Captain Jim was a high-souled , simple-minded old man , with eternal youth in his eyes and heart . He had a tall , rather ungainly figure , somewhat stooped , yet suggestive of great strength and endurance ; a clean-shaven face deeply lined and bronzed ; a thick mane of iron-gray hair falling quite to his shoulders , and a pair of remarkably blue , deep-set eyes , which sometimes twinkled and sometimes dreamed , and sometimes looked out seaward with a wistful quest in them , as of one seeking something precious and lost . Anne was to learn one day what it was for which Captain Jim looked . It could not be denied that Captain Jim was a homely man . His spare jaws , rugged mouth , and square brow were not fashioned on the lines of beauty ; and he had passed through many hardships and sorrows which had marked his body as well as his soul ; but though at first sight Anne thought him plain she never thought anything more about it -- the spirit shining through that rugged tenement beautified it so wholly . They gathered gaily around the supper table . The hearth fire banished the chill of the September evening , but the window of the dining room was open and sea breezes entered at their own sweet will . The view was magnificent , taking in the harbor and the sweep of low , purple hills beyond . The table was heaped with Mrs. Doctor 's delicacies but the piece de resistance was undoubtedly the big platter of sea trout . `` Thought they 'd be sorter tasty after travelling , '' said Captain Jim . `` They 're fresh as trout can be , Mistress Blythe . Two hours ago they were swimming in the Glen Pond . '' `` Who is attending to the light tonight , Captain Jim ? '' asked Doctor Dave . `` Nephew Alec . He understands it as well as I do . Well , now , I 'm real glad you asked me to stay to supper . I 'm proper hungry -- did n't have much of a dinner today . '' `` I believe you half starve yourself most of the time down at that light , '' said Mrs. Doctor Dave severely . `` You wo n't take the trouble to get up a decent meal . ''
`` Oh , I do , Mistress XXXXX , I do , '' protested Captain Jim .
Alec Anne Dave Doctor Jim Pond day evening mane seaward