Chapter 2 Dolly Escapes Again A few days later, Anne and Diana Barry decided to go shopping.
As they rode home in their carriage they discussed the Avonlea Village Improvement Society and the old house on Mr Bolter's land.
Marilla said that another family used to live there, Anne said.
She said it used to be quite lovely.
The family had many children, and the house was full of laughter.
Mr. Bolter bought the land when they moved.
He built a new house, but never bothered tearing the old one down.
Now there was only the wind whipping through it.
I find deserted houses so sad.
I imagine all kinds of stories about the family.
I wonder what happened to them and why they left.
Once my mind starts spinning, there's no stopping me.
Not me, Diana laughed.
I don't let my imagination get the best of me anymore.
Once I imagined the woods were haunted and I was so terrified I couldn't go near them for weeks.
That was enough for me, thank you.
Anne shook her head slightly.
She loved Diana dearly, but it was not easy having a best friend with so little imagination.
"'Oh, no!'
Anne suddenly cried and stopped the carriage.
She pointed to Mr. Harrison's farm.
Standing in the middle of a field of oats was a Jersey cow.
Before Diana understood what was happening, Anne had jumped from the carriage and started across the field.
Diana quickly followed.
The two girls struggled through the oats to the cow, their long skirts and laced-up boots quickly becoming covered in mud.
Anne grabbed the rope around the cow's neck and slowly pulled her back to the carriage.
Just then, Mr. Shearer, one of their neighbors, arrived.
He and his son were heading toward Carmody.
They stepped down from their carriage.
Do you need any help, Anne?
Mr. Shearer called.
Anne was out of breath.
It was hard work dragging a muddy skirt across a field, not to mention a cow.
Dolly cut loose again, she said, sighing heavily.
I have to get her before more damage is done.
She's a good-looking cow, Mr. Shearer said.
Are you still interested in selling?
We're on our way to Comedy to sell livestock, and I'm sure we can find a space for one more.
I'll give you twenty dollars.
Oh, Mr. Shearer, Anne smiled.
She thought of hugging him but restrained herself.
That was something young girls did, not girls of almost seventeen.
That would be wonderful.
I have to admit that Dolly has been a lot of trouble.
So the deal was made.
Mr. Shearer took Dolly to Carmody, and Anne and Diana continued on their way.
After she dropped off Diana, Anne returned to Green Gables as her home was called.
Marilla had just set out the tea.
Anne was cutting some bread by the sink, telling Marilla about all her purchases, when she happened to look out her window.
She stopped talking, not an easy task for Anne, and froze.
Marilla looked up from her tea.
Anne? she called.
What is the matter?
Dolly, Anne stammered.
Dolly, your cow.
Marilla was confused.
What about Dolly?
She's standing in the milk bin.
Well, of course she is, Marilla said.
Where else would she be?
You don't understand, Marilla.
Anne started to cry.
You're right about that, Marilla said.
I don't understand at all.
Marilla.
Anne turned around to look at her.
If Dolly is in the milking pen, that means I sold Mr. Harrison's cow instead.
