Grandma says I 'm very small for my age and that it 's all because I do n't eat enough porridge . I do my very best , but Grandma gives such generous platefuls ... there 's nothing mean about Grandma , I can tell you . Ever since you and I had that talk about praying going home from Sunday School that day , teacher ... when you said we ought to pray about all our difficulties ... I 've prayed every night that God would give me enough grace to enable me to eat every bit of my porridge in the mornings . But I 've never been able to do it yet , and whether it 's because I have too little grace or too much porridge I really ca n't decide . Grandma says father was brought up on porridge , and it certainly did work well in his case , for you ought to see the shoulders he has . But sometimes , '' concluded Paul with a sigh and a meditative air `` I really think porridge will be the death of me . '' Anne permitted herself a smile , since Paul was not looking at her . All Avonlea knew that old Mrs. Irving was bringing her grandson up in accordance with the good , old-fashioned methods of diet and morals . `` Let us hope not , dear , '' she said cheerfully . `` How are your rock people coming on ? Does the oldest Twin still continue to behave himself ? '' `` He HAS to , '' said Paul emphatically . `` He knows I wo n't associate with him if he does n't . He is really full of wickedness , I think . '' `` And has Nora found out about the Golden Lady yet ? '' `` No ; but I think she suspects . I 'm almost sure she watched me the last time I went to the cave . I do n't mind if she finds out ... it is only for HER sake I do n't want her to ... so that her feelings wo n't be hurt . But if she is DETERMINED to have her feelings hurt it ca n't be helped . '' `` If I were to go to the shore some night with you do you think I could see your rock people too ? ''
XXXXX shook his head gravely .
Anne Avonlea Irving Lady Nora Paul day mornings night platefuls