Letters from Gilbert Blythe, medical student Redmond College, Kingsport to Anne Shirley BA Principle of Summerside School

Gibside Accommodation

Saddlers Street

Kingsport

Monday September 12th

Dearest Anne,

I'm not sure if we agreed as to who would write first? I sometimes feel distressed at being the first one to write, no doubt you are writing with ease your first letter to me right now, please forgive my awkwardness I never had your talents with the written pen, however I find myself unable to wait any longer before putting pen to paper for you.

Firstly I should reprimand you; we had agreed not the train station! But I feel it hypocritical to say because my next words are thank you. Thank you for being you and surprising me, and thank you for being the strong one and making sure I was on that train and thank you for that kiss. I dreamt of if both last night and the night before, my only wish is that I dream of it every night.

You already are aware of my residence here in Kingsport so I need not describe that for you, I was quite shocked to be met off the train by none other than the principle himself!

"Gilbert Blythe" He had greeted. "It's good to see you chap, might I have a word?"

"Of course we can." I had replied, I dare not say anything more! How was I in trouble already Anne? I was barely off the train! We went to that small cake shop just outside the train station (I left my luggage to collect a little later if the principle had come so he needed to come first).

Once we had sat down he told he had heard of how sick I had been and actually asked if I was well enough to continue my studies.

"I feel better now than I did the whole of last term." I explained to him. "Honestly I can't wait to get back to my studies."

"Well see there lies the problem Gilbert, by all accounts you weren't taking care of yourself, you had stopped attending social events, took part in less sports we're concerned son, that old habits die hard. You need balance boy."

"Sir, if I may interrupt." I cut right in because Anne, although this concern was very kind it really isn't needed. "I was going through a hard time last term, I clung to the only thing that made sense. The problems obviously didn't affect my studies they made me work harder. I didn't simply get better over the summer, those issues have now been resolved, I'm the happiest I've been in a long time. I promise you no matter what, it won't affect my studies."

"It's not just your academic achievements we care about. We couldn't be prouder of the winner of the Cooper prize, but you need to take better care, an education will do you little good if you're dead."

I smiled at this. In the moments I thought I was going to die I remember thinking something similar, how I'd wasted my life wanting things I could never achieve. How much I wished I could have been a doctor before dying, and how much I wished I could have had you.

After I swore I felt better and convinced him of my resolved to do better in looking after myself, he let me go.

It was already late to get back to my residence and you know how the Mrs Beauit nags so. "You're still too pale and sickly" and "have you even eaten over the summer" She said fussing over me. Honestly Anne, do I really still look so ill? I thought I was looking better. I eventually made it back to my old room, still as I remembered it. Believe it or not the books we sorted through were only part of my books all of my other books lay on the bookshelf, (except for my Tennyson book, that stays with me). There was one difference this year however and that was my photo of us sitting on my bedside table, I can fall asleep looking at your beautiful face. I can't wait until it's the real one. It feels such a relief that I no longer have to hide my feelings for you Anne, though I was never good at it in the first place!

Almost immediately upon my door closing the door burst open with Jonathan's exuberance waltzing in the room.

"Gilbert! Thank heavens your back! I heard how bad things got in the summer I thought you would die for sure, I never expected you back this term! Why it must have taken the whole vacation to get as well as you look."

"Why thank you" I replied. (For once someone telling I looked well!) "What a kind thing to say. I'm not at my full strength I'll admit but I managed to fit a lot into a summer."

"What else could you have possibly done? You couldn't have had time to do anything else."

"Perhaps my recovery would have been slower had I not had reason to get better faster, but you see I finally won the heart of the finest of women and we got engaged!"

You should have seen his face as I explained it was you Anne, everyone had been convinced I had got over you and you were engaged to Roy, this is going to take some explaining and you've left me here in Kingsport to explain to everyone! Needless to say he passed on his congratulations.

It must have been past 11 before I finally got to sleep. Please don't be angry at me my love, I didn't mean to make it so late, and if its any consolation I slept well past 11 the next morning. So late I missed church! See a perfect heathen! Well almost, I felt so guilty I sat and read the entire of the book of Proverbs!

I felt like a different man going to classes today Anne My mind felt clearer and sharper then I remember last term. Can you believe today is my first very real step of being a Doctor! I'm a medical student! Every lecturer kept on saying "And we have the winner of the Cooper prize in our midst" or something to that effect, Anne I couldn't be more embarrassed! I'm certain every eye in the room was on me every time, I didn't expect so much attention.

Oh I almost forgot they want me in the advance medical classes for the next three years! Apparently I have the makings to be a top doctor! They kept talking to me as if I was going to work in a hospital for the rest of my life. I'm afraid Anne, to disappoint them when I eventually work up the courage to telling them we're staying on PEI. They all expect so much, Anne my sweet I know it won't make any difference to you, but what if I fail? I'll disappoint everyone. I can't bear to share my fears with anyone but you. They roll their eyes at me if I did, like I was an idiot for thinking I could fail. You would say simply the best words of encouragement to take away my fears. I don't have your imagination so I can't even imagine what they would be. I know I won't receive an answer from you on this for a little while but I still can anticipate your loving words can't I?

I have to get back to studying, I already feel the pressure and it's only the first day.

I can't wait to hear from you Anne to feel close to you again. Just to imagine your voice again brings comfort.

I'm forever yours

Gilbert