`` I must , mother . I 'm right -- am I not , father ? '' said Jem . Dr. Blythe had risen . He was very pale , too , and his voice was husky . But he did not hesitate . `` Yes , Jem , yes -- if you feel that way , yes -- '' Mrs. Blythe covered her face . Walter stared moodily at his plate . Nan and Di clasped each others ' hands . Shirley tried to look unconcerned . Susan sat as if paralysed , her piece of pie half-eaten on her plate . Susan never did finish that piece of pie -- a fact which bore eloquent testimony to the upheaval in her inner woman for Susan considered it a cardinal offence against civilized society to begin to eat anything and not finish it . That was wilful waste , hens to the contrary notwithstanding . Jem turned to the phone again . `` I must ring the manse . Jerry will want to go , too . '' At this Nan had cried out `` Oh ! '' as if a knife had been thrust into her , and rushed from the room . Di followed her . Rilla turned to Walter for comfort but Walter was lost to her in some reverie she could not share .
`` All XXXXX , '' Jem was saying , as coolly as if he were arranging the details of a picnic .
Blythe Jem Jerry Nan Shirley Susan Walter half-eaten offence right