CHAPTER XXVIII. An Unfortunate Lily Maid
OF course you must be Elaine, Anne, said Diana. I could never have
the courage to float down there.
Nor I, said Ruby Gillis, with a shiver. I don t mind floating down
when there s two or three of us in the flat and we can sit up. It s fun
then. But to lie down and pretend I was dead--I just couldn t. I d die
really of fright.
Of course it would be romantic, conceded Jane Andrews, but I know I
couldn t keep still. I d be popping up every minute or so to see where I
was and if I wasn t drifting too far out. And you know, Anne, that would
spoil the effect.
But it s so ridiculous to have a redheaded Elaine, mourned Anne. I m
not afraid to float down and I d love to be Elaine. But it s ridiculous
just the same. Ruby ought to be Elaine because she is so fair and has
such lovely long golden hair--Elaine had all her bright hair streaming
down, you know. And Elaine was the lily maid. Now, a red-haired person
cannot be a lily maid.
Your complexion is just as fair as Ruby s, said Diana earnestly, and
your hair is ever so much darker than it used to be before you cut it.
Oh, do you really think so? exclaimed Anne, flushing sensitively with
delight. I ve sometimes thought it was myself--but I never dared to ask
anyone for fear she would tell me it wasn t. Do you think it could be
called auburn now, Diana?
Yes, and I think it is real pretty, said Diana, looking admiringly at
the short, silky curls that clustered over Anne s head and were held in
place by a very jaunty black velvet ribbon and bow.
They were standing on the bank of the pond, below Orchard Slope, where
a little headland fringed with birches ran out from the bank; at its tip
was a small wooden platform built out into the water for the convenience
of fishermen and duck hunters. Ruby and Jane were spending the midsummer
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