It did not occur to him to wonder why it should please him . If he had hunted that feeling down he might have been surprised to discover that it had its origin in a curious gratification over the thought that the woman who lived with Lynde had a certain refinement about her . He preferred her unsmiling dourness to vulgar garrulity . `` Are you the young minister up at Rexton ? '' she asked bluntly . `` Yes . '' `` I thought so . Lynde said she had seen you on the shore once . Well '' -- she cast an uncertain glance over her shoulder at the house -- `` I 'm much obliged to you . '' Alan had an idea that that was not what she had thought of saying , but as she had turned aside and was busying herself with the pails , there seemed nothing for him to do but to go . `` Wait a moment . '' She faced him again , and if Alan had been a vain man he might have thought that admiration looked from her piercing eyes . `` What do you think of us ? I suppose they 've told you tales of us up there ? '' -- with a scornful gesture of her hand in the direction of Rexton . `` Do you believe them ? '' `` I believe no ill of anyone until I have absolute proof of it , '' said Alan , smiling -- he was quite unconscious what a winning smile he had , which was the best of it -- `` and I never put faith in gossip . Of course you are gossipped about -- you know that . '' `` Yes , I know it '' -- grimly -- `` and I do n't care what they say about the Captain and me . We are a queer pair -- just as queer as they make us out .
You can believe what you like about us , but do n't you believe a word they say against XXXXX .
Alan Captain Lynde Rexton course dourness eyes garrulity glance idea