But -- but -- that poor young mother who had n't wanted it to go to the asylum ! Rilla could n't get that out of her thoughts . And that very morning she discovered that the baby had gained eight ounces since its coming to Ingleside . Rilla had felt such a thrill of pride over this . `` You -- you said it might n't live if it went to Hopetown , '' she said . `` It might n't . Somehow , institutional care , no matter how good it may be , does n't always succeed with delicate babies . But you know what it means if you want it kept here , Rilla . '' `` I 've taken care of it for a fortnight -- and it has gained half a pound , '' cried Rilla . `` I think we 'd better wait until we hear from its father anyhow . He might n't want to have it sent to an orphan asylum , when he is fighting the battles of his country . '' The doctor and Mrs. Blythe exchanged amused , satisfied smiles behind Rilla 's back ; and nothing more was said about Hopetown . Then the smile faded from the doctor 's face ; the Germans were twenty miles from Paris . Horrible tales were beginning to appear in the papers of deeds done in martyred Belgium . Life was very tense at Ingleside for the older people . `` We eat up the war news , '' Gertrude Oliver told Mrs. Meredith , trying to laugh and failing . `` We study the maps and nip the whole Hun army in a few well-directed strategic moves . But Papa Joffre has n't the benefit of our advice -- and so Paris -- must -- fall . '' `` Will they reach it -- will not some mighty hand yet intervene ? '' murmured John Meredith .
`` I teach school like one XXXXX a dream , '' continued Gertrude ; `` then I come home and shut myself in my room and walk the floor .
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