Mrs. Rachel Lynde's Surprise

Mrs. Rachel Lynde, the town gossip, sits at her window observing the comings and goings of Avonlea. She is astonished to see Matthew Cuthbert, a notoriously shy and reclusive man, dressed in his best suit and driving the buggy, heading out of town. This unusual sight piques her curiosity, and she resolves to visit Green Gables to discover the reason for his journey. Her visit sets the stage for the arrival of Anne Shirley and the central conflict of the novel.