They both thought of that other time -- the day years ago in the House of Dreams when little Joyce had died . `` Would you have him stay , Anne -- when the others are going -- when he thinks it his duty -- would you have him so selfish and small-souled ? '' `` No -- no ! But -- oh -- our first-born son -- he 's only a lad -- Gilbert -- I 'll try to be brave after a while -- just now I ca n't . It 's all come so suddenly . Give me time . '' The doctor and his wife went out of the room . Jem had gone -- Walter had gone -- Shirley got up to go . Rilla and Susan remained staring at each other across the deserted table . Rilla had not yet cried -- she was too stunned for tears . Then she saw that Susan was crying -- Susan , whom she had never seen shed a tear before . `` Oh , Susan , will he really go ? '' she asked . `` It -- it -- it is just ridiculous , that is what it is , '' said Susan . She wiped away her tears , gulped resolutely and got up . `` I am going to wash the dishes . That has to be done , even if everybody has gone crazy . There now , dearie , do not you cry . Jem will go , most likely -- but the war will be over long before he gets anywhere near it . Let us take a brace and not worry your poor mother . ''
`` In the Enterprise today it was reported XXXXX Lord Kitchener says the war will last three years , '' said Rilla dubiously .
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