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I don't know what lies around the bend, but I'm going to believe that the best does.

It has a fascination of its own, that bend, Marilla.

I wonder how the road beyond it goes-what there is of green glory and soft, checkered light and shadows-what new landscapes-what new beauties-what curves and hills and valleys further on."

"I don't feel as if I ought to let you give it up," said Marilla, referring to the scholarship.

"But you can't prevent me.

I'm sixteen and a half, 'obstinate as a mule,' as Mrs. Lynde once told me," laughed Anne.

"Oh, Marilla, don't you go pitying me.

I don't like to be pitied, and there is no need for it.

I'm heart glad over the very thought of staying at dear Green Gables.

Nobody could love it as you and I do-so we must keep it."

"You blessed girl!" said Marilla, yielding. "I feel as if you'd given me new life. I guess I ought to stick out and make you go to college-but I know I can't, so I ain't going to try. I'll make it up to you though, Anne."

When it became noised abroad in Avonlea that Anne Shirley had given up the idea of going to college and intended to stay home and teach there was a good deal of discussion over it.

Most of the good folks, not knowing about Marilla's eyes, thought she was foolish.

Mrs. Allan did not.

She told Anne so in approving words that brought tears of pleasure to the girl's eyes.

Neither did good Mrs. Lynde.

She came up one evening and found Anne and Marilla sitting at the front door in the warm, scented summer dusk.

They liked to sit there when the twilight came down and the white moths flew about in the garden and the odor of mint filled the dewy air.

Mrs. Rachel deposited her substantial person upon the stone bench by the door, behind which grew a row of tall pink and yellow hollyhocks, with a long breath of mingled weariness and relief.

"I declare I'm getting glad to sit down.

I've been on my feet all day, and two hundred pounds is a good bit for two feet to carry round.

It's a great blessing not to be fat, Marilla.

I hope you appreciate it.

Well, Anne, I hear you've given up your notion of going to college.

I was real glad to hear it.

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