23 Marilla Remembers

CHAPTER 23 Marilla Remembers A week after the funeral, Anne and Marilla sat on the front porch, watching the sunset. "I guess Jane and Ruby are going to start teaching," Marilla said absentmindedly. "Yes," Anne replied. "And Gilbert Blythe? He's teaching this year, isn't he?"

"Yes." Anne's reply was very brief. "What a nice-looking fellow he is," Marilla added. "I saw him at church last week and thought how much he looks like his father. John Blythe was a nice boy. We used to be good friends, he and I. People called him my beau." Anne looked up with interest. "Oh, Marilla, what happened? Why didn't you—?" "We had a quarrel. I wouldn't forgive him. I was sulky and wanted to punish him. He never came back—the Blythes were all mighty independent. But I always kind of wished I'd forgiven him when I had the chance." "So, you've had a bit of romance in your life, too," said Anne softly. "Yes, I suppose so. You wouldn't think it to look at me. But you never can tell about people from their outsides. I'd forgotten all about it, until I saw Gilbert last Sunday."