A/N: Thanks to everyone who is reading and reviewing. I always love to hear your thoughts and comments.
All these characters belong to LMM.
Chapter 4 – 'Football Season'
"After the football season opens I won't have any spare Saturday afternoons. Do you know that Gilbert of yours has been elected Captain of the Freshmen football team?"
- Anne of the Island, Chapter VI, 'In the Park'
Charlie Sloane was sitting comfortably on one of Miss Ada's cushions at Thirty-eight St John's Street one Friday night. Noticing the dismayed glances exchanged between Priscilla and Anne the moment Charlie sat down, Gilbert was wondering whether he ought to intervene and ask Charlie to do something in order to get him off the cushion.
"Did you know the football season is starting next week?" Charlie asked the girls.
"Yes, one of the girls in my Classics class told me so today," Priss replied.
"Oh, are you going to play for the team, Charlie?" Anne enquired, sounding a little surprised.
"Well, no," Charlie admitted. "Of course, as Captain of the Freshmen team, Gilbert did ask me to play, but I would much prefer to concentrate on studying."
"You're the Captain of the team, Gilbert?" Anne spun around to face him, her grey eyes sparkling. "How wonderful! You didn't tell me that."
"Yes," Gilbert nodded. "Ever since Rush Week, the boys seem to think I have some kind of leadership ability. Anyway, I think it will be fun."
"I certainly don't want to occupy my time at college with something as frivolous as sport," Charlie declared. "I'm a serious student. All Sloanes are, you know."
Anne raised her eyebrows slightly and Gilbert grinned at her with his eyes twinkling merrily.
"That's right," Gilbert said. "I was very impressed with Charlie's dedication to his studies."
"Phil told me she absolutely loves football and I think she plans on being at all the games," Priscilla offered, her eyes sliding towards Gilbert mischievously.
"Well, I'll watch the games, naturally," said Charlie. "It's important to offer my support to the Freshmen team, but no need for me to play. I could escort you girls to the games if you like?"
"I'm not sure that Anne and Priscilla will want to come to all the games, Charlie," Gilbert said.
"Oh, no, Gilbert," Anne shook her head with her hands clasped together in front of her excitedly. "I'd love to watch you playing. We'll definitely come to the game next week, won't we, Prissy?"
"Oh yes," Priscilla replied with a toothy smile at Gilbert. "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"We could all go together then," suggested Gilbert. "Why don't Charlie and I meet you here first and we'll walk to the field with you?"
Accordingly, the first Saturday of the football season, Gilbert and Charlie proceeded to collect the girls from Thirty-eight St John's and take them to the game. Gilbert was surprised to find that Philippa Gordon was also waiting in the parlour when he and Charlie arrived.
"Good afternoon, Gilbert," said Phil, smiling winningly and holding out her hand daintily for him to shake. "I was simply thrilled when I heard you're the Captain of the Freshmen team. How divine! I hope you don't mind me tagging along to the game with you today?"
"Not at all, Phil," Gilbert smiled warmly. "It's always delightful to have you along with us."
"How do you like my outfit?" Phil asked artlessly, twirling around in front of Gilbert. "I had it made especially to wear to the games. Isn't it killing?"
Phil was wearing a white cashmere woollen cap with two jaunty red stripes across it. Her matching sweater was expensively made and the whole ensemble suited her brown tresses and creamy complexion perfectly. Phil fluttered her eyelashes prettily, and the soft fuzzy cap atop her head reminded Gilbert of those kittens more than ever.
"You look lovely, Miss Gordon," Gilbert said, resisting the urge to pat her on the head affectionately.
Phil seemed pleased with this response and Priscilla looked as though something was amusing her hugely.
Gilbert glanced over at Anne, expecting her to find Phil entertaining, too. But Anne had her back to him and she was fussing to hurriedly remove her coat from where it hung on the hook by the front door.
"Here, let me help you, Anne," Gilbert said, reaching up to gently remove her coat from the hook for her.
As he did so, his fingers brushed against hers briefly and Gilbert thrilled at the tiny shiver which ran down his arm from the contact. Anne jerked her hand away from his as though she'd been burned and he wondered if she'd felt the frisson, too.
Turning towards her, Gilbert held out Anne's coat for her.
"Thank you, Gilbert," she mumbled, as she took it from him hurriedly, and wound her scarf around her neck.
"We should hurry," Charlie announced, offering an arm each to Phil and Priscilla. "I want to get a good view of the game."
Gilbert seized the opportunity to offer Anne his arm. He felt a warmth spread through his chest when Anne slipped her slender fingers into the crease of his elbow, and Gilbert smiled when he saw the tiny ribbon of red and white pinned to the lapel of Anne's coat.
"I simply adore football," Phil told Gilbert, tucking her free hand into Gilbert's other arm as they all set off. "And I can promise you that I won't be missing watching a single game, Captain."
"Well, I'm thrilled to hear that," Gilbert replied, grinning. "Your support means so much to the team, Phil."
When they arrived at the football field, Gilbert made a point of making sure that the girls would be seated with the best view of the game.
"If you sit here quite close to the sideline, you'll get the best view of all the plays," he told Anne. "And you'll be protected by those trees behind you, so it shouldn't be too windy either."
"I don't mind the breeze, Gilbert," said Anne, grinning and rubbing her gloved hands together. "Isn't this exciting?"
Two delicious spots of red coloured her cheeks from the crisp autumn air and Anne smiled delightedly as she sat down.
"But, there's a chill in the air today," Gilbert said, removing his overcoat. "Here, you can put my jacket over your legs if you like."
"Thank you," Anne murmured as he carefully placed the coat on her lap.
Anne smiled and tucked the edge of his coat under her legs as Gilbert turned and jogged over to join the rest of the team, grinning expansively. The other boys were lined up with their eyes wide as they looked from Gilbert to the girls and back again. Then they crowded around him excitedly, all talking at once.
"Well, Blythe, aren't you going to introduce us to your friends?"
"So, arriving with just one girl isn't enough for you, Gil?"
"How do you know Philippa Gordon?"
"Which one is Anne Shirley?"
"She's the redhead, you dunce, haven't you been paying attention?"
"Will you introduce me to the fair haired one?"
"Of course, boys," Gilbert replied magnanimously and still grinning. "Why don't you come over and I'll introduce you to the girls now?"
The other boys from the team raced over to the girls and Gilbert chuckled at the looks on their faces.
"Gentlemen, may I introduce you to Miss Philippa Gordon?" Gilbert said, sweeping his arm out towards her.
"How do you do, Miss Gordon?" The boys all surged forward at once, holding their hands out to her eagerly in greeting.
"I'm delighted to meet you, boys," Phil smiled as she held her hand out gracefully. "I adore football, you know."
Phil looked pleased to receive the attention as each boy shook her hand in turn and Gilbert introduced them all politely.
"This is Miss Priscilla Grant," Gilbert went on.
The boys all shook Priscilla's hand, smiling almost as eagerly as they had Phil's.
"And this is Anne Shirley," Gilbert said, grinning proudly.
"Oh, you're Anne Shirley," one of the boys said knowingly, as he shook Anne's hand.
"And I think most of you already know Charlie Sloane."
"Hello, Sloane," a few of them muttered unenthusiastically.
"We'll look forward to speaking with you girls after the game."
"We'll be watching," Phil promised.
As the boys turned and walked back to the side of the field, Gilbert heard Anne's voice calling out to him.
"Good luck, Gilbert!" she smiled and waved at him impulsively.
Gilbert turned his head and looked back at Anne over his shoulder. He grinned and winked at her, waving as he enjoyed seeing the expression of excitement on her face.
Behind Anne, Philippa Gordon was fluttering her fingers next to her cheek and smiling at the same time that she mouthed "Good luck, Gilbert" with one eyebrow raised. Then she blew a kiss to him before waving again. As usual, Gilbert found Phil highly entertaining and he laughed as he turned back to the rest of the team.
The football game was, as Gilbert expected, a huge amount of fun for him. It felt good to run and shout and kick the ball with the boys after several weeks of studying with very little exercise. To top it off, the Freshmen team won the match in a closely fought game against the Sophomores.
At the conclusion of the game, Charlie Sloane looked as proud as if he was personally responsible for the winning score.
Gilbert immediately ran over to talk to Anne. Several of the other boys from the team were following close behind him, with their eyes trained on Phil.
"Oh, that was wonderful, Gilbert," Phil declared. "What an exciting game!"
"Thank you, Phil," Gilbert smiled politely at Phil.
"Oh, Gilbert, that was so thrilling to watch!" Anne exclaimed, her grey eyes sparkling. Gilbert noticed that his coat was still tucked around her legs. "I never dreamed you could kick a football so far."
"I'm glad you enjoyed it, Anne," he grinned. As he spoke, a trickle of perspiration ran down the side of his face. He reached up to wipe it with his sleeve.
"You're soaked, Gilbert," Anne observed. She placed his coat beside her, then stood up and retrieved her handkerchief from her pocket, and began gently wiping his face with it.
Gilbert's breath was caught in his throat and his heart had started thudding in his chest as he felt Anne's fingers gently mopping the moisture from his brow. It took a few moments before Gilbert felt able to speak again.
"Thank you," he managed to gasp shakily.
"You're welcome," Anne smiled as she handed him her handkerchief. "You can probably do the rest yourself."
Gilbert took the handkerchief from her, twisting the soft fabric around his fingers as he continued to dab at his face with it.
"Miss Gordon, would you like to come to the party we're having tonight?" one of the other boys asked Phil. "Campbell's hosting it to celebrate our victory."
"Yes, do come," the others agreed eagerly, crowding even closer around Phil.
"Oh, I'd love to join you, boys," Phil smiled delightedly. "Will you be attending, Gilbert?"
"Yes, I think so," Gilbert was still looking at Anne and smiling. "Would you and Priscilla like to come, too, Anne?"
"That sounds like fun," Anne said. "We'd love to come, wouldn't we, Prissy?"
Priscilla nodded in agreement and Gilbert grinned, feeling far more exhilarated by Anne's answer than winning the game.
"Thank you for the use of your coat," Anne smiled, handing it back to him. "It really was a little cool, so I was glad to have it."
"Are you sure you don't want to keep wearing it then?" Gilbert asked gallantly.
"Oh no, you must wear it, Gilbert," Anne shook her head in protest. "I wouldn't want you to catch a chill."
Gilbert grinned as he took the coat from her and noticed that it still felt warm from where it had rested on Anne's lap as he slipped his arms through the sleeves. He carefully slipped Anne's folded handkerchief into his pocket.
"What time will we pick you girls up tonight?" Gilbert asked as they strolled back to St John's.
"Arthur said he would meet me at eight o'clock," Phil announced.
"Eight o'clock it is then," Gilbert grinned.
The rest of the first term flew by on wings of wind. Before he knew it, Gilbert was in the middle of Christmas examinations, and was gratified that the honour of leading the Freshmen classes fluctuated between him, Anne and Phil.
By the second term at Redmond, Gilbert was in full chase after a scholarship, but still found plenty of time every week for visits at Thirty-eight St John's.
Gilbert soon discovered that there were other regular male visitors convening in the becushioned parlour who seemed just as keen as he was to gain Anne's attention and all seeking to discuss 'ologies and 'isms with her. He was also shrewd enough to notice that the best way for him to maintain Anne's attention and keep her close was to be the boy-comrade of Avonlea days, sparring energetically with Anne in the debates, and making her laugh as often as possible.
On this particular evening, there was a lanky Freshie named Crawford, a short, round Sophomore whose name Gilbert always forgot and a tall Junior named Smythe who were all dancing attendance on Anne. There were several more visiting Priscilla and Charlie Sloane was sitting bolt upright on one of Miss Ada's prized cushions opposite Gilbert.
The group were involved in a heated discussion on the merits of Stoic philosophy.
"The Roman Stoics were far superior to the philosophers of today, don't you agree, Anne?" the short Sophomore avowed. "Just look at Cato the Younger."
"Surely Cato was too extreme an example, Brown?" Mr Smythe argued.
Ah, yes. Brown, that's it, Gilbert thought to himself. No wonder he always forgot the fellow's name.
"I agree with Smythe," Crawford was nodding his head vigorously. "What Cato did to facilitate his own suicide was taking stoicism too far."
Why would Crawford mention such a dreadful happening as Cato's suicide? Gilbert glanced at Anne, who looked as though she might enter into the fray.
"Please, Crawford, remember there's ladies present," Mr Smythe admonished severely.
"My apologies to you, ladies," Crawford nodded contritely to Anne and Priscilla in turn.
"What about Seneca?" Gilbert offered in an effort to move the discussion along. "His De Brevitate Vitae poses many interesting ideas about living wisely."
Anne was seated next to Gilbert this evening and he felt a shiver run through his body when she leaned closer to whisper in his ear as the others argued together. He smiled as he tilted his head down towards Anne's face, trying not to think of what it might feel like if she were to kiss him.
"Miss Ada was beside herself after last time, Gilbert," Anne whispered, with her slender white hand resting lightly on his broad shoulder. He could feel her warm breath tickling the curls at his ear. "Will you please help me to do something about Charlie sitting on that cushion?"
Gilbert turned his face towards her and Anne's huge grey eyes were imploring him so charmingly that he felt as though he were drowning in their sparkling depths.
"Certainly, Anne," Gilbert breathed as he gazed into her eyes. "What do you suggest we do?"
"I was hoping you might have some ideas?" Anne asked hopefully.
They were still staring at each other, and Gilbert's nose was mere inches from Anne's when Phil Gordon entered the room.
"I am longing for a game of Euchre," Phil announced to the room at large as she floated across to the little card table in the corner. "Gilbert, you may be my partner and Charlie, you will play with Queen Anne. Mr Brown, do be a dear and make me a cup of tea, would you?"
As Phil smiled sweetly at Mr Brown, who leapt eagerly from his seat to follow her bidding, Anne breathed a sigh of gratitude and her hand slid from Gilbert's shoulder as she stood up.
"What a wonderful idea, Phil," Anne smiled, turning towards Charlie. "Come along, Charlie. Let's show these two how it's done."
Gilbert rose from his seat and walked with Anne across the room. Charlie grinned delightedly as he stood up to join in the game, too, and he looked smugly over his shoulder at the other boys in the room.
"I'd be delighted, Anne," said Charlie. "But remember, no table talk. Sloanes like to win."
"I wouldn't dream of it, Charlie," Anne replied with her eyes dancing, glancing sideways at Gilbert.
As they sat down at the table, Gilbert smiled and winked at Anne.
"Are you ready to be trounced, Miss Shirley?" he challenged.
"Oh, I think you and Phil will be the ones on the receiving end of the defeat," Anne grinned.
"Oh, for heaven's sake, you two," Phil groaned, rolling her eyes as she picked up the deck of cards and started shuffling them expertly. "Stop with the rivalry for just one moment, would you? Now, come on, I'll be the first dealer."
