The French and the American troops struck their sudden smashing blow on the exposed flank of the enemy and , with the almost inconceivable rapidity of a dream , the whole aspect of the war changed . `` The Allies have won two tremendous victories , '' said the doctor on 20th July . `` It is the beginning of the end -- I feel it -- I feel it , '' said Mrs. Blythe . `` Thank God , '' said Susan , folding her trembling old hands , Then she added , under her breath , `` but it wo n't bring our boys back . '' Nevertheless she went out and ran up the flag , for the first time since the fall of Jerusalem . As it caught the breeze and swelled gallantly out above her , Susan lifted her hand and saluted it , as she had seen Shirley do . `` We 've all given something to keep you flying , '' she said . `` Four hundred thousand of our boys gone overseas -- fifty thousand of them killed . But -- you are worth it ! '' The wind whipped her grey hair about her face and the gingham apron that shrouded her from head to foot was cut on lines of economy , not of grace ; yet , somehow , just then Susan made an imposing figure . She was one of the women -- courageous , unquailing , patient , heroic -- who had made victory possible . In her , they all saluted the symbol for which their dearest had fought . Something of this was in the doctor 's mind as he watched her from the door . `` Susan , '' he said , when she turned to come in , `` from first to last of this business you have been a brick ! '' CHAPTER XXXI MRS. MATILDA PITTMAN Rilla and Jims were standing on the rear platform of their car when the train stopped at the little Millward siding . The August evening was so hot and close that the crowded cars were stifling . Nobody ever knew just why trains stopped at Millward siding . Nobody was ever known to get off there or get on . There was only one house nearer to it than four miles , and it was surrounded by acres of blueberry barrens and scrub spruce-trees . Rilla was on her way into Charlottetown to spend the night with a friend and the next day in Red Cross shopping ; she had taken Jims with her , partly because she did not want Susan or her mother to be bothered with his care , partly because of a hungry desire in her heart to have as much of him as she could before she might have to give him up forever .
James Anderson had written to her not long before this ; he was wounded and XXXXX the hospital ; he would not be able to go back to the front and as soon as he was able he would be coming home for Jims .
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