I tickled him a little bit tonight when I undressed him -- I would n't bounce him but Morgan does n't mention tickling -- just to see if he would smile for me as well as Irene . And he did -- and out popped the dimples . What a pity his mother could n't have seen them ! `` I finished my sixth pair of socks today . With the first three I got Susan to set the heel for me . Then I thought that was a bit of shirking , so I learned to do it myself . I hate it -- but I have done so many things I hate since 4th of August that one more or less does n't matter . I just think of Jem joking about the mud on Salisbury Plain and I go at them . '' CHAPTER XI DARK AND BRIGHT At Christmas the college boys and girls came home and for a little while Ingleside was gay again . But all were not there -- for the first time one was missing from the circle round the Christmas table . Jem , of the steady lips and fearless eyes , was far away , and Rilla felt that the sight of his vacant chair was more than she could endure . Susan had taken a stubborn freak and insisted on setting out Jem 's place for him as usual , with the twisted little napkin ring he had always had since a boy , and the odd , high Green Gables goblet that Aunt Marilla had once given him and from which he always insisted on drinking . `` That blessed boy shall have his place , Mrs. Dr. dear , '' said Susan firmly , `` and do not you feel over it , for you may be sure he is here in spirit and next Christmas he will be here in the body . Wait you till the Big Push comes in the spring and the war will be over in a jiffy . '' They tried to think so , but a shadow stalked in the background of their determined merrymaking . Walter , too , was quiet and dull , all through the holidays . He showed Rilla a cruel , anonymous letter he had received at Redmond -- a letter far more conspicuous for malice than for patriotic indignation . `` Nevertheless , all it says is true , Rilla . '' Rilla had caught it from him and thrown it into the fire . `` There is n't one word of truth in it , '' she declared hotly .
`` Walter , you 've got morbid -- as Miss Oliver says she gets when she broods too long XXXXX one thing . ''
as at in into on out over that till while