Chapter One:
Felicity Pike lazily dangled one foot from the hammock in the back of the King Farm. Her husband of two months softly caressed her golden brown hair and gazed at her in perfect rapture. Gus was now able to see with the aid of a pair of spectacles and nothing was more beautiful to him than his lovely wife whom he had not looked upon for nearly two years. The September afternoon was lazy and quiet, Janet and Alec King having gone to Charlottetown for the weekend with Daniel. Felix was away serving in the Navy and Cecily was over on the other side of town supervising the foundling home. They were all alone at the little farmhouse for two glorious days, without a care in the world. Felicity had always dreamed that someday she would live in the little home of her childhood with her husband. Instead, the two of them usually maintained the Avonlea Foundling Home, but soon Gus was going to build a little house for them to live in. Hetty King had decided that she would take over the position of her niece so that she could start a family of her own. The school would have to find a new teacher, but she had already been looking into the matter. Nothing could persuade her to change her mind, and anyone who knew Hetty King knew that nothing ever would. Truth to be told, Felicity would be glad to be alone with Gus for a little while. The foundling home was a constant reminder of what might have been. She shivered at the thought of marrying Stuart McRae.
Time seemed to stand still on that harvest golden farm. In the orchard, the apples hung shining and warm, full of all the sweetness and sunlight of summer. The fields of grain which had been meticulously tended by all the generations of King farmers rippled in the heat. The sky was such a bright blue that it seemed to be a giant canopy made of silk and sea. Digger, the old yellow dog, was nowhere in sight. Felicity was glad of it, though Digger had seemed so very sad and dejected since Felix had left. The poor dog had never even held a grudge since the day that Felix had shot him with his father's gun. Now he simply slunk about quietly and today he did not even have Cecily to console him. Gus would have scratched him behind his ears and given him any bone that he could find in the King Farm kitchen, but Digger feared that Felicity might chase him off with a broom as she had last night when he came up into their bedroom. Felicity would not have fleas on the clean sheets, but Digger was shocked. He had lately been allowed into the room with Alec and Janet nearly any night he wished to enter.
Gus suddenly stood up and leaned against the tree, looking out on all of the wealth of farmland and crops. He wished that someday he would have what Felicity's family had. Well, he had a piece of land of his own and now he just had to work at it. Potatoes were a popular crop on Prince Edward Island and the rich red earth was so fertile. He should be able to easily join the ranks of the old P.E.I. potato farmers. "Felicity," he spoke, "when you were a child, did you ever realize how lucky ya'are to hov this place? I lived nearly all my life on ships, without a home to call my own. And you growin' up the whole time on this here farm o' your father's. I guess you think me somethin' of a brute at times. After all, your family is so well respected in this town."
"No, of course not Gus! I couldn't be more proud of any husband that I am of you. And you have lovely manners, especially for a young man who was brought up on a ship and travelled around like a vagabond." Felicity was entirely in earnest, but Gus couldn't have cared less about how she seemed to look down on him. Lady Felicity had had her nose in the clouds since she was a very small child and the fact that she had deigned to marry a poor sailor like Gus was truly a sign of her love for him. Like her Aunt Hetty, Felicity would never do anything to tarnish the King family name and she knew that her aunt had quite a lot of respect for Gus Pike, aside from his lowly beginnings. "Come here Gus..." Felicity said softly, and he came and lay beside her in the hammock. He leaned over and kissed her, and then held up her left hand and gazed at the ruby ring from Ezekiel Crane's treasure that he had first given to her in a time that seemed so long ago. He had been nineteen...and she but sixteen! Yet she seemed more beautiful to him than she ever had.
The sun would soon be sinking, and Felicity had to think of getting supper started. Felicity was a renowned Avonlea cook and always prepared exquisite suppers, but she seemed to think that Gus was some kind of glutton. She always gave him so much more than he could eat and he felt rude and vulgar to refuse her culinary efforts. He hoped that he would grow comfortable enough in their marriage that he would be able to refuse without worrying about hurting her feelings. However much his stomach looked forward to this, he felt a little sad about the thought, as well. When he did not worry so much about refusing her cooking would some fragile element of their love shatter? Would he be horrified on that fateful day that would inevitably come when Felicity came down to breakfast in her nightgown and wrapper? These ideas seemed to be symbols to Gus of a love that had lost its fire. He could not imagine his love for Felicity ever losing its fire, even if she did come down in her nightgown. He decided that it would not bother him when Felicity and he became comfortable with one another. He would simply look upon it as another dimension to their intimate married relationship.
As Felicity moved about the familiar old kitchen, preparing the pot roast that had been cooking all day, she felt as if she understood what it meant to be a woman. When she was younger she had thought that it had to do with wearing long skirts and corsets and sweet little boots with heels. It was all about wearing your hair up like a Gibson Girl and having elegant underthings. Now she understood that to be a woman, especially a married woman in 1912, entailed doing the same things that her mother had always done for the family. Soon, she would be cooking and cleaning and, she hoped, taking care of children in her own little house. Gus would be hard at work on the farm all day. Maybe she would have a vain little daughter just like herself or a lazy little boy like her brother Felix. Or maybe she would have a darling, helpful Cecily who would do the chores for the boy. Whatever her years with Gus would bring, she knew that they would have to stand together.
Felicity thought over all these things for awhile, but was glad to remember that her marriage was still young and that she didn't have any lazy children...yet. The couple sat down to a late supper just as the colors of sunset were streaking the sky. In Canada, the sun does not set until quite late, in the summer. Although it was September, it was early in the month and the autumnal equinox was yet to come. A refreshing breeze came in from the open windows and stirred the curtains softly. It was just a wonder to sit and eat together in silence, but at last Felicity spoke. "We've got to figure out a name for our house, Gus. I've been thinking up some perfectly elegant ones...Rosewind, Marblewall,Mayview-"
"No," Gus interupted, "those are all too high and mighty for my likin'. I thought I'd give her a sorter sea-soundin' name. Don't you say a word, Felicity Pike. That's whot I want and thot's whot I'll hov, seein's I'm the one doin' the buildin'."
"Well Gus if you're so set on it, I guess I'll try not to mind. How about Mermaid Cove? The Seven Seas?"
"How about the Maid of Calay?" Gus teased.
"What a thing to suggest! And anyway, you can't name the place after a ship!"
"Aye...Not even the Annie Jane?"
"Not even."
"Well...do you fancy the name of Lissie's Landing? I once knew another Felicity and everyone called 'er Lissie. Might I call you Lissie and give that name to the house?"
"I don't know, Gus. No one ever called me Lissie before."
"Wall, it'll be my special name for ya'."
"I don't know if the house should be named after me. It's a bit embarassing...oh, I guess so. I mean, you could call me that. As for the house, I think we could come up with something with a bit more distinction...and...and...dignity."
"Aw, please Felicity...Lissie. I think it's just fine!" Gus pleaded with her and took her hand. Felicity considered for a minute. He really did want the name and he was the one building the place. If he had a mind to call it Lissie's Landing...
"Oh, all right. We'll call it that, though it is a little odd and people may talk." But then, Avonlea folks always did talk and there would likely be some odd tale circulating about how they had come to the name, no matter how distinguished it was. So that is how the Pike Farm came to be known as Lissie's Landing. It was a good name, though not so conventional. Some people said that it was named after a place that Gus had visited and liked, and some said that it was the name of an old lover. Some actually understood the nickname and why Gus would choose to name his home for his wife. In the years to come, Lissie's Landing would become just another one of the Avonlea landmarks and no one would worry much about the name anymore. Generally folks referred to it as simply "Pike Farm" and forgot the fanciful name given it by a young man just two months married and his proud King bride.
Chapter Two:
Gus had the house finished by December, and they were able to move in before Christmas. Felicity had insisted that the King Christmas dinner be at her little cottage now that it was finished. As soon as they had their things inside, she began decorating and arranging. There wasn't much furniture to start off with, but the house wasn't so large and of course there were no children yet. In the lower half of Lissie's Landing, Gus had placed a kitchen and pantry, a large front room, and a smaller room that was meant for a parlor. Upstairs, he had divided the house into a larger bedroom for Felicity and himself, and three smaller ones for guests and new additions to the family. The two of them felt that it was a job well done, and finished just in time for the first winter storm. Felix would be coming home for Christmas on leave and Felicity was hoping for a visit from Sara, as well. Aunt Hetty had written to invite her home and Felicity knew that her house would have to be in immaculate order. She decided that everything must be perfect if Sara, who had been in stylish Europe for the past three years, were going to see it. Her mother was helping her to put things in order and both of her parents had donated things for the new home. They even had a pair of horses now! They were not exactly the best ones money could buy, but Gus hoped that he would be able to buy a motor car in a few years. Their names were Ben and Daisy and they were about six years old.
One afternoon, just four days before Christmas, Felicity was sitting in the front room sewing a new collar onto one of her dresses. Gus had gone to the bank with some money that Ezekiel Crane had sent out of the blue, saying that it was a late wedding present. Felicity thought that it was fitting that he should send something, as there was a great deal of evidence that he was Gus' father. Snow was lightly falling, but there was no wind. Inside the house, a fire was burning in the fireplace and a cherry pie was cooking in the oven. Felcity glanced out of the window and then looked up again. A tall, handsome boy attired in naval dress uniform was running up the drive. She jumped out of her chair and ran to the door, flinging it wide open. "Felix!" she called out as he met her at the door and caught her up in a hug.
"Hello, Mrs. Pike. Sorry I came calling without warning."
"Oh Felix, don't be silly. I...we...didn't know when you were coming! You've seen mother haven't you? But then, mother would have telephoned..."
"No, I asked in town where you're house was. I came in from the south, and I knew you lived south of King Farm. Is Gus around anywhere?"
"He went to the bank...Ezekiel Crane sent us a sum of money. Well, that's not important right now. Come inside, for pity's sake, and stop making me let out the heat!" She hurried in ahead of him to stir up the fire. Felix shut the door and began strolling about the house, inspecting it carefully. It seemed to be solidly built. He could hardly believe that Gus could see now; he hadn't even heard from him since the wedding, but Janet had sent him a letter. He could smell Felicity's pie in the oven and was strangely reminded of the time that Sara had smeared one of Felicity's famous cherry pies on her face when she had been boasting about it. Felicity was talking now about the furniture that Gus had made and about how Felix was welcome to stay in the spare bedroom any night. He was listening with one ear and hearing Gus drive up with the other. In a minute, Gus came running into the house calling to Felicity to tell her he was home. Then he heard Felix and came into the front room.
"Failix! When did you come in?" His eyes widened to see how much older Felix King looked. He had last seen him when he was fifteen. They shook hands in greeting.
"Just a few minutes ago...it's good to see you, Gus. I was so glad when mother wrote to tell me that you had your sight back. I suppose everyone looks a little different to you?"
"Wall, I'm pretty much used to it now except for you. And Lissie's jost as lovely as ever...maybe more so." Gus glanced over at Felicity with a look that plainly said Are you going to tell him now? She shook her head and frowned slightly. Then she turned back to Felix.
"You really ought to be getting over to father and mother's house. You know Aunt Hetty took over the foundling home, I suppose?" Felix nodded. "Mrs. Lynde is helping her and Davy and Dora are staying there, too. I should call and tell her you're here, but mother and father invited the family over for supper, so why don't you just ride over with us and surprise them? We can leave as soon as my pie is ready."
"That's fine," Felix answered. He glanced at the clock on the mantelpiece. It was just getting ready to ring its chimes four times. "This whole house is fine, Gus. Wonderful work."
"You ought to know," Felicity teased, "being such an architectural expert."
"Wall, I value your opinion, Failix, though you don't know much about architecture." Gus told him. Felix smiled. As the clock struck four, Felicity rushed into the kitchen to take out one of her perfect cherry pies. Folks said that eating one of Felicity Pike's pies was like a small slice of heaven. She hadn't burnt one yet and meant to keep it that way. Felix and Gus exchanged some "ship talk" and Felicity was soon ready to leave. The sun had already set, but the snow was letting up a little. They dashed out to the stable and Felix helped Gus hitch up Ben and Daisy. Felicity made sure her blue velvet hat was well secured with a hatpin, and then they were off. The short ride on that cold, still night was very pleasant. The moon shone full over the housetops and the cutter glided so smoothly through the snow. There wasn't much else to do except look around at the sparkling white ground and the fir trees standing still and green in the moonlight. Suddenly, the King farmhouse rose up from the snowdrifts with light streaming from its windows. Janet King came to the door to meet them, but when she saw Felix she came running.
"Felix King! Why didn't you tell us you were here? Oh, never mind. Just get down from there and let me look at you, my son!" She clung onto Felix and practically smothered him. "Felix, Felix how I've missed you...Hetty! Alec! Cecily! Come on out here! Felix is back!" Alec and Hetty came out, and Cecily came behind them, with Daniel running ahead.
"Here's our brave lad!" Alec sang out and slapped him on the back.
"Felix King, you've lost some weight haven't you, boy?" said Hetty with an approving look in her eye. "About time, too." Cecily giggled and Daniel just shouted his name over and over. Digger came bounding around the corner of the house and scrambled into the crowd. If dogs could laugh, he would be laughing. Felix was positive that he was at least smiling. Everyone went into the house then, and Felicity ceremonially placed her pie in the center of the table. Janet bustled about setting an extra place at the table for Felix and Alec kept asking all manner of questions about the Navy and the sea and the ships. Cecily looked at Felix somewhat somberly, but he couldn't understand why and he didn't have time to think about it. Hetty had some news to tell, as well. Aunt Eliza Ward was still in England, staying with Jasper and Olivia in London. A letter had just come from Olivia about everything: how clever and handsome Montgomery was, how big Alicia was getting, how crabby and particular Aunt Eliza could be. She wasn't really related to them at all, but Jasper and Olivia had thought that they ought to put her up. It wasn't all bad. She could help with the children, though she often caused more trouble that it was worth. She had told Montgomery the other day that he would probably have a stutter just like his father when he grew up because it was hereditary.
Janet King was noted almost as much as her daughter for cooking and she had laid out a wonderful supper for them all. Everyone was laughing at Gus and Felix as they made up ridiculous puns about farming and going to sea. Digger begged at the table until Cecily put him out. They were sorry to do it, but he was almost pulling off the tablecloth. After supper, Felicity played the piano a little, at Gus' urging. Felix was enjoying himself so much that Cecily hated to have to pull him away, but she had said she would be the one to do the job and she wouldn't break her promise. "Felix, come outside with me a minute. I want to...talk to you alone," she faltered. They stepped out onto the porch and everyone in the house was silent for the briefest moment as they went out.
"What is it, Cecily?"
"Felix...were you and Izzy...corresponding while you were away?" Felix was silent for a moment. Yes, they had written some very serious things, but Izzy's last letter had come in October. He had a feeling that he was about to find out why.
"Yes...we stopped in October..." he trailed off. Cecily was looking at him so oddly. What was going on?
"Well, I said I would be the one to tell you. I mean, I'm Izzy's friend and...well, I said I would be the one to tell you..."
"Cecily! Tell me what?" His eyes were very bright. Cecily looked away.
"Felix...Izzy is going to be married. Not soon. They've planned for a long engagement. A...veterinarian friend of Arthur's. Oh, I know, I know she's too young!" Cecily burst out. Izzy was the same age as she was: sixteen. Felix just stared at her blankly. "Don't look at me like that Felix. Stop it!" Felix turned and ran down the drive and out throught the gate. Janet came quickly out onto the porch.
"Cecily?" She spoke questioningly, but she knew very well what was going on.
* * * *
Felix King was heading out toward the lighthouse. The ocean was crashing magnificently against the red rock shore and the lonely beacon swung 'round and 'round like a glowing ball on a string. All sorts of thoughts were racing through his mind. How could Izzy just forget about him like that? He thought that she loved him and he certainly loved her. She's much too young to get married his mind screamed over and over. Was she so impatient that she had to take the first proposal she got? Then he grew bitter thinking that he should never have trusted her. After all, Clive Pettibone was her father and who knew what someone who had to grow up with him for a parent would do? He would probably jump at the first chance to get married and leave that house, too. What a drill sergeant that man was! Yet he knew that if Izzy truly cared for him she would never have become engaged to another. He would just have to forget about her. He didn't know how. He bent down and scooped up some rocks to hurl into the crashing waves. This one's for you, Mister Veterinarian! That's for you, Mr. Pettibone, you old fool! And this one, THIS is for you, Izzy, for being so...unfaithful! He buried his face in his hands. No amount of stone-throwing would take away his anger and sorrow. The worst part of the whole affair was that he knew that Izzy would never be happy. She was being so foolish. He couldn't understand it.
Alec King had started off to the shore. He knew Felix would be there, but he wasn't sure if he should bother him. Janet had insisted that he go. She had become so frantic with worry that she believed that Felix was going to throw himself off of a cliff. Alec King's lantern shone in a circle on the snow and Felix saw it rising over a little hill south of the lighthouse. He hoped that he didn't look too upset and was glad that he had not allowed himself to cry. What a disgrace that would have been, to cry over a silly, foolish girl! He came walking up the little rise of land and met his father at the top. Neither of them said a word. They walked back to the house in silence and Felix told everyone at the house that he would rather stay at Lissie's Landing for the night, if Gus and Felicity would have him. They left soon after because it was nearly nine o'clock and the wind was blowing harder. Ben and Daisy trotted swiftly through the darkening night and the stars faded above the clouds. Felicity hurried into the house and lit a lamp while Gus and Felix put the horses in the stable. Then they too went inside and Felicity showed Felix upstairs to one of the small rooms. She had placed a bed and a few other pieces of furniture in there for a spare bedroom. Then she went downstairs and brought up the suitcase that Felix had left in the front room.
After Felicity had left, Felix went over to it and carefully lifted the lid. From inside a small inner pocket, he drew out a brownish photograph of Izzy that she had sent him in September. He thought of tearing it in two, but instead he simply slipped it into his coat pocket and prepared to go to sleep. Before he blew out the lamp, he stood at the window that faced into the woods, east of the house. Then he crossed to the other window that faced toward the town. He could just see the roof of the Pettibone house from there and he thought of Izzy and her family inside. Perhaps they were sitting by the fire and talking together, or maybe everyone had gone to bed. He couldn't see if there were any lights and the snow was beginning to come down more thickly. He tried to see through the whiteness, but he could not. He turned back around to the room and blew out the light.
Chapter Three:
Christmas at Lissie's Landing was a joyous affair and by the time the day arrived, Felix seemed like himself again. He had seen Izzy Pettibone in town two days before with the supposed "veterinarian friend". Cecily said that his name was Andrew Carlyle and that he was twenty-five. He thought that they should wait to get married until Izzy was at least eighteen, but he had wanted to "secure" her for himself as soon as possible, to put it in her words. Felix could not deny that he sounded as if he meant to provide for her well, and he was quite nice-looking, with sandy brown hair and twinkling green eyes. Cecily provided her brother with extensive information once the initial shock was over. Felix would be returning to the Navy on the day after New Year's and hoped he would be able to enjoy his time off without running into the couple face to face. Felicity was busy finishing up the Christmas decorations. She had a book that she had sent for which gave all the rules of decorating a house for any occasion. There were even examples shown in drawings and photographs. Sara had written that she would be coming and, much to Hetty's chagrin, so would the infamous Nanny Louisa. Hetty nearly drove everyone mad with her complaints and rhetorical questions. Why must that woman come? Was there ever a more quarrelsome character?
Felix was staying at the King Farm now and Felicity thought that she would have to board the two of them, but Hetty insisted that they take Rose Cottage. The old house stood cold and empty, so the day before Christmas, Felicity and Hetty went over to prepare it for the guests who had not yet arrived. It was decided that Rachel Lynde and the twins would stay at the foundling home for the holiday and Hetty would come over to Lissie's Landing that night. She would be up early in the morning with Felicity to finish preparing the dinner. At three o'clock on Christmas Eve, Sara and Miss Banks finally arrived at King Farm. After the usual fuss over Sara and the contemptuous glances between enemies, they were shown over to Rose Cottage. Hetty rode back to the Pike house with Felicity, where Gus was waiting for them. Hetty's presence prevented Gus and Felicity from having a romantic Christmas Eve, but they had a pleasant evening. In the morning, there would be a rush to get all the food in order and get out to the church on time for services, but the night was wonderfully still and holy. They ate a light supper and then sat by the fire talking. Hetty mentioned that she wished Gus still had his fiddle. It had been lost in the Maid of Calay wreck. Without a word, Felicity crept upstairs and came down with a package behind her back. She handed it to Gus and he untied the strings. Inside a black leather case lay a shining new violin.
"It can never replace the old one, I know," Felicity apologized, "but I hope you will be able to get some music out of it." Hetty smiled and Gus just stared. He looked up at Felicity.
"There nevar was a girl like you, Felicity Pike." He leaned over and kissed her.
"I had a little help from the family. They wanted me to wait, but-"
"Yes, we did Felicity," Hetty interrupted. "The others won't be pleased, I daresay, but it can't be helped. Well, play for us if you can, boy!" Gus picked up the fiddle and tuned it, but he hadn't played in so long. He hoped he would remember how. Suddenly he remembered a sailor's tune he used to play when he was at sea and he touched the bow to the strings. The notes were a little unsure at first, but soon the fiddle was singing cheerfully. He played a few of his old ship tunes and then picked out a few Christmas songs. Finally he put the fiddle back into its case and they went upstairs early. Christmas at Lissie's Landing meant hard work for Lissie.
When Felicity and Hetty rose in the morning, Gus was still asleep and Felicity refused to wake him up. They could get things done more quickly without Gus poking into the bowls and pans "just for a taste" as he always did. He came down just as Hetty and Felicity were shutting the door to the oven on the ham. A beautiful plum pudding trimmed with leaves and berries was sitting covered on the kitchen table and Felicity had several pies in the cupboard. The day was clear and fair and the three of them rushed to finish getting ready for church. The building would be crowded that morning. When they got there, the entire King clan was assembled, along with Nanny Louisa who was a Methodist and felt somewhat uncomfortable about going to Christmas services in a Presbyterian church. She resigned herself to it, saying that it was better than not going at all. After the last joyful hymn was played and sung, and the minister had gone to the door, the King sleighs and cutters headed out to Lissie's Landing for a splendid King Christmas dinner. Everyone else patiently waited while Felicity and Hetty, Janet and Cecily put the finishing touches on the feast. Sara knew absolutely nothing about cooking and would have been of no use to them. The pale yellow girl and her gray nanny sat with the men in the parlor and amused little Daniel. He was absolutely wild with excitement, having found a wealth of treats and toys in his stocking that morning.
At long last, the family assembled for the first Christmas dinner in the new house. Alec King said grace and then began serving plates. "None of you have any idea what food is like on ships, except for you Gus," Felix began, "Really terrible at times. I've been looking forward to this for weeks."
"Felicity's a grand cook. She can even make glue and paint taste fine," Gus put in.
"Oh, Gus, surely she's never given you that to eat!" Janet King laughed.
"Wall, I wouldn't a known if she did." Everyone began talking and laughing and reminiscing about "old times". Hetty started in on a string of "Alec Stories" about her younger brother's childhood crimes and misadventures. Nanny Louisa made Sara blush with news about a certain young man in France. Janet said that a certain young man by the name of Thomas MacDonald had his eye on Cecily. Daniel announced to the entire assembly all the details of the loss of his first tooth until Alec had to tell him to quiet down. Hetty sat as far as possible from Miss Louisa J. Banks, so there were no unfortunate clashes during the meal. Felicity hoped that Aunt Hetty was sincerely making an effort, for her sake. Afterward, they all gathered in front of the fire and Gus played his new fiddle for entertainment. Felicity had tears in her eyes.
"It's just so beautiful, Gus! It reminds me of when you first came to school with that old fiddle under your arm and told Aunt Hetty about how you took it everywhere."
"Even to the outhouse,"Felix added solemnly. Gus just laughed and played on.
"Really, Felicity," Alec began, "you were supposed to wait until we were all here to give him that. Why didn't you?"
"It just seemed right to do it last night, with everything so quiet and solemn and peaceful. I couldn't resist. You're not too angry are you?"
"No, dear, of course not," Janet assured her. "It's wonderful just to hear him play it." She smiled at Gus.
The celebration and merriment were ended too soon for anyone's liking. By ten o'clock that night, the last sleigh had driven away, and Gus and Felicity were left alone in their house. There wasn't much to clean up, as the other feminine family members had already helped out. A few cups and saucers and dessert plates were sitting around the house, but all of the food had been put away or taken away and the other dishes had been washed. The two of them carried these last things into the kitchen and set them in the sink. They could wait until the morning. Felicity was tired, but Gus suddenly picked her up and swung her around. "Waire all alone!" he shouted and pulled her upstairs, laughing.
* * * *
A week later, Alec and Janet King held a New Year's celebration at King Farm. Everyone but Daniel was awake to see 1913 arrive and 1912 pass away. Cecily kept commenting on how lucky Aunt Olivia and Uncle Jasper were to see it first. Despite the fact that the Canadians weren't the first to see the year come, they rejoiced like any others. Gus seemed somewhat wary of the new year at first. When Felicity asked him what was bothering him, he replied, "I always git a bit narvous when the yair has a thairteen in it."
"You don't still believe in those ridiculous suspicions, do you Gus?" Felicity asked. "I cannot believe that you remain so entrenched in such ideas when every other, or almost every other, aspect of your being has been civilized. Those sailors have filled your mind with such flim-flam of beliefs!"
"Have you been alive long enough to see any other year with a thirteen in it?" Alec asked, winking at Hetty wickedly.
"Wall, no I havn't. Bot, you nevar can tell, Maister King. Ezekiel Crane wonce told me that some unholy things can happen in sech yairs."
"Oh, yes, such a reliable source!" Janet denounced the old captain. Gus just shrugged his shoulders and looked out the window. The whole family was staying at King Farm that night because it was late and quite snowy. Only Sara, Hetty, and Nanny Louisa were going over to Rose Cottage. Both Sara and Felix would be leaving in the morning. Sara would be travelling away to the culture and society of Europe and Felix to an unknown ship on the ocean. Janet was especially disheartened at the thought of her dear boy sailing away on a stormy winter sea. For one last night, almost the entire King clan was together again. Uncle Roger and Cousin Andrew were in South America somewhere and would have completed the picture had they been present. It was a pity to end that night, but the travellers would have to get an early start in the morning... although morning it already technically was...and they had all been awake for so long.
January 2, 1913 proved a clear day, despite the stormy night. Sara and Nanny Louisa embarked first, taking a carriage from King Farm. At two o'clock, the remaining Kings went to the train stop to see Felix off. He said that he hoped he would be able to come home again soon, but that he had no control over when it would be. Janet King said a farewell that rivaled her greeting for emotion. Gus gave Felix a little advice and Felicity simply kissed him on the cheek. Digger was not there, but he had said his goodbyes with a generous amount of saliva back at the house. As the last train whistle died away, Janet burst into tears and Gus and Felicity hurried into their cutter and trotted away. Felicity had promised Daniel that he could come and spend the night one day later that week and she and Gus planned to take him to a moving picture show in Charlottetown. For the time being, it was pleasant to be still and alone again for a little while. The holidays had been beautiful and wonderful, but they were over. It was time to look ahead to work and the bleak winter days of January and February.
Chapter Four:
All of Avonlea and all of Prince Edward Island was covered with a blanket of snow. Icicles hung from the eaves of King Farm and frozen winds swept over the land. The month of February had begun. The nearby pond was frozen over and frozen deep. Scores of children crowded onto its surface on Saturday mornings and afternoons, sliding and slipping in dizzying circles. On some lucky days, families would bring their phonograph machines and play music for the skaters to practice to. Other days, the ice was cleared and homemade goal posts were set up for hockey games. It seemed that the whole town descended on that little pond every weekend, for although there was an abundance of water surrounding the island, in that vicinity there was no better place than Rushton Pond for ice-skating. On the very coldest weekends, men and adolescent boys travelled to a larger pond near Carmody to try their hands at ice fishing. Alec King made it a yearly ritual to visit the pond, which was known as "Fisherman's Dream" , once a year.
This year would be no different from any other. Alec and Gus would be going away together and would possibly be joined by Malcolm McEwen. Aunt Abigail and Uncle Malcolm had been visiting relatives in the States with their son Robert "Lucky" for the past three months, but were expected to return at any time. Felicity would be staying at King Farm during the ice fishing weekend and working on a quilt with her mother, sister, and aunt. It was a great treat for her to sew and stitch, but Cecily loathed such work. Janet would not let her off because they needed all the help they could get and because she liked the idea of both of her daughters working with her. She felt that they were growing away from her too quickly and needed a chance to get "reacquainted" with their mother. Daniel, of course, would be running around underfoot most of the time. Hetty suggested asking Izzy Pettibone to look after him, but Janet was afraid he would say something embarassing to her. You never can tell with almost-seven-year-olds.
On Saturday morning, the men departed at five o'clock and the ladies got to work. The expected McEwens had not yet arrived. The new quilt was to be sent to Aunt Eliza when it was finished, if she were still living. If not, they would just send it to Olivia. Janet had finally found an idea for the quilt layout in a magazine that satisfied her, but when Hetty saw it she balked. "Much too elegant for Eliza," she said, and suggested a plain, thin border with alternating diamond squares. Janet stuck to the flower pattern and the pinked edges. Felicity thought they would spend the whole weekend arguing and never even begin working at the quilt. Cecily was thankful for the argument and egged them on. Daniel romped about the house on a stick-horse that Alec had given him, attired alternately in a feathered Indian headress and a blue cowboy hat. No one paid any attention to him until he knocked over a priceless King vase. Hetty was so angry with him that he thought he must have tarnished the King name and he remained comparatively acquiescent for the rest of the morning.
The tiny army of quilters began cutting out fabric and piecing squares together by one o'clock. It had been decided that the quilt would have alternating, diamond-pattern squares combined with pinked edges. Janet had said that Aunt Eliza was her aunt and that she knew much better than Hetty what was too elegant for her. Hetty had argued that cutting and sewing diamonds together would be more efficient than working at the flower pattern. "By the time we finish with that ridiculous floral design, the old duck will be cold in her grave" was her rallying cry. Felicity merrily set to work and Cecily sewed at a square for about ten minutes before asking if she could take Daniel skating. Janet sighed, but she finally consented. It would be nice to have Daniel out of the way, so the two of them put on their coats and other winter attire and headed out to Rushton Pond.
The front door was flung open and a familiar, squealing voice could be heard in the entry. "Hello, Janet! Yoo-hoo, we're finally here! Lucky, don't touch that...Lucky!" Janet King looked up and a strange expression came over her face for the briefest second. Then she greeted her sister, and Hetty and Felicity got up to say hello.
"Oh, Abigail, how lovely to see you, dear! I hope your trip wasn't too tiring. Alec and Gus have already left for Carmody...where's Malcolm?" Janet smiled.
"We met them on the way here. Isn't that a coincidence?"
"Abigail, they left at five in the morning. How could you possibly have met them?"
"Well, I don't know Janet dear, but we came across them on the way and Malcolm went with. I expect they stopped off for Mr. Gillis. He was with them, you know."
"How strange. Well, Alec will have to explain when he comes back. Pull up a chair and get to work...unless you'd like something to eat or some tea, perhaps? I just made a fresh pot of tea and I have some plum cake." Lucky heard this announcement.
"I want some plum cake! I want some! Aunty Janet, where is Daniel? I want to show him my pocket knife that I got in the States. See, I'm a real frontiersman!" He brandished the knife with all of its blades open.
"That's very nice, Lucky. You may have some cake if your mother says so."
"Janet!" squealed Abigail. "Surely you won't make me out to be the mean one!" Janet rolled her eyes.
"I guess that means "no", Lucky. Daniel is at the pond..." Abigail gave Janet a warning glance, "but he'll likely be back soon, so why don't you stay here?" Luckily, Lucky agreed and work resumed. An hour went by and Cecily and Daniel still had not returned. Lucky began running wildly around the house. Felicity muttered to her mother when Abigail couldn't hear her that Daniel might as well have been there because Lucky was just as disturbing, if not more so. At long last, the skaters returned and the two boys were occupied. Janet and Felicity began preparing supper and laid away their quilting for the day. They planned to meet every Saturday and other times, if possible. They went up to bed early that night and Janet carefully made sure that the fire was out and the stable was shut up. In the middle of the night, they heard a commotion in the chicken coop. Hetty and Janet threw on their coats and rushed out into the winter night. As they dashed into the henhouse, two young boys tried to escape. There was no way out and they had to agree to be escorted back to the house. They left their potato sacks on the floor.
Inside, Hetty began the questioning. The boys told her that they came from the foundling home and that they were brothers. The elder was thirteen and his name was John. The younger was eleven and was called William. Their last name was Price and they had been staying at the foundling home for two weeks. Hetty had a reply to their tale. "When my good friend Rachel Lynde is not holding down the fort, I run the foundling home, you young scalawags. I know exactly who you are. You're Mr. Elton's hired boys from down by the harbor and don't you try to deny it." The two theives looked at the floor guiltily. "And you may as well be sent to the foundling home, the way that man looks after you. What do you mean by stealing my brother's chickens?" No reply came. "I suppose I'll have to ring up the constable to come and dispose of you two."
"Please don't do that, ma'm!" the larger boy pleaded, "We'll pay you for a chicken if you'll sell, Miss King."
"Why should I sell one of our chickens to you?" asked Janet. The smaller boy spoke up.
"We lost one of Mr. Elton's chickens today, ma'm. It run out into the road and got squashed by a buggy. Mr. Elton was away, but he'll count them chickens when he comes back and we'll get the whip, sure! He told us to mind them while he was gone. He whips us an awful lot, ma'm." Janet was silent a moment and finally consented. After the boys had left with a chicken that they claimed looked just like the deceased, all of the ladies looked at one another.
"Surely you're going to report them, Janet!" said Abigail.
"Yes...they need a decent place to live if what they say about Mr. Elton is true. Maybe we can get the constable to look into it. You might take them, Hetty."
"I'll see, Janet. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. We don't have much room at the foundling home right now. There are so many more children there in the winter months. In the summer they work at the canneries out of town, but they are without employment in the winter and have no shelter anytime."
"Yes, but Hetty...how could you stand by and let innocent children be treated in that fashion. How would you like to have been raised that way?"
"Why don't you try running a foundling home?" Hetty countered.
* * * *
Sunday was a quiet day, with church in the morning and more quilting in the afternoon. At six, Alec, Gus, and Malcolm McEwen returned from their fishing trip. Alec explained that they had stopped off for a little planning session at Archie Gillis' house before setting off to the pond on Saturday. It was a good thing, though, because they had run into Malcolm on the way and he was able to come along. They ate supper together while each group told about the weekend's adventures. Janet and Hetty told about the small chicken theives. Alec had a proud "big fish that got away" story to tell, and was backed up by the testimonies of the others. Soon they would have to go back to their weekday work. Janet and Felicity would be running their households, Hetty would be running the foundling home, and Abigail would be cleaning her house from top to bottom. The men would be back to their winter work, setting traps and taking care of the stock. Winter lasted for a good part of the year on Prince Edward Island and spring would not truly come until mid to late April.
All through February and into March, snowshoes and sleds were employed. Finally, toward the end of March and the begining of April, the snowdrifts began to melt. The icicles on the eaves melted away and wildflowers began appearing out of the earth. New grass was coming up and small animals were being born. Easter came and went, and by the third Monday in April, the remaining snow had nearly vanished. Soon the summer kitchen would be in use again and Lissie's Landing would see its first warm weather.
Chapter Five:
It was a beautiful spring in Avonlea. The snowy hills of winter were now covered with tall grasses and flowers. Everything was coming back to life after the long months of ice and snow. Farmer's crops had gotten off to good start that year, including Gus' potatoes. Felicity was planting flower beds outside the house and was busy with the spring cleaning inside. Felix had written to say that he would come to Avonlea for a week in May. The days were long and sun-filled with plenty of work for everyone, and every Saturday the quilters met to work on Aunt Eliza's gift. Far away in England, Jasper had patented one of his smaller inventions - a mechanical kitchen tool. Although there were so many wonderful things going on, the King family was waiting anxiously for November. Felicity had plenty of special sewing to do in the meantime and Janet King had been beside herself when she had heard the news of what was predicted for that faraway month in autumn.
Soon school would be ended and Cecily would have only one year left before graduation. In the fall, Daniel would begin his education. Digger had a girlfriend who had just given birth to puppies in the King barn. There were five of them, and Alec was busy looking for buyers. Cecily almost couldn't bear to part with them. She had given them all names: Clover, Barker, Yellow, Posie, and MacDonald. They would not be sold until they were six weeks old, but she was already saddened by the thought. She thought they might keep one, but Alec said that one dog like Digger was enough on the farm. Gus said that he was interested in taking one of them and Felicity surprisingly agreed, as long as the dog was kept out of the house as much as possible. She liked Posie, the lone female puppy, best. Gus prefered Yellow because he wasn't at all yellow. He was a very brave and fearless little pup. He hopefully suggested that they take both, but Felicity ruled that idea out. In the end, she consented to Yellow because Dora Keith had taken such a liking to Posie and Felicity didn't like to disappoint her by saying that the dog was taken.
Felix finally arrived in the last week of May. Janet was worried because she thought he seemed too tired. He assured her that he was fine, though the work on board the ships was long-lasting and difficult at times. He wished he could stay longer than a week, but that was all the time he could get. Izzy and her veterinarian were parading about the village together. One afternoon that week, Felix went out walking alone. It was mid-afternoon and the sun was high in the sky. He went quietly through the tall, swaying grass that bordered the red bluffs along the coastline and looked out over the sea. He remembered that night that he had come out to this same place in such fury. He laughed at himself for being so silly. As he went on, he passed by the ramshackle old cabin that he had wanted to turn into a tea room when he was fourteen. He laughed again at such a ridiculous idea. His father had been right when he said that it was an idea for old biddies. As he was coming through the woods, he heard voices and soft laughter coming from a short distance away. He stealthily followed it to a little clearing filled with sunlight and wildflowers. The fallen tree trunks were covered with moss and grass grew up all around them. They were thrones for lovers, nestled away in the forest. Young couples sat perched on the logs close together and each in their own private world. The boys were talking and the girls were either giggling nervously or replying softly. No one saw him. He was hidden by the thick surrounding brush.
A shaft of sunlight seemed to illuminate one particular twosome. Andrew Carlyle and Izzy Pettibone were sitting together, holding hands. Suddenly, Andrew bent down and kissed her softly on the lips. Two hot pricks of resentment burned behind the eyes of Felix King, but they went away quickly. He began walking swiftly through the grass and trees and tangled roots. He soon forgot his resentment, for as he came near another clearing he heard a familiar voice and saw a single girl and boy sitting in the grass. The girl was Cecily with her fair hair twisted up in the latest fashion. Her little curving mouth was twisted into a smile and her cheeks were blushing scarlet at the words of Thomas MacDonald. Felix smiled to himself. He almost laughed aloud at the sight of little Cecily and her beau. He decided that he had better hurry and get out of the woods before he saw Daniel and a little girl nestled together in a hollow.
As he was coming up to the house, Felix could see his own parents sitting on the porch swing looking like young lovers. Now he felt frustrated. Everyone else had someone and he had no one. He pushed the discouraging thought out of his mind. It was impractical, really, to have a girl pining away for you back home when you were away on ships all the time. He thought about his shipmates and their "girls back home". All they ever did was write letters. Then he remembered how he had so looked forward to those letters from Izzy during his first few months in the Navy. That whole affair had come to nothing. He would wait awhile and see what happened. He could not forsee the events that would take place next summer. Yesterday he had gone back to the White Sands hotel to see Mr. Tremayne and some of his old "colleagues", among them Elbert Wertz. In less than two years time, several of these "uncultured" workers would be in Europe and some of them would never leave that land of culture.
"Hello, Mother and Father!" he called, coming up the drive. He thought it would be wise to warn them of his presence. They both stood up.
"Hello, Felix dear. You were gone for a long time. Did you have a nice walk?"
"Sure. It was swell," he half-lied as he walked into the house and up to his room. Janet gave Alec a worried look, but he just laughed at her.
"Don't worry so, Janet! He's just a boy." He sat back down on the swing. "Come and join your old husband for a little while more."
"Oh, Alec. Doesn't it frighten you just the tiniest bit to see our children so grown up? Felicity a married woman and, in a few months, a mother...Felix off in the Navy all the time... Cecily in long skirts with her hair up, going for afternoon walks with young men...Daniel...going to school...It seems like yesterday that he was born. It seems like yesterday that Felicity was born, even. Alec, are we very old?" Alec just laughed again.
"Don't forget, Janet, that I am older than you." She sat down on the swing with him and did not say anything else. But did Alec mind the wrinkles and gray as much as she did? At least Daniel was still young, even if he was starting school next year. She still had one baby left. Then there would be grandchildren. What a thought! She, Janet King, a grandmother! She hoped Felix would marry a nice girl when he finally made up his mind.
* * * *
The air grew cooler as the pulsing sun fell below the horizon. The billowing white clouds changed to shades of purple and blue, and the tiny, twinkling stars traced pictures on the sky. The moon rose, full and white over the rooftops of Avonlea and sailed across the springtime evening. Felix and Cecily lay on their backs in an empty field in back of the house, staring up into the endless darkness. They had done this on many warm nights when they were children and waited for a falling star to wish on. They had searched for the constellations that they had read about in one of Aunt Hetty's books. When Sara had lived with them, she had come along. Only Felicity usually stayed back at the house. She didn't like to get dirty, lying on the ground. On this night, they heard the rustling sound of footsteps coming through the field and then, there was Felicity next to them in the grass. They didn't say anything for a moment.
Then Felicity spoke. "I never came out here with you and Sara when you used to look up at the stars. I wish I had."
"I always wished you would," Cecily told her. "I looked up to you so much when I was little. I still do. I hope that I will be able to marry a man as fine as Gus Pike."
"There's Thomas MacDonald..." said Felix slyly. He hadn't told her about what he had seen in the woods that afternoon.
"Felix!...Really, I don't know what you mean, " she said as if she knew exactly what he meant. Felix smiled at her and she didn't say anything else.
"Don't bother with old Felix, Cecily. He's just mad because his girl ran off with another." Felix gave his older sister an angry look and she laughed at him mercilessly. "You know," she began, "isn't it odd how Mother and Father named us Felicity and Felix? It's really the same name, like Joseph and Josephine. Didn't you ever wonder that?"
"I guess they just liked the name," Cecily answered. "Let's go ask them later, though."
"I'd be curious to know," said Felix. So after they had tired of lying in the field, the three of them went up to the house to ask. Alec and Gus were talking about the farm, and Janet was working at the "Eliza Quilt".
"Mother,"Felicity started off as they walked into the kitchen, "we were wondering why you gave Felix and I the same name, in masculine and feminine form?" Janet smiled at them.
"I can't believe I never told you the story, but I will now. You were named for a pair of twins on your father's side of the family. This story has been passed down over the years. About fifty years ago, your father's aunt had a twin boy and twin girl named Felix and Felicity. Even though they were not identical, they were very much alike and they were well named because they brought happiness and joy to everyone. One day, when they were twelve years old, Felicity was drowned in a nearby pond. Though the twins were rarely apart, they were on that day and almost at exactly the same time, Felix fell out of the hayloft in the barn and was killed. No, Cecily they were not living on King Farm," Janet said as Cecily looked out at the barn and shivered. "They were the only children in the family and your great aunt could not have any more. She mourned their death until she herself died, five years later."
"How sad!" Felicity cried. "But why did you name us for them?"
"I thought the story was sad, but if you heard it told by one of your father's other aunts, it would sound more fanciful and romantic. And Alec had met his cousins before and liked them very much. He said they were the sweetest children anyone could have wanted and they were so close to each other."
"Oh, but Mother, it is such sorrowful tale!" Cecily had tears in her eyes.
"It's an interesting story, though," Felix admitted. "How strange that they should die at the exact same time. How did their mother die?"
Janet was suddenly in a hurry to get back to her quilting and she waved the question off with her hand. Felicity gave Felix a look that told him not to press any further. The three of them went out to the porch where Alec and Gus were finishing up with their pipes. Gus put his arm around Felicity as she came to him. They finished up what they were saying, for it was getting late and it was time to leave. One of Digger's puppies came around the house chasing after a chicken just then and Alec had to stop him. Cecily took the old hen back to the henhouse and discovered that the pup had dug his way in. "The sooner we get rid of these puppies, the better," Alec announced solemnly. Cecily just picked up Posie, who had wandered into the front and cradled her in her arms. Dora Keith would have her over at the foundling home all too soon.
Felix left two days later. As he was riding away from Avonlea on the train, he stared out of the window at the wonderfully green countryside and the rich red earth. He could never be ashamed of where he came from. It was a beautiful island. He knew that he would not be back until Christmas and that in all that lonely time, there would be no one to write to and to receive letters from. Well, his mother would write, of course, and Felicity and Cecily would. Still, it wasn't like having Izzy to correspond with. They had been best friends when they were younger and now he couldn't even bring himself to talk to her! It was funny and sad at the same time. At least he had something to look forward to at Lissie's Landing next winter.