`` But I saw it in an Island paper , '' persisted the Fair Unknown . `` A friend sent a marked copy to me ... friends are always so ready to do such things . James A. 's name was written in over ` new citizen . ' '' `` Oh , that note was only meant as a joke , '' gasped Anne . `` Mr. Harrison has no intention of marrying ANYBODY . I assure you he has n't . '' `` I 'm very glad to hear it , '' said the rosy lady , climbing nimbly back to her seat in the wagon , `` because he happens to be married already . I am his wife . Oh , you may well look surprised . I suppose he has been masquerading as a bachelor and breaking hearts right and left . Well , well , James A. , '' nodding vigorously over the fields at the long white house , `` your fun is over . I am here ... though I would n't have bothered coming if I had n't thought you were up to some mischief . I suppose , '' turning to Anne , `` that parrot of his is as profane as ever ? '' `` His parrot ... is dead ... I THINK , '' gasped poor Anne , who could n't have felt sure of her own name at that precise moment . `` Dead ! Everything will be all right then , '' cried the rosy lady jubilantly . `` I can manage James A. if that bird is out of the way . '' With which cryptic utterance she went joyfully on her way and Anne flew to the kitchen door to meet Marilla . `` Anne , who was that woman ? '' `` Marilla , '' said Anne solemnly , but with dancing eyes , `` do I look as if I were crazy ? ''
`` Not more so than usual , '' said Marilla , with no thought XXXXX being sarcastic .
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