`` Do you know who Mr. Ford is , Captain Jim ? '' asked Anne , seeing that Captain Jim 's fountain of reminiscence had run out for the present . `` I want you to guess . '' Captain Jim shook his head . `` I never was any hand at guessing , Mistress Blythe , and yet somehow when I come in I thought , ` Where have I seen them eyes before ? ' -- for I HAVE seen 'em . '' `` Think of a September morning many years ago , '' said Anne , softly . `` Think of a ship sailing up the harbor -- a ship long waited for and despaired of . Think of the day the Royal William came in and the first look you had at the schoolmaster 's bride . '' Captain Jim sprang up . `` They 're Persis Selwyn 's eyes , '' he almost shouted . `` You ca n't be her son -- you must be her -- '' `` Grandson ; yes , I am Alice Selwyn 's son . '' Captain Jim swooped down on Owen Ford and shook his hand over again . `` Alice Selwyn 's son ! Lord , but you 're welcome ! Many 's the time I 've wondered where the descendants of the schoolmaster were living . I knew there was none on the Island . Alice -- Alice -- the first baby ever born in that little house . No baby ever brought more joy ! I 've dandled her a hundred times .
It was from my knee she took her XXXXX steps alone .
Alice Anne Blythe Ford Island Jim Selwyn William first morning