English
Matthewwashavingabadtenminutesofit.
Hehadcomeintothekitchen,inthetwilightofacold,grayDecemberevening,andhadsatdowninthewoodboxcornertotakeoffhisheavyboots,unconsciousofthefactthatAnneandabevyofherschoolmateswerehavingapracticeof“TheFairyQueen”inthesittingroom.
Presentlytheycametroopingthroughthehallandoutintothekitchen,laughingandchatteringgaily.
TheydidnotseeMatthew,whoshrankbashfullybackintotheshadowsbeyondthewoodboxwithabootinonehandandabootjackintheother,andhewatchedthemshylyfortheaforesaidtenminutesastheyputoncapsandjacketsandtalkedaboutthedialogueandtheconcert.
Annestoodamongthem,brighteyedandanimatedasthey;butMatthewsuddenlybecameconsciousthattherewassomethingaboutherdifferentfromhermates.
AndwhatworriedMatthewwasthatthedifferenceimpressedhimasbeingsomethingthatshouldnotexist.
Annehadabrighterface,andbigger,starriereyes,andmoredelicatefeaturesthantheother;evenshy,unobservantMatthewhadlearnedtotakenoteofthesethings;butthedifferencethatdisturbedhimdidnotconsistinanyoftheserespects.Theninwhatdiditconsist?
Matthewwashauntedbythisquestionlongafterthegirlshadgone,arminarm,downthelong,hard-frozenlaneandAnnehadbetakenherselftoherbooks.
HecouldnotreferittoMarilla,who,hefelt,wouldbequitesuretosniffscornfullyandremarkthattheonlydifferenceshesawbetweenAnneandtheothergirlswasthattheysometimeskepttheirtonguesquietwhileAnneneverdid.
This,Matthewfelt,wouldbenogreathelp.
Hehadrecoursetohispipethateveningtohelphimstudyitout,muchtoMarilla’sdisgust.
AftertwohoursofsmokingandhardreflectionMatthewarrivedatasolutionofhisproblem.
Annewasnotdressedliketheothergirls!
ThemoreMatthewthoughtaboutthematterthemorehewasconvincedthatAnneneverhadbeendressedliketheothergirls—neversinceshehadcometoGreenGables.
Marillakeptherclothedinplain,darkdresses,allmadeafterthesameunvaryingpattern.
IfMatthewknewtherewassuchathingasfashionindressitwasasmuchashedid;buthewasquitesurethatAnne’ssleevesdidnotlookatalllikethesleevestheothergirlswore.
Herecalledtheclusteroflittlegirlshehadseenaroundherthatevening—allgayinwaistsofredandblueandpinkandwhite—andhewonderedwhyMarillaalwayskepthersoplainlyandsoberlygowned.
Ofcourse,itmustbeallright.MarillaknewbestandMarillawasbringingherup.
Probablysomewise,inscrutablemotivewastobeservedthereby.
Butsurelyitwoulddonoharmtoletthechildhaveoneprettydress—somethinglikeDianaBarryalwayswore.
Matthewdecidedthathewouldgiveherone;thatsurelycouldnotbeobjectedtoasanunwarrantedputtinginofhisoar.Christmaswasonlyafortnightoff.
Anicenewdresswouldbetheverythingforapresent.
Matthew,withasighofsatisfaction,putawayhispipeandwenttobed,whileMarillaopenedallthedoorsandairedthehouse.
TheverynexteveningMatthewbetookhimselftoCarmodytobuythedress,determinedtogettheworstoverandhavedonewithit.
Itwouldbe,hefeltassured,notriflingordeal.
ThereweresomethingsMatthewcouldbuyandprovehimselfnomeanbargainer;butheknewhewouldbeatthemercyofshopkeeperswhenitcametobuyingagirl’sdress.
AftermuchcogitationMatthewresolvedtogotoSamuelLawson’sstoreinsteadofWilliamBlair’s.
Tobesure,theCuthbertsalwayshadgonetoWilliamBlair’s;itwasalmostasmuchamatterofconsciencewiththemastoattendthePresbyterianchurchandvoteConservative.
ButWilliamBlair’stwodaughtersfrequentlywaitedoncustomersthereandMatthewheldtheminabsolutedread.
Hecouldcontrivetodealwiththemwhenheknewexactlywhathewantedandcouldpointitout;butinsuchamatterasthis,requiringexplanationandconsultation,Matthewfeltthathemustbesureofamanbehindthecounter.
SohewouldgotoLawson’s,whereSamuelorhissonwouldwaitonhim.
Alas!MatthewdidnotknowthatSamuel,intherecentexpansionofhisbusiness,hadsetupaladyclerkalso;shewasanieceofhiswife’sandaverydashingyoungpersonindeed,withahuge,droopingpompadour,big,rollingbrowneyes,andamostextensiveandbewilderingsmile.
Shewasdressedwithexceedingsmartnessandworeseveralbanglebraceletsthatglitteredandrattledandtinkledwitheverymovementofherhands.
Matthewwascoveredwithconfusionatfindingherthereatall;andthosebanglescompletelywreckedhiswitsatonefellswoop.
“WhatcanIdoforyouthisevening,Mr.Cuthbert?”MissLucillaHarrisinquired,brisklyandingratiatingly,tappingthecounterwithbothhands.
“Haveyouany—any—any—wellnow,sayanygardenrakes?”stammeredMatthew.
MissHarrislookedsomewhatsurprised,aswellshemight,tohearamaninquiringforgardenrakesinthemiddleofDecember.
“Ibelievewehaveoneortwoleftover,”shesaid,“butthey’reupstairsinthelumberroom.I’llgoandsee.”DuringherabsenceMatthewcollectedhisscatteredsensesforanothereffort.
WhenMissHarrisreturnedwiththerakeandcheerfullyinquired:“Anythingelsetonight,Mr.Cuthbert?”
Matthewtookhiscourageinbothhandsandreplied:“Wellnow,sinceyousuggestit,Imightaswell—take—thatis—lookat—buysome—somehayseed.”
MissHarrishadheardMatthewCuthbertcalledodd.Shenowconcludedthathewasentirelycrazy.
“Weonlykeephayseedinthespring,”sheexplainedloftily.“We’venoneonhandjustnow.”
“Oh,certainly—certainly—justasyousay,”stammeredunhappyMatthew,seizingtherakeandmakingforthedoor.
Atthethresholdherecollectedthathehadnotpaidforitandheturnedmiserablyback.
WhileMissHarriswascountingouthischangeheralliedhispowersforafinaldesperateattempt.
“Wellnow—ifitisn’ttoomuchtrouble—Imightaswell—thatis—I’dliketolookat—at—somesugar.”
“Whiteorbrown?”queriedMissHarrispatiently.
“Oh—wellnow—brown,”saidMatthewfeebly.
“There’sabarrelofitoverthere,”saidMissHarris,shakingherbanglesatit.“It’stheonlykindwehave.”
“I’ll—I’lltaketwentypoundsofit,”saidMatthew,withbeadsofperspirationstandingonhisforehead.
Matthewhaddrivenhalfwayhomebeforehewashisownmanagain.
Ithadbeenagruesomeexperience,butitservedhimright,hethought,forcommittingtheheresyofgoingtoastrangestore.
Whenhereachedhomehehidtherakeinthetoolhouse,butthesugarhecarriedintoMarilla.
“Brownsugar!”exclaimedMarilla.“Whateverpossessedyoutogetsomuch?
YouknowIneveruseitexceptforthehiredman’sporridgeorblackfruitcake.
Jerry’sgoneandI’vemademycakelongago.
It’snotgoodsugar,either—it’scoarseanddark—WilliamBlairdoesn’tusuallykeepsugarlikethat.”
“I—Ithoughtitmightcomeinhandysometime,”saidMatthew,makinggoodhisescape.
WhenMatthewcametothinkthematteroverhedecidedthatawomanwasrequiredtocopewiththesituation.Marillawasoutofthequestion.
Matthewfeltsureshewouldthrowcoldwateronhisprojectatonce.
RemainedonlyMrs.Lynde;forofnootherwomaninAvonleawouldMatthewhavedaredtoaskadvice.
ToMrs.Lyndehewentaccordingly,andthatgoodladypromptlytookthematteroutoftheharassedman’shands.
“PickoutadressforyoutogiveAnne?TobesureIwill.
I’mgoingtoCarmodytomorrowandI’llattendtoit.Haveyousomethingparticularinmind?No?
Well,I’lljustgobymyownjudgmentthen.
IbelieveanicerichbrownwouldjustsuitAnne,andWilliamBlairhassomenewgloriainthat’srealpretty.
Perhapsyou’dlikemetomakeitupforher,too,seeingthatifMarillawastomakeitAnnewouldprobablygetwindofitbeforethetimeandspoilthesurprise?Well,I’lldoit.No,itisn’tamiteoftrouble.Ilikesewing.
I’llmakeittofitmyniece,JennyGillis,forsheandAnneareaslikeastwopeasasfarasfiguregoes.”
“Wellnow,I’mmuchobliged,”saidMatthew,“and—and—Idunno—butI’dlike—Ithinktheymakethesleevesdifferentnowadaystowhattheyusedtobe.
Ifitwouldn’tbeaskingtoomuchI—I’dlikethemmadeinthenewway.”
“Puffs?Ofcourse.Youneedn’tworryaspeckmoreaboutit,Matthew.I’llmakeitupintheverylatestfashion,”saidMrs.Lynde.ToherselfsheaddedwhenMatthewhadgone:
“It’llbearealsatisfactiontoseethatpoorchildwearingsomethingdecentforonce.
ThewayMarilladressesherispositivelyridiculous,that’swhat,andI’veachedtotellhersoplainlyadozentimes.
I’veheldmytonguethough,forIcanseeMarilladoesn’twantadviceandshethinkssheknowsmoreaboutbringingchildrenupthanIdoforallshe’sanoldmaid.Butthat’salwaystheway.
Folksthathasbroughtupchildrenknowthatthere’snohardandfastmethodintheworldthat’llsuiteverychild.
Butthemasneverhavethinkit’sallasplainandeasyasRuleofThree—justsetyourthreetermsdownsofashion,andthesum’llworkoutcorrect.
Butfleshandblooddon’tcomeundertheheadofarithmeticandthat’swhereMarillaCuthbertmakeshermistake.
Isupposeshe’stryingtocultivateaspiritofhumilityinAnnebydressingherasshedoes;butit’smorelikelytocultivateenvyanddiscontent.
I’msurethechildmustfeelthedifferencebetweenherclothesandtheothergirls’.
ButtothinkofMatthewtakingnoticeofit!
Thatmaniswakingupafterbeingasleepforoversixtyyears.”
MarillaknewallthefollowingfortnightthatMatthewhadsomethingonhismind,butwhatitwasshecouldnotguess,untilChristmasEve,whenMrs.Lyndebroughtupthenewdress.
Marillabehavedprettywellonthewhole,althoughitisverylikelyshedistrustedMrs.Lynde’sdiplomaticexplanationthatshehadmadethedressbecauseMatthewwasafraidAnnewouldfindoutaboutittoosoonifMarillamadeit.
“SothisiswhatMatthewhasbeenlookingsomysteriousoverandgrinningabouttohimselffortwoweeks,isit?”
shesaidalittlestifflybuttolerantly.“Iknewhewasuptosomefoolishness.
Well,ImustsayIdon’tthinkAnneneededanymoredresses.
Imadeherthreegood,warm,serviceableonesthisfall,andanythingmoreissheerextravagance.
There’senoughmaterialinthosesleevesalonetomakeawaist,Ideclarethereis.
You’lljustpamperAnne’svanity,Matthew,andshe’sasvainasapeacocknow.
Well,Ihopeshe’llbesatisfiedatlast,forIknowshe’sbeenhankeringafterthosesillysleeveseversincetheycamein,althoughsheneversaidawordafterthefirst.
Thepuffshavebeengettingbiggerandmoreridiculousrightalong;they’reasbigasballoonsnow.
Nextyearanybodywhowearsthemwillhavetogothroughadoorsideways.”
Christmasmorningbrokeonabeautifulwhiteworld.
IthadbeenaverymildDecemberandpeoplehadlookedforwardtoagreenChristmas;butjustenoughsnowfellsoftlyinthenighttotransfigureAvonlea.
Annepeepedoutfromherfrostedgablewindowwithdelightedeyes.
ThefirsintheHauntedWoodwereallfeatheryandwonderful;thebirchesandwildcherrytreeswereoutlinedinpearl;theplowedfieldswerestretchesofsnowydimples;andtherewasacrisptangintheairthatwasglorious.
AnnerandownstairssinginguntilhervoicereechoedthroughGreenGables.
“MerryChristmas,Marilla!MerryChristmas,Matthew!Isn’titalovelyChristmas?I’msogladit’swhite.
AnyotherkindofChristmasdoesn’tseemreal,doesit?Idon’tlikegreenChristmases.
They’renotgreen—they’rejustnastyfadedbrownsandgrays.Whatmakespeoplecallthemgreen?Why—why—Matthew,isthatforme?Oh,Matthew!”
MatthewhadsheepishlyunfoldedthedressfromitspaperswathingsandhelditoutwithadeprecatoryglanceatMarilla,whofeignedtobecontemptuouslyfillingtheteapot,butneverthelesswatchedthesceneoutofthecornerofhereyewitharatherinterestedair.
Annetookthedressandlookedatitinreverentsilence.
Oh,howprettyitwas—alovelysoftbrowngloriawithalltheglossofsilk;askirtwithdaintyfrillsandshirrings;awaistelaboratelypintuckedinthemostfashionableway,withalittleruffleoffilmylaceattheneck.
Butthesleeves—theywerethecrowningglory!
Longelbowcuffs,andabovethemtwobeautifulpuffsdividedbyrowsofshirringandbowsofbrown-silkribbon.
“That’saChristmaspresentforyou,Anne,”saidMatthewshyly.“Why—why—Anne,don’tyoulikeit?Wellnow—wellnow.”
ForAnne’seyeshadsuddenlyfilledwithtears.
“Likeit!Oh,Matthew!”
Annelaidthedressoverachairandclaspedherhands.“Matthew,it’sperfectlyexquisite.Oh,Icanneverthankyouenough.Lookatthosesleeves!
Oh,itseemstomethismustbeahappydream.”
“Well,well,letushavebreakfast,”interruptedMarilla.
“Imustsay,Anne,Idon’tthinkyouneededthedress;butsinceMatthewhasgotitforyou,seethatyoutakegoodcareofit.
There’sahairribbonMrs.Lyndeleftforyou.It’sbrown,tomatchthedress.Comenow,sitin.”
“Idon’tseehowI’mgoingtoeatbreakfast,”saidAnnerapturously.
“Breakfastseemssocommonplaceatsuchanexcitingmoment.I’dratherfeastmyeyesonthatdress.
I’msogladthatpuffedsleevesarestillfashionable.
ItdidseemtomethatI’dnevergetoveritiftheywentoutbeforeIhadadresswiththem.
I’dneverhavefeltquitesatisfied,yousee.
ItwaslovelyofMrs.Lyndetogivemetheribbontoo.
IfeelthatIoughttobeaverygoodgirlindeed.
It’sattimeslikethisI’msorryI’mnotamodellittlegirl;andIalwaysresolvethatIwillbeinfuture.
Butsomehowit’shardtocarryoutyourresolutionswhenirresistibletemptationscome.
Still,Ireallywillmakeanextraeffortafterthis.”
WhenthecommonplacebreakfastwasoverDianaappeared,crossingthewhitelogbridgeinthehollow,agaylittlefigureinhercrimsonulster.Anneflewdowntheslopetomeether.
“MerryChristmas,Diana!Andoh,it’sawonderfulChristmas.I’vesomethingsplendidtoshowyou.Matthewhasgivenmetheloveliestdress,withSUCHsleeves.Icouldn’tevenimagineanynicer.”
“I’vegotsomethingmoreforyou,”saidDianabreathlessly.“Here—thisbox.
AuntJosephinesentusoutabigboxwitheversomanythingsinit—andthisisforyou.
I’dhavebroughtitoverlastnight,butitdidn’tcomeuntilafterdark,andIneverfeelverycomfortablecomingthroughtheHauntedWoodinthedarknow.”
Anneopenedtheboxandpeepedin.Firstacardwith“FortheAnne-girlandMerryChristmas,”writtenonit;andthen,apairofthedaintiestlittlekidslippers,withbeadedtoesandsatinbowsandglisteningbuckles.
“Oh,”saidAnne,“Diana,thisistoomuch.Imustbedreaming.”
“Icallitprovidential,”saidDiana.“Youwon’thavetoborrowRuby’sslippersnow,andthat’sablessing,forthey’retwosizestoobigforyou,anditwouldbeawfultohearafairyshuffling.JosiePyewouldbedelighted.
Mindyou,RobWrightwenthomewithGertiePyefromthepracticenightbeforelast.
Didyoueverhearanythingequaltothat?”
AlltheAvonleascholarswereinafeverofexcitementthatday,forthehallhadtobedecoratedandalastgrandrehearsalheld.
Theconcertcameoffintheeveningandwasapronouncedsuccess.
Thelittlehallwascrowded;alltheperformersdidexcellentlywell,butAnnewasthebrightparticularstaroftheoccasion,asevenenvy,intheshapeofJosiePye,darednotdeny.
“Oh,hasn’titbeenabrilliantevening?”sighedAnne,whenitwasalloverandsheandDianawerewalkinghometogetherunderadark,starrysky.
“Everythingwentoffverywell,”saidDianapractically.“Iguesswemusthavemadeasmuchastendollars.Mindyou,Mr.AllanisgoingtosendanaccountofittotheCharlottetownpapers.”
“Oh,Diana,willwereallyseeournamesinprint?Itmakesmethrilltothinkofit.Yoursolowasperfectlyelegant,Diana.
Ifeltprouderthanyoudidwhenitwasencored.
Ijustsaidtomyself,‘Itismydearbosomfriendwhoissohonored.’”
“Well,yourrecitationsjustbroughtdownthehouse,Anne.Thatsadonewassimplysplendid.”
“Oh,Iwassonervous,Diana.WhenMr.AllancalledoutmynameIreallycannottellhowIevergotuponthatplatform.
Ifeltasifamillioneyeswerelookingatmeandthroughme,andforonedreadfulmomentIwassureIcouldn’tbeginatall.
ThenIthoughtofmylovelypuffedsleevesandtookcourage.
IknewthatImustliveuptothosesleeves,Diana.
SoIstartedin,andmyvoiceseemedtobecomingfromeversofaraway.Ijustfeltlikeaparrot.
It’sprovidentialthatIpracticedthoserecitationssooftenupinthegarret,orI’dneverhavebeenabletogetthrough.DidIgroanallright?”
“Yes,indeed,yougroanedlovely,”assuredDiana.
“IsawoldMrs.SloanewipingawaytearswhenIsatdown.
ItwassplendidtothinkIhadtouchedsomebody’sheart.
It’ssoromantictotakepartinaconcert,isn’tit?
Oh,it’sbeenaverymemorableoccasionindeed.”
“Wasn’ttheboys’dialoguefine?”saidDiana.“GilbertBlythewasjustsplendid.
Anne,Idothinkit’sawfulmeanthewayyoutreatGil.WaittillItellyou.
Whenyouranofftheplatformafterthefairydialogueoneofyourrosesfelloutofyourhair.
IsawGilpickitupandputitinhisbreastpocket.Therenow.
You’resoromanticthatI’msureyououghttobepleasedatthat.”
“It’snothingtomewhatthatpersondoes,”saidAnneloftily.“Isimplyneverwasteathoughtonhim,Diana.”
ThatnightMarillaandMatthew,whohadbeenouttoaconcertforthefirsttimeintwentyyears,satforawhilebythekitchenfireafterAnnehadgonetobed.
“Wellnow,IguessourAnnedidaswellasanyofthem,”saidMatthewproudly.
“Yes,shedid,”admittedMarilla.“She’sabrightchild,Matthew.Andshelookedrealnicetoo.
I’vebeenkindofopposedtothisconcertscheme,butIsupposethere’snorealharminitafterall.
Anyhow,IwasproudofAnnetonight,althoughI’mnotgoingtotellherso.”
“Wellnow,IwasproudofherandIdidtellherso‘foreshewentupstairs,”saidMatthew.
“Wemustseewhatwecandoforhersomeofthesedays,Marilla.
Iguessshe’llneedsomethingmorethanAvonleaschoolbyandby.”
“There’stimeenoughtothinkofthat,”saidMarilla.“She’sonlythirteeninMarch.
Thoughtonightitstruckmeshewasgrowingquiteabiggirl.
Mrs.Lyndemadethatdressamitetoolong,anditmakesAnnelooksotall.
She’squicktolearnandIguessthebestthingwecandoforherwillbetosendhertoQueen’safteraspell.
Butnothingneedbesaidaboutthatforayearortwoyet.”
“Wellnow,it’lldonoharmtobethinkingitoveroffandon,”saidMatthew.“Thingslikethatareallthebetterforlotsofthinkingover.”
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