We ll have plenty without it was Marilla s unimpassioned way of
looking at the subject.
The cake did rise, however, and came out of the oven as light and
feathery as golden foam. Anne, flushed with delight, clapped it together
with layers of ruby jelly and, in imagination, saw Mrs. Allan eating it
and possibly asking for another piece!
You ll be using the best tea set, of course, Marilla, she said. Can I
fix the table with ferns and wild roses?
I think that s all nonsense, sniffed Marilla. In my opinion it s the
eatables that matter and not flummery decorations.
Mrs. Barry had _her_ table decorated, said Anne, who was not entirely
guiltless of the wisdom of the serpent, and the minister paid her an
elegant compliment. He said it was a feast for the eye as well as the
palate.
Well, do as you like, said Marilla, who was quite determined not to
be surpassed by Mrs. Barry or anybody else. Only mind you leave enough
room for the dishes and the food.
Anne laid herself out to decorate in a manner and after a fashion that
should leave Mrs. Barry s nowhere. Having abundance of roses and ferns
and a very artistic taste of her own, she made that tea table such a
thing of beauty that when the minister and his wife sat down to it they
exclaimed in chorus over it loveliness.
It s Anne s doings, said Marilla, grimly just; and Anne felt that Mrs.
Allan s approving smile was almost too much happiness for this world.
Matthew was there, having been inveigled into the party only goodness
and Anne knew how. He had been in such a state of shyness and
nervousness that Marilla had given him up in despair, but Anne took him
in hand so successfully that he now sat at the table in his best clothes
and white collar and talked to the minister not uninterestingly.
He never said a word to Mrs. Allan, but that perhaps was not to be
expected.
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