`` I 've always heard that Mrs. Theodore White was the neatest woman alive and I 'll believe it after this , '' said Diana , giving way to her suppressed laughter as soon as it was safe . `` I am glad she has no children , '' said Anne solemnly . `` It would be dreadful beyond words for them if she had . '' At the Spencers ' Mrs. Isabella Spencer made them miserable by saying something ill-natured about everyone in Avonlea . Mr. Thomas Boulter refused to give anything because the hall , when it had been built , twenty years before , had n't been built on the site he recommended . Mrs. Esther Bell , who was the picture of health , took half an hour to detail all her aches and pains , and sadly put down fifty cents because she would n't be there that time next year to do it ... no , she would be in her grave . Their worst reception , however , was at Simon Fletcher 's . When they drove into the yard they saw two faces peering at them through the porch window . But although they rapped and waited patiently and persistently nobody came to the door . Two decidedly ruffled and indignant girls drove away from Simon Fletcher 's . Even Anne admitted that she was beginning to feel discouraged . But the tide turned after that . Several Sloane homesteads came next , where they got liberal subscriptions , and from that to the end they fared well , with only an occasional snub . Their last place of call was at Robert Dickson 's by the pond bridge . They stayed to tea here , although they were nearly home , rather than risk offending Mrs. Dickson , who had the reputation of being a very `` touchy '' woman . While they were there old Mrs. James White called in . `` I 've just been down to Lorenzo 's , '' she announced . `` He 's the proudest man in Avonlea this minute . What do you think ? There 's a brand new boy there ... and after seven girls that 's quite an event , I can tell you . ''
XXXXX pricked up her ears , and when they drove away she said .
Anne Boulter Diana Fletcher Sloane Spencer Spencers White hour years