Picture Dictionary & Books : Free for English Learner!

Tears came into my eyes, but, oh, they were such happy tears.

I was so sorry when it was all over, and I told Miss Barry I didn't see how I was ever to return to common life again.

She said she thought if we went over to the restaurant across the street and had an ice cream it might help me.

That sounded so prosaic; but to my surprise I found it true.

The ice cream was delicious, Marilla, and it was so lovely and dissipated to be sitting there eating it at eleven o'clock at night.

Diana said she believed she was born for city life.

Miss Barry asked me what my opinion was, but I said I would have to think it over very seriously before I could tell her what I really thought.

So I thought it over after I went to bed.

That is the best time to think things out.

And I came to the conclusion, Marilla, that I wasn't born for city life and that I was glad of it.

It's nice to be eating ice cream at brilliant restaurants at eleven o'clock at night once in a while; but as a regular thing I'd rather be in the east gable at eleven, sound asleep, but kind of knowing even in my sleep that the stars were shining outside and that the wind was blowing in the firs across the brook.

I told Miss Barry so at breakfast the next morning and she laughed.

Miss Barry generally laughed at anything I said, even when I said the most solemn things.

I don't think I liked it, Marilla, because I wasn't trying to be funny.

But she is a most hospitable lady and treated us royally."

Friday brought going-home time, and Mr. Barry drove in for the girls.

"Well, I hope you've enjoyed yourselves," said Miss Barry, as she bade them good-bye.

"Indeed we have," said Diana.

"And you, Anne-girl?"

"I've enjoyed every minute of the time," said Anne, throwing her arms impulsively about the old woman's neck and kissing her wrinkled cheek.

Diana would never have dared to do such a thing and felt rather aghast at Anne's freedom.

But Miss Barry was pleased, and she stood on her veranda and watched the buggy out of sight.

Then she went back into her big house with a sigh.

It seemed very lonely, lacking those fresh young lives.

Miss Barry was a rather selfish old lady, if the truth must be told, and had never cared much for anybody but herself.

Table of Contents