`` It 's much the same as usual , '' said Caleb . `` Homely , but very snug . The gay colours on the walls ; the bright flowers on the plates and dishes ; the shining wood , where there are beams or panels ; the general cheerfulness and neatness of the building , -- make it very pretty . '' Cheerful and neat it was , wherever Bertha 's hands could busy themselves . But nowhere else were cheerfulness and neatness possible in the old crazy shed which Caleb 's fancy so transformed . `` You have your working dress on , and are not so gallant as when you wear the handsome coat ? '' said Bertha , touching him . `` Not quite so gallant , '' answered Caleb . `` Pretty brisk , though . '' `` Father , '' said the Blind Girl , drawing close to his side , and stealing one arm round his neck , `` tell me something about May . She is very fair ? '' `` She is indeed , '' said Caleb . And she was indeed . It was quite a rare thing to Caleb not to have to draw on his invention . `` Her hair is dark , '' said Bertha pensively , `` darker than mine . Her voice is sweet and musical , I know . I have often loved to hear it . Her shape -- '' `` There 's not a Doll 's in all the room to equal it , '' said Caleb . `` And her eyes ! -- '' He stopped ; for Bertha had drawn closer round his neck , and , from the arm that clung about him , came a warning pressure which he understood too well .
He coughed a moment , hammered for a moment , and then fell back upon the song about the sparkling bowl , his infallible resource XXXXX all such difficulties .
about as for from in of on than though to