`` Oh , that must have hurt her feelings very much , '' said Anne reproachfully . `` How could you say such a thing ? I said some dreadful things to Mrs. Lynde long ago but it was when I had lost my temper . I could n't say them DELIBERATELY . '' `` It was the truth and I believe in telling the truth to everybody . '' `` But you do n't tell the whole truth , '' objected Anne . `` You only tell the disagreeable part of the truth . Now , you 've told me a dozen times that my hair was red , but you 've never once told me that I had a nice nose . '' `` I daresay you know it without any telling , '' chuckled Mr. Harrison . `` I know I have red hair too ... although it 's MUCH darker than it used to be ... so there 's no need of telling me that either . '' `` Well , well , I 'll try and not mention it again since you 're so sensitive . You must excuse me , Anne . I 've got a habit of being outspoken and folks must n't mind it . '' `` But they ca n't help minding it . And I do n't think it 's any help that it 's your habit . What would you think of a person who went about sticking pins and needles into people and saying , ` Excuse me , you must n't mind it ... it 's just a habit I 've got . ' You 'd think he was crazy , would n't you ? And as for Mrs. Lynde being a busybody , perhaps she is . But did you tell her she had a very kind heart and always helped the poor , and never said a word when Timothy Cotton stole a crock of butter out of her dairy and told his wife he 'd bought it from her ? Mrs. Cotton cast it up to her the next time they met that it tasted of turnips and Mrs. Lynde just said she was sorry it had turned out so poorly . ''
`` I suppose she has some good qualities , '' conceded Mr. XXXXX grudgingly .
Anne Cotton Harrison Lynde MUCH busybody crock help turnips wife