Fortunately the dye washed off easily and Anne , somewhat consoled , betook herself to the east gable while Diana ran home . Presently Anne came down again , clothed and in her right mind . The muslin dress she had fondly hoped to wear was bobbing merrily about on the line outside , so she was forced to content herself with her black lawn . She had the fire on and the tea steeping when Diana returned ; the latter wore HER muslin , at least , and carried a covered platter in her hand . `` Mother sent you this , '' she said , lifting the cover and displaying a nicely carved and jointed chicken to Anne 's greatful eyes . The chicken was supplemented by light new bread , excellent butter and cheese , Marilla 's fruit cake and a dish of preserved plums , floating in their golden syrup as in congealed summer sunshine . There was a big bowlful of pink-and-white asters also , by way of decoration ; yet the spread seemed very meager beside the elaborate one formerly prepared for Mrs. Morgan . Anne 's hungry guests , however , did not seem to think anything was lacking and they ate the simple viands with apparent enjoyment . But after the first few moments Anne thought no more of what was or was not on her bill of fare . Mrs. Morgan 's appearance might be somewhat disappointing , as even her loyal worshippers had been forced to admit to each other ; but she proved to be a delightful conversationalist . She had traveled extensively and was an excellent storyteller . She had seen much of men and women , and crystalized her experiences into witty little sentences and epigrams which made her hearers feel as if they were listening to one of the people in clever books . But under all her sparkle there was a strongly felt undercurrent of true , womanly sympathy and kindheartedness which won affection as easily as her brilliancy won admiration . Nor did she monopolize the conversation . She could draw others out as skillfully and fully as she could talk herself , and Anne and Diana found themselves chattering freely to her . Mrs. Pendexter said little ; she merely smiled with her lovely eyes and lips , and ate chicken and fruit cake and preserves with such exquisite grace that she conveyed the impression of dining on ambrosia and honeydew . But then , as Anne said to Diana later on , anybody so divinely beautiful as Mrs. Pendexter did n't need to talk ; it was enough for her just to LOOK . After dinner they all had a walk through Lover 's Lane and Violet Vale and the Birch Path , then back through the Haunted Wood to the Dryad 's Bubble , where they sat down and talked for a delightful last half hour . Mrs. Morgan wanted to know how the Haunted Wood came by its name , and laughed until she cried when she heard the story and Anne 's dramatic account of a certain memorable walk through it at the witching hour of twilight . `` It has indeed been a feast of reason and flow of soul , has n't it ? ''
said XXXXX , when her guests had gone and she and Diana were alone again .
Anne Morgan Vale brilliancy kindheartedness muslin plums right viands witching