A woman of her age does n't make new friends and interests easy . And , Anne , as she talked about it the thought came to me that I would ask her to come and live with me , but I thought I ought to talk it over with you first before I said anything to her . If I had Rachel living with me you could go to college . How do you feel about it ? '' `` I feel ... as if ... somebody ... had handed me ... the moon ... and I did n't know ... exactly ... what to do ... with it , '' said Anne dazedly . `` But as for asking Mrs. Lynde to come here , that is for you to decide , Marilla . Do you think ... are you sure ... you would like it ? Mrs. Lynde is a good woman and a kind neighbor , but ... but ... '' `` But she 's got her faults , you mean to say ? Well , she has , of course ; but I think I 'd rather put up with far worse faults than see Rachel go away from Avonlea . I 'd miss her terrible . She 's the only close friend I 've got here and I 'd be lost without her . We 've been neighbors for forty-five years and we 've never had a quarrel ... though we came rather near it that time you flew at Mrs. Rachel for calling you homely and redhaired . Do you remember , Anne ? '' `` I should think I do , '' said Anne ruefully . `` People do n't forget things like that . How I hated poor Mrs. Rachel at that moment ! '' `` And then that ` apology ' you made her . Well , you were a handful , in all conscience , Anne . I did feel so puzzled and bewildered how to manage you . Matthew understood you better . ''
`` Matthew understood everything , '' said Anne softly , XXXXX she always spoke of him .
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