Anne had always a weather eye open for kindred spirits.

Marilla Cuthbert was driving into the yard as Anne returned from the
house, and the latter flew to get tea ready. They discussed the matter
at the tea table.

"I'll be glad when the auction is over," said Marilla. "It is too much
responsibility having so much stock about the place and nobody but that
unreliable Martin to look after them. He has never come back yet and he
promised that he would certainly be back last night if I'd give him the
day off to go to his aunt's funeral. I don't know how many aunts he has
got, I am sure. That's the fourth that's died since he hired here a year
ago. I'll be more than thankful when the crop is in and Mr. Barry takes
over the farm. We'll have to keep Dolly shut up in the pen till Martin
comes, for she must be put in the back pasture and the fences there have
to be fixed. I declare, it is a world of trouble, as Rachel says. Here's
poor Mary Keith dying and what is to become of those two children of
hers is more than I know. She has a brother in British Columbia and she
has written to him about them, but she hasn't heard from him yet."

"What are the children like? How old are they?"

"Six past . . . they're twins."

"Oh, I've always been especially interested in twins ever since Mrs.
Hammond had so many," said Anne eagerly. "Are they pretty?"

"Goodness, you couldn't tell . . . they were too dirty. Davy had been
out making mud pies and Dora went out to call him in. Davy pushed her