Part 2: Anne's House Of Dreams - Guided Reading

Anne's House of Dreams by L. M. Montgomery is a novel published in 1917. The story follows Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe as newlyweds, beginning their life together in Four Winds, Prince Edward Island. In their seaside home, they meet unforgettable neighbours, including a lighthouse keeper, an outspoken spinster, and a woman trapped in a tragic marriage.

In this episode, Gilbert finds their new house.

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Transcript

Welcome to sleep stories with Steph your go-to podcast. That offers you a calm and relaxing transition. Into a great night's sleep. It is time to relax and fully let go. There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Close your eyes. And feel yourself sink into the support beneath you. And let all the worries of the day go. Drift away. This is your time. And your space. Take a deep breath in through your nose. And let it out with a long sigh. That's it! There is nothing you need to be doing now. And know where you need to go. Happy listening. Chapter 2 The House of Dreams. There was more excitement in the air of Green Gables than there had ever been before in all history. Even Marilla was so excited she couldn't help showing it. Which was little short of being phenomenal. There's never been a wedding in this house. She said half apologetically to Rachel Lynde. When I was a child I heard an old minister say a house was not a real home until it had been consecrated by a birth, A wedding and a death. We've had deaths. My father and mother died here as well as Matthew. And we've even had a birth. Long ago, Just after we moved into this house, We had a married hired man for a little while and his wife had a baby here. But there's never been a wedding before. It does seem so strange to think of Anne being married. In a way, She just seems to me the little girl Matthew brought home here 14 years ago. I can't realise she's grown up. I shall never forget what I felt when I saw Matthew bring in the girl. I wonder what became of the boy we would have got if there had been a mistake. And wonder what his fate was. Well, It was a fortunate mistake, " said Mrs Rachel Lind. Though, Mind you, There was a time I didn't think so. That evening I came up to see Anne and she treated us to such a scene. Many things have changed since then, That's what. Mrs Rachel sighed then brisked up again. When weddings were in order, Mrs Rachel was ready to let the dead past bury its dead. I'm going to give Anne two of my cotton wool spreads. She resumed. A tobacco stripe one and an apple leaf one. She tells me they're getting to be real fashionable again. Well, Fashion or no fashion, I don't believe there's anything prettier for a spare room bed than a nice apple leaf spread, That's what. I must see about getting him bleached. I've had them sewed up in cotton bags ever since Thomas died. No doubt they're an awful colour. But there's a month yet and due, Bleaching will work wonders. Only a month. Marillys sighed then said proudly. I'm giving Anne that half dozen braided rugs I have in the garret. I never suppose she'd want them, They're so old-fashioned. Nobody seems to want anything but hook mats now. She's asked me for them. She said she'd rather have them than anything else for her flaws. They are pretty. I made them the nicest rags and braided them in stripes. It was such company these last few winters. And I'll make him enough plum preserve to stock a jam closet for a year. It does seem real strange though. Those blue plum trees hadn't even a blossom for three years. I thought they might as well be cut down. And this last spring they were white, With such a crop of plums I never remembered green gables. Well, Thank goodness that Anne and Gilbert really are going to be married after all. It's what I've always prayed for, Said Mrs Rachel in the tone of one who's comfortably sure her prayers have prevailed much. It was a great relief to find out she really didn't mean to take the Kingsport man. He was rich to be sure, And guilt was his paw. Case to begin with. But he's an island boy. "'He's Gilbert Blythe, ' said Marilla contentedly. " Marilla would have died the death before she would have put into words the thought that was always in the background of her mind whenever she looked at Gilbert from his childhood up. The thought that, Had it not been for her own willful pride long ago, He might have been her son. Marilla felt in some strange way his marriage with Anne would put right to that old mistake. Good had come out of the evil of the ancient bitterness. As for Anne herself, She was so happy she almost felt frightened. The gods, So says the old superstition, Do not like to behold too happy mortals. It is certain at least that some human beings do not. Two of that ilk descended upon Anne one violet dusk and proceeded to do what in them lay to prick the rainbow bubble of her satisfaction. If she thought she was getting any particular prize in young Dr Blythe. Or if she imagined he was still as infatuated with her as he might have been in his salad days. It was surely their duty to put the matter before her in another light. Yet these two worthy ladies were not enemies of Anne. On the contrary, They were quite fond of her and would have defended her as their own young, Had anyone else attacked her. Human nature is not obliged to be consistent. Mrs Inglis, Née Jane Andrews to quote from the Daily Enterprise, Came with her mother and Mrs Jasper Bell. But in Jane the milk of human kindness had not been curdled by years of matrimonial bickerings. Her lines had fallen in pleasant places. In spite of the fact, As Mrs Rachel Lynde would say, That she had married a millionaire, Her marriage had been happy. Wealth had not spoiled her. She was still the placid, Amiable, Pink-cheeked Jane of the old quartet, Sympathising with her old chum's happiness, And still as keenly interested in all the dainty details of Anne's trousseau, As if it could rival her own silken and bejewelled splendours. Jane was not brilliant and probably never had a remark worth listening to in her life. But she never said anything that would hurt anyone's feelings, Which may be a negative talent, But it's likewise a rare and enviable one. So, Gilbert didn't go back on you after all, " said Mrs Harman Andrews, Contriving to convey an expression of surprise in her tone. Well, The Blighs generally keep their word when they've once passed it. No matter what happens. Let me see, You're 25 aren't you Anne? When I was a girl, 25 was the first corner. But she looked quite young. Red-headed people always do. Red hair is very fashionable now, Said Anne, Trying to smile but speaking rather coldly. Life had developed in her a sense of humour which helped her over many difficulties. But as yet, Nothing had availed to still her against reference to her hair. So it is, So it is, " conceded Mrs Harmon. There's no telling what queer freak's fashion will take. Well, Anne, Your things are very pretty and very suitable to your position in life, Aren't they, Jane? I hope you'll be very happy. You have my best wishes, I'm sure. A long engagement doesn't often turn out well, But of course in your case, It couldn't be helped. Gilbert looks very young for a doctor. I'm afraid people won't have much confidence in him. Said Mrs Jasper Bell gloomily. Then she shut her mouth tightly, As if she had said what she considered it her duty to say, And held her conscience clear. She belonged to the type which always had a stringy, Black feather in its hat and straggling locks of hair on its neck. And surface pleasure in her pretty bridal things was temporarily shadowed. But the deeps of happiness below could not thus be disturbed, And the little stings of Madame, Belle and Andrews were forgotten when Gilbert came later. And they wandered down to the birches of the brook, Which had been saplings when Anne had come to Green Gables, But were now tall ivory columns in a fairy palace of twilight and stars. In their shadows, Anne and Gilbert talked in lover fashion of their new home and their new life together. I found a nest for us, Anne. Where? Not right in the village I hope. I wouldn't like that altogether. No, There was no house to be had in the village. This is a little white house on the harbour shore, Halfway between Glen St Mary and Four Winds Point. It is a little out of the way, But when we get a phone in it won't matter so much. The situation's beautiful, Anne. It looks to the sunset and has the great blue harbour before it. The sand dunes aren't very far away. The sea winds blow over them and the sea spray drenches them. The house itself, Gilbert. Our first home. What is it like? Not very large, But large enough for us. There's a splendid living room with a fireplace in it downstairs, And a dining room that looks out on the harbour, And a little room that will do for my office. It's about 60 years old, The oldest house in Four Winds. But it has been kept in pretty good repair and was all done over about 15 years ago. Shingle, Plastered and refloored. It was well built to begin with. I understand there was some romantic story connected with its building, But the man I rented it from didn't know it. He said Captain Jim was the only one who could spin that yarn now. Who's Captain Jim? The keeper of the lighthouse on the Four Winds Point. You will love that four winds. It's a revolving light and it flashes like a magnificent star through the twilights. We can see it from our living room windows and our front door. Who owns the house? Is the property of Glen St Mary Presbyterian Church. I rented it from the trustees. But it belonged until lately to a very old lady, Mrs. Elizabeth Russell. She died last spring, And as she had no near relatives, She left her property to the Glen St Mary Church. Her furniture's still in the house. I bought most of it for a mere song, You might say, Because it was old-fashioned. Glen St Mary folks prefer blush brocade and sideboards with mirrors and ornamentations But Miss Russell's furniture's very good, I feel sure you'll like it Anne. So far so good, Said Anne, Nodding cautious approval. But Gilbert, People cannot live by furniture alone. You haven't mentioned one very important thing. Are there any trees about the house? Heaps of them. There's a big grove of fir trees behind it, Two rows of lombardy poplars down the lane, And a ring of white birches around a very delightful garden. Our front door opens right into the garden. And there's another entrance, A little gate hung between two furs. The hinges are on one trunk and the catch on the other. Their bowels form an arch overhead. Oh, I'm so glad. Ta-ra. I couldn't live where there were no trees. Something vital in me would starve. Well, After that, There's no use asking you if there's a brook anywhere near. That would be expecting too much. But there is a problem. Said Gilbert, And it actually cuts across one corner of our garden. Then, Said Anne with a long sigh of supreme satisfaction, This house you have found, Gilbert, Is my house of dreams and none other.