Belinda crooned a loving song, and tucked her pretty head under her little mistress' chin.
"You're a dear, Belinda," said Anne, "and so is Becky," and at the sound of her name the tame crow flew to Anne's shoulder and gave her a pecking kiss.
"Oh, come on," said Judy, impatiently, and the Judge lifted the shiny bag and put it on the front seat; then they waved their hands to the little grandmother and were off.
It was five miles to town, but the ride did not seem long to Anne. She pointed out all the places of interest to Judy.
"That is where I go to school," she said, as they passed a low white building at the crossroads, and later when the setting sun shone red and gold on two low glass hothouses set in the corner of a scraggly lawn, she explained their use to Judy.
"That's where Launcelot Bart raises violets," she said.
"What a funny name!" was Judy's careless rejoinder.
"Launcelot is a funny boy," said Anne, "but I think you would like him,
Judy."
"I hate boys," said Judy, and settled back in the corner of the carriage with a bored air.
But Anne was eager in the defence of her friend. "Launcelot isn't like most boys," she protested, "he is sixteen, and he lived abroad until his father lost all his money, and they had to come out here, and they were awfully poor until Launcelot began to raise violets, and now he is making lots of money."