EchoLodge，whichhadbeenclosedeversinceMissLavendar’swedding，wasbrieflythrownopentowindandsunshineoncemore，andfirelightglimmeredagaininthelittlerooms。TheperfumeofMissLavendar’srosebowlstillfilledtheair。ItwashardlypossibletobelievethatMissLavendarwouldnotcometrippinginpresently，withherbrowneyesa-starwithwelcome，andthatCharlottatheFourth，blueofbowandwideofsmile，wouldnotpopthroughthedoor。Paul，too，seemedhoveringaround，withhisfairyfancies。
　　"Itreallymakesmefeelalittlebitlikeaghostrevisitingtheoldtimeglimpsesofthemoon，"laughedAnne。"Let’sgooutandseeiftheechoesareathome。Bringtheoldhorn。Itisstillbehindthekitchendoor。"
　　Theechoeswereathome，overthewhiteriver，assilver-clearandmultitudinousasever；andwhentheyhadceasedtoanswerthegirlslockedupEchoLodgeagainandwentawayintheperfecthalfhourthatfollowstheroseandsaffronofawintersunset。
　　ChapterVIII
　　Anne’sFirstProposalTheoldyeardidnotslipawayinagreentwilight，withapinky-yellowsunset。Instead，itwentoutwithawild，whiteblusterandblow。Itwasoneofthenightswhenthestorm-windhurtlesoverthefrozenmeadowsandblackhollows，andmoansaroundtheeaveslikealostcreature，anddrivesthesnowsharplyagainsttheshakingpanes。
　　"Justthesortofnightpeopleliketocuddledownbetweentheirblanketsandcounttheirmercies，"saidAnnetoJaneAndrews，whohadcomeuptospendtheafternoonandstayallnight。Butwhentheywerecuddledbetweentheirblankets，inAnne’slittleporchroom，itwasnothermerciesofwhichJanewasthinking。
　　"Anne，"shesaidverysolemnly，"Iwanttotellyousomething。MayI"
　　AnnewasfeelingrathersleepyafterthepartyRubyGillishadgiventhenightbefore。ShewouldmuchratherhavegonetosleepthanlistentoJane’sconfidences，whichshewassurewouldboreher。
　　Shehadnopropheticinklingofwhatwascoming。ProbablyJanewasengaged，too；rumoraverredthatRubyGilliswasengagedtotheSpencervaleschoolteacher，aboutwhomallthegirlsweresaidtobequitewild。
　　"I’llsoonbetheonlyfancy-freemaidenofouroldquartet，"
　　thoughtAnne，drowsily。Aloudshesaid，"Ofcourse。"
　　"Anne，"saidJane，stillmoresolemnly，"whatdoyouthinkofmybrotherBilly？"
　　Annegaspedoverthisunexpectedquestion，andflounderedhelplesslyinherthoughts。Goodness，whatDIDshethinkofBillyAndrews？ShehadneverthoughtANYTHINGabouthim——
　　round-faced，stupid，perpetuallysmiling，good-naturedBillyAndrews。DidANYBODYeverthinkaboutBillyAndrews？
　　"I——Idon’tunderstand，Jane，"shestammered。"Whatdoyoumean——exactly？"
　　"DoyoulikeBilly？"askedJanebluntly。
　　"Why——why——yes，Ilikehim，ofcourse，"gaspedAnne，wonderingifsheweretellingtheliteraltruth。CertainlyshedidnotDISlikeBilly。Butcouldtheindifferenttolerancewithwhichsheregardedhim，whenhehappenedtobeinherrangeofvision，beconsideredpositiveenoughforliking？WHATwasJanetryingtoelucidate？
　　"Wouldyoulikehimforahusband？"askedJanecalmly。
　　"Ahusband！"Annehadbeensittingupinbed，thebettertowrestlewiththeproblemofherexactopinionofBillyAndrews。
　　Nowshefellflatlybackonherpillows，theverybreathgoneoutofher。"Whosehusband？"
　　"Yours，ofcourse，"answeredJane。"Billywantstomarryyou。
　　He’salwaysbeencrazyaboutyou——andnowfatherhasgivenhimtheupperfarminhisownnameandthere’snothingtopreventhimfromgettingmarried。Buthe’ssoshyhecouldn’taskyouhimselfifyou’dhavehim，sohegotmetodoit。I’drathernothave，buthegavemenopeacetillIsaidIwould，ifIgotagoodchance。Whatdoyouthinkaboutit，Anne？"
　　Wasitadream？Wasitoneofthosenightmarethingsinwhichyoufindyourselfengagedormarriedtosomeoneyouhateordon’tknow，withouttheslightestideahowitevercameabout？
　　No，she，AnneShirley，waslyingthere，wideawake，inherownbed，andJaneAndrewswasbesideher，calmlyproposingforherbrotherBilly。
　　Annedidnotknowwhethershewantedtowritheorlaugh；butshecoulddoneither，forJane’sfeelingsmustnotbehurt。
　　"I——Icouldn’tmarryBill，youknow，Jane，"shemanagedtogasp。
　　"Why，suchanideaneveroccurredtome——never！"
　　"Idon’tsupposeitdid，"agreedJane。"Billyhasalwaysbeenfartooshytothinkofcourting。Butyoumightthinkitover，Anne。
　　Billyisagoodfellow。Imustsaythat，ifheismybrother。
　　Hehasnobadhabitsandhe’sagreatworker，andyoucandependonhim。`Abirdinthehandisworthtwointhebush。’Hetoldmetotellyouhe’dbequitewillingtowaittillyougotthroughcollege，ifyouinsisted，thoughhe’dRATHERgetmarriedthisspringbeforetheplantingbegins。He’dalwaysbeverygoodtoyou，I’msure，andyouknow，Anne，I’dlovetohaveyouforasister。"
　　"Ican’tmarryBilly，"saidAnnedecidedly。Shehadrecoveredherwits，andwasevenfeelingalittleangry。Itwasallsoridiculous。"Thereisnousethinkingofit，Jane。Idon’tcareanythingforhiminthatway，andyoumusttellhimso。"
　　"Well，Ididn’tsupposeyouwould，"saidJanewitharesignedsigh，feelingthatshehaddoneherbest。"ItoldBillyIdidn’tbelieveitwasabitofusetoaskyou，butheinsisted。Well，you’vemadeyourdecision，Anne，andIhopeyouwon’tregretit。"
　　Janespokerathercoldly。ShehadbeenperfectlysurethattheenamoredBillyhadnochanceatallofinducingAnnetomarryhim。
　　Nevertheless，shefeltalittleresentmentthatAnneShirley，whowas，afterall，merelyanadoptedorphan，withoutkithorkin，shouldrefuseherbrother——oneoftheAvonleaAndrews。Well，pridesometimesgoesbeforeafall，Janereflectedominously。
　　AnnepermittedherselftosmileinthedarknessovertheideathatshemighteverregretnotmarryingBillyAndrews。
　　"IhopeBillywon’tfeelverybadlyoverit，"shesaidnicely。
　　Janemadeamovementasifsheweretossingherheadonherpillow。
　　"Oh，hewon’tbreakhisheart。Billyhastoomuchgoodsenseforthat。
　　HelikesNettieBlewettprettywell，too，andmotherwouldratherhemarriedherthananyone。She’ssuchagoodmanagerandsaver。
　　Ithink，whenBillyisoncesureyouwon’thavehim，he’lltakeNettie。
　　Pleasedon’tmentionthistoanyone，willyou，Anne？"
　　"Certainlynot，"saidAnne，whohadnodesirewhatevertopublishabroadthefactthatBillyAndrewswantedtomarryher，preferringher，whenallwassaidanddone，toNettieBlewett。NettieBlewett！
　　"AndnowIsupposewe’dbettergotosleep，"suggestedJane。
　　TosleepwentJaneeasilyandspeedily；but，thoughveryunlikeMacBethinmostrespects，shehadcertainlycontrivedtomurdersleepforAnne。Thatproposed-todamsellayonawakefulpillowuntiltheweesma’s，buthermeditationswerefarfrombeingromantic。
　　Itwasnot，however，untilthenextmorningthatshehadanopportunitytoindulgeinagoodlaughoverthewholeaffair。WhenJanehadgonehome——stillwithahintoffrostinvoiceandmannerbecauseAnnehaddeclinedsoungratefullyanddecidedlythehonorofanalliancewiththeHouseofAndrews——Anneretreatedtotheporchroom，shutthedoor，andhadherlaughoutatlast。
　　"IfIcouldonlysharethejokewithsomeone！"shethought。
　　"ButIcan’t。DianaistheonlyoneI’dwanttotell，and，evenifIhadn’tswornsecrecytoJane，Ican’ttellDianathingsnow。
　　ShetellseverythingtoFred——Iknowshedoes。Well，I’vehadmyfirstproposal。Isupposeditwouldcomesomeday——butI
　　certainlyneverthoughtitwouldbebyproxy。It’sawfullyfunny——andyetthere’sastinginit，too，somehow。"
　　Anneknewquitewellwhereinthestingconsisted，thoughshedidnotputitintowords。Shehadhadhersecretdreamsofthefirsttimesomeoneshouldaskherthegreatquestion。
　　Andithad，inthosedreams，alwaysbeenveryromanticandbeautiful:
　　andthe"someone"wastobeveryhandsomeanddark-eyedanddistinguished-lookingandeloquent，whetherhewerePrinceCharmingtobeenrapturedwith"yes，"oronetowhomaregretful，beautifullyworded，buthopelessrefusalmustbegiven。Ifthelatter，therefusalwastobeexpressedsodelicatelythatitwouldbenextbestthingtoacceptance，andhewouldgoaway，afterkissingherhand，assuringherofhisunalterable，life-longdevotion。Anditwouldalwaysbeabeautifulmemory，tobeproudofandalittlesadabout，also。
　　Andnow，thisthrillingexperiencehadturnedouttobemerelygrotesque。
　　BillyAndrewshadgothissistertoproposeforhimbecausehisfatherhadgivenhimtheupperfarm；andifAnnewouldn’t"havehim"NettieBlewettwould。
　　Therewasromanceforyou，withavengeance！Annelaughed——andthensighed。
　　Thebloomhadbeenbrushedfromonelittlemaidendream。Wouldthepainfulprocessgoonuntileverythingbecameprosaicandhum-drum？
　　ChapterIX
　　AnUnwelcomeLoverandaWelcomeFriendThesecondtermatRedmondspedasquicklyashadthefirst——
　　"actuallywhizzedaway，"Philippasaid。Anneenjoyeditthoroughlyinallitsphases——thestimulatingclassrivalry，themakinganddeepeningofnewandhelpfulfriendships，thegaylittlesocialstunts，thedoingsofthevarioussocietiesofwhichshewasamember，thewideningofhorizonsandinterests。
　　Shestudiedhard，forshehadmadeuphermindtowintheThorburnScholarshipinEnglish。Thisbeingwon，meantthatshecouldcomebacktoRedmondthenextyearwithouttrenchingonMarilla’ssmallsavings——somethingAnnewasdeterminedshewouldnotdo。
　　Gilbert，too，wasinfullchaseafterascholarship，butfoundplentyoftimeforfrequentcallsatThirty-eight，St。John’s。
　　HewasAnne’sescortatnearlyallthecollegeaffairs，andsheknewthattheirnameswerecoupledinRedmondgossip。Anneragedoverthisbutwashelpless；shecouldnotcastanoldfriendlikeGilbertaside，especiallywhenhehadgrownsuddenlywiseandwary，asbehoovedhiminthedangerousproximityofmorethanoneRedmondyouthwhowouldgladlyhavetakenhisplacebythesideoftheslender，red-hairedcoed，whosegrayeyeswereasalluringasstarsofevening。AnnewasneverattendedbythecrowdofwillingvictimswhohoveredaroundPhilippa’sconqueringmarchthroughherFreshmanyear；buttherewasalanky，brainyFreshie，ajolly，little，roundSophomore，andatall，learnedJuniorwhoalllikedtocallatThirty-eight，St。John’s，andtalkover’ologiesand’isms，aswellaslightersubjects，withAnne，inthebecushionedparlorofthatdomicile。Gilbertdidnotloveanyofthem，andhewasexceedinglycarefultogivenoneofthemtheadvantageoverhimbyanyuntimelydisplayofhisrealfeelingsAnne-ward。Toherhehadbecomeagaintheboy-comradeofAvonleadays，andassuchcouldholdhisownagainstanysmittenswainwhohadsofarenteredthelistsagainsthim。
　　Asacompanion，AnnehonestlyacknowledgednobodycouldbesosatisfactoryasGilbert；shewasveryglad，soshetoldherself，thathehadevidentlydroppedallnonsensicalideas——thoughshespentconsiderabletimesecretlywonderingwhy。
　　Onlyonedisagreeableincidentmarredthatwinter。CharlieSloane，sittingboltuprightonMissAda’smostdearlybelovedcushion，askedAnneonenightifshewouldpromise"tobecomeMrs。CharlieSloanesomeday。"ComingafterBillyAndrews’proxyeffort，thiswasnotquitetheshocktoAnne’sromanticsensibilitiesthatitwouldotherwisehavebeen；butitwascertainlyanotherheart-rendingdisillusion。Shewasangry，too，forshefeltthatshehadnevergivenCharlietheslightestencouragementtosupposesuchathingpossible。ButwhatcouldyouexpectofaSloane，asMrs。RachelLyndewouldaskscornfully？Charlie’swholeattitude，tone，air，words，fairlyreekedwithSloanishness。"Hewasconferringagreathonor——nodoubtwhateveraboutthat。AndwhenAnne，utterlyinsensibletothehonor，refusedhim，asdelicatelyandconsideratelyasshecould——forevenaSloanehadfeelingswhichoughtnottobeundulylacerated——Sloanishnessstillfurtherbetrayeditself。
　　CharliecertainlydidnottakehisdismissalasAnne’simaginaryrejectedsuitorsdid。Instead，hebecameangry，andshowedit；
　　hesaidtwoorthreequitenastythings；Anne’stemperflashedupmutinouslyandsheretortedwithacuttinglittlespeechwhosekeennesspiercedevenCharlie’sprotectiveSloanishnessandreachedthequick；hecaughtuphishatandflunghimselfoutofthehousewithaveryredface；Annerushedupstairs，fallingtwiceoverMissAda’scushionsontheway，andthrewherselfonherbed，intearsofhumiliationandrage。HadsheactuallystoopedtoquarrelwithaSloane？WasitpossibleanythingCharlieSloanecouldsayhadpowertomakeherangry？Oh，thiswasdegradation，indeed——worseeventhanbeingtherivalofNettieBlewett！
　　"IwishIneedneverseethehorriblecreatureagain，"shesobbedvindictivelyintoherpillows。
　　Shecouldnotavoidseeinghimagain，buttheoutragedCharlietookcarethatitshouldnotbeatveryclosequarters。MissAda’scushionswerehenceforthsafefromhisdepredations，andwhenhemetAnneonthestreet，orinRedmond’shalls，hisbowwasicyintheextreme。Relationsbetweenthesetwooldschoolmatescontinuedtobethusstrainedfornearlyayear！
　　ThenCharlietransferredhisblightedaffectionstoaround，rosy，snub-nosed，blue-eyed，littleSophomorewhoappreciatedthemastheydeserved，whereuponheforgaveAnneandcondescendedtobeciviltoheragain；inapatronizingmannerintendedtoshowherjustwhatshehadlost。
　　OnedayAnnescurriedexcitedlyintoPriscilla’sroom。
　　"Readthat，"shecried，tossingPriscillaaletter。"It’sfromStella——andshe’scomingtoRedmondnextyear——andwhatdoyouthinkofheridea？Ithinkit’saperfectlysplendidone，ifwecanonlycarryitout。Doyousupposewecan，Pris？"
　　"I’llbebetterabletotellyouwhenIfindoutwhatitis，"
　　saidPriscilla，castingasideaGreeklexiconandtakingupStella’sletter。StellaMaynardhadbeenoneoftheirchumsatQueen’sAcademyandhadbeenteachingschooleversince。
　　"ButI’mgoingtogiveitup，Annedear，"shewrote，"andgotocollegenextyear。AsItookthethirdyearatQueen’sIcanentertheSophomoreyear。I’mtiredofteachinginabackcountryschool。SomedayI’mgoingtowriteatreatiseon`TheTrialsofaCountrySchoolmarm。’Itwillbeaharrowingbitofrealism。Itseemstobetheprevailingimpressionthatweliveinclover，andhavenothingtodobutdrawourquarter’ssalary。
　　Mytreatiseshalltellthetruthaboutus。Why，ifaweekshouldpasswithoutsomeonetellingmethatIamdoingeasyworkforbigpayIwouldconcludethatImightaswellordermyascensionrobe`immediatelyandtoonct。’`Well，yougetyourmoneyeasy，’
　　somerate-payerwilltellme，condescendingly。`Allyouhavetodoistositthereandhearlessons。’Iusedtoarguethematteratfirst，butI’mwisernow。Factsarestubbornthings，butassomeonehaswiselysaid，nothalfsostubbornasfallacies。
　　SoIonlysmileloftilynowineloquentsilence。Why，IhaveninegradesinmyschoolandIhavetoteachalittleofeverything，frominvestigatingtheinteriorsofearthwormstothestudyofthesolarsystem。Myyoungestpupilisfour——hismothersendshimtoschoolto`gethimoutoftheway’——andmyoldesttwenty——it`suddenlystruckhim’thatitwouldbeeasiertogotoschoolandgetaneducationthanfollowtheploughanylonger。
　　InthewildefforttocramallsortsofresearchintosixhoursadayIdon’twonderifthechildrenfeellikethelittleboywhowastakentoseethebiograph。`Ihavetolookforwhat’scomingnextbeforeIknowwhatwentlast，’hecomplained。Ifeellikethatmyself。
　　"AndthelettersIget，Anne！Tommy’smotherwritesmethatTommyisnotcomingoninarithmeticasfastasshewouldlike。
　　Heisonlyinsimplereductionyet，andJohnnyJohnsonisinfractions，andJohnnyisn’thalfassmartasherTommy，andshecan’tunderstandit。AndSusy’sfatherwantstoknowwhySusycan’twritealetterwithoutmisspellinghalfthewords，andDick’sauntwantsmetochangehisseat，becausethatbadBrownboyheissittingwithisteachinghimtosaynaughtywords。
　　"Astothefinancialpart——butI’llnotbeginonthat。Thosewhomthegodswishtodestroytheyfirstmakecountryschoolmarms！
　　"There，Ifeelbetter，afterthatgrowl。Afterall，I’veenjoyedthesepasttwoyears。ButI’mcomingtoRedmond。
　　"Andnow，Anne，I’vealittleplan。YouknowhowIloatheboarding。
　　I’veboardedforfouryearsandI’msotiredofit。Idon’tfeellikeenduringthreeyearsmoreofit。
　　Now，whycan’tyouandPriscillaandIclubtogether，rentalittlehousesomewhereinKingsport，andboardourselves？
　　Itwouldbecheaperthananyotherway。Ofcourse，wewouldhavetohaveahousekeeperandIhaveonereadyonthespot。
　　You’veheardmespeakofAuntJamesina？She’sthesweetestauntthateverlived，inspiteofhername。Shecan’thelpthat！
　　ShewascalledJamesinabecauseherfather，whosenamewasJames，wasdrownedatseaamonthbeforeshewasborn。IalwayscallherAuntJimsie。Well，heronlydaughterhasrecentlymarriedandgonetotheforeignmissionfield。AuntJamesinaisleftaloneinagreatbighouse，andsheishorriblylonesome。ShewillcometoKingsportandkeephouseforusifwewanther，andI
　　knowyou’llbothloveher。ThemoreIthinkoftheplanthemoreIlikeit。Wecouldhavesuchgood，independenttimes。
　　"Now，ifyouandPriscillaagreetoit，wouldn’titbeagoodideaforyou，whoareonthespot，tolookaroundandseeifyoucanfindasuitablehousethisspring？Thatwouldbebetterthanleavingittillthefall。Ifyoucouldgetafurnishedonesomuchthebetter，butifnot，wecanscareupafewsticksoffiniturebetweenusandoldfamilyfriendswithattics。Anyhow，decideassoonasyoucanandwriteme，sothatAuntJamesinawillknowwhatplanstomakefornextyear。"
　　"Ithinkit’sagoodidea，"saidPriscilla。
　　"SodoI，"agreedAnnedelightedly。"Ofcourse，wehaveaniceboardinghousehere，but，whenall’ssaidanddone，aboardinghouseisn’thome。Solet’sgohouse-huntingatonce，beforeexamscomeon。"
　　"I’mafraiditwillbehardenoughtogetareallysuitablehouse，"
　　warnedPriscilla。"Don’texpecttoomuch，Anne。Nicehousesinnicelocalitieswillprobablybeawaybeyondourmeans。We’lllikelyhavetocontentourselveswithashabbylittleplaceonsomestreetwhereonlivepeoplewhomtoknowistobeunknown，andmakelifeinsidecompensatefortheoutside。"
　　Accordinglytheywenthouse-hunting，buttofindjustwhattheywantedprovedevenharderthanPriscillahadfeared。
　　Housesthereweregalore，furnishedandunfurnished；butonewastoobig，anothertoosmall；thisonetooexpensive，thatonetoofarfromRedmond。Examswereonandover；thelastweekofthetermcameandstilltheir"houseo’dreams，"asAnnecalledit，remainedacastleintheair。
　　"Weshallhavetogiveupandwaittillthefall，Isuppose，"saidPriscillawearily，astheyrambledthroughtheparkononeofApril’sdarlingdaysofbreezeandblue，whentheharborwascreamingandshimmeringbeneaththepearl-huedmistsfloatingoverit。"Wemayfindsomeshacktoshelterusthen；andifnot，boardinghousesweshallhavealwayswithus。"
　　"I’mnotgoingtoworryaboutitjustnow，anyway，andspoilthislovelyafternoon，"saidAnne，gazingaroundherwithdelight。
　　Thefreshchillairwasfaintlychargedwiththearomaofpinebalsam，andtheskyabovewascrystalclearandblue——agreatinvertedcupofblessing。"Springissinginginmybloodtoday，andthelureofAprilisabroadontheair。I’mseeingvisionsanddreamingdreams，Pris。That’sbecausethewindisfromthewest。Idolovethewestwind。Itsingsofhopeandgladness，doesn’tit？WhentheeastwindblowsIalwaysthinkofsorrowfulrainontheeavesandsadwavesonagrayshore。WhenIgetoldIshallhaverheumatismwhenthewindiseast。"
　　"Andisn’titjollywhenyoudiscardfursandwintergarmentsforthefirsttimeandsallyforth，likethis，inspringattire？"
　　laughedPriscilla。"Don’tyoufeelasifyouhadbeenmadeovernew？"
　　"Everythingisnewinthespring，"saidAnne。"Springsthemselvesarealwayssonew，too。Nospringiseverjustlikeanyotherspring。
　　Italwayshassomethingofitsowntobeitsownpeculiarsweetness。
　　Seehowgreenthegrassisaroundthatlittlepond，andhowthewillowbudsarebursting。"
　　"Andexamsareoverandgone——thetimeofConvocationwillcomesoon——nextWednesday。Thisdaynextweekwe’llbehome。"
　　"I’mglad，"saidAnnedreamily。"TherearesomanythingsIwanttodo。IwanttositonthebackporchstepsandfeelthebreezeblowingdownoverMr。Harrison’sfields。IwanttohuntfernsintheHauntedWoodandgathervioletsinVioletVale。Doyourememberthedayofourgoldenpicnic，Priscilla？Iwanttohearthefrogssingingandthepoplarswhispering。ButI’velearnedtoloveKingsport，too，andI’mgladI’mcomingbacknextfall。
　　IfIhadn’twontheThorburnIdon’tbelieveIcouldhave。I
　　COULDN’TtakeanyofMarilla’slittlehoard。"
　　"Ifwecouldonlyfindahouse！"sighedPriscilla。"LookoverthereatKingsport，Anne——houses，houseseverywhere，andnotoneforus。"
　　"Stopit，Pris。`Thebestisyettobe。’LiketheoldRoman，we’llfindahouseorbuildone。Onadaylikethisthere’snosuchwordasfailinmybrightlexicon。"
　　Theylingeredintheparkuntilsunset，livingintheamazingmiracleandgloryandwonderofthespringtide；andtheywenthomeasusual，bywayofSpoffordAvenue，thattheymighthavethedelightoflookingatPatty’sPlace。
　　"Ifeelasifsomethingmysteriousweregoingtohappenrightaway——`bytheprickingofmythumbs，’"saidAnne，astheywentuptheslope。"It’sanicestory-bookishfeeling。Why——why——
　　why！PriscillaGrant，lookoverthereandtellmeifit’strue，oramIseein’things？"
　　Priscillalooked。Anne’sthumbsandeyeshadnotdeceivedher。
　　OverthearchedgatewayofPatty’sPlacedangledalittle，modestsign。Itsaid"ToLet，Furnished。InquireWithin。"
　　"Priscilla，"saidAnne，inawhisper，"doyousupposeit’spossiblethatwecouldrentPatty’sPlace？"
　　"No，Idon’t，"averredPriscilla。"Itwouldbetoogoodtobetrue。Fairytalesdon’thappennowadays。Iwon’thope，Anne。
　　Thedisappointmentwouldbetooawfultobear。They’resuretowantmoreforitthanwecanafford。Remember，it’sonSpoffordAvenue。"
　　"Wemustfindoutanyhow，"saidAnneresolutely。"It’stoolatetocallthisevening，butwe’llcometomorrow。Oh，Pris，ifwecangetthisdarlingspot！I’vealwaysfeltthatmyfortuneswerelinkedwithPatty’sPlace，eversinceIsawitfirst。"
　　ChapterX
　　Patty’sPlaceThenexteveningfoundthemtreadingresolutelytheherring-bonewalkthroughthetinygarden。TheAprilwindwasfillingthepinetreeswithitsroundelay，andthegrovewasalivewithrobins——great，plump，saucyfellows，struttingalongthepaths。
　　Thegirlsrangrathertimidly，andwereadmittedbyagrimandancienthandmaiden。Thedooropeneddirectlyintoalargeliving-room，wherebyacheerylittlefiresattwootherladies，bothofwhomwerealsogrimandancient。Exceptthatonelookedtobeaboutseventyandtheotherfifty，thereseemedlittledifferencebetweenthem。Eachhadamazinglybig，light-blueeyesbehindsteel-rimmedspectacles；eachworeacapandagrayshawl；
　　eachwasknittingwithouthasteandwithoutrest；eachrockedplacidlyandlookedatthegirlswithoutspeaking；andjustbehindeachsatalargewhitechinadog，withroundgreenspotsalloverit，agreennoseandgreenears。ThosedogscapturedAnne’sfancyonthespot；theyseemedlikethetwinguardiandeitiesofPatty’sPlace。
　　Forafewminutesnobodyspoke。Thegirlsweretoonervoustofindwords，andneithertheancientladiesnorthechinadogsseemedconversationallyinclined。Anneglancedabouttheroom。
　　Whatadearplaceitwas！Anotherdooropenedoutofitdirectlyintothepinegroveandtherobinscameboldlyupontheverystep。
　　Thefloorwasspottedwithround，braidedmats，suchasMarillamadeatGreenGables，butwhichwereconsideredoutofdateeverywhereelse，eveninAvonlea。AndyetheretheywereonSpoffordAvenue！Abig，polishedgrandfather’sclocktickedloudlyandsolemnlyinacorner。Thereweredelightfullittlecupboardsoverthemantelpiece，behindwhoseglassdoorsgleamedquaintbitsofchina。Thewallswerehungwitholdprintsandsilhouettes。Inonecornerthestairswentup，andatthefirstlowturnwasalongwindowwithaninvitingseat。ItwasalljustasAnnehadknownitmustbe。
　　Bythistimethesilencehadgrowntoodreadful，andPriscillanudgedAnnetointimatethatshemustspeak。
　　"We——we——sawbyyoursignthatthishouseistolet，"saidAnnefaintly，addressingtheolderlady，whowasevidentlyMissPattySpofford。
　　"Oh，yes，"saidMissPatty。"Iintendedtotakethatsigndowntoday。"
　　"Then——thenwearetoolate，"saidAnnesorrowfully。"You’veletittosomeoneelse？"
　　"No，butwehavedecidednottoletitatall。"
　　"Oh，I’msosorry，"exclaimedAnneimpulsively。"Ilovethisplaceso。
　　Ididhopewecouldhavegotit。"
　　ThendidMissPattylaydownherknitting，takeoffherspecs，rubthem，putthemonagain，andforthefirsttimelookatAnneasatahumanbeing。Theotherladyfollowedherexamplesoperfectlythatshemightaswellhavebeenareflectioninamirror。
　　"YouLOVEit，"saidMissPattywithemphasis。"DoesthatmeanthatyoureallyLOVEit？Orthatyoumerelylikethelooksofit？
　　ThegirlsnowadaysindulgeinsuchexaggeratedstatementsthatonenevercantellwhattheyDOmean。Itwasn’tsoinmyyoungdays。
　　THENagirldidnotsaysheLOVEDturnips，injustthesametoneasshemighthavesaidshelovedhermotherorherSavior。"
　　Anne’sconscienceboreherup。
　　"Ireallydoloveit，"shesaidgently。"I’velovediteversinceIsawitlastfall。MytwocollegechumsandIwanttokeephousenextyearinsteadofboarding，sowearelookingforalittleplacetorent；andwhenIsawthatthishousewastoletIwassohappy。"
　　"Ifyouloveit，youcanhaveit，"saidMissPatty。"MariaandI
　　decidedtodaythatwewouldnotletitafterall，becausewedidnotlikeanyofthepeoplewhohavewantedit。Wedon’tHAVEtoletit。WecanaffordtogotoEuropeevenifwedon’tletit。
　　Itwouldhelpusout，butnotforgoldwillIletmyhomepassintothepossessionofsuchpeopleashavecomehereandlookedatit。YOUaredifferent。Ibelieveyoudoloveitandwillbegoodtoit。Youcanhaveit。"
　　"If——ifwecanaffordtopaywhatyouaskforit，"hesitatedAnne。
　　MissPattynamedtheamountrequired。AnneandPriscillalookedateachother。Priscillashookherhead。
　　"I’mafraidwecan’taffordquitesomuch，"saidAnne，chokingbackherdisappointment。"Yousee，weareonlycollegegirlsandwearepoor。"
　　"Whatwereyouthinkingyoucouldafford？"demandedMissPatty，ceasingnottoknit。
　　Annenamedheramount。MissPattynoddedgravely。
　　"Thatwilldo。AsItoldyou，itisnotstrictlynecessarythatweshouldletitatall。Wearenotrich，butwehaveenoughtogotoEuropeon。IhaveneverbeeninEuropeinmylife，andneverexpectedorwantedtogo。Butmyniecethere，MariaSpofford，hastakenafancytogo。Now，youknowayoungpersonlikeMariacan’tgoglobetrottingalone。"
　　"No——I——Isupposenot，"murmuredAnne，seeingthatMissPattywasquitesolemnlyinearnest。
　　"Ofcoursenot。SoIhavetogoalongtolookafterher。Iexpecttoenjoyit，too；I’mseventyyearsold，butI’mnottiredoflivingyet。
　　IdaresayI’dhavegonetoEuropebeforeiftheideahadoccurredtome。
　　Weshallbeawayfortwoyears，perhapsthree。WesailinJuneandweshallsendyouthekey，andleaveallinorderforyoutotakepossessionwhenyouchoose。Weshallpackawayafewthingsweprizeespecially，butalltherestwillbeleft。"
　　"Willyouleavethechinadogs？"askedAnnetimidly。
　　"Wouldyoulikemeto？"
　　"Oh，indeed，yes。Theyaredelightful。"
　　ApleasedexpressioncameintoMissPatty’sface。
　　"Ithinkagreatdealofthosedogs，"shesaidproudly。"Theyareoverahundredyearsold，andtheyhavesatoneithersideofthisfireplaceeversincemybrotherAaronbroughtthemfromLondonfiftyyearsago。SpoffordAvenuewascalledaftermybrotherAaron。"
　　"Afinemanhewas，"saidMissMaria，speakingforthefirsttime。
　　"Ah，youdon’tseethelikeofhimnowadays。"
　　"Hewasagooduncletoyou，Maria，"saidMissPatty，withevidentemotion。
　　"Youdowelltorememberhim。"
　　"Ishallalwaysrememberhim，"saidMissMariasolemnly。"Icanseehim，thisminute，standingtherebeforethatfire，withhishandsunderhiscoat-tails，beamingonus。"
　　MissMariatookoutherhandkerchiefandwipedhereyes；butMissPattycameresolutelybackfromtheregionsofsentimenttothoseofbusiness。
　　"Ishallleavethedogswheretheyare，ifyouwillpromisetobeverycarefulofthem，"shesaid。"TheirnamesareGogandMagog。
　　GoglookstotherightandMagogtotheleft。Andthere’sjustonethingmore。Youdon’tobject，Ihope，tothishousebeingcalledPatty’sPlace？"
　　"No，indeed。Wethinkthatisoneofthenicestthingsaboutit。"
　　"Youhavesense，Isee，"saidMissPattyinatoneofgreatsatisfaction。
　　"Wouldyoubelieveit？Allthepeoplewhocameheretorentthehousewantedtoknowiftheycouldn’ttakethenameoffthegateduringtheiroccupationofit。Itoldthemroundlythatthenamewentwiththehouse。
　　ThishasbeenPatty’sPlaceeversincemybrotherAaronleftittomeinhiswill，andPatty’sPlaceitshallremainuntilIdieandMariadies。
　　Afterthathappensthenextpossessorcancallitanyfoolnamehelikes，"
　　concludedMissPatty，muchasshemighthavesaid，"Afterthat——thedeluge。"
　　"Andnow，wouldn’tyouliketogooverthehouseandseeitallbeforeweconsiderthebargainmade？"
　　Furtherexplorationstillfurtherdelightedthegirls。Besidesthebigliving-room，therewasakitchenandasmallbedroomdownstairs。
　　Upstairswerethreerooms，onelargeandtwosmall。Annetookanespecialfancytooneofthesmallones，lookingoutintothebigpines，andhopeditwouldbehers。Itwaspaperedinpaleblueandhadalittle，old-timeytoilettablewithsconcesforcandles。Therewasadiamond-panedwindowwithaseatunderthebluemuslinfrillsthatwouldbeasatisfyingspotforstudyingordreaming。
　　"It’sallsodeliciousthatIknowwearegoingtowakeupandfinditafleetingvisionofthenight，"saidPriscillaastheywentaway。
　　"MissPattyandMissMariaarehardlysuchstuffasdreamsaremadeof，"laughedAnne。"Canyoufancythem`globe-trotting’——
　　especiallyinthoseshawlsandcaps？"
　　"Isupposethey’lltakethemoffwhentheyreallybegintotrot，"
　　saidPriscilla，"butIknowthey’lltaketheirknittingwiththemeverywhere。Theysimplycouldn’tbepartedfromit。
　　TheywillwalkaboutWestminsterAbbeyandknit，Ifeelsure。
　　Meanwhile，Anne，weshallbelivinginPatty’sPlace——andonSpoffordAvenue。Ifeellikeamillionairessevennow。"
　　"Ifeellikeoneofthemorningstarsthatsangforjoy，"saidAnne。
　　PhilGordoncreptintoThirty-eight，St。John’s，thatnightandflungherselfonAnne’sbed。
　　"Girls，dear，I’mtiredtodeath。Ifeellikethemanwithoutacountry——
　　orwasitwithoutashadow？Iforgetwhich。Anyway，I’vebeenpackingup。"
　　"AndIsupposeyouarewornoutbecauseyoucouldn’tdecidewhichthingstopackfirst，orwheretoputthem，"laughedPriscilla。
　　"E-zackly。AndwhenIhadgoteverythingjammedinsomehow，andmylandladyandhermaidhadbothsatonitwhileIlockedit，I
　　discoveredIhadpackedawholelotofthingsIwantedforConvocationattheverybottom。IhadtounlocktheoldthingandpokeanddiveintoitforanhourbeforeIfishedoutwhatI
　　wanted。IwouldgetholdofsomethingthatfeltlikewhatIwaslookingfor，andI’dyankitup，anditwouldbesomethingelse。
　　No，Anne，IdidNOTswear。"
　　"Ididn’tsayyoudid。"
　　"Well，youlookedit。ButIadmitmythoughtsvergedontheprofane。
　　AndIhavesuchacoldinthehead——Icandonothingbutsniffle，sighandsneeze。Isn’tthatalliterativeagonyforyou？QueenAnne，dosaysomethingtocheermeup。"
　　"RememberthatnextThursdaynight，you’llbebackinthelandofAlecandAlonzo，"suggestedAnne。
　　Philshookherheaddolefully。
　　"Morealliteration。No，Idon’twantAlecandAlonzowhenIhaveacoldinthehead。Butwhathashappenedyoutwo？NowthatIlookatyoucloselyyouseemalllightedupwithaninternaliridescence。
　　Why，you’reactuallySHINING！What’sup？"
　　"WearegoingtoliveinPatty’sPlacenextwinter，"saidAnnetriumphantly。
　　"Live，markyou，notboard！We’verentedit，andStellaMaynardiscoming，andherauntisgoingtokeephouseforus。"
　　Philbouncedup，wipedhernose，andfellonherkneesbeforeAnne。
　　"Girls——girls——letmecome，too。Oh，I’llbesogood。Ifthere’snoroomformeI’llsleepinthelittledoghouseintheorchard——I’veseenit。Onlyletmecome。"
　　"Getup，yougoose。"
　　"Iwon’tstiroffmymarrowbonestillyoutellmeIcanlivewithyounextwinter。"
　　AnneandPriscillalookedateachother。ThenAnnesaidslowly，"Phildear，we’dlovetohaveyou。Butwemayaswellspeakplainly。
　　I’mpoor——Prisispoor——StellaMaynardispoor——ourhousekeepingwillhavetobeverysimpleandourtableplain。You’dhavetoliveaswewould。Now，youarerichandyourboardinghousefareatteststhefact。"
　　"Oh，whatdoIcareforthat？"demandedPhiltragically。
　　"Betteradinnerofherbswhereyourchumsarethanastalledoxinalonelyboardinghouse。Don’tthinkI’mALLstomach，girls。
　　I’llbewillingtoliveonbreadandwater——withjustaLEETLE
　　jam——ifyou’llletmecome。"
　　"Andthen，"continuedAnne，"therewillbeagooddealofworktobedone。
　　Stella’sauntcan’tdoitall。Weallexpecttohaveourchorestodo。
　　Now，you——"
　　"Toilnot，neitherdoIspin，"finishedPhilippa。"ButI’lllearntodothings。You’llonlyhavetoshowmeonce。ICANmakemyownbedtobeginwith。Andrememberthat，thoughIcan’tcook，ICANkeepmytemper。That’ssomething。AndINEVERgrowlabouttheweather。That’smore。Oh，please，please！Ineverwantedanythingsomuchinmylife——andthisfloorisawfullyhard。"
　　"There’sjustonemorething，"saidPriscillaresolutely。
　　"You，Phil，asallRedmondknows，entertaincallersalmosteveryevening。Now，atPatty’sPlacewecan’tdothat。WehavedecidedthatweshallbeathometoourfriendsonFridayeveningsonly。
　　Ifyoucomewithusyou’llhavetoabidebythatrule。"
　　"Well，youdon’tthinkI’llmindthat，doyou？Why，I’mgladofit。
　　IknewIshouldhavehadsomesuchrulemyself，butIhadn’tenoughdecisiontomakeitorsticktoit。WhenIcanshuffleofftheresponsibilityonyouitwillbearealrelief。Ifyouwon’tletmecastinmylotwithyouI’lldieofthedisappointmentandthenI’llcomebackandhauntyou。I’llcampontheverydoorstepofPatty’sPlaceandyouwon’tbeabletogooutorcomeinwithoutfallingovermyspook。"
　　AgainAnneandPriscillaexchangedeloquentlooks。
　　"Well，"saidAnne，"ofcoursewecan’tpromisetotakeyouuntilwe’veconsultedwithStella；butIdon’tthinkshe’llobject，and，asfarasweareconcerned，youmaycomeandgladwelcome。"
　　"Ifyougettiredofoursimplelifeyoucanleaveus，andnoquestionsasked，"addedPriscilla。
　　Philsprangup，huggedthembothjubilantly，andwentonherwayrejoicing。
　　"Ihopethingswillgoright，"saidPriscillasoberly。
　　"WemustMAKEthemgoright，"avowedAnne。"IthinkPhilwillfitintoour’appylittle’omeverywell。"
　　"Oh，Phil’sadeartorattleroundwithandbechums。And，ofcourse，themorethereareofustheeasieritwillbeonourslimpurses。
　　Buthowwillshebetolivewith？Youhavetosummerandwinterwithanyonebeforeyouknowifshe’sLIVABLEornot。"
　　"Oh，well，we’llallbeputtothetest，asfarasthatgoes。
　　Andwemustquituslikesensiblefolk，livingandletlive。
　　Philisn’tselfish，thoughshe’salittlethoughtless，andI
　　believewewillallgetonbeautifullyinPatty’sPlace。"
　　ChapterXI
　　TheRoundofLifeAnnewasbackinAvonleawiththelusteroftheThorburnScholarshiponherbrow。Peopletoldhershehadn’tchangedmuch，inatonewhichhintedtheyweresurprisedandalittledisappointedshehadn’t。
　　Avonleahadnotchanged，either。Atleast，soitseemedatfirst。
　　ButasAnnesatintheGreenGablespew，onthefirstSundayafterherreturn，andlookedoverthecongregation，shesawseverallittlechangeswhich，allcominghometoheratonce，madeherrealizethattimedidnotquitestandstill，eveninAvonlea。Anewministerwasinthepulpit。Inthepewsmorethanonefamiliarfacewasmissingforever。
　　Old"UncleAbe，"hisprophesyingoveranddonewith，Mrs。PeterSloane，whohadsighed，itwastobehoped，forthelasttime，TimothyCotton，who，asMrs。RachelLyndesaid"hadactuallymanagedtodieatlastafterpracticingatitfortwentyyears，"andoldJosiahSloane，whomnobodyknewinhiscoffinbecausehehadhiswhiskersneatlytrimmed，wereallsleepinginthelittlegraveyardbehindthechurch。AndBillyAndrewswasmarriedtoNettieBlewett！They"appearedout"thatSunday。
　　WhenBilly，beamingwithprideandhappiness，showedhisbe-plumedandbe-silkedbrideintotheHarmonAndrews’pew，Annedroppedherlidstohideherdancingeyes。SherecalledthestormywinternightoftheChristmasholidayswhenJanehadproposedforBilly。Hecertainlyhadnotbrokenhisheartoverhisrejection。AnnewonderedifJanehadalsoproposedtoNettieforhim，orifhehadmusteredenoughspunktoaskthefatefulquestionhimself。AlltheAndrewsfamilyseemedtoshareinhisprideandpleasure，fromMrs。HarmoninthepewtoJaneinthechoir。JanehadresignedfromtheAvonleaschoolandintendedtogoWestinthefall。
　　"Can’tgetabeauinAvonlea，that’swhat，"saidMrs。RachelLyndescornfully。"SAYSshethinksshe’llhavebetterhealthoutWest。
　　Ineverheardherhealthwaspoorbefore。"
　　"Janeisanicegirl，"Annehadsaidloyally。"Shenevertriedtoattractattention，assomedid。"
　　"Oh，sheneverchasedtheboys，ifthat’swhatyoumean，"saidMrs。Rachel。"Butshe’dliketobemarried，justasmuchasanybody，that’swhat。WhatelsewouldtakeheroutWesttosomeforsakenplacewhoseonlyrecommendationisthatmenareplentyandwomenscarce？Don’tyoutellme！"
　　ButitwasnotatJane，Annegazedthatdayindismayandsurprise。
　　ItwasatRubyGillis，whosatbesideherinthechoir。WhathadhappenedtoRuby？Shewasevenhandsomerthanever；butherblueeyesweretoobrightandlustrous，andthecolorofhercheekswashecticallybrilliant；besides，shewasverythin；thehandsthatheldherhymn-bookwerealmosttransparentintheirdelicacy。
　　"IsRubyGillisill？"AnneaskedofMrs。Lynde，astheywenthomefromchurch。
　　"RubyGillisisdyingofgallopingconsumption，"saidMrs。Lyndebluntly。"EverybodyknowsitexceptherselfandherFAMILY。
　　Theywon’tgivein。IfyouaskTHEM，she’sperfectlywell。
　　Shehasn’tbeenabletoteachsinceshehadthatattackofcongestioninthewinter，butshesaysshe’sgoingtoteachagaininthefall，andshe’saftertheWhiteSandsschool。
　　She’llbeinhergrave，poorgirl，whenWhiteSandsschoolopens，that’swhat。"
　　Annelistenedinshockedsilence。RubyGillis，heroldschool-chum，dying？Coulditbepossible？Oflateyearstheyhadgrownapart；
　　buttheoldtieofschool-girlintimacywasthere，andmadeitselffeltsharplyinthetugthenewsgaveatAnne’sheartstrings。
　　Ruby，thebrilliant，themerry，thecoquettish！Itwasimpossibletoassociatethethoughtofherwithanythinglikedeath。ShehadgreetedAnnewithgaycordialityafterchurch，andurgedhertocomeupthenextevening。
　　"I’llbeawayTuesdayandWednesdayevenings，"shehadwhisperedtriumphantly。"There’saconcertatCarmodyandapartyatWhiteSands。HerbSpencer’sgoingtotakeme。He’smyLATEST。Besuretocomeuptomorrow。I’mdyingforagoodtalkwithyou。IwanttohearallaboutyourdoingsatRedmond。"
　　AnneknewthatRubymeantthatshewantedtotellAnneallaboutherownrecentflirtations，butshepromisedtogo，andDianaofferedtogowithher。
　　"I’vebeenwantingtogotoseeRubyforalongwhile，"shetoldAnne，whentheyleftGreenGablesthenextevening，"butIreallycouldn’tgoalone。It’ssoawfultohearRubyrattlingonasshedoes，andpretendingthereisnothingthematterwithher，evenwhenshecanhardlyspeakforcoughing。She’sfightingsohardforherlife，andyetshehasn’tanychanceatall，theysay。"
　　Thegirlswalkedsilentlydownthered，twilitroad。Therobinsweresingingvespersinthehightreetops，fillingthegoldenairwiththeirjubilantvoices。Thesilverflutingofthefrogscamefrommarshesandponds，overfieldswhereseedswerebeginningtostirwithlifeandthrilltothesunshineandrainthathaddriftedoverthem。Theairwasfragrantwiththewild，sweet，wholesomesmellofyoungraspberrycopses。Whitemistswerehoveringinthesilenthollowsandvioletstarswereshiningbluelyonthebrooklands。
　　"Whatabeautifulsunset，"saidDiana。"Look，Anne，it’sjustlikealandinitself，isn’tit？Thatlong，lowbackofpurplecloudistheshore，andtheclearskyfurtheronislikeagoldensea。"
　　"IfwecouldsailtoitinthemoonshineboatPaulwroteofinhisoldcomposition——youremember？——howniceitwouldbe，"
　　saidAnne，rousingfromherreverie。"Doyouthinkwecouldfindallouryesterdaysthere，Diana——allouroldspringsandblossoms？ThebedsofflowersthatPaulsawtherearetherosesthathavebloomedforusinthepast？"
　　"Don’t！"saidDiana。"Youmakemefeelasifwewereoldwomenwitheverythinginlifebehindus。"
　　"IthinkI’vealmostfeltasifweweresinceIheardaboutpoorRuby，"
　　saidAnne。"Ifitistruethatsheisdyinganyothersadthingmightbetrue，too。"
　　"Youdon’tmindcallinginatElishaWright’sforamoment，doyou？"
　　askedDiana。"MotheraskedmetoleavethislittledishofjellyforAuntAtossa。"
　　"WhoisAuntAtossa？"
　　"Oh，haven’tyouheard？She’sMrs。SamsonCoatesofSpencervale——Mrs。ElishaWright’saunt。She’sfather’saunt，too。Herhusbanddiedlastwinterandshewasleftverypoorandlonely，sotheWrightstookhertolivewiththem。Motherthoughtweoughttotakeher，butfatherputhisfootdown。LivewithAuntAtossahewouldnot。"
　　"Isshesoterrible？"askedAnneabsently。
　　"You’llprobablyseewhatshe’slikebeforewecangetaway，"
　　saidDianasignificantly。"Fathersaysshehasafacelikeahatchet——itcutstheair。Buthertongueissharperstill。"
　　LateasitwasAuntAtossawascuttingpotatosetsintheWrightkitchen。Sheworeafadedoldwrapper，andhergrayhairwasdecidedlyuntidy。AuntAtossadidnotlikebeing"caughtinakilter，"soshewentoutofherwaytobedisagreeable。
　　"Oh，soyou’reAnneShirley？"shesaid，whenDianaintroducedAnne。
　　"I’veheardofyou。"Hertoneimpliedthatshehadheardnothinggood。
　　"Mrs。Andrewswastellingmeyouwerehome。Shesaidyouhadimprovedagooddeal。"
　　TherewasnodoubtAuntAtossathoughttherewasplentyofroomforfurtherimprovement。Sheceasednotfromcuttingsetswithmuchenergy。
　　"Isitanyusetoaskyoutositdown？"sheinquiredsarcastically。
　　"Ofcourse，there’snothingveryentertaininghereforyou。Therestareallaway。"
　　"Mothersentyouthislittlepotofrhubarbjelly，"saidDianapleasantly。"Shemadeittodayandthoughtyoumightlikesome。"
　　"Oh，thanks，"saidAuntAtossasourly。"Ineverfancyyourmother’sjelly——shealwaysmakesittoosweet。However，I’lltrytoworrysomedown。Myappetite’sbeendreadfulpoorthisspring。I’mfarfromwell，"continuedAuntAtossasolemnly，"butstillIkeepa-doing。Peoplewhocan’tworkaren’twantedhere。
　　Ifitisn’ttoomuchtroublewillyoubecondescendingenoughtosetthejellyinthepantry？I’minahurrytogetthesespudsdonetonight。IsupposeyoutwoLADIESneverdoanythinglikethis。
　　You’dbeafraidofspoilingyourhands。"
　　"Iusedtocutpotatosetsbeforewerentedthefarm，"smiledAnne。
　　"Idoityet，"laughedDiana。"Icutsetsthreedayslastweek。
　　Ofcourse，"sheaddedteasingly，"Ididmyhandsupinlemonjuiceandkidgloveseverynightafterit。"
　　AuntAtossasniffed。
　　"Isupposeyougotthatnotionoutofsomeofthosesillymagazinesyoureadsomanyof。Iwonderyourmotherallowsyou。
　　Butshealwaysspoiledyou。WeallthoughtwhenGeorgemarriedhershewouldn’tbeasuitablewifeforhim。"
　　AuntAtossasighedheavily，asifallforebodingsupontheoccasionofGeorgeBarry’smarriagehadbeenamplyanddarklyfulfilled。
　　"Going，areyou？"sheinquired，asthegirlsrose。"Well，I
　　supposeyoucan’tfindmuchamusementtalkingtoanoldwomanlikeme。It’ssuchapitytheboysain’thome。"
　　"WewanttoruninandseeRubyGillisalittlewhile，"explainedDiana。
　　"Oh，anythingdoesforanexcuse，ofcourse，"saidAuntAtossa，amiably。
　　"Justwhipinandwhipoutbeforeyouhavetimetosayhow-dodecently。
　　It’scollegeairs，Is’pose。You’dbewisertokeepawayfromRubyGillis。
　　Thedoctorssayconsumption’scatching。IalwaysknewRuby’dgetsomething，gaddingofftoBostonlastfallforavisit。Peoplewhoain’tcontenttostayhomealwayscatchsomething。"
　　"Peoplewhodon’tgovisitingcatchthings，too。Sometimestheyevendie，"
　　saidDianasolemnly。
　　"Thentheydon’thavethemselvestoblameforit，"retortedAuntAtossatriumphantly。"IhearyouaretobemarriedinJune，Diana。"
　　"Thereisnotruthinthatreport，"saidDiana，blushing。
　　"Well，don’tputitofftoolong，"saidAuntAtossasignificantly。
　　"You’llfadesoon——you’reallcomplexionandhair。AndtheWrightsareterriblefickle。Yououghttowearahat，MISSSHIRLEY。Yournoseisfrecklingscandalous。My，butyouAREredheaded！Well，Is’posewe’reallastheLordmadeus！GiveMarillaCuthbertmyrespects。
　　She’sneverbeentoseemesinceIcometoAvonlea，butIs’poseI
　　oughtn’ttocomplain。TheCuthbertsalwaysdidthinkthemselvesacuthigherthananyoneelseroundhere。"
　　"Oh，isn’tshedreadful？"gaspedDiana，astheyescapeddownthelane。
　　"She’sworsethanMissElizaAndrews，"saidAnne。"ButthenthinkoflivingallyourlifewithanamelikeAtossa！Wouldn’titsouralmostanyone？SheshouldhavetriedtoimaginehernamewasCordelia。
　　Itmighthavehelpedheragreatdeal。ItcertainlyhelpedmeinthedayswhenIdidn’tlikeANNE。"
　　"JosiePyewillbejustlikeherwhenshegrowsup，"saidDiana。
　　"Josie’smotherandAuntAtossaarecousins，youknow。Oh，dear，I’mgladthat’sover。She’ssomalicious——sheseemstoputabadflavorineverything。Fathertellssuchafunnystoryabouther。
　　OnetimetheyhadaministerinSpencervalewhowasaverygood，spiritualmanbutverydeaf。Hecouldn’thearanyordinaryconversationatall。Well，theyusedtohaveaprayermeetingonSundayevenings，andallthechurchmemberspresentwouldgetupandprayinturn，orsayafewwordsonsomeBibleverse。ButoneeveningAuntAtossabouncedup。Shedidn’teitherprayorpreach。Instead，shelitintoeverybodyelseinthechurchandgavethemafearfulrakingdown，callingthemrightoutbynameandtellingthemhowtheyallhadbehaved，andcastingupallthequarrelsandscandalsofthepasttenyears。FinallyshewoundupbysayingthatshewasdisgustedwithSpencervalechurchandshenevermeanttodarkenitsdooragain，andshehopedafearfuljudgmentwouldcomeuponit。Thenshesatdownoutofbreath，andtheminister，whohadn’theardawordshesaid，immediatelyremarked，inaverydevoutvoice，`amen！TheLordgrantourdearsister’sprayer！’Yououghttohearfathertellthestory。"
　　"Speakingofstories，Diana，"remarkedAnne，inasignificant，confidentialtone，"doyouknowthatlatelyIhavebeenwonderingifIcouldwriteashortstory——astorythatwouldbegoodenoughtobepublished？"
　　"Why，ofcourseyoucould，"saidDiana，aftershehadgraspedtheamazingsuggestion。"YouusedtowriteperfectlythrillingstoriesyearsagoinouroldStoryClub。"
　　"Well，Ihardlymeantoneofthatkindofstories，"smiledAnne。
　　"I’vebeenthinkingaboutitalittleoflate，butI’malmostafraidtotry，for，ifIshouldfail，itwouldbetoohumiliating。"
　　"IheardPriscillasayoncethatallMrs。Morgan’sfirststorieswererejected。ButI’msureyourswouldn’tbe，Anne，forit’slikelyeditorshavemoresensenowadays。"
　　"MargaretBurton，oneoftheJuniorgirlsatRedmond，wroteastorylastwinteranditwaspublishedintheCanadianWoman。
　　IreallydothinkIcouldwriteoneatleastasgood。"
　　"AndwillyouhaveitpublishedintheCanadianWoman？"
　　"Imighttryoneofthebiggermagazinesfirst。ItalldependsonwhatkindofastoryIwrite。"
　　"Whatisittobeabout？"
　　"Idon’tknowyet。Iwanttogetholdofagoodplot。Ibelievethisisverynecessaryfromaneditor’spointofview。TheonlythingI’vesettledonistheheroine’sname。ItistobeAVERIL
　　LESTER。Ratherpretty，don’tyouthink？Don’tmentionthistoanyone，Diana。Ihaven’ttoldanybodybutyouandMr。Harrison。
　　HEwasn’tveryencouraging——hesaidtherewasfartoomuchtrashwrittennowadaysasitwas，andhe’dexpectedsomethingbetterofme，afterayearatcollege。"
　　"WhatdoesMr。Harrisonknowaboutit？"demandedDianascornfully。
　　TheyfoundtheGillishomegaywithlightsandcallers。LeonardKimball，ofSpencervale，andMorganBell，ofCarmody，wereglaringateachotheracrosstheparlor。Severalmerrygirlshaddroppedin。
　　Rubywasdressedinwhiteandhereyesandcheekswereverybrilliant。
　　Shelaughedandchatteredincessantly，andaftertheothergirlshadgoneshetookAnneupstairstodisplayhernewsummerdresses。
　　"I’veabluesilktomakeupyet，butit’salittleheavyforsummerwear。IthinkI’llleaveituntilthefall。I’mgoingtoteachinWhiteSands，youknow。Howdoyoulikemyhat？
　　Thatoneyouhadoninchurchyesterdaywasrealdinky。
　　ButIlikesomethingbrighterformyself。Didyounoticethosetworidiculousboysdownstairs？They’vebothcomedeterminedtositeachotherout。Idon’tcareasinglebitabouteitherofthem，youknow。HerbSpenceristheoneIlike。
　　SometimesIreallydothinkhe’sMR。RIGHT。AtChristmasI
　　thoughttheSpencervaleschoolmasterwasthat。ButIfoundoutsomethingabouthimthatturnedmeagainsthim。HenearlywentinsanewhenIturnedhimdown。Iwishthosetwoboyshadn’tcometonight。Iwantedtohaveanicegoodtalkwithyou，Anne，andtellyousuchheapsofthings。YouandIwerealwaysgoodchums，weren’twe？"
　　RubyslippedherarmaboutAnne’swaistwithashallowlittlelaugh。
　　Butjustforamomenttheireyesmet，and，behindallthelusterofRuby’s，Annesawsomethingthatmadeherheartache。
　　"Comeupoften，won’tyou，Anne？"whisperedRuby。"Comealone——
　　Iwantyou。"
　　"Areyoufeelingquitewell，Ruby？"
　　"Me！Why，I’mperfectlywell。Ineverfeltbetterinmylife。
　　Ofcourse，thatcongestionlastwinterpulledmedownalittle。
　　Butjustseemycolor。Idon’tlookmuchlikeaninvalid，I’msure。"
　　Ruby’svoicewasalmostsharp。ShepulledherarmawayfromAnne，asifinresentment，andrandownstairs，whereshewasgayerthanever，apparentlysomuchabsorbedinbanteringhertwoswainsthatDianaandAnnefeltratheroutofitandsoonwentaway。
　　ChapterXII
　　"Averil’sAtonement"
　　"Whatareyoudreamingof，Anne？"
　　Thetwogirlswereloiteringoneeveninginafairyhollowofthebrook。Fernsnoddedinit，andlittlegrassesweregreen，andwildpearshungfinely-scented，whitecurtainsaroundit。