(bird calling)
(instrumental music)
(light instrumental music)
- Come on Cecily.
Great aunt Eliza should be arriving soon.
- Mother said she can be very difficult, Sarah.
But we have to mind up for her.
- Is she here yet?
- Not yet.
- What are you reading?
- A book.
- What kind of book?
- The kind that requires absolute silence to read.
- We've seen the most beautiful butterflies,
all yellow and black and purple.
Come on Felicity, we'll show them to you.
- Please Sarah, I'm trying to read.
Would you mind taking your childish prattle somewhere else?
- You used to like my childish prattle.
- Well that was when I was a child myself.
- Since when did you grow up?
I must have missed something.
- Look, here they are.
Mother, they're here, they're here.
- Thank goodness we're here,
I couldn't bear another moment in this contraption.
(sighs)
- Here we are then.
Now, just be careful of this step.
- Oh dear aunt Eliza, how delightful to see you.
- Don't shout Janet.
I'm not nearly as deaf as people think.
You there, child, careful with that.
It's my medicines don't you know.
Dear Felicity, how adorable you look.
I would have recognized you anywhere.
- I'm Sarah, this is Felicity.
- Oh she was a lovely baby.
Strange what happens to children when they grow up.
Well Janet dear, are you inviting me in,
or must I wait for judgment?
- How long did you say her visit lasted with cousin Myrtle?
- Eight months.
- Eight months?
- Janet.
- [Janet] Coming aunt Eliza.
- All right.
- Don't hurt your shoulder father.
You've gotta save yourself for the cricket match.
- Don't worry Felix.
- You're our star player.
- I shall have plenty of energy
for the cricket match tomorrow.
I think.
- It's going to be so exciting
watching uncle Alec play tomorrow.
- I couldn't sleep thinking about it.
- Well I hope you enjoy yourselves children.
I've decided not to attend.
Cricket is such a monotonous sport.
- Monotonous?
It's the best game in the universe.
What's got into her?
- She's a grownup now.
Didn't you know that?
- Grownup?
(instrumental music)
- Sir Rupert urged on his steed through the thick wood.
Suddenly he was upon her.
Catherine cried out and swooned.
Sir Rupert jumped from the saddle
and clasped her in his arms.
(instrumental music)
Oh peerless flower, said Sir Rupert,
pressing his lips to hers.
Peerless Flower.
(horse neighing)
- Whoa.
Whoa!
I'm so sorry.
I didn't see you, are you all right?
- Mm hmm.
- That's a relief.
What's your name?
- Felicity, King.
- David Hawes.
I'm staying over at White Sands.
My team is here for the cricket match.
- Cricket match?
- Yes, tomorrow.
To raise funds for the Charlotte Town Hospital.
- Oh, that cricket match.
Oh cricket is simply ripping.
Watching it is my most favorite pastime.
I wouldn't miss it for anything.
- Well, if you're sure you're all right?
- As a matter of fact, my father plays
on the North Shore team.
- Perhaps I'll see you there then.
(instrumental music)
- [Felicity] Cricket is such an exciting game father.
Will you tell me all about it?
- Well, there are 11 players on each team, you see,
and there are two sets of wickets
which have to be defended by the batsman.
- That's fascinating.
- Yes, now the--
- That is so fascinating.
I just can't wait 'til tomorrow.
- Janet is there more tea?
Another cup would be most welcome.
So soothing for my catarrh.
- Would you like some more cake?
- Don't raise the dead, dear child.
I am still of the living.
Though how I have avoided so far,
the grim reaper, remains a mystery.
I will have another slice.
Though I find you were a little
heavy handed with the salt, Janet.
Is that why you've had none yourself?
- No, no just a touch of nausea.
I think I had too many strawberries yesterday.
- Oh I have a button coming off my sleeve, Janet.
Do you think you'd be able to sew it on for me?
- I'll let you handle the button, Janet.
- Felicity isn't the same anymore.
She's mooning around like a lot calf.
- Cow you mean.
- She talks down to me as if she's
some old crone or something.
How'd she grow up so fast?
- Shh.
From this point on you can't make any noise.
The fish here have ears.
They're very smart.
(light music)
You there, this is my private fishing hole.
You better move outta here.
- Then I'll leave it for ya.
Lots of fish for everybody.
(light music)
- Another one!
How'd he do that?
- Maybe he's got a special bait.
- Oh I got me a special bait all right.
(cheerful fiddle music)
- I got one!
- Yep, I got me a special bait.
- Who are you?
- Gus Pike's my name.
- [Sarah] Where're you from?
- Just come off a ship and lookin' for work.
- You oughta come back to our place.
We might have work for ya.
- If you do or if you don't,
sure am a catch for a home cooked meal
and the friendly talk.
(instrumental music)
- [Cecily] Felicity let me in.
- Cecily I'm busy.
- I'm having a tea party and I need my other dolls.
- They're not in here.
You're just trying to bother me on purpose.
- Felicity it's important.
- Go away!
(knocking)
- [Cecily] Let me in!
- Well, if there was a competition
between chores and book reading,
I think I'd know the winner.
- Sorry uncle Alec.
I just couldn't wait to finish this chapter.
Hey uncle Alec, if you hurt your shoulder again,
it could put you at a disadvantage tomorrow.
- Father!
- Uncle Alec. - I am not as old as you
and Felix think I am, Andrew.
- This is Gus Pike.
He's looking for work.
- He caught ten trout playing his fiddle to 'em.
- Really?
You're not from P.E. Island, are you boy?
- (mumbles) Been working on a trawler for a while
'til she went down of Nova Scotia.
- Ah.
Well there should be something at the cannery in Rustico,
but they don't start hiring 'til next week.
- Father?
- If you need a roof until then, Gus,
you're welcome to stay here, as long as you don't mind
sleeping in a barn loft.
- Never say no.
Brings bad luck.
Give you a hand there?
Oh, pull the saw there, don't push it, lad.
- Better get those fish in outta the sun.
(sniffling)
- Cecily what's wrong?
- Felicity won't let me in the bedroom.
She's been in there for ages and she won't unlock the door.
- Felicity and her secrets.
- I'd love to know what she does in there.
- We could always find out.
(mischievous music)
- Cecily, take these.
- Ew.
Mother!
- [Felicity] Will this summer end without my being kissed?
(sighs)
- You go first.
(mischievous music)
- Stay low.
- Oh David.
Oh David.
- Shh.
- Mrs. Felicity Hawes.
- Felicity's diary.
- Felix that's private.
- The privater the better.
- Mrs. Felicity King Hawes.
- [Felix] "David is the man of my dreams."
Felix, drop that book!
Give it back!
- "Will this summer end without my being kissed?"
- Hurry up.
Come on.
- Felix!
Give it to me!
- [Sarah] Felicity I had nothing to do with it.
- Felix King, I'll skin you alive!
- [Felix] "When the time comes, will I know how?"
- Felix give it to me, it's mine!
It's private!
- [Sarah] Felix give it back to her.
- "Could it be that I am his peerless flower?"
More like a peerless pig.
(Felix laughing)
Oh, Gus, meet my sister.
Or shall I say my peerless flower, Felicity.
- Felicity King, what in heaven's name
have you done to your hair?
- And what in heaven's name have you done to your chest?
- You're horrible!
All of you, just horrid!
- Felicity wait, he didn't mean it.
- [Alec] Felicity.
- Nobody cares about my feelings.
- Janet will you talk to her, I...
- [Janet] Felicity?
- [Eliza] Janet dear, when you have a moment,
I need a few of my lace collars laundered and starched.
- You talk to her.
- No, Janet--
- [Janet] Coming Aunt Eliza.
(sighs)
- Look, um, children didn't mean to hurt your feelings.
(melancholy music)
There now, there's gonna be plenty of time for
gown up hairstyles and dresses.
Don't be in such a hurry to grow up, huh?
- But I don't want to be a child.
How could you possible know how I'm feeling.
- Look, Felicit--
- "Plenty of time for grown up hairstyles
"and fancy dresses."
He was never a girl.
Why David, I told you I wouldn't
miss this match for anything.
Of course I'll have tea with you.
- Felicity?
- Sarah, can't you see that I'm busy?
- Well see, I just wanted to say,
it wasn't my idea to steal your diary.
And I'm sorry about what happened.
- It's quite all right Sarah.
Children will be children.
- Felicity please, I just said I was sorry.
- It doesn't matter.
Now which dress should I wear to the cricket match tomorrow?
- Cricket?
I thought you said it was monotonous.
- Well there's nothing else to do.
Now which dress, Sarah?
- That one's pretty.
- Oh it's all right I suppose.
But blue is much more becoming on me.
- Oh you're so kind to me Janet, in my lumbago.
Oh don't make them too tight.
- Oh I'm doing my best great aunt Eliza.
- Oh, your color is poor.
Your face is all puffy.
Oh, I've seen this look before.
Of course, your mother is a Hingle, prone to the vapors.
- Oh, no no, it's just a little touch
of the influenza that's going around the village.
- This calls for one thing and one thing only.
My mecine bag.
- Oh, this will never do, mother.
Just never do.
- All right ladies, hurry up,
I have to be on the cricket field less than an hour.
- I can't go like this, I hate this dress.
- Oh, Felicity, dear, it's a lovely dress.
You made it yourself.
- Yes, yes, it's lovely, come on.
- It makes me look like a 13 year old.
- You are a 13 year old.
- I'm 13 and three quarters.
- Now now, Felicity.
Oh look, Janet, is it too much to ask
that we get there on time?
I mean the whole team's waiting.
- Oh Alec, there's no need to put everyone on edge,
just because you're nervous.
- I'm not nervous, I'm perfectly calm!
- You don't have to shout at me too.
- No no no, Janet, please, I'm sorry.
Janet?
Now Cecily don't you--
- Empty vessels make the most noise.
- She means that those with the least in their heads
are the first to say too much.
- Thank you, Sarah.
(instrumental music)
(people applauding)
- Fastest bowler I've ever seen.
- Isn't he wonderful?
- Yes!
- Hurray!
- Felicity, we're losing and you're cheering
for the wrong side.
- I know.
- Always nice to have support from our family, isn't it?
- [Man] Mr. McEwan has been bowled.
The first side made 90.
Second side, 85 for nine wickets.
North Shore team needs six runs to win.
Last man, Mr. Alec King.
- This shouldn't take long.
(dramatic music)
- Bravo David, good show.
Well bowled.
- You are a traitor to the North Shore team.
- [Man] No run.
- Uncle Alec.
- Don't give up.
Maybe he'll hit a six.
- Can't be done.
(dramatic music)
(people applauding)
- It's a six, it's a six!
- [Man] North Shore team wins the match, 91 to 90.
- [Andrew] Well done uncle Alec.
Well done uncle Alec.
- Thank you.
- Father that was a fantastic six.
- It was for you, Felix.
- Oh Alec.
You've really made the town of Avonlea proud.
Imagine the North Shore team beating all those young men.
- Father you're the best.
- Not bad for an old man, eh?
- Yes, Alec, it's nice to know you're good at something.
Janet dear, perhaps another of those little fruit tarts
would be nice, and maybe some more tea while you're at it.
(soft music)
- Isn't he a dream?
I think he's definitely the most
handsome member of the team.
- Him?
- Felicity, he's ages too old for you.
He's at least 18.
- Age has nothing to do with it.
Besides, fate has already thrown us together.
How am I ever going to get to talk to him?
Please Sarah, think of something.
You're so quick at these things.
(mischievous music)
- Felicity, did I hear you cheering for the other--
- 'Scuse me, father.
- I'm looking forward to the dance tonight.
- You'll save me a place on your card this evening.
- But of course.
- That would be spendid.
- 'Scuse me miss, there is a disgusting fly in your tea.
- Ew!
Ah, my dress!
Oh mother.
- Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry.
- You seem destined to stand
in the path of disaster miss uh...
- Felicity, Felicity King.
- Looks like your peerless flower's a peerless nuisance.
- Please, don't trouble yourself.
'Scuse me.
(light music)
- Sarah, did you hear what he said?
He said that I "seem destined
"to stand in the path of disaster."
Oh I do believe that he finds me fascinating.
- How could you tell?
- His words were full of hidden meaning, silly.
I must see him again.
The dance tonight may be my last chance to say goodbye.
- Say goodbye now, Felicity, that dance is for grownups.
- Felicity.
Sarah.
Time to go.
- If I phrase it correctly to mother and father,
perhaps there's a way.
- It's going to require some very fancy phrasing.
- Mother, how old were you when you first went to a dance?
- Oh, well, I was 16.
I can remember that as if it were yesterday.
- Wouldn't you agree that young ladies today
are far more mature than they were in your day?
I mean a 14 year old today is at least as mature
as you were when you were 16.
- I have a feeling I'm supposed to agree to something.
- Oh mother, you understand everything.
I do so want to go to the dance with you and father tonight.
I am very polite and I promise I won't be a nuisance.
- Well.
- Won't you say yes?
- Well, we'll have to ask for your father's approval.
(groaning)
- Did you see how she behaved today?
Made a spectacle of herself with that boy
from the opposing team.
- Oh well, Alec dear, it's natural for a girl her age
to develop an infatuation.
(sighs)
Oh, Alec, I feel so tired these days.
(groans)
- My bloody shoulder, I must've torn a ligament.
Oh I have to tell you Janet, I'd much rather soak
in this tub than go to that dance tonight.
- Oh, would you dear?
That'd suit me just fine.
I don't know what's come over me.
I'm as limp as a dish cloth.
- [Eliza] Janet, are you down here?
- You know, Felicity would really like to go.
- Janet dear, turn down my bed for me, will you?
Oh, soaking away your aches and pains are you?
I don't wonder.
At your age you ought to know better.
Running up and down a field, acting like a colt,
when you're just about the right age for the glue factory.
- Really, aunt Eliza.
- Mrs. Beacham's restorative syrup, good for what ails you.
- No no, thank you.
- Open wide.
Wider.
There's a good boy.
(groaning)
Oh don't fuss so, you'll be thanking me in the morning.
- Sarah.
Sarah, I'm going to the dance.
Mother's going to ask father and he never says no to her.
Here, I want you to help me practice.
Ready?
No, I'll lead.
And, one two three, one two three.
Sarah!
- I'm trying to follow you.
- Stand up straight!
One two three, one two three. - You're on my foot.
- You're off the rhythm.
Looks like you got two left feet.
- What would you know about waltzing?
- Not much.
- Let's try it again, Sarah.
Ready, one two three, one two three, one, Sarah!
- At least you need a proper tune to practice to.
(fiddle music)
Well, let's see yous dance.
(girls laughing)
(fiddle music)
- Indeed it is my lot in life, as the maiden aunt,
to circle these shores in a yearly ritual of visits
to my dearest relations.
Indeed I need not have remained a spinster.
Oh my, no.
I was the belle of many opportunities.
- There you go, aunt Eliza.
- Oh thank you dear.
Alec, regarding Felicity, she's just
rambunctious as I was, you remember.
Well she came to me and asked permission to go with us
to the dance this evening and I thought,
rather than simply saying no,
you and I should talk about it.
- What makes you think we'd ever let her go to the dance?
- I always wanted to go to dances when I was 14.
- Janet, the two of you have lost all sense of propriety.
We've gotta keep a firm hand on her.
- Oh Alec, perfectly natural for a girl of her age--
- Look the way she behaved this afternoon is not natural.
Not in my family.
Might be for you Wards.
- What exactly does that mean?
- Let's not be coy Janet, everyone knows
you pursued me like a terrier.
- Alec King, what a perfectly awful thing to say.
- Janet, Janet I'm sorry, I was just teasing, wait.
- Oh you cad.
Don't you know what your wife is going through?
- Well I know she's upset.
Janet!
- Upset, you brute.
You ought to be horsewhipped.
- Father, when are we all leaving for the dance?
- We are not going anywhere tonight young lady.
You can get yourself ready for bed.
- But father, I have to go.
- You're not going to any dance
if you ask me from now 'til doomsday,
now march upstairs.
- Father, it's desperately important.
- Can a man not have a bath in privacy in his own household?
- What are you doing?
Felicity, you mustn't destroy your dress
just to spite your father.
- I'm not destroying it.
I'm just restyling it for the dance.
- The dance?
You can't be serious.
- Did Juliet allow herself to be kept from Romeo?
- No, and look what happened to her.
- What happened to her?
- She didn't survive the plague.
Felicity.
Felicity!
- Poor Felicity.
- Felicity, if you're so sure you're no longer a child,
then why are you acting like one?
- Mother and father just aren't being fair, Sarah.
All I want to do is return David's handkerchief to him
and say goodbye, nothing more.
Is there anything wrong with that?
- Yes.
And what if your parents find out?
- They won't.
They're not going.
Please Sarah, don't tell on me.
- [Sarah] You shouldn't be riding alone at night.
- Oughtta be safe with me.
- Thank you, Gus.
Beneath your vagabond's clothing
beats the heart of a gentleman.
See Sarah, it's all going to work out.
Don't worry.
- [Gus] There you go.
(instrumental music)
- She has very pink cheeks, that Felicity.
I always say that you can tell the state
of a woman's mind by the color of her cheeks.
You there, fetch me my bag.
It is the least you can do, you cricketer.
- I'll get it.
- Thank you dear.
I had cheeks as pink as Felicity's once.
Timothy Cotton was his name.
My father absolutely forbade my seeing him.
But I didn't stand for that, oh no.
I was a rebel then.
No one was going to stop me from seeing my heart's desire.
- Cecily,
where's your sister?
- Is it a lie if I don't answer?
(instrumental music)
- [Felicity] Oh Gus, this is so exciting.
- Be sure to return that handkerchief then get,
or both our names'll be mud.
Ain't losing your nerve now, is ya?
- Indeed I am not.
Just making sure that I'm ready.
When someone's about to be kissed,
should they close their eyes?
- Close their eyes?
- You've never been kissed either I bet.
- Kiss my dog.
When I had one.
- Thank you.
- [Janet] Alec, what is it now?
- She's gone.
Felicity's gone to the dance.
- Alec just mind how you deal with her
and don't say anything you'll regret, Alec.
Alec!
- Oh, nevermind Janet dear.
Cousin Myrtle's husband left her too.
And she's never had a sulky fit since.
(instrumental music)
- Felicity?
My, how terribly grown up you look.
- Where are your parents dear?
I want to congratulate your father on an extraordinary game.
- Oh, they're here somewhere, I expect.
Excuse me ladies.
- I think this dance is ours.
- Excuse me, David Hawes.
- Miss King, good evening.
What brings you here tonight?
- Nothing.
Nothing.
- Excuse us.
(instrumental music)
- Did you do it?
- Will you stop following me?
- I promised I'd watch out for ya.
- What a ridiculous evening.
- Well if you ain't intendin' on givin' him his nose wipe,
you better get yourself home.
- Not 'til after this dance.
(instrumental music)
- Good show Alec, you saved the side.
- Miss King.
May I request a stroll with you for a spell?
- Um, I'd be delighted.
- I must say, your father is quite a batsman.
- Yes he is, but not nearly so fine a player
as you are, David.
- Good match Alec.
- Thank you very much, thank you.
(instrumental music)
- There you are, Alec King.
We were just commenting on how grown up your Felicity looks.
Did Janet have a hand in making that exquisite dress?
- Uh, well yes, yes matter of fact she did.
Have you seen Felicity?
I was looking for her.
- Oh, I think she's on the veranda,
with a young man to be sure.
- Well I'm sure you've heard enough cricket talk
to last you a fortnight.
- Oh, not at all.
Cricket is, it's, all...
Excuse me.
- I see, young man, I want to have a word
with you about my daughter.
(Felicity screams)
- I'm sorry.
I'm sorry father, I just wanted
to return his handkerchief to him.
- I was just saying, Alec King,
your daughter has certainly matured.
- [Gus] She was all head up for goin'.
No stoppin' her, believe me.
- [Alec] Uh huh, I understand, Gus.
- [Gus] I promised I'd keep her safe,
like a gentleman ought to.
- [Alec] I appreciate that.
Whoa.
(crying)
- They all laughed at me.
And David, David Hawes laughed at me too.
- Oh, there there, Felicity.
There'll be other dances.
- I was such a fool.
How will I ever be able to show my face in public again.
Mrs. Simpson will probably spread
the whole thing all over the island.
- Don't cry princess, everyone'll forget that.
You know, the best is yet to come.
Believe me.
(instrumental music)
- Your parents allow you to smoke?
- I do as I pleases.
Ain't no one around to tell me different.
- Is it true you spent your whole life at sea?
- Been on ships.
Trains too.
Don't get sea sick on the trains.
- Bet you've had all kinds of adventures, haven't you, Gus?
- Some.
- [Andrew] What's the most exotic place you've ever been to.
- This island, called spice island, in the West Indies.
Can smell it way out on the sea,
miles out, even before we be seein' her.
Yep, smell her on the sea.
- What's it like?
On your own?
- Lonely.
(solemn instrumental music)
- Felicity,
I heard what happened.
- You and everyone else on P.E. Island, probably.
- Must've been dreadful.
Did you really climb up that trellis?
Did you give him back his handkerchief?
- Hello miss Sarah.
- Uncle Alec, Felicity just isn't the same anymore.
I suppose that's what everyone means
when they say she looks so grown up.
(laughs)
- Well, soon enough you won't see any difference
between the two of you.
You are gonna grow up too, heaven help us.
- I don't wanna grow up if it means
being in tears all the time.
It's such a waste of energy.
- I am gonna remind you of that in a few years time.
- Alec dear, I brought you some sandwiches.
- Janet!
Good girl.
Here.
- Thanks.
- What could it be, Janet?
You haven't been yourself the last while.
- Alec, I don't know.
I feel as weak as a kitten.
You know, Alec I think maybe--
- No no no, don't you worry about anything,
I'm gonna get the doctor.
- What did he say?
- The doctor, he's going to fetch the doctor.
- A doctor?
Oh come back here.
She won't be needing a doctor for a good seven months.
It's going to be a boy.
And I hope he takes after his mother.
- Well, not bad for an old couple, eh?
- You're leaving?
- Cannery's hiring tomorrow.
Figure I'll try my luck out there.
Still pining over that milk-fed toss?
- He was more interested in cricket than in me anyway.
I suppose I'll never be able to forget him.
- You will.
Never got that kiss you were lookin' for?
- I wouldn't know how anyway.
I wish there were a book one could study.
A manual on how to kiss.
- Nothing special to it.
Alls it takes is practice.
- And what makes you such an expert?
Gus Pike, how dare you!
- Better than kissin' my dog.
(laughs)
Be seein' ya.
- Felicity.
Felicity come quickly, your mother and father want you.
- Hurry up, they're waiting.
- All right children, we've got some news for you.
- Oh, um,
well your father and I...
(laughs)
- We are going to have a baby.
- A baby!
How wonderful.
A sweet little baby girl, I'm sure of it.
- Not another girl, I want a brother!
- This calls for celebration.
Ice cream for everyone.
- [Cecily] Yay, ice cream.
Can I have strawberry?
(instrumental music)
- Where's Gus off to?
- He's gone to find work at the cannery.
But I don't think we've seen the last of him.
- How do you know that?
- Oh, just my guess.
I'll tell you all about it later.
Come on Sarah, let's go and get some ice cream
before Felix eats it all.
(light instrumental music)
(bird calling)