I may be as crazy as I like . '' She caught up her skirt and pirouetted along the hard strip of sand just out of reach of the waves that almost lapped her feet with their spent foam . Whirling round and round , laughing like a child , she reached the little headland that ran out to the east of the cove ; then she stopped suddenly , blushing crimson ; she was not alone ; there had been a witness to her dance and laughter . The girl of the golden hair and sea-blue eyes was sitting on a boulder of the headland , half-hidden by a jutting rock . She was looking straight at Anne with a strange expression -- part wonder , part sympathy , part -- could it be ? -- envy . She was bare-headed , and her splendid hair , more than ever like Browning 's `` gorgeous snake , '' was bound about her head with a crimson ribbon . She wore a dress of some dark material , very plainly made ; but swathed about her waist , outlining its fine curves , was a vivid girdle of red silk . Her hands , clasped over her knee , were brown and somewhat work-hardened ; but the skin of her throat and cheeks was as white as cream . A flying gleam of sunset broke through a low-lying western cloud and fell across her hair . For a moment she seemed the spirit of the sea personified -- all its mystery , all its passion , all its elusive charm . `` You -- you must think me crazy , '' stammered Anne , trying to recover her self-possession . To be seen by this stately girl in such an abandon of childishness -- she , Mrs. Dr. Blythe , with all the dignity of the matron to keep up -- it was too bad ! `` No , '' said the girl , `` I do n't . '' She said nothing more ; her voice was expressionless ; her manner slightly repellent ; but there was something in her eyes -- eager yet shy , defiant yet pleading -- which turned Anne from her purpose of walking away . Instead , she sat down on the boulder beside the girl . `` Let 's introduce ourselves , '' she said , with the smile that had never yet failed to win confidence and friendliness . `` I am Mrs. Blythe -- and I live in that little white house up the harbor shore . '' `` Yes , I know , '' said the girl . `` I am Leslie Moore -- Mrs. Dick Moore , '' she added stiffly .
XXXXX was silent for a moment from sheer amazement .
Anne Blythe Browning Moore half-hidden headland house manner sea self-possession