Then she went back into her big house with a sigh . It seemed very lonely , lacking those fresh young lives . Miss Barry was a rather selfish old lady , if the truth must be told , and had never cared much for anybody but herself . She valued people only as they were of service to her or amused her . Anne had amused her , and consequently stood high in the old lady 's good graces . But Miss Barry found herself thinking less about Anne 's quaint speeches than of her fresh enthusiasms , her transparent emotions , her little winning ways , and the sweetness of her eyes and lips . `` I thought Marilla Cuthbert was an old fool when I heard she 'd adopted a girl out of an orphan asylum , '' she said to herself , `` but I guess she did n't make much of a mistake after all . If I 'd a child like Anne in the house all the time I 'd be a better and happier woman . '' Anne and Diana found the drive home as pleasant as the drive in -- pleasanter , indeed , since there was the delightful consciousness of home waiting at the end of it . It was sunset when they passed through White Sands and turned into the shore road . Beyond , the Avonlea hills came out darkly against the saffron sky . Behind them the moon was rising out of the sea that grew all radiant and transfigured in her light . Every little cove along the curving road was a marvel of dancing ripples . The waves broke with a soft swish on the rocks below them , and the tang of the sea was in the strong , fresh air . `` Oh , but it 's good to be alive and to be going home , '' breathed Anne . When she crossed the log bridge over the brook the kitchen light of Green Gables winked her a friendly welcome back , and through the open door shone the hearth fire , sending out its warm red glow athwart the chilly autumn night . Anne ran blithely up the hill and into the kitchen , where a hot supper was waiting on the table . `` So you 've got back ? '' said Marilla , folding up her knitting . `` Yes , and oh , it 's so good to be back , '' said Anne joyously .
`` I could kiss everything , even XXXXX the clock .
Behind athwart below if of over through to up with