"I hope he will not let his mother hear him talking like that," she thought as she stacked the hoes and rake away.
Rilla was standing among the budding daffodils with tear-filled eyes.
Her evening was spoiled; she detested Susan, who had somehow hurt Walter; and Jem--had Jem been gassed?
Had he died in torture?
"I can't endure this suspense any longer," said Rilla desperately.
But she endured it as the others did for another week.

Then a letter came from Jem.

He was all right.
"I've come through without a scratch, dad.

Don't know how I or any of us did it.

You'll have seen all about it in the papers--I can't write of it.