Warning: If you have a visual impairment, use the manuscript transcript version including the Lucy Maud Montgomery’s foot notes and contextual annotation references.

Chapter 3

61

she said wrathfully. “This is what comes of sending word instead of going ourselves. Robert Spencer’s folks have twisted that message somewhat somehow. One of us will have to drive over and see Mrs Spencer (begin subscript)^(end subscript)(begin superscript)tomorrow,(end superscript) that’s certain. This girl will have to be sent back to the asylum.”

“Yes, I suppose so,” said Matthew reluctantly.

“You suppose so! Don’t you know it?”

“Well, now, she’s a real nice little thing, Marilla. It’s kind of a pity to send her back when she’s so set on staying here.”

“Matthew Cuthbert, you don’t mean to say you think we ought to keep her”!

Marilla’s astonishment could not have been greater if Matthew had expressed a predilection


PHOTO ANNOTATION

cover of an ornately decorated album with a red background and white and black lettering and a central oval image of two little girls

"sending the word": Anne’s time in rural Avonlea could not have involved the telephone but instead a personal message relayed from person to person since it was not sent by way of the post office. This cover of Montgomery's "Red Scrapbook," shows two little girls talking on a telephone (Imagining Anne p. 91).
Confederation Centre of the Arts