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 Lynde . She 's sweet and good and beautiful . It 's not her fault that she never went to church -- it 's her father 's . Do n't you hold that against her . ''
The fierce yet repressed energy of her tone prevented Alan from feeling any amusement over her simple defence of XXXXX .
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