When Marilla and Anne arrive at Mrs. Spencer’s home, the women discuss the error that was made. Mrs. Spencer insists that she was told the Cuthberts wanted a girl. Marilla realizes that for such an important task as choosing an orphan to adopt, she and Matthew should have gone to the orphanage themselves. After talking the situation over, Mrs. Spencer comes up with a solution. Mrs. Peter Blewett recently stated that she needed a young girl and was considering adopting an orphan. Mrs. Blewett has several children and needs a girl to help take care of them, Mrs. Spencer tells Marilla. If Mrs. Blewett agrees to take Anne, then the Cuthberts would be free to adopt the boy they need.

Marilla is not very pleased on hearing the name of Mrs. Blewett. The woman has a reputation for being mean and selfish. The reason Mrs. Blewett needs a girl probably has something to do with how difficult it is for anyone to work for her. In addition, after hearing Anne’s history, Marilla cannot bear the thought of turning Anne over to Mrs. Blewett’s care. The child has already suffered enough.

As they are talking, Mrs. Blewett comes to visit Mrs. Spencer. At the sight of the woman, Anne feels very uncomfortable. Marilla notes this and cannot allow Mrs. Blewett to take Anne away. She sees the misery in Anne’s face; she feels afraid that if she were to let Anne go, she would never be able to forgive herself for not helping the child. Still not willing to completely admit that she has conceded, Marilla tells Mrs. Spencer and Mrs. Blewett that she needs more time to think over the situation. She will take Anne home for the time being. She and Matthew have not fully decided whether to keep Anne or give her away. If the women do not hear from her by the next day, they should consider Marilla and Matthew’s decision is in favor of keeping Anne.

As soon as Anne hears this, she begins to hope again. As soon as she is alone with Marilla, Anne wants to know if Marilla really had said she might keep her. Anne worries that maybe she only imagined hearing Marilla say this because she wants so much to hear it. Marilla tells Anne that she needs to control her imagination if she cannot tell the difference between what is real and what is not. However, Marilla says, she did say that she wanted more time to consider the possibility—though no decision has yet been completely set.

Upon arriving back at Green Gables, Marilla finds Matthew waiting for them at the gate. It is obvious that Matthew is pleased to see that Anne is still with Marilla. Later, away from Anne, Marilla and Matthew discuss the day’s events. Both agree that sending Anne to Mrs. Blewett would be cruel. They also agree to keep Anne and raise her themselves. However, Marilla makes her brother promise to allow her the final say in how she disciplines Anne. Matthew happily agrees to this arrangement.