They headed back to Green Gables as they approached the porch Marilla was waiting for them. "There you are, I turned around and you were gone I wondered where you had wandered off to."
"I'm sorry Marilla Gil and I just needed a walk."
"The pair of you have been working too hard. Its no wonder." Marilla commented. They are a handsome couple Marilla thought again. Anne was fifteen last month , she had been someone's beau by the time she was fifteen... not that it ended well but that was her fault. "That concert you want to go to can't come quickly enough." She hinted.
She looked At Gilbert whose eyes had dropped to the floor.
"Perhaps you both better come in its starting to get chilly." They headed into the house. Gilbert felt a spare part for a moment Anne and Marilla seemed to busy themselves in the kitchen with things which needed to be done. Marilla stopped and looked at the boy. "Why don't you go in the parlour Gilbert, Anne will be through in a few minutes."
He went into the parlour to find Matthew sitting there. It occurred to him before courting you really ought to ask the girl's father. Since Matthew was the closest thing to a father Anne had, he took courage and breathed deeply. "Mr Cuthbert, " He said sitting on the sofa next to the chair Matthew had sat on. I wondered if I might have a word?" he asked gently. Matthew simply nodded and put down his paper. "well you know Anne and I are very good friends, see we are getting to the age where we would like it to be a bit more then being friends. With the sands concert coming up, I was wondering, if with your permission I may escort her?" he asked.
"Do you mean you mean to go courting with her?" Matthew asked.
"well..." Gilbert started.
"You've been beaux for so long I wondered how long it would take you start." Matthew said laughing.
"How long have you...?" Apparently more people had caught on then he thought
"I'm guessing here, but I think from the day you saved her in that boat." he paused. "Am I right?"
"Yes sir." Gilbert said in shock. "But you never said... its been almost 2 years..."
"well its not really my place to say anything. For what its worth you're a nice boy and you have my permission any day, if you continue to make Anne happy there's no problem."
"But... does Miss Cuthbert know?" Gilbert said almost trembling.
"well I don't think so, Oh Marilla won't stop you Gilbert. You're a lot like your dad was at your age."
"My Dad? You know him?"
"Knew him more like. A long time ago. Oh its history now..." At that moment Anne and Marilla came through the doors Anne sat next to Gilbert but not so close as to draw attention to the fact they were sitting together, Marilla took the other chair.
"Matthew I didn't know you were in here." Marilla said genuinely surprised.
"Ermm." Matthew said quietly. "Gilbert and I were talking about the sands concert. I gave my permission for him to take Anne."
"Did you now?" Marilla said with a light in her eyes. "I see. Well I see no harm as long as they pass these exams." Marilla said with a hint of discipline in her voice.
Gilbert looked in surprised at the calm reaction. Did he hear right, he did say Gilbert and Anne and concert together in one sentence? And Marilla a had stayed calm? she'd flung off the handle at a hug and now going to a concert together brought little or no reaction? which would surely bring about gossip. Had he missed something?
"So its okay Marilla?" Anne asked her. "its okay if Gil and I go to the concert together, as…?"
"You might as well its been coming for years." Marilla said making herself busy with some sowing.
There was silence in the room as both Anne and Gilbert were in shock.
Marilla stifled a laugh at the pair by asking "So, these exams are coming upon you fast, are you both ready?"
"Oh isn't it terrifying?" Anne asked the group. "One more week and we'll be there! sitting our exams!"
Gilbert smiled. "You'll do fine Anne. You're the smartest girl in Avonlea." He said reassuring her without touch or gazing he found it all of a sudden difficult to reassure her. Had his way of reassurance with her always been physical?
"I have to agree with Gilbert." Marilla said. "Miss Stacy would hardly put you forward for them if she thought you would fail."
"I had a nightmare where everyone's name was on the past list except mine." She admitted.
"Did you look above mine?" Gilbert said with a hint of nervousness "you would probably find it there."
Anne smiled. "You short change yourself Gil, I'm glad at least my subconscious knows, you were number one on the list." She told him.
"Well thank you subconscious Anne, but she should know wherever my grade is so hers shall be also." Gilbert told her gently.
"I suppose we shall see." Marilla said to them.
Gilbert suddenly became aware of the time. "I better be off. Ma and Pa will be expecting back." He stood up."Miss Cuthbert, Mr Cuthbert." He started for the door.
"Can I go and walk him up the lane Marilla? I'll come straight back." Anne asked. Marilla nodded.
They left Green Gables in a gaze.
"Did that just happen?" Gilbert asked. "It wasn't a dream?"
"No definitely no dream, unless we're in the same dream."
he sighed in relief. "I can't believe she was so calm, I was expecting... well a repeat! I thought she would tell me to leave and leave you alone." he put an arm round her shoulders bringing them closer together as they walked. He sighed. "Its nice not have to look around before I put my arm round you."
"Its nice to have your arm round me, after the last couple of days." she laughed. "I can't believe you got jealous over Charlie!"
"Don't laugh its not funny!" he said chuckling himself at the thought! Oh what a fool he had been! Of course Anne wasn't interested in Charlie Sloane. "Its been a stressful 's been flirting with you the whole time! He won't shut up about you when there is just us boys...and how wonderful you are..."
"No reflection on your own musings..." she smiled at him. "What made you come tonight? You were still none responsive at school..." she asked.
"Oh erm, well Miss Stacy kept me back after class, she was worried about you crying and sort of threatened me with lines if I didn't tell her what was wrong with me." Gilbert smiled. "she told me to come and speak to you." Gilbert laughed. Then looked at Anne who had an equally bemused look on her face.
They arrived at the gate he moved his arm from around her shoulders to her lower back and turned towards her.
"I wish I had some work now as an excuse to stay but ma and pa really will be expecting me." he told her. "I'll come and walk you to school in the morning. We can walk together. " He paused and whispered in her ear "closely."