₁.₀ SUPERCUT; gilbert blythe ✔

002.

The first thought which appears in Marianne's head is that they are not going to keep the girl and she regrets it instantly.

Even though she doesn't mean to be unkind. It's not like she wants the girl to be sent away - not especially, not knowing her, she has nothing against her at all. Marianne just knows how it is going to be; Marilla wanted a boy and a boy she should get. Another girl in not needed at Green Gables.

Well, not that she is needed either.

Marianne moves to stand next to Marilla, just as Matthew answers, "There wasn't any boy. There was only her", he explains. Marianne could swear she sees a silent plea in his eyes - a plea for his sister to understand.

"No boy? But there must have been a boy. We sent word to Mrs. Spencer to bring us a boy."

Marianne cannot catch the girl's sight and she isn't sure she wants to. If she was in her place, being talked about as though she wasn't there at all would surely make her feel even more than bas. Even more than worse.

"Well, she didn't." Matthew finally finds in within himself to move, the girl's head turning to follow. "She brought her. I asked the stationmaster," says he, mentioning to the girl and lowering his voice so only Marilla could hear, "I had to bring her home. She couldn't be left there, no matter where the mistake had come in."

"Well, this is a pretty piece of business. She's gotta go back."

Oh, Marianne just knew it. She knew...

"You don't want me."

They all turn to look at the girl. Her voice sounds broken and unsurprised too, making Marianne's heart ache not only with compassion, but a realisation also. If their circumstances were different, if the Cuthberts weren't their only living kin, it could have been her and Edward in a situation like this one, not so long ago. "I should have expected it. I might have known nobody would really want me." And, before any of them has a chance to speak, she falls to the ground, earning a scandalised glare from Marilla.

"Oh, for heaven's sake, child! What are you doing on the ground?"

Marianne makes a small move, as though to kneel at the girl's side. It's a brief motion, almost unnoticeable as she stops right after, afraid of doing something. Though she knows she should; and guilt and shame have already found their way to her thoughts.

But when Marilla's words seem to have no effect on the girl, Marianne curses herself (not out loud, of course, she knows what's good for her). A dreadful image of her and Edward, unwanted and without a home, flashes her mind once again. And, this time, it is enough to make her crouch next to the girl. At first, still careful not to touch her, she does keep her distance, but Marilla's words make her realise that she could at least try to be nice.

"Umm... what's your name?" she asks, hoping it may distract the girl from listening to the adults talking. But all she gets in return is a blank gaze of tear-filled eyes.

It takes Marilla calling her "little girl" to make the girl snap out of her daze.

"Little girl? I wish I was anything but."

"There's no point in crying." Marilla's words are something Marianne cannot agree with - she wishes she has cried last year instead of being numb. "There's been a mistake, is all. We're not gonna turn you out of doors tonight. What is your name?"

"What does it matter? I won't be here long enough for you to remember."

Well, Marianne supposes it's all due to shock, but she thinks that words were unnecessary. Exaggerating has never done anyone any good.