Robert spoke no word, either good or bad, all the way to the station,
but he remembered the puddles. When Rilla got out at the siding she
thanked him courteously. The only response she got was a grunt as Robert
turned his horse and started for home.
"Well"--Rilla drew a long breath--"I must try to get back into Rilla
Blythe again. I've been somebody else these past few hours--I don't
know just who--some creation of that extraordinary old person's. I
believe she hypnotized me. What an adventure this will be to write the
boys."
And then she sighed. Bitter remembrance came that there were only Jerry,
Ken, Carl and Shirley to write it to now. Jem--who would have
appreciated Mrs. Matilda Pitman keenly--where was Jem?
CHAPTER XXXII
WORD FROM JEM
4th August 1918
"It is four years tonight since the dance at the lighthouse--four years
of war. It seems like three times four. I was fifteen then. I am
nineteen now. I expected that these past four years would be the most
delightful years of my life and they have been years of war--years of
fear and grief and worry--but I humbly hope, of a little growth in
strength and character as well.
"Today I was going through the hall and I heard mother saying something
to father about me. I didn't mean to listen--I couldn't help hearing
her as I went along the hall and upstairs--so perhaps that is why I
heard what listeners are said never to hear--something good of myself.
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