`` If I could only share the joke with some one ! '' she thought . `` But I ca n't . Diana is the only one I 'd want to tell , and , even if I had n't sworn secrecy to Jane , I ca n't tell Diana things now . She tells everything to Fred -- I know she does . Well , I 've had my first proposal . I supposed it would come some day -- but I certainly never thought it would be by proxy . It 's awfully funny -- and yet there 's a sting in it , too , somehow . '' Anne knew quite well wherein the sting consisted , though she did not put it into words . She had had her secret dreams of the first time some one should ask her the great question . And it had , in those dreams , always been very romantic and beautiful : and the `` some one '' was to be very handsome and dark-eyed and distinguished-looking and eloquent , whether he were Prince Charming to be enraptured with `` yes , '' or one to whom a regretful , beautifully worded , but hopeless refusal must be given . If the latter , the refusal was to be expressed so delicately that it would be next best thing to acceptance , and he would go away , after kissing her hand , assuring her of his unalterable , life-long devotion . And it would always be a beautiful memory , to be proud of and a little sad about , also . And now , this thrilling experience had turned out to be merely grotesque . Billy Andrews had got his sister to propose for him because his father had given him the upper farm ; and if Anne would n't `` have him '' Nettie Blewett would . There was romance for you , with a vengeance ! Anne laughed -- and then sighed . The bloom had been brushed from one little maiden dream . Would the painful process go on until everything became prosaic and hum-drum ? Chapter IX An Unwelcome Lover and a Welcome Friend The second term at Redmond sped as quickly as had the first -- `` actually whizzed away , '' Philippa said .
XXXXX enjoyed it thoroughly in all its phases -- the stimulating class rivalry , the making and deepening of new and helpful friendships , the gay little social stunts , the doings of the various societies of which she was a member , the widening of horizons and interests .
Andrews Anne Blewett Chapter Charming Diana Fred Jane Redmond first