Chapter XVI. Diana Is Invited to Tea with Tragic Results

           OctoberwasabeautifulmonthatGreenGables,whenthebirchesinthehollowturnedasgoldenassunshineandthemaplesbehindtheorchardwereroyalcrimsonandthewildcherrytreesalongthelaneputontheloveliestshadesofdarkredandbronzygreen,whilethefieldssunnedthemselvesinaftermaths.

           Annereveledintheworldofcolorabouther.

           “Oh,Marilla,”sheexclaimedoneSaturdaymorning,comingdancinginwithherarmsfullofgorgeousboughs,“I’msogladIliveinaworldwherethereareOctobers.ItwouldbeterribleifwejustskippedfromSeptembertoNovember,wouldn’tit?Lookatthesemaplebranches.Don’ttheygiveyouathrill—severalthrills?I’mgoingtodecoratemyroomwiththem.”

           “Messythings,”saidMarilla,whoseaestheticsensewasnotnoticeablydeveloped.“Youclutterupyourroomentirelytoomuchwithout-of-doorsstuff,Anne.Bedroomsweremadetosleepin.”

           “Oh,anddreamintoo,Marilla.Andyouknowonecandreamsomuchbetterinaroomwherethereareprettythings.I’mgoingtoputtheseboughsintheoldbluejugandsetthemonmytable.”

           “Mindyoudon’tdropleavesalloverthestairsthen.I’mgoingonameetingoftheAidSocietyatCarmodythisafternoon,Anne,andIwon’tlikelybehomebeforedark.You’llhavetogetMatthewandJerrytheirsupper,somindyoudon’tforgettoputtheteatodrawuntilyousitdownatthetableasyoudidlasttime.”

           “Itwasdreadfulofmetoforget,”saidAnneapologetically,“butthatwastheafternoonIwastryingtothinkofanameforVioletValeanditcrowdedotherthingsout.