Anne had only one ugly dress from the orphanage. So Marilla made her three new dresses. She bought a little hat for Anne, too. But Anne didn't like the new clothes.

"Why don't you like them, Anne?" asked Marilla.

"They're-they're not-pretty," answered Anne.

"But they're very good dresses," said Marilla.

Marilla went to church every Sunday. She wanted to take Anne with her. But the next Sunday, Marilla was sick.

"Can you go to church without me?" she asked Anne.

"Yes, of course, Marilla," answered Anne.

She put on one of her new dresses and her hat, and started walking down the road to church. "I don't like this hat," she thought. "It isn't very pretty."

Then she had an idea. There were a lot of beautiful yellow flowers by the road. Anne put some flowers on her hat.

When she arrived at church, the other children looked at her. "That girl's crazy!" they said.

After church, Anne ran back to Green Gables.

"Did you enjoy it, Anne?" asked Marilla.

"Not very much," said Anne. "The minister talked for a long time, but he wasn't very interesting. But there's going to be a party next week for the children of Avonlea. That's exciting. Please, Marilla, can I go too?"

"Yes, of course," answered Marilla.

"Oh, thank you, Marilla!" said Anne. She put her arms around Marilla.

Marilla felt happy. "I'm starting to love this child," she thought.

***

Marilla had a beautiful old brooch. The day before the party, she couldn't find it. "It was on top of the desk in my room," she thought. "But now it isn't there. Where is it?"

"Did you take my brooch out of my room?" she asked Anne.

"No, Marilla," said Anne. "I went into your room last week. I saw the brooch on top of the desk and put it on my dress. But then I put it back on the desk. I didn't take it out of your room."

Marilla looked for the brooch again, but she couldn't find it.

"Anne," she said, "I'll ask you again. Did you take the brooch from my room and lose it?"

"No, I didn't, Marilla," said Anne quietly.

"Go to your room and stay there," said Marilla.

Anne went to her room. Later, Marilla went to see her.

"Marilla, the party is tomorrow," Anne said. "Please can I go?"

"No," said Marilla angrily. "Tell me about the brooch first."

"But I told you about the brooch, Marilla!" cried Anne.

Next morning, Marilla took Anne's breakfast upstairs. Anne sat on her bed. Her face was white and her big gray eyes shone.