Anne of Avonlea · Chapter
Sweet Miss Lavendar explained
Anne and Diana meet the charming and whimsical Miss Lavendar Lewis, who lives in a secluded house with her maid Charlotta the Fourth.
What happens
Anne and Diana meet the charming and whimsical Miss Lavendar Lewis, who lives in a secluded house with her maid Charlotta the Fourth. They are invited to tea after Miss Lavendar confesses she was pretending to have a tea party to combat loneliness. Meanwhile, school opens with new pupils, including Davy and Dora Keith, and Dora is frightened by Mirabel Cotton's tales of a ghostly uncle. The chapter ends with Anne and Diana promising to visit Miss Lavendar again, and Anne inadvertently mentions Paul Irving, causing a subtle change in Miss Lavendar's demeanor.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Rising action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This chapter is the dramatic climax because it marks the peak of Anne and Gilbert’s covert collaboration, reve…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Imagination and Idealism
Miss Lavendar pretends to have a tea party to combat loneliness, and Anne immediately connects with her imaginative spirit.
- Community and Belonging
Anne and Diana's visit brings companionship to the isolated Miss Lavendar, and Anne promises to return.
- Love and Friendship
The budding friendship between Anne, Diana, and Miss Lavendar is central; also, Miss Lavendar's past romance with Stephen Irving is hinted.
Characters to notice
- Anne Shirley
Anne and Diana visit Miss Lavendar and enjoy tea; Anne also teaches at Avonlea School and comforts Dora.
- Diana Barry
Diana accompanies Anne to Miss Lavendar's and later discusses names with Anne.
- Lavendar Lewis
Miss Lavendar hosts Anne and Diana for tea, revealing her playful and lonely nature; she reacts subtly to the mention of Paul Irving.
- Charlotta the Fourth
Miss Lavendar's maid, who helps with tea and is described as loyal and discreet.
- Davy Keith
Davy starts school and reports his experiences to Marilla, including his seatmate Milty Boulter.
- Dora Keith
Dora starts school and becomes frightened by Mirabel Cotton's stories about a ghostly uncle.
Key passages
“Oh, do you imagine things too?”
Anne excitedly asks Miss Lavendar if she also engages in imaginative play.
Anne recognizes a kindred spirit in Miss Lavendar.
“She looks just as music sounds, I think.”
Anne describes Miss Lavendar's appearance as harmonious and beautiful like music.
Anne's poetic description of Miss Lavendar.
“I think people make their names nice or ugly just by what they are themselves.”
Diana suggests that a person's character determines whether their name is perceived as pleasant or unpleasant.
Diana's insight on names and identity.
