Page 32 (1/1)

"If I had ri a blaze ive it to that hall, not a cent It's no benefit to the settle folks to meet and carry on when they's better be ho folks must have some amusement," protested Catherine

"I don't see the necessity We didn't gad about to halls and places ere young, Catherine Andrews This world is getting worse every day"

"I think it's getting better," said Catherine firmly

"YOU think!" Miss Eliza's voice expressed the utnify what you THINK, Catherine Andrews Facts is facts"

"Well, I always like to look on the bright side, Eliza"

"There isn't any bright side"

"Oh, indeed there is," cried Anne, who couldn't endure such heresy in silence "Why, there are ever so ht sides, Miss Andrews It's really a beautiful world"

"You won't have such a high opinion of it when you've lived as long in it as I have," retorted Miss Eliza sourly, "and you won't be so enthusiastic about i it either How is your mother, Diana? Dear me, but she has failed of late She looks terrible run down And how long is it before Marilla expects to be stone blind, Anne?"

"The doctor thinks her eyes will not get any worse if she is very careful," faltered Anne

Eliza shook her head

"Doctors always talk like that just to keep people cheered up I wouldn't have much hope if I was her It's best to be prepared for the worst"

"But oughtn't we be prepared for the best too?" pleaded Anne "It's just as likely to happen as the worst"

"Not in ainst your sixteen," retorted Eliza "Going, are you? Well, I hope this new society of yours will be able to keep Avonlea fro any further down hill but I haven't ot themselves thankfully out, and drove away as fast as the fat pony could go As they rounded the curve below the beech wood a plu to them excitedly It was Catherine Andrews and she was so out of breath that she could hardly speak, but she thrust a couple of quarters into Anne's hand

"That's asped "I'd like to give you a dollar but I don't dare takemoney for Eliza would find it out if I did I' to do a lot of good I' with Eliza I must hurry back before shethe hens I hope you'll have good luck canvassing, and don't be cast down over what Eliza said The world IS getting betterit certainly is"