“Marilla Cuthbert, you don’t say so!” said Mrs. Spencer in distress. “Why, Robert sent the word down by his daughter Nancy and she said you wanted a girl⁠—didn’t she, Flora Jane?” appealing to her daughter who had come out to the steps.

“She certainly did, Miss Cuthbert,” corroborated Flora Jane earnestly.

“I’m dreadful sorry,” said Mrs. Spencer. “It is too bad; but it certainly wasn’t my fault, you see, Miss Cuthbert. I did the best I could and I thought I was following your instructions. Nancy is a terrible flighty thing. I’ve often had to scold her well for her heedlessness.”