Welcome to Avonlea

Chapter 4

Marilla had washed more bedding and hung it out to dry which didn't take long. Anne was reading a card with the lords prayer on it and singing it. "Regardless of the outcome here, you both should have something to wear besides those flimsy bit of business. I have some leftover cotton on a bolt that will do nicely." I glanced at Anne while setting the freshly folded bedding in a basket. "You're going to make us dresses?" I took the last bit of fabric and picked up the basket following her inside. "You both need something suitable that fits you" I set the basket down and looked down at what I was wearing. It was an old cream colored dress that was too small. "A new dress! We've never had new dresses before, not ever! I can't wait to have puff sleeves and ever so many flounces!"

We both followed Marilla up the stairs. "Do you think you can adorn it with lace at the cuff and neckline too?" "I don't believe in frills and flounces." "But surely you don't mind puff sleeves? All the girls are wearing them. Puff sleeves are divine." "Anne. She's being kind enough to make us dresses when she doesn't have to." I told her quietly. "Waste of fabric." "Oh. Well I'm sure if it's a lovely azure blue or willow green, I'm sure I won't mind if it's... plain." I elbowed her when she sounded disappointed with what Marilla showed us. "You're a vain one and make no mistake. Brown is a very sensible color. I'll need your dresses so I can use them for a pattern. Let's take these things off now." She helped Anne first since I was nervous to be walking around during the day in my underclothes. "Thank you, Ms. Cuthbert." "Thank you." "I'm very grateful to have something new. Really I am. I'm sure I can imagine it's fashionable." I closed my eyes. She always was picturing or imagining dresses for princesses and what we've seen others that were very well off were wearing.

"Shouldn't take me a day or two." I already had the back of my dress undone and glanced at her. I sighed before taking it off and giving it to her. "If it looks like either of these, it shouldn't take you no time at all." "You to run along now and learn the prayer." I picked up the small piece of paper and left for our room while reading it. My mouth moving as I took the words to heart.

We were both reciting it to each other memorizing and testing each other. It was one thing we liked to do when it came to any part of a book. When she got it, she stood from the bed rushing to go downstairs. I followed at a slower pace and froze on the middle of the stairs seeing a woman at the table. "We learned it all by heart Ms. Cuthbert!" Anne was at the table looking proud and happy. I kept glancing and finally reached the bottom. "Anne, Lydia, this is our neighbor, Mrs. Lynde." "How do you do ma'am." I said quietly. She looked us over and it made me uncomfortable. I unconsciously crossed my arms.

"Well, they sure didn't pick you for your looks, that's for sure and certain." I looked at the floor feeling the knot grow. "They're terribly skinny and homely, Marilla." The woman had the gall to chuckle at what she said. I felt offended. I've seen myself in mirrors and never thought we looked homely. We were pretty and had unique color from head to toe. "All elbows and knees. Did you ever see such freckles? And hair as red as carrots! Dear, dear me."

"I hate you." I glanced at Anne and knew she already hated her looks but the judgement was getting to me little by little. "Anne..." "I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" "Anne!" "How dare you call me skinny and ugly! How dare you call me freckled and redheaded! You are a rude, unfeeling woman!" "Well!" The knot left and I didn't like this woman at all. "How would you like to have such things said about you? How would you like to be told that you're fat and clumsy, and that you probably hadn't a spark of imagination in you? And I don't care if I hurt your feeling by saying so. I hope I hurt them! Because you have hurt my feelings worse than they have ever been hurt before! And I won't ever forgive you for this! Never!" I stiffened when she ran for the back door. "Anne! Come back here! Anne!" "I'll go find her, Ms. Cuthbert." I slowly walked past the woman and her to follow after Anne.