Blythe, achieving a
laugh, "I am determined to be a heroine."
"You're all good stuff," said the doctor, "I'm proud of my women folk.
Even Rilla here, my 'lily of the field,' is running a Red Cross Society
full blast and saving a little life for Canada. That's a good piece of
work. Rilla, daughter of Anne, what are you going to call your
war-baby?"
"I'm waiting to hear from Jim Anderson," said Rilla. "He may want to
name his own child."
But as the autumn weeks went by no word came from Jim Anderson, who had
never been heard from since he sailed from Halifax, and to whom the fate
of wife and child seemed a matter of indifference. Eventually Rilla
decided to call the baby James, and Susan opined that Kitchener should
be added thereto. So James Kitchener Anderson became the possessor of a
name somewhat more imposing than himself. The Ingleside family promptly
shortened it to Jims, but Susan obstinately called him "Little
Kitchener" and nothing else.
"Jims is no name for a Christian child, Mrs. Dr. dear," she said
disapprovingly. "Cousin Sophia says it is too flippant, and for once I
consider she utters sense, though I would not please her by openly
agreeing with her. As for the child, he is beginning to look something
like a baby, and I must admit that Rilla is wonderful with him, though I
would not pamper pride by saying so to her face. Mrs. Dr. dear, I shall
never, no never, forget the first sight I had of that infant, lying in
that big soup tureen, rolled up in dirty flannel.
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