Chapter XL
A Book of Revelation
The Irvings came back to Echo Lodge for the summer, and Anne spent a
happy three weeks there in July. Miss Lavendar had not changed; Charlotta the
Fourth was a very grown-up young lady now, but still adored Anne sincerely.
“When all’s said and done, Miss Shirley, ma’am, I haven’t seen any one in
Boston that’s equal to you,” she said frankly.
Paul was almost grown up, too. He was sixteen, his chestnut curls had given
place to close-cropped brown locks, and he was more interested in football than
fairies. But the bond between him and his old teacher still held. Kindred spirits
alone do not change with changing years.
It was a wet, bleak, cruel evening in July when Anne came back to Green
Gables. One of the fierce summer storms which sometimes sweep over the gulf
was ravaging the sea. As Anne came in the first raindrops dashed against the
panes.
“Was that Paul who brought you home?” asked Marilla. “Why didn’t you
make him stay all night. It’s going to be a wild evening.”
“He’ll reach Echo Lodge before the rain gets very heavy, I think. Anyway, he
wanted to go back tonight. Well, I’ve had a splendid visit, but I’m glad to see
you dear folks again. ‘East, west, hame’s best.’ Davy, have you been growing
again lately?”
“I’ve growed a whole inch since you left,” said Davy proudly. “I’m as tall as
Milty Boulter now. Ain’t I glad. He’ll have to stop crowing about being bigger.
Say, Anne, did you know that Gilbert Blythe is dying?” Anne stood quite silent
and motionless, looking at Davy. Her face had gone so white that Marilla
thought she was going to faint.
“Davy, hold your tongue,” said Mrs. Rachel angrily. “Anne, don’t look like
that—DON’T LOOK LIKE THAT! We didn’t mean to tell you so suddenly.”
“Is—it—true?” asked Anne in a voice that was not hers.
“Gilbert is very ill,” said Mrs. Lynde gravely. “He took down with typhoid
fever just after you left for Echo Lodge. Did you never hear of it?”