Chapter 10

In the next time, Gilbert came often to visit, in the small house. Rusty liked him and allowed Gilbert to stroke him, sometimes. Quick, the big tomcat stat again his long expeditions. Now, Anne was back and he mustn't wait longer.

At Christmas Gilbert would go to his parents and stay some days in Avonlea. Anne would spend Christmas with the orphan's children. Mrs. Powell would bake many cakes for the children. Anne was sorry that she couldn't make presents for the children. But with her small pay, as a teacher, it was impossible to buy presents for 30 children. She would try to cheer them up with cakes, stories, and songs. At least, she had done it; persuade Miss Brook to a Christmas tree. And Mr. Sadler, a nice neighbour, promised to donate a tree. Together with the children, Anne rigs up ornament for the tree. The kids got wide eyes, as they saw the big decorated tree in the hall.

It was a day before Christmas, the weak winter sun shined into the classroom. The kids played downstairs into the day room. With a sigh Anne looked outside the window, down to the pretty winter landscape. Today Gilbert would go to Avonlea, and Anne knows she would miss him terrible. Of course, he wouldn't be long away, but she would miss to talk with him. Suddenly, she saw, how a car stopped at the gate. She beamed as she noticed that it was Gilbert. Hurry she takes her coat and went with a smile towards him. "Gil, I thought you go to Avonlea." "Yes, I go, my train goes in two hours. But I want to bring something before." He explained smiling. "I have a surprise for the children. All the time, I thought about, how we can make presents for them. Suddenly, I had an idea. I asked every doctor and every nurse in the hospital, to make a present available to an orphan child. And actually we did it." He opened the car door and Anne saw many present onto the back seat. They were wrapped in gift-boxes and a small notice hung on every one. Speechless looked Anne into the car. She couldn't believe it. Gilbert reached her some of the boxes and Anne read the notice on it. `For Emily, from Dr. Stuart`, `For Peter, from Nurse Martha` and so on. Every present was for a special child. He had really remembered every name of the children. "Gil. I, I don't know what to say. I'm really speechless." Anne stammered. "There is nothing to say. Come on, let us bring it inside. It is cold here." Together they carried the presents to the house. Careful they laid it down under the Christmas tree. "I must go now, before I miss my train." Said Gilbert and Anne see him out to the car. As she stands next to him, in front of the car, Anne touched gentles his arm. "Thank you Gil." Her eyes glittering. "I have done it with pleasure. Oh, I forgot, here is something for you." He rummaged in his coat and reached her a small box. "This isn't really necessary, Gil." Anne stammered embarrassed. "Happy Christmas, Anne." He answered smiling. "Happy Christmas, Gil." He turned to the car and want even get in, as Anne touched his arm again. "Gil?" She said low and he turned to Anne. Suddenly she hugged him, whispered a `thank you` and kissed him on his cheek. Than she turned and hurry back to the house. Gilbert looked after her, and his heart beat wildly in his chest. "Oh, God," he thought "I would do everything for her." Than he got into the car. Anne looked after him, from the window, as the car drove away. He could make her astonish again and again. And each time, she loved him more.