Warning: If you have a visual impairment, use the manuscript transcript version including the Lucy Maud Montgomery’s foot notes and contextual annotation references.

Chapter 11

167

alike – plain skirts fulled tightly to plain waists, with sleeves as plain as waist and skirt and tight as sleeves could be.

“I’ll imagine that I like them,” said Anne soberly.

“I don’t want you to imagine it,” said Marilla offended. “Oh, I can see you don’t like the dresses. What is the matter with them? Aren’t they neat and clean and new?”

“Yes.”

“Then why don’t you like them?”

“They’re—they’re not—pretty,” said Anne reluctantly.

“Pretty!” Marilla sniffed. “I didn’t trouble my head about getting pretty dresses for you. (begin subscript)^(end subscript)(begin superscript)X5(end superscript) Those dresses are good, sensible, serviceable dresses, without any frills and

 

LMM Notes

LMM Note X5
I don't believe in pampering vanity, Anne, I'll tell you that right off.

[Montgomery's Notes range from X5 to H6; included on Notes pages 31-34.]


TEXT ANNOTATION

"plain skirts fulled tightly to plain waists": Meaning skirts attached firmly, but simply, to the waists of each dress: "To full" is to make a garment fuller by using pleats and gathers that would add fabric and movement. Marilla no doubt used just a few well-placed, non-decorative, pleats to achieve some body and give the skirts good range of motion.