The novel opens in a small, quaint town called Avonlea on Canada’s Prince Edward Island. Mrs. Lynde, the town community leader who prides herself on “keeping a sharp eye on everything that passe[s]” (1), is shocked one crisp June afternoon to see her neighbor, old Matthew Cuthbert, driving his horse and buggy in his best suit. Mrs. Rachel cannot understand why Matthew, “the shyest man alive” (3), would be out and about instead of tending to his farm, and she promptly heads down the road to Green Gables, his family home, to ask his sister, Marilla Cuthbert, where on earth he could be going.

Upon arriving at Green Gables, Mrs. Rachel takes note of anything out of place that would justify Matthew’s departure but finds “not a stray stick nor stone” (4) in the perfect, meticulously-kept yard. She hurries inside to find Marilla, knitting calmly, with a dinner table set for three. Ever the watchful eye, Mrs. Rachel notices the third placement and is more confused than before.

Marilla, an angular and rigid woman in her mid-50s, is slightly amused at Mrs. Rachel’s consternation, knowing how curious her neighbor and friend always is about strange matters.