ng as it lasts . . . it's like soaring through a sunset. I think it
almost pays for the thud."

"Well, maybe it does," admitted Marilla. "I'd rather walk calmly along
and do without both flying and thud. But everybody has her own way of
living . . . I used to think there was only one right way . . . but since
I've had you and the twins to bring up I don't feel so sure of it. What
are you going to do about Miss Barry's platter?"

"Pay her back the twenty dollars she paid for it, I suppose. I'm so
thankful it wasn't a cherished heirloom because then no money could
replace it."

"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 bach