Dr. dear. I shall be away a fortnight if you can spare
me so long."
"You certainly deserve a good holiday, Susan. Better take a month--that
is the proper length for a honeymoon."
"No, Mrs. Dr. dear, a fortnight is all I require. Besides, I must be
home for at least three weeks before Christmas to make the proper
preparations. We will have a Christmas that is a Christmas this year,
Mrs. Dr. dear. Do you think there is any chance of our boys being home
for it?"
"No, I think not, Susan. Both Jem and Shirley write that they don't
expect to be home before spring--it may be even midsummer before
Shirley comes. But Carl Meredith will be home, and Nan and Di, and we
will have a grand celebration once more. We'll set chairs for all,
Susan, as you did our first war Christmas--yes, for all--for my dear
lad whose chair must always be vacant, as well as for the others,
Susan."
"It is not likely I would forget to set his place, Mrs. Dr. dear," said
Susan, wiping her eyes as she departed to pack up for her "honeymoon."
CHAPTER XXXV
"RILLA-MY-RILLA!"
Carl Meredith and Miller Douglas came home just before Christmas and
Glen St. Mary met them at the station with a brass band borrowed from
Lowbridge and speeches of home manufacture. Miller was brisk and beaming
in spite of his wooden leg; he had developed into a broad-shouldered,
imposing looking fellow and the D.
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