In the Woods When First We Met

188. Not More, Just Differently

After the three discussed possible plans at length and settled on a course of action, Jane left them to go home.

Gilbert walked with Diana toward her house, because he was going to drop off her letter at Green Gables. Despite living so close, it wouldn't do for Diana to bring over her own letters, not if there was any chance her mother would find out.

When Gilbert said he'd walk in her direction to take the letter,  Diana said, "Anne won't be there, though. You said she's gone on Mondays and Wednesdays. You may as well wait to give it to her until you see her tomorrow. Then you won't have to make the extra walk."

Gilbert looked as though that statement depressed him. "I know," he sighed. "But when she gets home, she'll see your letter and it'll make her happy. I don't want to wait till tomorrow, not if I can make her happy today."

Diana smiled to herself.

After a moment she said, "You've gotten really close to Anne, haven't you?"

"She's my best friend now," he said quietly.

Then he looked up. "I shouldn't have said that. I'm sorry. You're her best friend."

"There's no reason she can't have two best friends," Diana said.

"You don't mind? She's kind of been mine in secret...if you don't mind sharing her."

Diana shook her head. "I don't have to share her, Gilbert- There's room for both of us. She loves you, - I just know she does."

Gilbert couldn't hide his feelings and said quietly- "She told me she did."

"She did?" Diana asked in surprise, turning to him with wide eyes.

"I said it first," he said, then frowned and said, "I was worried that she just said it because I said it, or because she was upset at the time, but I don't think so- it seemed genuine."

But then he turned to Diana and said, "I guess I was worried you'd think that I was trying to steal your best friend away from you, what with all the time we've spent together. ...I hope you never thought she loves me more than you, or anything like that. Because she doesn't, she loves you more."

Diana looked at him out of the corner of her eye, a little smile playing on her lips as she said, "I don't think it's a matter of loving one person more. I think it's a matter of loving one person differently."