Notes

did not know what to do with herself! Then, one evening, Anne was sitting at her open window when she saw Diana come running up the hill with a newspaper in her hand. "Anne, you've passed," she cried, "and you came first-you and Gilbert both-you are tied." "Well now, I always said it said Matthew, looking at the exam result list delightedly. "I knew you could beat them all easily." The next three weeks were a busy time at Green Gables. Anne was getting ready to go to Queen's, and there was much to be done. Anne was to have many new clothes. Matthew saw to that, and Marilla did not say anything. She even made Anne a beautiful green dress for special occasions. As Marilla watched Anne packing her things, she began to cry. "I wish you could have stayed a little girl, Anne. You've grown up now, and you're going away. It makes me feel so lonely." "Marilla!" Anne sat down next to her. "I will always be your little Anne, who will love you and Matthew and dear Green Gables every day of her life." Marilla put her arms around her girl and held her close, wishing that she need never let her go. The day finally came for Anne to go to town. She and Matthew drove in one fine September morning. The next day, Anne and the rest of the Avonlea students went to Queen's Academy. "I wonder if I will make new friends," Anne thought. Of course, I promised Diana that no Queen's girl would ever be as dear to me as she is, but I can still make friends. Oh, it is so lonely here!" It was lonelier still when Anne found herself alone in her little bedroom that night. It was a boarding house in town with a hard and cold street, instead of trees, outside. She wanted to cry. Anne decided to try hard to win the Avery scholarship, given to the person with the highest grade in English and English Literature. If she won the scholarship, she would be given money to attend Redmond College. Then, one day she would become a real graduate! Imagine how proud Matthew would be then! Review Questions 1.What were the two differences Marilla noticed about Anne? 2. What was Anne's result in the Entrance? 3. What was the Avery scholarship?

CHAPTE The Glory and the Dream Preview Questions 1. What is glory? 2. Have you ever had a dream that came true? 3. Where is Anne now living? nne's homesickness wore off, greatly helped by er weekend visits home. After the Christmas holidays, the Avonlea students gave up going home on Fridays and settled down to hard work. By this time, it was clear that the medal contestants were down to three-Gilbert Blythe, Anne Shirley, and Lewis Wilson The Avery scholarship was more doubtful. Anne worked hard and steadily throughout the exams, but still she was nervous on the day the final results came out. Anne and Jane were walking down the street together. Anne was pale and quiet; in ten more minutes she would know who had won the medal and who the Avery. Of course, you'll win one of them," said Jane. When they arrived at Queen's, they found the hall full of boys who were carrying Gilbert Blythe around on their shoulders and yelling, "Hurrah for Blythe, Medalist!" For moment Anne felt a terrible pang of a defeat and disappointment. So she had lost and Gilbert had won! And then, somebody called out, "Three cheers for Miss Shirley, winner of the Avery! Matthew and Marilla came to the award evening to see the tall girl in pale green, who everybody whispered about as the Avery winner. "So are you happy we kept her, Marilla?" whispered Matthew. "Yes, yes replied Marilla. Miss Barry, who was sitting behind them, leaned forward. "Aren't you proud of that Anne-girl? I am," she said Anne went home with Matthew and Marilla that evening. She had not been home since April. Diana was at Green Gables to meet her. "Oh, Diana, it's so good to see you!" "You've done very well, Anne. I suppose you won't be teaching now that you've won the Avery?" "No. I'm going to Redmond College in September" "Did you hear that Gilbert Blythe will teac He has to. His father can't afford to send him to college next year. Anne was surprised. She thought that Gilbert would be going to Redmond also. What would she do without him to make her work hard? The next morning at breakfast, Anne saw that Matthew was not looking well. "Marilla," she said when he had gone out, "is Matthew well?" "No, he isn't said Marilla. "He's had a bad time with his heart. Maybe he will take a rest now that you're home." "You are looking tired, too, Marilla. I'm going to take this one day off, and then it will be your turn to be lazy while I do the work." "It's not the work-it's my head," smiled Marilla. "But have you heard anything about the Abbey Bank lately, Anne?" "I heard it was shaky," answered Anne. "Why?" "Well, all we have saved is in that bank-every penny. I am quite worried about it." Anne had a good day outdoors. She never forgot that day, it was so bright and golden. She visited all her favorite places, she had a talk with Mrs. Allan, and 61 finally in the evening she went with Matthew for the cows. "If I had been the boy you sent for," said Anne, "I'd be able to help you so much now." Well now, I'd rather have you than a dozen boys, Anne," said Matthew. "I'm so proud of you, my girl." He smiled his shy smile at her. Anne took the memory of it with her when she went to her room that night Anne always remembered the peaceful beauty and calm of that night. It was the last night before sadness touched her life, and her life would never be quite the same again. Review Questions ners of the medal and the Avery scholarship? 1. Who were the winners2. What health problems were Marilla and Matthew having? 3. What did Matthew tell Anne that made her very happy?

CHAPTER 14 The Touch of Death Preview Questions 1. What are Anne's career plans? 2. Why does Anne enjoy being at Green Gables? 3. Who do you think might die in this chapter? atthew Matthew what is the atter? Matthew, are you sick?" Anne heard Marilla's voice and dropped her flowers, running across the kitchen to Matthew. She was too late, he had fallen to the floor. "He's fainted," cried Marilla. Anne and Marilla were trying to revive him when Mr. and Mrs. Barry arrived with Mrs. Lynde. Mrs. Lynde examined Matthew. Then she sadly looked at the others, and the tears came to her eyes. "Oh, Marilla," she said seriously. "I don't think we can do anything for him." "Mrs. Lynde, you don't think Matthew is Anne could not say the word. uchild, yes, look at his face. It is a look that I know 63 well. When the doctor came, he said that death had been immediate and probably painless, caused by some sudden shock. The shock was found in the paper Matthew held, which told of the failure of the Abbey Bank. His entire life's savings were lost because of the bank's failure. The news spread quickly through town, and all day, friends and neighbors came to Green Gables. For the first time, shy, quiet Matthew Cuthbert was a person of importance; his death had set him apart. The night came, and the house fell quiet. For a long time, Anne could not cry. Finally, she fell asleep but woke up in the middle of the night. She thought about what had happened that day, and the tears came. Marilla heard her in the other room and went to hold her. Anne and Marilla sat together and cried and cried. Nobody else could understand their sadness, even though they tried Oh, Marilla, what are we going to do?" cried Anne. old lady replied. "I don't "We've got each other, the here. Oh, you must know what I'd do if you weren't know that love you just as much as Matthew did." I 64 Two days afterward, Matthew Cuthbert was buried. It did not take long for life at Green Gables to return to normal, even though they all carried the pain of Matthew's death with them. Anne felt somehow that it was cruel to Matthew that she could still find the sunset beautiful and enjoy the flowers in the garden "I miss him so much, all the time, and yet the world and life are still very beautiful and interesting to me, said Anne to Mrs. Allan one day. "Today, Diana said something funny, and I found myself laughing. I thought when it happened that I could never laugh again." "When Matthew was here, he liked to hear you laugh, and he liked to see you happy. He still wants you to enjoy these things," said Mrs. Allan gently. Marilla was sitting on the front doorsteps when Anne arrived home. Anne sat down beside her. "Doctor Spencer says that I must go in and have my eyes examined tomorrow," said Marilla. "You won't mind staying, will you? here's ironing and baking to do." "I shall be all right. You don't need to worry that I'll flavor the cake with medicine or dye my hair." Marilla laughed. "Do you know who I saw in church last Sunday?" she asked. "Gilbert Blythe. He looks a lot like his father did at the same age. John Blythe was a nice boy. We used to be real good friends, he and I People called him my boyfriend.' Anne looked up. "What happened e had an argument. I wouldn't forgive him when he asked me t I always felt rather sorry. I've always wished I'd forgiven him when I had the chance. "So you've had a bit of romance in your life, too said Anne softly. "Yes, I suppose you might call it that. You wouldn't think so to look at me, would you? I'd forgotten about John myself. But it all came back to me when I saw Gilbert last Sunday." Review Questions 1, what was the shock that killed Matthew Cuthbert? 2. Why did Anne feel bad for laughing at Diana's joke or enjoying the sunset? 3. What was Marilla's connection to John Blythe?

CHAPTER The Bend in the Road Preview Questions 1. What do you think the title of this chapter means? 2. Do you think of life as a straight or a bendy road? 3. What do you think Anne will do now that Matthew has died? arilla went to town the next day and returned the evening "Anne, the specialist said that if I give up all reading and sewing, and if I'm careful not to c my eyes may not get any worse. But if I don't, he says I'll be blind in six months." Anne was silent. How things had changed since she arrived home! But she now knew what she needed to do. "Marilla, I have something to tell you. You won't have to stay here alone. I'll be with you. I'm not going to Redmond." "Not going to Redmond!" Marilla looked at Anne. No. I'm not going to take the scholarship. I'm going to teach. I've applied for the school but I here, think it has been promised to Gilbert Blythe. But I can teach at another school. I have it all planned out, Marilla. You won't be lonely. We'll be happy here together, you and I." "Oh, Anne, I can't let you give up your dream for "I'm not giving up my dream!" Anne laughed. "It has just changed a little a bend in the road. My mind is quite made up, Marilla. I'm not going to Redmond, and I am going to stay here and teach." "You wonderful girl!" said Marilla. The news soon spread around town. Most people thought Anne was foolish not to go to Redmond, but Mrs. Allan and Mrs. Lynde did not. "Well, Anne, I hear they are going to let you teach in the school right here in Avonlea," said Mrs. Lynde the next day. "Mrs. Lynde! cried Anne, surprised. "I thought they had promised it to Gilbert Blythe! "So they did. As soon as Gilbert heard that you had applied for it, he went to them and made them give it to you. He is going to teach at White Sands. It was real kind and thoughtful of him, I think." Anne went to the little Avonlea graveyard the next evening to put fresh flowers on Matthew's grave. When she was walking back, she saw a tall young man whistling. It was Gilbert, and the whistle died on his lips as he recognized Anne. Anne stopped and held out her hand. "Gilbert," she said, "I want to thank you for giving up the school for me. It was very good of you." Gilbert took her hand. "I was pleased to be able to help you. Are we going to be friends after this? Have you really forgiven me?" Anne laughed. "I forgave you that day by the pond, although I didn't know it. I've been sorry ever since." We were born to be good friends, Anne," said Gilbert happily. "I know we can help each other in many ways. Come, I'm going to walk home with you." Who walked home with you, Anne?" asked Marilla later "Gilbert Blythe," answered Anne "What did you have to talk to him about for half an hour asked Marilla with a smile. "Were we really there half an hour? Well, we have a lot to talk about, Marilla." That night, Anne sat at her window for a long time. she could hear the gentle sound of the wind flowing through the trees, and she felt quite happy. She was excited about what the future would bring. "God's in his heaven, all's right with the world," whispered Anne softly, Review Questions 1. What did Marilla have to give up to save her eyes? College? 2. What did Anne decide to do about attending Redford Gilbert 3. Why do you think Anne decided to be friends with Blythe?