22 The Reaper Whose Name Is Death

CHAPTER 22 The Reaper Whose Name Is Death Matthew—Matthew—what's the matter? Are you sick?" It was Marilla who spoke, alarm in every word. Anne ran in from the hall, her hands full of flowers, in time to see Matthew fall to his knees by the front door. He held a piece of paper in his hand, his face drawn and gray. They rushed to him but were too late. He fell

to the ground before they reached him. "He's fainted," Marilla said. "Anne, run and tell Jerry Boot to get the doctor." Jerry rushed off, telling Mrs. Lynde along the way. She hurried to Green Gables at once. As soon as Mrs. Lynde arrived, she took Matthew's pulse and put her ear to his chest. Tears came to her eyes. "Oh, Marilla," she said gravely. "I don't think we can do anything for him." "Mrs. Lynde, you don't think—you can't think Matthew is—is—" Anne dared not say that dreadful word. "Yes, child, I'm afraid so. Matthew has died." Mrs. Lynde held on to Anne and Marilla's hands until the doctor arrived. Dr. Blythe looked at Matthew, then at the paper he was holding. It was a letter from the Abbey Bank saying they had lost all of Matthew's money. This was the shock that

proved too much for his weak heart. Matthew's death proved a great shock for Marilla. She cried so uncontrollably that people were amazed. Anne, on the other hand, barely shed a tear. She was lost in thoughts of poor, sweet Matthew. It seemed too much to be without him. It wasn't until she was alone in bed— when she heard Matthew's voice saying, "My girl—my girl that I'm proud of"—that the tears came. Marilla, hearing her sobs, came into her room to comfort her. They sat together holding one another through the night.