Marilla Cuthbert grapples with an unforeseen dilemma when she discovers that a mix-up has left her with Anne Shirley, a bright but unexpected orphan girl, instead of the boy she intended to adopt.

The chapter explores themes of responsibility, unintended consequences, and the fluidity of human connections. As Marilla and Anne visit Mrs. Spencer to untangle the error, they face a potentially grim solution in Mrs. Peter Blewett, a woman known for her harshness, offering an easy but unsettling resolution to their predicament.

Marilla’s internal conflict and growing sense of duty highlight her fundamental decency and capacity for change. They consider returning Anne to the orphanage, yet the conversation with Mrs. Blewett unveils Marilla's burgeoning protective feelings towards Anne. The chapter closes with a poignant shift towards acceptance as Marilla, influenced by her brother Matthew's quiet enthusiasm for Anne, begins to entertain the idea of keeping her.