"I reckon that's why you and Leslie can't get real close together in your souls.

The barrier between you is her experience of sorrow and trouble.

She ain't responsible for it and you ain't; but it's there and neither of you can cross it." "My childhood wasn't very happy before I came to Green Gables," said Anne, gazing soberly out of the window at the still, sad, dead beauty of the leafless tree-shadows on the moonlit snow.
"Mebbe not--but it was just the usual unhappiness of a child who hasn't anyone to look after it properly.

There hasn't been any TRAGEDY in your life, Mistress Blythe.

And poor Leslie's has been almost ALL tragedy.