Rilla of Ingleside

Is contained in

Canonical title

Rilla of Ingleside

Original title

Rilla of Ingleside

Original publication date

1921; 1996 (Nouvelle édition française, Presses de la Cité) (Nouvelle é | dition franç | aise, Presses de la Cité | )

People/Characters

Bertha Marilla "Rilla" Blythe; Anne Blythe (né | e Shirley); Gilbert Blythe; Kenneth "Ken" Ford; James Kitchener "Jims" Anderson; Susan Baker (show all 16); Walter Blythe; James "Jem" Blythe; Shirley Blythe; Gertrude Oliver; Mary Vance; John Meredith; Carl Meredith; Faith Meredith; Una Meredith; Bruce Meredith

Important places

Prince Edward Island, Canada; Four Winds Point, Four Winds, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Important events

World War I

Dedication

To the memory of FREDERICA CAMPBELL MACFARLANE who went away from me when the dawn broke on January 25th, 1919 - a true friend, a rare personality, a loyal and courageous soul

First words

It was a warm, golden-cloudy, lovable afternoon.

Quotations

We give more than them. They only give themselves. We give them.

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This morning his mother saw him going out of the yard, with a very sorrowful and determined look, carrying his pet kitten. She didn't think much more about it until later on he came in, with the most tragic little face, and t... (show all)old her, his little body shaking with sobs, that he had drowned Stripey.

"'Why did you do that?' Mrs. Meredith exclaimed.

"'To bring Jem back,' sobbed Bruce. 'I thought if I sacrificed Stripey God would send Jem back. So I drownded him—and, oh mother, it was awful hard—but surely God will send Jem back now, 'cause Stripey was the dearest thing I had. I just told God I would give Him Stripey if He would send Jem back. And He will, won't He, mother?'

"Mrs. Meredith didn't know what to say to the poor child. She just could not tell him that perhaps his sacrifice wouldn't bring Jem back—that God didn't work that way. She told him that he mustn't expect it right away—that perhaps it would be quite a long time yet before Jem came back.

"But Bruce said, 'It oughtn't to take longer'n a week, mother. Oh, mother, Stripey was such a nice little cat. He purred so pretty. Don't you think God ought to like him enough to let us have Jem?"

"Mr. Meredith is worried about the effect on Bruce's faith in God, and Mrs. Meredith is worried about the effect on Bruce himself if his hope isn't fulfilled. And I feel as if I must cry every time I think of it. It was so splendid—and sad—and beautiful. The dear devoted little fellow! He worshipped that kitten. And if it all goes for nothing—as so many sacrifices seem to go for nothing—he will be brokenhearted, for he isn't old enough to understand that God doesn't answer our prayers just as we hope—and doesn't make bargains with us when we yield something we love up to Him."

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Ken took the uncertain hand she held out, and looked at her. The slim Rilla of four years ago had rounded out into symmetry. He had left a school girl, and he found a woman—a woman with wonderful eyes and a dented lip, and ... (show all)rose-bloom cheek—a woman altogether beautiful and desirable—the woman of his dreams.

"Is it Rilla-my-Rilla?" he asked, meaningly.

Emotion shook Rilla from head to foot. Joy—happiness—sorrow—fear—every passion that had wrung her heart in those four long years seemed to surge up in her soul for a moment as the deeps of being were stirred. She had tried to speak; at first voice would not come. Then—"Yeth," said Rilla.

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Una took the letter and when Rilla had gone she pressed it against her lonely lips. Una knew that love would never come into her life now—it was buried for ever under the blood-stained soil "Somewhere in France." No one but... (show all) herself—and perhaps Rilla—knew it—would ever know it. She had no right in the eyes of her world to grieve. She must hide and bear her long pain as best she could—alone. But she, too, would keep faith.

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Then--"Yeth," said Rilla.

Original language

English