The view from our door was magnificent , taking in the big harbour and sweeps of purple hills beyond . The entrance of the harbour gave it its name -- a deep , narrow channel between the bar of sand dunes on the one side and a steep , high , frowning red sandstone cliff on the other . We appreciated its significance the first time we saw a splendid golden sunrise flooding it , coming out of the wonderful sea and sky beyond and billowing through that narrow passage in waves of light . Truly , it was a golden gate through which one might sail to `` faerie lands forlorn . '' As we went along the path to our little house we were agreeably surprised to see a blue spiral of smoke curling up from its big , square chimney , and the next moment Uncle Jesse -LRB- we were calling him Uncle Jesse half an hour after we met him , so it seems scarcely worthwhile to begin with anything else -RRB- came to the door . `` Welcome , ladies , '' he said , holding out a big , hard , but scrupulously clean hand . `` I thought you 'd be feeling a bit tired and hungry , maybe , so when I came over to open up I put on a fire and brewed you up a cup of tea . I just delight in being neighbourly and ` tai n't often I have the chance . '' We found that Uncle Jesse 's `` cup of tea '' meant a veritable spread . He had aired the little dining room , set out the table daintily with Aunt Elizabeth 's china and linen -- `` knowed jest where to put my hands on 'em -- often and often helped old Miss Kennedy wash 'em . We were cronies , her and me . I miss her terrible '' -- and adorned it with mayflowers which , as we afterwards discovered , he had tramped several miles to gather . There was good bread and butter , `` store '' biscuits , a dish of tea fit for the gods on high Olympus , and a platter of the most delicious sea trout , done to a turn . `` Thought they 'd be tasty after travelling , '' said Uncle Jesse . `` They 're fresh as trout can be , ma'am . Two hours ago they was swimming in Johnson 's pond yander . I caught 'em -- yes , ma'am . It 's about all I 'm good for now , catching trout and cod occasional . But ` twere n't always so -- not by no manner of means . I used to do other things , as you 'd admit if you saw my life-book . ''
I was so hungry and tired that I did not then `` rise XXXXX the bait '' of Uncle Jesse 's `` life-book . ''
after ago as between by for if in so to