I never heard of but one kind, said Diana doubtfully.
There really is another. Oh, it isn t wicked at all. It just means
vowing and promising solemnly.
Well, I don t mind doing that, agreed Diana, relieved. How do you do
it?
We must join hands--so, said Anne gravely. It ought to be over
running water. We ll just imagine this path is running water. I ll
repeat the oath first. I solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom
friend, Diana Barry, as long as the sun and moon shall endure. Now you
say it and put my name in.
Diana repeated the oath with a laugh fore and aft. Then she said:
You re a queer girl, Anne. I heard before that you were queer. But I
believe I m going to like you real well.
When Marilla and Anne went home Diana went with them as far as the log
bridge. The two little girls walked with their arms about each other.
At the brook they parted with many promises to spend the next afternoon
together.
Well, did you find Diana a kindred spirit? asked Marilla as they went
up through the garden of Green Gables.
Oh yes, sighed Anne, blissfully unconscious of any sarcasm on
Marilla s part. Oh Marilla, I m the happiest girl on Prince Edward
Island this very moment. I assure you I ll say my prayers with a right
good-will tonight. Diana and I are going to build a playhouse in Mr.
William Bell s birch grove tomorrow. Can I have those broken pieces of
china that are out in the woodshed? Diana s birthday is in February and
mine is in March. Don t you think that is a very strange coincidence?
Diana is going to lend me a book to read. She says it s perfectly
splendid and tremendously exciting. She s going to show me a place back
in the woods where rice lilies grow. Don t you think Diana has got very
soulful eyes? I wish I had soulful eyes. Diana is going to teach me to
sing a song called Nelly in the Hazel Dell. She s going to give me a
picture to put up in my room; it s a perfectly beautiful picture, she
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