Rilla Blythe 's nature in that year had changed and matured and deepened . She found herself seeing through Irene with a disconcerting clearness -- discerning under all her superficial sweetness , her pettiness , her vindictiveness , her insincerity , her essential cheapness . Irene had lost for ever her faithful worshipper . But not until Rilla had traversed the Upper Glen Road and found herself in the moon-dappled solitude of Rainbow Valley did she fully recover her composure of spirit . Then she stopped under a tall wild plum that was ghostly white and fair in its misty spring bloom and laughed . `` There is only one thing of importance just now -- and that is that the Allies win the war , '' she said aloud . `` Therefore , it follows without dispute that the fact that I went to see Irene Howard with odd shoes and stockings on is of no importance whatever . Nevertheless , I , Bertha Marilla Blythe , swear solemnly with the moon as witness '' -- Rilla lifted her hand dramatically to the said moon -- `` that I will never leave my room again without looking carefully at both my feet . '' CHAPTER XIV THE VALLEY OF DECISION Susan kept the flag flying at Ingleside all the next day , in honour of Italy 's declaration of war . `` And not before it was time , Mrs. Dr. dear , considering the way things have begun to go on the Russian front . Say what you will , those Russians are kittle cattle , the grand duke Nicholas to the contrary notwithstanding . It is a fortunate thing for Italy that she has come in on the right side , but whether it is as fortunate for the Allies I will not predict until I know more about Italians than I do now . However , she will give that old reprobate of a Francis Joseph something to think about . A pretty Emperor indeed -- with one foot in the grave and yet plotting wholesale murder '' -- and Susan thumped and kneaded her bread with as much vicious energy as she could have expended in punching Francis Joseph himself if he had been so unlucky as to fall into her clutches . Walter had gone to town on the early train , and Nan offered to look after Jims for the day and so set Rilla free . Rilla was wildly busy all day , helping to decorate the Glen hall and seeing to a hundred last things . The evening was beautiful , in spite of the fact that Mr. Pryor was reported to have said that he `` hoped it would rain pitch forks points down , '' and to have wantonly kicked Miranda 's dog as he said it . Rilla , rushing home from the hall , dressed hurriedly . Everything had gone surprisingly well at the last ; Irene was even then downstairs practising her songs with Miss Oliver ; Rilla was excited and happy , forgetful even of the Western front for the moment . It gave her a sense of achievement and victory to have brought her efforts of weeks to such a successful conclusion .
She knew that there had not lacked people who thought and hinted that Rilla Blythe had not the tact or patience XXXXX engineer a concert programme .
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