ind you take good care of that boy. He
ain't any common child. And make Robert drive round all the puddles in
the road. I won't have that new buggy splashed."

As they drove away Jims threw kisses at Mrs. Matilda Pitman as long as
he could see her, and Mrs. Matilda Pitman waved her sock back at him.
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.
And because it was mother who said it I'm going to write it here in my
journal, for my comforting when days of discouragement come upon me, in
which I feel that I am vain and selfish and weak and that there is no
good thing in me.

"'Rilla has developed in a wonderful fashion these past four years. She
used to be such an irresponsible young creature. She has changed into a
capable, womanly girl and she is such a comfort to me. Nan and Di have
grown a little away from me--they have been so little at home--but
Rilla has grown closer and closer to me. We are chums. I don't see how
I could have got through these terrible years without her, Gilbert.'

"There, that is just what mother said--and I feel glad--and s