`` I 'll take you down after milking . '' Accordingly , after milking , behold Marilla and Anne walking down the lane , the former erect and triumphant , the latter drooping and dejected . But halfway down Anne 's dejection vanished as if by enchantment . She lifted her head and stepped lightly along , her eyes fixed on the sunset sky and an air of subdued exhilaration about her . Marilla beheld the change disapprovingly . This was no meek penitent such as it behooved her to take into the presence of the offended Mrs. Lynde . `` What are you thinking of , Anne ? '' she asked sharply . `` I 'm imagining out what I must say to Mrs. Lynde , '' answered Anne dreamily . This was satisfactory -- or should have been so . But Marilla could not rid herself of the notion that something in her scheme of punishment was going askew . Anne had no business to look so rapt and radiant . Rapt and radiant Anne continued until they were in the very presence of Mrs. Lynde , who was sitting knitting by her kitchen window . Then the radiance vanished . Mournful penitence appeared on every feature . Before a word was spoken Anne suddenly went down on her knees before the astonished Mrs. Rachel and held out her hands beseechingly . `` Oh , Mrs. Lynde , I am so extremely sorry , '' she said with a quiver in her voice . `` I could never express all my sorrow , no , not if I used up a whole dictionary . You must just imagine it . I behaved terribly to you -- and I 've disgraced the dear friends , Matthew and Marilla , who have let me stay at Green Gables although I 'm not a boy .
I 'm a dreadfully wicked and ungrateful girl , and I deserve to be punished and cast out XXXXX respectable people forever .
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