In the Woods When First We Met

172. A Confidant

Marilla mulled it over and decided she needed to confide in her friend.

She'd felt she shouldn't share Anne's personal problems, but upon later reflection, she thought she would be more helpful to Anne if she had Rachel's experience as a married woman with children.

Besides, at this point, she was sure Rachel had already heard all the rumors; the least she could do was give Rachel the real story.

---

She explained the situation to Rachel Lynde over tea that afternoon as Anne was away visiting Gilbert's father.

Rachel had heard the rumors only earlier that day. She'd shown up at Marilla's front door no less than ten minutes later.

What Rachel had heard was that Anne was expecting Gilbert's baby and blaming it on Billy, but to Marilla's relief, Rachel was quick to accept that if there was a baby, it was most definitely Billy's and most definitely the result of an attack.

But once the story was explained, she had an immediate and firm opinion:

"The Andrews need to put pressure on their son to marry her, that's all there is to it. A paper signed in the court of law will remedy this."

"Well done, Rachel- that is perhaps the least helpful advice I have gotten so far," Marilla said dryly.

"It's the right thing to do. A baby ought to have parents who are legally married, and a father listed on the birth certificate."

"I'm a little more concerned about what's right for Anne now, than I am about what's right for the baby," Marilla told her. Then she said, "...Besides, I don't think that's what's right for the baby, either."

"Why ever not? She'll be bringing a baby into the world fatherless. It's going to make her have a hard life- a young, unwed mother."

Marilla stared at her.

Rachel explained patiently, "I'm not saying that's what's right, Marilla, I'm saying that's what is."

"Well, you're right about that- it is what it is."

"And there's no reason for it- it isn't as if she was attacked by a stranger- you know who this young man is. So he shouldn't be allowed to just abandon her like that. If he's caused her to have a baby, then he needs to step up to his responsibility."

"If him stepping up to his responsibility means Anne being forced to endure a lifetime with him, then I'd rather him do the irresponsible thing and abandon her."

"I mean a marriage in name only, Marilla," Rachel explained. "I don't mean for them to be married in any personal way! I'm saying they ought to be married quickly and simply- just a piece of paper signed in the court of law- so the baby won't be illegitimate, and Billy will have to provide support. They wouldn't actually live together. Even I think that would be ridiculous!"

"Well, good. I was beginning to think you'd lost your mind," Marilla said.

"But it'll right the situation. You must see that! You'll just have them stand in front of the justice of the peace together, say the words and get the paper."

Before Marilla could respond to that, Matthew, who came in then, headed to the pump to wash his hands, and without even looking over at the two ladies, he said in a gruff voice, only one sentence- never one for long speeches- that settled the matter: "If he gets anywhere near her, he'll be stepping over my dead body."

Rachel looked shocked, but Marilla had an amused expression. "Well, I suppose that's that, then."

After Matthew had gone, Marilla looked at Rachel and sighed. "It's this time of waiting I loathe most. And of course Anne's been waiting even longer than we have. I don't know much longer I can take it. She's about eleven weeks past the incident, it normally begins to show at about twelve weeks, doesn't it? She doesn't look a bit different yet- still skinny as a rail, so that gives me hope."