Theodora dropped her work and looked meditatively out over the green slopes of the summer world.

Chronicles of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. Read this book online for free on HackerNoon!

She had nothing to love, and that is about as unwholesome a condition as is possible to anyone.

“I know he wouldn’t, Abel. He wants me to be a minister. Ministers are good things to be, but I’m afraid I can’t be a minister.”

“I hope you’ll feel better soon, Aunty Nan.”

“Really, don’t you think our Lucinda is looking remarkably well this fall?”

“The last woman in the world for a farmer’s wife—no strength or get-up about her.”

“Mary, did you ever see anything so funny as Aunt Olivia sitting on ‘Mr. Malcolm MacPherson’s’ knee?”

“You can certainly cook. It’s a pity you are such a detestable crank in other respects.”

“That so? Well, I noticed the kerosene demijohn wasn’t very hefty the last time I filled the can. Reckon it needs replenishing.”

“Wrong. He stepped up to Prissy Strong and walked off with her. Cold soup warmed over.”

“Oh, Lionel Hezekiah, what have you gone and done now?”

“Oh, but I do mind,” said Nancy frankly. “I hate being an old maid.”