Chapter 25
374 448
No? Well, I’ll just go by my own judgment then. I believe a nice rich brown would just suit Anne, and William Blair has some new gloria in that’s real pretty. Perhaps you’d like me to make it up for her, too, seeing that if Marilla was to make it Anne would probably get wind of it before the time and spoil the surprise? Well, I’ll do it.” X14
“Well, now, I’m much obliged,” said Matthew, “and—and—I dunno—but I’d like—I think they make the sleeves different nowadays to what they used to be. If it wouldn’t be asking too much—I—I’d like them made the new way.”
“Puffs? Of course. You needn’t worry a speck more about it, Matthew. I’ll make it up in the very latest fashion,” said Mrs. Lynde. Y14
LMM Notes
LMM Note X14
No, it isn't (begin strikethrough)any(end strikethrough) a mite of trouble. I like sewing. I'll make it to fit my niece, Jenny Gillis, for she and (begin strikethrough)Anne(end strikethrough) Anne are alike as two peas as far as figure goes[.]"
LMM Note Y14
To herself she added when Matthew had gone,
"It'll be a real satisfaction to see that poor child wearing something decent for once. The way Marilla dresses her is (begin strikethrough)absurd(end strikethrough) positively absurd, that's what, and I've (begin strikethrough)wanted(end strikethrough) ached to tell her so plainly a dozen times. I've held my tongue, though, for I can see Marilla doesn't want advice and she thinks she knows more about (begin strikethrough)children(end strikethrough) bringing children up than I do for all she's an old maid. But that's always the way. Folks that has brought up children know that there's no hard and fast method in the world that'll suit every child. But them as never have think it's all as plain and easy as (begin strikethrough)ABC(end strikethrough) Rule of Three.—just set your three terms down so fashion and the sum'll work out correct. But flesh and blood don't come under the head of arithmetic and that's where Marilla Cuthbert makes her mistake. I suppose she's trying to cultivate a spirit of humility in Anne by dressing her as she does; but it's more likely to cultivate envy and discontent. I'm sure (begin strikethrough)Anne(end strikethrough) the child must feel the difference between her clothes and the other girls'. But to think of Matthew taking notice of it! That man is waking up after being asleep for over sixty years."
TEXT ANNOTATION
"to herself she added": One of the three longest additions to the novel (the others, S4 in Chapter VIII and the longest, A9 in Chapter 16): Mrs. Lynde’s thinking not only expands our knowledge of her kindly astuteness but also impresses on the reader how much Matthew has changed since Anne has come to Green Gables. In addition, the long passage builds suspense over how Marilla will respond to Rachel’s secretly having made a stylish (to Marilla, a wasteful and vanity-promoting) dress for Anne.
TEXT ANNOTATION
"Rule of three" [in Y14]: In arithmetic, using three known numbers to find out an unknown fourth number, by proportional comparison so that, for example, 1 is to X as 2 is to 4.
PHOTO ANNOTATION
"gloria": A silky fabric made from blending cotton, wool, and silk. A brown gloria dress hangs on the door of Anne’s closet at Green Gables Heritage House.
Parks Canada