I'm sure the child must feel the difference between her clothes and the other girls'.

But to think of Matthew taking notice of it! That man is waking up after being asleep for over sixty years." Marilla knew all the following fortnight that Matthew had something on his mind, but what it was she could not guess, until Christmas Eve, when Mrs.Lynde brought up the new dress.

Marilla behaved pretty well on the whole, although it is very likely she distrusted Mrs.Lynde's diplomatic explanation that she had made the dress because Matthew was afraid Anne would find out about it too soon if Marilla made it.
"So this is what Matthew has been looking so mysterious over and grinning about to himself for two weeks, is it ?" she said a little stiffly but tolerantly.

"I knew he was up to some foolishness.

Well, I must say I don't think Anne needed any more dresses.