Let me get you a lunch anyhow, implored Anne. Let me give you a bit
of fruit cake and some of the cherry preserves. Lie down on the sofa for
a little while and you ll be better. Where do you feel bad?
I must go home, said Diana, and that was all she would say. In vain
Anne pleaded.
I never heard of company going home without tea, she mourned. Oh,
Diana, do you suppose that it s possible you re really taking the
smallpox? If you are I ll go and nurse you, you can depend on that. I ll
never forsake you. But I do wish you d stay till after tea. Where do you
feel bad?
I m awful dizzy, said Diana.
And indeed, she walked very dizzily. Anne, with tears of disappointment
in her eyes, got Diana s hat and went with her as far as the Barry
yard fence. Then she wept all the way back to Green Gables, where she
sorrowfully put the remainder of the raspberry cordial back into the
pantry and got tea ready for Matthew and Jerry, with all the zest gone
out of the performance.
The next day was Sunday and as the rain poured down in torrents from
dawn till dusk Anne did not stir abroad from Green Gables. Monday
afternoon Marilla sent her down to Mrs. Lynde s on an errand. In a very
short space of time Anne came flying back up the lane with tears rolling
down her cheeks. Into the kitchen she dashed and flung herself face
downward on the sofa in an agony.
Whatever has gone wrong now, Anne? queried Marilla in doubt and
dismay. I do hope you haven t gone and been saucy to Mrs. Lynde again.
No answer from Anne save more tears and stormier sobs!
Anne Shirley, when I ask you a question I want to be answered. Sit
right up this very minute and tell me what you are crying about.
Anne sat up, tragedy personified.
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