m. I didn't think you had so much political venom in you," laughed
Anne, who was not much excited over the tidings. Little Jem had said
"Wow-ga" that morning. What were principalities and powers, the rise
and fall of dynasties, the overthrow of Grit or Tory, compared with
that miraculous occurrence?

"It's been accumulating for a long while," said Captain Jim, with a
deprecating smile. "I thought I was only a moderate Grit, but when the
news came that we were in I found out how Gritty I really was."

"You know the doctor and I are Conservatives."

"Ah, well, it's the only bad thing I know of either of you, Mistress
Blythe. Cornelia is a Tory, too. I called in on my way from the Glen
to tell her the news."

"Didn't you know you took your life in your hands?"

"Yes, but I couldn't resist the temptation."

"How did she take it?"

"Comparatively calm, Mistress Blythe, comparatively calm. She says,
says she, 'Well, Providence sends seasons of humiliation to a country,
same as to individuals. You Grits have been cold and hungry for many a
year. Make haste to get warmed and fed, for you won't be in long.'
'Well, now Cornelia,' I says, 'mebbe Providence thinks Canada needs a
real long spell of humiliation.' Ah, Susan, have YOU heard the news?
The Liberals are in."

Susan had just come in from the kitchen, attended by the odor of
delectable dishes which always seemed to hover around her.

"Now, are they?" she said, with beautiful unconcern. "Well, I never
could see but that my bread rose just as light when Grits were in as
when they were not. And if any party, Mrs. Doctor, dear, will make it
rain before the week is out, and save our kitchen garden from entire
ruination, that is the party Susan will vote for. In the meantime,
will you just step out and give me your opinion on the meat for dinner?
I am fearing that it is very tough, and I think that we had better
change our butcher as well as our government."

One evening, a week later, Anne walked down to the Point, to see if she
could get some fresh fish from Captain Jim, leaving Little Jem for the
first time. It was quite a tragedy. Suppose he cried? Suppose Susan
did not know just exactly what to do for him? Susan was calm and
serene.

"I have had as much experience with him as you, Mrs. Doctor, dear, have
I not?"

"Yes, with him--but not with other babies. Why, I looked after three
pairs of twins, when I was a child, Susan. When they cried, I