Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
___ "Please, finish your milk, Anne," Marilla told the redhead, who was still feeling the effects of the women experience.
"Nothing appeals to me, Marilla. I don't feel very well. Since it's Saturday, would it be all right if I go back to bed for a little while?"
"Yes, that's fine. I'll be leaving for Rachel's soon."
"Growing up is certainly a trial by fire."
"Since you are indeed growing up, if you'd like to invite Diana for tea today, you may."
"Tea?! With Diana as my guest?!"
"Only if you're up to it."
"Oh, Marilla! You are able to imagine things after all, or else you'd never have understood how I've longed for this very thing. A grown-up tea is one of my highest ideals of earthly bliss! Oh! But I have nothing to wear!"
"You have two perfectly good dresses."
"They won't do for tea without puff sleeves! Matthew, tell her!"
"She's been dreaming of those since the day we met."
"Since well before! Could you add puff sleeves to my grey dress?"
"I've never heard such foolishness."
"But it wouldn't take too long. Please, Marilla, please? I'm the only girl without them!"
"Marigold doesn't have any," The woman pointed out, referring to the girl who was silently eating her toast.
"That's because Mary doesn't see the importance of the puff sleeves in today's world."
"I couldn't care less," the blonde jumped in with food still in her mouth,
"Do you want tea today or not?" Marilla threatened.
"I do. I do! I'm sorry. I'll try to stop longing for things I can never have. I promise I'll try harder."
"You can open this little yellow crock of cherry preserves, and you can cut some fruitcake and have some of the cookies and snaps."
"I can just imagine pouring out the tea and asking Diana if she takes sugar. I know she doesn't, of course, but I'll ask her just as if I didn't know. May we sit in the parlour?"
"You may. And you may have some of the raspberry cordial, as well."
"Oh, thank you! I must get dressed and run and ask Diana! It might turn out that I like being a grownup after all!"
"Don't overexert yourself." The excited girl ran up the stairs with her sister right behind her.
"Oh, Marigold. Isn't this just a glorious occasion? Our first time hosting a tea party!"
"Ah, Anne? Um, I can't attend the tea party."
"What do you mean?"
"I already promised to have tea with Gilbert and his father today."
"What? But Mary, this is our first time hosting an event like this. Can't you have tea some other time?"
"I was looking forward to this and I already said yes. I'm not going to cancel on him."
"But Gilbert? Of all people?"
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"He is just so rude and arrogant."
"No, he's not! Billy Andrews is and Gilbert is in no way Billy Andrews."
"He's always trying to show how smart he is, like he's better than me."
"He is truly sorry about that. I talked to him and he said he'll stop."
"What did you do to convince him? Take off your dress?" The blonde was taking back from this statement, so was Anne herself, "I-I didn't mean that-"
"Don't," she whispered harshly, "Just don't. Out of everyone in this town, I thought you would be the last one to believe in a rumor."
"Marigold I-"
"No. Have a great tea with Diana. I hope it goes well. I'm going to go over to Gilbert's, probably to have sex with him because that's what you and everyone else in this town think I do." With that, Mary stormed out of the room, letting a tear slip from her eyes.
