6 Marilla Makes Up Her Mind

CHAPTER 6 Marilla Makes Up Her Mind Mrs. Spencer was very surprised to see Marilla and Anne when she opened the door. "Dear, dear," she said with a smile. "I didn't expect to see you today! How are you, Anne?" "I'm as well as can be expected," said Anne. She walked into Mrs. Spencer's living room with a very sad face.

"I've come to see you," said Marilla, "about a strange mistake. We sent word that we wanted an eleven-year-old boy but you brought us a girl." Mrs. Spencer was shocked. "Marilla Cuthbert, you did no such thing! My brother Robert's girl, Nancy, brought us the message that you wanted a girl." "We should have gone ourselves," said Marilla. "Anyhow, the mistake has been made so the only thing to do is set it right. Can we send the child back?" "I guess so," said Mrs. Spencer. "Although Mrs. Black was just saying she wished I'd brought her a girl to help out. Perhaps she could take her? Oh, that would perfect, wouldn't it?" When she heard this, Marilla wasn't as relieved as she thought she'd be. Did she really want to send Anne away?

Marilla thought about Mrs. Black, her bad temper, and her many children, always in trouble. "Well, look, isn't that funny?" said Mrs. Spencer. She pointed at Mrs. Black, walking by that very moment. Mrs. Spencer called to her. When they were all in her living room, Mrs. Spencer told the story of the mix-up. She explained that the Cuthberts had really wanted a boy. Therefore, this little girl was in need of a home. Mrs. Black regarded Anne from head to toe. "Hmmm. Doesn't look like there's much to you. Are you a hard worker?" Anne nodded. "Well, Miss Cuthbert, I guess I can take her. If you like I can take her home right now."

Marilla looked at Anne. The sight of the little girl and her very sad face softened her heart. "Well, I don't know," Marilla said slowly. "Matthew and I haven't decided that we wouldn't keep her. In fact, Matthew is set on letting her stay. I just wanted to find out what happened. I should talk it over with Matthew. Will that suit you, Mrs. Black?" "I guess it will have to," she sniffed. Anne's face started to light up. There was a flush of hope. When they were back in the buggy she said, "Oh, Miss Cuthbert, did you really say that perhaps I could stay at Green Gables?" "Nothing is decided. I said we would think on it," said Marilla crossly. "Mrs. Black certainly needs you more than I do." "I'd rather go back to the orphanage," said Anne.

Marilla tried not to smile. When they arrived back at Green Gables, Matthew met them in the lane. He was very happy to see Anne still with Marilla. He helped them out of the buggy. When Anne was upstairs, Marilla told him about their adventure and Anne's life with other families. "I've never brought up a child and I daresay I'll make a mess of it. But I'll do my best. So far as I'm concerned, Matthew, she may stay." Matthew's shy face lit up. "But don't you go interfering," she said to her brother. "Perhaps an old maid doesn't know much about bringing up a child but she knows more than an old man." "There, there, Marilla, you can have your own way," said Matthew. "I'm just glad that she'll be staying. She's an interesting little thing."

"I won't tell her tonight, though," Marilla added. "She wouldn't sleep a wink. My goodness, did you ever think the day would come when Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert would adopt an orphan girl? My word!" Marilla waited until the next afternoon to tell Anne she could stay. She watched as Anne worked very hard all morning. Marilla noticed that Anne worked quickly when she wasn't daydreaming. "All this dreaming will be a problem," Marilla thought. When Anne finished her chores, she stood before Marilla, determined to learn her fate. "Oh please, Miss Cuthbert," she said. "Don't make me wait any longer. Will you be sending me away from Green Gables?" "Matthew and I have decided to keep you— that is, if you will try to be a good little girl," Marilla responded. "Why, child,