"Oh Anne… I didn't know what to say!" Katherine wailed, feeling rather muddled and insensible. She sagged limply on the edge of Anne's bed, watching her friend despondently as she carefully stowed away shirtwaists and petticoats in an enormous and ancient trunk. "I've never been proposed to in all my life! Help me, Anne!"

"Well… do you love him?" Anne smiled sympathetically.

"Love him?" Katherine wiped away a tear. "I… I don't know. I tried not to think about it but… I… I think I do." She winced as she said it. It was so strange to think of such a person as herself being… in love. Why, she fancied that she hardly knew what love was!

"What did you tell him?"

"I told him… I told him that I… didn't know what to say!" Katherine threw herself face down on the bed and sobbed into her rumpled pillow.

"And what did he say?" Anne crossed to sit beside her friend and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"He said he'd wait," Katherine's muffled voice emerged from the depths of the pillow. "He said I could take as much time as I needed and to let him know when… when I've made a decision." She rolled over, brushing tangled hair back from her forehead. "I don't think I can face him tomorrow… when he comes to take me to the station… maybe I should just go with… with you and Gilbert."

"Oh, Katherine…" Anne put an arm around her. "I wish I could say something wise and comforting… but I'm afraid I am neither wise nor comforting. I can only say that… I understand. And I hope that your road will be a little less rocky than mine was. David is a wonderful man… and I can assure you that the love of a wonderful man is the most precious thing in this world. Take it from one who knows," she laughed softly. "In the meantime, Katherine… pray and search your heart. God will reveal it all in good time."

oOo

"How the holidays have flown past!" Anne sighed heavily and yet contentedly as she settled back into her seat. She had been leaning far out the window, at peril of her life, blowing kisses to Gilbert until he faded off into the distance. Katherine said nothing, feeling rather heartless for having refused David's offer of a ride, tagging along with Anne and Gilbert instead. She knew Anne had wanted to be alone with Gilbert this last morning, although she never said it, dear friend! It would be another year before they could be together again, for he intended to take a summer job away from Avonlea. Anne had been despondent and yet kept courage.

"Only two more years!" she had cried, smiling bravely. And Katherine had laughed and shook her head over the seemingly foolish little fancies that Anne had counted and recounted as she planned her Home o' Dreams. But they didn't seem half so foolish now. Katherine believed that somewhere, in her deepest heart of hearts, she longed for her own Home o' Dreams.

"Mrs. Henry Gordon wrote me during the holidays," Businesslike as ever, Katherine turned her attention toward the work that lay before her, ignoring the nagging feeling that she was leaving something terribly important behind her. "She informs me that Emily will be returning to school for the second semester."

"Oh, how wonderful!" Anne cried. "I've been worried sick about her all year. What a tribulation it must be to be laid up with rheumatic fever when one is only thirteen years old."

"I still worry for her," Katherine frowned. "She never was a good student. Obedient and attentive, but always struggling in her studies. She'll be more behind now than ever. I wonder if…"

"If what?" Anne smiled as Katherine's voice trailed off.

"Perhaps I could help her… some after school tutoring might be just what she needs. Might be… just what I need…"

"Pardon me if I sound a bit like a parrot," Anne laughed. "But what do you mean?"

"I mean that if I keep myself busy, then… oh! You know what I mean, Anne!" With a sigh of frustration, Katherine dug in her bag, retrieving a battered folder, and spread out her lesson plans. Being a naturally hard-working teacher, her lessons were already completed for the semester ahead. But again… poring over her papers took her mind from… other things.

oOo

It was a dreary grey day in Kingsport. The crimson gold of yesterday's winter sun was obscured by clouds and the snow didn't sparkle as it had the day before. Criss-crossed as it was by hoof prints and sleigh runners, it seemed muddy and common-place, rather than miraculous and magical. The short walk to school was a silent one, Anne being rather occupied with plans for yet another dramatic production and Katherine being in no mood for talking at all. Her throat was sore, her head ached, and the prospect of a cold and cramped classroom was in no way appealing.

A roaring fire was blazing in the little black iron stove in the corner of the room as she stowed away her belongings and took her place before the twenty eager faces, all with their eyes on her. The fire took the chill from her bones and cheered her up considerably as she glanced over her pupils. Yes, there was Emily Gordon, sitting near the back corner. Her eyes were enormous and round in her pale, thin face and her hands seemed to tremble as she clasped them on the desk before her. Her features were downcast and she seemed almost to shrink in her seat as Katherine turned towards her. Was she really well? But she straightened up suddenly as Katherine smiled and nodded in welcome, returning a bright smile of her own.

The day passed by quickly and it seemed as if hardly enough time had passed by the time the bell rang.

"Class dismissed," Katherine announced, noting in amusement that her words were hardly necessary as the students were already on their feet, gathering books and papers, all the while chattering loudly. "Emily, would you please stay a moment?" Emily shot her a startled glance and her eyes were filled suddenly with alarm. But she gathered her things together and approached the teacher's desk.

"Yes, Miss Brooke?" Gracious, but the child was trembling! Shaking all over, like a leaf. She seemed suddenly so small and pale as if she would blow away, just like a dried leaf.

"I am so glad you are able to join us in class again, Emily," Katherine smiled warmly. Emily nodded, managing a tiny smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, Miss Brooke," The timid little voice was so quiet it was barely above a whisper.

"I've spoken to your mother… she told me that you were unable to study at all last semester." Katherine hurried on, afraid that she saw a tear in the girl's eye. "It's all right, Emily, you're not in trouble! I was only wondering if you would like some extra classes. I'll work with you after school, if you want, and we'll get you caught up with the other students. Would you like that?"

And for the first time, Emily's big black eyes shone.

"Truly, Miss Brooke?" she cried, moving forward eagerly. "You would help me?"

"That's what I'm here for, Emily," Katherine smiled. But she was unprepared for what happened next as Emily suddenly flung herself at Katherine, throwing her arms around her impulsively.

"I knew it, Miss Brooke, although I was afraid to believe it," she continued as Katherine pulled herself away, a little awkwardly.

"Knew what?"

"That something was different about you," Emily answered quietly. "Your hair… the pretty sweater… and your smile. I… just knew."