Mr. White met them in the yard , beaming like the sun upon an Easter day . When Anne asked for a subscription he agreed enthusiastically . `` Certain , certain . Just put me down for a dollar more than the highest subscription you 've got . '' `` That will be five dollars ... Mr. Daniel Blair put down four , '' said Anne , half afraid . But Lorenzo did not flinch . `` Five it is ... and here 's the money on the spot . Now , I want you to come into the house . There 's something in there worth seeing ... something very few people have seen as yet . Just come in and pass YOUR opinion . '' `` What will we say if the baby is n't pretty ? '' whispered Diana in trepidation as they followed the excited Lorenzo into the house . `` Oh , there will certainly be something else nice to say about it , '' said Anne easily . `` There always is about a baby . '' The baby WAS pretty , however , and Mr. White felt that he got his five dollars ' worth of the girls ' honest delight over the plump little newcomer . But that was the first , last , and only time that Lorenzo White ever subscribed to anything . Anne , tired as she was , made one more effort for the public weal that night , slipping over the fields to interview Mr. Harrison , who was as usual smoking his pipe on the veranda with Ginger beside him . Strickly speaking he was on the Carmody road ; but Jane and Gertie , who were not acquainted with him save by doubtful report , had nervously begged Anne to canvass him . Mr. Harrison , however , flatly refused to subscribe a cent , and all Anne 's wiles were in vain . `` But I thought you approved of our society , Mr. Harrison , '' she mourned .
`` So I do ... so I do ... but my approval does n't go as deep as my pocket , XXXXX . ''
Anne Blair Carmody Jane Strickly White first night smoking trepidation