been too late by the time I got there. She seems to have a skill and
presence of mind perfectly wonderful in a child of her age. I never saw
anything like the eyes of her when she was explaining the case to me.
Anne had gone home in the wonderful, white-frosted winter morning, heavy
eyed from loss of sleep, but still talking unweariedly to Matthew as
they crossed the long white field and walked under the glittering fairy
arch of the Lover s Lane maples.
Oh, Matthew, isn t it a wonderful morning? The world looks like
something God had just imagined for His own pleasure, doesn t it? Those
trees look as if I could blow them away with a breath--pouf! I m so glad
I live in a world where there are white frosts, aren t you? And I m so
glad Mrs. Hammond had three pairs of twins after all. If she hadn t I
mightn t have known what to do for Minnie May. I m real sorry I was
ever cross with Mrs. Hammond for having twins. But, oh, Matthew, I m so
sleepy. I can t go to school. I just know I couldn t keep my eyes open
and I d be so stupid. But I hate to stay home, for Gil--some of
the others will get head of the class, and it s so hard to get up
again--although of course the harder it is the more satisfaction you
have when you do get up, haven t you?
Well now, I guess you ll manage all right, said Matthew, looking at
Anne s white little face and the dark shadows under her eyes. You just
go right to bed and have a good sleep. I ll do all the chores.
Anne accordingly went to bed and slept so long and soundly that it
was well on in the white and rosy winter afternoon when she awoke and
descended to the kitchen where Marilla, who had arrived home in the
meantime, was sitting knitting.
Oh, did you see the Premier? exclaimed Anne at once. What did he look
like Marilla?
Well, he never got to be Premier on account of his looks, said
Marilla. Such a nose as that man had! But he can speak. I was proud of
being a Conservative. Rachel Lynde, of course, being a Liberal, had no
use for him. Your dinner is in the oven, Anne, and you can get yourself
some blue plum preserve out of the pantry. I guess you re hungry.
Matthew has been telling me about last night. I must say it was
130