She was looking straight at Anne with a strange expression -- part wonder , part sympathy , part -- could it be ? -- envy . She was bare-headed , and her splendid hair , more than ever like Browning 's `` gorgeous snake , '' was bound about her head with a crimson ribbon . She wore a dress of some dark material , very plainly made ; but swathed about her waist , outlining its fine curves , was a vivid girdle of red silk . Her hands , clasped over her knee , were brown and somewhat work-hardened ; but the skin of her throat and cheeks was as white as cream . A flying gleam of sunset broke through a low-lying western cloud and fell across her hair . For a moment she seemed the spirit of the sea personified -- all its mystery , all its passion , all its elusive charm . `` You -- you must think me crazy , '' stammered Anne , trying to recover her self-possession . To be seen by this stately girl in such an abandon of childishness -- she , Mrs. Dr. Blythe , with all the dignity of the matron to keep up -- it was too bad ! `` No , '' said the girl , `` I do n't . '' She said nothing more ; her voice was expressionless ; her manner slightly repellent ; but there was something in her eyes -- eager yet shy , defiant yet pleading -- which turned Anne from her purpose of walking away . Instead , she sat down on the boulder beside the girl . `` Let 's introduce ourselves , '' she said , with the smile that had never yet failed to win confidence and friendliness . `` I am Mrs. Blythe -- and I live in that little white house up the harbor shore . '' `` Yes , I know , '' said the girl . `` I am Leslie Moore -- Mrs. Dick Moore , '' she added stiffly . Anne was silent for a moment from sheer amazement . It had not occurred to her that this girl was married -- there seemed nothing of the wife about her . And that she should be the neighbor whom Anne had pictured as a commonplace Four Winds housewife ! Anne could not quickly adjust her mental focus to this astonishing change .
`` Then -- then you live in that gray house up the brook , '' she XXXXX .
abandon added adjust am married pictured stammered swathed turned wore