Dianawasnotthemostdiscerningofmortals，butjustatthismomentitstruckherthatAnnewasnotlookingexactlyoverjoyed。
Thesurprisewasthere，beyonddoubt——butwherewasthedelight？
\"Why，Anne，youdon’tseemabitpleased！\"sheexclaimed。
Anneinstantlymanufacturedasmileandputiton。
\"OfcourseIcouldn’tbeanythingbutpleasedoveryourunselfishwishtogivemepleasure，\"shesaidslowly。\"Butyouknow——I’msoamazed——Ican’trealizeit——andIdon’tunderstand。Therewasn’tawordinmystoryabout——about——\"Annechokedalittleovertheword——\"bakingpowder。\"
\"Oh，_I_putthatin，\"saidDiana，reassured。\"Itwasaseasyaswink——andofcoursemyexperienceinouroldStoryClubhelpedme。
YouknowthescenewhereAverilmakesthecake？Well，IjuststatedthatsheusedtheRollingsReliableinit，andthatwaswhyitturnedoutsowell；andthen，inthelastparagraph，wherePERCEVALclaspsAVERILinhisarmsandsays，`Sweetheart，thebeautifulcomingyearswillbringusthefulfilmentofourhomeofdreams，’Iadded，`inwhichwewillneveruseanybakingpowderexceptRollingsReliable。’\"
\"Oh，\"gaspedpoorAnne，asifsomeonehaddashedcoldwateronher。
\"Andyou’vewonthetwenty-fivedollars，\"continuedDianajubilantly。
\"Why，IheardPriscillasayoncethattheCanadianWomanonlypaysfivedollarsforastory！\"
Anneheldoutthehatefulpinkslipinshakingfingers。
\"Ican’ttakeit——it’syoursbyright，Diana。Yousentthestoryinandmadethealterations。I——Iwouldcertainlyneverhavesentit。Soyoumusttakethecheck。\"
\"I’dliketoseemyself，\"saidDianascornfully。\"Why，whatI
didwasn’tanytrouble。Thehonorofbeingafriendoftheprizewinnerisenoughforme。Well，Imustgo。Ishouldhavegonestraighthomefromthepostofficeforwehavecompany。
ButIsimplyhadtocomeandhearthenews。I’msogladforyoursake，Anne。\"
Annesuddenlybentforward，putherarmsaboutDiana，andkissedhercheek。
\"Ithinkyouarethesweetestandtruestfriendintheworld，Diana，\"shesaid，withalittletrembleinhervoice，\"andI
assureyouIappreciatethemotiveofwhatyou’vedone。\"
Diana，pleasedandembarrassed，gotherselfaway，andpoorAnne，afterflingingtheinnocentcheckintoherbureaudrawerasifitwereblood-money，castherselfonherbedandwepttearsofshameandoutragedsensibility。Oh，shecouldneverlivethisdown——never！
Gilbertarrivedatdusk，brimmingoverwithcongratulations，forhehadcalledatOrchardSlopeandheardthenews。ButhiscongratulationsdiedonhislipsatsightofAnne’sface。
\"Why，Anne，whatisthematter？IexpectedtofindyouradiantoverwinningRollingsReliableprize。Goodforyou！\"
\"Oh，Gilbert，notyou，\"imploredAnne，inanET-TUBRUTEtone。
\"IthoughtYOUwouldunderstand。Can’tyouseehowawfulitis？\"
\"ImustconfessIcan’t。WHATiswrong？\"
\"Everything，\"moanedAnne。\"IfeelasifIweredisgracedforever。
Whatdoyouthinkamotherwouldfeellikeifshefoundherchildtattooedoverwithabakingpowderadvertisement？
Ifeeljustthesame。Ilovedmypoorlittlestory，andI
wroteitoutofthebestthatwasinme。AnditisSACRILEGEtohaveitdegradedtothelevelofabakingpowderadvertisement。
Don’tyourememberwhatProfessorHamiltonusedtotellusintheliteratureclassatQueen’s？Hesaidwewerenevertowriteawordforaloworunworthymotive，butalwaystoclingtotheveryhighestideals。WhatwillhethinkwhenhehearsI’vewrittenastorytoadvertiseRollingsReliable？And，oh，whenitgetsoutatRedmond！ThinkhowI’llbeteasedandlaughedat！\"
\"Thatyouwon’t，\"saidGilbert，wonderinguneasilyifitwerethatconfoundedJunior’sopinioninparticularoverwhichAnnewasworried。\"TheRedswillthinkjustasIthought——thatyou，beinglikenineoutoftenofus，notoverburdenedwithworldlywealth，hadtakenthiswayofearninganhonestpennytohelpyourselfthroughtheyear。Idon’tseethatthere’sanythingloworunworthyaboutthat，oranythingridiculouseither。Onewouldratherwritemasterpiecesofliteraturenodoubt——butmeanwhileboardandtuitionfeeshavetobepaid。\"
Thiscommonsense，matter-of-factviewofthecasecheeredAnnealittle。Atleastitremovedherdreadofbeinglaughedat，thoughthedeeperhurtofanoutragedidealremained。
ChapterXVI
AdjustedRelationships\"It’sthehomiestspotIeversaw——it’shomierthanhome，\"
avowedPhilippaGordon，lookingaboutherwithdelightedeyes。
Theywereallassembledattwilightinthebigliving-roomatPatty’sPlace——AnneandPriscilla，PhilandStella，AuntJamesina，Rusty，Joseph，theSarah-Cat，andGogandMagog。Thefirelightshadowsweredancingoverthewalls；thecatswerepurring；
andahugebowlofhothousechrysanthemums，senttoPhilbyoneofthevictims，shonethroughthegoldengloomlikecreamymoons。
Itwasthreeweekssincetheyhadconsideredthemselvessettled，andalreadyallbelievedtheexperimentwouldbeasuccess。Thefirstfortnightaftertheirreturnhadbeenapleasantlyexcitingone；theyhadbeenbusysettinguptheirhouseholdgoods，organizingtheirlittleestablishment，andadjustingdifferentopinions。
Annewasnotover-sorrytoleaveAvonleawhenthetimecametoreturntocollege。Thelastfewdaysofhervacationhadnotbeenpleasant。HerprizestoryhadbeenpublishedintheIslandpapers；andMr。WilliamBlairhad，uponthecounterofhisstore，ahugepileofpink，greenandyellowpamphlets，containingit，oneofwhichhegavetoeverycustomer。HesentacomplimentarybundletoAnne，whopromptlydroppedthemallinthekitchenstove。Herhumiliationwastheconsequenceofherownidealsonly，forAvonleafolksthoughtitquitesplendidthatsheshouldhavewontheprize。Hermanyfriendsregardedherwithhonestadmiration；herfewfoeswithscornfulenvy。
JosiePyesaidshebelievedAnneShirleyhadjustcopiedthestory；
shewassuresherememberedreadingitinapaperyearsbefore。
TheSloanes，whohadfoundoutorguessedthatCharliehadbeen\"turneddown，\"saidtheydidn’tthinkitwasmuchtobeproudof；
almostanyonecouldhavedoneit，ifshetried。AuntAtossatoldAnneshewasverysorrytohearshehadtakentowritingnovels；nobodybornandbredinAvonleawoulddoit；thatwaswhatcameofadoptingorphansfromgoodnessknewwhere，withgoodnessknewwhatkindofparents。EvenMrs。RachelLyndewasdarklydubiousabouttheproprietyofwritingfiction，thoughshewasalmostreconciledtoitbythattwenty-fivedollarcheck。
\"Itisperfectlyamazing，thepricetheypayforsuchlies，that’swhat，\"shesaid，half-proudly，half-severely。
Allthingsconsidered，itwasareliefwhengoing-awaytimecame。
AnditwasveryjollytobebackatRedmond，awise，experiencedSophwithhostsoffriendstogreetonthemerryopeningday。
PrisandStellaandGilbertwerethere，CharlieSloane，lookingmoreimportantthaneveraSophomorelookedbefore，Phil，withtheAlec-and-Alonzoquestionstillunsettled，andMoodySpurgeonMacPherson。MoodySpurgeonhadbeenteachingschooleversinceleavingQueen’s，buthismotherhadconcludeditwashightimehegaveitupandturnedhisattentiontolearninghowtobeaminister。PoorMoodySpurgeonfellonhardluckattheverybeginningofhiscollegecareer。HalfadozenruthlessSophs，whowereamonghisfellow-boarders，swoopeddownuponhimonenightandshavedhalfofhishead。InthisguisethelucklessMoodySpurgeonhadtogoaboutuntilhishairgrewagain。HetoldAnnebitterlythatthereweretimeswhenhehadhisdoubtsastowhetherhewasreallycalledtobeaminister。
AuntJamesinadidnotcomeuntilthegirlshadPatty’sPlacereadyforher。MissPattyhadsentthekeytoAnne，withaletterinwhichshesaidGogandMagogwerepackedinaboxunderthespare-roombed，butmightbetakenoutwhenwanted；inapostscriptsheaddedthatshehopedthegirlswouldbecarefulaboutputtinguppictures。ThelivingroomhadbeennewlypaperedfiveyearsbeforeandsheandMissMariadidnotwantanymoreholesmadeinthatnewpaperthanwasabsolutelynecessary。
FortherestshetrustedeverythingtoAnne。
Howthosegirlsenjoyedputtingtheirnestinorder！AsPhilsaid，itwasalmostasgoodasgettingmarried。Youhadthefunofhomemakingwithoutthebotherofahusband。Allbroughtsomethingwiththemtoadornormakecomfortablethelittlehouse。PrisandPhilandStellahadknick-knacksandpicturesgalore，whichlattertheyproceededtohangaccordingtotaste，inrecklessdisregardofMissPatty’snewpaper。
\"We’llputtytheholesupwhenweleave，dear——she’llneverknow，\"
theysaidtoprotestingAnne。
DianahadgivenAnneapineneedlecushionandMissAdahadgivenbothherandPriscillaafearfullyandwonderfullyembroideredone。
Marillahadsentabigboxofpreserves，anddarklyhintedatahamperforThanksgiving，andMrs。LyndegaveAnneapatchworkquiltandloanedherfivemore。
\"Youtakethem，\"shesaidauthoritatively。\"Theymightaswellbeinuseaspackedawayinthattrunkinthegarretformothstognaw。\"
Nomothswouldeverhaveventurednearthosequilts，fortheyreekedofmothballstosuchanextentthattheyhadtobehungintheorchardofPatty’sPlaceafullfortnightbeforetheycouldbeenduredindoors。Verily，aristocraticSpoffordAvenuehadrarelybeheldsuchadisplay。Thegruffoldmillionairewholived\"nextdoor\"cameoverandwantedtobuythegorgeousredandyellow\"tulip-pattern\"onewhichMrs。RachelhadgivenAnne。
Hesaidhismotherusedtomakequiltslikethat，andbyJove，hewantedonetoremindhimofher。Annewouldnotsellit，muchtohisdisappointment，butshewroteallaboutittoMrs。Lynde。
Thathighly-gratifiedladysentwordbackthatshehadonejustlikeittospare，sothetobaccokinggothisquiltafterall，andinsistedonhavingitspreadonhisbed，tothedisgustofhisfashionablewife。
Mrs。Lynde’squiltsservedaveryusefulpurposethatwinter。
Patty’sPlaceforallitsmanyvirtues，haditsfaultsalso。
Itwasreallyarathercoldhouse；andwhenthefrostynightscamethegirlswereverygladtosnuggledownunderMrs。Lynde’squilts，andhopedthattheloanofthemmightbeaccounteduntoherforrighteousness。Annehadtheblueroomshehadcovetedatsight。PriscillaandStellahadthelargeone。Philwasblissfullycontentwiththelittleoneoverthekitchen；andAuntJamesinawastohavethedownstairsoneofftheliving-room。
Rustyatfirstsleptonthedoorstep。
Anne，walkinghomefromRedmondafewdaysafterherreturn，becameawarethatthepeoplethatshemetsurveyedherwithacovert，indulgentsmile。Annewondereduneasilywhatwasthematterwithher。Washerhatcrooked？Washerbeltloose？
Craningherheadtoinvestigate，Anne，forthefirsttime，sawRusty。
Trottingalongbehindher，closetoherheels，wasquitethemostforlornspecimenofthecattribeshehadeverbeheld。
Theanimalwaswellpastkitten-hood，lank，thin，disreputablelooking。Piecesofbothearswerelacking，oneeyewastemporarilyoutofrepair，andonejowlludicrouslyswollen。
Asforcolor，ifaonceblackcathadbeenwellandthoroughlysingedtheresultwouldhaveresembledthehueofthiswaif’sthin，draggled，unsightlyfur。
Anne\"shooed，\"butthecatwouldnot\"shoo。\"Aslongasshestoodhesatbackonhishaunchesandgazedatherreproachfullyoutofhisonegoodeye；whensheresumedherwalkhefollowed。
AnneresignedherselftohiscompanyuntilshereachedthegateofPatty’sPlace，whichshecoldlyshutinhisface，fondlysupposingshehadseenthelastofhim。Butwhen，fifteenminuteslater，Philopenedthedoor，theresattherusty-browncatonthestep。More，hepromptlydartedinandspranguponAnne’slapwithahalf-pleading，half-triumphant\"miaow。\"
\"Anne，\"saidStellaseverely，\"doyouownthatanimal？\"
\"No，IdoNOT，\"protesteddisgustedAnne。\"Thecreaturefollowedmehomefromsomewhere。Icouldn’tgetridofhim。Ugh，getdown。
Ilikedecentcatsreasonablywell；butIdon’tlikebeastiesofyourcomplexion。\"
Pussy，however，refusedtogetdown。HecoollycurledupinAnne’slapandbegantopurr。
\"Hehasevidentlyadoptedyou，\"laughedPriscilla。
\"Iwon’tBEadopted，\"saidAnnestubbornly。
\"Thepoorcreatureisstarving，\"saidPhilpityingly。\"Why，hisbonesarealmostcomingthroughhisskin。\"
\"Well，I’llgivehimasquaremealandthenhemustreturntowhencehecame，\"saidAnneresolutely。
Thecatwasfedandputout。Inthemorninghewasstillonthedoorstep。Onthedoorstephecontinuedtosit，boltinginwheneverthedoorwasopened。Nocoolnessofwelcomehadtheleasteffectonhim；ofnobodysaveAnnedidhetaketheleastnotice。Outofcompassionthegirlsfedhim；butwhenaweekhadpassedtheydecidedthatsomethingmustbedone。
Thecat’sappearancehadimproved。Hiseyeandcheekhadresumedtheirnormalappearance；hewasnotquitesothin；
andhehadbeenseenwashinghisface。
\"Butforallthatwecan’tkeephim，\"saidStella。\"AuntJimsieiscomingnextweekandshewillbringtheSarah-catwithher。
Wecan’tkeeptwocats；andifwedidthisRustyCoatwouldfightallthetimewiththeSarah-cat。He’safighterbynature。
Hehadapitchedbattlelasteveningwiththetobacco-king’scatandroutedhim，horse，footandartillery。\"
\"Wemustgetridofhim，\"agreedAnne，lookingdarklyatthesubjectoftheirdiscussion，whowaspurringonthehearthrugwithanairoflamb-likemeekness。\"Butthequestionis——how？
Howcanfourunprotectedfemalesgetridofacatwhowon’tbegotridof？\"
Wemustchloroformhim，\"saidPhilbriskly。\"Thatisthemosthumaneway。\"
\"Whoofusknowsanythingaboutchloroformingacat？\"demandedAnnegloomily。
\"Ido，honey。It’soneofmyfew——sadlyfew——usefulaccomplishments。
I’vedisposedofseveralathome。Youtakethecatinthemorningandgivehimagoodbreakfast。Thenyoutakeanoldburlapbag——there’soneinthebackporch——putthecatonitandturnoverhimawoodenbox。
Thentakeatwo-ouncebottleofchloroform，uncorkit，andslipitundertheedgeofthebox。Putaheavyweightontopoftheboxandleaveittillevening。Thecatwillbedead，curleduppeacefullyasifhewereasleep。Nopain——nostruggle。\"
\"Itsoundseasy，\"saidAnnedubiously。
\"ItISeasy。Justleaveittome。I’llseetoit，\"saidPhilreassuringly。
Accordinglythechloroformwasprocured，andthenextmorningRustywasluredtohisdoom。Heatehisbreakfast，lickedhischops，andclimbedintoAnne’slap。Anne’sheartmisgaveher。Thispoorcreaturelovedher——trustedher。Howcouldshebeapartytothisdestruction？
\"Here，takehim，\"shesaidhastilytoPhil。\"Ifeellikeamurderess。\"
\"Hewon’tsuffer，youknow，\"comfortedPhil，butAnnehadfled。
Thefataldeedwasdoneinthebackporch。Nobodywentnearitthatday。ButatduskPhildeclaredthatRustymustbeburied。
\"PrisandStellamustdighisgraveintheorchard，\"declaredPhil，\"andAnnemustcomewithmetolifttheboxoff。That’sthepartIalwayshate。\"
Thetwoconspiratorstip-toedreluctantlytothebackporch。
Philgingerlyliftedthestoneshehadputonthebox。Suddenly，faintbutdistinct，soundedanunmistakablemewunderthebox。
\"He——heisn’tdead，\"gaspedAnne，sittingblanklydownonthekitchendoorstep。
\"Hemustbe，\"saidPhilincredulously。
Anothertinymewprovedthathewasn’t。Thetwogirlsstaredateachother。\"
Whatwillwedo？\"questionedAnne。
\"Whyintheworlddon’tyoucome？\"demandedStella，appearinginthedoorway。\"We’vegotthegraveready。`Whatsilentstillandsilentall？’\"shequotedteasingly。
\"`Oh，no，thevoicesofthedeadSoundlikethedistanttorrent’sfall，’\"
promptlycounter-quotedAnne，pointingsolemnlytothebox。
Aburstoflaughterbrokethetension。
\"Wemustleavehimheretillmorning，\"saidPhil，replacingthestone。
\"Hehasn’tmewedforfiveminutes。Perhapsthemewsweheardwerehisdyinggroan。Orperhapswemerelyimaginedthem，underthestrainofourguiltyconsciences。\"
But，whentheboxwasliftedinthemorning，RustyboundedatonegayleaptoAnne’sshoulderwherehebegantolickherfaceaffectionately。
Neverwasthereacatmoredecidedlyalive。
\"Here’saknotholeinthebox，\"groanedPhil。\"Ineversawit。
That’swhyhedidn’tdie。Now，we’vegottodoitalloveragain。\"
\"No，wehaven’t，\"declaredAnnesuddenly。\"Rustyisn’tgoingtobekilledagain。He’smycat——andyou’vejustgottomakethebestofit。\"
\"Oh，well，ifyou’llsettlewithAuntJimsieandtheSarah-cat，\"
saidStella，withtheairofonewashingherhandsofthewholeaffair。
FromthattimeRustywasoneofthefamily。Heslepto’nightsonthescrubbingcushioninthebackporchandlivedonthefatoftheland。
BythetimeAuntJamesinacamehewasplumpandglossyandtolerablyrespectable。But，likeKipling’scat，he\"walkedbyhimself。\"
Hispawwasagainsteverycat，andeverycat’spawagainsthim。
OnebyonehevanquishedthearistocraticfelinesofSpoffordAvenue。
Asforhumanbeings，helovedAnneandAnnealone。Nobodyelseevendaredstrokehim。Anangryspitandsomethingthatsoundedmuchlikeveryimproperlanguagegreetedanyonewhodid。
\"Theairsthatcatputsonareperfectlyintolerable，\"declaredStella。
\"Himwasaniceoldpussens，himwas，\"vowedAnne，cuddlingherpetdefiantly。
\"Well，Idon’tknowhowheandtheSarah-catwillevermakeouttolivetogether，\"saidStellapesimistically。\"Cat-fightsintheorchardo’nightsarebadenough。Butcat-fightshereinthelivingroomareunthinkable。\"InduetimeAuntJamesinaarrived。
AnneandPriscillaandPhilhadawaitedheradventratherdubiously；
butwhenAuntJamesinawasenthronedintherockingchairbeforetheopenfiretheyfigurativelyboweddownandworshippedher。
AuntJamesinawasatinyoldwomanwithalittle，softly-triangularface，andlarge，softblueeyesthatwerealightwithunquenchableyouth，andasfullofhopesasagirl’s。Shehadpinkcheeksandsnow-whitehairwhichsheworeinquaintlittlepuffsoverherears。
\"It’saveryold-fashionedway，\"shesaid，knittingindustriouslyatsomethingasdaintyandpinkasasunsetcloud。\"But_I_amold-fashioned。
Myclothesare，anditstandstoreasonmyopinionsare，too。Idon’tsaythey’reanythebetterofthat，mindyou。Infact，Idaresaythey’reagooddealtheworse。Butthey’vewornniceandeasy。Newshoesaresmarterthanoldones，buttheoldonesaremorecomfortable。I’moldenoughtoindulgemyselfinthematterofshoesandopinions。Imeantotakeitrealeasyhere。
Iknowyouexpectmetolookafteryouandkeepyouproper，butI’mnotgoingtodoit。
You’reoldenoughtoknowhowtobehaveifyou’reevergoingtobe。
So，asfarasIamconcerned，\"concludedAuntJamesina，withatwinkleinheryoungeyes，\"youcanallgotodestructioninyourownway。\"
\"Oh，willsomebodyseparatethosecats？\"pleadedStella，shudderingly。
AuntJamesinahadbroughtwithhernotonlytheSarah-catbutJoseph。
Joseph，sheexplained，hadbelongedtoadearfriendofherswhohadgonetoliveinVancouver。
\"Shecouldn’ttakeJosephwithhersoshebeggedmetotakehim。
Ireallycouldn’trefuse。He’sabeautifulcat——thatis，hisdispositionisbeautiful。ShecalledhimJosephbecausehiscoatisofmanycolors。\"
Itcertainlywas。Joseph，asthedisgustedStellasaid，lookedlikeawalkingrag-bag。Itwasimpossibletosaywhathisgroundcolorwas。Hislegswerewhitewithblackspotsonthem。
Hisbackwasgraywithahugepatchofyellowononesideandablackpatchontheother。Histailwasyellowwithagraytip。
Oneearwasblackandoneyellow。Ablackpatchoveroneeyegavehimafearfullyrakishlook。Inrealityhewasmeekandinoffensive，ofasociabledisposition。Inonerespect，ifinnoother，Josephwaslikealilyofthefield。Hetoilednotneitherdidhespinorcatchmice。YetSolomoninallhisglorysleptnotonsoftercushions，orfeastedmorefullyonfatthings。
JosephandtheSarah-catarrivedbyexpressinseparateboxes。
Aftertheyhadbeenreleasedandfed，Josephselectedthecushionandcornerwhichappealedtohim，andtheSarah-catgravelysatherselfdownbeforethefireandproceededtowashherface。Shewasalarge，sleek，gray-and-whitecat，withanenormousdignitywhichwasnotatallimpairedbyanyconsciousnessofherplebianorigin。ShehadbeengiventoAuntJamesinabyherwasherwoman。
\"HernamewasSarah，somyhusbandalwayscalledpusstheSarah-cat，\"explainedAuntJamesina。\"Sheiseightyearsold，andaremarkablemouser。Don’tworry，Stella。TheSarah-catNEVERfightsandJosephrarely。\"
\"They’llhavetofighthereinself-defense，\"saidStella。
AtthisjunctureRustyarrivedonthescene。Heboundedjoyouslyhalfwayacrosstheroombeforehesawtheintruders。
Thenhestoppedshort；histailexpandeduntilitwasasbigasthreetails。Thefuronhisbackroseupinadefiantarch；
Rustyloweredhishead，utteredafearfulshriekofhatredanddefiance，andlaunchedhimselfattheSarah-cat。
Thestatelyanimalhadstoppedwashingherfaceandwaslookingathimcuriously。Shemethisonslaughtwithonecontemptuoussweepofhercapablepaw。Rustywentrollinghelplesslyoverontherug；hepickedhimselfupdazedly。Whatsortofacatwasthiswhohadboxedhisears？HelookeddubiouslyattheSarah-cat。
Wouldheorwouldhenot？TheSarah-catdeliberatelyturnedherbackonhimandresumedhertoiletoperations。Rustydecidedthathewouldnot。Heneverdid。FromthattimeontheSarah-catruledtheroost。Rustyneveragaininterferedwithher。
ButJosephrashlysatupandyawned。Rusty，burningtoavengehisdisgrace，swoopeddownuponhim。Joseph，pacificbynature，couldfightuponoccasionandfightwell。Theresultwasaseriesofdrawnbattles。EverydayRustyandJosephfoughtatsight。AnnetookRusty’spartanddetestedJoseph。Stellawasindespair。ButAuntJamesinaonlylaughed。
Letthemfightitout，\"shesaidtolerantly。\"They’llmakefriendsafterabit。Josephneedssomeexercise——hewasgettingtoofat。
AndRustyhastolearnheisn’ttheonlycatintheworld。\"
EventuallyJosephandRustyacceptedthesituationandfromswornenemiesbecameswornfriends。Theysleptonthesamecushionwiththeirpawsabouteachother，andgravelywashedeachother’sfaces。
\"We’veallgotusedtoeachother，\"saidPhil。\"AndI’velearnedhowtowashdishesandsweepafloor。\"
\"Butyouneedn’ttrytomakeusbelieveyoucanchloroformacat，\"
laughedAnne。
\"Itwasallthefaultoftheknothole，\"protestedPhil。
\"Itwasagoodthingtheknotholewasthere，\"saidAuntJamesinaratherseverely。\"KittensHAVEtobedrowned，Iadmit，ortheworldwouldbeoverrun。Butnodecent，grown-upcatshouldbedonetodeath——unlesshesuckseggs。\"
\"Youwouldn’thavethoughtRustyverydecentifyou’dseenhimwhenhecamehere，\"saidStella。\"HepositivelylookedliketheOldNick。\"
\"Idon’tbelieveOldNickcanbesovery，ugly\"saidAuntJamesinareflectively。\"Hewouldn’tdosomuchharmifhewas。_I_alwaysthinkofhimasaratherhandsomegentleman。\"
ChapterXVII
ALetterfromDavy\"It’sbeginningtosnow，girls，\"saidPhil，cominginoneNovemberevening，\"andtherearetheloveliestlittlestarsandcrossesalloverthegardenwalk。Inevernoticedbeforewhatexquisitethingssnowflakesreallyare。Onehastimetonoticethingslikethatinthesimplelife。Blessyouallforpermittingmetoliveit。It’sreallydelightfultofeelworriedbecausebutterhasgoneupfivecentsapound。\"
\"Hasit？\"demandedStella，whokeptthehouseholdaccounts。
\"Ithas——andhere’syourbutter。I’mgettingquiteexpertatmarketing。
It’sbetterfunthanflirting，\"concludedPhilgravely。
\"Everythingisgoingupscandalously，\"sighedStella。
\"Nevermind。Thankgoodnessairandsalvationarestillfree，\"
saidAuntJamesina。
\"Andsoislaughter，\"addedAnne。\"There’snotaxonityetandthatiswell，becauseyou’reallgoingtolaughpresently。
I’mgoingtoreadyouDavy’sletter。Hisspellinghasimprovedimmenselythispastyear，thoughheisnotstrongonapostrophes，andhecertainlypossessesthegiftofwritinganinterestingletter。
Listenandlaugh，beforewesettledowntotheevening’sstudy-grind。\"
\"DearAnne，\"ranDavy’sletter，\"Itakemypentotellyouthatweareallprettywellandhopethiswillfindyouthesame。
It’ssnowingsometodayandMarillasaystheoldwomanintheskyisshakingherfeatherbeds。IstheoldwomanintheskyGod’swife，Anne？Iwanttoknow。
\"Mrs。Lyndehasbeenrealsickbutsheisbetternow。Shefelldownthecellarstairslastweek。Whenshefellshegrabbedholdoftheshelfwithallthemilkpailsandstewpansonit，anditgavewayandwentdownwithherandmadeasplendidcrash。
Marillathoughtitwasanearthquakeatfirst。
OneofthestewpanswasalldingedupandMrs。Lyndestranedherribs。
Thedoctorcameandgavehermedicinetorubonherribsbutshedidn’tunderstandhimandtookitallinsideinstead。
ThedoctorsaiditwasawonderitdidentkillherbutitdidentanditcuredherribsandMrs。Lyndesaysdoctorsdontknowmuchanyhow。Butwecouldentfixupthestewpan。Marillahadtothrowitout。Thanksgivingwaslastweek。Therewasnoschoolandwehadagreatdinner。Ietmincepieandrostturkeyandfrutcakeanddonutsandcheeseandjamandchoklutcake。
MarillasaidI’ddiebutIdident。Dorahadearakeafterit，onlyitwasentinherearsitwasinherstummick。Ididenthaveearakeanywhere。
\"Ournewteacherisaman。Hedoesthingsforjokes。Lastweekhemadeallusthird-classboyswriteacomposishunonwhatkindofawifewe’dliketohaveandthegirlsonwhatkindofahusband。Helaughedfittokillwhenhereadthem。Thiswasmine。Ithoughtyoudliketoseeit。
\"`ThekindofawifeI’dliketoHave。
\"`ShemusthavegoodmannersandgetmymealsontimeanddowhatItellherandalwaysbeverypolitetome。Shemustbefifteenyersold。Shemustbegoodtothepoorandkeepherhousetidyandbegoodtemperedandgotochurchregularly。
Shemustbeveryhandsomeandhavecurlyhair。IfIgetawifethatisjustwhatIlikeIllbeanawfulgoodhusbandtoher。
Ithinkawomanoughttobeawfulgoodtoherhusband。Somepoorwomenhaventanyhusbands。
`THEEND。’\"
\"IwasatMrs。IsaacWrightsfuneralatWhiteSandslastweek。
Thehusbandofthecorpsefeltrealsorry。Mrs。LyndesaysMrs。WrightsgrandfatherstoleasheepbutMarillasayswemustentspeakillofthedead。Whymustentwe，Anne？Iwanttoknow。
It’sprettysafe，ain’tit？
\"Mrs。LyndewasawfulmadtheotherdaybecauseIaskedherifshewasaliveinNoah’stime。Ididentmeantohurtherfeelings。
Ijustwantedtoknow。Wasshe，Anne？
\"Mr。Harrisonwantedtogetridofhisdog。SohehungedhimoncebuthecometolifeandscootedforthebarnwhileMr。
Harrisonwasdiggingthegrave，sohehungedhimagainandhestayeddeadthattime。Mr。Harrisonhasanewmanworkingforhim。
He’sawfulokward。Mr。Harrisonsaysheislefthandedinbothhisfeet。Mr。Barry’shiredmanislazy。Mrs。BarrysaysthatbutMr。Barrysaysheaintlazyexactlyonlyhethinksiteasiertoprayforthingsthantoworkforthem。
\"Mrs。HarmonAndrewsprizepigthatshetalkedsomuchofdiedinafit。Mrs。Lyndesaysitwasajudgmentonherforpride。
ButIthinkitwashardonthepig。MiltyBoulterhasbeensick。
Thedoctorgavehimmedicineandittastedhorrid。IofferedtotakeitforhimforaquarterbuttheBoultersaresomean。
Miltysayshe’drathertakeithimselfandsavehismoney。
IaskedMrs。Boulterhowapersonwouldgoaboutcatchingamanandshegotawfulmadandsaidshedidentknow，shedneverchasedmen。
\"TheA。V。I。S。isgoingtopaintthehallagain。They’retiredofhavingitblue。
\"Thenewministerwasheretotealastnight。Hetookthreepiecesofpie。
IfIdidthatMrs。Lyndewouldcallmepiggy。AndheetfastandtookbigbitesandMarillaisalwaystellingmenottodothat。
Whycanministersdowhatboyscan’t？Iwanttoknow。
\"Ihaven’tanymorenews。Herearesixkisses。xxxxxx。Dorasendsone。Hereshers。x。
\"YourlovingfriendDAVIDKEITH\"
\"P。S。Anne，whowasthedevilsfather？Iwanttoknow。\"
ChapterXVIII
MissJosepineRememberstheAnne-girlWhenChristmasholidayscamethegirlsofPatty’sPlacescatteredtotheirrespectivehomes，butAuntJamesinaelectedtostaywhereshewas。
\"Icouldn’tgotoanyoftheplacesI’vebeeninvitedandtakethosethreecats，\"shesaid。\"AndI’mnotgoingtoleavethepoorcreaturesherealonefornearlythreeweeks。IfwehadanydecentneighborswhowouldfeedthemImight，butthere’snothingexceptmillionairesonthisstreet。SoI’llstayhereandkeepPatty’sPlacewarmforyou。\"
Annewenthomewiththeusualjoyousanticipations——whichwerenotwhollyfulfilled。ShefoundAvonleainthegripofsuchanearly，cold，andstormywinteraseventhe\"oldestinhabitant\"
couldnotrecall。GreenGableswasliterallyhemmedinbyhugedrifts。Almosteverydayofthatill-starredvacationitstormedfiercely；andevenonfinedaysitdriftedunceasingly。Nosoonerweretheroadsbrokenthantheyfilledinagain。Itwasalmostimpossibletostirout。TheA。V。I。S。tried，onthreeevenings，tohaveapartyinhonorofthecollegestudents，andoneacheveningthestormwassowildthatnobodycouldgo，sotheygaveuptheattemptindespair。Anne，despiteherloveofandloyaltytoGreenGables，couldnothelpthinkinglonginglyofPatty’sPlace，itscosyopenfire，AuntJamesina’smirthfuleyes，thethreecats，themerrychatterofthegirls，thepleasantnessofFridayeveningswhencollegefriendsdroppedintotalkofgraveandgay。
Annewaslonely；Diana，duringthewholeoftheholidays，wasimprisonedathomewithabadattackofbronchitis。ShecouldnotcometoGreenGablesanditwasrarelyAnnecouldgettoOrchardSlope，fortheoldwaythroughtheHauntedWoodwasimpassablewithdrifts，andthelongwayoverthefrozenLakeofShiningWaterswasalmostasbad。RubyGilliswassleepinginthewhite-heapedgraveyard；JaneAndrewswasteachingaschoolonwesternprairies。Gilbert，tobesure，wasstillfaithful，andwadeduptoGreenGableseverypossibleevening。ButGilbert’svisitswerenotwhattheyoncewere。Annealmostdreadedthem。
ItwasverydisconcertingtolookupinthemidstofasuddensilenceandfindGilbert’shazeleyesfixeduponherwithaquiteunmistakableexpressionintheirgravedepths；anditwasstillmoredisconcertingtofindherselfblushinghotlyanduncomfortablyunderhisgaze，justasif——justasif——well，itwasveryembarrassing。AnnewishedherselfbackatPatty’sPlace，wheretherewasalwayssomebodyelseabouttotaketheedgeoffadelicatesituation。AtGreenGablesMarillawentpromptlytoMrs。Lynde’sdomainwhenGilbertcameandinsistedontakingthetwinswithher。ThesignificanceofthiswasunmistakableandAnnewasinahelplessfuryoverit。
Davy，however，wasperfectlyhappy。Hereveledingettingoutinthemorningandshovelingoutthepathstothewellandhenhouse。
HegloriedintheChristmas-tidedelicacieswhichMarillaandMrs。LyndeviedwitheachotherinpreparingforAnne，andhewasreadinganenthrallingtale，inaschoollibrarybook，ofawonderfulherowhoseemedblessedwithamiraculousfacultyforgettingintoscrapesfromwhichhewasusuallydeliveredbyanearthquakeoravolcanicexplosion，whichblewhimhighanddryoutofhistroubles，landedhiminafortune，andclosedthestorywithproperECLAT。
\"Itellyouit’sabullystory，Anne，\"hesaidecstatically。
\"I’deversomuchratherreaditthantheBible。\"
\"Wouldyou？\"smiledAnne。
Davypeeredcuriouslyather。
\"Youdon’tseemabitshocked，Anne。Mrs。LyndewasawfulshockedwhenIsaidittoher。\"
\"No，I’mnotshocked，Davy。Ithinkit’squitenaturalthatanine-year-oldboywouldsoonerreadanadventurestorythantheBible。ButwhenyouareolderIhopeandthinkthatyouwillrealizewhatawonderfulbooktheBibleis。\"
\"Oh，Ithinksomepartsofitarefine，\"concededDavy。\"ThatstoryaboutJosephnow——it’sbully。ButifI’dbeenJoseph_I_
wouldn’thaveforgivethebrothers。No，siree，Anne。I’dhavecutalltheirheadsoff。Mrs。LyndewasawfulmadwhenIsaidthatandshuttheBibleupandsaidshe’dneverreadmeanymoreofitifItalkedlikethat。SoIdon’ttalknowwhenshereadsitSundayafternoons；IjustthinkthingsandsaythemtoMiltyBoulternextdayinschool。ItoldMiltythestoryaboutElishaandthebearsanditscaredhimsohe’snevermadefunofMr。Harrison’sbaldheadonce。ArethereanybearsonP。E。Island，Anne？Iwanttoknow。\"
\"Notnowadays，\"saidAnne，absently，asthewindblewascudofsnowagainstthewindow。\"Oh，dear，williteverstopstorming。\"
\"Godknows，\"saidDavyairily，preparingtoresumehisreading。
AnneWASshockedthistime。
\"Davy！\"sheexclaimedreproachfully。
\"Mrs。Lyndesaysthat，\"protestedDavy。\"OnenightlastweekMarillasaid`WillLudovicSpeedandTheodoraDixEVERgetmarried\"andMrs。Lyndesaid，`Godknows’——justlikethat。\"
\"Well，itwasn’trightforhertosayit，\"saidAnne，promptlydecidinguponwhichhornofthisdilemmatoempaleherself。
\"Itisn’trightforanybodytotakethatnameinvainorspeakitlightly，Davy。Don’teverdoitagain。\"
\"NotifIsayitslowandsolemn，liketheminister？\"queriedDavygravely。
\"No，noteventhen。\"
\"Well，Iwon’t。LudovicSpeedandTheodoraDixliveinMiddleGraftonandMrs。Rachelsayshehasbeencourtingherforahundredyears。Won’ttheysoonbetoooldtogetmarried，Anne？
IhopeGilbertwon’tcourtYOUthatlong。Whenareyougoingtobemarried，Anne？Mrs。Lyndesaysit’sasurething。\"
\"Mrs。Lyndeisa——\"beganAnnehotly；thenstopped。\"Awfuloldgossip，\"completedDavycalmly。\"That’swhateveryonecallsher。
Butisitasurething，Anne？Iwanttoknow。\"
\"You’reaverysillylittleboy，Davy，\"saidAnne，stalkinghaughtilyoutoftheroom。Thekitchenwasdesertedandshesatdownbythewindowinthefastfallingwintrytwilight。Thesunhadsetandthewindhaddieddown。Apalechillymoonlookedoutbehindabankofpurplecloudsinthewest。Theskyfadedout，butthestripofyellowalongthewesternhorizongrewbrighterandfiercer，asifallthestraygleamsoflightwereconcentratinginonespot；thedistanthills，rimmedwithpriest-likefirs，stoodoutindarkdistinctnessagainstit。
Annelookedacrossthestill，whitefields，coldandlifelessintheharshlightofthatgrimsunset，andsighed。Shewasverylonely；andshewassadatheart；forshewaswonderingifshewouldbeabletoreturntoRedmondnextyear。Itdidnotseemlikely。TheonlyscholarshippossibleintheSophomoreyearwasaverysmallaffair。ShewouldnottakeMarilla’smoney；
andthereseemedlittleprospectofbeingabletoearnenoughinthesummervacation。
\"IsupposeI’lljusthavetodropoutnextyear，\"shethoughtdrearily，\"andteachadistrictschoolagainuntilIearnenoughtofinishmycourse。AndbythattimeallmyoldclasswillhavegraduatedandPatty’sPlacewillbeoutofthequestion。Butthere！
I’mnotgoingtobeacoward。I’mthankfulIcanearnmywaythroughifnecessary。\"
\"Here’sMr。Harrisonwadingupthelane，\"announcedDavy，runningout。
\"Ihopehe’sbroughtthemail。It’sthreedayssincewegotit。
IwanttoseewhatthempeskyGritsaredoing。I’maConservative，Anne。
AndItellyou，youhavetokeepyoureyeonthemGrits。\"
Mr。Harrisonhadbroughtthemail，andmerrylettersfromStellaandPriscillaandPhilsoondissipatedAnne’sblues。AuntJamesina，too，hadwritten，sayingthatshewaskeepingthehearth-firealight，andthatthecatswereallwell，andthehouseplantsdoingfine。
\"Theweatherhasbeenrealcold，\"shewrote，\"soIletthecatssleepinthehouse——RustyandJosephonthesofaintheliving-room，andtheSarah-catonthefootofmybed。It’srealcompanytohearherpurringwhenIwakeupinthenightandthinkofmypoordaughterintheforeignfield。IfitwasanywherebutinIndiaIwouldn’tworry，buttheysaythesnakesoutthereareterrible。IttakesalltheSarah-cats’spurringtodriveawaythethoughtofthosesnakes。
Ihaveenoughfaithforeverythingbutthesnakes。Ican’tthinkwhyProvidenceevermadethem。SometimesIdon’tthinkHedid。
I’minclinedtobelievetheOldHarryhadahandinmakingTHEM。\"
Annehadleftathin，typewrittencommunicationtillthelast，thinkingitunimportant。Whenshehadreaditshesatverystill，withtearsinhereyes。
\"Whatisthematter，Anne？\"askedMarilla。
\"MissJosephineBarryisdead，\"saidAnne，inalowtone。
\"Soshehasgoneatlast，\"saidMarilla。\"Well，shehasbeensickforoverayear，andtheBarryshavebeenexpectingtohearofherdeathanytime。Itiswellsheisatrestforshehassuffereddreadfully，Anne。Shewasalwayskindtoyou。\"
\"Shehasbeenkindtothelast，Marilla。Thisletterisfromherlawyer。
Shehasleftmeathousanddollarsinherwill。\"
\"Gracious，ain’tthatanawfullotofmoney，\"exclaimedDavy。
\"She’sthewomanyouandDianalitonwhenyoujumpedintothespareroombed，ain’tshe？Dianatoldmethatstory。
Isthatwhysheleftyousomuch？\"
\"Hush，Davy，\"saidAnnegently。Sheslippedawaytotheporchgablewithafullheart，leavingMarillaandMrs。Lyndetotalkoverthenewstotheirhearts’content。
\"Doyous’poseAnnewillevergetmarriednow？\"speculatedDavyanxiously。\"WhenDorcasSloanegotmarriedlastsummershesaidifshe’dhadenoughmoneytoliveonshe’dneverhavebeenbotheredwithaman，butevenawidowerwitheightchildrenwasbetter’nlivingwithasister-in-law。\"
\"DavyKeith，doholdyourtongue，\"saidMrs。Rachelseverely。
\"Thewayyoutalkisscandalousforasmallboy，that’swhat。\"
ChapterXIX
AnInterlude\"Tothinkthatthisismytwentiethbirthday，andthatI’veleftmyteensbehindmeforever，\"saidAnne，whowascurleduponthehearth-rugwithRustyinherlap，toAuntJamesinawhowasreadinginherpetchair。Theywerealoneinthelivingroom。StellaandPriscillahadgonetoacommitteemeetingandPhilwasupstairsadorningherselfforaparty。
\"Isupposeyoufeelkindof，sorry\"saidAuntJamesina。\"Theteensaresuchanicepartoflife。I’mgladI’venevergoneoutofthemmyself。\"
Annelaughed。
\"Youneverwill，Aunty。You’llbeeighteenwhenyoushouldbeahundred。Yes，I’msorry，andalittledissatisfiedaswell。
MissStacytoldmelongagothatbythetimeIwastwentymycharacterwouldbeformed，forgoodorevil。Idon’tfeelthatit’swhatitshouldbe。It’sfullofflaws。\"
\"So’severybody’s，\"saidAuntJamesinacheerfully。\"Mine’scrackedinahundredplaces。YourMissStacylikelymeantthatwhenyouaretwentyyourcharacterwouldhavegotitspermanentbentinonedirectionor’tother，andwouldgoondevelopinginthatline。Don’tworryoverit，Anne。DoyourdutybyGodandyourneighborandyourself，andhaveagoodtime。That’smyphilosophyandit’salwaysworkedprettywell。Where’sPhilofftotonight？\"
\"She’sgoingtoadance，andshe’sgotthesweetestdressforit——creamyyellowsilkandcobwebbylace。Itjustsuitsthosebrowntintsofhers。\"
\"There’smagicinthewords`silk’and`lace，’isn’tthere？\"saidAuntJamesina。\"Theverysoundofthemmakesmefeellikeskippingofftoadance。AndYELLOWsilk。Itmakesonethinkofadressofsunshine。Ialwayswantedayellowsilkdress，butfirstmymotherandthenmyhusbandwouldn’thearofit。TheveryfirstthingI’mgoingtodowhenIgettoheavenistogetayellowsilkdress。\"
AmidAnne’spealoflaughterPhilcamedownstairs，trailingcloudsofglory，andsurveyedherselfinthelongovalmirroronthewall。
\"Aflatteringlookingglassisapromoterofamiability，\"shesaid。\"Theoneinmyroomdoescertainlymakemegreen。DoI
lookprettynice，Anne？\"
\"Doyoureallyknowhowprettyyouare，Phil？\"askedAnne，inhonestadmiration。
\"OfcourseIdo。Whatarelookingglassesandmenfor？Thatwasn’twhatImeant。Areallmyendstuckedin？Ismyskirtstraight？
Andwouldthisroselookbetterlowerdown？I’mafraidit’stoohigh——itwillmakemelooklop-sided。ButIhatethingsticklingmyears。\"
\"Everythingisjustright，andthatsouthwestdimpleofyoursislovely。\"
\"Anne，there’sonethinginparticularIlikeaboutyou——you’resoungrudging。Thereisn’taparticleofenvyinyou。\"
\"Whyshouldshebeenvious？\"demandedAuntJamesina。\"She’snotquiteasgoodlookingasyou，maybe，butshe’sgotafarhandsomernose。\"
\"Iknowit，\"concededPhil。
\"Mynosealwayshasbeenagreatcomforttome，\"confessedAnne。
\"AndIlovethewayyourhairgrowsonyourforehead，Anne。Andthatoneweecurl，alwayslookingasifitweregoingtodrop，butneverdropping，isdelicious。Butasfornoses，mineisadreadfulworrytome。IknowbythetimeI’mfortyitwillbeByrney。WhatdoyouthinkI’lllooklikewhenI’mforty，Anne？\"
\"Likeanold，matronly，marriedwoman，\"teasedAnne。
\"Iwon’t，\"saidPhil，sittingdowncomfortablytowaitforherescort。
\"Joseph，youcalicobeastie，don’tyoudarejumponmylap。Iwon’tgotoadanceallovercathairs。No，Anne，IWON’Tlookmatronly。ButnodoubtI’llbemarried。\"
\"ToAlecorAlonzo？\"askedAnne。
\"Tooneofthem，Isuppose，\"sighedPhil，\"ifIcaneverdecidewhich。\"
\"Itshouldn’tbehardtodecide，\"scoldedAuntJamesina。
\"Iwasbornasee-sawAunty，andnothingcaneverpreventmefromteetering。\"
\"Yououghttobemorelevelheaded，Philippa。\"
\"It’sbesttobelevelheaded，ofcourse，\"agreedPhilippa，\"butyoumisslotsoffun。AsforAlecandAlonzo，ifyouknewthemyou’dunderstandwhyit’sdifficulttochoosebetweenthem。They’reequallynice。\"
\"Thentakesomebodywhoisnicer\"suggestedAuntJamesina。
\"There’sthatSeniorwhoissodevotedtoyou——WillLeslie。
Hehassuchnice，large，mildeyes。\"
\"They’realittlebittoolargeandtoomild——likeacow’s，\"
saidPhilcruelly。
\"WhatdoyousayaboutGeorgeParker？\"
\"There’snothingtosayabouthimexceptthathealwayslooksasifhehadjustbeenstarchedandironed。\"
\"MarrHolworthythen。Youcan’tfindafaultwithhim。\"
\"No，hewoulddoifhewasn’tpoor。Imustmarryarichman，AuntJamesina。That——andgoodlooks——isanindispensablequalification。I’dmarryGilbertBlytheifhewererich。\"
\"Oh，wouldyou？\"saidAnne，ratherviciously。
\"Wedon’tlikethatideaalittlebit，althoughwedon’twantGilbertourselves，oh，no，\"mockedPhil。\"Butdon’tlet’stalkofdisagreeablesubjects。I’llhavetomarrysometime，Isuppose，butIshallputofftheevildayaslongasIcan。\"
\"Youmustn’tmarryanybodyyoudon’tlove，Phil，whenall’ssaidanddone，\"saidAuntJamesina。
\"`Oh，heartsthatlovedinthegoodoldwayHavebeenouto’thefashionthismanyaday。’\"
trilledPhilmockingly。\"There’sthecarriage。Ifly——Bi-bi，youtwoold-fashioneddarlings。\"
WhenPhilhadgoneAuntJamesinalookedsolemnlyatAnne。
\"Thatgirlisprettyandsweetandgoodhearted，butdoyouthinksheisquiterightinhermind，byspells，Anne？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tthinkthere’sanythingthematterwithPhil’smind，\"
saidAnne，hidingasmile。\"It’sjustherwayoftalking。\"
AuntJamesinashookherhead。
\"Well，Ihopeso，Anne。Idohopeso，becauseIloveher。But_I_
can’tunderstandher——shebeatsme。Sheisn’tlikeanyofthegirlsIeverknew，oranyofthegirlsIwasmyself。\"
\"Howmanygirlswereyou，AuntJimsie？\"
\"Abouthalfadozen，mydear。\"
ChapterXX
GilbertSpeaks\"Thishasbeenadull，prosyday，\"yawnedPhil，stretchingherselfidlyonthesofa，havingpreviouslydispossessedtwoexceedinglyindignantcats。
AnnelookedupfromPickwickPapers。NowthatspringexaminationswereovershewastreatingherselftoDickens。
\"Ithasbeenaprosydayforus，\"shesaidthoughtfully，\"buttosomepeopleithasbeenawonderfulday。Someonehasbeenrapturouslyhappyinit。Perhapsagreatdeedhasbeendonesomewheretoday——oragreatpoemwritten——oragreatmanborn。
Andsomehearthasbeenbroken，Phil。\"
\"Whydidyouspoilyourprettythoughtbytaggingthatlastsentenceon，honey？\"grumbledPhil。\"Idon’tliketothinkofbrokenhearts——oranythingunpleasant。\"
\"Doyouthinkyou’llbeabletoshirkunpleasantthingsallyourlife，Phil？\"
\"Dearme，no。AmInotupagainstthemnow？Youdon’tcallAlecandAlonzopleasantthings，doyou，whentheysimplyplaguemylifeout？\"
\"Younevertakeanythingseriously，Phil。\"
\"WhyshouldI？Thereareenoughfolkswhodo。Theworldneedspeoplelikeme，Anne，justtoamuseit。ItwouldbeaterribleplaceifEVERYBODYwereintellectualandseriousandindeep，deadlyearnest。MYmissionis，asJosiahAllensays，`tocharmandallure。’Confessnow。Hasn’tlifeatPatty’sPlacebeenreallymuchbrighterandpleasanterthispastwinterbecauseI’vebeenheretoleavenyou？\"
\"Yes，ithas，\"ownedAnne。
\"Andyouallloveme——evenAuntJamesina，whothinksI’mstarkmad。
SowhyshouldItrytobedifferent？Oh，dear，I’msosleepy。Iwasawakeuntilonelastnight，readingaharrowingghoststory。Ireaditinbed，andafterIhadfinisheditdoyousupposeIcouldgetoutofbedtoputthelightout？No！AndifStellahadnotfortunatelycomeinlatethatlampwouldhaveburnedgoodandbrighttillmorning。
WhenIheardStellaIcalledherin，explainedmypredicament，andgothertoputoutthelight。IfIhadgotoutmyselftodoitIknewsomethingwouldgrabmebythefeetwhenIwasgettinginagain。
Bytheway，Anne，hasAuntJamesinadecidedwhattodothissummer？\"
\"Yes，she’sgoingtostayhere。Iknowshe’sdoingitforthesakeofthoseblessedcats，althoughshesaysit’stoomuchtroubletoopenherownhouse，andshehatesvisiting。\"
\"Whatareyoureading？\"
\"Pickwick。\"
\"That’sabookthatalwaysmakesmehungry，\"saidPhil。\"There’ssomuchgoodeatinginit。Thecharactersseemalwaystoberevelingonhamandeggsandmilkpunch。IgenerallygoonacupboardrummageafterreadingPickwick。ThemerethoughtremindsmethatI’mstarving。
Isthereanytidbitinthepantry，QueenAnne？\"
\"Imadealemonpiethismorning。Youmayhaveapieceofit。\"
PhildashedouttothepantryandAnnebetookherselftotheorchardincompanywithRusty。Itwasamoist，pleasantly-
odorousnightinearlyspring。Thesnowwasnotquiteallgonefromthepark；alittledingybankofityetlayunderthepinesoftheharborroad，screenedfromtheinfluenceofAprilsuns。
Itkepttheharborroadmuddy，andchilledtheeveningair。
ButgrasswasgrowinggreeninshelteredspotsandGilberthadfoundsomepale，sweetarbutusinahiddencorner。
Hecameupfromthepark，hishandsfullofit。
Annewassittingonthebiggrayboulderintheorchardlookingatthepoemofabare，birchenboughhangingagainstthepaleredsunsetwiththeveryperfectionofgrace。Shewasbuildingacastleinair——awondrousmansionwhosesunlitcourtsandstatelyhallsweresteepedinAraby’sperfume，andwhereshereignedqueenandchatelaine。ShefrownedasshesawGilbertcomingthroughtheorchard。OflateshehadmanagednottobeleftalonewithGilbert。Buthehadcaughtherfairlynow；andevenRustyhaddesertedher。
GilbertsatdownbesideherontheboulderandheldouthisMayflowers。
\"Don’ttheseremindyouofhomeandouroldschooldaypicnics，Anne？\"
Annetookthemandburiedherfaceinthem。
\"I’minMr。SilasSloane’sbarrensthisveryminute，\"shesaidrapturously。
\"Isupposeyouwillbethereinrealityinafewdays？\"
\"No，notforafortnight。I’mgoingtovisitwithPhilinBolingbrokebeforeIgohome。You’llbeinAvonleabeforeIwill。\"
\"No，IshallnotbeinAvonleaatallthissummer，Anne。I’vebeenofferedajobintheDailyNewsofficeandI’mgoingtotakeit。\"
\"Oh，\"saidAnnevaguely。ShewonderedwhatawholeAvonleasummerwouldbelikewithoutGilbert。Somehowshedidnotliketheprospect。
\"Well，\"sheconcludedflatly，\"itisagoodthingforyou，ofcourse。\"
\"Yes，I’vebeenhopingIwouldgetit。Itwillhelpmeoutnextyear。\"
\"Youmustn’tworktooHARD，\"saidAnne，withoutanyveryclearideaofwhatshewassaying。ShewisheddesperatelythatPhilwouldcomeout。\"You’vestudiedveryconstantlythiswinter。
Isn’tthisadelightfulevening？Doyouknow，Ifoundaclusterofwhitevioletsunderthatoldtwistedtreeovertheretoday？
IfeltasifIhaddiscoveredagoldmine。\"
\"Youarealwaysdiscoveringgoldmines，\"saidGilbert——alsoabsently。
\"Letusgoandseeifwecanfindsomemore，\"suggestedAnneeagerly。
\"I’llcallPhiland——\"
\"NevermindPhilandthevioletsjustnow，Anne，\"saidGilbertquietly，takingherhandinaclaspfromwhichshecouldnotfreeit。\"ThereissomethingIwanttosaytoyou。\"
\"Oh，don’tsayit，\"criedAnne，pleadingly。\"Don’t——PLEASE，Gilbert。\"
\"Imust。Thingscan’tgoonlikethisanylonger。Anne，Iloveyou。
YouknowIdo。I——Ican’ttellyouhowmuch。Willyoupromisemethatsomedayyou’llbemywife？\"
\"I——Ican’t，\"saidAnnemiserably。\"Oh，Gilbert——you——
you’vespoiledeverything。\"
\"Don’tyoucareformeatall？\"Gilbertaskedafteraverydreadfulpause，duringwhichAnnehadnotdaredtolookup。
\"Not——notinthatway。Idocareagreatdealforyouasafriend。
ButIdon’tloveyou，Gilbert。\"
\"Butcan’tyougivemesomehopethatyouwill——yet？\"
\"No，Ican’t，\"exclaimedAnnedesperately。\"Inever，nevercanloveyou——inthatway——Gilbert。Youmustneverspeakofthistomeagain。\"