Picture Dictionary & Books : Free for English Learner!

I'll try to be so good.

It will be uphill work, I expect, for Mrs. Thomas often told me I was desperately wicked.

However, I'll do my very best.

But can you tell me why I'm crying?"

"I suppose it's because you're all excited and worked up," said Marilla disapprovingly.

"Sit down on that chair and try to calm yourself.

I'm afraid you both cry and laugh far too easily.

Yes, you can stay here and we will try to do right by you.

You must go to school; but it's only a fortnight till vacation so it isn't worth while for you to start before it opens again in September."

"What am I to call you?" asked Anne. "Shall I always say Miss Cuthbert? Can I call you Aunt Marilla?"

"No; you'll call me just plain Marilla. I'm not used to being called Miss Cuthbert and it would make me nervous."

"It sounds awfully disrespectful to just say Marilla," protested Anne.

"I guess there'll be nothing disrespectful in it if you're careful to speak respectfully. Everybody, young and old, in Avonlea calls me Marilla except the minister. He says Miss Cuthbert-when he thinks of it."

"I'd love to call you Aunt Marilla," said Anne wistfully. "I've never had an aunt or any relation at all-not even a grandmother. It would make me feel as if I really belonged to you. Can't I call you Aunt Marilla?"

"No. I'm not your aunt and I don't believe in calling people names that don't belong to them."

"But we could imagine you were my aunt."

"I couldn't," said Marilla grimly.

"Do you never imagine things different from what they really are?" asked Anne wide-eyed.

"No."

"Oh!" Anne drew a long breath. "Oh, Miss-Marilla, how much you miss!"

"I don't believe in imagining things different from what they really are," retorted Marilla.

"When the Lord puts us in certain circumstances He doesn't mean for us to imagine them away.

And that reminds me.

Go into the sitting room, Anne-be sure your feet are clean and don't let any flies in-and bring me out the illustrated card that's on the mantelpiece.

The Lord's Prayer is on it and you'll devote your spare time this afternoon to learning it off by heart.

Table of Contents