`` Do n't you dare laugh , '' warned Anne in a whisper , as they marched along the newspapers . `` And I implore you , Diana , not to look at me , no matter what she says , or I shall not be able to keep a sober face . '' The papers extended across the hall and into a prim , fleckless parlor . Anne and Diana sat down gingerly on the nearest chairs and explained their errand . Mrs. White heard them politely , interrupting only twice , once to chase out an adventurous fly , and once to pick up a tiny wisp of grass that had fallen on the carpet from Anne 's dress . Anne felt wretchedly guilty ; but Mrs. White subscribed two dollars and paid the money down ... `` to prevent us from having to go back for it , '' Diana said when they got away . Mrs. White had the newspapers gathered up before they had their horse untied and as they drove out of the yard they saw her busily wielding a broom in the hall . `` I 've always heard that Mrs. Theodore White was the neatest woman alive and I 'll believe it after this , '' said Diana , giving way to her suppressed laughter as soon as it was safe . `` I am glad she has no children , '' said Anne solemnly . `` It would be dreadful beyond words for them if she had . '' At the Spencers ' Mrs. Isabella Spencer made them miserable by saying something ill-natured about everyone in Avonlea . Mr. Thomas Boulter refused to give anything because the hall , when it had been built , twenty years before , had n't been built on the site he recommended . Mrs. Esther Bell , who was the picture of health , took half an hour to detail all her aches and pains , and sadly put down fifty cents because she would n't be there that time next year to do it ... no , she would be in her grave . Their worst reception , however , was at Simon Fletcher 's . When they drove into the yard they saw two faces peering at them through the porch window . But although they rapped and waited patiently and persistently nobody came to the door . Two decidedly ruffled and indignant girls drove away from Simon Fletcher 's . Even Anne admitted that she was beginning to feel discouraged . But the tide turned after that . Several Sloane homesteads came next , where they got liberal subscriptions , and from that to the end they fared well , with only an occasional snub .
Their last place of call was XXXXX Robert Dickson 's by the pond bridge .
after although as at because before on that through with