Warning: If you have a visual impairment, use the manuscript transcript version including the Lucy Maud Montgomery’s foot notes and contextual annotation references.

Chapter 34

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only makes things worse—four—five—Oh, Matthew I’m going home next Friday but that seems a hundred years away. Oh, Matthew is nearly home by now—six—seven and Marilla is at the gate, looking down the lane for him—six—seven—eight—oh, there’s no use in counting them! They’re coming in a flood presently. I can’t cheer up(begin strikethrough)”(end strikethrough) —I don’t want to cheer up.(begin strikethrough)”(end strikethrough) It’s nicer to be miserable.”

The flood of tears would have come, no doubt, had not Josie Pye appeared at that moment. In the joy of seeing a familiar face Anne forgot that there had never been much love lost between her and Josie. As a part of Avonlea life even Josie a Pye was welcome.

“I’m so glad you came up,” said Anne sincerely.


TEXT ANNOTATION

"even a Pye was welcome": Montgomery can make the reader laugh gently at Anne’s unhappiness, when "even a Pye was welcome." The reader certainly has not forgotten Josie’s dare about the ridge-pole. Evidently, when Montgomery was writing the sequel to Anne of Green Gables, she recognized how vital a contrary Pye was to the realistic fabric of Avonlea life, and Anne must again contend with a Pye in Avonlea School.