`` 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 Anne , when her guests had gone and she and Diana were alone again . `` I do n't know which I enjoyed more ... listening to Mrs. Morgan or gazing at Mrs. Pendexter . I believe we had a nicer time than if we 'd known they were coming and been cumbered with much serving . You must stay to tea with me , Diana , and we 'll talk it all over . ''
`` Priscilla says Mrs. Pendexter 's husband 's sister is married XXXXX an English earl ; and yet she took a second helping of the plum preserves , '' said Diana , as if the two facts were somehow incompatible .
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