Shekneltthere，losttoeverythingbutthelovelinessaroundher，untilshewasstartledbyahandonhershoulder。Marillahadcomeinunheardbythesmalldreamer。
\"It’stimeyouweredressed，\"shesaidcurtly。
Marillareallydidnotknowhowtotalktothechild，andheruncomfortableignorancemadehercrispandcurtwhenshedidnotmeantobe。
Annestoodupanddrewalongbreath。
\"Oh，isn’titwonderful？\"shesaid，wavingherhandcomprehensivelyatthegoodworldoutside。
\"It’sabigtree，\"saidMarilla，\"anditbloomsgreat，butthefruitdon’tamounttomuchnever——smallandwormy。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tmeanjustthetree；ofcourseit’slovely——yes，it’sRADIANTLYlovely——itbloomsasifitmeantit——butI
meanteverything，thegardenandtheorchardandthebrookandthewoods，thewholebigdearworld。Don’tyoufeelasifyoujustlovedtheworldonamorninglikethis？AndI
canhearthebrooklaughingallthewayuphere。Haveyouevernoticedwhatcheerfulthingsbrooksare？They’realwayslaughing。Eveninwinter-timeI’veheardthemundertheice。I’msogladthere’sabrooknearGreenGables。
Perhapsyouthinkitdoesn’tmakeanydifferencetomewhenyou’renotgoingtokeepme，butitdoes。IshallalwaysliketorememberthatthereisabrookatGreenGablesevenifIneverseeitagain。Iftherewasn’tabrookI’dbeHAUNTEDbytheuncomfortablefeelingthatthereoughttobeone。I’mnotinthedepthsofdespairthismorning。I
nevercanbeinthemorning。Isn’titasplendidthingthattherearemornings？ButIfeelverysad。I’vejustbeenimaginingthatitwasreallymeyouwantedafterallandthatIwastostayhereforeverandever。Itwasagreatcomfortwhileitlasted。Buttheworstofimaginingthingsisthatthetimecomeswhenyouhavetostopandthathurts。\"
\"You’dbettergetdressedandcomedown-stairsandnevermindyourimaginings，\"saidMarillaassoonasshecouldgetawordinedgewise。\"Breakfastiswaiting。Washyourfaceandcombyourhair。Leavethewindowupandturnyourbedclothesbackoverthefootofthebed。Beassmartasyoucan。\"
Annecouldevidentlybesmartsosomepurposeforshewasdown-stairsintenminutes’time，withherclothesneatlyon，herhairbrushedandbraided，herfacewashed，andacomfortableconsciousnesspervadinghersoulthatshehadfulfilledallMarilla’srequirements。Asamatteroffact，however，shehadforgottentoturnbackthebedclothes。
\"I’mprettyhungrythismorning，\"sheannouncedassheslippedintothechairMarillaplacedforher。\"Theworlddoesn’tseemsuchahowlingwildernessasitdidlastnight。
I’msogladit’sasunshinymorning。ButIlikerainymorningsrealwell，too。Allsortsofmorningsareinteresting，don’tyouthink？Youdon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappenthroughtheday，andthere’ssomuchscopeforimagination。ButI’mgladit’snotrainytodaybecauseit’seasiertobecheerfulandbearupunderafflictiononasunshinyday。IfeelthatIhaveagooddealtobearupunder。It’sallverywelltoreadaboutsorrowsandimagineyourselflivingthroughthemheroically，butit’snotsonicewhenyoureallycometohavethem，isit？\"
\"Forpity’ssakeholdyourtongue，\"saidMarilla。\"Youtalkentirelytoomuchforalittlegirl。\"
ThereuponAnneheldhertonguesoobedientlyandthoroughlythathercontinuedsilencemadeMarillarathernervous，asifinthepresenceofsomethingnotexactlynatural。
Matthewalsoheldhistongue，——butthiswasnatural，——sothatthemealwasaverysilentone。
AsitprogressedAnnebecamemoreandmoreabstracted，eatingmechanically，withherbigeyesfixedunswervinglyandunseeinglyontheskyoutsidethewindow。ThismadeMarillamorenervousthanever；shehadanuncomfortablefeelingthatwhilethisoddchild’sbodymightbethereatthetableherspiritwasfarawayinsomeremoteairycloudland，bornealoftonthewingsofimagination。Whowouldwantsuchachildabouttheplace？
YetMatthewwishedtokeepher，ofallunaccountablethings！
Marillafeltthathewanteditjustasmuchthismorningashehadthenightbefore，andthathewouldgoonwantingit。
ThatwasMatthew’sway——takeawhimintohisheadandclingtoitwiththemostamazingsilentpersistency——apersistencytentimesmorepotentandeffectualinitsverysilencethanifhehadtalkeditout。
WhenthemealwasendedAnnecameoutofherreverieandofferedtowashthedishes。
\"Canyouwashdishesright？\"askedMarilladistrustfully。
\"Prettywell。I’mbetteratlookingafterchildren，though。
I’vehadsomuchexperienceatthat。It’ssuchapityyouhaven’tanyhereformetolookafter。\"
\"Idon’tfeelasifIwantedanymorechildrentolookafterthanI’vegotatpresent。YOU’REproblemenoughinallconscience。What’stobedonewithyouIdon’tknow。
Matthewisamostridiculousman。\"
\"Ithinkhe’slovely，\"saidAnnereproachfully。\"Heissoverysympathetic。Hedidn’tmindhowmuchItalked——heseemedtolikeit。IfeltthathewasakindredspiritassoonaseverIsawhim。\"
\"You’rebothqueerenough，ifthat’swhatyoumeanbykindredspirits，\"saidMarillawithasniff。\"Yes，youmaywashthedishes。Takeplentyofhotwater，andbesureyoudrythemwell。I’vegotenoughtoattendtothismorningforI’llhavetodriveovertoWhiteSandsintheafternoonandseeMrs。Spencer。You’llcomewithmeandwe’llsettlewhat’stobedonewithyou。Afteryou’vefinishedthedishesgoup-stairsandmakeyourbed。\"
Annewashedthedishesdeftlyenough，asMarillawhokeptasharpeyeontheprocess，discerned。Lateronshemadeherbedlesssuccessfully，forshehadneverlearnedtheartofwrestlingwithafeathertick。Butiswasdonesomehowandsmootheddown；andthenMarilla，togetridofher，toldhershemightgoout-of-doorsandamuseherselfuntildinnertime。
Anneflewtothedoor，facealight，eyesglowing。Ontheverythresholdshestoppedshort，wheeledabout，camebackandsatdownbythetable，lightandglowaseffectuallyblottedoutasifsomeonehadclappedanextinguisheronher。
\"What’sthematternow？\"demandedMarilla。
\"Idon’tdaregoout，\"saidAnne，inthetoneofamartyrrelinquishingallearthlyjoys。\"IfIcan’tstayherethereisnouseinmylovingGreenGables。AndifIgooutthereandgetacquaintedwithallthosetreesandflowersandtheorchardandthebrookI’llnotbeabletohelplovingit。
It’shardenoughnow，soIwon’tmakeitanyharder。Iwanttogooutsomuch——everythingseemstobecallingtome，`Anne，Anne，comeouttous。Anne，Anne，wewantaplaymate’——butit’sbetternot。Thereisnouseinlovingthingsifyouhavetobetornfromthem，isthere？Andit’ssohardtokeepfromlovingthings，isn’tit？ThatwaswhyIwassogladwhenIthoughtIwasgoingtolivehere。I
thoughtI’dhavesomanythingstoloveandnothingtohinderme。Butthatbriefdreamisover。Iamresignedtomyfatenow，soIdon’tthinkI’llgooutforfearI’llgetunresignedagain。Whatisthenameofthatgeraniumonthewindow-sill，please？\"
\"That’stheapple-scentedgeranium。\"
\"Oh，Idon’tmeanthatsortofaname。Imeanjustanameyougaveityourself。Didn’tyougiveitaname？MayI
giveitonethen？MayIcallit——letmesee——Bonnywoulddo——mayIcallitBonnywhileI’mhere？Oh，doletme！\"
\"Goodness，Idon’tcare。Butwhereonearthisthesenseofnamingageranium？\"
\"Oh，Ilikethingstohavehandleseveniftheyareonlygeraniums。Itmakesthemseemmorelikepeople。Howdoyouknowbutthatithurtsageranium’sfeelingsjusttobecalledageraniumandnothingelse？Youwouldn’tliketobecallednothingbutawomanallthetime。Yes，IshallcallitBonny。Inamedthatcherry-treeoutsidemybedroomwindowthismorning。IcalleditSnowQueenbecauseitwassowhite。Ofcourse，itwon’talwaysbeinblossom，butonecanimaginethatitis，can’tone？\"
\"Ineverinallmylifesayorheardanythingtoequalher，\"
mutteredMarilla，beatingaretreatdowntothecellarafterpotatoes。\"SheiskindofinterestingasMatthewsays。I
canfeelalreadythatI’mwonderingwhatonearthshe’llsaynext。She’llbecastingaspelloverme，too。She’scastitoverMatthew。Thatlookhegavemewhenhewentoutsaideverythinghesaidorhintedlastnightoveragain。Iwishhewaslikeothermenandwouldtalkthingsout。Abodycouldanswerbackthenandarguehimintoreason。Butwhat’stobedonewithamanwhojustLOOKS？\"
Annehadrelapsedintoreverie，withherchininherhandsandhereyesonthesky，whenMarillareturnedfromhercellarpilgrimage。ThereMarillaleftheruntiltheearlydinnerwasonthetable。
\"IsupposeIcanhavethemareandbuggythisafternoon，Matthew？\"saidMarilla。
MatthewnoddedandlookedwistfullyatAnne。Marillainterceptedthelookandsaidgrimly:
\"I’mgoingtodriveovertoWhiteSandsandsettlethisthing。I’lltakeAnnewithmeandMrs。SpencerwillprobablymakearrangementstosendherbacktoNovaScotiaatonce。I’llsetyourteaoutforyouandI’llbehomeintimetomilkthecows。\"
StillMatthewsaidnothingandMarillahadasenseofhavingwastedwordsandbreath。Thereisnothingmoreaggravatingthanamanwhowon’ttalkback——unlessitisawomanwhowon’t。
MatthewhitchedthesorrelintothebuggyinduetimeandMarillaandAnnesetoff。Matthewopenedtheyardgateforthemandastheydroveslowlythrough，hesaid，tonobodyinparticularasitseemed:
\"LittleJerryBuotefromtheCreekwasherethismorning，andItoldhimIguessedI’dhirehimforthesummer。\"
Marillamadenoreply，butshehittheunluckysorrelsuchaviciousclipwiththewhipthatthefatmare，unusedtosuchtreatment，whizzedindignantlydownthelaneatanalarmingpace。MarillalookedbackonceasthebuggybouncedalongandsawthataggravatingMatthewleaningoverthegate，lookingwistfullyafterthem。
CHAPTERV
Anne’sHistory\"Doyouknow，\"saidAnneconfidentially，\"I’vemadeupmymindtoenjoythisdrive。It’sbeenmyexperiencethatyoucannearlyalwaysenjoythingsifyoumakeupyourmindfirmlythatyouwill。Ofcourse，youmustmakeitupFIRMLY。Iamnotgoingtothinkaboutgoingbacktotheasylumwhilewe’rehavingourdrive。I’mjustgoingtothinkaboutthedrive。Oh，look，there’sonelittleearlywildroseout！Isn’titlovely？Don’tyouthinkitmustbegladtobearose？Wouldn’titbeniceifrosescouldtalk？
I’msuretheycouldtellussuchlovelythings。Andisn’tpinkthemostbewitchingcolorintheworld？Iloveit，butIcan’twearit。Redheadedpeoplecan’twearpink，noteveninimagination。Didyoueverknowofanybodywhosehairwasredwhenshewasyoung，butgottobeanothercolorwhenshegrewup？\"
\"No，Idon’tknowasIeverdid，\"saidMarillamercilessly，\"andIshouldn’tthinkitlikelytohappeninyourcaseeither。\"
Annesighed。
\"Well，thatisanotherhopegone。`Mylifeisaperfectgraveyardofburiedhopes。’That’sasentenceIreadinabookonce，andIsayitovertocomfortmyselfwheneverI’mdisappointedinanything。\"
\"Idon’tseewherethecomfortingcomesinmyself，\"
saidMarilla。
\"Why，becauseitsoundssoniceandromantic，justasifIwereaheroineinabook，youknow。Iamsofondofromanticthings，andagraveyardfullofburiedhopesisaboutasromanticathingasonecanimagineisn’tit？I’mrathergladIhaveone。ArewegoingacrosstheLakeofShiningWaterstoday？\"
\"We’renotgoingoverBarry’spond，ifthat’swhatyoumeanbyyourLakeofShiningWaters。We’regoingbytheshoreroad。\"
\"Shoreroadsoundsnice，\"saidAnnedreamily。\"Isitasniceasitsounds？Justwhenyousaid`shoreroad’Isawitinapictureinmymind，asquickasthat！AndWhiteSandsisaprettyname，too；butIdon’tlikeitaswellasAvonlea。Avonleaisalovelyname。Itjustsoundslikemusic。HowfarisittoWhiteSands？\"
\"It’sfivemiles；andasyou’reevidentlybentontalkingyoumightaswelltalktosomepurposebytellingmewhatyouknowaboutyourself。\"
\"Oh，whatIKNOWaboutmyselfisn’treallyworthtelling，\"
saidAnneeagerly。\"Ifyou’llonlyletmetellyouwhatIIMAGINEaboutmyselfyou’llthinkiteversomuchmoreinteresting。\"
\"No，Idon’twantanyofyourimaginings。Justyousticktobaldfacts。Beginatthebeginning。Wherewereyoubornandhowoldareyou？\"
\"IwaselevenlastMarch，\"saidAnne，resigningherselftobaldfactswithalittlesigh。\"AndIwasborninBolingbroke，NovaScotia。Myfather’snamewasWalterShirley，andhewasateacherintheBolingbrokeHighSchool。Mymother’snamewasBerthaShirley。Aren’tWalterandBerthalovelynames？I’msogladmyparentshadnicenames。Itwouldbearealdisgracetohaveafathernamed——well，sayJedediah，wouldn’tit？\"
\"Iguessitdoesn’tmatterwhataperson’snameisaslongashebehaveshimself，\"saidMarilla，feelingherselfcalledupontoinculcateagoodandusefulmoral。
\"Well，Idon’tknow。\"Annelookedthoughtful。\"Ireadinabookoncethatarosebyanyothernamewouldsmellassweet，butI’veneverbeenabletobelieveit。Idon’tbelievearoseWOULDbeasniceifitwascalledathistleoraskunkcabbage。IsupposemyfathercouldhavebeenagoodmanevenifhehadbeencalledJedediah；butI’msureitwouldhavebeenacross。Well，mymotherwasateacherintheHighschool，too，butwhenshemarriedfathershegaveupteaching，ofcourse。Ahusbandwasenoughresponsibility。Mrs。Thomassaidthattheywereapairofbabiesandaspooraschurchmice。Theywenttoliveinaweeny-teenylittleyellowhouseinBolingbroke。
I’veneverseenthathouse，butI’veimagineditthousandsoftimes。Ithinkitmusthavehadhoneysuckleovertheparlorwindowandlilacsinthefrontyardandliliesofthevalleyjustinsidethegate。Yes，andmuslincurtainsinallthewindows。Muslincurtainsgiveahousesuchanair。
Iwasborninthathouse。Mrs。ThomassaidIwasthehomeliestbabysheeversaw，Iwassoscrawnyandtinyandnothingbuteyes，butthatmotherthoughtIwasperfectlybeautiful。Ishouldthinkamotherwouldbeabetterjudgethanapoorwomanwhocameintoscrub，wouldn’tyou？I’mgladshewassatisfiedwithmeanyhow，IwouldfeelsosadifIthoughtIwasadisappointmenttoher——becauseshedidn’tliveverylongafterthat，yousee。
ShediedoffeverwhenIwasjustthreemonthsold。Idowishshe’dlivedlongenoughformetoremembercallinghermother。Ithinkitwouldbesosweettosay`mother，’
don’tyou？Andfatherdiedfourdaysafterwardsfromfevertoo。Thatleftmeanorphanandfolkswereattheirwits’end，soMrs。Thomassaid，whattodowithme。Yousee，nobodywantedmeeventhen。Itseemstobemyfate。
Fatherandmotherhadbothcomefromplacesfarawayanditwaswellknowntheyhadn’tanyrelativesliving。
FinallyMrs。Thomassaidshe’dtakeme，thoughshewaspoorandhadadrunkenhusband。Shebroughtmeupbyhand。Doyouknowifthereisanythinginbeingbroughtupbyhandthatoughttomakepeoplewhoarebroughtupthatwaybetterthanotherpeople？BecausewheneverI
wasnaughtyMrs。ThomaswouldaskmehowIcouldbesuchabadgirlwhenshehadbroughtmeupbyhand——
reproachful-like。
\"Mr。andMrs。ThomasmovedawayfromBolingbroketoMarysville，andIlivedwiththemuntilIwaseightyearsold。IhelpedlookaftertheThomaschildren——therewerefourofthemyoungerthanme——andIcantellyoutheytookalotoflookingafter。ThenMr。ThomaswaskilledfallingunderatrainandhismotherofferedtotakeMrs。Thomasandthechildren，butshedidn’twantme。
Mrs。ThomaswasatHERwits’end，soshesaid，whattodowithme。ThenMrs。Hammondfromuptherivercamedownandsaidshe’dtakeme，seeingIwashandywithchildren，andIwentuptherivertolivewithherinalittleclearingamongthestumps。Itwasaverylonesomeplace。I’msureIcouldneverhavelivedthereifIhadn’thadanimagination。Mr。Hammondworkedalittlesawmillupthere，andMrs。Hammondhadeightchildren。Shehadtwinsthreetimes。Ilikebabiesinmoderation，buttwinsthreetimesinsuccessionisTOOMUCH。ItoldMrs。
Hammondsofirmly，whenthelastpaircame。Iusedtogetsodreadfullytiredcarryingthemabout。
\"IlivedupriverwithMrs。Hammondovertwoyears，andthenMr。HammonddiedandMrs。Hammondbrokeuphousekeeping。ShedividedherchildrenamongherrelativesandwenttotheStates。IhadtogototheasylumatHopeton，becausenobodywouldtakeme。Theydidn’twantmeattheasylum，either；theysaidtheywereover-
crowdedasitwas。ButtheyhadtotakemeandIwastherefourmonthsuntilMrs。Spencercame。\"
Annefinishedupwithanothersigh，ofreliefthistime。
Evidentlyshedidnotliketalkingaboutherexperiencesinaworldthathadnotwantedher。
\"Didyouevergotoschool？\"demandedMarilla，turningthesorrelmaredowntheshoreroad。
\"Notagreatdeal。IwentalittlethelastyearIstayedwithMrs。Thomas。WhenIwentupriverweweresofarfromaschoolthatIcouldn’twalkitinwinterandtherewasavacationinsummer，soIcouldonlygointhespringandfall。ButofcourseIwentwhileIwasattheasylum。
IcanreadprettywellandIknoweversomanypiecesofpoetryoffbyheart——`TheBattleofHohenlinden’and`EdinburghafterFlodden，’and`BingenoftheRhine，’andlostofthe`LadyoftheLake’andmostof`TheSeasons’byJamesThompson。Don’tyoujustlovepoetrythatgivesyouacrinklyfeelingupanddownyourback？ThereisapieceintheFifthReader——`TheDownfallofPoland’——thatisjustfullofthrills。Ofcourse，Iwasn’tintheFifthReader——IwasonlyintheFourth——butthebiggirlsusedtolendmetheirstoread。\"
\"Werethosewomen——Mrs。ThomasandMrs。Hammond——goodtoyou？\"askedMarilla，lookingatAnneoutofthecornerofhereye。
\"O-o-o-h，\"falteredAnne。Hersensitivelittlefacesuddenlyflushedscarletandembarrassmentsatonherbrow。
\"Oh，theyMEANTtobe——Iknowtheymeanttobejustasgoodandkindaspossible。Andwhenpeoplemeantobegoodtoyou，youdon’tmindverymuchwhenthey’renotquite——always。Theyhadagooddealtoworrythem，youknow。It’sverytryingtohaveadrunkenhusband，yousee；
anditmustbeverytryingtohavetwinsthreetimesinsuccession，don’tyouthink？ButIfeelsuretheymeanttobegoodtome。\"
Marillaaskednomorequestions。AnnegaveherselfuptoasilentraptureovertheshoreroadandMarillaguidedthesorrelabstractedlywhileshepondereddeeply。Pitywassuddenlystirringinherheartforthechild。Whatastarved，unlovedlifeshehadhad——alifeofdrudgeryandpovertyandneglect；forMarillawasshrewdenoughtoreadbetweenthelinesofAnne’shistoryanddivinethetruth。Nowondershehadbeensodelightedattheprospectofarealhome。Itwasapityshehadtobesentback。
Whatifshe，Marilla，shouldindulgeMatthew’sunaccountablewhimandletherstay？Hewassetonit；andthechildseemedanice，teachablelittlething。
\"She’sgottoomuchtosay，\"thoughtMarilla，\"butshemightbetrainedoutofthat。Andthere’snothingrudeorslangyinwhatshedoessay。She’sladylike。It’slikelyherpeoplewerenicefolks。\"
Theshoreroadwas\"woodsyandwildandlonesome。\"
Ontherighthand，scrubfirs，theirspiritsquiteunbrokenbylongyearsoftusslewiththegulfwinds，grewthickly。
Ontheleftwerethesteepredsandstonecliffs，sonearthetrackinplacesthatamareoflesssteadinessthanthesorrelmighthavetriedthenervesofthepeoplebehindher。Downatthebaseofthecliffswereheapsofsurf-wornrocksorlittlesandycovesinlaidwithpebblesaswithoceanjewels；beyondlaythesea，shimmeringandblue，andoveritsoaredthegulls，theirpinionsflashingsilveryinthesunlight。
\"Isn’ttheseawonderful？\"saidAnne，rousingfromalong，wide-eyedsilence。\"Once，whenIlivedinMarysville，Mr。Thomashiredanexpresswagonandtookusalltospendthedayattheshoretenmilesaway。Ienjoyedeverymomentofthatday，evenifIhadtolookafterthechildrenallthetime。Iliveditoverinhappydreamsforyears。ButthisshoreisnicerthantheMarysvilleshore。
Aren’tthosegullssplendid？Wouldyouliketobeagull？
IthinkIwould——thatis，ifIcouldn’tbeahumangirl。
Don’tyouthinkitwouldbenicetowakeupatsunriseandswoopdownoverthewaterandawayoutoverthatlovelyblueallday；andthenatnighttoflybacktoone’snest？
Oh，Icanjustimaginemyselfdoingit。Whatbighouseisthatjustahead，please？\"
\"That’stheWhiteSandsHotel。Mr。Kirkerunsit，buttheseasonhasn’tbegunyet。ThereareheapsofAmericanscomethereforthesummer。Theythinkthisshoreisjustaboutright。\"
\"IwasafraiditmightbeMrs。Spencer’splace，\"saidAnnemournfully。\"Idon’twanttogetthere。Somehow，itwillseemliketheendofeverything。\"
CHAPTERVI
MarillaMakesUpHerMindGettheretheydid，however，indueseason。Mrs。SpencerlivedinabigyellowhouseatWhiteSandsCove，andshecametothedoorwithsurpriseandwelcomemingledonherbenevolentface。
\"Dear，dear，\"sheexclaimed，\"you’rethelastfolksIwaslookingfortoday，butI’mrealgladtoseeyou。You’llputyourhorsein？Andhowareyou，Anne？\"
\"I’maswellascanbeexpected，thankyou，\"saidAnnesmilelessly。Ablightseemedtohavedescendedonher。
\"Isupposewe’llstayalittlewhiletorestthemare，\"
saidMarilla，\"butIpromisedMatthewI’dbehomeearly。
Thefactis，Mrs。Spencer，there’sbeenaqueermistakesomewhere，andI’vecomeovertoseewhereitis。Wesendword，MatthewandI，foryoutobringusaboyfromtheasylum。WetoldyourbrotherRoberttotellyouwewantedaboytenorelevenyearsold。\"
\"MarillaCuthbert，youdon’tsayso！\"saidMrs。Spencerindistress。\"Why，RobertsentworddownbyhisdaughterNancyandshesaidyouwantedagirl——didn’tsheFloraJane？\"appealingtoherdaughterwhohadcomeouttothesteps。
\"Shecertainlydid，MissCuthbert，\"corroboratedFloraJaneearnestly。
I’mdreadfulsorry，\"saidMrs。Spencer。\"It’stoobad；
butitcertainlywasn’tmyfault，yousee，MissCuthbert。
IdidthebestIcouldandIthoughtIwasfollowingyourinstructions。Nancyisaterribleflightything。I’veoftenhadtoscoldherwellforherheedlessness。\"
\"Itwasourownfault，\"saidMarillaresignedly。\"Weshouldhavecometoyouourselvesandnotleftanimportantmessagetobepassedalongbywordofmouthinthatfashion。Anyhow，themistakehasbeenmadeandtheonlythingtodoistosetitright。Canwesendthechildbacktotheasylum？Isupposethey’lltakeherback，won’tthey？\"
\"Isupposeso，\"saidMrs。Spencerthoughtfully，\"butI
don’tthinkitwillbenecessarytosendherback。Mrs。
PeterBlewettwasuphereyesterday，andshewassayingtomehowmuchshewishedshe’dsentbymeforalittlegirltohelpher。Mrs。Peterhasalargefamily，youknow，andshefindsithardtogethelp。Annewillbetheverygirlforyou。Icallitpositivelyprovidential。\"
MarilladidnotlookasifshethoughtProvidencehadmuchtodowiththematter。Herewasanunexpectedlygoodchancetogetthisunwelcomeorphanoffherhands，andshedidnotevenfeelgratefulforit。
SheknewMrs。PeterBlewettonlybysightasasmall，shrewish-facedwomanwithoutanounceofsuperfluousfleshonherbones。Butshehadheardofher。\"Aterribleworkeranddriver，\"Mrs。Peterwassaidtobe；anddischargedservantgirlstoldfearsometalesofhertemperandstinginess，andherfamilyofpert，quarrelsomechildren。MarillafeltaqualmofconscienceatthethoughtofhandingAnneovertohertendermercies。
\"Well，I’llgoinandwe’lltalkthematterover，\"shesaid。
\"Andifthereisn’tMrs。Petercomingupthelanethisblessedminute！\"exclaimedMrs。Spencer，bustlinghergueststhroughthehallintotheparlor，whereadeadlychillstruckonthemasiftheairhadbeenstrainedsolongthroughdarkgreen，closelydrawnblindsthatithadlosteveryparticleofwarmthithadeverpossessed。\"Thatisreallucky，forwecansettlethematterrightaway。Takethearmchair，MissCuthbert。Anne，yousithereontheottomananddon’twiggle。Letmetakeyourhats。FloraJane，gooutandputthekettleon。Goodafternoon，Mrs。
Blewett。Wewerejustsayinghowfortunateitwasyouhappenedalong。Letmeintroduceyoutwoladies。Mrs。
Blewett，MissCuthbert。Pleaseexcusemeforjustamoment。
IforgottotellFloraJanetotakethebunsoutoftheoven。\"
Mrs。Spencerwhiskedaway，afterpullinguptheblinds。
Annesittingmutelyontheottoman，withherhandsclaspedtightlyinherlap，staredatMrsBlewettasonefascinated。Wasshetobegivenintothekeepingofthissharp-faced，sharp-eyedwoman？Shefeltalumpcomingupinherthroatandhereyessmartedpainfully。Shewasbeginningtobeafraidshecouldn’tkeepthetearsbackwhenMrs。Spencerreturned，flushedandbeaming，quitecapableoftakinganyandeverydifficulty，physical，mentalorspiritual，intoconsiderationandsettlingitoutofhand。
\"Itseemsthere’sbeenamistakeaboutthislittlegirl，Mrs。Blewett，\"shesaid。\"IwasundertheimpressionthatMr。andMissCuthbertwantedalittlegirltoadopt。Iwascertainlytoldso。Butitseemsitwasaboytheywanted。
Soifyou’restillofthesamemindyouwereyesterday，I
thinkshe’llbejustthethingforyou。\"
Mrs。BlewettdartedhereyesoverAnnefromheadtofoot。
\"Howoldareyouandwhat’syourname？\"shedemanded。
\"AnneShirley，\"falteredtheshrinkingchild，notdaringtomakeanystipulationsregardingthespellingthereof，\"andI’melevenyearsold。\"
\"Humph！Youdon’tlookasiftherewasmuchtoyou。
Butyou’rewiry。Idon’tknowbutthewiryonesarethebestafterall。Well，ifItakeyouyou’llhavetobeagoodgirl，youknow——goodandsmartandrespectful。I’llexpectyoutoearnyourkeep，andnomistakeaboutthat。
Yes，IsupposeImightaswelltakeheroffyourhands，MissCuthbert。Thebaby’sawfulfractious，andI’mcleanwornoutattendingtohim。IfyoulikeIcantakeherrighthomenow。\"
MarillalookedatAnneandsoftenedatsightofthechild’spalefacewithitslookofmutemisery——themiseryofahelplesslittlecreaturewhofindsitselfoncemorecaughtinthetrapfromwhichithadescaped。Marillafeltanuncomfortableconvictionthat，ifshedeniedtheappealofthatlook，itwouldhaunthertoherdyingday。More-
over，shedidnotfancyMrs。Blewett。Tohandasensitive，\"highstrung\"childovertosuchawoman！No，shecouldnottaketheresponsibilityofdoingthat！
\"Well，Idon’tknow，\"shesaidslowly。\"Ididn’tsaythatMatthewandIhadabsolutelydecidedthatwewouldn’tkeepher。InfactImaysaythatMatthewisdisposedtokeepher。Ijustcameovertofindouthowthemistakehadoccurred。IthinkI’dbettertakeherhomeagainandtalkitoverwithMatthew。IfeelthatIoughtn’ttodecideonanythingwithoutconsultinghim。Ifwemakeupourmindnottokeepherwe’llbringorsendherovertoyoutomorrownight。Ifwedon’tyoumayknowthatsheisgoingtostaywithus。Willthatsuityou，Mrs。Blewett？\"
\"Isupposeit’llhaveto，\"saidMrs。Blewettungraciously。
DuringMarilla’sspeechasunrisehadbeendawningonAnne’sface。Firstthelookofdespairfadedout；thencameafaintflushofhope；hereeyesgrewdeepandbrightasmorningstars。Thechildwasquitetransfigured；and，amomentlater，whenMrs。SpencerandMrs。BlewettwentoutinquestofarecipethelatterhadcometoborrowshesprangupandflewacrosstheroomtoMarilla。
\"Oh，MissCuthbert，didyoureallysaythatperhapsyouwouldletmestayatGreenGables？\"shesaid，inabreathlesswhisper，asifspeakingaloudmightshatterthegloriouspossibility。
\"Didyoureallysayit？OrdidIonlyimaginethatyoudid？\"
\"Ithinkyou’dbetterlearntocontrolthatimaginationofyours，Anne，ifyoucan’tdistinguishbetweenwhatisrealandwhatisn’t，\"saidMarillacrossly。\"Yes，youdidhearmesayjustthatandnomore。Itisn’tdecidedyetandperhapswewillconcludetoletMrs。Blewetttakeyouafterall。ShecertainlyneedsyoumuchmorethanIdo。\"
\"I’drathergobacktotheasylumthangotolivewithher，\"saidAnnepassionately。\"Shelooksexactlylikea——likeagimlet。\"
MarillasmotheredasmileundertheconvictionthatAnnemustbereprovedforsuchaspeech。
\"Alittlegirllikeyoushouldbeashamedoftalkingsoaboutaladyandastranger，\"shesaidseverely。\"Gobackandsitdownquietlyandholdyourtongueandbehaveasagoodgirlshould。\"
\"I’lltrytodoandbeanythingyouwantme，ifyou’llonlykeepme，\"saidAnne，returningmeeklytoherottoman。
WhentheyarrivedbackatGreenGablesthateveningMatthewmettheminthelane。Marillafromafarhadnotedhimprowlingalongitandguessedhismotive。ShewaspreparedforthereliefshereadinhisfacewhenhesawthatshehadatleastbroughtbackAnnebackwithher。Butshesaidnothing，tohim，relativetotheaffair，untiltheywerebothoutintheyardbehindthebarnmilkingthecows。ThenshebrieflytoldhimAnne’shistoryandtheresultoftheinterviewwithMrs。Spencer。
\"Iwouldn’tgiveadogIlikedtothatBlewettwoman，\"
saidMatthewwithunusualvim。\"
\"Idon’tfancyherstylemyself，\"admittedMarilla，\"butit’sthatorkeepingherourselves，Matthew。Andsinceyouseemtowanther，IsupposeI’mwilling——orhavetobe。I’vebeenthinkingovertheideauntilI’vegotkindofusedtoit。Itseemsasortofduty。I’veneverbroughtupachild，especiallyagirl，andIdaresayI’llmakeaterriblemessofit。ButI’lldomybest。SofarasI’mconcerned，Matthew，shemaystay。\"
Matthew’sshyfacewasaglowofdelight。
\"Wellnow，Ireckonedyou’dcometoseeitinthatlight，Marilla，\"hesaid。\"She’ssuchaninterestinglittlething。\"
\"It’dbemoretothepointifyoucouldsayshewasausefullittlething，\"retortedMarilla，\"butI’llmakeitmybusinesstoseeshe’strainedtobethat。Andmind，Matthew，you’renottogointerferingwithmymethods。
Perhapsanoldmaiddoesn’tknowmuchaboutbringingupachild，butIguesssheknowsmorethananoldbachelor。
Soyoujustleavemetomanageher。WhenIfailit’llbetimeenoughtoputyouroarin。\"
\"There，there，Marilla，youcanhaveyourownway，\"saidMatthewreassuringly。\"Onlybeasgoodandkindtoherasyoucanwithoutspoilingher。Ikindofthinkshe’soneofthesortyoucandoanythingwithifyouonlygethertoloveyou。\"
Marillasniffed，toexpresshercontemptforMatthew’sopinionsconcerninganythingfeminine，andwalkedofftothedairywiththepails。
\"Iwon’ttellhertonightthatshecanstay，\"shereflected，asshestrainedthemilkintothecreamers。\"She’dbesoexcitedthatshewouldn’tsleepawink。MarillaCuthbert，you’refairlyinforit。Didyoueversupposeyou’dseethedaywhenyou’dbeadoptinganorphangirl？It’ssurprisingenough；butnotsosurprisingasthatMatthewshouldbeatthebottomofit，himthatalwaysseemedtohavesuchamortaldreadoflittlegirls。Anyhow，we’vedecidedontheexperimentandgoodnessonlyknowswhatwillcomeofit。\"
CHAPTERVII
AnneSaysHerPrayersWhenMarillatookAnneuptobedthatnightshesaidstiffly:
\"Now，Anne，Inoticedlastnightthatyouthrewyourclothesallaboutthefloorwhenyoutookthemoff。Thatisaveryuntidyhabit，andIcan’tallowitatall。Assoonasyoutakeoffanyarticleofclothingfolditneatlyandplaceitonthechair。Ihaven’tanyuseatallforlittlegirlswhoaren’tneat。\"
\"IwassoharrowedupinmymindlastnightthatIdidn’tthinkaboutmyclothesatall，\"saidAnne。\"I’llfoldthemnicelytonight。Theyalwaysmadeusdothatattheasylum。Halfthetime，though，I’dforget，I’dbeinsuchahurrytogetintobedniceandquietandimaginethings。\"
\"You’llhavetorememberalittlebetterifyoustayhere，\"
admonishedMarilla。\"There，thatlookssomethinglike。
Sayyourprayersnowandgetintobed。\"
\"Ineversayanyprayers，\"announcedAnne。
Marillalookedhorrifiedastonishment。
\"Why，Anne，whatdoyoumean？Wereyounevertaughttosayyourprayers？Godalwayswantslittlegirlstosaytheirprayers。Don’tyouknowwhoGodis，Anne？\"
\"`Godisaspirit，infinite，eternalandunchangeable，inHisbeing，wisdom，power，holiness，justice，goodness，andtruth，’\"respondedAnnepromptlyandglibly。
Marillalookedratherrelieved。
\"Soyoudoknowsomethingthen，thankgoodness！You’renotquiteaheathen。Wheredidyoulearnthat？\"
\"Oh，attheasylumSunday-school。Theymadeuslearnthewholecatechism。Ilikeditprettywell。There’ssomethingsplendidaboutsomeofthewords。`Infinite，eternalandunchangeable。’Isn’tthatgrand？Ithassucharolltoit——justlikeabigorganplaying。Youcouldn’tquitecallitpoetry，Isuppose，butitsoundsalotlikeit，doesn’tit？\"
\"We’renottalkingaboutpoetry，Anne——wearetalkingaboutsayingyourprayers。Don’tyouknowit’saterriblewickedthingnottosayyourprayerseverynight？I’mafraidyouareaverybadlittlegirl。\"
\"You’dfinditeasiertobebadthangoodifyouhadredhair，\"saidAnnereproachfully。\"Peoplewhohaven’tredhairdon’tknowwhattroubleis。Mrs。ThomastoldmethatGodmademyhairredONPURPOSE，andI’venevercaredaboutHimsince。AndanyhowI’dalwaysbetootiredatnighttobothersayingprayers。Peoplewhohavetolookaftertwinscan’tbeexpectedtosaytheirprayers。Now，doyouhonestlythinktheycan？\"
MarilladecidedthatAnne’sreligioustrainingmustbebegunatonce。Plainlytherewasnotimetobelost。
\"Youmustsayyourprayerswhileyouareundermyroof，Anne。\"
\"Why，ofcourse，ifyouwantmeto，\"assentedAnnecheerfully。
\"I’ddoanythingtoobligeyou。Butyou’llhavetotellmewhattosayforthisonce。AfterIgetintobedI’llimagineoutarealniceprayertosayalways。Ibelievethatitwillbequiteinteresting，nowthatIcometothinkofit。\"
\"Youmustkneeldown，\"saidMarillainembarrassment。
AnnekneltatMarilla’skneeandlookedupgravely。
\"Whymustpeoplekneeldowntopray？\"IfIreallywantedtoprayI’lltellyouwhatI’ddo。I’dgooutintoagreatbigfieldallaloneorintothedeep，deep，woods，andI’dlookupintothesky——up——up——up——intothatlovelyblueskythatlooksasiftherewasnoendtoitsblueness。AndthenI’djustFEELaprayer。Well，I’mready。WhatamItosay？\"
Marillafeltmoreembarrassedthanever。ShehadintendedtoteachAnnethechildishclassic，\"NowIlaymedowntosleep。\"Butshehad，asIhavetoldyou，theglimmeringsofasenseofhumor——whichissimplyanothernameforasenseoffitnessofthings；anditsuddenlyoccurredtoherthatthatsimplelittleprayer，sacredtowhite-robedchildhoodlispingatmotherlyknees，wasentirelyunsuitedtothisfreckledwitchofagirlwhoknewandcarednothingboutGod’slove，sinceshehadneverhadittranslatedtoherthroughthemediumofhumanlove。
\"You’reoldenoughtoprayforyourself，Anne，\"shesaidfinally。\"JustthankGodforyourblessingsandaskHimhumblyforthethingsyouwant。\"
\"Well，I’lldomybest，\"promisedAnne，buryingherfaceinMarilla’slap。\"GraciousheavenlyFather——that’sthewaytheministerssayitinchurch，soIsupposeit’sallrightinprivateprayer，isn’tit？\"sheinterjected，liftingherheadforamoment。
\"GraciousheavenlyFather，IthankTheefortheWhiteWayofDelightandtheLakeofShiningWatersandBonnyandtheSnowQueen。I’mreallyextremelygratefulforthem。Andthat’salltheblessingsIcanthinkofjustnowtothankTheefor。AsforthethingsIwant，they’resonumerousthatitwouldtakeagreatdealoftimetonamethemallsoIwillonlymentionthetwomostimportant。PleaseletmestayatGreenGables；
andpleaseletmebegood-lookingwhenIgrowup。
Iremain，\"Yoursrespectfully，AnneShirley。
\"There，didIdoallright？\"sheaskedeagerly，gettingup。
\"IcouldhavemadeitmuchmorefloweryifI’dhadalittlemoretimetothinkitover。\"
PoorMarillawasonlypreservedfromcompletecollapsebyrememberingthatitwasnotirreverence，butsimplyspiritualignoranceonthepartofAnnethatwasresponsibleforthisextraordinarypetition。Shetuckedthechildupinbed，mentallyvowingthatsheshouldbetaughtaprayertheverynextday，andwasleavingtheroomwiththelightwhenAnnecalledherback。
\"I’vejustthoughtofitnow。Ishouldhavesaid，`Amen’inplaceof`yoursrespectfully，’shouldn’tI？——thewaytheministersdo。I’dforgottenit，butIfeltaprayershouldbefinishedoffinsomeway，soIputintheother。Doyousupposeitwillmakeanydifference？\"
\"I——Idon’tsupposeitwill，\"saidMarilla。\"Gotosleepnowlikeagoodchild。Goodnight。\"
\"Icanonlysaygoodnighttonightwithaclearconscience，\"
saidAnne，cuddlingluxuriouslydownamongherpillows。
Marillaretreatedtothekitchen，setthecandlefirmlyonthetable，andglaredatMatthew。
\"MatthewCuthbert，it’sabouttimesomebodyadoptedthatchildandtaughthersomething。She’snextdoortoaperfectheathen。Willyoubelievethatsheneversaidaprayerinherlifetilltonight？I’llsendhertothemansetomorrowandborrowthePeepoftheDayseries，that’swhatI’lldo。AndsheshallgotoSunday-schooljustassoonasIcangetsomesuitableclothesmadeforher。IforeseethatIshallhavemyhandsfull。Well，well，wecan’tgetthroughthisworldwithoutourshareoftrouble。I’vehadaprettyeasylifeofitsofar，butmytimehascomeatlastandIsupposeI’lljusthavetomakethebestofit。\"
CHAPTERVIII
Anne’sBringing-upIsBegunForreasonsbestknowntoherself，MarilladidnottellAnnethatshewastostayatGreenGablesuntilthenextafternoon。Duringtheforenoonshekeptthechildbusywithvarioustasksandwatchedoverherwithakeeneyewhileshedidthem。BynoonshehadconcludedthatAnnewassmartandobedient，willingtoworkandquicktolearn；
hermostseriousshortcomingseemedtobeatendencytofallintodaydreamsinthemiddleofataskandforgetallaboutituntilsuchtimeasshewassharplyrecalledtoearthbyareprimandoracatastrophe。
WhenAnnehadfinishedwashingthedinnerdishesshesuddenlyconfrontedMarillawiththeairandexpressionofonedesperatelydeterminedtolearntheworst。Herthinlittlebodytrembledfromheadtofoot；herfaceflushedandhereyesdilateduntiltheywerealmostblack；sheclaspedherhandstightlyandsaidinanimploringvoice:
\"Oh，please，MissCuthbert，won’tyoutellmeifyouaregoingtosendmeawayornot？\"I’vetriedtobepatientallthemorning，butIreallyfeelthatIcannotbearnotknowinganylonger。
It’sadreadfulfeeling。Pleasetellme。\"
\"Youhaven’tscaldedthedishclothincleanhotwaterasI
toldyoutodo，\"saidMarillaimmovably。\"Justgoanddoitbeforeyouaskanymorequestions，Anne。\"
Annewentandattendedtothedishcloth。ThenshereturnedtoMarillaandfastenedimploringeyesofthelatter’sface。
\"Well，\"saidMarilla，unabletofindanyexcusefordeferringherexplanationlonger，\"IsupposeImightaswelltellyou。
MatthewandIhavedecidedtokeepyou——thatis，ifyouwilltrytobeagoodlittlegirlandshowyourselfgrateful。
Why，child，whateveristhematter？\"
\"I’mcrying，\"saidAnneinatoneofbewilderment。\"Ican’tthinkwhy。I’mgladasgladcanbe。Oh，GLADdoesn’tseemtherightwordatall。IwasgladabouttheWhiteWayandthecherryblossoms——butthis！Oh，it’ssomethingmorethanglad。I’msohappy。I’lltrytobesogood。Itwillbeuphillwork，Iexpect，forMrs。ThomasoftentoldmeIwasdesperatelywicked。However，I’lldomyverybest。ButcanyoutellmewhyI’mcrying？\"
\"Isupposeit’sbecauseyou’reallexcitedandworkedup，\"
saidMarilladisapprovingly。\"Sitdownonthatchairandtrytocalmyourself。I’mafraidyoubothcryandlaughfartooeasily。Yes，youcanstayhereandwewilltrytodorightbyyou。Youmustgotoschool；butit’sonlyafortnighttillvacationsoitisn’tworthwhileforyoutostartbeforeitopensagaininSeptember。\"
\"WhatamItocallyou？\"askedAnne。\"ShallIalwayssayMissCuthbert？CanIcallyouAuntMarilla？\"
\"No；you’llcallmejustplainMarilla。I’mnotusedtobeingcalledMissCuthbertanditwouldmakemenervous。\"
\"ItsoundsawfullydisrespectfultojustsayMarilla，\"
protestedAnne。
\"Iguessthere’llbenothingdisrespectfulinitifyou’recarefultospeakrespectfully。Everybody，youngandold，inAvonleacallsmeMarillaexcepttheminister。HesaysMissCuthbert——whenhethinksofit。\"
\"I’dlovetocallyouAuntMarilla，\"saidAnnewistfully。
\"I’veneverhadanauntoranyrelationatall——notevenagrandmother。ItwouldmakemefeelasifIreallybelongedtoyou。Can’tIcallyouAuntMarilla？\"
\"No。I’mnotyourauntandIdon’tbelieveincallingpeoplenamesthatdon’tbelongtothem。\"
\"Butwecouldimagineyouweremyaunt。\"
\"Icouldn’t，\"saidMarillagrimly。
\"Doyouneverimaginethingsdifferentfromwhattheyreallyare？\"askedAnnewide-eyed。
\"No。\"
\"Oh！\"Annedrewalongbreath。\"Oh，Miss——Marilla，howmuchyoumiss！\"
\"Idon’tbelieveinimaginingthingsdifferentfromwhattheyreallyare，\"retortedMarilla。\"WhentheLordputsusincertaincircumstancesHedoesn’tmeanforustoimaginethemaway。Andthatremindsme。Gointothesittingroom，Anne——besureyourfeetarecleananddon’tletanyfliesin——andbringmeouttheillustratedcardthat’sonthemantelpiece。TheLord’sPrayerisonitandyou’lldevoteyoursparetimethisafternoontolearningitoffbyheart。There’stobenomoreofsuchprayingasIheardlastnight。\"
\"IsupposeIwasveryawkward，\"saidAnneapologetically，\"butthen，yousee，I’dneverhadanypractice。Youcouldn’treallyexpectapersontoprayverywellthefirsttimeshetried，couldyou？IthoughtoutasplendidprayerafterIwenttobed，justasIpromisedyouIwould。Itwasnearlyaslongasaminister’sandsopoetical。Butwouldyoubelieveit？Icouldn’trememberonewordwhenIwokeupthismorning。AndI’mafraidI’llneverbeabletothinkoutanotheroneasgood。Somehow，thingsneveraresogoodwhenthey’rethoughtoutasecondtime。Haveyouevernoticedthat？\"
\"Hereissomethingforyoutonotice，Anne。WhenItellyoutodoathingIwantyoutoobeymeatonceandnotstandstock-stillanddiscourseaboutit。JustyougoanddoasIbidyou。\"
Annepromptlydepartedforthesitting-roomacrossthehall；
shefailedtoreturn；afterwaitingtenminutesMarillalaiddownherknittingandmarchedafterherwithagrimexpression。
ShefoundAnnestandingmotionlessbeforeapicturehangingonthewallbetweenthetwowindows，withhereyesastarwithdreams。Thewhiteandgreenlightstrainedthroughappletreesandclusteringvinesoutsidefellovertheraptlittlefigurewithahalf-unearthlyradiance。
\"Anne，whateverareyouthinkingof？\"demandedMarillasharply。
Annecamebacktoearthwithastart。
\"That，\"shesaid，pointingtothepicture——arathervividchromoentitled，\"ChristBlessingLittleChildren\"——\"andI
wasjustimaginingIwasoneofthem——thatIwasthelittlegirlinthebluedress，standingoffbyherselfinthecornerasifshedidn’tbelongtoanybody，likeme。Shelookslonelyandsad，don’tyouthink？Iguessshehadn’tanyfatherormotherofherown。Butshewantedtobeblessed，too，soshejustcreptshylyupontheoutsideofthecrowd，hopingnobodywouldnoticeher——exceptHim。I’msureIknowjusthowshefelt。Herheartmusthavebeatandherhandsmusthavegotcold，likeminedidwhenIaskedyouifIcouldstay。ShewasafraidHemightn’tnoticeher。
Butit’slikelyHedid，don’tyouthink？I’vebeentryingtoimagineitallout——heredgingalittlenearerallthetimeuntilshewasquiteclosetoHim；andthenHewouldlookatherandputHishandonherhairandoh，suchathrillofjoyaswouldrunoverher！ButIwishtheartisthadn’tpaintedHimsosorrowfullooking。AllHispicturesarelikethat，ifyou’venoticed。ButIdon’tbelieveHecouldreallyhavelookedsosadorthechildrenwouldhavebeenafraidofHim。\"
\"Anne，\"saidMarilla，wonderingwhyshehadnotbrokenintothisspeechlongbefore，\"youshouldn’ttalkthatway。It’sirreverent——positivelyirreverent。\"
Anne’seyesmarveled。
\"Why，Ifeltjustasreverentascouldbe。I’msureI
didn’tmeantobeirreverent。\"
\"WellIdon’tsupposeyoudid——butitdoesn’tsoundrighttotalksofamiliarlyaboutsuchthings。Andanotherthing，Anne，whenIsendyouaftersomethingyou’retobringitatonceandnotfallintomooningandimaginingbeforepictures。Rememberthat。Takethatcardandcomerighttothekitchen。Now，sitdowninthecornerandlearnthatprayeroffbyheart。\"
Annesetthecardupagainstthejugfulofappleblossomsshehadbroughtintodecoratethedinnertable——Marillahadeyedthatdecorationaskance，buthadsaidnothing——
proppedherchinonherhands，andfelltostudyingitintentlyforseveralsilentminutes。
\"Ilikethis，\"sheannouncedatlength。\"It’sbeautiful。
I’vehearditbefore——IheardthesuperintendentoftheasylumSundayschoolsayitoveronce。ButIdidn’tlikeitthen。Hehadsuchacrackedvoiceandheprayeditsomournfully。Ireallyfeltsurehethoughtprayingwasadisagreeableduty。Thisisn’tpoetry，butitmakesmefeeljustthesamewaypoetrydoes。`OurFatherwhoartinheavenhallowedbeThyname。’Thatisjustlikealineofmusic。
Oh，I’msogladyouthoughtofmakingmelearnthis，Miss——
Marilla。\"
\"Well，learnitandholdyourtongue，\"saidMarillashortly。
Annetippedthevaseofappleblossomsnearenoughtobestowasoftkissonapink-cuppedbut，andthenstudieddiligentlyforsomemomentslonger。
\"Marilla，\"shedemandedpresently，\"doyouthinkthatI
shalleverhaveabosomfriendinAvonlea？\"
\"A——awhatkindoffriend？\"
\"Abosomfriend——anintimatefriend，youknow——areallykindredspirittowhomIcanconfidemyinmostsoul。I’vedreamedofmeetingherallmylife。IneverreallysupposedIwould，butsomanyofmyloveliestdreamshavecometrueallatoncethatperhapsthisonewill，too。Doyouthinkit’spossible？\"
\"DianaBarrylivesoveratOrchardSlopeandshe’saboutyourage。She’saverynicelittlegirl，andperhapsshewillbeaplaymateforyouwhenshecomeshome。She’svisitingherauntoveratCarmodyjustnow。You’llhavetobecarefulhowyoubehaveyourself，though。Mrs。Barryisaveryparticularwoman。Shewon’tletDianaplaywithanylittlegirlwhoisn’tniceandgood。\"
AnnelookedatMarillathroughtheappleblossoms，hereyesaglowwithinterest。
\"WhatisDianalike？Herhairisn’tred，isit？Oh，Ihopenot。It’sbadenoughtohaveredhairmyself，butI
positivelycouldn’tendureitinabosomfriend。\"
\"Dianaisaveryprettylittlegirl。Shehasblackeyesandhairandrosycheeks。Andsheisgoodandsmart，whichisbetterthanbeingpretty。\"
MarillawasasfondofmoralsastheDuchessinWonderland，andwasfirmlyconvincedthatoneshouldbetackedontoeveryremarkmadetoachildwhowasbeingbroughtup。
ButAnnewavedthemoralinconsequentlyasideandseizedonlyonthedelightfulpossibilitiesbeforeit。
\"Oh，I’msogladshe’spretty。Nexttobeingbeautifuloneself——andthat’simpossibleinmycase——itwouldbebesttohaveabeautifulbosomfriend。WhenIlivedwithMrs。Thomasshehadabookcaseinhersittingroomwithglassdoors。Thereweren’tanybooksinit；Mrs。Thomaskeptherbestchinaandherpreservesthere——whenshehadanypreservestokeep。Oneofthedoorswasbroken。
Mr。Thomassmasheditonenightwhenhewasslightlyintoxicated。ButtheotherwaswholeandIusedtopretendthatmyreflectioninitwasanotherlittlegirlwholivedinit。IcalledherKatieMaurice，andwewereveryintimate。Iusedtotalktoherbythehour，especiallyonSunday，andtellhereverything。Katiewasthecomfortandconsolationofmylife。WeusedtopretendthatthebookcasewasenchantedandthatifIonlyknewthespellIcouldopenthedoorandsteprightintotheroomwhereKatieMauricelived，insteadofintoMrs。Thomas’shelvesofpreservesandchina。AndthenKatieMauricewouldhavetakenmebythehandandledmeoutintoawonderfulplace，allflowersandsunshineandfairies，andwewouldhavelivedtherehappyforeverafter。WhenIwenttolivewithMrs。HammonditjustbrokemyhearttoleaveKatieMaurice。
Shefeltitdreadfully，too，Iknowshedid，forshewascryingwhenshekissedmegood-byethroughthebookcasedoor。TherewasnobookcaseatMrs。Hammond’s。Butjustuptheriveralittlewayfromthehousetherewasalonggreenlittlevalley，andtheloveliestecholivedthere。
Itechoedbackeverywordyousaid，evenifyoudidn’ttalkabitloud。SoIimaginedthatitwasalittlegirlcalledViolettaandweweregreatfriendsandIlovedheralmostaswellasIlovedKatieMaurice——notquite，butalmost，youknow。ThenightbeforeIwenttotheasylumIsaidgood-byetoVioletta，andoh，hergood-byecamebacktomeinsuchsad，sadtones。IhadbecomesoattachedtoherthatIhadn’tthehearttoimagineabosomfriendattheasylum，eveniftherehadbeenanyscopeforimaginationthere。\"
\"Ithinkit’sjustaswelltherewasn’t，\"saidMarilladrily。
\"Idon’tapproveofsuchgoings-on。Youseemtohalfbelieveyourownimaginations。Itwillbewellforyoutohaveareallivefriendtoputsuchnonsenseoutofyourhead。Butdon’tletMrs。BarryhearyoutalkingaboutyourKatieMauricesandyourViolettasorshe’llthinkyoutellstories。\"
\"Oh，Iwon’t。Icouldn’ttalkofthemtoeverybody——theirmemoriesaretoosacredforthat。ButIthoughtI’dliketohaveyouknowaboutthem。Oh，look，here’sabigbeejusttumbledoutofanappleblossom。Justthinkwhatalovelyplacetolive——inanappleblossom！Fancygoingtosleepinitwhenthewindwasrockingit。IfIwasn’tahumangirlIthinkI’dliketobeabeeandliveamongtheflowers。\"
\"Yesterdayyouwantedtobeaseagull，\"sniffedMarilla。
\"Ithinkyouareveryfickleminded。Itoldyoutolearnthatprayerandnottalk。Butitseemsimpossibleforyoutostoptalkingifyou’vegotanybodythatwilllistentoyou。Sogouptoyourroomandlearnit。\"
\"Oh，Iknowitprettynearlyallnow——allbutjustthelastline。\"
\"Well，nevermind，doasItellyou。Gotoyourroomandfinishlearningitwell，andstaythereuntilIcallyoudowntohelpmegettea。\"
\"CanItaketheappleblossomswithmeforcompany？\"
pleadedAnne。
\"No；youdon’twantyourroomclutteredupwithflowers。
Youshouldhaveleftthemonthetreeinthefirstplace。\"
\"Ididfeelalittlethatway，too，\"saidAnne。\"IkindoffeltIshouldn’tshortentheirlovelylivesbypickingthem——Iwouldn’twanttobepickedifIwereanappleblossom。
ButthetemptationwasIRRESISTIBLE。Whatdoyoudowhenyoumeetwithanirresistibletemptation？\"
\"Anne，didyouhearmetellyoutogotoyourroom？\"
Annesighed，retreatedtotheeastgable，andsatdowninachairbythewindow。
\"There——Iknowthisprayer。Ilearnedthatlastsentencecomingupstairs。NowI’mgoingtoimaginethingsintothisroomsothatthey’llalwaysstayimagined。Theflooriscoveredwithawhitevelvetcarpetwithpinkrosesalloveritandtherearepinksilkcurtainsatthewindows。Thewallsarehungwithgoldandsilverbrocadetapestry。Thefurnitureismahogany。Ineversawanymahogany，butitdoessoundSOluxurious。Thisisacouchallheapedwithgorgeoussilkencushions，pinkandblueandcrimsonandgold，andIamreclininggracefullyonit。Icanseemyreflectioninthatsplendidbigmirrorhangingonthewall。
Iamtallandregal，cladinagownoftrailingwhitelace，withapearlcrossonmybreastandpearlsinmyhair。Myhairisofmidnightdarknessandmyskinisaclearivorypallor。MynameistheLadyCordeliaFitzgerald。No，itisn’t——Ican’tmakeTHATseemreal。\"
Shedanceduptothelittlelooking-glassandpeeredintoit。Herpointedfreckledfaceandsolemngrayeyespeeredbackather。
\"You’reonlyAnneofGreenGables，\"shesaidearnestly，\"andIseeyou，justasyouarelookingnow，wheneverI
trytoimagineI’mtheLadyCordelia。Butit’samilliontimesnicertobeAnneofGreenGablesthanAnneofnowhereinparticular，isn’tit？\"
Shebentforward，kissedherreflectionaffectionately，andbetookherselftotheopenwindow\"DearSnowQueen，goodafternoon。Andgoodafternoondearbirchesdowninthehollow。Andgoodafternoon，deargrayhouseuponthehill。IwonderifDianaistobemybosomfriend。Ihopeshewill，andIshallloveherverymuch。ButImustneverquiteforgetKatieMauriceandVioletta。TheywouldfeelsohurtifIdidandI’dhatetohurtanybody’sfeelings，evenalittlebookcasegirl’soralittleechogirl’s。Imustbecarefultorememberthemandsendthemakisseveryday。\"
Anneblewacoupleofairykissesfromherfingertipspastthecherryblossomsandthen，withherchininherhands，driftedluxuriouslyoutonaseaofdaydreams。
CHAPTERIX
Mrs。RachelLyndeIsProperlyHorrifiedAnnehadbeenafortnightatGreenGablesbeforeMrs。
Lyndearrivedtoinspecther。Mrs。Rachel，todoherjustice，wasnottoblameforthis。Asevereandunseason-ableattackofgrippehadconfinedthatgoodladytoherhouseeversincetheoccasionofherlastvisittoGreenGables。Mrs。Rachelwasnotoftensickandhadawell-
definedcontemptforpeoplewhowere；butgrippe，sheasserted，waslikenootherillnessonearthandcouldonlybeinterpretedasoneofthespecialvisitationsofProvidence。Assoonasherdoctorallowedhertoputherfootout-of-doorsshehurrieduptoGreenGables，burstingwithcuriositytoseeMatthewandMarilla’sorphan，concerningwhomallsortsofstoriesandsuppositionshadgoneabroadinAvonlea。
Annehadmadegooduseofeverywakingmomentofthatfortnight。
Alreadyshewasacquaintedwitheverytreeandshrubabouttheplace。Shehaddiscoveredthatalaneopenedoutbelowtheappleorchardandranupthroughabeltofwoodland；andshehadexploredittoitsfurthestendinallitsdeliciousvagariesofbrookandbridge，fircoppiceandwildcherryarch，cornersthickwithfern，andbranchingbywaysofmapleandmountainash。
Shehadmadefriendswiththespringdowninthehollow——
thatwonderfuldeep，clearicy-coldspring；itwassetaboutwithsmoothredsandstonesandrimmedinbygreatpalm-likeclumpsofwaterfern；andbeyonditwasalogbridgeoverthebrook。