`` I nodded . It seemed dreadful to have to tell it -- it was such a sacred little secret just between me and Ken . `` When Fred went away I came up here to my room and cried so long and so bitterly that mother came up and insisted on knowing what was the matter . I told her . She listened to my tale with an expression that clearly said , ` Can it be possible that anyone has been wanting to marry this baby ? ' But she was so nice and understanding and sympathetic , oh , just so race-of-Josephy -- that I felt indescribably comforted . Mothers are the dearest things . '' ` But oh , mother , ' I sobbed , ` he wanted me to kiss him good-bye -- and I could n't -- and that hurt me worse than all the rest . ' '' ` Well , why did n't you kiss him ? ' asked mother coolly . ` Considering the circumstances , I think you might have . ' '' ` But I could n't , mother -- I promised Ken when he went away that I would n't kiss anybody else until he came back . ' `` This was another high explosive for poor mother . She exclaimed , with the queerest little catch in her voice , ` Rilla , are you engaged to Kenneth Ford ? ' '' ` I -- do n't -- know , ' I sobbed . '' ` You -- do n't -- know ? ' repeated mother . `` Then I had to tell her the whole story , too ; and every time I tell it it seems sillier and sillier to imagine that Ken meant anything serious . I felt idiotic and ashamed by the time I got through . `` Mother sat a little while in silence .
Then she came over , sat down beside me , and took me XXXXX her arms . ''
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