A boy! Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert of all people adopting a boy! From an orphan asylum! Well, the world was certainly turning upside down! She would be surprised at nothing after this! Nothing! "What on earth put such a notion into your head ?" she demanded disapprovingly.
This had been done without her advice being asked, and must perforce be disapproved.
"Well, we've been thinking about it for some time--all winter in fact," returned Marilla.

"Mrs.Alexander Spencer was up here one day before Christmas and she said she was going to get a little girl from the asylum over in Hopeton in the spring.

Her cousin lives there and Mrs.
Spencer has visited here and knows all about it.

So Matthew and I have talked it over off and on ever since.

We thought we'd get a boy.