she said those things something just rose right up in me and choked me.
I _had_ to fly out at her.
Well, you made a fine exhibition of yourself I must say. Mrs. Lynde
will have a nice story to tell about you everywhere--and she ll tell
it, too. It was a dreadful thing for you to lose your temper like that,
Anne.
Just imagine how you would feel if somebody told you to your face that
you were skinny and ugly, pleaded Anne tearfully.
An old remembrance suddenly rose up before Marilla. She had been a very
small child when she had heard one aunt say of her to another, What a
pity she is such a dark, homely little thing. Marilla was every day of
fifty before the sting had gone out of that memory.
I don t say that I think Mrs. Lynde was exactly right in saying what
she did to you, Anne, she admitted in a softer tone. Rachel is too
outspoken. But that is no excuse for such behavior on your part. She
was a stranger and an elderly person and my visitor--all three very good
reasons why you should have been respectful to her. You were rude and
saucy and --Marilla had a saving inspiration of punishment-- you must go
to her and tell her you are very sorry for your bad temper and ask her
to forgive you.
I can never do that, said Anne determinedly and darkly. You can
punish me in any way you like, Marilla. You can shut me up in a dark,
damp dungeon inhabited by snakes and toads and feed me only on bread and
water and I shall not complain. But I cannot ask Mrs. Lynde to forgive
me.
We re not in the habit of shutting people up in dark damp dungeons,
said Marilla drily, especially as they re rather scarce in Avonlea. But
apologize to Mrs. Lynde you must and shall and you ll stay here in your
room until you can tell me you re willing to do it.
I shall have to stay here forever then, said Anne mournfully, because
I can t tell Mrs. Lynde I m sorry I said those things to her. How can
I? I m _not_ sorry. I m sorry I ve vexed you; but I m _glad_ I told her just
what I did. It was a great satisfaction. I can t say I m sorry when I m
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