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 - (VERSO)

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his big paws and looked her over. I saw Aunt Olivia’s eyes roam over his arm to the inverted table and the litter of asters and goldenrod. Her sleek crimps were all tousled ruffled up, and her lace fichu twisted half around her neck. She looked distressed.

“It’s not a bit changed you are, Nillie,” said Mr. Malcolm MacPherson admiringly. “And it’s good I’m feeling to see you again. Are you glad to see me, Nillie?”

“Oh, of course,” said Aunt Olivia.

She twisted herself free and went to set up the table. Then she turned to the flowers, but Mr. Malcolm MacPherson had already gathered them up, leaving a goodly sprinkling of leaves and flowers stalks on the


TEXT ANNOTATION

From "Aunt Olivia's Beau."

PHOTO ANNOTATION

a black and white sketch of a young woman with a lacy collar, next to a basic pattern of a wing-shaped piece of lace

"fichu": Any number of lacy, shawl-like coverings that were worn throughout the 19(begin superscript)th(end superscript) century. A fichu would drape over the shoulders and was meant to cover the décolletage or otherwise add detail to one's dress. They could be worn loose, tied, or even crossed over the chest and tucked into belts. The example here, from Peterson's magazine, June 1877, explains, "We give here, one of the fichus, that are now so fashionable. We give, also, a diagram from which to cut it out. The dotted lines show where the plaits (gathers) are put. Make of black or ecru lace, and edge with fine plaitings of crepe lise, over which add a lace for the outer edge."