I leave it to your conscience.' "I wish mother would not leave things to my conscience! And anyway, what was I to do?
I couldn't take that hat back--I had worn it to a concert in town--I had to keep it! I was so uncomfortable that I flew into a temper--a cold, calm, deadly temper.
"'Mother,' I said haughtily, 'I am sorry you disapprove of my hat--' "'Not of the hat exactly,' said mother, 'though I consider it in doubtful taste for so young a girl--but of the price you paid for it.' "Being interrupted didn't improve my temper, so I went on, colder and calmer and deadlier than ever, just as if mother had not spoken.
"'-- but I have to keep it now.

However, I promise you that I will not get another hat for three years or for the duration of the war, if it lasts longer than that.

Even you'-- oh, the sarcasm I put into the 'you'-- 'cannot say that what I paid was too much when spread over at least three years.' "'You will be very tired of that hat before three years, Rilla,' said mother, with a provoking grin, which, being interpreted, meant that I wouldn't stick it out.
"'Tired or not, I will wear it that long,' I said: and then I marched upstairs and cried to think that I had been sarcastic to mother.
"I hate that hat already.

But three years or the duration of the war, I said, and three years or the duration of the war it shall be.

I vowed and I shall keep my vow, cost what it will.
"That is one of the 'catawampus' things.