`` Matthew Cuthbert , I 'm astonished at you . You know that Anne 's behavior was dreadful , and yet you take her part ! I suppose you 'll be saying next thing that she ought n't to be punished at all ! '' `` Well now -- no -- not exactly , '' said Matthew uneasily . `` I reckon she ought to be punished a little . But do n't be too hard on her , Marilla . Recollect she has n't ever had anyone to teach her right . You 're -- you 're going to give her something to eat , are n't you ? '' `` When did you ever hear of me starving people into good behavior ? '' demanded Marilla indignantly . `` She 'll have her meals regular , and I 'll carry them up to her myself . But she 'll stay up there until she 's willing to apologize to Mrs. Lynde , and that 's final , Matthew . '' Breakfast , dinner , and supper were very silent meals -- for Anne still remained obdurate . After each meal Marilla carried a well-filled tray to the east gable and brought it down later on not noticeably depleted . Matthew eyed its last descent with a troubled eye . Had Anne eaten anything at all ? When Marilla went out that evening to bring the cows from the back pasture , Matthew , who had been hanging about the barns and watching , slipped into the house with the air of a burglar and crept upstairs . As a general thing Matthew gravitated between the kitchen and the little bedroom off the hall where he slept ; once in a while he ventured uncomfortably into the parlor or sitting room when the minister came to tea . But he had never been upstairs in his own house since the spring he helped Marilla paper the spare bedroom , and that was four years ago . He tiptoed along the hall and stood for several minutes outside the door of the east gable before he summoned courage to tap on it with his fingers and then open the door to peep in .
Anne was sitting on the yellow chair by the window gazing mournfully out XXXXX the garden .
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