She is n't like any of the girls I ever knew , or any of the girls I was myself . '' `` How many girls were you , Aunt Jimsie ? '' `` About half a dozen , my dear . '' Chapter XX Gilbert Speaks `` This has been a dull , prosy day , '' yawned Phil , stretching herself idly on the sofa , having previously dispossessed two exceedingly indignant cats . Anne looked up from Pickwick Papers . Now that spring examinations were over she was treating herself to Dickens . `` It has been a prosy day for us , '' she said thoughtfully , `` but to some people it has been a wonderful day . Some one has been rapturously happy in it . Perhaps a great deed has been done somewhere today -- or a great poem written -- or a great man born . And some heart has been broken , Phil . '' `` Why did you spoil your pretty thought by tagging that last sentence on , honey ? '' grumbled Phil . `` I do n't like to think of broken hearts -- or anything unpleasant . '' `` Do you think you 'll be able to shirk unpleasant things all your life , Phil ? '' `` Dear me , no . Am I not up against them now ? You do n't call Alec and Alonzo pleasant things , do you , when they simply plague my life out ? '' `` You never take anything seriously , Phil . '' `` Why should I ? There are enough folks who do .
The world needs people like me , Anne , just XXXXX amuse it .
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