But that happiness was a gift from life and love ; it was n't really ours -- life could take it back at any time . It can never take away the happiness we win for ourselves in the way of duty . I 've realised that since I went into khaki . In spite of my occasional funks , when I fall to living over things beforehand , I 've been happy since that night in May . Rilla , be awfully good to mother while I 'm away . It must be a horrible thing to be a mother in this war -- the mothers and sisters and wives and sweethearts have the hardest times . Rilla , you beautiful little thing , are you anybody 's sweetheart ? If you are , tell me before I go . '' `` No , '' said Rilla . Then , impelled by a wish to be absolutely frank with Walter in this talk that might be the last they would ever have , she added , blushing wildly in the moonlight , `` but if -- Kenneth Ford -- wanted me to be -- '' `` I see , '' said Walter . `` And Ken 's in khaki , too . Poor little girlie , it 's a bit hard for you all round . Well , I 'm not leaving any girl to break her heart about me -- thank God for that . '' Rilla glanced up at the Manse on the hill . She could see a light in Una Meredith 's window . She felt tempted to say something -- then she knew she must not . It was not her secret : and , anyway , she did not know -- she only suspected . Walter looked about him lingeringly and lovingly . This spot had always been so dear to him . What fun they all had had here lang syne .
Phantoms of memory seemed to pace the dappled paths and peep merrily through the swinging boughs -- Jem and Jerry , bare-legged , sunburned schoolboys , fishing in the brook and frying trout over the old stone fireplace ; Nan and Di and Faith , in their dimpled , fresh-eyed childish beauty ; Una the sweet and shy , Carl , poring over ants and bugs , little slangy , sharp-tongued , good-hearted Mary Vance -- the old XXXXX that had been himself lying on the grass reading poetry or wandering through palaces of fancy .
Ford Ken Meredith Rilla Walter fall funks in syne war