It was eleven when they got home , sated with dissipation , but with the exceeding sweet pleasure of talking it all over still to come . Everybody seemed asleep and the house was dark and silent . Anne and Diana tiptoed into the parlor , a long narrow room out of which the spare room opened . It was pleasantly warm and dimly lighted by the embers of a fire in the grate . `` Let 's undress here , '' said Diana . `` It 's so nice and warm . '' `` Has n't it been a delightful time ? '' sighed Anne rapturously . `` It must be splendid to get up and recite there . Do you suppose we will ever be asked to do it , Diana ? '' `` Yes , of course , someday . They 're always wanting the big scholars to recite . Gilbert Blythe does often and he 's only two years older than us . Oh , Anne , how could you pretend not to listen to him ? When he came to the line , `` THERE 'S ANOTHER , not A SISTER , he looked right down at you . '' `` Diana , '' said Anne with dignity , `` you are my bosom friend , but I can not allow even you to speak to me of that person . Are you ready for bed ? Let 's run a race and see who 'll get to the bed first . '' The suggestion appealed to Diana . The two little white-clad figures flew down the long room , through the spare-room door , and bounded on the bed at the same moment .
And then -- something -- moved beneath them , there was a gasp and a cry -- and somebody said XXXXX muffled accents : `` Merciful goodness ! ''
at by for in of over than through to with