# Sweet Miss Lavendar explained — Anne of Avonlea

> Chapter companion for Anne of Avonlea by L. M. Montgomery.

## 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.

## Themes 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters/xxi-sweet-miss-lavendar
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/anne_of_avonlea_se/chapters