Mrs. Lynde pushed them gently aside , tried his pulse , and then laid her ear over his heart . She looked at their anxious faces sorrowfully and the tears came into her eyes . `` Oh , Marilla , '' she said gravely . `` I do n't think -- we can do anything for him . '' `` Mrs. Lynde , you do n't think -- you ca n't think Matthew is -- is -- '' Anne could not say the dreadful word ; she turned sick and pallid . `` Child , yes , I 'm afraid of it . Look at his face . When you 've seen that look as often as I have you 'll know what it means . '' Anne looked at the still face and there beheld the seal of the Great Presence . When the doctor came he said that death had been instantaneous and probably painless , caused in all likelihood by some sudden shock . The secret of the shock was discovered to be in the paper Matthew had held and which Martin had brought from the office that morning . It contained an account of the failure of the Abbey Bank . The news spread quickly through Avonlea , and all day friends and neighbors thronged Green Gables and came and went on errands of kindness for the dead and living . For the first time shy , quiet Matthew Cuthbert was a person of central importance ; the white majesty of death had fallen on him and set him apart as one crowned . When the calm night came softly down over Green Gables the old house was hushed and tranquil . In the parlor lay Matthew Cuthbert in his coffin , his long gray hair framing his placid face on which there was a little kindly smile as if he but slept , dreaming pleasant dreams . There were flowers about him -- sweet old-fashioned flowers which his mother had planted in the homestead garden in her bridal days and for which Matthew had always had a secret , wordless love . Anne had gathered them and brought them to him , her anguished , tearless eyes burning in her white face . It was the last thing she could do for him . The Barrys and Mrs. Lynde stayed with them that night .
Diana , going to the east gable , where Anne was standing XXXXX her window , said gently : `` Anne dear , would you like to have me sleep with you tonight ? ''
In about as at for from into of that through