The Abos are Home, Boys!

Early in AoGG, Marilla specifies that they do not want to adopt 'a Home boy... a london street arab... ' instead she specifies 'a native born at least... a born Canadian'. Nowadays 'Home boy' would suggest something that is not quite intended here. Lucy would be unaware of the 'Homies' association. Nevertheless I think the term 'Home boy' (houseboy?) is a reference to race. Another possibility, is that she doesn't want a (Native) American! (possibly, unless they are Canadian) Finally a Home boy could come from old Europe... which was still 'home' to some Canadians. OK time to try to hammer this back to 5HoC. Anne (before we met her), was responsible for the care of many children we never meet. 'She had twins three times. I like babies in moderation, but twins three times in succession is too much. I told Mrs. Hammond so firmly, when the last pair came. I used to get so dreadfully tired carrying them about.' Anne explains in Chapter V (where else?). Phaedria and Anne are almost opposites. Whereas Phaedria immediately responds to Number 5's attentions, and accepts his tasty gift, Anne studiously avoids the boy (Gilbert Blythe) she is attracted to and when he offers her a candied love heart with the message 'You are sweet' she crushes it beneath her feet. Phaedria ensures David and Number V become accomplices in her criminal ventures. Gilbert, excluded from Anne's company, rescues her when her ambitious theatrical venture leads her very close to deep water.