Chapter 11 An Adventure on the Torrey Road.
That night Anne and Davy had a serious talk about dreams.
At least Davy had a serious talk.
Anne was trying not to laugh.
Anne, he asked, where is sleep?
I know that sleep is where I do the things I dream, but I don't know how I get there or how I get back.
I think sleep is found over the mountains of the moon, Anne replied.
Davy did not smile.
That sounds like nonsense, he said.
Anne let herself smile.
Yes, it is a bit of nonsense.
I suppose you might be too little to understand.
Now Davy became angry.
It's not my fault that I'm too little.
I'm trying to grow.
I might grow faster if Marilla would let me eat more jam.
All right, Davy, Anne said.
That's enough for tonight.
Anne gave Davy a kiss on the forehead.
Can't I have a story, Anne?
Davy pleaded.
Something with soldiers and fighting and interesting stuff like that.
Before Anne could reply, she was saved by the sound of Marilla's voice.
Anne, she called, Diana is signaling for you.
She seems quite anxious to talk to you.
Anne said goodnight to Davy and looked out the east gable window to see a light flashing frantically from the Barry's house.
It was their old code from childhood.
It meant, I need to talk to you right away.
Anne wrapped herself in her white shawl and ran over to Diana's.
"'I have good news for you, Anne,' Diana said.
'I've learned that the Cobb sisters and Spencervale have the exact same platter as Aunt Josephine's.
Mother is certain that they would sell it.'
"'Oh, Diana,' Anne said.
"'That is wonderful news.
I'll go over first thing tomorrow.
You must come with me.
I am too excited to go alone.'
As soon as the breakfast dishes were put away and morning chores were done, Anne and Diana left for Spencervale.
It was a very hot day and the road was very dusty.
I hope that it rains soon, Anne said.
The grass and fields are so dry.
Mr. Harrison says his cows can hardly find any grass to eat.
I think it's very hard for everyone.
The girls turned onto Torrey Road.
They were looking for a white house with a neat and perfect yard.
Diana's mother had said the cop's home was so tidy it put green gables to shame.
That must be it, Diana said, pointing to a house so white that it was almost blinding.
They drove into the lane.
Oh, no, Anne said.
It looks like no one is home.
The shades are down.
They knocked on the front door, but no one answered.
What should we do?
Anne asked.
Should we wait until they return?
We don't know how long that may be.
I'm going into town tomorrow to see your Aunt Josephine.
I so wanted to have the platter to give her.
There's a window without a shade, Diana said.
I'm sure it's the pantry window.
You could climb on the shed roof and have a look inside.
Do you think that would be all right?
I don't think we have another choice, Anne said.
We simply need to know if they own a platter.
It would be different if we didn't have an honest purpose to our trip.
With Diana's help, Anne climbed onto the roof of a back shed.
She leaned over to rest her hands on the windowsill.
To Anne's great pleasure, she saw the blue platter on a shelf in the pantry.
In her excitement, she gave a little hop and promptly fell through the roof of the shed.
Anne dropped down to her armpits, arms spread wide across the roof, where she remained stuck.
Her legs dangled below her into the shed.
Diana ran into the shed and grabbed Anne's legs.
She tried to pull her down.
No, no, Diana, Anne cried.
I'm stuck on splinters.
It will never work that way.
Can you find something for me to stand on?
Diana found a barrel and dragged it over to Anne.
It was just high enough that Anne could rest her feet.
She was now standing on the barrel rather than dangling in the air.
Unfortunately, Anne still could not free herself.
The splinters were too long.
She couldn't pull herself onto the roof, and she couldn't slip down into the shed.
It won't work, Anne said to Diana.
Do you think you could find an axe?
You could chop the wood around me.
Diana searched the shed but could not find an axe.
Oh, dear me, Anne said.
It seems like it's my fate to always find trouble.
Anne, Diana said, you'll have to hold on while I go for help.
No, Diana, Anne said sternly.
You cannot leave me here.
I will be the laughingstock of the entire town if anyone hears of this.
We must wait until the cop sisters return and swear them to secrecy.
But Anne, Diana said, what if they don't return until after sunset or tomorrow?
Anne sighed.
Well, I suppose, she said, if they are not here by sunset, then you can go for help.
We must be strong until then, though.
Diana knew there was no point in arguing with Anne.
Her friend could be very stubborn.
Suddenly, a low rumble was heard.
Diana, Anne said.
She sounded very worried.
I believe that sounds like thunder.
Diana ran to the other side of the house to have a look at the sky and then ran back to report the bad news to her friend.
There's a large black cloud heading this way, Diana said.
It looks like a terrible thunderstorm will be here soon.
Oh, goodness, Anne said.
If only my troubles and mishaps could be more romantic.
I wish it could be more like the heroines in Mrs. Morgan's stories.
They would never be stuck in a thunderstorm while trapped in someone's roof.
Diana pulled the horse and buggy into the shed.
Then she found a parasol and handed it to Anne.
Diana waded out the storm inside the shed with the horse, while Anne bravely held the parasol over her head.
The rain was so heavy that Anne was quickly soaked.
When it was all over, Diana checked on her friend.
Oh, please don't pity me, Anne said.
I've decided that this is quite the adventure after all.
I plan to get home and write it all down so I don't forget a single thing.
Besides, the rain was needed.
The farmers and animals will be very pleased, and I will dry out soon enough.
Just then a carriage pulled into the lane.
It was Miss Sarah Copp returning home.
Miss Copp was quite shocked by the scene she found.
She stared in amazement at the young woman stuck in the roof of her shed.
It was quite the sight.
She was not angry, though.
Diana quickly explained the situation, and Miss Copp rushed to the rescue.
She opened the back door of the house and retrieved the axe.
With a few quick blows, she freed Anne.
Oh, Miss Cop, Anne exclaimed.
I must promise you that I only looked through your window to check for the platter.
It was really very innocent.
You both look very hungry, Miss Cop said.
Please come in for a bite to eat and we can discuss it all.
Miss Copp was right.
The girls were starving and very happy for the offer of a meal.
While they enjoyed the tea and sandwiches, Anne offered Miss Copp twenty dollars for the platter.
Miss Copp sat in silence for a moment, and then agreed.
As the girls rode home in the carriage, Anne carefully held the platter on her lap.
They were both laughing.
I can't wait to tell your Aunt Josephine about this, Anne said.
I think she'll enjoy the history of this platter.
Be careful, Anne, Diana said.
She smiled at her friend.
We're not home yet.
Knowing you and the adventures you get into, anything could still happen.
Anne laughed.
Having adventures comes naturally to some people, she said.
You just have the gift for them, or you haven't.
