“Davy means that for an Indian war-whoop,” said Diana.  “Mr. Harrison’s hired boy taught it to him, and he’s been practicing it up to welcome you with.  Mrs. Lynde says it has worn her nerves to a frazzle.  He creeps up behind her, you know, and then lets go.  He was determined to have a bonfire for you, too.  He’s been piling up branches for a fortnight and pestering Marilla to be let pour some kerosene oil over it before setting it on fire.  I guess she did, by the smell, though Mrs. Lynde said up to the last that Davy would blow himself and everybody else up if he was let.”

Anne was out of the buggy by this time, and Davy was rapturously hugging her knees, while even Dora was clinging to her hand.

“Isn’t that a bully bonfire, Anne?  Just let me show you how to poke it—­see the sparks?  I did it for you, Anne, ’cause I was so glad you were coming home.”

The kitchen door opened and Marilla’s spare form darkened against the inner light.  She preferred to meet Anne in the shadows, for she was horribly afraid that she was going to cry with joy—­she, stern, repressed Marilla, who thought all display of deep emotion unseemly.  Mrs. Lynde was behind her, sonsy, kindly, matronly, as of yore.  The love that Anne had told Phil was waiting for her surrounded her and enfolded her with its blessing and its sweetness.  Nothing, after all, could compare with old ties, old friends, and old Green Gables!  How starry Anne’s eyes were as they sat down to the loaded supper table, how pink her cheeks, how silver-clear her laughter!  And Diana was going to stay all night, too.  How like the dear old times it was!  And the rose-bud tea-set graced the table!  With Marilla the force of nature could no further go.

“I suppose you and Diana will now proceed to talk all night,” said Marilla sarcastically, as the girls went upstairs.  Marilla was always sarcastic after any self-betrayal.

“Yes,” agreed Anne gaily, “but I’m going to put Davy to bed first.  He insists on that.”

“You bet,” said Davy, as they went along the hall.  “I want somebody to say my prayers to again.  It’s no fun saying them alone.”

“You don’t say them alone, Davy.  God is always with you to hear you.”

“Well, I can’t see Him,” objected Davy.  “I want to pray to somebody I can see, but I won’t say them to Mrs. Lynde or Marilla, there now!”

Nevertheless, when Davy was garbed in his gray flannel nighty, he did not seem in a hurry to begin.  He stood before Anne, shuffling one bare foot over the other, and looked undecided.

“Come, dear, kneel down,” said Anne.

Davy came and buried his head in Anne’s lap, but he did not kneel down.

“Anne,” he said in a muffled voice.  “I don’t feel like praying after all.  I haven’t felt like it for a week now.  I—­I didn’t pray last night nor the night before.”

“Why not, Davy?” asked Anne gently.