Anne of Ingleside

Another reread, by L.M. Montgomery. In this one, Anne's children are all very young and get into little scrapes that are adorable and sad all at the same time. Why do children's books have to be so damn sad? I really didn't notice this as a youngster reading these, how sad they are. Anyway, for instance, little Jem adopts a dog named Bruno from an orphan boy who is going to live with his aunt, who won't take a dog. Little Bruno is so sad for his old owner that he stops eating and everyone fears he will die. Dr. Blythe goes and fetches Roddy (the old owner) and brings him to Ingleside to cheer Bruno up. Boy, is Bruno a changed dog! Then Roddy tells Jem that his aunt wouldn't mind him having a dog, only he didn't want to ask Jem if he could have him back. Well, of course, Jem, being the perfect little child he is, insists Roddy take Bruno home. Now, how sad is this? Seriously. I'm beginning to question my sanity by rereading these books.