`` That you wo n't , '' said Gilbert , wondering uneasily if it were that confounded Junior 's opinion in particular over which Anne was worried . `` The Reds will think just as I thought -- that you , being like nine out of ten of us , not overburdened with worldly wealth , had taken this way of earning an honest penny to help yourself through the year . I do n't see that there 's anything low or unworthy about that , or anything ridiculous either . One would rather write masterpieces of literature no doubt -- but meanwhile board and tuition fees have to be paid . '' This commonsense , matter-of-fact view of the case cheered Anne a little . At least it removed her dread of being laughed at , though the deeper hurt of an outraged ideal remained . Chapter XVI Adjusted Relationships `` It 's the homiest spot I ever saw -- it 's homier than home , '' avowed Philippa Gordon , looking about her with delighted eyes . They were all assembled at twilight in the big living-room at Patty 's Place -- Anne and Priscilla , Phil and Stella , Aunt Jamesina , Rusty , Joseph , the Sarah-Cat , and Gog and Magog . The firelight shadows were dancing over the walls ; the cats were purring ; and a huge bowl of hothouse chrysanthemums , sent to Phil by one of the victims , shone through the golden gloom like creamy moons . It was three weeks since they had considered themselves settled , and already all believed the experiment would be a success . The first fortnight after their return had been a pleasantly exciting one ; they had been busy setting up their household goods , organizing their little establishment , and adjusting different opinions . Anne was not over-sorry to leave Avonlea when the time came to return to college . The last few days of her vacation had not been pleasant . Her prize story had been published in the Island papers ; and Mr. William Blair had , upon the counter of his store , a huge pile of pink , green and yellow pamphlets , containing it , one of which he gave to every customer . He sent a complimentary bundle to Anne , who promptly dropped them all in the kitchen stove . Her humiliation was the consequence of her own ideals only , for Avonlea folks thought it quite splendid that she should have won the prize . Her many friends regarded her with honest admiration ; her few foes with scornful envy . Josie Pye said she believed Anne Shirley had just copied the story ; she was sure she remembered reading it in a paper years before . The Sloanes , who had found out or guessed that Charlie had been `` turned down , '' said they did n't think it was much to be proud of ; almost any one could have done it , if she tried . Aunt Atossa told Anne she was very sorry to hear she had taken to writing novels ; nobody born and bred in Avonlea would do it ; that was what came of adopting orphans from goodness knew where , with goodness knew what kind of parents .
Even Mrs. Rachel Lynde was darkly dubious about the propriety of writing fiction , though she was almost reconciled XXXXX it by that twenty-five dollar check .
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