It seems a rather queer
proceeding--but you're always getting mixed up in queer
proceedings, Anne. As for what is in it, the easiest way to find
out, I reckon, is to open it and see. The key is tied to it.
Jack said Miss Emily said she wanted you to have it because she
loved you and saw her lost youth in you. I guess she was a bit
delirious at the last and wandered a good deal. She said she
wanted you 'to understand her.' "
I ran over to Orchard Slope and asked Diana to come over and
examine the trunk with me. I hadn't received any instructions
about keeping its contents secret and I knew Miss Emily wouldn't
mind Diana knowing about them, whatever they were.
It was a cool, gray afternoon and we got back to Green Gables
just as the rain was beginning to fall. When we went up to my
room the wind was rising and whistling through the boughs of the
big old Snow Queen outside of my window. Diana was excited, and,
I really believe, a little bit frightened.
We opened the old trunk. It was very small, and there was
nothing in it but a big cardboard box. The box was tied up and
the knots sealed with wax. We lifted it out and untied it. I
touched Diana's fingers as we did it, and both of us exclaimed at
once, "How cold your hand is!"
In the box was a quaint, pretty, old-fashioned gown, not at all
faded, made of blue muslin, with a little darker blue flower in
it. Under it we found a sash, a yellowed feather fan, and an
envelope full of withered flowers.
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