CHAPTER1
INTHEGARRETOFGREENGABLES
"Thanksbe，I’mdonewithgeometry，learningorteachingit，"
saidAnneShirley，atriflevindictively，asshethumpedasomewhatbatteredvolumeofEuclidintoabigchestofbooks，bangedthelidintriumph，andsatdownuponit，lookingatDianaWrightacrosstheGreenGablesgarret，withgrayeyesthatwerelikeamorningsky。
Thegarretwasashadowy，suggestive，delightfulplace，asallgarretsshouldbe。Throughtheopenwindow，bywhichAnnesat，blewthesweet，scented，sun-warmairoftheAugustafternoon；outside，poplarboughsrustledandtossedinthewind；beyondthemwerethewoods，whereLover’sLanewounditsenchantedpath，andtheoldappleorchardwhichstillboreitsrosyharvestsmunificently。And，overall，wasagreatmountainrangeofsnowycloudsinthebluesouthernsky。
Throughtheotherwindowwasglimpsedadistant，white-capped，bluesea——thebeautifulSt。LawrenceGulf，onwhichfloats，likeajewel，Abegweit，whosesofter，sweeterIndiannamehaslongbeenforsakenforthemoreprosaiconeofPrinceEdwardIsland。
DianaWright，threeyearsolderthanwhenwelastsawher，hadgrownsomewhatmatronlyintheinterveningtime。Buthereyeswereasblackandbrilliant，hercheeksasrosy，andherdimplesasenchanting，asinthelong-agodayswhensheandAnneShirleyhadvowedeternalfriendshipinthegardenatOrchardSlope。Inherarmssheheldasmall，sleeping，black-curledcreature，whofortwohappyyearshadbeenknowntotheworldofAvonleaas"SmallAnneCordelia。"AvonleafolksknewwhyDianahadcalledherAnne，ofcourse，butAvonleafolkswerepuzzledbytheCordelia。TherehadneverbeenaCordeliaintheWrightorBarryconnections。Mrs。HarmonAndrewssaidshesupposedDianahadfoundthenameinsometrashynovel，andwonderedthatFredhadn’tmoresensethantoallowit。
ButDianaandAnnesmiledateachother。TheyknewhowSmallAnneCordeliahadcomebyhername。
"Youalwayshatedgeometry，"saidDianawitharetrospectivesmile。"Ishouldthinkyou’dberealgladtobethroughwithteaching，anyhow。"
"Oh，I’vealwayslikedteaching，apartfromgeometry。
ThesepastthreeyearsinSummersidehavebeenverypleasantones。Mrs。HarmonAndrewstoldmewhenIcamehomethatIwouldn’tlikelyfindmarriedlifeasmuchbetterthanteachingasIexpected。EvidentlyMrs。
HarmonisofHamlet’sopinionthatitmaybebettertobeartheillsthatwehavethanflytoothersthatweknownotof。"
Anne’slaugh，asblitheandirresistibleasofyore，withanaddednoteofsweetnessandmaturity，rangthroughthegarret。Marillainthekitchenbelow，compoundingblueplumpreserve，hearditandsmiled；
thensighedtothinkhowseldomthatdearlaughwouldechothroughGreenGablesintheyearstocome。
NothinginherlifehadevergivenMarillasomuchhappinessastheknowledgethatAnnewasgoingtomarryGilbertBlythe；buteveryjoymustbringwithititslittleshadowofsorrow。DuringthethreeSummersideyearsAnnehadbeenhomeoftenforvacationsandweekends；but，afterthis，abi-annualvisitwouldbeasmuchascouldbehopedfor。
"Youneedn’tletwhatMrs。Harmonsaysworryyou，"
saidDiana，withthecalmassuranceofthefour-yearsmatron。"Marriedlifehasitsupsanddowns，ofcourse。Youmustn’texpectthateverythingwillalwaysgosmoothly。ButIcanassureyou，Anne，thatit’sahappylife，whenyou’remarriedtotherightman。"
Annesmotheredasmile。Diana’sairsofvastexperiencealwaysamusedheralittle。
"IdaresayI’llbeputtingthemontoo，whenI’vebeenmarriedfouryears，"shethought。"Surelymysenseofhumorwillpreservemefromit，though。"
"Isitsettledyetwhereyouaregoingtolive？"askedDiana，cuddlingSmallAnneCordeliawiththeinimitablegestureofmotherhoodwhichalwayssentthroughAnne’sheart，filledwithsweet，unuttereddreamsandhopes，athrillthatwashalfpurepleasureandhalfastrange，etherealpain。
"Yes。ThatwaswhatIwantedtotellyouwhenI
’phonedtoyoutocomedowntoday。Bytheway，Ican’trealizethatwereallyhavetelephonesinAvonleanow。
Itsoundssopreposterouslyup-to-dateandmodernishforthisdarling，leisurelyoldplace。"
"WecanthanktheA。V。I。S。forthem，"saidDiana。
"Weshouldneverhavegotthelineiftheyhadn’ttakenthematterupandcarrieditthrough。Therewasenoughcoldwaterthrowntodiscourageanysociety。
Buttheystucktoit，nevertheless。YoudidasplendidthingforAvonleawhenyoufoundedthatsociety，Anne。
Whatfunwedidhaveatourmeetings！WillyoueverforgetthebluehallandJudsonParker’sschemeforpaintingmedicineadvertisementsonhisfence？"
"Idon’tknowthatI’mwhollygratefultotheA。V。I。
S。inthematterofthetelephone，"saidAnne。"Oh，I
knowit’smostconvenient——evenmoresothanourolddeviceofsignallingtoeachotherbyflashesofcandlelight！And，asMrs。Rachelsays，`Avonleamustkeepupwiththeprocession，that’swhat。’ButsomehowIfeelasifIdidn’twantAvonleaspoiledbywhatMr。
Harrison，whenhewantstobewitty，calls`moderninconveniences。’Ishouldliketohaveitkeptalwaysjustasitwasinthedearoldyears。That’sfoolish——andsentimental——andimpossible。SoIshallimmediatelybecomewiseandpracticalandpossible。
Thetelephone，asMr。Harrisonconcedes，is`abusterofagoodthing’——evenifyoudoknowthatprobablyhalfadozeninterestedpeoplearelisteningalongtheline。"
"That’stheworstofit，"sighedDiana。"It’ssoannoyingtohearthereceiversgoingdownwheneveryouringanyoneup。TheysayMrs。HarmonAndrewsinsistedthattheir`phoneshouldbeputintheirkitchenjustsothatshecouldlistenwheneveritrangandkeepaneyeonthedinneratthesametime。Today，whenyoucalledme，IdistinctlyheardthatqueerclockofthePyes’striking。SonodoubtJosieorGertiewaslistening。"
"Oh，sothatiswhyyousaid，`You’vegotanewclockatGreenGables，haven’tyou？’Icouldn’timaginewhatyoumeant。Iheardaviciousclickassoonasyouhadspoken。IsupposeitwasthePyereceiverbeinghungupwithprofaneenergy。Well，nevermindthePyes。AsMrs。Rachelsays，`PyestheyalwayswereandPyestheyalwayswillbe，worldwithoutend，amen。’Iwanttotalkofpleasanterthings。It’sallsettledastowheremynewhomeshallbe。"
"Oh，Anne，where？Idohopeit’snearhere。"
"No-o-o，that’sthedrawback。GilbertisgoingtosettleatFourWindsHarbor——sixtymilesfromhere。"
"Sixty！Itmightaswellbesixhundred，"sighedDiana。"InevercangetfurtherfromhomenowthanCharlottetown。"
"You’llhavetocometoFourWinds。It’sthemostbeautifulharborontheIsland。There’salittlevillagecalledGlenSt。Maryatitshead，andDr。DavidBlythehasbeenpracticingthereforfiftyyears。HeisGilbert’sgreat-uncle，youknow。Heisgoingtoretire，andGilbertistotakeoverhispractice。Dr。
Blytheisgoingtokeephishouse，though，soweshallhavetofindahabitationforourselves。Idon’tknowyetwhatitis，orwhereitwillbeinreality，butI
havealittlehouseo’dreamsallfurnishedinmyimagination——atiny，delightfulcastleinSpain。"
"Whereareyougoingforyourweddingtour？"askedDiana。
"Nowhere。Don’tlookhorrified，Dianadearest。YousuggestMrs。HarmonAndrews。She，nodoubt，willremarkcondescendinglythatpeoplewhocan’taffordwedding`towers’arerealsensiblenottotakethem；
andthenshe’llremindmethatJanewenttoEuropeforhers。IwanttospendMYhoneymoonatFourWindsinmyowndearhouseofdreams。"
"Andyou’vedecidednottohaveanybridesmaid？"
"Thereisn’tanyonetohave。YouandPhilandPriscillaandJaneallstoleamarchonmeinthematterofmarriage；andStellaisteachinginVancouver。Ihavenoother`kindredsoul’andIwon’thaveabridesmaidwhoisn’t。"
"Butyouaregoingtowearaveil，aren’tyou？"askedDiana，anxiously。
"Yes，indeedy。Ishouldn’tfeellikeabridewithoutone。IremembertellingMatthew，thateveningwhenhebroughtmetoGreenGables，thatIneverexpectedtobeabridebecauseIwassohomelynoonewouldeverwanttomarryme——unlesssomeforeignmissionarydid。Ihadanideathenthatforeignmissionariescouldn’taffordtobefinickyinthematteroflooksiftheywantedagirltoriskherlifeamongcannibals。YoushouldhaveseentheforeignmissionaryPriscillamarried。Hewasashandsomeandinscrutableasthosedaydreamsweonceplannedtomarryourselves，Diana；hewasthebestdressedmanIevermet，andheravedoverPriscilla’s`ethereal，goldenbeauty。’ButofcoursetherearenocannibalsinJapan。"
"Yourweddingdressisadream，anyhow，"sighedDianarapturously。"You’lllooklikeaperfectqueeninit——you’resotallandslender。HowDOyoukeepsoslim，Anne？I’mfatterthanever——I’llsoonhavenowaistatall。"
"Stoutnessandslimnessseemtobemattersofpredestination，"saidAnne。"Atallevents，Mrs。
HarmonAndrewscan’tsaytoyouwhatshesaidtomewhenIcamehomefromSummerside，`Well，Anne，you’rejustaboutasskinnyasever。’Itsoundsquiteromantictobe`slender，’but`skinny’hasaverydifferenttang。"
"Mrs。Harmonhasbeentalkingaboutyourtrousseau。
Sheadmitsit’sasniceasJane’s，althoughshesaysJanemarriedamillionaireandyouareonlymarryinga`pooryoungdoctorwithoutacenttohisname。’"
Annelaughed。
"MydressesAREnice。Iloveprettythings。I
rememberthefirstprettydressIeverhad——thebrowngloriaMatthewgavemeforourschoolconcert。BeforethateverythingIhadwassougly。ItseemedtomethatIsteppedintoanewworldthatnight。"
"ThatwasthenightGilbertrecited`BingenontheRhine，’andlookedatyouwhenhesaid，`There’sanother，NOTasister。’Andyouweresofuriousbecauseheputyourpinktissueroseinhisbreastpocket！Youdidn’tmuchimaginethenthatyouwouldevermarryhim。"
"Oh，well，that’sanotherinstanceofpredestination，"
laughedAnne，astheywentdownthegarretstairs。
CHAPTER2
THEHOUSEOFDREAMS
TherewasmoreexcitementintheairofGreenGablesthantherehadeverbeenbeforeinallitshistory。
EvenMarillawassoexcitedthatshecouldn’thelpshowingit——whichwaslittleshortofbeingphenomenal。
"There’sneverbeenaweddinginthishouse，"shesaid，halfapologetically，toMrs。RachelLynde。
"WhenIwasachildIheardanoldministersaythatahousewasnotarealhomeuntilithadbeenconsecratedbyabirth，aweddingandadeath。We’vehaddeathshere——myfatherandmotherdiedhereaswellasMatthew；andwe’veevenhadabirthhere。Longago，justafterwemovedintothishouse，wehadamarriedhiredmanforalittlewhile，andhiswifehadababyhere。Butthere’sneverbeenaweddingbefore。ItdoesseemsostrangetothinkofAnnebeingmarried。
InawayshejustseemstomethelittlegirlMatthewbroughthomeherefourteenyearsago。Ican’trealizethatshe’sgrownup。IshallneverforgetwhatIfeltwhenIsawMatthewbringinginaGIRL。Iwonderwhatbecameoftheboywewouldhavegotiftherehadn’tbeenamistake。IwonderwhatHISfatewas。"
"Well，itwasafortunatemistake，"saidMrs。RachelLynde，"though，mindyou，therewasatimeIdidn’tthinkso——thateveningIcameuptoseeAnneandshetreatedustosuchascene。Manythingshavechangedsincethen，that’swhat。"
Mrs。Rachelsighed，andthenbriskedupagain。WhenweddingswereinorderMrs。Rachelwasreadytoletthedeadpastburyitsdead。
"I’mgoingtogiveAnnetwoofmycottonwarpspreads，"sheresumed。"Atobacco-stripeoneandanapple-leafone。Shetellsmethey’regettingtoberealfashionableagain。Well，fashionornofashion，I
don’tbelievethere’sanythingprettierforaspare-roombedthananiceapple-leafspread，that’swhat。Imustseeaboutgettingthembleached。I’vehadthemsewedupincottonbagseversinceThomasdied，andnodoubtthey’reanawfulcolor。Butthere’samonthyet，anddew-bleachingwillworkwonders。"
Onlyamonth！Marillasighedandthensaidproudly:
"I’mgivingAnnethathalfdozenbraidedrugsIhaveinthegarret。Ineversupposedshe’dwantthem——they’resoold-fashioned，andnobodyseemstowantanythingbuthookedmatsnow。Butsheaskedmeforthem——saidshe’dratherhavethemthananythingelseforherfloors。TheyAREpretty。Imadethemofthenicestrags，andbraidedtheminstripes。Itwassuchcompanytheselastfewwinters。AndI’llmakeherenoughblueplumpreservetostockherjamclosetforayear。Itseemsrealstrange。Thoseblueplumtreeshadn’tevenablossomforthreeyears，andI
thoughttheymightaswellbecutdown。Andthislastspringtheywerewhite，andsuchacropofplumsI
neverrememberatGreenGables。"
"Well，thankgoodnessthatAnneandGilbertreallyaregoingtobemarriedafterall。It’swhatI’vealwaysprayedfor，"saidMrs。Rachel，inthetoneofonewhoiscomfortablysurethatherprayershaveavailedmuch。
"Itwasagreatrelieftofindoutthatshereallydidn’tmeantotaketheKingsportman。Hewasrich，tobesure，andGilbertispoor——atleast，tobeginwith；
butthenhe’sanIslandboy。"
"He’sGilbertBlythe，"saidMarillacontentedly。
MarillawouldhavediedthedeathbeforeshewouldhaveputintowordsthethoughtthatwasalwaysinthebackgroundofhermindwhenevershehadlookedatGilbertfromhischildhoodup——thethoughtthat，haditnotbeenforherownwilfulpridelong，longago，hemighthavebeenHERson。Marillafeltthat，insomestrangeway，hismarriagewithAnnewouldputrightthatoldmistake。Goodhadcomeoutoftheeviloftheancientbitterness。
AsforAnneherself，shewassohappythatshealmostfeltfrightened。Thegods，sosaystheoldsuperstition，donotliketobeholdtoohappymortals。
Itiscertain，atleast，thatsomehumanbeingsdonot。
TwoofthatilkdescendeduponAnneonevioletduskandproceededtodowhatinthemlaytopricktherainbowbubbleofhersatisfaction。IfshethoughtshewasgettinganyparticularprizeinyoungDr。Blythe，orifsheimaginedthathewasstillasinfatuatedwithherashemighthavebeeninhissaladdays，itwassurelytheirdutytoputthematterbeforeherinanotherlight。YetthesetwoworthyladieswerenotenemiesofAnne；onthecontrary，theywerereallyquitefondofher，andwouldhavedefendedherastheirownyounghadanyoneelseattackedher。Humannatureisnotobligedtobeconsistent。
Mrs。Inglis——neeJaneAndrews，toquotefromtheDailyEnterprise——camewithhermotherandMrs。JasperBell。
ButinJanethemilkofhumankindnesshadnotbeencurdledbyyearsofmatrimonialbickerings。Herlineshadfalleninpleasantplaces。Inspiteofthefact——asMrs。RachelLyndewouldsay——thatshehadmarriedamillionaire，hermarriagehadbeenhappy。
Wealthhadnotspoiledher。Shewasstilltheplacid，amiable，pink-cheekedJaneoftheoldquartette，sympathisingwithheroldchum’shappinessandaskeenlyinterestedinallthedaintydetailsofAnne’strousseauasifitcouldrivalherownsilkenandbejewelledsplendors。Janewasnotbrilliant，andhadprobablynevermadearemarkworthlisteningtoinherlife；butsheneversaidanythingthatwouldhurtanyone’sfeelings——whichmaybeanegativetalentbutislikewisearareandenviableone。
"SoGilbertdidn’tgobackonyouafterall，"saidMrs。HarmonAndrews，contrivingtoconveyanexpressionofsurpriseinhertone。"Well，theBlythesgenerallykeeptheirwordwhenthey’veoncepassedit，nomatterwhathappens。Letmesee——you’retwenty-five，aren’tyou，Anne？WhenIwasagirltwenty-fivewasthefirstcorner。Butyoulookquiteyoung。Red-headedpeoplealwaysdo。"
"Redhairisveryfashionablenow，"saidAnne，tryingtosmile，butspeakingrathercoldly。Lifehaddevelopedinherasenseofhumorwhichhelpedherovermanydifficulties；butasyetnothinghadavailedtosteelheragainstareferencetoherhair。
"Soitis——soitis，"concededMrs。Harmon。"There’snotellingwhatqueerfreaksfashionwilltake。Well，Anne，yourthingsareverypretty，andverysuitabletoyourpositioninlife，aren’tthey，Jane？Ihopeyou’llbeveryhappy。Youhavemybestwishes，I’msure。Alongengagementdoesn’toftenturnoutwell。
But，ofcourse，inyourcaseitcouldn’tbehelped。"
"Gilbertlooksveryyoungforadoctor。I’mafraidpeoplewon’thavemuchconfidenceinhim，"saidMrs。
JasperBellgloomily。Thensheshuthermouthtightly，asifshehadsaidwhatsheconsidereditherdutytosayandheldherconscienceclear。Shebelongedtothetypewhichalwayshasastringyblackfeatherinitshatandstragglinglocksofhaironitsneck。
Anne’ssurfacepleasureinherprettybridalthingswastemporarilyshadowed；butthedeepsofhappinessbelowcouldnotthusbedisturbed；andthelittlestingsofMesdamesBellandAndrewswereforgottenwhenGilbertcamelater，andtheywandereddowntothebirchesofthebrook，whichhadbeensaplingswhenAnnehadcometoGreenGables，butwerenowtall，ivorycolumnsinafairypalaceoftwilightandstars。IntheirshadowsAnneandGilberttalkedinlover-fashionoftheirnewhomeandtheirnewlifetogether。
"I’vefoundanestforus，Anne。"
"Oh，where？Notrightinthevillage，Ihope。I
wouldn’tlikethataltogether。"
"No。Therewasnohousetobehadinthevillage。
Thisisalittlewhitehouseontheharborshore，halfwaybetweenGlenSt。MaryandFourWindsPoint。It’salittleoutoftheway，butwhenwegeta’phoneinthatwon’tmattersomuch。Thesituationisbeautiful。Itlookstothesunsetandhasthegreatblueharborbeforeit。Thesand-dunesaren’tveryfaraway——theseawindsblowoverthemandtheseaspraydrenchesthem。"
"Butthehouseitself，Gilbert，——OURfirsthome？Whatisitlike？"
"Notverylarge，butlargeenoughforus。There’sasplendidlivingroomwithafireplaceinitdownstairs，andadiningroomthatlooksoutontheharbor，andalittleroomthatwilldoformyoffice。Itisaboutsixtyyearsold——theoldesthouseinFourWinds。Butithasbeenkeptinprettygoodrepair，andwasalldoneoveraboutfifteenyearsago——shingled，plasteredandre-floored。Itwaswellbuilttobeginwith。I
understandthattherewassomeromanticstoryconnectedwithitsbuilding，butthemanIrenteditfromdidn’tknowit。
HesaidCaptainJimwastheonlyonewhocouldspinthatoldyarnnow。"
"WhoisCaptainJim？"
"ThekeeperofthelighthouseonFourWindsPoint。
You’lllovethatFourWindslight，Anne。It’sarevolvingone，anditflasheslikeamagnificentstarthroughthetwilights。Wecanseeitfromourlivingroomwindowsandourfrontdoor。"
"Whoownsthehouse？"
"Well，it’sthepropertyoftheGlenSt。MaryPresbyterianChurchnow，andIrenteditfromthetrustees。Butitbelongeduntillatelytoaveryoldlady，MissElizabethRussell。Shediedlastspring，andasshehadnonearrelativessheleftherpropertytotheGlenSt。MaryChurch。Herfurnitureisstillinthehouse，andIboughtmostofit——forameresongyoumightsay，becauseitwasallsoold-fashionedthatthetrusteesdespairedofsellingit。GlenSt。Maryfolkspreferplushbrocadeandsideboardswithmirrorsandornamentations，Ifancy。ButMissRussell’sfurnitureisverygoodandIfeelsureyou’lllikeit，Anne。"
"Sofar，good，"saidAnne，noddingcautiousapproval。
"But，Gilbert，peoplecannotlivebyfurniturealone。
Youhaven’tyetmentionedoneveryimportantthing。
ArethereTREESaboutthishouse？"
"Heapsofthem，oh，dryad！Thereisabiggroveoffirtreesbehindit，tworowsofLombardypoplarsdownthelane，andaringofwhitebirchesaroundaverydelightfulgarden。Ourfrontdooropensrightintothegarden，butthereisanotherentrance——alittlegatehungbetweentwofirs。Thehingesareononetrunkandthecatchontheother。Theirboughsformanarchoverhead。"
"Oh，I’msoglad！Icouldn’tlivewheretherewerenotrees——somethingvitalinmewouldstarve。Well，afterthat，there’snouseaskingyouifthere’sabrookanywherenear。THATwouldbeexpectingtoomuch。"
"ButthereISabrook——anditactuallycutsacrossonecornerofthegarden。"
"Then，"saidAnne，withalongsighofsupremesatisfaction，"thishouseyouhavefoundISmyhouseofdreamsandnoneother。"
CHAPTER3
THELANDOFDREAMSAMONG
"Haveyoumadeupyourmindwhoyou’regoingtohavetothewedding，Anne？"askedMrs。RachelLynde，asshehemstitchedtablenapkinsindustriously。"It’stimeyourinvitationsweresent，eveniftheyaretobeonlyinformalones。"
"Idon’tmeantohaveverymany，"saidAnne。"Wejustwantthosewelovebesttoseeusmarried。Gilbert’speople，andMr。andMrs。Allan，andMr。andMrs。
Harrison。"
"Therewasatimewhenyou’dhardlyhavenumberedMr。
Harrisonamongyourdearestfriends，"saidMarilladrily。
"Well，Iwasn’tVERYstronglyattractedtohimatourfirstmeeting，"acknowledgedAnne，withalaughovertherecollection。"ButMr。Harrisonhasimprovedonacquaintance，andMrs。Harrisonisreallyadear。
Then，ofcourse，thereareMissLavendarandPaul。"
"HavetheydecidedtocometotheIslandthissummer？
IthoughttheyweregoingtoEurope。"
"TheychangedtheirmindswhenIwrotethemIwasgoingtobemarried。IhadaletterfromPaultoday。
HesaysheMUSTcometomywedding，nomatterwhathappenstoEurope。"
"Thatchildalwaysidolisedyou，"remarkedMrs。
Rachel。
"That`child’isayoungmanofnineteennow，Mrs。
Lynde。"
"Howtimedoesfly！"wasMrs。Lynde’sbrilliantandoriginalresponse。
"CharlottatheFourthmaycomewiththem。ShesentwordbyPaulthatshewouldcomeifherhusbandwouldlether。Iwonderifshestillwearsthoseenormousbluebows，andwhetherherhusbandcallsherCharlottaorLeonora。IshouldlovetohaveCharlottaatmywedding。CharlottaandIwereataweddinglongsyne。
TheyexpecttobeatEchoLodgenextweek。ThentherearePhilandtheReverendJo——"
"Itsoundsawfultohearyouspeakingofaministerlikethat，Anne，"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。
"Hiswifecallshimthat。"
"Sheshouldhavemorerespectforhisholyoffice，then，"retortedMrs。Rachel。
"I’veheardyoucriticiseministersprettysharplyyourself，"teasedAnne。
"Yes，butIdoitreverently，"protestedMrs。Lynde。
"YouneverheardmeNICKNAMEaminister。"
Annesmotheredasmile。
"Well，thereareDianaandFredandlittleFredandSmallAnneCordelia——andJaneAndrews。IwishIcouldhaveMissStaceyandAuntJamesinaandPriscillaandStella。ButStellaisinVancouver，andPrisisinJapan，andMissStaceyismarriedinCalifornia，andAuntJamesinahasgonetoIndiatoexploreherdaughter’smissionfield，inspiteofherhorrorofsnakes。It’sreallydreadful——thewaypeoplegetscatteredovertheglobe。"
"TheLordneverintendedit，that’swhat，"saidMrs。
Rachelauthoritatively。"Inmyyoungdayspeoplegrewupandmarriedandsettleddownwheretheywereborn，orprettynearit。Thankgoodnessyou’vestucktotheIsland，Anne。IwasafraidGilbertwouldinsistonrushingofftotheendsoftheearthwhenhegotthroughcollege，anddraggingyouwithhim。"
"Ifeverybodystayedwherehewasbornplaceswouldsoonbefilledup，Mrs。Lynde。"
"Oh，I’mnotgoingtoarguewithyou，Anne。_I_amnotaB。A。Whattimeofthedayistheceremonytobe？"
"Wehavedecidedonnoon——highnoon，asthesocietyreporterssay。ThatwillgiveustimetocatchtheeveningtraintoGlenSt。Mary。"
"Andyou’llbemarriedintheparlor？"
"No——notunlessitrains。Wemeantobemarriedintheorchard——withtheblueskyoverusandthesunshinearoundus。DoyouknowwhenandwhereI’dliketobemarried，ifIcould？Itwouldbeatdawn——aJunedawn，withaglorioussunrise，androsesbloominginthegardens；andIwouldslipdownandmeetGilbertandwewouldgotogethertotheheartofthebeechwoods，——andthere，underthegreenarchesthatwouldbelikeasplendidcathedral，wewouldbemarried。"
MarillasniffedscornfullyandMrs。Lyndelookedshocked。
"Butthatwouldbeterriblequeer，Anne。Why，itwouldn’treallyseemlegal。AndwhatwouldMrs。HarmonAndrewssay？"
"Ah，there’stherub，"sighedAnne。"TherearesomanythingsinlifewecannotdobecauseofthefearofwhatMrs。HarmonAndrewswouldsay。`’Tistrue，’tispity，andpity’tis，’tistrue。’WhatdelightfulthingswemightdowereitnotforMrs。HarmonAndrews！"
"Bytimes，Anne，Idon’tfeelquitesurethatI
understandyoualtogether，"complainedMrs。Lynde。
"Annewasalwaysromantic，youknow，"saidMarillaapologetically。
"Well，marriedlifewillmostlikelycureherofthat，"Mrs。Rachelrespondedcomfortingly。
AnnelaughedandslippedawaytoLover’sLane，whereGilbertfoundher；andneitherofthemseemedtoentertainmuchfear，orhope，thattheirmarriedlifewouldcurethemofromance。
TheEchoLodgepeoplecameoverthenextweek，andGreenGablesbuzzedwiththedelightofthem。MissLavendarhadchangedsolittlethatthethreeyearssinceherlastIslandvisitmighthavebeenawatchinthenight；butAnnegaspedwithamazementoverPaul。
CouldthissplendidsixfeetofmanhoodbethelittlePaulofAvonleaschooldays？
"Youreallymakemefeelold，Paul，"saidAnne。"Why，Ihavetolookuptoyou！"
"You’llnevergrowold，Teacher，"saidPaul。"YouareoneofthefortunatemortalswhohavefoundanddrunkfromtheFountainofYouth，——youandMotherLavendar。
Seehere！Whenyou’remarriedIWON’TcallyouMrs。
Blythe。Tomeyou’llalwaysbe`Teacher’——theteacherofthebestlessonsIeverlearned。Iwanttoshowyousomething。"
The"something"wasapocketbookfullofpoems。Paulhadputsomeofhisbeautifulfanciesintoverse，andmagazineeditorshadnotbeenasunappreciativeastheyaresometimessupposedtobe。AnnereadPaul’spoemswithrealdelight。Theywerefullofcharmandpromise。
"You’llbefamousyet，Paul。Ialwaysdreamedofhavingonefamouspupil。Hewastobeacollegepresident——butagreatpoetwouldbeevenbetter。SomedayI’llbeabletoboastthatIwhippedthedistinguishedPaulIrving。ButthenIneverdidwhipyou，didI，Paul？Whatanopportunitylost！IthinkI
keptyouinatrecess，however。"
"Youmaybefamousyourself，Teacher。I’veseenagooddealofyourworktheselastthreeyears。"
"No。IknowwhatIcando。Icanwritepretty，fancifullittlesketchesthatchildrenloveandeditorssendwelcomechequesfor。ButIcandonothingbig。
MyonlychanceforearthlyimmortalityisacornerinyourMemoirs。"
CharlottatheFourthhaddiscardedthebluebowsbutherfreckleswerenotnoticeablyless。
"IneverdidthinkI’dcomedowntomarryingaYankee，MissShirley，ma’am，"shesaid。"Butyouneverknowwhat’sbeforeyou，anditisn’thisfault。Hewasbornthatway。"
"You’reaYankeeyourself，Charlotta，sinceyou’vemarriedone。"
"MissShirley，ma’am，I’mNOT！AndIwouldn’tbeifI
wastomarryadozenYankees！Tom’skindofnice。Andbesides，IthoughtI’dbetternotbetoohardtoplease，forImightn’tgetanotherchance。Tomdon’tdrinkandhedon’tgrowlbecausehehastoworkbetweenmeals，andwhenall’ssaidanddoneI’msatisfied，MissShirley，ma’am。"
"DoeshecallyouLeonora？"askedAnne。
"Goodness，no，MissShirley，ma’am。Iwouldn’tknowwhohemeantifhedid。Ofcourse，whenwegotmarriedhehadtosay，`Itakethee，Leonora，’andIdeclaretoyou，MissShirley，ma’am，I’vehadthemostdreadfulfeelingeversincethatitwasn’tmehewastalkingtoandIhaven’tbeenrightlymarriedatall。Andsoyou’regoingtobemarriedyourself，MissShirley，ma’am？IalwaysthoughtI’dliketomarryadoctor。
Itwouldbesohandywhenthechildrenhadmeaslesandcroup。Tomisonlyabricklayer，buthe’srealgood-
tempered。WhenIsaidtohim，saysI，`Tom，canIgotoMissShirley’swedding？Imeantogoanyhow，butI’dliketohaveyourconsent，’hejustsays，`Suityourself，Charlotta，andyou’llsuitme。’That’sarealpleasantkindofhusbandtohave，MissShirley，ma’am。"
PhilippaandherReverendJoarrivedatGreenGablesthedaybeforethewedding。AnneandPhilhadarapturousmeetingwhichpresentlysimmereddowntoacosy，confidentialchatoverallthathadbeenandwasabouttobe。
"QueenAnne，you’reasqueenlyasever。I’vegotfearfullythinsincethebabiescame。I’mnothalfsogood-looking；butIthinkJolikesit。There’snotsuchacontrastbetweenus，yousee。Andoh，it’sperfectlymagnificentthatyou’regoingtomarryGilbert。RoyGardnerwouldn’thavedoneatall，atall。Icanseethatnow，thoughIwashorriblydisappointedatthetime。Youknow，Anne，youdidtreatRoyverybadly。"
"Hehasrecovered，Iunderstand，"smiledAnne。
"Oh，yes。Heismarriedandhiswifeisasweetlittlethingandthey’reperfectlyhappy。Everythingworkstogetherforgood。JoandtheBiblesaythat，andtheyareprettygoodauthorities。"
"AreAlecandAlonzomarriedyet？"
"Alecis，butAlonzoisn’t。HowthosedearolddaysatPatty’sPlacecomebackwhenI’mtalkingtoyou，Anne！Whatfunwehad！"
"HaveyoubeentoPatty’sPlacelately？"
"Oh，yes，Igooften。MissPattyandMissMariastillsitbythefireplaceandknit。Andthatremindsme——we’vebroughtyouaweddinggiftfromthem，Anne。
Guesswhatitis。"
"Inevercould。HowdidtheyknowIwasgoingtobemarried？"
"Oh，Itoldthem。Iwastherelastweek。Andtheyweresointerested。TwodaysagoMissPattywrotemeanoteaskingmetocall；andthensheaskedifIwouldtakehergifttoyou。WhatwouldyouwishmostfromPatty’sPlace，Anne？"
"Youcan’tmeanthatMissPattyhassentmeherchinadogs？"
"Gouphead。They’reinmytrunkthisverymoment。
AndI’vealetterforyou。WaitamomentandI’llgetit。"
"DearMissShirley，"MissPattyhadwritten，"MariaandIwereverymuchinterestedinhearingofyourapproachingnuptials。Wesendyouourbestwishes。
MariaandIhavenevermarried，butwehavenoobjectiontootherpeopledoingso。Wearesendingyouthechinadogs。Iintendedtoleavethemtoyouinmywill，becauseyouseemedtohavesincereaffectionforthem。ButMariaandIexpecttoliveagoodwhileyetD。V。，soIhavedecidedtogiveyouthedogswhileyouareyoung。YouwillnothaveforgottenthatGoglookstotherightandMagogtotheleft。"
"Justfancythoselovelyolddogssittingbythefireplaceinmyhouseofdreams，"saidAnnerapturously。"Ineverexpectedanythingsodelightful。"
ThateveningGreenGableshummedwithpreparationsforthefollowingday；butinthetwilightAnneslippedaway。Shehadalittlepilgrimagetomakeonthislastdayofhergirlhoodandshemustmakeitalone。ShewenttoMatthew’sgrave，inthelittlepoplar-shadedAvonleagraveyard，andtherekeptasilenttrystwitholdmemoriesandimmortalloves。
"HowgladMatthewwouldbetomorrowifhewerehere，"
shewhispered。"ButIbelievehedoesknowandisgladofit——somewhereelse。I’vereadsomewherethat`ourdeadareneverdeaduntilwehaveforgottenthem。’
Matthewwillneverbedeadtome，forIcanneverforgethim。"
Sheleftonhisgravetheflowersshehadbroughtandwalkedslowlydownthelonghill。Itwasagraciousevening，fullofdelectablelightsandshadows。Inthewestwasaskyofmackerelclouds——crimsonandamber-tinted，withlongstripsofapple-greenskybetween。Beyondwastheglimmeringradianceofasunsetsea，andtheceaselessvoiceofmanywaterscameupfromthetawnyshore。Allaroundher，lyinginthefine，beautifulcountrysilence，werethehillsandfieldsandwoodsshehadknownandlovedsolong。
"Historyrepeatsitself，"saidGilbert，joiningherasshepassedtheBlythegate。"Doyourememberourfirstwalkdownthishill，Anne——ourfirstwalktogetheranywhere，forthatmatter？"
"IwascominghomeinthetwilightfromMatthew’sgrave——andyoucameoutofthegate；andIswallowedtheprideofyearsandspoketoyou。"
"Andallheavenopenedbeforeme，"supplementedGilbert。"FromthatmomentIlookedforwardtotomorrow。WhenIleftyouatyourgatethatnightandwalkedhomeIwasthehappiestboyintheworld。Annehadforgivenme。"
"Ithinkyouhadthemosttoforgive。Iwasanungratefullittlewretch——andafteryouhadreallysavedmylifethatdayonthepond，too。HowIloathedthatloadofobligationatfirst！Idon’tdeservethehappinessthathascometome。"
Gilbertlaughedandclaspedtighterthegirlishhandthatworehisring。Anne’sengagementringwasacircletofpearls。Shehadrefusedtowearadiamond。
"I’veneverreallylikeddiamondssinceIfoundouttheyweren’tthelovelypurpleIhaddreamed。Theywillalwayssuggestmyolddisappointment。"
"Butpearlsarefortears，theoldlegendsays，"
Gilberthadobjected。
"I’mnotafraidofthat。Andtearscanbehappyaswellassad。MyveryhappiestmomentshavebeenwhenI
hadtearsinmyeyes——whenMarillatoldmeImightstayatGreenGables——whenMatthewgavemethefirstprettydressIeverhad——whenIheardthatyouweregoingtorecoverfromthefever。Sogivemepearlsforourtrothring，Gilbert，andI’llwillinglyacceptthesorrowoflifewithitsjoy。"
Buttonightourloversthoughtonlyofjoyandneverofsorrow。Forthemorrowwastheirweddingday，andtheirhouseofdreamsawaitedthemonthemisty，purpleshoreofFourWindsHarbor。
CHAPTER4
THEFIRSTBRIDEOFGREENGABLES
AnnewakenedonthemorningofherweddingdaytofindthesunshinewinkinginatthewindowofthelittleporchgableandaSeptemberbreezefrolickingwithhercurtains。
"I’msogladthesunwillshineonme，"shethoughthappily。
Sherecalledthefirstmorningshehadwakenedinthatlittleporchroom，whenthesunshinehadcreptinonherthroughtheblossom-driftoftheoldSnowQueen。
Thathadnotbeenahappywakening，foritbroughtwithitthebitterdisappointmentoftheprecedingnight。
Butsincethenthelittleroomhadbeenendearedandconsecratedbyyearsofhappychildhooddreamsandmaidenvisions。Toitshehadcomebackjoyfullyafterallherabsences；atitswindowshehadkneltthroughthatnightofbitteragonywhenshebelievedGilbertdying，andbyitshehadsatinspeechlesshappinessthenightofherbetrothal。Manyvigilsofjoyandsomeofsorrowhadbeenkeptthere；andtodayshemustleaveitforever。Henceforthitwouldbehersnomore；
fifteen-year-oldDorawastoinherititwhenshehadgone。NordidAnnewishitotherwise；thelittleroomwassacredtoyouthandgirlhood——tothepastthatwastoclosetodaybeforethechapterofwifehoodopened。
GreenGableswasabusyandjoyoushousethatforenoon。
Dianaarrivedearly，withlittleFredandSmallAnneCordelia，tolendahand。DavyandDora，theGreenGablestwins，whiskedthebabiesofftothegarden。
"Don’tletSmallAnneCordeliaspoilherclothes，"
warnedDianaanxiously。
"Youneedn’tbeafraidtotrustherwithDora，"saidMarilla。"ThatchildismoresensibleandcarefulthanmostofthemothersI’veknown。She’sreallyawonderinsomeways。Notmuchlikethatotherharum-scarumIbroughtup。"
MarillasmiledacrossherchickensaladatAnne。Itmightevenbesuspectedthatshelikedtheharum-scarumbestafterall。
"Thosetwinsarerealnicechildren，"saidMrs。
Rachel，whenshewassuretheywereoutofearshot。
"Doraissowomanlyandhelpful，andDavyisdevelopingintoaverysmartboy。Heisn’ttheholyterrorformischiefheusedtobe。"
"IneverwassodistractedinmylifeasIwasthefirstsixmonthshewashere，"acknowledgedMarilla。
"AfterthatIsupposeIgotusedtohim。He’stakenagreatnotiontofarminglately，andwantsmetolethimtryrunningthefarmnextyear。Imay，forMr。Barrydoesn’tthinkhe’llwanttorentitmuchlonger，andsomenewarrangementwillhavetobemade。"
"Well，youcertainlyhavealovelydayforyourwedding，Anne，"saidDiana，assheslippedavoluminousapronoverhersilkenarray。"Youcouldn’thavehadafineroneifyou’dordereditfromEaton’s。"
"Indeed，there’stoomuchmoneygoingoutofthisIslandtothatsameEaton’s，"saidMrs。Lyndeindignantly。Shehadstrongviewsonthesubjectofoctopus-likedepartmentstores，andneverlostanopportunityofairingthem。"Andasforthosecataloguesoftheirs，they’retheAvonleagirls’Biblenow，that’swhat。TheyporeoverthemonSundaysinsteadofstudyingtheHolyScriptures。"
"Well，they’resplendidtoamusechildrenwith，"saidDiana。"FredandSmallAnnelookatthepicturesbythehour。"
"_I_amusedtenchildrenwithouttheaidofEaton’scatalogue，"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。
"Come，youtwo，don’tquarreloverEaton’scatalogue，"
saidAnnegaily。"Thisismydayofdays，youknow。
I’msohappyIwanteveryoneelsetobehappy，too。"
"I’msureIhopeyourhappinesswilllast，child，"
sighedMrs。Rachel。Shedidhopeittruly，andbelievedit，butshewasafraiditwasinthenatureofachallengetoProvidencetoflauntyourhappinesstooopenly。Anne，forherowngood，mustbetoneddownatrifle。
Butitwasahappyandbeautifulbridewhocamedowntheold，homespun-carpetedstairsthatSeptembernoon——thefirstbrideofGreenGables，slenderandshining-eyed，inthemistofhermaidenveil，withherarmsfullofroses。Gilbert，waitingforherinthehallbelow，lookedupatherwithadoringeyes。Shewashisatlast，thisevasive，long-soughtAnne，wonafteryearsofpatientwaiting。Itwastohimshewascominginthesweetsurrenderofthebride。Washeworthyofher？Couldhemakeherashappyashehoped？
Ifhefailedher——ifhecouldnotmeasureuptoherstandardofmanhood——then，assheheldoutherhand，theireyesmetandalldoubtwassweptawayinagladcertainty。Theybelongedtoeachother；and，nomatterwhatlifemightholdforthem，itcouldneveralterthat。Theirhappinesswasineachother’skeepingandbothwereunafraid。
Theyweremarriedinthesunshineoftheoldorchard，circledbythelovingandkindlyfacesoflong-familiarfriends。Mr。Allanmarriedthem，andtheReverendJomadewhatMrs。RachelLyndeafterwardspronouncedtobethe"mostbeautifulweddingprayer"shehadeverheard。BirdsdonotoftensinginSeptember，butonesangsweetlyfromsomehiddenboughwhileGilbertandAnnerepeatedtheirdeathlessvows。Annehearditandthrilledtoit；Gilbertheardit，andwonderedonlythatallthebirdsintheworldhadnotburstintojubilantsong；Paulhearditandlaterwrotealyricaboutitwhichwasoneofthemostadmiredinhisfirstvolumeofverse；CharlottatheFourthhearditandwasblissfullysureitmeantgoodluckforheradoredMissShirley。Thebirdsanguntiltheceremonywasendedandthenitwoundupwithonemadlittle，gladlittletrill。Neverhadtheoldgray-greenhouseamongitsenfoldingorchardsknownablither，merrierafternoon。
AlltheoldjestsandquipsthatmusthavedonedutyatweddingssinceEdenwereservedup，andseemedasnewandbrilliantandmirth-provokingasiftheyhadneverbeenutteredbefore。Laughterandjoyhadtheirway；
andwhenAnneandGilbertlefttocatchtheCarmodytrain，withPaulasdriver，thetwinswerereadywithriceandoldshoes，inthethrowingofwhichCharlottatheFourthandMr。Harrisonboreavaliantpart。
Marillastoodatthegateandwatchedthecarriageoutofsightdownthelonglanewithitsbanksofgoldenrod。Anneturnedatitsendtowaveherlastgood-bye。Shewasgone——GreenGableswasherhomenomore；Marilla’sfacelookedverygrayandoldassheturnedtothehousewhichAnnehadfilledforfourteenyears，andeveninherabsence，withlightandlife。
ButDianaandhersmallfry，theEchoLodgepeopleandtheAllans，hadstayedtohelpthetwooldladiesoverthelonelinessofthefirstevening；andtheycontrivedtohaveaquietlypleasantlittlesuppertime，sittinglongaroundthetableandchattingoverallthedetailsoftheday。WhiletheyweresittingthereAnneandGilbertwerealightingfromthetrainatGlenSt。Mary。
CHAPTER5
THEHOMECOMING
Dr。DavidBlythehadsenthishorseandbuggytomeetthem，andtheurchinwhohadbroughtitslippedawaywithasympatheticgrin，leavingthemtothedelightofdrivingalonetotheirnewhomethroughtheradiantevening。
Anneneverforgotthelovelinessoftheviewthatbrokeuponthemwhentheyhaddrivenoverthehillbehindthevillage。Hernewhomecouldnotyetbeseen；butbeforeherlayFourWindsHarborlikeagreat，shiningmirrorofroseandsilver。Fardown，shesawitsentrancebetweenthebarofsanddunesononesideandasteep，high，grim，redsandstonecliffontheother。
Beyondthebarthesea，calmandaustere，dreamedintheafterlight。Thelittlefishingvillage，nestledinthecovewherethesand-dunesmettheharborshore，lookedlikeagreatopalinthehaze。Theskyoverthemwaslikeajewelledcupfromwhichtheduskwaspouring；theairwascrispwiththecompellingtangofthesea，andthewholelandscapewasinfusedwiththesubtletiesofaseaevening。Afewdimsailsdriftedalongthedarkening，fir-cladharborshores。Abellwasringingfromthetowerofalittlewhitechurchonthefarside；mellowlyanddreamilysweet，thechimefloatedacrossthewaterblentwiththemoanofthesea。Thegreatrevolvinglightonthecliffatthechannelflashedwarmandgoldenagainsttheclearnorthernsky，atrembling，quiveringstarofgoodhope。
Faroutalongthehorizonwasthecrinkledgrayribbonofapassingsteamer’ssmoke。
"Oh，beautiful，beautiful，"murmuredAnne。"IshallloveFourWinds，Gilbert。Whereisourhouse？"
"Wecan’tseeityet——thebeltofbirchrunningupfromthatlittlecovehidesit。It’sabouttwomilesfromGlenSt。Mary，andthere’sanothermilebetweenitandthelight-house。Wewon’thavemanyneighbors，Anne。There’sonlyonehousenearusandIdon’tknowwholivesinit。ShallyoubelonelywhenI’maway？"
"Notwiththatlightandthatlovelinessforcompany。
Wholivesinthathouse，Gilbert？"
"Idon’tknow。Itdoesn’tlook——exactly——asiftheoccupantswouldbekindredspirits，Anne，doesit？"
Thehousewasalarge，substantialaffair，paintedsuchavividgreenthatthelandscapeseemedquitefadedbycontrast。Therewasanorchardbehindit，andanicelykeptlawnbeforeit，but，somehow，therewasacertainbarenessaboutit。Perhapsitsneatnesswasresponsibleforthis；thewholeestablishment，house，barns，orchard，garden，lawnandlane，wassostarklyneat。
"Itdoesn’tseemprobablethatanyonewiththattasteinpaintcouldbeVERYkindred，"acknowledgedAnne，"unlessitwereanaccident——likeourbluehall。I
feelcertaintherearenochildrenthere，atleast。
It’sevenneaterthantheoldCoppplaceontheToryroad，andIneverexpectedtoseeanythingneaterthanthat。"
Theyhadnotmetanybodyonthemoist，redroadthatwoundalongtheharborshore。Butjustbeforetheycametothebeltofbirchwhichhidtheirhome，Annesawagirlwhowasdrivingaflockofsnow-whitegeesealongthecrestofavelvetygreenhillontheright。Great，scatteredfirsgrewalongit。Betweentheirtrunksonesawglimpsesofyellowharvestfields，gleamsofgoldensand-hills，andbitsofbluesea。Thegirlwastallandworeadressofpaleblueprint。Shewalkedwithacertainspringinessofstepanderectnessofbearing。SheandhergeesecameoutofthegateatthefootofthehillasAnneandGilbertpassed。Shestoodwithherhandonthefasteningofthegate，andlookedsteadilyatthem，withanexpressionthathardlyattainedtointerest，butdidnotdescendtocuriosity。
ItseemedtoAnne，forafleetingmoment，thattherewasevenaveiledhintofhostilityinit。Butitwasthegirl’sbeautywhichmadeAnnegivealittlegasp——abeautysomarkedthatitmusthaveattractedattentionanywhere。Shewashatless，butheavybraidsofburnishedhair，thehueofripewheat，weretwistedaboutherheadlikeacoronet；hereyeswereblueandstar-like；herfigure，initsplainprintgown，wasmagnificent；andherlipswereascrimsonasthebunchofblood-redpoppiessheworeatherbelt。
"Gilbert，whoisthegirlwehavejustpassed？"askedAnne，inalowvoice。
"Ididn’tnoticeanygirl，"saidGilbert，whohadeyesonlyforhisbride。
"Shewasstandingbythatgate——no，don’tlookback。
Sheisstillwatchingus。Ineversawsuchabeautifulface。"
"Idon’trememberseeinganyveryhandsomegirlswhileIwashere。TherearesomeprettygirlsupattheGlen，butIhardlythinktheycouldbecalledbeautiful。"
"Thisgirlis。Youcan’thaveseenher，oryouwouldrememberher。Nobodycouldforgether。Ineversawsuchafaceexceptinpictures。Andherhair！ItmademethinkofBrowning’s`cordofgold’and`gorgeoussnake’！"
"Probablyshe’ssomevisitorinFourWinds——likelysomeonefromthatbigsummerhotelovertheharbor。"
"Sheworeawhiteapronandshewasdrivinggeese。"
"Shemightdothatforamusement。Look，Anne——there’sourhouse。"
Annelookedandforgotforatimethegirlwiththesplendid，resentfuleyes。Thefirstglimpseofhernewhomewasadelighttoeyeandspirit——itlookedsolikeabig，creamyseashellstrandedontheharborshore。
TherowsoftallLombardypoplarsdownitslanestoodoutinstately，purplesilhouetteagainstthesky。
Behindit，shelteringitsgardenfromthetookeenbreathofseawinds，wasacloudyfirwood，inwhichthewindsmightmakeallkindsofweirdandhauntingmusic。Likeallwoods，itseemedtobeholdingandenfoldingsecretsinitsrecesses，——secretswhosecharmisonlytobewonbyenteringinandpatientlyseeking。
Outwardly，darkgreenarmskeeptheminviolatefromcuriousorindifferenteyes。
ThenightwindswerebeginningtheirwilddancesbeyondthebarandthefishinghamletacrosstheharborwasgemmedwithlightsasAnneandGilbertdroveupthepoplarlane。Thedoorofthelittlehouseopened，andawarmglowoffirelightflickeredoutintothedusk。
GilbertliftedAnnefromthebuggyandledherintothegarden，throughthelittlegatebetweentheruddy-tippedfirs，upthetrim，redpathtothesandstonestep。
"Welcomehome，"hewhispered，andhandinhandtheysteppedoverthethresholdoftheirhouseofdreams。