In the Woods When First We Met

189. A Place to Be

Marilla looked at the clock and sighed. "I'm sorry supper will have to be late tonight, Matthew, but I can't really begin cooking until after we pick Anne up from the Perkins. She's so set on us both going together to pick her up, and I wouldn't want to leave the oven on while we're gone."

"Oh, that isn't any trouble," Matthew told her.

Marilla asked, "Do you think the plans I made are enough? Locking the doors, changing my room around, and all that? ...Do you think of anything else we might try?"

Matthew shook his head. "Don't know what else we can do. Other than just be with her, is all."

"Yes," Marilla said, nodding. "I'm worried about the long term, though, Matthew. We can't be by her side every moment. And at some point, I'd like her to return to school."

"How do you think tomorrow will go, with the Andrews?" Matthew asked.

"Not well, I expect. But we must keep up the charade of a trial. It's really our only defense..." Marilla felt hopeless, wishing something more could be done.

"Well, it's time to get her," Matthew said with a glance at the clock. He stood up, feeling an ache in his back as he rose.

Marilla got her shawl from the hook by the door. "I have an idea. Since we can't rely on the Barry's, and we don't want to leave Anne home alone tomorrow while we go to the Andrews, let's ask Emily if she could have Anne come tomorrow instead of Wednesday. It's only one day different, and if we leave her there she'll never wonder where we went. She won't even know we're gone. I thought about asking Rachel to come stay with her, but Anne might enjoy the time better at the Perkins'. When we get there, I'll find an unobtrusive way to ask Emily."

"That's an idea," Matthew said. "A good one. I didn't know what we ought to do. Leaving her alone- even with the doors locked- just can't be done."

"Right. And if we were going after school hours, I'd see if she could go with Gilbert over to his house- though perhaps she shouldn't, I don't know how well his father is at the moment. ...But of course we must go when school is in session so that the Andrews children aren't there when we discuss this, either."

"I don't want Billy in school, but I'll be glad he's in school tomorrow," Matthew said gruffly. "Because if he would be there when we go to the Andrews tomorrow...I don't trust myself, Marilla."