Anne of Green Gables

Anne and Jane walk down the street together on the day the exam results are supposed to be posted; Anne is pale and anxious. Anne has little hope of winning the Avery scholarship; she’s so nervous that she makes Jane promise to look up her results while she hides in the girls’ dressing room. But as they approach Queen’s, they see Gilbert being hoisted on his friends’ shoulders while they shout, “Hurrah for Blythe, Medallist!” No sooner does Anne's disappointment sink in than she hears, “Three cheers for Miss Shirley, winner of the Avery!” She’s soon surrounded by a jubilant group of congratulating friends.

Marilla and Matthew attend Commencement to see Anne honored and hear her read her prizewinning essay. Matthew asks Marilla, “Reckon you’re glad we kept her?” Marilla tells her brother to stop rubbing it in. That night, Anne happily breathes in the familiar sights, smells, and atmosphere of Green Gables. She and Diana get reacquainted, and Diana teases Anne about replacing her with her new Queen’s friends. Anne pelts Diana with flowers and assures her that Diana is still her dearest friend.

Anne is going to enjoy three months of vacation before starting college at Redmond in September. Jane, Ruby, and Gilbert are going to be schoolteachers. Gilbert can’t afford additional college, so he’ll likely teach at Avonlea school in order to earn a salary. Anne hears a pang at this news—what will college be like without a rival to motivate her?

The next morning at breakfast, Matthew looks a bit gray. Marilla tells Anne that Matthew has had bad spells with his heart but refuses to slow down his work. Anne thinks Marilla looks tired, too, and promises to do the chores this summer so Marilla can rest. Marilla says it’s a problem with her eyes; she’ll have to see the doctor about them soon. Marilla also mentions a rumor about the Abbey Bank, where all the Cuthberts’ money is stored. Mr. Abbey was their father’s good friend, but the bank has been shakier under the younger generation. After Marilla heard that, she wanted Matthew to withdraw all their money from it, but someone reassured him that all was well.

Anne has a wonderful, carefree day revisiting all her favorite spots around Green Gables. That evening, as she and Matthew bring the cows in, Anne tells him he’s working too hard. Anne says if only she’d been the boy they originally sent for, then she could be of much more help to Matthew. Matthew says he’d rather have Anne than a dozen boys. After all, it wasn’t a boy who won the Avery scholarship; it was his girl. Anne treasures his words, and she always remembers that happy day.