In imagination she sailed over storied seas that wash the distant shining shores of `` faery lands forlorn , '' where lost Atlantis and Elysium lie , with the evening star for pilot , to the land of Heart 's Desire . And she was richer in those dreams than in realities ; for things seen pass away , but the things that are unseen are eternal . Chapter II Garlands of Autumn The following week sped swiftly , crowded with innumerable `` last things , '' as Anne called them . Good-bye calls had to be made and received , being pleasant or otherwise , according to whether callers and called-upon were heartily in sympathy with Anne 's hopes , or thought she was too much puffed-up over going to college and that it was their duty to `` take her down a peg or two . '' The A.V.I.S. gave a farewell party in honor of Anne and Gilbert one evening at the home of Josie Pye , choosing that place , partly because Mr. Pye 's house was large and convenient , partly because it was strongly suspected that the Pye girls would have nothing to do with the affair if their offer of the house for the party was not accepted . It was a very pleasant little time , for the Pye girls were gracious , and said and did nothing to mar the harmony of the occasion -- which was not according to their wont . Josie was unusually amiable -- so much so that she even remarked condescendingly to Anne , `` Your new dress is rather becoming to you , Anne . Really , you look ALMOST PRETTY in it . '' `` How kind of you to say so , '' responded Anne , with dancing eyes . Her sense of humor was developing , and the speeches that would have hurt her at fourteen were becoming merely food for amusement now . Josie suspected that Anne was laughing at her behind those wicked eyes ; but she contented herself with whispering to Gertie , as they went downstairs , that Anne Shirley would put on more airs than ever now that she was going to college -- you 'd see ! All the `` old crowd '' was there , full of mirth and zest and youthful lightheartedness . Diana Barry , rosy and dimpled , shadowed by the faithful Fred ; Jane Andrews , neat and sensible and plain ; Ruby Gillis , looking her handsomest and brightest in a cream silk blouse , with red geraniums in her golden hair ; Gilbert Blythe and Charlie Sloane , both trying to keep as near the elusive Anne as possible ; Carrie Sloane , looking pale and melancholy because , so it was reported , her father would not allow Oliver Kimball to come near the place ; Moody Spurgeon MacPherson , whose round face and objectionable ears were as round and objectionable as ever ; and Billy Andrews , who sat in a corner all the evening , chuckled when any one spoke to him , and watched Anne Shirley with a grin of pleasure on his broad , freckled countenance . Anne had known beforehand of the party , but she had not known that she and Gilbert were , as the founders of the Society , to be presented with a very complimentary `` address '' and `` tokens of respect '' -- in her case a volume of Shakespeare 's plays , in Gilbert 's a fountain pen . She was so taken by surprise and pleased by the nice things said in the address , read in Moody Spurgeon 's most solemn and ministerial tones , that the tears quite drowned the sparkle of her big gray eyes . She had worked hard and faithfully for the A.V.I.S. , and it warmed the cockles of her heart that the members appreciated her efforts so sincerely . And they were all so nice and friendly and jolly -- even the Pye girls had their merits ; at that moment Anne loved all the world . She enjoyed the evening tremendously , but the end of it rather spoiled all . Gilbert again made the mistake of saying something sentimental to her as they ate their supper on the moonlit verandah ; and Anne , to punish him , was gracious to Charlie Sloane and allowed the latter to walk home with her . She found , however , that revenge hurts nobody quite so much as the one who tries to inflict it .
Gilbert walked airily off XXXXX Ruby Gillis , and Anne could hear them laughing and talking gaily as they loitered along in the still , crisp autumn air .
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