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THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. |
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awed by the manner of his companion. Plain and unpolished as it was, it had a something dignified and noble in it, which nothing but the soul of generous Honour, dwelling in the man, could have imparted.
" I am a plain, rough man," pursued the Carrier, "with very little to recommend me. I am not a clever man, as you very well know. I am not a young man. I loved my little Dot, because I had seen her grow up, from a child, in her father's house; because I knew how precious she was; because she had been my Life, for years and years. There's many men I can't compare with, who never could have loved my little Dot like me, I think !"
He paused, and softly beat the ground a short time with his foot, before resuming:
" I often thought that though I wasn't good enough for her, I should make her a kind husband, and perhaps know her value better than another; and in this way I reconciled it to myself, and came to think it might be possible that we should be married. And in the end, it came about, and we were married."
" Hah!" said Tackleton, with a significant shake of his head.
"I had studied myself; I had had experience of myself; I knew how much I loved her, and how happy I should be," pursued the Carrier. " But I had not—I feel it now—sufficiently considered her."
"To be sure," said Tackleton. " Giddiness, frivolity, fickleness, love of admiration ! Not considered ! All left out of sight! Hali ! "
" You had best not interrupt me," said the Carrier, with some sternness, u till you understand me; and you're wide of doing so. If, yesterday, I'd have struck that man down at a blow, who dared to breathe a word against her; to-day I'd set my foot upon his face, if he was my brother ! "
The Toy-merchant gazed at him in astonishment. He went on in a softer tone :
" Did I consider," said the Carrier, " that I took her; at her age, and with her beauty; from her young companions, and the many scenes of which she was the ornament; in which she was the brightest little star that ever shone; to shut her up from day to day in my dull house, and keep my tedious company ? Did I consider how little suited I was to her sprightly humour, and how wearisome a plodding man like me must be, to one of her quick spirit; did I consider that it was no merit in me, or claim in me, that I loved her, when everybody must, who knew her? Never. I took advantage of her hopeful nature and her cheerful disposition; |
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