MatthewInsistsonPuffedSleevesMatthewwashavingabadtenminutesofit。Hehadcomeintothekitchen，inthetwilightofacold，grayDecemberevening，andhadsatdowninthewoodboxcornertotakeoffhisheavyboots，unconsciousofthefactthatAnneandabevyofherschoolmateswerehavingapracticeof"TheFairyQueen"inthesittingroom。
Presentlytheycametroopingthroughthehallandoutintothekitchen，laughingandchatteringgaily。TheydidnotseeMatthew，whoshrankbashfullybackintotheshadowsbeyondthewoodboxwithabootinonehandandabootjackintheother，andhewatchedthemshylyfortheaforesaidtenminutesastheyputoncapsandjacketsandtalkedaboutthedialogueandtheconcert。
Annestoodamongthem，brighteyedandanimatedasthey；
butMatthewsuddenlybecameconsciousthattherewassomethingaboutherdifferentfromhermates。AndwhatworriedMatthewwasthatthedifferenceimpressedhimasbeingsomethingthatshouldnotexist。Annehadabrighterface，andbigger，starriereyes，andmoredelicatefeaturesthantheother；evenshy，unobservantMatthewhadlearnedtotakenoteofthesethings；butthedifferencethatdisturbedhimdidnotconsistinanyoftheserespects。Theninwhatdiditconsist？
Matthewwashauntedbythisquestionlongafterthegirlshadgone，arminarm，downthelong，hard-frozenlaneandAnnehadbetakenherselftoherbooks。HecouldnotreferittoMarilla，who，hefelt，wouldbequitesuretosniffscornfullyandremarkthattheonlydifferenceshesawbetweenAnneandtheothergirlswasthattheysometimeskepttheirtonguesquietwhileAnneneverdid。
This，Matthewfelt，wouldbenogreathelp。
Hehadrecoursetohispipethateveningtohelphimstudyitout，muchtoMarilla’sdisgust。AftertwohoursofsmokingandhardreflectionMatthewarrivedatasolutionofhisproblem。
Annewasnotdressedliketheothergirls！
ThemoreMatthewthoughtaboutthematterthemorehewasconvincedthatAnneneverhadbeendressedliketheothergirls——neversinceshehadcometoGreenGables。Marillakeptherclothedinplain，darkdresses，allmadeafterthesameunvaryingpattern。IfMatthewknewtherewassuchathingasfashionindressitwasasmuchashedid；buthewasquitesurethatAnne’ssleevesdidnotlookatalllikethesleevestheothergirlswore。Herecalledtheclusteroflittlegirlshehadseenaroundherthatevening——allgayinwaistsofredandblueandpinkandwhite——andhewonderedwhyMarillaalwayskepthersoplainlyandsoberlygowned。
Ofcourse，itmustbeallright。MarillaknewbestandMarillawasbringingherup。Probablysomewise，inscrutablemotivewastobeservedthereby。Butsurelyitwoulddonoharmtoletthechildhaveoneprettydress——somethinglikeDianaBarryalwayswore。
Matthewdecidedthathewouldgiveherone；thatsurelycouldnotbeobjectedtoasanunwarrantedputtinginofhisoar。
Christmaswasonlyafortnightoff。Anicenewdresswouldbetheverythingforapresent。Matthew，withasighofsatisfaction，putawayhispipeandwenttobed，whileMarillaopenedallthedoorsandairedthehouse。
TheverynexteveningMatthewbetookhimselftoCarmodytobuythedress，determinedtogettheworstoverandhavedonewithit。
Itwouldbe，hefeltassured，notriflingordeal。ThereweresomethingsMatthewcouldbuyandprovehimselfnomeanbargainer；
butheknewhewouldbeatthemercyofshopkeeperswhenitcametobuyingagirl’sdress。
AftermuchcogitationMatthewresolvedtogotoSamuelLawson’sstoreinsteadofWilliamBlair’s。Tobesure，theCuthbertsalwayshadgonetoWilliamBlair’s；itwasalmostasmuchamatterofconsciencewiththemastoattendthePresbyterianchurchandvoteConservative。ButWilliamBlair’stwodaughtersfrequentlywaitedoncustomersthereandMatthewheldtheminabsolutedread。Hecouldcontrivetodealwiththemwhenheknewexactlywhathewantedandcouldpointitout；butinsuchamatterasthis，requiringexplanationandconsultation，Matthewfeltthathemustbesureofamanbehindthecounter。SohewouldgotoLawson’s，whereSamuelorhissonwouldwaitonhim。
Alas！MatthewdidnotknowthatSamuel，intherecentexpansionofhisbusiness，hadsetupaladyclerkalso；shewasanieceofhiswife’sandaverydashingyoungpersonindeed，withahuge，droopingpompadour，big，rollingbrowneyes，andamostextensiveandbewilderingsmile。Shewasdressedwithexceedingsmartnessandworeseveralbanglebraceletsthatglitteredandrattledandtinkledwitheverymovementofherhands。Matthewwascoveredwithconfusionatfindingherthereatall；andthosebanglescompletelywreckedhiswitsatonefellswoop。
"WhatcanIdoforyouthisevening，Mr。Cuthbert？"MissLucillaHarrisinquired，brisklyandingratiatingly，tappingthecounterwithbothhands。
"Haveyouany——any——any——wellnow，sayanygardenrakes？"
stammeredMatthew。
MissHarrislookedsomewhatsurprised，aswellshemight，tohearamaninquiringforgardenrakesinthemiddleofDecember。
"Ibelievewehaveoneortwoleftover，"shesaid，"butthey’reupstairsinthelumberroom。I’llgoandsee。"DuringherabsenceMatthewcollectedhisscatteredsensesforanothereffort。
WhenMissHarrisreturnedwiththerakeandcheerfullyinquired:
"Anythingelsetonight，Mr。Cuthbert？"Matthewtookhiscourageinbothhandsandreplied:"Wellnow，sinceyousuggestit，I
mightaswell——take——thatis——lookat——buysome——somehayseed。"
MissHarrishadheardMatthewCuthbertcalledodd。
Shenowconcludedthathewasentirelycrazy。
"Weonlykeephayseedinthespring，"sheexplainedloftily。
"We’venoneonhandjustnow。"
"Oh，certainly——certainly——justasyousay，"stammeredunhappyMatthew，seizingtherakeandmakingforthedoor。Atthethresholdherecollectedthathehadnotpaidforitandheturnedmiserablyback。WhileMissHarriswascountingouthischangeheralliedhispowersforafinaldesperateattempt。
"Wellnow——ifitisn’ttoomuchtrouble——Imightaswell——thatis——I’dliketolookat——at——somesugar。"
"Whiteorbrown？"queriedMissHarrispatiently。
"Oh——wellnow——brown，"saidMatthewfeebly。
"There’sabarrelofitoverthere，"saidMissHarris，shakingherbanglesatit。"It’stheonlykindwehave。"
"I’ll——I’lltaketwentypoundsofit，"saidMatthew，withbeadsofperspirationstandingonhisforehead。
Matthewhaddrivenhalfwayhomebeforehewashisownmanagain。
Ithadbeenagruesomeexperience，butitservedhimright，hethought，forcommittingtheheresyofgoingtoastrangestore。
Whenhereachedhomehehidtherakeinthetoolhouse，butthesugarhecarriedintoMarilla。
"Brownsugar！"exclaimedMarilla。"Whateverpossessedyoutogetsomuch？YouknowIneveruseitexceptforthehiredman’sporridgeorblackfruitcake。Jerry’sgoneandI’vemademycakelongago。It’snotgoodsugar，either——it’scoarseanddark——WilliamBlairdoesn’tusuallykeepsugarlikethat。"
"I——Ithoughtitmightcomeinhandysometime，"saidMatthew，makinggoodhisescape。
WhenMatthewcametothinkthematteroverhedecidedthatawomanwasrequiredtocopewiththesituation。Marillawasoutofthequestion。Matthewfeltsureshewouldthrowcoldwateronhisprojectatonce。RemainedonlyMrs。Lynde；forofnootherwomaninAvonleawouldMatthewhavedaredtoaskadvice。ToMrs。
Lyndehewentaccordingly，andthatgoodladypromptlytookthematteroutoftheharassedman’shands。
"PickoutadressforyoutogiveAnne？TobesureIwill。I’mgoingtoCarmodytomorrowandI’llattendtoit。Haveyousomethingparticularinmind？No？Well，I’lljustgobymyownjudgmentthen。IbelieveanicerichbrownwouldjustsuitAnne，andWilliamBlairhassomenewgloriainthat’srealpretty。
Perhapsyou’dlikemetomakeitupforher，too，seeingthatifMarillawastomakeitAnnewouldprobablygetwindofitbeforethetimeandspoilthesurprise？Well，I’lldoit。No，itisn’tamiteoftrouble。Ilikesewing。I’llmakeittofitmyniece，JennyGillis，forsheandAnneareaslikeastwopeasasfarasfiguregoes。"
"Wellnow，I’mmuchobliged，"saidMatthew，"and——and——I
dunno——butI’dlike——Ithinktheymakethesleevesdifferentnowadaystowhattheyusedtobe。Ifitwouldn’tbeaskingtoomuchI——I’dlikethemmadeinthenewway。"
"Puffs？Ofcourse。Youneedn’tworryaspeckmoreaboutit，Matthew。I’llmakeitupintheverylatestfashion，"saidMrs。
Lynde。ToherselfsheaddedwhenMatthewhadgone:
"It’llbearealsatisfactiontoseethatpoorchildwearingsomethingdecentforonce。ThewayMarilladressesherispositivelyridiculous，that’swhat，andI’veachedtotellhersoplainlyadozentimes。I’veheldmytonguethough，forIcanseeMarilladoesn’twantadviceandshethinkssheknowsmoreaboutbringingchildrenupthanIdoforallshe’sanoldmaid。
Butthat’salwaystheway。Folksthathasbroughtupchildrenknowthatthere’snohardandfastmethodintheworldthat’llsuiteverychild。Butthemasneverhavethinkit’sallasplainandeasyasRuleofThree——justsetyourthreetermsdownsofashion，andthesum’llworkoutcorrect。Butfleshandblooddon’tcomeundertheheadofarithmeticandthat’swhereMarillaCuthbertmakeshermistake。Isupposeshe’stryingtocultivateaspiritofhumilityinAnnebydressingherasshedoes；butit’smorelikelytocultivateenvyanddiscontent。I’msurethechildmustfeelthedifferencebetweenherclothesandtheothergirls’。
ButtothinkofMatthewtakingnoticeofit！Thatmaniswakingupafterbeingasleepforoversixtyyears。"
MarillaknewallthefollowingfortnightthatMatthewhadsomethingonhismind，butwhatitwasshecouldnotguess，untilChristmasEve，whenMrs。Lyndebroughtupthenewdress。
Marillabehavedprettywellonthewhole，althoughitisverylikelyshedistrustedMrs。Lynde’sdiplomaticexplanationthatshehadmadethedressbecauseMatthewwasafraidAnnewouldfindoutaboutittoosoonifMarillamadeit。
"SothisiswhatMatthewhasbeenlookingsomysteriousoverandgrinningabouttohimselffortwoweeks，isit？"shesaidalittlestifflybuttolerantly。"Iknewhewasuptosomefoolishness。
Well，ImustsayIdon’tthinkAnneneededanymoredresses。
Imadeherthreegood，warm，serviceableonesthisfall，andanythingmoreissheerextravagance。There’senoughmaterialinthosesleevesalonetomakeawaist，Ideclarethereis。
You’lljustpamperAnne’svanity，Matthew，andshe’sasvainasapeacocknow。Well，Ihopeshe’llbesatisfiedatlast，forIknowshe’sbeenhankeringafterthosesillysleeveseversincetheycamein，althoughsheneversaidawordafterthefirst。
Thepuffshavebeengettingbiggerandmoreridiculousrightalong；they’reasbigasballoonsnow。Nextyearanybodywhowearsthemwillhavetogothroughadoorsideways。"
Christmasmorningbrokeonabeautifulwhiteworld。IthadbeenaverymildDecemberandpeoplehadlookedforwardtoagreenChristmas；butjustenoughsnowfellsoftlyinthenighttotransfigureAvonlea。Annepeepedoutfromherfrostedgablewindowwithdelightedeyes。ThefirsintheHauntedWoodwereallfeatheryandwonderful；thebirchesandwildcherrytreeswereoutlinedinpearl；theplowedfieldswerestretchesofsnowydimples；andtherewasacrisptangintheairthatwasglorious。
AnnerandownstairssinginguntilhervoicereechoedthroughGreenGables。
"MerryChristmas，Marilla！MerryChristmas，Matthew！
Isn’titalovelyChristmas？I’msogladit’swhite。
AnyotherkindofChristmasdoesn’tseemreal，doesit？
Idon’tlikegreenChristmases。They’renotgreen——
they’rejustnastyfadedbrownsandgrays。Whatmakespeoplecallthemgreen？Why——why——Matthew，isthatforme？
Oh，Matthew！"
MatthewhadsheepishlyunfoldedthedressfromitspaperswathingsandhelditoutwithadeprecatoryglanceatMarilla，whofeignedtobecontemptuouslyfillingtheteapot，butneverthelesswatchedthesceneoutofthecornerofhereyewitharatherinterestedair。
Annetookthedressandlookedatitinreverentsilence。Oh，howprettyitwas——alovelysoftbrowngloriawithalltheglossofsilk；askirtwithdaintyfrillsandshirrings；awaistelaboratelypintuckedinthemostfashionableway，withalittleruffleoffilmylaceattheneck。Butthesleeves——theywerethecrowningglory！Longelbowcuffs，andabovethemtwobeautifulpuffsdividedbyrowsofshirringandbowsofbrown-silkribbon。
"That’saChristmaspresentforyou，Anne，"saidMatthewshyly。
"Why——why——Anne，don’tyoulikeit？Wellnow——wellnow。"
ForAnne’seyeshadsuddenlyfilledwithtears。
"Likeit！Oh，Matthew！"Annelaidthedressoverachairandclaspedherhands。"Matthew，it’sperfectlyexquisite。Oh，I
canneverthankyouenough。Lookatthosesleeves！Oh，itseemstomethismustbeahappydream。"
"Well，well，letushavebreakfast，"interruptedMarilla。"I
mustsay，Anne，Idon’tthinkyouneededthedress；butsinceMatthewhasgotitforyou，seethatyoutakegoodcareofit。
There’sahairribbonMrs。Lyndeleftforyou。It’sbrown，tomatchthedress。Comenow，sitin。"
"Idon’tseehowI’mgoingtoeatbreakfast，"saidAnnerapturously。
"Breakfastseemssocommonplaceatsuchanexcitingmoment。I’dratherfeastmyeyesonthatdress。I’msogladthatpuffedsleevesarestillfashionable。ItdidseemtomethatI’dnevergetoveritiftheywentoutbeforeIhadadresswiththem。I’dneverhavefeltquitesatisfied，yousee。ItwaslovelyofMrs。Lyndetogivemetheribbontoo。IfeelthatIoughttobeaverygoodgirlindeed。
It’sattimeslikethisI’msorryI’mnotamodellittlegirl；
andIalwaysresolvethatIwillbeinfuture。Butsomehowit’shardtocarryoutyourresolutionswhenirresistibletemptationscome。
Still，Ireallywillmakeanextraeffortafterthis。"
WhenthecommonplacebreakfastwasoverDianaappeared，crossingthewhitelogbridgeinthehollow，agaylittlefigureinhercrimsonulster。Anneflewdowntheslopetomeether。
"MerryChristmas，Diana！Andoh，it’sawonderfulChristmas。I’vesomethingsplendidtoshowyou。Matthewhasgivenmetheloveliestdress，withSUCHsleeves。Icouldn’tevenimagineanynicer。"
"I’vegotsomethingmoreforyou，"saidDianabreathlessly。
"Here——thisbox。AuntJosephinesentusoutabigboxwitheversomanythingsinit——andthisisforyou。I’dhavebroughtitoverlastnight，butitdidn’tcomeuntilafterdark，andIneverfeelverycomfortablecomingthroughtheHauntedWoodinthedarknow。"
Anneopenedtheboxandpeepedin。Firstacardwith"FortheAnne-girlandMerryChristmas，"writtenonit；andthen，apairofthedaintiestlittlekidslippers，withbeadedtoesandsatinbowsandglisteningbuckles。
"Oh，"saidAnne，"Diana，thisistoomuch。Imustbedreaming。"
"Icallitprovidential，"saidDiana。"Youwon’thavetoborrowRuby’sslippersnow，andthat’sablessing，forthey’retwosizestoobigforyou，anditwouldbeawfultohearafairyshuffling。
JosiePyewouldbedelighted。Mindyou，RobWrightwenthomewithGertiePyefromthepracticenightbeforelast。Didyoueverhearanythingequaltothat？"
AlltheAvonleascholarswereinafeverofexcitementthatday，forthehallhadtobedecoratedandalastgrandrehearsalheld。
Theconcertcameoffintheeveningandwasapronouncedsuccess。
Thelittlehallwascrowded；alltheperformersdidexcellentlywell，butAnnewasthebrightparticularstaroftheoccasion，asevenenvy，intheshapeofJosiePye，darednotdeny。
"Oh，hasn’titbeenabrilliantevening？"sighedAnne，whenitwasalloverandsheandDianawerewalkinghometogetherunderadark，starrysky。
"Everythingwentoffverywell，"saidDianapractically。"Iguesswemusthavemadeasmuchastendollars。Mindyou，Mr。AllanisgoingtosendanaccountofittotheCharlottetownpapers。"
"Oh，Diana，willwereallyseeournamesinprint？Itmakesmethrilltothinkofit。Yoursolowasperfectlyelegant，Diana。
Ifeltprouderthanyoudidwhenitwasencored。Ijustsaidtomyself，`Itismydearbosomfriendwhoissohonored。’"
"Well，yourrecitationsjustbroughtdownthehouse，Anne。
Thatsadonewassimplysplendid。"
"Oh，Iwassonervous，Diana。WhenMr。AllancalledoutmynameIreallycannottellhowIevergotuponthatplatform。Ifeltasifamillioneyeswerelookingatmeandthroughme，andforonedreadfulmomentIwassureIcouldn’tbeginatall。ThenI
thoughtofmylovelypuffedsleevesandtookcourage。IknewthatImustliveuptothosesleeves，Diana。SoIstartedin，andmyvoiceseemedtobecomingfromeversofaraway。Ijustfeltlikeaparrot。It’sprovidentialthatIpracticedthoserecitationssooftenupinthegarret，orI’dneverhavebeenabletogetthrough。DidIgroanallright？"
"Yes，indeed，yougroanedlovely，"assuredDiana。
"IsawoldMrs。SloanewipingawaytearswhenIsatdown。
ItwassplendidtothinkIhadtouchedsomebody’sheart。
It’ssoromantictotakepartinaconcert，isn’tit？
Oh，it’sbeenaverymemorableoccasionindeed。"
"Wasn’ttheboys’dialoguefine？"saidDiana。"GilbertBlythewasjustsplendid。Anne，Idothinkit’sawfulmeanthewayyoutreatGil。WaittillItellyou。Whenyouranofftheplatformafterthefairydialogueoneofyourrosesfelloutofyourhair。
IsawGilpickitupandputitinhisbreastpocket。Therenow。
You’resoromanticthatI’msureyououghttobepleasedatthat。"
"It’snothingtomewhatthatpersondoes，"saidAnneloftily。
"Isimplyneverwasteathoughtonhim，Diana。"
ThatnightMarillaandMatthew，whohadbeenouttoaconcertforthefirsttimeintwentyyears，satforawhilebythekitchenfireafterAnnehadgonetobed。
"Wellnow，IguessourAnnedidaswellasanyofthem，"saidMatthewproudly。
"Yes，shedid，"admittedMarilla。"She’sabrightchild，Matthew。Andshelookedrealnicetoo。I’vebeenkindofopposedtothisconcertscheme，butIsupposethere’snorealharminitafterall。Anyhow，IwasproudofAnnetonight，althoughI’mnotgoingtotellherso。"
"Wellnow，IwasproudofherandIdidtellherso’foreshewentupstairs，"saidMatthew。"Wemustseewhatwecandoforhersomeofthesedays，Marilla。Iguessshe’llneedsomethingmorethanAvonleaschoolbyandby。"
"There’stimeenoughtothinkofthat，"saidMarilla。"She’sonlythirteeninMarch。Thoughtonightitstruckmeshewasgrowingquiteabiggirl。Mrs。Lyndemadethatdressamitetoolong，anditmakesAnnelooksotall。She’squicktolearnandI
guessthebestthingwecandoforherwillbetosendhertoQueen’safteraspell。Butnothingneedbesaidaboutthatforayearortwoyet。"
"Wellnow，it’lldonoharmtobethinkingitoveroffandon，"
saidMatthew。"Thingslikethatareallthebetterforlotsofthinkingover。"
CHAPTERXXVI
TheStoryClubIsFormedJuniorAvonleafoundithardtosettledowntohumdrumexistenceagain。ToAnneinparticularthingsseemedfearfullyflat，stale，andunprofitableafterthegobletofexcitementshehadbeensippingforweeks。Couldshegobacktotheformerquietpleasuresofthosefarawaydaysbeforetheconcert？Atfirst，asshetoldDiana，shedidnotreallythinkshecould。
"I’mpositivelycertain，Diana，thatlifecanneverbequitethesameagainasitwasinthoseoldendays，"shesaidmournfully，asifreferringtoaperiodofatleastfiftyyearsback。
"PerhapsafterawhileI’llgetusedtoit，butI’mafraidconcertsspoilpeopleforeverydaylife。IsupposethatiswhyMarilladisapprovesofthem。Marillaissuchasensiblewoman。
Itmustbeagreatdealbettertobesensible；butstill，Idon’tbelieveI’dreallywanttobeasensibleperson，becausetheyaresounromantic。Mrs。Lyndesaysthereisnodangerofmyeverbeingone，butyoucannevertell。IfeeljustnowthatImaygrowuptobesensibleyet。ButperhapsthatisonlybecauseI’mtired。Isimplycouldn’tsleeplastnightforeversolong。I
justlayawakeandimaginedtheconcertoverandoveragain。
That’sonesplendidthingaboutsuchaffairs——it’ssolovelytolookbacktothem。"
Eventually，however，Avonleaschoolslippedbackintoitsoldgrooveandtookupitsoldinterests。Tobesure，theconcertlefttraces。RubyGillisandEmmaWhite，whohadquarreledoverapointofprecedenceintheirplatformseats，nolongersatatthesamedesk，andapromisingfriendshipofthreeyearswasbrokenup。JosiePyeandJuliaBelldidnot"speak"forthreemonths，becauseJosiePyehadtoldBessieWrightthatJuliaBell’sbowwhenshegotuptorecitemadeherthinkofachickenjerkingitshead，andBessietoldJulia。NoneoftheSloaneswouldhaveanydealingswiththeBells，becausetheBellshaddeclaredthattheSloaneshadtoomuchtodointheprogram，andtheSloaneshadretortedthattheBellswerenotcapableofdoingthelittletheyhadtodoproperly。Finally，CharlieSloanefoughtMoodySpurgeonMacPherson，becauseMoodySpurgeonhadsaidthatAnneShirleyputonairsaboutherrecitations，andMoodySpurgeonwas"licked"；consequentlyMoodySpurgeon’ssister，EllaMay，wouldnot"speak"toAnneShirleyalltherestofthewinter。
Withtheexceptionofthesetriflingfrictions，workinMissStacy’slittlekingdomwentonwithregularityandsmoothness。
Thewinterweeksslippedby。Itwasanunusuallymildwinter，withsolittlesnowthatAnneandDianacouldgotoschoolnearlyeverydaybywayoftheBirchPath。OnAnne’sbirthdaytheyweretrippinglightlydownit，keepingeyesandearsalertamidalltheirchatter，forMissStacyhadtoldthemthattheymustsoonwriteacompositionon"AWinter’sWalkintheWoods，"anditbehoovedthemtobeobservant。
"Justthink，Diana，I’mthirteenyearsoldtoday，"remarkedAnneinanawedvoice。"IcanscarcelyrealizethatI’minmyteens。
WhenIwokethismorningitseemedtomethateverythingmustbedifferent。You’vebeenthirteenforamonth，soIsupposeitdoesn’tseemsuchanoveltytoyouasitdoestome。Itmakeslifeseemsomuchmoreinteresting。IntwomoreyearsI’llbereallygrownup。It’sagreatcomforttothinkthatI’llbeabletousebigwordsthenwithoutbeinglaughedat。"
"RubyGillissaysshemeanstohaveabeauassoonasshe’sfifteen，"
saidDiana。
"RubyGillisthinksofnothingbutbeaus，"saidAnnedisdainfully。
"She’sactuallydelightedwhenanyonewriteshernameupinatake-noticeforallshepretendstobesomad。ButI’mafraidthatisanuncharitablespeech。Mrs。Allansaysweshouldnevermakeuncharitablespeeches；buttheydoslipoutsooftenbeforeyouthink，don’tthey？Isimplycan’ttalkaboutJosiePyewithoutmakinganuncharitablespeech，soInevermentionheratall。
Youmayhavenoticedthat。I’mtryingtobeasmuchlikeMrs。AllanasIpossiblycan，forIthinkshe’sperfect。
Mr。Allanthinkssotoo。Mrs。Lyndesayshejustworshipsthegroundshetreadsonandshedoesn’treallythinkitrightforaministertosethisaffectionssomuchonamortalbeing。Butthen，Diana，evenministersarehumanandhavetheirbesettingsinsjustlikeeverybodyelse。IhadsuchaninterestingtalkwithMrs。AllanaboutbesettingsinslastSundayafternoon。Therearejustafewthingsit’spropertotalkaboutonSundaysandthatisoneofthem。Mybesettingsinisimaginingtoomuchandforgettingmyduties。I’mstrivingveryhardtoovercomeitandnowthatI’mreallythirteenperhapsI’llgetonbetter。"
"Infourmoreyearswe’llbeabletoputourhairup，"saidDiana。
"AliceBellisonlysixteenandsheiswearinghersup，butIthinkthat’sridiculous。IshallwaituntilI’mseventeen。"
"IfIhadAliceBell’scrookednose，"saidAnnedecidedly，"Iwouldn’t——butthere！Iwon’tsaywhatIwasgoingtobecauseitwasextremelyuncharitable。Besides，Iwascomparingitwithmyownnoseandthat’svanity。I’mafraidIthinktoomuchaboutmynoseeversinceIheardthatcomplimentaboutitlongago。
Itreallyisagreatcomforttome。Oh，Diana，look，there’sarabbit。That’ssomethingtorememberforourwoodscomposition。
Ireallythinkthewoodsarejustaslovelyinwinterasinsummer。They’resowhiteandstill，asiftheywereasleepanddreamingprettydreams。"
"Iwon’tmindwritingthatcompositionwhenitstimecomes，"
sighedDiana。"Icanmanagetowriteaboutthewoods，buttheonewe’retohandinMondayisterrible。TheideaofMissStacytellingustowriteastoryoutofourownheads！"
"Why，it’saseasyaswink，"saidAnne。
"It’seasyforyoubecauseyouhaveanimagination，"retortedDiana，"butwhatwouldyoudoifyouhadbeenbornwithoutone？
Isupposeyouhaveyourcompositionalldone？"
Annenodded，tryinghardnottolookvirtuouslycomplacentandfailingmiserably。
"IwroteitlastMondayevening。It’scalled`TheJealousRival；
orInDeathNotDivided。’IreadittoMarillaandshesaiditwasstuffandnonsense。ThenIreadittoMatthewandhesaiditwasfine。
ThatisthekindofcriticIlike。It’sasad，sweetstory。IjustcriedlikeachildwhileIwaswritingit。It’sabouttwobeautifulmaidenscalledCordeliaMontmorencyandGeraldineSeymourwholivedinthesamevillageandweredevotedlyattachedtoeachother。
Cordeliawasaregalbrunettewithacoronetofmidnighthairanddusklyflashingeyes。Geraldinewasaqueenlyblondewithhairlikespungoldandvelvetypurpleeyes。"
"Ineversawanybodywithpurpleeyes，"saidDianadubiously。
"NeitherdidI。Ijustimaginedthem。Iwantedsomethingoutofthecommon。Geraldinehadanalabasterbrowtoo。I’vefoundoutwhatanalabasterbrowis。Thatisoneoftheadvantagesofbeingthirteen。
Youknowsomuchmorethanyoudidwhenyouwereonlytwelve。"
"Well，whatbecameofCordeliaandGeraldine？"askedDiana，whowasbeginningtofeelratherinterestedintheirfate。
"Theygrewinbeautysidebysideuntiltheyweresixteen。ThenBertramDeVerecametotheirnativevillageandfellinlovewiththefairGeraldine。Hesavedherlifewhenherhorseranawaywithherinacarriage，andshefaintedinhisarmsandhecarriedherhomethreemiles；because，youunderstand，thecarriagewasallsmashedup。IfounditratherhardtoimaginetheproposalbecauseIhadnoexperiencetogoby。IaskedRubyGillisifsheknewanythingabouthowmenproposedbecauseI
thoughtshe’dlikelybeanauthorityonthesubject，havingsomanysistersmarried。RubytoldmeshewashidinthehallpantrywhenMalcolmAndresproposedtohersisterSusan。ShesaidMalcolmtoldSusanthathisdadhadgivenhimthefarminhisownnameandthensaid，`Whatdoyousay，darlingpet，ifwegethitchedthisfall？’AndSusansaid，`Yes——no——Idon’tknow——letmesee’——andtheretheywere，engagedasquickasthat。
ButIdidn’tthinkthatsortofaproposalwasaveryromanticone，sointheendIhadtoimagineitoutaswellasIcould。ImadeitveryfloweryandpoeticalandBertramwentonhisknees，althoughRubyGillissaysitisn’tdonenowadays。Geraldineacceptedhiminaspeechapagelong。IcantellyouItookalotoftroublewiththatspeech。IrewroteitfivetimesandI
lookuponitasmymasterpiece。BertramgaveheradiamondringandarubynecklaceandtoldhertheywouldgotoEuropeforaweddingtour，forhewasimmenselywealthy。Butthen，alas，shadowsbegantodarkenovertheirpath。CordeliawassecretlyinlovewithBertramherselfandwhenGeraldinetoldherabouttheengagementshewassimplyfurious，especiallywhenshesawthenecklaceandthediamondring。AllheraffectionforGeraldineturnedtobitterhateandshevowedthatsheshouldnevermarryBertram。ButshepretendedtobeGeraldine’sfriendthesameasever。OneeveningtheywerestandingonthebridgeoverarushingturbulentstreamandCordelia，thinkingtheywerealone，pushedGeraldineoverthebrinkwithawild，mocking，`Ha，ha，ha。’ButBertramsawitallandheatonceplungedintothecurrent，exclaiming，`Iwillsavethee，mypeerlessGeraldine。’
Butalas，hehadforgottenhecouldn’tswim，andtheywerebothdrowned，claspedineachother’sarms。Theirbodieswerewashedashoresoonafterwards。Theywereburiedintheonegraveandtheirfuneralwasmostimposing，Diana。It’ssomuchmoreromantictoendastoryupwithafuneralthanawedding。AsforCordelia，shewentinsanewithremorseandwasshutupinalunaticasylum。
Ithoughtthatwasapoeticalretributionforhercrime。"
"Howperfectlylovely！"sighedDiana，whobelongedtoMatthew’sschoolofcritics。"Idon’tseehowyoucanmakeupsuchthrillingthingsoutofyourownhead，Anne。Iwishmyimaginationwasasgoodasyours。"
"Itwouldbeifyou’donlycultivateit，"saidAnnecheeringly。
"I’vejustthoughtofaplan，Diana。Letyouandmehaveastorycluballourownandwritestoriesforpractice。I’llhelpyoualonguntilyoucandothembyyourself。Yououghttocultivateyourimagination，youknow。MissStacysaysso。Onlywemusttaketherightway。ItoldherabouttheHauntedWood，butshesaidwewentthewrongwayaboutitinthat。"
Thiswashowthestoryclubcameintoexistence。ItwaslimitedtoDianaandAnneatfirst，butsoonitwasextendedtoincludeJaneAndrewsandRubyGillisandoneortwootherswhofeltthattheirimaginationsneededcultivating。Noboyswereallowedinit——althoughRubyGillisopinedthattheiradmissionwouldmakeitmoreexciting——andeachmemberhadtoproduceonestoryaweek。
"It’sextremelyinteresting，"AnnetoldMarilla。"Eachgirlhastoreadherstoryoutloudandthenwetalkitover。Wearegoingtokeepthemallsacredlyandhavethemtoreadtoourdescendants。
Weeachwriteunderanom-de-plume。MineisRosamondMontmorency。
Allthegirlsdoprettywell。RubyGillisisrathersentimental。
Sheputstoomuchlovemakingintoherstoriesandyouknowtoomuchisworsethantoolittle。Janeneverputsanybecauseshesaysitmakesherfeelsosillywhenshehadtoreaditoutloud。
Jane’sstoriesareextremelysensible。ThenDianaputstoomanymurdersintohers。Shesaysmostofthetimeshedoesn’tknowwhattodowiththepeoplesoshekillsthemofftogetridofthem。
Imostlyalwayshavetotellthemwhattowriteabout，butthatisn’thardforI’vemillionsofideas。"
"Ithinkthisstory-writingbusinessisthefoolishestyet，"
scoffedMarilla。"You’llgetapackofnonsenseintoyourheadsandwastetimethatshouldbeputonyourlessons。
Readingstoriesisbadenoughbutwritingthemisworse。"
"Butwe’resocarefultoputamoralintothemall，Marilla，"
explainedAnne。"Iinsistuponthat。Allthegoodpeoplearerewardedandallthebadonesaresuitablypunished。I’msurethatmusthaveawholesomeeffect。Themoralisthegreatthing。
Mr。Allansaysso。IreadoneofmystoriestohimandMrs。Allanandtheybothagreedthatthemoralwasexcellent。Onlytheylaughedinthewrongplaces。Ilikeitbetterwhenpeoplecry。JaneandRubyalmostalwayscrywhenIcometothepatheticparts。DianawroteherAuntJosephineaboutourclubandherAuntJosephinewrotebackthatweweretosendhersomeofourstories。Sowecopiedoutfourofourverybestandsentthem。MissJosephineBarrywrotebackthatshehadneverreadanythingsoamusinginherlife。Thatkindofpuzzledusbecausethestorieswereallverypatheticandalmosteverybodydied。ButI’mgladMissBarrylikedthem。Itshowsourclubisdoingsomegoodintheworld。Mrs。Allansaysthatoughttobeourobjectineverything。IdoreallytrytomakeitmyobjectbutIforgetsooftenwhenI’mhavingfun。IhopeIshallbealittlelikeMrs。AllanwhenIgrowup。Doyouthinkthereisanyprospectofit，Marilla？"
"Ishouldn’tsaytherewasagreatdeal"wasMarilla’sencouraginganswer。"I’msureMrs。Allanwasneversuchasilly，forgetfullittlegirlasyouare。"
"No；butshewasn’talwayssogoodassheisnoweither，"saidAnneseriously。"Shetoldmesoherself——thatis，shesaidshewasadreadfulmischiefwhenshewasagirlandwasalwaysgettingintoscrapes。IfeltsoencouragedwhenIheardthat。
Isitverywickedofme，Marilla，tofeelencouragedwhenIhearthatotherpeoplehavebeenbadandmischievous？Mrs。Lyndesaysitis。Mrs。Lyndesaysshealwaysfeelsshockedwhenshehearsofanyoneeverhavingbeennaughty，nomatterhowsmalltheywere。
Mrs。Lyndesayssheonceheardaministerconfessthatwhenhewasaboyhestoleastrawberrytartoutofhisaunt’spantryandsheneverhadanyrespectforthatministeragain。Now，Iwouldn’thavefeltthatway。I’dhavethoughtthatitwasrealnobleofhimtoconfessit，andI’dhavethoughtwhatanencouragingthingitwouldbeforsmallboysnowadayswhodonaughtythingsandaresorryforthemtoknowthatperhapstheymaygrowuptobeministersinspiteofit。That’showI’dfeel，Marilla。"
"ThewayIfeelatpresent，Anne，"saidMarilla，"isthatit’shightimeyouhadthosedisheswashed。You’vetakenhalfanhourlongerthanyoushouldwithallyourchattering。Learntoworkfirstandtalkafterwards。"
CHAPTERXXVII
VanityandVexationofSpiritMarilla，walkinghomeonelateAprileveningfromanAidmeeting，realizedthatthewinterwasoverandgonewiththethrillofdelightthatspringneverfailstobringtotheoldestandsaddestaswellastotheyoungestandmerriest。Marillawasnotgiventosubjectiveanalysisofherthoughtsandfeelings。SheprobablyimaginedthatshewasthinkingabouttheAidsandtheirmissionaryboxandthenewcarpetforthevestryroom，butunderthesereflectionswasaharmoniousconsciousnessofredfieldssmokingintopale-purplymistsinthedecliningsun，oflong，sharp-pointedfirshadowsfallingoverthemeadowbeyondthebrook，ofstill，crimson-buddedmaplesaroundamirrorlikewoodpool，ofawakeningintheworldandastirofhiddenpulsesunderthegraysod。ThespringwasabroadinthelandandMarilla’ssober，middle-agedstepwaslighterandswifterbecauseofitsdeep，primalgladness。
HereyesdweltaffectionatelyonGreenGables，peeringthroughitsnetworkoftreesandreflectingthesunlightbackfromitswindowsinseverallittlecoruscationsofglory。Marilla，asshepickedherstepsalongthedamplane，thoughtthatitwasreallyasatisfactiontoknowthatshewasgoinghometoabrisklysnappingwoodfireandatablenicelyspreadfortea，insteadoftothecoldcomfortofoldAidmeetingeveningsbeforeAnnehadcometoGreenGables。
Consequently，whenMarillaenteredherkitchenandfoundthefireblackout，withnosignofAnneanywhere，shefeltjustlydisappointedandirritated。ShehadtoldAnnetobesureandhaveteareadyatfiveo’clock，butnowshemusthurrytotakeoffhersecond-bestdressandpreparethemealherselfagainstMatthew’sreturnfromplowing。
"I’llsettleMissAnnewhenshecomeshome，"saidMarillagrimly，assheshavedupkindlingswithacarvingknifeandwithmorevimthanwasstrictlynecessary。Matthewhadcomeinandwaswaitingpatientlyforhisteainhiscorner。"She’sgaddingoffsomewherewithDiana，writingstoriesorpracticingdialoguesorsomesuchtomfoolery，andneverthinkingonceaboutthetimeorherduties。
She’sjustgottobepulledupshortandsuddenonthissortofthing。
Idon’tcareifMrs。Allandoessayshe’sthebrightestandsweetestchildsheeverknew。Shemaybebrightandsweetenough，butherheadisfullofnonsenseandthere’sneveranyknowingwhatshapeit’llbreakoutinnext。Justassoonasshegrowsoutofonefreakshetakesupwithanother。Butthere！HereIamsayingtheverythingIwassoriledwithRachelLyndeforsayingattheAidtoday。
IwasrealgladwhenMrs。AllanspokeupforAnne，forifshehadn’tIknowI’dhavesaidsomethingtoosharptoRachelbeforeeverybody。
Anne’sgotplentyoffaults，goodnessknows，andfarbeitfrommetodenyit。ButI’mbringingherupandnotRachelLynde，who’dpickfaultsintheAngelGabrielhimselfifhelivedinAvonlea。
Justthesame，AnnehasnobusinesstoleavethehouselikethiswhenItoldhershewastostayhomethisafternoonandlookafterthings。
Imustsay，withallherfaults，IneverfoundherdisobedientoruntrustworthybeforeandI’mrealsorrytofindhersonow。"
"Wellnow，Idunno，"saidMatthew，who，beingpatientandwiseand，aboveall，hungry，haddeemeditbesttoletMarillatalkherwrathoutunhindered，havinglearnedbyexperiencethatshegotthroughwithwhateverworkwasonhandmuchquickerifnotdelayedbyuntimelyargument。"Perhapsyou’rejudginghertoohasty，Marilla。Don’tcallheruntrustworthyuntilyou’resureshehasdisobeyedyou。Mebbeitcanallbeexplained——Anne’sagreathandatexplaining。"
"She’snotherewhenItoldhertostay，"retortedMarilla。"I
reckonshe’llfindithardtoexplainTHATtomysatisfaction。
OfcourseIknewyou’dtakeherpart，Matthew。ButI’mbringingherup，notyou。"
Itwasdarkwhensupperwasready，andstillnosignofAnne，cominghurriedlyoverthelogbridgeorupLover’sLane，breathlessandrepentantwithasenseofneglectedduties。
Marillawashedandputawaythedishesgrimly。Then，wantingacandletolightherwaydownthecellar，shewentuptotheeastgablefortheonethatgenerallystoodonAnne’stable。
Lightingit，sheturnedaroundtoseeAnneherselflyingonthebed，facedownwardamongthepillows。
"Mercyonus，"saidastonishedMarilla，"haveyoubeenasleep，Anne？"
"No，"wasthemuffledreply。
"Areyousickthen？"demandedMarillaanxiously，goingovertothebed。
Annecowereddeeperintoherpillowsasifdesirousofhidingherselfforeverfrommortaleyes。
"No。Butplease，Marilla，goawayanddon’tlookatme。I’minthedepthsofdespairandIdon’tcarewhogetsheadinclassorwritesthebestcompositionorsingsintheSunday-schoolchoiranymore。LittlethingslikethatareofnoimportancenowbecauseIdon’tsupposeI’lleverbeabletogoanywhereagain。
Mycareerisclosed。Please，Marilla，goawayanddon’tlookatme。"
"Didanyoneeverhearthelike？"themystifiedMarillawantedtoknow。
"AnneShirley，whateveristhematterwithyou？Whathaveyoudone？
Getrightupthisminuteandtellme。Thisminute，Isay。Therenow，whatisit？"
Annehadslidtothefloorindespairingobedience。
"Lookatmyhair，Marilla，"shewhispered。
Accordingly，MarillaliftedhercandleandlookedscrutinizinglyatAnne’shair，flowinginheavymassesdownherback。Itcertainlyhadaverystrangeappearance。
"AnneShirley，whathaveyoudonetoyourhair？Why，it’sGREEN！"
Greenitmightbecalled，ifitwereanyearthlycolor——aqueer，dull，bronzygreen，withstreakshereandthereoftheoriginalredtoheightentheghastlyeffect。NeverinallherlifehadMarillaseenanythingsogrotesqueasAnne’shairatthatmoment。
"Yes，it’sgreen，"moanedAnne。"Ithoughtnothingcouldbeasbadasredhair。ButnowIknowit’stentimesworsetohavegreenhair。Oh，Marilla，youlittleknowhowutterlywretchedIam。"
"Ilittleknowhowyougotintothisfix，butImeantofindout，"saidMarilla。"Comerightdowntothekitchen——it’stoocolduphere——andtellmejustwhatyou’vedone。I’vebeenexpectingsomethingqueerforsometime。Youhaven’tgotintoanyscrapeforovertwomonths，andIwassureanotheronewasdue。Now，then，whatdidyoudotoyourhair？"
"Idyedit。"
"Dyedit！Dyedyourhair！AnneShirley，didn’tyouknowitwasawickedthingtodo？"
"Yes，Iknewitwasalittlewicked，"admittedAnne。"ButI
thoughtitwasworthwhiletobealittlewickedtogetridofredhair。Icountedthecost，Marilla。Besides，Imeanttobeextragoodinotherwaystomakeupforit。"
"Well，"saidMarillasarcastically，"ifI’ddecideditwasworthwhiletodyemyhairI’dhavedyeditadecentcoloratleast。I
wouldn’thavedyeditgreen。"
"ButIdidn’tmeantodyeitgreen，Marilla，"protestedAnnedejectedly。"IfIwaswickedImeanttobewickedtosomepurpose。Hesaiditwouldturnmyhairabeautifulravenblack——hepositivelyassuredmethatitwould。HowcouldIdoubthisword，Marilla？Iknowwhatitfeelsliketohaveyourworddoubted。AndMrs。Allansaysweshouldneversuspectanyoneofnottellingusthetruthunlesswehaveproofthatthey’renot。
Ihaveproofnow——greenhairisproofenoughforanybody。ButI
hadn’tthenandIbelievedeverywordhesaidIMPLICITLY。"
"Whosaid？Whoareyoutalkingabout？"
"Thepeddlerthatwasherethisafternoon。Iboughtthedyefromhim。"
"AnneShirley，howoftenhaveItoldyounevertoletoneofthoseItaliansinthehouse！Idon’tbelieveinencouragingthemtocomearoundatall。"
"Oh，Ididn’tlethiminthehouse。Irememberedwhatyoutoldme，andIwentout，carefullyshutthedoor，andlookedathisthingsonthestep。Besides，hewasn’tanItalian——hewasaGermanJew。HehadabigboxfullofveryinterestingthingsandhetoldmehewasworkinghardtomakeenoughmoneytobringhiswifeandchildrenoutfromGermany。Hespokesofeelinglyaboutthemthatittouchedmyheart。Iwantedtobuysomethingfromhimtohelphiminsuchaworthyobject。ThenallatonceIsawthebottleofhairdye。Thepeddlersaiditwaswarrantedtodyeanyhairabeautifulravenblackandwouldn’twashoff。InatriceIsawmyselfwithbeautifulraven-blackhairandthetemptationwasirresistible。Butthepriceofthebottlewasseventy-fivecentsandIhadonlyfiftycentsleftoutofmychickenmoney。Ithinkthepeddlerhadaverykindheart，forhesaidthat，seeingitwasme，he’dsellitforfiftycentsandthatwasjustgivingitaway。SoIboughtit，andassoonashehadgoneIcameuphereandapplieditwithanoldhairbrushasthedirectionssaid。Iusedupthewholebottle，andoh，Marilla，whenIsawthedreadfulcoloritturnedmyhairI
repentedofbeingwicked，Icantellyou。AndI’vebeenrepentingeversince。"
"Well，Ihopeyou’llrepenttogoodpurpose，"saidMarillaseverely，"andthatyou’vegotyoureyesopenedtowhereyourvanityhasledyou，Anne。Goodnessknowswhat’stobedone。I
supposethefirstthingistogiveyourhairagoodwashingandseeifthatwilldoanygood。"
Accordingly，Annewashedherhair，scrubbingitvigorouslywithsoapandwater，butforallthedifferenceitmadeshemightaswellhavebeenscouringitsoriginalred。Thepeddlerhadcertainlyspokenthetruthwhenhedeclaredthatthedyewouldn’twashoff，howeverhisveracitymightbeimpeachedinotherrespects。
"Oh，Marilla，whatshallIdo？"questionedAnneintears。
"Icanneverlivethisdown。Peoplehaveprettywellforgottenmyothermistakes——thelinimentcakeandsettingDianadrunkandflyingintoatemperwithMrs。Lynde。Butthey’llneverforgetthis。
TheywillthinkIamnotrespectable。Oh，Marilla，`whatatangledwebweweavewhenfirstwepracticetodeceive。’Thatispoetry，butitistrue。Andoh，howJosiePyewilllaugh！Marilla，ICANNOT
faceJosiePye。IamtheunhappiestgirlinPrinceEdwardIsland。"
Anne’sunhappinesscontinuedforaweek。Duringthattimeshewentnowhereandshampooedherhaireveryday。Dianaaloneofoutsidersknewthefatalsecret，butshepromisedsolemnlynevertotell，anditmaybestatedhereandnowthatshekeptherword。AttheendoftheweekMarillasaiddecidedly:
"It’snouse，Anne。Thatisfastdyeifevertherewasany。
Yourhairmustbecutoff；thereisnootherway。Youcan’tgooutwithitlookinglikethat。"
Anne’slipsquivered，butsherealizedthebittertruthofMarilla’sremarks。Withadismalsighshewentforthescissors。
"Pleasecutitoffatonce，Marilla，andhaveitover。Oh，I
feelthatmyheartisbroken。Thisissuchanunromanticaffliction。Thegirlsinbookslosetheirhairinfeversorsellittogetmoneyforsomegooddeed，andI’msureIwouldn’tmindlosingmyhairinsomesuchfashionhalfsomuch。Butthereisnothingcomfortinginhavingyourhaircutoffbecauseyou’vedyeditadreadfulcolor，isthere？I’mgoingtoweepallthetimeyou’recuttingitoff，ifitwon’tinterfere。Itseemssuchatragicthing。"
Anneweptthen，butlateron，whenshewentupstairsandlookedintheglass，shewascalmwithdespair。Marillahaddoneherworkthoroughlyandithadbeennecessarytoshinglethehairascloselyaspossible。Theresultwasnotbecoming，tostatethecaseasmildlyasmaybe。Annepromptlyturnedherglasstothewall。
"I’llnever，neverlookatmyselfagainuntilmyhairgrows，"sheexclaimedpassionately。
Thenshesuddenlyrightedtheglass。
"Yes，Iwill，too。I’ddopenanceforbeingwickedthatway。
I’lllookatmyselfeverytimeIcometomyroomandseehowuglyIam。AndIwon’ttrytoimagineitaway，either。IneverthoughtIwasvainaboutmyhair，ofallthings，butnowIknowI
was，inspiteofitsbeingred，becauseitwassolongandthickandcurly。Iexpectsomethingwillhappentomynosenext。"
Anne’sclippedheadmadeasensationinschoolonthefollowingMonday，buttoherreliefnobodyguessedtherealreasonforit，notevenJosiePye，who，however，didnotfailtoinformAnnethatshelookedlikeaperfectscarecrow。
"Ididn’tsayanythingwhenJosiesaidthattome，"AnneconfidedthateveningtoMarilla，whowaslyingonthesofaafteroneofherheadaches，"becauseIthoughtitwaspartofmypunishmentandIoughttobearitpatiently。It’shardtobetoldyoulooklikeascarecrowandIwantedtosaysomethingback。ButIdidn’t。
IjustsweptheronescornfullookandthenIforgaveher。
Itmakesyoufeelveryvirtuouswhenyouforgivepeople，doesn’tit？ImeantodevoteallmyenergiestobeinggoodafterthisandIshallnevertrytobebeautifulagain。Ofcourseit’sbettertobegood。Iknowitis，butit’ssometimessohardtobelieveathingevenwhenyouknowit。Idoreallywanttobegood，Marilla，likeyouandMrs。AllanandMissStacy，andgrowuptobeacredittoyou。Dianasayswhenmyhairbeginstogrowtotieablackvelvetribbonaroundmyheadwithabowatoneside。Shesaysshethinksitwillbeverybecoming。Iwillcallitasnood——thatsoundssoromantic。ButamItalkingtoomuch，Marilla？Doesithurtyourhead？"
"Myheadisbetternow。Itwasterriblebadthisafternoon，though。Theseheadachesofminearegettingworseandworse。
I’llhavetoseeadoctoraboutthem。Asforyourchatter，I
don’tknowthatImindit——I’vegotsousedtoit。"
WhichwasMarilla’swayofsayingthatshelikedtohearit。
CHAPTERXXVIII
AnUnfortunateLilyMaidOFcourseyoumustbeElaine，Anne，"saidDiana。"Icouldneverhavethecouragetofloatdownthere。"
"NorI，"saidRubyGillis，withashiver。"Idon’tmindfloatingdownwhenthere’stwoorthreeofusintheflatandwecansitup。
It’sfunthen。ButtoliedownandpretendIwasdead——Ijustcouldn’t。
I’ddiereallyoffright。"
"Ofcourseitwouldberomantic，"concededJaneAndrews，"butI
knowIcouldn’tkeepstill。I’dbepoppingupeveryminuteorsotoseewhereIwasandifIwasn’tdriftingtoofarout。Andyouknow，Anne，thatwouldspoiltheeffect。"
"Butit’ssoridiculoustohavearedheadedElaine，"mournedAnne。"I’mnotafraidtofloatdownandI’dlovetobeElaine。
Butit’sridiculousjustthesame。RubyoughttobeElainebecausesheissofairandhassuchlovelylonggoldenhair——
Elainehad`allherbrighthairstreamingdown，’youknow。
AndElainewasthelilymaid。Now，ared-hairedpersoncannotbealilymaid。"
"YourcomplexionisjustasfairasRuby’s，"saidDianaearnestly，"andyourhairiseversomuchdarkerthanitusedtobebeforeyoucutit。"
"Oh，doyoureallythinkso？"exclaimedAnne，flushingsensitivelywithdelight。"I’vesometimesthoughtitwasmyself——butIneverdaredtoaskanyoneforfearshewouldtellmeitwasn’t。Doyouthinkitcouldbecalledauburnnow，Diana？"
"Yes，andIthinkitisrealpretty，"saidDiana，lookingadmiringlyattheshort，silkycurlsthatclusteredoverAnne’sheadandwereheldinplacebyaveryjauntyblackvelvetribbonandbow。
Theywerestandingonthebankofthepond，belowOrchardSlope，wherealittleheadlandfringedwithbirchesranoutfromthebank；atitstipwasasmallwoodenplatformbuiltoutintothewaterfortheconvenienceoffishermenandduckhunters。RubyandJanewerespendingthemidsummerafternoonwithDiana，andAnnehadcomeovertoplaywiththem。
AnneandDianahadspentmostoftheirplaytimethatsummeronandaboutthepond。Idlewildwasathingofthepast，Mr。Bellhavingruthlesslycutdownthelittlecircleoftreesinhisbackpastureinthespring。Annehadsatamongthestumpsandwept，notwithoutaneyetotheromanceofit；butshewasspeedilyconsoled，for，afterall，assheandDianasaid，biggirlsofthirteen，goingonfourteen，weretoooldforsuchchildishamusementsasplayhouses，andthereweremorefascinatingsportstobefoundaboutthepond。Itwassplendidtofishfortroutoverthebridgeandthetwogirlslearnedtorowthemselvesaboutinthelittleflat-bottomeddoryMr。Barrykeptforduckshooting。
ItwasAnne’sideathattheydramatizeElaine。TheyhadstudiedTennyson’spoeminschooltheprecedingwinter，theSuperintendentofEducationhavingprescribeditintheEnglishcourseforthePrinceEdwardIslandschools。Theyhadanalyzedandparseditandtornittopiecesingeneraluntilitwasawondertherewasanymeaningatallleftinitforthem，butatleastthefairlilymaidandLancelotandGuinevereandKingArthurhadbecomeveryrealpeopletothem，andAnnewasdevouredbysecretregretthatshehadnotbeenborninCamelot。Thosedays，shesaid，weresomuchmoreromanticthanthepresent。
Anne’splanwashailedwithenthusiasm。Thegirlshaddiscoveredthatiftheflatwerepushedofffromthelandingplaceitwoulddriftdownwiththecurrentunderthebridgeandfinallystranditselfonanotherheadlandlowerdownwhichranoutatacurveinthepond。TheyhadoftengonedownlikethisandnothingcouldbemoreconvenientforplayingElaine。
"Well，I’llbeElaine，"saidAnne，yieldingreluctantly，for，althoughshewouldhavebeendelightedtoplaytheprincipalcharacter，yetherartisticsensedemandedfitnessforitandthis，shefelt，herlimitationsmadeimpossible。"Ruby，youmustbeKingArthurandJanewillbeGuinevereandDianamustbeLancelot。
Butfirstyoumustbethebrothersandthefather。Wecan’thavetheolddumbservitorbecausethereisn’troomfortwointheflatwhenoneislyingdown。Wemustpallthebargeallitslengthinblackestsamite。Thatoldblackshawlofyourmother’swillbejustthething，Diana。"
Theblackshawlhavingbeenprocured，Annespreaditovertheflatandthenlaydownonthebottom，withclosedeyesandhandsfoldedoverherbreast。
"Oh，shedoeslookreallydead，"whisperedRubyGillisnervously，watchingthestill，whitelittlefaceundertheflickeringshadowsofthebirches。"Itmakesmefeelfrightened，girls。
Doyousupposeit’sreallyrighttoactlikethis？Mrs。Lyndesaysthatallplay-actingisabominablywicked。"
"Ruby，youshouldn’ttalkaboutMrs。Lynde，"saidAnneseverely。
"ItspoilstheeffectbecausethisishundredsofyearsbeforeMrs。Lyndewasborn。Jane，youarrangethis。It’ssillyforElainetobetalkingwhenshe’sdead。"
Janerosetotheoccasion。Clothofgoldforcoverlettherewasnone，butanoldpianoscarfofyellowJapanesecrepewasanexcellentsubstitute。Awhitelilywasnotobtainablejustthen，buttheeffectofatallblueirisplacedinoneofAnne’sfoldedhandswasallthatcouldbedesired。
"Now，she’sallready，"saidJane。"Wemustkissherquietbrowsand，Diana，yousay，`Sister，farewellforever，’andRuby，yousay，`Farewell，sweetsister，’bothofyouassorrowfullyasyoupossiblycan。
Anne，forgoodnesssakesmilealittle。YouknowElaine`layasthoughshesmiled。’That’sbetter。Nowpushtheflatoff。"
Theflatwasaccordinglypushedoff，scrapingroughlyoveranoldembeddedstakeintheprocess。DianaandJaneandRubyonlywaitedlongenoughtoseeitcaughtinthecurrentandheadedforthebridgebeforescamperingupthroughthewoods，acrosstheroad，anddowntothelowerheadlandwhere，asLancelotandGuinevereandtheKing，theyweretobeinreadinesstoreceivethelilymaid。
ForafewminutesAnne，driftingslowlydown，enjoyedtheromanceofhersituationtothefull。Thensomethinghappenednotatallromantic。Theflatbegantoleak。InaveryfewmomentsitwasnecessaryforElainetoscrambletoherfeet，pickupherclothofgoldcoverletandpallofblackestsamiteandgazeblanklyatabigcrackinthebottomofherbargethroughwhichthewaterwasliterallypouring。Thatsharpstakeatthelandinghadtornoffthestripofbattingnailedontheflat。Annedidnotknowthis，butitdidnottakeherlongtorealizethatshewasinadangerousplight。Atthisratetheflatwouldfillandsinklongbeforeitcoulddrifttothelowerheadland。Whereweretheoars？Leftbehindatthelanding！
Annegaveonegaspinglittlescreamwhichnobodyeverheard；shewaswhitetothelips，butshedidnotloseherself-possession。
Therewasonechance——justone。
"Iwashorriblyfrightened，"shetoldMrs。Allanthenextday，"anditseemedlikeyearswhiletheflatwasdriftingdowntothebridgeandthewaterrisinginiteverymoment。Iprayed，Mrs。
Allan，mostearnestly，butIdidn’tshutmyeyestopray，forI
knewtheonlywayGodcouldsavemewastolettheflatfloatcloseenoughtooneofthebridgepilesformetoclimbuponit。
Youknowthepilesarejustoldtreetrunksandtherearelotsofknotsandoldbranchstubsonthem。Itwaspropertopray，butIhadtodomypartbywatchingoutandrightwellIknewit。I
justsaid，`DearGod，pleasetaketheflatclosetoapileandI’lldotherest，’overandoveragain。Undersuchcircumstancesyoudon’tthinkmuchaboutmakingafloweryprayer。Butminewasanswered，fortheflatbumpedrightintoapileforaminuteandIflungthescarfandtheshawlovermyshoulderandscrambleduponabigprovidentialstub。AndthereIwas，Mrs。Allan，clingingtothatslipperyoldpilewithnowayofgettingupordown。Itwasaveryunromanticposition，butIdidn’tthinkaboutthatatthetime。Youdon’tthinkmuchaboutromancewhenyouhavejustescapedfromawaterygrave。IsaidagratefulprayeratonceandthenIgaveallmyattentiontoholdingontight，forIknewIshouldprobablyhavetodependonhumanaidtogetbacktodryland。"
Theflatdriftedunderthebridgeandthenpromptlysankinmidstream。Ruby，Jane，andDiana，alreadyawaitingitonthelowerheadland，sawitdisappearbeforetheirveryeyesandhadnotadoubtbutthatAnnehadgonedownwithit。Foramomenttheystoodstill，whiteassheets，frozenwithhorroratthetragedy；then，shriekingatthetopsoftheirvoices，theystartedonafranticrunupthroughthewoods，neverpausingastheycrossedthemainroadtoglancethewayofthebridge。
Anne，clingingdesperatelytoherprecariousfoothold，sawtheirflyingformsandheardtheirshrieks。Helpwouldsooncome，butmeanwhileherpositionwasaveryuncomfortableone。
Theminutespassedby，eachseeminganhourtotheunfortunatelilymaid。Whydidn’tsomebodycome？Wherehadthegirlsgone？
Supposetheyhadfainted，oneandall！Supposenobodyevercame！
Supposeshegrewsotiredandcrampedthatshecouldholdonnolonger！Annelookedatthewickedgreendepthsbelowher，waveringwithlong，oilyshadows，andshivered。Herimaginationbegantosuggestallmannerofgruesomepossibilitiestoher。
Then，justasshethoughtshereallycouldnotenduretheacheinherarmsandwristsanothermoment，GilbertBlythecamerowingunderthebridgeinHarmonAndrews’sdory！
Gilbertglancedupand，muchtohisamazement，beheldalittlewhitescornfulfacelookingdownuponhimwithbig，frightenedbutalsoscornfulgrayeyes。
"AnneShirley！Howonearthdidyougetthere？"heexclaimed。
Withoutwaitingforananswerhepulledclosetothepileandextendedhishand。Therewasnohelpforit；Anne，clingingtoGilbertBlythe’shand，scrambleddownintothedory，whereshesat，drabbledandfurious，inthesternwithherarmsfullofdrippingshawlandwetcrepe。Itwascertainlyextremelydifficulttobedignifiedunderthecircumstances！
"Whathashappened，Anne？"askedGilbert，takinguphisoars。
"WewereplayingElaine"explainedAnnefrigidly，withoutevenlookingatherrescuer，"andIhadtodriftdowntoCamelotinthebarge——Imeantheflat。TheflatbegantoleakandIclimbedoutonthepile。Thegirlswentforhelp。Willyoubekindenoughtorowmetothelanding？"
GilbertobliginglyrowedtothelandingandAnne，disdainingassistance，sprangnimblyonshore。
"I’mverymuchobligedtoyou，"shesaidhaughtilyassheturnedaway。
ButGilberthadalsosprungfromtheboatandnowlaidadetaininghandonherarm。
"Anne，"hesaidhurriedly，"lookhere。Can’twebegoodfriends？
I’mawfullysorryImadefunofyourhairthattime。Ididn’tmeantovexyouandIonlymeantitforajoke。Besides，it’ssolongago。Ithinkyourhairisawfullyprettynow——honestIdo。
Let’sbefriends。"