Chapter 12 Summary

Marilla, warning Anne not to make any startling speeches or to use such long words, walks Anne to Orchard Slope to meet Diana Barry. Trembling at the prospect of meeting a bosom friend, Anne fears the Barry girl will not like her. Diana Barry, with her mother's black eyes and hair, is bashful with the new girl, but in a gush Anne asks the just-acquainted girl to swear to be her bosom friend for ever and ever. Glad-hearted to have a new playmate, the bookworm Diana takes the solemn oath of friendship. Anne declares to Marilla that she has a kindred spirit in Diana and that they plan to build a playhouse in Mr. Bell's birch grove. Matthew, coming home with chocolates for Anne, is blissful. Anne asks to share half the chocolates with Diana, because in so doing "the other half will...