`` The old year is going away beautifully , '' said Anne . She and Leslie and Gilbert were on their way to the Four Winds Point , having plotted with Captain Jim to watch the New Year in at the light . The sun had set and in the southwestern sky hung Venus , glorious and golden , having drawn as near to her earth-sister as is possible for her . For the first time Anne and Gilbert saw the shadow cast by that brilliant star of evening , that faint , mysterious shadow , never seen save when there is white snow to reveal it , and then only with averted vision , vanishing when you gaze at it directly . `` It 's like the spirit of a shadow , is n't it ? '' whispered Anne . `` You can see it so plainly haunting your side when you look ahead ; but when you turn and look at it -- it 's gone . '' `` I have heard that you can see the shadow of Venus only once in a lifetime , and that within a year of seeing it your life 's most wonderful gift will come to you , '' said Leslie . But she spoke rather hardly ; perhaps she thought that even the shadow of Venus could bring her no gift of life . Anne smiled in the soft twilight ; she felt quite sure what the mystic shadow promised her . They found Marshall Elliott at the lighthouse . At first Anne felt inclined to resent the intrusion of this long-haired , long-bearded eccentric into the familiar little circle . But Marshall Elliott soon proved his legitimate claim to membership in the household of Joseph . He was a witty , intelligent , well-read man , rivalling Captain Jim himself in the knack of telling a good story . They were all glad when he agreed to watch the old year out with them . Captain Jim 's small nephew Joe had come down to spend New Year 's with his great-uncle , and had fallen asleep on the sofa with the First Mate curled up in a huge golden ball at his feet . `` Ai n't he a dear little man ? '' said Captain Jim gloatingly . `` I do love to watch a little child asleep , Mistress Blythe . It 's the most beautiful sight in the world , I reckon .
XXXXX does love to get down here for a night , because I have him sleep with me .
Blythe Elliott Jim Joe Leslie Point Venus evening twilight year