`` All things that speak the language of your hearth and home must plead for her ! '' returned the Cricket . `` For they speak the truth . '' And while the Carrier , with his head upon his hands , continued to sit meditating in his chair , the Presence stood beside him , suggesting his reflections by its power , and presenting them before him , as in a glass or picture . It was not a solitary Presence . From the hearth-stone , from the chimney , from the clock , the pipe , the kettle , and the cradle ; from the floor , the walls , the ceiling , and the stairs ; from the cart without , and the cupboard within , and the household implements ; from everything and every place with which she had ever been familiar , and with which she had ever entwined one recollection of herself in her unhappy husband 's mind , -- Fairies came trooping forth . Not to stand beside him as the Cricket did , but to busy and bestir themselves . To do all honour to her image . To pull him by the skirts , and point to it when it appeared . To cluster round it , and embrace it , and strew flowers for it to tread on . To try to crown its fair head with their tiny hands . To show that they were fond of it , and loved it ; and that there was not one ugly , wicked , or accusatory creature to claim knowledge of it -- none but their playful and approving selves . His thoughts were constant to her image . It was always there . She sat plying her needle , before the fire , and singing to herself . Such a blithe , thriving , steady little Dot ! The Fairy figures turned upon him all at once , by one consent , with one prodigious concentrated stare , and seemed to say , `` Is this the light wife you are mourning for ? '' There were sounds of gaiety outside , musical instruments , and noisy tongues , and laughter . A crowd of young merry-makers came pouring in , among whom were May Fielding and a score of pretty girls . Dot was the fairest of them all ; as young as any of them too .
They came to summon her XXXXX join their party .
as at by from to upon while with within without