`` We 've none on hand just now . '' `` Oh , certainly -- certainly -- just as you say , '' stammered unhappy Matthew , seizing the rake and making for the door . At the threshold he recollected that he had not paid for it and he turned miserably back . While Miss Harris was counting out his change he rallied his powers for a final desperate attempt . `` Well now -- if it is n't too much trouble -- I might as well -- that is -- I 'd like to look at -- at -- some sugar . '' `` White or brown ? '' queried Miss Harris patiently . `` Oh -- well now -- brown , '' said Matthew feebly . `` There 's a barrel of it over there , '' said Miss Harris , shaking her bangles at it . `` It 's the only kind we have . '' `` I 'll -- I 'll take twenty pounds of it , '' said Matthew , with beads of perspiration standing on his forehead . Matthew had driven halfway home before he was his own man again . It had been a gruesome experience , but it served him right , he thought , for committing the heresy of going to a strange store . When he reached home he hid the rake in the tool house , but the sugar he carried in to Marilla . `` Brown sugar ! '' exclaimed Marilla . `` Whatever possessed you to get so much ? You know I never use it except for the hired man 's porridge or black fruit cake . Jerry 's gone and I 've made my cake long ago . It 's not good sugar , either -- it 's coarse and dark -- William Blair does n't usually keep sugar like that . ''
`` I -- I thought it might come XXXXX handy sometime , '' said Matthew , making good his escape .
At While as if in like on over that to