The shore women tossed their heads . `` Reckon Nora is in great feather , '' they said . `` She always did think herself better than anyone else . Nate Shelley and his wife spoiled her ridiculous . Wonder what Rob Fletcher thinks of it ? '' Nora asked her brother to tell the news to Rob Fletcher himself , but Merran Andrews was before him . She was at Rob before he had fairly landed , when the fishing boats came in at sunset . `` Have you heard the news , Rob ? Nora 's going away to be a fine lady . The Camerons have been daft about her all summer , and now they are going to adopt her . '' Merran wanted Rob herself . He was a big , handsome fellow , and well-off -- the pick of the harbour men in every way . He had slighted her for Nora , and it pleased her to stab him now , though she meant to be nice to him later on . He turned white under his tan , but he did not choose to make a book of his heart for Merran 's bold black eyes to read . `` It 's a great thing for her , '' he answered calmly . `` She was meant for better things than can be found at Racicot . '' `` She was always too good for common folks , if that is what you mean , '' said Merran spitefully . Nora and Rob did not meet until the next evening , when she rowed herself home from Dalveigh . He was at the shore to tie up her boat and help her out . They walked up the sands together in the heart of the autumn sunset , with the northwest wind whistling in their ears and the great star of the lighthouse gleaming wanly out against the golden sky .
XXXXX felt uncomfortable , and resented it .
Andrews Camerons Dalveigh Fletcher Merran Nora Racicot Rob Shelley lighthouse