Ruby sank back on her pillows and sobbed convulsively . Anne pressed her hand in an agony of sympathy -- silent sympathy , which perhaps helped Ruby more than broken , imperfect words could have done ; for presently she grew calmer and her sobs ceased . `` I 'm glad I 've told you this , Anne , '' she whispered . `` It has helped me just to say it all out . I 've wanted to all summer -- every time you came . I wanted to talk it over with you -- but I COULD N'T . It seemed as if it would make death so SURE if I SAID I was going to die , or if any one else said it or hinted it . I would n't say it , or even think it . In the daytime , when people were around me and everything was cheerful , it was n't so hard to keep from thinking of it . But in the night , when I could n't sleep -- it was so dreadful , Anne . I could n't get away from it then . Death just came and stared me in the face , until I got so frightened I could have screamed . `` But you wo n't be frightened any more , Ruby , will you ? You 'll be brave , and believe that all is going to be well with you . '' `` I 'll try . I 'll think over what you have said , and try to believe it . And you 'll come up as often as you can , wo n't you , Anne ? '' `` Yes , dear . '' `` It -- it wo n't be very long now , Anne . I feel sure of that .
And I 'd rather have you XXXXX any one else .
around as from in of on over than to until