`` Is -- is Mrs. Anderson really dead ? '' asked Rilla timidly , as she stepped over the sill . `` Dead as a door nail , '' responded Mrs. Conover cheerfully . `` Kicked the bucket half an hour ago . I 've sent Jen Conover to ` phone for the undertaker and get some help up from the shore . You 're the doctor 's miss , ai n't ye ? Have a cheer ? '' Rilla did not see any chair which was not cluttered with something . She remained standing . `` Was n't it -- very sudden ? '' `` Well , she 's been a-pining ever since that worthless Jim lit out for England -- which I say it 's a pity as he ever left . It 's my belief she was took for death when she heard the news . That young un there was born a fortnight ago and since then she 's just gone down and today she up and died , without a soul expecting it . '' `` Is there anything I can do to -- to help ? '' hesitated Rilla . `` Bless yez , no -- unless ye 've a knack with kids . I have n't . That young un there never lets up squalling , day or night . I 've just got that I take no notice of it . '' Rilla tiptoed gingerly over to the cradle and more gingerly still pulled down the dirty blanket .
She had no intention XXXXX touching the baby -- she had no `` knack with kids '' either .
as for from of since that to unless with without