`` I never knew boys who were n't , '' I retorted . `` I -- I -- think perhaps you would like the girls best , '' said Mrs. Allan hesitatingly . If it had not been for one thing -- which I would never in this world have admitted to Mrs. Allan -- I might have liked the girls ' class best myself . But the truth was , Anne Shirley was in that class ; and Anne Shirley was the one living human being that I was afraid of . Not that I disliked her . But she had such a habit of asking weird , unexpected questions , which a Philadelphia lawyer could n't answer . Miss Rogerson had that class once and Anne routed her , horse , foot and artillery . I was n't going to undertake a class with a walking interrogation point in it like that . Besides , I thought Mrs. Allan required a slight snub . Ministers ' wives are rather apt to think they can run everything and everybody , if they are not wholesomely corrected now and again . `` It is not what I like best that must be considered , Mrs. Allan , '' I said rebukingly . `` It is what is best for those boys . I feel that I shall be best for THEM . '' `` Oh , I 've no doubt of that , Miss MacPherson , '' said Mrs. Allan amiably . It was a fib for her , minister 's wife though she was . She HAD doubt . She thought I would be a dismal failure as teacher of a boys ' class . But I was not . I am not often a dismal failure when I make up my mind to do a thing . I am noted for that .
`` It is wonderful what a reformation you have worked in that class , Miss MacPherson -- wonderful , '' said the Rev. Mr. XXXXX some weeks later .
Allan Anne MacPherson Ministers Philadelphia Rogerson Shirley fib questions snub