believe' in Village Improvement Societies, but she DOES believe
in dollars and cents. She'd be more likely to urge Judson on than to
dissuade him."

"The only thing to do is to appoint a committee to wait on him and
protest," said Julia Bell, "and you must send girls, for he'd hardly be
civil to boys . . . but _I_ won't go, so nobody need nominate me."

"Better send Anne alone," said Oliver Sloane. "She can talk Judson over
if anybody can."

Anne protested. She was willing to go and do the talking; but she must
have others with her "for moral support." Diana and Jane were therefore
appointed to support her morally and the Improvers broke up, buzzing
like angry bees with indignation. Anne was so worried that she didn't
sleep until nearly morning, and then she dreamed that the trustees had
put a fence around the school and painted "Try Purple Pills" all over
it.

The committee waited on Judson Parker the next afternoon. Anne pleaded
eloquently against his nefarious design and Jane and Diana supported her
morally and valiantly. Judson was sleek, suave, flattering; paid them
several compliments of the delicacy of sunflowers; felt real bad to
refuse such charming young ladies . . . but business was business;
couldn't afford to let sentiment stand in the way these hard times.

"But I'll tell what I WILL do," he said, with a twinkle in his light,
full eyes. "I'll tell the agent he must use only handsome, tasty colors
. . . red and yellow and so on. I'll tell him he mustn't paint the ads
BLUE on any account."

The vanquished committee retired, thinking things not lawful to be
uttered.

"We have done all we can do and must simply trust the rest to
Providence," said Jane, with an unconscious imitation of Mrs. Lynde's
tone and manner.

"I wonder if Mr. Allan could do anything," reflected Diana.

Anne shook her head.

"No, it's no use to worry Mr. Allan, especially now when the baby's so
sick. Judson would slip away from him as smoothly as from us, although
he HAS taken to going to church quite regularly just now. That is simply
because Louisa Spencer's father is an elder and very particular about
such things."

"Judson Parker is the only man in Avonlea who would dream of renting
his fences," said Jane indignantly. "Even Levi Boulter or Lorenzo White
would never stoop to that, tightfisted as they are. They would have too
much respect for public opinion."

Public opinion was certainly down on Judson Parker when the