In the Woods When First We Met

194. Back to School

Anne was turning around, trying to see herself in the reflection of the kitchen window.

"Keep still, Anne, or this hem will be as crooked as a wooden nickel!"

"What does that mean?" Anne asked curiously, but then- "Ow!" she exclaimed as a pin pricked her.

"I didn't mean to poke you- it's that you keep moving. Now be still so you don't get poked again!"

"I just want to see how it looks, Marilla!"

It was Thursday afternoon, and Marilla was working on Anne's new pinafore. Anne stood on a chair in the kitchen while Marilla began the hemline.

Anne hadn't let Marilla get a moment's peace once she found out they wanted her to try school on Monday. That pinafore had to be finished, and quickly.

"We haven't put the second layer of ruffles on yet," Anne worried. "It's got to have more ruffles over the shoulders!"

"It'll have them," Marilla said, holding a pin in her mouth. "Be patient."

Anne was jittery. "Oh, please let me go look, Marilla. I have to see."

Marilla sat back. Knowing she was not going to get a straight hemline if Anne didn't stop moving, she relented: "All right, look quickly, and come back."

Anne was coming back from the big mirror when there was a knock on the door.

She hesitantly went to the door and peeked out. "Gilbert!" she cried, happily. She couldn't get the lock opened fast enough.

"Gilbert," she cried again, throwing herself into his arms. "I'm so glad to see you!"

"Ow," Gilbert said, backing up from her, his hand on his chest.

"Oh, no..." Anne cried. "I'm sorry!"

"I didn't realize pinafores were quite so painful," Gilbert said with a bit of laugh.

"I'm sorry, it's just that I'm full of pins! Marilla's sewing a..." She moved back, "Come in. Marilla's sewing this for me to wear to school on Monday."

"School?!" Gilbert's face brightened up like the morning sunrise. "You're coming back?!" He turned, making sure to lock the front door behind him.

She nodded excitedly. "I hope...I mean, I'm...I'm nervous. But...oh, it'll be great for things to start getting back to normal!"

"How are things going to work out with Bi-" He stopped, not wanting to upset her.

"Matthew and Marilla told me that Billy wasn't coming to school on Monday- I don't know why- and that they thought I should go in and see how things are."

Marilla came in then. "We've heard that Billy might be out of school for a little while, actually," she said to Gilbert, eyebrows raised. He seemed to take meaning from this, but Anne seemed oblivious and kept talking.

"Even if it's just one day, it'll be nice to feel like things could be how they used to be! I just want so badly to see Diana, and...and Ruby's nice to me now, and I think Jane wants me to come back, too...and I have something new and pretty to wear to school, and oh, let me show you my new things!" Anne started to drag him away but then stopped. "I guess you'll have to stay here while I get them from my room."

"Wait, wait," Marilla called her back. "Let me get that pinafore off of you first."

Anne impatiently waited while Marilla untied it. "You've got a pin in your hair," Marilla said, pulling it out. "However did you get one stuck in your braid? I'm glad it didn't prick you."