said John in his slow way . `` It 's merrier than ever to-night , I think . '' `` And it 's sure to bring us good fortune , John ! It always has done so . To have a Cricket on the Hearth is the luckiest thing in all the world ! '' John looked at her as if he had very nearly got the thought into his head that she was his Cricket in chief , and he quite agreed with her . But it was probably one of his narrow escapes , for he said nothing . `` The first time I heard its cheerful little note , John , was on that night when you brought me home -- when you brought me to my new home here ; its little mistress . Nearly a year ago . You recollect , John ? '' Oh , yes ! John remembered . I should think so ! `` Its chirp was such a welcome to me ! It seemed so full of promise and encouragement . It seemed to say , you would be kind and gentle with me , and would not expect -LRB- I had a fear of that , John , then -RRB- to find an old head on the shoulders of your foolish little wife . '' John thoughtfully patted one of the shoulders , and then the head , as though he would have said No , no ; he had had no such expectation ; he had been quite content to take them as they were . And really he had reason . They were very comely . `` It spoke the truth , John , when it seemed to say so : for you have ever been , I am sure , the best , the most considerate , the most affectionate of husbands to me .
This has been a happy home , John ; and I love the Cricket XXXXX its sake ! ''
John To at chirp for in of on than with