Page:Rilla of Ingleside (1921).djvu/356

 as I am. I haven’t had one for years. It tastes good. I s’pose now, you monkey, you wouldn't give me a kiss.”

Then Jims did a quite surprising thing. He was not a demonstrative youngster and was chary with kisses even to the Ingleside people. But without a word he stood up in bed, his plump little body encased only in his undershirt, ran to the footboard, flung his arms about Mrs. Matilda Pitman’s neck, and gave her a bear hug, accompanied by three or four hearty, ungrudging smacks.

“Jims,” protested Rilla, aghast at this liberty.

“You leave him be,” ordered Mrs. Matilda Pitman, setting her bonnet straight. “Laws I like to see some one that isn’t skeered of me. Everybody is—you are, though you’re trying to hide it. And why? Of course Robert and Amelia are because I make ’em skeered on purpose. But folks always are—no matter how civil I be to them. Are you going to keep this child?”

“I’m afraid not. His father is coming home before long.”

“Is he any good—the father, I mean?”

“Well—he’s kind and nice—but he’s poor—and I’m afraid he always will be,” faltered Rilla.

“I see—shiftless—can’t make or keep. Well, I'll see—I’ll see. I have an idea. It’s a good idea, and besides it will make Robert and Amelia squirm. That's its main merit in my eyes, though I like that child, mind you, because he ain’t skeered of me. He’s worth some bother. Now, you get dressed, as I said before, and come down when you’re good and ready.”