English
OctoberwasabeautifulmonthatGreenGables,whenthebirchesinthehollowturnedasgoldenassunshineandthemaplesbehindtheorchardwereroyalcrimsonandthewildcherrytreesalongthelaneputontheloveliestshadesofdarkredandbronzygreen,whilethefieldssunnedthemselvesinaftermaths.
Annereveledintheworldofcolorabouther.
“Oh,Marilla,”sheexclaimedoneSaturdaymorning,comingdancinginwithherarmsfullofgorgeousboughs,“I’msogladIliveinaworldwherethereareOctobers.
ItwouldbeterribleifwejustskippedfromSeptembertoNovember,wouldn’tit?Lookatthesemaplebranches.
Don’ttheygiveyouathrill—severalthrills?
I’mgoingtodecoratemyroomwiththem.”
“Messythings,”saidMarilla,whoseaestheticsensewasnotnoticeablydeveloped.“Youclutterupyourroomentirelytoomuchwithout-of-doorsstuff,Anne.Bedroomsweremadetosleepin.”
“Oh,anddreamintoo,Marilla.Andyouknowonecandreamsomuchbetterinaroomwherethereareprettythings.I’mgoingtoputtheseboughsintheoldbluejugandsetthemonmytable.”
“Mindyoudon’tdropleavesalloverthestairsthen.
I’mgoingonameetingoftheAidSocietyatCarmodythisafternoon,Anne,andIwon’tlikelybehomebeforedark.
You’llhavetogetMatthewandJerrytheirsupper,somindyoudon’tforgettoputtheteatodrawuntilyousitdownatthetableasyoudidlasttime.”
“Itwasdreadfulofmetoforget,”saidAnneapologetically,“butthatwastheafternoonIwastryingtothinkofanameforVioletValeanditcrowdedotherthingsout.Matthewwassogood.Heneverscoldedabit.
Heputtheteadownhimselfandsaidwecouldwaitawhileaswellasnot.
AndItoldhimalovelyfairystorywhilewewerewaiting,sohedidn’tfindthetimelongatall.
Itwasabeautifulfairystory,Marilla.
Iforgottheendofit,soImadeupanendforitmyselfandMatthewsaidhecouldn’ttellwherethejoincamein.”
“Matthewwouldthinkitallright,Anne,ifyoutookanotiontogetupandhavedinnerinthemiddleofthenight.
Butyoukeepyourwitsaboutyouthistime.
And—Idon’treallyknowifI’mdoingright—itmaymakeyoumoreaddlepatedthanever—butyoucanaskDianatocomeoverandspendtheafternoonwithyouandhaveteahere.”
“Oh,Marilla!”Anneclaspedherhands.“Howperfectlylovely!
YouAREabletoimaginethingsafterallorelseyou’dneverhaveunderstoodhowI’velongedforthatverything.Itwillseemsoniceandgrown-uppish.
NofearofmyforgettingtoputtheteatodrawwhenIhavecompany.
Oh,Marilla,canIusetherosebudsprayteaset?”
“No,indeed!Therosebudteaset!Well,whatnext?
YouknowIneverusethatexceptfortheministerortheAids.You’llputdowntheoldbrownteaset.
Butyoucanopenthelittleyellowcrockofcherrypreserves.
It’stimeitwasbeingusedanyhow—Ibelieveit’sbeginningtowork.
Andyoucancutsomefruitcakeandhavesomeofthecookiesandsnaps.”
“Icanjustimaginemyselfsittingdownattheheadofthetableandpouringoutthetea,”saidAnne,shuttinghereyesecstatically.“AndaskingDianaifshetakessugar!
Iknowshedoesn’tbutofcourseI’llaskherjustasifIdidn’tknow.
Andthenpressinghertotakeanotherpieceoffruitcakeandanotherhelpingofpreserves.
Oh,Marilla,it’sawonderfulsensationjusttothinkofit.
CanItakeherintothespareroomtolayoffherhatwhenshecomes?Andthenintotheparlortosit?”
“No.Thesittingroomwilldoforyouandyourcompany.
Butthere’sabottlehalffullofraspberrycordialthatwasleftoverfromthechurchsocialtheothernight.
It’sonthesecondshelfofthesitting-roomclosetandyouandDianacanhaveitifyoulike,andacookytoeatwithitalongintheafternoon,forIdaresayMatthew’llbelatecomingintoteasincehe’shaulingpotatoestothevessel.”
Anneflewdowntothehollow,pasttheDryad’sBubbleandupthesprucepathtoOrchardSlope,toaskDianatotea.
AsaresultjustafterMarillahaddrivenofftoCarmody,Dianacameover,dressedinHERsecond-bestdressandlookingexactlyasitispropertolookwhenaskedouttotea.
Atothertimesshewaswonttorunintothekitchenwithoutknocking;butnowsheknockedprimlyatthefrontdoor.
AndwhenAnne,dressedinhersecondbest,asprimlyopenedit,bothlittlegirlsshookhandsasgravelyasiftheyhadnevermetbefore.
ThisunnaturalsolemnitylasteduntilafterDianahadbeentakentotheeastgabletolayoffherhatandthenhadsatfortenminutesinthesittingroom,toesinposition.
“Howisyourmother?”inquiredAnnepolitely,justasifshehadnotseenMrs.Barrypickingapplesthatmorninginexcellenthealthandspirits.
“Sheisverywell,thankyou.IsupposeMr.CuthbertishaulingpotatoestotheLILYSANDSthisafternoon,ishe?”
saidDiana,whohadriddendowntoMr.HarmonAndrews’sthatmorninginMatthew’scart.
“Yes.Ourpotatocropisverygoodthisyear.Ihopeyourfather’scropisgoodtoo.”
“Itisfairlygood,thankyou.Haveyoupickedmanyofyourapplesyet?”
“Oh,eversomany,”saidAnneforgettingtobedignifiedandjumpingupquickly.
“Let’sgoouttotheorchardandgetsomeoftheRedSweetings,Diana.
Marillasayswecanhaveallthatareleftonthetree.Marillaisaverygenerouswoman.
Shesaidwecouldhavefruitcakeandcherrypreservesfortea.
Butitisn’tgoodmannerstotellyourcompanywhatyouaregoingtogivethemtoeat,soIwon’ttellyouwhatshesaidwecouldhavetodrink.
OnlyitbeginswithanRandaCandit’sbrightredcolor.Ilovebrightreddrinks,don’tyou?
Theytastetwiceasgoodasanyothercolor.”
Theorchard,withitsgreatsweepingboughsthatbenttothegroundwithfruit,provedsodelightfulthatthelittlegirlsspentmostoftheafternooninit,sittinginagrassycornerwherethefrosthadsparedthegreenandthemellowautumnsunshinelingeredwarmly,eatingapplesandtalkingashardastheycould.
DianahadmuchtotellAnneofwhatwentoninschool.
ShehadtositwithGertiePyeandshehatedit;Gertiesqueakedherpencilallthetimeanditjustmadeher—Diana’s—bloodruncold;RubyGillishadcharmedallherwartsaway,true’syoulive,withamagicpebblethatoldMaryJoefromtheCreekgaveher.
Youhadtorubthewartswiththepebbleandthenthrowitawayoveryourleftshoulderatthetimeofthenewmoonandthewartswouldallgo.
CharlieSloane’snamewaswrittenupwithEmWhite’sontheporchwallandEmWhitewasAWFULMADaboutit;SamBoulterhad“sassed”Mr.PhillipsinclassandMr.PhillipswhippedhimandSam’sfathercamedowntotheschoolanddaredMr.Phillipstolayahandononeofhischildrenagain;andMattieAndrewshadanewredhoodandabluecrossoverwithtasselsonitandtheairssheputonaboutitwereperfectlysickening;andLizzieWrightdidn’tspeaktoMamieWilsonbecauseMamieWilson’sgrown-upsisterhadcutoutLizzieWright’sgrown-upsisterwithherbeau;andeverybodymissedAnnesoandwishedshe’scometoschoolagain;andGilbertBlythe—
ButAnnedidn’twanttohearaboutGilbertBlythe.Shejumpeduphurriedlyandsaidsupposetheygoinandhavesomeraspberrycordial.
Annelookedonthesecondshelfoftheroompantrybuttherewasnobottleofraspberrycordialthere.
Searchrevealeditawaybackonthetopshelf.
Anneputitonatrayandsetitonthetablewithatumbler.
“Now,pleasehelpyourself,Diana,”shesaidpolitely.“Idon’tbelieveI’llhaveanyjustnow.Idon’tfeelasifIwantedanyafterallthoseapples.”
Dianapouredherselfoutatumblerful,lookedatitsbright-redhueadmiringly,andthensippeditdaintily.
“That’sawfullyniceraspberrycordial,Anne,”shesaid.“Ididn’tknowraspberrycordialwassonice.”
“I’mrealgladyoulikeit.Takeasmuchasyouwant.I’mgoingtorunoutandstirthefireup.Therearesomanyresponsibilitiesonaperson’smindwhenthey’rekeepinghouse,isn’tthere?”
WhenAnnecamebackfromthekitchenDianawasdrinkinghersecondglassfulofcordial;and,beingentreatedtheretobyAnne,sheofferednoparticularobjectiontothedrinkingofathird.
Thetumblerfulsweregenerousonesandtheraspberrycordialwascertainlyverynice.
“ThenicestIeverdrank,”saidDiana.“It’seversomuchnicerthanMrs.Lynde’s,althoughshebragsofherssomuch.Itdoesn’ttasteabitlikehers.”
“IshouldthinkMarilla’sraspberrycordialwouldprob’lybemuchnicerthanMrs.Lynde’s,”saidAnneloyally.“Marillaisafamouscook.
SheistryingtoteachmetocookbutIassureyou,Diana,itisuphillwork.
There’ssolittlescopeforimaginationincookery.Youjusthavetogobyrules.
ThelasttimeImadeacakeIforgottoputtheflourin.
Iwasthinkingthelovelieststoryaboutyouandme,Diana.
Ithoughtyouweredesperatelyillwithsmallpoxandeverybodydesertedyou,butIwentboldlytoyourbedsideandnursedyoubacktolife;andthenItookthesmallpoxanddiedandIwasburiedunderthosepoplartreesinthegraveyardandyouplantedarosebushbymygraveandwatereditwithyourtears;andyounever,neverforgotthefriendofyouryouthwhosacrificedherlifeforyou.Oh,itwassuchapathetictale,Diana.
ThetearsjustraineddownovermycheekswhileImixedthecake.
ButIforgottheflourandthecakewasadismalfailure.
Flourissoessentialtocakes,youknow.
MarillawasverycrossandIdon’twonder.I’magreattrialtoher.
Shewasterriblymortifiedaboutthepuddingsaucelastweek.
WehadaplumpuddingfordinneronTuesdayandtherewashalfthepuddingandapitcherfulofsauceleftover.
Marillasaidtherewasenoughforanotherdinnerandtoldmetosetitonthepantryshelfandcoverit.
Imeanttocoveritjustasmuchascouldbe,Diana,butwhenIcarrieditinIwasimaginingIwasanun—ofcourseI’maProtestantbutIimaginedIwasaCatholic—takingtheveiltoburyabrokenheartincloisteredseclusion;andIforgotallaboutcoveringthepuddingsauce.
Ithoughtofitnextmorningandrantothepantry.
Diana,fancyifyoucanmyextremehorroratfindingamousedrownedinthatpuddingsauce!
IliftedthemouseoutwithaspoonandthrewitoutintheyardandthenIwashedthespooninthreewaters.
MarillawasoutmilkingandIfullyintendedtoaskherwhenshecameinifI’dgivethesaucetothepigs;butwhenshedidcomeinIwasimaginingthatIwasafrostfairygoingthroughthewoodsturningthetreesredandyellow,whichevertheywantedtobe,soIneverthoughtaboutthepuddingsauceagainandMarillasentmeouttopickapples.
Well,Mr.andMrs.ChesterRossfromSpencervalecameherethatmorning.
Youknowtheyareverystylishpeople,especiallyMrs.ChesterRoss.
WhenMarillacalledmeindinnerwasallreadyandeverybodywasatthetable.
ItriedtobeaspoliteanddignifiedasIcouldbe,forIwantedMrs.ChesterRosstothinkIwasaladylikelittlegirlevenifIwasn’tpretty.
EverythingwentrightuntilIsawMarillacomingwiththeplumpuddinginonehandandthepitcherofpuddingsauceWARMEDUP,intheother.Diana,thatwasaterriblemoment.
IrememberedeverythingandIjuststoodupinmyplaceandshriekedout‘Marilla,youmustn’tusethatpuddingsauce.Therewasamousedrownedinit.Iforgottotellyoubefore.’
Oh,Diana,IshallneverforgetthatawfulmomentifIlivetobeahundred.
Mrs.ChesterRossjustLOOKEDatmeandIthoughtIwouldsinkthroughthefloorwithmortification.
Sheissuchaperfecthousekeeperandfancywhatshemusthavethoughtofus.
Marillaturnedredasfirebutsheneversaidaword—then.
Shejustcarriedthatsauceandpuddingoutandbroughtinsomestrawberrypreserves.
Sheevenofferedmesome,butIcouldn’tswallowamouthful.
Itwaslikeheapingcoalsoffireonmyhead.
AfterMrs.ChesterRosswentaway,Marillagavemeadreadfulscolding.Why,Diana,whatisthematter?”
Dianahadstoodupveryunsteadily;thenshesatdownagain,puttingherhandstoherhead.
“I’m—I’mawfulsick,”shesaid,alittlethickly.“I—I—mustgorighthome.”
“Oh,youmustn’tdreamofgoinghomewithoutyourtea,”criedAnneindistress.“I’llgetitrightoff—I’llgoandputtheteadownthisveryminute.”
“Imustgohome,”repeatedDiana,stupidlybutdeterminedly.
“Letmegetyoualunchanyhow,”imploredAnne.
“Letmegiveyouabitoffruitcakeandsomeofthecherrypreserves.
Liedownonthesofaforalittlewhileandyou’llbebetter.Wheredoyoufeelbad?”
“Imustgohome,”saidDiana,andthatwasallshewouldsay.InvainAnnepleaded.
“Ineverheardofcompanygoinghomewithouttea,”shemourned.
“Oh,Diana,doyousupposethatit’spossibleyou’rereallytakingthesmallpox?
IfyouareI’llgoandnurseyou,youcandependonthat.I’llneverforsakeyou.
ButIdowishyou’dstaytillaftertea.Wheredoyoufeelbad?”
“I’mawfuldizzy,”saidDiana.
Andindeed,shewalkedverydizzily.Anne,withtearsofdisappointmentinhereyes,gotDiana’shatandwentwithherasfarastheBarryyardfence.
ThensheweptallthewaybacktoGreenGables,whereshesorrowfullyputtheremainderoftheraspberrycordialbackintothepantryandgotteareadyforMatthewandJerry,withallthezestgoneoutoftheperformance.
ThenextdaywasSundayandastherainpoureddownintorrentsfromdawntillduskAnnedidnotstirabroadfromGreenGables.
MondayafternoonMarillasentherdowntoMrs.Lynde’sonanerrand.
InaveryshortspaceoftimeAnnecameflyingbackupthelanewithtearsrollingdownhercheeks.
Intothekitchenshedashedandflungherselffacedownwardonthesofainanagony.
“Whateverhasgonewrongnow,Anne?”queriedMarillaindoubtanddismay.“Idohopeyouhaven’tgoneandbeensaucytoMrs.Lyndeagain.”
NoanswerfromAnnesavemoretearsandstormiersobs!
“AnneShirley,whenIaskyouaquestionIwanttobeanswered.Sitrightupthisveryminuteandtellmewhatyouarecryingabout.”
Annesatup,tragedypersonified.
“Mrs.LyndewasuptoseeMrs.BarrytodayandMrs.Barrywasinanawfulstate,”shewailed.
“ShesaysthatIsetDianaDRUNKSaturdayandsentherhomeinadisgracefulcondition.
AndshesaysImustbeathoroughlybad,wickedlittlegirlandshe’snever,nevergoingtoletDianaplaywithmeagain.
Oh,Marilla,I’mjustovercomewithwoe.”
Marillastaredinblankamazement.
“SetDianadrunk!”shesaidwhenshefoundhervoice.“AnneareyouorMrs.Barrycrazy?Whatonearthdidyougiveher?”
“Notathingbutraspberrycordial,”sobbedAnne.
“Ineverthoughtraspberrycordialwouldsetpeopledrunk,Marilla—noteveniftheydrankthreebigtumblerfulsasDianadid.
Oh,itsoundsso—so—likeMrs.Thomas’shusband!ButIdidn’tmeantosetherdrunk.”
“Drunkfiddlesticks!”saidMarilla,marchingtothesittingroompantry.
Thereontheshelfwasabottlewhichsheatoncerecognizedasonecontainingsomeofherthree-year-oldhomemadecurrantwineforwhichshewascelebratedinAvonlea,althoughcertainofthestrictersort,Mrs.Barryamongthem,disapprovedstronglyofit.
AndatthesametimeMarillarecollectedthatshehadputthebottleofraspberrycordialdowninthecellarinsteadofinthepantryasshehadtoldAnne.
Shewentbacktothekitchenwiththewinebottleinherhand.Herfacewastwitchinginspiteofherself.
“Anne,youcertainlyhaveageniusforgettingintotrouble.YouwentandgaveDianacurrantwineinsteadofraspberrycordial.Didn’tyouknowthedifferenceyourself?”
“Inevertastedit,”saidAnne.“Ithoughtitwasthecordial.Imeanttobeso—so—hospitable.
Dianagotawfullysickandhadtogohome.
Mrs.BarrytoldMrs.Lyndeshewassimplydeaddrunk.
Shejustlaughedsilly-likewhenhermotheraskedherwhatwasthematterandwenttosleepandsleptforhours.
Hermothersmelledherbreathandknewshewasdrunk.
Shehadafearfulheadachealldayyesterday.Mrs.Barryissoindignant.
ShewillneverbelievebutwhatIdiditonpurpose.”
“IshouldthinkshewouldbetterpunishDianaforbeingsogreedyastodrinkthreeglassfulsofanything,”saidMarillashortly.
“Why,threeofthosebigglasseswouldhavemadehersickevenifithadonlybeencordial.
Well,thisstorywillbeanicehandleforthosefolkswhoaresodownonmeformakingcurrantwine,althoughIhaven’tmadeanyforthreeyearseversinceIfoundoutthattheministerdidn’tapprove.Ijustkeptthatbottleforsickness.There,there,child,don’tcry.
Ican’tseeasyouweretoblamealthoughI’msorryithappenedso.”
“Imustcry,”saidAnne.“Myheartisbroken.
Thestarsintheircoursesfightagainstme,Marilla.DianaandIarepartedforever.
Oh,Marilla,Ilittledreamedofthiswhenfirstwesworeourvowsoffriendship.”
“Don’tbefoolish,Anne.Mrs.Barrywillthinkbetterofitwhenshefindsyou’renottoblame.
Isupposeshethinksyou’vedoneitforasillyjokeorsomethingofthatsort.
You’dbestgoupthiseveningandtellherhowitwas.”
“MycouragefailsmeatthethoughtoffacingDiana’sinjuredmother,”sighedAnne.“Iwishyou’dgo,Marilla.You’resomuchmoredignifiedthanIam.Likelyshe’dlistentoyouquickerthantome.”
“Well,Iwill,”saidMarilla,reflectingthatitwouldprobablybethewisercourse.“Don’tcryanymore,Anne.Itwillbeallright.”
MarillahadchangedhermindaboutitbeingallrightbythetimeshegotbackfromOrchardSlope.Annewaswatchingforhercomingandflewtotheporchdoortomeether.
“Oh,Marilla,Iknowbyyourfacethatit’sbeennouse,”shesaidsorrowfully.“Mrs.Barrywon’tforgiveme?”
“Mrs.Barryindeed!”snappedMarilla.
“OfalltheunreasonablewomenIeversawshe’stheworst.
Itoldheritwasallamistakeandyouweren’ttoblame,butshejustsimplydidn’tbelieveme.
AndsherubbeditwellinaboutmycurrantwineandhowI’dalwayssaiditcouldn’thavetheleasteffectonanybody.
Ijusttoldherplainlythatcurrantwinewasn’tmeanttobedrunkthreetumblerfulsatatimeandthatifachildIhadtodowithwassogreedyI’dsoberherupwitharightgoodspanking.”
Marillawhiskedintothekitchen,grievouslydisturbed,leavingaverymuchdistractedlittlesoulintheporchbehindher.
PresentlyAnnesteppedoutbareheadedintothechillautumndusk;verydeterminedlyandsteadilyshetookherwaydownthroughtheserecloverfieldoverthelogbridgeandupthroughthesprucegrove,lightedbyapalelittlemoonhanginglowoverthewesternwoods.
Mrs.Barry,comingtothedoorinanswertoatimidknock,foundawhite-lippedeager-eyedsuppliantonthedoorstep.
Herfacehardened.Mrs.Barrywasawomanofstrongprejudicesanddislikes,andherangerwasofthecold,sullensortwhichisalwayshardesttoovercome.
Todoherjustice,shereallybelievedAnnehadmadeDianadrunkoutofsheermaliceprepense,andshewashonestlyanxioustopreserveherlittledaughterfromthecontaminationoffurtherintimacywithsuchachild.
“Whatdoyouwant?”shesaidstiffly.
Anneclaspedherhands.
“Oh,Mrs.Barry,pleaseforgiveme.Ididnotmeanto—to—intoxicateDiana.HowcouldI?
Justimagineifyouwereapoorlittleorphangirlthatkindpeoplehadadoptedandyouhadjustonebosomfriendinalltheworld.
Doyouthinkyouwouldintoxicateheronpurpose?
Ithoughtitwasonlyraspberrycordial.
Iwasfirmlyconvinceditwasraspberrycordial.
Oh,pleasedon’tsaythatyouwon’tletDianaplaywithmeanymore.
Ifyoudoyouwillcovermylifewithadarkcloudofwoe.”
ThisspeechwhichwouldhavesoftenedgoodMrs.Lynde’sheartinatwinkling,hadnoeffectonMrs.Barryexcepttoirritateherstillmore.
ShewassuspiciousofAnne’sbigwordsanddramaticgesturesandimaginedthatthechildwasmakingfunofher.Soshesaid,coldlyandcruelly:
“Idon’tthinkyouareafitlittlegirlforDianatoassociatewith.You’dbettergohomeandbehaveyourself.”
Anne’slipsquivered.
“Won’tyouletmeseeDianajustoncetosayfarewell?”sheimplored.
“DianahasgoneovertoCarmodywithherfather,”saidMrs.Barry,goinginandshuttingthedoor.
AnnewentbacktoGreenGablescalmwithdespair.
“Mylasthopeisgone,”shetoldMarilla.
“IwentupandsawMrs.Barrymyselfandshetreatedmeveryinsultingly.
Marilla,IdoNOTthinksheisawell-bredwoman.
ThereisnothingmoretodoexcepttoprayandIhaven’tmuchhopethatthat’lldomuchgoodbecause,Marilla,IdonotbelievethatGodHimselfcandoverymuchwithsuchanobstinatepersonasMrs.Barry.”
“Anne,youshouldn’tsaysuchthings”rebukedMarilla,strivingtoovercomethatunholytendencytolaughterwhichshewasdismayedtofindgrowinguponher.
Andindeed,whenshetoldthewholestorytoMatthewthatnight,shedidlaughheartilyoverAnne’stribulations.
ButwhensheslippedintotheeastgablebeforegoingtobedandfoundthatAnnehadcriedherselftosleepanunaccustomedsoftnesscreptintoherface.
“Poorlittlesoul,”shemurmured,liftingaloosecurlofhairfromthechild’stear-stainedface.Thenshebentdownandkissedtheflushedcheekonthepillow.
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