Chapter 13 The Way It Often Happens The next afternoon Anne was all alone at Green Gables.
Marilla and Dora were visiting Mrs Lynde and Davy was at Mr Harrison's, so Anne decided to make good use of her time alone.
She set to work cleaning and dusting the whole house.
She put on a ragged old dress.
It didn't matter if the dress was soiled, because Anne planned to wash the windows inside and out.
She was also changing the feathers in the comforters.
All of this was very messy work.
As she was racing through the parlor, she noticed her reflection in the mirror.
The first things she saw were the freckles on her nose.
Oh no, Anne thought.
I forgot to put my lotion on last night.
A few weeks earlier, Anne had found a recipe for freckle lotion in a magazine.
It promised to remove freckles if applied each night before bed.
After several weeks of using the lotion, Anne was certain her freckles were already fading.
I'll just run to the pantry and put some on, Anne said out loud.
I don't want to slow the process.
Anne ran into the pantry and grabbed the lotion from the shelf.
Using a little sponge, she applied it to her nose.
Then she quickly ran back to her work.
She was finished changing the feathers in her comforter in no time at all.
By now Anne was covered in white dust and feathers.
They were all through her hair.
They covered her dress.
They were even stuck on her face.
Anne knew she was a mess, but she was pleased with her work.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
That must be Mr. Shearer, the butcher, Anne said.
Marilla said he might stop by.
Anne ran down to the door.
She didn't bother to clean up because she knew Mr. Shearer wouldn't find the mess.
Imagine Anne's surprise when she opened the door and found Priscilla Grant and Mrs Mork and the novelist
Oh, Anne, Priscilla exclaimed.
She was shocked by Anne's appearance.
Did we come at a bad time?
Anne knew that all of the heroines in Mrs. Morgan's stories could rise to the occasion.
She made a very quick decision that she would do the same.
Anne welcomed Priscilla and Mrs. Morgan to her home.
She offered to make some tea and served biscuits.
While Mrs. Morgan sat in the parlor, Priscilla helped Anne.
I'm so sorry, Priscilla whispered.
I had no idea this was such an inconvenient time.
My aunt surprised us with this visit, and I didn't have time to warn you.
Anne noticed that Priscilla kept stealing glances at her.
She thought Priscilla was being rude, especially when she had arrived without warning.
When Anne walked back into the kitchen, she found Diana waiting for her.
She grabbed her friend by the arm.
Do you know who is in my parlor right now?
Anne asked, excited.
Mrs. Charlotte Morgan.
Here I am looking like such a mess.
Also, I have nothing to serve her but cookies and tea.
Anne noticed that Diana was staring at her too.
Please stop it, Anne said.
You're making me uncomfortable staring at me like that.
I know I'm covered in feathers.
You don't have to make it worse.
Anne, Diana said slowly.
It's not the feathers.
It's your nose.
My nose, Anne said.
Has something gone wrong?
Diana nodded slowly.
Anne ran to the hall mirror.
She let out a small cry when she looked at herself.
Her nose was bright red.
Oh, Diana, Anne said.
How could this have happened?
I put the lotion on as usual.
It never turned my nose red before.
Diana shrugged her shoulders.
She was speechless.
This was a strange adventure, even for Anne.
Anne ran to the pantry shelf.
A jar of red dye sat beside her freckle lotion.
She must have grabbed the wrong bottle.
Fortunately, the dye washed off easily.
Anne went upstairs to change while Diana ran home.
The white muslin dress that Anne planned to wear was drying on the line, but she had a nice green dress to wear.
Diana returned shortly, wearing her own white muslin dress and carrying a platter.
Mother sent this for tea, Diana said.
It was a platter of chicken and bread.
The meal passed without any further problems.
Everyone ate their food and enjoyed the company.
Anne was surprised that Mrs. Morgan was older than expected.
She was short and squat, with gray hair.
Anne had always pictured a tall, elegant woman.
Mrs. Morgan was, however, a wonderful guest, and they had much to talk about.
After the visitors left, Anne and Diana recounted their day.
I think it was much nicer than if we had expected them, Anne said.
We would have worried the whole time, and we would have spent all our time serving the meal.
We wouldn't have had the time to sit and enjoy.
When Marilla came home that night, Anne told her all about the afternoon.
Well, not every detail about it.
She left out the part about her red nose.
Later that evening, Anne took the bottle of lotion from the shelf.
She carefully threw away the lotion and washed out the bottle.
Never again, Anne said.
I will never again pursue such vain things.
It may work for people who are organized and disciplined, but it will never work for someone as prone to adventures as me.
