And would he be defeated and shamed ? He could not eat any supper worth speaking of . Susan had made a big batch of his favourite monkey-faces , but he could choke only one down . Jem ate four . Walter wondered how he could . How could ANYBODY eat ? And how could they all talk gaily as they were doing ? There was mother , with her shining eyes and pink cheeks . SHE did n't know her son had to fight next day . Would she be so gay if she knew , Walter wondered darkly . Jem had taken Susan 's picture with his new camera and the result was passed around the table and Susan was terribly indignant over it . `` I am no beauty , Mrs. Dr. dear , and well I know it , and have always known it , '' she said in an aggrieved tone , `` but that I am as ugly as that picture makes me out I will never , no , never believe . '' Jem laughed over this and Anne laughed again with him . Walter could n't endure it . He got up and fled to his room . `` That child has got something on his mind , Mrs. Dr. dear , '' said Susan . `` He has et next to nothing . Do you suppose he is plotting another poem ? '' Poor Walter was very far removed in spirit from the starry realms of poesy just then . He propped his elbow on his open window-sill and leaned his head drearily on his hands .
`` Come on down to the shore , Walter , '' cried Jem , busting XXXXX .
around as if in of on over that to with