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"Oh, Marilla, I've had a most FASCINATING time.

I feel that I have not lived in vain and I shall always feel like that even if I should never be invited to tea at a manse again.

When I got there Mrs. Allan met me at the door.

She was dressed in the sweetest dress of pale-pink organdy, with dozens of frills and elbow sleeves, and she looked just like a seraph.

I really think I'd like to be a minister's wife when I grow up, Marilla.

A minister mightn't mind my red hair because he wouldn't be thinking of such worldly things.

But then of course one would have to be naturally good and I'll never be that, so I suppose there's no use in thinking about it.

Some people are naturally good, you know, and others are not.

I'm one of the others.

Mrs. Lynde says I'm full of original sin.

No matter how hard I try to be good I can never make such a success of it as those who are naturally good.

It's a good deal like geometry, I expect.

But don't you think the trying so hard ought to count for something? Mrs. Allan is one of the naturally good people.

I love her passionately.

You know there are some people, like Matthew and Mrs. Allan that you can love right off without any trouble.

And there are others, like Mrs. Lynde, that you have to try very hard to love.

You know you OUGHT to love them because they know so much and are such active workers in the church, but you have to keep reminding yourself of it all the time or else you forget.

There was another little girl at the manse to tea, from the White Sands Sunday school.

Her name was Laurette Bradley, and she was a very nice little girl.

Not exactly a kindred spirit, you know, but still very nice.

We had an elegant tea, and I think I kept all the rules of etiquette pretty well.

After tea Mrs. Allan played and sang and she got Lauretta and me to sing too.

Mrs. Allan says I have a good voice and she says I must sing in the Sunday-school choir after this.

You can't think how I was thrilled at the mere thought.

I've longed so to sing in the Sunday-school choir, as Diana does, but I feared it was an honor I could never aspire to.

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