VIII. Marilla Adopts Twins

           Mrs.RachelLyndewassittingatherkitchenwindow,knittingaquilt,justasshehadbeensittingoneeveningseveralyearspreviouslywhenMatthewCuthberthaddrivendownoverthehillwithwhatMrs.Rachelcalled“hisimportedorphan.”Butthathadbeeninspringtime;andthiswaslateautumn,andallthewoodswereleaflessandthefieldssereandbrown.ThesunwasjustsettingwithagreatdealofpurpleandgoldenpompbehindthedarkwoodswestofAvonleawhenabuggydrawnbyacomfortablebrownnagcamedownthehill.Mrs.Rachelpeeredatiteagerly.

           “There’sMarillagettinghomefromthefuneral,”shesaidtoherhusband,whowaslyingonthekitchenlounge.ThomasLyndelaymoreontheloungenowadaysthanhehadbeenusedtodo,butMrs.Rachel,whowassosharpatnoticinganythingbeyondherownhousehold,hadnotasyetnoticedthis.“Andshe’sgotthetwinswithher,...yes,there’sDavyleaningoverthedashboardgrabbingatthepony’stailandMarillajerkinghimback.Dora’ssittingupontheseatasprimasyouplease.Shealwayslooksasifshe’djustbeenstarchedandironed.Well,poorMarillaisgoingtohaveherhandsfullthiswinterandnomistake.Still,Idon’tseethatshecoulddoanythinglessthantakethem,underthecircumstances,andshe’llhaveAnnetohelpher.Anne’stickledtodeathoverthewholebusiness,andshehasarealknackywaywithchildren,Imustsay.Dearme,itdoesn’tseemadaysincepoorMatthewbroughtAnneherselfhomeandeverybodylaughedattheideaofMarillabringingupachild.Andnowshehasadoptedtwins.