Captain Jim had no fish . He seldom went out in his boat that summer , and his long tramping expeditions were over . He spent a great deal of his time sitting by his seaward window , looking out over the gulf , with his swiftly-whitening head leaning on his hand . He sat there tonight for many silent minutes , keeping some tryst with the past which Anne would not disturb . Presently he pointed to the iris of the West : `` That 's beautiful , is n't , it , Mistress Blythe ? But I wish you could have seen the sunrise this morning . It was a wonderful thing -- wonderful . I 've seen all kinds of sunrises come over that gulf . I 've been all over the world , Mistress Blythe , and take it all in all , I 've never seen a finer sight than a summer sunrise over the gulf . A man ca n't pick his time for dying , Mistress Blythe -- jest got to go when the Great Captain gives His sailing orders . But if I could I 'd go out when the morning comes across that water . I 've watched it many a time and thought what a thing it would be to pass out through that great white glory to whatever was waiting beyant , on a sea that ai n't mapped out on any airthly chart . I think , Mistress Blythe , that I 'd find lost Margaret there . '' Captain Jim had often talked to Anne of lost Margaret since he had told her the old story . His love for her trembled in every tone -- that love that had never grown faint or forgetful . `` Anyway , I hope when my time comes I 'll go quick and easy . I do n't think I 'm a coward , Mistress Blythe -- I 've looked an ugly death in the face more than once without blenching . But the thought of a lingering death does give me a queer , sick feeling of horror . '' `` Do n't talk about leaving us , dear , DEAR Captain , Jim , '' pleaded Anne , in a choked voice , patting the old brown hand , once so strong , but now grown very feeble . `` What would we do without you ? ''
Captain XXXXX smiled beautifully .
Captain Jim West beyant blenching iris minutes morning seaward tryst