Thread by @lainasparetime

I only have 20 minutes before I need to go shower, but Chapter Two isn't too long, so let's talk about it. #LainaReadsAnne

#LainaReadsAnne So, when last we left, Matthew Cuthbert was heading to Bright River to pick up the orphan he plans on adopting with his sister Marilla. Matthew enjoys the drive, but he vehemently dislikes the fact that he must nod hello at other drivers.

#LainaReadsAnne He especially dreads doing this at women, and this is reflective of his general view on them. He often fears they're laughing at him.

TBH that would probably sound a lot creepier if he didn't hate being around ALL people.

#LainaReadsAnne He gets to Bright River where the train station is and walks past a girl sitting on a pile of shingles, mostly ignoring her as he's wont to do with people in general.

Except when he asks the stationmaster when the train will be coming in, he's told it already has

#LainaReadsAnne Surprise! The girl waiting at the station is the orphan they were sent.

Matthew pretty much doesn't know what to do and desperately wishes Marilla was there. He is Very Uncomfortable and does not wish to be in charge, lol.

#LainaReadsAnne She's very excited about having a home, and he basically decides to take her back to Green Gables because he can't bear to dash her hopes.

And also because he wants to go home, which you know. I get that.

#LainaReadsAnne In this chapter, our girl isn't given a name yet (we'll get there), but she has been described as "a case" and as having a tongue, and the best description, as having "decidedly red hair".

Seriously, Montgomery's got descriptions on lock. They're so strong.

#LainaReadsAnne This is one of the parts where our girl starts to talk wonderously about things around her, and it's wonderful prose, but hard to describe in a tweet. She sees things like cherry trees and they are truly magical to her, and she can't help but share that feeling

#LainaReadsAnne She's incredibly expressive and also very wordy and talks for most of the drive.

Matthew, who is actually described as an introvert here, decides he doesn't mind listening to her talk, especially because she doesn't expect him to respond overly much

#LainaReadsAnne He likes that she's filling the silence so he doesn't have to, lol.

There's also a mention here of him not approving much of how "well-bred" Avonlea girls are raised, because they always act afraid of him.

#LainaReadsAnne Our girl also decides that the beautiful places they pass need prettier names than the ones they have, and decides to rename them, which honestly is kind of adorable.

#LainaReadsAnne As they reach Green Gables, our girl is absolutely in love with the place and so excited to have a new home.

And Matthew is dreading the idea of having to tell her that she can't stay. He compares it to when he has to kill lambs or calves.

#LainaReadsAnne He's known her for like 2 hours and he's already gone to mush XD

And that's the end of the chapter. Not a ton happening in this one plot-wise, but the descriptions are amazing. You truly get a sense of how beautiful Prince Edward Island is.

#LainaReadsAnne I also continue to find it interesting that Marilla and Matthew are siblings. If you were reading it for the first time, I'm not sure if you'd understand that fully at this point. The only real clue is a mention of them being adults when Green Gables was built.

#LainaReadsAnne OH and one of my favourite things in this chapter - our girl is very depressed that she's so thin. She says she would much rather be "nice and plump", with elbow dimples.