It was about the middle of the afternoon , and intensely warm and breathless . The headlands and coves were blurred by a purple heat haze . The long sweep of the sandshore was so glaringly brilliant that the pained eye sought relief among the rough rocks , where shadows were cast by the big red sandstone boulders . The little cluster of fishing houses nearby were bleached to a silvery grey by long exposure to wind and rain . Far off were several `` Yankee '' fishing schooners , their sails dimly visible against the white horizon . Two boats were hauled upon the `` skids '' that ran from the rocks out into the water . A couple of dories floated below them . Now and then a white gull , flashing silver where its plumage caught the sun , soared landward . A young man was standing by the skids , watching the fishing boats through a spyglass . He was tall , with a straight , muscular figure clad in a rough fishing suit . His face was deeply browned by the gulf breezes and was attractive rather than handsome , while his eyes , as blue and clear as the gulf waters , were peculiarly honest and frank . Two wiry , dark-faced French-Canadian boys were perched on one of the boats , watching the fishing fleet with lazy interest in their inky-black eyes , and wondering if the `` Yanks '' had seined many mackerel that day . Presently three people came down the steep path from the fish-houses . One of them , a girl , ran lightly forward and touched Benjamin Selby 's arm . He lowered his glass with a start and looked around . A flash of undisguised delight transfigured his face . `` Why , Mary Stella ! I did n't expect you 'd be down this hot day . You have n't been much at the shore lately , '' he added reproachfully . `` I really have n't had time , Benjamin , '' she answered carelessly , as she took the glass from his hand and tried to focus it on the fishing fleet .
Benjamin steadied it for her ; the flush XXXXX pleasure was still glowing on his bronzed cheek , `` Are the mackerel biting now ? ''
about as at if into of than that to while