CHAPTER 24 THE LIFE-BOOK OF CAPTAIN JIM `` I have a little brown cocoon of an idea that may possibly expand into a magnificent moth of fulfilment , '' Anne told Gilbert when she reached home . He had returned earlier than she had expected , and was enjoying Susan 's cherry pie . Susan herself hovered in the background , like a rather grim but beneficent guardian spirit , and found as much pleasure in watching Gilbert eat pie as he did in eating it . `` What is your idea ? '' he asked . `` I sha 'n' t tell you just yet -- not till I see if I can bring the thing about . '' `` What sort of a chap is Ford ? '' `` Oh , very nice , and quite good-looking . '' `` Such beautiful ears , doctor , dear , '' interjected Susan with a relish . `` He is about thirty or thirty-five , I think , and he meditates writing a novel . His voice is pleasant and his smile delightful , and he knows how to dress . He looks as if life had n't been altogether easy for him , somehow . '' Owen Ford came over the next evening with a note to Anne from Leslie ; they spent the sunset time in the garden and then went for a moonlit sail on the harbor , in the little boat Gilbert had set up for summer outings . They liked Owen immensely and had that feeling of having known him for many years which distinguishes the freemasonry of the house of Joseph . `` He is as nice as his ears , Mrs. Doctor , dear , '' said Susan , when he had gone . He had told Susan that he had never tasted anything like her strawberry shortcake and Susan 's susceptible heart was his forever . `` He has got a way with him , '' she reflected , as she cleared up the relics of the supper . `` It is real queer he is not married , for a man like that could have anybody for the asking . Well , maybe he is like me , and has not met the right one yet . '' Susan really grew quite romantic in her musings as she washed the supper dishes .
Two nights later Anne took Owen XXXXX down to Four Winds Point to introduce him to Captain Jim .
Ford Joseph Leslie Owen Susan outings relics right shortcake years