The Orphan's Home

Gilbert?

"Gilbert!" 

As Anne shrieked in surprise, Matthew ushered in two youthful boys, who quickly took their places in the empty chairs.

Gilbert looked up innocently, a small smirk on his face. "Yes, Anne?"

"Umm, hi. Wasn't expecting to see you... so soon. Before school today, I mean." Anne mumbled as she blushed furiously.

Jerry slid down into his seat, and rolled his dark eyes in annoyance. Why were Anne and Gilbert so awkward?

Marilla cleared her throat quietly. "Gilbert will be staying with us for awhile, to give Sebastian and Mary time alone." She said in a firm voice, preparing for Anne's outburst.

Anne's eyes bulged in shock, but her mouth was kept firmly shut as she continued to stare unblinkingly at her plate.

As this drama unfolded, Jerry was fostering two things: considerably bad posture as he slouched low in his seat; and the firm belief that his butter knife, that had diced the egg on his plate with such fine and careful precision, could work with the same efficiency on the invisible tension in the air as an inelegant silence ensued.

Finally, Marilla sighed and gave Matthew a stern, prompting look. He rubbed his neck slowly, slouching under her gaze.

"Gilbert, would you say grace?" Matthew stuttered.

"Yes sir."

Anne looked up in surprise as she felt a warm hand take her own, but as the prayer began, she hurriedly bowed her head once again.

"Dear Lord, bless this food, and the Cuthbert family for their hospitality. Amen."

As everyone looked up, Jerry's warm hand left Anne's immediately to begin shoveling food into his mouth.

Anne looked across the table to Gilbert.

"You could've said 'dearest' you know."

Gilbert nearly choked on a piece of potato.

 "What?" He gasped.

Anne leaned forward as Marilla served her a spoonful of oatmeal. 

"Your prayer. Why don't you say 'dearest  heavenly Father'? It sounds so much more glorious and romantical, you know."

"Oh."

"Well, are you going to?"

Gilbert groaned. "Why don't you just say the prayer next time, Anne?"