It tastes good . I s ` pose now , you monkey , you would n't give me a kiss . '' Then Jims did a quite surprising thing . He was not a demonstrative youngster and was chary with kisses even to the Ingleside people . But without a word he stood up in bed , his plump little body encased only in his undershirt , ran to the footboard , flung his arms about Mrs. Matilda Pitman 's neck , and gave her a bear hug , accompanied by three or four hearty , ungrudging smacks . `` Jims , '' protested Rilla , aghast at this liberty . `` You leave him be , '' ordered Mrs. Matilda Pitman , setting her bonnet straight . `` Laws I like to see some one that is n't skeered of me . Everybody is -- you are , though you 're trying to hide it . And why ? Of course Robert and Amelia are because I make 'em skeered on purpose . But folks always are -- no matter how civil I be to them . Are you going to keep this child ? '' `` I 'm afraid not . His father is coming home before long . '' `` Is he any good -- the father , I mean ? '' `` Well -- he 's kind and nice -- but he 's poor -- and I 'm afraid he always will be , '' faltered Rilla . `` I see -- shiftless -- ca n't make or keep . Well , I 'll see -- I 'll see . I have an idea .
It 's a good idea , and besides it will make Robert and XXXXX squirm .
Amelia Ingleside Jims Pitman Rilla Robert father footboard idea people