Anne (with an 'E', mind you) is an orphan, new to Avonlea. Her past was never beautiful, but her dream of being adopted is finally coming true. It's never been easy for her to be accepted. Is Avonlea going to be any different?
Spoiler Alert: We all...
"What did you mean, bringing a girl back with you! We were supposed to be getting a boy!"
Huddled in Green Gable's parlor corner, Anne strained to hear the conversation in the next room. Strands of hair, wet with the tears, stuck themselves to her face. She had been so happy - no, ecstatic - while driving here with Matthew. And now his sister, a stern woman named Marilla, didn't want her.
Her dreams were shattered.
She fought the oncoming tears again. The argument in the kitchen had ended, and they were coming back.
Anne quickly composed herself and reclaimed her seat on the sofa, smoothing her dress just as Marilla walked in. Behind her, Matthew followed quietly, his cap crumpled in his hand and a sorrowful expression on his face.
"I'm sorry Anne, we are not sure if you will be able to stay," Marilla said, "I will talk with Ms. Churchill tomorrow. For now, you can sleep in the east gable room. Follow me, I'll show you to it."
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On any other occasion, the gable room would have delighted Anne. It had rose wallpaper, and the window opened to a gorgeous cherry tree, now draped in beautiful, fresh, pink blossoms.
Instead, the rest of the evening, and part of the night, passed with few words and many tears. Anne Shirley was inextricably caught in the depths of despair. She sat on the edge of the comfortable bed that wasn't to be her own, feeling utterly alone and helpless, unconsoled by her own faithful imagination and the enchanting moonlight streaming through the soft white curtains.
"Why must this happen? My life is a perfect graveyard of buried hopes," she whispered softly, another tear rolling down her face. "I was dreaming. Adoption is impossible for-"
A silent sob wracked her body.
"For an ugly, homely girl like me," she finished quietly.
But what could she do? Return to that horrible, horrible orphanage for 4 more long and agonizing years?
Anne lifted her head to the window, noticing the moonlight for the first time that night. Outside, the breeze blew gently, and the sound calmed the girl. The last few tears dried on her thin face, as she was still, entranced.
The peaceful innocence of nature called to her, and her heart was answering.
"I'll leave, on my own," she decided solemnly.
Quietly, she rose from her place on the bed. She straightened the covers, and changed back into her only dress. The borrowed nightgown was left on the bed, neatly folded. Within four minutes, the lissome frame of Anne Shirley was climbing stealthily down the trellis that was below the gable window.
