How lucky Mrs. Blythe gave me that pretty blue hair-ribbon for my birthday ! I 've only worn it twice so it will be almost new . But I wish I was sure Walter would win . It will be so -- so HUMILIATING if he does n't . '' Faith would have been yet more dubious if she could have seen her champion just then . Walter had gone home from school with all his righteous anger at a low ebb and a very nasty feeling in its place . He had to fight Dan Reese the next night -- and he did n't want to -- he hated the thought of it . And he kept thinking of it all the time . Not for a minute could he get away from the thought . Would it hurt much ? He was terribly afraid that it would hurt . And would he be defeated and shamed ? He could not eat any supper worth speaking of . Susan had made a big batch of his favourite monkey-faces , but he could choke only one down . Jem ate four . Walter wondered how he could . How could ANYBODY eat ? And how could they all talk gaily as they were doing ? There was mother , with her shining eyes and pink cheeks . SHE did n't know her son had to fight next day .
Would she be so gay if she knew , XXXXX wondered darkly .
Blythe Jem Mrs. Reese Susan Walter eyes hair-ribbon minute monkey-faces