English
“MARILLA,canIgoovertoseeDianajustforaminute?”askedAnne,runningbreathlesslydownfromtheeastgableoneFebruaryevening.
“Idon’tseewhatyouwanttobetraipsingaboutafterdarkfor,”saidMarillashortly.
“YouandDianawalkedhomefromschooltogetherandthenstooddownthereinthesnowforhalfanhourmore,yourtonguesgoingthewholeblessedtime,clickety-clack.
SoIdon’tthinkyou’reverybadlyofftoseeheragain.”
“Butshewantstoseeme,”pleadedAnne.“Shehassomethingveryimportanttotellme.”
“Howdoyouknowshehas?”
“Becauseshejustsignaledtomefromherwindow.
Wehavearrangedawaytosignalwithourcandlesandcardboard.
Wesetthecandleonthewindowsillandmakeflashesbypassingthecardboardbackandforth.Somanyflashesmeanacertainthing.Itwasmyidea,Marilla.”
“I’llwarrantyouitwas,”saidMarillaemphatically.“Andthenextthingyou’llbesettingfiretothecurtainswithyoursignalingnonsense.”
“Oh,we’reverycareful,Marilla.Andit’ssointeresting.Twoflashesmean,‘Areyouthere?’Threemean‘yes’andfour‘no.’
Fivemean,‘Comeoverassoonaspossible,becauseIhavesomethingimportanttoreveal.’
Dianahasjustsignaledfiveflashes,andI’mreallysufferingtoknowwhatitis.”
“Well,youneedn’tsufferanylonger,”saidMarillasarcastically.“Youcango,butyou’retobebackhereinjusttenminutes,rememberthat.”
Annedidrememberitandwasbackinthestipulatedtime,althoughprobablynomortalwilleverknowjustwhatitcosthertoconfinethediscussionofDiana’simportantcommunicationwithinthelimitsoftenminutes.
Butatleastshehadmadegooduseofthem.
“Oh,Marilla,whatdoyouthink?YouknowtomorrowisDiana’sbirthday.
Well,hermothertoldhershecouldaskmetogohomewithherfromschoolandstayallnightwithher.
AndhercousinsarecomingoverfromNewbridgeinabigpungsleightogototheDebatingClubconcertatthehalltomorrownight.
AndtheyaregoingtotakeDianaandmetotheconcert—ifyou’llletmego,thatis.Youwill,won’tyou,Marilla?Oh,Ifeelsoexcited.”
“Youcancalmdownthen,becauseyou’renotgoing.
You’rebetterathomeinyourownbed,andasforthatclubconcert,it’sallnonsense,andlittlegirlsshouldnotbeallowedtogoouttosuchplacesatall.”
“I’msuretheDebatingClubisamostrespectableaffair,”pleadedAnne.
“I’mnotsayingitisn’t.Butyou’renotgoingtobegingaddingabouttoconcertsandstayingoutallhoursofthenight.Prettydoingsforchildren.I’msurprisedatMrs.Barry’slettingDianago.”
“Butit’ssuchaveryspecialoccasion,”mournedAnne,onthevergeoftears.“Dianahasonlyonebirthdayinayear.
Itisn’tasifbirthdayswerecommonthings,Marilla.
PrissyAndrewsisgoingtorecite‘CurfewMustNotRingTonight.’
Thatissuchagoodmoralpiece,Marilla,I’msureitwoulddomelotsofgoodtohearit.
Andthechoiraregoingtosingfourlovelypatheticsongsthatareprettynearasgoodashymns.
Andoh,Marilla,theministerisgoingtotakepart;yes,indeed,heis;he’sgoingtogiveanaddress.
Thatwillbejustaboutthesamethingasasermon.Please,mayn’tIgo,Marilla?”
“YouheardwhatIsaid,Anne,didn’tyou?Takeoffyourbootsnowandgotobed.It’spasteight.”
“There’sjustonemorething,Marilla,”saidAnne,withtheairofproducingthelastshotinherlocker.
“Mrs.BarrytoldDianathatwemightsleepinthespare-roombed.
ThinkofthehonorofyourlittleAnnebeingputinthespare-roombed.”
“It’sanhonoryou’llhavetogetalongwithout.Gotobed,Anne,anddon’tletmehearanotherwordoutofyou.”
WhenAnne,withtearsrollingoverhercheeks,hadgonesorrowfullyupstairs,Matthew,whohadbeenapparentlysoundasleepontheloungeduringthewholedialogue,openedhiseyesandsaiddecidedly:
“Wellnow,Marilla,IthinkyououghttoletAnnego.”
“Idon’tthen,”retortedMarilla.“Who’sbringingthischildup,Matthew,youorme?”
“Wellnow,you,”admittedMatthew.
“Don’tinterferethen.”
“Wellnow,Iain’tinterfering.Itain’tinterferingtohaveyourownopinion.AndmyopinionisthatyououghttoletAnnego.”
“You’dthinkIoughttoletAnnegotothemoonifshetookthenotion,I’venodoubt”wasMarilla’samiablerejoinder.
“ImighthaveletherspendthenightwithDiana,ifthatwasall.
ButIdon’tapproveofthisconcertplan.
She’dgothereandcatchcoldlikeasnot,andhaveherheadfilledupwithnonsenseandexcitement.Itwouldunsettleherforaweek.
Iunderstandthatchild’sdispositionandwhat’sgoodforitbetterthanyou,Matthew.”
“IthinkyououghttoletAnnego,”repeatedMatthewfirmly.
Argumentwasnothisstrongpoint,butholdingfasttohisopinioncertainlywas.
Marillagaveagaspofhelplessnessandtookrefugeinsilence.
Thenextmorning,whenAnnewaswashingthebreakfastdishesinthepantry,MatthewpausedonhiswayouttothebarntosaytoMarillaagain:
“IthinkyououghttoletAnnego,Marilla.”
ForamomentMarillalookedthingsnotlawfultobeuttered.Thensheyieldedtotheinevitableandsaidtartly:
“Verywell,shecango,sincenothingelse’llpleaseyou.”
Anneflewoutofthepantry,drippingdishclothinhand.
“Oh,Marilla,Marilla,saythoseblessedwordsagain.”
“Iguessonceisenoughtosaythem.ThisisMatthew’sdoingsandIwashmyhandsofit.
Ifyoucatchpneumoniasleepinginastrangebedorcomingoutofthathothallinthemiddleofthenight,don’tblameme,blameMatthew.
AnneShirley,you’redrippinggreasywateralloverthefloor.Ineversawsuchacarelesschild.”
“Oh,IknowI’magreattrialtoyou,Marilla,”saidAnnerepentantly.“Imakesomanymistakes.
ButthenjustthinkofallthemistakesIdon’tmake,althoughImight.
I’llgetsomesandandscrubupthespotsbeforeIgotoschool.
Oh,Marilla,myheartwasjustsetongoingtothatconcert.
Ineverwastoaconcertinmylife,andwhentheothergirlstalkabouttheminschoolIfeelsooutofit.
Youdidn’tknowjusthowIfeltaboutit,butyouseeMatthewdid.
Matthewunderstandsme,andit’ssonicetobeunderstood,Marilla.”
Annewastooexcitedtodoherselfjusticeastolessonsthatmorninginschool.
GilbertBlythespelledherdowninclassandleftherclearoutofsightinmentalarithmetic.
Anne’sconsequenthumiliationwaslessthanitmighthavebeen,however,inviewoftheconcertandthespare-roombed.
SheandDianatalkedsoconstantlyaboutitalldaythatwithastricterteacherthanMr.Phillipsdiredisgracemustinevitablyhavebeentheirportion.
Annefeltthatshecouldnothaveborneitifshehadnotbeengoingtotheconcert,fornothingelsewasdiscussedthatdayinschool.
TheAvonleaDebatingClub,whichmetfortnightlyallwinter,hadhadseveralsmallerfreeentertainments;butthiswastobeabigaffair,admissiontencents,inaidofthelibrary.
TheAvonleayoungpeoplehadbeenpracticingforweeks,andallthescholarswereespeciallyinterestedinitbyreasonofolderbrothersandsisterswhoweregoingtotakepart.
Everybodyinschoolovernineyearsofageexpectedtogo,exceptCarrieSloane,whosefathersharedMarilla’sopinionsaboutsmallgirlsgoingouttonightconcerts.
CarrieSloanecriedintohergrammaralltheafternoonandfeltthatlifewasnotworthliving.
ForAnnetherealexcitementbeganwiththedismissalofschoolandincreasedtherefromincrescendountilitreachedtoacrashofpositiveecstasyintheconcertitself.
Theyhada“perfectlyeleganttea;”andthencamethedeliciousoccupationofdressinginDiana’slittleroomupstairs.
DianadidAnne’sfronthairinthenewpompadourstyleandAnnetiedDiana’sbowswiththeespecialknackshepossessed;andtheyexperimentedwithatleasthalfadozendifferentwaysofarrangingtheirbackhair.
Atlasttheywereready,cheeksscarletandeyesglowingwithexcitement.
True,Annecouldnothelpalittlepangwhenshecontrastedherplainblacktamandshapeless,tight-sleeved,homemadegray-clothcoatwithDiana’sjauntyfurcapandsmartlittlejacket.
Butsherememberedintimethatshehadanimaginationandcoulduseit.
ThenDiana’scousins,theMurraysfromNewbridge,came;theyallcrowdedintothebigpungsleigh,amongstrawandfurryrobes.
Annereveledinthedrivetothehall,slippingalongoverthesatin-smoothroadswiththesnowcrispingundertherunners.
Therewasamagnificentsunset,andthesnowyhillsanddeep-bluewateroftheSt.LawrenceGulfseemedtoriminthesplendorlikeahugebowlofpearlandsapphirebrimmedwithwineandfire.
Tinklesofsleighbellsanddistantlaughter,thatseemedlikethemirthofwoodelves,camefromeveryquarter.
“Oh,Diana,”breathedAnne,squeezingDiana’smittenedhandunderthefurrobe,“isn’titalllikeabeautifuldream?DoIreallylookthesameasusual?
Ifeelsodifferentthatitseemstomeitmustshowinmylooks.”
“Youlookawfullynice,”saidDiana,whohavingjustreceivedacomplimentfromoneofhercousins,feltthatsheoughttopassiton.“You’vegottheloveliestcolor.”
Theprogramthatnightwasaseriesof“thrills”foratleastonelistenerintheaudience,and,asAnneassuredDiana,everysucceedingthrillwasthrillierthanthelast.
WhenPrissyAndrews,attiredinanewpink-silkwaistwithastringofpearlsabouthersmoothwhitethroatandrealcarnationsinherhair—rumorwhisperedthatthemasterhadsentallthewaytotownforthemforher—”climbedtheslimyladder,darkwithoutonerayoflight,”Anneshiveredinluxurioussympathy;whenthechoirsang“FarAbovetheGentleDaisies”Annegazedattheceilingasifitwerefrescoedwithangels;whenSamSloaneproceededtoexplainandillustrate“HowSockerySetaHen”Annelaugheduntilpeoplesittingnearherlaughedtoo,moreoutofsympathywithherthanwithamusementataselectionthatwasratherthreadbareeveninAvonlea;andwhenMr.PhillipsgaveMarkAntony’sorationoverthedeadbodyofCaesarinthemostheart-stirringtones—lookingatPrissyAndrewsattheendofeverysentence—AnnefeltthatshecouldriseandmutinyonthespotifbutoneRomancitizenledtheway.
Onlyonenumberontheprogramfailedtointeresther.
WhenGilbertBlytherecited“BingenontheRhine”AnnepickedupRhodaMurray’slibrarybookandreadituntilhehadfinished,whenshesatrigidlystiffandmotionlesswhileDianaclappedherhandsuntiltheytingled.
Itwaselevenwhentheygothome,satedwithdissipation,butwiththeexceedingsweetpleasureoftalkingitalloverstilltocome.
Everybodyseemedasleepandthehousewasdarkandsilent.
AnneandDianatiptoedintotheparlor,alongnarrowroomoutofwhichthespareroomopened.
Itwaspleasantlywarmanddimlylightedbytheembersofafireinthegrate.
“Let’sundresshere,”saidDiana.“It’ssoniceandwarm.”
“Hasn’titbeenadelightfultime?”sighedAnnerapturously.“Itmustbesplendidtogetupandrecitethere.Doyousupposewewilleverbeaskedtodoit,Diana?”
“Yes,ofcourse,someday.They’realwayswantingthebigscholarstorecite.
GilbertBlythedoesoftenandhe’sonlytwoyearsolderthanus.
Oh,Anne,howcouldyoupretendnottolistentohim?Whenhecametotheline,
"THERE'SANOTHER,notASISTER,
helookedrightdownatyou.”
“Diana,”saidAnnewithdignity,“youaremybosomfriend,butIcannotallowevenyoutospeaktomeofthatperson.Areyoureadyforbed?Let’srunaraceandseewho’llgettothebedfirst.”
ThesuggestionappealedtoDiana.Thetwolittlewhite-cladfiguresflewdownthelongroom,throughthespare-roomdoor,andboundedonthebedatthesamemoment.
Andthen—something—movedbeneaththem,therewasagaspandacry—andsomebodysaidinmuffledaccents:
“Mercifulgoodness!”
AnneandDianawereneverabletotelljusthowtheygotoffthatbedandoutoftheroom.Theyonlyknewthatafteronefranticrushtheyfoundthemselvestiptoeingshiveringlyupstairs.
“Oh,whowasit—WHATwasit?”whisperedAnne,herteethchatteringwithcoldandfright.
“ItwasAuntJosephine,”saidDiana,gaspingwithlaughter.
“Oh,Anne,itwasAuntJosephine,howevershecametobethere.Oh,andIknowshewillbefurious.
It’sdreadful—it’sreallydreadful—butdidyoueverknowanythingsofunny,Anne?”
“WhoisyourAuntJosephine?”
“She’sfather’sauntandshelivesinCharlottetown.
She’sawfullyold—seventyanyhow—andIdon’tbelieveshewasEVERalittlegirl.
Wewereexpectingheroutforavisit,butnotsosoon.
She’sawfullyprimandproperandshe’llscolddreadfullyaboutthis,Iknow.
Well,we’llhavetosleepwithMinnieMay—andyoucan’tthinkhowshekicks.”
MissJosephineBarrydidnotappearattheearlybreakfastthenextmorning.Mrs.Barrysmiledkindlyatthetwolittlegirls.
“Didyouhaveagoodtimelastnight?Itriedtostayawakeuntilyoucamehome,forIwantedtotellyouAuntJosephinehadcomeandthatyouwouldhavetogoupstairsafterall,butIwassotiredIfellasleep.
Ihopeyoudidn’tdisturbyouraunt,Diana.”
Dianapreservedadiscreetsilence,butsheandAnneexchangedfurtivesmilesofguiltyamusementacrossthetable.
AnnehurriedhomeafterbreakfastandsoremainedinblissfulignoranceofthedisturbancewhichpresentlyresultedintheBarryhouseholduntilthelateafternoon,whenshewentdowntoMrs.Lynde’sonanerrandforMarilla.
“SoyouandDiananearlyfrightenedpooroldMissBarrytodeathlastnight?”
saidMrs.Lyndeseverely,butwithatwinkleinhereye.
“Mrs.BarrywashereafewminutesagoonherwaytoCarmody.She’sfeelingrealworriedoverit.
OldMissBarrywasinaterribletemperwhenshegotupthismorning—andJosephineBarry’stemperisnojoke,Icantellyouthat.Shewouldn’tspeaktoDianaatall.”
“Itwasn’tDiana’sfault,”saidAnnecontritely.“Itwasmine.Isuggestedracingtoseewhowouldgetintobedfirst.”
“Iknewit!”saidMrs.Lynde,withtheexultationofacorrectguesser.
“Iknewthatideacameoutofyourhead.
Well,it’smadeanicelotoftrouble,that’swhat.
OldMissBarrycameouttostayforamonth,butshedeclaresshewon’tstayanotherdayandisgoingrightbacktotowntomorrow,Sundayandallasitis.
She’dhavegonetodayiftheycouldhavetakenher.
Shehadpromisedtopayforaquarter’smusiclessonsforDiana,butnowsheisdeterminedtodonothingatallforsuchatomboy.
Oh,Iguesstheyhadalivelytimeofittherethismorning.TheBarrysmustfeelcutup.
OldMissBarryisrichandthey’dliketokeeponthegoodsideofher.
Ofcourse,Mrs.Barrydidn’tsayjustthattome,butI’maprettygoodjudgeofhumannature,that’swhat.”
“I’msuchanunluckygirl,”mournedAnne.
“I’malwaysgettingintoscrapesmyselfandgettingmybestfriends—peopleI’dshedmyheart’sbloodfor—intothemtoo.
Canyoutellmewhyitisso,Mrs.Lynde?”
“It’sbecauseyou’retooheedlessandimpulsive,child,that’swhat.Youneverstoptothink—whatevercomesintoyourheadtosayordoyousayordoitwithoutamoment’sreflection.”
“Oh,butthat’sthebestofit,”protestedAnne.
“Somethingjustflashesintoyourmind,soexciting,andyoumustoutwithit.
Ifyoustoptothinkitoveryouspoilitall.
Haven’tyouneverfeltthatyourself,Mrs.Lynde?”
No,Mrs.Lyndehadnot.Sheshookherheadsagely.
“Youmustlearntothinkalittle,Anne,that’swhat.Theproverbyouneedtogobyis‘Lookbeforeyouleap’—especiallyintospare-roombeds.”
Mrs.Lyndelaughedcomfortablyoverhermildjoke,butAnneremainedpensive.
Shesawnothingtolaughatinthesituation,whichtohereyesappearedveryserious.
WhensheleftMrs.Lynde’sshetookherwayacrossthecrustedfieldstoOrchardSlope.Dianametheratthekitchendoor.
“YourAuntJosephinewasverycrossaboutit,wasn’tshe?”whisperedAnne.
“Yes,”answeredDiana,stiflingagigglewithanapprehensiveglanceoverhershoulderattheclosedsitting-roomdoor.
“Shewasfairlydancingwithrage,Anne.Oh,howshescolded.
ShesaidIwastheworst-behavedgirlsheeversawandthatmyparentsoughttobeashamedofthewaytheyhadbroughtmeup.
Shesaysshewon’tstayandI’msureIdon’tcare.ButFatherandMotherdo.”
“Whydidn’tyoutellthemitwasmyfault?”demandedAnne.
“It’slikelyI’ddosuchathing,isn’tit?”saidDianawithjustscorn.“I’mnotelltale,AnneShirley,andanyhowIwasjustasmuchtoblameasyou.”
“Well,I’mgoingintotellhermyself,”saidAnneresolutely.
Dianastared.
“AnneShirley,you’dnever!why—she’lleatyoualive!”
“Don’tfrightenmeanymorethanIamfrightened,”imploredAnne.
“I’dratherwalkuptoacannon’smouth.ButI’vegottodoit,Diana.
ItwasmyfaultandI’vegottoconfess.
I’vehadpracticeinconfessing,fortunately.”
“Well,she’sintheroom,”saidDiana.“Youcangoinifyouwantto.Iwouldn’tdare.AndIdon’tbelieveyou’lldoabitofgood.”
WiththisencouragementAnnebeardedthelioninitsden—thatistosay,walkedresolutelyuptothesitting-roomdoorandknockedfaintly.Asharp“Comein”followed.
MissJosephineBarry,thin,prim,andrigid,wasknittingfiercelybythefire,herwrathquiteunappeasedandhereyessnappingthroughhergold-rimmedglasses.
Shewheeledaroundinherchair,expectingtoseeDiana,andbeheldawhite-facedgirlwhosegreateyeswerebrimmedupwithamixtureofdesperatecourageandshrinkingterror.
“Whoareyou?”demandedMissJosephineBarry,withoutceremony.
“I’mAnneofGreenGables,”saidthesmallvisitortremulously,claspingherhandswithhercharacteristicgesture,“andI’vecometoconfess,ifyouplease.”
“Confesswhat?”
“Thatitwasallmyfaultaboutjumpingintobedonyoulastnight.Isuggestedit.
Dianawouldneverhavethoughtofsuchathing,Iamsure.
Dianaisaveryladylikegirl,MissBarry.
Soyoumustseehowunjustitistoblameher.”
“Oh,Imust,hey?IratherthinkDianadidhershareofthejumpingatleast.Suchcarryingsoninarespectablehouse!”
“Butwewereonlyinfun,”persistedAnne.
“Ithinkyououghttoforgiveus,MissBarry,nowthatwe’veapologized.
Andanyhow,pleaseforgiveDianaandletherhavehermusiclessons.
Diana’sheartissetonhermusiclessons,MissBarry,andIknowtoowellwhatitistosetyourheartonathingandnotgetit.
Ifyoumustbecrosswithanyone,becrosswithme.
I’vebeensousedinmyearlydaystohavingpeoplecrossatmethatIcanendureitmuchbetterthanDianacan.”
Muchofthesnaphadgoneoutoftheoldlady’seyesbythistimeandwasreplacedbyatwinkleofamusedinterest.Butshestillsaidseverely:
“Idon’tthinkitisanyexcuseforyouthatyouwereonlyinfun.
LittlegirlsneverindulgedinthatkindoffunwhenIwasyoung.
Youdon’tknowwhatitistobeawakenedoutofasoundsleep,afteralongandarduousjourney,bytwogreatgirlscomingbouncedownonyou.”
“Idon’tKNOW,butIcanIMAGINE,”saidAnneeagerly.
“I’msureitmusthavebeenverydisturbing.Butthen,thereisoursideofittoo.Haveyouanyimagination,MissBarry?
Ifyouhave,justputyourselfinourplace.
Wedidn’tknowtherewasanybodyinthatbedandyounearlyscaredustodeath.Itwassimplyawfulthewaywefelt.
Andthenwecouldn’tsleepinthespareroomafterbeingpromised.
Isupposeyouareusedtosleepinginsparerooms.
Butjustimaginewhatyouwouldfeellikeifyouwerealittleorphangirlwhohadneverhadsuchanhonor.”
Allthesnaphadgonebythistime.MissBarryactuallylaughed—asoundwhichcausedDiana,waitinginspeechlessanxietyinthekitchenoutside,togiveagreatgaspofrelief.
“I’mafraidmyimaginationisalittlerusty—it’ssolongsinceIusedit,”shesaid.
“Idaresayyourclaimtosympathyisjustasstrongasmine.
Italldependsonthewaywelookatit.
Sitdownhereandtellmeaboutyourself.”
“IamverysorryIcan’t,”saidAnnefirmly.
“Iwouldliketo,becauseyouseemlikeaninterestinglady,andyoumightevenbeakindredspiritalthoughyoudon’tlookverymuchlikeit.
ButitismydutytogohometoMissMarillaCuthbert.
MissMarillaCuthbertisaverykindladywhohastakenmetobringupproperly.
Sheisdoingherbest,butitisverydiscouragingwork.
YoumustnotblameherbecauseIjumpedonthebed.
ButbeforeIgoIdowishyouwouldtellmeifyouwillforgiveDianaandstayjustaslongasyoumeanttoinAvonlea.”
“IthinkperhapsIwillifyouwillcomeoverandtalktomeoccasionally,”saidMissBarry.
ThateveningMissBarrygaveDianaasilverbanglebraceletandtoldtheseniormembersofthehouseholdthatshehadunpackedhervalise.
“I’vemadeupmymindtostaysimplyforthesakeofgettingbetteracquaintedwiththatAnne-girl,”shesaidfrankly.“Sheamusesme,andatmytimeoflifeanamusingpersonisararity.”
Marilla’sonlycommentwhensheheardthestorywas,“Itoldyouso.”ThiswasforMatthew’sbenefit.
MissBarrystayedhermonthoutandover.Shewasamoreagreeableguestthanusual,forAnnekeptheringoodhumor.Theybecamefirmfriends.
WhenMissBarrywentawayshesaid:
“Remember,youAnne-girl,whenyoucometotownyou’retovisitmeandI’llputyouinmyverysparestspare-roombedtosleep.”
“MissBarrywasakindredspirit,afterall,”AnneconfidedtoMarilla.
“Youwouldn’tthinksotolookather,butsheis.
Youdon’tfinditrightoutatfirst,asinMatthew’scase,butafterawhileyoucometoseeit.
KindredspiritsarenotsoscarceasIusedtothink.
It’ssplendidtofindouttherearesomanyofthemintheworld.”
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