Anne of Windy Poplars_by_Lucy Maud Montgomery

8/8/2019 Anne of Windy Poplars_by_Lucy Maud Montgomery

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ANNE OF WINDY POPLARS

by

L. M. MONTGOMERY

1936



THE FIRST YEAR

1

(Letter from Anne Shirley, B.A., Principal of Summerside High School, to Gilbert Blythe,medical student at Redmond ollege, !ingsport."

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,"S'side, P. E. I.,"Monday, September 12th.

"DE!ES#

"Isn't that an address$ Did yo% e&er hear anythin so deli(io%s) Windy Poplars is the nameo* my ne+ home and I lo&e it. I also lo&e Spook's Lane, +hi(h has no leal eisten(e. Itsho%ld be rent Street b%t it is ne&er (alled rent Street e(ept on the rare o((asions+hen it is mentioned in the #ee$ly ourier . . . and then people look at ea(h other andsay, 'Where on earth is that)' Spook's Lane it is . . . altho%h *or +hat reason I (annot tellyo%. I ha&e already asked !ebe((a De+ abo%t it, b%t all she (an say is that it has al+aysbeen Spook's Lane and there +as some old yarn years ao o* its bein ha%nted. -%t shehas ne&er seen anythin +orselookin than hersel* in it.

"/o+e&er, I m%stn't et ahead o* my story. 0o% don't kno+ !ebe((a De+ yet. -%t yo% +ill,oh, yes, yo% +ill. I *oresee that !ebe((a De+ +ill *i%re larely in my *%t%re(orresponden(e.

"It's d%sk, dearest. In passin, isn't 'd%sk' a lo&ely +ord) I like it better than t+iliht. Itso%nds so &el&ety and shado+y and . . . and . . . dus$y." In dayliht I belon to the +orld . .. in the niht to sleep and eternity. -%t in the d%sk I'm *ree *rom both and belon only tomysel* . . . and you. So I'm oin to keep this ho%r sa(red to +ritin to yo%. ho%h this+on't be a lo&eletter. I ha&e a s(rat(hy pen and I (an't +rite lo&eletters +ith a s(rat(hypen . . . or a sharp pen . . . or a st%b pen. So yo%'ll only et that kind o* letter *rom me+hen I ha&e ea(tly the riht kind o* pen. Mean+hile, I'll tell yo% abo%t my ne+ domi(ileand its inhabitants. ilbert, they're s%(h dears.

"I (ame %p yesterday to look *or a boardinho%se. Mrs. !a(hel Lynde (ame +ith me,ostensibly to do some shoppin b%t really, I kno+, to (hoose a boardinho%se *or me. Inspite o* my rts (o%rse and my -.., Mrs. Lynde still thinks I am an ineperien(ed yo%nthin +ho m%st be %ided and dire(ted and o&erseen.

"We (ame by train and oh, ilbert, I had the *%nniest ad&ent%re. 0o% kno+ I'&e al+aysbeen one to +hom ad&ent%res (ame %nso%ht. I 3%st seem to attra(t them, as it +ere.

"It happened 3%st as the train +as (omin to a stop at the station. I ot %p and, stoopin topi(k %p Mrs. Lynde's s%it(ase she +as plannin to spend S%nday +ith a *riend inS%mmerside4, I leaned my kn%(kles hea&ily on +hat I tho%ht +as the shiny arm o* a seat.In a se(ond I re(ei&ed a &iolent (ra(k a(ross them that nearly made me ho+l. ilbert, +hatI had taken *or the arm o* a seat +as a man's bald head. /e +as larin *ier(ely at me andhad e&idently 3%st +aked %p. I apoloi5ed ab3e(tly and ot o** the train as 6%i(kly as



possible. he last I sa+ o* him he +as still larin. Mrs. Lynde +as horri*ied and mykn%(kles are sore yet$

"I did not epe(t to ha&e m%(h tro%ble in *indin a boardinho%se, *or a (ertain Mrs. omPrinle has been boardin the &ario%s prin(ipals o* the /ih S(hool *or the last *i*teenyears. -%t, *or some %nkno+n reason, she has ro+n s%ddenly tired o* 'bein bothered'and +o%ldn't take me. Se&eral other desirable pla(es had some polite e(%se. Se&eralother pla(es %eren&t desirable. We +andered abo%t the to+n the +hole a*ternoon and othot and tired and bl%e and heada(hy . . . at least ' did. I +as ready to i&e %p in despair . . .and then, Spook's Lane 3%st happened$

"We had dropped in to see Mrs. -raddo(k, an old (rony o* Mrs. Lynde's. nd Mrs.-raddo(k said she tho%ht 'the +ido+s' miht take me in.

"'I'&e heard they +ant a boarder to pay !ebe((a De+'s +aes. hey (an't a**ord to keep!ebe((a any loner %nless a little etra money (omes in. nd i* !ebe((a oes, %ho is tomilk that old red (o+)'

"Mrs. -raddo(k *ied me +ith a stern eye as i* she tho%ht ' o%ht to milk the red (o+ b%t+o%ldn't belie&e me on oath i* I (laimed I (o%ld.

"'What +ido+s are yo% talkin abo%t)' demanded Mrs. Lynde.

"'Why, %nt 7ate and %nt 8hatty,' said Mrs. -raddo(k, as i* e&erybody, e&en an inorant-.., o%ht to kno+ that. '%nt 7ate is Mrs. masa Ma(8omber she's the 8aptain's+ido+4 and %nt 8hatty is Mrs. Lin(oln Ma(Lean, 3%st a plain +ido+. -%t e&ery one (allsthem "a%nt." hey li&e at the end o* Spook's Lane.'

"Spook's Lane$ hat settled it. I kne+ I 3%st had to board +ith the +ido+s.

"'Let's o and see them at on(e,' I implored Mrs. Lynde. It seemed to me i* +e lost a

moment Spook's Lane +o%ld &anish ba(k into *airyland.

"'0o% (an see them, b%t it'll be !ebe((a +ho'll really de(ide +hether they'll take yo% or not.!ebe((a De+ r%les the roost at Windy Poplars, I (an tell yo%."

"Windy Poplars$ It (o%ldn't be tr%e . . . no it (o%ldn't. I m%st be dreamin. nd Mrs. !a(helLynde +as a(t%ally sayin it +as a *%nny name *or a pla(e.

"'9h, 8aptain Ma(8omber (alled it that. It +as his ho%se, yo% kno+. /e planted all thepoplars ro%nd it and +as mihty pro%d o* it, tho%h he +as seldom home and ne&er stayedlon. %nt 7ate %sed to say that +as in(on&enient, b%t +e ne&er ot it *i%red o%t +hethershe meant his stayin s%(h a little time or his (omin ba(k at all. Well, Miss Shirley, I hopeyo%'ll et there. !ebe((a De+'s a ood (ook and a eni%s +ith (old potatoes. I* she takesa notion to yo% yo%'ll be in (lo&er. I* she doesn't . . . +ell, she +on't, that's all. I hear there'sa ne+ banker in to+n lookin *or a boardinho%se and she may pre*er him. It's kind o**%nny Mrs. om Prinle +o%ldn't take yo%. S%mmerside is *%ll o* Prinles and hal* Prinles.hey're (alled "he !oyal :amily" and yo%'ll ha&e to et on their ood side, Miss Shirley,or yo%'ll ne&er et alon in S%mmerside /ih. hey'&e al+ays r%led the roosthereabo%ts . . . there's a street (alled a*ter old 8aptain braham Prinle. here's a re%lar(lan o* them, b%t the t+o old ladies at Mapleh%rst boss the tribe. I did hear they +ere do+non yo%.'

"'Why sho%ld they be)' I e(laimed. 'I'm a total straner to them.'

"'Well, a third (o%sin o* theirs applied *or the Prin(ipalship and they all think he sho%ldha&e ot it. When yo%r appli(ation +as a((epted the +hole kit and boodle o* them thre+



ba(k their heads and ho+led. Well, people are like that. We ha&e to take them as +e *indthem, yo% kno+. hey'll be as smooth as (ream to yo% b%t they'll +ork aainst yo% e&erytime. I'm not +antin to dis(o%rae yo% b%t *ore+arned is *orearmed. I hope yo%'ll makeood 3%st to spite them. I* the +ido+s take yo%, yo% +on't mind eatin +ith !ebe((a De+,+ill yo%) She isn't a serant, yo% kno+. She's a *aro** (o%sin o* the 8aptain's. She doesn't(ome to the table +hen there's (ompany . . . she kno+s her pla(e then . . . b%t i* yo% +ere

boardin there she +o%ldn't (onsider yo% (ompany, o* (o%rse.'

"I ass%red the anio%s Mrs. -raddo(k that I'd lo&e eatin +ith !ebe((a De+ and draedMrs. Lynde a+ay. I must et ahead o* the banker.

"Mrs. -raddo(k *ollo+ed %s to the door.

"'nd don't h%rt %nt 8hatty's *eelins, +ill yo%) /er *eelins are so easily h%rt. She's sosensiti&e, poor thin. 0o% see, she hasn't )uite as m%(h money as %nt 7ate . . . tho%h %nt 7ate hasn't any too m%(h either. nd then %nt 7ate liked her h%sband real +ell . . .her o+n h%sband, I mean . . . b%t %nt 8hatty didn't . . . didn't like hers, I mean. Small+onder$ Lin(oln Ma(Lean +as an old (rank . . . b%t she thinks people hold it aainst her.

It's l%(ky this is Sat%rday. I* it +as :riday %nt 8hatty +o%ldn't e&en (onsider takin yo%.0o%'d think %nt 7ate +o%ld be the s%perstitio%s one, +o%ldn't yo%) Sailors are kind o* likethat. -%t it's %nt 8hatty . . . altho%h her h%sband +as a (arpenter. She +as &ery pretty inher day, poor thin.'

"I ass%red Mrs. -raddo(k that %nt 8hatty's *eelins +o%ld be sa(red to me, b%t she*ollo+ed %s do+n the +alk.

"'7ate and 8hatty +on't eplore yo%r belonins +hen yo%'re o%t. hey're &ery(ons(ientio%s. !ebe((a De+ may, b%t she +on't tell on yo%. nd I +o%ldn't o to the *rontdoor i* I +as yo%. hey only %se it *or somethin real important. I don't think it's beenopened sin(e masa's *%neral. ry the side door. hey keep the key %nder the *lo+erpoton the +indo+sill, so i* nobody's home 3%st %nlo(k the door and o in and +ait. nd+hate&er yo% do, don't praise the (at, be(a%se !ebe((a De+ doesn't like him.'

"I promised I +o%ldn't praise the (at and +e a(t%ally ot a+ay. Erelon +e *o%nd o%rsel&esin Spook's Lane. It is a &ery short side street, leadin o%t to open (o%ntry, and *ar a+ay abl%e hill makes a bea%ti*%l ba(kdrop *or it. 9n one side there are no ho%ses at all and theland slopes do+n to the harbor. 9n the other side there are only three. he *irst one is 3%sta ho%se . . . nothin more to be said o* it. he net one is a bi, imposin, loomy mansiono* stonetrimmed red bri(k, +ith a mansard roo* +arty +ith dormer+indo+s, an iron railinaro%nd the *lat top and so many spr%(es and *irs (ro+din abo%t it that yo% (an hardly seethe ho%se. It m%st be *riht*%lly dark inside. nd the third and last is Windy Poplars, riht

on the (orner, +ith the rassro+n street on the *ront and a real (o%ntry road, bea%ti*%l+ith tree shado+s, on the other side.

"I *ell in lo&e +ith it at on(e. 0o% kno+ there are ho%ses +hi(h impress themsel&es %ponyo% at *irst siht *or some reason yo% (an hardly de*ine. Windy Poplars is like that. I maydes(ribe it to yo% as a +hite *rame ho%se . . . &ery +hite . . . +ith reen sh%tters . . . &eryreen . . . +ith a 'to+er' in the (orner and a dormer+indo+ on either side, a lo+ stone +alldi&idin it *rom the street, +ith aspen poplars ro+in at inter&als alon it, and a biarden at the ba(k +here *lo+ers and &eetables are deliht*%lly 3%mbled %p toether . . .b%t all this (an't (on&ey its (harm to yo%. In short, it is a ho%se +ith a deliht*%l personalityand has somethin o* the *la&or o* reen ables abo%t it.

"'his is the spot *or me . . . it's been *oreordained,' I said rapt%ro%sly.

"Mrs. Lynde looked as i* she didn't 6%ite tr%st *oreordination.



"'It'll be a lon +alk to s(hool,' she said d%bio%sly.

"'I don't mind that. It +ill be ood eer(ise. 9h, look at that lo&ely bir(h and maple ro&ea(ross the road.'

"Mrs. Lynde looked b%t all she said +as,

"'I hope yo% +on't be pestered +ith mos6%itoes.'"I hoped so, too. I detest mos6%itoes. 9ne mos6%ito (an keep me 'a+aker' than a bad(ons(ien(e.

"I +as lad +e didn't ha&e to o in by the *ront door. It looked so *orbiddin . . . a bi,do%blelea&ed, rained+ood a**air, *lanked by panels o* red, *lo+ered lass. It doesn'tseem to belon to the ho%se at all. he little reen side door, +hi(h +e rea(hed by adarlin path o* thin, *lat sandstones s%nk at inter&als in the rass, +as m%(h more *riendlyand in&itin. he path +as eded by &ery prim, +ellordered beds o* ribbon rass andbleedinheart and tierlilies and s+eetWilliam and so%thern+ood and bride's bo%6%etand redand+hite daisies and +hat Mrs. Lynde (alls 'pinies.' 9* (o%rse they +eren't all in

bloom at this season, b%t yo% (o%ld see they had bloomed at the proper time and done it+ell. here +as a rose plot in a *ar (orner and bet+een Windy Poplars and the loomyho%se net a bri(k +all all o&erro+n +ith ;irinia (reeper, +ith an ar(hed trellis abo&e a*aded reen door in the middle o* it. &ine ran riht a(ross it, so it +as plain it hadn't beenopened *or some time. It +as really only hal* a door, *or its top hal* is merely an openoblon thro%h +hi(h +e (o%ld (at(h a limpse o* a 3%nly arden on the other side.

"<%st as +e entered the ate o* the arden o* Windy Poplars I noti(ed a little (l%mp o*(lo&er riht by the path. Some imp%lse led me to stoop do+n and look at it. Wo%ld yo%belie&e it, ilbert) here, riht be*ore my eyes, +ere three *o%rlea*ed (lo&ers$ alk abo%tomens$ E&en the Prinles (an't (ontend aainst that. nd I *elt s%re the banker hadn't an

earthly (han(e.

"he side door +as open so it +as e&ident somebody +as at home and +e didn't ha&e tolook %nder the *lo+erpot. We kno(ked and !ebe((a De+ (ame to the door. We kne+ it+as !ebe((a De+ be(a%se it (o%ldn't ha&e been any one else in the +hole +ide +orld. nd she (o%ldn't ha&e had any other name.

"!ebe((a De+ is 'aro%nd *orty' and i* a tomato had bla(k hair ra(in a+ay *rom its*orehead, little t+inklin bla(k eyes, a tiny nose +ith a knobby end and a slit o* a mo%th, it+o%ld look ea(tly like her. E&erythin abo%t her is a little too short . . . arms and les andne(k and nose . . . e&erythin b%t her smile. It is lon eno%h to rea(h *rom ear to ear.

"-%t +e didn't see her smile 3%st then. She looked &ery rim +hen I asked i* I (o%ld seeMrs. Ma(8omber.

"'0o% mean Mrs. aptain Ma(8omber)' she said reb%kinly, as i* there +ere at least ado5en Mrs. Ma(8ombers in the ho%se.

"'0es,' I said meekly. nd +e +ere *orth+ith %shered into the parlor and le*t there. It +asrather a ni(e little room, a bit (l%ttered %p +ith antima(assars b%t +ith a 6%iet, *riendlyatmosphere abo%t it that I liked. E&ery bit o* *%rnit%re had its o+n parti(%lar pla(e +hi(h ithad o((%pied *or years. /o+ that *%rnit%re shone$ =o bo%ht polish e&er prod%(ed thatmirrorlike loss. I kne+ it +as !ebe((a De+'s elbo+ rease. here +as a *%llried ship

in a bottle on the mantelpie(e +hi(h interested Mrs. Lynde reatly. She (o%ldn't imaineho+ it e&er ot into the bottle . . . b%t she tho%ht it a&e the room 'a na%ti(al air.'

"'he +ido+s' (ame in. I liked them at on(e. %nt 7ate +as tall and thin and ray, and a



little a%stere . . . Marilla's type ea(tly# and %nt 8hatty +as short and thin and ray, and alittle +ist*%l. She may ha&e been &ery pretty on(e b%t nothin is no+ le*t o* her bea%tye(ept her eyes. *hey are lo&ely . . . so*t and bi and bro+n.

"I eplained my errand and the +ido+s looked at ea(h other.

"'We m%st (ons%lt !ebe((a De+,' said %nt 8hatty.

"'>ndo%btedly,' said %nt 7ate.

"!ebe((a De+ +as a((ordinly s%mmoned *rom the kit(hen. he (at (ame in +ith her . . .a bi *l%**y Maltese, +ith a +hite breast and a +hite (ollar. I sho%ld ha&e liked to strokehim, b%t, rememberin Mrs. -raddo(k's +arnin, I inored him.

"!ebe((a a5ed at me +itho%t the limmer o* a smile.

"'!ebe((a,' said %nt 7ate, +ho, I ha&e dis(o&ered, does not +aste +ords, 'Miss Shirley+ishes to board here. I don't think +e (an take her.'

"'Why not)' said !ebe((a De+.

"'It +o%ld be too m%(h tro%ble *or yo%, I am a*raid,' said %nt 8hatty.

"'I'm +ell %sed to tro%ble,' said !ebe((a De+. 0o% can&t separate those names, ilbert. It'simpossible . . . tho%h the +ido+s do it. hey (all her !ebe((a +hen they speak to her. Idon't kno+ ho+ they manae it.

"'We are rather old to ha&e yo%n people (omin and oin,' persisted %nt 8hatty.

"'Speak *or yo%rsel*,' retorted !ebe((a De+. 'I'm only *orty*i&e and I still ha&e the %se o*my *a(%lties. nd ' think it +o%ld be ni(e to ha&e a yo%n person sleepin in the ho%se. irl +o%ld be better than a boy any time. He&d be smokin day and niht . . . b%rn %s in o%r

beds. I* yo% m%st take a boarder, my ad&i(e +o%ld be to take her . -%t o* (o%rse it's yo%rho%se.'

"She said and &anished . . . as /omer +as so *ond o* remarkin. I kne+ the +hole thin+as settled b%t %nt 8hatty said I m%st o %p and see i* I +as s%ited +ith my room.

"'We +ill i&e yo% the to+er room, dear. It's not 6%ite as lare as the spare room, b%t it hasa sto&epipe hole *or a sto&e in +inter and a m%(h ni(er &ie+. 0o% (an see the oldra&eyard *rom it.'

"I kne+ I +o%ld lo&e the room . . . the &ery name, 'to+er room,' thrilled me. I *elt as i* +e+ere li&in in that old son +e %sed to sin in &onlea S(hool abo%t the maiden +ho 'd+elt

in a hih to+er beside a ray sea.' It pro&ed to be the dearest pla(e. We as(ended to it bya little *liht o* (orner steps leadin %p *rom the stairlandin. It +as rather small . . . b%t notnearly as small as that dread*%l hall bedroom I had my *irst year at !edmond. It had t+o+indo+s, a dormer one lookin +est and a able one lookin north, and in the (orner*ormed by the to+er another threesided +indo+ +ith (asements openin o%t+ard andshel&es %nderneath *or my books. he *loor +as (o&ered +ith ro%nd, braided r%s, the bibed had a (anopy top and a '+ildoose' 6%ilt and looked so per*e(tly smooth and le&elthat it seemed a shame to spoil it by sleepin in it. nd, ilbert, it is so hih that I ha&e to(limb into it by a *%nny little mo&able set o* steps +hi(h in daytime are sto+ed a+ay %nderit. It seems 8aptain Ma(8omber bo%ht the +hole (ontraption in some '*orein' pla(e andbro%ht it home.

"here +as a dear little (orner (%pboard +ith shel&es trimmed +ith +hite s(alloped paperand bo%6%ets painted on its door. here +as a ro%nd bl%e (%shion on the +indo+seat . . .



a (%shion +ith a b%tton deep in the (enter, makin it look like a *at bl%e do%hn%t. ndthere +as a s+eet +ashstand +ith t+o shel&es . . . the top one 3%st bi eno%h *or a basinand 3% o* robin'se bl%e and the %nder one *or a soap dish and hot +ater pit(her. It hada little brasshandled dra+er *%ll o* to+els and on a shel* o&er it a +hite (hina lady sat, +ithpink shoes and ilt sash and a red (hina rose in her olden (hina hair.

"he +hole pla(e +as enoldened by the liht that (ame thro%h the (orn(olored (%rtainsand there +as the rarest tapestry on the +hite+ashed +alls +here the shado+ patterns o*the aspens o%tside *ell . . . li&in tapestry, al+ays (hanin and 6%i&erin. Someho+, itseemed s%(h a happy room. I *elt as i* I +ere the ri(hest irl in the +orld.

"'0o%'ll be sa*e there, that's +hat,' said Mrs. Lynde, as +e +ent a+ay.

"'I epe(t I'll *ind some thins a bit (rampin a*ter the *reedom o* Patty's Pla(e,' I said, 3%stto tease her.

"':reedom$' Mrs. Lynde sni**ed. ':reedom$ Don't talk like a 0ankee, nne.'

"I (ame %p today, ba and baae. 9* (o%rse I hated to lea&e reen ables. =o matter

ho+ o*ten and lon I'm a+ay *rom it, the min%te a &a(ation (omes I'm part o* it aain as i* Ihad ne&er been a+ay, and my heart is torn o&er lea&in it. -%t I kno+ I'll like it here. nd itlikes me. I al+ays kno+ +hether a ho%se likes me or not.

"he &ie+s *rom my +indo+s are lo&ely . . . e&en the old ra&eyard, +hi(h is s%rro%ndedby a ro+ o* dark *ir trees and rea(hed by a +indin, dykebordered lane. :rom my +est+indo+ I (an see all o&er the harbor to distant, misty shores, +ith the dear little sailboats Ilo&e and the ships o%t+ard bo%nd '*or ports %nkno+n' . . . *as(inatin phrase$ S%(h 's(ope*or imaination' in it$ :rom the north +indo+ I (an see into the ro&e o* bir(h and maplea(ross the road. 0o% kno+ I'&e al+ays been a tree +orshiper. When +e st%died ennysonin o%r Enlish (o%rse at !edmond I +as al+ays sorro+*%lly at one +ith poor Enone,

mo%rnin her ra&ished pines.

"-eyond the ro&e and the ra&eyard is a lo&able &alley +ith the lossy red ribbon o* aroad +indin thro%h it and +hite ho%ses dotted alon it. Some &alleys are lo&able . . . yo%(an't tell +hy. <%st to look at them i&es yo% pleas%re. nd beyond it aain is my bl%e hill.I'm namin it Storm 7in . . . the r%lin passion, et(.

"I (an be so alone %p here +hen I +ant to be. 0o% kno+ it's lo&ely to be alone on(e in a+hile. he +inds +ill be my *riends. hey'll +ail and sih and (roon aro%nd my to+er . . .the +hite +inds o* +inter . . . the reen +inds o* sprin . . . the bl%e +inds o* s%mmer . . .the (rimson +inds o* a%t%mn . . . and the +ild +inds o* all seasons . . . 'stormy +ind*%l*illin his +ord.' /o+ I'&e al+ays thrilled to that -ible &erse . . . as i* ea(h and e&ery +indhad a messae *or me. I'&e al+ays en&ied the boy +ho *le+ +ith the north +ind in thatlo&ely old story o* eore Ma(Donald's. Some niht, ilbert, I'll open my to+er (asementand 3%st step into the arms o* the +ind . . . and !ebe((a De+ +ill ne&er kno+ +hy my bed+asn't slept in that niht.

"I hope +hen +e *ind o%r 'ho%se o* dreams,' dearest, that there +ill be +inds aro%nd it. I+onder +here it is . . . that %nkno+n ho%se. Shall I lo&e it best by moonliht or da+n) hathome o* the *%t%re +here +e +ill ha&e lo&e and *riendship and +ork . . . and a *e+ *%nnyad&ent%res to brin la%hter in o%r old ae. 9ld ae$ 8an %e e&er be old, ilbert) It seemsimpossible.

":rom the le*t +indo+ in the to+er I (an see the roo*s o* the to+n . . . this pla(e +here I amto li&e *or at least a year. People are li&in in those ho%ses +ho +ill be my *riends, tho%h Idon't kno+ them yet. nd perhaps my enemies. :or the ilk o* Pye are *o%nd e&ery+here,



%nder all kinds o* names, and I %nderstand the Prinles are to be re(koned +ith. S(hoolbeins tomorro+. I shall ha&e to tea(h eometry$ S%rely that (an't be any +orse thanlearnin it. I pray hea&en there are no mathemati(al eni%ses amon the Prinles.

"I'&e been here only *or hal* a day, b%t I *eel as i* I had kno+n the +ido+s and !ebe((aDe+ all my li*e. hey'&e asked me to (all them 'a%nt' already and I'&e asked them to (allme nne. I (alled !ebe((a De+ 'Miss De+' . . . on(e.

"'Miss What)' 6%oth she.

"'De+,' I said meekly. 'Isn't that yo%r name)'

"'Well, yes, it is, b%t I ain't been (alled Miss De+ *or so lon it a&e me 6%ite a t%rn. 0o%'dbetter not do it any more, Miss Shirley, me not bein %sed to it.'

"'I'll remember, !ebe((a . . . De+,' I said, tryin my hardest to lea&e o** the De+ b%t nots%((eedin.

"Mrs. -raddo(k +as 6%ite riht in sayin %nt 8hatty +as sensiti&e. I dis(o&ered that at

s%ppertime. %nt 7ate had said somethin abo%t '8hatty's sitysith birthday.' /appeninto lan(e at %nt 8hatty I sa+ that she had . . . no, not burst into tears. hat is entirely tooeplosi&e a term *or her per*orman(e. She 3%st o&er*lo+ed. he tears +elled %p in her bibro+n eyes and brimmed o&er, e**ortlessly and silently.

"'What's the matter no+, 8hatty)' asked %nt 7ate rather do%rly.

"'It . . . it +as only my sity*i*th birthday,' said %nt 8hatty.

"'I be yo%r pardon, 8harlotte,' said %nt 7ate . . . and all +as s%nshine aain.

"he (at is a lo&ely bi ommy(at +ith olden eyes, an eleant (oat o* d%sty Maltese andirreproa(hable linen. %nts 7ate and 8hatty (all him D%sty Miller, be(a%se that is hisname, and !ebe((a De+ (alls him hat 8at be(a%se she resents him and resents the *a(tthat she has to i&e him a s6%are in(h o* li&er e&ery mornin and e&enin, (lean his hairso** the parlor arm(hair seat +ith an old toothbr%sh +hene&er he has sneaked in and h%nthim %p i* he is o%t late at niht.

"'!ebe((a De+ has al+ays hated (ats,' %nt 8hatty tells me, 'and she hates D%styespe(ially. 9ld Mrs. 8ampbell's do . . . she kept a do then . . . bro%ht him here t+oyears ao in his mo%th. I s%ppose he tho%ht it +as no %se to take him to Mrs. 8ampbell.S%(h a poor miserable little kitten, all +et and (old, +ith its poor little bones almost sti(kinthro%h its skin. heart o* stone (o%ldn't ha&e re*%sed it shelter. So 7ate and I adopted it,b%t !ebe((a De+ has ne&er really *ori&en %s. We +ere not diplomati( that time. Wesho%ld ha&e re*%sed to take it in. I don't kno+ i* yo%'&e noti(ed . . .' %nt 8hatty looked(a%tio%sly aro%nd at the door bet+een the dininroom and kit(hen . . . 'ho+ +e manae!ebe((a De+.'

"I had noti(ed it . . . and it +as bea%ti*%l to behold. S%mmerside and !ebe((a De+ maythink she r%les the roost b%t the +ido+s kno+ di**erently.

"'We didn't +ant to take the banker . . . a yo%n man +o%ld ha&e been so %nsettlin and+e +o%ld ha&e had to +orry so m%(h i* he didn't o to (h%r(h re%larly. -%t +e pretended+e did and !ebe((a De+ simply +o%ldn't hear o* it. I'm so lad +e ha&e yo%, dear. I *eels%re yo%'ll be a &ery ni(e person to (ook *or. I hope yo%'ll like %s all. !ebe((a De+ has

some &ery *ine 6%alities. She +as not so tidy +hen she (ame *i*teen years ao as she isno+. 9n(e 7ate had to +rite her name . . . "!ebe((a De+" . . . riht a(ross the parlormirror to sho+ the d%st. -%t she ne&er had to do it aain. !ebe((a De+ (an take a hint. I



hope yo%'ll *ind yo%r room (om*ortable, dear. 0o% may ha&e the +indo+ open at niht.7ate does not appro&e o* niht air b%t she kno+s boarders m%st ha&e pri&ilees. She and Isleep toether and +e ha&e arraned it so that one niht the +indo+ is sh%t *or her andthe net it is open *or me. 9ne (an al+ays +ork o%t little problems like that, don't yo%think) Where there is a +ill there is al+ays a +ay. Don't be alarmed i* yo% hear !ebe((apro+lin a ood deal in the niht. She is al+ays hearin noises and ettin %p to

in&estiate them. I think that is +hy she didn't +ant the banker. She +as a*raid she mihtr%n into him in her nihto+n. I hope yo% +on't mind 7ate not talkin m%(h. It's 3%st her+ay. nd she m%st ha&e so many thins to talk o* . . . she +as all o&er the +orld +ith masa Ma(8omber in her yo%n days. I +ish I had the s%b3e(ts *or (on&ersation she has,b%t I'&e ne&er been o** P. E. Island. I'&e o*ten +ondered +hy thins sho%ld be arraned so .. . me lo&in to talk and +ith nothin to talk abo%t and 7ate +ith e&erythin and hatin totalk. -%t I s%ppose Pro&iden(e kno+s best.'

"ltho%h %nt 8hatty is a talker all riht, she didn't say all this +itho%t a break. Iinter3e(ted remarks at s%itable inter&als, b%t they +ere o* no importan(e.

"hey keep a (o+ +hi(h is past%red at Mr. <ames /amilton's %p the road and !ebe((aDe+ oes there to milk her. here is any amo%nt o* (ream and e&ery mornin and e&eninI %nderstand !ebe((a De+ passes a lass o* ne+ milk thro%h the openin in the +allate to Mrs. 8ampbell's 'Woman.' It is *or 'little Eli5abeth,' +ho m%st ha&e it %nder do(tor'sorders. Who the Woman is, or +ho little Eli5abeth is, I ha&e yet to dis(o&er. Mrs. 8ampbellis the inhabitant and o+ner o* the *ortress net door . . . +hi(h is (alled he E&erreens.

"I don't epe(t to sleep toniht . . . I ne&er do sleep my *irst niht in a strane bed and thisis the &ery stranest bed I'&e e&er seen. -%t I +on't mind. I'&e al+ays lo&ed the niht andI'll like lyin a+ake and thinkin o&er e&erythin in li*e, past, present and to (ome.Espe(ially to come.

"his is a mer(iless letter, ilbert. I +on't in*li(t s%(h a lon one on yo% aain. -%t I +antedto tell yo% e&erythin, so that yo% (o%ld pi(t%re my ne+ s%rro%ndins *or yo%rsel*. It has(ome to an end no+, *or *ar %p the harbor the moon is 'sinkin into shado+land.' I m%st+rite a letter to Marilla yet. It +ill rea(h reen ables the day a*ter tomorro+ and Da&y +illbrin it home *rom the posto**i(e, and he and Dora +ill (ro+d aro%nd Marilla +hile sheopens it and Mrs. Lynde +ill ha&e both ears open. . . . 9+ . . . + . . .+$ hat has made mehomesi(k. oodniht, dearest, *rom one +ho is no+ and e&er +ill be,

":ondestly yo%rs,

"==E S/I!LE0."

2

(+tracts from arious letters from the same to the same."

"September 2?th.

"Do yo% kno+ +here I o to read yo%r letters) (ross the road into the ro&e. here is alittle dell there +here the s%n dapples the *erns. brook meanders thro%h it@ there is a



t+isted mossy treetr%nk on +hi(h I sit, and the most deliht*%l ro+ o* yo%n sister bir(hes. *ter this, +hen I ha&e a dream o* a (ertain kind . . . a oldenreen, (rimson&eineddream . . . a &ery dream o* dreams . . . I shall please my *an(y +ith the belie* that it (ame*rom my se(ret dell o* bir(hes and +as born o* some mysti( %nion bet+een the slenderest,airiest o* the sisters and the (roonin brook. I lo&e to sit there and listen to the silen(e o*the ro&e. /a&e yo% e&er noti(ed ho+ many di**erent silen(es there are, ilbert) he

silen(e o* the +oods . . . o* the shore . . . o* the meado+s . . . o* the niht . . . o* thes%mmer a*ternoon. ll di**erent be(a%se all the %ndertones that thread them are di**erent.I'm s%re i* I +ere totally blind and insensiti&e to heat and (old I (o%ld easily tell 3%st +here I+as by the 6%ality o* the silen(e abo%t me.

"S(hool has been 'keepin' *or t+o +eeks no+ and I'&e ot thins pretty +ell orani5ed.-%t Mrs. -raddo(k +as riht . . . the Prinles are my problem. nd as yet I don't seeea(tly ho+ I'm oin to sol&e it in spite o* my l%(ky (lo&ers. s Mrs. -raddo(k says, theyare as smooth as (ream . . . and as slippery.

"he Prinles are a kind o* (lan +ho keeps tabs on ea(h other and *iht a ood bit amonthemsel&es b%t stand sho%lder to sho%lder in reard to any o%tsider. I ha&e (ome to the(on(l%sion that there are 3%st t+o kinds o* people in S%mmerside . . . those +ho arePrinles and those +ho aren't.

"My room is *%ll o* Prinles and a ood many st%dents +ho bear another name ha&ePrinle blood in them. he rinleader o* them seems to be <en Prinle, a reeneyedbantlin +ho looks as Bec$y Sharp m%st ha&e looked at *o%rteen. I belie&e she isdeliberately orani5in a s%btle (ampain o* ins%bordination and disrespe(t, +ith +hi(h Iam oin to *ind it hard to (ope. She has a kna(k o* makin irresistibly (omi( *a(es and+hen I hear a smothered ripple o* la%hter r%nnin o&er the room behind my ba(k I kno+per*e(tly +ell +hat has (a%sed it, b%t so *ar I ha&en't been able to (at(h her o%t in it. Shehas brains, too . . . the little +ret(h$ . . . (an +rite (ompositions that are *o%rth (o%sins to

literat%re and is 6%ite brilliant in mathemati(s . . . +oe is me$ here is a (ertain spar$le ine&erythin she says or does and she has a sense o* h%moro%s sit%ations +hi(h +o%ld bea bond o* kinship bet+een %s i* she hadn't started o%t by hatin me. s it is, I *ear it +ill bea lon time be*ore <en and I (an la%h together o&er anythin.

"Myra Prinle, <en's (o%sin, is the bea%ty o* the s(hool . . . and apparently st%pid. Shedoes perpetrate some am%sin ho+lers . . . as, *or instan(e, +hen she said today inhistory (lass that the Indians tho%ht 8hamplain and his men +ere ods or 'somethininh%man.'

"So(ially the Prinles are +hat !ebe((a De+ (alls 'the eliht' o* S%mmerside. lready I

ha&e been in&ited to t+o Prinle homes *or s%pper . . . be(a%se it is the proper thin toin&ite a ne+ tea(her to s%pper and the Prinles are not oin to omit the re6%iredest%res. Last niht I +as at <ames Prinle's . . . the *ather o* the a*oresaid <en. /e lookslike a (ollee pro*essor b%t is in reality st%pid and inorant. /e talked a reat deal abo%t'discipline,' tappin the table(loth +ith a *iner the nail o* +hi(h +as not impe((able ando((asionally doin dread*%l thins to rammar. he S%mmerside /ih had al+ays re6%ireda *irm hand . . . an eperien(ed tea(her, male pre*erred. /e +as a*raid I +as a leetle tooyo%n . . . 'a *a%lt +hi(h time +ill (%re all too soon,' he said sorro+*%lly. I didn't sayanythin be(a%se i* I had said anythin I miht ha&e said too m%(h. So I +as as smoothand (reamy as any Prinle o* them all (o%ld ha&e been and (ontented mysel* +ith lookinlimpidly at him and sayin inside o* mysel*, '0o% (antankero%s, pre3%di(ed old (reat%re$'

"<en m%st ha&e ot her brains *rom her mother . . . +hom I *o%nd mysel* likin. <en, in herparents' presen(e, +as a model o* de(or%m. -%t tho%h her +ords +ere polite her tone+as insolent. E&ery time she said 'Miss Shirley' she (ontri&ed to make it so%nd like an



ins%lt. nd e&ery time she looked at my hair I *elt that it +as 3%st plain (arroty red. =oPrinle, I am (ertain, +o%ld e&er admit it +as a%b%rn.

"I liked the Morton Prinles m%(h better . . . tho%h Morton Prinle ne&er really listens toanythin yo% say. /e says somethin to yo% and then, +hile yo%'re replyin, he is b%sythinkin o%t his net remark.

"Mrs. Stephen Prinle . . . the Wido+ Prinle . . . S%mmerside abo%nds in +ido+s . . .+rote me a letter yesterday . . . a ni(e, polite, poisono%s letter. Millie has too m%(h home+ork . . . Millie is a deli(ate (hild and m%st not be o&er+orked. Mr. -ell neer a&e herhome +ork. She is a sensiti&e (hild that m%st be understood. Mr. -ell %nderstood her so+ell$ Mrs. Stephen is s%re I +ill, too, i* I try$

"I do not do%bt Mrs. Stephen thinks I made dam Prinle's nose bleed in (lass today byreason o* +hi(h he had to o home. nd I +oke %p last niht and (o%ldn't o to sleepaain be(a%se I remembered an i I hadn't dotted in a 6%estion I +rote on the board. I'm(ertain <en Prinle +o%ld noti(e it and a +hisper +ill o aro%nd the (lan abo%t it.

"!ebe((a De+ says that all the Prinles +ill in&ite me to s%pper, e(ept the old ladies atMapleh%rst, and then inore me *ore&er a*ter+ards. s they are the 'eliht,' this may meanthat so(ially I may be banned in S%mmerside. Well, +e'll see. he battle is on b%t is not yeteither +on or lost. Still, I *eel rather %nhappy o&er it all. 0o% (an't reason +ith pre3%di(e. I'mstill 3%st as I %sed to be in my (hildhood . . . I (an't bear to ha&e people not likin me. It isn'tpleasant to think that the *amilies o* hal* my p%pils hate me. nd *or no *a%lt o* my o+n. Itis the in-ustice that stins me. here o more itali(s$ -%t a *e+ itali(s really do relie&e yo%r*eelins.

"part *rom the Prinles I like my p%pils &ery m%(h. here are some (le&er, ambitio%s,hard+orkin ones +ho are really interested in ettin an ed%(ation. Le+is llen is payin*or his board by doin house%or$ at his boardinho%se and isn't a bit ashamed o* it. ndSophy Sin(lair rides bareba(k on her *ather's old ray mare si miles in and si miles o%te&ery day. here's pl%(k *or yo%$ I* I (an help a irl like that, am I to mind the Prinles)

"he tro%ble is . . . i* I (an't +in the Prinles I +on't ha&e m%(h (han(e o* helpin anybody.

"-%t I lo&e Windy Poplars. It isn't a boardinho%se . . . it's a home$ nd they like me . . .e&en D%sty Miller likes me, tho%h he sometimes disappro&es o* me and sho+s it bydeliberately sittin +ith his ba(k t%rned to+ards me, o((asionally (o(kin a olden eyeo&er his sho%lder at me to see ho+ I'm takin it. I don't pet him m%(h +hen !ebe((a De+is aro%nd be(a%se it really does irritate her. -y day he is a homely, (om*ortable, meditati&eanimal . . . b%t he is de(idedly a +eird (reat%re at niht. !ebe((a says it is be(a%se he is

ne&er allo+ed to stay o%t a*ter dark. She hates to stand in the ba(k yard and (all him. Shesays the neihbors +ill all be la%hin at her. She (alls in s%(h *ier(e, stentorian tones thatshe really (an be heard all o&er the to+n on a still niht sho%tin *or 'P%ss . . . puss . . .P>SS$' he +ido+s +o%ld ha&e a (onniption i* D%sty Miller +asn't in +hen they +ent tobed. '=obody kno+s +hat I'&e one thro%h on a((o%nt o* hat 8at. . . nobody,& !ebe((ahas ass%red me.

"he +ido+s are oin to +ear +ell. E&ery day I like them better. %nt 7ate doesn't belie&ein readin no&els, b%t in*orms me that she does not propose to (ensor my readinmatter. %nt 8hatty lo&es no&els. She has a 'hidyhole' +here she keeps them . . . she sm%lesthem in *rom the to+n library . . . toether +ith a pa(k o* (ards *or solitaire and anythin

else she doesn't +ant %nt 7ate to see. It is in a (hair seat +hi(h nobody b%t %nt 8hattykno+s is more than a (hair seat. She has shared the se(ret +ith me, be(a%se, I stronlys%spe(t, she +ants me to aid and abet her in the a*oresaid sm%lin. here sho%ldn't



really be any need *or hidyholes at Windy Poplars, *or I ne&er sa+ a ho%se +ith so manymysterio%s (%pboards. ho%h to be s%re, !ebe((a De+ +on't let them be mysterio%s.She is al+ays (leanin them o%t *ero(io%sly. ' ho%se (an't keep itsel* (lean,' she sayssorro+*%lly +hen either o* the +ido+s protests. I am s%re she +o%ld make short +ork o* ano&el or a pa(k o* (ards i* she *o%nd them. hey are both a horror to her orthodo so%l.!ebe((a De+ says (ards are the de&il's books and no&els e&en +orse. he only thins

!ebe((a e&er reads, apart *rom her -ible, are the so(iety (ol%mns o* the MontrealGuardian. She lo&es to pore o&er the ho%ses and *%rnit%re and doins o* millionaires.

"'<%st *an(y soakin in a olden batht%b, Miss Shirley,' she said +ist*%lly.

"-%t she's really an old d%(k. She has prod%(ed *rom some+here a (om*ortable old +in(hair o* *aded bro(ade that 3%st *its my kinks and says, 'his is your (hair. We'll keep it *oryou.& nd she +on't let D%sty Miller sleep on it lest I et hairs on my s(hool skirt and i&ethe Prinles somethin to talk abo%t.

"he +hole three are &ery m%(h interested in my (ir(let o* pearls . . . and +hat it sini*ies. %nt 7ate sho+ed me her enaement rin she (an't +ear it be(a%se it has ro+n too

small4 set +ith t%r6%oises. -%t poor %nt 8hatty o+ned to me +ith tears in her eyes thatshe had ne&er had an enaement rin . . . her h%sband tho%ht it 'an %nne(essaryependit%re.' She +as in my room at the time, i&in her *a(e a bath in b%ttermilk. Shedoes it e&ery niht to preser&e her (ompleion, and has s+orn me to se(re(y be(a%se shedoesn't +ant %nt 7ate to kno+ it.

"'She +o%ld think it ridi(%lo%s &anity in a +oman o* my ae. nd I am s%re !ebe((a De+thinks that no 8hristian +oman sho%ld try to be bea%ti*%l. I %sed to slip do+n to the kit(hento do it a*ter 7ate had one to sleep b%t I +as al+ays a*raid o* !ebe((a De+ (omindo+n. She has ears like a (at's e&en +hen she is asleep. I* I (o%ld 3%st slip in here e&eryniht and do it . . . oh, thank yo%, my dear.'

"I ha&e *o%nd o%t a little abo%t o%r neihbors at he E&erreens. Mrs. 8ampbell +ho +asa Prinle$4 is eihty. I ha&en't seen her b%t *rom +hat I (an ather she is a &ery rim oldlady. She has a maid, Martha Monkman, almost as an(ient and rim as hersel*, +ho isenerally re*erred to as 'Mrs. 8ampbell's Woman.' nd she has her reatrandda%hter,little Eli5abeth rayson, li&in +ith her. Eli5abeth . . . on +hom I ha&e ne&er laid eyes inspite o* my t+o +eeks' so3o%rn . . . is eiht years old and oes to the p%bli( s(hool by 'theba(k +ay' . . . a short (%t thro%h the ba(k yards . . . so I ne&er en(o%nter her, oin or(omin. /er mother, +ho is dead, +as a randda%hter o* Mrs. 8ampbell, +ho bro%hther %p also . . . Her parents bein dead. She married a (ertain Pier(e rayson, a '0ankee,'as Mrs. !a(hel Lynde +o%ld say. She died +hen Eli5abeth +as born and as Pier(e

rayson had to lea&e meri(a at on(e to take (hare o* a bran(h o* his *irm's b%siness inParis, the baby +as sent home to old Mrs. 8ampbell. he story oes that he '(o%ldn't bearthe siht o* her' be(a%se she had (ost her mother's li*e, and has ne&er taken any noti(e o*her. his o* (o%rse may be sheer ossip be(a%se neither Mrs. 8ampbell nor the Womane&er opens her lips abo%t him.

"!ebe((a De+ says they are *ar too stri(t +ith little Eli5abeth and she hasn't m%(h o* atime o* it +ith them.

"'She isn't like other (hildren . . . *ar too old *or eiht years. he thins that she sayssometimes$ "!ebe((a," she se5 to me one day, "s%ppose 3%st as yo% +ere ready to etinto bed yo% *elt yo%r ankle nipped/ =o +onder she's a*raid to o to bed in the dark. nd

they make her do it. Mrs. 8ampbell says there are to be no (o+ards in her ho%se. hey+at(h her like t+o (ats +at(hin a mo%se, and boss her +ithin an in(h o* her li*e. I* shemakes a spe(k o* noise they nearly pass o%t. It's "h%sh, h%sh" all the time. I tell yo% that



(hild is bein h%shh%shed to death. nd +hat is to be done abo%t it)'

"What, indeed)

"I *eel that I'd like to see her. She seems to me a bit patheti(. %nt 7ate says she is +elllooked a*ter *rom a physi(al point o* &ie+ . . . +hat %nt 7ate really said +as, 'hey *eedand dress her +ell' . . . b%t a (hild (an't li&e by bread alone. I (an ne&er *oret +hat my

o+n li*e +as be*ore I (ame to reen ables.

"I'm oin home net :riday e&enin to spend t+o bea%ti*%l days in &onlea. he onlydra+ba(k +ill be that e&erybody I see +ill ask me ho+ I like tea(hin in S%mmerside.

"-%t think o* reen ables no+, ilbert . . . the Lake o* Shinin Waters +ith a bl%e mist onit . . . the maples a(ross the brook beinnin to t%rn s(arlet . . . the *erns olden bro+n inthe /a%nted Wood . . . and the s%nset shado+s in Lo&er's Lane, darlin spot. I *ind it in myheart to +ish I +ere there no+ +ith . . . +ith . . . %ess +hom)

"Do yo% kno+, ilbert, there are times +hen I stronly s%spe(t that I lo&e yo%$"

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,"S'side,"9(tober 1Ath.

"/9=9!ED =D !ESPE8ED SI!#

"hat is ho+ a lo&e letter o* %nt 8hatty's randmother bean. Isn't it deli(io%s) What athrill o* s%periority it m%st ha&e i&en the rand*ather$ Wo%ldn't yo% really pre*er it to'ilbert darlin, et(.') -%t, on the +hole, I think I'm lad yo%'re not the rand*ather . . . or

rand*ather. It's +onder*%l to think +e're yo%n and ha&e o%r +hole li&es be*ore %s . . .together . . . isn't it)"

(Seeral pages omitted. Anne&s pen being eidently neither sharp, stub nor rusty."

"I'm sittin on the +indo+ seat in the to+er lookin o%t into the trees +a&in aainst anamber sky and beyond them to the harbor. Last niht I had s%(h a lo&ely +alk +ith mysel*.I really had to o some+here *or it +as 3%st a tri*le dismal at Windy Poplars. %nt 8hatty

+as (ryin in the sittinroom be(a%se her *eelins had been h%rt and %nt 7ate +as(ryin in her bedroom be(a%se it +as the anni&ersary o* 8aptain masa's death and!ebe((a De+ +as (ryin in the kit(hen *or no reason that I (o%ld dis(o&er. I'&e ne&er seen!ebe((a De+ (ry be*ore. -%t +hen I tried ta(t*%lly to *ind o%t +hat +as +ron she pettishly+anted to kno+ i* a body (o%ldn't en3oy a (ry +hen she *elt like it. So I *olded my tent andstole a+ay, lea&in her to her en3oyment.

"I +ent o%t and do+n the harbor road. here +as s%(h a ni(e *rosty, 9(tobery smell in theair, blent +ith the deliht*%l odor o* ne+ly plo+ed *ields. I +alked on and on %ntil t+ilihthad deepened into a moonlit a%t%mn niht. I +as alone b%t not lonely. I held a series o*imainary (on&ersations +ith imainary (omrades and tho%ht o%t so many epirams thatI +as areeably s%rprised at mysel*. I (o%ldn't help en3oyin mysel* in spite o* my Prinle+orries.

"he spirit mo&es me to %tter a *e+ yo+ls reardin the Prinles. I hate to admit it b%t



thins are not oin any too +ell in S%mmerside /ih. here is no do%bt that a (abal hasbeen orani5ed aainst me.

":or one thin, home +ork is ne&er done by any o* the Prinles or hal* Prinles. nd thereis no %se in appealin to the parents. hey are s%a&e, polite, e&asi&e. I kno+ all the p%pils+ho are not Prinles like me b%t the Prinle &ir%s o* disobedien(e is %nderminin themorale o* the +hole room. 9ne mornin I *o%nd my desk t%rned inside o%t and %psidedo+n. =obody kne+ +ho did it, o* (o%rse. nd no one (o%ld or +o%ld tell +ho le*t on itanother day the bo o%t o* +hi(h popped an arti*i(ial snake +hen I opened it. -%t e&eryPrinle in the s(hool s(reamed +ith la%hter o&er my *a(e. I s%ppose I did look +ildlystartled.

"<en Prinle (omes late *or s(hool hal* the time, al+ays +ith some per*e(tly +atertihte(%se, deli&ered politely, +ith an insolent tilt to her mo%th. She passes notes in (lass%nder my &ery nose. I *o%nd a peeled onion in the po(ket o* my (oat +hen I p%t it on today.I sho%ld lo&e to lo(k that irl %p on bread and +ater %ntil she learned ho+ to beha&ehersel*.

"he +orst thin to date +as the (ari(at%re o* mysel* I *o%nd on the bla(kboard onemornin . . . done in +hite (halk +ith scarlet hair. E&erybody denied doin it, <en amonthe rest, b%t I kne+ <en +as the only p%pil in the room +ho (o%ld dra+ like that. It %asdone +ell. My nose . . . +hi(h, as yo% kno+, has al+ays been my one pride and 3oy . . .+as h%mpba(ked and my mo%th +as the mo%th o* a &ineary spinster +ho had beentea(hin a s(hool *%ll o* Prinles *or thirty years. -%t it +as me. I +oke %p at three o'(lo(kthat niht and +rithed o&er the re(olle(tion. Isn't it 6%eer that the thins +e +rithe o&er atniht are seldom +i(ked thins) <%st h%miliatin ones.

"ll sorts o* thins are bein said. I am a((%sed o* 'markin do+n' /attie Prinle'seamination papers 3%st be(a%se she is a Prinle. I am said to 'la%h +hen the (hildren

make mistakes.' Well, I did la%h +hen :red Prinle de*ined a (ent%rion as 'a man +hohad li&ed a h%ndred years.' I (o%ldn't help it.4

"<ames Prinle is sayin, 'here is no discipline in the s(hool . . . no discipline +hate&er.' nd a report is bein (ir(%lated that I am a '*o%ndlin.'

"I am beinnin to en(o%nter the Prinle antaonism in other 6%arters. So(ially as +ell ased%(ationally, S%mmerside seems to be %nder the Prinle th%mb. =o +onder they are(alled the !oyal :amily. I +asn't in&ited to li(e Prinle's +alkin party last :riday. nd+hen Mrs. :rank Prinle ot %p a tea in aid o* a (h%r(h pro3e(t !ebe((a De+ in*orms methat the ladies are oin to 'b%ild' the ne+ spire$4, I +as the only irl in the Presbyterian(h%r(h +ho +as not asked to take a table. I ha&e heard that the minister's +i*e, +ho is a

ne+(omer in S%mmerside, s%ested askin me to sin in the (hoir and +as in*ormed thatall the Prinles +o%ld drop o%t o* it i* she did. hat +o%ld lea&e s%(h a skeleton that the(hoir simply (o%ldn't (arry on.

"9* (o%rse I'm not the only one o* the tea(hers +ho has tro%ble +ith p%pils. When theother tea(hers send theirs %p to me to be 'dis(iplined' . . . ho+ I hate that +ord$ . . . hal* o*them are Prinles. -%t there is ne&er any (omplaint made abo%t them.

"+o e&enins ao I kept <en in a*ter s(hool to do some +ork she had deliberately le*t%ndone. en min%tes later the (arriae *rom Mapleh%rst dre+ %p be*ore the s(hool ho%seand Miss Ellen +as at the door . . . a bea%ti*%lly dressed, s+eetly smilin old lady, +ith

eleant bla(k la(e mitts and a *ine ha+klike nose, lookin as i* she had 3%st stepped o%t o*an 1BCA bandbo. She +as so sorry b%t (o%ld she ha&e <en) She +as oin to &isit*riends in Lo+&ale and had promised to take <en. <en +ent o** tri%mphantly and I reali5ed



a*resh the *or(es arrayed aainst me.

"In my pessimisti( moods I think the Prinles are a (ompo%nd o* Sloanes and Pyes. -%t Ikno+ they're not. I *eel that I (o%ld like them i* they +ere not my enemies. hey are, *or themost part, a *rank, 3olly, loyal set. I (o%ld e&en like Miss Ellen. I'&e ne&er seen Miss Sarah.Miss Sarah has not le*t Mapleh%rst *or ten years.

"'oo deli(ate . . . or thinks she is,' says !ebe((a De+ +ith a sni**. '-%t there ain't anythinthe matter +ith her pride. ll the Prinles are pro%d b%t those t+o old irls pass e&erythin.0o% sho%ld hear them talk abo%t their an(estors. Well, their old *ather, 8aptain brahamPrinle, %as a *ine old *ello+. /is brother Myrom +asn't 6%ite so *ine, b%t yo% don't hearthe Prinles talkin m%(h abo%t him. -%t I'm desprit a*raid yo%'re oin to ha&e a hard time+ith them all. When they make %p their mind abo%t anythin or anybody they'&e ne&erbeen kno+n to (hane it. -%t keep yo%r (hin %p, Miss Shirley . . . keep yo%r (hin %p.'

"'I +ish I (o%ld et Miss Ellen's re(ipe *or po%nd (ake,' sihed %nt 8hatty. 'She's promisedit to me time and aain b%t it ne&er (omes. It's an old Enlish *amily re(ipe. hey're soe(l%si&e abo%t their re(ipes.'

"In +ild *antasti( dreams I see mysel* (ompellin Miss Ellen to hand that re(ipe o&er to %nt 8hatty on bended knee and make <en mind her p's and )'s. he maddenin thin isthat I (o%ld easily make <en do it mysel* i* her +hole (lan +eren't ba(kin her %p in herde&iltry."

(*%o pages omitted."

"0o%r obedient ser&ant,

"==E S/I!LE0.

"P.S. hat +as ho+ %nt 8hatty's randmother sined her lo&e letters."

"9(tober 1th.

"We heard today that there had been a b%rlary at the other end o* the to+n last niht. ho%se +as entered and some money and a do5en sil&er spoons stolen. So !ebe((a De+has one %p to Mr. /amilton's to see i* she (an borro+ a do. She +ill tie him on the ba(k&eranda and she ad&ises me to lo(k %p my enaement rin$

"-y the +ay, I *o%nd o%t +hy !ebe((a De+ (ried. It seems there had been a domesti((on&%lsion. D%sty Miller had 'misbeha&ed aain' and !ebe((a De+ told %nt 7ate she

+o%ld really ha&e to do somethin abo%t hat 8at. /e +as +earin her to a *iddlestrin. It+as the third time in a year and she kne+ he did it on p%rpose. nd %nt 7ate said that i*!ebe((a De+ +o%ld al+ays let the (at o%t +hen he meo+ed there +o%ld be no daner o*his misbeha&in.

"'Well, this is the last stra+,' said !ebe((a De+.

"8onse6%ently, tears$

"he Prinle sit%ation ro+s a little more a(%te e&ery +eek. Somethin &ery impertinent+as +ritten a(ross one o* my books yesterday and /omer Prinle t%rned handsprins allthe +ay do+n the aisle +hen lea&in s(hool. lso, I ot an anonymo%s letter re(ently *%ll o*

nasty inn%endoes. Someho+, I don't blame <en *or either the book or the letter. Imp as sheis, there are thins she +o%ldn't stoop to. !ebe((a De+ is *%rio%s and I sh%dder to think+hat she +o%ld do to the Prinles i* she had them in her po+er. =ero's +ish isn't to be



(ompared to it. I really don't blame her, *or there are times +hen I *eel mysel* that I (o%ld(heer*%lly hand any and all o* the Prinles a poisoned philter o* -oria bre+in.

"I don't think I'&e told yo% m%(h abo%t the other tea(hers. here are t+o, yo% kno+ . . . the;i(eprin(ipal, 7atherine -rooke o* the <%nior !oom, and eore Ma(7ay o* the Prep. 9*eore I ha&e little to say. /e is a shy, oodnat%red lad o* t+enty, +ith a sliht, deli(io%s/ihland a((ent s%esti&e o* lo+ shielins and misty islands . . . his rand*ather '+as Isleo* Skye' . . . and does &ery +ell +ith the Preps. So *ar as I kno+ him I like him. -%t I'ma*raid I'm oin to ha&e a hard time likin 7atherine -rooke.

"7atherine is a irl o*, I think, abo%t t+entyeiht, tho%h she looks thirty*i&e. I ha&e beentold she (herished hopes o* promotion to the Prin(ipalship and I s%ppose she resents myettin it, espe(ially +hen I am (onsiderably her 3%nior. She is a ood tea(her . . . a bit o* amartinet . . . b%t she is not pop%lar +ith any one. nd doesn't +orry o&er it$ She doesn'tseem to ha&e any *riends or relations and boards in a loomylookin ho%se on r%bbylittle emple Street. She dresses &ery do+dily, ne&er oes o%t so(ially and is said to be'mean.' She is &ery sar(asti( and her p%pils dread her bitin remarks. I am told that her+ay o* raisin her thi(k bla(k eyebro+s and dra+lin at them red%(es them to a p%lp. I+ish I (o%ld +ork it on the Prinles. -%t I really sho%ldn't like to o&ern by *ear as shedoes. I +ant my p%pils to lo&e me.

"In spite o* the *a(t that she has apparently no tro%ble in makin them toe the line she is(onstantly sendin some o* them %p to me . . . espe(ially Prinles. I kno+ she does itp%rposely and I *eel miserably (ertain that she e%lts in my di**i(%lties and +o%ld be lad tosee me +orsted.

"!ebe((a De+ says that no one (an make *riends +ith her. he +ido+s ha&e in&ited herse&eral times to S%nday s%pper . . . the dear so%ls are al+ays doin that *or lonely people,and al+ays ha&e the most deli(io%s (hi(ken salad *or them . . . b%t she ne&er (ame. So

they ha&e i&en it %p be(a%se, as %nt 7ate says, 'there are limits.'

"here are r%mors that she is &ery (le&er and (an sin and re(ite . . . 'elo(%te,' a la!ebe((a De+ . . . b%t +ill not do either. %nt 8hatty on(e asked her to re(ite at a (h%r(hs%pper.

"'We tho%ht she re*%sed &ery %nra(io%sly,' said %nt 7ate.

"'<%st ro+led,' said !ebe((a De+.

"7atherine has a deep throaty &oi(e . . . almost a man's &oi(e . . . and it does so%nd like aro+l +hen she isn't in ood h%mor.

"She isn't pretty b%t she miht make more o* hersel*. She is dark and s+arthy, +ithmani*i(ent bla(k hair al+ays draed ba(k *rom her hih *orehead and (oiled in a (l%msyknot at the base o* her ne(k. /er eyes don't mat(h her hair, bein a (lear, liht amber%nder her bla(k bro+s. She has ears she needn't be ashamed to sho+ and the mostbea%ti*%l hands I'&e e&er seen. lso, she has a +ell(%t mo%th. -%t she dresses terribly.Seems to ha&e a positi&e eni%s *or ettin the (olors and lines she sho%ld not +ear. D%lldark reens and drab rays, +hen she is too sallo+ *or reens and rays, and stripes+hi(h make her tall, lean *i%re e&en taller and leaner. nd her (lothes al+ays look as i*she'd slept in them.

"/er manner is &ery repellent . . . as !ebe((a De+ +o%ld say, she al+ays has a (hip on

her sho%lder. E&ery time I pass her on the stairs I *eel that she is thinkin horrid thinsabo%t me. E&ery time I speak to her she makes me *eel I'&e said the +ron thin. nd yetI'm &ery sorry *or her . . . tho%h I kno+ she +o%ld resent my pity *%rio%sly. nd I (an't do



anythin to help her be(a%se she doesn't +ant to be helped. She is really hate*%l to me.9ne day, +hen +e three tea(hers +ere all in the sta** room, I did somethin +hi(h, itseems, transressed one o* the %n+ritten la+s o* the s(hool, and 7atherine said (%ttinly,'Perhaps yo% think you are abo&e r%les, Miss Shirley.' t another time, +hen I +ass%estin some (hanes +hi(h I tho%ht +o%ld be *or the ood o* the s(hool, she said+ith a s(orn*%l smile, 'I'm not interested in *airy tales.' 9n(e, +hen I said some ni(e thins

abo%t her +ork and methods, she said, 'nd +hat is to be the pill in all this 3am)'

"-%t the thin that annoyed me most . . . +ell, one day +hen I happened to pi(k %p a booko* hers in the sta** room and lan(ed at the *lylea* I said,

"'I'm lad yo% spell yo%r name +ith a 7. 7atherine is so m%(h more all%rin than 8atherine, 3%st as 7 is e&er so m%(h ypsier a letter than sm% 8.'

"She made no response, b%t the net note she sent %p +as sined '8atherine -rooke'$

"I snee5ed all the +ay home.

"I really +o%ld i&e %p tryin to be *riends +ith her i* I hadn't a 6%eer, %na((o%ntable

*eelin that %nder all her br%skness and aloo*ness she is a(t%ally star&ed *or(ompanionship.

"ltoether, +hat +ith 7atherine's antaonism and the Prinle attit%de, I don't kno+ 3%st+hat I'd do i* it +asn't *or dear !ebe((a De+ and yo%r letters . . . and little Eli5abeth.

"-e(a%se I'&e ot a(6%ainted +ith little Eli5abeth. nd she is a darlin.

"hree nihts ao I took the lass o* milk to the +all door and little Eli5abeth hersel* +asthere to et it instead o* the Woman, her head 3%st (omin abo&e the solid part o* the door,so that her *a(e +as *ramed in the i&y. She is small, pale, olden and +ist*%l. /er eyes,lookin at me thro%h the a%t%mn t+iliht, are lare and oldenha5el. /er sil&erold hair

+as parted in the middle, sleeked plainly do+n o&er her head +ith a (ir(%lar (omb, and *ellin +a&es on her sho%lders. She +ore a pale bl%e inham dress and the epression o* aprin(ess o* el*land. She had +hat !ebe((a De+ (alls 'a deli(ate air,' and a&e me theimpression o* a (hild +ho +as more or less %nderno%rished . . . not in body, b%t in so%l.More o* a moonbeam than a s%nbeam.

"'nd this is Eli5abeth)' I said.

"'=ot toniht,' she ans+ered ra&ely. 'his is my niht *or bein -etty be(a%se I lo&ee&erythin in the +orld toniht. I +as Eli5abeth last niht and tomorro+ niht I'll prob'ly be-eth. It all depends on ho+ I *eel.'

"here +as the to%(h o* the kindred spirit *or yo%. I thrilled to it at on(e.

"'/o+ &ery ni(e to ha&e a name yo% (an (hane so easily and still *eel it's yo%r o+n.'

"Little Eli5abeth nodded.

"'I (an make so many names o%t o* it. Elsie and -etty and -ess and Elisa and Lisbeth and-eth . . . b%t not Li55ie. I ne&er (an *eel like Li55ie.'

"'Who (o%ld)' I said.

"'Do yo% think it silly o* me, Miss Shirley) randmother and the Woman do.'

"'=ot silly at all . . . &ery +ise and &ery deliht*%l,' I said..

"Little Eli5abeth made sa%(er eyes at me o&er the rim o* her lass. I *elt that I +as bein



+eihed in some se(ret spirit%al balan(e and presently I reali5ed thank*%lly that I had notbeen *o%nd +antin. :or little Eli5abeth asked a *a&or o* me . . . and little Eli5abeth doesnot ask *a&ors o* people she does not like.

"'Wo%ld yo% mind li*tin %p the (at and lettin me pat him)' she asked shyly.

"D%sty Miller +as r%bbin aainst my les. I li*ted him and little Eli5abeth p%t o%t a tiny

hand and stroked his head delihtedly.

"'I like kittens better than babies,' she said, lookin at me +ith an odd little air o* de*ian(e,as i* she kne+ I +o%ld be sho(ked b%t tell the tr%th she m%st.

"'I s%ppose yo%'&e ne&er had m%(h to do +ith babies, so yo% don't kno+ ho+ s+eet theyare,' I said, smilin. '/a&e yo% a kitten o* yo%r o+n)'

"Eli5abeth shook her head.

"'9h, no@ randmother doesn't like (ats. nd the Woman hates them. he Woman is o%ttoniht, so that is +hy I (o%ld (ome *or the milk. I lo&e (omin *or the milk be(a%se

!ebe((a De+ is s%(h an aree'ble person.'

"'re yo% sorry she didn't (ome toniht)' I la%hed.

"Little Eli5abeth shook her head.

"'=o. 0o% are &ery aree'ble, too. I'&e been +antin to et '6%ainted +ith yo% b%t I +asa*raid it mihtn't happen be*ore omorro+ (omes.'

"We stood there and talked +hile Eli5abeth sipped her milk daintily and she told me allabo%t omorro+. he Woman had told her that omorro+ ne&er (omes, b%t Eli5abethkno+s better. It %ill (ome sometime. Some bea%ti*%l mornin she +ill 3%st +ake %p and *indit is omorro+. =ot oday b%t omorro+. nd then thins +ill happen . . . +onder*%l thins.She may e&en ha&e a day to do ea(tly as she likes in, +ith nobody +at(hin her . . .tho%h I think Eli5abeth *eels that is too ood to happen e&en in omorro+. 9r she may*ind o%t +hat is at the end o* the harbor road . . . that +anderin, t+istin road like a ni(ered snake, that leads, so Eli5abeth thinks, to the end o* the +orld. Perhaps the Island o*/appiness is there. Eli5abeth *eels s%re there is an Island o* /appiness some+here +hereall the ships that ne&er (ome ba(k are an(hored, and she +ill *ind it +hen omorro+(omes.

"'nd +hen omorro+ (omes,' said Eli5abeth, 'I +ill ha&e a million dos and *orty*i&e (ats.I told randmother that +hen she +o%ldn't let me ha&e a kitten, Miss Shirley, and she +asanry and said, "I'm not '(%stomed to be spoken to like that, Miss Impert'nen(e." I +as sentto bed +itho%t s%pper . . . b%t I didn't mean to be impert'nent. nd I (o%ldn't sleep, MissShirley, be(a%se the Woman told me that she kne+ a (hild on(e that died in her sleepa*ter bein impert'nent.'

"When Eli5abeth had *inished her milk there (ame a sharp tappin at some %nseen+indo+ behind the spr%(es. I think +e had been +at(hed all the time. My el*maiden ran,her olden head limmerin alon the dark spr%(e aisle %ntil she &anished.

"'She's a *an(i*%l little (reat%re,' said !ebe((a De+ +hen I told her o* my ad&ent%re . . .really, it someho+ had the 6%ality o* an ad&ent%re, ilbert. '9ne day she said to me, "reyo% s(ared o* lions, !ebe((a De+)" "I ne&er met any so I (an't tell yo%," se5 I. "here +ill

be any amo%nt o* lions in omorro+," se5 she, "b%t they +ill be ni(e *riendly lions." "8hild,yo%'ll t%rn into eyes i* yo% look like that," se5 I. She +as lookin (lean thro%h me atsomethin she sa+ in that omorro+ o* hers. "I'm thinkin deep tho%hts, !ebe((a De+,"



she se5. he tro%ble +ith that (hild is she doesn't la%h eno%h.'

"I remembered Eli5abeth had ne&er la%hed on(e d%rin o%r talk. I *eel that she hasn'tlearned ho+. he reat ho%se is so still and lonely and la%hterless. It looks d%ll andloomy e&en no+ +hen the +orld is a riot o* a%t%mn (olor. Little Eli5abeth is doin toom%(h listenin to lost +hispers.

"I think one o* my missions in S%mmerside +ill be to tea(h her ho+ to la%h.

"0o%r tenderest, most *aith*%l *riend,

"==E S/I!LE0.

"P.S. More o* %nt 8hatty's randmother$"

3

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,"S'side,"9(tober 2th.

"IL-E! DE!#

"What do yo% think) I'&e been to s%pper at Mapleh%rst$

"Miss Ellen hersel* +rote the in&itation. !ebe((a De+ +as really e(ited . . . she had ne&erbelie&ed they +o%ld take any noti(e o* me. nd she +as 6%ite s%re it +as not o%t o**riendliness.

"'hey ha&e some sinister moti&e, that I'm (ertain o*$' she e(laimed.

"I really had some s%(h *eelin in my o+n mind.

"'-e s%re yo% p%t on yo%r best,' ordered !ebe((a De+.

"So I p%t on my pretty (ream (hallis dress +ith the p%rple &iolets in it and did my hair thene+ +ay +ith the dip in the *orehead. It's &ery be(omin.

"he ladies o* Mapleh%rst are positi&ely deliht*%l in their o+n +ay, ilbert. I (o%ld lo&ethem i* they'd let me. Mapleh%rst is a pro%d, e(l%si&e ho%se +hi(h dra+s its trees aro%ndit and +on't asso(iate +ith (ommon ho%ses. It has a bi, +hite, +ooden +oman o** thebo+ o* old 8aptain braham's *amo%s ship, the Go and As$ Her, in the or(hard and billo+so* so%thern+ood abo%t the *ront steps, +hi(h +as bro%ht o%t *rom the old (o%ntry o&er ah%ndred years ao by the *irst emiratin Prinle. hey ha&e another an(estor +ho *o%htat the battle o* Minden and his s+ord is hanin on the parlor +all beside 8aptain braham's portrait. 8aptain braham +as their *ather and they are e&idently tremendo%slypro%d o* him.

"hey ha&e stately mirrors o&er the old, bla(k, *l%ted mantels, a lass (ase +ith +a

*lo+ers in it, pi(t%res *%ll o* the bea%ty o* the ships o* lon ao, a hair+reath (ontaininthe hair o* e&ery kno+n Prinle, bi (on(h shells and a 6%ilt on the spareroom bed 6%iltedin in*initesimal *ans.



"We sat in the parlor on mahoany Sheraton (hairs. It +as h%n +ith sil&erstripe+allpaper. /ea&y bro(ade (%rtains at the +indo+s. Marbletopped tables, one bearin abea%ti*%l model o* a ship +ith (rimson h%ll and sno++hite sailsthe Go and As$ Her. nenormo%s (handelier, all lass and dinledanles, s%spended *rom the (eilin. ro%ndmirror +ith a (lo(k in the (enter . . . somethin 8aptain braham had bro%ht home *rom'*orein parts.' It +as +onder*%l. I'd like somethin like it in o%r ho%se o* dreams.

"he &ery shado+s +ere elo6%ent and traditional. Miss Ellen sho+ed me millions . . . moreor less . . . o* Prinle photoraphs, many o* them da%erreotypes in leather (ases. bitortoiseshell (at (ame in, 3%mped on my knee and +as at on(e +hisked o%t to the kit(henby Miss Ellen. She apoloi5ed to me. -%t I epe(t she had pre&io%sly apoloi5ed to the (atin the kit(hen.

"Miss Ellen did most o* the talkin. Miss Sarah, a tiny thin in a bla(k silk dress andstar(hed petti(oat, +ith sno++hite hair and eyes as bla(k as her dress, thin, &einedhands *olded on her lap amid *ine la(e r%**les, sad, lo&ely, entle, looked almost too *raileto talk. nd yet I ot the impression, ilbert, that e&ery Prinle o* the (lan, in(l%din MissEllen hersel*, dan(ed to her pipin.

"We had a deli(io%s s%pper. he +ater +as (old, the linen bea%ti*%l, the dishes andlass+are thin. We +ere +aited on by a maid, 6%ite as aloo* and aristo(rati( asthemsel&es. -%t Miss Sarah pretended to be a little dea* +hene&er I spoke to her and Itho%ht e&ery mo%th*%l +o%ld (hoke me. ll my (o%rae oo5ed o%t o* me. I *elt 3%st like apoor *ly (a%ht on *lypaper. ilbert, I (an ne&er, ne&er (on6%er or +in the !oyal :amily. I(an see mysel* resinin at =e+ 0ear's. I ha&en't a (han(e aainst a (lan like that.

"nd yet I (o%ldn't help *eelin a little sorry *or the old ladies as I looked aro%nd theirho%se. It had on(e lied . . . people had been born there . . . died there . . . e%lted there . .. kno+n sleep, despair, *ear, 3oy, lo&e, hope, hate. nd no+ it has nothin b%t the

memories by +hi(h they li&e . . . and their pride in them.

"%nt 8hatty is m%(h %pset be(a%se +hen she %n*olded (lean sheets *or my bed todayshe *o%nd a diamondshaped (rease in the (enter. She is s%re it *oretells a death in theho%sehold. %nt 7ate is &ery m%(h dis%sted +ith s%(h s%perstition. -%t I belie&e I ratherlike s%perstitio%s people. hey lend (olor to li*e. Wo%ldn't it be a rather drab +orld i*e&erybody +as +ise and sensible . . . and good What +o%ld +e *ind to talk abo%t)

"We had a (atastrophe here t+o nihts ao. D%sty Miller stayed o%t all niht, in spite o*!ebe((a De+'s stentorian sho%ts o* 'P%ss' in the ba(k yard. nd +hen he t%rned %p in themornin . . . oh, s%(h a lookin (at$ 9ne eye +as (losed (ompletely and there +as a l%mpas bi as an e on his 3a+. /is *%r +as sti** +ith m%d and one pa+ +as bitten thro%h. -%t

+hat a tri%mphant, %nrepentant look he had in his one ood eye$ he +ido+s +erehorri*ied b%t !ebe((a De+ said e%ltantly, 'hat 8at has ne&er had a ood *iht in his li*ebe*ore. nd I'll bet the other (at looks *ar +orse than he does$'

" *o is (reepin %p the harbor toniht, blottin o%t the red road that little Eli5abeth +antsto eplore. Weeds and lea&es are b%rnin in all the to+n ardens and the (ombination o*smoke and *o is makin Spook's Lane an eerie, *as(inatin, en(hanted pla(e. It isro+in late and my bed says, 'I ha&e sleep *or yo%.' I'&e ro+n %sed to (limbin a *liht o*steps into bed . . . and (limbin do+n them. 9h, ilbert, I'&e ne&er told any one this, b%tit's too *%nny to keep any loner. he *irst mornin I +oke %p in Windy Poplars I *orot allabo%t the steps and made a blithe morninsprin o%t o* bed. I (ame do+n like a tho%sand

o* bri(k, as !ebe((a De+ +o%ld say. L%(kily I didn't break any bones, b%t I +as bla(k andbl%e *or a +eek.



"Little Eli5abeth and I are &ery ood *riends by no+. She (omes e&ery e&enin *or her milkbe(a%se the Woman is laid %p +ith +hat !ebe((a De+ (alls 'bro+nkites.' I al+ays *ind herat the +all ate, +aitin *or me, her bi eyes *%ll o* t+iliht. We talk +ith the ate, +hi(hhas ne&er been opened *or years, bet+een %s. Eli5abeth sips the lass o* milk as slo+lyas possible in order to spin o%r (on&ersation o%t. l+ays, +hen the last drop is drained,(omes the taptap on the +indo+.

"I ha&e *o%nd that one o* the thins that is oin to happen in omorro+ is that she +ill eta letter *rom her *ather. She had ne&er ot one. I +onder +hat the man (an be thinkin o*.

"'0o% kno+, he (o%ldn't bear the siht o* me, Miss Shirley,' she told me, 'b%t he mihtn'tmind +ritin to me.'

"'Who told yo% he (o%ldn't bear the siht o* yo%)' I asked indinantly.

"'he Woman.' l+ays +hen Eli5abeth says 'the Woman,' I (an see her like a reat bi*orbiddin 'W,' all anles and (orners.4 'nd it m%st be tr%e or he +o%ld (ome to see mesometimes.'

"She +as -eth that niht . . . it is only +hen she is -eth that she +ill talk o* her *ather.When she is -etty she makes *a(es at her randmother and the Woman behind theirba(ks@ b%t +hen she t%rns into Elsie she is sorry *or it and thinks she o%ht to (on*ess, b%tis s(ared to. ;ery rarely she is Eli5abeth and then she has the *a(e o* one +ho listens to*airy m%si( and kno+s +hat roses and (lo&ers talk abo%t. She's the 6%aintest thin, ilbert. . . as sensiti&e as one o* the lea&es o* the +indy poplars, and I lo&e her. It in*%riates me tokno+ that those t+o terrible old +omen make her o to bed in the dark.

"'he Woman said I +as bi eno%h to sleep +itho%t a liht. -%t I *eel so small, MissShirley, be(a%se the niht is so bi and a+*%l. nd there is a st%**ed (ro+ in my room and Iam a*raid o* it. he Woman told me it +o%ld pi(k my eyes o%t i* I (ried. 9* (o%rse, Miss

Shirley, I don't belie&e that, b%t still I'm s(ared. hins %hisper so to ea(h other at niht.-%t in omorro+ I'll ne&er be s(ared o* anythin . . . not e&en o* bein kidnaped$'

"'-%t there is no daner o* yo%r bein kidnaped, Eli5abeth.'

"'he Woman said there +as i* I +ent any+here alone or talked to strane persons. -%tyo%'re not a strane person, are yo%, Miss Shirley)'

"'=o, darlin. We'&e al+ays kno+n ea(h other in omorro+,' I said."

4

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,"S'side,"=o&ember 1Ath.

"DE!ES#

"It %sed to be that the person I hated most in the +orld +as the person +ho spoiled mypennib. -%t I (an't hate !ebe((a De+ in spite o* her habit o* %sin my pen to (opy re(ipes+hen I'm in s(hool. She's been doin it aain and as a res%lt yo% +on't et a lon or a



lo&in letter this time. -elo&edest.4

"he last (ri(ket son has been s%n. he e&enins are so (hilly no+ that I ha&e a small(h%bby, oblon +oodsto&e in my room. !ebe((a De+ p%t it %p . . . I *ori&e her the pen*or it. here's nothin that +oman (an't do@ and she al+ays has a *ire lihted *or me in it+hen I (ome home *rom s(hool. It is the tiniest o* sto&es . . . I (o%ld pi(k it %p in my hands.It looks 3%st like a pert little bla(k do on its *o%r bandy iron les. -%t +hen yo% *ill it +ithhard+ood sti(ks it blooms rosy red and thro+s a +onder*%l heat and yo% (an't think ho+(o5y it is. I'm sittin be*ore it no+, +ith my *eet on its tiny hearth, s(ribblin to yo% on myknee.

"E&ery one else in S'side . . . more or less . . . is at the /ardy Prinles' dan(e. ' +as notin&ited. nd !ebe((a De+ is so (ross abo%t it that I'd hate to be D%sty Miller. -%t +hen Ithink o* /ardy's da%hter Myra, bea%ti*%l and brainless, tryin to pro&e in an eaminationpaper that the angels at the base o* an isos(eles trianle are e6%al, I *ori&e the entirePrinle (lan. nd last +eek she in(l%ded 'allo+s tree' 6%ite serio%sly in a list o* trees$ -%t,to be 3%st, all the ho+lers don't oriinate +ith the Prinles. -lake :enton de*ined analliator re(ently as 'a lare kind o* inse(t.' S%(h are the hih lihts o* a tea(her's li*e$

"It *eels like sno+ toniht. I like an e&enin +hen it *eels like sno+. he +ind is blo+in 'int%rret and tree' and makin my (o5y room seem e&en (o5ier. he last olden lea* +ill beblo+n *rom the aspens toniht.

"I think I'&e been in&ited to s%pper e&ery+here by no+ . . . I mean to the homes o* all myp%pils, both in to+n and (o%ntry. nd oh, ilbert darlin, I am so si(k o* p%mpkinpreser&es$ =e&er, ne&er let %s ha&e p%mpkin preser&es in o%r ho%se o* dreams.

"lmost e&ery+here I'&e one *or the last month I'&e had P. P. *or s%pper. he *irst time Ihad it I lo&ed it . . . it +as so olden that I *elt I +as eatin preser&ed s%nshine . . . and Iin(a%tio%sly ra&ed abo%t it. It ot br%ited abo%t that I +as &ery *ond o* P. P. and people hadit on p%rpose *or me. Last niht I +as oin to Mr. /amilton's and !ebe((a De+ ass%redme that I +o%ldn't ha&e to eat P. P. there be(a%se none o* the /amiltons liked it. -%t +hen+e sat do+n to s%pper, there on the sideboard +as the ine&itable (%tlass bo+l *%ll o* P.P.

"'I hadn't any p%nkin preser&es o* my o+n,' said Mrs. /amilton, ladlin me o%t a enero%sdish*%l, 'b%t I heard yo% +as terrible partial to it, so +hen I +as to my (o%sin's in Lo+&alelast S%nday I se5 to her, "I'm ha&in Miss Shirley to s%pper this +eek and she's terriblepartial to p%nkin preser&es. I +ish yo%'d lend me a 3ar *or her." So she did and here it isand yo% (an take home +hat's le*t.'

"0o% sho%ld ha&e seen !ebe((a De+'s *a(e +hen I arri&ed home *rom the /amiltons'bearin a lass 3ar t+othirds *%ll o* P. P.$ =obody likes it here so +e b%ried it darkly atdead o* niht in the arden.

"'0o% +on't p%t this in a story, +ill yo%)' she asked anio%sly. E&er sin(e !ebe((a De+dis(o&ered that I do an o((asional bit o* *i(tion *or the maa5ines she has li&ed in the *ear .. . or hope, I don't kno+ +hi(h . . . that I'll p%t e&erythin that happens at Windy Poplarsinto a story. She +ants me to '+rite %p the Prinles and blister them.' -%t alas, it's thePrinles that are doin the blisterin and bet+een them and my +ork in s(hool I ha&es(ant time *or +ritin *i(tion.

"here are only +ithered lea&es and *rosted stems in the arden no+. !ebe((a De+ hasdone the standard roses %p in stra+ and potato bas, and in the t+iliht they look ea(tlylike a ro%p o* h%mpedba(k old men leanin on sta**s.



"I ot a post(ard *rom Da&y today +ith ten kisses (rossed on it and a letter *rom Pris(illa+ritten on some paper that 'a *riend o* hers in <apan' sent her . . . silky thin paper +ith dim(herry blossoms on it like hosts. I'm beinnin to ha&e my s%spi(ions abo%t that *riend o*hers. -%t yo%r bi *at letter +as the p%rple i*t the day a&e me. I read it *o%r times o&er toet e&ery bit o* its sa&or . . . like a do polishin o** a plate$ *hat (ertainly isn't a romanti(simile, b%t it's the one that 3%st popped into my head. Still, letters, e&en the ni(est, aren't

satisfactory. I +ant to see you. I'm lad it's only *i&e +eeks to 8hristmas holidays."

5

nne, sittin at her to+er +indo+ one late =o&ember e&enin, +ith her pen at her lip anddreams in her eyes, looked o%t on a t+iliht +orld and s%ddenly tho%ht she +o%ld like a

+alk to the old ra&eyard. She had ne&er &isited it yet, pre*errin the bir(h and maplero&e or the harbor road *or her e&enin rambles. -%t there is al+ays a =o&ember spa(ea*ter the lea&es ha&e *allen +hen she *elt it +as almost inde(ent to intr%de on the +oods . .. *or their lory terrestrial had departed and their lory (elestial o* spirit and p%rity and+hiteness had not yet (ome %pon them. So nne betook hersel* to the ra&eyard instead.She +as *eelin *or the time so dispirited and hopeless that she tho%ht a ra&eyard +o%ldbe a (omparati&ely (heer*%l pla(e. -esides, it +as *%ll o* Prinles, so !ebe((a De+ said.hey had b%ried there *or enerations, keepin it %p in pre*eren(e to the ne+ ra&eyard%ntil "no more o* them (o%ld be s6%ee5ed in." nne *elt that it +o%ld be positi&elyen(o%rain to see ho+ many Prinles +ere +here they (o%ldn't annoy anybody anymore.

In reard to the Prinles nne *elt that she +as at the end o* her tether. More and more the+hole sit%ation +as (omin to seem like a nihtmare. he s%btle (ampain o*ins%bordination and disrespe(t +hi(h <en Prinle had orani5ed had at last (ome to ahead. 9ne day, a +eek pre&io%sly, she had asked the Seniors to +rite a (omposition on"he Most Important /appenins o* the Week." <en Prinle had +ritten a brilliant one . . .the little imp %as (le&er . . . and had inserted in it a sly ins%lt to her tea(her . . . one sopointed that it +as impossible to inore it. nne had sent her home, tellin her that she+o%ld ha&e to apoloi5e be*ore she +o%ld be allo+ed to (ome ba(k. he *at +as *airly inthe *ire. It +as open +ar*are no+ bet+een her and the Prinles. nd poor nne had nodo%bt on +hose banner &i(tory +o%ld per(h. he s(hool board +o%ld ba(k the Prinles %p

and she +o%ld be i&en her (hoi(e bet+een lettin <en (ome ba(k or bein asked toresin.

She *elt &ery bitter. She had done her best and she kne+ she (o%ld ha&e s%((eeded i* shehad had e&en a *ihtin (han(e.

"It's not my *a%lt," she tho%ht miserably. "Who could s%((eed aainst s%(h a phalan ands%(h ta(ti(s)"

-%t to o home to reen ables de*eated$ o end%re Mrs. Lynde's indination and thePyes' e%ltation$ E&en the sympathy o* *riends +o%ld be an an%ish. nd +ith herS%mmerside *ail%re br%ited abroad she +o%ld ne&er be able to et another s(hool.

-%t at least they had not ot the better o* her in the matter o* the play. nne la%hed a little+i(kedly and her eyes *illed +ith mis(hie&o%s deliht o&er the memory.



She had orani5ed a /ih S(hool Dramati( 8l%b and dire(ted it in a little play h%rriedlyotten %p to pro&ide some *%nds *or one o* her pet s(hemes . . . b%yin some oodenra&ins *or the rooms. She had made hersel* ask 7atherine -rooke to help herbe(a%se 7atherine al+ays seemed so le*t o%t o* e&erythin. She (o%ld not help rerettinit many times, *or 7atherine +as e&en more br%sk and sar(asti( than %s%al. She seldomlet a pra(ti(e pass +itho%t some (orrosi&e remark and she o&er+orked her eyebro+s.

Worse still, it +as 7atherine +ho had insisted on ha&in <en Prinle take the part o* Mary%een o* S(ots.

"here's no one else in the s(hool +ho (an play it," she said impatiently. "=o one +ho hasthe ne(essary personality."

nne +as not so s%re o* this. She rather tho%ht that Sophy Sin(lair, +ho +as tall and hadha5el eyes and ri(h (hestn%t hair, +o%ld make a *ar better %een Mary than <en. -%tSophy +as not e&en a member o* the (l%b and had ne&er taken part in a play.

"We don't +ant absol%te reenhorns in this. I'm not oin to be asso(iated +ith anythinthat is not s%((ess*%l," 7atherine had said disareeably, and nne had yielded. She (o%ld

not deny that <en +as &ery ood in the part. She had a nat%ral *lair *or a(tin and sheapparently thre+ hersel* into it +holeheartedly. hey pra(ti(ed *o%r e&enins a +eek andon the s%r*a(e thins +ent alon &ery smoothly. <en seemed to be so interested in her partthat she beha&ed hersel* as *ar as the play +as (on(erned. nne did not meddle +ith herb%t le*t her to 7atherine's (oa(hin. 9n(e or t+i(e, tho%h, she s%rprised a (ertain look o*sly tri%mph on <en's *a(e that p%55led her. She (o%ld not %ess 3%st +hat it meant.

9ne a*ternoon, soon a*ter the pra(ti(es had be%n, nne *o%nd Sophy Sin(lair in tears in a(orner o* the irls' (oatroom. t *irst she had blinked her ha5el eyes &ioro%sly and deniedit . . . then broke do+n.

"I did so +ant to be in the play . . . to be %een Mary," she sobbed. "I'&e ne&er had a(han(e . . . *ather +o%ldn't let me 3oin the (l%b be(a%se there are d%es to pay and e&ery(ent (o%nts so m%(h. nd o* (o%rse I ha&en't had any eperien(e. I'&e al+ays lo&ed%een Mary . . . her &ery name 3%st thrills me to my *iner tips. I don't belie&e . . . I ne&er+ill belie&e she had anythin to do +ith m%rderin Darnley. It +o%ld ha&e been +onder*%lto *an(y I +as she *or a little +hile$"

*ter+ards nne (on(l%ded that it +as her %ardian anel +ho prompted her reply.

"I'll +rite the part o%t *or yo%, Sophy, and (oa(h yo% in it. It +ill be ood trainin *or yo%. nd, as +e plan to i&e the play in other pla(es i* it oes +ell here, it +ill be 3%st as +ell toha&e an %nderst%dy in (ase <en sho%ldn't al+ays be able to o. -%t +e'll say nothin

abo%t it to any one."

Sophy had the part memori5ed by the net day. She +ent home to Windy Poplars +ith nne e&ery a*ternoon +hen s(hool (ame o%t and rehearsed it in the to+er. hey had a loto* *%n toether, *or Sophy +as *%ll o* 6%iet &i&a(ity. he play +as to be p%t on the last:riday in =o&ember in the to+n hall@ it +as +idely ad&ertised and the reser&ed seats +eresold to the last one. nne and 7atherine spent t+o e&enins de(oratin the hall, the band+as hired, and a noted soprano +as (omin %p *rom 8harlotteto+n to sin bet+een thea(ts. he dress rehearsal +as a s%((ess. <en +as really e(ellent and the +hole (astplayed %p to her. :riday mornin <en +as not in s(hool@ and in the a*ternoon her mothersent +ord that <en +as ill +ith a &ery sore throat . . . they +ere a*raid it +as tonsillitis.

E&erybody (on(erned +as &ery sorry, b%t it +as o%t o* the 6%estion that she sho%ld takepart in the play that niht.

7atherine and nne stared at ea(h other, dra+n toether *or on(e in their (ommon dismay.



"We'll ha&e to p%t it o**," said 7atherine slo+ly. "nd that means *ail%re. 9n(e +e're intoDe(ember there's so m%(h oin on. Well, I al+ays tho%ht it +as *oolish to try to et %p aplay this time o* the year."

"We are not oin to postpone it," said nne, her eyes as reen as <en's o+n. She +asnot oin to say it to 7atherine -rooke, b%t she kne+ as +ell as she had e&er kno+nanythin in her li*e that <en Prinle +as in no more daner o* tonsillitis than she +as. It+as a deliberate de&i(e, +hether any o* the other Prinles +ere a party to it or not, to r%inthe play be(a%se she, nne Shirley, had sponsored it.

"9h, i* yo% *eel that +ay abo%t it$" said 7atherine +ith a nasty shr%. "-%t +hat do yo%intend to do) et some one to read the part) hat +o%ld r%in it . . . Mary is the +holeplay."

"Sophy Sin(lair (an play the part as +ell as <en. he (ost%me +ill *it her and, thanks be,yo% made it and ha&e it, not <en."

he play +as p%t on that niht be*ore a pa(ked a%dien(e. delihted Sophy played Mary .

. . %as Mary, as <en Prinle (o%ld ne&er ha&e been . . . loo$ed Mary in her &el&et robesand r%** and 3e+els. St%dents o* S%mmerside /ih, +ho had ne&er seen Sophy in anythinb%t her plain, do+dy, dark sere dresses, shapeless (oat and shabby hats, stared at her inama5ement. It +as insisted on the spot that she be(ome a permanent member o* theDramati( 8l%bnne hersel* paid the membership *eeand *rom then on she +as one o*the p%pils +ho "(o%nted" in S%mmerside /ih. -%t nobody kne+ or dreamed, Sophyhersel* least o* all, that she had taken the *irst step that niht on a path+ay that +as tolead to the stars. +enty years later Sophy Sin(lair +as to be one o* the leadin a(tressesin meri(a. -%t probably no pla%dits e&er so%nded so s+eet in her ears as the +ildappla%se amid +hi(h the (%rtain *ell that niht in S%mmerside to+n hall.

Mrs. <ames Prinle took a tale home to her da%hter <en +hi(h +o%ld ha&e t%rned thatdamsel's eyes reen i* they had not been already so. :or on(e, as !ebe((a De+ said*eelinly, <en had ot her (ome%ppan(e. nd the e&ent%al res%lt +as the ins%lt in the(omposition on Important /appenins.

nne +ent do+n to the old ra&eyard alon a deepr%tted lane bet+een hih, mossy stonedykes, tasseled +ith *rosted *erns. Slim, pointed lombardies, *rom +hi(h =o&ember +indshad not yet stripped all the lea&es, re+ alon it at inter&als, (omin o%t darkly aainst theamethyst o* the *ar hills@ b%t the old ra&eyard, +ith hal* its tombstones leanin at adr%nken slant, +as s%rro%nded by a *o%rs6%are ro+ o* tall, somber *ir trees. nne had notepe(ted to *ind any one there and +as a little taken aba(k +hen she met Miss ;alentine8o%rtaloe, +ith her lon deli(ate nose, her thin deli(ate mo%th, her slopin deli(ate

sho%lders and her eneral air o* in&in(ible ladylikeness, 3%st inside the ate. She kne+Miss ;alentine, o* (o%rse, as did e&eryone in S%mmerside. She +as "the" lo(aldressmaker and +hat she didn't kno+ abo%t people, li&in or dead, +as not +orth takininto a((o%nt. nne had +anted to +ander abo%t by hersel*, read the odd old epitaphs andp%55le o%t the names o* *orotten lo&ers %nder the li(hens that +ere ro+in o&er them.-%t she (o%ld not es(ape +hen Miss ;alentine slipped an arm thro%h hers andpro(eeded to do the honors o* the ra&eyard, +here there +ere e&idently as many8o%rtaloes b%ried as Prinles. Miss ;alentine had not a drop o* Prinle blood in her andone o* nne's *a&orite p%pils +as her nephe+. So it +as no reat mental strain to be ni(eto her, e(ept that one m%st be &ery (are*%l ne&er to hint that she "se+ed *or a li&in." Miss;alentine +as said to be &ery sensiti&e on that point.

"I'm lad I happened to be here this e&enin," said Miss ;alentine. "I (an tell yo% all abo%te&erybody b%ried here. I al+ays say yo% ha&e to kno+ the ins and o%ts o* the (orpses to



*ind a ra&eyard real en3oyable. I like a +alk here better than in the ne+. It's only the old*amilies that are b%ried here b%t e&ery om, Di(k and /arry is bein b%ried in the ne+. he8o%rtaloes are b%ried in this (orner. My, +e'&e had a terrible lot o* *%nerals in o%r *amily."

"I s%ppose e&ery old *amily has," said nne, be(a%se Miss ;alentine e&idently epe(tedher to say somethin.

"Don't tell me any *amily has e&er had as many as o%rs," said Miss ;alentine 3ealo%sly."We're ery (ons%mpti&e. Most o* %s died o* a (o%h. his is my %nt -essie's ra&e. She+as a saint i* e&er there +as one. -%t there's no do%bt her sister, %nt 8e(ilia, +as themore interestin to talk to. he last time I e&er sa+ her she said to me, 'Sit do+n, my dear,sit do+n. I'm oin to die toniht at ten min%tes past ele&en b%t that's no reason +hy +esho%ldn't ha&e a real ood ossip *or the last.' he strane thin, Miss Shirley, is that shedid die that niht at ten min%tes past ele&en. 8an yo% tell me ho+ she kne+ it)"

nne (o%ldn't.

"My reatreatrand*ather 8o%rtaloe is b%ried here. /e (ame o%t in 1F?A and he made

spinnin+heels *or a li&in. I'&e heard he made *o%rteen h%ndred in the (o%rse o* his li*e.When he died the minister prea(hed *rom the tet, 'heir +orks do *ollo+ them,' and oldMyrom Prinle said in that (ase the road to hea&en behind my reatreatrand*ather+o%ld be (hoked +ith spinnin+heels. Do yo% think s%(h a remark +as in ood taste,Miss Shirley)"

/ad any one b%t a Prinle said it, nne miht not ha&e remarked so de(idedly, "I (ertainlydo not," lookin at a ra&estone adorned +ith a sk%ll and (rossbones as i* she 6%estionedthe ood taste o* that also.

"My (o%sin Dora is b%ried here. She had three h%sbands b%t they all died &ery rapidly.Poor Dora didn't seem to ha&e any l%(k pi(kin a healthy man. /er last one +as -en3amin

-annin . . . not b%ried here . . . b%ried in Lo+&ale beside his *irst +i*e . . . and he +asn'tre(on(iled to dyin. Dora told him he +as oin to a better +orld. 'Mebbe, mebbe,' sayspoor -en, 'b%t I'm sorter %sed to the imper*e(tions o* this one.' /e took sityone di**erentkinds o* medi(ine b%t in spite o* that he linered *or a ood +hile. ll >n(le Da&id8o%rtaloe's *amily are here. here's a (abbae rose planted at the *oot o* e&ery ra&e and,my, don't they bloom$ I (ome here e&ery s%mmer and ather them *or my rose3ar. It +o%ldbe a pity to let them o to +aste, don't yo% think)"

"I . . . I s%ppose so."

"My poor yo%n sister /arriet lies here,/ sihed Miss ;alentine. "She had mani*i(ent hair .. . abo%t the (olor o* yo%rs . . . not so red perhaps. It rea(hed to her knees. She +asenaed +hen she died. hey tell me yo%'re enaed. I ne&er m%(h +anted to be marriedb%t I think it +o%ld ha&e been ni(e to be enaed. 9h, I'&e had some (han(es o* (o%rse . .. perhaps I +as too *astidio%s . . . b%t a 8o%rtaloe (o%ldn't marry eerybody, (o%ld she)"

It did not seem likely she (o%ld.

":rank Diby . . . o&er in that (orner %nder the s%ma(s . . . +anted me. I did *eel a littlereret*%l o&er re*%sin him . . . b%t a Diby, my dear$ /e married eorina roop. Sheal+ays +ent to (h%r(h a little late to sho+ o** her (lothes. My, she +as *ond o* (lothes. She+as b%ried in s%(h a pretty bl%e dress . . . I made it *or her to +ear to a +eddin b%t in theend she +ore it to her o+n *%neral. She had three darlin little (hildren. hey %sed to sit in

*ront o* me at (h%r(h and I al+ays a&e them (andy. Do yo% think it +ron to i&e (hildren(andy in (h%r(h, Miss Shirley) =ot peppermints . . . that +o%ld be all riht . . . there'ssomethin religious abo%t peppermints, don't yo% think) -%t the poor thins don't like



them."

When the 8o%rtaloe's plots +ere eha%sted Miss ;alentine's reminis(en(es be(ame a bitspi(ier. It did not make so m%(h di**eren(e i* yo% +eren't a 8o%rtaloe.

"9ld Mrs. !%ssell Prinle is here. I o*ten +onder i* she's in hea&en or not."

"-%t +hy)" asped a rather sho(ked nne."Well, she al+ays hated her sister, Mary nn, +ho had died a *e+ months be*ore. 'I* Mary nn is in hea&en I +on't stay there,' says she. nd she +as a +oman +ho al+ays kept her+ord, my dear . . . Prinlelike. She +as born a Prinle and married her (o%sin !%ssell.his is Mrs. Dan Prinle . . . <anetta -ird. Se&enty to a day +hen she died. :olks say she+o%ld ha&e tho%ht it +ron to die a day older than threes(ore and ten be(a%se that isthe -ible limit. People do say s%(h *%nny thins, don't they) I'&e heard that dyin +as theonly thin she e&er dared do +itho%t askin her h%sband. Do yo% kno+, my dear, +hat hedid on(e +hen she bo%ht a hat he didn't like)"

"I (an't imaine."

"/e et it," said Miss ;alentine solemnly. "9* (o%rse it +as only a small hat . . . la(e and*lo+ers . . . no *eathers. Still, it m%st ha&e been rather indiestible. I %nderstand he hadna+in pains in his stoma(h *or 6%ite a time. 9* (o%rse I didn't see him eat it, b%t I'&eal+ays been ass%red the story +as tr%e. Do yo% s%ppose it +as)"

"I'd belie&e anythin o* a Prinle," said nne bitterly.

Miss ;alentine pressed her arm sympatheti(ally.

"I *eel *or yo% . . . indeed I do. It's terrible the +ay they're treatin yo%. -%t S%mmersideisn't all Prinle, Miss Shirley."

"Sometimes I think it is," said nne +ith a r%e*%l smile.

"=o, it isn't. nd there are plenty o* people +o%ld like to see yo% et the better o* them.Don't yo% i&e in to them no matter +hat they do. It's 3%st the old Satan that's ot intothem. -%t they han toether so and Miss Sarah did +ant that (o%sin o* theirs to et thes(hool.

"he =athan Prinles are here. =athan al+ays belie&ed his +i*e +as tryin to poison himb%t he didn't seem to mind. /e said it made li*e kind o* e(itin. 9n(e he kind o* s%spe(tedshe'd p%t arseni( in his porride. /e +ent o%t and *ed it to a pi. he pi died three +eeksa*ter+ards. -%t he said maybe it +as only a (oin(iden(e and any+ay he (o%ldn't be s%re it

+as the same pi. In the end she died be*ore him and he said she'd al+ays been a realood +i*e to him e(ept *or that one thin. I think it +o%ld be (haritable to belie&e that he+as mistaken abo%t it./

"'Sa(red to the memory o* 0iss !insey,&/ read nne in ama5ement. "What an etraordinaryins(ription$ /ad she no other name)"

"I* she had, nobody e&er kne+ it," said Miss ;alentine. "She (ame *rom =o&a S(otia and+orked *or the eore Prinles *or *orty years. She a&e her name as Miss 7insey ande&erybody (alled her that. She died s%ddenly and then it +as dis(o&ered that nobodykne+ her *irst name and she had no relations that anybody (o%ld *ind. So they p%t that onher stone . . . the eore Prinles b%ried her &ery ni(ely and paid *or the mon%ment. She+as a *aith*%l, hard+orkin (reat%re b%t i* yo%'d e&er seen her yo%'d ha&e tho%ht she+as born Miss 7insey. he <ames Morleys are here. I +as at their olden +eddin. S%(h atodo . . . i*ts and spee(hes and *lo+ers . . . and their (hildren all home and them smilin



and bo+in and 3%st hatin ea(h other as hard as they (o%ld."

"/atin ea(h other)"

"-itterly, my dear. E&ery one kne+ it. hey had *or years and years . . . almost all theirmarried li*e in *a(t. hey 6%arreled on the +ay home *rom (h%r(h a*ter the +eddin. I o*ten+onder ho+ they manae to lie here so pea(eably side by side."

ain nne shi&ered. /o+ terrible . . . sittin opposite ea(h other at table . . . lyin do+nbeside ea(h other at niht . . . oin to (h%r(h +ith their babies to be (hristened . . . andhatin ea(h other thro%h it all$ 0et they m%st ha&e lo&ed to bein +ith. Was it possibleshe and ilbert (o%ld e&er . . . nonsense$ he Prinles +ere ettin on her ner&es.

"/andsome <ohn Ma(abb is b%ried here. /e +as al+ays s%spe(ted o* bein the reason+hy nnetta 7ennedy dro+ned hersel*. he Ma(abbs +ere all handsome b%t yo% (o%ldne&er belie&e a +ord they said. here %sed to be a stone here *or his >n(le Sam%el, +ho+as reported dro+ned at sea *i*ty years ao. When he t%rned %p ali&e the *amily took thestone do+n. he man they bo%ht it *rom +o%ldn't take it ba(k so Mrs. Sam%el %sed it *or a

bakinboard. alk abo%t a marble slab *or miin on$ hat old tombstone +as 3%st *ine,she said. he Ma(abb (hildren +ere al+ays brinin (ookies to s(hool +ith raised lettersand *i%res on them . . . s(raps o* the epitaph. hey a&e them a+ay real enero%s, b%t Ine&er (o%ld brin mysel* to eat one. I'm pe(%liar that +ay. Mr. /arley Prinle is here. /ehad to +heel Peter Ma(abb do+n Main Street on(e, in a +heelbarro+, +earin a bonnet,*or an ele(tion bet. ll S%mmerside t%rned o%t to see it . . . e(ept the Prinles, o* (o%rse.*hey nearly died o* shame. Milly Prinle is here. I +as &ery *ond o* Milly, e&en i* she +as aPrinle. She +as so pretty and as liht*ooted as a *airy. Sometimes I think, my dear, onnihts like this she m%st slip o%t o* her ra&e and dan(e like she %sed to do. -%t I s%pposea 8hristian sho%ldn't be harborin s%(h tho%hts. his is /erb Prinle's ra&e. /e +as oneo* the 3olly Prinles. /e al+ays made yo% la%h. /e la%hed riht o%t in (h%r(h on(e . . .

+hen the mo%se dropped o%t o* the *lo+ers on Meta Prinle's hat +hen she bo+ed inprayer. ' didn't *eel m%(h like la%hin. I didn't kno+ +here the mo%se had one. I p%lledmy skirts tiht abo%t my ankles and held them there till (h%r(h +as o%t, b%t it spoiled thesermon *or me. /erb sat behind me and s%(h a sho%t as he a&e. People +ho (o%ldn'tsee the mo%se tho%ht he'd one (ra5y. It seemed to me that la%h o* his couldn&t die. I*he +as ali&e he'd stand %p *or yo%, Sarah or no Sarah. *his, o* (o%rse, is 8aptain braham Prinle's mon%ment."

It dominated the +hole ra&eyard. :o%r re(edin plat*orms o* stone *ormed a s6%arepedestal on +hi(h rose a h%e pillar o* marble topped +ith a ridi(%lo%s draped %rn beneath+hi(h a *at (her%b +as blo+in a horn.

"/o+ %ly$" said nne (andidly.

"9h, do yo% think so)" Miss ;alentine seemed rather sho(ked. "It +as tho%ht &eryhandsome +hen it +as ere(ted. hat is s%pposed to be abriel blo+in his tr%mpet. I thinkit i&es 6%ite a to%(h o* elean(e to the ra&eyard. It (ost nine h%ndred dollars. 8aptain braham +as a &ery *ine old man. It is a reat pity he is dead. I* he +as li&in they+o%ldn't be perse(%tin yo% the +ay they are. I don't +onder Sarah and Ellen are pro%d o*him, tho%h I think they (arry it a bit too *ar."

t the ra&eyard ate nne t%rned and looked ba(k. strane, pea(e*%l h%sh lay o&er the+indless land. Lon *iners o* moonliht +ere beinnin to pier(e the darklin *irs,

to%(hin a ra&estone here and there, and makin strane shado+s amon them. -%t thera&eyard +asn't a sad pla(e a*ter all. !eally, the people in it seemed ali&e a*ter Miss;alentine's tales.



"I'&e heard yo% +rite," said Miss ;alentine anio%sly, as they +ent do+n the lane. "0o%+on't p%t the thins I'&e told yo% in yo%r stories, +ill yo%)"

"0o% may be s%re I +on't," promised nne.

"Do yo% think it is really +ron . . . or danero%s . . . to speak ill o* the dead)" +hisperedMiss ;alentine a bit anio%sly.

"I don't s%ppose it's ea(tly either," said nne. "9nly . . . rather %n*air . . . like hittin those+ho (an't de*end themsel&es. -%t yo% didn't say anythin &ery dread*%l o* anybody, Miss8o%rtaloe."

"I told yo% =athan Prinle tho%ht his +i*e +as tryin to poison him . . ."

"-%t yo% i&e her the bene*it o* the do%bt . . ." and Miss ;alentine +ent her +ay reass%red.

6

"I +ended my +ay to the ra&eyard this e&enin," +rote nne to ilbert a*ter she othome. "I think '+end yo%r +ay' is a lo&ely phrase and I +ork it in +hene&er I (an. It so%nds*%nny to say I en3oyed my stroll in the ra&eyard b%t I really did. Miss 8o%rtaloe's stories+ere so *%nny. 8omedy and traedy are so mied %p in li*e, ilbert. he only thin thatha%nts me is that tale o* the t+o +ho li&ed toether *i*ty years and hated ea(h other all thattime. I (an't belie&e they really did. Somebody has said that 'hate is only lo&e that hasmissed its +ay.' I *eel s%re that %nder the hatred they really lo&ed ea(h other . . . 3%st as I

really lo&ed yo% all those years I tho%ht I hated yo% . . . and I think death +o%ld sho+ it tothem. I'm lad ' *o%nd o%t in li*e. nd I ha&e *o%nd o%t there are some de(ent Prinles . . .dead ones.

"Last niht +hen I +ent do+n late *or a drink o* +ater I *o%nd %nt 7ate b%ttermilkin her*a(e in the pantry. She asked me not to tell 8hatty . . . she +o%ld think it so silly. I promisedI +o%ldn't.

"Eli5abeth still (omes *or the milk, tho%h the Woman is pretty +ell o&er her bron(hitis. I+onder they let her, espe(ially sin(e old Mrs. 8ampbell is a Prinle. Last Sat%rday nihtEli5abeth . . . she +as -etty that niht I think . . . ran in sinin +hen she le*t me and Idistin(tly heard the Woman say to her at the por(h door, 'It's too near the Sabbath *or yo%to be sinin that son.' I am s%re that Woman +o%ld pre&ent Eli5abeth *rom sinin onany day i* she (o%ld$

"Eli5abeth had on a ne+ dress that niht, a dark +ine (olor . . . they do dress herni(ely . . . and she said +ist*%lly, 'I tho%ht I looked a little bit pretty +hen I p%t it on toniht,Miss Shirley, and I +ished *ather (o%ld see me. 9* (o%rse he +ill see me in omorro+ . . .b%t it sometimes seems so slo+ in (omin. I +ish +e (o%ld h%rry time a bit, Miss Shirley.'

"=o+, dearest, I m%st +ork o%t some eometri(al eer(ises. eometry eer(ises ha&etaken the pla(e o* +hat !ebe((a (alls my 'literary e**orts.' he spe(ter that ha%nts my dailypath no+ is the dread o* an eer(ise poppin %p in (lass that I (an't do. nd +hat +o%ld

the Prinles say then, oh, then . . . oh, +hat +o%ld the Prinles say then$

"Mean+hile, as yo% lo&e me and the (at tribe, pray *or a poor brokenhearted, ill%sedhomas (at. mo%se ran o&er !ebe((a De+'s *oot in the pantry the other day and she



has *%med e&er sin(e. 'hat 8at does nothin b%t eat and sleep and let mi(e o&err%ne&erythin. his is the last stra+.' So she (hi&ies him *rom pillar to post, ro%ts him o** his*a&orite (%shion and . . . I kno+, *or I (a%ht her at it . . . assists him none too ently +ithher *oot +hen she lets him o%t."

7

9ne :riday e&enin, at the end o* a mild, s%nny De(ember day nne +ent o%t to Lo+&aleto attend a t%rkey s%pper. Wil*red -ry(e's home +as in Lo+&ale, +here he li&ed +ith an%n(le, and he had asked her shyly i* she +o%ld o o%t +ith him a*ter s(hool, o to thet%rkey s%pper in the (h%r(h and spend Sat%rday at his home. nne areed, hopin thatshe miht be able to in*l%en(e the %n(le to let Wil*red keep on oin to /ih S(hool.

Wil*red +as a*raid that he +o%ld not be able to o ba(k a*ter =e+ 0ear. /e +as a (le&er,ambitio%s boy and nne *elt a spe(ial interest in him.

It (o%ld not be said that she en3oyed her &isit o&erm%(h, e(ept in the pleas%re it a&eWil*red. /is %n(le and a%nt +ere a rather odd and %n(o%th pair. Sat%rday mornin +as+indy and dark, +ith sho+ers o* sno+, and at *irst nne +ondered ho+ she +as oin top%t in the day. She *elt tired and sleepy a*ter the late ho%rs o* the t%rkey s%pper@ Wil*redhad to help thrash@ and there +as not e&en a book in siht. hen she tho%ht o* thebattered old seaman's (hest she had seen in the ba(k o* the hall %pstairs and re(alledMrs. Stanton's re6%est. Mrs. Stanton +as +ritin a history o* Prin(e 8o%nty and had asked nne i* she kne+ o*, or (o%ld *ind, any old diaries or do(%ments that miht be help*%l.

"he Prinles, o* (o%rse, ha&e lots that I (o%ld %se," she told nne. "-%t I (an't ask them.0o% kno+ the Prinles and Stantons ha&e ne&er been *riends."

/' (an't ask them either, %n*ort%nately," said nne.

"9h, I'm not epe(tin yo% to. ll I +ant is *or yo% to keep yo%r eyes open +hen yo% are&isitin ro%nd in other people's homes and i* yo% *ind or hear o* any old diaries or maps oranythin like that, try to et the loan o* them *or me. 0o%'&e no idea +hat interestin thinsI'&e *o%nd in old diaries . . . little bits o* real li*e that make the old pioneers li&e aain. I+ant to et thins like that *or my book as +ell as statisti(s and enealoi(al tables."

nne asked Mrs. -ry(e i* they had any s%(h old re(ords. Mrs. -ry(e shook her head.

"=ot as I kno+s on. In (o%rse . . ." brihtenin %p . . . "there's old >n(le ndy's (hist %pthere. here miht be somethin in it. /e %sed to sail +ith old 8aptain braham Prinle. I'llo o%t and ask D%n(an i* ye kin root in it."

D%n(an sent +ord ba(k that she (o%ld "root" in it all she liked and i* she *o%nd any"do(kymints" she (o%ld ha&e them. /e'd been meanin to b%rn the h%ll (ontents any+ayand take the (hest *or a toolbo. nne a((ordinly rooted, b%t all she *o%nd +as an oldyello+ed diary or "lo" +hi(h ndy -ry(e seemed to ha&e kept all thro%h his years at sea. nne be%iled the stormy *orenoon a+ay by readin it +ith interest and am%sement. ndy+as learned in sea lore and had one on many &oyaes +ith 8aptain braham Prinle,

+hom he e&idently admired immensely. he diary +as *%ll o* illspelled, %nrammati(altrib%tes to the 8aptain's (o%rae and reso%r(e*%lness, espe(ially in one +ild enterprise o*beatin ro%nd the /orn. -%t his admiration had not, it seemed, etended to braham's



brother Myrom, +ho +as also a (aptain b%t o* a di**erent ship.

">p to Myrom Prinle's toniht. /is +i*e made him mad and he %p and thro+ed a lass o*+ater in her *a(e."

"Myrom is home. /is ship +as b%rned and they took to the boats. =early star&ed. In theend they et %p <onas Selkirk, +ho had shot himsel*. hey li&ed on him till the 0ary G.

pi(ked them %p. Myrom told me this himsel*. Seemed to think it a ood 3oke."

nne shi&ered o&er this last entry, +hi(h seemed all the more horri*yin *or ndy's%nimpassioned statement o* the rim *a(ts. hen she *ell into a re&erie. here +as nothinin the book that (o%ld be o* any %se to Mrs. Stanton, b%t +o%ldn't Miss Sarah and MissEllen be interested in it sin(e it (ontained so m%(h abo%t their adored old *ather) S%pposeshe sent it to them) D%n(an -ry(e had said she (o%ld do as she liked +ith it.

=o, she +o%ldn't. Why sho%ld she try to please them or (ater to their abs%rd pride, +hi(h+as reat eno%h no+ +itho%t any more *ood) hey had set themsel&es to dri&e her o%to* the s(hool and they +ere s%((eedin. hey and their (lan had beaten her.

Wil*red took her ba(k to Windy Poplars that e&enin, both o* them *eelin happy. nne hadtalked D%n(an -ry(e into lettin Wil*red *inish o%t his year in /ih S(hool.

"hen I'll manae %een's *or a year and a*ter that tea(h and ed%(ate mysel*," saidWil*red. "/o+ (an I e&er repay yo%, Miss Shirley) >n(le +o%ldn't ha&e listened to any oneelse, b%t he likes yo%. /e said to me o%t in the barn, '!edhaired +omen (o%ld al+ays do+hat they liked +ith me.' -%t I don't think it +as yo%r hair, Miss Shirley, altho%h it is sobea%ti*%l. It +as 3%st . . . you./

t t+o o'(lo(k that niht nne +oke %p and de(ided that she +o%ld send ndy -ry(e'sdiary to Mapleh%rst. *ter all, she had a bit o* likin *or the old ladies. nd they had so little

to make li*e +arm . . . only their pride in their *ather. t three she +oke aain and de(idedshe +o%ldn't. Miss Sarah pretendin to be dea*, indeed$ t *o%r she +as in the s+ithersaain. :inally she determined she +o%ld send it to them. She +o%ldn't be petty. nne hada horror o* bein petty . . . like the Pyes.

/a&in settled this, nne +ent to sleep *or keeps, thinkin ho+ lo&ely it +as to +ake %p inthe niht and hear the *irst sno+storm o* the +inter aro%nd yo%r to+er and then sn%ledo+n in yo%r blankets and dri*t into dreamland aain.

Monday mornin she +rapped %p the old diary (are*%lly and sent it to Miss Sarah +ith alittle note.

"DE! MISS P!I=LE#

"I +onder i* yo% +o%ld be interested in this old diary. Mr. -ry(e a&e it to me *or Mrs.Stanton, +ho is +ritin a history o* the (o%nty, b%t I don't think it +o%ld be o* any %se to herand I tho%ht yo% miht like to ha&e it.

"0o%rs sin(erely,

"==E S/I!LE0."

"hat's a horribly sti** note," tho%ht nne, "b%t I (an't +rite nat%rally to them. nd I+o%ldn't be a bit s%rprised i* they sent it ha%htily ba(k to me."



In the *ine bl%e o* the early +inter e&enin !ebe((a De+ ot the sho(k o* her li*e. heMapleh%rst (arriae dro&e alon Spook's Lane, o&er the po+dery sno+, and stopped atthe *ront ate. Miss Ellen ot o%t o* it and then . . . to e&ery one's ama5ement . . . MissSarah, +ho had not le*t Mapleh%rst *or ten years.

"hey're (omin to the *ront door," asped !ebe((a De+, pani(stri(ken.

"Where else +o%ld a Prinle (ome to)" asked %nt 7ate.

"9* (o%rse . . . o* (o%rse . . . b%t it sti(ks," said !ebe((a trai(ally. "It does sti(k . . . yo%kno+ it does. nd it hasn't been opened sin(e +e ho%se(leaned last sprin. his is thelast stra+."

he *ront door did sti(k . . . b%t !ebe((a De+ +ren(hed it open +ith desperate &iolen(eand sho+ed the Mapleh%rst ladies into the parlor.

"hank hea&en, +e'&e had a *ire in it today," she tho%ht, "and all I hope is hat 8at hasn'thaired %p the so*a. I* Sarah Prinle ot (at hairs on her dress in o%r parlor . . ."

!ebe((a De+ dared not imaine the (onse6%en(es. She (alled nne *rom the to+erroom, Miss Sarah ha&in asked i* Miss Shirley +ere in, and then betook hersel* to thekit(hen, hal* mad +ith (%riosity as to +hat on earth +as brinin the old Prinle irls to seeMiss Shirley.

"I* there's any more perse(%tion in the +ind . . ." said !ebe((a De+ darkly.

nne hersel* des(ended +ith (onsiderable trepidation. /ad they (ome to ret%rn the diary+ith i(y s(orn)

It +as little, +rinkled, in*leible Miss Sarah +ho rose and spoke +itho%t preamble +hen nne entered the room.

"We ha&e (ome to (apit%late," she said bitterly. "We (an do nothin else . . . o* (o%rse yo%kne+ that +hen yo% *o%nd that s(andalo%s entry abo%t poor >n(le Myrom. It +asn't tr%e . .. it couldn&t be tr%e. >n(le Myrom +as 3%st takin a rise o%t o* ndy -ry(e . . . ndy +as so(red%lo%s. -%t e&erybody o%tside o* o%r *amily +ill be lad to belie&e it. 0o% kne+ it +o%ldmake %s all a la%hin sto(k . . . and +orse. 9h, yo% are &ery (le&er. We admit that. <en+ill apoloi5e and beha&e hersel* in *%t%re . . . I, Sarah Prinle, ass%re yo% o* that. I* yo%+ill only promise not to tell Mrs. Stanton . . . not to tell any one . . . +e +ill do anythin . . .anything./

Miss Sarah +r%n her *ine la(e handker(hie* in her little bl%e&eined hands. She +asliterally tremblin.

nne stared in ama5ement . . . and horror. he poor old darlins$ hey tho%ht she hadbeen threatenin them$

"9h, yo%'&e mis%nderstood me dread*%lly," she e(laimed, takin Miss Sarah's poor,piteo%s hands. "I . . . I ne&er dreamed yo% +o%ld think I +as tryin to . . . oh, it +as 3%stbe(a%se I tho%ht yo% +o%ld like to ha&e all those interestin details abo%t yo%r splendid*ather. I ne&er dreamed o* sho+in or tellin that other little item to any one. I didn't think it+as o* the least importan(e. nd I ne&er +ill."

here +as a moment's silen(e. hen Miss Sarah *reed her hands ently, p%t herhandker(hie* to her eyes and sat do+n, +ith a *aint bl%sh on her *ine +rinkled *a(e.

"We . . . +e hae mis%nderstood yo%, my dear. nd +e'&e . . . +e'&e been abominable toyo%. Will yo% *ori&e %s)"



/al* an ho%r later . . . a hal* ho%r +hi(h nearly +as the death o* !ebe((a De+ . . . theMisses Prinle +ent a+ay. It had been a hal* ho%r o* *riendly (hat and dis(%ssion abo%t thenon(omb%stible items o* ndy's diary. t the *ront door Miss Sarah . . . +ho had not hadthe least tro%ble +ith her hearin d%rin the inter&ie+ . . . t%rned ba(k *or a moment andtook a bit o* paper, (o&ered +ith &ery *ine, sharp +ritin, *rom her reti(%le.

"I had almost *orotten . . . +e promised Mrs. Ma(Lean o%r re(ipe *or po%nd (ake sometime ao. Perhaps yo% +on't mind handin it to her) nd tell her the s+eatin pro(ess is&ery important . . . 6%ite indispensable, indeed. Ellen, yo%r bonnet is slihtly o&er one ear.0o% had better ad3%st it be*ore +e lea&e. We . . . +e +ere some+hat aitated +hiledressin."

nne told the +ido+s and !ebe((a De+ that she had i&en ndy -ry(e's old diary to theladies o* Mapleh%rst and that they had (ome to thank her *or it. With this eplanation theyhad to be (ontented, altho%h !ebe((a De+ al+ays *elt that there +as more behind it thanthat . . . m%(h more. ratit%de *or an old *aded, toba((ostained diary +o%ld ne&er ha&ebro%ht Sarah Prinle to the *ront door o* Windy Poplars. Miss Shirley +as deep . . . &erydeep$

"I'm oin to open that *ront door on(e a day a*ter this," &o+ed !ebe((a. "<%st to keep it inpra(ti(e. I all b%t +ent o&er *lat +hen it did i&e +ay. Well, +e'&e ot the re(ipe *or thepo%nd (ake any+ay. hirtysi es$ I* yo%'d dispose o* hat 8at and let me keep hens +emiht be able to a**ord it on(e a year."

Where%pon !ebe((a De+ mar(hed to the kit(hen and ot s6%are +ith *ate by i&in hat8at milk +hen she kne+ he +anted li&er.

he ShirleyPrinle *e%d +as o&er. =obody o%tside o* the Prinles e&er kne+ +hy, b%tS%mmerside people %nderstood that Miss Shirley, sinlehanded, had, in some mysterio%s+ay, ro%ted the +hole (lan, +ho ate o%t o* her hand *rom then on. <en (ame ba(k tos(hool the net day and apoloi5ed meekly to nne be*ore the +hole room. She +as amodel p%pil therea*ter and e&ery Prinle st%dent *ollo+ed her lead. s *or the ad%ltPrinles, their antaonism &anished like mist be*ore the s%n. here +ere no more(omplaints reardin "discipline" or home +ork. =o more o* the *ine, s%btle sn%bs(hara(teristi( o* the ilk. hey *airly *ell o&er one another tryin to be ni(e to nne. =odan(e or skatin party +as (omplete +itho%t her. :or, altho%h the *atal diary had been(ommitted to the *lames by Miss Sarah hersel*, memory +as memory and Miss Shirleyhad a tale to tell i* she (hose to tell it. It +o%ld ne&er do to ha&e that nosey Mrs. Stantonkno+ that 8aptain Myrom Prinle had been a (annibal$

8

(+tract from letter to Gilbert"

"I am in my to+er and !ebe((a De+ is (arolin ould ' but climb in the kit(hen. Whi(hreminds me that the minister's +i*e has asked me to sin in the (hoir$ 9* (o%rse thePrinles ha&e told her to do it. I may do it on the S%ndays I don't spend at reen ables.

he Prinles ha&e held o%t the riht hand o* *ello+ship +ith a &enean(e . . . a((epted melo(k, sto(k and barrel. What a (lan$



"I'&e been to three Prinle parties. I set nothin do+n in mali(e b%t I think all the Prinleirls are imitatin my style o* hairdressin. Well, 'imitation is the sin(erest *lattery.' nd,ilbert, I'm really likin them . . . as I al+ays kne+ I +o%ld i* they +o%ld i&e me a (han(e.I'm e&en beinnin to s%spe(t that sooner or later I'll *ind mysel* likin <en. She (an be(harmin +hen she +ants to be and it is &ery e&ident she +ants to be.

"Last niht I bearded the lion in his den . . . in other +ords, I +ent boldly %p the *ront stepso* he E&erreens to the s6%are por(h +ith the *o%r +hite+ashed iron %rns in its (orners,and ran the bell. When Miss Monkman (ame to the door I asked her i* she +o%ld lendlittle Eli5abeth to me *or a +alk. I epe(ted a re*%sal, b%t a*ter the Woman had one in and(on*erred +ith Mrs. 8ampbell, she (ame ba(k and said do%rly that Eli5abeth (o%ld o b%t,please, I +asn't to keep her o%t late. I +onder i* e&en Mrs. 8ampbell has ot her orders*rom Miss Sarah.

"Eli5abeth (ame dan(in do+n the dark stair+ay, lookin like a piy in a red (oat and littlereen (ap, and almost spee(hless *or 3oy.

"'I *eel all s6%irmy and e(ited, Miss Shirley,' she +hispered as soon as +e ot a+ay. 'I'm

-etty . . . I'm al+ays -etty +hen I *eel like that.'

"We +ent as *ar do+n the !oad that Leads to the End o* the World as +e dared and thenba(k. oniht the harbor, lyin dark %nder a (rimson s%nset, seemed *%ll o* impli(ations o*'*airylands *orlorn' and mysterio%s isles in %n(harted seas. I thrilled to it and so did the miteI held by the hand.

"'I* +e ran hard, Miss Shirley, (o%ld +e et into the s%nset)' she +anted to kno+. Iremembered Pa%l and his *an(ies abo%t the 's%nset land.'

"'We m%st +ait *or omorro+ be*ore +e (an do that,' I said. 'Look, Eli5abeth, at that oldenisland o* (lo%d 3%st o&er the harbor mo%th. Let's pretend that's yo%r island o* /appiness.'

"'here is an island do+n there some+here,' said Eli5abeth dreamily. 'Its name is :lyin8lo%d. Isn't that a lo&ely name . . . a name 3%st o%t o* omorro+) I (an see it *rom thearret +indo+s. It belons to a entleman *rom -oston and he has a s%mmer home there.-%t I pretend it's mine.'

"t the door I stooped and kissed Eli5abeth's (heek be*ore she +ent in. I shall ne&er *orether eyes. ilbert, that (hild is 3%st star&ed *or lo&e.

"oniht, +hen she (ame o&er *or her milk, I sa+ that she had been (ryin.

"'hey . . . they made me +ash yo%r kiss o**, Miss Shirley,' she sobbed. 'I didn't +ant e&er

to +ash my *a(e aain. I o%ed I +o%ldn't. -e(a%se, yo% see, I didn't +ant to +ash yo%rkiss o**. I ot a+ay to s(hool this mornin +itho%t doin it, b%t toniht the Woman 3%st tookme and scrubbed it o**.'

"I kept a straiht *a(e.

"'0o% (o%ldn't o thro%h li*e +itho%t +ashin yo%r *a(e o((asionally, darlin. -%t ne&ermind abo%t the kiss. I'll kiss yo% e&ery niht +hen yo% (ome *or the milk and then it +on'tmatter i* it is +ashed o** the net mornin.'

"'0o% are the only person +ho lo&es me in the +orld,' said Eli5abeth. 'When yo% talk to meI smell &iolets.'

"Was anybody e&er paid a prettier (ompliment) -%t I (o%ldn't 6%ite let the *irst senten(epass.



"'0o%r randmother lo&es yo%, Eli5abeth.'

"'She doesn't . . . she hates me.'

"'0o%'re 3%st a +ee bit *oolish, darlin. 0o%r randmother and Miss Monkman are both oldpeople and old people are easily dist%rbed and +orried. 9* (o%rse yo% annoy themsometimes. nd . . . o* (o%rse . . . +hen they +ere yo%n, (hildren +ere bro%ht %p m%(h

more stri(tly than they are no+. hey (lin to the old +ay.'

"-%t I *elt I +as not (on&in(in Eli5abeth. *ter all, they don&t lo&e her and she kno+s it.She looked (are*%lly ba(k at the ho%se to see i* the door +as sh%t. hen she saiddeliberately#

"'randmother and the Woman are 3%st t+o old tyrants and +hen omorro+ (omes I'moin to es(ape them *ore&er.'

"I think she epe(ted I'd die o* horror. . . . I really s%spe(t Eli5abeth said it 3%st to make asensation. I merely la%hed and kissed her. I hope Martha Monkman sa+ it *rom thekit(hen +indo+.

"I (an see o&er S%mmerside *rom the le*t +indo+ in the to+er. <%st no+ it is a h%ddle o**riendly +hite roo*s . . . *riendly at last sin(e the Prinles are my *riends. /ere and there aliht is leamin in able and dormer. /ere and there is a s%estion o* rayhost smoke.hi(k stars are lo+ o&er it all. It is 'a dreamin to+n.' Isn't that a lo&ely phrase) 0o%remember . . . 'alahad thro%h dreamin to+ns did o')

"I *eel so happy, ilbert. I +on't ha&e to o home to reen ables at 8hristmas, de*eatedand dis(redited. Li*e is ood . . . ood$

"So is Miss Sarah's po%nd (ake. !ebe((a De+ made one and 's+eated' it a((ordin todire(tions . . . +hi(h simply means that she +rapped it in se&eral thi(knesses o* bro+n

paper and se&eral more to+els and le*t it *or three days. I (an re(ommend it.

"re there, or are there not, t+o '('s' in re(ommend') In spite o* the *a(t that I am a -.. I(an ne&er be (ertain. :an(y i* the Prinles had dis(o&ered that be*ore I *o%nd ndy'sdiary$4"

9

ri aylor +as (%rled %p in the to+er one niht in :ebr%ary, +hile little *l%rries o* sno+hissed aainst the +indo+s and that abs%rdly tiny sto&e p%rred like a redhot bla(k (at.ri +as po%rin o%t her +oes to nne. nne +as beinnin to *ind hersel* the re(ipient o*(on*iden(es on all sides. She +as kno+n to be enaed, so that none o* the S%mmersideirls *eared her as a possible ri&al, and there +as somethin abo%t her that made yo% *eelit +as sa*e to tell her se(rets.

ri had (ome %p to ask nne to dinner the net e&enin. She +as a 3olly, pl%mp little(reat%re, +ith t+inklin bro+n eyes and rosy (heeks, and did not look as i* li*e +eihed too

hea&ily on her t+enty years. -%t it appeared that she had tro%bles o* her o+n."Dr. Lenno 8arter is (omin to dinner tomorro+ niht. hat is +hy +e +ant yo% espe(ially./e is the ne+ /ead o* the Modern Lan%aes Department at !edmond and dread*%lly



(le&er, so +e +ant somebody +ith brains to talk to him. 0o% kno+ I ha&en't any to boast o*,nor Prinle either. s *or Esme . . . +ell, yo% kno+, nne, Esme is the s+eetest thin andshe's really (le&er, b%t she's so shy and timid she (an't e&en make %se o* +hat brains shehas +hen Dr. 8arter is aro%nd. She's so terribly in lo&e +ith him. It's piti*%l. '&m &ery *ond o*<ohnny . . . b%t be*ore I'd dissol&e into s%(h a li6%id state *or him$"

"re Esme and Dr. 8arter enaed)"

"=ot yet" . . . sini*i(antly. "-%t, oh, nne, she's hopin he means to ask her this time.Wo%ld he (ome o&er to the Island to &isit his (o%sin riht in the middle o* the term i* hedidn't intend to) I hope he +ill *or Esme's sake, be(a%se she'll 3%st die i* he doesn't. -%tbet+een yo% and me and the bedpost I'm not terribly str%(k on him *or a brotherinla+./e's a+*%lly *astidio%s, Esme says, and she's desperately a*raid he +on't appro&e o* us. I*he doesn't, she thinks he'll ne&er ask her to marry him. So yo% (an't imaine ho+ she'shopin e&erythin +ill o +ell at the dinner tomorro+ niht. I don't see +hy it sho%ldn't . . .Mamma is the most +onder*%l (ook . . . and +e ha&e a ood maid and I'&e bribed Prinle+ith hal* my +eek's allo+an(e to beha&e himsel*. 9* (o%rse he doesn't like Dr. 8artereither . . . says he's ot s+elled head . . . b%t he's *ond o* Esme. I* only Papa +on't ha&e as%lky *it on$"

"/a&e yo% any reason to *ear it)" asked nne. E&ery one in S%mmerside kne+ abo%t8yr%s aylor's s%lky *its.

"0o% ne&er (an tell +hen he'll take one," said ri dole*%lly. "/e +as *riht*%lly %pset tonihtbe(a%se he (o%ldn't *ind his ne+ *lannel nihtshirt. Esme had p%t it in the +ron dra+er./e may be o&er it by tomorro+ niht or he may not. I* he's not, he'll disra(e %s all and Dr.8arter +ill (on(l%de he (an't marry into s%(h a *amily. t least, that is +hat Esme says andI'm a*raid she may be riht. I think, nne, that Lenno 8arter is &ery *ond o* Esme . . .thinks she +o%ld make a '&ery s%itable +i*e' *or him . . . b%t doesn't +ant to do anythin

rash or thro+ his +onder*%l sel* a+ay. I'&e heard that he told his (o%sin a man (o%ldn't betoo (are*%l +hat kind o* *amily he married into. /e's 3%st at the point +here he miht bet%rned either +ay by a tri*le. nd, i* it (omes to that, one o* Papa's s%lky *its isn't any tri*le."

"Doesn't he like Dr. 8arter)"

"9h, he does. /e thinks it +o%ld be a +onder*%l mat(h *or Esme. -%t +hen :ather has oneo* his spells on, nothing has any in*l%en(e o&er him +hile it lasts. hat's the Prinle *oryo%, nne. randmother aylor +as a Prinle, yo% kno+. 0o% 3%st (an't imaine +hat+e'&e one thro%h as a *amily. /e ne&er oes into raes, yo% kno+ . . . like >n(leeore. >n(le eore's *amily don't mind his raes. When he oes into a temper heblo+s o** . . . yo% (an hear him roarin three blo(ks a+ay . . . and then he's like a lamb and

brins e&ery one a ne+ dress *or a pea(eo**erin. -%t :ather 3%st s%lks and lo+ers, and+on't say a +ord to anybody at meal times. Esme says that, a*ter all, that's better than(o%sin !i(hard aylor, +ho is al+ays sayin sar(asti( thins at the table and ins%ltin his+i*e@ b%t it seems to me nothing (o%ld be +orse than those a+*%l silen(es o* Papa's. heyrattle %s and +e're terri*ied to open o%r mo%ths. It +o%ldn't be so bad, o* (o%rse, i* it +asonly +hen +e are alone. -%t it's 3%st as apt to be +here +e ha&e (ompany. Esme and I aresimply tired o* tryin to eplain a+ay Papa's ins%ltin silen(es. She's 3%st si(k +ith *ear thathe +on't ha&e ot o&er the nihtshirt be*ore tomorro+ niht . . . and +hat +ill Lennothink) nd she +ants yo% to +ear yo%r bl%e dress. /er ne+ dress is bl%e, be(a%se Lennolikes bl%e. -%t Papa hates it. 0o%rs may re(on(ile him to hers."

"Wo%ldn't it be better *or her to +ear somethin else)"

"She hasn't anythin else *it to +ear at a (ompany dinner e(ept the reen poplin :ather





"Let's hope *or the best, dear."

"I'm tryin to. nd I kno+ it +ill help to ha&e yo% there. Mamma tho%ht +e o%ht to ha&e7atherine -rooke too, b%t I kne+ it +o%ldn't ha&e a ood e**e(t on Papa. /e hates her. Idon't blame him *or that, I m%st say. I ha&en't any %se *or her mysel*. I don't see ho+ yo%(an be as ni(e to her as yo% are."

"I'm sorry *or her, ri."

"Sorry *or her$ -%t it's all her o+n *a%lt she isn't liked. 9h, +ell, it takes all kinds o* peopleto make a +orld . . . b%t S%mmerside (o%ld spare 7atherine -rooke . . . l%m old (at$"

"She's an e(ellent tea(her, ri. . . ."

"9h, do I kno+ it) I +as in her (lass. She did hammer thins into my head . . . and *layedthe *lesh o** my bones +ith sar(asm as +ell. nd the +ay she dresses$ Papa (an't bear tosee a +oman badly dressed. /e says he has no %se *or do+ds and he's s%re od hasn'teither. Mamma +o%ld be horri*ied i* she kne+ I told yo% that, nne. She e(%sed it in Papabe(a%se he is a man. I* that +as all +e had to e(%se in him$ nd poor <ohnny hardly

darin to (ome to the ho%se no+ be(a%se Papa is so r%de to him. I slip o%t on *ine nihtsand +e +alk ro%nd and ro%nd the s6%are and et hal* *ro5en."

nne dre+ +hat +as somethin like a breath o* relie* +hen ri had one, and slippeddo+n to (oa a sna(k o%t o* !ebe((a De+.

"oin to the aylors *or dinner, are yo%) Well, I hope old 8yr%s +ill be de(ent. I* his *amily+eren't all so a*raid o* him in his s%lky *its he +o%ldn't ind%le in them so o*ten, o* that I*eel (ertain. I tell yo%, Miss Shirley, he en-oys his s%lks. nd no+ I s%ppose I m%st +armhat 8at's milk. Pampered animal$"

10

When nne arri&ed at the 8yr%s aylor ho%se the net e&enin she *elt the (hill in theatmosphere as soon as she entered the door. trim maid sho+ed her %p to the %estroom b%t as nne +ent %p the stairs she (a%ht siht o* Mrs. 8yr%s aylor s(%ttlin *romthe dininroom to the kit(hen and Mrs. 8yr%s +as +ipin tears a+ay *rom her pale,(are+orn, b%t still rather s+eet *a(e. It +as all too (lear that 8yr%s had not yet "ot o&er"the nihtshirt.

his +as (on*irmed by a distressed ri (reepin into the room and +hisperin ner&o%sly,

"9h, nne, he's in a dread*%l h%mor. /e seemed pretty amiable this mornin and o%rhopes rose. -%t /%h Prinle beat him at a ame o* (he(kers this a*ternoon and Papa(an't bear to lose a (he(ker ame. nd it had to happen today, o* (o%rse. /e *o%nd Esme'admirin hersel* in the mirror,' as he p%t it, and 3%st +alked her o%t o* her room and lo(kedthe door. he poor darlin +as only +onderin i* he looked ni(e eno%h to please Lenno8arter, Ph.D. She hadn't e&en a (han(e to p%t her pearl strin on. nd look at me. I didn'tdare (%rl my hair . . . Papa doesn't like (%rls that are not nat%ral . . . and I look like a *riht.

=ot that it matters abo%t me . . . only it 3%st sho+s yo%. Papa thre+ o%t the *lo+ers Mammap%t on the dininroom table and she *eels it so . . . she took s%(h tro%ble +ith them . . .and he +o%ldn't let her p%t on her arnet earrins. /e hasn't had s%(h a bad spell sin(e he



(ame home *rom the +est last sprin and *o%nd Mamma had p%t red (%rtains in the sittinroom, +hen he pre*erred m%lberry. 9h, nne, do talk as hard as yo% (an at dinner, i* he+on't. I* yo% don't, it +ill be too dread*%l."

"I'll do my best," promised nne, +ho (ertainly had ne&er *o%nd hersel* at a loss *orsomethin to say. -%t then ne&er had she *o%nd hersel* in s%(h a sit%ation as presently(on*ronted her.

hey +ere all athered aro%nd the table . . . a &ery pretty and +ell appointed table in spiteo* the missin *lo+ers. imid Mrs. 8yr%s, in a ray silk dress, had a *a(e that +as rayerthan her dress. Esme, the bea%ty o* the *amily . . . a &ery pale bea%ty, pale old hair, palepink lips, pale *oretmenot eyes . . . +as so m%(h paler than %s%al that she looked as i*she +ere oin to *aint. Prinle, ordinarily a *at, (heer*%l %r(hin o* *o%rteen, +ith ro%ndeyes and lasses and hair so *air it looked almost +hite, looked like a tied do, and rihad the air o* a terri*ied s(hoolirl.

Dr. 8arter, +ho +as %ndeniably handsome and distin%ishedlookin, +ith (risp dark hair,brilliant dark eyes and sil&errimmed lasses, b%t +hom nne, in the days o* his ssistant

Pro*essorship at !edmond, had tho%ht a rather pompo%s yo%n bore, looked ill at ease.E&idently he *elt that somethin +as +ron some+here . . . a reasonable (on(l%sion +henyo%r host simply stalks to the head o* the table and drops into his (hair +itho%t a +ord toyo% or anybody.

8yr%s +o%ld not say ra(e. Mrs. 8yr%s, bl%shin beetred, m%rm%red almost ina%dibly,":or +hat +e are abo%t to re(ei&e the Lord make %s tr%ly thank*%l." he meal started badlyby ner&o%s Esme droppin her *ork on the *loor. E&erybody e(ept 8yr%s 3%mped, be(a%setheir ner&es +ere like+ise keyed %p to the hihest pit(h. 8yr%s lared at Esme o%t o* hisb%lin bl%e eyes in a kind o* enraed stillness. hen he lared at e&erybody and *ro5ethem into d%mbness. /e lared at poor Mrs. 8yr%s, +hen she took a helpin o*

horseradish sa%(e, +ith a lare that reminded her o* her +eak stoma(h. She (o%ldn't eatany o* it a*ter that . . . and she +as so *ond o* it. She didn't belie&e it +o%ld h%rt her. -%t *orthat matter she (o%ldn't eat anythin, nor (o%ld Esme. hey only pretended. he mealpro(eeded in a hastly silen(e, broken by spasmodi( spee(hes abo%t the +eather *romri and nne. ri implored nne +ith her eyes to talk, b%t nne *o%nd hersel* *or on(e inher li*e +ith absol%tely nothin to say. She *elt desperately that she must talk, b%t only themost idioti( thins (ame into her head . . . thins it +o%ld be impossible to %tter alo%d. Wase&eryone be+it(hed) It +as (%rio%s, the e**e(t one s%lky, st%bborn man had on yo%. nne(o%ldn't ha&e belie&ed it possible. nd there +as no do%bt that he +as really 6%ite happyin the kno+lede that he had made e&erybody at his table horribly %n(om*ortable. What onearth +as oin on in his mind) Wo%ld he 3%mp i* any one st%(k a pin in him) nne

+anted to slap him . . . rap his kn%(kles . . . stand him in a (orner . . . treat him like thespoiled (hild he really +as, in spite o* his spiky ray hair and tr%(%lent m%sta(he.

bo&e all she +anted to make him spea$. She *elt instin(ti&ely that nothin in the +orld+o%ld p%nish him so m%(h as to be tri(ked into speakin +hen he +as determined not to.

S%ppose she ot %p and deliberately smashed that h%e, hideo%s, old*ashioned &ase onthe table in the (orner . . . an ornate thin (o&ered +ith +reaths o* roses and lea&es +hi(hit +as most di**i(%lt to d%st b%t +hi(h m%st be kept imma(%lately (lean. nne kne+ that the+hole *amily hated it, b%t 8yr%s aylor +o%ld not hear o* ha&in it banished to the atti(,be(a%se it had been his mother's. nne tho%ht she +o%ld do it *earlessly i* she reallybelie&ed that it +o%ld make 8yr%s eplode into &o(al aner.

Why didn't Lenno 8arter talk) I* he +o%ld, she, nne, (o%ld talk, too, and perhaps riand Prinle +o%ld es(ape *rom the spell that bo%nd them and some kind o* (on&ersation



+o%ld be possible. -%t he simply sat there and ate. Perhaps he tho%ht it +as really thebest thin to do . . . perhaps he +as a*raid o* sayin somethin that +o%ld still *%rtherenrae the e&idently already enraed parent o* his lady.

"Will yo% please start the pi(kles, Miss Shirley)" said Mrs. aylor *aintly.

Somethin +i(ked stirred in nne. She started the pi(kles . . . and somethin else. Witho%t

lettin hersel* stop to think she bent *or+ard, her reat, rayreen eyes limmerinlimpidly, and said ently,

"Perhaps yo% +o%ld be s%rprised to hear, Dr. 8arter, that Mr. aylor +ent dea* &erys%ddenly last +eek)"

nne sat ba(k, ha&in thro+n her bomb. She (o%ld not tell pre(isely +hat she epe(ted orhoped. I* Dr. 8arter ot the impression that his host +as dea* instead o* in a to+erin raeo* silen(e, it miht loosen his ton%e. She had not told a *alsehood . . . she had not said8yr%s aylor %as dea*. s *or 8yr%s aylor, i* she had hoped to make him speak she had*ailed. /e merely lared at her, still in silen(e.

-%t nne's remark had an e**e(t on ri and Prinle that she had ne&er dreamed o*. ri+as in a silent rae hersel*. She had, the moment be*ore nne had h%rled her rhetori(al6%estion, seen Esme *%rti&ely +ipe a+ay a tear that had es(aped *rom one o* herdespairin bl%e eyes. E&erythin +as hopeless . . . Lenno 8arter +o%ld ne&er ask Esmeto marry him no+ . . . it didn't matter any more +hat any one said or did. ri +as s%ddenlypossessed +ith a b%rnin desire to et s6%are +ith her br%tal *ather. nne's spee(h a&eher a +eird inspiration, and Prinle, a &ol(ano o* s%ppressed impishness, blinked his +hiteeyelashes *or a da5ed moment and then promptly *ollo+ed her lead. =e&er, as lon asthey miht li&e, +o%ld nne, Esme or Mrs. 8yr%s *oret the dread*%l 6%arter o* an ho%r that*ollo+ed.

"S%(h an a**li(tion *or poor papa," said ri, addressin Dr. 8arter a(ross the table. "ndhim only sityeiht."

+o little +hite dents appeared at the (orners o* 8yr%s aylor's nostrils +hen he heard hisae ad&an(ed si years. -%t he remained silent.

"It's s%(h a treat to ha&e a de(ent meal," said Prinle, (learly and distin(tly. "What +o%ldyo% think, Dr. 8arter, o* a man +ho makes his *amily li&e on *r%it and es . . . nothin b%t*r%it and es . . . 3%st *or a *ad)"

"Does yo%r *ather . . . )" bean Dr. 8arter be+ilderedly.

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a h%sband +ho bit his +i*e +hen she p%t %p (%rtains he didn'tlike . . . deliberately bit her)" demanded ri.

"ill the blood (ame," added Prinle solemnly.

"Do yo% mean to say yo%r *ather . . . )"

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a man +ho +o%ld (%t %p a silk dress o* his +i*e's 3%st be(a%sethe +ay it +as made didn't s%it him)" said ri.

"What +o%ld yo% think," said Prinle, "o* a man +ho re*%ses to let his +i*e ha&e a do)"

"When she +o%ld so lo&e to ha&e one," sihed ri.

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a man," (ontin%ed Prinle, +ho +as beinnin to en3oy himsel*h%ely, "+ho +o%ld i&e his +i*e a pair o* oloshes *or a 8hristmas present . . . nothin b%t



a pair o* oloshes)"

"oloshes don't ea(tly +arm the heart," admitted Dr. 8arter. /is eyes met nne's and hesmiled. nne re*le(ted that she had ne&er seen him smile be*ore. It (haned his *a(e+onder*%lly *or the better. What %as ri sayin) Who +o%ld ha&e tho%ht she (o%ld bes%(h a demon)

"/a&e yo% e&er +ondered, Dr. 8arter, ho+ a+*%l it m%st be to li&e +ith a man +ho thinksnothin . . . nothing o* pi(kin %p the roast, i* it isn't per*e(tly done, and h%rlin it at themaid)"

Dr. 8arter lan(ed apprehensi&ely at 8yr%s aylor, as i* he *eared 8yr%s miht thro+ theskeletons o* the (hi(kens at somebody. hen he seemed to remember (om*ortinly thathis host +as dea*.

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a man +ho belie&ed the earth +as *lat)" asked Prinle.

nne tho%ht 8yr%s %ould speak then. tremor seemed to pass o&er his r%bi(%nd *a(e,b%t no +ords (ame. Still, she +as s%re his m%sta(hes +ere a little less de*iant.

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a man +ho let his a%nt . . . his only a%nt . . . o to thepoorho%se)" asked ri.

"nd past%red his (o+ in the ra&eyard)" said Prinle. "S%mmerside hasn't ot o&er thatsiht yet."

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a man +ho +o%ld +rite do+n in his diary e&ery day +hat he had*or dinner)" asked ri.

"he reat Pepys did that," said Dr. 8arter +ith another smile. /is &oi(e so%nded as i* he+o%ld like to la%h. Perhaps a*ter all he +as not pompo%s, tho%ht nne . . . only yo%n

and shy and o&erserio%s. -%t she +as *eelin positi&ely ahast. She had ne&er meantthins to o as *ar as this. She +as *indin o%t that it is m%(h easier to start thins than*inish them. ri and Prinle +ere bein diaboli(ally (le&er. hey had not said that their*ather did a sinle one o* these thins. nne (o%ld *an(y Prinle sayin, his ro%nd eyesro%nder still +ith pretended inno(en(e, "I 3%st asked those 6%estions o* Dr. 8arter *orinformation./

"What +o%ld yo% think," kept on ri, "o* a man +ho opens and reads his +i*e's letters)"

"What +o%ld yo% think o* a man +ho +o%ld o to a *%neral . . . his *ather's *%neral . . . ino&eralls)" asked Prinle.

What %ould they think o* net) Mrs. 8yr%s +as (ryin openly and Esme +as 6%ite (alm+ith despair. =othin mattered any more. She t%rned and looked s6%arely at Dr. 8arter,+hom she had lost *ore&er. :or on(e in her li*e she +as st%n into sayin a really (le&erthin.

"What," she asked 6%ietly, "+o%ld yo% think o* a man +ho spent a +hole day h%ntin *orthe kittens o* a poor (at +ho had been shot, be(a%se he (o%ldn't bear to think o* themstar&in to death)"

strane silen(e des(ended on the room. ri and Prinle looked s%ddenly ashamed o*themsel&es. nd then Mrs. 8yr%s piped %p, *eelin it her +i*ely d%ty to ba(k %p Esme's%nepe(ted de*ense o* her *ather.

"nd he (an (ro(het so bea%ti*%lly . . . he made the lo&eliest (enterpie(e *or the parlortable last +inter +hen he +as laid %p +ith l%mbao."



E&ery one has some limit o* end%ran(e and 8yr%s aylor had rea(hed his. /e a&e his(hair s%(h a *%rio%s ba(k+ard p%sh that it shot instantly a(ross the polished *loor andstr%(k the table on +hi(h the &ase stood. he table +ent o&er and the &ase broke in thetraditional tho%sand pie(es. 8yr%s, his b%shy +hite eyebro+s *airly bristlin +ith +rath,stood %p and eploded at last.

"I don't (ro(het, +oman$ Is one (ontemptible doily oin to blast a man's rep%tation*ore&er) I +as so bad +ith that blamed l%mbao I didn't kno+ +hat I +as doin. nd I'mdea*, am I, Miss Shirley) I'm dea*)"

"She didn't say yo% +ere, Papa," (ried ri, +ho +as ne&er a*raid o* her *ather +hen histemper +as &o(al.

"9h, no, she didn't say it. =one o* yo% said anythin$ 1ou didn't say I +as sityeiht +henI'm only sityt+o, did yo%) 1ou didn't say I +o%ldn't let yo%r mother ha&e a do$ oodLord, +oman, yo% (an ha&e *orty tho%sand dos i* yo% +ant to and yo% kno+ it$ When did Ie&er deny yo% anythin yo% +anted . . . +hen)"

"=e&er, Poppa, ne&er," sobbed Mrs. 8yr%s brokenly. "nd I ne&er +anted a do. I ne&ere&en thought o* +antin a do, Poppa."

"When did I open yo%r letters) When ha&e I e&er kept a diary) diary$ When did I e&er+ear o&eralls to anybody's *%neral) When did I past%re a (o+ in the ra&eyard) What a%nto* mine is in the poorho%se) Did I e&er thro+ a roast at anybody) Did I e&er make yo% li&eon *r%it and es)"

"=e&er, Poppa, ne&er," +ept Mrs. 8yr%s. "0o%'&e al+ays been a ood pro&ider . . . thebest."

"Didn't yo% tell me yo% %anted oloshes last 8hristmas)"

"0es, oh, yes@ o* (o%rse I did, Poppa. nd my *eet ha&e been so ni(e and +arm all +inter."

"Well, then$" 8yr%s thre+ a tri%mphant lan(e aro%nd the room. /is eyes en(o%ntered nne's. S%ddenly the %nepe(ted happened. 8yr%s (h%(kled. /is (heeks a(t%allydimpled. hose dimples +orked a mira(le +ith his +hole epression. /e bro%ht his (hairba(k to the table and sat do+n.

"I'&e ot a &ery bad habit o* s%lkin, Dr. 8arter. E&ery one has some bad habit . . . that'smine. he only one. 8ome, (ome, Momma, stop (ryin. I admit I deser&ed all I ot e(eptthat (ra(k o* yo%rs abo%t (ro(hetin. Esme, my irl, I +on't *oret that yo% +ere the onlyone +ho stood %p *or me. ell Maie to (ome and (lear %p that mess . . . I kno+ yo%'re all

lad the darn thin is smashed . . . and brin on the p%ddin." nne (o%ld ne&er ha&e belie&ed that an e&enin +hi(h bean so terribly (o%ld end %p sopleasantly. =obody (o%ld ha&e been more enial or better (ompany than 8yr%s# and there+as e&idently no a*termath o* re(konin, *or +hen ri (ame do+n a *e+ e&enins later it+as to tell nne that she had at last s(raped %p eno%h (o%rae to tell her *ather abo%t<ohnny.

"Was he &ery dread*%l, ri)"

"/e . . . he +asn't dread*%l at all," admitted ri sheepishly. "/e 3%st snorted and said it +asabo%t time <ohnny (ame to the point a*ter hanin aro%nd *or t+o years and keepin e&ery

one else a+ay. I think he *elt he (o%ldn't o into another spell o* s%lks so soon a*ter the lastone. nd yo% kno+, nne, bet+een s%lks Papa really is an old d%(k."

"I think he is a reat deal better *ather to yo% than yo% deser&e," said nne, 6%ite in



!ebe((a De+'s manner. "0o% +ere simply o%traeo%s at that dinner, ri."

"Well, yo% kno+ yo% started it," said ri. "nd ood old Prinle helped a bit. ll's +ell thatends +ell . . . and thank oodness I'll ne&er ha&e to d%st that &ase aain."

11

(+tract from letter to Gilbert t%o %ee$s later."

"Esme aylor's enaement to Dr. Lenno 8arter is anno%n(ed. -y all I (an ather *rom&ario%s bits o* lo(al ossip I think he de(ided that *atal :riday niht that he +anted toprote(t her, and sa&e her *rom her *ather and her *amily . . . and perhaps *rom her *riends$/er pliht e&idently appealed to his sense o* (hi&alry. ri persists in thinkin I +as the

means o* brinin it abo%t and perhaps I did take a hand, b%t I don't think I'll e&er try aneperiment like that aain. It's too m%(h like pi(kin %p a lihtnin *lash by the tail.

"I really don't kno+ +hat ot into me, ilbert. It m%st ha&e been a hano&er *rom my olddetestation o* anythin sa&orin o* Prinleism. It does seem old no+. I'&e almost *orottenit. -%t other *olks are still +onderin. I hear Miss ;alentine 8o%rtaloe says she isn't at alls%rprised I ha&e +on the Prinles o&er, be(a%se I ha&e 's%(h a +ay +ith me'@ and theminister's +i*e thinks it is an ans+er to the prayer she p%t %p. Well, +ho kno+s b%t that it+as)

"<en Prinle and I +alked part o* the +ay home *rom s(hool yesterday and talked o* 'shipsand shoes and sealin +a' . . . o* almost e&erythin b%t eometry. We a&oid that s%b3e(t.<en kno+s I don't kno+ too m%(h abo%t eometry, b%t my o+n +ee bit o* kno+lede abo%t8aptain Myrom balan(es that. I lent <en my :oe's Boo$ of 0artyrs. I hate to lend a book Iloe . . . it ne&er seems 6%ite the same +hen it (omes ba(k to me . . . b%t I lo&e :oe's0artyrs only be(a%se dear Mrs. llan a&e it to me *or a S%ndays(hool pri5e years ao. Idon't like readin abo%t martyrs be(a%se they al+ays make me *eel petty andashamed . . . ashamed to admit I hate to et o%t o* bed on *rosty mornins and shrink *roma &isit to the dentist$

"Well, I'm lad Esme and ri are both happy. Sin(e my o+n little roman(e is in *lo+er I amall the more interested in other people's. nice interest, yo% kno+. =ot (%rio%s ormali(io%s b%t 3%st lad there's s%(h a lot o* happiness spread abo%t.

"It's still :ebr%ary and 'on the (on&ent roo* the sno+s are sparklin to the moon' . . . only itisn't a (on&ent . . . 3%st the roo* o* Mr. /amilton's barn. -%t I'm beinnin to think, '9nly a*e+ more +eeks till sprin . . . and a *e+ more +eeks then till s%mmer . . . and holidays . . .and reen ables . . . and olden s%nliht on &onlea meado+s . . . and a %l* that +ill besil&er at da+n and sapphire at noon and (rimson at s%nset . . . and you.&

"Little Eli5abeth and I ha&e no end o* plans *or sprin. We are s%(h ood *riends. I take hermilk e&ery e&enin and on(e in so lon she is allo+ed to o *or a +alk +ith me. We ha&edis(o&ered that o%r birthdays are on the same day and Eli5abeth *l%shed 'di&inest rosy red'+ith the e(itement o* it. She is so s+eet +hen she bl%shes. 9rdinarily she is *ar too pale

and doesn't et any pinker be(a%se o* the ne+ milk. 9nly +hen +e (ome ba(k *rom o%rt+iliht trysts +ith e&enin +inds does she ha&e a lo&ely rose (olor in her little (heeks.9n(e she asked me ra&ely, 'Will I ha&e a lo&ely (reamy skin like yo%rs +hen I ro+ %p,



Miss Shirley, i* I p%t b%ttermilk on my *a(e e&ery niht)' -%ttermilk seems to be thepre*erred (osmeti( in Spook's Lane. I ha&e dis(o&ered that !ebe((a De+ %ses it. She hasbo%nd me o&er to keep it se(ret *rom the +ido+s be(a%se they +o%ld think it too *ri&olo%s*or her ae. he n%mber o* se(rets I ha&e to keep at Windy Poplars is ain me be*ore mytime. I +onder i* I b%ttermilked my nose i* it +o%ld banish those se&en *re(kles. -y the +ay,did it e&er o((%r to yo%, sir, that I had a 'lo&ely (reamy skin') I* it did, yo% ne&er told me so.

nd ha&e yo% reali5ed to the *%ll that I am '(omparati&ely bea%ti*%l') -e(a%se I ha&edis(o&ered that I am.

"'What is it like to be bea%ti*%l, Miss Shirley)' asked !ebe((a De+ ra&ely the otherday . . . +hen I +as +earin my ne+ bis(%it(olored &oile.

"'I'&e o*ten +ondered,' said I.

"'-%t yo% are bea%ti*%l,' said !ebe((a De+.

"'I ne&er tho%ht yo% (o%ld be sar(asti(, !ebe((a,' I said reproa(h*%lly.

"'I did not mean to be sar(asti(, Miss Shirley. 0o% are bea%ti*%l . . . (omparati&ely.'

"'9h$ 8omparati&ely$' said I.

"'Look in the sideboard lass,' said !ebe((a De+, pointin. '8ompared to me, yo% are.'

"Well, I +as$

"-%t I hadn't *inished +ith Eli5abeth. 9ne stormy e&enin +hen the +ind +as ho+linalon Spook's Lane, +e (o%ldn't o *or a +alk, so +e (ame %p to my room and dre+ amap o* *airyland. Eli5abeth sat on my bl%e do%hn%t (%shion to make her hiher, andlooked like a serio%s little nome as she bent o&er the map. -y the +ay, no phoneti(spellin *or me$ 'nome' is *ar eerier and *airyer than 'nome.'4

"9%r map isn't (ompleted yet . . . e&ery day +e think o* somethin more to o in it. Lastniht +e lo(ated the ho%se o* the Wit(h o* the Sno+ and dre+ a triple hill, (o&ered(ompletely +ith +ild (herry trees in bloom, behind it. -y the +ay, I +ant some +ild (herrytrees near o%r ho%se o* dreams, ilbert.4 9* (o%rse +e ha&e a omorro+ on the map . . .lo(ated east o* oday and +est o* 0esterday . . . and +e ha&e no end o* 'times' in *airyland.Sprintime, lon time, short time, ne+moon time, oodniht time, net time . . . b%t nolast time, be(a%se that is too sad a time *or *airyland@ old time, yo%n time . . . be(a%se i*there is an old time there o%ht to be a yo%n time, too@ mo%ntain time . . . be(a%se thathas s%(h a *as(inatin so%nd@ nihttime and daytime . . . b%t no bedtime or s(hooltime@8hristmastime@ no only time, be(a%se that also is too sad . . . b%t lost time, be(a%se it is

so ni(e to *ind it@ some time, ood time, *ast time, slo+ time, hal*past kissintime, oinhome time, and time immemorial . . . +hi(h is one o* the most bea%ti*%l phrases in the+orld. nd +e ha&e (%nnin little red arro+s e&ery+here, pointin to the di**erent 'times.' Ikno+ !ebe((a De+ thinks I'm 6%ite (hildish. -%t, oh, ilbert, don't let's e&er ro+ too oldand +ise . . . no, not too old and silly *or *airyland.

"!ebe((a De+, I *eel s%re, is not 6%ite (ertain that I am an in*l%en(e *or ood in Eli5abeth'sli*e. She thinks I en(o%rae her in bein '*an(i*%l.' 9ne e&enin +hen I +as a+ay !ebe((aDe+ took the milk to her and *o%nd her already at the ate, lookin at the sky so intentlythat she ne&er heard !ebe((a's anythin b%t4 *airy *oot*alls.

"'I +as listening, !ebe((a,' she eplained.

"'0o% do too m%(h listenin,' said !ebe((a disappro&inly.

"Eli5abeth smiled, remotely, a%sterely. !ebe((a De+ didn't %se those +ords b%t I kno+



ea(tly ho+ Eli5abeth smiled.4

"'0o% +o%ld be s%rprised, !ebe((a, i* yo% kne+ +hat I hear sometimes,' she said, in a +aythat made !ebe((a De+'s *lesh (reep on her bones . . . or so she a&ers.

"-%t Eli5abeth is al+ays to%(hed +ith *aery and +hat (an be done abo%t it)

"0o%r ;ery nneest ==E."P.S.1. =e&er, ne&er, ne&er shall I *oret 8yr%s aylor's *a(e +hen his +i*e a((%sed him o*(ro(hetin. -%t I shall al+ays like him be(a%se he h%nted *or those kittens. nd I like Esme*or standin %p *or her *ather %nder the s%pposed +re(k o* all her hopes.

"P.S.2. I ha&e p%t in a ne+ pen. nd I lo&e yo% be(a%se yo% aren't pompo%s like Dr. 8arter. . . and I lo&e yo% be(a%se yo% ha&en't ot sti(kyo%t ears like <ohnny. nd . . . the &erybest reason o* all . . . I lo&e yo% *or 3%st bein ilbert$"

12

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,"May GAth.

"DE!ES=D/E=M9!EDE!#

"It's sprin$

"Perhaps yo%, %p to yo%r eyes in a +elter o* eams in 7insport, don't kno+ it. -%t I ama+are o* it *rom the (ro+n o* my head to the tips o* my toes. S%mmerside is a+are o* it.E&en the most %nlo&ely streets are trans*i%red by arms o* bloom rea(hin o&er old board*en(es and a ribbon o* dandelions in the rass that borders the side+alks. E&en the (hinalady on my shel* is a+are o* it and I kno+ i* I (o%ld only +ake %p s%ddenly eno%h someniht I'd (at(h her dan(in a pas seul in her pink, iltheeled shoes.

"E&erythin is (allin 'sprin' to me . . . the little la%hin brooks, the bl%e ha5es on theStorm 7in, the maples in the ro&e +hen I o to read yo%r letters, the +hite (herry treesalon Spook's Lane, the sleek and sa%(y robins hoppin de*ian(e to D%sty Miller in the

ba(k yard, the (reeper hanin reenly do+n o&er the hal*door to +hi(h little Eli5abeth(omes *or milk, the *ir trees preenin in ne+ tassel tips aro%nd the old ra&eyard . . . e&enthe old ra&eyard itsel*, +here all sorts o* *lo+ers planted at the heads o* the ra&es areb%ddin into lea* and bloom, as i* to say, 'E&en here li*e is tri%mphant o&er death.' I had areally lo&ely pro+l abo%t the ra&eyard the other niht. I'm s%re !ebe((a De+ thinks mytaste in +alks *riht*%lly morbid. 'I (an't think +hy yo% ha&e s%(h a hankerin a*ter that%n(han(y pla(e,' she says.4 I roamed o&er it in the s(ented reen (at's liht and +onderedi* =athan Prinle's +i*e really had tried to poison him. /er ra&e looked so inno(ent +ith itsne+ rass and its <%ne lilies that I (on(l%ded she had been entirely malined.

"<%st another month and I'll be home *or &a(ation$ I keep thinkin o* the old or(hard at

reen ables +ith its trees no+ in *%ll sno+ . . . the old bride o&er the Lake o* ShininWaters . . . the m%rm%r o* the sea in yo%r ears . . . a s%mmer a*ternoon in Lo&er's Lane . . .and you2



"I ha&e 3%st the riht kind o* pen toniht, ilbert, and so . . .

(*%o pages omitted."

"I +as aro%nd at the ibsons' this e&enin *or a (all. Marilla asked me some time ao tolook them %p be(a%se she on(e kne+ them +hen they li&ed in White Sands. ((ordinly Ilooked them %p and ha&e been lookin them %p +eekly e&er sin(e be(a%se Pa%line seemsto en3oy my &isits and I'm so sorry *or her. She is simply a sla&e to her mother . . . +ho is aterrible old +oman.

"Mrs. doniram ibson is eihty and spends her days in a +heel(hair. hey mo&ed toS%mmerside *i*teen years ao. Pa%line, +ho is *orty*i&e, is the yo%nest o* the *amily, allher brothers and sisters bein married and all o* them determined not to ha&e Mrs. doniram in their homes. She keeps the ho%se and +aits on her mother hand and *oot.She is a little pale, *a+neyed thin +ith oldenbro+n hair that is still lossy and pretty.

hey are 6%ite (om*ortably o** and i* it +ere not *or her mother Pa%line (o%ld ha&e a &erypleasant easy li*e. She 3%st lo&es (h%r(h +ork and +o%ld be per*e(tly happy attendinLadies' ids and Missionary So(ieties, plannin *or (h%r(h s%ppers and Wel(ome so(ials,not to speak o* e%ltin pro%dly in bein the possessor o* the *inest +anderin3e+ in to+n.-%t she (an hardly e&er et a+ay *rom the ho%se, e&en to o to (h%r(h on S%ndays. I (an'tsee any +ay o* es(ape *or her, *or old Mrs. ibson +ill probably li&e to be a h%ndred. nd,+hile she may not ha&e the %se o* her les, there is (ertainly nothin the matter +ith herton%e. It al+ays *ills me +ith helpless rae to sit there and hear her makin poor Pa%linethe taret *or her sar(asm. nd yet Pa%line has told me that her mother 'thinks 6%ite hihly'o* me and is m%(h ni(er to her +hen I am aro%nd. I* this be so I shi&er to think +hat shem%st be +hen I am not aro%nd.

"Pa%line dares not do anything +itho%t askin her mother. She (an't e&en b%y her o+n(lothes . . . not so m%(h as a pair o* sto(kins. E&erythin has to be sent %p *or Mrs.ibson's appro&al@ e&erythin has to be +orn %ntil it has been t%rned t+i(e. Pa%line has+orn the same hat *or *o%r years.

"Mrs. ibson (an't bear any noise in the ho%se or a breath o* *resh air. It is said she ne&ersmiled in her li*e. . . . I'&e ne&er (a%ht her at it, any+ay, and +hen I look at her I *indmysel* +onderin +hat +o%ld happen to her *a(e i* she did smile. Pa%line (an't e&en ha&ea room to hersel*. She has to sleep in the same room +ith her mother and be %p almoste&ery ho%r o* the niht r%bbin Mrs. ibson's ba(k or i&in her a pill or ettin a hot

+ater bottle *or her . . . hot, not l%ke+arm$ . . . or (hanin her pillo+s or seein +hat thatmysterio%s noise is in the ba(k yard. Mrs. ibson does her sleepin in the a*ternoons andspends her nihts de&isin tasks *or Pa%line.

"0et nothin has e&er made Pa%line bitter. She is s+eet and %nsel*ish and patient and I amlad she has a do to lo&e. he only thin she has e&er had her o+n +ay abo%t is keepinthat do . . . and then only be(a%se there +as a b%rlary some+here in to+n and Mrs.ibson tho%ht it +o%ld be a prote(tion. Pa%line ne&er dares to let her mother see ho+m%(h she lo&es the do. Mrs. ibson hates him and (omplains o* his brinin bones in b%tshe ne&er a(t%ally says he m%st o, *or her o+n sel*ish reason.

"-%t at last I ha&e a (han(e to i&e Pa%line somethin and I'm oin to do it. I'm oin toi&e her a day, tho%h it +ill mean i&in %p my net +eekend at reen ables.

"oniht +hen I +ent in I (o%ld see that Pa%line had been (ryin. Mrs. ibson did not lon



lea&e me in do%bt +hy.

"'Pa%line +ants to o and lea&e me, Miss Shirley,' she said. '=i(e, rate*%l da%hter I'&eot, ha&en't I)'

"'9nly *or a day, Ma,' said Pa%line, s+allo+in a sob and tryin to smile.

"'9nly *or a day,' says she$ 'Well, you kno+ +hat my days are like, Miss Shirley . . . e&eryone kno+s +hat my days are like. -%t yo% don't kno+ . . . yet . . . Miss Shirley, and I hopeyo% ne&er +ill, ho+ lon a day (an be +hen yo% are s%**erin.'

"I kne+ Mrs. ibson didn't s%**er at all no+, so I didn't try to be sympatheti(.

"'I'd et some one to stay +ith yo%, o* (o%rse, Ma,' said Pa%line. '0o% see,' she eplainedto me, 'my (o%sin Lo%isa is oin to (elebrate her sil&er +eddin at White Sands netSat%rday +eek and she +ants me to o. I +as her bridesmaid +hen she +as married toMa%ri(e /ilton. I %ould like to o so m%(h i* Ma +o%ld i&e her (onsent.'

"'I* I m%st die alone I m%st,' said Mrs. ibson. 'I lea&e it to yo%r (ons(ien(e, Pa%line.'

"I kne+ Pa%line's battle +as lost the moment Mrs. ibson le*t it to her (ons(ien(e. Mrs.ibson has ot her +ay all her li*e by lea&in thins to people's (ons(ien(es. I'&e heardthat years ao somebody +anted to marry Pa%line and Mrs. ibson pre&ented it bylea&in it to her (ons(ien(e.

"Pa%line +iped her eyes, s%mmoned %p a piteo%s smile and pi(ked %p a dress she +asmakin o&er . . . a hideo%s reen and bla(k plaid.

"'=o+ don't s%lk, Pa%line,' said Mrs. ibson. 'I (an't abide people +ho s%lk. nd mind yo%p%t a (ollar on that dress. Wo%ld yo% belie&e it, Miss Shirley, she a(t%ally +anted to makethe dress +itho%t a (ollar) She'd +ear a lo+ne(ked dress, that one, i* I'd let her.'

"I looked at poor Pa%line +ith her slender little throat . . . +hi(h is rather pl%mp and prettyyet . . . en(losed in a hih, sti**boned net (ollar.

"'8ollarless dresses are (omin in,' I said.

"'8ollarless dresses,' said Mrs. ibson, 'are inde(ent.'

"Item#I +as +earin a (ollarless dress.4

"'Moreo&er,' +ent on Mrs. ibson, as i* it +ere all o* a pie(e. 'I ne&er liked Ma%ri(e /ilton./is mother +as a 8ro(kett. /e ne&er had any sense o* de(or%m . . . al+ays kissin his+i*e in the most %ns%itable pla(es$'

"re yo% s%re yo% kiss me in s%itable pla(es, ilbert) I'm a*raid Mrs. ibson +o%ld thinkthe nape o* the ne(k, *or instan(e, most %ns%itable.4

"'-%t, Ma, yo% kno+ that +as the day she nearly es(aped bein trampled by /ar&eyWither's horse r%nnin am%(k on the (h%r(h reen. It +as only nat%ral Ma%ri(e sho%ld *eela little e(ited.'

"'Pa%line, please don't (ontradi(t me. I still think the (h%r(h steps +ere an %ns%itable pla(e*or any one to be kissed. -%t o* (o%rse my opinions don't matter to any one any loner. 9*(o%rse e&ery one +ishes I +as dead. Well, there'll be room *or me in the ra&e. I kno++hat a b%rden I am to yo%. I miht as +ell die. =obody +ants me.'

"'Don't say that, Ma,' beed Pa%line.

"'I %ill say it. /ere yo% are, determined to o to that sil&er +eddin altho%h yo% kno+ I'm



not +illin.'

"'Ma dear. I'm not oin . . . I'd ne&er think o* oin i* yo% +eren't +illin. Don't e(iteyo%rsel* so. . . .'

"'9h, I (an't e&en ha&e a little e(itement, (an't I, to brihten my d%ll li*e) S%rely yo%'re notoin so soon, Miss Shirley)'

"I *elt that i* I stayed any loner I'd either o (ra5y or slap Mrs. ibson's n%t(ra(ker *a(e.So I said I had eam papers to (orre(t.

"'h +ell, I s%ppose t+o old +omen like %s are &ery poor (ompany *or a yo%n irl,' sihedMrs. ibson. 'Pa%line isn't &ery (heer*%l . . . are yo%, Pa%line) =ot &ery (heer*%l. I don't+onder Miss Shirley doesn't +ant to stay lon.'

"Pa%line (ame o%t to the por(h +ith me. he moon +as shinin do+n on her little ardenand sparklin on the harbor. so*t, deliht*%l +ind +as talkin to a +hite apple tree. It +assprin . . . sprin . . . sprin$ E&en Mrs. ibson (an't stop pl%m trees *rom bloomin. ndPa%line's so*t raybl%e eyes +ere *%ll o* tears.

"'I %ould like to o to Lo%ie's +eddin so m%(h,' she said, +ith a lon sih o* despairinresination.

"'0o% are oin,' I said.

"'9h, no, dear, I (an't o. Poor Ma +ill ne&er (onsent. I'll 3%st p%t it o%t o* my mind. Isn't themoon bea%ti*%l toniht)' she added, in a lo%d, (heer*%l tone.

"'I'&e ne&er heard o* any ood that (ame *rom moon a5in,' (alled o%t Mrs. ibson *romthe sittinroom. 'Stop (hirr%pin there, Pa%line, and (ome in and et my red bedroomslippers +ith the *%r ro%nd the tops *or me. hese shoes pin(h my *eet somethin terrible.

-%t nobody (ares ho+ I s%**er.'

"I *elt that ' didn't (are ho+ m%(h she s%**ered. Poor darlin Pa%line$ -%t a day o** is(ertainly (omin to Pa%line and she is oin to ha&e her sil&er +eddin. I, nne Shirley,ha&e spoken it.

"I told !ebe((a De+ and the +ido+s all abo%t it +hen I (ame home and +e had s%(h *%n,thinkin %p all the lo&ely, ins%ltin thins I miht ha&e said to Mrs. ibson. %nt 7ate doesnot think I +ill s%((eed in ettin Mrs. ibson to let Pa%line o b%t !ebe((a De+ has *aithin me. 'nyho+, i* you (an't, nobody (an,' she said.

"I +as at s%pper re(ently +ith Mrs. om Prinle +ho +o%ldn't take me to board. !ebe((a

says I am the best payin boarder she e&er heard o* be(a%se I am in&ited o%t to s%pper soo*ten.4 I'm &ery lad she didn't. She's ni(e and p%rry and her pies praise her in the ates,b%t her home isn't Windy Poplars and she doesn't li&e in Spook's Lane and she isn't %nt7ate and %nt 8hatty and !ebe((a De+. I lo&e them all three and I'm oin to board herenet year and the year a*ter. My (hair is al+ays (alled 'Miss Shirley's (hair' and %nt8hatty tells me that +hen I'm not here !ebe((a De+ sets my pla(e at the table 3%st thesame, so it +on't seem so lonesome.' Sometimes %nt 8hatty's *eelins ha&e (ompli(atedmatters a bit b%t she says she %nderstands me no+ and kno+s I +o%ld ne&er h%rt herintentionally.

"Little Eli5abeth and I o o%t *or a +alk t+i(e a +eek no+. Mrs. 8ampbell has areed to

that, b%t it m%st not be o*tener and neer on S%ndays. hins are better *or little Eli5abethin sprin. Some s%nshine ets into e&en that rim old ho%se and o%t+ardly it is e&enbea%ti*%l be(a%se o* the dan(in shado+s o* tree tops. Still, Eli5abeth likes to es(ape *rom



it +hene&er she (an. 9n(e in a +hile +e o %pto+n so that Eli5abeth (an see the lihtedshop +indo+s. -%t mostly +e o as *ar as +e dare do+n the !oad that Leads to the Endo* the World, ro%ndin e&ery (orner ad&ent%ro%sly and epe(tantly, as i* +e +ere oin to*ind omorro+ behind it, +hile all the little reen e&enin hills neatly nestle toether in thedistan(e. 9ne o* the thins Eli5abeth is oin to do in omorro+ is 'o to Philadelphia andsee the anel in the (h%r(h.' I ha&en't told her . . . I ne&er +ill tell her . . . that the

Philadelphia St. <ohn +as +ritin abo%t +as not Phila., Pa. We lose o%r ill%sions sooneno%h. nd anyho+, i* +e could et into omorro+, +ho kno+s +hat +e miht *ind there) nels e&ery+here, perhaps.

"Sometimes +e +at(h the ships (omin %p the harbor be*ore a *air +ind, o&er a listeninpath+ay, thro%h the transparent sprin air, and Eli5abeth +onders i* her *ather may be onboard one o* them. She (lins to the hope that he may (ome some day. I (an't imaine+hy he doesn't. I'm s%re he +o%ld i* he kne+ +hat a darlin little da%hter he has herelonin *or him. I s%ppose he ne&er reali5es she is 6%ite a irl no+ . . . . I s%ppose he stillthinks o* her as the little baby +ho (ost his +i*e her li*e.

"I'll soon ha&e *inished my *irst year in S%mmerside /ih. he *irst term +as a nihtmare,b%t the last t+o ha&e been &ery pleasant. he Prinles are delightful people. /o+ (o%ld Ie&er ha&e (ompared them to the Pyes) Sid Prinle bro%ht me a b%n(h o* trilli%ms today.<en is oin to lead her (lass and Miss Ellen is reported to ha&e said that I am the onlytea(her +ho e&er really understood the (hild$ he only *ly in my ointment is 7atherine-rooke, +ho (ontin%es %n*riendly and distant. I'm oin to i&e %p tryin to be *riends +ithher. *ter all, as !ebe((a De+ says, there are limits.

"9h, I nearly *orot to tell yo%. . . . Sally =elson has asked me to be one o* herbridesmaids. She is oin to be married the last o* <%ne at -onny&ie+, Dr. =elson'ss%mmer home do+n at the 3%mpino** pla(e. She is marryin ordon /ill. hen =ora=elson +ill be the only one o* Dr. =elson's si irls le*t %nmarried. <im Wil(o has been

oin +ith her *or years . . . 'o** and on' as !ebe((a De+ says . . . b%t it ne&er seems to(ome to anythin and nobody thinks it +ill no+. I'm &ery *ond o* Sally, b%t I'&e ne&er madem%(h head+ay ettin a(6%ainted +ith =ora. She's a ood deal older than I am, o* (o%rse,and rather reser&ed and pro%d. 0et I'd like to be *riends +ith her. She isn't pretty or (le&eror (harmin b%t someho+ she's ot a tang. I'&e a *eelin she'd be +orth +hile.

"Speakin o* +eddins, Esme aylor +as married to her Ph.D. last month. s it +as onWednesday a*ternoon I (o%ldn't o to the (h%r(h to see her, b%t e&ery one says shelooked &ery bea%ti*%l and happy and Lenno looked as i* he kne+ he had done the rihtthin and had the appro&al o* his (ons(ien(e. 8yr%s aylor and I are reat *riends. /eo*ten re*ers to the dinner +hi(h he has (ome to (onsider a reat 3oke on e&erybody. 'I'&e

ne&er dared s%lk sin(e,' he told me. 'Momma miht a((%se me o* se+in pat(h+ork nettime.' nd then he tells me to be s%re and i&e his lo&e to 'the +ido+s.' ilbert, people aredeli(io%s and li*e is deli(io%s and I am

":ore&ermore

/1ours2

"P.S. 9%r old red (o+ do+n at Mr. /amilton's has a spotted (al*. We'&e been b%yin o%rmilk *or three months *rom Le+ /%nt. !ebe((a says +e'll ha&e (ream aain no+ . . . andthat she has al+ays heard the /%nt +ell +as ineha%stible and no+ she belie&es it.!ebe((a didn't +ant that (al* to be born at all. %nt 7ate had to et Mr. /amilton to tell her

that the (o+ +as really too old to ha&e a (al* be*ore she +o%ld (onsent."



13

"h, +hen yo%'&e been old and bedrid as lon as me yo%'ll ha&e more sympathy," +hined

Mrs. ibson.

"Please don't think I'm la(kin in sympathy, Mrs. ibson," said nne, +ho, a*ter hal* anho%r's &ain e**ort, *elt like +rinin Mrs. ibson's ne(k. =othin b%t poor Pa%line's pleadineyes in the ba(kro%nd kept her *rom i&in %p in despair and oin home. "I ass%re yo%,yo% +on't be lonely and nele(ted. I +ill be here all day and see that yo% la(k nothin inany +ay."

"9h, I kno+ I'm o* no %se to any one," said Mrs. ibson, apropos o* nothin that had beensaid. "0o% don't need to r%b that in, Miss Shirley. I'm ready to o any time . . . any time.Pa%line (an ad ro%nd all she +ants to then. I +on't be here to *eel nele(ted. =one o* the

yo%n people o* today ha&e any sense. iddy . . . &ery iddy." nne didn't kno+ +hether it +as Pa%line or hersel* +ho +as the iddy yo%n person+itho%t sense, b%t she tried the last shot in her lo(ker.

"Well, yo% kno+, Mrs. ibson, people +ill talk so terribly i* Pa%line doesn't o to her(o%sin's sil&er +eddin."

"alk$" said Mrs. ibson sharply. "What +ill they talk abo%t)"

"Dear Mrs. ibson . . ." 'May I be *ori&en the ad3e(ti&e$' tho%ht nne4 "in yo%r lon li*eyo% ha&e learned, I kno+, 3%st +hat idle ton%es (an say."

"0o% needn't be (astin my ae %p to me," snapped Mrs. ibson. "nd I don't need to betold it's a (ensorio%s +orld. oo +ell . . . too +ell I kno+ it. nd I don't need to be told thatthis to+n is *%ll o* tattlin toads neither. -%t I d%nno's I *an(y them 3abberin abo%t me . . .sayin, I s'pose, that I'm an old tyrant. ' ain't stoppin Pa%line *rom oin. Didn't I lea&e itto her (ons(ien(e)"

"So *e+ people +ill belie&e that," said nne, (are*%lly sorro+*%l.

Mrs. ibson s%(ked a peppermint lo5ene *ier(ely *or a min%te or t+o. hen she said,

"I hear there's m%mps at White Sands."

"Ma, dear, yo% kno+ I'&e had the m%mps.""here's *olks as takes them t+i(e. 0o%'d be 3%st the one to take them t+i(e, Pa%line. 0o%al+ays took e&erythin that (ome ro%nd. he nihts I'&e set %p +ith yo%, not epe(tinyo%'d see the mornin$ h me, a mother's sa(ri*i(es ain't lon remembered. -esides, ho++o%ld yo% et to White Sands) 0o% ain't been on a train *or years. nd there ain't any trainba(k Sat%rday niht."

"She (o%ld o on the Sat%rday mornin train," said nne. "nd I'm s%re Mr. <ames reor+ill brin her ba(k."

"I ne&er liked <im reor. /is mother +as a arb%sh."

"/e is takin his do%bleseated b%y and oin do+n :riday, or else he +o%ld take herdo+n, too. -%t she'll be 6%ite sa*e on the train, Mrs. ibson. <%st step on atS%mmerside . . . step o** at White Sands . . . no (hanin."



"here's somethin behind all this," said Mrs. ibson s%spi(io%sly. "Why are yo% so set onher oin, Miss Shirley) <%st tell me that."

nne smiled into the beadyeyed *a(e.

"-e(a%se I think Pa%line is a ood, kind da%hter to yo%, Mrs. ibson, and needs a day o**no+ and then, 3%st as e&erybody does."

Most people *o%nd it hard to resist nne's smile. Either that, or the *ear o* ossip&an6%ished Mrs. ibson.

"I s'pose it ne&er o((%rs to any one '&d like a day o** *rom this +heel(hair i* I (o%ld et it.-%t I (an't . . . I 3%st ha&e to bear my a**li(tion patiently. Well, i* she m%st o she m%st.She's al+ays been one to et her o+n +ay. I* she (at(hes m%mps or ets poisoned bystrane mos6%itoes, don't blame me *or it. I'll ha&e to et alon as best I (an. 9h, I s'poseyo%'ll be here, b%t yo% ain't %sed to my +ays as Pa%line is. I s'pose I (an stand it *or oneday. I* I (an't . . . +ell, I'&e been li&in on borro+ed time many's the year no+ so +hat's thedi**eren(e)" =ot a ra(io%s assent by any means b%t still an assent. nne in her relie* and

ratit%de *o%nd hersel* doin somethin she (o%ld ne&er ha&e imained hersel* doin . . .she bent o&er and kissed Mrs. ibson's leathery (heek. "hank yo%," she said.

"=e&er mind yo%r +heedlin +ays," said Mrs. ibson. "/a&e a peppermint."

"/o+ (an I e&er thank yo%, Miss Shirley)" said Pa%line, as she +ent a little +ay do+n thestreet +ith nne.

"-y oin to White Sands +ith a liht heart and en3oyin e&ery min%te o* the time."

"9h, I'll do that. 0o% don't kno+ +hat this means to me, Miss Shirley. It's not only Lo%isa I+ant to see. he old L%(kley pla(e net to her home is oin to be sold and I did so +antto see it on(e more be*ore it passed into the hands o* straners. Mary L%(kley . . . she's

Mrs. /o+ard :lemmin no+ and li&es o%t +est . . . +as my dearest *riend +hen I +as airl. We +ere like sisters. I %sed to be at the L%(kley pla(e so m%(h and I lo&ed it so. I'&eo*ten dreamed o* oin ba(k. Ma says I'm ettin too old to dream. Do yo% think I am,Miss Shirley)"

"=obody is e&er too old to dream. nd dreams ne&er ro+ old."

"I'm so lad to hear yo% say that. 9h, Miss Shirley, to think o* seein the %l* aain. Iha&en't seen it *or *i*teen years. he harbor is bea%ti*%l, b%t it isn't the %l*. I *eel as i* I +as+alkin on air. nd I o+e it all to yo%. It +as 3%st be(a%se Ma likes yo% she let me o.0o%'&e made me happy . . . yo% are al+ays makin people happy. Why, +hene&er yo%

(ome into a room, Miss Shirley, the people in it *eel happier.""hat's the &ery ni(est (ompliment I'&e e&er had paid me, Pa%line."

"here's 3%st one thin, Miss Shirley . . . I'&e nothin to +ear b%t my old bla(k ta**eta. It'stoo loomy *or a +eddin, isn't it) nd it's too bi *or me sin(e I ot thin. 0o% see it's siyears sin(e I ot it."

"We m%st try to ind%(e yo%r mother to let yo% ha&e a ne+ dress," said nne hope*%lly.

-%t that pro&ed to be beyond her po+ers. Mrs. ibson +as adamant. Pa%line's bla(kta**eta +as plenty ood *or Lo%isa /ilton's +eddin.

"I paid t+o dollars a yard *or it si years ao and three to <ane Sharp *or makin it. <ane+as a ood dressmaker. /er mother +as a Smiley. he idea o* yo% +antin somethin'liht,' Pa%line ibson$ She'd o dressed in s(arlet *rom head to *oot, that one, i* she +as



let, Miss Shirley. She's 3%st +aitin till I'm dead to do it. h, +ell, yo%'ll soon be shet o* allthe tro%ble I am to yo%, Pa%line. hen yo% (an dress as ay and iddy as yo% like, b%t aslon as I'm ali&e yo%'ll be de(ent. nd +hat's the matter +ith yo%r hat) It's time yo% +ore abonnet, anyho+."

Poor Pa%line had a li&ely horror o* ha&in to +ear a bonnet. She +o%ld +ear her old hat *orthe rest o* her li*e be*ore she +o%ld do that.

"I'm 3%st oin to be lad inside and *oret all abo%t my (lothes," she told nne, +hen they+ent o%t to the arden to pi(k a bo%6%et o* <%ne lilies and bleedinheart *or the +ido+s.

"I'&e a plan," said nne, +ith a (a%tio%s lan(e to make s%re Mrs. ibson (o%ldn't hearher, tho%h she +as +at(hin *rom the sittinroom +indo+. "0o% kno+ that sil&erraypoplin o* mine) I'm oin to lend yo% that *or the +eddin."

Pa%line dropped the basket o* *lo+ers in her aitation, makin a pool o* pink and +hites+eetness at nne's *eet.

"9h, my dear, I (o%ldn't. . . . Ma +o%ldn't let me."

"She +on't kno+ a thin abo%t it. Listen. Sat%rday mornin yo%'ll p%t it on %nder yo%r bla(kta**eta. I kno+ it +ill *it yo%. It's a little lon, b%t I'll r%n some t%(ks in it tomorro+ . . . t%(ksare *ashionable no+. It's (ollarless, +ith elbo+ slee&es so no one +ill s%spe(t. s soon asyo% et to %ll 8o&e, take o** the ta**eta. When the day is o&er yo% (an lea&e the poplin at%ll 8o&e and I (an et it the net +eekend I'm home."

"-%t +o%ldn't it be too yo%n *or me)"

"=ot a bit o* it. ny ae (an +ear ray."

"Do yo% think it +o%ld be . . . riht . . . to de(ei&e Ma)" *altered Pa%line.

"In this (ase entirely riht," said nne shamelessly. "0o% kno+, Pa%line, it +o%ld ne&er doto +ear a bla(k dress to a +eddin. It miht brin the bride bad l%(k."

"9h, I +o%ldn't do that *or anythin. nd o* (o%rse it +on't h%rt Ma. I do hope she'll etthro%h Sat%rday all riht. I'm a*raid she +on't eat a bite +hen I'm a+ay . . . she didn't thetime I +ent to 8o%sin Matilda's *%neral. Miss Pro%ty told me she didn't. . . . Miss Pro%tystayed +ith her. She +as so pro&oked at 8o%sin Matilda *or dyin . . . Ma +as, I mean."

"She'll eat. . . . I'll see to that."

"I kno+ yo%'&e a reat kna(k o* manain her," (on(eded Pa%line. "nd yo% +on't *oret to

i&e her her medi(ine at the re%lar times, +ill yo%, dear) 9h, perhaps I o%htn't to oa*ter all."

"0o%'&e been o%t there lon eno%h to pi(k *orty bokays," (alled Mrs. ibson irately. "Id%nno +hat the +ido+s +ant o* yo%r *lo+ers. hey'&e plenty o* their o+n. I'd o a lon time+itho%t *lo+ers i* I +aited *or !ebe((a De+ to send me any. I'm dyin *or a drink o* +ater.-%t then I'm o* no (onse6%en(e."

:riday niht Pa%line telephoned nne in terrible aitation. She had a sore throat and didMiss Shirley think it (o%ld possibly be the m%mps) nne ran do+n to reass%re her, takinthe ray poplin in a bro+n paper par(el. She hid it in the lila( b%sh and late that nihtPa%line, in a (old perspiration, manaed to sm%le it %pstairs to the little room +here she

kept her (lothes and dressed, tho%h she +as ne&er permitted to sleep there. Pa%line +asnot 6%ite easy abo%t the dress. Perhaps her sore throat +as a 3%dment on her *orde(eption. -%t she (o%ldn't o to Lo%isa's sil&er +eddin in that dread*%l old bla(k



ta**eta . . . she simply (o%ldn't.

Sat%rday mornin nne +as at the ibson ho%se briht and early. nne al+ays looked herbest on a sparklin s%mmer mornin s%(h as this. She seemed to sparkle +ith it and shemo&ed thro%h the olden air like a slender *i%re on a re(ian %rn. he d%llest roomsparkled, too . . . lied . . . +hen she (ame into it.

"Walkin as i* yo% o+ned the earth," (ommented Mrs. ibson sar(asti(ally.

"So I do," said nne ayly.

"h, yo%'re &ery yo%n," said Mrs. ibson maddeninly.

"'I +ithhold not my heart *rom any 3oy,'" 6%oted nne. "hat is -ible a%thority *or yo%, Mrs.ibson."

"'Man is born to tro%ble as the sparks *ly %p+ard.' hat's in the -ible, too," retorted Mrs.ibson. he *a(t that she had so neatly (o%ntered Miss Shirley, -.., p%t her in(omparati&ely ood h%mor. "I ne&er +as one to *latter, Miss Shirley, b%t that (hip hat o*

yo%rs +ith the bl%e *lo+er kind o* sets yo%. 0o%r hair don't look so red %nder it, seems tome. Don't yo% admire a *resh yo%n irl like this, Pa%line) Wo%ldn't yo% like to be a *reshyo%n irl yo%rsel*, Pa%line)"

Pa%line +as too happy and e(ited to +ant to be any one b%t hersel* 3%st then. nne +entto the %pstairs room +ith her to help her dress.

"It's so lo&ely to think o* all the pleasant thins that m%st happen today, Miss Shirley. Mythroat is 6%ite +ell and Ma is in s%(h a ood h%mor. 0o% mihtn't think so, b%t I kno+ sheis be(a%se she is talkin, e&en i* she is sar(asti(. I* she +as mad or riled she'd be s%lkin.I'&e peeled the potatoes and the steak is in the i(ebo and Ma's blan( mane is do+n(ellar. here's (anned (hi(ken *or s%pper and a spone (ake in the pantry. I'm 3%st on

tenterhooks Ma'll (hane her mind yet. I (o%ldn't bear it i* she did. 9h, Miss Shirley, do yo%think I'd better +ear that ray dress . . . really)"

"P%t it on," said nne in her best s(hooltea(herish manner.

Pa%line obeyed and emered a trans*ormed Pa%line. he ray dress *itted her bea%ti*%lly.It +as (ollarless and had dainty la(e r%**les in the elbo+ slee&es. When nne had doneher hair Pa%line hardly kne+ hersel*.

"I hate to (o&er it %p +ith that horrid old bla(k ta**eta, Miss Shirley."

-%t it had to be. he ta**eta (o&ered it &ery se(%rely. he old hat +ent on . . . b%t it +o%ld

be taken o**, too, +hen she ot to Lo%isa's . . . and Pa%line had a ne+ pair o* shoes. Mrs.ibson had a(t%ally allo+ed her to et a ne+ pair o* shoes, tho%h she tho%ht the heels"s(andalo%s hih." "I'll make 6%ite a sensation oin a+ay on the train alone. I hopepeople +on't think it's a death. I +o%ldn't +ant Lo%isa's sil&er +eddin to be (onne(ted inany +ay +ith the tho%ht o* death. 9h, per*%me, Miss Shirley$ ppleblossom$ Isn't thatlo&ely) <%st a +hi** . . . so ladylike, I al+ays think. Ma +on't let me b%y any. 9h, MissShirley, yo% +on't *oret to *eed my do, +ill yo%) I'&e le*t his bones in the pantry in the(o&ered dish. I do hope" . . . droppin her &oi(e to a shamed +hisper . . . "that he +on't . . .misbeha&e . . . in the ho%se +hile yo%'re here."

Pa%line had to pass her mother's inspe(tion be*ore lea&in. E(itement o&er her o%tin

and %ilt in reard to the hidden poplin (ombined to i&e her a &ery %n%s%al *l%sh. Mrs.ibson a5ed at her dis(ontentedly.

"9h me, oh my$ oin to London to look at the %een, are +e) 0o%'&e ot too m%(h (olor.



People +ill think yo%'re painted. re yo% s%re yo% ain't)"

"9h, no, Ma . . . no,/ in sho(ked tones.

"Mind yo%r manners no+ and +hen yo% set do+n, (ross yo%r ankles de(ently. Mind yo%don't set in a dra%ht or talk too m%(h."

"I +on't, Ma," promised Pa%line earnestly, +ith a ner&o%s lan(e at the (lo(k."I'm sendin Lo%isa a bottle o* my sarsaparilla +ine to drink the toasts in. I ne&er (ared *orLo%isa, b%t her mother +as a a(kaberry. Mind yo% brin ba(k the bottle and don't let heri&e yo% a kitten. Lo%isa's al+ays i&in people kittens."

"I +on't, Ma."

"0o%'re s%re yo% didn't lea&e the soap in the +ater)"

"%ite s%re, Ma," +ith another an%ished lan(e at the (lo(k.

"re yo%r shoela(es tied)"

"0es, Ma."

"0o% don't smell respe(table . . . dren(hed +ith s(ent."

"9h, no, Ma dear . . . 3%st a little . . . the tiniest bit . . ."

"I said dren(hed and I mean dren(hed. here isn't, a rip %nder yo%r arm, is there)"

"9h, no, Ma."

"Let me see . . ." ineorably.

Pa%line 6%aked. S%ppose the skirt o* the ray dress sho+ed +hen she li*ted her arms$"Well, o, then." With a lon sih. "I* I ain't here +hen yo% (ome ba(k, remember that I+ant to be laid o%t in my la(e sha+l and my bla(k satin slippers. nd see that my hair is(rimped."

"Do yo% *eel any +orse, Ma)" he poplin dress had made Pa%line's (ons(ien(e &erysensiti&e. "I* yo% do . . . I'll not o . . ."

"nd +aste the money *or them shoes$ '8o%rse yo%'re oin. nd mind yo% don't slidedo+n the banister."

-%t at this the +orm t%rned.

"Ma$ Do yo% think I +o%ld)"

"0o% did at =an(y Parker's +eddin."

'hirty*i&e years ao$ Do yo% think I +o%ld do it no+)"

"It's time yo% +ere o**. What are yo% 3abberin here *or) Do yo% +ant to miss yo%r train)"

Pa%line h%rried a+ay and nne sihed +ith relie*. She had been a*raid that old Mrs.ibson had, at the last moment, been taken +ith a *iendish imp%lse to detain Pa%line %ntilthe train +as one.

"=o+ *or a little pea(e," said Mrs. ibson. "his ho%se is in an a+*%l (ondition o*%ntidiness, Miss Shirley. I hope yo% reali5e it ain't al+ays so. Pa%line hasn't kno+n +hi(hend o* her +as %p these last *e+ days. Will yo% please set that &ase an in(h to the le*t)



=o, mo&e it ba(k aain. hat lamp shade is (rooked. Well, that's a little straihter. -%t thatblind is an in(h lo+er than the other. I +ish yo%'d *i it."

nne %nl%(kily a&e the blind too enereti( a t+ist@ it es(aped her *iners and +ent+hi55in to the top.

"h, no+ yo% see," said Mrs. ibson.

nne didn't see b%t she ad3%sted the blind meti(%lo%sly.

"nd no+ +o%ldn't yo% like me to make yo% a ni(e (%p o* tea, Mrs. ibson)"

"I do need somethin. . . . I'm (lean +ore o%t +ith all this +orry and *%ss. My stoma(hseems to be droppin o%t o* me," said Mrs. ibson patheti(ally. "7in yo% make a de(ent(%p o* tea) I'd as soon drink m%d as the tea some *olks make."

"Marilla 8%thbert ta%ht me ho+ to make tea. 0o%'ll see. -%t *irst I'm oin to +heel yo%o%t to the por(h so that yo% (an en3oy the s%nshine."

"I ain't been o%t on the por(h *or years," ob3e(ted Mrs. ibson.

"9h, it's so lo&ely today, it (an't h%rt yo%. I +ant yo% to see the (rab tree in bloom. 0o%(an't see it %nless yo% o o%t. nd the +ind is so%th today, so yo%'ll et the (lo&er s(ent*rom =orman <ohnson's *ield. I'll brin yo% yo%r tea and +e'll drink it toether and then I'llet my embroidery and +e'll sit there and (riti(i5e e&erybody +ho passes."

"I don't hold +ith (riti(i5in people," said Mrs. ibson &irt%o%sly. "It ain't 8hristian. Wo%ldyo% mind tellin me i* that is all yo%r o+n hair)"

"E&ery bit," la%hed nne.

"Pity it's red. ho%h red hair seems to be ittin pop%lar no+. I sort o* like yo%r la%h.

hat ner&o%s ile o* poor Pa%line's al+ays its on my ner&es. Well, i* I'&e ot to it o%t, Is'pose I'&e ot to. I'll likely ket(h my death o* (old, b%t the responsibility is yo%rs, MissShirley. !emember I'm eihty . . . e&ery day o* it, tho%h I hear old Da&y (kham has beentellin all aro%nd S%mmerside I'm only se&entynine. /is mother +as a Watt. he Watts+ere al+ays 3ealo%s."

nne mo&ed the +heel(hair de*tly o%t, and pro&ed that she had a kna(k o* arraninpillo+s. Soon a*ter she bro%ht o%t the tea and Mrs. ibson deined appro&al.

"0es, this is drinkable, Miss Shirley. h me, *or one year I had to li&e entirely on li6%ids.hey ne&er tho%ht I'd p%ll thro%h. I o*ten think it miht ha&e been better i* I hadn't. Is that

the (rab tree yo% +as ra&in abo%t)""0es . . . isn't it lo&ely . . . so +hite aainst that deep bl%e sky)"

"It ain't poeti(al," +as Mrs. ibson's sole (omment. -%t she be(ame rather mello+ a*tert+o (%ps o* tea and the *orenoon +ore a+ay %ntil it +as time to think o* dinner.

"I'll o and et it ready and then I'll brin it o%t here on a little table."

"=o, yo% +on't, miss. =o (ra5y monkeyshines like that *or me$ People +o%ld think it a+*%l6%eer, %s eatin o%t here in p%bli(. I ain't denyin it's kind o* ni(e o%t here . . . tho%h thesmell o* (lo&er al+ays makes me kind o* s6%almish . . . and the *orenoon's passed a+*%l6%i(k to +hat it mostly does, b%t I ain't eatin my dinner o%to*doors *or any one. I ain't a

ypsy. Mind yo% +ash yo%r hands (lean be*ore yo% (ook the dinner. My, Mrs. Storey m%stbe epe(tin more (ompany. She's ot all the spareroom bed(lothes airin on the line. Itain't real hospitality . . . 3%st a desire *or sensation. /er mother +as a 8arey."



he dinner nne prod%(ed pleased e&en Mrs. ibson.

"I didn't think any one +ho +rote *or the papers (o%ld (ook. -%t o* (o%rse Marilla 8%thbertbro%ht yo% %p. /er mother +as a <ohnson. I s'pose Pa%line +ill eat hersel* si(k at that+eddin. She don't kno+ +hen she's had eno%h . . . 3%st like her *ather. I'&e seen himore on stra+berries +hen he kne+ he'd be do%bled %p +ith pain an ho%r a*ter+ards. DidI e&er sho+ yo% his pi(t%re, Miss Shirley) Well, o to the spareroom and brin it do+n.0o%'ll *ind it %nder the bed. Mind yo% don't o pryin into the dra+ers +hile yo%'re %p there.-%t take a peep and see i* there's any d%st (%rls %nder the b%rea%. I don't tr%stPa%line. . . . h, yes, that's him. /is mother +as a Walker. here's no men like thatno+adays. his is a deenerate ae, Miss Shirley."

"/omer said the same thin eiht h%ndred years, -.8.," smiled nne.

"Some o* them 9ld estament +riters +as al+ays (roakin," said Mrs. ibson. "I daresayyo%'re sho(ked to hear me say so, Miss Shirley, b%t my h%sband +as &ery broad in his&ie+s. I hear yo%'re enaed . . . to a medi(al st%dent. Medi(al st%dents mostly drink, Ibelie&e . . . ha&e to, to stand the disse(tinroom. =e&er marry a man +ho drinks, Miss

Shirley. =or one +ho ain't a ood pro&ider. histledo+n and moonshine ain't m%(h to li&eon, I kin tell yo%. Mind yo% (lean the sink and rinse the dishto+els. I (an't abide reasydishto+els. I s'pose yo%'ll ha&e to *eed the do. /e's too *at no+, b%t Pa%line 3%st st%**shim. Sometimes I think I'll ha&e to et rid o* him."

"9h, I +o%ldn't do that, Mrs. ibson. here are al+ays b%rlaries, yo% kno+ . . . and yo%rho%se is lonely, o** here by itsel*. 0o% really do need prote(tion."

"9h, +ell, ha&e it yo%r o+n +ay. I'd r%ther do anythin than ar%e +ith people, 'spe(ially+hen I'&e s%(h a 6%eer throbbin in the ba(k o* my ne(k. I s'pose it means I'm oin toha&e a stroke."

"0o% need yo%r nap. When yo%'&e had it yo%'ll *eel better. I'll t%(k yo% %p and lo+er yo%r(hair. Wo%ld yo% like to o o%t on the por(h *or yo%r nap)"

"Sleepin in p%bli($ hat'd be +orse than eatin. 0o% do ha&e the 6%eerest ideas. 0o% 3%st*i me %p riht here in the sittinroom and dra+ the blinds do+n and sh%t the door to keepthe *lies o%t. I daresay yo%'d like a 6%iet spell yo%rsel* . . . yo%r ton%e's been oin prettysteady."

Mrs. ibson had a ood lon nap, b%t +oke %p in a bad h%mor. She +o%ld not let nne+heel her o%t to the por(h aain.

"Want me to ket(h my death in the niht air, I s'pose," she r%mbled, altho%h it +as only

*i&e o'(lo(k. =othin s%ited her. he drink nne bro%ht her +as too (old . . . the net one+asn't (old eno%h . . . o* (o%rse anything +o%ld do *or her. Where +as the do)Misbeha&in, no do%bt. /er ba(k a(hed . . . her knees a(hed . . . her head a(hed . . . herbreastbone a(hed. =obody sympathi5ed +ith her . . . nobody kne+ +hat she +ent thro%h./er (hair +as too hih . . . her (hair +as too lo+. . . . She +anted a sha+l *or hersho%lders and an a*han *or her knees and a (%shion *or her *eet. nd %ould Miss Shirleysee +here that a+*%l dra%ht +as (omin *rom) She (o%ld do +ith a (%p o* tea, b%t shedidn't +ant to be a tro%ble to any one and she +o%ld soon be at rest in her ra&e. Maybethey miht appre(iate her +hen she +as one.

"-e the day short or be the day lon, at last it +eareth to e&enin son." here +ere

moments +hen nne tho%ht it ne&er +o%ld, b%t it did. S%nset (ame and Mrs. ibsonbean to +onder +hy Pa%line +asn't (omin. +iliht (ame . . . still no Pa%line. =iht andmoonshine and no Pa%line.



"I kne+ it," said Mrs. ibson (rypti(ally.

"0o% kno+ she (an't (ome till Mr. reor (omes and he's enerally the last do h%n,"soothed nne. "Won't yo% let me p%t yo% to bed, Mrs. ibson) 0o%'re tired . . . I kno+ it's abit o* a strain ha&in a straner ro%nd instead o* some one yo%'re a((%stomed to."

he little p%(kery lines abo%t Mrs. ibson's mo%th deepened obstinately.

"I'm not oin to bed till that irl (omes home. -%t i* yo%'re so anio%s to be one, go. ' (anstay alone . . . or die alone."

t hal* past nine Mrs. ibson de(ided that <im reor +as not (omin home till Monday.

"=obody (o%ld e&er depend on <im reor to stay in the same mind t+enty*o%r ho%rs. nd he thinks it's +ron to tra&el on S%nday e&en to (ome home. /e's on yo%r s(hoolboard, ain't he) What do yo% really think o* him and his opinions on eddi(ation)"

nne +ent +i(ked. *ter all, she had end%red a ood deal at Mrs. ibson's hands that day.

"I think he's a psy(holoi(al ana(hronism," she ans+ered ra&ely.

Mrs. ibson did not bat an eyelash.

"I aree +ith yo%," she said. -%t she pretended to o to sleep a*ter that.

14

It +as ten o'(lo(k +hen Pa%line (ame at last . . . a *l%shed, starryeyed Pa%line, lookin tenyears yo%ner, in spite o* the res%med ta**eta and the old hat, and (arryin a bea%ti*%lbo%6%et +hi(h she h%rriedly presented to the rim lady in the +heel(hair.

"he bride sent yo% her bo%6%et, Ma. Isn't it lo&ely) +enty*i&e +hite roses."

"8at's hind*oot$ I don't s'pose any one tho%ht o* sendin me a (r%mb o* +eddin(ake.People no+adays don't seem to ha&e any *amily *eelin. h, +ell, I'&e seen the day . . ."

"-%t they did. I'&e a reat bi pie(e here in my ba. nd e&erybody asked abo%t yo% andsent yo% their lo&e, Ma."

"Did yo% ha&e a ni(e time)" asked nne.

Pa%line sat do+n on a hard (hair be(a%se she kne+ her mother +o%ld resent it i* she saton a so*t one.

";ery ni(e," she said (a%tio%sly. "We had a lo&ely +eddindinner and Mr. :reeman, the%ll 8o&e minister, married Lo%isa and Ma%ri(e o&er aain. . . ."

"I (all that sa(rileio%s. . . ."

"nd then the photorapher took all o%r pi(t%res. he *lo+ers +ere simply +onder*%l. heparlor +as a bo+er . . ."

"Like a *%neral I s'pose . . ."

"nd, oh, Ma. Mary L%(kley +as there *rom the +est . . . Mrs. :lemmin, yo% kno+. 0o%



remember +hat *riends she and I al+ays +ere. We %sed to (all ea(h other Polly and Molly.. . ."

";ery silly names . . ."

"nd it +as so ni(e to see her aain and ha&e a lon talk o&er old times. /er sister Em+as there, too, +ith s%(h a deli(io%s baby."

"0o% talk as i* it +as somethin to eat," r%nted Mrs. ibson. "-abies are (ommoneno%h."

"9h, no, babies are ne&er (ommon," said nne, brinin a bo+l o* +ater *or Mrs. ibson'sroses. "E&ery one is a mira(le."

"Well, I had ten and I ne&er sa+ m%(h that +as mira(%lo%s abo%t any o* them. Pa%line, dosit still i* yo% kin. 0o% *idet me. I noti(e yo% ain't askin ho+ ' ot alon. -%t I s'pose I(o%ldn't epe(t it."

"I (an tell ho+ yo% ot alon +itho%t askin, Ma . . . yo% look so briht and (heer*%l."

Pa%line +as still so %pli*ted by the day that she (o%ld be a little ar(h e&en +ith her mother."I'm s%re yo% and Miss Shirley had a ni(e time toether."

"We ot on +ell eno%h. I 3%st let her ha&e her o+n +ay. I admit it's the *irst time in yearsI'&e heard some interestin (on&ersation. I ain't so near the ra&e as some people +o%ldlike to make o%t. hank hea&en I'&e ne&er ot dea* or (hildish. Well, I s'pose the net thinyo%'ll be o** to the moon. nd I s'pose they didn't (are *or my sarsaparilla +ine by any(han(e)"

"9h, they did. hey tho%ht it deli(io%s."

"0o%'&e taken yo%r o+n time tellin me that. Did yo% brin ba(k the bottle . . . or +o%ld it be

too m%(h to epe(t yo%'d remember that)"

"he . . . the bottle ot broke," *altered Pa%line. "Some one kno(ked it o&er in the pantry.-%t Lo%isa a&e me another 3%st ea(tly the same, Ma, so yo% needn't +orry."

"I'&e had that bottle e&er sin(e I started ho%sekeepin. Lo%isa's (an't be ea(tly the same.hey don't make s%(h bottles no+adays. I +ish yo%'d brin me another sha+l. I'msnee5in . . . I epe(t I'&e ot a terrible (old. 0o% (an't either o* yo% seem to remember notto let the niht air it at me. Likely it'll brin my ne%ritis ba(k."

n old neihbor %p the street dropped in at this <%n(t%re and Pa%line snat(hed at the(han(e to o a little +ay +ith nne.

"ood niht, Miss Shirley," said Mrs. ibson 6%ite ra(io%sly. "I'm m%(h oblied to yo%. I*there +as more people like yo% in this to+n, it +o%ld be the better *or it." She rinnedtoothlessly and p%lled nne do+n to her. "I don't (are +hat people say . . . I think yo%'rereal ni(elookin," she +hispered.

Pa%line and nne +alked alon the street, thro%h the (ool, reen niht, and Pa%line lethersel* o, as she had not dared do be*ore her mother.

"9h, Miss Shirley, it +as hea&enly. /o+ (an I e&er repay yo%) I'&e ne&er spent s%(h a+onder*%l day . . . I'll li&e on it *or years. It +as s%(h *%n bein a bridesmaid aain. nd8aptain Isaa( 7ent +as roomsman. /e . . . he %sed to be an old bea% o* mine . . . +ell,

no, hardly a bea% . . . . I don't think he e&er had any real intentions b%t +e dro&e ro%ndtoether . . . and he paid me t+o (ompliments. /e said, 'I remember ho+ pretty yo% lookedat Lo%isa's +eddin in that +ine(olored dress.' Wasn't it +onder*%l his rememberin the



dress) nd he said, '0o%r hair looks 3%st as m%(h like molasses ta**y as it e&er did.' here+asn't anythin improper in his sayin that, +as there, Miss Shirley)"

"=othin +hate&er."

"Lo% and Molly and I had s%(h a ni(e s%pper toether a*ter e&erybody had one. I +as soh%nry . . . I don't think I'&e been so h%nry *or years. It +as so ni(e to eat 3%st +hat I

+anted and nobody to +arn me abo%t thins that +o%ldn't aree +ith my stoma(h. *ters%pper Mary and I +ent o&er to her old home and +andered aro%nd the arden, talkino&er old times. We sa+ the lila( b%shes +e planted years ao. We had some bea%ti*%ls%mmers toether +hen +e +ere irls. hen +hen it (ame s%nset +e +ent do+n to thedear old shore and sat there on a ro(k in silen(e. here +as a bell rinin do+n at theharbor and it +as lo&ely to *eel the +ind *rom the sea aain and see the stars tremblin inthe +ater. I had *orotten niht on the %l* (o%ld be so bea%ti*%l. When it ot 6%ite dark +e+ent ba(k and Mr. reor +as ready to start . . . and so," (on(l%ded Pa%line +ith a la%h,"he 9ld Woman ot /ome hat =iht."

"I +ish . . . I +ish yo% didn't ha&e s%(h a hard time at home, Pa%line. . . ."

"9h, dear Miss Shirley, I +on't mind it no+," said Pa%line 6%i(kly. "*ter all, poor Ma needsme. nd it's ni(e to be needed, my dear."

0es, it +as ni(e to be needed. nne tho%ht o* this in her to+er room, +here D%sty Miller,ha&in e&aded both !ebe((a De+ and the +ido+s, +as (%rled %p on her bed. She tho%hto* Pa%line trottin ba(k to her bondae b%t (ompanied by "the immortal spirit o* one happyday."

"I hope some one +ill al+ays need me," said nne to D%sty Miller. "nd it's +onder*%l,D%sty Miller, to be able to i&e happiness to somebody. It has made me *eel so ri(h, i&inPa%line this day. -%t, oh, D%sty Miller, yo% don't think I'll e&er be like Mrs. doniram

ibson, e&en i* I li&e to be eihty) Do yo%, D%sty Miller)"

D%sty Miller, +ith ri(h, throaty p%rrs, ass%red her he didn't.

15

nne +ent do+n to -onny&ie+ on the :riday niht be*ore the +eddin. he =elsons +erei&in a dinner *or some *amily *riends and +eddin%ests arri&in by the boat train. hebi, ramblin ho%se +hi(h +as Dr. =elson's "s%mmer home" +as b%ilt amon spr%(es on alon point +ith the bay on both sides and a stret(h o* oldenbreasted d%nes beyond thatkne+ all there +as to be kno+n abo%t +inds.

nne liked it the moment she sa+ it. n old stone ho%se al+ays looks repose*%l anddini*ied. It *ears not +hat rain or +ind or (hanin *ashion (an do. nd on this <%nee&enin it +as b%bblin o&er +ith yo%n li*e and e(itement, the la%hter o* irls, thereetins o* old *riends, b%ies (omin and oin, (hildren r%nnin e&ery+here, i*tsarri&in, e&ery one in the deliht*%l t%rmoil o* a +eddin, +hile Dr. =elson's t+o bla(k (ats,+ho re3oi(ed in the names o* -arnabas and Sa%l, sat on the railin o* the &eranda and+at(hed e&erythin like t+o impert%rbable sable sphines.

Sally deta(hed hersel* *rom a mob and +hisked nne %pstairs.



"We'&e sa&ed the north able room *or yo%. 9* (o%rse yo%'ll ha&e to share it +ith at leastthree others. here's a per*e(t riot here. :ather's ha&in a tent p%t %p *or the boys do+namon the spr%(es and later on +e (an ha&e (ots in the lassedin por(h at the ba(k. nd+e (an pa(k most o* the (hildren in the haylo*t o* (o%rse. 9h, nne, I'm so e(ited. It'sreally no end o* *%n ettin married. My +eddindress 3%st (ame *rom Montreal today. It'sa dream . . . (ream (orded silk +ith a la(e bertha and pearl embroidery. he lo&eliest i*ts

ha&e (ome. his is yo%r bed. Mamie ray and Dot :raser and Sis Palmer ha&e the others.Mother +anted to p%t my Ste+art here b%t I +o%ldn't let her. my hates yo% be(a%se she+anted to be my bridesmaid. -%t I (o%ldn't ha&e any one so *at and d%mpy, (o%ld I no+)-esides, she looks like somebody seasi(k in =ile reen. 9h, nne, %nt Mo%ser is here.She (ame 3%st a *e+ min%tes ao and +e're simply horrorstri(ken. 9* (o%rse +e had toin&ite her, b%t +e ne&er tho%ht o* her (omin be*ore tomorro+."

"Who in the +orld is %nt Mo%ser)"

"Dad's a%nt, Mrs. <ames 7ennedy. 9h, o* (o%rse she's really %nt ra(e, b%t ommyni(knamed her %nt Mo%ser be(a%se she's al+ays mo%sin ro%nd po%n(in on thins +edon't +ant her to *ind o%t. here's no es(apin her. She e&en ets %p early in the mornin*or *ear o* missin somethin and she's the last to o to bed at niht. -%t that isn't the+orst. I* there's a +ron thin to say she's (ertain to say it and she's ne&er learned thatthere are 6%estions that m%stn't be asked. Dad (alls her spee(hes '%nt Mo%ser's*eli(ities.' I kno+ she'll spoil the dinner. /ere she (omes no+."

he door opened and %nt Mo%ser (ame in . . . a *at, bro+n, popeyed little +oman,mo&in in an atmosphere o* mothballs and +earin a (hroni(ally +orried epression.E(ept *or the epression she really did look a ood deal like a h%ntin p%ssy(at.

"So yo%'re the Miss Shirley I'&e al+ays heard so m%(h o*. 0o% ain't a bit like a Miss ShirleyI on(e kne+. She had s%(h bea%ti*%l eyes. Well, Sally, so yo%'re to be married at last. Poor

=ora is the only one le*t. Well, yo%r mother is l%(ky to be rid o* *i&e o* yo%. Eiht years aoI said to her, '<ane,' se5 I, 'do yo% think yo%'ll eer et all those irls married o**)' Well, aman is nothin b%t tro%ble as I sees it and o* all the %n(ertain thins marriae is the%n(ertainest, b%t +hat else is there *or a +oman in this +orld) hat's +hat I'&e 3%st beensayin to poor =ora. 'Mark my +ords, =ora,' I said to her, 'there isn't m%(h *%n in bein anold maid. What's <im Wil(o thinkin o*)' I said to her."

"9h, %nt ra(e, I +ish yo% hadn't$ <im and =ora had some sort o* a 6%arrel last <an%aryand he's ne&er been ro%nd sin(e."

"I belie&e in sayin +hat I think. hins is better said. I'd heard o* that 6%arrel. hat's +hy Iasked her abo%t him. 'It's only riht,' I told her, 'that yo% sho%ld kno+ they say he's dri&in

Eleanor Prinle.' She ot red and mad and *lo%n(ed o**. What's ;era <ohnson doin here)She ain't any relation."

";era's al+ays been a reat *riend o* mine, %nt ra(e. She's oin to play the +eddinmar(h."

"9h, she is, is she) Well, all I hope is she +on't make a mistake and play the Dead Mar(hlike Mrs. om S(ott did at Dora -est's +eddin. S%(h a bad omen. I don't kno+ +hereyo%'re oin to p%t the mob yo%'&e ot here *or the niht. Some o* %s +ill ha&e to sleep onthe (lothesline I re(kon."

"9h, +e'll *ind a pla(e *or e&ery one, %nt ra(e."

"Well, Sally, all I hope is yo% +on't (hane yo%r mind at the last moment like /elenS%mmers did. It (l%tters thins %p so. 0o%r *ather is in terrible hih spirits. I ne&er +as one



to o lookin *or tro%ble b%t all I hope is it ain't the *orer%nner o* a stroke. I'&e seen ithappen that +ay."

"9h, Dad's *ine, %nt Mo%ser. /e's 3%st a bit e(ited."

"h, yo%'re too yo%n, Sally, to kno+ all that (an happen. 0o%r mother tells me the(eremony is at hih noon tomorro+. he *ashions in +eddins are (hanin like e&erythin

else and not *or the better. When ' +as married it +as in the e&enin and my *ather laid int+enty allons o* li6%or *or the +eddin. h, dear me, times ain't +hat they %sed to be.What's the matter +ith Mer(y Daniels) I met her on the stairs and her (ompleion has otterrible m%ddy."

"'he 6%ality o* mer(y is not strained,'" iled Sally, +rilin into her dinnerdress.

"Don't 6%ote the -ible *lippantly," reb%ked %nt Mo%ser. "0o% m%st e(%se her, MissShirley. She 3%st ain't %sed to ettin married. Well, all I hope is the room +on't ha&e ah%nted look like so many o* them do. I s'pose they do *eel that +ay, b%t they needn't sho+it so plain. nd I hope he +on't *oret the rin. >pton /ardy did. /im and :lora had to be

married +ith a rin o** one o* the (%rtain poles. Well, I'll be takin another look at the+eddinpresents. 0o%'&e ot a lot o* ni(e thins, Sally. ll I hope is it +on't be as hard tokeep the handles o* them spoons polished as I think likely."

Dinner that niht in the bi, lassedin por(h +as a ay a**air. 8hinese lanterns had beenh%n all abo%t it, sheddin mello+tinted lihts on the pretty dresses and lossy hair and+hite, %nlined bro+s o* irls. -arnabas and Sa%l sat like ebony stat%es on the broad armso* the Do(tor's (hair, +here he *ed them tidbits alternately.

"<%st abo%t as bad as Parker Prinle," said %nt Mo%ser. /He has his do sit at the table+ith a (hair and napkin o* his o+n. Well, sooner or later there'll be a 3%dment."

It +as a lare party, *or all the married =elson irls and their h%sbands +ere there, besides%shers and bridesmaids@ and it +as a merry one, in spite o* %nt Mo%ser's "*eli(ities" . . . orperhaps be(a%se o* them. =obody took %nt Mo%ser &ery serio%sly@ she +as e&idently a 3oke amon the yo%n *ry. When she said, on bein introd%(ed to ordon /ill, "Well, +ell,yo% ain't a bit like I epe(ted. I al+ays tho%ht Sally +o%ld pi(k o%t a tall handsome man,"ripples o* la%hter ran thro%h the por(h. ordon /ill, +ho +as on the short side and(alled no more than "pleasant*a(ed" by his best *riends, kne+ he +o%ld ne&er hear thelast o* it. When she said to Dot :raser, "Well, +ell, a ne+ dress e&ery time I see yo%$ ll Ihope is yo%r *ather's p%rse +ill be able to stand it *or a *e+ years yet," Dot (o%ld, o* (o%rse,ha&e boiled her in oil, b%t some o* the other irls *o%nd it am%sin. nd +hen %nt Mo%sermo%rn*%lly remarked, apropos o* the preparations o* the +eddindinner, "ll I hope is

e&erybody +ill et her teaspoons a*ter+ards. :i&e +ere missin a*ter ertie Pa%l's+eddin. hey ne&er t%rned %p," Mrs. =elson, +ho had borro+ed three do5en and thesistersinla+ she had borro+ed them *rom all looked harried. -%t Dr. =elson ha+ha+ed(heer*%lly.

"We'll make e&eryone t%rn o%t their po(kets be*ore they o, %nt ra(e."

"h, yo% may la%h, Sam%el. It is no 3okinmatter to ha&e anythin like that happen in the*amily. Some one m%st ha&e those teaspoons. I ne&er o any+here b%t I keep my eyesopen *or them. I'd kno+ them +here&er I sa+ them, tho%h it +as t+entyeiht years ao.Poor =ora +as 3%st a baby then. 0o% remember yo% had her there, <ane, in a little +hiteembroidered dress) +entyeiht years$ h, =ora, yo%'re ettin on, tho%h in this lihtyo% don't sho+ yo%r ae so m%(h."

=ora did not 3oin in the la%h that *ollo+ed. She looked as i* she miht *lash lihtnin at



any moment. In spite o* her da**odilh%ed dress and the pearls in her dark hair, she made nne think o* a bla(k moth. In dire(t (ontrast +ith Sally, +ho +as a (ool, sno+y blonde,=ora =elson had mani*i(ent bla(k hair, d%sky eyes, hea&y bla(k bro+s and &el&ety red(heeks. /er nose +as beinnin to look a tri*le ha+klike and she had ne&er beena((o%nted pretty, b%t nne *elt an odd attra(tion to her in spite o* her s%lky, smolderinepression. She *elt that she +o%ld pre*er =ora as a *riend to the pop%lar Sally.

hey had a dan(e a*ter dinner and m%si( and la%hter (ame t%mblin o%t o* the broad lo++indo+s o* the old stone ho%se in a *lood. t ten =ora had disappeared. nne +as a littletired o* the noise and merriment. She slipped thro%h the hall to a ba(k door that openedalmost on the bay, and *litted do+n a *liht o* ro(ky steps to the shore, past a little ro&e o*pointed *irs. /o+ di&ine the (ool salt air +as a*ter the s%ltry e&enin$ /o+ e6%isite thesil&er patterns o* moonliht on the bay$ /o+ dreamlike that ship +hi(h had sailed at therisin o* the moon and +as no+ approa(hin the harbor bar$ It +as a niht +hen yo% mihtepe(t to stray into a dan(e o* mermaids.

=ora +as h%n(hed %p in the rim bla(k shado+ o* a ro(k by the +ater's ede, lookinmore like a th%nderstorm than e&er.

"May I sit +ith yo% *or a +hile)" asked nne. "I'm a little tired o* dan(in and it's a shame tomiss this +onder*%l niht. I en&y yo% +ith the +hole harbor *or a ba(k yard like this."

"What +o%ld yo% *eel like at a time like this i* yo% had no bea%)" asked =ora abr%ptly ands%llenly. "9r any likelihood o* one," she added still more s%llenly.

"I think it m%st be yo%r o+n *a%lt i* yo% ha&en't," said nne, sittin do+n beside her. =ora*o%nd hersel* tellin nne her tro%bles. here +as al+ays somethin abo%t nne thatmade people tell her their tro%bles.

"0o%'re sayin that to be polite o* (o%rse. 0o% needn't. 0o% kno+ as +ell as I do that I'm

not a irl men are likely to *all in lo&e +ith . . . I'm 'the plain Miss =elson.' It isn&t my *a%ltthat I ha&en't anybody. I (o%ldn't stand it in there any loner. I had to (ome do+n here and 3%st let mysel* be %nhappy. I'm tired o* smilin and bein areeable to e&ery one andpretendin not to (are +hen they i&e me dis abo%t not bein married. I'm not oin topretend any loner. I do (are . . . I (are horribly. I'm the only one o* the =elson irls le*t.:i&e o* %s are married or +ill be tomorro+. 0o% heard %nt Mo%ser (astin my ae %p tome at the dinnertable. nd I heard her tellin Mother be*ore dinner that I had 'aed 6%ite abit' sin(e last s%mmer. 9* (o%rse I ha&e. I'm t+entyeiht. In t+el&e more years I'll be *orty./o+ +ill I end%re li*e at *orty, nne, i* I ha&en't ot any roots o* my o+n by that time)"

"I +o%ldn't mind +hat a *oolish old +oman said."

"9h, +o%ldn't yo%) 0o% ha&en't a nose like mine. I'll be as beaky as :ather in ten moreyears. nd I s%ppose yo% +o%ldn't (are, either, i* yo%'d +aited years *or a man to propose .. . and he 3%st +o%ldn't)"

"9h, yes, I think I +o%ld (are abo%t that./

"Well, that's my predi(ament ea(tly. 9h, I kno+ yo%'&e heard o* <im Wil(o and me. It'ss%(h an old story. /e's been hanin aro%nd me *or years . . . b%t he's ne&er said anythinabo%t ettin married."

"Do yo% (are *or him)"

"9* (o%rse I (are. I'&e al+ays pretended I didn't b%t, as I'&e told yo%, I'm thro%h +ithpretendin. nd he's ne&er been near me sin(e last <an%ary. We had a *iht . . . b%t +e'&ehad h%ndreds o* *ihts. /e al+ays (ame ba(k be*ore . . . b%t he hasn't (ome this time . . .



and he ne&er +ill. /e doesn't +ant to. Look at his ho%se a(ross the bay, shinin in themoonliht. I s%ppose he's there . . . and I'm here . . . and all the harbor bet+een %s. hat'sthe +ay it al+ays +ill be. It . . . it's terrible$ nd I (an't do a thin."

"I* yo% sent *or him, +o%ldn't he (ome ba(k)"

"Send *or him$ Do yo% think I'd do that I'd die *irst. I* he +ants to (ome, there's nothin to

pre&ent him (omin. I* he doesn't, ' don't +ant him to. 0es, I do . . . I do$ I lo&e <im . . . andI +ant to et married. I +ant to ha&e a home o* my o+n and be 'Mrs.' and sh%t %ntMo%ser's mo%th. 9h, I +ish I (o%ld be -arnabas or Sa%l *or a *e+ moments 3%st to s+earat her$ I* she (alls me 'poor =ora' aain I'll thro+ a s(%ttle at her. -%t a*ter all, she onlysays +hat e&erybody thinks. Mother has despaired lon ao o* my e&er marryin, so shelea&es me alone, b%t the rest ra me. I hate Sally . . . o* (o%rse I'm dread*%l . . . b%t I hateher. She's ettin a ni(e h%sband and a lo&ely home. It isn't *air she sho%ld ha&ee&erythin and I nothin. She isn't better or (le&erer or m%(h prettier than me . . . onlyl%(kier. I s%ppose yo% think I'm a+*%l . . . not that I (are +hat yo% think."

"I think yo%'re &ery, &ery tired, a*ter all these +eeks o* preparation and strain, and that

thins +hi(h +ere al+ays hard ha&e be(ome too hard all at on(e."

"0o% %nderstand . . . oh, yes, I al+ays kne+ yo% +o%ld. I'&e +anted to be *riends +ith yo%, nne Shirley. I like the +ay yo% la%h. I'&e al+ays +ished I (o%ld la%h like that. I'm not ass%lky as I look . . . it's these eyebro+s. I really think they're +hat s(are the men a+ay. Ine&er had a real irl *riend in my li*e. -%t o* (o%rse I al+ays had <im. We'&e been . . .*riends . . . e&er sin(e +e +ere kids. Why, I %sed to p%t a liht %p in that little +indo+ in theatti( +hene&er I +anted him o&er parti(%larly and he'd sail a(ross at on(e. We +ente&ery+here toether. =o other boy e&er had a (han(e . . . not that any one +anted it, Is%ppose. nd no+ it's all o&er. /e +as 3%st tired o* me and +as lad o* the e(%se o* a6%arrel to et *ree. 9h, +on't I hate yo% tomorro+ be(a%se I'&e told yo% this$"

"Why)"

"We al+ays hate people +ho s%rprise o%r se(rets, I s%ppose," said =ora drearily. "-%tthere's somethin ets into yo% at a +eddin . . . and I 3%st don't (are . . . I don't (are *oranythin. 9h, nne Shirley, I'm so miserable$ <%st let me ha&e a ood (ry on yo%rsho%lder. I'&e got to smile and look happy all day tomorro+. Sally thinks it's be(a%se I'ms%perstitio%s that I +o%ldn't be her bridesmaid. . . . 'hree times a bridesmaid, ne&er abride,' yo% kno+. 'isn't$ I 3%st (o%ldn't end%re to stand there and hear her sayin, 'I +ill,'and kno+ I'd ne&er ha&e a (han(e to say it *or <im. I'd ha&e *l%n ba(k my head andho+led. I +ant to be a bride . . . and ha&e a tro%ssea% . . . and monorammed linen . . .and lo&ely presents. E&en %nt Mo%ser's sil&er b%tterdish. She al+ays i&es a b%tterdish

to e&ery bride . . . a+*%l thins +ith tops like the dome o* St. Peter's. We (o%ld ha&e had iton the break*ast table 3%st *or <im to make *%n o*. nne, I think I'm oin (ra5y."

he dan(e +as o&er +hen the irls +ent ba(k to the ho%se, hand in hand. People +erebein sto+ed a+ay *or the niht. ommy =elson +as takin -arnabas and Sa%l to thebarn. %nt Mo%ser +as still sittin on a so*a, thinkin o* all the dread*%l thins she hoped+o%ldn't happen on the morro+.

"I hope nobody +ill et %p and i&e a reason +hy they sho%ldn't be 3oined toether. *hathappened at illie /at*ield's +eddin."

"=o s%(h ood l%(k *or ordon as that," said the roomsman. %nt Mo%ser *ied him +itha stony bro+n eye.

"0o%n man, marriae isn't ea(tly a 3oke."



"0o% bet it isn't," said the %nrepentant. "/ello, =ora, +hen are +e oin to ha&e a (han(eto dan(e at yo%r +eddin)"

=ora did not ans+er in +ords. She +ent (loser %p to him and deliberately slapped him,*irst on one side o* his *a(e and then on the other. he slaps +ere not makebelie&e ones.hen she +ent %pstairs +itho%t lookin behind her.

"hat irl," said %nt Mo%ser, "is o&er+ro%ht."

16

he *orenoon o* Sat%rday passed in a +hirl o* lastmin%te thins. nne, shro%ded in one o*Mrs. =elson's aprons, spent it in the kit(hen helpin =ora +ith the salads. =ora +as all

pri(kles, e&idently repentin, as she had *oretold, her (on*iden(es o* the niht be*ore.

"We'll be all tired o%t *or a month," she snapped, "and :ather (an't really a**ord all thisspl%re. -%t Sally +as set on ha&in +hat she (alls a 'pretty +eddin' and :ather a&e in./e's al+ays spoiled her."

"Spite and 3ealo%sy," said %nt Mo%ser, s%ddenly poppin her head o%t o* the pantry,+here she +as dri&in Mrs. =elson *ranti( +ith her hopins aainst hope.

"She's riht," said =ora bitterly to nne. "%ite riht. I am spite*%l and 3ealo%s . . . I hate the&ery look o* happy people. -%t all the same I'm not sorry I slapped <%d aylor's *a(e lastniht. I'm only sorry I didn't t+eak his nose into the barain. Well, that *inishes the salads.

hey do look pretty. I lo&e *%ssin thins %p +hen I'm normal. 9h, a*ter all, I hopee&erythin +ill o o** ni(ely *or Sally's sake. I s%ppose I do lo&e her %nderneath e&erythin,tho%h 3%st no+ I *eel as i* I hated e&ery one and <im Wil(o +orst o* all."

"Well, all I hope is the room +on't be missin 3%st be*ore the (eremony," *loated o%t *romthe pantry in %nt Mo%ser's l%%brio%s tones. "%stin 8reed +as. /e 3%st *orot he +as tobe married that day. he 8reeds +ere al+ays *oret*%l, b%t I (all that (arryin thins too*ar."

he t+o irls looked at ea(h other and la%hed. =ora's +hole *a(e (haned +hen shela%hed . . . lihtened . . . lo+ed . . . rippled. nd then some one (ame o%t to tell her that-arnabas had been si(k on the stairs . . . too many (hi(ken li&ers probably. =ora r%shedo** to repair the damae and %nt Mo%ser (ame o%t o* the pantry to hope that the+eddin(ake +o%ldn't disappear as had happened at lma 8lark's +eddin ten yearsbe*ore.

-y noon e&erythin +as in imma(%late readiness . . . the table laid, the beds bea%ti*%llydressed, baskets o* *lo+ers e&ery+here@ and in the bi north room %pstairs Sally and herthree bridesmaids +ere in 6%i&erin splendor. nne, in her =ile reen dress and hat,looked at hersel* in the mirror, and +ished that ilbert (o%ld see her.

"0o%'re +onder*%l," said =ora hal* en&io%sly.

"0o%'re lookin +onder*%l yo%rsel*, =ora. hat smokebl%e (hi**on and that pi(t%re hatbrin o%t the loss o* yo%r hair and the bl%e o* yo%r eyes."

"here's nobody to (are ho+ I look," said =ora bitterly. "Well, +at(h me rin, nne. I





n idea popped into nne's head. She had al+ays been a prey to imp%lse. Dartin into thekit(hen, she snat(hed %p a little handlamp aliht there, sped %p the ba(k stairs and %panother *liht to the atti(. She set the liht in the dormer+indo+ that looked o%t a(ross theharbor. he trees hid it *rom the dan(ers.

"/e may see it and (ome. I s%ppose =ora +ill be *%rio%s +ith me, b%t that +on't matter i*he only (omes. nd no+ to +rap %p a bit o* +eddin(ake *or !ebe((a De+."

<im Wil(o did not (ome. nne a&e %p lookin *or him a*ter a +hile and *orot him in themerriment o* the e&enin. =ora had disappeared and %nt Mo%ser had *or a +onder oneto bed. It +as ele&en o'(lo(k +hen the re&elry (eased and the tired moonlihters ya+nedtheir +ay %pstairs. nne +as so sleepy, she ne&er tho%ht o* the liht in the atti(. -%t att+o o'(lo(k %nt Mo%ser (rept into the room and *lashed a (andle in the irls' *a(es.

"oodness, +hat's the matter)" asped Dot :raser, sittin %p in bed.

"Ssssh," +arned %nt Mo%ser, her eyes nearly poppin o%t o* her head, "I think there'ssome one in the ho%se . . . I $no% there is. What is that noise)"

"So%nds like a (at me+in or a do barkin," iled Dot.

"=othin o* the sort," said %nt Mo%ser se&erely. "I kno+ there's a do barkin in the barn,b%t that is not +hat +akened me. It +as a b%mp . . . a lo%d, distin(t b%mp."

"':rom hosties and ho%lies and lonleed beasties and thins that o b%mp in theniht, ood Lord, deli&er %s,'" m%rm%red nne.

"Miss Shirley, this ain't any la%hinmatter. here's b%rlars in this ho%se. I'm oin to (allSam%el."

%nt Mo%ser disappeared and the irls looked at ea(h other.

"Do yo% s%ppose . . . all the +eddinpresents are do+n in the library . . ." said nne.

"I'm oin to et %p, anyho+," said Mamie. "nne, did yo% e&er see anythin like %ntMo%ser's *a(e +hen she held the (andle lo+ and the shado+s *ell %p+ard . . . and allthose +isps o* hair hanin abo%t it) alk o* the Wit(h o* Endor$"

:o%r irls in kimonos slipped o%t into the hall. %nt Mo%ser +as (omin alon it, *ollo+edby Dr. =elson in dressino+n and slippers. Mrs. =elson, +ho (o%ldn't *ind her kimono,+as sti(kin a terri*ied *a(e o%t o* her door.

"9h, Sam%el . . . don't take any risks . . . i* it's b%rlars they may shoot. . . ."

"=onsense$ I don't belie&e there's anythin," said the Do(tor.

"I tell yo% I heard a b%mp," 6%a&ered %nt Mo%ser.

(o%ple o* boys 3oined the party. hey (rept (a%tio%sly do+n the stairs +ith the Do(tor atthe head and %nt Mo%ser, (andle in one hand and poker in the other, brinin %p the rear.

here +ere %ndo%btedly noises in the library. he Do(tor opened the door and +alked in.

-arnabas, +ho had (ontri&ed to be o&erlooked in the library +hen Sa%l had been taken tothe barn, +as sittin on the ba(k o* the (hester*ield, blinkin am%sed eyes. =ora and ayo%n man +ere standin in the middle o* the room, +hi(h +as dimly lihted by another

*li(kerin (andle. he yo%n man had his arms aro%nd =ora and +as holdin a lare +hitehandker(hie* to her *a(e.

"/e's (hloro*ormin her$" shrieked %nt Mo%ser, lettin the poker *all +ith a tremendo%s



(rash.

he yo%n man t%rned, dropped the handker(hie* and looked *oolish. 0et he +as a ratherni(elookin yo%n man, +ith (rinkly r%sset eyes and (rinkly redbro+n hair, not to mentiona (hin that a&e the +orld ass%ran(e o* a (hin.

=ora snat(hed the handker(hie* %p and applied it to her *a(e.

"<im Wil(o, +hat does this mean)" said the Do(tor, +ith e(eedin sternness.

/' don't kno+ +hat it means," said <im Wil(o rather s%lkily. "ll I kno+ is =ora sinaled *orme. I didn't see the liht till I ot home at one *rom a Masoni( ban6%et in S%mmerside. ndI sailed riht o&er."

"I didn't sinal *or yo%," stormed =ora. ":or pity's sake don't look like that, :ather. I +asn'tasleep . . . I +as sittin at my +indo+ . . . I hadn't %ndressed . . . and I sa+ a man (omin%p *rom the shore. When he ot near the ho%se I kne+ it +as <im, so I ran do+n. nd I . . .I ran into the library door and made my nose bleed. /e's 3%st been tryin to stop it."

"I 3%mped in at the +indo+ and kno(ked o&er that ben(h. . . ."

"I told yo% I heard a b%mp," said %nt Mo%ser.

". . . and no+ =ora says she didn't sinal *or me, so I'll 3%st relie&e yo% o* my %n+el(omepresen(e, +ith apoloies to all (on(erned."

"It's really too bad to ha&e dist%rbed yo%r niht's rest and bro%ht yo% all the +ay o&er thebay on a +ildoose (hase," said =ora as i(ily as possible, (onsistent +ith h%ntin *or abloodless spot on <im's handker(hie*.

"Wildgoose (hase is riht," said the Do(tor.

"0o%'d better try a doorkey do+n yo%r ba(k," said %nt Mo%ser.

"It +as I +ho p%t the liht in the +indo+," said nne shame*a(edly, "and then I *orot . . ."

"0o% dared$" (ried =ora, "I'll ne&er *ori&e yo% . . ."

"/a&e yo% all one (ra5y)" said the Do(tor irritably. "What's all this *%ss abo%t, anyho+):or hea&en's sake p%t that +indo+ do+n, <im . . . there's a +ind blo+in in *it to (hill yo% tothe bone. =ora, han yo%r head ba(k and yo%r nose +ill be all riht."

=ora +as sheddin tears o* rae and shame. Minled +ith the blood on her *a(e theymade her a *earsome siht. <im Wil(o looked as i* he +ished the *loor +o%ld open and

ently drop him in the (ellar.

"Well," said %nt Mo%ser bellierently, "all yo% (an do no+ is marry her, <im Wil(o. She'llne&er et a h%sband i* it ets ro%nd that she +as *o%nd here +ith yo% at t+o o'(lo(k atniht."

"Marry her$" (ried <im in easperation. "What ha&e I +anted all my li*e b%t to marry her . . .ne&er +anted anythin else$"

"hen +hy didn't yo% say so lon ao)" demanded =ora, +hirlin abo%t to *a(e him.

"Say so) 0o%'&e sn%bbed and *ro5en and 3eered at me *or years. 0o%'&e one o%t o* yo%r+ay times +itho%t n%mber to sho+ me ho+ yo% despised me. I didn't think it +as the least%se to ask yo%. nd last <an%ary yo% said . . ."

"0o% oaded me into sayin it . . ."



"' oaded yo%$ I like that$ 0o% pi(ked a 6%arrel +ith me 3%st to et rid o* me. . . ."

"I didn't . . . I . . ."

"nd yet I +as *ool eno%h to tear o&er here in the dead o* niht be(a%se I tho%ht yo%'dp%t o%r old sinal in the +indo+ and +anted me$ sk yo% to marry me$ Well, I'll ask yo%no+ and ha&e done +ith it and yo% (an ha&e the *%n o* t%rnin me do+n be*ore all this

an. =ora Edith =elson, +ill yo% marry me)"

"9h, +on't I . . . +on't I$" (ried =ora so shamelessly that e&en -arnabas bl%shed *or her.

<im a&e her one in(red%lo%s look . . . then spran at her. Perhaps her nose had stoppedbleedin . . . perhaps it hadn't. It didn't matter.

"I think yo%'&e all *orotten that this is the Sabbath morn," said %nt Mo%ser, +ho had 3%stremembered it hersel*. "I (o%ld do +ith a (%p o* tea i* any one +o%ld make it. I ain't %sed todemonstrations like this. ll I hope is poor =ora has really landed him at last. t least, shehas +itnesses."

hey +ent to the kit(hen and Mrs. =elson (ame do+n and made tea *or them . . . alle(ept <im and =ora, +ho remained (loseted in the library +ith -arnabas *or (haperon. nne did not see =ora %ntil the mornin . . . s%(h a di**erent =ora, ten years yo%ner,*l%shed +ith happiness.

"I o+e this to yo%, nne. I* yo% hadn't set the liht . . . tho%h 3%st *or t+o and a hal*min%tes last niht I (o%ld ha&e (he+ed yo%r ears o**$"

"nd to think I slept thro%h it all," moaned ommy =elson heartbrokenly.

-%t the last +ord +as +ith %nt Mo%ser.

"Well, all I hope is it +on't be a (ase o* marryin in haste and repentin at leis%re."

17

(+tract from letter to Gilbert."

"S(hool (losed today. +o months o* reen ables and de++et, spi(y *erns ankledeep

alon the brook and la5y, dapplin shado+s in Lo&er's Lane and +ild stra+berries in Mr.-ell's past%re and the dark lo&eliness o* *irs in the /a%nted Wood$ My &ery so%l has +ins.

"<en Prinle bro%ht me a bo%6%et o* lilies o* the &alley and +ished me a happy &a(ation.She's (omin do+n to spend a +eekend +ith me some time. alk o* mira(les$

"-%t little Eli5abeth is heartbroken. I +anted her *or a &isit, too, b%t Mrs. 8ampbell did not'deem it ad&isable.' L%(kily, I hadn't said anythin to Eli5abeth abo%t it, so she +as sparedthat disappointment.

"'I belie&e I'll be Li55ie all the time yo%'re a+ay, Miss Shirley,' she told me. 'I'll feel likeLi55ie any+ay.'

"'-%t think o* the *%n +e'll ha&e +hen I (ome ba(k,' I said. '9* (o%rse yo% +on't be Li55ie.here's no s%(h person as Li55ie in yo%. nd I'll +rite yo% e&ery +eek, little Eli5abeth.'



"'9h, Miss Shirley, +ill yo%$ I'&e ne&er had a letter in my li*e. Won't it be *%n$ nd I'll +riteyo% i* they'll let me ha&e a stamp. I* they don't, yo%'ll kno+ I'm thinkin o* yo% 3%st thesame. I'&e (alled the (hipm%nk in the ba(k yard a*ter yo% . . . Shirley. 0o% don't mind, doyo%) I tho%ht at *irst o* (allin it nne Shirley . . . b%t then I tho%ht that mihtn't berespe(t*%l . . . and, any+ay, nne doesn't so%nd (hipm%nky. -esides, it miht be aentleman (hipm%nk. 8hipm%nks are s%(h darlin thins, aren't they) -%t the Woman

says they eat the roseb%sh roots.'

"'She +o%ld$' I said.

"I asked 7atherine -rooke +here she +as oin to spend the s%mmer and she brie*lyans+ered, '/ere. Where did yo% s%ppose)'

"I *elt as i* I o%ht to ask her to reen ables, b%t I 3%st (o%ldn't. 9* (o%rse I don't s%pposeshe'd ha&e (ome, any+ay. nd she's s%(h a kill3oy. She'd spoil e&erythin. -%t +hen Ithink o* her alone in that (heap boardinho%se all s%mmer, my (ons(ien(e i&es me%npleasant 3abs.

"D%sty Miller bro%ht in a li&e snake the other day and dropped it on the *loor o* thekit(hen. I* !ebe((a De+ (o%ld ha&e t%rned pale she +o%ld ha&e. 'his is really the laststra+$' she said. -%t !ebe((a De+ is 3%st a little pee&ish these days be(a%se she has tospend all her spare time pi(kin bi rayreen beetles o** the rose trees and droppinthem in a (an o* kerosene. She thinks there are entirely too many inse(ts in the +orld.

"'It's 3%st oin to be eaten %p by them some day,' she predi(ts mo%rn*%lly.

"=ora =elson is to be married to <im Wil(o in September. ;ery 6%ietly . . . no *%ss, no%ests, no bridesmaids. =ora told me that +as the only +ay to es(ape %nt Mo%ser, andshe +ill not ha&e %nt Mo%ser to see her married. I'm to be present, ho+e&er, sort o*%no**i(ially. =ora says <im +o%ld ne&er ha&e (ome ba(k i* I hadn't set that liht in the

+indo+. /e +as oin to sell his store and o +est. Well, +hen I think o* all the mat(hesI'm s%pposed to ha&e made . . .

"Sally says they'll *iht most o* their time b%t that they'll be happier *ihtin +ith ea(h otherthan areein +ith anybody else. -%t I don't think they'll *iht . . . m%(h. I think it is 3%stmis%nderstandin that makes most o* the tro%ble in the +orld. 0o% and I *or so lon,no+ . . .

"ood niht, belo&edest. 0o%r sleep +ill be s+eet i* there is any in*l%en(e in the +ishes o*

"09>! 9W=.

"P.S. he abo&e senten(e is 6%oted &erbatim *rom a letter o* %nt 8hatty's randmother."

THE SEOND YEAR



1

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,

"September 1Cth."I (an hardly re(on(ile mysel* to the *a(t that o%r bea%ti*%l t+o months are o&er. hey %erebea%ti*%l, +eren't they, dearest) nd no+ it +ill be only t+o years be*ore . . .

(Seeral paragraphs omitted."

"-%t there has been a ood deal o* pleas%re in (omin ba(k to Windy Poplars . . . to myo+n pri&ate to+er and my o+n spe(ial (hair and my o+n lo*ty bed . . . and e&en D%sty

Miller baskin on the kit(hen +indo+sill.

"he +ido+s +ere lad to see me and !ebe((a De+ said *rankly, 'It's ood to ha&e yo%ba(k.' Little Eli5abeth *elt the same +ay. We had a rapt%ro%s meetin at the reen ate.

"'I +as a little a*raid yo% miht ha&e ot into omorro+ be*ore me,' said little Eli5abeth.

"'Isn't this a lo&ely e&enin)' I said.

"'Where yo% are it's al+ays a lo&ely e&enin, Miss Shirley,' said little Eli5abeth.

"alk o* (ompliments$

"'/o+ ha&e yo% p%t in the s%mmer, darlin)' I asked.

"'hinkin,' said little Eli5abeth so*tly, 'o* all the lo&ely thins that +ill happen in omorro+.'

"hen +e +ent %p to the to+er room and read a story abo%t elephants. Little Eli5abeth is&ery m%(h interested in elephants at present.

"'here is somethin be+it(hin abo%t the &ery name o* elephant, isn't there)' she saidra&ely, holdin her (hin in her small hands a*ter a *ashion she has. 'I epe(t to meet lotso* elephants in omorro+.'

"We p%t an elephant park in o%r map o* *airyland. It is no %se lookin s%perior and

disdain*%l, my ilbert, as I kno+ yo% +ill be lookin +hen yo% read this. =ot a bit o* %se.he +orld al+ays %ill ha&e *airies. It (an't et alon +itho%t them. nd somebody has tos%pply them.

"It's rather ni(e to be ba(k in s(hool, too. 7atherine -rooke isn't any more (ompanionableb%t my p%pils seemed lad to see me and <en Prinle +ants me to help her make the tinhalos *or the anels' heads in a S%ndays(hool (on(ert.

"I think the (o%rse o* st%dy this year +ill be m%(h more interestin than last year. 8anadian/istory has been added to the (%rri(%l%m. I ha&e to i&e a little 'le(t%rette' tomorro+ on theWar o* 1B12. It seems so strane to read o&er the stories o* those old +ars . . . thins that(an ne&er happen aain. I don't s%ppose any o* %s +ill e&er ha&e more than an a(ademi(

interest in 'battles lon ao.' It's impossible to think o* 8anada e&er bein at +ar aain. Iam so thank*%l that phase o* history is o&er.



"We are oin to reorani5e the Dramati( 8l%b at on(e and (an&ass e&ery *amily(onne(ted +ith the s(hool *or a s%bs(ription. Le+is llen and I are oin to take theDa+lish !oad as o%r territory and (an&ass it net Sat%rday a*ternoon. Le+is +ill try to killt+o birds +ith one stone, as he is (ompetin *or a pri5e o**ered by ountry Homes *or thebest photoraph o* an attra(ti&e *armho%se. he pri5e is t+enty*i&e dollars and that +illmean a badly needed ne+ s%it and o&er(oat *or Le+is. /e +orked on a *arm all s%mmer

and is doin ho%se+ork and +aitin on the table at his boardinho%se aain this year. /em%st hate it, b%t he ne&er says a +ord abo%t it. I do like Le+is . . . he is so pl%(ky andambitio%s, +ith a (harmin rin in pla(e o* a smile. nd he really isn't o&erstron. I +asa*raid last year he +o%ld break do+n. -%t his s%mmer on the *arm seems to ha&e b%ilt him%p a bit. his is his last year in /ih and then he hopes to a(hie&e a year at %een's. he+ido+s are oin to ask him to S%ndayniht s%pper as o*ten as possible this +inter. %nt7ate and I ha&e had a (on*eren(e on +ays and means and I pers%aded her to let me p%t%p the etras. 9* (o%rse +e didn't try to pers%ade !ebe((a De+. I merely asked %nt 7atein !ebe((a's hearin i* I (o%ld ha&e Le+is llen in on S%nday nihts at least t+i(e amonth. %nt 7ate said (oldly she +as a*raid they (o%ldn't a**ord it, in addition to their %s%allonely irl.

"!ebe((a De+ %ttered a (ry o* an%ish.

"'his is the last stra+. ettin so poor +e (an't a**ord a bite no+ and aain to a poor,hard+orkin, sober boy +ho is tryin to et an ed%(ation$ 0o% pay more *or li&er *or hat8at and him ready to b%rst. Well, take a dollar o** my +aes and ha&e him.'

"he ospel a((ordin to !ebe((a +as a((epted. Le+is llen is (omin and neither D%styMiller's li&er nor !ebe((a De+'s +aes +ill be less. Dear !ebe((a De+$

"%nt 8hatty (rept into my room last niht to tell me she +anted to et a beaded (ape b%tthat %nt 7ate tho%ht she +as too old *or it and her *eelins had been h%rt.

"'Do yo% think I am, Miss Shirley) I don't +ant to be %ndini*ied . . . b%t I'&e al+ays +anteda beaded (ape so m%(h. I al+ays tho%ht they +ere +hat yo% miht (all 3a%nty . . . andno+ they're in aain."

"'oo old$ 9* (o%rse yo%'re not too old, dearest,' I ass%red her. '=obody is e&er too old to+ear 3%st +hat she +ants to +ear. 0o% +o%ldn't %ant to +ear it i* yo% +ere too old.' 'I shallet it and de*y 7ate,' said %nt 8hatty, anythin b%t de*iantly. -%t I think she +ill . . . and Ithink I kno+ ho+ to re(on(ile %nt 7ate.

"I'm alone in my to+er. 9%tside there is a still, still niht and the silen(e is &el&ety. =ote&en the poplars are stirrin. I ha&e 3%st leaned o%t o* my +indo+ and blo+n a kiss in the

dire(tion o* somebody not a h%ndred miles a+ay *rom 7insport."

2

he Da+lish !oad +as a meanderin sort o* road, and the a*ternoon +as made *or+anderers . . . or so nne and Le+is tho%ht as they pro+led alon it, no+ and then

pa%sin to en3oy a s%dden sapphire limpse o* the strait thro%h the trees or to snap aparti(%larly lo&ely bit o* s(enery or pi(t%res6%e little ho%se in a lea*y hollo+. It +as not,perhaps, 6%ite so pleasant to (all at the ho%ses themsel&es and ask *or s%bs(riptions *or



the bene*it o* the Dramati( 8l%b, b%t nne and Le+is took t%rns doin the talkin . . . hetakin on the +omen +hile nne manip%lated the men.

"ake the men i* yo%'re oin in that dress and hat," !ebe((a De+ had ad&ised. "I'&e hada ood bit o* eperien(e in (an&assin in my day and it all +ent to sho+ that the betterdressed and betterlookin yo% are the more money . . . or promise o* it . . . yo%'ll et, i* it'sthe men yo% ha&e to ta(kle. -%t i* it's the +omen, p%t on the oldest and %liest thins yo%ha&e."

"Isn't a road an interestin thin, Le+is)" said nne dreamily. "=ot a straiht road, b%t one+ith ends and kinks aro%nd +hi(h anythin o* bea%ty and s%rprise may be l%rkin. I'&eal+ays lo&ed bends in roads."

"Where does this Da+lish !oad o to)" asked Le+is pra(ti(ally . . . tho%h at the samemoment he +as re*le(tin that Miss Shirley's &oi(e al+ays made him think o* sprin.

"I miht be horrid and s(hooltea(herish, Le+is, and say that it doesn't o any+here . . . itstays riht here. -%t I +on't. s to +here it oes or +here it leads to . . . +ho (ares) o the

end o* the +orld and ba(k, perhaps. !emember +hat Emerson says . . . '9h, +hat ha&e Ito do +ith time)' hat's o%r motto *or today. I epe(t the %ni&erse +ill m%ddle on i* +e let italone *or a +hile. Look at those (lo%d shado+s . . . and that tran6%illity o* reen &alleys . . .and that ho%se +ith an apple tree at ea(h o* its (orners. Imaine it in sprin. his is one o*the days people feel ali&e and e&ery +ind o* the +orld is a sister. I'm lad there are somany (l%mps o* spi(e *erns alon this road . . . spi(e *erns +ith ossamer +ebs on them. Itbrins ba(k the days +hen I pretended . . . or belie&ed . . . I think I really did belie&e . . .that ossamer +ebs +ere *airies' table(loths."

hey *o%nd a +ayside sprin in a olden hollo+ and sat do+n on a moss that seemedmade o* tiny *erns, to drink *rom a (%p that Le+is t+isted o%t o* bir(h bark.

"0o% ne&er kno+ the real 3oy o* drinkin till yo%'re dry +ith thirst and *ind +ater," he said."hat s%mmer I +orked o%t +est on the railroad they +ere b%ildin, I ot lost on the prairieone hot day and +andered *or ho%rs. I tho%ht I'd die o* thirst and then I (ame to a settler'ssha(k, and he had a little sprin like this in a (l%mp o* +illo+s. /o+ I drank$ I'&e%nderstood the -ible and its lo&e o* ood +ater better e&er sin(e."

"We're oin to et some +ater *rom another 6%arter," said nne rather anio%sly. "here'sa sho+er (omin %p and . . . Le+is, I lo&e sho+ers, b%t I'&e ot on my best hat and myse(ondbest dress. nd there isn't a ho%se +ithin hal* a mile."

"here's an old deserted bla(ksmith's *ore o&er there," said Le+is, "b%t +e'll ha&e to r%n*or it."

!%n they did and *rom its shelter en3oyed the sho+er as they had en3oyed e&erythin elseon that (are*ree, ypsyin a*ternoon. &eiled h%sh had *allen o&er the +orld. ll the yo%nbree5es that had been +hisperin and r%stlin so importantly alon the Da+lish !oad had*olded their +ins and be(ome motionless and so%ndless. =ot a lea* stirred, not a shado+*li(kered. he maple lea&es at the bend o* the road t%rned +ron side o%t %ntil the treeslooked as i* they +ere t%rnin pale *rom *ear. h%e (ool shado+ seemed to en%l* themlike a reen +a&e . . . the (lo%d had rea(hed them. hen the rain, +ith a r%sh and s+eepo* +ind. he sho+er pattered sharply do+n on the lea&es, dan(ed alon the smokin redroad and pelted the roo* o* the old *ore riht merrily.

"I* this lasts . . ." said Le+is.

-%t it didn't. s s%ddenly as it had (ome %p, it +as o&er and the s%n +as shinin on the+et, listenin trees. Da55lin limpses o* bl%e sky appeared bet+een the torn +hite



(lo%ds. :ar a+ay they (o%ld see a hill still dim +ith rain, b%t belo+ them the (%p o* the&alley seemed to brim o&er +ith pea(htinted mists. he +oods aro%nd +ere pranked o%t+ith a sparkle and litter as o* sprintime, and a bird bean to sin in the bi maple o&erthe *ore as i* he +ere (heated into belie&in it really +as sprintime, so ama5inly *reshand s+eet did the +orld seem all at on(e.

"Let's eplore this," said nne, +hen they res%med their tramp, lookin alon a little sideroad r%nnin bet+een old rail *en(es smothered in oldenrod.

"I don't think there's anybody li&in alon that road," said Le+is do%bt*%lly. "I think it's onlya road r%nnin do+n to the harbor."

"=e&er mind . . . let's o alon it. I'&e al+ays had a +eakness *or side roads . . . somethino** the beaten tra(k, lost and reen and lonely. Smell the +et rass, Le+is. -esides, I *eelin my bones that there is a ho%se on it . . . a (ertain kind o* ho%se . . . a &ery snappableho%se."

nne's bones did not de(ei&e her. Soon there +as a ho%se . . . and a snappable ho%se to

boot. It +as a 6%aint, old*ashioned one, lo+ in the ea&es, +ith s6%are, smallpaned+indo+s. -i +illo+s stret(hed patriar(hal arms o&er it and an apparent +ilderness o*perennials and shr%bs (ro+ded all abo%t it. It +as +eatherray and shabby, b%t the bibarns beyond it +ere sn% and prospero%slookin, %ptodate in e&ery respe(t. "I'&eal+ays heard, Miss Shirley, that +hen a man's barns are better than his ho%se, it's a sinthat his in(ome e(eeds his ependit%re," said Le+is, as they sa%ntered %p the deepr%tted rassy lane.

"I sho%ld think it +as a sin that he tho%ht more o* his horses than o* his *amily," la%hed nne. "I'm not epe(tin a s%bs(ription to o%r (l%b here, b%t that's the most likely ho%se *ora pri5e (ontest +e'&e en(o%ntered yet. It's rayness +on't matter in a photoraph."

"his lane doesn't look as i* it +ere m%(h tra&eled," said Le+is +ith a shr%. "E&idently the*olks +ho li&e here aren't stronly so(iable. I'm a*raid +e'll *ind they don't e&en kno+ +hata dramati( (l%b is. nyho+, I'm oin to se(%re my pi(t%re be*ore +e ro%se any o* them*rom their lair."

he ho%se seemed deserted, b%t a*ter the pi(t%re +as taken they opened a little +hiteate, (rossed the yard and kno(ked on a *aded bl%e kit(hen door, the *ront door e&identlybein like that o* Windy Poplars, more *or sho+ than *or %se . . . i* a door literally hidden in;irinia (reeper (o%ld be said to be *or sho+.

hey epe(ted at least the (i&ility +hi(h they had hitherto met in their (alls, +hetherba(ked %p +ith enerosity or not. 8onse6%ently they +ere de(idedly taken aba(k +henthe door +as 3erked open and on the threshold appeared, not the smilin *armer's +i*e orda%hter they had epe(ted to see, b%t a tall, broadsho%ldered man o* *i*ty, +ith ri55ledhair and b%shy eyebro+s, +ho demanded %n(eremonio%sly,

"What do yo% +ant)"

"We ha&e (alled, hopin to interest yo% in o%r /ih S(hool Dramati( 8l%b," bean nne,rather lamely. -%t she +as spared *%rther e**ort.

"=e&er heard o* it. Don't +ant to hear abo%t it. =othin to do +ith it," +as the%n(ompromisin interr%ption, and the door +as promptly sh%t in their *a(es.

"I belie&e +e'&e been sn%bbed," said nne as they +alked a+ay.

"=i(e amiable entleman, that," rinned Le+is. "I'm sorry *or his +i*e, i* he has one."



"I don't think he (an ha&e, or she +o%ld (i&ili5e him a tri*le," said nne, tryin to re(o&erher shattered poise. "I +ish !ebe((a De+ had the handlin o* him. -%t +e'&e ot hisho%se, at least, and I'&e a premonition that it's oin to +in the pri5e. -other$ I'&e 3%st ot apebble in my shoe and I'm oin to sit do+n on my entleman's stone dyke, +ith or +itho%this permission, and remo&e it."

"L%(kily it's o%t o* siht o* the ho%se," said Le+is.

nne had 3%st retied her shoela(e +hen they heard somethin p%shin so*tly thro%h the 3%nle o* shr%bbery on their riht. hen a small boy abo%t eiht years o* ae (ame into&ie+ and stood s%r&eyin them bash*%lly, +ith a bi apple t%rno&er (lasped tihtly in his(h%bby hands. /e +as a pretty (hild, +ith lossy bro+n (%rls, bi tr%st*%l bro+n eyes anddeli(ately modeled *eat%res. here +as an air o* re*inement abo%t him, in spite o* the *a(tthat he +as bareheaded and bareleed, +ith only a *aded bl%e (otton shirt and a pair o*threadbare &el&et kni(kerbo(kers bet+een head and les. -%t he looked like a smallprin(e in dis%ise.

<%st behind him +as a bi bla(k =e+*o%ndland do +hose head +as almost on a le&el

+ith the lad's sho%lder.

nne looked at him +ith a smile that al+ays +on (hildren's hearts.

"/ello, sonny," said Le+is. "Who belons to yo%)"

he boy (ame *or+ard +ith an ans+erin smile, holdin o%t his t%rno&er.

"his is *or yo% to eat," he said shyly. "Dad made it *or me, b%t I'd rather i&e it to yo%. I'&elots to eat."

Le+is, rather ta(tlessly, +as on the point o* re*%sin to take the little (hap's sna(k, b%t nne a&e him a 6%i(k n%de. akin the hint, he a((epted it ra&ely and handed it to

nne, +ho, 6%ite as ra&ely, broke it in t+o and a&e hal* o* it ba(k to him. hey kne+ theym%st eat it and they had pain*%l do%bts as to "Dad's" ability in the (ookin line, b%t the *irstmo%th*%l reass%red them. "Dad" miht not be stron on (o%rtesy b%t he (o%ld (ertainlymake t%rno&ers.

"his is deli(io%s," said nne. "What is yo%r name, dear)"

"eddy rmstron," said the small bene*a(tor. "-%t Dad al+ays (alls me Little :ello+. I'mall he has, yo% kno+. Dad is a+*%l *ond o* me and I'm a+*%l *ond o* Dad. I'm a*raid yo%think my dad is impolite '(a%se he sh%t that door so 6%i(k, b%t he doesn't mean to be. Iheard yo% askin *or somethin to eat." "We didn't b%t it doesn't matter," tho%ht nne.4

"I +as in the arden behind the hollyho(ks, so I 3%st tho%ht I'd brin yo% my t%rno&er'(a%se I'm al+ays so sorry *or poor people +ho ha&en't plenty to eat. I ha&e, al+ays. Mydad is a splendid (ook. 0o% o%ht to see the ri(e p%ddins he (an make."

"Does he p%t raisins in them)" asked Le+is +ith a t+inkle.

"Lots and lots. here's nothin mean abo%t my dad."

"/a&en't yo% any mother, darlin)" asked nne.

"=o. My mother is dead. Mrs. Merrill told me on(e she'd one to hea&en, b%t my dad saysthere's no s%(h pla(e and I %ess he o%ht to kno+. My dad is an a+*%l +ise man. /e's

read tho%sands o* books. I mean to be 3%st '5a(kly like him +hen I ro+ %p . . . only I'llal+ays i&e people thins to eat +hen they +ant them. My dad isn't &ery *ond o* people,yo% kno+, b%t he's a+*%l ood to me."



"Do yo% o to s(hool)" asked Le+is.

"=o. My dad tea(hes me at home. he tr%stees told him I'd ha&e to o net year, tho%h. Ithink I'd like to o to s(hool and ha&e some other boys to play +ith. '8o%rse I'&e ot 8arloand Dad himsel* is splendid to play +ith +hen he has time. My dad is pretty b%sy, yo%kno+. /e has to r%n the *arm and keep the ho%se (lean, too. hat's +hy he (an't bebothered ha&in people aro%nd, yo% see. When I et bier I'll be able to help him lots andthen he'll ha&e more time to be polite to *olks."

"hat t%rno&er +as 3%st abo%t riht, Little :ello+," said Le+is, s+allo+in the last (r%mb.

he Little :ello+'s eyes beamed.

"I'm so lad yo% liked it," he said.

"Wo%ld yo% like to ha&e yo%r pi(t%re taken)" said nne, *eelin that it +o%ld ne&er do too**er this enero%s small so%l money. "I* yo% +o%ld, Le+is +ill take it."

"9h, +o%ldn't I$" said the Little :ello+ eaerly. "8arlo, too)"

"8ertainly 8arlo, too."

nne posed the t+o prettily be*ore a ba(kro%nd o* shr%bs, the little lad standin +ith hisarm abo%t his bi, (%rly playmate's ne(k, both do and boy seemin e6%ally +ell pleased,and Le+is took the pi(t%re +ith his last remainin plate.

"I* it (omes o%t +ell I'll send yo% one by mail," he promised. "/o+ shall I address it)"

"eddy rmstron, (are o* Mr. <ames rmstron, len(o&e !oad," said the Little :ello+."9h, +on't it be *%n to ha&e somethin (omin to me minesel* thro%h the posto**i(e$ I tellyo% I'll *eel a+*%l pro%d. I +on't say a +ord to Dad abo%t it so that it'll be a splendids%rprise *or him."

"Well, look o%t *or yo%r par(el in t+o or three +eeks," said Le+is, as they bade him oodby. -%t nne s%ddenly stooped and kissed the little s%nb%rned *a(e. here +as somethinabo%t it that t%ed at her heart. /e +as so s+eet . . . so allant . . . so motherless$

hey looked ba(k at him be*ore a (%r&e in the lane and sa+ him standin on the dyke, +ithhis do, +a&in his hand to them.

9* (o%rse !ebe((a De+ kne+ all abo%t the rmstrons.

"<ames rmstron has ne&er ot o&er his +i*e's death *i&e years ao," she said. "/e+asn't so bad be*ore that . . . areeable eno%h, tho%h a bit o* a hermit. 7ind o* b%ilt that

+ay. /e +as 3%st +rapped %p in his bit o* a +i*e . . . she +as t+enty years yo%ner than he+as. /er death +as an a+*%l sho(k to him I'&e heard . . . 3%st seemed to (hane his nat%re(ompletely. /e ot so%r and (ranky. Wo%ldn't e&en et a ho%sekeeper . . . looked a*ter hisho%se and (hild himsel*. /e kept ba(helor's hall *or years be*ore he +as married, so heain't a bad hand at it."

"-%t it's no li*e *or the (hild," said %nt 8hatty. "/is *ather ne&er takes him to (h%r(h orany+here he'd see people."

"/e +orships the boy, I'&e heard," said %nt 7ate.

"'ho% shalt ha&e no other ods be*ore me,'" 6%oted !ebe((a De+ s%ddenly.



3

It +as almost three +eeks be*ore Le+is *o%nd time to de&elop his pi(t%res. /e bro%htthem %p to Windy Poplars the *irst S%nday niht he (ame to s%pper. -oth the ho%se and

the Little :ello+ (ame o%t splendidly. he Little :ello+ smiled %p *rom the pi(t%re "as realas li*e," said !ebe((a De+.

"Why, he looks like yo%, Le+is$" e(laimed nne.

"/e does that," areed !ebe((a De+, s6%intin at it 3%di(ially. "he min%te I sa+ it, his*a(e reminded me o* somebody b%t I (o%ldn't think +ho."

"Why, the eyes . . . the *orehead . . . the +hole epression . . . are yo%rs, Le+is," said nne.

"It's hard to belie&e I +as e&er s%(h a oodlookin little (hap," shr%ed Le+is. "I'&e ot api(t%re o* mysel* some+here, taken +hen I +as eiht. I m%st h%nt it o%t and (ompare it.

0o%'d la%h to see it, Miss Shirley. I'm the most sobereyed kid, +ith lon (%rls and a la(e(ollar, lookin sti** as a ramrod. I s%ppose I had my head (lamped in one o* those three(la+ed (ontraptions they %sed to %se. I* this pi(t%re really resembles me, it m%st be only a(oin(iden(e. he Little :ello+ (an't be any relation o* mine. I ha&en't an relati&e on theIsland . . . no+."

"Where +ere yo% born)" asked %nt 7ate.

"=. -. :ather and Mother died +hen I +as ten and I (ame o&er here to li&e +ith a (o%sin o*mother's . . . I (alled her %nt Ida. She died too, yo% kno+ . . . three years ao."

"<im rmstron (ame *rom =e+ -r%ns+i(k," said !ebe((a De+. /He ain't a real islander . .. +o%ldn't be s%(h a (rank i* he +as. We ha&e o%r pe(%liarities b%t +e're ciili3ed./

"I'm not s%re that I +ant to dis(o&er a relation in the amiable Mr. rmstron," rinnedLe+is, atta(kin %nt 8hatty's (innamon toast. "/o+e&er, I think +hen I et thephotoraph *inished and mo%nted I'll take it o%t to len(o&e !oad mysel* and in&estiate alittle. /e may be a distant (o%sin or somethin. I really kno+ nothin abo%t my mother'speople, i* she had any li&in. I'&e al+ays been %nder the impression that she hadn't. :atherhadn't, I kno+."

"I* yo% take the pi(t%re o%t in person, +on't the Little :ello+ be a bit disappointed o&erlosin his thrill o* ettin somethin thro%h the posto**i(e)" said nne.

"I'll make it %p to him . . . I'll send him somethin else by mail."

he net Sat%rday a*ternoon Le+is (ame dri&in alon Spook's Lane in an anti6%atedb%y behind a still more anti6%ated mare.

"I'm oin o%t to len(o&e to take little eddy rmstron his pi(t%re, Miss Shirley. I* mydashin t%rno%t doesn't i&e yo% heart*ail%re I'd like to ha&e yo% (ome, too. I don't thin$any o* the +heels +ill *all o**."

"Where on earth did yo% pi(k %p that reli(, Le+is)" demanded !ebe((a De+.

"Don't poke *%n at my allant steed, Miss De+. /a&e some respe(t *or ae. Mr. -ender

lent me both mare and b%y on (ondition I'd do an errand *or him alon the Da+lish!oad. I hadn't time to +alk o%t to len(o&e today and ba(k."





ne&er poor as lon as yo% had somethin to lo&e.

he olden day +as spoiled *or nne. Someho+, the Little :ello+ had +on her heart intheir brie* meetin. She and Le+is dro&e in silen(e do+n the len(o&e !oad and %p therassy lane. 8arlo +as lyin on the stone be*ore the bl%e door. /e ot %p and (ame do+no&er to them, as they des(ended *rom the b%y, li(kin nne's hand and lookin %p at her+ith bi +ist*%l eyes as i* askin *or ne+s o* his little playmate. he door +as open and inthe dim room beyond they sa+ a man +ith his head bo+ed on the table.

t nne's kno(k he started %p and (ame to the door. She +as sho(ked at the (hane inhim. /e +as hollo+(heeked, haard and %nsha&en, and his deepset eyes *lashed +itha *it*%l *ire.

She epe(ted a rep%lse at *irst, b%t he seemed to re(oni5e her, *or he said listlessly,

"So yo%'re ba(k) he Little :ello+ said yo% talked to him and kissed him. /e liked yo%. I+as sorry I'd been so (h%rlish to yo%. What is it yo% +ant)"

"We +ant to sho+ yo% somethin," said nne ently.

"Will yo% (ome in and sit do+n)" he said drearily.

Witho%t a +ord Le+is took the Little :ello+'s pi(t%re *rom its +rappins and held it o%t tohim. /e snat(hed it %p, a&e it one ama5ed, h%nry look, then dropped on his (hair andb%rst into tears and sobs. nne had ne&er seen a man +eep so be*ore. She and Le+isstood in m%te sympathy %ntil he had reained his sel*(ontrol.

"9h, yo% don't kno+ +hat this means to me," he said brokenly at last. "I hadn't any pi(t%reo* him. nd I'm not like other *olks . . . I (an't re(all a *a(e . . . I (an't see *a(es as most*olks (an in their mind. It's been a+*%l sin(e the Little :ello+ died. . . . I (o%ldn't e&enremember +hat he looked like. nd no+ yo%'&e bro%ht me this . . . a*ter I +as so r%de to

yo%. Sit do+n . . . sit do+n. I +ish I (o%ld epress my thanks in some +ay. I %ess yo%'&esa&ed my reason . . . maybe my li*e. 9h, miss, isn't it like him) 0o%'d think he +as oin tospeak. My dear Little :ello+$ /o+ am I oin to li&e +itho%t him) I'&e nothin to li&e *orno+. :irst his mother . . . no+ him."

"/e +as a dear little lad," said nne tenderly.

"hat he +as. Little eddy . . . heodore, his mother named him . . . her 'i*t o* ods' shesaid he +as. nd he +as so patient and ne&er (omplained. 9n(e he smiled %p in my *a(eand said, 'Dad, I think yo%'&e been mistaken in one thin . . . 3%st one. I %ess there is ahea&en, isn't there) Isn't there, Dad)' I said to him, yes, there +as. . . . od *ori&e me *or

e&er tryin to tea(h him anythin else. /e smiled aain, (ontented like, and said, 'Well,Dad, I'm oin there and Mother and od are there, so I'll be pretty +ell o**. -%t I'm+orried abo%t yo%, Dad. 0o%'ll be so a+*%l lonesome +itho%t me. -%t 3%st do the best yo%(an and be polite to *olks and (ome to %s by and by.' /e made me promise I'd try, b%t+hen he +as one I (o%ldn't stand the blankness o* it. I'd ha&e one mad i* yo% hadn'tbro%ht me this. It +on't be so hard no+."

/e talked abo%t his Little :ello+ *or some time, as i* he *o%nd relie* and pleas%re in it. /isreser&e and r%**ness seemed to ha&e *allen *rom him like a arment. :inally Le+isprod%(ed the small *aded photoraph o* himsel* and sho+ed it to him.

"/a&e yo% e&er seen anybody +ho looked like that, Mr. rmstron)" asked nne.

Mr. rmstron peered at it in perpleity.

"It's a+*%l like the Little :ello+," he said at last. "Whose miht it be)"



"Mine," said Le+is, "+hen I +as se&en years old. It +as be(a%se o* the straneresemblan(e to eddy that Miss Shirley made me brin it to sho+ yo%. I tho%ht it possiblethat yo% and I or the Little :ello+ miht be some distant relation. My name is Le+is llenand my *ather +as eore llen. I +as born in =e+ -r%ns+i(k."

<ames rmstron shook his head. hen he said,

"What +as yo%r mother's name)"

"Mary ardiner."

<ames rmstron looked at him *or a moment in silen(e.

"She +as my hal*sister," he said at last. "I hardly kne+ her . . . ne&er sa+ her b%t on(e. I+as bro%ht %p in an %n(le's *amily a*ter my *ather's death. My mother married aain andmo&ed a+ay. She (ame to see me on(e and bro%ht her little da%hter. She died soona*ter and I ne&er sa+ my hal*sister aain. When I (ame o&er to the Island to li&e, I lost alltra(e o* her. 0o% are my nephe+ and the Little :ello+'s (o%sin."

his +as s%rprisin ne+s to a lad +ho had *an(ied himsel* alone in the +orld. Le+is and nne spent the +hole e&enin +ith Mr. rmstron and *o%nd him to be a +ellread andintellient man. Someho+, they both took a likin to him. /is *ormer inhospitable re(eption+as 6%ite *orotten and they sa+ only the real +orth o* the (hara(ter and temperamentbelo+ the %npromisin shell that had hitherto (on(ealed them.

"9* (o%rse the Little :ello+ (o%ldn't ha&e lo&ed his *ather so m%(h i* it hadn't been so,"said nne, as she and Le+is dro&e ba(k to Windy Poplars thro%h the s%nset.

When Le+is llen +ent the net +eekend to see his %n(le, the latter said to him,

"Lad, (ome and li&e +ith me. 0o% are my nephe+ and I (an do +ell *or yo% . . . +hat I'd

ha&e done *or my Little :ello+ i* he'd li&ed. 0o%'re alone in the +orld and so am I. I needyo%. I'll ro+ hard and bitter aain i* I li&e here alone. I +ant yo% to help me keep mypromise to the Little :ello+. /is pla(e is empty. 8ome yo% and *ill it."

"hank yo%, >n(le@ I'll try," said Le+is, holdin o%t his hand.

"nd brin that tea(her o* yo%rs here on(e in a +hile. I like that irl. he Little :ello+ likedher. 'Dad,' he said to me, 'I didn't think I'd e&er like anybody b%t yo% to kiss me, b%t I liked it+hen she did. here +as somethin in her eyes, Dad.'"

4

"he old por(h thermometer says it's 5ero and the ne+ sidedoor one says it's ten abo&e,"remarked nne, one *rosty De(ember niht. "So I don't kno+ +hether to take my m%** ornot."

"-etter o by the old thermometer," said !ebe((a De+ (a%tio%sly. "It's probably more %sedto o%r (limate. Where are yo% oin this (old niht, any+ay)"

"I'm oin ro%nd to emple Street to ask 7atherine -rooke to spend the 8hristmasholidays +ith me at reen ables."



"0o%'ll spoil yo%r holidays, then," said !ebe((a De+ solemnly. "She'd o abo%t sn%bbinthe anels, that one . . . that is, i* she e&er (ondes(ended to enter hea&en. nd the +orsto* it is, she's pro%d o* her bad manners . . . thinks it sho+s her strenth o* mind no do%bt$"

"My brain arees +ith e&ery +ord yo% say b%t my heart simply +on't," said nne. "I *eel, inspite o* e&erythin, that 7atherine -rooke is only a shy, %nhappy irl %nder herdisareeable rind. I (an ne&er make any head+ay +ith her in S%mmerside, b%t i* I (an ether to reen ables I belie&e it +ill tha+ her o%t."

"0o% +on't et her. She +on't o," predi(ted !ebe((a De+. "Probably she'll take it as anins%lt to be asked . . . think yo%'re o**erin her (harity. #e asked her here on(e to8hristmas dinner . . . the year a*ore yo% (ame . . . yo% remember, Mrs. Ma(8omber, theyear +e had t+o t%rkeys i&e %s and didn't kno+ ho+ +e +as to et 'em et . . . and all shesaid +as, '=o, thank yo%. I* there's anythin I hate, it's the +ord 8hristmas$'"

"-%t that is so dread*%l . . . hatin 8hristmas$ Somethin has to be done, !ebe((a De+.I'm oin to ask her and I'&e a 6%eer *eelin in my th%mbs that tells me she +ill (ome."

"Someho+," said !ebe((a De+ rel%(tantly, "+hen yo% say a thin is oin to happen, abody belie&es it +ill. 0o% ha&en't ot a se(ond siht, ha&e yo%) 8aptain Ma(8omber'smother had it. >seter i&e me the (reeps."

"I don't think I ha&e anythin that need i&e yo% (reeps. It's only 3%st . . . I'&e had a *eelin*or some time that 7atherine -rooke is almost (ra5y +ith loneliness %nder her bittero%tside and that my in&itation +ill (ome pat to the psy(holoi(al moment, !ebe((a De+."

"I am not a -..," said !ebe((a +ith a+*%l h%mility, "and I do not deny yo%r riht to %se+ords I (annot al+ays %nderstand. =either do I deny that yo% (an +ind people ro%nd yo%rlittle *iner. Look ho+ yo% manaed the Prinles. -%t I do say I pity yo% i* yo% take thati(eber and n%tme rater (ombined home +ith yo% *or 8hristmas."

nne +as by no means as (on*ident as she pretended to be d%rin her +alk to empleStreet. 7atherine -rooke had really been %nbearable o* late. ain and aain nne,reb%**ed, had said, as rimly as Poe's ra&en, "=e&ermore." 9nly yesterday 7atherine hadbeen positi&ely ins%ltin at a sta** meetin. -%t in an %n%arded moment nne had seensomethin lookin o%t o* the older irl's eyes . . . a passionate, hal**ranti( somethin like a(aed (reat%re mad +ith dis(ontent. nne spent the *irst hal* o* the niht tryin to de(ide+hether to in&ite 7atherine -rooke to reen ables or not. :inally she *ell asleep +ith hermind irre&o(ably made %p.

7atherine's landlady sho+ed nne into the parlor and shr%ed a *at sho%lder +hen sheasked *or Miss -rooke.

"I'll tell her yo%'re here b%t I d%nno i* she'll (ome do+n. She's s%lkin. I told her at dinnertoniht that Mrs. !a+lins says its s(andalo%s the +ay she dresses, *or a tea(her inS%mmerside /ih, and she took it hih and mihty as %s%al."

"I don't think yo% sho%ld ha&e told Miss -rooke that," said nne reproa(h*%lly.

"-%t I tho%ht she o%ht to kno+," said Mrs. Dennis some+hat +aspishly.

"Did yo% also think she o%ht to kno+ that the Inspe(tor said she +as one o* the besttea(hers in the Maritimes)" asked nne. "9r didn't yo% kno+ it)"

"9h, I heard it. -%t she's st%(k%p eno%h no+ +itho%t makin her any +orse. Pro%d's noname *or it . . . tho%h +hat she's ot to be pro%d o*, ' d%nno. 9* (o%rse she +as madanyho+ toniht be(a%se I'd said she (o%ldn't ha&e a do. She's took a notion into her



head she'd like to ha&e a do. Said she'd pay *or his rations and see he +as no bother. -%t+hat'd I do +ith him +hen she +as in s(hool) I p%t my *oot do+n. 'I'm boardin no dos,'se5 I."

"9h, Mrs. Dennis, +on't yo% let her ha&e a do) /e +o%ldn't bother yo% . . . m%(h. 0o%(o%ld keep him in the basement +hile she +as in s(hool. nd a do really is s%(h aprote(tion at niht. I +ish yo% +o%ld . . . please./

here +as al+ays somethin abo%t nne Shirley's eyes +hen she said "please" thatpeople *o%nd hard to resist. Mrs. Dennis, in spite o* *at sho%lders and a meddlesometon%e, +as not %nkind at heart. 7atherine -rooke simply ot %nder her skin at times +ithher %nra(io%s +ays.

"I d%nno +hy yo% sho%ld +orry as to her ha&in a do or not. I didn't kno+ yo% +ere s%(h*riends. She hasn't any *riends. I ne&er had s%(h an %nso(iable boarder."

"I think that is +hy she +ants a do, Mrs. Dennis. =one o* %s (an li&e +itho%t some kind o*(ompanionship."

"Well, it's the *irst h%man thin I'&e noti(ed abo%t her," said Mrs. Dennis. "I d%nno's I ha&eany a+*%l ob3e(tion to a do, b%t she sort o* &eed me +ith her sar(asti( +ay o* askin . . .'I s'pose yo% +o%ldn't (onsent i* I asked yo% i* I miht ha&e a do, Mrs. Dennis,' she se5,ha%hty like. Set her %p +ith it$ '0o%'re s'posin riht,' se5 I, as ha%hty as hersel*. I don'tlike eatin my +ords any more than most people, b%t yo% (an tell her she (an ha&e a doi* she'll %arantee he +on't misbeha&e in the parlor."

nne did not think the parlor (o%ld be m%(h +orse i* the do did misbeha&e. She eyed thediny la(e (%rtains and the hideo%s p%rple roses on the (arpet +ith a shi&er.

"I'm sorry *or any one +ho has to spend 8hristmas in a boardinho%se like this," she

tho%ht. "I don't +onder 7atherine hates the +ord. I'd like to i&e this pla(e a oodairin . . . it smells o* a tho%sand meals. #hy does 7atherine o on boardin here +henshe has a ood salary)"

"She says yo% (an (ome %p," +as the messae Mrs. Dennis bro%ht ba(k, ratherd%bio%sly, *or Miss -rooke had r%n tr%e to *orm.

he narro+, steep stair +as repellent. It didn't +ant yo%. =obody +o%ld o %p +ho didn'tha&e to. he linole%m in the hall +as +orn to shreds. he little ba(k hallbedroom +here nne presently *o%nd hersel* +as e&en more (heerless than the parlor. It +as lihted byone larin %nshaded as 3et. here +as an iron bed +ith a &alley in the middle o* it and anarro+, sparsely draped +indo+ lookin o%t on a ba(kyard arden +here a lare (rop o*

tin (ans *lo%rished. -%t beyond it +as a mar&elo%s sky and a ro+ o* lombardies standino%t aainst lon, p%rple, distant hills.

"9h, Miss -rooke, look at that s%nset," said nne rapt%ro%sly *rom the s6%eaky,(%shionless ro(ker to +hi(h 7atherine had %nra(io%sly pointed her.

"I'&e seen a ood many s%nsets," said the latter (oldly, +itho%t mo&in. "8ondes(endinto me +ith yo%r s%nsets$" she tho%ht bitterly.4

"0o% ha&en't seen this one. =o t+o s%nsets are alike. <%st sit do+n here and let %s let itsink into o%r so%ls," said nne. *hought nne, "Do yo% eer say anythin pleasant)"

"Don't be ridi(%lo%s, please."

he most ins%ltin +ords in the +orld$ With an added ede o* ins%lt in 7atherine's(ontempt%o%s tones. nne t%rned *rom her s%nset and looked at 7atherine, m%(h more



than hal* in(lined to et %p and +alk o%t. -%t 7atherine's eyes looked a tri*le strane. Hadshe been (ryin) S%rely not . . . yo% (o%ldn't imaine 7atherine -rooke (ryin.

"0o% don't make me *eel &ery +el(ome," nne said slo+ly.

"I (an't pretend thins. I ha&en't your notable i*t *or doin the 6%een a(t . . . sayin ea(tlythe riht thin to e&ery one. 0o%'re not +el(ome. What sort o* room is this to +el(ome any

one to)"

7atherine made a s(orn*%l est%re at the *aded +alls, the shabby bare (hairs and the+obbly dressintable +ith its petti(oat o* limp m%slin.

"It isn't a ni(e room, b%t +hy do yo% stay here i* yo% don't like it)"

"9h . . . +hy . . . Why) 1ou +o%ldn't %nderstand. It doesn't matter. I don't (are +hatanybody thinks. What bro%ht yo% here toniht) I don't s%ppose yo% (ame 3%st to soak inthe s%nset."

"I (ame to ask i* yo% +o%ld spend the 8hristmas holidays +ith me at reen ables."

"=o+," tho%ht nne, "*or another broadside o* sar(asm$ I do +ish she'd sit do+n at least.She 3%st stands there as i* +aitin *or me to o."4

-%t there +as silen(e *or a moment. hen 7atherine said slo+ly,

"Why do yo% ask me) It isn't be(a%se yo% like me . . . e&en yo% (o%ldn't pretend that./

"It's be(a%se I (an't bear to think o* any h%man bein spendin 8hristmas in a pla(e likethis,/ said nne (andidly.

he sar(asm (ame then.

"9h, I see. seasonable o%tb%rst o* (harity. I'm hardly a (andidate *or that yet, MissShirley."

nne ot %p. She +as o%t o* patien(e +ith this strane, aloo* (reat%re. She +alked a(rossthe room and looked 7atherine s6%arely in the eye. "7atherine -rooke, +hether yo% kno+it or not, +hat you +ant is a ood spankin."

hey a5ed at ea(h other *or a moment.

"It m%st ha&e relie&ed yo% to say that," said 7atherine. -%t someho+ the ins%ltin tone hadone o%t o* her &oi(e. here +as e&en a *aint t+it(h at the (orner o* her mo%th.

"It has," said nne. "I'&e been +antin to tell yo% 3%st that *or some time. I didn't ask yo% toreen ables o%t o* (harity . . . yo% kno+ that per*e(tly +ell. I told yo% my tr%e reason.4obody o%ht to spend 8hristmas here . . . the &ery idea is inde(ent."

"0o% asked me to reen ables 3%st be(a%se yo% are sorry *or me."

"I am sorry *or yo%. -e(a%se yo%'&e sh%t o%t li*e . . . and no+ li*e is sh%ttin yo% o%t. Stop,it, 7atherine. 9pen yo%r doors to li*e . . . and li*e +ill (ome in."

"he nne Shirley &ersion o* the old bromide, 'I* yo% brin a smilin &isae to the lass yo%meet a smile,'" said 7atherine +ith a shr%.

"Like all bromides, that's absol%tely tr%e. =o+, are yo% (omin to reen ables or are yo%

not)"

"What +o%ld yo% say i* I a((epted . . . to yo%rsel*, not to me)"



"I'd say yo% +ere sho+in the *irst *aint limmer o* (ommon sense I'd e&er dete(ted inyo%," retorted nne.

7atherine la%hed . . . s%rprisinly. She +alked a(ross to the +indo+, s(o+led at the *ierystreak +hi(h +as all that +as le*t o* the s(orned s%nset and then t%rned.

";ery +ell . . . I'll o. =o+ yo% (an o thro%h the motions o* tellin me yo%'re delihted

and that +e'll ha&e a 3olly time."

"I am delihted. -%t I don't kno+ i* yo%'ll ha&e a 3olly time or not. hat +ill depend a ooddeal on yo%rsel*, Miss -rooke."

"9h, I'll beha&e mysel* de(ently. 0o%'ll be s%rprised. 0o% +on't *ind me a &ery ehilaratin%est, I s%ppose, b%t I promise yo% I +on't eat +ith my kni*e or ins%lt people +hen they tellme it's a *ine day. I tell yo% *rankly that the only reason I'm oin is be(a%se e&en I (an'tsti(k the tho%ht o* spendin the holidays here alone. Mrs. Dennis is oin to spend8hristmas +eek +ith her da%hter in 8harlotteto+n. It's a bore to think o* ettin my o+nmeals. I'm a rotten (ook. So m%(h *or the tri%mph o* matter o&er mind. -%t +ill yo% i&e me

yo%r +ord o* honor that yo% +on't +ish me a merry 8hristmas) I 3%st don't +ant to bemerry at 8hristmas."

"I +on't. -%t I (an't ans+er *or the t+ins."

"I'm not oin to ask yo% to sit do+n here . . . yo%'d *ree5e . . . b%t I see that there's a &ery*ine moon in pla(e o* yo%r s%nset and I'll +alk home +ith yo% and help yo% to admire it i*yo% like."

"I do like," said nne, "b%t I +ant to impress on yo%r mind that +e ha&e much *iner moonsin &onlea."

"So she's oin)" said !ebe((a De+ as she *illed nne's hot+ater bottle. "Well, Miss

Shirley, I hope yo%'ll ne&er try to ind%(e me to t%rn Mohammedan . . . be(a%se yo%'d likelys%((eed. Where is hat 8at) 9%t *riskin ro%nd S%mmerside and the +eather at 5ero."

"=ot by the ne+ thermometer. nd D%sty Miller is (%rled %p on the ro(kin(hair by mysto&e in the to+er, snorin +ith happiness."

"h +ell," said !ebe((a De+ +ith a little shi&er as she sh%t the kit(hen door, "I +ish e&eryone in the +orld +as as +arm and sheltered as +e are toniht."

5

nne did not kno+ that a +ist*%l little Eli5abeth +as +at(hin o%t o* one o* the mansard+indo+s o* he E&erreens as she dro&e a+ay *rom Windy Poplars . . . an Eli5abeth +ithtears in her eyes +ho *elt as i* e&erythin that made li*e +orth li&in had one o%t o* herli*e *or the time bein and that she +as the &ery Li55iest o* Li55ies. -%t +hen the li&erysleih &anished *rom her siht aro%nd the (orner o* Spook's Lane Eli5abeth +ent and kneltdo+n by her bed.

"Dear od," she +hispered, "I kno+ it isn't any %se to ask 0o% *or a merry 8hristmas *orme be(a%se randmother and he Woman (o%ldn't be merry, b%t please let my dear MissShirley ha&e a merry, merry 8hristmas and brin her ba(k sa*e to me +hen it's o&er.



"=o+," said Eli5abeth, ettin %p *rom her knees, "I'&e done all that I (an."

nne +as already tastin 8hristmas happiness. She *airly sparkled as the train le*t thestation. he %ly streets slipped past her . . . she +as oin home . . . home to reenables. 9%t in the open (o%ntry the +orld +as all olden+hite and pale &iolet, +o&enhere and there +ith the dark mai( o* spr%(es and the lea*less deli(a(y o* bir(hes. he lo+s%n behind the bare +oods seemed r%shin thro%h the trees like a splendid od, as thetrain sped on. 7atherine +as silent b%t did not seem %nra(io%s.

"Don't epe(t me to talk," she had +arned nne (%rtly.

"I +on't. I hope yo% don't think I'm one o* those terrible people +ho make yo% *eel that yo%hae to talk to them all the time. We'll 3%st talk +hen +e *eel like it. I admit I'm likely to *eellike it a ood part o* the time, b%t yo%'re %nder no obliation to take any noti(e o* +hat I'msayin."

Da&y met them at -riht !i&er +ith a bi t+oseated sleih *%ll o* *%rry robes . . . and abear h% *or nne. he t+o irls sn%led do+n in the ba(k seat. he dri&e *rom the

station to reen ables had al+ays been a &ery pleasant part o* nne's +eekends home.She al+ays re(alled her *irst dri&e home *rom -riht !i&er +ith Matthe+. hat had been insprin and this +as De(ember, b%t e&erythin alon the road kept sayin to her, "Do yo%remember)" he sno+ (risped %nder the r%nners@ the m%si( o* the bells tinkled thro%hthe ranks o* tall pointed *irs, sno+laden. he White Way o* Deliht had little *estoons o*stars tanled in the trees. nd on the last hill b%t one they sa+ the reat %l*, +hite andmysti(al %nder the moon b%t not yet i(ebo%nd.

"here's 3%st one spot on this road +here I al+ays *eel s%ddenly . . . 'I'm home,&/ said nne. "It's the top o* the net hill, +here +e'll see the lihts o* reen ables. I'm 3%stthinkin o* the s%pper Marilla +ill ha&e ready *or %s. I belie&e I (an smell it here. 9h, it'sood . . . ood . . . ood to be home aain$"

t reen ables e&ery tree in the yard seemed to +el(ome her ba(k . . . e&ery lihted+indo+ +as be(konin. nd ho+ ood Marilla's kit(hen smelled as they opened the door.here +ere h%s and e(lamations and la%hter. E&en 7atherine seemed someho+ noo%tsider, b%t one o* them. Mrs. !a(hel Lynde had set her (herished parlor lamp on thes%ppertable and lihted it. It +as really a hideo%s thin +ith a hideo%s red lobe, b%t +hata +arm rosy be(omin liht it (ast o&er e&erythin$ /o+ +arm and *riendly +ere theshado+s$ /o+ pretty Dora +as ro+in$ nd Da&y really seemed almost a man.

here +as ne+s to tell. Diana had a small da%hter . . . <osie Pye a(t%ally had a yo%nman . . . and 8harlie Sloane +as said to be enaed. It +as all 3%st as e(itin as ne+s o*

empire (o%ld ha&e been. Mrs. Lynde's ne+ pat(h+ork 6%ilt, 3%st (ompleted, (ontainin *i&etho%sand pie(es, +as on display and re(ei&ed its meed o* praise.

"When yo% (ome home, nne," said Da&y, "e&erythin seems to (ome ali&e."

"h, this is ho+ li*e sho%ld be," p%rred Dora's kitten.

"I'&e al+ays *o%nd it hard to resist the l%re o* a moonliht niht," said nne a*ter s%pper."/o+ abo%t a sno+shoe tramp, Miss -rooke) I think that I'&e heard that yo% sno+shoe."

"0es . . . it's the only thin I can do . . . b%t I ha&en't done it *or si years," said 7atherine+ith a shr%.

nne rooted o%t her sno+shoes *rom the arret and Da&y shot o&er to 9r(hard Slope toborro+ an old pair o* Diana's *or 7atherine. hey +ent thro%h Lo&er's Lane, *%ll o* lo&elytree shado+s, and a(ross *ields +here little *ir trees *rined the *en(es and thro%h +oods



+hi(h +ere *%ll o* se(rets they seemed al+ays on the point o* +hisperin to yo% b%t ne&erdid . . . and thro%h open lades that +ere like pools o* sil&er.

hey did not talk or +ant to talk. It +as as i* they +ere a*raid to talk *or *ear o* spoilinsomethin bea%ti*%l. -%t nne had ne&er *elt so near 7atherine -rooke be*ore. -y somemai( o* its o+n the +inter niht had bro%ht them toether . . . almost toether b%t not6%ite.

When they (ame o%t to the main road and a sleih *lashed by, bells rinin, la%htertinklin, both irls a&e an in&ol%ntary sih. It seemed to both that they +ere lea&inbehind a +orld that had nothin in (ommon +ith the one to +hi(h they +ere ret%rnin . . . a+orld +here time +as not . . . +hi(h +as yo%n +ith immortal yo%th . . . +here so%ls(omm%ned +ith ea(h other in some medi%m that needed nothin so (r%de as +ords.

"It's been +onder*%l," said 7atherine so ob&io%sly to hersel* that nne made no response.

hey +ent do+n the road and %p the lon reen ables lane b%t 3%st be*ore they rea(hedthe yard ate, they both pa%sed as by a (ommon imp%lse and stood in silen(e, leanin

aainst the old mossy *en(e and looked at the broodin, motherly old ho%se seen dimlythro%h its &eil o* trees. /o+ bea%ti*%l reen ables +as on a +inter niht$

-elo+ it the Lake o* Shinin Waters +as lo(ked in i(e, patterned aro%nd its edes +ith treeshado+s. Silen(e +as e&ery+here, sa&e *or the sta((ato (lip o* a horse trottin o&er thebride. nne smiled to re(all ho+ o*ten she had heard that so%nd as she lay in her ableroom and pretended to hersel* that it +as the allop o* *airy horses passin in the niht.

S%ddenly another so%nd broke the stillness.

"7atherine . . . yo%'re . . . +hy, yo%'re not (ryin$"

Someho+, it seemed impossible to think o* 7atherine (ryin. -%t she +as. nd her tears

s%ddenly h%mani5ed her. nne no loner *elt a*raid o* her.

"7atherine . . . dear 7atherine . . . +hat is the matter) 8an I help)"

"9h . . . yo% (an't %nderstand$" asped 7atherine. "hins ha&e al+ays been made easy*or you. 0o% . . . yo% seem to li&e in a little en(hanted (ir(le o* bea%ty and roman(e. 'I+onder +hat deliht*%l dis(o&ery I'll make today' . . . that seems to be yo%r attit%de to li*e, nne. s *or me, I'&e *orotten ho+ to li&e . . . no, I ne&er kne+ ho+. I'm . . . I'm like a(reat%re (a%ht in a trap. I (an ne&er et o%t . . . and it seems to me that somebody isal+ays pokin sti(ks at me thro%h the bars. nd yo% . . . yo% ha&e more happiness thanyo% kno+ +hat to do +ith . . . *riends e&ery+here, a lo&er$ =ot that I +ant a lo&er . . . I hate

men . . . b%t i* I died toniht, not one li&in so%l +o%ld miss me. /o+ +o%ld yo% like to beabsol%tely *riendless in the +orld)"

7atherine's &oi(e broke in another sob.

"7atherine, yo% say yo% like *rankness. I'm oin to be *rank. I* yo% are as *riendless asyo% say, it is yo%r o+n *a%lt. I'&e +anted to be *riends +ith yo%. -%t yo%'&e been all pri(klesand stins."

"9h, I kno+ . . . I kno+. /o+ I hated yo% +hen yo% (ame *irst$ :la%ntin yo%r (ir(let o*pearls . . ."

"7atherine, I didn't '*la%nt' it$"

"9h, I s%ppose not. hat's 3%st my nat%ral hate*%lness. -%t it seemed to *la%nt itsel* . . . notthat I en&ied yo% yo%r bea% . . . I'&e ne&er +anted to be married . . . I sa+ eno%h o* that



+ith *ather and mother . . . b%t I hated yo%r bein o&er me +hen yo% +ere yo%ner thanI . . . I +as lad +hen the Prinles made tro%ble *or yo%. 0o% seemed to ha&e e&erythin Ihadn't . . . (harm . . . *riendship . . . yo%th. 0o%th$ I ne&er had anythin b%t star&ed yo%th.0o% kno+ nothin abo%t it. 0o% don't kno+ . . . yo% ha&en't the least idea +hat it is like notto be +anted by any one . . . any one$"

"9h, ha&en't I)" (ried nne.

In a *e+ poinant senten(es she sket(hed her (hildhood be*ore (omin to reen ables.

"I +ish I'd kno+n that," said 7atherine. "It +o%ld ha&e made a di**eren(e. o me yo%seemed one o* the *a&orites o* *ort%ne. I'&e been eatin my heart o%t +ith en&y o* yo%. 0o%ot the position I +anted . . . oh, I kno+ yo%'re better 6%ali*ied than I am, b%t there it +as.0o%'re pretty . . . at least yo% make people belie&e yo%'re pretty. 0y earliest re(olle(tion iso* some one sayin, 'What an %ly (hild$' 0o% (ome into a room deliht*%lly . . . oh, Iremember ho+ yo% (ame into s(hool that *irst mornin. -%t I think the real reason I'&ehated yo% so is that yo% al+ays seemed to ha&e some se(ret deliht . . . as i* e&ery day o*li*e +as an ad&ent%re. In spite o* my hatred there +ere times +hen I a(kno+leded to

mysel* that yo% miht 3%st ha&e (ome *rom some *aro** star."

"!eally, 7atherine, yo% take my breath +ith all these (ompliments. -%t yo% don't hate meany loner, do yo%) We (an be *riends no+."

"I don't kno+ . . . I'&e ne&er had a *riend o* any kind, m%(h less one o* anythin like myo+n ae. I don't belon any+here . . . ne&er ha&e beloned. I don't think I kno+ ho+ to bea *riend. =o, I don't hate yo% any loner . . . I don't kno+ ho+ I *eel abo%t yo% . . . oh, Is%ppose it's yo%r noted (harm beinnin to +ork on me. I only kno+ that I *eel I'd like totell yo% +hat my li*e has been like. I (o%ld ne&er ha&e told yo% i* yo% hadn't told me abo%tyo%r li*e be*ore yo% (ame to reen ables. I +ant yo% to %nderstand +hat has made meas I am. I don't kno+ +hy I sho%ld +ant yo% to %nderstand . . . b%t I do."

"ell me, 7atherine dear. I do +ant to %nderstand yo%."

"0o% do kno+ +hat it is like not to be +anted, I admit . . . b%t not +hat it is like to kno+ thatyo%r *ather and mother don't +ant yo%. Mine didn't. hey hated me *rom the moment I +asborn . . . and be*ore . . . and they hated ea(h other. 0es, they did. hey 6%arreled(ontin%ally . . . 3%st mean, nain, petty 6%arrels. My (hildhood +as a nihtmare. heydied +hen I +as se&en and I +ent to li&e +ith >n(le /enry's *amily. *hey didn't +ant meeither. hey all looked do+n on me be(a%se I +as 'li&in on their (harity.' I remember allthe sn%bs I ot . . . e&ery one. I (an't remember a sinle kind +ord. I had to +ear my(o%sins' (asto** (lothes. I remember one hat in parti(%lar . . . it made me look like a

m%shroom. nd they made *%n o* me +hene&er I p%t it on. 9ne day I tore it o** and thre+ iton the *ire. I had to +ear the most a+*%l old tam to (h%r(h all the rest o* the +inter. I ne&ere&en had a do . . . and I +anted one so. I had some brains . . . I loned so *or a -..(o%rse . . . b%t nat%rally I miht 3%st as +ell ha&e yearned *or the moon. /o+e&er, >n(le/enry areed to p%t me thro%h %een's i* I +o%ld pay him ba(k +hen I ot a s(hool. /epaid my board in a miserable thirdrate boardinho%se +here I had a room o&er thekit(hen that +as i(e (old in +inter and boilin hot in s%mmer, and *%ll o* stale (ookinsmells in all seasons. nd the (lothes I had to +ear to %een's$ -%t I ot my li(ense and Iot the se(ond room in S%mmerside /ih . . . the only bit o* l%(k I'&e e&er had. E&en sin(ethen I'&e been pin(hin and s(rimpin to pay >n(le /enry . . . not only +hat he spentp%ttin me thro%h %een's, b%t +hat my board thro%h all the years I li&ed there (ost

him. I +as determined I +o%ld not o+e him one (ent. hat is +hy I'&e boarded +ith Mrs.Dennis and dressed shabbily. nd I'&e 3%st *inished payin him. :or the *irst time in my li*e I*eel free. -%t mean+hile I'&e de&eloped the +ron +ay. I kno+ I'm %nso(ial . . . I kno+ I



(an ne&er think o* the riht thin to say. I kno+ it's my o+n *a%lt that I'm al+ays nele(tedand o&erlooked at so(ial *%n(tions. I kno+ I'&e made bein disareeable into a *ine art. Ikno+ I'm sar(asti(. I kno+ I'm rearded as a tyrant by my p%pils. I kno+ they hate me. Doyo% think it doesn't h%rt me to kno+ it) hey al+ays look a*raid o* me . . . I hate people+ho look as i* they +ere a*raid o* me. 9h, nne . . . hate's ot to be a disease +ith me. Ido +ant to be like other people . . . and I ne&er (an no+. *hat is +hat makes me so bitter."

"9h, b%t yo% (an$" nne p%t her arm abo%t 7atherine. "0o% (an p%t hate o%t o* yo%rmind . . . (%re yo%rsel* o* it. Li*e is only beinnin *or yo% no+ . . . sin(e at last yo%'re 6%ite*ree and independent. nd yo% ne&er kno+ +hat may be aro%nd the net bend in theroad."

"I'&e heard yo% say that be*ore . . . I'&e la%hed at yo%r 'bend in the road.' -%t the tro%ble isthere aren't any bends in my road. I (an see it stret(hin straiht o%t be*ore me to the skyline . . . endless monotony. 9h, does li*e e&er frighten yo%, nne, +ith its blan$ness . . . itss+arms o* (old, %ninterestin people) =o, o* (o%rse it doesn't. 1ou don't ha&e to o ontea(hin all the rest o* yo%r li*e. nd yo% seem to *ind eerybody interestin, e&en that littlero%nd red bein yo% (all !ebe((a De+. he tr%th is, I hate tea(hin . . . and there'snothin else I (an do. s(hooltea(her is simply a sla&e o* time. 9h, I kno+ yo% like it . . . Idon't see ho+ yo% (an. nne, I +ant to tra&el. It's the one thin I'&e al+ays loned *or. Iremember the one and only pi(t%re that h%n on the +all o* my atti( room at >n(le /enry's. . . a *aded old print that had been dis(arded *rom the other rooms +ith s(orn. It +as api(t%re o* palms aro%nd a sprin in the desert, +ith a strin o* (amels mar(hin a+ay inthe distan(e. It literally *as(inated me. I'&e al+ays +anted to o and *ind it . . . I +ant to seethe So%thern 8ross and the a3 Mahal and the pillars o* 7arnak. I +ant to $no% . . . not 3%stbeliee . . . that the +orld is ro%nd. nd I (an ne&er do it on a tea(her's salary. I'll 3%st ha&eto o on *ore&er, pratin o* 7in /enry the Eihth's +i&es and the ineha%stible reso%r(eso* the Dominion."

nne la%hed. It +as sa*e to la%h no+, *or the bitterness had one o%t o* 7atherine's&oi(e. It so%nded merely r%e*%l and impatient.

"nyho+, +e're oin to be *riends . . . and +e're oin to ha&e a 3olly ten days here tobein o%r *riendship. I'&e al+ays +anted to be *riends +ith yo%, 7atherine . . . spelled +itha 7$ I'&e al+ays *elt that %nderneath all yo%r pri(kles +as somethin that +o%ld make yo%+orth +hile as a *riend."

"So that is +hat yo%'&e really tho%ht o* me) I'&e o*ten +ondered. Well, the leopard +illha&e a o at (hanin its spots i* it's at all possible. Perhaps it is. I (an belie&e almostanythin at this reen ables o* yo%rs. It's the *irst pla(e I'&e e&er been in that *elt like a

home. I sho%ld like to be more like other people . . . i* it isn't too late. I'll e&en pra(ti(e as%nny smile *or that ilbert o* yo%rs +hen he arri&es tomorro+ niht. 9* (o%rse I'&e*orotten ho+ to talk to yo%n men . . . i* I e&er kne+. /e'll 3%st think me an oldmaidooseberry. I +onder i*, +hen I o to bed toniht, I'll *eel *%rio%s +ith mysel* *or p%llin o**my mask and lettin yo% see into my shi&erin so%l like this."

"=o, yo% +on't. 0o%'ll think, 'I'm lad she's *o%nd o%t I'm h%man.' We're oin to sn%ledo+n amon the +arm *l%**y blankets, probably +ith t+o hot+ater bottles, *or likely Marillaand Mrs. Lynde +ill ea(h p%t one in *or %s *or *ear the other has *orotten it. nd yo%'ll *eeldeli(io%sly sleepy a*ter this +alk in the *rosty moonshine . . . and *irst thin yo%'ll kno+, it+ill be mornin and yo%'ll *eel as i* yo% +ere the *irst person to dis(o&er that the sky isbl%e. nd yo%'ll ro+ learned in lore o* pl%m p%ddins be(a%se yo%'re oin to help memake one *or %esday . . . a reat bi pl%mmy one."

nne +as ama5ed at 7atherine's ood looks +hen they +ent in. /er (ompleion +as



radiant a*ter her lon +alk in the keen air and (olor made all the di**eren(e in the +orld toher.

"Why, 7atherine +o%ld be handsome i* she +ore the riht kind o* hats and dresses,"re*le(ted nne, tryin to imaine 7atherine +ith a (ertain dark, ri(hly red &el&et hat shehad seen in a S%mmerside shop, on her bla(k hair and p%lled o&er her amber eyes. "I'&esimply ot to see +hat (an be done abo%t it."

6

Sat%rday and Monday +ere *%ll o* ay doins at reen ables. he pl%m p%ddin +as(on(o(ted and the 8hristmas tree bro%ht home. 7atherine and nne and Da&y and Dora+ent to the +oods *or it . . . a bea%ti*%l little *ir to +hose (%ttin do+n nne +as only

re(on(iled by the *a(t that it +as in a little (learin o* Mr. /arrison's +hi(h +as oin to best%mped and plo+ed in the sprin anyho+.

hey +andered abo%t, atherin (reepin spr%(e and ro%nd pine *or +reaths . . . e&ensome *erns that kept reen in a (ertain deep hollo+ o* the +oods all +inter . . . %ntil daysmiled ba(k at niht o&er +hitebosomed hills and they (ame ba(k to reen ables intri%mph . . . to meet a tall yo%n man +ith ha5el eyes and the beinnins o* a m%sta(he+hi(h made him look so m%(h older and mat%rer that nne had one a+*%l moment o*+onderin i* it +ere really ilbert or a straner.

7atherine, +ith a little smile that tried to be sar(asti( b%t (o%ldn't 6%ite s%((eed, le*t them

in the parlor and played ames +ith the t+ins in the kit(hen all the e&enin. o herama5ement she *o%nd she +as en3oyin it. nd +hat *%n it +as to o do+n (ellar +ithDa&y and *ind that there +ere really s%(h thins as s+eet apples still le*t in the +orld.

7atherine had ne&er been in a (o%ntry (ellar be*ore and had no idea +hat a deliht*%l,spooky, shado+y pla(e it (o%ld be by (andleliht. Li*e already seemed %armer. :or the*irst time it (ame home to 7atherine that li*e miht be bea%ti*%l, e&en *or her.

Da&y made eno%h noise to +ake the Se&en Sleepers, at an %nearthly ho%r 8hristmasmornin, rinin an old (o+bell %p and do+n the stairs. Marilla +as horri*ied at his doins%(h a thin +hen there +as a %est in the ho%se, b%t 7atherine (ame do+n la%hin.Someho+, an odd (amaraderie had spr%n %p bet+een her and Da&y. She told nne

(andidly that she had no %se *or the impe((able Dora b%t that Da&y +as someho+ tarred+ith her o+n br%sh.

hey opened the parlor and distrib%ted the i*ts be*ore break*ast be(a%se the t+ins, e&enDora, (o%ldn't ha&e eaten anythin i* they hadn't. 7atherine, +ho had not epe(tedanythin e(ept, perhaps, a d%ty i*t *rom nne, *o%nd hersel* ettin presents *rom e&eryone. ay, (ro(heted a*han *rom Mrs. Lynde . . . a sa(het o* orris root *rom Dora . . . apaperkni*e *rom Da&y . . . a basket*%l o* tiny 3ars o* 3am and 3elly *rom Marilla . . . e&en alittle bron5e (hessy (at *or a paper+eiht *rom ilbert.

nd, tied %nder the tree, (%rled %p on a bit o* +arm and +oolly blanket, a dear little bro+n

eyed p%ppy, +ith alert, silken ears and an inratiatin tail. (ard tied to his ne(k bore theleend, ":rom nne, +ho dares, a*ter all, to +ish yo% a Merry 8hristmas."

7atherine athered his +rilin little body %p in her arms and spoke shakily.



"nne . . . he's a darlin$ -%t Mrs. Dennis +on't let me keep him. I asked her i* I miht eta do and she re*%sed."

"I'&e arraned it all +ith Mrs. Dennis. 0o%'ll *ind she +on't ob3e(t. nd, any+ay, 7atherine,yo%'re not oin to be there lon. 0o% must *ind a de(ent pla(e to li&e, no+ that yo%'&epaid o** +hat yo% tho%ht +ere yo%r obliations. Look at the lo&ely bo o* stationery Dianasent me. Isn't it *as(inatin to look at the blank paes and +onder +hat +ill be +ritten onthem)"

Mrs. Lynde +as thank*%l it +as a +hite 8hristmas . . . there +o%ld be no *at ra&eyards+hen 8hristmas +as +hite . . . b%t to 7atherine it seemed a p%rple and (rimson andolden 8hristmas. nd the +eek that *ollo+ed +as 3%st as bea%ti*%l. 7atherine had o*ten+ondered bitterly 3%st +hat it +o%ld be like to be happy and no+ she *o%nd o%t. Shebloomed o%t in the most astonishin +ay. nne *o%nd hersel* en3oyin their(ompanionship.

"o think I +as a*raid she +o%ld spoil my 8hristmas holiday$" she re*le(ted in ama5ement.

"o think," said 7atherine to hersel*, "that I +as on the &ere o* re*%sin to (ome here+hen nne in&ited me$"

hey +ent *or lon +alks . . . thro%h Lo&er's Lane and the /a%nted Wood, +here the &erysilen(e seemed *riendly . . . o&er hills +here the liht sno+ +hirled in a +inter dan(e o*oblins . . . thro%h old or(hards *%ll o* &iolet shado+s . . . thro%h the lory o* s%nset+oods. here +ere no birds to (hirp or sin, no brooks to %rle, no s6%irrels to ossip.-%t the +ind made o((asional m%si( that had in 6%ality +hat it la(ked in 6%antity.

"9ne (an al+ays *ind somethin lo&ely to look at or listen to," said nne.

hey talked o* "(abbaes and kins," and hit(hed their +aons to stars, and (ame home

+ith appetites that taed e&en the reen ables pantry. 9ne day it stormed and they(o%ldn't o o%t. he east +ind +as beatin aro%nd the ea&es and the ray %l* +asroarin. -%t e&en a storm at reen ables had (harms o* its o+n. It +as (o5y to sit by thesto&e and dreamily +at(h the *ireliht *li(kerin o&er the (eilin +hile yo% m%n(hed applesand (andy. /o+ 3olly s%pper +as +ith the storm +ailin o%tside$

9ne niht ilbert took them to see Diana and her ne+ baby da%hter.

"I ne&er held a baby in my li*e be*ore," said 7atherine as they dro&e home. ":or one thin,I didn't +ant to, and *or another I'd ha&e been a*raid o* it oin to pie(es in my rasp. 0o%(an't imaine ho+ I *elt . . . so bi and (l%msy +ith that tiny, e6%isite thin in my arms. Ikno+ Mrs. Wriht tho%ht I +as oin to drop it e&ery min%te. I (o%ld see her stri&in

heroi(ally to (on(eal her terror. -%t it did somethin to me . . . the baby I mean . . . Iha&en't de(ided 3%st +hat."

"-abies are s%(h *as(inatin (reat%res," said nne dreamily. "hey are +hat I heardsomebody at !edmond (all 'terri*i( b%ndles o* potentialities.' hink o* it, 7atherine . . ./omer m%st ha&e been a baby on(e . . . a baby +ith dimples and reat eyes *%ll o*liht . . . he (o%ldn't ha&e been blind then, o* (o%rse."

"What a pity his mother didn't kno+ he +as to be /omer," said 7atherine.

"-%t I think I'm lad <%das' mother didn't kno+ he +as to be <%das," said nne so*tly. "Ihope she ne&er did kno+."



here +as a (on(ert in the hall one niht, +ith a party at bner Sloane's a*ter it, and nnepers%aded 7atherine to o to both.

"I +ant yo% to i&e %s a readin *or o%r proram, 7atherine. I'&e heard yo% readbea%ti*%lly."

"I %sed to re(ite . . . I think I rather liked doin it. -%t the s%mmer be*ore last I re(ited at a

shore (on(ert +hi(h a party o* s%mmer resorters ot %p . . . and I heard them la%hin atme a*ter+ards."

"/o+ do yo% kno+ they +ere la%hin at yo%)"

"hey m%st ha&e been. here +asn't anythin else to la%h at."

nne hid a smile and persisted in askin *or the readin.

"i&e Genera *or an en(ore. I'm told yo% do that splendidly. Mrs. Stephen Prinle told meshe ne&er slept a +ink the niht a*ter she heard yo% i&e it."

"=o@ I'&e ne&er liked Genera. It's in the readin, so I try o((asionally to sho+ the (lassho+ to read it. I really ha&e no patien(e +ith ene&ra. Why didn't she s(ream +hen she*o%nd hersel* lo(ked in) When they +ere h%ntin e&ery+here *or her, s%rely somebody+o%ld ha&e heard her."

7atherine *inally promised the readin b%t +as d%bio%s abo%t the party. "I'll o, o* (o%rse.-%t nobody +ill ask me to dan(e and I'll *eel sar(asti( and pre3%di(ed and ashamed. I'mal+ays miserable at parties . . . the *e+ I'&e e&er one to. =obody seems to think I (andan(e . . . and yo% kno+ I (an *airly +ell, nne. I pi(ked it %p at >n(le /enry's, be(a%se apoor bit o* a maid they had +anted to learn, too, and she and I %sed to dan(e toether inthe kit(hen at niht to the m%si( that +ent on in the parlor. I think I'd like it . . . +ith the rihtkind o* partner."

"0o% +on't be miserable at this party, 7atherine. 0o% +on't be o%tside lookin in. here'sall the di**eren(e in the +orld, yo% kno+, bet+een bein inside lookin o%t and o%tsidelookin in. 0o% ha&e s%(h lo&ely hair, 7atherine. Do yo% mind i* I try a ne+ +ay o* doinit)"

7atherine shr%ed.

"9h, o ahead. I s%ppose my hair does look dread*%l . . . b%t I'&e no time to be al+aysprimpin. I ha&en't a party dress. Will my reen ta**eta do)"

"It +ill ha&e to do . . . tho%h reen is the one (olor abo&e all others that yo% sho%ld ne&er

+ear, my 7atherine. -%t yo%'re oin to +ear a red, pint%(ked (hi**on (ollar I'&e made *oryo%. 0es, yo% are. 0o% o%ht to ha&e a red dress, 7atherine."

"I'&e al+ays hated red. When I +ent to li&e +ith >n(le /enry, %nt ertr%de al+ays mademe +ear aprons o* briht %rkeyred. he other (hildren in s(hool %sed to (all o%t ':ire,'+hen I (ame in +ith one o* those aprons on. ny+ay, I (an't be bothered +ith (lothes."

"/ea&en rant me patien(e$ 8lothes are ery important," said nne se&erely, as shebraided and (oiled. hen she looked at her +ork and sa+ that it +as ood. She p%t herarm abo%t 7atherine's sho%lders and t%rned her to the mirror.

"Don't yo% tr%ly think +e are a pair o* 6%ite oodlookin irls)" she la%hed. "nd isn't it

really ni(e to think people +ill *ind some pleas%re in lookin at %s) here are so manyhomely people +ho +o%ld a(t%ally look 6%ite attra(ti&e i* they took a little pains +iththemsel&es. hree S%ndays ao in (h%r(h . . . yo% remember the day poor old Mr. Mil&ain



prea(hed and had s%(h a terrible (old in his head that nobody (o%ld make o%t +hat he+as sayin) . . . +ell, I passed the time makin the people aro%nd me bea%ti*%l. I a&eMrs. -rent a ne+ nose, I +a&ed Mary ddison's hair and a&e <ane Marden's a lemonrinse . . . I dressed Emma Dill in bl%e instead o* bro+n . . . I dressed 8harlotte -lair instripes instead o* (he(ks . . . I remo&ed se&eral moles . . . and I sha&ed o** homas nderson's lon, sandy Pi((adilly +eepers. 0o% (o%ldn't ha&e kno+n them +hen I ot

thro%h +ith them. nd, e(ept perhaps *or Mrs. -rent's nose, they (o%ld ha&e donee&erythin I did, themsel&es. Why, 7atherine, yo%r eyes are 3%st the (olor o* tea . . . ambertea. =o+, li&e %p to yo%r name this e&enin . . . a brook sho%ld be sparklin . . . limpid . . .merry."

"E&erythin I'm not."

"E&erythin yo%'&e been this past +eek. So yo% can be it."

"hat's only the mai( o* reen ables. When I o ba(k to S%mmerside, t+el&e o'(lo(k+ill ha&e str%(k *or 8inderella."

"0o%'ll take the mai( ba(k +ith yo%. Look at yo%rsel* . . . lookin *or on(e as yo% o%ht tolook all the time."

7atherine a5ed at her re*le(tion in the mirror as i* rather do%btin her identity.

"I do look years yo%ner," she admitted. "0o% +ere riht . . . (lothes do do thins to yo%.9h, I kno+ I'&e been lookin older than my ae. I didn't (are. Why sho%ld I) =obody else(ared. nd I'm not like yo%, nne. pparently yo% +ere born kno+in ho+ to li&e. nd Idon't kno+ anythin abo%t it . . . not e&en the - 8. I +onder i* it's too late to learn. I'&ebeen sar(asti( so lon, I don't kno+ i* I (an be anythin else. Sar(asm seemed to me tobe the only +ay I (o%ld make any impression on people. nd it seems to me, too, that I'&eal+ays been a*raid +hen I +as in the (ompany o* other people . . . a*raid o* sayin

somethin st%pid . . . a*raid o* bein la%hed at."

"7atherine -rooke, look at yo%rsel* in that mirror@ (arry that pi(t%re o* yo%rsel* +ith yo% . . .mani*i(ent hair *ramin yo%r *a(e instead o* tryin to p%ll it ba(k+ard . . . eyes sparklinlike dark stars . . . a little *l%sh o* e(itement on yo%r (heeks . . . and yo% +on't *eel a*raid.8ome, no+. We're oin to be late, b%t *ort%nately all the per*ormers ha&e +hat I heardDora re*errin to as 'preser&ed' seats."

ilbert dro&e them to the hall. /o+ like old times it +as . . . only 7atherine +as +ith her inpla(e o* Diana. nne sihed. Diana had so many other interests no+. =o more r%nninro%nd to (on(erts and parties *or her.

-%t +hat an e&enin it +as$ What sil&ery satin roads +ith a pale reen sky in the +est a*tera liht sno+*all$ 9rion +as treadin his stately mar(h a(ross the hea&ens, and hills and*ields and +oods lay aro%nd them in a pearly silen(e.

7atherine's readin (apt%red her a%dien(e *rom the *irst line, and at the party she (o%ldnot *ind dan(es *or all her +o%ldbe partners. She s%ddenly *o%nd hersel* la%hin +itho%tbitterness. hen home to reen ables, +armin their toes at the sittinroom *ire by theliht o* t+o *riendly (andles on the mantel@ and Mrs. Lynde tiptoein into their room, late asit +as, to ask them i* they'd like another blanket and ass%re 7atherine that her little do+as sn% and +arm in a basket behind the kit(hen sto&e.

"I'&e ot a ne+ o%tlook on li*e," tho%ht 7atherine as she dri*ted o** to sl%mber. "I didn'tkno+ there +ere people like this."

"8ome aain," said Marilla +hen she le*t.



Marilla ne&er said that to any one %nless she meant it.

"9* (o%rse she's (omin aain," said nne. ":or +eekends . . . and *or %ee$s in thes%mmer. We'll b%ild bon*ires and hoe in the arden . . . and pi(k apples and o *or the(o+s . . . and ro+ on the pond and et lost in the +oods. I +ant to sho+ yo% Little /esterray's arden, 7atherine, and E(ho Lode and ;iolet ;ale +hen it's *%ll o* &iolets."

7

"Windy Poplars,"<an%ary th,"he street +here hosts sho%ld4 +alk.

"M0 ESEEMED :!IE=D#

"hat isn't anythin %nt 8hatty's randmother +rote. It's only somethin she +o%ld ha&e+ritten i* she'd tho%ht o* it.

"I'&e made a =e+ 0ear resol%tion to +rite sensible lo&eletters. Do yo% s%ppose s%(h athin is possible)

"I ha&e le*t dear reen ables b%t I ha&e ret%rned to dear Windy Poplars. !ebe((a De+had a *ire lihted in the to+er room *or me and a hot+ater bottle in the bed.

"I'm so lad I like Windy Poplars. It +o%ld be dread*%l to li&e in a pla(e I didn't like . . . that

didn't seem *riendly to me . . . that didn't say, 'I'm lad yo%'re ba(k.' Windy Poplars does.It's a bit old*ashioned and a bit prim, b%t it likes me.

"nd I +as lad to see %nt 7ate and %nt 8hatty and !ebe((a De+ aain. I (an't helpseein their *%nny sides b%t I lo&e them +ell *or all that.

"!ebe((a De+ said s%(h a ni(e thin to me yesterday.

"'Spook's Lane has been a di**erent pla(e sin(e yo% (ame here, Miss Shirley.'

"I'm lad yo% liked 7atherine, ilbert. She +as s%rprisinly ni(e to yo%. It's ama5in to *indho+ ni(e she (an be +hen she tries. nd I think she is 3%st as m%(h ama5ed at it hersel*as any one else. She had no idea it +o%ld be so easy.

"It's oin to make so m%(h di**eren(e in s(hool, ha&in a ;i(e yo% (an really +ork +ith.She is oin to (hane her boardinho%se, and I ha&e already pers%aded her to et that&el&et hat and ha&e not yet i&en %p hope o* pers%adin her to sin in the (hoir.

"Mr. /amilton's do (ame do+n yesterday and (hi&ied D%sty Miller. 'his is the last stra+,'said !ebe((a De+. nd +ith her red (heeks redder still, her (h%bby ba(k shakin +ithaner, and in s%(h a h%rry that she p%t her hat on hindside be*ore and ne&er kne+ it, shetoddled %p the road and a&e Mr. /amilton 6%ite a lare pie(e o* her mind. I (an 3%st seehis *oolish, amiable *a(e +hile he +as listenin to her.

"'I do not like hat 8at,' she told me, 'b%t he is 9>!S and no /amilton do is oin to(ome here and i&e him imp%den(e in his o+n ba(k yard. "/e only (hased yo%r (at in*%n," said <abe5 /amilton. "he /amilton ideas o* *%n are di**erent *rom the Ma(8omberideas o* *%n or the Ma(Lean ideas o* *%n or, i* it (omes to that, the De+ ideas o* *%n," I told



him. "%t, t%t, yo% m%st ha&e had (abbae *or dinner, Miss De+," said he. "=o," I said, "b%tI could ha&e had. Mrs. 8aptain Ma(8omber didn't sell all her (abbaes last *all and lea&eher *amily +itho%t any be(a%se the pri(e +as so ood. here are some people," se5 I,"that (an't hear anythin be(a%se o* the 3inle in their po(ket." nd I le*t that to sink in. -%t+hat (o%ld yo% epe(t *rom a /amilton) Lo+ s(%m$'

"here is a (rimson star hanin lo+ o&er the +hite Storm 7in. I +ish yo% +ere here to+at(h it +ith me. I* yo% +ere, I really think it +o%ld be more than a moment o* esteem and*riendship."

"<an%ary 12th.

"Little Eli5abeth (ame o&er t+o nihts ao to *ind o%t i* I (o%ld tell her +hat pe(%liar kind o*terrible animals Papal b%lls +ere, and to tell me tear*%lly that her tea(her had asked her tosin at a (on(ert the p%bli( s(hool is ettin %p b%t that Mrs. 8ampbell p%t her *oot do+nand said 'no' most de(idedly. When Eli5abeth attempted to plead, Mrs. 8ampbell said,

"'/a&e the oodness not to talk ba(k to me, Eli5abeth, i* yo% please.'

"Little Eli5abeth +ept a *e+ bitter tears in the to+er room that niht and said she *elt it+o%ld make her Li55ie *ore&er. She (o%ld ne&er be any o* her other names aain.

"'Last +eek I lo&ed od, this +eek I don't,' she said de*iantly.

"ll her (lass +ere takin part in the proram and she *elt 'like a leopard.' I think the s+eetthin meant she *elt like a leper and that +as s%**i(iently dread*%l. Darlin Eli5abeth m%stnot *eel like a leper.

"So I man%*a(t%red an errand to he E&erreens net e&enin. he Woman . . . +ho miht

really ha&e li&ed be*ore the *lood, she looks so an(ient . . . a5ed at me (oldly o%t o* reatray, epressionless eyes, sho+ed me rimly into the dra+inroom and +ent to tell Mrs.8ampbell that I had asked *or her.

"I don't think there has been any s%nshine in that dra+inroom sin(e the ho%se +as b%ilt.here +as a piano, b%t I'm s%re it (o%ld ne&er ha&e been played on. Sti** (hairs, (o&ered+ith silk bro(ade, stood aainst the +all . . . All the *%rnit%re stood aainst the +all e(ept a(entral marbletopped table, and none o* it seemed to be a(6%ainted +ith the rest.

"Mrs. 8ampbell (ame in. I had ne&er seen her be*ore. She has a *ine, s(%lpt%red old *a(ethat miht ha&e been a man's, +ith bla(k eyes and bla(k b%shy bro+s %nder *rosty hair.She has not 6%ite es(he+ed all &ain adornment o* the body, *or she +ore lare bla(k onyearrins that rea(hed to her sho%lders. She +as pain*%lly polite to me and I +as painlesslypolite to her. We sat and e(haned (i&ilities abo%t the +eather *or a *e+ moments . . .both, as a(it%s remarked a *e+ tho%sand years ao, '+ith (o%ntenan(es ad3%sted to theo((asion.' I told her, tr%th*%lly, that I had (ome to see i* she +o%ld lend me the !e&. <amesWalla(e 8ampbell's 0emoirs *or a short time, be(a%se I %nderstood there +as a ood dealabo%t the early history o* Prin(e 8o%nty in them +hi(h I +ished to make %se o* in s(hool.

"Mrs. 8ampbell tha+ed 6%ite markedly and s%mmonin Eli5abeth, told her to o %p to herroom and brin do+n the 0emoirs. Eli5abeth's *a(e sho+ed sins o* tears and Mrs.8ampbell (ondes(ended to eplain that it +as be(a%se little Eli5abeth's tea(her had sentanother note bein that she be allo+ed to sin at the (on(ert, and that she, Mrs.

8ampbell, had +ritten a &ery stinin reply +hi(h little Eli5abeth +o%ld ha&e to (arry to hertea(her the net mornin.



"'I do not appro&e o* (hildren o* Eli5abeth's ae sinin in p%bli(,' said Mrs. 8ampbell. 'Ittends to make them bold and *or+ard.'

"s i* anythin (o%ld make little Eli5abeth bold and *or+ard$

"'I think perhaps yo% are +ise, Mrs. 8ampbell,' I remarked in my most patroni5in tone. 'Inany e&ent Mabel Phillips is oin to sin, and I am told that her &oi(e is really so +onder*%l

that she +ill make all the others seem as nothin. =o do%bt it is much better that Eli5abethsho%ld not appear in (ompetition +ith her.'

"Mrs. 8ampbell's *a(e +as a st%dy. She may be 8ampbell o%tside b%t she is Prinle at the(ore. She said nothin, ho+e&er, and I kne+ the psy(holoi(al moment *or stoppin. Ithanked her *or the 0emoirs and (ame a+ay.

"he net e&enin +hen little Eli5abeth (ame to the arden ate *or her milk, her pale,*lo+erlike *a(e +as literally astar. She told me that Mrs. 8ampbell had told her she mihtsin a*ter all, i* she +ere (are*%l not to let hersel* et p%**ed %p abo%t it.

"0o% see, !ebe((a De+ had told me that the Phillips and the 8ampbell (lans ha&e al+ays

been ri&als in the matter o* ood &oi(es$

"I a&e Eli5abeth a bit o* a pi(t%re *or 8hristmas to han abo&e her bed . . . 3%st a lihtdappled +oodland path leadin %p a hill to a 6%aint little ho%se amon some trees. LittleEli5abeth says she is not so *rihtened no+ to o to sleep in the dark, be(a%se as soon asshe ets into bed she pretends that she is +alkin %p the path to the ho%se and that sheoes inside and it is all lihted and her *ather is there.

"Poor darlin$ I (an't help detestin that *ather o* hers$"

"<an%ary 1Hth.

"here +as a dan(e at 8arry Prinle's last niht. 7atherine +as there in a dark red silk +iththe ne+ side *lo%n(es and her hair had been done by a hairdresser. Wo%ld yo% belie&e it,people +ho had kno+n her e&er sin(e she (ame to tea(h in S%mmerside a(t%ally askedone another +ho she +as +hen she (ame into the room. -%t I think it +as less the dressand hair that made the di**eren(e than some inde*inable (hane in hersel*.

"l+ays be*ore, +hen she +as o%t +ith people, her attit%de seemed to be, 'hese peoplebore me. I epe(t I bore them and I hope I do.' -%t last niht it +as as i* she had setlihted (andles in all the +indo+s o* her ho%se o* li*e.

"I'&e had a hard time +innin 7atherine's *riendship. -%t nothin +orth +hile is e&er easy(ome by and I ha&e al+ays *elt that her *riendship +o%ld be +orth +hile.

"%nt 8hatty has been in bed *or t+o days +ith a *e&erish (old and thinks she may ha&ethe do(tor tomorro+, in (ase she is takin pne%monia. So !ebe((a De+, her head tied %pin a to+el, has been (leanin the ho%se madly all day to et it in per*e(t order be*ore thedo(tor's possible &isit. =o+ she is in the kit(hen ironin %nt 8hatty's +hite (otton nihty+ith the (ro(het yoke, so that it +ill be ready *or her to slip o&er her *lannel one. It +asspotlessly (lean be*ore, b%t !ebe((a De+ tho%ht it +as not 6%ite a ood (olor *rom lyinin the b%rea% dra+er."

"<an%ary 2Bth.



"<an%ary so *ar has been a month o* (old ray days, +ith an o((asional storm +hirlina(ross the harbor and *illin Spook's Lane +ith dri*ts. -%t last niht +e had a sil&er tha+and today the s%n shone. My maple ro&e +as a pla(e o* %nimainable splendors. E&enthe (ommonpla(es had been made lo&ely. E&ery bit o* +ire *en(in +as a +onder o*(rystal la(e.

"!ebe((a De+ has been porin this e&enin o&er one o* my maa5ines (ontainin anarti(le on 'ypes o* :air Women,' ill%strated by photoraphs.

"'Wo%ldn't it be lo&ely, Miss Shirley, i* some one (o%ld 3%st +a&e a +and and makee&erybody bea%ti*%l)' she said +ist*%lly. '<%st *an(y my *eelins, Miss Shirley, i* I s%ddenly*o%nd mysel* bea%ti*%l$ -%t then' . . . +ith a sih . . . 'i* +e +ere all bea%ties +ho +o%ld dothe +ork)'"

8

"I'm so tired," sihed 8o%sin Ernestine -%le, droppin into her (hair at the Windy Poplarss%ppertable. "I'm a*raid sometimes to sit do+n *or *ear I'll ne&er be able to it %p aain."

8o%sin Ernestine, a (o%sin three times remo&ed o* the late 8aptain Ma(8omber, b%t still,as %nt 7ate %sed to re*le(t, m%(h too (lose, had +alked in *rom Lo+&ale that a*ternoon*or a &isit to Windy Poplars. It (annot be said that either o* the +ido+s had +el(omed her&ery heartily, in spite o* the sa(red ties o* *amily. 8o%sin Ernestine +as not an ehilaratinperson, bein one o* those %n*ort%nates +ho are (onstantly +orryin not only abo%t their

o+n a**airs b%t e&erybody else's as +ell and +ill not i&e themsel&es or others any rest atall. he &ery look o* her, !ebe((a De+ de(lared, made yo% *eel that li*e +as a &ale o*tears.

8ertainly 8o%sin Ernestine +as not bea%ti*%l and it +as etremely do%bt*%l i* she e&er hadbeen. She had a dry, pin(hed little *a(e, *aded, pale bl%e eyes, se&eral badly pla(ed molesand a +hinin &oi(e. She +ore a r%sty bla(k dress and a de(repit ne(kpie(e o* /%dsonseal +hi(h she +o%ld not remo&e e&en at the table, be(a%se she +as a*raid o* dra%hts.

!ebe((a De+ miht ha&e sat at the table +ith them had she +ished, *or the +ido+s didnot reard 8o%sin Ernestine as any parti(%lar "(ompany." -%t !ebe((a al+ays de(laredshe (o%ldn't "sa&or her &i(t%als" in that old kill3oy's so(iety. She pre*erred to "eat her

morsel" in the kit(hen, b%t that did not pre&ent her *rom sayin her say as she +aited onthe table.

"Likely it's the sprin ettin into yo%r bones," she remarked %nsympatheti(ally.

"h, I hope it's only that, Miss De+. -%t I'm a*raid I'm like poor Mrs. 9li&er ae. She etm%shrooms last s%mmer b%t there m%sta been a toadstool amon them, *or she's ne&er*elt the same sin(e.

"-%t yo% (an't ha&e been eatin m%shrooms as early as this," said %nt 8hatty.

"=o, b%t I'm a*raid I'&e et somethin else. Don't try to (heer me %p, 8harlotte. 0o% mean

+ell, b%t it ain't no %se. I'&e been thro%h too m%(h. re yo% s%re there ain't a spider in that(ream 3%, 7ate) I'm a*raid I sa+ one +hen yo% po%red my (%p."

"We ne&er ha&e spiders in our (ream 3%s," said !ebe((a De+ omino%sly, and slammed



the kit(hen door.

"Mebbe it +as only a shadder," said 8o%sin Ernestine meekly. "My eyes ain't +hat they+ere. I'm a*raid I'll soon be blind. hat reminds me . . . I dropped in to see Martha Ma(7aythis a*ternoon and she +as *eelin *e&erish and all o%t in some kind o* a rash. 'Looks to meas tho%h yo% had the measles,' I told her. 'Likely they'll lea&e yo% almost blind. 0o%r*amily all ha&e +eak eyes.' I tho%ht she o%ht to be prepared. /er mother isn't +ell either.he do(tor says it's indiestion, b%t I'm a*raid it's a gro%th. 'nd i* yo% ha&e to ha&e anoperation and take (hloro*orm,' I told her, 'I'm a*raid yo%'ll ne&er (ome o%t o* it. !ememberyo%'re a /illis and the /illises all had +eak hearts. 0o%r *ather died o* heart*ail%re, yo%kno+.'"

"t eihtyse&en$" said !ebe((a De+, +hiskin a+ay a plate.

"nd yo% kno+ three s(ore and ten is the -ible limit," said %nt 8hatty (heer*%lly.

8o%sin Ernestine helped hersel* to a third teaspoon*%l o* s%ar and stirred her tea sadly.

"So 7in Da&id said, 8harlotte, b%t I'm a*raid Da&id +asn't a &ery ni(e man in some

respe(ts."

nne (a%ht %nt 8hatty's eye and la%hed be*ore she (o%ld help hersel*.

8o%sin Ernestine looked at her disappro&inly.

"I'&e heerd yo% +as a reat irl to la%h. Well, I hope it'll last, b%t I'm a*raid it +on't. I'ma*raid yo%'ll *ind o%t all too soon that li*e's a melan(holy b%siness. h +ell, I +as yo%nmysel* on(e."

"Was yo% really)" in6%ired !ebe((a De+ sar(asti(ally, brinin in the m%**ins. "Seems tome yo% m%st al+ays ha&e been a*raid to be yo%n. It takes (o%rae, I (an tell yo% that,

Miss -%le."

"!ebe((a De+ has s%(h an odd +ay o* p%ttin thins," (omplained 8o%sin Ernestine. "=otthat I mind her o* (o%rse. nd it's +ell to la%h +hen yo% (an, Miss Shirley, b%t I'm a*raidyo%'re temptin Pro&iden(e by bein so happy. 0o%'re a+*%l like o%r last minister's +i*e'sa%nt . . . she +as al+ays la%hin and she died o* a parralatti( stroke. he third one killsyo%. I'm a*raid o%r ne+ minister o%t at Lo+&ale is in(lined to be *ri&olo%s. he min%te I sa+him I se5 to Lo%isy, 'I'm a*raid a man +ith les like that m%st be addi(ted to dan(in.' Is'pose he's i&e it %p sin(e he t%rned minister, b%t I'm a*raid the strain +ill (ome o%t in his*amily. /e's ot a yo%n +i*e and they say she's s(andalo%sly in lo&e +ith him. I (an'tseem to it o&er the tho%ht o* any one marryin a minister *or lo&e. I'm a*raid it's a+*%l

irre&erent. /e prea(hes pretty *air sermons, b%t I'm a*raid *rom +hat he said o* Eli3ah theidbit last S%nday that he's *ar too liberal in his &ie+s o* the -ible."

"I see by the papers that Peter Ellis and :anny -%le +ere married last +eek," said %nt8hatty.

"h, yes. I'm a*raid that'll be a (ase o* marryin in haste and repentin at leis%re. hey'&eonly kno+n ea(h other three years. I'm a*raid Peter'll *ind o%t that *ine *eathers don'tal+ays make *ine birds. I'm a*raid :anny's &ery shi*tless. She irons her table napkins onthe riht side *irst and only. =ot m%(h like her sainted mother. h, she +as a thoro%h+oman i* e&er there +as one. When she +as in mo%rnin she al+ays +ore bla(knihto+ns. Said she *elt as bad in the niht as in the day. I +as do+n at ndy -%le's,

helpin them +ith the (ookin, and +hen I (ome do+nstairs on the +eddin mornin i*there +asn't :anny eatin an e *or her break*ast . . . and her ittin married that day. Idon't s'pose yo%'ll belie&e that . . . I +o%ldn't i* I hadn't aseen it +ith my o+n eyes. My poor





"I ha&en't time to be al+ays starin at my *a(e in the lass," said 8o%sin Ernestine a(idly."What i* my pla(ket is open) I'&e ot three petti(oats on, ha&en't I) hey tell me the irlsno+adays only +ear one. I'm a*raid the +orld is ittin dread*%l ay and iddy. I +onder i*they e&er think o* the 3%dment day."

"Do yo% s'pose they'll ask %s at the 3%dment day ho+ many petti(oats +e'&e ot on)"asked !ebe((a De+, es(apin to the kit(hen be*ore any one (o%ld reister horror. E&en %nt 8hatty tho%ht !ebe((a De+ really had one a little too *ar.

"I s'pose yo% sa+ old le( 8ro+dy's death last +eek in the paper," sihed 8o%sinErnestine. "/is +i*e died t+o years ao, lit'rally harried into her ra&e, poor (reet%r. heysay he's been a+*%l lonely sin(e she died, b%t I'm a*raid that's too ood to be tr%e. nd I'ma*raid they're not thro%h +ith their tro%bles +ith him yet, e&en i* he is b%ried. I hear he+o%ldn't make a +ill and I'm a*raid there'll be a+*%l r%(tions o&er the estate. hey say nnabel 8ro+dy is oin to marry a 3a(ko*alltrades. /er mother's *irst h%sband +as one,so mebbe it's heredit'ry. nnabel's had a hard li*e o* it, b%t I'm a*raid she'll *ind it's o%t o* the*ryinpan into the *ire, e&en i* it don't t%rn o%t he's ot a +i*e already."

"What is <ane old+in doin +ith hersel* this +inter)" asked %nt 7ate. "She hasn't beenin to to+n *or a lon time."

"h, poor <ane$ She's 3%st pinin a+ay mysterio%sly. hey don't kno+ +hat's the matter+ith her, b%t I'm a*raid it'll t%rn o%t to be an alibi. What is !ebe((a De+ la%hin like ahyen%s o%t in the kit(hen *or) I'm a*raid yo%'ll ha&e her on yo%r hands yet. here's ana+*%l lot o* +eak minds amon the De+s."

"I see hyra 8ooper has a baby," said %nt 8hatty.

"h, yes, poor little so%l. 9nly one, thank mer(y. I +as a*raid it +o%ld be t+ins. +ins r%nso in the 8oopers."

"hyra and =ed are s%(h a ni(e yo%n (o%ple," said %nt 7ate, as i* determined to sal&aesomethin *rom the +re(k o* the %ni&erse.

-%t 8o%sin Ernestine +o%ld not admit that there +as any balm in ilead m%(h less inLo+&ale.

"h, she +as real thank*%l to it him at last. here +as a time she +as a*raid he +o%ldn't(ome ba(k *rom the +est. I +arned her. '0o% may be s%re he'll disappoint yo%,' I told her.'/e's al+ays disappointed people. E&ery one epe(ted him to die a*ore he +as a year old,b%t yo% see he's ali&e yet.' When he bo%ht the /olly pla(e I +arned her aain. 'I'm a*raidthat +ell is *%ll o* typhoid,' I told her. 'he /olly hired man died o* typhoid there *i&e years

ao.' hey (an't blame me i* anythin happens. <oseph /olly has some misery in his ba(k./e (alls it l%mbao, b%t I'm a*raid it's the beinnin o* spinal meninitis."

"9ld >n(le <oseph /olly is one o* the best men in the +orld," said !ebe((a De+, brininin a replenished teapot.

"h, he's ood," said 8o%sin Ernestine l%%brio%sly. "oo ood$ I'm a*raid his sons +ill allo to the bad. 0o% see it like that so o*ten. Seems as i* an a&erae has to be str%(k. =o,thank yo%, 7ate, I +on't ha&e any more tea . . . +ell, mebbe a ma(aroon. hey don't liehea&y on the stoma(h, b%t I'm a*raid I'&e et *ar too m%(h. I m%st be takin :ren(h lea&e,*or I'm a*raid it'll be dark a*ore I it home. I don't +ant to it my *eet +et@ I'm so a*raid o*

ammonia. I'&e had somethin tra&elin *rom my arm to my lo+er limbs all +inter. =ihta*ter niht I'&e laid a+ake +ith it. h, nobody kno+s +hat I'&e one thro%h, b%t I ain't oneo* the (omplainin sort. I +as determined I'd it %p to see yo% on(e more, *or I may not behere another sprin. -%t yo%'&e both *ailed terrible, so yo% may o a*ore me yet. h +ell,



it's best to o +hile there's some one o* yo%r o+n le*t to lay yo% o%t. Dear me, ho+ the+ind is ittin %p$ I'm a*raid o%r barn roo* +ill blo+ o** i* it (omes to a ale. We'&e had som%(h +ind this sprin I'm a*raid the (limate is (hanin. hank yo%, Miss Shirley . . ." as nne helped her into her (oat . . . "-e (are*%l o* yo%rsel*. 0o% look a+*%l +ashed o%t. I'ma*raid people +ith red hair ne&er ha&e real stron (onstit%tions."

"I think my (onstit%tion is all riht," smiled nne, handin 8o%sin Ernestine anindes(ribable bit o* millinery +ith a striny ostri(h *eather drippin *rom its ba(k. "I ha&e ato%(h o* sore throat toniht, Miss -%le, that's all."

"h$" nother o* 8o%sin Ernestine's dark *orebodins (ame to her. "0o% +ant to +at(h asore throat. he symptoms o* diptheria and tonsillitis are ea(tly the same till the third day.-%t there's one (onsolation . . . yo%'ll be spared an a+*%l lot o* tro%ble i* yo% die yo%n."

9

"o+er !oom,"Windy Poplars,"pril 2Ath.

"P99! DE! IL-E!#

"'I said o* la%hter, it is mad, and o* mirth, +hat doeth it)' I'm a*raid I'll t%rn ray yo%n . . .I'm a*raid I'll end %p in the poorho%se . . . I'm a*raid none o* my p%pils +ill pass their *inals .. . Mr. /amilton's do barked at me Sat%rday niht and I'm a*raid I'll ha&e hydrophobia . . .I'm a*raid my %mbrella +ill t%rn inside o%t +hen I keep a tryst +ith 7atherine toniht . . . I'ma*raid 7atherine likes me so m%(h no+ that she (an't al+ays like me as m%(h . . . I'ma*raid my hair isn't a%b%rn a*ter all . . . I'm a*raid I'll ha&e a mole on the end o* my nose+hen I'm *i*ty . . . I'm a*raid my s(hool is a *iretrap . . . I'm a*raid I'll *ind a mo%se in my bedtoniht . . . I'm a*raid yo% ot enaed to me 3%st be(a%se I +as al+ays aro%nd . . . I'ma*raid I'll soon be pi(kin at the (o%nterpane.

"=o, dearest, I'm not (ra5y . . . not yet. It's only that 8o%sin Ernestine -%le is (at(hin.

"I kno+ no+ +hy !ebe((a De+ has al+ays (alled her 'Miss M%(ha*raid.' he poor so%lhas borro+ed so m%(h tro%ble, she m%st be hopelessly in debt to *ate.

"here are so many -%les in the +orld . . . not many 6%ite so *ar one in -%lism as8o%sin Ernestine, perhaps, b%t so many kill3oys, a*raid to en3oy today be(a%se o* +hattomorro+ +ill brin.

"ilbert darlin, don't let's e&er be a*raid o* thins. It's s%(h dread*%l sla&ery. Let's bedarin and ad&ent%ro%s and epe(tant. Let's dan(e to meet li*e and all it (an brin to %s,e&en i* it brins s(ads o* tro%ble and typhoid and t+ins$

"oday has been a day dropped o%t o* <%ne into pril. he sno+ is all one and the *a+nmeado+s and olden hills 3%st sin o* sprin. I kno+ I heard Pan pipin in the little reenhollo+ in my maple b%sh and my Storm 7in +as bannered +ith the airiest o* p%rple

ha5es. We'&e had a reat deal o* rain lately and I'&e lo&ed sittin in my to+er in the still,+et ho%rs o* the sprin t+ilihts. -%t toniht is a %sty, h%rryin niht . . . e&en the (lo%dsra(in o&er the sky are in a h%rry and the moonliht that %shes o%t bet+een them is in a



h%rry to *lood the +orld.

"S%ppose, ilbert, +e +ere +alkin hand in hand do+n one o* the lon roads in &onleatoniht$

"ilbert, I'm a*raid I'm s(andalo%sly in lo&e +ith yo%. 0o% don't think it's irre&erent, do yo%)-%t then, yo%'re not a minister."

10

"I'm so di**erent," sihed /a5el.

It +as really dread*%l to be so di**erent *rom other people . . . and yet rather +onder*%l, too,

as i* yo% +ere a bein strayed *rom another star. /a5el +o%ld not ha&e been one o* the(ommon herd *or anything . . . no matter +hat she s%**ered by reason o* her di**erentness.

"E&erybody is di**erent," said nne am%sedly.

"0o% are smilin." /a5el (lasped a pair o* &ery +hite, &ery dimpled hands and a5edadorinly at nne. She emphasi5ed at least one syllable in e&ery +ord she %ttered. "0o%ha&e s%(h a *as(inatin smile . . . s%(h a haunting smile. I kne+ the moment I *irst sa+ yo%that yo% +o%ld %nderstand eerything. We are on the same plane. Sometimes I think Im%st be psychic, Miss Shirley. I al+ays kno+ so instinctiely the moment I meet any one+hether I'm oin to like them or not. I *elt at on(e that yo% +ere sympatheti( . . . that yo%+o%ld understand. It's so s+eet to be %nderstood. =obody %nderstands me, Miss

Shirley . . . nobody. -%t +hen I sa+ yo%, some inner &oi(e +hispered to me, &She +ill%nderstand . . . +ith her yo% (an be yo%r real self.& 9h, Miss Shirley, let's be real . . . let'sal%ays be real. 9h, Miss Shirley, do yo% lo&e me the leastest, tiniest bit)"

"I think yo%'re a dear," said nne, la%hin a little and r%**lin /a5el's olden (%rls +ith herslender *iners. It +as 6%ite easy to be *ond o* /a5el.

/a5el had been po%rin o%t her so%l to nne in the to+er room, *rom +hi(h they (o%ld seea yo%n moon hanin o&er the harbor and the t+iliht o* a late May e&enin *illin the(rimson (%ps o* the t%lips belo+ the +indo+s.

"Don't let's ha&e any liht yet," /a5el had beed, and nne had responded,

"=o . . . it's lo&ely here +hen the dark is yo%r *riend, isn't it) When yo% t%rn on the liht, itmakes the dark yo%r enemy . . . and it lo+ers in at yo% resent*%lly."

"I (an thin$ thins like that b%t I (an ne&er epress them so bea%ti*%lly," moaned /a5el inan an%ish o* rapt%re. "0o% talk in the lan%ae o* the &iolets, Miss Shirley."

/a5el (o%ldn't ha&e eplained in the least +hat she meant by that, b%t it didn't matter. Itso%nded so poeti(.

he to+er room +as the only pea(e*%l room in the ho%se. !ebe((a De+ had said thatmornin, +ith a h%nted look, "We must et the parlor and spareroom papered be*ore the

Ladies' id meets here," and had *orth+ith remo&ed all the *%rnit%re *rom both to make +ay*or a paperhaner +ho then re*%sed to (ome %ntil the net day. Windy Poplars +as a+ilderness o* (on*%sion, +ith one sole oasis in the to+er room.



/a5el Marr had a notorio%s "(r%sh" on nne. he Marrs +ere ne+(omers in S%mmerside,ha&in mo&ed there *rom 8harlotteto+n d%rin the +inter. /a5el +as an "9(tober blonde,"as she liked to des(ribe hersel*, +ith hair o* olden bron5e and bro+n eyes, and, so!ebe((a De+ de(lared, had ne&er been m%(h ood in the +orld sin(e she *o%nd o%t she+as pretty. -%t /a5el +as pop%lar, espe(ially amon the boys, +ho *o%nd her eyes and(%rls a 6%ite irresistible (ombination.

nne liked her. Earlier in the e&enin she had been tired and a tri*le pessimisti(, +ith the*a that (omes +ith late a*ternoon in a s(hoolroom, b%t she *elt rested no+@ +hether as ares%lt o* the May bree5e, s+eet +ith apple blossom, blo+in in at the +indo+, or o* /a5el's(hatter, she (o%ld not ha&e told. Perhaps both. Someho+, to nne, /a5el re(alled her o+nearly yo%th, +ith all its rapt%res and ideals and romanti( &isions.

/a5el (a%ht nne's hand and pressed her lips to it re&erently.

"I hate all the people yo% ha&e lo&ed be*ore me, Miss Shirley. I hate all the other peopleyo% lo&e no%. I +ant to possess yo% eclusiely./

"ren't yo% a bit %nreasonable, honey) 1ou lo&e other people besides me. /o+ abo%terry, *or eample)"

"9h, Miss Shirley$ It's that I +ant to talk to yo% abo%t. I (an't end%re it in silen(e anyloner . . . I cannot. I must talk to some one abo%t it . . . some one +ho understands. I+ent o%t the niht be*ore last and +alked ro%nd and ro%nd the pond all niht . . . +ell,nearly . . . till t+el&e, anyho+. I'&e s%**ered e&erythin . . . eerything./

/a5el looked as trai( as a ro%nd, pinkand+hite *a(e, lonlashed eyes and a halo o*(%rls +o%ld let her.

"Why, /a5el dear, I tho%ht yo% and erry +ere so happy . . . that e&erythin +as settled."

nne (o%ld not be blamed *or thinkin so. D%rin the pre(edin three +eeks, /a5el hadra&ed to her abo%t erry arland, *or /a5el's attit%de +as, +hat +as the %se o* ha&in abea% i* yo% (o%ldn't talk to some one abo%t him)

/+erybody thinks that," retorted /a5el +ith reat bitterness. "9h, Miss Shirley, li*e seemsso *%ll o* perplein problems. I *eel sometimes as i* I +anted to lie do+n some+here . . .any%here . . . and *old my hands and ne&er thin$ aain."

"My dear irl, +hat has one +ron)"

"=othin . . . and eerything. 9h, Miss Shirley, can I tell yo% all abo%t it . . . can I po%r o%tmy +hole so%l to yo%)"

"9* (o%rse, dear."

"I ha&e really no pla(e to po%r o%t my so%l," said /a5el patheti(ally. "E(ept in my 3o%rnal,o* (o%rse. Will yo% let me sho+ yo% my 3o%rnal some day, Miss Shirley) It is a sel*re&elation. nd yet I (annot +rite o%t +hat b%rns in my so%l. It . . . it stifles me$" /a5el(l%t(hed dramati(ally at her throat.

"9* (o%rse I'd like to see it i* yo% +ant me to. -%t +hat is this tro%ble bet+een yo% anderry)"

"9h, erry$$ Miss Shirley, +ill yo% belie&e me +hen I tell yo% that erry seems like a

stranger to me) straner$ Some one I'd ne&er seen be*ore," added /a5el, so that theremiht be no mistake.



"-%t, /a5el . . . I tho%ht yo% lo&ed him . . . yo% said . . ."

"9h, I kno+. I thought I lo&ed him, too. -%t no+ I kno+ it +as all a terrible mistake. 9h,Miss Shirley, yo% (an't dream ho+ difficult my li*e is . . . ho+ impossible./

"I kno+ somethin abo%t it," said nne sympatheti(ally, rememberin !oy ardiner.

"9h, Miss Shirley, I'm s%re I don't lo&e him eno%h to marry him. I reali5e that no+ . . . no+that it is too late. I +as 3%st moonlihted into thinkin I lo&ed him. I* it hadn't been *or themoon I'm s%re I +o%ld ha&e asked *or time to think it o&er. -%t I +as s+ept o** my *eet . . . I(an see that no+. 9h, I'll r%n a+ay . . . I'll do somethin desperate$"

"-%t, /a5el dear, i* yo% *eel yo%'&e made a mistake, +hy not 3%st tell him . . ."

"9h, Miss Shirley, I (o%ldn't$ It +o%ld kill him. /e simply adores me. here isn't any +ayo%t o* it really. nd erry's beinnin to talk o* ettin married. hink o* it . . . a (hild like me. . . I'm only eihteen. ll the *riends I'&e told abo%t my enaement as a se(ret are(onrat%latin me . . . and it's s%(h a *ar(e. hey think erry is a reat (at(h be(a%se he(omes into ten tho%sand dollars +hen he is t+enty*i&e. /is randmother le*t it to him. s i*

I (ared abo%t s%(h a sordid thin as money2 9h, Miss Shirley, %hy is it s%(h a mer(enary+orld . . . %hy/

"I s%ppose it is mer(enary in some respe(ts, b%t not in all, /a5el. nd i* yo% *eel like thisabo%t erry . . . +e all make mistakes . . . it's &ery hard to kno+ o%r o+n minds sometimes.. . ."

"9h, isn't it) I $ne% yo%'d %nderstand. I did think I (ared *or him, Miss Shirley. he *irst timeI sa+ him I 3%st sat and a5ed at him the +hole e&enin. #aes +ent o&er me +hen I methis eyes. /e +as so handsome . . . tho%h I tho%ht e&en then that his hair +as too (%rlyand his eyelashes too +hite. *hat sho%ld ha&e +arned me. -%t I al+ays p%t my so%l into

e&erythin, yo% kno+ . . . I'm so intense. I *elt little shi&ers o* e(stasy +hene&er he (amenear me. nd no+ I *eel nothin . . . nothing $ 9h, I'&e ro+n old these past *e+ +eeks,Miss Shirley . . . old $ I'&e hardly eaten anythin sin(e I ot enaed. Mother (o%ld tell yo%.I'm sure I don't lo&e him eno%h to marry him. Whate&er else I may be in do%bt abo%t, Ikno+ that ."

"hen yo% sho%ldn't . . ."

"E&en that moonliht niht he proposed to me, I +as thinkin o* +hat dress I'd +ear to<oan Prinle's *an(y dress party. I tho%ht it +o%ld be lo&ely to o as %een o* the May inpale reen, +ith a sash o* darker reen and a (l%ster o* pale pink roses in my hair. nd aMaypole de(ked +ith tiny roses and h%n +ith pink and reen ribbons. Wo%ldn't it ha&e

been *et(hin) nd then <oan's %n(le had to o and die and <oan (o%ldn't ha&e the partya*ter all, so it all +ent *or nothin. -%t the point is . . . I really (o%ldn't ha&e lo&ed him +henmy tho%hts +ere +anderin like that, (o%ld I)"

"I don't kno+ . . . o%r tho%hts play %s (%rio%s tri(ks some times."

"I really don't think I e&er +ant to et married at all, Miss Shirley. Do yo% happen to ha&ean orane+ood sti(k handy) hanks. My hal*moons are ettin raed. I miht as +ell dothem +hile I'm talkin. Isn't it 3%st lo&ely to be e(hanin (on*iden(es like this) It's soseldom one ets the opport%nity . . . the +orld intr%des itsel* so. Well, +hat +as I talkino* . . . oh, yes, erry. What am I to do, Miss Shirley) I +ant yo%r ad&i(e. 9h, I *eel like a

trapped (reat%re$""-%t, /a5el, it's so &ery simple . . ."



"9h, it isn't simple at all, Miss Shirley$ It's dread*%lly (ompli(ated. Mamma is soo%traeo%sly pleased, b%t %nt <ean isn't. She doesn't like erry, and e&erybody says shehas s%(h ood 3%dment. I don't +ant to marry anybody. I'm ambitio%s . . . I +ant a (areer.Sometimes I think I'd like to be a n%n. Wo%ldn't it be +onder*%l to be the bride o* hea&en) Ithink the 8atholi( (h%r(h is so pi(t%res6%e, don't yo%) -%t o* (o%rse I'm not a 8atholi( . . .and any+ay, I s%ppose yo% (o%ld hardly (all it a (areer. I'&e al+ays *elt I'd lo&e to be a

n%rse. It's s%(h a romanti( pro*ession, don't yo% think) Smoothin *e&ered bro+s and allthat . . . and some handsome millionaire patient *allin in lo&e +ith yo% and (arryin yo% o**to spend a honeymoon in a &illa on the !i&iera, *a(in the mornin s%n and the bl%eMediterranean. I'&e seen mysel* in it. :oolish dreams, perhaps, b%t, oh, so s+eet. I can&ti&e them %p *or the prosai( reality o* marryin erry arland and settlin do+n inSummerside2/

/a5el shi&ered at the &ery idea and s(r%tini5ed a hal*moon (riti(ally.

"I s%ppose . . ." bean nne.

"We ha&en't anything in (ommon, yo% kno+, Miss Shirley. /e doesn't (are *or poetry and

roman(e, and they're my &ery life. Sometimes I think I m%st be a rein(arnation o*8leopatra . . . or +o%ld it be /elen o* roy) . . . one o* those lan%oro%s, sed%(ti&e(reat%res, anyho+. I ha&e s%(h %onderful tho%hts and *eelins . . . I don't kno+ +here Iet them i* that isn't the eplanation. nd erry is so terribly mattero**a(t . . . he (an't be arein(arnation o* anybody. What he said +hen I told him abo%t ;era :ry's 6%ill pen pro&esthat, doesn't it)"

"-%t I ne&er heard o* ;era :ry's 6%ill pen," said nne patiently.

"9h, ha&en't yo%) I tho%ht I'd told yo%. I'&e told yo% so m%(h. ;era's *ian(e a&e her a6%ill pen he'd made o%t o* a *eather he'd pi(ked %p that had *allen *rom a (ro+'s +in. /esaid to her, 'Let yo%r spirit soar to hea&en +ith it +hene&er yo% %se it, like the bird +hoon(e bore it.' Wasn't that 3%st %onderful -%t erry said the pen +o%ld +ear o%t &ery soon,espe(ially i* ;era +rote as m%(h as she talked, and any+ay he didn't think (ro+s e&ersoared to hea&en. /e 3%st missed the meanin o* the +hole thin (ompletely . . . it's &eryessen(e."

"What %as its meanin)"

"9h . . . +hy . . . +hy . . . soaring, yo% kno+ . . . ettin a+ay *rom the (lods o* earth. Didyo% noti(e ;era's rin) sapphire. I think sapphires are too dark *or enaement rins. I'drather ha&e yo%r dear, romanti( little hoop o* pearls. erry +anted to i&e me my rin rihta+ay . . . b%t I said not yet a +hile . . . it +o%ld seem like a *etter . . . so irreocable, yo%

kno+. I +o%ldn't ha&e *elt like that i* I'd really lo&ed him, +o%ld I)"

"=o, I'm a*raid not . . ."

"It's been so %onderful to tell somebody +hat I really *eel like. 9h, Miss Shirley, i* I (o%ldonly *ind mysel* *ree aain . . . *ree to seek the deeper meanin o* li*e$ erry +o%ldn't%nderstand +hat I meant i* I said that to him. nd I kno+ he has a temper . . . all thearlands ha&e. 9h, Miss Shirley . . . i* yo% +o%ld 3%st talk to him . . . tell him +hat I *eel like. . . he thinks yo%'re +onder*%l . . . he'd be %ided by +hat yo% say."

"/a5el, my dear little irl, ho+ (o%ld I do that)"

"I don't see +hy not." /a5el *inished the last ne+ moon and laid the orane+ood sti(kdo+n trai(ally. "I* yo% (an't, there isn't any help any%here. -%t I (an ne&er, neer, =E;E!marry erry arland."



"I* yo% don't lo&e erry, yo% o%ht to o to him and tell him so . . . no matter ho+ badly it+ill make him *eel. Some day yo%'ll meet some one yo% (an really lo&e, /a5el dear . . .yo% +on't ha&e any do%bts then . . . yo%'ll $no%./

"I shall ne&er lo&e anybody aain," said /a5el, stonily (alm. "Lo&e brins only sorro+.0o%n as I am I ha&e learned that. his +o%ld make a +onder*%l plot *or one o* yo%rstories, +o%ldn't it, Miss Shirley) I m%st be oin . . . I'd no idea it +as so late. I *eel som%(h better sin(e I'&e (on*ided in yo% . . . 'to%(hed yo%r so%l in shado+land,' asShakespeare says."

"I think it +as Pa%line <ohnson," said nne ently.

"Well, I kne+ it +as somebody . . . somebody +ho had lied. I think I shall sleep toniht,Miss Shirley. I'&e hardly slept sin(e I *o%nd mysel* enaed to erry, +itho%t the leastnotion ho+ it had all (ome abo%t."

/a5el *l%**ed o%t her hair and p%t on her hat, a hat +ith a rosy linin to its brim and rosyblossoms aro%nd it. She looked so distra(tinly pretty in it that nne kissed her

imp%lsi&ely. "0o%'re the prettiest thin, darlin," she said admirinly./a5el stood &ery still.

hen she li*ted her eyes and stared (lear thro%h the (eilin o* the to+er room, (learthro%h the atti( abo&e it, and so%ht the stars.

"I shall ne&er, neer *oret this %onderful moment, Miss Shirley," she m%rm%redrapt%ro%sly. "I *eel that my bea%ty . . . i* I ha&e any . . . has been consecrated. 9h, MissShirley, yo% don't kno+ ho+ really terrible it is to ha&e a rep%tation *or bea%ty and to beal+ays a*raid that +hen people meet yo% they +ill not think yo% as pretty as yo% +erereported to be. It's torture. Sometimes I 3%st die o* morti*i(ation be(a%se I *an(y I (an see

they're disappointed. Perhaps it's only my imaination . . . I'm so imainati&e . . . too m%(hso *or my o+n ood, I *ear. I imagined I +as in lo&e +ith erry, yo% see. 9h, Miss Shirley,can yo% smell the appleblossom *raran(e)"

/a&in a nose, nne (o%ld.

"Isn't it 3%st diine I hope hea&en +ill be all *lo+ers. 9ne (o%ld be ood i* one li&ed in alily, (o%ldn't one)"

"I'm a*raid it miht be a little (on*inin," said nne per&ersely.

"9h, Miss Shirley, don't . . . don&t be sar(asti( +ith yo%r little adorer. Sar(asm 3%st shrielsme %p like a lea*."

"I see she hasn't talked yo% 6%ite to death," said !ebe((a De+, +hen nne had (omeba(k a*ter seein /a5el to the end o* Spook's Lane. "I don't see ho+ yo% p%t %p +ith her."

"I like her, !ebe((a, I really do. ' +as a dread*%l little (hatterbo +hen I +as a (hild. I+onder i* I so%nded as silly to the people +ho had to listen to me as /a5el doessometimes."

"I didn't kno+ yo% +hen yo% +as a (hild b%t I'm s%re yo% didn't," said !ebe((a. "-e(a%seyo% +o%ld mean +hat yo% said no matter ho+ yo% epressed it and /a5el Marr doesn't.She's nothin b%t skim milk pretendin to be (ream."

"9h, o* (o%rse she dramati5es hersel* a bit as most irls do, b%t I think she means some o*the thins she says," said nne, thinkin o* erry. Perhaps it +as be(a%se she had a ratherpoor opinion o* the said erry that she belie&ed /a5el +as 6%ite in earnest in all she said







$ershoo." "I ha&e +ork to do." Sni** . . . sni** . . . sn%**le$4

"I am not oin a+ay till I ha&e told yo% 3%st +hat I think o* yo%. 9h, I kno+ I'&e only mysel*to blame . . . I sho%ld ha&e kno+n . . . I did kno+. I *elt instin(ti&ely the *irst time I sa+ yo%that yo% +ere dangerous. hat red hair and those reen eyes$ -%t I ne&er dreamed yo%'do so *ar as to make tro%ble bet+een me and erry. I tho%ht yo% +ere a hristian at least.I ne&er heard o* any one doin s%(h a thin. Well, yo%'&e broken my heart, i* that is anysatis*a(tion to yo%."

"0o% little oose . . ."

"I +on't talk to yo%$ 9h, erry and I +ere so happy be*ore yo% spoiled e&erythin. ' +as sohappy . . . the *irst irl o* my set to be enaed. I e&en had my +eddin all planned o%t . . .*o%r bridesmaids in lo&ely pale bl%e silk dresses +ith bla(k &el&et ribbon on the *lo%n(es.So (hi($ 9h, I don't kno+ i* I hate yo% the most or pity yo% the most$ 9h, ho+ could yo%treat me like this . . . a*ter I'&e loed yo% so . . . trusted yo% so . . . belieed in yo% so$"

/a5el's &oi(e broke . . . her eyes *illed +ith tears . . . she (ollapsed on a ro(kin(hair.

"0o% (an't ha&e many e(lamation points le*t," tho%ht nne, "b%t no do%bt the s%pply o*itali(s is ineha%stible."

"his +ill 3%st abo%t kill poor Momma," sobbed /a5el. "She +as so pleased . . . eerybody+as so pleased . . . they all tho%ht it an ideal mat(h. 9h, (an anything e&er aain be likeit %sed to be)"

"Wait till the net moonliht niht and try," said nne ently.

"9h, yes, la%h, Miss Shirley . . . la%h at my s%**erin. I ha&e not the least do%bt that yo%*ind it all &ery am%sin . . . &ery am%sin indeed$ 1ou don't kno+ +hat s%**erin is$ It isterrible . . . terrible2/

nne looked at the (lo(k and snee5ed.

"hen don't s%**er," she said %npityinly.

"I %ill s%**er. My *eelins are ery deep. 9* (o%rse a shallo% so%l +o%ldn't s%**er. -%t I amthank*%l I am not shallo+ +hate&er else I am. /a&e yo% any idea +hat it means to be inlo&e, Miss Shirley) !eally, terribly deeply, %onderfully in lo&e) nd then to tr%st and bede(ei&ed) I +ent to 7insport so happy . . . lo&in all the +orld$ I told erry to be ood toyo% +hile I +as a+ay . . . not to let yo% be lonesome. I (ame home last niht so happy. nd he told me he didn't lo&e me any loner . . . that it +as all a mistake . . . a mista$e2 . . .and that you had told him I didn't (are *or him any loner, and +anted to be free2/

"My intentions +ere honorable," said nne, la%hin. /er impish sense o* h%mor had(ome to her res(%e and she +as la%hin as m%(h at hersel* as at /a5el.

"9h, ho% did I li&e thro%h the niht)" said /a5el +ildly. "I 3%st +alked the *loor. nd yo%don't kno+ . . . yo% (an't e&en imagine +hat I'&e one thro%h today. I'&e had to sit andlisten . . . a(t%ally listen . . . to people talkin abo%t erry's in*at%ation *or you. 9h, peopleha&e been +at(hin yo%$ *hey kno+ +hat yo%'&e been doin. nd +hy . . . %hy2 hat is+hat I cannot %nderstand. 0o% had yo%r o+n lo&er . . . +hy (o%ldn't yo% ha&e le*t memine) What had yo% aainst me) What had I e&er done to yo%)"

"I think," said nne, thoro%hly easperated, "that yo% and erry both need a oodspankin. I* yo% +eren't too anry to listen to reason . . ."

"9h, I'm not angry, Miss Shirley . . . only hurt . . . terribly h%rt," said /a5el in a &oi(e



positi&ely *oy +ith tears. "I *eel that I ha&e been betrayed in eerything . . . in *riendshipas +ell as in lo&e. Well, they say a*ter yo%r heart is broken yo% ne&er s%**er any more. Ihope it's tr%e, b%t I *ear it isn't."

"What has be(ome o* yo%r ambition, /a5el) nd +hat abo%t the millionaire patient and thehoneymoon &illa on the bl%e Mediterranean)"

"I'm s%re I don't kno+ +hat yo%'re talkin abo%t, Miss Shirley. I'm not a bit ambitio%s . . . I'mnot one o* those dread*%l ne+ +omen. 0y hihest ambition +as to be a happy +i*e andmake a happy home *or my h%sband. #as . . . %as2 o think it sho%ld be in the past tense$Well, it doesn't do to tr%st any one. I'&e learned that. bitter, bitter lesson$"

/a5el +iped her eyes and nne +iped her nose, and D%sty Miller lared at the e&eninstar +ith the epression o* a misanthrope.

"0o%'d better o, I think, /a5el. I'm really &ery b%sy and I (an't see that there is anythin tobe ained by prolonin this inter&ie+."

/a5el +alked to the door +ith the air o* Mary %een o* S(ots ad&an(in to the s(a**old,

and t%rned there dramati(ally.

":are+ell, Miss Shirley. I lea&e yo% to yo%r (ons(ien(e."

nne, le*t alone +ith her (ons(ien(e, laid do+n her pen, snee5ed three times and a&ehersel* a plain talkinto.

"0o% may be a -.., nne Shirley, b%t yo% ha&e a *e+ thins to learn yet . . . thins thate&en !ebe((a De+ (o%ld ha&e told yo% . . . did tell yo%. -e honest +ith yo%rsel*, my dearirl, and take yo%r medi(ine like a allant lady. dmit that yo% +ere (arried o** yo%r *eet by*lattery. dmit that yo% really liked /a5el's pro*essed adoration *or yo%. dmit yo% *o%nd itpleasant to be +orshiped. dmit that yo% liked the idea o* bein a sort o* dea e machina .

. . sa&in people *rom their o+n *olly +hen they didn't in the least +ant to be sa&ed *rom it. nd ha&in admitted all this and *eelin +iser and sadder and a *e+ tho%sand years older,pi(k %p yo%r pen and pro(eed +ith yo%r eamination papers, pa%sin to note in passinthat Myra Prinle thinks a seraph is 'an animal that abo%nds in *ri(a.'"

12

+eek later a letter (ame *or nne, +ritten on pale bl%e paper eded +ith sil&er.

"DE! MISS S/I!LE0#

"I am +ritin this to tell yo% that all misunderstanding is (leared a+ay bet+een erry andme and +e are so deeply, intensely, %onderfully happy that +e ha&e de(ided +e (an*ori&e yo%. erry says he +as 3%st moonlihted into makin lo&e to yo% b%t that his heartne&er really s+er&ed in its alleian(e to me. /e says he really likes s%eet, simple irls . . .that all men do . . . and has no %se *or intriguing, designing ones. We don't %nderstand

+hy yo% beha&ed to %s as yo% did . . . +e ne&er +ill %nderstand. Perhaps yo% 3%st +antedmaterial *or a story and tho%ht yo% (o%ld *ind it in tamperin +ith the *irst s+eet,trem%lo%s lo&e o* a irl. -%t +e thank yo% *or reealing us to ourseles. erry says he



ne&er reali5ed the deeper meanin o* li*e be*ore. So really it +as all *or the best. We areso sympatheti( . . . +e (an feel ea(h other's tho%hts. =obody %nderstands him b%t meand I +ant to be a source of inspiration to him *ore&er. ' am not (le&er like you b%t I *eel I(an be that, *or +e are soul5mates and ha&e &o+ed eternal truth and constancy to ea(hother, no matter ho+ many -ealous people and false friends may try to make tro%blebet+een %s.

"We are oin to be married as soon as I ha&e my tro%ssea% ready. I am oin %p to-oston to et it. here really isn't anything in S%mmerside. My dress is to be %hite moireand my tra&elins%it +ill be do&e ray +ith hat, lo&es and blo%se o* delphinium blue. 9*(o%rse I'm &ery yo%n, b%t I +ant to be married +hen I am yo%n, be*ore the bloom oeso** li*e.

"erry is all that my %ildest dreams (o%ld pi(t%re and e&ery thought o* my heart is *or himalone. I $no% +e are oin to be rapturously happy. 6nce I belie&ed all my *riends +o%ldre-oice +ith me in my happiness, b%t I ha&e learned a bitter lesson in %orldly %isdom sin(ethen.

"0o%rs truly,

"/EL M!!.

"P.S. 1. 0o% told me erry had such a temper. Why, he's a per*e(t lamb, his sister says.

"/.M.

"P.S. 2. I'&e heard that lemon -uice +ill blea(h *re(kles. 0o% miht try it on yo%r nose.

"/.M."

"o 6%ote !ebe((a De+," remarked nne to D%sty Miller, "posts(ript =%mber +o is thelast stra+."

13

nne +ent home *or her se(ond S%mmerside &a(ation +ith mied *eelins. ilbert +as not

to be in &onlea that s%mmer. /e had one +est to +ork on a ne+ railroad that +as beinb%ilt. -%t reen ables +as still reen ables and &onlea +as still &onlea. he Lake o*Shinin Waters shone and sparkled as o* old. he *erns still re+ as thi(kly o&er theDryad's -%bble, and the lobride, tho%h it +as a little (r%mblier and mossier e&ery year,still led %p to the shado+s and silen(es and +indsons o* the /a%nted Wood.

nd nne had pre&ailed on Mrs. 8ampbell to let little Eli5abeth o home +ith her *or a*ortniht . . . no more. -%t Eli5abeth, lookin *or+ard to t+o +hole +eeks +ith Miss Shirley,asked no more o* li*e.

"I *eel like 0iss Eli5abeth today," she told nne +ith a sih o* deliht*%l e(itement, as they

dro&e a+ay *rom Windy Poplars. "Will yo% please (all me 'Miss Eli5abeth' +hen yo%introd%(e me to yo%r *riends at reen ables) It +o%ld make me *eel so ro+n %p."

"I +ill," promised nne ra&ely, rememberin a small, redheaded damsel +ho had on(e



beed to be (alled 8ordelia.

Eli5abeth's dri&e *rom -liht !i&er to reen ables, o&er a road +hi(h only Prin(e Ed+ardIsland in <%ne (an sho+, +as almost as e(stati( a thin *or her as it had been *or nne thatmemorable sprin e&enin so many years ao. he +orld +as bea%ti*%l, +ith +indrippledmeado+s on e&ery hand and s%rprises l%rkin aro%nd e&ery (orner. She +as +ith herbelo&ed Miss Shirley@ she +o%ld be *ree *rom the Woman *or t+o +hole +eeks@ she had ane+ pink inham dress and a pair o* lo&ely ne+ bro+n boots. It +as almost as i*omorro+ +ere already there . . . +ith *o%rteen omorro+s to *ollo+. Eli5abeth's eyes +ereshinin +ith dreams +hen they t%rned into the reen ables lane +here the pink +ildroses re+.

hins seemed to (hane mai(ally *or Eli5abeth the moment she ot to reen ables.:or t+o +eeks she li&ed in a +orld o* roman(e. 0o% (o%ldn't step o%tside the door +itho%tsteppin into somethin romanti(. hins +ere 3%st bo%nd to happen in &onlea . . . i* nottoday, then tomorro+. Eli5abeth kne+ she hadn't )uite ot into omorro+ yet, b%t she kne+she +as on the &ery *rines o* it.

E&erythin in and abo%t reen ables seemed to be a(6%ainted +ith her. E&en Marilla'spink roseb%d teaset +as like an old *riend. he rooms looked at her as i* she had al+ayskno+n and lo&ed them@ the &ery rass +as reener than rass any+here else@ and thepeople +ho li&ed at reen ables +ere the kind o* people +ho li&ed in omorro+. Shelo&ed them and +as belo&ed by them. Da&y and Dora adored her and spoiled her@ Marillaand Mrs. Lynde appro&ed o* her. She +as neat, she +as ladylike, she +as polite to herelders. hey kne+ nne did not like Mrs. 8ampbell's methods, b%t it +as plain to be seenthat she had trained her reatrandda%hter properly.

"9h, I don't +ant to sleep, Miss Shirley," Eli5abeth +hispered +hen they +ere in bed in thelittle por(h able, a*ter a rapt%ro%s e&enin. "I don't +ant to sleep a+ay a sinle min%te o*

these +onder*%l t+o +eeks. I +ish I (o%ld et alon +itho%t any sleep +hile I'm here."

:or a +hile she didn't sleep. It +as hea&enly to lie there and listen to the splendid lo+th%nder Miss Shirley had told her +as the so%nd o* the sea. Eli5abeth lo&ed it and the siho* the +ind aro%nd the ea&es as +ell. Eli5abeth had al+ays been "a*raid o* the niht." Whokne+ +hat 6%eer thin miht 3%mp at yo% o%t o* it) -%t no+ she +as a*raid no loner. :orthe *irst time in her li*e the niht seemed like a *riend to her.

hey +o%ld o to the shore tomorro+, Miss Shirley had promised, and ha&e a dip in thosesil&ertipped +a&es they had seen breakin beyond the reen d%nes o* &onlea +hen theydro&e o&er the last hill. Eli5abeth (o%ld see them (omin in, one a*ter the other. 9ne o*them +as a reat dark +a&e o* sleep . . . it rolled riht o&er her . . . Eli5abeth dro+ned in it

+ith a deli(io%s sih o* s%rrender.

"It's . . . so . . . easy . . . to . . . lo&e . . . od . . . here," +as her last (ons(io%s tho%ht.

-%t she lay a+ake *or a +hile e&ery niht o* her stay at reen ables, lon a*ter MissShirley had one to sleep, thinkin o&er thins. Why (o%ldn't li*e at he E&erreens be likeli*e at reen ables)

Eli5abeth had ne&er li&ed +here she (o%ld make a noise i* she +anted to. E&erybody athe E&erreens had to mo&e so*tly . . . speak so*tly . . . e&en, so Eli5abeth *elt, thin$ so*tly.here +ere times +hen Eli5abeth desired per&ersely to yell lo%d and lon.

"0o% may make all the noise yo% +ant to here," nne had told her. -%t it +as strane . . .she no loner +anted to yell, no+ that there +as nothin to pre&ent her. She liked to o6%ietly, steppin ently amon all the lo&ely thins aro%nd her. -%t Eli5abeth learned to



la%h d%rin that so3o%rn at reen ables. nd +hen she +ent ba(k to S%mmerside she(arried deliht*%l memories +ith her and le*t e6%ally deliht*%l ones behind her. o thereen ables *olks reen ables seemed *or months *%ll o* memories o* little Eli5abeth.:or "little Eli5abeth" she +as to them in spite o* the *a(t that nne had solemnly introd%(edher as "Miss Eli5abeth." She +as so tiny, so olden, so el*like, that they (o%ldn't think o*her as anythin b%t little Eli5abeth . . . little Eli5abeth dan(in in a t+iliht arden amon

the +hite <%ne lilies . . . (oiled %p on a bo%h o* the bi D%(hess apple tree readin *airytales, %nlet and %nhindered . . . little Eli5abeth hal* dro+ned in a *ield o* b%tter(%ps +hereher olden head seemed 3%st a larer b%tter(%p . . . (hasin sil&erreen moths or tryin to(o%nt the *ire*lies in Lo&er's Lane . . . listenin to the b%mblebees 5oomin in the(anterb%rybells . . . bein *ed stra+berries and (ream by Dora in the pantry or eatin red(%rrants +ith her in the yard . . . "!ed (%rrants are s%(h bea%ti*%l thins, aren't they, Dora)It's 3%st like eatin 3e+els, isn't it)" . . . little Eli5abeth sinin to hersel* in the ha%nted d%sko* the *irs . . . +ith *iners s+eet *rom atherin the bi, *at, pink "(abbae roses" . . .a5in at the reat moon hanin o&er the brook &alley . . . "I think the moon has %orriedeyes, don't yo%, Mrs. Lynde)" . . . (ryin bitterly be(a%se a (hapter in the serial story inDa&y's maa5ine le*t the hero in a sad predi(ament . . . "9h, Miss Shirley, I'm s%re he (an

ne&er li&e thro%h it$" . . . little Eli5abeth (%rled %p, all *l%shed and s+eet like a +ild rose,*or an a*ternoon nap on the kit(hen so*a +ith Dora's kittens (%ddled abo%t her . . .shriekin +ith la%hter to see the +ind blo+in the dini*ied old hens' tails o&er their ba(ks. . . could it be little Eli5abeth la%hin like that) . . . helpin nne *rost (%p(akes, Mrs.Lynde (%t the pat(hes *or a ne+ "do%ble Irish (hain" 6%ilt, and Dora r%b the old brass(andlesti(ks till they (o%ld see their *a(es in them . . . (%ttin o%t tiny bis(%its +ith athimble %nder Marilla's t%telae. Why, the reen ables *olks (o%ld hardly look at a pla(eor thin +itho%t bein reminded o* little Eli5abeth.

"I +onder i* I'll e&er ha&e s%(h a happy *ortniht aain," tho%ht little Eli5abeth, as shedro&e a+ay *rom reen ables. he road to the station +as 3%st as bea%ti*%l as it had

been t+o +eeks be*ore, b%t hal* the time little Eli5abeth (o%ldn't see it *or tears.

"I (o%ldn't ha&e belie&ed I'd miss a (hild so m%(h," said Mrs. Lynde.

When little Eli5abeth +ent, 7atherine -rooke and her do (ame *or the rest o* the s%mmer.7atherine had resined *rom the sta** o* the /ih S(hool at the (lose o* the year andmeant to o to !edmond in the *all to take a se(retarial (o%rse at !edmond >ni&ersity. nne had ad&ised this.

"I kno+ yo%'d like it and yo%'&e ne&er liked tea(hin," said the latter, as they sat onee&enin in a *erny (orner o* a (lo&er *ield and +at(hed the lories o* a s%nset sky.

"Li*e o+es me somethin more than it has paid me and I'm oin o%t to (olle(t it," said7atherine de(idedly. "I *eel so m%(h yo%ner than I did this time last year," she added +itha la%h.

"I'm s%re it's the best thin *or yo% to do, b%t I hate to think o* S%mmerside and the /ih+itho%t yo%. What +ill the to+er room be like net year +itho%t o%r e&enins o* (on*ab andar%ment, and o%r ho%rs o* *oolishness, +hen +e t%rned e&erybody and e&erythin into a 3oke)"



T!" T!#$% Y"&$

1

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,"September Bth.

"Dearest#

"he s%mmer is o&er . . . the s%mmer in +hi(h I ha&e seen yo% only that +eekend in May. nd I am ba(k at Windy Poplars *or my third and last year in S%mmerside /ih. 7atherine

and I had a deliht*%l time toether at reen ables and I'm oin to miss her dread*%llythis year. he ne+ <%nior tea(her is a 3olly little personae, (h%bby and rosy and *riendlyas a p%ppy . . . b%t someho+, there's nothin more to her than that. She has sparklinshallo+ bl%e eyes +ith no tho%ht behind them. I like her . . . I'll al+ays like her . . . neithermore nor less . . . there's nothin to discoer in her. here +as so m%(h to dis(o&er in7atherine, +hen yo% on(e ot past her %ard.

"here is no (hane at Windy Poplars . . . yes there is. he old red (o+ has one to herlon home, so !ebe((a De+ sadly in*ormed me +hen I (ame do+n to s%pper Mondayniht. he +ido+s ha&e de(ided not to bother +ith another one b%t to et milk and (ream*rom Mr. 8herry. his means that little Eli5abeth +ill (ome no more to the arden ate *or

her ne+ milk. -%t Mrs. 8ampbell seems to ha&e ro+n re(on(iled to her (omin o&er here+hen she +ants to, so that does not make so m%(h di**eren(e no+.

"nd another (hane is bre+in. %nt 7ate told me, m%(h to my sorro+, that they ha&ede(ided to i&e D%sty Miller a+ay as soon as they (an *ind a s%itable home *or him. WhenI protested, she said they +ere really dri&en to it *or pea(e' sake. !ebe((a De+ has been(onstantly (omplainin abo%t him all s%mmer and there seems to be no other +ay o*satis*yin her. Poor D%sty Miller . . . and he is s%(h a ni(e, pro+ly, p%rry darlin$

"omorro+, bein Sat%rday, I'm oin to look a*ter Mrs. !aymond's t+ins +hile she oes to8harlotteto+n to the *%neral o* some relati&e. Mrs. !aymond is a +ido+ +ho (ame to o%rto+n last +inter. !ebe((a De+ and the Windy Poplars +ido+s . . . really, S%mmerside is a

reat pla(e *or +ido+s . . . think her a 'little too rand' *or S%mmerside, b%t she +as reallya +onder*%l help to 7atherine and me in o%r Dramati( 8l%b a(ti&ities. 9ne ood t%rndeser&es another.

"erald and eraldine are eiht and are a pair o* aneli(lookin yo%nsters, b%t !ebe((aDe+ 'p%lled a mo%th,' to %se one o* her o+n epressions, +hen I told her +hat I +as ointo do.

"'-%t I lo&e (hildren, !ebe((a.'

"'8hildren, yes, b%t them's holy terrors, Miss Shirley. Mrs. !aymond doesn't belie&e inp%nishin (hildren no matter +hat they do. She says she's determined they'll ha&e a"nat%ral" li*e. hey take people in by that saintly look o* theirs, b%t I'&e heard +hat herneihbors ha&e to say o* them. he minister's +i*e (alled one a*ternoon . . . +ell, Mrs.!aymond +as s+eet as s%ar pie to her, b%t +hen she +as lea&in a sho+er o* Spanish



onions (ame *lyin do+n the stairs and one o* them kno(ked her hat o**. "8hildren al+aysbeha&e so abominably +hen yo% 'spe(ially +ant them to be ood," +as all Mrs. !aymondsaid . . . kinder as i* she +as rather pro%d o* them bein so %nmanaeable. hey're *romthe States, yo% kno+' . . . as i* that eplained e&erythin. !ebe((a has abo%t as m%(h %se*or '0ankees' as Mrs. Lynde has."

2

Sat%rday *orenoon nne betook hersel* to the pretty, old*ashioned (ottae on a street thatstraled o%t into the (o%ntry, +here Mrs. !aymond and her *amo%s t+ins li&ed. Mrs.!aymond +as all ready to depart . . . rather ayly dressed *or a *%neral, perhaps . . .espe(ially +ith reard to the be*lo+ered hat per(hed on top o* the smooth bro+n +a&es o*

hair that *lo+ed aro%nd her head . . . b%t lookin &ery bea%ti*%l. he eihtyearold t+ins,+ho had inherited her bea%ty, +ere sittin on the stairs, their deli(ate *a(es +reathed +itha 6%ite (her%bi( epression. hey had (ompleions o* pink and +hite, lare 8hinabl%eeyes and a%reoles o* *ine, *l%**y, pale yello+ hair.

hey smiled +ith enain s+eetness +hen their mother introd%(ed them to nne and toldthem that dear Miss Shirley had been so kind as to (ome and take (are o* them +hileMother +as a+ay at dear %nty Ella's *%neral, and o* (o%rse they +o%ld be ood and noti&e her one teeny+eeny bit o* tro%ble, +o%ldn't they, darlins)

he darlins nodded ra&ely and (ontri&ed, tho%h it hadn't seemed possible, to look moreaneli( than e&er.

Mrs. !aymond took nne do+n the +alk to the ate +ith her.

"hey're all I'&e ot . . . no+," she said patheti(ally. "Perhaps I may ha&e spoiled them alittle . . . I kno+ people say I ha&e . . . people al+ays kno+ so m%(h better ho+ yo% o%htto brin %p yo%r (hildren than yo% kno+ yo%rsel*, ha&en't yo% noti(ed, Miss Shirley) -%t 'think lo&in is better than spankin any day, don't yo%, Miss Shirley) I'm s%re you +ill ha&eno tro%ble +ith them. 8hildren al+ays $no% +hom they (an play on and +hom they (an't,don't yo% think) hat poor old Miss Pro%ty %p the street . . . I had her to stay +ith them oneday, b%t the poor darlins (o%ldn't bear her. So o* (o%rse they teased her a ood bit . . .you kno+ +hat (hildren are. She has re&ened hersel* by tellin the most ridi(%lo%s tales

abo%t them all o&er to+n. -%t they'll 3%st lo&e yo% and I kno+ they'll be anels. 9* (o%rse,they ha&e hih spirits . . . b%t (hildren sho%ld ha&e, don't yo% think) It's so piti*%l to see(hildren +ith a (o+ed appearan(e, isn't it) I like them to be nat%ral, don't yo%) oo ood(hildren don't seem nat%ral, do they) Don't let them sail their boats in the batht%b or o+adin in the pond, +ill yo%) I'm so a*raid o* them (at(hin (old . . . their *ather died o*pne%monia."

Mrs. !aymond's lare bl%e eyes looked as i* they +ere oin to o&er*lo+, b%t she allantlyblinked the tears a+ay.

"Don't +orry i* they 6%arrel a little(hildren al+ays do 6%arrel, don't yo% think) -%t i* anyo%tsider atta(ks them . . . my dear$$ hey really 3%st +orship ea(h other, yo% kno+. I (o%ld

ha&e taken one o* them to the *%neral, b%t they simply +o%ldn't hear o* it. hey'&e ne&erbeen separated a day in their li&es. nd I couldn&t look a*ter t+ins at a *%neral, (o%ld Ino+)"



"Don't +orry, Mrs. !aymond," said nne kindly. "I'm s%re erald and eraldine and I +illha&e a bea%ti*%l day toether. I lo&e (hildren."

"I kno+ it. I *elt s%re the min%te I sa+ yo% that yo% lo&ed (hildren. 9ne (an al+ays tell,don't yo% think) here's something abo%t a person +ho lo&es (hildren. Poor old MissPro%ty detests them. She looks *or the +orst in (hildren and so o* (o%rse she *inds it. 0o%(an't (on(ei&e +hat a (om*ort it is to me to re*le(t that my darlins are %nder the (are o*one +ho lo&es and %nderstands (hildren. I'm s%re I'll 6%ite en3oy the day."

"0o% miht take us to the *%neral," shrieked erald, s%ddenly sti(kin his head o%t o* an%pstairs +indo+. "We ne&er ha&e any *%n like that."

"9h, they're in the bathroom$" e(laimed Mrs. !aymond trai(ally. "Dear Miss Shirley,please o and take them o%t. erald darlin, yo% kno+ mother (o%ldn't take yo% both tothe *%neral. 9h, Miss Shirley, he's ot that (oyote skin *rom the parlor *loor tied ro%nd hisne(k by the pa+s aain. /e'll r%in it. Please make him take it o** at on(e. I must h%rry or I'llmiss the train."

Mrs. !aymond sailed eleantly a+ay and nne ran %pstairs to *ind that the aneli(eraldine had rasped her brother by the les and +as apparently tryin to h%rl him bodilyo%t o* the +indo+.

"Miss Shirley, make erald stop p%ttin o%t his ton%e at me," she demanded *ier(ely.

"Does it h%rt yo%)" asked nne smilinly.

"Well, he's not oin to p%t o%t his ton%e at me,/ retorted eraldine, dartin a bale*%l lookat erald, +ho ret%rned it +ith interest.

"My ton%e's my o+n and you (an't stop me *rom p%ttin it o%t +hen I like . . . (an she,Miss Shirley)"

nne inored the 6%estion.

"+ins dear, it's 3%st an ho%r till l%n(htime. Shall +e o and sit in the arden and playames and tell stories) nd, erald, +on't yo% p%t that (oyote skin ba(k on the *loor)"

"-%t I +ant to play +ol*," said erald.

"/e +ants to play +ol*," (ried eraldine, s%ddenly alinin hersel* on her brother's side.

"We +ant to play +ol*," they both (ried toether.

peal *rom the doorbell (%t the knot o* nne's dilemma.

"8ome on and see +ho it is," (ried eraldine. hey *le+ to the stairs and by reason o*slidin do+n the banisters, ot to the *ront door m%(h 6%i(ker than nne, the (oyote skin(omin %nloosed and dri*tin a+ay in the pro(ess.

"We ne&er b%y anythin *rom peddlers," erald told the lady standin on the doorstone.

"8an I see yo%r mother)" asked the (aller.

"=o, yo% (an't. Mother's one to %nt Ella's *%neral. Miss Shirley's lookin a*ter %s. hat'sher (omin do+n the stairs. She&ll make yo% s(at."

nne did *eel rather like makin the (aller "s(at" +hen she sa+ +ho it +as. Miss PamelaDrake +as not a pop%lar (aller in S%mmerside. She +as al+ays "(an&assin" *orsomethin and it +as enerally 6%ite impossible to et rid o* her %nless yo% bo%ht it,sin(e she +as %tterly imper&io%s to sn%bs and hints and had apparently all the time in the



+orld at her (ommand.

his time she +as "takin orders" *or an en(y(lopedia . . . somethin no s(hooltea(her(o%ld a**ord to be +itho%t. ;ainly nne protested that she did not need anen(y(lopedia . . . the /ih S(hool already possessed a &ery ood one.

"en years o%t o* date," said Miss Pamela *irmly. "We'll 3%st sit do+n here on this r%sti(

ben(h, Miss Shirley, and I'll sho+ yo% my prospe(t%s."

"I'm a*raid I ha&en't time, Miss Drake. I ha&e the (hildren to look a*ter."

"It +on't take b%t a *e+ min%tes. I'&e been meanin to (all on yo%, Miss Shirley, and I (all itreal *ort%nate to *ind yo% here. !%n a+ay and play, (hildren, +hile Miss Shirley and I skimo&er this bea%ti*%l prospe(t%s."

"Mother's hired Miss Shirley to look a*ter %s," said eraldine, +ith a toss o* her aerial (%rls.-%t erald had t%ed her ba(k+ard and they slammed the door sh%t.

"0o% see, Miss Shirley, +hat this en(y(lopedia means. Look at the bea%ti*%l paper . . . feel

it . . . the splendid enra&ins . . . no other en(y(lopedia on the market has hal* then%mber o* enra&ins . . . the +onder*%l printa blind man (o%ld read itand all *or eihtydollars . . . eiht dollars do+n and eiht dollars a month till it's all paid. 0o%'ll ne&er ha&es%(h another (han(e . . . +e're 3%st doin this to introd%(e it . . . net year it +ill be ah%ndred and t+enty."

"-%t I don't +ant an en(y(lopedia, Miss Drake," said nne desperately.

"9* (o%rse yo% +ant an en(y(lopedia . . . eery one +ants an en(y(lopedia . . . a 4ationalen(y(lopedia. ' don't kno+ ho+ I li&ed be*ore I be(ame a(6%ainted +ith the 4ationalen(y(lopedia. Lie2 I didn't li&e . . . I merely eisted. Loo$ at that enra&in o* the(asso+ary, Miss Shirley. Did yo% e&er really see a (asso+ary be*ore)"

"-%t, Miss Drake, I . . ."

"I* yo% think the terms a little too onero%s I *eel s%re I (an make a spe(ial arranement *oryo%, bein a s(hooltea(her . . . si a month instead o* eiht. 0o% simply (an't re*%se ano**er like that, Miss Shirley."

nne almost *elt she (o%ldn't. Wo%ldn't it be +orth si dollars a month to et rid o* thisterrible +oman +ho had so e&idently made %p her mind not to o %ntil she had ot anorder) -esides, %hat +ere the t+ins doin) hey +ere alarminly 6%iet. S%ppose they+ere sailin their boats in the batht%b. 9r had sneaked o%t o* the ba(k door and one+adin in the pond.

She made one more piti*%l e**ort to es(ape.

"I'll think this o&er, Miss Drake, and let yo% kno+ . . ."

"here's no time like the present," said Miss Drake, briskly ettin o%t her *o%ntainpen."0o% $no% yo%'re oin to take the 4ational, so yo% miht 3%st as +ell sin *or it no+ asany other time. =othin is e&er ained by p%ttin thins o**. he pri(e may o %p anymoment and then yo%'d ha&e to pay a h%ndred and t+enty. Sin here, Miss Shirley."

nne *elt the *o%ntainpen bein *or(ed into her hand . . . another moment . . . and thenthere +as s%(h a blood(%rdlin shriek *rom Miss Drake that nne dropped the *o%ntain

pen %nder the (l%mp o* olden lo+ that *lanked the r%sti( seat, and a5ed in ama5edhorror at her (ompanion.



Was that Miss Drake . . . that indes(ribable ob3e(t, hatless, spe(ta(leless, almost hairless)/at, spe(ta(les, *alse *ront +ere *loatin in the air abo&e her head hal*+ay %p to thebathroom +indo+, o%t o* +hi(h t+o olden heads +ere hanin. erald +as raspin a*ishinrod to +hi(h +ere tied t+o (ords endin in *ishhooks. -y +hat mai( he had(ontri&ed to make a triple (at(h, only he (o%ld ha&e told. Probably it +as sheer l%(k.

nne *le+ into the ho%se and %pstairs. -y the time she rea(hed the bathroom the t+inshad *led. erald had dropped the *ishinrod and a peep *rom the +indo+ re&ealed a*%rio%s Miss Drake retrie&in her belonins, in(l%din the *o%ntainpen, and mar(hin tothe ate. :or on(e in her li*e Miss Pamela Drake had *ailed to land her order.

nne dis(o&ered the t+ins seraphi(ally eatin apples on the ba(k por(h. It +as hard tokno+ +hat to do. 8ertainly, s%(h beha&ior (o%ld not be allo+ed to pass +itho%t a reb%ke . .. b%t erald had %ndo%btedly res(%ed her *rom a di**i(%lt position and Miss Drake %as anodio%s (reat%re +ho needed a lesson. Still . . .

"0o%'&e et a reat bi +orm$" shrieked erald. "I sa+ it disappear do+n yo%r throat."

eraldine laid do+n her apple and promptly t%rned si(k . . . &ery si(k. nne had her hands*%ll *or some time. nd +hen eraldine +as better, it +as l%n(hho%r and nne s%ddenlyde(ided to let erald o** +ith a &ery mild reproo*. *ter all, no lastin harm had been doneMiss Drake, +ho +o%ld probably hold her ton%e reliio%sly abo%t the in(ident *or her o+nsake.

"Do yo% think, erald," she said ently, "that +hat yo% did +as a entlemanly a(tion)"

"=ope," said erald, "b%t it +as ood *%n. ee, I'm some *isherman, ain't I)"

he l%n(h +as e(ellent. Mrs. !aymond had prepared it be*ore she le*t and +hate&er hershort(omins as a dis(iplinarian miht be, she +as a ood (ook. erald and eraldine,

bein o((%pied +ith orin, did not 6%arrel or display +orse table manners than theeneral r%n o* (hildren. *ter l%n(h nne +ashed the dishes, ettin eraldine to help drythem and erald to p%t them (are*%lly a+ay in the (%pboard. hey +ere both 6%ite kna(kyat it and nne re*le(ted (ompla(ently that all they needed +as +ise trainin and a little*irmness.

3

t t+o o'(lo(k Mr. <ames rand (alled. Mr. rand +as the (hairman o* the /ih S(hoolboard o* tr%stees and had matters o* importan(e to talk o*, +hi(h he +ished to dis(%ss *%llybe*ore he le*t on Monday to attend an ed%(ational (on*eren(e in 7insport. 8o%ld he (ometo Windy Poplars in the e&enin) asked nne. >n*ort%nately he (o%ldn't.

Mr. rand +as a ood sort o* man in his o+n *ashion, b%t nne had lon ao *o%nd o%tthat he m%st be handled +ith lo&es. Moreo&er, nne +as &ery anio%s to et him on herside in a battle royal o&er ne+ e6%ipment that +as loomin %p. She +ent o%t to the t+ins.

"Darlins, +ill yo% play ni(ely o%t in the ba(k yard +hile I ha&e a little talk +ith Mr. rand) I

+on't be &ery lon . . . and then +e'll ha&e an a*ternoontea pi(ni( on the banks o* thepond . . . and I'll tea(h yo% to blo+ soapb%bbles +ith red dye in them . . . the lo&eliestthins$"



"Will yo% i&e %s a 6%arter apie(e i* +e beha&e)" demanded erald.

"=o, erald dear," said nne *irmly, "I'm not oin to bribe yo%. I kno+ yo% are oin to beood, 3%st be(a%se I ask yo%, as a entleman sho%ld."

"We'll be ood, Miss Shirley," promised erald solemnly.

"+*%l ood," e(hoed eraldine, +ith e6%al solemnity.It is possible they +o%ld ha&e kept their promise i* I&y rent had not arri&ed almost as soonas nne +as (loseted +ith Mr. rand in the parlor. -%t I&y rent did arri&e and the!aymond t+ins hated I&y rent . . . the impe((able I&y rent +ho ne&er did anythin +ronand al+ays looked as i* she had 3%st stepped o%t o* a bandbo.

9n this parti(%lar a*ternoon there +as no do%bt that I&y rent had (ome o&er to sho+ o**her bea%ti*%l ne+ bro+n boots and her sash and sho%lder bo+s and hair bo+s o* s(arletribbon. Mrs. !aymond, +hate&er she la(ked in some respe(ts, had *airly sensible ideasabo%t dressin (hildren. /er (haritable neihbors said she p%t so m%(h money on hersel*that she had none to spend on the t+ins . . . and eraldine ne&er had a (han(e to parade

the street in the style o* I&y rent, +ho had a dress *or e&ery a*ternoon in the +eek. Mrs.rent al+ays arrayed her in "spotless +hite." t least. I&y +as al+ays spotless +hen shele*t home. I* she +ere not 6%ite so spotless +hen she ret%rned that, o* (o%rse, +as the*a%lt o* the "3ealo%s" (hildren +ith +hom the neihborhood abo%nded.

eraldine %as 3ealo%s. She loned *or s(arlet sash and sho%lder bo+s and +hiteembroidered dresses. What +o%ld she not ha&e i&en *or b%ttoned bro+n boots likethose)

"/o+ do yo% like my ne+ sash and sho%lder bo+s)" asked I&y pro%dly.

"/o+ do yo% like my ne+ sash and sho%lder bo+s)" mimi(ked eraldine ta%ntinly.

"-%t yo% ha&en't ot sho%lder bo+s," said I&y randly.

"-%t yo% ha&en't ot sho%lder bo+s," s6%eaked eraldine.

I&y looked p%55led.

"I ha&e so. 8an't yo% see them)"

"I ha&e so. 8an't yo% see them)" mo(ked eraldine, &ery happy in this brilliant idea o*repeatin e&erythin I&y said s(orn*%lly.

"hey ain't paid *or," said erald.

I&y rent had a temper. It sho+ed itsel* in her *a(e, +hi(h re+ as red as her sho%lderbo+s.

"hey are, too. 0y mother al+ays pays her bills."

/0y mother al+ays pays her bills," (hanted eraldine.

I&y +as %n(om*ortable. She didn't kno+ ea(tly ho+ to (ope +ith this. So she t%rned toerald, +ho +as %ndo%btedly the handsomest boy on the street. I&y had made %p hermind abo%t him.

"I (ame o&er to tell yo% I'm oin to ha&e yo% *or my bea%," she said, lookin elo6%ently athim o%t o* a pair o* bro+n eyes that, e&en at se&en, I&y had learned had a de&astatine**e(t on most o* the small boys o* her a(6%aintan(e.



erald t%rned (rimson.

"I +on't be yo%r bea%," he said.

"-%t yo%'&e ot to be," said I&y serenely.

"-%t yo%'&e ot to be," said eraldine, +ain her head at him.

"I +on't be," sho%ted erald *%rio%sly. "nd don't yo% i&e me any more o* yo%r lip, I&yrent."

"0o% ha&e to be," said I&y st%bbornly.

"0o% ha&e to be," said eraldine.

I&y lared at her.

"0o% 3%st sh%t %p, eraldine !aymond$"

"I %ess I (an talk in my o+n yard," said eraldine.

"'8o%rse she (an," said erald. "nd i* you don't sh%t %p, I&y rent, I'll 3%st o o&er to yo%rpla(e and di the eyes o%t o* yo%r doll."

"My mother +o%ld spank yo% i* yo% did," (ried I&y.

"9h, she +o%ld, +o%ld she) Well, do yo% kno+ +hat my mother +o%ld do to her i* she did)She'd 3%st so(k her on the nose."

"Well, any+ay, yo%'&e ot to be my bea%," said I&y, ret%rnin (almly to the &ital s%b3e(t.

"I'll . . . I'll d%(k yo%r head in the rainbarrel," yelled the maddened erald . . . "I'll r%b yo%r*a(e in an ant's nest . . . I'll . . . I'll tear them bo+s and sash o** yo% . . ." tri%mphantly, *or

this at least +as *easible.

"Let's do it," s6%ealed eraldine.

hey po%n(ed like *%ries on the %n*ort%nate I&y, +ho ki(ked and shrieked and tried to biteb%t +as no mat(h *or the t+o o* them. oether they ha%led her a(ross the yard and intothe +oodshed, +here her ho+ls (o%ld not be heard.

"/%rry," asped eraldine, "'*ore Miss Shirley (omes o%t."

=o time +as to be lost. erald held I&y's les +hile eraldine held her +rists +ith onehand and tore o** her hair bo+ and sho%lder bo+s and sash +ith the other.

"Let's paint her les," sho%ted erald, his eyes *allin on a (o%ple o* (ans o* paint le*tthere by some +orkmen the pre&io%s +eek. "I'll hold her and yo% paint her."

I&y shrieked &ainly in despair. /er sto(kins +ere p%lled do+n and in a *e+ moments herles +ere adorned +ith +ide stripes o* red and reen paint. In the pro(ess a ood deal o*the paint ot spattered o&er her embroidered dress and ne+ boots. s a *inishin to%(hthey *illed her (%rls +ith b%rrs.

She +as a piti*%l siht +hen they *inally released her. he t+ins ho+led mirth*%lly as theylooked at her. Lon +eeks o* airs and (ondes(ensions *rom I&y had been a&ened.

"=o+ yo% o home," said erald. "his'll tea(h yo% to o 'ro%nd tellin people they ha&e tobe yo%r bea%s."

"I'll tell my mother," +ept I&y. "I'll o straiht home and tell my mother on yo%, yo% horrid,



horrid, hate*%l, ugly boy$"

"Don't yo% (all my brother %ly, yo% st%(k%p thin," (ried eraldine. "0o% and yo%rsho%lder bo+s$ /ere, take them +ith yo%. #e don't +ant them (l%tterin %p our+oodshed."

I&y, p%rs%ed by the bo+s, +hi(h eraldine pelted a*ter her, ran sobbin o%t o* the yard and

do+n the street.

"%i(k . . . let's sneak %p the ba(k stairs to the bathroom and (lean %p '*ore Miss Shirleysees %s," asped eraldine.

4

Mr. rand had talked himsel* o%t and bo+ed himsel* a+ay. nne stood *or a moment onthe doorstone, +onderin %neasily +here her (hares +ere. >p the street and in at theate (ame a +rath*%l lady, leadin a *orlorn and still sobbin atom o* h%manity by thehand.

"Miss Shirley, +here is Mrs. !aymond)" demanded Mrs. rent.

"Mrs. !aymond is . . ."

"I insist on seein Mrs. !aymond. She shall see +ith her o+n eyes +hat her (hildren ha&edone to poor, helpless, inno(ent I&y. Look at her, Miss Shirley . . . 3%st loo$ at her$"

"9h, Mrs. rent . . . I'm so sorry$ It is all my *a%lt. Mrs. !aymond is a+ay . . . and Ipromised to look a*ter them . . . b%t Mr. rand (ame . . ."

"=o, it isn't yo%r *a%lt, Miss Shirley. I don't blame you. =o one (an (ope +ith thosediaboli(al (hildren. he +hole street kno+s them. I* Mrs. !aymond isn't here, there is nopoint in my remainin. I shall take my poor (hild home. -%t Mrs. !aymond shall hear o*this . . . indeed she shall. Listen to that, Miss Shirley. re they tearin ea(h other limb *romlimb)"

"hat" +as a (hor%s o* shrieks, ho+ls and yells that (ame e(hoin do+n the stairs. nneran %p+ards. 9n the hall *loor +as a t+istin, +rithin, bitin, tearin, s(rat(hin mass.

nne separated the *%rio%s t+ins +ith di**i(%lty and, holdin ea(h *irmly by a s6%irminsho%lder, demanded the meanin o* s%(h beha&ior.

"She says I'&e ot to be I&y rent's bea%," snarled erald.

"So he has ot to be," s(reamed eraldine.

"I +on't be$"

"0o%'&e ot to be$"

"8hildren$" said nne. Somethin in her tone 6%elled them. hey looked at her and sa+ aMiss Shirley they had not seen be*ore. :or the *irst time in their yo%n li&es they *elt the

*or(e o* a%thority.

"0o%, eraldine," said nne 6%ietly, "+ill o to bed *or t+o ho%rs. 0o%, erald, +ill spend



the same lenth o* time in the hall (loset. =ot a +ord. 0o% ha&e beha&ed abominably andyo% m%st take yo%r p%nishment. 0o%r mother le*t yo% in my (hare and yo% +ill obey me."

"hen p%nish %s together,/ said eraldine, beinnin to (ry.

"0es . . . yo%'&e no riht to sep'rate %s . . . +e'&e ne&er been sep'rated," m%ttered erald.

"0o% +ill be no+." nne +as still &ery 6%iet. Meekly eraldine took o** her (lothes and otinto one o* the (ots in their room. Meekly erald entered the hall (loset. It +as a lare airy(loset +ith a +indo+ and a (hair and nobody (o%ld ha&e (alled the p%nishment an %nd%lyse&ere one. nne lo(ked the door and sat do+n +ith a book by the hall +indo+. t least,*or t+o ho%rs she +o%ld kno+ a little pea(e o* mind.

peep at eraldine a *e+ min%tes later sho+ed her to be so%nd asleep, lookin so lo&elyin her sleep that nne almost repented her sternness. Well, a nap +o%ld be ood *or her,any+ay. When she +akened she sho%ld be permitted to et %p, e&en i* the t+o ho%rs hadnot epired.

t the end o* an ho%r eraldine +as still sleepin. erald had been so 6%iet that nne

de(ided that he had taken his p%nishment like a man and miht be *ori&en. *ter all, I&yrent +as a &ain little monkey and had probably been &ery irritatin.

nne %nlo(ked the (loset door and opened it.

here +as no erald in the (loset. he +indo+ +as open and the roo* o* the side por(h+as 3%st beneath it. nne's lips tihtened. She +ent do+nstairs and o%t into the yard. =osin o* erald. She eplored the +oodshed and looked %p and do+n the street. Still nosin.

She ran thro%h the arden and thro%h the ate into the lane that led thro%h a pat(h o*s(r%b +oodland to the little pond in Mr. !obert 8reedmore's *ield. erald +as happily

polin himsel* abo%t on it in the small *lat Mr. 8reedmore kept there. <%st as nne brokethro%h the trees erald's pole, +hi(h he had st%(k rather deep in the m%d, (ame a+ay+ith %nepe(ted ease at his third t% and erald promptly shot heels o&er head ba(k+ardinto the +ater.

nne a&e an in&ol%ntary shriek o* dismay, b%t there +as no real (a%se *or alarm. hepond at its deepest +o%ld not (ome %p to erald's sho%lders and +here he had one o&er,it +as little deeper than his +aist. /e had someho+ ot on his *eet and +as standin thererather *oolishly, +ith his a%reole plastered drippinly do+n on his head, +hen nne's shriek+as ree(hoed behind her, and eraldine, in her nihto+n, tore thro%h the trees and o%tto the ede o* the little +ooden plat*orm to +hi(h the *lat +as (ommonly moored.

With a despairin shriek o* "erald$" she took a *lyin leap that landed her +ith atremendo%s splash by erald's side and almost a&e him another d%(kin.

"erald, are yo% dro+ned)" (ried eraldine. "re yo% dro+ned, darlin)"

"=o . . . no . . . darlin," erald ass%red her thro%h his (hatterin teeth.

hey embra(ed and kissed passionately.

"8hildren, (ome in here this min%te," said nne.

hey +aded to the shore. he September day, +arm in the mornin, had t%rned (old and

+indy in the late a*ternoon. hey shi&ered terribly . . . their *a(es +ere bl%e. nne, +itho%ta +ord o* (ens%re, h%rried them home, ot o** their +et (lothes and ot them into Mrs.!aymond's bed, +ith hot+ater bottles at their *eet. hey still (ontin%ed to shi&er. /ad they



ot a (hill) Were they headed *or pne%monia)

"0o% sho%ld ha&e taken better (are o* %s, Miss Shirley," said erald, still (hatterin.

"'8o%rse yo% sho%ld," said eraldine.

distra(ted nne *le+ do+nstairs and telephoned *or the do(tor. -y the time he (ame the

t+ins had ot +arm, and he ass%red nne that they +ere in no daner. I* they stayed inbed till tomorro+ they +o%ld be all riht.

/e met Mrs. !aymond (omin %p *rom the station on the +ay ba(k, and it +as a pale,almost hysteri(al lady +ho presently r%shed in.

"9h, Miss Shirley, ho+ could yo% ha&e let my little treas%res et into s%(h daner$"

"hat's 3%st +hat +e told her, Mother," (hor%sed the t+ins.

"I tr%sted yo% . . . I told yo% . . ."

"I hardly see ho+ I +as to blame, Mrs. !aymond," said nne, +ith eyes as (old as ray

mist. "0o% +ill reali5e this, I think, +hen yo% are (almer. he (hildren are 6%ite all riht . . . Isimply sent *or the do(tor as a pre(a%tionary meas%re. I* erald and eraldine hadobeyed me, this +o%ld not ha&e happened."

"I tho%ht a teacher +o%ld ha&e a little a%thority o&er (hildren," said Mrs. !aymond bitterly.

"9&er (hildren perhaps . . . b%t not yo%n demons," tho%ht nne. She said only,

"Sin(e yo% are here, Mrs. !aymond, I think I +ill o home. I don't think I (an be o* any*%rther ser&i(e and I ha&e some s(hool +ork to do this e&enin."

s one (hild the t+ins h%rled themsel&es o%t o* bed and *l%n their arms aro%nd her.

"I hope there'll be a *%neral e&ery +eek," (ried erald. "'8a%se I like yo%, Miss Shirley, andI hope yo%'ll (ome and look a*ter %s e&ery time Mother oes a+ay."

"So do I," said eraldine.

"I like yo% e&er so m%(h better than Miss Pro%ty."

"9h, e&er so m%(h," said eraldine.

"Will yo% p%t %s in a story)" demanded erald.

"9h, do," said eraldine.

"I'm s%re yo% meant +ell," said Mrs. !aymond trem%lo%sly.

"hank yo%," said nne i(ily, tryin to deta(h the t+ins' (linin arms.

"9h, don't let's 6%arrel abo%t it," beed Mrs. !aymond, her enormo%s eyes *illin +ithtears. "I can&t end%re 6%arrelin +ith anybody."

"8ertainly not." nne +as at her stateliest and nne could be &ery stately. "I don't thinkthere is the slihtest ne(essity *or 6%arrelin. I think erald and eraldine ha&e 6%iteen3oyed the day, tho%h I don't s%ppose poor little I&y rent did."

nne +ent home *eelin years older.

"o think I e&er tho%ht Da&y +as mis(hie&o%s," she re*le(ted.

She *o%nd !ebe((a in the t+iliht arden atherin late pansies.



"!ebe((a De+, I %sed to think the adae, '8hildren sho%ld be seen and not heard,' entirelytoo harsh. -%t I see its points no+."

"My poor darlin. I'll et yo% a ni(e s%pper," said !ebe((a De+. nd did not say, "I told yo%so."

5


"Mrs. !aymond (ame do+n last niht and, +ith tears in her eyes, beed me to *ori&eher *or her 'hasty beha&ior.' 'I* yo% kne+ a mother's heart, Miss Shirley, yo% +o%ld not *indit hard to *ori&e.'

"I didn't *ind it hard to *ori&e as it +as . . . there is really somethin abo%t Mrs. !aymond I(an't help likin and she +as a d%(k abo%t the Dramati( 8l%b. <%st the same I did not say,'ny Sat%rday yo% +ant to be a+ay, I'll look a*ter yo%r o**sprin.' 9ne learns byeperien(e . . . e&en a person so in(orriibly optimisti( and tr%st*%l as mysel*.

"I *ind that a (ertain se(tion o* S%mmerside so(iety is at present &ery m%(h eer(ised o&erthe lo&es o* <ar&is Morro+ and Do&ie West(ott . . . +ho, as !ebe((a De+ says, ha&e beenenaed *or o&er a year b%t (an't et any '*orrader.' %nt 7ate, +ho is a distant a%nt o*Do&ie's . . . to be ea(t, I think she's the a%nt o* a se(ond (o%sin o* Do&ie's on themother's side . . . is deeply interested in the a**air be(a%se she thinks <ar&is is s%(h ane(ellent mat(h *or Do&ie . . . and also, I s%spe(t, be(a%se she hates :ranklin West(ottand +o%ld like to see him ro%ted, horse, *oot and artillery. =ot that %nt 7ate +o%ld admitshe 'hated' anybody, b%t Mrs. :ranklin West(ott +as a &ery dear irlhood *riend o* hers and %nt 7ate solemnly a&ers that he m%rdered her.

/' am interested in it, partly be(a%se I'm &ery *ond o* <ar&is and moderately *ond o* Do&ieand partly, I bein to s%spe(t, be(a%se I am an in&eterate meddler in other people'sb%siness . . . al+ays +ith e(ellent intentions, o* (o%rse.

"he sit%ation is brie*ly this#:ranklin West(ott is a tall, somber, hardbitten mer(hant,(lose and %nso(iable. /e li&es in a bi, old*ashioned ho%se (alled Elm(ro*t 3%st o%tsidethe to+n on the %pper harbor road. I ha&e met him on(e or t+i(e b%t really kno+ &ery little

abo%t him, e(ept that he has an %n(anny habit o* sayin somethin and then oin o**into a lon (h%(kle o* so%ndless la%hter. /e has ne&er one to (h%r(h sin(e hymns (amein and he insists on ha&in all his +indo+s open e&en in +inter storms. I (on*ess to asneakin sympathy +ith him in this, b%t I am probably the only person in S%mmerside +ho+o%ld. /e has ot into the habit o* bein a leadin (iti5en and nothin m%ni(ipal dares tobe done +itho%t his appro&al.

"/is +i*e is dead. It is (ommon report that she +as a sla&e, %nable to (all her so%l hero+n. :ranklin told her, it is said, +hen he bro%ht her home that he +o%ld be master.

"Do&ie, +hose real name is Sibyl, is his only (hild . . . a &ery pretty, pl%mp, lo&able irl o*nineteen, +ith a red mo%th al+ays *allin a little open o&er her small +hite teeth, lints o*(hestn%t in her bro+n hair, all%rin bl%e eyes and sooty lashes so lon yo% +onder i* they(an be real. <en Prinle says it is her eyes <ar&is is really in lo&e +ith. <en and I ha&ea(t%ally talked the a**air o&er. <ar&is is her *a&orite (o%sin.



"In passin, yo% +o%ldn't belie&e ho+ *ond <en is o* me . . . and I o* <en. She's really the(%test thin.4

":ranklin West(ott has ne&er allo+ed Do&ie to ha&e any bea%s and +hen <ar&is Morro+bean to 'pay her attention,' he *orbade him the ho%se and told Do&ie there +as to be nomore 'r%nnin ro%nd +ith that *ello+.' -%t the mis(hie* had been done. Do&ie and <ar&is+ere already *athoms deep in lo&e.

"E&erybody in to+n is in sympathy +ith the lo&ers. :ranklin West(ott is really%nreasonable. <ar&is is a s%((ess*%l yo%n la+yer, o* ood *amily, +ith ood prospe(ts,and a &ery ni(e, de(ent lad in himsel*.

"'=othin (o%ld be more s%itable,' de(lares !ebe((a De+. '<ar&is Morro+ (o%ld ha&e anyirl he +anted in S%mmerside. :ranklin West(ott has 3%st made %p his mind that Do&ie isto be an old maid. /e +ants to be s%re o* a ho%sekeeper +hen %nt Maie dies.'

"'Isn't there any one +ho has any in*l%en(e +ith him)' I asked.

"'=obody (an ar%e +ith :ranklin West(ott. /e's too sar(asti(al. nd i* yo% et the better

o* him he thro+s a tantr%m. I'&e ne&er seen him in one o* his tantr%ms b%t I'&e heard MissPro%ty des(ribe ho+ he a(ted one time she +as there se+in. /e ot mad o&er somethin. . . nobody kne+ +hat. /e 3%st rabbed e&erythin in siht and *l%n it o%t o* the +indo+.Milton's poems +ent *lyin (lean o&er the *en(e into eore 8larke's lily pond. /e's al+ayskind o* had a r%de at li*e. Miss Pro%ty says her mother told her that the yelps o* him+hen he +as born passed anythin she e&er heard. I s%ppose od has some reason *ormakin men like that, b%t yo%'d +onder. =o, I (an't see any (han(e *or <ar&is and Do&ie%nless they elope. It's a kind o* lo+do+n thin to do, tho%h there's been a terrible lot o*romanti( nonsense talked abo%t elopin. -%t this is a (ase +here anybody +o%ld e(%seit.'

"I don't kno+ +hat to do b%t I m%st do somethin. I simply (an't sit still and see peoplemake a mess o* their li&es %nder my &ery nose, no matter ho+ many tantr%ms :ranklinWest(ott takes. <ar&is Morro+ is not oin to +ait *ore&er . . . r%mor has it that he is ettino%t o* patien(e already and has been seen sa&aely (%ttin Do&ie's name o%t o* a tree on+hi(h he had (%t it. here is an attra(ti&e Palmer irl +ho is reported to be thro+inhersel* at his head, and his sister is said to ha&e said that his mother has said that her sonhas no need to danle *or years at any irl's apronstrin.

"!eally, ilbert, I'm 6%ite %nhappy abo%t it.

"It's moonliht toniht, belo&ed . . . moonliht on the poplars o* the yard . . . moonlitdimples all o&er the harbor +here a phantom ship is dri*tin o%t+ards . . . moonliht on theold ra&eyard . . . on my o+n pri&ate &alley . . . on the Storm 7in. nd it +ill be moonlihtin Lo&er's Lane and on the Lake o* Shinin Waters and the old /a%nted Wood and ;iolet;ale. here sho%ld be *airy dan(es on the hills toniht. -%t, ilbert dear, moonliht +ith noone to share it is 3%st . . . 3%st moonshine.

"I +ish I (o%ld take little Eli5abeth *or a +alk. She lo&es a moonliht +alk. We had somedeliht*%l ones +hen she +as at reen ables. -%t at home Eli5abeth ne&er seesmoonliht e(ept *rom the +indo+.

"I am beinnin to be a little +orried abo%t her, too. She is oin on ten no+ and those t+oold ladies ha&en't the least idea +hat she needs, spirit%ally and emotionally. s lon as

she has ood *ood and ood (lothes, they (annot imaine her needin anythin more. ndit +ill be +orse +ith e&ery s%((eedin year. What kind o* irlhood +ill the poor (hild ha&e)"



6

<ar&is Morro+ +alked home *rom the /ih S(hool 8ommen(ement +ith nne and told her

his +oes.

"0o%'ll ha&e to r%n a+ay +ith her, <ar&is. E&erybody says so. s a r%le I don't appro&e o*elopements" "I said that like a tea(her o* *orty years' eperien(e," tho%ht nne +ith an%nseen rin4 "b%t there are e(eptions to all r%les."

"It takes t+o to make a barain, nne. I (an't elope alone. Do&ie is so *rihtened o* her*ather, I (an't et her to aree. nd it +o%ldn't be an elopement . . . really. She'd 3%st (ometo my sister <%lia's . . . Mrs. Ste&ens, yo% kno+ . . . some e&enin. I'd ha&e the ministerthere and +e (o%ld be married respe(tably eno%h to please anybody and o o&er tospend o%r honeymoon +ith %nt -ertha in 7insport. Simple as that. -%t I (an't et Do&ie

to (han(e it. he poor darlin has been i&in in to her *ather's +hims and (rot(hets solon, she hasn't any +illpo+er le*t."

"0o%'ll simply ha&e to make her do it, <ar&is."

"reat Peter, yo% don't s%ppose I ha&en't tried, do yo%, nne) I'&e beed till I +as bla(kin the *a(e. When she's +ith me she'll almost promise it, b%t the min%te she's home aainshe sends me +ord she (an't. It seems odd, nne, b%t the poor (hild is really *ond o* her*ather and she (an't bear the tho%ht o* his ne&er *ori&in her."

"0o% m%st tell her she has to (hoose bet+een her *ather and yo%."

"nd s%ppose she (hooses him)"

"I don't think there's any daner o* that."

"0o% (an ne&er tell," said <ar&is loomily. "-%t somethin has to be de(ided soon. I (an'to on like this *ore&er. I'm (ra5y abo%t Do&ie . . . e&erybody in S%mmerside kno+s that.She's like a little red rose 3%st o%t o* rea(h . . . I must rea(h her, nne."

"Poetry is a &ery ood thin in its pla(e, b%t it +on't et yo% any+here in this instan(e,<ar&is," said nne (oolly. "hat so%nds like a remark !ebe((a De+ +o%ld make, b%t it's6%ite tr%e. What yo% need in this a**air is plain, hard (ommon sense. ell Do&ie yo%'re tiredo* shillyshallyin and that she m%st take yo% or lea&e yo%. I* she doesn't (are eno%h *oryo% to lea&e her *ather *or yo%, it's 3%st as +ell *or yo% to reali5e it."

<ar&is roaned.

"0o% ha&en't been %nder the th%mb o* :ranklin West(ott all yo%r li*e, nne. 0o% ha&en'tany reali5ation o* +hat he's like. Well, I'll make a last and *inal e**ort. s yo% say, i* Do&iereally (ares *or me she'll (ome to me . . . and i* she doesn't, I miht as +ell kno+ the +orst.I'm beinnin to *eel I'&e made mysel* rather ridi(%lo%s."

"I* yo%'re beinnin to *eel like that," tho%ht nne, "Do&ie +o%ld better +at(h o%t."

Do&ie hersel* slipped into Windy Poplars a *e+ e&enins later to (ons%lt nne.

"What shall I do, nne) What can I do) <ar&is +ants me to elope . . . pra(ti(ally. :ather isto be in 8harlotteto+n one niht net +eek attendin a Masoni( ban6%et . . . and it %ouldbe a ood (han(e. %nt Maie +o%ld ne&er s%spe(t. <ar&is +ants me to o to Mrs.



Ste&ens' and be married there."

"nd +hy don't yo%, Do&ie)"

"9h, nne, do yo% really think I o%ht to)" Do&ie li*ted a s+eet, (oain *a(e. "Please, please make %p my mind *or me. I'm 3%st distra(ted." Do&ie's &oi(e broke on a tear*%l note."9h, nne, yo% don't kno+ :ather. /e 3%st hates <ar&is . . . I (an't imaine +hy . . . (an

yo%) /o+ (an anybody hate <ar&is) When he (alled on me the *irst time, :ather *orbadehim the ho%se and told him he'd set the do on him i* he e&er (ame aain . . . o%r bi b%ll.0o% kno+ they ne&er let o on(e they take hold. nd he'll ne&er *ori&e me i* I r%n a+ay+ith <ar&is."

"0o% m%st (hoose bet+een them, Do&ie."

"hat's 3%st +hat <ar&is said," +ept Do&ie. "9h, he +as so stern . . . I ne&er sa+ him likethat be*ore. nd I (an't . . . I can&t li . . i . . i . . &e +itho%t him, nne."

"hen li&e +ith him, my dear irl. nd don't (all it elopin. <%st (omin into S%mmersideand bein married amon his *riends isn't elopin."

":ather +ill (all it so," said Do&ie, s+allo+in a sob. "-%t I'm oin to take yo%r ad&i(e, nne. I'm s%re you +o%ldn't ad&ise me to take any step that +as +ron. I'll tell <ar&is to oahead and et the li(ense and I'll (ome to his sister's the niht :ather is in 8harlotteto+n."

<ar&is told nne tri%mphantly that Do&ie had yielded at last.

"I'm to meet her at the end o* the lane net %esday niht . . . she +on't ha&e me o do+nto the ho%se *or *ear %nt Maie miht see me . . . and +e'll 3%st step %p to <%lia's and bemarried in a bra(e o* shakes. ll my *olks +ill be there, so it +ill make the poor darlin6%ite (om*ortable. :ranklin West(ott said I sho%ld ne&er et his da%hter. I'll sho+ him he+as mistaken."

7

%esday +as a loomy day in late =o&ember. 9((asional (old, %sty sho+ers dri*ted o&erthe hills. he +orld seemed a dreary o%tli&ed pla(e, seen thro%h a ray dri55le.

"Poor Do&ie hasn't a &ery ni(e day *or her +eddin," tho%ht nne. "S%ppose . . .s%ppose . . ." she 6%aked and shi&ered . . . "s%ppose it doesn't t%rn o%t +ell, a*ter all. It +illbe my *a%lt. Do&ie +o%ld ne&er ha&e areed to it i* I hadn't ad&ised her to. nd s%ppose:ranklin West(ott ne&er *ori&es her. nne Shirley, stop this$ he +eather is all that's thematter +ith yo%."

-y niht the rain had (eased b%t the air +as (old and ra+ and the sky lo+erin. nne +asin her to+er room, (orre(tin s(hool papers, +ith D%sty Miller (oiled %p %nder her sto&e.here (ame a th%ndero%s kno(k at the *ront door.

nne ran do+n. !ebe((a De+ poked an alarmed head o%t o* her bedroom door. nnemotioned her ba(k.

"It's some one at the front door2/ said !ebe((a hollo+ly.

"It's all riht, !ebe((a dear. t least, I'm a*raid it's all +ron . . . b%t, any+ay, it's only <ar&is



Morro+. I sa+ him *rom the side to+er +indo+ and I kno+ he +ants to see me."

"<ar&is Morro+$" !ebe((a +ent ba(k and sh%t her door. "his is the last stra+."

"<ar&is, +hate&er is the matter)"

"Do&ie hasn't (ome," said <ar&is +ildly. "We'&e +aited hours . . . the minister's there . . .

and my *riends . . . and <%lia has s%pper ready . . . and Do&ie hasn't (ome. I +aited *or herat the end o* the lane till I +as hal* (ra5y. I didn't dare o do+n to the ho%se be(a%se Ididn't kno+ +hat had happened. hat old br%te o* a :ranklin West(ott may ha&e (omeba(k. %nt Maie may ha&e lo(ked her %p. -%t I'&e ot to $no%. nne, yo% m%st o toElm(ro*t and *ind o%t +hy she hasn't (ome."

"Me)" said nne in(red%lo%sly and %nrammati(ally.

"0es, yo%. here's no one else I (an tr%st . . . no one else +ho kno+s. 9h, nne, don't *ailme no+. 0o%'&e ba(ked %s %p riht alon. Do&ie says yo% are the only real *riend she has.It isn't late . . . only nine. Do o."

"nd be (he+ed %p by the b%lldo)" said nne sar(asti(ally.

"hat old do$" said <ar&is (ontempt%o%sly. "/e +o%ldn't say boo to a tramp. 0o% don'ts%ppose I +as a*raid o* the do, do yo%) -esides, he's al+ays sh%t %p at niht. I simplydon't +ant to make any tro%ble *or Do&ie at home i* they'&e *o%nd o%t. nne, please$"

"I s%ppose I'm in *or it," said nne +ith a shr% o* despair.

<ar&is dro&e her to the lon lane o* Elm(ro*t, b%t she +o%ld not let him (ome *%rther.

"s yo% say, it miht (ompli(ate matters *or Do&ie in (ase her *ather has (ome home."

nne h%rried do+n the lon, treebordered lane. he moon o((asionally broke thro%h the

+indy (lo%ds, b%t *or the most part it +as r%esomely dark and she +as not a little d%bio%sabo%t the do.

here seemed to be only one liht in Elm(ro*t . . . shinin *rom the kit(hen +indo+. %ntMaie hersel* opened the side door to nne. %nt Maie +as a &ery old sister o*:ranklin West(ott's, a little bent, +rinkled +oman +ho had ne&er been (onsidered &erybriht mentally, tho%h she +as an e(ellent ho%sekeeper.

"%nt Maie, is Do&ie home)"

"Do&ie's in bed," said %nt Maie stolidly.

"In bed) Is she si(k)"

"=ot as I kno+s on. She seemed to be in a dither all day. *ter s%pper she says she +astired and %ps and oes to bed."

"I m%st see her *or a moment, %nt Maie. I . . . I 3%st +ant a little important in*ormation."

"-etter o %p to her room then. It's the one on the riht side as yo% o %p."

%nt Maie est%red to the stairs and +addled o%t to the kit(hen.

Do&ie sat %p as nne +alked in, rather %n(eremonio%sly, a*ter a h%rried rap. s (o%ld beseen by the liht o* a tiny (andle, Do&ie +as in tears, b%t her tears only easperated nne.

"Do&ie West(ott, did yo% *oret that yo% promised to marry <ar&is Morro+ toniht . . .tonight/



"=o . . . no . . ." +himpered Do&ie. "9h, nne, I'm so %nhappy . . . I'&e p%t in s%(h adread*%l day. 0o% (an ne&er, ne&er kno+ +hat I'&e one thro%h."

"I kno+ +hat poor <ar&is has one thro%h, +aitin *or t+o ho%rs at that lane in the (oldand dri55le," said nne mer(ilessly.

"Is he . . . is he &ery anry, nne)"

"<%st +hat yo% (o%ld noti(e" . . . bitinly.

"9h, nne, I 3%st ot *rihtened. I ne&er slept one +ink last niht. I (o%ldn't o thro%h +ithit . . . I (o%ldn't. I . . . there's really somethin disra(e*%l abo%t elopin, nne. nd I+o%ldn't et any ni(e presents . . . +ell, not many, anyho+. I'&e al+ays +anted to be m . . .m . . . arried in (h%r(h . . . +ith lo&ely de(orations . . . and a +hite &eil and dress . . . and s .. . s . . . il&er slippers$"

"Do&ie West(ott, et riht o%t o* that bed . . . at once . . . and et dressed . . . and (ome+ith me."

"nne . . . it's too late no+."

"It isn't too late. nd it's no+ or ne&er . . . yo% m%st kno+ that, Do&ie, i* yo%'&e a rain o*sense. 0o% m%st kno+ <ar&is Morro+ +ill ne&er speak to yo% aain i* yo% make a *ool o*him like this."

"9h, nne, he'll *ori&e me +hen he kno+s . . ."

"/e +on't. I kno+ <ar&is Morro+. /e isn't oin to let yo% play inde*initely +ith his li*e.Do&ie, do yo% +ant me to dra yo% bodily o%t o* bed)"

Do&ie sh%ddered and sihed.

"I ha&en't any s%itable dress . . ."

"0o%'&e hal*ado5en pretty dresses. P%t on yo%r rose ta**eta."

"nd I ha&en't any tro%ssea%. he Morro+s +ill al+ays (ast that %p to me. . . ."

"0o% (an et one a*ter+ards. Do&ie, didn't yo% +eih all these thins in the balan(ebe*ore)"

"=o . . . no . . . that's 3%st the tro%ble. I only bean to think o* them last niht. nd:ather . . . yo% don't kno+ :ather, nne. . . ."

"Do&ie. I'll i&e yo% 3%st ten min%tes to et dressed$"

Do&ie +as dressed in the spe(i*ied time.

"his dress is . . . . . . ettin too tiht *or me," she sobbed as nne hooked her %p. "I* Iet m%(h *atter I don't s%ppose <ar&is +ill l . . . l . . . lo&e me. I +ish I +as tall and slim andpale, like yo%, nne. 9h, nne, +hat i* %nt Maie hears %s$"

"She +on't. She's sh%t in the kit(hen and yo% kno+ she's a little dea*. /ere's yo%r hat and(oat and I'&e t%mbled a *e+ thins into this ba."

"9h, my heart is *l%tterin so. Do I look terrible, nne)"

"0o% look lo&ely," said nne sin(erely. Do&ie's satin skin +as rose and (ream and all hertears hadn't spoiled her eyes. -%t <ar&is (o%ldn't see her eyes in the dark and he +as 3%sta little annoyed +ith his adored *air one and rather (ool d%rin the dri&e to to+n.



":or /ea&en's sake, Do&ie, don't look so s(ared o&er ha&in to marry me," he saidimpatiently as she (ame do+n the stairs o* the Ste&ens ho%se. "nd don't (ry . . . it +illmake yo%r nose s+ell. It's nearly ten o'(lo(k and +e'&e ot to (at(h the ele&en o'(lo(ktrain."

Do&ie +as 6%ite all riht as soon as she *o%nd hersel* irre&o(ably married to <ar&is. What nne rather (attishly des(ribed in a letter to ilbert as "the honeymoon look" +as alreadyon her *a(e.

"nne, darlin, +e o+e it all to yo%. We'll ne&er *oret it, +ill +e, <ar&is) nd, oh, nnedarlin, +ill yo% do 3%st one more thin *or me) Please break the ne+s to :ather. /e'll behome early tomorro+ e&enin . . . and somebody has ot to tell him. 0o% (an smooth himo&er i* anybody (an. Please do yo%r best to et him to *ori&e me."

nne *elt she rather needed some smoothino&er hersel* 3%st then@ b%t she also *elt rather%neasily responsible *or the o%t(ome o* the a**air, so she a&e the re6%ired promise.

"9* (o%rse he'll be terrible . . . simply terrible, nne . . . b%t he (an't kill yo%," said Do&ie

(om*ortinly. "9h, nne, yo% don't kno+ . . .yo% (an't reali5e . . . ho+ safe I *eel +ith<ar&is."

When nne ot home !ebe((a De+ had rea(hed the point +here she had to satis*y her(%riosity or o mad. She *ollo+ed nne to the to+er room in her nihtdress, +ith a s6%areo* *lannel +rapped ro%nd her head, and heard the +hole story.

"Well, I s%ppose this is +hat yo% miht (all 'li*e,'" she said sar(asti(ally. "-%t I'm real lad:ranklin West(ott has ot his (ome%ppan(e at last, and so +ill Mrs. 8aptain Ma(8omberbe. -%t I don't en&y yo% the 3ob o* breakin the ne+s to him. /e'll rae and %tter &ainthins. I* I +as in yo%r shoes, Miss Shirley, I +o%ldn't sleep one blessed +ink toniht."

"I *eel that it +on't be a &ery pleasant eperien(e," areed nne r%e*%lly.

8

nne betook hersel* to Elm(ro*t the net e&enin, +alkin thro%h the dreamlikelands(ape o* a =o&ember *o +ith a rather sinkin sensation per&adin her bein. It +asnot ea(tly a deliht*%l errand. s Do&ie had said, o* (o%rse :ranklin West(ott +o%ldn't killher. nne did not *ear physi(al &iolen(e . . . tho%h i* all the tales told o* him +ere tr%e, hemiht thro+ somethin at her. Wo%ld he ibber +ith rae) nne had ne&er seen a manibberin +ith rae and she imained it m%st be a rather %npleasant siht. -%t he +o%ldprobably eer(ise his noted i*t *or %npleasant sar(asm, and sar(asm, in man or +oman,+as the one +eapon nne dreaded. It al+ays h%rt her . . . raised blisters on her so%l thatsmarted *or months.

"%nt <amesina %sed to say, '=e&er, i* yo% (an help it, be the briner o* ill ne+s,'" re*le(ted nne. "She +as as +ise in that as in e&erythin else. Well, here I am."

Elm(ro*t +as an old*ashioned ho%se +ith to+ers at e&ery (orner and a b%lbo%s (%pola on

the roo*. nd at the top o* the *liht o* *ront steps sat the do.

"'I* they take hold they ne&er let o,'" remembered nne. Sho%ld she try oin ro%nd to theside door) hen the tho%ht that :ranklin West(ott miht be +at(hin her *rom the +indo+



bra(ed her %p. =e&er +o%ld she i&e him the satis*a(tion o* seein that she +as a*raid o*his do. !esol%tely, her head held hih, she mar(hed %p the steps, past the do and ranthe bell. he do had not stirred. When nne lan(ed at him o&er her sho%lder he +asapparently asleep.

:ranklin West(ott, it transpired, +as not at home b%t +as epe(ted e&ery min%te, as the8harlotteto+n train +as d%e. %nt Maie (on&oyed nne into +hat she (alled the "liberry"and le*t her there. he do had ot %p and *ollo+ed them in. /e (ame and arranedhimsel* at nne's *eet.

nne *o%nd hersel* likin the "liberry." It +as a (heer*%l, shabby room, +ith a *ire lo+in(o5ily in the rate, and bearskin r%s on the +orn red (arpet o* the *loor. :ranklin West(otte&idently did himsel* +ell in reard to books and pipes.

Presently she heard him (ome in. /e h%n %p his hat and (oat in the hall# he stood in thelibrary door+ay +ith a &ery de(ided s(o+l on his bro+. nne re(alled that her impressiono* him the *irst time she had seen him +as that o* a rather entlemanly pirate, and she *elta repetition o* it.

"9h, it's yo%, is it)" he said rather r%**ly. "Well, and +hat do yo% +ant)"

/e had not e&en o**ered to shake hands +ith her. 9* the t+o, nne tho%ht the do hadde(idedly the better manners.

"Mr. West(ott, please hear me thro%h patiently be*ore . . ."

"I am patient . . . &ery patient. Pro(eed$"

nne de(ided that there +as no %se beatin abo%t the b%sh +ith a man like :ranklinWest(ott.

"I ha&e (ome to tell yo%," she said steadily, "that Do&ie has married <ar&is Morro+."

hen she +aited *or the earth6%ake. =one (ame. =ot a m%s(le o* :ranklin West(ott's leanbro+n *a(e (haned. /e (ame in and sat do+n in the bandyleed leather (hair opposite nne.

"When)" he said.

"Last niht . . . at his sister's," said nne.

:ranklin West(ott looked at her *or a moment o%t o* yello+ish bro+n eyes deeply set %nderpentho%ses o* ri55led eyebro+. nne had a moment o* +onderin +hat he had looked

like +hen he +as a baby. hen he thre+ ba(k his head and +ent into one o* his spasms o*so%ndless la%hter.

"0o% m%stn't blame Do&ie, Mr. West(ott," said nne earnestly, re(o&erin her po+ers o*spee(h no+ that the a+*%l re&elation +as o&er. "It +asn't her *a%lt. . . ."

"I'll bet it +asn't," said :ranklin West(ott.

#as he tryin to be sar(asti()

"=o, it +as all mine," said nne, simply and bra&ely. "I ad&ised her to elo . . . to bemarried . . . I made her do it. So please *ori&e her, Mr. West(ott."

:ranklin West(ott (oolly pi(ked %p a pipe and bean to *ill it.

"I* yo%'&e manaed to make Sibyl elope +ith <ar&is Morro+, Miss Shirley, yo%'&ea((omplished more than I e&er tho%ht anybody (o%ld. I +as beinnin to be a*raid she'd



ne&er ha&e ba(kbone eno%h to do it. nd then I'd ha&e had to ba(k do+n . . . and Lord,ho+ +e West(otts hate ba(kin do+n$ 0o%'&e sa&ed my *a(e, Miss Shirley, and I'mpro*o%ndly rate*%l to yo%."

here +as a &ery lo%d silen(e +hile :ranklin West(ott tamped his toba((o do+n andlooked +ith an am%sed t+inkle at nne's *a(e. nne +as so m%(h at sea she didn't kno++hat to say.

"I s%ppose," he said, "that yo% (ame here in *ear and tremblin to break the terrible ne+sto me)"

"0es," said nne, a tri*le shortly.

:ranklin West(ott (h%(kled so%ndlessly.

"0o% needn't ha&e. 0o% (o%ldn't ha&e bro%ht me more +el(ome ne+s. Why, I pi(ked<ar&is Morro+ o%t *or Sibyl +hen they +ere kids. Soon as the other boys bean takinnoti(e o* her, I shooed them o**. hat a&e <ar&is his *irst notion o* her. /e'd sho+ the oldman$ -%t he +as so pop%lar +ith the irls that I (o%ld hardly belie&e the in(redible l%(k

+hen he did really take a en%ine *an(y to her. hen I laid o%t my plan o* (ampain. Ikne+ the Morro+s root and bran(h. 0o% don't. hey're a ood *amily, b%t the men don't+ant thins they (an et easily. nd they're determined to et a thin +hen they're toldthey (an't. hey al+ays o by (ontraries. <ar&is' *ather broke three irls' hearts be(a%setheir *amilies thre+ them at his head. In <ar&is' (ase I kne+ ea(tly +hat +o%ld happen.Sibyl +o%ld *all head o&er heels in lo&e +ith him . . . and he'd be tired o* her in no time. Ikne+ he +o%ldn't keep on +antin her i* she +as too easy to et. So I *orbade him to(ome near the pla(e and *orbade Sibyl to ha&e a +ord to say to him and enerally playedthe hea&y parent to per*e(tion. alk abo%t the (harm o* the %n(a%ht$ It's nothin to the(harm o* the %n(at(hable. It all +orked o%t a((ordin to s(hed%le, b%t I str%(k a sna inSibyl's spinelessness. She's a ni(e (hild b%t she is spineless. I'&e been thinkin she'dne&er ha&e the pl%(k to marry him in my teeth. =o+, i* yo%'&e ot yo%r breath ba(k, mydear yo%n lady, %nbosom yo%rsel* o* the +hole story."

nne's sense o* h%mor had aain (ome to her res(%e. She (o%ld ne&er re*%se anopport%nity *or a ood la%h, e&en +hen it +as on hersel*. nd she s%ddenly *elt &ery +ella(6%ainted +ith :ranklin West(ott.

/e listened to the tale, takin 6%iet, en3oyable +hi**s o* his pipe. When nne had *inishedhe nodded (om*ortably.

"I see I'm more in yo%r debt e&en than I tho%ht. She'd ne&er ha&e ot %p the (o%rae todo it i* it hadn't been *or yo%. nd <ar&is Morro+ +o%ldn't ha&e risked bein made a *ool o*t+i(e . . . not i* I kno+ the breed. osh, b%t I'&e had a narro+ es(ape$ I'm yo%rs to(ommand *or li*e. 0o%'re a real bri(k to (ome here as yo% did, belie&in all the yarnsossip told yo%. 0o%'&e been told aplenty, ha&en't yo% no+)"

nne nodded. he b%lldo had ot his head on her lap and +as snorin bliss*%lly.

"E&ery one areed that yo% +ere (ranky, (rabbed and (r%sty," she said (andidly.

"nd I s%ppose they told yo% I +as a tyrant and made my poor +i*e's li*e miserable andr%led my *amily +ith a rod o* iron)"

"0es@ b%t I really did take all that +ith a rain o* salt, Mr. West(ott. I *elt that Do&ie (o%ldn't

be as *ond o* yo% as she +as i* yo% +ere as dread*%l as ossip painted yo%."

"Sensible al$ My +i*e +as a happy +oman, Miss Shirley. nd +hen Mrs. 8aptain



Ma(8omber tells yo% I b%llied her to death, ti(k her o** *or me. E(%se my (ommon +ay.Mollie +as pretty . . . prettier than Sibyl. S%(h a pinkand+hite skin . . . s%(h oldenbro+nhair . . . s%(h de+y bl%e eyes$ She +as the prettiest +oman in S%mmerside. /ad to be. I(o%ldn't ha&e stood it i* a man had +alked into (h%r(h +ith a handsomer +i*e than me. Ir%led my ho%sehold as a man sho%ld b%t not tyranni(ally. 9h, o* (o%rse, I had a spell o*temper no+ and then, b%t Mollie didn't mind them a*ter she ot %sed to them. man has a

riht to ha&e a ro+ +ith his +i*e no+ and then, hasn't he) Women et tired o* monotono%sh%sbands. -esides, I al+ays a&e her a rin or a ne(kla(e or some s%(h a%d a*ter I(almed do+n. here +asn't a +oman in S%mmerside had more ni(e 3e+elry. I m%st et ito%t and i&e it to Sibyl."

nne +ent +i(ked.

"What abo%t Milton's poems)"

"Milton's poems) 9h, that$ It +asn't Milton's poems . . . it +as ennyson's. I re&eren(eMilton b%t I (an't abide l*red. /e's too si(kly s+eet. hose last t+o lines o* +noch Ardenmade me so mad one niht, I did *ire the book thro%h the +indo+. -%t I pi(ked it %p the

net day *or the sake o* the Bugle Song. I'd *ori&e anybody anythin *or that. It didn&t ointo eore 8larke's lily pondthat +as old Pro%ty's embroidery. 0o%'re not oin) Stayand ha&e a bite o* s%pper +ith a lonely old *ello+ robbed o* his only +help."

"I'm really sorry I (an't, Mr. West(ott, b%t I ha&e to attend a meetin o* the sta** toniht."

"Well, I'll be seein yo% +hen Sibyl (omes ba(k. I'll ha&e to *lin a party *or them, no do%bt.ood osh, +hat a relie* this has been to my mind. 0o%'&e no idea ho+ I'd ha&e hated toha&e to ba(k do+n and say, 'ake her.' 4o% all I ha&e to do is to pretend to be heartbroken and resined and *ori&e her sadly *or the sake o* her poor mother. I'll do itbea%ti*%lly . . . <ar&is m%st ne&er s%spe(t. Don't you i&e the sho+ a+ay."

"I +on't," promised nne.

:ranklin West(ott sa+ her (o%rteo%sly to the door. he b%lldo sat %p on his ha%n(hesand (ried a*ter her.

:ranklin West(ott took his pipe o%t o* his mo%th at the door and tapped her on thesho%lder +ith it..

"l+ays remember," he said solemnly, "there's more than one +ay to skin a (at. It (an bedone so that the animal'll ne&er kno+ he's lost his hide. i&e my lo&e to !ebe((a De+. ni(e old p%ss, i* yo% stroke her the riht +ay. nd thank yo% . . . thank yo%."

nne betook hersel* home, thro%h the so*t, (alm e&enin. he *o had (leared, the +indhad shi*ted and there +as a look o* *rost in the pale reen sky.

"People told me I didn't kno+ :ranklin West(ott," re*le(ted nne. "hey +ere riht . . . Ididn't. nd neither did they."

"/o+ did he take it)" !ebe((a De+ +as keen to kno+. She had been on tenterhooksd%rin nne's absen(e.

"=ot so badly a*ter all," said nne (on*identially . "I thin$ he'll *ori&e Do&ie in time."

"I ne&er did see the beat o* yo%, Miss Shirley, *or talkin people ro%nd," said !ebe((a De+admirinly. "0o% ha&e (ertainly ot a +ay +ith yo%."

"'Somethin attempted, somethin done has earned a niht's repose,'" 6%oted nne+earily as she (limbed the three steps into her bed that niht. "-%t 3%st +ait till the net



person asks my ad&i(e abo%t elopin$"

9


"I am in&ited to ha&e s%pper tomorro+ niht +ith a lady o* S%mmerside. I kno+ yo% +on'tbelie&e me, ilbert, +hen I tell yo% her name is omallon . . . Miss Miner&a omallon.0o%'ll say I'&e been readin Di(kens too lon and too late.

"Dearest, aren't yo% lad yo%r name is -lythe) I am s%re I (o%ld ne&er marry yo% i* it +ereomallon. :an(y . . . nne omallon$ =o, yo% (an't *an(y it.

"his is the %ltimate honor S%mmerside has to besto+ . . . an in&itation to omallon/o%se. It has no other name. =o nonsense abo%t Elms or 8hestn%ts or 8ro*ts *or theomallons.

"I %nderstand they +ere the '!oyal :amily' in old days. he Prinles are m%shrooms(ompared to them. nd no+ there is le*t o* them all only Miss Miner&a, the sole s%r&i&or o*si enerations o* omallons. She li&es alone in a h%e ho%se on %een Street . . . aho%se +ith reat (himneys, reen sh%tters and the only stainedlass +indo+ in a pri&ateho%se in to+n. It is bi eno%h *or *o%r *amilies and is o((%pied only by Miss Miner&a, a(ook and a maid. It is &ery +ell kept %p, b%t someho+ +hene&er I +alk past it I *eel that itis a pla(e +hi(h li*e has *orotten.

"Miss Miner&a oes o%t &ery little, e(eptin to the nli(an (h%r(h, and I had ne&er mether %ntil a *e+ +eeks ao, +hen she (ame to a meetin o* sta** and tr%stees to make a*ormal i*t o* her *ather's &al%able library to the s(hool. She looks ea(tly as yo% +o%ldepe(t a Miner&a omallon to look . . . tall and thin, +ith a lon, narro+ +hite *a(e, a lonthin nose and a lon thin mo%th. hat doesn't so%nd &ery attra(ti&e, yet Miss Miner&a is6%ite handsome in a stately, aristo(rati( style and is al+ays dressed +ith reat, tho%hsome+hat old*ashioned, elean(e. She +as 6%ite a bea%ty +hen she +as yo%n,!ebe((a De+ tells me, and her lare bla(k eyes are still *%ll o* *ire and dark l%ster. Shes%**ers *rom no la(k o* +ords, and I don't think I e&er heard any one en3oy makin apresentation spee(h more.

"Miss Miner&a +as espe(ially ni(e to me, and yesterday I re(ei&ed a *ormal little notein&itin me to ha&e s%pper +ith her. When I told !ebe((a De+, she opened her eyes as+idely as i* I had been in&ited to -%(kinham Pala(e.

"'It's a reat honor to be asked to omallon /o%se,' she said in a rather a+ed tone. Ine&er heard o* Miss Miner&a askin any o* the prin(ipals there be*ore. o be s%re, they+ere all men, so I s%ppose it +o%ld hardly ha&e been proper. Well, I hope she +on't talkyo% to death, Miss Shirley. he omallons (o%ld all talk the hind le o** a (at. nd theyliked to be in the *ront o* thins. Some *olks think the reason Miss Miner&a li&es so retiredis be(a%se no+ that she's old she (an't take the lead as she %sed to do and she +on't playse(ond *iddle to any one. What are yo% oin to +ear, Miss Shirley) I'd like to see yo%

+ear yo%r (ream silk a%5e +ith yo%r bla(k &el&et bo+s. It's so dressy.'"'I'm a*raid it +o%ld be rather too "dressy" *or a 6%iet e&enin o%t,' I said.



"'Miss Miner&a +o%ld like it, I think. he omallons all liked their (ompany to be ni(elyarrayed. hey say Miss Miner&a's rand*ather on(e sh%t the door in the *a(e o* a +oman+ho had been asked there to a ball, be(a%se she (ame in her se(ondbest dress. /e toldher her best +as none too ood *or the omallons.'

"=e&ertheless, I think I'll +ear my reen &oile, and the hosts o* the omallons m%stmake the best o* it.

"I'm oin to (on*ess somethin I did last +eek, ilbert. I s%ppose yo%'ll think I'm meddlinaain in other *olks' b%siness. -%t I had to do somethin. I'll not be in S%mmerside netyear and I (an't bear the tho%ht o* lea&in little Eli5abeth to the mer(y o* those t+o%nlo&in old +omen +ho are ro+in bitterer and narro+er e&ery year. What kind o* airlhood +ill she ha&e +ith them in that loomy old pla(e)

"'I +onder,' she said to me +ist*%lly, not lon ao, '+hat it +o%ld be like to ha&e arandmother yo% +eren't a*raid o*.'

"his is +hat I did# ' %rote to her father. /e li&es in Paris and I didn't kno+ his address, b%t

!ebe((a De+ had heard and remembered the name o* the *irm +hose bran(h he r%nsthere, so I took a (han(e and addressed him in (are o* it. I +rote as diplomati( a letter as I(o%ld, b%t I told him plainly that he o%ht to take Eli5abeth. I told him ho+ she lons *orand dreams abo%t him and that Mrs. 8ampbell +as really too se&ere and stri(t +ith her.Perhaps nothin +ill (ome o* it, b%t i* I hadn't +ritten I +o%ld be *ore&er ha%nted by the(on&i(tion that I o%ht to ha&e done it.

"What made me think o* it +as Eli5abeth tellin me &ery serio%sly one day that she had'+ritten a letter to od,' askin /im to brin her *ather ba(k to her and make him lo&e her.She said she had stopped on the +ay home *rom s(hool, in the middle o* a &a(ant lot, andread it, lookin %p at the sky. I kne+ she had done somethin odd, be(a%se Miss Pro%tyhad seen the per*orman(e and told me abo%t it +hen she (ame to se+ *or the +ido+s netday. She tho%ht Eli5abeth +as ettin '6%eer' . . . 'talkin to the sky like that.'

"I asked Eli5abeth abo%t it and she told me.

"'I tho%ht od miht pay more attention to a letter than a prayer,' she said. 'I'&e prayed solon. /e m%st et so many prayers.'

"hat niht I +rote to her *ather.

"-e*ore I (lose I m%st tell yo% abo%t D%sty Miller. Some time ao %nt 7ate told me thatshe *elt she m%st *ind another home *or him be(a%se !ebe((a De+ kept (omplaininabo%t him so that she *elt she really (o%ld not end%re it any loner. 9ne e&enin last +eek

+hen I (ame home *rom s(hool there +as no D%sty Miller. %nt 8hatty said they had i&enhim to Mrs. Edmonds, +ho li&es on the other side o* S%mmerside *rom Windy Poplars. I*elt sorry, *or D%sty Miller and I ha&e been e(ellent *riends. '-%t, at least,' I tho%ht,'!ebe((a De+ +ill be a happy +oman.'

"!ebe((a +as a+ay *or the day, ha&in one to the (o%ntry to help a relati&e hook r%s.When she ret%rned at d%sk nothin +as said, b%t at bedtime +hen she +as (allin D%styMiller *rom the ba(k por(h %nt 7ate said 6%ietly#

"'0o% needn't (all D%sty Miller, !ebe((a. /e is not here. We ha&e *o%nd a home *or himelse+here. 0o% +ill not be bothered +ith him any more.'

"I* !ebe((a De+ (o%ld ha&e t%rned pale she +o%ld ha&e done so.

"'=ot here) :o%nd a home *or him) ood rie*$ Isn't this his home)'



"'We ha&e i&en him to Mrs. Edmonds. She has been &ery lonely sin(e her da%htermarried and tho%ht a ni(e (at +o%ld be (ompany.'

"!ebe((a De+ (ame in and sh%t the door. She looked &ery +ild.

"'his is the last stra+,' she said. nd indeed it seemed to be. I'&e ne&er seen !ebe((aDe+'s eyes emit s%(h sparkles o* rae. 'I'll be lea&in at the end o* the month, Mrs.

Ma(8omber, and sooner i* yo% (an be s%ited.'

"'-%t, !ebe((a,' said %nt 7ate in be+ilderment, 'I don't %nderstand. 0o%'&e al+aysdisliked D%sty Miller. 9nly last +eek yo% said . . .'

"'hat's riht,' said !ebe((a bitterly. '8ast thins %p to me$ Don't ha&e any reard *or my*eelins$ hat poor dear 8at$ I'&e +aited on him and pampered him and ot %p nihts to lethim in. nd no+ he's been spirited a+ay behind my ba(k +itho%t so m%(h as a byyo%rlea&e. nd to Sarah Edmonds, +ho +o%ldn't b%y a bit o* li&er *or the poor (reat%re i* he+as dyin *or it$ he only (ompany I had in the kit(hen$'

"'-%t, !ebe((a, yo%'&e al+ays . . .'

"'9h, keep on . . . keep on$ Don't let me et a +ord in ede+ise, Mrs. Ma(8omber. I'&eraised that (at *rom a kitten . . . I'&e looked a*ter his health and his morals . . . and +hat*or) hat <ane Edmonds sho%ld ha&e a +elltrained (at *or (ompany. Well, I hope she'llstand o%t in the *rost at nihts, as I'&e done, (allin that (at *or hours rather than lea&e himo%t to *ree5e, b%t I do%bt it . . . I serio%sly do%bt it. Well, Mrs. Ma(8omber, all I hope is thatyo%r (ons(ien(e +on't tro%ble yo% the net time it's ten belo+ 5ero. ' +on't sleep a +ink+hen it happens, b%t o* (o%rse that doesn't matter an old shoe to any one.'

"'!ebe((a, i* yo% +o%ld only . . .'

"'Mrs. Ma(8omber, I am not a +orm, neither am I a doormat. Well, this has been a lesson

*or me . . . a &al%able lesson$ =e&er aain +ill I allo+ my a**e(tions to t+ine themsel&esaro%nd an animal o* any kind or des(ription. nd i* yo%'d done it open and abo&eboard . . .b%t behind my ba(k . . . takin ad&antae o* me like that$ I ne&er heard o* anythin so dirtmean$ -%t +ho am I that I sho%ld epe(t my *eelins to be (onsidered$'

"'!ebe((a,' said %nt 7ate desperately, 'i* yo% +ant D%sty Miller ba(k +e (an et himba(k.'

"'Why didn't yo% say so be*ore then)' demanded !ebe((a De+. 'nd I do%bt it. <aneEdmonds has ot her (la+s in him. Is it likely she'll i&e him %p)'

"'I think she +ill,' said %nt 7ate, +ho had apparently re&erted to 3elly. 'nd i* he (omesba(k yo% +on't lea&e %s, +ill yo%, !ebe((a)'

"'I may think it o&er,' said !ebe((a, +ith the air o* one makin a tremendo%s (on(ession.

"=et day, %nt 8hatty bro%ht D%sty Miller home in a (o&ered basket. I (a%ht a lan(ee(haned bet+een her and %nt 7ate a*ter !ebe((a had (arried D%sty Miller o%t to thekit(hen and sh%t the door. I +onder$ Was it all a deeplaid plot on the part o* the +ido+s,aided and abetted by <ane Edmonds)

"!ebe((a has ne&er %ttered a +ord o* (omplaint abo%t D%sty Miller sin(e and there is a&eritable (lan o* &i(tory in her &oi(e +hen she sho%ts *or him at bedtime. It so%nds as i*she +anted all S%mmerside to kno+ that D%sty Miller is ba(k +here he belons and thatshe has on(e more ot the better o* the +ido+s$"



10

It +as on a dark, +indy Mar(h e&enin, +hen e&en the (lo%ds s(%ddin o&er the sky

seemed in a h%rry, that nne skimmed %p the triple *liht o* broad, shallo+ steps *lankedby stone %rns and stonier lions, that led to the massi&e *ront door o* omallon /o%se.>s%ally, +hen she had passed it a*ter dark it +as somber and rim, +ith a dim t+inkle o*liht in one or t+o +indo+s. -%t no+ it bla5ed *orth brilliantly, e&en the +ins on either sidebein lihted %p, as i* Miss Miner&a +ere entertainin the +hole to+n. S%(h an ill%minationin her honor rather o&er(ame nne. She almost +ished she had p%t on her (ream a%5e.

=e&ertheless she looked &ery (harmin in her reen &oile and perhaps Miss Miner&a,meetin her in the hall, tho%ht so, *or her *a(e and &oi(e +ere &ery (ordial. Miss Miner&ahersel* +as real in bla(k &el&et, a diamond (omb in the hea&y (oils o* her ironray hairand a massi&e (ameo broo(h s%rro%nded by a braid o* some departed omallon's hair.

he +hole (ost%me +as a little o%tmoded, b%t Miss Miner&a +ore it +ith s%(h a rand airthat it seemed as timeless as royalty's.

"Wel(ome to omallon /o%se, my dear," she said, i&in nne a bony hand, like+ise +ellsprinkled +ith diamonds. "I am &ery lad to ha&e yo% here as my %est."

"I am . . ."

"omallon /o%se +as al+ays the resort o* bea%ty and yo%th in the old days. We %sed toha&e a reat many parties and entertained all the &isitin (elebrities," said Miss Miner&a,leadin nne to the bi stair(ase o&er a (arpet o* *aded red &el&et. "-%t all is (hanedno+. I entertain &ery little. I am the last o* the omallons. Perhaps it is as +ell. 9%r *amily,

my dear, are under a curse./

Miss Miner&a in*%sed s%(h a r%esome tine o* mystery and horror into her tones that nne almost shi&ered. he 8%rse o* the omallons$ What a title *or a story$

"his is the stair do+n +hi(h my reatrand*ather omallon *ell and broke his ne(k theniht o* his ho%se+armin i&en to (elebrate the (ompletion o* his ne+ home. his ho%se+as (onse(rated by h%man blood. /e *ell there . . ." Miss Miner&a pointed a lon +hite*iner so dramati(ally at a tierskin r% in the hall that nne (o%ld almost see thedeparted omallon dyin on it. She really did not kno+ +hat to say, so said inanely, "9h$"

Miss Miner&a %shered her alon a hall, h%n +ith portraits and photoraphs o* *aded

lo&eliness, +ith the *amo%s stainedlass +indo+ at its end, into a lare, hih(eilined,&ery stately %estroom. he hih +aln%t bed, +ith its h%e headboard, +as (o&ered +ithso oreo%s a silken 6%ilt that nne *elt it +as a dese(ration to lay her (oat and hat on it.

"0o% ha&e &ery bea%ti*%l hair, my dear," said Miss Miner&a admirinly. "I al+ays liked redhair. My %nt Lydia had it . . . she +as the only redhaired omallon. 9ne niht +hen she+as br%shin it in the north room it (a%ht *ire *rom her (andle and she ran shriekin do+nthe hall +rapped in *lames. ll part o* the 8%rse, my dear . . . all part o* the 8%rse."

"Was she . . ."

"=o, she +asn't b%rned to death, b%t she lost all her bea%ty. She +as &ery handsome and&ain. She ne&er +ent o%t o* the ho%se *rom that niht to the day o* her death and she le*tdire(tions that her (o**in +as to be sh%t so that no one miht see her s(arred *a(e. Won'tyo% sit do+n to remo&e yo%r r%bbers, my dear) his is a &ery (om*ortable (hair. My sister



died in it *rom a stroke. She +as a +ido+ and (ame ba(k home to li&e a*ter her h%sband'sdeath. /er little irl +as s(alded in o%r kit(hen +ith a pot o* boilin +ater. Wasn't that atrai( +ay *or a (hild to die)"

"9h, ho+ . . ."

"-%t at least +e kne+ ho% it died. My hal*a%nt Eli5a . . . at least, she +o%ld ha&e been my

hal*a%nt i* she had li&ed . . . 3%st disappeared +hen she +as si years old. =obody e&erkne+ +hat be(ame o* her."

"-%t s%rely . . ."

/+ery sear(h +as made b%t nothin +as e&er dis(o&ered. It +as said that her mother . . .my steprandmother . . . had been &ery (r%el to an orphan nie(e o* my rand*ather's +ho+as bein bro%ht %p here. She lo(ked it %p in the (loset at the head o* the stairs, one hots%mmer day, *or p%nishment and +hen she +ent to let it o%t she *o%nd it . . . dead. Somepeople tho%ht it +as a 3%dment on her +hen her o+n (hild &anished. -%t I think it +as 3%st 9%r 8%rse."

"Who p%t . . . )"

"What a hih instep yo% ha&e, my dear$ My instep %sed to be admired too. It +as said astream o* +ater (o%ld r%n %nder it . . . the test o* an aristo(rat."

Miss Miner&a modestly poked a slipper *rom %nder her &el&et skirt and re&ealed +hat +as%ndo%btedly a &ery handsome *oot.

"It (ertainly . . ."

"Wo%ld yo% like to see o&er the ho%se, my dear, be*ore +e ha&e s%pper) It %sed to be thePride o* S%mmerside. I s%ppose e&erythin is &ery old*ashioned no+, b%t perhaps there

are a *e+ thins o* interest. hat s+ord hanin by the head o* the stairs beloned to myreatreatrand*ather +ho +as an o**i(er in the -ritish rmy and re(ei&ed a rant o* landin Prin(e Ed+ard Island *or his ser&i(es. /e ne&er li&ed in this ho%se, b%t my reatreatrandmother did *or a *e+ +eeks. She did not lon s%r&i&e her son's trai( death."

Miss Miner&a mar(hed nne r%thlessly o&er the +hole h%e ho%se, *%ll o* reat s6%arerooms . . . ballroom, (onser&atory, billiardroom, three dra+inrooms, break*astroom, noend o* bedrooms and an enormo%s atti(. hey +ere all splendid and dismal.

"hose +ere my >n(le !onald and my >n(le !e%ben," said Miss Miner&a, indi(atin t+o+orthies +ho seemed to be s(o+lin at ea(h other *rom the opposite sides o* a *irepla(e."hey +ere t+ins and they hated ea(h other bitterly *rom birth. he ho%se ran +ith their6%arrels. It darkened their mother's +hole li*e. nd d%rin their *inal 6%arrel in this &eryroom, +hile a th%nderstorm +as oin on, !e%ben +as killed by a *lash o* lihtnin.!onald ne&er ot o&er it. /e +as a haunted man *rom that day. /is +i*e," Miss Miner&aadded reminis(ently, "s+allo+ed her +eddinrin."

"What an e . . ."

"!onald tho%ht it +as &ery (areless and +o%ldn't ha&e anythin done. prompt emeti(miht ha&e . . . b%t it +as ne&er heard o* aain. It spoiled her li*e. She al+ays *elt sounmarried +itho%t a +eddinrin."

"What a bea%ti*%l . . ."

"9h, yes, that +as my %nt Emilia . . . not my a%nt really, o* (o%rse. <%st the +i*e o* >n(le leander. She +as noted *or her spirit%al look, b%t she poisoned her h%sband +ith a ste+



o* m%shrooms . . . toadstools really. We al+ays pretended it +as an a((ident, be(a%se am%rder is s%(h a messy thin to ha&e in a *amily, b%t +e all kne+ the tr%th. 9* (o%rse shemarried him aainst her +ill. She +as a ay yo%n thin and he +as *ar too old *or her.De(ember and May, my dear. Still, that did not really 3%sti*y toadstools. She +ent into ade(line soon a*ter+ards. hey are b%ried toether in 8harlotteto+n . . . all the omallonsb%ry in 8harlotteto+n. his +as my %nt Lo%ise. She drank la%dan%m. he do(tor p%mped

it o%t and sa&ed her, b%t +e all *elt +e (o%ld ne&er tr%st her aain. It +as really rather arelie* +hen she died respe(tably o* pne%monia. 9* (o%rse, some o* %s didn't blame herm%(h. 0o% see, my dear, her h%sband had spanked her."

"Spanked . . ."

"Ea(tly. here are really some thins no entleman sho%ld do, my dear, and one o* themis spank his +i*e. 7no(k her do+n . . . possibly . . . b%t spank her, ne&er$ I +o%ld like," saidMiss Miner&a, &ery ma3esti(ally, "to see the man +ho +o%ld dare to spank me./

nne *elt she +o%ld like to see him also. She reali5ed that there are limits to theimaination a*ter all. -y no stret(h o* hers (o%ld she imaine a h%sband spankin Miss

Miner&a omallon.

"his is the ballroom. 9* (o%rse it is ne&er %sed no+. -%t there ha&e been any n%mber o*balls here. he omallon balls +ere *amo%s. People (ame *rom all o&er the Island tothem. hat (handelier (ost my *ather *i&e h%ndred dollars. My reata%nt Patien(edropped dead +hile dan(in here one niht . . . riht there in that (orner. She had *retted areat deal o&er a man +ho had disappointed her. I (annot imaine any irl breakin herheart o&er a man. Men," said Miss Miner&a, starin at a photoraph o* her *ather . . . aperson +ith bristlin side+hiskers and a ha+klike nose . . . "ha&e al+ays seemed to mes%(h triial (reat%res."

11

he dininroom +as in keepin +ith the rest o* the ho%se. here +as another ornate(handelier, an e6%ally ornate, ilt*ramed mirror o&er the mantelpie(e, and a tablebea%ti*%lly set +ith sil&er and (rystal and old 8ro+n Derby. he s%pper, ser&ed by a ratherrim and an(ient maid, +as bo%nti*%l and e(eedinly ood, and nne's healthy yo%n

appetite did *%ll 3%sti(e to it. Miss Miner&a kept silen(e *or a time and nne dared saynothin *or *ear o* startin another a&alan(he o* traedies. 9n(e a lare, sleek bla(k (at(ame into the room and sat do+n by Miss Miner&a +ith a hoarse meo+. Miss Miner&apo%red a sa%(er o* (ream and set it do+n be*ore him. She seemed so m%(h more h%mana*ter this that nne lost a ood deal o* her a+e o* the last o* the omallons.

"Do ha&e some more o* the pea(hes, my dear. 0o%'&e eaten nothin . . . positi&elynothin."

"9h, Miss omallon, I'&e en3oyed . . ."

"he omallons al+ays set a ood table," said Miss Miner&a (ompla(ently. "My %nt

Sophia made the best spone(ake I e&er tasted. I think the only person my *ather e&erreally hated to see (ome to o%r ho%se +as his sister Mary, be(a%se she had s%(h a poorappetite. She 3%st min(ed and tasted. /e took it as a personal ins%lt. :ather +as a &ery



%nrelentin man. /e ne&er *ora&e my brother !i(hard *or marryin aainst his +ill. /eordered him o%t o* the ho%se and he +as ne&er allo+ed to enter it aain. :ather al+aysrepeated the Lord's Prayer at *amily +orship e&ery mornin, b%t a*ter !i(hard *lo%ted himhe al+ays le*t o%t the senten(e, ':ori&e %s o%r trespasses as +e *ori&e those +hotrespass aainst %s.' I (an see him," said Miss Miner&a dreamily, "kneelin there lea&in ito%t."

*ter s%pper they +ent to the smallest o* the three dra+inrooms . . . +hi(h +as still ratherbi and rim . . . and spent the e&enin be*ore the h%e *ire . . . a pleasant, *riendlyeno%h *ire. nne (ro(heted at a set o* intri(ate doilies and Miss Miner&a knitted a+ay atan a*han and kept %p +hat +as pra(ti(ally a monolo%e (omposed in reat part o*(olor*%l and r%esome omallon history.

"his is a ho%se o* trai(al memories, my dear."

"Miss omallon, didn't any pleasant thin e&er happen in this ho%se)" asked nne,a(hie&in a (omplete senten(e by a mere *l%ke. Miss Miner&a had had to stop talkin loneno%h to blo+ her nose.

"9h, I s%ppose so," said Miss Miner&a, as i* she hated to admit it. "0es, o* (o%rse, +e %sedto ha&e ay times here +hen I +as a irl. hey tell me yo%'re +ritin a book abo%t e&eryone in S%mmerside, my dear."

"I'm not . . . there isn't a +ord o* tr%th . . ."

"9h$" Miss Miner&a +as plainly a little disappointed. "Well, i* e&er yo% do yo% are at libertyto %se any o* o%r stories yo% like, perhaps +ith the names dis%ised. nd no+ +hat do yo%say to a ame o* par(hesi)"

"I'm a*raid it is time I +as oin. . . ."

"9h, my dear, yo% (an't o home toniht. It's po%rin (ats and dos . . . and listen to the+ind. I don't keep a (arriae no+ . . . I ha&e so little %se *or one . . . and yo% (an't +alk hal*a mile in that del%e. 0o% m%st be my %est *or the niht."

nne +as not s%re she +anted to spend a niht in omallon /o%se. -%t neither did she+ant to +alk to Windy Poplars in a Mar(h tempest. So they had their ame o* par(hesi . . .in +hi(h Miss Miner&a +as so interested that she *orot to talk abo%t horrors . . . and thena "bedtime sna(k." hey ate (innamon toast and drank (o(oa o%t o* old omallon (%ps o*mar&elo%s thinness and bea%ty.

:inally Miss Miner&a took her %p to a %estroom +hi(h nne at *irst +as lad to see +as

not the one +here Miss Miner&a's sister had died o* a stroke."his is %nt nnabella's room," said Miss Miner&a, lihtin the (andles in the sil&er(andlesti(ks on a rather pretty reen dressintable and t%rnin o%t the as. Matthe+omallon had blo+n o%t the as one niht . . . +here%pon eit Matthe+ omallon. "She+as the handsomest o* all the omallons. hat's her pi(t%re abo&e the mirror. Do yo%noti(e +hat a pro%d mo%th she had) She made that (ra5y 6%ilt on the bed. I hope yo%'ll be(om*ortable, my dear. Mary has aired the bed and p%t t+o hot bri(ks in it. nd she hasaired this nihtdress *or yo% . . ." pointin to an ample *lannel arment hanin o&er a(hair and smellin stronly o* moth balls. "I hope it +ill *it yo%. It hasn't been +orn sin(epoor Mother died in it. 9h, I nearly *orot to tell yo% . . ." Miss Miner&a t%rned ba(k at the

door . . . "this is the room 9s(ar omallon (ame ba(k to li*e ina*ter bein tho%ht dead*or t+o days. hey didn&t %ant him to, yo% kno+that +as the traedy. I hope yo%'ll sleep+ell, my dear."



nne did not kno+ i* she (o%ld sleep at all or not. S%ddenly there seemed somethinstrane and alien in the room . . . somethin a little hostile. -%t is there not somethinstrane abo%t any room that has been o((%pied thro%h enerations) Death has l%rked init . . . lo&e has been rosy red in it . . . births ha&e been here . . . all the passions . . . all thehopes. It is *%ll o* +raths.

-%t this +as really rather a terrible old ho%se, *%ll o* the hosts o* dead hatreds and heartbreaks, (ro+ded +ith dark deeds that had ne&er been draed into liht and +ere still*esterin in its (orners and hidyholes. oo many +omen m%st ha&e +ept here. he +ind+ailed &ery eerily in the spr%(es by the +indo+. :or a moment nne *elt like r%nnin o%t,storm or no storm.

hen she took hersel* resol%tely in hand and (ommanded (ommon sense. I* trai( anddread*%l thins had happened here, many shado+y years aone, am%sin and lo&elythins m%st ha&e happened, too. ay and pretty irls had dan(ed here and talked o&ertheir (harmin se(rets@ dimpled babies had been born here@ there had been +eddins andballs and m%si( and la%hter. he spone(ake lady m%st ha&e been a (om*ortable(reat%re and the %n*ori&en !i(hard a allant lo&er.

"I'll think on these thins and o to bed. What a 6%ilt to sleep %nder$ I +onder i* I'll be as(ra5y as it by mornin. nd this is a spare room$ I'&e ne&er *orotten +hat a thrill it %sed toi&e me to sleep in any one's spare room."

nne %n(oiled and br%shed her hair %nder the &ery nose o* nnabella omallon, +hostared do+n at her +ith a *a(e in +hi(h there +ere pride and &anity, and somethin o* theinsolen(e o* reat bea%ty. nne *elt a little (reepy as she looked in the mirror. Who kne++hat *a(es miht look o%t o* it at her) ll the trai( and ha%nted ladies +ho had e&erlooked into it, perhaps. She bra&ely opened the (loset door, hal* epe(tin any n%mber o*skeletons to t%mble o%t, and h%n %p her dress. She sat do+n (almly on a riid (hair,

+hi(h looked as i* it +o%ld be ins%lted i* anybody sat on it, and took o** her shoes. henshe p%t on the *lannel nihto+n, ble+ o%t the (andles and ot into the bed, pleasantly+arm *rom Mary's bri(ks. :or a little +hile the rain streamin on the panes and the shrieko* the +ind aro%nd the old ea&es pre&ented her *rom sleepin. hen she *orot all theomallon traedies in dreamless sl%mber %ntil she *o%nd hersel* lookin at dark *irbo%hs aainst a red s%nrise.

"I'&e en3oyed ha&in yo% so m%(h, my dear," said Miss Miner&a +hen nne le*t a*terbreak*ast. "We'&e had a real (heer*%l &isit, ha&en't +e) ho%h I'&e li&ed so lon alone I'&ealmost *orotten ho+ to talk. nd I need not say +hat a deliht it is to meet a really(harmin and %nspoiled yo%n irl in this *ri&olo%s ae. I didn't tell yo% yesterday b%t it +as

my birthday, and it +as &ery pleasant to ha&e a bit o* yo%th in the ho%se. here is nobodyto remember my birthday no+ . . ." Miss Miner&a a&e a *aint sih . . . "and on(e there+ere so many."

"Well, I s%ppose yo% heard a pretty rim (hroni(le," said %nt 8hatty that niht.

"Did all those thins Miss Miner&a told me really happen, %nt 8hatty)"

"Well, the 6%eer thin is, they did," said %nt 8hatty. "It's a (%rio%s thin, Miss Shirley, b%ta lot o* a+*%l thins did happen to the omallons."

"I don't kno+ that there +ere many more than happen in any lare *amily in the (o%rse o*si enerations," said %nt 7ate.

"9h, I think there +ere. hey really did seem %nder a (%rse. So many o* them died s%ddenor &iolent deaths. 9* (o%rse there is a streak o* insanity in them . . . e&ery one kno+s that.



hat +as (%rse eno%h . . . b%t I'&e heard an old story . . . I (an't re(all the details . . . o*the (arpenter +ho b%ilt the ho%se (%rsin it. Somethin abo%t the (ontra(t . . . old Pa%lomallon held him to it and it r%ined him, it (ost so m%(h more than he had *i%red."

"Miss Miner&a seems rather pro%d o* the (%rse," said nne.

"Poor old thin, it's all she has," said !ebe((a De+.

nne smiled to think o* the stately Miss Miner&a bein re*erred to as a poor old thin. -%tshe +ent to the to+er room and +rote to ilbert#

"I tho%ht omallon /o%se +as a sleepy old pla(e +here nothin e&er happened. Well,perhaps thins don't happen no+ b%t e&idently they did. Little Eli5abeth is al+ays talkin o*omorro+. -%t the old omallon ho%se is 0esterday. I'm lad I don't li&e in 0esterday . . .that omorro+ is still a *riend.

"9* (o%rse I think Miss Miner&a has all the omallon likin *or the spotliht and ets noend o* satis*a(tion o%t o* her traedies. hey are to her +hat h%sband and (hildren are toother +omen. -%t, oh, ilbert, no matter ho+ old +e et in years to (ome, don't let's e&er

see li*e as all traedy and re&el in it. I think I'd hate a ho%se one h%ndred and t+enty yearsold. I hope +hen +e et o%r ho%se o* dreams it +ill either be ne+, hostless andtraditionless, or, i* that (an't be, at least ha&e been o((%pied by reasonably happy people. Ishall ne&er *oret my niht at omallon /o%se. nd *or on(e in my li*e I'&e met a person+ho (o%ld talk me do+n."

12

Little Eli5abeth rayson had been born epe(tin thins to happen. hat they seldomhappened %nder the +at(h*%l eyes o* randmother and the Woman ne&er brihted herepe(tations in the least. hins +ere 3%st bo%nd to happen some time . . . i* not today,then tomorro+.

When Miss Shirley (ame to li&e at Windy Poplars Eli5abeth *elt that omorro+ m%st be&ery (lose at hand and her &isit to reen ables +as like a *oretaste o* it. -%t no+ in the<%ne o* Miss Shirley's third and last year in S%mmerside /ih, little Eli5abeth's heart haddes(ended into the ni(e b%ttoned boots randmother al+ays ot *or her to +ear. Many

(hildren at the s(hool +here she +ent en&ied little Eli5abeth those bea%ti*%l b%ttoned kidboots. -%t little Eli5abeth (ared nothin abo%t b%ttoned boots +hen she (o%ld not tread the+ay to *reedom in them. nd no+ her adored Miss Shirley +as oin a+ay *rom her*ore&er. t the end o* <%ne she +o%ld be lea&in S%mmerside and oin ba(k to thatbea%ti*%l reen ables. Little Eli5abeth simply (o%ld not bear the tho%ht o* it. It +as o* no%se *or Miss Shirley to promise that she +o%ld ha&e her do+n to reen ables in thes%mmer be*ore she +as married. Little Eli5abeth kne+ someho+ that randmother +o%ldnot let her o aain. Little Eli5abeth kne+ randmother had ne&er really appro&ed o* herintima(y +ith Miss Shirley.

"It +ill be the end o* e&erythin, Miss Shirley," she sobbed.

"Let's hope, darlin, that it is only a ne+ beinnin," said nne (heer*%lly. -%t she *eltdo+n(ast hersel*. =o +ord had e&er (ome *rom little Eli5abeth's *ather. Either her letterhad ne&er rea(hed him or he did not (are. nd, i* he did not (are, +hat +as to be(ome o*



Eli5abeth) It +as bad eno%h no+ in her (hildhood, b%t +hat +o%ld it be later on)

"hose t+o old dames +ill boss her to death," !ebe((a De+ had said. nne *elt that there+as more tr%th than elean(e in her remark.

Eli5abeth kne+ that she +as "bossed." nd she espe(ially resented bein bossed by theWoman. She did not like it in randmother, o* (o%rse, b%t one (on(eded rel%(tantly that

perhaps a randmother had a (ertain riht to boss yo%. -%t +hat riht had the Woman)Eli5abeth al+ays +anted to ask her that riht o%t. She %ould do it some time . . . +henomorro+ (ame. nd oh, ho+ she +o%ld en3oy the look on the Woman's *a(e$

randmother +o%ld ne&er let little Eli5abeth o o%t +alkin by hersel* . . . *or *ear, shesaid, that she miht be kidnaped by ypsies. (hild had been on(e, *orty years be*ore. It+as &ery seldom ypsies (ame to the Island no+, and little Eli5abeth *elt that it +as onlyan e(%se. -%t +hy sho%ld randmother (are +hether she +ere kidnaped or not)Eli5abeth kne+ that randmother and the Woman didn't lo&e her at all. Why, they ne&ere&en spoke o* her by her name i* they (o%ld help it. It +as al+ays "the (hild." /o+Eli5abeth hated to be (alled "the (hild" 3%st as they miht ha&e spoken o* "the do" or "the

(at" i* there had been one. -%t +hen Eli5abeth had &ent%red a protest, randmother's *a(ehad ro+n dark and anry and little Eli5abeth had been p%nished *or impertinen(e, +hilethe Woman looked on, +ell (ontent. Little Eli5abeth o*ten +ondered 3%st +hy the Womanhated her. Why sho%ld any one hate yo% +hen yo% +ere so small) 8o%ld yo% be +orthhatin) Little Eli5abeth did not kno+ that the mother +hose li*e she had (ost had been thatbitter old +oman's darlin and, i* she had kno+n, (o%ld not ha&e %nderstood +hatper&erted shapes th+arted lo&e (an take.

Little Eli5abeth hated the loomy, splendid E&erreens, +here e&erythin seemed%na(6%ainted +ith her altho%h she had li&ed in it all her li*e. -%t a*ter Miss Shirley had(ome to Windy Poplars e&erythin had (haned mai(ally. Little Eli5abeth li&ed in a +orld

o* roman(e a*ter Miss Shirley's (omin. here +as bea%ty +here&er yo% looked.:ort%nately randmother and the Woman (o%ldn't pre&ent yo% *rom lookin, tho%hEli5abeth had no do%bt they +o%ld i* they (o%ld. he short +alks alon the red mai( o*the harbor road, +hi(h she +as all too rarely permitted to share +ith Miss Shirley, +ere thehih lihts in her shado+y li*e. She lo&ed e&erythin she sa+ . . . the *ara+ay lihtho%sepainted in odd red and +hite rins . . . the *ar, dim bl%e shores . . . the little sil&ery bl%e+a&es . . . the rane lihts that leamed thro%h the &iolet d%sks . . . all a&e her so m%(hdeliht that it h%rt. nd the harbor +ith its smoky islands and lo+in s%nsets$ Eli5abethal+ays +ent %p to a +indo+ in the mansard roo* to +at(h them thro%h the treetops . . .and the ships that sailed at the risin o* the moon. Ships that (ame ba(k . . . ships thatne&er (ame ba(k. Eli5abeth loned to o in one o* them . . . on a &oyae to the Island o*

/appiness. he ships that ne&er (ame ba(k stayed there, +here it +as al+ays omorro+.

hat mysterio%s red road ran on and on and her *eet it(hed to *ollo+ it. Where did it leadto) Sometimes Eli5abeth tho%ht she +o%ld b%rst i* she didn't *ind o%t. When omorro+really (ame she +o%ld *are *orth on it and perhaps *ind an island all her o+n +here sheand Miss Shirley (o%ld li&e alone and randmother and the Woman (o%ld ne&er (ome.hey both hated +ater and +o%ld not p%t *oot in a boat *or anythin. Little Eli5abeth likedto pi(t%re hersel* standin on her island and mo(kin them, as they stood &ainly lo+erinon the mainland shore.

"his is omorro+," she +o%ld ta%nt them. "0o% (an't (at(h me any more. 0o%'re only inoday."

What *%n it +o%ld be$ /o+ she +o%ld en3oy the look on the Woman's *a(e$



hen one e&enin in late <%ne an ama5in thin happened. Miss Shirley had told Mrs.8ampbell that she had an errand net day at :lyin 8lo%d, to see a (ertain Mrs.hompson, +ho +as (on&ener o* the re*reshment (ommittee o* the Ladies' id, and mihtshe take Eli5abeth +ith her. randmother had areed +ith her %s%al do%rness . . .Eli5abeth (o%ld ne&er %nderstand +hy she areed at all, bein (ompletely inorant o* thePrinle horror o* a (ertain bit o* in*ormation Miss Shirley possessed . . . b%t she had

areed.

"We'll o riht do+n to the harbor mo%th," +hispered nne, "a*ter I'&e done my errand at:lyin 8lo%d."

Little Eli5abeth +ent to bed in s%(h e(itement that she didn't epe(t to sleep a +ink. tlast she +as oin to ans+er the l%re o* the road that had (alled so lon. In spite o* here(itement, she (ons(ientio%sly +ent thro%h her little rit%al o* retirin. She *olded her(lothes and (leaned her teeth and br%shed her olden hair. She tho%ht she had ratherpretty hair, tho%h o* (o%rse it +asn't like Miss Shirley's lo&ely redold +ith the ripples in itand the little lo&elo(ks that (%rled aro%nd her ears. Little Eli5abeth +o%ld ha&e i&enanythin to ha&e had hair like Miss Shirley's.

-e*ore she ot into bed little Eli5abeth opened one o* the dra+ers in the hih, bla(k,polished old b%rea% and took a (are*%lly hidden pi(t%re *rom %nder a pile o* hankies . . . api(t%re o* Miss Shirley +hi(h she had (%t o%t o* a spe(ial edition o* the #ee$ly ourier thathad reprod%(ed a photoraph o* the /ih S(hool sta**.

"ood niht, dearest Miss Shirley." She kissed the pi(t%re and ret%rned it to its hidinpla(e. hen she (limbed into bed and (%ddled do+n %nder the blankets . . . *or the <%neniht +as (ool and the bree5e o* the harbor sear(hin. Indeed, it +as more than a bree5etoniht. It +histled and baned and shook and th%mped, and Eli5abeth kne+ the harbor+o%ld be a tossin epanse o* +a&es %nder the moonliht. What *%n it +o%ld be to steal

do+n (lose to it %nder the moon$ -%t it +as only in omorro+ one (o%ld do that.

Where +as :lyin 8lo%d) What a name$ 9%t o* omorro+ aain. It +as maddenin to beso near omorro+ and not be able to et into it. -%t s%ppose the +ind ble+ %p rain *ortomorro+$ Eli5abeth kne+ she +o%ld ne&er be allo+ed to o any+here in rain.

She sat %p in bed and (lasped her hands.

"Dear od," she said, "I don't like to meddle, b%t could 0o% see that it is *ine tomorro+)Please, dear od."

he net a*ternoon +as lorio%s. Little Eli5abeth *elt as i* she had slipped *rom somein&isible sha(kles +hen she and Miss Shirley +alked a+ay *rom that ho%se o* loom. Shetook a h%e %lp o* *reedom, e&en i* the Woman +as s(o+lin a*ter them thro%h the redlass o* the bi *ront door. /o+ hea&enly to be +alkin thro%h the lo&ely +orld +ith MissShirley$ It +as al+ays so +onder*%l to be alone +ith Miss Shirley. What +o%ld she do +henMiss Shirley had one) -%t little Eli5abeth p%t the tho%ht *irmly a+ay. She +o%ldn't spoilthe day by thinkin it. Perhaps . . . a reat perhaps . . . she and Miss Shirley +o%ld et intoomorro+ this a*ternoon and then they +o%ld ne&er be separated. Little Eli5abeth 3%st+anted to +alk 6%ietly on to+ards that bl%eness at the end o* the +orld, drinkin in thebea%ty aro%nd her. E&ery t%rn and kink o* the road re&ealed ne+ lo&elinesses . . . and itt%rned and kinked interminably, *ollo+in the +indins o* a tiny ri&er that seemed to ha&eappeared *rom no+here.

9n e&ery side +ere *ields o* b%tter(%ps and (lo&er +here bees b%55ed. =o+ and then they+alked thro%h a milky +ay o* daisies. :ar o%t the strait la%hed at them in sil&ertipped+a&es. he harbor +as like +atered silk. Little Eli5abeth liked it better that +ay than +hen



it +as like pale bl%e satin. hey drank the +ind in. It +as a &ery entle +ind. It p%rredabo%t them and seemed to (oa them on.

"Isn't it ni(e, +alkin +ith the +ind like this)" said little Eli5abeth.

" ni(e, *riendly, per*%med +ind," said nne, more to hersel* than Eli5abeth. "S%(h a +indas I %sed to think a mistral +as. Mistral sounds like that. What a disappointment +hen I

*o%nd o%t it +as a ro%h, disareeable +ind$"

Eli5abeth didn't 6%ite %nderstand . . . she had ne&er heard o* the mistral . . . b%t the m%si(o* her belo&ed's &oi(e +as eno%h *or her. he &ery sky +as lad. sailor +ith old rinsin his ears . . . the &ery kind o* person one +o%ld meet in omorro+ . . . smiled as hepassed them. Eli5abeth tho%ht o* a &erse she had learned in S%ndays(hool . . . "helittle hills re3oi(e on e&ery side." /ad the man +ho +rote that e&er seen hills like those bl%eones o&er the harbor)

"I think this road leads riht to od," she said dreamily.

"Perhaps," said nne. "Perhaps all roads do, little Eli5abeth. We t%rn o** here 3%st no+. We

m%st o o&er to that island . . . that's :lyin 8lo%d."

:lyin 8lo%d +as a lon, slender islet, lyin abo%t a 6%arter o* a mile *rom the shore. here+ere trees on it and a ho%se. Little Eli5abeth had al+ays +ished she miht ha&e an islando* her o+n, +ith a little bay o* sil&er sand in it.

"/o+ do +e et to it)"

"We'll ro+ o%t in this *lat," said Miss Shirley, pi(kin %p the oars in a small boat tied to aleanin tree.

Miss Shirley (o%ld ro+. Was there anythin Miss Shirley (o%ldn't do) When they rea(hed

the island, it pro&ed to be a *as(inatin pla(e +here anythin miht happen. 9* (o%rse it+as in omorro+. Islands like this didn't happen e(ept in omorro+. hey had no part orlot in h%mdr%m oday.

little maid +ho met them at the door o* the ho%se told nne she +o%ld *ind Mrs.hompson on the *ar end o* the island, pi(kin +ild stra+berries. :an(y an island +here+ild stra+berries re+$

nne +ent to h%nt Mrs. hompson %p, b%t *irst she asked i* little Eli5abeth miht +ait in theli&inroom. nne +as thinkin that little Eli5abeth looked rather tired a*ter her%na((%stomedly lon +alk and needed a rest. Little Eli5abeth didn't think she did, b%t MissShirley's lihtest +ish +as la+.

It +as a bea%ti*%l room, +ith *lo+ers e&ery+here and +ild seabree5es blo+in in.Eli5abeth liked the mirror o&er the mantel +hi(h re*le(ted the room so bea%ti*%lly and,thro%h the open +indo+, a limpse o* harbor and hill and strait.

ll at on(e a man (ame thro%h the door. Eli5abeth *elt a moment o* dismay and terror.Was he a ypsy) /e didn't look like her idea o* a ypsy b%t o* (o%rse she had ne&er seenone. /e miht be one . . . and then in a s+i*t *lash o* int%ition Eli5abeth de(ided she didn't(are i* he did kidnap her. She liked his (rinkly ha5el eyes and his (rinkly bro+n hair and hiss6%are (hin and his smile. :or he +as smilin.

"=o+, +ho are yo%)" he asked.

"I'm . . . I'm me," *altered Eli5abeth, still a little *l%stered.



"9h, to be s%re . . . yo%. Popped o%t o* the sea, I s%ppose . . . (ome %p *rom the d%nes . . .no name kno+n amon mortals."

Eli5abeth *elt that she +as bein made *%n o* a little. -%t she didn't mind. In *a(t she ratherliked it. -%t she ans+ered a bit primly.

"My name is Eli5abeth rayson."

here +as a silen(e . . . a &ery 6%eer silen(e. he man looked at her *or a moment +itho%tsayin anythin. hen he politely asked her to sit do+n.

"I'm +aitin *or Miss Shirley," she eplained. "She's one to see Mrs. hompson abo%t theLadies' id S%pper. When she (omes ba(k +e are oin do+n to the end o* the +orld."

=o+, i* yo% ha&e any notion o* kidnapin me, Mr. Man$

"9* (o%rse. -%t mean+hile yo% miht as +ell be (om*ortable. nd I m%st do the honors.What +o%ld yo% like in the +ay o* liht re*reshment) Mrs. hompson's (at has probablybro%ht somethin in."

Eli5abeth sat do+n. She *elt oddly happy and at home.

"8an I ha&e 3%st +hat I like)"

"8ertainly."

"hen," said Eli5abeth tri%mphantly, "I'd like some i(e(ream +ith stra+berry 3am on it."

he man ran a bell and a&e an order. 0es, this m%st be omorro+ . . . no do%bt abo%t it.I(e(ream and stra+berry 3am didn't appear in this mai(al manner in oday, (ats or no(ats.

"We'll set a share aside *or yo%r Miss Shirley," said the man.hey +ere ood *riends riht a+ay. he man didn't talk a reat deal, b%t he looked atEli5abeth &ery o*ten. here +as a tenderness in his *a(e . . . a tenderness she had ne&erseen be*ore in anybody's *a(e, not e&en Miss Shirley's. She *elt that he liked her. nd shekne+ that she liked him.

:inally he lan(ed o%t o* the +indo+ and stood %p.

"I think I m%st o no+," he said. "I see yo%r Miss Shirley (omin %p the +alk, so yo%'ll notbe alone."

"Won't yo% +ait and see Miss Shirley)" asked Eli5abeth, li(kin her spoon to et the last&estie o* the 3am. randmother and the Woman +o%ld ha&e died o* horror had they seenher.

"=ot this time," said the man.

Eli5abeth kne+ he hadn't the slihtest notion o* kidnapin her, and she *elt the stranest,most %na((o%ntable sensation o* disappointment.

"oodby and thank yo%," she said politely. "It is &ery ni(e here in omorro+."

"omorro+)"

"his is omorro+," eplained Eli5abeth. "I'&e al+ays +anted to et into omorro+ and no+I ha&e."

"9h, I see. Well, I'm sorry to say I don't (are m%(h abo%t omorro+. ' +o%ld like to et





":ather is &ery m%(h here, my s+eet." /e had s%(h a deliht*%l &oi(e . . . yo% lo&ed him *orhis &oi(e. /e bent and kissed her. "I'&e (ome *or yo%. We'll ne&er be separated anymore."

he +oman in the +hite (ap +as (omin in aain. Someho+, Eli5abeth kne+ +hate&ershe had to say m%st be said be*ore she ot 6%ite in.

"Will +e li&e toether)"

"l+ays," said :ather.

"nd +ill randmother and the Woman li&e +ith %s)"

"hey +ill not," said :ather.

he s%nset old +as *adin and the n%rse +as lookin her disappro&al. -%t Eli5abethdidn't (are.

"I'&e *o%nd omorro+," she said, as the n%rse looked :ather and Miss Shirley o%t.

"I'&e *o%nd a treas%re I didn't kno+ I possessed," said :ather, as the n%rse sh%t the door

on him. "nd I (an ne&er thank yo% eno%h *or that letter, Miss Shirley."

"nd so," +rote nne to ilbert that niht, "little Eli5abeth's road o* mystery has led on tohappiness and the end o* her old +orld."

14

"Windy Poplars,"Spook's Lane,":or the last time4,"<%ne 2Fth.

"DE!ES#

"I'&e (ome to another bend in the road. I'&e +ritten yo% a ood many letters in this oldto+er room these past three years. I s%ppose this is the last one I +ill +rite yo% *or a lon,lon time. -e(a%se a*ter this there +on't be any need o* letters. In 3%st a *e+ +eeks no++e'll belon to ea(h other *ore&er . . . +e'll be toether. <%st think o* it . . . bein toether . .

. talkin, +alkin, eatin. dreamin, plannin toether . . . sharin ea(h other's +onder*%lmoments . . . makin a home o%t o* o%r ho%se o* dreams. 6ur ho%se$ Doesn't that so%nd'mysti( and +onder*%l,' ilbert) I'&e been b%ildin dream ho%ses all my li*e and no+ one o*them is oin to (ome tr%e. s to +hom I really +ant to share my ho%se o* dreams +ith . . .+ell, I'll tell yo% that at *o%r o'(lo(k net year.

"hree years so%nded endless at the beinnin, ilbert. nd no+ they are one like a+at(h in the niht. hey ha&e been &ery happy years . . . e(ept *or those *irst *e+ months+ith the Prinles. *ter that, li*e has seemed to *lo+ by like a pleasant olden ri&er. nd myold *e%d +ith the Prinles seems like a dream. hey like me no+ *or mysel* . . . they ha&e*orotten they e&er hated me. 8ora Prinle, one o* the Wido+ Prinle's brood, bro%ht me

a bo%6%et o* roses yesterday and t+isted ro%nd the stems +as a bit o* paper bearin theleend, 'o the s+eetest tea(her in the +hole +orld.' :an(y that *or a Prinle$

"<en is brokenhearted be(a%se I am lea&in. I shall +at(h <en's (areer +ith interest. She



is brilliant and rather %npredi(table. 9ne thin is (ertain . . . she +ill ha&e no (ommonpla(eeisten(e. She (an't look so m%(h like -e(ky Sharp *or nothin.

"Le+is llen is oin to M(ill. Sophy Sin(lair is oin to %een's. hen she means totea(h %ntil she has sa&ed %p eno%h money to o to the S(hool o* Dramati( Epression in7insport. Myra Prinle is oin to 'enter so(iety' in the *all. She is so pretty that it +on'tmatter a bit that she +o%ldn't kno+ a past per*e(t parti(iple i* she met it on the street.

"nd there is no loner a small neihbor on the other side o* the &ineh%n ate. LittleEli5abeth has one *ore&er *rom that s%nshineless ho%se . . . one into her omorro+. I* I+ere stayin on in S%mmerside I sho%ld break my heart, missin her. -%t as it is, I'm lad.Pier(e rayson took her a+ay +ith him. /e is not oin ba(k to Paris b%t +ill be li&in in-oston. Eli5abeth (ried bitterly at o%r partin b%t she is so happy +ith her *ather that I *eels%re her tears +ill soon be dried. Mrs. 8ampbell and the Woman +ere &ery do%r o&er the+hole a**air and p%t all the blame on me . . . +hi(h I a((ept (heer*%lly and %nrepentantly.

"'She has had a ood home here,' said Mrs. 8ampbell ma3esti(ally.

"'Where she ne&er heard a sinle +ord o* a**e(tion,' I tho%ht b%t did not say."'I think I'll be -etty all the time no+, darlin Miss Shirley,' +ere Eli5abeth's last +ords.'E(ept,' she (alled ba(k, '+hen I'm lonesome *or yo%, and then I'll be Li55ie.'

"'Don't yo% e&er dare to be Li55ie, no matter +hat happens,' I said.

"We thre+ kisses to ea(h other as lon as +e (o%ld see, and I (ame %p to my to+er room+ith tears in my eyes. She's been so s+eet, the dear little olden thin. She al+aysseemed to me like a little aeolian harp, so responsi&e to the tiniest breath o* a**e(tion thatble+ her +ay. It's been an ad&ent%re to be her *riend. I hope Pier(e rayson reali5es +hata da%hter he has . . . and I think he does. /e so%nded &ery rate*%l and repentant.

"'I didn't reali5e she +as no loner a baby,' he said, 'nor ho+ %nsympatheti( heren&ironment +as. hank yo% a tho%sand times *or all yo% ha&e done *or her.'

"I had o%r map o* *airyland *ramed and a&e it to little Eli5abeth *or a *are+ell keepsake.

"I'm sorry to lea&e Windy Poplars. 9* (o%rse, I'm really a bit tired o* li&in in a tr%nk, b%tI'&e lo&ed it here . . . lo&ed my (ool mornin ho%rs at my +indo+ . . . lo&ed my bed into+hi(h I ha&e &eritably (limbed e&ery niht . . . lo&ed my bl%e do%hn%t (%shion . . . lo&edall the +inds that ble+. I'm a*raid I'll ne&er be 6%ite so (h%mmy +ith the +inds aain as I'&ebeen here. nd shall I e&er ha&e a room aain *rom +hi(h I (an see both the risin and thesettin s%n)

"I'&e *inished +ith Windy Poplars and the years that ha&e been linked +ith it. nd I'&e keptthe *aith. I'&e ne&er betrayed %nt 8hatty's hidyhole to %nt 7ate or the b%ttermilk se(reto* ea(h to either o* the others.

"I think they are all sorry to see me o . . . and I'm lad o* it. It +o%ld be terrible to thinkthey +ere lad I am oin . . . or that they +o%ld not miss me a little +hen I'm one.!ebe((a De+ has been makin all my *a&orite dishes *or a +eek no+ . . . she e&ende&oted ten es to anel(ake t%ice . . . and %sin the '(ompany' (hina. nd %nt8hatty's so*t bro+n eyes brim o&er +hene&er I mention my depart%re. E&en D%sty Millerseems to a5e at me reproa(h*%lly as he sits abo%t on his little ha%n(hes.

"I had a lon letter *rom 7atherine last +eek. She has a i*t *or +ritin letters. She has ota position as pri&ate se(retary to a lobetrottin M. P. What a *as(inatin phrase 'lobetrottin' is$ person +ho +o%ld say, 'Let's o to Eypt,' as one miht say, 'Let's o to



8harlotteto+n' . . . and go2 hat li*e +ill 3%st s%it 7atherine.

"She persists in as(ribin all her (haned o%tlook and prospe(ts to me. 'I +ish I (o%ld tellyo% +hat yo%'&e bro%ht into my li*e,' she +rote. I s%ppose I did help. nd it +asn't easy at*irst. She seldom said anythin +itho%t a stin in it, and listened to any s%estion I madein reard to the s(hool +ork +ith an air o* disdain*%lly h%morin a l%nati(. -%t someho+,I'&e *orotten it all. It +as 3%st born o* her se(ret bitterness aainst li*e.

"E&erybody has been in&itin me to s%pper . . . e&en Pa%line ibson. 9ld Mrs. ibson dieda *e+ months ao, so Pa%line dared do it. nd I'&e been to omallon /o%se *or anothers%pper +ith Miss Miner&a o* that ilk and another onesided (on&ersation. -%t I had a &eryood time, eatin the deli(io%s meal Miss Miner&a pro&ided, and she had a ood timeairin a *e+ more traedies. She (o%ldn't 6%ite hide the *a(t that she +as sorry *or any one+ho +as not a omallon, b%t she paid me se&eral ni(e (ompliments and a&e me a lo&elyrin set +ith an a6%amarine . . . a moonliht blend o* bl%e and reen . . . that her *atherhad i&en her on her eihteenth birthday . . . '+hen I +as yo%n and handsome, dear . . .)uite handsome. I may say that no%, I s%ppose.' I +as lad it beloned to Miss Miner&aand not to the +i*e o* >n(le leander. I'm s%re I (o%ld ne&er ha&e +orn it i* it had. It is&ery bea%ti*%l. here is a mysterio%s (harm abo%t the 3e+els o* the sea.

"omallon /o%se is (ertainly &ery splendid, espe(ially no+ +hen its ro%nds are all alea*and a*lo+er. -%t I +o%ldn't i&e my as yet %n*o%nded ho%se o* dreams *or omallon/o%se and ro%nds +ith the hosts thro+n in.

"=ot b%t +hat a host miht be a ni(e, aristo(rati( sort o* thin to ha&e aro%nd. My only6%arrel +ith Spook's Lane is that there are no spooks.

"I +ent to my old ra&eyard yesterday e&enin *or a last pro+l . . . +alked all ro%nd it and+ondered i* /erbert Prinle o((asionally (h%(kled to himsel* in his ra&e. nd I'm sayinoodby toniht to the old Storm 7in, +ith the s%nset on its bro+, and my little +indin&alley *%ll o* d%sk.

"I'm a +ee bit tired a*ter a month o* eams and *are+ells and 'last thins.' :or a +eek a*terI et ba(k to reen ables I'm oin to be la5y . . . do absol%tely nothin b%t r%n *ree in areen +orld o* s%mmer lo&eliness. I'll dream by the Dryad's -%bble in the t+iliht. I'll dri*ton the Lake o* Shinin Waters in a shallop shaped *rom a moonbeam . . . or in Mr. -arry's*lat, i* moonbeam shallops are not in season. I'll ather star*lo+ers and <%ne bells in the/a%nted Wood. I'll *ind plots o* +ild stra+berries in Mr. /arrison's hill past%re. I'll 3oin thedan(e o* *ire*lies in Lo&er's Lane and &isit /ester ray's old, *orotten arden . . . and sito%t on the ba(k doorstep %nder the stars and listen to the sea (allin in its sleep.

"nd +hen the +eek is ended you +ill be home . . . and I +on't +ant anythin else."

When the time (ame the net day *or nne to say oodby to the *olks at Windy Poplars,!ebe((a De+ +as not on hand. Instead, %nt 7ate ra&ely handed nne a letter.

"Dear Miss Shirley," +rote !ebe((a De+, "I am +ritin this to bid my *are+ell be(a%se I(annot tr%st mysel* to say it. :or three years yo% ha&e so3o%rned %nder o%r roo*. he*ort%nate possessor o* a (heer*%l spirit and a nat%ral taste *or the aieties o* yo%th, yo%

ha&e ne&er s%rrendered yo%rsel* to the &ain pleas%res o* the iddy and *i(kle (ro+d. 0o%ha&e (ond%(ted yo%rsel* on all o((asions and to e&ery one, espe(ially the one +ho pensthese lines, +ith the most re*ined deli(a(y. 0o% ha&e al+ays been most (onsiderate o* my*eelins and I *ind a hea&y loom on my spirits at the tho%ht o* yo%r depart%re. -%t +e



m%st not repine at +hat Pro&iden(e has ordained. :irst Sam%el, 2Hth and 1Bth.4

"0o% +ill be lamented by all in S%mmerside +ho had the pri&ilee o* kno+in yo%, and thehomae o* one *aith*%l tho%h h%mble heart +ill e&er be yo%rs, and my prayer +ill e&er be*or yo%r happiness and +el*are in this +orld and yo%r eternal *eli(ity in that +hi(h is to(ome.

"Somethin +hispers to me that yo% +ill not be lon 'Miss Shirley' b%t that yo% +ill erelonbe linked toether in a %nion o* so%ls +ith the (hoi(e o* yo%r heart, +ho, I %nderstand *rom+hat I ha&e heard, is a &ery e(eptional yo%n man. he +riter, possessed o* b%t *e+personal (harms and beinnin to *eel her ae not b%t +hat I'm ood *or a ood *e+ yearsyet4, has ne&er permitted hersel* to (herish any matrimonial aspirations. -%t she does notdeny hersel* the pleas%re o* an interest in the n%ptials o* her *riends and may I epress a*er&ent +ish that yo%r married li*e +ill be one o* (ontin%ed and %ninterr%pted -liss) 9nlydo not epe(t too m%(h o* a man.4

"My esteem and, may I say, my a**e(tion *or yo% +ill ne&er lessen, and on(e in a +hile+hen yo% ha&e nothin better to do +ill yo% kindly remember that there is s%(h a person

as

"0o%r obedient ser&ant,

"!E-E88 DEW.

"P.S. od bless yo%."

nne's eyes +ere misty as she *olded the letter %p. ho%h she stronly s%spe(ted!ebe((a De+ had ot most o* her phrases o%t o* her *a&orite "-ook o* Deportment andEti6%ette," that did not make them any the less sin(ere, and the P. S. (ertainly (ame

straiht *rom !ebe((a De+'s a**e(tionate heart.

Documents

Anne of Windy Poplars_by_Lucy Maud Montgomery