Chapter Text
Chapter 2:
Anne Shirley Cutherbert was happy that it was Friday afternoon. She had just let school out and she could sleep in at least until 10:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.
Anne has been teaching at Avonlea school for the first time ever this school year and she has been enjoying it thoroughly. Soaking up every minute of it and that is all thanks to her friend Gilbert Blythe who sacrificed his teaching here in Avonlea so Anne could be closer to Marilla and help her with the house and farm. Also, to keep her company as well.
Anne was just closing the doors to the school house and locking it when she heard somebody ringing a bell on a bike. She turned around and saw Gilbert grinning at her. He met her at school every Friday afternoon and the two of them walk home part of the way.
But first, Anne was making a stop at the post office to check for any mail that came in. Anne smiled as she saw Gilbert walking up to the porch of the old school house.
“Hello Gil. Nice of you to call. How was your week?” Anne asked as she was getting her bike.
“It went fairly well. The children had a spelling test and they did good. I have a young student who was about your age when you first came here and she has quite the imagination like someone else I know. I had to tell her to focus on her work or she’ll have to see me after school.” Gilbert said.
Anne put her papers and books in her bike basket and started to walk beside her bicycle. She chuckled at Gilbert’s words.
“And how did your pupil do?” Anne asked.
“She concentrated better. But I caught her several times staring out the window. I might have to have her switch seats.” Gilbert added.
“If your pupil is like me and can stare out of a classroom window for hours, switching seats might not be a bad idea. Move her towards the front so you can have direct eye contact with her. She is only 11years old Gil. Don’t be too hard on her. Be strict and firm, but not hard. Whatever you do, don’t make her sit with a boy for punishment. I remember when Mr. Philips had me sit with you as a punishment and that hurt my pride deeply.” Anne said.
“Don’t worry Anne. I won’t sink that low. Mr. Philips wasn’t a good teacher. Everyone knows that. I’ll move her right up front so she is directly facing me. Maybe I’ll have her write a composition in her best handwriting on what she is staring out the window so hard on.” Gilbert said.
“I like that idea. Give her a page limit. Maybe 5-10 pages and if her writing isn’t up to standard like you know it should be, have her write it again. I bet she would be a good story teller. She sounds like she would be.” Anne said.
“I think she would be too. That’s why I want her to write why she is day dreaming and staring out the window when she should be concentrating on her lessons. I might even let you read it if I enjoyed it.” Gilbert said.
“It would also be good for her to work on her spelling too. Please don’t have her read it out loud to the class though. That would be embarrassing for her.” Anne said.
“I won’t Anne. I’ll admit, she is my favorite student. She reminds me so much of you. All the way from the fiery red hair, to the freckles on her nose and cheeks. Only difference is she doesn’t wear her hair in two braids. Just has it pulled back in a loose pony tail with a ribbon.” Gilbert said.
Anne chuckled. “We can’t have favorites Gil. But I think she would be my favorite too. Maybe I can meet her one day.”
“You two would be great friends. I can see you swapping stories together.” Gilbert added.
By this point, Anne has forgotten that she had put all her school books, and papers into her basket, her and Gilbert just got carried away talking. Anne realizing that, she moved her bike from the tree it was propped up on and she and Gilbert started to walk towards town.
Anne enjoyed these short weekend trips home that Gilbert made. Gilbert could have been home an hour before she got out of school, but he wanted to see and walk home part way home with Anne first.
“Have you heard from your distant relative Mary Keith? How is she doing?” Gilbert asked.
“Last Marilla heard was about a month ago. Mary was slowly declining. She said she was worried about the twins and what will happen to them. Marilla and I have talked and we will take them in and raise them. I can’t seem to get away from twins.” Anne said.
“The twins don’t have a father?” Gilbert asked.
“I don’t think so. I think he took off shortly after the twins were born. Mary never heard from him. Mary wrote to her uncle asking if he can look after them, but he wrote and said he was traveling and doing the gold rush thing in the states. He can’t look after them. If Marilla and I don’t take the twins in, they could be sent to an orphanage and possibly be split up.” Anne said sadly.
“That’s too bad. I would hate to see siblings split up and possibly never see each other again. You’ll do great at taking the twins in if you do. I’ll even come over and give Marilla and Rachel a day off on the weekends to help watch them.” Gilbert said.
“That’s sweet of you Gil. I would like that.” Anne said.
“How are the twins handling their mother being sick?” Gilbert asked.
“Apparently Dora is doing most of the household chores on top of taking care of her mother and Davy. Dora is like a second mother to Davy these last few months from what we have been told. Dora is the prim and proper type of girl that is shy but likes to please her elders. Davy on the other hand is a trouble maker. Getting himself into scrapes. Dora is very protective of him just as Davy is protective of her. When and if they come to live here, I’m going to let Dora be a child and explore the fun of childhood.” Anne said.
“You can help her come out of her shell, if Davy hasn’t done that already.” Gilbert said.
“I plan on it.” Anne said.
By this point, they were just about to the post office. Gilbert held onto Anne’s bike as she quickly went into get the mail.
Walking into the post office, a little bell that was on the door jingled so the post mistress knew someone was entering. When Anne opened the door, the post mistress Samantha looked up at Anne and smiled at her.
“Hello Miss Shirley. We have a letter for you today. “ Samantha said.
“Hi Samantha, thank you. We have been expecting one. Thank you.” Anne said.
Anne quickly tore the letter open. Fearing the worst. She quickly read it and her heart dropped to her stomach. It was what she feared would happen. Mary Keith had died about a week ago. The doctor of the town and a neighbor was asking if Anne and Marilla could take the twins in.
Anne was pretty sure they would. They were so young, they still had time to be raised properly and be children too.
Folding up the letter and putting it in her purse, she walks up to Gilbert who was politely talking to the girls.
“We heard you gave up the Avonlea School for Miss Shirley. That was awful nice of you Mister Blythe. You could have been our teacher. I don’t think I would have been able to concentrate because you’re so handsome.” Ella said.
Gilbert blushed at Ella’s statement and Anne cleared her throat. “Girls, I believe I gave you some geometry homework you need to work on this weekend? You have a test Monday morning at 8:30 a.m..“ Anne said.
“Yes mam. See you Monday. Bye Mister Blythe.” The girls said.
“Thank you, Anne. I don’t like those three. They were rather…” Gilbert was trying to think of a word to say.
“An uncomfortable lot? Yes. They love to flirt with boys. Worse than Josie Pye when she would flirt with you.” Anne said.
“I never liked Josie Pye. She was rather possessive of me.” Gilbert said.
“Yes, I do remember that rather well. The way she would latch onto your arm like you were hers and only hers. I remember when she was walking the white picket fence before she dared me to walk the ridge pole, she hopped into your arms and you caught her.” Anne said.
“I was just being nice.” Gilbert said.
“Anyways, forget Josie Pye. I need to get home and tell Marilla what happened to the twin’s mother. I’m not sure if she wants to go by herself or have me go with her. Perhaps you can come over Sunday after church? I’m sure Marilla wants to make arrangements to collect the twins and bring them here.” Anne said.
“I’ll come over Sunday after church. As long as I can escort you to church, along with Marilla and Rachel. I don’t want people talking or anything.” Gilbert said.
“Absolutely. Come over tomorrow for lunch. We can catch up then and I’ll give you an update on the twins.” Anne said.
“See you Saturday Anne-girl.”