Ithink，asyousay，Anne，thattherearebetterwaysofmanagingasarule，andthatcorporalpunishmentshouldbealastresort。
　　Butontheotherhand，asJanesays，Ibelievethereisanoccasionalchildwhocan’tbeinfluencedinanyotherwayandwho，inshort，needsawhippingandwouldbeimprovedbyit。Corporalpunishmentasalastresortistobemyrule。"
　　Gilbert，havingtriedtopleasebothsides，succeeded，asisusualandeminentlyright，inpleasingneither。Janetossedherhead。
　　"I’llwhipmypupilswhenthey’renaughty。It’stheshortestandeasiestwayofconvincingthem。"
　　AnnegaveGilbertadisappointedglance。
　　"Ishallneverwhipachild，"sherepeatedfirmly。"Ifeelsureitisn’teitherrightornecessary。"
　　"Supposeaboysaucedyoubackwhenyoutoldhimtodosomething？"
　　saidJane。
　　"I’dkeephiminafterschoolandtalkkindlyandfirmlytohim，"
　　saidAnne。"Thereissomegoodineverypersonifyoucanfindit。
　　Itisateacher’sdutytofindanddevelopit。ThatiswhatourSchoolManagementprofessoratQueen’stoldus，youknow。Doyousupposeyoucouldfindanygoodinachildbywhippinghim？It’sfarmoreimportanttoinfluencethechildrenarightthanitiseventoteachthemthethreeR’s，ProfessorRenniesays。"
　　"ButtheInspectorexaminestheminthethreeR’s，mindyou，andhewon’tgiveyouagoodreportiftheydon’tcomeuptohisstandard，"protestedJane。
　　"I’dratherhavemypupilslovemeandlookbacktomeinafteryearsasarealhelperthanbeontherollofhonor，"assertedAnnedecidedly。
　　"Wouldn’tyoupunishchildrenatall，whentheymisbehaved？"askedGilbert。
　　"Oh，yes，IsupposeIshallhaveto，althoughIknowI’llhatetodoit。Butyoucankeeptheminatrecessorstandthemonthefloororgivethemlinestowrite。"
　　"Isupposeyouwon’tpunishthegirlsbymakingthemsitwiththeboys？"
　　saidJaneslyly。
　　GilbertandAnnelookedateachotherandsmiledratherfoolishly。
　　Onceuponatime，AnnehadbeenmadetositwithGilbertforpunishmentandsadandbitterhadbeentheconsequencesthereof。
　　"Well，timewilltellwhichisthebestway，"saidJanephilosophicallyastheyparted。
　　AnnewentbacktoGreenGablesbywayofBirchPath，shadowy，rustling，fern-scented，throughVioletValeandpastWillowmere，wheredarkandlightkissedeachotherunderthefirs，anddownthroughLover’sLane……spotssheandDianahadsonamedlongago。Shewalkedslowly，enjoyingthesweetnessofwoodandfieldandthestarrysummertwilight，andthinkingsoberlyaboutthenewdutiesshewastotakeuponthemorrow。WhenshereachedtheyardatGreenGablesMrs。Lynde’sloud，decidedtonesfloatedoutthroughtheopenkitchenwindow。
　　"Mrs。Lyndehascomeuptogivemegoodadviceabouttomorrow，"
　　thoughtAnnewithagrimace，"butIdon’tbelieveI’llgoin。
　　Heradviceismuchlikepepper，Ithink……excellentinsmallquantitiesbutratherscorchinginherdoses。I’llrunoverandhaveachatwithMr。Harrisoninstead。"
　　ThiswasnotthefirsttimeAnnehadrunoverandchattedwithMr。
　　HarrisonsincethenotableaffairoftheJerseycow。ShehadbeenthereseveraleveningsandMr。Harrisonandshewereverygoodfriends，althoughthereweretimesandseasonswhenAnnefoundtheoutspokennessonwhichhepridedhimselfrathertrying。Gingerstillcontinuedtoregardherwithsuspicion，andneverfailedtogreethersarcasticallyas"redheadedsnippet。"Mr。HarrisonhadtriedvainlytobreakhimofthehabitbyjumpingexcitedlyupwheneverhesawAnnecomingandexclaiming，"Blessmysoul，here’sthatprettylittlegirlagain，"orsomethingequallyflattering。ButGingersawthroughtheschemeandscornedit。AnnewasnevertoknowhowmanycomplimentsMr。Harrisonpaidherbehindherback。Hecertainlyneverpaidheranytoherface。
　　"Well，Isupposeyou’vebeenbackinthewoodslayinginasupplyofswitchesfortomorrow？"washisgreetingasAnnecameuptheverandasteps。
　　"No，indeed，"saidAnneindignantly。Shewasanexcellenttargetforteasingbecauseshealwaystookthingssoseriously。"Ishallneverhaveaswitchinmyschool，Mr。Harrison。Ofcourse，Ishallhavetohaveapointer，butIshalluseitforpointingONLY。"
　　"Soyoumeantostraptheminstead？Well，Idon’tknowbutyou’reright。
　　Aswitchstingsmoreatthetimebutthestrapsmartslonger，that’safact。"
　　"Ishallnotuseanythingofthesort。I’mnotgoingtowhipmypupils。"
　　"Blessmysoul，"exclaimedMr。Harrisoningenuineastonishment，"howdoyoulayouttokeeporderthen？"
　　"Ishallgovernbyaffection，Mr。Harrison。"
　　"Itwon’tdo，"saidMr。Harrison，"won’tdoatall，Anne。
　　`Sparetherodandspoilthechild。’WhenIwenttoschoolthemasterwhippedmeregulareverydaybecausehesaidifIwasn’tinmischiefjustthenIwasplottingit。"
　　"Methodshavechangedsinceyourschooldays，Mr。Harrison。"
　　"Buthumannaturehasn’t。Markmywords，you’llnevermanagetheyoungfryunlessyoukeeparodinpickleforthem。Thethingisimpossible。"
　　"Well，I’mgoingtotrymywayfirst，"saidAnne，whohadafairlystrongwillofherownandwasapttoclingverytenaciouslytohertheories。
　　"You’reprettystubborn，Ireckon，"wasMr。Harrison’swayofputtingit。"Well，well，we’llsee。Somedaywhenyougetriledup……andpeoplewithhairlikeyoursaredesperateapttogetriled……you’llforgetallyourprettylittlenotionsandgivesomeofthemawhaling。You’retooyoungtobeteachinganyhow……fartooyoungandchildish。"
　　Altogether，Annewenttobedthatnightinaratherpessimisticmood。
　　ShesleptpoorlyandwassopaleandtragicatbreakfastnextmorningthatMarillawasalarmedandinsistedonmakinghertakeacupofscorchinggingertea。Annesippeditpatiently，althoughshecouldnotimaginewhatgoodgingerteawoulddo。Haditbeensomemagicbrew，potenttoconferageandexperience，Annewouldhaveswallowedaquartofitwithoutflinching。
　　"Marilla，whatifIfail！"
　　"You’llhardlyfailcompletelyinonedayandthere’splentymoredayscoming，"saidMarilla。"Thetroublewithyou，Anne，isthatyou’llexpecttoteachthosechildreneverythingandreformalltheirfaultsrightoff，andifyoucan’tyou’llthinkyou’vefailed。"
　　V
　　AFull-fledgedSchoolma’amWhenAnnereachedtheschoolthatmorning……forthefirsttimeinherlifeshehadtraversedtheBirchPathdeafandblindtoitsbeauties……allwasquietandstill。Theprecedingteacherhadtrainedthechildrentobeintheirplacesatherarrival，andwhenAnneenteredtheschoolroomshewasconfrontedbyprimrowsof"shiningmorningfaces"andbright，inquisitiveeyes。Shehungupherhatandfacedherpupils，hopingthatshedidnotlookasfrightenedandfoolishasshefeltandthattheywouldnotperceivehowshewastrembling。
　　Shehadsatupuntilnearlytwelvetheprecedingnightcomposingaspeechshemeanttomaketoherpupilsuponopeningtheschool。
　　Shehadrevisedandimproveditpainstakingly，andthenshehadlearneditoffbyheart。Itwasaverygoodspeechandhadsomeveryfineideasinit，especiallyaboutmutualhelpandearneststrivingafterknowledge。Theonlytroublewasthatshecouldnotnowrememberawordofit。
　　Afterwhatseemedtoherayear……abouttensecondsinreality……shesaidfaintly，"TakeyourTestaments，please，"andsankbreathlesslyintoherchairundercoveroftherustleandclatterofdesklidsthatfollowed。WhilethechildrenreadtheirversesAnnemarshalledhershakywitsintoorderandlookedoverthearrayoflittlepilgrimstotheGrownupLand。
　　Mostofthemwere，ofcourse，quitewellknowntoher。Herownclassmateshadpassedoutintheprecedingyearbuttheresthadallgonetoschoolwithher，exceptingtheprimerclassandtennewcomerstoAvonlea。Annesecretlyfeltmoreinterestinthesetenthaninthosewhosepossibilitieswerealreadyfairlywellmappedouttoher。Tobesure，theymightbejustascommonplaceastherest；butontheotherhandthereMIGHTbeageniusamongthem。Itwasathrillingidea。
　　SittingbyhimselfatacornerdeskwasAnthonyPye。Hehadadark，sullenlittleface，andwasstaringatAnnewithahostileexpressioninhisblackeyes。Anneinstantlymadeuphermindthatshewouldwinthatboy’saffectionanddiscomfitthePyesutterly。
　　IntheothercorneranotherstrangeboywassittingwithArtySloane……ajollylookinglittlechap，withasnubnose，freckledface，andbig，lightblueeyes，fringedwithwhitishlashes……
　　probablytheDonNELLboy；andifresemblancewentforanything，hissisterwassittingacrosstheaislewithMaryBell。Annewonderedwhatsortofmotherthechildhad，tosendhertoschooldressedasshewas。Sheworeafadedpinksilkdress，trimmedwithagreatdealofcottonlace，soiledwhitekidslippers，andsilkstockings。Hersandyhairwastorturedintoinnumerablekinkyandunnaturalcurls，surmountedbyaflamboyantbowofpinkribbonbiggerthanherhead。Judgingfromherexpressionshewasverywellsatisfiedwithherself。
　　Apalelittlething，withsmoothripplesoffine，silky，fawn-coloredhairflowingoverhershoulders，must，Annethought，beAnnettaBell，whoseparentshadformerlylivedintheNewbridgeschooldistrict，but，byreasonofhaulingtheirhousefiftyyardsnorthofitsoldsitewerenowinAvonlea。ThreepallidlittlegirlscrowdedintooneseatwerecertainlyCottons；andtherewasnodoubtthatthesmallbeautywiththelongbrowncurlsandhazeleyes，whowascastingcoquettishlooksatJackGillsovertheedgeofherTestament，wasPrillieRogerson，whosefatherhadrecentlymarriedasecondwifeandbroughtPrilliehomefromhergrandmother’sinGrafton。Atall，awkwardgirlinabackseat，whoseemedtohavetoomanyfeetandhands，Annecouldnotplaceatall，butlaterondiscoveredthathernamewasBarbaraShawandthatshehadcometolivewithanAvonleaaunt。ShewasalsotofindthatifBarbaraevermanagedtowalkdowntheaislewithoutfallingoverherownorsomebodyelse’sfeettheAvonleascholarswrotetheunusualfactupontheporchwalltocommemorateit。
　　ButwhenAnne’seyesmetthoseoftheboyatthefrontdeskfacingherown，aqueerlittlethrillwentoverher，asifshehadfoundhergenius。SheknewthismustbePaulIrvingandthatMrs。RachelLyndehadbeenrightforoncewhensheprophesiedthathewouldbeunliketheAvonleachildren。Morethanthat，Annerealizedthathewasunlikeotherchildrenanywhere，andthattherewasasoulsubtlyakintoherowngazingatheroutoftheverydarkblueeyesthatwerewatchinghersointently。
　　SheknewPaulwastenbuthelookednomorethaneight。Hehadthemostbeautifullittlefaceshehadeverseeninachild……
　　featuresofexquisitedelicacyandrefinement，framedinahaloofchestnutcurls。Hismouthwasdelicious，beingfullwithoutpouting，thecrimsonlipsjustsoftlytouchingandcurvingintofinelyfinishedlittlecornersthatnarrowlyescapedbeingdimpled。
　　Hehadasober，grave，meditativeexpression，asifhisspiritwasmucholderthanhisbody；butwhenAnnesmiledsoftlyathimitvanishedinasuddenansweringsmile，whichseemedanilluminationofhiswholebeing，asifsomelamphadsuddenlykindledintoflameinsideofhim，irradiatinghimfromtoptotoe。Bestofall，itwasinvoluntary，bornofnoexternaleffortormotive，butsimplytheoutflashingofahiddenpersonality，rareandfineandsweet。
　　WithaquickinterchangeofsmilesAnneandPaulwerefastfriendsforeverbeforeawordhadpassedbetweenthem。
　　Thedaywentbylikeadream。Annecouldneverclearlyrecallitafterwards。Italmostseemedasifitwerenotshewhowasteachingbutsomebodyelse。Sheheardclassesandworkedsumsandsetcopiesmechanically。Thechildrenbehavedquitewell；onlytwocasesofdisciplineoccurred。MorleyAndrewswascaughtdrivingapairoftrainedcricketsintheaisle。AnnestoodMorleyontheplatformforanhourand……whichMorleyfeltmuchmorekeenly……
　　confiscatedhiscrickets。SheputtheminaboxandonthewayfromschoolsetthemfreeinVioletVale；butMorleybelieved，thenandeverafterwards，thatshetookthemhomeandkeptthemforherownamusement。
　　TheotherculpritwasAnthonyPye，whopouredthelastdropsofwaterfromhisslatebottledownthebackofAureliaClay’sneck。
　　AnnekeptAnthonyinatrecessandtalkedtohimaboutwhatwasexpectedofgentlemen，admonishinghimthattheyneverpouredwaterdownladies’necks。Shewantedallherboystobegentlemen，shesaid。
　　Herlittlelecturewasquitekindandtouching；butunfortunatelyAnthonyremainedabsolutelyuntouched。Helistenedtoherinsilence，withthesamesullenexpression，andwhistledscornfullyashewentout。
　　Annesighed；andthencheeredherselfupbyrememberingthatwinningaPye’saffections，likethebuildingofRome，wasn’ttheworkofaday。
　　Infact，itwasdoubtfulwhethersomeofthePyeshadanyaffectionstowin；butAnnehopedbetterthingsofAnthony，wholookedasifhemightbearatherniceboyifoneevergotbehindhissullenness。
　　WhenschoolwasdismissedandthechildrenhadgoneAnnedroppedwearilyintoherchair。Herheadachedandshefeltwoefullydiscouraged。Therewasnorealreasonfordiscouragement，sincenothingverydreadfulhadoccurred；butAnnewasverytiredandinclinedtobelievethatshewouldneverlearntoliketeaching。
　　Andhowterribleitwouldbetobedoingsomethingyoudidn’tlikeeverydayfor……well，sayfortyyears。Annewasoftwomindswhethertohavehercryoutthenandthere，orwaittillshewassafelyinherownwhiteroomathome。Beforeshecoulddecidetherewasaclickofheelsandasilkenswishontheporchfloor，andAnnefoundherselfconfrontedbyaladywhoseappearancemadeherrecallarecentcriticismofMr。Harrison’sonanoverdressedfemalehehadseeninaCharlottetownstore。"Shelookedlikeahead-oncollisionbetweenafashionplateandanightmare。"
　　Thenewcomerwasgorgeouslyarrayedinapalebluesummersilk，puffed，frilled，andshirredwhereverpuff，frill，orshirringcouldpossiblybeplaced。Herheadwassurmountedbyahugewhitechiffonhat，bedeckedwiththreelongbutratherstringyostrichfeathers。Aveilofpinkchiffon，lavishlysprinkledwithhugeblackdots，hunglikeaflouncefromthehatbrimtohershouldersandfloatedoffintwoairystreamersbehindher。Sheworeallthejewelrythatcouldbecrowdedononesmallwoman，andaverystrongodorofperfumeattendedher。
　　"IamMrs。DonNELL……Mrs。H。B。DonNELL，"announcedthisvision，"andIhavecomeintoseeyouaboutsomethingClariceAlmiratoldmewhenshecamehometodinnertoday。ItannoyedmeEXCESSIVELY。"
　　"I’msorry，"falteredAnne，vainlytryingtorecollectanyincidentofthemorningconnectedwiththeDonnellchildren。
　　"ClariceAlmiratoldmethatyoupronouncedournameDONnell。Now，MissShirley，thecorrectpronunciationofournameisDonNELL……
　　accentonthelastsyllable。Ihopeyou’llrememberthisinfuture。"
　　"I’lltryto，"gaspedAnne，chokingbackawilddesiretolaugh。
　　"Iknowbyexperiencethatit’sveryunpleasanttohaveone’snameSPELLEDwrongandIsupposeitmustbeevenworsetohaveitpronouncedwrong。"
　　"Certainlyitis。AndClariceAlmiraalsoinformedmethatyoucallmysonJacob。"
　　"HetoldmehisnamewasJacob，"protestedAnne。
　　"Imightwellhaveexpectedthat，"saidMrs。H。B。Donnell，inatonewhichimpliedthatgratitudeinchildrenwasnottobelookedforinthisdegenerateage。"Thatboyhassuchplebeiantastes，MissShirley。WhenhewasbornIwantedtocallhimSt。Clair……itsoundsSOaristocratic，doesn’tit？ButhisfatherinsistedheshouldbecalledJacobafterhisuncle。Iyielded，becauseUncleJacobwasaricholdbachelor。Andwhatdoyouthink，MissShirley？WhenourinnocentboywasfiveyearsoldUncleJacobactuallywentandgotmarriedandnowhehasthreeboysofhisown。Didyoueverhearofsuchingratitude？Themomenttheinvitationtothewedding……forhehadtheimpertinencetosendusaninvitation，MissShirley……cametothehouseIsaid，`NomoreJacobsforme，thankyou。’FromthatdayIcalledmysonSt。
　　ClairandSt。ClairIamdeterminedheshallbecalled。HisfatherobstinatelycontinuestocallhimJacob，andtheboyhimselfhasaperfectlyunaccountablepreferenceforthevulgarname。
　　ButSt。ClairheisandSt。Clairheshallremain。Youwillkindlyrememberthis，MissShirley，willyounot？THANKyou。ItoldClariceAlmirathatIwassureitwasonlyamisunderstandingandthatawordwouldsetitright。Donnell……accentonthelastsyllable……andSt。Clair……onnoaccountJacob。You’llremember？
　　THANKyou。"
　　WhenMrs。H。B。DonNELLhadskimmedawayAnnelockedtheschooldoorandwenthome。AtthefootofthehillshefoundPaulIrvingbytheBirchPath。HeheldouttoheraclusterofthedaintylittlewildorchidswhichAvonleachildrencalled"ricelillies。"
　　"Please，teacher，IfoundtheseinMr。Wright’sfield，"hesaidshyly，"andIcamebacktogivethemtoyoubecauseIthoughtyouwerethekindofladythatwouldlikethem，andbecause……"heliftedhisbigbeautifuleyes……"Ilikeyou，teacher。"
　　"Youdarling，"saidAnne，takingthefragrantspikes。AsifPaul’swordshadbeenaspellofmagic，discouragementandwearinesspassedfromherspirit，andhopeupwelledinherheartlikeadancingfountain。ShewentthroughtheBirchPathlight-footedly，attendedbythesweetnessofherorchidsasbyabenediction。
　　"Well，howdidyougetalong？"Marillawantedtoknow。
　　"AskmethatamonthlaterandImaybeabletotellyou。Ican’tnow……Idon’tknowmyself……I’mtoonearit。Mythoughtsfeelasiftheyhadbeenallstirredupuntiltheywerethickandmuddy。TheonlythingIfeelreallysureofhavingaccomplishedtodayisthatItaughtCliffieWrightthatAisA。Heneverknewitbefore。Isn’titsomethingtohavestartedasoulalongapaththatmayendinShakespeareandParadiseLost？"
　　Mrs。Lyndecameuplateronwithmoreencouragement。Thatgoodladyhadwaylaidtheschoolchildrenathergateanddemandedofthemhowtheylikedtheirnewteacher。
　　"Andeveryoneofthemsaidtheylikedyousplendid，Anne，exceptAnthonyPye。Imustadmithedidn’t。Hesaidyou`weren’tanygood，justlikeallgirlteachers。’There’sthePyeleavenforyou。
　　Butnevermind。"
　　"I’mnotgoingtomind，"saidAnnequietly，"andI’mgoingtomakeAnthonyPyelikemeyet。Patienceandkindnesswillsurelywinhim。"
　　"Well，youcannevertellaboutaPye，"saidMrs。Rachelcautiously。
　　"Theygobycontraries，likedreams，oftenasnot。AsforthatDonNELLwoman，she’llgetnoDonNELLingfromme，Icanassureyou。
　　ThenameisDONnellandalwayshasbeen。Thewomaniscrazy，that’swhat。
　　ShehasapugdogshecallsQueenieandithasitsmealsatthetablealongwiththefamily，eatingoffachinaplate。I’dbeafraidofajudgmentifIwasher。ThomassaysDonnellhimselfisasensible，hard-workingman，buthehadn’tmuchgumptionwhenhepickedoutawife，that’swhat。"
　　VI
　　AllSortsandConditionsofMen……andwomenASeptemberdayonPrinceEdwardIslandhills；acrispwindblowingupoverthesanddunesfromthesea；alongredroad，windingthroughfieldsandwoods，nowloopingitselfaboutacornerofthicksetspruces，nowthreadingaplantationofyoungmapleswithgreatfeatherysheetsoffernsbeneaththem，nowdippingdownintoahollowwhereabrookflashedoutofthewoodsandintothemagain，nowbaskinginopensunshinebetweenribbonsofgolden-rodandsmoke-blueasters；airathrillwiththepipingsofmyriadsofcrickets，thosegladlittlepensionersofthesummerhills；aplumpbrownponyamblingalongtheroad；twogirlsbehindhim，fulltothelipswiththesimple，pricelessjoyofyouthandlife。
　　"Oh，thisisadayleftoverfromEden，isn’tit，Diana？"……andAnnesighedforsheerhappiness。"Theairhasmagicinit。Lookatthepurpleinthecupoftheharvestvalley，Diana。Andoh，dosmellthedyingfir！It’scomingupfromthatlittlesunnyhollowwhereMr。EbenWrighthasbeencuttingfencepoles。Blissisitonsuchadaytobealive；buttosmelldyingfirisveryheaven。
　　That’stwothirdsWordsworthandonethirdAnneShirley。Itdoesn’tseempossiblethatthereshouldbedyingfirinheaven，doesit？Andyetitdoesn’tseemtomethatheavenwouldbequiteperfectifyoucouldn’tgetawhiffofdeadfirasyouwentthroughitswoods。Perhapswe’llhavetheodortherewithoutthedeath。
　　Yes，Ithinkthatwillbetheway。Thatdeliciousaromamustbethesoulsofthefirs……andofcourseitwillbejustsoulsinheaven。"
　　"Treeshaven’tsouls，"saidpracticalDiana，"butthesmellofdeadfiriscertainlylovely。I’mgoingtomakeacushionandfillitwithfirneedles。You’dbettermakeonetoo，Anne。"
　　"IthinkIshall……anduseitformynaps。I’dbecertaintodreamIwasadryadorawoodnymphthen。ButjustthisminuteI’mwellcontenttobeAnneShirley，Avonleaschoolma’am，drivingoveraroadlikethisonsuchasweet，friendlyday。"
　　"It’salovelydaybutwehaveanythingbutalovelytaskbeforeus，"
　　sighedDiana。"Whyonearthdidyouoffertocanvassthisroad，Anne？
　　AlmostallthecranksinAvonlealivealongit，andwe’llprobablybetreatedasifwewerebeggingforourselves。It’stheveryworstroadofall。"
　　"ThatiswhyIchoseit。OfcourseGilbertandFredwouldhavetakenthisroadifwehadaskedthem。Butyousee，Diana，IfeelmyselfresponsiblefortheA。V。I。S。，sinceIwasthefirsttosuggestit，anditseemstomethatIoughttodothemostdisagreeablethings。I’msorryonyouraccount；butyouneedn’tsayawordatthecrankyplaces。I’lldoallthetalking……
　　Mrs。LyndewouldsayIwaswellableto。Mrs。Lyndedoesn’tknowwhethertoapproveofourenterpriseornot。Sheinclinesto，whensheremembersthatMr。andMrs。Allanareinfavorofit；
　　butthefactthatvillageimprovementsocietiesfirstoriginatedintheStatesisacountagainstit。SosheishaltingbetweentwoopinionsandonlysuccesswilljustifyusinMrs。Lynde’seyes。
　　PriscillaisgoingtowriteapaperforournextImprovementmeeting，andIexpectitwillbegood，forherauntissuchacleverwriterandnodoubtitrunsinthefamily。IshallneverforgetthethrillitgavemewhenIfoundoutthatMrs。CharlotteE。MorganwasPriscilla’saunt。
　　ItseemedsowonderfulthatIwasafriendofthegirlwhoseauntwrote`EdgewoodDays’and`TheRosebudGarden。’"
　　"WheredoesMrs。Morganlive？"
　　"InToronto。AndPriscillasayssheiscomingtotheIslandforavisitnextsummer，andifitispossiblePriscillaisgoingtoarrangetohaveusmeether。Thatseemsalmosttoogoodtobetrue——butit’ssomethingpleasanttoimagineafteryougotobed。"
　　TheAvonleaVillageImprovementSocietywasanorganizedfact。
　　GilbertBlythewaspresident，FredWrightvice-president，AnneShirleysecretary，andDianaBarrytreasurer。The"Improvers，"astheywerepromptlychristened，weretomeetonceafortnightatthehomesofthemembers。Itwasadmittedthattheycouldnotexpecttoaffectmanyimprovementssolateintheseason；buttheymeanttoplanthenextsummer’scampaign，collectanddiscussideas，writeandreadpapers，and，asAnnesaid，educatethepublicsentimentgenerally。
　　Therewassomedisapproval，ofcourse，and……whichtheImproversfeltmuchmorekeenly……agooddealofridicule。Mr。ElishaWrightwasreportedtohavesaidthatamoreappropriatenamefortheorganizationwouldbeCourtingClub。Mrs。HiramSloanedeclaredshehadheardtheImproversmeanttoploughupalltheroadsidesandsetthemoutwithgeraniums。Mr。LeviBoulterwarnedhisneighborsthattheImproverswouldinsistthateverybodypulldownhishouseandrebuilditafterplansapprovedbythesociety。
　　Mr。JamesSpencersentthemwordthathewishedtheywouldkindlyshoveldownthechurchhill。EbenWrighttoldAnnethathewishedtheImproverscouldinduceoldJosiahSloanetokeephiswhiskerstrimmed。
　　Mr。LawrenceBellsaidhewouldwhitewashhisbarnsifnothingelsewouldpleasethembuthewouldNOThanglacecurtainsinthecowstablewindows。
　　Mr。MajorSpenceraskedCliftonSloane，anImproverwhodrovethemilktotheCarmodycheesefactory，ifitwastruethateverybodywouldhavetohavehismilk-standhand-paintednextsummerandkeepanembroideredcenterpieceonit。
　　Inspiteof……orperhaps，humannaturebeingwhatitis，becauseof……this，theSocietywentgamelytoworkattheonlyimprovementtheycouldhopetobringaboutthatfall。Atthesecondmeeting，intheBarryparlor，OliverSloanemovedthattheytartasubscriptiontore-shingleandpaintthehall；JuliaBellsecondedit，withanuneasyfeelingthatshewasdoingsomethingnotexactlyladylike。
　　Gilbertputthemotion，itwascarriedunanimously，andAnnegravelyrecordeditinherminutes。Thenextthingwastoappointacommittee，andGertiePye，determinednottoletJuliaBellcarryoffallthelaurels，boldlymovedthatMissJaneAndrewsbechairmanofsaidcommittee。
　　Thismotionbeingalsodulysecondedandcarried，JanereturnedthecomplimentbyappointingGertieonthecommittee，alongwithGilbert，Anne，Diana，andFredWright。Thecommitteechosetheirroutesinprivateconclave。AnneandDianaweretoldofffortheNewbridgeroad，GilbertandFredfortheWhiteSandsroad，andJaneandGertiefortheCarmodyroad。
　　"Because，"explainedGilberttoAnne，astheywalkedhometogetherthroughtheHauntedWood，"thePyesalllivealongthatroadandtheywon’tgiveacentunlessoneofthemselvescanvassesthem。"
　　ThenextSaturdayAnneandDianastartedout。Theydrovetotheendoftheroadandcanvassedhomeward，callingfirstonthe"Andrewgirls。"
　　"IfCatherineisalonewemaygetsomething，"saidDiana，"butifElizaistherewewon’t。"
　　Elizawasthere……verymuchso……andlookedevengrimmerthanusual。MissElizawasoneofthosepeoplewhogiveyoutheimpressionthatlifeisindeedavaleoftears，andthatasmile，nevertospeakofalaugh，isawasteofnervousenergytrulyreprehensible。TheAndrewgirlshadbeen"girls"forfiftyoddyearsandseemedlikelytoremaingirlstotheendoftheirearthlypilgrimage。Catherine，itwassaid，hadnotentirelygivenuphope，butEliza，whowasbornapessimist，hadneverhadany。TheylivedinalittlebrownhousebuiltinasunnycornerscoopedoutofMarkAndrew’sbeechwoods。Elizacomplainedthatitwasterriblehotinsummer，butCatherinewaswonttosayitwaslovelyandwarminwinter。
　　Elizawassewingpatchwork，notbecauseitwasneededbutsimplyasaprotestagainstthefrivolouslaceCatherinewascrocheting。
　　ElizalistenedwithafrownandCatherinewithasmile，asthegirlsexplainedtheirerrand。Tobesure，wheneverCatherinecaughtEliza’seyeshediscardedthesmileinguiltyconfusion；
　　butitcreptbackthenextmoment。
　　"IfIhadmoneytowaste，"saidElizagrimly，"I’dburnitupandhavethefunofseeingablazemaybe；butIwouldn’tgiveittothathall，notacent。It’snobenefittothesettlement……justaplaceforyoungfolkstomeetandcarryonwhenthey’sbetterbehomeintheirbeds。"
　　"Oh，Eliza，youngfolksmusthavesomeamusement，"protestedCatherine。
　　"Idon’tseethenecessity。Wedidn’tgadabouttohallsandplaceswhenwewereyoung，CatherineAndrews。Thisworldisgettingworseeveryday"
　　"Ithinkit’sgettingbetter，"saidCatherinefirmly。
　　"YOUthink！"MissEliza’svoiceexpressedtheutmostcontempt。
　　"Itdoesn’tsignifywhatyouTHINK，CatherineAndrews。Factsisfacts。"
　　"Well，Ialwaysliketolookonthebrightside，Eliza。"
　　"Thereisn’tanybrightside。"
　　"Oh，indeedthereis，"criedAnne，whocouldn’tenduresuchheresyinsilence。"Why，thereareeversomanybrightsides，MissAndrews。
　　It’sreallyabeautifulworld。"
　　"Youwon’thavesuchahighopinionofitwhenyou’velivedaslonginitasIhave，"retortedMissElizasourly，"andyouwon’tbesoenthusiasticaboutimprovingiteither。Howisyourmother，Diana？
　　Dearme，butshehasfailedoflate。Shelooksterriblerundown。
　　AndhowlongisitbeforeMarillaexpectstobestoneblind，Anne？"
　　"Thedoctorthinkshereyeswillnotgetanyworseifsheisverycareful，"falteredAnne。
　　Elizashookherhead。
　　"Doctorsalwaystalklikethatjusttokeeppeoplecheeredup。Iwouldn’thavemuchhopeifIwasher。It’sbesttobepreparedfortheworst。"
　　"Butoughtn’twebepreparedforthebesttoo？"pleadedAnne。
　　"It’sjustaslikelytohappenastheworst。"
　　"Notinmyexperience，andI’vefifty-sevenyearstosetagainstyoursixteen，"retortedEliza。"Going，areyou？Well，IhopethisnewsocietyofyourswillbeabletokeepAvonleafromrunninganyfurtherdownhillbutIhaven’tmuchhopeofit。"
　　AnneandDianagotthemselvesthankfullyout，anddroveawayasfastasthefatponycouldgo。AstheyroundedthecurvebelowthebeechwoodaplumpfigurecamespeedingoverMr。Andrews’pasture，wavingtothemexcitedly。ItwasCatherineAndrewsandshewassooutofbreaththatshecouldhardlyspeak，butshethrustacoupleofquartersintoAnne’shand。
　　"That’smycontributiontopaintingthehall，"shegasped。"I’dliketogiveyouadollarbutIdon’tdaretakemorefrommyeggmoneyforElizawouldfinditoutifIdid。I’mrealinterestedinyoursocietyandIbelieveyou’regoingtodoalotofgood。
　　I’manoptimist。IHAVEtobe，livingwithEliza。Imusthurrybackbeforeshemissesme……shethinksI’mfeedingthehens。
　　Ihopeyou’llhavegoodluckcanvassing，anddon’tbecastdownoverwhatElizasaid。TheworldISgettingbetter……itcertainlyis。"
　　ThenexthousewasDanielBlair’s。
　　"Now，italldependsonwhetherhiswifeishomeornot，"saidDiana，astheyjoltedalongadeep-ruttedlane。"Ifsheiswewon’tgetacent。
　　EverybodysaysDanBlairdoesn’tdarehavehishaircutwithoutaskingherpermission；andit’scertainshe’sveryclose，tostateitmoderately。
　　Shesaysshehastobejustbeforeshe’sgenerous。ButMrs。Lyndesaysshe’ssomuch`before’thatgenerositynevercatchesupwithheratall。"
　　AnnerelatedtheirexperienceattheBlairplacetoMarillathatevening。
　　"Wetiedthehorseandthenrappedatthekitchendoor。
　　Nobodycamebutthedoorwasopenandwecouldhearsomebodyinthepantry，goingondreadfully。Wecouldn’tmakeoutthewordsbutDianasayssheknowstheywereswearingbythesoundofthem。
　　Ican’tbelievethatofMr。Blair，forheisalwayssoquietandmeek；
　　butatleasthehadgreatprovocation，forMarilla，whenthatpoormancametothedoor，redasabeet，withperspirationstreamingdownhisface，hehadononeofhiswife’sbigginghamaprons。`Ican’tgetthisdurnedthingoff，’hesaid，`forthestringsaretiedinahardknotandIcan’tbust’em，soyou’llhavetoexcuseme，ladies。’
　　Webeggedhimnottomentionitandwentinandsatdown。Mr。Blairsatdowntoo；hetwistedtheapronaroundtohisbackandrolleditup，buthedidlooksoashamedandworriedthatIfeltsorryforhim，andDianasaidshefearedwehadcalledataninconvenienttime。
　　`Oh，notatall，’saidMr。Blair，tryingtosmile……youknowheisalwaysverypolite……’I’malittlebusy……gettingreadytobakeacakeasitwere。MywifegotatelegramtodaythathersisterfromMontrealiscomingtonightandshe’sgonetothetraintomeetherandleftordersformetomakeacakefortea。
　　ShewritouttherecipeandtoldmewhattodobutI’vecleanforgothalfthedirectionsalready。Anditsays，"flavoraccordingtotaste。"
　　Whatdoesthatmean？Howcanyoutell？Andwhatifmytastedoesn’thappentobeotherpeople’staste？Wouldatablespoonofvanillabeenoughforasmalllayercake？"
　　"Ifeltsorrierthaneverforthepoorman。Hedidn’tseemtobeinhispropersphereatall。IhadheardofhenpeckedhusbandsandnowIfeltthatIsawone。Itwasonmylipstosay，`Mr。Blair，ifyou’llgiveusasubscriptionforthehallI’llmixupyourcakeforyou。’ButIsuddenlythoughtitwouldn’tbeneighborlytodrivetoosharpabargainwithafellowcreatureindistress。SoI
　　offeredtomixthecakeforhimwithoutanyconditionsatall。
　　Hejustjumpedatmyoffer。Hesaidhe’dbeenusedtomakinghisownbreadbeforehewasmarriedbuthefearedcakewasbeyondhim，andyethehatedtodisappointhiswife。Hegotmeanotherapron，andDianabeattheeggsandImixedthecake。Mr。Blairranaboutandgotusthematerials。HehadforgottenallabouthisapronandwhenheranitstreamedoutbehindhimandDianasaidshethoughtshewoulddietoseeit。Hesaidhecouldbakethecakeallright……hewasusedtothat……andthenheaskedforourlistandheputdownfourdollars。Soyouseewewererewarded。Butevenifhehadn’tgivenacentI’dalwaysfeelthatwehaddoneatrulyChristianactinhelpinghim。"
　　TheodoreWhite’swasthenextstoppingplace。NeitherAnnenorDianahadeverbeentherebefore，andtheyhadonlyaveryslightacquaintancewithMrs。Theodore，whowasnotgiventohospitality。
　　Shouldtheygotothebackorfrontdoor？WhiletheyheldawhisperedconsultationMrs。Theodoreappearedatthefrontdoorwithanarmfulofnewspapers。Deliberatelyshelaidthemdownonebyoneontheporchfloorandtheporchsteps，andthendownthepathtotheveryfeetofhermystifiedcallers。
　　"Willyoupleasewipeyourfeetcarefullyonthegrassandthenwalkonthesepapers？"shesaidanxiously。"I’vejustsweptthehousealloverandIcan’thaveanymoredusttrackedin。
　　Thepath’sbeenrealmuddysincetherainyesterday。"
　　"Don’tyoudarelaugh，"warnedAnneinawhisper，astheymarchedalongthenewspapers。"AndIimploreyou，Diana，nottolookatme，nomatterwhatshesays，orIshallnotbeabletokeepasoberface。"
　　Thepapersextendedacrossthehallandintoaprim，flecklessparlor。
　　AnneandDianasatdowngingerlyonthenearestchairsandexplainedtheirerrand。Mrs。Whiteheardthempolitely，interruptingonlytwice，oncetochaseoutanadventurousfly，andoncetopickupatinywispofgrassthathadfallenonthecarpetfromAnne’sdress。Annefeltwretchedlyguilty；butMrs。Whitesubscribedtwodollarsandpaidthemoneydown……"topreventusfromhavingtogobackforit，"
　　Dianasaidwhentheygotaway。Mrs。Whitehadthenewspapersgatheredupbeforetheyhadtheirhorseuntiedandastheydroveoutoftheyardtheysawherbusilywieldingabroominthehall。
　　"I’vealwaysheardthatMrs。TheodoreWhitewastheneatestwomanaliveandI’llbelieveitafterthis，"saidDiana，givingwaytohersuppressedlaughterassoonasitwassafe。
　　"Iamgladshehasnochildren，"saidAnnesolemnly。"Itwouldbedreadfulbeyondwordsforthemifshehad。"
　　AttheSpencers’Mrs。IsabellaSpencermadethemmiserablebysayingsomethingill-naturedabouteveryoneinAvonlea。Mr。ThomasBoulterrefusedtogiveanythingbecausethehall，whenithadbeenbuilt，twentyyearsbefore，hadn’tbeenbuiltonthesiteherecommended。
　　Mrs。EstherBell，whowasthepictureofhealth，tookhalfanhourtodetailallherachesandpains，andsadlyputdownfiftycentsbecauseshewouldn’tbetherethattimenextyeartodoit……no，shewouldbeinhergrave。
　　Theirworstreception，however，wasatSimonFletcher’s。Whentheydroveintotheyardtheysawtwofacespeeringatthemthroughtheporchwindow。Butalthoughtheyrappedandwaitedpatientlyandpersistentlynobodycametothedoor。TwodecidedlyruffledandindignantgirlsdroveawayfromSimonFletcher’s。EvenAnneadmittedthatshewasbeginningtofeeldiscouraged。Butthetideturnedafterthat。SeveralSloanehomesteadscamenext，wheretheygotliberalsubscriptions，andfromthattotheendtheyfaredwell，withonlyanoccasionalsnub。TheirlastplaceofcallwasatRobertDickson’sbythepondbridge。Theystayedtoteahere，althoughtheywerenearlyhome，ratherthanriskoffendingMrs。
　　Dickson，whohadthereputationofbeingavery"touchy"woman。
　　WhiletheywerethereoldMrs。JamesWhitecalledin。
　　"I’vejustbeendowntoLorenzo’s，"sheannounced。"He’stheproudestmaninAvonleathisminute。Whatdoyouthink？There’sabrandnewboythere……andaftersevengirlsthat’squiteanevent，Icantellyou。"Anneprickedupherears，andwhentheydroveawayshesaid。
　　"I’mgoingstraighttoLorenzoWhite’s。"
　　"ButhelivesontheWhiteSandsroadandit’squiteadistanceoutofour，way"protestedDiana。"GilbertandFredwillcanvasshim。"
　　"TheyarenotgoingarounduntilnextSaturdayanditwillbetoolatebythen，"saidAnnefirmly。"Thenoveltywillbewornoff。
　　LorenzoWhiteisdreadfullymeanbuthewillsubscribetoANYTHING
　　justnow。Wemustn’tletsuchagoldenopportunityslip，Diana。"
　　TheresultjustifiedAnne’sforesight。Mr。Whitemetthemintheyard，beaminglikethesunuponanEasterday。WhenAnneaskedforasubscriptionheagreedenthusiastically。
　　"Certain，certain。Justputmedownforadollarmorethanthehighestsubscriptionyou’vegot。"
　　"Thatwillbefivedollars……Mr。DanielBlairputdownfour，"
　　saidAnne，halfafraid。ButLorenzodidnotflinch。
　　"Fiveitis……andhere’sthemoneyonthespot。Now，Iwantyoutocomeintothehouse。There’ssomethinginthereworthseeing……
　　somethingveryfewpeoplehaveseenasyet。JustcomeinandpassYOURopinion。"
　　"Whatwillwesayifthebabyisn’tpretty？"whisperedDianaintrepidationastheyfollowedtheexcitedLorenzointothehouse。
　　"Oh，therewillcertainlybesomethingelsenicetosayaboutit，"
　　saidAnneeasily。"Therealwaysisaboutababy。"
　　ThebabyWASpretty，however，andMr。Whitefeltthathegothisfivedollars’worthofthegirls’honestdelightovertheplumplittlenewcomer。Butthatwasthefirst，last，andonlytimethatLorenzoWhiteeversubscribedtoanything。
　　Anne，tiredasshewas，madeonemoreeffortforthepublicwealthatnight，slippingoverthefieldstointerviewMr。Harrison，whowasasusualsmokinghispipeontheverandawithGingerbesidehim。
　　StricklyspeakinghewasontheCarmodyroad；butJaneandGertie，whowerenotacquaintedwithhimsavebydoubtfulreport，hadnervouslybeggedAnnetocanvasshim。
　　Mr。Harrison，however，flatlyrefusedtosubscribeacent，andallAnne’swileswereinvain。
　　"ButIthoughtyouapprovedofoursociety，Mr。Harrison，"shemourned。
　　"SoIdo……soIdo……butmyapprovaldoesn’tgoasdeepasmypocket，Anne。"
　　"AfewmoreexperiencessuchasIhavehadtodaywouldmakemeasmuchofapessimistasMissElizaAndrews，"Annetoldherreflectionintheeastgablemirroratbedtime。
　　VII
　　ThePointingofDutyAnneleanedbackinherchaironemildOctobereveningandsighed。
　　Shewassittingatatablecoveredwithtextbooksandexercises，butthecloselywrittensheetsofpaperbeforeherhadnoapparentconnectionwithstudiesorschoolwork。
　　"Whatisthematter？"askedGilbert，whohadarrivedattheopenkitchendoorjustintimetohearthesigh。
　　Annecolored，andthrustherwritingoutofsightundersomeschoolcompositions。
　　"Nothingverydreadful。Iwasjusttryingtowriteoutsomeofmythoughts，asProfessorHamiltonadvisedme，butIcouldn’tgetthemtopleaseme。Theyseemsostillandfoolishdirectlythey’rewrittendownonwhitepaperwithblackink。Fanciesarelikeshadows……
　　youcan’tcagethem，they’resuchwayward，dancingthings。
　　ButperhapsI’lllearnthesecretsomedayifIkeepontrying。
　　Ihaven’tagreatmanysparemoments，youknow。BythetimeI
　　finishcorrectingschoolexercisesandcompositions，Idon’talwaysfeellikewritinganyofmyown。"
　　"Youaregettingonsplendidlyinschool，Anne。Allthechildrenlikeyou，"saidGilbert，sittingdownonthestonestep。
　　"No，notall。AnthonyPyedoesn’tandWON’Tlikeme。Whatisworse，hedoesn’trespectme……no，hedoesn’t。HesimplyholdsmeincontemptandIdon’tmindconfessingtoyouthatitworriesmemiserably。
　　Itisn’tthatheissoverybad……heisonlyrathermischievous，butnoworsethansomeoftheothers。Heseldomdisobeysme；butheobeyswithascornfulairoftolerationasifitwasn’tworthwhiledisputingthepointorhewould……andithasabadeffectontheothers。
　　I’vetriedeverywaytowinhimbutI’mbeginningtofearInevershall。
　　Iwantto，forhe’sratheracutelittlelad，ifheISaPye，andI
　　couldlikehimifhe’dletme。"
　　"Probablyit’smerelytheeffectofwhathehearsathome。"
　　"Notaltogether。Anthonyisanindependentlittlechapandmakesuphisownmindaboutthings。Hehasalwaysgonetomenbeforeandhesaysgirlteachersarenogood。Well，we’llseewhatpatienceandkindnesswilldo。Ilikeovercomingdifficultiesandteachingisreallyveryinterestingwork。PaulIrvingmakesupforallthatislackingintheothers。Thatchildisaperfectdarling，Gilbert，andageniusintothebargain。I’mpersuadedtheworldwillhearofhimsomeday，"concludedAnneinatoneofconviction。
　　"Iliketeaching，too，"saidGilbert。"It’sgoodtraining，foronething。
　　Why，Anne，I’velearnedmoreintheweeksI’vebeenteachingtheyoungtheideasofWhiteSandsthanIlearnedinalltheyearsIwenttoschoolmyself。
　　Weallseemtobegettingonprettywell。TheNewbridgepeoplelikeJane，Ihear；andIthinkWhiteSandsistolerablysatisfiedwithyourhumbleservant……allexceptMr。AndrewSpencer。ImetMrs。PeterBlewettonmywayhomelastnightandshetoldmeshethoughtitherdutytoinformmethatMr。Spencerdidn’tapproveofmymethods。"
　　"Haveyouevernoticed，"askedAnnereflectively，"thatwhenpeoplesayitistheirdutytotellyouacertainthingyoumayprepareforsomethingdisagreeable？Whyisitthattheyneverseemtothinkitadutytotellyouthepleasantthingstheyhearaboutyou？
　　Mrs。H。B。DonNELLcalledattheschoolagainyesterdayandtoldmeshethoughtitHERdutytoinformmethatMrs。HarmonAndrewdidn’tapproveofmyreadingfairytalestothechildren，andthatMr。RogersonthoughtPrilliewasn’tcomingonfastenoughinarithmetic。IfPrilliewouldspendlesstimemakingeyesattheboysoverherslateshemightdobetter。IfeelquitesurethatJackGillisworksherclasssumsforher，thoughI’veneverbeenabletocatchhimred-handed。"
　　"HaveyousucceededinreconcilingMrs。DonNELL’shopefulsontohissaintlyname？"
　　"Yes，"laughedAnne，"butitwasreallyadifficulttask。Atfirst，whenIcalledhim`St。Clair’hewouldnottaketheleastnoticeuntilI’dspokentwoorthreetimes；andthen，whentheotherboysnudgedhim，hewouldlookupwithsuchanaggrievedair，asifI’dcalledhimJohnorCharlieandhecouldn’tbeexpectedtoknowImeanthim。SoIkepthiminafterschoolonenightandtalkedkindlytohim。ItoldhimhismotherwishedmetocallhimSt。ClairandIcouldn’tgoagainstherwishes。Hesawitwhenitwasallexplainedout……he’sreallyaveryreasonablelittlefellow……andhesaid_I_couldcallhimSt。Clairbutthathe’d`lickthestuffing’outofanyoftheboysthattriedit。
　　Ofcourse，Ihadtorebukehimagainforusingsuchshockinglanguage。
　　Sincethen_I_callhimSt。ClairandtheboyscallhimJakeandallgoessmoothly。Heinformsmethathemeanstobeacarpenter，butMrs。DonNELLsaysIamtomakeacollegeprofessoroutofhim。"
　　ThementionofcollegegaveanewdirectiontoGilbert’sthoughts，andtheytalkedforatimeoftheirplansandwishes……gravely，earnestly，hopefully，asyouthlovestotalk，whilethefutureisyetanuntroddenpathfullofwonderfulpossibilities。
　　Gilberthadfinallymadeuphismindthathewasgoingtobeadoctor。
　　"It’sasplendidprofession，"hesaidenthusiastically。"Afellowhastofightsomethingallthroughlife……didn’tsomebodyoncedefinemanasafightinganimal？……andIwanttofightdiseaseandpainandignorance……whichareallmembersoneofanother。
　　Iwanttodomyshareofhonest，realworkintheworld，Anne……
　　addalittletothesumofhumanknowledgethatallthegoodmenhavebeenaccumulatingsinceitbegan。ThefolkswholivedbeforemehavedonesomuchformethatIwanttoshowmygratitudebydoingsomethingforthefolkswhowillliveafterme。Itseemstomethatistheonlywayafellowcangetsquarewithhisobligationstotherace。"
　　"I’dliketoaddsomebeautytolife，"saidAnnedreamily。"Idon’texactlywanttomakepeopleKNOWmore……thoughIknowthatISthenoblestambition……butI’dlovetomakethemhaveapleasantertimebecauseofme……tohavesomelittlejoyorhappythoughtthatwouldneverhaveexistedifIhadn’tbeenborn。"
　　"Ithinkyou’refulfillingthatambitioneveryday，"saidGilbertadmiringly。
　　Andhewasright。Annewasoneofthechildrenoflightbybirthright。
　　Aftershehadpassedthroughalifewithasmileorawordthrownacrossitlikeagleamofsunshinetheownerofthatlifesawit，forthetimebeingatleast，ashopefulandlovelyandofgoodreport。
　　FinallyGilbertroseregretfully。
　　"Well，ImustrunuptoMacPhersons’。MoodySpurgeoncamehomefromQueen’stodayforSundayandhewastobringmeoutabookProfessorBoydislendingme。"
　　"AndImustgetMarilla’stea。ShewenttoseeMrs。Keiththiseveningandshewillsoonbeback。"
　　AnnehadteareadywhenMarillacamehome；thefirewascracklingcheerily，avaseoffrost-bleachedfernsandruby-redmapleleavesadornedthetable，anddelectableodorsofhamandtoastpervadedtheair。ButMarillasankintoherchairwithadeepsigh。
　　"Areyoureyestroublingyou？Doesyourheadache？"queriedAnneanxiously。
　　"No。I’monlytired……andworried。It’saboutMaryandthosechildren……Maryisworse……shecan’tlastmuchlonger。Andasforthetwins，_I_don’tknowwhatistobecomeofthem。"
　　"Hasn’ttheirunclebeenheardfrom？"
　　"Yes，Maryhadaletterfromhim。He’sworkinginalumbercampand`shackingit，’whateverthatmeans。Anyway，hesayshecan’tpossiblytakethechildrentillthespring。Heexpectstobemarriedthenandwillhaveahometotakethemto；buthesaysshemustgetsomeoftheneighborstokeepthemforthewinter。
　　Shesaysshecan’tbeartoaskanyofthem。MarynevergotonanytoowellwiththeEastGraftonpeopleandthat’safact。
　　Andthelongandshortofitis，Anne，thatI’msureMarywantsmetotakethosechildren……shedidn’tsaysobutsheLOOKEDit。"
　　"Oh！"Anneclaspedherhands，allathrillwithexcitement。
　　"Andofcourseyouwill，Marilla，won’tyou？"
　　"Ihaven’tmadeupmymind，"saidMarillarathertartly。"Idon’trushintothingsinyourheadlongway，Anne。Thirdcousinshipisaprettyslimclaim。Anditwillbeafearfulresponsibilitytohavetwochildrenofsixyearstolookafter……twins，atthat。"
　　Marillahadanideathattwinswerejusttwiceasbadassinglechildren。
　　"Twinsareveryinteresting……atleastonepairofthem，"saidAnne。
　　"It’sonlywhentherearetwoorthreepairsthatitgetsmonotonous。
　　AndIthinkitwouldberealniceforyoutohavesomethingtoamuseyouwhenI’mawayinschool。"
　　"Idon’treckonthere’dbemuchamusementinit……moreworryandbotherthananythingelse，Ishouldsay。Itwouldn’tbesoriskyiftheywereevenasoldasyouwerewhenItookyou。Iwouldn’tmindDorasomuch……sheseemsgoodandquiet。ButthatDavyisalimb。"
　　AnnewasfondofchildrenandherheartyearnedovertheKeithtwins。
　　Theremembranceofherownneglectedchildhoodwasveryvividwithherstill。SheknewthatMarilla’sonlyvulnerablepointwashersterndevotiontowhatshebelievedtobeherduty，andAnneskillfullymarshalledherargumentsalongthisline。
　　"IfDavyisnaughtyit’sallthemorereasonwhyheshouldhavegoodtraining，isn’tit，Marilla？Ifwedon’ttakethemwedon’tknowwhowill，norwhatkindofinfluencesmaysurroundthem。
　　SupposeMrs。Keith’snextdoorneighbors，theSprotts，weretotakethem。Mrs。LyndesaysHenrySprottisthemostprofanemanthateverlivedandyoucan’tbelieveawordhischildrensay。
　　Wouldn’titbedreadfultohavethetwinslearnanythinglikethat？
　　OrsupposetheywenttotheWiggins’。Mrs。LyndesaysthatMr。
　　Wigginssellseverythingofftheplacethatcanbesoldandbringshisfamilyuponskimmilk。Youwouldn’tlikeyourrelationstobestarved，eveniftheywereonlythirdcousins，wouldyou？Itseemstome，Marilla，thatitisourdutytotakethem。"
　　"Isupposeitis，"assentedMarillagloomily。"IdaresayI’lltellMaryI’lltakethem。Youneedn’tlooksodelighted，Anne。Itwillmeanagooddealofextraworkforyou。Ican’tsewastitchonaccountofmyeyes，soyou’llhavetoseetothemakingandmendingoftheirclothes。Andyoudon’tlikesewing。"
　　"Ihateit，"saidAnnecalmly，"butifyouarewillingtotakethosechildrenfromasenseofdutysurelyIcandotheirsewingfromasenseofduty。Itdoespeoplegoodtohavetodothingstheydon’tlike……inmoderation。"
　　VIII
　　MarillaAdoptsTwinsMrs。RachelLyndewassittingatherkitchenwindow，knittingaquilt，justasshehadbeensittingoneeveningseveralyearspreviouslywhenMatthewCuthberthaddrivendownoverthehillwithwhatMrs。Rachelcalled"hisimportedorphan。"Butthathadbeeninspringtime；andthiswaslateautumn，andallthewoodswereleaflessandthefieldssereandbrown。ThesunwasjustsettingwithagreatdealofpurpleandgoldenpompbehindthedarkwoodswestofAvonleawhenabuggydrawnbyacomfortablebrownnagcamedownthehill。Mrs。Rachelpeeredatiteagerly。
　　"There’sMarillagettinghomefromthefuneral，"shesaidtoherhusband，whowaslyingonthekitchenlounge。ThomasLyndelaymoreontheloungenowadaysthanhehadbeenusedtodo，butMrs。
　　Rachel，whowassosharpatnoticinganythingbeyondherownhousehold，hadnotasyetnoticedthis。"Andshe’sgotthetwinswithher，……yes，there’sDavyleaningoverthedashboardgrabbingatthepony’stailandMarillajerkinghimback。
　　Dora’ssittingupontheseatasprimasyouplease。Shealwayslooksasifshe’djustbeenstarchedandironed。Well，poorMarillaisgoingtohaveherhandsfullthiswinterandnomistake。