandthere’snothingtopreventhimfromgettingmarried。Buthe’ssoshyhecouldn’taskyouhimselfifyou’dhavehim，sohegotmetodoit。I’drathernothave，buthegavemenopeacetillIsaidIwould，ifIgotagoodchance。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，Anne？\"
Wasitadream？Wasitoneofthosenightmarethingsinwhichyoufindyourselfengagedormarriedtosomeoneyouhateordon’tknow，withouttheslightestideahowitevercameabout？
No，she，AnneShirley，waslyingthere，wideawake，inherownbed，andJaneAndrewswasbesideher，calmlyproposingforherbrotherBilly。
Annedidnotknowwhethershewantedtowritheorlaugh；butshecoulddoneither，forJane’sfeelingsmustnotbehurt。
\"I——Icouldn’tmarryBill，youknow，Jane，\"shemanagedtogasp。
\"Why，suchanideaneveroccurredtome——never！\"
\"Idon’tsupposeitdid，\"agreedJane。\"Billyhasalwaysbeenfartooshytothinkofcourting。Butyoumightthinkitover，Anne。
Billyisagoodfellow。Imustsaythat，ifheismybrother。
Hehasnobadhabitsandhe’sagreatworker，andyoucandependonhim。`Abirdinthehandisworthtwointhebush。’Hetoldmetotellyouhe’dbequitewillingtowaittillyougotthroughcollege，ifyouinsisted，thoughhe’dRATHERgetmarriedthisspringbeforetheplantingbegins。He’dalwaysbeverygoodtoyou，I’msure，andyouknow，Anne，I’dlovetohaveyouforasister。\"
\"Ican’tmarryBilly，\"saidAnnedecidedly。Shehadrecoveredherwits，andwasevenfeelingalittleangry。Itwasallsoridiculous。\"Thereisnousethinkingofit，Jane。Idon’tcareanythingforhiminthatway，andyoumusttellhimso。\"
\"Well，Ididn’tsupposeyouwould，\"saidJanewitharesignedsigh，feelingthatshehaddoneherbest。\"ItoldBillyIdidn’tbelieveitwasabitofusetoaskyou，butheinsisted。Well，you’vemadeyourdecision，Anne，andIhopeyouwon’tregretit。\"
Janespokerathercoldly。ShehadbeenperfectlysurethattheenamoredBillyhadnochanceatallofinducingAnnetomarryhim。
Nevertheless，shefeltalittleresentmentthatAnneShirley，whowas，afterall，merelyanadoptedorphan，withoutkithorkin，shouldrefuseherbrother——oneoftheAvonleaAndrews。Well，pridesometimesgoesbeforeafall，Janereflectedominously。
AnnepermittedherselftosmileinthedarknessovertheideathatshemighteverregretnotmarryingBillyAndrews。
\"IhopeBillywon’tfeelverybadlyoverit，\"shesaidnicely。
Janemadeamovementasifsheweretossingherheadonherpillow。
\"Oh，hewon’tbreakhisheart。Billyhastoomuchgoodsenseforthat。
HelikesNettieBlewettprettywell，too，andmotherwouldratherhemarriedherthananyone。She’ssuchagoodmanagerandsaver。
Ithink，whenBillyisoncesureyouwon’thavehim，he’lltakeNettie。
Pleasedon’tmentionthistoanyone，willyou，Anne？\"
\"Certainlynot，\"saidAnne，whohadnodesirewhatevertopublishabroadthefactthatBillyAndrewswantedtomarryher，preferringher，whenallwassaidanddone，toNettieBlewett。NettieBlewett！
\"AndnowIsupposewe’dbettergotosleep，\"suggestedJane。
TosleepwentJaneeasilyandspeedily；but，thoughveryunlikeMacBethinmostrespects，shehadcertainlycontrivedtomurdersleepforAnne。Thatproposed-todamsellayonawakefulpillowuntiltheweesma’s，buthermeditationswerefarfrombeingromantic。
Itwasnot，however，untilthenextmorningthatshehadanopportunitytoindulgeinagoodlaughoverthewholeaffair。WhenJanehadgonehome——stillwithahintoffrostinvoiceandmannerbecauseAnnehaddeclinedsoungratefullyanddecidedlythehonorofanalliancewiththeHouseofAndrews——Anneretreatedtotheporchroom，shutthedoor，andhadherlaughoutatlast。
\"IfIcouldonlysharethejokewithsomeone！\"shethought。
\"ButIcan’t。DianaistheonlyoneI’dwanttotell，and，evenifIhadn’tswornsecrecytoJane，Ican’ttellDianathingsnow。
ShetellseverythingtoFred——Iknowshedoes。Well，I’vehadmyfirstproposal。Isupposeditwouldcomesomeday——butI
certainlyneverthoughtitwouldbebyproxy。It’sawfullyfunny——andyetthere’sastinginit，too，somehow。\"
Anneknewquitewellwhereinthestingconsisted，thoughshedidnotputitintowords。Shehadhadhersecretdreamsofthefirsttimesomeoneshouldaskherthegreatquestion。
Andithad，inthosedreams，alwaysbeenveryromanticandbeautiful:
andthe\"someone\"wastobeveryhandsomeanddark-eyedanddistinguished-lookingandeloquent，whetherhewerePrinceCharmingtobeenrapturedwith\"yes，\"oronetowhomaregretful，beautifullyworded，buthopelessrefusalmustbegiven。Ifthelatter，therefusalwastobeexpressedsodelicatelythatitwouldbenextbestthingtoacceptance，andhewouldgoaway，afterkissingherhand，assuringherofhisunalterable，life-longdevotion。Anditwouldalwaysbeabeautifulmemory，tobeproudofandalittlesadabout，also。
Andnow，thisthrillingexperiencehadturnedouttobemerelygrotesque。
BillyAndrewshadgothissistertoproposeforhimbecausehisfatherhadgivenhimtheupperfarm；andifAnnewouldn’t\"havehim\"NettieBlewettwould。
Therewasromanceforyou，withavengeance！Annelaughed——andthensighed。
Thebloomhadbeenbrushedfromonelittlemaidendream。Wouldthepainfulprocessgoonuntileverythingbecameprosaicandhum-drum？
ChapterIX
AnUnwelcomeLoverandaWelcomeFriendThesecondtermatRedmondspedasquicklyashadthefirst——
\"actuallywhizzedaway，\"Philippasaid。Anneenjoyeditthoroughlyinallitsphases——thestimulatingclassrivalry，themakinganddeepeningofnewandhelpfulfriendships，thegaylittlesocialstunts，thedoingsofthevarioussocietiesofwhichshewasamember，thewideningofhorizonsandinterests。
Shestudiedhard，forshehadmadeuphermindtowintheThorburnScholarshipinEnglish。Thisbeingwon，meantthatshecouldcomebacktoRedmondthenextyearwithouttrenchingonMarilla’ssmallsavings——somethingAnnewasdeterminedshewouldnotdo。
Gilbert，too，wasinfullchaseafterascholarship，butfoundplentyoftimeforfrequentcallsatThirty-eight，St。John’s。
HewasAnne’sescortatnearlyallthecollegeaffairs，andsheknewthattheirnameswerecoupledinRedmondgossip。Anneragedoverthisbutwashelpless；shecouldnotcastanoldfriendlikeGilbertaside，especiallywhenhehadgrownsuddenlywiseandwary，asbehoovedhiminthedangerousproximityofmorethanoneRedmondyouthwhowouldgladlyhavetakenhisplacebythesideoftheslender，red-hairedcoed，whosegrayeyeswereasalluringasstarsofevening。AnnewasneverattendedbythecrowdofwillingvictimswhohoveredaroundPhilippa’sconqueringmarchthroughherFreshmanyear；buttherewasalanky，brainyFreshie，ajolly，little，roundSophomore，andatall，learnedJuniorwhoalllikedtocallatThirty-eight，St。John’s，andtalkover’ologiesand’isms，aswellaslightersubjects，withAnne，inthebecushionedparlorofthatdomicile。Gilbertdidnotloveanyofthem，andhewasexceedinglycarefultogivenoneofthemtheadvantageoverhimbyanyuntimelydisplayofhisrealfeelingsAnne-ward。Toherhehadbecomeagaintheboy-comradeofAvonleadays，andassuchcouldholdhisownagainstanysmittenswainwhohadsofarenteredthelistsagainsthim。
Asacompanion，AnnehonestlyacknowledgednobodycouldbesosatisfactoryasGilbert；shewasveryglad，soshetoldherself，thathehadevidentlydroppedallnonsensicalideas——thoughshespentconsiderabletimesecretlywonderingwhy。
Onlyonedisagreeableincidentmarredthatwinter。CharlieSloane，sittingboltuprightonMissAda’smostdearlybelovedcushion，askedAnneonenightifshewouldpromise\"tobecomeMrs。CharlieSloanesomeday。\"ComingafterBillyAndrews’proxyeffort，thiswasnotquitetheshocktoAnne’sromanticsensibilitiesthatitwouldotherwisehavebeen；butitwascertainlyanotherheart-rendingdisillusion。Shewasangry，too，forshefeltthatshehadnevergivenCharlietheslightestencouragementtosupposesuchathingpossible。ButwhatcouldyouexpectofaSloane，asMrs。RachelLyndewouldaskscornfully？Charlie’swholeattitude，tone，air，words，fairlyreekedwithSloanishness。\"Hewasconferringagreathonor——nodoubtwhateveraboutthat。AndwhenAnne，utterlyinsensibletothehonor，refusedhim，asdelicatelyandconsideratelyasshecould——forevenaSloanehadfeelingswhichoughtnottobeundulylacerated——Sloanishnessstillfurtherbetrayeditself。
CharliecertainlydidnottakehisdismissalasAnne’simaginaryrejectedsuitorsdid。Instead，hebecameangry，andshowedit；
hesaidtwoorthreequitenastythings；Anne’stemperflashedupmutinouslyandsheretortedwithacuttinglittlespeechwhosekeennesspiercedevenCharlie’sprotectiveSloanishnessandreachedthequick；hecaughtuphishatandflunghimselfoutofthehousewithaveryredface；Annerushedupstairs，fallingtwiceoverMissAda’scushionsontheway，andthrewherselfonherbed，intearsofhumiliationandrage。HadsheactuallystoopedtoquarrelwithaSloane？WasitpossibleanythingCharlieSloanecouldsayhadpowertomakeherangry？Oh，thiswasdegradation，indeed——worseeventhanbeingtherivalofNettieBlewett！
\"IwishIneedneverseethehorriblecreatureagain，\"shesobbedvindictivelyintoherpillows。
Shecouldnotavoidseeinghimagain，buttheoutragedCharlietookcarethatitshouldnotbeatveryclosequarters。MissAda’scushionswerehenceforthsafefromhisdepredations，andwhenhemetAnneonthestreet，orinRedmond’shalls，hisbowwasicyintheextreme。Relationsbetweenthesetwooldschoolmatescontinuedtobethusstrainedfornearlyayear！
ThenCharlietransferredhisblightedaffectionstoaround，rosy，snub-nosed，blue-eyed，littleSophomorewhoappreciatedthemastheydeserved，whereuponheforgaveAnneandcondescendedtobeciviltoheragain；inapatronizingmannerintendedtoshowherjustwhatshehadlost。
OnedayAnnescurriedexcitedlyintoPriscilla’sroom。
\"Readthat，\"shecried，tossingPriscillaaletter。\"It’sfromStella——andshe’scomingtoRedmondnextyear——andwhatdoyouthinkofheridea？Ithinkit’saperfectlysplendidone，ifwecanonlycarryitout。Doyousupposewecan，Pris？\"
\"I’llbebetterabletotellyouwhenIfindoutwhatitis，\"
saidPriscilla，castingasideaGreeklexiconandtakingupStella’sletter。StellaMaynardhadbeenoneoftheirchumsatQueen’sAcademyandhadbeenteachingschooleversince。
\"ButI’mgoingtogiveitup，Annedear，\"shewrote，\"andgotocollegenextyear。AsItookthethirdyearatQueen’sIcanentertheSophomoreyear。I’mtiredofteachinginabackcountryschool。SomedayI’mgoingtowriteatreatiseon`TheTrialsofaCountrySchoolmarm。’Itwillbeaharrowingbitofrealism。Itseemstobetheprevailingimpressionthatweliveinclover，andhavenothingtodobutdrawourquarter’ssalary。
Mytreatiseshalltellthetruthaboutus。Why，ifaweekshouldpasswithoutsomeonetellingmethatIamdoingeasyworkforbigpayIwouldconcludethatImightaswellordermyascensionrobe`immediatelyandtoonct。’`Well，yougetyourmoneyeasy，’
somerate-payerwilltellme，condescendingly。`Allyouhavetodoistositthereandhearlessons。’Iusedtoarguethematteratfirst，butI’mwisernow。Factsarestubbornthings，butassomeonehaswiselysaid，nothalfsostubbornasfallacies。
SoIonlysmileloftilynowineloquentsilence。Why，IhaveninegradesinmyschoolandIhavetoteachalittleofeverything，frominvestigatingtheinteriorsofearthwormstothestudyofthesolarsystem。Myyoungestpupilisfour——hismothersendshimtoschoolto`gethimoutoftheway’——andmyoldesttwenty——it`suddenlystruckhim’thatitwouldbeeasiertogotoschoolandgetaneducationthanfollowtheploughanylonger。
InthewildefforttocramallsortsofresearchintosixhoursadayIdon’twonderifthechildrenfeellikethelittleboywhowastakentoseethebiograph。`Ihavetolookforwhat’scomingnextbeforeIknowwhatwentlast，’hecomplained。Ifeellikethatmyself。
\"AndthelettersIget，Anne！Tommy’smotherwritesmethatTommyisnotcomingoninarithmeticasfastasshewouldlike。
Heisonlyinsimplereductionyet，andJohnnyJohnsonisinfractions，andJohnnyisn’thalfassmartasherTommy，andshecan’tunderstandit。AndSusy’sfatherwantstoknowwhySusycan’twritealetterwithoutmisspellinghalfthewords，andDick’sauntwantsmetochangehisseat，becausethatbadBrownboyheissittingwithisteachinghimtosaynaughtywords。
\"Astothefinancialpart——butI’llnotbeginonthat。Thosewhomthegodswishtodestroytheyfirstmakecountryschoolmarms！
\"There，Ifeelbetter，afterthatgrowl。Afterall，I’veenjoyedthesepasttwoyears。ButI’mcomingtoRedmond。
\"Andnow，Anne，I’vealittleplan。YouknowhowIloatheboarding。
I’veboardedforfouryearsandI’msotiredofit。Idon’tfeellikeenduringthreeyearsmoreofit。
Now，whycan’tyouandPriscillaandIclubtogether，rentalittlehousesomewhereinKingsport，andboardourselves？
Itwouldbecheaperthananyotherway。Ofcourse，wewouldhavetohaveahousekeeperandIhaveonereadyonthespot。
You’veheardmespeakofAuntJamesina？She’sthesweetestauntthateverlived，inspiteofhername。Shecan’thelpthat！
ShewascalledJamesinabecauseherfather，whosenamewasJames，wasdrownedatseaamonthbeforeshewasborn。IalwayscallherAuntJimsie。Well，heronlydaughterhasrecentlymarriedandgonetotheforeignmissionfield。AuntJamesinaisleftaloneinagreatbighouse，andsheishorriblylonesome。ShewillcometoKingsportandkeephouseforusifwewanther，andI
knowyou’llbothloveher。ThemoreIthinkoftheplanthemoreIlikeit。Wecouldhavesuchgood，independenttimes。
\"Now，ifyouandPriscillaagreetoit，wouldn’titbeagoodideaforyou，whoareonthespot，tolookaroundandseeifyoucanfindasuitablehousethisspring？Thatwouldbebetterthanleavingittillthefall。Ifyoucouldgetafurnishedonesomuchthebetter，butifnot，wecanscareupafewsticksoffiniturebetweenusandoldfamilyfriendswithattics。Anyhow，decideassoonasyoucanandwriteme，sothatAuntJamesinawillknowwhatplanstomakefornextyear。\"
\"Ithinkit’sagoodidea，\"saidPriscilla。
\"SodoI，\"agreedAnnedelightedly。\"Ofcourse，wehaveaniceboardinghousehere，but，whenall’ssaidanddone，aboardinghouseisn’thome。Solet’sgohouse-huntingatonce，beforeexamscomeon。\"
\"I’mafraiditwillbehardenoughtogetareallysuitablehouse，\"
warnedPriscilla。\"Don’texpecttoomuch，Anne。Nicehousesinnicelocalitieswillprobablybeawaybeyondourmeans。We’lllikelyhavetocontentourselveswithashabbylittleplaceonsomestreetwhereonlivepeoplewhomtoknowistobeunknown，andmakelifeinsidecompensatefortheoutside。\"
Accordinglytheywenthouse-hunting，buttofindjustwhattheywantedprovedevenharderthanPriscillahadfeared。
Housesthereweregalore，furnishedandunfurnished；butonewastoobig，anothertoosmall；thisonetooexpensive，thatonetoofarfromRedmond。Examswereonandover；thelastweekofthetermcameandstilltheir\"houseo’dreams，\"asAnnecalledit，remainedacastleintheair。
\"Weshallhavetogiveupandwaittillthefall，Isuppose，\"saidPriscillawearily，astheyrambledthroughtheparkononeofApril’sdarlingdaysofbreezeandblue，whentheharborwascreamingandshimmeringbeneaththepearl-huedmistsfloatingoverit。\"Wemayfindsomeshacktoshelterusthen；andifnot，boardinghousesweshallhavealwayswithus。\"
\"I’mnotgoingtoworryaboutitjustnow，anyway，andspoilthislovelyafternoon，\"saidAnne，gazingaroundherwithdelight。
Thefreshchillairwasfaintlychargedwiththearomaofpinebalsam，andtheskyabovewascrystalclearandblue——agreatinvertedcupofblessing。\"Springissinginginmybloodtoday，andthelureofAprilisabroadontheair。I’mseeingvisionsanddreamingdreams，Pris。That’sbecausethewindisfromthewest。Idolovethewestwind。Itsingsofhopeandgladness，doesn’tit？WhentheeastwindblowsIalwaysthinkofsorrowfulrainontheeavesandsadwavesonagrayshore。WhenIgetoldIshallhaverheumatismwhenthewindiseast。\"
\"Andisn’titjollywhenyoudiscardfursandwintergarmentsforthefirsttimeandsallyforth，likethis，inspringattire？\"
laughedPriscilla。\"Don’tyoufeelasifyouhadbeenmadeovernew？\"
\"Everythingisnewinthespring，\"saidAnne。\"Springsthemselvesarealwayssonew，too。Nospringiseverjustlikeanyotherspring。
Italwayshassomethingofitsowntobeitsownpeculiarsweetness。
Seehowgreenthegrassisaroundthatlittlepond，andhowthewillowbudsarebursting。\"
\"Andexamsareoverandgone——thetimeofConvocationwillcomesoon——nextWednesday。Thisdaynextweekwe’llbehome。\"
\"I’mglad，\"saidAnnedreamily。\"TherearesomanythingsIwanttodo。IwanttositonthebackporchstepsandfeelthebreezeblowingdownoverMr。Harrison’sfields。IwanttohuntfernsintheHauntedWoodandgathervioletsinVioletVale。Doyourememberthedayofourgoldenpicnic，Priscilla？Iwanttohearthefrogssingingandthepoplarswhispering。ButI’velearnedtoloveKingsport，too，andI’mgladI’mcomingbacknextfall。
IfIhadn’twontheThorburnIdon’tbelieveIcouldhave。I
COULDN’TtakeanyofMarilla’slittlehoard。\"
\"Ifwecouldonlyfindahouse！\"sighedPriscilla。\"LookoverthereatKingsport，Anne——houses，houseseverywhere，andnotoneforus。\"
\"Stopit，Pris。`Thebestisyettobe。’LiketheoldRoman，we’llfindahouseorbuildone。Onadaylikethisthere’snosuchwordasfailinmybrightlexicon。\"
Theylingeredintheparkuntilsunset，livingintheamazingmiracleandgloryandwonderofthespringtide；andtheywenthomeasusual，bywayofSpoffordAvenue，thattheymighthavethedelightoflookingatPatty’sPlace。
\"Ifeelasifsomethingmysteriousweregoingtohappenrightaway——`bytheprickingofmythumbs，’\"saidAnne，astheywentuptheslope。\"It’sanicestory-bookishfeeling。Why——why——
why！PriscillaGrant，lookoverthereandtellmeifit’strue，oramIseein’things？\"
Priscillalooked。Anne’sthumbsandeyeshadnotdeceivedher。
OverthearchedgatewayofPatty’sPlacedangledalittle，modestsign。Itsaid\"ToLet，Furnished。InquireWithin。\"
\"Priscilla，\"saidAnne，inawhisper，\"doyousupposeit’spossiblethatwecouldrentPatty’sPlace？\"
\"No，Idon’t，\"averredPriscilla。\"Itwouldbetoogoodtobetrue。Fairytalesdon’thappennowadays。Iwon’thope，Anne。
Thedisappointmentwouldbetooawfultobear。They’resuretowantmoreforitthanwecanafford。Remember，it’sonSpoffordAvenue。\"
\"Wemustfindoutanyhow，\"saidAnneresolutely。\"It’stoolatetocallthisevening，butwe’llcometomorrow。Oh，Pris，ifwecangetthisdarlingspot！I’vealwaysfeltthatmyfortuneswerelinkedwithPatty’sPlace，eversinceIsawitfirst。\"
ChapterX
Patty’sPlaceThenexteveningfoundthemtreadingresolutelytheherring-bonewalkthroughthetinygarden。TheAprilwindwasfillingthepinetreeswithitsroundelay，andthegrovewasalivewithrobins——great，plump，saucyfellows，struttingalongthepaths。
Thegirlsrangrathertimidly，andwereadmittedbyagrimandancienthandmaiden。Thedooropeneddirectlyintoalargeliving-room，wherebyacheerylittlefiresattwootherladies，bothofwhomwerealsogrimandancient。Exceptthatonelookedtobeaboutseventyandtheotherfifty，thereseemedlittledifferencebetweenthem。Eachhadamazinglybig，light-blueeyesbehindsteel-rimmedspectacles；eachworeacapandagrayshawl；
eachwasknittingwithouthasteandwithoutrest；eachrockedplacidlyandlookedatthegirlswithoutspeaking；andjustbehindeachsatalargewhitechinadog，withroundgreenspotsalloverit，agreennoseandgreenears。ThosedogscapturedAnne’sfancyonthespot；theyseemedlikethetwinguardiandeitiesofPatty’sPlace。
Forafewminutesnobodyspoke。Thegirlsweretoonervoustofindwords，andneithertheancientladiesnorthechinadogsseemedconversationallyinclined。Anneglancedabouttheroom。
Whatadearplaceitwas！Anotherdooropenedoutofitdirectlyintothepinegroveandtherobinscameboldlyupontheverystep。
Thefloorwasspottedwithround，braidedmats，suchasMarillamadeatGreenGables，butwhichwereconsideredoutofdateeverywhereelse，eveninAvonlea。AndyetheretheywereonSpoffordAvenue！Abig，polishedgrandfather’sclocktickedloudlyandsolemnlyinacorner。Thereweredelightfullittlecupboardsoverthemantelpiece，behindwhoseglassdoorsgleamedquaintbitsofchina。Thewallswerehungwitholdprintsandsilhouettes。Inonecornerthestairswentup，andatthefirstlowturnwasalongwindowwithaninvitingseat。ItwasalljustasAnnehadknownitmustbe。
Bythistimethesilencehadgrowntoodreadful，andPriscillanudgedAnnetointimatethatshemustspeak。
\"We——we——sawbyyoursignthatthishouseistolet，\"saidAnnefaintly，addressingtheolderlady，whowasevidentlyMissPattySpofford。
\"Oh，yes，\"saidMissPatty。\"Iintendedtotakethatsigndowntoday。\"
\"Then——thenwearetoolate，\"saidAnnesorrowfully。\"You’veletittosomeoneelse？\"
\"No，butwehavedecidednottoletitatall。\"
\"Oh，I’msosorry，\"exclaimedAnneimpulsively。\"Ilovethisplaceso。
Ididhopewecouldhavegotit。\"
ThendidMissPattylaydownherknitting，takeoffherspecs，rubthem，putthemonagain，andforthefirsttimelookatAnneasatahumanbeing。Theotherladyfollowedherexamplesoperfectlythatshemightaswellhavebeenareflectioninamirror。
\"YouLOVEit，\"saidMissPattywithemphasis。\"DoesthatmeanthatyoureallyLOVEit？Orthatyoumerelylikethelooksofit？
ThegirlsnowadaysindulgeinsuchexaggeratedstatementsthatonenevercantellwhattheyDOmean。Itwasn’tsoinmyyoungdays。
THENagirldidnotsaysheLOVEDturnips，injustthesametoneasshemighthavesaidshelovedhermotherorherSavior。\"
Anne’sconscienceboreherup。
\"Ireallydoloveit，\"shesaidgently。\"I’velovediteversinceIsawitlastfall。MytwocollegechumsandIwanttokeephousenextyearinsteadofboarding，sowearelookingforalittleplacetorent；andwhenIsawthatthishousewastoletIwassohappy。\"
\"Ifyouloveit，youcanhaveit，\"saidMissPatty。\"MariaandI
decidedtodaythatwewouldnotletitafterall，becausewedidnotlikeanyofthepeoplewhohavewantedit。Wedon’tHAVEtoletit。WecanaffordtogotoEuropeevenifwedon’tletit。
Itwouldhelpusout，butnotforgoldwillIletmyhomepassintothepossessionofsuchpeopleashavecomehereandlookedatit。YOUaredifferent。Ibelieveyoudoloveitandwillbegoodtoit。Youcanhaveit。\"
\"If——ifwecanaffordtopaywhatyouaskforit，\"hesitatedAnne。
MissPattynamedtheamountrequired。AnneandPriscillalookedateachother。Priscillashookherhead。
\"I’mafraidwecan’taffordquitesomuch，\"saidAnne，chokingbackherdisappointment。\"Yousee，weareonlycollegegirlsandwearepoor。\"
\"Whatwereyouthinkingyoucouldafford？\"demandedMissPatty，ceasingnottoknit。
Annenamedheramount。MissPattynoddedgravely。
\"Thatwilldo。AsItoldyou，itisnotstrictlynecessarythatweshouldletitatall。Wearenotrich，butwehaveenoughtogotoEuropeon。IhaveneverbeeninEuropeinmylife，andneverexpectedorwantedtogo。Butmyniecethere，MariaSpofford，hastakenafancytogo。Now，youknowayoungpersonlikeMariacan’tgoglobetrottingalone。\"
\"No——I——Isupposenot，\"murmuredAnne，seeingthatMissPattywasquitesolemnlyinearnest。
\"Ofcoursenot。SoIhavetogoalongtolookafterher。Iexpecttoenjoyit，too；I’mseventyyearsold，butI’mnottiredoflivingyet。
IdaresayI’dhavegonetoEuropebeforeiftheideahadoccurredtome。
Weshallbeawayfortwoyears，perhapsthree。WesailinJuneandweshallsendyouthekey，andleaveallinorderforyoutotakepossessionwhenyouchoose。Weshallpackawayafewthingsweprizeespecially，butalltherestwillbeleft。\"
\"Willyouleavethechinadogs？\"askedAnnetimidly。
\"Wouldyoulikemeto？\"
\"Oh，indeed，yes。Theyaredelightful。\"
ApleasedexpressioncameintoMissPatty’sface。
\"Ithinkagreatdealofthosedogs，\"shesaidproudly。\"Theyareoverahundredyearsold，andtheyhavesatoneithersideofthisfireplaceeversincemybrotherAaronbroughtthemfromLondonfiftyyearsago。SpoffordAvenuewascalledaftermybrotherAaron。\"
\"Afinemanhewas，\"saidMissMaria，speakingforthefirsttime。
\"Ah，youdon’tseethelikeofhimnowadays。\"
\"Hewasagooduncletoyou，Maria，\"saidMissPatty，withevidentemotion。
\"Youdowelltorememberhim。\"
\"Ishallalwaysrememberhim，\"saidMissMariasolemnly。\"Icanseehim，thisminute，standingtherebeforethatfire，withhishandsunderhiscoat-tails，beamingonus。\"
MissMariatookoutherhandkerchiefandwipedhereyes；butMissPattycameresolutelybackfromtheregionsofsentimenttothoseofbusiness。
\"Ishallleavethedogswheretheyare，ifyouwillpromisetobeverycarefulofthem，\"shesaid。\"TheirnamesareGogandMagog。
GoglookstotherightandMagogtotheleft。Andthere’sjustonethingmore。Youdon’tobject，Ihope，tothishousebeingcalledPatty’sPlace？\"
\"No，indeed。Wethinkthatisoneofthenicestthingsaboutit。\"
\"Youhavesense，Isee，\"saidMissPattyinatoneofgreatsatisfaction。
\"Wouldyoubelieveit？Allthepeoplewhocameheretorentthehousewantedtoknowiftheycouldn’ttakethenameoffthegateduringtheiroccupationofit。Itoldthemroundlythatthenamewentwiththehouse。
ThishasbeenPatty’sPlaceeversincemybrotherAaronleftittomeinhiswill，andPatty’sPlaceitshallremainuntilIdieandMariadies。
Afterthathappensthenextpossessorcancallitanyfoolnamehelikes，\"
concludedMissPatty，muchasshemighthavesaid，\"Afterthat——thedeluge。\"
\"Andnow，wouldn’tyouliketogooverthehouseandseeitallbeforeweconsiderthebargainmade？\"
Furtherexplorationstillfurtherdelightedthegirls。Besidesthebigliving-room，therewasakitchenandasmallbedroomdownstairs。
Upstairswerethreerooms，onelargeandtwosmall。Annetookanespecialfancytooneofthesmallones，lookingoutintothebigpines，andhopeditwouldbehers。Itwaspaperedinpaleblueandhadalittle，old-timeytoilettablewithsconcesforcandles。Therewasadiamond-panedwindowwithaseatunderthebluemuslinfrillsthatwouldbeasatisfyingspotforstudyingordreaming。
\"It’sallsodeliciousthatIknowwearegoingtowakeupandfinditafleetingvisionofthenight，\"saidPriscillaastheywentaway。
\"MissPattyandMissMariaarehardlysuchstuffasdreamsaremadeof，\"laughedAnne。\"Canyoufancythem`globe-trotting’——
especiallyinthoseshawlsandcaps？\"
\"Isupposethey’lltakethemoffwhentheyreallybegintotrot，\"
saidPriscilla，\"butIknowthey’lltaketheirknittingwiththemeverywhere。Theysimplycouldn’tbepartedfromit。
TheywillwalkaboutWestminsterAbbeyandknit，Ifeelsure。
Meanwhile，Anne，weshallbelivinginPatty’sPlace——andonSpoffordAvenue。Ifeellikeamillionairessevennow。\"
\"Ifeellikeoneofthemorningstarsthatsangforjoy，\"saidAnne。
PhilGordoncreptintoThirty-eight，St。John’s，thatnightandflungherselfonAnne’sbed。
\"Girls，dear，I’mtiredtodeath。Ifeellikethemanwithoutacountry——
orwasitwithoutashadow？Iforgetwhich。Anyway，I’vebeenpackingup。\"
\"AndIsupposeyouarewornoutbecauseyoucouldn’tdecidewhichthingstopackfirst，orwheretoputthem，\"laughedPriscilla。
\"E-zackly。AndwhenIhadgoteverythingjammedinsomehow，andmylandladyandhermaidhadbothsatonitwhileIlockedit，I
discoveredIhadpackedawholelotofthingsIwantedforConvocationattheverybottom。IhadtounlocktheoldthingandpokeanddiveintoitforanhourbeforeIfishedoutwhatI
wanted。IwouldgetholdofsomethingthatfeltlikewhatIwaslookingfor，andI’dyankitup，anditwouldbesomethingelse。
No，Anne，IdidNOTswear。\"
\"Ididn’tsayyoudid。\"
\"Well，youlookedit。ButIadmitmythoughtsvergedontheprofane。
AndIhavesuchacoldinthehead——Icandonothingbutsniffle，sighandsneeze。Isn’tthatalliterativeagonyforyou？QueenAnne，dosaysomethingtocheermeup。\"
\"RememberthatnextThursdaynight，you’llbebackinthelandofAlecandAlonzo，\"suggestedAnne。
Philshookherheaddolefully。
\"Morealliteration。No，Idon’twantAlecandAlonzowhenIhaveacoldinthehead。Butwhathashappenedyoutwo？NowthatIlookatyoucloselyyouseemalllightedupwithaninternaliridescence。
Why，you’reactuallySHINING！What’sup？\"
\"WearegoingtoliveinPatty’sPlacenextwinter，\"saidAnnetriumphantly。
\"Live，markyou，notboard！We’verentedit，andStellaMaynardiscoming，andherauntisgoingtokeephouseforus。\"
Philbouncedup，wipedhernose，andfellonherkneesbeforeAnne。
\"Girls——girls——letmecome，too。Oh，I’llbesogood。Ifthere’snoroomformeI’llsleepinthelittledoghouseintheorchard——I’veseenit。Onlyletmecome。\"
\"Getup，yougoose。\"
\"Iwon’tstiroffmymarrowbonestillyoutellmeIcanlivewithyounextwinter。\"
AnneandPriscillalookedateachother。ThenAnnesaidslowly，\"Phildear，we’dlovetohaveyou。Butwemayaswellspeakplainly。
I’mpoor——Prisispoor——StellaMaynardispoor——ourhousekeepingwillhavetobeverysimpleandourtableplain。You’dhavetoliveaswewould。Now，youarerichandyourboardinghousefareatteststhefact。\"
\"Oh，whatdoIcareforthat？\"demandedPhiltragically。
\"Betteradinnerofherbswhereyourchumsarethanastalledoxinalonelyboardinghouse。Don’tthinkI’mALLstomach，girls。
I’llbewillingtoliveonbreadandwater——withjustaLEETLE
jam——ifyou’llletmecome。\"
\"Andthen，\"continuedAnne，\"therewillbeagooddealofworktobedone。
Stella’sauntcan’tdoitall。Weallexpecttohaveourchorestodo。
Now，you——\"
\"Toilnot，neitherdoIspin，\"finishedPhilippa。\"ButI’lllearntodothings。You’llonlyhavetoshowmeonce。ICANmakemyownbedtobeginwith。Andrememberthat，thoughIcan’tcook，ICANkeepmytemper。That’ssomething。AndINEVERgrowlabouttheweather。That’smore。Oh，please，please！Ineverwantedanythingsomuchinmylife——andthisfloorisawfullyhard。\"
\"There’sjustonemorething，\"saidPriscillaresolutely。
\"You，Phil，asallRedmondknows，entertaincallersalmosteveryevening。Now，atPatty’sPlacewecan’tdothat。WehavedecidedthatweshallbeathometoourfriendsonFridayeveningsonly。
Ifyoucomewithusyou’llhavetoabidebythatrule。\"
\"Well，youdon’tthinkI’llmindthat，doyou？Why，I’mgladofit。
IknewIshouldhavehadsomesuchrulemyself，butIhadn’tenoughdecisiontomakeitorsticktoit。WhenIcanshuffleofftheresponsibilityonyouitwillbearealrelief。Ifyouwon’tletmecastinmylotwithyouI’lldieofthedisappointmentandthenI’llcomebackandhauntyou。I’llcampontheverydoorstepofPatty’sPlaceandyouwon’tbeabletogooutorcomeinwithoutfallingovermyspook。\"
AgainAnneandPriscillaexchangedeloquentlooks。
\"Well，\"saidAnne，\"ofcoursewecan’tpromisetotakeyouuntilwe’veconsultedwithStella；butIdon’tthinkshe’llobject，and，asfarasweareconcerned，youmaycomeandgladwelcome。\"
\"Ifyougettiredofoursimplelifeyoucanleaveus，andnoquestionsasked，\"addedPriscilla。
Philsprangup，huggedthembothjubilantly，andwentonherwayrejoicing。
\"Ihopethingswillgoright，\"saidPriscillasoberly。
\"WemustMAKEthemgoright，\"avowedAnne。\"IthinkPhilwillfitintoour’appylittle’omeverywell。\"
\"Oh，Phil’sadeartorattleroundwithandbechums。And，ofcourse，themorethereareofustheeasieritwillbeonourslimpurses。
Buthowwillshebetolivewith？Youhavetosummerandwinterwithanyonebeforeyouknowifshe’sLIVABLEornot。\"
\"Oh，well，we’llallbeputtothetest，asfarasthatgoes。
Andwemustquituslikesensiblefolk，livingandletlive。
Philisn’tselfish，thoughshe’salittlethoughtless，andI
believewewillallgetonbeautifullyinPatty’sPlace。\"
ChapterXI
TheRoundofLifeAnnewasbackinAvonleawiththelusteroftheThorburnScholarshiponherbrow。Peopletoldhershehadn’tchangedmuch，inatonewhichhintedtheyweresurprisedandalittledisappointedshehadn’t。
Avonleahadnotchanged，either。Atleast，soitseemedatfirst。
ButasAnnesatintheGreenGablespew，onthefirstSundayafterherreturn，andlookedoverthecongregation，shesawseverallittlechangeswhich，allcominghometoheratonce，madeherrealizethattimedidnotquitestandstill，eveninAvonlea。Anewministerwasinthepulpit。Inthepewsmorethanonefamiliarfacewasmissingforever。
Old\"UncleAbe，\"hisprophesyingoveranddonewith，Mrs。PeterSloane，whohadsighed，itwastobehoped，forthelasttime，TimothyCotton，who，asMrs。RachelLyndesaid\"hadactuallymanagedtodieatlastafterpracticingatitfortwentyyears，\"andoldJosiahSloane，whomnobodyknewinhiscoffinbecausehehadhiswhiskersneatlytrimmed，wereallsleepinginthelittlegraveyardbehindthechurch。AndBillyAndrewswasmarriedtoNettieBlewett！They\"appearedout\"thatSunday。
WhenBilly，beamingwithprideandhappiness，showedhisbe-plumedandbe-silkedbrideintotheHarmonAndrews’pew，Annedroppedherlidstohideherdancingeyes。SherecalledthestormywinternightoftheChristmasholidayswhenJanehadproposedforBilly。Hecertainlyhadnotbrokenhisheartoverhisrejection。AnnewonderedifJanehadalsoproposedtoNettieforhim，orifhehadmusteredenoughspunktoaskthefatefulquestionhimself。AlltheAndrewsfamilyseemedtoshareinhisprideandpleasure，fromMrs。HarmoninthepewtoJaneinthechoir。JanehadresignedfromtheAvonleaschoolandintendedtogoWestinthefall。
\"Can’tgetabeauinAvonlea，that’swhat，\"saidMrs。RachelLyndescornfully。\"SAYSshethinksshe’llhavebetterhealthoutWest。
Ineverheardherhealthwaspoorbefore。\"
\"Janeisanicegirl，\"Annehadsaidloyally。\"Shenevertriedtoattractattention，assomedid。\"
\"Oh，sheneverchasedtheboys，ifthat’swhatyoumean，\"saidMrs。Rachel。\"Butshe’dliketobemarried，justasmuchasanybody，that’swhat。WhatelsewouldtakeheroutWesttosomeforsakenplacewhoseonlyrecommendationisthatmenareplentyandwomenscarce？Don’tyoutellme！\"
ButitwasnotatJane，Annegazedthatdayindismayandsurprise。
ItwasatRubyGillis，whosatbesideherinthechoir。WhathadhappenedtoRuby？Shewasevenhandsomerthanever；butherblueeyesweretoobrightandlustrous，andthecolorofhercheekswashecticallybrilliant；besides，shewasverythin；thehandsthatheldherhymn-bookwerealmosttransparentintheirdelicacy。
\"IsRubyGillisill？\"AnneaskedofMrs。Lynde，astheywenthomefromchurch。
\"RubyGillisisdyingofgallopingconsumption，\"saidMrs。Lyndebluntly。\"EverybodyknowsitexceptherselfandherFAMILY。
Theywon’tgivein。IfyouaskTHEM，she’sperfectlywell。
Shehasn’tbeenabletoteachsinceshehadthatattackofcongestioninthewinter，butshesaysshe’sgoingtoteachagaininthefall，andshe’saftertheWhiteSandsschool。
She’llbeinhergrave，poorgirl，whenWhiteSandsschoolopens，that’swhat。\"
Annelistenedinshockedsilence。RubyGillis，heroldschool-chum，dying？Coulditbepossible？Oflateyearstheyhadgrownapart；
buttheoldtieofschool-girlintimacywasthere，andmadeitselffeltsharplyinthetugthenewsgaveatAnne’sheartstrings。
Ruby，thebrilliant，themerry，thecoquettish！Itwasimpossibletoassociatethethoughtofherwithanythinglikedeath。ShehadgreetedAnnewithgaycordialityafterchurch，andurgedhertocomeupthenextevening。
\"I’llbeawayTuesdayandWednesdayevenings，\"shehadwhisperedtriumphantly。\"There’saconcertatCarmodyandapartyatWhiteSands。HerbSpencer’sgoingtotakeme。He’smyLATEST。Besuretocomeuptomorrow。I’mdyingforagoodtalkwithyou。IwanttohearallaboutyourdoingsatRedmond。\"
AnneknewthatRubymeantthatshewantedtotellAnneallaboutherownrecentflirtations，butshepromisedtogo，andDianaofferedtogowithher。
\"I’vebeenwantingtogotoseeRubyforalongwhile，\"shetoldAnne，whentheyleftGreenGablesthenextevening，\"butIreallycouldn’tgoalone。It’ssoawfultohearRubyrattlingonasshedoes，andpretendingthereisnothingthematterwithher，evenwhenshecanhardlyspeakforcoughing。She’sfightingsohardforherlife，andyetshehasn’tanychanceatall，theysay。\"
Thegirlswalkedsilentlydownthered，twilitroad。Therobinsweresingingvespersinthehightreetops，fillingthegoldenairwiththeirjubilantvoices。Thesilverflutingofthefrogscamefrommarshesandponds，overfieldswhereseedswerebeginningtostirwithlifeandthrilltothesunshineandrainthathaddriftedoverthem。Theairwasfragrantwiththewild，sweet，wholesomesmellofyoungraspberrycopses。Whitemistswerehoveringinthesilenthollowsandvioletstarswereshiningbluelyonthebrooklands。
\"Whatabeautifulsunset，\"saidDiana。\"Look，Anne，it’sjustlikealandinitself，isn’tit？Thatlong，lowbackofpurplecloudistheshore，andtheclearskyfurtheronislikeagoldensea。\"
\"IfwecouldsailtoitinthemoonshineboatPaulwroteofinhisoldcomposition——youremember？——howniceitwouldbe，\"
saidAnne，rousingfromherreverie。\"Doyouthinkwecouldfindallouryesterdaysthere，Diana——allouroldspringsandblossoms？ThebedsofflowersthatPaulsawtherearetherosesthathavebloomedforusinthepast？\"
\"Don’t！\"saidDiana。\"Youmakemefeelasifwewereoldwomenwitheverythinginlifebehindus。\"
\"IthinkI’vealmostfeltasifweweresinceIheardaboutpoorRuby，\"
saidAnne。\"Ifitistruethatsheisdyinganyothersadthingmightbetrue，too。\"
\"Youdon’tmindcallinginatElishaWright’sforamoment，doyou？\"
askedDiana。\"MotheraskedmetoleavethislittledishofjellyforAuntAtossa。\"
\"WhoisAuntAtossa？\"
\"Oh，haven’tyouheard？She’sMrs。SamsonCoatesofSpencervale——Mrs。ElishaWright’saunt。She’sfather’saunt，too。Herhusbanddiedlastwinterandshewasleftverypoorandlonely，sotheWrightstookhertolivewiththem。Motherthoughtweoughttotakeher，butfatherputhisfootdown。LivewithAuntAtossahewouldnot。\"
\"Isshesoterrible？\"askedAnneabsently。
\"You’llprobablyseewhatshe’slikebeforewecangetaway，\"
saidDianasignificantly。\"Fathersaysshehasafacelikeahatchet——itcutstheair。Buthertongueissharperstill。\"
LateasitwasAuntAtossawascuttingpotatosetsintheWrightkitchen。Sheworeafadedoldwrapper，andhergrayhairwasdecidedlyuntidy。AuntAtossadidnotlikebeing\"caughtinakilter，\"soshewentoutofherwaytobedisagreeable。
\"Oh，soyou’reAnneShirley？\"shesaid，whenDianaintroducedAnne。
\"I’veheardofyou。\"Hertoneimpliedthatshehadheardnothinggood。
\"Mrs。Andrewswastellingmeyouwerehome。Shesaidyouhadimprovedagooddeal。\"
TherewasnodoubtAuntAtossathoughttherewasplentyofroomforfurtherimprovement。Sheceasednotfromcuttingsetswithmuchenergy。
\"Isitanyusetoaskyoutositdown？\"sheinquiredsarcastically。
\"Ofcourse，there’snothingveryentertaininghereforyou。Therestareallaway。\"
\"Mothersentyouthislittlepotofrhubarbjelly，\"saidDianapleasantly。\"Shemadeittodayandthoughtyoumightlikesome。\"
\"Oh，thanks，\"saidAuntAtossasourly。\"Ineverfancyyourmother’sjelly——shealwaysmakesittoosweet。However，I’lltrytoworrysomedown。Myappetite’sbeendreadfulpoorthisspring。I’mfarfromwell，\"continuedAuntAtossasolemnly，\"butstillIkeepa-doing。Peoplewhocan’tworkaren’twantedhere。
Ifitisn’ttoomuchtroublewillyoubecondescendingenoughtosetthejellyinthepantry？I’minahurrytogetthesespudsdonetonight。IsupposeyoutwoLADIESneverdoanythinglikethis。
You’dbeafraidofspoilingyourhands。\"
\"Iusedtocutpotatosetsbeforewerentedthefarm，\"smiledAnne。
\"Idoityet，\"laughedDiana。\"Icutsetsthreedayslastweek。
Ofcourse，\"sheaddedteasingly，\"Ididmyhandsupinlemonjuiceandkidgloveseverynightafterit。\"
AuntAtossasniffed。
\"Isupposeyougotthatnotionoutofsomeofthosesillymagazinesyoureadsomanyof。Iwonderyourmotherallowsyou。
Butshealwaysspoiledyou。WeallthoughtwhenGeorgemarriedhershewouldn’tbeasuitablewifeforhim。\"
AuntAtossasighedheavily，asifallforebodingsupontheoccasionofGeorgeBarry’smarriagehadbeenamplyanddarklyfulfilled。
\"Going，areyou？\"sheinquired，asthegirlsrose。\"Well，I
supposeyoucan’tfindmuchamusementtalkingtoanoldwomanlikeme。It’ssuchapitytheboysain’thome。\"
\"WewanttoruninandseeRubyGillisalittlewhile，\"explainedDiana。
\"Oh，anythingdoesforanexcuse，ofcourse，\"saidAuntAtossa，amiably。
\"Justwhipinandwhipoutbeforeyouhavetimetosayhow-dodecently。
It’scollegeairs，Is’pose。You’dbewisertokeepawayfromRubyGillis。
Thedoctorssayconsumption’scatching。IalwaysknewRuby’dgetsomething，gaddingofftoBostonlastfallforavisit。Peoplewhoain’tcontenttostayhomealwayscatchsomething。\"
\"Peoplewhodon’tgovisitingcatchthings，too。Sometimestheyevendie，\"
saidDianasolemnly。
\"Thentheydon’thavethemselvestoblameforit，\"retortedAuntAtossatriumphantly。\"IhearyouaretobemarriedinJune，Diana。\"
\"Thereisnotruthinthatreport，\"saidDiana，blushing。
\"Well，don’tputitofftoolong，\"saidAuntAtossasignificantly。
\"You’llfadesoon——you’reallcomplexionandhair。AndtheWrightsareterriblefickle。Yououghttowearahat，MISSSHIRLEY。Yournoseisfrecklingscandalous。My，butyouAREredheaded！Well，Is’posewe’reallastheLordmadeus！GiveMarillaCuthbertmyrespects。
She’sneverbeentoseemesinceIcometoAvonlea，butIs’poseI
oughtn’ttocomplain。TheCuthbertsalwaysdidthinkthemselvesacuthigherthananyoneelseroundhere。\"
\"Oh，isn’tshedreadful？\"gaspedDiana，astheyescapeddownthelane。
\"She’sworsethanMissElizaAndrews，\"saidAnne。\"ButthenthinkoflivingallyourlifewithanamelikeAtossa！Wouldn’titsouralmostanyone？SheshouldhavetriedtoimaginehernamewasCordelia。
Itmighthavehelpedheragreatdeal。ItcertainlyhelpedmeinthedayswhenIdidn’tlikeANNE。\"
\"JosiePyewillbejustlikeherwhenshegrowsup，\"saidDiana。
\"Josie’smotherandAuntAtossaarecousins，youknow。Oh，dear，I’mgladthat’sover。She’ssomalicious——sheseemstoputabadflavorineverything。Fathertellssuchafunnystoryabouther。
OnetimetheyhadaministerinSpencervalewhowasaverygood，spiritualmanbutverydeaf。Hecouldn’thearanyordinaryconversationatall。Well，theyusedtohaveaprayermeetingonSundayevenings，andallthechurchmemberspresentwouldgetupandprayinturn，orsayafewwordsonsomeBibleverse。ButoneeveningAuntAtossabouncedup。Shedidn’teitherprayorpreach。Instead，shelitintoeverybodyelseinthechurchandgavethemafearfulrakingdown，callingthemrightoutbynameandtellingthemhowtheyallhadbehaved，andcastingupallthequarrelsandscandalsofthepasttenyears。FinallyshewoundupbysayingthatshewasdisgustedwithSpencervalechurchandshenevermeanttodarkenitsdooragain，andshehopedafearfuljudgmentwouldcomeuponit。Thenshesatdownoutofbreath，andtheminister，whohadn’theardawordshesaid，immediatelyremarked，inaverydevoutvoice，`amen！TheLordgrantourdearsister’sprayer！’Yououghttohearfathertellthestory。\"
\"Speakingofstories，Diana，\"remarkedAnne，inasignificant，confidentialtone，\"doyouknowthatlatelyIhavebeenwonderingifIcouldwriteashortstory——astorythatwouldbegoodenoughtobepublished？\"
\"Why，ofcourseyoucould，\"saidDiana，aftershehadgraspedtheamazingsuggestion。\"YouusedtowriteperfectlythrillingstoriesyearsagoinouroldStoryClub。\"
\"Well，Ihardlymeantoneofthatkindofstories，\"smiledAnne。
\"I’vebeenthinkingaboutitalittleoflate，butI’malmostafraidtotry，for，ifIshouldfail，itwouldbetoohumiliating。\"
\"IheardPriscillasayoncethatallMrs。Morgan’sfirststorieswererejected。ButI’msureyourswouldn’tbe，Anne，forit’slikelyeditorshavemoresensenowadays。\"
\"MargaretBurton，oneoftheJuniorgirlsatRedmond，wroteastorylastwinteranditwaspublishedintheCanadianWoman。
IreallydothinkIcouldwriteoneatleastasgood。\"
\"AndwillyouhaveitpublishedintheCanadianWoman？\"
\"Imighttryoneofthebiggermagazinesfirst。ItalldependsonwhatkindofastoryIwrite。\"
\"Whatisittobeabout？\"
\"Idon’tknowyet。Iwanttogetholdofagoodplot。Ibelievethisisverynecessaryfromaneditor’spointofview。TheonlythingI’vesettledonistheheroine’sname。ItistobeAVERIL
LESTER。Ratherpretty，don’tyouthink？Don’tmentionthistoanyone，Diana。Ihaven’ttoldanybodybutyouandMr。Harrison。
HEwasn’tveryencouraging——hesaidtherewasfartoomuchtrashwrittennowadaysasitwas，andhe’dexpectedsomethingbetterofme，afterayearatcollege。\"
\"WhatdoesMr。Harrisonknowaboutit？\"demandedDianascornfully。
TheyfoundtheGillishomegaywithlightsandcallers。LeonardKimball，ofSpencervale，andMorganBell，ofCarmody，wereglaringateachotheracrosstheparlor。Severalmerrygirlshaddroppedin。
Rubywasdressedinwhiteandhereyesandcheekswereverybrilliant。
Shelaughedandchatteredincessantly，andaftertheothergirlshadgoneshetookAnneupstairstodisplayhernewsummerdresses。
\"I’veabluesilktomakeupyet，butit’salittleheavyforsummerwear。IthinkI’llleaveituntilthefall。I’mgoingtoteachinWhiteSands，youknow。Howdoyoulikemyhat？
Thatoneyouhadoninchurchyesterdaywasrealdinky。
ButIlikesomethingbrighterformyself。Didyounoticethosetworidiculousboysdownstairs？They’vebothcomedeterminedtositeachotherout。Idon’tcareasinglebitabouteitherofthem，youknow。HerbSpenceristheoneIlike。
SometimesIreallydothinkhe’sMR。RIGHT。AtChristmasI
thoughttheSpencervaleschoolmasterwasthat。ButIfoundoutsomethingabouthimthatturnedmeagainsthim。HenearlywentinsanewhenIturnedhimdown。Iwishthosetwoboyshadn’tcometonight。Iwantedtohaveanicegoodtalkwithyou，Anne，andtellyousuchheapsofthings。YouandIwerealwaysgoodchums，weren’twe？\"
RubyslippedherarmaboutAnne’swaistwithashallowlittlelaugh。
Butjustforamomenttheireyesmet，and，behindallthelusterofRuby’s，Annesawsomethingthatmadeherheartache。
\"Comeupoften，won’tyou，Anne？\"whisperedRuby。\"Comealone——
Iwantyou。\"
\"Areyoufeelingquitewell，Ruby？\"
\"Me！Why，I’mperfectlywell。Ineverfeltbetterinmylife。
Ofcourse，thatcongestionlastwinterpulledmedownalittle。
Butjustseemycolor。Idon’tlookmuchlikeaninvalid，I’msure。\"
Ruby’svoicewasalmostsharp。ShepulledherarmawayfromAnne，asifinresentment，andrandownstairs，whereshewasgayerthanever，apparentlysomuchabsorbedinbanteringhertwoswainsthatDianaandAnnefeltratheroutofitandsoonwentaway。
ChapterXII
\"Averil’sAtonement\"
\"Whatareyoudreamingof，Anne？\"
Thetwogirlswereloiteringoneeveninginafairyhollowofthebrook。Fernsnoddedinit，andlittlegrassesweregreen，andwildpearshungfinely-scented，whitecurtainsaroundit。
