Chapter XXIX

CHAPTER XXIX

An Epoch in Anne's Life

Anne was bringing the cows home from the back pasture by way of
Lover's Lane. It was a September evening and all the gaps and
clearings in the woods were brimmed up with ruby sunset light.
Here and there the lane was splashed with it, but for the most
part it was already quite shadowy beneath the maples, and the
spaces under the firs were filled with a clear violet dusk like
airy wine. The winds were out in their tops, and there is no
sweeter music on earth than that which the wind makes in the fir
trees at evening.

The cows swung placidly down the lane, and Anne followed them
dreamily, repeating aloud the battle canto from MARMION--which
had also been part of their English course the preceding winter
and which Miss Stacy had made them learn off by heart--and
exulting in its rushing lines and the clash of spears in its
imagery. When she came to the lines

The stubborn spearsmen still made good
Their dark impenetrable wood,

she stopped in ecstasy to shut her eyes that she might the better
fancy herself one of that heroic ring. When she opened them
again it was to behold Diana coming through the gate that led
into the Barry field and looking so important that Anne instantly
divined there was news to be told. But betray too eager
curiosity she would not.

"Isn't this evening just like a purple dream, Diana? It makes me
so glad to be alive. In the mornings I always think the mornings
are best; but when evening comes I think it's lovelier still."

"It's a very fine evening," said Diana, "but oh, I have such
news, Anne. Guess. You can have three guesses."

"Charlotte Gillis is going to be married in the church after all
and Mrs. Allan wants us to decorate it," cried Anne.

"No. Charlotte's beau won't agree to that, because nobody ever
has been married in the church yet, and he thinks it would seem
too much like a funeral. It's too mean, because it would be such fun.
Guess again."

"Jane's mother is going to let her have a birthday party?"

Diana shook her head, her black eyes dancing with merriment.

"I can't think what it can be," said Anne in despair, "unless
it's that Moody Spurgeon MacPherson saw you home from prayer
meeting last night. Did he?"

"I should think not," exclaimed Diana indignantly. "I wouldn't
be likely to boast of it if he did, the horrid creature! I knew
you couldn't guess it. Mother had a letter from Aunt Josephine
today, and Aunt Josephine wants you and me to go to town next
Tuesday and stop with her for the Exhibition. There!"

"Oh, Diana," whispered Anne, finding it necessary to lean up against
a maple tree for support, "do you really mean it? But I'm