XXVIII. The Prince Comes Back to the Enchanted Palace

           Thelastdayofschoolcameandwent.Atriumphant“semi-annualexamination”washeldandAnne’spupilsacquittedthemselvessplendidly.Attheclosetheygaveheranaddressandawritingdesk.Allthegirlsandladiespresentcried,andsomeoftheboyshaditcastuptothemlateronthattheycriedtoo,althoughtheyalwaysdeniedit.

           Mrs.HarmonAndrews,Mrs.PeterSloane,andMrs.WilliamBellwalkedhometogetherandtalkedthingsover.

           “IdothinkitissuchapityAnneisleavingwhenthechildrenseemsomuchattachedtoher,”sighedMrs.PeterSloane,whohadahabitofsighingovereverythingandevenfinishedoffherjokesthatway.“Tobesure,”sheaddedhastily,“weallknowwe’llhaveagoodteachernextyeartoo.”

           “Janewilldoherduty,I’venodoubt,”saidMrs.Andrewsratherstiffly.“Idon’tsupposeshe’lltellthechildrenquitesomanyfairytalesorspendsomuchtimeroamingaboutthewoodswiththem.ButshehashernameontheInspector’sRollofHonorandtheNewbridgepeopleareinaterriblestateoverherleaving.”

           “I’mrealgladAnneisgoingtocollege,”saidMrs.Bell.“Shehasalwayswanteditanditwillbeasplendidthingforher.”

           “Well,Idon’tknow.”Mrs.Andrewswasdeterminednottoagreefullywithanybodythatday.“Idon’tseethatAnneneedsanymoreeducation.She’llprobablybemarryingGilbertBlythe,ifhisinfatuationforherlaststillhegetsthroughcollege,andwhatgoodwillLatinandGreekdoherthen?Iftheytaughtyouatcollegehowtomanageamantheremightbesomesenseinhergoing.”

           Mrs.