`` Do you ? '' muttered Tackleton . `` It 's more than I expected . Well ! On that account I want to join the party , and to bring May and her mother . I 'll send in a little something or other , before the afternoon . A cold leg of mutton , or some comfortable trifle of that sort . You 'll expect me ? '' `` Yes , '' she answered . She had drooped her head , and turned away ; and so stood , with her hands crossed , musing . `` I do n't think you will , '' muttered Tackleton , looking at her ; `` for you seem to have forgotten all about it already . Caleb ! '' `` I may venture to say I 'm here , I suppose , '' thought Caleb . `` Sir ! '' `` Take care she do n't forget what I 've been saying to her . '' '' She never forgets , '' returned Caleb . `` It 's one of the few things she a n't clever in . '' `` Every man thinks his own geese swans , '' observed the toy merchant with a shrug . `` Poor devil ! '' Having delivered himself of which remark with infinite contempt , old Gruff and Tackleton withdrew .
Bertha remained where he had left her , lost XXXXX meditation .
On about at before for in of than to with