He adored his father . Through the unshaded study window they could see Mr. Meredith at his desk . He did not seem to be either reading or writing . His head was in his hands and there was something in his whole attitude that spoke of weariness and dejection . The children suddenly felt it . `` I dare say somebody 's been worrying him about us to-day , '' said Faith . `` I wish we COULD get along without making people talk . Oh -- Jem Blythe ! How you scared me ! '' Jem Blythe had slipped into the graveyard and sat down beside the girls . He had been prowling about Rainbow Valley and had succeeded in finding the first little star-white cluster of arbutus for his mother . The manse children were rather silent after his coming . Jem was beginning to grow away from them somewhat this spring . He was studying for the entrance examination of Queen 's Academy and stayed after school with the older pupils for extra lessons . Also , his evenings were so full of work that he seldom joined the others in Rainbow Valley now . He seemed to be drifting away into grown-up land . `` What is the matter with you all to-night ? '' he asked . `` There 's no fun in you . '' `` Not much , '' agreed Faith dolefully .
`` There would n't be much fun XXXXX you either if YOU knew you were disgracing your father and making people talk about you . ''
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