gallantly.

"Anne Blythe, I wish you WOULD call that meeting and say just
that! You've made me ashamed of myself, for one, and far be it
from me to refuse to admit it. OF COURSE, that is how we should
have talked--especially to the Methodists. And it's every word
of it true--every word. We've just been shutting our eyes to the
big worth-while things and squinting them on the little things
that don't really matter a pin's worth. Oh, Anne dearie, I can
see a thing when it's hammered into my head. No more apologizing
for Cornelia Marshall! _I_ shall hold MY head up after this,
believe ME--though I MAY talk things over with you as usual just
to relieve my feelings if the Merediths do any more startling
stunts. Even that letter I felt so bad about--why, it's only a
good joke after all, as Norman says. Not many girls would have
been cute enough to think of writing it--and all punctuated so
nicely and not one word misspelled. Just let me hear any
Methodist say one word about it--though all the same I'll never
forgive Joe Vickers--believe ME! Where are the rest of your
small fry to-night?"

"Walter and the twins are in Rainbow Valley. Jem is studying in
the garret."

"They are all crazy about Rainbow Valley. Mary Vance thinks it's
the only place in the world. She'd be off up here every evening
if I'd let her. But I don't encourage her in gadding. Besides,
I miss the creature when she isn't around, Anne dearie. I never
thought I'd get so fond of her. Not but what I see her faults
and try to correct them. But she has never said one saucy word