Mrs。RachelLyndeisSurprisedMrs。RachelLyndelivedjustwheretheAvonleamainroaddippeddownintoalittlehollow，fringedwithaldersandladies’eardropsandtraversedbyabrookthathaditssourceawaybackinthewoodsoftheoldCuthbertplace；
itwasreputedtobeanintricate，headlongbrookinitsearliercoursethroughthosewoods，withdarksecretsofpoolandcascade；butbythetimeitreachedLynde’sHollowitwasaquiet，well-conductedlittlestream，fornotevenabrookcouldrunpastMrs。RachelLynde’sdoorwithoutdueregardfordecencyanddecorum；itprobablywasconsciousthatMrs。Rachelwassittingatherwindow，keepingasharpeyeoneverythingthatpassed，frombrooksandchildrenup，andthatifshenoticedanythingoddoroutofplaceshewouldneverrestuntilshehadferretedoutthewhysandwhereforesthereof。
ThereareplentyofpeopleinAvonleaandoutofit，whocanattendcloselytotheirneighbor’sbusinessbydintofneglectingtheirown；butMrs。RachelLyndewasoneofthosecapablecreatureswhocanmanagetheirownconcernsandthoseofotherfolksintothebargain。Shewasanotablehousewife；herworkwasalwaysdoneandwelldone；
she\"ran\"theSewingCircle，helpedruntheSunday-school，andwasthestrongestpropoftheChurchAidSocietyandForeignMissionsAuxiliary。YetwithallthisMrs。Rachelfoundabundanttimetositforhoursatherkitchenwindow，knitting\"cottonwarp\"quilts——shehadknittedsixteenofthem，asAvonleahousekeeperswerewonttotellinawedvoices——andkeepingasharpeyeonthemainroadthatcrossedthehollowandwoundupthesteepredhillbeyond。
SinceAvonleaoccupiedalittletriangularpeninsulajuttingoutintotheGulfofSt。Lawrencewithwaterontwosidesofit，anybodywhowentoutofitorintoithadtopassoverthathillroadandsoruntheunseengauntletofMrs。Rachel’sall-seeingeye。
ShewassittingthereoneafternooninearlyJune。Thesunwascominginatthewindowwarmandbright；theorchardontheslopebelowthehousewasinabridalflushofpinky-
whitebloom，hummedoverbyamyriadofbees。ThomasLynde——
ameeklittlemanwhomAvonleapeoplecalled\"RachelLynde’shusband\"——wassowinghislateturnipseedonthehillfieldbeyondthebarn；andMatthewCuthbertoughttohavebeensowinghisonthebigredbrookfieldawayoverbyGreenGables。Mrs。RachelknewthatheoughtbecauseshehadheardhimtellPeterMorrisontheeveningbeforeinWilliamJ。Blair’sstoreoveratCarmodythathemeanttosowhisturnipseedthenextafternoon。Peterhadaskedhim，ofcourse，forMatthewCuthberthadneverbeenknowntovolunteerinformationaboutanythinginhiswholelife。
AndyetherewasMatthewCuthbert，athalf-pastthreeontheafternoonofabusyday，placidlydrivingoverthehollowandupthehill；moreover，heworeawhitecollarandhisbestsuitofclothes，whichwasplainproofthathewasgoingoutofAvonlea；andhehadthebuggyandthesorrelmare，whichbetokenedthathewasgoingaconsiderabledistance。
Now，wherewasMatthewCuthbertgoingandwhywashegoingthere？
HaditbeenanyothermaninAvonlea，Mrs。Rachel，deftlyputtingthisandthattogether，mighthavegivenaprettygoodguessastobothquestions。ButMatthewsorarelywentfromhomethatitmustbesomethingpressingandunusualwhichwastakinghim；hewastheshyestmanaliveandhatedtohavetogoamongstrangersortoanyplacewherehemighthavetotalk。Matthew，dressedupwithawhitecollaranddrivinginabuggy，wassomethingthatdidn’thappenoften。Mrs。Rachel，ponderasshemight，couldmakenothingofitandherafternoon’senjoymentwasspoiled。
\"I’lljuststepovertoGreenGablesafterteaandfindoutfromMarillawherehe’sgoneandwhy，\"theworthywomanfinallyconcluded。\"Hedoesn’tgenerallygototownthistimeofyearandheNEVERvisits；ifhe’drunoutofturnipseedhewouldn’tdressupandtakethebuggytogoformore；
hewasn’tdrivingfastenoughtobegoingforadoctor。Yetsomethingmusthavehappenedsincelastnighttostarthimoff。I’mcleanpuzzled，that’swhat，andIwon’tknowaminute’speaceofmindorconscienceuntilIknowwhathastakenMatthewCuthbertoutofAvonleatoday。\"
AccordinglyafterteaMrs。Rachelsetout；shehadnotfartogo；thebig，rambling，orchard-emboweredhousewheretheCuthbertslivedwasascantquarterofamileuptheroadfromLynde’sHollow。Tobesure，thelonglanemadeitagooddealfurther。MatthewCuthbert’sfather，asshyandsilentashissonafterhim，hadgotasfarawayashepossiblycouldfromhisfellowmenwithoutactuallyretreatingintothewoodswhenhefoundedhishomestead。
GreenGableswasbuiltatthefurthestedgeofhisclearedlandandthereitwastothisday，barelyvisiblefromthemainroadalongwhichalltheotherAvonleahousesweresosociablysituated。Mrs。RachelLyndedidnotcalllivinginsuchaplaceLIVINGatall。
\"It’sjustSTAYING，that’swhat，\"shesaidasshesteppedalongthedeep-rutted，grassylaneborderedwithwildrosebushes。\"It’snowonderMatthewandMarillaarebothalittleodd，livingawaybackherebythemselves。
Treesaren’tmuchcompany，thoughdearknowsiftheywerethere’dbeenoughofthem。I’drutherlookatpeople。
Tobesure，theyseemcontentedenough；butthen，Isuppose，they’reusedtoit。Abodycangetusedtoanything，eventobeinghanged，astheIrishmansaid。\"
WiththisMrs。RachelsteppedoutofthelaneintothebackyardofGreenGables。Verygreenandneatandprecisewasthatyard，setaboutononesidewithgreatpatriarchalwillowsandtheotherwithprimLombardies。Notastraysticknorstonewastobeseen，forMrs。Rachelwouldhaveseenitiftherehadbeen。PrivatelyshewasoftheopinionthatMarillaCuthbertsweptthatyardoverasoftenasshesweptherhouse。Onecouldhaveeatenamealoffthegroundwithoutoverbrimmingtheproverbialpeckofdirt。
Mrs。Rachelrappedsmartlyatthekitchendoorandsteppedinwhenbiddentodoso。ThekitchenatGreenGableswasacheerfulapartment——orwouldhavebeencheerfulifithadnotbeensopainfullycleanastogiveitsomethingoftheappearanceofanunusedparlor。Itswindowslookedeastandwest；throughthewestone，lookingoutonthebackyard，cameafloodofmellowJunesunlight；
buttheeastone，whenceyougotaglimpseofthebloomwhitecherry-treesintheleftorchardandnodding，slenderbirchesdowninthehollowbythebrook，wasgreenedoverbyatangleofvines。HeresatMarillaCuthbert，whenshesatatall，alwaysslightlydistrustfulofsunshine，whichseemedtohertoodancingandirresponsibleathingforaworldwhichwasmeanttobetakenseriously；andhereshesatnow，knitting，andthetablebehindherwaslaidforsupper。
Mrs。Rachel，beforeshehadfairlyclosedthedoor，hadtakenamentalnoteofeverythingthatwasonthattable。
Therewerethreeplateslaid，sothatMarillamustbeexpectingsomeonehomewithMatthewtotea；butthedisheswereeverydaydishesandtherewasonlycrab-applepreservesandonekindofcake，sothattheexpectedcompanycouldnotbeanyparticularcompany。YetwhatofMatthew’swhitecollarandthesorrelmare？Mrs。Rachelwasgettingfairlydizzywiththisunusualmysteryaboutquiet，unmysteriousGreenGables。
\"Goodevening，Rachel，\"Marillasaidbriskly。\"Thisisarealfineevening，isn’tit\"Won’tyousitdown？Howareallyourfolks？\"
SomethingthatforlackofanyothernamemightbecalledfriendshipexistedandalwayshadexistedbetweenMarillaCuthbertandMrs。Rachel，inspiteof——orperhapsbecauseof——theirdissimilarity。
Marillawasatall，thinwoman，withanglesandwithoutcurves；herdarkhairshowedsomegraystreaksandwasalwaystwistedupinahardlittleknotbehindwithtwowirehairpinsstuckaggressivelythroughit。Shelookedlikeawomanofnarrowexperienceandrigidconscience，whichshewas；buttherewasasavingsomethingabouthermouthwhich，ifithadbeeneversoslightlydeveloped，mighthavebeenconsideredindicativeofasenseofhumor。
\"We’reallprettywell，\"saidMrs。Rachel。\"IwaskindofafraidYOUweren’t，though，whenIsawMatthewstartingofftoday。Ithoughtmaybehewasgoingtothedoctor’s。\"
Marilla’slipstwitchedunderstandingly。ShehadexpectedMrs。Rachelup；shehadknownthatthesightofMatthewjauntingoffsounaccountablywouldbetoomuchforherneighbor’scuriosity。
\"Oh，no，I’mquitewellalthoughIhadabadheadacheyesterday，\"shesaid。\"MatthewwenttoBrightRiver。We’regettingalittleboyfromanorphanasyluminNovaScotiaandhe’scomingonthetraintonight。\"
IfMarillahadsaidthatMatthewhadgonetoBrightRivertomeetakangaroofromAustraliaMrs。Rachelcouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。Shewasactuallystrickendumbforfiveseconds。ItwasunsupposablethatMarillawasmakingfunofher，butMrs。Rachelwasalmostforcedtosupposeit。
\"Areyouinearnest，Marilla？\"shedemandedwhenvoicereturnedtoher。
\"Yes，ofcourse，\"saidMarilla，asifgettingboysfromorphanasylumsinNovaScotiawerepartoftheusualspringworkonanywell-regulatedAvonleafarminsteadofbeinganunheardofinnovation。
Mrs。Rachelfeltthatshehadreceivedaseverementaljolt。
Shethoughtinexclamationpoints。Aboy！MarillaandMatthewCuthbertofallpeopleadoptingaboy！Fromanorphanasylum！Well，theworldwascertainlyturningupsidedown！Shewouldbesurprisedatnothingafterthis！Nothing！
\"Whatonearthputsuchanotionintoyourhead？\"shedemandeddisapprovingly。
Thishadbeendonewithouthereadvicebeingasked，andmustperforcebedisapproved。
\"Well，we’vebeenthinkingaboutitforsometime——allwinterinfact，\"returnedMarilla。\"Mrs。AlexanderSpencerwasuphereonedaybeforeChristmasandshesaidshewasgoingtogetalittlegirlfromtheasylumoverinHopetoninthespring。HercousinlivesthereandMrs。Spencerhasvisitedhereandknowsallaboutit。SoMatthewandIhavetalkeditoveroffandoneversince。Wethoughtwe’dgetaboy。Matthewisgettingupinyears，youknow——he’ssixty——
andheisn’tsospryasheoncewas。Hishearttroubleshimagooddeal。Andyouknowhowdesperatehardit’sgottobetogethiredhelp。There’sneveranybodytobehadbutthosestupid，half-grownlittleFrenchboys；andassoonasyoudogetonebrokeintoyourwaysandtaughtsomethinghe’supandofftothelobstercanneriesortheStates。AtfirstMatthewsuggestedgettingaHomeboy。ButIsaid`no’
flattothat。`Theymaybeallright——I’mnotsayingthey’renot——butnoLondonstreetArabsforme，’Isaid。
`Givemeanativebornatleast。There’llbearisk，nomatterwhoweget。ButI’llfeeleasierinmymindandsleepsounderatnightsifwegetabornCanadian。’SointheendwedecidedtoaskMrs。Spencertopickusoutonewhenshewentovertogetherlittlegirl。Weheardlastweekshewasgoing，sowesentherwordbyRichardSpencer’sfolksatCarmodytobringusasmart，likelyboyofabouttenoreleven。Wedecidedthatwouldbethebestage——oldenoughtobeofsomeuseindoingchoresrightoffandyoungenoughtobetrainedupproper。Wemeantogivehimagoodhomeandschooling。WehadatelegramfromMrs。AlexanderSpencertoday——themail-manbroughtitfromthestation——
sayingtheywerecomingonthefive-thirtytraintonight。
SoMatthewwenttoBrightRivertomeethim。Mrs。Spencerwilldrophimoffthere。OfcourseshegoesontoWhiteSandsstationherself\"
Mrs。Rachelpridedherselfonalwaysspeakinghermind；
sheproceededtospeakitnow，havingadjustedhermentalattitudetothisamazingpieceofnews。
\"Well，Marilla，I’lljusttellyouplainthatIthinkyou’redoingamightyfoolishthing——ariskything，that’swhat。Youdon’tknowwhatyou’regetting。You’rebringingastrangechildintoyourhouseandhomeandyoudon’tknowasinglethingabouthimnorwhathisdispositionislikenorwhatsortofparentshehadnorhowhe’slikelytoturnout。Why，itwasonlylastweekIreadinthepaperhowamanandhiswifeupwestoftheIslandtookaboyoutofanorphanasylumandhesetfiretothehouseatnight——setitONPURPOSE，Marilla——andnearlyburntthemtoacrispintheirbeds。AndIknowanothercasewhereanadoptedboyusedtosucktheeggs——theycouldn’tbreakhimofit。Ifyouhadaskedmyadviceinthematter——whichyoudidn’tdo，Marilla——I’dhavesaidformercy’ssakenottothinkofsuchathing，that’swhat。\"
ThisJob’scomfortingseemedneithertooffendnortoalarmMarilla。Sheknittedsteadilyon。
\"Idon’tdenythere’ssomethinginwhatyousay，Rachel。
I’vehadsomequalmsmyself。ButMatthewwasterriblesetonit。Icouldseethat，soIgavein。It’ssoseldomMatthewsetshismindonanythingthatwhenhedoesIalwaysfeelit’smydutytogivein。Andasfortherisk，there’srisksinprettyneareverythingabodydoesinthisworld。
There’srisksinpeople’shavingchildrenoftheirownifitcomestothat——theydon’talwaysturnoutwell。AndthenNovaScotiaisrightclosetotheIsland。Itisn’tasifweweregettinghimfromEnglandortheStates。Hecan’tbemuchdifferentfromourselves。\"
\"Well，Ihopeitwillturnoutallright，\"saidMrs。
Rachelinatonethatplainlyindicatedherpainfuldoubts。
\"Onlydon’tsayIdidn’twarnyouifheburnsGreenGablesdownorputsstrychnineinthewell——IheardofacaseoverinNewBrunswickwhereanorphanasylumchilddidthatandthewholefamilydiedinfearfulagonies。Only，itwasagirlinthatinstance。\"
\"Well，we’renotgettingagirl，\"saidMarilla，asifpoisoningwellswereapurelyfeminineaccomplishmentandnottobedreadedinthecaseofaboy。\"I’dneverdreamoftakingagirltobringup。IwonderatMrs。AlexanderSpencerfordoingit。Butthere，SHEwouldn’tshrinkfromadoptingawholeorphanasylumifshetookitintoherhead。\"
Mrs。RachelwouldhavelikedtostayuntilMatthewcamehomewithhisimportedorphan。ButreflectingthatitwouldbeagoodtwohoursatleastbeforehisarrivalsheconcludedtogouptheroadtoRobertBell’sandtellthenews。Itwouldcertainlymakeasensationsecondtonone，andMrs。Racheldearlylovedtomakeasensation。Soshetookherselfaway，somewhattoMarilla’srelief，forthelatterfeltherdoubtsandfearsrevivingundertheinfluenceofMrs。Rachel’spessimism。
\"Well，ofallthingsthateverwereorwillbe！\"
ejaculatedMrs。Rachelwhenshewassafelyoutinthelane。
\"ItdoesreallyseemasifImustbedreaming。Well，I’msorryforthatpooryoungoneandnomistake。MatthewandMarilladon’tknowanythingaboutchildrenandthey’llexpecthimtobewiserandsteadierthathisowngrandfather，ifsobe’sheeverhadagrandfather，whichisdoubtful。ItseemsuncannytothinkofachildatGreenGablessomehow；there’sneverbeenonethere，forMatthewandMarillaweregrownupwhenthenewhousewasbuilt——iftheyeverWEREchildren，whichishardtobelievewhenonelooksatthem。Iwouldn’tbeinthatorphan’sshoesforanything。My，butIpityhim，that’swhat。\"
SosaidMrs。Racheltothewildrosebushesoutofthefulnessofherheart；butifshecouldhaveseenthechildwhowaswaitingpatientlyattheBrightRiverstationatthatverymomentherpitywouldhavebeenstilldeeperandmoreprofound。
CHAPTERII
MatthewCuthbertissurprisedMatthewCuthbertandthesorrelmarejoggedcomfortablyovertheeightmilestoBrightRiver。Itwasaprettyroad，runningalongbetweensnugfarmsteads，withnowandagainabitofbalsamyfirwoodtodrivethroughorahollowwherewildplumshungouttheirfilmybloom。Theairwassweetwiththebreathofmanyappleorchardsandthemeadowsslopedawayinthedistancetohorizonmistsofpearlandpurple；while\"ThelittlebirdssangasifitwereTheonedayofsummerinalltheyear。\"
Matthewenjoyedthedriveafterhisownfashion，exceptduringthemomentswhenhemetwomenandhadtonodtothem——
forinPrinceEdwardislandyouaresupposedtonodtoallandsundryyoumeetontheroadwhetheryouknowthemornot。
MatthewdreadedallwomenexceptMarillaandMrs。
Rachel；hehadanuncomfortablefeelingthatthemysteriouscreaturesweresecretlylaughingathim。Hemayhavebeenquiterightinthinkingso，forhewasanodd-lookingpersonage，withanungainlyfigureandlongiron-grayhairthattouchedhisstoopingshoulders，andafull，softbrownbeardwhichhehadworneversincehewastwenty。Infact，hehadlookedattwentyverymuchashelookedatsixty，lackingalittleofthegrayness。
WhenhereachedBrightRivertherewasnosignofanytrain；hethoughthewastooearly，sohetiedhishorseintheyardofthesmallBrightRiverhotelandwentovertothestationhouse。Thelongplatformwasalmostdeserted；
theonlylivingcreatureinsightbeingagirlwhowassittingonapileofshinglesattheextremeend。Matthew，barelynotingthatitWASagirl，sidledpastherasquicklyaspossiblewithoutlookingather。Hadhelookedhecouldhardlyhavefailedtonoticethetenserigidityandexpectationofherattitudeandexpression。Shewassittingtherewaitingforsomethingorsomebodyand，sincesittingandwaitingwastheonlythingtodojustthen，shesatandwaitedwithallhermightandmain。
Matthewencounteredthestationmasterlockinguptheticketofficepreparatorytogoinghomeforsupper，andaskedhimifthefive-thirtytrainwouldsoonbealong。
\"Thefive-thirtytrainhasbeeninandgonehalfanhourago，\"answeredthatbriskofficial。\"Buttherewasapassengerdroppedoffforyou——alittlegirl。She’ssittingoutthereontheshingles。Iaskedhertogointotheladies’waitingroom，butsheinformedmegravelythatshepreferredtostayoutside。`Therewasmorescopeforimagination，’shesaid。She’sacase，Ishouldsay。\"
\"I’mnotexpectingagirl，\"saidMatthewblankly。\"It’saboyI’vecomefor。Heshouldbehere。Mrs。AlexanderSpencerwastobringhimoverfromNovaScotiaforme。\"
Thestationmasterwhistled。
\"Guessthere’ssomemistake，\"hesaid。\"Mrs。Spencercameoffthetrainwiththatgirlandgaveherintomycharge。Saidyouandyoursisterwereadoptingherfromanorphanasylumandthatyouwouldbealongforherpresently。
That’sallIknowaboutit——andIhaven’tgotanymoreorphansconcealedhereabouts。\"
\"Idon’tunderstand，\"saidMatthewhelplessly，wishingthatMarillawasathandtocopewiththesituation。
\"Well，you’dbetterquestionthegirl，\"saidthestation-
mastercarelessly。\"Idaresayshe’llbeabletoexplain——
she’sgotatongueofherown，that’scertain。Maybetheywereoutofboysofthebrandyouwanted。\"
Hewalkedjauntilyaway，beinghungry，andtheunfortunateMatthewwaslefttodothatwhichwasharderforhimthanbeardingalioninitsden——walkuptoagirl——astrangegirl——anorphangirl——anddemandofherwhyshewasn’taboy。
Matthewgroanedinspiritasheturnedaboutandshuffledgentlydowntheplatformtowardsher。
Shehadbeenwatchinghimeversincehehadpassedherandshehadhereyesonhimnow。Matthewwasnotlookingatherandwouldnothaveseenwhatshewasreallylikeifhehadbeen，butanordinaryobserverwouldhaveseenthis:
Achildofabouteleven，garbedinaveryshort，verytight，veryuglydressofyellowish-graywincey。Sheworeafadedbrownsailorhatandbeneaththehat，extendingdownherback，weretwobraidsofverythick，decidedlyredhair。
Herfacewassmall，whiteandthin，alsomuchfreckled；hermouthwaslargeandsowerehereyes，whichlookedgreeninsomelightsandmoodsandgrayinothers。
Sofar，theordinaryobserver；anextraordinaryobservermighthaveseenthatthechinwasverypointedandpronounced；thatthebigeyeswerefullofspiritandvivacity；thatthemouthwassweet-lippedandexpressive；
thattheforeheadwasbroadandfull；inshort，ourdiscerningextraordinaryobservermighthaveconcludedthatnocommonplacesoulinhabitedthebodyofthisstraywoman-
childofwhomshyMatthewCuthbertwassoludicrouslyafraid。
Matthew，however，wassparedtheordealofspeakingfirst，forassoonassheconcludedthathewascomingtohershestoodup，graspingwithonethinbrownhandthehandleofashabby，old-fashionedcarpet-bag；theothersheheldouttohim。
\"IsupposeyouareMr。MatthewCuthbertofGreenGables？\"
shesaidinapeculiarlyclear，sweetvoice。\"I’mverygladtoseeyou。Iwasbeginningtobeafraidyouweren’tcomingformeandIwasimaginingallthethingsthatmighthavehappenedtopreventyou。Ihadmadeupmymindthatifyoudidn’tcomeformeto-nightI’dgodownthetracktothatbigwildcherry-treeatthebend，andclimbupintoittostayallnight。Iwouldn’tbeabitafraid，anditwouldbelovelytosleepinawildcherry-treeallwhitewithbloominthemoonshine，don’tyouthink？Youcouldimagineyouweredwellinginmarblehalls，couldn’tyou？
AndIwasquitesureyouwouldcomeformeinthemorning，ifyoudidn’tto-night。\"
Matthewhadtakenthescrawnylittlehandawkwardlyinhis；
thenandtherehedecidedwhattodo。Hecouldnottellthischildwiththeglowingeyesthattherehadbeenamistake；hewouldtakeherhomeandletMarilladothat。
Shecouldn’tbeleftatBrightRiveranyhow，nomatterwhatmistakehadbeenmade，soallquestionsandexplanationsmightaswellbedeferreduntilhewassafelybackatGreenGables。
\"I’msorryIwaslate，\"hesaidshyly。\"Comealong。
Thehorseisoverintheyard。Givemeyourbag。\"
\"Oh，Icancarryit，\"thechildrespondedcheerfully。\"Itisn’theavy。I’vegotallmyworldlygoodsinit，butitisn’theavy。Andifitisn’tcarriedinjustacertainwaythehandlepullsout——soI’dbetterkeepitbecauseIknowtheexactknackofit。It’sanextremelyoldcarpet-bag。
Oh，I’mverygladyou’vecome，evenifitwouldhavebeennicetosleepinawildcherry-tree。We’vegottodrivealongpiece，haven’twe？Mrs。Spencersaiditwaseightmiles。I’mgladbecauseIlovedriving。Oh，itseemssowonderfulthatI’mgoingtolivewithyouandbelongtoyou。
I’veneverbelongedtoanybody——notreally。Buttheasylumwastheworst。I’veonlybeeninitfourmonths，butthatwasenough。Idon’tsupposeyoueverwereanorphaninanasylum，soyoucan’tpossiblyunderstandwhatitislike。
It’sworsethananythingyoucouldimagine。Mrs。Spencersaiditwaswickedofmetotalklikethat，butIdidn’tmeantobewicked。It’ssoeasytobewickedwithoutknowingit，isn’tit？Theyweregood，youknow——theasylumpeople。Butthereissolittlescopefortheimaginationinanasylum——onlyjustintheotherorphans。Itwasprettyinterestingtoimaginethingsaboutthem——toimaginethatperhapsthegirlwhosatnexttoyouwasreallythedaughterofabeltedearl，whohadbeenstolenawayfromherparentsinherinfancybyacruelnursewhodiedbeforeshecouldconfess。Iusedtolieawakeatnightsandimaginethingslikethat，becauseIdidn’thavetimeintheday。Iguessthat’swhyI’msothin——IAMdreadfulthin，ain’tI？Thereisn’tapickonmybones。IdolovetoimagineI’mniceandplump，withdimplesinmyelbows。\"
WiththisMatthew’scompanionstoppedtalking，partlybecauseshewasoutofbreathandpartlybecausetheyhadreachedthebuggy。Notanotherworddidshesayuntiltheyhadleftthevillageandweredrivingdownasteeplittlehill，theroadpartofwhichhadbeencutsodeeplyintothesoftsoil，thatthebanks，fringedwithbloomingwildcherry-treesandslimwhitebirches，wereseveralfeetabovetheirheads。
Thechildputoutherhandandbrokeoffabranchofwildplumthatbrushedagainstthesideofthebuggy。
\"Isn’tthatbeautiful？Whatdidthattree，leaningoutfromthebank，allwhiteandlacy，makeyouthinkof？\"sheasked。
\"Wellnow，Idunno，\"saidMatthew。
\"Why，abride，ofcourse——abrideallinwhitewithalovelymistyveil。I’veneverseenone，butIcanimaginewhatshewouldlooklike。Idon’teverexpecttobeabridemyself。I’msohomelynobodywilleverwanttomarryme——
unlessitmightbeaforeignmissionary。Isupposeaforeignmissionarymightn’tbeveryparticular。ButIdohopethatsomedayIshallhaveawhitedress。Thatismyhighestidealofearthlybliss。Ijustloveprettyclothes。
AndI’veneverhadaprettydressinmylifethatIcanremember——butofcourseit’sallthemoretolookforwardto，isn’tit？AndthenIcanimaginethatI’mdressedgorgeously。ThismorningwhenIlefttheasylumIfeltsoashamedbecauseIhadtowearthishorridoldwinceydress。
Alltheorphanshadtowearthem，youknow。AmerchantinHopetonlastwinterdonatedthreehundredyardsofwinceytotheasylum。Somepeoplesaiditwasbecausehecouldn’tsellit，butI’dratherbelievethatitwasoutofthekindnessofhisheart，wouldn’tyou？WhenwegotonthetrainIfeltasifeverybodymustbelookingatmeandpityingme。ButIjustwenttoworkandimaginedthatIhadonthemostbeautifulpalebluesilkdress——becausewhenyouAREimaginingyoumightaswellimaginesomethingworthwhile——andabighatallflowersandnoddingplumes，andagoldwatch，andkidglovesandboots。IfeltcheereduprightawayandIenjoyedmytriptotheIslandwithallmymight。Iwasn’tabitsickcomingoverintheboat。
NeitherwasMrs。Spenceralthoughshegenerallyis。Shesaidshehadn’ttimetogetsick，watchingtoseethatI
didn’tfalloverboard。Shesaidsheneversawthebeatofmeforprowlingabout。Butifitkeptherfrombeingseasickit’samercyIdidprowl，isn’tit？AndIwantedtoseeeverythingthatwastobeseenonthatboat，becauseI
didn’tknowwhetherI’deverhaveanotheropportunity。Oh，therearealotmorecherry-treesallinbloom！ThisIslandisthebloomiestplace。Ijustloveitalready，andI’msogladI’mgoingtolivehere。I’vealwaysheardthatPrinceEdwardIslandwastheprettiestplaceintheworld，andI
usedtoimagineIwaslivinghere，butIneverreallyexpectedIwould。It’sdelightfulwhenyourimaginationscometrue，isn’tit？Butthoseredroadsaresofunny。
WhenwegotintothetrainatCharlottetownandtheredroadsbegantoflashpastIaskedMrs。Spencerwhatmadethemredandshesaidshedidn’tknowandforpity’ssakenottoaskheranymorequestions。ShesaidImusthaveaskedherathousandalready。IsupposeIhad，too，buthowyougoingtofindoutaboutthingsifyoudon’taskquestions？AndwhatDOESmaketheroadsred？\"
\"Wellnow，Idunno，\"saidMatthew。
\"Well，thatisoneofthethingstofindoutsometime。
Isn’titsplendidtothinkofallthethingstherearetofindoutabout？Itjustmakesmefeelgladtobealive——
it’ssuchaninterestingworld。Itwouldn’tbehalfsointerestingifweknowallabouteverything，wouldit？
There’dbenoscopeforimaginationthen，wouldthere？ButamItalkingtoomuch？PeoplearealwaystellingmeIdo。
WouldyouratherIdidn’ttalk？IfyousaysoI’llstop。I
canSTOPwhenImakeupmymindtoit，althoughit’sdifficult。\"
Matthew，muchtohisownsurprise，wasenjoyinghimself。
Likemostquietfolkshelikedtalkativepeoplewhentheywerewillingtodothetalkingthemselvesanddidnotexpecthimtokeepuphisendofit。Buthehadneverexpectedtoenjoythesocietyofalittlegirl。Womenwerebadenoughinallconscience，butlittlegirlswereworse。Hedetestedthewaytheyhadofsidlingpasthimtimidly，withsidewiseglances，asiftheyexpectedhimtogobblethemupatamouthfuliftheyventuredtosayaword。ThatwastheAvonleatypeofwell-bredlittlegirl。Butthisfreckledwitchwasverydifferent，andalthoughhefounditratherdifficultforhisslowerintelligencetokeepupwithherbriskmentalprocesseshethoughtthathe\"kindoflikedherchatter。\"Sohesaidasshylyasusual:
\"Oh，youcantalkasmuchasyoulike。Idon’tmind。\"
\"Oh，I’msoglad。IknowyouandIaregoingtogetalongtogetherfine。It’ssucharelieftotalkwhenonewantstoandnotbetoldthatchildrenshouldbeseenandnotheard。
I’vehadthatsaidtomeamilliontimesifIhaveonce。
AndpeoplelaughatmebecauseIusebigwords。Butifyouhavebigideasyouhavetousebigwordstoexpressthem，haven’tyou？\"
\"Wellnow，thatseemsreasonable，\"saidMatthew。
\"Mrs。Spencersaidthatmytonguemustbehunginthemiddle。Butitisn’t——it’sfirmlyfastenedatoneend。
Mrs。SpencersaidyourplacewasnamedGreenGables。I
askedherallaboutit。Andshesaidthereweretreesallaroundit。Iwasgladderthanever。Ijustlovetrees。
Andthereweren’tanyatallabouttheasylum，onlyafewpoorweeny-teenythingsoutinfrontwithlittlewhitewashedcageythingsaboutthem。Theyjustlookedlikeorphansthemselves，thosetreesdid。Itusedtomakemewanttocrytolookatthem。Iusedtosaytothem，`Oh，youPOOR
littlethings！IfyouwereoutinagreatbigwoodswithothertreesallaroundyouandlittlemossesandJunebellsgrowingoveryourrootsandabrooknotfarawayandbirdssinginginyoubranches，youcouldgrow，couldn’tyou？Butyoucan’twhereyouare。Iknowjustexactlyhowyoufeel，littletrees。’Ifeltsorrytoleavethembehindthismorning。
Youdogetsoattachedtothingslikethat，don’tyou？
IsthereabrookanywherenearGreenGables？IforgottoaskMrs。Spencerthat。\"
\"Wellnow，yes，there’sonerightbelowthehouse。\"
\"Fancy。It’salwaysbeenoneofmydreamstolivenearabrook。IneverexpectedIwould，though。Dreamsdon’toftencometrue，dothey？Wouldn’titbeniceiftheydid？
ButjustnowIfeelprettynearlyperfectlyhappy。Ican’tfeelexactlyperfectlyhappybecause——well，whatcolorwouldyoucallthis？\"
ShetwitchedoneofherlongglossybraidsoverherthinshoulderandhelditupbeforeMatthew’seyes。Matthewwasnotusedtodecidingonthetintsofladies’tresses，butinthiscasetherecouldn’tbemuchdoubt。
\"It’sred，ain’tit？\"hesaid。
Thegirlletthebraiddropbackwithasighthatseemedtocomefromherverytoesandtoexhaleforthallthesorrowsoftheages。
\"Yes，it’sred，\"shesaidresignedly。\"NowyouseewhyI
can’tbeperfectlyhappy。Nobodycouldwhohasredhair。I
don’tmindtheotherthingssomuch——thefrecklesandthegreeneyesandmyskinniness。Icanimaginethemaway。I
canimaginethatIhaveabeautifulrose-leafcomplexionandlovelystarryvioleteyes。ButICANNOTimaginethatredhairaway。Idomybest。Ithinktomyself，`Nowmyhairisagloriousblack，blackastheraven’swing。’ButallthetimeIKNOWitisjustplainredanditbreaksmyheart。
Itwillbemylifelongsorrow。Ireadofagirlonceinanovelwhohadalifelongsorrowbutitwasn’tredhair。
Herhairwaspuregoldripplingbackfromheralabasterbrow。
Whatisanalabasterbrow？Inevercouldfindout。
Canyoutellme？\"
\"Wellnow，I’mafraidIcan’t，\"saidMatthew，whowasgettingalittledizzy。Hefeltashehadoncefeltinhisrashyouthwhenanotherboyhadenticedhimonthemerry-go-
roundatapicnic。
\"Well，whateveritwasitmusthavebeensomethingnicebecauseshewasdivinelybeautiful。Haveyoueverimaginedwhatitmustfeelliketobedivinelybeautiful？\"
\"Wellnow，no，Ihaven’t，\"confessedMatthewingenuously。
\"Ihave，often。Whichwouldyouratherbeifyouhadthechoice——divinelybeautifulordazzlinglycleverorangelicallygood？\"
\"Wellnow，I——Idon’tknowexactly。\"
\"NeitherdoI。Icanneverdecide。Butitdoesn’tmakemuchrealdifferenceforitisn’tlikelyI’lleverbeeither。It’scertainI’llneverbeangelicallygood。
Mrs。Spencersays——oh，Mr。Cuthbert！Oh，Mr。Cuthbert！！
Oh，Mr。Cuthbert！！！\"
ThatwasnotwhatMrs。Spencerhadsaid；neitherhadthechildtumbledoutofthebuggynorhadMatthewdoneanythingastonishing。Theyhadsimplyroundedacurveintheroadandfoundthemselvesinthe\"Avenue。\"
The\"Avenue，\"socalledbytheNewbridgepeople，wasastretchofroadfourorfivehundredyardslong，completelyarchedoverwithhuge，wide-spreadingapple-trees，plantedyearsagobyaneccentricoldfarmer。Overheadwasonelongcanopyofsnowyfragrantbloom。Belowtheboughstheairwasfullofapurpletwilightandfaraheadaglimpseofpaintedsunsetskyshonelikeagreatrosewindowattheendofacathedralaisle。
Itsbeautyseemedtostrikethechilddumb。Sheleanedbackinthebuggy，herthinhandsclaspedbeforeher，herfaceliftedrapturouslytothewhitesplendorabove。EvenwhentheyhadpassedoutandweredrivingdownthelongslopetoNewbridgeshenevermovedorspoke。Stillwithraptfaceshegazedafarintothesunsetwest，witheyesthatsawvisionstroopingsplendidlyacrossthatglowingbackground。
ThroughNewbridge，abustlinglittlevillagewheredogsbarkedatthemandsmallboyshootedandcuriousfacespeeredfromthewindows，theydrove，stillinsilence。Whenthreemoremileshaddroppedawaybehindthemthechildhadnotspoken。Shecouldkeepsilence，itwasevident，asenergeticallyasshecouldtalk。
\"Iguessyou’refeelingprettytiredandhungry，\"
Matthewventuredtosayatlast，accountingforherlongvisitationofdumbnesswiththeonlyreasonhecouldthinkof。\"Butwehaven’tveryfartogonow——onlyanothermile。\"
Shecameoutofherreveriewithadeepsighandlookedathimwiththedreamygazeofasoulthathadbeenwonderingafar，star-led。
\"Oh，Mr。Cuthbert，\"shewhispered，\"thatplacewecamethrough——thatwhiteplace——whatwasit？\"
\"Wellnow，youmustmeantheAvenue，\"saidMatthewafterafewmoments’profoundreflection。\"Itisakindofprettyplace。\"
\"Pretty？Oh，PRETTYdoesn’tseemtherightwordtouse。
Norbeautiful，either。Theydon’tgofarenough。Oh，itwaswonderful——wonderful。It’sthefirstthingIeversawthatcouldn’tbeimproveduponbyimagination。Itjustsatisfiesmehere\"——sheputonehandonherbreast——\"itmadeaqueerfunnyacheandyetitwasapleasantache。Didyoueverhaveanachelikethat，Mr。Cuthbert？\"
\"Wellnow，Ijustcan’trecollectthatIeverhad。\"
\"Ihaveitlotsoftime——wheneverIseeanythingroyallybeautiful。Buttheyshouldn’tcallthatlovelyplacetheAvenue。Thereisnomeaninginanamelikethat。Theyshouldcallit——letmesee——theWhiteWayofDelight。Isn’tthataniceimaginativename？WhenIdon’tlikethenameofaplaceorapersonIalwaysimagineanewoneandalwaysthinkofthemso。TherewasagirlattheasylumwhosenamewasHepzibahJenkins，butIalwaysimaginedherasRosaliaDeVere。OtherpeoplemaycallthatplacetheAvenue，butI
shallalwayscallittheWhiteWayofDelight。Havewereallyonlyanothermiletogobeforewegethome？I’mgladandI’msorry。I’msorrybecausethisdrivehasbeensopleasantandI’malwayssorrywhenpleasantthingsend。
Somethingstillpleasantermaycomeafter，butyoucanneverbesure。Andit’ssooftenthecasethatitisn’tpleasanter。Thathasbeenmyexperienceanyhow。ButI’mgladtothinkofgettinghome。Yousee，I’veneverhadarealhomesinceIcanremember。Itgivesmethatpleasantacheagainjusttothinkofcomingtoareallytrulyhome。
Oh，isn’tthatpretty！\"
Theyhaddrivenoverthecrestofahill。Belowthemwasapond，lookingalmostlikeariversolongandwindingwasit。Abridgespanneditmidwayandfromtheretoitslowerend，whereanamber-huedbeltofsand-hillsshutitinfromthedarkbluegulfbeyond，thewaterwasagloryofmanyshiftinghues——themostspiritualshadingsofcrocusandroseandetherealgreen，withotherelusivetintingsforwhichnonamehaseverbeenfound。Abovethebridgethepondranupintofringinggrovesoffirandmapleandlayalldarklytranslucentintheirwaveringshadows。Hereandthereawildplumleanedoutfromthebanklikeawhite-cladgirltip-toeingtoherownreflection。Fromthemarshattheheadofthepondcametheclear，mournfully-sweetchorusofthefrogs。Therewasalittlegrayhousepeeringaroundawhiteappleorchardonaslopebeyondand，althoughitwasnotyetquitedark，alightwasshiningfromoneofitswindows。
\"That’sBarry’spond，\"saidMatthew。
\"Oh，Idon’tlikethatname，either。Ishallcallit——letmesee——theLakeofShiningWaters。Yes，thatistherightnameforit。Iknowbecauseofthethrill。WhenIhitonanamethatsuitsexactlyitgivesmeathrill。Dothingsevergiveyouathrill？\"
Matthewruminated。
\"Wellnow，yes。Italwayskindofgivesmeathrilltoseethemuglywhitegrubsthatspadeupinthecucumberbeds。
Ihatethelookofthem。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tthinkthatcanbeexactlythesamekindofathrill。Doyouthinkitcan？Theredoesn’tseemtobemuchconnectionbetweengrubsandlakesofshiningwaters，doesthere？ButwhydootherpeoplecallitBarry’spond？\"
\"IreckonbecauseMr。Barrylivesupthereinthathouse。
OrchardSlope’sthenameofhisplace。Ifitwasn’tforthatbigbushbehindityoucouldseeGreenGablesfromhere。Butwehavetogooverthebridgeandroundbytheroad，soit’snearhalfamilefurther。\"
\"HasMr。Barryanylittlegirls？Well，notsoverylittleeither——aboutmysize。\"
\"He’sgotoneabouteleven。HernameisDiana。\"
\"Oh！\"withalongindrawingofbreath。\"Whataperfectlylovelyname！\"
\"Wellnow，Idunno。There’ssomethingdreadfulheathenishaboutit，seemstome。I’drutherJaneorMaryorsomesensiblenamelikethat。ButwhenDianawasborntherewasaschoolmasterboardingthereandtheygavehimthenamingofherandhecalledherDiana。\"
\"IwishtherehadbeenaschoolmasterlikethataroundwhenIwasborn，then。Oh，hereweareatthebridge。I’mgoingtoshutmyeyestight。I’malwaysafraidgoingoverbridges。Ican’thelpimaginingthatperhapsjustaswegettothemiddle，they’llcrumpleuplikeajack-knifeandnipus。SoIshutmyeyes。ButIalwayshavetoopenthemforallwhenIthinkwe’regettingnearthemiddle。
Because，yousee，ifthebridgeDIDcrumpleupI’dwanttoSEEitcrumple。Whatajollyrumbleitmakes！Ialwaysliketherumblepartofit。Isn’titsplendidtherearesomanythingstolikeinthisworld？Therewe’reover。NowI’lllookback。Goodnight，dearLakeofShiningWaters。I
alwayssaygoodnighttothethingsIlove，justasIwouldtopeopleIthinktheylikeit。Thatwaterlooksasifitwassmilingatme。\"
WhentheyhaddrivenupthefurtherhillandaroundacornerMatthewsaid:
\"We’reprettynearhomenow。That’sGreenGablesover——\"
\"Oh，don’ttellme，\"sheinterruptedbreathlessly，catchingathispartiallyraisedarmandshuttinghereyesthatshemightnotseehisgesture。\"Letmeguess。I’msureI’llguessright。\"
Sheopenedhereyesandlookedabouther。Theywereonthecrestofahill。Thesunhadsetsometimesince，butthelandscapewasstillclearinthemellowafterlight。Tothewestadarkchurchspireroseupagainstamarigoldsky。
Belowwasalittlevalleyandbeyondalong，gently-risingslopewithsnugfarmsteadsscatteredalongit。Fromonetoanotherthechild’seyesdarted，eagerandwistful。Atlasttheylingeredononeawaytotheleft，farbackfromtheroad，dimlywhitewithblossomingtreesinthetwilightofthesurroundingwoods。Overit，inthestainlesssouthwestsky，agreatcrystal-whitestarwasshininglikealampofguidanceandpromise。
\"That’sit，isn’tit？\"shesaid，pointing。
Matthewslappedthereinsonthesorrel’sbackdelightedly。
\"Wellnow，you’veguessedit！ButIreckonMrs。Spencerdescribeditso’syoucouldtell。\"
\"No，shedidn’t——reallyshedidn’t。Allshesaidmightjustaswellhavebeenaboutmostofthoseotherplaces。I
hadn’tanyrealideawhatitlookedlike。ButjustassoonasIsawitIfeltitwashome。Oh，itseemsasifImustbeinadream。Doyouknow，myarmmustbeblackandbluefromtheelbowup，forI’vepinchedmyselfsomanytimestoday。EverylittlewhileahorriblesickeningfeelingwouldcomeovermeandI’dbesoafraiditwasalladream。
ThenI’dpinchmyselftoseeifitwasreal——untilsuddenlyIrememberedthatevensupposingitwasonlyadreamI’dbettergoondreamingaslongasIcould；soIstoppedpinching。ButitISrealandwe’renearlyhome。\"
Withasighofrapturesherelapsedintosilence。Matthewstirreduneasily。HefeltgladthatitwouldbeMarillaandnothewhowouldhavetotellthiswaifoftheworldthatthehomeshelongedforwasnottobehersafterall。TheydroveoverLynde’sHollow，whereitwasalreadyquitedark，butnotsodarkthatMrs。Rachelcouldnotseethemfromherwindowvantage，andupthehillandintothelonglaneofGreenGables。BythetimetheyarrivedatthehouseMatthewwasshrinkingfromtheapproachingrevelationwithanenergyhedidnotunderstand。ItwasnotofMarillaorhimselfhewasthinkingofthetroublethismistakewasprobablygoingtomakeforthem，butofthechild’sdisappointment。Whenhethoughtofthatraptlightbeingquenchedinhereyeshehadanuncomfortablefeelingthathewasgoingtoassistatmurderingsomething——muchthesamefeelingthatcameoverhimwhenhehadtokillalamborcalforanyotherinnocentlittlecreature。
Theyardwasquitedarkastheyturnedintoitandthepoplarleaveswererustlingsilkilyallroundit。
\"Listentothetreestalkingintheirsleep，\"shewhispered，asheliftedhertotheground。\"Whatnicedreamstheymusthave！\"
Then，holdingtightlytothecarpet-bagwhichcontained\"allherworldlygoods，\"shefollowedhimintothehouse。
CHAPTERIII
MarillaCuthbertisSurprisedMarillacamebrisklyforwardasMatthewopenedthedoor。
Butwhenhereyesfelloftheoddlittlefigureinthestiff，uglydress，withthelongbraidsofredhairandtheeager，luminouseyes，shestoppedshortinamazement。
\"MatthewCuthbert，who’sthat？\"sheejaculated。\"Whereistheboy？\"
\"Therewasn’tanyboy，\"saidMatthewwretchedly。\"TherewasonlyHER。\"
Henoddedatthechild，rememberingthathehadneverevenaskedhername。
\"Noboy！ButthereMUSThavebeenaboy，\"insistedMarilla。
\"WesentwordtoMrs。Spencertobringaboy。\"
\"Well，shedidn’t。ShebroughtHER。Iaskedthestation-
master。AndIhadtobringherhome。Shecouldn’tbeleftthere，nomatterwherethemistakehadcomein。\"
\"Well，thisisaprettypieceofbusiness！\"ejaculatedMarilla。
Duringthisdialoguethechildhadremainedsilent，hereyesrovingfromonetotheother，alltheanimationfadingoutofherface。Suddenlysheseemedtograspthefullmeaningofwhathadbeensaid。Droppingherpreciouscarpet-bagshesprangforwardastepandclaspedherhands。
\"Youdon’twantme！\"shecried。\"Youdon’twantmebecauseI’mnotaboy！Imighthaveexpectedit。Nobodyeverdidwantme。Imighthaveknownitwasalltoobeautifultolast。
Imighthaveknownnobodyreallydidwantme。Oh，whatshallIdo？I’mgoingtoburstintotears！\"
Burstintotearsshedid。Sittingdownonachairbythetable，flingingherarmsoutuponit，andburyingherfaceinthem，sheproceededtocrystormily。MarillaandMatthewlookedateachotherdeprecatinglyacrossthestove。
Neitherofthemknewwhattosayordo。FinallyMarillasteppedlamelyintothebreach。
\"Well，well，there’snoneedtocrysoaboutit。\"
\"Yes，thereISneed！\"Thechildraisedherheadquickly，revealingatear-stainedfaceandtremblinglips。\"YOU
wouldcry，too，ifyouwereanorphanandhadcometoaplaceyouthoughtwasgoingtobehomeandfoundthattheydidn’twantyoubecauseyouweren’taboy。Oh，thisisthemostTRAGICALthingthateverhappenedtome！\"
Somethinglikeareluctantsmile，ratherrustyfromlongdisuse，mellowedMarilla’sgrimexpression。
\"Well，don’tcryanymore。We’renotgoingtoturnyouout-
of-doorsto-night。You’llhavetostayhereuntilweinvestigatethisaffair。What’syourname？\"
Thechildhesitatedforamoment。
\"WillyoupleasecallmeCordelia？\"shesaideagerly。
\"CALLyouCordelia？Isthatyourname？\"
\"No-o-o，it’snotexactlymyname，butIwouldlovetobecalledCordelia。It’ssuchaperfectlyelegantname。\"
\"Idon’tknowwhatonearthyoumean。IfCordeliaisn’tyourname，whatis？\"
\"AnneShirley，\"reluctantlyfalteredforththeownerofthatname，\"but，oh，pleasedocallmeCordelia。Itcan’tmattermuchtoyouwhatyoucallmeifI’monlygoingtobeherealittlewhile，canit？AndAnneissuchanunromanticname。\"
\"Unromanticfiddlesticks！\"saidtheunsympatheticMarilla。
\"Anneisarealgoodplainsensiblename。You’venoneedtobeashamedofit。\"
\"Oh，I’mnotashamedofit，\"explainedAnne，\"onlyIlikeCordeliabetter。I’vealwaysimaginedthatmynamewasCordelia——atleast，Ialwayshaveoflateyears。WhenIwasyoungIusedtoimagineitwasGeraldine，butIlikeCordeliabetternow。ButifyoucallmeAnnepleasecallmeAnnespelledwithanE。\"
\"Whatdifferencedoesitmakehowit’sspelled？\"askedMarillawithanotherrustysmileasshepickeduptheteapot。
\"Oh，itmakesSUCHadifference。ItLOOKSsomuchnicer。
Whenyouhearanamepronouncedcan’tyoualwaysseeitinyourmind，justasifitwasprintedout？Ican；andA-n-nlooksdreadful，butA-n-n-elookssomuchmoredistinguished。
Ifyou’llonlycallmeAnnespelledwithanEIshalltrytoreconcilemyselftonotbeingcalledCordelia。\"
\"Verywell，then，AnnespelledwithanE，canyoutellushowthismistakecametobemade？WesentwordtoMrs。Spencertobringusaboy。Weretherenoboysattheasylum？\"
\"Oh，yes，therewasanabundanceofthem。ButMrs。SpencersaidDISTINCTLYthatyouwantedagirlaboutelevenyearsold。AndthematronsaidshethoughtIwoulddo。Youdon’tknowhowdelightedIwas。Icouldn’tsleepalllastnightforjoy。Oh，\"sheaddedreproachfully，turningtoMatthew，\"whydidn’tyoutellmeatthestationthatyoudidn’twantmeandleavemethere？IfIhadn’tseentheWhiteWayofDelightandtheLakeofShiningWatersitwouldn’tbesohard。\"
\"Whatonearthdoesshemean？\"demandedMarilla，staringatMatthew。
\"She——she’sjustreferringtosomeconversationwehadontheroad，\"saidMatthewhastily。\"I’mgoingouttoputthemarein，Marilla。HaveteareadywhenIcomeback。\"
\"DidMrs。Spencerbringanybodyoverbesidesyou？\"
continuedMarillawhenMatthewhadgoneout。
\"ShebroughtLilyJonesforherself。Lilyisonlyfiveyearsoldandsheisverybeautifulandhadnut-brownhair。IfIwasverybeautifulandhadnut-brownhairwouldyoukeepme？\"
\"No。WewantaboytohelpMatthewonthefarm。Agirlwouldbeofnousetous。Takeoffyourhat。I’lllayitandyourbagonthehalltable。\"
Annetookoffherhatmeekly。Matthewcamebackpresentlyandtheysatdowntosupper。ButAnnecouldnoteat。Invainshenibbledatthebreadandbutterandpeckedatthecrab-applepreserveoutofthelittlescallopedglassdishbyherplate。Shedidnotreallymakeanyheadwayatall。
\"You’renoteatinganything，\"saidMarillasharply，eyingherasifitwereaseriousshortcoming。Annesighed。
\"Ican’t。I’minthedepthsofdespair。Canyoueatwhenyouareinthedepthsofdespair？\"
\"I’veneverbeeninthedepthsofdespair，soIcan’tsay，\"
respondedMarilla。
\"Weren’tyou？Well，didyouevertrytoIMAGINEyouwereinthedepthsofdespair？\"
\"No，Ididn’t。\"
\"ThenIdon’tthinkyoucanunderstandwhatit’slike。It’sveryuncomfortablefeelingindeed。Whenyoutrytoeatalumpcomesrightupinyourthroatandyoucan’tswallowanything，notevenifitwasachocolatecaramel。Ihadonechocolatecarameloncetwoyearsagoanditwassimplydelicious。I’veoftendreamedsincethenthatIhadalotofchocolatecaramels，butIalwayswakeupjustwhenI’mgoingtoeatthem。Idohopeyouwon’tbeoffendedbecauseIcan’teat。Everythingisextremelynice，butstillIcannoteat。\"
\"Iguessshe’stired，\"saidMatthew，whohadn’tspokensincehisreturnfromthebarn。\"Bestputhertobed，Marilla。\"
MarillahadbeenwonderingwhereAnneshouldbeputtobed。
Shehadpreparedacouchinthekitchenchamberforthedesiredandexpectedboy。But，althoughitwasneatandclean，itdidnotseemquitethethingtoputagirltheresomehow。Butthespareroomwasoutofthequestionforsuchastraywaif，sothereremainedonlytheeastgableroom。MarillalightedacandleandtoldAnnetofollowher，whichAnnespiritlesslydid，takingherhatandcarpet-bagfromthehalltableasshepassed。Thehallwasfearsomelyclean；thelittlegablechamberinwhichshepresentlyfoundherselfseemedstillcleaner。
Marillasetthecandleonathree-legged，three-corneredtableandturneddownthebedclothes。
\"Isupposeyouhaveanightgown？\"shequestioned。
Annenodded。
\"Yes，Ihavetwo。Thematronoftheasylummadethemforme。They’refearfullyskimpy。Thereisneverenoughtogoaroundinanasylum，sothingsarealwaysskimpy——atleastinapoorasylumlikeours。Ihateskimpynight-dresses。
Butonecandreamjustaswellinthemasinlovelytrailingones，withfrillsaroundtheneck，that’soneconsolation。\"
\"Well，undressasquickasyoucanandgotobed。I’llcomebackinafewminutesforthecandle。Idaren’ttrustyoutoputitoutyourself。You’dlikelysettheplaceonfire。\"
WhenMarillahadgoneAnnelookedaroundherwistfully。
Thewhitewashedwallsweresopainfullybareandstaringthatshethoughttheymustacheovertheirownbareness。
Thefloorwasbare，too，exceptforaroundbraidedmatinthemiddlesuchasAnnehadneverseenbefore。Inonecornerwasthebed，ahigh，old-fashionedone，withfourdark，low-
turnedposts。Intheothercornerwastheaforesaidthree-
cornertableadornedwithafat，redvelvetpin-cushionhardenoughtoturnthepointofthemostadventurouspin。Aboveithungalittlesix-by-eightmirror。Midwaybetweentableandbedwasthewindow，withanicywhitemuslinfrilloverit，andoppositeitwasthewash-stand。Thewholeapartmentwasofarigiditynottobedescribedinwords，butwhichsentashivertotheverymarrowofAnne’sbones。Withasobshehastilydiscardedhergarments，putontheskimpynightgownandsprangintobedwheresheburrowedfacedownwardintothepillowandpulledtheclothesoverherhead。WhenMarillacameupforthelightvariousskimpyarticlesofraimentscatteredmostuntidilyoverthefloorandacertaintempestuousappearanceofthebedweretheonlyindicationsofanypresencesaveherown。
ShedeliberatelypickedupAnne’sclothes，placedthemneatlyonaprimyellowchair，andthen，takingupthecandle，wentovertothebed。
\"Goodnight，\"shesaid，alittleawkwardly，butnotunkindly。
Anne’swhitefaceandbigeyesappearedoverthebedclotheswithastartlingsuddenness。
\"HowcanyoucallitaGOODnightwhenyouknowitmustbetheveryworstnightI’veeverhad？\"shesaidreproachfully。
Thenshediveddownintoinvisibilityagain。
Marillawentslowlydowntothekitchenandproceededtowashthesupperdishes。Matthewwassmoking——asuresignofperturbationofmind。Heseldomsmoked，forMarillasetherfaceagainstitasafilthyhabit；butatcertaintimesandseasonshefeltdriventoitandthemMarillawinkedatthepractice，realizingthatameremanmusthavesomeventforhisemotions。
\"Well，thisisaprettykettleoffish，\"shesaidwrathfully。\"Thisiswhatcomesofsendingwordinsteadofgoingourselves。RichardSpencer’sfolkshavetwistedthatmessagesomehow。OneofuswillhavetodriveoverandseeMrs。Spencertomorrow，that’scertain。Thisgirlwillhavetobesentbacktotheasylum。\"
\"Yes，Isupposeso，\"saidMatthewreluctantly。
\"YouSUPPOSEso！Don’tyouknowit？\"
\"Wellnow，she’sarealnicelittlething，Marilla。It’skindofapitytosendherbackwhenshe’ssosetonstayinghere。\"
\"MatthewCuthbert，youdon’tmeantosayyouthinkweoughttokeepher！\"
Marilla’sastonishmentcouldnothavebeengreaterifMatthewhadexpressedapredilectionforstandingonhishead。
\"Well，now，no，Isupposenot——notexactly，\"stammeredMatthew，uncomfortablydrivenintoacornerforhisprecisemeaning。
\"Isuppose——wecouldhardlybeexpectedtokeepher。\"
\"Ishouldsaynot。Whatgoodwouldshebetous？\"
\"Wemightbesomegoodtoher，\"saidMatthewsuddenlyandunexpectedly。
\"MatthewCuthbert，Ibelievethatchildhasbewitchedyou！
Icanseeasplainasplainthatyouwanttokeepher。\"
\"Wellnow，she’sarealinterestinglittlething，\"persistedMatthew。\"Youshouldhaveheardhertalkcomingfromthestation。\"
\"Oh，shecantalkfastenough。Isawthatatonce。It’snothinginherfavour，either。Idon’tlikechildrenwhohavesomuchtosay。Idon’twantanorphangirlandifI
didsheisn’tthestyleI’dpickout。There’ssomethingI
don’tunderstandabouther。No，she’sgottobedespatchedstraight-waybacktowhereshecamefrom。\"
\"IcouldhireaFrenchboytohelpme，\"saidMatthew，\"andshe’dbecompanyforyou。\"
\"I’mnotsufferingforcompany，\"saidMarillashortly。\"AndI’mnotgoingtokeepher。\"
\"Wellnow，it’sjustasyousay，ofcourse，Marilla，\"saidMatthewrisingandputtinghispipeaway。\"I’mgoingtobed。\"
TobedwentMatthew。Andtobed，whenshehadputherdishesaway，wentMarilla，frowningmostresolutely。Andup-stairs，intheeastgable，alonely，heart-hungry，friendlesschildcriedherselftosleep。
CHAPTERIV
MorningatGreenGablesItwasbroaddaylightwhenAnneawokeandsatupinbed，staringconfusedlyatthewindowthroughwhichafloodofcheerysunshinewaspouringandoutsideofwhichsomethingwhiteandfeatherywavedacrossglimpsesofbluesky。
Foramomentshecouldnotrememberwhereshewas。Firstcameadelightfulthrill，assomethingverypleasant；thenahorribleremembrance。ThiswasGreenGablesandtheydidn’twantherbecauseshewasn’taboy！
Butitwasmorningand，yes，itwasacherry-treeinfullbloomoutsideofherwindow。Withaboundshewasoutofbedandacrossthefloor。Shepushedupthesash——itwentupstifflyandcreakily，asifithadn’tbeenopenedforalongtime，whichwasthecase；anditstucksotightthatnothingwasneededtoholditup。
AnnedroppedonherkneesandgazedoutintotheJunemorning，hereyesglisteningwithdelight。Oh，wasn’titbeautiful？Wasn’titalovelyplace？Supposeshewasn’treallygoingtostayhere！Shewouldimagineshewas。
Therewasscopeforimaginationhere。
Ahugecherry-treegrewoutside，soclosethatitsboughstappedagainstthehouse，anditwassothick-setwithblossomsthathardlyaleafwastobeseen。Onbothsidesofthehousewasabigorchard，oneofapple-treesandoneofcherry-trees，alsoshoweredoverwithblossoms；andtheirgrasswasallsprinkledwithdandelions。Inthegardenbelowwerelilac-treespurplewithflowers，andtheirdizzilysweetfragrancedrifteduptothewindowonthemorningwind。
Belowthegardenagreenfieldlushwithcloverslopeddowntothehollowwherethebrookranandwherescoresofwhitebirchesgrew，upspringingairilyoutofanundergrowthsuggestiveofdelightfulpossibilitiesinfernsandmossesandwoodsythingsgenerally。Beyonditwasahill，greenandfeatherywithspruceandfir；therewasagapinitwherethegraygableendofthelittlehouseshehadseenfromtheothersideoftheLakeofShiningWaterswasvisible。
Offtotheleftwerethebigbarnsandbeyondthem，awaydownovergreen，low-slopingfields，wasasparklingblueglimpseofsea。
Anne’sbeauty-lovingeyeslingeredonitall，takingeverythinggreedilyin。Shehadlookedonsomanyunlovelyplacesinherlife，poorchild；butthiswasaslovelyasanythingshehadeverdreamed。