"Mrs. Lynde may be an acquired taste with some folks; but I didn't keep
on eating bananas because I was told I'd learn to like them if I did,"
growled Mr. Harrison. "And as for understanding her, I understand that
she is a confirmed busybody and I told her so."

"Oh, that must have hurt her feelings very much," said Anne
reproachfully. "How could you say such a thing? I said some dreadful
things to Mrs. Lynde long ago but it was when I had lost my temper. I
couldn't say them DELIBERATELY."

"It was the truth and I believe in telling the truth to everybody."

"But you don't tell the whole truth," objected Anne. "You only tell the
disagreeable part of the truth. Now, you've told me a dozen times that
my hair was red, but you've never once told me that I had a nice nose."

"I daresay you know it without any telling," chuckled Mr. Harrison.

"I know I have red hair too . . . although it's MUCH darker than it used
to be . . . so there's no need of telling me that either."

"Well, well, I'll try and not mention it again since you're so
sensitive. You must excuse me, Anne. I've got a habit of being outspoken
and folks mustn't mind it."

"But they can't help minding it. And I don't think it's any help
that it's your habit. What would you think of a person who went about
sticking pins and needles into people and saying, 'Excuse me, you
mustn't mind it . . . it's just a habit I've got.' You'd think he was
crazy, wouldn't you? And as for Mrs. Lynde being a busybody, perhaps she