Rilla, after the first shock, reacted to the romance of it all, in spite of her heartache.

Jem certainly looked magnificent in his uniform.

It was splendid to think of the lads of Canada answering so speedily and fearlessly and uncalculatingly to the call of their country.

Rilla carried her head high among the girls whose brothers had not so responded.

In her diary she wrote: "He goes to do what I had done Had Douglas's daughter been his son," and was sure she meant it.