He never goes anywhere , but there used to be talk of strangers visiting him -- queer sort of characters who came up the lake in vessels from the American side . I have n't heard any reports of such these past few years , though -- not since his wife disappeared . He keeps a yacht and goes sailing in it -- sometimes he cruises about for weeks -- that 's about all he ever does . And now you know as much about the Olivers as I do , Mr. Douglas . '' Alan had listened to this gossipy narrative with an interest that did not escape Isabel King 's observant eyes . Much of it he mentally dismissed as improbable surmise , but the basic facts were probably as Mrs. Danby had reported them . He had known that the girl of the shore could be no commonplace , primly nurtured young woman . `` Has no effort ever been made to bring these people into touch with the church ? '' he asked absently . `` Bless you , yes . Every minister that 's ever been in Rexton has had a try at it . The old cousin met every one of them at the door and told him nobody was at home . Mr. Strong was the most persistent -- he did n't like being beaten . He went again and again and finally the Captain sent him word that when he wanted parsons or pill-dosers he 'd send for them , and till he did he 'd thank them to mind their own business . They say Mr. Strong met Lynde once along shore and wanted to know if she would n't come to church , and she laughed in his face and told him she knew more about God now than he did or ever would . Perhaps the story is n't true . Or if it was maybe he provoked her into saying it . Mr. Strong was n't overly tactful . I believe in judging the poor girl as charitably as possible and making allowances for her , seeing how she 's been brought up . You could n't expect her to know how to behave . ''
Somehow , Alan resented Mrs. XXXXX 's charity .
Alan American Danby Douglas King Lynde Olivers Rexton weeks years