Chapter 16

In a long letter, Gilbert explained his parents the engagement with Anne. He would introduce Anne to them so soon, as possible. At eastern Gilbert would get holidays for one week, and Anne get some days free from school, too.

Miss Brook wasn't pleased with Anne's engagement. For her mean this that she must search after a new teacher. But Miss Brook's cross face couldn't change Anne's high spirit. She was happy and everyone should be happy, too.
Gilbert asked her, if she would come with him to Avonlea in their eastern holidays. For a moment, Anne was shocked; she knew it was time to meet his parents. Bus somehow she had fear to meet them. What if they don't like her? If they had rather Christine, as their daughter-in-law. Gilbert laughed about her fear and tried to calm her down. But Anne couldn't give up all her fears.

Gilbert could already go to Avonlea two days earlier, as planned. Anne would follow him two days later with the train. At first, Gilbert would wait and go with Anne. But Anne persuades him to go, she thought so he had time to speak with his parents private.
"The good old Island is always the same." Thought Gilbert, as the train arrived at Bright River Station.

It seems that nothing ever changed here. Even the old station master was still the same. Of course, his hair becomes greyer, but still he holding the whistle between the lips. Mr. Blythe goes to meet his son at the station. Laughing they hugged each other.

"Nice that you are here, Gil. Your mother is still impatient. Since yesterday she is in the kitchen and cooking your favourite meals." John Blythe takes the suit case and carried it to the buggy.

"I'm glad to be home, too Dad."

"You look well, son. Are you happy with your fiancé?" Asked his father, as they drove to Avonlea.

"Oh, Dad, she is the nicest and most beautiful girl, I have ever met. You will like her." Gilbert smiled.

John Blythe nodded approval: "I'm sure you have made a well choice. Only your mother has some doubts."

"Why?" Asked Gilbert surprised.

John laughed: "Every mother has doubts about her daughter-in-law. No one can be good enough."

"Sometimes I have more doubts that I'm not good enough for Anne. I have never met a person as her. She is singular." In his eyes was a love-sick expression and John grinned as he saw it.

In the next two days, Mary Blythe mothered her son and cooked the best meals for him. But she didn't want hear much about Anne. Every trial from Gilbert to speak about Anne would clever stopped from his mother.