He sat under an old apple tree in his family's orchard. His curly brown hair messy and his old working overalls dirty from the soil he sat in. Beside him were is chums Moody Spurgeon Macpherson, Fred Wright, and Charlie Sloane. They sat in companionable silence. He took a bite out of an apple he had in his hand.
"Gilbert, you haven't teased the girls in over a month." Charlie broke the silence.
"Is it because of Anne?" Moody teased.
Gilbert Blythe glared at the two very irritating boys three years younger than himself.
"Aha! It is because of her!" Fred said excitedly.
"No it is not!" Gilbert protested.
"Since she hit you with her slate you've never misbehaved once. Not even when Mr. Phillips wasn't looking." Charlie said gleefully.
"So what? I want everyone to like me. if that means no more teasing and pranks then so be it." Gilbert stood up brushing off his overalls and going inside his house.
The three other boys sat there for a minute before going home. Three things were clear to them:
1. Gilbert Blythe would no longer be participating in their teasing and pranks plans.
2. He was conscious of every judgement passed on him and took each one seriously.
3. Gilbert was dead gone on Anne Shirley.