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170 THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH
substances, still they were the honest results of Tilly Slowboy's constant astonishment at finding herself so kindly treated, and installed in such a comfortable home. For, the maternal and paternal Slowboy were alike unknown to Fame, and Tilly had been bred by public charity, a Foundling; which word, though only differing from Fondling by one vowel's length, is very different in meaning, and expresses quite another thing.
To have seen little Mrs. Peerybingle come back with her husband; tugging at the clothes-basket, and making the most strenuous exertions to do nothing at all (for he carried it); would have amused you, almost as much as it amused him. It may have entertained the Cricket too, for anything I know; but certainly, it now began to chirp again, vehemently.
" Heyday !" said John, in his slow way. " It's merrier than ever, to-night, I think."
" And it's sure to bring us good fortune, John ! It always has done so. To have a Cricket on the Hearth, is the luckiest thing in all the world !"
John looked at her as if he had very nearly got the thought into his head, that she was his Cricket in chief, and he quite agreed with her. But it was probably one of his narrow escapes, for he said nothing.
" The first time I heard its cheerful little note, John, was on that night when you brought me home—when you brought me to my new home here; its little mistress. Nearly a year ago. You recollect, John?"
Oh yes. John remembered. I should think so !
" Its chirp was such a welcome to me ! It seemed so full of promise and encouragement. It seemed to say, you would be kind and gentle with me, and would not expect (I had a fear of that, John, then) to find an old head on the shoulders of your foolish little wife."
John thoughtfully patted one of the shoulders, and then the head, as though he would have said No, no; he had had no such expectation ; he had been quite content to take them as they were. And really he had reason. They were very comely.
"It spoke the truth, John, when it seemed to say so ; for you have ever been, I am sure, the best, the most considerate, the most affectionate of husbands to me. This has been a happy home, John ; and I love the Cricket for its sake !"
" Why so do I then," said the Carrier. " So do I, Dot."
" I love it for the many times I have heard it, and the many thoughts its harmless music has given me. Sometimes, in the twilight, when I felt a little solitary and down-hearted, John— before Baby was here to keep me company and make the house gay |
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