Other nations, with right on
their side, have given their best and bravest--and gone down to defeat
in spite of it. Ours is 'but one more To baffled millions who have gone
before.'"
"I won't give up like that," cried Rilla, her pale face suddenly
flushing. "I won't despair. We are not conquered--no, if Germany
overruns all France we are not conquered. I am ashamed of myself for
this hour of despair. You won't see me slump again like that, I'm going
to ring up town at once and ask for particulars."
But town could not be got. The long-distance operator there was
submerged by similar calls from every part of the distracted country.
Rilla finally gave up and slipped away to Rainbow Valley. There she
knelt down on the withered grey grasses in the little nook where she and
Walter had had their last talk together, with her head bowed against the
mossy trunk of a fallen tree. The sun had broken through the black
clouds and drenched the valley with a pale golden splendour. The bells
on the Tree Lovers twinkled elfinly and fitfully in the gusty March
wind.
"Oh God, give me strength," Rilla whispered. "Just strength--and
courage." Then like a child she clasped her hands together and said, as
simply as Jims could have done, "Please send us better news tomorrow."
She knelt there a long time, and when she went back to Ingleside she was
calm and resolute. The doctor had arrived home, tired but triumphant,
little Douglas Haig Marwood having made a safe landing on the shores of
time.
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