`` That 's right -- that 's right , Anne . But do n't tell Marilla I said anything about it . She might think I was putting my oar in and I promised not to do that . '' `` Wild horses wo n't drag the secret from me , '' promised Anne solemnly . `` How would wild horses drag a secret from a person anyhow ? '' But Matthew was gone , scared at his own success . He fled hastily to the remotest corner of the horse pasture lest Marilla should suspect what he had been up to . Marilla herself , upon her return to the house , was agreeably surprised to hear a plaintive voice calling , `` Marilla '' over the banisters . `` Well ? '' she said , going into the hall . `` I 'm sorry I lost my temper and said rude things , and I 'm willing to go and tell Mrs. Lynde so . '' `` Very well . '' Marilla 's crispness gave no sign of her relief . She had been wondering what under the canopy she should do if Anne did not give in . `` I 'll take you down after milking . '' Accordingly , after milking , behold Marilla and Anne walking down the lane , the former erect and triumphant , the latter drooping and dejected . But halfway down Anne 's dejection vanished as if by enchantment . She lifted her head and stepped lightly along , her eyes fixed on the sunset sky and an air of subdued exhilaration about her . Marilla beheld the change disapprovingly . This was no meek penitent such as it behooved her to take into the presence of the offended Mrs. Lynde .
`` What are you thinking XXXXX , Anne ? ''
about as at down in into of over under upon