𝓲𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓰𝓲𝓵𝓫𝓮𝓻𝓽 𝓫𝓵𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓮

𝒈𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒈𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒑𝒕. 2

when we arrive back at green gables, mr. cuthbert welcomes us with a surprised smile.

he helps ms. cuthbert off the carriage. she raises her eyebrows at his smile: "i'll thank you to keep your questions to yourself until we can speak in private..."

she turns back to anne and me: "run along inside. put your bags upstairs and put the kettle on."

"yes, miss cuthbert.", i nod while climbing off the carriage, following anne who's already on her way inside.

anne turns back to us, a huge smile on her face.

"wipe these silly grins off your faces!", ms. cuthbert calls after us.

--

anne and i put the kettle on and sit down. she turns to me: "i don't think they'll keep us, but hope dies last, right?"

"yes. they're definitely better then mrs. blewett or the asylum...", i agree.

--

ms. cuthbert enters our bedroom, where anne and i were just working on a story. she gives us a serious look: "you both will get one week to show us what you can. after that we'll decide if you can stay." "oh, thank you!", anne exclaims, pulling me in a tight hug. "yes, thank you.", i give ms. cuthbert a thankful look. she gives me a nod and leaves.

--

later that day, anne and i get ready to go to bed, while ms. cuthbert puts blankets over our bed.

she stops and looks at us: "i noticed last night that you threw your clothes all about the floor when you took them off. that is a very untidy habit and i can't allow it. you must fold your clothing neatly and place it on the chair. i haven't any use for little girls who aren't neat."

anne raises her head, her eyes wide open: "i... we were so harrowed up in our minds last night, we didn't think about our clothes at all. we'll fold them nicely tonight. although I have been known to forget. i'm usually in such a hurry to finally get to bed."

she speaks for me again. i hate it.
i finally have to step out of her shadow, for heaven's sake!

ms. cuthbert listens to anne's explanation then she looks at me: "do you agree with your sister?"

i nod.

she goes on, eyes on me: "well, you'll have to remember if you're going to stay here. you understand that you're on trial, yes?"

"yes."

it was me who answered. anne and ms. cuthbert both give me a surprised look.

"a decision will be made in one week. now... say your prayers and get into bed.", ms. cuthbert tries to get us to fall asleep as early as possible, so we are stronger tomorrow.

i kneel down, not telling ms. cuthbert the truth.

but anne does: "we never say any prayers."

ms. cuthbert gives us a shocked look: "what?!"

i shrink under her gaze: "well, that- that can change...?"