Thevanquishedcommitteeretired，thinkingthingsnotlawfultobeuttered。
　　"WehavedoneallwecandoandmustsimplytrusttheresttoProvidence，"
　　saidJane，withanunconsciousimitationofMrs。Lynde’stoneandmanner。
　　"IwonderifMr。Allancoulddoanything，"reflectedDiana。
　　Anneshookherhead。
　　"No，it’snousetoworryMr。Allan，especiallynowwhenthebaby’ssosick。Judsonwouldslipawayfromhimassmoothlyasfromus，althoughheHAStakentogoingtochurchquiteregularlyjustnow。
　　ThatissimplybecauseLouisaSpencer’sfatherisanelderandveryparticularaboutsuchthings。"
　　"JudsonParkeristheonlymaninAvonleawhowoulddreamofrentinghisfences，"saidJaneindignantly。"EvenLeviBoulterorLorenzoWhitewouldneverstooptothat，tightfistedastheyare。
　　Theywouldhavetoomuchrespectforpublicopinion。"
　　PublicopinionwascertainlydownonJudsonParkerwhenthefactsbecameknown，butthatdidnothelpmattersmuch。Judsonchuckledtohimselfanddefiedit，andtheImproversweretryingtoreconcilethemselvestotheprospectofseeingtheprettiestpartoftheNewbridgeroaddefacedbyadvertisements，whenAnnerosequietlyatthepresident’scallforreportsofcommitteesontheoccasionofthenextmeetingoftheSociety，andannouncedthatMr。JudsonParkerhadinstructedhertoinformtheSocietythathewasNOTgoingtorenthisfencestothePatentMedicineCompany。
　　JaneandDianastaredasiftheyfoundithardtobelievetheirears。
　　Parliamentaryetiquette，whichwasgenerallyverystrictlyenforcedintheA。V。I。S。，forbadethemgivinginstantventtotheircuriosity，butaftertheSocietyadjournedAnnewasbesiegedforexplanations。
　　Annehadnoexplanationtogive。JudsonParkerhadovertakenherontheroadtheprecedingeveningandtoldherthathehaddecidedtohumortheA。V。I。S。initspeculiarprejudiceagainstpatentmedicineadvertisements。ThatwasallAnnewouldsay，thenoreverafterwards，anditwasthesimpletruth；butwhenJaneAndrews，onherwayhome，confidedtoOliverSloaneherfirmbeliefthattherewasmorebehindJudsonParker’smysteriouschangeofheartthanAnneShirleyhadrevealed，shespokethetruthalso。
　　AnnehadbeendowntooldMrs。Irving’sontheshoreroadtheprecedingeveningandhadcomehomebyashortcutwhichledherfirstoverthelow-lyingshorefields，andthenthroughthebeechwoodbelowRobertDickson’s，byalittlefootpaththatranouttothemainroadjustabovetheLakeofShiningWaters……knowntounimaginativepeopleasBarry’spond。
　　Twomenweresittingintheirbuggies，reinedofftothesideoftheroad，justattheentranceofthepath。OnewasJudsonParker；
　　theotherwasJerryCorcoran，aNewbridgemanagainstwhom，asMrs。Lyndewouldhavetoldyouineloquentitalics，nothingshadyhadeverbeenPROVED。Hewasanagentforagriculturalimplementsandaprominentpersonageinmatterspolitical。Hehadafinger……
　　somepeoplesaidALLhisfingers……ineverypoliticalpiethatwascooked；andasCanadawasontheeveofageneralelectionJerryCorcoranhadbeenabusymanformanyweeks，canvassingthecountyintheinterestsofhisparty’scandidate。JustasAnneemergedfromundertheoverhangingbeechboughssheheardCorcoransay，"Ifyou’llvoteforAmesbury，Parker……well，I’veanoteforthatpairofharrowsyou’vegotinthespring。Isupposeyouwouldn’tobjecttohavingitback，eh？"
　　"We……ll，sinceyouputitinthatway，"drawledJudsonwithagrin，"IreckonImightaswelldoit。Amanmustlookoutforhisowninterestsinthesehardtimes。"
　　BothsawAnneatthismomentandconversationabruptlyceased。
　　Annebowedfrostilyandwalkedon，withherchinslightlymoretiltedthanusual。SoonJudsonParkerovertookher。
　　"Havealift，Anne？"heinquiredgenially。
　　"Thankyou，no，"saidAnnepolitely，butwithafine，needle-likedisdaininhervoicethatpiercedevenJudsonParker’snonetoosensitiveconsciousness。Hisfacereddenedandhetwitchedhisreinsangrily；butthenextsecondprudentialconsiderationscheckedhim。HelookeduneasilyatAnne，asshewalkedsteadilyon，glancingneithertotherightnortotheleft。HadsheheardCorcoran’sunmistakableofferandhisowntooplainacceptanceofit？
　　ConfoundCorcoran！Ifhecouldn’tputhismeaningintolessdangerousphraseshe’dgetintotroublesomeoftheselong-come-shorts。Andconfoundredheadedschool-ma’amswithahabitofpoppingoutofbeechwoodswheretheyhadnobusinesstobe。
　　IfAnnehadheard，JudsonParker，measuringhercorninhisownhalfbushel，asthecountrysayingwent，andcheatinghimselfthereby，assuchpeoplegenerallydo，believedthatshewouldtellitfarandwide。Now，JudsonParker，ashasbeenseen，wasnotoverlyregardfulofpublicopinion；buttobeknownashavingacceptedabribewouldbeanastything；andifiteverreachedIsaacSpencer’searsfarewellforevertoallhopeofwinningLouisaJanewithhercomfortableprospectsastheheiressofawell-to-dofarmer。JudsonParkerknewthatMr。Spencerlookedsomewhataskanceathimasitwas；hecouldnotaffordtotakeanyrisks。
　　"Ahem……Anne，I’vebeenwantingtoseeyouaboutthatlittlematterwewerediscussingtheotherday。I’vedecidednottoletmyfencestothatcompanyafterall。Asocietywithanaimlikeyoursoughttobeencouraged。"
　　Annethawedoutthemeresttrifle。
　　"Thankyou，"shesaid。
　　"And……and……youneedn’tmentionthatlittleconversationofminewithJerry。"
　　"Ihavenointentionofmentioningitinanycase，"saidAnneicily，forshewouldhaveseeneveryfenceinAvonleapaintedwithadvertisementsbeforeshewouldhavestoopedtobargainwithamanwhowouldsellhisvote。
　　"Justso……justso，"agreedJudson，imaginingthattheyunderstoodeachotherbeautifully。"Ididn’tsupposeyouwould。
　　Ofcourse，IwasonlystringingJerry……hethinkshe’ssoall-firedcuteandsmart。I’venointentionofvotingforAmesbury。
　　I’mgoingtovoteforGrantasI’vealwaysdone……you’llseethatwhentheelectioncomesoff。IjustledJerryontoseeifhewouldcommithimself。Andit’sallrightaboutthefence……youcantelltheImproversthat。"
　　"Ittakesallsortsofpeopletomakeaworld，asI’veoftenheard，butIthinktherearesomewhocouldbespared，"Annetoldherreflectionintheeastgablemirrorthatnight。"Iwouldn’thavementionedthedisgracefulthingtoasoulanyhow，somyconscienceisclearonTHATscore。Ireallydon’tknowwhoorwhatistobethankedforthis。_I_didnothingtobringitabout，andit’shardtobelievethatProvidenceeverworksbymeansofthekindofpoliticsmenlikeJudsonParkerandJerryCorcoranhave。"
　　XV
　　TheBeginningofVacationAnnelockedtheschoolhousedooronastill，yellowevening，whenthewindswerepurringinthesprucesaroundtheplayground，andtheshadowswerelongandlazybytheedgeofthewoods。Shedroppedthekeyintoherpocketwithasighofsatisfaction。Theschoolyearwasended，shehadbeenreengagedforthenext，withmanyexpressionsofsatisfaction……onlyMr。HarmonAndrewstoldhersheoughttousethestrapoftener……andtwodelightfulmonthsofawell-earnedvacationbeckonedherinvitingly。Annefeltatpeacewiththeworldandherselfasshewalkeddownthehillwithherbasketofflowersinherhand。SincetheearliestmayflowersAnnehadnevermissedherweeklypilgrimagetoMatthew’sgrave。EveryoneelseinAvonlea，exceptMarilla，hadalreadyforgottenquiet，shy，unimportantMatthewCuthbert；buthismemorywasstillgreeninAnne’sheartandalwayswouldbe。Shecouldneverforgetthekindoldmanwhohadbeenthefirsttogivehertheloveandsympathyherstarvedchildhoodhadcraved。
　　Atthefootofthehillaboywassittingonthefenceintheshadowofthespruces……aboywithbig，dreamyeyesandabeautiful，sensitiveface。HeswungdownandjoinedAnne，smiling；
　　butthereweretracesoftearsonhischeeks。
　　"IthoughtI’dwaitforyou，teacher，becauseIknewyouweregoingtothegraveyard，"hesaid，slippinghishandintohers。"I’mgoingthere，too……I’mtakingthisbouquetofgeraniumstoputonGrandpaIrving’sgraveforgrandma。Andlook，teacher，I’mgoingtoputthisbunchofwhiterosesbesideGrandpa’sgraveinmemoryofmylittlemother……becauseIcan’tgotohergravetoputitthere。
　　Butdon’tyouthinkshe’llknowallaboutit，justthesame？"
　　"Yes，Iamsureshewill，Paul。"
　　"Yousee，teacher，it’sjustthreeyearstodaysincemylittlemotherdied。It’ssuchalong，longtimebutithurtsjustasmuchasever……andImissherjustasmuchasever。SometimesitseemstomethatIjustcan’tbearit，ithurtsso。"
　　Paul’svoicequiveredandhisliptrembled。Helookeddownathisroses，hopingthathisteacherwouldnotnoticethetearsinhiseyes。
　　"Andyet，"saidAnne，verysoftly，"youwouldn’twantittostophurting……youwouldn’twanttoforgetyourlittlemotherevenifyoucould。"
　　"No，indeed，Iwouldn’t……that’sjustthewayIfeel。You’resogoodatunderstanding，teacher。Nobodyelseunderstandssowell……notevengrandma，althoughshe’ssogoodtome。Fatherunderstoodprettywell，butstillIcouldn’ttalkmuchtohimaboutmother，becauseitmadehimfeelsobad。WhenheputhishandoverhisfaceIalwaysknewitwastimetostop。Poorfather，hemustbedreadfullylonesomewithoutme；butyouseehehasnobodybutahousekeepernowandhethinkshousekeepersarenogoodtobringuplittleboys，especiallywhenhehastobeawayfromhomesomuchonbusiness。
　　Grandmothersarebetter，nexttomothers。Someday，whenI’mbroughtup，I’llgobacktofatherandwe’renevergoingtobepartedagain。"
　　PaulhadtalkedsomuchtoAnneabouthismotherandfatherthatshefeltasifshehadknownthem。Shethoughthismothermusthavebeenverylikewhathewashimself，intemperamentanddisposition；andshehadanideathatStephenIrvingwasaratherreservedmanwithadeepandtendernaturewhichhekepthiddenscrupulouslyfromtheworld。
　　"Father’snotveryeasytogetacquaintedwith，"Paulhadsaidonce。
　　"Inevergotreallyacquaintedwithhimuntilaftermylittlemotherdied。
　　Buthe’ssplendidwhenyoudogettoknowhim。Ilovehimthebestinalltheworld，andGrandmaIrvingnext，andthenyou，teacher。I’dloveyounexttofatherifitwasn’tmyDUTYtoloveGrandmaIrvingbest，becauseshe’sdoingsomuchforme。YOUknow，teacher。IwishshewouldleavethelampinmyroomtillIgotosleep，though。ShetakesitrightoutassoonasshetucksmeupbecauseshesaysImustn’tbeacoward。
　　I’mNOTscared，butI’dRATHERhavethelight。MylittlemotherusedalwaystositbesidemeandholdmyhandtillIwenttosleep。
　　Iexpectshespoiledme。Mothersdosometimes，youknow。"
　　No，Annedidnotknowthis，althoughshemightimagineit。
　　ShethoughtsadlyofHER"littlemother，"themotherwhohadthoughtherso"perfectlybeautiful"andwhohaddiedsolongagoandwasburiedbesideherboyishhusbandinthatunvisitedgravefaraway。AnnecouldnotrememberhermotherandforthisreasonshealmostenviedPaul。
　　"Mybirthdayisnextweek，"saidPaul，astheywalkedupthelongredhill，baskingintheJunesunshine，"andfatherwrotemethatheissendingmesomethingthathethinksI’lllikebetterthananythingelsehecouldsend。Ibelieveithascomealready，forGrandmaiskeepingthebookcasedrawerlockedandthatissomethingnew。
　　AndwhenIaskedherwhy，shejustlookedmysteriousandsaidlittleboysmustn’tbetoocurious。It’sveryexcitingtohaveabirthday，isn’tit？I’llbeeleven。You’dneverthinkittolookatme，wouldyou？GrandmasaysI’mverysmallformyageandthatit’sallbecauseIdon’teatenoughporridge。Idomyverybest，butGrandmagivessuchgenerousplatefuls……there’snothingmeanaboutGrandma，Icantellyou。EversinceyouandIhadthattalkaboutprayinggoinghomefromSundaySchoolthatday，teacher……
　　whenyousaidweoughttoprayaboutallourdifficulties……I’veprayedeverynightthatGodwouldgivemeenoughgracetoenablemetoeateverybitofmyporridgeinthemornings。ButI’veneverbeenabletodoityet，andwhetherit’sbecauseIhavetoolittlegraceortoomuchporridgeIreallycan’tdecide。Grandmasaysfatherwasbroughtuponporridge，anditcertainlydidworkwellinhiscase，foryououghttoseetheshouldershehas。
　　Butsometimes，"concludedPaulwithasighandameditativeair"Ireallythinkporridgewillbethedeathofme。"
　　Annepermittedherselfasmile，sincePaulwasnotlookingather。
　　AllAvonleaknewthatoldMrs。Irvingwasbringinghergrandsonupinaccordancewiththegood，old-fashionedmethodsofdietandmorals。
　　"Letushopenot，dear，"shesaidcheerfully。"Howareyourrockpeoplecomingon？DoestheoldestTwinstillcontinuetobehavehimself？"
　　"HeHASto，"saidPaulemphatically。"HeknowsIwon’tassociatewithhimifhedoesn’t。Heisreallyfullofwickedness，Ithink。"
　　"AndhasNorafoundoutabouttheGoldenLadyyet？"
　　"No；butIthinkshesuspects。I’malmostsureshewatchedmethelasttimeIwenttothecave。_I_don’tmindifshefindsout……
　　itisonlyforHERsakeIdon’twantherto……sothatherfeelingswon’tbehurt。ButifsheisDETERMINEDtohaveherfeelingshurtitcan’tbehelped。"
　　"IfIweretogototheshoresomenightwithyoudoyouthinkI
　　couldseeyourrockpeopletoo？"
　　Paulshookhisheadgravely。
　　"No，Idon’tthinkyoucouldseeMYrockpeople。I’mtheonlypersonwhocanseethem。Butyoucouldseerockpeopleofyourown。You’reoneofthekindthatcan。We’reboththatkind。
　　YOUknow，teacher，"headded，squeezingherhandchummily。
　　"Isn’titsplendidtobethatkind，teacher？"
　　"Splendid，"Anneagreed，grayshiningeyeslookingdownintoblueshiningones。AnneandPaulbothknew"HowfairtherealmImaginationopenstotheview，"
　　andbothknewthewaytothathappyland。Theretheroseofjoybloomedimmortalbydaleandstream；cloudsneverdarkenedthesunnysky；sweetbellsneverjangledoutoftune；andkindredspiritsabounded。Theknowledgeofthatland’sgeography……
　　"easto’thesun，westo’themoon"……ispricelesslore，nottobeboughtinanymarketplace。Itmustbethegiftofthegoodfairiesatbirthandtheyearscanneverdefaceitortakeitaway。
　　Itisbettertopossessit，livinginagarret，thantobetheinhabitantofpalaceswithoutit。
　　TheAvonleagraveyardwasasyetthegrass-grownsolitudeithadalwaysbeen。Tobesure，theImprovershadaneyeonit，andPriscillaGranthadreadapaperoncemeteriesbeforethelastmeetingoftheSociety。AtsomefuturetimetheImproversmeanttohavethelichened，waywardoldboardfencereplacedbyaneatwirerailing，thegrassmownandtheleaningmonumentsstraightenedup。
　　AnneputonMatthew’sgravetheflowersshehadbroughtforit，andthenwentovertothelittlepoplarshadedcornerwhereHesterGrayslept。
　　EversincethedayofthespringpicnicAnnehadputflowersonHester’sgravewhenshevisitedMatthew’s。TheeveningbeforeshehadmadeapilgrimagebacktothelittledesertedgardeninthewoodsandbroughttherefromsomeofHester’sownwhiteroses。
　　"Ithoughtyouwouldlikethembetterthananyothers，dear，"
　　shesaidsoftly。
　　AnnewasstillsittingtherewhenashadowfelloverthegrassandshelookeduptoseeMrs。Allan。Theywalkedhometogether。
　　Mrs。Allan’sfacewasnotthefaceofthegirlbridewhomtheministerhadbroughttoAvonleafiveyearsbefore。Ithadlostsomeofitsbloomandyouthfulcurves，andtherewerefine，patientlinesabouteyesandmouth。Atinygraveinthatverycemeteryaccountedforsomeofthem；andsomenewoneshadcomeduringtherecentillness，nowhappilyover，ofherlittleson。ButMrs。Allan’sdimpleswereassweetandsuddenasever，hereyesasclearandbrightandtrue；andwhatherfacelackedofgirlishbeautywasnowmorethanatonedforinaddedtendernessandstrength。
　　"Isupposeyouarelookingforwardtoyourvacation，Anne？"shesaid，astheyleftthegraveyard。
　　Annenodded。
　　"Yes……Icouldrollthewordasasweetmorselundermytongue。
　　Ithinkthesummerisgoingtobelovely。Foronething，Mrs。MorganiscomingtotheIslandinJulyandPriscillaisgoingtobringherup。
　　Ifeeloneofmyold`thrills’atthemerethought。"
　　"Ihopeyou’llhaveagoodtime，Anne。You’veworkedveryhardthispastyearandyouhavesucceeded。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。I’vecomesofarshortinsomanythings。I
　　haven’tdonewhatImeanttodowhenIbegantoteachlastfall。
　　Ihaven’tliveduptomyideals。"
　　"Noneofuseverdo，"saidMrs。Allanwithasigh。"Butthen，Anne，youknowwhatLowellsays，`Notfailurebutlowaimiscrime。’
　　Wemusthaveidealsandtrytoliveuptothem，evenifweneverquitesucceed。Lifewouldbeasorrybusinesswithoutthem。
　　Withthemit’sgrandandgreat。Holdfasttoyourideals，Anne。"
　　"Ishalltry。ButIhavetoletgomostofmytheories，"saidAnne，laughingalittle。"IhadthemostbeautifulsetoftheoriesyoueverknewwhenIstartedoutasaschoolma’am，buteveryoneofthemhasfailedmeatsomepinchoranother。"
　　"Eventhetheoryoncorporalpunishment，"teasedMrs。Allan。
　　ButAnneflushed。
　　"IshallneverforgivemyselfforwhippingAnthony。"
　　"Nonsense，dear，hedeservedit。Anditagreedwithhim。Youhavehadnotroublewithhimsinceandhehascometothinkthere’snobodylikeyou。Yourkindnesswonhisloveaftertheideathata’girlwasnogood’wasrootedoutofhisstubbornmind。"
　　"Hemayhavedeservedit，butthatisnotthepoint。IfIhadcalmlyanddeliberatelydecidedtowhiphimbecauseIthoughtitajustpunishmentforhimIwouldnotfeeloveritasIdo。Butthetruthis，Mrs。Allan，thatIjustflewintoatemperandwhippedhimbecauseofthat。Iwasn’tthinkingwhetheritwasjustorunjust……evenifhehadn’tdeserveditI’dhavedoneitjustthesame。Thatiswhathumiliatesme。"
　　"Well，weallmakemistakes，dear，sojustputitbehindyou。Weshouldregretourmistakesandlearnfromthem，butnevercarrythemforwardintothefuturewithus。TheregoesGilbertBlytheonhiswheel……homeforhisvacationtoo，Isuppose。Howareyouandhegettingonwithyourstudies？"
　　"Prettywell。WeplantofinishtheVirgiltonight……thereareonlytwentylinestodo。ThenwearenotgoingtostudyanymoreuntilSeptember。"
　　"Doyouthinkyouwillevergettocollege？"
　　"Oh，Idon’tknow。"Annelookeddreamilyafartotheopal-tintedhorizon。"Marilla’seyeswillneverbemuchbetterthantheyarenow，althoughwearesothankfultothinkthattheywillnotgetworse。
　　Andthentherearethetwins……somehowIdon’tbelievetheirunclewilleverreallysendforthem。Perhapscollegemaybearoundthebendintheroad，butIhaven’tgottothebendyetandIdon’tthinkmuchaboutitlestImightgrowdiscontented。"
　　"Well，Ishouldliketoseeyougotocollege，Anne；butifyouneverdo，don’tbediscontentedaboutit。Wemakeourownliveswhereverweare，afterall……collegecanonlyhelpustodoitmoreeasily。Theyarebroadornarrowaccordingtowhatweputintothem，notwhatwegetout。Lifeisrichandfullhere……
　　everywhere……ifwecanonlylearnhowtoopenourwholeheartstoitsrichnessandfulness。"
　　"IthinkIunderstandwhatyoumean，"saidAnnethoughtfully，"andIknowIhavesomuchtofeelthankfulfor……oh，somuch……
　　mywork，andPaulIrving，andthedeartwins，andallmyfriends。
　　Doyouknow，Mrs。Allan，I’msothankfulforfriendship。Itbeautifieslifesomuch。"
　　"Truefriendshipisaveryhelpfululthingindeed，"saidMrs。Allan，"andweshouldhaveaveryhighidealofit，andneversullyitbyanyfailureintruthandsincerity。Ifearthenameoffriendshipisoftendegradedtoakindofintimacythathasnothingofrealfriendshipinit。"
　　"Yes……likeGertiePye’sandJuliaBell’s。Theyareveryintimateandgoeverywheretogether；butGertieisalwayssayingnastythingsofJuliabehindherbackandeverybodythinkssheisjealousofherbecausesheisalwayssopleasedwhenanybodycriticizesJulia。
　　Ithinkitisdesecrationtocallthatfriendship。Ifwehavefriendsweshouldlookonlyforthebestinthemandgivethemthebestthatisinus，don’tyouthink？Thenfriendshipwouldbethemostbeautifulthingintheworld。"
　　"FriendshipISverybeautiful，"smiledMrs。Allan，"butsomeday……"
　　Thenshepausedabruptly。Inthedelicate，white-browedfacebesideher，withitscandideyesandmobilefeatures，therewasstillfarmoreofthechildthanofthewoman。Anne’sheartsofarharboredonlydreamsoffriendshipandambition，andMrs。Allandidnotwishtobrushthebloomfromhersweetunconsciousness。
　　Soshelefthersentenceforthefutureyearstofinish。
　　XVI
　　TheSubstanceofThingsHopedFor"Anne，"saidDavyappealingly，scramblingupontheshiny，leather-coveredsofaintheGreenGableskitchen，whereAnnesat，readingaletter，"Anne，I’mAWFULhungry。You’venoidea。"
　　"I’llgetyouapieceofbreadandbutterinaminute，"saidAnneabsently。Herletterevidentlycontainedsomeexcitingnews，forhercheekswereaspinkastherosesonthebigbushoutside，andhereyeswereasstarryasonlyAnne’seyescouldbe。
　　"ButIain’tbreadandbutterhungry，"saidDavyinadisgustedtone。
　　"I’mplumcakehungry。"
　　"Oh，"laughedAnne，layingdownherletterandputtingherarmaboutDavytogivehimasqueeze，"that’sakindofhungerthatcanbeenduredverycomfortably，Davy-boy。Youknowit’soneofMarilla’srulesthatyoucan’thaveanythingbutbreadandbutterbetweenmeals。"
　　"Well，gimmeapiecethen……please。"
　　Davyhadbeenatlasttaughttosay"please，"buthegenerallytackeditonasanafterthought。HelookedwithapprovalatthegeneroussliceAnnepresentlybroughttohim。"Youalwaysputsuchanicelotofbutteronit，Anne。Marillaspreadsitprettythin。
　　Itslipsdownaloteasierwhenthere’splentyofbutter。"
　　Theslice"slippeddown"withtolerableease，judgingfromitsrapiddisappearance。Davyslidheadfirstoffthesofa，turnedadoublesomersaultontherug，andthensatupandannounceddecidedly，"Anne，I’vemadeupmymindaboutheaven。Idon’twanttogothere。"
　　"Whynot？"askedAnnegravely。
　　"CauseheavenisinSimonFletcher’sgarret，andIdon’tlikeSimonFletcher。"
　　"Heavenin……SimonFletcher’sgarret！"gaspedAnne，tooamazedeventolaugh。"DavyKeith，whateverputsuchanextraordinaryideaintoyourhead？"
　　"MiltyBoultersaysthat’swhereitis。ItwaslastSundayinSundaySchool。ThelessonwasaboutElijahandElisha，andIupandaskedMissRogersonwhereheavenwas。MissRogersonlookedawfuloffended。Shewascrossanyhow，becausewhenshe’daskeduswhatElijahleftElishawhenhewenttoheavenMiltyBoultersaid，`Hisoldclo’es，’andusfellowsalllaughedbeforewethought。I
　　wishyoucouldthinkfirstanddothingsafterwards，’causethenyouwouldn’tdothem。ButMiltydidn’tmeantobedisrespeckful。
　　Hejustcouldn’tthinkofthenameofthething。MissRogersonsaidheavenwaswhereGodwasandIwasn’ttoaskquestionslikethat。
　　Miltynudgedmeandsaidinawhisper，`Heaven’sinUncleSimon’sgarretandI’llesplainaboutitontheroadhome。’Sowhenwewascominghomeheesplained。Milty’sagreathandatesplainingthings。Evenifhedon’tknowanythingaboutathinghe’llmakeupalotofstuffandsoyougetitesplainedallthesame。HismotherisMrs。Simon’ssisterandhewentwithhertothefuneralwhenhiscousin，JaneEllen，died。Theministersaidshe’dgonetoheaven，thoughMiltysaysshewaslyingrightbeforetheminthecoffin。Buthes’posedtheycarriedthecoffintothegarretafterwards。Well，whenMiltyandhismotherwentupstairsafteritwasallovertogetherbonnetheaskedherwhereheavenwasthatJaneEllenhadgoneto，andshepointedrighttotheceilingandsaid，`Upthere。’Miltyknewtherewasn’tanythingbutthegarretovertheceiling，sothat’showHEfoundout。Andhe’sbeenawfulscaredtogotohisUncleSimon’seversince。"
　　AnnetookDavyonherkneeanddidherbesttostraightenoutthistheologicaltanglealso。ShewasmuchbetterfittedforthetaskthanMarilla，forsherememberedherownchildhoodandhadaninstinctiveunderstandingofthecuriousideasthatseven-year-oldssometimesgetaboutmattersthatare，ofcourse，veryplainandsimpletogrownuppeople。ShehadjustsucceededinconvincingDavythatheavenwasNOTinSimonFletcher’sgarretwhenMarillacameinfromthegarden，wheresheandDorahadbeenpickingpeas。
　　Dorawasanindustriouslittlesoulandneverhappierthanwhen"helping"invarioussmalltaskssuitedtoherchubbyfingers。Shefedchickens，pickedupchips，wipeddishes，andranerrandsgalore。
　　Shewasneat，faithfulandobservant；sheneverhadtobetoldhowtodoathingtwiceandneverforgotanyofherlittleduties。
　　Davy，ontheotherhand，wasratherheedlessandforgetful；buthehadthebornknackofwinninglove，andevenyetAnneandMarillalikedhimthebetter。
　　WhileDoraproudlyshelledthepeasandDavymadeboatsofthepods，withmastsofmatchesandsailsofpaper，AnnetoldMarillaaboutthewonderfulcontentsofherletter。
　　"Oh，Marilla，whatdoyouthink？I’vehadaletterfromPriscillaandshesaysthatMrs。MorganisontheIsland，andthatifitisfineThursdaytheyaregoingtodriveuptoAvonleaandwillreachhereabouttwelve。TheywillspendtheafternoonwithusandgotothehotelatWhiteSandsintheevening，becausesomeofMrs。Morgan’sAmericanfriendsarestayingthere。Oh，Marilla，isn’titwonderful？
　　IcanhardlybelieveI’mnotdreaming。"
　　"IdaresayMrs。Morganisalotlikeotherpeople，"saidMarilladrily，althoughshedidfeelatrifleexcitedherself。Mrs。Morganwasafamouswomanandavisitfromherwasnocommonplaceoccurrence。
　　"They’llbeheretodinner，then？"
　　"Yes；andoh，Marilla，mayIcookeverybitofthedinnermyself？
　　IwanttofeelthatIcandosomethingfortheauthorof`TheRosebudGarden，’ifitisonlytocookadinnerforher。
　　Youwon’tmind，willyou？"
　　"Goodness，I’mnotsofondofstewingoverahotfireinJulythatitwouldvexmeverymuchtohavesomeoneelsedoit。You’requitewelcometothejob。"
　　"Oh，thankyou，"saidAnne，asifMarillahadjustconferredatremendousfavor，"I’llmakeoutthemenuthisverynight。"
　　"You’dbetternottrytoputontoomuchstyle，"warnedMarilla，alittlealarmedbythehigh-flownsoundof"menu。"You’lllikelycometogriefifyoudo。"
　　"Oh，I’mnotgoingtoputonany`style，’ifyoumeantryingtodoorhavethingswedon’tusuallyhaveonfestaloccasions，"assuredAnne。
　　"Thatwouldbeaffectation，and，althoughIknowIhaven’tasmuchsenseandsteadinessasagirlofseventeenandaschoolteacheroughttohave，I’mnotsosillyASthat。ButIwanttohaveeverythingasniceanddaintyaspossible。Davy-boy，don’tleavethosepeapodsonthebackstairs……someonemightsliponthem。
　　I’llhavealightsouptobeginwith……youknowIcanmakelovelycream-of-onionsoup……andthenacoupleofroastfowls。
　　I’llhavethetwowhiteroosters。Ihaverealaffectionforthoseroostersandthey’vebeenpetseversincethegrayhenhatchedoutjustthetwoofthem……littleballsofyellowdown。
　　ButIknowtheywouldhavetobesacrificedsometime，andsurelytherecouldn’tbeaworthieroccasionthanthis。Butoh，Marilla，_I_cannotkillthem……notevenforMrs。Morgan’ssake。I’llhavetoaskJohnHenryCartertocomeoveranddoitforme。"
　　"I’lldoit，"volunteeredDavy，"ifMarilla’llholdthembythelegs"
　　causeIguessit’dtakebothmyhandstomanagetheaxe。It’sawfuljollyfuntoseethemhoppingaboutaftertheirheadsarecutoff。"
　　"ThenI’llhavepeasandbeansandcreamedpotatoesandalettucesalad，forvegetables，"resumedAnne，"andfordessert，lemonpiewithwhippedcream，andcoffeeandcheeseandladyfingers。
　　I’llmakethepiesandladyfingerstomorrowanddoupmywhitemuslindress。AndImusttellDianatonight，forshe’llwanttodouphers。
　　Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesarenearlyalwaysdressedinwhitemuslin，andDianaandIhavealwaysresolvedthatthatwaswhatwewouldwearifweevermether。Itwillbesuchadelicatecompliment，don’tyouthink？Davy，dear，youmustn’tpokepeapodsintothecracksofthefloor。ImustaskMr。andMrs。AllanandMissStacytodinner，too，forthey’reallveryanxioustomeetMrs。Morgan。It’ssofortunateshe’scomingwhileMissStacyishere。
　　Davydear，don’tsailthepeapodsinthewaterbucket……goouttothetrough。Oh，IdohopeitwillbefineThursday，andIthinkitwill，forUncleAbesaidlastnightwhenhecalledatMr。Harrison’s，thatitwasgoingtorainmostofthisweek。"
　　"That’sagoodsign，"agreedMarilla。
　　AnneranacrosstoOrchardSlopethateveningtotellthenewstoDiana，whowasalsoverymuchexcitedoverit，andtheydiscussedthematterinthehammockswungunderthebigwillowintheBarrygarden。
　　"Oh，Anne，mayn’tIhelpyoucookthedinner？"imploredDiana。
　　"YouknowIcanmakesplendidlettucesalad。"
　　"Indeedyou，may"saidAnneunselfishly。"AndIshallwantyoutohelpmedecoratetoo。ImeantohavetheparlorsimplyaBOWERofblossoms……andthediningtableistobeadornedwithwildroses。
　　Oh，Idohopeeverythingwillgosmoothly。Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesNEVERgetintoscrapesoraretakenatadisadvantage，andtheyarealwayssoselfpossessedandsuchgoodhousekeepers。TheyseemtobeBORNgoodhousekeepers。YourememberthatGertrudein`EdgewoodDays’kepthouseforherfatherwhenshewasonlyeightyearsold。WhenIwaseightyearsoldIhardlyknewhowtodoathingexceptbringupchildren。Mrs。Morganmustbeanauthorityongirlswhenshehaswrittensomuchaboutthem，andIdowanthertohaveagoodopinionofus。I’veimagineditalloutadozendifferentways……whatshe’lllooklike，andwhatshe’llsay，andwhatI’llsay。AndI’msoanxiousaboutmynose。Therearesevenfrecklesonit，asyoucansee。TheycameattheA。V。IS。picnic，whenIwentaroundinthesunwithoutmyhat。Isupposeit’sungratefulofmetoworryoverthem，whenIshouldbethankfulthey’renotspreadallovermyfaceastheyoncewere；butIdowishtheyhadn’tcome……allMrs。Morgan’sheroineshavesuchperfectcomplexions。Ican’trecallafreckledoneamongthem。"
　　"Yoursarenotverynoticeable，"comfortedDiana。"Tryalittlelemonjuiceonthemtonight。"
　　ThenextdayAnnemadeherpiesandladyfingers，diduphermuslindress，andsweptanddustedeveryroominthehouse……aquiteunnecessaryproceeding，forGreenGableswas，asusual，intheapplepieorderdeartoMarilla’sheart。ButAnnefeltthatafleckofdustwouldbeadesecrationinahousethatwastobehonoredbyavisitfromCharlotteE。Morgan。Sheevencleanedoutthe"catch-all"closetunderthestairs，althoughtherewasnottheremotestpossibilityofMrs。Morgan’sseeingitsinterior。
　　"ButIwanttoFEELthatitisinperfectorder，evenifsheisn’ttoseeit，"AnnetoldMarilla。"Youknow，inherbook`GoldenKeys，’
　　shemakeshertwoheroinesAliceandLouisatakefortheirmottothatverseofLongfellow’s，"`IntheelderdaysofartBuilderswroughtwithgreatestcareEachminuteandunseenpart，Forthegodsseeeverywhere，’
　　andsotheyalwayskepttheircellarstairsscrubbedandneverforgottosweepunderthebeds。IshouldhaveaguiltyconscienceifIthoughtthisclosetwasindisorderwhenMrs。Morganwasinthehouse。Eversinceweread`GoldenKeys，’lastApril，DianaandIhavetakenthatverseforourmottotoo。"
　　ThatnightJohnHenryCarterandDavybetweenthemcontrivedtoexecutethetwowhiteroosters，andAnnedressedthem，theusuallydistastefultaskglorifiedinhereyesbythedestinationoftheplumpbirds。
　　"Idon’tlikepickingfowls，"shetoldMarilla，"butisn’titfortunatewedon’thavetoputoursoulsintowhatourhandsmaybedoing？
　　I’vebeenpickingchickenswithmyhandsbutinimaginationI’vebeenroamingtheMilkyWay。"
　　"Ithoughtyou’dscatteredmorefeathersoverthefloorthanusual，"
　　remarkedMarilla。
　　ThenAnneputDavytobedandmadehimpromisethathewouldbehaveperfectlythenextday。
　　"IfI’masgoodasgoodcanbealldaytomorrowwillyouletmebejustasbadasIlikeallthenextday？"askedDavy。
　　"Icouldn’tdothat，"saidAnnediscreetly，"butI’lltakeyouandDoraforarowintheflatrighttothebottomofthepond，andwe’llgoashoreonthesandhillsandhaveapicnic。"
　　"It’sabargain，"saidDavy。"I’llbegood，youbet。ImeanttogoovertoMr。Harrison’sandfirepeasfrommynewpopgunatGingerbutanotherday’lldoaswell。IespectitwillbejustlikeSunday，butapicnicattheshore’llmakeupforTHAT。"
　　XVII
　　AChapterofAccidentsAnnewokethreetimesinthenightandmadepilgrimagestoherwindowtomakesurethatUncleAbe’spredictionwasnotcomingtrue。
　　Finallythemorningdawnedpearlyandlustrousinaskyfullofsilversheenandradiance，andthewonderfuldayhadarrived。
　　Dianaappearedsoonafterbreakfast，withabasketofflowersoveronearmandHERmuslindressovertheother……foritwouldnotdotodonituntilallthedinnerpreparationswerecompleted。
　　Meanwhilesheworeherafternoonpinkprintandalawnapronfearfullyandwonderfullyruffledandfrilled；andveryneatandprettyandrosyshewas。
　　"Youlooksimplysweet，"saidAnneadmiringly。
　　Dianasighed。
　　"ButI’vehadtoletouteveryoneofmydressesAGAIN。IweighfourpoundsmorethanIdidinJuly。Anne，WHEREwillthisend？
　　Mrs。Morgan’sheroinesarealltallandslender。"
　　"Well，let’sforgetourtroublesandthinkofourmercies，"saidAnnegaily。"Mrs。Allansaysthatwheneverwethinkofanythingthatisatrialtousweshouldalsothinkofsomethingnicethatwecansetoveragainstit。Ifyouareslightlytooplumpyou’vegotthedearestdimples；andifIhaveafrecklednosetheSHAPEofitisallright。Doyouthinkthelemonjuicedidanygood？"
　　"Yes，Ireallythinkitdid，"saidDianacritically；and，muchelated，Anneledthewaytothegarden，whichwasfullofairyshadowsandwaveringgoldenlights。
　　"We’lldecoratetheparlorfirst。Wehaveplentyoftime，forPriscillasaidthey’dbehereabouttwelveorhalfpastatthelatest，sowe’llhavedinneratone。"
　　TheremayhavebeentwohappierandmoreexcitedgirlssomewhereinCanadaortheUnitedStatesatthatmoment，butIdoubtit。
　　Everysnipofthescissors，asroseandpeonyandbluebellfell，seemedtochirp，"Mrs。Morganiscomingtoday。"AnnewonderedhowMr。HarrisonCOULDgoonplacidlymowinghayinthefieldacrossthelane，justasifnothingweregoingtohappen。
　　TheparloratGreenGableswasarathersevereandgloomyapartment，withrigidhorsehairfurniture，stifflacecurtains，andwhiteantimacassarsthatwerealwayslaidataperfectlycorrectangle，exceptatsuchtimesastheyclungtounfortunatepeople’sbuttons。
　　EvenAnnehadneverbeenabletoinfusemuchgraceintoit，forMarillawouldnotpermitanyalterations。Butitiswonderfulwhatflowerscanaccomplishifyougivethemafairchance；
　　whenAnneandDianafinishedwiththeroomyouwouldnothaverecognizedit。
　　Agreatbluebowlfulofsnowballsoverflowedonthepolishedtable。
　　Theshiningblackmantelpiecewasheapedwithrosesandferns。
　　Everyshelfofthewhat-notheldasheafofbluebells；thedarkcornersoneithersideofthegratewerelightedupwithjarsfullofglowingcrimsonpeonies，andthegrateitselfwasaflamewithyellowpoppies。Allthissplendorandcolor，mingledwiththesunshinefallingthroughthehoneysucklevinesatthewindowsinaleafyriotofdancingshadowsoverwallsandfloor，madeoftheusuallydismallittleroomtheveritable"bower"ofAnne’simagination，andevenextortedatributeofadmirationfromMarilla，whocameintocriticizeandremainedtopraise。
　　"Now，wemustsetthetable，"saidAnne，inthetoneofapriestessabouttoperformsomesacredriteinhonorofadivinity。"We’llhaveabigvasefulofwildrosesinthecenterandonesingleroseinfrontofeverybody’splate——andaspecialbouquetofrosebudsonlybyMrs。Morgan’s——anallusionto`TheRosebudGarden’youknow。"
　　Thetablewassetinthesittingroom，withMarilla’sfinestlinenandthebestchina，glass，andsilver。Youmaybeperfectlycertainthateveryarticleplacedonitwaspolishedorscouredtothehighestpossibleperfectionofglossandglitter。
　　Thenthegirlstrippedouttothekitchen，whichwasfilledwithappetizingodorsemanatingfromtheoven，wherethechickenswerealreadysizzlingsplendidly。AnnepreparedthepotatoesandDianagotthepeasandbeansready。Then，whileDianashutherselfintothepantrytocompoundthelettucesalad，Anne，whosecheekswerealreadybeginningtoglowcrimson，asmuchwithexcitementasfromtheheatofthefire，preparedthebreadsauceforthechickens，mincedheronionsforthesoup，andfinallywhippedthecreamforherlemonpies。
　　AndwhataboutDavyallthistime？Washeredeeminghispromisetobegood？Hewas，indeed。Tobesure，heinsistedonremaininginthekitchen，forhiscuriositywantedtoseeallthatwenton。Butashesatquietlyinacorner，busilyengagedinuntyingtheknotsinapieceofherringnethehadbroughthomefromhislasttriptotheshore，nobodyobjectedtothis。
　　Athalfpasteleventhelettucesaladwasmade，thegoldencirclesofthepieswereheapedwithwhippedcream，andeverythingwassizzlingandbubblingthatoughttosizzleandbubble。
　　"We’dbettergoanddressnow，"saidAnne，"fortheymaybeherebytwelve。
　　Wemusthavedinneratsharpone，forthesoupmustbeservedassoonasit’sdone。"
　　Seriousindeedwerethetoiletritespresentlyperformedintheeastgable。Annepeeredanxiouslyathernoseandrejoicedtoseethatitsfreckleswerenotatallprominent，thankseithertothelemonjuiceortotheunusualflushonhercheeks。Whentheywerereadytheylookedquiteassweetandtrimandgirlishaseverdidanyof"Mrs。Morgan’sheroines。"
　　"IdohopeI’llbeabletosaysomethingonceinawhile，andnotsitlikeamute，"saidDianaanxiously。"AllMrs。Morgan’sheroinesconversesobeautifully。ButI’mafraidI’llbetongue-tiedandstupid。AndI’llbesuretosay`Iseen。’
　　Ihaven’toftensaiditsinceMissStacytaughthere；butinmomentsofexcitementit’ssuretopopout。Anne，ifIweretosay`Iseen’beforeMrs。MorganI’ddieofmortification。
　　Anditwouldbealmostasbadtohavenothingtosay。"
　　"I’mnervousaboutagoodmanythings，"saidAnne，"butI
　　don’tthinkthereismuchfearthatIwon’tbeabletotalk"
　　And，todoherjustice，therewasn’t。
　　Anneshroudedhermuslingloriesinabigapronandwentdowntoconcocthersoup。Marillahaddressedherselfandthetwins，andlookedmoreexcitedthanshehadeverbeenknowntolookbefore。
　　AthalfpasttwelvetheAllansandMissStacycame。EverythingwasgoingwellbutAnnewasbeginningtofeelnervous。ItwassurelytimeforPriscillaandMrs。Morgantoarrive。ShemadefrequenttripstothegateandlookedasanxiouslydownthelaneaseverhernamesakeintheBluebeardstorypeeredfromthetowercasement。
　　"Supposetheydon’tcomeatall？"shesaidpiteously。
　　"Don’tsupposeit。Itwouldbetoomean，"saidDiana，who，however，wasbeginningtohaveuncomfortablemisgivingsonthesubject。
　　"Anne，"saidMarilla，comingoutfromtheparlor，"MissStacywantstoseeMissBarry’swillowwareplatter。"
　　Annehastenedtothesittingroomclosettogettheplatter。Shehad，inaccordancewithherpromisetoMrs。Lynde，writtentoMissBarryofCharlottetown，askingfortheloanofit。MissBarrywasanoldfriendofAnne’s，andshepromplysenttheplatterout，withaletterexhortingAnnetobeverycarefulofit，forshehadpaidtwentydollarsforit。TheplatterhadserveditspurposeattheAidbazaarandhadthenbeenreturnedtotheGreenGablescloset，forAnnewouldnottrustanybodybutherselftotakeitbacktotown。
　　Shecarriedtheplattercarefullytothefrontdoorwhereherguestswereenjoyingthecoolbreezethatblewupfromthebrook。
　　Itwasexaminedandadmired；then，justasAnnehadtakenitbackintoherownhands，aterrificcrashandclattersoundedfromthekitchenpantry。Marilla，Diana，andAnnefledout，thelatterpausingonlylongenoughtosetthepreciousplatterhastilydownonthesecondstepofthestairs。
　　Whentheyreachedthepantryatrulyharrowingspectaclemettheireyes……aguiltylookingsmallboyscramblingdownfromthetable，withhiscleanprintblouseliberallyplasteredwithyellowfilling，andonthetabletheshatteredremnantsofwhathadbeentwobrave，becreamedlemonpies。
　　Davyhadfinishedravellingouthisherringnetandhadwoundthetwineintoaball。Thenhehadgoneintothepantrytoputitupontheshelfabovethetable，wherehealreadykeptascoreorsoofsimilarballs，which，sofarascouldbediscovered，servednousefulpurposesavetoyieldthejoyofpossession。Davyhadtoclimbonthetableandreachovertotheshelfatadangerousangle……somethinghehadbeenforbiddenbyMarillatodo，ashehadcometogriefoncebeforeintheexperiment。Theresultinthisinstancewasdisastrous。Davyslippedandcamesprawlingsquarelydownonthelemonpies。Hiscleanblousewasruinedforthattimeandthepiesforalltime。Itis，however，anillwindthatblowsnobodygood，andthepigwaseventuallythegainerbyDavy’smischance。
　　"DavyKeith，"saidMarilla，shakinghimbytheshoulder，"didn’tI
　　forbidyoutoclimbuponthattableagain？Didn’tI？"
　　"Iforgot，"whimperedDavy。"You’vetoldmenottodosuchanawfullotofthingsthatIcan’trememberthemall。"
　　"Well，youmarchupstairsandstaytheretillafterdinner。
　　Perhapsyou’llgetthemsortedoutinyourmemorybythattime。
　　No，Anne，neveryoumindintercedingforhim。I’mnotpunishinghimbecausehespoiledyourpies……thatwasanaccident。
　　I’mpunishinghimforhisdisobedience。Go，Davy，Isay。"
　　"Ain’tItohaveanydinner？"wailedDavy。
　　"Youcancomedownafterdinnerisoverandhaveyoursinthekitchen。"
　　"Oh，allright，"saidDavy，somewhatcomforted。"IknowAnne’llsavesomenicebonesforme，won’tyou，Anne？’CauseyouknowI
　　didn’tmeantofallonthepies。Say，Anne，sincetheyAREspoiledcan’tItakesomeofthepiecesupstairswithme？"
　　"No，nolemonpieforyou，MasterDavy，"saidMarilla，pushinghimtowardthehall。"
　　Whatshallwedofordessert？"askedAnne，lookingregretfullyatthewreckandruin。
　　"Getoutacrockofstrawberrypreserves，"saidMarillaconsolingly。
　　"There’splentyofwhippedcreamleftinthebowlforit。"
　　Oneo’clockcame……butnoPriscillaorMrs。Morgan。Annewasinanagony。Everythingwasdonetoaturnandthesoupwasjustwhatsoupshouldbe，butcouldn’tbedependedontoremainsoforanylengthoftime。
　　"Idon’tbelievethey’recomingafterall，"saidMarillacrossly。
　　AnneandDianasoughtcomfortineachother’seyes。
　　AthalfpastoneMarillaagainemergedfromtheparlor。
　　"Girls，weMUSThavedinner。Everybodyishungryandit’snousewaitinganylonger。PriscillaandMrs。Morganarenotcoming，that’splain，andnothingisbeingimprovedbywaiting。"
　　AnneandDianasetaboutliftingthedinner，withallthezestgoneoutoftheperformance。
　　"Idon’tbelieveI’llbeabletoeatamouthful，"saidDianadolefully。
　　"NorI。ButIhopeeverythingwillbeniceforMissStacy’sandMr。andMrs。Allan’ssakes，"saidAnnelistlessly。
　　WhenDianadishedthepeasshetastedthemandaverypeculiarexpressioncrossedherface。
　　"Anne，didYOUputsugarinthesepeas？"
　　"Yes，"saidAnne，mashingthepotatoeswiththeairofoneexpectedtodoherduty。"Iputaspoonfulofsugarin。Wealwaysdo。
　　Don’tyoulikeit？"
　　"But_I_putaspoonfulintoo，whenIsetthemonthestove，"saidDiana。
　　Annedroppedhermasherandtastedthepeasalso。Thenshemadeagrimace。
　　"Howawful！Ineverdreamedyouhadputsugarin，becauseIknewyourmotherneverdoes。Ihappenedtothinkofit，forawonder……
　　I’malwaysforgettingit……soIpoppedaspoonfulin。"
　　"It’sacaseoftoomanycooks，Iguess，"saidMarilla，whohadlistenedtothisdialoguewitharatherguiltyexpression。
　　"Ididn’tthinkyou’drememberaboutthesugar，Anne，forI’mperfectlycertainyouneverdidbefore……so_I_putinaspoonful。"
　　Theguestsintheparlorheardpealafterpealoflaughterfromthekitchen，buttheyneverknewwhatthefunwasabout。Therewerenogreenpeasonthedinnertablethatday，however。
　　"Well，"saidAnne，soberingdownagainwithasighofrecollection，"wehavethesaladanyhowandIdon’tthinkanythinghashappenedtothebeans。Let’scarrythethingsinandgetitover。"
　　Itcannotbesaidthatthatdinnerwasanotablesuccesssocially。
　　TheAllansandMissStacyexertedthemselvestosavethesituationandMarilla’scustomaryplaciditywasnotnoticeablyruffled。
　　ButAnneandDiana，betweentheirdisappointmentandthereactionfromtheirexcitementoftheforenoon，couldneithertalknoreat。
　　Annetriedheroicallytobearherpartintheconversationforthesakeofherguests；butallthesparklehadbeenquenchedinherforthetimebeing，and，inspiteofherlovefortheAllansandMissStacy，shecouldn’thelpthinkinghowniceitwouldbewheneverybodyhadgonehomeandshecouldburyherwearinessanddisappointmentinthepillowsoftheeastgable。
　　Thereisanoldproverbthatreallyseemsattimestobeinspired……"itneverrainsbutitpours。"Themeasureofthatday’stribulationswasnotyetfull。JustasMr。Allanhadfinishedreturningthankstherearoseastrange，ominoussoundonthestairs，asofsomehard，heavyobjectboundingfromsteptostep，finishingupwithagrandsmashatthebottom。Everybodyranoutintothehall。Annegaveashriekofdismay。
　　AtthebottomofthestairslayabigpinkconchshellamidthefragmentsofwhathadbeenMissBarry’splatter；andatthetopofthestairskneltaterrifiedDavy，gazingdownwithwide-openeyesatthehavoc。
　　"Davy，"saidMarillaominously，"didyouthrowthatconchdownONPURPOSE？"
　　"No，Ineverdid，"whimperedDavy。"Iwasjustkneelinghere，quietasquiet，towatchyoufolksthroughthebannisters，andmyfootstruckthatoldthingandpusheditoff……andI’mawfulhungry……andIdowishyou’dlickafellowandhavedonewithit，insteadofalwayssendinghimupstairstomissallthefun。"
　　"Don’tblameDavy，"saidAnne，gatheringupthefragmentswithtremblingfingers。"Itwasmyfault。Isetthatplatterthereandforgotallaboutit。Iamproperlypunishedformycarelessness；
　　butoh，whatwillMissBarrysay？"
　　"Well，youknowsheonlyboughtit，soitisn’tthesameasifitwasanheirloom，"saidDiana，tryingtoconsole。
　　Theguestswentawaysoonafter，feelingthatitwasthemosttactfulthingtodo，andAnneandDianawashedthedishes，talkinglessthantheyhadeverbeenknowntodobefore。ThenDianawenthomewithaheadacheandAnnewentwithanothertotheeastgable，whereshestayeduntilMarillacamehomefromthepostofficeatsunset，withaletterfromPriscilla，writtenthedaybefore。Mrs。Morganhadsprainedheranklesoseverelythatshecouldnotleaveherroom。
　　"Andoh，Annedear，"wrotePriscilla，"I’msosorry，butI’mafraidwewon’tgetuptoGreenGablesatallnow，forbythetimeAunty’sankleiswellshewillhavetogobacktoToronto。Shehastobetherebyacertaindate。"
　　"Well，"sighedAnne，layingtheletterdownontheredsandstonestepofthebackporch，whereshewassitting，whilethetwilightraineddownoutofadappledsky，"IalwaysthoughtitwastoogoodtobetruethatMrs。Morganshouldreallycome。Butthere……thatspeechsoundsaspessimisticasMissElizaAndrewsandI’mashamedofmakingit。Afterall，itwasNOTtoogoodtobetrue……thingsjustasgoodandfarbetterarecomingtrueformeallthetime。
　　AndIsupposetheeventsoftodayhaveafunnysidetoo。
　　PerhapswhenDianaandIareoldandgrayweshallbeabletolaughoverthem。ButIfeelthatIcan’texpecttodoitbeforethen，forithastrulybeenabitterdisappointment。"
　　"You’llprobablyhaveagoodmanymoreandworsedisappointmentsthanthatbeforeyougetthroughlife，"saidMarilla，whohonestlythoughtshewasmakingacomfortingspeech。"Itseemstome，Anne，thatyouarenevergoingtooutgrowyourfashionofsettingyourheartsoonthingsandthencrashingdownintodespairbecauseyoudon’tgetthem。"
　　"IknowI’mtoomuchinclinedthat，way"agreedAnneruefully。
　　"WhenIthinksomethingniceisgoingtohappenIseemtoflyrightuponthewingsofanticipation；andthenthefirstthingIrealizeIdropdowntoearthwithathud。Butreally，Marilla，theflyingpartISgloriousaslongasitlasts……it’slikesoaringthroughasunset。Ithinkitalmostpaysforthethud。"
　　"Well，maybeitdoes，"admittedMarilla。"I’dratherwalkcalmlyalonganddowithoutbothflyingandthud。Buteverybodyhasherownwayofliving……Iusedtothinktherewasonlyonerightway……butsinceI’vehadyouandthetwinstobringupIdon’tfeelsosureofit。WhatareyougoingtodoaboutMissBarry’splatter？"
　　"Payherbackthetwentydollarsshepaidforit，Isuppose。
　　I’msothankfulitwasn’tacherishedheirloombecausethennomoneycouldreplaceit。"
　　"Maybeyoucouldfindonelikeitsomewhereandbuyitforher。"
　　"I’mafraidnot。Plattersasoldasthatareveryscarce。Mrs。
　　Lyndecouldn’tfindoneanywhereforthesupper。IonlywishI
　　could，forofcourseMissBarrywouldjustassoonhaveoneplatterasanother，ifbothwereequallyoldandgenuine。Marilla，lookatthatbigstaroverMr。Harrison’smaplegrove，withallthatholyhushofsilveryskyaboutit。Itgivesmeafeelingthatislikeaprayer。Afterall，whenonecanseestarsandskieslikethat，littledisappointmentsandaccidentscan’tmattersomuch，canthey？"
　　"Where’sDavy？"saidMarilla，withanindifferentglanceatthestar。
　　"Inbed。I’vepromisedtotakehimandDoratotheshoreforapicnictomorrow。Ofcourse，theoriginalagreementwasthathemustbegood。ButheTRIEDtobegood……andIhadn’tthehearttodisappointhim。"
　　"You’lldrownyourselforthetwins，rowingaboutthepondinthatflat，"
　　grumbledMarilla。"I’velivedhereforsixtyyearsandI’veneverbeenonthepondyet。"
　　"Well，it’snevertoolatetomend，"saidAnneroguishly。
　　"Supposeyoucomewithustomorrow。We’llshutGreenGablesupandspendthewholedayattheshore，daffingtheworldaside。"
　　"No，thankyou，"saidMarilla，withindignantemphasis。"I’dbeanicesight，wouldn’tI，rowingdownthepondinaflat？IthinkI
　　hearRachelpronouncingonit。There’sMr。Harrisondrivingawaysomewhere。DoyousupposethereisanytruthinthegossipthatMr。HarrisonisgoingtoseeIsabellaAndrews？"
　　"No，I’msurethereisn’t。HejustcalledthereoneeveningonbusinesswithMr。HarmonAndrewsandMrs。Lyndesawhimandsaidsheknewhewascourtingbecausehehadawhitecollaron。
　　Idon’tbelieveMr。Harrisonwillevermarry。Heseemstohaveaprejudiceagainstmarriage。"
　　"Well，youcannevertellaboutthoseoldbachelors。AndifhehadawhitecollaronI’dagreewithRachelthatitlookssuspicious，forI’msureheneverwasseenwithonebefore。"
　　"IthinkheonlyputitonbecausehewantedtoconcludeabusinessdealwithHarmonAndrews，"saidAnne。"I’veheardhimsaythat’stheonlytimeamanneedstobeparticularabouthisappearance，becauseifhelooksprosperousthepartyofthesecondpartwon’tbesolikelytotrytocheathim。IreallyfeelsorryforMr。
　　Harrison；Idon’tbelievehefeelssatisfiedwithhislife。Itmustbeverylonelytohavenoonetocareaboutexceptaparrot，don’tyouthink？ButInoticeMr。Harrisondoesn’tliketobepitied。Nobodydoes，Iimagine。"
　　"There’sGilbertcomingupthelane，"saidMarilla。"Ifhewantsyoutogoforarowonthepondmindyouputonyourcoatandrubbers。There’saheavydewtonight。"
　　XVIII
　　AnAdventureontheToryRoad"Anne，"saidDavy，sittingupinbedandproppinghischinonhishands，"Anne，whereissleep？Peoplegotosleepeverynight，andofcourseIknowit’stheplacewhereIdothethingsIdream，butIwanttoknowWHEREitisandhowIgetthereandbackwithoutknowinganythingaboutit……andinmynightytoo。Whereisit？"
　　Annewaskneelingatthewestgablewindowwatchingthesunsetskythatwaslikeagreatflowerwithpetalsofcrocusandaheartoffieryyellow。
　　SheturnedherheadatDavy’squestionandanswereddreamily，"`Overthemountainsofthemoon，Downthevalleyoftheshadow。’"
　　PaulIrvingwouldhaveknownthemeaningofthis，ormadeameaningoutofitforhimself，ifhedidn’t；butpracticalDavy，who，asAnneoftendespairinglyremarked，hadn’taparticleofimagination，wasonlypuzzledanddisgusted。
　　"Anne，Ibelieveyou’rejusttalkingnonsense。"
　　"Ofcourse，Iwas，dearboy。Don’tyouknowthatitisonlyveryfoolishfolkwhotalksenseallthetime？"
　　"Well，IthinkyoumightgiveasensibleanswerwhenIaskasensiblequestion，"saidDavyinaninjuredtone。
　　"Oh，youaretoolittletounderstand，"saidAnne。Butshefeltratherashamedofsayingit；forhadshenot，inkeenremembranceofmanysimilarsnubsadministeredinherownearlyyears，solemnlyvowedthatshewouldnevertellanychilditwastoolittletounderstand？
　　Yethereshewasdoingit……sowidesometimesisthegulfbetweentheoryandpractice。
　　"Well，I’mdoingmybesttogrow，"saidDavy，"butit’sathingyoucan’thurrymuch。IfMarillawasn’tsostingywithherjamIbelieveI’dgrowalotfaster。"
　　"Marillaisnotstingy，Davy，"saidAnneseverely。"Itisveryungratefulofyoutosaysuchathing。"
　　"There’sanotherwordthatmeansthesamethingandsoundsalotbetter，butIdon’tjustrememberit，"saidDavy，frowningintently。
　　"IheardMarillasayshewasit，herself，theotherday。"
　　"IfyoumeanECONOMICAL，it’saVERYdifferentthingfrombeingstingy。
　　Itisanexcellenttraitinapersonifsheiseconomical。
　　IfMarillahadbeenstingyshewouldn’thavetakenyouandDorawhenyourmotherdied。WouldyouhavelikedtolivewithMrs。Wiggins？"
　　"YoujustbetIwouldn’t！"Davywasemphaticonthatpoint。"NorI
　　don’twanttogoouttoUncleRichardneither。I’dfarratherlivehere，evenifMarillaisthatlong-tailedwordwhenitcomestojam，’causeYOU’REhere，Anne。Say，Anne，won’tyoutellmeastory’foreIgotosleep？Idon’twantafairystory。They’reallrightforgirls，Is’pose，butIwantsomethingexciting……lotsofkillingandshootinginit，andahouseonfire，andin’trustingthingslikethat。"
　　FortunatelyforAnne，Marillacalledoutatthismomentfromherroom。
　　"Anne，Diana’ssignalingatagreatrate。You’dbetterseewhatshewants。"
　　AnnerantotheeastgableandsawflashesoflightcomingthroughthetwilightfromDiana’swindowingroupsoffive，whichmeant，accordingtotheiroldchildishcode，"ComeoveratonceforIhavesomethingimportanttoreveal。"AnnethrewherwhiteshawloverherheadandhastenedthroughtheHauntedWoodandacrossMr。Bell’spasturecornertoOrchardSlope。