and that would be a stumbling block. We have physical culture exercises
every day, too. They make you graceful and promote digestion.
Promote fiddlesticks! said Marilla, who honestly thought it was all
nonsense.
But all the field afternoons and recitation Fridays and physical culture
contortions paled before a project which Miss Stacy brought forward in
November. This was that the scholars of Avonlea school should get up
a concert and hold it in the hall on Christmas Night, for the laudable
purpose of helping to pay for a schoolhouse flag. The pupils one and
all taking graciously to this plan, the preparations for a program
were begun at once. And of all the excited performers-elect none was so
excited as Anne Shirley, who threw herself into the undertaking heart
and soul, hampered as she was by Marilla s disapproval. Marilla thought
it all rank foolishness.
It s just filling your heads up with nonsense and taking time that
ought to be put on your lessons, she grumbled. I don t approve of
children s getting up concerts and racing about to practices. It makes
them vain and forward and fond of gadding.
But think of the worthy object, pleaded Anne. A flag will cultivate a
spirit of patriotism, Marilla.
Fudge! There s precious little patriotism in the thoughts of any of
you. All you want is a good time.
Well, when you can combine patriotism and fun, isn t it all right? Of
course it s real nice to be getting up a concert. We re going to have
six choruses and Diana is to sing a solo. I m in two dialogues-- The
Society for the Suppression of Gossip and The Fairy Queen. The boys
are going to have a dialogue too. And I m to have two recitations,
Marilla. I just tremble when I think of it, but it s a nice thrilly kind
of tremble. And we re to have a tableau at the last-- Faith, Hope and
Charity. Diana and Ruby and I are to be in it, all draped in white with
flowing hair. I m to be Hope, with my hands clasped--so--and my eyes
uplifted. I m going to practice my recitations in the garret. Don t be
alarmed if you hear me groaning. I have to groan heartrendingly in one
of them, and it s really hard to get up a good artistic groan, Marilla.
171