Mary sailed off , excellently well pleased with herself , leaving a rather depressed little group behind her . `` Mary Vance always says something that makes us feel bad when she comes up , '' said Una resentfully . `` I wish we 'd left her to starve in the old barn , '' said Jerry vindictively . `` Oh , that 's wicked , Jerry , '' rebuked Una . `` May as well have the game as the name , '' retorted unrepentant Jerry . `` If people say we 're so bad let 's BE bad . '' `` But not if it hurts father , '' pleaded Faith . Jerry squirmed uncomfortably . He adored his father . Through the unshaded study window they could see Mr. Meredith at his desk . He did not seem to be either reading or writing . His head was in his hands and there was something in his whole attitude that spoke of weariness and dejection . The children suddenly felt it . `` I dare say somebody 's been worrying him about us to-day , '' said Faith . `` I wish we COULD get along without making people talk . Oh -- Jem Blythe ! How you scared me ! '' Jem Blythe had slipped into the graveyard and sat down beside the girls . He had been prowling about Rainbow Valley and had succeeded in finding the first little star-white cluster of arbutus for his mother . The manse children were rather silent after his coming .
Jem was beginning XXXXX grow away from them somewhat this spring .
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