VALLEY

CHAPTER VIIA FISHY EPISODERILLA BLYTHE walked proudly, and perhaps alittle primly, through the main "street" of theGlen and up the manse hill,carefully carrying a small.basketful of early strawberries, which Susan hadcoaxed into lusciousness in one of the sunny nooks ofIngleside. Susan had charged Rilla to give the basketto nobody except Aunt Martha or Mr. Meredith, andRilla, very proud of being entrusted with such anerrand, was resolved to carry out her instructions tothe letter.Susan had dressed her daintily in a white, starched,and embroidered dress, with sash of blue and beadedslippers. Her long ruddy curls were sleek and round,and Susan had let her put on her best hat, out ofcompliment to the manse.It was a somewhat elaborateaffair, wherein Susan's taste had had more to say thanAnne's, and Rilla's small soul gloried in its splendoursof silk and lace and flowers. She was very consciousof her hat, and I am afraid she strutted up the mansehill. The strut, or the hat, or both, got on the nervesof Mary Vance, who was swinging on the lawn gate.Mary's temper was somewhat ruffled just then, intothe bargain.Aunt Martha had refused to let her peelthe potatoes and had ordered her out of the kitchen.68