Anne Montgomery Quotes & Sayings

In geometry Anne met her Waterloo. "It's perfectly awful stuff, Marilla," she groaned. "I'm sure I'll never be able to make heads or tail of it. There is not scope for imagination in it at all. — L.M. Montgomery

It's so beautiful that it hurts me,' said Anne softly. 'Perfect things like that always did hurt me - I remember I called it "the queer ache" when I was a child. What is the reason that pain like this seems inseparable from perfection? Is it the pain of finality - when we realise that there can be nothing beyond but retrogression?'
'Perhaps,' said Owen dreamily, 'it is the prisoned infinite in us calling out to its kindred infinite as expressed in that visible perfection. — L.M. Montgomery

Do you think amethysts can be the souls of good violets? — L.M. Montgomery

Shirley, "the little brown boy," as he was known in the family "Who's Who," was asleep in Susan's arms. He was brown-haired, brown-eyed and brown-skinned, with very rosy cheeks, and he was Susan's especial love. After his birth Anne had been very ill for a long time, and Susan "mothered" the baby with a passionate tenderness which none of the other children, dear as they were to her, had ever called out. Dr. Blythe had said that but for her he would never have lived. "I — L.M. Montgomery

Yes, it's beautiful,' said Gilbert, looking steadily down into Anne's uplifted face, 'but wouldn't it have been more beautiful still, Anne, if there had been no separation or misunderstanding ... if they had come hand in hand all the way through life, with no memories behind them but those which belonged to each other? — L.M. Montgomery

I wonder if it will be - can be - any more beautiful than this,' murmured Anne, looking around her with the loving, enraptured eyes of those to whom 'home' must always be the loveliest spot in the world, no matter what fairer lands may lie under alien stars. — L.M. Montgomery

Do you never imagine things different from what they really are?" asked Anne wide-eyed.

"No."

"Oh!" Anne drew a long breath. "Oh, Miss--Marilla, how much you miss! — L.M. Montgomery

Having adventures comes natural to some people", said Anne serenely. "You just have a gift for them or you haven't. — L.M. Montgomery

It was November
the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep, sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines. Anne roamed through the pineland alleys in the park and, as she said, let that great sweeping wind blow the fogs out of her soul. — L.M. Montgomery

When I don't like the name of a place or a person I always imagine a new one and always think of them so. " Anne of Green Gables — L.M. Montgomery

We are schoolmates, I see," he said, smiling at Anne's colors. "That ought to be sufficient introduction. My name is Royal Gardner. — L.M. Montgomery

closed behind Anne — L.M. Montgomery

I read somewhere once that souls were like flowers,' said Priscilla.
'Then your soul is a golden narcissus,' said Anne, 'and Diana's is like a red, red rose. Jane's is an apple blossom, pink and wholesome and sweet.'
'And our own is a white violet, with purple streaks in its heart,' finished Priscilla. — L.M. Montgomery

Oh, Miss Shirley, can you smell the apple-blossom fragrance?" Having a nose, Anne could. — L.M. Montgomery

I am well in body although considerably rumpled up in spirit, thank you, ma'am,' said Anne gravely. Then aside to Marilla in an audible whisper, 'There wasn't anything startling in that, was there, Marilla? — L.M. Montgomery

Just think of all the great and noble souls who have lived and worked in the world. Isn't it worthwhile to come after them and inherit what they won and taught? And think of all the great people in the world today! Isn't it worthwhile to think we can share their inspiration? And the, all the great souls that will come in the future? Isn't it worthwhile to work a little and prepare the way for them-make just one step in their path easier? - Anne Shirley — L.M. Montgomery

At that moment Marilla had a revelation. In the sudden stab of fear that pierced her very heart she realized what Anne had come to mean to her. She would have admitted that she liked Anne--nay, that she was very fond of Anne. But now she knew as she hurried wildly down the slope that Anne was dearer to her than anything else on earth — L.M. Montgomery

You're never safe from being surprised until you're dead. — L.M. Montgomery

Nothing seems worthwhile. My very thoughts are old. I've thought them all before. What is the use of living after all, Anne? — L.M. Montgomery

True friends are always together in spirit. (Anne Shirley) — L.M. Montgomery

I apologized pretty well, didn't I?" she said proudly as they went down the lane. "I thought since I had to do it I might as well do it thoroughly." "You did it thoroughly, all right enough," was Marilla's comment. Marilla was dismayed at finding herself inclined to laugh over the recollection. She had also an uneasy feeling that she ought to scold Anne for apologizing so well; but then, that was ridiculous! — L.M. Montgomery

Anne looked at the white young mother with a certain awe that had never entered into her feelings for Diana before. Could this pale woman with the rapture in her eyes be the little black-curled, rosy-cheeked Diana she had played with in vanished schooldays? It gave her a queer desolate feeling that she herself somehow belonged only in those past years and had no business in the present at all. — L.M. Montgomery

I like teaching, too," said Gilbert. "It's good training, for one thing. Why, Anne, I've learned more in the weeks I've been teaching the young ideas of White Sands than I learned in all the years I went to school myself. — L.M. Montgomery

There is nothing but meetings and partings in this world - Anne Shirley — L.M. Montgomery

Well, they're splendid to amuse children with," said Diana. "Fred and Small Anne look at the pictures by the hour." "I amused ten children without the aid of Eaton's catalogue," said Mrs. Rachel severely. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne came dancing home in the purple winter twilight across the snowy places. — L.M. Montgomery

"Wouldn't it be lovely, Miss Shirley, if some one could just wave a wand and make everybody beautiful?" she said wistfully. "Just fancy my feelings, Miss Shirley, if I suddenly fould myself beautiful! But then" ... with a sigh ... "if we were all beauties who would do the work?"
Anne of Windy Poplars — L.M. Montgomery

No. I don't think I've ever been really lonely in my life," answered Anne. "Even when I'm alone I have real good company - dreams and imaginations and pretendings. I LIKE to be alone now and then, just to think over things and TASTE them. — L.M. Montgomery

There is so much in the world for us all if we only have the eyes to see it, and the heart to love it, and the hand to gather it to ourselves
so much in men and women, so much in art and literature, so much everywhere in which to delight, and for which to be thankful. — L.M. Montgomery

But it's a million times nicer to be Anne of Green Gables than Anne of nowhere in particular, isn't it? — L.M. Montgomery

Sunbursts and marble halls may be all very well but there is more 'scope for the imagination without them. - Anne Shirley — L.M. Montgomery

Anne laughed and sighed. She felt very old and mature and wise - which showed how young she was. — L.M. Montgomery

Heaven must be very beautiful, of course, the Bible says so - but, Anne, it won't be what I've been used to. — L.M. Montgomery

Like everyone else, I grew up loving the Anne books, but L.M. Montgomery is so much more. Like Jane Austen, she has an eye for the absurd and a gift for the 'mot juste.' — Lauren Willig

I've always loved the night and I'll like lying awake and thinking over everything in life, past, present and to come. Especially to come. — L.M. Montgomery

If Gilbert had been asked to describe his ideal woman the description would have answered point for point to Anne ... He had made up his mind, also, that his future must be worthy of its goddess. ... But he meant to keep himself worthy of Anne's friendship and perhaps some distant day her love; and he watched over word and thought and deed as jealously as if her clear eyes were to pass in judgment on it. — L.M. Montgomery

But you like to cry over stories?" "Oh, yes, in the middle of them. But I like everything to come right at last." "I must have one pathetic scene in it," said Anne thoughtfully. "I might let ROBERT RAY be injured in an accident and have a death scene." "No, you mustn't kill BOBBY off," declared Diana, laughing. "He belongs to me and I want him to live and flourish. Kill somebody else if you have to." For — L.M. Montgomery

Oh, WHY can't boys be just sensible!" Anne — L.M. Montgomery

And then - thwack! - Anne had brought her slate down on Gilbert's head and cracked it - slate not head - clear across. — L.M. Montgomery

Behind them in the garden the little stone house brooded among the shadows. It was lonely but not forsaken. It had not yet done with dreams and laughter and the joy of life; there were to be future summers for the little stone house; meanwhile, it could wait. And over the river in purple durance the echoes bided their time. — L.M. Montgomery

Oh, I think some parts of it are fine," conceded Davy. "That story about Joseph now - it's bully. But if I'd been Joseph Iwouldn't have forgive the brothers. No, siree, Anne. I'd have cut all their heads off. — L.M. Montgomery

Leaving this Parthian shaft to rankle in Anne's stormy bosom, Marilla descended to the kitchen, grievously troubled in mind and vexed in soul. — L.M. Montgomery

Marilla is eighty-five," said Anne with a sigh. "Her hair is snow-white. But, strange to say, her eyesight is better than it was when she was sixty. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne was always glad in the happiness of her friends; but it is sometimes a little lonely to be surrounded everywhere by happiness that is not your own. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne was kneeling at the west gable window watching the sunset sky that was like a great flower with petals of crocus and a heart of fiery yellow. — L.M. Montgomery

It's snowing some today and Marilla says the old woman in the sky is shaking her feather beds. Is the old woman in the sky God's wife, Anne? I want to know. Mrs. — L.M. Montgomery

Marilla felt more embarrassed than ever. She had intended to teach Anne the childish classic, "Now I lay me down to sleep." But she had, as I have told you, the glimmerings of a sense of humor
which is simply another name for a sense of the fitness of things; and it suddenly occurred to her that simple little prayer, sacred to the white-robed childhood lisping at motherly knees, was entirely unsuited to this freckled witch of a girl who knew and cared nothing about God's love, since she had never had it translated to her through the medium of human love. — L.M. Montgomery

For the next fortnight Anne writhed or reveled, according to mood, in her literary pursuits. Now she would be jubilant over a brilliant idea, now despairing because some contrary character would NOT behave properly. — L.M. Montgomery

But I'll have to ask you to wait a long time, Anne," said Gilbert sadly. "It will be three years before I'll finish my medical course. And even then there will be no diamond sunbursts and marble halls."

Anne laughed.

"I don't want sunbursts and marble halls. I just want YOU. You see I'm quite as shameless as Phil about it. Sunbursts and marble halls may be all very well, but there is more 'scope for imagination' without them. And as for the waiting, that doesn't matter. We'll just be happy, waiting and working for each other -- and dreaming. Oh, dreams will be very sweet now."

Gilbert drew her close to him and kissed her. Then they walked home together in the dusk, crowned king and queen in the bridal realm of love, along winding paths fringed with the sweetest flowers that ever bloomed, and over haunted meadows where winds of hope and memory blew. — L.M. Montgomery

Diana: "I wish I were rich, and I could spend the whole summer at a hotel, eating ice cream and chicken salad."
Anne: "You know something, Diana? We are rich. We have sixteen years to our credit, and we both have wonderful imaginations. We should be as happy as queens."
[gestures to the setting sun]
Anne Shirley: "Look at that. You couldn't enjoy its loveliness more if you had ropes of diamonds. — L.M. Montgomery

I don't think there is much fear of your dying of grief as long as you can talk, Anne," said Marilla unsympathetically. — L.M. Montgomery

I wonder what a soul ... a person's soul ... would look like,' said Priscilla dreamily.
'Like that, I should think,' answered Anne, pointing to a radiance of sifted sunlight streaming through a birch tree. 'Only with shape and features of course. I like to fancy souls as being made of light. And some are all shot through with rosy stains and quivers ... and some have a soft glitter like moonlight on the sea ... and some are pale and transparent like mist at dawn. — L.M. Montgomery

But Gilbert's visits were not what they once were. Anne almost dreaded them. It was very disconcerting to look up in the midst of a sudden silence and find Gilbert's hazel eyes fixed upon her with a quite unmistakable expression in their grave depths; and it was still more disconcerting to find herself blushing hotly and uncomfortably under his gaze, just as if - just as if - well, it was very embarrassing. — L.M. Montgomery

If a kiss could be seen I think it would look like a violet,' said Priscilla.
Anne glowed.
'I'm so glad you spoke that thought, Priscilla, instead of just thinking it and keeping it to yourself. This world would be a much more interesting place ... although it is very interesting, anyhow ... if people spoke out their real thoughts. — L.M. Montgomery

Miss Cornelia dropped in that afternoon, puffing a little.
"I don't mind the world or the devil much, but the flesh does rather bother me," she admitted. "You always look as cool as a cucumber, Anne, dearie. Do I smell cherry pie? If I do, ask me to stay to tea ... — L.M. Montgomery

But you have such dimples," said Anne, smiling affectionately into the pretty, vivacious face so near her own. "Lovely dimples, like little dents in cream. I have given up all hope of dimples. My dimple-dream will never come true; but so many of my dreams have that I mustn't complain. Am I all ready now? — L.M. Montgomery

Diana: "Gilbert told Charlie Sloan that you were the smartest girl in school, right in front of Josie."
Anne: "He did?"
Diana: "He told Charlie being smart was better than being good looking."
Anne: "I should have known he meant to insult me. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne of Windy Poplars — L.M. Montgomery

Anne smiled and sighed. The seasons that seemed so long to Baby Rilla were beginning to pass all too quickly for her. Another summer was ended, lighted out of life by the ageless gold of Lombardy torches. Soon ... all too soon ... the children of Ingleside would be children no longer. But they were still hers ... hers to welcome when they came home at night ... hers to fill life with wonder and delight ... hers to love and cheer and scold ... a little. — L.M. Montgomery

But you needn't try to make us believe you can chloroform a cat," laughed Anne. "It was all the fault of the knothole," protested Phil. "It was a good thing the knothole was there," said Aunt Jamesina rather severely. "Kittens HAVE to be drowned, I admit, or the world would be overrun. But no decent, grown-up cat should be done to death - unless he sucks eggs. — L.M. Montgomery

Chapter 8 Anne's First Proposal The — L.M. Montgomery

ANNE: You said you'd keep me in my room until I confessed. I just thought up a good confession and made it as interesting as I could.
MARILLA: But it was still a lie.
ANNE: You wouldn't believe the truth. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne looked up. Tall and handsome and distinguished-looking - dark, melancholy, inscrutable eyes - melting, musical, sympathetic voice - yes, the very hero of her dreams stood before her in the flesh. He could not have more closely resembled her ideal if he — L.M. Montgomery

What are you going to do with the money Anne? Let's all go up town and get drunk! — L.M. Montgomery

Well, I don't want to be anyone but myself, even if I go uncomforted by diamonds all my life," declared Anne. "I'm quite content to be Anne of Green Gables, with my string of pearl beads. — L.M. Montgomery

I'm so glad you're here, Anne,' said Miss Lavendar, nibbling at her candy. 'If you weren't I should be blue ... very blue ... almost navy blue. Dreams and make-believes are all very well in the daytime and the sunshine, but when dark and storm come they fail to satisfy. One wants real things then. But you don't know this ... seventeen never knows it. At seventeen dreams do satisfy because you think the realities are waiting for you further on. — L.M. Montgomery

There was no mistaking her sincerity
it breathed in every tone of her voice. Both Marilla and Mrs. Lynde recognized its unmistakable ring. But the former understood in dismay that Anne was actually enjoying her valley of humiliation
was reveling in the thoroughness of her abasement. Where was the wholesome punishment upon which she, Marilla, had plumed herself? Anne had turned it into a species of positive pleasure. — L.M. Montgomery

I'm in the depths of despair! (Anne of Green Gables) — L.M. Montgomery

The trouble with you, Anne, is that you're thinking too much about yourself. You should just think of Mrs. Allan and what would be nicest and most agreeable to her, said Marilla, hitting for once in her life on a very sound and pithy piece of advice. Anne instantly realized this. — L.M. Montgomery

What a splendid day!' said Anne, drawing a long breath. 'Isn't it good just to be alive on a day like this? I pity the people who aren't born yet for missing it. They may have good days, of course, but they can never have this one. — L.M. Montgomery

It doesn't seem FAIR, said Anne rebelliously. Babies are born and live where they are not wanted-where they will be neglected-where they have no chance. I would have loved my baby so-and cared for it tenderly-and tried to give her every chance for good. And yet I wasn't allowed to keep her. — L.M. Montgomery

There's one thing plain to be seen, Anne," said Marilla, "and that is that your fall off the Barry roof hasn't injured your tongue at all. — L.M. Montgomery

Mrs. Lynde says Mrs. Wrights grandfather stole a sheep but Marilla says we mustent speak ill of the dead. Why mustent we, Anne? I want to know. It's pretty safe ain't it? — L.M. Montgomery

You'll just pamper Anne's vanity, Matthew, and she's as vain as a peacock now. — L.M. Montgomery

It wouldn't do to have all our dreams fulfilled. We would be as good as dead if we had nothing left to dream about. - Anne Shirley — L.M. Montgomery

Anne?" said Dacy sitting up in bed and propping his chin on his hands, "Anne, where is sleep? People go to sleep every night, and of course I know it's a place where I do things I dream, but I want to know where it is and how to get there and back without knowing anything about it ... and in my nighty too. Where is it? — L.M. Montgomery

That Gilbert of yours is a darling, Anne, — L.M. Montgomery

Marilla!" Anne sat down on Marilla's gingham lap, took Marilla's lined face between her hands, and looked gravely and tenderly into Marilla's eyes. "I'm not a bit changed - not really. I'm only just pruned down and branched out. The real me - back here - is just the same. It won't make a bit of difference where I go or how much I change outwardly; at heart I shall always be your little Anne, who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables more and better every day of her life. — L.M. Montgomery

Don't give up all your romance Anne, a little of it is a good thing - not too much of course-but keep a little of it - Matthew Cuthbert — L.M. Montgomery

I'm going to have the daintiest things possible ... things that will match the spring, you understand ... little jelly tarts and lady fingers, and drop cookies frosted with pink and yellow icing, and buttercup cake. — L.M. Montgomery

In daylight I belong to the world ... in the night to sleep and eternity. But in the dusk I'm free from both and belong only to myself ... and you — L.M. Montgomery

I can't understand how she could have wanted to live back here, away from everything," said Jane. "Oh, I can easily understand that," said Anne thoughtfully. "I wouldn't want it myself for a steady thing because, although I love the fields and woods, I love people too ... — L.M. Montgomery

Freedom!' Mrs. Lynde sniffed. 'Freedom! Don't talk like a Yankee, Anne. — L.M. Montgomery

It's lovely to be going home and know it's home. I love green gables already, and I've never loved any place before. Oh, Marilla, I'm so happy. — L.M. Montgomery

Our library isn't very extensive," said Anne, "but every book in it is a friend. We've picked our books up through the years, here and there, never buying one until we had first read it and knew that it belonged to the race of Joseph. — L.M. Montgomery

Time is kinder than we think,' thought Anne. 'It's a dreadful mistake to cherish bitterness for years ... hugging it to our hearts like a treasure. — L.M. Montgomery

There's such a lot of different Annes in me. I sometimes think that is why I'm such a troublesome person. If I was just the one Anne it would be ever so much more comfortable, but then it wouldn't be half so interesting. — L.M. Montgomery

That's a lovely idea, Diana,' said Anne enthusiastically. 'Living so that you beautify your name, even if it wasn't beautiful to begin with ... making it stand in people's thoughts for something so lovely and pleasant that they never think of it by itself. — L.M. Montgomery

Do you know, Gilbert, there are times when I strongly suspect that I love you! — L.M. Montgomery

The tinkles of sleigh bells among the snowy hills came like elfin chimes through the frosty air, but their music was not sweeter than the song in Anne's heart and on her lips. — L.M. Montgomery

I guess you've got a spice of temper," commented Mr. Harrison, surveying the flushed cheeks and indignant eyes opposite him. "It goes with hair like yours, I reckon — L.M. Montgomery

I won't say another word
not one. I know I talk too much, but I am really trying to overcome it, and although I say far too much, yet if you only knew how much I want to say and don't, you'd give me some credit for it. — L.M. Montgomery

Now you see why I can't be perfectly happy. No one could, who has red hair. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne had no sooner uttered the phrase, "home o'dreams," than it captivated her fancy and she immediately began the erection of one of her own. It was, of course, tenanted by an ideal master, dark, proud, and melancholy; but oddly enough, Gilbert Blythe persisted in hanging about too, helping her arrange pictures, lay out gardens, and accomplish sundry other tasks which a proud and melancholy hero evidently considered beneath his dignity. Anne tried to banish Gilbert's image from her castle in Spain but, somehow, he went on being there, so Anne, being in a hurry, gave up the attempt and pursued her aerial architecture with such success that her "home o'dreams" was built and furnished before Diana spoke again. — L.M. Montgomery

Out of your world perhaps, Susan - but not out of mine,' said Anne with a faint smile. — L.M. Montgomery

Anne laughed.
I don't want sunbursts or marble halls, I just want you. — L.M. Montgomery

We belong to the race that knows Joseph — L.M. Montgomery

Oh, Anne, things are so mixed-up in real life. They aren't clear-cut and trimmed off, as they are in novels. — L.M. Montgomery

But just think what a dull world it would be if everyone was sensible,' pleaded Anne. — L.M. Montgomery

That's the worst ... or the best ... of real life, Anne. It won't let you be miserable. It keeps on trying to make you comfortable ... and succeeding ... even when you're determined to be unhappy and romantic. — L.M. Montgomery