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___ "All right, all right! He is trying to answer!" Rachel Lynde called out as the town hall buzzed with questioning. The town was in an uproar due to Nate's claim of gold in Avonlea. Unbeknownst to the adults in the room, some of the sneaker children hide at the top of the balcony.
"What if there's no gold?" A man asked.
"Give the man a chance! Now then, one at a time. Everybody, please sit. This community will be polite and respectful of what this man is trying to tell us."
"Sir? Yes, you, sir. Thank you," Nate pointed to a gentleman.
"My name is Thomas Lynde and my wife and I want to know where you sent the gold sample."
"Yes, we do."
"I sent the sample to an independent company in New York for testing and confirmation. As I said... I didn't want my employer to know."
"Where's the proof?"
"How do we know you're telling the truth?" The minister added.
"I swear, he only talks when the topic of honesty comes up," Marigold muttered before being shushed by the other.
"How do we know what's real and what is fool's gold?" Rachel asked.
"I'm glad you asked. I have here a certificate I received in the mail from New York. This Soils Report certifies that there is indeed gold in Avonlea. I mentioned I had taken this action earlier to William Barry."
"Nathaniel told me in the strictest confidence. He was in a moral quandary and it all came out," Mr. Barry told the crowd.
"There really is gold in Avonlea..." Anne said in awe.
"Father is quite preoccupied at the prospect," Diana confirmed.
"Do you really think we'll all be rich like you, Diana?!" Ruby asked with excitement.
"There's something off about this, guys," Marigold said.
"What's off about it?" Anne questioned her sister.
"I mean, Moral Hero is here for all of two mintues and suddenly finds gold. Not just that, but gold under all of Avonlea. It just seems too timely."
"Oh, yes, Mr. Andrews," Rachel called on the man.
"And just how we proceed?"
"Each landowner would send in a sample of their soil to New York for testing. Now, I warn you, it's expensive. It's... $150 per test."
"Money! I knew there was a catch!"
"It's a scam," Mary mumbled, but her voice was drowned out due the loudness of the room.
"It's an investment, fair enough. But an investment in the future."
"It's close to half what most folks make in a year," Matthew sheepily pointed out.
"The reward for mining this land - your land - is incalculable."
"I have to write to Gilbert!" Anne told the girls, causing Mary's eyes to widen, "I have to let him know about the gold!"
"Gilbert?" Ruby questioned.
"But you don't even know where he is!" Diana reminded.
"I think I have a way I can find out!" Anne said excitedly as she got up from her spot on the ground.
"Anne!" Marigold went after her, chasing the redhead out of the building, "Anne, wait. You aren't serious about writing to Gilbert are you?"
"Of course I am. Maybe if he knows about the gold, he'll come back."
"Why are you so set on him coming back?"
"I-I am not. Just his land is here and if there's possibly of gold he'll went to know."
"He's not going to come back for something as futile as gold."
"Futile? Marigold, there is gold here, on this land."
"Or so he says, but I don't want to drag Gilbert back when all of this turns to rubbish. Besides, Gilbert's not rapacious boy. He won't give up his desire to travel for a sum of money."
"Why can't I write to him and let him make the decision?"
"Fine! Do what you please!" Marigold snapped as she ran inside the house. She undress from her day attire and crawled into her bed. Well, Anne's bed since they have to share now that the borders have been taken in.
"We're home!" She heard Marilla announced followed by her sister rushing into the room and under the covers, making her clothes are covered. "Glad to see you two are all tucked in safe and sound. Nothing amiss?"
"Amiss?" Anne questioned.
"Didn't get into any trouble while we were out?"
"I've decided to write a letter to Gilbert Blythe. It seems only fair he should know about the gold. What if it runs under his farm?"
"You're a kind and thoughtful girl, Anne. Do you know where he is?"
"Marigold told me he was planning to get work on a steamer outside of Charlottetown. I thought maybe Aunt Josephine might be able to help me figure out which one. You know, from the list... thingy, the-the ship..."
"Ship's manifest?"
"Yes! Oh! Doesn't that sound romantical? The-the manifest, not the letter to Gilbert."
"Good night. Did you say your prayers?"
"I will," Anne confirmed as the older woman left the room. Anne got up and kneeled beside the bed, "Are you going to join be, Marigold?"
"Pray for me. Mostly for my sanity," The blonde mumbled into her pillow.
"Gracious Heavenly Father, I hardly know where to start regarding everything I'm grateful for. As for the things I want, I guess I'll just name the two most important. Please let there be gold in Avonlea so that there's no more hardship for anyone. And please, please help me get my letter to Gilbert. And please be sure I don't misspell any words. Amen. Oh, and I'll replace Nate's paper."
