You may be perfectly certain that every article placed on it was polished or scoured to the highest possible perfection of gloss and glitter . Then the girls tripped out to the kitchen , which was filled with appetizing odors emanating from the oven , where the chickens were already sizzling splendidly . Anne prepared the potatoes and Diana got the peas and beans ready . Then , while Diana shut herself into the pantry to compound the lettuce salad , Anne , whose cheeks were already beginning to glow crimson , as much with excitement as from the heat of the fire , prepared the bread sauce for the chickens , minced her onions for the soup , and finally whipped the cream for her lemon pies . And what about Davy all this time ? Was he redeeming his promise to be good ? He was , indeed . To be sure , he insisted on remaining in the kitchen , for his curiosity wanted to see all that went on . But as he sat quietly in a corner , busily engaged in untying the knots in a piece of herring net he had brought home from his last trip to the shore , nobody objected to this . 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 XXXXX mortification .
At as by like of on that to while with