Anne devoted herself to English , Priscilla pored over classics , and Philippa pounded away at Mathematics . Sometimes they grew tired , sometimes they felt discouraged , sometimes nothing seemed worth the struggle for it . In one such mood Stella wandered up to the blue room one rainy November evening . Anne sat on the floor in a little circle of light cast by the lamp beside her , amid a surrounding snow of crumpled manuscript . `` What in the world are you doing ? '' `` Just looking over some old Story Club yarns . I wanted something to cheer AND inebriate . I 'd studied until the world seemed azure . So I came up here and dug these out of my trunk . They are so drenched in tears and tragedy that they are excruciatingly funny . '' `` I 'm blue and discouraged myself , '' said Stella , throwing herself on the couch . `` Nothing seems worthwhile . My very thoughts are old . I 've thought them all before . What is the use of living after all , Anne ? '' `` Honey , it 's just brain fag that makes us feel that way , and the weather . A pouring rainy night like this , coming after a hard day 's grind , would squelch any one but a Mark Tapley . You know it IS worthwhile to live . '' `` Oh , I suppose so . But I ca n't prove it to myself just now . ''
`` Just think of all the great and noble souls who have lived and worked XXXXX the world , '' said Anne dreamily .
So amid at beside for in like of on to