Rilla had n't exactly expected this kind of question . `` We -- we can keep it here for awhile -- ca n't we -- until something can be arranged ? '' she stammered confusedly . Dr. Blythe walked up and down the kitchen for a moment or two while the baby stared at the white walls of the soup tureen and Susan showed signs of returning animation . Presently the doctor confronted Rilla . `` A young baby means a great deal of additional work and trouble in a household , Rilla . Nan and Di are leaving for Redmond next week and neither your mother nor Susan is able to assume so much extra care under present conditions . If you want to keep that baby here you must attend to it yourself . '' `` Me ! '' Rilla was dismayed into being ungrammatical . `` Why -- father -- I -- I could n't ! '' `` Younger girls than you have had to look after babies . My advice and Susan 's is at your disposal . If you can not , then the baby must go back to Meg Conover . Its lease of life will be short if it does for it is evident that it is a delicate child and requires particular care . I doubt if it would survive even if sent to an orphans ' home . But I can not have your mother and Susan over-taxed . '' The doctor walked out of the kitchen , looking very stern and immovable . In his heart he knew quite well that the small inhabitant of the big soup tureen would remain at Ingleside , but he meant to see if Rilla could not be induced to rise to the occasion . Rilla sat looking blankly at the baby .
It was absurd to think she could take care XXXXX it .
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