8 At Long Last—A Kindred Spirit!

CHAPTER 8 At Long Last—A Kindred Spirit! Well, how do you like them?" said Marilla. Anne was standing beside her bed, looking at three new dresses. They were very plain—no puffy sleeves, bright colors, or frills. "I'll try to imagine that I like them," she said. "I don't want you to imagine it," said Marilla, offended. "I can see you don't like them! What's the matter? Aren't they neat

and clean?" "Of course," said Anne, trying to be kind. "But I was hoping for something pretty to wear." "Pretty!" Marilla huffed. "I've no time for pretty and neither should you." "Oh, I am grateful," Anne pleaded. "It's only that I'm a little disappointed." "Your head is too full of stories, Anne Shirley. You should pay more attention to real life. Your new dresses are just fine— plain and simple." Anne saw that the cloth was soft and the stitches were perfectly straight and strong. "I'm sure I'll love them with time," Anne said. She gave Marilla a small smile. Marilla sighed. "Get dressed now. We'll go to the Barrys' after breakfast when the dishes are done." Finally Anne would meet Diana—whom

she hoped would be her new best friend! "Oh, Marilla," Anne said, "I had no idea I would be this nervous." Anne's mind was racing. What if she did something wrong? She didn't want to embarrass Marilla. And what if Diana didn't have an imagination? Or they had nothing to talk about? Anne couldn't help thinking about all the things that could go wrong. "I've been waiting for this for so long," she said. "I'm scared that it won't be wonderful." "Anne Shirley," Marilla said sternly. "Why don't you just wait to meet Diana and not worry so. Diana is a nice little girl. Just remember that her mother is very strict. She's not one for silliness." Marilla's words only helped to make Anne more nervous. They walked the rest of the way in silence. Mrs. Barry met them at her front door

with a cheerful "Good morning, Marilla. And this must be Anne. How do you do?" Anne shook Mrs. Barry's hand. "Very well, thank you," Anne said. "That's Anne with an 'e,'" she added. Mrs. Barry smiled blankly. "Please come inside," she said. Sitting in the kitchen was a girl Anne's age. She had long, dark hair and brown eyes. She looked almost as nervous as Anne. "And this is my little girl," Mrs. Barry said. "Diana, come over here and meet Anne. Why don't the two of you go play in the yard?" They waited until they were outside, among the roses and trees, before speaking. "Oh, Diana," Anne finally said. "Do you think—oh, could we be the best of friends?" "Why, I guess so," said Diana. "I'm glad you've come to live at Green Gables. It will

be nice to have somebody to play with. No other little girls live so close." "Will you promise," Anne said as she took Diana's hand, "to be my best friend forever and ever? We are sure to be kindred spirits!" Diana looked shocked. "You sure are strange," she said. "I think I'm going to like having you as my best friend," Diana laughed.