But flesh and blood do n't come under the head of arithmetic and that 's where Marilla Cuthbert makes her mistake . I suppose she 's trying to cultivate a spirit of humility in Anne by dressing her as she does ; but it 's more likely to cultivate envy and discontent . I 'm sure the child must feel the difference between her clothes and the other girls ' . But to think of Matthew taking notice of it ! That man is waking up after being asleep for over sixty years . '' Marilla knew all the following fortnight that Matthew had something on his mind , but what it was she could not guess , until Christmas Eve , when Mrs. Lynde brought up the new dress . Marilla behaved pretty well on the whole , although it is very likely she distrusted Mrs. Lynde 's diplomatic explanation that she had made the dress because Matthew was afraid Anne would find out about it too soon if Marilla made it . `` So this is what Matthew has been looking so mysterious over and grinning about to himself for two weeks , is it ? '' she said a little stiffly but tolerantly . `` I knew he was up to some foolishness . Well , I must say I do n't think Anne needed any more dresses . I made her three good , warm , serviceable ones this fall , and anything more is sheer extravagance . There 's enough material in those sleeves alone to make a waist , I declare there is . You 'll just pamper Anne 's vanity , Matthew , and she 's as vain as a peacock now . Well , I hope she 'll be satisfied at last , for I know she 's been hankering after those silly sleeves ever since they came in , although she never said a word after the first . The puffs have been getting bigger and more ridiculous right along ; they 're as big as balloons now . Next year anybody who wears them will have to go through a door sideways . '' Christmas morning broke on a beautiful white world . It had been a very mild December and people had looked forward to a green Christmas ; but just enough snow fell softly in the night to transfigure Avonlea . Anne peeped out from her frosted gable window with delighted eyes .
The firs XXXXX the Haunted Wood were all feathery and wonderful ; the birches and wild cherry trees were outlined in pearl ; the plowed fields were stretches of snowy dimples ; and there was a crisp tang in the air that was glorious .
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