did too, just once! I let myself think _once_, What if I should come out
first? quakingly, you know, for it seemed so vain and presumptuous to
think I could lead the Island. Excuse me a minute, Diana. I must run
right out to the field to tell Matthew. Then we ll go up the road and
tell the good news to the others.
They hurried to the hayfield below the barn where Matthew was coiling
hay, and, as luck would have it, Mrs. Lynde was talking to Marilla at
the lane fence.
Oh, Matthew, exclaimed Anne, I ve passed and I m first--or one of the
first! I m not vain, but I m thankful.
Well now, I always said it, said Matthew, gazing at the pass list
delightedly. I knew you could beat them all easy.
You ve done pretty well, I must say, Anne, said Marilla, trying to
hide her extreme pride in Anne from Mrs. Rachel s critical eye. But that
good soul said heartily:
I just guess she has done well, and far be it from me to be backward in
saying it. You re a credit to your friends, Anne, that s what, and we re
all proud of you.
That night Anne, who had wound up the delightful evening with a serious
little talk with Mrs. Allan at the manse, knelt sweetly by her open
window in a great sheen of moonshine and murmured a prayer of gratitude
and aspiration that came straight from her heart. There was in it
thankfulness for the past and reverent petition for the future; and when
she slept on her white pillow her dreams were as fair and bright and
beautiful as maidenhood might desire.
CHAPTER XXXIII. The Hotel Concert
PUT on your white organdy, by all means, Anne, advised Diana
decidedly.
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