Therewasanotherpause——solongandsodreadfulthatAnnewasdrivenatlasttolookup。Gilbert’sfacewaswhitetothelips。
Andhiseyes——butAnneshudderedandlookedaway。Therewasnothingromanticaboutthis。Mustproposalsbeeithergrotesqueor——horrible？CouldsheeverforgetGilbert’sface？
\"Isthereanybodyelse？\"heaskedatlastinalowvoice。
\"No——no，\"saidAnneeagerly。\"Idon’tcareforanyonelikeTHAT——andILIKEyoubetterthananybodyelseintheworld，Gilbert。Andwemust——wemustgoonbeingfriends，Gilbert。\"
Gilbertgaveabitterlittlelaugh。
\"Friends！Yourfriendshipcan’tsatisfyme，Anne。Iwantyourlove——andyoutellmeIcanneverhavethat。\"
\"I’msorry。Forgiveme，Gilbert，\"wasallAnnecouldsay。
Where，oh，wherewereallthegraciousandgracefulspeecheswherewith，inimagination，shehadbeenwonttodismissrejectedsuitors？
Gilbertreleasedherhandgently。
\"Thereisn’tanythingtoforgive。TherehavebeentimeswhenIthoughtyoudidcare。I’vedeceivedmyself，that’sall。Goodbye，Anne。\"
Annegotherselftoherroom，satdownonherwindowseatbehindthepines，andcriedbitterly。Shefeltasifsomethingincalculablyprecioushadgoneoutofherlife。ItwasGilbert’sfriendship，ofcourse。Oh，whymustsheloseitafterthisfashion？
\"Whatisthematter，honey？\"askedPhil，cominginthroughthemoonlitgloom。
Annedidnotanswer。AtthatmomentshewishedPhilwereathousandmilesaway。
\"Isupposeyou’vegoneandrefusedGilbertBlythe。Youareanidiot，AnneShirley！\"
\"DoyoucallitidiotictorefusetomarryamanIdon’tlove？\"
saidAnnecoldly，goadedtoreply。
\"Youdon’tknowlovewhenyouseeit。You’vetrickedsomethingoutwithyourimaginationthatyouthinklove，andyouexpecttherealthingtolooklikethat。There，that’sthefirstsensiblethingI’veeversaidinmylife。IwonderhowImanagedit？\"
\"Phil，\"pleadedAnne，\"pleasegoawayandleavemealoneforalittlewhile。Myworldhastumbledintopieces。Iwanttoreconstructit。\"
\"WithoutanyGilbertinit？\"saidPhil，going。
AworldwithoutanyGilbertinit！Annerepeatedthewordsdrearily。
Woulditnotbeaverylonely，forlornplace？Well，itwasallGilbert’sfault。Hehadspoiledtheirbeautifulcomradeship。
Shemustjustlearntolivewithoutit。
ChapterXXI
RosesofYesterdayThefortnightAnnespentinBolingbrokewasaverypleasantone，withalittleundercurrentofvaguepainanddissatisfactionrunningthroughitwhenevershethoughtaboutGilbert。Therewasnot，however，muchtimetothinkabouthim。\"MountHolly，\"thebeautifuloldGordonhomestead，wasaverygayplace，overrunbyPhil’sfriendsofbothsexes。Therewasquiteabewilderingsuccessionofdrives，dances，picnicsandboatingparties，allexpressivelylumpedtogetherbyPhilundertheheadof\"jamborees\"；
AlecandAlonzoweresoconstantlyonhandthatAnnewonderediftheyeverdidanythingbutdanceattendanceonthatwill-o’-the-wispofaPhil。Theywerebothnice，manlyfellows，butAnnewouldnotbedrawnintoanyopinionastowhichwasthenicer。
\"AndIdependedsoonyoutohelpmemakeupmymindwhichofthemI
shouldpromisetomarry，\"mournedPhil。
\"Youmustdothatforyourself。Youarequiteexpertatmakingupyourmindastowhomotherpeopleshouldmarry，\"retortedAnne，rathercaustically。
\"Oh，that’saverydifferentthing，\"saidPhil，truly。
ButthesweetestincidentofAnne’ssojourninBolingbrokewasthevisittoherbirthplace——thelittleshabbyyellowhouseinanout-of-the-waystreetshehadsooftendreamedabout。Shelookedatitwithdelightedeyes，assheandPhilturnedinatthegate。
\"It’salmostexactlyasI’vepicturedit，\"shesaid。\"Thereisnohoneysuckleoverthewindows，butthereisalilactreebythegate，and——yes，therearethemuslincurtainsinthewindows。
HowgladIamitisstillpaintedyellow。\"
Averytall，verythinwomanopenedthedoor。
\"Yes，theShirleyslivedheretwentyyearsago，\"shesaid，inanswertoAnne’squestion。\"Theyhaditrented。Iremember’em。
Theybothdiedoffeveratonct。Itwasturriblesad。Theyleftababy。Iguessit’sdeadlongago。Itwasasicklything。OldThomasandhiswifetookit——asiftheyhadn’tenoughoftheirown。\"
\"Itdidn’tdie，\"saidAnne，smiling。\"Iwasthatbaby。\"
\"Youdon’tsayso！Why，youhavegrown，\"exclaimedthewoman，asifsheweremuchsurprisedthatAnnewasnotstillababy。
\"Cometolookatyou，Iseetheresemblance。You’recomplectedlikeyourpa。Hehadredhair。Butyoufavoryourmainyoureyesandmouth。Shewasanicelittlething。Mydarterwenttoschooltoherandwasnighcrazyabouther。TheywasburiedintheonegraveandtheSchoolBoardputupatombstonetothemasarewardforfaithfulservice。Willyoucomein？\"
\"Willyouletmegoalloverthehouse？\"askedAnneeagerly。
\"Laws，yes，youcanifyoulike。’Twon’ttakeyoulong——thereain’tmuchofit。Ikeepatmymantobuildanewkitchen，butheain’toneofyourhustlers。Theparlor’sinthereandthere’stworoomsupstairs。Justprowlaboutyourselves。I’vegottoseetothebaby。Theeastroomwastheoneyouwerebornin。
Irememberyourmasayingshelovedtoseethesunrise；andI
mindhearingthatyouwasbornjustasthesunwasrisinganditslightonyourfacewasthefirstthingyourmasaw。\"
Annewentupthenarrowstairsandintothatlittleeastroomwithafullheart。Itwasasashrinetoher。Herehermotherhaddreamedtheexquisite，happydreamsofanticipatedmotherhood；
herethatredsunriselighthadfallenoverthembothinthesacredhourofbirth；herehermotherhaddied。Annelookedaboutherreverently，hereyeswithtears。Itwasforheroneofthejeweledhoursoflifethatgleamoutradiantlyforeverinmemory。
\"Justtothinkofit——motherwasyoungerthanIamnowwhenIwasborn，\"
shewhispered。
WhenAnnewentdownstairstheladyofthehousemetherinthehall。
Sheheldoutadustylittlepackettiedwithfadedblueribbon。
\"Here’sabundleofoldlettersIfoundinthatclosetupstairswhenIcamehere，\"shesaid。\"Idunnowhattheyare——Ineverbotheredtolookin’em，buttheaddressonthetoponeis`MissBerthaWillis，’andthatwasyourma’smaidenname。
Youcantake’emifyou’dkeertohave’em。\"
\"Oh，thankyou——thankyou，\"criedAnne，claspingthepacketrapturously。
\"Thatwasallthatwasinthehouse，\"saidherhostess。\"Thefurniturewasallsoldtopaythedoctorbills，andMrs。Thomasgotyourma’sclothesandlittlethings。Ireckontheydidn’tlastlongamongthatdroveofThomasyoungsters。Theywasdestructiveyounganimals，asImind’em。\"
\"Ihaven’tonethingthatbelongedtomymother，\"saidAnne，chokily。\"I——Icanneverthankyouenoughfortheseletters。\"
\"You’requitewelcome。Laws，butyoureyesislikeyourma’s。
Shecouldjustabouttalkwithhers。Yourfatherwassorterhomelybutawfulnice。Imindhearingfolkssaywhentheywasmarriedthatthereneverwastwopeoplemoreinlovewitheachother——Porecreatures，theydidn’tlivemuchlonger；buttheywasawfulhappywhiletheywasalive，andIs’posethatcountsforagooddeal。\"
Annelongedtogethometoreadherpreciousletters；butshemadeonelittlepilgrimagefirst。Shewentalonetothegreencornerofthe\"old\"Bolingbrokecemeterywhereherfatherandmotherwereburied，andleftontheirgravethewhiteflowersshecarried。ThenshehastenedbacktoMountHolly，shutherselfupinherroom，andreadtheletters。Somewerewrittenbyherfather，somebyhermother。Therewerenotmany——onlyadozeninall——forWalterandBerthaShirleyhadnotbeenoftenseparatedduringtheircourtship。Theletterswereyellowandfadedanddim，blurredwiththetouchofpassingyears。
Noprofoundwordsofwisdomweretracedonthestainedandwrinkledpages，butonlylinesofloveandtrust。Thesweetnessofforgottenthingsclungtothem——thefar-off，fondimaginingsofthoselong-deadlovers。BerthaShirleyhadpossessedthegiftofwritingletterswhichembodiedthecharmingpersonalityofthewriterinwordsandthoughtsthatretainedtheirbeautyandfragranceafterthelapseoftime。Thelettersweretender，intimate，sacred。ToAnne，thesweetestofallwastheonewrittenafterherbirthtothefatheronabriefabsence。
Itwasfullofaproudyoungmother’saccountsof\"baby\"——
hercleverness，herbrightness，herthousandsweetnesses。
\"Iloveherbestwhensheisasleepandbetterstillwhensheisawake，\"
BerthaShirleyhadwritteninthepostscript。Probablyitwasthelastsentenceshehadeverpenned。Theendwasverynearforher。
\"Thishasbeenthemostbeautifuldayofmylife，\"AnnesaidtoPhilthatnight。\"I’veFOUNDmyfatherandmother。ThoselettershavemadethemREALtome。I’mnotanorphananylonger。IfeelasifIhadopenedabookandfoundrosesofyesterday，sweetandbeloved，betweenitsleaves。\"
ChapterXXII
SpringandAnneReturntoGreenGablesThefirelightshadowsweredancingoverthekitchenwallsatGreenGables，forthespringeveningwaschilly；throughtheopeneastwindowdriftedinthesubtlysweetvoicesofthenight。
Marillawassittingbythefire——atleast，inbody。Inspiritshewasroamingoldenways，withfeetgrownyoung。OflateMarillahadthusspentmanyanhour，whenshethoughtsheshouldhavebeenknittingforthetwins。
\"IsupposeI’mgrowingold，\"shesaid。
YetMarillahadchangedbutlittleinthepastnineyears，savetogrowsomethingthinner，andevenmoreangular；therewasalittlemoregrayinthehairthatwasstilltwistedupinthesamehardknot，withtwohairpins——WEREtheythesamehairpins？——
stillstuckthroughit。Butherexpressionwasverydifferent；
thesomethingaboutthemouthwhichhadhintedatasenseofhumorhaddevelopedwonderfully；hereyesweregentlerandmilder，hersmilemorefrequentandtender。
Marillawasthinkingofherwholepastlife，hercrampedbutnotunhappychildhood，thejealouslyhiddendreamsandtheblightedhopesofhergirlhood，thelong，gray，narrow，monotonousyearsofdullmiddlelifethatfollowed。AndthecomingofAnne——
thevivid，imaginative，impetuouschildwithherheartoflove，andherworldoffancy，bringingwithhercolorandwarmthandradiance，untilthewildernessofexistencehadblossomedliketherose。MarillafeltthatoutofhersixtyyearsshehadlivedonlytheninethathadfollowedtheadventofAnne。
AndAnnewouldbehometomorrownight。
Thekitchendooropened。MarillalookedupexpectingtoseeMrs。
Lynde。Annestoodbeforeher，tallandstarry-eyed，withherhandsfullofMayflowersandviolets。
\"AnneShirley！\"exclaimedMarilla。Foronceinherlifeshewassurprisedoutofherreserve；shecaughthergirlinherarmsandcrushedherandherflowersagainstherheart，kissingthebrighthairandsweetfacewarmly。\"Ineverlookedforyoutilltomorrownight。HowdidyougetfromCarmody？\"
\"Walked，dearestofMarillas。Haven’tIdoneitascoreoftimesintheQueen’sdays？Themailmanistobringmytrunktomorrow；
Ijustgothomesickallatonce，andcameadayearlier。Andoh！
I’vehadsuchalovelywalkintheMaytwilight；IstoppedbythebarrensandpickedtheseMayflowers；IcamethroughViolet-Vale；
it’sjustabigbowlfulofvioletsnow——thedear，sky-tintedthings。Smellthem，Marilla——drinkthemin。\"
Marillasniffedobligingly，butshewasmoreinterestedinAnnethanindrinkingviolets。
\"Sitdown，child。Youmustberealtired。I’mgoingtogetyousomesupper。\"
\"There’sadarlingmoonrisebehindthehillstonight，Marilla，andoh，howthefrogssangmehomefromCarmody！Idolovethemusicofthefrogs。Itseemsboundupwithallmyhappiestrecollectionsofoldspringevenings。AnditalwaysremindsmeofthenightIcameherefirst。Doyourememberit，Marilla？\"
\"Well，yes，\"saidMarillawithemphasis。\"I’mnotlikelytoforgetitever。\"
\"Theyusedtosingsomadlyinthemarshandbrookthatyear。
Iwouldlistentothematmywindowinthedusk，andwonderhowtheycouldseemsogladandsosadatthesametime。Oh，butit’sgoodtobehomeagain！RedmondwassplendidandBolingbrokedelightful——butGreenGablesisHOME。\"
\"Gilbertisn’tcominghomethissummer，Ihear，\"saidMarilla。
\"No。\"SomethinginAnne’stonemadeMarillaglanceathersharply，butAnnewasapparentlyabsorbedinarranginghervioletsinabowl。\"See，aren’ttheysweet？\"shewentonhurriedly。\"Theyearisabook，isn’tit，Marilla？Spring’spagesarewritteninMayflowersandviolets，summer’sinroses，autumn’sinredmapleleaves，andwinterinhollyandevergreen。\"
\"DidGilbertdowellinhisexaminations？\"persistedMarilla。
\"Excellentlywell。Heledhisclass。ButwherearethetwinsandMrs。Lynde？\"
\"RachelandDoraareoveratMr。Harrison’s。DavyisdownatBoulters’。IthinkIhearhimcomingnow。\"
Davyburstin，sawAnne，stopped，andthenhurledhimselfuponherwithajoyfulyell。
\"Oh，Anne，ain’tIgladtoseeyou！Say，Anne，I’vegrowntwoinchessincelastfall。Mrs。Lyndemeasuredmewithhertapetoday，andsay，Anne，seemyfronttooth。It’sgone。Mrs。Lyndetiedoneendofastringtoitandtheotherendtothedoor，andthenshutthedoor。
IsoldittoMiltyfortwocents。Milty’scollectingteeth。\"
\"Whatintheworlddoeshewantteethfor？\"askedMarilla。
\"TomakeanecklaceforplayingIndianChief，\"explainedDavy，climbinguponAnne’slap。\"He’sgotfifteenalready，andeverybody’selse’spromised，sothere’snouseintherestofusstartingtocollect，too。ItellyoutheBoultersaregreatbusinesspeople。\"
\"WereyouagoodboyatMrs。Boulter’s？\"askedMarillaseverely。
\"Yes；butsay，Marilla，I’mtiredofbeinggood。\"
\"You’dgettiredofbeingbadmuchsooner，Davy-boy，\"saidAnne。
\"Well，it’dbefunwhileitlasted，wouldn’tit？\"persistedDavy。
\"Icouldbesorryforitafterwards，couldn’tI？\"
\"Beingsorrywouldn’tdoawaywiththeconsequencesofbeingbad，Davy。Don’tyouremembertheSundaylastsummerwhenyouranawayfromSundaySchool？Youtoldmethenthatbeingbadwasn’tworthwhile。WhatwereyouandMiltydoingtoday？\"
\"Oh，wefishedandchasedthecat，andhuntedforeggs，andyelledattheecho。There’sagreatechointhebushbehindtheBoulterbarn。Say，whatisecho，Anne；Iwanttoknow。\"
\"Echoisabeautifulnymph，Davy，livingfarawayinthewoods，andlaughingattheworldfromamongthehills。\"
\"Whatdoesshelooklike？\"
\"Herhairandeyesaredark，butherneckandarmsarewhiteassnow。
Nomortalcaneverseehowfairsheis。Sheisfleeterthanadeer，andthatmockingvoiceofhersisallwecanknowofher。Youcanhearhercallingatnight；youcanhearherlaughingunderthestars。
Butyoucanneverseeher。Shefliesafarifyoufollowher，andlaughsatyoualwaysjustoverthenexthill。\"
\"Isthattrue，Anne？Orisitawhopper？\"demandedDavystaring。
\"Davy，\"saidAnnedespairingly，\"haven’tyousenseenoughtodistinguishbetweenafairytaleandafalsehood？\"
\"ThenwhatisitthatsassesbackfromtheBoulterbush？Iwanttoknow，\"insistedDavy。
\"Whenyouarealittleolder，Davy，I’llexplainitalltoyou。\"
ThementionofageevidentlygaveanewturntoDavy’sthoughtsforafterafewmomentsofreflection，hewhisperedsolemnly:
\"Anne，I’mgoingtobemarried。\"
\"When？\"askedAnnewithequalsolemnity。
\"Oh，notuntilI’mgrown-up，ofcourse。\"
\"Well，that’sarelief，Davy。Whoisthelady？\"
\"StellaFletcher；she’sinmyclassatschool。Andsay，Anne，she’stheprettiestgirlyoueversaw。IfIdiebeforeIgrowupyou’llkeepaneyeonher，won’tyou？\"
\"DavyKeith，dostoptalkingsuchnonsense，\"saidMarillaseverely。
\"’Tisn’tnonsense，\"protestedDavyinaninjuredtone。\"She’smypromisedwife，andifIwastodieshe’dbemypromisedwidow，wouldn’tshe？Andshehasn’tgotasoultolookafterherexceptheroldgrandmother。\"
\"Comeandhaveyoursupper，Anne，\"saidMarilla，\"anddon’tencouragethatchildinhisabsurdtalk。\"
ChapterXXIII
PaulCannotFindtheRockPeopleLifewasverypleasantinAvonleathatsummer，althoughAnne，amidallhervacationjoys，washauntedbyasenseof\"somethinggonewhichshouldbethere。\"Shewouldnotadmit，eveninherinmostreflections，thatthiswascausedbyGilbert’sabsence。
ButwhenshehadtowalkhomealonefromprayermeetingsandA。V。I。S。pow-wows，whileDianaandFred，andmanyothergaycouples，loiteredalongthedusky，starlitcountryroads，therewasaqueer，lonelyacheinherheartwhichshecouldnotexplainaway。Gilbertdidnotevenwritetoher，asshethoughthemighthavedone。
SheknewhewrotetoDianaoccasionally，butshewouldnotinquireabouthim；andDiana，supposingthatAnneheardfromhim，volunteerednoinformation。Gilbert’smother，whowasagay，frank，light-heartedlady，butnotoverburdenedwithtact，hadaveryembarrassinghabitofaskingAnne，alwaysinapainfullydistinctvoiceandalwaysinthepresenceofacrowd，ifshehadheardfromGilbertlately。PoorAnnecouldonlyblushhorriblyandmurmur，\"notverylately，\"whichwastakenbyall，Mrs。Blytheincluded，tobemerelyamaidenlyevasion。
Apartfromthis，Anneenjoyedhersummer。PriscillacameforamerryvisitinJune；and，whenshehadgone，Mr。andMrs。Irving，PaulandCharlottatheFourthcame\"home\"forJulyandAugust。
EchoLodgewasthesceneofgaietiesoncemore，andtheechoesovertheriverwerekeptbusymimickingthelaughterthatrangintheoldgardenbehindthespruces。
\"MissLavendar\"hadnotchanged，excepttogrowevensweeterandprettier。Pauladoredher，andthecompanionshipbetweenthemwasbeautifultosee。
\"ButIdon’tcallher`mother’justbyitself，\"heexplainedtoAnne。\"Yousee，THATnamebelongsjusttomyownlittlemother，andIcan’tgiveittoanyoneelse。Youknow，teacher。ButI
callher`MotherLavendar’andIlovehernextbesttofather。
I——IevenloveheraLITTLEbetterthanyou，teacher。\"
\"Whichisjustasitoughttobe，\"answeredAnne。
Paulwasthirteennowandverytallforhisyears。Hisfaceandeyeswereasbeautifulasever，andhisfancywasstilllikeaprism，separatingeverythingthatfelluponitintorainbows。HeandAnnehaddelightfulramblestowoodandfieldandshore。Neverweretheretwomorethoroughly\"kindredspirits。\"
CharlottatheFourthhadblossomedoutintoyoungladyhood。Sheworeherhairnowinanenormouspompadorandhaddiscardedtheblueribbonbowsofauldlangsyne，butherfacewasasfreckled，hernoseassnubbed，andhermouthandsmilesaswideasever。
\"Youdon’tthinkItalkwithaYankeeaccent，doyou，MissShirley，ma’am？\"shedemandedanxiously。
\"Idon’tnoticeit，Charlotta。\"
\"I’mrealgladofthat。TheysaidIdidathome，butIthoughtlikelytheyjustwantedtoaggravateme。Idon’twantnoYankeeaccent。NotthatI’veawordtosayagainsttheYankees，MissShirley，ma’am。They’rerealcivilized。ButgivemeoldP。E。
Islandeverytime。\"
PaulspenthisfirstfortnightwithhisgrandmotherIrvinginAvonlea。Annewastheretomeethimwhenhecame，andfoundhimwildwitheagernesstogettotheshore——NoraandtheGoldenLadyandtheTwinSailorswouldbethere。Hecouldhardlywaittoeathissupper。CouldhenotseeNora’selfinfacepeeringaroundthepoint，watchingforhimwistfully？ButitwasaverysoberPaulwhocamebackfromtheshoreinthetwilight。
\"Didn’tyoufindyourRockPeople？\"askedAnne。
Paulshookhischestnutcurlssorrowfully。
\"TheTwinSailorsandtheGoldenLadynevercameatall，\"hesaid。
\"Norawasthere——butNoraisnotthesame，teacher。Sheischanged。\"
\"Oh，Paul，itisyouwhoarechanged，\"saidAnne。\"YouhavegrowntoooldfortheRockPeople。Theylikeonlychildrenforplayfellows。IamafraidtheTwinSailorswillneveragaincometoyouinthepearly，enchantedboatwiththesailofmoonshine；
andtheGoldenLadywillplaynomoreforyouonhergoldenharp。
EvenNorawillnotmeetyoumuchlonger。Youmustpaythepenaltyofgrowing-up，Paul。Youmustleavefairylandbehindyou。\"
\"Youtwotalkasmuchfoolishnessaseveryoudid，\"saidoldMrs。Irving，half-indulgently，half-reprovingly。
\"Oh，no，wedon’t，\"saidAnne，shakingherheadgravely。\"Wearegettingvery，verywise，anditissuchapity。Weareneverhalfsointerestingwhenwehavelearnedthatlanguageisgivenustoenableustoconcealourthoughts。\"
\"Butitisn’t——itisgivenustoexchangeourthoughts，\"saidMrs。Irvingseriously。ShehadneverheardofTallyrandanddidnotunderstandepigrams。
AnnespentafortnightofhalcyondaysatEchoLodgeinthegoldenprimeofAugust。WhiletheresheincidentallycontrivedtohurryLudovicSpeedinhisleisurelycourtingofTheodoraDix，asrelateddulyinanotherchronicleofherhistory。[1]ArnoldSherman，anelderlyfriendoftheIrvings，wasthereatthesametime，andaddednotalittletothegeneralpleasantnessoflife。
([1]ChroniclesofAvonlea。)
\"Whataniceplay-timethishasbeen，\"saidAnne。\"Ifeellikeagiantrefreshed。Andit’sonlyafortnightmoretillIgobacktoKingsport，andRedmondandPatty’sPlace。Patty’sPlaceisthedearestspot，MissLavendar。IfeelasifIhadtwohomes——oneatGreenGablesandoneatPatty’sPlace。Butwherehasthesummergone？Itdoesn’tseemadaysinceIcamehomethatspringeveningwiththeMayflowers。WhenIwaslittleIcouldn’tseefromoneendofthesummertotheother。Itstretchedbeforemelikeanunendingseason。Now，`’tisahandbreadth，’tisatale。’\"
\"Anne，areyouandGilbertBlytheasgoodfriendsasyouusedtobe？\"
askedMissLavendarquietly。
\"IamjustasmuchGilbert’sfriendaseverIwas，MissLavendar。\"
MissLavendarshookherhead。
\"Iseesomething’sgonewrong，Anne。I’mgoingtobeimpertinentandaskwhat。Haveyouquarrelled？\"
\"No；it’sonlythatGilbertwantsmorethanfriendshipandIcan’tgivehimmore。\"
\"Areyousureofthat，Anne？\"
\"Perfectlysure。\"
\"I’mvery，verysorry。\"
\"IwonderwhyeverybodyseemstothinkIoughttomarryGilbertBlythe，\"
saidAnnepetulantly。
\"Becauseyouweremadeandmeantforeachother，Anne——thatiswhy。
Youneedn’ttossthatyoungheadofyours。It’safact。\"
ChapterXXIV
EnterJonas\"PROSPECTPOINT，\"August20th。
\"DearAnne——spelled——with——an——E，\"wrotePhil，\"Imustpropmyeyelidsopenlongenoughtowriteyou。I’veneglectedyoushamefullythissummer，honey，butallmyothercorrespondentshavebeenneglected，too。Ihaveahugepileofletterstoanswer，soImustgirduptheloinsofmymindandhoein。Excusemymixedmetaphors。I’mfearfullysleepy。LastnightCousinEmilyandIwerecallingataneighbor’s。Therewereseveralothercallersthere，andassoonasthoseunfortunatecreaturesleft，ourhostessandherthreedaughterspickedthemalltopieces。
IknewtheywouldbeginonCousinEmilyandmeassoonasthedoorshutbehindus。WhenwecamehomeMrs。Lillyinformedusthattheaforesaidneighbor’shiredboywassupposedtobedownwithscarletfever。YoucanalwaystrustMrs。Lillytotellyoucheerfulthingslikethat。Ihaveahorrorofscarletfever。Icouldn’tsleepwhenIwenttobedforthinkingofit。Itossedandtumbledabout，dreamingfearfuldreamswhenIdidsnoozeforaminute；andatthreeIwakenedupwithahighfever，asorethroat，andaragingheadache。IknewIhadscarletfever；IgotupinapanicandhuntedupCousinEmily’s’doctorbook’toreadupthesymptoms。Anne，Ihadthemall。SoIwentbacktobed，andknowingtheworst，sleptlikeatoptherestofthenight。
ThoughwhyatopshouldsleepsounderthananythingelseI
nevercouldunderstand。ButthismorningIwasquitewell，soitcouldn’thavebeenthefever。IsupposeifIdidcatchitlastnightitcouldn’thavedevelopedsosoon。Icanrememberthatindaytime，butatthreeo’clockatnightInevercanbelogical。
\"IsupposeyouwonderwhatI’mdoingatProspectPoint。Well，I
alwaysliketospendamonthofsummerattheshore，andfatherinsiststhatIcometohissecond-cousinEmily’s`selectboardinghouse’atProspectPoint。SoafortnightagoIcameasusual。Andasusualold`UncleMarkMiller’broughtmefromthestationwithhisancientbuggyandwhathecallshis`generouspurpose’horse。Heisaniceoldmanandgavemeahandfulofpinkpeppermints。Peppermintsalwaysseemtomesuchareligioussortofcandy——IsupposebecausewhenIwasalittlegirlGrandmotherGordonalwaysgavethemtomeinchurch。OnceI
asked，referringtothesmellofpeppermints，`Isthattheodorofsanctity？’Ididn’tliketoeatUncleMark’speppermintsbecausehejustfishedthemlooseoutofhispocket，andhadtopicksomerustynailsandotherthingsfromamongthembeforehegavethemtome。ButIwouldn’thurthisdearoldfeelingsforanything，soIcarefullysowedthemalongtheroadatintervals。
Whenthelastonewasgone，UncleMarksaid，alittlerebukingly，`Yeshouldn’ta’etallthemcandiestoonct，MissPhil。You’lllikelyhavethestummick-ache。’
\"CousinEmilyhasonlyfiveboardersbesidesmyself——fouroldladiesandoneyoungman。Myright-handneighborisMrs。Lilly。
Sheisoneofthosepeoplewhoseemtotakeagruesomepleasureindetailingalltheirmanyachesandpainsandsicknesses。
Youcannotmentionanyailmentbutshesays，shakingherhead，`Ah，Iknowtoowellwhatthatis’——andthenyougetallthedetails。
Jonasdeclaresheoncespokeoflocomotorataxiainhearingandshesaidsheknewtoowellwhatthatwas。Shesufferedfromitfortenyearsandwasfinallycuredbyatravelingdoctor。
\"WhoisJonas？Justwait，AnneShirley。You’llhearallaboutJonasinthepropertimeandplace。Heisnottobemixedupwithestimableoldladies。
\"Myleft-handneighboratthetableisMrs。Phinney。Shealwaysspeakswithawailing，dolorousvoice——youarenervouslyexpectinghertoburstintotearseverymoment。Shegivesyoutheimpressionthatlifetoherisindeedavaleoftears，andthatasmile，nevertospeakofalaugh，isafrivolitytrulyreprehensible。ShehasaworseopinionofmethanAuntJamesina，andshedoesn’tlovemehardtoatoneforit，asAuntyJ。does，either。
\"MissMariaGrimsbysitscati-cornerfromme。ThefirstdayI
cameIremarkedtoMissMariathatitlookedalittlelikerain——andMissMarialaughed。Isaidtheroadfromthestationwasverypretty——andMissMarialaughed。Isaidthereseemedtobeafewmosquitoesleftyet——andMissMarialaughed。IsaidthatProspectPointwasasbeautifulasever——andMissMarialaughed。
IfIweretosaytoMissMaria，`Myfatherhashangedhimself，mymotherhastakenpoison，mybrotherisinthepenitentiary，andIaminthelaststagesofconsumption，’MissMariawouldlaugh。
Shecan’thelpit——shewasbornso；butisverysadandawful。
\"ThefiftholdladyisMrs。Grant。Sheisasweetoldthing；
butsheneversaysanythingbutgoodofanybodyandsosheisaveryuninterestingconversationalist。
\"AndnowforJonas，Anne。
\"ThatfirstdayIcameIsawayoungmansittingoppositemeatthetable，smilingatmeasifhehadknownmefrommycradle。
Iknew，forUncleMarkhadtoldme，thathisnamewasJonasBlake，thathewasaTheologicalStudentfromSt。Columbia，andthathehadtakenchargeofthePointProspectMissionChurchforthesummer。
\"Heisaveryuglyyoungman——really，theugliestyoungmanI’veeverseen。Hehasabig，loose-jointedfigurewithabsurdlylonglegs。Hishairistow-colorandlank，hiseyesaregreen，andhismouthisbig，andhisears——butIneverthinkabouthisearsifIcanhelpit。
\"Hehasalovelyvoice——ifyoushutyoureyesheisadorable——
andhecertainlyhasabeautifulsoulanddisposition。
\"Weweregoodchumsrightway。OfcourseheisagraduateofRedmond，andthatisalinkbetweenus。Wefishedandboatedtogether；andwewalkedonthesandsbymoonlight。Hedidn’tlooksohomelybymoonlightandoh，hewasnice。Nicenessfairlyexhaledfromhim。Theoldladies——exceptMrs。Grant——don’tapproveofJonas，becausehelaughsandjokes——andbecauseheevidentlylikesthesocietyoffrivolousmebetterthantheirs。
\"Somehow，Anne，Idon’twanthimtothinkmefrivolous。Thisisridiculous。WhyshouldIcarewhatatow-hairedpersoncalledJonas，whomIneversawbeforethinksofme？
\"LastSundayJonaspreachedinthevillagechurch。Iwent，ofcourse，butIcouldn’trealizethatJonaswasgoingtopreach。
Thefactthathewasaminister——orgoingtobeone——persistedinseemingahugejoketome。
\"Well，Jonaspreached。And，bythetimehehadpreachedtenminutes，IfeltsosmallandinsignificantthatIthoughtImustbeinvisibletothenakedeye。Jonasneversaidawordaboutwomenandheneverlookedatme。ButIrealizedthenandtherewhatapitiful，frivilous，small-souledlittlebutterflyIwas，andhowhorriblydifferentImustbefromJonas’idealwoman。
SHEwouldbegrandandstrongandnoble。Hewassoearnestandtenderandtrue。Hewaseverythingaministeroughttobe。
IwonderedhowIcouldeverhavethoughthimugly——buthereallyis！——withthoseinspiredeyesandthatintellectualbrowwhichtheroughly-fallinghairhidonweekdays。
\"ItwasasplendidsermonandIcouldhavelistenedtoitforever，anditmademefeelutterlywretched。Oh，IwishIwaslikeYOU，Anne。
\"Hecaughtupwithmeontheroadhome，andgrinnedascheerfullyasusual。Buthisgrincouldneverdeceivemeagain。IhadseentheREALJonas。IwonderedifhecouldeverseetheREALPHIL——
whomNOBODY，notevenyou，Anne，haseverseenyet。
\"`Jonas，’Isaid——IforgottocallhimMr。Blake。Wasn’titdreadful？
Buttherearetimeswhenthingslikethatdon’tmatter——`Jonas，youwereborntobeaminister。YouCOULDN’Tbeanythingelse。’
\"`No，Icouldn’t，’hesaidsoberly。`Itriedtobesomethingelseforalongtime——Ididn’twanttobeaminister。ButI
cametoseeatlastthatitwastheworkgivenmetodo——andGodhelpingme，Ishalltrytodoit。’
\"Hisvoicewaslowandreverent。Ithoughtthathewoulddohisworkanddoitwellandnobly；andhappythewomanfittedbynatureandtrainingtohelphimdoit。SHEwouldbenofeather，blownaboutbyeveryficklewindoffancy。SHEwouldalwaysknowwhathattoputon。Probablyshewouldhaveonlyone。Ministersneverhavemuchmoney。Butshewouldn’tmindhavingonehatornoneatall，becauseshewouldhaveJonas。
\"AnneShirley，don’tyoudaretosayorhintorthinkthatI’vefalleninlovewithMr。Blake。CouldIcareforalank，poor，uglytheologue——namedJonas？AsUncleMarksays，`It’simpossible，andwhat’smoreit’simprobable。’
Goodnight，PHIL。\"
\"P。S。Itisimpossible——butIamhorriblyafraidit’strue。
I’mhappyandwretchedandscared。HEcanNEVERcareforme，Iknow。DoyouthinkIcouldeverdevelopintoapassableminister’swife，Anne？AndWOULDtheyexpectmetoleadinprayer？PG。\"
ChapterXXV
EnterPrinceCharming\"I’mcontrastingtheclaimsofindoorsandout，\"saidAnne，lookingfromthewindowofPatty’sPlacetothedistantpinesofthepark。
\"I’veanafternoontospendinsweetdoingnothing，AuntJimsie。
ShallIspenditherewherethereisacosyfire，aplatefulofdeliciousrussets，threepurringandharmoniouscats，andtwoimpeccablechinadogswithgreennoses？OrshallIgotothepark，wherethereisthelureofgraywoodsandofgraywaterlappingontheharborrocks？\"
\"IfIwasasyoungasyou，I’ddecideinfavorofthepark，\"saidAuntJamesina，ticklingJoseph’syellowearwithaknittingneedle。
\"Ithoughtthatyouclaimedtobeasyoungasanyofus，Aunty，\"
teasedAnne。
\"Yes，inmysoul。ButI’lladmitmylegsaren’tasyoungasyours。
Yougoandgetsomefreshair，Anne。Youlookpalelately。\"
\"IthinkI’llgotothepark，\"saidAnnerestlessly。\"Idon’tfeelliketamedomesticjoystoday。Iwanttofeelaloneandfreeandwild。Theparkwillbeempty，foreveryonewillbeatthefootballmatch。\"
\"Whydidn’tyougotoit？\"
\"`Nobodyaxedme，sir，shesaid’——atleast，nobodybutthathorridlittleDanRanger。Iwouldn’tgoanywherewithhim；
butratherthanhurthispoorlittletenderfeelingsIsaidI
wasn’tgoingtothegameatall。Idon’tmind。I’mnotinthemoodforfootballtodaysomehow。\"
\"Yougoandgetsomefreshair，\"repeatedAuntJamesina，\"buttakeyourumbrella，forIbelieveit’sgoingtorain。I’verheumatisminmyleg。\"
\"Onlyoldpeopleshouldhaverheumatism，Aunty。\"
\"Anybodyisliabletorheumatisminherlegs，Anne。It’sonlyoldpeoplewhoshouldhaverheumatismintheirsouls，though。
Thankgoodness，Ineverhave。Whenyougetrheumatisminyoursoulyoumightaswellgoandpickoutyourcoffin。\"
ItwasNovember——themonthofcrimsonsunsets，partingbirds，deep，sadhymnsofthesea，passionatewind-songsinthepines。
Anneroamedthroughthepinelandalleysintheparkand，asshesaid，letthatgreatsweepingwindblowthefogsoutofhersoul。
Annewasnotwonttobetroubledwithsoulfog。But，somehow，sinceherreturntoRedmondforthisthirdyear，lifehadnotmirroredherspiritbacktoherwithitsold，perfect，sparklingclearness。
Outwardly，existenceatPatty’sPlacewasthesamepleasantroundofworkandstudyandrecreationthatithadalwaysbeen。
OnFridayeveningsthebig，fire-lightedlivingroomwascrowdedbycallersandechoedtoendlessjestandlaughter，whileAuntJamesinasmiledbeaminglyonthemall。The\"Jonas\"ofPhil’slettercameoften，runningupfromSt。Columbiaontheearlytrainanddepartingonthelate。
HewasageneralfavoriteatPatty’sPlace，thoughAuntJamesinashookherheadandopinedthatdivinitystudentswerenotwhattheyusedtobe。
\"He’sVERYnice，mydear，\"shetoldPhil，\"butministersoughttobegraverandmoredignified。\"
\"Can’tamanlaughandlaughandbeaChristianstill？\"demandedPhil。
\"Oh，MEN——yes。ButIwasspeakingofMINISTERS，mydear，\"
saidAuntJamesinarebukingly。\"Andyoushouldn’tflirtsowithMr。Blake——youreallyshouldn’t。\"
\"I’mnotflirtingwithhim，\"protestedPhil。
Nobodybelievedher，exceptAnne。Theothersthoughtshewasamusingherselfasusual，andtoldherroundlythatshewasbehavingverybadly。
\"Mr。Blakeisn’toftheAlec-and-Alonzotype，Phil，\"saidStellaseverely。
\"Hetakesthingsseriously。Youmaybreakhisheart。\"
\"DoyoureallythinkIcould？\"askedPhil。\"I’dlovetothinkso。\"
\"PhilippaGordon！Ineverthoughtyouwereutterlyunfeeling。
Theideaofyousayingyou’dlovetobreakaman’sheart！\"
\"Ididn’tsayso，honey。Quotemecorrectly。IsaidI’dliketothinkICOULDbreakit。IwouldliketoknowIhadthePOWERtodoit。\"
\"Idon’tunderstandyou，Phil。Youareleadingthatmanondeliberately——andyouknowyoudon’tmeananythingbyit。\"
\"ImeantomakehimaskmetomarryhimifIcan，\"saidPhilcalmly。
\"Igiveyouup，\"saidStellahopelessly。
GilbertcameoccasionallyonFridayevenings。Heseemedalwaysingoodspirits，andheldhisowninthejestsandreparteethatflewabout。HeneithersoughtnoravoidedAnne。
Whencircumstancesbroughtthemincontacthetalkedtoherpleasantlyandcourteously，astoanynewly-madeacquaintance。
Theoldcamaraderiewasgoneentirely。Annefeltitkeenly；
butshetoldherselfshewasverygladandthankfulthatGilberthadgotsocompletelyoverhisdisappointmentinregardtoher。
Shehadreallybeenafraid，thatAprileveningintheorchard，thatshehadhurthimterriblyandthatthewoundwouldbelonginhealing。Nowshesawthatsheneednothaveworried。
Menhavediedandthewormshaveeatenthembutnotforlove。
Gilbertevidentlywasinnodangerofimmediatedissolution。
Hewasenjoyinglife，andhewasfullofambitionandzest。
Forhimtherewastobenowastingindespairbecauseawomanwasfairandcold。Anne，asshelistenedtotheceaselessbadinagethatwentonbetweenhimandPhil，wonderedifshehadonlyimaginedthatlookinhiseyeswhenshehadtoldhimshecouldnevercareforhim。
TherewerenotlackingthosewhowouldgladlyhavesteppedintoGilbert’svacantplace。ButAnnesnubbedthemwithoutfearandwithoutreproach。IftherealPrinceCharmingwasnevertocomeshewouldhavenoneofasubstitute。Soshesternlytoldherselfthatgraydayinthewindypark。
SuddenlytherainofAuntJamesina’sprophecycamewithaswishandrush。Anneputupherumbrellaandhurrieddowntheslope。
Assheturnedoutontheharborroadasavagegustofwindtorealongit。Instantlyherumbrellaturnedwrongsideout。Anneclutchedatitindespair。Andthen——therecameavoiceclosetoher。
\"Pardonme——mayIofferyoutheshelterofmyumbrella？\"
Annelookedup。Tallandhandsomeanddistinguished-looking——dark，melancholy，inscrutableeyes——melting，musical，sympatheticvoice——yes，theveryheroofherdreamsstoodbeforeherintheflesh。Hecouldnothavemorecloselyresembledheridealifhehadbeenmadetoorder。
\"Thankyou，\"shesaidconfusedly。
\"We’dbetterhurryovertothatlittlepavilliononthepoint，\"
suggestedtheunknown。\"Wecanwaitthereuntilthisshowerisover。Itisnotlikelytorainsoheavilyverylong。\"
Thewordswereverycommonplace，butoh，thetone！Andthesmilewhichaccompaniedthem！Annefeltherheartbeatingstrangely。
Togethertheyscurriedtothepavilionandsatbreathlesslydownunderitsfriendlyroof。Annelaughinglyheldupherfalseumbrella。
\"ItiswhenmyumbrellaturnsinsideoutthatIamconvincedofthetotaldepravityofinanimatethings，\"shesaidgaily。
Theraindropssparkledonhershininghair；itsloosenedringscurledaroundherneckandforehead。Hercheekswereflushed，hereyesbigandstarry。Hercompanionlookeddownatheradmiringly。Shefeltherselfblushingunderhisgaze。
Whocouldhebe？Why，therewasabitoftheRedmondwhiteandscarletpinnedtohiscoatlapel。Yetshehadthoughtsheknew，bysightatleast，alltheRedmondstudentsexcepttheFreshmen。
AndthiscourtlyyouthsurelywasnoFreshman。
\"Weareschoolmates，Isee，\"hesaid，smilingatAnne’scolors。
\"Thatoughttobesufficientintroduction。MynameisRoyalGardner。
AndyouaretheMissShirleywhoreadtheTennysonpaperatthePhilomathictheotherevening，aren’tyou？\"
\"Yes；butIcannotplaceyouatall，\"saidAnne，frankly。
\"Please，whereDOyoubelong？\"
\"IfeelasifIdidn’tbelonganywhereyet。IputinmyFreshmanandSophomoreyearsatRedmondtwoyearsago。I’vebeeninEuropeeversince。NowI’vecomebacktofinishmyArtscourse。\"
\"ThisismyJunioryear，too，\"saidAnne。
\"Soweareclassmatesaswellascollegemates。Iamreconciledtothelossoftheyearsthatthelocusthaseaten，\"saidhercompanion，withaworldofmeaninginthosewonderfuleyesofhis。
Theraincamesteadilydownforthebestpartofanhour。Butthetimeseemedreallyveryshort。WhenthecloudspartedandaburstofpaleNovembersunshinefellathwarttheharborandthepinesAnneandhercompanionwalkedhometogether。BythetimetheyhadreachedthegateofPatty’sPlacehehadaskedpermissiontocall，andhadreceivedit。Annewentinwithcheeksofflameandherheartbeatingtoherfingertips。Rusty，whoclimbedintoherlapandtriedtokissher，foundaveryabsentwelcome。Anne，withhersoulfullofromanticthrills，hadnoattentiontosparejustthenforacrop-earedpussycat。
ThateveningaparcelwasleftatPatty’sPlaceforMissShirley。
Itwasaboxcontainingadozenmagnificentroses。Philpouncedimpertinentlyonthecardthatfellfromit，readthenameandthepoeticalquotationwrittenontheback。
\"RoyalGardner！\"sheexclaimed。\"Why，Anne，Ididn’tknowyouwereacquaintedwithRoyGardner！\"
\"Imethimintheparkthisafternoonintherain，\"explainedAnnehurriedly。\"Myumbrellaturnedinsideoutandhecametomyrescuewithhis。\"
\"Oh！\"PhilpeeredcuriouslyatAnne。\"Andisthatexceedinglycommonplaceincidentanyreasonwhyheshouldsenduslongstemmedrosesbythedozen，withaverysentimentalrhyme？Orwhyweshouldblushdivinestrosy-redwhenwelookathiscard？Anne，thyfacebetrayeththee。\"
\"Don’ttalknonsense，Phil。DoyouknowMr。Gardner？\"
\"I’vemethistwosisters，andIknowofhim。SodoeseverybodyworthwhileinKingsport。TheGardnersareamongtherichest，bluest，ofBluenoses。Royisadorablyhandsomeandclever。
Twoyearsagohismother’shealthfailedandhehadtoleavecollegeandgoabroadwithher——hisfatherisdead。Hemusthavebeengreatlydisappointedtohavetogiveuphisclass，buttheysayhewasperfectlysweetaboutit。Fee——fi——fo——fum，Anne。Ismellromance。AlmostdoIenvyyou，butnotquite。
Afterall，RoyGardnerisn’tJonas。\"
\"Yougoose！\"saidAnneloftily。Butshelaylongawakethatnight，nordidshewishforsleep。Herwakingfanciesweremorealluringthananyvisionofdreamland。HadtherealPrincecomeatlast？
Recallingthosegloriousdarkeyeswhichhadgazedsodeeplyintoherown，Annewasverystronglyinclinedtothinkhehad。
ChapterXXVI
EnterChristineThegirlsatPatty’sPlaceweredressingforthereceptionwhichtheJuniorsweregivingfortheSeniorsinFebruary。Annesurveyedherselfinthemirroroftheblueroomwithgirlishsatisfaction。
Shehadaparticularlyprettygownon。Originallyithadbeenonlyasimplelittleslipofcreamsilkwithachiffonoverdress。
ButPhilhadinsistedontakingithomewithherintheChristmasholidaysandembroideringtinyrosebudsalloverthechiffon。
Phil’sfingersweredeft，andtheresultwasadresswhichwastheenvyofeveryRedmondgirl。EvenAllieBoone，whosefrockscamefromParis，waswonttolookwithlongingeyesonthatrosebudconcoctionasAnnetrailedupthemainstaircaseatRedmondinit。
Annewastryingtheeffectofawhiteorchidinherhair。
RoyGardnerhadsentherwhiteorchidsforthereception，andsheknewnootherRedmondgirlwouldhavethemthatnight——whenPhilcameinwithadmiringgaze。
\"Anne，thisiscertainlyyournightforlookinghandsome。
NinenightsoutoftenIcaneasilyoutshineyou。Thetenthyoublossomoutsuddenlyintosomethingthateclipsesmealtogether。
Howdoyoumanageit？\"
\"It’sthedress，dear。Finefeathers。\"
\"`Tisn’t。ThelasteveningyouflamedoutintobeautyyouworeyouroldblueflannelshirtwaistthatMrs。Lyndemadeyou。
IfRoyhadn’talreadylostheadandheartaboutyouhecertainlywouldtonight。ButIdon’tlikeorchidsonyou，Anne。No；itisn’tjealousy。Orchidsdon’tseemtoBELONGtoyou。They’retooexotic——tootropical——tooinsolent。Don’tputtheminyourhair，anyway。\"
\"Well，Iwon’t。IadmitI’mnotfondoforchidsmyself。Idon’tthinkthey’rerelatedtome。Roydoesn’toftensendthem——heknowsIlikeflowersIcanlivewith。Orchidsareonlythingsyoucanvisitwith。\"
\"Jonassentmesomedearpinkrosebudsfortheevening——but——
heisn’tcominghimself。Hesaidhehadtoleadaprayer-meetingintheslums！Idon’tbelievehewantedtocome。Anne，I’mhorriblyafraidJonasdoesn’treallycareanythingaboutme。AndI’mtryingtodecidewhetherI’llpineawayanddie，orgoonandgetmyB。A。andbesensibleanduseful。\"
\"Youcouldn’tpossiblybesensibleanduseful，Phil，soyou’dbetterpineawayanddie，\"saidAnnecruelly。
\"HeartlessAnne！\"
\"SillyPhil！YouknowquitewellthatJonaslovesyou。\"
\"But——hewon’tTELLmeso。AndIcan’tMAKEhim。HeLOOKSit，I’lladmit。Butspeak-to-me-only-with-thine-eyesisn’tareallyreliablereasonforembroideringdoiliesandhemstitchingtablecloths。Idon’twanttobeginsuchworkuntilI’mreallyengaged。ItwouldbetemptingFate。\"
\"Mr。Blakeisafraidtoaskyoutomarryhim，Phil。Heispoorandcan’tofferyouahomesuchasyou’vealwayshad。Youknowthatistheonlyreasonhehasn’tspokenlongago。\"
\"Isupposeso，\"agreedPhildolefully。\"Well\"——brighteningup——\"ifheWON’TaskmetomarryhimI’llaskhim，that’sall。
Soit’sboundtocomeright。Iwon’tworry。Bytheway，GilbertBlytheisgoingaboutconstantlywithChristineStuart。
Didyouknow？\"
Annewastryingtofastenalittlegoldchainaboutherthroat。
Shesuddenlyfoundtheclaspdifficulttomanage。WHATwasthematterwithit——orwithherfingers？
\"No，\"shesaidcarelessly。\"WhoisChristineStuart？\"
\"RonaldStuart’ssister。She’sinKingsportthiswinterstudyingmusic。Ihaven’tseenher，buttheysayshe’sveryprettyandthatGilbertisquitecrazyoverher。HowangryIwaswhenyourefusedGilbert，Anne。ButRoyGardnerwasforeordainedforyou。
Icanseethatnow。Youwereright，afterall。\"
Annedidnotblush，assheusuallydidwhenthegirlsassumedthathereventualmarriagetoRoyGardnerwasasettledthing。
Allatonceshefeltratherdull。Phil’schatterseemedtrivialandthereceptionabore。SheboxedpoorRusty’sears。
\"Getoffthatcushioninstantly，youcat，you！Whydon’tyoustaydownwhereyoubelong？\"
Annepickedupherorchidsandwentdownstairs，whereAuntJamesinawaspresidingoverarowofcoatshungbeforethefiretowarm。
RoyGardnerwaswaitingforAnneandteasingtheSarah-catwhilehewaited。TheSarah-catdidnotapproveofhim。Shealwaysturnedherbackonhim。ButeverybodyelseatPatty’sPlacelikedhimverymuch。AuntJamesina，carriedawaybyhisunfailinganddeferentialcourtesy，andthepleadingtonesofhisdelightfulvoice，declaredhewasthenicestyoungmansheeverknew，andthatAnnewasaveryfortunategirl。SuchremarksmadeAnnerestive。Roy’swooinghadcertainlybeenasromanticasgirlishheartcoulddesire，but——shewishedAuntJamesinaandthegirlswouldnottakethingssoforgranted。WhenRoymurmuredapoeticalcomplimentashehelpedheronwithhercoat，shedidnotblushandthrillasusual；andhefoundherrathersilentintheirbriefwalktoRedmond。Hethoughtshelookedalittlepalewhenshecameoutofthecoeds’dressingroom；
butastheyenteredthereceptionroomhercolorandsparklesuddenlyreturnedtoher。SheturnedtoRoywithhergayestexpression。
HesmiledbackatherwithwhatPhilcalled\"hisdeep，black，velvetysmile。\"YetshereallydidnotseeRoyatall。ShewasacutelyconsciousthatGilbertwasstandingunderthepalmsjustacrosstheroomtalkingtoagirlwhomustbeChristineStuart。
Shewasveryhandsome，inthestatelystyledestinedtobecomerathermassiveinmiddlelife。Atallgirl，withlargedark-blueeyes，ivoryoutlines，andaglossofdarknessonhersmoothhair。
\"ShelooksjustasI’vealwayswantedtolook，\"thoughtAnnemiserably。\"Rose-leafcomplexion——starryvioleteyes——ravenhair——yes，shehasthemall。It’sawonderhernameisn’tCordeliaFitzgeraldintothebargain！ButIdon’tbelieveherfigureisasgoodasmine，andhernosecertainlyisn’t。\"
Annefeltalittlecomfortedbythisconclusion。
ChapterXXVII
MutualConfidencesMarchcameinthatwinterlikethemeekestandmildestoflambs，bringingdaysthatwerecrispandgoldenandtingling，eachfollowedbyafrostypinktwilightwhichgraduallylostitselfinanelflandofmoonshine。
OverthegirlsatPatty’sPlacewasfallingtheshadowofAprilexaminations。Theywerestudyinghard；evenPhilhadsettleddowntotextandnotebookswithadoggednessnottobeexpectedofher。
\"I’mgoingtotaketheJohnsonScholarshipinMathematics，\"sheannouncedcalmly。\"IcouldtaketheoneinGreekeasily，butI’drathertakethemathematicalonebecauseIwanttoprovetoJonasthatI’mreallyenormouslyclever。\"
\"Jonaslikesyoubetterforyourbigbrowneyesandyourcrookedsmilethanforallthebrainsyoucarryunderyourcurls，\"saidAnne。
\"WhenIwasagirlitwasn’tconsideredlady-liketoknowanythingaboutMathematics，\"saidAuntJamesina。\"Buttimeshavechanged。
Idon’tknowthatit’sallforthebetter。Canyoucook，Phil？\"
\"No，Inevercookedanythinginmylifeexceptagingerbreadanditwasafailure——flatinthemiddleandhillyroundtheedges。
Youknowthekind。But，Aunty，whenIbeginingoodearnesttolearntocookdon’tyouthinkthebrainsthatenablemetowinamathematicalscholarshipwillalsoenablemetolearncookingjustaswell？\"
\"Maybe，\"saidAuntJamesinacautiously。\"Iamnotdecryingthehighereducationofwomen。MydaughterisanM。A。Shecancook，too。ButItaughthertocookBEFOREIletacollegeprofessorteachherMathematics。\"
Inmid-MarchcamealetterfromMissPattySpofford，sayingthatsheandMissMariahaddecidedtoremainabroadforanotheryear。
\"SoyoumayhavePatty’sPlacenextwinter，too，\"shewrote。
\"MariaandIaregoingtorunoverEgypt。IwanttoseetheSphinxoncebeforeIdie。\"
\"Fancythosetwodames`runningoverEgypt’！Iwonderifthey’lllookupattheSphinxandknit，\"laughedPriscilla。
\"I’msogladwecankeepPatty’sPlaceforanotheryear，\"saidStella。\"Iwasafraidthey’dcomeback。Andthenourjollylittlenestherewouldbebrokenup——andwepoorcallownestlingsthrownoutonthecruelworldofboardinghousesagain。\"
\"I’moffforatrampinthepark，\"announcedPhil，tossingherbookaside。\"IthinkwhenIameightyI’llbegladIwentforawalkintheparktonight。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"askedAnne。
\"ComewithmeandI’lltellyou，honey。\"
TheycapturedintheirrambleallthemysteriesandmagicsofaMarchevening。Verystillandmilditwas，wrappedinagreat，white，broodingsilence——asilencewhichwasyetthreadedthroughwithmanylittlesilverysoundswhichyoucouldhearifyouhearkenedasmuchwithyoursoulasyourears。Thegirlswandereddownalongpinelandaislethatseemedtoleadrightoutintotheheartofadeep-red，overflowingwintersunset。
\"I’dgohomeandwriteapoemthisblessedminuteifIonlyknewhow，\"
declaredPhil，pausinginanopenspacewherearosylightwasstainingthegreentipsofthepines。\"It’sallsowonderfulhere——thisgreat，whitestillness，andthosedarktreesthatalwaysseemtobethinking。\"
\"`ThewoodswereGod’sfirsttemples，’\"quotedAnnesoftly。
\"Onecan’thelpfeelingreverentandadoringinsuchaplace。
IalwaysfeelsonearHimwhenIwalkamongthepines。\"
\"Anne，I’mthehappiestgirlintheworld，\"confessedPhilsuddenly。
\"SoMr。Blakehasaskedyoutomarryhimatlast？\"saidAnnecalmly。
\"Yes。AndIsneezedthreetimeswhilehewasaskingme。
Wasn’tthathorrid？ButIsaid`yes’almostbeforehefinished——Iwassoafraidhemightchangehismindandstop。I’mbesottedlyhappy。Icouldn’treallybelievebeforethatJonaswouldevercareforfrivolousme。\"
