Anne of Green Gables | English Audiobook for English Learners

[00:00:01]Anne of Green Gables [music] by LM Montgomery retold by Clare West. [music] Chapter 1. A surprise for the Kuthputs.

[00:00:17]Matthew Kuspet lived with his sister Merilla on their farm on Prince Edward Island in Canada. Their farmhouse, Green Gables, was just outside the little village of Aan Lee.

[00:00:35]Matthew was nearly 60 and had a long brown beard.

[00:00:40]His sister was 5 years younger.

[00:00:44]They were both tall and thin with dark hair.

[00:00:50]Everybody in Aavenly knew that the Kuthputs were quiet people who worked very hard on their farm.

[00:00:59]One afternoon, Matthew drove the horse and cart to the station.

[00:01:06]"Has the 530 train arrived yet?" he asked the station master.

[00:01:13]"Yes," the man replied.

[00:01:16]And there's a passenger who's waiting for you. A little girl.

[00:01:22]A little girl? Asked Matthew. But I've come for a boy. The children's home is sending us one of their orphan boys.

[00:01:34]We're going to adopt him, you see, and he's going to help me with the farmwork.

[00:01:42]Well, perhaps the children's home didn't have any boys, so they sent you a girl," answered the station master carelessly.

[00:01:51]"Here she is."

[00:01:54]Matthew turned shily to speak to the child.

[00:01:59]She was about 11 with long red hair in two plats. Her face was small, white, and thin, with a lot of freckles, and she had large gray green eyes.

[00:02:16]She was wearing an old brown hat and a dress which was too small for her.

[00:02:25]"Are you Mr. Kuspet of Green Gables?"

[00:02:30]she asked excitedly, in a high sweet voice.

[00:02:35]I'm very happy to come and live with you and belong to you.

[00:02:42]I've never belonged to anyone, you see.

[00:02:45]The people at the children's home were very kind, but it's not very exciting to live in a place like that, is it?

[00:02:57]Matthew felt sorry for the child.

[00:03:01]How could he tell her that it was all a mistake?

[00:03:06]But he couldn't just leave her at the station.

[00:03:09]He decided to take her home with him.

[00:03:13]Merilla could explain the mistake to her.

[00:03:18]He was surprised that he enjoyed the journey home.

[00:03:23]He was a quiet, shy man and he didn't like talking himself.

[00:03:29]But today he only had to listen because the little girl talked and talked and talked.

[00:03:40]She told him all about herself while they drove along.

[00:03:46]My parents died when I was a baby, you know, and for the last three years I've had to work for my food.

[00:03:58]I've lived with three different families and looked after their children. So, I've always been poor and I haven't got any nice dresses.

[00:04:09]But I just imagine that I'm wearing the most beautiful blue dress and a big hat with flowers on and blue shoes and then I'm happy.

[00:04:24]Do you imagine things sometimes?

[00:04:28]Well, I I not often, said Matthew.

[00:04:35]They were now driving past some very old apple trees next to the road.

[00:04:43]The trees were full of sweet smelling, snowy white flowers.

[00:04:49]The little girl looked at them.

[00:04:52]Aren't the trees beautiful?

[00:04:56]She said happily.

[00:04:59]But am I talking too much? Please tell me. I can stop if necessary, you know.

[00:05:08]Matthew smiled at her.

[00:05:11]You go on talking, he answered. I like listening to you.

[00:05:19]When they arrived at Green Gables, Merrila came to the door to meet them.

[00:05:26]But when she saw the little girl, she cried in surprise.

[00:05:31]Matthew, who's that?

[00:05:35]Where's the boy?

[00:05:38]The children's home has made a mistake, he said unhappily, and sent a girl, not a boy.

[00:05:48]The child was listening carefully.

[00:05:52]Suddenly, she put her head in her hands and began to cry.

[00:05:59]"You You don't want me," she sobbed. "Oh, oh, you don't want me because I'm not a boy."

[00:06:13]Now, now don't cry, said Mirilla kindly.

[00:06:19]Don't you understand?

[00:06:24]This is the worst thing that's happened to me in all my life.

[00:06:31]Well, you can stay here [snorts] just for tonight, said Mirilla. Now, what's your name?

[00:06:41]The child stopped crying.

[00:06:45]"Will you please call me Cordelia?"

[00:06:48]she asked.

[00:06:50]"Call you Cordelia?

[00:06:53]Is that your name?"

[00:06:57]"Well, no, it isn't." But it's a very beautiful name, isn't it?

[00:07:04]I like to imagine my name is Cordelia because my real name is Anne Shirley.

[00:07:13]And that's not a very interesting name, is it?

[00:07:18]Merilla shook her head.

[00:07:20]The child has too much imagination, she thought.

[00:07:26]Later, when Anne was in bed, Merrila said to her brother, "She must go back to the children's home tomorrow."

[00:07:37]"Merilla, don't you think?" began Matthew.

[00:07:43]She's a nice little thing, you know.

[00:07:47]Matthew Kuspet, are you telling me that you want to keep her? asked Merrila Crossley.

[00:07:56]Matthew looked uncomfortable.

[00:07:59]Well, she's clever and interesting and uts us," Matthew replied surprisingly quickly for him. "She's had a very unhappy life up to now, Merilla. She can help you in the house. I can get a boy from the village to help me on the farm.

[00:08:29]What do you think?

[00:08:32]Merilla thought for a long time.

[00:08:36]All right, she said in the end. I agree.

[00:08:40]The poor child can stay.

[00:08:43]I'll look after her.

[00:08:46]Matthew smiled happily.

[00:08:49]Be as good and kind to her as you can.

[00:08:53]Merilla, I think she needs a lot of love.

[00:09:03]Chapter 2.

[00:09:05]At Green Gables.

[00:09:08]And so the next morning, Merrila said, "Well, Anne, Matthew and I have decided to keep you. Only if you're a good girl, of course."

[00:09:22]Why, child? What's the matter?

[00:09:26]I'm crying, [snorts] sobbed Anne.

[00:09:30]Because I'm very happy.

[00:09:34]It's beautiful here.

[00:09:37]People say I'm very bad, but I'll try very hard to be good.

[00:09:44]Oh, thank you. [snorts] Thank you.

[00:09:48]Now, stop crying, child, said Merilla a little crossly. And listen, we're going to adopt you and send you to school after the summer holidays.

[00:10:02]Anne stopped crying.

[00:10:06]Can I call you Aunt Merrila?

[00:10:09]I've never had any family at all, so I'd really like to have an aunt.

[00:10:16]We could imagine that you're my mother's sister.

[00:10:21]I couldn't, answered Merrila firmly.

[00:10:26]Don't you imagine things? asked Anne surprised.

[00:10:31]No, I don't, Mirilla replied. I do my housework and look after Matthew and go to church on Sunday. There's no time for imagining things in this house. Just remember that, Anne.

[00:10:50]Anne was silent for a few minutes.

[00:10:54]Then she said, "Marila, do you think I'll find a best friend in Aan Lee? Someone who really understands me and knows all my secrets.

[00:11:10]I've always wanted a friend like that.

[00:11:14]Our friends, the Barrys, have a daughter called Diana, who's 11 like you. But if you want to play with her, you'll have to be very good. Mrs. Barry is very careful about Diana's friends.

[00:11:31]Diana?

[00:11:33]What a beautiful name, said Anne excitedly.

[00:11:39]Her hair isn't red, is it? I hope it isn't. She looked sadly at her red plats.

[00:11:47]I hate my hair.

[00:11:50]Diana has dark hair. She's a good, clever girl. Try to be like her, Anne.

[00:11:59]When the two girls met, they knew at once that they would be good friends.

[00:12:06]They often played together in the fields or by the river or in the garden.

[00:12:13]In the morning, Anne helped Merrila with the housework. Then in the afternoon, she played with Diana or talked happily to Matthew while he worked on the farm.

[00:12:26]She soon knew and loved every flower, tree, and animal at Green Gables.

[00:12:35]The Cuspits had another friend, Mrs. Rachel Lind.

[00:12:41]She liked to know everything that was happening in and around Avenly.

[00:12:49]She was very interested in the Kuspet's little orphan girl.

[00:12:54]So one day she visited Merrila.

[00:13:00]I was very surprised to hear about the child, she told Merrila.

[00:13:06]So you and Matthew have adopted her.

[00:13:11]I'm surprised myself, answered Merilla with a smile. But she's a clever little thing, you know, and she's always dancing or singing or laughing.

[00:13:25]Mrs. Lind shook her head sadly.

[00:13:30]What a mistake, Merrila.

[00:13:33]You've never had any children yourself, so how can you look after her?

[00:13:40]Just then, Anne ran in from the garden.

[00:13:44]She stopped suddenly when she saw a stranger in the kitchen.

[00:13:50]Mrs. Lind looked at the thin little girl in the short dress with her freckled face and red hair.

[00:13:59]"Isn't she thin, Merilla?" she said.

[00:14:04]"Just look at those freckles and hair as red as carrots."

[00:14:10]"Anne's face went red." She ran up to Mrs. Lind.

[00:14:17]I hate you, she shouted angrily. I hate you. You're [gasps] a horrible fat old woman. And she ran upstairs.

[00:14:32]Oh dear. Oh dear, said Mrs. Lind. What a terrible child. You'll not have an easy time with her, Merilla.

[00:14:46]You were rude to her, Rachel, Merrila replied before she could stop herself.

[00:14:53]Well, said Mrs. Lind. She got up and walked to the door.

[00:15:01]I think this orphan is more important to you than I am.

[00:15:06]When I think how long we've been friends, you'll have trouble with her. I can tell you.

[00:15:15]Well, I'm sorry for you, that's all.

[00:15:19]Goodbye.

[00:15:23]Merilla went upstairs to Anne's room.

[00:15:27]The child was lying on her narrow bed, sobbing loudly.

[00:15:33]You mustn't get angry like that, Anne.

[00:15:37]Mrs. Lind is my friend, and you were very rude to her.

[00:15:43]She was rude to me, said Anne. She said I was thin and freckled and redhaired.

[00:15:52]It was very unkind.

[00:15:56]I understand how you feel, said Miller.

[00:16:01]But you must go to her and tell her you're sorry.

[00:16:06]I can never do that, said Anne firmly.

[00:16:12]Then you must stay in your room and think about it. You can come out when you agree to say that you're sorry.

[00:16:24]Anne stayed in her room all the next day.

[00:16:28]Downstairs, the house was very quiet without her.

[00:16:34]That evening, while Merilla was busy in the garden, Matthew went up to Anne's room.

[00:16:42]The child was sitting sadly by the window.

[00:16:48]Anne, he said shily, why don't you say you're sorry?

[00:16:54]Then you can come down and we can all be happy.

[00:17:01]I am sorry now, said Anne.

[00:17:05]I was very angry yesterday.

[00:17:09]But do you really want me to?

[00:17:13]Yes, do. Please.

[00:17:16]It's lonely downstairs without you.

[00:17:20]But don't tell Merilla I've talked to you.

[00:17:26]Merrila was pleased to hear that Anne was sorry.

[00:17:30]Later that evening, when she and Anne were in Mrs. Lynn's warm kitchen, Anne suddenly fell on her knees.

[00:17:40]Oh, Mrs. Lind, cried the little girl.

[00:17:45]I'm very sorry.

[00:17:48]I can't tell you how sorry I am, so you must just imagine it. I am a bad girl, but please say you will forgive me. I'll be sad all my life if you don't.

[00:18:07]She's enjoying herself, thought Merilla, watching Anne's face. She doesn't look sorry at all, but happy and excited.

[00:18:20]But Mrs. Lynn said kindly, "Of course I forgive you."

[00:18:26]And later she said to Merilla, "Perhaps you're right to keep her. She's a strange little thing, but I think I like her."

[00:18:43]Chapter 3. at Aan Lee School.

[00:18:49]When school started in September, Anne and Diana walked there and back together every day.

[00:18:59]"What a beautiful day," Anne said happily one morning as the two little girls walked across the fields.

[00:19:10]I'm very lucky to have you as my best friend, Diana.

[00:19:16]You are my best friend, aren't you?

[00:19:21]Of course, Anne, replied Diana, taking Anne's hand.

[00:19:27]And just think, today you'll meet Gilbert Bllythe.

[00:19:32]He's 3 years older than us and very good-looking.

[00:19:37]He's just come back from holiday and starts school today.

[00:19:43]Oh, boys, said Anne. I'm not interested in them.

[00:19:50]But she did look at Gilbert when they arrived at school.

[00:19:55]He was a tall boy with curly brown hair and a friendly smile.

[00:20:02]He is good-looking, Anne whispered to Diana. But why does he smile at me? He doesn't know me.

[00:20:13]Aan Lee's school was quiet that day. The teacher, Mr. Phillips, was helping some of the older children at the back of the schoolroom.

[00:20:25]Anne was looking out of the window at the reds and yellows of the trees and the silvery blue of the river.

[00:20:34]She was far away in the world of her imagination.

[00:20:40]But Gilbert wanted her to look at him.

[00:20:44]He whispered to her, but she did not move.

[00:20:49]He was surprised.

[00:20:51]Girls were usually very ready to look at him.

[00:20:56]Suddenly he put his arm out, pulled her red plats, and said in a loud whisper, "Carrots! Carrots!"

[00:21:06]Anne jumped up and looked angrily at Gilbert. "You horrible boy!" she cried.

[00:21:15]"I hate you."

[00:21:17]And then she brought her heavy book down on Gilbert's head.

[00:21:23]Mr. Phillips heard the noise and came slowly to the front of the school room.

[00:21:31]"And Shirley, why did you do that?" he asked. She stayed silent.

[00:21:39]Gilbert said, "I'm sorry, Mr. Phillips. I was rude to her. That's why she hit me."

[00:21:49]But the teacher did not listen to Gilbert.

[00:21:54]I cannot have bad children in my school, said Mr. Phillips firmly. Anne, go and stand in front of the class.

[00:22:06]And there Anne stood for the rest of the day. A lonely little girl with a small white angry face.

[00:22:18]I hate Mr. Phillips, she thought, and I'll never look at or speak to Gilbert Bllythe again. [clears throat] The next day, some of the school children were playing in a farmer's field in their lunch hour, so they were a little late for afternoon school.

[00:22:43]Anne ran into the classroom at the same time as the boys, just after the teacher.

[00:22:50]You're late, Anne, said Mr. Phillips.

[00:22:54]You won't sit with Diana today.

[00:22:58]I see that you enjoy being with the boys very much. So, go and sit next to Gilbert this afternoon.

[00:23:07]Anne's face went white.

[00:23:10]He can't mean it, she thought.

[00:23:15]Did you hear me? Anne asked Mr. Phillips.

[00:23:20]Yes, sir, said Anne, and moved slowly to Gilbert's desk.

[00:23:27]There she sat down and put her head on the desk with her arms over it.

[00:23:35]This is the end. [clears throat] She was thinking I wasn't the only person who was late.

[00:23:44]And he sent me to sit with a boy.

[00:23:49]And that boy [snorts] is Gilbert Bllythe.

[00:23:56]The rest of the day went very slowly for Anne.

[00:24:01]When it was time to leave, she went to her desk next to Diana's and took all her books, pens, and pencils with her.

[00:24:13]"What are you doing, Anne?" asked Diana.

[00:24:16]"I'm not coming back to school," replied Anne firmly.

[00:24:23]Oh, but an we're reading a new book next week and we're playing a new game on Monday and it'll be very exciting.

[00:24:34]And you'll miss it, Anne.

[00:24:37]But Anne was not interested.

[00:24:41]I'm sorry, Diana was her only answer.

[00:24:47]That evening, Merilla ran round to Rachel Lynn's house.

[00:24:54]Rachel, please help me. [clears throat] Anne says she won't go back to school.

[00:25:02]What am I going to say to her?

[00:25:05]Mrs. Lind already knew about Anne's troubles at school, and she was always very pleased when people asked her to help.

[00:25:16]She smiled and sat back comfortably.

[00:25:21]"I've had 10 children myself, so I know all about them," she said.

[00:25:28]"Anne can stay at home for a while.

[00:25:32]She'll want to go back to school again soon, I'm sure."

[00:25:38]So Anne stayed at home and only saw Diana in the evenings.

[00:25:44]She was a child who felt very strongly.

[00:25:49]She hated Gilbert Bllythe, but she really loved Diana.

[00:25:56]One evening, Merrila found Anne crying in the kitchen.

[00:26:02]"What's the matter, child?" she asked in surprise.

[00:26:08]I love Diana very much, sobbed Anne.

[00:26:14]I can't live without her, Merrila.

[00:26:17]But what will happen when she marries?

[00:26:21]I hate her husband already.

[00:26:24]I can imagine her in the church in her long white dress. And then she'll go away and I'll never see her again.

[00:26:36]Merilla turned away to hide her smiling face.

[00:26:42]What a strange, funny child Anne was.

[00:26:46]Merrila tried not to laugh, but she couldn't stop herself.

[00:26:52]You and your imagination, Anne Shirley, she cried, and she laughed and laughed.

[00:27:02]Mrs. Lind was right, of course. After a few days, Anne decided to go back to school.

[00:27:11]All the children were pleased to see her again, but she did not speak to Gilbert Bllythe.

[00:27:24]Chapter 4. More trouble for Anne.

[00:27:30]I think I'll ask the new vicer, Mr. Alan and his wife to tea on Wednesday, said Merrila one day.

[00:27:40]Oh yes, please do, cried Anne excitedly.

[00:27:45]Mrs. Alan is young and beautiful and has a very sweet smile.

[00:27:52]Can I make a cake for tea? Say yes, Merilla.

[00:27:57]Merilla agreed. And for the next few days, Anne planned what she would put in her cake.

[00:28:06]"I do hope it's going to be a good one," she told Diana. "Sometimes I forget to put in the right things."

[00:28:16]"You made a very good one last week," said her friend. "I'm sure it'll be all right."

[00:28:25]On Wednesday, the tea party started very well.

[00:28:32]"These are very good cakes, Miss Kuthput," Mrs. Alan said to Merrila.

[00:28:37]"You have been busy."

[00:28:41]"Anne made this one specially for you, Mrs. Allan," replied Merrila.

[00:28:48]"Oh, well, I must try some," laughed the vicar's wife.

[00:28:54]But after the first mouthful, there was a very strange look on her face.

[00:29:02]"Is anything wrong?" asked Merilla. "She ate a piece of Anne's cake herself."

[00:29:10]"Oh, Anne, what have you put in this cake?" she cried.

[00:29:17]"Isn't it? Isn't it all right?" asked Anne, her face red.

[00:29:24]All right. It's horrible. Don't try to eat anymore. Mrs. Allen, you've put my medicine in this cake.

[00:29:37]Oh, I didn't know. It was white and in a bottle. I thought it was milk, sobbed Anne. She ran upstairs and fell on her bed, crying loudly.

[00:29:53]But later that evening when Mr. and Mrs. Allan went home, Merilla came to talk to her.

[00:30:02]"Oh, Merilla," cried Anne. "Everybody in Aavenly will laugh at me for putting medicine in a cake."

[00:30:14]Merrila smiled and touched Anne's hot face. "No, they won't, Anne.

[00:30:22]Mrs. Allan wasn't angry, you know. She said it was very kind of you to make her a cake and she's asked you to tea at her house.

[00:30:35]Oh, so she's forgiven me.

[00:30:39]She is nice, isn't she? said Anne thankfully.

[00:30:45]Why do I get into trouble like this?

[00:30:50]Perhaps I won't make any mistakes tomorrow.

[00:30:54]Merilla shook her head, still smiling.

[00:30:58]You'll think of something, Anne. You're very good at making mistakes.

[00:31:06]Spring came with its bright green leaves and early flowers.

[00:31:12]One April evening, Merilla came home late after visiting friends.

[00:31:18]She found the kitchen empty and no supper on the table.

[00:31:24]"Where's Anne?" she thought crossly. "I told her to get the supper ready."

[00:31:30]She hurried upstairs to Anne's room and found the girl sobbing on her bed.

[00:31:37]"Don't look at me, Merilla."

[00:31:41]Anne cried. "I know I'm bad. I know I am.

[00:31:48]What is the matter? asked Merrila, are you ill?

[00:31:55]Oh, Merilla, I just want to die.

[00:32:00]Look at my hair.

[00:32:04]And Merilla saw that Anne's long, thick red hair was now a horrible dark green.

[00:32:14]Oh, an she said, "What have you done now?"

[00:32:22]I I bought a bottle of something special from a man who came to the door.

[00:32:30]He said it would change my hair from red to black.

[00:32:36]Oh, I know it was stupid of me, but what shall I do?

[00:32:44]They washed Anne's hair again and again, but it was still green.

[00:32:52]Anne stayed at home for a week, saw nobody, and washed her hair every day.

[00:33:00]But at the end of the week, Merilla said, "I'm sorry, Anne. We'll have to cut it all off. You can't go to school with green hair."

[00:33:12]Anne had to agree.

[00:33:14]"Perhaps this will teach me not to think about being beautiful," she said sadly.

[00:33:23]Everybody was surprised to see Anne with very short hair, but no one learned the secret.

[00:33:32]And some weeks later, there were some new, darker red curls, which pleased Anne very much.

[00:33:42]That summer, Anne and her friends often played in an old boat on the river.

[00:33:50]Today, let's imagine that I'm a prisoner and I'm escaping from prison by boat, said Anne.

[00:34:00]I'll hide in the boat and the river will carry it down to the bridge.

[00:34:06]You're my family and you must meet me at the bridge.

[00:34:12]The other girls agreed. So Anne got into the boat and hid under some coats.

[00:34:19]Her friends pushed the boat off down the river and ran across the fields to get round to the bridge.

[00:34:27]For a few minutes, the prisoner enjoyed the game. But then she suddenly felt wet and sat up.

[00:34:36]Water was coming in very fast through a hole in the bottom of the boat.

[00:34:43]Luckily, there were some trees by the river and Anne saw a low branch over the water.

[00:34:51]She jumped up and caught the branch. The boat went on without her and a few seconds later went down under the water.

[00:35:03]Her friends on the bridge saw the boat, but they did not see Anne under the tree. "Oh, [screaming] oh, Anne's dead.

[00:35:13]The boat's gone down and she's in the river." They screamed and ran back to the village for help.

[00:35:21]"Poor Anne could not move. She held on and held on, but her arms were getting tired and she knew that she would fall in a minute.

[00:35:34]Suddenly, there was Gilbert Bllythe in his boat.

[00:35:40]And surely, he cried.

[00:35:44]What are you doing there?

[00:35:47]He did not wait for an answer, but quickly helped Anne into his boat. She didn't say a word.

[00:35:56]When they arrived at the bridge, she got out and turned away.

[00:36:03]"Thank you for helping me," she said coldly.

[00:36:08]But Gilbert jumped out and put a hand on her [clears throat] arm.

[00:36:13]"Anne," he said quickly, "I'm sorry I called you carrots.

[00:36:20]It was a long time ago.

[00:36:23]I think your hair is really nice now.

[00:36:27]Can we forget it and be friends?

[00:36:31]For a second, Anne wanted to say yes.

[00:36:35]But then she remembered standing alone in front of the school children all afternoon because of Gilbert.

[00:36:44]She would never forgive him for that.

[00:36:48]No, she replied coldly. I shall never be your friend, Gilbert Bllythe.

[00:36:56]All right.

[00:36:58]Gilbert jumped angrily back into his boat. I'll never ask you again, Anne.

[00:37:04]Shirley.

[00:37:07]Anne walked home with her head held high, but she felt strangely sad and wanted to cry.

[00:37:17]Why are you always in trouble, Anne?

[00:37:21]asked Merilla when she heard about Anne's adventure.

[00:37:26]Well, I think I'm learning, Merrila, answered Anne.

[00:37:32]I learn from my mistakes, and after today, I won't use my imagination so much. I don't think Avenly is the right place for imagination.

[00:37:45]No, it isn't, agreed Merrila a little crossly.

[00:37:51]When she went out, Matthew, who was sitting quietly in his corner, whispered to Anne, "Keep a little imagination, Anne. Not too much, of course, just a little."

[00:38:11]Chapter 5. Queens College.

[00:38:17]One day, Merilla said, "Anne, your new teacher, Miss Stacy, spoke to me yesterday.

[00:38:26]She says you must study for the examinations for Queens College in 2 years time. Then, if you do well, you can study at Queens in Charlotte Town for a year. And after that, you'll be a teacher.

[00:38:44]Oh, Merrila, I'd love to be a teacher, but won't it be very expensive?

[00:38:52]That doesn't matter, Anne. When Matthew and I adopted you 3 years ago, we decided to look after you as well as we could. Of course, we'll pay for you to study.

[00:39:07]So in the afternoons, Anne and some of her friends stayed late at school and Miss Stacy helped them with the special examination work.

[00:39:18]Diana didn't want to go to Queens, so she went home early, but Gilbert stayed.

[00:39:26]He and Anne still never spoke. and everybody knew that they were enemies because they both wanted to be first in the examination.

[00:39:38]Secretly, Anne was sorry that she and Gilbert weren't friends, but it was too late now.

[00:39:46]For 2 years, Anne studied hard at school. She enjoyed learning, and Miss Stacy was pleased with her. But she didn't study all the time. In the evenings and at weekends, she visited her friends or walked through the fields with Diana or sat talking to Matthew.

[00:40:10]Your Anne is a big girl now. She's taller than you, Rachel Lind told Merilla one day.

[00:40:18]You're right, Rachel, said Merilla in surprise.

[00:40:23]And she's a very good girl now, isn't she? She doesn't get into trouble these days. I'm sure she helps you a lot with the housework, Merrila.

[00:40:34]Yes, I don't know what I'd do without her, said Merilla, smiling.

[00:40:41]And look at her. Those beautiful gray eyes and that red brown hair. You know, Merilla, I thought you and Matthew made a mistake when you adopted her, but now I see I was wrong. You've looked after her very well.

[00:41:01]Well, thank you, Rachel, replied Merilla, pleased.

[00:41:07]That evening, when Matthew came into the kitchen, he saw that his sister was crying.

[00:41:14]"What's the matter?" he asked, surprised.

[00:41:18]You haven't cried since well, I can't remember when.

[00:41:25]It's just Well, I was thinking about Anne, said Mirilla.

[00:41:33]I'll I'll miss her when she goes away.

[00:41:40]When she goes to Queens, you mean?

[00:41:43]Yes. But she can come home at weekends on the train.

[00:41:49]I'll still miss her, said Merilla sadly.

[00:41:54]In June, the Aan Lee boys and girls had to go to Charlotte Town to take their examinations.

[00:42:02]"Oh, I do hope that I've done well," Anne told Diana when she arrived back at Green Gables.

[00:42:11]The examinations were very difficult and I've got to wait for three weeks before I know. Three weeks? I'll die.

[00:42:25]Anne wanted to do better than Gilbert.

[00:42:28]But she also wanted to do well for Matthew and Merilla. That was very important to her.

[00:42:37]Diana was the first to hear the news.

[00:42:41]She ran into the kitchen at Green Gables and shouted, "Look, Anne, it's in Father's newspaper.

[00:42:50]You're first with Gilbert out of all the students on the island."

[00:42:57]Oh, how wonderful.

[00:43:01]Anne took the paper with shaking hands and saw her name at the top of the list of 200.

[00:43:10]She could not speak.

[00:43:14]"Well, now I knew it," said Matthew with a warm smile.

[00:43:20]"You've done well, I must say." Anne, said Merilla, who was secretly very pleased.

[00:43:29]For the next three weeks, Anne and Merrila were very busy. Anne needed new dresses to take to Charlotte Town.

[00:43:40]The evening before she left, she put on one of her new dresses to show Matthew.

[00:43:47]Merilla watched the happy young face.

[00:43:50]She remembered the strange thin little child with her sad eyes who arrived at Green Gables 5 years ago and she started crying quietly.

[00:44:04]Merilla, why are you crying? asked Anne.

[00:44:11]I was just thinking of you when you were a little girl, said Merrila. and [snorts] you're going away now and I'll be lonely without you."

[00:44:26]Anne took Merrila's face in her hands.

[00:44:30]"Merilla, nothing will change.

[00:44:35]Perhaps I'm bigger and older now, but I'll always be your little Anne, and I'll love you and Matthew and Green Gables more every day of my life.

[00:44:51]Merilla could not say what she felt like Anne, but she could show it. She put her arms around her girl and held her close to her heart.

[00:45:04]And so for the next year, Anne lived in Charlotte Town and went to college every day.

[00:45:13]She sometimes came home at weekends, but she had to study hard.

[00:45:20]Some of her aly friends were at Queens, too, and also her enemy, Gilbert Bllythe.

[00:45:28]Anne saw that he often walked and talked with other girls. She felt sure that she and Gilbert could have some interesting conversations, but she didn't want to be the first to speak to him, and he never looked at her.

[00:45:47]There were examinations at the end of the college year in May. Anne studied very hard for them.

[00:45:56]I'd love to get the first place, she thought. or perhaps I could get the Avery prize.

[00:46:05]This was a prize for the student who was best at English writing.

[00:46:10]And Anne knew she was good at that. The Avery Prize paid for a free place for 4 years at Redmond College, one of the best colleges in Canada.

[00:46:25]When news of the examinations came, Anne waited for her friends to tell her. She heard shouting, "It's Gilbert. He's the first." She felt ill. But just then she heard another shout, "And Shirley's got the Avery."

[00:46:45]And then all the girls were around her laughing and shouting.

[00:46:51]Matthew and Merilla will be pleased, thought Anne. Now I can go on studying and they won't have to pay.

[00:47:07]Chapter 6. Matthew and Merilla.

[00:47:12]But when she arrived back at Green Gables, Anne knew at once that something was wrong.

[00:47:20]Matthew looked much older than before.

[00:47:25]"What's the matter with him?" Anne asked Merilla.

[00:47:30]"He's had some heart trouble this year," replied Merilla. "He really isn't well.

[00:47:37]I'm worried about him."

[00:47:40]And you're not looking well, Merrila, said Anne. Now you must rest while I do the housework.

[00:47:49]Merilla smiled tiredly at Anne.

[00:47:53]It's not the work. It's my head. It often hurts behind my eyes. I must see the doctor about it soon.

[00:48:04]But another thing, Anne, have you heard anything about the church bank?

[00:48:11]I heard it was having a difficult time.

[00:48:15]All our money is in that bank. I know Matthew's worried about it.

[00:48:22]The next morning, a letter came for Matthew.

[00:48:26]Merilla saw his gray face and cried, "What's the matter, Matthew?"

[00:48:33]Anne, who was bringing an armful of flowers into the kitchen, saw his face, too.

[00:48:40]Suddenly, Matthew fell to the ground.

[00:48:44]Anne dropped her flowers and ran to help Merrila.

[00:48:49]Together, they tried everything, but it was too late.

[00:48:54]Matthew was dead.

[00:48:59]It was his heart, said the doctor, who arrived a little later.

[00:49:04]Did he have any bad news? Suddenly >> the letter cried Anne. Shall I see what's in it?

[00:49:14]Oh, Merilla, look. The church bank has had to close down.

[00:49:21]Your money in Matthews has all gone.

[00:49:25]Everybody in Avenly was sorry to hear that Matthew was dead. For the first time in his life, Matthew Kuspet was an important person.

[00:49:38]At first, Anne couldn't cry, but then she remembered Matthew's smiling face when she told him about the Avery Prize.

[00:49:48]Suddenly, she started crying and couldn't stop.

[00:49:53]Merilla held her in her arms, and they sobbed together.

[00:50:00]crying. Can't bring him back, whispered Merilla.

[00:50:05]We'll have to learn to live without him.

[00:50:08]Anne, in the next few weeks, Anne and Merrila worked hard together on the farm and in the house.

[00:50:19]Everybody in Avenly was very kind to them, but it was a sad time.

[00:50:26]One day, Merrila said, "I'll miss you when you go to Redmond College." Anne, what are the other Avenly students going to do?

[00:50:37]Some of them are going to teach and some are going to stay at Queens.

[00:50:44]Gilbert's going to teach at Aanly School, isn't he?

[00:50:50]Anne didn't reply.

[00:50:52]So, Merilla went on.

[00:50:54]He's very tall and good-looking now, don't you think? Like his father John when he was younger.

[00:51:04]You know, John and I were very good friends years ago and looked up [clears throat] interested.

[00:51:12]What happened?

[00:51:14]Why didn't you?

[00:51:16]Well, we had a fight about something. He asked me to be friends again, but I couldn't forgive him. Later, I was sorry, but he didn't speak to me again.

[00:51:31]Perhaps we Oh, well, it was a long time ago.

[00:51:38]The next day, Merilla went to see the doctor.

[00:51:42]When she came back, she looked very tired and ill.

[00:51:49]What did the doctor say? asked Anne worriedly.

[00:51:54]He says I mustn't read or write and I must wear glasses. Then my head won't hurt.

[00:52:03]But if I'm not very careful, I'll be blind in 6 months.

[00:52:10]For a minute, Anne was silent.

[00:52:14]Then she said firmly, "Then you must be careful, Merilla.

[00:52:20]Think how terrible it is to be blind.

[00:52:24]But how lucky you've got a free place at Redmond College.

[00:52:29]I can't give you any money, you see. All our money's gone, and I can't work now.

[00:52:38]I think I'll have to sell the farm and go and live with Rachel Lind.

[00:52:44]And poor Merrila sobbed wildly.

[00:52:49]That night, Anne sat alone in her bedroom.

[00:52:53]She sought and thought for some time, and then she smiled.

[00:53:00]When she went to bed, she knew what she was going to do.

[00:53:07]The next day, she explained it all to Merilla.

[00:53:13]You can't sell Green Gables. It's our home.

[00:53:18]Just listen. I've planned everything.

[00:53:23]I'm not going to Redmond College. It's too far away.

[00:53:28]I'm going to teach in one of the village schools near here. Then I can live there during the week and come home at weekends to look after you.

[00:53:41]Diana's father will use our fields and pay us for them and so we'll have some money. You see?

[00:53:51]Oh, Anne, I'll be all right if you're here, but you must go to Redmond if you want to study.

[00:54:01]Redmond College doesn't matter, laughed Anne. I'm going to study at home in the evenings.

[00:54:10]and I'm going to be a really good teacher.

[00:54:16]That's better than anything.

[00:54:18]Merilla shook her head and tried not to cry.

[00:54:23]You're a good girl, Anne.

[00:54:27]Now we can keep Green Gables.

[00:54:31]A few days later, Rachel Lind came to the farm.

[00:54:38]Do you know? She said that Gilbert isn't going to be the avonly teacher now.

[00:54:46]Isn't he? cried Anne. Why not?

[00:54:51]When he heard that you wanted to be near Merilla, he decided to teach at a school in another village. So you can be the Aonly teacher now.

[00:55:04]Oh, said Anne, surprised. That's that's very kind of him.

[00:55:12]And that day when she saw Gilbert by the river, she stopped him and held out her hand.

[00:55:21]Gilbert, she said shily.

[00:55:25]I I want to thank you.

[00:55:29]It's very good of you.

[00:55:32]If I'm the Avenly teacher, I can help Merrila much more at home.

[00:55:40]I'm happy to help you, Anne, said Gilbert. He smiled and held her hand firmly.

[00:55:50]Are we going to be friends now?

[00:55:52]Have you forgiven me for calling you carrots?

[00:55:57]Anne laughed.

[00:55:59]I forgave you a long time ago.

[00:56:03]I'm sure we're going to be very good friends. Anne, can I walk home with you?

[00:56:11]And when Anne came into the Green Gable's kitchen, Merrila said, "You look very happy, Anne." Was that Gilbert who was with you just now?

[00:56:23]"Yes," replied Anne, her face red.

[00:56:28]"Gilbert and I've decided to be friends.

[00:56:32]Oh, Merilla, I think life is going to be good for all of us. We'll have to work hard, but we'll be happy and we'll keep our dear old Green Gables.

[00:56:48]What could be better than that?