Chapter 9
"I heard Gilbert volunteered right away," Diana said, leaning towards Anne, her face animated as she relayed the information with confidential relish. "Just as soon as Mr. Spurgeon said he thought someone ought to go to Charlottetown in person to inquire about Lizzy and Henry's relatives, Gilbert spoke right up. Mr. Spurgeon said there'd be a better chance of finding relatives if someone inquired in person, instead of just sending the letters. Charlie Sloane told Fred that there was a roomful of others there when Mr. Sprugeon suggested it but Gilbert volunteered to go before any of them had a chance. Fred said Charlie Sloane told him Gilbert's already left. He said that Moody took him to the station this afternoon," Diana finished up, her expession revealing delight in being the purveyor of Avonlea news, and in particular of this Avonlea news.
Anne listened to Diana with wide eyes as they both sat in the white wicker chairs that graced the front verandah of the house on Orchard Slope. Anne gaped in astonishment, trying to take it all in. Had it only been yesterday she's poured out her tale of woe to Gilbert in the forest? Her woeful tale about how upset she was at the mere idea of Lizzy and Henry being sent to an orphanage? And now today, when she'd come to visit Diana at Orchard Slope, she'd been apprised of this sudden development. That Gilbert had gone to Charlottetown.
"But Diana," Anne protested. "Why would Gilbert go to Charlottetown now?" she asked incredulously. Gilbert was supposed to be working for the summer, on his father's farm but also on the farms of their neighbours, earning his way to pay for medical school in the fall. That he should suddenly abandon that to head to Charlottetown was certainly baffling.
Diana shrugged delicately, turning her watchful mother-like eye on the two children playing in the front yard. "Let's just hope he has luck finding out if Lizzy and Henry even have some family who could take them."
Anne followed Diana's gaze out towards the children, frolicking seemingly-carefree in the yard as she mulled the information in her mind, a small niggling suspicion beginning to form. Had Gilbert gone to Charlottetown because of her? Because of what she'd said to him yesterday? No, that couldn't be, she dismissed the idea just as swiftly as it had come. Gilbert was as concerned as she was about Lizzy and Henry. No doubt that is why he had made the sudden offer of his services, she rationalized. It had nothing to do with her. Still, she knew it would be a huge imposition for him, to give up weeks of earnings to search the public records of Charlottetown looking for the relatives of two small children. But oh, how she hoped he could! How she hoped he would be successful.
"Anne, what you doing?" Diana asked, as Anne broke out from her reverie to meet Diana's puzzled gaze. Anne blushed with realization at what she'd been caught doing unawares. She'd been mouthing a prayer, a silent prayer, her mouth forming soundless words.
"Nothing Diana," Anne fibbed. "It's probably time I got going," she announced, rising to her feet but continuing the prayer in her mind.
Godspeed Gilbert. Godspeed.