Nancy stayed . She sat at the head of Peter 's table and poured his tea for him . She talked to him wittily of the Avonlea people and the changes in their old set . Peter followed her lead with an apparent absence of self-consciousness , eating his supper like a man whose heart and mind were alike on good terms with him . Nancy felt wretched -- and , at the same time , ridiculously happy . It seemed the most grotesque thing in the world that she should be presiding there at Peter 's table , and yet the most natural . There were moments when she felt like crying -- other moments when her laughter was as ready and spontaneous as a girl 's . Sentiment and humour had always waged an equal contest in Nancy 's nature . When Peter had finished his strawberries he folded his arms on the table and looked admiringly at Nancy . `` You look well at the head of a table , Nancy , '' he said critically . `` How is it that you have n't been presiding at one of your own long before this ? I thought you 'd meet a lots of men out in the world that you 'd like -- men who talked good grammar . '' `` Peter , do n't ! '' said Nancy , wincing . `` I was a goose . '' `` No , you were quite right . I was a tetchy fool . If I 'd had any sense , I 'd have felt thankful you thought enough of me to want to improve me , and I 'd have tried to kerrect my mistakes instead of getting mad . It 's too late now , I suppose . '' `` Too late for what ? ''
said XXXXX , plucking up heart of grace at something in Peter 's tone and look .
Avonlea Nancy Peter Sentiment goose moments people right set table