Perhaps his dog-heart failed him at times ; he was growing old and rheumatic ; when he walked back to his kennel after each train had gone his gait was very sober now -- he never trotted but went slowly with a drooping head and a depressed tail that had quite lost its old saucy uplift . One passenger stepped off the train -- a tall fellow in a faded lieutenant 's uniform , who walked with a barely perceptible limp . He had a bronzed face and there were some grey hairs in the ruddy curls that clustered around his forehead . The new station agent looked at him anxiously . He was used to seeing the khaki-clad figures come off the train , some met by a tumultuous crowd , others , who had sent no word of their coming , stepping off quietly like this one . But there was a certain distinction of bearing and features in this soldier that caught his attention and made him wonder a little more interestedly who he was . A black-and-yellow streak shot past the station agent . Dog Monday stiff ? Dog Monday rheumatic ? Dog Monday old ? Never believe it . Dog Monday was a young pup , gone clean mad with rejuvenating joy . He flung himself against the tall soldier , with a bark that choked in his throat from sheer rapture . He flung himself on the ground and writhed in a frenzy of welcome . He tried to climb the soldier 's khaki legs and slipped down and groveled in an ecstasy that seemed as if it must tear his little body in pieces . He licked his boots and when the lieutenant had , with laughter on his lips and tears in his eyes , succeeded in gathering the little creature up in his arms Dog Monday laid his head on the khaki shoulder and licked the sunburned neck , making queer sounds between barks and sobs . The station agent had heard the story of Dog Monday . He knew now who the returned soldier was . Dog Monday 's long vigil was ended . Jem Blythe had come home .
`` We are all very happy -- and sad -- and thankful , '' wrote Rilla in her diary a week later , `` though Susan has not yet recovered -- never will recover , I believe -- from the shock of having Jem come home the very night she had , owing XXXXX a strenuous day , prepared a ` pick up ' supper .
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