16 An Unfortunate Lily Maid

CHAPTER 16 An Unfortunate Lily Maid Of course, Anne, you must be Elaine," Diana said. "Yes," said Jane. "I could never keep still." Ruby only shook her head to say she could never imagine floating down the river in a boat all by herself. "I think it's silly to have a redheaded

Elaine," Anne said. "Elaine should have long blond hair. But if I'm the only one willing, it'll have to do." "Oh, it's turning a lovely auburn," said Diana, about Anne's hair. She admired the short, curly locks with the black hair ribbon. It had been more than a year since Anne's green-hair days. "You are very kind, Diana. I couldn't ask for a better friend." It was Anne's idea to act out a poem they had read in class. It was about Elaine, the lily maid, who lived in the time of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table. Anne loved stories about King Arthur and his brave knights. They were such romantic and exciting stories. Anne longed to go back to the times of Camelot, with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, because those times were so romantic.

The other three girls held the boat steady while Anne stepped in. She lay down, resting her head on a pillow. Anne crossed her arms over her chest and closed her eyes. "Oh, she really does look dead," Ruby mused. "Don't spoil the effect, Ruby," Anne scolded with eyes still closed. "Jane, you should lead the ceremony. It's not right for Elaine to speak when she should be dead." Jane did as she was told and said the proper lines for a good-bye. The girls then pushed the boat downstream. The girls rushed along the bank. They were to meet the boat again around the bend. Anne's trip took a new turn, though, when the boat began to leak. She didn't notice until it was too late. She scrambled to her feet, grabbed her pillow, and looked for the oars. The oars were still on the dock! When

she realized how much trouble she was in, Anne let out a little scream. An old tree stump was leaning out from the bank. Anne had the good sense to grab hold of it and pull herself up. Then her dress became tangled on the branches and she was trapped. She sat there not knowing what to do. Where were her friends? Why didn't they come looking for her? Then, just as she thought she could wait no longer, she saw Gilbert Blythe rowing toward her. He looked up and almost jumped from fright when he saw Anne hanging above him. "Anne Shirley! What are you doing up there?" he exclaimed. He pulled close and held out his hand. There was nothing else for Anne to do but take it and climb into his boat.

"How did you get up there?" Gilbert asked. He was both amused and confused. Life was never simple when Anne Shirley was around. "We were playing 'Elaine,'" Anne explained. "I was floating downriver to Camelot when the boat sprang a leak. The girls must have run for help. Could you please drop me off at the landing?" She jumped ashore—refusing Gilbert's outstretched hand— and started walking away."Thank you very much," she called over her shoulder. "Anne," Gilbert called. "Wait. Can't we be friends? I'm sorry I called you 'carrots' that day, but it was so long ago. I think your hair is very pretty now—honest I do. Let's be friends." Gilbert's voice sounded half shy, half eager. Anne's heart gave a quick, queer little beat. She almost said "yes," but remembered

how angry she had been all those years ago. He had made fun of her hair and she could never forgive him. "No," she said coldly, "I shall never be friends with you, Gilbert Blythe!" "Fine," he said angrily. "I will never ask you again. Good-bye!" He pushed his boat from the bank. Gilbert rowed away without looking back. She felt an odd sensation. Was it regret? Should she have answered him differently? She felt like crying—like she had just lost something very special. Anne walked up the path feeling sad. She met Diana, Jane, and Ruby along the way. They were in quite a state. "Oh, Anne!" Diana cried. "We thought we'd lost you forever!" She threw her arms around her best friend. They explained that when they saw the