`` I am not , then , '' cried Betty Meade , loyally , `` I think Rilla is just a wonderful girl . A few years ago I admit I did think she was rather too vain and gigglesome ; but now she is nothing of the sort . I do n't think there is a girl in the Glen who is so unselfish and plucky as Rilla , or who has done her bit as thoroughly and patiently . Our Junior Red Cross would have gone on the rocks a dozen times if it had n't been for her tact and perseverance and enthusiasm -- you know that perfectly well , Irene . '' `` Why , I am not running Rilla down , '' said Irene , opening her eyes widely . `` It was only her lack of feeling I was criticizing . I suppose she ca n't help it . Of course , she 's a born manager -- everyone knows that . She 's very fond of managing , too -- and people like that are very necessary I admit . So do n't look at me as if I 'd said something perfectly dreadful , Betty , please . I 'm quite willing to agree that Rilla Blythe is the embodiment of all the virtues , if that will please you . And no doubt it is a virtue to be quite unmoved by things that would crush most people . '' Some of Irene 's remarks were reported to Rilla ; but they did not hurt her as they would once have done . They did n't matter , that was all . Life was too big to leave room for pettiness . She had a pact to keep and a work to do ; and through the long hard days and weeks of that disastrous autumn she was faithful to her task . The war news was consistently bad , for Germany marched from victory to victory over poor Rumania . `` Foreigners -- foreigners , '' Susan muttered dubiously . `` Russians or Rumanians or whatever they may be , they are foreigners and you can not tie to them . But after Verdun I shall not give up hope .
And can you tell me , Mrs. Dr. dear , XXXXX the Dobruja is a river or a mountain range , or a condition of the atmosphere ? ''
Of ago as at by for if in like on