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"Oh, what a dear story," sighed Anne, wiping away her tears

"What became of Jordan?" asked Priscilla

"He sold the farm after Hester died and went back to Boston Mr Jabez Sloane bought the farm and hauled the little house out to the road

Jordan died about ten years after and he was brought home and buried beside Hester"

"I can't understand how she could have wanted to live back here, away fro," said Jane

"Oh, I can easily understand THAT," said Anne thoughtfully "I wouldn't want it h I love the fields and woods, I love people too But I can understand it in Hester She was tired to death of the noise of the big city and the crowds of people always co for her She just wanted to escape froreen, friendly place where she could rest And she got just what she wanted, which is so very few people do, I believe She had four beautiful years before she died

four years of perfect happiness, so I think she was to be envied more than pitied And then to shut your eyes and fall asleep a down at youoh, I think it was beautiful!"

"She set out those cherry trees over there," said Diana "She told mother she'd never live to eat their fruit, but she wanted to think that so to lad we ca-eyed "This is arden and its story is the birthday gift it has given me Did your mother ever tell you what Hester Gray looked like, Diana?"

"Noonly just that she was pretty"

"I'ine what she looked like, without being haht and s, sweet, tiirls left their baskets in Hester's garden and spent the rest of the afternoon ra ry they had lunch in the prettiest spot of allon the steep bank of a gurgling brook where white birches shot up out of long feathery grasses The girls sat down by the roots and did full justice to Anne's dainties, even the unpoetical sandwiches being greatly appreciated by hearty, unspoiled appetites sharpened by all the fresh air and exercise they had enjoyed Anne had brought glasses and leuests, but for her own part drank cold brook water from a cup fashioned out of birch bark The cup leaked, and the water tasted of earth, as brook water is apt to do in spring; but Anne thought it more appropriate to the occasion than lemonade