SPRINGDAYS
TheiceintheharborgrewblackandrottenintheMarchsuns；inApriltherewerebluewatersandawindy，white-cappedgulfagain；andagaintheFourWindslightbegemmedthetwilights。
"I’msogladtoseeitoncemore，"saidAnne，onthefirsteveningofitsreappearance。"I’vemisseditsoallwinter。Thenorthwesternskyhasseemedblankandlonelywithoutit。"
Thelandwastenderwithbrand-new，golden-green，babyleaves。TherewasanemeraldmistonthewoodsbeyondtheGlen。Theseawardvalleyswerefulloffairymistsatdawn。
Vibrantwindscameandwentwithsaltfoamintheirbreath。Thesealaughedandflashedandpreenedandallured，likeabeautiful，coquettishwoman。Theherringschooledandthefishingvillagewoketolife。
Theharborwasalivewithwhitesailsmakingforthechannel。Theshipsbegantosailoutwardandinwardagain。
"Onaspringdaylikethis，"saidAnne，"Iknowexactlywhatmysoulwillfeellikeontheresurrectionmorning。"
"TherearetimesinspringwhenIsorterfeelthatI
mighthavebeenapoetifI’dbeencaughtyoung，"
remarkedCaptainJim。"IcatchmyselfconningoveroldlinesandversesIheardtheschoolmasterrecitingsixtyyearsago。Theydon’ttroublemeatothertimes。
NowIfeelasifIhadtogetoutontherocksorthefieldsorthewaterandspoutthem。"
CaptainJimhadcomeupthatafternoontobringAnnealoadofshellsforhergarden，andalittlebunchofsweet-grasswhichhehadfoundinarambleoverthesanddunes。
"It’sgettingrealscarcealongthisshorenow，"hesaid。"WhenIwasaboytherewasa-plentyofit。Butnowit’sonlyonceinawhileyou’llfindaplot——andneverwhenyou’relookingforit。Youjesthavetostumbleonit——you’rewalkingalongonthesandhills，neverthinkingofsweet-grass——andallatoncetheairisfullofsweetness——andthere’sthegrassunderyourfeet。Ifavorthesmellofsweet-grass。Italwaysmakesmethinkofmymother。"
"Shewasfondofit？"askedAnne。
"NotthatIknowson。Dunno’ssheeversawanysweet-grass。No，it’sbecauseithasakindofmotherlyperfume——nottooyoung，youunderstand——somethingkindofseasonedandwholesomeanddependable——jestlikeamother。Theschoolmaster’sbridealwayskeptitamongherhandkerchiefs。Youmightputthatlittlebunchamongyours，MistressBlythe。Idon’tliketheseboughtenscents——butawhiffofsweet-grassbelongsanywherealadydoes。"
Annehadnotbeenespeciallyenthusiasticovertheideaofsurroundingherflowerbedswithquahogshells；asadecorationtheydidnotappealtoheronfirstthought。
ButshewouldnothavehurtCaptainJim’sfeelingsforanything；sosheassumedavirtueshedidnotatfirstfeel，andthankedhimheartily。AndwhenCaptainJimhadproudlyencircledeverybedwitharimofthebig，milk-whiteshells，Annefoundtohersurprisethatshelikedtheeffect。Onatownlawn，orevenupattheGlen，theywouldnothavebeeninkeeping，buthere，intheold-fashioned，sea-boundgardenofthelittlehouseofdreams，theyBELONGED。
"TheyDOlooknice，"shesaidsincerely。
"Theschoolmaster’sbridealwayshadcowhawksroundherbeds，"saidCaptainJim。"Shewasamasterhandwithflowers。SheLOOKEDat’em——andtouched’em——SO——andtheygrewlikemad。Somefolkshavethatknack——I
reckonyouhaveit，too，MistressBlythe。"
"Oh，Idon’tknow——butIlovemygarden，andIloveworkinginit。Topotterwithgreen，growingthings，watchingeachdaytoseethedear，newsproutscomeup，isliketakingahandincreation，Ithink。Justnowmygardenislikefaith——thesubstanceofthingshopedfor。Butbideawee。"
"Italwaysamazesmetolookatthelittle，wrinkledbrownseedsandthinkoftherainbowsin’em，"saidCaptainJim。"WhenIponderonthemseedsIdon’tfinditnowisehardtobelievethatwe’vegotsoulsthat’llliveinotherworlds。Youcouldn’thardlybelievetherewaslifeinthemtinythings，somenobiggerthangrainsofdust，letalonecolorandscent，ifyouhadn’tseenthemiracle，couldyou？"
Anne，whowascountingherdayslikesilverbeadsonarosary，couldnotnowtakethelongwalktothelighthouseoruptheGlenroad。ButMissCorneliaandCaptainJimcameveryoftentothelittlehouse。MissCorneliawasthejoyofAnne’sandGilbert’sexistence。
Theylaughedside-splittinglyoverherspeechesaftereveryvisit。WhenCaptainJimandshehappenedtovisitthelittlehouseatthesametimetherewasmuchsportforthelistening。Theywagedwordywarfare，sheattacking，hedefending。AnneoncereproachedtheCaptainforhisbaitingofMissCornelia。
"Oh，Idolovetosethergoing，MistressBlythe，"
chuckledtheunrepentantsinner。"It’sthegreatestamusementIhaveinlife。Thattongueofherswouldblisterastone。Andyouandthatyoungdogofadoctorenj’ylisteningtoherasmuchasIdo。"
CaptainJimcamealonganothereveningtobringAnnesomemayflowers。Thegardenwasfullofthemoist，scentedairofamaritimespringevening。Therewasamilk-whitemistontheedgeofthesea，withayoungmoonkissingit，andasilvergladnessofstarsovertheGlen。Thebellofthechurchacrosstheharborwasringingdreamilysweet。Themellowchimedriftedthroughthedusktominglewiththesoftspring-moanofthesea。CaptainJim’smayflowersaddedthelastcompletingtouchtothecharmofthenight。
"Ihaven’tseenanythisspring，andI’vemissedthem，"saidAnne，buryingherfaceinthem。
"Theyain’ttobefoundaroundFourWinds，onlyinthebarrensawaybehindtheGlenupyander。ItookalittletriptodaytotheLand-of-nothing-to-do，andhuntedtheseupforyou。Ireckonthey’rethelastyou’llseethisspring，forthey’renearlydone。"
"Howkindandthoughtfulyouare，CaptainJim。Nobodyelse——notevenGilbert"——withashakeofherheadathim——"rememberedthatIalwayslongformayflowersinspring。"
"Well，Ihadanothererrand，too——IwantedtotakeMr。
Howardbackyanderamessoftrout。Helikesoneoccasional，andit’sallIcandoforakindnesshedidmeonce。Istayedalltheafternoonandtalkedtohim。
Helikestotalktome，thoughhe’sahighlyeddicatedmanandI’monlyanignorantoldsailor，becausehe’soneofthefolksthat’sGOTtotalkorthey’remiserable，andhefindslistenersscarcearoundhere。
TheGlenfolksfightshyofhimbecausetheythinkhe’saninfidel。Heain’tthatfargoneexactly——fewmenis，Ireckon——buthe’swhatyoumightcallaheretic。
Hereticsarewicked，butthey’remightyint’resting。
It’sjestthatthey’vegotsorterlostlookingforGod，beingundertheimpressionthatHe’shardtofind——whichHeain’tnever。Mostof’emblundertoHimafterawhile，Iguess。Idon’tthinklisteningtoMr。
Howard’sargumentsislikelytodomemuchharm。Mindyou，IbelievewhatIwasbroughtuptobelieve。Itsavesavastofbother——andbackofitall，Godisgood。ThetroublewithMr。Howardisthathe’saleetleTOOclever。Hethinksthathe’sboundtoliveuptohiscleverness，andthatit’ssmartertothrashoutsomenewwayofgettingtoheaventhantogobytheoldtrackthecommon，ignorantfolksistravelling。
Buthe’llgettheresometimeallright，andthenhe’lllaughathimself。"
"Mr。HowardwasaMethodisttobeginwith，"saidMissCornelia，asifshethoughthehadnotfartogofromthattoheresy。
"Doyouknow，Cornelia，"saidCaptainJimgravely，"I’veoftenthoughtthatifIwasn’taPresbyterianI’dbeaMethodist。"
"Oh，well，"concededMissCornelia，"ifyouweren’taPresbyterianitwouldn’tmattermuchwhatyouwere。
Speakingofheresy，remindsme，doctor——I’vebroughtbackthatbookyoulentme——thatNaturalLawintheSpiritualWorld——Ididn’treadmore’nathirdofit。I
canreadsense，andIcanreadnonsense，butthatbookisneithertheonenortheother。"
"ItISconsideredratherhereticalinsomequarters，"
admittedGilbert，"butItoldyouthatbeforeyoutookit，MissCornelia。"
"Oh，Iwouldn’thavemindeditsbeingheretical。Icanstandwickedness，butIcan’tstandfoolishness，"saidMissCorneliacalmly，andwiththeairofhavingsaidthelastthingtherewastosayaboutNaturalLaw。
"Speakingofbooks，AMadLovecometoanendatlasttwoweeksago，"remarkedCaptainJimmusingly。"Itruntoonehundredandthreechapters。Whentheygotmarriedthebookstoppedrightoff，soIreckontheirtroubleswereallover。It’srealnicethatthat’sthewayinbooksanyhow，isn’tit，evenif’tistn’tsoanywhereelse？"
"Ineverreadnovels，"saidMissCornelia。"DidyouhearhowGeordieRussellwastoday，CaptainJim？"
"Yes，Icalledinonmywayhometoseehim。He’sgettingroundallright——butstewinginabrothoftrouble，asusual，poorman。
’Coursehebrewsupmostofitforhimself，butI
reckonthatdon’tmakeitanyeasiertobear。"
"He’sanawfulpessimist，"saidMissCornelia。
"Well，no，heain’tapessimistexactly，Cornelia。Heonlyjestneverfindsanythingthatsuitshim。"
"Andisn’tthatapessimist？"
"No，no。Apessimistisonewhoneverexpectstofindanythingtosuithim。Geordiehain’tgotTHATfaryet。"
"You’dfindsomethinggoodtosayofthedevilhimself，JimBoyd。"
"Well，you’veheardthestoryoftheoldladywhosaidhewaspersevering。Butno，Cornelia，I’venothinggoodtosayofthedevil。"
"Doyoubelieveinhimatall？"askedMissCorneliaseriously。
"HowcanyouaskthatwhenyouknowwhatagoodPresbyterianIam，Cornelia？HowcouldaPresbyteriangetalongwithoutadevil？"
"DOyou？"persistedMissCornelia。
CaptainJimsuddenlybecamegrave。
"IbelieveinwhatIheardaministeroncecall`amightyandmalignantandINTELLIGENTpowerofevilworkingintheuniverse，’"hesaidsolemnly。"IdoTHAT，Cornelia。Youcancallitthedevil，orthe`principleofevil，’ortheOldScratch，oranynameyoulike。It’sTHERE，andalltheinfidelsandhereticsintheworldcan’targueitaway，anymore’ntheycanargueGodaway。It’sthere，andit’sworking。But，mindyou，Cornelia，Ibelieveit’sgoingtogettheworstofitinthelongrun。"
"IamsureIhopeso，"saidMissCornelia，nonetoohopefully。"Butspeakingofthedevil，IampositivethatBillyBoothispossessedbyhimnow。HaveyouheardofBilly’slatestperformance？"
"No，whatwasthat？"
"He’sgoneandburneduphiswife’snew，brownbroadclothsuit，thatshepaidtwenty-fivedollarsforinCharlottetown，becausehedeclaresthemenlookedtooadmiringatherwhensheworeittochurchthefirsttime。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？"
"MistressBoothISmightypretty，andbrown’shercolor，"saidCaptainJimreflectively。
"Isthatanygoodreasonwhyheshouldpokehernewsuitintothekitchenstove？BillyBoothisajealousfool，andhemakeshiswife’slifemiserable。She’scriedalltheweekabouthersuit。Oh，Anne，IwishI
couldwritelikeyou，believeME。Wouldn’tIscoresomeofthemenroundhere！"
"ThoseBoothsareallamitequeer，"saidCaptainJim。
"Billyseemedthesanestofthelottillhegotmarriedandthenthisqueerjealousstreakcroppedoutinhim。
HisbrotherDaniel，now，wasalwaysodd。"
"Tooktantrumseveryfewdaysorsoandwouldn’tgetoutofbed，"saidMissCorneliawitharelish。"Hiswifewouldhavetodoallthebarnworktillhegotoverhisspell。Whenhediedpeoplewroteherlettersofcondolence；ifI’dwrittenanythingitwouldhavebeenoneofcongratulation。Theirfather，oldAbramBooth，wasadisgustingoldsot。Hewasdrunkathiswife’sfuneral，andkeptreelingroundandhiccuping`I
didn’tdri——i——i——nkmuchbutIfeela——a——awfullyque——e——e——r。’Igavehimagoodjabinthebackwithmyumbrellawhenhecamenearme，anditsoberedhimupuntiltheygotthecasketoutofthehouse。YoungJohnnyBoothwastohavebeenmarriedyesterday，buthecouldn’tbebecausehe’sgoneandgotthemumps。
Wasn’tthatlikeaman？"
"Howcouldhehelpgettingthemumps，poorfellow？"
"I’dpoorfellowhim，believeME，ifIwasKateSterns。
Idon’tknowhowhecouldhelpgettingthemumps，butI
DOknowtheweddingsupperwasallpreparedandeverythingwillbespoiledbeforehe’swellagain。
Suchawaste！Heshouldhavehadthemumpswhenhewasaboy。"
"Come，come，Cornelia，don’tyouthinkyou’reamiteunreasonable？"
MissCorneliadisdainedtoreplyandturnedinsteadtoSusanBaker，agrim-faced，kind-heartedelderlyspinsteroftheGlen，whohadbeeninstalledasmaid-of-all-workatthelittlehouseforsomeweeks。
SusanhadbeenuptotheGlentomakeasickcall，andhadjustreturned。
"HowispooroldAuntMandytonight？"askedMissCornelia。
Susansighed。
"Verypoorly——verypoorly，Cornelia。Iamafraidshewillsoonbeinheaven，poorthing！"
"Oh，surely，it’snotsobadasthat！"exclaimedMissCornelia，sympathetically。
CaptainJimandGilbertlookedateachother。Thentheysuddenlyroseandwentout。
"Therearetimes，"saidCaptainJim，betweenspasms，"whenitwouldbeasinNOTtolaugh。Themtwoexcellentwomen！"
CHAPTER19
DAWNANDDUSK
InearlyJune，whenthesandhillswereagreatgloryofpinkwildroses，andtheGlenwassmotheredinappleblossoms，Marillaarrivedatthelittlehouse，accompaniedbyablackhorsehairtrunk，patternedwithbrassnails，whichhadreposedundisturbedintheGreenGablesgarretforhalfacentury。SusanBaker，who，duringherfewweeks’sojourninthelittlehouse，hadcometoworship"youngMrs。Doctor，"asshecalledAnne，withblindfervor，lookedratherjealouslyaskanceatMarillaatfirst。ButasMarilladidnottrytointerfereinkitchenmatters，andshowednodesiretointerruptSusan’sministrationstoyoungMrs。
Doctor，thegoodhandmaidenbecamereconciledtoherpresence，andtoldhercroniesattheGlenthatMissCuthbertwasafineoldladyandknewherplace。
Oneevening，whenthesky’slimpidbowlwasfilledwitharedglory，andtherobinswerethrillingthegoldentwilightwithjubilanthymnstothestarsofevening，therewasasuddencommotioninthelittlehouseofdreams。TelephonemessagesweresentuptotheGlen，DoctorDaveandawhite-cappednursecamehastilydown，Marillapacedthegardenwalksbetweenthequahogshells，murmuringprayersbetweenhersetlips，andSusansatinthekitchenwithcottonwoolinherearsandherapronoverherhead。
Leslie，lookingoutfromthehouseupthebrook，sawthateverywindowofthelittlehousewasalight，anddidnotsleepthatnight。
TheJunenightwasshort；butitseemedaneternitytothosewhowaitedandwatched。
"Oh，willitNEVERend？"saidMarilla；thenshesawhowgravethenurseandDoctorDavelooked，andshedaredasknomorequestions。SupposeAnne——butMarillacouldnotsupposeit。
"Donottellme，"saidSusanfiercely，answeringtheanguishinMarilla’seyes，"thatGodcouldbesocruelastotakethatdarlinglambfromuswhenwealllovehersomuch。"
"Hehastakenothersaswellbeloved，"saidMarillahoarsely。
Butatdawn，whentherisingsunrentapartthemistshangingoverthesandbar，andmaderainbowsofthem，joycametothelittlehouse。Annewassafe，andawee，whitelady，withhermother’sbigeyes，waslyingbesideher。Gilbert，hisfacegrayandhaggardfromhisnight’sagony，camedowntotellMarillaandSusan。
"ThankGod，"shudderedMarilla。
Susangotupandtookthecottonwooloutofherears。
"Nowforbreakfast，"shesaidbriskly。"Iamoftheopinionthatwewillallbegladofabiteandsup。
YoutellyoungMrs。Doctornottoworryaboutasinglething——Susanisatthehelm。Youtellherjusttothinkofherbaby。"
Gilbertsmiledrathersadlyashewentaway。Anne，herpalefaceblanchedwithitsbaptismofpain，hereyesaglowwiththeholypassionofmotherhood，didnotneedtobetoldtothinkofherbaby。Shethoughtofnothingelse。Forafewhoursshetastedofhappinesssorareandexquisitethatshewonderediftheangelsinheavendidnotenvyher。
"LittleJoyce，"shemurmured，whenMarillacameintoseethebaby。"Weplannedtocallherthatifshewereagirlie。Thereweresomanywewouldhavelikedtonameherfor；wecouldn’tchoosebetweenthem，sowedecidedonJoyce——wecancallherJoyforshort——Joy——itsuitssowell。Oh，Marilla，IthoughtI
washappybefore。NowIknowthatIjustdreamedapleasantdreamofhappiness。THISisthereality。"
"Youmustn’ttalk，Anne——waittillyou’restronger，"
saidMarillawarningly。
"YouknowhowharditisformeNOTtotalk，"smiledAnne。
AtfirstshewastooweakandtoohappytonoticethatGilbertandthenurselookedgraveandMarillasorrowful。Then，assubtly，andcoldly，andremorselesslyasasea-fogstealinglandward，fearcreptintoherheart。WhywasnotGilbertgladder？
Whywouldhenottalkaboutthebaby？Whywouldtheynotletherhaveitwithherafterthatfirstheavenly——happyhour？Was——wasthereanythingwrong？
"Gilbert，"whisperedAnneimploringly，"thebaby——isallright——isn’tshe？Tellme——tellme。"
Gilbertwasalongwhileinturninground；thenhebentoverAnneandlookedinhereyes。Marilla，listeningfearfullyoutsidethedoor，heardapitiful，heartbrokenmoan，andfledtothekitchenwhereSusanwasweeping。
"Oh，thepoorlamb——thepoorlamb！Howcanshebearit，MissCuthbert？Iamafraiditwillkillher。Shehasbeenthatbuiltupandhappy，longingforthatbaby，andplanningforit。Cannotanythingbedonenohow，MissCuthbert？"
"I’mafraidnot，Susan。Gilbertsaysthereisnohope。
Heknewfromthefirstthelittlethingcouldn’tlive。"
"Anditissuchasweetbaby，"sobbedSusan。"Ineversawonesowhite——theyaremostlyredoryallow。Anditopeneditsbigeyesasifitwasmonthsold。Thelittle，littlething！Oh，thepoor，youngMrs。
Doctor！"
Atsunsetthelittlesoulthathadcomewiththedawningwentaway，leavingheartbreakbehindit。MissCorneliatookthewee，whiteladyfromthekindlybutstrangerhandsofthenurse，anddressedthetinywaxenforminthebeautifuldressLesliehadmadeforit。Lesliehadaskedhertodothat。Thenshetookitbackandlaiditbesidethepoor，broken，tear-blindedlittlemother。
"TheLordhasgivenandtheLordhastakenaway，dearie，"shesaidthroughherowntears。"BlessedbethenameoftheLord。"
Thenshewentaway，leavingAnneandGilbertalonetogetherwiththeirdead。
Thenextday，thesmallwhiteJoywaslaidinavelvetcasketwhichLesliehadlinedwithapple-blossoms，andtakentothegraveyardofthechurchacrosstheharbor。
MissCorneliaandMarillaputallthelittlelove-madegarmentsaway，togetherwiththeruffledbasketwhichhadbeenbefrilledandbelacedfordimpledlimbsanddownyhead。LittleJoywasnevertosleepthere；shehadfoundacolder，narrowerbed。
"Thishasbeenanawfuldisappointmenttome，"sighedMissCornelia。"I’velookedforwardtothisbaby——andIdidwantittobeagirl，too。"
"IcanonlybethankfulthatAnne’slifewasspared，"
saidMarilla，withashiver，recallingthosehoursofdarknesswhenthegirlshelovedwaspassingthroughthevalleyoftheshadow。
"Poor，poorlamb！Herheartisbroken，"saidSusan。
"IENVYAnne，"saidLesliesuddenlyandfiercely，"andI’denvyherevenifshehaddied！Shewasamotherforonebeautifulday。I’dgladlygivemylifeforTHAT！"
"Iwouldn’ttalklikethat，Leslie，dearie，"saidMissCorneliadeprecatingly。ShewasafraidthatthedignifiedMissCuthbertwouldthinkLesliequiteterrible。
Anne’sconvalescencewaslong，andmadebitterforherbymanythings。ThebloomandsunshineoftheFourWindsworldgratedharshlyonher；andyet，whentherainfellheavily，shepictureditbeatingsomercilesslydownonthatlittlegraveacrosstheharbor；andwhenthewindblewaroundtheeavessheheardsadvoicesinitshehadneverheardbefore。
Kindlycallershurther，too，withthewell-meantplatitudeswithwhichtheystrovetocoverthenakednessofbereavement。AletterfromPhilBlakewasanaddedsting。Philhadheardofthebaby’sbirth，butnotofitsdeath，andshewroteAnneacongratulatoryletterofsweetmirthwhichhurtherhorribly。
"IwouldhavelaughedoveritsohappilyifIhadmybaby，"shesobbedtoMarilla。"ButwhenIhaven’titjustseemslikewantoncruelty——thoughIknowPhilwouldn’thurtmefortheworld。Oh，Marilla，Idon’tseehowIcanEVERbehappyagain——EVERYTHINGwillhurtmealltherestofmylife。"
"Timewillhelpyou，"saidMarilla，whowasrackedwithsympathybutcouldneverlearntoexpressitinotherthanage-wornformulas。
"Itdoesn’tseemFAIR，"saidAnnerebelliously。
"Babiesarebornandlivewheretheyarenotwanted——wheretheywillbeneglected——wheretheywillhavenochance。Iwouldhavelovedmybabyso——andcaredforitsotenderly——andtriedtogivehereverychanceforgood。AndyetIwasn’tallowedtokeepher。"
"ItwasGod’swill，Anne，"saidMarilla，helplessbeforetheriddleoftheuniverse——theWHYofundeservedpain。"AndlittleJoyisbetteroff。"
"Ican’tbelieveTHAT，"criedAnnebitterly。Then，seeingthatMarillalookedshocked，sheaddedpassionately，"Whyshouldshebebornatall——whyshouldanyonebebornatall——ifshe’sbetteroffdead？IDON’Tbelieveitisbetterforachildtodieatbirththantoliveitslifeout——andloveandbeloved——andenjoyandsuffer——anddoitswork——anddevelopacharacterthatwouldgiveitapersonalityineternity。AndhowdoyouknowitwasGod’swill？
PerhapsitwasjustathwartingofHispurposebythePowerofEvil。Wecan’tbeexpectedtoberesignedtoTHAT。"
"Oh，Anne，don’ttalkso，"saidMarilla，genuinelyalarmedlestAnneweredriftingintodeepanddangerouswaters。"Wecan’tunderstand——butwemusthavefaith——weMUSTbelievethatallisforthebest。I
knowyoufindithardtothinkso，justnow。Buttrytobebrave——forGilbert’ssake。He’ssoworriedaboutyou。Youaren’tgettingstrongasfastasyoushould。"
"Oh，IknowI’vebeenveryselfish，"sighedAnne。"I
loveGilbertmorethanever——andIwanttoliveforhissake。Butitseemsasifpartofmewasburiedoverthereinthatlittleharborgraveyard——andithurtssomuchthatI’mafraidoflife。"
"Itwon’thurtsomuchalways，Anne。"
"Thethoughtthatitmaystophurtingsometimeshurtsmeworsethanallelse，Marilla。"
"Yes，Iknow，I’vefeltthattoo，aboutotherthings。
Butweallloveyou，Anne。CaptainJimhasbeenupeverydaytoaskforyou——andMrs。Moorehauntstheplace——andMissBryantspendsmostofhertime，I
think，cookingupnicethingsforyou。Susandoesn’tlikeitverywell。ShethinksshecancookaswellasMissBryant。"
"DearSusan！Oh，everybodyhasbeensodearandgoodandlovelytome，Marilla。I’mnotungrateful——andperhaps——whenthishorribleachegrowsalittleless——I’llfindthatIcangoonliving。"
CHAPTER20
LOSTMARGARET
Annefoundthatshecouldgoonliving；thedaycamewhensheevensmiledagainoveroneofMissCornelia’sspeeches。ButtherewassomethinginthesmilethathadneverbeeninAnne’ssmilebeforeandwouldneverbeabsentfromitagain。
OnthefirstdayshewasabletogoforadriveGilberttookherdowntoFourWindsPoint，andlefthertherewhileherowedoverthechanneltoseeapatientatthefishingvillage。Arollickingwindwasscuddingacrosstheharborandthedunes，whippingthewaterintowhite-capsandwashingthesandshorewithlonglinesofsilverybreakers。
"I’mrealproudtoseeyouhereagain，MistressBlythe，"saidCaptainJim。"Sitdown——sitdown。I’mafearedit’smightydustyheretoday——butthere’snoneedoflookingatdustwhenyoucanlookatsuchscenery，isthere？"
"Idon’tmindthedust，"saidAnne，"butGilbertsaysImustkeepintheopenair。IthinkI’llgoandsitontherocksdownthere。"
"Wouldyoulikecompanyorwouldyouratherbealone？"
"IfbycompanyyoumeanyoursI’dmuchratherhaveitthanbealone，"saidAnne，smiling。Thenshesighed。
Shehadneverbeforemindedbeingalone。Nowshedreadedit。Whenshewasalonenowshefeltsodreadfullyalone。
"Here’sanicelittlespotwherethewindcan’tgetatyou，"saidCaptainJim，whentheyreachedtherocks。
"Ioftensithere。It’sagreatplacejesttositanddream。"
"Oh——dreams，"sighedAnne。"Ican’tdreamnow，CaptainJim——I’mdonewithdreams。"
"Oh，no，you’renot，MistressBlythe——oh，no，you’renot，"saidCaptainJimmeditatively。"Iknowhowyoufeeljestnow——butifyoukeeponlivingyou’llgetgladagain，andthefirstthingyouknowyou’llbedreamingagain——thankthegoodLordforit！Ifitwasn’tforourdreamstheymightaswellburyus。
How’dwestandlivingifitwasn’tforourdreamofimmortality？Andthat’sadreamthat’sBOUNDtocometrue，MistressBlythe。You’llseeyourlittleJoyceagainsomeday。"
"Butshewon’tbemybaby，"saidAnne，withtremblinglips。"Oh，shemaybe，asLongfellowsays，`afairmaidenclothedwithcelestialgrace’——butshe’llbeastrangertome。"
"Godwillmanagebetter’nTHAT，Ibelieve，"saidCaptainJim。
Theywerebothsilentforalittletime。ThenCaptainJimsaidverysoftly:
"MistressBlythe，mayItellyouaboutlostMargaret？"
"Ofcourse，"saidAnnegently。Shedidnotknowwho"lostMargaret"was，butshefeltthatshewasgoingtoheartheromanceofCaptainJim’slife。
"I’veoftenwantedtotellyouabouther，"CaptainJimwenton。
"Doyouknowwhy，MistressBlythe？It’sbecauseIwantsomebodytorememberandthinkofhersometimeafterI’mgone。Ican’tbearthathernameshouldbeforgottenbyalllivingsouls。AndnownobodyrememberslostMargaretbutme。"
ThenCaptainJimtoldthestory——anold，oldforgottenstory，foritwasoverfiftyyearssinceMargarethadfallenasleeponedayinherfather’sdoryanddrifted——orsoitwassupposed，fornothingwasevercertainlyknownastoherfate——outofthechannel，beyondthebar，toperishintheblackthundersquallwhichhadcomeupsosuddenlythatlong-agosummerafternoon。ButtoCaptainJimthosefiftyyearswerebutasyesterdaywhenitispast。
"Iwalkedtheshoreformonthsafterthat，"hesaidsadly，"lookingtofindherdear，sweetlittlebody；
buttheseanevergiveherbacktome。ButI’llfindhersometime，MistressBlythe——I’llfindhersometime。
She’swaitingforme。IwishIcouldtellyoujesthowshelooked，butIcan’t。I’veseenafine，silverymisthangingoverthebaratsunrisethatseemedlikeher——andthenagainI’veseenawhitebirchinthewoodsbackyanderthatmademethinkofher。Shehadpale，brownhairandalittlewhite，sweetface，andlongslenderfingerslikeyours，MistressBlythe，onlybrowner，forshewasashoregirl。SometimesIwakeupinthenightandheartheseacallingtomeintheoldway，anditseemsasiflostMargaretcalledinit。
Andwhenthere’sastormandthewavesaresobbingandmoaningIhearherlamentingamongthem。Andwhentheylaughonagaydayit’sHERlaugh——lostMargaret’ssweet，roguish，littlelaugh。Theseatookherfromme，butsomedayI’llfindher。MistressBlythe。Itcan’tkeepusapartforever。"
"Iamgladyouhavetoldmeabouther，"saidAnne。"I
haveoftenwonderedwhyyouhadlivedallyourlifealone。"
"Icouldn’tevercareforanyoneelse。LostMargarettookmyheartwithher——outthere，"saidtheoldlover，whohadbeenfaithfulforfiftyyearstohisdrownedsweetheart。"Youwon’tmindifItalkagooddealabouther，willyou，MistressBlythe？It’sapleasuretome——forallthepainwentoutofhermemoryyearsagoandjestleftitsblessing。Iknowyou’llneverforgether，MistressBlythe。Andiftheyears，asIhope，bringotherlittlefolkstoyourhome，I
wantyoutopromisemethatyou’lltellTHEMthestoryoflostMargaret，sothathernamewon’tbeforgottenamonghumankind。"
CHAPTER21
BARRIERSSWEPTAWAY
"Anne，"saidLeslie，breakingabruptlyashortsilence，"youdon’tknowhowGOODitistobesittingherewithyouagain——working——andtalking——andbeingsilenttogether。"
Theyweresittingamongtheblue-eyedgrassesonthebankofthebrookinAnne’sgarden。Thewatersparkledandcroonedpastthem；thebirchesthrewdappledshadowsoverthem；rosesbloomedalongthewalks。Thesunwasbeginningtobelow，andtheairwasfullofwovenmusic。Therewasonemusicofthewindinthefirsbehindthehouse，andanotherofthewavesonthebar，andstillanotherfromthedistantbellofthechurchnearwhichthewee，whiteladyslept。Annelovedthatbell，thoughitbroughtsorrowfulthoughtsnow。
ShelookedcuriouslyatLeslie，whohadthrowndownhersewingandspokenwithalackofrestraintthatwasveryunusualwithher。
"Onthathorriblenightwhenyouweresoill，"Lesliewenton，"Ikeptthinkingthatperhapswe’dhavenomoretalksandwalksandWORKStogether。AndI
realisedjustwhatyourfriendshiphadcometomeantome——justwhatYOUmeant——andjustwhatahatefullittlebeastIhadbeen。"
"Leslie！Leslie！Ineverallowanyonetocallmyfriendsnames。"
"It’strue。That’sexactlywhatIam——ahatefullittlebeast。There’ssomethingI’veGOTtotellyou，Anne。I
supposeitwillmakeyoudespiseme，butIMUSTconfessit。Anne，therehavebeentimesthispastwinterandspringwhenIhaveHATEDyou。"
"IKNEWit，"saidAnnecalmly。
"YouKNEWit？"
"Yes，Isawitinyoureyes。"
"Andyetyouwentonlikingmeandbeingmyfriend。"
"Well，itwasonlynowandthenyouhatedme，Leslie。
Betweentimesyoulovedme，Ithink。"
"Icertainlydid。Butthatotherhorridfeelingwasalwaysthere，spoilingit，backinmyheart。Ikeptitdown——sometimesIforgotit——butsometimesitwouldsurgeupandtakepossessionofme。IhatedyoubecauseIENVIEDyou——oh，Iwassickwithenvyofyouattimes。Youhadadearlittlehome——andlove——andhappiness——andgladdreams——everythingIwanted——andneverhad——andnevercouldhave。Oh，nevercouldhave！
THATwaswhatstung。Iwouldn’thaveenviedyou，ifI
hadhadanyHOPEthatlifewouldeverbedifferentforme。ButIhadn’t——Ihadn’t——anditdidn’tseemFAIR。
Itmademerebellious——andithurtme——andsoIhatedyouattimes。Oh，Iwassoashamedofit——I’mdyingofshamenow——butIcouldn’tconquerit。
Thatnight，whenIwasafraidyoumightn’tlive——I
thoughtIwasgoingtobepunishedformywickedness——andIlovedyousothen。Anne，Anne，I
neverhadanythingtolovesincemymotherdied，exceptDick’solddog——andit’ssodreadfultohavenothingtolove——lifeissoEMPTY——andthere’sNOTHINGworsethanemptiness——andImighthavelovedyousomuch——andthathorriblethinghadspoiledit——"
Lesliewastremblingandgrowingalmostincoherentwiththeviolenceofheremotion。
"Don’t，Leslie，"imploredAnne，"oh，don’t。I
understand——don’ttalkofitanymore。"
"Imust——Imust。WhenIknewyouweregoingtoliveI
vowedthatIwouldtellyouassoonasyouwerewell——thatIwouldn’tgoonacceptingyourfriendshipandcompanionshipwithouttellingyouhowunworthyI
wasofit。AndI’vebeensoafraid——itwouldturnyouagainstme。"
"Youneedn’tfearthat，Leslie。"
"Oh，I’msoglad——soglad，Anne。"Leslieclaspedherbrown，work-hardenedhandstightlytogethertostilltheirshaking。"ButIwanttotellyoueverything，nowI’vebegun。Youdon’trememberthefirsttimeIsawyou，Isuppose——itwasn’tthatnightontheshore——"
"No，itwasthenightGilbertandIcamehome。Youweredrivingyourgeesedownthehill。IshouldthinkIDOrememberit！Ithoughtyouweresobeautiful——I
longedforweeksaftertofindoutwhoyouwere。"
"IknewwhoYOUwere，althoughIhadneverseeneitherofyoubefore。IhadheardofthenewdoctorandhisbridewhowerecomingtoliveinMissRussell’slittlehouse。I——Ihatedyouthatverymoment，Anne。"
"Ifelttheresentmentinyoureyes——thenIdoubted——I
thoughtImustbemistaken——becauseWHYshoulditbe？"
"Itwasbecauseyoulookedsohappy。Oh，you’llagreewithmenowthatIAMahatefulbeast——tohateanotherwomanjustbecauseshewashappy，——andwhenherhappinessdidn’ttakeanythingfromme！ThatwaswhyI
neverwenttoseeyou。IknewquitewellIoughttogo——evenoursimpleFourWindscustomsdemandedthat。
ButIcouldn’t。Iusedtowatchyoufrommywindow——I
couldseeyouandyourhusbandstrollingaboutyourgardenintheevening——oryourunningdownthepoplarlanetomeethim。Andithurtme。AndyetinanotherwayIwantedtogoover。Ifeltthat，ifIwerenotsomiserable，IcouldhavelikedyouandfoundinyouwhatI’veneverhadinmylife——anintimate，REALfriendofmyownage。Andthenyourememberthatnightattheshore？YouwereafraidIwouldthinkyoucrazy。Youmusthavethought_I_was。"
"No，butIcouldn’tunderstandyou，Leslie。Onemomentyoudrewmetoyou——thenextyoupushedmeback。"
"Iwasveryunhappythatevening。Ihadhadahardday。Dickhadbeenvery——veryhardtomanagethatday。
Generallyheisquitegood-naturedandeasilycontrolled，youknow，Anne。Butsomedaysheisverydifferent。Iwassoheartsick——Iranawaytotheshoreassoonashewenttosleep。Itwasmyonlyrefuge。I
sattherethinkingofhowmypoorfatherhadendedhislife，andwonderingifIwouldn’tbedriventoitsomeday。Oh，myheartwasfullofblackthoughts！Andthenyoucamedancingalongthecovelikeaglad，light-heartedchild。I——IhatedyoumorethenthanI’veeverdonesince。AndyetIcravedyourfriendship。Theonefeelingswayedmeonemoment；theotherfeelingthenext。WhenIgothomethatnightI
criedforshameofwhatyoumustthinkofme。Butit’salwaysbeenjustthesamewhenIcameoverhere。
SometimesI’dbehappyandenjoymyvisit。Andatothertimesthathideousfeelingwouldmaritall。
Thereweretimeswheneverythingaboutyouandyourhousehurtme。YouhadsomanydearlittlethingsI
couldn’thave。Doyouknow——it’sridiculous——butI
hadanespecialspiteatthosechinadogsofyours。
ThereweretimeswhenIwantedtocatchupGogandMagogandbangtheirpertblacknosestogether！Oh，yousmile，Anne——butitwasneverfunnytome。IwouldcomehereandseeyouandGilbertwithyourbooksandyourflowers，andyourhouseholdgoods，andyourlittlefamilyjokes——andyourloveforeachothershowingineverylookandword，evenwhenyoudidn’tknowit——andIwouldgohometo——youknowwhatIwenthometo！Oh，Anne，Idon’tbelieveI’mjealousandenviousbynature。WhenIwasagirlIlackedmanythingsmyschoolmateshad，butInevercared——Ineverdislikedthemforit。ButIseemtohavegrownsohateful——"
"Leslie，dearest，stopblamingyourself。YouareNOT
hatefulorjealousorenvious。Thelifeyouhavetolivehaswarpedyoualittle，perhaps-butitwouldhaveruinedanaturelessfineandnoblethanyours。I’mlettingyoutellmeallthisbecauseIbelieveit’sbetterforyoutotalkitoutandridyoursoulofit。
Butdon’tblameyourselfanymore。"
"Well，Iwon’t。IjustwantedyoutoknowmeasIam。
Thattimeyoutoldmeofyourdarlinghopeforthespringwastheworstofall，Anne。IshallneverforgivemyselfforthewayIbehavedthen。Irepenteditwithtears。AndIDIDputmanyatenderandlovingthoughtofyouintothelittledressImade。ButI
mighthaveknownthatanythingImadecouldonlybeashroudintheend。"
"Now，Leslie，thatISbitterandmorbid——putsuchthoughtsaway。
Iwassogladwhenyoubroughtthelittledress；andsinceIhadtoloselittleJoyceIliketothinkthatthedresssheworewastheoneyoumadeforherwhenyouletyourselfloveme。"
"Anne，doyouknow，IbelieveIshallalwaysloveyouafterthis。Idon’tthinkI’lleverfeelthatdreadfulwayaboutyouagain。Talkingitalloutseemstohavedoneawaywithit，somehow。It’sverystrange——andI
thoughtitsorealandbitter。It’slikeopeningthedoorofadarkroomtoshowsomehideouscreatureyou’vebelievedtobethere——andwhenthelightstreamsinyourmonsterturnsouttohavebeenjustashadow，vanishingwhenthelightcomes。Itwillnevercomebetweenusagain。"
"No，wearerealfriendsnow，Leslie，andIamveryglad。"
"Ihopeyouwon’tmisunderstandmeifIsaysomethingelse。Anne，Iwasgrievedtothecoreofmyheartwhenyoulostyourbaby；andifIcouldhavesavedherforyoubycuttingoffoneofmyhandsIwouldhavedoneit。Butyoursorrowhasbroughtusclosertogether。
Yourperfecthappinessisn’tabarrieranylonger。Oh，don’tmisunderstand，dearest——I’mNOTgladthatyourhappinessisn’tperfectanylonger——Icansaythatsincerely；butsinceitisn’t，thereisn’tsuchagulfbetweenus。"
"IDOunderstandthat，too，Leslie。Now，we’lljustshutupthepastandforgetwhatwasunpleasantinit。
It’sallgoingtobedifferent。We’rebothoftheraceofJosephnow。Ithinkyou’vebeenwonderful——wonderful。And，Leslie，Ican’thelpbelievingthatlifehassomethinggoodandbeautifulforyouyet。"
Leslieshookherhead。
"No，"shesaiddully。"Thereisn’tanyhope。Dickwillneverbebetter——andevenifhismemoryweretocomeback——oh，Anne，itwouldbeworse，evenworse，thanitisnow。Thisissomethingyoucan’tunderstand，youhappybride。Anne，didMissCorneliaevertellyouhowIcametomarryDick？"
"Yes。"
"I’mglad——Iwantedyoutoknow——butIcouldn’tbringmyselftotalkofitifyouhadn’tknown。Anne，itseemstomethateversinceIwastwelveyearsoldlifehasbeenbitter。BeforethatIhadahappychildhood。
Wewereverypoor——butwedidn’tmind。Fatherwassosplendid——socleverandlovingandsympathetic。WewerechumsasfarbackasIcanremember。Andmotherwassosweet。Shewasvery，verybeautiful。Ilooklikeher，butIamnotsobeautifulasshewas。"
"MissCorneliasaysyouarefarmorebeautiful。"
"Sheismistaken——orprejudiced。IthinkmyfigureIS
better——motherwasslightandbentbyhardwork——butshehadthefaceofanangel。Iusedjusttolookupatherinworship。Weallworshippedher，——fatherandKennethandI。"
AnnerememberedthatMissCorneliahadgivenheraverydifferentimpressionofLeslie’smother。Buthadnotlovethetruervision？Still，itWASselfishofRoseWesttomakeherdaughtermarryDickMoore。
"Kennethwasmybrother，"wentonLeslie。"Oh，I
can’ttellyouhowIlovedhim。Andhewascruellykilled。Doyouknowhow？"
"Yes。"
"Anne，Isawhislittlefaceasthewheelwentoverhim。Hefellonhisback。Anne——Anne——Icanseeitnow。Ishallalwaysseeit。Anne，allIaskofheavenisthatthatrecollectionshallbeblottedoutofmymemory。OmyGod！"
"Leslie，don’tspeakofit。Iknowthestory——don’tgointodetailsthatonlyharrowyoursoulupunavailingly。ItWILLbeblottedout。"
Afteramoment’sstruggle，Leslieregainedameasureofself-control。
"Thenfather’shealthgotworseandhegrewdespondent——hismindbecameunbalanced——you’veheardallthat，too？"
"Yes。"
"AfterthatIhadjustmothertolivefor。ButIwasveryambitious。Imeanttoteachandearnmywaythroughcollege。Imeanttoclimbtotheverytop——oh，Iwon’ttalkofthateither。It’snouse。Youknowwhathappened。Icouldn’tseemydearlittleheart-brokenmother，whohadbeensuchaslaveallherlife，turnedoutofherhome。Ofcourse，Icouldhaveearnedenoughforustoliveon。ButmotherCOULDN’T
leaveherhome。Shehadcomethereasabride——andshehadlovedfatherso——andallhermemorieswerethere。
Evenyet，Anne，whenIthinkthatImadeherlastyearhappyI’mnotsorryforwhatIdid。AsforDick——I
didn’thatehimwhenImarriedhim——Ijustfeltforhimtheindifferent，friendlyfeelingIhadformostofmyschoolmates。Iknewhedranksome——butIhadneverheardthestoryofthegirldownatthefishingcove。
IfIhad，ICOULDN’Thavemarriedhim，evenformother’ssake。Afterwards——IDIDhatehim——butmotherneverknew。Shedied——andthenIwasalone。IwasonlyseventeenandIwasalone。DickhadgoneoffintheFourSisters。Ihopedhewouldn’tbehomeverymuchmore。Theseahadalwaysbeeninhisblood。I
hadnootherhope。Well，CaptainJimbroughthimhome，asyouknow——andthat’sallthereistosay。Youknowmenow，Anne——theworstofme——thebarriersarealldown。Andyoustillwanttobemyfriend？"
Annelookedupthroughthebirches，atthewhitepaper-lanternofahalfmoondriftingdownwardstothegulfofsunset。Herfacewasverysweet。
"Iamyourfriendandyouaremine，foralways，"shesaid。"SuchafriendasIneverhadbefore。Ihavehadmanydearandbelovedfriends——butthereisasomethinginyou，Leslie，thatIneverfoundinanyoneelse。Youhavemoretooffermeinthatrichnatureofyours，andIhavemoretogiveyouthanIhadinmycarelessgirlhood。Wearebothwomen——andfriendsforever。"
Theyclaspedhandsandsmiledateachotherthroughthetearsthatfilledthegrayeyesandtheblue。
CHAPTER22
MISSCORNELIAARRANGESMATTERS
GilbertinsistedthatSusanshouldbekeptonatthelittlehouseforthesummer。Anneprotestedatfirst。
"Lifeherewithjustthetwoofusissosweet，Gilbert。Itspoilsitalittletohaveanyoneelse。
Susanisadearsoul，butsheisanoutsider。Itwon’thurtmetodotheworkhere。"
"Youmusttakeyourdoctor’sadvice，"saidGilbert。
"There’sanoldproverbtotheeffectthatshoemakers’
wivesgobarefootanddoctors’wivesdieyoung。I
don’tmeanthatitshallbetrueinmyhousehold。YouwillkeepSusanuntiltheoldspringcomesbackintoyourstep，andthoselittlehollowsonyourcheeksfillout。"
"Youjusttakeiteasy，Mrs。Doctor，dear，"saidSusan，comingabruptlyin。"Haveagoodtimeanddonotworryaboutthepantry。Susanisatthehelm。
Thereisnouseinkeepingadoganddoingyourownbarking。Iamgoingtotakeyourbreakfastuptoyoueverymorning。"
"Indeedyouarenot，"laughedAnne。"IagreewithMissCorneliathatit’sascandalforawomanwhoisn’tsicktoeatherbreakfastinbed，andalmostjustifiesthemeninanyenormities。"
"Oh，Cornelia！"saidSusan，withineffablecontempt。
"Ithinkyouhavebettersense，Mrs。Doctor，dear，thantoheedwhatCorneliaBryantsays。Icannotseewhyshemustbealwaysrunningdownthemen，evenifsheisanoldmaid。_I_amanoldmaid，butyouneverhearME
abusingthemen。Ilike’em。IwouldhavemarriedoneifIcould。Isitnotfunnynobodyeveraskedmetomarryhim，Mrs。Doctor，dear？Iamnobeauty，butIamasgood-lookingasmostofthemarriedwomenyousee。
ButIneverhadabeau。Whatdoyousupposeisthereason？"
"Itmaybepredestination，"suggestedAnne，withunearthlysolemnity。
Susannodded。
"ThatiswhatIhaveoftenthought，Mrs。Doctor，dear，andagreatcomfortitis。IdonotmindnobodywantingmeiftheAlmightydecreeditsoforHisownwisepurposes。Butsometimesdoubtcreepsin，Mrs。
Doctor，dear，andIwonderifmaybetheOldScratchhasnotmoretodowithitthananyoneelse。IcannotfeelresignedTHEN。Butmaybe，"addedSusan，brighteningup，"Iwillhaveachancetogetmarriedyet。Ioftenandoftenthinkoftheoldversemyauntusedtorepeat:
ThereneverwasagoosesograybutsometimesoonorlateSomehonestgandercameherwayandtookherforhismate！
Awomancannoteverbesureofnotbeingmarriedtillsheisburied，Mrs。Doctor，dear，andmeanwhileIwillmakeabatchofcherrypies。Inoticethedoctorfavors’em，andIDOlikecookingforamanwhoappreciateshisvictuals。"
MissCorneliadroppedinthatafternoon，puffingalittle。
"Idon’tmindtheworldorthedevilmuch，butthefleshDOESratherbotherme，"sheadmitted。"Youalwayslookascoolasacucumber，Anne，dearie。DoI
smellcherrypie？IfIdo，askmetostaytotea。
Haven’ttastedacherrypiethissummer。MycherrieshaveallbeenstolenbythosescampsofGilmanboysfromtheGlen。"
"Now，now，Cornelia，"remonstratedCaptainJim，whohadbeenreadingaseanovelinacornerofthelivingroom，"youshouldn’tsaythataboutthosetwopoor，motherlessGilmanboys，unlessyou’vegotcertainproof。Jestbecausetheirfatherain’tnonetoohonestisn’tanyreasonforcallingthemthieves。It’smorelikelyit’sbeentherobinstookyourcherries。
They’returriblethickthisyear。"
"Robins！"saidMissCorneliadisdainfully。"Humph！
Two-leggedrobins，believeME！"
"Well，mostoftheFourWindsrobinsAREconstructedonthatprinciple，"saidCaptainJimgravely。
MissCorneliastaredathimforamoment。Thensheleanedbackinherrockerandlaughedlongandungrudgingly。
"Well，youHAVEgotoneonmeatlast，JimBoyd，I’lladmit。Justlookhowpleasedheis，Anne，dearie，grinninglikeaChessy-cat。Asfortherobins’legsifrobinshavegreat，big，bare，sunburnedlegs，withraggedtrousershangingon’em，suchasIsawupinmycherrytreeonemorningatsunriselastweek，I’llbegtheGilmanboys’pardon。BythetimeIgotdowntheyweregone。Icouldn’tunderstandhowtheyhaddisappearedsoquick，butCaptainJimhasenlightenedme。Theyflewaway，ofcourse。"
CaptainJimlaughedandwentaway，regretfullydeclininganinvitationtostaytosupperandpartakeofcherrypie。
"I’monmywaytoseeLeslieandaskherifshe’lltakeaboarder，"MissCorneliaresumed。"I’daletteryesterdayfromaMrs。DalyinToronto，whoboardedaspellwithmetwoyearsago。Shewantedmetotakeafriendofhersforthesummer。HisnameisOwenFord，andhe’sanewspaperman，anditseemshe’sagrandsonoftheschoolmasterwhobuiltthishouse。JohnSelwyn’soldestdaughtermarriedanOntariomannamedFord，andthisisherson。Hewantstoseetheoldplacehisgrandparentslivedin。Hehadabadspelloftyphoidinthespringandhasn’tgotrightlyoverit，sohisdoctorhasorderedhimtothesea。Hedoesn’twanttogotothehotel——hejustwantsaquiethomeplace。Ican’ttakehim，forIhavetobeawayinAugust。I’vebeenappointedadelegatetotheW。F。M。S。
conventioninKingsportandI’mgoing。Idon’tknowwhetherLeslie’llwanttobebotheredwithhim，either，butthere’snooneelse。Ifshecan’ttakehimhe’llhavetogoovertheharbor。"
"Whenyou’veseenhercomebackandhelpuseatourcherrypies，"saidAnne。"BringLeslieandDick，too，iftheycancome。Andsoyou’regoingtoKingsport？
Whatanicetimeyouwillhave。Imustgiveyoualettertoafriendofminethere——Mrs。JonasBlake。"
"I’veprevailedonMrs。ThomasHolttogowithme，"
saidMissCorneliacomplacently。"It’stimeshehadalittleholiday，believeME。Shehasjustaboutworkedherselftodeath。TomHoltcancrochetbeautifully，buthecan’tmakealivingforhisfamily。Heneverseemstobeabletogetupearlyenoughtodoanywork，butInoticehecanalwaysgetupearlytogofishing。
Isn’tthatlikeaman？"
Annesmiled。ShehadlearnedtodiscountlargelyMissCornelia’sopinionsoftheFourWindsmen。Otherwiseshemusthavebelievedthemthemosthopelessassortmentofreprobatesandne’er-do-wellsintheworld，withveritableslavesandmartyrsforwives。
ThisparticularTomHolt，forexample，sheknewtobeakindhusband，amuchlovedfather，andanexcellentneighbor。Ifhewereratherinclinedtobelazy，likingbetterthefishinghehadbeenbornforthanthefarminghehadnot，andifhehadaharmlesseccentricityfordoingfancywork，nobodysaveMissCorneliaseemedtoholditagainsthim。Hiswifewasa"hustler，"whogloriedinhustling；hisfamilygotacomfortablelivingoffthefarm；andhisstrappingsonsanddaughters，inheritingtheirmother’senergy，wereallinafairwaytodowellintheworld。TherewasnotahappierhouseholdinGlenSt。MarythantheHolts’。
MissCorneliareturnedsatisfiedfromthehouseupthebrook。
"Leslie’sgoingtotakehim，"sheannounced。"Shejumpedatthechance。Shewantstomakealittlemoneytoshingletheroofofherhousethisfall，andshedidn’tknowhowshewasgoingtomanageit。IexpectCaptainJim’llbemorethaninterestedwhenhehearsthatagrandsonoftheSelwyns’iscominghere。Lesliesaidtotellyoushehankeredaftercherrypie，butshecouldn’tcometoteabecauseshehastogoandhuntupherturkeys。They’vestrayedaway。Butshesaid，iftherewasapieceleft，foryoutoputitinthepantryandshe’drunoverinthecat’slight，whenprowling’sinorder，togetit。Youdon’tknow，Anne，dearie，whatgooditdidmyhearttohearLesliesendyouamessagelikethat，laughinglikesheusedtolongago。
There’sagreatchangecomeoverherlately。Shelaughsandjokeslikeagirl，andfromhertalkI
gathershe’shererealoften。"
"Everyday——orelseI’moverthere，"saidAnne。"I
don’tknowwhatI’ddowithoutLeslie，especiallyjustnowwhenGilbertissobusy。He’shardlyeverhomeexceptforafewhoursintheweesma’s。He’sreallyworkinghimselftodeath。Somanyoftheover-harborpeoplesendforhimnow。"
"Theymightbetterbecontentwiththeirowndoctor，"
saidMissCornelia。"ThoughtobesureIcan’tblamethem，forhe’saMethodist。EversinceDr。BlythebroughtMrs。Allonbyroundfolksthinkhecanraisethedead。IbelieveDr。Daveisamitejealous——justlikeaman。HethinksDr。Blythehastoomanynew-fanglednotions！`Well，’Isaystohim，`itwasanew-fanglednotionsavedRhodaAllonby。IfYOU’Dbeenattendinghershe’dhavedied，andhadatombstonesayingithadpleasedGodtotakeheraway。’Oh，IDOliketospeakmymindtoDr。Dave！He’sbossedtheGlenforyears，andhethinkshe’sforgottenmorethanotherpeopleeverknew。Speakingofdoctors，IwishDr。Blythe’drunoverandseetothatboilonDickMoore’sneck。
It’sgettingpastLeslie’sskill。I’msureIdon’tknowwhatDickMoorewantstostartinhavingboilsfor——asifhewasn’tenoughtroublewithoutthat！"
"Doyouknow，Dickhastakenquiteafancytome，"
saidAnne。"Hefollowsmeroundlikeadog，andsmileslikeapleasedchildwhenInoticehim。"
"Doesitmakeyoucreepy？"
"Notatall。IratherlikepoorDickMoore。Heseemssopitifulandappealing，somehow。"
"Youwouldn’tthinkhimveryappealingifyou’dseehimonhiscantankerousdays，believeME。ButI’mgladyoudon’tmindhim——it’sallthenicerforLeslie。She’llhavemoretodowhenherboardercomes。Ihopehe’llbeadecentcreature。You’llprobablylikehim——he’sawriter。"
"Iwonderwhypeoplesocommonlysupposethatiftwoindividualsarebothwriterstheymustthereforebehugelycongenial，"saidAnne，ratherscornfully。
"Nobodywouldexpecttwoblacksmithstobeviolentlyattractedtowardeachothermerelybecausetheywerebothblacksmiths。"
Nevertheless，shelookedforwardtotheadventofOwenFordwithapleasantsenseofexpectation。IfhewereyoungandlikeablehemightproveaverypleasantadditiontosocietyinFourWinds。Thelatch-stringofthelittlehousewasalwaysoutfortheraceofJoseph。