Author's Note:
So I found a map of Halifax from 1890 that I'm using for a reference. I also did some research on Dalhousie (Redmond), and found during this era there was only one building for the whole campus. It's a 4 story building (plus basement) called today Forrest Building. It was probably about a 20 minute walk from Anne's boarding house (East of campus), and a 25 minute walk from Patty's Place (South of campus).
Chapter 4: Rushing Home
Those first three weeks at Redmond had seemed long; but the rest of the term flew by on wings of wind. Before they realized it the Redmond students found themselves in the grind of Christmas examinations, emerging therefrom more or less triumphantly. The honor of leading in the Freshman classes fluctuated between Anne, Gilbert and Philippa; Priscilla did very well; Charlie Sloane scraped through respectably, and comported himself as complacently as if he had led in everything. - Chapter VII, Anne of the Island
Gilbert refused to leave Anne's side as Miss Hannah brought smelling salts to revive her. He could feel the letter burning in his coat pocket as his mind whirled. Whatever Anne would need he'd do.
She sat up sputtering from the smell. He knelt over her, holding her hand."Anne?"
"I…" She glanced about pushing the blanket laid on her lap off as she pushed him back and stood up. "I've got to pack, if I leave now I'll just catch the train straight through to Pictou tonight."
"Your exams!" Miss Hannah cried.
"You won't get home any sooner for missing your exam tomorrow. You poured over that boat and train schedule Charlie brought when we met him after class last week as much as I did. The winter ferry boat only goes one way each day. Saturday's the soonest you can catch it."
"Yes. Oh… The final one is tomorrow morning, then I've only one final paper left. I'll turn it in tomorrow with a note explaining, and catch the train after." She glanced about wildly. "Gilbert, if I'd only know. I would have insisted when she'd come to see a specialist!"
He rushed to her, laying his hand. "Anne, she did… I took her. She didn't want you to worry, swore me to secrecy."
She glared at him. "Gilbert Blythe!"
"Anne! It was her decision." He ran his fingers through his curly hair, before kneeling in front of her. "She wrote you a letter if she took a turn for the worse. Made me promise to keep it for you. She knew you'd worry too much. I've been worried like crazy…"
"What is it?" She gulped.
"A tumor in her brain. She saw Dr. Bernard, he's the head specialist for the brain. I went back and talked to him more about it afterwards. She'd had a few seizures. He'd suggested surgery but she refused. Didn't want to be cut open." His heart broke to see the tears falling quickly on her face.
"Get the letter then." She stood up. "I'm going to finish that paper, so I'm ready to leave on the afternoon train."
He reached into his coat pocket. "She had me so worried, I've been praying hard for her Anne. Kept the letter with me, not that I read it. It's still sealed. But kept it with me except for practices."
She gulped, nodding as she took the letter from his hand.
—-
The letter was warm, even smelling of Gilbert which was disconcerting. She sat down on the sofa, not minding that she accidentally squashed one of Miss Ada's pillows. With shaking fingers she opened the letter, reading it in the lamplight from the small side table next to the couch. She read it quickly, then a second time before dropping the letter. She stared at Gilbert wide eyed, and ran up the stairs calling down that she'd be on the first train in the morning soon as she turned in her paper. How could Marilla suggest?
She shook her head, and rushed to the stairs, calling back. "I'm going to pack quickly, and finish that paper. I'm sure Professor Lark will understand turning it in such. I'll bring my things with me to my final so I can leave straight from there. I'll be tending Marilla, oh she must recover!"
—
Gilbert stared as Anne ran up the stairs, the letter left forgotten lay on the floor. There was no point leaving straight after classes ended. The through train to Pictou where they caught the Island ferry only went twice a day. Leaving early morning or late evening. Picking up the letter up he'd meant to fold it when the last lines caught his eye.
"I know it's asking a lot, but I know Gilbert will be asking me for permission to marry you one day. Please, my dying wish is to see you two wed before I die. You'll protect Green Gables, the twins, and even Rachel that way. But more than that I'll die easier knowing Gilbert will be there for you in the grief. If he's your husband upon my death, for as I write I know he's already twenty one and of age, he'll have legal authority to protect all of you. Whether Davy or you are finally decided the heir, he'll protect you from Douglas.
I'll always love you Anne, and I'm so glad they made that mistake in Hopetown sending us you instead of that boy."
Gilbert folded the letter back up, slipping it again into his coat pocket, rushing towards the stairs when Miss Hannah stopped him. "Oh no young man. No men upstairs."
He flushed and stepped down. "Tell her I'll meet her after her final, and I'll make all the arrangements. Please give her her letter. I'll purchase our tickets for the 5:20 train tomorrow evening. I'll pick her up at 3pm" He then bowed over her hand, thanking her for taking care of Anne during her grief, and with the letter safe in Miss Hannah's hand, he turned to the door.
He stepped outside, the sun just setting. The campus wouldn't close for an hour yet. He'd have to find a way to convince Professor Mansfield to let him take his human anatomy final that next morning or wait for his return after the break. Anne couldn't face traveling home alone. Not with her distress. So as he ran, he prayed that Professor Mansfield would be still in his office.
The man wasn't. But his secretary was, and at Gilbert's pleading, begging the secretary for help to take the exam early so he could escort his girl home whose guardian was dying. The older woman just shook her head and gave him Professor Mansfield's home address.
He'd run there also, out of breath as he knocked on the door nearly the other side of Kingsport. A maid answered and he was shown into the study while Professor Mansfield was fetched from his dinner.
"I'm so sorry Sir. I wouldn't have disturbed you if it weren't an emergency."
"What's the problem?" The man at least was kind as he sat at his desk, reaching for his pipe. "Not that I complain for my mother in law is visiting."
"My girl, Anne Shirley."
"Red head on campus. Yes I've seen her with you."
"I was walking her home when a telegram arrived. Her guardian is dying. She's leaving of course soon as she can tomorrow after her last exam. We've been neighbors half our lives ever since the Cuthbert's adopted her. I can't let her go home alone. Please, is there any way I can take my final tomorrow? Or after the Christmas break?"
Professor Mansfield puffed. "You can now. I'll call a plate for you first, best to not have you take the exam on an empty stomach. Mind you it'll be a different exam as everyone else, can't risk you leaking the answers. No, I'll have you write a paper for me here tonight."
It was nearly nine at night when Gilbert left, exhausted, his hand sore from writing but thankfully his stomach full. He'd arrived back at the boarding house, found Charlie and sold him his pocket watch that Aunt Mary Maria had given him for his twenty first birthday. With three dollars to his name, he counted out the costs for a telegram to Diana, nodding he ran through the icy streets to the station where the telegram office was open even in winter until midnight. "Diana, Stop. Escorting Anne Ferry Saturday. Stop. Gilbert." Then purchasing their tickets, he gulped at how little he had left. For Anne though it was worth it. He'd just have to do odd jobs for folks to afford the fair back after the holidays.
The return to his boarding house was slower. Slipping into his room in the third floor attic of his boarding house. He glanced at his books. Succeed or not he'd finished his finals. The pass list for the term wouldn't be mailed for two weeks. With a deep breath, he turned to packing. Carefully packing two suits around the skates in the center. The carpet bag back in the corner by the door, he knelt to pray by his bed. With amen, he blew out the candle and was asleep quickly, dreams filled with worry for the Green Gables Folks. What ever Anne needed. He would do. He'd have to. He'd have to put his own dreams aside. But for Anne it would be worth it.
—-
When Miss Hannah returned the letter, she patted Anne's shoulder. "Fine young man you have. Said he'll meet you here at three, to catch the evening train."
Anne signed. It was likely for the best for in her worry over Marilla she'd likely miss the train or some sort of catastrophe. She slept little instead working on finishing the paper, writing a note to Phil, and talking for thirty minutes to Pris about what happened. She'd have to send Diana a telegram the next day soon as she reached the station.
Oh what had Marilla been thinking? She thought as she paced the small room unable to sleep. This Douglas Cuthbert must be understanding she thought. But then paused remembering Matthew mentioning his cousin once when she'd had a sore throat. She'd sat with him in the parlor as Marilla had gone off to get some cough medicine from Orchard Slope and he'd mentioned his cousin.
She could still remember it, shy Matthew sitting with her…
"Matthew, now there's several branches of Andrews here about, and most folks are somewhat related. But you and Marilla, I've never once heard you mention any relatives."
"Now I reckon you're right. But we've a few cousins." He scratched his beard. "There's the Keiths over in East Grafftin, and of course Douglas. Not a man to be trusted. Always wanted revenge for what our father did to his father he claimed. Though truth is he did it to himself. He claims he should have gotten Orchard Slope. It all used to be one farm you know. But my grandfather declared our father the only heir. Sold Orchard Slope, and my father built Green Gables. Course, Douglas only ever wanted the heirloom. Nearly burned down Green Gables searching for it."
Annes eyes went wide at the story. "A heirloom here at Green Gables?"
"Never saw it myself." He shrugged. "And Douglas, he's ten years younger than me. He's never seen it either. Just an old family story really. Now don't you go repeating it. Marilla'll have my head. She took Father's warning seriously to never repeat what happened. Whatever it was, it was a mighty scandal. So promise me Anne girl that you won't tell Marilla or a single soul? Our secret. But either way you best avoid Douglas. He's only scared of Marilla and her frying pan. Otherwise he stays out over in Summerside last I heard."
Somehow she'd forgotten about that. For Diana had come over soon after with the most scandalizing tale at school about how Charlie Sloane had written a horrible poem to Ruby Gillis.
She couldn't sleep. Instead she worried, prayed, and wore a path in the small room through the night. Finally as dawn started to creep on the horizon, and the glints of it began to reflect across the street on a few of the remaining polished gravestones. She dressed, saw to her toilet and finished packing the last of her things. She held her paper under her arm, and slipped down the stairs.
Miss Ada made her eat though her stomach was in knots. She left the valise in the kitchen with Miss Ada, taking the paper took the first step to finishing the term.
—
Gilbert stood at the entrance of Redmond College, watching students enter and exit, determined to catch Anne as she left her final. He finally saw her coming down the main stairs, arm in arm with Pris, her valise on the outside arm. "Gilbert!" Pris waved to him.
"Hello girls." Gilbert bowed quickly. "Thought I'd escort you home before Anne and I head off for home."
"You're heading home too? I thought you had Anatomy on Monday…" Pris asked.
"Took it last night. Professor Mansfield was most helpful." Gilbert grinned. "Peter Young, he's in the Lambs offered to give us a lift Anne."
Both Pris and Anne's eyes went wide. Pris spoke. "Well, I promised Anne I'd see her off, you don't think he'd mind?"
"Nah." Gilbert shook his head. "It's got two rows."
Introductions were quickly made, and with the two girls in back, Gilbert climbed up next to his friend as they headed towards first Number 38, then the north end where the station was.
"Did you turn in your paper?" Pris asked. "I swear I heard you still up when I woke up worried about if I remembered right which years each King and Queen came to the throne in England. And I didn't need it at all."
"I did." Anne, Gilbert thought, sounded beyond tired. "I couldn't sleep, oh I'm so worried. I can't imagine Green Gables without Marilla. And what will happen to the twins? Mrs. Lynde? I could only stay up and study."
"Will you be home tonight?" Peter asked.
"No." Gilbert shook his head. "In the summer months you can do it in a long day. When we came in September, I left home at 6am, and we didn't arrive at the station here in Kingsport until 9pm. Winter though it's at least a two day journey. If all conditions are favorable that is. The boat only goes once way every other day, and half the time it'll arrive too late in Charlottetown I've heard that you'll miss the last train. But then it is easier than the ice boats. Dad took those once. Of course, that's the only way across once the ice gets bad. Doesn't normally though get that bad when we return in January at least. Typically February when it gets bad."
They arrived at the station with plenty of time, to which Peter Young insisted on treating them all to bowls of soup at a cafe across from the station. They'd laughed until hearing a church bell sounding 5pm, Gilbert glanced towards Anne. "We've got to run!"
Anne jumped up reaching for her bag, but Gilbert was quicker, grabbing both bags before nodding to Peter & Pris. Anne ran after him as he strode out the cafe. "Gilbert I've got to get my ticket."
"Already got it Anne." Gilbert nodded towards the station as he walked so fast she had to take three steps for each of his. "Got our tickets and sent Diana a telegram last night."
"I'll pay you back soon as we're on board. " Anne glanced at the other two just leaving the station. "Farewell, and merry Christmas, write to me Pris!"
"I'll be praying for Marilla!" Pris cried, "And write soon as your home on how she is."
"Will!" Anne turned and ran towards the station after Gilbert. The train was just arriving, passengers debarking. Anne ran after Gilbert hurrying towards the third class car in back. Barely catching her breath as she finally caught up with him, they climbed into the climbed into the third class car, and caught their breaths before finding seat He lead the way to a row about a third of the way back, slipped the bags under the bench and motioned for her to enter first. She sat down staring out the window as a few minutes later the train began to slowly pull out of Kingsport. Her mind spun. She was supposed to be next week respectfully traveling with all the Island Redmond students next week, instead here she was alone with Gilbert. "Gilbert! What did you send Diana?"
"Told her we'd be on the ferry tomorrow." Gilbert shrugged. "Wanted her to know you were on the way. We'll have to send a second when we know if we caught the last boat train."
"Gilbert! There's enough gossip about us already… At least you sent it to Diana and not Mrs. Lynde."
"Anne, I'm not letting my best friend go home and face this alone. Sure Diana's there, but she's not there on the way. I promised Marilla when she came I'd look out for you. And you don't have to."
Anne grumbled at that. "Fine, I'll purchase the rest of our fairs. That should make us even. And we'll stay at different inns tonight."
"Anne, I'll stay at the same one as you. I said I'd look out for you and that means making sure I see you safely to your room and escort you to breakfast in the morning. We were all going to stay at the Scotsman Inn anyways. Charlie won't stop talking about how it's the only decent lodging in Pictou, the others are too…" Gilbert sought for the word. "Lets just say that Marilla would skin me alive as would my folks, and Mrs. Lynde, and Diana if I let either of us stay at any of the other lodgings in that town. And it was fine when we all talked about it three days ago. Charlie and I would be in one room and you and Pris in the other…"
"Fine. But it will set tongues wagging in Avonlea. It's bad enough already. You're a good friend really…" Anne's words trailed off as she yawned.
"Just get some sleep Anne." Gilbert said, nodding to the conductor coming up the aisle. "I'll show him our tickets, rest on my shoulder. We'll get there in time, somehow."
"But what if we don't. What if I don't get to…"
"We will."
—
Anne woke as they came close towards their transfer. It was late, past her bedtime, and she blushed to realize she'd slept on Gilbert's shoulder. She stretched as unobtrusively as she could, sore from the hard benches in the third class. He'd grabbed the bags as they came into the station, purchased cups of hot tea that they quickly drank as they waited.
The next train she'd refused to speak, though she felt the letter burning in her skirt pocket. How could Marilla suggest such a thing? Marilla hadn't ever needed to marry! There had to be another solution. She gulped glancing towards Gilbert. No, he was not her ideal, a good friend it was true but not her ideal.
"Who's Douglas?" Gilbert asked as they started to slow down towards the Pictou station. "I saw the ending of the letter, Marilla's request. Didn't read more though…"
"A cousin of Matthew and Marilla's. I don't know much more except the little they've told me. I think he lives on the mainland. They don't approve of him that much I know. Something about a heirloom the family split over I believe." She glanced at him. "He really can't be that much a threat. I mean I know Marilla made the suggestion, which flabbergasted me. I might expect that of Mrs. Lynde but Marilla would never. I mean we're good friends and all. But one doesn't marry just to appease a death bed. Why then, when Mr. Hammond died due to his demands Mrs. Hammond would have had to marry his best friend who was worse of a drunk then he was…" Her eyes went wide. She always hated talking about those times and tried to keep the details of that time in her life to a minimum when speaking with her friends.
"Well, lets figure it out. We might find another solution besides marrying…"
"No. We'll talk sense. Likely to Douglas and mend that bridge. That is how it should be dealt with."
"May I read the letter. If you don't want to, but I think it's best if we're going to find a solution…"
"Well we're not marrying thats a fact. I'm sure Mr. Douglas Cuthbert will be reasonable and will understand that Mrs. Lynde and I should be in in charge of the twins, and will not bother us at Green Gables. Anyways Matthew never thought there really was a heirloom."
The whistle blew, and Gilbert stood to collect their bags as the train came to a stop. Let's get our rooms and some supper and we can review it and plan as we eat.
Anne just rolled her eyes. This was not Gilbert's problem, but perhaps he might come up with another idea.
Their first problem when walking the five blocks from the station to the Scotsman Inn, arriving past eleven at night and Anne almost sleepwalking with exhaustion was a sign outside the door. "No Vacancy."
"Gilbert?" Anne found herself leaning on him. If it wasn't for the cold she could sleep right there
"We'll keep looking," Gilbert said, slipping both bags into one hand, to wrap the other around her shoulder. "Come on, we'll find someplace respectable. Someone to take pity…"
The second inn they came to, was less respectable, for it had a bar still open below. "Full up. Just about everyone is. There's a saloon on the warf, but it's a rough crowd there. Even the hall here's booked with the boat not having run all week. But it came at last this afternoon. So it'll be off first light tomorrow. Might be standing room only on the boat, but you'll get a ticket. The Salty Dog's the most likely. It's a brave traveler who'll mingle with the sailors. But you'll be safer there in a room than in the common room here, or in the station itself. Especially with the cold. But don't forget. Bolt the door. And keep a close eye on her."
The Salty Dog was a two story building, with a rowdy bar on the first floor and rooms for the night above, rented hourly or nightly. From the moment they approached, Gilbert kept his arm around Anne's waist, indecently she thought. Yet at least it kept some worry at bay. "We're looking for a room."
Anne gulped. Room? They should have two rooms, preferably side by side. She glanced about. Perhaps it was best, somehow she'd feel safer with Gilbert there,
"Sure thing Mister." The barkeeper spoke. "Have a room just cleared a few minutes ago. Long Tom when ever he's on shore always is quick. And too cheep to pay a whole night. Will get it cleaned up in a jiffy while you wait. Take a seat at one of the tables and Maggie will get you some ale to warm up. On the house."
"We'll take it." Gilbert said squeezing Anne, as though he was willing her to not speak up. He sat the bags down and took the registrar. He dipped the pen and glanced at Anne. Was he going to sign them in as man and wife she thought?
"Just yourself young man." The barkeeper laughed. "I never register the ladies. They never use their real name."
Had they entered into a den of sin? Anne did her best to not let any others see her fear, instead lowering to pick up their bags, she whispered to Gilbert. "Maybe we should just stay in the station for the night…'
"If it was summer I'd say that's the best option but It'll be too cold. I'll sleep on the floor."
Anne could only nod. This was a disaster! The worst of scrapes. "The floor then, and I'm sure that there must be something besides ale there to drink, for I am thirsty. Marilla doesn't even keep her currant wine anymore since I set Diana drunk all those years ago. What if others can smell it?"
Gilbert shook his head. "I'm sure he'll have water at least."
Two minutes later, they'd sat down as a burly woman set two tankards of ale in front of them, the amber foaming over and spilling. She didn't look up as Gilbert asked after water. The woman, burley and looking to be in her mid thirties laughed. "Can't drink the water. The well went and hasn't been limed yet. Been having to boil our water from the sea. Affecting all the dock mind you. There's salt water to clean with in the morning, won't harm you but I suggest not drinking it." With that the woman sat down a plate of bread and butter. "Can't drink on an empty stomach or you'll be sick all night. Eat up."
"Guess we best pray over our midnight snack…" Gilbert spoke at last. "Then we can look at that letter."
Author's Note:
Question… What would Mr. & Mrs. Harrison name their well bred female dog? The one who's the mother of "The Shrimp" She's a medium sized dog of respectable linage according to Mrs. Lynde. That she'd allowed all the male dogs of Avonlea or worse a stray dog to mount her in her heat leading to pups of questionable breeds is quite appalling to Mrs. Lynde and Mrs. Harrison.
Also yes… The Salty Dog… I don't think I'd ever want to go there.