Her humiliation was the consequence of her own ideals only, for Avonlea folks thought it quite splendid that she should have won the prize.

Her many friends regarded her with honest admiration; her few foes with scornful envy.

Josie Pye said she believed Anne Shirley had just copied the story; she was sure she remembered reading it in a paper years before.

The Sloanes, who had found out or guessed that Charlie had been "turned down," said they didn't think it was much to be proud of; almost any one could have done it, if she tried.

Aunt Atossa told Anne she was very sorry to hear she had taken to writing novels; nobody born and bred in Avonlea would do it; that was what came of adopting orphans from goodness knew where, with goodness knew what kind of parents.