JohnDouglasSpeaksatLastAnnewasnotwithoutafeeblehopethatsomethingmightcomeofitafterall。Butnothingdid。JohnDouglascameandtookJanetdriving，andwalkedhomefromprayer-meetingwithher，ashehadbeendoingfortwentyyears，andasheseemedlikelytodofortwentyyearsmore。Thesummerwaned。Annetaughtherschoolandwrotelettersandstudiedalittle。Herwalkstoandfromschoolwerepleasant。Shealwayswentbywayoftheswamp；itwasalovelyplace——aboggysoil，greenwiththegreenestofmossyhillocks；asilverybrookmeanderedthroughitandsprucesstooderectly，theirboughsa-trailwithgray-greenmosses，theirrootsovergrownwithallsortsofwoodlandlovelinesses。
Nevertheless，AnnefoundlifeinValleyRoadalittlemonotonous。
Tobesure，therewasonedivertingincident。
Shehadnotseenthelank，tow-headedSamuelofthepeppermintssincetheeveningofhiscall，saveforchancemeetingsontheroad。
ButonewarmAugustnightheappeared，andsolemnlyseatedhimselfontherusticbenchbytheporch。Heworehisusualworkinghabiliments，consistingofvaripatchedtrousers，abluejeanshirt，outattheelbows，andaraggedstrawhat。HewaschewingastrawandhekeptonchewingitwhilehelookedsolemnlyatAnne。Annelaidherbookasidewithasighandtookupherdoily。ConversationwithSamwasreallyoutofthequestion。
AfteralongsilenceSamsuddenlyspoke。
\"I’mleavingoverthere，\"hesaidabruptly，wavinghisstrawinthedirectionoftheneighboringhouse。
\"Oh，areyou？\"saidAnnepolitely。
\"Yep。\"
\"Andwhereareyougoingnow？\"
\"Wall，I’vebeenthinkingsomeofgittingaplaceofmyown。
There’sonethat’dsuitmeoveratMillersville。ButefIrentsitI’llwantawoman。\"
\"Isupposeso，\"saidAnnevaguely。
\"Yep。\"
Therewasanotherlongsilence。FinallySamremovedhisstrawagainandsaid，\"Willyehhevme？\"
\"Wh——a——t！\"gaspedAnne。
\"Willyehhevme？\"
\"Doyoumean——MARRYyou？\"queriedpoorAnnefeebly。
\"Yep。\"
\"Why，I’mhardlyacquaintedwithyou，\"criedAnneindignantly。
\"Butyeh’dgitacquaintedwithmeafterwewasmarried，\"saidSam。
Annegatheredupherpoordignity。
\"CertainlyIwon’tmarryyou，\"shesaidhaughtily。
\"Wall，yehmightdoworse，\"expostulatedSam。\"I’magoodworkerandI’vegotsomemoneyinthebank。\"
\"Don’tspeakofthistomeagain。Whateverputsuchanideaintoyourhead？\"saidAnne，hersenseofhumorgettingthebetterofherwrath。Itwassuchanabsurdsituation。
\"Yeh’realikely-lookinggirlandhevaright-smartwayo’stepping，\"
saidSam。\"Idon’twantnolazywoman。Thinkitover。Iwon’tchangemymindyitawhile。Wall，Imustbegitting。Gottermilkthecows。\"
Anne’sillusionsconcerningproposalshadsufferedsomuchoflateyearsthattherewerefewofthemleft。Soshecouldlaughwholeheartedlyoverthisone，notfeelinganysecretsting。ShemimickedpoorSamtoJanetthatnight，andbothofthemlaughedimmoderatelyoverhisplungeintosentiment。
Oneafternoon，whenAnne’ssojourninValleyRoadwasdrawingtoaclose，AlecWardcamedrivingdownto\"Wayside\"inhothasteforJanet。
\"TheywantyouattheDouglasplacequick，\"hesaid。\"IreallybelieveoldMrs。Douglasisgoingtodieatlast，afterpretendingtodoitfortwentyyears。\"
Janetrantogetherhat。AnneaskedifMrs。Douglaswasworsethanusual。
\"She’snothalfasbad，\"saidAlecsolemnly，\"andthat’swhatmakesmethinkit’sserious。Othertimesshe’dbescreamingandthrowingherselfallovertheplace。Thistimeshe’slyingstillandmum。WhenMrs。Douglasismumsheisprettysick，youbet。\"
\"Youdon’tlikeoldMrs。Douglas？\"saidAnnecuriously。
\"IlikecatsasIScats。Idon’tlikecatsasiswomen，\"wasAlec’scrypticreply。
Janetcamehomeinthetwilight。
\"Mrs。Douglasisdead，\"shesaidwearily。\"ShediedsoonafterIgotthere。Shejustspoketomeonce——`Isupposeyou’llmarryJohnnow？’shesaid。Itcutmetotheheart，Anne。
TothinkJohn’sownmotherthoughtIwouldn’tmarryhimbecauseofher！Icouldn’tsayawordeither——therewereotherwomenthere。IwasthankfulJohnhadgoneout。\"
Janetbegantocrydrearily。ButAnnebrewedherahotdrinkofgingerteatohercomforting。Tobesure，Annediscoveredlateronthatshehadusedwhitepepperinsteadofginger；butJanetneverknewthedifference。
TheeveningafterthefuneralJanetandAnneweresittingonthefrontporchstepsatsunset。Thewindhadfallenasleepinthepinelandsandluridsheetsofheat-lightningflickeredacrossthenorthernskies。Janetworeheruglyblackdressandlookedherveryworst，hereyesandnoseredfromcrying。Theytalkedlittle，forJanetseemedfaintlytoresentAnne’seffortstocheerherup。Sheplainlypreferredtobemiserable。
Suddenlythegate-latchclickedandJohnDouglasstrodeintothegarden。Hewalkedtowardsthemstraightoverthegeraniumbed。
Janetstoodup。SodidAnne。Annewasatallgirlandworeawhitedress；butJohnDouglasdidnotseeher。
\"Janet，\"hesaid，\"willyoumarryme？\"
ThewordsburstoutasiftheyhadbeenwantingtobesaidfortwentyyearsandMUSTbeutterednow，beforeanythingelse。
Janet’sfacewassoredfromcryingthatitcouldn’tturnanyredder，soitturnedamostunbecomingpurple。
\"Whydidn’tyouaskmebefore？\"shesaidslowly。
\"Icouldn’t。Shemademepromisenotto——mothermademepromisenotto。Nineteenyearsagoshetookaterriblespell。
Wethoughtshecouldn’tlivethroughit。Sheimploredmetopromisenottoaskyoutomarrymewhileshewasalive。Ididn’twanttopromisesuchathing，eventhoughweallthoughtshecouldn’tliveverylong——thedoctoronlygavehersixmonths。
Butshebeggeditonherknees，sickandsuffering。Ihadtopromise。\"
\"Whathadyourmotheragainstme？\"criedJanet。
\"Nothing——nothing。Shejustdidn’twantanotherwoman——ANYwoman——therewhileshewasliving。ShesaidifI
didn’tpromiseshe’ddierightthereandI’dhavekilledher。
SoIpromised。Andshe’sheldmetothatpromiseeversince，thoughI’vegoneonmykneestoherinmyturntobeghertoletmeff。\"
\"Whydidn’tyoutellmethis？\"askedJanetchokingly。
\"IfI’donlyKNOWN！Whydidn’tyoujusttellme？\"
\"ShemademepromiseIwouldn’ttellasoul，\"saidJohnhoarsely。
\"ShesworemetoitontheBible；Janet，I’dneverhavedoneitifI’ddreameditwastobeforsolong。Janet，you’llneverknowwhatI’vesufferedthesenineteenyears。IknowI’vemadeyousuffer，too，butyou’llmarrymeforall，won’tyou，Janet？
Oh，Janet，won’tyou？I’vecomeassoonasIcouldtoaskyou。\"
AtthismomentthestupefiedAnnecametohersensesandrealizedthatshehadnobusinesstobethere。SheslippedawayanddidnotseeJanetuntilthenextmorning，whenthelattertoldhertherestofthestory。
\"Thatcruel，relentless，deceitfuloldwoman！\"criedAnne。
\"Hush——she’sdead，\"saidJanetsolemnly。\"Ifshewasn’t——butsheIS。
Sowemustn’tspeakevilofher。ButI’mhappyatlast，Anne。AndI
wouldn’thavemindedwaitingsolongabitifI’donlyknownwhy。\"
\"Whenareyoutobemarried？\"
\"Nextmonth。Ofcourseitwillbeveryquiet。Isupposepeoplewilltalkterrible。They’llsayImadeenoughhastetosnapJohnupassoonashispoormotherwasoutoftheway。JohnwantedtoletthemknowthetruthbutIsaid，`No，John；afterallshewasyourmother，andwe’llkeepthesecretbetweenus，andnotcastanyshadowonhermemory。Idon’tmindwhatpeoplesay，nowthatIknowthetruthmyself。Itdon’tmatteramite。Letitallbeburiedwiththedead’saysItohim。SoIcoaxedhimroundtoagreewithme。\"
\"You’remuchmoreforgivingthanIcouldeverbe，\"Annesaid，rathercrossly。
\"You’llfeeldifferentlyaboutagoodmanythingswhenyougettobemyage，\"saidJanettolerantly。\"That’soneofthethingswelearnaswegrowolder——howtoforgive。Itcomeseasieratfortythanitdidattwenty。\"
ChapterXXXV
TheLastRedmondYearOpens\"Hereweare，allbackagain，nicelysunburnedandrejoicingasastrongmantorunarace，\"saidPhil，sittingdownonasuitcasewithasighofpleasure。\"Isn’titjollytoseethisdearoldPatty’sPlaceagain——andAunty——andthecats？Rustyhaslostanotherpieceofear，hasn’the？\"
\"Rustywouldbethenicestcatintheworldifhehadnoearsatall，\"
declaredAnneloyallyfromhertrunk，whileRustywrithedaboutherlapinafrenzyofwelcome。
\"Aren’tyougladtoseeusback，Aunty？\"demandedPhil。
\"Yes。ButIwishyou’dtidythingsup，\"saidAuntJamesinaplaintively，lookingatthewildernessoftrunksandsuitcasesbywhichthefourlaughing，chatteringgirlsweresurrounded。\"Youcantalkjustaswelllateron。WorkfirstandthenplayusedtobemymottowhenIwasagirl。\"
\"Oh，we’vejustreversedthatinthisgeneration，Aunty。
OURmottoisplayyourplayandthendigin。Youcandoyourworksomuchbetterifyou’vehadagoodboutofplayfirst。\"
\"Ifyouaregoingtomarryaminister，\"saidAuntJamesina，pickingupJosephandherknittingandresigningherselftotheinevitablewiththecharminggracethatmadeherthequeenofhousemothers，\"youwillhavetogiveupsuchexpressionsas`digin。’\"
\"Why？\"moanedPhil。\"Oh，whymustaminister’swifebesupposedtoutteronlyprunesandprisms？Ishan’t。EverybodyonPattersonStreetusesslang——thatistosay，metaphoricallanguage——andifIdidn’ttheywouldthinkmeinsufferablyproudandstuckup。\"
\"Haveyoubrokenthenewstoyourfamily？\"askedPriscilla，feedingtheSarah-catbitsfromherlunchbasket。
Philnodded。
\"Howdidtheytakeit？\"
\"Oh，motherrampaged。ButIstoodrockfirm——evenI，PhilippaGordon，whoneverbeforecouldholdfasttoanything。Fatherwascalmer。
Father’sowndaddywasaminister，soyouseehehasasoftspotinhisheartforthecloth。IhadJouptoMountHolly，aftermothergrewcalm，andtheybothlovedhim。Butmothergavehimsomefrightfulhintsineveryconversationregardingwhatshehadhopedforme。Oh，myvacationpathwayhasn’tbeenexactlystrewnwithroses，girlsdear。
But——I’vewonoutandI’vegotJo。Nothingelsematters。\"
\"Toyou，\"saidAuntJamesinadarkly。
\"NortoJo，either，\"retortedPhil。\"Youkeeponpityinghim。
Why，pray？Ithinkhe’stobeenvied。He’sgettingbrains，beauty，andaheartofgoldinME。\"
\"It’swellweknowhowtotakeyourspeeches，\"saidAuntJamesinapatiently。\"Ihopeyoudon’ttalklikethatbeforestrangers。
Whatwouldtheythink？\"
\"Oh，Idon’twanttoknowwhattheythink。Idon’twanttoseemyselfasothersseeme。I’msureitwouldbehorriblyuncomfortablemostofthetime。Idon’tbelieveBurnswasreallysincereinthatprayer，either。\"
\"Oh，Idaresayweallprayforsomethingsthatwereallydon’twant，ifwewereonlyhonestenoughtolookintoourhearts，\"
ownedAuntJamesinacandidly。\"I’veanotionthatsuchprayersdon’triseveryfar。_I_usedtopraythatImightbeenabledtoforgiveacertainperson，butIknownowIreallydidn’twanttoforgiveher。WhenIfinallygotthatIDIDwanttoIforgaveherwithouthavingtoprayaboutit。\"
\"Ican’tpictureyouasbeingunforgivingforlong，\"saidStella。
\"Oh，Iusedtobe。Butholdingspitedoesn’tseemworthwhilewhenyougetalonginyears。\"
\"Thatremindsme，\"saidAnne，andtoldthetaleofJohnandJanet。
\"Andnowtellusaboutthatromanticsceneyouhintedsodarklyatinoneofyourletters，\"demandedPhil。
AnneactedoutSamuel’sproposalwithgreatspirit。ThegirlsshriekedwithlaughterandAuntJamesinasmiled。
\"Itisn’tingoodtastetomakefunofyourbeaux，\"shesaidseverely；\"but，\"sheaddedcalmly，\"Ialwaysdiditmyself。\"
\"Tellusaboutyourbeaux，Aunty，\"entreatedPhil。\"Youmusthavehadanynumberofthem。\"
\"They’renotinthepasttense，\"retortedAuntJamesina。
\"I’vegotthemyet。Therearethreeoldwidowersathomewhohavebeencastingsheep’seyesatmeforsometime。
Youchildrenneedn’tthinkyouownalltheromanceintheworld。\"
\"Widowersandsheep’seyesdon’tsoundveryromantic，Aunty。\"
\"Well，no；butyoungfolksaren’talwaysromanticeither。
Someofmybeauxcertainlyweren’t。Iusedtolaughatthemscandalous，poorboys。TherewasJimElwood——hewasalwaysinasortofday-dream——neverseemedtosensewhatwasgoingon。
Hedidn’twakeuptothefactthatI’dsaid`no’tillayearafterI’dsaidit。Whenhedidgetmarriedhiswifefelloutofthesleighonenightwhentheyweredrivinghomefromchurchandhenevermissedher。ThentherewasDanWinston。Heknewtoomuch。
Hekneweverythinginthisworldandmostofwhatisinthenext。
Hecouldgiveyouananswertoanyquestion，evenifyouaskedhimwhentheJudgmentDaywastobe。MiltonEdwardswasrealniceandIlikedhimbutIdidn’tmarryhim。Foronething，hetookaweektogetajokethroughhishead，andforanotherheneveraskedme。
HoratioReevewasthemostinterestingbeauIeverhad。Butwhenhetoldastoryhedresseditupsothatyoucouldn’tseeitforfrills。
Inevercoulddecidewhetherhewaslyingorjustlettinghisimaginationrunloose。\"
\"Andwhatabouttheothers，Aunty？\"
\"Goawayandunpack，\"saidAuntJamesina，wavingJosephatthembymistakeforaneedle。\"Theothersweretoonicetomakefunof。
Ishallrespecttheirmemory。There’saboxofflowersinyourroom，Anne。Theycameaboutanhourago。\"
AfterthefirstweekthegirlsofPatty’sPlacesettleddowntoasteadygrindofstudy；forthiswastheirlastyearatRedmondandgraduationhonorsmustbefoughtforpersistently。AnnedevotedherselftoEnglish，Priscillaporedoverclassics，andPhilippapoundedawayatMathematics。Sometimestheygrewtired，sometimestheyfeltdiscouraged，sometimesnothingseemedworththestruggleforit。InonesuchmoodStellawandereduptotheblueroomonerainyNovemberevening。Annesatonthefloorinalittlecircleoflightcastbythelampbesideher，amidasurroundingsnowofcrumpledmanuscript。
\"Whatintheworldareyoudoing？\"
\"JustlookingoversomeoldStoryClubyarns。IwantedsomethingtocheerANDinebriate。I’dstudieduntiltheworldseemedazure。
SoIcameuphereanddugtheseoutofmytrunk。Theyaresodrenchedintearsandtragedythattheyareexcruciatinglyfunny。\"
\"I’mblueanddiscouragedmyself，\"saidStella，throwingherselfonthecouch。\"Nothingseemsworthwhile。Myverythoughtsareold。I’vethoughtthemallbefore。Whatistheuseoflivingafterall，Anne？\"
\"Honey，it’sjustbrainfagthatmakesusfeelthatway，andtheweather。
Apouringrainynightlikethis，comingafterahardday’sgrind，wouldsquelchanyonebutaMarkTapley。YouknowitISworthwhiletolive。\"
\"Oh，Isupposeso。ButIcan’tproveittomyselfjustnow。\"
\"Justthinkofallthegreatandnoblesoulswhohavelivedandworkedintheworld，\"saidAnnedreamily。\"Isn’titworthwhiletocomeafterthemandinheritwhattheywonandtaught？Isn’titworthwhiletothinkwecansharetheirinspiration？Andthen，allthegreatsoulsthatwillcomeinthefuture？Isn’titworthwhiletoworkalittleandpreparethewayforthem——
makejustonestepintheirpatheasier？\"
\"Oh，mymindagreeswithyou，Anne。Butmysoulremainsdolefulanduninspired。I’malwaysgrubbyanddingyonrainynights。\"
\"SomenightsIliketherain——Iliketolieinbedandhearitpatteringontheroofanddriftingthroughthepines。\"
\"Ilikeitwhenitstaysontheroof，\"saidStella。\"Itdoesn’talways。Ispentagruesomenightinanoldcountryfarmhouselastsummer。Theroofleakedandtheraincamepatteringdownonmybed。TherewasnopoetryinTHAT。Ihadtogetupinthe`mirkmidnight’andchivyroundtopullthebedsteadoutofthedrip——anditwasoneofthosesolid，old-fashionedbedsthatweighaton——moreorless。Andthenthatdrip-drop，drip-dropkeptupallnightuntilmynervesjustwenttopieces。You’venoideawhataneerienoiseagreatdropofrainfallingwithamushythudonabarefloormakesinthenight。Itsoundslikeghostlyfootstepsandallthatsortofthing。Whatareyoulaughingover，Anne？\"
\"Thesestories。AsPhilwouldsaytheyarekilling——inmoresensesthanone，foreverybodydiedinthem。Whatdazzlinglylovelyheroineswehad——andhowwedressedthem！Silks——satins——velvets——jewels——laces——theyneverworeanythingelse。HereisoneofJaneAndrews’
storiesdepictingherheroineassleepinginabeautifulwhitesatinnightdresstrimmedwithseedpearls。\"
\"Goon，\"saidStella。\"Ibegintofeelthatlifeisworthlivingaslongasthere’salaughinit。\"
\"Here’soneIwrote。Myheroineisdisportingherselfataball`glitteringfromheadtofootwithlargediamondsofthefirstwater。’Butwhatbootedbeautyorrichattire？`Thepathsofgloryleadbuttothegrave。’Theymusteitherbemurderedordieofabrokenheart。Therewasnoescapeforthem。\"
\"Letmereadsomeofyourstories。\"
\"Well，here’smymasterpiece。Noteitscheerfultitle——`MyGraves。’
Ishedquartsoftearswhilewritingit，andtheothergirlsshedgallonswhileIreadit。JaneAndrews’motherscoldedherfrightfullybecauseshehadsomanyhandkerchiefsinthewashthatweek。It’saharrowingtaleofthewanderingsofaMethodistminister’swife。ImadeheraMethodistbecauseitwasnecessarythatsheshouldwander。Sheburiedachildeveryplaceshelivedin。Therewerenineofthemandtheirgraveswereseveredfarapart，rangingfromNewfoundlandtoVancouver。
Idescribedthechildren，picturedtheirseveraldeathbeds，anddetailedtheirtombstonesandepitaphs。IhadintendedtoburythewholeninebutwhenIhaddisposedofeightmyinventionofhorrorsgaveoutandIpermittedtheninthtoliveasahopelesscripple。\"
WhileStellareadMyGraves，punctuatingitstragicparagraphswithchuckles，andRustysleptthesleepofajustcatwhohasbeenoutallnightcurleduponaJaneAndrewstaleofabeautifulmaidenoffifteenwhowenttonurseinalepercolony——ofcoursedyingoftheloathsomediseasefinally——AnneglancedovertheothermanuscriptsandrecalledtheolddaysatAvonleaschoolwhenthemembersoftheStoryClub，sittingunderthesprucetreesordownamongthefernsbythebrook，hadwrittenthem。Whatfuntheyhadhad！
Howthesunshineandmirthofthoseoldensummersreturnedassheread。
NotalltheglorythatwasGreeceorthegrandeurthatwasRomecouldweavesuchwizardryasthosefunny，tearfultalesoftheStoryClub。
AmongthemanuscriptsAnnefoundonewrittenonsheetsofwrappingpaper。
Awaveoflaughterfilledhergrayeyesassherecalledthetimeandplaceofitsgenesis。ItwasthesketchshehadwrittenthedayshefellthroughtheroofoftheCobbduckhouseontheToryRoad。
Anneglancedoverit，thenfelltoreadingitintently。Itwasalittledialoguebetweenastersandsweet-peas，wildcanariesinthelilacbush，andtheguardianspiritofthegarden。Aftershehadreadit，shesat，staringintospace；andwhenStellahadgoneshesmoothedoutthecrumpledmanuscript。
\"IbelieveIwill，\"shesaidresolutely。
ChapterXXXVI
TheGardners’Call\"HereisaletterwithanIndianstampforyou，AuntJimsie，\"
saidPhil。\"HerearethreeforStella，andtwoforPris，andagloriousfatoneformefromJo。There’snothingforyou，Anne，exceptacircular。\"
NobodynoticedAnne’sflushasshetookthethinletterPhiltossedhercarelessly。ButafewminuteslaterPhillookeduptoseeatransfiguredAnne。
\"Honey，whatgoodthinghashappened？\"
\"TheYouth’sFriendhasacceptedalittlesketchIsentthemafortnightago，\"saidAnne，tryinghardtospeakasifshewereaccustomedtohavingsketchesacceptedeverymail，butnotquitesucceeding。
\"AnneShirley！Howglorious！Whatwasit？Whenisittobepublished？Didtheypayyouforit？\"
\"Yes；they’vesentacheckfortendollars，andtheeditorwritesthathewouldliketoseemoreofmywork。Dearman，heshall。
ItwasanoldsketchIfoundinmybox。Ire-wroteitandsentitin——butIneverreallythoughtitcouldbeacceptedbecauseithadnoplot，\"saidAnne，recallingthebitterexperienceofAveril’sAtonement。
\"Whatareyougoingtodowiththattendollars，Anne？Let’sallgouptownandgetdrunk，\"suggestedPhil。
\"IAMgoingtosquanderitinawildsoullessrevelofsomesort，\"
declaredAnnegaily。\"Atalleventsitisn’ttaintedmoney——
likethecheckIgotforthathorribleReliableBakingPowderstory。
IspentITusefullyforclothesandhatedthemeverytimeIputthemon。\"
\"ThinkofhavingarealliveauthoratPatty’sPlace，\"saidPriscilla。
\"It’sagreatresponsibility，\"saidAuntJamesinasolemnly。
\"Indeeditis，\"agreedPriswithequalsolemnity。\"Authorsarekittlecattle。Youneverknowwhenorhowtheywillbreakout。
Annemaymakecopyofus。\"
\"ImeantthattheabilitytowriteforthePresswasagreatresponsibility，\"saidAuntJamesinaseverely。\"andIhopeAnnerealizes，it。Mydaughterusedtowritestoriesbeforeshewenttotheforeignfield，butnowshehasturnedherattentiontohigherthings。Sheusedtosayhermottowas`Neverwritealineyouwouldbeashamedtoreadatyourownfuneral。’You’dbettertakethatforyours，Anne，ifyouaregoingtoembarkinliterature。
Though，tobesure，\"addedAuntJamesinaperplexedly，\"Elizabethalwaysusedtolaughwhenshesaidit。ShealwayslaughedsomuchthatIdon’tknowhowsheevercametodecideonbeingamissionary。
I’mthankfulshedid——Iprayedthatshemight——but——Iwishshehadn’t。\"
ThenAuntJamesinawonderedwhythosegiddygirlsalllaughed。
Anne’seyesshoneallthatday；literaryambitionssproutedandbuddedinherbrain；theirexhilarationaccompaniedhertoJennieCooper’swalkingparty，andnoteventhesightofGilbertandChristine，walkingjustaheadofherandRoy，couldquitesubduethesparkleofherstarryhopes。Nevertheless，shewasnotsoraptfromthingsofearthastobeunabletonoticethatChristine’swalkwasdecidedlyungraceful。
\"ButIsupposeGilbertlooksonlyatherface。Solikeaman，\"
thoughtAnnescornfully。
\"ShallyoubehomeSaturdayafternoon？\"askedRoy。
\"Yes。\"
\"Mymotherandsistersarecomingtocallonyou，\"saidRoyquietly。
SomethingwentoverAnnewhichmightbedescribedasathrill，butitwashardlyapleasantone。ShehadnevermetanyofRoy’sfamily；
sherealizedthesignificanceofhisstatement；andithad，somehow，anirrevocablenessaboutitthatchilledher。
\"Ishallbegladtoseethem，\"shesaidflatly；andthenwonderedifshereallywouldbeglad。Sheoughttobe，ofcourse。Butwoulditnotbesomethingofanordeal？GossiphadfilteredtoAnneregardingthelightinwhichtheGardnersviewedthe\"infatuation\"ofsonandbrother。Roymusthavebroughtpressuretobearinthematterofthiscall。Anneknewshewouldbeweighedinthebalance。Fromthefactthattheyhadconsentedtocallsheunderstoodthat，willinglyorunwillingly，theyregardedherasapossiblememberoftheirclan。
\"Ishalljustbemyself。IshallnotTRYtomakeagoodimpression，\"
thoughtAnneloftily。ButshewaswonderingwhatdressshewouldbetterwearSaturdayafternoon，andifthenewstyleofhighhair-dressingwouldsuitherbetterthantheold；andthewalkingpartywasratherspoiledforher。BynightshehaddecidedthatshewouldwearherbrownchiffononSaturday，butwoulddoherhairlow。
FridayafternoonnoneofthegirlshadclassesatRedmond。
StellatooktheopportunitytowriteapaperforthePhilomathicSociety，andwassittingatthetableinthecorneroftheliving-roomwithanuntidylitterofnotesandmanuscriptontheflooraroundher。Stellaalwaysvowedshenevercouldwriteanythingunlessshethreweachsheetdownasshecompletedit。
Anne，inherflannelblouseandsergeskirt，withherhairratherblownfromherwindywalkhome，wassittingsquarelyinthemiddleofthefloor，teasingtheSarah-catwithawishbone。
JosephandRustywerebothcurledupinherlap。Awarmplummyodorfilledthewholehouse，forPriscillawascookinginthekitchen。Presentlyshecamein，enshroudedinahugework-apron，withasmudgeofflouronhernose，toshowAuntJamesinathechocolatecakeshehadjusticed。
Atthisauspiciousmomenttheknockersounded。NobodypaidanyattentiontoitsavePhil，whosprangupandopenedit，expectingaboywiththehatshehadboughtthatmorning。OnthedoorstepstoodMrs。Gardnerandherdaughters。
Annescrambledtoherfeetsomehow，emptyingtwoindignantcatsoutofherlapasshedidso，andmechanicallyshiftingherwishbonefromherrighthandtoherleft。Priscilla，whowouldhavehadtocrosstheroomtoreachthekitchendoor，lostherhead，wildlyplungedthechocolatecakeunderacushionontheinglenooksofa，anddashedupstairs。Stellabeganfeverishlygatheringuphermanuscript。OnlyAuntJamesinaandPhilremainednormal。Thankstothem，everybodywassoonsittingatease，evenAnne。Priscillacamedown，apronlessandsmudgeless，Stellareducedhercornertodecency，andPhilsavedthesituationbyastreamofreadysmalltalk。
Mrs。Gardnerwastallandthinandhandsome，exquisitelygowned，cordialwithacordialitythatseemedatrifleforced。
AlineGardnerwasayoungereditionofhermother，lackingthecordiality。Sheendeavoredtobenice，butsucceededonlyinbeinghaughtyandpatronizing。DorothyGardnerwasslimandjollyandrathertomboyish。AnneknewshewasRoy’sfavoritesisterandwarmedtoher。ShewouldhavelookedverymuchlikeRoyifshehadhaddreamydarkeyesinsteadofroguishhazelones。ThankstoherandPhil，thecallreallywentoffverywell，exceptforaslightsenseofstrainintheatmosphereandtworatheruntowardincidents。RustyandJoseph，lefttothemselves，beganagameofchase，andsprangmadlyintoMrs。Gardner’ssilkenlapandoutofitintheirwildcareer。
Mrs。Gardnerliftedherlorgnetteandgazedaftertheirflyingformsasifshehadneverseencatsbefore，andAnne，chokingbackslightlynervouslaughter，apologizedasbestshecould。
\"Youarefondofcats？\"saidMrs。Gardner，withaslightintonationoftolerantwonder。
Anne，despiteheraffectionforRusty，wasnotespeciallyfondofcats，butMrs。Gardner’stoneannoyedher。InconsequentlysherememberedthatMrs。JohnBlythewassofondofcatsthatshekeptasmanyasherhusbandwouldallow。
\"TheyAREadorableanimals，aren’tthey？\"shesaidwickedly。
\"Ihaveneverlikedcats，\"saidMrs。Gardnerremotely。
\"Ilovethem，\"saidDorothy。\"Theyaresoniceandselfish。
DogsareTOOgoodandunselfish。Theymakemefeeluncomfortable。
Butcatsaregloriouslyhuman。\"
\"Youhavetwodelightfuloldchinadogsthere。MayIlookatthemclosely？\"saidAline，crossingtheroomtowardsthefireplaceandtherebybecomingtheunconsciouscauseoftheotheraccident。
PickingupMagog，shesatdownonthecushionunderwhichwassecretedPriscilla’schocolatecake。PriscillaandAnneexchangedagonizedglancesbutcoulddonothing。ThestatelyAlinecontinuedtositonthecushionanddiscusschinadogsuntilthetimeofdeparture。
DorothylingeredbehindamomenttosqueezeAnne’shandandwhisperimpulsively。
\"IKNOWyouandIaregoingtobechums。Oh，Royhastoldmeallaboutyou。I’mtheonlyoneofthefamilyhetellsthingsto，poorboy——nobodyCOULDconfideinmammaandAline，youknow。
Whatglorioustimesyougirlsmusthavehere！Won’tyouletmecomeoftenandhaveashareinthem？\"
\"Comeasoftenasyoulike，\"Annerespondedheartily，thankfulthatoneofRoy’ssisterswaslikable。ShewouldneverlikeAline，somuchwascertain；andAlinewouldneverlikeher，thoughMrs。Gardnermightbewon。Altogether，Annesighedwithreliefwhentheordealwasover。
\"`OfallsadwordsoftongueorpenThesaddestareitmighthavebeen，’\"
quotedPriscillatragically，liftingthecushion。\"Thiscakeisnowwhatyoumightcallaflatfailure。Andthecushionislikewiseruined。NevertellmethatFridayisn’tunlucky。\"
\"PeoplewhosendwordtheyarecomingonSaturdayshouldn’tcomeonFriday，\"saidAuntJamesina。
\"IfancyitwasRoy’smistake，\"saidPhil。\"Thatboyisn’treallyresponsibleforwhathesayswhenhetalkstoAnne。WhereISAnne？\"
Annehadgoneupstairs。Shefeltoddlylikecrying。Butshemadeherselflaughinstead。RustyandJosephhadbeenTOOawful！
AndDorothyWASadear。
ChapterXXXVII
Full-fledgedB。A。’s\"IwishIweredead，orthatitweretomorrownight，\"groanedPhil。
\"Ifyoulivelongenoughbothwisheswillcometrue，\"saidAnnecalmly。
\"It’seasyforyoutobeserene。You’reathomeinPhilosophy。
I’mnot——andwhenIthinkofthathorriblepapertomorrowIquail。
IfIshouldfailinitwhatwouldJosay？\"
\"Youwon’tfail。HowdidyougetoninGreektoday？\"
\"Idon’tknow。PerhapsitwasagoodpaperandperhapsitwasbadenoughtomakeHomerturnoverinhisgrave。I’vestudiedandmulledovernotebooksuntilI’mincapableofforminganopinionofanything。HowthankfullittlePhilwillbewhenallthisexaminatingisover。\"
\"Examinating？Ineverheardsuchaword。\"
\"Well，haven’tIasgoodarighttomakeawordasanyoneelse？\"
demandedPhil。
\"Wordsaren’tmade——theygrow，\"saidAnne。
\"Nevermind——Ibeginfaintlytodiscernclearwateraheadwherenoexaminationbreakersloom。Girls，doyou——canyourealizethatourRedmondLifeisalmostover？\"
\"Ican’t，\"saidAnne，sorrowfully。\"ItseemsjustyesterdaythatPrisandIwerealoneinthatcrowdofFreshmenatRedmond。
AndnowweareSeniorsinourfinalexaminations。\"
\"`Potent，wise，andreverendSeniors，’\"quotedPhil。\"DoyousupposewereallyareanywiserthanwhenwecametoRedmond？\"
\"Youdon’tactasifyouwerebytimes，\"saidAuntJamesinaseverely。
\"Oh，AuntJimsie，haven’twebeenprettygoodgirls，takeusbyandlarge，thesethreewintersyou’vemotheredus？\"pleadedPhil。
\"You’vebeenfourofthedearest，sweetest，goodestgirlsthateverwenttogetherthroughcollege，\"averredAuntJamesina，whoneverspoiledacomplimentbymisplacedeconomy。
\"ButImistrustyouhaven’tanytoomuchsenseyet。It’snottobeexpected，ofcourse。Experienceteachessense。Youcan’tlearnitinacollegecourse。You’vebeentocollegefouryearsandIneverwas，butIknowheapsmorethanyoudo，youngladies。\"
\"`Therearelotsofthingsthatnevergobyrule，There’sapowerfulpileo’knowledgeThatyounevergetatcollege，Thereareheapsofthingsyouneverlearnatschool，’\"
quotedStella。
\"HaveyoulearnedanythingatRedmondexceptdeadlanguagesandgeometryandsuchtrash？\"queriedAuntJamesina。
\"Oh，yes。Ithinkwehave，Aunty，\"protestedAnne。
\"We’velearnedthetruthofwhatProfessorWoodleightolduslastPhilomathic，\"saidPhil。\"Hesaid，`Humoristhespiciestcondimentinthefeastofexistence。Laughatyourmistakesbutlearnfromthem，jokeoveryourtroublesbutgatherstrengthfromthem，makeajestofyourdifficultiesbutovercomethem。’
Isn’tthatworthlearning，AuntJimsie？\"
\"Yes，itis，dearie。Whenyou’velearnedtolaughatthethingsthatshouldbelaughedat，andnottolaughatthosethatshouldn’t，you’vegotwisdomandunderstanding。\"
\"WhathaveyougotoutofyourRedmondcourse，Anne？\"murmuredPriscillaaside。
\"Ithink，\"saidAnneslowly，\"thatIreallyhavelearnedtolookuponeachlittlehindranceasajestandeachgreatoneastheforeshadowingofvictory。Summingup，IthinkthatiswhatRedmondhasgivenme。\"
\"IshallhavetofallbackonanotherProfessorWoodleighquotationtoexpresswhatithasdoneforme，\"saidPriscilla。
\"Yourememberthathesaidinhisaddress，`Thereissomuchintheworldforusallifweonlyhavetheeyestoseeit，andthehearttoloveit，andthehandtogatherittoourselves——
somuchinmenandwomen，somuchinartandliterature，somucheverywhereinwhichtodelight，andforwhichtobethankful。’
IthinkRedmondhastaughtmethatinsomemeasure，Anne。\"
\"Judgingfromwhatyouall，say\"remarkedAuntJamesina，\"thesumandsubstanceisthatyoucanlearn——ifyou’vegotnaturalgumptionenough——infouryearsatcollegewhatitwouldtakeabouttwentyyearsoflivingtoteachyou。Well，thatjustifieshighereducationinmyopinion。It’samatterIwasalwaysdubiousaboutbefore。\"
\"Butwhataboutpeoplewhohaven’tnaturalgumption，AuntJimsie？\"
\"Peoplewhohaven’tnaturalgumptionneverlearn，\"retortedAuntJamesina，\"neitherincollegenorlife。Iftheylivetobeahundredtheyreallydon’tknowanythingmorethanwhentheywereborn。It’stheirmisfortunenottheirfault，poorsouls。
ButthoseofuswhohavesomegumptionshoulddulythanktheLordforit。\"
\"Willyoupleasedefinewhatgumptionis，AuntJimsie？\"askedPhil。
\"No，Iwon’t，youngwoman。Anyonewhohasgumptionknowswhatitis，andanyonewhohasn’tcanneverknowwhatitis。Sothereisnoneedofdefiningit。\"
Thebusydaysflewbyandexaminationswereover。AnnetookHighHonorsinEnglish。PriscillatookHonorsinClassics，andPhilinMathematics。Stellaobtainedagoodall-roundshowing。
ThencameConvocation。
\"ThisiswhatIwouldoncehavecalledanepochinmylife，\"
saidAnne，asshetookRoy’svioletsoutoftheirboxandgazedatthemthoughtfully。Shemeanttocarrythem，ofcourse，buthereyeswanderedtoanotherboxonhertable。Itwasfilledwithlilies-of-the-valley，asfreshandfragrantasthosewhichbloomedintheGreenGablesyardwhenJunecametoAvonlea。
GilbertBlythe’scardlaybesideit。
AnnewonderedwhyGilbertshouldhavesentherflowersforConvocation。
Shehadseenverylittleofhimduringthepastwinter。HehadcometoPatty’sPlaceonlyoneFridayeveningsincetheChristmasholidays，andtheyrarelymetelsewhere。Sheknewhewasstudyingveryhard，aimingatHighHonorsandtheCooperPrize，andhetooklittlepartinthesocialdoingsofRedmond。Anne’sownwinterhadbeenquitegaysocially。ShehadseenagooddealoftheGardners；sheandDorothywereveryintimate；collegecirclesexpectedtheannouncementofherengagementtoRoyanyday。Anneexpecteditherself。YetjustbeforesheleftPatty’sPlaceforConvocationsheflungRoy’svioletsasideandputGilbert’slilies-of-the-valleyintheirplace。
Shecouldnothavetoldwhyshedidit。Somehow，oldAvonleadaysanddreamsandfriendshipsseemedveryclosetoherinthisattainmentofherlong-cherishedambitions。SheandGilberthadoncepicturedoutmerrilythedayonwhichtheyshouldbecappedandgownedgraduatesinArts。ThewonderfuldayhadcomeandRoy’svioletshadnoplaceinit。
Onlyheroldfriend’sflowersseemedtobelongtothisfruitionofold-blossominghopeswhichhehadonceshared。
Foryearsthisdayhadbeckonedandalluredtoher；butwhenitcametheonesingle，keen，abidingmemoryitleftwithherwasnotthatofthebreathlessmomentwhenthestatelypresidentofRedmondgavehercapanddiplomaandhailedherB。A。；itwasnotoftheflashinGilbert’seyeswhenhesawherlilies，northepuzzledpainedglanceRoygaveherashepassedherontheplatform。
ItwasnotofAlineGardner’scondescendingcongratulations，orDorothy’sardent，impulsivegoodwishes。Itwasofonestrange，unaccountablepangthatspoiledthislong-expecteddayforherandleftinitacertainfaintbutenduringflavorofbitterness。
TheArtsgraduatesgaveagraduationdancethatnight。WhenAnnedressedforitshetossedasidethepearlbeadssheusuallyworeandtookfromhertrunkthesmallboxthathadcometoGreenGablesonChristmasday。Initwasathread-likegoldchainwithatinypinkenamelheartasapendant。Ontheaccompanyingcardwaswritten，\"Withallgoodwishesfromyouroldchum，Gilbert。\"Anne，laughingoverthememorytheenamelheartconjuredupthefataldaywhenGilberthadcalledher\"Carrots\"andvainlytriedtomakehispeacewithapinkcandyheart，hadwrittenhimanicelittlenoteofthanks。
Butshehadneverwornthetrinket。Tonightshefasteneditaboutherwhitethroatwithadreamysmile。
SheandPhilwalkedtoRedmondtogether。Annewalkedinsilence；
Philchatteredofmanythings。Suddenlyshesaid，\"IheardtodaythatGilbertBlythe’sengagementtoChristineStuartwastobeannouncedassoonasConvocationwasover。
Didyouhearanythingofit？\"
\"No，\"saidAnne。
\"Ithinkit’strue，\"saidPhillightly。
Annedidnotspeak。Inthedarknessshefeltherfaceburning。
Sheslippedherhandinsidehercollarandcaughtatthegoldchain。Oneenergetictwistanditgaveway。Annethrustthebrokentrinketintoherpocket。Herhandsweretremblingandhereyesweresmarting。
Butshewasthegayestofallthegayrevellersthatnight，andtoldGilbertunregretfullythathercardwasfullwhenhecametoaskherforadance。Afterwards，whenshesatwiththegirlsbeforethedyingembersatPatty’sPlace，removingthespringchillinessfromtheirsatinskins，nonechattedmoreblithelythansheoftheday’sevents。
\"MoodySpurgeonMacPhersoncalledheretonightafteryouleft，\"
saidAuntJamesina，whohadsatuptokeepthefireon。\"Hedidn’tknowaboutthegraduationdance。Thatboyoughttosleepwitharubberbandaroundhisheadtotrainhisearsnottostickout。
Ihadabeauoncewhodidthatanditimprovedhimimmensely。
ItwasIwhosuggestedittohimandhetookmyadvice，butheneverforgavemeforit。\"
\"MoodySpurgeonisaveryseriousyoungman，\"yawnedPriscilla。
\"Heisconcernedwithgravermattersthanhisears。Heisgoingtobeaminister，youknow。\"
\"Well，IsupposetheLorddoesn’tregardtheearsofaman，\"
saidAuntJamesinagravely，droppingallfurthercriticismofMoodySpurgeon。AuntJamesinahadaproperrespectfortheclotheveninthecaseofanunfledgedparson。
ChapterXXXVIII
FalseDawn\"Justimagine——thisnightweekI’llbeinAvonlea——delightfulthought！\"
saidAnne，bendingovertheboxinwhichshewaspackingMrs。RachelLynde’squilts。\"Butjustimagine——thisnightweekI’llbegoneforeverfromPatty’sPlace——horriblethought！\"
\"IwonderiftheghostofallourlaughterwillechothroughthemaidendreamsofMissPattyandMissMaria，\"speculatedPhil。
MissPattyandMissMariawerecominghome，afterhavingtrottedovermostofthehabitableglobe。
\"We’llbebackthesecondweekinMay\"wroteMissPatty。\"IexpectPatty’sPlacewillseemrathersmallaftertheHalloftheKingsatKarnak，butIneverdidlikebigplacestolivein。AndI’llbegladenoughtobehomeagain。Whenyoustarttravelinglateinlifeyou’reapttodotoomuchofitbecauseyouknowyouhaven’tmuchtimeleft，andit’sathingthatgrowsonyou。I’mafraidMariawillneverbecontentedagain。\"
\"Ishallleaveheremyfanciesanddreamstoblessthenextcomer，\"
saidAnne，lookingaroundtheblueroomwistfully——herprettyblueroomwhereshehadspentthreesuchhappyyears。Shehadkneltatitswindowtoprayandhadbentfromittowatchthesunsetbehindthepines。Shehadheardtheautumnraindropsbeatingagainstitandhadwelcomedthespringrobinsatitssill。Shewonderedifolddreamscouldhauntrooms——if，whenoneleftforevertheroomwhereshehadjoyedandsufferedandlaughedandwept，somethingofher，intangibleandinvisible，yetnonethelessreal，didnotremainbehindlikeavoicefulmemory。
\"Ithink，\"saidPhil，\"thataroomwhereonedreamsandgrievesandrejoicesandlivesbecomesinseparablyconnectedwiththoseprocessesandacquiresapersonalityofitsown。IamsureifI
cameintothisroomfiftyyearsfromnowitwouldsay’Anne，Anne’
tome。Whatnicetimeswe’vehadhere，honey！Whatchatsandjokesandgoodchummyjamborees！Oh，dearme！I’mtomarryJoinJuneandIknowIwillberapturouslyhappy。ButjustnowIfeelasifIwantedthislovelyRedmondlifetogoonforever。\"
\"I’munreasonableenoughjustnowtowishthat，too，\"admittedAnne。
\"Nomatterwhatdeeperjoysmaycometouslateronwe’llneveragainhavejustthesamedelightful，irresponsibleexistencewe’vehadhere。
It’soverforever，Phil。\"