By L.M. Montogomery
Chapter I Beginnings
It was a sunny afternoon in June. Mrs.Lynde looked out of her kitchenwinow and waw Matthew Cuthbert drive by in a horse and buggy.
“Where is Matthew Cuthbert going?” wondered Mrs. Lynde. “and why is he wearing his best suit? He never goes visiting. He ‘s much too quiet and shy.”
Mrs. Lynde liked to know what everyone in Avonlea was doing. Matthew lived at Green Gables with his sister, Marilla. So Mrs. Lynde decided to walk over to Green Gables.
When Mrs. Lynde go to Gren Gables she found Marilla Cuthbert in the kitchen. Marilla was a tall, thin woaan with gray sreaked dark hair. It was twisted nto a hard knot at the back of her head.
“Good evening, Rachel, “ she said. “ It’s a fine evening, isn’t it? Won’t you sit down?”
“I saw Matthew goig off,” Mrs. Lynde said. “Iwas afraid you were sick. I tought maybe he was going to get the doctor.”
“Oh, no, I’m quite well. Matthew went to
Mrs. Lynde could not believe her ears Marilla and Matthew adoptig a boy! The world was certainlyturning upside down!
“Are you serious about this, Marilla?” asked Mrs. Lynde.
“Yes, of course,” Marilla said. “Matthew is getting on in years. He isn’t as strong as he once was. We decided a boy could help him on the farm.”
Mrs. Lynde wanted to stay until Matthew came home with the boy. But it would be at least two hours before they arrived. She decided to go up the road anf tell the surprising news to Mr. Bell.
“I’m sorry for that poor orphan,” Mrs. Lynde said when she was back out in the lane. “Matthew and Marilla din’t know anything about raising children.”
When Matthew Cuthbert arrived at the station, there was no sign of the train. The long platform was empty except for a girl sitting at he end.
The stationmaster was locking up the ticket office.
“Will the five – thirty train be along soon?” Matthew asked.
“The train’s been in and gone,” the stationmaster said. “But there was a passenger for you –little girl.”
“I don’t understand,” Matthew said.
“Mrs. Spencer was supposed to send a boy, not a girl.”
“Well, you’d better talk to the girl, ”said the stationmaster. “She’s been waiting for you.”
The girl watched Matthew walk toward her. She was wearing a very ugly yellowish gray dress. Bebeath her faded brown sailor hat were two thick red braids. She had a small, thin, freckled face and huge gray green eyes.
“I suppose you are Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables ?” the girl said. “I was afraid you weren’t coming. I made up my mind that if you didn’t come, I’d climb in that tree over there to sleep. Don’t you think it would be lovely to sleep in a tree all white with moonligth?”
Matthew looked into the girl’s glowing eyes. He knew he couldn’t tell herthere had been a mistake. He had to take her home to Green Gables.
“I’m sorry I was late,’ he said. “Come along. Give me your bag.”
“I can carry it,” the girl said. “It’s got all my worldly gods in it, but it isn’t heavy.”
Matthew led the way to livr with you,” the girl said. “Were you ever in an orphanage? It’s worse than anything. There isn’t much scope for imagination in an ophanage, believe me!”
The girl talked all the way back to Avonlea. Matthew didn’t mind. Hr found that he liked this lively little girl.
They drove up a hill and rounded a corner. The girl pointed to one of the farms along a slope beyond the valley below. “That’s Green Gables,isn’t it?” she asked.
“Well, you’ve guessed it,” Matthew said.
The girl sighed hapily. “I was afaid it was only a dream. But it’s real. We’re nearly home.”
