Anne "apologises" to Mrs Lynde
The Insults
Mrs Lynde told Anne she was skinny, weak, ugly, freckled and with red hair. Not knowing Anne, she didn't realize she would get a ferocious broadside in response. While recognizing Mrs Lynde's rudeness, Marilla insists that Anne must apologize and sends her to her room until she does so ..... Matthew tries to convince Anne to play along. I find his request to Anne not to mention their conversation to Marilla as extremely significant!

Matthew: "Don't you think you'd better .... say it ..... just to have it over with?"

Anne: "If I apologize I'll be fibbing."

Matthew: "It'll have to be done ... sooner or later ... for Marilla's a dreadful determined woman."

Anne: "So am I."

Matthew: "It's terrible lonesome downstairs, without you. I'm not used to the quiet - any more."

Anne: "The trouble is that the prospect seems humiliating, and unfair."

Matthew: "But you're smart enough to find the right words, I'm sure."

Anne: "But why should the apology have to come from me, when it was Mrs Lynde who caused the entire situation?"

Matthew: "I like to think that one fine day it won't matter a whit to you what anybody says sideways."

Anne: "You have a good imagination ... I suppose it would be true enough to say I'm sorry. I am sorry I upset Miss       Marilla - and you."

Matthew: "So ..... go on - smooth things over, can't you?"

Anne: "Very well. I'll attempt it - for you."

Matthew: "Now that's good news (turns to leave) Don't tell Marilla we had a conversation - on account of we decided            raising you was her department."

Anne: (smiling) "I shall carry our secret to my grave."

The Apology

Anne and Marilla came upon Mrs. Lynde on her terrace, knitting by her kitchen window. Anne's face 1s a picture of mournful penitence as she suddenly falls to her knees before the astonished Mrs. Lynde and holds out her hands beseechingly.

Anne: "Oh, Mrs. Lynde, I am so extremely sorry. I could never express my sorrow, no, not even if I used up a whole dictionary. I behaved terribly to you - and I've disgraced my dear friends, the Cuthberts, who may let me stay at Green Gables even though I'm not a boy. I am a dreadfully wicked and ungrateful girl, and I deserve to be punished and cast out by respectful society forever. It was awful of me to fly into a temper because you told me the truth. And it was the truth; every word you said was true. My hair IS red and I AM freckled AND skinny AND ugly. Now what I said to you was true, too, but I shouldn't have said it. Oh, Mrs. Lynde, please, please say you can forgive me. If you refuse it'll be a lifelong sorrow on a poor little orphan girl. Please say you forgive me, Mrs. Lynde."

Rachel: "There,there - get up child. Of course I forgive you. I guess I was a little hard on you, but I'm just an outspoken person. You mustn't mind me; that's what I say."

Anne: "Thank you for your kind consideration. I look forward to never minding what you say again."

Rachel: "Indeed. Although it can't be denied your hair is terrible red. But there may be hope for it. There was a girl in our class who had hair every bit as red as yours. Do you recall, Marilla? But when she grew up it darkened to a real handsome auburn. I wouldn't be a mite surprised if yours did, too."

Anne: "Oh, Mrs. Lynde! You've given me hope. I shall always remember that you were a benefactor."

Marilla has heard enough!: "We should run along, Anne. Thank you for your graciousness of course."

Rachel: "She has a queer way of expressing herself - forcible, like."

Marilla and Anne take their leave.

Anne: "I apologised pretty well, didn't I? I thought since I had to do it I might as well do it thoroughly."

Marilla: "Oh, you did it thoroughly alright."