Rilla Makes a Discovery
3.2 A Stop in Charlottetown

May 1898

"It's about a ten-minute walk," Gilbert confirmed to Anne as their train approached Charlottetown Station. "Or we can hire a cab if you'd prefer. We have a two hour wait between trains. We can go have tea with George and should be able to be back for the 5pm train to the Glen. With any luck we'll be home in time for a late supper."

Anne and Gilbert Blythe were returning to their home in Glen St Mary after a visit to Avonlea. It would be the last time they'd be able to visit for a while, since both Gilbert's parents, and Anne's Marilla were too frail to make the trip themselves now. While there, Gilbert's mother reminded him that his cousin, George had moved to Charlottetown several years ago. She was anxious about the wider family connection being lost after she passed and urged Gilbert to visit on his way home. With Anne's encouragement, he'd agreed to call his cousin and arranged to pop in for afternoon tea while they waited for their connecting train.

"So close to the station?" queried Anne. "I'm surprised we haven't visited with your cousin before when we've changed trains at Charlottetown. How have I never met him?"

"You won't be surprised when you see him, Anne-Girl," Gilbert responded. "He's not exactly of the race that knows Joseph. He's a few years older than me and had moved to Halifax with his wife by the time we were engaged."

"And he's your mothers' sister's son?," confirmed Anne.

"Mother's brother," corrected Gilbert. "Mum and Uncle Edgar used to be quite close, but I never really got on with George and his sister Mary."

"Mary's the one who…" asked Anne.

"Died as a child yes," finished Gilbert. "I think that's why Mum thought George and I should be close, we'd both lost a sister, though I don't remember Evie. Mary was about ten I think when she died, so it would have been different for George."

"Well, it's nice for you to visit him now," smiled Anne. "It means a lot to your Mother."

"It's the only reason I'm doing it," grimaced Gilbert. "Somehow whenever I saw George he has always needed one favour or another. Still," he continued brightening up, "we're only there a few hours, hardly enough time for him to come up with anything too onerous."