I said I had seen dozens of babies every bit as bald as Jims , and Irene said , Oh very well , she had n't meant to offend me -- when I was n't offended . `` It went on like that the rest of the hour -- Irene kept giving me little digs all the time . The girls have always said she was revengeful like that if she were peeved about anything ; but I never believed it before ; I used to think Irene just perfect , and it hurt me dreadfully to find she could stoop to this . But I corked up my feelings and sewed away for dear life on a Belgian child 's nightgown . `` Then Irene told me the meanest , most contemptible thing that someone had said about Walter . I wo n't write it down -- I ca n't . Of course , she said it made her furious to hear it and all that -- but there was no need for her to tell me such a thing even if she did hear it . She simply did it to hurt me . `` I just exploded . ` How dare you come here and repeat such a thing about my brother , Irene Howard ? ' I exclaimed . ' I shall never forgive you -- never . Your brother has n't enlisted -- has n't any idea of enlisting . ' '' ` Why Rilla , dear , I did n't say it , ' said Irene . ' I told you it was Mrs. George Burr . And I told her -- ' '' ' I do n't want to hear what you told her . Do n't you ever speak to me again , Irene Howard . ' `` Oh course , I should n't have said that . But it just seemed to say itself . Then the other girls all came in a bunch and I had to calm down and act the hostess ' part as well as I could .
XXXXX paired off with Olive Kirk all the rest of the afternoon and went away without so much as a look .
Belgian Burr Howard Irene Jims Rilla Walter course girls nightgown