| 𝙺𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚛𝚎𝚍 | 𝙶.𝙱𝚕𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚎 | 𝙳𝚒𝚜𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚞𝚎𝚍

7 | "REMORSE IS THE POISON OF LIFE."

     ALICE WAS SAT downstairs when she heard rapid knocking on the door. She opened it to see Diana. It had been a month since they had spoken properly.

"We need to wake Miss Cuthbert." She said through her tears.

"She went to the premiere. What's happened?"

"Its Minnie May!"

"What's happened? Anne!" Alice called as she grabbed her and her sisters coat.

From upstairs Anne heard her sister and Diana, she was already in her boots and running downstairs.

"I dont know. Shes choking and coughing! It's horrible!"

"Croup." Alice sighed.

"We need the doctor."

Alice shook her head. "Matthew! Matthew!" Anne gave Diana a blanket.

"Aunt Josephine is staying with us but she doesnt know what to do. Shes never seen a cough like this.'"

"I have. Matthew, ride to Carmody and fetch a doctor. Minnie May is gravely ill." Anne said. "We'll go home with Diana."

"We'll see you there." Matthew nodded, rushing to his room.

"Oh, shes fearful sick, she can scarcely breathe."

"Anne, fetch the ipecac before we go."

Anne ran downstairs and Alice started to run towards the Barry household.

Alice was quick to help Minnie May with her sickness while Aunt Josephine was questioning her. But soon Alice and Anne had done it. Alice sighed softly.

"Let's get her to bed." The older girl said. "I believe the worst is over."

Alice stayed awake while her sister fell asleep on her lap. She woke the girl when it was time to go home.

When the girls arrived home, they decided to go to bed as they were up in the middle of the night to save Minnie May.

Alice stayed in her room most of the day. Her mind wandering off to Gilbert and his father. She hoped his father would be okay. He seemed awfully ill and she felt worry for making him come to the door.

Alice saw from out her window, Anne running to Diana's. She knew that Mrs Barry had been over.

The next day, Anne met up with Diana after Alice had set off. Alice set off early to hope she could see Gilbert Blythe. Alice walked into school and found out that Gilbert's father had passed away.

-_-_-_-

     THE NEXT DAY, everyone walked behind the herse carrying Gilbert's father. He walked at the front with his nurse, Alice walked behind.

Hidden by the black that everyone was wearing, two hands held onto each other. Alice ran her thumb over Gilbert's knuckles as they reached the graveyard. She let go to allow Gilbert to throw the first pile of mud onto his fathers casket. So she stood beside her family.

She went inside with everyone else as Gilbert sat outside. She knew the feeling to lose someone and hated the idea of Gilbert going through the same torture.

Alice sat by the window, looking out at Gilbert while glancing at a crying Ruby. She sighed softly and grabbed her coat and scarf and went outside to Gilbert. She didnt sat anything, she just sat beside him and grabbed his hand.