Chapters 16, 17 and 18 Summary

In Chapter 16, the snow falls more heavily after Christmas and the harbor is frozen over. Anne, Gilbert and Leslie walk together to the lighthouse to see in the New Year. They observe the setting sun and Venus at its closest point to earth. The hairy Marshall Elliott joins the sky-watchers. It is the first time that Anne has been in his company. She is surprised to find him intelligent, witty and well read. He's very much like Captain Jim. Joe, one of Jim's little nephews, is visiting too but has fallen asleep on the couch. Jim tells some of his tales and later Marshall sings old Scottish ballads in his fine tenor voice while Jim accompanies him on the fiddle. Marshall pulls Leslie to her feet and they dance round and round the room. Leslie lets herself go and enjoys the...