`` I just could n't help thinking of the little girl you used to be , Anne . And I was wishing you could have stayed a little girl , even with all your queer ways . You 've grown up now and you 're going away ; and you look so tall and stylish and so -- so -- different altogether in that dress -- as if you did n't belong in Avonlea at all -- and I just got lonesome thinking it all over . '' `` Marilla ! '' Anne sat down on Marilla 's gingham lap , took Marilla 's lined face between her hands , and looked gravely and tenderly into Marilla 's eyes . `` I 'm not a bit changed -- not really . I 'm only just pruned down and branched out . The real ME -- back here -- is just the same . It wo n't make a bit of difference where I go or how much I change outwardly ; at heart I shall always be your little Anne , who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables more and better every day of her life . '' Anne laid her fresh young cheek against Marilla 's faded one , and reached out a hand to pat Matthew 's shoulder . Marilla would have given much just then to have possessed Anne 's power of putting her feelings into words ; but nature and habit had willed it otherwise , and she could only put her arms close about her girl and hold her tenderly to her heart , wishing that she need never let her go . Matthew , with a suspicious moisture in his eyes , got up and went out-of-doors . Under the stars of the blue summer night he walked agitatedly across the yard to the gate under the poplars . `` Well now , I guess she ai n't been much spoiled , '' he muttered , proudly . `` I guess my putting in my oar occasional never did much harm after all . She 's smart and pretty , and loving , too , which is better than all the rest . She 's been a blessing to us , and there never was a luckier mistake than what Mrs. Spencer made -- if it WAS luck . I do n't believe it was any such thing . It was Providence , because the Almighty saw we needed her , I reckon . '' The day finally came when Anne must go to town .
She and Matthew drove XXXXX one fine September morning , after a tearful parting with Diana and an untearful practical one -- on Marilla 's side at least -- with Marilla .
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