Perhaps an old maid doesn't know much about bringing up a child, but I guess she knows more than an old bachelor.

So you just leave me to manage her.

When I fail it'll be time enough to put your oar in." "There, there, Marilla, you can have your own way," said Matthew reassuringly.

"Only be as good and kind to her as you can without spoiling her.

I kind of think she's one of the sort you can do anything with if you only get her to love you." Marilla sniffed, to express her contempt for Matthew's opinions concerning anything feminine, and walked off to the dairy with the pails.
"I won't tell her tonight that she can stay," she reflected, as she strained the milk into the creamers.