MissCorneliasighed。GilberthadgonedownandLeslie，whohadbeencrooningoverthesmallJamesMatthewinthedormerwindow，laidhimasleepinhisbasketandwentherway。Assoonasshewassafelyoutofearshot，MissCorneliabentforwardandsaidinaconspirator’swhisper:
　　"Anne，dearie，I’daletterfromOwenFordyesterday。
　　He’sinVancouverjustnow，buthewantstoknowifI
　　canboardhimforamonthlateron。YOUknowwhatthatmeans。Well，Ihopewe’redoingright。"
　　"We’venothingtodowithit——wecouldn’tpreventhimfromcomingtoFourWindsifhewantedto，"saidAnnequickly。Shedidnotlikethefeelingofmatch-makingMissCornelia’swhispersgaveher；andthensheweaklysuccumbedherself。
　　"Don’tletLeslieknowheiscominguntilheishere，"
　　shesaid。"IfshefoundoutIfeelsureshewouldgoawayatonce。Sheintendstogointhefallanyhow——shetoldmesotheotherday。SheisgoingtoMontrealtotakeupnursingandmakewhatshecanofherlife。"
　　"Oh，well，Anne，dearie，"saidMissCornelia，noddingsagely"thatisallasitmaybe。YouandIhavedoneourpartandwemustleavetheresttoHigherHands。"
　　CHAPTER35
　　POLITICSATFOURWINDS
　　Whenannecamedownstairsagain，theIsland，aswellasallCanada，wasinthethroesofacampaignprecedingageneralelection。Gilbert，whowasanardentConservative，foundhimselfcaughtinthevortex，beingmuchindemandforspeech-makingatthevariouscountyrallies。MissCorneliadidnotapproveofhismixingupinpoliticsandtoldAnneso。
　　"Dr。Daveneverdidit。Dr。Blythewillfindheismakingamistake，believeME。Politicsissomethingnodecentmanshouldmeddlewith。"
　　"Isthegovernmentofthecountrytobeleftsolelytotheroguesthen？"askedAnne。
　　"Yes——solongasit’sConservativerogues，"saidMissCornelia，marchingoffwiththehonorsofwar。"Menandpoliticiansarealltarredwiththesamebrush。
　　TheGritshaveitlaidonthickerthantheConservatives，that’sall——CONSIDERABLYthicker。ButGritorTory，myadvicetoDr。Blytheistosteerclearofpolitics。Firstthingyouknow，he’llberunninganelectionhimself，andgoingofftoOttawaforhalftheyearandleavinghispracticetogotothedogs。"
　　"Ah，well，let’snotborrowtrouble，"saidAnne。"Therateofinterestistoohigh。Instead，let’slookatLittleJem。ItshouldbespelledwithaG。Isn’theperfectlybeautiful？Justseethedimplesinhiselbows。We’llbringhimuptobeagoodConservative，youandI，MissCornelia。"
　　"Bringhimuptobeagoodman，"saidMissCornelia。
　　"They’rescarceandvaluable；though，mindyou，I
　　wouldn’tliketoseehimaGrit。Asfortheelection，youandImaybethankfulwedon’tliveoverharbor。
　　Theairthereisbluethesedays。EveryElliottandCrawfordandMacAllisterisonthewarpath，loadedforbear。Thissideispeacefulandcalm，seeingthere’ssofewmen。CaptainJim’saGrit，butit’smyopinionhe’sashamedofit，forhenevertalkspolitics。Thereisn’tanyearthlydoubtthattheConservativeswillbereturnedwithabigmajorityagain。"
　　MissCorneliawasmistaken。OnthemorningaftertheelectionCaptainJimdroppedinatthelittlehousetotellthenews。Sovirulentisthemicrobeofpartypolitics，eveninapeaceableoldman，thatCaptainJim’scheekswereflushedandhiseyeswereflashingwithallhisold-timefire。
　　"MistressBlythe，theLiberalsareinwithasweepingmajority。AftereighteenyearsofTorymismanagementthisdown-troddencountryisgoingtohaveachanceatlast。"
　　"Ineverheardyoumakesuchabitterpartisanspeechbefore，CaptainJim。Ididn’tthinkyouhadsomuchpoliticalvenominyou，"laughedAnne，whowasnotmuchexcitedoverthetidings。LittleJemhadsaid"Wow-ga"thatmorning。Whatwereprincipalitiesandpowers，theriseandfallofdynasties，theoverthrowofGritorTory，comparedwiththatmiraculousoccurrence？
　　"It’sbeenaccumulatingforalongwhile，"saidCaptainJim，withadeprecatingsmile。"IthoughtI
　　wasonlyamoderateGrit，butwhenthenewscamethatwewereinIfoundouthowGrittyIreallywas。"
　　"YouknowthedoctorandIareConservatives。"
　　"Ah，well，it’stheonlybadthingIknowofeitherofyou，MistressBlythe。CorneliaisaTory，too。I
　　calledinonmywayfromtheGlentotellherthenews。"
　　"Didn’tyouknowyoutookyourlifeinyourhands？"
　　"Yes，butIcouldn’tresistthetemptation。"
　　"Howdidshetakeit？"
　　"Comparativelycalm，MistressBlythe，comparativelycalm。Shesays，saysshe，`Well，Providencesendsseasonsofhumiliationtoacountry，sameastoindividuals。YouGritshavebeencoldandhungryformanyayear。Makehastetogetwarmedandfed，foryouwon’tbeinlong。’`Well，nowCornelia，’Isays，`mebbeProvidencethinksCanadaneedsareallongspellofhumiliation。’Ah，Susan，haveYOUheardthenews？
　　TheLiberalsarein。"
　　Susanhadjustcomeinfromthekitchen，attendedbytheodorofdelectabledisheswhichalwaysseemedtohoveraroundher。
　　"Now，arethey？"shesaid，withbeautifulunconcern。
　　"Well，InevercouldseebutthatmybreadrosejustaslightwhenGritswereinaswhentheywerenot。Andifanyparty，Mrs。Doctor，dear，willmakeitrainbeforetheweekisout，andsaveourkitchengardenfromentireruination，thatisthepartySusanwillvotefor。Inthemeantime，willyoujuststepoutandgivemeyouropiniononthemeatfordinner？Iamfearingthatitisverytough，andIthinkthatwehadbetterchangeourbutcheraswellasourgovernment。"
　　Oneevening，aweeklater，AnnewalkeddowntothePoint，toseeifshecouldgetsomefreshfishfromCaptainJim，leavingLittleJemforthefirsttime。Itwasquiteatragedy。Supposehecried？SupposeSusandidnotknowjustexactlywhattodoforhim？Susanwascalmandserene。
　　"Ihavehadasmuchexperiencewithhimasyou，Mrs。
　　Doctor，dear，haveInot？"
　　"Yes，withhim——butnotwithotherbabies。Why，I
　　lookedafterthreepairsoftwins，whenIwasachild，Susan。Whentheycried，Igavethempeppermintorcastoroilquitecoolly。It’squitecuriousnowtorecallhowlightlyItookallthosebabiesandtheirwoes。"
　　"Oh，well，ifLittleJemcries，Iwilljustclapahotwaterbagonhislittlestomach，"saidSusan。
　　"Nottoohot，youknow，"saidAnneanxiously。Oh，wasitreallywisetogo？
　　"Donotyoufret，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Susanisnotthewomantoburnaweeman。Blesshim，hehasnonotionofcrying。"
　　AnnetoreherselfawayfinallyandenjoyedherwalktothePointafterall，throughthelongshadowsofthesun-setting。CaptainJimwasnotinthelivingroomofthelighthouse，butanothermanwas——ahandsome，middle-agedman，withastrong，clean-shavenchin，whowasunknowntoAnne。Nevertheless，whenshesatdown，hebegantotalktoherwithalltheassuranceofanoldacquaintance。Therewasnothingamissinwhathesaidorthewayhesaidit，butAnneratherresentedsuchacooltaking-for-grantedinacompletestranger。
　　Herreplieswerefrosty，andasfewasdecencyrequired。Nothingdaunted，hercompaniontalkedonforseveralminutes，thenexcusedhimselfandwentaway。
　　Annecouldhavesworntherewasatwinkleinhiseyeanditannoyedher。Whowasthecreature？Therewassomethingvaguelyfamiliarabouthimbutshewascertainshehadneverseenhimbefore。
　　"CaptainJim，whowasthatwhojustwentout？"sheasked，asCaptainJimcamein。
　　"MarshallElliott，"answeredthecaptain。
　　"MarshallElliott！"criedAnne。"Oh，CaptainJim——itwasn’t——yes，itWAShisvoice——oh，CaptainJim，I
　　didn’tknowhim——andIwasquiteinsultingtohim！WHY
　　didn’thetellme？HemusthaveseenIdidn’tknowhim。"
　　"Hewouldn’tsayawordaboutit——he’djustenjoythejoke。Don’tworryoversnubbinghim——he’llthinkitfun。Yes，Marshall’sshavedoffhisbeardatlastandcuthishair。Hispartyisin，youknow。Ididn’tknowhimmyselffirsttimeIsawhim。HewasupinCarterFlagg’sstoreattheGlenthenightafterelectionday，alongwithacrowdofothers，waitingforthenews。Abouttwelvethe’phonecamethrough——theLiberalswerein。Marshalljustgotupandwalkedout——hedidn’tcheerorshout——helefttheotherstodothat，andtheynearlyliftedtheroofoffCarter’sstore，Ireckon。Ofcourse，alltheTorieswereoverinRaymondRussell’sstore。NotmuchcheeringTHERE。
　　MarshallwentstraightdownthestreettothesidedoorofAugustusPalmer’sbarbershop。Augustuswasinbedasleep，butMarhallhammeredonthedooruntilhegotupandcomedown，wantingtoknowwhatalltheracketwasabout。
　　"Comeintoyourshopanddothebestjobyoueverdidinyourlife，Gus，’saidMarshall。`TheLiberalsareinandyou’regoingtobarberagoodGritbeforethesunrises。’
　　"Guswasmadashops——partlybecausehe’dbeendraggedoutofbed，butmorebecausehe’saTory。Hevowedhewouldn’tshaveanymanaftertwelveatnight。
　　"`You’lldowhatIwantyoutodo，sonny，’saidMarshall，`orI’lljestturnyouovermykneeandgiveyouoneofthosespankingsyourmotherforgot。’
　　"He’dhavedoneit，too，andGusknewit，forMarshallisasstrongasanoxandGusisonlyamidgetofaman。SohegaveinandtowedMarshallintotheshopandwenttowork。`Now，’sayshe，`I’llbarberyouup，butifyousayonewordtomeabouttheGritsgettinginwhileI’mdoingitI’llcutyourthroatwiththisrazor，’sayshe。Youwouldn’thavethoughtmildlittleGuscouldbesobloodthirsty，wouldyou？Showswhatpartypoliticswilldoforaman。Marshallkeptquietandgothishairandbearddisposedofandwenthome。
　　Whenhisoldhousekeeperheardhimcomeupstairsshepeekedoutofherbedroomdoortoseewhether’twashimorthehiredboy。Andwhenshesawastrangemanstridingdownthehallwithacandleinhishandshescreamedbluemurderandfainteddeadaway。Theyhadtosendforthedoctorbeforetheycouldbringherto，anditwasseveraldaysbeforeshecouldlookatMarshallwithoutshakingallover。"
　　CaptainJimhadnofish。Heseldomwentoutinhisboatthatsummer，andhislongtrampingexpeditionswereover。Hespentagreatdealofhistimesittingbyhisseawardwindow，lookingoutoverthegulf，withhisswiftly-whiteningheadleaningonhishand。Hesattheretonightformanysilentminutes，keepingsometrystwiththepastwhichAnnewouldnotdisturb。
　　PresentlyhepointedtotheirisoftheWest:
　　"That’sbeautiful，isn’t，it，MistressBlythe？ButI
　　wishyoucouldhaveseenthesunrisethismorning。Itwasawonderfulthing——wonderful。I’veseenallkindsofsunrisescomeoverthatgulf。I’vebeenallovertheworld，MistressBlythe，andtakeitallinall，I’veneverseenafinersightthanasummersunriseoverthegulf。Amancan’tpickhistimefordying，MistressBlythe——jestgottogowhentheGreatCaptaingivesHissailingorders。ButifIcouldI’dgooutwhenthemorningcomesacrossthatwater。I’vewatcheditmanyatimeandthoughtwhatathingitwouldbetopassoutthroughthatgreatwhiteglorytowhateverwaswaitingbeyant，onaseathatain’tmappedoutonanyairthlychart。Ithink，MistressBlythe，thatI’dfindlostMargaretthere。"
　　CaptainJimhadoftentalkedtoAnneoflostMargaretsincehehadtoldhertheoldstory。Hisloveforhertrembledineverytone——thatlovethathadnevergrownfaintorforgetful。
　　"Anyway，IhopewhenmytimecomesI’llgoquickandeasy。Idon’tthinkI’macoward，MistressBlythe——I’velookedanuglydeathinthefacemorethanoncewithoutblenching。Butthethoughtofalingeringdeathdoesgivemeaqueer，sickfeelingofhorror。"
　　"Don’ttalkaboutleavingus，dear，DEARCaptain，Jim，"pleadedAnne，inachokedvoice，pattingtheoldbrownhand，oncesostrong，butnowgrownveryfeeble。
　　"Whatwouldwedowithoutyou？"
　　CaptainJimsmiledbeautifully。
　　"Oh，you’dgetalongnicely——nicely——butyouwouldn’tforgettheoldmanaltogether，MistressBlythe——no，I
　　don’tthinkyou’lleverquiteforgethim。TheraceofJosephalwaysremembersoneanother。Butit’llbeamemorythatwon’thurt——Iliketothinkthatmymemorywon’thurtmyfriends——it’llalwaysbekindofpleasanttothem，Ihopeandbelieve。Itwon’tbeverylongnowbeforelostMargaretcallsme，forthelasttime。I’llbeallreadytoanswer。Ijestspokeofthisbecausethere’salittlefavorIwanttoaskyou。Here’sthispooroldMateyofmine"——CaptainJimreachedoutahandandpokedthebig，warm，velvety，goldenballonthesofa。TheFirstMateuncoiledhimselflikeaspringwithanice，throaty，comfortablesound，halfpurr，halfmeow，stretchedhispawsinair，turnedoverandcoiledhimselfupagain。"HE’llmissmewhenI
　　startontheV’yage。Ican’tbeartothinkofleavingthepoorcrittertostarve，likehewasleftbefore。
　　IfanythinghappenstomewillyougiveMateyabiteandacorner，MistressBlythe？"
　　"IndeedIwill。"
　　"ThenthatisallIhadonmymind。YourLittleJemistohavethefewcuriousthingsIpickedup——I’veseentothat。AndnowIdon’tliketoseetearsinthoseprettyeyes，MistressBlythe。I’llmebbehangonforquiteaspellyet。Iheardyoureadingapieceofpoetryonedaylastwinter——oneofTennyson’spieces。
　　I’dsorterliketohearitagain，ifyoucouldreciteitforme。"
　　Softlyandclearly，whiletheseawindblewinonthem，AnnerepeatedthebeautifullinesofTennyson’swonderfulswansong——"CrossingtheBar。"Theoldcaptainkepttimegentlywithhissinewyhand。
　　"Yes，yes，MistressBlythe，"hesaid，whenshehadfinished，"that’sit，that’sit。Hewasn’tasailor，youtellme——Idunnohowhecouldhaveputanoldsailor’sfeelingsintowordslikethat，ifhewasn’tone。Hedidn’twantany`sadnesso’farewells’andneitherdoI，MistressBlythe——forallwillbewellwithmeandminebeyantthebar。"
　　CHAPTER36
　　BEAUTYFORASHES
　　"AnynewsfromGreenGables，Anne？"
　　"Nothingveryespecial，"repliedAnne，foldingupMarilla’sletter。"JakeDonnellhasbeenthereshinglingtheroof。Heisafull-fledgedcarpenternow，soitseemshehashadhisownwayinregardtothechoiceofalife-work。Yourememberhismotherwantedhimtobeacollegeprofessor。IshallneverforgetthedayshecametotheschoolandratedmeforfailingtocallhimSt。Clair。"
　　"Doesanyoneevercallhimthatnow？"
　　"Evidentlynot。Itseemsthathehascompletelyliveditdown。Evenhismotherhassuccumbed。IalwaysthoughtthataboywithJake’schinandmouthwouldgethisownwayintheend。DianawritesmethatDorahasabeau。Justthinkofit——thatchild！"
　　"Doraisseventeen，"saidGilbert。"CharlieSloaneandIwerebothmadaboutyouwhenyouwereseventeen，Anne。"
　　"Really，Gilbert，wemustbegettingoninyears，"
　　saidAnne，withahalf-ruefulsmile，"whenchildrenwhoweresixwhenwethoughtourselvesgrownupareoldenoughnowtohavebeaux。Dora’sisRalphAndrews——Jane’sbrother。Irememberhimasalittle，round，fat，white-headedfellowwhowasalwaysatthefootofhisclass。ButIunderstandheisquiteafine-lookingyoungmannow。"
　　"Dorawillprobablymarryyoung。She’softhesametypeasCharlottatheFourth——she’llnevermissherfirstchanceforfearshemightnotgetanother。"
　　"Well；ifshemarriesRalphIhopehewillbealittlemoreup-and-comingthanhisbrotherBilly，"musedAnne。
　　"Forinstance，"saidGilbert，laughing，"letushopehewillbeabletoproposeonhisownaccount。Anne，wouldyouhavemarriedBillyifhehadaskedyouhimself，insteadofgettingJanetodoitforhim？"
　　"Imighthave。"Annewentoffintoashriekoflaughterovertherecollectionofherfirstproposal。
　　"Theshockofthewholethingmighthavehypnotizedmeintosomesuchrashandfoolishact。Letusbethankfulhediditbyproxy。"
　　"IhadaletterfromGeorgeMooreyesterday，"saidLeslie，fromthecornerwhereshewasreading。
　　"Oh，howishe？"askedAnneinterestedly，yetwithanunrealfeelingthatshewasinquiringaboutsomeonewhomshedidnotknow。
　　"Heiswell，buthefindsitveryhardtoadapthimselftoallthechangesinhisoldhomeandfriends。Heisgoingtoseaagaininthespring。It’sinhisblood，hesays，andhelongsforit。Buthetoldmesomethingthatmademegladforhim，poorfellow。BeforehesailedontheFourSistershewasengagedtoagirlathome。HedidnottellmeanythingaboutherinMontreal，becausehesaidhesupposedshewouldhaveforgottenhimandmarriedsomeoneelselongago，andwithhim，yousee，hisengagementandlovewasstillathingofthepresent。Itwasprettyhardonhim，butwhenhegothomehefoundshehadnevermarriedandstillcaredforhim。Theyaretobemarriedthisfall。
　　I’mgoingtoaskhimtobringheroverhereforalittletrip；hesayshewantstocomeandseetheplacewherehelivedsomanyyearswithoutknowingit。"
　　"Whatanicelittleromance，"saidAnne，whoselovefortheromanticwasimmortal。"Andtothink，"sheaddedwithasighofself-reproach，"thatifIhadhadmywayGeorgeMoorewouldneverhavecomeupfromthegraveinwhichhisidentitywasburied。HowIdidfightagainstGilbert’ssuggestion！Well，Iampunished:IshallneverbeabletohaveadifferentopinionfromGilbert’sagain！IfItrytohave，hewillsquelchmebycastingGeorgeMoore’scaseuptome！"
　　"Asifeventhatwouldsquelchawoman！"mockedGilbert。"Atleastdonotbecomemyecho，Anne。A
　　littleoppositiongivesspicetolife。IdonotwantawifelikeJohnMacAllister’sovertheharbor。Nomatterwhathesays，sheatonceremarksinthatdrab，lifelesslittlevoiceofhers，`Thatisverytrue，John，dearme！’"
　　AnneandLeslielaughed。Anne’slaughterwassilverandLeslie’sgolden，andthecombinationofthetwowasassatisfactoryasaperfectchordinmusic。
　　Susan，cominginontheheelsofthelaughter，echoeditwitharesoundingsigh。
　　"Why，Susan，whatisthematter？"askedGilbert。
　　"There’snothingwrongwithlittleJem，isthere，Susan？"criedAnne，startingupinalarm。
　　"No，no，calmyourself，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Somethinghashappened，though。Dearme，everythinghasgonecatawampuswithmethisweek。Ispoiledthebread，asyouknowtoowell——andIscorchedthedoctor’sbestshirtbosom——andIbrokeyourbigplatter。Andnow，onthetopofallthis，comeswordthatmysisterMatildahasbrokenherlegandwantsmetogoandstaywithherforaspell。"
　　"Oh，I’mverysorry——sorrythatyoursisterhasmetwithsuchanaccident，Imean，"exclaimedAnne。
　　"Ah，well，manwasmadetomourn，Mrs。Doctor，dear。
　　ThatsoundsasifitoughttobeintheBible，buttheytellmeapersonnamedBurnswroteit。Andthereisnodoubtthatweareborntotroubleasthesparksflyupward。AsforMatilda，Idonotknowwhattothinkofher。Noneofourfamilyeverbroketheirlegsbefore。
　　Butwhatevershehasdonesheisstillmysister，andI
　　feelthatitismydutytogoandwaitonher，ifyoucansparemeforafewweeks，Mrs。Doctor，dear。"
　　"Ofcourse，Susan，ofcourse。Icangetsomeonetohelpmewhileyouaregone。"
　　"IfyoucannotIwillnotgo，Mrs。Doctor，dear，Matilda’slegtothecontrarynotwithstanding。Iwillnothaveyouworried，andthatblessedchildupsetinconsequence，foranynumberoflegs。"
　　"Oh，youmustgotoyoursisteratonce，Susan。Icangetagirlfromthecove，whowilldoforatime。"
　　"Anne，willyouletmecomeandstaywithyouwhileSusanisaway？"exclaimedLeslie。"Do！I’dloveto——anditwouldbeanactofcharityonyourpart。
　　I’msohorriblylonelyoverthereinthatbigbarnofahouse。There’ssolittletodo——andatnightI’mworsethanlonely——I’mfrightenedandnervousinspiteoflockeddoors。Therewasatramparoundtwodaysago。"
　　Annejoyfullyagreed，andnextdayLesliewasinstalledasaninmateofthelittlehouseofdreams。MissCorneliawarmlyapprovedofthearrangement。
　　"ItseemsProvidential，"shetoldAnneinconfidence。
　　"I’msorryforMatildaClow，butsinceshehadtobreakherlegitcouldn’thavehappenedatabettertime。
　　LesliewillbeherewhileOwenFordisinFourWinds，andthoseoldcatsupattheGlenwon’tgetthechancetomeow，astheywouldifshewaslivingovertherealoneandOwengoingtoseeher。Theyaredoingenoughofitasitis，becauseshedoesn’tputonmourning。I
　　saidtooneofthem，`IfyoumeansheshouldputonmourningforGeorgeMoore，itseemstomemorelikehisresurrectionthanhisfuneral；andifit’sDickyoumean，Iconfess_I_can’tseetheproprietyofgoingintoweedsforamanwhodiedthirteenyearsagoandgoodriddancethen！’AndwhenoldLouisaBaldwinremarkedtomethatshethoughtitverystrangethatLeslieshouldneverhavesuspecteditwasn’therownhusband_I_said，`YOUneversuspecteditwasn’tDickMoore，andyouwerenext-doorneighbortohimallhislife，andbynatureyou’retentimesassuspiciousasLeslie。’Butyoucan’tstopsomepeople’stongues，Anne，dearie，andI’mrealthankfulLesliewillbeunderyourroofwhileOweniscourtingher。"
　　OwenFordcametothelittlehouseoneAugusteveningwhenLeslieandAnnewereabsorbedinworshippingthebaby。Hepausedattheopendoorofthelivingroom，unseenbythetwowithin，gazingwithgreedyeyesatthebeautifulpicture。Lesliesatonthefloorwiththebabyinherlap，makingecstaticdabsathisfatlittlehandsasheflutteredthemintheair。
　　"Oh，youdear，beautiful，belovedbaby，"shemumbled，catchingoneweehandandcoveringitwithkisses。
　　"Isn’thimzedarlingestittysing，"croonedAnne，hangingoverthearmofherchairadoringly。"Demittyweepadsarezeverytweetesthandiesinzewholebigworld，isn’tdey，youdarlingittyman。"
　　Anne，inthemonthsbeforeLittleJem’scoming，hadporeddiligentlyoverseveralwisevolumes，andpinnedherfaithtooneinespecial，"SirOracleontheCareandTrainingofChildren。"SirOracleimploredparentsbyalltheyheldsacrednevertotalk"babytalk"totheirchildren。Infantsshouldinvariablybeaddressedinclassicallanguagefromthemomentoftheirbirth。SoshouldtheylearntospeakEnglishundefiledfromtheirearliestutterance。"How，"
　　demandedSirOracle，"canamotherreasonablyexpectherchildtolearncorrectspeech，whenshecontinuallyaccustomsitsimpressionablegraymattertosuchabsurdexpressionsanddistortionsofournobletongueasthoughtlessmothersinflicteverydayonthehelplesscreaturescommittedtotheircare？Canachildwhoisconstantlycalled`tweetittyweesingie’everattaintoanyproperconceptionofhisownbeingandpossibilitiesanddestiny？"
　　Annewasvastlyimpressedwiththis，andinformedGilbertthatshemeanttomakeitaninflexiblerulenever，underanycircumstances，totalk"babytalk"toherchildren。Gilbertagreedwithher，andtheymadeasolemncompactonthesubject——acompactwhichAnneshamelesslyviolatedtheveryfirstmomentLittleJemwaslaidinherarms。"Oh，thedarlingittyweesing！"shehadexclaimed。Andshehadcontinuedtoviolateiteversince。WhenGilbertteasedhershelaughedSirOracletoscorn。
　　"Heneverhadanychildrenofhisown，Gilbert——Iampositivehehadn’torhewouldneverhavewrittensuchrubbish。Youjustcan’thelptalkingbabytalktoababy。Itcomesnatural——andit’sRIGHT。Itwouldbeinhumantotalktothosetiny，soft，velvetylittlecreaturesaswedotogreatbigboysandgirls。Babieswantloveandcuddlingandallthesweetbabytalktheycanget，andLittleJemisgoingtohaveit，blesshisdearittyheartums。"
　　"Butyou’retheworstIeverheard，Anne，"protestedGilbert，who，notbeingamotherbutonlyafather，wasnotwhollyconvincedyetthatSirOraclewaswrong。"I
　　neverheardanythinglikethewayyoutalktothatchild。"
　　"Verylikelyyouneverdid。Goaway——goaway。Didn’tIbringupthreepairsofHammondtwinsbeforeIwaseleven？YouandSirOraclearenothingbutcold-bloodedtheorists。Gilbert，JUSTlookathim！
　　He’ssmilingatme——heknowswhatwe’retalkingabout。
　　Andoodestagweeswifevywordmuzzersays，don’too，angel-lover？"
　　Gilbertputhisarmaboutthem。"Ohyoumothers！"hesaid。"Youmothers！GodknewwhatHewasaboutwhenHemadeyou。"
　　SoLittleJemwastalkedtoandlovedandcuddled；andhethroveasbecameachildofthehouseofdreams。
　　LesliewasquiteasfoolishoverhimasAnnewas。WhentheirworkwasdoneandGilbertwasoutoftheway，theygavethemselvesovertoshamelessorgiesoflove-makingandecstasiesofadoration，suchasthatinwhichOwenFordhadsurprisedthem。
　　Lesliewasthefirsttobecomeawareofhim。EveninthetwilightAnnecouldseethesuddenwhitenessthatsweptoverherbeautifulface，blottingoutthecrimsonoflipandcheeks。
　　Owencameforward，eagerly，blindforamomenttoAnne。
　　"Leslie！"hesaid，holdingouthishand。Itwasthefirsttimehehadevercalledherbyhername；butthehandLesliegavehimwascold；andshewasveryquietalltheevening，whileAnneandGilbertandOwenlaughedandtalkedtogether。Beforehiscallendedsheexcusedherselfandwentupstairs。Owen’sgayspiritsflaggedandhewentawaysoonafterwithadowncastair。
　　GilbertlookedatAnne。
　　"Anne，whatareyouupto？There’ssomethinggoingonthatIdon’tunderstand。Thewholeairheretonighthasbeenchargedwithelectricity。Lesliesitslikethemuseoftragedy；OwenFordjokesandlaughsonthesurface，andwatchesLesliewiththeeyesofhissoul。
　　Youseemallthetimetobeburstingwithsomesuppressedexcitement。Ownup。Whatsecrethaveyoubeenkeepingfromyourdeceivedhusband？"
　　"Don’tbeagoose，Gilbert，"wasAnne’sconjugalreply。"AsforLeslie，sheisabsurdandI’mgoinguptotellherso。"
　　AnnefoundLeslieatthedormerwindowofherroom。
　　Thelittleplacewasfilledwiththerhythmicthunderofthesea。Lesliesatwithlockedhandsinthemistymoonshine——abeautiful，accusingpresence。
　　"Anne，"shesaidinalow，reproachfulvoice，"didyouknowOwenFordwascomingtoFourWinds？"
　　"Idid，"saidAnnebrazenly。
　　"Oh，youshouldhavetoldme，Anne，"Lesliecriedpassionately。"IfIhadknownIwouldhavegoneaway——Iwouldn’thavestayedheretomeethim。Youshouldhavetoldme。Itwasn’tfairofyou，Anne——oh，itwasn’tfair！"
　　Leslie’slipsweretremblingandherwholeformwastensewithemotion。ButAnnelaughedheartlessly。ShebentoverandkissedLeslie’supturnedreproachfulface。
　　"Leslie，youareanadorablegoose。OwenForddidn’trushfromthePacifictotheAtlanticfromaburningdesiretoseeME。NeitherdoIbelievethathewasinspiredbyanywildandfrenziedpassionforMissCornelia。Takeoffyourtragicairs，mydearfriend，andfoldthemupandputthemawayinlavender。You’llneverneedthemagain。Therearesomepeoplewhocanseethroughagrindstonewhenthereisaholeinit，evenifyoucannot。Iamnotaprophetess，butIshallventureonaprediction。Thebitternessoflifeisoverforyou。Afterthisyouaregoingtohavethejoysandhopes——andIdaresaythesorrows，too——ofahappywoman。TheomenoftheshadowofVenusdidcometrueforyou，Leslie。Theyearinwhichyousawitbroughtyourlife’sbestgiftforyou——yourloveforOwenFord。Now，gorighttobedandhaveagoodsleep。"
　　Leslieobeyedordersinsofarthatshewenttobed:
　　butitmaybequestionedifshesleptmuch。Idonotthinkshedaredtodreamwakingly；lifehadbeensohardforthispoorLeslie，thepathonwhichshehadhadtowalkhadbeensostrait，thatshecouldnotwhispertoherownheartthehopesthatmightwaitonthefuture。Butshewatchedthegreatrevolvinglightbestarringtheshorthoursofthesummernight，andhereyesgrewsoftandbrightandyoungoncemore。Nor，whenOwenFordcamenextday，toaskhertogowithhimtotheshore，didshesayhimnay。
　　CHAPTER37
　　MISSCORNELIAMAKESASTARTLINGANNOUNCEMENT
　　MissCorneliasaileddowntothelittlehouseonedrowsyafternoon，whenthegulfwasthefaint，bleachedblueoftheAugustseas，andtheorangeliliesatthegateofAnne’sgardenhelduptheirimperialcupstobefilledwiththemoltengoldofAugustsunshine。NotthatMissCorneliaconcernedherselfwithpaintedoceansorsun-thirstylilies。Shesatinherfavoriterockerinunusualidleness。Shesewednot，neitherdidshespin。Nordidshesayasinglederogatorywordconcerninganyportionofmankind。Inshort，MissCornelia’sconversationwassingularlydevoidofspicethatday，andGilbert，whohadstayedhometolistentoher，insteadofgoinga-fishing，ashehadintended，felthimselfaggrieved。WhathadcomeoverMissCornelia？Shedidnotlookcastdownorworried。Onthecontrary，therewasacertainairofnervousexultationabouther。
　　"WhereisLeslie？"sheasked——notasifitmatteredmucheither。
　　"Owenandshewentraspberryinginthewoodsbackofherfarm，"answeredAnne。"Theywon’tbebackbeforesuppertime——ifthen。"
　　"Theydon’tseemtohaveanyideathatthereissuchathingasaclock，"saidGilbert。"Ican’tgettothebottomofthataffair。I’mcertainyouwomenpulledstrings。ButAnne，undutifulwife，won’ttellme。
　　Willyou，MissCornelia？"
　　"No，Ishallnot。But，"saidMissCornelia，withtheairofonedeterminedtotaketheplungeandhaveitover，"Iwilltellyousomethingelse。Icametodayonpurposetotellit。Iamgoingtobemarried。"
　　AnneandGilbertweresilent。IfMissCorneliahadannouncedherintentionofgoingouttothechannelanddrowningherselfthethingmighthavebeenbelievable。
　　Thiswasnot。Sotheywaited。OfcourseMissCorneliahadmadeamistake。
　　"Well，youbothlooksortofkerflummexed，"saidMissCornelia，withatwinkleinhereyes。Nowthattheawkwardmomentofrevelationwasover，MissCorneliawasherownwomanagain。"DoyouthinkI’mtooyoungandinexperiencedformatrimony？"
　　"Youknow——itISratherstaggering，"saidGilbert，tryingtogatherhiswitstogether。"I’veheardyousayascoreoftimesthatyouwouldn’tmarrythebestmanintheworld。"
　　"I’mnotgoingtomarrythebestmanintheworld，"
　　retortedMissCornelia。"MarshallElliottisalongwayfrombeingthebest。"
　　"AreyougoingtomarryMarshallElliott？"exclaimedAnne，recoveringherpowerofspeechunderthissecondshock。
　　"Yes。IcouldhavehadhimanytimethesetwentyyearsifI’dliftedmyfinger。ButdoyousupposeIwasgoingtowalkintochurchbesideaperambulatinghaystacklikethat？"
　　"Iamsureweareveryglad——andwewishyouallpossiblehappiness，"saidAnne，veryflatlyandinadequately，asshefelt。Shewasnotpreparedforsuchanoccasion。ShehadneverimaginedherselfofferingbetrothalfelicitationstoMissCornelia。
　　"Thanks，Iknewyouwould，"saidMissCornelia。"Youarethefirstofmyfriendstoknowit。"
　　"Weshallbesosorrytoloseyou，though，dearMissCornelia，"saidAnne，beginningtobealittlesadandsentimental。
　　"Oh，youwon’tloseme，"saidMissCorneliaunsentimentally。"Youdon’tsupposeIwouldliveoverharborwithallthoseMacAllistersandElliottsandCrawfords，doyou？`FromtheconceitoftheElliotts，theprideoftheMacAllistersandthevain-gloryoftheCrawfords，goodLorddeliverus。’Marshalliscomingtoliveatmyplace。I’msickandtiredofhiredmen。
　　ThatJimHastingsI’vegotthissummerispositivelytheworstofthespecies。Hewoulddriveanyonetogettingmarried。Whatdoyouthink？Heupsetthechurnyesterdayandspilledabigchurningofcreamovertheyard。Andnotonewhitconcernedaboutitwashe！Justgaveafoolishlaughandsaidcreamwasgoodfortheland。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？ItoldhimI
　　wasn’tinthehabitoffertilisingmybackyardwithcream。"
　　"Well，Iwishyouallmannerofhappinesstoo，MissCornelia，"saidGilbert，solemnly；"but，"headded，unabletoresistthetemptationtoteaseMissCornelia，despiteAnne’simploringeyes，"Ifearyourdayofindependenceisdone。Asyouknow，MarshallElliottisaverydeterminedman。"
　　"Ilikeamanwhocansticktoathing，"retortedMissCornelia。"AmosGrant，whousedtobeaftermelongago，couldn’t。Youneversawsuchaweather-vane。Hejumpedintothepondtodrownhimselfonceandthenchangedhismindandswumoutagain。Wasn’tthatlikeaman？Marshallwouldhavestucktoitanddrowned。"
　　"Andhehasabitofatemper，theytellme，"
　　persistedGilbert。
　　"Hewouldn’tbeanElliottifhehadn’t。I’mthankfulhehas。Itwillberealfuntomakehimmad。Andyoucangenerallydosomethingwithatemperymanwhenitcomestorepentingtime。Butyoucan’tdoanythingwithamanwhojustkeepsplacidandaggravating。"
　　"Youknowhe’saGrit，MissCornelia。"
　　"Yes，heIS，"admittedMissCorneliarathersadly。
　　"AndofcoursethereisnohopeofmakingaConservativeofhim。ButatleastheisaPresbyterian。SoIsupposeIshallhavetobesatisfiedwiththat。"
　　"WouldyoumarryhimifhewereaMethodist，MissCornelia？"
　　"No，Iwouldnot。Politicsisforthisworld，butreligionisforboth。"
　　"Andyoumaybea`relict’afterall，MissCornelia。"
　　"NotI。Marshallwilllivemeout。TheElliottsarelong-lived，andtheBryantsarenot。"
　　"Whenareyoutobemarried？"askedAnne。
　　"Inaboutamonth’stime。Myweddingdressistobenavybluesilk。AndIwanttoaskyou，Anne，dearie，ifyouthinkitwouldbeallrighttowearaveilwithanavybluedress。I’vealwaysthoughtI’dliketowearaveilifIevergotmarried。MarshallsaystohaveitifIwantto。Isn’tthatlikeaman？"
　　"Whyshouldn’tyouwearitifyouwantto？"askedAnne。
　　"Well，onedoesn’twanttobedifferentfromotherpeople，"saidMissCornelia，whowasnotnoticeablylikeanyoneelseonthefaceoftheearth。"AsIsay，Idofancyaveil。Butmaybeitshouldn’tbewornwithanydressbutawhiteone。Pleasetellme，Anne，dearie，whatyoureallythink。I’llgobyyouradvice。"
　　"Idon’tthinkveilsareusuallywornwithanybutwhitedresses，"admittedAnne，"butthatismerelyaconvention；andIamlikeMr。Elliott，MissCornelia。
　　Idon’tseeanygoodreasonwhyyoushouldn’thaveaveilifyouwantone。"
　　ButMissCornelia，whomadehercallsincalicowrappers，shookherhead。
　　"Ifitisn’ttheproperthingIwon’twearit，"shesaid，withasighofregretforalostdream。
　　"Sinceyouaredeterminedtobemarried，MissCornelia，"saidGilbertsolemnly，"Ishallgiveyoutheexcellentrulesforthemanagementofahusbandwhichmygrandmothergavemymotherwhenshemarriedmyfather。"
　　"Well，IreckonIcanmanageMarshallElliott，"saidMissCorneliaplacidly。"Butletushearyourrules。"
　　"Thefirstoneis，catchhim。"
　　"He’scaught。Goon。"
　　"Thesecondoneis，feedhimwell。"
　　"Withenoughpie。Whatnext？"
　　"Thethirdandfourthare——keepyoureyeonhim。"
　　"Ibelieveyou，"saidMissCorneliaemphatically。
　　CHAPTER38
　　REDROSES
　　ThegardenofthelittlehousewasahauntbelovedofbeesandreddenedbylaterosesthatAugust。Thelittlehousefolklivedmuchinit，andweregiventotakingpicnicsuppersinthegrassycornerbeyondthebrookandsittingaboutinitthroughthetwilightswhengreatnightmothssailedathwartthevelvetgloom。
　　OneeveningOwenFordfoundLesliealoneinit。AnneandGilbertwereaway，andSusan，whowasexpectedbackthatnight，hadnotyetreturned。
　　Thenorthernskywasamberandpalegreenoverthefirtops。Theairwascool，forAugustwasnearingSeptember，andLeslieworeacrimsonscarfoverherwhitedress。Togethertheywanderedthroughthelittle，friendly，flower-crowdedpathsinsilence。
　　Owenmustgosoon。Hisholidaywasnearlyover。
　　Lesliefoundherheartbeatingwildly。Sheknewthatthisbelovedgardenwastobethesceneofthebindingwordsthatmustsealtheirasyetunwordedunderstanding。
　　"Someeveningsastrangeodorblowsdowntheairofthisgarden，likeaphantomperfume，"saidOwen。"I
　　haveneverbeenabletodiscoverfromjustwhatfloweritcomes。Itiselusiveandhauntingandwonderfullysweet。IliketofancyitisthesoulofGrandmotherSelwynpassingonalittlevisittotheoldspotshelovedsowell。Thereshouldbealotoffriendlyghostsaboutthislittleoldhouse。"
　　"Ihavelivedunderitsroofonlyamonth，"saidLeslie，"butIloveitasIneverlovedthehouseovertherewhereIhavelivedallmylife。"
　　"Thishousewasbuildedandconsecratedbylove，"saidOwen。"Suchhouses，MUSTexertaninfluenceoverthosewholiveinthem。Andthisgarden——itisoversixtyyearsoldandthehistoryofathousandhopesandjoysiswritteninitsblossoms。Someofthoseflowerswereactuallysetoutbytheschoolmaster’sbride，andshehasbeendeadforthirtyyears。Yettheybloomoneverysummer。Lookatthoseredroses，Leslie——howtheyqueenitovereverythingelse！"
　　"Ilovetheredroses，"saidLeslie。"Annelikesthepinkonesbest，andGilbertlikesthewhite。ButI
　　wantthecrimsonones。Theysatisfysomecravinginmeasnootherflowerdoes。"
　　"Theserosesareverylate——theybloomafteralltheothershavegone——andtheyholdallthewarmthandsoulofthesummercometofruition，"saidOwen，pluckingsomeoftheglowing，half-openedbuds。
　　"Theroseisthefloweroflove——theworldhasacclaimeditsoforcenturies。Thepinkrosesarelovehopefulandexpectant——thewhiterosesarelovedeadorforsaken——buttheredroses——ah，Leslie，whataretheredroses？"
　　"Lovetriumphant，"saidLeslieinalowvoice。
　　"Yes——lovetriumphantandperfect。Leslie，youknow——youunderstand。Ihavelovedyoufromthefirst。AndIKNOWyouloveme——Idon’tneedtoaskyou。ButIwanttohearyousayit——mydarling——mydarling！"
　　Lesliesaidsomethinginaverylowandtremulousvoice。Theirhandsandlipsmet；itwaslife’ssuprememomentforthemandastheystoodthereintheoldgarden，withitsmanyyearsofloveanddelightandsorrowandglory，hecrownedhershininghairwiththered，redroseofalovetriumphant。
　　AnneandGilbertreturnedpresently，accompaniedbyCaptainJim。Annelightedafewsticksofdriftwoodinthefireplace，forloveofthepixyflames，andtheysatarounditforanhourofgoodfellowship。
　　"WhenIsitlookingatadriftwoodfireit’seasytobelieveI’myoungagain，"saidCaptainJim。
　　"Canyoureadfuturesinthefire，CaptainJim？"askedOwen。
　　CaptainJimlookedatthemallaffectionatelyandthenbackagainatLeslie’svividfaceandglowingeyes。
　　"Idon’tneedthefiretoreadyourfutures，"hesaid。
　　"Iseehappinessforallofyou——allofyou——forLeslieandMr。Ford——andthedoctorhereandMistressBlythe——andLittleJem——andchildrenthatain’tbornyetbutwillbe。Happinessforyouall——though，mindyou，Ireckonyou’llhaveyourtroublesandworriesandsorrows，too。They’reboundtocome——andnohouse，whetherit’sapalaceoralittlehouseofdreams，canbar’emout。Buttheywon’tgetthebetterofyouifyouface’emTOGETHERwithloveandtrust。Youcanweatheranystormwiththemtwoforcompassandpilot。"
　　TheoldmanrosesuddenlyandplacedonehandonLeslie’sheadandoneonAnne’s。
　　"Twogood，sweetwomen，"hesaid。"Trueandfaithfulandtobedependedon。Yourhusbandswillhavehonorinthegatesbecauseofyou——yourchildrenwillriseupandcallyoublessedintheyearstocome。"
　　Therewasastrangesolemnityaboutthelittlescene。
　　AnneandLesliebowedasthosereceivingabenediction。Gilbertsuddenlybrushedhishandoverhiseyes；OwenFordwasraptasonewhocanseevisions。Allweresilentforaspace。Thelittlehouseofdreamsaddedanotherpoignantandunforgettablemomenttoitsstoreofmemories。
　　"Imustbegoingnow，"saidCaptainJimslowlyatlast。Hetookuphishatandlookedlingeringlyabouttheroom。
　　"Goodnight，allofyou，"hesaid，ashewentout。
　　Anne，piercedbytheunusualwistfulnessofhisfarewell，rantothedoorafterhim。
　　"Comebacksoon，CaptainJim，"shecalled，ashepassedthroughthelittlegatehungbetweenthefirs。
　　"Ay，ay，"hecalledcheerilybacktoher。ButCaptainJimhadsatbytheoldfiresideofthehouseofdreamsforthelasttime。
　　Annewentslowlybacktotheothers。
　　"It’sso——sopitifultothinkofhimgoingallalonedowntothatlonelyPoint，"shesaid。"Andthereisnoonetowelcomehimthere。"
　　"CaptainJimissuchgoodcompanyforothersthatonecan’timaginehimbeinganythingbutgoodcompanyforhimself，"saidOwen。"Buthemustoftenbelonely。
　　Therewasatouchoftheseerabouthimtonight——hespokeasonetowhomithadbeengiventospeak。Well，Imustbegoing，too。"
　　AnneandGilbertdiscreetlymeltedaway；butwhenOwenhadgoneAnnereturned，tofindLesliestandingbythehearth。
　　"Oh，Leslie——Iknow——andI’msoglad，dear，"shesaid，puttingherarmsabouther。
　　"Anne，myhappinessfrightensme，"whisperedLeslie。
　　"Itseemstoogreattobereal——I’mafraidtospeakofit——tothinkofit。ItseemstomethatitmustjustbeanotherdreamofthishouseofdreamsanditwillvanishwhenIleavehere。"
　　"Well，youarenotgoingtoleavehere——untilOwentakesyou。Youaregoingtostaywithmeuntilthattimescomes。DoyouthinkI’dletyougoovertothatlonely，sadplaceagain？"
　　"Thankyou，dear。ImeanttoaskyouifImightstaywithyou。Ididn’twanttogobackthere——itwouldseemlikegoingbackintothechillanddrearinessoftheoldlifeagain。Anne，Anne，whatafriendyou’vebeentome——`agood，sweetwoman——trueandfaithfulandtobedependedon’——CaptainJimsummedyouup。"
　　"Hesaid`women，’not`woman，’"smiledAnne。"PerhapsCaptainJimseesusboththroughtherose-coloredspectaclesofhisloveforus。Butwecantrytoliveuptohisbeliefinus，atleast。"
　　"Doyouremember，Anne，"saidLeslieslowly，"thatI
　　oncesaid——thatnightwemetontheshore——thatIhatedmygoodlooks？Idid——then。ItalwaysseemedtomethatifIhadbeenhomelyDickwouldneverhavethoughtofme。Ihatedmybeautybecauseithadattractedhim，butnow——oh，I’mgladthatIhaveit。It’sallIhavetoofferOwen，——hisartistsouldelightsinit。IfeelasifIdonotcometohimquiteempty-handed。"
　　"Owenlovesyourbeauty，Leslie。Whowouldnot？Butit’sfoolishofyoutosayorthinkthatthatisallyoubringhim。HEwilltellyouthat——Ineedn’t。AndnowImustlockup。IexpectedSusanbacktonight，butshehasnotcome。"
　　"Oh，yes，hereIam，Mrs。Doctor，dear，"saidSusan，enteringunexpectedlyfromthekitchen，"andpuffinglikeahendrawingrailsatthat！It’squiteawalkfromtheGlendownhere。"
　　"I’mgladtoseeyouback，Susan。Howisyoursister？"
　　"Sheisabletositup，butofcourseshecannotwalkyet。However，sheisverywellabletogetonwithoutmenow，forherdaughterhascomehomeforhervacation。AndIamthankfultobeback，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Matilda’slegwasbrokenandnomistake，buthertonguewasnot。Shewouldtalkthelegsoffanironpot，thatshewould，Mrs。Doctor，dear，thoughIgrievetosayitofmyownsister。Shewasalwaysagreattalkerandyetshewasthefirstofourfamilytogetmarried。ShereallydidnotcaremuchaboutmarryingJamesClow，butshecouldnotbeartodisobligehim。
　　NotbutwhatJamesisagoodman——theonlyfaultIhavetofindwithhimisthathealwaysstartsintosaygracewithsuchanunearthlygroan，Mrs。Doctor，dear。
　　Italwaysfrightensmyappetiteclearaway。Andspeakingofgettingmarried，Mrs。Doctor，dear，isittruethatCorneliaBryantisgoingtobemarriedtoMarshallElliott？"
　　"Yes，quitetrue，Susan。"
　　"Well，Mrs。Doctor，dear，itdoesNOTseemtomefair。
　　Hereisme，whoneversaidawordagainstthemen，andIcannotgetmarriednohow。AndthereisCorneliaBryant，whoisneverdoneabusingthem，andallshehastodoistoreachoutherhandandpickoneup，asitwere。Itisaverystrangeworld，Mrs。Doctor，dear。"
　　"There’sanotherworld，youknow，Susan。"
　　"Yes，"saidSusanwithaheavysigh，"but，Mrs。
　　Doctor，dear，thereisneithermarryingnorgivinginmarriagethere。"
　　CHAPTER39
　　CAPTAINJIMCROSSESTHEBAR
　　OnedayinlateSeptemberOwenFord’sbookcameatlast。CaptainJimhadgonefaithfullytotheGlenpostofficeeverydayforamonth，expectingit。Thisdayhehadnotgone，andLesliebroughthiscopyhomewithhersandAnne’s。
　　"We’lltakeitdowntohimthisevening，"saidAnne，excitedasaschoolgirl。
　　ThelongwalktothePointonthatclear，beguilingeveningalongtheredharborroadwasverypleasant。
　　Thenthesundroppeddownbehindthewesternhillsintosomevalleythatmusthavebeenfulloflostsunsets，andatthesameinstantthebiglightflashedoutonthewhitetowerofthepoint。
　　"CaptainJimisneverlatebythefractionofasecond，"saidLeslie。
　　NeitherAnnenorLeslieeverforgotCaptainJim’sfacewhentheygavehimthebook——HISbook，transfiguredandglorified。Thecheeksthathadbeenblanchedoflatesuddenlyflamedwiththecolorofboyhood；hiseyesglowedwithallthefireofyouth；buthishandstrembledasheopenedit。
　　ItwascalledsimplyTheLife-BookofCaptainJim，andonthetitlepagethenamesofOwenFordandJamesBoydwereprintedascollaborators。ThefrontispiecewasaphotographofCaptainJimhimself，standingatthedoorofthelighthouse，lookingacrossthegulf。OwenFordhad"snapped"himonedaywhilethebookwasbeingwritten。CaptainJimhadknownthis，buthehadnotknownthatthepicturewastobeinthebook。
　　"Justthinkofit，"hesaid，"theoldsailorrightthereinarealprintedbook。Thisistheproudestdayofmylife。I’mliketobust，girls。There’llbenosleepformetonight。I’llreadmybookcleanthroughbeforesun-up。"
　　"We’llgorightawayandleaveyoufreetobeginit，"
　　saidAnne。
　　CaptainJimhadbeenhandlingthebookinakindofreverentrapture。Nowhedecidedlycloseditandlaiditaside。
　　"No，no，you’renotgoingawaybeforeyoutakeacupofteawiththeoldman，"heprotested。"Icouldn’theartothat——couldyou，Matey？Thelife-bookwillkeep，I
　　reckon。I’vewaitedforitthismanyayear。IcanwaitalittlelongerwhileI’menjoyingmyfriends。"
　　CaptainJimmovedaboutgettinghiskettleontoboil，andsettingouthisbreadandbutter。Despitehisexcitementhedidnotmovewithhisoldbriskness。Hismovementswereslowandhalting。Butthegirlsdidnotoffertohelphim。Theyknewitwouldhurthisfeelings。
　　"Youjustpickedtherighteveningtovisitme，"hesaid，producingacakefromhiscupboard。"LeetleJoe’smothersentmedownabigbasketfullofcakesandpiestoday。Ablessingonallgoodcooks，saysI。
　　Lookatthispurtycake，allfrostingandnuts。
　　’Tain’toftenIcanentertaininsuchstyle。Setin，girls，setin！We’ll`takacupo’kindnessyetforauldlangsyne。’"
　　Thegirls"setin"rightmerrily。TheteawasuptoCaptainJim’sbestbrewing。LittleJoe’smother’scakewasthelastwordincakes；CaptainJimwastheprinceofgracioushosts，neverevenpermittinghiseyestowandertothecornerwherethelife-booklay，inallitsbraveryofgreenandgold。ButwhenhisdoorfinallyclosedbehindAnneandLeslietheyknewthathewentstraighttoit，andastheywalkedhometheypicturedthedelightoftheoldmanporingovertheprintedpageswhereinhisownlifewasportrayedwithallthecharmandcolorofrealityitself。
　　"Iwonderhowhewillliketheending——theendingI
　　suggested，"saidLeslie。
　　Shewasnevertoknow。EarlythenextmorningAnneawakenedtofindGilbertbendingoverher，fullydressed，andwithanexpressionofanxietyonhisface。
　　"Areyoucalledout？"sheaskeddrowsily。
　　"No。Anne，I’mafraidthere’ssomethingwrongatthePoint。It’sanhouraftersunrisenow，andthelightisstillburning。YouknowithasalwaysbeenamatterofpridewithCaptainJimtostartthelightthemomentthesunsets，andputitoutthemomentitrises。"
　　Annesatupindismay。Throughherwindowshesawthelightblinkingpalelyagainsttheblueskiesofdawn。
　　"Perhapshehasfallenasleepoverhislife-book，"shesaidanxiously，"orbecomesoabsorbedinitthathehasforgottenthelight。"
　　Gilbertshookhishead。
　　"Thatwouldn’tbelikeCaptainJim。Anyway，I’mgoingdowntosee。"
　　"WaitaminuteandI’llgowithyou，"exclaimedAnne。
　　"Oh，yes，Imust——LittleJemwillsleepforanhouryet，andI’llcallSusan。Youmayneedawoman’shelpifCaptainJimisill。"
　　Itwasanexquisitemorning，fulloftintsandsoundsatonceripeanddelicate。Theharborwassparklinganddimplinglikeagirl；whitegullsweresoaringoverthedunes；beyondthebarwasashining，wonderfulsea。
　　Thelongfieldsbytheshoreweredewyandfreshinthatfirstfine，purely-tintedlight。Thewindcamedancingandwhistlingupthechanneltoreplacethebeautifulsilencewithamusicmorebeautifulstill。
　　HaditnotbeenforthebalefulstaronthewhitetowerthatearlywalkwouldhavebeenadelighttoAnneandGilbert。Buttheywentsoftlywithfear。
　　Theirknockwasnotrespondedto。Gilbertopenedthedoorandtheywentin。
　　Theoldroomwasveryquiet。Onthetableweretheremnantsofthelittleeveningfeast。Thelampstillburnedonthecornerstand。TheFirstMatewasasleepinasquareofsunshinebythesofa。
　　CaptainJimlayonthesofa，withhishandsclaspedoverthelife-book，openatthelastpage，lyingonhisbreast。Hiseyeswereclosedandonhisfacewasalookofthemostperfectpeaceandhappiness——thelookofonewhohaslongsoughtandfoundatlast。
　　"Heisasleep？"whisperedAnnetremulously。
　　Gilbertwenttothesofaandbentoverhimforafewmoments。Thenhestraightenedup。
　　"Yes，hesleeps——well，"headdedquietly。"Anne，CaptainJimhascrossedthebar。"
　　Theycouldnotknowpreciselyatwhathourhehaddied，butAnnealwaysbelievedthathehadhadhiswish，andwentoutwhenthemorningcameacrossthegulf。Outonthatshiningtidehisspiritdrifted，overthesunriseseaofpearlandsilver，tothehavenwherelostMargaretwaited，beyondthestormsandcalms。
　　CHAPTER40
　　FAREWELLTOTHEHOUSEOFDREAMS
　　CaptainJimwasburiedinthelittleover-harborgraveyard，veryneartothespotwheretheweewhiteladyslept。Hisrelativesputupaveryexpensive，veryugly"monument"——amonumentatwhichhewouldhavepokedslyfunhadheseenitinlife。Buthisrealmonumentwasintheheartsofthosewhoknewhim，andinthebookthatwastoliveforgenerations。
　　LesliemournedthatCaptainJimhadnotlivedtoseetheamazingsuccessofit。
　　"Howhewouldhavedelightedinthereviews——theyarealmostallsokindly。Andtohaveseenhislife-bookheadingthelistsofthebestsellers——oh，ifhecouldjusthavelivedtoseeit，Anne！"
　　ButAnne，despitehergrief，waswiser。
　　"Itwasthebookitselfhecaredfor，Leslie——notwhatmightbesaidofit——andhehadit。Hehadreaditallthrough。Thatlastnightmusthavebeenoneofthegreatesthappinessforhim——withthequick，painlessendinghehadhopedforinthemorning。IamgladforOwen’ssakeandyoursthatthebookissuchasuccess——butCaptainJimwassatisfied——IKNOW。"
　　Thelighthousestarstillkeptanightlyvigil；asubstitutekeeperhadbeensenttothePoint，untilsuchtimeasanall-wisegovernmentcoulddecidewhichofmanyapplicantswasbestfittedfortheplace——orhadthestrongestpull。TheFirstMatewasathomeinthelittlehouse，belovedbyAnneandGilbertandLeslie，andtoleratedbyaSusanwhohadsmalllikingforcats。
　　"IcanputupwithhimforthesakeofCaptainJim，Mrs。Doctor，dear，forIlikedtheoldman。AndIwillseethathegetsbiteandsup，andeverymousethetrapsaccountfor。Butdonotaskmetodomorethanthat，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Catsiscats，andtakemywordforit，theywillneverbeanythingelse。Andatleast，Mrs。Doctor，dear，dokeephimawayfromtheblessedweeman。Picturetoyourselfhowawfulitwouldbeifhewastosuckthedarling’sbreath。"
　　"ThatmightbefitlycalledaCAT-astrophe，"saidGilbert。
　　"Oh，youmaylaugh，doctor，dear，butitwouldbenolaughingmatter。"
　　"Catsneversuckbabies’breaths，"saidGilbert。
　　"Thatisonlyanoldsuperstition，Susan。"
　　"Oh，well，itmaybeasuperstitionoritmaynot，doctor，dear。AllthatIknowis，ithashappened。Mysister’shusband’snephew’swife’scatsuckedtheirbaby’sbreath，andthepoorinnocentwasallbutgonewhentheyfoundit。Andsuperstitionornot，ifIfindthatyellowbeastlurkingnearourbabyIwillwhackhimwiththepoker，Mrs。Doctor，dear。"
　　Mr。andMrs。MarshallElliottwerelivingcomfortablyandharmoniouslyinthegreenhouse。Lesliewasbusywithsewing，forsheandOwenweretobemarriedatChristmas。AnnewonderedwhatshewoulddowhenLesliewasgone。
　　"Changescomeallthetime。Justassoonasthingsgetreallynicetheychange，"shesaidwithasigh。
　　"TheoldMorganplaceupattheGlenisforsale，"
　　saidGilbert，aproposofnothinginespecial。
　　"Isit？"askedAnneindifferently。
　　"Yes。NowthatMr。Morganhasgone，Mrs。MorganwantstogotolivewithherchildreninVancouver。Shewillsellcheaply，forabigplacelikethatinasmallvillageliketheGlenwillnotbeveryeasytodisposeof。"
　　"Well，it’scertainlyabeautifulplace，soitislikelyshewillfindapurchaser，"saidAnne，absently，wonderingwhethersheshouldhemstitchorfeather-stitchlittleJem’s"short"dresses。Hewastobeshortenedthenextweek，andAnnefeltreadytocryatthethoughtofit。
　　"Supposewebuyit，Anne？"remarkedGilbertquietly。
　　Annedroppedhersewingandstaredathim。
　　"You’renotinearnest，Gilbert？"
　　"IndeedIam，dear。"
　　"Andleavethisdarlingspot——ourhouseofdreams？"
　　saidAnneincredulously。"Oh，Gilbert，it’s——it’sunthinkable！"
　　"Listenpatientlytome，dear。Iknowjusthowyoufeelaboutit。Ifeelthesame。Butwe’vealwaysknownwewouldhavetomovesomeday。"
　　"Oh，butnotsosoon，Gilbert——notjustyet。"
　　"Wemaynevergetsuchachanceagain。Ifwedon’tbuytheMorganplacesomeoneelsewill——andthereisnootherhouseintheGlenwewouldcaretohave，andnootherreallygoodsiteonwhichtobuild。Thislittlehouseis——well，itisandhasbeenwhatnootherhousecaneverbetous，Iadmit，butyouknowitisout-of-the-waydownhereforadoctor。Wehavefelttheinconvenience，thoughwe’vemadethebestofit。
　　Andit’satightfitforusnow。Perhaps，inafewyears，whenJemwantsaroomofhisown，itwillbeentirelytoosmall。"
　　"Oh，Iknow——Iknow，"saidAnne，tearsfillinghereyes。"Iknowallthatcanbesaidagainstit，butI
　　loveitso——andit’ssobeautifulhere。"
　　"YouwouldfinditverylonelyhereafterLesliegoes——andCaptainJimhasgonetoo。TheMorganplaceisbeautiful，andintimewewouldloveit。Youknowyouhavealwaysadmiredit，Anne。"
　　"Oh，yes，but——but——thishasallseemedtocomeupsosuddenly，Gilbert。I’mdizzy。TenminutesagoIhadnothoughtofleavingthisdearspot。IwasplanningwhatImeanttodoforitinthespring——whatImeanttodointhegarden。Andifweleavethisplacewhowillgetit？ItISout-of-the-way，soit’slikelysomepoor，shiftless，wanderingfamilywillrentit——andover-runit——andoh，thatwouldbedesecration。Itwouldhurtmehorribly。"
　　"Iknow。Butwecannotsacrificeourownintereststosuchconsiderations，Anne-girl。TheMorganplacewillsuitusineveryessentialparticular——wereallycan’taffordtomisssuchachance。Thinkofthatbiglawnwiththosemagnificentoldtrees；andofthatsplendidhardwoodgrovebehindit——twelveacresofit。Whataplayplaceforourchildren！There’safineorchard，too，andyou’vealwaysadmiredthathighbrickwallaroundthegardenwiththedoorinit——you’vethoughtitwassolikeastory-bookgarden。AndthereisalmostasfineaviewoftheharborandthedunesfromtheMorganplaceasfromhere。"
　　"Youcan’tseethelighthousestarfromit。"
　　"Yes，Youcanseeitfromtheatticwindow。THERE’S
　　anotheradvantage，Anne-girl——youlovebiggarrets。"
　　"There’snobrookinthegarden。"
　　"Well，no，butthereisonerunningthroughthemaplegroveintotheGlenpond。Andtheponditselfisn’tfaraway。You’llbeabletofancyyouhaveyourownLakeofShiningWatersagain。"
　　"Well，don’tsayanythingmoreaboutitjustnow，Gilbert。Givemetimetothink——togetusedtotheidea。"
　　"Allright。Thereisnogreathurry，ofcourse。
　　Only——ifwedecidetobuy，itwouldbewelltobemovedinandsettledbeforewinter。"
　　Gilbertwentout，andAnneputawayLittleJem’sshortdresseswithtremblinghands。Shecouldnotsewanymorethatday。Withtear-weteyesshewanderedoverthelittledomainwhereshehadreignedsohappyaqueen。TheMorganplacewasallthatGilbertclaimed。
　　Thegroundswerebeautiful，thehouseoldenoughtohavedignityandreposeandtraditions，andnewenoughtobecomfortableandup-to-date。Annehadalwaysadmiredit；butadmiringisnotloving；andshelovedthishouseofdreamssomuch。ShelovedEVERYTHING
　　aboutit——thegardenshehadtended，andwhichsomanywomenhadtendedbeforeher——thegleamandsparkleofthelittlebrookthatcreptsoroguishlyacrossthecorner——thegatebetweenthecreakingfirtrees——theoldredsandstonestep——thestatelyLombardies——thetwotinyquaintglasscupboardsoverthechimney-pieceintheliving-room——thecrookedpantrydoorinthekitchen——thetwofunnydormerwindowsupstairs——thelittlejoginthestaircase——why，thesethingswereapartofher！Howcouldsheleavethem？
　　Andhowthislittlehouse，consecratedaforetimebyloveandjoy，hadbeenre-consecratedforherbyherhappinessandsorrow！Hereshehadspentherbridalmoon；hereweeJoycehadlivedheronebriefday；herethesweetnessofmotherhoodhadcomeagainwithLittleJem；hereshehadheardtheexquisitemusicofherbaby’scooinglaughter；herebelovedfriendshadsatbyherfireside。Joyandgrief，birthanddeath，hadmadesacredforeverthislittlehouseofdreams。
　　Andnowshemustleaveit。Sheknewthat，evenwhileshehadcontendedagainsttheideatoGilbert。Thelittlehousewasoutgrown。Gilbert’sinterestsmadethechangenecessary；hiswork，successfulthoughithadbeen，washamperedbyhislocation。Annerealisedthattheendoftheirlifeinthisdearplacedrewnigh，andthatshemustfacethefactbravely。Buthowherheartached！
　　"Itwillbejustliketearingsomethingoutofmylife，"shesobbed。"Andoh，ifIcouldhopethatsomenicefolkwouldcomehereinourplace——oreventhatitwouldbeleftvacant。Thatitselfwouldbebetterthanhavingitoverrunwithsomehordewhoknownothingofthegeographyofdreamland，andnothingofthehistorythathasgiventhishouseitssoulanditsidentity。
　　Andifsuchatribecomeheretheplacewillgotorackandruininnotime——anoldplacegoesdownsoquicklyifitisnotcarefullyattendedto。They’lltearupmygarden——andlettheLombardiesgetragged——andthepalingwillcometolooklikeamouthwithhalftheteethmissing——andtheroofwillleak——andtheplasterfall——andthey’llstuffpillowsandragsinbrokenwindowpanes——andeverythingwillbeout-at-elbows。"
　　Anne’simaginationpicturedforthsovividlythecomingdegenerationofherdearlittlehousethatithurtherasseverelyasifithadalreadybeenanaccomplishedfact。Shesatdownonthestairsandhadalong，bittercry。Susanfoundherthereandenquiredwithmuchconcernwhatthetroublewas。
　　"Youhavenotquarrelledwiththedoctor，haveyounow，Mrs。Doctor，dear？Butifyouhave，donotworry。Itisathingquitelikelytohappentomarriedcouples，I
　　amtold，althoughIhavehadnoexperiencethatwaymyself。Hewillbesorry，andyoucansoonmakeitup。"
　　"No，no，Susan，wehaven’tquarrelled。It’sonly——GilbertisgoingtobuytheMorganplace，andwe’llhavetogoandliveattheGlen。Anditwillbreakmyheart。"
　　SusandidnotenterintoAnne’sfeelingsatall。Shewas，indeed，quiterejoicedovertheprospectoflivingattheGlen。Heronegrievanceagainstherplaceinthelittlehousewasitslonesomelocation。
　　"Why，Mrs。Doctor，dear，itwillbesplendid。TheMorganhouseissuchafine，bigone。"
　　"Ihatebighouses，"sobbedAnne。
　　"Oh，well，youwillnothatethembythetimeyouhavehalfadozenchildren，"remarkedSusancalmly。"Andthishouseistoosmallalreadyforus。Wehavenospareroom，sinceMrs。Mooreishere，andthatpantryisthemostaggravatingplaceIevertriedtoworkin。
　　Thereisacornereverywayyouturn。Besides，itisout-of-the-worlddownhere。Thereisreallynothingatallbutscenery。"
　　"Outofyourworldperhaps，Susan——butnotoutofmine，"saidAnnewithafaintsmile。
　　"Idonotquiteunderstandyou，Mrs。Doctor，dear，butofcourseIamnotwelleducated。ButifDr。BlythebuystheMorganplacehewillmakenomistake，andthatyoumaytieto。Theyhavewaterinit，andthepantriesandclosetsarebeautiful，andthereisnotanothersuchcellarinP。E。Island，soIhavebeentold。Why，thecellarhere，Mrs。Doctor，dear，hasbeenaheart-breaktome，aswellyouknow。"
　　"Oh，goaway，Susan，goaway，"saidAnneforlornly。
　　"Cellarsandpantriesandclosetsdon’tmakeaHOME。
　　Whydon’tyouweepwiththosewhoweep？"
　　"Well，Ineverwasmuchhandforweeping，Mrs。Doctor，dear。Iwouldratherfalltoandcheerpeopleupthanweepwiththem。Now，donotyoucryandspoilyourprettyeyes。Thishouseisverywellandhasservedyourturn，butitishightimeyouhadabetter。"
　　Susan’spointofviewseemedtobethatofmostpeople。
　　LesliewastheonlyonewhosympathisedunderstandinglywithAnne。Shehadagoodcry，too，whensheheardthenews。Thentheybothdriedtheirtearsandwenttoworkatthepreparationsformoving。
　　"Sincewemustgoletusgoassoonaswecanandhaveitover，"saidpoorAnnewithbitterresignation。
　　"YouknowyouwilllikethatlovelyoldplaceattheGlenafteryouhavelivedinitlongenoughtohavedearmemorieswovenaboutit，"saidLeslie。"Friendswillcomethere，astheyhavecomehere——happinesswillglorifyitforyou。Now，it’sjustahousetoyou——buttheyearswillmakeitahome。"
　　AnneandLesliehadanothercrythenextweekwhentheyshortenedLittleJem。Annefeltthetragedyofituntileveningwheninhislongnightieshefoundherowndearbabyagain。
　　"Butitwillberompersnext——andthentrousers——andinnotimehewillbegrown-up，"shesighed。
　　"Well，youwouldnotwanthimtostayababyalways，Mrs。Doctor，dear，wouldyou？"saidSusan。"Blesshisinnocentheart，helookstoosweetforanythinginhislittleshortdresses，withhisdearfeetstickingout。
　　Andthinkofthesaveintheironing，Mrs。Doctor，dear。"
　　"Anne，IhavejusthadaletterfromOwen，"saidLeslie，enteringwithabrightface。"And，oh！Ihavesuchgoodnews。Hewritesmethatheisgoingtobuythisplacefromthechurchtrusteesandkeepittospendoursummervacationsin。Anne，areyounotglad？"
　　"Oh，Leslie，`glad’isn’tthewordforit！Itseemsalmosttoogoodtobetrue。Isha’n’tfeelhalfsobadlynowthatIknowthisdearspotwillneverbedesecratedbyavandaltribe，orlefttotumbledownindecay。Why，it’slovely！It’slovely！"
　　OneOctobermorningAnnewakenedtotherealisationthatshehadsleptforthelasttimeundertheroofofherlittlehouse。Thedaywastoobusytoindulgeregretandwheneveningcamethehousewasstrippedandbare。AnneandGilbertwerealoneinittosayfarewell。LeslieandSusanandLittleJemhadgonetotheGlenwiththelastloadoffurniture。Thesunsetlightstreamedinthroughthecurtainlesswindows。
　　"Ithasallsuchaheart-broken，reproachfullook，hasn’tit？"saidAnne。"Oh，IshallbesohomesickattheGlentonight！"
　　"Wehavebeenveryhappyhere，haven’twe，Anne-girl？"
　　saidGilbert，hisvoicefulloffeeling。
　　Annechoked，unabletoanswer。Gilbertwaitedforheratthefir-treegate，whileshewentoverthehouseandsaidfarewelltoeveryroom。Shewasgoingaway；buttheoldhousewouldstillbethere，lookingseawardthroughitsquaintwindows。Theautumnwindswouldblowarounditmournfully，andthegrayrainwouldbeatuponitandthewhitemistswouldcomeinfromtheseatoenfoldit；andthemoonlightwouldfalloveritandlightuptheoldpathswheretheschoolmasterandhisbridehadwalked。Thereonthatoldharborshorethecharmofstorywouldlinger；thewindwouldstillwhistlealluringlyoverthesilversand-dunes；thewaveswouldstillcallfromtheredrock-coves。
　　"Butwewillbegone，"saidAnnethroughhertears。
　　Shewentout，closingandlockingthedoorbehindher。
　　Gilbertwaswaitingforherwithasmile。Thelighthousestarwasgleamingnorthward。Thelittlegarden，whereonlymarigoldsstillbloomed，wasalreadyhoodingitselfinshadows。
　　Annekneltdownandkissedthewornoldstepwhichshehadcrossedasabride。
　　"Good-bye，dearlittlehouseofdreams，"shesaid。
　　End