Let me see . Next Wednesday would be a good time to have them . But do n't say a word to Matthew about it , for if he knew they were coming he 'd find some excuse to be away that day . He 'd got so used to Mr. Bentley he did n't mind him , but he 's going to find it hard to get acquainted with a new minister , and a new minister 's wife will frighten him to death . '' `` I 'll be as secret as the dead , '' assured Anne . `` But oh , Marilla , will you let me make a cake for the occasion ? I 'd love to do something for Mrs. Allan , and you know I can make a pretty good cake by this time . '' `` You can make a layer cake , '' promised Marilla . Monday and Tuesday great preparations went on at Green Gables . Having the minister and his wife to tea was a serious and important undertaking , and Marilla was determined not to be eclipsed by any of the Avonlea housekeepers . Anne was wild with excitement and delight . She talked it all over with Diana Tuesday night in the twilight , as they sat on the big red stones by the Dryad 's Bubble and made rainbows in the water with little twigs dipped in fir balsam . `` Everything is ready , Diana , except my cake which I 'm to make in the morning , and the baking-powder biscuits which Marilla will make just before teatime . I assure you , Diana , that Marilla and I have had a busy two days of it . It 's such a responsibility having a minister 's family to tea . I never went through such an experience before . You should just see our pantry . It 's a sight to behold . We 're going to have jellied chicken and cold tongue . We 're to have two kinds of jelly , red and yellow , and whipped cream and lemon pie , and cherry pie , and three kinds of cookies , and fruit cake , and Marilla 's famous yellow plum preserves that she keeps especially for ministers , and pound cake and layer cake , and biscuits as aforesaid ; and new bread and old both , in case the minister is dyspeptic and ca n't eat new .
Mrs. Lynde says ministers are dyspeptic , but I do n't think Mr. XXXXX has been a minister long enough for it to have had a bad effect on him .
Allan Bentley Diana Marilla balsam days housekeepers morning night twilight