XIX. Just a Happy Day

           “Afterall,”AnnehadsaidtoMarillaonce,“Ibelievethenicestandsweetestdaysarenotthoseonwhichanythingverysplendidorwonderfulorexcitinghappensbutjustthosethatbringsimplelittlepleasures,followingoneanothersoftly,likepearlsslippingoffastring.”

           LifeatGreenGableswasfullofjustsuchdays,forAnne’sadventuresandmisadventures,likethoseofotherpeople,didnotallhappenatonce,butweresprinkledovertheyear,withlongstretchesofharmless,happydaysbetween,filledwithworkanddreamsandlaughterandlessons.SuchadaycamelateinAugust.IntheforenoonAnneandDianarowedthedelightedtwinsdownthepondtothesandshoretopick“sweetgrass”andpaddleinthesurf,overwhichthewindwasharpinganoldlyriclearnedwhentheworldwasyoung.

           IntheafternoonAnnewalkeddowntotheoldIrvingplacetoseePaul.Shefoundhimstretchedoutonthegrassybankbesidethethickfirgrovethatshelteredthehouseonthenorth,absorbedinabookoffairytales.Hesprangupradiantlyatsightofher.

           “Oh,I’msogladyou’vecome,teacher,”hesaideagerly,“becauseGrandma’saway.You’llstayandhaveteawithme,won’tyou?It’ssolonesometohaveteaallbyoneself.YOUknow,teacher.I’vehadseriousthoughtsofaskingYoungMaryJoetositdownandeatherteawithme,butIexpectGrandmawouldn’tapprove.ShesaystheFrenchhavetobekeptintheirplace.Andanyhow,it’sdifficulttotalkwithYoungMaryJoe.Shejustlaughsandsays,‘Well,yousdobeatalldekidsIeverknowed.