She had heard her mother say that she loved turns in roads -- they were so provocative and alluring . Rilla thought she hated them . She had seen Jem and Jerry vanish from her around a bend in the road -- then Walter -- and now Ken . Brothers and playmate and sweetheart -- they were all gone , never , it might be , to return . Yet still the Piper piped and the dance of death went on . When Rilla walked slowly back to the house Susan was still sitting by the veranda table and Susan was sniffing suspiciously . `` I have been thinking , Rilla dear , of the old days in the House of Dreams , when Kenneth 's mother and father were courting and Jem was a little baby and you were not born or thought of . It was a very romantic affair and she and your mother were such chums . To think I should have lived to see her son going to the front . As if she had not had enough trouble in her early life without this coming upon her ! But we must take a brace and see it through . '' All Rilla 's anger against Susan had evaporated . With Ken 's kiss still burning on her lips , and the wonderful significance of the promise he had asked thrilling heart and soul , she could not be angry with anyone . She put her slim white hand into Susan 's brown , work-hardened one and gave it a squeeze . Susan was a faithful old dear and would lay down her life for any one of them . `` You are tired , Rilla dear , and had better go to bed , '' Susan said , patting her hand . `` I noticed you were too tired to talk tonight . I am glad I came home in time to help you out . It is very tiresome trying to entertain young men when you are not accustomed to it . '' Rilla carried Jims upstairs and went to bed , but not before she had sat for a long time at her window reconstructing her rainbow castle , with several added domes and turrets .
`` I wonder , '' she said to herself , `` if I am , or am not , engaged XXXXX Kenneth Ford . ''
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