The mention of college gave a new direction to Gilbert 's thoughts , and they talked for a time of their plans and wishes ... gravely , earnestly , hopefully , as youth loves to talk , while the future is yet an untrodden path full of wonderful possibilities . Gilbert had finally made up his mind that he was going to be a doctor . `` It 's a splendid profession , '' he said enthusiastically . `` A fellow has to fight something all through life ... did n't somebody once define man as a fighting animal ? ... and I want to fight disease and pain and ignorance ... which are all members one of another . I want to do my share of honest , real work in the world , Anne ... add a little to the sum of human knowledge that all the good men have been accumulating since it began . The folks who lived before me have done so much for me that I want to show my gratitude by doing something for the folks who will live after me . It seems to me that is the only way a fellow can get square with his obligations to the race . '' `` I 'd like to add some beauty to life , '' said Anne dreamily . `` I do n't exactly want to make people KNOW more ... though I know that IS the noblest ambition ... but I 'd love to make them have a pleasanter time because of me ... to have some little joy or happy thought that would never have existed if I had n't been born . '' `` I think you 're fulfilling that ambition every day , '' said Gilbert admiringly . And he was right . Anne was one of the children of light by birthright . After she had passed through a life with a smile or a word thrown across it like a gleam of sunshine the owner of that life saw it , for the time being at least , as hopeful and lovely and of good report . Finally Gilbert rose regretfully . `` Well , I must run up to MacPhersons ' . Moody Spurgeon came home from Queen 's today for Sunday and he was to bring me out a book Professor Boyd is lending me . '' `` And I must get Marilla 's tea . She went to see Mrs. Keith this evening and she will soon be back . '' Anne had tea ready when Marilla came home ; the fire was crackling cheerily , a vase of frost-bleached ferns and ruby-red maple leaves adorned the table , and delectable odors of ham and toast pervaded the air .
But Marilla sank into her chair XXXXX a deep sigh .
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