It is an outrage . Surely you and the doctor will not permit it . '' `` We ca n't stop him , '' said Mrs. Blythe , chokingly . `` Oh , Gilbert ! '' Dr. Blythe came up behind his wife and took her hand gently , looking down into the sweet grey eyes that he had only once before seen filled with such imploring anguish as now . They both thought of that other time -- the day years ago in the House of Dreams when little Joyce had died . `` Would you have him stay , Anne -- when the others are going -- when he thinks it his duty -- would you have him so selfish and small-souled ? '' `` No -- no ! But -- oh -- our first-born son -- he 's only a lad -- Gilbert -- I 'll try to be brave after a while -- just now I ca n't . It 's all come so suddenly . Give me time . '' The doctor and his wife went out of the room . Jem had gone -- Walter had gone -- Shirley got up to go . Rilla and Susan remained staring at each other across the deserted table . Rilla had not yet cried -- she was too stunned for tears . Then she saw that Susan was crying -- Susan , whom she had never seen shed a tear before . `` Oh , Susan , will he really go ? '' she asked . `` It -- it -- it is just ridiculous , that is what it is , '' said Susan . She wiped away her tears , gulped resolutely and got up .
`` I am going XXXXX wash the dishes .
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