With such a father what might his fate be ? Rilla meant to beg Jim Anderson to leave him with her , but , from his letter , she had not much hope that he would . `` If he would only stay in the Glen , where I could keep an eye on Jims and have him often with me I would n't feel so worried over it , '' she reflected . `` But I feel sure he wo n't -- and Jims will never have any chance . And he is such a bright little chap -- he has ambition , wherever he got it -- and he is n't lazy . But his father will never have a cent to give him any education or start in life . Jims , my little war-baby , whatever is going to become of you ? '' Jims was not in the least concerned over what was to become of him . He was gleefully watching the antics of a striped chipmunk that was frisking over the roof of the little siding . As the train pulled out Jims leaned eagerly forward for a last look at Chippy , pulling his hand from Rilla 's . Rilla was so engrossed in wondering what was to become of Jims in the future that she forgot to take notice of what was happening to him in the present . What did happen was that Jims lost his balance , shot headlong down the steps , hurtled across the little siding platform , and landed in a clump of bracken fern on the other side . Rilla shrieked and lost her head . She sprang down the steps and jumped off the train . Fortunately , the train was still going at a comparatively slow speed ; fortunately also , Rilla retained enough sense to jump the way it was going ; nevertheless , she fell and sprawled helplessly down the embankment , landing in a ditch full of a rank growth of golden-rod and fireweed . Nobody had seen what had happened and the train whisked briskly away round a curve in the barrens . Rilla picked herself up , dizzy but unhurt , scrambled out of the ditch , and flew wildly across the platform , expecting to find Jims dead or broken in pieces . But Jims , except for a few bruises , and a big fright , was quite uninjured . He was so badly scared that he did n't even cry , but Rilla , when she found that he was safe and sound , burst into tears and sobbed wildly . `` Nasty old twain , '' remarked Jims in disgust .
`` And nasty old God , '' he added , with a scowl XXXXX the heavens .
If With across at for from of on over to