Matilda
Pitman's neck, and gave her a bear hug, accompanied by three or four
hearty, ungrudging smacks.
"Jims," protested Rilla, aghast at this liberty.
"You leave him be," ordered Mrs. Matilda Pitman, setting her bonnet
straight.
"Laws I like to see some one that isn't skeered of me. Everybody is--
you are, though you're trying to hide it. And why? Of course Robert and
Amelia are because I make 'em skeered on purpose. But folks always are--
no matter how civil I be to them. Are you going to keep this child?"
"I'm afraid not. His father is coming home before long."
"Is he any good--the father, I mean?"
"Well--he's kind and nice--but he's poor--and I'm afraid he always
will be," faltered Rilla.
"I see--shiftless--can't make or keep. Well, I'll see--I'll see. I
have an idea. It's a good idea, and besides it will make Robert and
Amelia squirm. That's its main merit in my eyes, though I like that
child, mind you, because he ain't skeered of me. He's worth some bother.
Now, you get dressed, as I said before, and come down when you're good
and ready."
Rilla was stiff and sore after her tumble and walk of the night before
but she was not long in dressing herself and Jims. When she went down to
the kitchen she found a smoking hot breakfast on the table. Mr. Chapley
was nowhere in sight and Mrs. Chapley was cutting bread with a sulky
air. Mrs. Matilda Pitman was sitting in an armchair, knitting a grey
army sock.
Pages:
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387