Anne of Green Gables - Chapter 6
18:17 Share

Hello! Welcome to Stories Podcast. I'm your host, Amanda Weldon. Today's story is a chapter from the classic novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. We have Stories Podcast merch available at storiespodcast.com slash shop. We're also on Cameo for all of your personalized video message needs, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram at storiespodcast. If you send us a drawing of your favorite scene or character, we'll share it on our feed.

Now here's a word from our sponsors.

One of my favorite things to do in the summertime is head to the movies to see the newest blockbuster. And this summer is no different. On July 18th, you can count on me to be the first in line at the theater to see Smurfs. I loved the Smurfs when I was little. In this movie, Papa Smurf is mysteriously taken by evil wizards and Smurfette, my favorite obviously, has to lead the Smurfs on a mission to save him and the universe. That already sounds amazing, but get this: Smurfette is voiced by none other than Rihanna.

Rihanna! And she is joined by some of my very favorites, like John Goodman, Octavia Spencer, Natasha Lyonne, Nick Kroll, Amy Sedaris, and more. Smurfs is an action-packed adventure that focuses on friendship, teamwork, finding yourself, and being kind to each other. Truly something for everyone to enjoy. This is the perfect film for the entire family to see this summer, filled with lots of comedy, heart, and new music from DJ Khaled, Cardi B, and of course, Rihanna. I can't wait. Smurfs, in theaters July 18th.

Parents, I think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that! Our family has found an amazing new solution called Next Playground. It's an active game system for families where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion-driven gaming. No controllers or wearables needed.

Just play naturally. And the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of How to Train Your Dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's Dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better, Next Playground is kid-safe, with no ads, in-app purchases, or mature content. Next Playground is your feel-good solution to those long summer days.

Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com. That's N-E-X playground dot com to explore active family gaming today.

Toyota is the best resale value brand for 2025, according to KelleyBlueBooksKBB.com. That means when you buy a Toyota, you can feel confident that your investment will last. Toyota has dependable vehicles for any lifestyle, including the 2025 Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner, the plug-in hybrid RAV4, and even the hot new Supra. These five models rank in the top 10 for resale value of all vehicles, according to KelleyBlueBooksKBB.com.

according to kellybluebookskbb.com, and have a retained value after five years that's thousands higher than the average vehicle. So after countless carpools, road trips, and off-road adventures, your Toyota will still have plenty left to give. Shop buyatoyota.com for a great deal today.

and great value tomorrow. Vehicle's projected resale value is specific to the 2025 model year. For more information, visit kellybluebookskbb.com. Kelly Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelly Blue Book Co. Inc. Toyota, let's go places. Thanks. Enjoy the episode. Chapter 6. Marilla Makes Up Her Mind

Get there they did, however, in due season. Mrs. Spencer lived in a big yellow house at White Sands Cove, and she came to the door with surprise and welcome mingled on her benevolent face. Dear, dear, she exclaimed. You're the last folks I was looking for today, but I'm real glad to see you. You'll put your horses in? And how are you, Anne?

I'm as well as can be expected, thank you, said Anne smilelessly. A blight seemed to have descended on her. I suppose we'll stay a little while to rest the mare, said Marilla, but I promised Matthew I'd be home early. The fact is, Mrs. Spencer, there's been a queer mistake somewhere, and I've come over to see where it is. We sent word, Matthew and I, for you to bring us a boy from the asylum. We told your brother Robert to tell you we wanted a boy 10 or 11 years old.

Marilla Cuthbert, you don't say so, said Mrs. Spencer in distress. Why, Robert sent the word down by his daughter Nancy and she said you wanted a girl, didn't she, Flora Jane? Appealing to her daughter who had come out to the steps. She certainly did, Miss Cuthbert, corroborated Flora Jane earnestly.

"'I'm dreadful sorry,' said Mrs. Spencer. "'It is too bad, but it certainly wasn't my fault, you see, Miss Cuthbert. I did the best I could and I thought I was following your instructions. Nancy is a terrible flighty thing. I've often had to scold her well for her heedlessness.'

It was our own fault, said Marilla resignedly. We should have come to you ourselves and not left an important message to be passed along by word of mouth in that fashion. Anyhow, the mistake has been made, and the only thing to do now is to set it right. Can we send the child back to the asylum? I suppose they'll take her back, won't they?

I suppose so, said Mrs. Spencer thoughtfully. But I don't think it will be necessary to send her back. Mrs. Peter Blewett was up here yesterday and she was saying to me how much she wished she'd sent by me for a little girl to help her. Mrs. Peter has a large family, you know, and she finds it hard to get help. Anne will be the very girl for her. I call it positively providential. Marilla did not look as if she thought providence had much to do with the matter. Here was an unexpectedly good chance to get this unwelcome orphan off her hands,

and she did not even feel grateful for it. She knew Mrs. Peter Blewett only by sight, as a small, shrewish-faced woman without an ounce of superfluous flesh on her bones. But she had heard of her. A terrible worker and driver, Mrs. Peter was said to be, and discharged servant girls told fearsome tales of her temper and stinginess, and her family of pert, quarrelsome children. Marilla felt a qualm of conscience at the thought of handing Anne over to her tender mercies.

Well, I'll go in and we'll talk the matter over, she said. Isn't Mrs. Peter coming up the lane this blessed minute? exclaimed Mrs. Spencer, bustling her guests through the hall into the parlor, where a deadly chill struck on them as if the air had been strained too long through dark green, closely drawn blinds that it had lost every particle of warmth it had ever possessed.

That is real lucky, for we can settle the matter right away. Take the armchair, Miss Cuthbert, and you sit here on the ottoman and don't wriggle. Let me take your hats. Flora Jane, go out and put on the kettle. Good afternoon, Mrs. Blewett. We were just saying how fortunate it is you happened along. Let me introduce you two ladies. Mrs. Blewett, Miss Cuthbert. Please excuse me for just a moment. I forgot to tell Flora Jane to take the buns out of the oven. Mrs. Spencer whisked away after pulling up the blinds.

Anne, sitting mutely on the ottoman with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, stared at Mrs. Blewett as one fascinated.

Was she to be given into the keeping of this sharp-faced, sharp-eyed woman? She felt a lump coming up in her throat and her eyes smarted painfully. She was beginning to be afraid she couldn't keep the tears back when Mrs. Spencer returned, flushed and beaming, quite capable of taking any and every difficulty, physical, mental, or spiritual, into consideration and settling it out of hand.

"'It seems there's been a mistake about this little girl, Mrs. Blewett,' she said. "'I was under the impression that Mr. and Miss Cuthbert wanted a little girl to adopt. I was certainly told so, but it seems it was a boy they wanted. So if you're still of the same mind you were yesterday, I think she'll be just the thing for you.' Mrs. Blewett darted her eyes over Anne from head to foot. "'How old are you and what's your name?' she demanded."

Anne Shirley, faltered the shrinking child, not daring to make any stipulations regarding the spelling thereof. And I'm eleven years old.

"'Hm. You don't look as if there was very much to you. But you're wiry. I don't know, but the wiry ones are the best, after all. Well, if I take you, you'll have to be a good girl, you know, good and smart and respectful. I'll expect you to earn your keep, and no mistake about that. Yes, I suppose I might as well take her off your hands, Miss Cuthbert. The baby's awful fractious, and I'm clean worn out attending to him. If you like, I can take her right home now.'

Marilla looked at Anne and softened at sight of the child's pale face with its look of mute misery. The misery of a helpless little creature who finds itself once more caught in the trap from which it had escaped. Marilla felt an uncomfortable conviction that, if she denied the appeal of that look, it would haunt her to her dying day. Moreover, she did not fancy Mrs. Blewett. To hand a sensitive, high-strung child over to such a woman? No, she could not take the responsibility of doing that.

Now for a quick ad break. We'll be back with the rest of the story after this. If you'd like Stories Podcast and other favorite kid podcasts ad-free, subscribe to Wondery Plus Kids on Apple Podcasts.

Parents, I think we've all had those times when everyone in the family is off on their own personal devices. Wouldn't it be great if you could find an activity that everyone will agree on? Something that's both active and fun at the same time? Imagine that! Our family has found an amazing new solution called Next Playground. It's an active game system for families where your body powers the play. It's 100% motion-driven gaming. No controllers or wearables needed.

Just play naturally. And the games are so great and immersive. Go flying in the world of How to Train Your Dragon, dance with Barbie, pop bubbles in Gabby's Dollhouse, or master some moves with Kung Fu Panda right from your living room. Even better, Next Playground is kid-safe, with no ads, in-app purchases, or mature content. Next Playground is your feel-good solution to those long summer days.

Want to learn more? Visit nextplayground.com. That's N-E-X playground dot com to explore active family gaming today.

Toyota is the best resale value brand for 2025, according to Kelley Bluebook's KBB.com. That means when you buy a Toyota, you can feel confident that your investment will last. Toyota has dependable vehicles for any lifestyle, including the 2025 Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner, the plug-in hybrid RAV4, and even the hot new Supra. These five models rank in the top 10 for resale value of all vehicles,

according to kellybluebookskbb.com, and have a retained value after five years that's thousands higher than the average vehicle. So after countless carpools, road trips, and off-road adventures, your Toyota will still have plenty left to give. Shop buyatoyota.com for a great deal today.

and great value tomorrow. Vehicle's projected resale value is specific to the 2025 model year. For more information, visit kellybluebookskbb.com. Kelly Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelly Blue Book Co. Inc. Toyota, let's go places! Well, I don't know, she said slowly. I didn't say that Matthew and I had absolutely decided that we wouldn't keep her.

In fact, I may say that Matthew is disposed to keep her. I just came over to find out how the mistake had occurred. I think I'd better take her home again and talk it over with Matthew. I feel that I oughtn't to decide on anything without consulting him. If we make up our mind not to keep her, we'll bring or send her over to you tomorrow night. If we don't, you may know that she is going to stay with us. Will that suit you, Mrs. Blewett? I suppose it'll have to, said Mrs. Blewett ungraciously.

During Marilla's speech, a sunrise had been dawning on Anne's face. First, the look of despair faded out. Then came a faint flush of hope.

Her eyes grew deep and bright as morning stars. The child was quite transfigured, and a moment later, when Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Blewett went out in quest of a recipe the latter had come to borrow, she sprang up and flew across the room to Marilla. "'Oh, Miss Cuthbert, did you really say that perhaps you would let me stay at Green Gables?' she said in a breathless whisper, as if speaking aloud might shatter the glorious possibility. "'Did you really say it, or did I only imagine that you did?'

I think you'd better learn to control that imagination of yours, Anne, if you can't distinguish between what is real and what isn't, said Marilla Crossley. Yes, you did hear me say just that and no more. It isn't decided yet, and perhaps we will conclude to let Mrs. Blewett take you after all. She certainly needs you much more than I do.

I'd rather go to the asylum than go live with her, said Anne passionately. She looks exactly like a, like a gimlet. Marilla smothered a smile under the conviction that Anne must be reproved for such a speech. A little girl like you should be ashamed of talking so about a lady and a stranger, she said severely. Go back and sit down quietly and hold your tongue and behave as a good girl should.

I'll try to do and be anything you want me. If only you'll keep me, said Anne, returning meekly to her ottoman. When they arrived back at Green Gables that evening, Matthew met them in the lane. Marilla, from afar, had noted him prowling along it and guessed his motive. She was prepared for the relief she read in his face when he saw that she had at least brought Anne back with her. But she said nothing to him, relative to the affair, until they were both out in the yard behind the barn milking the cows. Then,

She briefly told him Anne's history and the result of the interview with Mrs. Spencer. "'I wouldn't give a dog I like to that Blewett woman,' said Matthew with unusual vim.

I don't fancy her style myself, admitted Marilla. But it's that or keeping her ourselves, Matthew. And since you seem to want her, I suppose I'm willing, or have to be. I've been thinking over this idea until I've got kind of used to it. It seems a sort of duty. I've never brought up a child, especially a girl, and I dare say I'll make a terrible mess of it. But I'll do my best. So far as I'm concerned, Matthew, she may stay.

Matthew's shy face was a glow of delight. Well now, I reckon you'd come to see it in that light, Marilla, he said. She's such an interesting little thing. It'd be more to the point if you could say she was a useful little thing, retorted Marilla. But I'll make it my business to see she's trained to be that.

"'And mind, Matthew, you're not to go interfering with my methods. Perhaps an old maid doesn't know much about bringing up a child, but I guess she knows more than an old bachelor. So you just leave me to manage her. When I fail, it'll be time enough to put your oar in.' "'There, there, Marilla, you can have your own way,' said Matthew reassuringly. "'Only be as good and kind to her as you can be without spoiling her. I kind of think she's one of the sort you can do anything with if you only get her to love you.'

Marilla sniffed to express her contempt for Matthew's opinions concerning anything feminine, and walked off to the dairy with the pails.

I won't tell her tonight that she can stay, she reflected as she strained the milk into the creamers. She'd be so excited that she wouldn't sleep a wink. Marilla Cuthbert, you're fairly in for it. Did you ever suppose you'd see the day when you'd be adopting an orphan girl? It's surprising enough, but not so surprising as that Matthew should be at the bottom of it. Him that always seemed to have such a mortal dread of little girls.

Anyhow, we've decided on the experiment, and goodness only knows what will come of it. Tune in for another chapter next week. Today's story was a chapter of Anne of Green Gables written for you by Lucy Maud Montgomery, edited and produced for you by Andrew Martin, and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon. Thanks for listening!

Toyota is the best resale value brand for 2025, according to Kelly Blue Book's KBB.com. That means when you buy a Toyota, you can feel confident that your investment will last. Toyota has dependable vehicles for any lifestyle, including the 2025 Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner, the plug-in hybrid RAV4, and even the hot new Supra. These five models rank in the top 10 for resale value of all vehicles, according to Kelly Blue Book's KBB.com.

according to kellybluebookskbb.com, and have a retained value after five years that's thousands higher than the average vehicle. So after countless carpools, road trips, and off-road adventures, your Toyota will still have plenty left to give. Shop buyatoyota.com for a great deal today.

and great value tomorrow. Vehicles projected resale value is specific to the 2025 model year. For more information, visit kellybluebookskbb.com. Kelly Blue Book is a registered trademark of Kelly Blue Book Co. Inc. Toyota. Let's go places!