`` But she ca n't be much less than a hundred years of age on her next birthday . '' `` Ha , ha ! '' laughed Tackleton . Hollow as a drum that laugh , though . And he looked as if he could have twisted Dot 's neck comfortably . `` Dear , dear ! '' said Dot . `` Only to remember how we used to talk , at school , about the husbands we would choose . I do n't know how young , and how handsome , and how gay , and how lively mine was not to be ! And as to May 's ! -- Ah dear ! I do n't know whether to laugh or cry , when I think what silly girls we were . '' May seemed to know which to do ; for the colour flashed into her face , and tears stood in her eyes . `` Even the very persons themselves -- real live young men -- we fixed on sometimes , '' said Dot . `` We little thought how things would come about . I never fixed on John , I 'm sure ; I never so much as thought of him . And , if I had told you you were ever to be married to Mr. Tackleton , why , you 'd have slapped me . Would n't you , May ? '' Though May did n't say yes , she certainly did n't say no , or express no , by any means . Tackleton laughed -- quite shouted , he laughed so loud .
John Peerybingle laughed too , XXXXX his ordinary good-natured and contented manner ; but his was a mere whisper of a laugh to Tackleton 's .
about at by for if in into than that to