Allwasverystillandremote，asiftheworldandthecaresoftheworldwerefaraway。
　　"Ifeelasifwewerewalkingthroughanenchantedforest，"saidAnneinahushedtone。"Doyousupposewe’lleverfindourwaybacktotherealworldagain，Diana？Weshallpresentlycometoapalacewithaspellboundprincessinit，Ithink。"
　　Aroundthenextturntheycameinsight，notindeedofapalace，butofalittlehousealmostassurprisingasapalacewouldhavebeeninthisprovinceofconventionalwoodenfarmhouses，allasmuchalikeingeneralcharacteristicsasiftheyhadgrownfromthesameseed。AnnestoppedshortinraptureandDianaexclaimed，"Oh，Iknowwherewearenow。ThatisthelittlestonehousewhereMissLavendarLewislives……EchoLodge，shecallsit，Ithink。
　　I’veoftenheardofitbutI’veneverseenitbefore。Isn’titaromanticspot？"
　　"It’sthesweetest，prettiestplaceIeversaworimagined，"saidAnnedelightedly。"Itlookslikeabitoutofastorybookoradream。"
　　Thehousewasalow-eavedstructurebuiltofundressedblocksofredIslandsandstone，withalittlepeakedroofoutofwhichpeeredtwodormerwindows，withquaintwoodenhoodsoverthem，andtwogreatchimneys。Thewholehousewascoveredwithaluxuriantgrowthofivy，findingeasyfootholdontheroughstoneworkandturnedbyautumnfroststomostbeautifulbronzeandwine-redtints。
　　Beforethehousewasanoblonggardenintowhichthelanegatewherethegirlswerestandingopened。Thehouseboundeditononeside；onthethreeothersitwasenclosedbyanoldstonedyke，soovergrownwithmossandgrassandfernsthatitlookedlikeahigh，greenbank。Ontherightandleftthetall，darksprucesspreadtheirpalm-likebranchesoverit；butbelowitwasalittlemeadow，greenwithcloveraftermath，slopingdowntotheblueloopoftheGraftonRiver。Nootherhouseorclearingwasinsight……nothingbuthillsandvalleyscoveredwithfeatheryyoungfirs。
　　"IwonderwhatsortofapersonMissLewisis，"speculatedDianaastheyopenedthegateintothegarden。"Theysaysheisverypeculiar。"
　　"She’llbeinterestingthen，"saidAnnedecidedly。"Peculiarpeoplearealwaysthatatleast，whateverelsetheyareorarenot。
　　Didn’tItellyouwewouldcometoanenchantedpalace？
　　Iknewtheelveshadn’twovenmagicoverthatlanefornothing。"
　　"ButMissLavendarLewisishardlyaspellboundprincess，"laughedDiana。"She’sanoldmaid……she’sforty-fiveandquitegray，I’veheard。"
　　"Oh，that’sonlypartofthespell，"assertedAnneconfidently。
　　"Atheartshe’syoungandbeautifulstill……andifweonlyknewhowtounloosethespellshewouldstepforthradiantandfairagain。
　　Butwedon’tknowhow……it’salwaysandonlytheprincewhoknowsthat……andMissLavendar’sprincehasn’tcomeyet。Perhapssomefatalmischancehasbefallenhim……thoughTHAT’Sagainstthelawofallfairytales。"
　　"I’mafraidhecamelongagoandwentawayagain，"saidDiana。
　　"TheysaysheusedtobeengagedtoStephanIrving……Paul’sfather……whentheywereyoung。Buttheyquarreledandparted。"
　　"Hush，"warnedAnne。"Thedoorisopen。"
　　Thegirlspausedintheporchunderthetendrilsofivyandknockedattheopendoor。Therewasapatterofstepsinsideandaratheroddlittlepersonagepresentedherself……agirlofaboutfourteen，withafreckledface，asnubnose，amouthsowidethatitdidreallyseemasifitstretched"fromeartoear，"andtwolongbraidsoffairhairtiedwithtwoenormousbowsofblueribbon。
　　"IsMissLewisathome？"askedDiana。
　　"Yes，ma’am。Comein，ma’am。I’lltellMissLavendaryou’rehere，ma’am。She’supstairs，ma’am。"
　　Withthisthesmallhandmaidenwhiskedoutofsightandthegirls，leftalone，lookedaboutthemwithdelightedeyes。Theinteriorofthiswonderfullittlehousewasquiteasinterestingasitsexterior。
　　Theroomhadalowceilingandtwosquare，small-panedwindows，curtainedwithmuslinfrills。Allthefurnishingswereold-fashioned，butsowellanddaintilykeptthattheeffectwasdelicious。
　　Butitmustbecandidlyadmittedthatthemostattractivefeature，totwohealthygirlswhohadjusttrampedfourmilesthroughautumnair，wasatable，setoutwithpalebluechinaandladenwithdelicacies，whilelittlegolden-huedfernsscatteredovertheclothgaveitwhatAnnewouldhavetermed"afestalair。"
　　"MissLavendarmustbeexpectingcompanytotea，"shewhispered。
　　"Therearesixplacesset。Butwhatafunnylittlegirlshehas。
　　Shelookedlikeamessengerfrompixyland。Isupposeshecouldhavetoldustheroad，butIwascurioustoseeMissLavendar。
　　S……s……sh，she’scoming。"
　　AndwiththatMissLavendarLewiswasstandinginthedoorway。
　　Thegirlsweresosurprisedthattheyforgotgoodmannersandsimplystared。Theyhadunconsciouslybeenexpectingtoseetheusualtypeofelderlyspinsterasknowntotheirexperience……aratherangularpersonage，withprimgrayhairandspectacles。
　　NothingmoreunlikeMissLavendarcouldpossiblybeimagined。
　　Shewasalittleladywithsnow-whitehairbeautifullywavyandthick，andcarefullyarrangedinbecomingpuffsandcoils。Beneathitwasanalmostgirlishface，pinkcheekedandsweetlipped，withbigsoftbrowneyesanddimples……actuallydimples。Sheworeaverydaintygownofcreammuslinwithpale-huedrosesonit……agownwhichwouldhaveseemedridiculouslyjuvenileonmostwomenofherage，butwhichsuitedMissLavendarsoperfectlythatyouneverthoughtaboutitatall。
　　"CharlottatheFourthsaysthatyouwishedtoseeme，"shesaid，inavoicethatmatchedherappearance。
　　"WewantedtoasktherightroadtoWestGrafton，"saidDiana。
　　"WeareinvitedtoteaatMr。Kimball’s，butwetookthewrongpathcomingthroughthewoodsandcameouttothebaselineinsteadoftheWestGraftonroad。Dowetaketherightorleftturningatyourgate？"
　　"Theleft，"saidMissLavendar，withahesitatingglanceatherteatable。
　　Thensheexclaimed，asifinasuddenlittleburstofresolution，"Butoh，won’tyoustayandhaveteawithme？Please，do。
　　Mr。Kimball’swillhaveteaoverbeforeyougetthere。
　　AndCharlottatheFourthandIwillbesogladtohaveyou。"
　　DianalookedmuteinquiryatAnne。
　　"We’dliketostay，"saidAnnepromptly，forshehadmadeuphermindthatshewantedtoknowmoreofthissurprisingMissLavendar，"ifitwon’tinconvenienceyou。Butyouareexpectingotherguests，aren’tyou？"
　　MissLavendarlookedatherteatableagain，andblushed。
　　"Iknowyou’llthinkmedreadfullyfoolish，"shesaid。"IAM
　　foolish……andI’mashamedofitwhenI’mfoundout，butneverunlessIAMfoundout。I’mnotexpectinganybody……IwasjustpretendingIwas。Yousee，Iwassolonely。Ilovecompany……
　　thatis，therightkindofcompany……butsofewpeopleevercomeherebecauseitissofaroutoftheway。CharlottatheFourthwaslonelytoo。SoIjustpretendedIwasgoingtohaveateaparty。Icookedforit……anddecoratedthetableforit……
　　andsetitwithmymother’sweddingchina……andIdressedupforit。"DianasecretlythoughtMissLavendarquiteaspeculiarasreporthadpicturedher。Theideaofawomanofforty-fiveplayingathavingateaparty，justasifshewerealittlegirl！
　　ButAnneoftheshiningeyesexclaimedjoyfuly，"Oh，doYOUimaginethingstoo？"
　　That"too"revealedakindredspirittoMissLavendar。
　　"Yes，Ido，"sheconfessed，boldly。"Ofcourseit’ssillyinanybodyasoldasIam。Butwhatistheuseofbeinganindependentoldmaidifyoucan’tbesillywhenyouwantto，andwhenitdoesn’thurtanybody？
　　Apersonmusthavesomecompensations。Idon’tbelieveIcouldliveattimesifIdidn’tpretendthings。I’mnotoftencaughtatitthough，andCharlottatheFourthnevertells。ButI’mgladtobecaughttoday，foryouhavereallycomeandIhaveteaallreadyforyou。Willyougouptothespareroomandtakeoffyourhats？It’sthewhitedoorattheheadofthestairs。ImustrunouttothekitchenandseethatCharlottatheFourthisn’tlettingtheteaboil。CharlottatheFourthisaverygoodgirlbutsheWILLlettheteaboil。"
　　MissLavendartrippedofftothekitchenonhospitablethoughtsintentandthegirlsfoundtheirwayuptothespareroom，anapartmentaswhiteasitsdoor，lightedbytheivy-hungdormerwindowandlooking，asAnnesaid，liketheplacewherehappydreamsgrew。
　　"Thisisquiteanadventure，isn’tit？"saidDiana。"Andisn’tMissLavendarsweet，ifsheISalittleodd？Shedoesn’tlookabitlikeanoldmaid。"
　　"Shelooksjustasmusicsounds，Ithink，"answeredAnne。
　　WhentheywentdownMissLavendarwascarryingintheteapot，andbehindher，lookingvastlypleased，wasCharlottatheFourth，withaplateofhotbiscuits。
　　"Now，youmusttellmeyournames，"saidMissLavendar。"I’msogladyouareyounggirls。Iloveyounggirls。It’ssoeasytopretendI’magirlmyselfwhenI’mwiththem。Idohate"……withalittlegrimace……"tobelieveI’mold。Now，whoareyou……
　　justforconvenience’sake？DianaBarry？AndAnneShirley？MayI
　　pretendthatI’veknownyouforahundredyearsandcallyouAnneandDianarightaway？"
　　"You，may"thegirlssaidbothtogether。
　　"Thenjustlet’ssitcomfilydownandeateverything，"saidMissLavendarhappily。"Charlotta，yousitatthefootandhelpwiththechicken。
　　ItissofortunatethatImadethespongecakeanddoughnuts。
　　Ofcourse，itwasfoolishtodoitforimaginaryguests……
　　IknowCharlottatheFourththoughtso，didn’tyou，Charlotta？
　　Butyouseehowwellithasturnedout。Ofcoursetheywouldn’thavebeenwasted，forCharlottatheFourthandIcouldhaveeatenthemthroughtime。Butspongecakeisnotathingthatimproveswithtime。"
　　Thatwasamerryandmemorablemeal；andwhenitwasovertheyallwentouttothegarden，lyingintheglamorofsunset。
　　"Idothinkyouhavetheloveliestplacehere，"saidDiana，lookingroundheradmiringly。
　　"WhydoyoucallitEchoLodge？"askedAnne。
　　"Charlotta，"saidMissLavendar，"gointothehouseandbringoutthelittletinhornthatishangingovertheclockshelf。"
　　CharlottatheFourthskippedoffandreturnedwiththehorn。
　　"Blowit，Charlotta，"commandedMissLavendar。
　　Charlottaaccordinglyblew，aratherraucous，stridentblast。
　　Therewasmoment’sstillness……andthenfromthewoodsovertherivercameamultitudeoffairyechoes，sweet，elusive，silvery，asifallthe"hornsofelfland"wereblowingagainstthesunset。
　　AnneandDianaexclaimedindelight。
　　"Nowlaugh，Charlotta……laughloudly。"
　　Charlotta，whowouldprobablyhaveobeyedifMissLavendarhadtoldhertostandonherhead，climbeduponthestonebenchandlaughedloudandheartily。Backcametheechoes，asifahostofpixypeopleweremimickingherlaughterinthepurplewoodlandsandalongthefir-fringedpoints。
　　"Peoplealwaysadmiremyechoesverymuch，"saidMissLavendar，asiftheechoeswereherpersonalproperty。"Ilovethemmyself。
　　Theyareverygoodcompany……withalittlepretending。OncalmeveningsCharlottatheFourthandIoftensitouthereandamuseourselveswiththem。Charlotta，takebackthehornandhangitcarefullyinitsplace。"
　　"WhydoyoucallherCharlottatheFourth？"askedDiana，whowasburstingwithcuriosityonthispoint。
　　"JusttokeepherfromgettingmixedupwithotherCharlottasinmythoughts，"saidMissLavendarseriously。"Theyalllooksomuchalikethere’snotellingthemapart。Hernameisn’treallyCharlottaatall。Itis……letmesee……whatisit？ITHINK
　　it’sLeonora……yes，itISLeonora。Yousee，itisthisway。
　　WhenmotherdiedtenyearsagoIcouldn’tstayherealone……
　　andIcouldn’taffordtopaythewagesofagrown-upgirl。
　　SoIgotlittleCharlottaBowmantocomeandstaywithmeforboardandclothes。HernamereallywasCharlotta……shewasCharlottatheFirst。Shewasjustthirteen。ShestayedwithmetillshewassixteenandthenshewentawaytoBoston，becauseshecoulddobetterthere。Hersistercametostaywithmethen。
　　HernamewasJulietta……Mrs。BowmanhadaweaknessforfancynamesIthink……butshelookedsolikeCharlottathatI
　　keptcallingherthatallthetime……andshedidn’tmind。
　　SoIjustgaveuptryingtorememberherrightname。
　　ShewasCharlottatheSecond，andwhenshewentawayEvelinacameandshewasCharlottatheThird。NowIhaveCharlottatheFourth；butwhensheissixteen……she’sfourteennow……
　　shewillwanttogotoBostontoo，andwhatIshalldothenI
　　reallydonotknow。CharlottatheFourthisthelastoftheBowmangirls，andthebest。TheotherCharlottasalwaysletmeseethattheythoughtitsillyofmetopretendthingsbutCharlottatheFourthneverdoes，nomatterwhatshemayreallythink。
　　Idon’tcarewhatpeoplethinkaboutmeiftheydon’tletmeseeit。"
　　"Well，"saidDianalookingregretfullyatthesettingsun。
　　"IsupposewemustgoifwewanttogettoMr。Kimball’sbeforedark。
　　We’vehadalovelytime，MissLewis。"
　　"Won’tyoucomeagaintoseeme？"pleadedMissLavendar。
　　TallAnneputherarmaboutthelittlelady。
　　"Indeedweshall，"shepromised。"Nowthatwehavediscoveredyouwe’llwearoutourwelcomecomingtoseeyou。Yes，wemustgo……
　　’wemusttearourselvesaway，’asPaulIrvingsayseverytimehecomestoGreenGables。"
　　"PaulIrving？"TherewasasubtlechangeinMissLavendar’svoice。
　　"Whoishe？Ididn’tthinktherewasanybodyofthatnameinAvonlea。"
　　Annefeltvexedatherownheedlessness。ShehadforgottenaboutMissLavendar’soldromancewhenPaul’snameslippedout。
　　"Heisalittlepupilofmine，"sheexplainedslowly。"HecamefromBostonlastyeartolivewithhisgrandmother，Mrs。Irvingoftheshoreroad。"
　　"IsheStephenIrving’sson？"MissLavendarasked，bendingoverhernamesakebordersothatherfacewashidden。
　　"Yes。"
　　"I’mgoingtogiveyougirlsabunchoflavendarapiece，"saidMissLavendarbrightly，asifshehadnotheardtheanswertoherquestion。
　　"It’sverysweet，don’tyouthink？Motheralwayslovedit。
　　Sheplantedtheseborderslongago。FathernamedmeLavendarbecausehewassofondofit。TheveryfirsttimehesawmotherwaswhenhevisitedherhomeinEastGraftonwithherbrother。Hefellinlovewithheratfirstsight；andtheyputhiminthespareroombedtosleepandthesheetswerescentedwithlavendarandhelayawakeallnightandthoughtofher。Healwayslovedthescentoflavendarafterthat……andthatwaswhyhegavemethename。
　　Don’tforgettocomebacksoon，girlsdear。We’llbelookingforyou，CharlottatheFourthandI。"
　　Sheopenedthegateunderthefirsforthemtopassthrough。Shelookedsuddenlyoldandtired；theglowandradiancehadfadedfromherface；
　　herpartingsmilewasassweetwithineradicableyouthasever，butwhenthegirlslookedbackfromthefirstcurveinthelanetheysawhersittingontheoldstonebenchunderthesilverpoplarinthemiddleofthegardenwithherheadleaningwearilyonherhand。
　　"Shedoeslooklonely，"saidDianasoftly。"Wemustcomeoftentoseeher。"
　　"Ithinkherparentsgavehertheonlyrightandfittingnamethatcouldpossiblybegivenher，"saidAnne。"IftheyhadbeensoblindastonameherElizabethorNellieorMurielshemusthavebeencalledLavendarjustthesame，Ithink。It’ssosuggestiveofsweetnessandold-fashionedgracesand`silkattire。’Now，mynamejustsmacksofbreadandbutter，patchworkandchores。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tthinkso，"saidDiana。"Anneseemstomerealstatelyandlikeaqueen。ButI’dlikeKerrenhappuchifithappenedtobeyourname。Ithinkpeoplemaketheirnamesniceoruglyjustbywhattheyarethemselves。Ican’tbearJosieorGertiefornamesnowbutbeforeIknewthePyegirlsIthoughtthemrealpretty。"
　　"That’salovelyidea，Diana，"saidAnneenthusiastically。
　　"Livingsothatyoubeautifyyourname，evenifitwasn’tbeautifultobeginwith……makingitstandinpeople’sthoughtsforsomethingsolovelyandpleasantthattheyneverthinkofitbyitself。Thankyou，Diana。"
　　XXII
　　OddsandEnds"SoyouhadteaatthestonehousewithLavendarLewis？"saidMarillaatthebreakfasttablenextmorning。"Whatisshelikenow？
　　It’soverfifteenyearssinceIsawherlast……itwasoneSundayinGraftonchurch。Isupposeshehaschangedagreatdeal。
　　DavyKeith，whenyouwantsomethingyoucan’treach，asktohaveitpassedanddon’tspreadyourselfoverthetableinthatfashion。
　　DidyoueverseePaulIrvingdoingthatwhenhewasheretomeals？"
　　"ButPaul’sarmsarelonger’nmine，"brumbledDavy。"They’vehadelevenyearstogrowandmine’veonlyhadseven。’Sides，IDIDask，butyouandAnnewassobusytalkingyoudidn’tpayany’tention。
　　’Sides，Paul’sneverbeenheretoanymealescepttea，andit’seasiertobep’liteatteathanatbreakfast。Youain’thalfashungry。
　　It’sanawfullongwhilebetweensupperandbreakfast。Now，Anne，thatspoonfulain’tanybiggerthanitwaslastyearandI’Meversomuchbigger。"
　　"Ofcourse，Idon’tknowwhatMissLavendarusedtolooklikebutI
　　don’tfancysomehowthatshehaschangedagreatdeal，"saidAnne，aftershehadhelpedDavytomaplesyrup，givinghimtwospoonfulstopacifyhim。"Herhairissnow-whitebutherfaceisfreshandalmostgirlish，andshehasthesweetestbrowneyes……suchaprettyshadeofwood-brownwithlittlegoldenglintsinthem……
　　andhervoicemakesyouthinkofwhitesatinandtinklingwaterandfairybellsallmixeduptogether。"
　　"Shewasreckonedagreatbeautywhenshewasagirl，"saidMarilla。
　　"IneverknewherverywellbutIlikedherasfarasIdidknowher。
　　Somefolksthoughtherpeculiareventhen。DAVY，ifeverIcatchyouatsuchatrickagainyou’llbemadetowaitforyourmealstilleveryoneelseisdone，liketheFrench。"
　　MostconversationsbetweenAnneandMarillainthepresenceofthetwins，werepunctuatedbytheserebukesDavy-ward。Inthisinstance，Davy，sadtorelate，notbeingabletoscoopupthelastdropsofhissyrupwithhisspoon，hadsolvedthedifficultybyliftinghisplateinbothhandsandapplyinghissmallpinktonguetoit。
　　Annelookedathimwithsuchhorrifiedeyesthatthelittlesinnerturnedredandsaid，halfshamefacedly，halfdefiantly，"Thereain’tanywastedthatway。"
　　"Peoplewhoaredifferentfromotherpeoplearealwayscalledpeculiar，"saidAnne。"AndMissLavendariscertainlydifferent，thoughit’shardtosayjustwherethedifferencecomesin。
　　Perhapsitisbecausesheisoneofthosepeoplewhonevergrowold。"
　　"Onemightaswellgrowoldwhenallyourgenerationdo，"saidMarilla，ratherrecklessofherpronouns。"Ifyoudon’t，youdon’tfitinanywhere。FarasIcanlearnLavendarLewishasjustdroppedoutofeverything。She’slivedinthatoutofthewayplaceuntileverybodyhasforgottenher。ThatstonehouseisoneoftheoldestontheIsland。OldMr。LewisbuiltiteightyyearsagowhenhecameoutfromEngland。Davy，stopjogglingDora’selbow。
　　Oh，Isawyou！Youneedn’ttrytolookinnocent。Whatdoesmakeyoubehavesothismorning？"
　　"MaybeIgotoutofthewrongsideofthebed，"suggestedDavy。
　　"MiltyBoultersaysifyoudothatthingsareboundtogowrongwithyouallday。Hisgrandmothertoldhim。Butwhichistherightside？Andwhatareyoutodowhenyourbed’sagainstthewall？Iwanttoknow。"
　　"I’vealwayswonderedwhatwentwrongbetweenStephenIrvingandLavendarLewis，"continuedMarilla，ignoringDavy。"Theywerecertainlyengagedtwenty-fiveyearsagoandthenallatonceitwasbrokenoff。Idon’tknowwhatthetroublewasbutitmusthavebeensomethingterrible，forhewentawaytotheStatesandnevercomehomesince。"
　　"Perhapsitwasnothingverydreadfulafterall。Ithinkthelittlethingsinlifeoftenmakemoretroublethanthebigthings，"
　　saidAnne，withoneofthoseflashesofinsightwhichexperiencecouldnothavebettered。"Marilla，pleasedon’tsayanythingaboutmybeingatMissLavendar’stoMrs。Lynde。She’dbesuretoaskahundredquestionsandsomehowIwouldn’tlikeit……norMissLavendareitherifsheknew，Ifeelsure。"
　　"IdaresayRachelwouldbecurious，"admittedMarilla，"thoughshehasn’tasmuchtimeassheusedtohaveforlookingafterotherpeople’saffairs。She’stiedhomenowonaccountofThomas；andshe’sfeelingprettydownhearted，forIthinkshe’sbeginningtolosehopeofhisevergettingbetter。Rachelwillbeleftprettylonelyifanythinghappenstohim，withallherchildrensettledoutwest，exceptElizaintown；andshedoesn’tlikeherhusband。"
　　Marilla’spronounsslanderedEliza，whowasveryfondofherhusband。
　　"Rachelsaysifhe’donlybraceupandexerthiswillpowerhe’dgetbetter。Butwhatistheuseofaskingajellyfishtositupstraight？"continuedMarilla。"ThomasLyndeneverhadanywillpowertoexert。HismotherruledhimtillhemarriedandthenRachelcarriediton。It’sawonderhedaredtogetsickwithoutaskingherpermission。Butthere，Ishouldn’ttalkso。Rachelhasbeenagoodwifetohim。He’dneverhaveamountedtoanythingwithouther，that’scertain。Hewasborntoberuled；andit’swellhefellintothehandsofaclever，capablemanagerlikeRachel。
　　Hedidn’tmindherway。Itsavedhimthebotherofevermakinguphisownmindaboutanything。Davy，dostopsquirminglikeaneel。"
　　"I’venothingelsetodo，"protestedDavy。"Ican’teatanymore，andit’snofunwatchingyouandAnneeat。"
　　"Well，youandDoragooutandgivethehenstheirwheat，"saidMarilla。"Anddon’tyoutrytopullanymorefeathersoutofthewhiterooster’staileither。"
　　"IwantedsomefeathersforanInjunheaddress，"saidDavysulkily。
　　"MiltyBoulterhasadandyone，madeoutofthefeathershismothergivehimwhenshekilledtheiroldwhitegobbler。Youmightletmehavesome。Thatrooster’sgoteversomanymore’nhewants。"
　　"Youmayhavetheoldfeatherdusterinthegarret，"saidAnne，"andI’lldyethemgreenandredandyellowforyou。"
　　"Youdospoilthatboydreadfully，"saidMarilla，whenDavy，witharadiantface，hadfollowedprimDoraout。Marilla’seducationhadmadegreatstridesinthepastsixyears；butshehadnotyetbeenabletoridherselfoftheideathatitwasverybadforachildtohavetoomanyofitswishesindulged。
　　"AlltheboysofhisclasshaveIndianheaddresses，andDavywantsonetoo，"saidAnne。"_I_knowhowitfeels……I’llneverforgethowIusedtolongforpuffedsleeveswhenalltheothergirlshadthem。
　　AndDavyisn’tbeingspoiled。Heisimprovingeveryday。Thinkwhatadifferencethereisinhimsincehecamehereayearago。"
　　"Hecertainlydoesn’tgetintoasmuchmischiefsincehebegantogotoschool，"acknowledgedMarilla。"Isupposeheworksoffthetendencywiththeotherboys。Butit’sawondertomewehaven’theardfromRichardKeithbeforethis。NeverawordsincelastMay。"
　　"I’llbeafraidtohearfromhim，"sighedAnne，beginningtoclearawaythedishes。"IfalettershouldcomeI’ddreadopeningit，forfearitwouldtellustosendthetwinstohim。"
　　Amonthlateraletterdidcome。ButitwasnotfromRichardKeith。
　　AfriendofhiswrotetosaythatRichardKeithhaddiedofconsumptionafortnightpreviously。ThewriteroftheletterwastheexecutorofhiswillandbythatwillthesumoftwothousanddollarswaslefttoMissMarillaCuthbertintrustforDavidandDoraKeithuntiltheycameofageormarried。Inthemeantimetheinterestwastobeusedfortheirmaintenance。
　　"Itseemsdreadfultobegladofanythinginconnectionwithadeath，"
　　saidAnnesoberly。"I’msorryforpoorMr。Keith；butIAMgladthatwecankeepthetwins。"
　　"It’saverygoodthingaboutthemoney，"saidMarillapractically。
　　"IwantedtokeepthembutIreallydidn’tseehowIcouldaffordtodoit，especiallywhentheygrewolder。Therentofthefarmdoesn’tdoanymorethankeepthehouseandIwasboundthatnotacentofyourmoneyshouldbespentonthem。Youdofartoomuchforthemasitis。Doradidn’tneedthatnewhatyouboughtheranymorethanacatneedstwotails。Butnowthewayismadeclearandtheyareprovidedfor。"
　　DavyandDoraweredelightedwhentheyheardthattheyweretoliveatGreenGables，"forgood。"Thedeathofanunclewhomtheyhadneverseencouldnotweighamomentinthebalanceagainstthat。
　　ButDorahadonemisgiving。
　　"WasUncleRichardburied？"shewhisperedtoAnne。
　　"Yes，dear，ofcourse。"
　　"He……he……isn’tlikeMirabelCotton’suncle，ishe？"inastillmoreagitatedwhisper。"Hewon’twalkabouthousesafterbeingburied，willhe，Anne？"
　　XXIII
　　MissLavendar’sRomance"IthinkI’lltakeawalkthroughtoEchoLodgethisevening，"saidAnne，oneFridayafternooninDecember。
　　"Itlookslikesnow，"saidMarilladubiously。
　　"I’llbetherebeforethesnowcomesandImeantostayallnight。
　　Dianacan’tgobecauseshehascompany，andI’msureMissLavendarwillbelookingformetonight。It’sawholefortnightsinceIwasthere。"
　　AnnehadpaidmanyavisittoEchoLodgesincethatOctoberday。
　　SometimessheandDianadrovearoundbytheroad；sometimestheywalkedthroughthewoods。WhenDianacouldnotgoAnnewentalone。
　　BetweenherandMissLavendarhadsprunguponeofthosefervent，helpfulfriendshipspossibleonlybetweenawomanwhohaskeptthefreshnessofyouthinherheartandsoul，andagirlwhoseimaginationandintuitionsuppliedtheplaceofexperience。
　　Annehadatlastdiscoveredareal"kindredspirit，"whileintothelittlelady’slonely，sequesteredlifeofdreamsAnneandDianacamewiththewholesomejoyandexhilarationoftheouterexistence，whichMissLavendar，"theworldforgetting，bytheworldforgot，"
　　hadlongceasedtoshare；theybroughtanatmosphereofyouthandrealitytothelittlestonehouse。CharlottatheFourthalwaysgreetedthemwithherverywidestsmile……andCharlotta’ssmilesWEREfearfullywide……lovingthemforthesakeofheradoredmistressaswellasfortheirown。Neverhadtherebeensuch"highjinks"heldinthelittlestonehouseaswereheldtherethatbeautiful，late-lingeringautumn，whenNovemberseemedOctoberoveragain，andevenDecemberapedthesunshineandhazesofsummer。
　　ButonthisparticulardayitseemedasifDecemberhadrememberedthatitwastimeforwinterandhadturnedsuddenlydullandbrooding，withawindlesshushpredictiveofcomingsnow。
　　Nevertheless，Annekeenlyenjoyedherwalkthroughthegreatgraymazeofthebeechlands；thoughalonesheneverfounditlonely；herimaginationpeopledherpathwithmerrycompanions，andwiththeseshecarriedonagay，pretendedconversationthatwaswittierandmorefascinatingthanconversationsareapttobeinreallife，wherepeoplesometimesfailmostlamentablytotalkuptotherequirements。Ina"makebelieve"assemblyofchoicespiritseverybodysaysjustthethingyouwanthertosayandsogivesyouthechancetosayjustwhatYOUwanttosay。Attendedbythisinvisiblecompany，Annetraversedthewoodsandarrivedatthefirlanejustasbroad，featheryflakesbegantoflutterdownsoftly。
　　AtthefirstbendshecameuponMissLavendar，standingunderabig，broad-branchingfir。Sheworeagownofwarm，richred，andherheadandshoulderswerewrappedinasilverygraysilkshawl。
　　"Youlooklikethequeenofthefirwoodfairies，"calledAnnemerrily。
　　"Ithoughtyouwouldcometonight，Anne，"saidMissLavendar，runningforward。"AndI’mdoublyglad，forCharlottatheFourthisaway。Hermotherissickandshehadtogohomeforthenight。
　　Ishouldhavebeenverylonelyifyouhadn’tcome……eventhedreamsandtheechoeswouldn’thavebeenenoughcompany。Oh，Anne，howprettyyouare，"sheaddedsuddenly，lookingupatthetall，slimgirlwiththesoftrose-flushofwalkingonherface。"Howprettyandhowyoung！It’ssodelightfultobeseventeen，isn’tit？
　　Idoenvyyou，"concludedMissLavendarcandidly。
　　"Butyouareonlyseventeenatheart，"smiledAnne。
　　"No，I’mold……orrathermiddle-aged，whichisfarworse，"
　　sighedMissLavendar。"SometimesIcanpretendI’mnot，butatothertimesIrealizeit。AndIcan’treconcilemyselftoitasmostwomenseemto。I’mjustasrebelliousasIwaswhenI
　　discoveredmyfirstgrayhair。Now，Anne，don’tlookasifyouweretryingtounderstand。SeventeenCAN’Tunderstand。I’mgoingtopretendrightawaythatIamseventeentoo，andIcandoit，nowthatyou’rehere。Youalwaysbringyouthinyourhandlikeagift。
　　We’regoingtohaveajollyevening。Teafirst……whatdoyouwantfortea？We’llhavewhateveryoulike。Dothinkofsomethingniceandindigestible。"
　　Thereweresoundsofriotandmirthinthelittlestonehousethatnight。Whatwithcookingandfeastingandmakingcandyandlaughingand"pretending，"itisquitetruethatMissLavendarandAnnecomportedthemselvesinafashionentirelyunsuitedtothedignityofaspinsterofforty-fiveandasedateschoolma’am。
　　Then，whentheyweretired，theysatdownontherugbeforethegrateintheparlor，lightedonlybythesoftfireshineandperfumeddeliciouslybyMissLavendar’sopenrose-jaronthemantel。
　　Thewindhadrisenandwassighingandwailingaroundtheeavesandthesnowwasthuddingsoftlyagainstthewindows，asifahundredstormspritesweretappingforentrance。
　　"I’msogladyou’rehere，Anne，"saidMissLavendar，nibblingathercandy。"Ifyouweren’tIshouldbeblue……veryblue……
　　almostnavyblue。Dreamsandmake-believesareallverywellinthedaytimeandthesunshine，butwhendarkandstormcometheyfailtosatisfy。Onewantsrealthingsthen。Butyoudon’tknowthis……seventeenneverknowsit。AtseventeendreamsDOsatisfybecauseyouthinktherealitiesarewaitingforyoufurtheron。
　　WhenIwasseventeen，Anne，Ididn’tthinkforty-fivewouldfindmeawhite-hairedlittleoldmaidwithnothingbutdreamstofillmylife。"
　　"Butyouaren’tanoldmaid，"saidAnne，smilingintoMissLavendar’swistfulwoodbrowneyes。"OldmaidsareBORN……theydon’tBECOME。"
　　"Somearebornoldmaids，someachieveoldmaidenhood，andsomehaveoldmaidenhoodthrustuponthem，"parodiedMissLavendarwhimsically。
　　"Youareoneofthosewhohaveachieveditthen，"laughedAnne，"andyou’vedoneitsobeautifullythatifeveryoldmaidwerelikeyoutheywouldcomeintothefashion，Ithink。"
　　"Ialwaysliketodothingsaswellaspossible，"saidMissLavendarmeditatively，"andsinceanoldmaidIhadtobeIwasdeterminedtobeaveryniceone。PeoplesayI’modd；butit’sjustbecauseIfollowmyownwayofbeinganoldmaidandrefusetocopythetraditionalpattern。Anne，didanyoneevertellyouanythingaboutStephenIrvingandme？"
　　"Yes，"saidAnnecandidly，"I’veheardthatyouandhewereengagedonce。"
　　"Sowewere……twenty-fiveyearsago……alifetimeago。Andweweretohavebeenmarriedthenextspring。Ihadmyweddingdressmade，althoughnobodybutmotherandStepheneverknewTHAT。
　　We’dbeenengagedinawayalmostallourlives，youmightsay。
　　WhenStephenwasalittleboyhismotherwouldbringhimherewhenshecametoseemymother；andthesecondtimeheevercame……
　　hewasnineandIwassix……hetoldmeoutinthegardenthathehadprettywellmadeuphismindtomarrymewhenhegrewup。
　　IrememberthatIsaid`Thankyou’；andwhenhewasgoneItoldmotherverygravelythattherewasagreatweightoffmymind，becauseIwasn’tfrightenedanymoreabouthavingtobeanoldmaid。Howpoormotherlaughed！"
　　"Andwhatwentwrong？"askedAnnebreathlessly。
　　"Wehadjustastupid，silly，commonplacequarrel。Socommonplacethat，ifyou’llbelieveme，Idon’tevenrememberjusthowitbegan。
　　Ihardlyknowwhowasthemoretoblameforit。Stephendidreallybeginit，butIsupposeIprovokedhimbysomefoolishnessofmine。
　　Hehadarivalortwo，yousee。Iwasvainandcoquettishandlikedtoteasehimalittle。Hewasaveryhigh-strung，sensitivefellow。
　　Well，wepartedinatemperonbothsides。ButIthoughtitwouldallcomeright；anditwouldhaveifStephenhadn’tcomebacktoosoon。
　　Anne，mydear，I’msorrytosay"……MissLavendardroppedhervoiceasifshewereabouttoconfessapredilectionformurderingpeople，"thatIamadreadfullysulkyperson。Oh，youneedn’tsmile，……
　　it’sonlytootrue。IDOsulk；andStephencamebackbeforeIhadfinishedsulking。Iwouldn’tlistentohimandIwouldn’tforgivehim；
　　andsohewentawayforgood。Hewastooproudtocomeagain。AndthenIsulkedbecausehedidn’tcome。Imighthavesentforhimperhaps，butIcouldn’thumblemyselftodothat。Iwasjustasproudashewas……prideandsulkinessmakeaverybadcombination，Anne。ButIcouldnevercareforanybodyelseandIdidn’twantto。
　　IknewIwouldratherbeanoldmaidforathousandyearsthanmarryanybodywhowasn’tStephenIrving。Well，itallseemslikeadreamnow，ofcourse。Howsympatheticyoulook，Anne……assympatheticasonlyseventeencanlook。Butdon’toverdoit。I’mreallyaveryhappy，contentedlittlepersoninspiteofmybrokenheart。Myheartdidbreak，ifeveraheartdid，whenIrealizedthatStephenIrvingwasnotcomingback。
　　But，Anne，abrokenheartinreallifeisn’thalfasdreadfulasitisinbooks。It’sagooddeallikeabadtooth……thoughyouwon’tthinkTHATaveryromanticsimile。Ittakesspellsofachingandgivesyouasleeplessnightnowandthen，butbetweentimesitletsyouenjoylifeanddreamsandechoesandpeanutcandyasiftherewerenothingthematterwithit。Andnowyou’relookingdisappointed。
　　Youdon’tthinkI’mhalfasinterestingapersonasyoudidfiveminutesagowhenyoubelievedIwasalwaysthepreyofatragicmemorybravelyhiddenbeneathexternalsmiles。That’stheworst……orthebest……
　　ofreallife，Anne。ItWON’Tletyoubemiserable。Itkeepsontryingtomakeyoucomfortable……andsucceeding……evenwhenyou’redeterminedtobeunhappyandromantic。Isn’tthiscandyscrumptious？I’veeatenfarmorethanisgoodformealreadybutI’mgoingtokeeprecklesslyon。"
　　AfteralittlesilenceMissLavendarsaidabruptly，"ItgavemeashocktohearaboutStephen’ssonthatfirstdayyouwerehere，Anne。I’veneverbeenabletomentionhimtoyousince，butI’vewantedtoknowallabouthim。Whatsortofaboyishe？"
　　"Heisthedearest，sweetestchildIeverknew，MissLavendar……
　　andhepretendsthingstoo，justasyouandIdo。"
　　"I’dliketoseehim，"saidMissLavendarsoftly，asiftalkingtoherself。
　　"Iwonderifhelooksanythinglikethelittledream-boywholivesherewithme……MYlittledream-boy。"
　　"IfyouwouldliketoseePaulI’llbringhimthroughwithmesometime，"
　　saidAnne。
　　"Iwouldlikeit……butnottoosoon。Iwanttogetusedtothethought。
　　Theremightbemorepainthanpleasureinit……ifhelookedtoomuchlikeStephen……orifhedidn’tlookenoughlikehim。Inamonth’stimeyoumaybringhim。"
　　Accordingly，amonthlaterAnneandPaulwalkedthroughthewoodstothestonehouse，andmetMissLavendarinthelane。Shehadnotbeenexpectingthemjustthenandsheturnedverypale。
　　"SothisisStephen’sboy，"shesaidinalowtone，takingPaul’shandandlookingathimashestood，beautifulandboyish，inhissmartlittlefurcoatandcap。"He……heisverylikehisfather。"
　　"EverybodysaysI’machipofftheoldblock，"remarkedPaul，quiteathisease。
　　Anne，whohadbeenwatchingthelittlescene，drewarelievedbreath。
　　ShesawthatMissLavendarandPaulhad"taken"toeachother，andthattherewouldbenoconstraintorstiffness。MissLavendarwasaverysensibleperson，inspiteofherdreamsandromance，andafterthatfirstlittlebetrayalshetuckedherfeelingsoutofsightandentertainedPaulasbrightlyandnaturallyasifhewereanybody’ssonwhohadcometoseeher。
　　TheyallhadajollyafternoontogetherandsuchafeastoffatthingsbywayofsupperaswouldhavemadeoldMrs。Irvingholdupherhandsinhorror，believingthatPaul’sdigestionwouldberuinedforever。
　　"Comeagain，laddie，"saidMissLavendar，shakinghandswithhimatparting。
　　"Youmaykissmeifyoulike，"saidPaulgravely。
　　MissLavendarstoopedandkissedhim。
　　"HowdidyouknowIwantedto？"shewhispered。
　　"Becauseyoulookedatmejustasmylittlemotherusedtodowhenshewantedtokissme。Asarule，Idon’tliketobekissed。
　　Boysdon’t。Youknow，MissLewis。ButIthinkIratherliketohaveyoukissme。AndofcourseI’llcometoseeyouagain。
　　IthinkI’dliketohaveyouforaparticularfriendofmine，ifyoudon’tobject。"
　　"I……Idon’tthinkIshallobject，"saidMissLavendar。
　　Sheturnedandwentinveryquickly；butamomentlatershewaswavingagayandsmilinggood-byetothemfromthewindow。
　　"IlikeMissLavendar，"announcedPaul，astheywalkedthroughthebeechwoods。"Ilikethewayshelookedatme，andIlikeherstonehouse，andIlikeCharlottatheFourth。IwishGrandmaIrvinghadaCharlottatheFourthinsteadofaMaryJoe。IfeelsureCharlottatheFourthwouldn’tthinkIwaswronginmyupperstorywhenItoldherwhatIthinkaboutthings。Wasn’tthatasplendidteawehad，teacher？Grandmasaysaboyshouldn’tbethinkingaboutwhathegetstoeat，buthecan’thelpitsometimeswhenheisrealhungry。YOUknow，teacher。Idon’tthinkMissLavendarwouldmakeaboyeatporridgeforbreakfastifhedidn’tlikeit。She’dgetthingsforhimhedidlike。Butofcourse"……
　　Paulwasnothingifnotfair-minded……"thatmightn’tbeverygoodforhim。It’sveryniceforachangethough，teacher。YOUknow。"
　　XXIV
　　AProphetinHisOwnCountryOneMaydayAvonleafolksweremildlyexcitedoversome"AvonleaNotes，"
　　signed"Observer，"whichappearedintheCharlottetown`DailyEnterprise。’
　　GossipascribedtheauthorshipthereoftoCharlieSloane，partlybecausethesaidCharliehadindulgedinsimilarliteraryflightsintimespast，andpartlybecauseoneofthenotesseemedtoembodyasneeratGilbertBlythe。AvonleajuvenilesocietypersistedinregardingGilbertBlytheandCharlieSloaneasrivalsinthegoodgracesofacertaindamselwithgrayeyesandanimagination。
　　Gossip，asusual，waswrong。GilbertBlythe，aidedandabettedbyAnne，hadwrittenthenotes，puttingintheoneabouthimselfasablind。Onlytwoofthenoteshaveanybearingonthishistory:
　　"Rumorhasitthattherewillbeaweddinginourvillageerethedaisiesareinbloom。Anewandhighlyrespectedcitizenwillleadtothehymenealaltaroneofourmostpopularladies。
　　"UncleAbe，ourwell-knownweatherprophet，predictsaviolentstormofthunderandlightningfortheeveningofthetwenty-thirdofMay，beginningatseveno’clocksharp。TheareaofthestormwillextendoverthegreaterpartoftheProvince。Peopletravelingthateveningwilldowelltotakeumbrellasandmackintosheswiththem。"
　　"UncleAbereallyhaspredictedastormforsometimethisspring，"
　　saidGilbert，"butdoyousupposeMr。HarrisonreallydoesgotoseeIsabellaAndrews？"
　　"No，"saidAnne，laughing，"I’msureheonlygoestoplaycheckerswithMr。HarrisonAndrews，butMrs。LyndesayssheknowsIsabellaAndrewsmustbegoingtogetmarried，she’sinsuchgoodspiritsthisspring。"
　　PooroldUncleAbefeltratherindignantoverthenotes。Hesuspectedthat"Observer"wasmakingfunofhim。Heangrilydeniedhavingassignedanyparticulardateforhisstormbutnobodybelievedhim。
　　LifeinAvonleacontinuedonthesmoothandeventenorofitsway。
　　The"planting"wasputin；theImproverscelebratedanArborDay。
　　EachImproversetout，orcausedtobesetout，fiveornamentaltrees。
　　Asthesocietynownumberedfortymembers，thismeantatotaloftwohundredyoungtrees。Earlyoatsgreenedovertheredfields；
　　appleorchardsflunggreatblossomingarmsaboutthefarmhousesandtheSnowQueenadorneditselfasabrideforherhusband。
　　Annelikedtosleepwithherwindowopenandletthecherryfragranceblowoverherfaceallnight。Shethoughtitverypoetical。Marillathoughtshewasriskingherlife。
　　"Thanksgivingshouldbecelebratedinthespring，"saidAnneoneeveningtoMarilla，astheysatonthefrontdoorstepsandlistenedtothesilver-sweetchorusofthefrogs。"IthinkitwouldbeeversomuchbetterthanhavingitinNovemberwheneverythingisdeadorasleep。Thenyouhavetoremembertobethankful；butinMayonesimplycan’thelpbeingthankful……
　　thattheyarealive，iffornothingelse。IfeelexactlyasEvemusthavefeltinthegardenofEdenbeforethetroublebegan。
　　ISthatgrassinthehollowgreenorgolden？Itseemstome，Marilla，thatapearlofadaylikethis，whentheblossomsareoutandthewindsdon’tknowwheretoblowfromnextforsheercrazydelightmustbeprettynearasgoodasheaven。"
　　Marillalookedscandalizedandglancedapprehensivelyaroundtomakesurethetwinswerenotwithinearshot。Theycamearoundthecornerofthehousejustthen。
　　"Ain’titanawfulnice-smellingevening？"askedDavy，sniffingdelightedlyasheswungahoeinhisgrimyhands。Hehadbeenworkinginhisgarden。ThatspringMarilla，bywayofturningDavy’spassionforrevelinginmudandclayintousefulchannels，hadgivenhimandDoraasmallplotofgroundforagarden。
　　Bothhadeagerlygonetoworkinacharacteristicfashion。
　　Doraplanted，weeded，andwateredcarefully，systematically，anddispassionately。Asaresult，herplotwasalreadygreenwithprim，orderlylittlerowsofvegetablesandannuals。
　　Davy，however，workedwithmorezealthandiscretion；hedugandhoedandrakedandwateredandtransplantedsoenergeticallythathisseedshadnochancefortheirlives。
　　"Howisyourgardencomingon，Davy-boy？"askedAnne。
　　"Kindofslow，"saidDavywithasigh。"Idon’tknowwhythethingsdon’tgrowbetter。MiltyBoultersaysImusthaveplantedtheminthedarkofthemoonandthat’sthewholetrouble。
　　Hesaysyoumustneversowseedsorkillporkorcutyourhairordoany’portantthinginthewrongtimeofthemoon。Isthattrue，Anne？Iwanttoknow。"
　　"Maybeifyoudidn’tpullyourplantsupbytherootseveryotherdaytoseehowthey’regettingon`attheotherend，’they’ddobetter，"
　　saidMarillasarcastically。
　　"Ionlypulledsixofthemup，"protestedDavy。"Iwantedtoseeiftherewasgrubsattheroots。MiltyBoultersaidifitwasn’tthemoon’sfaultitmustbegrubs。ButIonlyfoundonegrub。
　　Hewasagreatbigjuicycurlygrub。Iputhimonastoneandgotanotherstoneandsmashedhimflat。HemadeajollySQUISHItellyou。
　　Iwassorrytherewasn’tmoreofthem。Dora’sgardenwasplantedsametime’smineandherthingsaregrowingallright。ItCAN’Tbethemoon，"
　　Davyconcludedinareflectivetone。
　　"Marilla，lookatthatappletree，"saidAnne。"Why，thethingishuman。
　　Itisreachingoutlongarmstopickitsownpinkskirtsdaintilyupandprovokeustoadmiration。"
　　"ThoseYellowDuchesstreesalwaysbearwell，"saidMarillacomplacently。
　　"Thattree’llbeloadedthisyear。I’mrealglad……they’regreatforpies。"
　　ButneitherMarillanorAnnenoranybodyelsewasfatedtomakepiesoutofYellowDuchessapplesthatyear。
　　Thetwenty-thirdofMaycame……anunseasonablywarmday，asnonerealizedmorekeenlythanAnneandherlittlebeehiveofpupils，swelteringoverfractionsandsyntaxintheAvonleaschoolroom。
　　Ahotbreezeblewalltheforenoon；butafternoonhouritdiedawayintoaheavystillness。AthalfpastthreeAnneheardalowrumbleofthunder。Shepromptlydismissedschoolatonce，sothatthechildrenmightgethomebeforethestormcame。
　　AstheywentouttotheplaygroundAnneperceivedacertainshadowandgloomovertheworldinspiteofthefactthatthesunwasstillshiningbrightly。AnnettaBellcaughtherhandnervously。
　　"Oh，teacher，lookatthatawfulcloud！"
　　Annelookedandgaveanexclamationofdismay。Inthenorthwestamassofcloud，suchasshehadneverinallherlifebeheldbefore，wasrapidlyrollingup。Itwasdeadblack，savewhereitscurledandfringededgesshowedaghastly，lividwhite。Therewassomethingaboutitindescribablymenacingasitgloomedupintheclearbluesky；nowandagainaboltoflightningshotacrossit，followedbyasavagegrowl。Ithungsolowthatitalmostseemedtobetouchingthetopsofthewoodedhills。
　　Mr。HarmonAndrewscameclatteringupthehillinhistruckwagon，urginghisteamofgraystotheirutmostspeed。Hepulledthemtoahaltoppositetheschool。
　　"GuessUncleAbe’shititforonceinhislife，Anne，"heshouted。
　　"Hisstorm’scomingaleetleaheadoftime。Didyeeverseethelikeofthatcloud？Here，allyouyoungones，thataregoingmyway，pilein，andthosethatain’tscootforthepostofficeifye’vemore’naquarterofamiletogo，andstaytheretilltheshower’sover。"
　　AnnecaughtDavyandDorabythehandsandflewdownthehill，alongtheBirchPath，andpastVioletValeandWillowmere，asfastasthetwins’fatlegscouldgo。TheyreachedGreenGablesnotamomenttoosoonandwerejoinedatthedoorbyMarilla，whohadbeenhustlingherducksandchickensundershelter。Astheydashedintothekitchenthelightseemedtovanish，asifblownoutbysomemightybreath；theawfulcloudrolledoverthesunandadarknessasoflatetwilightfellacrosstheworld。Atthesamemoment，withacrashofthunderandablindingglareoflightning，thehailswoopeddownandblottedthelandscapeoutinonewhitefury。
　　Throughalltheclamorofthestormcamethethudoftornbranchesstrikingthehouseandthesharpcrackofbreakingglass。Inthreeminuteseverypaneinthewestandnorthwindowswasbrokenandthehailpouredinthroughtheaperturescoveringthefloorwithstones，thesmallestofwhichwasasbigasahen’segg。Forthreequartersofanhourthestormragedunabatedandnoonewhounderwentiteverforgotit。Marilla，foronceinherlifeshakenoutofhercomposurebysheerterror，kneltbyherrockingchairinacornerofthekitchen，gaspingandsobbingbetweenthedeafeningthunderpeals。Anne，whiteaspaper，haddraggedthesofaawayfromthewindowandsatonitwithatwinoneitherside。Davyatthefirstcrashhadhowled，"Anne，Anne，isittheJudgmentDay？Anne，Anne，Inevermeanttobenaughty，"andthenhadburiedhisfaceinAnne’slapandkeptitthere，hislittlebodyquivering。Dora，somewhatpalebutquitecomposed，satwithherhandclaspedinAnne’s，quietandmotionless。ItisdoubtfulifanearthquakewouldhavedisturbedDora。
　　Then，almostassuddenlyasitbegan，thestormceased。Thehailstopped，thethunderrolledandmutteredawaytotheeastward，andthesunburstoutmerryandradiantoveraworldsochangedthatitseemedanabsurdthingtothinkthatascantthreequartersofanhourcouldhaveeffectedsuchatransformation。
　　Marillarosefromherknees，weakandtrembling，anddroppedonherrocker。
　　Herfacewashaggardandshelookedtenyearsolder。
　　"Haveweallcomeoutofthatalive？"sheaskedsolemnly。
　　"Youbetwehave，"pipedDavycheerfully，quitehisownmanagain。
　　"Iwasn’tabitscaredeither……onlyjustatthefirst。Itcomeonafellowsosudden。ImadeupmymindquickasawinkthatIwouldn’tfightTeddySloaneMondayasI’dpromised；butnowmaybeIwill。
　　Say，Dora，wasyouscared？"
　　"Yes，Iwasalittlescared，"saidDoraprimly，"butIheldtighttoAnne’shandandsaidmyprayersoverandoveragain。"
　　"Well，I’dhavesaidmyprayerstooifI’dhavethoughtofit，"
　　saidDavy；"but，"headdedtriumphantly，"youseeIcamethroughjustassafeasyouforallIdidn’tsaythem。"
　　AnnegotMarillaaglassfulofherpotentcurrantwine……HOW
　　potentitwasAnne，inherearlierdays，hadhadalltoogoodreasontoknow……andthentheywenttothedoortolookoutonthestrangescene。
　　Farandwidewasawhitecarpet，kneedeep，ofhailstones；driftsofthemwereheapedupundertheeavesandonthesteps。When，threeorfourdayslater，thosehailstonesmelted，thehavoctheyhadwroughtwasplainlyseen，foreverygreengrowingthinginthefieldorgardenwascutoff。Notonlywaseveryblossomstrippedfromtheappletreesbutgreatboughsandbrancheswerewrenchedaway。AndoutofthetwohundredtreessetoutbytheImproversbyfarthegreaternumberweresnappedoffortorntoshreds。
　　"Canitpossiblybethesameworlditwasanhourago？"askedAnne，dazedly。"ItMUSThavetakenlongerthanthattoplaysuchhavoc。"
　　"ThelikeofthishasneverbeenknowninPrinceEdwardIsland，"
　　saidMarilla，"never。IrememberwhenIwasagirltherewasabadstorm，butitwasnothingtothis。We’llhearofterribledestruction，youmaybesure。"
　　"Idohopenoneofthechildrenwerecaughtoutinit，"murmuredAnneanxiously。Asitwasdiscoveredlater，noneofthechildrenhadbeen，sinceallthosewhohadanydistancetogohadtakenMr。