Everything that Rilla had prepared to say vanished from her memory . Vainly trying to tuck her unlucky foot under her chair , she blurted out a blunt statement . `` I have come to athk a favour of you , Irene . '' There -- lisping ! Oh , she had been prepared for humiliation but not to this extent ! Really , there were limits ! `` Yes ? '' said Irene in a cool , questioning tone , lifting her shallowly-set , insolent eyes to Rilla 's crimson face for a moment and then dropping them again as if she could not tear them from their fascinated gaze at the shabby boot and the gallant shoe . Rilla gathered herself together . She would not lisp -- she would be calm and composed . `` Mrs. Channing can not come because her son is ill in Kingsport , and I have come on behalf of the committee to ask you if you will be so kind as to sing for us in her place . '' Rilla enunciated every word so precisely and carefully that she seemed to be reciting a lesson . `` It 's something of a fiddler 's invitation , is n't it ? '' said Irene , with one of her disagreeable smiles . `` Olive Kirk asked you to help when we first thought of the concert and you refused , '' said Rilla . `` Why , I could hardly help -- then -- could I ? '' asked Irene plaintively . `` After you ordered me never to speak to you again ? It would have been very awkward for us both , do n't you think ? '' Now for the humble pie .
`` I want to apologize to you for saying that , XXXXX . ''
Channing Everything Irene Kingsport Kirk Rilla fiddler first shallowly-set shoe