`` Oh , Rilla dear , do n't snap me up like that , '' pleaded Irene . `` Of course I 'll forgive you -- though I did feel awfully about it -- how awfully I hope you 'll never know . I cried for weeks over it . And I had n't said or done a thing ! '' Rilla choked back a retort . After all , there was no use in arguing with Irene , and the Belgians were starving . `` Do n't you think you can help us with the concert , '' she forced herself to say . Oh , if only Irene would stop looking at that boot ! Rilla could just hear her giving Olive Kirk an account of it . `` I do n't see how I really can at the last moment like this , '' protested Irene . `` There is n't time to learn anything new . '' `` Oh , you have lots of lovely songs that nobody in the Glen ever heard before , '' said Rilla , who knew Irene had been going to town all winter for lessons and that this was only a pretext . `` They will all be new down there . '' `` But I have no accompanist , '' protested Irene . `` Una Meredith can accompany you , '' said Rilla . `` Oh , I could n't ask her , '' sighed Irene . `` We have n't spoken since last fall . She was so hateful to me the time of our Sunday-school concert that I simply had to give her up . '' Dear , dear , was Irene at feud with everybody ? As for Una Meredith being hateful to anybody , the idea was so farcical that Rilla had much ado to keep from laughing in Irene 's very face .
`` Miss Oliver is a beautiful pianist and can play any accompaniment at sight , '' XXXXX Rilla desperately .
Do accompany forced give heard knew know learn pleaded said