`` Hester Gray has been dead for thirty years and her spirit is in heaven ... I hope . '' `` Yes , but I believe she loves and remembers her garden here still , '' said Anne . `` I 'm sure no matter how long I 'd lived in heaven I 'd like to look down and see somebody putting flowers on my grave . If I had had a garden here like Hester Gray 's it would take me more than thirty years , even in heaven , to forget being homesick for it by spells . '' `` Well , do n't let the twins hear you talking like that , '' was Marilla 's feeble protest , as she carried her chicken into the house . Anne pinned her narcissi on her hair and went to the lane gate , where she stood for awhile sunning herself in the June brightness before going in to attend to her Saturday morning duties . The world was growing lovely again ; old Mother Nature was doing her best to remove the traces of the storm , and , though she was not to succeed fully for many a moon , she was really accomplishing wonders . `` I wish I could just be idle all day today , '' Anne told a bluebird , who was singing and swinging on a willow bough , `` but a schoolma'am , who is also helping to bring up twins , ca n't indulge in laziness , birdie . How sweet you are singing , little bird . You are just putting the feelings of my heart into song ever so much better than I could myself . Why , who is coming ? '' An express wagon was jolting up the lane , with two people on the front seat and a big trunk behind . When it drew near Anne recognized the driver as the son of the station agent at Bright River ; but his companion was a stranger ... a scrap of a woman who sprang nimbly down at the gate almost before the horse came to a standstill . She was a very pretty little person , evidently nearer fifty than forty , but with rosy cheeks , sparkling black eyes , and shining black hair , surmounted by a wonderful beflowered and beplumed bonnet . In spite of having driven eight miles over a dusty road she was as neat as if she had just stepped out of the proverbial bandbox . `` Is this where Mr. James A. Harrison lives ? '' she inquired briskly . `` No , Mr. Harrison lives over there , '' said Anne , quite lost in astonishment . `` Well , I DID think this place seemed too tidy ... MUCH too tidy for James A. to be living here , unless he has greatly changed since I knew him , '' chirped the little lady . `` Is it true that James A. is going to be married to some woman living in this settlement ? ''
`` No , oh no , '' cried Anne , flushing so guiltily that the stranger looked curiously XXXXX her , as if she half suspected her of matrimonial designs on Mr. Harrison .
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