`` And the material must have cost more than she could really afford . It is very sweet of her . '' But Leslie was brusque and curt when Anne thanked her , and again the latter felt thrown back upon herself . Leslie 's gift was not alone in the little house . Miss Cornelia had , for the time being , given up sewing for unwanted , unwelcome eighth babies , and fallen to sewing for a very much wanted first one , whose welcome would leave nothing to be desired . Philippa Blake and Diana Wright each sent a marvellous garment ; and Mrs. Rachel Lynde sent several , in which good material and honest stitches took the place of embroidery and frills . Anne herself made many , desecrated by no touch of machinery , spending over them the happiest hours of the happy winter . Captain Jim was the most frequent guest of the little house , and none was more welcome . Every day Anne loved the simple-souled , true-hearted old sailor more and more . He was as refreshing as a sea breeze , as interesting as some ancient chronicle . She was never tired of listening to his stories , and his quaint remarks and comments were a continual delight to her . Captain Jim was one of those rare and interesting people who `` never speak but they say something . '' The milk of human kindness and the wisdom of the serpent were mingled in his composition in delightful proportions . Nothing ever seemed to put Captain Jim out or depress him in any way . `` I 've kind of contracted a habit of enj ` ying things , '' he remarked once , when Anne had commented on his invariable cheerfulness . `` It 's got so chronic that I believe I even enj ' y the disagreeable things . It 's great fun thinking they ca n't last . ` Old rheumatiz , ' says I , when it grips me hard , ` you 've GOT to stop aching sometime . The worse you are the sooner you 'll stop , mebbe . I 'm bound to get the better of you in the long run , whether in the body or out of the body . ' ''
One night , by the fireside at the light Anne saw Captain XXXXX 's `` life-book . ''
Blake Jim Leslie Lynde Wright eighth enj first hours rheumatiz