Part 2 of "In The Woods When First We Met"

210. Called to Action

Anne did not answer.

Marilla went down to Gilbert. "Well, I can't get her to dress and come down."

"Oh... That's all right. I knew she was sick- you said so the first time I came- but I kept hoping she'd be better... I'm sorry to hear it's bad enough that she still can't get out of bed. It's nothing too serious, I hope?"

Marilla hesitated. "No, just a touch of something. Don't worry about catching it; you can't. ...Whatever she has, I don't think it's contagious."

"Well that's good..."

"She's in bed in her nightclothes, and I never thought I'd say this, but I think you ought to come up and see her anyway."

"Oh- are you sure?"

Marilla sighed. "Yes, heaven knows I don't know what else to do."

She led Gilbert up the steps and opened the door to Anne's room. Marilla muttered something under her breath about impropriety, but nevertheless she ushered him into Anne's room. Gilbert held his hat in his hands, fidgeting with it nervously.

"Anne, see here, Gilbert's come to visit you."

Anne did not respond. She was lying down, facing the other wall.

There was silence.

Gilbert whispered. "She must be sleeping. I'll come back another time-"

"She's awake," Marilla shook her head. "She must not have heard me."

More likely ignoring me, Marilla thought disparagingly.

Marilla went over to the other side of the bed so she could see Anne's face. She sat down by her side. "Anne, dear, you must sit up."

She patted Anne's hair gently and then pulled her from her shoulders trying to make her sit up. Anne finally twisted away from her grasp and sat up of her own accord.

She then looked at Gilbert, because she had to.

"What?" was her rather blunt greeting.

"I'm sorry you aren't feeling well," Gilbert told her, trying not to show how surprised he was by her cold welcome.

She just stared at him, ghostly.

Gilbert felt awkward that she was in bed, but at least she had her robe on over her nightgown.

"Gilbert, come and sit down," Marilla invited, after pulling the quilt up to cover Anne more and moving her desk chair nearer the bed for Gilbert to use. "Now, I'll leave you alone. Have a good long chat, Anne- please."

---

"Anne seems tired out," Gilbert said hesitantly as he came back into the kitchen where Marilla was cleaning. "I should let her rest. Thank you for letting me see her."

Marilla stopped washing and turned to Gilbert. He noticed her hopeful expression instantly fell as she looked at his face. "She didn't tell you anything important, did she?"

"She didn't really tell me anything at all..." Gilbert answered. "I guess not feeling well has her a little grumpy? She didn't seem to want me here...everything I said she'd just sort of brush off."

"I figured as much..." Marilla said with a shake of her head. "Well, how'd you end things with her?"

"She laid down with her back to me and told me to go away."

"You mean she told you to leave?"

"No, I mean she said 'go away'." Gilbert looked like he didn't know what to think- he could take it if Anne told him she was tired and he should leave now. But to just turn her back on him and say 'go away?'