First Gil's head and now Anne's... I feel we need some sort of sad/solemn background music to set the stage for all this gloominess. Except I can almost hear it anyway. And I mean that as a compliment... I love the melancholy because it can be so powerful and beautifully written and of course, this was. And I really feel for Anne right now. First of all, the connection you drew to when he called her carrots. I remember you writing about that in a previous chapter-about how she just wanted to be alone with her thoughts and Gilbert would mean to draw her out of them. I remember being blown away by how fitting that was. And what a clever parallel to this birthday evening. You have set the stage so perfectly for the next chapter and I'm ready. And I noticed you updated it on her actual birthday (well, on Australia time anyway), that was not lost on me! I also liked the look back at her parents. Anne doesn't reflect on them much in the books and it's only natural she would have dwelt upon them. And her wishing her mother might have found the will to live for her was sad and poignant.

As for next chapter, I think I'm more interested in aftermath. I understand now why he proposed. So after is what I'd like. Definitely Anne contemplating a world without Gil, but I'd really like to get Gilbert's bit as well. Now he's lost her friendship as well. But then again, he had decided friendship wasn't going to cut it anyway. So seeing him battle between "would friendship have been enough or wouldn't it," "is no Anne really better than living with my longing," will be really powerful. And maybe during his reflection, he can include something about what made him finally pop the question? I'm curious to know what that last little spark was. It could even be just a sort of "X happened today, and I just knew I had to do it. Now I curse my folly." You get the point. And also, perhaps, something about his decision to let her go? (thinking Tay Swi now). I'm just rambling on now, it's your chapter of course! That's just my two cents, as always. Thanks for an enjoyable couple of hours.

Ooooooh. I'm not sure what to say besides that! I can just feel everything building, building, building. I can see him go from confident to doubtful to despairing. You're displayed that in his dreams but carried it on in his later entries and you've done it very well. And the way he realized she was avoiding him, that was painful. But it's as he says, her friendship can't satisfy him. He's crossed that line and I just feel so badly for him. What's a boy to do? What I must thank you most for is really helping us understand why Gilbert proposed. I know it didn't sit well with many readers... why would he propose when it was clear she was avoiding him, sending him negative signals, and just plain not ready? But you've really gotten us to see, through this chapter and others, and I can't help but think that it had to be done. And now somehow you've captured half a year's journey in so few words and all I can say here is great job! Once again, love your Gilbert.

Ohh, this chapter just got better and better as it went on. First of all, you always get Anne down pat when you write her and I love that. And since I haven't read her in more than a month, I so enjoyed getting a fresh taste. The same can be said for Gilbert. I loved Gilbert's heroics- black eye, bloody nose and all. That is just the sort of Gilbert I like to imagine (the type who will play a prank/get into a fight to defend a friend), so thank you. Haven't you and I talked about Gilbert putting Phil to bed before? I loved it and I am so glad to see this scene. That was just the best bit of fun, first with Phil realizing that Gilbert is Maurice (I've always thought so). Then Gilbert's line "When I kiss a girl, I want to be sure she will remember it in the morning." And Phil wondering did she want to or didn't she... then of course, Anne getting all worked up yet assuring herself she is not jealous... "I don't care, but they are so unsuited." You get Anne down pat in regards to him. And I think you get her down better than Maud did, perhaps, or is that sacrilegious to say? Poor Gil though, even if I hadn't read AotI I would just know he's going to make his move soon. His little glimpse into his future was cute and heartbreaking at the same time, knowing what is to come. Just a great chapter, Katherine. And thanks for leaving out Davy, it wouldn't make sense to include him at this point.

Well here you are, Katherine, posting chapters again like a busy bee. I am sorry (again) that I am late to the show. But I am certain that reading yours will help put a little spark in me again. Firstly, boy did you put me in mind of college roommates! I've certainly experienced my fair share and it's clear you have as well, for you describe it so well. The sharing of furniture and desks, infringing upon each other's space, picking your battles, needing your differences. You're right, they are important. Reminds me of a roommate I had... we both liked to shower first thing in the morning but we were also both in the nasty habit of getting up at the same time.

I enjoyed Phil thinking Averil was about her! Can't say I am surprised. That conceited little thing. But you can't help but love her. And writing to Miss Patty last minute was very in character as well, too bad Priss and Stella had to suffer from it. Looking forward to seeing you develop them, and you have me intrigued by Stella's backstory. Ah, but did you ever have a character who DIDN'T have a backstory? (The killing of the cat never sat well with me, esp that Anne was willing to go along with it. I am so glad it didn't work out.) This chapter was very colleg-y to me, and I got a good feel for Patty's Place. So thank you!

Oh, where to begin!? Another beautiful chapter. Anne self-scrutinizing of her own character is just so typical Anne, so raw in it's honesty, yet remaining the endearing Anne with qualms about hiding from Gilbert who came to congratulate her/bring her a gift. I love how you brought up Anne thinking of her parents, and how she draws the parallel to Diana and Fred's love at the same time as she's pointing out that she aspires something different for herself.
Thanks also for throwing in that little Sloanish comment from Charlie, that was so in character :)
As for how to continue, how about we go complete masochist, since we all know that no matter how much pain Gilbert is going through (and I know you superbly write Gil's point of view), we all know he does get the girl in the end :)

Poor lamb, of course she wanted a quiet evening all to herself feeling like that. I can more than sympathize having lost more than my share of sleep to trying to disappear into the furniture with a hot water bottle for assistance. Needless to say I loved all your descriptions in this chapter, they rang very true, of Anne, Jimsie, Gil, all of them -even that fleeting glimpse of Phil. And you moved with such fluidity from the serious to the humorous, you always do. One minute I was clucking soothingly at the computer, assuring it that a visit to Phil was an excellent idea and the next I was reading about 'life drawing classes' and Jimsie eating all the fudge.

You know, I'd love to read about Gil but I've been wondering for months now how you will write Anne's response to that proposal. But (and this is supremely unhelpful I know) whatever angle you take will likely prove the right one, the only one you could take, so whatever approach you settle on I will look forward to reading.

The thing that struck me as I read this was how much your Anne (and the rest of the girls) remind me of my friends and me at that age - so ready to live but so uncertain as to what that means. I remember distinct talk of "quarter-life crises" at that stage, and I felt so bad for Anne holed up in her room. And for Gilbert, who should probably know what's coming but obviously doesn't want to see it and hasn't considered Anne's behavior and feelings nearly enough. I love Aunt Jamesina, both for her scolding and consoling (and for the comment about taking Gilbert alone to the class - I hope to someday be an irreverent old woman myself, so this was delightful). It made me think of my own grandmother. I could feel Anne's discomfort and unhappiness throughout this, and I love your way of illustrating the extents Anne was willing to go to not be left alone with Gilbert.
As for what you should do with that train wreck of a chapter, my vote is for all of the above, but if I have to choose one, well, I guess I am a complete masochist and want mostly to know how Gilbert copes in the aftermath. I know there's a reasonable chance that you'll make me cry if you go that route, but I'm prepared for it!

I loved Jimsie...so cheeky and lovely.

Anne's thoughts about her parents almost made me cry.

I am a masochist.

Whichever direction you had next I know it'll be amazing. Every chapter has been brilliant!

Your writing here really makes me feel Gilbert's pain. He knows he loves her and yet . . . I can't help but feel for Gilbert. It makes me appreciate exactly his strength of character, his devotion and his struggles. Wow.

You do so well to capture the language, the words, the essence of the era as well as the characters. I could read this all day. It is a marvellous companion to Montgomery's books. I really enjoyed this chapter!

Oh, gosh I would love to hear how he went off all hopeful and then felt awful after. I always love to hear about how much he loves Anne and it might be interesting to see exactly how he felt directly afterward. I am definitely looking forward to his thoughts on Roy. Jealous Gilbert is a lot of fun, too. As always, great job and keep it coming!

“The Essential Companion to Anne of the Island.” This should be the alternate title to your wonderful, insightful diaries.

As the books’ titles attest, LMM wrote about Anne, not about Gilbert or any of the other important people in Anne’s life. Your diaries give much needed depth to these characters.

Thus, to your question: all of the above, of course. But especially a central mystery of Gilbert Blythe: with no hope of Anne, how - and why - did Gilbert foreswear all others and resign himself to a lonely life as an occasional escort for a succession of Christines?

This is a life-defining choice of a strong and vital character and it cannot be as automatic and unthinking as LMM would have it. A new love is said to be the best cure for a lost love, as even Charlie Sloane discovered, and Gilbert certainly had opportunities. In making this decision, did Gilbert seek comfort in the arms of another? Many others? If not, why not; if so, what happened? Enquiring minds want to know.

Finally, if Anne turns twenty on March 7, 1885, tomorrow (already today for you) is Anne’s 150th birthday.

Oooh so very sexy. There has to be some bone-deep burning going on inside for Gil to wait that long for her. He's a handsome, young, fit man doomed to years of celibacy. Dreams and push-ups are a given.

I'm in love with the pink enamel heart.

This chapter made me so sad I actually cried! But still it was beautiful.