Ah ! Here it is ; here it is ! '' pressing it to her lips with a smile , and drawing it through her arm . `` I heard them speaking softly among themselves last night of some blame against you . They were wrong . '' The Carrier 's wife was silent . Caleb answered for her . `` They were wrong , '' he said . `` I knew it ! '' cried Bertha , proudly . `` I told them so . I scorned to hear a word ! Blame her with justice ! '' she pressed the hand between her own , and the soft cheek against her face . `` No , I am not so blind as that . '' Her father went on one side of her , while Dot remained upon the other , holding her hand . `` I know you all , '' said Bertha , `` better than you think . But none so well as her . Not even you , father . There is nothing half so real and so true about me as she is .
If I could be restored XXXXX sight this instant , and not a word were spoken , I could choose her from a crowd !
about against among as of on than through to with