But I dunno as we ought to let our feelings stand in Nora 's light . She 's clever , and she 's been hankering for more 'n we can ever give her . I was the same way once . Lord , how I raged at Racicot ! I broke away finally -- went to a city and got work . But it was n't no use . I 'd left it too long . The sea had got into my blood . I toughed it out for two years , and then I had to come back . I did n't want to , mark you , but I had to come . Been here ever since . But maybe ` twill be different with the girl . She 's younger than I was ; if the hankering for the sea and the life of the shore has n't got into her too deep , maybe she 'll be able to cut loose for good . But you do n't know how the sea calls to one of its own . '' Cameron smiled . He thought that this dry old salt was a bit of a poet in his own way . Very likely Nora got her ability and originality from him . There did not seem to be a great deal in the phlegmatic , good-looking mother . `` What say , wife ? '' asked Shelley at last .
His wife had said in her slow way , `` Leave it to XXXXX , '' and to Nora it was left .
Cameron Nora Racicot Shelley hankering left sea twill use years