`` I 'm very much obliged to you , '' she said haughtily as she turned away . But Gilbert had also sprung from the boat and now laid a detaining hand on her arm . `` Anne , '' he said hurriedly , `` look here . Ca n't we be good friends ? I 'm awfully sorry I made fun of your hair that time . I did n't mean to vex you and I only meant it for a joke . Besides , it 's so long ago . I think your hair is awfully pretty now -- honest I do . Let 's be friends . '' For a moment Anne hesitated . She had an odd , newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity that the half-shy , half-eager expression in Gilbert 's hazel eyes was something that was very good to see . Her heart gave a quick , queer little beat . But the bitterness of her old grievance promptly stiffened up her wavering determination . That scene of two years before flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday . Gilbert had called her `` carrots '' and had brought about her disgrace before the whole school . Her resentment , which to other and older people might be as laughable as its cause , was in no whit allayed and softened by time seemingly . She hated Gilbert Blythe ! She would never forgive him ! `` No , '' she said coldly , `` I shall never be friends with you , Gilbert Blythe ; and I do n't want to be ! '' `` All right ! ''
Gilbert sprang into his skiff with an angry color XXXXX his cheeks .
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