Let 's carry the things in and get it over . '' It can not be said that that dinner was a notable success socially . The Allans and Miss Stacy exerted themselves to save the situation and Marilla 's customary placidity was not noticeably ruffled . But Anne and Diana , between their disappointment and the reaction from their excitement of the forenoon , could neither talk nor eat . Anne tried heroically to bear her part in the conversation for the sake of her guests ; but all the sparkle had been quenched in her for the time being , and , in spite of her love for the Allans and Miss Stacy , she could n't help thinking how nice it would be when everybody had gone home and she could bury her weariness and disappointment in the pillows of the east gable . There is an old proverb that really seems at times to be inspired ... `` it never rains but it pours . '' The measure of that day 's tribulations was not yet full . Just as Mr. Allan had finished returning thanks there arose a strange , ominous sound on the stairs , as of some hard , heavy object bounding from step to step , finishing up with a grand smash at the bottom . Everybody ran out into the hall . Anne gave a shriek of dismay . At the bottom of the stairs lay a big pink conch shell amid the fragments of what had been Miss Barry 's platter ; and at the top of the stairs knelt a terrified Davy , gazing down with wide-open eyes at the havoc . `` Davy , '' said Marilla ominously , `` did you throw that conch down ON PURPOSE ? '' `` No , I never did , '' whimpered Davy . `` I was just kneeling here , quiet as quiet , to watch you folks through the bannisters , and my foot struck that old thing and pushed it off ... and I 'm awful hungry ... and I do wish you 'd lick a fellow and have done with it , instead of always sending him upstairs to miss all the fun . '' `` Do n't blame Davy , '' said Anne , gathering up the fragments with trembling fingers . `` It was my fault . I set that platter there and forgot all about it . I am properly punished for my carelessness ; but oh , what will Miss Barry say ? '' `` Well , you know she only bought it , so it is n't the same as if it was an heirloom , '' said Diana , trying to console . The guests went away soon after , feeling that it was the most tactful thing to do , and Anne and Diana washed the dishes , talking less than they had ever been known to do before .
Then Diana went home XXXXX a headache and Anne went with another to the east gable , where she stayed until Marilla came home from the post office at sunset , with a letter from Priscilla , written the day before .
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