Rilla , tonight for the first time since Jem left I 've got back my self-respect . I could write poetry , '' Walter laughed . `` I 've never been able to write a line since last August . Tonight I 'm full of it . Little sister , be brave -- you were so plucky when Jem went . '' `` This -- is -- different , '' Rilla had to stop after every word to fight down a wild outburst of sobs . `` I loved -- Jem -- of course -- but -- when -- he went -- away -- we thought -- the war -- would soon -- be over -- and you are -- everything to me , Walter . '' `` You must be brave to help me , Rilla-my-Rilla . I 'm exalted tonight -- drunk with the excitement of victory over myself -- but there will be other times when it wo n't be like this -- I 'll need your help then . '' `` When -- do -- you -- go ? '' She must know the worst at once . `` Not for a week -- then we go to Kingsport for training . I suppose we 'll go overseas about the middle of July -- we do n't know . '' One week -- only one week more with Walter ! The eyes of youth did not see how she was to go on living . When they turned in at the Ingleside gate Walter stopped in the shadows of the old pines and drew Rilla close to him . `` Rilla-my-Rilla , there were girls as sweet and pure as you in Belgium and Flanders . You -- even you -- know what their fate was . We must make it impossible for such things to happen again while the world lasts . You 'll help me , wo n't you ? ''
`` I 'll try , XXXXX , '' she said .
Belgium Flanders Jem Kingsport Rilla Rilla-my-Rilla Walter left war week