Marilla Cuthbert sits on the swing on the veranda of Green Gables and sighs. Anne is in Kingsport and though Marilla will never admit it she misses the girl she's come to love like a daughter. In Marilla's lap is a bowl of peas she's just finished shelling, but as she looks at them now it hardly seems right that she'd shelled so many for just her and Rachel. When she looks up from her weathered hands she sees John Blythe standing at the gate watching her. John had been her beau many years earlier and Marilla often regretted the fact that she hadn't given him a second chance. "John Blythe, it's been a long time. What brings you to Green Gables?"
"Hello, Marilla," John says as he opens the gate and climbs the steps. "I thought I'd drop by and see how you're doing considering that Anne is away teaching. I know how lonesome things can get when it's just you in a big house."
"Why don't you sit down for a while; it's rare to see you out here by the house." Marilla says. She is shocked when he comes and sits right next to her.
"To be honest I needed the company. Gil's away at medical school and the house feels awful empty right now. I sort of thought you might be feeling the same way." John says as he looks out to the horizon at the sunset.
"I have to admit that the house doesn't feel quite the same without Anne around, but I know that the job she's got is a good opportunity. I can't deny her anything really even if it means me being alone for a while. Besides, Rachel is here when I need to talk, although she always has something to add to the conversation. How's Gilbert doing in medical school? Anne hasn't heard from him recently." Marilla angles her body towards John's slightly and looks directly into his eyes.
"He's close to the top of his class from what he's written me. He asks about Anne a great deal, but I don't want to upset him by telling him she's doing just fine." John says deliberately.
"Why would that upset him?" Marilla asks rather confused at the turn in the conversation.
"Then Anne didn't tell you?" John asks incredulously.
"Tell me what?"
"Gilbert asked Anne to marry him last summer and she turned him down. I think he was sort of hoping that she'd be a little heartbroken, but we both know better don't we."
