Chapter 34 Chapter 33: The Concert in the Grand Hotel

"Anne, you should definitely wear the white organdy one," Diana recommended confidently. At this time, Anne and Diana, two close friends, were talking in Anne's room upstairs in Green Gybrutz. Outside the window, there was no cloud in the evening sky. Above the "ghost forest", a round of bright moon hung high, and the blue moonlight and silver starlight reflected the dim earth.The dreamlike cries of birds in the forest, the sound of the wind blowing from nowhere, and the voices and laughter of people in the distance make people feel the breath of summer from time to time.

In Anne's room, the shutters had long since been drawn, and a kerosene lamp was lit on the table.Anne and Diana were busy dressing up. The East Wing was on the night when Anne first came to Green Gybrutz four years ago. There was almost no decoration. The whole room looked cold and lifeless. At that time, this room made Anne's bone marrow tremble. .But now, this room has undergone fundamental changes.Thanks to Marilla's hard work over the years, the room has finally turned into a lively, lovely girly room. Although this room did not come true as Anne had dreamed of, with a pink rose-patterned velvet carpet and pink silk curtains.But as she grew older and the years passed, Anne gradually felt indifferent to the existence of these things.

Anne's bed was covered with a clean mat, and the window was hung with pale green muslin curtains.The curtains hang down to the floor along the high window line, fluttering gently with the breeze.Although the room was not hung with gold and silver brocade, and the walls were only pasted with light wallpapers like apple blossom leaflets, after Anne's decoration, it revealed a touch of artistic elegance. Anne framed and hung three interesting pictures from Mrs. Arlan on the wall.Put the photo of Mr. Stich in the most eye-catching position.On the bookshelf below it, there is often a bouquet of trimmed flowers.

Tonight, white lilies are inserted in the vase, and the room is filled with the fragrance of white lilies. Although there is not a piece of mahogany furniture in the room, the white bookcase is filled with various books.The wicker craft rocking chair with soft cushions was carefully wrapped with frills in tulle fabric by the owner.There are pink cupids and purple grape tassels painted on it.On the wall above the chair hung an antique arched gilt mirror (this is what used to be in the drawing room).In addition, there is a low white bed used by Anne in the room. Anne and Diana were dressed so deliberately to attend a concert at the White Sand Hotel.

The concert was sponsored by the guests staying in the hotel to help build the Shah Lauterdawa Hospital. All the celebrities of the nearby show business were invited to the hotel to participate in the performances. Most of the upcoming shows are very exciting and have weight.Among them were Bartha Samson of White Sand's Babe Diston Church Choir and Bar Keller, who signed up to sing duets; Clarke performed solo violin; Carmody's Winnie Ardela Brya sang Scottish ballads; and Swansa Bell's Laura Svenza and Arbonne Jerry recited. Annie felt very excited and couldn't calm down for a long time. If Annie was a few years ago, she would definitely say that this was an "epoch-making event that can never be forgotten".

As for Marshall, because this is the honor his lovely Annie won through his own efforts, he felt very proud and seemed a little smug.Marilla was also in the same mood as Marshall, but she could only bury her pride and pride in her heart, and refused to say it out of her mouth until she died.No one should supervise the children's make-up, she must do it herself.It's just that letting Anne go to that kind of social occasion where young people gather together and make a lot of noise can't make people approve and feel at ease.She murmured these observations to Marshall while Anne and Diana were upstairs dressing and dressing.

After everything is ready, Anne and Diana will meet Jenny Andrews and her elder brother Billy Andrews and take a carriage to the White Sand Hotel.In addition to them, there are many people in Yabangli who are going to go, and many people in the city who are going to go.After the concert, the cast will be treated to dinner. "Hey, Diana, do you really think the white organdy is good?" Anne still seemed a little worried and asked. "I think the tulle fabric with the blue flower pattern is better, and isn't the pattern very popular?" "However, the one I recommend is more suitable for you. It is soft and flutters when you wear it, and the skin feels more familiar with it. The tulle fabric is not good, and the texture is hard, which makes people feel that it is a dress. The organdy is very much like a part of your body."

Anne sighed, and finally followed Diana's advice.Diana's taste in fashion was remarkable.Lately, a lot of people have been heeding Diana's advice based on how she feels about clothes. Diana couldn't be more dressed up tonight than redheaded Anne, who was stunning in a gown as pink as wild rose.Because she is not a performer, she feels that what she wears on this occasion is secondary. Diana puts all her thoughts on Anne, paying great attention to what clothes Anne should wear and what kind of hairstyle she should wear.To Albany's reputation, Anne should have been dressed in such a way that even the Queen would have been pleased with Diana's designs.

"Oh, there's a little ruffle here—oh, come on, put on your belt and put your shoes on. The hair is divided into two parts, the thick one is braided into three strands, and a large white ribbon is tied in the middle-well, the curly hair on the forehead is still like that, so, light.This hairstyle is very suitable for you. You look like a Virgin Mary with this hairstyle. Mrs. Alan also said that you look like it.Put this beautiful white rose behind your ear, there is only one blooming in the house, and I plucked it for Annie's performance tonight. " "How about a string of pearls. Marshall bought it for me off the street last week. I think Marshall will be pleased to see me wearing it."

Diana pursed her lips, tilted her black-haired head to one side as if choosing the angle carefully, and then came to the conclusion that it was better to wear jewelry, and put the necklace on Anne's slender neck. "In this way, it shows that you have a very elegant temperament." Diana said sincerely. "Pose has character, but maybe it's because of the style. I'm about to become a fat man now. Although I haven't reached this level, I will soon become fat. Ah, I have to give up." "Won't you have lovely dimples then?" Annie said, looking at the lively and beautiful Diana, and smiling cutely, "Eat some whipped cream, and the dimples will sink, It's great to have dimples. I don't have any illusions about dimples at all, and I will never grow dimples in my life, because my dreams have been realized a lot, so I shouldn't have any more complaints, how about it?"

"It's ready." Diana had just finished speaking when Marilla appeared at the door.Marilla's gray hair increased, she was still thin, and her face was slender, but her complexion was much softer than before. "Please, Marilla, look at our orator, isn't he pretty enough?" Marilla said in a voice that surprised Anne: "It should be well-dressed and serious. I like this hairstyle. But if you just go out on the road full of dusty night dew like this, the clothes will not look good." When you're done, you can wear this dress at night, isn't it too thin? "Basically there is no such useless thing as organdy, even Marshall himself said so when he bought it. However, it was useless to say anything to Marshall recently. Although he listened to what I said, he didn't want to listen to me now, because I was shopping for Anne.Even the Carmody's clerks thought Marshall was being taken for a ride, and he would pay for it whenever they said it was pretty and fashionable. "Annie, be careful not to let the wheels scratch the hem of your skirt, and bring a heavy coat, too." So saying, Marilla hurried downstairs, she thought, especially Anne's hair was so combed, it showed how lovely the child was, it was really proud, she couldn't go to the concert, couldn't hear Anne's recitation is so sorry. "It's humid outside, isn't this dress okay?" Annie said worriedly. "It's all right," said Diana, pushing the shutters open. "What a night, no dew, and moonlight." Annie also stood beside Diana. "The windows face east, so it's a joy to see how the morning sun rises. It's amazing to see the morning begin to come from the gentle hills opposite. From the gaps in the maple trees In the room, I can see the shining light of the morning sun, and every morning is different. Bathed in the first sun of the morning, I feel that my soul has been purified, Diane, I like my room very much. Next month, If I go to the city, won't I be separated from this room, what should I do?" "Hey, don't talk about going to town tonight, I beg you, because that will make people sad, I can't think about it anymore, I want to be happy and happy tonight, aren't I going to go on stage to recite? Don't you think Plop, plop?" "I really don't care a bit, because I've read it in front of people so many times that I don't think about it anymore. Because I've read "The Maiden's Vow," which is a very sad poem. Laura? Svensa says she does comedy. I like something that makes you cry rather than something that makes you laugh." "If the audience applauds again, what will you recite?" "What applause again, definitely not." Annie smiled and ignored.She really thought in her heart that her recitation would be applauded again, and when she had breakfast tomorrow morning, she told Marshall the scene at that time, um, the scene of tomorrow morning appeared before Anne's eyes. "Ah, there's a carriage sound--it's Billy and Jenny. Well, let's go." Because Billy Andrews said he was going to sit in the assistant's seat anyway, Anne had to sit next to him.As for Anne, it was best to sit in the back with Jenny and Diana, so that you could talk and laugh, but with Billy, there seemed to be nothing to look forward to. Billy was a round-faced, tall, slow-moving 20-year-old who was not very talkative.Because Billy admired Anne very much, he was very happy and smug to be able to sit with the slender and serious Anne all the way to White Sand. Annie talked to Diana and the others with her shoulders sideways, and she also had a few words with Billy from time to time. She was so happy to drive the carriage to White Sand.Billy just listened with a smile, and when he thought of something to talk about, the subject had changed. The people at the concert tonight are very excited and excited.On the way to the Grand Hotel, there was an endless stream of people and horse-drawn carriages, and a series of laughter echoed around. The carriage stopped in front of the hotel.Annie and the others got off the car and looked up, only to see the entire building of the Grand Hotel shining brightly in the night, especially eye-catching and solemn.A lady from the concert organizing committee was standing in front of the door to greet them.Anne followed the lady to the green room.The Charlotte Dam Symphony Orchestra had already packed the place to capacity.Facing everything in front of her, Annie was a little stage frightened.She was a little scared in her heart, feeling that she was a countryman, how could even the dress that she thought was too gorgeous at home just now become so simple and ordinary when she arrived here.Among these noble ladies in gorgeous and noble silk costumes, Anne felt that her dress was too ordinary.Compared with the diamonds worn by the tall and extraordinary woman next to her, her pearls were nothing.Also, the roses on Anne's head look so shabby compared to the gorgeous greenhouse-grown flowers that everyone else adorns. As soon as Annie took off her hat and coat, she became an inconspicuous little thing in the corner. She really wanted to go back to her home——Green Gaybruzzi. At this time, the stage of the big music auditorium of the hotel was brightly illuminated by lights, and Anne felt more and more that it was impossible to stay here.The glare of the light made people dizzy, and the smell of perfume and the chattering voices around them made Annie stand there in a daze, at a loss for what to do.Looking out from the crack of the stage curtain, I saw Diana and Jenny sitting in the auditorium behind, with a happy expression. Next to Anne was a fat woman in a pink silk dress.On the other side was a tall, arrogant-looking girl in a dress with white lace.Annie was caught between the two.From time to time, the fat woman turned sharply, turned her body sideways, and stared at Annie through her glasses.Anne was so disgusted at being looked at so face to face, so close, that she felt like yelling at her.And the girl in the white lace gown talks lazily to her neighbor about peasants, peasants' daughters, country entertainers, and so on.When Anne heard this, she thought to herself that she would hate the girl in the white lace gown until she died. What made Anne even more unlucky that night was that there happened to be a professional reciter staying in this big hotel. She will also perform at the concert tonight.She was a woman of refined manners and a good figure with dark eyes.Wearing a moonlight mesh-shaped, shiny silver-gray long dress.Her voice, her black hair, and her jewels are all fabulous.During the performance, she used her freely changing voice to show extraordinary appeal, and the audience was all conquered and fanaticized after listening to her performance. At this time, Anne had completely forgotten herself and what she was worried about. Her eyes were shining brightly, and she was almost engrossed in listening.As soon as the reading was over, Anne covered her face with her hands in excitement. After the performance of this professional eloquent, no one else can recite it anyway, not at all.Annie thought her recitation would be very good, but what should she do now.Ah, I can't wait to give birth to wings and fly back to Green Gaybruzzi! Just when she was upset and at a loss, she suddenly heard someone calling Annie's name on the stage. After hearing that, Annie stood up with difficulty, and walked to the stage staggeringly. The girl in the white lace dress seemed to be a little The son said something with a guilty conscience, but Anne didn't notice it, and she wouldn't understand it if she did. Seeing Annie appearing on the stage with a pale face, Diana and Jenny in the auditorium were both sweating for Annie, and they held hands tightly together in worry. Annie was completely stage frightened.Although until now, she has recited and performed in front of everyone.However, it was the first time in Annie's life to perform a recitation on an occasion like this evening, in a music auditorium of such a scale, under the eyes of so many people, and at a grand event where so many stars gathered. Annie was completely intimidated, and her body was stiff. She felt that there were dazzling lights all around her, and there was a strange feeling everywhere.Anne felt that she was real now.Completely defeated.The women in evening gowns, looking at her critically and talking about her, showed how rich and cultured they were.Annie's mind was in a mess.These people in the audience are completely different from the friendly faces of my friends and neighbors who are used to sitting on the benches of the discussion club. The people sitting here, after listening to Anne's recitation, will criticize mercilessly and condemn one after another.They would be like the girl in the white gown, maybe say what Anne recited, what a country girl would recite, and Anne felt miserable and hopeless. Anne's heart was heavy, her legs trembled with fright, her chest was throbbing, and she could not speak a word.If she escaped on the spot at this time, she would feel that she would live in humiliation for the rest of her life.Even so, Annie wanted to run away from the stage in the next moment. Annie opened her eyes and looked down the stage, and suddenly stared at a person in the audience in surprise.It turned out that Gilbert was sitting there with a smile on the back seat at this time, and Anne seemed to be laughing mockingly when she saw Gilbert defeating her. Of course, this is just Anne's imagination, but in fact it is not the case.Gilbert just smiled unconsciously at tonight's concert, the atmosphere of the venue, and so on.Also, he couldn't laugh too much at the sight of Anne's slender figure in her white-trimmed gown tonight, her proud look and the stage with the palm trees in the background, and so on.Next to him was George Pai sitting with him. George's face was full of ridicule, as if he had defeated his opponent.But Anne didn't care much about George.If she cared, she would not bother to let George become her heart disease. Annie took a deep breath, raised her face proudly, and courage and determination flowed through her body like an electric current.In front of Gilbert, you must never fail, and you must never be the object of Gilbert's ridicule. The uneasiness and tension disappeared at once, and Annie began to read.The crisp and beautiful voice echoed in every corner of the hall without interruption.Annie has completely regained her composure and self-confidence. Contrary to the severe stage fright just now, she is now extremely relaxed. As soon as Anne's recitation ended, the audience burst into applause like a storm from the heart.As soon as Annie returned to her seat with blushing cheeks from joy, the fat woman in a pink dress grabbed her hand and held it firmly. "Oh, that's great!" panted the fat woman. "I was totally like a kid and I was crying like, yeah, hey, people will cheer again, I think they will cheer you again." "Oh, have I really been that successful?" said Anne, somewhat flustered. "Marshall will be discouraged if I don't play, and Marshall has always decided that I'll be applauded again." "It wouldn't do to discourage Marshall in that," said the woman in the pink gown, laughing. Annie, with clear eyes and flushed cheeks, easily stepped onto the stage again.This time she chose a different, interesting and bizarre subject to recite.The audience was gradually attracted by the charm of Anne's recitation.After that, as if to congratulate Anne on her victory, night fell. As soon as the concert was over, the fat woman in a pink dress (actually she was the wife of an American millionaire) became Anne's protector and introduced Anne to everyone.Everyone felt great about Annie's reading.Mrs. Ebenz, a professional recitator, also came to Anne's side and praised Anne with her beautiful voice, saying that Anne's understanding of the subject matter was too deep.Even the girl in the white lace gown couldn't stop praising Annie. Afterwards, we went to eat in a magnificently decorated restaurant.Diana and Jenny, who came with Anne, were also invited to dine.At this moment, Billy can't be found anywhere. It turned out that Billy didn't want to take advantage of Anne's light to eat, so he hid. As soon as the banquet was over, Billy and the carriage were already waiting outside together.The three girls happily set off for home under the quiet, white moonlight.Anne took a deep breath and gazed at the clear sky above the dark maple treetops. What a good mood to be in this clear and silent night!How marvelous it must be for everything!It was pitch black, and the roar of the sea could be heard.The cliffs in the darkness towered like mighty giants guarding the shore in a fairy-tale kingdom. "It's wonderful!" Jenny sighed as soon as the carriage started. "I really want to be a rich American! Living in a big hotel in summer, wearing gems, wearing topless dresses, eating ice cream and chicken salad every day, is much happier than being a school teacher. "Anne's recitation today is the best. Although I was a little worried at first, I think you can recite better than Mrs. Ebenz." "No, you shouldn't have said that," said Anne hastily. "That would be absurd. I am not as good at reciting as Mrs. Ebenz. She is a professional. I am only a student. I am only good at reciting. If everyone is satisfied, I will be satisfied." "A lot of people say good things about Anne," said Diana. "There are quite a few people who praise Anne, especially the part of Anne's recitation. Behind Jenny and me, there is an American with black hair and eyes. I think he is a very romantic person.He also did a famous picture of George Pai.A cousin of George's mother who lived in Boston, married the man's classmate. " "Hey, Jenny, did you hear that guy say, 'Who's that girl on the stage with the Ticiano hair and the painted face?' He was So, how about it, Anne? But what about Ticiano hair? " "If you translate it, it means red hair." Annie laughed after finishing speaking. "The said Ticiano is a famous Italian painter who likes to paint red-haired women." "Did you see the diamonds worn by those women?" Jenny sighed. "Actually, I am very rich myself." Annie said confidently. "In the past 16 years, my life experience has been greatly enriched. Like everyone, I live happily and fantasize like a queen every day, and I feel very fulfilled. Quick, quick, look at the sea, it is light and colorful Even if there are millions of dollars in money and thousands of boxes of diamonds and jewelry, they cannot compare with such a wonderful nature. If someone is willing to use money, jewelry, diamonds and my rich and free life In exchange, I would not agree yet. "It would be bad if it was like that girl in the white lace gown. That girl just sat down like everyone in the world was a fool. "Do you want to live a life of sternness like her? The woman in the pink dress, though kind, is a short, chubby woman like a beer barrel. Mrs. Ebenz, with a pair of very sad eyes." Eyes, it must be because of her unfortunate eyes, that's the face. Did Jenny say you really wanted to be like that? How?" "Oh, I don't understand yet," said Jenny, as if she didn't quite understand. "I suppose it would be comforting to have diamonds." "Well, anyway, I don't want to be anyone else, and I don't want to be comforted by diamonds all my life, so that's all right." Anne swore, "I just want a necklace made of pearls, which pair of Green? Anne of Gybrutz is the greatest satisfaction. When I bought this string of pearls, I entrusted Marshall's love for me, Mrs. Ladies. The gems of the ladies will not tempt me."