`` Why , such an idea never occurred to me -- never ! '' `` I do n't suppose it did , '' agreed Jane . `` Billy has always been far too shy to think of courting . But you might think it over , Anne . Billy is a good fellow . I must say that , if he is my brother . He has no bad habits and he 's a great worker , and you can depend on him . ' A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush . ' He told me to tell you he 'd be quite willing to wait till you got through college , if you insisted , though he 'd RATHER get married this spring before the planting begins . He 'd always be very good to you , I 'm sure , and you know , Anne , I 'd love to have you for a sister . '' `` I ca n't marry Billy , '' said Anne decidedly . She had recovered her wits , and was even feeling a little angry . It was all so ridiculous . `` There is no use thinking of it , Jane . I do n't care anything for him in that way , and you must tell him so . '' `` Well , I did n't suppose you would , '' said Jane with a resigned sigh , feeling that she had done her best . `` I told Billy I did n't believe it was a bit of use to ask you , but he insisted . Well , you 've made your decision , Anne , and I hope you wo n't regret it . '' Jane spoke rather coldly . She had been perfectly sure that the enamored Billy had no chance at all of inducing Anne to marry him .
Nevertheless , she felt a little resentment that Anne Shirley , who was , after all , merely an adopted orphan , without kith or kin , should refuse her brother -- one XXXXX the Avonlea Andrews .
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