Marilla smothered a smile under the conviction that Anne must be reproved for such a speech . `` A little girl like you should be ashamed of talking so about a lady and a stranger , '' she said severely . `` Go back and sit down quietly and hold your tongue and behave as a good girl should . '' `` I 'll try to do and be anything you want me , if you 'll only keep me , '' said Anne , returning meekly to her ottoman . When they arrived back at Green Gables that evening Matthew met them in the lane . Marilla from afar had noted him prowling along it and guessed his motive . She was prepared for the relief she read in his face when he saw that she had at least brought back Anne back with her . But she said nothing , to him , relative to the affair , until they were both out in the yard behind the barn milking the cows . Then she briefly told him Anne 's history and the result of the interview with Mrs. Spencer . `` I would n't give a dog I liked to that Blewett woman , '' said Matthew with unusual vim . `` I do n't fancy her style myself , '' admitted Marilla , `` but it 's that or keeping her ourselves , Matthew . And since you seem to want her , I suppose I 'm willing -- or have to be . I 've been thinking over the idea until I 've got kind of used to it . It seems a sort of duty . I 've never brought up a child , especially a girl , and I dare say I 'll make a terrible mess of it . But I 'll do my best . So far as I 'm concerned , Matthew , she may stay . '' Matthew 's shy face was a glow of delight . `` Well now , I reckoned you 'd come to see it in that light , Marilla , '' he said . `` She 's such an interesting little thing . ''
`` It 'd be more to the point if you could say she was a useful little thing , '' retorted Marilla , `` but I 'll make it my business to see she 's trained XXXXX be that .
along at for if of since that to under until