XXX. A Wedding at the Stone House

           ThelastweekinAugustcame.MissLavendarwastobemarriedinit.TwoweekslaterAnneandGilbertwouldleaveforRedmondCollege.Inaweek’stimeMrs.RachelLyndewouldmovetoGreenGablesandsetupherlaresandpenatesintheerstwhilespareroom,whichwasalreadypreparedforhercoming.ShehadsoldallhersuperfluoushouseholdplenishingsbyauctionandwasatpresentrevelinginthecongenialoccupationofhelpingtheAllanspackup.Mr.AllanwastopreachhisfarewellsermonthenextSunday.Theoldorderwaschangingrapidlytogiveplacetothenew,asAnnefeltwithalittlesadnessthreadingallherexcitementandhappiness.

           “Changesain’ttotallypleasantbutthey’reexcellentthings,”saidMr.Harrisonphilosophically.“Twoyearsisaboutlongenoughforthingstostayexactlythesame.Iftheystayedputanylongertheymightgrowmossy.”

           Mr.Harrisonwassmokingonhisveranda.Hiswifehadself-sacrificinglytoldthathemightsmokeinthehouseifhetookcaretositbyanopenwindow.Mr.Harrisonrewardedthisconcessionbygoingoutdoorsaltogethertosmokeinfineweather,andsomutualgoodwillreigned.

           AnnehadcomeovertoaskMrs.Harrisonforsomeofheryellowdahlias.SheandDianaweregoingthroughtoEchoLodgethateveningtohelpMissLavendarandCharlottatheFourthwiththeirfinalpreparationsforthemorrow’sbridal.MissLavendarherselfneverhaddahlias;shedidnotlikethemandtheywouldnothavesuitedthefineretirementofherold-fashionedgarden.