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It was a Friday afternoon nearing the end of October, and Anne was practically dancing with excitement. The school day was done, and she had finally managed to edge out Gilbert for first in their geography test. Even better, Marilla and Mrs. Barry had left that morning to attend a Ladies’ Aid meeting in Charlottetown, They would return the following afternoon, and Diana had been given permission to spend the night at Green Gables. The day had started off sunny and warm, but now clouds were gathering and the wind had picked up, lending a chill to the day. Summer had lingered over Avonlea that year, but now there was a definite chill in the air. Anne smiled over at her bosom friend as they walked.
“How exciting that you get to spend the night, Diana!” she said. “Marilla left supper prepared, so all we have to do is lay it out for Matthew and do the washing up after. Is there anything else you’d like to do?”
“I’m just excited to spend the night with you, Anne,” Diana replied. “But let’s hurry. It’s cold, and it looks like it’s going to storm soon.”
“You’re right,” Anne agreed as they crested a rise and Green Gables came into view. “Come on, I’ll race you to the front door.”
They took off down the hill, giggling, arriving at the front door just as the first drops of rain began to fall.
“Whew, that was close. Go and take off your wraps and sit close to the fire, Diana. I’ll stir up the fire and make us some tea.” Carefully, Anne stirred the flames to life, then filled the kettle with fresh water and set it to warm. While it warmed, she put a few of Marilla’s famous sugar cookies on a plate. When the kettle boiled, she put everything on a tea tray and carried their snack over to join Diana, who had removed her shoes and was toasting her feet by the parlor fireplace. Anne kicked off her own shoes and joined her friend on the sofa, wiggling her toes in the welcome warmth.
They munched and sipped their tea for awhile, listening to the rain that was now lashing against the window.
“Anne,” said Diana softly, when they had exhausted all the latest school gossip, “This weather makes me want to read ghost stories.”
Anne grinned. “You’re right. That’s just the thing! Miss Stacy just loaned me just the right book to read aloud: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” She retrieved the book from her school things, holding it up in triumph, then settled back in beside her friend. “Do you want to read aloud, or shall I?”
“You read. You’re better than I at reciting.”
And so, as thunder cracked overhead and gusts of wind sent showers of sparks up the chimney, Anne began to read the tale of the headless horseman, content and warm and deliciously scared, safe at Green Gables with her bosom friend by her side.