Lynde 's mysterious absence was a far more perplexing problem . She had not gone away , for when Alan asked the Captain concerning her , he responded indifferently that she was out walking . Alan caught a glint of amusement in the older man 's eyes as he spoke . He could have sworn it was malicious amusement . One evening he went to Four Winds around the shore . As he turned the headland of the cove , he saw Lynde and her dogs not a hundred feet away . The moment she saw him she darted up the bank and disappeared among the firs . Alan was thunderstruck . There was no room for doubt that she meant to avoid him . He walked up to the house in a tumult of mingled feelings which he did not even then understand . He only realized that he felt bitterly hurt and grieved -- puzzled as well . What did it all mean ? He met Emily in the yard of Four Winds on her way to the spring and stopped her resolutely . `` Miss Oliver , '' he said bluntly , `` is Miss Lynde angry with me ? And why ? '' Emily looked at him piercingly . `` Have you no idea why ? '' she asked shortly . `` None in the world . '' She looked at him through and through a moment longer .
Then , seeming satisfied XXXXX her scrutiny , she picked up her pail .
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