Chapter 23 Summary

Diana gives a "small and select" party for all the girls in their class, for whom "daring" has become all the rage. Carrie Sloane dares Ruby Gillis to climb an old oak tree, Josie Pye dares Jane Andrews to hop on one leg around the Barry garden, and Anne Shirley dares Josie Pye to walk the board fence. Anne, sniffing at Josie Pye's great success on the board fence, tells the pugnacious girl that she knew a girl that walked the ridge-pole of a roof. So it was that Josie Pye dared Anne Shirley to walk the ridge-pole of Mrs. Barry's roof. Anne bequeaths her pearl bead ring to Diana should she perish in defense of her honor. Slipping off the roof into the Virginia creeper beneath, the pale-faced Anne gives the girls a terrible fright. Marilla spots Mr. Barry carrying Anne across...