But the Glen schoolboys did not know of Walter 's dreams and would not have been greatly impressed if they had . In spite of his lack of physical prowess , however , he commanded a certain unwilling respect because of his power of `` talking book talk . '' Nobody in Glen St. Mary school could talk like him . He `` sounded like a preacher , '' one boy said ; and for this reason he was generally left alone and not persecuted , as most boys were who were suspected of disliking or fearing fisticuffs . The ten year old Ingleside twins violated twin tradition by not looking in the least alike . Anne , who was always called Nan , was very pretty , with velvety nut-brown eyes and silky nut-brown hair . She was a very blithe and dainty little maiden -- Blythe by name and blithe by nature , one of her teachers had said . Her complexion was quite faultless , much to her mother 's satisfaction . `` I 'm so glad I have one daughter who can wear pink , '' Mrs. Blythe was wont to say jubilantly . Diana Blythe , known as Di , was very like her mother , with gray-green eyes that always shone with a peculiar lustre and brilliancy in the dusk , and red hair . Perhaps this was why she was her father 's favourite . She and Walter were especial chums ; Di was the only one to whom he would ever read the verses he wrote himself -- the only one who knew that he was secretly hard at work on an epic , strikingly resembling `` Marmion '' in some things , if not in others . She kept all his secrets , even from Nan , and told him all hers . `` Wo n't you soon have those fish ready , Jem ? '' said Nan , sniffing with her dainty nose . `` The smell makes me awfully hungry . '' `` They 're nearly ready , '' said Jem , giving one a dexterous turn . `` Get out the bread and the plates , girls . Walter , wake up . '' `` How the air shines to-night , '' said Walter dreamily .
Not that he despised fried trout either , XXXXX any means ; but with Walter food for the soul always took first place .
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