Final answer:
The specific decision made by Alfred that surprised Aunt Pearl cannot be identified from the given excerpts, as there is no direct mention of Alfred's decision in the texts provided.
Step-by-step explanation:
Considering the provided excerpts, it appears that Alfred's decision that surprised Aunt Pearl is not explicitly detailed in the texts given. However, the passages seem to indicate a collection of surprising decisions and actions by characters in various narratives, ranging from Bernice's decision to cut her hair, which shocked her Aunt Josephine, to Sarah Penn's rebellious act of moving cows into her house, as well as Aylmer's contemplation of his wife's beauty in the context of their marriage. Without a specific reference to a character named Alfred and his decision within the excerpts, it is impossible to determine the exact nature of his decision.