No sound he could have heard , no human voice , not even hers , could so have moved and softened him . The artless words in which she had told him of her love for this same Cricket were once more freshly spoken ; her trembling , earnest manner at the moment was again before him ; her pleasant voice -- oh , what a voice it was for making household music at the fireside of an honest man ! -- thrilled through and through his better nature , and awoke it into life and action . He recoiled from the door , like a man walking in his sleep , awakened from a frightful dream ; and put the gun aside . 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 XXXXX itself and him .
as at before beside for from in of through until