When he had finished talking he hung up the receiver and turned around , with a flushed face and glowing eyes . Before he had said a word his mother and Nan and Di had turned pale . As for Rilla , for the first time in her life she felt that every one must hear her heart beating and that something had clutched at her throat . `` They are calling for volunteers in town , father , '' said Jem . `` Scores have joined up already . I 'm going in tonight to enlist . '' `` Oh -- Little Jem , '' cried Mrs. Blythe brokenly . She had not called him that for many years -- not since the day he had rebelled against it . `` Oh -- no -- no -- Little Jem . '' `` I must , mother . I 'm right -- am I not , father ? '' said Jem . Dr. Blythe had risen . He was very pale , too , and his voice was husky . But he did not hesitate . `` Yes , Jem , yes -- if you feel that way , yes -- '' Mrs. Blythe covered her face . Walter stared moodily at his plate . Nan and Di clasped each others ' hands . Shirley tried to look unconcerned . Susan sat as if paralysed , her piece of pie half-eaten on her plate .
Susan never did finish that piece of pie -- a fact which bore eloquent testimony XXXXX the upheaval in her inner woman for Susan considered it a cardinal offence against civilized society to begin to eat anything and not finish it .
Before Blythe Nan Rilla Shirley at if right to with