10: Anne: A Sleep Story | Chapter Ten

Let yourself be gently carried into rest with the timeless charm of Anne of Green Gables. This beloved novel by L. M. Montgomery follows the adventures of imaginative, kind-hearted Anne Shirley as she arrives at Green Gables and begins a new life on Prince Edward Island.

Before we begin, take a few moments to get cosy. Settle into your bed or favourite resting spot, allow your body to soften, and let your breath begin to slow. There’s nothing you need to do now but listen and let the gentle rhythm of the story lull you toward sleep.

Read in a soothing tone to calm the mind and nervous system. This series is a peaceful companion for your evening rest.

Tonight, we read Chapter 10: Anne's Apology

Transcript

Chapter 10 Anne's Apology Marilla said nothing to Matthew about the affair that evening. But when Anne proved still refractory the next morning, An explanation had to be made to account for her absence from the breakfast table. Marilla told Matthew the whole story, Taking pains to impress him with a due sense of the enormity of Anne's behaviour. It's a good thing Rachel Lynde got a calling down. She's a meddlesome old gossip, Was Matthew's consolatory rejoinder. Well now, No, Not exactly, Said Matthew uneasily. I reckon she ought to be punished a little. But don't be too hard on her, Marilla. Recollect she hasn't ever had anyone to teach her right. You're going to give her something to eat, Aren't you? When did you ever hear of me starving people into good behaviour, Demanded Marilla indignantly. She'll have her meals regular, And I'll carry them up to her myself. But she'll stay up there until she's willing to apologise to Mrs Lynde, And that's final, Matthew. Breakfast, Dinner and supper were very silent meals, For Anne still remained obdurate. After each meal, Marilla carried a well-filled tray to the east gable, And brought it down later on, Not noticeably depleted. Matthew eyed its last descent with a troubled eye. Had Anne eaten anything at all? When Marilla went out that evening to bring the cows from the back pasture, Matthew, Who had been hanging about the barns and watching, Slipped into the house with the air of a burglar and crept upstairs. As a general thing, Matthew gravitated between the kitchen and the little bedroom off the hall where he slept. Once in a while he ventured uncomfortably into the parlour or sitting room when the minister came to tea. But he had never been upstairs in his own house. But he had never been upstairs in his own house since the spring he helped Marilla paper the spare bedroom. And that was four years ago. He tiptoed along the hall and stood for several minutes outside the door of the east gable, Before he summoned courage to tap on it with his fingers and then opened the door to peep in. And then opened the door to peep in. Anne was sitting on the yellow chair by the window, Gazing mournfully out into the garden. Very small and unhappy she looked, And Matthew's heart smote him. He softly closed the door and tiptoed over to her. Anne, He whispered, As if afraid of being overheard. How are you making it, Anne? Anne smiled wanly. Pretty well. I imagine a good deal, And that helps to pass the time. Of course it's rather lonesome, But then I may as well get used to that. Anne smiled again, Bravely facing the long years of solitary imprisonment before her. Matthew recollected that he must say what he had come to say without loss of time, Lest Marilla return prematurely. Well now, Anne, Don't you think you'd better do it and have it over with? He whispered. It'll have to be done sooner or later, You know, For Marilla's a dreadful determined woman, Dreadful determined, Anne. Do it right off, I say, And have it over. Do you mean apologise to Mrs. Lynde? Yes, Apologise. That's the very word, Said Matthew eagerly. Just smooth it over, So to speak. That's what I was trying to get at. I suppose I could do it to oblige you, Said Anne thoughtfully. It would be true enough to say I am sorry, Because I am sorry now. I wasn't a bit sorry last night. I was mad cleared through, And I stayed mad all night. I know I did, Because I woke up three times and I was just furious each time. But this morning it was all over. I wasn't in a temper any more, And it left a dreadful sort of godness, Too. I felt so ashamed of myself. But I just couldn't think of going and telling Mrs. Lynde so. It would be so humiliating. I made up my mind I'd stay shut up here forever, Rather than do that. But still, I'd do anything for you, If you really want me to. Well now, Of course I do. It's terrible lonesome downstairs without you. Just go and smooth things over. That's a good girl. Very well, Said Anne resignedly. I'll tell Marilla as soon as she comes in that I've repented. That's right. That's right, Anne. But don't tell Marilla I said anything about it. She might think I was putting my oar in, And I promised not to do that. Wild horses won't drag the secret from me, Promised Anne solemnly. How would wild horses drag a secret from a person anyhow? But Matthew was gone, Scared at his own success. He fled hastily to the remotest corner of the horse pasture, Lest Marilla should suspect what he had been up to. Marilla herself, Upon her return to the house, Was agreeably surprised to hear a plaintive voice calling, Marilla, Over the banisters. Well, She said, Going to the hall. I'm sorry I lost my temper and said rude things, And I'm willing to go and tell Mrs Lynn so. Very well. Marilla's crispness gave no sign of her relief. She had been wondering what under the canopy she could do if Anne did not give in. I'll take you down after the milking. Accordingly, After milking, Behold Marilla and Anne walking down the lane, The former erect and triumphant, The latter drooping and dejected. But halfway down, Anne's dejection vanished as if by enchantment. She lifted her head and stepped lightly along, Her eyes fixed on the sunset sky and an air of subdued exhilaration about her. Marilla beheld the change, Disapprovingly. This was no meek penitent such as it behoved her to take into the presence of the offended Mrs Lynde. What are you thinking of, Anne? She asked sharply. I'm imagining what I must say to Mrs Lynde, Answered Anne dreamily. This was satisfactory, Or should have been so, But Marilla could not rid herself of the notion that something in her scheme of punishment was going askew. Anne had no business to look so rapt and radiant. Rapt and radiant, Anne continued until they were in the very presence of Mrs Lynde, Who was sitting knitting by her kitchen window. Then the radiance vanished. Mournful penitence appeared on every feature. Before a word was spoken, Anne suddenly went down on her knees before the astonished Mrs Rachel and held out her hands beseechingly. Oh, Mrs Lynde, I am so extremely sorry, She said, A quiver in her voice. I could never express all my sorrow, No, Not if I used up a whole dictionary. You must just imagine it. I behaved terribly to you, And I've disgraced the dear friends, Matthew and Marilla, Who have let me stay at Green Gables, Although I'm not a boy. I'm a dreadfully wicked and ungrateful girl, And I deserve to be punished and cast out by respectable people forever. I was very wicked of me to fly into a temper because you told me the truth. It was the truth. Every word you said was true. My hair is red, And I'm freckled and skinny and ugly. What I said to you was true too, But I shouldn't have said it. Oh, Mrs Lynde, Please, Please forgive me. If you refuse it, It will be a lifelong sorrow for me. You wouldn't like to inflict a lifelong sorrow on a poor little orphan girl, Would you? Even if she had a dreadful temper. Oh, I'm sure you wouldn't. Please say you forgive me, Mrs Lynde. Anne clasped her hands together, Bowed her head, And waited for the word of judgment. There was no mistaking her sincerity. It breathed in every tone of her voice. Both Marilla and Mrs Lynde recognized its unmistakable ring. But the former understood in dismay that Anne was actually enjoying her valley of humiliation, Was reveling in the thoroughness of her abasement. Where was the wholesome punishment upon which she, Marilla, Had plumed herself? Anne had turned it into a species of positive pleasure. Good Mrs Lynde, Not being overburdened with perception, Did not see this. She only perceived that Anne had made a very thorough apology, And all resentment vanished from her kindly, If somewhat officious, Heart. There, There, Get up, Child, She said heartily. Of course I forgive you. I guess I was a little too hard on you anyway. But I'm such an outspoken person. You just mustn't mind me, That's what. It can't be denied your hair is terrible red. But I knew a girl once, Went to school with her in fact, Whose hair was every mite as red as yours when she was young. But when she grew up, It darkened to a real handsome auburn. I wouldn't be a mite surprised if yours did too. Not a mite. Oh, Mrs Lynde. Anne drew a long breath as she rose to her feet. You have given me a hope. I shall always feel that you are a benefactor. Oh, I could endure anything if I only thought my hair would be a handsome auburn when I grew up. It would be so much easier to be good if one's hair was a handsome auburn, Don't you think? And now may I go out into your garden and sit on that bench under the apple trees while you and Marilla are talking. There is so much more scope for the imagination out there. Laws, Yes, Run along, Child. And you can pick a bouquet of them white dune lilies over there in the corner, If you like. As the door closed behind Anne, Mrs Lynde got briskly up to light a lamp. She's a real odd little thing. Take this chair, Marilla. It's easier than the one you've got. I just kept that for the hard boy to sit on. Yes, She certainly is an odd child. But there is something kind of taking about her after all. I don't feel so surprised at you and Matthew keeping her as I did. Nor so sorry for you either. She may turn out all right. Of course she has a queer way of expressing herself. A little too, Well, Too kind of forcible, You know. But she'll likely get over that now she's come to live among civilised folks. And then her temper is pretty quick, I guess. But there's one comfort. A child that has a quick temper, Just blaze up and cool down, Ain't never likely to be sly or deceitful. Preserve me from a sly child, That's what. On the whole, Marilla, I kind of like her. When Marilla went home, Anne came out of the fragrant twilight of the orchard with a sheaf of white narcissi in her hands. I apologised pretty well, Didn't I? She said proudly as they walked down the lane. I thought since I had to do it, I might as well do it thoroughly. You did it thoroughly all right enough, Was Marilla's comment. Marilla was dismayed to find herself inclined to laugh over the recollection. She had also an uneasy feeling that she ought to scold Anne for apologising so well. But then, That was ridiculous. She compromised with her conscience by saying severely. I hope you won't have occasion to make many more such apologies. I hope you'll try to control your temper now, Anne. That wouldn't be so hard if people wouldn't twit about my looks, Said Anne with a sigh. I don't get cross about other things, But I'm so tired of being twitted about my hair and it just makes me boil right over. Do you suppose my hair will really be a handsome auburn when I grow up? You shouldn't think so much about your looks, Anne. I'm afraid you are a very vain little girl. How can I be vain when I know I'm homely? Protested Anne. I love pretty things and I hate to look in the glass and see something that isn't pretty. It makes me feel so sorrowful, Just as I feel when I look at any ugly thing. I pity it because it isn't beautiful. Handsome is as handsome does, Quoted Marilla. I've had that said to me before. But I have my doubts about it, Remarked sceptical Anne, Sniffing at her Narcissi. Oh, Aren't these flowers sweet? It was lovely of Mrs. Lynde to give them to me. I have no hard feelings against Mrs. Lynde now. It gives you a lovely, Comfortable feeling to apologise and be forgiven, Doesn't it? Aren't the stars bright tonight? If you could live in a star, Which one would you pick? I'd like that lovely clear big one away over there above that dark hill. Anne, Do hold your tongue, Said Marilla. Marilla, Thoroughly worn out, Trying to follow the gyrations of Anne's thoughts. Anne said no more until they turned into their own lane. A little gypsy wind came down it to meet them, Laden with the spicy perfume of young dew-wet ferns. Far up in the shadows, A cheerful light gleamed out through the trees from the kitchen at Green Gables. Anne suddenly came close to Marilla and slipped her hand into the older woman's hard pan. It's lovely to be going home, I know it's home. She said, I love Green Gables already and I never loved any place before. No place ever seemed like home. Oh, Marilla, I'm so happy. I could pray right now and not find it a bit hard. Something warm and pleasant welled up in Marilla's heart. A touch of that thin little hand on her own. A throb of the maternity she had missed, Perhaps. Its very unaccustomedness and sweetness disturbed her. She hastened to restore her sensations to their normal calm by inculcating a moral. If you'll be a good girl, You'll always be happy, Anne, And you should never find it hard to say your prayers. Saying one's prayers isn't exactly the same thing as praying, Said Anne, Meditatively. But I'm going to imagine that I'm the wind that is blowing up there in those treetops. When I get tired of the trees, I'll imagine I'm gently waving down here in the ferns. And then I'll fly over to Mrs. Lynn's garden and set the flowers dancing. And then I'll go with one great swoop over the clover field. And then I'll blow over the lake of shining waters and ripple it all up into little sparkling waves. Ah, There's so much scope for the imagination in a wind. So I'll not talk any more just now, Marilla. Thanks be to goodness for that, Breathed Marilla in devout relief.