Faith did not come home ; she was on her way across the Atlantic as a V.A.D. Di had tried to wring from her father consent to her going also , but had been told that for her mother 's sake it could not be given . So Di , after a flying visit home , went back to her Red Cross work in Kingsport . The mayflowers bloomed in the secret nooks of Rainbow Valley . Rilla was watching for them . Jem had once taken his mother the earliest mayflowers ; Walter brought them to her when Jem was gone ; last spring Shirley had sought them out for her ; now , Rilla thought she must take the boys ' place in this . But before she had discovered any , Bruce Meredith came to Ingleside one twilight with his hands full of delicate pink sprays . He stalked up the steps of the veranda and laid them on Mrs. Blythe 's lap . `` Because Shirley is n't here to bring them , '' he said in his funny , shy , blunt way . `` And you thought of this , you darling , '' said Anne , her lips quivering , as she looked at the stocky , black-browed little chap , standing before her , with his hands thrust into his pockets . `` I wrote Jem to-day and told him not to worry ` bout you not getting your mayflowers , '' said Bruce seriously , '' 'cause I 'd see to that . And I told him I would be ten pretty soon now , so it wo n't be very long before I 'll be eighteen , and then I 'll go to help him fight , and maybe let him come home for a rest while I took his place . I wrote Jerry , too . Jerry 's getting better , you know . '' `` Is he ? Have you had any good news about him ? '' `` Yes . Mother had a letter to-day , and it said he was out of danger . '' `` Oh , thank God , '' murmured Mrs. Blythe , in a half-whisper . Bruce looked at her curiously . `` That is what father said when mother told him .
But when l said it the other day when I found out Mr. Mead 's dog had n't hurt my kitten -- I thought he had shooken it XXXXX death , you know -- father looked awful solemn and said I must never say that again about a kitten .
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