. "Yes, sir, I walloped him well, big gun as he
is now."

"The existence of the British Empire is at stake," said the Methodist
minister.

"There's certainly something about uniforms," sighed Irene Howard.

"It's a commercial war when all is said and done and not worth one drop
of good Canadian blood," said a stranger from the shore hotel.

"The Blythe family are taking it easy," said Kate Drew.

"Them young fools are just going for adventure," growled Nathan
Crawford.

"I have absolute confidence in Kitchener," said the over-harbour doctor.

In these ten minutes Rilla passed through a dizzying succession of
anger, laughter, contempt, depression and inspiration. Oh, people
were--funny! How little they understood. "Taking it easy," indeed--when
even Susan hadn't slept a wink all night! Kate Drew always was a minx.

Rilla felt as if she were in some fantastic nightmare. Were these the
people who, three weeks ago, were talking of crops and prices and local
gossip?

There--the train was coming--mother was holding Jem's hand--Dog Monday
was licking it--everybody was saying good-bye--the train was in! Jem
kissed Faith before everybody--old Mrs. Drew whooped hysterically--the
men, led by Kenneth, cheered--Rilla felt Jem seize her hand--"Good-bye,
Spider"--somebody kissed her cheek--she believed it was Jerry but never
was sure--they were off--the train was pulling out--Jem and Jerry were
waving to everybody--everybody was waving back--mother and Nan were
smiling still, but as if they had just forgotten to take the smile
off--Monday was howling dismally and being forcibly restrained by the
Methodist minister from tearing after the train--Susan was waving her
best bonnet and hurrahing like a man--had she gone crazy?--the train
rounded a curve. They had gone.

Rilla came to herself with a gasp. There was a sudden quiet. Nothing to
do now but to go home--and wait. The doctor and Mrs. Blythe walked off
together--so did Nan and Faith--so did John Meredith and Rosemary.
Walter and Una and Shirley and Di and Carl and Rilla went in a group.
Susan had put her bonnet back on her head, hindside foremost, and
stalked grimly off alone. Nobody missed Dog Monday at first. When they
did Shirley went back for him. He found Dog Monday curled up in one of
the shipping-sheds near the station and tried to coax him home. Dog
Monday would not move. He wagged his tail to show he had no hard
feelings but no blandishments availed to budge him