The girl stepped daintily off the rocks into the little cream-coloured skiff , and Benjamin untied the rope and pushed off . `` Where would you like to go , Mary Stella ? '' `` Oh , just upshore a little way -- not far . And do n't go out into very deep water , please , it makes me feel frightened and dizzy . '' 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 XXXXX white sand , patterned over with coloured pebbles , was clear and distinct through the dark-green water .
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