Jem , in particular , can do no wrong in her eyes . '' `` Miss Cuthbert must be an old lady now , '' said Miss Cornelia , getting out her knitting , so that she could hold her own with Susan . Miss Cornelia held that the woman whose hands were employed always had the advantage over the woman whose hands were not . `` Marilla is eighty-five , '' said Anne with a sigh . `` Her hair is snow-white . But , strange to say , her eyesight is better than it was when she was sixty . '' `` Well , dearie , I 'm real glad you 're all back . I 've been dreadful lonesome . But we have n't been dull in the Glen , believe ME . There has n't been such an exciting spring in my time , as far as church matters go . We 've got settled with a minister at last , Anne dearie . '' `` The Reverend John Knox Meredith , Mrs. Dr. dear , '' said Susan , resolved not to let Miss Cornelia tell all the news . `` Is he nice ? '' asked Anne interestedly . Miss Cornelia sighed and Susan groaned . `` Yes , he 's nice enough if that were all , '' said the former . `` He is VERY nice -- and very learned -- and very spiritual . But , oh Anne dearie , he has no common sense ! `` How was it you called him , then ? '' `` Well , there 's no doubt he is by far the best preacher we ever had in Glen St. Mary church , '' said Miss Cornelia , veering a tack or two .
`` I suppose it is because he is so moony and absent-minded XXXXX he never got a town call .
as at by if in over than that to with