I 'll read my book clean through before sun-up . '' `` We 'll go right away and leave you free to begin it , '' said Anne . Captain Jim had been handling the book in a kind of reverent rapture . Now he decidedly closed it and laid it aside . `` No , no , you 're not going away before you take a cup of tea with the old man , '' he protested . `` I could n't hear to that -- could you , Matey ? The life-book will keep , I reckon . I 've waited for it this many a year . I can wait a little longer while I 'm enjoying my friends . '' Captain Jim moved about getting his kettle on to boil , and setting out his bread and butter . Despite his excitement he did not move with his old briskness . His movements were slow and halting . But the girls did not offer to help him . They knew it would hurt his feelings . `` You just picked the right evening to visit me , '' he said , producing a cake from his cupboard . `` Leetle Joe 's mother sent me down a big basket full of cakes and pies today . A blessing on all good cooks , says I. Look at this purty cake , all frosting and nuts . ` Tai n't often I can entertain in such style . Set in , girls , set in ! We 'll ` tak a cup o ' kindness yet for auld lang syne . ' ''
The girls `` set XXXXX '' right merrily .
about at before for from in of on while with