Notes

CHAPTER8
Matthew Wants Puffed Sleeves
It soon became winter, and one evening Matthew came into the kitchen after a long day to find Anne and her school friends practicing for the school Christmas concert, The children loved having Miss Stacy as their teacher. She gave them such interesting things to do. Matthew, taking off his boots, watched the girls play. He noticed something about Anne that was different from her friends, but what was it?Of course! Anne was not dressed like the other girls! Marilla dressed her in plain, dark dresses that were all the same. Anne's sleeves did not look at all like the sleeves of the other girls, who wore theirs puffed.Of course, Marilla knew best.But, surely, the girl could have one pretty dress. Matthew decided that he would give her a nice newone for Christmas. The next evening, Matthew went to town to buy dress did not know much about dresses. hen the He girl asked him what he wanted, he did not know what to say. In the end, he came home with brown sugar. but no dress! "I never use brown sugar," said Marilla Well, you might sometime," said Matthew, making his escape. The next day, Matthew asked Mrs. Lymde to pick out a dress for Anne "of course," she said, "I'll go tomorrow I believe a nice rich brown would be lovel "Well now, thank you," said Matthew, and and I'd like the sleeves made in the new way. Puffs of course. said Mrs. Lynde Christmas morning broke on a beautiful snow-covered world, Anne looked out of her window with delighted eyes then ran downstairs singing "Merry Christmas, Marilla! Merry Christmas, Matthew! isn't it a lovely Christmas Why why Matthew, is that for me oh, Matthew! Matthew had unfolded the dress from its paper and held it out to Anne Marilla watched from the kitchen./ Anne took the dress and looked at it in silence/oh how pretty it was! "That's a Christmas present for you, Anne," said. Matthew shyly. Anne's eyes filled with tears. Matthew yoh, Poh, can never thank you enough./Look at those pretty puffed sleeves! is must be a happy dream When breakfast was over, Diana arrived in a pretty red dress "I've got something for you," she said Aunt Josephine sent us a big box of presents and this is for you Anne opened the box and looked in nside was a pair of the most precious, pretty little shoes "You can wear them for the concert instead of your boots," said Diana The concert that evening was a wonderful success The little hall was crowded and all the performers did very well. 20 When it was all over, Anne and Diana walked home together "Your poetry reading brought down the house, Anne.40 Oh, I was so nervous, Diana But I thought of lovely puffed sleeves and took courage "Gil m Wasn't the boys' reading good?" said Diana you Blythe was excellent. Anne, do you know, when saw ran off, one of your roses fell out of your hair Gil pick it up and put it in his pocket! "Humph! said Anne w That night, Marilla and Matthew sat for a by the kitchen fire our Anne did as well as any of them," said Matthew proudly. too," said she did. And she looked really nice, Marilla "Anne's getting older; she'll need somethin more than Avonlea school s "Yes, I guess the best thing we can do for her will be to send her to Queen's 7 Matthew replied "But we don't need to say anything for a year or two yet Review Questions 1. What did Matthew notice about Anne? What did he decide to do about it? 2. What did Matthew buy in town? What were the Christmas presents that Anne received?