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Oh my god.

Snacky has just informed me that Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert (the people who adopt Anne) in Anne of Green Gables are, in fact, siblings and not a married couple like I'd assumed all these years and even in my reread.

Oh my god.

Oh, here's where they said it:

"Guess there's some mistake," he said. "Mrs. Spencer came off the train with that girl and gave her into my charge. Said you and your sister were adopting her from an orphan asylum and that you would be along for her presently. That's all I know about it—and I haven't got any more orphans concealed hereabouts."

I'm a blind man!

(no subject)

As much as she hated Gilbert, however, did she love Diana, with all the love of her passionate little heart, equally intense in its likes and dislikes. One evening Marilla, coming in from the orchard with a basket of apples, found Anne sitting along by the east window in the twilight, crying bitterly.

"Whatever's the matter now, Anne?" she asked.

"It's about Diana," sobbed Anne luxuriously. "I love Diana so, Marilla. I cannot ever live without her. But I know very well when we grow up that Diana will get married and go away and leave me. And oh, what shall I do? I hate her husband—I just hate him furiously. I've been imagining it all out—the wedding and everything—Diana dressed in snowy garments, with a veil, and looking as beautiful and regal as a queen; and me the bridesmaid, with a lovely dress too, and puffed sleeves, but with a breaking heart hid beneath my smiling face. And then bidding Diana goodbye-e-e—" Here Anne broke down entirely and wept with increasing bitterness.

--Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

Two things, here. Why is the past always kinda gay?* And: Oh Anne, I know you hate Gilbert but I will always love him for instigating the 'Carrots! Carrots!' slate to the head scene.

Further on, I'm enjoying the melting of Marilla.

Quick castlist:

Anne Shirley: Orphan. Redhead. Feisty.
Marilla Cuthbert: Would be sassy if she didn't want to be so proper. Trying to raise Anne up right,
Matthew Cuthbert: Marilla's brother. Probably not a serial killer. Thinks Anne is awesome, but is staying out the whole parenting thing.
Diana: Anne's bosom companion. Bff. Most beloved. Shit goes down with alcohol later on I shan't get into. Very pretty.
Gilbert: Teased Anne, got bashed in the head by Anne, seeks to appease Anne but Anne shall not be moved! I suspect that means they will be married.
Mrs. Rachel Lynde: Kind of a dick.


Anyway, the melting of Marilla. She's gone from 'I'm not telling the child we're keeping her' to 'Anytime she makes me interested in what she's saying, I will tell her to shut up' to 'Oh my god she is the physical form of all my bad thoughts ever MUST NOT LAUGH', and finally to giving in and actually laughing from time to time at the shit Anne gets up to.

And I'm only on page 80 of 222! I like going from 'Marilla, you hardass' to 'MARILLA ILU'

Current enjoyment status of book: HIGH

*I'm told this is a trend with Anne and girl friendships.