She picked him up gently and rocked him soothingly until his sobs ceased and his eyes closed . Then she essayed to lay him down in his crib . Jims opened his eyes and shrieked a protest . This performance was repeated twice . Rilla grew desperate . She could n't leave Ken down there alone any longer -- she had been away nearly half an hour already . With a resigned air she marched downstairs , carrying Jims , and sat down on the veranda . It was , no doubt , a ridiculous thing to sit and cuddle a contrary war-baby when your best young man was making his farewell call , but there was nothing else to be done . Jims was supremely happy . He kicked his little pink-soled feet rapturously out under his white nighty and gave one of his rare laughs . He was beginning to be a very pretty baby ; his golden hair curled in silken ringlets all over his little round head and his eyes were beautiful . `` He 's a decorative kiddy all right , is n't he ? '' said Ken . `` His looks are very well , '' said Rilla , bitterly , as if to imply that they were much the best of him . Jims , being an astute infant , sensed trouble in the atmosphere and realized that it was up to him to clear it away . He turned his face up to Rilla , smiled adorably and said , clearly and beguilingly , `` Will -- Will . '' It was the very first time he had spoken a word or tried to speak . Rilla was so delighted that she forgot her grudge against him . She forgave him with a hug and kiss . Jims , understanding that he was restored to favour , cuddled down against her just where a gleam of light from the lamp in the living-room struck across his hair and turned it into a halo of gold against her breast .
Kenneth XXXXX very still and silent , looking at Rilla -- at the delicate , girlish silhouette of her , her long lashes , her dented lip , her adorable chin .
beginning being cuddle kicked leave opened realized repeated sat understanding