“Maybe you could find one like it somewhere and buy it for her.”

“I’m afraid not.  Platters as old as that are very scarce.  Mrs. Lynde couldn’t find one anywhere for the supper.  I only wish I could, for of course Miss Barry would just as soon have one platter as another, if both were equally old and genuine.  Marilla, look at that big star over Mr. Harrison’s maple grove, with all that holy hush of silvery sky about it.  It gives me a feeling that is like a prayer.  After all, when one can see stars and skies like that, little disappointments and accidents can’t matter so much, can they?”

“Where’s Davy?” said Marilla, with an indifferent glance at the star.

“In bed.  I’ve promised to take him and Dora to the shore for a picnic tomorrow.  Of course, the original agreement was that he must be good.  But he tried to be good . . . and I hadn’t the heart to disappoint him.”

“You’ll drown yourself or the twins, rowing about the pond in that flat,” grumbled Marilla.  “I’ve lived here for sixty years and I’ve never been on the pond yet.”

“Well, it’s never too late to mend,” said Anne roguishly.  “Suppose you come with us tomorrow.  We’ll shut Green Gables up and spend the whole day at the shore, daffing the world aside.”

“No, thank you,” said Marilla, with indignant emphasis.  “I’d be a nice sight, wouldn’t I, rowing down the pond in a flat?  I think I hear Rachel pronouncing on it.  There’s Mr. Harrison driving away somewhere.  Do you suppose there is any truth in the gossip that Mr. Harrison is going to see Isabella Andrews?”

“No, I’m sure there isn’t.  He just called there one evening on business with Mr. Harmon Andrews and Mrs. Lynde saw him and said she knew he was courting because he had a white collar on.  I don’t believe Mr. Harrison will ever marry.  He seems to have a prejudice against marriage.”

“Well, you can never tell about those old bachelors.  And if he had a white collar on I’d agree with Rachel that it looks suspicious, for I’m sure he never was seen with one before.”

“I think he only put it on because he wanted to conclude a business deal with Harmon Andrews,” said Anne.  “I’ve heard him say that’s the only time a man needs to be particular about his appearance, because if he looks prosperous the party of the second part won’t be so likely to try to cheat him.  I really feel sorry for Mr. Harrison; I don’t believe he feels satisfied with his life.  It must be very lonely to have no one to care about except a parrot, don’t you think?  But I notice Mr. Harrison doesn’t like to be pitied.  Nobody does, I imagine.”

“There’s Gilbert coming up the lane,” said Marilla.  “If he wants you to go for a row on the pond mind you put on your coat and rubbers.  There’s a heavy dew tonight.”

XVIII

An Adventure on the Tory Road

“Anne,” said Davy, sitting up in bed and propping his chin on his hands, “Anne, where is sleep?  People go to sleep every night, and of course I know it’s the place where I do the things I dream, but I want to know where it is and how I get there and back without knowing anything about it . . . and in my nighty too.  Where is it?”