golden • gilbert bylthe

✨CHAPTER FIFTEEN✨

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Marigold Abbot walked into her home and was immediately welcome with smoke. She coughed as the tainted air entered her lungs.

"When I said my solution involved fire this is not what I meant," She coughed, "Unless this is somehow working then I take all the credit."

"I'm sorry! Marilla, I'm so sorry, I forgot!" Anne said as Marilla pulled a burnt pie out of the oven.

"I am aware! Don't just stand there with your teeth in your head. Marigold! Keep the door. Anne! Fetch the slop bucket."

"I don't think pigs would appreciate food poisoning," Mary pointed out.

"I'm very sorry, Marilla. I meant to watch the clock. Truly, I did. I was having the most delightful daydream."

"Your mind is idle, Anne."

"It isn't idle at all. I was imagining that I'm wise Princess Cordelia, and I only have to touch a book to know its contents."

"This has gone on long enough."

"No one thinks she's strange at all. In fact, she's embraced for being different."

"Life is not magic, Anne."

"I know."

"You can't just wish yourself away. I'm raising you and I know what's best. It's high time you went back to school."

"Please don't make me, Marilla! Please! I can't face it! I promise I'll do better here, I promise!"

"You can stop all your bargaining, 'cause there's no use in it."

"But Matthew said I didn't have to go back!"

"What now?"

"He understands that school is a torment for me. But of course he'd understand! He's a kindred spirit! I don't have any friends!"

"Okay, ow," Marigold mumbled.

"You've got Diana and Marigold."

"No! She can't like me when no one else does! Don't you see?! And Marigold is much more deserving than to be associated with me!"

"Calm yourself."

"And Gil-. Well, there's a boy whose sole purpose in life is to humiliate me!"