`` And please do n't think I 'm utterly irresponsible because you saw me dancing on the shore at sunset . No doubt I shall be dignified after a time . You see , I have n't been married very long . I feel like a girl , and sometimes like a child , yet . '' `` I have been married twelve years , '' said Leslie . Here was another unbelievable thing . `` Why , you ca n't be as old as I am ! '' exclaimed Anne . `` You must have been a child when you were married . '' `` I was sixteen , '' said Leslie , rising , and picking up the cap and jacket lying beside her . `` I am twenty-eight now . Well , I must go back . '' `` So must I. Gilbert will probably be home . But I 'm so glad we both came to the shore tonight and met each other . '' Leslie said nothing , and Anne was a little chilled . She had offered friendship frankly but it had not been accepted very graciously , if it had not been absolutely repelled . In silence they climbed the cliffs and walked across a pasture-field of which the feathery , bleached , wild grasses were like a carpet of creamy velvet in the moonlight . When they reached the shore lane Leslie turned . `` I go this way , Mrs. Blythe . You will come over and see me some time , wo n't you ? ''
XXXXX felt as if the invitation had been thrown at her .
Anne Blythe Gilbert Leslie cap dancing moonlight pasture-field time years