Each had amazingly big , light-blue eyes behind steel-rimmed spectacles ; each wore a cap and a gray shawl ; each was knitting without haste and without rest ; each rocked placidly and looked at the girls without speaking ; and just behind each sat a large white china dog , with round green spots all over it , a green nose and green ears . Those dogs captured Anne 's fancy on the spot ; they seemed like the twin guardian deities of Patty 's Place . For a few minutes nobody spoke . The girls were too nervous to find words , and neither the ancient ladies nor the china dogs seemed conversationally inclined . Anne glanced about the room . What a dear place it was ! Another door opened out of it directly into the pine grove and the robins came boldly up on the very step . The floor was spotted with round , braided mats , such as Marilla made at Green Gables , but which were considered out of date everywhere else , even in Avonlea . And yet here they were on Spofford Avenue ! A big , polished grandfather 's clock ticked loudly and solemnly in a corner . There were delightful little cupboards over the mantelpiece , behind whose glass doors gleamed quaint bits of china . The walls were hung with old prints and silhouettes . In one corner the stairs went up , and at the first low turn was a long window with an inviting seat . It was all just as Anne had known it must be . By this time the silence had grown too dreadful , and Priscilla nudged Anne to intimate that she must speak . `` We -- we -- saw by your sign that this house is to let , '' said Anne faintly , addressing the older lady , who was evidently Miss Patty Spofford . `` Oh , yes , '' said Miss Patty . `` I intended to take that sign down today . '' `` Then -- then we are too late , '' said Anne sorrowfully . `` You 've let it to some one else ? ''
`` No , but we have decided not to let it XXXXX all . ''
For about as at behind by in of on over