English
ALLthingsgreatarewoundupwithallthingslittle.
AtfirstglanceitmightnotseemthatthedecisionofacertainCanadianPremiertoincludePrinceEdwardIslandinapoliticaltourcouldhavemuchoranythingtodowiththefortunesoflittleAnneShirleyatGreenGables.Butithad.
ItwasaJanuarythePremiercame,toaddresshisloyalsupportersandsuchofhisnonsupportersaschosetobepresentatthemonstermassmeetingheldinCharlottetown.
MostoftheAvonleapeoplewereonPremier’ssideofpolitics;henceonthenightofthemeetingnearlyallthemenandagoodlyproportionofthewomenhadgonetotownthirtymilesaway.Mrs.RachelLyndehadgonetoo.
Mrs.RachelLyndewasared-hotpoliticianandcouldn’thavebelievedthatthepoliticalrallycouldbecarriedthroughwithouther,althoughshewasontheoppositesideofpolitics.
Soshewenttotownandtookherhusband—Thomaswouldbeusefulinlookingafterthehorse—andMarillaCuthbertwithher.
Marillahadasneakinginterestinpoliticsherself,andasshethoughtitmightbeheronlychancetoseeareallivePremier,shepromptlytookit,leavingAnneandMatthewtokeephouseuntilherreturnthefollowingday.
Hence,whileMarillaandMrs.Rachelwereenjoyingthemselveshugelyatthemassmeeting,AnneandMatthewhadthecheerfulkitchenatGreenGablesalltothemselves.
Abrightfirewasglowingintheold-fashionedWaterloostoveandblue-whitefrostcrystalswereshiningonthewindowpanes.
MatthewnoddedoveraFARMERS’ADVOCATEonthesofaandAnneatthetablestudiedherlessonswithgrimdetermination,despitesundrywistfulglancesattheclockshelf,wherelayanewbookthatJaneAndrewshadlentherthatday.
Janehadassuredherthatitwaswarrantedtoproduceanynumberofthrills,orwordstothateffect,andAnne’sfingerstingledtoreachoutforit.
ButthatwouldmeanGilbertBlythe’striumphonthemorrow.
Anneturnedherbackontheclockshelfandtriedtoimagineitwasn’tthere.
“Matthew,didyoueverstudygeometrywhenyouwenttoschool?”
“Wellnow,no,Ididn’t,”saidMatthew,comingoutofhisdozewithastart.
“Iwishyouhad,”sighedAnne,“becausethenyou’dbeabletosympathizewithme.
Youcan’tsympathizeproperlyifyou’veneverstudiedit.
Itiscastingacloudovermywholelife.I’msuchadunceatit,Matthew.”
“Wellnow,Idunno,”saidMatthewsoothingly.“Iguessyou’reallrightatanything.
Mr.PhillipstoldmelastweekinBlair’sstoreatCarmodythatyouwasthesmartestscholarinschoolandwasmakingrapidprogress.‘Rapidprogress’washisverywords.
There’sthemasrunsdownTeddyPhillipsandsaysheain’tmuchofateacher,butIguesshe’sallright.”
MatthewwouldhavethoughtanyonewhopraisedAnnewas“allright.”
“I’msureI’dgetonbetterwithgeometryifonlyhewouldn’tchangetheletters,”complainedAnne.
“IlearnthepropositionoffbyheartandthenhedrawsitontheblackboardandputsdifferentlettersfromwhatareinthebookandIgetallmixedup.
Idon’tthinkateachershouldtakesuchameanadvantage,doyou?
We’restudyingagriculturenowandI’vefoundoutatlastwhatmakestheroadsred.It’sagreatcomfort.
IwonderhowMarillaandMrs.Lyndeareenjoyingthemselves.
Mrs.LyndesaysCanadaisgoingtothedogsthewaythingsarebeingrunatOttawaandthatit’sanawfulwarningtotheelectors.
Shesaysifwomenwereallowedtovotewewouldsoonseeablessedchange.Whatwaydoyouvote,Matthew?”
“Conservative,”saidMatthewpromptly.TovoteConservativewaspartofMatthew’sreligion.
“ThenI’mConservativetoo,”saidAnnedecidedly.
“I’mgladbecauseGil—becausesomeoftheboysinschoolareGrits.
IguessMr.PhillipsisaGrittoobecausePrissyAndrews’sfatherisone,andRubyGillissaysthatwhenamaniscourtinghealwayshastoagreewiththegirl’smotherinreligionandherfatherinpolitics.Isthattrue,Matthew?”
“Wellnow,Idunno,”saidMatthew.
“Didyouevergocourting,Matthew?”
“Wellnow,no,Idunno’sIeverdid,”saidMatthew,whohadcertainlyneverthoughtofsuchathinginhiswholeexistence.
Annereflectedwithherchininherhands.
“Itmustberatherinteresting,don’tyouthink,Matthew?
RubyGillissayswhenshegrowsupshe’sgoingtohaveeversomanybeausonthestringandhavethemallcrazyabouther;butIthinkthatwouldbetooexciting.
I’dratherhavejustoneinhisrightmind.
ButRubyGillisknowsagreatdealaboutsuchmattersbecauseshehassomanybigsisters,andMrs.LyndesaystheGillisgirlshavegoneofflikehotcakes.
Mr.PhillipsgoesuptoseePrissyAndrewsnearlyeveryevening.
HesaysitistohelpherwithherlessonsbutMirandaSloaneisstudyingforQueen’stoo,andIshouldthinksheneededhelpalotmorethanPrissybecauseshe’seversomuchstupider,buthenevergoestohelpherintheeveningsatall.
ThereareagreatmanythingsinthisworldthatIcan’tunderstandverywell,Matthew.”
“Wellnow,IdunnoasIcomprehendthemallmyself,”acknowledgedMatthew.
“Well,IsupposeImustfinishupmylessons.
Iwon’tallowmyselftoopenthatnewbookJanelentmeuntilI’mthrough.
Butit’saterribletemptation,Matthew.
EvenwhenIturnmybackonitIcanseeittherejustasplain.
Janesaidshecriedherselfsickoverit.Iloveabookthatmakesmecry.
ButIthinkI’llcarrythatbookintothesittingroomandlockitinthejamclosetandgiveyouthekey.
AndyoumustNOTgiveittome,Matthew,untilmylessonsaredone,notevenifIimploreyouonmybendedknees.
It’sallverywelltosayresisttemptation,butit’seversomucheasiertoresistitifyoucan’tgetthekey.
AndthenshallIrundownthecellarandgetsomerussets,Matthew?Wouldn’tyoulikesomerussets?”
“Wellnow,IdunnobutwhatIwould,”saidMatthew,whoneveraterussetsbutknewAnne’sweaknessforthem.
JustasAnneemergedtriumphantlyfromthecellarwithherplatefulofrussetscamethesoundofflyingfootstepsontheicyboardwalkoutsideandthenextmomentthekitchendoorwasflungopenandinrushedDianaBarry,whitefacedandbreathless,withashawlwrappedhastilyaroundherhead.
Annepromptlyletgoofhercandleandplateinhersurprise,andplate,candle,andapplescrashedtogetherdownthecellarladderandwerefoundatthebottomembeddedinmeltedgrease,thenextday,byMarilla,whogatheredthemupandthankedmercythehousehadn’tbeensetonfire.
“Whateveristhematter,Diana?”criedAnne.“Hasyourmotherrelentedatlast?”
“Oh,Anne,docomequick,”imploredDiananervously.
“MinnieMayisawfulsick—she’sgotcroup.
YoungMaryJoesays—andFatherandMotherareawaytotownandthere’snobodytogoforthedoctor.
MinnieMayisawfulbadandYoungMaryJoedoesn’tknowwhattodo—andoh,Anne,I’msoscared!”
Matthew,withoutaword,reachedoutforcapandcoat,slippedpastDianaandawayintothedarknessoftheyard.
“He’sgonetoharnessthesorrelmaretogotoCarmodyforthedoctor,”saidAnne,whowashurryingonhoodandjacket.“Iknowitaswellasifhe’dsaidso.
MatthewandIaresuchkindredspiritsIcanreadhisthoughtswithoutwordsatall.”
“Idon’tbelievehe’llfindthedoctoratCarmody,”sobbedDiana.
“IknowthatDr.BlairwenttotownandIguessDr.Spencerwouldgotoo.
YoungMaryJoeneversawanybodywithcroupandMrs.Lyndeisaway.Oh,Anne!”
“Don’tcry,Di,”saidAnnecheerily.“Iknowexactlywhattodoforcroup.
YouforgetthatMrs.Hammondhadtwinsthreetimes.
Whenyoulookafterthreepairsoftwinsyounaturallygetalotofexperience.Theyallhadcroupregularly.
JustwaittillIgettheipecacbottle—youmayn’thaveanyatyourhouse.Comeonnow.”
ThetwolittlegirlshastenedouthandinhandandhurriedthroughLover’sLaneandacrossthecrustedfieldbeyond,forthesnowwastoodeeptogobytheshorterwoodway.
Anne,althoughsincerelysorryforMinnieMay,wasfarfrombeinginsensibletotheromanceofthesituationandtothesweetnessofoncemoresharingthatromancewithakindredspirit.
Thenightwasclearandfrosty,allebonyofshadowandsilverofsnowyslope;bigstarswereshiningoverthesilentfields;hereandtherethedarkpointedfirsstoodupwithsnowpowderingtheirbranchesandthewindwhistlingthroughthem.
Annethoughtitwastrulydelightfultogoskimmingthroughallthismysteryandlovelinesswithyourbosomfriendwhohadbeensolongestranged.
MinnieMay,agedthree,wasreallyverysick.
Shelayonthekitchensofafeverishandrestless,whileherhoarsebreathingcouldbeheardalloverthehouse.
YoungMaryJoe,abuxom,broad-facedFrenchgirlfromthecreek,whomMrs.Barryhadengagedtostaywiththechildrenduringherabsence,washelplessandbewildered,quiteincapableofthinkingwhattodo,ordoingitifshethoughtofit.
Annewenttoworkwithskillandpromptness.
“MinnieMayhascroupallright;she’sprettybad,butI’veseenthemworse.Firstwemusthavelotsofhotwater.
Ideclare,Diana,thereisn’tmorethanacupfulinthekettle!
There,I’vefilleditup,and,MaryJoe,youmayputsomewoodinthestove.
Idon’twanttohurtyourfeelingsbutitseemstomeyoumighthavethoughtofthisbeforeifyou’danyimagination.
Now,I’llundressMinnieMayandputhertobedandyoutrytofindsomesoftflannelcloths,Diana.
I’mgoingtogiveheradoseofipecacfirstofall.”
MinnieMaydidnottakekindlytotheipecacbutAnnehadnotbroughtupthreepairsoftwinsfornothing.
Downthatipecacwent,notonlyonce,butmanytimesduringthelong,anxiousnightwhenthetwolittlegirlsworkedpatientlyoverthesufferingMinnieMay,andYoungMaryJoe,honestlyanxioustodoallshecould,keptuparoaringfireandheatedmorewaterthanwouldhavebeenneededforahospitalofcroupybabies.
Itwasthreeo’clockwhenMatthewcamewithadoctor,forhehadbeenobligedtogoallthewaytoSpencervaleforone.
Butthepressingneedforassistancewaspast.
MinnieMaywasmuchbetterandwassleepingsoundly.
“Iwasawfullyneargivingupindespair,”explainedAnne.
“ShegotworseandworseuntilshewassickerthanevertheHammondtwinswere,eventhelastpair.
Iactuallythoughtshewasgoingtochoketodeath.
IgavehereverydropofipecacinthatbottleandwhenthelastdosewentdownIsaidtomyself—nottoDianaorYoungMaryJoe,becauseIdidn’twanttoworrythemanymorethantheywereworried,butIhadtosayittomyselfjusttorelievemyfeelings—’ThisisthelastlingeringhopeandIfear,tisavainone.’
Butinaboutthreeminutesshecoughedupthephlegmandbegantogetbetterrightaway.
Youmustjustimaginemyrelief,doctor,becauseIcan’texpressitinwords.
Youknowtherearesomethingsthatcannotbeexpressedinwords.”
“Yes,Iknow,”noddedthedoctor.HelookedatAnneasifhewerethinkingsomethingsaboutherthatcouldn’tbeexpressedinwords.Lateron,however,heexpressedthemtoMr.andMrs.Barry.
“ThatlittleredheadedgirltheyhaveoveratCuthbert’sisassmartastheymake‘em.
Itellyoushesavedthatbaby’slife,foritwouldhavebeentoolatebythetimeIgotthere.
Sheseemstohaveaskillandpresenceofmindperfectlywonderfulinachildofherage.
Ineversawanythingliketheeyesofherwhenshewasexplainingthecasetome.”
Annehadgonehomeinthewonderful,white-frostedwintermorning,heavyeyedfromlossofsleep,butstilltalkingunweariedlytoMatthewastheycrossedthelongwhitefieldandwalkedundertheglitteringfairyarchoftheLover’sLanemaples.
“Oh,Matthew,isn’titawonderfulmorning?
TheworldlookslikesomethingGodhadjustimaginedforHisownpleasure,doesn’tit?
ThosetreeslookasifIcouldblowthemawaywithabreath—pouf!
I’msogladIliveinaworldwheretherearewhitefrosts,aren’tyou?
AndI’msogladMrs.Hammondhadthreepairsoftwinsafterall.
Ifshehadn’tImightn’thaveknownwhattodoforMinnieMay.
I’mrealsorryIwasevercrosswithMrs.Hammondforhavingtwins.But,oh,Matthew,I’msosleepy.Ican’tgotoschool.
IjustknowIcouldn’tkeepmyeyesopenandI’dbesostupid.
ButIhatetostayhome,forGil—someoftheotherswillgetheadoftheclass,andit’ssohardtogetupagain—althoughofcoursetheharderitisthemoresatisfactionyouhavewhenyoudogetup,haven’tyou?”
“Wellnow,Iguessyou’llmanageallright,”saidMatthew,lookingatAnne’swhitelittlefaceandthedarkshadowsunderhereyes.
“Youjustgorighttobedandhaveagoodsleep.I’lldoallthechores.”
AnneaccordinglywenttobedandsleptsolongandsoundlythatitwaswelloninthewhiteandrosywinterafternoonwhensheawokeanddescendedtothekitchenwhereMarilla,whohadarrivedhomeinthemeantime,wassittingknitting.
“Oh,didyouseethePremier?”exclaimedAnneatonce.“WhatdidhelooklikeMarilla?”
“Well,henevergottobePremieronaccountofhislooks,”saidMarilla.“Suchanoseasthatmanhad!Buthecanspeak.IwasproudofbeingaConservative.
RachelLynde,ofcourse,beingaLiberal,hadnouseforhim.
Yourdinnerisintheoven,Anne,andyoucangetyourselfsomeblueplumpreserveoutofthepantry.Iguessyou’rehungry.
Matthewhasbeentellingmeaboutlastnight.
Imustsayitwasfortunateyouknewwhattodo.
Iwouldn’thavehadanyideamyself,forIneversawacaseofcroup.
Therenow,nevermindtalkingtillyou’vehadyourdinner.
Icantellbythelookofyouthatyou’rejustfullupwithspeeches,butthey’llkeep.”
MarillahadsomethingtotellAnne,butshedidnottellitjustthenforsheknewifshedidAnne’sconsequentexcitementwouldliftherclearoutoftheregionofsuchmaterialmattersasappetiteordinner.
NotuntilAnnehadfinishedhersaucerofblueplumsdidMarillasay:
“Mrs.Barrywasherethisafternoon,Anne.
Shewantedtoseeyou,butIwouldn’twakeyouup.
ShesaysyousavedMinnieMay’slife,andsheisverysorrysheactedasshedidinthataffairofthecurrantwine.
Shesayssheknowsnowyoudidn’tmeantosetDianadrunk,andshehopesyou’llforgiveherandbegoodfriendswithDianaagain.
You’retogooverthiseveningifyoulikeforDianacan’tstiroutsidethedooronaccountofabadcoldshecaughtlastnight.
Now,AnneShirley,forpity’ssakedon’tflyupintotheair.”
Thewarningseemednotunnecessary,soupliftedandaerialwasAnne’sexpressionandattitudeasshesprangtoherfeet,herfaceirradiatedwiththeflameofherspirit.
“Oh,Marilla,canIgorightnow—withoutwashingmydishes?I’llwashthemwhenIcomeback,butIcannottiemyselfdowntoanythingsounromanticasdishwashingatthisthrillingmoment.”
“Yes,yes,runalong,”saidMarillaindulgently.“AnneShirley—areyoucrazy?
Comebackthisinstantandputsomethingonyou.Imightaswellcalltothewind.She’sgonewithoutacaporwrap.
Lookathertearingthroughtheorchardwithherhairstreaming.
It’llbeamercyifshedoesn’tcatchherdeathofcold.”
Annecamedancinghomeinthepurplewintertwilightacrossthesnowyplaces.
Afarinthesouthwestwasthegreatshimmering,pearl-likesparkleofaneveningstarinaskythatwaspalegoldenandetherealroseovergleamingwhitespacesanddarkglensofspruce.
Thetinklesofsleighbellsamongthesnowyhillscamelikeelfinchimesthroughthefrostyair,buttheirmusicwasnotsweeterthanthesonginAnne’sheartandonherlips.
“Youseebeforeyouaperfectlyhappyperson,Marilla,”sheannounced.
“I’mperfectlyhappy—yes,inspiteofmyredhair.
JustatpresentIhaveasoulaboveredhair.
Mrs.Barrykissedmeandcriedandsaidshewassosorryandshecouldneverrepayme.
Ifeltfearfullyembarrassed,Marilla,butIjustsaidaspolitelyasIcould,‘Ihavenohardfeelingsforyou,Mrs.Barry.
IassureyouonceforallthatIdidnotmeantointoxicateDianaandhenceforthIshallcoverthepastwiththemantleofoblivion.’
Thatwasaprettydignifiedwayofspeakingwasn’tit,Marilla?”
“IfeltthatIwasheapingcoalsoffireonMrs.Barry’shead.AndDianaandIhadalovelyafternoon.
DianashowedmeanewfancycrochetstitchherauntoveratCarmodytaughther.
NotasoulinAvonleaknowsitbutus,andwepledgedasolemnvownevertorevealittoanyoneelse.
Dianagavemeabeautifulcardwithawreathofrosesonitandaverseofpoetry:
"IfyoulovemeasIloveyou
Nothingbutdeathcanpartustwo."
“Andthatistrue,Marilla.We’regoingtoaskMr.Phillipstoletussittogetherinschoolagain,andGertiePyecangowithMinnieAndrews.Wehadaneleganttea.
Mrs.Barryhadtheverybestchinasetout,Marilla,justasifIwasrealcompany.
Ican’ttellyouwhatathrillitgaveme.
Nobodyeverusedtheirverybestchinaonmyaccountbefore.
Andwehadfruitcakeandpoundcakeanddoughnutsandtwokindsofpreserves,Marilla.
AndMrs.BarryaskedmeifItookteaandsaid‘Pa,whydon’tyoupassthebiscuitstoAnne?’
Itmustbelovelytobegrownup,Marilla,whenjustbeingtreatedasifyouwereissonice.”
“Idon’tknowaboutthat,”saidMarilla,withabriefsigh.
“Well,anyway,whenIamgrownup,”saidAnnedecidedly,“I’malwaysgoingtotalktolittlegirlsasiftheyweretoo,andI’llneverlaughwhentheyusebigwords.
Iknowfromsorrowfulexperiencehowthathurtsone’sfeelings.AfterteaDianaandImadetaffy.
Thetaffywasn’tverygood,IsupposebecauseneitherDiananorIhadevermadeanybefore.
DianaleftmetostiritwhileshebutteredtheplatesandIforgotandletitburn;andthenwhenwesetitoutontheplatformtocoolthecatwalkedoveroneplateandthathadtobethrownaway.Butthemakingofitwassplendidfun.
ThenwhenIcamehomeMrs.BarryaskedmetocomeoverasoftenasIcouldandDianastoodatthewindowandthrewkissestomeallthewaydowntoLover’sLane.
Iassureyou,Marilla,thatIfeellikeprayingtonightandI’mgoingtothinkoutaspecialbrand-newprayerinhonoroftheoccasion.”
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