`` Mr. Bell is a real good man . '' `` Oh , of course he 's good , '' agreed Anne , `` but he does n't seem to get any comfort out of it . If I could be good I 'd dance and sing all day because I was glad of it . I suppose Mrs. Allan is too old to dance and sing and of course it would n't be dignified in a minister 's wife . But I can just feel she 's glad she 's a Christian and that she 'd be one even if she could get to heaven without it . '' `` I suppose we must have Mr. and Mrs. Allan up to tea someday soon , '' said Marilla reflectively . `` They 've been most everywhere but here . Let me see . Next Wednesday would be a good time to have them . But do n't say a word to Matthew about it , for if he knew they were coming he 'd find some excuse to be away that day . He 'd got so used to Mr. Bentley he did n't mind him , but he 's going to find it hard to get acquainted with a new minister , and a new minister 's wife will frighten him to death . '' `` I 'll be as secret as the dead , '' assured Anne . `` But oh , Marilla , will you let me make a cake for the occasion ? I 'd love to do something for Mrs. Allan , and you know I can make a pretty good cake by this time . '' `` You can make a layer cake , '' promised Marilla . Monday and Tuesday great preparations went on at Green Gables . Having the minister and his wife to tea was a serious and important undertaking , and Marilla was determined not to be eclipsed by any of the Avonlea housekeepers . Anne was wild with excitement and delight . She talked it all over with Diana Tuesday night in the twilight , as they sat on the big red stones by the Dryad 's Bubble and made rainbows in the water with little twigs dipped in fir balsam . `` Everything is ready , Diana , except my cake which I 'm to make in the morning , and the baking-powder biscuits which Marilla will make just before teatime .
I assure you , Diana , XXXXX Marilla and I have had a busy two days of it .
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