When the fir wood hid him from her sight she suddenly said `` Oh , '' in a choked way and ran down to the gate , sweet blossomy things catching at her skirts as she ran . Leaning over the gate she saw Kenneth walking briskly down the road , over the bars of tree shadows and moonlight , his tall , erect figure grey in the white radiance . As he reached the turn he stopped and looked back and saw her standing amid the tall white lilies by the gate . He waved his hand -- she waved hers -- he was gone around the turn . Rilla stood there for a little while , gazing across the fields of mist and silver . She had heard her mother say that she loved turns in roads -- they were so provocative and alluring . Rilla thought she hated them . She had seen Jem and Jerry vanish from her around a bend in the road -- then Walter -- and now Ken . Brothers and playmate and sweetheart -- they were all gone , never , it might be , to return . Yet still the Piper piped and the dance of death went on . When Rilla walked slowly back to the house Susan was still sitting by the veranda table and Susan was sniffing suspiciously . `` I have been thinking , Rilla dear , of the old days in the House of Dreams , when Kenneth 's mother and father were courting and Jem was a little baby and you were not born or thought of . It was a very romantic affair and she and your mother were such chums . To think I should have lived to see her son going to the front . As if she had not had enough trouble in her early life without this coming upon her ! But we must take a brace and see it through . '' All Rilla 's anger against Susan had evaporated . With Ken 's kiss still burning on her lips , and the wonderful significance of the promise he had asked thrilling heart and soul , she could not be angry with anyone . She put her slim white hand into Susan 's brown , work-hardened one and gave it a squeeze . Susan was a faithful old dear and would lay down her life for any one of them .
`` You are tired , XXXXX dear , and had better go to bed , '' Susan said , patting her hand .
Dreams Jem Jerry Ken Kenneth Piper Rilla Walter blossomy chums