Chapter XI The Round of Life Anne was back in Avonlea with the luster of the Thorburn Scholarship on her brow . People told her she had n't changed much , in a tone which hinted they were surprised and a little disappointed she had n't . Avonlea had not changed , either . At least , so it seemed at first . But as Anne sat in the Green Gables pew , on the first Sunday after her return , and looked over the congregation , she saw several little changes which , all coming home to her at once , made her realize that time did not quite stand still , even in Avonlea . A new minister was in the pulpit . In the pews more than one familiar face was missing forever . Old `` Uncle Abe , '' his prophesying over and done with , Mrs. Peter Sloane , who had sighed , it was to be hoped , for the last time , Timothy Cotton , who , as Mrs. Rachel Lynde said `` had actually managed to die at last after practicing at it for twenty years , '' and old Josiah Sloane , whom nobody knew in his coffin because he had his whiskers neatly trimmed , were all sleeping in the little graveyard behind the church . And Billy Andrews was married to Nettie Blewett ! They `` appeared out '' that Sunday . When Billy , beaming with pride and happiness , showed his be-plumed and be-silked bride into the Harmon Andrews ' pew , Anne dropped her lids to hide her dancing eyes . She recalled the stormy winter night of the Christmas holidays when Jane had proposed for Billy . He certainly had not broken his heart over his rejection . Anne wondered if Jane had also proposed to Nettie for him , or if he had mustered enough spunk to ask the fateful question himself . All the Andrews family seemed to share in his pride and pleasure , from Mrs. Harmon in the pew to Jane in the choir . Jane had resigned from the Avonlea school and intended to go West in the fall . `` Ca n't get a beau in Avonlea , that 's what , '' said Mrs. Rachel Lynde scornfully . `` SAYS she thinks she 'll have better health out West . I never heard her health was poor before . '' `` Jane is a nice girl , '' Anne had said loyally .
`` She never tried XXXXX attract attention , as some did . ''
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