28 Anne Of Green Gables - Stephanie Poppins

This is S.

D.

Hudson Magic.

I'm delighted to be able to read for you,

Anne of Green Gables.

This I consider to be my favourite story of all time.

And even though I am English,

And not Canadian,

I hope I will do this story justice.

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 Gillies 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 two to see where I was,

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's 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-headed person cannot be a lily-maid.

' "'Your complexion's 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 Auburn now,

Diana?

' "'Yes,

And I think it's 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.

"'Idlewild was a thing of the past,

"'Mr Bell having ruthlessly cut down the little circle of trees in his back pasture in the spring.

"'Anne 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 thirteen going on fourteen 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 dramatise 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 analysed and parsed 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 Guinevere 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,

Were so much more romantic than the present.

"'Anne's plan was hailed with enthusiasm.

"'The girls had discovered 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 Guinevere 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's lying down.

"'We'll pull the barge all its length in the blackest samite.

"'That old black shawl of your mother's will be just the thing,

Diana.

' "'The black shawl having been procured,

"'Anne spread it over the flat "'and then lay down on the bottom "'with closed eyes and hands folded over her breast.

"'Oh,

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 Lynde said all that play-acting's abominably wicked.

' "'Ruby,

You shouldn't talk about Mrs Lynde,

' said Anne severely.

"'It spoils the effect because this is hundreds of years "'before Mrs Lynde 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 quite 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 breach before "'stampering 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 made.

"'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 pool of the 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 realise 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 when 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 upon 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,

"'I thought 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 the big providential stub.

"'And there I was,

"'Mrs Allen,

"'clinging to that slippery old pile "'with no way of getting up and 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 upon human aid "'to get me 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.

"'Anne,

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 "'Linnie maid.

"'Why didn't anyone 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.

"'Anne 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 grey "'eyes.

"'Anne Shirley,

"'how on earth did you get there?

' "'How did you get there?

' "'he exclaimed.

"'Without waiting for an answer,

"'he pulled close to the pile "'and extended his hand.

"'Anne,

"'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 "'shall and wet crepe.

"'It was certainly extremely "'terrible 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 onto the pile.

"'The girls went for help.

"'Will you be kind enough "'to help me?

"'Gilbert obligingly rode 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 up from the boat "'and now laid a detaining hand on her arm.

"'Anne,

' "'he said horridly,

"'look here,

"'can't we just be good friends?

"'I'm awfully sorry I made fun of your hair that time.

"'I didn't mean to vex you.

"'I only meant it for a joke.

"'Besides,

It's so long ago.

"'I think "'your hair's 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's 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 recollections 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,

"'if you don't want to be.

' "'All right,

' "'Gilbert sprang into his skiff "'with an angry colour 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.

"'All together "'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 as 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 a back field.

"'Oh,

Anne,

' "'gasped Diana,

Fairly "'falling on the former's neck and weeping "'with delight and relief.

"'Oh,

Anne,

"'we thought "'you were drowned,

"'and we felt like murderers because we'd made you "'be Elaine,

"'and Ruby's in hysterics.

"'Oh,

Anne,

How did you escape?

' "'I climbed up on one "'of the piles,

' explained Anne "'wearily.

"'And Gilbert Blythe came along in Mr Andrew's "'dory and brought me to land.

"'Oh,

Anne,

"'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's 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 presentiment that will not be "'allowed to row on the pond any more.

' "'Oh!

' "'Anne's presentiment proved more "'trustworthy than presentiments are apt "'to do.

"'Great was the consternation in the Barry "'and Cuthbert households when the event "'of the afternoon became known.

"'Will you "'ever have any sense,

Anne?

' "'groaned Marilla.

"'Oh yes,

I think I will,

"'Marilla,

' returned Anne "'optimistically.

"'A good cry indulged in the "'grateful solitude of the East Gable "'had soothed her nerves and restored "'her to 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 me 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 it's no "'use trying to be romantic in Avonlea.

"'It was probably easy enough "'in Towered 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 sure hope so,

' "'said Marilla skeptically.

"'But Matthew,

"'who had been sitting mutely in his corner,

"'laid a hand on Anne's "'shoulder when Marilla had gone out.

"'Don't "'give up all your romance,

Anne,

' "'he whispered shyly.

"'A little of it is a good thing.

"'Not too much,

Of course.

"'But keep a little of it,

Anne.

"'Keep a little of it.

'" I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

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