Chapter 9 The Beginning of Vacation.
It was a Saturday afternoon in June and Anne was returning from an Improvement Society meeting.
Their little group had finally become quite successful.
People voluntarily pulled stumps from their yards, fences were fixed, and trees were trimmed.
The Society members were all pleased.
There was still one very important matter, though.
Mr. Balter still has that run-down shack in his yard, Fred Wright said.
He shook his head in amazement.
Maybe I should try talking to him again, Gilbert said.
Oh, there's no need, Anne said.
We've tried and tried.
I think we're just going to have to live with it.
It was hard for them to accept this after so much success.
There seemed to be little choice, though.
Anne was deep in thought about Mr. Bolter's shack as she walked to the cemetery.
She was taking flowers to lay on Matthew's grave.
Suddenly, she was startled back to reality by a little boy sitting on a stone wall outside the cemetery.
It was Paul Irving.
He was holding a bouquet of flowers, too.
Good afternoon, teacher, he called cheerfully.
Paul, Anne said, what are you doing here?
I thought you might stop by today, he said.
You mentioned once that you like to come by on Saturday afternoons.
I wanted to leave some flowers on my grandfather's grave.
I thought it would be nice if we went together.
Anne smiled.
Yes, Paul, she said.
I'd say that is a marvelous idea.
Truth is, Miss Shirley Paul continued.
I'd really like to leave flowers on my mother's grave, but her grave is very far away, so I thought I'd leave flowers in her memory instead.
That's very kind of you, Anne said.
It's actually her anniversary, Paul said.
It was three years ago today that my mother died.
The boy sighed.
I still miss her so much.
I'm sure you do.
Anne said.
She patted Paul on the back.
It's hard to talk about sometimes, Paul said.
Grandmother is very kind, but she didn't know my mother well and it's hard to talk to father because he misses her so much too.
I'm sure it is very hard for him as well, Anne said, placing most of her flowers on Matthew's grave.
She saved one to leave on Hester Gray's grave.
Ever since that day in the woods, Anne had made an effort to visit Mrs Gray whenever she came to the cemetery.
Father isn't an easy man to get to know, Paul continued.
But if you did know him, you'd like him a great deal.
He's very smart and kind.
I look forward to meeting him one day, Anne said.
Oh, Paul said.
He looked away.
I'm not sure if father will visit.
He's a very busy man, you know.
Yes, Anne said.
You've mentioned that before.
Paul often talked to Anne about his parents.
He was very proud of his father and missed his mother a great deal.
Anne and Paul walked together down the lane for a while.
They talked about their summer plans and Paul's upcoming birthday.
My father said he was sending me something very exciting, Paul said.
I think it might already have arrived.
Grandmother was very secretive about a package that came yesterday.
I think it must be my present.
Paul placed the flowers on his grandfather's grave.
I suppose I should be getting home, he said, before grandmother worries about me.
Anne said goodbye and continued home.
She had only gone a short distance when she met Mrs. Allen, the minister's wife.
She was on her way to visit Mrs. Lynde, and they decided to walk together.
You must be looking forward to vacation, Mrs. Allen said.
Yes, Anne replied.
Of course I will miss all of the children, but I am looking forward to the extra time.
I saw Gilbert the other day, Mrs. Allen said.
He must be starting his vacation, too.
Are you two still studying together?
Yes, we get together whenever we can, Anne said.
Do you still have plans for college?
Mrs. Allen asked.
Anne grew serious for a moment.
I'm not sure, she said.
Marilla's eyes aren't getting worse, but they're not improving.
There are also the twins to consider, Mrs. Allen added.
Oh, I know, Anne sighed.
It feels wrong to say, but I do hope that their uncle doesn't send for them.
Mrs. Allen said goodbye to Anne when they reached the fork in the road.
I'll stop by to see you soon, she said.
I'll bring a pie for Davy.
I'm sure he'll enjoy that.
Two days later, Marilla received the news.
A letter arrived from the twins' uncle in British Columbia saying he could not take them until the following spring.
Marilla and Anne were both pleased.
Without looking, they each knew the other was smiling.
