XVII. A Chapter of Accidents

           AnnewokethreetimesinthenightandmadepilgrimagestoherwindowtomakesurethatUncleAbe’spredictionwasnotcomingtrue.Finallythemorningdawnedpearlyandlustrousinaskyfullofsilversheenandradiance,andthewonderfuldayhadarrived.

           Dianaappearedsoonafterbreakfast,withabasketofflowersoveronearmandHERmuslindressovertheother...foritwouldnotdotodonituntilallthedinnerpreparationswerecompleted.Meanwhilesheworeherafternoonpinkprintandalawnapronfearfullyandwonderfullyruffledandfrilled;andveryneatandprettyandrosyshewas.

           “Youlooksimplysweet,”saidAnneadmiringly.

           Dianasighed.

           “ButI’vehadtoletouteveryoneofmydressesAGAIN.IweighfourpoundsmorethanIdidinJuly.Anne,WHEREwillthisend?Mrs.Morgan’sheroinesarealltallandslender.”

           “Well,let’sforgetourtroublesandthinkofourmercies,”saidAnnegaily.“Mrs.Allansaysthatwheneverwethinkofanythingthatisatrialtousweshouldalsothinkofsomethingnicethatwecansetoveragainstit.Ifyouareslightlytooplumpyou’vegotthedearestdimples;andifIhaveafrecklednosetheSHAPEofitisallright.Doyouthinkthelemonjuicedidanygood?”

           “Yes,Ireallythinkitdid,”saidDianacritically;and,muchelated,Anneledthewaytothegarden,whichwasfullofairyshadowsandwaveringgoldenlights.

           “We’lldecoratetheparlorfirst.Wehaveplentyoftime,forPriscillasaidthey’dbehereabouttwelveorhalfpastatthelatest,sowe’llhavedinneratone.