Chapter 1:
Gilbert Blythe stood nervously in front of the school board. He was holding his hat in his hands and fiddling with it, trying to keep his hands a little busy while the school board talked over why Gilbert called the school board meeting.
Gilbert was sitting in one of the front row desks of the school house and was trying not to stare at the three people up front.
He went over to Rachel Lynde's house last night asking her if she could get the school board together the next day or so. He said it was important and he told her why and what he had been planning to do.
Rachel was silent for a moment and then gave Gilbert a grin. "I think that is mighty generous of you Gilbert. I know you had your heart set on teaching at Avonlea School. You told me that you wanted to teach here as soon as you graduated. Now you're changing your mind and wanting to withdraw your application? Is that correct?"
"Yes ma'am. I want to give Anne the school. She wants to be closer to Marilla and help her out with the farm and chores. Marilla helped Anne and took her in and Anne wants to return the favor and help her out. Especially with Marilla's eye site not doing so good." Gilbert said.
Rachel patted Gilbert's hand and smiled, "You're a fine young man Gilbert Blythe. You're sacrificing on being close to home and help your folks out and saving money for medical school like you wanted to. Instead, you're giving up the chance to let Anne teach in Avonlea. I'll make my rounds to the School Board this very evening and you can meet us in the school house, let's say 10:00 tomorrow morning?"
"Yes, ma'am and thank you. I want to give you this too so you can show the rest of the board. It's my letter and signature withdrawing the application for Avonlea School. I already have a teaching job at White Sands School. I start in September." Gilbert said giving her his letter.
Rachel took it and quickly read it and then folding it back up, she smiled at Gilbert. "I can see your mind is made up. Very well then Gilbert. I shall go immediately to Reverend Allan and Mr. Bell's house this evening and tell them to come to the school tomorrow morning. See you then Gilbert."
"Thank you, Mrs. Lynde." Gilbert said.
Sighing with relief, Gilbert went back home.
That's how he ended up here in the Avonlea School the next morning. Rachel, Reverend Allen, and Mr. Bell were talking in whispers about Gilbert's offer to Anne. He was antsy and anxious on what they would say to him.
"Gilbert son, please come up here." Mr. Bell said.
Gilbert came up and stood in front of the board. Rachel gave him a small wink and a grin and he knew that meant yes. But he kept it cool.
"We understand that you want to give the school to Anne Shirley, right?" Mr. Bell said.
"Yes sir. I'm not changing my mind either. I spoke to my parents and they agreed I can give her the school. I'm not backing out of this. It's more important for Anne to be near home and close to Marilla. It's my gift to Anne." Gilbert said.
"Well, I can see there is no sense in talking you out of your decision. Very well then Gilbert, Anne Shirley can be the new Avonlea School teacher for the next two years. Here is our letter with all our signatures on it saying it's hers. Good luck to your teaching in White Sands. I hope you won't forget Avonlea that easily." Mr. Bell said.
Gilbert took the letter that Mr. Bell had written and he also took back his letter, he thanked them and gave Rachel a quick grin saying thank you. Another wink from Rachel, Gilbert slipped out of the old school for the last time.
"The school board accepted my offer in giving Anne the school. She can have it for two years." Gilbert said with a grin.
Gilbert's father John smiled as he set down his coffee mug. "Congratulations, Gilbert. I saw you going over to Rachel's house yesterday evening and your Ma told me you wanted to call the school board together. We are both proud of you."
"Thanks Pa. I just hope Anne accepts it and doesn't think of it as a charity matter." Gilbert said.
"Anne might not accept it at first, but she will once you explain why you're wanting to give her the school. You're sacrificing a lot son by giving Anne the school. I hope you know that. I'm not trying to guilt-trip you. I think what you're doing is might kind of you. Just be sure to tell Anne this act of kindness isn't charity." John said.
"You're not guilt-tripping me Pa. I thought long and hard and I even spoke to Diana Barry about giving the school to Anne. Diana thought it was nice and sweet. Diana also told me I was sacrificing but I assured her I know what I was doing and she promised to keep this a secret." Gilbert said.
"Diana won't tell a soul. As far as Anne knows, you're still teaching at the Avonlea School. Diana and Anne were talking about it yesterday afternoon. Diana told me that Anne will be perfectly happy staying at home helping Marilla and she will do her study college courses in the evenings." Gilbert said.
"It sounds like Anne has her future set. We have some news to tell you. Aunt Chelsea wrote to me last week. She mentioned that you wrote to Katie telling her you will be her teacher in the fall at her school.
Gilbert was just getting ready to head out the door to go and see Anne. He was excited to deliver the good news about giving her the Avonlea School.
Gilbert was halfway down the stairs when he heard his mother call him. He hopped down the two steps and his mother looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"I wish you wouldn't jump down the last two stairs like that. You'll trip one of these days and fall flat on your face. I need to talk to you for a moment. Are you heading out?" His mother asked.
Gilbert grinned. "Yes. I was going to deliver the good news to Anne about her having the Avonlea School but it can wait though. What's on your mind?"
"Your Aunt Chelsea wrote me yesterday. She told me that you had mentioned you were going to be Katie's teacher this year for school. Katie is excited but scared too. Has Katie mentioned to you that she was having trouble in school?" Isabelle asked.
Gilbert thought for moment. "No, not at all. What does this have to do with me though?"
"Aunt Chelsea wants to know if you would like to tutor Katie this summer. She barley passed school this year. She got D-'s and C-'s. Occasionally a C+. Her teacher took pity on Katie and passed her onto the fourth grade. Katie is having trouble in math, spelling, writing, and reading/reading out loud. Aunt Chelsea offered room and board instead of paying you money for tutoring Katie, you can stay at their house during the school year instead. That way, you can save money for medical school. Plus, you will be able to help Katie after school in the evenings and you and Katie can spend more time with each other. Aunt Chelsea doesn't want to put pressure on you though. She is having Katie bring along all her school work, her slate, and her writhing tablets with her school books just in case. Aunt Chelsea wants you two to have a fun summer."
"Of course, I'll help Katie!" Gilbert said.
Isabelle smiled at Gilbert. "I knew you would. Just don't be too hard on her but be firm and strict if you have to be though. I'll go up to the spare room and gather up all your old school supplies. Including an old chalk board and pointer you can use, with your old school books, papers and Katie's. I'm sure you'll find some wonderful lesson ideas."
"Thanks Ma. When will they be here?" Gilbert asked.
"Two days so I have a lot to do." Isabelle said.
"That doesn't give me a lot of time to gather up ideas and write out lesson plans. I need to get on that right away as soon as I get back from Anne's. Oh, I can't wait. This will be fun!" Gilbert said.
"Send Anne my love and congratulations to getting the school. Maybe Anne can help you come up with some lesson plans ideas for Katie." Isabelle said.
Gilbert grinned. "Absolutely. I'll be back in less than an hour. I have to prepare!"
Hugging his mother and grabbing his hat, he made his way out to the barn.
Gilbert rode his horse Primrose down to Green Gables to give Anne his exciting news. One was about giving her the Avonlea School and the other was that Katie was coming to spend the whole summer with him and his parents.
Gilbert was coming down the hill when he saw Anne walking back from visiting Mathew's grave. He saw her put her hand over her eyes to see who was coming down the hill.
As he got closer to her, he slowed his horse down and Anne stopped walking. Gilbert got off his horse and was holding the reins so she can graze on the grass while they talked.
"Hello, Anne. " Gilbert said
"Hello, Gil. What brings you out this way?" Anne asked.
Anne saw Gilbert pull out an envelope and she looked at him curiously.
"I have a few things to tell you. But first, I want you to read this." Gilbert handed her the envelope and she looked at him.
"Open it." Gilbert said.
Anne opened the envelope and quickly looked over the letter. Gilbert's eyes never leaving Anne's face. He was watching Anne's expression anxiously. Not sure how she would react to this piece of news he gave her.
What felt like forever, Anne finally looked up at Gilbert.
"You're-you're giving me the Avonlea school? But why Gil? You need to save money for medical school. I can't accept this. I have plenty to do to keep me busy." Anne said.
"I can't go back to the school board again. I already signed the paper work. My name is signed already. Please accept this, Anne. Let's say this is a thank you for finally speaking to me and we can be friends." Gilbert said.
Anne looked at Gilbert and a small grin appeared on her face. "I don't know what to say expect thank you for giving me the school Gilbert. I had plenty to do at home. I came to peace with my decision on not teaching. I was going to study at home and help Marilla with the farm. But this, this a gift and I can't tell you how appreciative I am."
"I know how much Marilla and Green Gables means to you Anne. Marilla helped you and took you in when you needed a home and a family. Now you're wanting to do your part and help Marilla. That's why I did what I did. I wanted you to be close to Green Gables. I'll still be teaching. Just at White Sands where their school is. My little cousin Katie will be in my class." Gilbert said.
"Oh Gil. I can't let you sacrifice your medical school just for us. You need the money for medical school which why I didn't take the Avonlea School. So, you can be close to home and stay with your parents while you teach." Anne said.
Gilbert grinned. "Will you hush up Anne. That's what else I wanted to talk to you about. I have been writing to my cousin Katie since she left to go back home at Christmas time. I told her I was planning on giving you the Avonlea School. I had planned on teaching at White Sands. When Katie said she goes there, I got even more excited. Katie told her mother, my aunt, about me teaching at White Sands. My aunt offered me to tutor Katie this summer in school. Katie has been struggling in four subjects. Math, reading/reading out loud, spelling, and writing. My aunt asked me to tutor Katie this summer, I can stay at my aunt and uncle's house during the school year so I can save money for medical school. That way, I can also tutor Katie as well in the evenings after we get home from school. So, you see, I'm still going to save money just like I planned. Only difference is, I'll be teaching at White Sands and staying at my aunt and uncles house instead of my house." Gilbert said.
Anne looked at him letting this information sink in. "Are your parents okay with you giving me the school? You'll be away from them for so long. You were planning on helping them on the farm on the evenings and weekends."
Gilbert groaned. "It's all worked out Anne. I promise my family is okay with this. I'm not turning back now. I can't with my cousin needing my help in school. I'm too excited to turn this opportunity down. I'll be helping my cousin in her school work for the next two or three years and tutoring her every chance I get. She struggled this year in school. She barley passed. She had D+'s and C-'s which isn't passing. I plan on getting her to B+'s and A-'s by the time my teaching career is done. I'll need help though coming up with ideas. You're better at that then I am. What do you say Anne? Will you accept my offer on giving you the Avonlea School?"
"Yes Gil. Only if I get to see Katie this summer." Anne said with a grin.
"Absolutely. " Gilbert promised.
"Katie has been writing to me too since Christmas time. Her writing can use a little work, and spelling." Anne said chuckling.
"How come you didn't tell me Katie was writing to you too?" Gilbert asked.
"Katie asked me not to tell you. I wanted to respect her wishes. She said she is excited to see you this summer, but also scared that you're going to be her teacher. Katie will have anxiety Gil. She is going to be shy towards you when you first start teaching her. Don't be too hard on her on the first morning of summer school. Especially if she doesn't want to eat breakfast. If I hear that you force fed that child again like you did last summer, I swear Gilbert Blythe I will break a dozen slates over your head and have Katie break another dozen slates. I won't accept the school if you pull that stunt again. Anne said.
"I have only done that once and my mother just reminded me again. She threatened that I won't teach Katie this summer and make sure that you will be teaching her instead. I know Katie will be scared of me being her teacher. I will be strict and firm if I have to. She needs to eat breakfast though Anne. If she doesn't, she'll be hungry. I can't have her eating a snack during class when school actually starts. That wouldn't be fair to the other children. I will expect her to eat breakfast in the mornings. Even when she visits us. She knows I am strict with her and I don't let her get away with much. I'll try not to lose my temper though." Gilbert finished.
"I know you're going to be in charge of her most of the time she is there during the school time hours. Just remember she will be shy and scared of you being her teacher so go slow. Baby steps. I have to go home now. But I'll write a list of ideas for you to work on with Katie. I'll drop them off tomorrow. Gil? I want to thank you for giving me the school. This means more to me then you know. I'll make you proud and I'll make sure that you won't regret giving me the school" Anne finished.
Gilbert grinned. "I don't regret giving you the school Anne. It was meant to be. This will work. We'll make it work. I need to go too. I promised mother that I will help get the guest room ready for Katie. I need to find all my school books and slate. I need to make lesson plans, tests, and quizzes to see where Katie is at. I have a lot to do. I'll walk you home though. You can tell Marilla and Rachel the good news."
Anne grinned and she allowed Gilbert to put his arm around her shoulder to walk her home with his horse Primrose walking behind therm.