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 to be that.
And mind, Matthew, you're not to go interfering with my methods.
Perhaps an old maid doesn't know much about bringing up a child, but I guess she knows more than an old bachelor.
So you just leave me to manage her.