She could see Matthew's face smiling at her as he had smiled when they parted at the gate that last evening--she could hear his voice saying, "My girl--my girl that I'm proud of." Then the tears came and Anne wept her heart out.

Marilla heard her and crept in to comfort her.
"There--there--don't cry so, dearie.

It can't bring him back.
It--it--isn't right to cry so.

I knew that today, but I couldn't help it then.

He'd always been such a good, kind brother to me--but God knows best." "Oh, just let me cry, Marilla," sobbed Anne.