I declare I would n't go to Bertha 's without the Veal and Ham Pie and things , and the bottles of Beer , for any money . Regularly once a fortnight ever since we have been married , John , have we made our little Picnic there . If anything was to go wrong with it , I should almost think we were never to be lucky again . '' `` It was a kind thought in the first instance , '' said the Carrier ; `` and I honour you for it , little woman . '' `` My dear John ! '' replied Dot , turning very red . `` Do n't talk about honouring me . Good gracious ! '' `` By-the-bye '' -- observed the Carrier -- `` that old gentleman -- '' Again so visibly and instantly embarrassed ! `` He 's an odd fish , '' said the Carrier , looking straight along the road before them . `` I ca n't make him out . I do n't believe there 's any harm in him . '' `` None at all . I 'm -- I 'm sure there 's none at all . '' `` Yes , '' said the Carrier , with his eyes attracted to her face by the great earnestness of her manner . `` I am glad you feel so certain of it , because it 's a confirmation to me . It 's curious that he should have taken it into his head to ask leave to go on lodging with us ; a n't it ? Things come about so strangely . '' `` So very strangely , '' she rejoined in a low voice , scarcely audible . `` However , he 's a good-natured old gentleman , '' said John , `` and pays as a gentleman , and I think his word is to be relied upon , like a gentleman 's .
I had quite a long talk with him this morning : he can hear me better already , he says , XXXXX he gets more used to my voice .
along as at for into like to upon with without