The long platform was almost deserted ; the only living creature in sight being a girl who was sitting on a pile of shingles at the extreme end . Matthew , barely noting that it WAS a girl , sidled past her as quickly as possible without looking at her . Had he looked he could hardly have failed to notice the tense rigidity and expectation of her attitude and expression . She was sitting there waiting for something or somebody and , since sitting and waiting was the only thing to do just then , she sat and waited with all her might and main . Matthew encountered the stationmaster locking up the ticket office preparatory to going home for supper , and asked him if the five-thirty train would soon be along . `` The five-thirty train has been in and gone half an hour ago , '' answered that brisk official . `` But there was a passenger dropped off for you -- a little girl . She 's sitting out there on the shingles . I asked her to go into the ladies ' waiting room , but she informed me gravely that she preferred to stay outside . ` There was more scope for imagination , ' she said . She 's a case , I should say . '' `` I 'm not expecting a girl , '' said Matthew blankly . `` It 's a boy I 've come for . He should be here . Mrs. Alexander Spencer was to bring him over from Nova Scotia for me . '' The stationmaster whistled . `` Guess there 's some mistake , '' he said . `` Mrs. Spencer came off the train with that girl and gave her into my charge . Said you and your sister were adopting her from an orphan asylum and that you would be along for her presently . That 's all I know about it -- and I have n't got any more orphans concealed hereabouts . ''
`` I do n't understand , '' said Matthew helplessly , wishing XXXXX Marilla was at hand to cope with the situation .
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