But Anne felt that if anyone possessed of the gift could take that simple record of a brave , adventurous life , reading between the bald lines the tales of dangers staunchly faced and duty manfully done , a wonderful story might be made from it . Rich comedy and thrilling tragedy were both lying hidden in Captain Jim 's `` life-book , '' waiting for the touch of the master hand to waken the laughter and grief and horror of thousands . Anne said something of this to Gilbert as they walked home . `` Why do n't you try your hand at it yourself , Anne ? '' Anne shook her head . `` No . I only wish I could . But it 's not in the power of my gift . You know what my forte is , Gilbert -- the fanciful , the fairylike , the pretty . To write Captain Jim 's life-book as it should be written one should be a master of vigorous yet subtle style , a keen psychologist , a born humorist and a born tragedian . A rare combination of gifts is needed . Paul might do it if he were older . Anyhow , I 'm going to ask him to come down next summer and meet Captain Jim . '' `` Come to this shore , '' wrote Anne to Paul . `` I am afraid you can not find here Nora or the Golden Lady or the Twin Sailors ; but you will find one old sailor who can tell you wonderful stories . '' Paul , however wrote back , saying regretfully that he could not come that year . He was going abroad for two year 's study . `` When I return I 'll come to Four Winds , dear Teacher , '' he wrote . `` But meanwhile , Captain Jim is growing old , '' said Anne , sorrowfully , `` and there is nobody to write his life-book . '' CHAPTER 18 SPRING DAYS The ice in the harbor grew black and rotten in the March suns ; in April there were blue waters and a windy , white-capped gulf again ; and again the Four Winds light begemmed the twilights .
`` I 'm so glad to see it once more , '' said XXXXX , on the first evening of its reappearance .
Anne Lady Nora Paul Sailors Winds humorist life-book twilights year