My mother was born and spent her childhood here , you know . She used to talk a great deal to me of her old home . I know the geography of it as well as of the one I lived in , and , of course , she told me the story of the building of the house , and of my grandfather 's agonised watch for the Royal William . I had thought that so old a house must have vanished years ago , or I should have come to see it before this . '' `` Old houses do n't vanish easily on this enchanted coast , '' smiled Anne . `` This is a ` land where all things always seem the same ' -- nearly always , at least . John Selwyn 's house has n't even been much changed , and outside the rose-bushes your grandfather planted for his bride are blooming this very minute . '' `` How the thought links me with them ! With your leave I must explore the whole place soon . '' `` Our latch-string will always be out for you , '' promised Anne . `` And do you know that the old sea captain who keeps the Four Winds light knew John Selwyn and his bride well in his boyhood ? He told me their story the night I came here -- the third bride of the old house . '' `` Can it be possible ? This IS a discovery . I must hunt him up . '' `` It wo n't be difficult ; we are all cronies of Captain Jim . He will be as eager to see you as you could be to see him . Your grandmother shines like a star in his memory . But I think Mrs. Moore is expecting you . I 'll show you our ` cross-lots ' road . ''
XXXXX walked with him to the house up the brook , over a field that was as white as snow with daisies .
Anne Jim Selwyn William Winds cross-lots latch-string minute night rose-bushes