Chapter 14 Sweet Miss Lavender Lewis One Friday night in September, Diana appeared at Anne's door.
Anne, she said, we've been invited to tea at Ella Kimball's home tomorrow.
The trouble is we can't use our horse and carriage.
Marilla is going to Carmody with our carriage, Anne replied.
So we have no horse, Diana sighed.
I guess we can't go.
Why don't we walk, Anne suggested.
If we walk through the backwoods, we'll end up on East Grafton Road.
It's only about four miles.
It shouldn't take us long.
The girls decided this was the best idea.
They agreed to leave the next day in the early afternoon.
Anne was enjoying their walk.
She stopped to admire the trees.
She sniffed flowers.
She recited poetry about nature and the sun.
But Diana was getting nervous.
She kept looking at her watch.
We need to hurry up, she said.
We haven't left ourselves much time.
Anne's dreaminess might explain her wrong turn.
At the fork in the road, she led the two of them to the left. should have gone to the right.
When they exited the woods, they found themselves on a long, grassy lane.
Neither girl had seen this road before.
This isn't East Grafton Road, Diana exclaimed.
Where on earth are we?
I think this is the Middle Grafton Road, Anne said.
She was very embarrassed.
I'm sorry, Diana.
I must have made a wrong turn.
We'll never make it in time for tea now, Diana said.
Still, we should continue on.
There's a lane with a gate, Anne said, pointing a little way down the road.
There must be a house at the end of it.
We could go and ask directions.
The girls opened the gate.
Tree branches leaned over the lane, creating a splendid roof of leaves.
Neatly planted flowers lined each side of the path.
What a romantic old lane, Diana said.
It is beautiful.
It feels as if we are walking through an enchanted forest, Anne said.
I wonder if we'll find a sleeping princess at the end.
Just then the girls turned a bend and saw the sweetest little house.
It looked as enchanted as the lane.
Oh, Diana said.
I know where we are.
This is Echo Lodge.
Miss Lavender Lewis lives here.
Are you sure this isn't a dream, Diana?
Anne asked.
I'm certain that we've walked into a fairy tale.
Diana laughed.
Miss Lewis isn't an enchanted princess, she said.
She's an old woman who lives alone in this cottage.
I've never seen her myself, mind you, but I have heard many stories. think she is quite peculiar.
Anne walked through the garden at the front of the house.
Every flower imaginable lined the yard.
There was a bench to sit on and enjoy the garden and sunlight.
I think the most interesting people are always peculiar, Anne said.
I'd like to believe that she is an enchanted princess.
She's waiting in this garden till her prince comes and rescues her.
A prince already came, Diana said.
He came and then he left.
It was a long time ago.
My mother told me the whole story.
Miss Lewis was engaged to Stephen Irving, Paul's father.
Something happened, no one knows what, and Stephen left.
He never came back to Avonlea, and Miss Lewis never married.
Hush, Anne said quickly.
The door is opening. a girl of approximately fourteen stepped out.
She had a wide smile on her face and waved at Anne and Diana.
Is Miss Lewis at home?
Anne asked.
Yes, yes she is, the girl said.
Please come inside.
Please, please, come in for tea.
Anne and Diana looked at each other and then stepped in.
The inside of the small house was as magical as the outside.
It was beautifully furnished.
White muslin curtains covered the windows.
Faces of flowers sat on tabletops and windowsills.
She must be expecting company, Anne said.
The table is set for six.
Good afternoon, a voice said.
Anne and Diana spun around to see Miss Lewis standing in the doorway.
They expected to see a woman dressed like Marilla, with a plain dress and her hair pulled into a tight, very neat bun on the top of her head.
However, Miss Lewis had wavy gray hair piled gently atop her head.
Her dress was flowing and colorful.
She truly did look like a princess or a queen.
Carlotta IV said you wanted to see me, Miss Lewis said.
Yes, Diana said.
I'm afraid we're lost.
We're looking for the Kimble Place.
We've been invited to tea.
Certainly, Miss Lewis said.
If you walk a little farther, you'll reach a fork in the road.
Keep to the left.
That's the East Grafton Road.
You will never make it in time for tea, though, Miss Lewis added.
I would be very pleased if you would join us instead.
Anne quickly responded, Yes, please, we'd love to, as long as we're not intruding.
It looks like you're expecting guests.
Miss Lewis looked away, blushing slightly.
No.
No.
She said, I'm afraid I'm just a silly old woman.
I rarely have visitors, so I was pretending.
I do get lonely.
This house may be tiny, but it feels very large when you're by yourself.
Then we are very glad to visit, Anne said.
I'm always happy to meet someone with an imagination.
I think it's a wonderful way to have a tea party.
I am glad, Miss Lewis said.
I'll set the food out right away.
Please, have a seat.
In a few moments, Miss Lewis and Carlotta IV brought out sandwiches, cakes, and tea.
They all sat down.
Miss Lewis asked them their names.
May I call you Anne and Diana rather than Miss Shirley and Miss Barry? she asked.
Anne and Diana both said yes.
I like to think that we've already known each other for years.
I do enjoy the company of young women.
I can pretend that I'm not so old when I'm with young women.
After lunch, everyone went into the garden.
While Carlotta ran inside to get Miss Lewis a shawl, Anne asked a question.
Why do you call her Carlotta IV?
Her name isn't actually Carlotta, Miss Lewis giggled.
I'm just fond of that name.
I've named every servant Carlotta, and she happens to be the fourth.
It's silly, I know.
It does amuse us, though.
It was Diana who broke the spell of the afternoon.
I'm afraid it's getting quite late, she said.
We should go to the Kimbles.
They will worry if we don't arrive.
Miss Lewis walked them down to the gate.
I do hope you'll come back and visit, she said.
Anne put her arm around Miss Lewis's shoulder.
Yes, I can promise that we will, she said.
We must tear ourselves away from this lovely afternoon.
Tear ourselves away, that is what Paul Irving says whenever we part.
I find it such a romantic thing to say.
Paul Irving, Miss Lewis said.
She sounded rather shocked.
I don't remember anyone named Paul Irving in Avonlea.
Anne was embarrassed.
She had forgotten all about Miss Lewis's romance with Stephen Irving years ago.
He's one of my pupils, she said slowly.
He's from Boston.
He was sent up here to live with his grandmother.
Is he Stephen Irving's son?
Miss Lewis asked.
Her face was quite pale.
Yes, Anne said.
Miss Lewis took a deep breath, then smiled.
It's been wonderful to meet you both, she said.
Please take some lavender with you, and please come back to visit soon.
I feel like we are already old and dear friends.
