Chapter 9 - Lunch at the Cuthberts' house
It was a Sunday noon, after mass in Avonlea village, Matthew had invited Jeannie to lunch at Green Gables.
Marilla was very excited, she had a smile on her face while setting the table, because not only Jeannie was invited, but also the Delacroix family, as well as the couple Rachel and Thomas Lynde.
Even though it wasn't really a one-on-one date with Jeannie, Matthew was nervous to see her again, he was going around in circles in the dining room. And his sister had noticed, "Well Matthew, you should sit down for a couple of minutes, you're making me dizzy!"
When there was a knock on the door, the younger brother rushed to open it, Rachel and Thomas Lynde arrived first, a disappointment in Matthew's eyes.
At the same time, at the Delacroix house, formerly the Blythe house, Bash was preparing his little daughter Delphine, he put a little hat on her head, which Anne had made for her, "A pretty little girl that you are, as pretty as your mother!"
When a voice was heard, it was Hazel, his mother: "I can't believe it, it's the first time white people have invited me to their house for lunch, I've really seen everything since I came here."
Bash laughed as he heard his mother's words, "And are you going to complain about it now? »
Elijah coming home at the same time with a basket of apples, "I think that'll be enough for the Cuthberts, won't it? ", the young father glanced at the basket, "I think that'll be fine! "he tapped his son-in-law's shoulder, "Well, we can go now!", he added.
Back at Green Gables, Rachel and Thomas Lynde were settled in the living room waiting for the other guests. Marilla, as usual, listened with annoyance and disinterest to the latest Avonlea gossip.
When all of a sudden, her ears were as if awakened to hear this, "Oh! And you don't know the last Marilla, I'm telling you now because I don't want to talk about it in front of the Delacroix family, it seems that young Gilbert Blythe has abandoned this girl from Charlottetown. Well, I didn't think that young man was so cavalier."
The host, who was sitting in her armchair in front of Rachel, couldn't help but get out of hand, "Rachel! How can you talk like that about Blythe'son! This boy is way above gossiping!"
Madame Lynde was immediately stung by Marilla's intervention, "You... you know, don't you?", she replied with a wink. Rachel's husband decided to intervene, "Come on Rachel, this boy is very respectable, no matter what anyone says."
The mistress of the house finally concluded, "Indeed! And even if I did know something, with all due respect Rachel, you're probably the last person I'd give any information to, I don't want all of Avonlea talking about it the next day." This last tirade silenced once and for all the overly curious woman.
It was then we heard knocking at the door once again, Marilla stood up to welcome her guests, she showed her best smile to Bash and his family, "You're just in time! "she exclaimed. Sebastian held Delphine in his arms, Hazel and Elijah were in the background, the latter did not dare to impose themselves too much in the Cuthbert's home.
Matthew noticed this, and made a point of relaxing those two a little, "Please sit down," he said with his usual shy little smile.
He was called by his sister right after that, she was on the kitchen side, he joined her, "I think you should see Jeannie outside, she just arrived. The discreet man blushed when he heard this, but he took it upon himself and decided to go outside.
Marilla, who watched them from the window, was happy with her, she had managed to give her brother other concerns.
Some time later, everyone was seated in the dining room, discussions were lively, farm and crop topics were the main conversations.
When Rachel decided that we had covered all these topics, "So, Marilla, did you tell Sebastian and the others how comfortable you've become on the board?"
The latter blushed a little as she listened to her friend talk about her like this, "Oh Rachel... Don't exaggerate, all I did was propose ideas to improve the community, and so far none of my proposals have been accepted."
Her friend gave her a look that was full of confidence, "Marilla, don't be modest! It took weeks to get you accepted by the board, it's on the right track!"
The other members at the table, all raising their glasses, Bash spoke, "So let's toast to Marilla! May she succeed on the board of directors, maybe one day she'll chair it!", he exclaimed with a smile.
Then he added, "And let's toast to a marriage that may come sooner than we think!"
Everyone exchanged glances, and then asked each other in unison, "Marriage?! »
Hazel, who was in front of her son, asked him, "I hope you're not already thinking of getting married again?! Not to this woman out of pity..."
Sebastian's expression went from joy to total disillusionment, it seems his mother had a gift for it, "I-I wasn't talking about me! Besides, if I decide to get married again, that's my business, and what woman are you talking about?! »
The discomfort was felt, the others preferred to take more interest in their food, to avoid the discussion, except for Rachel, who as usual, found it rather entertaining.
Hazel replied bluntly, "In your opinion... With whom did you spend the summer fishing? »
Bash laughed. Which made Rachel react instantly, "Muriel ? My Muriel?! I mean, Miss Stacy? That would explain a lot...", she thought as she scratched her chin.
Marilla finally decided to raise her eyes from her plate to intervene, "In any case, Muriel is one of the most recommendable women in Avonlea."
Matthew intervened in turn, "Hmm! No doubt about it.", he said quietly, scratching his throat.
Sebastian's mother looked at the two hosts out of the corner of her eye, "Well, you may be right, but that woman is very un-feminine, and then..." she interrupted herself, daring to go no further.
Rachel obviously agreed with Hazel.
Everyone had been so distracted from the main subject, that the question of the possible marriage, had been forgotten, it was only a question of Miss Stacy and Bash, and for the latter it made no sense. For the young father, it was obvious that there was nothing but a sincere friendship between him and the blonde teacher.
Apart from this small incident, the meal went very well, Matthew and Jeannie had had knowing looks all along, which made Marilla very happy.
Elijah didn't dare interfere too much, Hazel was gradually taking her bearings, she seemed to have common interests with Rachel. Thomas Lynde, who was very much in love with his wife, was a very pleasant man, he had fun with little Delphine, who himself had a great deal of experience with children.