`` Oh , no -- no , '' cried Rilla , shrinking . Miss Oliver 's dreams had always foretold coming disaster . `` Rilla , it was a good dream . Listen -- I dreamed just as I did four years ago , that I stood on the veranda steps and looked down the Glen . And it was still covered by waves that lapped about my feet . But as I looked the waves began to ebb -- and they ebbed as swiftly as , four years ago , they rolled in -- ebbed out and out , to the gulf ; and the Glen lay before me , beautiful and green , with a rainbow spanning Rainbow Valley -- a rainbow of such splendid colour that it dazzled me -- and I woke . Rilla -- Rilla Blythe -- the tide has turned . '' `` I wish I could believe it , '' sighed Rilla . `` Sooth was my prophecy of fear Believe it when it augurs cheer , '' quoted Gertrude , almost gaily . `` I tell you I have no doubt . '' Yet , in spite of the great Italian victory at the Piave that came a few days later , she had doubt many a time in the hard month that followed ; and when in mid-July the Germans crossed the Marne again despair came sickeningly . It was idle , they all felt , to hope that the miracle of the Marne would be repeated . But it was : again , as in 1914 , the tide turned at the Marne . The French and the American troops struck their sudden smashing blow on the exposed flank of the enemy and , with the almost inconceivable rapidity of a dream , the whole aspect of the war changed . `` The Allies have won two tremendous victories , '' said the doctor on 20th July . `` It is the beginning of the end -- I feel it -- I feel it , '' said Mrs. Blythe . `` Thank God , '' said Susan , folding her trembling old hands , Then she added , under her breath , `` but it wo n't bring our boys back . '' Nevertheless she went out and ran up the flag , for the first time since the fall of Jerusalem . As it caught the breeze and swelled gallantly out above her , Susan lifted her hand and saluted it , as she had seen Shirley do . `` We 've all given something to keep you flying , '' she said .
`` Four hundred thousand XXXXX our boys gone overseas -- fifty thousand of them killed .
about as by for of on since that to under