The fact is, Mrs.Spencer, there's been a queer mistake somewhere, and I've come over to see where it is.

We send word, Matthew and I, for you to bring us a boy from the asylum.

We told your brother Robert to tell you we wanted a boy ten or eleven years old." "Marilla Cuthbert, you don't say so!" said Mrs.Spencer in distress.
"Why, Robert sent 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's 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.