Return to the White Way


An older-looking couple stepped off the train at the Avonlea station. The woman clung tightly the man’s arm as they walked across the platform with a youthful look of anxious expectancy and excitement. Her warm, coppery-gold locks showed only the slightest speckles of grey. The man, distinguished and kind looking, showed not the most miniscule spot of aging, save the creases around his eyes from years of laughter and worry. "How good it is to be back!" the woman exclaimed. The man looked to her with the utmost love and adoration in his eyes. "It’s been too long." There was no carriage waiting for them at the station. No friendly escort or cabby. The woman had told the man earlier that they would walk and savor the delight of their old haunts. It had been a long time since the woman had truly smiled. Life in war years was hard – hardest of all for mothers and fathers of soldiers. Three had gone. Only two had come home, shells of the children they once were. They had found it so difficult to live in their old house. At every turn they were met with memories of their lost boys. Their eldest daughters were grown – had been for some time now – and were married and living lives with families all their own. Grandchildren were such a blessing. Their baby, their beautiful, golden curled child of nearly twenty-one, was still theirs for the most part. She was the only one who had yet to really grow up and leave. The couple relished in the years the had left with their daughter. How alone they thought they would feel after she too had left them! But it didn’t matter now. They were home. "Dearest? We must walk through Violet Vale and the Dryad’s Bubble tonight. And I’ve been aching to stroll down Lover’s Lane with you," she said, leaning her head on the grey wool of his suit. "And I told Dora that you and I would stop by at Green Gables. We haven’t been back since Marilla died. But I’m glad that Dora decided to stay and take care of the old place. I’d have hated to sell it and I know we wouldn’t have been able to come back and live in Avonlea. We must write to all the children and tell them to visit us here. I’m sure they’ll all adore it." "I’m sure they will Anne-girl. I’m glad we made this trip," he said, taking her in his arms and breathing deeply. "Me too. But Gilbert? Do you…do you think that Rilla is alright home alone at Ingleside?" "Anne….come on. She’s twenty." "Twenty! I know…but she’s still our little girl, and…" "Anne, really…she’ll be fine." "I worry about her in the darned motorcar…" "The motorcar! Who said she could take out the motorcar?" "Well, I did. I didn’t think you’d mind. You let her do it all the time!" "That’s when we’re home!" "Gilbert, she’s only going to visit Nan! Oh! And she said she might stop by at the Ford’s." "The Ford’s? As in the home of Kenneth Ford?" he said suspiciously. "Gil, please! She is engaged to him!" "Well, I know, but…" "And Leslie will be there, of course." "You don’t think that Rilla would be irresponsible enough to take the Ford boy back to Ingleside where there are no parents?" "Goodness no Gilbert! I can’t believe you’d even suggest that!" "Well…I remember the way young men feel about their beautiful fiancées! I know, I’d have done just about anything to steal a few moments alone with you when we were engaged Anne! And if the occasion had ever arisen that Marilla had been out of the house for more than a few minutes…" "Gilbert Blythe!" Anne scolded with a smile. "I can’t believe you’d say such a thing! You were a perfect gentleman when we were courting! It was afterwards…" she told him slyly. "I wouldn’t blame either of them – exactly – if they wanted some time alone. We know what it’s like to be young and in love and constantly being monitored! In fact, I hope they DO get some time alone together tonight. It’s healthy." "Anne! You know what time alone can lead to…" "Gilbert, this is Rilla we’re talking about! Come on now, have some faith." "When is she coming to join us?" "On the afternoon train to Avonlea tomorrow." "Good." "Do you think she’ll like Avonlea?" "I know she will. We should have come back here more often, Anne." "You’re right Gilbert. But, after Marilla died, and with six active children to raise, getting out of Ingleside wasn’t an easy task. We must stop in to see Diana as well tonight. You know, it’s been too long since she and I were together. Where do the years go Gil? It seems like only yesterday we were all children, playing by the seashore, dreaming of our futures…" "Smacking slates over peoples heads!" Gilbert laughed. "Yes…a little of that too! I suppose I’ll never live that moment down. But honestly, how did it become so that we ourselves have children playing by the seashore, dreaming of their futures. I don’t know…it makes a person think, doesn’t it?" "Mmhm. I sure hope that Rilla is all right back at home." "Me too. I’m know that she is. We’re being silly and over-protective." "Anne, that word is not in a father’s vocabulary!" "I know. Oh Gilbert! Sometimes I wish our babies could have stayed babies. Then they would never have had to grow and fly away from us to get married or go to war and give their young lives. It’s senseless is what it is." "But you wouldn’t want to deny them what we had ourselves, would you Anne?" "Not for anything in the world." "I really wish Rilla had come with us this evening!" "She’ll be fine Gilbert. Let’s stop in here at Diana and Fred’s before we head over the Green Gables. We’re right here anyway." "Okay." Anne and Gilbert alighted on Diana and Fred’s front step and knocked lightly on their door. Diana answered. "Anne? Anne Blythe! What in the world are you doing here! Why didn’t you let me know you were coming to the Island? Oh Anne! Gilbert! Come in, come in! Fred! Look who’s here! It’s Anne and Gilbert Blythe!" Diana ushered them into their home with a gust of girlish energy. "It’s so good to see you Diana! I’ve missed you!" "I’ve missed you too!" "Tell me all of your news." "Oh…it’s been quite a while since we last talk hasn’t it." "Yes, too long, dearest." "Well, Anne-Cordelia and her husband have just recently moved to New England with their three children…" "I thought they were living in Halifax." "They were, but Henry got transferred. He’s a yankee you know and he was here on American business during the war, but now he’s back in New England. We all knew they would have to leave. But it’s been heard." "I didn’t realize she’d had another child." "Yes! A beautiful little girl named Maria…looks just like Anne-Cordelia when she was little." "And young Fred is doing well I trust?" A black cloud came over Diana’s face. "No…n-no. Our young Fred suffered the same fate as your Walter over seas." "Oh Diana!" Anne cried, looking at her friend with ultimate grief, sympathy and understanding in her eyes. "It’s been a few months now…I’m feeling a little better everyday." "Diana, Fred…we’re so sorry for your loss. We know what you’re going through," Gilbert said solemnly, patting Fred’s shoulder. "It’s been awfully lonely here with no children or grandchildren around to liven up the place." "What has become of Fred’s wife and children? I thought they were living in Carmody! That’s not far away!" "Well, they were. But when we got the news of Fred, Susanna packed up the kids and went to her parents in British Columbia." "Oh Diana…" "But none of it matters now Anne! You’re here! How long are you going to be in Avonlea?" "I’m not sure! However long we feel like I suppose." "Gilbert has just recently retired. We have enough to live on now, and Jem’s been through his medical training and has taken over his father’s practice." "How are your children, Anne. It’s been too long!" "Well, you know about our dear Walter. Nan, Diana and their families bought a large piece of land in Four Winds – they’ve built their houses and are living quite comfortably next to each other." "It’s nice that they’re so close." "Yes." "How many children do they have?" "Well, Nan has two; Charlotte is soon to be four, and their little son, Alexander is just shy of three," offered Gilbert. "And Diana’s little girl Elizabeth turned two last month." "Isn’t that fabulous! What about young Rilla? How is she?" "Rilla is just fine. Growing up much too fast I’m afraid!" "Children often do!" "She’s to be married to Kenneth Ford." "Really? He’s a handsome fellow, if I recall…" "Yes, he is…very! And a nice lad at that. I couldn’t think of a better man for our Rilla!" "And Gilbert…what do you think?" asked Fred cautiously. Gilbert looked at him. Fred nodded. "I know," Fred replied. "I know." "Oh you men with your daughters!" exclaimed Diana. Diana excused herself and came back in with a pot of good, hot tea. Once every had a cup, Anne turned to her friend. "So, what is the latest gossip of Avonlea?" she asked. "Well! The King boy…you know, Felix? He was listed as MIA – the whole town went mad over this young man’s supposed death you know! Anyway, Christmas Eve, he walks right in the door, alive and kicking! Well! That was last year, right, and oh! You remember hearing about the Pine Bend controversy between him and the little Pettibone girl? Yes! Well! They’re engaged to be married now…but not with out major difficulties from her father! Quite the little scandal. Let me see…oh! The King family sure has been in the spot light lately. Sara Stanley, you know, Blair Stanley’s daughter who went to live at Rose Cottage with Hetty? Well! She came back to Avonlea, not long ago, to announce her engagement to some fellow – only this fellow turned out not to be who she thought he was. He was impersonating another man by that name in order to embezzle some money. The real man just happened to be visiting in Avonlea that very week and the whole thing was found out. Sara called off the engagement, only to turn around and marry the real man! If you ask me it was a mighty hasty decision on her part! What? What’s so funny?" Diana demanded when she noticed Anne, Gilbert, and Fred keeling over with laughter. "You know who you sound like don’t you?" Anne managed to say, laughing. "No! Who? What is so funny?" "You sound exactly like Rachel Lynde! Diana Wright! I can’t believe it! ‘well! If you ask me it was a mighty hasty decision on her part…’" Anne said, raising her voice in her impression of her friend. A smile crept along Diana’s face until she too was laughing heartily. It was a fabulous evening and Anne didn’t want to leave. But Dora was, for sure, waiting for their arrival at Green Gables. "Thank you, Diana, Fred…it’s been marvelous to catch up with you. But we really have to be going!" Anne kissed Diana goodnight and she and Gilbert were on their way again. It was dusk and they loitered through Lover’s Lane. Anne leaned into the shoulder of her husband as he put his arm around her. "It seems like only yesterday we were strolling through her, twenty years old, the eve before our wedding day Gilbert. And now look at us! I love you so much dearest." Gilbert was silent for a few moments. "Anne," he began. "What would you say if I asked you if you wanted to come back to Avonlea?" "What would I say?" Anne repeated, stunned. "Gil…are you asking if…I would love to come back to Avonlea," she breathed. "There not really anything to keep us at Ingleside anymore. The children are grown now and…what about Rilla?" "We’ll ask her when she gets here. Do she and Kenneth have a date yet?" "No," Anne said sadly. "They want to wait to make sure that he won’t be called back overseas now that he’s recovered almost completely from his injuries. Rilla would be so devastated." "This blasted war…" cried Gilbert. "Gilbert, don’t swear. I’m sure that everything will be fine. It has to be." "I can’t see our Rilla hurt like that again Anne, I can’t do it." "I know." They walked the rest of Lover’s Lane in silence and finally came upon Green Gables. "Oh, Green Gables! How I’ve missed you!" she cried, tears welling up in her grey-green eyes. "Feel good to be back?" he asked her, knowing full well the answer. Anne just sighed rapturously. Anne didn’t knock. She just opened the door and stepped inside. "Dora? Davy? I’m home!" she called "Anne! Anne! I’m so glad you’re here!" Dora cried, running down the stairs. She flung herself into Anne’s arms. "Oh Anne! I missed you so much! You too Gilbert!" she told him, giving him a warm hug. Anne laughed, "I missed you too. Where’s Davy?" "Right here! It’s about time you two came back to visit!" He kissed Anne’s cheek and shook Gilbert’s hand. "How are you Davy?’ Gil asked him. "I’m fine. We’ve missed you guys so much!" "Where’s Rilla?" Dora asked. In the times that the Davy and Dora had visited Ingleside, Dora and Rilla had struck up quite a friendship. "She’ll be here tomorrow dear." "Fabulous. I have so much to tell her! You must be starving and exhausted. Let me get you some tea," she smiled, leaving to go to the kitchen. "I’ll help you," Anne told her. "No Anne! You go and sit in the living room with Davy and Gilbert. I’ll take care of the tea." "You’ve grown up so much Dora!" "Well, Anne, I’m nearly twenty." "You children grow up too fast." "Go sit down. I’ll be out in a minute." "All right." After a few moments of conversation with Davy, who had surprised the couple with his manliness, Dora returned carrying the tea. "Here you go," she told them as she placed the tea on the tea table. "Thank you Dora," Gilbert smiled. After everyone had their tea, Davy and Dora looked at one another. Anne caught this glance and looked at them suspiciously. "What is the matter you two?" Again they looked at each other. Davy was the first to speak. "Well Anne," he began. "We’ve come into a bit of a tough situation. You see…" "I’m to be married," Dora blurted out. Anne gleamed. "Dora! I’m so happy for you! To whom?" "To a man by the name of Henry Jones." "Dora, that’s fabulous…" "And I’ve enlisted…or rather, I’ve BEEN enlisted, what with this war conscription nonsense. Before now, I’ve been allowed to stay, seeing as how I’m the only man around this place to take care o’ Dora and the farm. But now that Dora’s not gonna be livin’ here any longer…I’ve been enlisted. And so, we were kinda wonderin’…what you two want to do with Green Gables?" The smile has faded from Anne and Gilbert’s faces. "This dammed war," Gilbert muttered to himself, the pain of his dead son plastering itself upon his expression. "Oh Davy…" Anne whispered. Not another one…not another boy taken away for this bloody war… "I know. But I have to go…you can understand that…you can, can’t you?" Gilbert nodded his head. He COULD understand it, senseless as it was. Anne set her jaw. To her, there was nothing justified about this war, and she could not…would not…understand it. The war overseas took the life of her son! And you can never, ever look back. Davy looked at Anne and a lump welled up in his throat. "Anne! They say it’s almost over! We’ve almost won! I promise I’ll come home! It’ll be a couple of weeks, maybe, and…" "Let’s talk about Green Gables Davy," Anne said, her tone short. "Okay. It’s up to you and to Gilbert I suppose. You’re the rightful owners of it. What do you want to do?" "Well…" Gilbert began. "As a matter of fact Davy, we were just discussing moving back to Avonlea. I would love to be looking after Green Gables again!" Davy and Dora breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh Anne! I’m so glad!" "Anne, Gilbert, you’re probably exhausted! Here, Davy, take their things and we’ll get you all settled in upstairs for a goodnight’s rest." Anne and Gilbert did settle in, and they did get a goodnight’s sleep. Anne had always said that she had never slept better than she did at Green Gables and it was certainly true that night. In fact, she and Gilbert slept late into the morning – it was nearly noon when they finally walked down the stairs. "Good morning sleepy heads!" Dora greeted them. "Would you like some lunch?" Davy asked jokingly. Anne smiled as she kissed them both. "I guess it would be safe to say you slept well?" "Very safe," Gilbert laughed, helping himself to the tea Dora had laid out for them. "When does Rilla come in?" Dora asked. "On the two o’clock train." "Oh, I’m so glad she’s coming!" "I know you are dear. Well Gil, we’d best run back upstairs and get ready to meet Rilla at the station." "I suppose. Thank you for the tea Dora! Would you like to come with us?" Gilbert asked. Dora’s face lit up. "I’d love to!" "What about you Davy?" "I’ve got work to do here, Anne!" "Okay! You’re sure?" "Yup!" Anne, Gilbert and Dora stood on the train platform as it pulled up. They saw Rilla’s face smiling at them through the window. She waved furiously at them until the train stopped at which point she stood up and ran off the train. But she was not alone. With his fingers entwined with hers, Kenneth Ford stepped off the train after her. "Kenneth!" exclaimed a surprised Anne! Gilbert leaned over to her, a fake, plastered smile on his face. He whispered, "I knew we shouldn’t have left her. They’ve gone and gotten married – eloped! I told you!" Before Anne had a chance to respond, Rilla had rushed up to her and embraced her. "Oh, mother! I missed you!" She kissed Gilbert’s cheek. "How are you father?" "Fine," he choked. "Mr. Blythe," Kenneth greeted him, offering Gilbert his hand. "Kenneth," Gilbert said. Rilla looked from her mother, to her father, and then to Kenneth. "Mother," she said awkwardly. "We need to talk." Gilbert flashed an ‘I-told-you-so’ look at Anne as they stepped into the buggy. It was a quiet ride home to Green Gables. No one spoke. Once they had arrived and were all seated in the sitting room, Rilla spoke up. "Mother…Father…" started Rilla, obviously suppressing the tears welling up behind her pretty eyes. Kenneth looked at her, wrapped his arm protectively around her shoulder and took over speaking for her. "I’ve been called back to the front," he told them frankly. Gilbert looked down. He was ashamed of himself. "I’m sorry Kenneth. Truly I am. And I’m sorry for the things I’ve been thinking about you since you arrived with my daughter," he said. Kenneth smiled. "I know. I figured as much – that you’d think Rilla and I had gone and done something like elope. Though, that’s sort of what we’d like to discuss with you…" Anne looked at him, confused. "You want to discuss eloping?" she asked. "No, mother. But Ken and I would like to marry before he leaves again – we should have done it that way the first time around. Please? He leaves in less than a month…it means the world to me. We’d like to have our ceremony here, at Green Gables, out in the orchard. I thought of having it out in Rainbow Valley at Ingleside, but then what places is dearer to our family than the very one that started us off? It would mean so much to marry in the same place as you and Father…maybe it’s good luck?" She looked to her mother for approval. "How could we say no?" Anne breathed. "Of course we can arrange that," Gilbert said quietly. He would do anything to keep his beloved daughter from the pain he knew he couldn’t spare her of. "Thank you," whispered Rilla, a tear creeping it’s way down her cheek. She flung herself into the arms of her parents. "I love you both so much!" "We love you too sweetheart." "We’d like to get married as soon as it can be arranged," Kenneth said, a look of ultimate relief on his young, handsome face. Anne thought about it. "Give me two weeks," she told them "It won’t be fancy, but I have it under good authority that what you wanted was simple and elegant anyway. Rilla dear, we start tomorrow. Gilbert, we will need the buggy first thing in the morning. We’ll run to Carmody to look for a dress – I know the perfect shop! What were you thinking for flowers.?" "A hand-tied bouquet of garden flowers would serve just fine," Rilla offered. "Fabulous, so that’s taken care of. I suppose the guest-list will be fairly small – especially on such short notice?" "Yes," Kenneth told her. "Our family and a few close friends." "Wonderful. I bet you we could have this done in a week. Will that be all right with you two?" A quivering look passed between Rilla and Kenneth. "That’s what I thought," Anne smiled. It’s settled then. Rilla, Kenneth, let’s sit down right now and make a list of all the people that need to be contacted." Anne was a whirlwind of planning activity and no one doubted that she would have this wedding planned down to the apple blossoms in a weeks time. That evening, Felix and Izzy stopped by to talk to Dora. Anne answered the door when they knocked. "Mrs. Blythe!" Felix cried. "I’m sorry! We didn’t know that you were visiting at Green Gables! We just wanted to chat with Dora but please, don’t let us bother you." "Felix King! My, you’ve grown up since I was in Avonlea last!" Anne stuck out her hand. "And you must be Izzy…Izzy Pettibone?" Izzy smiled and took Anne’s hand. "Yes. It’s nice to meet you Mrs.…Blythe was it?" Anne nodded. "Anne Blythe, yes." "Anne? You must be the legendary Anne Shirley!" "I used to be!" Anne laughed. "I’m sorry. I’ve heard so much about you!" "And I you, Miss Pettibone. I understand that congratulations are in order for the two of you!" "Yes, we’re getting married in the summer." "That’s wonderful!" From inside they heard Dora’s voice call "Anne? Who is at the door?" "Felix King and Izzy Pettibone are here to see you Dora!" Anne called back. "Come in," she gestured. "So, you’re moving back to Green Gables are you Mr. Blythe?" Felix asked after they’d been visiting for quite some time. "Well, actually…we’re not sure yet. This afternoon Anne and I were thinking about it, and we’re just not sure yet. But we won’t sell the place. It’s too dear to Anne. We’re considering handing it over to the town of Avonlea for a worthy cause." "Oh!" Felix cried. "It’s funny that you should say that! You see my sister Felicity used to run the Foundling Home here, but there are no more ‘foundlings’ so they’ve had to shut the place down and…it’s been sold. Which is unfortunate, you see, because Felicity and her husband Gus Pike – I don’t know it you’ve met – they were thinking of buying it from the town to start a deaf school here on PEI." "A deaf school!" exclaimed Rilla, the tears on her cheeks drying and an excited look on her face. "What a worthy idea! Father, if Mother won’t sell the dear old place, why not entrust it to me? Kenneth and I could live her until he leaves and the Felicity and Gus could begin the Deaf school here! I would love to help them. And beside it will give me something to do to get my mind off Kenneth out there in that horrid war. Oh please, mother! Couldn’t I do that! I would love to, I really would!" Anne and Gilbert looked at each other and shrugged. "I don’t see why not Rilla! And when Kenneth comes back…?" "I have plans to build us a house, Mrs. Blythe. That way the school could remain entrusted to the town of Avonlea." "I think it sounds marvelous," exclaimed Gilbert. "That is if your sister and her husband agree Mr. King." "I assure you, they will!" he told him. ‘Then it sounds settled to me!" Anne cried out. "And Gilbert, you and I will simply return to Ingleside. After careful consideration, I’ve decided that I just can’t leave the place where we watched our children grow! And a school for the deaf sounds like on the most honest causes I could think of for my beloved Green Gables!" And so it was settled. Felix and Izzy left and headed straight to King Farm to tell Felicity and Gus the news of the new deaf school. At Green Gables, everyone went to bed as soon as their guests left; it would be an early morning for the women of the household! At King Farm, Felix burst through the door, clinging tightly to Izzy’s hand. "Felicity! Gus!" he called out. "Lord, Felix! What is it you’re hollering about?" Gus asked coming down the stairs to look curiously at his brother-in-law. "Where’s Felicity?" he asked. "We have the most wonderful news for you two!" Izzy gushed. "I’m right here Felix," Felicity told him, coming out of the kitchen and drying her hands with a dish cloth. "We’ve found a place for you to start your blind school…" Felix started. After he had finished telling the couple the details, Felicity squealed. "Oh, Felix! That’s fantastic news! And Anne and Gilbert Blythe are just going to GIVE us Green Gables?" "Well, they’re giving it to the town of Avonlea. And Rilla Blythe will be staying there as well. She and her fiancée are getting married, but he has to go back to war, so she’d like to stay in Avonlea and help out with the school." "That’s amazing news," Gus commented. "Felix," Izzy said quietly, "I need to be getting home. Will you walk me?" "Of course! So, goodnight you two!" "Goodnight!" First thing in the morning, just as she had said, Anne and Rilla and Dora started off to Carmody. They got lucky and the first dress Rilla tried on, she fell in love with. "This is the one mother," she said happily. Anne smiled. "It looks fabulous darling." They had the invitations printed and mailed them express post to Kenneth’s family, Rilla’s siblings, and a few of their close friends. They rushed back to Green Gables and spent hours walking through the orchard planning the entire ceremony. In the week that she had promised, Anne had the entire wedding planned. Every single detail had been thought out and when the day came, everything was absolutely perfect. It was a beautiful day. Rilla was radiant and Kenneth was humbled, mesmerized by her beauty. The ceremony was sweet and romantic, the atmosphere simple and elegant. Their "I dos" were eloquent, their kiss, honest and loving. And when it was all over, Rilla and Kenneth stood hand in hand on the platform at the train station, waiting to be taken to Montreal. As the train approached, Rilla looked tearfully at her parents. She ran over to them and embraced them both. "I love you Mother, Father. Thank you so much for today!" Two crystal tears fell freely from her eyes. "We love you, honey," Gilbert told his youngest daughter. Anne laughed through the tears that had escaped her. "Go! Get on the train! Have a wonderful time! We see you when you return!" "Goodbye! We love you!" Rilla cried as the train pulled away. Anne and Gilbert stood together on the platform and watched the train out of sight. "Well," he said. "Well…there she goes. Our baby is grown up." "Let’s go home Anne." And they did. The month flew by. Dora was married. Anne, Gilbert, Felicity, and the Kings all prepared Green Gables to fulfill it’s fate as a school for the blind. Rilla and Kenneth arrived home on the same day that both he and Davy would leave to fulfill their duties to the empire. Anne, Gilbert, Dora, Davy, Felix, Izzy, Rilla and Kenneth all stood at the train station, unready to say goodbye. Anne embraced Davy and kissed his cheek. Gilbert shook his hand. Dora flung herself at her brother. "Davy!" she cried. "I don’t know what I could ever do with out you! Please stay safe, ‘cause I need you to come home! I love you so much!" Davy clung to his sister for a long time. Anne and Gilbert shook Kenneth’s hand and wished him well before they left them alone to say their good-byes. Rilla looked into her husbands face and recalled every blissful moment of the last month on their honeymoon. "I love you," she told him. "I love you more than anything else in the world. Promise you will come home to me." Kenneth drew her closer and told her, "I will come home to you. I promise I will. Now you promise me something. Promise me that you won’t worry about me. I need to know that you’re not crying yourself to sleep every night, or not going about with life, because if I thought that…it’d kill me. Rilla, I don’t want you to stop living while I’m gone. Promise me you won’t." "I won’t. I love you Kenneth." "And I love you." Kenneth kissed away a tear off Rilla’s pale cheek. "I love you," he repeated as he got on the train. The only thing left to do was wave. The rest of the crowd went on their way. Felicity and Gus were planning to move into Green Gables that afternoon. Rilla’s bags would be shipped over. And Anne and Gilbert were leaving that evening. The house was quiet as various modes of packing and unpacking took precedence. As the sun began to lower, Anne and Gilbert left for the train station. A saddened and tired Rilla had decided to bid her parents farewell from Green Gables, and Anne had wanted to take a last walk through her beloved haunts. Rilla kissed the both and tried to smile. Her mother kissed her hair. "Dear Rilla," she said in that soothing, motherly tone. "Don’t be discouraged. You have good and charitable work to do here…do not be downhearted. Kenneth will return. I know he will. We love you darling." And with that, Anne and Gilbert walked away from Green Gables, safe in the knowledge that both it and their baby daughter were going to be fine. They boarded the train and as they sat, looking at the window as Avonlea became a distant, pastel blur, Anne smiled.