`` You may know a thing is so , but you ca n't help hoping other people do n't quite think it is . I suppose you think I have an awful temper , but I could n't help it . When she said those things something just rose right up in me and choked me . I HAD to fly out at her . '' `` Well , you made a fine exhibition of yourself I must say . Mrs. Lynde will have a nice story to tell about you everywhere -- and she 'll tell it , too . It was a dreadful thing for you to lose your temper like that , Anne . '' `` Just imagine how you would feel if somebody told you to your face that you were skinny and ugly , '' pleaded Anne tearfully . An old remembrance suddenly rose up before Marilla . She had been a very small child when she had heard one aunt say of her to another , `` What a pity she is such a dark , homely little thing . '' Marilla was every day of fifty before the sting had gone out of that memory . `` I do n't say that I think Mrs. Lynde was exactly right in saying what she did to you , Anne , '' she admitted in a softer tone . `` Rachel is too outspoken . But that is no excuse for such behavior on your part . She was a stranger and an elderly person and my visitor -- all three very good reasons why you should have been respectful to her . You were rude and saucy and '' -- Marilla had a saving inspiration of punishment -- `` you must go to her and tell her you are very sorry for your bad temper and ask her to forgive you . '' `` I can never do that , '' said Anne determinedly and darkly . `` You can punish me in any way you like , Marilla . You can shut me up in a dark , damp dungeon inhabited by snakes and toads and feed me only on bread and water and I shall not complain . But I can not ask Mrs. Lynde to forgive me . ''
`` We 're not in the habit of shutting people up XXXXX dark damp dungeons , '' said Marilla drily , `` especially as they 're rather scarce in Avonlea .
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