It is just a cold that makes him snore -- not adenoids . Irene had a cold yesterday and I know she gave it to him , kissing him . He is not quite such a nuisance as he was ; he has got some backbone and can sit up quite nicely , and he loves his bath now and splashes unsmilingly in the water instead of twisting and shrieking . Oh , shall I ever forget those first two months ! I do n't know how I lived through them . But here I am and here is Jims and we both are going to ` carry on . ' I tickled him a little bit tonight when I undressed him -- I would n't bounce him but Morgan does n't mention tickling -- just to see if he would smile for me as well as Irene . And he did -- and out popped the dimples . What a pity his mother could n't have seen them ! `` I finished my sixth pair of socks today . With the first three I got Susan to set the heel for me . Then I thought that was a bit of shirking , so I learned to do it myself . I hate it -- but I have done so many things I hate since 4th of August that one more or less does n't matter . I just think of Jem joking about the mud on Salisbury Plain and I go at them . '' CHAPTER XI DARK AND BRIGHT At Christmas the college boys and girls came home and for a little while Ingleside was gay again . But all were not there -- for the first time one was missing from the circle round the Christmas table . Jem , of the steady lips and fearless eyes , was far away , and Rilla felt that the sight of his vacant chair was more than she could endure . Susan had taken a stubborn freak and insisted on setting out Jem 's place for him as usual , with the twisted little napkin ring he had always had since a boy , and the odd , high Green Gables goblet that Aunt Marilla had once given him and from which he always insisted on drinking . `` That blessed boy shall have his place , Mrs. Dr. dear , '' said Susan firmly , `` and do not you feel over it , for you may be sure he is here in spirit and next Christmas he will be here in the body . Wait you till the Big Push comes in the spring and the war will be over in a jiffy . ''
They tried XXXXX think so , but a shadow stalked in the background of their determined merrymaking .
At With for on over since so that till to