Chapter XI
The Round of Life
Anne was back in Avonlea with the luster of the Thorburn Scholarship on her
brow. People told her she hadn’t changed much, in a tone which hinted they
were surprised and a little disappointed she hadn’t. Avonlea had not changed,
either. At least, so it seemed at first. But as Anne sat in the Green Gables pew,
on the first Sunday after her return, and looked over the congregation, she saw
several little changes which, all coming home to her at once, made her realize
that time did not quite stand still, even in Avonlea. A new minister was in the
pulpit. In the pews more than one familiar face was missing forever. Old “Uncle
Abe,” his prophesying over and done with, Mrs. Peter Sloane, who had sighed, it
was to be hoped, for the last time, Timothy Cotton, who, as Mrs. Rachel Lynde
said “had actually managed to die at last after practicing at it for twenty years,”
and old Josiah Sloane, whom nobody knew in his coffin because he had his
whiskers neatly trimmed, were all sleeping in the little graveyard behind the
church. And Billy Andrews was married to Nettie Blewett! They “appeared out”
that Sunday. When Billy, beaming with pride and happiness, showed his be-
plumed and be-silked bride into the Harmon Andrews’ pew, Anne dropped her
lids to hide her dancing eyes. She recalled the stormy winter night of the
Christmas holidays when Jane had proposed for Billy. He certainly had not
broken his heart over his rejection. Anne wondered if Jane had also proposed to
Nettie for him, or if he had mustered enough spunk to ask the fateful question
himself. All the Andrews family seemed to share in his pride and pleasure, from
Mrs. Harmon in the pew to Jane in the choir. Jane had resigned from the
Avonlea school and intended to go West in the fall.
“Can’t get a beau in Avonlea, that’s what,” said Mrs. Rachel Lynde
scornfully. “SAYS she thinks she’ll have better health out West. I never heard
her health was poor before.”
“Jane is a nice girl,” Anne had said loyally. “She never tried to attract
attention, as some did.”
“Oh, she never chased the boys, if that’s what you mean,” said Mrs. Rachel.
“But she’d like to be married, just as much as anybody, that’s what. What else