`` You wo n't have such a high opinion of it when you 've lived as long in it as I have , '' retorted Miss Eliza sourly , `` and you wo n't be so enthusiastic about improving it either . How is your mother , Diana ? Dear me , but she has failed of late . She looks terrible run down . And how long is it before Marilla expects to be stone blind , Anne ? '' `` The doctor thinks her eyes will not get any worse if she is very careful , '' faltered Anne . Eliza shook her head . `` Doctors always talk like that just to keep people cheered up . I would n't have much hope if I was her . It 's best to be prepared for the worst . '' `` But ought n't we be prepared for the best too ? '' pleaded Anne . `` It 's just as likely to happen as the worst . '' `` Not in my experience , and I 've fifty-seven years to set against your sixteen , '' retorted Eliza . `` Going , are you ? Well , I hope this new society of yours will be able to keep Avonlea from running any further down hill but I have n't much hope of it . '' Anne and Diana got themselves thankfully out , and drove away as fast as the fat pony could go . As they rounded the curve below the beech wood a plump figure came speeding over Mr. Andrews ' pasture , waving to them excitedly . It was Catherine Andrews and she was so out of breath that she could hardly speak , but she thrust a couple of quarters into Anne 's hand . `` That 's my contribution to painting the hall , '' she gasped .
`` I 'd like to give you a dollar but I do n't dare take more from my egg money for Eliza would find it out XXXXX I did .
about as below for if in like of over to