For a moment Anne hesitated . She had an odd , newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity that the half-shy , half-eager expression in Gilbert 's hazel eyes was something that was very good to see . Her heart gave a quick , queer little beat . But the bitterness of her old grievance promptly stiffened up her wavering determination . That scene of two years before flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday . Gilbert had called her `` carrots '' and had brought about her disgrace before the whole school . Her resentment , which to other and older people might be as laughable as its cause , was in no whit allayed and softened by time seemingly . She hated Gilbert Blythe ! She would never forgive him ! `` No , '' she said coldly , `` I shall never be friends with you , Gilbert Blythe ; and I do n't want to be ! '' `` All right ! '' Gilbert sprang into his skiff with an angry color in his cheeks . `` I 'll never ask you to be friends again , Anne Shirley . And I do n't care either ! '' He pulled away with swift defiant strokes , and Anne went up the steep , ferny little path under the maples . She held her head very high , but she was conscious of an odd feeling of regret . She almost wished she had answered Gilbert differently . Of course , he had insulted her terribly , but still -- ! Altogether , Anne rather thought it would be a relief to sit down and have a good cry . She was really quite unstrung , for the reaction from her fright and cramped clinging was making itself felt .
Halfway up the path she met Jane and Diana rushing back XXXXX the pond in a state narrowly removed from positive frenzy .
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