It 's a family affair . We 've got to stand by each other . The worst of it is , it will be over before I can be of any use . '' `` Do you mean that you would really volunteer to go if it was n't for your ankle ? asked Rilla incredulously . `` Sure I would . You see they 'll go by thousands . Jem 'll be off , I 'll bet a cent -- Walter wo n't be strong enough yet , I suppose . And Jerry Meredith -- he 'll go ! And I was worrying about being out of football this year ! '' Rilla was too startled to say anything . Jem -- and Jerry ! Nonsense ! Why father and Mr. Meredith would n't allow it . They were n't through college . Oh , why had n't Jack Elliott kept his horrid news to himself ? Mark Warren came up and asked her to dance . Rilla went , knowing Kenneth did n't care whether she went or stayed . An hour ago on the sand-shore he had been looking at her as if she were the only being of any importance in the world . And now she was nobody .
His thoughts were full of this Great Game which was XXXXX be played out on bloodstained fields with empires for stakes -- a Game in which womenkind could have no part .
Jerry Kenneth at by of on that through to whether