Shekneltthere，losttoeverythingbutthelovelinessaroundher，untilshewasstartledbyahandonhershoulder。Marillahadcomeinunheardbythesmalldreamer。
　　"It’stimeyouweredressed，"shesaidcurtly。
　　Marillareallydidnotknowhowtotalktothechild，andheruncomfortableignorancemadehercrispandcurtwhenshedidnotmeantobe。
　　Annestoodupanddrewalongbreath。
　　"Oh，isn’titwonderful？"shesaid，wavingherhandcomprehensivelyatthegoodworldoutside。
　　"It’sabigtree，"saidMarilla，"anditbloomsgreat，butthefruitdon’tamounttomuchnever——smallandwormy。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tmeanjustthetree；ofcourseit’slovely——yes，it’sRADIANTLYlovely——itbloomsasifitmeantit——butI
　　meanteverything，thegardenandtheorchardandthebrookandthewoods，thewholebigdearworld。Don’tyoufeelasifyoujustlovedtheworldonamorninglikethis？AndI
　　canhearthebrooklaughingallthewayuphere。Haveyouevernoticedwhatcheerfulthingsbrooksare？They’realwayslaughing。Eveninwinter-timeI’veheardthemundertheice。I’msogladthere’sabrooknearGreenGables。
　　Perhapsyouthinkitdoesn’tmakeanydifferencetomewhenyou’renotgoingtokeepme，butitdoes。IshallalwaysliketorememberthatthereisabrookatGreenGablesevenifIneverseeitagain。Iftherewasn’tabrookI’dbeHAUNTEDbytheuncomfortablefeelingthatthereoughttobeone。I’mnotinthedepthsofdespairthismorning。I
　　nevercanbeinthemorning。Isn’titasplendidthingthattherearemornings？ButIfeelverysad。I’vejustbeenimaginingthatitwasreallymeyouwantedafterallandthatIwastostayhereforeverandever。Itwasagreatcomfortwhileitlasted。Buttheworstofimaginingthingsisthatthetimecomeswhenyouhavetostopandthathurts。"
　　"You’dbettergetdressedandcomedown-stairsandnevermindyourimaginings，"saidMarillaassoonasshecouldgetawordinedgewise。"Breakfastiswaiting。Washyourfaceandcombyourhair。Leavethewindowupandturnyourbedclothesbackoverthefootofthebed。Beassmartasyoucan。"
　　Annecouldevidentlybesmartsosomepurposeforshewasdown-stairsintenminutes’time，withherclothesneatlyon，herhairbrushedandbraided，herfacewashed，andacomfortableconsciousnesspervadinghersoulthatshehadfulfilledallMarilla’srequirements。Asamatteroffact，however，shehadforgottentoturnbackthebedclothes。
　　"I’mprettyhungrythismorning，"sheannouncedassheslippedintothechairMarillaplacedforher。"Theworlddoesn’tseemsuchahowlingwildernessasitdidlastnight。
　　I’msogladit’sasunshinymorning。ButIlikerainymorningsrealwell，too。Allsortsofmorningsareinteresting，don’tyouthink？Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappenthroughtheday，andthere’ssomuchscopeforimagination。ButI’mgladit’snotrainytodaybecauseit’seasiertobecheerfulandbearupunderafflictiononasunshinyday。IfeelthatIhaveagooddealtobearupunder。It’sallverywelltoreadaboutsorrowsandimagineyourselflivingthroughthemheroically，butit’snotsonicewhenyoureallycometohavethem，isit？"
　　"Forpity’ssakeholdyourtongue，"saidMarilla。"Youtalkentirelytoomuchforalittlegirl。"
　　ThereuponAnneheldhertonguesoobedientlyandthoroughlythathercontinuedsilencemadeMarillarathernervous，asifinthepresenceofsomethingnotexactlynatural。
　　Matthewalsoheldhistongue，——butthiswasnatural，——sothatthemealwasaverysilentone。
　　AsitprogressedAnnebecamemoreandmoreabstracted，eatingmechanically，withherbigeyesfixedunswervinglyandunseeinglyontheskyoutsidethewindow。ThismadeMarillamorenervousthanever；shehadanuncomfortablefeelingthatwhilethisoddchild’sbodymightbethereatthetableherspiritwasfarawayinsomeremoteairycloudland，bornealoftonthewingsofimagination。Whowouldwantsuchachildabouttheplace？
　　YetMatthewwishedtokeepher，ofallunaccountablethings！
　　Marillafeltthathewanteditjustasmuchthismorningashehadthenightbefore，andthathewouldgoonwantingit。
　　ThatwasMatthew’sway——takeawhimintohisheadandclingtoitwiththemostamazingsilentpersistency——apersistencytentimesmorepotentandeffectualinitsverysilencethanifhehadtalkeditout。
　　WhenthemealwasendedAnnecameoutofherreverieandofferedtowashthedishes。
　　"Canyouwashdishesright？"askedMarilladistrustfully。
　　"Prettywell。I’mbetteratlookingafterchildren，though。
　　I’vehadsomuchexperienceatthat。It’ssuchapityyouhaven’tanyhereformetolookafter。"
　　"Idon’tfeelasifIwantedanymorechildrentolookafterthanI’vegotatpresent。YOU’REproblemenoughinallconscience。What’stobedonewithyouIdon’tknow。
　　Matthewisamostridiculousman。"
　　"Ithinkhe’slovely，"saidAnnereproachfully。"Heissoverysympathetic。Hedidn’tmindhowmuchItalked——heseemedtolikeit。IfeltthathewasakindredspiritassoonaseverIsawhim。"
　　"You’rebothqueerenough，ifthat’swhatyoumeanbykindredspirits，"saidMarillawithasniff。"Yes，youmaywashthedishes。Takeplentyofhotwater，andbesureyoudrythemwell。I’vegotenoughtoattendtothismorningforI’llhavetodriveovertoWhiteSandsintheafternoonandseeMrs。Spencer。You’llcomewithmeandwe’llsettlewhat’stobedonewithyou。Afteryou’vefinishedthedishesgoup-stairsandmakeyourbed。"
　　Annewashedthedishesdeftlyenough，asMarillawhokeptasharpeyeontheprocess，discerned。Lateronshemadeherbedlesssuccessfully，forshehadneverlearnedtheartofwrestlingwithafeathertick。Butiswasdonesomehowandsmootheddown；andthenMarilla，togetridofher，toldhershemightgoout-of-doorsandamuseherselfuntildinnertime。
　　Anneflewtothedoor，facealight，eyesglowing。Ontheverythresholdshestoppedshort，wheeledabout，camebackandsatdownbythetable，lightandglowaseffectuallyblottedoutasifsomeonehadclappedanextinguisheronher。
　　"What’sthematternow？"demandedMarilla。
　　"Idon’tdaregoout，"saidAnne，inthetoneofamartyrrelinquishingallearthlyjoys。"IfIcan’tstayherethereisnouseinmylovingGreenGables。AndifIgooutthereandgetacquaintedwithallthosetreesandflowersandtheorchardandthebrookI’llnotbeabletohelplovingit。
　　It’shardenoughnow，soIwon’tmakeitanyharder。Iwanttogooutsomuch——everythingseemstobecallingtome，`Anne，Anne，comeouttous。Anne，Anne，wewantaplaymate’——butit’sbetternot。Thereisnouseinlovingthingsifyouhavetobetornfromthem，isthere？Andit’ssohardtokeepfromlovingthings，isn’tit？ThatwaswhyIwassogladwhenIthoughtIwasgoingtolivehere。I
　　thoughtI’dhavesomanythingstoloveandnothingtohinderme。Butthatbriefdreamisover。Iamresignedtomyfatenow，soIdon’tthinkI’llgooutforfearI’llgetunresignedagain。Whatisthenameofthatgeraniumonthewindow-sill，please？"
　　"That’stheapple-scentedgeranium。"
　　"Oh，Idon’tmeanthatsortofaname。Imeanjustanameyougaveityourself。Didn’tyougiveitaname？MayI
　　giveitonethen？MayIcallit——letmesee——Bonnywoulddo——mayIcallitBonnywhileI’mhere？Oh，doletme！"
　　"Goodness，Idon’tcare。Butwhereonearthisthesenseofnamingageranium？"
　　"Oh，Ilikethingstohavehandleseveniftheyareonlygeraniums。Itmakesthemseemmorelikepeople。Howdoyouknowbutthatithurtsageranium’sfeelingsjusttobecalledageraniumandnothingelse？Youwouldn’tliketobecallednothingbutawomanallthetime。Yes，IshallcallitBonny。Inamedthatcherry-treeoutsidemybedroomwindowthismorning。IcalleditSnowQueenbecauseitwassowhite。Ofcourse，itwon’talwaysbeinblossom，butonecanimaginethatitis，can’tone？"
　　"Ineverinallmylifesayorheardanythingtoequalher，"
　　mutteredMarilla，beatingaretreatdowntothecellarafterpotatoes。"SheiskindofinterestingasMatthewsays。I
　　canfeelalreadythatI’mwonderingwhatonearthshe’llsaynext。She’llbecastingaspelloverme，too。She’scastitoverMatthew。Thatlookhegavemewhenhewentoutsaideverythinghesaidorhintedlastnightoveragain。Iwishhewaslikeothermenandwouldtalkthingsout。Abodycouldanswerbackthenandarguehimintoreason。Butwhat’stobedonewithamanwhojustLOOKS？"
　　Annehadrelapsedintoreverie，withherchininherhandsandhereyesonthesky，whenMarillareturnedfromhercellarpilgrimage。ThereMarillaleftheruntiltheearlydinnerwasonthetable。
　　"IsupposeIcanhavethemareandbuggythisafternoon，Matthew？"saidMarilla。
　　MatthewnoddedandlookedwistfullyatAnne。Marillainterceptedthelookandsaidgrimly:
　　"I’mgoingtodriveovertoWhiteSandsandsettlethisthing。I’lltakeAnnewithmeandMrs。SpencerwillprobablymakearrangementstosendherbacktoNovaScotiaatonce。I’llsetyourteaoutforyouandI’llbehomeintimetomilkthecows。"
　　StillMatthewsaidnothingandMarillahadasenseofhavingwastedwordsandbreath。Thereisnothingmoreaggravatingthanamanwhowon’ttalkback——unlessitisawomanwhowon’t。
　　MatthewhitchedthesorrelintothebuggyinduetimeandMarillaandAnnesetoff。Matthewopenedtheyardgateforthemandastheydroveslowlythrough，hesaid，tonobodyinparticularasitseemed:
　　"LittleJerryBuotefromtheCreekwasherethismorning，andItoldhimIguessedI’dhirehimforthesummer。"
　　Marillamadenoreply，butshehittheunluckysorrelsuchaviciousclipwiththewhipthatthefatmare，unusedtosuchtreatment，whizzedindignantlydownthelaneatanalarmingpace。MarillalookedbackonceasthebuggybouncedalongandsawthataggravatingMatthewleaningoverthegate，lookingwistfullyafterthem。
　　CHAPTERV
　　Anne’sHistory"Doyouknow，"saidAnneconfidentially，"I’vemadeupmymindtoenjoythisdrive。It’sbeenmyexperiencethatyoucannearlyalwaysenjoythingsifyoumakeupyourmindfirmlythatyouwill。Ofcourse，youmustmakeitupFIRMLY。Iamnotgoingtothinkaboutgoingbacktotheasylumwhilewe’rehavingourdrive。I’mjustgoingtothinkaboutthedrive。Oh，look，there’sonelittleearlywildroseout！Isn’titlovely？Don’tyouthinkitmustbegladtobearose？Wouldn’titbeniceifrosescouldtalk？
　　I’msuretheycouldtellussuchlovelythings。Andisn’tpinkthemostbewitchingcolorintheworld？Iloveit，butIcan’twearit。Redheadedpeoplecan’twearpink，noteveninimagination。Didyoueverknowofanybodywhosehairwasredwhenshewasyoung，butgottobeanothercolorwhenshegrewup？"
　　"No，Idon’tknowasIeverdid，"saidMarillamercilessly，"andIshouldn’tthinkitlikelytohappeninyourcaseeither。"
　　Annesighed。
　　"Well，thatisanotherhopegone。`Mylifeisaperfectgraveyardofburiedhopes。’That’sasentenceIreadinabookonce，andIsayitovertocomfortmyselfwheneverI’mdisappointedinanything。"
　　"Idon’tseewherethecomfortingcomesinmyself，"
　　saidMarilla。
　　"Why，becauseitsoundssoniceandromantic，justasifIwereaheroineinabook，youknow。Iamsofondofromanticthings，andagraveyardfullofburiedhopesisaboutasromanticathingasonecanimagineisn’tit？I’mrathergladIhaveone。ArewegoingacrosstheLakeofShiningWaterstoday？"
　　"We’renotgoingoverBarry’spond，ifthat’swhatyoumeanbyyourLakeofShiningWaters。We’regoingbytheshoreroad。"
　　"Shoreroadsoundsnice，"saidAnnedreamily。"Isitasniceasitsounds？Justwhenyousaid`shoreroad’Isawitinapictureinmymind，asquickasthat！AndWhiteSandsisaprettyname，too；butIdon’tlikeitaswellasAvonlea。Avonleaisalovelyname。Itjustsoundslikemusic。HowfarisittoWhiteSands？"
　　"It’sfivemiles；andasyou’reevidentlybentontalkingyoumightaswelltalktosomepurposebytellingmewhatyouknowaboutyourself。"
　　"Oh，whatIKNOWaboutmyselfisn’treallyworthtelling，"
　　saidAnneeagerly。"Ifyou’llonlyletmetellyouwhatIIMAGINEaboutmyselfyou’llthinkiteversomuchmoreinteresting。"
　　"No，Idon’twantanyofyourimaginings。Justyousticktobaldfacts。Beginatthebeginning。Wherewereyoubornandhowoldareyou？"
　　"IwaselevenlastMarch，"saidAnne，resigningherselftobaldfactswithalittlesigh。"AndIwasborninBolingbroke，NovaScotia。Myfather’snamewasWalterShirley，andhewasateacherintheBolingbrokeHighSchool。Mymother’snamewasBerthaShirley。Aren’tWalterandBerthalovelynames？I’msogladmyparentshadnicenames。Itwouldbearealdisgracetohaveafathernamed——well，sayJedediah，wouldn’tit？"
　　"Iguessitdoesn’tmatterwhataperson’snameisaslongashebehaveshimself，"saidMarilla，feelingherselfcalledupontoinculcateagoodandusefulmoral。
　　"Well，Idon’tknow。"Annelookedthoughtful。"Ireadinabookoncethatarosebyanyothernamewouldsmellassweet，butI’veneverbeenabletobelieveit。Idon’tbelievearoseWOULDbeasniceifitwascalledathistleoraskunkcabbage。IsupposemyfathercouldhavebeenagoodmanevenifhehadbeencalledJedediah；butI’msureitwouldhavebeenacross。Well，mymotherwasateacherintheHighschool，too，butwhenshemarriedfathershegaveupteaching，ofcourse。Ahusbandwasenoughresponsibility。Mrs。Thomassaidthattheywereapairofbabiesandaspooraschurchmice。Theywenttoliveinaweeny-teenylittleyellowhouseinBolingbroke。
　　I’veneverseenthathouse，butI’veimagineditthousandsoftimes。Ithinkitmusthavehadhoneysuckleovertheparlorwindowandlilacsinthefrontyardandliliesofthevalleyjustinsidethegate。Yes，andmuslincurtainsinallthewindows。Muslincurtainsgiveahousesuchanair。
　　Iwasborninthathouse。Mrs。ThomassaidIwasthehomeliestbabysheeversaw，Iwassoscrawnyandtinyandnothingbuteyes，butthatmotherthoughtIwasperfectlybeautiful。Ishouldthinkamotherwouldbeabetterjudgethanapoorwomanwhocameintoscrub，wouldn’tyou？I’mgladshewassatisfiedwithmeanyhow，IwouldfeelsosadifIthoughtIwasadisappointmenttoher——becauseshedidn’tliveverylongafterthat，yousee。
　　ShediedoffeverwhenIwasjustthreemonthsold。Idowishshe’dlivedlongenoughformetoremembercallinghermother。Ithinkitwouldbesosweettosay`mother，’
　　don’tyou？Andfatherdiedfourdaysafterwardsfromfevertoo。Thatleftmeanorphanandfolkswereattheirwits’end，soMrs。Thomassaid，whattodowithme。Yousee，nobodywantedmeeventhen。Itseemstobemyfate。
　　Fatherandmotherhadbothcomefromplacesfarawayanditwaswellknowntheyhadn’tanyrelativesliving。
　　FinallyMrs。Thomassaidshe’dtakeme，thoughshewaspoorandhadadrunkenhusband。Shebroughtmeupbyhand。Doyouknowifthereisanythinginbeingbroughtupbyhandthatoughttomakepeoplewhoarebroughtupthatwaybetterthanotherpeople？BecausewheneverI
　　wasnaughtyMrs。ThomaswouldaskmehowIcouldbesuchabadgirlwhenshehadbroughtmeupbyhand——
　　reproachful-like。
　　"Mr。andMrs。ThomasmovedawayfromBolingbroketoMarysville，andIlivedwiththemuntilIwaseightyearsold。IhelpedlookaftertheThomaschildren——therewerefourofthemyoungerthanme——andIcantellyoutheytookalotoflookingafter。ThenMr。ThomaswaskilledfallingunderatrainandhismotherofferedtotakeMrs。Thomasandthechildren，butshedidn’twantme。
　　Mrs。ThomaswasatHERwits’end，soshesaid，whattodowithme。ThenMrs。Hammondfromuptherivercamedownandsaidshe’dtakeme，seeingIwashandywithchildren，andIwentuptherivertolivewithherinalittleclearingamongthestumps。Itwasaverylonesomeplace。I’msureIcouldneverhavelivedthereifIhadn’thadanimagination。Mr。Hammondworkedalittlesawmillupthere，andMrs。Hammondhadeightchildren。Shehadtwinsthreetimes。Ilikebabiesinmoderation，buttwinsthreetimesinsuccessionisTOOMUCH。ItoldMrs。
　　Hammondsofirmly，whenthelastpaircame。Iusedtogetsodreadfullytiredcarryingthemabout。
　　"IlivedupriverwithMrs。Hammondovertwoyears，andthenMr。HammonddiedandMrs。Hammondbrokeuphousekeeping。ShedividedherchildrenamongherrelativesandwenttotheStates。IhadtogototheasylumatHopeton，becausenobodywouldtakeme。Theydidn’twantmeattheasylum，either；theysaidtheywereover-
　　crowdedasitwas。ButtheyhadtotakemeandIwastherefourmonthsuntilMrs。Spencercame。"
　　Annefinishedupwithanothersigh，ofreliefthistime。
　　Evidentlyshedidnotliketalkingaboutherexperiencesinaworldthathadnotwantedher。
　　"Didyouevergotoschool？"demandedMarilla，turningthesorrelmaredowntheshoreroad。
　　"Notagreatdeal。IwentalittlethelastyearIstayedwithMrs。Thomas。WhenIwentupriverweweresofarfromaschoolthatIcouldn’twalkitinwinterandtherewasavacationinsummer，soIcouldonlygointhespringandfall。ButofcourseIwentwhileIwasattheasylum。
　　IcanreadprettywellandIknoweversomanypiecesofpoetryoffbyheart——`TheBattleofHohenlinden’and`EdinburghafterFlodden，’and`BingenoftheRhine，’andlostofthe`LadyoftheLake’andmostof`TheSeasons’byJamesThompson。Don’tyoujustlovepoetrythatgivesyouacrinklyfeelingupanddownyourback？ThereisapieceintheFifthReader——`TheDownfallofPoland’——thatisjustfullofthrills。Ofcourse，Iwasn’tintheFifthReader——IwasonlyintheFourth——butthebiggirlsusedtolendmetheirstoread。"
　　"Werethosewomen——Mrs。ThomasandMrs。Hammond——goodtoyou？"askedMarilla，lookingatAnneoutofthecornerofhereye。
　　"O-o-o-h，"falteredAnne。Hersensitivelittlefacesuddenlyflushedscarletandembarrassmentsatonherbrow。
　　"Oh，theyMEANTtobe——Iknowtheymeanttobejustasgoodandkindaspossible。Andwhenpeoplemeantobegoodtoyou，youdon’tmindverymuchwhenthey’renotquite——always。Theyhadagooddealtoworrythem，youknow。It’sverytryingtohaveadrunkenhusband，yousee；
　　anditmustbeverytryingtohavetwinsthreetimesinsuccession，don’tyouthink？ButIfeelsuretheymeanttobegoodtome。"
　　Marillaaskednomorequestions。AnnegaveherselfuptoasilentraptureovertheshoreroadandMarillaguidedthesorrelabstractedlywhileshepondereddeeply。Pitywassuddenlystirringinherheartforthechild。Whatastarved，unlovedlifeshehadhad——alifeofdrudgeryandpovertyandneglect；forMarillawasshrewdenoughtoreadbetweenthelinesofAnne’shistoryanddivinethetruth。Nowondershehadbeensodelightedattheprospectofarealhome。Itwasapityshehadtobesentback。
　　Whatifshe，Marilla，shouldindulgeMatthew’sunaccountablewhimandletherstay？Hewassetonit；andthechildseemedanice，teachablelittlething。
　　"She’sgottoomuchtosay，"thoughtMarilla，"butshemightbetrainedoutofthat。Andthere’snothingrudeorslangyinwhatshedoessay。She’sladylike。It’slikelyherpeoplewerenicefolks。"
　　Theshoreroadwas"woodsyandwildandlonesome。"
　　Ontherighthand，scrubfirs，theirspiritsquiteunbrokenbylongyearsoftusslewiththegulfwinds，grewthickly。
　　Ontheleftwerethesteepredsandstonecliffs，sonearthetrackinplacesthatamareoflesssteadinessthanthesorrelmighthavetriedthenervesofthepeoplebehindher。Downatthebaseofthecliffswereheapsofsurf-wornrocksorlittlesandycovesinlaidwithpebblesaswithoceanjewels；beyondlaythesea，shimmeringandblue，andoveritsoaredthegulls，theirpinionsflashingsilveryinthesunlight。
　　"Isn’ttheseawonderful？"saidAnne，rousingfromalong，wide-eyedsilence。"Once，whenIlivedinMarysville，Mr。Thomashiredanexpresswagonandtookusalltospendthedayattheshoretenmilesaway。Ienjoyedeverymomentofthatday，evenifIhadtolookafterthechildrenallthetime。Iliveditoverinhappydreamsforyears。ButthisshoreisnicerthantheMarysvilleshore。
　　Aren’tthosegullssplendid？Wouldyouliketobeagull？
　　IthinkIwould——thatis，ifIcouldn’tbeahumangirl。
　　Don’tyouthinkitwouldbenicetowakeupatsunriseandswoopdownoverthewaterandawayoutoverthatlovelyblueallday；andthenatnighttoflybacktoone’snest？
　　Oh，Icanjustimaginemyselfdoingit。Whatbighouseisthatjustahead，please？"
　　"That’stheWhiteSandsHotel。Mr。Kirkerunsit，buttheseasonhasn’tbegunyet。ThereareheapsofAmericanscomethereforthesummer。Theythinkthisshoreisjustaboutright。"
　　"IwasafraiditmightbeMrs。Spencer’splace，"saidAnnemournfully。"Idon’twanttogetthere。Somehow，itwillseemliketheendofeverything。"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　MarillaMakesUpHerMindGettheretheydid，however，indueseason。Mrs。SpencerlivedinabigyellowhouseatWhiteSandsCove，andshecametothedoorwithsurpriseandwelcomemingledonherbenevolentface。
　　"Dear，dear，"sheexclaimed，"you’rethelastfolksIwaslookingfortoday，butI’mrealgladtoseeyou。You’llputyourhorsein？Andhowareyou，Anne？"
　　"I’maswellascanbeexpected，thankyou，"saidAnnesmilelessly。Ablightseemedtohavedescendedonher。
　　"Isupposewe’llstayalittlewhiletorestthemare，"
　　saidMarilla，"butIpromisedMatthewI’dbehomeearly。
　　Thefactis，Mrs。Spencer，there’sbeenaqueermistakesomewhere，andI’vecomeovertoseewhereitis。Wesendword，MatthewandI，foryoutobringusaboyfromtheasylum。WetoldyourbrotherRoberttotellyouwewantedaboytenorelevenyearsold。"
　　"MarillaCuthbert，youdon’tsayso！"saidMrs。Spencerindistress。"Why，RobertsentworddownbyhisdaughterNancyandshesaidyouwantedagirl——didn’tsheFloraJane？"appealingtoherdaughterwhohadcomeouttothesteps。
　　"Shecertainlydid，MissCuthbert，"corroboratedFloraJaneearnestly。
　　I’mdreadfulsorry，"saidMrs。Spencer。"It’stoobad；
　　butitcertainlywasn’tmyfault，yousee，MissCuthbert。
　　IdidthebestIcouldandIthoughtIwasfollowingyourinstructions。Nancyisaterribleflightything。I’veoftenhadtoscoldherwellforherheedlessness。"
　　"Itwasourownfault，"saidMarillaresignedly。"Weshouldhavecometoyouourselvesandnotleftanimportantmessagetobepassedalongbywordofmouthinthatfashion。Anyhow，themistakehasbeenmadeandtheonlythingtodoistosetitright。Canwesendthechildbacktotheasylum？Isupposethey’lltakeherback，won’tthey？"
　　"Isupposeso，"saidMrs。Spencerthoughtfully，"butI
　　don’tthinkitwillbenecessarytosendherback。Mrs。
　　PeterBlewettwasuphereyesterday，andshewassayingtomehowmuchshewishedshe’dsentbymeforalittlegirltohelpher。Mrs。Peterhasalargefamily，youknow，andshefindsithardtogethelp。Annewillbetheverygirlforyou。Icallitpositivelyprovidential。"
　　MarilladidnotlookasifshethoughtProvidencehadmuchtodowiththematter。Herewasanunexpectedlygoodchancetogetthisunwelcomeorphanoffherhands，andshedidnotevenfeelgratefulforit。
　　SheknewMrs。PeterBlewettonlybysightasasmall，shrewish-facedwomanwithoutanounceofsuperfluousfleshonherbones。Butshehadheardofher。"Aterribleworkeranddriver，"Mrs。Peterwassaidtobe；anddischargedservantgirlstoldfearsometalesofhertemperandstinginess，andherfamilyofpert，quarrelsomechildren。MarillafeltaqualmofconscienceatthethoughtofhandingAnneovertohertendermercies。
　　"Well，I’llgoinandwe’lltalkthematterover，"shesaid。
　　"Andifthereisn’tMrs。Petercomingupthelanethisblessedminute！"exclaimedMrs。Spencer，bustlinghergueststhroughthehallintotheparlor，whereadeadlychillstruckonthemasiftheairhadbeenstrainedsolongthroughdarkgreen，closelydrawnblindsthatithadlosteveryparticleofwarmthithadeverpossessed。"Thatisreallucky，forwecansettlethematterrightaway。Takethearmchair，MissCuthbert。Anne，yousithereontheottomananddon’twiggle。Letmetakeyourhats。FloraJane，gooutandputthekettleon。Goodafternoon，Mrs。
　　Blewett。Wewerejustsayinghowfortunateitwasyouhappenedalong。Letmeintroduceyoutwoladies。Mrs。
　　Blewett，MissCuthbert。Pleaseexcusemeforjustamoment。
　　IforgottotellFloraJanetotakethebunsoutoftheoven。"
　　Mrs。Spencerwhiskedaway，afterpullinguptheblinds。
　　Annesittingmutelyontheottoman，withherhandsclaspedtightlyinherlap，staredatMrsBlewettasonefascinated。Wasshetobegivenintothekeepingofthissharp-faced，sharp-eyedwoman？Shefeltalumpcomingupinherthroatandhereyessmartedpainfully。Shewasbeginningtobeafraidshecouldn’tkeepthetearsbackwhenMrs。Spencerreturned，flushedandbeaming，quitecapableoftakinganyandeverydifficulty，physical，mentalorspiritual，intoconsiderationandsettlingitoutofhand。
　　"Itseemsthere’sbeenamistakeaboutthislittlegirl，Mrs。Blewett，"shesaid。"IwasundertheimpressionthatMr。andMissCuthbertwantedalittlegirltoadopt。Iwascertainlytoldso。Butitseemsitwasaboytheywanted。
　　Soifyou’restillofthesamemindyouwereyesterday，I
　　thinkshe’llbejustthethingforyou。"
　　Mrs。BlewettdartedhereyesoverAnnefromheadtofoot。
　　"Howoldareyouandwhat’syourname？"shedemanded。
　　"AnneShirley，"falteredtheshrinkingchild，notdaringtomakeanystipulationsregardingthespellingthereof，"andI’melevenyearsold。"
　　"Humph！Youdon’tlookasiftherewasmuchtoyou。
　　Butyou’rewiry。Idon’tknowbutthewiryonesarethebestafterall。Well，ifItakeyouyou’llhavetobeagoodgirl，youknow——goodandsmartandrespectful。I’llexpectyoutoearnyourkeep，andnomistakeaboutthat。
　　Yes，IsupposeImightaswelltakeheroffyourhands，MissCuthbert。Thebaby’sawfulfractious，andI’mcleanwornoutattendingtohim。IfyoulikeIcantakeherrighthomenow。"
　　MarillalookedatAnneandsoftenedatsightofthechild’spalefacewithitslookofmutemisery——themiseryofahelplesslittlecreaturewhofindsitselfoncemorecaughtinthetrapfromwhichithadescaped。Marillafeltanuncomfortableconvictionthat，ifshedeniedtheappealofthatlook，itwouldhaunthertoherdyingday。More-
　　over，shedidnotfancyMrs。Blewett。Tohandasensitive，"highstrung"childovertosuchawoman！No，shecouldnottaketheresponsibilityofdoingthat！
　　"Well，Idon’tknow，"shesaidslowly。"Ididn’tsaythatMatthewandIhadabsolutelydecidedthatwewouldn’tkeepher。InfactImaysaythatMatthewisdisposedtokeepher。Ijustcameovertofindouthowthemistakehadoccurred。IthinkI’dbettertakeherhomeagainandtalkitoverwithMatthew。IfeelthatIoughtn’ttodecideonanythingwithoutconsultinghim。Ifwemakeupourmindnottokeepherwe’llbringorsendherovertoyoutomorrownight。Ifwedon’tyoumayknowthatsheisgoingtostaywithus。Willthatsuityou，Mrs。Blewett？"
　　"Isupposeit’llhaveto，"saidMrs。Blewettungraciously。
　　DuringMarilla’sspeechasunrisehadbeendawningonAnne’sface。Firstthelookofdespairfadedout；thencameafaintflushofhope；hereeyesgrewdeepandbrightasmorningstars。Thechildwasquitetransfigured；and，amomentlater，whenMrs。SpencerandMrs。BlewettwentoutinquestofarecipethelatterhadcometoborrowshesprangupandflewacrosstheroomtoMarilla。
　　"Oh，MissCuthbert，didyoureallysaythatperhapsyouwouldletmestayatGreenGables？"shesaid，inabreathlesswhisper，asifspeakingaloudmightshatterthegloriouspossibility。
　　"Didyoureallysayit？OrdidIonlyimaginethatyoudid？"
　　"Ithinkyou’dbetterlearntocontrolthatimaginationofyours，Anne，ifyoucan’tdistinguishbetweenwhatisrealandwhatisn’t，"saidMarillacrossly。"Yes，youdidhearmesayjustthatandnomore。Itisn’tdecidedyetandperhapswewillconcludetoletMrs。Blewetttakeyouafterall。ShecertainlyneedsyoumuchmorethanIdo。"
　　"I’drathergobacktotheasylumthangotolivewithher，"saidAnnepassionately。"Shelooksexactlylikea——likeagimlet。"
　　MarillasmotheredasmileundertheconvictionthatAnnemustbereprovedforsuchaspeech。
　　"Alittlegirllikeyoushouldbeashamedoftalkingsoaboutaladyandastranger，"shesaidseverely。"Gobackandsitdownquietlyandholdyourtongueandbehaveasagoodgirlshould。"
　　"I’lltrytodoandbeanythingyouwantme，ifyou’llonlykeepme，"saidAnne，returningmeeklytoherottoman。
　　WhentheyarrivedbackatGreenGablesthateveningMatthewmettheminthelane。Marillafromafarhadnotedhimprowlingalongitandguessedhismotive。ShewaspreparedforthereliefshereadinhisfacewhenhesawthatshehadatleastbroughtbackAnnebackwithher。Butshesaidnothing，tohim，relativetotheaffair，untiltheywerebothoutintheyardbehindthebarnmilkingthecows。ThenshebrieflytoldhimAnne’shistoryandtheresultoftheinterviewwithMrs。Spencer。
　　"Iwouldn’tgiveadogIlikedtothatBlewettwoman，"
　　saidMatthewwithunusualvim。"
　　"Idon’tfancyherstylemyself，"admittedMarilla，"butit’sthatorkeepingherourselves，Matthew。Andsinceyouseemtowanther，IsupposeI’mwilling——orhavetobe。I’vebeenthinkingovertheideauntilI’vegotkindofusedtoit。Itseemsasortofduty。I’veneverbroughtupachild，especiallyagirl，andIdaresayI’llmakeaterriblemessofit。ButI’lldomybest。SofarasI’mconcerned，Matthew，shemaystay。"
　　Matthew’sshyfacewasaglowofdelight。
　　"Wellnow，Ireckonedyou’dcometoseeitinthatlight，Marilla，"hesaid。"She’ssuchaninterestinglittlething。"
　　"It’dbemoretothepointifyoucouldsayshewasausefullittlething，"retortedMarilla，"butI’llmakeitmybusinesstoseeshe’strainedtobethat。Andmind，Matthew，you’renottogointerferingwithmymethods。
　　Perhapsanoldmaiddoesn’tknowmuchaboutbringingupachild，butIguesssheknowsmorethananoldbachelor。
　　Soyoujustleavemetomanageher。WhenIfailit’llbetimeenoughtoputyouroarin。"
　　"There，there，Marilla，youcanhaveyourownway，"saidMatthewreassuringly。"Onlybeasgoodandkindtoherasyoucanwithoutspoilingher。Ikindofthinkshe’soneofthesortyoucandoanythingwithifyouonlygethertoloveyou。"
　　Marillasniffed，toexpresshercontemptforMatthew’sopinionsconcerninganythingfeminine，andwalkedofftothedairywiththepails。
　　"Iwon’ttellhertonightthatshecanstay，"shereflected，asshestrainedthemilkintothecreamers。"She’dbesoexcitedthatshewouldn’tsleepawink。MarillaCuthbert，you’refairlyinforit。Didyoueversupposeyou’dseethedaywhenyou’dbeadoptinganorphangirl？It’ssurprisingenough；butnotsosurprisingasthatMatthewshouldbeatthebottomofit，himthatalwaysseemedtohavesuchamortaldreadoflittlegirls。Anyhow，we’vedecidedontheexperimentandgoodnessonlyknowswhatwillcomeofit。"
　　CHAPTERVII
　　AnneSaysHerPrayersWhenMarillatookAnneuptobedthatnightshesaidstiffly:
　　"Now，Anne，Inoticedlastnightthatyouthrewyourclothesallaboutthefloorwhenyoutookthemoff。Thatisaveryuntidyhabit，andIcan’tallowitatall。Assoonasyoutakeoffanyarticleofclothingfolditneatlyandplaceitonthechair。Ihaven’tanyuseatallforlittlegirlswhoaren’tneat。"
　　"IwassoharrowedupinmymindlastnightthatIdidn’tthinkaboutmyclothesatall，"saidAnne。"I’llfoldthemnicelytonight。Theyalwaysmadeusdothatattheasylum。Halfthetime，though，I’dforget，I’dbeinsuchahurrytogetintobedniceandquietandimaginethings。"
　　"You’llhavetorememberalittlebetterifyoustayhere，"
　　admonishedMarilla。"There，thatlookssomethinglike。
　　Sayyourprayersnowandgetintobed。"
　　"Ineversayanyprayers，"announcedAnne。
　　Marillalookedhorrifiedastonishment。
　　"Why，Anne，whatdoyoumean？Wereyounevertaughttosayyourprayers？Godalwayswantslittlegirlstosaytheirprayers。Don’tyouknowwhoGodis，Anne？"
　　"`Godisaspirit，infinite，eternalandunchangeable，inHisbeing，wisdom，power，holiness，justice，goodness，andtruth，’"respondedAnnepromptlyandglibly。
　　Marillalookedratherrelieved。
　　"Soyoudoknowsomethingthen，thankgoodness！You’renotquiteaheathen。Wheredidyoulearnthat？"
　　"Oh，attheasylumSunday-school。Theymadeuslearnthewholecatechism。Ilikeditprettywell。There’ssomethingsplendidaboutsomeofthewords。`Infinite，eternalandunchangeable。’Isn’tthatgrand？Ithassucharolltoit——justlikeabigorganplaying。Youcouldn’tquitecallitpoetry，Isuppose，butitsoundsalotlikeit，doesn’tit？"
　　"We’renottalkingaboutpoetry，Anne——wearetalkingaboutsayingyourprayers。Don’tyouknowit’saterriblewickedthingnottosayyourprayerseverynight？I’mafraidyouareaverybadlittlegirl。"
　　"You’dfinditeasiertobebadthangoodifyouhadredhair，"saidAnnereproachfully。"Peoplewhohaven’tredhairdon’tknowwhattroubleis。Mrs。ThomastoldmethatGodmademyhairredONPURPOSE，andI’venevercaredaboutHimsince。AndanyhowI’dalwaysbetootiredatnighttobothersayingprayers。Peoplewhohavetolookaftertwinscan’tbeexpectedtosaytheirprayers。Now，doyouhonestlythinktheycan？"
　　MarilladecidedthatAnne’sreligioustrainingmustbebegunatonce。Plainlytherewasnotimetobelost。
　　"Youmustsayyourprayerswhileyouareundermyroof，Anne。"
　　"Why，ofcourse，ifyouwantmeto，"assentedAnnecheerfully。
　　"I’ddoanythingtoobligeyou。Butyou’llhavetotellmewhattosayforthisonce。AfterIgetintobedI’llimagineoutarealniceprayertosayalways。Ibelievethatitwillbequiteinteresting，nowthatIcometothinkofit。"
　　"Youmustkneeldown，"saidMarillainembarrassment。
　　AnnekneltatMarilla’skneeandlookedupgravely。
　　"Whymustpeoplekneeldowntopray？"IfIreallywantedtoprayI’lltellyouwhatI’ddo。I’dgooutintoagreatbigfieldallaloneorintothedeep，deep，woods，andI’dlookupintothesky——up——up——up——intothatlovelyblueskythatlooksasiftherewasnoendtoitsblueness。AndthenI’djustFEELaprayer。Well，I’mready。WhatamItosay？"
　　Marillafeltmoreembarrassedthanever。ShehadintendedtoteachAnnethechildishclassic，"NowIlaymedowntosleep。"Butshehad，asIhavetoldyou，theglimmeringsofasenseofhumor——whichissimplyanothernameforasenseoffitnessofthings；anditsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatthatsimplelittleprayer，sacredtowhite-robedchildhoodlispingatmotherlyknees，wasentirelyunsuitedtothisfreckledwitchofagirlwhoknewandcarednothingboutGod’slove，sinceshehadneverhadittranslatedtoherthroughthemediumofhumanlove。
　　"You’reoldenoughtoprayforyourself，Anne，"shesaidfinally。"JustthankGodforyourblessingsandaskHimhumblyforthethingsyouwant。"
　　"Well，I’lldomybest，"promisedAnne，buryingherfaceinMarilla’slap。"GraciousheavenlyFather——that’sthewaytheministerssayitinchurch，soIsupposeit’sallrightinprivateprayer，isn’tit？"sheinterjected，liftingherheadforamoment。
　　"GraciousheavenlyFather，IthankTheefortheWhiteWayofDelightandtheLakeofShiningWatersandBonnyandtheSnowQueen。I’mreallyextremelygratefulforthem。Andthat’salltheblessingsIcanthinkofjustnowtothankTheefor。AsforthethingsIwant，they’resonumerousthatitwouldtakeagreatdealoftimetonamethemallsoIwillonlymentionthetwomostimportant。PleaseletmestayatGreenGables；
　　andpleaseletmebegood-lookingwhenIgrowup。
　　Iremain，"Yoursrespectfully，AnneShirley。
　　"There，didIdoallright？"sheaskedeagerly，gettingup。
　　"IcouldhavemadeitmuchmorefloweryifI’dhadalittlemoretimetothinkitover。"
　　PoorMarillawasonlypreservedfromcompletecollapsebyrememberingthatitwasnotirreverence，butsimplyspiritualignoranceonthepartofAnnethatwasresponsibleforthisextraordinarypetition。Shetuckedthechildupinbed，mentallyvowingthatsheshouldbetaughtaprayertheverynextday，andwasleavingtheroomwiththelightwhenAnnecalledherback。
　　"I’vejustthoughtofitnow。Ishouldhavesaid，`Amen’inplaceof`yoursrespectfully，’shouldn’tI？——thewaytheministersdo。I’dforgottenit，butIfeltaprayershouldbefinishedoffinsomeway，soIputintheother。Doyousupposeitwillmakeanydifference？"
　　"I——Idon’tsupposeitwill，"saidMarilla。"Gotosleepnowlikeagoodchild。Goodnight。"
　　"Icanonlysaygoodnighttonightwithaclearconscience，"
　　saidAnne，cuddlingluxuriouslydownamongherpillows。
　　Marillaretreatedtothekitchen，setthecandlefirmlyonthetable，andglaredatMatthew。
　　"MatthewCuthbert，it’sabouttimesomebodyadoptedthatchildandtaughthersomething。She’snextdoortoaperfectheathen。Willyoubelievethatsheneversaidaprayerinherlifetilltonight？I’llsendhertothemansetomorrowandborrowthePeepoftheDayseries，that’swhatI’lldo。AndsheshallgotoSunday-schooljustassoonasIcangetsomesuitableclothesmadeforher。IforeseethatIshallhavemyhandsfull。Well，well，wecan’tgetthroughthisworldwithoutourshareoftrouble。I’vehadaprettyeasylifeofitsofar，butmytimehascomeatlastandIsupposeI’lljusthavetomakethebestofit。"
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　Anne’sBringing-upIsBegunForreasonsbestknowntoherself，MarilladidnottellAnnethatshewastostayatGreenGablesuntilthenextafternoon。Duringtheforenoonshekeptthechildbusywithvarioustasksandwatchedoverherwithakeeneyewhileshedidthem。BynoonshehadconcludedthatAnnewassmartandobedient，willingtoworkandquicktolearn；
　　hermostseriousshortcomingseemedtobeatendencytofallintodaydreamsinthemiddleofataskandforgetallaboutituntilsuchtimeasshewassharplyrecalledtoearthbyareprimandoracatastrophe。
　　WhenAnnehadfinishedwashingthedinnerdishesshesuddenlyconfrontedMarillawiththeairandexpressionofonedesperatelydeterminedtolearntheworst。Herthinlittlebodytrembledfromheadtofoot；herfaceflushedandhereyesdilateduntiltheywerealmostblack；sheclaspedherhandstightlyandsaidinanimploringvoice:
　　"Oh，please，MissCuthbert，won’tyoutellmeifyouaregoingtosendmeawayornot？"I’vetriedtobepatientallthemorning，butIreallyfeelthatIcannotbearnotknowinganylonger。
　　It’sadreadfulfeeling。Pleasetellme。"
　　"Youhaven’tscaldedthedishclothincleanhotwaterasI
　　toldyoutodo，"saidMarillaimmovably。"Justgoanddoitbeforeyouaskanymorequestions，Anne。"
　　Annewentandattendedtothedishcloth。ThenshereturnedtoMarillaandfastenedimploringeyesofthelatter’sface。
　　"Well，"saidMarilla，unabletofindanyexcusefordeferringherexplanationlonger，"IsupposeImightaswelltellyou。
　　MatthewandIhavedecidedtokeepyou——thatis，ifyouwilltrytobeagoodlittlegirlandshowyourselfgrateful。
　　Why，child，whateveristhematter？"
　　"I’mcrying，"saidAnneinatoneofbewilderment。"Ican’tthinkwhy。I’mgladasgladcanbe。Oh，GLADdoesn’tseemtherightwordatall。IwasgladabouttheWhiteWayandthecherryblossoms——butthis！Oh，it’ssomethingmorethanglad。I’msohappy。I’lltrytobesogood。Itwillbeuphillwork，Iexpect，forMrs。ThomasoftentoldmeIwasdesperatelywicked。However，I’lldomyverybest。ButcanyoutellmewhyI’mcrying？"
　　"Isupposeit’sbecauseyou’reallexcitedandworkedup，"
　　saidMarilladisapprovingly。"Sitdownonthatchairandtrytocalmyourself。I’mafraidyoubothcryandlaughfartooeasily。Yes，youcanstayhereandwewilltrytodorightbyyou。Youmustgotoschool；butit’sonlyafortnighttillvacationsoitisn’tworthwhileforyoutostartbeforeitopensagaininSeptember。"
　　"WhatamItocallyou？"askedAnne。"ShallIalwayssayMissCuthbert？CanIcallyouAuntMarilla？"
　　"No；you’llcallmejustplainMarilla。I’mnotusedtobeingcalledMissCuthbertanditwouldmakemenervous。"
　　"ItsoundsawfullydisrespectfultojustsayMarilla，"
　　protestedAnne。
　　"Iguessthere’llbenothingdisrespectfulinitifyou’recarefultospeakrespectfully。Everybody，youngandold，inAvonleacallsmeMarillaexcepttheminister。HesaysMissCuthbert——whenhethinksofit。"
　　"I’dlovetocallyouAuntMarilla，"saidAnnewistfully。
　　"I’veneverhadanauntoranyrelationatall——notevenagrandmother。ItwouldmakemefeelasifIreallybelongedtoyou。Can’tIcallyouAuntMarilla？"
　　"No。I’mnotyourauntandIdon’tbelieveincallingpeoplenamesthatdon’tbelongtothem。"
　　"Butwecouldimagineyouweremyaunt。"
　　"Icouldn’t，"saidMarillagrimly。
　　"Doyouneverimaginethingsdifferentfromwhattheyreallyare？"askedAnnewide-eyed。
　　"No。"
　　"Oh！"Annedrewalongbreath。"Oh，Miss——Marilla，howmuchyoumiss！"
　　"Idon’tbelieveinimaginingthingsdifferentfromwhattheyreallyare，"retortedMarilla。"WhentheLordputsusincertaincircumstancesHedoesn’tmeanforustoimaginethemaway。Andthatremindsme。Gointothesittingroom，Anne——besureyourfeetarecleananddon’tletanyfliesin——andbringmeouttheillustratedcardthat’sonthemantelpiece。TheLord’sPrayerisonitandyou’lldevoteyoursparetimethisafternoontolearningitoffbyheart。There’stobenomoreofsuchprayingasIheardlastnight。"
　　"IsupposeIwasveryawkward，"saidAnneapologetically，"butthen，yousee，I’dneverhadanypractice。Youcouldn’treallyexpectapersontoprayverywellthefirsttimeshetried，couldyou？IthoughtoutasplendidprayerafterIwenttobed，justasIpromisedyouIwould。Itwasnearlyaslongasaminister’sandsopoetical。Butwouldyoubelieveit？Icouldn’trememberonewordwhenIwokeupthismorning。AndI’mafraidI’llneverbeabletothinkoutanotheroneasgood。Somehow，thingsneveraresogoodwhenthey’rethoughtoutasecondtime。Haveyouevernoticedthat？"
　　"Hereissomethingforyoutonotice，Anne。WhenItellyoutodoathingIwantyoutoobeymeatonceandnotstandstock-stillanddiscourseaboutit。JustyougoanddoasIbidyou。"
　　Annepromptlydepartedforthesitting-roomacrossthehall；
　　shefailedtoreturn；afterwaitingtenminutesMarillalaiddownherknittingandmarchedafterherwithagrimexpression。
　　ShefoundAnnestandingmotionlessbeforeapicturehangingonthewallbetweenthetwowindows，withhereyesastarwithdreams。Thewhiteandgreenlightstrainedthroughappletreesandclusteringvinesoutsidefellovertheraptlittlefigurewithahalf-unearthlyradiance。
　　"Anne，whateverareyouthinkingof？"demandedMarillasharply。
　　Annecamebacktoearthwithastart。
　　"That，"shesaid，pointingtothepicture——arathervividchromoentitled，"ChristBlessingLittleChildren"——"andI
　　wasjustimaginingIwasoneofthem——thatIwasthelittlegirlinthebluedress，standingoffbyherselfinthecornerasifshedidn’tbelongtoanybody，likeme。Shelookslonelyandsad，don’tyouthink？Iguessshehadn’tanyfatherormotherofherown。Butshewantedtobeblessed，too，soshejustcreptshylyupontheoutsideofthecrowd，hopingnobodywouldnoticeher——exceptHim。I’msureIknowjusthowshefelt。Herheartmusthavebeatandherhandsmusthavegotcold，likeminedidwhenIaskedyouifIcouldstay。ShewasafraidHemightn’tnoticeher。
　　Butit’slikelyHedid，don’tyouthink？I’vebeentryingtoimagineitallout——heredgingalittlenearerallthetimeuntilshewasquiteclosetoHim；andthenHewouldlookatherandputHishandonherhairandoh，suchathrillofjoyaswouldrunoverher！ButIwishtheartisthadn’tpaintedHimsosorrowfullooking。AllHispicturesarelikethat，ifyou’venoticed。ButIdon’tbelieveHecouldreallyhavelookedsosadorthechildrenwouldhavebeenafraidofHim。"
　　"Anne，"saidMarilla，wonderingwhyshehadnotbrokenintothisspeechlongbefore，"youshouldn’ttalkthatway。It’sirreverent——positivelyirreverent。"
　　Anne’seyesmarveled。
　　"Why，Ifeltjustasreverentascouldbe。I’msureI
　　didn’tmeantobeirreverent。"
　　"WellIdon’tsupposeyoudid——butitdoesn’tsoundrighttotalksofamiliarlyaboutsuchthings。Andanotherthing，Anne，whenIsendyouaftersomethingyou’retobringitatonceandnotfallintomooningandimaginingbeforepictures。Rememberthat。Takethatcardandcomerighttothekitchen。Now，sitdowninthecornerandlearnthatprayeroffbyheart。"
　　Annesetthecardupagainstthejugfulofappleblossomsshehadbroughtintodecoratethedinnertable——Marillahadeyedthatdecorationaskance，buthadsaidnothing——
　　proppedherchinonherhands，andfelltostudyingitintentlyforseveralsilentminutes。
　　"Ilikethis，"sheannouncedatlength。"It’sbeautiful。
　　I’vehearditbefore——IheardthesuperintendentoftheasylumSundayschoolsayitoveronce。ButIdidn’tlikeitthen。Hehadsuchacrackedvoiceandheprayeditsomournfully。Ireallyfeltsurehethoughtprayingwasadisagreeableduty。Thisisn’tpoetry，butitmakesmefeeljustthesamewaypoetrydoes。`OurFatherwhoartinheavenhallowedbeThyname。’Thatisjustlikealineofmusic。
　　Oh，I’msogladyouthoughtofmakingmelearnthis，Miss——
　　Marilla。"
　　"Well，learnitandholdyourtongue，"saidMarillashortly。
　　Annetippedthevaseofappleblossomsnearenoughtobestowasoftkissonapink-cuppedbut，andthenstudieddiligentlyforsomemomentslonger。
　　"Marilla，"shedemandedpresently，"doyouthinkthatI
　　shalleverhaveabosomfriendinAvonlea？"
　　"A——awhatkindoffriend？"
　　"Abosomfriend——anintimatefriend，youknow——areallykindredspirittowhomIcanconfidemyinmostsoul。I’vedreamedofmeetingherallmylife。IneverreallysupposedIwould，butsomanyofmyloveliestdreamshavecometrueallatoncethatperhapsthisonewill，too。Doyouthinkit’spossible？"
　　"DianaBarrylivesoveratOrchardSlopeandshe’saboutyourage。She’saverynicelittlegirl，andperhapsshewillbeaplaymateforyouwhenshecomeshome。She’svisitingherauntoveratCarmodyjustnow。You’llhavetobecarefulhowyoubehaveyourself，though。Mrs。Barryisaveryparticularwoman。Shewon’tletDianaplaywithanylittlegirlwhoisn’tniceandgood。"
　　AnnelookedatMarillathroughtheappleblossoms，hereyesaglowwithinterest。
　　"WhatisDianalike？Herhairisn’tred，isit？Oh，Ihopenot。It’sbadenoughtohaveredhairmyself，butI
　　positivelycouldn’tendureitinabosomfriend。"
　　"Dianaisaveryprettylittlegirl。Shehasblackeyesandhairandrosycheeks。Andsheisgoodandsmart，whichisbetterthanbeingpretty。"
　　MarillawasasfondofmoralsastheDuchessinWonderland，andwasfirmlyconvincedthatoneshouldbetackedontoeveryremarkmadetoachildwhowasbeingbroughtup。
　　ButAnnewavedthemoralinconsequentlyasideandseizedonlyonthedelightfulpossibilitiesbeforeit。
　　"Oh，I’msogladshe’spretty。Nexttobeingbeautifuloneself——andthat’simpossibleinmycase——itwouldbebesttohaveabeautifulbosomfriend。WhenIlivedwithMrs。Thomasshehadabookcaseinhersittingroomwithglassdoors。Thereweren’tanybooksinit；Mrs。Thomaskeptherbestchinaandherpreservesthere——whenshehadanypreservestokeep。Oneofthedoorswasbroken。
　　Mr。Thomassmasheditonenightwhenhewasslightlyintoxicated。ButtheotherwaswholeandIusedtopretendthatmyreflectioninitwasanotherlittlegirlwholivedinit。IcalledherKatieMaurice，andwewereveryintimate。Iusedtotalktoherbythehour，especiallyonSunday，andtellhereverything。Katiewasthecomfortandconsolationofmylife。WeusedtopretendthatthebookcasewasenchantedandthatifIonlyknewthespellIcouldopenthedoorandsteprightintotheroomwhereKatieMauricelived，insteadofintoMrs。Thomas’shelvesofpreservesandchina。AndthenKatieMauricewouldhavetakenmebythehandandledmeoutintoawonderfulplace，allflowersandsunshineandfairies，andwewouldhavelivedtherehappyforeverafter。WhenIwenttolivewithMrs。HammonditjustbrokemyhearttoleaveKatieMaurice。
　　Shefeltitdreadfully，too，Iknowshedid，forshewascryingwhenshekissedmegood-byethroughthebookcasedoor。TherewasnobookcaseatMrs。Hammond’s。Butjustuptheriveralittlewayfromthehousetherewasalonggreenlittlevalley，andtheloveliestecholivedthere。
　　Itechoedbackeverywordyousaid，evenifyoudidn’ttalkabitloud。SoIimaginedthatitwasalittlegirlcalledViolettaandweweregreatfriendsandIlovedheralmostaswellasIlovedKatieMaurice——notquite，butalmost，youknow。ThenightbeforeIwenttotheasylumIsaidgood-byetoVioletta，andoh，hergood-byecamebacktomeinsuchsad，sadtones。IhadbecomesoattachedtoherthatIhadn’tthehearttoimagineabosomfriendattheasylum，eveniftherehadbeenanyscopeforimaginationthere。"
　　"Ithinkit’sjustaswelltherewasn’t，"saidMarilladrily。
　　"Idon’tapproveofsuchgoings-on。Youseemtohalfbelieveyourownimaginations。Itwillbewellforyoutohaveareallivefriendtoputsuchnonsenseoutofyourhead。Butdon’tletMrs。BarryhearyoutalkingaboutyourKatieMauricesandyourViolettasorshe’llthinkyoutellstories。"
　　"Oh，Iwon’t。Icouldn’ttalkofthemtoeverybody——theirmemoriesaretoosacredforthat。ButIthoughtI’dliketohaveyouknowaboutthem。Oh，look，here’sabigbeejusttumbledoutofanappleblossom。Justthinkwhatalovelyplacetolive——inanappleblossom！Fancygoingtosleepinitwhenthewindwasrockingit。IfIwasn’tahumangirlIthinkI’dliketobeabeeandliveamongtheflowers。"
　　"Yesterdayyouwantedtobeaseagull，"sniffedMarilla。
　　"Ithinkyouareveryfickleminded。Itoldyoutolearnthatprayerandnottalk。Butitseemsimpossibleforyoutostoptalkingifyou’vegotanybodythatwilllistentoyou。Sogouptoyourroomandlearnit。"
　　"Oh，Iknowitprettynearlyallnow——allbutjustthelastline。"
　　"Well，nevermind，doasItellyou。Gotoyourroomandfinishlearningitwell，andstaythereuntilIcallyoudowntohelpmegettea。"
　　"CanItaketheappleblossomswithmeforcompany？"
　　pleadedAnne。
　　"No；youdon’twantyourroomclutteredupwithflowers。
　　Youshouldhaveleftthemonthetreeinthefirstplace。"
　　"Ididfeelalittlethatway，too，"saidAnne。"IkindoffeltIshouldn’tshortentheirlovelylivesbypickingthem——Iwouldn’twanttobepickedifIwereanappleblossom。
　　ButthetemptationwasIRRESISTIBLE。Whatdoyoudowhenyoumeetwithanirresistibletemptation？"
　　"Anne，didyouhearmetellyoutogotoyourroom？"
　　Annesighed，retreatedtotheeastgable，andsatdowninachairbythewindow。
　　"There——Iknowthisprayer。Ilearnedthatlastsentencecomingupstairs。NowI’mgoingtoimaginethingsintothisroomsothatthey’llalwaysstayimagined。Theflooriscoveredwithawhitevelvetcarpetwithpinkrosesalloveritandtherearepinksilkcurtainsatthewindows。Thewallsarehungwithgoldandsilverbrocadetapestry。Thefurnitureismahogany。Ineversawanymahogany，butitdoessoundSOluxurious。Thisisacouchallheapedwithgorgeoussilkencushions，pinkandblueandcrimsonandgold，andIamreclininggracefullyonit。Icanseemyreflectioninthatsplendidbigmirrorhangingonthewall。
　　Iamtallandregal，cladinagownoftrailingwhitelace，withapearlcrossonmybreastandpearlsinmyhair。Myhairisofmidnightdarknessandmyskinisaclearivorypallor。MynameistheLadyCordeliaFitzgerald。No，itisn’t——Ican’tmakeTHATseemreal。"
　　Shedanceduptothelittlelooking-glassandpeeredintoit。Herpointedfreckledfaceandsolemngrayeyespeeredbackather。
　　"You’reonlyAnneofGreenGables，"shesaidearnestly，"andIseeyou，justasyouarelookingnow，wheneverI
　　trytoimagineI’mtheLadyCordelia。Butit’samilliontimesnicertobeAnneofGreenGablesthanAnneofnowhereinparticular，isn’tit？"
　　Shebentforward，kissedherreflectionaffectionately，andbetookherselftotheopenwindow"DearSnowQueen，goodafternoon。Andgoodafternoondearbirchesdowninthehollow。Andgoodafternoon，deargrayhouseuponthehill。IwonderifDianaistobemybosomfriend。Ihopeshewill，andIshallloveherverymuch。ButImustneverquiteforgetKatieMauriceandVioletta。TheywouldfeelsohurtifIdidandI’dhatetohurtanybody’sfeelings，evenalittlebookcasegirl’soralittleechogirl’s。Imustbecarefultorememberthemandsendthemakisseveryday。"
　　Anneblewacoupleofairykissesfromherfingertipspastthecherryblossomsandthen，withherchininherhands，driftedluxuriouslyoutonaseaofdaydreams。
　　CHAPTERIX
　　Mrs。RachelLyndeIsProperlyHorrifiedAnnehadbeenafortnightatGreenGablesbeforeMrs。
　　Lyndearrivedtoinspecther。Mrs。Rachel，todoherjustice，wasnottoblameforthis。Asevereandunseason-ableattackofgrippehadconfinedthatgoodladytoherhouseeversincetheoccasionofherlastvisittoGreenGables。Mrs。Rachelwasnotoftensickandhadawell-
　　definedcontemptforpeoplewhowere；butgrippe，sheasserted，waslikenootherillnessonearthandcouldonlybeinterpretedasoneofthespecialvisitationsofProvidence。Assoonasherdoctorallowedhertoputherfootout-of-doorsshehurrieduptoGreenGables，burstingwithcuriositytoseeMatthewandMarilla’sorphan，concerningwhomallsortsofstoriesandsuppositionshadgoneabroadinAvonlea。
　　Annehadmadegooduseofeverywakingmomentofthatfortnight。
　　Alreadyshewasacquaintedwitheverytreeandshrubabouttheplace。Shehaddiscoveredthatalaneopenedoutbelowtheappleorchardandranupthroughabeltofwoodland；andshehadexploredittoitsfurthestendinallitsdeliciousvagariesofbrookandbridge，fircoppiceandwildcherryarch，cornersthickwithfern，andbranchingbywaysofmapleandmountainash。
　　Shehadmadefriendswiththespringdowninthehollow——
　　thatwonderfuldeep，clearicy-coldspring；itwassetaboutwithsmoothredsandstonesandrimmedinbygreatpalm-likeclumpsofwaterfern；andbeyonditwasalogbridgeoverthebrook。