Chapter VI. Marilla Makes Up Her Mind

           Gettheretheydid,however,indueseason.Mrs.SpencerlivedinabigyellowhouseatWhiteSandsCove,andshecametothedoorwithsurpriseandwelcomemingledonherbenevolentface.

           “Dear,dear,”sheexclaimed,“you’rethelastfolksIwaslookingfortoday,butI’mrealgladtoseeyou.You’llputyourhorsein?Andhowareyou,Anne?”

           “I’maswellascanbeexpected,thankyou,”saidAnnesmilelessly.Ablightseemedtohavedescendedonher.

           “Isupposewe’llstayalittlewhiletorestthemare,”saidMarilla,“butIpromisedMatthewI’dbehomeearly.Thefactis,Mrs.Spencer,there’sbeenaqueermistakesomewhere,andI’vecomeovertoseewhereitis.Wesendword,MatthewandI,foryoutobringusaboyfromtheasylum.WetoldyourbrotherRoberttotellyouwewantedaboytenorelevenyearsold.”

           “MarillaCuthbert,youdon’tsayso!”saidMrs.Spencerindistress.“Why,RobertsentworddownbyhisdaughterNancyandshesaidyouwantedagirl—didn’tsheFloraJane?”appealingtoherdaughterwhohadcomeouttothesteps.

           “Shecertainlydid,MissCuthbert,”corroboratedFloraJaneearnestly.

           “I’mdreadfulsorry,”saidMrs.Spencer.“It’stoobad;butitcertainlywasn’tmyfault,yousee,MissCuthbert.IdidthebestIcouldandIthoughtIwasfollowingyourinstructions.Nancyisaterribleflightything.I’veoftenhadtoscoldherwellforherheedlessness.”

           “Itwasourownfault,”saidMarillaresignedly.