CHAPTER1
INTHEGARRETOFGREENGABLES
\"Thanksbe，I’mdonewithgeometry，learningorteachingit，\"
saidAnneShirley，atriflevindictively，asshethumpedasomewhatbatteredvolumeofEuclidintoabigchestofbooks，bangedthelidintriumph，andsatdownuponit，lookingatDianaWrightacrosstheGreenGablesgarret，withgrayeyesthatwerelikeamorningsky。
Thegarretwasashadowy，suggestive，delightfulplace，asallgarretsshouldbe。Throughtheopenwindow，bywhichAnnesat，blewthesweet，scented，sun-warmairoftheAugustafternoon；outside，poplarboughsrustledandtossedinthewind；beyondthemwerethewoods，whereLover’sLanewounditsenchantedpath，andtheoldappleorchardwhichstillboreitsrosyharvestsmunificently。And，overall，wasagreatmountainrangeofsnowycloudsinthebluesouthernsky。
Throughtheotherwindowwasglimpsedadistant，white-capped，bluesea——thebeautifulSt。LawrenceGulf，onwhichfloats，likeajewel，Abegweit，whosesofter，sweeterIndiannamehaslongbeenforsakenforthemoreprosaiconeofPrinceEdwardIsland。
DianaWright，threeyearsolderthanwhenwelastsawher，hadgrownsomewhatmatronlyintheinterveningtime。Buthereyeswereasblackandbrilliant，hercheeksasrosy，andherdimplesasenchanting，asinthelong-agodayswhensheandAnneShirleyhadvowedeternalfriendshipinthegardenatOrchardSlope。Inherarmssheheldasmall，sleeping，black-curledcreature，whofortwohappyyearshadbeenknowntotheworldofAvonleaas\"SmallAnneCordelia。\"AvonleafolksknewwhyDianahadcalledherAnne，ofcourse，butAvonleafolkswerepuzzledbytheCordelia。TherehadneverbeenaCordeliaintheWrightorBarryconnections。Mrs。HarmonAndrewssaidshesupposedDianahadfoundthenameinsometrashynovel，andwonderedthatFredhadn’tmoresensethantoallowit。
ButDianaandAnnesmiledateachother。TheyknewhowSmallAnneCordeliahadcomebyhername。
\"Youalwayshatedgeometry，\"saidDianawitharetrospectivesmile。\"Ishouldthinkyou’dberealgladtobethroughwithteaching，anyhow。\"
\"Oh，I’vealwayslikedteaching，apartfromgeometry。
ThesepastthreeyearsinSummersidehavebeenverypleasantones。Mrs。HarmonAndrewstoldmewhenIcamehomethatIwouldn’tlikelyfindmarriedlifeasmuchbetterthanteachingasIexpected。EvidentlyMrs。
HarmonisofHamlet’sopinionthatitmaybebettertobeartheillsthatwehavethanflytoothersthatweknownotof。\"
Anne’slaugh，asblitheandirresistibleasofyore，withanaddednoteofsweetnessandmaturity，rangthroughthegarret。Marillainthekitchenbelow，compoundingblueplumpreserve，hearditandsmiled；
thensighedtothinkhowseldomthatdearlaughwouldechothroughGreenGablesintheyearstocome。
NothinginherlifehadevergivenMarillasomuchhappinessastheknowledgethatAnnewasgoingtomarryGilbertBlythe；buteveryjoymustbringwithititslittleshadowofsorrow。DuringthethreeSummersideyearsAnnehadbeenhomeoftenforvacationsandweekends；but，afterthis，abi-annualvisitwouldbeasmuchascouldbehopedfor。
\"Youneedn’tletwhatMrs。Harmonsaysworryyou，\"
saidDiana，withthecalmassuranceofthefour-yearsmatron。\"Marriedlifehasitsupsanddowns，ofcourse。Youmustn’texpectthateverythingwillalwaysgosmoothly。ButIcanassureyou，Anne，thatit’sahappylife，whenyou’remarriedtotherightman。\"
Annesmotheredasmile。Diana’sairsofvastexperiencealwaysamusedheralittle。
\"IdaresayI’llbeputtingthemontoo，whenI’vebeenmarriedfouryears，\"shethought。\"Surelymysenseofhumorwillpreservemefromit，though。\"
\"Isitsettledyetwhereyouaregoingtolive？\"askedDiana，cuddlingSmallAnneCordeliawiththeinimitablegestureofmotherhoodwhichalwayssentthroughAnne’sheart，filledwithsweet，unuttereddreamsandhopes，athrillthatwashalfpurepleasureandhalfastrange，etherealpain。
\"Yes。ThatwaswhatIwantedtotellyouwhenI
’phonedtoyoutocomedowntoday。Bytheway，Ican’trealizethatwereallyhavetelephonesinAvonleanow。
Itsoundssopreposterouslyup-to-dateandmodernishforthisdarling，leisurelyoldplace。\"
\"WecanthanktheA。V。I。S。forthem，\"saidDiana。
\"Weshouldneverhavegotthelineiftheyhadn’ttakenthematterupandcarrieditthrough。Therewasenoughcoldwaterthrowntodiscourageanysociety。
Buttheystucktoit，nevertheless。YoudidasplendidthingforAvonleawhenyoufoundedthatsociety，Anne。
Whatfunwedidhaveatourmeetings！WillyoueverforgetthebluehallandJudsonParker’sschemeforpaintingmedicineadvertisementsonhisfence？\"
\"Idon’tknowthatI’mwhollygratefultotheA。V。I。
S。inthematterofthetelephone，\"saidAnne。\"Oh，I
knowit’smostconvenient——evenmoresothanourolddeviceofsignallingtoeachotherbyflashesofcandlelight！And，asMrs。Rachelsays，`Avonleamustkeepupwiththeprocession，that’swhat。’ButsomehowIfeelasifIdidn’twantAvonleaspoiledbywhatMr。
Harrison，whenhewantstobewitty，calls`moderninconveniences。’Ishouldliketohaveitkeptalwaysjustasitwasinthedearoldyears。That’sfoolish——andsentimental——andimpossible。SoIshallimmediatelybecomewiseandpracticalandpossible。
Thetelephone，asMr。Harrisonconcedes，is`abusterofagoodthing’——evenifyoudoknowthatprobablyhalfadozeninterestedpeoplearelisteningalongtheline。\"
\"That’stheworstofit，\"sighedDiana。\"It’ssoannoyingtohearthereceiversgoingdownwheneveryouringanyoneup。TheysayMrs。HarmonAndrewsinsistedthattheir`phoneshouldbeputintheirkitchenjustsothatshecouldlistenwheneveritrangandkeepaneyeonthedinneratthesametime。Today，whenyoucalledme，IdistinctlyheardthatqueerclockofthePyes’striking。SonodoubtJosieorGertiewaslistening。\"
\"Oh，sothatiswhyyousaid，`You’vegotanewclockatGreenGables，haven’tyou？’Icouldn’timaginewhatyoumeant。Iheardaviciousclickassoonasyouhadspoken。IsupposeitwasthePyereceiverbeinghungupwithprofaneenergy。Well，nevermindthePyes。AsMrs。Rachelsays，`PyestheyalwayswereandPyestheyalwayswillbe，worldwithoutend，amen。’Iwanttotalkofpleasanterthings。It’sallsettledastowheremynewhomeshallbe。\"
\"Oh，Anne，where？Idohopeit’snearhere。\"
\"No-o-o，that’sthedrawback。GilbertisgoingtosettleatFourWindsHarbor——sixtymilesfromhere。\"
\"Sixty！Itmightaswellbesixhundred，\"sighedDiana。\"InevercangetfurtherfromhomenowthanCharlottetown。\"
\"You’llhavetocometoFourWinds。It’sthemostbeautifulharborontheIsland。There’salittlevillagecalledGlenSt。Maryatitshead，andDr。DavidBlythehasbeenpracticingthereforfiftyyears。HeisGilbert’sgreat-uncle，youknow。Heisgoingtoretire，andGilbertistotakeoverhispractice。Dr。
Blytheisgoingtokeephishouse，though，soweshallhavetofindahabitationforourselves。Idon’tknowyetwhatitis，orwhereitwillbeinreality，butI
havealittlehouseo’dreamsallfurnishedinmyimagination——atiny，delightfulcastleinSpain。\"
\"Whereareyougoingforyourweddingtour？\"askedDiana。
\"Nowhere。Don’tlookhorrified，Dianadearest。YousuggestMrs。HarmonAndrews。She，nodoubt，willremarkcondescendinglythatpeoplewhocan’taffordwedding`towers’arerealsensiblenottotakethem；
andthenshe’llremindmethatJanewenttoEuropeforhers。IwanttospendMYhoneymoonatFourWindsinmyowndearhouseofdreams。\"
\"Andyou’vedecidednottohaveanybridesmaid？\"
\"Thereisn’tanyonetohave。YouandPhilandPriscillaandJaneallstoleamarchonmeinthematterofmarriage；andStellaisteachinginVancouver。Ihavenoother`kindredsoul’andIwon’thaveabridesmaidwhoisn’t。\"
\"Butyouaregoingtowearaveil，aren’tyou？\"askedDiana，anxiously。
\"Yes，indeedy。Ishouldn’tfeellikeabridewithoutone。IremembertellingMatthew，thateveningwhenhebroughtmetoGreenGables，thatIneverexpectedtobeabridebecauseIwassohomelynoonewouldeverwanttomarryme——unlesssomeforeignmissionarydid。Ihadanideathenthatforeignmissionariescouldn’taffordtobefinickyinthematteroflooksiftheywantedagirltoriskherlifeamongcannibals。YoushouldhaveseentheforeignmissionaryPriscillamarried。Hewasashandsomeandinscrutableasthosedaydreamsweonceplannedtomarryourselves，Diana；hewasthebestdressedmanIevermet，andheravedoverPriscilla’s`ethereal，goldenbeauty。’ButofcoursetherearenocannibalsinJapan。\"
\"Yourweddingdressisadream，anyhow，\"sighedDianarapturously。\"You’lllooklikeaperfectqueeninit——you’resotallandslender。HowDOyoukeepsoslim，Anne？I’mfatterthanever——I’llsoonhavenowaistatall。\"
\"Stoutnessandslimnessseemtobemattersofpredestination，\"saidAnne。\"Atallevents，Mrs。
HarmonAndrewscan’tsaytoyouwhatshesaidtomewhenIcamehomefromSummerside，`Well，Anne，you’rejustaboutasskinnyasever。’Itsoundsquiteromantictobe`slender，’but`skinny’hasaverydifferenttang。\"
\"Mrs。Harmonhasbeentalkingaboutyourtrousseau。
Sheadmitsit’sasniceasJane’s，althoughshesaysJanemarriedamillionaireandyouareonlymarryinga`pooryoungdoctorwithoutacenttohisname。’\"
Annelaughed。
\"MydressesAREnice。Iloveprettythings。I
rememberthefirstprettydressIeverhad——thebrowngloriaMatthewgavemeforourschoolconcert。BeforethateverythingIhadwassougly。ItseemedtomethatIsteppedintoanewworldthatnight。\"
\"ThatwasthenightGilbertrecited`BingenontheRhine，’andlookedatyouwhenhesaid，`There’sanother，NOTasister。’Andyouweresofuriousbecauseheputyourpinktissueroseinhisbreastpocket！Youdidn’tmuchimaginethenthatyouwouldevermarryhim。\"
\"Oh，well，that’sanotherinstanceofpredestination，\"
laughedAnne，astheywentdownthegarretstairs。
CHAPTER2
THEHOUSEOFDREAMS
TherewasmoreexcitementintheairofGreenGablesthantherehadeverbeenbeforeinallitshistory。
EvenMarillawassoexcitedthatshecouldn’thelpshowingit——whichwaslittleshortofbeingphenomenal。
\"There’sneverbeenaweddinginthishouse，\"shesaid，halfapologetically，toMrs。RachelLynde。
\"WhenIwasachildIheardanoldministersaythatahousewasnotarealhomeuntilithadbeenconsecratedbyabirth，aweddingandadeath。We’vehaddeathshere——myfatherandmotherdiedhereaswellasMatthew；andwe’veevenhadabirthhere。Longago，justafterwemovedintothishouse，wehadamarriedhiredmanforalittlewhile，andhiswifehadababyhere。Butthere’sneverbeenaweddingbefore。ItdoesseemsostrangetothinkofAnnebeingmarried。
InawayshejustseemstomethelittlegirlMatthewbroughthomeherefourteenyearsago。Ican’trealizethatshe’sgrownup。IshallneverforgetwhatIfeltwhenIsawMatthewbringinginaGIRL。Iwonderwhatbecameoftheboywewouldhavegotiftherehadn’tbeenamistake。IwonderwhatHISfatewas。\"
\"Well，itwasafortunatemistake，\"saidMrs。RachelLynde，\"though，mindyou，therewasatimeIdidn’tthinkso——thateveningIcameuptoseeAnneandshetreatedustosuchascene。Manythingshavechangedsincethen，that’swhat。\"
Mrs。Rachelsighed，andthenbriskedupagain。WhenweddingswereinorderMrs。Rachelwasreadytoletthedeadpastburyitsdead。
\"I’mgoingtogiveAnnetwoofmycottonwarpspreads，\"sheresumed。\"Atobacco-stripeoneandanapple-leafone。Shetellsmethey’regettingtoberealfashionableagain。Well，fashionornofashion，I
don’tbelievethere’sanythingprettierforaspare-roombedthananiceapple-leafspread，that’swhat。Imustseeaboutgettingthembleached。I’vehadthemsewedupincottonbagseversinceThomasdied，andnodoubtthey’reanawfulcolor。Butthere’samonthyet，anddew-bleachingwillworkwonders。\"
Onlyamonth！Marillasighedandthensaidproudly:
\"I’mgivingAnnethathalfdozenbraidedrugsIhaveinthegarret。Ineversupposedshe’dwantthem——they’resoold-fashioned，andnobodyseemstowantanythingbuthookedmatsnow。Butsheaskedmeforthem——saidshe’dratherhavethemthananythingelseforherfloors。TheyAREpretty。Imadethemofthenicestrags，andbraidedtheminstripes。Itwassuchcompanytheselastfewwinters。AndI’llmakeherenoughblueplumpreservetostockherjamclosetforayear。Itseemsrealstrange。Thoseblueplumtreeshadn’tevenablossomforthreeyears，andI
thoughttheymightaswellbecutdown。Andthislastspringtheywerewhite，andsuchacropofplumsI
neverrememberatGreenGables。\"
\"Well，thankgoodnessthatAnneandGilbertreallyaregoingtobemarriedafterall。It’swhatI’vealwaysprayedfor，\"saidMrs。Rachel，inthetoneofonewhoiscomfortablysurethatherprayershaveavailedmuch。
\"Itwasagreatrelieftofindoutthatshereallydidn’tmeantotaketheKingsportman。Hewasrich，tobesure，andGilbertispoor——atleast，tobeginwith；
butthenhe’sanIslandboy。\"
\"He’sGilbertBlythe，\"saidMarillacontentedly。
MarillawouldhavediedthedeathbeforeshewouldhaveputintowordsthethoughtthatwasalwaysinthebackgroundofhermindwhenevershehadlookedatGilbertfromhischildhoodup——thethoughtthat，haditnotbeenforherownwilfulpridelong，longago，hemighthavebeenHERson。Marillafeltthat，insomestrangeway，hismarriagewithAnnewouldputrightthatoldmistake。Goodhadcomeoutoftheeviloftheancientbitterness。
AsforAnneherself，shewassohappythatshealmostfeltfrightened。Thegods，sosaystheoldsuperstition，donotliketobeholdtoohappymortals。
Itiscertain，atleast，thatsomehumanbeingsdonot。
TwoofthatilkdescendeduponAnneonevioletduskandproceededtodowhatinthemlaytopricktherainbowbubbleofhersatisfaction。IfshethoughtshewasgettinganyparticularprizeinyoungDr。Blythe，orifsheimaginedthathewasstillasinfatuatedwithherashemighthavebeeninhissaladdays，itwassurelytheirdutytoputthematterbeforeherinanotherlight。YetthesetwoworthyladieswerenotenemiesofAnne；onthecontrary，theywerereallyquitefondofher，andwouldhavedefendedherastheirownyounghadanyoneelseattackedher。Humannatureisnotobligedtobeconsistent。
Mrs。Inglis——neeJaneAndrews，toquotefromtheDailyEnterprise——camewithhermotherandMrs。JasperBell。
ButinJanethemilkofhumankindnesshadnotbeencurdledbyyearsofmatrimonialbickerings。Herlineshadfalleninpleasantplaces。Inspiteofthefact——asMrs。RachelLyndewouldsay——thatshehadmarriedamillionaire，hermarriagehadbeenhappy。
Wealthhadnotspoiledher。Shewasstilltheplacid，amiable，pink-cheekedJaneoftheoldquartette，sympathisingwithheroldchum’shappinessandaskeenlyinterestedinallthedaintydetailsofAnne’strousseauasifitcouldrivalherownsilkenandbejewelledsplendors。Janewasnotbrilliant，andhadprobablynevermadearemarkworthlisteningtoinherlife；butsheneversaidanythingthatwouldhurtanyone’sfeelings——whichmaybeanegativetalentbutislikewisearareandenviableone。
\"SoGilbertdidn’tgobackonyouafterall，\"saidMrs。HarmonAndrews，contrivingtoconveyanexpressionofsurpriseinhertone。\"Well，theBlythesgenerallykeeptheirwordwhenthey’veoncepassedit，nomatterwhathappens。Letmesee——you’retwenty-five，aren’tyou，Anne？WhenIwasagirltwenty-fivewasthefirstcorner。Butyoulookquiteyoung。Red-headedpeoplealwaysdo。\"
\"Redhairisveryfashionablenow，\"saidAnne，tryingtosmile，butspeakingrathercoldly。Lifehaddevelopedinherasenseofhumorwhichhelpedherovermanydifficulties；butasyetnothinghadavailedtosteelheragainstareferencetoherhair。
\"Soitis——soitis，\"concededMrs。Harmon。\"There’snotellingwhatqueerfreaksfashionwilltake。Well，Anne，yourthingsareverypretty，andverysuitabletoyourpositioninlife，aren’tthey，Jane？Ihopeyou’llbeveryhappy。Youhavemybestwishes，I’msure。Alongengagementdoesn’toftenturnoutwell。
But，ofcourse，inyourcaseitcouldn’tbehelped。\"
\"Gilbertlooksveryyoungforadoctor。I’mafraidpeoplewon’thavemuchconfidenceinhim，\"saidMrs。
JasperBellgloomily。Thensheshuthermouthtightly，asifshehadsaidwhatsheconsidereditherdutytosayandheldherconscienceclear。Shebelongedtothetypewhichalwayshasastringyblackfeatherinitshatandstragglinglocksofhaironitsneck。
Anne’ssurfacepleasureinherprettybridalthingswastemporarilyshadowed；butthedeepsofhappinessbelowcouldnotthusbedisturbed；andthelittlestingsofMesdamesBellandAndrewswereforgottenwhenGilbertcamelater，andtheywandereddowntothebirchesofthebrook，whichhadbeensaplingswhenAnnehadcometoGreenGables，butwerenowtall，ivorycolumnsinafairypalaceoftwilightandstars。IntheirshadowsAnneandGilberttalkedinlover-fashionoftheirnewhomeandtheirnewlifetogether。
\"I’vefoundanestforus，Anne。\"
\"Oh，where？Notrightinthevillage，Ihope。I
wouldn’tlikethataltogether。\"
\"No。Therewasnohousetobehadinthevillage。
Thisisalittlewhitehouseontheharborshore，halfwaybetweenGlenSt。MaryandFourWindsPoint。It’salittleoutoftheway，butwhenwegeta’phoneinthatwon’tmattersomuch。Thesituationisbeautiful。Itlookstothesunsetandhasthegreatblueharborbeforeit。Thesand-dunesaren’tveryfaraway——theseawindsblowoverthemandtheseaspraydrenchesthem。\"
\"Butthehouseitself，Gilbert，——OURfirsthome？Whatisitlike？\"
\"Notverylarge，butlargeenoughforus。There’sasplendidlivingroomwithafireplaceinitdownstairs，andadiningroomthatlooksoutontheharbor，andalittleroomthatwilldoformyoffice。Itisaboutsixtyyearsold——theoldesthouseinFourWinds。Butithasbeenkeptinprettygoodrepair，andwasalldoneoveraboutfifteenyearsago——shingled，plasteredandre-floored。Itwaswellbuilttobeginwith。I
understandthattherewassomeromanticstoryconnectedwithitsbuilding，butthemanIrenteditfromdidn’tknowit。
HesaidCaptainJimwastheonlyonewhocouldspinthatoldyarnnow。\"
\"WhoisCaptainJim？\"
\"ThekeeperofthelighthouseonFourWindsPoint。
You’lllovethatFourWindslight，Anne。It’sarevolvingone，anditflasheslikeamagnificentstarthroughthetwilights。Wecanseeitfromourlivingroomwindowsandourfrontdoor。\"
\"Whoownsthehouse？\"
\"Well，it’sthepropertyoftheGlenSt。MaryPresbyterianChurchnow，andIrenteditfromthetrustees。Butitbelongeduntillatelytoaveryoldlady，MissElizabethRussell。Shediedlastspring，andasshehadnonearrelativessheleftherpropertytotheGlenSt。MaryChurch。Herfurnitureisstillinthehouse，andIboughtmostofit——forameresongyoumightsay，becauseitwasallsoold-fashionedthatthetrusteesdespairedofsellingit。GlenSt。Maryfolkspreferplushbrocadeandsideboardswithmirrorsandornamentations，Ifancy。ButMissRussell’sfurnitureisverygoodandIfeelsureyou’lllikeit，Anne。\"
\"Sofar，good，\"saidAnne，noddingcautiousapproval。
\"But，Gilbert，peoplecannotlivebyfurniturealone。
Youhaven’tyetmentionedoneveryimportantthing。
ArethereTREESaboutthishouse？\"
\"Heapsofthem，oh，dryad！Thereisabiggroveoffirtreesbehindit，tworowsofLombardypoplarsdownthelane，andaringofwhitebirchesaroundaverydelightfulgarden。Ourfrontdooropensrightintothegarden，butthereisanotherentrance——alittlegatehungbetweentwofirs。Thehingesareononetrunkandthecatchontheother。Theirboughsformanarchoverhead。\"
\"Oh，I’msoglad！Icouldn’tlivewheretherewerenotrees——somethingvitalinmewouldstarve。Well，afterthat，there’snouseaskingyouifthere’sabrookanywherenear。THATwouldbeexpectingtoomuch。\"
\"ButthereISabrook——anditactuallycutsacrossonecornerofthegarden。\"
\"Then，\"saidAnne，withalongsighofsupremesatisfaction，\"thishouseyouhavefoundISmyhouseofdreamsandnoneother。\"
CHAPTER3
THELANDOFDREAMSAMONG
\"Haveyoumadeupyourmindwhoyou’regoingtohavetothewedding，Anne？\"askedMrs。RachelLynde，asshehemstitchedtablenapkinsindustriously。\"It’stimeyourinvitationsweresent，eveniftheyaretobeonlyinformalones。\"
\"Idon’tmeantohaveverymany，\"saidAnne。\"Wejustwantthosewelovebesttoseeusmarried。Gilbert’speople，andMr。andMrs。Allan，andMr。andMrs。
Harrison。\"
\"Therewasatimewhenyou’dhardlyhavenumberedMr。
Harrisonamongyourdearestfriends，\"saidMarilladrily。
\"Well，Iwasn’tVERYstronglyattractedtohimatourfirstmeeting，\"acknowledgedAnne，withalaughovertherecollection。\"ButMr。Harrisonhasimprovedonacquaintance，andMrs。Harrisonisreallyadear。
Then，ofcourse，thereareMissLavendarandPaul。\"
\"HavetheydecidedtocometotheIslandthissummer？
IthoughttheyweregoingtoEurope。\"
\"TheychangedtheirmindswhenIwrotethemIwasgoingtobemarried。IhadaletterfromPaultoday。
HesaysheMUSTcometomywedding，nomatterwhathappenstoEurope。\"
\"Thatchildalwaysidolisedyou，\"remarkedMrs。
Rachel。
\"That`child’isayoungmanofnineteennow，Mrs。
Lynde。\"
\"Howtimedoesfly！\"wasMrs。Lynde’sbrilliantandoriginalresponse。
\"CharlottatheFourthmaycomewiththem。ShesentwordbyPaulthatshewouldcomeifherhusbandwouldlether。Iwonderifshestillwearsthoseenormousbluebows，andwhetherherhusbandcallsherCharlottaorLeonora。IshouldlovetohaveCharlottaatmywedding。CharlottaandIwereataweddinglongsyne。
TheyexpecttobeatEchoLodgenextweek。ThentherearePhilandtheReverendJo——\"
\"Itsoundsawfultohearyouspeakingofaministerlikethat，Anne，\"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。
\"Hiswifecallshimthat。\"
\"Sheshouldhavemorerespectforhisholyoffice，then，\"retortedMrs。Rachel。
\"I’veheardyoucriticiseministersprettysharplyyourself，\"teasedAnne。
\"Yes，butIdoitreverently，\"protestedMrs。Lynde。
\"YouneverheardmeNICKNAMEaminister。\"
Annesmotheredasmile。
\"Well，thereareDianaandFredandlittleFredandSmallAnneCordelia——andJaneAndrews。IwishIcouldhaveMissStaceyandAuntJamesinaandPriscillaandStella。ButStellaisinVancouver，andPrisisinJapan，andMissStaceyismarriedinCalifornia，andAuntJamesinahasgonetoIndiatoexploreherdaughter’smissionfield，inspiteofherhorrorofsnakes。It’sreallydreadful——thewaypeoplegetscatteredovertheglobe。\"
\"TheLordneverintendedit，that’swhat，\"saidMrs。
Rachelauthoritatively。\"Inmyyoungdayspeoplegrewupandmarriedandsettleddownwheretheywereborn，orprettynearit。Thankgoodnessyou’vestucktotheIsland，Anne。IwasafraidGilbertwouldinsistonrushingofftotheendsoftheearthwhenhegotthroughcollege，anddraggingyouwithhim。\"
\"Ifeverybodystayedwherehewasbornplaceswouldsoonbefilledup，Mrs。Lynde。\"
\"Oh，I’mnotgoingtoarguewithyou，Anne。_I_amnotaB。A。Whattimeofthedayistheceremonytobe？\"
\"Wehavedecidedonnoon——highnoon，asthesocietyreporterssay。ThatwillgiveustimetocatchtheeveningtraintoGlenSt。Mary。\"
\"Andyou’llbemarriedintheparlor？\"
\"No——notunlessitrains。Wemeantobemarriedintheorchard——withtheblueskyoverusandthesunshinearoundus。DoyouknowwhenandwhereI’dliketobemarried，ifIcould？Itwouldbeatdawn——aJunedawn，withaglorioussunrise，androsesbloominginthegardens；andIwouldslipdownandmeetGilbertandwewouldgotogethertotheheartofthebeechwoods，——andthere，underthegreenarchesthatwouldbelikeasplendidcathedral，wewouldbemarried。\"
MarillasniffedscornfullyandMrs。Lyndelookedshocked。
\"Butthatwouldbeterriblequeer，Anne。Why，itwouldn’treallyseemlegal。AndwhatwouldMrs。HarmonAndrewssay？\"
\"Ah，there’stherub，\"sighedAnne。\"TherearesomanythingsinlifewecannotdobecauseofthefearofwhatMrs。HarmonAndrewswouldsay。`’Tistrue，’tispity，andpity’tis，’tistrue。’WhatdelightfulthingswemightdowereitnotforMrs。HarmonAndrews！\"
\"Bytimes，Anne，Idon’tfeelquitesurethatI
understandyoualtogether，\"complainedMrs。Lynde。
\"Annewasalwaysromantic，youknow，\"saidMarillaapologetically。
\"Well，marriedlifewillmostlikelycureherofthat，\"Mrs。Rachelrespondedcomfortingly。
AnnelaughedandslippedawaytoLover’sLane，whereGilbertfoundher；andneitherofthemseemedtoentertainmuchfear，orhope，thattheirmarriedlifewouldcurethemofromance。
TheEchoLodgepeoplecameoverthenextweek，andGreenGablesbuzzedwiththedelightofthem。MissLavendarhadchangedsolittlethatthethreeyearssinceherlastIslandvisitmighthavebeenawatchinthenight；butAnnegaspedwithamazementoverPaul。
CouldthissplendidsixfeetofmanhoodbethelittlePaulofAvonleaschooldays？
\"Youreallymakemefeelold，Paul，\"saidAnne。\"Why，Ihavetolookuptoyou！\"
\"You’llnevergrowold，Teacher，\"saidPaul。\"YouareoneofthefortunatemortalswhohavefoundanddrunkfromtheFountainofYouth，——youandMotherLavendar。
Seehere！Whenyou’remarriedIWON’TcallyouMrs。
Blythe。Tomeyou’llalwaysbe`Teacher’——theteacherofthebestlessonsIeverlearned。Iwanttoshowyousomething。\"
The\"something\"wasapocketbookfullofpoems。Paulhadputsomeofhisbeautifulfanciesintoverse，andmagazineeditorshadnotbeenasunappreciativeastheyaresometimessupposedtobe。AnnereadPaul’spoemswithrealdelight。Theywerefullofcharmandpromise。
\"You’llbefamousyet，Paul。Ialwaysdreamedofhavingonefamouspupil。Hewastobeacollegepresident——butagreatpoetwouldbeevenbetter。SomedayI’llbeabletoboastthatIwhippedthedistinguishedPaulIrving。ButthenIneverdidwhipyou，didI，Paul？Whatanopportunitylost！IthinkI
keptyouinatrecess，however。\"
\"Youmaybefamousyourself，Teacher。I’veseenagooddealofyourworktheselastthreeyears。\"
\"No。IknowwhatIcando。Icanwritepretty，fancifullittlesketchesthatchildrenloveandeditorssendwelcomechequesfor。ButIcandonothingbig。
MyonlychanceforearthlyimmortalityisacornerinyourMemoirs。\"
CharlottatheFourthhaddiscardedthebluebowsbutherfreckleswerenotnoticeablyless。
\"IneverdidthinkI’dcomedowntomarryingaYankee，MissShirley，ma’am，\"shesaid。\"Butyouneverknowwhat’sbeforeyou，anditisn’thisfault。Hewasbornthatway。\"
\"You’reaYankeeyourself，Charlotta，sinceyou’vemarriedone。\"
\"MissShirley，ma’am，I’mNOT！AndIwouldn’tbeifI
wastomarryadozenYankees！Tom’skindofnice。Andbesides，IthoughtI’dbetternotbetoohardtoplease，forImightn’tgetanotherchance。Tomdon’tdrinkandhedon’tgrowlbecausehehastoworkbetweenmeals，andwhenall’ssaidanddoneI’msatisfied，MissShirley，ma’am。\"
\"DoeshecallyouLeonora？\"askedAnne。
\"Goodness，no，MissShirley，ma’am。Iwouldn’tknowwhohemeantifhedid。Ofcourse，whenwegotmarriedhehadtosay，`Itakethee，Leonora，’andIdeclaretoyou，MissShirley，ma’am，I’vehadthemostdreadfulfeelingeversincethatitwasn’tmehewastalkingtoandIhaven’tbeenrightlymarriedatall。Andsoyou’regoingtobemarriedyourself，MissShirley，ma’am？IalwaysthoughtI’dliketomarryadoctor。
Itwouldbesohandywhenthechildrenhadmeaslesandcroup。Tomisonlyabricklayer，buthe’srealgood-
tempered。WhenIsaidtohim，saysI，`Tom，canIgotoMissShirley’swedding？Imeantogoanyhow，butI’dliketohaveyourconsent，’hejustsays，`Suityourself，Charlotta，andyou’llsuitme。’That’sarealpleasantkindofhusbandtohave，MissShirley，ma’am。\"
PhilippaandherReverendJoarrivedatGreenGablesthedaybeforethewedding。AnneandPhilhadarapturousmeetingwhichpresentlysimmereddowntoacosy，confidentialchatoverallthathadbeenandwasabouttobe。
\"QueenAnne，you’reasqueenlyasever。I’vegotfearfullythinsincethebabiescame。I’mnothalfsogood-looking；butIthinkJolikesit。There’snotsuchacontrastbetweenus，yousee。Andoh，it’sperfectlymagnificentthatyou’regoingtomarryGilbert。RoyGardnerwouldn’thavedoneatall，atall。Icanseethatnow，thoughIwashorriblydisappointedatthetime。Youknow，Anne，youdidtreatRoyverybadly。\"
\"Hehasrecovered，Iunderstand，\"smiledAnne。
\"Oh，yes。Heismarriedandhiswifeisasweetlittlethingandthey’reperfectlyhappy。Everythingworkstogetherforgood。JoandtheBiblesaythat，andtheyareprettygoodauthorities。\"
\"AreAlecandAlonzomarriedyet？\"
\"Alecis，butAlonzoisn’t。HowthosedearolddaysatPatty’sPlacecomebackwhenI’mtalkingtoyou，Anne！Whatfunwehad！\"
\"HaveyoubeentoPatty’sPlacelately？\"
\"Oh，yes，Igooften。MissPattyandMissMariastillsitbythefireplaceandknit。Andthatremindsme——we’vebroughtyouaweddinggiftfromthem，Anne。
Guesswhatitis。\"
\"Inevercould。HowdidtheyknowIwasgoingtobemarried？\"
\"Oh，Itoldthem。Iwastherelastweek。Andtheyweresointerested。TwodaysagoMissPattywrotemeanoteaskingmetocall；andthensheaskedifIwouldtakehergifttoyou。WhatwouldyouwishmostfromPatty’sPlace，Anne？\"
\"Youcan’tmeanthatMissPattyhassentmeherchinadogs？\"
\"Gouphead。They’reinmytrunkthisverymoment。
AndI’vealetterforyou。WaitamomentandI’llgetit。\"
\"DearMissShirley，\"MissPattyhadwritten，\"MariaandIwereverymuchinterestedinhearingofyourapproachingnuptials。Wesendyouourbestwishes。
MariaandIhavenevermarried，butwehavenoobjectiontootherpeopledoingso。Wearesendingyouthechinadogs。Iintendedtoleavethemtoyouinmywill，becauseyouseemedtohavesincereaffectionforthem。ButMariaandIexpecttoliveagoodwhileyet(D。V。)，soIhavedecidedtogiveyouthedogswhileyouareyoung。YouwillnothaveforgottenthatGoglookstotherightandMagogtotheleft。\"
\"Justfancythoselovelyolddogssittingbythefireplaceinmyhouseofdreams，\"saidAnnerapturously。\"Ineverexpectedanythingsodelightful。\"
ThateveningGreenGableshummedwithpreparationsforthefollowingday；butinthetwilightAnneslippedaway。Shehadalittlepilgrimagetomakeonthislastdayofhergirlhoodandshemustmakeitalone。ShewenttoMatthew’sgrave，inthelittlepoplar-shadedAvonleagraveyard，andtherekeptasilenttrystwitholdmemoriesandimmortalloves。
\"HowgladMatthewwouldbetomorrowifhewerehere，\"
shewhispered。\"ButIbelievehedoesknowandisgladofit——somewhereelse。I’vereadsomewherethat`ourdeadareneverdeaduntilwehaveforgottenthem。’
Matthewwillneverbedeadtome，forIcanneverforgethim。\"
Sheleftonhisgravetheflowersshehadbroughtandwalkedslowlydownthelonghill。Itwasagraciousevening，fullofdelectablelightsandshadows。Inthewestwasaskyofmackerelclouds——crimsonandamber-tinted，withlongstripsofapple-greenskybetween。Beyondwastheglimmeringradianceofasunsetsea，andtheceaselessvoiceofmanywaterscameupfromthetawnyshore。Allaroundher，lyinginthefine，beautifulcountrysilence，werethehillsandfieldsandwoodsshehadknownandlovedsolong。
\"Historyrepeatsitself，\"saidGilbert，joiningherasshepassedtheBlythegate。\"Doyourememberourfirstwalkdownthishill，Anne——ourfirstwalktogetheranywhere，forthatmatter？\"
\"IwascominghomeinthetwilightfromMatthew’sgrave——andyoucameoutofthegate；andIswallowedtheprideofyearsandspoketoyou。\"
\"Andallheavenopenedbeforeme，\"supplementedGilbert。\"FromthatmomentIlookedforwardtotomorrow。WhenIleftyouatyourgatethatnightandwalkedhomeIwasthehappiestboyintheworld。Annehadforgivenme。\"
\"Ithinkyouhadthemosttoforgive。Iwasanungratefullittlewretch——andafteryouhadreallysavedmylifethatdayonthepond，too。HowIloathedthatloadofobligationatfirst！Idon’tdeservethehappinessthathascometome。\"
Gilbertlaughedandclaspedtighterthegirlishhandthatworehisring。Anne’sengagementringwasacircletofpearls。Shehadrefusedtowearadiamond。
\"I’veneverreallylikeddiamondssinceIfoundouttheyweren’tthelovelypurpleIhaddreamed。Theywillalwayssuggestmyolddisappointment。\"
\"Butpearlsarefortears，theoldlegendsays，\"
Gilberthadobjected。
\"I’mnotafraidofthat。Andtearscanbehappyaswellassad。MyveryhappiestmomentshavebeenwhenI
hadtearsinmyeyes——whenMarillatoldmeImightstayatGreenGables——whenMatthewgavemethefirstprettydressIeverhad——whenIheardthatyouweregoingtorecoverfromthefever。Sogivemepearlsforourtrothring，Gilbert，andI’llwillinglyacceptthesorrowoflifewithitsjoy。\"
Buttonightourloversthoughtonlyofjoyandneverofsorrow。Forthemorrowwastheirweddingday，andtheirhouseofdreamsawaitedthemonthemisty，purpleshoreofFourWindsHarbor。
CHAPTER4
THEFIRSTBRIDEOFGREENGABLES
AnnewakenedonthemorningofherweddingdaytofindthesunshinewinkinginatthewindowofthelittleporchgableandaSeptemberbreezefrolickingwithhercurtains。
\"I’msogladthesunwillshineonme，\"shethoughthappily。
Sherecalledthefirstmorningshehadwakenedinthatlittleporchroom，whenthesunshinehadcreptinonherthroughtheblossom-driftoftheoldSnowQueen。
Thathadnotbeenahappywakening，foritbroughtwithitthebitterdisappointmentoftheprecedingnight。
Butsincethenthelittleroomhadbeenendearedandconsecratedbyyearsofhappychildhooddreamsandmaidenvisions。Toitshehadcomebackjoyfullyafterallherabsences；atitswindowshehadkneltthroughthatnightofbitteragonywhenshebelievedGilbertdying，andbyitshehadsatinspeechlesshappinessthenightofherbetrothal。Manyvigilsofjoyandsomeofsorrowhadbeenkeptthere；andtodayshemustleaveitforever。Henceforthitwouldbehersnomore；
fifteen-year-oldDorawastoinherititwhenshehadgone。NordidAnnewishitotherwise；thelittleroomwassacredtoyouthandgirlhood——tothepastthatwastoclosetodaybeforethechapterofwifehoodopened。
GreenGableswasabusyandjoyoushousethatforenoon。
Dianaarrivedearly，withlittleFredandSmallAnneCordelia，tolendahand。DavyandDora，theGreenGablestwins，whiskedthebabiesofftothegarden。
\"Don’tletSmallAnneCordeliaspoilherclothes，\"
warnedDianaanxiously。
\"Youneedn’tbeafraidtotrustherwithDora，\"saidMarilla。\"ThatchildismoresensibleandcarefulthanmostofthemothersI’veknown。She’sreallyawonderinsomeways。Notmuchlikethatotherharum-scarumIbroughtup。\"
MarillasmiledacrossherchickensaladatAnne。Itmightevenbesuspectedthatshelikedtheharum-scarumbestafterall。
\"Thosetwinsarerealnicechildren，\"saidMrs。
Rachel，whenshewassuretheywereoutofearshot。
\"Doraissowomanlyandhelpful，andDavyisdevelopingintoaverysmartboy。Heisn’ttheholyterrorformischiefheusedtobe。\"
\"IneverwassodistractedinmylifeasIwasthefirstsixmonthshewashere，\"acknowledgedMarilla。
\"AfterthatIsupposeIgotusedtohim。He’stakenagreatnotiontofarminglately，andwantsmetolethimtryrunningthefarmnextyear。Imay，forMr。Barrydoesn’tthinkhe’llwanttorentitmuchlonger，andsomenewarrangementwillhavetobemade。\"
\"Well，youcertainlyhavealovelydayforyourwedding，Anne，\"saidDiana，assheslippedavoluminousapronoverhersilkenarray。\"Youcouldn’thavehadafineroneifyou’dordereditfromEaton’s。\"
\"Indeed，there’stoomuchmoneygoingoutofthisIslandtothatsameEaton’s，\"saidMrs。Lyndeindignantly。Shehadstrongviewsonthesubjectofoctopus-likedepartmentstores，andneverlostanopportunityofairingthem。\"Andasforthosecataloguesoftheirs，they’retheAvonleagirls’Biblenow，that’swhat。TheyporeoverthemonSundaysinsteadofstudyingtheHolyScriptures。\"
\"Well，they’resplendidtoamusechildrenwith，\"saidDiana。\"FredandSmallAnnelookatthepicturesbythehour。\"
\"_I_amusedtenchildrenwithouttheaidofEaton’scatalogue，\"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。
\"Come，youtwo，don’tquarreloverEaton’scatalogue，\"
saidAnnegaily。\"Thisismydayofdays，youknow。
I’msohappyIwanteveryoneelsetobehappy，too。\"
\"I’msureIhopeyourhappinesswilllast，child，\"
sighedMrs。Rachel。Shedidhopeittruly，andbelievedit，butshewasafraiditwasinthenatureofachallengetoProvidencetoflauntyourhappinesstooopenly。Anne，forherowngood，mustbetoneddownatrifle。
Butitwasahappyandbeautifulbridewhocamedowntheold，homespun-carpetedstairsthatSeptembernoon——thefirstbrideofGreenGables，slenderandshining-eyed，inthemistofhermaidenveil，withherarmsfullofroses。Gilbert，waitingforherinthehallbelow，lookedupatherwithadoringeyes。Shewashisatlast，thisevasive，long-soughtAnne，wonafteryearsofpatientwaiting。Itwastohimshewascominginthesweetsurrenderofthebride。Washeworthyofher？Couldhemakeherashappyashehoped？
Ifhefailedher——ifhecouldnotmeasureuptoherstandardofmanhood——then，assheheldoutherhand，theireyesmetandalldoubtwassweptawayinagladcertainty。Theybelongedtoeachother；and，nomatterwhatlifemightholdforthem，itcouldneveralterthat。Theirhappinesswasineachother’skeepingandbothwereunafraid。
Theyweremarriedinthesunshineoftheoldorchard，circledbythelovingandkindlyfacesoflong-familiarfriends。Mr。Allanmarriedthem，andtheReverendJomadewhatMrs。RachelLyndeafterwardspronouncedtobethe\"mostbeautifulweddingprayer\"shehadeverheard。BirdsdonotoftensinginSeptember，butonesangsweetlyfromsomehiddenboughwhileGilbertandAnnerepeatedtheirdeathlessvows。Annehearditandthrilledtoit；Gilbertheardit，andwonderedonlythatallthebirdsintheworldhadnotburstintojubilantsong；Paulhearditandlaterwrotealyricaboutitwhichwasoneofthemostadmiredinhisfirstvolumeofverse；CharlottatheFourthhearditandwasblissfullysureitmeantgoodluckforheradoredMissShirley。Thebirdsanguntiltheceremonywasendedandthenitwoundupwithonemadlittle，gladlittletrill。Neverhadtheoldgray-greenhouseamongitsenfoldingorchardsknownablither，merrierafternoon。
AlltheoldjestsandquipsthatmusthavedonedutyatweddingssinceEdenwereservedup，andseemedasnewandbrilliantandmirth-provokingasiftheyhadneverbeenutteredbefore。Laughterandjoyhadtheirway；
andwhenAnneandGilbertlefttocatchtheCarmodytrain，withPaulasdriver，thetwinswerereadywithriceandoldshoes，inthethrowingofwhichCharlottatheFourthandMr。Harrisonboreavaliantpart。
Marillastoodatthegateandwatchedthecarriageoutofsightdownthelonglanewithitsbanksofgoldenrod。Anneturnedatitsendtowaveherlastgood-bye。Shewasgone——GreenGableswasherhomenomore；Marilla’sfacelookedverygrayandoldassheturnedtothehousewhichAnnehadfilledforfourteenyears，andeveninherabsence，withlightandlife。
ButDianaandhersmallfry，theEchoLodgepeopleandtheAllans，hadstayedtohelpthetwooldladiesoverthelonelinessofthefirstevening；andtheycontrivedtohaveaquietlypleasantlittlesuppertime，sittinglongaroundthetableandchattingoverallthedetailsoftheday。WhiletheyweresittingthereAnneandGilbertwerealightingfromthetrainatGlenSt。Mary。
CHAPTER5
THEHOMECOMING
Dr。DavidBlythehadsenthishorseandbuggytomeetthem，andtheurchinwhohadbroughtitslippedawaywithasympatheticgrin，leavingthemtothedelightofdrivingalonetotheirnewhomethroughtheradiantevening。
Anneneverforgotthelovelinessoftheviewthatbrokeuponthemwhentheyhaddrivenoverthehillbehindthevillage。Hernewhomecouldnotyetbeseen；butbeforeherlayFourWindsHarborlikeagreat，shiningmirrorofroseandsilver。Fardown，shesawitsentrancebetweenthebarofsanddunesononesideandasteep，high，grim，redsandstonecliffontheother。
Beyondthebarthesea，calmandaustere，dreamedintheafterlight。Thelittlefishingvillage，nestledinthecovewherethesand-dunesmettheharborshore，lookedlikeagreatopalinthehaze。Theskyoverthemwaslikeajewelledcupfromwhichtheduskwaspouring；theairwascrispwiththecompellingtangofthesea，andthewholelandscapewasinfusedwiththesubtletiesofaseaevening。Afewdimsailsdriftedalongthedarkening，fir-cladharborshores。Abellwasringingfromthetowerofalittlewhitechurchonthefarside；mellowlyanddreamilysweet，thechimefloatedacrossthewaterblentwiththemoanofthesea。Thegreatrevolvinglightonthecliffatthechannelflashedwarmandgoldenagainsttheclearnorthernsky，atrembling，quiveringstarofgoodhope。
Faroutalongthehorizonwasthecrinkledgrayribbonofapassingsteamer’ssmoke。
\"Oh，beautiful，beautiful，\"murmuredAnne。\"IshallloveFourWinds，Gilbert。Whereisourhouse？\"
\"Wecan’tseeityet——thebeltofbirchrunningupfromthatlittlecovehidesit。It’sabouttwomilesfromGlenSt。Mary，andthere’sanothermilebetweenitandthelight-house。Wewon’thavemanyneighbors，Anne。There’sonlyonehousenearusandIdon’tknowwholivesinit。ShallyoubelonelywhenI’maway？\"
\"Notwiththatlightandthatlovelinessforcompany。
Wholivesinthathouse，Gilbert？\"
\"Idon’tknow。Itdoesn’tlook——exactly——asiftheoccupantswouldbekindredspirits，Anne，doesit？\"
Thehousewasalarge，substantialaffair，paintedsuchavividgreenthatthelandscapeseemedquitefadedbycontrast。Therewasanorchardbehindit，andanicelykeptlawnbeforeit，but，somehow，therewasacertainbarenessaboutit。Perhapsitsneatnesswasresponsibleforthis；thewholeestablishment，house，barns，orchard，garden，lawnandlane，wassostarklyneat。
\"Itdoesn’tseemprobablethatanyonewiththattasteinpaintcouldbeVERYkindred，\"acknowledgedAnne，\"unlessitwereanaccident——likeourbluehall。I
feelcertaintherearenochildrenthere，atleast。
It’sevenneaterthantheoldCoppplaceontheToryroad，andIneverexpectedtoseeanythingneaterthanthat。\"
Theyhadnotmetanybodyonthemoist，redroadthatwoundalongtheharborshore。Butjustbeforetheycametothebeltofbirchwhichhidtheirhome，Annesawagirlwhowasdrivingaflockofsnow-whitegeesealongthecrestofavelvetygreenhillontheright。Great，scatteredfirsgrewalongit。Betweentheirtrunksonesawglimpsesofyellowharvestfields，gleamsofgoldensand-hills，andbitsofbluesea。Thegirlwastallandworeadressofpaleblueprint。Shewalkedwithacertainspringinessofstepanderectnessofbearing。SheandhergeesecameoutofthegateatthefootofthehillasAnneandGilbertpassed。Shestoodwithherhandonthefasteningofthegate，andlookedsteadilyatthem，withanexpressionthathardlyattainedtointerest，butdidnotdescendtocuriosity。
ItseemedtoAnne，forafleetingmoment，thattherewasevenaveiledhintofhostilityinit。Butitwasthegirl’sbeautywhichmadeAnnegivealittlegasp——abeautysomarkedthatitmusthaveattractedattentionanywhere。Shewashatless，butheavybraidsofburnishedhair，thehueofripewheat，weretwistedaboutherheadlikeacoronet；hereyeswereblueandstar-like；herfigure，initsplainprintgown，wasmagnificent；andherlipswereascrimsonasthebunchofblood-redpoppiessheworeatherbelt。
\"Gilbert，whoisthegirlwehavejustpassed？\"askedAnne，inalowvoice。
\"Ididn’tnoticeanygirl，\"saidGilbert，whohadeyesonlyforhisbride。
\"Shewasstandingbythatgate——no，don’tlookback。
Sheisstillwatchingus。Ineversawsuchabeautifulface。\"
\"Idon’trememberseeinganyveryhandsomegirlswhileIwashere。TherearesomeprettygirlsupattheGlen，butIhardlythinktheycouldbecalledbeautiful。\"
\"Thisgirlis。Youcan’thaveseenher，oryouwouldrememberher。Nobodycouldforgether。Ineversawsuchafaceexceptinpictures。Andherhair！ItmademethinkofBrowning’s`cordofgold’and`gorgeoussnake’！\"
\"Probablyshe’ssomevisitorinFourWinds——likelysomeonefromthatbigsummerhotelovertheharbor。\"
\"Sheworeawhiteapronandshewasdrivinggeese。\"
\"Shemightdothatforamusement。Look，Anne——there’sourhouse。\"
Annelookedandforgotforatimethegirlwiththesplendid，resentfuleyes。Thefirstglimpseofhernewhomewasadelighttoeyeandspirit——itlookedsolikeabig，creamyseashellstrandedontheharborshore。
TherowsoftallLombardypoplarsdownitslanestoodoutinstately，purplesilhouetteagainstthesky。
Behindit，shelteringitsgardenfromthetookeenbreathofseawinds，wasacloudyfirwood，inwhichthewindsmightmakeallkindsofweirdandhauntingmusic。Likeallwoods，itseemedtobeholdingandenfoldingsecretsinitsrecesses，——secretswhosecharmisonlytobewonbyenteringinandpatientlyseeking。
Outwardly，darkgreenarmskeeptheminviolatefromcuriousorindifferenteyes。
ThenightwindswerebeginningtheirwilddancesbeyondthebarandthefishinghamletacrosstheharborwasgemmedwithlightsasAnneandGilbertdroveupthepoplarlane。Thedoorofthelittlehouseopened，andawarmglowoffirelightflickeredoutintothedusk。
GilbertliftedAnnefromthebuggyandledherintothegarden，throughthelittlegatebetweentheruddy-tippedfirs，upthetrim，redpathtothesandstonestep。
\"Welcomehome，\"hewhispered，andhandinhandtheysteppedoverthethresholdoftheirhouseofdreams。
