You see , Prince Charming is coming tonight . He came long ago , but in a foolish moment went away and wandered afar and forgot the secret of the magic pathway to the enchanted castle , where the princess was weeping her faithful heart out for him . But at last he remembered it again and the princess is waiting still ... because nobody but her own dear prince could carry her off . '' `` Oh , Miss Shirley , ma'am , what is that in prose ? '' gasped the mystified Charlotta . Anne laughed . `` In prose , an old friend of Miss Lavendar 's is coming to see her tonight . '' `` Do you mean an old beau of hers ? '' demanded the literal Charlotta . `` That is probably what I do mean ... in prose , '' answered Anne gravely . `` It is Paul 's father ... Stephen Irving . And goodness knows what will come of it , but let us hope for the best , Charlotta . '' `` I hope that he 'll marry Miss Lavendar , '' was Charlotta 's unequivocal response . `` Some women 's intended from the start to be old maids , and I 'm afraid I 'm one of them , Miss Shirley , ma'am , because I 've awful little patience with the men . But Miss Lavendar never was . And I 've been awful worried , thinking what on earth she 'd do when I got so big I 'd HAVE to go to Boston . There ai n't any more girls in our family and dear knows what she 'd do if she got some stranger that might laugh at her pretendings and leave things lying round out of their place and not be willing to be called Charlotta the Fifth . She might get someone who would n't be as unlucky as me in breaking dishes but she 'd never get anyone who 'd love her better . '' And the faithful little handmaiden dashed to the oven door with a sniff . They went through the form of having tea as usual that night at Echo Lodge ; but nobody really ate anything .
After tea Miss XXXXX went to her room and put on her new forget-me-not organdy , while Anne did her hair for her .
Anne Boston Charlotta Charming Irving Lavendar Lodge Paul Shirley pretendings