The next day, Anne and Diana made their usual trek through Violet Vale and the Birch Woods. The weather was definitely colder but this meant an opportunity to pull out their Winter Wardrobe to show off to all of their friends. Diana was particularly proud of her Scarlet Red Coat with a cape attachment that made it not only warmer but quite becoming. Her matching Hat had a dark fur trim on it that matched her Mother's Coat , which had an added sense of style to it. It made it a little sentimental to her also. Anne herself was quite happy with her Dark Navy Coat with a Black Satin trim. Her Hat also was made to match up with her Coat and the two looked very stylish worn together.
"It is getting quite chilly out now. It won't be long before we will finally have Snow. I am really looking forward to a good Sleigh Ride. I have to write out those notes today to go to your Homes for our Potluck. Do you have suggestions for what I should bring to Ruby's Party?" Anne asked Diana as they carefully made their way across the now icy landscape.
"Something sweet. Would Rachel allow you bring any of her award winning Butter, Anne? If you can, I will bring in Biscuits and Homemade Raspberry Jam." Diana tempted her with a smile.
"I don't see why not? Lucky for you, The Gillis' are kin, so she really cannot refuse a request, now can she?" Anne commented and they smiled together in agreement.
"So, Anne, when will you start tutoring Gilbert?" Diana brought up.
"Why are you so interested?" Anne wondered as she watched the water flow rapidly down the frigid river bed.
"I was just curious. You haven't said much about it lately." Diana tried to explain her reasoning.
"He will be busy when he visits at my House Diana. You aren't planning any unexpected visits are you?"
"No. It was just nice knowing he was in the neighborhood." She offered innocently enough.
"I have to work him pretty hard Diana. He is trying to catch up on two years worth of work. Gilbert has made excellent progress but he has to finish his Algebra and catch up far enough with our class in Geometry if he really hopes to pass the Queens Exam.
Anne told her honestly.
"Gilbert is almost passed his Algebra. How is he doing with Canadian History?" Diana asked.
"He seems interested. He is weak in writing essays but I have faith that in time Gilbert can improve. I just have to help him see how everyday things in life make it special. He is still kind of attached to action and violence. Most young men seem to aspire to it though. He has to be able to see more of the angles to a good story. I have faith that he will succeed with some more attention." Anne sounded confident in her teaching abilities.
"I know if anyone can do it. It will be you Anne. I too was stuck in the tragedy of Death too. Maybe because of the sad way my Grandparents left us it was the easiest way to end a story?" She shrugged her shoulders defensively.
"Perhaps but it is a better story Diana if it somewhat reflects real life. All tragedy tends to bring the reader on an endless tumble downwards." Anne tried to explain hoping Diana could grasp her meaning.
"I guess it does grow predictable after some time. So you think it is better to toss forward and back instead?' Diana pondered the idea.
"I think so. It can be merry or sad. Tragic or both but it needs some of that element to engage the reader. That seems to work best in creative writing. The real challenge though is focusing on a Thesis. This challenges many Students but it is the best way to start a story or a report." She pointed out further.
Anne and Diana soon reached the front doorstep of the Avonlea Schoolhouse and were immediately confronted by a very excited Ruby Gillis.
"Hello Miss Shirley! Oh you aren't going to believe this but there are now more flowers on your desk! Do you have even a clue as to who is doing such a thing as this?" Ruby spoke up almost now out of breathe.
"Well, Ruby I..." Anne started but was quickly stopped suddenly.
"Really, Miss Shirley, it has to be someone who really cares about you. I mean this is the second time now isn't it? I wish someone would leave me flowers. Though I would prefer to know who it is." Jane reasons while Diana and Anne just look at each other pleasantly.
"It is as I told you ladies. I am just overjoyed that I have touched someone's life in such a way to inspire them. I want so much for all of you to look back at this time of your life and smile because it was time well spent." Anne was being usually practical but this was never pleasing to one such as Jane Andrews. She much prefers life to be well defined and orderly.
"I don't really like surprises too much." Jane admitted.
"Oh Jane. We are having fun organizing the Carnivals though aren't we? At least I know I am!" Ruby decided and the girls did all nod in agreement.
"Good. Now let me get into my classroom and see what this little Elf has left for me this time." Anne continued forward, past her enthusiastic students, to make her way over to her desk in the front of the room. There lay a lovely spray of late Autumn blooms. This Elf always seems to be able to find something pink to include in her bouquet. It must have been quite a hunt but well kept Roses bloom almost year round. Anne leaned in to take in the perfumed scent that always came with fresh flowers. These weren't hothouse flowers, she determined by their variety. They were common enough. Someone did put in some time to find these never the less. She went into her supply closet and once again reached for her dependable vase once again. It was such an encouraging act of kindness that she was sure to treasure.
Anne took theses things together and went out by the water pump. While she clipped the ends off of her flowers, students started to wander into the one room Schoolhouse to escape the icy cold morning air. Soon Anne's class was assembled in their seats, ready to face another challenging day of school.
"What a pleasure it is to see all of your happy faces. I realize the weather is getting colder and your incentive to get out of your warm beds must be wavering at times. I know I must wake to see the Sun rising up over the Fir Trees in order to motivate myself when the weather seems almost unkind to me. Yet we are all doing such splendid work here together and you must be proud, even those of you who are struggling, are still closer to achieving our goals set up for you. Everyone has a weakness, something they too must be diligent to overcome. If you tackle it with determination, than you will conqueror it and be ready for the next challenge. I assure you all that it is not done in vain." Anne paused as she looked carefully around the room at her students hopefully. She wishes she could easily give each one what they needed to feel confident with their work.
"Miss Shirley? Where did those pretty flowers come from?" Carrie Sloan felt she could no longer keep her silence in this matter.
"A very sly and careful elfish creature no doubt." She answered whimsically.
"Oh she must mean you Samuel. You are slight and elf like!" Charlie decided and everyone but Sam started to laugh.
"Really now, I haven't got a clue. I am very happy to know my Students think so well of me. I can't tell you how much it means to me to have this opportunity to teach here at my old Schoolhouse. I can assure you all that I keep a special place on my wall for all of the wonderful gifts all of you have given over to me. It all really does make me feel special." Anne spoke with sincerity from deep within her heart and it almost made her cry. Diana could see the tears well up in Miss Shirley's ever changing now gray eyes.
"Enough of this please. We need to get started with today's lessons! So much still needs to be accomplished before our Winter Break." Anne tells them before she turns around to start writing new assignments on the chalkboard.
Her Seniors were busy trying to follow her instructions, so this made it possible for her to address first her younger students. She sat down nearby to lead them forward with their reading aloud.
"Gilbert? Hey Gilbert! What did you get for your Birthday? That case of yours looks new. Did you get it this year?" Moody asked him when Miss Shirley was otherwise involved with her younger students.
"Yes but I can't talk now Moody. Ask me after class." Gilbert replied as he was skimming through his History book looking for answers to the questions Miss Shirley wrote out for him earlier.
"Come on Gilbert. We all want to know! She isn't listening to us right now!" Ruby now spoke up and he crumbled up some unneeded scrap of paper and then just threw it at her.
"What is wrong with you Gilbert? You use to be such a good sport. Now you are becoming just a bore!" Josie said with a snotty attitude. To which Ruby threw out the wadded paper ball at her and hit her square in the mouth!
"Ha, ha, good shot Ruby. Maybe we should teach you how to play Football!" Charlie started in now that he had most of his question already answered.
"Hey, Charlie, where did you find the answer for number four? I can't find it anywhere!" Julia spoke up and then noticed that Josie's face become redder still. She than saw Ruby turn to sneer over at her so Josie raised her arm, aiming to throw the paper ball back at Ruby with a vengeance.
Seeing this, Charlie reached forward and yanked hard on Josie's braided hair, throwing off her aim as well. Jane then, incensed over Charlie's rash action, slammed her desk hard against the back of Charlies chair in front of it.
It was rare when Jane got really mad so the other Seniors, who were just enjoying the show tried hard not to laugh out loud. They were at first shocked by her action but then became delighted to see Charlie get his for something he knew the girls detested.
Anne was focusing on what she was trying to accomplish at the moment and didn't notice their misbehaving. She did though soon realize something was distracting her younger students but first she had to get them going with their lessons..
"Now Tommy, will you please try to stay on task and stop teasing Alice or I will sit you over there in the corner. It seems I can no longer ignore the Seniors who are acting much less mature than the whole lot of you." She announces before rising quickly, swishing her long skirts behind her in a huff. Tommy and Bruce looked over at each other with a sympatric groan but when Carrie looked sternly over at them, they just started to re-open their books to finish up their sums.
Meanwhile, Anne marched over directly and pulled out of Ruby's hand the wad of paper she held tightly in it. She than walked back to the front of the classroom, turned around to face them and sat herself on the front of her desk, not in the mood to bother with what some of her students might imagine of her.
"So please tell me why it is that you feel you must throw things across the room at each other right now?" Anne peered around at all of them impatiently.
The room fell completely silent, as if the students were unaware of the crime . They found themselves nervously looking forward and backwards in search for her answers.
"I see. No one has a tongue today. Can you not just do your class work so that we can move on to more interesting subjects?" She tried to reason with them but Ruby and Diana found they had a sudden case of the giggles.
"What is so funny?" Anne looked at the girls searching for a reason for this interruption.
"I'm not trying to laugh at all Miss Shirley. It just can't be helped. It was funny seeing the look on Josie and Jane's faces. I really don't mean to laugh. It just comes out sometimes!" Diana confessed and the rest of the Seniors started to laugh over her confession. That is except for Josie, Julia and Jane, who did not find it too amusing at all. Well, Julia was having some difficulty not laughing but the look on Josie's face was enough to kill the moment. It would not be right for her to laugh at her friend even though she agreed, they all did look very funny.
"Can't all of you see? If we don't finish our work we won't have a recess? That was my point. Though someone didn't think it was very important to them!" Gilbert queried and Jane humphed her agreement.
"Gilbert's right! I only slammed your desk Charlie because no matter how bothersome Josie might be at times, you have no right to pull her poor hair off of her head!" Jane claimed sharply.
"As you all can very well see, Miss Andrews, said "hair" is still firmly attached to the..well to Josie's head! She just doesn't listen. You act like a spoiled brat Josie, that's what!" Charlie found the words he longed to say to her face to face.
"I am not! How can you say that to me Charles Sloan. It's just plain mean!" Josie's eyes were watery but her anger was boiling over.
"Because it's true! You are always jumping into others conversations. Especially if you know they disagree. It's as if you are looking for a fight!" Gilbert added because he knew they were going to be punished for this outburst any ways.
"How can you? I didn't start it! We just asked a simple question. I was in agreement, so I spoke up. Is that now forbidden, Mr. Blythe? Ever since Gilbert's been back he thinks he can boss everyone here around!" Josie said lost in her own frustration.
"He has the right to tell you to be quiet if he doesn't want to answer your stupid questions, Josie Pye!" Diana chimes in to chastise her and defend her friend.
"Oh be quiet, Diana! You're just as bad. Gilbert never use to be this way. Everyone is acting as if they are such perfect little Students! It's just shameful!" Josie added now looking through her pockets for a handkerchief to wipe them up with.
"Better than Monkeys in the Zoo!" Charlie hinted and everyone started to laugh once more.
"Now all of you please hear what I have to say now. All of you have been at a disadvantage because of your previous Teacher's lack of dedication to his task. You all know Miss Stacey would never allow such things to go on in the classroom when she was here and neither will I now. I am sure it was quite entertaining being able to do and speak as you would like to. Unfortunately, as many of you are finding out. He failed to prepare you for the discipline and mental demands of a distinguished school like Queens Academy. I know not all of you are planning on attending High School but we must have some compassion for those who are working hard to achieve their goals. I did not finish my Teaching Degree without hard work and study. Why, I still am a student as well, now at Redmond. I take my classes by correspondence. So not only do I teach, help run my Families Farm but I do Homework just like all of you do too!" Anne lectured while her students fidgeted in their seats. Most of them still grumbling over their previous disagreement.
"Perhaps but you don't have to sit in a classroom with such immature students, like I do!" Josie spoke out while the rest of Seniors just groaned at her complaint.
"One more point I feel I should make is that I teach five levels of students here in this Schoolhouse. When you misbehave, you distract me from my younger students. That puts them behind. I hope you will all be more thoughtful of others in the future. You have plenty of time during recess and after school to discuss your personal business elsewhere. I'm sorry but no one here is free from guilt in this matter and I expect things to improve greatly in the future." She looked at them all with such reproach and it silenced the room. They rarely ever saw Miss Shirley cross but they could all tell something was making her short tempered.
They all forced themselves to remain on task this time. They really didn't want to be punished and have to spend even more time in this pent up room. Anne's class worked through their assignment, anxious to finally reach the end of the school day. When it finally came, everyone was right back on task, bugging Gilbert about his mysterious birthday present.
Gilbert watched annoyed as many insisted on unsnapping clasps, unzippering zippers and just being noisy. Since he still hid the note inside of it, when someone grabbed for that pocket in his case he just reached forward and put it closer besides him, ending their search through his things.
"So now, Gilbert, who gave you that satchel? Not your Parents." Josie spoke up breaking her silence because her curiosity had the best of her..
"A friend of mine. My Parents gave me a new suit and money. Aunts and Uncles gave me clothes, puzzles and some money as well. Most of my Relatives give me money now for School. Hey, I got some flowers too!" He smiled proudly to stump them.
"Really? How quaint. So, some mystery person gave you that book bag. Did they just leave it on your porch? In a brown paper wrapping?" Julia asked sarcastically.
"How did you know? Did you leave it for me, Julia? Do you still care very much for me now?" Gilbert teased her shamefully.
"Hardly! You know I've gotten over you Gilbert. A long time ago. Though not to worry. We will always be friends, right?" Julia looks back for his acknowledgment.
"Good enough. I would've been so grieved if a freckled faced girl disliked me so!" He says now grinning fiendishly.
"Why must you be so obsessed with freckles Gilbert? It's such a queer attraction for a boy." Josie complains while Julia just gives her a mean look of warning.
"Is it queer for a girl to like freckles?" He put the question back at Josie to annoy her more.
"I would suppose so!" Josie answered him stubbornly.
"I myself, find them very entertaining. Especially when I can't think of anything left to say. Though Josie, I don't think I like all girls with freckles especially. Just certain ones in particular you might say." He replies suggestively
"Like Miss Shirley?" Josie couldn't resist saying so. Her jealousy usually was compelled by little reason most of the time.
"She's a very attractive young Woman. I'm a guy after all. I can't help but notice a pretty girl it seems." Gil said matter of fact.
"Miss Shirley may act all grown-up but she's only sixteen! She really does think she is so mature but really, she is younger than my sister Gertie after all. There are plenty of attractive girls here in Avonlea if you really bothered to look around and notice them." Josie objected, left in cruel disappointment.
"Of course there are Josie. Though only one of them is the right girl for me. All good things come to those who wait but only if you work diligently towards your goals. Two people have to be able to talk together Josie without much fighting. That is if you want a match to work. At least it matters to me." Gilbert explained exasperated by Josie's constant interferences and insistence of his attention.
" Well at least you have gotten over me. There is nothing wrong with having freckles Josie." Julia commented in her defense.
"I see you are talking to me again Josie. What do I owe this honor too?" Gilbert looked over at Josie to catch her response.
"It's hard to ignore someone you see every day at school. At least you had the decency to drive me back Home. I'm sure you must feel terribly, after the way you acted, giving it more thought." Josie pronounced unable to ignore the conversation but also not willing yet to admit defeat. Especially in the presence of her school mates.
"So I see. It was a very rough day and not at all as I planned it out to be like. I am only thankful that Miss Shirley got over her fever and was able to come back to teach for us. Mr. Andrews hadn't a clue what we were suppose to be doing in class." He said ignoring Miss Pye's lack of apology or recognition of her own bad temper at the Hotel.
" I know I won't miss him at all. " Julia added in agreement with Gilbert's statement while Josie remained silent because Gilbert didn't really apologize to her when she felt that he should.
I still say though that two people, who want to be together, should be happy and be able to come to an agreement without a lot of meddling and back talk." Gilbert decided.
"What do you mean by talking? About what? You just do your chores and shop. Get Married and have a Family. Why must you make things so complicated?" Josie felt he that he made everything harder than it had to be.
"I don't think you really understand. There is so much knowledge out in the World to gather up and analyze for further inspection. We are constantly learning new things and I believe that makes our lives more successful. I feel I have to be prepared for what lies ahead of me. Right now that means I have to study. I am still behind but I hope that after this Winter I will be able to write a proper Essay. I'll Master Algebra and catch up with everyone in Geometry by the Springtime. I must if I expect to pass the Queens Exam." Gilbert laid out hoping she could see what is going on his life right now. Not that he really expected her to care. She had none of these burdens to bear as it stood.
"Geometry is so easy! You'll catch on in a snap! When you meet up with the upper class, we can work together on it if you would like." Josie thought she found the perfect solution for his troubles.
"Thank you Josie. I have a Tutor or I mean will start very soon. If only you lived closer but I am afraid you are too far away from our Farm." Gilbert told her feeling relieved by that fact.
"You could always ride over for a visit. Then we could study together? That is if you really wanted to." She suggested but already she could see Gilbert was losing interest.
"Miss Shirley and Miss Barry are but a stones throw away from me. I really have little free time for visiting. My work is very demanding. You know how my Father is and I must help at my Uncle's Farm as well." He admitted showing signs of weariness but he rather not think of everything he has to do. School is one of his few escapes from a life he was starting to dread right now.
"Well, it won't be my fault then if you fail the Exam. I know I won't. I tried to offer you my help but obviously you think much too much of yourself. To think you use to be such a good and decent boy. That is before you left for Alberta." Josie lamented lost now in her own self-pity.
" Really now Josie. How you do go on with this topic." Julia just felt Josie gets too obsessed over her dealings with Gilbert. Whom she knows is completely gone on Miss Shirley right now.
"Actually, Josie, I was a brat! I pulled girls hair, called them names and even started fights out of sheer boredom. Yet even then Josie, it was Julia that I kind of liked but it was just a crush. I never said I liked her anymore than any other girl. Frankly Josie. I really didn't think much of them as a girlfriend. I'm in no rush to get hitched. I have a very demanding future ahead of me, so to match me up with anyone is really wishful thinking right now. So why is it so hard for you to just get over it Josie?" He confronted her annoyed at her persistence.
"What's wrong with you then Gilbert? Don't you even like girls, at all?" She felt there just had to be something wrong with this kind of thinking.
"Josie, why are we talking about this again? You know there will be plenty of boys at Queens." Julia stated.
"I don't care. I want Gilbert to answer my question. It's not about you now Julia." Josie told her almost rudely. Julia just glared over at Josie and then turned her attention to the out reaching fields besides her. They were much more interesting than Josie bent on bothering Gilbert as much as she possibly can.
"I know some guys want to hurry up and get together with a girl. I just want a few good friends. Both boys and girls. I didn't meet anyone who made me really want to. Moody, even Charlie haven't anyone they care for like that either. Fred Wright still isn't Married and neither is Billy Andrews. There's nothing wrong with being patient. You live with your Parents Josie. No one is going to push you out the door while you go to school here in Avonlea." He tried to explain because he knew she was worried. He just wasn't going to be the guy who was going to rescue her from her lofty tower. He still believed a prize is something that you really want to have to keep. Not just put on display for your friends.
"You were just being a boy back then, Gilbert. At least you weren't as mean as Charlie is or as boring or bratty as Moody. I always thought he was so dumb, bringing snakes and frogs to school. Then Samuel had crickets! You at least were funny. Sometimes Charlie is. I just miss Mr. Phillips. When he was here, it was fun to come to school. Miss Shirley is all work, work, work! It seems everyone has become quite a bore. Now Julia is talking about going off to High School in Montreal. Of all places! I am starting to feel left out of it all." Josie came to a place even Gilbert now could understand. He came back to Avonlea and all of his peers had moved onto Queens. Now he just felt stuck in a room full of little kids. Maybe he liked being around Miss Shirley because he knows she can relate to his troubles. She too had to catch up with her work. She took on responsibility willingly with a good heart. His peers seemed to still be rebelling against their Parents or not burdened with the chore of having to earn their way to a better education. This he felt was separating them more and more as the days rushed by him.
." Well Josie, don't blame me for wanting to live somewhere that has so much more to offer me. Montreal is an exciting place to live. I'm sure I will be quite happy attending school with my Cousins. Especially knowing some of them have already passed most of their courses." Julia made her reasons known. Much to Josie's obstinate disapproval.
"Yet you won't have me there to help you with your studies. I'm sure Montreal is nothing like Queens. Cities are dirty and the people there hardly know each others names for that matter." Josie told her in a snotty manner.
"It's my choice and the shopping in the City is wonderful. If you are nice Josie, maybe they will call you up for a visit in the Spring." Julia offered her olive branch, hoping to ease Josie's distress over her leaving soon.
"I'm not sure that I'd want to. Perhaps, if I can find the time. I will miss seeing you almost everyday I'm sure after a while." She confessed but it didn't sound very heart felt, so Julia just let it go for now.
Gilbert did want to be a part of the fun but he didn't want it to interfere with what he really wanted to have in his life. Everything depended on his ability to succeed with his future plans. He really didn't care where Julia or Josie for that matter went to school right now. It seemed though that they were going to walk home in his direction until the road forked ahead of them.
"I don't understand you sometimes Gilbert. I mean, I do want to get Married and take care of my own House. Mother and I don't disagree over that. It's just nothing seems the same anymore. No one wants to stay in Avonlea. There just aren't many local boys to really choose from. Now we girls must run off to College and take on Careers if we are to have any merit these days! I just don't want that kind of life. Avonlea is my Home. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Housewife. It is a noble and respectable position for a lady to maintain." Josie poured out her beliefs valiantly while Gilbert tried desperately to stay up with this conversation.
"Of course it is Josie. Yet some Women, are quite bright too! They deserve the right to compete and gain honors for their accomplishments as well. If anything, it will make Men stand up and be more accountable for their behavior towards Women. Somewhere along the line Men got the idea that they were not so smart and that bad idea has ruined a lot of Families when a crisis appears. I think we should all strive to be our very best. We need to be able to provide for our Families and be of good service, so Reverend Allan reminds us to be. I think that should be preserved as much as possible." Gilbert said pondering his ideas. He still wanted his Wife to be more at home but he didn't feel she shouldn't have a good education. He felt confident it will help his children learn their lessons and help her manage a Home wisely. She must be busy enough not to cause trouble for him or the neighbors. She should read books instead of gossiping about the neighbors. He decided this was important to him.
"Gilbert's right Josie. It's important that we not be labeled dull or naive." Julia pointed out.
"I quite agree that a Mother should be in the Home. There is so much that needs to be kept up there. There is not enough time for a proper Housewife to work outside of her Home when there is still work that needs to be done. It's just selfish!" Josie remarks. "Though I do believe, Gilbert, some Women are not suited to Marriage though. They are much too flighty. Never happy just doing the work necessary to make a good Home comfortable and welcome. They really have no family roots. So they may as well have a good education so that they can support themselves at least. I know I however will not suffer such a fate. Queens will be enough for me"
"True, I believe in good Family Traditions as well. Though we must accept some change. I think good use of your free time and being productive with it, is time well spent. It is easy to slip into idle gossip or ceaseless chatter of no worth. It is important to keep currant with your studies so that your children will have a good education. I enjoy a good debate now and then. As well as keeping up with my reading. It keeps a conversation lively." Gilbert eyes twinkled as he shared this intimate detail.
"I suppose so. Arguments are to be expected in any relationship. They are best settled and over with. It's not right to carry on so. But we should know our rightful places in the Home. If we honor them, there should be little disagreement. I don't see how anything we learn though in High School or College that will solve these problems for us at Home" Josie points out.
"It think learning to be a good debater and logical thinker helps a person reason better. At least I can Fish, too! I do understand there are important things we learn at Home that often get ignored in a classroom. We did some camping when I was up North earlier. Father and I had to fix our own meals then. I learned to cook. It wasn't too hard to fix it all up. I get bored and keep Mother company sometimes. Though it is a lot of work. I hope I will be successful enough so I can employ a Housekeeper. It's just so much work for us all. I want to still have some fun when I grow up." Gilbert grinned.
"Fun? You mean like Plays, Concerts and such? That would be nice to have time to do. You must be planning on a very important Profession. Whatever do you want to do with your life than Gilbert? Aren't you taking over your Families Farm?" Josie looked over at him confused.
"Well those are all fun things to do. Even getting out there, rowing on the Lake or riding through the Meadows is better than wearing out the sofa. I'd like to think my future Wife has a bit of adventure in her, now and then. I haven't made up my mind yet, Josie of what path I should follow. There are so many good Professions to choose from. Hopefully I will know by this Spring. I just know I'm not cut out to be a Rancher. I rather have a job that requires a suit and tie. I know I must decide before I go on to Queens. I don't want to waste my time and I haven't the money to pay for courses that won't get me ahead. Maybe I'll do some Teaching too. Someone has to keep these kids in line and help them learn something" Gilbert stated.
"But how will you be able to afford all of that? Teacher's don't make much money. Your Father isn't well to do now Gilbert. I know you are very quick to learn but even Queens costs money to attend." Josie pointed out.
"That is why I will compete for scholarships and work my way through. This is my choice so if I want to be something more than just a Farmer I will have to put in my share." He explains further.
"I suppose they could at least pay for Queens. I should go to Queens as well. It is how things go in my Family of course. I'm just so bored with school. It seems like it will never end, Gilbert. What use is any of this in keeping up a House?" Josie questioned him honestly.
"Oh Josie! How you bore me so with your complaining! School is just something that you must do. I know I don't want to be left behind. Of course a Lady of good standing must be able to carry on a decent conversation. That is if she expects her future Husband to get ahead." Julia tells her exasperated over Josie's lack of insight into the future.
"Queens will be different, Josie. We will have so many choices. Plus we will be able to focus more on subjects. There will be students from all over P.E.I. That must sound interesting to you. Like Julia mentioned, you at least don't want to be one of those girls who cannot talk of anything but how to braid their hair now do you?" Gilbert tried to encourage Josie because he knew she had some knack for learning. She just needed to be motivated some.
"I think that even though Miss Shirley pushes us, she is doing her best to make learning fun. Don't you enjoy reading out loud? Aren't you looking forward to the Winter Carnival, Josie?" Julia tried some more ideas.
" Your are right. It will be nice to be a part of all of that. I do enjoy acting so much! I'm looking forward to singing too! Though it was mean and selfish of you to refuse to sing with us. Why do you try to avoid your old friends?" Josie believed, feeling ignored again by Gilbert.
"I have a big part in the Play. Plus all of the Sledding Events to organize. I really don't have the time. Besides, singing is not one of my greatest accomplishment. I am passable but not really a soloist. You will do quite well with Moody and Samuel. I believe you know this too. You have nothing to gain by trying to ask me to feel guilty." Gilbert told her bluntly.
"It just isn't fair. You will come to Julia's though won't you? For our practice? We plan on putting out quite a good spread. All kinds of jams, jellies and cakes. You'll get to help judge what we should bring with us to the Carnival. How can you resist that invitation?" She had so much to lose if she completely alienated him.
" Yes, Gilbert. You must come while Josie is in a better mood. Next week she may feel differently" Julia commented since she knew earlier, Josie would not even speak of Gilbert but now she could hardly leave him alone.
"I will try my best to make it. Is Miss Shirley coming along? It would help if we could have her opinion of our performances." Gilbert asked logically and Josie tried to hide her scorn.
"The invitation was open to all who are involved in the Play. So of course she is invited to come. Whether she shows up or not is up to her." Julia explained while Josie wondered if Gilbert could think of no one else but Miss Shirley? She was beginning to think it was doubtful.
"I guess we will see then. It was partly my idea so I will make a real effort to be there." Gilbert reminded her as he changed hands to move his books to his other side.
"That will be good enough then Gilbert. You have many important parts in this Play. If you fail to show up, I suppose Charlie could stand up for you instead." Julia chooses much to Gilbert's resentment. He couldn't understand why these girls didn't have more to do with their time? This practice though was important and it really was his intention to come to it. If only in hope that his favorite Teacher will be there to keep him company.
"I would almost come just to see Charlie try to play Marley. Like I said, it was something I feel is important to do. It just isn't very easy for me to find the free time these days. I keep getting more and more work pushed onto me from my Father. With that and my studies, it is hard to get away.
Well I need to head off this way so I will see you both tomorrow at school." Gilbert finally felt free to think of what he now thought was important to contemplate.
He wondered how was ever going to get Josie to understand. He was in love with someone else. After the Recital at White Sands, seeing Anne as he imagined her to look like in the near future. She was so beautiful in that emerald colored dress. He was starting to like her hair all pinned up but often found himself still wishing it was also falling down around her shoulders almost as much. She was fair and when he ran his fingers across her cheek he couldn't help but want to gather her up into his arms and kiss her. All he could think about now was a life they both could build together. Yet he knew his dreams would have to be his well kept secret. At least until he finishes up this school year. They had the Winter time to work together though and that hopefully meant a few more opportunities for them to be alone. He liked that idea. If only he could get out of playing Hockey this year but it wouldn't be right or fair to the others. He had so much to do though. He still wanted to take on some extra work, taking up the slack his Cousin, Malcolm is leaving behind so that he can work at the Docks in Kingsport. It will just be crazy but he wanted to take advantage of the extra earnings while he can. He wished Anne's gift wasn't so generous. He knew he couldn't match it but he also knew it was the significance of any gift that would matter the most. He really wanted to give Anne something special for Christmas. Maybe he would give it to her at the Winter Ball? Wouldn't that be romantic enough even to please Anne?" He wondered as walked along the well worn red road ahead of him.
He made it back the rest of the way Home. Once he arrived, he ate a snack of Apple Cobbler with some milk before heading out to move the Cattle.