At half past eleven the lettuce salad was made , the golden circles of the pies were heaped with whipped cream , and everything was sizzling and bubbling that ought to sizzle and bubble . `` We 'd better go and dress now , '' said Anne , `` for they may be here by twelve . We must have dinner at sharp one , for the soup must be served as soon as it 's done . '' Serious indeed were the toilet rites presently performed in the east gable . Anne peered anxiously at her nose and rejoiced to see that its freckles were not at all prominent , thanks either to the lemon juice or to the unusual flush on her cheeks . When they were ready they looked quite as sweet and trim and girlish as ever did any of `` Mrs. Morgan 's heroines . '' `` I do hope I 'll be able to say something once in a while , and not sit like a mute , '' said Diana anxiously . `` All Mrs. Morgan 's heroines converse so beautifully . But I 'm afraid I 'll be tongue-tied and stupid . And I 'll be sure to say ' I seen . ' I have n't often said it since Miss Stacy taught here ; but in moments of excitement it 's sure to pop out . Anne , if I were to say ' I seen ' before Mrs. Morgan I 'd die of mortification . And it would be almost as bad to have nothing to say . '' `` I 'm nervous about a good many things , '' said Anne , `` but I do n't think there is much fear that I wo n't be able to talk . '' And , to do her justice , there was n't . Anne shrouded her muslin glories in a big apron and went down to concoct her soup . Marilla had dressed herself and the twins , and looked more excited than she had ever been known to look before . At half past twelve the Allans and Miss Stacy came . Everything was going well but Anne was beginning to feel nervous . It was surely time for Priscilla and Mrs. Morgan to arrive .
She made frequent trips to the gate and looked as anxiously down the lane XXXXX ever her namesake in the Bluebeard story peered from the tower casement .
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