Jump to new as of October 30, 2000
Chapter 1
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a child entering a new school would be looked down on as a foreigner. It is also known that orphans have no parents.
On the bright morning that Anne Bennet was traveling to Avonlea, the 11-year-old girl was looking out the window of the train wondering about the life ahead of her. She thought back to the orphanage, and decided that nearly anything could be better than that. Her orphanage had been poor and so there was not enough food or clothes for the children. She had often gone hungry so that some of the younger children could get enough to eat.
Anne was an exceptionally bright student, although the orphanage had been no place for some one of her talent, there was no where else for her to go. She had basically been born an orphan. Her mother had died in childbirth and her father had followed several days after. It had been a hard 11 years for Anne. The fact that there was nothing at all that she could find out about her family bothered her a lot. There seemed to be no one around who had even heard of the people who had brought her into the world. But here she was headed into a new life with new people. She stopped reminiscing and felt very optimistic of the future that lay ahead of her.
As the train pulled into the Bright River station she got off and looked hopefully around for Mr. Matthew Cuthbert. She didn't know what he looked like or how old he was, but she was sure that she would be able to tell who he was. kindred spirits all had this ability to pick each other out, and by the mere fact that he was adopting an orphan meant that he just had to be a kindred spirit.
Anne didn't see anyone who she felt could possibly be Mr. Matthew Cuthbert, so she decided that he must have been held up or something. She did remember that they owned a farm, and that must be hard work. As she waited she decided to look around for a little bit. As she was walking past the station, the stationmaster addressed her. "Excuse me miss, if you would like, you may bring your things in and sit in the ladies room until you are met."
Not feeling so inclined to spend such a glorious day sitting inside some stuffy waiting room, she happily answered. "Thank you, but on such a nice and sunny day, I feel that it would be much nicer to spend the time outside." And with that she kept on walking.
She walked around to the side of the building were she saw a very big, old and beautiful cherry tree, thinking wishfully to herself "I sure hope that they have one like this at Green Gables, that would make it so wonderful." And being of a very willful disposition, she dropped her bag at the bottom of the tree and proceeded to climb it. Of course she didn't climb right to the top because she had to be close enough to get down fast when Mr. Cuthbert came, but she was high enough to see over the small one story station building. From her high perch the sight that met the eye was breath taking. There was a sprawling countryside set out in front of her. It had taken her less than 10 minutes to fall totally and hopelessly in love with her new home. Of course she didn't know exactly where her home would be, but she did know that it was some where in sight. Because it was only 15 minutes drive from the station, and the land although it wasn't totally flat, was not too hilly and you could see a long way.
Just then she saw a horse and cart drive up. It wasn't brand new, but it was respectable. She felt that this had to be Mr. Cuthbert, so she quickly climbed down. Not fast enough though as Mr. Cuthbert noticed her as she was shimmying her way down the trunk.
Mr. Cuthbert looked around and then, seeing no one except the girl in the tree, calls, "Bennet." wondering out loud afterwards "I wonder where Bennet could possibly be."
Chapter 2
Anne, jumping clear of the tree, and then standing poker straight, answers "Yes Sir!" as a reaction to Mr. Cuthbert.
Mr. Cuthbert in turn is very surprised to hear the response that he was waiting for (if a bit formal) coming from the girl who he had witnessed climbing down the tree.
While Mr. Cuthbert is collecting himself from the unexpected surprise that has befallen him, Anne walks over to where he is standing in order to introduce herself properly. "Mr. Cuthbert I presume..."
Mr. Cuthbert, recollecting himself. "Yes, I am Matthew Cuthbert. I am here to meet Bennet Andrews from Hopetown Orphan Asylum. Have you seen him anywhere?"
"Well I am not sure that boy exists, but I am Anne Bennet, I was sent from that orphanage. I was told that Mr. Matthew Cuthbert was adopting me. You are Mr. Matthew Cuthbert aren't you?" Said Anne worriedly.
"Yes, yes. I am Matthew Cuthbert," answered Matthew worriedly. Then in a resigned tone, "Well I guess that if you say that you are here for me, and there is no evidence of a Bennet Andrews, that I had better take you home. come on lets be off then." Matthew felt that he could leave it up to Marilla to decide what was to be done. Matthew felt that he shouldn't just leave her at the station, no matter whether her name was wrong or not...or even if she was not a boy.
Anne starts to make her way to the cart when Matthew offers to carry her luggage for her. Anne, knowing that there was nearly nothing in the bag responded cheerfully "No, I am fine, it is very light."
They climb aboard the cart and Anne starts expounding on the delights of the countryside and how beautiful it all looks. Ending with "I am so glad that you decided to adopt me, as I just love my new home even though I have never seen it before. I have never had a home before so I guess that I will have nothing to compare the experience to either. But I assure you that I will try my hardest to be the best child that you could possibly have, and help as much as possible...Oh, I forgot...I am sorry, I must remember to stop talking once in a while...I do have a habit of talking like it is my last day alive. Please if I get too much, don't hesitate to tell me."
Matthew, feeling closer to Anne through her talking replied that she could talk as much as she wanted to, because he didn't mind. Really Matthew was a very quiet man, and this had the added benefit of taking his mind of the unpleasantness that awaited him at home. He knew that Marilla would not be pleased because Anne was a girl rather than a boy, but to tell the truth he was rather attached to this red headed rattle trap. She had a very easy way with her and relaxed everyone around.
As they were pulling up at Green Gables, Anne heaved a big sigh. Here she was, ready to enter a new chapter in her life, one that she had no introduction to at all. That was called 'Family life.' With slightly wobbly knees, Anne walked up the front path following in Matthew's footsteps.
Chapter 3
They entered the house to be met by Marilla. Anne, seeing Marilla who looks stricter than Matthew, stands up poker straight, trying to fix her posture, which was just a little relaxed. Marilla seeing Anne looks at Matthew for explanation. Matthew, avoiding Marilla's fixing gaze, tries to slip out of the room, but before he gets too far, Marilla stops him. "Where do you think that you are off to Matthew, I think that you have a little explaining to do."
"Oh, well I was just off to milk the cows, as they have been waiting for a while..."
"I have already done that Matthew, so there are no excuses. Now out with it, why have you brought home a girl instead of the boy that you were meant to?"
"Well if you put it that way I really didn't have much choice in the matter, she was all that was at the station."
Anne standing in the middle of Matthew and Marilla starts to droop again....This is worse than her worst nightmares. No one could ever have convinced her half an hour ago that she would get to her family to find out that they didn't want her. Anne just stood and watched her world fall apart in front of her. This although was not quite as bad as it could have been for most children, because Anne had extensive experience in picking up the pieces after that had happened. She had formulated a motto that she thought after today would be unnecessary. Wrong again. That was that Tomorrow was another day. No mistakes, no heartbreak, and with a good imagination and perhaps an imaginary friend most certainly traversal. This had been unfortunately the story of Anne's life. Heart break, mistake and imaginary friends. Matthew had just started to touch on the edge of understanding this during the conversation, in the cart on the way home.
Marilla seeing that Anne was nearly in tears, decided that the best mode of attack was to wait for the morning and then straighten things out, as it had been a long day for the orphan......The orphan, it seemed that she hadn't been introduced or anything.
"What is your name child?"
"Would you please call me Elizabeth"
"Is that your name?"
"No but it is such a romantic name. I would love to be called Elizabeth"
"What is your name CHILD?!"
"Anne" says Anne in a slightly depressed voice, "Boring old Anne!"
"Anne is a very sensible name, and nothing to be ashamed of!"
"Oh I am not ashamed of it, but I do wish that my name was Elizabeth. I have always dreamed of having long dark hair and being called Elizabeth. Elizabeth, Empress of Austria was the most beautiful..."
"That is enough of a ramble child. I suggest that you have some supper and then head off for bed. I guess that I can make up one for you. It has been a long day. We can talk about your future in the morning. "
Marilla leaves to fix Anne some supper and on the way out sends Matthew a frown, to let him know that she wasn't pleased with him at all.
Chapter 4
The next morning when Anne came down for breakfast, she looked awful, it seemed as if she had spent the whole previous night crying. Which probably wasn't all that far from the truth, as she saw her world collapse in front of her the night before. Not that this was an uncommon experience for Anne, even though she was only 11, but that didn't stop her from feeling the disappointment every time. The disappointments that Anne had suffered in her life were enough to make any lesser person lose all hope in life at all, but not Anne, she was always looking out for a new start, and always positive, the negative always came to quickly it seemed!
Marilla watched as Anne walked down the stairs, Anne hadn't yet noticed Marilla, but when she did she gave the appropriate "good morning", despite the visibly lack of enthusiasm.
"Where is Mathew?"
Marilla was not at all surprised at the question, because this strange child seemed to have developed an attachment to Mathew, and Mathew to her, it was kind of strange. Mathew had always been a very shy person, but he had certainly developed an attachment to Anne in the very short time that they had been acquainted. "Mathew is out milking the cows."
The short and abrupt answer from Marilla made Anne uncomfortable so she didn't venture to add any more to the conversation. Marilla was serving her some breakfast anyway so that was a good enough diversion.
"Today we will be going over to Mrs. Spencer Long's house. You know Mrs. Long. We will see what can be done about this terrible mistake that has occurred. So eat up and then we can be on our way."
"Yes Miss Cuthbert"
Anne ate with little enthusiasm this morning. She was feeling very sick at heart. When she woke up this morning, she had been hoping that all that happened last night had all been a bad nightmare, but as it was turning out, it really was all real, despite the nightmarish quality.
At about 11 am, they were ready to leave, Mathew had come up from the fields to say good bye. Mathew and Marilla had talked about the problem well into the night. Mathew of course wanted her to stay. Marilla on the other hand didn't see any point for that. Anne hadn't been what they had wanted and so she had to go back. Just like taking some material back to the shop if it was the wrong colour.
On the way to Mrs. Long's house, Marilla asked Anne to tell her history, as that seemed to be the only way to stem the flow of nonsensical drivel that was being emitted from the child's mouth. It made Marilla feel uncomfortable because she couldn't understand what the child was on about.
"I would prefer to tell you how I would have liked my life to have been, rather than how it is. My imagined life is much more interesting than my real one. For instance, If I have been born with beautiful brown hair I think I could have lived a better life. It is so much easier to live when you are pretty.... If I could have looked like Elisabeth, Empress of Austria.... That is why I would so much have liked for my name to be Elisabeth rather than Anne. It makes it much easier for one to live that way...."
"Anne I specifically asked you to tell me about yourself. I did not ask you to tell me what you dreamed could be yourself. Now are you or are you not going to tell me your history?"
"Well it is much more boring, but if you really insist...."
Chapter 5
"I was born 11 years ago. I don't remember my parents at all, they died right after I was born. All I have ever heard is that they were lucky to escape the world while they were still young, and escape having to bring me up as well. All my life people have told me that I am in the way and, that I have only been a burden on them. I have been to several orphanages, but I am now getting older, and they prefer to have the younger kids. Also people tend to adopt the younger kids.
I was really looking froward to having a proper family who I could count on to look after me, and with whom I could feel like a real family. I knew that it was all too good to last.
Anne had finished her life story. Marilla had been sitting and listening. It seemed sad that any human could have had such a hard life, and have so little to look forward to. That did not change the situation though. There was no way that she wanted chatterbox in the house. That and the fact that what they really wanted was a boy.
By this time though they had arrived at the Spencer's house. Mrs. Spencer came running out of the house to greet them.
"Oh what a surprise to see you Mrs. Cuthbert. And Anne! So Anne how are you settling in? I am sure that everything is fine. You really didn't have to come and pay me a visit on your first morning. I would have quite understood if you had decided to settle in and waited for up to a week until you paid your first visit."
Marilla seeing that Mrs. Spencer obviously didn't have a clue about the mistake, decided that it was about time to enlighten her. " There seems to have been a mistake, Mrs. Spencer. Mathew and I said that we needed a boy. We don't need or want a girl..."
"Oh you don't say, oh my nerves, what a terrible mistake. Are you sure that you don't want a girl. oh my nerves, poor poor Anne, oh my nerves. .."
"Yes we are sure that we don't want a girl. We have absolutely no use for a girl. Is there any way that you can take her back for us?"
"Oh my nerves. oh, now I remember Mrs. Blewitt was over just the other day, she wanted to know if I could get her a girl. She has so many children, she is just out of her wits trying to control them. I just have one, and she is strain on my nerves. Mary is such a good child, but she never does anything except read sermons. She is not much good when it comes to anything else. I often worry about her. Oh here comes Mrs. Blewitt now oh this must be my lucky day. Hardly any problems with my nerves, everything seems to be working out just fine. Yu hoo Mrs. Blewitt over here!"
Chapter 6
"Mrs. Spencer, Miss Cuthbert" greeted Mrs. Blewitt
"Mrs. Blewitt"
Marilla had heard stories about Mrs. Blewitt, she was meant to be a tyrant. She had a bundle of kids and no discipline at all. It was a real pity to see anyone forced to put up with her company over supper, let alone for the rest of their lives.
" So good to see you again. It seems Mrs. Blewitt, that you will have your girl earlier than you expected. Here is Anne Bennet. I got her for Marilla here, but it seems that they requested a boy, so she is at present without a place to stay. If you still want a girl I would suggest that she would do admirably. She isn't pretty for sure, but I am sure that she will make up in work for what her looks lack." Mrs. Spencer, totally ignoring the fact that Anne was standing in the group with them, didn't show any hesitation of saying just what she thought.
Anne was mortified. Never in her life had she felt so bad, not even while living with Mrs. Thomas and Mrs. Hammond. At the time she thought that they were the worst places in the world to live, but now she had had a glimpse of worse, much much worse.
Marilla feeling Anne stiffening beside her, at the criticism, felt that it would be an unfortunate end for what was seemingly a very sensitive little girl if she was handed over to Mrs. Blewitt. so she felt compelled to say " well we hadn't quite come to a final decision. Mathew was dead set on keeping her. And so I will take her back home and we will talk about it. I will get back to you ladies later. " With that Marilla took Anne's hand and headed back to the cart. Anne was lucky in that regard. If Marilla had not taken her hand then the chance of Anne falling flat on her face was very high. To say that Anne was stunned with what Marilla said would have been an understatement.
Only once they were back in the cart and well on the way back to Green gables did Anne dare to open her mouth " did you really say that Marilla or did I just dream it? I guess you must have said it, because I am still here with you and not starting to scrub for that tyrant"
"Anne, I hope that you will show better manners towards your elders than that. All I said is that I would discuss the situation with Mathew before any final decision was made. Now I suggest that you practice the art of silence before I change my mind and go back"
Anne knew which side her bread was buttered on and decided that silence was the way to go.
Later that evening, while Anne was washing the dishes, Marilla went out to Mathew who was milking the cows. "There was no way that I could possibly turn her over to that Blewitt woman, sending her back to the orphanage was one thing but that was enough to make anyone's conscience ache"
Mathew liked what he was hearing. It did show that Marilla did have a heart after all. But he didn't say anything, he just waited to see where the conversation was going to lead.
"I can't imagine what she will do. but I guess that anything is better than the Blewitt lady is. I guess that she can learn to cook and other necessary things like that. I guess that it will give me some one to talk to now. That will be a change about the way things go at the moment! All I have to say, Mathew is that I am bringing her up not you. I may have never raised a child before, but neither have you. I have a better idea than you do though. " And with that Marilla walked out of the barn. Leaving Mathew to grin to himself. He was thrilled that Anne was going to stay with them. It would make the whole atmosphere more comfortable.
Marilla headed back to the house hoping that Anne hadn't broken too many dishes. She had let Anne do them because she had asked, but that didn't mean that she had any confidence in Anne's ability. As a result she was surprised to enter the kitchen and see that all the dishes were washed and dried. The benches were washed and there was nothing broken.
Chapter 7
Later that night as Anne was getting ready for bed, Marilla came in to make sure that she folded all her clothes and said her prayers tonight saying "I noticed last night that as well as leaving all your clothes spread on the floor, you did not say your prayers, Anne. I hope that you will never forget in future."
"I don't ever say my prayers, but I am sorry about forgetting to fold my clothes"
"Why on earth don't you say your prayers Anne, you should always express your thanks to our maker"
"I used to be made to say my prayers, but when I was told that God made my hair red on purpose I stopped praying. Anyone who can be so horrid as to curse someone with red hair is not worth my while. So I don't say my prayers. I am sorry if that offends you"
"Yes it does offend me Anne, and while you are in this house you will say your prayers. There is not going to be any buts about it. Do you hear me"
"Yes Marilla, I guess though that I don't really know what to say in a prayer, I haven't said one for so long. If I am about to start praying now, what should I say?"
Marilla was not ready for this question. Of course everyone knows how to pray, it is a skill, or at least knowledge that everyone is born with. Not quite knowing how to answer the question she answered " surely you must have some sort of idea what to say Anne. Start with the things that you are thankful for and then maybe say something that you want."
"Oh well I guess that I will give it a try, here goes. Dear gracious ever loving father, I want to thank you for showing me green gables, and at least having a dream of these couple of days to live with me. I also want to thank you for showing me the beauty of the countryside around here. Now getting on to the things that I really want. They are extremely large in number, and so I may string them out over a few nights. For tonight I will only say two, firstly, please let me stay at green gables, and secondly please make me look ever so beautiful when I grow up. Long brown curly hair is what I like best. If you need a model, Empress Elisabeth of Austria would do just fine. That is all for tonight, yours sincerely, Anne Bennet, oh, and that is Anne spelt with an E"
As Anne finished off, she looked up at Marilla for approval "well how did I go"
Marilla who was appalled at Anne's lack of religious training, but valiantly trying not to show it." well if you were writing a letter to a business, trying to sell vanity and self worship, then it probably would have been a success. Now go to sleep."
And with that Marilla left the room, turning out the lamp and planning how to start Anne's religious education.
In the morning after breakfast, Marilla sent Anne into the drawing room to collect a version of the lords prayer off the mantle piece. That seemed the most appropriate way to start this desperately necessary religious education.
Anne dutifully wandered into the drawing room, to get the card. And then was son entranced in reading it, that she didn't manage to get back out, she just kept wandering around the drawing room, reading out the poetic lines, and at interval exclaiming how beautiful they were, and thanking Marilla for making her learn them.
Not the most dedicated way to do religious education, but definitely a start! thought Marilla to herself. Then looking out of the kitchen window she saw Mrs. Louisa Lynde heading up the garden path with a very determined look on her face. Marilla fearing the worst, called to Anne to come into the kitchen in about 5 minutes, and on her very best behavior. No fail about the best behavior, and then went to the kitchen door to welcome Louisa.
Louisa getting to the door, quickly rearranged her face to have a sympathetic smile on her face. " I am so sorry to hear the bad news Marilla. cannot anything be done to rectify the situation, cant you send her back. Surely there must be something that you can de!"
"well good morning Louisa, I guess that I am over the shock now, we haven't decided what we are going to do with the situation at the moment, for a while at least Anne stays here"
"well surely there is nothing to decide Marilla. You surely have no thought of keeping her" said Louisa with obvious horror in her voice "I mean a boy would have been bad enough, but a girl!?"
At this juncture, Anne had decided that her 5 minutes must just about be up, so she quietly entered the room and stood at the door. as Marilla turned to introduce her "Louisa this is Anne Bennet, Anne this is Mrs. Louisa Lynde, a good friend of mine."
Louisa gave Anne the once over and then pronounced "well her looks certainly aren't anything to delay a decision. I guess that you have always preferred the countrified look yourself Marilla, so that may be a mark in her favour, but that hair. It is as red as carrots..."
At hearing the word carrots, Anne's blood pressure rose about 50 %, advancing towards Louisa, stamping her foot and becoming redder and redder in the face she started yelling "Carrots... CARROTS... how dare you call me that. It is not my fault that I wasn't born a stunning beauty, but then you are nothing to be compared to Elisabeth, I hate you, do you hear me I HATE you. I hope that you burn in hell for what you have just said" and with that Anne ran out the kitchen door, with Marilla calling after her to no avail, to come back an apologize.
Louisa, having never been treated so badly in all her life is gaping like a fish. "burn in hell?... burn in hell?...what did I say that was that bad. and what was that remark about Elisabeth?"
Marilla feeling that Louisa had over stepped the bounds, but also feeling that Anne had let her down qualified "Anne seems to have this hook on Elisabeth, Empress of Austria. I don't know where she got it from, but she even wished me to call her Elisabeth, when she first got here. Anyway you shouldn't have been so hard on her. she is not used to living with people and has a lot to get used to. and she isn't to blame for the way she looks" after Marilla said this, she felt rather proud of herself because she had stuck up for Anne.
Louisa seeing that she was losing the battle, and still not understanding the comment about Elisabeth, besides in her opinion she was rather beautiful, took her exit with "well I can see that the witch has you under her spell Marilla. I guess that I wont be dropping by here any time soon, feel free to come and see me though."
Marilla watched her go and then went to find Anne.
Chapter 8 Posted on Tuesday, 5 October 1999
Anne was in the garden. There were many things that she had already learned in her short life, but taking personal criticism was not one of them. When Marilla had come out to comfort her, Anne had been terrified. Anne may not have been regretting what she had done, but she did know what she had done. She had just been very rude, and yelled at one of Marilla's friends. In anyone's book that was unacceptable behaviour and Marilla in particular seemed to be fairly strict and hard to get along with. This was definitely a bad start thought Anne.
Marilla in the meantime was wondering how to broach the subject with Anne. Anne had been rude, but then Louisa had been rather impolitic in her attack. Marilla could easily see why Anne had lost her temper. But that did not mean that Anne would be able to get away with that sort of behaviour. It would be a bad start if Anne learnt no manners. Even if others were rude, Anne must learn to be respectful. With this in mind Marilla broached conversation on Anne.
"Anne?"
Anne hearing Marilla's voice decided that she couldn't take any more at that moment, so she took off running. Back in her bedroom she lay on her bed crying. Wondering why her life seemed so much harder than everyone else's did.
Marilla seeing Anne take off, decided that she should let things lie for a bit. She would bring up the matter later. If this was what it was like bringing up children, Marilla pondered on the escape that she had made. And on whether this idea of keeping Anne would be such a good idea. Well no real decision had been made yet anyway. There was still that Blewitt lady.
Later that evening, Anne had been banished to her room until she felt that she was fit to apologise to Mrs. Lynde. Mathew was feeling uncomfortable because he had tried to stick up for Anne. He had never liked Louisa anyway.
Marilla feeling herself that she knew what was right, would not let Mathew influence her decision. She sat opposite Mathew across the table until Mathew got up and left. Even though Marilla knew herself to be right, she still did not like the feeling that she was getting from Mathew. Mathew would never do anything stupid, they had lived long enough together for her to know that. But he could make it hard to live with by being surly. That did not appeal to Marilla at all, so she hoped that Anne would see the light...and fast!
When Mathew saw Marilla go out to milk the cows, he saw his chance and crept up to Anne's room. Knocking gently on the door, he let himself in.
"Hi Mathew." Anne had been crying all afternoon, so when she looked up and greeted Mathew her hair and face almost matched.
"Anne, it is really lonesome downstairs without you. Can't you please try and apologise to Louisa. " Mathew pleaded
"I cant! I don't feel sorry in the slightest, and it would be so humiliating to go and ask her to forgive me. I don't feel in the slightest sorry about what I said. It was all true. If she had a problem with the truth then she shouldn't have told it so uncaringly to me!"
"Anne, I understand how you feel. Maybe there is another way out of it."
"You don't think Marilla would relent?"
"No, that is not what I meant. What I meant was that you could go and apologise without meaning it. Marilla is really stubborn and she won't let in ever. But she won't know if you mean the apology or not now will she!"
"What a good idea Mathew. I guess that I could even make it a bit honest. I am sorry that I embarrassed Marilla. I guess that will be enough."
Hearing all that he needed to hear from Anne, and fearing Marilla's early return, he fled downstairs from Anne's room, sat down in his chair and nervously pulled out his pipe, forgetting to light it. Then opening the paper and trying to calm himself, he realised that he had forgotten to light his pipe, so he did that just as Marilla walked in the door. "Whew, just in time" Mathew thought "if I had been a minute later in remembering to light my pipe, then it would have looked really strange!"
Marilla noticed Matthew lighting his pipe when she walked it. She was disgusted, she had thought that he had given it up. Obviously not! Anyway she decided not to comment on it because he seemed to be studiously ignoring her, altogether too engrossed in his paper to be really reading it. Besides the fact that he had already read it. Hearing Anne calling from the top of the stairs, she decided that she had better go and see what was wrong.
"Yes, Anne?"
"Marilla, I am sorry that I flew off the handle at Mrs. Lynde this morning, and I am sorry that I embarrassed you. I am ready to go and apologise to Mrs. Lynde."
"Very well Anne, we will go in the morning. Go to bed now." Said Marilla feeling very pleased with herself. She was sure that Anne would come to her senses. The fact that it was so fast was very gratifying. Very gratifying indeed. Mathew would see, she could raise a child!
The next morning, bright and early found Marilla waiting at the door of Anne's room waiting for her to finish what looked like a prayer. This did not make much sense to Marilla, but there were many times that Marilla didn't understand Anne, so it did not really bother her.
When Anne was ready they set out. Anne seemed rather preoccupied with something, thought Marilla. That did not really worry her, it meant that there was no conversation, but that was not a bad thing. Maybe Anne was thinking over what she had done. Marilla thought that it would be good if Anne was to learn her lesson on this one.
When they got to Louisa's house, Marilla took the lead with Anne following up behind. Louisa seeing them coming up the path guessed why they were coming, and decided to be distant. There was no reason for her to be polite when she had been treated so rudely. She was not surprised when Marilla said that they had come to apologise, but when Anne threw herself down at her feet, not only was she surprised, but Marilla was also surprised. Marilla guessed that Anne had something planned but this took her totally by surprise.
Anne nervous about whether she was overdoing it or not, after dropping to her knees, began with "Mrs. Lynde, I am sorry, I did not mean to embarrass Marilla as I did yesterday by losing my temper. It was totally uncalled for. What you said about me, although I don't like to admit it, is true. What I said about you was also true, but I shouldn't have said it. I am truly sorry. Marilla is only keeping me on a trial at the moment, and it seems that I have been just that, a trial! But I am trying to improve. I can't help my hair, I was born with red hair, but I can help my temper. I am trying to keep it under control but it is not easy. Please forgive me. I would be devastated if I was sent away from green gables after my trial period knowing that I had offended a friend of Marilla's. Please ... forgive me" with tears in her eyes. Anne not really knowing if they were real or not, Anne looked up at Mrs. Lynde, waiting for an answer.
Mrs. Lynde had been surprised for the whole of Anne's speech. It sounded sincere. But one could never tell with an orphan!
Then Anne continued, "you seem like a kind enough lady, you wouldn't inflict on me that type of misery for the rest of my life, would you...Please...forgive me"
This last bit made up Louisa's mind. The child did mean it and really there was no reason not to forgive and forget. And with saying just as much she sent Anne off to play in the garden, wanting to talk to Marilla for a bit. "Marilla, what that child really wants is a good home and to be with other kids. Even though it is only a trial, you should send her to school."
"Yes Louisa I am planning to do that, but first I have to make her some more appropriate clothes. There is no chance that she is going to school attired like a tramp!"
"Well I am not saying that is a bad idea, but I think that she needs to be in school as soon as possible. Being with kids her own age will have a big improvement on her behaviour mark my words!" finished off Louisa all but indicating that was the end of the subject. Marilla taking the hint called Anne, not realising that she could hear the whole conversation, and they went back to green gables.
Chapter 9 Posted on Tuesday, 5 October 1999
On the way home Anne broached the subject of school. "I have to confess that I couldn't help overhearing you talking to Mrs. Lynde about school. I would like more than anything to go to school."
Marilla not really feeling much like conversation replied cuttingly "you will have to improve your behaviour immensely if you are to make any headway in school. No one will like you if you continue in this fashion that you have started in!"
"Of course I will do my best to fit in. I would not like to start off badly. Especially if... Marilla, how long do you feel that I need to be on trial for? I am getting very anxious and it has only been a few days"
"Well for all of us I think that the trial needs to be long enough. You may like living with us after all. We don't lead wild and exciting lives and you may start to find us boring in a week. It would be sad to have committed and then for that to happen now wouldn't it!"
"Oh there is no chance of that. If that is what is keeping you from a decision please don't worry. I would love to live with you. Mathew is such a kindred spirit. I knew that when I first met him at the station."
"Well I still think that the trial needs to be held!" and with that all conversation stopped for the remainder of the walk back to green gables.
The next day, Marilla called Anne up to her room to try on the dresses that she had been up all night making.
"There are three for starters, two for school when you start and one for church. From this Sunday you will be attending church with us. I will make you another few in a while, but this will do you for the moment, and will be a vast improvement on what you have. I have talked to the schoolmaster, and he said that you could start from next week. You will have to start at a lower level, but if you work hard you should be able to catch up very fast."
"Oh thank you Marilla. I am so happy to be going to school. Thank you also for the new dresses, but..."as Anne tried on the dresses she tried to hide her disappointment. She knew that Marilla was a no-frills person, but she did hope in her heart that Marilla would change her policy just for once. She had hoped that there may have been one pretty dress. Not that they were ugly dresses, but they were very plain.
Marilla sensing Anne's disapproval but not understanding why asked "what is wrong, don't you like the dresses?"
"Yes I do, but I do wish that you could have made one of them with puff sleeves. They are so fashionable at the moment. It is so much easier to get to know new people if your clothes are fashionable."
"Fiddlesticks. It doesn't matter at all what your clothes look like. All that matters is what you are like on the inside, and whether you are nice to people!"
Anne, realising that Marilla was never going to understand her point of view gave up with one last effort "yes but it is much easier to be nice to people if you look nice on the outside."
"I will not pamper your vanity Anne. These clothes are perfectly fine for going to school and playing with your friends. Frills don't make any difference at all!"
"Yes" Anne demurely relented, not wanting it to go any further.
"Now if you will put on the blue gingham one we will go over and visit the Barry's. I think that it is best if you have a friend before you go to school. It will make it much easier for you. They have a daughter Jane, who is about your age. I think that you could become friends."
Anne, almost splitting at the seams "Do you really think so? I have never had a real friend before. Jane sounds like such a nice name. What does she look like? I don't think I could bear it if she also had red hair like me! "
Marilla nearly exhausted with this long conversation with Anne, curtly replies "Jane is a very good girl, you could learn a lot of things from her. She is also very pretty. She has long dark hair. NOT red hair! Now that is enough chatter for now. Get dressed and we will go."
As the walked together up the hill to the Barry's house Marilla was nervous. Anne was not predictable. There was no way to tell what she may do next. Anne was also nervous. She wanted Jane to like her. She wanted a friend, but she didn't know how to go about getting a friend. She did not know what to say.
They did get to the door though, too soon for Marilla and not soon enough for Anne. Marilla was still not sure how good the idea actually was, but Anne was desperate to meet Jane.
Mrs. Barry came out and the introductions were made. Anne loved Jane on the spot. And when they were directed to go out and play in the garden they needed no second asking. They were off!
Jane was an easy tempered girl. Having been brought up strictly from the first she had a confidence that Anne envied.
Chapter 10
"Jane will you swear to be my bosom friend for ever and ever?"
"Anne, I can't swear, swearing is evil. I am not allowed to!" said a horrified Jane. She was starting to think that Anne might be a little strange. Certainly Anne was hard to understand thought Jane.
"No, not this type of swearing Jane. This type of swearing is like a promise. A very solemn promise" Anne was very serious. She was worried what Jane might say. She desperately wanted to be friends with Jane, but didn't know how.
"Well I guess that is alright then. You are strange Anne, but I think that I am starting to like you. Of course I will be your friend!" said Jane almost dubiously.
"Ok, then say after me. But inserting your name where I have mine and my name where I put yours. Here we go, I, Anne Bennet, do solemnly swear to be faithful to my bosom friend Jane Barry as long as the sun and the moon shall endure. Now you go Jane."
"Oh ok here goes, I think that I can remember. I Jane Barry do solemnly swear to remain faithful to my bosom friend Anne Bennet, for ever." As Jane finished Anne looked at her strangely.
"As long as the sun and the moon shall endure" said Anne
"Oh right, as long as the sun and the moon shall endure" repeated Jane dutifully "Sorry Anne I just couldn't remember what you really said and I didn't think that the words mattered all that much"
"Well I guess that they don't, but I think that for as long as the sun and moon shall endure is so romantic, and it has the same meaning as forever!"
"I guess so." Said Jane rather confused, but quite enjoying Anne's company.
"So what is school like. I am going from Monday. I am soooooo excited, I just can't wait!"
Jane, pulling a face said "oh well the people are all nice, but the teacher is a witch. Well I guess that she isn't that bad, but that is what everyone says. They say that she is related in some way to Mrs. Spencer. Mrs. Philips is her name, but the good thing is that she spends so much time with her favourite queen's student , Lydia that she doesn't pay any attention to the rest of us so we can do what we like. Lydia is so dumb anyway. There is no way that she is going to get into queens. The only reason that she is still trying is that her father is so rich." Well I didn't mean that to sound mean at all "Lydia has never done anything to me, and if she weren't so much older than me then I may have tried to be her friend. I am sure that she is nice inside and all, I think that it may be just because she is so much older than us that she feels awkward and that is it!"
"well at least you will be there so I will know someone. I will not be all by my self. That is a relief. But Marilla said that I am going to have to start at a lower level because I haven't been to school before. "
"Oh don't worry that wont matter at all!"
It seemed to Marilla that Anne was getting on just fine with Jane. That was good. That would make school much easier for her. But there was a limit. They did have to return and get dinner ready for Mathew. So despite her reluctance she got Anne and they went home. On the way Anne was expounding on Jane, on how pretty she was, on how friendly she was, on what she said about school. Marilla was not really listening. The stream of words was hardly directed at her anyway. It just seemed to be coming out. Marilla was brought to attention when Anne said "...the teacher though, sounds like a bit of a mean person."
Marilla hearing this, hoped that the whole speech had not been in this vain. Deciding that this was certainly bad Marilla scolded Anne "Anne! You may not talk like that about your elders. Especially someone who you have not yet even met! I never want to hear you talking like that again. Is that understood?"
"Yes Marilla. I am sorry I guess I just wasn't thinking."
"Well you had better start thinking. What will the kids at school think if you are always saying things without thinking. You cannot go through your life forever apologising about things that you have said without thinking."
"Yes I realise that Marilla. The fact is though, I do learn from my mistakes. If you had any idea of what I have already learnt in life through mistakes you would have some faith in me."
"Yes I am sure that I would, but that doesn't mean wait for the mistake and then learn from it, it would be best if you thought about things before the mistake actually happened." Said Marilla with finality. Wanting to end the conversation before it went any further. They continued back to green gables in silence.
Anne was up bright and early on Monday morning. It was going to be her first day of school. She was also going to see Jane again. Anne had not gone to church the day before because she had been so excited about going to school she had caught a slight chill, and Marilla did not want it to get any worse. Luckily it got better fast, so she was going to go to school today, but it did mean that she did not get to go to Sunday school, and meet other kids that were going to be in her class. That did not stop her being very excited about this first day of school.
Marilla was worried about what may come of all this enthusiasm for school. The fact that Avonlea was a small town, so probably everyone had heard about her tantrum to Louisa. Definitely not the best person to lose your temper to. Marilla could see that Anne had a vulnerable heart. That made her fearful about what may happen to Anne at school. Small towns like Avonlea were not known for their acceptance of strangers, and Anne was certainly a stranger. She was also an orphan, or was an orphan. Marilla by this time had to admit to herself that she would do anything to try and make Anne happy and give her a future. But that did not mean pampering her vanity.
Mathew was also a bit nervous for Anne's first day of school. He could not imagine anyone not liking Anne, but he also did not really know how the school was at the moment, and Anne would definitely have to start in a lower grade. There was no doubt that she was smart, but she may be missing some of the basics because she had never been to school before so it was best if she started a bit lower and went up fast, rather than starting too high and not feeling good. But despite how simple this sounded to Mathew, and how sensible it sounded, Mathew was worried that the other kids would just see her as a dumb kid and have nothing to do with her because she was taking classes with the younger kids. Mathew worried about how Anne would feel if she were ignored by the kids her age because she was not quite as high in classes as they were. Oh well today was the day that they would find out. Anne's first day of school. Jane was stopping by to pick Anne up, at least Anne and Jane seemed to get on well, which was a good start for Anne. Jane was popular with everyone.
Chapter 11
Jane stopped by and picked Anne up. Anne was so excited that she could hardly get dressed and ready for school. Lucky it wasn't all that hard and Marilla was packing her a lunch so she didn't have to worry about that. Then Anne and Jane set off for school. They were going a bit early so that Jane could introduce Anne, and Anne could get a seat.
"I will ask Mrs. Philips if you can sit with me. The seat next to me is free. That would be fun if we could sit together."
Anne was secretly thrilled that Jane was going to ask for her to sit next to her. Jane seemed to be so popular that it seemed strange that there was an empty seat, but it would certainly be fun. "Oh that would be fun. I would much prefer to sit next to you than someone who I didn't know. Except I guess that I would get to know them fast enough."
Without realising it the two girls arrived at school, to a buzz of chatter. Everyone was standing around waiting to see the new girl. They had all heard the story about her encounter with Mrs. Lynde, but some of them didn't really believe it, and others felt that it wasn't Anne's fault because they themselves didn't really like Mrs. Lynde anyway. She was always sticking her nose in where it wasn't wanted. The general consensus of the kids as Anne and Jane walked up was that she looked human and no different from them so there was probably not going to be a problem.
Anne seeing all the people hanging around door, got a bit nervous, and asked Jane, "do you think that everyone will have heard about how I got mad at Mrs. Lynde?"
Jane just laughed. "Sure they will have. Mrs. Lynde was telling people the moment she left green gables after the incident. But don't worry I am sure that they wont mind. Most of us don't really like her anyway because she is such a busy body. The only problem you may find is with Caroline Pye. She is some relation of Mrs. Lynde. But even Caroline isn't that bad, she just takes a bit of getting used to. She and Gilbert Darcy used to go around together until he left. You are lucky that he isn't going to be here today. He is really smart and fairly nice, but rather hard to get to know at the start. It will be easier to get to know him when you already have friends. Other than me of course. He will be back next week. So that will give you plenty of time. He was over in Montreal visiting relatives. Another thing about Gilbert is that he is the richest kid in school so everyone wants to stay friends with him."
"That makes it all sound so scary. I am getting really nervous now. I really want people to like me. I would be so mortified if no one liked me."
"Hi Jane, this must be Anne. I am Fred. Fred Bingley. Nice to meet you I am sure that we will all get to know you in time, so we wont push you now." Then Fred acting as spokesman introduced everyone else. "Tillie Boulter, Billy Sloane, Minnie MacPherson, Moody Spurgeon, Mary Andrews, Kitty Gillis, Caroline Pye, and over there waiting for the teacher is Lydia, Liddy Andrews. Not a close relation of Mary though. Liddy is the oldest in the school. There are others but they aren't here and most of them aren't our age. There is only one more our age who isn't here, that is Gilbert Darcy, he is off visiting at the moment but he will be back next week. Sorry if I have talked too much let's all go inside and wait there."
Anne whispering to Jane "I don't know how I am going to remember everyone's name!"
"Don't worry you will be introduced again, I am sure. Anyway people will understand if you don't remember, and anyway that is why I am here to help! Isn't it!"
They all entered the room, Liddy and Mrs. Philips were not far behind so Jane went and asked if Anne could sit next to her. Mrs. Philips, not really listening, guessing what the request was, and not really caring said "yes".
Then classes started. Anne could see immediately what Jane said was true. Mrs. Philips didn't really care what the rest of them did, she spent all her time giggling and pretending to be Liddy's age with Liddy. It was sickening thought Anne, that was hardly a professional attitude!
When the lunch break came, Anne went out with the other kids to play. She was nervous but Jane was always nice to her, so she felt that she didn't have anything to worry about. Jane made everything go smoothly.
Fred was a good sport, always having fun, but the boys didn't play with the girls most of the time. The girls played more sedately by themselves, sometimes watching the boys' games, but mostly involved in themselves. Anne found herself part of a group consisting of Jane, Mary and Kitty. Caroline also came over to be with them as there was really nothing else for her to do, but she spent most of the time talking about herself that Anne decided that it didn't really matter if she didn't become friends with Caroline. Mary was fairly plain. Not particularly talented in anyway it seemed, but she seemed to be a good soul and Anne felt that they would be able to be friends. Kitty was also nice although she talked about the boys a little too much. Anne felt a bit put out by the way Kitty was always talking about the boys, but sometimes it was really funny too, so that was ok. And Jane was, well she was Jane and they had already become good friends. It seemed to Anne that she now had three friends at school.
The boys came over for a bit, Kitty focused her attention on them but Anne ignored that. Fred was keen to make Anne feel at home, that much was obvious. Bill, Anne didn't look at for long. Just by his looks she decided that she didn't need to become any further acquainted to him. She felt very uncomfortable around him, he didn't seem all that smart either, not dumb, Anne felt that it was a bit hard on him if she labeled him as dumb just yet, but he was definitely not very smart. Moody was not really saying much he seemed as if he may be a bit of a clown, but it was hard to tell thought Anne because he didn't really say anything.
Anne's first day of school passed very well, she had a wonderful time, and really liked the kids. The rest of the week followed just the same. Anne was still getting to know Mary and Kitty, and pretty much she was still getting to know Jane better. They often got together after school, to do homework, to play, to do pretty much anything just to be together. Anne was worried though. She knew that she was still on trial, and now that she had some friends she was hoping desperately that Marilla wouldn't decide to send her back. She helped out as much as she could, but there were no children for her to look after, and that was what she was most used to, but she did was dishes. She didn't cook, because she didn't know how to. She hoped that sometime if she was allowed to stay that Marilla would teach her, and she hoped that this wasn't too much to ask. She always did as she was told promptly and tried her best not to annoy Marilla in any way. Hoping that Marilla would notice and it would help the decision.
Marilla certainly did notice and although she had really made up her mind, it was gratifying to notice that Anne really was trying. It was also gratifying for her to know that Anne was doing well at school, not only was she making friends well, but she had worked really hard and been promoted to her age groups class by the end of her first week. This made Marilla relax, it meant that Anne would not be suffering from teasing by her classmates, and the kids that she was at school with. Mathew also noticed how popular Anne was already, and he was proud. He certainly wasn't surprised though, his Anne was certainly a great person and he knew it, he was just glad that others were acknowledging it as well.
Anne had finished her first week of school. She was trying not to plan things too far ahead because she was not sure of her future, but there were several things coming up that she would like to be part of if she was still around. Although she had not yet been to Sunday school, Jane had told her about the Sunday school picnic and Anne really wanted to go to that, also Anne would like to be able to try out for the Sunday school choir. Jane, Mary and Kitty were all members, and she would like to be one too, except she wasn't very confident of her singing ability. Anne had many hopes for the future, but she was not going to make any hard and fast plans. At least not until Marilla said if she could stay or not.
Chapter 12
The Sunday school picnic was on the first weekend after Anne started school. Marilla said that Anne may go, as although she had not yet attended Sunday school, she was going to, so that made it ok. The day of the picnic was a beautiful day, despite Anne's dire predictions the night before of rain, hail, sleet and snow. Anything that may put the picnic off.
Anne was nearly dizzy the morning of the picnic, she had been looking forward to it so much, and not that it was here and the weather was nice, she was running nearly mad, desperate to get out of the door and get to the picnic. Marilla had to keep telling Anne that the picnic did not start for another 2 hours so there was no point in leaving. Marilla then decided to tell Anne about the result of the trial. Hoping that would at least stop Anne wanting to leave for the picnic so early. Not expecting it to calm her down, but wishing that it would, she started.
"Anne, Mathew and I have made our decision about the result of the trial..."
"Oh Marilla, would you please wait and tell me tonight, I am so excited about the picnic that if you have decided no, then I don't want to know until after the picnic." Anne said, surprising Marilla immensely.
"Well ok, if that is what you want."
The time until the picnic eventually passed for Anne, albeit rather more slowly than most time, she thought. But now they were on their way, for the second time, as when they were part of the way there, Anne realised that she had forgotten her tennis racquet. Actually Anne couldn't play tennis, but Marilla had lent her a racket so that she could have fun with her friends, as there was certainly going to be a tennis match.
Arriving at the picnic grounds, Anne looked all around for Jane. Also for Mary and Kitty, but she was sure that if they were all there, then they would be all together. She saw Fred standing with another person who she didn't know, Anne wondered if it wasn't that Gilbert person, but wasn't sure, he seemed to look older. Caroline was standing right next to him. Anyway it didn't matter who he was, and Anne forgot about him when she suddenly spied Jane over in the other direction. Waving at Jane, and saying good bye to Marilla, she ran over to join Jane. Mary was there as well but Kitty had not yet arrived it seemed. Jane showed Anne where to put the tennis racquet.
Anne remembering the person, who was with Fred, asked Jane, "so who is that person with Fred, I don't remember seeing him before. I guess that he must be from white sands or somewhere like that"
Jane, laughing slightly as she saw whom Anne was referring to, and answered "no, that is Gilbert Darcy, you can tell because Caroline is over there. I thought that he wasn't going to be here today, but I guess he must have got back just in time. Well that is good, let's go over and so you can meet him. He is really nice, except a bit stiff. It is good that you can meet him in a relaxed time like this, which will make it easier. Come on..."
"Oh ok, I guess if it is Gilbert I had better go and get introduced. Seeings he is at school and all."
Jane, Anne and Mary went over to where Fred, Gilbert and Caroline were. On the way they picked up Kitty who had just arrived.
Fred seeing them coming over calls out "Hi Jane, Anne, Mary, Kitty. Bringing Anne over I see. Good idea!"
"Hi Fred, Gilbert, Caroline. Welcome back Gilbert, it is good to see you again."
"You too Jane! Nothing has changed at all it seems."
"Well yes there is one change. For the better though. We have another classmate. This is Anne Bennet, Gilbert. Gilbert Darcy, Anne."
Gilbert, not sure about the newcomer yet, and not wanting to seem to forward says "hi"
Anne, not wanting this Gilbert guy to think her an idiot by being too forward, was unsure of what to say. So she just said "hi" back. Then added, just for clarification "that is Anne spelt with an 'e'!"
"How could you spell Ann with an 'e'. What are you saying, it would be Enn if it was spelt with an 'e'." Replied Gilbert rather dumbly. He was unfortunately rather tired from just arriving in that morning, but he had wanted to meet with his friends again.
"What I meant was it is spelt A-N-N-E!"
"Oh sorry, I guess I am a bit tired."
Jane was right he was cold. No one else had been like this. Even Caroline had been nicer. "Oh well" Anne thought, "I guess that once I get to know him he will thaw out like Jane said."
Jane breaking through the silence that was just starting to edge onto the long side said "seeings you two have so much to say to I feel really bad at interrupting, but it would be more fun if we joined in some of the activities that are going around. Anne how about we head for the three legged race, I am sure that we could do it!"
"Sure Jane, let's, that would be fun."
As the group paired off, leaving Caroline without a partner. This made Anne feel a bit bad so she whispered to Jane "what about Caroline?"
"Oh don't worry about her" Jane whispered back "all she will want to do is watch Gilbert anyway, so she would say no to anyone!" and with that they were on their way, thinking of their tactics. Knowing it was ice cream that awaited the winners, and that was enough for anyone to try their hardest. Because Anne had not had ice cream before she was even more desperate to win.
They lined up on the line, Anne and Jane feeling as one, Mary and Kitty seemingly looking to go in opposite directions, Fred and Gilbert seemingly together, but Gilbert being very tired. Other pairs were lined up as well. It was a very good turn out for the picnic. The start came. Anne and Jane were off and running with everyone else, except for the first casualty, Fred and Gilbert. Fred called left to get started with, Gilbert in his fatigue forgot his left and right and stepped right, and they fell down on the line. Laughing at their mistake. Caroline was not happy though, she was hoping that they would win. About half way to the finish, Mary and Kitty became a casualty, Mary always being a slow plodder type, Kitty thought to up the tempo, to try and take the lead, but she forgot to let Mary know, so that ended their campaign for the ice cream. Anne and Jane, were still up and trotting. They were doing well, in about second or third. Deciding that they needed to go a bit faster to win, Anne gasped to Jane "how about we go a bit faster?"
Jane knowing that Anne wanted to win, put extra effort in, and they started to catch up on the leader, finally just at the end, managing to overtake and win. Both of the girls were hysterical. Anne was so happy that she would get some ice cream at long last, and Jane was just very happy to not have fallen over and made Anne miss out on the ice cream.
Chapter 13 Posted on Saturday, 16 October 1999
The picnic was progressing very nicely. There was only the tennis tournament left. The format for that was, firstly a singles round robin to seed everyone, then everyone would be paired off with another, for example the person who came first would be paired off with the person who came last and so on. This was all explained and then they started.
Caroline, knowing that Gilbert would win was throwing her games so that she could come last to be partnered with him. Anne and Jane thought that it was sickening to watch. Caroline was hitting balls everywhere even if they were the simplest of returns. Gilbert didn't really care. He was too tired to worry about it. Anyway this was only a fun picnic; it wasn't as if it was Wimbledon or anything. Gilbert noticed Anne over laughing with Jane. He guessed that they were laughing at the display Caroline was putting on, he really wished that he could go over and be with them but he just didn't know this Anne girl enough. It would be ok if Fred was over there too, but he was getting ready for his game. Gilbert had watched Anne play. Certainly there had been no skill at all in her game, but she had some talent. It was a pity that he couldn't always remember her name. He had never been all that good at remembering names. She looked really nice and seemed to have become good friends with Jane as they were always together, but she seemed out of reach. There seemed to be no way that he could convince himself to go over and talk to her.
The round robin had finished. As the seedings were being decided for the doubles competition. Effectively making it a handicap competition, the better players receiving a handicap of a worse player.
As the teams were being drawn up, Jane was quietly telling Anne the differences in playing doubles, as Anne had not played before. Gilbert over hearing this decided that he would be able to help here, so he decided to go over and help the new girl out a bit. While Jane was a fair player, his experience could be of benefit.
Temporarily forgetting her name, Gilbert decided that getting her attention quietly was the way to go. So he whispered "carrots". Not getting a response, he said a little louder "carrots". Still not getting any response, and nearly being on top of them. He reached over and lifted up one of Anne's red braids, "hey carrots, I..."
Anne heard Gilbert's first call of carrots. At this if she had been facing him, he would have seen her start to get red, and catch her breath. Jane didn't hear, but she did wonder what was wrong with Anne. At the second call of carrots from Gilbert Jane heard, and understood what was wrong with Anne, not really understanding what was wrong with being called a name, but still she could see that it was because of the name that Anne was getting mad. Anne was struggling hard to maintain her control. She had been trying. There was no doubt, she didn't want to prove in front of everyone that she was as bad as Mrs. Lynde had said. But there was a limit and Anne was fast reaching hers. At the last carrots from Gilbert, he seemed to be starting to say something else but before he could really get what he wanted to say even started, Anne had spun around, stood up and now clung ferociously to her tennis racquet. "How dare you call me carrots, you mean, hateful, stuck up, proud, rich kid!! I HATE YOU!!" and with that, Anne lifted her tennis racquet and brought it down on Gilbert's head with a resounding thunk. Luckily for Gilbert the racquet hit in the center, and so he did not end up with a wooden frame in his head, but it broke the racquet. Anne was stunned that she had actually hit someone. It was not really her nature to get violent. But she had been left with no other choice really. She stood there holding her tennis racquet not really sure what to do.
The schoolmistress, Mrs. Philips, who had been helping to co-ordinate the event, saw the proceedings. Not hearing, or maybe not caring, what Gilbert had said, Mrs. Philips went to Anne and demanded to know why she was carrying on in such a way.
Gilbert, really feeling at fault, spoke up "it seems that I provoked her madam. I did not intend to though."
Mrs. Philips ignored Gilbert. Anne was the one who had made such a spectacle. She was going to pay for it. But that would wait. The teams were just about to be announced, so she went back and made the appropriate changes.
Then the announcement that they had all been waiting for came. "The teams for this afternoons game are as follows. Gilbert Darcy with Anne Bennet. Caroline Pye with Charlie Sloane. Jane Barry with Fred Bingley..." and on and on droned Mrs. Philips. Knowing that this was just the punishment for Anne, and having made the adjustment accordingly. If nothing had been changed then Anne would have been playing with Fred. Anyway this would be more interesting.
As Anne heard her name called out after Gilbert's, her head sank. She was desperately fighting back tears. To be placed with the best player was hard, because he would probably always be mad at all of her mistakes. And anyway she hated him. He had called her carrots, without even thinking. Not even really knowing her. Only just having been introduced that morning.
When Caroline heard her name with Charlie, she let out a loud groan. She had sooooo been wanting to be with Gilbert. If she had been with Gilbert then everyone would see them together and recognise that there was something there, even if she wasn't allowed to start dating him for years. Now she had to be with Charlie. He was so ugly, she hoped that people wouldn't get the wrong idea. The thought of it. What if people actually thought that sometime in the future she and Charlie would be dating? That was enough to make anyone sick she thought and with that she promptly was. Meaning that she had to withdraw from the competition. Leaving a disappointed Charlie. Not because he wanted to play with her, but just because he liked playing and now he didn't have the chance.
Chapter 14
Gilbert was worried about what may happen in the game ahead, which he was to be playing with Anne. He knew that he had committed a grevious faux pas earlier by calling her 'carrots' but he didn't see why she had to take it so badly, he called everyone names, so it would be more like he was intentionally ignoring her if he didn't call her a name. That was his reasoning anyway. Feeling put out that she had taken it so badly, Gilbert hung out to the side, avoiding everyone as much as possible during the lunch break. They were less than 10 minutes from getting underway again when Fred aproached Gilbert trying to get him to come out of his shell and join in with everyone else. "come on Gil, you have been sitting out for the whole lunch break, it is not like you at all, come and have fun with the rest of us.... It would be good for you to get to know Anne better anyway.... she is really nice!"
"Fred stop trying to interfere in my life" responded an irritated Gilbert. "There is less than 10 minutes until the game starts and I have to prepare myself. You have it easy. Your partner actually knows which way to hold a tennis raquet! I have to play a game of doubles all by myself. Of course I can still win, but it is going to be a lot harder for me, so I have to prepare myself!"
"Gil I can't believe that you just said that.... you have changed since your little junket. You may be the best, and a lot better than the rest of us, but that most certainly does not excuse such high and mighty attitude!" Anne sitting off to the side with the other girls... not really paying attention to what they were saying.... caught the whole of this conversation. She wasn't sure whether she should be offended by what Gilbert Darcy had just said, or whether to ignore it as yet another example of his proud, stuck up, rich boy attitude. She decided that as she had already been offended enough for one day that she should take it as the latter, so she started laughing. She soon had to stop though because the girls all wanted to know what she was laughing about and it was going to be rather hard to explain when they all liked Gilbert so much.
The games went off well in the afternoon, there was stiff competition, but the Gilbert Darcy - Anne Bennet partnership ended up dominant. No real thanks to Anne's ability (or lack of it) and Anne would also add that there was also no thanks to Gilbert's ego. THAT nearly cost them the vital set, and did cost them many other sets!
After the picnic school returned to normal. Anne started going to Sunday School with most of the other kids in her class. Anne did not like either Sunday School, or school very much. All that they were good for was so that she could see her friends. But she had arranged with Jane a way to signal between them if there was any information of import to each other. This was a much used device. If one of them missed a day of school, for example. The other would signal when they came home, and then they would meet to share what gossip was going around. There was always much to share. Who had got in trouble, who had their name up on the take notice board, etc. There was only one no go area between these two firm friends. That was the subject of Gilbert Darcy. Jane of course liked him, as a friend who had been around for ever. Anne, was yet to forgive him, even as the months passed, her anger at him calling her carrots had not lessened visibly. In school Jane was the prettiest. Far outshining everyone, except Anne who was just as pretty but in a different way. Anne was smart, but she was also quite refreshingly frank. Everyone liked Anne, it was hard not to. Everyone except Caroline Pye that is. She did not like Anne for one reason and one reason only, that was because Anne had been Gilbert's partner in the tennis all those months ago. She also had an unforgiving resentment. It also urked her that Gilbert was trying to make peace with Anne so much, the redeeming factor being that Anne ignored him all the time. Even when he gave her candy, and flowers. Caroline felt that they should have been for her, so she picked them off the ground where Anne had flung them, and kept them, saying that they had been given to herself. Gilbert himself, was also smart. To everyone who knew him, he was a very kind person, only rather shy. To Anne though, who did not know him, and would not get to know him, he continually gave offence. There was nothing that he could do that could possibly be seen as anywhere near right in Anne's eyes. The months continued to pass in this unchanging fashion.
Chapter 15
I guess this sort of needs some explaining. Leia, who was writing this story, ran into big time writer's block and as a result the story perished slowly and got put into hibernation. But Leia does not like seeing this poor thing left in the uncompleted (probably old and uncompleted by now). I was persuaded to take it over.
Anne scowled at the results on the board, then with a grunt she hastened to her seat. The day had been bad so far, first she had broken a dish while washing, and it really hadn't been her fault she had stopped to watch a bird out the window and when she turned back the bowl was lying on the floor, broken. Then she had slipped into the brook while walking to school, so she had one wet foot and one dry foot. Also the school results were up for the term and Gilbert had beaten her at two out of three of the subjects.
"What a relief." Jane slid into her chair with a relieved sigh and smiled at Anne. "I passed cipher."
"Hm." Anne sniffed. "You shouldn't be so pessimistic Jane, you can pass cipher easily.....but Gilbert beat me in both Geometry and SPELLING!" Anne spoke the last word in accents of doom, for she had defeated him in every spelling bee for the last month and a half.
"Well at least he didn't get you in History." Jane rubbed a nearby shoulder, then giggled.
"What's up?" Anne's head lifted immediately, her eyes searching for the amusement.
"Kitty Gillis, Gilbert just pinned her hair to the chair."
"That's mean!" It didn't matter that had Fred done it she would have been as amused as Jane, the fact remained that Gilbert had done it, so she was not amused at all. Anne started to rise to tell Kitty, but Kitty chose that moment to rise herself and with an ear-splitting screech, which caused everyone to clap their hands to their ears....except for Gilbert who had whipped the pin out of the hair and was now studiously studying his Geometry text, she fell back into her seat.
"Kitty, must you make such a noise!" Mrs Phillips shook her head, and then pursed her lips and came to the front of the classroom. "Spelling bee time, everyone place all books on the floor, or in their desks." There was a general clatter as this order was carried out, and then with only slightly less noise the spelling bee began. Anne switched into automatic for the first half of the bee, spelling whatever word she was given, but as the words got harder and students started returning to their seats Anne turned on and actually started listening and thinking. Ten minutes later only three people were left standing and Anne was feeling half delirious, this was the first time she had made the last three, though she frequently made the last five. "Okay, all students return to their seats, the last three may spell from their seats." There was a break while Anne, Gilbert and Lyddie returned to their seats.
"Bravo Anne, I've got my fingers crossed for you." Jane whispered as Anne took her seat.
"Thanks." Anne whispered back before she took a deep and nervous breath, oh if she could only spell down the whole school.
"Lydia, if you please, will you spell Chrysanthemum for me." Mrs Phillips smiled widely at her favourite pupil.
"Chrysanthemum." Lyddie paused and took a breath. "K-r-i....no a-s-a-f-i-m-a-m." Lyddie finished with a rush and turned scarlet, while Mrs Phillips' smile drooped and became slightly fixed.
"I observe we must now turn our attention to your spelling Lydia." Mrs Phillips' smile broadened again. "Gilbert....if you please."
"Chrysanthemum." Gilbert rose to his feet before he said the word. "C-h-r-y-s-a-n-t-h-a-m-u-m." It went smoothly unrushed, but with no pauses.
"Anne!" There was no smile this time and as Anne rose to her feet she was infuriated by the encouraging wink Gilbert gave her, as if she needed Gilbert Darcy's encouragement.
"Chrysanthemum. C-h-r-y-s-a-n-t-h-E-m-u-m." Anne emphasised the 'E' and shot Gilbert a victorious look as she did so, Gilbert was just the type to forget an 'E'.
"Correct." Mrs Phillips looked like she was attempting to eat a lemon.
"Anne you did it!" Jane leapt from her seat with a shriek and engulfed Anne in a hug. Anne was still so stunned by the fact that she had spelt down the entire school that she didn't even manage to hug Jane back. Anne could hardly wait for the day to end, Marilla would be so proud.
"Congratulations Miss Bennet, both for the spelling bee and for History." Gilbert held out an uncertain hand.
"I don't want your congratulations Mr Darcy. In future I will be first in all the subjects......and the spelling bee." With a sniff Anne ignored Gilbert's hand, took Jane's arm and walked on.
"Anne, how could you?" Jane was fairly gasping. "Gilbert's never appologised to anyone......and how could you say you'll be first in everything."
"Jane, I find it very easy to ignore Mr Darcy's appology, he did not mean it in the slightest. It was also easy to say I will be first in everything because that is exactly what I intend to do."
"Anne, why can't you make peace with him, it's not like he deliberately tries to offend you or anything. Can't you give him a chance, even for me?"
"Oh Jane." Anne looked uncertain.
"Besides which, I heard him telling Billy Sloane that you were the smartest girl in the school, and brains are much more important than looks."
"Oh." Unconsciously Anne took a look back over her shoulder at Gilbert Darcy, but the sight which met her eyes hardened her heart. Just as Anne looked over her shoulder Caroline grabbed Gilbert's arm and skipped off down the road with him. "Well he's wrong." Anne turned resolutely around and resumed walking. "Brains aren't more important than beauty.....and I'm sorry Jane, but iron has entered my soul I can NEVER forgive Gilbert Darcy for what he has done." With her eyes firmly ahead Anne took her new resolution firmly in hand, she would be first in all courses next term.