You are not looking as well yourself as I d like to see you, Marilla.
You look tired. I m afraid you ve been working too hard. You must take
a rest, now that I m home. I m just going to take this one day off to
visit all the dear old spots and hunt up my old dreams, and then it will
be your turn to be lazy while I do the work.
Marilla smiled affectionately at her girl.
It s not the work--it s my head. I ve got a pain so often now--behind
my eyes. Doctor Spencer s been fussing with glasses, but they don t do
me any good. There is a distinguished oculist coming to the Island the
last of June and the doctor says I must see him. I guess I ll have to.
I can t read or sew with any comfort now. Well, Anne, you ve done real
well at Queen s I must say. To take First Class License in one year and
win the Avery scholarship--well, well, Mrs. Lynde says pride goes before
a fall and she doesn t believe in the higher education of women at all;
she says it unfits them for woman s true sphere. I don t believe a word
of it. Speaking of Rachel reminds me--did you hear anything about the
Abbey Bank lately, Anne?
I heard it was shaky, answered Anne. Why?
That is what Rachel said. She was up here one day last week and said
there was some talk about it. Matthew felt real worried. All we have
saved is in that bank--every penny. I wanted Matthew to put it in the
Savings Bank in the first place, but old Mr. Abbey was a great friend of
father s and he d always banked with him. Matthew said any bank with him
at the head of it was good enough for anybody.
I think he has only been its nominal head for many years, said
Anne. He is a very old man; his nephews are really at the head of the
institution.
Well, when Rachel told us that, I wanted Matthew to draw our money
right out and he said he d think of it. But Mr. Russell told him
yesterday that the bank was all right.
Anne had her good day in the companionship of the outdoor world. She
never forgot that day; it was so bright and golden and fair, so free
from shadow and so lavish of blossom. Anne spent some of its rich hours
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