I do not . But no doubt I would be better employed in mending little Jem 's trousers than in talking gossip about my neighbours . He tore them something scandalous last night in Rainbow Valley . '' `` Where is Walter ? '' asked Anne . `` He is up to no good , I fear , Mrs. Dr. dear . He is in the attic writing something in an exercise book . And he has not done as well in arithmetic this term as he should , so the teacher tells me . Too well I know the reason why . He has been writing silly rhymes when he should have been doing his sums . I am afraid that boy is going to be a poet , Mrs. Dr. dear . '' `` He is a poet now , Susan . '' `` Well , you take it real calm , Mrs. Dr. dear . I suppose it is the best way , when a person has the strength . I had an uncle who began by being a poet and ended up by being a tramp . Our family were dreadfully ashamed of him . '' `` You do n't seem to think very highly of poets , Susan , '' said Anne , laughing . `` Who does , Mrs. Dr. dear ? '' asked Susan in genuine astonishment . `` What about Milton and Shakespeare ?
And the poets XXXXX the Bible ? ''
Jem Susan about as by in of so that to