Si 's catching mackerel , '' announced Agnes a few minutes later , after she had scrutinized each boat in turn , `` and he wo n't be in for an hour yet . If you like , we have time for a walk up the shore . '' The sun slipped lower and lower in the creamy sky , leaving a trail of sparkles that ran across the water and lost itself in the west . Sea gulls soared and dipped , and tiny `` sand peeps '' flitted along the beach . Just as the red rim of the sun dipped in the purpling sea , the boats began to come in . `` Most of them will go around to the Point , '' explained Agnes , with a contemptuous sweep of her hand towards a long headland running out before them . `` They belong there and they 're a rough crowd . You do n't catch Young Si associating with the Pointers . There , he 's getting up sail . We 'll just have time to get back before he comes in . '' They hurried back across the dampening sand as the sun disappeared , leaving a fiery spot behind him . The shore was no longer quiet and deserted . The little spot where the fishing house stood had suddenly started into life . Roughly clad boys were running hither and thither , carrying fish or water . The boats were hauled up on the skids . A couple of shaggy old tars , who had strolled over from the Point to hear about Young Si 's catch , were smoking their pipes at the corner of his shanty . A mellow afterlight was shining over sea and shore . The whole scene delighted Ethel 's artist eyes . Agnes nudged her companion . `` There !
If you want to see Young Si , '' she whispered , pointing to the skids , where a busy figure was discernible XXXXX a large boat , `` that 's him , with his back to us , in the cream-coloured boat .
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