Anne Of Green Gables, Part 16

Please enjoy this reading of the classic, much-beloved tale of Anne of Green Gables - an 11-year-old orphan girl sent by mistake to the "wrong" household to live...and all of her adventures that unfold from there...

"Anne of Green Gables" is a 1908 novel by Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery and was her most famous book - now considered a classic of children's literature!

Transcript

Hello there Thank you so much for joining me for this continued reading of Anne of Green Gables The much-loved classic story from author Lucy Maud Montgomery Maybe you've already heard the preceding parts of this story If not,

You can find them if you like in the playlist for Anne of Green Gables They're all there in order But for now Let's take a moment here to have a nice deep exhale Letting go of the day Letting go of whichever baggage we might be bringing along with us into this moment For right now,

There's nowhere else that we have to be,

Nothing else for us to do So we can just relax get ourselves comfortable and enjoy the lovely story of Anne of Green Gables Chapter 28 An unfortunate lily-maid Of course you must be Elaine,

Anne said Diana I could never have the courage to float down there nor I said Ruby Gillis with a shiver I don't mind floating down When there's two or three of us in the flat and we can sit up It's fun then but to lie down and pretend I was dead.

I just couldn't I'd die really of fright Of course It would be romantic conceded Jane Andrews But I know I couldn't keep still I'd be popping up every minute or so to see where I was and if I wasn't drifting too far out and You know Anne that would spoil the effect But it's so Ridiculous to have a red-headed Elaine mourned Anne I'm not afraid to float down and I'd love to be Elaine but It's ridiculous Just the same Ruby ought to be Elaine because she is so fair and has such lovely long golden hair Elaine had all her bright hair streaming down,

You know and Elaine was the lily-maid Now a red-haired person cannot be a lily-maid Your complexion is just as fair as Ruby's said Diana Earnestly and your hair is ever so much darker than it used to be before you cut it Oh Do you really think so?

Exclaimed Anne flushing sensitively with delight I've Sometimes thought it was myself,

But I never dared to ask anyone For fear she would tell me it wasn't Do you think it could be called?

Orpen now Diana Yes,

And I think it is real pretty said Diana looking admiringly at the short Silky curls that clustered over Anne's head and were held in place by a very Jaunty black velvet ribbon and bow They were standing on the bank of the pond below Orchard Slope Where a little headland fringed with birches ran out from the bank At its tip was a small wooden platform built out into the water for the convenience of fishermen and duck hunters Ruby and Jane were spending the midsummer afternoon with Diana and Anne had come over to play with them Anne and Diana had spent most of their playtime that summer on and about the pond Idle wild was a thing of the past Mr.

Bell having ruthlessly cut down the little circle of trees in his back pasture in the spring and Had sat among the stumps and wept Not without an eye to the romance of it but she was speedily consoled for after all as she and Diana said big girls of 13 going on 14 were too old for such childish amusements as Playhouses and there were more fascinating sports to be found about the pond it was Splendid to fish for trout over the bridge and The two girls learned to row themselves about in the little flat-bottomed dory Mr.

Barry kept for duck shooting It was Anne's idea that they dramatize Elaine they had studied Tennyson's poem in school the preceding winter the Superintendent of education Having prescribed it in the English course for the Prince Edward Island schools They had analyzed and passed it and torn it to pieces in general until It was a wonder there was any meaning at all left in it for them,

But at least the fair lily-maid and Lancelot and Gwynevere and King Arthur had become very real people to them and Anne was devoured by secret regret that she Had not been born in Camelot Those days she said was so much more romantic Romantic than the present Anne's plan was hailed with enthusiasm The girls had discovered that if the flat were pushed off from the landing place It would drift down with the current under the bridge and finally strand itself on Another headland lower down which ran out at a curve in the pond They had often gone down like this and nothing could be more convenient for playing Elaine well I'll be Elaine said Anne Yielding reluctantly for although she would have been Delighted to play the principal character yet her artistic sense Demanded fitness for it and this she felt her limitations made impossible Ruby you must be King Arthur and Jane will be Gwynevere and Diana must be Lancelot But first you must be the brothers and the father.

We can't have the old dumb servitor because There isn't room for two in the flat when one is lying down We must pull the barge all its length in blackest samite That old black shawl of your mother's will be just the thing Diana the black shawl having been procured and Spread it over the flat and then lay down on the bottom with closed eyes and hands folded over her breast She does look really dead whispered Ruby Gillis nervously Watching the still white little face under the flickering shadows of the birches it Makes me feel frightened girls Do you suppose it's really right to act like this Mrs.

Lind says that all play acting is Abominably wicked Ruby you shouldn't talk about mrs.

Lind said Anne severely It spoils the effect Because this is hundreds of years before mrs.

Lind was born Jane you arrange this it's silly for Elaine to be talking when she's dead Jane rose to the occasion cloth of gold for coverlet There was none,

But an old piano scarf of yellow Japanese crepe was an excellent substitute a White lily was not obtainable just then but the effect of a tall blue iris Placed in one of Anne's folded hands was all that could be desired Now She's all ready said Jane we must kiss her quiet brows and Diana you say sister farewell forever and Ruby you say farewell sweet sister both of you as sorrowfully as you possibly can and For goodness sake smile a little You know Elaine lay as though she smiled That's better now Push the flat off The flat was accordingly pushed off Scraping roughly over an old embedded stake in the process Diana and Jane and Ruby only waited long enough to see it caught in the current and Headed for the bridge before scampering up through the woods across the road and down to the lower headland where as Lancelot and Guinevere and the king they were to be in readiness to receive the lily maid For a few minutes Anne Drifting slowly down enjoyed the romance of her situation to the full Then Something happened not at all Romantic the flat began to leak In a very few moments.

It was necessary for Elaine to scramble to her feet pick up her cloth of gold coverlet and pull of blackest samite and gaze blankly at a big crack in the bottom of her barge Through which the water was literally Pouring That sharp stake at the landing had torn off the strip of batting nailed on the flat Anne did not know this but it did not take her long to realize that she was in a dangerous plight At this rate the flat would fill and sink long before it could drift to the lower headland Where were the oars?

Left behind at the landing Anne gave one Gasping little scream which nobody ever heard She was white to the lips But she did not lose her self-possession There was one chance just one I was horribly frightened She told mrs.

Allen the next day and it seemed like years While the flat was drifting down to the bridge and the water rising in it every moment I prayed mrs.

Allen most earnestly But I didn't shut my eyes to pray for I knew the only way God could save me Was to let the flat float close enough to one of the bridge piles for me to climb up on it You know,

The piles are just old tree trunks and there are lots of knots and old branch stubs on them It was proper to pray,

But I had to do my part By watching out and right.

Well,

I knew it.

I just said dear God Please take the flat close to a pile and I'll do the rest over and over again Under such circumstances you don't think much about making a flowery prayer But mine was answered For the flat bumped right into a pile for a minute and I flung the scarf and the shawl over my shoulder and scrambled up on a big providential stub And there I was mrs.

Allen clinging To that slippery old pile with no way of getting up or down It was a very Unromantic position,

But I Didn't think about that at the time.

You don't think much about Romance when you have just escaped from a watery grave.

I Said a Grateful prayer at once and then I gave all my attention to holding on Tight For I knew I should probably have to depend on human aid to get back to dry land The flat drifted under the bridge and then promptly sank in midstream Ruby Jane and Diana Already awaiting it on the lower headland saw it disappear before their very eyes and Had not a doubt But that Anne had gone down with it for a moment They stood still white as sheets Frozen with horror at the tragedy then Shrieking at the tops of their voices they started on a Frantic run up through the woods never pausing as they crossed the main road to glance the way of the bridge and Clinging desperately to her precarious foothold saw their flying forms and heard their shrieks help would soon come but Meanwhile her position was a very Uncomfortable one the minutes passed by each seeming an hour to the unfortunate Lily made Why didn't somebody come?

Where had the girls gone?

Suppose they had fainted one and all Suppose nobody ever came Suppose she grew so tired and cramped that she could hold on no longer and looked at the wicked green depths below her Wavering with long Oily shadows and shivered Her imagination began to suggest all manner of gruesome possibilities to her Then Just as she thought she really could not endure the ache in her arms and wrists another moment Gilbert Blythe Came rowing under the bridge in Harmon Andrews dory Gilbert glanced up and Much to his amazement beheld a little white Scornful face Looking down upon him with big Frightened but also scornful gray eyes And Shirley How on earth did you get there?

He exclaimed Without waiting for an answer.

He pulled close to the pile and extended his hand There was no help for it and Clinging to Gilbert Blythe's hand Scrambled down into the dory where she sat drabbled and furious In the stern with her arms full of dripping shawl and wet crepe It was certainly Extremely difficult to be dignified under the circumstances What has happened Anne?

Asked Gilbert taking up his oars We were playing Elaine explained Anne Frigidly without even looking at her rescuer and I had to drift down to Camelot in the barge I mean the flat The flat began to leak and I climbed out on the pile.

The girls went for help Will you be kind enough to row me to the landing?

Gilbert obligingly rowed to the landing and Anne Disdaining assistance sprang nimbly on shore I'm very much obliged to you.

She said haughtily as she turned away But Gilbert had also sprung from the boat and now laid a detaining hand on her arm Anne,

He said hurriedly,

Look here.

Can't we be good friends?

I'm Awfully sorry.

I made fun of your hair that time.

I didn't mean To vex you and I only meant it for a joke besides it's so long ago.

I think your hair is awfully pretty now.

Honest,

I do Let's be friends For a moment Anne hesitated She had an odd Newly awakened consciousness under all her outraged dignity That the half-shy half-eager expression in Gilbert's hazel eyes was Something that was very good to see Her heart gave a quick queer little beat But the bitterness of her old grievance promptly Stiffened up her wavering determination that scene of two years before Flashed back into her recollection as vividly as if it had taken place yesterday Gilbert had called her carrots And had brought about her disgrace before the whole school Her resentment which to other and Older people might be as laughable as its cause was in no wit Allayed and softened by time seemingly she Hated Gilbert Blythe.

She would never forgive him No She said coldly I shall never be friends with you Gilbert Blythe,

And I don't want to be All right Gilbert sprang into his skiff with an angry color in his cheeks I'll never ask you to be friends again Anne Shirley and I don't care either He pulled away with swift defiant strokes and Anne went up the steep ferny little path under the maples She held her head very high But She was conscious of an odd feeling of Regret She almost wished she had answered Gilbert differently Of course he had insulted her terribly but still Altogether Anne rather thought it would be a relief to sit down and have a good cry She was really quite unstrung For the reaction from her fright and cramped clinging was making itself felt Halfway up the path she met Jane and Diana rushing back to the pond in a state narrowly removed from positive frenzy They had found nobody at Orchard Slope both Mr.

And Mrs.

Barry being away Here Ruby Gillis had succumbed to hysterics And was left to recover from them as best she might while Jane and Diana Flew through the haunted wood and across the brook to Green Gables There they had found nobody either For Marilla had gone to Carmody and Matthew was making hay in the backfield Gasped Diana fairly falling on the former's neck and Weeping with relief and delight Oh Anne We thought you were drowned and we felt like murderers because we had made you be Elaine and Ruby is in hysterics Oh Anne How did you escape?

I climbed up on one of the piles explained Anne wearily and Gilbert's Blythe came along In Mr.

Andrews dory and brought me to land.

Oh How splendid of him why it's so Romantic said Jane finding breath enough for utterance at last of course,

You'll speak to him after this of Course I won't flashed Anne with a momentary return of her old spirit and I Don't want ever To hear the word Romantic again Jane Andrews I'm awfully sorry You were so frightened girls It is all my fault.

I Feel sure I was born under an unlucky star Everything I do gets me or my dearest friends into a scrape We've gone and lost your father's flat Diana and I have a pre sentiment that will not be allowed to row on the pond anymore Anne's pre sentiment Proved more trustworthy than pre sentiments are apt to do Great Was the consternation in the Barry and Cuthbert households When the events of the afternoon became known Will you ever have any sense Anne?

Groaned Marilla Yes,

I Think I will Marilla returned and optimistically a Good cry Indulged in the grateful solitude of the East Gable had soothed her nerves and restored her to her wanted cheerfulness I Think my prospects of becoming sensible are Brighter now than ever.

I Don't see how said Marilla Well explained Anne I've learned a new and valuable lesson today Ever since I came to Green Gables.

I've been making mistakes and Each mistake has helped to cure me of some great shortcoming the affair of the amethyst brooch Cured me of meddling with things that didn't belong to me the haunted wood mistake cured me of Letting my imagination run away with me the liniment cake mistake cured me of carelessness in cooking Dying my hair cured me of vanity I Never think about my hair and nose now at least very seldom and today's Mistake is going to cure me of being too romantic I Have come to the conclusion that it is No use Trying to be romantic in Avonlea It was probably easy enough in Talwood Camelot hundreds of years ago,

But romance is not appreciated now I Feel quite sure that you Will soon see a great Improvement in me in this respect Marilla I'm sure I hope so said Marilla skeptically But Matthew who had been sitting Mutely in his corner laid a hand on and shoulder when Marilla had gone out Don't give up all your romance and he whispered shyly a Little of it is a good thing not too much,

Of course,

But Keep a little of it and Keep a little of it Chapter 29 an epoch in Anne's life Anne was bringing the cows home from the back pasture by way of lovers Lane It was a September evening and all the gaps and clearings in the woods were brimmed up with Ruby sunset light Here and there the lane was splashed with it But for the most part it was already quite shadowy beneath the maples and the spaces under the furs were filled with a clear violet dusk like airy wine The winds were out in their tops and there is No sweeter music on earth Than that which the wind makes in the fir trees at evening the cows swung placidly down the lane and Anne followed them dreamily repeating aloud the Battle canto from Marmion which had also been part of their English course the preceding winter and which miss Stacy had made them learn off by heart and Exulting in its rushing lines and the clash of spears in its imagery When she came to the lines the stubborn Spearsmen still made good their dark Impenetrable wood She stopped in Ecstasy to shut her eyes That she might the better fancy herself one of that heroic ring When she opened them again it was to behold Diana Coming through the gate that led into the Barry field and looking so important that Anne Instantly divined there was news to be told But betray to eager curiosity She would not Isn't this evening just like a purple Dream Diana It makes me so glad to be alive In the mornings,

I always think the mornings are best but when evening comes I think it's lovelier still It's a very fine evening Said Diana,

But I Have such news and guess you can have three guesses Charlotte Gillis is going to be married in the church after all and mrs.

Allen wants us to decorate it cried Anne No Charlotte's beau won't agree to that because nobody ever has been married in the church yet And he thinks it would seem too much like a funeral it's too mean because It would be such fun Guess again Jane's mother is going to let her have a birthday party Diana shook her head her black eyes dancing with merriment I can't think what it can be said Anne in despair unless It's that moody Spurgeon Macpherson saw you home from prayer meeting last night Did he?

I should think not exclaimed Diana indignantly I wouldn't be likely to boast of it if he did the horrid creature I Knew you couldn't guess it mother Had a letter from aunt Josephine today and aunt Josephine wants you and me to go to town next Tuesday and stop with her for the exhibition there Oh Diana whispered Anne Finding it necessary to lean up against a maple tree for support Do you really mean it?

But I'm afraid Marilla won't let me go She will say that she can't encourage gadding about That was what she said last week When Jane invited me to go with them in their double-seated buggy to the American concert at the White Sands Hotel I Wanted to go but Marilla said I'd be better at home learning my lessons and so would Jane I Was bitterly disappointed Diana I felt so Heartbroken that I wouldn't say my prayers when I went to bed but I Repented of that and got up in the middle of the night and said them I'll tell you said Diana.

We'll get mother to ask Marilla She'll be more likely to let you go then and if she does We'll have the time of our lives Anne I've never been to an exhibition and it's so Aggravating to hear the other girls talking about their trips Jane and Ruby have been twice and they're going this year again I'm Not going to think about it at all Until I know whether I can go or not said Anne Resolutely if I did and then was disappointed it would be more than I could bear But in Case I do go I'm very glad my new coat will be ready by that time Marilla didn't think I needed a new coat She said my old one would do very well for another winter and that I ought to be satisfied with having a new dress The dress is very pretty Diana navy blue and made so fashionably Marilla always makes my dresses fashionably now because she says Doesn't intend to have Matthew going to mrs.

Lind to make them I'm so glad It is ever so much easier to be good if your clothes are fashionable At least it is easier for me I Suppose it doesn't make such a difference to naturally good people But Matthew said I must have a new coat so Marilla bought a Lovely piece of blue broadcloth and it's being made by a real dress maker over at Carmody It's to be done Saturday night And I'm trying not to imagine myself Walking up the church aisle on Sunday in my new suit and cap Because I'm afraid it isn't right to imagine such things but it just slips into my mind in spite of me My cap is so pretty Matthew bought it for me the day we were over at Carmody It is one of those little blue velvet ones that are all the rage with gold cord and tassels Your new hat is elegant Diana and so becoming When I saw you coming to church last Sunday my heart swelled with pride to think you were my dearest friend Do you suppose it's wrong for us to think so much about our clothes Marilla says it is very sinful But it is such an interesting subject,

Isn't it?

Marilla agreed to let Anne go to town and it was arranged that Mr.

Barry should take the girls in on the following Tuesday As Charlottetown was 30 miles away and Mr.

Barry wished to go and return the same day It was necessary to make a very early start But Anne But Anne counted it all joy and was up before sunrise on Tuesday morning A glance from her window assured her that the day would be fine For the eastern sky behind the firs of the haunted wood was all silvery and cloudless For the eastern sky behind the haunted wood was all silvery and cloudless Through the gap in the trees a light was shining in the western gable of Orchard Slope A token that Diana was also up Anne was dressed by the time Matthew had the fire on and had the breakfast ready when Marilla came down But for her own part was much too excited to eat After breakfast the jaunty new cap and jacket were donned and Anne hastened over the brook and up through the firs to Orchard Slope Mr.

Barry and Diana were waiting for her and they were soon on the road It was a long drive but Anne and Diana enjoyed every minute of it It was delightful to rattle along over the moist roads in the early red sunlight that was creeping across the shorn harvest fields The air was fresh and crisp and little smoke-blue mists curled through the valleys and floated off from the hills Sometimes the road went through woods where maples were beginning to hang out scarlet banners Sometimes it crossed rivers on bridges that made Anne's flesh cringe with the old half-delighted fear Sometimes it wound along a harbour shore and passed by a little cluster of weather-grey fishing huts Again it mounted to hills whence a far sweep of curving upland or misty-blue sky could be seen But wherever it went,

There was much of interest to discuss It was almost noon when they reached town and found their way to Beachwood It was quite a fine old mansion Set back from the street in a seclusion of green elms and branching beaches Miss Barry met them at the door with a twinkle in her sharp black eyes So,

You've come to see me at last,

You Anne girl She said,

Mercy child,

How you have grown You're taller than I am,

I declare And you're ever so much better looking than you used to be too But I dare say you know that without being told Indeed I didn't,

Said Anne radiantly I know I'm not so freckled as I used to be,

So I've much to be thankful for But I really hadn't dared to hope there was any other improvement I'm so glad you think there is,

Miss Barry Miss Barry's house was furnished with great magnificence as Anne told Marilla afterward The two little country girls were rather abashed by the splendour of the parlour where Miss Barry left them when she went to see about dinner Isn't it just like a palace?

Whispered Diana I never was in Aunt Josephine's house before and I'd no idea it was so grand I just wish Julia Bell could see this She puts on such airs about her mother's parlour Velvet carpet,

Sighed Anne luxuriously and silk curtains I've dreamed of such things,

Diana But do you know,

I don't believe I feel very comfortable with them after all There are so many things in this room and all so splendid that there is no scope for imagination That is one consolation when you are poor There are so many more things you can imagine about Their sojourn in town was something that Anne and Diana dated from for years From first to last,

It was crowded with delights On Wednesday,

Miss Barry took them to the exhibition grounds and kept them there all day It was splendid Anne related to Marilla later on I never imagined anything so interesting I don't really know which department was the most interesting I think I liked the horses and the flowers and the fancy work best Josie Pye took first prize for knitted lace I was real glad she did and I was glad that I felt glad for it shows I'm improving Don't you think,

Marilla,

When I can rejoice in Josie's success Mr Harmon Andrews took second prize for gravenstain apples and Mr Bell took first prize for a pig Diana said she thought it was ridiculous for a Sunday school superintendent to take a prize in pigs but I don't see why,

Do you?

She said she would always think of it after this when he was praying so solemnly Clara Louise Macpherson took a prize for painting and Mrs Lind got first prize for homemade butter and cheese so Avonlea was pretty well represented,

Wasn't it?

Mrs Lind was there that day and I never knew how much I really liked her until I saw her familiar face among all those strangers there were thousands of people there,

Marilla it made me feel dreadfully insignificant and Miss Barry took us up to the grandstand to see the horse races Mrs Lind wouldn't go,

She said horse racing was an abomination and she being a church member thought it her bounden duty to set a good example by staying away but there were so many there I don't believe Mrs Lind's absence would ever be noticed I don't think though that I ought to go very often to horse races they are awfully fascinating Diana got so excited that she offered to bet me ten cents that the red horse would win I didn't believe he would but I refused to bet because I wanted to tell Mrs Allen all about everything and I felt sure it wouldn't do to tell her that it's always wrong to do anything you can't tell the minister's wife it's as good as an extra conscience to have a minister's wife for your friend and I was very glad I didn't bet because the red horse did win and I would have lost ten cents so you see that virtue was its own reward we saw a man go up in a balloon I'd love to go up in a balloon Marella it would be simply thrilling and we saw a man selling fortunes,

You paid him ten cents and a little bird picked out your fortune for you Miss Barry gave Diana and me ten cents each to have our fortunes told mine was that I would marry a dark complected man who was very wealthy and I would go across water to live I looked carefully at all the dark men I saw after that but I didn't care much for any of them and anyhow I suppose it's too early to be looking out for him yet it was a never to be forgotten day Marella I was so tired I couldn't sleep at night Miss Barry put us in the spare room according to promise it was an elegant room Marella but somehow sleeping in a spare room isn't what I used to think it was that's the worst of growing up the things you wanted so much when you were a child don't seem half so wonderful to you when you get them Thursday the girls had a drive in the park and in the evening Miss Barry took them to a concert in the Academy of Music where a noted singer was to sing to Anne the evening was a glittering vision of delight oh Marella it was beyond description I was so excited I couldn't even talk to you,

You may know what it was like I just sat in enraptured silence Madame Selitsky was perfectly beautiful and wore white satin and diamonds but when she began to sing I thought about anything else I can't tell you how I felt but it seemed to me that it could never be hard to be good anymore I felt like I do when I look up to the stars tears came into my eyes but oh they were such happy tears I was so sorry when it was all over and I told Miss Barry I didn't see how I was ever to return to common life again she said,

She thought if we went over to the restaurant across the street and had an ice cream it might help me that sounded so prosaic but to my surprise I found it true that ice cream was delicious Marella and it was so lovely and dissipated to be sitting there eating it at eleven o'clock at night Diana said she believed she was born for city life Miss Barry asked me what my opinion was but I said I would have to think it over very seriously before I could tell her what I really thought so I thought it over after I went to bed it is the best time to think things out and I came to the conclusion Marella that I wasn't born for city life and that I was glad of it.

It's nice to be eating ice cream at brilliant restaurants at eleven o'clock at night once in a while but as a regular thing I'd rather be in the East Gable at eleven sound asleep but kind of knowing even in my sleep that the stars were shining outside and that the wind was blowing in the firs across the brook I told Miss Barry so at breakfast the next morning and she laughed,

Miss Barry generally laughed at anything I said even when I said the most solemn things I don't think I liked it Marella because I wasn't trying to be funny but she is a most hospitable lady and treated us royally Friday brought going home time and Mr Barry drove in for the girls well I hope you've enjoyed yourselves said Miss Barry as she bade them goodbye indeed we have said Diana and you Anne girl I've enjoyed every minute of the time said Anne throwing her arms impulsively about the old woman's neck and kissing her wrinkled cheek Diana would never have dared to do such a thing and felt rather aghast at Anne's freedom but Miss Barry was pleased and she stood on her veranda and watched the buggy out of sight then she went back into her big house with a sigh and very lonely lacking those fresh young lives Miss Barry was a rather selfish old lady if the truth must be told and she had never cared much for anybody but herself she valued people only as they were of service to her or amused her.

Anne had amused her and consequently stood high in the old lady's good graces but Miss Barry found herself thinking less about Anne's quaint speeches than of her fresh enthusiasms,

Her transparent emotions,

Her little winning ways and the sweetness of her eyes and lips I thought Marilla Cuthbert was an old fool when I heard she'd adopted a girl out of an orphan asylum she said to herself but I guess she didn't make much of a mistake after all if I'd a child like Anne in the house all the time I'd be a better and happier woman Anne and Diana found the drive home as pleasant as the drive in pleasanter indeed since there was the delightful consciousness of home waiting at the end of it it was sunset when they passed through white sands and turned into the shore road beyond the Avonlea hills came out darkly against the saffron sky behind them the moon was rising out of the sea that grew all radiant and transfigured in her light every little cove along the curving road was a marvel of dancing ripples the waves broke with a soft swish on the rocks below them and the tang of the sea was in the strong fresh air oh but it's good to be alive and to be going home breathed Anne when she crossed the log bridge over the brook the kitchen light of green gables winked her a friendly welcome back and through the open door shone the hearth fire sending out its warm red glow athwart the chilly autumn night Anne ran blithely up the hill and into the kitchen where a hot supper was waiting on the table so you've got back said Marilla folding up her knitting yes and oh it's so good to be back said Anne joyously I could kiss everything even to the clock Marilla a broiled chicken you don't mean to say you cooked that for me yes I did said Marilla I thought you'd be hungry after such a drive and need something real appetising hurry and take off your things and we'll have supper as soon as Matthew comes in I'm glad you've got back I must say it's been fearful lonesome here without you and I never put in four longer days after supper Anne sat before the fire between Matthew and Marilla and gave them a full account of her visit I've had a splendid time she concluded happily and I feel that it marks an epoch in my life but the best of it all was the coming home

Reviews

Fabulous description of the journey to town and the exhibition thank you for bringing the story to life