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said nothing to Matthew about the affair that evening; but when Anne proved still refractory the next morning an explanation had to be made to account for her absence from the breakfast-table. Marilla told Matthew the whole story, taking pains to impress him with a due sense of the enormity of Anne’s behaviour.

“It’s a good thing Rachel Lynde got a calling down; she’s a meddlesome old gossip,” was Matthew’s consolatory rejoinder.

“Matthew Cuthbert, I’m astonished at you. You know that Anne’s behaviour was dreadful, and yet you take her part! I suppose you’ll be saying next thing that she oughtn’t to be punished at all.”

“Well now—no—not exactly,” said Matthew uneasily. “I reckon she ought to be punished a little. But don’t be too hard on her, Marilla. Recollect she hasn’t ever had any one to teach her right. You’re—you’re going to give her something to eat, aren’t you?”

“When did you ever hear of me starving people into good behaviour?” demanded Marilla indignantly. “She’ll have her meals regular, and I’ll