"If Marilla knew she'd never feel safe getting into bed again in her
life. I'm so glad that little sinner repented in time. There's Diana
signaling to me from her window. I'm glad . . . I really feel the need of
some diversion, for what with Anthony Pye in school and Davy Keith at
home my nerves have had about all they can endure for one day."




IX

A Question of Color


"That old nuisance of a Rachel Lynde was here again today, pestering me
for a subscription towards buying a carpet for the vestry room," said
Mr. Harrison wrathfully. "I detest that woman more than anybody I know.
She can put a whole sermon, text, comment, and application, into six
words, and throw it at you like a brick."

Anne, who was perched on the edge of the veranda, enjoying the charm
of a mild west wind blowing across a newly ploughed field on a gray
November twilight and piping a quaint little melody among the twisted
firs below the garden, turned her dreamy face over her shoulder.

"The trouble is, you and Mrs. Lynde don't understand one another," she
explained. "That is always what is wrong when people don't like each
other. I didn't like Mrs. Lynde at first either; but as soon as I came
to understand her I learned to."