Clasping his hands before his face , he then sat down again beside the fire , and found relief in tears . The Cricket on the Hearth came out into the room , and stood in Fairy shape before him . '' ' I love it , ' '' said the Fairy Voice , repeating what he well remembered , '' ` for the many times I have heard it , and the many thoughts its harmless music has given me . ' '' `` She said so ! '' cried the Carrier . `` True ! '' '' ` This has been a happy home , John ! and I love the Cricket for its sake ! ' '' `` It has been , Heaven knows , '' returned the Carrier . `` She made it happy , always , -- until now . '' `` So gracefully sweet-tempered ; so domestic , joyful , busy , and light-hearted ! '' said the Voice . `` Otherwise I never could have loved her as I did , '' returned the Carrier . The Voice , correcting him , said `` do . '' The Carrier repeated `` as I did . '' But not firmly . His faltering tongue resisted his control , and would speak in its own way for itself and him . The Figure , in an attitude of invocation , raised its hand and said : `` Upon your own hearth -- '' `` The hearth she has blighted , '' interposed the Carrier . `` The hearth she has -- how often ! -- blessed and brightened , '' said the Cricket ; `` the hearth which , but for her , were only a few stones and bricks and rusty bars , but which has been , through her , the Altar of your Home ; on which you have nightly sacrificed some 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 before the richest shrines in all the gaudy temples of this world !
-- XXXXX your own hearth ; in its quiet sanctuary ; surrounded by its gentle influences and associations ; hear her !
Upon as before beside for in into on than until