`` I declare , I think all you boys talk the craziest stuff , '' said Mary Vance in disgust . She got up and dragged Miller off to the rock-shore . It did n't happen often that they had a chance for a talk together ; Mary was determined that this one should n't be spoiled by Walter Blythe 's silly blather about Pipers and Germans and such like absurd things . They left Walter standing alone on the rock steps , looking out over the beauty of Four Winds with brooding eyes that saw it not . The best of the evening was over for Rilla , too . Ever since Jack Elliott 's announcement , she had sensed that Kenneth was no longer thinking about her . She felt suddenly lonely and unhappy . It was worse than if he had never noticed her at all . Was life like this -- something delightful happening and then , just as you were revelling in it , slipping away from you ? Rilla told herself pathetically that she felt years older than when she had left home that evening . Perhaps she did -- perhaps she was . Who knows ? It does not do to laugh at the pangs of youth . They are very terrible because youth has not yet learned that `` this , too , will pass away . '' Rilla sighed and wished she were home , in bed , crying into her pillow . `` Tired ? '' said Kenneth , gently but absently -- oh , so absently . He really did n't care a bit whether she were tired or not , she thought . `` Kenneth , '' she ventured timidly , `` you do n't think this war will matter much to us in Canada , do you ? '' `` Matter ?
Of course it will matter to the lucky fellows who will be able XXXXX take a hand .
as because from in on over than to whether with