`` Well , I do n't know that you 'd call her beautiful exactly -- I -- do n't -- know , '' said Captain Jim slowly . `` Somehow , you never got so far along as to wonder if she was handsome or not . It jest did n't matter . There was something so sweet and winsome about her that you had to love her , that was all . But she was pleasant to look at -- big , clear , hazel eyes and heaps of glossy brown hair , and an English skin . John and her were married at our house that night at early candle-lighting ; everybody from far and near was there to see it and we all brought them down here afterwards . Mistress Selwyn lighted the fire , and we went away and left them sitting here , jest as John had seen in that vision of his . A strange thing -- a strange thing ! But I 've seen a turrible lot of strange things in my time . '' Captain Jim shook his head sagely . `` It 's a dear story , '' said Anne , feeling that for once she had got enough romance to satisfy her . `` How long did they live here ? '' `` Fifteen years . I ran off to sea soon after they were married , like the young scalawag I was . But every time I come back from a voyage I 'd head for here , even before I went home , and tell Mistress Selwyn all about it . Fifteen happy years ! They had a sort of talent for happiness , them two . Some folks are like that , if you 've noticed . They COULD N'T be unhappy for long , no matter what happened . They quarrelled once or twice , for they was both high-sperrited .
But Mistress XXXXX says to me once , says she , laughing in that pretty way of hers , ' I felt dreadful when John and I quarrelled , but underneath it all I was very happy because I had such a nice husband to quarrel with and make it up with . '
Anne English Jim John Selwyn fire left night scalawag years