She would have thought it rather sacrilegious to leave it off -- as bad as forgetting her Bible or her collection dime . That amethyst brooch was Marilla 's most treasured possession . A seafaring uncle had given it to her mother who in turn had bequeathed it to Marilla . It was an old-fashioned oval , containing a braid of her mother 's hair , surrounded by a border of very fine amethysts . Marilla knew too little about precious stones to realize how fine the amethysts actually were ; but she thought them very beautiful and was always pleasantly conscious of their violet shimmer at her throat , above her good brown satin dress , even although she could not see it . Anne had been smitten with delighted admiration when she first saw that brooch . `` Oh , Marilla , it 's a perfectly elegant brooch . I do n't know how you can pay attention to the sermon or the prayers when you have it on . I could n't , I know . I think amethysts are just sweet . They are what I used to think diamonds were like . Long ago , before I had ever seen a diamond , I read about them and I tried to imagine what they would be like . I thought they would be lovely glimmering purple stones . When I saw a real diamond in a lady 's ring one day I was so disappointed I cried . Of course , it was very lovely but it was n't my idea of a diamond . Will you let me hold the brooch for one minute , Marilla ? Do you think amethysts can be the souls of good violets ? '' CHAPTER XIV . Anne 's Confession ON the Monday evening before the picnic Marilla came down from her room with a troubled face . `` Anne , '' she said to that small personage , who was shelling peas by the spotless table and singing , `` Nelly of the Hazel Dell '' with a vigor and expression that did credit to Diana 's teaching , `` did you see anything of my amethyst brooch ?
I thought I stuck it in my pincushion when I came home XXXXX church yesterday evening , but I ca n't find it anywhere . ''
Of about above as at before from in like that