-- '' He stopped ; for Bertha had drawn closer round his neck , and , from the arm that clung about him , came a warning pressure which he understood too well . He coughed a moment , hammered for a moment , and then fell back upon the song about the sparkling bowl , his infallible resource in all such difficulties . `` Our friend , father , our benefactor . I am never tired , you know , of hearing about him . -- Now , was I ever ? '' she said hastily . `` Of course not , '' answered Caleb , `` and with reason . '' `` Ah ! With how much reason ! '' cried the Blind Girl . With such fervency , that Caleb , though his motives were so pure , could not endure to meet her face ; but dropped his eyes , as if she could have read in them his innocent deceit . `` Then tell me again about him , dear father , '' said Bertha . `` Many times again ! His face is benevolent , kind , and tender . Honest and true , I am sure it is . The manly heart that tries to cloak all favours with a show of roughness and unwillingness , beats in its every look and glance . '' `` And makes it noble , '' added Caleb in his quiet desperation . `` And makes it noble , '' cried the Blind Girl . `` He is older than May , father . '' `` Ye-es , '' said Caleb reluctantly .
`` He 's a little older XXXXX May .
Of about for from in than though to upon with