Hardly time for both , I should think ? '' `` If you could only see him , Bertha , how he 's winking at me ! '' whispered Caleb . `` Such a man to joke ! You 'd think , if you did n't know him , he was in earnest -- would n't you now ? '' The Blind Girl smiled and nodded . `` The bird that can sing and wo n't sing must be made to sing , they say , '' grumbled Tackleton . `` What about the owl that ca n't sing , and ought n't to sing , and will sing ; is there anything that he should be made to do ? '' `` The extent to which he 's winking at this moment ! '' whispered Caleb to his daughter . `` Oh , my gracious ! '' `` Always merry and light-hearted with us ! '' cried the smiling Bertha . `` Oh ! you 're there , are you ? '' answered Tackleton . `` Poor Idiot ! '' He really did believe she was an Idiot ; and he founded the belief , I ca n't say whether consciously or not , upon her being fond of him . `` Well ! and being there , -- how are you ? ''
said XXXXX in his grudging way .
Bertha Caleb Idiot Tackleton belief daughter earnest extent owl time