` But oh , mother , ' I sobbed , ` he wanted me to kiss him good-bye -- and I could n't -- and that hurt me worse than all the rest . ' '' ` Well , why did n't you kiss him ? ' asked mother coolly . ` Considering the circumstances , I think you might have . ' '' ` But I could n't , mother -- I promised Ken when he went away that I would n't kiss anybody else until he came back . ' `` This was another high explosive for poor mother . She exclaimed , with the queerest little catch in her voice , ` Rilla , are you engaged to Kenneth Ford ? ' '' ` I -- do n't -- know , ' I sobbed . '' ` You -- do n't -- know ? ' repeated mother . `` Then I had to tell her the whole story , too ; and every time I tell it it seems sillier and sillier to imagine that Ken meant anything serious . I felt idiotic and ashamed by the time I got through . `` Mother sat a little while in silence . Then she came over , sat down beside me , and took me in her arms . '' ` Do n't cry , dear little Rilla-my-Rilla . You have nothing to reproach yourself with in regard to Fred ; and if Leslie West 's son asked you to keep your lips for him , I think you may consider yourself engaged to him . But -- oh , my baby -- my last little baby -- I have lost you -- the war has made a woman of you too soon . ' `` I shall never be too much of a woman to find comfort in mother 's hugs . Nevertheless , when I saw Fred marching by two days later in the parade , my heart ached unbearably . `` But I 'm glad mother thinks I 'm really engaged to Ken ! ''
CHAPTER XXII LITTLE DOG MONDAY KNOWS `` It is two years tonight since the dance at the light , when Jack Elliott brought us news XXXXX the war .
by down for of than that through to until with