As Anne prepares to leave for Queen’s, Marilla pampers her with new dresses and supplies for the trip ahead. While listening to Anne recite a poem one evening, Marilla bursts into tears at the thought of “the little girl [Anne] used to be” (331). At the sight of Marilla crying, Anne sits in her lap and lays her cheek against Marilla’s, vowing to always be “[her] little Anne” (332) who will love her and Matthew and Green Gables always. Matthew has to leave the room before anyone sees him crying, but he walks across the yard and contemplates how God must have known they needed Anne all those years ago. A few days later, Matthew drives Anne into town, and Marilla takes the opportunity in her solitude to break down into tears once more.

At Queen’s, Anne elects to take the more challenging route and complete her teaching certificate in one year instead of two—Gilbert elects to do the same, and Anne delights in knowing their old rivalry can continue. However, Anne quickly becomes homesick when she thinks about evening routines at Green Gables, and she cries alone in her room until her friends from Avonlea appear.