Page:Rilla of Ingleside (1921).djvu/380

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366
RILLA OF INGLESIDE

believe—from the shock of having Jem come home the very night she had, owing to a strenuous day, prepared a ‘pick up’ supper. I shall never forget the sight of her, tearing madly about from pantry to cellar, hunting out stored away goodies. Just as if anybody cared what was on the table—none of us could eat, anyway. It was meat and drink just to look at Jem. Mother seemed afraid to take her eyes off him lest he vanish out of her sight. It is wonderful to have Jem back—and little Dog Monday. Monday refuses to be separated from Jem for a moment. He sleeps on the foot of his bed and squats beside him at meal times. And on Sunday he went to church with him and insisted on going right into our pew, where he went to sleep on Jem’s feet. In the middle of the sermon he woke up and seemed to think he must welcome Jem all over again, for he bounced up with a series of barks and wouldn’t quiet down until Jem took him up in his arms. But nobody seemed to mind, and Mr. Meredith came and patted his head after the service and said,

“‘Faith and affection and loyalty are precious things wherever they are found. That little dog’s love is a treasure, Jem.’

“One night when Jem and I were talking things over in Rainbow Valley, I asked him if he had ever felt afraid at the front.

“Jem laughed.

“‘Afraid! I was afraid scores of times—sick with fear,—I who used to laugh at Walter when he was frightened. Do you know, Walter was never frightened after he got to the front. Realities never scared him—only his imagination could do that. His