In the Woods When First We Met

16. Need

"Anne, would you feel safe here while I go get us some water?" Gilbert asked. "Or would you rather come with me?"

Anne opened her eyes. She realized that Billy would be in school, it wasn't as if he was creeping about the woods, although...what if he hadn't gone to school? He could have skipped. She doubted he was still looking for her after all this time but she wasn't willing to take the chance.

She slowly got to her feet and motioned for him to go out of the shelter. He did, and then waited for her to step out.

She straightened up, and let go of her dress briefly. When she did, the ripped end of her petticoat fell out.

She felt it right away, leaned down, grabbed it, and tried to tuck it up under her dress and held it firmly. When she stood up straight again, her face was flushed and she avoided Gilbert's eyes.

Gilbert frowned. For a moment he debated saying anything, because after all, he knew girls wear petticoats under their dresses, but he also knew he was not supposed to be seeing a girl's petticoat, and mentioning hers would only embarrass both of them. But on second thought...

"Don't worry about it," he said casually, without looking at her; mentioning it but not elaborating on it.

Anne looked down, her cheeks reddening. "It's nothing. I'm sorry. Where do you want to get water from?"

Gilbert thought. He was planning to just walk over to the creek. The running water was cold, clear, and clean. But then he changed his mind.

"Look," he said. "I'll go home. I'll get us some water and I can scrounge around for a needle and thread for you. Okay?"

Anne flushed.

Then she said, "Won't your parents wonder why you came home?"

"It must be near enough to lunch time now," he said. "My father will think I just came home during the break. It'll give me a chance to check on him."

"Check on him? What's wrong with him?" Anne asked.

"He's...he's been ill." Gilbert said. "Don't worry about it. I'll run home, check on him, get some water and find some sewing supplies for you and I'll be back in a jiffy."

Anne bit her lip.

Gilbert said, "Come with me, still. If you don't want to come home with me you can just wait nearby. All right?"

Anne followed him out of the woods and across the meadow. She hesitated when they came within range of his house.