2 Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised

CHAPTER 2 Matthew Cuthbert Is Surprised It was eight miles from Avonlea to Bright River. Matthew and his horse passed by farms and orchards. After awhile, he began to enjoy the ride. Matthew was tall with long gray hair that touched his shoulders and a full brown beard. When he reached Bright River there was no sign of the train. Thinking he was too

early, he tied up his horse and went inside. The only person on the long platform was a girl. She was waiting for something or somebody, and, since sitting and waiting was the only thing to do just then, she sat and waited with all her might.

Matthew asked if the five-thirty train would come soon. "It's been in and gone half an hour ago," the stationmaster told him. "But there was someone dropped off for you—a little girl. She's sitting out there on the bench. I said she could wait inside but she said 'there was more scope for the imagination' outside. She's a strange little thing." "Little girl?" Matthew could barely get the words out. "We're expecting a boy. Mrs. Spencer was to bring him from Nova Scotia." "Guess there's some mistake. Mrs. Spencer left that girl here, saying you would come fetch her." "I don't understand," said Matthew helplessly. "Well, you better ask the girl," said the stationmaster. "I'm sure she can explain it. You'll be lucky to get a word in, though." He

turned back to his work. Poor, shy Matthew had to find a way to walk up to a girl—a strange orphan girl—and demand to know why she wasn't a boy. She was wearing a very short, tight, ugly yellow dress. Her hair, hanging down in two thick braids, was very, very red. Her face was small, white, and thin with many, many freckles. She had been watching him with her large green eyes since he arrived. Matthew was spared the trouble of speaking first. As soon as she realized he was looking for her, she stood up and held out her hand. "I suppose you are Matthew Cuthbert of Green Gables? I'm very glad to meet you. I was starting to worry that you'd never arrive. I decided that if I were left here I would walk down the track to that cherry tree and climb up to spend the night. It would be so lovely to wake up in white

cherry blossoms, don't you think? I was sure that you would come for me by morning, though." Matthew had taken the scrawny little hand in his. He knew he could not tell this child with the glowing eyes that there had been a mistake. He would take her home and let Marilla do that. Besides, he couldn't just leave her at the station. "I'm sorry I was late," he said shyly. "Come along. The horse is over there. Give me your bag." After a short pause, Matthew added, "Please." "Oh, I can take it," the child said cheerfully. "I've got all my worldly goods in it, but it isn't heavy. I'm so glad you came for me—even though it would've been nice to sleep in the cherry tree. We have a long ride ahead of us, don't we? Mrs. Spencer said it was eight miles. I love driving, so I won't mind a bit. Oh, it seems so wonderful that I'm going to live with you and belong to you.

I've never belonged to anybody—not really. I was in the orphanage for four months, but I'm glad that time is over. Everyone there was good and nice but they lacked imagination. As for me, I could imagine that the girl next to me was really a princess, snatched by kidnappers. I used to lie awake at night thinking of things like that because I didn't have time during the day." Out of breath, she stopped talking when they reached the buggy. They rode in silence until they passed through an orchard of plum trees. She broke off a branch that brushed against the side of the buggy. "Isn't that beautiful? What did that white tree, leaning over the road, remind you of?" she asked. "Well now, I dunno," said Matthew. "Why, a bride, of course! A bride all in white with a lovely veil. I've never seen one, but I can imagine what she would look like.