Chapter 26 Chapter 25 Christmas Presents

For a full 10 minutes, Marshall looked flustered, at a loss, and looked helpless.It happened on a cold, dreary evening in December. In the evening Marshall came into the kitchen and sat down on the chopping box and was about to take off his heavy boots.Marshall knew nothing of Anne's rehearsal of "The Goblin Queen" in the living room at this time with the girls of her class.Presently the children were swarming through the front hall together, noisily laughing, and into the kitchen. Marshall was always embarrassed to see girls, so he hid behind the wood-chopping box at once, and the girls did not notice him.Marshall held his boot in one hand and the boot-removal tool in the other, and for ten minutes he looked at the girls shyly.

While the girls were wearing their coats and hats, they were chatting about concerts and skits. Anne was like everyone else, with big eyes blinking and a dreamy look. .Marshall, who was hiding behind, suddenly noticed that Annie seemed to be a little different from other children.Compared with other girls, Anne has a bright expression, and her eyes are larger than other children, flickering, and her appearance is small and delicate. Even Marshall, who is very shy and doesn't look at other people's faces, can see this. the difference. However, the difference in Anne that Marshall noticed had nothing to do with this, so what was the difference?

After a while, the girls went home along the frozen path hand in hand, and Anne, who still had to study, also went upstairs to her room.After this, Marshall was still puzzled by his question.You can’t ask Marilla about this. If you ask Marilla, she will just snort at best. The difference between Anne and other children is that others are often silent and steady, while Anne chatters Gossiping on and on.Marshall thought, after listening to Marilla's opinion, it was of no reference value. That night, Marshall took out his pipe again and fell into deep thought.Marilla was very annoyed by his appearance. After two hours of smoking and racking his brains, Marie finally found out the answer, oh!It turned out that Annie was dressed differently from other girls.

The more Marshall thought about it, the more he felt that Anne had never seen Anne in the same clothes as any other child since she came to Green? Guy Bruce, always, and Marilla really, always had her in monotonous, plain, rustic clothes. Marshall didn't know anything about clothes or what fashion was. I'm afraid he couldn't figure out what was in fashion and how it was in fashion.Nevertheless, Marshall noticed that the sleeves of Anne's clothes were indeed different from those of other girls.In Marshall's mind came the images of the girls around Anne in the evening again. They were all wearing red, blue, pink and white dresses. He felt that every girl was very gorgeously dressed and beautiful. I understand why Marilla always dresses Anne so plain and rustic.

Of course, this is also very good. Hasn't Marilla never made any mistakes in her work?It was Marilla who was in charge of disciplining Annie. Although she didn't know these things well, she always felt that she should do something for Annie.But one thing is clear, that is, Anne should at least have one or two beautiful dresses, wouldn't it be great to buy Anne a dress like the one Diana Barry usually wears? So, Marshall secretly decided to buy a dress for Anne. This matter can't be regarded as nosy, and Christmas will be three weeks away. Isn't a beautiful dress a good Christmas gift?

After Marshall made up his mind, he let out a long sigh of satisfaction, put away his pipe and went back to the bedroom. Afterwards, Marilla hurriedly opened all the doors to change the air in the room. The next night, Marshall hurried to Carmody to buy a dress, with a feeling of special joy in his heart.Marshall knew that buying a skirt was a very strenuous task for him. Although Marshall had good eyesight and was able to bargain, if he wanted to buy a dress for a girl, he had to listen to the clerk. After much deliberation, Marshall decided not to go to Willie Amberia's store, but to Shamir Rosen's store. In fact, the Cuthbarts always shop at William's store. This is an old custom, and it is as much a matter of conscience as going to a Presbyterian church and supporting the Conservative Party.

At William Briar's, however, the two girls always came out with great civility.Marshall scratched his head and dreaded the warm reception of these two girls. For some reason, he couldn't explain clearly what he wanted to buy.When Marshall wanted to buy a skirt, he had to explain and discuss with the salesperson in one way or another. How could he do it without a male salesperson?Therefore, he decided to go to Lawson's store to buy. In this store, Shamil or his son stand at the counter, so he feels at ease. However, it never occurred to Marshall that he had miscalculated.In order to expand the store recently, Shamir also added a new female shop assistant, which Marshall knew nothing about.She is the niece of Shamir's wife, a pretty girl, her hair is combed in a loose and high hairstyle, and she has big brown eyes, which are looking around rapidly. He has an exaggerated smile, always wears a shop uniform, and wears several bracelets on his wrists. When he moves his hands, they will sparkle and make a tinkling sound.

The mere presence of such a clerk was enough to make Marshall bewildered, and the ringing of the bracelet made him even more frightened and bewildered. "Welcome! Mr. Cuthbart." Miss Lucilla Harris said amiably and smacked the counter with both hands. "Is this... this..., um, is there a rake?" Marshall asked hesitantly. After hearing this, Miss Harris was stunned. It was really strange to buy a rake in the cold season. "I think there are one or two left in the little warehouse up there. I'll go and see." Just a few minutes after Miss Harris left the counter, Marshall finally regained his senses and decided to try again.

When Miss Harris came back with the rake, she smiled and said, "Don't you want something else?" "No. That...that's that...want that...I mean that...wanted you to let me see...that's that, I want some hay seeds." Miss Harris thought, after listening to these stuttering and confused words, that there was something strange about what he was saying, that he seemed a little out of his mind. "The hay seeds sold in our store are only available in spring, and now they are out of stock." Miss Harris explained like she was treating a fool. "Oh, yes, yes, you are right," stammered poor Marshall, grabbed the rake and was about to go out, but when he got to the door, he remembered that he hadn't paid for it, and broke down miserably. return.

When Miss Harris was looking for the change, Marshall decided to put all his eggs in one basket, so he said, "That...if it's not troublesome...please take that...that...it's that sugar, let me see, see..." "White or red?" asked Miss Harris patiently. "Ah, ah, yes, it's the red one." Marshall said weakly. "There's a barrel over there," said Miss Harris, jingling the bracelet and pointing. "There's only one barrel." "Ah, yes, yes, then weigh me 20 pounds of sugar." Marshall said, with beads of sweat on his forehead.

When walking back and leaving home for about half a minute, Marshall managed to return to his usual state.Marshall thought to himself that this was a nightmare, because he got such retribution because he went to the wrong store.As soon as he got home, Marshall quickly hid the rake in the small warehouse, but the sugar had no choice but to take it to the kitchen. "Isn't this brown sugar?" cried Marilla. "Why on earth did you buy so much? You know you only use so much when you make hired oatmeal or fruitcake. Curie is no longer here." Well, haven’t you made cakes before? Besides, it’s rough and dark, not very good sugar, and it’s not usually sold at William Brea’s.” "Where is it? I thought I might need something recently." Marshall prevaricated. After this, Marshall thought the matter over and over again.If Marilla were told, she would find fault with and speak ill of her elaborate plans, and then Mrs. Lynde was left alone.It is unimaginable for Marshall to discuss matters with women other than Mrs. Linde, so Marshall had to go to Mrs. Lynde for advice. Mrs. Lynde readily agreed to relieve Marshall's worries. "You want to choose a dress for Anne. I think that would be very good, because I'm going to Carmody. I'll look at it for you and buy one for you. Please be specific about what kind of dress you want." For a moment, if there is no restriction, I will pick one appropriately. "I think Anne would be very well suited in a classy, ​​dainty dark tan dress. Willie Ambrea's has a very pretty satin stuff coming in lately, and I'll sew one for her, especially Surprised Annie, if Marilla had sewed, maybe things would have been exposed before then...Leave the job to me, who makes me love sewing. I will follow the example of my niece Jenny Ji Reese's figure was cut, and Jenny and Annie's were exactly the same size." "This... I'm very sorry, and I don't know yet. Recently, people's sleeves seem to be different from the previous ones. This... If you can tailor the sleeves according to the current fashion..." "Lightly like lantern sleeves, of course, please leave it to me, Marshall, I will make her the latest fashion." As soon as Marshall returned, Linde pondered alone. "I want this child to wear a decent dress, and now I am satisfied. It would be shameful to wear the clothes that Marilla Jean wears. Although I was annoyed many times and wanted to explain to her, Ma Rilla always showed an attitude of not listening to any opinions. Although she was an old maid, she seemed to be better at raising children than I was. "Marilla dresses Anne up like that, presumably to keep her modest and plain. It's not so much jealousy and injustice. Even Anne, just compare her clothes with other people's clothes. , will also produce low self-esteem. "However, Marshall noticed this. This person has been in a deep sleep for m years, and it seems that he suddenly woke up after coming here." During the two weeks before Christmas, Marilla saw that Marshall was planning something, but it was never quite clear what it was. On Christmas Eve, Mrs. Linde brought over the new dress. Marilla looked very calm and even said that it looked good overall, but Mrs. Linde greeted him saying that Marshall was worried that if Marilla did it, she would be exposed. Annie knew it, but it was impossible to believe it. "Let me tell you, Marshall has been giggling all by himself these two weeks. Why do you have to be so sneaky and weird, ah, that's why." Marilla said with an open-minded look. "I said what he was going to do. Anne really needs such a good dress. I have made three practical dresses for her this autumn, and any more will be wasted. "Well, the sleeves alone are a luxury. Really, wouldn't this encourage Anne's vanity? Brother, she was as arrogant as a peacock, but this time Anne's The wish was finally fulfilled. Anne once said that the skirt with lantern sleeves became popular, and she really liked this kind of skirt." On Christmas morning, everywhere is white, it is a beautiful silver world landscape painting. The weather has started to warm up since December, and people are looking forward to a green Christmas, but the thick snow that quietly accumulates at night has changed the whole of Yabangli. Anne looked out happily through the frosted windows, and the fir trees of the "Haunted Forest" were beautifully covered with silver.Birch trees and wild cherry blossom groves seem to be bordered by pearls.The furrows in the fields are like snow-white dimples.The surrounding air is crisp and fresh, and being in this environment makes me feel very comfortable. Annie came downstairs singing loudly. "Merry Christmas, Marilla! Merry Christmas, Marshall! What a beautiful Christmas, a silver Christmas, and I don't think it would be a real Christmas if it wasn't all white. I hate it." What a green Christmas. Oh, Marshall, is that for me? Oh, Marshall!" Marshall glanced at Marilla, then opened the paper package, and took out the skirt with trepidation.Marilla was pouring boiling water into the teapot, but her eyes kept squinting this way. Annie took the skirt respectfully, and stared at it silently, what a beautiful skirt it was, the soft and beautiful tea-colored satin was as lustrous as silk.Part of the skirt was done with wave ruffles and smocking, and the waist was also added, as was the fashion, with interlock tucks, and the neckhole was trimmed with thin ruched lace.Then there are the sleeves - which are also the most exciting.The long cuffs extend all the way to the elbow, and the cuffs go up. The lantern sleeves are made into two sections, in the shape of a gourd. "Here's a Christmas present for you," said Marshall shyly. "How...how is it, Annie? Do you like it?" In an instant, Annie's tears gushed out like a spring. "How can I not like it! Oh, Marshall!" Anne hung her skirt on the back of the chair, and clasped her hands tightly. "Marshall, I'm so happy I don't know how to thank you. Look at this sleeve! Ah, I'm dreaming." "Okay, okay, let's eat," Marilla interrupted, "although I think this dress is unnecessary, but since Marshall has bought it, you must take good care of it, Anne. Mrs. Lynde still There are two hair ties left for you, which are the same color as the skirt, fast, fast, put them away." "I don't seem to be hungry, I can't eat." Annie said in a daze. "In this exciting time, I feel that eating breakfast is boring, so I'd rather feast my eyes on the dress. "Ball-sleeve dresses are still in fashion, thank goodness! I can't bear it if they go out of style before I wear them, and I'm not going to be happy either way. Got me a headband, Lynd Madam is too enthusiastic, I will definitely not disappoint her love, if I can't become an outstanding girl, she will be disappointed. I will definitely work harder in the future." Diana arrived after Anne's lackluster breakfast.On the single-plank bridge in the snow-covered hollow, seeing the cheerful shadow of Diana in her red coat, Anne ran down the hill. "Merry Christmas, Diana! It's been a wonderful Christmas. There's something for you to see, it's wonderful! Marshall sent me a beautiful dress, especially with the sleeves in such a way that it is impossible to imagine a more beautiful dress. " "Speaking of presents, here's another one," said Diana. "Look at this, this box. Grandma Josephine sent a big package full of all sorts of things, it was for Anne, and it was delivered last night after dark. After dark Sending something across the 'ghost forest' is a little off-putting..." Anne opened the box and looked inside.The first thing that caught the eye was a "Merry Christmas to Dear Anne" greeting card, which contained a pair of very cute kid's leather shoes with beaded toes and satin ribbon buckles. "Oh, it's so beautiful! Diana, it's too good to be true. How can there be such a beautiful thing in the world!" "Did God help me, so that I can go to the concert without borrowing Ruby's belt shoes. I wear Ruby's belt shoes two sizes too big, and they don't follow my feet well. The goblins should walk in drag." How bad it is, it's sure to make George Pai laugh. Hey, you know? Rob Wright went back with Lindy Pai after practice the night before last, ever heard of that?" On Christmas Day, the students in Abangli were excited all day, the Civic Hall was decorated, and then they had their last rehearsal. The concert was held in the evening and the show was a great success.The audience in the small civic hall was full, and all the students who participated in the performance performed very wonderfully. Among them, Anne performed the best and was particularly eye-catching. George? Pai's jealous gaze amply proves it. After the concert, Anne and Diana walked home together wearing stars. "What a wonderful and lively party!" Anne said excitedly. "Everything went well. I think I made about 10 yuan." Diana was more realistic. "The pastor said that he was going to write a news about tonight's concert and send it to the newspaper in Charlottetown." "That way our names would be in the papers, and I couldn't contain my excitement when I thought about it. Diana's solo was so successful that when you're asked to repeat it, it's me A bosom friend of mine, I am more proud and proud than Diana." "Why, only Anne's recitation got a lot of applause, and you're wonderful as that sad fellow." "I was very stage fright at the time. When the pastor called my name, I couldn't remember how I got on the stage. It seemed like tens of thousands of eyes were staring at me. I almost didn't recite the first few sentences, yes. Yeah, it really freaked me out. "But when I think of the beautiful lantern-sleeve dress, my courage is summoned. How can I disgrace the lantern-sleeved skirt, Diana? So I started reluctantly, but I felt that my voice seemed to be far away, very far away." It seems that I can hear it, but fortunately I have practiced it many times in the attic, otherwise it would be over, and I would not be able to groan." "Well, you've got a wonderful moaning voice, and I was sitting in the seat and I saw Aunt Sloane wiping her tears. Gilbert Bryce did a good job too. Come on, Annie, Can't you forgive Gilbert? Don't you think you're being too stubborn? Just take my word for it. When you ran off the stage after the "Fairy Queen" skit, your head One of the roses fell down, and I saw Gilbert pick it up and put it in his breast pocket. How about it, since Anne is a dreamer, so you should be happy this time, right?" "What he's going to do means nothing to me, and I'm bored even thinking about him, Diana." Annie said with her head held high. Marilla and Marshall haven't played a concert for more than 20 years.That night, after Anne fell asleep, the two of them gathered together in front of the stove in the kitchen. "I really didn't expect our Anne to act so wonderfully, she was not inferior to others at all." Marshall said triumphantly. "Yes!" Marilla felt the same way. "Marshall, the child is clever and pretty. I didn't expect her to play so well at the concert. Anyway, I'm proud of Anne tonight, too, but I don't intend to tell her that." "Yes, I am also proud of her. I told Anne before she went to bed, where I must send this child to study further, Marilla. In a few days, Annie may be already studying at Albany School. It's not enough." "It's too early to think about it. She won't be 13 until March. However, at the meeting tonight, she has grown a lot. Rachel seems to have slightly enlarged the size of the skirt She thinks that Annie is too tall. The child understands too quickly. In the future, she will be sent to Quinn College to study, and she will be a top-notch student. However, there are still a year or two. I think it will be the most It's better not to say it." "Yes, but it's not bad to think about it slowly, and the more you think about it, the happier you are," said Marshall.