The question gave Alan an annoyance out of all proportion to its significance . He felt an instinctive reluctance to discuss Lynde Oliver with Isabel King . `` I saw her only for a moment , '' he said coldly , `` but she impressed me as being a beautiful woman . '' `` They tell queer stories about her -- but maybe they 're not all true , '' said Isabel , unable to keep the sneer of malice out of her voice . At that moment Alan 's secret contempt for her crystallized into pronounced aversion . He made no reply and they went the rest of the way in silence . At her gate Isabel said , `` You have n't been over to see us very lately , Mr. Douglas . '' `` My congregation is a large one and I can not visit all my people as often as I might wish , '' Alan answered , all the more coldly for the personal note in her tone . `` A minister 's time is not his own , you know . '' `` Shall you be going to see the Olivers ? '' asked Isabel bluntly . `` I have not considered that question . Good-night , Miss King . '' On his way back to the manse Alan did consider the question . Should he make any attempt to establish friendly relations with the residents of Four Winds ? It surprised him to find how much he wanted to , but he finally concluded that he would not . They were not adherents of his church and he did not believe that even a minister had any right to force himself upon people who plainly wished to be let alone . When he got home , although it was late , he went to his study and began work on a new text -- for Elder Trewin 's seemed utterly out of the question . Even with the new one he did not get on very well . At last in exasperation he leaned back in his chair .
Why ca n't I stop thinking XXXXX those Four Winds people ?
At On about although as in into of that to