`` Then I shall take the boys , '' I said decidedly . I am noted for my decision . `` Since they have to grow up to be men it 's well to train them properly betimes . Nuisances they are bound to become under any circumstances ; but if they are taken in hand young enough they may not grow up to be such nuisances as they otherwise would and that will be some unfortunate woman 's gain . '' Mrs. Allan looked dubious . I knew she had expected me to choose the girls . `` They are a very wild set of boys , '' she said . `` I never knew boys who were n't , '' I retorted . `` I -- I -- think perhaps you would like the girls best , '' said Mrs. Allan hesitatingly . If it had not been for one thing -- which I would never in this world have admitted to Mrs. Allan -- I might have liked the girls ' class best myself . But the truth was , Anne Shirley was in that class ; and Anne Shirley was the one living human being that I was afraid of . Not that I disliked her . But she had such a habit of asking weird , unexpected questions , which a Philadelphia lawyer could n't answer . Miss Rogerson had that class once and Anne routed her , horse , foot and artillery . I was n't going to undertake a class with a walking interrogation point in it like that . Besides , I thought Mrs. Allan required a slight snub . Ministers ' wives are rather apt to think they can run everything and everybody , if they are not wholesomely corrected now and again . `` It is not what I like best that must be considered , Mrs. Allan , '' I said rebukingly . `` It is what is best for those boys . I feel that I shall be best for THEM . ''
`` Oh , I 've no doubt XXXXX that , Miss MacPherson , '' said Mrs. Allan amiably .
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