Episode 1

Matthew Cuthbert is Surprised


Narrator:On one June morning of the 19th century, on a boat to Prince Edward Island, a red-headed girl stands, awaiting her new life with a hopeful heart. The story begins on this island, when an elderly pair of siblings in Green Gables decide to adopt a young boy from an orphanage.

The older brother Matthew Cuthbert is in his best clothes, driving the carriage to Bright River station to pick up the boy. He enjoyed the drive after his own fashion, except during the moments when he met women and had to nod to them-- for in Prince Edward island you are supposed to nod to all and sundry you meet on the road whether you know them or not. Matthew, the shyest man alive, is not used to meeting people, especially mysterious creatures like women and girls! Likely this is why he has been single for over sixty years.

On the other hand, his sister Marilla also remained single... working with her brother to maintain Green Gables. They lived peacefully every day. Marilla is working hard to prepare for the boy's arrival.

Mrs Rachel Lynde saw Matthew depart, wearing his best suit of clothes, which was plain proof that he was going out of Avonlea; and he had the buggy and the sorrel mare, which betokened that he was going a considerable distance. Now, where was Matthew Cuthbert going and why was he going there? To put her mind at rest she went to Green Gables to find out just what was going on.		Rachel Lynde: What?! Adopting a boy! Marilla: Yes, Rachel.

Rachel Lynde: You never mentioned this to me before? Marilla: Well, we've been thinking about it for some time. Ever since last Christmas when Mrs. Spencer said she was going to get a little girl from the orphan asylum. We thought we'd get a boy. Matthew is getting up in years, and he isn't so spry as he once was.

A boy of about ten could of some use in doing chores right off and young enough to be trained up proper. We'll give him good home and schooling. A telegram from Mrs. Spencer said he arrives by train tonight.

Rachel Lynde: Well, Marilla, I'll just tell you plain that I think you're doing a mighty foolish thing. You're bringing a strange child into your house and home and you don't know a single thing about him. Marilla: I've had some qualms myself. But Matthew was terrible set on it.

Rachel Lynde: Don't let your guard down. I heard of a case over in New Brunswick where an orphan asylum child put strychnine in the well--and the whole family died in fearful agonies. Only, it was a girl in that instance. Marilla: Well, we're not getting a girl. I'd never dream of taking a girl to bring up.

Rachel Lynde:It does really seem as if I must be dreaming. Well, I'm sorry for that poor young one and no mistake. Matthew and Marilla don't know anything about children.

Narrator: When he reached Bright River there was no sign of any train; he thought he was too early, so he tied his horse in the yard of the small Bright River hotel and went over to the station house.

The long platform was almost deserted; the only living creature in sight being a girl who was sitting on a pile of shingles at the extreme end. Matthew, barely noting that it WAS a girl, sidled past her as quickly as possible without looking at her.

Had he looked he could hardly have failed to notice the tense rigidity and expectation of her attitude and expression. She was sitting there waiting for something or somebody and, since sitting and waiting was the only thing to do just then, she sat and waited with all her might and main.

Matthew:Um, about the five-thirty train... Stationmaster: You must be Mr. Cuthbert! The train has been in and gone half an hour ago. A passenger was dropped off for you--a little girl. Look, she's sitting right there. I asked her to wait inside, but she informed me gravely that she preferred to stay outside. 'There was more scope for imagination,' she said. She's a case, I should say.