Now , if the new English stepmother is only a good sort I shall feel quite easy about the future of my war-baby . `` I wonder what Robert and Amelia think of it . I fancy they will nail down their windows when they leave home after this ! '' CHAPTER XXXIII VICTORY ! `` A day ` of chilling winds and gloomy skies , ' '' Rilla quoted one Sunday afternoon -- the sixth of October to be exact . It was so cold that they had lighted a fire in the living-room and the merry little flames were doing their best to counteract the outside dourness . `` It 's more like November than October -- November is such an ugly month . '' Cousin Sophia was there , having again forgiven Susan , and Mrs. Martin Clow , who was not visiting on Sunday but had dropped in to borrow Susan 's cure for rheumatism -- that being cheaper than getting one from the doctor . `` I 'm afeared we 're going to have an airly winter , '' foreboded Cousin Sophia . `` The muskrats are building awful big houses round the pond , and that 's a sign that never fails . Dear me , how that child has grown ! '' Cousin Sophia sighed again , as if it were an unhappy circumstance that a child should grow . `` When do you expect his father ? '' `` Next week , '' said Rilla . `` Well , I hope the stepmother wo n't abuse the pore child , '' sighed Cousin Sophia , `` but I have my doubts -- I have my doubts . Anyhow , he 'll be sure to feel the difference between his usage here and what he 'll get anywhere else . You 've spoiled him so , Rilla , waiting on him hand and foot the way you 've always done . '' Rilla smiled and pressed her cheek to Jims ' curls . She knew sweet-tempered , sunny , little Jims was not spoiled . Nevertheless her heart was anxious behind her smile .
She , too , thought much XXXXX the new Mrs. Anderson and wondered uneasily what she would be like .
about after behind between if in of on that to