"Wait up Charlie! What does Josie have to do with all of this?" Moody spoke up though his eyes were still focused on Gilbert. He wondered now if Gilbert was still playing both girls in this game for attention?
"Oh, that!" Charlie came back with a chuckle. Moody could be so naive at times Charlie mused to himself.
" Moody, I don't know why you worry about what she says about me." Gilbert offered feeling uncomfortable being put into such a defensive pose.
"If you asked me, and I believe you did, I'd say the boy is playing for both sides?" Charlie said trying to hold back a smart alecky smirk.
"I don't see why you have to be so nice to all of the girls, Gilbert? I think Charlie is right about that." Moody admitted, finally, in defene.
"Who doesn't work up a back-up plan when playing a game of Hockey?" Charlie offered up while Gilbert found himself counting some stars in the sky now in an attempt to stay calm. He knew Charlie was doing this to raise his anger but Miss Shirley specifically pressed that they couldn't solve all of their problems with fighting. He at least was trying to act more grown-up and mature. He than straighten up his posture, feeling that this move, made him look more sincere,
"You have a point, Charlie. I wish you would just make up your mind Gilbert?" Moody spoke up with a hurt tone escaping from his throat.
"Moody, will you please? Stop listening to Charlie's talk because he is just making this stuff up. You know how I feel. I'm sure so does Mr. Sloane! It just makes Charlie happy to think he can just make up stories that will get your attention."
"Then how do you explain what Miss Pye tells me?" Charlie challenged Gilbert with a raised eyebrow in question.
"I said it was just nothing, Charlie."
"So Josie tells you, Moody, something and then confidentially tells me otherwise?" Charlie grins amused at his friends reactions to his words.
"Josie gets all sorts of ideas in her head. Who can keep up with her?" He answered back with a look of sheer annoyance. Gilbert looked away trying to figure out why these two care at all about what he does with his free time?
"You two can fight it all out later on. Miss Shirley is waiting!" He smirked now with some satisfaction in his voice.
"So help me Charlie, if you start making up stories, I'll knock you through the ice. Not just into it."
Gilbert's eyes grew small with a vengeance.
"Tough words from a boy who always gets his nose bloody in a game. I can't keep up with all of the gossips. Your Father can't always keep folks around here quiet." Charlie said back at him.
"It's those old crows that cause so much trouble." Gilbert mumbled. His thoughts now wandering to how many times had Anne put him off because of other peoples, "opinion" on what they said was good and proper?
"Gilbert, we all have to be a certain way. It's just the rules. That's all."
Moody commented reverently.
"Don't think I don't know how much you, "moon" over our Miss Shirley yourself, Charlie." Gilbert threw back defensively, trying to ignore Moody's reminders.
"Humph!" Was all Charlie replied.
" Did you have something to do with Josie changing parts in the Play? Well?" Gilbert stared at him with a distrustful glare. Now though, he was letting his temper get the better of any rational thinking now.
"No. Well, not before the deal was done. I did hear about it from Josie and Julia later. It didn't make any sense to me?"
"Me either."
"What are you two talking about? Josie didn't say a thing to me?" Moody objected in disbelief. These two would make up stuff just to have a fight he was thinking ironically.
"Of course, it might have all been fixed by now, Moody?" Charlie answered him with a shrug.
"Josie's still mad at me than? She did act like she was earlier."Gilbert observed.
"Julia did say something about that. Josie said you were acting like some kind of rodent. Was that it?" Charlie looked at Moody as if he was there.
"How would I know? I wasn't there. I thought this was all over between Gilbert and Josie." He stated not hiding his anger over what he thought was a continued challenge from Gilbert.
"Moody? She had a crush on me. I never thought too much about it. Honestly."
" I just felt it was some kind of prank to get back at Gilbert." Charlie offered back.
""Well she told me to come out and talk to you Gilbert"
"She's just trying to get you out of the way Moody. Probably so she can work on Miss Shirley to save her changes." Charlie reasoned based on Josie's usual scheming ways.
" Why wouldn't she say anything about the Play to me? Did Miss Shirley agree to change the parts?" Moody wondered feeling left out.
"No, she said she didn't even know about it."Gilbert blurted out.
"Will you change roles, Gilbert? I mean if Miss Shirley said so?" Moody's head was swimming. Could he play Crachitt? He wasn't so sure of it.
"Yeah, Gilbert, are you going to disappoint dear Josie?" Charlie teased.
"In an instant, Charlie. Not even for Miss Shirley. Let Moody play that part instead of me."
"I don't want to play that part. I don't like being on stage. You know that too, Charlie." Moody pointed out defensively.
"Not even to make Josie happy, Moody? Too bad for you. I can't play all of the parts in this show. Will Abe be back by then?" Charlie pondered out loud.
"I think so. Let him play the role. I don't really care." Gilbert stated flippantly though he was looking forward to having a duel role to make him look good to the townsfolk. He knew also that he will need their help to pay for University in the future. His Father might not change his mind about going onto Redmond he secretly feared.
"Who cares? So, Moody, are you and Josie skating in the show? I didn't get an application yet?" Charlie was already bored with anything about Josie right now.
"I don't think so."
"Better make up your mind soon. What about you Gilbert? Who are you skating with?" Charlie asked.
"I haven't made up my mind yet."
"Who are you thinking about skating with than?" Moody looked over at him suspiciously.
"Seriously, Moody! With those big ears of yours, you still act like you can't hear a thing. Who else would Gilbert ask? She'll never do it though. She told me she won't skate." Charlie sneered with satisfaction.
Gilbert remained silent but flashed him a harsh look of warning. This caused Charlie to reconsider if he really wanted to challenge Gilbert's ire right now.
"But Gilbert?" Moody didn't want to let go of this yet.
"No one, Moody. I mean it!" Gilbert shouted back. It was still a sore subject for him since Anne was being stubborn about it all. He still though wasn't quite ready to give up completely on the idea of skating with her. Blythe's were stubborn and determined. He felt no compulsion yet, to give up a tried and true mannerism his family was noted for anytime soon. The battle may be bloody but to victor the spoils was something his Grandfather would quote often at old family gatherings when he was a younger lad.
"Never mind what I said. It was just in jest. I think Gilbert is losing his sense of humor these days. Must be his lack of sleep!" Charlie joked, hoping to defuse Gilbert's bad mood some.
'Speak for yourself, Charlie." Gilbert stated flatly.
"You really shouldn't make it so easy for the town gossips, Gilbert. I'll beat you to a pulp if we lose Miss Shirley as our Teacher because you don't know how to behave." Charlie spoke confidently while Gilbert just balked at his comment.
"Sure you will. I need her help Charlie with my school work. Nothing is going to prevent me from doing the best that I can to pass the Queens Exam. I plan on doing exactly what Miss Shirley did. Pass Queens in one year. Than it's onto Redmond for me." He stated matter-of -factly.
" Let me know when you catch up with this class first. It's just words. I still think you are taking advantage of Miss Shirley's good nature." Charlie argued convinced he was right.
"Come on Charlie! Why fight about this? You are still ahead in class. Gilbert helps work the Cuthbert's Farm. That is hardly taking advantage of her." Moody spoke up wisely but a little shaky.
"So what? It is still just words right now. I'm not sure even Miss Shirley can work miracles."
"Just think of it though Charlie. This year you will get to be the star Hockey Player of the Year. I'll be working too much to really compete much on the Team. That is if you practice more. I'll be lucky to make the games this year. I really did miss playing Hockey with my friends." Gilbert said this will also keep Charlie distracted some from competing as much in the classroom? It was worth a try he thought?
"You have to make practice if you want to play with the team, Gilbert." Charlie warned him.
"He's right Gilbert. If you don't come out you won't understand our game plays." Moody tried to remind him.
"I know that but only on Saturdays. I'll get some practice in during the week but don't count on my making it to all of the team practices. I just have too many things to do." Gilbert tried to explain his comments.
"You know the rules." He repeated again.
"Yes, I know the rules. Is your Dad coaching us this year, Charlie?" Gilbert asked.
"Probably."
"I'll talk to him for you Gilbert. You know we need his help this year. White Sands made us look really bad and you know it's true Charlie" Moody stated feeling more sure of this than his other comments earlier.
"I know. I know." Charlie mumbled back.
"Why are we so bad off?" Gilbert asked in confusion.
"They get City Coaches for one thing." Charlie quipped.
"Not to mention a lot of the new and latest equipment." Moody added.
"We'll do better this year. I'm not going to worry about it right now."Gilbert decided but it was something they would all have to work on. Not much he could have done since he was out of Town the last few years.
"Gilbert's right! Come on. I can't believe we went on like a bunch of girls." Charlie commented while the other two listened but not in agreement with his conclusion.
"I'm not a girl but I want to know what's going on now." Gilbert answered before picking up his stride forward. The three of them went back towards the entrance into the Bell's House now.
*******************
Inside the house, Anne sat in the Library, uncomfortably, while listening to Josie, Ruby, Jane, Julia and Diana debate why they did or did not need to change the parts in the Play.
Anne just couldn't imagine how these girls found the time to come up with these elaborate scenes? Many times these same girls would groan when she assigned any sort of homework for them? Long were the hours she had to force herself to read through some of their mundane or monotonous essays. No matter what Anne tried to teach these four girls, she still failed to inspire them to be more creative in their work. It was a challenge that Anne felt duty bound to try and change in hopes to sending them all onto Queens next Fall.
"Miss Shirley. We had this all worked out. Why mustn't we go on as planned" Josie protested anew.
"This "plan" wasn't approved by me. Had you done so, you would have all saved yourself so much work." Anne pointed out.
"It wasn't that much work, Miss Shirley. We thought if we worked together, like you taught us, we could save you more work?" Julia concocted and Josie seemed please with her reply.
"There are still so many things we need to accomplish before the Carnival happens. This is not one of them." Anne remarked.
"But why not?" Josie challenged.
"I cast the roles based on your own personal strengths and weakness'"
"Of course but I believe this arrangement works better?" Josie said trying to smile and sound positive..
"How can you judge it if we haven't even tried it yet?" Julia explained.
"That's because we don't have time for any changes. Why, Diana and Ruby's Mothers are almost finished with our costumes." Jane reminded them.
"Oh, Mother would be so upset if she had to make any more changes. It's almost Christmas!" Speaking up Diana was now pacing the floorboards in frustration.
"Calm yourself, everyone. This is our very first Play. I planned everything carefully out. This will not work if we don't stick with my plans. That's my job. It would be unfair to ask everyone in the Play to have to learn new lines." Anne stated.
"It's not that hard to learn." Josie objected to Anne's unconventional reasoning.
"That is what safety pins are for! We aren't that simple a people." Julia blurted out in protest.
"You can wear all the "safety pins" that you like, Miss Bell. What a challenge it must be for those who are clumsy with a needle and thread." Diana argued with vinegar.
"I am perfectly capable of sewing my own things. I was just trying to be rational here." Julia defended while Diana and Jane covered their smirks with dainty gloved hands.
"It's just that it's our Play, Miss Shirley. Why can we not decide how we will present it?" Josie shot back.
"True, you are the Players but I am the Director. That is because I do have some experience with these sort of things. For us to be successful I must present you all to your Parents in a responsible manner." Anne laid out for them to think about.
"This is all bout a cat! You want to ruin our Play to get a cat and that is the sum of it!" Jane retorted in disgust.
"It's a kitten! Not a Cat. My kitten. I don't care if you think this is childish, Jane." Ruby spoke up almost in tears. Her fear of not getting her treasured kitten made her suddenly overly distraught.
"Ruby? You told Miss Shirley about the kitten? How could you?" Julia asked accusingly.
"Jane said it first. Besides, my cat isn't feeling that poorly. If Samuel means to keep me from having one of his kittens it will be the poorer choice on his part to deny me and my family." Ruby suddenly blurted out yet her heart was obviously breaking with her confession.
"There, there now Ruby. All is not lost" Diana offered her a comforting gesture by stroking her daintily curled hair.
"Don't the Gillis' have enough cats running around on their property! I don't know how you even keep up with their names!"Josie described as she saw her cause lose it's ground.
"The Gillis take good care of their cats, Josie Pye. I meant no harm in saying what I did. I even said that I would play the Mother's part for her to settle this all for good." Jane informed the girls around her.
"Of course you would volunteer, Jane. Gilbert would rather kiss me than you!" Josie stated snobbishly.
"That's not what Gilbert says, Josie!" Jane rejected her rebuttal.
"Says who?" Josie snapped.
"Jane, Josie, that will be enough from you too. Everyone will read their original parts, please? We are too far along now and I would like to get home to my family in a short while from now." She said sounding exhausted.
"This is not fair, Miss Shirley!" Josie cried, tears starting to weep, from her otherwise pretty blue eyes. She angrily swipes at them with her lace handkerchief.
"Now ladies, can we not use this Play to show our elders what fine young adults you are all growing up to be?" Anne offered her response in earnest.
"Fine! Let's get on with it than. Mother and Father will start to wonder what is going on over here at this late hour." Josie gave in, in a huff.
"Let's move on than. My guest will start saying bad things about me if I ignore them too long. My Parents will never allow me to have any Parties if we continue to disagree like this here in my own home." Julia fretted and pushed past Josie to open the Library door. Broken now by their embarrassing defeat in this empty plea. She was sure everyone must now know what Josie plotted and that she played the fool in this cause.
"Julia, wait up! Let me help you, now." Josie spoke up seeing how upset Julia was. She couldn't really understand why she would be upset in the first place? All she had to do is agree. She was the one who had to negotiate the parts and try to convince Miss Shirley she was right?
Julia marched forward without any remark back. Though Josie would hardly be ignored and she knew it!
"Julia! Please!" Josie tried again to sound remorseful.
"Josie, I need to speak first with my Mother and than our Maid. Go talk to Moody or something? This is all very embarrassing for us all." Julia reminded her, causing Josie to lower her brows in rebellion.
"If you feel that way, than go along. I'm sure Moody must be wondering where I am by now. So that is what I will do!" Josie parted from Julia's side to prove that one silly defeat would not affect a Pye. At least she had the courage to take on that Miss Shirley and her odd schemes.
A smile formed on her face as she bravely sauntered gracefully to where she had left Moody sitting earlier. She decided she will use Miss Shirley's reasoning that it was a good plan but they were unable to make the necessary costume changes in time to present the characters properly. She was doing this for Ruby's cause and that is an honorable enough motive. If Ruby doesn't get her kitten, it will look poorly on their Teacher and not her.
This was good enough, Josie decided. She will explain all of this to Julia when she has more time to listen to her plea.
**************************************
Finally, Anne was able to gather her students in one place so that they could run through roughly over their parts. Anne stepped in several times to try and boost some of the actor's confidences.
In Charlie's case, to tone him down some, since he was suppose to be somewhat afraid when he confronts the Ghosts, not defiant. They were challenged to make sure their Ghosts were not really scary. This had a great influence on whom she choose to play these parts. She knew many of the boys would be tempted to play tricks and want to really give their other peers a fright. Anne was concerned some Parents might become upset if their children were too afraid of her students acting. So she picked a few of her more subdued pupils for the roles here.
Samuel had to be coached into finding his little boy inside by appealing to his compassion for children. Ruby doted on him and this made him feel more important in his role than anything Anne could ever conjure up for him. Ruby had a certain sweetness that charmed even the most stubborn of boys. It was very hard to resist her kind smile and delicate demeanor.
Her Ghosts were still uneasy in their characters she observed. She must work more on how they present their spirits. Going on stage with a Sloane was a great feat. Anne had to accept this fact. Not that she feared her casting was amiss at all. No, she just understood that anyone who worked with Charlie would have to perhaps see him as something else? The girls were hesitating because they either felt appalled at his bold presentation or too shy to face him with much authority. Anne was going to have to think more about how she can keep them vacant but with a sort of authority that will make Charlie really tremble!
This thought made her laugh softly to herself. Diana, Jane and Josie were very capable to stand up for themselves. She wondered if she used their frustration with Josie's plotting to inspire them some? It was something she had to talk to them more about later.
"Gilbert? Please slow down. I need you to get into the moment. Savor the joy you should be feeling. Your Uncle has been redeemed after all?" Anne spoke up as she approached the stage to help him.
"Here. I need you to rise joyously from your chair, lifting you mug and than using it as a way of pointing out the family members you are toasting of at the Dinner Table."
"You know, it would be a whole lot more fun if I can just poor this colored water over Charlie's big head, right?" Gilbert announced getting a chuckle from their friends still sitting at their pretend table.
"This isn't suppose to be a Fraternity bash but a nice, happy family gathering." Anne remarked
"Yes, Gilbert, it's called, "acting", remember?" Charlie shot back in revenge.
"I know that. As much as I rather hit that real Ghoul over there with Marley's chains, I will treat him as a distant Uncle instead. Besides it is getting late. Everyone looked tired so I just wanted to get through this." Gilbert tried to explain in his defense.
"It is getting late. I didn't expect any of you to put on a professional performance with so little practice yet. I just needed to do this so that I can make notes on how I might be able to help each one of you play out our characters.
I must confess that despite some reluctance from some of you over acting on a stage, you all have your lines memorized fairly well and the acting isn't too bad." She acknowledges honestly.
"We have been reading through these line for over a month, Miss Shirley. I would expect everyone to at least be able to do that much." Jane stated reasonably..
'Yes, of course, Jane. I know this has been rather tedious. Saying lines though and getting into character is a little bit different and requires a certain level of concentration. Don't be afraid to ask your Parents, Siblings and fellow Students to work with you on your parts. Our time is getting short now so I want everyone to feel confident on a stage."
"When will we get our costumes? I find it difficult to be, "in character" dressed as I am." Josie pointed out while some of the others just rolled their eyes in amazement.
"Do I have to say, "acting" again?" Charlie complained again.
"No, you don't!" Julia said in her friends defense. She also was still rather miffed over Charlies over-acting in their scene.
"We will be getting our costumes next week. You will have to try them on so that hemming can be adjusted. We will do a simple go through that day at the Gillis' House on that Saturday."
"No, remember? We have Hockey Practice on Saturdays. Not to mention a load of chores. It has to be on a Sunday." Gilbert reminded her and she sighed sadly.
"Of course. I'm sure some Parents might voice an objection with their Children working on something as unconventional as a Play on a Sunday. Hopefully I can convince them that we have no other choice because of scheduling I suppose."
"I'm confident that you will Miss Shirley." Diana offered cheerily.
"If you have no other choice, what is the trouble?" Samuel asked?
"They should be more afraid of our not being ready! It's not like all of Avonlea won't be there to see our Play." Ruby described for them.
"They will all be here to look at us. So everyone better get their parts right. I know my Parents have sold a fair amount of tickets to some very important people. So no more goofing off on the stage." Julia told them in warning.
"We don't want you to embarrass us, Julia. So, no more kitty stories right? My guests are just as important as yours are. Grandmother told me mail is going out all over the place to call in relatives. Folks in Carmody too are saying they might come to see my ice show." Charlie bragged, not to be less important than any Bell.
"I'm sure they will. Maybe even some folks from White Sands will come, just to see you guys play silly fools!" Josie brought up to get their goat some.
"Does that mean we will need our Goalie, Charlie? We don't want to be caught off-guard in any case." Gilbert said in jest.
"Oh that would be something, wouldn't it?" Charlie answered him but looked over to see Miss Shirley wasn't too enthusiastic over the prospect of an unplanned Hockey playoff.
"Uhm..maybe we better leave our equipment at home. I don't have time to fit anything like that into my schedule that day. Too bad though, right?" Gilbert noticed Anne start to look off toward a window in disappointment. He really wanted her to be in a good mood later this evening on the ride back home.
"Oh what fun. Are you two ever serious? Why, Moody can just use his guitar to shoot the puck around the ring!" Samuel mentioned trying to mock them for his amusement.
"Forget it! He is bad enough with a Hockey stick. His Mother would bean him over the head if he got that guitar scratched. It isn't worth it." Gilbert reminded them reluctantly.
"Can we go home now, Miss Shirley? It's getting late now." Jane wondered since no one seemed to have anything good left to talk about.
"When you have everything collected, please wait in the Parlor for your Parents or to gather up your groups to go home." Julia instructed to help keep things organized as she was instructed by her Parents earlier.
"Yes, please remember to gather up all of your things." Anne instructed to everyone. She reached down for her own satchel. Upon rising she noticed that Superintendent Bell was approaching her now.
"Ah, Miss Shirley. It looks like you have your hands full with this Play."
"They are a lively bunch of kids, I must say. I'm sorry for my appearance but it has been a very long day for me today." Anne felt she had to apologize because she was really feeling wretched at the moment.
"I see. I did hear something from my daughter about your visit to the Payne's Household after lessons. It is understandable."
"I am working on my finals as well. We also are expecting Miss Cuthburt to take in her Cousins children soon as well."
"Twins, it is, correct?"
"Yes, though a boy and a girl. At least I will be able to tell them apart. I have found that twins are to be an integral part of my life. Come what may." Anne mentioned nervously.
"That's good." He answered her not really concerned with why she felt she had to add that comment into her statement. He too had business left that needed to be put to rest. " I did want to take this opportunity to bring up an issue with you that has been brought to my attention lately." He said ominously. His tone only added to her uneasy composure.
"Here, let's go to the Library. It is best we not get interrupted or that the children really overhear our conversation." Superintendent Bell motioned for Anne to follow and though her legs suddenly felt like stone, she followed him, as if to some impending doom. What could he have to say to her that was this important? Her mind started to wander in an attempt to come up with something he may feel she did recently to upset anyone really important?
They walked across the room, through the finely carved doorway, down two doors, to enter back into the Library that she used earlier for her discussion with their girls. Could it have something to do with all of that? She just couldn't believe it was something that an important man like Mr. Bell would bother himself with she pondered seriously.
He offered her a seat and she sat down to listen.
"Now than, there has been some rumors that have reached my office. I believe in addressing problems head on, Miss Shirley, before they have a lasting affect on our impressionable students. Don't you agree?" He stared over at Anne and this made her feel very small, unexpectedly so. She straightened herself up suddenly, feeling, her best defense is a confident approach to any unforeseen problems.
"I see. How can I help, Mr. Bell?"
"This isn't a very easy topic for me to bring up with you. We all acknowledged that by employing a young woman for this position, a younger, single woman at that, can be, well, young lady, a trial for us all."
"I don't understand, Mr. Bell? Has there been a formal complaint about my work? I admit, it is a challenge to meet the needs and expectations of so many different families but I feel I have a good system of communication with my student's, Parents? Is that not so?" Anne spoke up spontaneously, causing Mr. Bell to look back at her, with some dismay. This wasn't going to be very easy to discuss together he realized.
"That's good to hear."
"Our students test scores have shown a substantial improvement, have they not?"
"Our last report has been more than what we really expected, that's true."
"Attendance as well, right? I mean it is a notable improvement. Understanding that the weather has been favorable overall. I have paid extra attention to make sure everything is cleaned well. So as not to spread any germs that might lead to illness and absenteeism."
"Attendance has been satisfactory, Miss Shirley. Our Students have shown a notable fondness for you Miss Shirley. That has come up quite frequently. Especially lately, I'm afraid to say. It is making some of our families a little more uneasy than we would like." Sternly his voice rang out and Anne feared where this conversation was going. She looked down just than, as if commanding her fingers to lace together, under her nervous stare. Than, she envisioned Mr. Bell's look of disappointment over her lack of constant attention to him at this moment. She reluctantly pulled her gaze back upwards, in obedient posturing.
"I believe, when we advised you about the perils of being a young teacher, you may have not understood our initial instructions. Really, we offered to you the best possible tools to help you succeed in teaching our children for this environment. It is essential that you be able to maintain a position of authority when you are teaching in one of our classrooms, don't you agree, Miss Shirley?"
"Why, yes, of course, Mr. Bell.. I admit, my age, might be bringing me more challenges to my authority. Especially among those few students who are close to me in age. However, I feel I have had no difficulty in addressing each one with the knowledge and wisdom instilled in me from my excellent education both at home and from Queens Academy? I also have some University Classes now under my belt as well."
"Do you feel these, "challenges" are perhaps clouding your judgment some? I mean, a Teacher, living in our community, presents a, perhaps a greater challenge than say, if you had to travel to your job?"
"Perhaps but I believe my living in the same town as my students has allowed me to better serve them? My students success is my most important goal in teaching."
"Your dedication to the importance of education is commendable. We just are concerned that your attention to certain students might be more of an obstacle than maybe even you anticipated, hum?"
"I don't understand, Mr. Bell? I have helped some of my older students after-school? They are all behind at some point. I put this information in my last report, didn't I?"
"Yes, we knew this would be quite a challenge for you."
"Indeed. It is my desire to prepare as many students as are ready so that they have a better than average chance at passing the Queens Exam."
"It is with this goal in mind that we hired you for the job."
"Good! I was afraid we were having a misunderstanding over what I was trying to do in my classroom."
"We do believe you are doing your best in the classroom. Some members have brought up an understandable concern that you have become.. well...maybe too friendly with your students?"
"How can that be possible, Mr. Bell? I feel it is vital for me to understand each and every one of my students backgrounds ,histories, so that I can offer them as many opportunities to learn? My Parents have been overwhelmingly supportive of our Carnival. I know, I am reaching my students, in a way that will prepare them for any challenge higher education will present them with. It has been exciting to see how much better they have become, now that learning is a little less obvious. Don't you think?"
"I'm not so sure we do understand everything you are hoping to accomplish? I mean, my daughter has improved on her test scores. It has been little struggle for us to get Jane to want to attend classes, even on chilly days. It seems though some of your male students, well..uhm...this is very difficult for me to discuss."
"Are you trying to say that some of my students may be infatuated with me, Sir? Is that what you are trying to tell me?"
"Well, as a matter of fact, yes, Miss Shirley."
"Children do have a habit of seeing a good Teacher often as an extended family member? I'd be flattered, being an orphan myself, to touch others in such a way. We are all part of the same Church family, are we not? Brothers and Sisters all, so we have been taught."
Anne claimed smartly. Hoping beyond hope that this answer was clever enough to squelch some of those very annoying rumors by saying this for the time being.
"Why yes, Miss Shirley, that we are."
"Than you are also aware than that I am very good friends with the Allans as well? I take my spiritual advice close to my heart. Mr. Bell, my educational goals have not changed, nor will they, on any sort of whim. Townspeople, some want me to settle down. To raise a family. Others are worried that I might settle down and interfere with their long term plans. Than there is my family who doesn't seem to mind too much that I further my education so that I can better provide for myself and my family through future hard times? I have proven that I am quite capable of doing the work I am asked to do. My success so far has encouraged me to keep working toward a University Degree. You do believe that getting a University Degree is an important pursuit do you not?" Anne looked up at Mr. Bell for his acknowledgment.
"Well, yes I do." He answered uncomfortably.
"Than we agree that my goals have merit and that I am setting a good example for all of our children. A well educated woman is the best qualified of Teachers. Our Miss Stacey was a wonderful example, wasn't she?"
"Yes she was. Boys who are getting older do tend to take more into account from young women who are proving to be a success in life. Though they do tend to veer more towards those women with sound domestic skills of course." He noted with some scrutiny.
"That is very true Mr. Bell. Only more the reason why what these boys are really looking for is a role model in me. Not a wife. So we have little to worry about don't we? Why next year, it will be some other girl who has tickled their fancy ,right?"
"Is that what you really want Miss Shirley for yourself"
"I want my Diploma from Redmond University. After that, I am not sure what the future holds for me but life is too unpredictable and I prefer not to plan too much ahead of myself. I will be challenged enough, between helping Marilla take care of Green Gables, teaching, my University Courses, what time do I have for anything else?"
"You have a point. It was my duty to address our townsfolk's concerns about their children's well being. I will tell them what you have reiterated with me today. Hopefully this will waylay their fears for the time being."
"Thank you very much. Oh, I almost forgot and I really didn't believe I needed permission to do so but I have made plans to tutor Gilbert Blythe this Winter." Anne added and than held her breath, waiting for his reaction to this idea.
"I see. How do you expect to do this and not encourage the scrutiny of our good citizens here in Avonlea?" He stared back at her sternly.
"If I refused, Gilbert would not be able to catch up with his class. He has been very uneasy this year because he is behind. Especially since he is my oldest student. He has been quite determined with his studies but he is so far behind. He dearly wants to go to Queens with the other students as well" Anne added, hoping he would find no reason to object to their plans to accomplish this goal.
"But if he is so far behind, is it even possible with your work schedule?"
"I have to try at least? Miss Stacey was able to help me catch up and why, even get to the top of my class. I feel obligated to offer Gilbert no less, as long as he studies and can keep up with the rest of his work in class."
"He does seem to be a serious boy but nothing is wrong with Farming here in Avonlea"
:True, but even our future Farmers have benefited from learning more about the Science of Agriculture. Things are changing too rapidly. Avonlea Farmers will only benefit from what Gilbert can learn from just going onto to Queens. Mr. Barry is a well educated man, is he not?"
"I see your point. It was good of you to bring this up with me beforehand. I will do what I can to make this work. You however must also not indulge these students whims too much either. I cannot be held responsible if you fail to keep the boundaries between being a good, responsible, Teacher and your private life in line with the values we hold so dear to us here in Avonlea."
"They are important to me as well. Thank you for your understanding and concern, Mr. Bell. May I leave now?"
"Yes, I'm sorry to keep you out for so long."
"Than goodnight, Sir. Thank you again for allowing our class to rehearse in your fine home."
"Oh, you are welcome. They seemed to not have caused too much of a ruckus or try my Wife's nerves too much."
"That is good to hear. Good night." Anne told him as she turned around in a swirl. If she could fly, she would have flown out the nearby window far from all of this gossip and remorse. She wanted happy thoughts and to think well of her students good cheer. She will have to speak once again with Gilbert and hope that he will understand why she must keep a good distance from anything that might leave others with the wrong impression. Now, where would she find the courage to disappoint him so much?
Anne wandered down the Hallway, picking up the sound of laughter and other conversations carrying on in the Parlor nearby. However, her thoughts and mood was not one that lead her to want to converse or laugh or solve riddles with her students unfortunately. She had none except for this one thought that was now preying on her mind about what to do with Gilbert Blythe? So instead of following the path ahead of her, she veered off, to her right ,to see where the door outside of the sitting room would lead her to.
********
In her wandering through the Bell's vast hallway she found herself opening the door that lead to their back patio. She preceded to walk outside and found she was drawn, like an ensnared fly, to a spider who had it tied up in it's webbing, pulling it's prey within it's grasp. So too was Anne drawn by the desire to seek out what sort of landscaping was planned out before her. She barely noticed the click of her heels on the cold stone ground underneath her feet or the Winter's chill that swished over and around as she made her way to a guardrail waiting, inviting, her to linger there for awhile. She just gazed forward, unable to really see everything painted out before her. Right now she just wanted to concentrate on the trouble at hand. The air's currant though was filled with such a sweet, spicy scent, from the cedar trees that really refused to be completely ignored. It did truly beguile most of its captives with its blissful aroma. Anne once again looked forward and found herself than captivated by the view of snowy hills covered by scatterings of these tall, quite enormous, trees that were all magnificently dressed up for the coming Holidays. Nature, she believed, was the very best of decorators, leaving everyone around to behold its wonderful inspirations. Even in those whose worries that they felt, were tied to them, like heavy boulders, heaved up from the very core of the Earth itself. The road for her was indeed a stony one but than again, no worse a challenge than others too have had to bear at one time or the next.
This enchanted mood she felt, inspired by the lovely surroundings, though wasn't strong enough to steal Anne for more than a few moments. Her resolve brought her back once more to the cause that lead her out here with an urgent need for more careful scrutiny. Talking to Gilbert about this problem without a careful plan of action beforehand wasn't doing her any good. He always seemed to be able to convince her that she was being mislead in her reasoning or overly concerned when she shouldn't be so. Now she could not deny that their actions were indeed having a negative affect on some of the important people around her. Once again, she went back to contemplating the trouble that Mr. Bell confronted her with seriously once more.
Why was it that Gilbert Blythe's name kept coming up in her conversations with others? Wasn't it obvious to everyone else that though she did care for him, true, it really was only as a friend? She didn't have any brothers or other older siblings to watch out for her or to keep her company? Diana was like a rose, precious with a beauty, Anne felt, she could only aspire to. It was something she decided that she would never be able to achieve ultimately for herself in reality. That didn't matter to Anne though. She felt that Diana helped her understand the things about femininity that Marilla and probably Mrs. Lynde will never know. Though in Mrs. Lynde's case, it wasn't so much that she didn't know these things, as much as she was rather set in her ways and maybe a little too conservative for the times to please Anne. She did however understand that a girl must look outside of herself for things like fashion and good etiquette. Rachel was supportive of her in these matters at least. It was just part of Society. People feel more comfortable around familiar things. Though Anne didn't want to be too stodgy. So she depended on Diana for these things more seriously while she felt she gave Diana a better view of what was really going on in the intellectual, outside, World. Just for her contribution in kind. A World that Anne was fearing more and more that Diana would be denied at least for the time being. This made Anne sad. She felt that because of this she needed Gilbert, to help to distract her from this terrible woe. His interest too, in more scientific knowledge, sports and history, helped her do better in her own studies too. Sometimes it is wise to learn from the experiences of others she reasoned to herself. Not every wise man put his thoughts and learning into a book form so it was good to be able to learn from many different sources. It is nice, as well, to listen to a story once in awhile since it's tellers can be very charismatic. This can make even a familiar story more fun to listen to she thought with a smile.
This must be why Anne looked forward to doing things with Gilbert she decided to herself. There were moment when she felt unsure of herself or why certain things he did made her blush? It was probably just the way he likes to be helpful to her. She wasn't tutoring him for this reason was she? To keep him around more often? No-no, it was his idea after all. If he had other motives, she would surely cure him of that when he finds himself buried under a stack of paper and trying to find just the right word to complete his sentence. She just couldn't reason why any boy would bother spending this much time studying to do better if not to go onto Queens Academy and prove his own worth. A good noble path to pursue and one she completely and wholeheartedly wanted to help him or any one of her students for that matter to achieve. She would do the very same thing for Diana, if she asked her too!
Besides, why must life be so boring? Laughter is such a rich and wondrous emotion. So good for the soul. Joy was something she knew so little of when she was a child. Yet she defied sadness with her vast imagination. Life could not sustain or thrive without something to look forward to that was good. So could it be that she was doing all of this extra work to keep herself more entertained? That much she couldn't discern properly but if they both benefitted some from these lessons, than the outcome of it all was worthy, was it not? She tried to think harder on this thought but could not argue it's outcome either yay or nay? It couldn't be that important?
She re-discovered also with today's lesson, from Mr. Bell, that it wasn't enough for her to be a student. No, she wanted to help build the dreams of others. Help them feel good about their life's pursuit and accomplish new goals that were good as well as honorable. This she felt was her gift and she only hoped she could do it well without prejudice.
However, students, like Josie Pye were quite a challenge, she must admit. Her upbringing was focused too much on social matters and not enough on academic ones Anne noticed. Instead of seeing her as a Teacher, someone who wanted desperately to see her reach her goals, Josie saw her as a rival for other boys affection. So much so that any sort of discouragement she received from the boys in her eyes was blamed on Anne's actions rather than the result of her own choices. This greatly troubled Anne. It could easily interrupt Josie's plans for her own future and it was a terrible distraction in the classroom. Would that Anne could raise a magic scepter and enchant her students so much, that instead of concentrating so much on her, that they instead would focus on their own education and learning the skills they need to know so that they can be good citizens in life. Learning can be such a precious gift and stories, even the sad ones, make you care more about others. It should also inspire more to do good things in the World.
"Ah, so much to learn and enjoy in life. So little time." Anne therefore escaped into her thoughts with the coming of the night. Breezes blew cold while her worries now were drifting off stolen by a mischievous spirit in a merry making mood.
