The Cricket on the Hearth: A Fairy Tale of Home

seemed to scare the Cuckoo, who, having cut his ten melodious announcements as short as possible, plunged back into the M

cythes, and had cut at every stroke into the Carrier's heart

many qualities of endearment; it was a heart in which she had enshrined herself so gently and so closely; a heart so single and so earnest in its Truth,

es rising in the night. The Stranger was beneath his outraged roof. Three steps would take him to his chamber-door. One blow would beat it in. 'You might do

hat should change the cheerful house into a haunted place which lonely travellers would dread to pass by night; and where th

ched. Some lover of her early choice, of whom she had thought and dreamed, for whom she

e him, without his knowledge-in the turning of the rack of his great misery, he lost all other sounds-and put her

ager and inquiring look; but not with wonder. At first it was alarmed and serious; then, it changed into a strange, wild, dreadful

ar to see her crouching down upon the little seat where he had often looked on her, with love and pride, so innocent and gay; and, when she rose and left him, sobbing as she went, he felt it a relief to have

ing prematurely dead before him with their little child upon her breast, the higher

knew the gun was loaded. Some shadowy idea that it was just to shoot this man like a wild beast, seized him, and dilated in his mind u

ove into hate, gentleness into blind ferocity. Her image, sorrowing, humbled, but still pleading to his tenderness and mercy with resistless power, never left his

held it lifted in the air; some indistinct design was in his tho

ed the whole chimney with a glow of light;

e for this same Cricket, were once more freshly spoken; her trembling, earnest manner at the moment, was again before him; her pleasant voice-O what a vo

m a frightful dream; and put the gun aside. Clasping his hands before hi

me out into the room, and st

well remembered, '"for the many times I have heard it,

' cried the C

home, John; and I love t

eturned the Carrier. 'She made

so domestic, joyful, busy, and

have loved her as I did

orrecting hi

. His faltering tongue resisted his control, an

tude of invocation, ra

our own

s blighted,' inter

ome petty passion, selfishness, or care, and offered up the homage of a tranquil mind, a trusting nature, and an overflowing heart; so that the smoke from this poor chimney has gone upward with a better fragrance than the richest incense that is burnt

r her?' inquir

hearth and home, must plead for her!' retu

ng, and the stairs; from the cart without, and the cupboard within, and the household implements; from every thing and every place with which she had ever been familiar, and with which she had ever entwined one recollection of herself in her unhappy husband's mind; Fairies came trooping forth. Not to stand beside him as the Cricket did, but to busy and bestir themselves. To do all hon

nstant to her image.

steady little Dot! The fairy figures turned upon him all at once, by one consent, with one pr

foot were made for dancing, hers was, surely. But she laughed, and shook her head, and pointed to her cookery on the fire, and her table ready spread: with an exulting defiance that rendered her more charming than she was before. And so she merrily dismissed them, nodding to her would-be partners, one by one, as they passed, but w

him all at once, and seemed to say, 'I

e first stood underneath their roof; covering its surface, and blotting out all other objects. But the ni

, and resting her head upon a shoulder which had its counte

the Carrier's thoughts, the moon burst out, and shone brightly in the sky. Perhaps some calm an

first. Whenever it appeared, the Fairies uttered a general cry of consternation, and plied their little arms and legs, with inconceivable activity,

to whom falsehood is annihilation; and being so, what Dot was there for them, but the one ac

upon her husband's arm, attempting-she! such a bud of a little woman-to convey the idea of having abjured the vanities of the world in general, and of being the sort of person to whom it was no novelty at all to b

dexterous little arts for filling up each moment of the visit in doing something useful to the house, and really working hard while feigning to make holiday; her bountiful provision of those standing delicacies, the Veal and Ham-Pie and the bottles of Beer; her radiant little face arriving at the door, and taking leave; the wonderful expression in her whole self, from her

hands clasped on her brow, her falling hair. As he had seen her last. And when they found her thus, they neither turned nor looked upon him, but

t there, with his head upon his hands, all night. All night the faithful Cricket had been Chirp, Chirp, Chirping on the Hearth. All night he had listened to its

m-but it mattered the less, that it was Tackleton's wedding-day, and he had arranged to make his rounds by proxy. He thought to have gone merrily

own door, many minutes, when he saw the Toy-merchant coming in his chaise along the road. As the chaise drew nearer, he perceive

half-closed eye was more disagreeably expressive than ever. But the

h an air of condolence. 'My good fellow

aking his head: 'for I have been a good deal disturbed in my mind. But it

er mind the horse. He'll stand quiet enough, with the re

om his stable, and set it before

ed before noon,' h

leton. 'Plenty of t

oved from it by a few steps. One of her very red eyes (for Tilly had been crying all night long, be

said Tilly, looking round. 'I hope nobody

asised with various new raps and kicks at

aid Tackleton.

his face from the door, sign

failed to get the least reply. But he thought of trying the handle of the door; and a

in his ear. 'I hope there has been

turned upon

n't see any marks-to be sure it's almost on a level with the gard

so hard. And he gave his eye, and his face, and his whole person

ne has entered it since. He is away of his own free will. I'd go out gladly at that door, and beg my bread from house to h

got off pretty easy,' said

t down too, and shaded his face with his ha

e said at length, 'my wife; m

y,' insinuat

er alone. I think there's no sight I wouldn't have rather seen than that. I

always,' said Tackleton. 'And that ha

mer as he repeated these words: evidently in pursuance of a steadfast purpose-'as you saw her at this disadvantage, it is right and just that you should also see with my

but he was overawed by the manner of his companion. Plain and unpolished as it was, it had a something dign

ng 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; becaus

the ground a short time wit

haps know her value better than another; and in this way I reconciled it to myself, and came to thin

n, with a significan

ow much I loved her, and how happy I should be,' pursued the Ca

rivolity, fickleness, love of admiration! N

e; and you're wide of doing so. If, yesterday, I'd have struck that man down at a blow, who da

him in astonishment. He

er 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 i

m, without winking. Even the

ot found it out before! Poor child! Poor Dot! I not to find it out, who have seen her eyes fill with tears, when such a marriage as our own was spoken of! I, who have seen the s

e made such a show of it, that to tell you t

of May Fielding, who certainly made

has tried, to be my dutiful and zealous wife. How good she has been; how much she has done; how brave and strong a heart she

n. 'Oh! Then you do mean to

best reparation, in my power. I can release her from the daily pain of an unequal m

d turning his great ears with his hands. 'There must be

the collar of the Toy-mercha

ke care that you hear me right.

indeed,' answe

I mea

as if you

me, with her sweet face looking into mine. I called up her whole life, day by day. I had her dear self, in its eve

the Hearth! Loyal

I; forsaken, perhaps, for me, against her will; returned. In an unhappy moment, taken by surprise, and wanting time to think of what she did, she made herself a party to

ur opinion'-Ta

in I have riveted, more lightly. This is the day on which I took her, with so little thought for her enjoyment, from her home. To-day she shall return to it, and I will trouble her no more. Her father and mother will be here to-day-we had made a little plan for keeping it together-and they shall take her home.

oble words. I could not steal away, pretending to be ignorant of what has affected

upon her husband. But she kept away from him, setting as wide a space as possible between them; and though she sp

d the Carrier, with a faint smile. 'But let it be so, if you will, my dear. It will strike

essary for me to be upon my way to church. Good morning, John Peerybingle. I'm sorry to be

said the Carrier, accom

qu

emember what

usly taking the precaution of getting into his chaise; 'I must say that

returned the Carrier. 'G

told you before, eh?) I don't much think I shall have the less joy in my married life, because

s and favours near at hand; and then, with a deep sigh, went strolling like a restless, broken m

self, to say how good he was, how excellent he was! and once or twice she laughed; so heartil

ly. 'It's enough to dead and bury

illy,' inquired her mistress, drying her eyes; 'whe

l-she looked at the moment uncommonly like Boxer. 'Ow if you please don't! Ow, what has ev

onvulsions), if her eyes had not encountered Caleb Plummer, leading in his daughter. This spectacle restoring her to a sense of the proprieties, she stood for some few moments silent, with her mouth wide open; and then, posting off t

ertha. 'Not at

d the little man, taking her tenderly by both hands, 'I don't care for what they say. I don't believe them.

hugged her, as a child might h

nt's pause; 'I have been blaming myself till I hardly knew what to do or where to turn, for the distress of mind I have caused her; and I've come to the conclusion that I'd better, if you'll stay with me, mum, the while, tell her the truth. You'll stay with me the while?' he inquired

to her lips, with a smile, and drawing it through her arm. 'I heard them speakin

was silent. Caleb

e wrong,'

a word! Blame her with justice!' she pressed the hand between her own

f her, while Dot remained upo

father. There is nothing half so real and so true about me, as she is. If I could be restored

ind I want to tell you, while we three are alone. Hear m

ession,

eb, with a pitiable expression in his bewildered face. 'I have wande

tricken face towards hi

ha,' said Dot. 'You'll say so, present

ied Bertha, with a s

sterday. My dear blind daughter, hear me and forgive me! The world you live in, heart of mine,

ce towards him still; but drew ba

objects, changed the characters of people, invented many things that never have been, to make you happier.

d hurriedly, and turning very pale, and stil

eaded Caleb. 'There is one p

, in a term of keen reproach. 'What and whom do I

ands, as if she were groping her way; then spread th

ard master to you and me, my dear, for many years. Ugly in his looks, and in his nature. Cold a

d you ever do this! Why did you ever fill my heart so full, and then come in like Death,

head, and offered no reply b

chirp. Not merrily, but in a low, faint, sorrowing way. It was so mournful that her tears began to flow; and when the Pr

on, and was conscious, through her blindnes

irl, 'tell me what my ho

out wind and rain another winter. It is as roughly shielded from the weather, Berth

itated, rose, and led the

t at my wish, and were so dearly welcome to me,' she said

N

o t

The Blind Girl spread her hands before her

s way. Speak softly to me. You are true, I

rtha, i

ok across the room to where we were just now-to where my father is-my

in a chair, and leaning sorrowfully on the back, with his face r

. She wil

now, despondent and bowed down, and striving against nothing. But, Bertha, I have seen him many times befo

throwing herself upon her knees before

ind, and now my eyes are open. I never knew him! To think I might hav

words for Ca

y, and would cherish so devotedly, as this! The greyer, and more worn, the dearer, father! Never let them say I am blind again.

to articulat

th tears of exquisite affection, 'to be so different! And having him b

the blue coat, Bertha,' s

ough, and never knew; the benefactor whom I first began to reverence and love, because he had such sympathy for me; All are here in you. Nothing i

er; but looking, now, towards the little Haymaker in the Moorish meadow, she saw that the cloc

Bertha, hesit

returned Caleb

You never told me anything

ld have made her better than she was. But I must have changed her for th

the question, her delight and pride in the reply and

n; changes for great joy to some of us. You mustn't let them startle you too much, if any such should e

ming ver

ere so quick to find out that strange step last night. Though why you should have said, as I very well recollect you did say, Bertha, "Whose step is that!" and why you should have taken any greater observati

o his daughter. He saw her, with astonishment, so fluttered and distressed that

se! And now you hear them stopping at the garden-gate! And now you hea

aleb put her hands upon his eyes, as a young man rushed into the room

ver?' cr

es

ily o

es

ar Caleb? Did you ever hear the

South Americas was aliv

g them in ecstasy; 'look at him! See where he stands before you, healthy a

another's arms! All honour to the heartiness with which she met the sunburnt sailor-fellow, with his dark streaming hair, half

door in the Moorish Palace like a house-breaker, and hiccoughing tw

back. And well he might, to fin

the Golden South Americas! My own son! Him that you fitted out,

t, recoiling, as some feature in his face awakene

! Was i

Edward; and don't spare me, for nothing shall

e man,' s

Carrier. 'There was a frank boy once-how many years is it, Caleb, since we heard

a friend;' said Edward, 'who never would have judged me, or any oth

Dot, who still kept far away from him,

nd my love was returned. She was a very young girl, who perhaps (you may tel

claimed the C

she returned it. I have ever since beli

id the Carrier. 'Thi

r, and to prove beyond dispute that this was true. I hoped she might have been forced into it, against her own desire and recollection. It would be small comfort, but it would be some, I thought, and on I came. That I might have the truth, the real truth; observing freely for myself, and judging for myself, without obstruc

at's me, John,' sobbed the little woman-'told him all, and how his sweetheart had believed him to be dead; and how she had at last been over-persuaded by her mother into a marriage which the silly, dear old thing called advantageous; and when she-that's me again, John-told him they were not yet married (though close upon it), and that it would be nothing but a sacrifice if it went on, for there was no love on her side; and when he went nearly m

so completely irresistible as in her present transports. There never were congratula

ier had stood, confounded. Flying, now, towards her, Dot s

didn't think it any harm, till I came and sat down by you on the little stool last night. But when I knew by what was written in your face, that you had seen me

n Peerybingle would have caught her in

ended marriage, dear, it was because I remembered May and Edward such young lovers; and

ther rush at this appeal;

a dear old goose, and names of that sort, it's because I love you, John, so well, and take such pleas

leb with unusual v

rum couple, going on in a jog-trot sort of way, it's only because I'm such a silly little thing

and stopped him again. But s

when I first came home here, I was half afraid I mightn't learn to love you every bit as well as I hoped and prayed I might-being so very young, John! But, dear John, every day and hour I loved you more and more. And if I could have loved you better than I do, the noble words I heard you say this mor

rty, as you would have felt if you had seen Dot run into the Carrier's embrace. It was the most com

they all were, inclusive of Miss Slowboy, who wept copiously for joy, and wishing to include her young charge in the ge

nd somebody exclaimed that Gruff and Tackleton was coming back. S

he church, and I'll swear I passed her on the road, on her way here. Oh! here she is! I beg your pardon, sir; I haven't the pleas

,' returned Edward. 'I

n, you vagabond?

returned the other, with a smile, 'I am as deaf to harsh di

on bestowed upon him,

ly the third finger; 'that the young lady can't accompany you to church;

took a little piece of silver-paper, apparent

'Will you have the kindness to t

gement, that prevented my wife from keeping her

t I revealed it to him faithfully; and that I told him,

be sure. Oh it's all right. It's quite

me,' returned

Tackleton, scrutinising his face narrowly,

ank

e a very great kindness, but, upon my life I am sorry. You are better than I thought you. John Peerybingle, I am sorry. Y

oor, to take the flowers and favours from his horse's head, and to kick that animal once,

. That good fellow washed the greens, and peeled the turnips, and broke the plates, and upset iron pots full of cold water on the fire, and made himself useful in all sorts of ways: while a couple of professional assistants, hastily called in from somewhere in the neighbourhood, as on a point of life or death, ran against each other in all the doorways and round all the corners, and everybody tumbled over Tilly Slowboy and the Baby, everywhere. Tilly never came out in such f

a time, she lapsed into a state of dreadful calmness, and observed, that when that unfortunate train of circumstances had occurred in the Indigo Trade, she had foreseen that she would be exposed, during her whole life, to every species of insult and contumely; and that she was glad to find it was the case; and begged they wouldn't trouble themselves about her,-for what was she? oh, dear! a nobody!-but would forget that such a being lived, and would take their course in life without her. From this bitterly sarcastic mood, she passed into an angry o

Mrs. Fielding always would look in the wrong and morally impossible direction; and being apprised thereof, hoped she might take the liberty of looking where she pleased. At last they came: a chubb

And old Dot-so to call Dot's father, I forgot it wasn't his right name, but never mind-took liberties, and shook hands at first sight, and seemed to think a cap but so much starch and m

at the bottom of the table. Nor the brown, fresh sailor-fellow, and his handsome wife. Nor any one among them. To have missed the dinner would have been to miss

arkling Bowl. As I'm a living man, hoping to k

d-for incident occurred, just

leave, or by your leave, with something heavy on his head. Setting this down in th

as he hasn't got no use for the ca

se words, he

sted that the cake was poisoned, and related a narrative of a cake, which, within her knowledge, had turned a seminary fo

another tap at the door, and the same man appeared

and he's sent a few toys for

of which expression

, even if they had had ample time to seek them. But they had none at all; for the messenger had

y coming face to face with such a man as you. Caleb! This unconscious little nurse gave me a broken hint last night, of which I have found the thread. I blush to think how easily I might have bound you and your daughter to me, and w

with himself all his life, never to have known, before, his great capacity of being

e home this evening; wi

n very nea

cart to its journey's end, very much disgusted with the absence of his master, and stupendously rebellious to the Deputy. After lingering about the stable for some little time, vainly attempting to incite the old horse to the mutinous act of

uld have left it alone, if I had not some reason to suppose that it was quite an origi

p from his seat and propose a dance; for Bertha's harp was there, and she had such a hand upon it as you seldom hear. Dot (sly little piece of affectation when she chose) said her dancing days were over; I think becaus

reat applause, to dance alone; an

er sees this, than he skims across to Mrs. Fielding, takes her round the waist, and follows suit. Old Dot no sooner sees this, than up he is, all alive, whisks off Mrs. Dot in the middle of the dance, and is the foremost there. Caleb no sooner s

e music with its Chirp, Chirp,

*

a little figure very pleasant to me, she and the rest have vanished into air, and I am left alone. A