hat no other house can
ever be to us, I admit, but you know it is out-of-the-way down here for
a doctor. We have felt the inconvenience, though we've made the best
of it. And it's a tight fit for us now. Perhaps, in a few years, when
Jem wants a room of his own, it will be entirely too small."

"Oh, I know--I know," said Anne, tears filling her eyes. "I know all
that can be said against it, but I love it so--and it's so beautiful
here."

"You would find it very lonely here after Leslie goes--and Captain Jim
has gone too. The Morgan place is beautiful, and in time we would love
it. You know you have always admired it, Anne."

"Oh, yes, but--but--this has all seemed to come up so suddenly,
Gilbert. I'm dizzy. Ten minutes ago I had no thought of leaving this
dear spot. I was planning what I meant to do for it in the
spring--what I meant to do in the garden. And if we leave this place
who will get it? It IS out-of-the-way, so it's likely some poor,
shiftless, wandering family will rent it--and over-run it--and oh, that
would be desecration. It would hurt me horribly."

"I know. But we cannot sacrifice our own interests to such
considerations, Anne-girl. The Morgan place will suit us in every
essential particular--we really can't afford to miss such a chance.
Think of that big lawn with those magnificent old trees; and of that
splendid hardwood grove behind it--twelve acres of it. What a play
place for our children! There's a fine orchard, too, and you've always
admired that high brick wall around the garden with the door in
it--you've thought it was so like a story-book garden. And there is
almost as fine a view of the harbor and the dunes from the Morgan place
as from here."

"You can't see the lighthouse star from it."

"Yes, You can see it from the attic window. THERE'S another advantage,
Anne-girl--you love big garrets."

"There's no brook in the garden."

"Well, no, but there is one running through the maple grove into the
Glen pond. And the pond itself isn't far away. You'll be able to
fancy you have your own Lake of Shining Waters again."

"Well, don't say anything more about it just now, Gilbert. Give me
time to think--to get used to the idea."

"All right. There is no great hurry, of course. Only--if we decide to
buy, it would be well to be moved in and settled before winter."

Gilbert went out, and Anne put away Little Jem's short dresses with
trembling hands. She could not s