Anne quickly declares that the new teacher, Miss Stacy, is a kindred spirit, for the lady can “bring out the best that was in them mentally and spiritually” (229). Her hands-on approach to learning matches Anne’s flair for the dramatic, and soon, Miss Stacy begins planning a Christmas concert to raise money for a new school flag. As one of the best students in the class, Anne has a central role in the concert, even though Marilla deems it a foolish waste of time.

Anne describes the concert in detail to Marilla and hopes that she will be proud of “[her] little Anne” (232), to which Marilla responds with her typical practicality and sensibility—that she hopes Anne will settle down once the concert is over. Matthew, however, is a supportive sounding board, and he is quite willing to listen to Anne drone on and on about the concert’s details. Meanwhile, he reflects on how proud he is of her and how grateful he is that the two have become “the best of friends” (232). 

As Matthew returns to Green Gables one evening after working on the farm, he meets Anne and her friends practicing for their parts in the concert.