Anne of Avonlea

y's

opened directly into a large living-room, where by a cheery little fire sat two other ladies, both of whom were also grim and ancient. Except that one looked to be about seventy and the other fifty, there seemed little difference between them. Each had amazingly big, light-blue eyes behind steel-rimmed spectacles; each wore a cap and a gra

the very step. The floor was spotted with round, braided mats, such as Marilla made at Green Gables, but which were considered out of date everywhere else, even in Avonlea. And yet here they were on Spofford Avenue! A big, polished grandfather's clock ticked loudly and solemnly in a corner. There were

too dreadful, and Priscilla nudged

let," said Anne faintly, addressing the olde

tty. "I intended to tak

said Anne sorrowfully. "You

e decided not t

impulsively. "I love this place s

again, and for the first time look at Anne as at a human being. The other lady follow

The girls nowadays indulge in such exaggerated statements that one never can tell what they DO mean. It wasn't so in my young da

science bo

two college chums and I want to keep house next year instead of boarding, so we are looki

ho have wanted it. We don't HAVE to let it. We can afford to go to Europe even if we don't let it. It would help us out, but not for gold will I let my home p

to pay what you ask f

ed. Anne and Priscilla looked at e

d Anne, choking back her disappointment. "You s

could afford?" demanded Miss

mount. Miss Patt

enough to go to Europe on. I have never been in Europe in my life, and never expected or wanted to go. But my niece

Anne, seeing that Miss Patty

d have gone to Europe before if the idea had occurred to me. We shall be away for two years, perhaps three. We sail in June and we shall send you the ke

he china dogs?" a

you lik

yes. They are

sion came into M

ld, and they have sat on either side of this fireplace ever since my brother Aaron broug

speaking for the first time. "Ah, yo

" said Miss Patty, with evident emo

"I can see him, this minute, standing there before that f

er eyes; but Miss Patty came resolutely back fro

said. "Their names are Gog and Magog. Gog looks to the right and Magog to the left. And the

that is one of the n

f it. I told them roundly that the name went with the house. This has been Patty's Place ever since my brother Aaron left it to me in his will, and Patty's Place it shall remain until I die and Maria dies. After that happens the

two small. Anne took an especial fancy to one of the small ones, looking out into the big pines, and hoped it would be hers. It was papered in pale blue and had a little, old-

ng to wake up and find it a fleeting vision o

reams are made of," laughed Anne. "Can you fancy them

g with them everywhere. They simply couldn't be parted from it. They will walk about Westminster Abbey and knit, I feel

e morning stars that s

eight, St. John's, that night

e man without a country-or was it without a shad

couldn't decide which things to pack first

ole lot of things I wanted for Convocation at the very bottom. I had to unlock the old thing and poke and dive into it for an hour before I fished out what I

't say

e such a cold in the head-I can do nothing but sniffle, sigh and sneeze. Isn't

t, you'll be back in the land of

her head

ead. But what has happened you two? Now that I look at you closely you seem all

iumphantly. "Live, mark you, not board! We've rented it, and Stel

her nose, and fell on

f there's no room for me I'll sleep in the little dog

p, you

bones till you tell me I can

well speak plainly. I'm poor-Pris is poor-Stella Maynard is poor-our housekeeping will have to be very simple and

ur chums are than a stalled ox in a lonely boardinghouse. Don't think I'm ALL stomach, girl

al of work to be done. Stella's aunt can't do it all

my own bed to begin with. And remember that, though I can't cook, I CAN keep my temper. That's something. And I NEVER growl a

callers almost every evening. Now, at Patty's Place we can't do that. We have decided that we shall be

ick to it. When I can shuffle off the responsibility on you it will be a real relief. If you won't let me cast in my lot with you I'll die of the disappointment

riscilla exchang

l we've consulted with Stella; but I don't think she'll object,

life you can leave us, and no qu

em both jubilantly, and w

l go right," said

ed Anne. "I think Phil will fit in

are of us the easier it will be on our slim purses. But how will she be to live with?

s like sensible folk, living and let live. Phil isn't selfish, though she's a li