CHAPTER XXXI MRS. MATILDA PITTMAN Rilla and Jims were standing on the rear platform of their car when the train stopped at the little Millward siding . The August evening was so hot and close that the crowded cars were stifling . Nobody ever knew just why trains stopped at Millward siding . Nobody was ever known to get off there or get on . There was only one house nearer to it than four miles , and it was surrounded by acres of blueberry barrens and scrub spruce-trees . Rilla was on her way into Charlottetown to spend the night with a friend and the next day in Red Cross shopping ; she had taken Jims with her , partly because she did not want Susan or her mother to be bothered with his care , partly because of a hungry desire in her heart to have as much of him as she could before she might have to give him up forever . James Anderson had written to her not long before this ; he was wounded and in the hospital ; he would not be able to go back to the front and as soon as he was able he would be coming home for Jims . Rilla was heavy-hearted over this , and worried also . She loved Jims dearly and would feel deeply giving him up in any case ; but if Jim Anderson were a different sort of a man , with a proper home for the child , it would not be so bad . But to give Jims up to a roving , shiftless , irresponsible father , however kind and good-hearted he might be -- and she knew Jim Anderson was kind and good-hearted enough -- was a bitter prospect to Rilla . It was not even likely Anderson would stay in the Glen ; he had no ties there now ; he might even go back to England . She might never see her dear , sunshiny , carefully brought-up little Jims again . With such a father what might his fate be ? Rilla meant to beg Jim Anderson to leave him with her , but , from his letter , she had not much hope that he would . `` If he would only stay in the Glen , where I could keep an eye on Jims and have him often with me I would n't feel so worried over it , '' she reflected . `` But I feel sure he wo n't -- and Jims will never have any chance . And he is such a bright little chap -- he has ambition , wherever he got it -- and he is n't lazy . But his father will never have a cent to give him any education or start in life . Jims , my little war-baby , whatever is going to become of you ? '' Jims was not in the least concerned over what was to become of him .
He was gleefully watching the antics XXXXX a striped chipmunk that was frisking over the roof of the little siding .
before for if in of on over that to with