Rilla of Ingleside

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Rilla of Ingleside

by Lucy Maud Montgomery

CHAPTER I

GLEN "NTE!" AN THER MATTER!

It #as a #arm$ golden%cloudy$ lo&able afternoon' In t(e big li&ing%room

at Ingleside !usan )a*er sat do#n #it( a certain grim satisfaction

(o&ering about (er li*e an aura+ it #as four o,cloc* and !usan$ #(o (ad

been #or*ing incessantly since si- t(at morning$ felt t(at s(e (ad

fairly earned an (our of re.ose and gossi.' !usan /ust t(en #as

.erfectly (a..y+ e&eryt(ing (ad gone almost uncannily #ell in t(e

*itc(en t(at day' r' 0e*yll (ad not been Mr' Hyde and so (ad not grated

on (er ner&es+ from #(ere s(e sat s(e could see t(e .ride of (er (eart%%t(e bed of .eonies of (er o#n .lanting and culture$ blooming as no ot(er

.eony .lot in Glen !t' Mary e&er did or could bloom$ #it( .eonies

crimson$ .eonies sil&ery .in*$ .eonies #(ite as drifts of #inter sno#'

!usan (ad on a ne# blac* sil* blouse$ 1uite as elaborate as anyt(ing

Mrs' Mars(all Elliott e&er #ore$ and a #(ite starc(ed a.ron$ trimmed

#it( com.licated croc(eted lace fully fi&e inc(es #ide$ not to mention

insertion to matc(' T(erefore !usan (ad all t(e comfortable

consciousness of a #ell%dressed #oman as s(e o.ened (er co.y of t(e

aily Enter.rise and .re.ared to read t(e Glen "Notes" #(ic($ as Miss

Cornelia (ad /ust informed (er$ filled (alf a column of it and mentioned

almost e&erybody at Ingleside' T(ere #as a big$ blac* (eadline on t(e

front .age of t(e Enter.rise$ stating t(at some Arc(du*e 2erdinand or

ot(er (ad been assassinated at a .lace bearing t(e #eird name of

!ara/e&o$ but !usan tarried not o&er uninteresting$ immaterial stuff

li*e t(at+ s(e #as in 1uest of somet(ing really &ital' ($ (ere it #as%%

"0ottings from Glen !t' Mary'" !usan settled do#n *eenly$ reading eac(

one o&er aloud to e-tract all .ossible gratification from it'

Mrs' )lyt(e and (er &isitor$ Miss Cornelia%%alias Mrs' Mars(all Elliott

%%#ere c(atting toget(er near t(e o.en door t(at led to t(e &eranda$

t(roug( #(ic( a cool$ delicious bree3e #as blo#ing$ bringing #(iffs of

.(antom .erfume from t(e garden$ and c(arming gay ec(oes from t(e

&ine%(ung corner #(ere Rilla and Miss li&er and 4alter #ere laug(ing

and tal*ing' 4(ere&er Rilla )lyt(e #as$ t(ere #as laug(ter'

T(ere #as anot(er occu.ant of t(e li&ing%room$ curled u. on a couc($ #(omust not be o&erloo*ed$ since (e #as a creature of mar*ed indi&iduality$

and$ moreo&er$ (ad t(e distinction of being t(e only li&ing t(ing #(om

!usan really (ated'

All cats are mysterious but r' 0e*yll%and%Mr' Hyde%%"oc" for s(ort%%

#as trebly so' He #as a cat of double .ersonality%%or else$ as !usan

&o#ed$ (e #as .ossessed by t(e de&il' To begin #it($ t(ere (ad been

somet(ing uncanny about t(e &ery da#n of (is e-istence' 2our years

.re&iously Rilla )lyt(e (ad (ad a treasured darling of a *itten$ #(ite


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as sno#$ #it( a saucy blac* ti. to its tail$ #(ic( s(e called 0ac*

2rost' !usan disli*ed 0ac* 2rost$ t(oug( s(e could not or #ould not gi&e

any &alid reason t(erefor'

"Ta*e my #ord for it$ Mrs' r' dear$" s(e #as #ont to say ominously$

"t(at cat #ill come to no good'"

")ut #(y do you t(in* so5" Mrs' )lyt(e #ould as*'

"I do not t(in*%%I *no#$" #as all t(e ans#er !usan #ould &ouc(safe'

4it( t(e rest of t(e Ingleside fol* 0ac* 2rost #as a fa&ourite+ (e #as

so &ery clean and #ell groomed$ and ne&er allo#ed a s.ot or stain to be

seen on (is beautiful #(ite suit+ (e (ad endearing #ays of .urring and

snuggling+ (e #as scru.ulously (onest'

And t(en a domestic tragedy too* .lace at Ingleside' 0ac* 2rost (ad

*ittens6

It #ould be &ain to try to .icture !usan,s trium.(' Had s(e not al#ays

insisted t(at t(at cat #ould turn out to be a delusion and a snare5 No#t(ey could see for t(emsel&es6

Rilla *e.t one of t(e *ittens$ a &ery .retty one$ #it( .eculiarly slee*

glossy fur of a dar* yello# crossed by orange stri.es$ and large$

satiny$ golden ears' !(e called it Goldie and t(e name seemed

a..ro.riate enoug( to t(e little frolicsome creature #(ic($ during its

*itten(ood$ ga&e no indication of t(e sinister nature it really

.ossessed' !usan$ of course$ #arned t(e family t(at no good could be

e-.ected from any offs.ring of t(at diabolical 0ac* 2rost+ but !usan,s

Cassandra%li*e croa*ings #ere un(eeded'

T(e )lyt(es (ad been so accustomed to regard 0ac* 2rost as a member of

t(e male se- t(at t(ey could not get out of t(e (abit' !o t(ey

continually used t(e masculine .ronoun$ alt(oug( t(e result #as

ludicrous' 7isitors used to be 1uite electrified #(en Rilla referred

casually to "0ac* and (is *itten$" or told Goldie sternly$ "Go to your

mot(er and get (im to #as( your fur'"

"It is not decent$ Mrs' r' dear$" .oor !usan #ould say bitterly' !(e

(erself com.romised by al#ays referring to 0ac* as "it" or "t(e #(ite

beast$" and one (eart at least did not ac(e #(en "it" #as accidentally

.oisoned t(e follo#ing #inter'

In a year,s time "Goldie" became so manifestly an inade1uate name for

t(e orange *itten t(at 4alter$ #(o #as /ust t(en reading !te&enson,s

story$ c(anged it to r' 0e*yll%and%Mr' Hyde' In (is r' 0e*yll mood t(e

cat #as a dro#sy$ affectionate$ domestic$ cus(ion%lo&ing .uss$ #(o li*ed.etting and gloried in being nursed and .atted' Es.ecially did (e lo&e

to lie on (is bac* and (a&e (is slee*$ cream%coloured t(roat stro*ed

gently #(ile (e .urred in somnolent satisfaction' He #as a notable

.urrer+ ne&er (ad t(ere been an Ingleside cat #(o .urred so constantly

and so ecstatically'

"T(e only t(ing I en&y a cat is its .urr$" remar*ed r' )lyt(e once$

listening to oc,s resonant melody' "It is t(e most contented sound in

t(e #orld'"


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oc #as &ery (andsome+ (is e&ery mo&ement #as grace+ (is .oses

magnificent' 4(en (e folded (is long$ dus*y%ringed tail about (is feet

and sat (im do#n on t(e &eranda to ga3e steadily into s.ace for long

inter&als t(e )lyt(es felt t(at an Egy.tian s.(in- could not (a&e made a

more fitting eity of t(e Portal'

4(en t(e Mr' Hyde mood came u.on (im%%#(ic( it in&ariably did before

rain$ or #ind%%(e #as a #ild t(ing #it( c(anged eyes' T(e

transformation al#ays came suddenly' He #ould s.ring fiercely from a

re&erie #it( a sa&age snarl and bite at any restraining or caressing

(and' His fur seemed to gro# dar*er and (is eyes gleamed #it( a

diabolical lig(t' T(ere #as really an uneart(ly beauty about (im' If t(e

c(ange (a..ened in t(e t#ilig(t all t(e Ingleside fol* felt a certain

terror of (im' At suc( times (e #as a fearsome beast and only Rilla

defended (im$ asserting t(at (e #as "suc( a nice .ro#ly cat'" Certainly

(e .ro#led'

r' 0e*yll lo&ed ne# mil*+ Mr' Hyde #ould not touc( mil* and gro#led

o&er (is meat' r' 0e*yll came do#n t(e stairs so silently t(at no one

could (ear (im' Mr' Hyde made (is tread as (ea&y as a man,s' !e&erale&enings$ #(en !usan #as alone in t(e (ouse$ (e "scared (er stiff$" as

s(e declared$ by doing t(is' He #ould sit in t(e middle of t(e *itc(en

floor$ #it( (is terrible eyes fi-ed un#in*ingly u.on (ers for an (our at

a time' T(is .layed (a&oc #it( (er ner&es$ but .oor !usan really (eld

(im in too muc( a#e to try to dri&e (im out' nce s(e (ad dared to t(ro#

a stic* at (im and (e (ad .rom.tly made a sa&age lea. to#ards (er' !usan

rus(ed out of doors and ne&er attem.ted to meddle #it( Mr' Hyde again%%

t(oug( s(e &isited (is misdeeds u.on t(e innocent r' 0e*yll$ c(asing

(im ignominiously out of (er domain #(ene&er (e dared to .o*e (is nose

in and denying (im certain sa&oury tidbits for #(ic( (e yearned'

",T(e many friends of Miss 2ait( Meredit($ Gerald Meredit( and 0ames

)lyt(e$," read !usan$ rolling t(e names li*e s#eet morsels under (er

tongue$ ",#ere &ery muc( .leased to #elcome t(em (ome a fe# #ee*s ago

from Redmond College' 0ames )lyt(e$ #(o #as graduated in Arts in 898:$

(ad /ust com.leted (is first year in medicine',"

"2ait( Meredit( (as really got to be t(e most (andsomest creature I e&er

sa#$" commented Miss Cornelia abo&e (er filet croc(et' "It,s ama3ing (o#

t(ose c(ildren came on after Rosemary 4est #ent to t(e manse' Peo.le

(a&e almost forgotten #(at im.s of misc(ief t(ey #ere once' Anne$

dearie$ #ill you e&er forget t(e #ay t(ey used to carry on5 It,s really

sur.rising (o# #ell Rosemary got on #it( t(em' !(e,s more li*e a c(um

t(an a ste.%mot(er' T(ey all lo&e (er and ;na adores (er' As for t(at

little )ruce$ ;na /ust ma*es a .erfect sla&e of (erself to (im' f

course$ (e is a darling' )ut did you e&er see any c(ild loo* as muc(

li*e an aunt as (e loo*s li*e (is Aunt Ellen5 He,s /ust as dar* and /ustas em.(atic' I can,t see a feature of Rosemary in (im' Norman ouglas

al#ays &o#s at t(e to. of (is &oice t(at t(e stor* meant )ruce for (im

and Ellen and too* (im to t(e manse by mista*e'"

")ruce adores 0em$" said Mrs )lyt(e' "4(en (e comes o&er (ere (e follo#s

0em about silently li*e a fait(ful little dog$ loo*ing u. at (im from

under (is blac* bro#s' He #ould do anyt(ing for 0em$ I &erily belie&e'"

"Are 0em and 2ait( going to ma*e a matc( of it5"


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Mrs' )lyt(e smiled' It #as #ell *no#n t(at Miss Cornelia$ #(o (ad been

suc( a &irulent man%(ater at one time$ (ad actually ta*en to

matc(%ma*ing in (er declining years'

"T(ey are only good friends yet$ Miss Cornelia'"

"7ery good friends$ belie&e me$" said Miss Cornelia em.(atically' "I

(ear all about t(e doings of t(e young fry'"

"I (a&e no doubt t(at Mary 7ance sees t(at you do$ Mrs' Mars(all

Elliott$" said !usan significantly$ "but I t(in* it is a s(ame to tal*

about c(ildren ma*ing matc(es'"

"C(ildren6 0em is t#enty%one and 2ait( is nineteen$" retorted Miss

Cornelia' "


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!usan ignored t(is and Mrs' )lyt(e laug(ed again'

"ear Miss Cornelia$ I (a&e my (ands full$ (a&en,t I5%%#it( all t(ese

boys and girls s#eet(earting around me5 If I too* it seriously it #ould

1uite crus( me' )ut I don,t%%it is too (ard yet to reali3e t(at t(ey,re

gro#n u.' 4(en I loo* at t(ose t#o tall sons of mine I #onder if t(ey

can .ossibly be t(e fat$ s#eet$ dim.led babies I *issed and cuddled and

sang to slumber t(e ot(er day%%only t(e ot(er day$ Miss Cornelia'

4asn,t 0em t(e dearest baby in t(e old House of reams5 and no# (e,s a

)'A' and accused of courting'"

"4e,re all gro#ing older$" sig(ed Miss Cornelia'

"T(e only .art of me t(at feels old$" said Mrs' )lyt(e$ "is t(e an*le I

bro*e #(en 0osie Pye dared me to #al* t(e )arry ridge%.ole in t(e Green

Gables days' I (a&e an ac(e in it #(en t(e #ind is east' I #on,t admit

t(at it is r(eumatism$ but it does ac(e' As for t(e c(ildren$ t(ey and

t(e Meredit(s are .lanning a gay summer before t(ey (a&e to go bac* to

studies in t(e fall' T(ey are suc( a fun%lo&ing little cro#d' T(ey *ee.

t(is (ouse in a .er.etual #(irl of merriment'"

"Is Rilla going to =ueen,s #(en !(irley goes bac*5"

"It isn,t decided yet' I rat(er fancy not' Her fat(er t(in*s s(e is not

1uite strong enoug(%%s(e (as rat(er outgro#n (er strengt(%%s(e,s

really absurdly tall for a girl not yet fifteen' I am not an-ious to

(a&e (er go%%#(y$ it #ould be terrible not to (a&e a single one of my

babies (ome #it( me ne-t #inter' !usan and I #ould fall to fig(ting #it(

eac( ot(er to brea* t(e monotony'"

!usan smiled at t(is .leasantry' T(e idea of (er fig(ting #it( "Mrs' r'

dear6"

"oes Rilla (erself #ant to go5" as*ed Miss Cornelia'

"No' T(e trut( is$ Rilla is t(e only one of my floc* #(o isn,t

ambitious' I really #is( s(e (ad a little more ambition' !(e (as no

serious ideals at all%%(er sole as.iration seems to be to (a&e a good

time'"

"And #(y s(ould s(e not (a&e it$ Mrs' r' dear5" cried !usan$ #(o could

not bear to (ear a single #ord against anyone of t(e Ingleside fol*$

e&en from one of t(emsel&es' "A young girl s(ould (a&e a good time$ and

t(at I #ill maintain' T(ere #ill be time enoug( for (er to t(in* of

Latin and Gree*'"

"I s(ould li*e to see a little sense of res.onsibility in (er$ !usan'

And you *no# yourself t(at s(e is abominably &ain'"

"!(e (as somet(ing to be &ain about$" retorted !usan' "!(e is t(e

.rettiest girl in Glen !t' Mary' o you t(in* t(at all t(ose

o&er%(arbour MacAllisters and Cra#fords and Elliotts could scare u. a

s*in li*e Rilla,s in four generations5 T(ey could not' No$ Mrs' r'

dear$ I *no# my .lace but I cannot allo# you to run do#n Rilla' Listen

to t(is$ Mrs' Mars(all Elliott'"

!usan (ad found a c(ance to get s1uare #it( Miss Cornelia for (er digs


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at t(e c(ildren,s lo&e affairs' !(e read t(e item #it( gusto'

",Miller ouglas (as decided not to go 4est' He says old P'E'I' is good

enoug( for (im and (e #ill continue to farm for (is aunt$ Mrs' Alec

a&is',"

!usan loo*ed *eenly at Miss Cornelia'

"I (a&e (eard$ Mrs' Mars(all Elliott$ t(at Miller is courting Mary

7ance'"

T(is s(ot .ierced Miss Cornelia,s armour' Her sonsy face flus(ed'

"I #on,t (a&e Miller ouglas (anging round Mary$" s(e said cris.ly' "He

comes of a lo# family' His fat(er #as a sort of outcast from t(e

ouglases%%t(ey ne&er really counted (im in%%and (is mot(er #as one of

t(ose terrible illons from t(e Harbour Head'"

"I t(in* I (a&e (eard$ Mrs' Mars(all Elliott$ t(at Mary 7ance,s o#n

.arents #ere not #(at you could call aristocratic'"

"Mary 7ance (as (ad a good bringing u. and s(e is a smart$ cle&er$

ca.able girl$" retorted Miss Cornelia' "!(e is not going to t(ro#

(erself a#ay on Miller ouglas$ belie&e me6 !(e *no#s my o.inion on t(e

matter and Mary (as ne&er disobeyed me yet'"

"4ell$ I do not t(in* you need #orry$ Mrs' Mars(all Elliott$ for Mrs'

Alec a&is is as muc( against it as you could be$ and says no ne.(e# of

(ers is e&er going to marry a nameless nobody li*e Mary 7ance'"

!usan returned to (er mutton$ feeling t(at s(e (ad got t(e best of it in

t(is .assage of arms$ and read anot(er "note'"

",4e are .leased to (ear t(at Miss li&er (as been engaged as teac(er

for anot(er year' Miss li&er #ill s.end (er #ell%earned &acation at (er

(ome in Lo#bridge',"

"I,m so glad Gertrude is going to stay$" said Mrs' )lyt(e' "4e #ould

miss (er (orribly' And s(e (as an e-cellent influence o&er Rilla #(o

#ors(i.s (er' T(ey are c(ums$ in s.ite of t(e difference in t(eir ages'"

"I t(oug(t I (eard s(e #as going to be married5"

"I belie&e it #as tal*ed of but I understand it is .ost.oned for a

year'"

"4(o is t(e young man5"

"Robert Grant' He is a young la#yer in C(arlotteto#n' I (o.e Gertrude

#ill be (a..y' !(e (as (ad a sad life$ #it( muc( bitterness in it$ and

s(e feels t(ings #it( a terrible *eenness' Her first yout( is gone and

s(e is .ractically alone in t(e #orld' T(is ne# lo&e t(at (as come into

(er life seems suc( a #onderful t(ing to (er t(at I t(in* s(e (ardly

dares belie&e in its .ermanence' 4(en (er marriage (ad to be .ut off s(e

#as 1uite in des.air%%t(oug( it certainly #asn,t Mr' Grant,s fault'

T(ere #ere com.lications in t(e settlement of (is fat(er,s estate%%(is

fat(er died last #inter%%and (e could not marry till t(e tangles #ere


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unra&elled' )ut I t(in* Gertrude felt it #as a bad omen and t(at (er

(a..iness #ould some(o# elude (er yet'"

"It does not do$ Mrs' r' dear$ to set your affections too muc( on a

man$" remar*ed !usan solemnly'

"Mr' Grant is 1uite as muc( in lo&e #it( Gertrude as s(e is #it( (im$

!usan' It is not (e #(om s(e distrusts%%it is fate' !(e (as a little

mystic strea* in (er%%I su..ose some .eo.le #ould call (er

su.erstitious' !(e (as an odd belief in dreams and #e (a&e not been able

to laug( it out of (er' I must o#n$ too$ t(at some of (er dreams%%but

t(ere$ it #ould not do to let Gilbert (ear me (inting suc( (eresy' 4(at

(a&e you found of muc( interest$ !usan5"

!usan (ad gi&en an e-clamation'

"Listen to t(is$ Mrs' r' dear' ,Mrs' !o.(ia Cra#ford (as gi&en u. (er

(ouse at Lo#bridge and #ill ma*e (er (ome in future #it( (er niece$ Mrs'

Albert Cra#ford', 4(y t(at is my o#n cousin !o.(ia$ Mrs' r' dear' 4e

1uarrelled #(en #e #ere c(ildren o&er #(o s(ould get a !unday%sc(ool

card #it( t(e #ords ,God is Lo&e$, #reat(ed in rosebuds$ on it$ and (a&ene&er s.o*en to eac( ot(er since' And no# s(e is coming to li&e rig(t

across t(e road from us'"

"


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religious+ but I can #ell remember t(e time$ Mrs' r' dear$ t#enty years

ago$ #(en (e #as caug(t .asturing (is co# in t(e Lo#bridge gra&eyard'


9/189

t(at made you t(in* s(e ne&er #al*ed but al#ays danced' !(e (ad been

muc( .etted and #as a #ee bit s.oiled$ but still t(e general o.inion #as

t(at Rilla )lyt(e #as a &ery s#eet girl$ e&en if s(e #ere not so cle&er

as Nan and i'

Miss li&er$ #(o #as going (ome t(at nig(t for &acation$ (ad boarded for

a year at Ingleside' T(e )lyt(es (ad ta*en (er to .lease Rilla #(o #as

fat(oms dee. in lo&e #it( (er teac(er and #as e&en #illing to s(are (er

room$ since no ot(er #as a&ailable' Gertrude li&er #as t#enty%eig(t and

life (ad been a struggle for (er' !(e #as a stri*ing%loo*ing girl$ #it(

rat(er sad$ almond%s(a.ed bro#n eyes$ a cle&er$ rat(er moc*ing mout($

and enormous masses of blac* (air t#isted about (er (ead' !(e #as not

.retty but t(ere #as a certain c(arm of interest and mystery in (er

face$ and Rilla found (er fascinating' E&en (er occasional moods of

gloom and cynicism (ad allurement for Rilla' T(ese moods came only #(en

Miss li&er #as tired' At all ot(er times s(e #as a stimulating

com.anion$ and t(e gay set at Ingleside ne&er remembered t(at s(e #as so

muc( older t(an t(emsel&es' 4alter and Rilla #ere (er fa&ourites and s(e

#as t(e confidante of t(e secret #is(es and as.irations of bot(' !(e

*ne# t(at Rilla longed to be "out"%%to go to .arties as Nan and i did$

and to (a&e dainty e&ening dresses and%%yes$ t(ere is no mincingmatters%%beau-6 In t(e .lural$ at t(at6 As for 4alter$ Miss li&er *ne#

t(at (e (ad #ritten a se1uence of sonnets "to Rosamond"%%i'e'$ 2ait(

Meredit(%%and t(at (e aimed at a Professors(i. of Englis( literature in

some big college' !(e *ne# (is .assionate lo&e of beauty and (is e1ually

.assionate (atred of ugliness+ s(e *ne# (is strengt( and (is #ea*ness'

4alter #as$ as e&er$ t(e (andsomest of t(e Ingleside boys' Miss li&er

found .leasure in loo*ing at (im for (is good loo*s%%(e #as so e-actly

li*e #(at s(e #ould (a&e li*ed (er o#n son to be' Glossy blac* (air$

brilliant dar* grey eyes$ faultless features' And a .oet to (is

fingerti.s6 T(at sonnet se1uence #as really a remar*able t(ing for a lad

of t#enty to #rite' Miss li&er #as no .artial critic and s(e *ne# t(at

4alter )lyt(e (ad a #onderful gift'

Rilla lo&ed 4alter #it( all (er (eart' He ne&er teased (er as 0em and

!(irley did' He ne&er called (er "!.ider'" His .et name for (er #as

"Rilla%my%Rilla"%%a little .un on (er real name$ Marilla' !(e (ad been

named after Aunt Marilla of Green Gables$ but Aunt Marilla (ad died

before Rilla #as old enoug( to *no# (er &ery #ell$ and Rilla detested

t(e name as being (orribly old%fas(ioned and .rim' 4(y couldn,t t(ey

(a&e called (er by (er first name$ )ert(a$ #(ic( #as beautiful and

dignified$ instead of t(at silly "Rilla"5 !(e did not mind 4alter,s

&ersion$ but nobody else #as allo#ed to call (er t(at$ e-ce.t Miss

li&er no# and t(en' "Rilla%my%Rilla" in 4alter,s musical &oice sounded

&ery beautiful to (er%%li*e t(e lilt and ri..le of some sil&ery broo*'

!(e #ould (a&e died for 4alter if it #ould (a&e done (im any good$ so

s(e told Miss li&er' Rilla #as as fond of italics as most girls offifteen are%%and t(e bitterest dro. in (er cu. #as (er sus.icion t(at

(e told i more of (is secrets t(an (e told (er'

"He t(in*s I,m not gro#n u. enoug( to understand$" s(e (ad once lamented

rebelliously to Miss li&er$ "but I am6 And I #ould ne&er tell t(em to a

single soul%%not e&en to you$ Miss li&er' I tell you all my o#n%%I

/ust couldn,t be (a..y if I (ad any secret from you$ dearest%%but I

#ould ne&er betray (is' I tell (im e&eryt(ing%%I e&en s(o# (im my

diary' And it (urts me dreadfully #(en (e doesn,t tell me t(ings' He


10/189

s(o#s me all (is .oems$ t(oug(%%t(ey are mar&ellous$ Miss li&er' ($ I

/ust li&e in t(e (o.e t(at some day I s(all be to 4alter #(at

4ords#ort(,s sister orot(y #as to (im' 4ords#ort( ne&er #rote anyt(ing

li*e 4alter,s .oems%%nor Tennyson$ eit(er'"

"I #ouldn,t say /ust t(at' )ot( of t(em #rote a great deal of tras($"

said Miss li&er dryly' T(en$ re.enting$ as s(e sa# a (urt loo* in

Rilla,s eye$ s(e added (astily$

")ut I belie&e 4alter #ill be a great .oet$ too%%some day%%and you #ill

(a&e more of (is confidence as you gro# older'"

"4(en 4alter #as in t(e (os.ital #it( ty.(oid last year I #as almost

cra3y$" sig(ed Rilla$ a little im.ortantly' "T(ey ne&er told me (o# ill

(e really #as until it #as all o&er%%fat(er #ouldn,t let t(em' I,m glad

I didn,t *no#%%I couldn,t (a&e borne it' I cried myself to slee. e&ery

nig(t as it #as' )ut sometimes$" concluded Rilla bitterly%%s(e li*ed to

s.ea* bitterly no# and t(en in imitation of Miss li&er%%"sometimes I

t(in* 4alter cares more for og Monday t(an (e does for me'"

og Monday #as t(e Ingleside dog$ so called because (e (ad come into t(efamily on a Monday #(en 4alter (ad been reading Robinson Crusoe' He

really belonged to 0em but #as muc( attac(ed to 4alter also' He #as

lying beside 4alter no# #it( nose snuggled against (is arm$ t(um.ing (is

tail ra.turously #(ene&er 4alter ga&e (im an absent .at' Monday #as not

a collie or a setter or a (ound or a Ne#foundland' He #as /ust$ as 0em

said$ ".lain dog"%%&ery .lain dog$ unc(aritable .eo.le added'

Certainly$ Monday,s loo*s #ere not (is strong .oint' )lac* s.ots #ere

scattered at random o&er (is yello# carcass$ one of t(em$ a..arently$

blotting out an eye' His ears #ere in tatters$ for Monday #as ne&er

successful in affairs of (onour' )ut (e .ossessed one talisman' He *ne#

t(at not all dogs could be (andsome or elo1uent or &ictorious$ but t(at

e&ery dog could lo&e' Inside (is (omely (ide beat t(e most affectionate$

loyal$ fait(ful (eart of any dog since dogs #ere+ and somet(ing loo*ed

out of (is bro#n eyes t(at #as nearer a*in to a soul t(an any t(eologian

#ould allo#' E&erybody at Ingleside #as fond of (im$ e&en !usan$

alt(oug( (is one unfortunate .ro.ensity of snea*ing into t(e s.are room

and going to slee. on t(e bed tried (er affection sorely'

n t(is .articular afternoon Rilla (ad no 1uarrel on (and #it( e-isting

conditions'

"Hasn,t 0une been a delig(tful mont(5" s(e as*ed$ loo*ing dreamily afar

at t(e little 1uiet sil&ery clouds (anging so .eacefully o&er Rainbo#

7alley' "4e,&e (ad suc( lo&ely times%%and suc( lo&ely #eat(er' It (as

/ust been .erfect e&ery #ay'"

"I don,t (alf li*e t(at$" said Miss li&er$ #it( a sig(' "It,s ominous%%some(o#' A .erfect t(ing is a gift of t(e gods%%a sort of com.ensation

for #(at is coming after#ards' I,&e seen t(at so often t(at I don,t care

to (ear .eo.le say t(ey,&e (ad a .erfect time' 0une (as been delig(tful$

t(oug('"

"f course$ it (asn,t been &ery e-citing$" said Rilla' "T(e only

e-citing t(ing t(at (as (a..ened in t(e Glen for a year #as old Miss

Mead fainting in C(urc(' !ometimes I #is( somet(ing dramatic #ould

(a..en once in a #(ile'"


11/189

"on,t #is( it' ramatic t(ings al#ays (a&e a bitterness for some one'

4(at a nice summer all you gay creatures #ill (a&e6 And me mo.ing at

Lo#bridge6"

"


12/189

CHAPTER III

MNLIT MIRTH

Rilla$ #(o still buttoned u. (er eyes #(en s(e #ent to slee. so t(at s(e

al#ays loo*ed as if s(e #ere laug(ing in (er slumber$ ya#ned$ stretc(ed$

and smiled at Gertrude li&er' T(e latter (ad come o&er from Lo#bridge

t(e .re&ious e&ening and (ad been .re&ailed u.on to remain for t(e dance

at t(e 2our 4inds lig(t(ouse t(e ne-t nig(t'

"T(e ne# day is *noc*ing at t(e #indo#' 4(at #ill it bring us$ I

#onder'"

Miss li&er s(i&ered a little' !(e ne&er greeted t(e days #it( Rilla,s

ent(usiasm' !(e (ad li&ed long enoug( to *no# t(at a day may bring a

terrible t(ing'

"I t(in* t(e nicest t(ing about days is t(eir une-.ectedness$" #ent on

Rilla' "It,s /olly to #a*e u. li*e t(is on a golden%fine morning and

#onder #(at sur.rise .ac*et t(e day #ill (and you' I al#ays day%dream

for ten minutes before I get u.$ imagining t(e (ea.s of s.lendid t(ingst(at may (a..en before nig(t'"

"I (o.e somet(ing &ery une-.ected #ill (a..en today$" said Gertrude' "I

(o.e t(e mail #ill bring us ne#s t(at #ar (as been a&erted bet#een

Germany and 2rance'"

"(%%yes$" said Rilla &aguely' "It #ill be dreadful if it isn,t$ I

su..ose' )ut it #on,t really matter muc( to us$ #ill it5 I t(in* a #ar

#ould e so e-citing' T(e )oer #ar #as$ t(ey say$ but I don,t remember

anyt(ing about it$ of course' Miss li&er$ s(all I #ear my #(ite dress

tonig(t or my ne# green one5 T(e green one is by far t(e .rettier$ of

course$ but I,m almost afraid to #ear it to a s(ore dance for fear

somet(ing #ill (a..en to it' And #ill you do my (air t(e ne# #ay5 None

of t(e ot(er girls in t(e Glen #ear it yet and it #ill ma*e suc( a

sensation'"

"Ho# did you induce your mot(er to let you go to t(e dance5"

"($ 4alter coa-ed (er o&er' He *ne# I #ould be (eart%bro*en if I didn,t

go' It,s my first really%truly gro#n%u. .arty$ Miss li&er$ and I,&e

/ust lain a#a*e at nig(ts for a #ee* t(in*ing it o&er' 4(en I sa# t(e

sun s(ining t(is morning I #anted to #(oo. for /oy' It #ould be sim.ly

terrible if it rained tonig(t' I t(in* I,ll #ear t(e green dress and

ris* it' I #ant to loo* my nicest at my first .arty' )esides$ it,s an

inc( longer t(an my #(ite one' And I,ll #ear my sil&er sli..ers too'

Mrs' 2ord sent t(em to me last C(ristmas and I,&e ne&er (ad a c(ance to

#ear t(em yet' T(ey,re t(e dearest t(ings' ($ Miss li&er$ I do (o.esome of t(e boys #ill as* me to dance' I s(all die of mortification%%

truly I #ill$ if nobody does and I (a&e to sit stuc* u. against t(e #all

all t(e e&ening' f course Carl and 0erry can,t dance because t(ey,re

t(e minister,s sons$ or else I could de.end on t(em to sa&e me from

utter disgrace'"

"


13/189

"I,m glad I,m not a minister,s daug(ter$" laug(ed Rilla' "Poor 2ait( is

so furious because s(e #on,t dare to dance tonig(t' ;na doesn,t care$ of

course' !(e (as ne&er (an*ered after dancing' !omebody told 2ait( t(ere

#ould be a taffy%.ull in t(e *itc(en for t(ose #(o didn,t dance and you

s(ould (a&e seen t(e face s(e made' !(e and 0em #ill sit out on t(e

roc*s most of t(e e&ening$ I su..ose' id you *no# t(at #e are all to

#al* do#n as far as t(at little cree* belo# t(e old House of reams and

t(en sail to t(e lig(t(ouse5 4on,t it /ust be absolutely di&ine5"

"4(en I #as fifteen I tal*ed in italics and su.erlati&es too$" said Miss

li&er sarcastically' "I t(in* t(e .arty .romises to be .leasant for

young fry' I e-.ect to be bored' None of t(ose boys #ill bot(er dancing

#it( an old maid li*e me' 0em and 4alter #ill ta*e me out once out of

c(arity' !o you can,t e-.ect me to loo* for#ard to it #it( your touc(ing

young ra.ture'"

"idn,t you (a&e a good time at your first .arty$ t(oug($ Miss li&er5"

"No' I (ad a (ateful time' I #as s(abby and (omely and nobody as*ed me

to dance e-ce.t one boy$ (omelier and s(abbier t(an myself' He #as so

a#*#ard I (ated (im%%and e&en (e didn,t as* me again' I (ad no realgirl(ood$ Rilla' It,s a sad loss' T(at,s #(y I #ant you to (a&e a

s.lendid$ (a..y girl(ood' And I (o.e your first .arty #ill be one you,ll

remember all your life #it( .leasure'"

"I dreamed last nig(t I #as at t(e dance and rig(t in t(e middle of

t(ings I disco&ered I #as dressed in my *imono and bedroom s(oes$"

sig(ed Rilla' "I #o*e u. #it( a gas. of (orror'"

"!.ea*ing of dreams%%I (ad an odd one$" said Miss li&er absently' "It

#as one of t(ose &i&id dreams I sometimes (a&e%%t(ey are not t(e &ague

/umble of ordinary dreams%%t(ey are as clear cut and real as life'"

"4(at #as your dream5"

"I #as standing on t(e &eranda ste.s$ (ere at Ingleside$ loo*ing do#n

o&er t(e fields of t(e Glen' All at once$ far in t(e distance$ I sa# a

long$ sil&ery$ glistening #a&e brea*ing o&er t(em' It came nearer and

nearer%%/ust a succession of little #(ite #a&es li*e t(ose t(at brea*

on t(e sands(ore sometimes' T(e Glen #as being s#allo#ed u.' I t(oug(t$

,!urely t(e #a&es #ill not come near Ingleside,%%but t(ey came nearer

and nearer%%so ra.idly%%before I could mo&e or call t(ey #ere brea*ing

rig(t at my feet%%and e&eryt(ing #as gone%%t(ere #as not(ing but a

#aste of stormy #ater #(ere t(e Glen (ad been' I tried to dra# bac*%%

and I sa# t(at t(e edge of my dress #as #et #it( blood%%and I #o*e%%

s(i&ering' I don,t li*e t(e dream' T(ere #as some sinister significance

in it' T(at *ind of &i&id dream al#ays ,comes true, #it( me'"

"I (o.e it doesn,t mean t(ere,s a storm coming u. from t(e east to s.oil

t(e .arty$" murmured Rilla'

"Incorrigible fifteen6" said Miss li&er dryly' "No$ Rilla%my%Rilla$ I

don,t t(in* t(ere is any danger t(at it foretells anyt(ing so a#ful as

t(at'"

T(ere (ad been an undercurrent of tension in t(e Ingleside e-istence for

se&eral days' nly Rilla$ absorbed in (er o#n budding life$ #as una#are


14/189

of it' r' )lyt(e (ad ta*en to loo*ing gra&e and saying little o&er t(e

daily .a.er' 0em and 4alter #ere *eenly interested in t(e ne#s it

broug(t' 0em soug(t 4alter out in e-citement t(at e&ening'

"($ boy$ Germany (as declared #ar on 2rance' T(is means t(at England

#ill fig(t too$ .robably%%and if s(e does%%#ell$ t(e Pi.er of your old

fancy #ill (a&e come at last'"

"It #asn,t a fancy$" said 4alter slo#ly' "It #as a .resentiment%%a

&ision%%0em$ I really sa# (im for a moment t(at e&ening long ago'

!u..ose England does fig(t5"

"4(y$ #e,ll all (a&e to turn in and (el. (er$" cried 0em gaily' "4e

couldn,t let t(e ,old grey mot(er of t(e nort(ern sea, fig(t it out

alone$ could #e5 )ut you can,t go%%t(e ty.(oid (as done you out of

t(at' !ort of a s(ame$ e(5"

4alter did not say #(et(er it #as a s(ame or not' He loo*ed silently

o&er t(e Glen to t(e dim.ling blue (arbour beyond'

"4e,re t(e cubs%%#e,&e got to .itc( in toot( and cla# if it comes to afamily ro#$" 0em #ent on c(eerfully$ rum.ling u. (is red curls #it( a

strong$ lean$ sensiti&e bro#n (and%%t(e (and of t(e born surgeon$ (is

fat(er often t(oug(t' "4(at an ad&enture it #ould be6 )ut I su..ose Grey

or some of t(ose #ary old c(a.s #ill .atc( matters u. at t(e ele&ent(

(our' It,ll be a rotten s(ame if t(ey lea&e 2rance in t(e lurc($ t(oug('

If t(ey don,t$ #e,ll see some fun' 4ell$ I su..ose it,s time to get

ready for t(e s.ree at t(e lig(t'"

0em de.arted #(istling "4i, a (undred .i.ers and a, and a,$" and 4alter

stood for a long time #(ere (e #as' T(ere #as a little fro#n on (is

fore(ead' T(is (ad all come u. #it( t(e blac*ness and suddenness of a

t(undercloud' A fe# days ago nobody (ad e&en t(oug(t of suc( a t(ing' It

#as absurd to t(in* of it no#' !ome #ay out #ould be found' 4ar #as a

(ellis($ (orrible$ (ideous t(ing%%too (orrible and (ideous to (a..en in

t(e t#entiet( century bet#een ci&ili3ed nations' T(e mere t(oug(t of it

#as (ideous$ and made 4alter un(a..y in its t(reat to t(e beauty of

life' He #ould not t(in* of it%%(e #ould resolutely .ut it out of (is

mind' Ho# beautiful t(e old Glen #as$ in its August ri.eness$ #it( its

c(ain of bo#ery old (omesteads$ tilled meado#s and 1uiet gardens' T(e

#estern s*y #as li*e a great golden .earl' 2ar do#n t(e (arbour #as

frosted #it( a da#ning moonlig(t' T(e air #as full of e-1uisite sounds%%

slee.y robin #(istles$ #onderful$ mournful$ soft murmurs of #ind in t(e

t#ilit trees$ rustle of as.en .o.lars tal*ing in sil&ery #(is.ers and

s(a*ing t(eir dainty$ (eart%s(a.ed lea&es$ lilting young laug(ter from

t(e #indo#s of rooms #(ere t(e girls #ere ma*ing ready for t(e dance'

T(e #orld #as stee.ed in maddening lo&eliness of sound and colour' He

#ould t(in* only of t(ese t(ings and of t(e dee.$ subtle /oy t(ey ga&e(im' "Any(o#$ no one #ill e-.ect me to go$" (e t(oug(t' "As 0em says$

ty.(oid (as seen to t(at'"

Rilla #as leaning out of (er room #indo#$ dressed for t(e dance' A

yello# .ansy sli..ed from (er (air and fell out o&er t(e sill li*e a

falling star of gold' !(e caug(t at it &ainly%%but t(ere #ere enoug(

left' Miss li&er (ad #o&en a little #reat( of t(em for (er .et,s (air'

"It,s so beautifully calm%%isn,t t(at s.lendid5 4e,ll (a&e a .erfect


15/189

nig(t' Listen$ Miss li&er%%I can (ear t(ose old bells in Rainbo#

7alley 1uite clearly' T(ey,&e been (anging t(ere for o&er ten years'"

"T(eir #ind c(ime al#ays ma*es me t(in* of t(e aerial$ celestial music

Adam and E&e (eard in Milton,s Eden$" res.onded Miss li&er'

"4e used to (a&e suc( fun in Rainbo# 7alley #(en #e #ere c(ildren$" said

Rilla dreamily'

Nobody e&er .layed in Rainbo# 7alley no#' It #as &ery silent on summer

e&enings' 4alter li*ed to go t(ere to read' 0em and 2ait( trysted t(ere

considerably+ 0erry and Nan #ent t(ere to .ursue uninterru.tedly t(e

ceaseless #rangles and arguments on .rofound sub/ects t(at seemed to be

t(eir .referred met(od of s#eet(earting' And Rilla (ad a belo&ed little

syl&an dell of (er o#n t(ere #(ere s(e li*ed to sit and dream'

"I must run do#n to t(e *itc(en before I go and s(o# myself off to

!usan' !(e #ould ne&er forgi&e me if I didn,t'"

Rilla #(irled into t(e s(ado#y *itc(en at Ingleside$ #(ere !usan #as

.rosaically darning soc*s$ and lig(ted it u. #it( (er beauty' !(e #ore(er green dress #it( its little .in* daisy garlands$ (er sil* stoc*ings

and sil&er sli..ers' !(e (ad golden .ansies in (er (air and at (er

creamy t(roat' !(e #as so .retty and young and glo#ing t(at e&en Cousin

!o.(ia Cra#ford #as com.elled to admire (er%%and Cousin !o.(ia Cra#ford

admired fe# transient eart(ly t(ings' Cousin !o.(ia and !usan (ad made

u.$ or ignored$ t(eir old feud since t(e former (ad come to li&e in t(e

Glen$ and Cousin !o.(ia often came across in t(e e&enings to ma*e a

neig(bourly call' !usan did not al#ays #elcome (er ra.turously for

Cousin !o.(ia #as not #(at could be called an e-(ilarating com.anion'

"!ome calls are &isits and some are &isitations$ Mrs' r' dear$" !usan

said once$ and left it to be inferred t(at Cousin !o.(ia,s #ere t(e

latter'

Cousin !o.(ia (ad a long$ .ale$ #rin*led face$ a long$ t(in nose$ a

long$ t(in mout($ and &ery long$ t(in$ .ale (ands$ generally folded

resignedly on (er blac* calico la.' E&eryt(ing about (er seemed long and

t(in and .ale' !(e loo*ed mournfully u.on Rilla )lyt(e and said sadly$

"Is your (air all your o#n5"

"f course it is$" cried Rilla indignantly'

"A($ #ell6" Cousin !o.(ia sig(ed' "It mig(t be better for you if it

#asn,t6 !uc( a lot of (air ta*es from a .erson,s strengt(' It,s a sign

of consum.tion$ I,&e (eard$ but I (o.e it #on,t turn out li*e t(at in

your case' I s,.ose you,ll all be dancing tonig(t%%e&en t(e minister,s

boys most li*ely' I s,.ose (is girls #on,t go t(at far' A($ #ell$ Ine&er (eld #it( dancing' I *ne# a girl once #(o dro..ed dead #(ile s(e

#as dancing' Ho# any one could e&er dance aga, after a /udgment li*e

t(at I cannot com.re(end'"

"id s(e e&er dance again5" as*ed Rilla .ertly'

"I told you s(e dro..ed dead' f course s(e ne&er danced again$ .oor

creature' !(e #as a >ir*e from Lo#bridge'


16/189

"It,s a (ot e&ening$" .rotested Rilla' ")ut I,ll .ut on a scarf #(en #e

go on t(e #ater'"

"I *ne# of a boat load of young fol*s #(o #ent sailing on t(at (arbour

forty years ago /ust suc( a nig(t as t(is%%/ust e-actly suc( a nig(t as

t(is$" said Cousin !o.(ia lugubriously$ "and t(ey #ere u.set and dro#ned

%%e&ery last one of t(em' I (o.e not(ing li*e t(at,ll (a..en to you

tonig(t' o you e&er try anyt(ing for t(e frec*les5 I used to find

.lantain /uice real good'"

"


17/189

(er e&en #(en #e are furious #it( (er$" i )lyt(e (ad once said'

Most of t(e little cro#d #ere .aired off after a fas(ion' 0em #al*ed

#it( 2ait( Meredit($ of course$ and 0erry Meredit( #it( Nan )lyt(e' i

and 4alter #ere toget(er$ dee. in confidential con&ersation #(ic( Rilla

en&ied'

Carl Meredit( #as #al*ing #it( Miranda Pryor$ more to torment 0oe

Milgra&e t(an for any ot(er reason' 0oe #as *no#n to (a&e a strong

(an*ering for t(e said Miranda$ #(ic( s(yness .re&ented (im from

indulging on all occasions' 0oe mig(t summon enoug( courage to amble u.

beside Miranda if t(e nig(t #ere dar*$ but (ere$ in t(is moonlit dus*$

(e sim.ly could not do it' !o (e trailed along after t(e .rocession and

t(oug(t t(ings not la#ful to be uttered of Carl Meredit(' Miranda #as

t(e daug(ter of 4(is*ers%on%t(e%moon+ s(e did not s(are (er fat(er,s

un.o.ularity but s(e #as not muc( run after$ being a .ale$ neutral

little creature$ some#(at addicted to ner&ous giggling' !(e (ad sil&ery

blonde (air and (er eyes #ere big c(ina blue orbs t(at loo*ed as if s(e

(ad been badly frig(tened #(en s(e #as little and (ad ne&er got o&er it'

!(e #ould muc( rat(er (a&e #al*ed #it( 0oe t(an #it( Carl$ #it( #(om s(e

did not feel in t(e least at (ome'


18/189

t(e #ounded men round (im$ as long as (e could$ and did e&eryt(ing

.ossible to relie&e t(eir sufferings%%ne&er t(in*ing of (imself%%(e

#as tying a bit of bandage round anot(er man,s leg #(en (e #ent under'

T(ey found t(em t(ere$ t(e doctor,s dead (ands still (eld t(e bandage

tig(t$ t(e bleeding #as sto..ed and t(e ot(er man,s life #as sa&ed' !ome

(ero$ #asn,t (e$ 2ait(5 I tell you #(en I read t(at%%"

0em and 2ait( mo&ed on out of (earing' Gertrude li&er suddenly

s(i&ered' Rilla .ressed (er arm sym.at(etically'

"4asn,t it dreadful$ Miss li&er5 I don,t *no# #(y 0em tells suc(

gruesome t(ings at a time li*e t(is #(en #e,re all out for fun'"

"o you t(in* it dreadful$ Rilla5 I t(oug(t it #onderful%%beautiful'

!uc( a story ma*es one as(amed of e&er doubting (uman nature' T(at man,s

action #as godli*e' And (o# (umanity res.onds to t(e ideal of

self%sacrifice' As for my s(i&er$ I don,t *no# #(at caused it' T(e

e&ening is certainly #arm enoug(' Per(a.s someone is #al*ing o&er t(e

dar*$ stars(iny s.ot t(at is to be my gra&e' T(at is t(e e-.lanation t(e

old su.erstition #ould gi&e' 4ell$ I #on,t t(in* of t(at on t(is lo&ely

nig(t' o you *no#$ Rilla$ t(at #(en nig(t%time comes I,m al#ays glad Ili&e in t(e country' 4e *no# t(e real c(arm of nig(t (ere as to#n

d#ellers ne&er do' E&ery nig(t is beautiful in t(e country%%e&en t(e

stormy ones' I lo&e a #ild nig(t storm on t(is old gulf s(ore' As for a

nig(t li*e t(is$ it is almost too beautiful%%it belongs to yout( and

dreamland and I,m (alf afraid of it'"

"I feel as if I #ere .art of it$" said Rilla'

"A( yes$ you,re young enoug( not to be afraid of .erfect t(ings' 4ell$

(ere #e are at t(e House of reams' It seems lonely t(is summer' T(e

2ords didn,t come5"

"Mr' and Mrs' 2ord and Persis didn,t' >ennet( did%%but (e stayed #it(

(is mot(er,s .eo.le o&er%(arbour' 4e (a&en,t seen a great deal of (im

t(is summer' He,s a little lame$ so didn,t go about &ery muc('"

"Lame5 4(at (a..ened to (im5"

"He bro*e (is an*le in a football game last fall and #as laid u. most of

t(e #inter' He (as lim.ed a little e&er since but it is getting better

all t(e time and (e e-.ects it #ill be all rig(t before long' He (as

been u. to Ingleside only t#ice'"

"Et(el Reese is sim.ly cra3y about (im$" said Mary 7ance' "!(e (asn,t

got t(e sense s(e #as born #it( #(ere (e is concerned' He #al*ed (ome

#it( (er from t(e o&er%(arbour c(urc( last .rayer%meeting nig(t and t(e

airs s(e (as .ut on since #ould really ma*e you #eary of life' As if aToronto boy li*e >en 2ord #ould e&er really t(in* of a country girl li*e

Et(el6"

Rilla flus(ed' It did not matter to (er if >ennet( 2ord #al*ed (ome #it(

Et(el Reese a do3en times%%it did not6 Not(ing t(at (e did mattered to

(er' He #as ages older t(an s(e #as' He c(ummed #it( Nan and i and

2ait($ and loo*ed u.on (er$ Rilla$ as a c(ild #(om (e ne&er noticed

e-ce.t to tease' And s(e detested Et(el Reese and Et(el Reese (ated (er

%%al#ays (ad (ated (er since 4alter (ad .ummelled an so notoriously in


19/189

Rainbo# 7alley days+ but #(y need s(e be t(oug(t beneat( >ennet( 2ord,s

notice because s(e #as a country girl$ .ray5 As for Mary 7ance$ s(e #as

getting to be an out%and%out gossi. and t(oug(t of not(ing but #(o

#al*ed (ome #it( .eo.le6

T(ere #as a little .ier on t(e (arbour s(ore belo# t(e House of reams$

and t#o boats #ere moored t(ere' ne boat #as s*i..ered by 0em )lyt(e$

t(e ot(er by 0oe Milgra&e$ #(o *ne# all about boats and #as not(ing lot(

to let Miranda Pryor see it' T(ey raced do#n t(e (arbour and 0oe,s boat

#on' More boats #ere coming do#n from t(e Harbour Head and across t(e

(arbour from t(e #estern side' E&ery#(ere t(ere #as laug(ter' T(e big

#(ite to#er on 2our 4inds Point #as o&erflo#ing #it( lig(t$ #(ile its

re&ol&ing beacon flas(ed o&er(ead' A family from C(arlotteto#n$

relati&es of t(e lig(t,s *ee.er$ #ere summering at t(e lig(t$ and t(ey

#ere gi&ing t(e .arty to #(ic( all t(e young .eo.le of 2our 4inds and

Glen !t' Mary and o&er%(arbour (ad been in&ited' As 0em,s boat s#ung in

belo# t(e lig(t(ouse Rilla des.erately snatc(ed off (er s(oes and donned

(er sil&er sli..ers be(ind Miss li&er,s screening bac*' A glance (ad

told (er t(at t(e roc*%cut ste.s climbing u. to t(e lig(t #ere lined

#it( boys$ and lig(ted by C(inese lanterns$ and s(e #as determined s(e

#ould not #al* u. t(ose ste.s in t(e (ea&y s(oes (er mot(er (ad insistedon (er #earing for t(e road' T(e sli..ers .inc(ed abominably$ but nobody

#ould (a&e sus.ected it as Rilla tri..ed smilingly u. t(e ste.s$ (er

soft dar* eyes glo#ing and 1uestioning$ (er colour dee.ening ric(ly on

(er round$ creamy c(ee*s' T(e &ery minute s(e reac(ed t(e to. of t(e

ste.s an o&er%(arbour boy as*ed (er to dance and t(e ne-t moment t(ey

#ere in t(e .a&ilion t(at (ad been built sea#ard of t(e lig(t(ouse for

dances' It #as a delig(tful s.ot$ roofed o&er #it( fir%boug(s and (ung

#it( lanterns' )eyond #as t(e sea in a radiance t(at glo#ed and

s(immered$ to t(e left t(e moonlit crests and (ollo#s of t(e sand%dunes$

to t(e rig(t t(e roc*y s(ore #it( its in*y s(ado#s and its crystalline

co&es' Rilla and (er .artner s#ung in among t(e dancers+ s(e dre# a long

breat( of delig(t+ #(at #itc(ing music Ned )urr of t(e ;..er Glen #as

coa-ing from (is fiddle%%it #as really li*e t(e magical .i.es of t(e

old tale #(ic( com.elled all #(o (eard t(em to dance' Ho# cool and fres(

t(e gulf bree3e ble#+ (o# #(ite and #onderful t(e moonlig(t #as o&er

e&eryt(ing6 T(is #as life%%enc(anting life' Rilla felt as if (er feet

and (er soul bot( (ad #ings'

CHAPTER I7

THE PIPER PIPE!

Rilla,s first .arty #as a trium.(%%or so it seemed at first' !(e (ad so

many .artners t(at s(e (ad to s.lit (er dances' Her sil&er sli..ers

seemed &erily to dance of t(emsel&es and t(oug( t(ey continued to .inc((er toes and blister (er (eels t(at did not interfere #it( (er en/oyment

in t(e least' Et(el Reese ga&e (er a bad ten minutes by bec*oning (er

mysteriously out of t(e .a&ilion and #(is.ering$ #it( a Reese%li*e

smir*$ t(at (er dress ga.ed be(ind and t(at t(ere #as a stain on t(e

flounce' Rilla rus(ed miserably to t(e room in t(e lig(t(ouse #(ic( #as

fitted u. for a tem.orary ladies, dressing%room$ and disco&ered t(at t(e

stain #as merely a tiny grass smear and t(at t(e ga. #as e1ually tiny

#(ere a (oo* (ad .ulled loose' Irene Ho#ard fastened it u. for (er and

ga&e (er some o&er%s#eet$ condescending com.liments' Rilla felt


20/189

flattered by Irene,s condescension' !(e #as an ;..er Glen girl of

nineteen #(o seemed to li*e t(e society of t(e younger girls%%s.iteful

friends said because s(e could 1ueen it o&er t(em #it(out ri&alry' )ut

Rilla t(oug(t Irene 1uite #onderful and lo&ed (er for (er .atronage'

Irene #as .retty and stylis(+ s(e sang di&inely and s.ent e&ery #inter

in C(arlotteto#n ta*ing music lessons' !(e (ad an aunt in Montreal #(o

sent (er #onderful t(ings to #ear+ s(e #as re.orted to (a&e (ad a sad

lo&e affair%%nobody *ne# /ust #(at$ but its &ery mystery allured' Rilla

felt t(at Irene,s com.liments cro#ned (er e&ening' !(e ran gaily bac* to

t(e .a&ilion and lingered for a moment in t(e glo# of t(e lanterns at

t(e entrance loo*ing at t(e dancers' A momentary brea* in t(e #(irling

t(rong ga&e (er a glim.se of >ennet( 2ord standing at t(e ot(er side'

Rilla,s (eart s*i..ed a beat%%or$ if t(at be a .(ysiological

im.ossibility$ s(e t(oug(t it did' !o (e #as (ere$ after all' !(e (ad

concluded (e #as not coming%%not t(at it mattered in t(e least' 4ould

(e see (er5 4ould (e ta*e any notice of (er5 f course$ (e #ouldn,t as*

(er to dance%%t(at couldn,t be (o.ed for' He t(oug(t (er /ust a mere

c(ild' He (ad called (er "!.ider" not t(ree #ee*s ago #(en (e (ad been

at Ingleside one e&ening' !(e (ad cried about it u.stairs after#ards and

(ated (im' )ut (er (eart s*i..ed a beat #(en s(e sa# t(at (e #as edging(is #ay round t(e side of t(e .a&ilion to#ards (er' 4as (e coming to (er

%%#as (e5%%#as (e5%%yes$ (e #as6 He #as loo*ing for (er%%(e #as (ere

beside (er%%(e #as ga3ing do#n at (er #it( somet(ing in (is dar* grey

eyes t(at Rilla (ad ne&er seen in t(em' ($ it #as almost too muc( to

bear6 and e&eryt(ing #as going on as before%%t(e dancers #ere s.inning

round$ t(e boys #(o couldn,t get .artners #ere (anging about t(e

.a&ilion$ canoodling cou.les #ere sitting out on t(e roc*s%%nobody

seemed to reali3e #(at a stu.endous t(ing (ad (a..ened'

>ennet( #as a tall lad$ &ery good loo*ing$ #it( a certain careless grace

of bearing t(at some(o# made all t(e ot(er boys seem stiff and a#*#ard

by contrast' He #as re.orted to be a#esomely cle&er$ #it( t(e glamour of

a far%a#ay city and a big uni&ersity (anging around (im' He (ad also t(e

re.utation of being a bit of a lady%*iller' )ut t(at .robably accrued to

(im from (is .ossession of a laug(ing$ &el&ety &oice #(ic( no girl could

(ear #it(out a (eartbeat$ and a dangerous #ay of listening as if s(e

#ere saying somet(ing t(at (e (ad longed all (is life to (ear'

"Is t(is Rilla%my%Rilla5" (e as*ed in a lo# tone'

"id" or

"Puss$" as (e (ad been used to call (er #(en (e too* any notice #(ate&er


21/189

of (er' !(e did not at all resent (is using 4alter,s .et name for (er+

it sounded beautifully in (is lo# caressing tones$ #it( /ust t(e

faintest suggestion of em.(asis on t(e "my'" It #ould (a&e been so nice

if s(e (ad not made a fool of (erself' !(e dared not loo* u. lest s(e

s(ould see laug(ter in (is eyes' !o s(e loo*ed do#n+ and as (er las(es

#ere &ery long and dar* and (er lids &ery t(ic* and creamy$ t(e effect

#as 1uite c(arming and .ro&ocati&e$ and >ennet( reflected t(at Rilla

)lyt(e #as going to be t(e beauty of t(e Ingleside girls after all' He

#anted to ma*e (er loo* u.%%to catc( again t(at little$ demure$

1uestioning glance' !(e #as t(e .rettiest t(ing at t(e .arty$ t(ere #as

no doubt of t(at'

4(at #as (e saying5 Rilla could (ardly belie&e (er ears'

"Can #e (a&e a dance5"

"ennet( found a little

flat and t(ey ro#ed across t(e moonlit c(annel to t(e sand%s(ore+ t(ey

#al*ed on t(e sand till >ennet(,s an*le made .rotest and t(en t(ey sat

do#n among t(e dunes' >ennet( tal*ed to (er as (e (ad tal*ed to Nan and

i' Rilla$ o&ercome #it( a s(yness s(e did not understand$ could nottal* muc($ and t(oug(t (e #ould t(in* (er frig(tfully stu.id+ but in

s.ite of t(is it #as all &ery #onderful%%t(e e-1uisite moonlit nig(t$

t(e s(ining sea$ t(e tiny little #a&elets s#is(ing on t(e sand$ t(e cool

and frea*is( #ind of nig(t crooning in t(e stiff grasses on t(e crest of

t(e dunes$ t(e music sounding faintly and s#eetly o&er t(e c(annel'

",A merry lilt o, moonlig(t for mermaiden re&elry$," 1uoted >ennet(

softly from one of 4alter,s .oems'


22/189

And /ust (e and s(e alone toget(er in t(e glamour of sound and sig(t6 If

only (er sli..ers didn,t bite so6 and if only s(e could tal* cle&erly

li*e Miss li&er%%nay$ if s(e could only tal* as s(e did (erself to

ot(er boys6 )ut #ords #ould not come$ s(e could only listen and murmur

little common.lace sentences no# and again' )ut .er(a.s (er dreamy eyes

and (er dented li. and (er slender t(roat tal*ed elo1uently for (er' At

any rate >ennet( seemed in no (urry to suggest going bac* and #(en t(ey

did go bac* su..er #as in .rogress' He found a seat for (er near t(e

#indo# of t(e lig(t(ouse *itc(en and sat on t(e sill beside (er #(ile

s(e ate (er ices and ca*e' Rilla loo*ed about (er and t(oug(t (o# lo&ely

(er first .arty (ad been' !(e #ould ne&er forget it' T(e room re%ec(oed

to laug(ter and /est' )eautiful young eyes s.ar*led and s(one' 2rom t(e

.a&ilion outside came t(e lilt of t(e fiddle and t(e r(yt(mic ste.s of

t(e dancers'

T(ere #as a little disturbance among a grou. of boys cro#ded about t(e

door+ a young fello# .us(ed t(roug( and (alted on t(e t(res(old$ loo*ing

about (im rat(er sombrely' It #as 0ac* Elliott from o&er%(arbour%%a

McGill medical student$ a 1uiet c(a. not muc( addicted to social doings'

He (ad been in&ited to t(e .arty but (ad not been e-.ected to come since

(e (ad to go to C(arlotteto#n t(at day and could not be bac* until late'


23/189

%%fe#er still reali3ed t(at it meant anyt(ing to t(em' )efore long t(e

dancing #as on again and t(e (um of .leasure #as as loud as e&er'

Gertrude and Allan aly tal*ed t(e ne#s o&er in lo#$ troubled tones'

4alter )lyt(e (ad turned .ale and left t(e room' utside (e met 0em$

(urrying u. t(e roc* ste.s'

"Ha&e you (eard t(e ne#s$ 0em5"

"


24/189

"I declare$ I t(in* all you boys tal* t(e cra3iest stuff$" said Mary

7ance in disgust' !(e got u. and dragged Miller off to t(e roc*%s(ore'

It didn,t (a..en often t(at t(ey (ad a c(ance for a tal* toget(er+ Mary

#as determined t(at t(is one s(ouldn,t be s.oiled by 4alter )lyt(e,s

silly blat(er about Pi.ers and Germans and suc( li*e absurd t(ings' T(ey

left 4alter standing alone on t(e roc* ste.s$ loo*ing out o&er t(e

beauty of 2our 4inds #it( brooding eyes t(at sa# it not'

T(e best of t(e e&ening #as o&er for Rilla$ too' E&er since 0ac*

Elliott,s announcement$ s(e (ad sensed t(at >ennet( #as no longer

t(in*ing about (er' !(e felt suddenly lonely and un(a..y' It #as #orse

t(an if (e (ad ne&er noticed (er at all' 4as life li*e t(is%%somet(ing

delig(tful (a..ening and t(en$ /ust as you #ere re&elling in it$

sli..ing a#ay from you5 Rilla told (erself .at(etically t(at s(e felt

years older t(an #(en s(e (ad left (ome t(at e&ening' Per(a.s s(e did%%

.er(a.s s(e #as' 4(o *no#s5 It does not do to laug( at t(e .angs of

yout(' T(ey are &ery terrible because yout( (as not yet learned t(at

"t(is$ too$ #ill .ass a#ay'" Rilla sig(ed and #is(ed s(e #ere (ome$ in

bed$ crying into (er .illo#'

"Tired5" said >ennet($ gently but absently%%o($ so absently' He reallydidn,t care a bit #(et(er s(e #ere tired or not$ s(e t(oug(t'

">ennet($" s(e &entured timidly$ "you don,t t(in* t(is #ar #ill matter

muc( to us in Canada$ do you5"

"Matter5 f course it #ill matter to t(e luc*y fello#s #(o #ill be able

to ta*e a (and' I #on,t%%t(an*s to t(is confounded an*le' Rotten luc*$

I call it'"

"I don,t see #(y #e s(ould fig(t England,s battles$" cried Rilla' "!(e,s

1uite able to fig(t t(em (erself'"

"T(at isn,t t(e .oint' 4e are .art of t(e )ritis( Em.ire' It,s a family

affair' 4e,&e got to stand by eac( ot(er' T(e #orst of it is$ it #ill be

o&er before I can be of any use'"

"o you mean t(at you #ould really &olunteer to go if it #asn,t for your

an*le5 as*ed Rilla incredulously'

"!ure I #ould'


25/189

and 4alter couldn,t%%t(an* goodness for t(at%%and 0em and 0erry #ould

(a&e more sense' !(e #ouldn,t #orry%%s(e #ould en/oy (erself' )ut (o#

a#*#ard Mar* 4arren #as6 Ho# (e bungled (is ste.s6 4(y$ for mercy,s

sa*e$ did boys try to dance #(o didn,t *no# t(e first t(ing about

dancing+ and #(o (ad feet as big as boats5 T(ere$ (e (ad bum.ed (er into

somebody6 !(e #ould ne&er dance #it( (im again6

!(e danced #it( ot(ers$ t(oug( t(e 3est #as gone out of t(e .erformance

and s(e (ad begun to reali3e t(at (er sli..ers (urt (er badly' >ennet(

seemed to (a&e gone%%at least not(ing #as to be seen of (im' Her first

.arty #as s.oiled$ t(oug( it (ad seemed so beautiful at one time' Her

(ead ac(ed%%(er toes burned' And #orse #as yet to come' !(e (ad gone

do#n #it( some o&er%(arbour friends to t(e roc*%s(ore #(ere t(ey all

lingered as dance after dance #ent on abo&e t(em' It #as cool and

.leasant and t(ey #ere tired' Rilla sat silent$ ta*ing no .art in t(e

gay con&ersation' !(e #as glad #(en someone called do#n t(at t(e

o&er%(arbour boats #ere lea&ing' A laug(ing scramble u. t(e lig(t(ouse

roc* follo#ed' A fe# cou.les still #(irled about in t(e .a&ilion but t(e

cro#d (ad t(inned out' Rilla loo*ed about (er for t(e Glen grou.' !(e

could not see one of t(em' !(e ran into t(e lig(t(ouse' !till$ no sign

of anybody' In dismay s(e ran to t(e roc* ste.s$ do#n #(ic( t(eo&er%(arbour guests #ere (urrying' !(e could see t(e boats belo#%%#(ere

#as 0em,s%%#(ere #as 0oe,s5

"4(y$ Rilla )lyt(e$ I t(oug(t you,d be gone (ome long ago$" said Mary

7ance$ #(o #as #a&ing (er scarf at a boat s*imming u. t(e c(annel$

s*i..ered by Miller ouglas'

"4(ere are t(e rest5" gas.ed Rilla'

"4(y$ t(ey,re gone%%0em #ent an (our ago%%;na (ad a (eadac(e' And t(e

rest #ent #it( 0oe about fifteen minutes ago' !ee%%t(ey,re /ust going

around )irc( Point' I didn,t go because it,s getting roug( and I *ne#

I,d be seasic*' I don,t mind #al*ing (ome from (ere' It,s only a mile

and a (alf' I s,.osed you,d gone' 4(ere #ere you5"

"o#n on t(e roc*s #it( 0em and Mollie Cra#ford' ($ #(y didn,t t(ey

loo* for me5"

"T(ey did%%but you couldn,t be found' T(en t(ey concluded you must (a&e

gone in t(e ot(er boat' on,t #orry'


26/189

Mary s(rugged (er s(oulders'

"0ust as you li*e' Pride must suffer .ain' It,ll teac( you to be more

careful' 4ell$ let,s (i*e'"

Accordingly t(ey (i*ed' )ut to "(i*e" along a dee.%rutted$ .ebbly lane

in frail$ sil&er%(ued sli..ers #it( (ig( 2renc( (eels$ is not an

e-(ilarating .erformance' Rilla managed to lim. and totter along until

t(ey reac(ed t(e (arbour road+ but s(e could go no fart(er in t(ose

detestable sli..ers' !(e too* t(em and (er dear sil* stoc*ings off and

started barefoot' T(at #as not .leasant eit(er+ (er feet #ere &ery

tender and t(e .ebbles and ruts of t(e road (urt t(em' Her blistered

(eels smarted' )ut .(ysical .ain #as almost forgotten in t(e sting of

(umiliation' T(is #as a nice .redicament6 If >ennet( 2ord could see (er

no#$ lim.ing along li*e a little girl #it( a stone bruise6 ($ #(at a

(orrid #ay for (er lo&ely .arty to end6 !(e /ust (ad to cry%%it #as too

terrible' Nobody cared for (er%%nobody bot(ered about (er at all' 4ell$

if s(e caug(t cold from #al*ing (ome barefoot on a de#%#et road and

#ent into a decline .er(a.s t(ey #ould be sorry' !(e furti&ely #i.ed (er

tears a#ay #it( (er scarf%%(and*erc(iefs seemed to (a&e &anis(ed li*e

s(oes6%%but s(e could not (el. sniffling' 4orse and #orse6

"en 2ord' And so did t(at little

(ussy of an Et(el Reese' 4(at a flirt (e is6"

"I don,t t(in* (e,s a flirt$" said Rilla as defiantly as t#o des.erate

sniffs #ould let (er'

"


27/189

to (ig( and lofty ground' "All I say is$ you s(ould #ait until you,re

gro#n%u. before you do t(ings li*e t(at'"

Rilla ga&e u. trying to (ide t(e fact t(at s(e #as crying' E&eryt(ing

#as s.oiled%%e&en t(at beautiful$ dreamy$ romantic$ moonlit (our #it(

>ennet( on t(e sands #as &ulgari3ed and c(ea.ened' !(e loat(ed Mary

7ance'

"4(y$ #(ate&er,s #rong5" cried mystified Mary' "4(at are you crying

for5"

"My feet%%(urt so%%" sobbed Rilla clinging to t(e last s(red of (er

.ride' It #as less (umiliating to admit crying because of your feet t(an

because%%because somebody (ad been amusing (imself #it( you$ and your

friends (ad forgotten you$ and ot(er .eo.le .atroni3ed you'

"I daresay t(ey do$" said Mary$ not un*indly' "Ne&er mind' I *no# #(ere

t(ere,s a .ot of goose%grease in Cornelia,s tidy .antry and it beats all

t(e fancy cold creams in t(e #orld' I,ll .ut some on your (eels before

you go to bed'"

Goose%grease on your (eels6 !o t(is #as #(at your first .arty and your

first beau and your first moonlit romance ended in6

Rilla ga&e o&er crying in s(eer disgust at t(e futility of tears and

#ent to slee. in Mary 7ance,s bed in t(e calm of des.air' utside$ t(e

da#n came greyly in on #ings of storm+ Ca.tain 0osia($ true to (is #ord$

ran u. t(e ;nion 0ac* at t(e 2our 4inds Lig(t and it streamed on t(e

fierce #ind against t(e clouded s*y li*e a gallant un1uenc(able beacon'

CHAPTER 7

"THE !;N 2 A GING"

Rilla ran do#n t(roug( t(e sunlit glory of t(e ma.le gro&e be(ind

Ingleside$ to (er fa&ourite noo* in Rainbo# 7alley' !(e sat do#n on a

green%mossed stone among t(e fern$ .ro..ed (er c(in on (er (ands and

stared unseeingly at t(e da33ling blue s*y of t(e August afternoon%%so

blue$ so .eaceful$ so unc(anged$ /ust as it (ad arc(ed o&er t(e &alley

in t(e mello# days of late summer e&er since s(e could remember'

!(e #anted to be alone%%to t(in* t(ings out%%to ad/ust (erself$ if it

#ere .ossible$ to t(e ne# #orld into #(ic( s(e seemed to (a&e been

trans.lanted #it( a suddenness and com.leteness t(at left (er (alf

be#ildered as to (er o#n identity' 4as s(e%%could s(e be%%t(e same

Rilla )lyt(e #(o (ad danced at 2our 4inds Lig(t si- days ago%%only si-days ago5 It seemed to Rilla t(at s(e (ad li&ed as muc( in t(ose si-

days as in all (er .re&ious life%%and if it be true t(at #e s(ould count

time by (eart%t(robs s(e (ad' T(at e&ening$ #it( its (o.es and fears and

trium.(s and (umiliations$ seemed li*e ancient (istory no#' Could s(e

really e&er (a&e cried /ust because s(e (ad been forgotten and (ad to

#al* (ome #it( Mary 7ance5 A($ t(oug(t Rilla sadly$ (o# tri&ial and

absurd suc( a cause of tears no# a..eared to (er' !(e could cry no# #it(

a rig(t good #ill%%but s(e #ould not%%s(e must not' 4(at #as it mot(er

(ad said$ loo*ing$ #it( (er #(ite li.s and stric*en eyes$ as Rilla (ad


28/189

ne&er seen (er mot(er loo* before$

"4(en our #omen fail in courage$

!(all our men be fearless still5"


29/189

not finis( it' T(at #as #ilful #aste$ (ens to t(e contrary

not#it(standing'

0em turned to t(e .(one again' "I must ring t(e manse' 0erry #ill #ant

to go$ too'"

At t(is Nan (ad cried out "(6" as if a *nife (ad been t(rust into (er$

and rus(ed from t(e room' i follo#ed (er' Rilla turned to 4alter for

comfort but 4alter #as lost to (er in some re&erie s(e could not s(are'

"All rig(t$" 0em #as saying$ as coolly as if (e #ere arranging t(e

details of a .icnic' "I t(oug(t you #ould%%yes$ tonig(t%%t(e se&en

o,cloc*%%meet me at t(e station' !o long'"

"Mrs' r' dear$" said !usan' "I #is( you #ould #a*e me u.' Am I dreaming

%%or am I a#a*e5 oes t(at blessed boy reali3e #(at (e is saying5 oes

(e mean t(at (e is going to enlist as a soldier5 itc(ener says t(e

#ar #ill last t(ree years$" said Rilla dubiously'

"I am not ac1uainted #it( Lord >itc(ener$" said !usan$ com.osedly$ "but

I dare say (e ma*es mista*es as often as ot(er .eo.le'


30/189

as I (a&e in Lord Anybody,s' !o /ust let us be calm and trust in t(e

Almig(ty and get t(is .lace tidied u.' I am done #it( crying #(ic( is a

#aste of time and discourages e&erybody'"

0em and 0erry #ent to C(arlotteto#n t(at nig(t and t#o days later t(ey

came bac* in *(a*i' T(e Glen (ummed #it( e-citement o&er it' Life at

Ingleside (ad suddenly become a tense$ strained$ t(rilling t(ing' Mrs'

)lyt(e and Nan #ere bra&e and smiling and #onderful' Already Mrs' )lyt(e

and Miss Cornelia #ere organi3ing a Red Cross' T(e doctor and Mr'

Meredit( #ere rounding u. t(e men for a Patriotic !ociety' Rilla$ after

t(e first s(oc*$ reacted to t(e romance of it all$ in s.ite of (er

(eartac(e' 0em certainly loo*ed magnificent in (is uniform' It #as

s.lendid to t(in* of t(e lads of Canada ans#ering so s.eedily and

fearlessly and uncalculatingly to t(e call of t(eir country' Rilla

carried (er (ead (ig( among t(e girls #(ose brot(ers (ad not so

res.onded' In (er diary s(e #rote?

"He goes to do #(at I (ad done

Had ouglas,s daug(ter been (is son$"

and #as sure s(e meant it' If s(e #ere a boy of course s(e #ould go$too6 !(e (adn,t t(e least doubt of t(at'

!(e #ondered if it #as &ery dreadful of (er to feel glad t(at 4alter

(adn,t got strong as soon as t(ey (ad #is(ed after t(e fe&er'

"I couldn,t bear to (a&e 4alter go$" s(e #rote' "I lo&e 0em e&er so muc(

but 4alter means more to me t(an anyone in t(e #orld and I #ould die if

(e (ad to go' He seems so c(anged t(ese days' He (ardly e&er tal*s to

me' I su..ose (e #ants to go$ too$ and feels badly because (e can,t' He

doesn,t go about #it( 0em and 0erry at all' I s(all ne&er forget !usan,s

face #(en 0em came (ome in (is *(a*i' It #or*ed and t#isted as if s(e

#ere going to cry$ but all s(e said #as$ ,itc(ener of

>(artoum is rig(t and t(e #ar #ill last for years and 0em may be%%but

no$ I #on,t #rite it' It #ould ma*e me feel as if it #ere really going

to (a..en' T(e ot(er day Nan said$ ,Not(ing can e&er be 1uite t(e same

for any of us again', It made me feel rebellious' 4(y s(ouldn,t t(ingsbe t(e same again%%#(en e&eryt(ing is o&er and 0em and 0erry are bac*5

4e,ll all be (a..y and /olly again and t(ese days #ill seem /ust li*e a

bad dream'

"T(e coming of t(e mail is t(e most e-citing e&ent of e&ery day no#'

2at(er /ust snatc(es t(e .a.er%%I ne&er sa# fat(er snatc( before%%and

t(e rest of us cro#d round and loo* at t(e (eadlines o&er (is s(oulder'

!usan &o#s s(e does not and #ill not belie&e a #ord t(e .a.ers say but

s(e al#ays comes to t(e *itc(en door$ and listens and t(en goes bac*$


31/189

s(a*ing (er (ead' !(e is terribly indignant all t(e time$ but s(e coo*s

u. all t(e t(ings 0em li*es es.ecially$ and s(e did not ma*e a single

bit of fuss #(en s(e found Monday aslee. on t(e s.are%room bed yesterday

rig(t on to. of Mrs' Rac(el Lynde,s a..le%leaf s.read' ,T(e Almig(ty

only *no#s #(ere your master #ill be (a&ing to slee. before long$ you

.oor dumb beast$, s(e said as s(e .ut (im 1uite gently out' )ut s(e

ne&er relents to#ards oc' !(e says t(e minute (e sa# 0em in *(a*i (e

turned into Mr' Hyde t(en and t(ere and s(e t(in*s t(at oug(t to be

.roof enoug( of #(at (e really is' !usan is funny$ but s(e is an old

dear' !(irley says s(e is one (alf angel and t(e ot(er (alf good coo*'

)ut t(en !(irley is t(e only one of us s(e ne&er scolds'

"2ait( Meredit( is #onderful' I t(in* s(e and 0em are really engaged

no#' !(e goes about #it( a s(ining lig(t in (er eyes$ but (er smiles are

a little stiff and starc(ed$ /ust li*e mot(er,s' I #onder if I could be

as bra&e as s(e is if I (ad a lo&er and (e #as going to t(e #ar' It is

bad enoug( #(en it is your brot(er' )ruce Meredit( cried all nig(t$ Mrs'

Meredit( says$ #(en (e (eard 0em and 0erry #ere going' And (e #anted to

*no# if t(e ,> of >', (is fat(er tal*ed about #as t(e >ing of >ings' He

is t(e dearest *iddy' I /ust lo&e (im%%t(oug( I don,t really care muc(

for c(ildren' I don,t li*e babies one bit%%t(oug( #(en I say so .eo.leloo* at me as if I (ad said somet(ing .erfectly s(oc*ing' 4ell$ I don,t$

and I,&e got to be (onest about it' I don,t mind loo*ing at a nice clean

baby if somebody else (olds it%%but I #ouldn,t touc( it for anyt(ing

and I don,t feel a single real s.ar* of interest in it' Gertrude li&er

says s(e /ust feels t(e same' @!(e is t(e most (onest .erson I *no#' !(e

ne&er .retends anyt(ing' !(e says babies bore (er until t(ey are old

enoug( to tal* and t(en s(e li*es t(em%%but still a good #ays off'

Mot(er and Nan and i all adore babies and seem to t(in* I,m unnatural

because I don,t'

"I (a&en,t seen >ennet( since t(e nig(t of t(e .arty' He #as (ere one

e&ening after 0em came bac* but I (a..ened to be a#ay' I don,t t(in* (e

mentioned me at all%%at least nobody told me (e did and I #as

determined I #ouldn,t as*%%but I don,t care in t(e least' All t(at

matters absolutely not(ing to me no#' T(e only t(ing t(at does matter is

t(at 0em (as &olunteered for acti&e ser&ice and #ill be going to

7alcartier in a fe# more days%%my big$ s.lendid brot(er 0em' ($ I,m so

.roud of (im6

"I su..ose >ennet( #ould enlist too if it #eren,t for (is an*le' I t(in*

t(at is 1uite .ro&idential' He is (is mot(er,s only son and (o# dreadful

s(e #ould feel if (e #ent' nly sons s(ould ne&er t(in* of going6"

4alter came #andering t(roug( t(e &alley as Rilla sat t(ere$ #it( (is

(ead bent and (is (ands clas.ed be(ind (im' 4(en (e sa# Rilla (e turned

abru.tly a#ay+ t(en as abru.tly (e turned and came bac* to (er'

"Rilla%my%Rilla$ #(at are you t(in*ing of5"

"E&eryt(ing is so c(anged$ 4alter$" said Rilla #istfully' "E&en you%%

you,re c(anged' A #ee* ago #e #ere all so (a..y%%and%%and%%no# I /ust

can,t find myself at all' I,m lost'"

4alter sat do#n on a neig(bouring stone and too* Rilla,s little

a..ealing (and'


32/189

"I,m afraid our old #orld (as come to an end$ Rilla' 4e,&e got to face

t(at fact'"

"It,s so terrible to t(in* of 0em$" .leaded Rilla' "!ometimes I forget

for a little #(ile #(at it really means and feel e-cited and .roud%%and

t(en it comes o&er me again li*e a cold #ind'"

"I en&y 0em6" said 4alter moodily'

"En&y 0em6 ($ 4alter you%%you don,t #ant to go too'"

"No$" said 4alter$ ga3ing straig(t before (im do#n t(e emerald &istas of

t(e &alley$ "no$ I don,t #ant to go' T(at,s /ust t(e trouble' Rilla$ I,m

afraid to go' I,m a co#ard'"

"


33/189

4alter laug(ed bitterly' "It is not a nice t(ing to feel yourself a

co#ard'" )ut Rilla got (er arms about (im and cuddled (er (ead on (is

s(oulder' !(e #as so glad (e didn,t #ant to go%%for /ust one minute s(e

(ad been (orribly frig(tened' And it #as so nice to (a&e 4alter

confiding (is troubles to (er%%to (er$ not i' !(e didn,t feel so

lonely and su.erfluous any longer'

"on,t you des.ise me$ Rilla%my%Rilla5" as*ed 4alter #istfully' !ome(o#$

it (urt (im to t(in* Rilla mig(t des.ise (im%%(urt (im as muc( as if it

(ad been i' He reali3ed suddenly (o# &ery fond (e #as of t(is adoring

*id sister #it( (er a..ealing eyes and troubled$ girlis( face'

"No$ I don,t' 4(y$ 4alter$ (undreds of .eo.le feel /ust as you do'


34/189

contem.t as only a cat can' 4(en t#o .eo.le foregat(ered in t(ose days

t(ey tal*ed of t(e #ar+ and old Hig(land !andy of t(e Harbour Head

tal*ed of it #(en (e #as alone and (urled anat(emas at t(e >aiser across

all t(e acres of (is farm' 4alter sli..ed a#ay$ not caring to see or be

seen$ but Rilla sat do#n on t(e ste.s$ #(ere t(e garden mint #as de#y

and .ungent' It #as a &ery calm e&ening #it( a dim$ golden afterlig(t

irradiating t(e glen' !(e felt (a..ier t(an at any time in t(e dreadful

#ee* t(at (ad .assed' !(e #as no longer (aunted by t(e fear t(at 4alter

#ould go'

"I,d go myself if I #as t#enty years younger$" Norman ouglas #as

s(outing' Norman al#ays s(outed #(en (e #as e-cited' "I,d s(o# t(e

>aiser a t(ing or t#o6 id I e&er say t(ere #asn,t a (ell5 f course

t(ere,s a (ell%%do3ens of (ells%%(undreds of (ells%%#(ere t(e >aiser

and all (is brood are bound for'"

"I *ne# t(is #ar #as coming$" said Mrs' Norman trium.(antly' "I sa# it

coming rig(t along' I could (a&e told all t(ose stu.id Englis(men #(at

#as a(ead of t(em' I told you$ 0o(n Meredit($ years ago #(at t(e >aiser

#as u. to but you #ouldn,t belie&e it'


35/189

stal*s' A (undred t(ousand men #ill /ust be a mout(ful for Germany,s

millions'"

"T(ere,ll be some toug( c(e#ing in t(e mout(ful$ I rec*on$" .ersisted

Norman &aliantly' "Germany,ll brea* (er teet( on it' on,t you tell me

one )ritis(er isn,t a matc( for ten foreigners' I could .olis( off a

do3en of ,em myself #it( bot( (ands tied be(ind my bac*6"

"I am told$" said !usan$ "t(at old Mr' Pryor does not belie&e in t(is

#ar' I am told t(at (e says England #ent into it /ust because s(e #as

/ealous of Germany and t(at s(e did not really care in t(e least #(at

(a..ened to )elgium'"

"I belie&e (e,s been tal*ing some suc( rot$" said Norman' "I (a&en,t

(eard (im' 4(en I do$ 4(is*ers%on%t(e%moon #on,t *no# #(at (a..ened to

(im' T(at .recious relati&e of mine$ >itty Alec$ (olds fort( to t(e same

effect$ I understand' Not before me$ t(oug(%%some(o#$ fol*s don,t

indulge in t(at *ind of con&ersation in my .resence' Lord lo&e you$

t(ey,&e a *ind of .resentiment$ so to s.ea*$ t(at it #ouldn,t be (ealt(y

for t(eir com.laint'"

"I am muc( afraid t(at t(is #ar (as been sent as a .unis(ment for our

sins$" said Cousin !o.(ia$ unclas.ing (er .ale (ands from (er la. and

reclas.ing t(em solemnly o&er (er stomac(' ",T(e #orld is &ery e&il%%

t(e times are #a-ing late',"

"Parson (ere,s got somet(ing of t(e same idea$" c(uc*led Norman'

"Ha&en,t you$ Parson5 T(at,s #(y you .reac(ed t,ot(er nig(t on t(e te-t

,4it(out s(edding of blood t(ere is no remission of sins', I didn,t

agree #it( you%%#anted to get u. in t(e .e# and s(out out t(at t(ere

#asn,t a #ord of sense in #(at you #ere saying$ but Ellen$ (ere$ s(e

(eld me do#n' I ne&er (a&e any fun sassing .arsons since I got married'"

"4it(out s(edding of blood t(ere is no anyt(ing$" said Mr' Meredit($ in

t(e gentle dreamy #ay #(ic( (ad an une-.ected tric* of con&incing (is

(earers' "E&eryt(ing$ it seems to me$ (as to be .urc(ased by

self%sacrifice' ur race (as mar*ed e&ery ste. of its .ainful ascent

#it( blood' And no# torrents of it must flo# again' No$ Mrs' Cra#ford$ I

don,t t(in* t(e #ar (as been sent as a .unis(ment for sin' I t(in* it is

t(e .rice (umanity must .ay for some blessing%%some ad&ance great

enoug( to be #ort( t(e .rice%%#(ic( #e may not li&e to see but #(ic(

our c(ildren,s c(ildren #ill in(erit'"

"If 0erry is *illed #ill you feel so fine about it5" demanded Norman$

#(o (ad been saying t(ings li*e t(at all (is life and ne&er could be

made to see any reason #(y (e s(ouldn,t' "No#$ ne&er mind *ic*ing me in

t(e s(ins$ Ellen' I #ant to see if Parson meant #(at (e said or if it

#as /ust a .ul.it frill'"

Mr' Meredit(,s face 1ui&ered' He (ad (ad a terrible (our alone in (is

study on t(e nig(t 0em and 0erry (ad gone to to#n' )ut (e ans#ered

1uietly'

"4(ate&er I felt$ it could not alter my belief%%my assurance t(at a

country #(ose sons are ready to lay do#n t(eir li&es in (er defence #ill

#in a ne# &ision because of t(eir sacrifice'"


36/189

"E A RE!L;TIN

T(e big li&ing%room at Ingleside #as sno#ed o&er #it( drifts of #(ite

cotton' 4ord (ad come from Red Cross (ead1uarters t(at s(eets and

bandages #ould be re1uired' Nan and i and Rilla #ere (ard at #or*' Mrs'

)lyt(e and !usan #ere u.stairs in t(e boys, room$ engaged in a more

.ersonal tas*' 4it( dry$ anguis(ed eyes t(ey #ere .ac*ing u. 0em,s

belongings' He must lea&e for 7alcartier t(e ne-t morning' T(ey (ad been

e-.ecting t(e #ord but it #as none t(e less dreadful #(en it came'

Rilla #as basting t(e (em of a s(eet for t(e first time in (er life'

4(en t(e #ord (ad come t(at 0em must go s(e (ad (er cry out among t(e

.ines in Rainbo# 7alley and t(en s(e (ad gone to (er mot(er'

"Mot(er$ I #ant to do somet(ing' I,m only a girl%%I can,t do anyt(ing

to #in t(e #ar%%but I must do somet(ing to (el. at (ome'"

"T(e cotton (as come u. for t(e s(eets$" said Mrs' )lyt(e' "


37/189

li*e smiling or .er(a.s s(e detected a real grain of serious .ur.ose

be(ind Rilla,s romantic .ose' !o (ere #as Rilla (emming s(eets and

organi3ing a 0unior Red Cross in (er t(oug(ts as s(e (emmed+ moreo&er$

s(e #as en/oying it%%t(e organi3ing t(at is$ not t(e (emming' It #as

interesting and Rilla disco&ered a certain a.titude in (erself for it

t(at sur.rised (er' 4(o #ould be .resident5 Not s(e' T(e older girls

#ould not li*e t(at' Irene Ho#ard5 No$ some(o# Irene #as not 1uite as

.o.ular as s(e deser&ed to be' Mar/orie re#5 No$ Mar/orie (adn,t enoug(

bac*bone' !(e #as too .rone to agree #it( t(e last s.ea*er' )etty Mead%%

calm$ ca.able$ tactful )etty%%t(e &ery one6 And ;na Meredit( for

treasurer+ and$ if t(ey #ere &ery insistent$ t(ey mig(t ma*e (er$ Rilla$

secretary' As for t(e &arious committees$ t(ey must be c(osen after t(e

0uniors #ere organi3ed$ but Rilla *ne# /ust #(o s(ould be .ut on #(ic('

T(ey #ould meet around%%and t(ere must be no eats%%Rilla *ne# s(e

#ould (a&e a .itc(ed battle #it( li&e >ir* o&er t(at%%and e&eryt(ing

s(ould be strictly business%li*e and constitutional' Her minute boo*

s(ould be co&ered in #(ite #it( a Red Cross on t(e co&er%%and #ouldn,t

it be nice to (a&e some *ind of uniform #(ic( t(ey could all #ear at t(e

concerts t(ey #ould (a&e to get u. to raise money%%somet(ing sim.le but

smart5

"


38/189

star&e$ #(et(er t(ey (a&e anyt(ing to eat in t(at =uebec .lace or not'

E&eryt(ing seems to be c(anging all at once$ does it not5 E&en t(e old

cat at t(e manse (as .assed a#ay' He breat(ed (is last at a 1uarter to

ten last nig(t and )ruce is 1uite (eart%bro*en$ t(ey tell me'"

"It,s time t(at .ussy #ent #(ere good cats go' He must be at least

fifteen years old' He (as seemed so lonely since Aunt Mart(a died'"

"I s(ould not (a&e lamented$ Mrs' r' dear$ if t(at Hyde%beast (ad died

also' He (as been Mr' Hyde most of t(e time since 0em came (ome in

*(a*i$ and t(at (as a meaning I #ill maintain' I do not *no# #(at Monday

#ill do #(en 0em is gone' T(e creature /ust goes about #it( a (uman loo*

in (is eyes t(at ta*es all t(e good out of me #(en I see it' Ellen 4est

used to be al#ays railing at t(e >aiser and #e t(oug(t (er cra3y$ but

no# I see t(at t(ere #as a met(od in (er madness' T(is tray is .ac*ed$

Mrs' r' dear$ and I #ill go do#n and .ut in my best lic*s .re.aring

su..er' I #is( I *ne# #(en I #ould coo* anot(er su..er for 0em but suc(

t(ings are (idden from our eyes'"

0em )lyt(e and 0erry Meredit( left ne-t morning' It #as a dull day$

t(reatening rain$ and t(e clouds lay in (ea&y grey rolls o&er t(e s*y+but almost e&erybody in t(e Glen and 2our 4inds and Harbour Head and

;..er Glen and o&er%(arbour%%e-ce.t 4(is*ers%on%t(e%moon%%#as t(ere to

see t(em off' T(e )lyt(e family and t(e Meredit( family #ere all

smiling' E&en !usan$ as Pro&idence did ordain$ #ore a smile$ t(oug( t(e

effect #as some#(at more .ainful t(an tears #ould (a&e been' 2ait( and

Nan #ere &ery .ale and &ery gallant' Rilla t(oug(t s(e #ould get on &ery

#ell if somet(ing in (er t(roat didn,t c(o*e (er$ and if (er li.s didn,t

ta*e suc( s.ells of trembling' og Monday #as t(ere$ too' 0em (ad tried

to say good%bye to (im at Ingleside but Monday im.lored so elo1uently

t(at 0em relented and let (im go to t(e station' He *e.t close to 0em,s

legs and #atc(ed e&ery mo&ement of (is belo&ed master'

"I can,t bear t(at dog,s eyes$" said Mrs' Meredit('

"T(e beast (as more sense t(an most (umans$" said Mary 7ance' "4ell$ did

#e any of us e&er t(in* #e,d li&e to see t(is day5 I ba#led all nig(t to

t(in* of 0em and 0erry going li*e t(is' I t(in* t(ey,re .lumb deranged'

Miller got a maggot in (is (ead about going but I soon tal*ed (im out of

it%%li*e#ise (is aunt said a fe# touc(ing t(ings' 2or once in our li&es

>itty Alec and I agree' It,s a miracle t(at isn,t li*ely to (a..en

again' T(ere,s >en$ Rilla'"

Rilla *ne# >ennet( #as t(ere' !(e (ad been acutely conscious of it from

t(e moment (e (ad s.rung from Leo 4est,s buggy' No# (e came u. to (er

smiling'

"oing t(e bra&e%smiling%sister%stunt$ I see' 4(at a cro#d for t(e Glento muster6 4ell$ I,m off (ome in a fe# days myself'"

A 1ueer little #ind of desolation t(at e&en 0em,s going (ad not caused

ble# o&er Rilla,s s.irit'

"4(y5


39/189

find some #ay of (el.ing in s.ite of t(is bally an*le' I,m not loo*ing

at 0em and 0erry%%ma*es me too sic* #it( en&y'


40/189

In t(ese ten minutes Rilla .assed t(roug( a di33ying succession of

anger$ laug(ter$ contem.t$ de.ression and ins.iration' ($ .eo.le #ere%%

funny6 Ho# little t(ey understood' "Ta*ing it easy$" indeed%%#(en e&en

!usan (adn,t sle.t a #in* all nig(t6 >ate re# al#ays #as a min-'

Rilla felt as if s(e #ere in some fantastic nig(tmare' 4ere t(ese t(e

.eo.le #(o$ t(ree #ee*s ago$ #ere tal*ing of cro.s and .rices and local

gossi.5

T(ere%%t(e train #as coming%%mot(er #as (olding 0em,s (and%%og

Monday #as lic*ing it%%e&erybody #as saying good%bye%%t(e train #as

in6 0em *issed 2ait( before e&erybody%%old Mrs' re# #(oo.ed

(ysterically%%t(e men$ led by >ennet($ c(eered%%Rilla felt 0em sei3e

(er (and%%"Good%bye$ !.ider"%%somebody *issed (er c(ee*%%s(e belie&ed

it #as 0erry but ne&er #as sure%%t(ey #ere off%%t(e train #as .ulling

out%%0em and 0erry #ere #a&ing to e&erybody%%e&erybody #as #a&ing bac*

%%mot(er and Nan #ere smiling still$ but as if t(ey (ad /ust forgotten

to ta*e t(e smile off%%Monday #as (o#ling dismally and being forcibly

restrained by t(e Met(odist minister from tearing after t(e train%%

!usan #as #a&ing (er best bonnet and (urra(ing li*e a man%%(ad s(e gonecra3y5%%t(e train rounded a cur&e' T(ey (ad gone'

Rilla came to (erself #it( a gas.' T(ere #as a sudden 1uiet' Not(ing to

do no# but to go (ome%%and #ait' T(e doctor and Mrs' )lyt(e #al*ed off

toget(er%%so did Nan and 2ait(%%so did 0o(n Meredit( and Rosemary'

4alter and ;na and !(irley and i and Carl and Rilla #ent in a grou.'

!usan (ad .ut (er bonnet bac* on (er (ead$ (indside foremost$ and

stal*ed grimly off alone' Nobody missed og Monday at first' 4(en t(ey

did !(irley #ent bac* for (im' He found og Monday curled u. in one of

t(e s(i..ing%s(eds near t(e station and tried to coa- (im (ome' og

Monday #ould not mo&e' He #agged (is tail to s(o# (e (ad no (ard

feelings but no blandis(ments a&ailed to budge (im'

"Guess Monday (as made u. (is mind to #ait t(ere till 0em comes bac*$"

said !(irley$ trying to laug( as (e re/oined t(e rest' T(is #as e-actly

#(at og Monday (ad done' His dear master (ad gone%%(e$ Monday$ (ad

been deliberately and of malice aforet(oug(t .re&ented from going #it(

(im by a demon disguised in t(e garb of a Met(odist minister' 4(erefore$

(e$ Monday$ #ould #ait t(ere until t(e smo*ing$ snorting monster$ #(ic(

(ad carried (is (ero off$ carried (im bac*'

Ay$ #ait t(ere$ little fait(ful dog #it( t(e soft$ #istful$ .u33led

eyes' )ut it #ill be many a long bitter day before your boyis( comrade

comes bac* to you'

T(e doctor #as a#ay on a case t(at nig(t and !usan stal*ed into Mrs'

)lyt(e,s room on (er #ay to bed to see if (er adored Mrs' r' dear #ere"comfortable and com.osed'" !(e .aused solemnly at t(e foot of t(e bed

and solemnly declared$

"Mrs' r' dear$ I (a&e made u. my mind to be a (eroine'"

"Mrs' r' dear" found (erself &iolently inclined to laug(%%#(ic( #as

manifestly unfair$ since s(e (ad not laug(ed #(en Rilla (ad announced a

similar (eroic determination' To be sure$ Rilla #as a slim$ #(ite%robed

t(ing$ #it( a flo#er%li*e face and starry young eyes aglo# #it( feeling+


41/189

#(ereas !usan #as arrayed in a grey flannel nig(tgo#n of strait

sim.licity$ and (ad a stri. of red #oollen #orsted tied around (er grey

(air as a c(arm against neuralgia' )ut t(at s(ould not ma*e any &ital

difference' 4as it not t(e s.irit t(at counted5


42/189

"T(e Russians #ill not be in time to sa&e Paris$" said 4alter gloomily'

"Paris is t(e (eart of 2rance%%and t(e road to it is o.en' ($ I #is("

%%(e sto..ed abru.tly and #ent out'

After a .aralysed day t(e Ingleside fol* found it #as .ossible to "carry

on" e&en in t(e face of e&er%dar*ening bad ne#s' !usan #or*ed fiercely

Date post:	06-Apr-2018
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Rilla of Ingleside

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