Chapter VI
In the Park
“What are you going to do with yourselves today, girls?” asked Philippa,
popping into Anne’s room one Saturday afternoon.
“We are going for a walk in the park,” answered Anne. “I ought to stay in and
finish my blouse. But I couldn’t sew on a day like this. There’s something in the
air that gets into my blood and makes a sort of glory in my soul. My fingers
would twitch and I’d sew a crooked seam. So it’s ho for the park and the pines.”
“Does ‘we’ include any one but yourself and Priscilla?”
“Yes, it includes Gilbert and Charlie, and we’ll be very glad if it will include
you, also.”
“But,” said Philippa dolefully, “if I go I’ll have to be gooseberry, and that will
be a new experience for Philippa Gordon.”
“Well, new experiences are broadening. Come along, and you’ll be able to
sympathize with all poor souls who have to play gooseberry often. But where are
all the victims?”
“Oh, I was tired of them all and simply couldn’t be bothered with any of them
today. Besides, I’ve been feeling a little blue—just a pale, elusive azure. It isn’t
serious enough for anything darker. I wrote Alec and Alonzo last week. I put the
letters into envelopes and addressed them, but I didn’t seal them up. That
evening something funny happened. That is, Alec would think it funny, but
Alonzo wouldn’t be likely to. I was in a hurry, so I snatched Alec’s letter—as I
thought—out of the envelope and scribbled down a postscript. Then I mailed
both letters. I got Alonzo’s reply this morning. Girls, I had put that postscript to
his letter and he was furious. Of course he’ll get over it—and I don’t care if he
doesn’t—but it spoiled my day. So I thought I’d come to you darlings to get
cheered up. After the football season opens I won’t have any spare Saturday
afternoons. I adore football. I’ve got the most gorgeous cap and sweater striped
in Redmond colors to wear to the games. To be sure, a little way off I’ll look like
a walking barber’s pole. Do you know that that Gilbert of yours has been elected
Captain of the Freshman football team?”