Rilla remembered one moonlit evening of childhood when she had said to her mother , `` The moon just looks like a sorry , sorry face . '' She thought it looked like that still -- an agonised , care-worn face , as though it looked down on dreadful sights . What did it see on the Western front ? In broken Serbia ? On shell-swept Gallipoli ? `` I am tired , '' Miss Oliver had said that day , in a rare outburst of impatience , `` of this horrible rack of strained emotions , when every day brings a new horror or the dread of it . No , do n't look reproachfully at me , Mrs. Blythe . There 's nothing heroic about me today . I 've slumped . I wish England had left Belgium to her fate -- I wish Canada had never sent a man -- I wish we 'd tied our boys to our apron strings and not let one of them go . Oh -- I shall be ashamed of myself in half an hour -- but at this very minute I mean every word of it . Will the Allies never strike ? '' `` Patience is a tired mare but she jogs on , '' said Susan . `` While the steeds of Armageddon thunder , trampling over our hearts , '' retorted Miss Oliver . `` Susan , tell me -- do n't you ever -- did n't you ever -- take spells of feeling that you must scream -- or swear -- or smash something -- just because your torture reaches a point when it becomes unbearable ? '' `` I have never sworn or desired to swear , Miss Oliver dear , but I will admit , '' said Susan , with the air of one determined to make a clean breast of it once and for all , `` that I have experienced occasions when it was a relief to do considerable banging . '' `` Do n't you think that is a kind of swearing , Susan ? What is the difference between slamming a door viciously and saying d -- '' `` Miss Oliver dear , '' interrupted Susan , desperately determined to save Gertrude from herself , if human power could do it , `` you are all tired out and unstrung -- and no wonder , teaching those obstreperous youngsters all day and coming home to bad war news . But just you go upstairs and lie down and I will bring you up a cup of hot tea and a bite of toast and very soon you will not want to slam doors or swear . '' `` Susan , you 're a good soul -- a very pearl of Susans !
But , Susan , it would be such a relief -- to say just one soft , low , little tiny d -- '' `` I will bring you a hot-water bottle XXXXX the soles of your feet , also , '' interposed Susan resolutely , `` and it would not be any relief to say that word you are thinking of , Miss Oliver , and that you may tie to . ''
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