`` Will you bring him sometimes to see his father , Tilly , '' inquired her mistress , drying her eyes , -- `` when I ca n't live here , and have gone to my old home ? '' `` Ow , if you please , do n't ! '' cried Tilly , throwing back her head , and bursting out into a howl -- she looked at the moment uncommonly like Boxer . `` Ow , if you please , do n't ! Ow , what has everybody gone and been and done with everybody , making everybody else so wretched ? Ow-w-w-w ! '' The soft-hearted Slowboy tailed off at this juncture into such a deplorable howl , the more tremendous from its long suppression , that she must infallibly have awakened the Baby , and frightened him into something serious -LRB- probably convulsions -RRB- , 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 to the bed on which the Baby lay asleep , danced in a weird , St. Vitus manner on the floor , and at the same time rummaged with her face and head among the bedclothes , apparently deriving much relief from those extraordinary operations . `` Mary ! '' said Bertha . `` Not at the marriage ! '' `` I told her you would not be there , mum , '' whispered Caleb . `` I heard as much last night . But bless you , '' said the little man , taking her tenderly by both hands , '' I do n't care for what they say . I do n't believe them . There a n't much of me , but that little should be torn to pieces sooner than I 'd trust a word against you ! '' He put his arms about her neck and hugged her , as a child might have hugged one of his own dolls . `` Bertha could n't stay at home this morning , '' said Caleb . `` She was afraid , I know , to hear the bells ring , and could n't trust herself to be so near them on their wedding-day . So we started in good time , and came here .
I have been thinking of what I have done , '' said Caleb after a moment '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 XXXXX I 'd better , if you 'll stay with me , mum , the while , tell her the truth .
So among as by in into near than that to