She was afraid of her tendency to lisp, which had a habit of reviving if she were doing anything that made her nervous.

When she had first been asked to recite at the Upper Glen meeting she had refused.

Then she began to worry over her refusal.
Was it cowardly?
What would Jem think if he knew?
After two days of worry Rilla phoned to the president of the Patriotic Society that she would recite.

She did, and lisped several times, and lay awake most of the night in an agony of wounded vanity.

Then two nights after she recited again at Harbour Head.