So Anne ran home and packed her bags to go to Boston. She took a ferry to the mainland and got on a train to Boston. She arrived the next evening. She got a cab to Morgan's former home. She took a gulp and rang the doorbell. Which was answered very promptly.
"I'm Anne Shirley. I received a letter-" Anne said as she was cut off by the maid,
"Come in Ms. Shirley. We have been expecting you," Anne was ushered in, and then the maid bellowed for the occupants of the house, "Ms. Shirley is here!" Emmeline came running down the stairs very unladylike. Soon came Pauline and Issac Kent.
"Oh Ms. Shirley! I'm so happy you've come!" Emmeline yelled happily.
"Hello Ms. Shirley," Pauline said a bit shyly, "You know Issac,"
"Hello," Issac and Anne both said.
"You may want to get settled. You have a long day tomorrow," said an unfamiliar voice, "I'm Robert Price," he introduced himself.
"Not quite now. What I DO want to do, is know what I am going to be doing tomorrow that makes it so long, I would also like to know the terms of the will," Anne replied.
"Alright then, would you care to join me in the study?" asked Mr. Price.
They went into the study and began talking. "Here is the will Ms. Shirley," said Mr. Price giving Anne a copy of the will, "I have highlighted the parts that pertain to you." Anne read and quoted, "If she allows, Ms. Anne Shirley is to have my daughter Emmeline's guardianship until her coming of age. I will give $5,000 to Ms. Shirley, and 3/4 of my remaining estate in a trust fund for my daughter. Mrs. Pauline Kent is to have the remaining 1/4. In the event of my daughter's coming of age, Ms. Shirley is to have 1/4 of the trust fund." "Do agree to these terms Ms. Shirley?" asked Mr. Price.
"Yes sir I do. Where do I sign?" Anne replied.
"Here, here and there," was the reply as Mr. Price pointed out spots. Anne signed and the two went out to the common area.
"Oh, Mr. Price, do you know where I could send a telegram to my fiance?" Anne asked.
"I can send a telegram out. Would you like to give one to me?"
"Yes
please: 'To Mr. Gilbert Blythe
-stop- I have made a decision that
will concern you -stop- Emmeline Harris's father passed away -stop- I
am now her legal guardian until her coming of age -stop- Captain
Harris also left me a large sum of money -stop- I'll come to you soon
with more information -stop- Please have the desk reserve my room and
the closest room I can get to it for Emmeline -stop- I'll be there in
about a week to explain -stop- Love Anne -stop-' Can I send one more
please?"
"of course,"
"Alright, here: 'To Marilla Cuthbert and Rachel Lynde Green Gables PEI -stop- I have been appointed as Emmeline Harris's legal guardian -stop- Please make a room for her -stop- I'll be home in a few days -stop- love Anne -stop-'Thank you sir. I'm going to talk to Emmeline now," Anne finished. She walked over to Emmeline's room and knocked. "Its me Em," she said.
"Come in Ms. Shirley," Emmeline asked her in.
"You might as well start calling me Anne, I'm now your legally appointed guardian," Anne told Emmeline as she opened the door.
The next day was Morgan's funeral. It was very plain and simple. No one would have known his monetary status had they driven by. Though it was plain, it was moving.
The day after Morgan's funeral, Emmeline packed up and they went back to Green Gables. Throughout the train ride, it was obvious that Emmeline was suppressing her emotions. Anne did her best to comfort her.
Anne and Emmeline arrived at Green Gables early the next morning. Both of them were mentally, emotionally and physically drained. Diana was again there to pick them up to drive them to Green Gables.
They went to sleep before anyone but Diana knew they were there. Marilla had left out some snacks for them, and a note that told Anne that Emmeline was sleeping in the guest bedroom for the time being.
That afternoon, Anne and Emmeline boarded a train to go see Gilbert. They arrived around 4 am that next day.
They checked in and went up to their rooms. One on either side of Gilbert's room. Anne told Emmeline to get into her nightgown. While Anne had some important business to attend to. This important business was to call Gilbert to hear his voice.
"Hello
Anne," Gilbert said slyly but sleepily.
"How'd you know
it was me?" Anne asked in reply.
"Who else would ring my
room at 4:30 in the morning?" he asked.
"Good point!
I'll let you go back to sleep. I have to go check on Emmeline and you
need your rest." Anne stated clearly.
"No,No,No Anne.
Theres no use in going to back to sleep now, it takes me too long and
I'd be up before I was asleep. I'll get dressed and you can see me
after you tuck in Emmeline." Gilbert told Anne.
"Alright
Gilbert, I'll knock when I'm done," Anne told him.
Anne knocked on
Emmeline's door and Emmeline told her to come in.
"Goodnight!"
Anne said very perkily.
"Ms. Sh-Anne, you look incredibly
upbeat and perky," Emmeline observed, "What happened when I
was getting into my nightgown?" she asked.
"All right,
you caught me," Anne said in a joking gloomy fashion, "I
just woke up Gilbert, and he's getting dressed to see ME as I speak!"
Anne smiled brightly
"At this time of night? He must REALLY
love you," Emmeline observed.
"Yes," Anne said
dreamily, "He must," she said with a sigh, "Now get
into bed so I can go see him," Anne finished with a little
giggle. She gave Emmeline a hug and said "goodnight," once
more. Emmeline replied with a "goodnight," and Anne left to
float over dreamily to Gilbert's. She knocked and the door was
promptly answered.
"Oh My
Carrots, you are a sight for sore eyes!" Gilbert
exclaimed.
"Gil! Its so good to see you!" Anne exclaimed
right back at Gilbert.
Both of them were obviously utterly
delighted to see each other. They kissed each other and hugged.
After they hugged, Anne asked Gilbert jokingly, "Aren't you
going to invite me in?"
Gilbert did indeed invite Anne in,
then he said "I finally got time to finish your book. Its a
wonderful tribute. Although I knew everything that was going to
happen, because I lived it," Gilbert joked.
"Why thank
you Gil," Anne replied.
"I love you Anne!" Gilbert
said pulling Anne into a kiss.
"I should let you go back to
sleep," Anne observed sadly.
"Oh, its 5 already, I'd be
getting up in an hour anyway," replied Gilbert, "Just come
over to the couch and let me hold you."
"Sounds perfect
to me," replied Anne as they walked over to the couch.
Anne was about
to fall asleep when Gilbert's wakeup call came.
"I'll go
back to my room," Anne said as she stood up and yawned which
interrupted her speaking, "Have a wonderful day," she
finished her thought and kissed Gilbert good-bye.
Anne went back to her room soon enough to get her wakeup call. She answered it and went back to sleep. Around ten, Anne was awoken by Emmeline calling. Anne told Emmeline to get ready to go meet Gilbert, as his lunch break was at 11:30.
They both got
dressed in their casual best and left the boarding house about an
hour later. Anne and Emmeline waited on a bench outside the school
for 15 minutes. Gilbert then got out of class. He looked on the bench
where he knew Anne would be. At first all he saw was Emmeline (who he
didn't know at the time) because his view of Anne was blocked. As he
got closer, Anne came into view.
"Hello Anne!" Gilbert
said with a quick kiss to Anne, "and this must be Emmeline whom
you've told me so much about. Hello Emmeline."
"Hello
Mr. Blythe," Emmeline said quite shyly
"You can call me
Gilbert if you feel comfortable with that. I am practically your
second guardian, as Anne and I are engaged," Gilbert
replied
"Alright Gilbert," Emmeline smiled, "Anne
tells me you're studying to be a doctor."
"Yes, its
always been a dream of mine to help people," Gilbert
replied.
"That's very admirable," replied
Emmeline.
"Oh!" Anne interjected, "Your lunch,"
she said handing Gilbert a brown bag.
"Thank you Anne for the
lunch and Emmeline for the compliment," Gilbert said fishing a
sandwich out of the lunch bag.
The lunch went on like that. Gilbert and Emmeline getting to know each other, and Anne staying pretty much out of it. She was listening intently though. There were tidbits she had to comment on, like this one: Emmeline said to Gilbert "If it wasn't for Anne, I wouldn't be nearly as happy." That wasn't where Anne butted in, it was the next part of the conversation when Gilbert said "The first time I talked to Anne, she smashed a slate over my head." Emmeline got a good laugh out of that. After Emmeline was done laughing, Anne commented, "Our whole relationship history is written and commented on in my latest book." Gilbert checked his watch and realized that he again had to leave in a hurry.
"He is
QUITE charming," Emmeline commented about Gilbert after he was
out of earshot, "Why didn't you accept him the first time?"
she asked
"Its all in my book," Anne repeated, "I'll
give you a copy to read while I'm napping, as soon as we get back to
the boarding house," Anne promised.
They got back to the boarding house. Anne gave Emmeline a copy of her book and told Emmeline to go read in her own room while Anne took an hour nap. Anne took her nap then fixed her hair so that they could go pick up Gilbert. Anne made Emmeline leave the book at the boarding house. Emmeline was so enthralled with the book, Anne knew she had to stop Emmeline or she wouldn't have anything to read when Anne was talking to Gilbert about what happened in Boston.
They picked up
Gilbert and promptly went back to the boarding house. Emmeline went
to her room to read more of the book. Anne went into her room to wait
for Gilbert to change out of his school clothes. Gilbert came to her
door a few minutes after he had went in to change.
"She is
very enchanting," Gilbert observed about Emmeline, "So now
are you going to fill me in about what happened?" He asked.
"Her
father died and left a sum of money to me if I'd be her guardian,"
Anne explained.
"How much?" Gilbert asked
"About
twenty times what I got for my book, and more to come when she
reaches 18." Anne answered.
"$5000?" Gilbert asked
in awe.
"That was spare change for him too," Anne
commented.
"He must have thought very highly of you,"
Gilbert thought out loud.
"He did ask me to marry him you
know," Anne reminded Gilbert.
"I'm surprised he put you
in his will after you said no," Gilbert commented a bit
jokingly.
"He knew I'd be good for Emmeline," Anne
replied, "Now enough talking. Go study so you can take us out to
supper," Anne ordered.
"All right Anne," Gilbert
said with a fake sad face.
Anne shoved him playfully which forced
him to smile. She pulled him into a kiss and after the kiss, Gilbert
left. After ten minutes, Anne couldn't be alone any longer, so she
went to go check on Emmeline.
"How are you Emmeline?"
Anne asked after she was invited in.
"I'm fine," said an
Emmeline who wasn't really paying much attention to anything but
Anne's book, "You should go bug Gilbert instead of me,"
Emmeline told Anne, who did just that. She went out of Emmeline's
door and knocked on Gilbert's.
Gilbert answered
again very promptly, "Wow! It took you a whole fifteen minutes
to get bored and see me this time," he joked giving Anne a
hug.
"Very funny," said Anne sarcastically.
"Would
you like to come in and pester me?" asked Gilbert still joking.
"Yes Gil, I would," Anne said in a serious manner. She
tried to stay serious, but ended up bursting out laughing, as did
Gilbert.
"Why don't I just take you two out to supper now?
Its hopeless studying. I have the giggles and I can't study a serious
subject laughing," Gilbert suggested.
"Sure, let me tell
Emmeline, and then I'll get ready, and we can go," Anne
replied.
So they went out and had an enchanting supper.
Anne and Emmeline left the next day for Avonlea. Diana picked them up at the station again. When they got to Green Gables, Anne was informed by Marilla that she had a letter. She opened the letter and read it as Emmeline was upstairs unpacking.
'Dear Ms.
Shirley,
Two of the conditions of Morgan Harris's will were not
addressed in out brief meeting. Morgan Harris left you his boat The
Zephyr, and a house near your residence. It is at Avonlea Crossroads.
The ownership papers for both the boat and the house are enclosed.
The Zephyr can be shipped up to a port near Avonlea if you wish. I
would be happy to arrange it if you write back telling me that is
your wish.
Sincerely,
Robert
Price'
"Wow,"
Anne stood in one place in awe, "I own Rachel Lynde's house, and
a boat!"
"What was that Anne?" asked Emmeline
coming downstairs.
"Oh!" Anne was startled, "In
received a letter from Mr. Price. Your father left me a boat, and a
local house," Anne showed Emmeline the letter, "I'll take
you to MY house tomorrow," Anne promised.
"OK,"
replied Emmeline.
"Now I," Anne started with a yawn, "am
going to go to sleep in my own bed. Goodnight!"
"I'm
coming up right behind you," replied Emmeline also yawning.
The next day,
Anne had to tell Marilla and Rachel the news. She wasn't at all
concerned about Marilla, but she wasn't sure how Rachel would
react.
"Marilla, Rachel," Anne began, "I... I own,"
she said with a gulp, "I own Rachel's house."
"You
what!" asked Rachel.
"Morgan Harris left me your
house in his will. He bought it after you moved in here," Anne
repeated more descriptively, "So, I now own your house."
Both
Marilla and Rachel just sat with wide eyes. They didn't know what to
say.
"I'm going to go write a few letters. I'm going into
town today to file the deed and I might as well cover all bases,"
Anne explained
Anne went upstairs to write her letters.
The first one to Gilbert:
'Dearest Gil,
We are set for the rest of our lives! I own a boat and a house
that Morgan Harris left to me. I am in awe over this whole ordeal. I
own Rachel Lynde's house. I still can't say that without grinning.
I
already miss you! Its only been a day, but I long to be in your warm,
safe, loving arms again. To feel your soft lips against mine.
I
hope everything there is going well in school (I had to change the
subject or I was going to depress myself).
I'll say my good-byes
as I have two more letters to write, then I have to file the deed and
show Emmeline MY house.
I miss you so very, very much,
Yours oh
so lovingly,
Anne
(AKA Carrots)'
She sealed the letter and wrote to Katherine.
'Dear
Katherine,
The past two weeks have been very different. I received
word that Morgan Harris died, so I went to Boston to find out he left
Emmeline and $5000 to me. Then when we get home from visiting
Gilbert, I find out I own a boat and a house due to Morgan Harris's
generosity.
Can you believe all that? I still can't.
I hope
you are enjoying my book. I hope to come visit you with in a
month.
Anne'
She sealed that letter and wrote to Mr. Price.
'Dear Mr.
Price
Please have the boat transported to the port nearest to
Avonlea. I also wanted to tell you I am filing the deed right after I
mail the letter.
Sincerely,
Ms. Anne Shirley.
She sealed the final letter, and then asked Emmeline to go into town with her. They mailed the letters and filed the deed.
