Perhaps my father deserves all you say of him -- but he is dead -- and if I come to you it must be with the understanding that nothing more is ever to be said against him . '' Timothy Robinson smiled -- a queer , twisted smile that yet had a hint of affection and comprehension in it . `` Very well , '' he said . `` I 'll never cast his shortcomings up to you again . Come to me -- and if I find you always as industrious and reliable as you 've proved yourself to be negotiating them elders , I 'll most likely forget that you ai n't my own son some of these days . '' The Finished Story She always sat in a corner of the west veranda at the hotel , knitting something white and fluffy , or pink and fluffy , or pale blue and fluffy -- always fluffy , at least , and always dainty . Shawls and scarfs and hoods the things were , I believe . When she finished one she gave it to some girl and began another . Every girl at Harbour Light that summer wore some distracting thing that had been fashioned by Miss Sylvia 's slim , tireless , white fingers . She was old , with that beautiful , serene old age which is as beautiful in its way as youth . Her girlhood and womanhood must have been very lovely to have ripened into such a beauty of sixty years . It was a surprise to everyone who heard her called Miss Sylvia . She looked so like a woman who ought to have stalwart , grown sons and dimpled little grandchildren . For the first two days after the arrival at the hotel she sat in her corner alone . There was always a circle of young people around her ; old folks and middle-aged people would have liked to join it , but Miss Sylvia , while she was gracious to all , let it be distinctly understood that her sympathies were with youth . She sat among the boys and girls , young men and maidens , like a fine white queen . Her dress was always the same and somewhat old-fashioned , but nothing else would have suited her half so well ; she wore a lace cap on her snowy hair and a heliotrope shawl over her black silk shoulders . She knitted continually and talked a good deal , but listened more . We sat around her at all hours of the day and told her everything . When you were first introduced to her you called her Miss Stanleymain .
Her endurance of that was limited XXXXX twenty-four hours .
among around as at if in into like of to