Question

Why is it ironic in "The Petrified Man" when Mrs. Fletcher declares "Well! I don't like children that much"?

Answer 1

The reason why it's  ironic in "The Petrified Man" when Mrs. Fletcher declares "Well! I don't like children that much" would be:  
A) She is about to have her own child.

When Mrs. Fletcher said this statement, she's months pregnant with her own child. She even goes a length further by saying that she even almost considering abortion.