It was long after Anne got lost in her own imagination that she was unceremoniously disturbed by another person's sound of jubilation.

"Anne! There you are. I was wondering where you ran off to. Why I didn't think of this place first, is beyond me? Though you aren't wearing a coat out here. Aren't you cold standing here without one?" Gilbert walked around to her side, trying to get her attention but still failing. " Are you feeling well?" He asked her after his rush of questions still weren't getting any response he noticed strangely? So he reached out his hand to cover hers to judge if maybe she might not be feeling right. It could be a fever that was keeping her distracted from his words?

"What is it?" Anne yelled out in astonishment. "Oh, Gilbert, please don't do that. First, you startled me. Second, why must I keep telling you it isn't proper for you to be touching my hand like this?" She stated, pulling her hand out quickly to release the hold he had on it.

Gilbert still couldn't see her face because she continued to stare out into the distance in front of her. He wondered why she was still so uncomfortable with a gesture that was common enough among people that he knew? As if he meant some kind of harm to her and she was afraid of him for some reason he just couldn't imagine himself?

"I merely wanted to see how cold you really were. If it was warm, you might have had a fever. That's all. You were so lost in your own thoughts and weren't responding to my words." He said showing a look of confusion at her reaction over his simple gesture.

"Could you not address me by my name? Isn't that enough?" Anne debated with him trying to hold back her sudden anger over this constant reprimand. Though some of this anger really was stemming from her previous confrontation with Superintendent Bell and those endless accusation that never want to vanish about her behavior around Gilbert as well.

"If you would have answered my questions or turned to me when I spoke to you than I am sure I could have resisted the urge to touch you in a thoughtful manner. For some reason, tapping you on the shoulder seems so rude or demanding? Touching your hand seems more kind and thoughtful? At least when my Mother does it to me it feels that way?" He explained rather defensively.

"You are her son, so you are comfortable with that. However, since we do get illness' more this time of the year, it is advised that we not touch the hands of others despite our common acquaintance."

"I'm trying Anne but it is hard not to do. Did you even notice that it has started to snow out here again?" Saying this he instinctively started to remove his suit coat. He than pushed it over her shoulders, not allowing her the opportunity to reject this common gesture of good will.

"Gilbert, really! I did notice the snowflakes but moreso because I wished to see them as they truly are, under a microscope, I mean. So sparkling and beautiful. Than they snuggle up close together to keep warm. Creating a blanket of snow. Covering the ground in pure whiteness. So beautiful." Anne commented, making Gilbert smile at her silliness.

"This all just came to you, Anne? Standing out here in the cold?" He asked her amused.

"Why yes, of course it did or does. Don't you do this too when you stand out in the fields and time seems so meaningless?" She questioned him as if everyone did the very same thing she did, all of the time.

"Not usually, Anne. Sometimes, I'll look over a field and wonder who has traveled this path before me? What was their life like? Mostly though, I'm busy with the cattle or wishing I was anywhere but in a muddy field with a bunch of ornery, ungrateful animals. I guess?" Gilbert told her feeling guilty for his lack of insight.

"That does sound boring. Especially when you could be here, looking over the fields, imitating an English Garden and there beyond the yard. The land sinks into what I think a moor would be like. With a fog as thick as cream, floating, maybe even creeping mysteriously through the deep emptiness between them." Anne described in deep contemplation while Gilbert tried to see the scene she described before him.

"You really do see more than I usually look for in the evenings. Maybe because I have been so busy lately?"

"It might make your work go by faster, perhaps? At least it will make it more attractive to do once in awhile." She smiled now over her own memories of sunny Summer days out rustling the cattle and picking up the wild flowers she found along the way.

"Maybe it will? Though I find a cow or bull stepping on my foot a harsh kick back to reality. They don't give a lad much time to think about what kind of boat or ship might by passing by."

"Those things always happen in life. I just seem to overlook it a lot so I can think of more pleasant things. The work, it needs to get done but I like to put a little bit of fun or magic into it so I don't get too bored. Just imagining that their may be a jolly dwarf, hiding behind that hill not too far ahead of us, fiddling away a merry tune is incentive enough for me to get out there to work." She said dreamily.

"But what if there really isn't? Isn't that disappointing to find out?" He reasoned.

"No, because I make it real in my head and I enjoy the melody of an ancient song I heard somewhere along the way."

"You run into many dwarfs, playing fiddle, do you now?" He wondered. Asking her in an old Scottish tone.

"No of course not. But I have read of them and their music, so it isn't difficult to imagine one dwelling in our fields. For me at least. I like the idea, that's all." She flippantly spouted out with little care for her attitude.

"I think I would like to see that for real, personally speaking. Though when I get bored enough, maybe I'll remember what you told me." Smirking now, he found this conversation more entertaining than bantering away with his friends who oftentimes turned out to be more his rivals these days. How much better it was to visit with Anne and her imagination. Yet, a good debate was welcome as well. He wanted to be open minded and see things in perspective. So there was some merit in what other men had to say he then concluded. Most stories were put pen to paper by men after all, he reasoned.

"I hope you can too Gilbert. It feeds the soul, I think."

"Than why are you out here instead of with the others who are out to just enjoy the evening? I don't understand?"

"I'm afraid that my actions have gotten the attention of Superintendent Bell and he thought them to be unfavorable to him." She muttered uncomfortably.

"How so?"

"We need to talk more about it later. It is getting cold out here, isn't it?" She said suddenly starting to shiver now that she was more aware of what was going on around her.

"I thought you would feel that way. I'll go get you your coat and hat. I'll let Diana know too that we are ready to go home." Gilbert announced with a quick urge to get going. He really wanted to know more about Anne's meeting with Mr. Bell too. If it was bad he rather have a chance to talk to her first. He now feared it might be about him. That would be just awful so he wanted to make sure she wouldn't stop talking to him because of it.

He strode toward the open door to the outside and turned back to see what she was doing now. He was half hoping that she had to watch him leave but she was back to her night dreaming again. Why was it, that he just couldn't resist being around her? Why was it that Anne always seemed to be dreaming away of some place far from him? He turned back towards the hallway to walk to the room that I heard the other children singing along in the distance. He liked going to the places that Anne wanted to go to. She was adventurous and he felt that was something very few girls really wanted to do around here in Avonlea. He realized that he likes learning more about the World out there. How many times now did he watch a ship sailing away far off to some distant shore? Away from the farms, where people wore suits rather than baggy overalls always muddy, all covered with dirt. He rather be strolling the avenues with a pretty girl on his arm. Hopefully, if he plays his cards right, that girl will be Anne Shirley. What fun that will be!

**********

Entering into the Parlor, Gilbert could hear music playing in the background. Some of his classmates were singing along with a phonograph. He was now feeling guilty for having to drag Diana away from her friends. It was so rare that they could all get together to just be around each other away from the classroom and those strict rules to be quiet. Don't speak unless spoken to! It had it's purpose though. It just made times like this seem more important. He had hoped that Anne too could enjoy the evening with them. If she wasn't so tired from working all afternoon at the Payne's household she might have joined them? Luck was not on his side tonight it seemed.

"Oh, really, Gilbert? Must we go now? Everything here is just better don't you think? Well you would think so if you would just join with us, that is." Diana proclaimed while Gilbert tried to listen.

"Diana, I promised that I would get you home safely. Anne is tired and so am I. If you ever want me to bring you out again, you will just have to come home with us now." Gilbert told her plainly.

Diana scoffed at his tone of voice."Gilbert, I'm not your responsibility. Don't be ridiculous. Since no one else here will be going our way, I see, I have no other choice than to leave with you." She reasons reluctantly, taking a mournful look back, seeing her friends were still singing and laughing along now without her.

"Good because it's starting to snow outside. We should be off before it gets too hard for me to steer in. I have to go get Anne's coat. Than we can leave." He spoke up while he turned to leave the room.

Once there, Gilbert moves around coats and hats until he found his own and pulled it on before looking out for Anne's things. Once done, He started to make his way back to Anne while Diana was still trying to put on her hat.

"Wait up Gilbert!" Diana cried out but he didn't slow down. She than thought that wasn't Gilbert not wearing his suit coat? He must have given it to Anne before coming out to find her? So she just sighed some out loud and than went to the mirror in the room to help straighten out the hat on her head. Letting Gilbert run on ahead of her to give Anne her coat alone.

Gilbert made his way back to the patio where he left Anne to her thoughts. She had tiny snowflakes crowning her bright red hair. His coat was now gathered up tightly around her shoulders. Not as he left her moments earlier. What a silly girl she could be at times! He wondered where she was right now in her head? A part of him wished he didn't have to disturb her thoughts but it was snowing out and they needed to get back home.

"Anne? Anne? We must be leaving now."

"Yes, you are right. Thank you very much, Gilbert. I am tired. Though being out here, it's so calming. A nice end to a rather hectic day." She recited warmly. It took some effort for her to turn and face Gilbert. Having to leave behind her blissful escape from reality.

"Oh, here is your suit coat, I'll take my own coat now from you, please?" She mentioned and he traded with her thoughtfully.

As Anne removed his coat from around her shoulders, Gilbert felt the unfamiliar urge to run his hand against her soft cheek, reddened by the harsh wind. Without a coat for this long, she just looked so cold. He thought that the temptation to kiss her too, if he did do this, would be just too strong. What was wrong with him? This was the second time that this desire to do so almost overcame his good common sense? It was reluctantly though that he just held out his hand, waiting, to receive his suit coat, to put it back on.

He was pulling his arm through his second sleeve of his overcoat when he noticed that Anne was getting her sleeve cuff caught in her own coat seam.

"Here, wait. Let me get this straight on and I will help you with your own heavy coat." He spoke up as he rushed with his own coat. Moving now to grasp ahold of her coat's collar to lift it up and over the bothersome sleeves buttons.

"Thank you, Gilbert. How awkward." She complained while trying still to pull her button loose.

"Please Anne, I need to detach it from you outer coat first. There! It's loose now. Go ahead and pull your arm through it." She did so and Gilbert lifted her other coat sleeve so that she could get her arm through the adjoining one. Than he pulled the two front panels around to meet in the middle.

"Here let me get these buttons for you." He started to reach for a button on her heavy, navy wool coat but she stopped his hand before he touched one of them.

"Thank you, Gilbert, again, I can button up my coat faster than you can. It is getting colder out here, isn't it?" She smiled up at him, catching the questioning look on his face, before turning her head away from it's glare to look up to the snowy gray clouds above them.

"Of course. I was only trying to be helpful. The snow does look like it's coming down faster. We need to get on our way." He acknowledged her comment while trying to manage his own coat buttons and than slipping on his better black riding gloves.

"Did I make you nervous, Mr. Blythe?" Anne smiled wryly over at him while shaking her head side to side. " Look at your own coat? You are such a silly boy sometimes. Straighten up! Now I'll just get these two buttons for you on the front of your overcoat. You have them out of alignment here. Thank you for picking my coat up for me" She admonished him for attaching them up wrong but tried to soften her comment with a compliment.. Gilbert still turned red, feeling a mixture of shame and remorse. First for obviously showing how nervous she made him feel around her but what was worse was her calling him a "boy" once again. He wanted to take care of her. It seemed apparent to him that she was overwhelming herself with all of this work. Why must she resist his help so much? What will it take for her to see him as her equal, not some child that needs to be chided over? He thought not doing a very good job at hiding his disappointment.

"I can button up my own coat too! I was just rushing because your sleeve was caught up in your coat. I'm not a child, Anne." He corrected her and Anne stepped back, away from him, with a sigh.

Before either of them could unravel this dilemma, in walks Diana, not too pleased with Gilbert's unheeded pace back to Anne's side earlier.

"There you two are! Well now, Gilbert. You shouldn't have took off like that. What was such a rush that you couldn't wait up for me? Even for one moment?" She stared at him in anger but he started to sense she was merely causing a scene for her amusement for the most part.

"Anne was out here in the cold, Diana. I was in a hurry to get back to her." He explained.

"I was almost done."

"But I couldn't wait any longer. I didn't want to rush you any further, Diana." Gilbert described staring pleadingly over at her for understanding. Diana than just let out a heavy sigh in reluctance. Gilbert would, beg, borrow or steal, whatever moments he could find to be alone with Anne these days. It was hopeless to think that anything or anyone for that matter could distract him from this obsessive pursuit of Anne's good graces. Poor Gilbert, Diana now thought. His fate seems to be sealed and she will have to accept Gilbert's choice in fair maidens. She will be gracious and happy for her best friends good fortune. Gilbert though was too intent on winning her bosum friends heart. Anne was positively against any suitors for any purpose. He will just have to learn how to just be a friend she thought reasonably so..

"Is everyone ready now to go?" Gilbert rallied the two of them in an effort to leave there now.

"Have we no other choice?" Diana pouted once more in frustration. " I wish we could stay a little bit longer? Anne? You must still be so cold? Everyone else is still waiting for their rides back home and sharing songs together. Wouldn't you like some good singing right now before we start out from here?" Diana offered but not realizing Anne really just needed to be away from this place. Enough has taken place already here tonight. She felt the urgent need to be at home with just her own family now. She had, had enough with things to do with school and teaching for the rest of this weary, long, day.

"It's been a long day, Diana."

"Sometimes it seems that all we do is work and go to school, Anne. I wish we had more parties here in Avonlea for us." Diana complained..

"We have the Winter Ball and the Carnival coming up soon, Diana. I'm trying to get some Caroler's together as well. So this Winter isn't going to be that boring, really, Diana." Gilbert spoke up seeing Anne's look of fatigue over Diana's disappointment. She must be very tired by now he thought.

"I just wasn't planning on being here tonight at all, Diana. I have so much to do and those twins are due back any day. Poor Marilla must be so tired after such a harsh journey under such sad circumstances too. I don't mean to be distracted and this is why I prefer to arrive on my own on nights like this. I didn't mean to ruin your fun, dear. These are my responsibilities, not your own, after all."

"You do too much, Anne. I just don't want you to never have any sort of fun. Soon you will leave us for Redmond and I will not see you for a very long time. I am happy that you came and I am sorry for being so greedy about all of this." Diana repented sadly of her guilty desires for sharing her fun with a friend.

"You needn't be so sorry, Diana. We both have commitments to our families. We did speak of getting you another ride home, remember, Diana? I said that Anne would probably be tired tonight, also" Gilbert spoke up but he knew what Diana was feeling right now. It was difficult to give up being a child and giving in to more responsibilities. Playing a game of Hockey was more fun than pitching hay in the barn. His Uncle though paid him a fair amount for the work and he would need the money for his expenses at Queens in the near future.

"Yes, you did Gilbert. I'm sorry Anne if I made you feel guilty. I wish more things happened on our side of the Island." She paused, straightening out her coat sleeve over one of her kid leather gloved hands. "Well, it just can't be helped for tonight, so don't bother with me. Soon I'll be old enough and I can go out on my own. Though with weather such as this, it still might be best not to travel out alone." She sighed.

"I need to harness up the horses. I'll meet you two outside." He just turned around and started to make his way out towards the Horse Barn.

"I'll do that. Thank you." Anne answered back.

Gilbert found himself once again in a grumpy mood. How can he though explain to Diana that courting is not an easy thing for a lad to do? It was even worse since she is older than he is and their Teacher as well? Why did it seem he was always falling for girls older than he was? It seemed like only a Summer ago when it was Alice Bell wasn't it? No, it was longer than that but he really did believe she could be the one. He was just a kid than.

No, this was something serious. He suddenly started to grin with a twinkle in his eye. Father instructed him that it was a Man's duty to set the course in all matters of courting. Thinking back now over how well things have been going between the two of them. Not including this afternoon, things weren't going too badly for the two of them? He needed to get Anne alone again so that he could make sure that everything was going well between them. He sensed something was on her mind and he was going to bug her until she told him what it really was.

*****************

Later, Diana re-joined Gilbert outside. Catching a moment to go out ahead of Anne so that she could speak to him privately. He was now making sure he had the harness attached properly to his lead horse.

"Gilbert?"

"Yes?"

"I'm...well...I'm just sorry if I said something wrong earlier. You seemed rather cross with me." Diana spoke carefully.

"It doesn't matter." He said shortly.

"It just seemed like a cute thing to say? Sometimes, my romantic sensibilities get the best of me." She tried to explain.

"It doesn't help when you say things like that though about me in front of Anne."

"I wasn't thinking enough. Don't be cross with me. I wasn't trying to make you look bad. It is probably because my prospects are not looking very promising these days. I'm really not that jealous." Diana confessed honestly now.

"I wouldn't worry about that too much if I were you, Diana." He looked back at her smiling.

"Why do you say that, Gilbert?" She grasped onto his elbow to keep his attention on her.

"Nothing. I just know you aren't being completely unnoticed by everyone.'

"Like who? Please don't say it's Charlie. That would just be too mean of you to say."

"Than I won't say anything." He thought amused by her tone.

"Who cares about old Charlie. He's such a pest!" She protested.

"Poor Charlie. No one likes him."

"No one likes whom, Gilbert?" Anne asked, joining them outside, after inquiring which of her students were still waiting on their rides home.

"Charles."

"That isn't very nice to say about anyone." Anne noted shooting Gilbert a stern look.

"Are you making an unexpected confession, dear Anne." Gilbert inquired curiously though he didn't believe she had any feelings for Charlie, at all.

"Why do you plague me so with these useless inquiries?"

"He's a pest. I don't think he knows any other way to behave." Diana states causing Gilbert to walk past her to offer Anne help, making Diana have to wait her turn, getting into the waiting buggy.

"Be that way than Gilbert." Diana lifted her nose into the air in defiance back at him.

"I will."

"You two aren't going to bicker all the way back home now, are you?" Anne asked them wishing that she was under her nice, quilted, warm quilts, instead of outside on this bitter cold night.

"No. It wouldn't be polite. I just don't think it is very nice of Gilbert to tease me. He knows I don't like Charlie. At all." She emphasized sharply.

"Charles isn't that bad. I wish you wouldn't worry so much about boys at your age, Diana. I'm sure there are ones out there who like you but they are too shy to speak up. You still have a few more years left to just enjoy your childhood." Anne replied while Gilbert enjoyed the opportunity to gloat over Diana while he now took his time as he helped her get safely up into his Father's borrowed buggy.

"I'm almost fourteen, I'll have you know!" She glared back at him while he just rolled his eyes in silent protest. "Besides, you are only fifteen, Gilbert and one would think you were ready to send out wedding invitations!" Diana blurted out, causing Anne to almost lose her satchel, when Gilbert abruptly snatched up the loose reigns while he jumped up onto his bench seat up front. His jerking movements forced the horses to jerk forward suddenly in protest. They were confused by his startlingly actions and almost ended up pulling them into a roadside ditch.

Instinctively, Gilbert reacted quickly to move them back at a safe distance without much thought. Regaining his control over the horses, aligning them along the narrow path that they were suppose to be following soon.

" Gilbert! Are you trying to hurt us? I do suppose that Diana's comment was not that well thought out. Yet, if you cannot keep calm, than please let me steer the horses." Anne corrects him, than pauses to straighten out the blanket over her lap, before addressing Diana next.

"Diana, that was not a very nice thing to say about Gilbert. It really is ridiculous, isn't it? I hope you will try to think more before speaking out about such sensitive topics." Anne admonished her as well.

The scene immediately became silent around Anne. She couldn't help but wonder what these two were thinking about the other? She was sure, if they felt they could talk to each other freely, they would love to continue on with this silly argument. The thought though seemed so humorous to her. The two of them stewing over a few misspoken words but they were really funny? She found it too difficult to contain her own laughter to herself and surprisingly started to laugh out loud nervously.

"Anne? How could you laugh at us like that?" Diana asked her bitterly.

"I'm sorry. Really I am! I just couldn't stop myself when it got too quiet all of a sudden." She explained, while she was still trying to get those silly thoughts out of her imagination!

"Diana Barry, if you ever say something so,..so . .,wrong like that again. I'll not call you a friend." Gilbert spit out feeling horribly humiliated by what Diana had said about him. He was sure Anne was laughing out loud at him.

"You said I couldn't marry! Of course I know that." Diana shot back defensively. " Unless I lived in Europe I suppose! It was a deliberate dig at me on your part, Gilbert." She answered him in a huff.

"Well, we are not European. I mean, growing up in Europe. Who would want to be married at thirteen or even fourteen, for that matter? You have been picking on me all night, Diana. So who isn't being, "fair"?" He remarked angrily.

"We are all tired. This has been a very trying day. Between the Payne's misfortune, Josie's plotting, it has put us all on edge tonight." Anne brought up to hopefully calm these two old friends down some.

"Not to mention Charlie and Moody's prodding me as well. You know how much Charlie likes to make me mad." Gilbert stated back.

"You bother each other, Gilbert. What is Moody's problem though? He never cares much about anything?" Diana questioned curiously.

"Because of how Josie acts sometimes. He didn't know about her plan to change the script."

"So did he think it was your doing than, Gilbert?" Diana felt perplexed over this idea.

"Who knows? He thought and Charlie didn't help things either, that I was making a play for Josie."

"After everything that happened at White Sands, even?" Diana mentioned.

"Must we bring that up now, Diana? You mustn't let Charlie or Moody rile you up so easily Gilbert. You know his true intent, right?" Anne tried to be brief but she was secretly hoping to end this train of thinking without too much reminiscing.

"Just because I know what they are doing doesn't make it any easier to not get mad when they do it. When will they grow up, Anne?"

"Never. Still Anne is right. Though..ooohh. Josie can make me so mad at times too." Diana spoke up for her and they all fell back than to saying nothing.

"Let's just put this aside right now. Neither one of you really meant to start an argument, I'm sure." Anne spoke up and the two of them stopped talking.

Gilbert than abruptly hopped out of the buggy to see if his mishap caused any damage. The two girls just watched him as he kicked and pulled at the wheel spokes making sure nothing was damaged by his recklessness. He pulled up back into his seat once more but not before noting that the girls were still rustling around behind him. It was windy and icy cold outside tonight. When the buggy was all put together, earlier, the girls had eagerly covered themselves up in the back row with heavy furs, trying to get warm.

"Is everything sturdy? Nothing needs repairing?" Diana asked him as she looked around the buggy once more for broken off parts on the ground.

"If something broke, I would have fixed it. It's fine. Don't worry." He stated wondering why bother to ask if he wasn't fixing anything wrong? "What about you two? Are you going to survive? I can barely see your faces back there." Gilbert smirked as he gathered up the reigns again, trying to get ready to leave once more without fighting this time he hoped!

"Hardly, but don't mind us. Just get us home before we become icicles, please?" Diana commented, shivering still, under the heavy blankets around her.

"Should I ask the Bell's for more blankets before I go? Are your teeth chattering, Diana? Anne?" He called back to the two of them teasing.

"We'll survive with what he now have. Please? Just take us home where there is a roaring fire and a welcome hearth awaiting us all." Anne recites and this thought leaves them all longing for a cozy place inside right not.

Gilbert than shrugs his shoulders, making ready for their journey back home. "Than mush on, my two gallant steeds! Your master commands it! Away we go!" Gilbert yells out as he whips the reigns hard against the horses sides in front of him. The wheels jerk forward first, trying to loosen the caked up snow around them but then they give way, turning in time to follow the pace of the horses stride.

"I will be so happy, Anne, to get out of this freezing cold wind." Diana explained as the rush of their moving forward made her cringe.

"The wind is getting stronger, isn't it, Gilbert? I am quite ready to be back into a nice cozy warm bed. So don't tarry too long out here tonight now, Gilbert." Anne hoped that Gilbert would not come up with any more distractions for them on their ride home. Thinking now that it probably wouldn't be a good night for her to talk to Gilbert about everything Mr. Bell brought up with her tonight. It was just too unsettling to talk about it under these frigid conditions. He seemed a little agitated himself she noted also.

"Don't worry, Anne. I could still use some time left to study more in my Geography book. I'm just happy that you fixed the Play back to the way that it was Anne. I know you did this for me and I am really grateful. What a mess that would have been for me to have to play it all out. I hope now that you aren't so worried about letting me drive us all out at night."

"Aren't you tired, Gilbert? And cold? You look as tired as we all do." Diana noted.

"No, I'm fine, Diana. This cold wind keeps a lad wide awake and focused. I want to get home safely too."

"Perhaps not than? I don't know how you can stand the cold from where you are sitting. Even with all of these furs, I can't stand this weather. How do you endure Anne? You are much slighter than I am?"

"I'm truly cold as well, Diana. I just don't want to distract Gilbert from getting us back home." Anne whispered back to her quietly..

"I just know that this night would not have ended so well, if the parts were not set right. I was sure that Josie and I would come to some disagreement and we would all be sent home in punishment." Gilbert brought up again unable to completely let go of his earlier fears.

"Trials like these are bound to come up from time to time. So do emergencies and bad tidings. Your troubles were bothersome, Gilbert. The Payne's though are facing much more serious trials in their small little world than we are."

"I'm sorry, Anne. I.. . I . . didn't mean to make our troubles seem more important than their lives. I just don't want to imagine how sad something like that could be right now." He offered woefully.

"You must understand their sorrow some yourself, don't you Gilbert? Wasn't your own Father gravely ill once?" Anne asked calmly.

"Too many times to count in those long, long years before we could come back home to Avonlea. Some nights I just couldn't sleep because I could tell or sometimes feel that he wasn't doing very well. I learned that reading to him helped keep us both from thinking about how scared we both were for him some nights."

"Weren't you frightened out of your wits, Gilbert? I would have wanted a nurse, if I were in your place." Diana pondered his situation more.

"Nurses are for serious emergencies. Besides, they are expensive. I could do what needed to be done. Mother would have done it gladly but someone had to tend to business on the Ranch. No, it was better that I did it. Being a boy and all. Father would be uncomfortable having some woman around all of the time. You wouldn't want a man to feed you or help you get dressed now would you?" He asked Diana seriously.

"Oh no, of course not. Nurses though don't think of things like that, Gilbert. I mean we will after all be Mothers some day." She reasoned in general.

"You think so, Diana?" Gilbert answered her cautiously.

"You know she didn't mean you. I don't know what the future holds for me Diana, either? Though I know I can tend to both boys and girls, since I have done so for the families I took care of."

"What a challenge that must have been for you Anne." Diana examined.

"It was a lot of work for a girl your age, that's what." Gilbert mentioned.

"No more than an older sister has to perform I would think? It was just not feeling like I was really a part of the Hammond's Family, that made my work more of a chore and less of a joy." Anne replied sadly.

"All of those twins though Anne? It must have been dreadfully tiring."

"Not much time to yourself I bet. Did they allow you any schooling at all, Anne? It seems like a lot of work to have to do everyday." Gilbert wondered at all of this

"Very little, I'm afraid to say. I had some education before being placed with the Hammond's, so that helped me some. Reading wasn't hard for me to learn. I also wasn't afraid to ask someone what this word or that word meant if I hadn't see it before."

"Yet why even bother with books Anne? Weren't you afraid you would always be scrubbing floors or washing clothes?" Diana asked.

"I could never ignore a good book. They just sit there on shelves, beckoning us to pick them up and discover what wonders do they store under their covers? Why, my own curiosity just refused to let me pretend they were not there." Anne told them playfully but true.

"I never felt that way about a book, I suppose. I just hate being bored. A good story is a grand escape. Especially on stormy days."

"Or when we are feeling blue. Some heroines always seem to be much worse off in their fate than I usually am. I can't stay sad or feel too blue when I know somewhere out there, a white elephant is trampling through vines of green leaves and tall grasses, just waiting to be discovered by someone at least?" Diana proclaims.

"I do like a good adventure, don't you Gilbert?" Diana asked him playfully.

"Especially a sailing one, Diana. Though your book does sound like a good read."

"As long as you are reading the books I have assigned you, I have no objections over any other adventures, you choose to take on in your free time."

"Thanks, Anne. I get so bored out in the fields all day. I look forward to school. Just for an excuse to get out of that field and into something totally different, don't you too, Diana?"

"I just want to get out from under Mother's constant instruction. I do want a proper home of my own but some days I will do anything just to get out into those fields you dread so much Gilbert. Though not the really muddy ones. I like the ones full of flowers and tiny ladybugs floating in the ocean breezes. So peaceful, isn't it Anne?"

"It is."

So Anne, are you planning on going back to the Payne's house soon?" Gilbert thought it was wise to know if she was really interested in this Payne guy or not.

"I would like to follow up and see how they are doing in the future. I just don't know if I will have any free time?" She said honestly.

"Remember we have that Tea Party with my Aunt coming up as well."

"Yes, of course. We will probably have those twins of Marilla's as well. I know Rachel will help as much as she is able to but I just know they will need more social instructions." Anne sighed.

"I hope they won't have Mrs Lynde as their teacher at first like you did, Anne."

"Miss Cuthbert has assured me that she will not harbor any sort of foolishness with these two. She has made Rachel give her, her oath, not to slander or make up stories that will make them upset. Or issue facts that may be questionable around the children."

"I guess that leaves the rest of us to keep her ears a wiggling and teeth a-chattering so you say?" Gilbert pronounced in funny English accent.

"Let's not anticipate any problems,"

"My Mother and I will also help you. Though I know, those two will be a great unknown, won't they be, Anne?" Diana looked to Anne for her acknowledgment.

"That they will be. It may not be a permanent situation for us. I have so much to do but we are hoping that Alice might be able to learn some skills by visiting with us as well for some instruction."

"Alice Payne you mean? Are you really thinking this all the way through, Anne?" Gilbert asked with uneasy concern.

"If we have to teach the twins household skills, Alice can follow along. Like I said before, she is eager to learn how to take care of her Family. It's our duty." Anne explained carefully.

"You are doing a lot too aren't you Gilbert? What makes you think girls can't do different things like boys?" Diana argued.

"We all do but in different ways, Diana. It's just, can't anyone else help the Payne's Anne? You are so busy." He sounded concerned when he spoke his thoughts out loud.

"Like I said, Alice can just follow along with the other girl. I don't want to force her to follow someone who might find it to just be a burden on them."

"It is hard to learn in an unhappy situation. Don't you think so too, Gilbert?"

"We don't always have much of a choice, do we? It's up to you. I am not sure having to learn anything from Mrs. Lynde will be any fun at all." Gilbert said.

"Rachel isn't a really bad Teacher, Gilbert. I know she is too nosey. She still is a talented seamstress and cook I will help if I can." Anne tried to relieve the worried looks on their concerned faces.

"They are eight, right, Anne? If I have the time, I'll do what I can to help out with the boy when I am working around Green Gables. Hard work and responsibility makes a boy into a good man. So my Father instructs me." He offered proudly. It might also help him keep an eye out for any unsuitable, suitors who might cross Anne's path as well. Maybe this kid will make a good spy he wondered?

"So does a good education. I'm not going to force them into a classroom unprepared though. I will have them enrolled as soon as they are ready. Now, even you have some free time to spend with your chums. I want them also to be able to look back on some of their childhood with a few fond memories in tow." Anne had to remind Gilbert.

"You know I think education is important, Anne. I was just hoping to help the boy stay out of Mrs. Lynde's way as much as possible."

"I would be happy for your help from that too, Gilbert. We are going to be so busy, Anne. It's going to be so crazy around here for some time." Diana was already tired with just the idea of it all.

"We will manage. If I can handle three sets of twins, I can handle anything." She announced proudly.

"I thought you didn't do very well with all of those children, Anne?" Gilbert smirked and they both giggled over the thought of Anne trying to manage all of those babies!

"I was young, true. I still managed it all. Still, it won't be as bad as all of that was. Those were trying days, you two. I am happy they are behind me now." Anne felt she didn't want to dwell on any unpleasant thoughts for right now.

"It must be so sad to have to lose your Parents." Diana pondered sadly.

"At least you will know how they must feel like Anne. It is still a great sorrow. We need to be good to our Parents, Diana." Gilbert said kindly.

"Especially in my case. That is why I am not concerned about these upcoming events. You just make room and adapt." Anne spoke wisely.

"Maybe it will give those gossips something new to talk about?

"It's not that important right now. Let's not talk about this now." Anne said still feeling uneasy about her earlier conversation about all of this.

"So Gilbert, are you coming to the Christmas Ball this year?" Diana asked him not wanting to think about losing anyone's Parents right now. A Ball is just so much more glamorous.

"I hope to. Wouldn't it be such fun if it was a Masked Ball?"

"I don't know if I would like that very much Gilbert."

"Why, not, Diana? It's just like a Play!" He teased.

"I would want to know who I was telling that I would dance with them." Diana noted.

"What about you, Anne? It could be fun, couldn't it?" He asked he hopefully. It would be so much easier for him to dance with Anne if they were disguised he hoped.

"It is a challenge, to figure out who is who? Most costumes don't hide it's wearer that well? For a small Country Ball, it may not be for the best."

"Mother's stories did make it sound like so much fun. I think I would like it even more." Gilbert told them with enthusiasm.

"A Fairy Ball, would be divine, wouldn't it, Diana?"

"That would be divine, Anne. It will never happen here in Avonlea."

"Or even Carmody. Maybe in College?" Gilbert wondered hopefully.

"Maybe? That would be fun." Anne said thoughtfully.

"Oh don't go on about College. Not tonight, please. I shan't ever be able to do anything fun in life." Diana bemoaned and Gilbert looked up to see the turning lane up to Orchard Slope just ahead of him.

"Don't despair just yet, Diana. Nothing has been decided as final. We still have some time to change their minds." Anne reminded her.

"She is right, Diana. If not, we will make our own Masked Ball, when we grow-up and run this Town." Gilbert proclaimed firmly.

"Thank you, Gilbert. Now, I will just have to settle for the Christmas Ball."

"I can ask Mr. Payne if he attended any Masked Balls when he was at Redmond?" Anne mentioned to try and cheer her up some.

"When will you do that, Anne? Do you have plans to see him again?" Gilbert wondered uneasily.

"I will see him when he picks up Alice from the Farm. He picks her up too after school?" She answered back not happy with Gilbert's attitude about her work.

"Any to do at Redmond must be exciting, right, Anne?" Diana interjected.

"I wouldn't know? I haven't been there yet? Hopefully, we will both find out together?"

"It depends on the company? We will make this Ball right here as much fun as we can, Diana?" Gilbert plotted already.

"I hope so?"

"Look over there, girls. Diana, are you ready to go home now?" Gilbert called back, unable to see what they were doing behind him.

"I just have to de-tangle myself from these furs here. Don't sound so eager to be rid of me yet." Diana spoke up, starting to feel like she will miss conversing more with her friends soon enough.

"You said you were ready to go home to a warm hearth, did you not? At least your Parents allowed me to bring you home tonight. I would feel like a baby if I had to have Mr. Barry drive us around."

"Well, Anne could have driven us back I'm sure."

"I would feel just as uncomfortable if it was Anne driving out too. I guess, at my age, I'm just grateful to drive, that's all." Gil tried to explain but Anne knew it was more his pride that made him say this. He has to understand though that she is still his senior she believed.

"Nothing improper with my Father driving us to and fro. Of course if Gilbert must show off for us, at least normally, he wouldn't be rushing us off so that he can catch up on his old newspaper or call all over on the telephone." Diana reasoned.

"He is a busy man. I feel this is just my responsibility to do. It was our Play, not something to do with Town business either."

"Maybe, you just wanted to get our Miss Shirley out alone? I was surprised Papa, even allowed it." Diana added in making Gilbert pull up on the reigns harder than he originally intended to do just to throw Miss Barry off some from her seat.

"Don't say things like that Diana."

"Just to let you know, Gilbert Blythe." She continued as if she didn't hear his comment. " I'll not allow you to come between my bosum friend and I. Things have been getting very busy around the Holidays. I know you will try to steal her away from what little time I have with her now. She was my friend first, remember. So don't let Gilbert woo you away from our visits, Anne. This whole tutoring idea is bad enough. I hardly see you now that the weather is turning snowy. I won't however let you forget me or not visit with me on the week-ends." Diana stated to him frankly and Anne looked towards her with wonder. How could she speak out so boldly or feel so slighted by her just because she was trying to do her own job well by tutoring Gilbert? Did she really think she was doing this to slight her? How could she?

"I don't know what you are implying Diana? Stop talking like this. Anne and I are merely chums. You know how much it is bothering me that I am so far behind in class. I need Anne to help me catch up, right?" He looked back at her and than turns sideways to jump down from the buggy to help Diana out of it.

"I mean all of the other things you are getting away with. You know what I mean." She looked at him sternly.

"No, I don't know what you mean? I do try to help out whenever I get the chance to?" He winked back at Diana to make her mad. "You talk like I don't know my place here and I do. I have Mrs. Lynde around to be my keeper. My Mother too likes to remind me, " how a proper young man", is suppose to behave." He pauses.

"I would hope so!"

"I would hope that I can study without your trying to keep her from helping me by saying things like this in front of others. I'm doomed if I don't catch up and you know it, Diana." He pleaded with her now.

"How you do like to talk about me? I can run my own life you two. I will help you both as much as I can. As long as you both can behave yourselves, that is. I will always be your dear friend, Diana. I will also help Gilbert catch up with his studies. He is also a friend. As long as he follows my instructions and stays on task."

"Yes, Gilbert, you must stay on task. Like our Teacher tells you to do."

"I do my work."

"Just don't forget your place either." Diana says snottily.

"If I do, I won't pass. That is unthinkable. Now just go inside Diana so that we can all go home tonight." He told her harshly. He thought she was on his side? Why was she making him look so bad?

"Let me help you down, Diana. Than I will see you to your door." He said respectfully.

"Thank you, again, Gilbert. I'll just go inside by the Kitchen Door."

"That's right. Come along. I need to get Anne home tonight."

"Don't let me keep you than, Gilbert." Diana said testing his humor some.

Just than, Mrs. Barry came to the door, checking to see if her Daughter has finally returned home at last.

"Diana, please come inside now. Gilbert? Anne? Will you come inside for something warm to drink? You really should get out of all of this snow." She mentioned, feeling the harsh brush of snowflakes against her cheeks while standing outside now on the porches landing. She was looking up into the dark, stormy night sky with concern.

"I'm afraid we cannot stay. I will rest the horses when I arrive at Green Gables. Anne's had a long day so I don't want to keep her out too much later, Mrs. Barry. Thank you for the invitation." Gilbert recited back to her. He than stepped aside so that Diana could walk around him to get her out of the incoming storm's way.

"Be careful out there, Gilbert. It sure is getting very windy out here." Mrs. Barry called out as she watched them pull out of her driveway to make their way to their next stop.