English
“Putonyourwhiteorgandy,byallmeans,Anne,”advisedDianadecidedly.
Theyweretogetherintheeastgablechamber;outsideitwasonlytwilight—alovelyyellowish-greentwilightwithaclear-bluecloudlesssky.
Abigroundmoon,slowlydeepeningfromherpallidlusterintoburnishedsilver,hungovertheHauntedWood;theairwasfullofsweetsummersounds—sleepybirdstwittering,freakishbreezes,farawayvoicesandlaughter.
ButinAnne’sroomtheblindwasdrawnandthelamplighted,foranimportanttoiletwasbeingmade.
Theeastgablewasaverydifferentplacefromwhatithadbeenonthatnightfouryearsbefore,whenAnnehadfeltitsbarenesspenetratetothemarrowofherspiritwithitsinhospitablechill.
Changeshadcreptin,Marillaconnivingatthemresignedly,untilitwasassweetanddaintyanestasayounggirlcoulddesire.
ThevelvetcarpetwiththepinkrosesandthepinksilkcurtainsofAnne’searlyvisionshadcertainlynevermaterialized;butherdreamshadkeptpacewithhergrowth,anditisnotprobableshelamentedthem.
Thefloorwascoveredwithaprettymatting,andthecurtainsthatsoftenedthehighwindowandflutteredinthevagrantbreezeswereofpale-greenartmuslin.
Thewalls,hungnotwithgoldandsilverbrocadetapestry,butwithadaintyapple-blossompaper,wereadornedwithafewgoodpicturesgivenAnnebyMrs.Allan.
MissStacy’sphotographoccupiedtheplaceofhonor,andAnnemadeasentimentalpointofkeepingfreshflowersonthebracketunderit.
Tonightaspikeofwhiteliliesfaintlyperfumedtheroomlikethedreamofafragrance.
Therewasno“mahoganyfurniture,”buttherewasawhite-paintedbookcasefilledwithbooks,acushionedwickerrocker,atoilettablebefrilledwithwhitemuslin,aquaint,gilt-framedmirrorwithchubbypinkCupidsandpurplegrapespaintedoveritsarchedtop,thatusedtohanginthespareroom,andalowwhitebed.
AnnewasdressingforaconcertattheWhiteSandsHotel.
TheguestshadgotitupinaidoftheCharlottetownhospital,andhadhuntedoutalltheavailableamateurtalentinthesurroundingdistrictstohelpitalong.
BerthaSampsonandPearlClayoftheWhiteSandsBaptistchoirhadbeenaskedtosingaduet;MiltonClarkofNewbridgewastogiveaviolinsolo;WinnieAdellaBlairofCarmodywastosingaScotchballad;andLauraSpencerofSpencervaleandAnneShirleyofAvonleaweretorecite.
AsAnnewouldhavesaidatonetime,itwas“anepochinherlife,”andshewasdeliciouslyathrillwiththeexcitementofit.
MatthewwasintheseventhheavenofgratifiedprideoverthehonorconferredonhisAnneandMarillawasnotfarbehind,althoughshewouldhavediedratherthanadmitit,andsaidshedidn’tthinkitwasveryproperforalotofyoungfolkstobegaddingovertothehotelwithoutanyresponsiblepersonwiththem.
AnneandDianaweretodriveoverwithJaneAndrewsandherbrotherBillyintheirdouble-seatedbuggy;andseveralotherAvonleagirlsandboysweregoingtoo.
Therewasapartyofvisitorsexpectedoutfromtown,andaftertheconcertasupperwastobegiventotheperformers.
“Doyoureallythinktheorgandywillbebest?”queriedAnneanxiously.
“Idon’tthinkit’sasprettyasmyblue-floweredmuslin—anditcertainlyisn’tsofashionable.”andfrillyandclinging.
Themuslinisstiff,andmakesyoulooktoodressedup.
Buttheorgandyseemsasifitgrewonyou.”Annesighedandyielded.
Dianawasbeginningtohaveareputationfornotabletasteindressing,andheradviceonsuchsubjectswasmuchsoughtafter.
Shewaslookingveryprettyherselfonthisparticularnightinadressofthelovelywild-rosepink,fromwhichAnnewasforeverdebarred;butshewasnottotakeanypartintheconcert,soherappearancewasofminorimportance.
AllherpainswerebestoweduponAnne,who,shevowed,must,forthecreditofAvonlea,bedressedandcombedandadornedtotheQueen’staste.
"Butitsuitsyoueversomuchbetter,"saidDiana."It'ssosoft"
“Pulloutthatfrillalittlemore—so;here,letmetieyoursash;nowforyourslippers.
I’mgoingtobraidyourhairintwothickbraids,andtiethemhalfwayupwithbigwhitebows—no,don’tpulloutasinglecurloveryourforehead—justhavethesoftpart.
Thereisnowayyoudoyourhairsuitsyousowell,Anne,andMrs.AllansaysyoulooklikeaMadonnawhenyoupartitso.
Ishallfastenthislittlewhitehouserosejustbehindyourear.
Therewasjustoneonmybush,andIsaveditforyou.”
“ShallIputmypearlbeadson?”askedAnne.“Matthewbroughtmeastringfromtownlastweek,andIknowhe’dliketoseethemonme.”
Dianapursedupherlips,putherblackheadononesidecritically,andfinallypronouncedinfavorofthebeads,whichwerethereupontiedaroundAnne’sslimmilk-whitethroat.
“There’ssomethingsostylishaboutyou,Anne,”saidDiana,withunenviousadmiration.“Youholdyourheadwithsuchanair.Isupposeit’syourfigure.Iamjustadumpling.
I’vealwaysbeenafraidofit,andnowIknowitisso.
Well,IsupposeIshalljusthavetoresignmyselftoit.”
“Butyouhavesuchdimples,”saidAnne,smilingaffectionatelyintothepretty,vivaciousfacesonearherown.
“Lovelydimples,likelittledentsincream.Ihavegivenupallhopeofdimples.
Mydimple-dreamwillnevercometrue;butsomanyofmydreamshavethatImustn’tcomplain.AmIallreadynow?”
“Allready,”assuredDiana,asMarillaappearedinthedoorway,agauntfigurewithgrayerhairthanofyoreandnofewerangles,butwithamuchsofterface.
“Comerightinandlookatourelocutionist,Marilla.Doesn’tshelooklovely?”
Marillaemittedasoundbetweenasniffandagrunt.
“Shelooksneatandproper.Ilikethatwayoffixingherhair.
ButIexpectshe’llruinthatdressdrivingoverthereinthedustanddewwithit,anditlooksmosttoothinforthesedampnights.
Organdy’sthemostunserviceablestuffintheworldanyhow,andItoldMatthewsowhenhegotit.
ButthereisnouseinsayinganythingtoMatthewnowadays.
Timewaswhenhewouldtakemyadvice,butnowhejustbuysthingsforAnneregardless,andtheclerksatCarmodyknowtheycanpalmanythingoffonhim.
Justletthemtellhimathingisprettyandfashionable,andMatthewplunkshismoneydownforit.
Mindyoukeepyourskirtclearofthewheel,Anne,andputyourwarmjacketon.”
ThenMarillastalkeddownstairs,thinkingproudlyhowsweetAnnelooked,withthat
"Onemoonbeamfromtheforeheadtothecrown"
andregrettingthatshecouldnotgototheconcertherselftohearhergirlrecite.
“IwonderifitIStoodampformydress,”saidAnneanxiously.
“Notabitofit,”saidDiana,pullingupthewindowblind.“It’saperfectnight,andtherewon’tbeanydew.Lookatthemoonlight.”
“I’msogladmywindowlookseastintothesunrising,”saidAnne,goingovertoDiana.
“It’ssosplendidtoseethemorningcomingupoverthoselonghillsandglowingthroughthosesharpfirtops.
It’sneweverymorning,andIfeelasifIwashedmyverysoulinthatbathofearliestsunshine.
Oh,Diana,Ilovethislittleroomsodearly.
Idon’tknowhowI’llgetalongwithoutitwhenIgototownnextmonth.”
“Don’tspeakofyourgoingawaytonight,”beggedDiana.
“Idon’twanttothinkofit,itmakesmesomiserable,andIdowanttohaveagoodtimethisevening.Whatareyougoingtorecite,Anne?Andareyounervous?”
“Notabit.I’verecitedsoofteninpublicIdon’tmindatallnow.
I’vedecidedtogive‘TheMaiden’sVow.’It’ssopathetic.
LauraSpencerisgoingtogiveacomicrecitation,butI’drathermakepeoplecrythanlaugh.”
“Whatwillyoureciteiftheyencoreyou?”
“Theywon’tdreamofencoringme,”scoffedAnne,whowasnotwithoutherownsecrethopesthattheywould,andalreadyvisionedherselftellingMatthewallaboutitatthenextmorning’sbreakfasttable.
“ThereareBillyandJanenow—Ihearthewheels.Comeon.”
BillyAndrewsinsistedthatAnneshouldrideonthefrontseatwithhim,sosheunwillinglyclimbedup.
Shewouldhavemuchpreferredtositbackwiththegirls,whereshecouldhavelaughedandchatteredtoherheart’scontent.
TherewasnotmuchofeitherlaughterorchatterinBilly.
Hewasabig,fat,stolidyouthoftwenty,witharound,expressionlessface,andapainfullackofconversationalgifts.
ButheadmiredAnneimmensely,andwaspuffedupwithprideovertheprospectofdrivingtoWhiteSandswiththatslim,uprightfigurebesidehim.
Anne,bydintoftalkingoverhershouldertothegirlsandoccasionallypassingasopofcivilitytoBilly—whogrinnedandchuckledandnevercouldthinkofanyreplyuntilitwastoolate—contrivedtoenjoythedriveinspiteofall.Itwasanightforenjoyment.
Theroadwasfullofbuggies,allboundforthehotel,andlaughter,silverclear,echoedandreechoedalongit.
Whentheyreachedthehotelitwasablazeoflightfromtoptobottom.
Theyweremetbytheladiesoftheconcertcommittee,oneofwhomtookAnneofftotheperformers’dressingroomwhichwasfilledwiththemembersofaCharlottetownSymphonyClub,amongwhomAnnefeltsuddenlyshyandfrightenedandcountrified.
Herdress,which,intheeastgable,hadseemedsodaintyandpretty,nowseemedsimpleandplain—toosimpleandplain,shethought,amongallthesilksandlacesthatglistenedandrustledaroundher.
Whatwereherpearlbeadscomparedtothediamondsofthebig,handsomeladynearher?
Andhowpoorheroneweewhiterosemustlookbesideallthehothouseflowerstheotherswore!
Annelaidherhatandjacketaway,andshrankmiserablyintoacorner.
ShewishedherselfbackinthewhiteroomatGreenGables.
Itwasstillworseontheplatformofthebigconcerthallofthehotel,whereshepresentlyfoundherself.
Theelectriclightsdazzledhereyes,theperfumeandhumbewilderedher.
ShewishedsheweresittingdownintheaudiencewithDianaandJane,whoseemedtobehavingasplendidtimeawayattheback.
Shewaswedgedinbetweenastoutladyinpinksilkandatall,scornful-lookinggirlinawhite-lacedress.
ThestoutladyoccasionallyturnedherheadsquarelyaroundandsurveyedAnnethroughhereyeglassesuntilAnne,acutelysensitiveofbeingsoscrutinized,feltthatshemustscreamaloud;andthewhite-lacegirlkepttalkingaudiblytohernextneighboraboutthe“countrybumpkins”and“rusticbelles”intheaudience,languidlyanticipating“suchfun”fromthedisplaysoflocaltalentontheprogram.
Annebelievedthatshewouldhatethatwhite-lacegirltotheendoflife.
UnfortunatelyforAnne,aprofessionalelocutionistwasstayingatthehotelandhadconsentedtorecite.
Shewasalithe,dark-eyedwomaninawonderfulgownofshimmeringgraystufflikewovenmoonbeams,withgemsonherneckandinherdarkhair.
Shehadamarvelouslyflexiblevoiceandwonderfulpowerofexpression;theaudiencewentwildoverherselection.
Anne,forgettingallaboutherselfandhertroublesforthetime,listenedwithraptandshiningeyes;butwhentherecitationendedshesuddenlyputherhandsoverherface.
Shecouldnevergetupandreciteafterthat—never.Hadsheeverthoughtshecouldrecite?
Oh,ifshewereonlybackatGreenGables!
Atthisunpropitiousmomenthernamewascalled.
SomehowAnne—whodidnotnoticetheratherguiltylittlestartofsurprisethewhite-lacegirlgave,andwouldnothaveunderstoodthesubtlecomplimentimpliedthereinifshehad—gotonherfeet,andmoveddizzilyouttothefront.
ShewassopalethatDianaandJane,downintheaudience,claspedeachother’shandsinnervoussympathy.
Annewasthevictimofanoverwhelmingattackofstagefright.
Oftenasshehadrecitedinpublic,shehadneverbeforefacedsuchanaudienceasthis,andthesightofitparalyzedherenergiescompletely.
Everythingwassostrange,sobrilliant,sobewildering—therowsofladiesineveningdress,thecriticalfaces,thewholeatmosphereofwealthandcultureabouther.
VerydifferentthisfromtheplainbenchesattheDebatingClub,filledwiththehomely,sympatheticfacesoffriendsandneighbors.
Thesepeople,shethought,wouldbemercilesscritics.
Perhaps,likethewhite-lacegirl,theyanticipatedamusementfromher“rustic”efforts.
Shefelthopelessly,helplesslyashamedandmiserable.
Herkneestrembled,herheartfluttered,ahorriblefaintnesscameoverher;notawordcouldsheutter,andthenextmomentshewouldhavefledfromtheplatformdespitethehumiliationwhich,shefelt,musteverafterbeherportionifshedidso.
Butsuddenly,asherdilated,frightenedeyesgazedoutovertheaudience,shesawGilbertBlytheawayatthebackoftheroom,bendingforwardwithasmileonhisface—asmilewhichseemedtoAnneatoncetriumphantandtaunting.Inrealityitwasnothingofthekind.
GilbertwasmerelysmilingwithappreciationofthewholeaffairingeneralandoftheeffectproducedbyAnne’sslenderwhiteformandspiritualfaceagainstabackgroundofpalmsinparticular.
JosiePye,whomhehaddrivenover,satbesidehim,andherfacecertainlywasbothtriumphantandtaunting.
ButAnnedidnotseeJosie,andwouldnothavecaredifshehad.
Shedrewalongbreathandflungherheadupproudly,courageanddeterminationtinglingoverherlikeanelectricshock.
SheWOULDNOTfailbeforeGilbertBlythe—heshouldneverbeabletolaughather,never,never!
Herfrightandnervousnessvanished;andshebeganherrecitation,herclear,sweetvoicereachingtothefarthestcorneroftheroomwithoutatremororabreak.
Self-possessionwasfullyrestoredtoher,andinthereactionfromthathorriblemomentofpowerlessnesssherecitedasshehadneverdonebefore.
Whenshefinishedtherewereburstsofhonestapplause.
Anne,steppingbacktoherseat,blushingwithshynessanddelight,foundherhandvigorouslyclaspedandshakenbythestoutladyinpinksilk.
“Mydear,youdidsplendidly,”shepuffed.“I’vebeencryinglikeababy,actuallyIhave.There,they’reencoringyou—they’reboundtohaveyouback!”
“Oh,Ican’tgo,”saidAnneconfusedly.“Butyet—Imust,orMatthewwillbedisappointed.Hesaidtheywouldencoreme.”
“Thendon’tdisappointMatthew,”saidthepinklady,laughing.
Smiling,blushing,limpideyed,Annetrippedbackandgaveaquaint,funnylittleselectionthatcaptivatedheraudiencestillfurther.Therestoftheeveningwasquitealittletriumphforher.
Whentheconcertwasover,thestout,pinklady—whowasthewifeofanAmericanmillionaire—tookherunderherwing,andintroducedhertoeverybody;andeverybodywasverynicetoher.
Theprofessionalelocutionist,Mrs.Evans,cameandchattedwithher,tellingherthatshehadacharmingvoiceand“interpreted”herselectionsbeautifully.
Eventhewhite-lacegirlpaidheralanguidlittlecompliment.
Theyhadsupperinthebig,beautifullydecorateddiningroom;DianaandJanewereinvitedtopartakeofthis,also,sincetheyhadcomewithAnne,butBillywasnowheretobefound,havingdecampedinmortalfearofsomesuchinvitation.
Hewasinwaitingforthem,withtheteam,however,whenitwasallover,andthethreegirlscamemerrilyoutintothecalm,whitemoonshineradiance.
Annebreatheddeeply,andlookedintotheclearskybeyondthedarkboughsofthefirs.
Oh,itwasgoodtobeoutagaininthepurityandsilenceofthenight!
Howgreatandstillandwonderfuleverythingwas,withthemurmuroftheseasoundingthroughitandthedarklingcliffsbeyondlikegrimgiantsguardingenchantedcoasts.
“Hasn’titbeenaperfectlysplendidtime?”sighedJane,astheydroveaway.
“IjustwishIwasarichAmericanandcouldspendmysummeratahotelandwearjewelsandlow-neckeddressesandhaveicecreamandchickensaladeveryblessedday.
I’msureitwouldbeeversomuchmorefunthanteachingschool.
Anne,yourrecitationwassimplygreat,althoughIthoughtatfirstyouwerenevergoingtobegin.
IthinkitwasbetterthanMrs.Evans’s.”
“Oh,no,don’tsaythingslikethat,Jane,”saidAnnequickly,“becauseitsoundssilly.
Itcouldn’tbebetterthanMrs.Evans’s,youknow,forsheisaprofessional,andI’monlyaschoolgirl,withalittleknackofreciting.
I’mquitesatisfiedifthepeoplejustlikedmineprettywell.”
“I’veacomplimentforyou,Anne,”saidDiana.
“AtleastIthinkitmustbeacomplimentbecauseofthetonehesaiditin.Partofitwasanyhow.
TherewasanAmericansittingbehindJaneandme—sucharomantic-lookingman,withcoal-blackhairandeyes.
JosiePyesaysheisadistinguishedartist,andthathermother’scousininBostonismarriedtoamanthatusedtogotoschoolwithhim.Well,weheardhimsay—didn’twe,Jane?
—’WhoisthatgirlontheplatformwiththesplendidTitianhair?ShehasafaceIshouldliketopaint.’Therenow,Anne.ButwhatdoesTitianhairmean?”
“Beinginterpreteditmeansplainred,Iguess,”laughedAnne.“Titianwasaveryfamousartistwholikedtopaintred-hairedwomen.”
“DIDyouseeallthediamondsthoseladieswore?”sighedJane.“Theyweresimplydazzling.Wouldn’tyoujustlovetoberich,girls?”
“WeARErich,”saidAnnestaunchly.“Why,wehavesixteenyearstoourcredit,andwe’rehappyasqueens,andwe’veallgotimaginations,moreorless.
Lookatthatsea,girls—allsilverandshadowandvisionofthingsnotseen.
Wecouldn’tenjoyitslovelinessanymoreifwehadmillionsofdollarsandropesofdiamonds.
Youwouldn’tchangeintoanyofthosewomenifyoucould.
Wouldyouwanttobethatwhite-lacegirlandwearasourlookallyourlife,asifyou’dbeenbornturningupyournoseattheworld?
Orthepinklady,kindandniceassheis,sostoutandshortthatyou’dreallynofigureatall?
OrevenMrs.Evans,withthatsad,sadlookinhereyes?
Shemusthavebeendreadfullyunhappysometimetohavesuchalook.YouKNOWyouwouldn’t,JaneAndrews!”
“IDON’Tknow—exactly,”saidJaneunconvinced.“Ithinkdiamondswouldcomfortapersonforagooddeal.”
“Well,Idon’twanttobeanyonebutmyself,evenifIgouncomfortedbydiamondsallmylife,”declaredAnne.
“I’mquitecontenttobeAnneofGreenGables,withmystringofpearlbeads.
IknowMatthewgavemeasmuchlovewiththemaseverwentwithMadamethePinkLady’sjewels.”
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