Amelia was my step-daughter . Well , it 's saved me a world of bother . If kids do n't like me I do n't like them , so that 's an even score . But that certainly is a handsome child . '' Jims chose this moment for waking up . He opened his big brown eyes and looked at Mrs. Matilda Pitman unblinkingly . Then he sat up , dimpled deliciously , pointed to her and said solemnly to Rilla , `` Pwitty lady , Willa , pwitty lady . '' Mrs. Matilda Pitman smiled . Even eighty-odd is sometimes vulnerable in vanity . `` I 've heard that children and fools tell the truth , '' she said . `` I was used to compliments when I was young -- but they 're scarcer when you get as far along as I am . I have n't had one for years . It tastes good . I s ` pose now , you monkey , you would n't give me a kiss . '' Then Jims did a quite surprising thing . He was not a demonstrative youngster and was chary with kisses even to the Ingleside people . But without a word he stood up in bed , his plump little body encased only in his undershirt , ran to the footboard , flung his arms about Mrs. Matilda Pitman 's neck , and gave her a bear hug , accompanied by three or four hearty , ungrudging smacks . `` Jims , '' protested Rilla , aghast at this liberty . `` You leave him be , '' ordered Mrs. Matilda Pitman , setting her bonnet straight . `` Laws I like to see some one that is n't skeered of me .
Everybody is -- you are , though you 're trying XXXXX hide it .
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