`` I do n't stand on ceremony , Mistress Blythe , '' he told Anne . `` It 's a real pleasure to me to come here , and I 'm not going to deny myself jest because you have n't got down to see me . There ought n't to be no bargaining like that among the race that knows Joseph . I 'll come when I can , and you come when you can , and so long 's we have our pleasant little chat it do n't matter a mite what roof 's over us . '' Captain Jim took a great fancy to Gog and Magog , who were presiding over the destinies of the hearth in the little house with as much dignity and aplomb as they had done at Patty 's Place . `` Are n't they the cutest little cusses ? '' he would say delightedly ; and he bade them greeting and farewell as gravely and invariably as he did his host and hostess . Captain Jim was not going to offend household deities by any lack of reverence and ceremony . `` You 've made this little house just about perfect , '' he told Anne . `` It never was so nice before . Mistress Selwyn had your taste and she did wonders ; but folks in those days did n't have the pretty little curtains and pictures and nicknacks you have . As for Elizabeth , she lived in the past . You 've kinder brought the future into it , so to speak . I 'd be real happy even if we could n't talk at all , when I come here -- jest to sit and look at you and your pictures and your flowers would be enough of a treat . It 's beautiful -- beautiful . '' Captain Jim was a passionate worshipper of beauty . Every lovely thing heard or seen gave him a deep , subtle , inner joy that irradiated his life . He was quite keenly aware of his own lack of outward comeliness and lamented it . `` Folks say I 'm good , '' he remarked whimsically upon one occasion , `` but I sometimes wish the Lord had made me only half as good and put the rest of it into looks . But there , I reckon He knew what He was about , as a good Captain should .
Some of us have to be homely , or the purty ones -- like Mistress XXXXX here -- would n't show up so well . ''
Anne Blythe Captain Gog Jim Selwyn comeliness days nicknacks worshipper