Marilla knew best and Marilla was bringing her up.

Probably some wise, inscrutable motive was to be served thereby.

But surely it would do no harm to let the child have one pretty dress--something like Diana Barry always wore.

Matthew decided that he would give her one; that surely could not be objected to as an unwarranted putting in of his oar.

Christmas was only a fortnight off.
A nice new dress would be the very thing for a present.