`` I walked the shore for months after that , '' he said sadly , `` looking to find her dear , sweet little body ; but the sea never give her back to me . But I 'll find her sometime , Mistress Blythe -- I 'll find her sometime . She 's waiting for me . I wish I could tell you jest how she looked , but I ca n't . I 've seen a fine , silvery mist hanging over the bar at sunrise that seemed like her -- and then again I 've seen a white birch in the woods back yander that made me think of her . She had pale , brown hair and a little white , sweet face , and long slender fingers like yours , Mistress Blythe , only browner , for she was a shore girl . Sometimes I wake up in the night and hear the sea calling to me in the old way , and it seems as if lost Margaret called in it . And when there 's a storm and the waves are sobbing and moaning I hear her lamenting among them . And when they laugh on a gay day it 's HER laugh -- lost Margaret 's sweet , roguish , little laugh . The sea took her from me , but some day I 'll find her . Mistress Blythe . It ca n't keep us apart forever . '' `` I am glad you have told me about her , '' said Anne . `` I have often wondered why you had lived all your life alone . '' `` I could n't ever care for anyone else . Lost Margaret took my heart with her -- out there , '' said the old lover , who had been faithful for fifty years to his drowned sweetheart . `` You wo n't mind if I talk a good deal about her , will you , Mistress Blythe ? It 's a pleasure to me -- for all the pain went out of her memory years ago and jest left its blessing . I know you 'll never forget her , Mistress Blythe . And if the years , as I hope , bring other little folks to your home , I want you to promise me that you 'll tell THEM the story of lost Margaret , so that her name wo n't be forgotten among humankind . ''
CHAPTER 21 BARRIERS SWEPT AWAY `` XXXXX , '' said Leslie , breaking abruptly a short silence , `` you do n't know how GOOD it is to be sitting here with you again -- working -- and talking -- and being silent together . ''
Anne Margaret browner day drowned lamenting left months night storm