Anne of Green Gables /Chapter XV
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KAPITEL XV


EIN STURM IN DER SCHULTEEKANNE


"Was für ein herrlicher Tag!" sagte Anne, und nahm einen tiefen Atemzug. "Ist es nicht schön, an einem Tag wie diesem, einfach nur am Leben zu sein. Mir tun die Leute leid, die noch nicht geboren sind, weil sie ihn verpassen. Sie mögen gute Tage haben, natürlich, aber sie können niemals diesen haben. Und es ist noch herrlicher, einen so schönen Schulweg zu haben, nicht wahr?

"Es ist viel schöner, als auf der Straße herumzugehen; das ist so staubig und heiß" sagte Diana praktisch, während sie einen verstohlenen Blick in ihr Esskörbchen warf und gedanklich überschlug, wie viele Stücke jedes Mädchen haben würde, wenn die darin ruhenden drei saftigen, köstlichen Himbeertorten durch zehn Mädchen geteilt würden.

Die kleinen Mädchen der Schule von Avonlea legten ihr Mittagessen immer zusammen und drei Himbeertorten ganz alleine zu essen oder sie sogar nur mit der Busenfreundin zu teilen, würde das Mädchen, das das täte, für immer und ewig als "schrecklich geizig" kennzeichnen. Und doch, als die Törtchen unter den zehn Mädchen aufgeteilt waren, hat man gerade eben genug bekommen, um sich den Mund wässrug zu machen.

Es war ein schöner Weg, den Anne und Diana zur Schule gingen. Anne dachte, diese Wege mit Diana zu und von der Schule könnten nicht verbessert werden, auch nicht durch die Vorstellungskraft. Auf der Hauptstraße umherzugehen wäre so unromantisch gewesen; aber an der Liebesgasse, dem Weidenmeer, Veilchental und dem Birkenweg entlangzugehen war romantisch, wie nur etwas romatisch sein konnte.

Lover's Lane wurde unterhalb des Obstgartens von Green Gables breiter und erstreckte sich weit hinauf bis in den Wald am Ende der Cuthbert-Farm. Es war der Weg, über den die Kühe zum Weideland auf der Rückseite gebracht wurden und im Winter das Holz nach Hause befördert wurde, Anne hatte ihn Lover's Lane genannt, bevor sie einen Monat auf Green Gables war.

"Nicht dass jemals Liebende dort hergegangen wären", erklärte sie Marilla, "aber Diana und ich lesen gerade ein absolut herrliches Buch und darin kommt eine Lover's Lane vor. Deshalb wollen wir auch eine haben. Und es ist ein sehr hübscher Name, meinst du nicht? So romantisch! Wir können uns die Liebenden darauf vorstellen, weißt du. Ich mag diese Straße, weil du hier laut nachdenken kannst, ohne dass dich Leute als verrückt bezeichnen.

Anne, die am Morgen allein losgegangen war, ging die Lover's Lane hinunter bis zum Bach. Hier traf Diana sie, und die beiden kleinen Mädchen gingen weiter die Gasse hinauf unter dem blattreichen Ahornbogen - "Ahorne sind solch angenehme Bäume", sagte Anne, "sie rascheln und flüstern dir immer etwas zu," - bis sie zu einer rustikalen Brücke kamen. Dann verließen sie die Gasse und gingen durch Mr. Barrys hinteres Feld und vorbei an Willowmere. Jenseits von Willowmere kam Violet Vale - eine kleine grüne Vertiefung im Schatten von Mr. Andrew Bells großen Wäldern. "Natürlich gibt es jetzt keine Veilchen dort," erzählte Anne Marilla, "aber Diana sagt, dass es im Frühling Millionen von ihnen gibt. Oh Marilla, kannst du dir vorstellen, sie zu sehen? Es hat mir tatsächlich den Atem genommen. Ich nannte es Veilchental. Diana sagte, dass sie niemanden kennt, der so ein Talent hat, solche kunstvolle Namen für Plätze zu kreieren. Es ist schön, wenn man in irgendetwas gut ist, nicht wahr? Aber Diana gab dem Brich Path seinen Namen. Sie wollte es so, also habe ich sie gelassen; aber ich bin sicher, ich hätte etwas viel poetischeres finden könnnen als schlicht Birkenpfad. Jeder kann sich so einen Namen ausdenken. Aber der Birkenpfad ist einer der schönsten Plätze auf der Welt, Marilla."

Er war es. Neben Anne dachten das auch andere Leute, wenn sie über ihn stoplerten. Es war ein kleiner schmaler, gewundener Weg, der sich über einen langen Hügel hinabschlängelte, geradewegs durch Mr. Bells Wald, wo das herunterkommende Licht durch so viele smaragdgrüne Schirme gesiebt wurde, dass es so lupenrein war, wie das Herz eines Diamanten. Er war der Länge nach von dünnen, jungen Birken gesäumt, weißstämmig und schlankzweigig; Farne und Himmelssterne und wilde Schattenblümchen und Büschel scharlachroter Kermesbeeren wuchsen dicht daran entlang; und in der Luft lag immer eine köstliche Würzigkeit und Musik von Vogelrufen und dem Murmeln und Lachen von Holzblaesern oben in den Bäumen. Hin und wieder konnte man einen Hasen über die Strasse hüpfen sehen, wenn man leise war - was, bei Anne und Diana, so gut wie nie geschah. Das Tal hinunter stieß der Pfad auf die Hauptstraße und dann ging es gerade den Fichtenhügel hinauf, zur Schule.

Die Avonlea-Schule war ein geweißtes Gebäude, niedrig im Dachvorsprung und weit in den Fenstern, und wurde innen mit bequemen, soliden altmodischen Schülerpulten eingerichtet, die sich öffneten und schlossen, und deren Schreibtischplatten überall mit den Initialen und Hieroglyphen von drei Generationen der Schulkinder eingeritzt wurden. Das Schulhaus lag von der Straße zurückgesetzt und dahinter war ein dämmriger Tannenwald und ein Bach, wo alle Kinder morgens ihre Milchflaschen hineinstellten, um sie bis zur Essenszeit kühl und süß aufzuheben.

Marilla hatte Annes Schulanfang am 1. September mit vielen geheimen Befürchtungen entgegegen gesehen. Anne war so ein ungewöhnliches Mädchen. Wie würde sie mit den anderen Kindern auskommen? Und wie um Himmels Willen würde sie es jemals schaffen, während der Schulzeit still zu sein?

Die Dinge liefen allerdings besser, als Marilla befürchtet hatte. Anne kam an diesem Abend in bester Stimmung nach Hause .

"Ich glaube, ich werde die Schule hier mögen," sagte sie. "Den Lehrer mag ich aber nicht besonders. Er zwirbelt die ganze Zeit seinen Schnurrbart und macht Prissy Andrews schöne Augen. Prissy ist erwachsen, weißt du. Sie ist sechzehn und lernt für die Aufnahmeprüfung an der Queens Academy in Charlottetown nächstes Jahr. Tillie Boulter sagt, der Lehrer sei voll in diese verknallt. Sie hat einen wunderschönen Teint und lockiges braunes Haar und sie hat es so elegant zurecht gemacht. Sie sitzt hinten auf dem hohen Stuhl und er sitzt die meiste Zeit auch da - um ihr Lektionen zu erklären, sagt er. Aber Ruby Gillis sagt, sie sah ihn etwas auf ihre Schiefertafel schreiben, und als Prissy es las, wurde sie rot wie eine Tomate und kicherte; und Ruby Gillis sagt, sie glaubt nicht, es hätte etwas mit dem Unterricht zu tun gehabt."

"Anne Shirley, ich will nicht hören, dass du so über deinen Lehrer redest," sagte Marilla scharf. "Du gehst nicht in die Schule, um den Lehrer zu kritisieren. Ich denke, er kann dir etwas beibringen und es ist deine Aufgabe zu lernen. Und ich will, dass du sofort einsiehst, dass du nicht nach Hause kommen und Geschichten über ihn erzählen sollst. Das ist nichts, was ich fördere. Ich hoffe, du warst ein braves Mädchen."

"Natürlich war ich das" sagte Anne deutlich. "Es war nicht so schlimm, wie du es dir vorstellst, gar nicht. Ich sitze neben Diana. Unser Platz ist am Fenster und wir können hinunter auf den See der glänzenden Wasser schauen. Es gibt viele nette Mädchen in der Schule und wir hatten fabelhaften Spaß beim Spielen in der Mittagszeit. Es ist so schön, viele kleine Mächen zu haben, mit denen man spielen kann. Aber natürlich mag ich Diana am liebsten und das werde ich immer. Ich bewundere Diana. Ich bin schrecklich weit hinter den anderen zurück. Sie sind alle schon beim fünften Buch und ich erst beim vierten. Ich empfinde es als eine Schmach. Aber keine von ihnen hat so viel Fantasie wie ich, und ich habe das schnell herausgefunden. Wir hatten heute Lesen, Geographie, Kanadische Geschichte und Diktat. Mr. Phillips sagte, meine Rechtschreibung wäre beschämend und er hielt meine Schiefertafel hoch, damit jeder sehen konnte, dass alles angestrichen war. Ich fühlte mich so gedemütigt, Marilla; er hätte einer Außenstehenden gegenüber höflicher sein können, denke ich. Ruby Gillis schenkte mir einen Apfel und Sophia Sloane lieh mir eine wunderschöne rosarote Karte mit der Aufschrift: "Darf ich dich nach Hause bringen?" Stand drauf. Ich soll sie ihr morgen zurückgeben. Und Tillie Boulter ließ mich den ganzen Nachmittag ihren Perlenring tragen. Kann ich einige dieser Glasperlen aus dem alten Nadelkissen aus der Mansarde bekommen, um mir einen Ring zu machen? Und, oh Marilla, Jane Andrews sagte mir, dass Minnie MacPherson zu ihr gesagt hat, dass sie gehört habe, wie Prissy Andrews Sara Gillis erzählt hat, dass ich eine sehr hübsche Nase hätte. Marilla, das ist das erste Kompliment, das ich jemals in meinem Leben bekommen habe und du kannst dir nicht vorstellen, was für ein außergewöhnliches Gefühl es mir gegeben hat. Marilla, habe ich wirklich eine hübsche Nase? Ich weiß, du wirst mir die Wahrheit sagen."

"Deine Nase ist gut genug", sagte Marilla kurz angebunden. Insgeheim hielt sie Annes Nase für bemerkenswert schön, aber sie hatte nicht die Absicht, ihr das zu sagen.

Das war vor drei Wochen und alles lief bislang wie am Schnürchen. Und jetzt, an diesem klaren Septembermorgen, stolpern Anne und Diana unbeschwert den Birkenweg hinunter, zwei der glücklichsten kleinen Mädchen in Avonlea.

"Ich denke, Gilberth Blythe wird heute in der Schule sein," sagte Diana. "Er war den ganzen Sommer lang zu Besuch bei seinen Cousins in New Brunswick und er kam nur samstags abends nach Hause. Er ist schrecklich gutaussehend, Anne. Und er hänselt die Mädchen wirklich schrecklich. Er piesackt uns einfach ständig.

Dianas Stimme wies darauf hin, dass sie es lieber mochte, dass sie ihr ganzes Leben gequält wird als das zu missen.

"Gilberth Blythe?" sagte Anne. "Ist sein Name nicht mit dem von Julia Bell an die Veranda-Wand geschrieben, mit einem großen "Bitte beachten" darüber?"

"Ja", sagte Diana und warf ihren Kopf hoch, "aber ich bin sicher, er mag Julia Bell nicht so sehr. Ich habe ihn sagen gehört, dass er die Multiplikationstabelle mit Hilfe ihrer Sommersprossen lernen würde."

"Oh, sprich mir nicht von Sommersprossen", beschwor Anne sie. "Es ist nicht fein, wenn du so viele hast wie ich. Aber ich denke, dass diese Notiz an der Wand über Jungen und Mädchen das Dümmste ist, was es je gab. Ich wollte es nur mal sehen, wenn jemand es wagte, meinen Namen mit dem eines Jungen hinzuschreiben. Natürlich nicht", beeilte sie sich hinzuzufügen, "dass das irgendjemand tun würde."

Anne seufzte. Sie wollte nicht, dass ihr Name angeschrieben würde. Aber es war ein bisschen demütigend, dass dafür keine Gefahr bestand.

"Unsinn ", sagte Diana, deren schwarze Augen und glänzende Haarlocken so ein Chaos in den Herzen der Schuljungen von Avonlea verursacht hatte, dass ihr Name in einem halben Dutzend Notizen an den Portalwänden auftauchte. "Das sollte nur ein Witz sein. Und sei nicht so sicher, dass dein Name nie angeschrieben wird. Charlie Sloane steht unsterblich auf dich. Er erzählte seiner Mutter -seiner Mutter, denk nur- dass du das klügste Mädchen in der Schule wärst. Das ist besser als gutaussehend zu sein."

"Nein, ist es nicht",sagte Anne, weiblich bis ins Mark. "Ich würde lieber hübsch als klug sein. Und ich hasse Charlie Sloane. Ich kann keinen Jungen mit Kulleraugen ertragen. Wenn einer meinen Namen zusammen mit seinem anschriebe, würde ich nicht darüber hinwegkommen, Diana Barry. Aber es ist schön, mit deiner Klasse Schritt zu halten."

"Danach wirst du Gilbert in deiner Klasse haben", sagte Diana, " und er ist es gewöhnt, der Klassenbeste zu sein, kann ich dir sagen. Er ist erst im vierten Buch, obwohl er fast 14 ist. Vor vier Jahren war sein Vater krank und er musste seiner Gesundheit wegen nach Alberta gehen und Gilbert ging mit ihm. Sie waren drei Jahre dort und Gilbert ging kaum zur Schule bis sie zurückkamen. Du würdest danach nicht so einfach Klassenbeste sein, Anne.

"Ich bin froh," sagte Anne schnell. "Ich könnte nicht wirklich stolz darüber sein, Klassenbeste bei kleinen Jungen und Mädchen von neun oder zehn Jahren zu sein. Ich habe gestern "ebullition" buchstabiert. Josie Pye führte und, stell dir vor, sie guckte heimlich in ihr Buch. Mr. Phillips sah sie nicht - er schaute Prissy Andrews an - aber ich sah sie. Ich warf ihr nur einen Blick voll eisiger Verachtung zu, sie wurde rot wie eine Tomate und buchstabierte es trotzdem falsch.

"Diese Pyemädchen sind Mogler durch und durch," sagte Diana entrüstet, als sie über den Zaun der Hauptstraße stiegen. "Gertie Pye ging gestern tatsächlich hin und stellte ihre Milchflasche an meinen Platz im Bach. Hast du Töne? Ich spreche jetzt nicht mehr mit ihr."

Als Mr. Phillips im hinteren Teil des Raumes war und Prissy Andrews in Latein abhörte, flüsterte Diana zu Anne.

"Das ist Gilbert Blythe, der rechts von dir jenseits des Ganges sitzt, Anne. Schau ihn einfach an und sieh nach, ob du nicht findest, dass er gutaussehend ist."

Anne schaute dementsprechend. Sie hatte eine gute Gelegenheit dazu, weil besagter Gilbert Blythe ganz davon in Anspruch genommen war, den langen, gelben Zopf von Ruth Gillis, die vor ihm saß, heimlich an ihrer Stuhllehne zu befestigen. Er war ein hoch gewachsener Junge mit lockigem, braunem Haar, schelmischen, haselnussbraunen Augen und einem Mund, der zu einem spöttischen Grinsen verzogen war. Gerade sprang Ruby Gillis auf, um dem Lehrer ein Ergebnis zu sagen; sie fiel mit einem kleinen, schrillen Schrei in ihren Sitz zurück und glaubte, dass ihr Haar mit den Wurzeln herausgezogen worden war. Jeder sah zu ihr und Mr. Phillips starrte sie so zornig und streng an, dass Ruby zu weinen anfing. Gilbert hatte die Nadel unsichtbar verschwinden lassen und beobachtete den Verlauf mit dem sachlichsten Gesicht in der Welt; aber als der Aufruhr sich gelegt hatte guckte er zu Anne und zwinkerte mit unausgesprochenem Spaß.

"Ich glaube, dein Gilbert Blythe ist gutausehend," bekannte Anne gegenüber Diana,"aber ich denke, er ist sehr dreist. Es ist kein gutes Benehmen, einem fremden Mädchen zuzuzwinkern."

Aber erst am Nachmittag ging es dann so richtig los.

Mr. Phillips war zurück in der Ecke bei Prissy Andrews, um ihr ein Algebraproblem zu erklären. Und der Rest der Schüler machte, was ihnen gefiel, grüne Äpfel essen, flüstern, Bilder auf ihre Schiefertafeln malen, Grillen, die an Fäden eingespannt waren, den Gang rauf und runter führen. Gilbert Blythe versuchte, Anne Shirleys Aufmerksamkeit zu erregen, was völlig fehlschlug, weil Anne in diesem Moment weder etwas von der bloßen Existenz Gilbert Blythes noch von jedem anderen Schüler der Avonlea Schule, noch die Avonlea Schule selbst wahrnahm. Mit ihrem Kinn auf die Hände gestützt und ihre Augen fest auf den blauen Ausblick auf den See der glänzenden Wasser gerichtet, den das westliche Fenster bot. Sie war weit weg in einem zauberhaften Traumland, nichts hörend und sehend, außer ihre wundervolle Vorstellung.

Gilbert Blythe war es nicht gewohnt, dass ein Mädchen ihn nicht anschaute und kannte keinen Misserfolg. Sie sollte ihn anschauen, dieses rothaarige Shirleymädchen mit dem kleinen spitzen Kinn und den großen Augen, die nicht wie die Augen irgendeines anderen Mädchens an der Avonleaschule waren.

Gilbert griff über den Gang, nahm sich das Ende von Annes langem, roten Zopf, hielt ihn der Länge nach hoch und sagte mit durchdringendem Flüstern, "Karotten! Karottenkopf!“

Dann sah Anne ihn voller Rache an!

Sie tat mehr, als nur hinzusehen. Sie sprang auf die Füße, ihre strahlenden Fantasiebilder fielen in unheilbare Trümmer zusammen. Sie warf einen empörten Blick auf Gilbert, aus Augen, deren wütendes Blitzen umgehend von ebenso zornigen Tränen gelöscht wurde.

Was meinst du, gemeiner Kerl!" rief sie leidenschaftlich aus. "Wie kannst du es wagen!"

Und dann - RATSSSCH! Anne hatte ihre Schiefertafel auf Gilberts Kopf niedergeschlagen und gebrochen - den Schiefer, nicht den Kopf- eindeutig quer darüber.
Die Schüler der Avonlea Schule haben schon immer eine Szene genossen. Das war ein besonders unterhaltsames Ereignis. Alle sagten: "Oh" in bestürzter Begeisterung. Diana schnappte nach Luft. Ruby Gillis, die dazu neigte, hysterisch zu sein, begann zu weinen. Tommy Sloane ließ seine Kricketmannschaft vollständig abziehen, während er mit offenem Mund auf die Tafel starrte.

Mr. Phillips ging steif den Gang hinunter und legte seine Hand schwer auf Annes Schulter.

"Anne Shirley, was bedeutet das?" sagte er ärgerlich.

Anne gab keine Antwort. Es war zu viel von ihr verlangt, einem Wesen aus Fleisch und Blut, dass sie vor der ganzen Schule sagen sollte, dass sie "Rotschopf" genannt worden war. Gilbert war es, der in berherzter Weise sprach.

"Es war mein Fehler, Mr. Phillips. Ich habe sie gehänselt".

Mr. Phillips beachtete Gilbert nicht.

"Es tut mir leid, eine Schülerin von mir zu sehen, die ein solches Verhalten und ein solches rachsüchtiges Gemüt an den Tag legt", sagte er in einem feierlichen Tonfall, als ob die bloße Tatsache, ein Schüler von ihm zu sein, alle bösen Leidenschaften aus den Herzen kleiner unvollkommener Normalsterblicher ausrotten sollte. "Anne, geh und stell dich für den Rest des Nachmittags auf die Plattform vor der Tafel."

Anne hätte ein Auspeitschen dieser Strafe ungeheuer vorgezogen, unter der ihr sensibler Geist zitterte wie unter einem Peitschenhieb. Mit einem weißen, erstarrten Gesicht gehorchte sie. Mr. Phillips nahm einen Kreidestift und schrieb auf die Tafel über ihrem Kopf.

"Ann Shirley hat einen sehr schlechten Charakter. Ann Shirley muss lernen, ihr Temperament zu zügeln", und es dann laut vorlesen, so dass selbst die Fibelklasse, die das Geschriebene nicht lesen konnte, es verstehen sollte.

Anne stand dort den Rest des Nachmittags mit diesem Hinweistext über ihr. Sie weinte nicht und ließ ihren Kopf nicht hängen. Der Ärger war dafür immer noch zu heiß in ihrem Herzen und er hielt sie nachdrücklich inmitten der Qual der Demütigung aufrecht. Mit verbitterten Augen und passionsfruchtroten Wangen begegnete sie ebenso Dianas mitfühlendem festen Blick und Charlie Sloanes entrüstetem Nicken und Josie Pyes boshaftem Lächeln. Was Gilbert Blythe betraf, sie würde ihn nicht einmal mehr ansehen. Sie würde ihn niemals wieder ansehen! Sie würde niemals mehr mit ihm sprechen!!

Als die Schule aus war, marschierte Anne, ihren roten Kopf hoch erhoben, hinaus. Gilbert Blythe versuchte, sie an der Verandatür abzufangen.

"Es tut mir schrecklich leid, dass ich mich über deine Haare lustig gemacht habe, Anne", wisperte er zerknirscht. " Ganz ehrlich. Sei nun nicht für immer sauer."

Anne rauschte verächtlich vorbei, ohne einen Blick oder ein Zeichen, etwas zu hören. "Oh, wie konntest du nur, Anne?" hauchte Diana, als sie die Straße hinuntergingen, halb vorwurfsvoll, halb bewundernd. Diana fühlte, dass sie Gilberts Flehen niemals hätte widerstehen können.

"Ich werde Gilbert Blythe niemals verzeihen", sagte Anne entschieden. "Und Mr. Phillips buchstabierte meinen Namen auch ohne ein e. Das Eisen ist in meine Seele eingedrungen, Diana."

Diana hatte nicht die geringste Idee, was Anne meinte, aber sie verstand, es war etwas Schreckliches.

"Du darfst dir nichts daraus machen, dass Gilbert sich über deine Haare lustig machte", sagte sie beruhigend. "Warum, er verulkt alle Mädchen. Er lacht über meine, weil sie schwarz sind. Er hat mich ein dutzend Mal eine Krähe genannt; und ich habe ihn auch nie sich für irgendetwas entschuldigen hören.

"Eine Krähe genannt und Karotten genannt zu werden, dazwischen liegt ein Riesenunterschied", sagte Anne mit Würde. "Gilbert Blythe hat meine Gefühle entsetzlich verletzt, Diana."

Es ist möglich dass die Dinge sich ohne weitere Qual beruhigt hätten, wenn nicht noch etwa passiert wäre. Aber wenn die Dinge erst einmal beginnen, neigen sie dazu, weiterzumachen.

Avonlea Schüler verbrachten oft die Mittagsstunde damit, Kaugummi in Mr. Bells Fichtenwäldchen, über den Hügel und quer durch sein großes Weidefeld, zu pflücken. Von dort aus konnten sie ein Auge auf Eben Wrights Haus werfen, in dem sich der Lehrer einquartierte. Wenn sie sahen, wie Mr. Phillips von dort auftauchte, rannten sie zum Schulgebäude; aber die Entfernung, die ungefähr dreimal länger war als die von Mr. Wright, waren sie sehr treffsicher darin, atemlos und keuchend anzukommen, etwa drei Minuten zu spät.

Am nächsten Tag wurde Mr. Phillips von einem seiner krampfhaften Verbessungsanfällen ergriffen und kündigte, bevor er zum Essen ging, an, dass er erwarte, bei seiner Rückkehr alle Schüler auf ihren Plätzen vorzufinden. Jeder, der zu spät kam, würde bestraft werden.

Alle Jungen und einige der Mädchen gingen wie üblich in Mr. Bells Fichtenhain, nur um so lange zu bleiben, bis sie „ein Kaugummi auswählen" konnten. Aber Fichtenhaine sind verlockend und gelbe Nüsse aus Gummi betörend; sie pflückten, trödelten und streiften umher; und wie üblich war das Erste, was sie daran erinnerte, dass die Zeit im Flug vergeht, Jimmy Glover, der von einer patriarchalischen alte Fichte herabrief: "der Lehrer kommt." - So geht es :-)

Die Mädchen, die auf dem Boden waren, starteten zuerst und schafften es, die Schule rechtzeitig zu erreichen, ohne eine Sekunde übrig zu haben. Jungen, die sich hastig von den Bäumen winden mussten, waren später dran; und Anne, die gar keine Gummis gepflückt hatte, und glückselig am hinteren Ende des Hains hüfttief im Adlerfarn umhergegangen war, leise vor sich hin singend, mit einem Kranz aus Reislilien in ihrem Haar wie eine wilde Gottheit dieser schattigen Plätze, war die letzte von allen. Aber Anne konnte rennen wie ein Reh; rannte los mit dem frechen Ergebnis, dass sie die Jungen an der Tür überholte und in die Schule fegte, gerade als Mr. Phillips dabei war, seinen Hut aufzuhängen.

Mr. Philipps kurze reformierende Energie war vorüber; er wollte nicht den Verdruss, ein Dutzend Schüler zu bestrafen; aber es war notwendig etwas zu tun um zu seinem Wort zu stehen, so suchte er nach einem Sündenbock und fand ihn mit Anne, die auf ihren Platz gefallen war, nach Luft schnappend, mit ihrem vergessenen Lilienkranz schief über einem Ohr hängend, der ihr eine besonders kecke und unordentliche Erscheinung verlieh.

"Anne Shirley, da es scheint, dass du die Gesellschaft von Jungen so sehr magst, wollen wird dich mit diesem Geschmack heute nachmittag verwöhnen," sagte er sarkastisch. "Nimm diese Blumen aus deinem Haar und setzt dich zu Gilbert Blythe."

Die anderen Jungen kicherten. Diana erblasste vor Mitleid, pflückte den Kranz aus Annes Haar und drückte ihre Hand. Anne starrte den Lehrer an, wie zu Stein geworden.

"Hast du gehört, was ich gesagt habe, Anne?" fragte Mr. Phillips streng.

"Ja, Sir," sagte Anne langsam, " aber ich nahm nicht an, dass Sie es wirklich so meinten."

"Ich versichere dir, dass ich es so meinte," - immer noch mit dem sarkastischen Tonfall, den alle Kinder, und Anne besonders, hassten. Es versetzte ihr schonungslos einen Schlag. "Gehorche mir sofort."

Einen Augenblick schaute Anne, als ob sie vorhatte, ungehorsam zu sein. Dann, als ihr klar wurde, dass es nicht anders ging, stand sie hochmütig auf, trat über den Gang, setzte sich neben Gilbert Blythe und vergrub ihr Gesicht in ihren Armen auf dem Pult. Ruby Gillis, die einen Blick darauf geworfen hatte, bevor es runterging, erzählte den anderen, als sie von der Schule nach Hause gingen, dass sie tatsächlich niemals so etwas wie das gesehen hatte - es war so weiß mit schrecklichen kleinen roten Punkten.

Für Anne war es das Ende aller Dinge. Es war schlimm genug, aus einem Dutzend ebenfalls Schuldiger zur Bestrafung herausgegriffen zu werden; es war noch schlimmer, neben einen Jungen gesetzt zu werden, aber dass dieser Junge Gilberth Blythe war, häufte Beleidigung auf Verletzung in einem Maß auf, das unerträglich war. Anne fühlte, dass sie es nicht ertragen konnte und es sinnlos sei, es zu versuchen. Ihr ganzes Wesen kochte vor Scham, Wut und Demütigung.

Zuerst schauten die Schüler, flüsterten, kicherten und stießen sich gegenseitig an. Aber als Anne ihren Kopf nicht hob und Gilbert Brüche bearbeitete, als sei seine ganze Seele davon und nur davon in Anspruch genommen worden, kehrten sie bald zu ihren eigenen Angelegenheiten zurück und Anne war vergessen. Als Mr. Phillips die Geschichtsklasse rief, sollte Anne gehen, aber Anne bewegte sich nicht und Mr. Phillips, der gerade einige Verse "An Priscilla" verfasst hatte, bevor er die Klasse rief, dachte noch über einen hartnäckigen Reim nach und vermisste sie nicht. Einmal, als niemand hinsah, nahm Gilbert aus seinem Pult ein kleines rosa Zuckerherz mit einem goldenen Schriftzug darauf, "Du bist süß." und schob es unter Annes Armbeuge. Woraufhin Anne sich erhob, das rosa Herz behutsam zwischen ihre Fingerspitzen nahm, es auf den Boden fallen ließ, es unter ihrem Absatz zu Pulver zerdrückte und wieder ihren Platz einnahm, ohne Gilbert eines Blickes zu würdigen.

Als die Schule aus war, marschierte Anne zu ihrem Pult, nahm demonstrativ alles heraus, was darin war, Bücher und Schreibtafel, Feder und Tinte, Bibel und Arithmetikbuch und stapelte es ordentlich auf ihre zerbrochene Schiefertafel.

"Warum nimmst du all diese Sachen mit nach Hause, Anne?" wollte Diana wissen, sobald sie draußen auf der Straße waren. Sie hatte sich nicht gewagt, die Frage früher zu stellen.

" Ich werde nicht mehr zur Schule zurückkommen", sagte Anne.

Diana rang nach Luft und starrte Anne an, um zu sehen, ob sie es ernst meint.

"Wird Marilla dich zu Hause bleiben lassen?" fragte sie.

"Sie wird es müssen", sagte Anne. Ich werde niemals wieder zu diesem Mann in die Schule gehen."

"Oh, Anne!" Diana sah aus, als ob sie bereit wäre zu heulen. "Ich denke , du bist fies. Was soll ich tun? Mr. Phillips wird mich zwingen, mit dieser fürchterlichen Gertie Pye zusammen zu sitzen- ich weiß, dass er es tun wird, weil sie alleine sitzt. Komm zurück, Anne."

"Ich würde fast alles in der Welt für dich tun, Diana", sagte Anne traurig. Ich würde mich in Stücke reißen lassen, wenn es dir irgendwie guttun würde Aber ich kann das nicht tun, so bitte frage nicht darum. Du marterst meine arme Seele."

" Denke nur an all den Spaß, den du verpassen wirst", klagte Diana. "Wir werden das lieblichste neue Haus unten am Bach bauen; und wir werden nächste Woche Ball spielen und du hast noch nie Ball gespielt, Anne. Es ist wahnsinnig aufregend. Und wir werden ein neues Lied lernen - Jane Andrews übt es gerade; und Alice Andrews wird nächste Woche ein neues Pansy-Buch mitbringen und wir werden fortfahren, es unten am Bach laut vorzulesen. Und du weißt, wie gerne du laut vorliest, Anne."

Nichts bewegte Anne im Geringsten. Sie hatte sich entschieden. Sie würde nicht mehr zur Schule zu Mr. Phillips gehen; sie sagte das Marilla, als sie nach Hause kam.

"Unsinn", sagte Marilla.

"Es ist überhaupt kein Unsinn", sagte Anne und starrte mit feierlichen, vorwurfsvollen Augen Marilla an. Verstehst du nicht, Marilla? Ich bin beleidigt worden."

"Beleidigter Quatsch! Du gehst morgen wie immer zur Schule."

"Oh, nein." Anne schüttelte sanft ihren Kopf. "Ich werde nicht wieder hingehen, Marilla. Ich werde meine Aufgaben zu Hause lernen und ich werde so gut sein wie ich kann und ich werde die ganze Zeit still sein, wenn irgend möglich. Aber ich werde nicht zurück zur Schule gehen, das versichere ich dir."

Marilla sah etwas Auffälliges wie unnachgiebige Halsstarrigkeit in Annes schmalen Gesicht. Sie verstand, dass sie Schwierigkeiten haben würde, das zu überwinden; aber sie beschloss klug, für diesen Moment nichts mehr zu sagen.

"Ich werde runterlaufen und Rachel sich der Sache heute Abend annehmen lassen," dachte sie. " Es bringt nichts, mit Anne jetzt darüber zu diskutieren. Sie ist zu aufgeregt und ich habe eine Vorstellung davon, dass sie ein schrecklicher Dickkopf sein kann, wenn sie kein Einsehen haben will. Soweit ich es aus ihrer Geschichte heraushören konnte, hat Mr. Phillips die Dinge mit ziemlich guter Hand verschlimmert. Aber es würde nichts bewirken, ihr das zu sagen. Ich werde es eben mit Rachel besprechen. Sie hat zehn Kinder zur Schule geschickt und sie sollte etwas darüber wissen. Sie wird die ganze Geschichte auch schon gehört haben."

Marilla fand Mrs. Lynde wie üblich beim emsigen und heiteren Stricken von Decken.

"Ich nehme an, du weißt, warum ich vorbeikomme," sagte sie ein wenig verlegen.

Mrs. Rachel nickte.

"Wegen Annes Aufregung in der Schule, denke ich." sagte sie. "Tillie Boulter war auf ihrem Weg von der Schule nach Hause da und erzählte mir davon."

"Ich weiß nicht, was ich mit ihr machen soll," sagte Marilla. "Sie verkündet, sie werde nicht wieder zur Schule gehen. Ich habe nie ein Kind gesehen, das so aufgeregt wird. Ich habe Schwierigkeiten erwartet, seitdem sie zur Schule ging. Ich wusste, die Dingen liefen zu gut, als dass sie dauern könnten. Sie ist so überspannt. Was würdest du empfehlen, Rachel?"

"Nun, da du mich um Rat gefragst hast, Marilla," sagte Mrs. Lynde freundlich - Mrs. Lynde liebte es sehr, um Rat gefragt zu werden - " Ich würde ihr einfach zunächst ihren Willen lassen, das ist es, was ich täte. Es ist meine Überzeugung , dass Mr. Phillips im Unrecht war. Natürlich bringt es nichts, es so dem Kind zu sagen, du weißt schon. Und natürlich tat er gut daran, sie gestern dafür zu bestrafen dass sie ihrer Wut nachgab. Aber heute war es anders. Die anderen, die zu spät waren, hätten genauso wie Anne bestraft werden sollen, das ist es. Und ich glaube nicht daran, Mädchen zur Bestrafung bei Jungen sitzen zu lassen. Es ist nicht anständig. Tillie Boulter war wirklich empört. Sie stellte sich durch und durch auf Annes Seite und sagte, alle Schüler hätten das auch getan. Anne scheint unter ihnen wirklich beliebt zu sein, irgendwie. Ich hätte nie gedacht, dass sie so gut aufgenommen würde."

"Dann denkst du wirklich, ich sollte sie besser zu Hause bleiben lassen," sagte Marilla erstaunt.

"Ja. Das heißt, ich würde nicht mehr über Schule reden, bis sie es selber ansprechen würde. Verlass dich drauf, Marilla, sie wird sich in einer Woche oder so beruhigen und von sich aus bereit sein, zurückzugehen, das ist es, während, wenn du sie sofort zwingst zurückzugehen, weiß der Himmel, welche Laune oder welchen Wutanfall sie als nächstes bekäme und mehr Ärger denn je machen würde. Je weniger Aufhebens, um so besser, meiner Meinung nach. Sie wird nicht viel verpassen, wenn sie nicht zur Schule geht, soweit das geht. Mr Phillips ist überhaupt kein guter Lehrer. Die Ordnung, die er hält, ist skandalös, das ist es doch, und er vernachlässigt das junge Gemüse und verwendet all seine Zeit auf die großen Schüler, die er für Queens vorbereitet. Er hätte die Schule niemals für ein weiteres Jahr übernehmen können, wenn sein Onkel kein Treuhänder wäre - der Treuhänder, der die anderen zwei an der Nase herumführt, so ist es. Ich sage dir, ich weiß nicht, wie weit es noch mit der Bildung in diesem Land kommt.

Mrs. Rachel schüttelte ihren Kopf als ob sie sagen wollte, wenn sie nur an der Spitze des Erziehungssystems der Provinz wäre, würden die Dinge sehr viel besser verwaltet.

Marilla nahm Mrs. Rachels Rat an und sagte kein Wort zu Anne über das Zurückgehen in die Schule. Sie lernte ihre Lektionen zu Hause, erledigte ihre Pflichten und spielte mit Diana im kühlen violetten Herbstzwielicht; aber wenn sie Gilbert Blythe auf der Straße traf oder ihm in der Sonntagsschule begegnete, ging sie an ihm mit eisiger Verachtung vorbei, die nicht auftaute, trotz seines offensichtlichen Wunsches, sie zu besänftigen. Selbst Dianas Bemühungen als Friedensstifterin blieben ohne Erfolg. Anne hatte sich offenbar entschlossen, Gilbert Blythe bis an das Lebensende zu hassen.

So sehr sie auch Gilbert hasste, liebte sie Diana mit all der Liebe ihres leidenschaftlichen kleinen Herzens, entsprechend intensiv in ihren Vorlieben und Abneigungen. Eines Abends, als Marilla mit einem Korb voller Äpfel aus dem Obstgarten kam, fand sie Anne, die allein in der Dämmerung am Ostfenster saß und bitterlich weinte.

"Was ist denn jetzt los, Anne?" fragte sie.

"Es ist wegen Diana.", schluchzte Anne mit großem Gehabe. "Ich liebe Diana so, Marilla. Ich kann niemals mehr ohne sie leben. Aber ich weiß sehr wohl, wenn wir erwachsen sind, dass Diana heiraten und weggehen und mich verlassen wird. Und oh, was soll ich tun? Ich hasse ihren Ehemann - ich hasse ihn einfach wild. Ich habe mir alles vorgestellt - die Hochzeit und alles - Diana in einem schneeweißen Kleid, mit einem Schleier, sie sieht so wunderschön und majestätisch aus wie eine Königin. Und ich bin die Brautjungfer, auch mit einem bezauberndem Kleid, das Puffärmel hat, aber mit einem gebrochenem Herzen, versteckt hinter meinem lächelnden Gesicht. Und dann sage ich Diana Aufwiederse-e-e ...". Hier brach Anne völlig zusammen und weinte mit steigender Bitternis.

Marilla drehte sich schnell weg, um ihr zuckendes Gesicht zu verbergen, aber es war sinnlos. Sie warf sich in den nächsten Stuhl und brach in ein so herzliches und ungewöhnlich dröhnendes Lachen aus, dass Matthew, der draußen den Hof überquerte, voller Verwunderung anhielt. Wann hatte er jemals vorher Marilla so lachen gehört?

Also Anne Shirley," sagte Marilla, sobald sie sprechen konnte, " wenn du dir schon Ärger einhandeln musst, dann, um Himmels willen, handele ihn dir praktischerweise zu Hause ein. Ich sollte ganz sicher denken, du hättest Vorstellungskraft."
unit 1
CHAPTER XV.
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A TEMPEST IN THE SCHOOL TEAPOT.
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"What a splendid day!"
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said Anne, drawing a long breath.
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"Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this?
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I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it.
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They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one.
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And it's splendider still to have such a lovely way to go to school by, isn't it?"
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And yet, when the tarts were divided among ten girls you just got enough to tantalize you.
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The way Anne and Diana went to school was a pretty one.
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So we want to have one, too.
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And it's a very pretty name, don't you think?
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So romantic!
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We can imagine the lovers into it, you know.
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I like that lane because you can think out loud there without people calling you crazy."
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Anne, starting out alone in the morning, went down Lover's Lane as far as the brook.
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Then they left the lane and walked through Mr. Barry's back field and past Willowmere.
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Oh, Marilla, can't you just imagine you see them?
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It actually takes away my breath.
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I named it Violet Vale.
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Diana says she never saw the beat of me for hitting on fancy names for places.
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It's nice to be clever at something, isn't it?
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But Diana named the Birch Path.
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Anybody can think of a name like that.
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But the Birch Path is one of the prettiest places in the world, Marilla."
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It was.
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Other people besides Anne thought so when they stumbled on it.
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Marilla had seen Anne start off to school on the first day of September with many secret misgivings.
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Anne was such an odd girl.
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How would she get on with the other children?
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And how on earth would she ever manage to hold her tongue during school hours?
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Things went better than Marilla feared, however.
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Anne came home that evening in high spirits.
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"I think I'm going to like school here," she announced.
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"I don't think much of the master, though.
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He's all the time curling his moustache and making eyes at Prissy Andrews.
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Prissy is grown-up, you know.
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Tillie Boulter says the master is dead gone on her.
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She's got a beautiful complexion and curly brown hair and she does it up so elegantly.
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"You don't go to school to criticize the master.
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I guess he can teach you something and it's your business to learn.
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And I want you to understand right off that you are not to come home telling tales about him.
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That is something I won't encourage.
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I hope you were a good girl."
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"Indeed I was," said Anne comfortably.
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"It wasn't so hard as you might imagine, either.
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I sit with Diana.
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Our seat is right by the window and we can look down to the Lake of Shining Waters.
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There are a lot of nice girls in school and we had scrumptious fun playing at dinner time.
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It's so nice to have a lot of little girls to play with.
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But of course I like Diana best and always will.
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I adore Diana.
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I'm dreadfully far behind the others.
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They're all in the fifth book and I'm only in the fourth.
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I feel that it's kind of a disgrace.
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But there's not one of them has such an imagination as I have and I soon found that out.
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We had reading and geography and Canadian History and dictation to-day.
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I felt so mortified, Marilla; he might have been politer to a stranger, I think.
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Ruby Gillis gave me an apple and Sophia Sloane lent me a lovely pink card with 'May I see you home?'
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on it.
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I'm to give it back to her to-morrow.
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And Tillie Boulter let me wear her bead ring all the afternoon.
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Can I have some of those pearl beads off the old pincushion in the garret to make myself a ring?
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Marilla, have I really a pretty nose?
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I know you'll tell me the truth."
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"Your nose is well enough," said Marilla shortly.
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That was three weeks ago and all had gone smoothly so far.
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"I guess Gilbert Blythe will be in school to-day," said Diana.
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He's aw'fly handsome, Anne.
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And he teases the girls something terrible.
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He just torments our lives out."
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Diana's voice indicated that she rather liked having her life tormented out than not.
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"Gilbert Blythe?"
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said Anne.
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"Yes," said Diana, tossing her head, "but I'm sure he doesn't like Julia Bell so very much.
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I've heard him say he studied the multiplication table by her freckles."
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"Oh, don't speak about freckles to me," implored Anne.
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"It isn't delicate when I've got so many.
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I should just like to see anybody dare to write my name up with a boy's.
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Not, of course," she hastened to add, "that anybody would."
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Anne sighed.
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She didn't want her name written up.
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But it was a little humiliating to know that there was no danger of it.
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"It's only meant as a joke.
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And don't you be too sure your name won't ever be written up.
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Charlie Sloane is dead gone on you.
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He told his mother—his mother, mind you—that you were the smartest girl in school.
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That's better than being good-looking."
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"No, it isn't," said Anne, feminine to the core.
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"I'd rather be pretty than clever.
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And I hate Charlie Sloane.
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I can't bear a boy with goggle eyes.
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If any one wrote my name up with his I'd never get over it, Diana Barry.
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But it is nice to keep head of your class."
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He's only in the fourth book although he's nearly fourteen.
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They were there three years and Gil didn't go to school hardly any until they came back.
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You won't find it so easy to keep head after this, Anne."
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"I'm glad," said Anne quickly.
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"I couldn't really feel proud of keeping head of little boys and girls of just nine or ten.
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I got up yesterday spelling 'ebullition.'
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Josie Pye was head and, mind you, she peeped in her book.
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Mr. Phillips didn't see her—he was looking at Prissy Andrews—but I did.
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"Gertie Pye actually went and put her milk bottle in my place in the brook yesterday.
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Did you ever?
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I don't speak to her now."
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When Mr. Phillips was in the back of the room hearing Prissy Andrews' Latin Diana whispered to Anne.
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"That's Gilbert Blythe sitting right across the aisle from you, Anne.
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Just look at him and see if you don't think he's handsome."
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Anne looked accordingly.
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Everybody looked at her and Mr. Phillips glared so sternly that Ruby began to cry.
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"I think your Gilbert Blythe is handsome," confided Anne to Diana, "but I think he's very bold.
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It isn't good manners to wink at a strange girl."
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But it was not until the afternoon that things really began to happen.
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Carrots!"
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Then Anne looked at him with a vengeance!
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unit 160
She did more than look.
2 Translations, 4 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 161
She sprang to her feet, her bright fancies fallen into cureless ruin.
3 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 163
"You mean, hateful boy!"
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 164
she exclaimed passionately.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 165
"How dare you!"
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 166
And then—Thwack!
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 167
Anne had brought her slate down on Gilbert's head and cracked it—slate, not head—clear across.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 168
Avonlea school always enjoyed a scene.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 169
This was an especially enjoyable one.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 170
Everybody said, "Oh" in horrified delight.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 171
Diana gasped.
3 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 172
Ruby Gillis, who was inclined to be hysterical, began to cry.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 173
unit 174
Mr. Phillips stalked down the aisle and laid his hand heavily on Anne's shoulder.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 175
"Anne Shirley, what does this mean?"
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 176
he said angrily.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 177
Anne returned no answer.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 179
Gilbert it was who spoke up stoutly.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 180
"It was my fault, Mr. Phillips.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 181
I teased her."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 182
Mr. Phillips paid no heed to Gilbert.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 184
"Anne, go and stand on the platform in front of the blackboard for the rest of the afternoon."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 186
With a white, set face she obeyed.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 187
Mr. Phillips took a chalk crayon and wrote on the blackboard above her head.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 188
"Ann Shirley has a very bad temper.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 190
Anne stood there the rest of the afternoon with that legend above her.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 191
She did not cry or hang her head.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 192
unit 194
As for Gilbert Blythe, she would not even look at him.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 195
She would never look at him again!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 196
She would never speak to him!!
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 197
When school was dismissed Anne marched out with her red head held high.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 198
Gilbert Blythe tried to intercept her at the porch door.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 199
"I'm awful sorry I made fun of your hair, Anne," he whispered contritely.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 200
"Honest I am.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 201
Don't be mad for keeps, now."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 202
Anne swept by disdainfully, without look or sign of hearing.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 203
"Oh, how could you, Anne?"
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 204
breathed Diana as they went down the road, half reproach- fully, half admiringly.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 205
Diana felt that she could never have resisted Gilbert's plea.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 206
"I shall never forgive Gilbert Blythe," said Anne firmly.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 207
"And Mr. Phillips spelled my name without an e, too.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 208
The iron has entered into my soul, Diana."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 209
Diana hadn't the least idea what Anne meant but she understood it was something terrible.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 210
"You mustn't mind Gilbert making fun of your hair," she said soothingly.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 211
"Why, he makes fun of all the girls.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 212
He laughs at mine because it's so black.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 213
He's called me a crow a dozen times; and I never heard him apologize for anything before, either."
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 215
"Gilbert Blythe has hurt my feelings excruciatingly, Diana."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 216
unit 217
But when things begin to happen they are apt to keep on.
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 219
From there they could keep an eye on Eben Wright's house, where the master boarded.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 222
Any one who came in late would be punished.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 230
"Take those flowers out of your hair and sit with Gilbert Blythe."
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 231
The other boys snickered.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 232
Diana, turning pale with pity, plucked the wreath from Anne's hair and squeezed her hand.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 233
Anne stared at the master as if turned to stone.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 234
"Did you hear what I said, Anne?"
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 235
queried Mr. Phillips sternly.
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 236
"Yes, sir," said Anne slowly, "but I didn't suppose you really meant it."
1 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 238
It flicked on the raw.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 239
"Obey me at once."
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 240
For a moment Anne looked as if she meant to disobey.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 243
To Anne, this was as the end of all things.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 245
Anne felt that she could not bear it and it would be of no use to try.
3 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 246
Her whole being seethed with shame and anger and humiliation.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 247
At first the other scholars looked and whispered and giggled and nudged.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 253
"What are you taking all those things home for, Anne?"
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 254
Diana wanted to know, as soon as they were out on the road.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 255
She had not dared to ask the question before.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 256
"I am not coming back to school any more," said Anne.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 257
Diana gasped and stared at Anne to see if she meant it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 258
"Will Marilla let you stay home?"
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 259
she asked.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 260
"She'll have to," said Anne.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 261
I'll never go to school to that man again."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 262
"Oh, Anne!"
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 263
Diana looked as if she were ready to cry.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 264
"I do think you're mean.
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 265
What shall I do?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 266
unit 267
Do come back, Anne."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 268
"I'd do almost anything in the world for you, Diana," said Anne sadly.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 269
"I'd let myself be torn limb from limb if it would do you any good.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 270
But I can't do this, so please don't ask it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 271
You harrow up my very soul."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 272
"Just think of all the fun you will miss," mourned Diana.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 274
It's tremenjusly exciting.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 276
And you know you are so fond of reading out loud, Anne."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 277
Nothing moved Anne in the least.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 278
Her mind was made up.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 279
She would not go to school to Mr. Phillips again; she told Marilla so when she got home.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 280
"Nonsense," said Marilla.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 281
"It isn't nonsense at all," said Anne, gazing at Marilla with solemn, reproachful eyes.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 282
"Don't you understand, Marilla?
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 283
I've been insulted."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 284
"Insulted fiddlesticks!
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 285
You'll go to school to-morrow as usual."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 286
"Oh, no."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 287
Anne shook her head gently.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 288
"I'm not going back, Marilla.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 290
But I will not go back to school I assure you."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 291
Marilla saw something remarkably like unyielding stubbornness looking out of Anne's small face.
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 293
"I'll run down and see Rachel about it this evening," she thought.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 294
"There's no use reasoning with Anne now.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 295
She's too worked up and I've an idea she can be awful stubborn if she takes the notion.
3 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 296
unit 297
But it would never do to say so to her.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 298
I'll just talk it over with Rachel.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 299
She's sent ten children to school and she ought to know something about it.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 300
She'll have heard the whole story, too, by this time."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 301
Marilla found Mrs. Lynde knitting quilts as industriously and cheerfully as usual.
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 302
"I suppose you know what I've come about," she said, a little shamefacedly.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 303
Mrs. Rachel nodded.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 304
"About Anne's fuss in school, I reckon," she said.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 305
"Tillie Boulter was in on her way home from school and told me about it."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 306
"I don't know what to do with her," said Marilla.
2 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 307
"She declares she won't go back to school.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 308
I never saw a child so worked up.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 309
I've been expecting trouble ever since she started to school.
3 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 310
I knew things were going too smooth to last.
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 311
She's so high-strung.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 312
What would you advise, Rachel?"
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 313
"Well, since you've asked my advice, Marilla," said Mrs. Lynde amiably—Mrs.
2 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 314
unit 315
It's my belief that Mr. Phillips was in the wrong.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 316
Of course, it doesn't do to say so to the children, you know.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 317
And of course he did right to punish her yesterday for giving way to temper.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 318
But to-day it was different.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 319
The others who were late should have been punished as well as Anne, that's what.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 320
And I don't believe in making the girls sit with the boys for punishment.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 321
It isn't modest.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 322
Tillie Boulter was real indignant.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 323
She took Anne's part right through and said all the scholars did, too.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 324
Anne seems real popular among them, somehow.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 325
I never thought she'd take with them so well."
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 326
"Then you really think I'd better let her stay home," said Marilla in amazement.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 327
"Yes.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 328
That is, I wouldn't say school to her again until she said it herself.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 330
The less fuss made the better, in my opinion.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 331
She won't miss much by not going to school, as far as that goes.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 332
Mr. Phillips isn't any good at all as a teacher.
1 Translations, 2 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 335
I declare, I don't know what education in this Island is coming to."
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 337
Marilla took Mrs. Rachel's advice and not another word was said to Anne about going back to school.
3 Translations, 3 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 339
Even Diana's efforts as a peacemaker were of no avail.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 340
Anne had evidently made up her mind to hate Gilbert Blythe to the end of life.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 343
"Whatever's the matter now, Anne?"
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 344
she asked.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 345
"It's about Diana," sobbed Anne luxuriously.
2 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 346
"I love Diana so, Marilla.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 347
I cannot ever live without her.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 348
But I know very well when we grow up that Diana will get married and go away and leave me.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 349
And oh, what shall I do?
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 350
I hate her husband—I just hate him furiously.
1 Translations, 1 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 352
unit 354
When had he heard Marilla laugh like that before?
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago
unit 356
I should think you had an imagination, sure enough."
1 Translations, 0 Upvotes, Last Activity 7 years, 4 months ago

Update: Thank to Gaby and her watching the movie, we now know that:
1. Anne only use the formal form ("Sie") at the start, but later (we agreed for Chapter XI) she will say "du" to Marilla and Matthew, and the formal form with everybody else but her classmates. Marilla and Rachel are friends and they use "du".
2. She likes overstatements and superlatives.
3. We need to translate "green gables" as it is done in the movie.

by gaelle044 7 years, 4 months ago

Anne of Green Gables (1908)

Written for all ages, it has been considered a children's novel since the mid-twentieth century. It recounts the adventures of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl who is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Prince Edward Island. The novel recounts how Anne makes her way with the Cuthberts, in school, and within the town. Since publication, Anne of Green Gables has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into 20 languages. It has been adapted as film, made-for-television movies, and animated and live-action television series. — Excerpted from Anne of Green Gables (1908) on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Anne_of_Green_Gables_(1908)

by gaelle044 7 years, 4 months ago

CHAPTER XV.

A TEMPEST IN THE SCHOOL TEAPOT.

"What a splendid day!" said Anne, drawing a long breath. "Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one. And it's splendider still to have such a lovely way to go to school by, isn't it?"

"It's a lot nicer than going round by the road; that is so dusty and hot," said Diana practically, peeping into her dinner basket and mentally calculating if the three juicy, toothsome, raspberry tarts reposing there were divided among ten girls how many bites each girl would have.

The little girls of Avonlea school always pooled their lunches, and to eat three raspberry tarts all alone or even to share them only with one's best chum would have forever and ever branded as "awful mean" the girl who did it. And yet, when the tarts were divided among ten girls you just got enough to tantalize you.

The way Anne and Diana went to school was a pretty one. Anne thought those walks to and from school with Diana couldn't be improved upon even by imagination. Going around by the main road would have been so unromantic; but to go by Lover's Lane and Willowmere and Violet Vale and the Birch Path was romantic, if ever anything was.

Lover's Lane opened out below the orchard at Green Gables and stretched far up into the woods to the end of the Cuthbert farm. It was the way by which the cows were taken to the back pasture and the wood hauled home in winter, Anne had named it Lover's Lane before she had been a month at Green Gables.

"Not that lovers ever really walk there," she explained to Marilla, "but Diana and I are reading a perfectly magnificent book and there's a Lover's Lane in it. So we want to have one, too. And it's a very pretty name, don't you think? So romantic! We can imagine the lovers into it, you know. I like that lane because you can think out loud there without people calling you crazy."

Anne, starting out alone in the morning, went down Lover's Lane as far as the brook. Here Diana met her, and the two little girls went on up the lane under the leafy arch of maples—"maples are such sociable trees," said Anne; "they're always rustling and whispering to you,"—until they came to a rustic bridge. Then they left the lane and walked through Mr. Barry's back field and past Willowmere. Beyond Willowmere came Violet Vale—a little green dimple in the shadow of Mr. Andrew Bell's big woods. "Of course there are no violets there now," Anne told Marilla, "but Diana says there are millions of them in spring. Oh, Marilla, can't you just imagine you see them? It actually takes away my breath. I named it Violet Vale. Diana says she never saw the beat of me for hitting on fancy names for places. It's nice to be clever at something, isn't it? But Diana named the Birch Path. She wanted to, so I let her; but I'm sure I could have found something more poetical than plain Birch Path. Anybody can think of a name like that. But the Birch Path is one of the prettiest places in the world, Marilla."

It was. Other people besides Anne thought so when they stumbled on it. It was a little narrow, twisting path, winding down over a long hill straight through Mr. Bell's woods, where the light came down sifted through so many emerald screens that it was as flawless as the heart of a diamond. It was fringed in all its length with slim young birches, white-stemmed and lissom boughed; ferns and starflowers and wild lilies-of-the-valley and scarlet tufts of pigeon berries grew thickly along it; and always there was a delightful spiciness in the air and music of bird calls and the murmur and laugh of wood winds in the trees overhead. Now and then you might see a rabbit skipping across the road if you were quiet—which, with Anne and Diana, happened about once in a blue moon. Down in the valley the path came out to the main road and then it was just up the spruce hill to the school.

The Avonlea school was a whitewashed building, low in the eaves and wide in the windows, furnished inside with comfortable substantial old-fashioned desks that opened and shut, and were carved all over their lids with the initials and hieroglyphics of three generations of school-children. The schoolhouse was set back from the road and behind it was a dusky fir wood and a brook where all the children put their bottles of milk in the morning to keep cool and sweet until dinner hour.

Marilla had seen Anne start off to school on the first day of September with many secret misgivings. Anne was such an odd girl. How would she get on with the other children? And how on earth would she ever manage to hold her tongue during school hours?

Things went better than Marilla feared, however. Anne came home that evening in high spirits.

"I think I'm going to like school here," she announced. "I don't think much of the master, though. He's all the time curling his moustache and making eyes at Prissy Andrews. Prissy is grown-up, you know. She's sixteen and she's studying for the entrance examination into Queen's Academy at Charlottetown next year. Tillie Boulter says the master is dead gone on her. She's got a beautiful complexion and curly brown hair and she does it up so elegantly. She sits in the long seat at the back and he sits there, too, most of the time—to explain her lessons, he says. But Ruby Gillis says she saw him writing something on her slate and when Prissy read it she blushed as red as a beet and giggled; and Ruby Gillis says she doesn't believe it had anything to do with the lesson."

"Anne Shirley, don't let me hear you talking about your teacher in that way again," said Marilla sharply. "You don't go to school to criticize the master. I guess he can teach you something and it's your business to learn. And I want you to understand right off that you are not to come home telling tales about him. That is something I won't encourage. I hope you were a good girl."

"Indeed I was," said Anne comfortably. "It wasn't so hard as you might imagine, either. I sit with Diana. Our seat is right by the window and we can look down to the Lake of Shining Waters. There are a lot of nice girls in school and we had scrumptious fun playing at dinner time. It's so nice to have a lot of little girls to play with. But of course I like Diana best and always will. I adore Diana. I'm dreadfully far behind the others. They're all in the fifth book and I'm only in the fourth. I feel that it's kind of a disgrace. But there's not one of them has such an imagination as I have and I soon found that out. We had reading and geography and Canadian History and dictation to-day. Mr. Phillips said my spelling was disgraceful and he held up my slate so that everybody could see it, all marked over. I felt so mortified, Marilla; he might have been politer to a stranger, I think. Ruby Gillis gave me an apple and Sophia Sloane lent me a lovely pink card with 'May I see you home?' on it. I'm to give it back to her to-morrow. And Tillie Boulter let me wear her bead ring all the afternoon. Can I have some of those pearl beads off the old pincushion in the garret to make myself a ring? And oh Marilla, Jane Andrews told me that Minnie MacPherson told her that she heard Prissy Andrews tell Sara Gillis that I had a very pretty nose. Marilla, that is the first compliment I have ever had in my life and you can't imagine what a strange feeling it gave me. Marilla, have I really a pretty nose? I know you'll tell me the truth."

"Your nose is well enough," said Marilla shortly. Secretly she thought Anne's nose was a remarkably pretty one; but she had no intention of telling her so.

That was three weeks ago and all had gone smoothly so far. And now, this crisp September morning, Anne and Diana were tripping blithely down the Birch Path, two of the happiest little girls in Avonlea.

"I guess Gilbert Blythe will be in school to-day," said Diana. "He's been visiting his cousins over in New Brunswick all summer and he only came home Saturday night. He's aw'fly handsome, Anne. And he teases the girls something terrible. He just torments our lives out."

Diana's voice indicated that she rather liked having her life tormented out than not.

"Gilbert Blythe?" said Anne. "Isn't it his name that's written up on the porch wall with Julia Bell's and a big 'Take Notice' over them?"

"Yes," said Diana, tossing her head, "but I'm sure he doesn't like Julia Bell so very much. I've heard him say he studied the multiplication table by her freckles."

"Oh, don't speak about freckles to me," implored Anne. "It isn't delicate when I've got so many. But I do think that writing take-notices up on the wall about the boys and girls is the silliest ever. I should just like to see anybody dare to write my name up with a boy's. Not, of course," she hastened to add, "that anybody would."

Anne sighed. She didn't want her name written up. But it was a little humiliating to know that there was no danger of it.

"Nonsense," said Diana, whose black eyes and glossy tresses had played such havoc with the hearts of Avonlea schoolboys that her name figured on the porch walls in half a dozen take-notices. "It's only meant as a joke. And don't you be too sure your name won't ever be written up. Charlie Sloane is dead gone on you. He told his mother—his mother, mind you—that you were the smartest girl in school. That's better than being good-looking."

"No, it isn't," said Anne, feminine to the core. "I'd rather be pretty than clever. And I hate Charlie Sloane. I can't bear a boy with goggle eyes. If any one wrote my name up with his I'd never get over it, Diana Barry. But it is nice to keep head of your class."

"You'll have Gilbert in your class after this," said Diana, "and he's used to being head of his class, I can tell you. He's only in the fourth book although he's nearly fourteen. Four years ago his father was sick and had to go out to Alberta for his health and Gilbert went with him. They were there three years and Gil didn't go to school hardly any until they came back. You won't find it so easy to keep head after this, Anne."

"I'm glad," said Anne quickly. "I couldn't really feel proud of keeping head of little boys and girls of just nine or ten. I got up yesterday spelling 'ebullition.' Josie Pye was head and, mind you, she peeped in her book. Mr. Phillips didn't see her—he was looking at Prissy Andrews—but I did. I just swept her a look of freezing scorn and she got as red as a beet and spelled it wrong after all."

"Those Pye girls are cheats all round," said Diana indignantly, as they climbed the fence of the main road. "Gertie Pye actually went and put her milk bottle in my place in the brook yesterday. Did you ever? I don't speak to her now."

When Mr. Phillips was in the back of the room hearing Prissy Andrews' Latin Diana whispered to Anne.

"That's Gilbert Blythe sitting right across the aisle from you, Anne. Just look at him and see if you don't think he's handsome."

Anne looked accordingly. She had a good chance to do so, for the said Gilbert Blythe was absorbed in stealthily pinning the long yellow braid of Ruby Gillis, who sat in front of him, to the back of her seat. He was a tall boy, with curly brown hair, roguish hazel eyes and a mouth twisted into a teasing smile. Presently Ruby Gillis started up to take a sum to the master; she fell back into her seat with a little shriek, believing that her hair was pulled out by the roots. Everybody looked at her and Mr. Phillips glared so sternly that Ruby began to cry. Gilbert had whisked the pin out of sight and was studying his history with the soberest face in the world; but when the commotion subsided he looked at Anne and winked with inexpressible drollery.

"I think your Gilbert Blythe is handsome," confided Anne to Diana, "but I think he's very bold. It isn't good manners to wink at a strange girl."

But it was not until the afternoon that things really began to happen.

Mr. Phillips was back in the corner explaining a problem in algebra to Prissy Andrews and the rest of the scholars were doing pretty much as they pleased, eating green apples, whispering, drawing pictures on their slates, and driving crickets, harnessed to strings, up and down the aisle. Gilbert Blythe was trying to make Anne Shirley look at him and failing utterly, because Anne was at that moment totally oblivious, not only of the very existence of Gilbert Blythe, but of every other scholar in Avonlea school and of Avonlea school itself. With her chin propped on her hands and her eyes fixed on the blue glimpse of the Lake of Shining Waters that the west window afforded, she was far away in a gorgeous dreamland, hearing and seeing nothing save her own wonderful visions.

Gilbert Blythe wasn't used to putting himself out to make a girl look at him and meeting with failure. She should look at him, that red-haired Shirley girl with the little pointed chin and the big eyes that weren't like the eyes of any other girl in Avonlea school.

Gilbert reached across the aisle, picked up the end of Anne's long red braid, held it out at arm's length and said in a piercing whisper,

"Carrots! Carrots!"

Then Anne looked at him with a vengeance!

She did more than look. She sprang to her feet, her bright fancies fallen into cureless ruin. She flashed one indignant glance at Gilbert from eyes whose angry sparkle was swiftly quenched in equally angry tears.

"You mean, hateful boy!" she exclaimed passionately. "How dare you!"

And then—Thwack! Anne had brought her slate down on Gilbert's head and cracked it—slate, not head—clear across.
Avonlea school always enjoyed a scene. This was an especially enjoyable one. Everybody said, "Oh" in horrified delight. Diana gasped. Ruby Gillis, who was inclined to be hysterical, began to cry. Tommy Sloane let his team of crickets escape him altogether while he stared open-mouthed at the tableau.

Mr. Phillips stalked down the aisle and laid his hand heavily on Anne's shoulder.

"Anne Shirley, what does this mean?" he said angrily.

Anne returned no answer. It was asking too much of flesh and blood to expect her to tell before the whole school that she had been called "carrots." Gilbert it was who spoke up stoutly.

"It was my fault, Mr. Phillips. I teased her."

Mr. Phillips paid no heed to Gilbert.

"I am sorry to see a pupil of mine displaying such a temper and such a vindictive spirit," he said in a solemn tone, as if the mere fact of being a pupil of his ought to root out all evil passions from the hearts of small imperfect mortals. "Anne, go and stand on the platform in front of the blackboard for the rest of the afternoon."

Anne would have infinitely preferred a whipping to this punishment, under which her sensitive spirit quivered as from a whiplash. With a white, set face she obeyed. Mr. Phillips took a chalk crayon and wrote on the blackboard above her head.

"Ann Shirley has a very bad temper. Ann Shirley must learn to control her temper," and then read it out loud so that even the primer class, who couldn't read writing, should understand it.

Anne stood there the rest of the afternoon with that legend above her. She did not cry or hang her head. Anger was still too hot in her heart for that and it sustained her amid all her agony of humiliation. With resentful eyes and passion-red cheeks she confronted alike Diana's sympathetic gaze and Charlie Sloane's indignant nods and Josie Pye's malicious smiles. As for Gilbert Blythe, she would not even look at him. She would never look at him again! She would never speak to him!!

When school was dismissed Anne marched out with her red head held high. Gilbert Blythe tried to intercept her at the porch door.

"I'm awful sorry I made fun of your hair, Anne," he whispered contritely. "Honest I am. Don't be mad for keeps, now."

Anne swept by disdainfully, without look or sign of hearing. "Oh, how could you, Anne?" breathed Diana as they went down the road, half reproach- fully, half admiringly. Diana felt that she could never have resisted Gilbert's plea.

"I shall never forgive Gilbert Blythe," said Anne firmly. "And Mr. Phillips spelled my name without an e, too. The iron has entered into my soul, Diana."

Diana hadn't the least idea what Anne meant but she understood it was something terrible.

"You mustn't mind Gilbert making fun of your hair," she said soothingly. "Why, he makes fun of all the girls. He laughs at mine because it's so black. He's called me a crow a dozen times; and I never heard him apologize for anything before, either."

"There's a great deal of difference between being called a crow and being called carrots," said Anne with dignity. "Gilbert Blythe has hurt my feelings excruciatingly, Diana."

It is possible the matter might have blown over without more excruciation if nothing else had happened. But when things begin to happen they are apt to keep on.

Avonlea scholars often spent noon hour picking gum in Mr. Bell's spruce grove over the hill and across his big pasture field. From there they could keep an eye on Eben Wright's house, where the master boarded. When they saw Mr. Phillips emerging therefrom they ran for the schoolhouse; but the distance being about three times longer than Mr. Wright's lane they were very apt to arrive there, breathless and gasping, some three minutes too late.

On the following day Mr. Phillips was seized with one of his spasmodic fits of reform and announced, before going home to dinner, that he should expect to find all the scholars in their seats when he returned. Any one who came in late would be punished.

All the boys and some of the girls went to Mr. Bell's spruce grove as usual, fully intending to stay only long enough to "pick a chew." But spruce groves are seductive and yellow nuts of gum beguiling; they picked and loitered and strayed; and as usual the first thing that recalled them to a sense of the flight of time was Jimmy Glover shouting from the top of a patriarchal old spruce, "Master's coming."

The girls, who were on the ground, started first and managed to reach the schoolhouse in time but without a second to spare. The boys, who had to wriggle hastily down from the trees, were later; and Anne, who had not been picking gum at all but was wandering happily in the far end of the grove, waist deep among the bracken, singing softly to herself, with a wreath of rice lilies on her hair as if she were some wild divinity of the shadowy places, was latest of all. Anne could run like a deer, however; run she did with the impish result that she overtook the boys at the door and was swept into the schoolhouse among them just as Mr. Phillips was in the act of hanging up his hat.

Mr. Phillips' brief reforming energy was over; he didn't want the bother of punishing a dozen pupils; but it was necessary to do something to save his word, so he looked about for a scapegoat and found it in Anne, who had dropped into her seat, gasping for breath, with her forgotten lily wreath hanging askew over one ear and giving her a particularly rakish and dishevelled appearance.

"Anne Shirley, since you seem to be so fond of the boys' company we shall indulge your taste for it this afternoon," he said sarcastically. "Take those flowers out of your hair and sit with Gilbert Blythe."

The other boys snickered. Diana, turning pale with pity, plucked the wreath from Anne's hair and squeezed her hand. Anne stared at the master as if turned to stone.

"Did you hear what I said, Anne?" queried Mr. Phillips sternly.

"Yes, sir," said Anne slowly, "but I didn't suppose you really meant it."

"I assure you I did,"—still with the sarcastic inflection which all the children, and Anne especially, hated. It flicked on the raw. "Obey me at once."

For a moment Anne looked as if she meant to disobey. Then, realizing that there was no help for it, she rose haughtily, stepped across the aisle, sat down beside Gilbert Blythe, and buried her face in her arms on the desk. Ruby Gillis, who got a glimpse of it as it went down, told the others going home from school that she'd "acksually never seen anything like it—it was so white, with awful little red spots in it."

To Anne, this was as the end of all things. It was bad enough to be singled out for punishment from among a dozen equally guilty ones; it was worse still to be sent to sit with a boy; but that that boy should be Gilbert Blythe was heaping insult on injury to a degree utterly unbearable. Anne felt that she could not bear it and it would be of no use to try. Her whole being seethed with shame and anger and humiliation.

At first the other scholars looked and whispered and giggled and nudged. But as Anne never lifted her head and as Gilbert worked fractions as if his whole soul was absorbed in them and them only, they soon returned to their own tasks and Anne was forgotten. When Mr. Phillips called the history class out Anne should have gone; but Anne did not move, and Mr. Phillips, who had been writing some verses "To Priscilla" before he called the class, was thinking about an obstinate rhyme still and never missed her. Once, when nobody was looking, Gilbert took from his desk a little pink candy heart with a gold motto on it, "You are sweet," and slipped it under the curve of Anne's arm. Whereupon Anne arose, took the pink heart gingerly between the tips of her fingers, dropped it on the floor, ground it to powder beneath her heel, and resumed her position without deigning to bestow a glance on Gilbert.

When school went out Anne marched to her desk, ostentatiously took out everything therein, books and writing tablet, pen and ink, testament and arithmetic, and piled them neatly on her cracked slate.

"What are you taking all those things home for, Anne?" Diana wanted to know, as soon as they were out on the road. She had not dared to ask the question before.

"I am not coming back to school any more," said Anne.

Diana gasped and stared at Anne to see if she meant it.

"Will Marilla let you stay home?" she asked.

"She'll have to," said Anne. I'll never go to school to that man again."

"Oh, Anne!" Diana looked as if she were ready to cry. "I do think you're mean. What shall I do? Mr. Phillips will make me sit with that horrid Gertie Pye—I know he will because she is sitting alone. Do come back, Anne."

"I'd do almost anything in the world for you, Diana," said Anne sadly. "I'd let myself be torn limb from limb if it would do you any good. But I can't do this, so please don't ask it. You harrow up my very soul."

"Just think of all the fun you will miss," mourned Diana. "We are going to build the loveliest new house down by the brook; and we'll be playing ball next week and you've never played ball, Anne. It's tremenjusly exciting. And we're going to learn a new song—Jane Andrews is practising it up now; and Alice Andrews is going to bring a new Pansy book next week and we're all going to read it out loud, chapter about, down by the brook. And you know you are so fond of reading out loud, Anne."

Nothing moved Anne in the least. Her mind was made up. She would not go to school to Mr. Phillips again; she told Marilla so when she got home.

"Nonsense," said Marilla.

"It isn't nonsense at all," said Anne, gazing at Marilla with solemn, reproachful eyes. "Don't you understand, Marilla? I've been insulted."

"Insulted fiddlesticks! You'll go to school to-morrow as usual."

"Oh, no." Anne shook her head gently. "I'm not going back, Marilla. I'll learn my lessons at home and I'll be as good as I can be and hold my tongue all the time if it's possible at all. But I will not go back to school I assure you."

Marilla saw something remarkably like unyielding stubbornness looking out of Anne's small face. She understood that she would have trouble in overcoming it; but she resolved wisely to say nothing more just then.

"I'll run down and see Rachel about it this evening," she thought. "There's no use reasoning with Anne now. She's too worked up and I've an idea she can be awful stubborn if she takes the notion. Far as I can make out from her story, Mr. Phillips has been carrying matters with a rather high hand. But it would never do to say so to her. I'll just talk it over with Rachel. She's sent ten children to school and she ought to know something about it. She'll have heard the whole story, too, by this time."

Marilla found Mrs. Lynde knitting quilts as industriously and cheerfully as usual.

"I suppose you know what I've come about," she said, a little shamefacedly.

Mrs. Rachel nodded.

"About Anne's fuss in school, I reckon," she said. "Tillie Boulter was in on her way home from school and told me about it."

"I don't know what to do with her," said Marilla. "She declares she won't go back to school. I never saw a child so worked up. I've been expecting trouble ever since she started to school. I knew things were going too smooth to last. She's so high-strung. What would you advise, Rachel?"

"Well, since you've asked my advice, Marilla," said Mrs. Lynde amiably—Mrs. Lynde dearly loved to be asked for advice—"I'd just humour her a little at first, that's what I'd do. It's my belief that Mr. Phillips was in the wrong. Of course, it doesn't do to say so to the children, you know. And of course he did right to punish her yesterday for giving way to temper. But to-day it was different. The others who were late should have been punished as well as Anne, that's what. And I don't believe in making the girls sit with the boys for punishment. It isn't modest. Tillie Boulter was real indignant. She took Anne's part right through and said all the scholars did, too. Anne seems real popular among them, somehow. I never thought she'd take with them so well."

"Then you really think I'd better let her stay home," said Marilla in amazement.

"Yes. That is, I wouldn't say school to her again until she said it herself. Depend upon it, Marilla, she'll cool off in a week or so and be ready enough to go back of her own accord, that's what, while, if you were to make her go back right off, dear knows what freak or tantrum she'd take next and make more trouble than ever. The less fuss made the better, in my opinion. She won't miss much by not going to school, as far as that goes. Mr. Phillips isn't any good at all as a teacher. The order he keeps is scandalous, that's what, and he neglects the young fry and puts all his time on those big scholars he's getting ready for Queen's. He'd never have got the school for another year if his uncle hadn't been a trustee—the trustee, for he just leads the other two around by the nose, that's what. I declare, I don't know what education in this Island is coming to."

Mrs. Rachel shook her head, as much as to say if she were only at the head of the educational system of the Province things would be much better managed.

Marilla took Mrs. Rachel's advice and not another word was said to Anne about going back to school. She learned her lessons at home, did her chores, and played with Diana in the chilly purple autumn twilights; but when she met Gilbert Blythe on the road or encountered him in Sunday-school she passed him by with an icy contempt that was no whit thawed by his evident desire to appease her. Even Diana's efforts as a peacemaker were of no avail. Anne had evidently made up her mind to hate Gilbert Blythe to the end of life.

As much as she hated Gilbert, however, did she love Diana, with all the love of her passionate little heart, equally intense in its likes and dislikes. One evening Marilla, coming in from the orchard with a basket of apples, found Anne sitting alone by the east window in the twilight, crying bitterly.

"Whatever's the matter now, Anne?" she asked.

"It's about Diana," sobbed Anne luxuriously. "I love Diana so, Marilla. I cannot ever live without her. But I know very well when we grow up that Diana will get married and go away and leave me. And oh, what shall I do? I hate her husband—I just hate him furiously. I've been imagining it all out—the wedding and everything—Diana dressed in snowy garments, with a veil, and looking as beautiful and regal as a queen; and me the bridesmaid, with a lovely dress, too, and puffed sleeves, but with a breaking heart hid beneath my smiling face. And then bidding Diana good-bye-e-e—" Here Anne broke down entirely and wept with increasing bitterness.

Marilla turned quickly away to hide her twitching face; but it was no use; she collapsed on the nearest chair and burst into such a hearty and unusual peal of laughter that Matthew, crossing the yard outside, halted in amazement. When had he heard Marilla laugh like that before?

"Well, Anne Shirley," said Marilla as soon as she could speak, "if you must borrow trouble, for pity's sake borrow it handier home. I should think you had an imagination, sure enough."