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184 THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. |
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and all sizes, filled the chamber. Dots who were merry children, running on before him, gathering flowers, in the fields ; coy Dots, half shrinking from, half yielding to, the pleading of his own rough image; newly-married Dots, alighting at the door, and taking ■ wondering possession of the household keys; motherly little Dots, attended by fictitious Slowboys, bearing babies to be christened; matronly Dots, still young and blooming, watching Dots of daughters, as they danced at rustic balls; fat Dots, encircled and beset by troops of rosy grand-children; withered Dots, who leaned on sticks, and tottered as they crept along. Old Carriers too, appeared, with blind old Boxers lying at their feet; and newer carts with younger drivers (" Peerybingle Brothers " on the tilt); and sick old Oarriers, tended by the gentlest hands; and graves of dead and gone old Carriers, green in the churchyard. And as the Cricket showed him all these things—he saw them plainly, though his eyes were fixed upon the fire—the Carrier's heart grew light and happy, and he thanked his Household Gods with all his might, and cared no more for Gruff and Tackleton than you do.
But what was that young figure of a man, which the same Fairy Cricket set so near Her stool, and which remained there, singly and alone ? Why did it linger still, so near her, with its arm upon the chimney-piece, ever repeating " Married ! and not to me !"
Oh Dot! Oh failing Dot! There is no place for it in all your husband's visions; why has its shadow fallen on his hearth ! |
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