He may have been waylaid and robbed . '' `` Pigs MAY whistle , but they 've poor mouths for it , '' said Miss Cornelia . `` Well , the gist of what you tell me is that the thing is settled and there 's no use in talking . If that 's so I 'll hold my tongue . I do n't propose to wear MY teeth out gnawing files . When a thing has to be I give in to it . But I like to make mighty sure first that it HAS to be . Now , I 'll devote MY energies to comforting and sustaining Leslie . And after all , '' added Miss Cornelia , brightening up hopefully , `` perhaps nothing can be done for Dick . '' CHAPTER 31 THE TRUTH MAKES FREE Leslie , having once made up her mind what to do , proceeded to do it with characteristic resolution and speed . House-cleaning must be finished with first , whatever issues of life and death might await beyond . The gray house up the brook was put into flawless order and cleanliness , with Miss Cornelia 's ready assistance . Miss Cornelia , having said her say to Anne , and later on to Gilbert and Captain Jim -- sparing neither of them , let it be assured -- never spoke of the matter to Leslie . She accepted the fact of Dick 's operation , referred to it when necessary in a business-like way , and ignored it when it was not . Leslie never attempted to discuss it . She was very cold and quiet during these beautiful spring days . She seldom visited Anne , and though she was invariably courteous and friendly , that very courtesy was as an icy barrier between her and the people of the little house . The old jokes and laughter and chumminess of common things could not reach her over it . Anne refused to feel hurt . She knew that Leslie was in the grip of a hideous dread -- a dread that wrapped her away from all little glimpses of happiness and hours of pleasure .
When one great passion seizes possession XXXXX the soul all other feelings are crowded aside .
after as beyond from in of that though to with