Benjamin smiled and promised . He was rowing along with the easy grace of one used to the oar . He had been born and brought up in sound of the gulf 's waves ; its never-ceasing murmur had been his first lullaby . He knew it and loved it in every mood , in every varying tint and smile , in every change of wind and tide . There was no better skipper alongshore than Benjamin Selby . Mary Stella waved her hand gaily to the two men on the rocks . Benjamin looked back darkly . `` Who is that young fellow ? '' he asked again . `` Where does he belong ? '' `` He is the son of Father 's sister -- his favourite sister , although he has never seen her since she married an American years ago and went to live in the States . She made Frank come down here this summer and hunt us up . He is splendid , I think . He is a New York lawyer and very clever . '' Benjamin made no response . He pulled in his oars and let the dory float amid the ripples . The bottom of white sand , patterned over with coloured pebbles , was clear and distinct through the dark-green water . Mary Stella leaned over to watch the distorted reflection of her face by the dory 's side . `` Have you had pretty good luck this week , Benjamin ? Father could n't go out much -- he has been so busy with his hay , and Leon is such a poor fisherman . ''
`` We 've had some XXXXX the best hauls of the summer this week .
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