In this case it is the man , not the minister , I invite . '' The front door of Four Winds opened directly into a wide , low-ceilinged living room , furnished with simplicity and good taste . Leaving the two men there , Lynde and the old cousin vanished , and Alan found himself talking freely with the Captain who could , as it appeared , talk well on many subjects far removed from Four Winds . He was evidently a clever , self-educated man , somewhat opinionated and given to sarcasm ; he never made any references to his own past life or experiences , but Alan discovered him to be surprisingly well read in politics and science . Sometimes in the pauses of the conversation Alan found the older man looking at him in a furtive way he did not like , but the Captain was such an improvement on what he had been led to expect that he was not inclined to be over critical . At least , this was what he honestly thought . He did not suspect that it was because this man was Lynde 's father that he wished to think as well as possible of him . Presently Lynde came in . She had changed her outdoor dress , stained with moss and soil in her fall , for a soft clinging garment of some pale yellow material , and her long , thick braid of hair hung over her shoulder . She sat mutely down in a dim corner and took no part in the conversation except to answer briefly the remarks which Alan addressed to her . Emily came in and lighted the lamp on the table . She was as grim and unsmiling as ever , yet she cast a look of satisfaction on Alan as she passed out . One dog lay down at Lynde 's feet , the other sat on his haunches by her side and laid his head on her lap . Rexton and its quiet round of parish duties seemed thousands of miles away from Alan , and he wondered a little if this were not all a dream . When he went away the Captain invited him back . `` If you like to come , that is , '' he said brusquely , `` and always as the man , not the priest , remember . I do n't want you by and by to be slyly slipping in the thin end of any professional wedges . You 'll waste your time if you do . Come as man to man and you 'll be welcome , for I like you -- and it 's few men I like . But do n't try to talk religion to me . ''
`` I never talk religion , '' said XXXXX emphatically .
Alan Captain Emily Lynde Rexton Winds braid dress references wedges