Thread by @lainasparetime

Okay, several hours of researching beluga migration later, I need a break. Wanna do an Anne thread? #LainaReadsAnne

#LainaReadsAnne Early into Anne's summer vacation, the doctor who treated Minnie May's croup saw Anne at a patient's house and became concerned. He sent Marilla a letter telling her to keep Anne outside and not let her read books "until she got more spring in her step".

#LainaReadsAnne This convinces Marilla that Anne is in immediate danger of dying of consumption, and gives her plenty of freedom over the summer. Honestly, the poor thing was probably overworked, and a summer spent picking berries and playing and dreaming does her well.

#LainaReadsAnne Come September, she's "bright-eyed and alert" and back to being herself. Nice to hear that. That's a good message, though, too. Work hard but take care of yourself.

#LainaReadsAnne Anne mentions something Mr Allan said in his sermon Sunday, and it's stated he's become a very good minister and Avonlea is glad to have him.

#LainaReadsAnne She also asks Marilla why women can't be ministers. Mrs Rachel said that would be a "scandalous thing", lol. And I'm gonna just fully quote this next bit because honestly it's quite interesting.

#LainaReadsAnne "She said there might be female ministers in the States and she believed there was, but thank goodness we hadn't got to that stage in Canada yet and she hoped we never would. But I don't see why."

#LainaReadsAnne Anne continues with, "I think women would make splendid ministers. When there is a social to be got up or a church tea or anything else to raise money the women have to turn to and do the work."

#LainaReadsAnne Now remember, at this point, Montgomery had been engaged to one guy studying to become a minister and was secretly engaged to another. It's really interesting to me how she has a rather idealized view of the Allens, but these more cynical moments still happen.

#LainaReadsAnne I find the juxaposition of something I figure is how Montgomery dreamed of her life becoming against perhaps something she didn't like the idea of it becoming. Maybe that's why Mrs Allan is such a perfect character.

#LainaReadsAnne Also, this exchange. Anne says, "I'm sure Mrs. Lynde can pray every bit as well as Superintendent Bell and I've no doubt she could preach too with a little practice."

#LainaReadsAnne Marilla replies Mrs Rachel probably could, and she "does plenty of unoffical preaching as it is. Nobody has much of a chance to go wrong in Avonlea with Rachel to oversee them".

This might be one of the most adult conversations Anne and Marilla have ever had.

#LainaReadsAnne Like, they talk a lot, but Marilla's letting her guard down a little and relaxing and really talking to Anne like an equal and even a friend. It's a moment I really like.

#LainaReadsAnne Anne confesses that though she wants to be a good person, especially when she's with Mrs Allan or Miss Stacy or Marilla, she finds it harder with Mrs Rachel, and sometimes feels "desperately wicked" and like she wants to do the very thing Mrs Rachels says not to.

#LainaReadsAnne "Do you think it's because I'm really bad and unregenerate?" Anne asks.

After a minute, Marilla laughs and says if so, then Marilla herself is too, as Mrs Rachel makes her feel that way too sometimes. She nags too much, Marilla says.

#LainaReadsAnne I think I like how casual this conversation is, but still meaningful. It's a small moment, but you see their affection for each other and how willing each is to be vulnerable around the other.

#LainaReadsAnne Also, Marilla added a flounce to Anne's new dress, even though it's a bit silly. When Anne says it gives her comfort and she'll be satisfied knowing it's there, Marilla says it's "worth something to have that". Awww

#LainaReadsAnne Also did you know there's a different between flounces and ruffles? A ruffle is gathered at the top and full through the entire length of the fabric, while a flounce is smooth at the top and fuller near the bottom.

#LainaReadsAnne Oh, look at that, we're passing the winter over again, with more mentions of much studying. Anne starts to have nightmares about the pass list having Gilbert's name at the top and not hers. It's a happy winter overall and they enjoy the work under Miss Stacy's eye

#LainaReadsAnne Marilla no longer keeps Anne from social events, remembering the Spencerville doctor's advice. There's Debating Club concerts, sleigh drives, lots of skating, and even a couple parties (ooh la la).

#LainaReadsAnne In March, Anne turns fifteen!!! And Marilla realizes one day, with a bit of a shock, that Anne is taller than her now.

Oh man, this next bit got me hard.

#LainaReadsAnne "The child she had learned to love had vanished somehow and here was this tall, serious-eyed girl of fifteen, with the thoughtful brows and the proudly poised little head, in her place. (cont)"

#LainaReadsAnne "Marilla loved the girl as much as she had loved the child, but she was conscious of a queer sorrowful sense of loss. And that night, when Anne had gone to prayer meeting with Diana, Marilla sat alone in the wintry twilight and indulged in the weakness of a cry."

#LainaReadsAnne When Matthew catches her and is rather surprised to see her crying like that, she says she'll miss Anne terribly as Anne will probably be gone by the next winter.

#LainaReadsAnne Matthew tries to reassure Marilla Anne will be able to come home often, but to him "Anne was as yet and would always be the little, eager girl he had brought home from Bright River on that June evening four years before".

Excuse me, I need to pause to cry myself.

#LainaReadsAnne No I legit had to take a moment there when I did the notes

Marilla also notices that Anne doesn't "chatter" as much as she used to. Anne says she likes thinking her thoughts and keeping them private, not to be "laughed at or wondered over".

Our girl's growing up

#LainaReadsAnne Miss Stacy is a sharp critic, but she's helped Anne grow a lot as a writer. Sadly, the story club has been dissolved - they're too busy now and a bit too old for it.

#LainaReadsAnne It's two months til the Entrance exams and Anne is so nervous. Marilla says if she fails, she should "go to school next year and try again" which is practical but also so supportive? She clearly believes Anne can do it, and if she needs a bit more time, it's fine.

#LainaReadsAnne Frankly I think Marilla wouldn't mind having Anne around for another year at all. And that's where our chapter ends for the night! It's such a sweet one.