XXIX. Poetry and Prose

           ForthenextmonthAnnelivedinwhat,forAvonlea,mightbecalledawhirlofexcitement.ThepreparationofherownmodestoutfitforRedmondwasofsecondaryimportance.MissLavendarwasgettingreadytobemarriedandthestonehousewasthesceneofendlessconsultationsandplanningsanddiscussions,withCharlottatheFourthhoveringontheoutskirtsofthingsinagitateddelightandwonder.Thenthedressmakercame,andtherewastheraptureandwretchednessofchoosingfashionsandbeingfitted.AnneandDianaspenthalftheirtimeatEchoLodgeandtherewerenightswhenAnnecouldnotsleepforwonderingwhethershehaddonerightinadvisingMissLavendartoselectbrownratherthannavyblueforhertravelingdress,andtohavehergraysilkmadeprincess.

           EverybodyconcernedinMissLavendar’sstorywasveryhappy.PaulIrvingrushedtoGreenGablestotalkthenewsoverwithAnneassoonashisfatherhadtoldhim.

           “IknewIcouldtrustfathertopickmeoutanicelittlesecondmother,”hesaidproudly.“It’safinethingtohaveafatheryoucandependon,teacher.IjustloveMissLavendar.Grandmaispleased,too.Shesaysshe’srealgladfatherdidn’tpickoutanAmericanforhissecondwife,because,althoughitturnedoutallrightthefirsttime,suchathingwouldn’tbelikelytohappentwice.Mrs.LyndesaysshethoroughlyapprovesofthematchandthinksitslikelyMissLavendarwillgiveupherqueernotionsandbelikeotherpeople,nowthatshe’sgoingtobemarried.ButIhopeshewon’tgiveherqueernotionsup,teacher,becauseIlikethem.