Anne Shirley (アン・シャーリー)

I've been at Redmond three weeks now.

What a pleasant morning.

If feels as though it's blessing our futures.

Philippa and I became friends almost as soon as we'd met.

Why, I was just thinking that exact same thing.

Despite my misgivings, my school life fell into focus.

I'm amazed.

What if you were friends before you were born?

Perhaps we have been.

Hey, they say that Philippa's the daughter of a rich man.

Pretty, smart, and a good family, too?

I'd sure like to get to know her.

Alec and Alonzo don't seem to have any serious rival yet.

What do you mean?

Phil said she writes them both every week about her worshipers here.

They must be beside themselves.

But, of course, the one I like best I can't get.

Who?!

Gilbert Blythe

won't take any notice of me, except to look at me as if I were a nice little kitten.

Too well I know the reason.

Anne Shirley?!

Listen here, Phil.

There's nothing at all between Gilbert and me.

I know that, but I still owe you a grudge.

I really ought to hate you

and instead I love you madly,

Queen Anne.

And you, too, Prissy.

Thanks, Phil.

And what about you two?

Please tell me over again that you like me a little bit.

Yes, of course!

I like you a big bit, Phil.

You're a dear, sweet, adorable... kitten.

Chapter 17

Love is the Power That Transforms Everything

Isn't it heavy?

Not a bit.

Honestly, that Philippa.

I don't mind. It's good exercise.

When you think of it like that, being a porter doesn't sound so bad.

Well, this is where I leave you.

What? Why?

I need to make a stop. Thank you, Gilbert.

You're welcome.

Goodbye, Anne. I'll see you tomorrow.

S-See you.

Isn't she a marvel?

She holds her own in every class she takes.

Yes. When she finds time to study is a mystery.

I hear you're top of your year in English literature yourself.

If I am,

it must be because I was so desperate to compete with someone in Avonlea.

I hear you have been elected president of the freshman class.

Only because everybody put my name forward.

A position of honor and responsibility.

Anyway, I got asked to join a fraternity, the "Lambs,"

only there was a bit of an initiation ordeal.

What kind of "ordeal"?

I had to parade the business streets in broad daylight, wearing...

You should have told me! I would have gone to see you.

I had to keep it up all day long!

And did any gentlemen try to court you?

If only!

My happiest moments now are those in which letters come from home.

I particularly enjoyed Mrs. Lynde's.

Why, yesterday I ate so much, my belly puffed up big as anything.

It makes me mad, such hopeless candidates as they have sent us

But then, it's not the first time I ate more than was good for me.

to fill the vacancy in the Avonlea church.

What am I going to do with myself?

And such nonsense as they preach!

And now talking about it has me feeling peckish again.

Can anybody here spare a bite to eat?

Worst of all, this one goes on about things you'll never find in Holy Writ.

Only my little joke, of course.

But really, I am famished.

Next week, I'll tell you about the axe-head that swam.

But it seems everybody has something to recommend him.

One day, that old pig of Mr. Harrison's wandered into the church.

The poor pig was near scared to death.

I've never seen another minister hang on to a pig's back as well as that one.

I wish you could have seen it!

I hate to laugh, but I can't help it.

Davy wrote me a charming letter, too.

Its awful lonesome here without you but grate fun in school.

Jane andrews is crosser than you.

I showed mrs. lynde a jacky lantern I made last nite.

Davy Keith, how many times must I tell you?!

Marilla was offel mad about it.

Why was she mad? It was a good lantern.

Are you listening to me?!

Go to your room and stay there!

I herd mrs. lynde asking the minister...

Say a prayer for me.

What did she do that was so bad, anne,

I want to know.

I'd like to know that myself.

Marilla's letter gives me a whiff of Green Gables.

Yes?

Diana's is nothing but Fred.

You can't fault her for that.

And Ruby's...

You all seem to be enjoying Redmond, judging from Gilbert's letters.

Gilbert? Gilbert is writing to Ruby?

Of course I don't mind. He has a perfect right to.

Anne?

O-Oh, Ruby wrote that she misses me horribly.

That sounds just like her.

I'm glad to hear they're all well.

So am I.

Avonlea is on the other side of this sea.

It is far, but letters keep us tied to it.

Letters may not be the only thing that allows me to feel close to Avonlea.

But really,

a pig running off with a minister on his back?

Come in.

Oh, you're just in the nick of time.

We are going for a walk in the park.

Gilbert and Charlie, too.

How would you like to join us?

Two couples and me playing gooseberry?

Not at all.

Very well. That will be a new experience for Philippa Gordon.

Is something the matter?

I got letters from Alec and Alonzo this morning, and they're both furious.

It seems I sent a letter to Alec in an envelope addressed to Alonzo,

and a letter to Alonzo in an envelope addressed to Alec.

Goodness!

Of course they'll get over it, and I don't care if they don't,

but I thought I'd come to you darlings to get cheered up.

All the more reason you should join us!

Yes! It will take your mind off the whole thing.

Yes, I think I will.

But Anne, why does your Gilbert go around so much with a goose like Charlie?

Charlie and Gilbert have always been friends.

Don't call him names.

What a fog we have today.

The warm Gulf Stream and the cold Labrador Current run into each other near here.

Icebergs even float in now and then.

My!

You know the highlands in the center of the Peninsula?

Aren't they perfect together?

The Labrador Current brings cold winds that stop trees growing there,

Oh, I know.

So what's the problem?

Anne says she's had her heart set on someone since she was a girl.

so they're covered in meadows.

Are they engaged?

It's not quite like that.

She hasn't even found him yet.

Oh?

Where is our boardinghouse?

That's Redmond College, so...

It must be around there!

I know.

Let's go home around by Spofford Avenue.

We can see all "the handsome houses where the wealthy nobles dwell."

I'd like that.

Then there's a perfectly killing little place I want to show you.

It wasn't built—it grew!

How much would one have to work to live in houses like these?

Where is the place you wanted to show me, Phil?

Just ahead.

Oh, my!

It's the dearest place I ever saw!

It's dearer and quainter than even Miss Lavendar's stone house.

It has a killing name, too,

especially on this avenue of grand-sounding Cedarcrofts and suchlike.

"Patty's Place."

Patty's Place!

Do you have any idea who lives there?

Old Patty Spofford lives there with her niece.

"Spofford"?