Chapter Six:

          The air was still and warm, scented with grasses and wildflowers. King Farm baked in the heat of the August morning and Digger lay asleep on the porch. Cecily King was just setting off to visit Lissie's Landing with some strawberries that she and her mother had picked the day before. She was wearing a gorgeous new summer dress that was so light and cool that it felt like a breath of fresh air just to slip it over her head. It was a beautiful pale blue color that exactly matched her eyes, with a gauzy overskirt embroidered with white rosebuds. She wore a broad-brimmed straw hat over her fair hair with no decoration on it at all. The strawberries were nestled carefully in a straw basket and covered neatly with a linen cloth. She walked along, sweetly and ladylike, and a few wisps of hair blew across her forehead. As she neared the town, she saw Arthur Pettibone standing outside of his father's house. He was looking at her, thinking how pretty and grown-up Cecily King was getting to be. He was seven years older than she was and had once been one of Felicity's admirers. "Good afternoon, Miss King!" He raised his hat to her.

          "Hello, Mr. Pettibone." She had always called him Arthur when she was little, but this was different. He never looked at her like that when she was twelve. But what was she thinking? Tom MacDonald was her beau! Yet Arthur was so handsome and tall, and he had said hello to her...and looked at her like she was the most beautiful girl in the world. Oh well, here she was at the house. It would be better just to think about a nice visit with Felicity. She knocked at the door. Her older sister opened it.

          "Come in, Cecily. Are those from Mother?"

          "Yes, we picked them yesterday. Do you want me to put them in the ice-box to get cold?"

          "Thank-you. I was just doing some sewing, so come back into the front room and talk to me after you do it." Cecily noticed the little roundness at Felicity's middle and smiled to herself as she put away the berries. How lovely to have a little nephew or niece in just a few months! She went back into the room where Felicity was sewing and sat down in a chair.

          "I just saw Arthur Pettibone, coming into town."

          "That's nice. Did you say hello?"

          "Yes...he greeted me first..." She wanted to say more, but she thought it would sound silly to suggest that Arthur Pettibone might fancy her. She dropped the subject. "Where is Gus?" she asked.

          "Oh, he's around somewhere. I think he went out to fix the fence." Felicity held up the little gown she had just finished hemming. "Do you like it?"

          "Oh, Felicity, it's adorable! Is it finished?"

          "No. I still have to sew on this little bit of white ribbon and then it will be. I've still got three months to finish all these things, but I like to work on them."

          "Mother was thinking of having a baby shower for you. Then you won't need to do so much work."

          "I like to sew, but it would be nice to have some nappies for a gift. They are so boring to make!" Cecily laughed. They talked for about an hour until Cecily said that she had to leave. Mother would be expecting her at home and she had to stop at the post office, as well. They said good-bye and she walked empty-handed back to King Farm. It was even hotter than before, as the sun climbed to the top of the sky. She went into the post office at the end of the street and was greeted enthusiastically by Miss Clarke who was working there.

          "Why hello, Cecily dear. Don't you look lovely! The lads are sure to be flocking around you soon enough. I have a letter here from your brother and one from your Aunt Olivia in England. I'll see you soon, dear, good-bye." She handed Cecily the mail and she was quickly out the door. As she came down the steps, Thomas MacDonald came by and offered her a ride home. She briefly thought of Arthur Pettibone, but she accepted.

          "You look so beautiful, Miss Cecily. How could any young man resist you?" Cecily bowed her head and blushed at the compliment.

          "Thank-you, Tom...and thank-you for the ride. It is terribly hot today."

          "Yes, it is. Cecily are you doing anything in particular next Saturday night?"

          "Not that I know of. Why?"

          "Well I was wondering if you'd like to come to a party at my house. My older brother is leaving for college and his birthday is also this week, so we thought we'd have a little celebration. He said I could invite some of my friends. There will be a lot of people there...so what do you say?"

          "I would love to go, but I'll have to ask Mother and Father."

          "I'll telephone you tonight and find out, okay?" They were at the house.

          "Yes, that's fine," she answered as he helped her out. "I'll ask them at supper. Father won't be back until then. Good-bye and thank-you again for the ride!" He started off and she watched him drive down the road. She hoped she would be allowed to go to the party. She had never been as popular as her conventional older sister, but she hope that would change. Also, Arthur Pettibone might be there. He was a friend of Tom's oldest brother, John. Maybe he would dance with her...but Tom was her beau! She wondered what she would do if Arthur showed more interest in her. Well, she didn't even know if she was going yet or what she would wear, so she dismissed the thoughts regarding Arthur Pettibone once again and went into the house.

          Janet sat down at the kichen table and got out her letter opener. She slit open the letter from Felix first. She sighed with relief at the cheerful epistle. Whenever a letter came from Felix, she feared it would contain bad news. Then she opened the letter from Olivia. Her eyes grew wide and she covered her mouth with her hand. She looked up a Cecily seriously.

          "It's Aunt Eliza...she died three weeks ago. It took that long for the letter to cime." Cecily felt her eyes widen just like her mother's. She thought about the unfinished quilt and of sweet little Aunt Eliza who was just like a little mouse. She had been rude at times, but Cecily never realized how sorry she would be when she was gone. She had not even seen her for over a year! Then she thought of the party. How could she ask about it tonight when such news had just arrived?

          That night at supper, no one was very hungry, except for Daniel. They spoke of Aunt Eliza and all of her good points. They remembered the times she had spent with their family through the last few years. She was ninety-one when she died and they all agreed that she had lived a long, full life. Cecily didn't dare to ask about the party at the MacDonald's. Maybe she would ask tomorrow. When the phone rang that evening, she rushed to get it and explained to Tom what had happened. Alec and Janet didn't think to ask her who it was, but just went on with their conversation. The next morning at breakfast, she confessed what she had been thinking about at her father's request. She was granted permission and she hoped that Thonas would call her soon. It would be improper for her to do so. She ran upstairs and threw open the tall, dark wood wardrobe that she had once shared with Felicity. Now for a dress. As Cecily stood staring into the wardrobe, Janet stood and watched her. "Having trouble finding a dress?" she asked.

          "Hello, Mother. I can't decide!"

          "I think you could use a new one. Would you like to go into town this afternoon and look? A Mrs. Landers just opened a new dry goods shop and is said to have some very nice pieces." Cecily's eyes were shining.

          "Really, Mother? But I just got the new blue dress..."

          "That's for everyday. I expect you'll be going to a few parties during the remainder of this summer and the next and I know you will be careful with it."

          "Oh, Mother, thank-you! She ran over and kissed her cheek. "I thought I would have to wear my rose taffeta," she said in a confidential voice, "and it has been so warm lately."

          The next day, they purchased a light, pale green organdy dress made up in the latest style. Cecily felt very sophisticated wearing it to the party at the MacDonald's, with her little white, heeled boots. She had stuck a pink silk rose in her hair and thought that it was most becoming. As she come up to the farm, she could hear music coming form the barn. In an instant she feared she would be overdressed for a barn dance, but her worry soon diminished as she saw other girls dressed like herself standing around and dancing inside. As she was dancing with Thomas, she caught sight of Arthur across the room. After that, Tom promised a dance to his fourteen-year-old sister who was allowed to come in for a little while. Cecily stood aginst the wall with her eyes bowed demurely. "May I have this dance?" Arthur Pettibone was standing at her side. She decided to take him up on his offer and they spun around the room. Afterward, she went back to dancing with Tom and a few other insignificant young men. After all, Arthur was a professional veterinarian now and he probably still saw her as just "Felicity's little sister".

          Arthur Pettibone left Avonlea the next day and returned to his practice in New Dundee. Cecily forgot about that week and found herself once again deeply in love with Thomas MacDonald. He was only nineteen and lived nearby. Throughout August and September, there were several dances and parties in Avonlea and Cecily attended many of them. Although she had once been so shy, she was drawn into the excitement and fun, and the chance to dance with her beau for hours. She loved the sometimes lively, sometimes waltzing music that played through those warm summer nights. By the end of September, the wind began to blow colder. it would soon be winter again on Prince Edward Island, but Cecily would never forget those lovely months of laughter and enjoyment, when she had suspected that Arthur Pettibone might have taken a liking to her of all people, and when she had realized how much more she cared for Thomas MacDonald. Meanwhile, everyone was talking about the November event. Alec and Janet insisted that the baby would be a boy, but Hetty was just as determined otherwise. Gus was inclined to agree with Felicity's parents, but Felicity put more trust in her aunt's vote. It seemed like Aunt Hetty could always tell with these things and she was often right regarding other affairs, as well.

Chapter Seven:

          A bitter, icy wind was blowing and tiny bits of snow were flying through the air, though the sun shone and the brown grass still covered the ground. It was November and winter was coming swiftly. Darkness descended upon Avonlea, but all of the lights were on at Lissie's Landing far into the night. Alec and Gus sat in the parlor, but they didn't say anything. Gus looked out the window or into the little stove at the glowing coals. Alec leaned his head on one hand and took out his watch. It was one o'clock in the morning on the tenth of the month. Upstairs a restless, bustling activity was going on. Janet and the doctor were hurrying here and there. Hetty sat in the kitchen reading a book and listening. Cecily was back at King Farm taking care of Daniel who had long since gone to bed, but she was awake waiting for the ring and accompanying message from the telephone.

          Then a sound broke the silence. It was a tiny voice, but forceful...and loud. Gus jumped up from his chair. He stood at the foot of the stairs and hesitated, not knowing whether it was time to come up. Janet King appeared at the top and smiled at him. "Don't just stand there, Gus! Come on up and see your new daughter." For once he didn't yell or whoop with excitement but came bounding up to the room with his eyes wide and sparkling. Hetty stood in the kitchen doorway while Janet came down to talk to her. Bits of hair straggled out of the knot in the back of her head and her blouse was untucked. Janet's face was flushed and little curls were popping out all over her own usually neat hair. "Hetty, can you imagine it? I am a grandmother. Oh, she's such a beautiful, sweet darling little thing! Her hair is dark like Gus' and her eyes are blue, but she looks just like Felicity did when she was born."

          "I'll come up in a minute. I should leave them alone," Hetty said as Dr. Snow came down the stairs. They urged him to stay, but he could not. He had to get home and it was already morning. He said that the baby would be fine and he needn't stay any longer. Hetty and Janet were left alone in the bright kitchen.

          "Oh, I have to ring up Cecily!" cried Janet. "I promised I would call her no matter how late it was-"

          "Janet, what's the baby's name?" Hetty interrupted. Janet looked flustered and confused.

          "Oh, my! I didn't ask...I'll call Cecily when I find out." They looked at each other and smiled as a tiny wail floated down from above. Janet decided to go up.

          Felicity held her daughter in her arms as she stroked the fine almost-black fuzz on her head. She was so perfect she couldn't believe it. "Her name will be Emily Colleen. Emily is a pretty name. She looks just like she should be called that, don't you think? And Colleen for my friend who died when her little Alice was born. I helped deliver Alice myself..."

          "Emily is the parfect name for her. And she is a sweet little colleen."

          "What do you mean?"

          "A colleen...a little girl. That's whot it means. Don't you know what your own daughter's name means?" he teased her.

          "How did you know that?" she asked, just as Janet came in.

          "Felicity dear, I forgot to ask. What are you going to name the little doll? I want to tell Cecily the news."

          "Her name is Emily Colleen Pike. You can also tell Cecily that Dr. Snow's estimate is that she weighs about seven and a half pounds. He's had a lot of experience, so he's probably pretty close. I don't know why he didn't set up the scale like he usually does." Janet hurried down the stairs to the telephone. "I'm very tired, Gus. Would you put Emily in her bed?"

          "Are you all right?" he asked anxiously.

          "Gus Pike, it is past one o'clock in the morning and I have just had a baby. I think I have a right to go to sleep. Why don't you go down and tell my mother and aunt to go to bed. And you too, of course." He kissed her and stood there for a moment, but he listened to his wife's suggestion and obeyed it. Soon the lights were off in the house and the long night ended.

          Emily was a very good little baby. She slept well and it seemed to Felicity and Gus that she didn't cry and scream as much as babies usually do. Hetty had to go back to work at the foundling home, but Janet stayed at Lissie's Landing for three weeks. She finally left, reminding Felicity that both she and Cecily were nearby if she needed any help. The house became quiet and empty again with just Felicity and her baby, and Gus working on something or other all the time. Christmas would be coming once again. Felix would come home and see his little niece at last. Sara wouldn't be coming. She would be spending the holidays with Jean Paul Courtier, her French betrothed, and his family far across the Atlantic Ocean. Christmas would be celebrated at King Farm this year, because Felicity had her hands full with Emily and didn't have time to organize the dinner at Lissie's Landing again. Aunt Hetty wouldn't be coming either. It was Rachel Lynde's turn to spend Christmas with her family, and her son and his wife and children had recently moved back to Avonlea.

                                                      *        *        *        *

          On December sixteenth, Felix was riding home again on the train. The landscape that he had last seen as sunny and green and full of the new life of spring was now bleak and snowy. The evergreen trees and the cold blue sky were the only colorful things among the shades of white, gray, and black. Last year he had urged the train on its journey, carrying him home. This year, he felt as if he were becoming detached from Avonlea. The farmland that he had grown up in seemed so small compared to the crashing ocean in a storm or the wide blue-green depths that extended endlessly in all directions. There was sea all around the island, but it wasn't the vast, open sea of ships. It was a sea that met the red earth and had no other job than to break in waves upon the sand. It was the sea of his childhood that had enticed him away from the land and joining the Navy had ended that chapter in his life. He was eager to see little Emily, though. His own sister had a baby daughter and her father was Gus Pike! He could hardly believe it. Even if Avonlea did seem insignificant at times, there were always these sweet surprises to come home to. He felt guilty for thinking that Avonlea was unimportant. He should be loyal to the Island, even if many of his comrades at sea came from places like Montreal and Toronto, Britain, or even the United States. After all, it was a beautiful place and all of the usual experiences of life could be had there.

          When Felix came walking up to King Farm, he forgot about his disappointment with home. His wonderful mother came running out like always to spoil him and his father looked at him so proudly, standing tall and handsome in his uniform. As he went into the house, Felicity approached him with a little rosy baby in her arms and held her out to him. They all stood grinning and waiting for a comment. "She's beautiful, Felicity," was all he said and everyone began talking at once.

          "Doesn't she look like Felicity?"

          "And she has dark hair, just like her father. That dark brown hair and blue eyes...aren't they pretty together?"

          "Such a good baby, too..."

          "When are you going to get married and give me some more grandchildren, Felix?"

          "All in good time, Janet! The boy's only nineteen."

          "I'm an uncle and I'm not even eight yet!"

          "If only Aunt Eliza could see her..."

          "I'm sure she can from heaven...as long as she went there."

          "Alec King, what a suggestion! Have you no respect for the dead?" Felix listened to all of this and he laughed and joined in with the chatter. That Christmas was certainly a merry one and it was the last Christmas of what would later be called the "old days". No one yet knew of the fear and deprivation that the next year would bring and of the less joyful holiday seasons that were to come. How far away those innocent days would seem in a year's time and how trivial the events of one little town on one little island would become! On New Year's Eve, the Pike family was alone at Lissie's Landing. Little Emily was asleep and the young husband and wife sat waiting for the clock to chime. As it signaled twelve o'clock, the two of them stood up and took each other's hands.

          "What will this year bring us, Gus?" Felicity asked without expecting an answer.

          "Whotever it brings...I will always love you, my Lissie," Gus answered. From then on, those were the words they spoke at the beginning of every new year, with Felicity always asking the question and Gus always reassuring her. It became their first family tradition. It was simple and meaningful. In this way, the year 1914 was begun with neither of them realizing how significant those words were. Felicity thought that she could see the year stretched out ahead of her. Sara would be married in the summer and she hoped she would be able to come to the European wedding. Aunt Hetty was going, though she said she didn't approve of Sara marrying a foreigner and giving up her family to live with him in a faraway country.

          Two weeks later, a great commotion arose in the village. Alec and Janet King came home from a short trip to Charlottetown...but they didn't come home in a buggy or a wagon or any other horse-drawn vehicle. They drove straight through town in a shining black motor car. It was one of "them Yankee Fords" as Mrs. Rachel Lynde would say and the second in town. The townspeople were bubbling over with the sight. The Kings were the most highly respected family in town, and even they had bought one of those crazy, puffing machines. The times were certainly changing. Of course, few people in town could afford to buy an automobile, but soon those with the means to do so would be following suit.

Index