Millicent's Double

"Millicent's Double" by Lucy Maud Montgomery is a charming short story that explores themes of identity, self-discovery, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative follows Millicent, a young woman who, feeling confined by societal expectations, finds an unexpected opportunity to explore her true self through an intriguing encounter. As she navigates the duality of her existence, Millicent learns valuable lessons about love, authenticity, and the courage to embrace one's unique individuality. With Montgomery's signature lyrical prose, the story delicately weaves humor and poignancy, making it a delightful read for fans of her work.

• Short story

								
When Millicent Moore and Worth Gordon met each other on the first day
of the term in the entrance hall of the Kinglake High School, both
girls stopped short, startled. Millicent Moore had never seen Worth
Gordon before, but Worth Gordon's face she had seen every day of her
life, looking at her out of her own mirror!

They were total strangers, but when two girls look enough alike to be
twins, it is not necessary to stand on ceremony. After the first blank
stare of amazement, both laughed outright. Millicent held out her
hand.

"We ought to know each other right away," she said frankly. "My name
is Millicent Moore, and yours is--?"

"Worth Gordon," responded Worth, taking the proffered hand with
dancing eyes. "You actually frightened me when you came around that
corner. For a moment I had an uncanny feeling that I was a disembodied
spirit looking at my own outward shape. I know now what it feels like
to have a twin."

"Isn't it odd that we should look so much alike?" said Millicent. "Do
you suppose we can be any relation? I never heard of any relations
named Gordon."

Worth shook her head. "I'm quite sure we're not," she said. "I haven't
any relatives except my father's stepsister with whom I've lived ever
since the death of my parents when I was a baby."

"Well, you'll really have to count me as a relative after this,"
laughed Millicent. "I'm sure a girl who looks as much like you as I do
must be at least as much relation as a stepaunt."

From that moment they were firm friends, and their friendship was
still further cemented by the fact that Worth found it necessary to
change her boarding-house and became Millicent's roommate. Their odd
likeness was the wonder of the school and occasioned no end of
amusing mistakes, for all the students found it hard to distinguish
between them. Seen apart it was impossible to tell which was which
except by their clothes and style of hairdressing. Seen together there
were, of course, many minor differences which served to distinguish
them. Both girls were slight, with dark-brown hair, blue eyes and fair
complexions. But Millicent had more colour than Worth. Even in repose,
Millicent's face expressed mirth and fun; when Worth was not laughing
or talking, her face was rather serious. Worth's eyes were darker, and
her nose in profile slightly more aquiline. But still, the resemblance
between them was very striking. In disposition they were also very
similar. Both were merry, fun-loving girls, fond of larks and jokes.
Millicent was the more heedless, but both were impulsive and too apt
to do or say anything that came into their heads without counting the
cost. One late October evening Millicent came in, her cheeks crimson
after her walk in the keen autumn air, and tossed two letters on the
study table. "It's a perfect evening, Worth. We had the jolliest
tramp. You should have come with us instead of staying in moping over
your books."

Worth smiled ruefully. "I simply had to prepare those problems for
tomorrow," she said. "You see, Millie dear, there is a big difference
between us in some things at least. I'm poor. I simply have to pass my
exams and get a teacher's licence. So I can't afford to take any
chances. You're just attending high school for the sake of education
alone, so you don't really have to grind as I do."

"I'd like to do pretty well in the exams, though, for Dad's sake,"
answered Millicent, throwing aside her wraps. "But I don't mean to
kill myself studying, just the same. Time enough for that when exams
draw nigh. They're comfortably far off yet. But I'm in a bit of a
predicament, Worth, and I don't know what to do. Here are two
invitations for Saturday afternoon and I simply must accept them
both. Now, how can I do it? You're a marvel at mathematics--so work
out that problem for me.

"See, here's a note from Mrs. Kirby inviting me to tea at Beechwood.
She called on me soon after the term opened and invited me to tea the
next week. But I had another engagement for that afternoon, so
couldn't go. Mr. Kirby is a business friend of Dad's, and they are
very nice people. The other invitation is to the annual autumn picnic
of the Alpha Gammas. Now, Worth Gordon, I simply must go to that. I
wouldn't miss it for anything. But I don't want to offend Mrs. Kirby,
and I'm afraid I shall if I plead another engagement a second time.
Mother will be fearfully annoyed at me in that case. Dear me, I wish
there were two of me, one to go to the Alpha Gammas and one to
Beechwood--Worth Gordon!"

"What's the matter?"

"There are two of me! What's the use of a double if not for a
quandary like this! Worth, you must go to tea at Beechwood Saturday
afternoon in my place. They'll think you are my very self. They'll
never know the difference. Go and keep my place warm for me, there's a
dear."

"Impossible," cried Worth. "I'd never dare! They'd know there was
something wrong."

"They wouldn't--they couldn't. None of the Kirbys have ever seen me
except Mrs. Kirby, and she only for a few minutes one evening at dusk.
They don't know I have a double and they can't possibly suspect. Do
go, Worth. Why, it'll be a regular lark, the best little joke ever!
And you'll oblige me immensely besides. Worthie, please."

Worth did not consent all at once; but the idea rather appealed to her
for its daring and excitement. It would be a lark--just at that time
Worth did not see it in any other light. Besides, she wanted to oblige
Millicent, who coaxed vehemently. Finally, Worth yielded and promised
Millicent that she would go to Beechwood in her place.

"You darling!" said Millicent emphatically, flying to her table to
write acceptances of both invitations.

Saturday afternoon Worth got ready to keep Millicent's engagement.
"Suppose I am found out and expelled from Beechwood in disgrace," she
suggested laughingly, as she arranged her lace bertha before the
glass.

"Nonsense," said Millicent, pointing to their reflected faces. "The
Kirbys can never suspect. Why, if it weren't for the hair and the
dresses, I'd hardly know myself which of those reflections belonged to
which."

"What if they begin asking me about the welfare of the various members
of your family?"

"They won't ask any but the most superficial questions. We're not
intimate enough for anything else. I've coached you pretty thoroughly,
and I think you'll get on all right."

Worth's courage carried her successfully through the ordeal of
arriving at Beechwood and meeting Mrs. Kirby. She was unsuspectingly
accepted as Millicent Moore, and found her impersonation of that young
lady not at all difficult. No dangerous subject of conversation was
introduced and nothing personal was said until Mr. Kirby came in. He
looked so scrutinizingly at Worth as he shook hands with her that the
latter felt her heart beating very fast. Did he suspect?

"Upon my word, Miss Moore," he said genially, "you gave me quite a

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