`` God knows , '' said Gilbert softly . `` Great love and great pain might compass we know not what marvels . '' `` I am sure he did see it , '' said Anne earnestly . `` Fol-de-rol , '' said Doctor Dave , but he spoke with less conviction than usual . `` Because , you know , '' said Captain Jim solemnly , `` the Royal William came into Four Winds Harbor at daylight the next morning . `` Every soul in the Glen and along the shore was at the old wharf to meet her . The schoolmaster had been watching there all night . How we cheered as she sailed up the channel . '' Captain Jim 's eyes were shining . They were looking at the Four Winds Harbor of sixty years agone , with a battered old ship sailing through the sunrise splendor . `` And Persis Leigh was on board ? '' asked Anne . `` Yes -- her and the captain 's wife . They 'd had an awful passage -- storm after storm -- and their provisions give out , too . But there they were at last . When Persis Leigh stepped onto the old wharf John Selwyn took her in his arms -- and folks stopped cheering and begun to cry . I cried myself , though 't was years , mind you , afore I 'd admit it . Ai n't it funny how ashamed boys are of tears ? '' `` Was Persis Leigh beautiful ? '' asked Anne .
`` Well , I do n't know that you 'd call her beautiful exactly -- I -- do n't -- know , '' said Captain XXXXX slowly .
Anne Fol-de-rol Glen Jim Leigh Selwyn morning night storm years