He could have sworn it was malicious amusement . One evening he went to Four Winds around the shore . As he turned the headland of the cove , he saw Lynde and her dogs not a hundred feet away . The moment she saw him she darted up the bank and disappeared among the firs . Alan was thunderstruck . There was no room for doubt that she meant to avoid him . He walked up to the house in a tumult of mingled feelings which he did not even then understand . He only realized that he felt bitterly hurt and grieved -- puzzled as well . What did it all mean ? He met Emily in the yard of Four Winds on her way to the spring and stopped her resolutely . `` Miss Oliver , '' he said bluntly , `` is Miss Lynde angry with me ? And why ? '' Emily looked at him piercingly . `` Have you no idea why ? '' she asked shortly . `` None in the world . '' She looked at him through and through a moment longer . Then , seeming satisfied with her scrutiny , she picked up her pail . `` Come down to the spring with me , '' she said . As soon as they were out of sight of the house , Emily began abruptly .
`` If you do n't know why XXXXX is acting so , I ca n't tell you , for I do n't know either .
Alan Emily Lynde None Oliver Winds evening firs moment tumult