Through the gap in the trees a light was shining in the western gable of Orchard Slope , a token that Diana was also up . Anne was dressed by the time Matthew had the fire on and had the breakfast ready when Marilla came down , but for her own part was much too excited to eat . After breakfast the jaunty new cap and jacket were donned , and Anne hastened over the brook and up through the firs to Orchard Slope . Mr. Barry and Diana were waiting for her , and they were soon on the road . It was a long drive , but Anne and Diana enjoyed every minute of it . It was delightful to rattle along over the moist roads in the early red sunlight that was creeping across the shorn harvest fields . The air was fresh and crisp , and little smoke-blue mists curled through the valleys and floated off from the hills . Sometimes the road went through woods where maples were beginning to hang out scarlet banners ; sometimes it crossed rivers on bridges that made Anne 's flesh cringe with the old , half-delightful fear ; sometimes it wound along a harbor shore and passed by a little cluster of weather-gray fishing huts ; again it mounted to hills whence a far sweep of curving upland or misty-blue sky could be seen ; but wherever it went there was much of interest to discuss . It was almost noon when they reached town and found their way to `` Beechwood . '' It was quite a fine old mansion , set back from the street in a seclusion of green elms and branching beeches . Miss Barry met them at the door with a twinkle in her sharp black eyes . `` So you 've come to see me at last , you Anne-girl , '' she said . `` Mercy , child , how you have grown ! You 're taller than I am , I declare . And you 're ever so much better looking than you used to be , too . But I dare say you know that without being told . '' `` Indeed I did n't , '' said Anne radiantly . `` I know I 'm not so freckled as I used to be , so I 've much to be thankful for , but I really had n't dared to hope there was any other improvement . I 'm so glad you think there is , Miss Barry . '' Miss Barry 's house was furnished with `` great magnificence , '' as Anne told Marilla afterward .
The two little country girls were rather abashed by the splendor XXXXX the parlor where Miss Barry left them when she went to see about dinner .
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