Leslie 's dress was cut a little away at the neck and had short sleeves . Her arms gleamed like ivory-tinted marble . Every exquisite curve of her form was outlined in soft darkness against the light . Her hair shone in it like flame . Beyond her was a purple sky , flowering with stars over the harbor . Anne heard her companion give a gasp . Even in the dusk she could see the amazement and admiration on his face . `` Who is that beautiful creature ? '' he asked . `` That is Mrs. Moore , '' said Anne . `` She is very lovely , is n't she ? '' `` I -- I never saw anything like her , '' he answered , rather dazedly . `` I was n't prepared -- I did n't expect -- good heavens , one DOES N'T expect a goddess for a landlady ! Why , if she were clothed in a gown of sea-purple , with a rope of amethysts in her hair , she would be a veritable sea-queen . And she takes in boarders ! '' `` Even goddesses must live , '' said Anne . `` And Leslie is n't a goddess . She 's just a very beautiful woman , as human as the rest of us . Did Miss Bryant tell you about Mr. Moore ? '' `` Yes , -- he 's mentally deficient , or something of the sort , is n't he ?
But she said nothing about Mrs. Moore , and I supposed she 'd be the usual hustling country housewife who takes in XXXXX to earn an honest penny . ''
Anne Bryant Leslie Moore amethysts boarders goddesses landlady sea-purple sea-queen