A hard master to you and me , my dear , for many years . Ugly in his looks , and in his nature . Cold and callous always . Unlike what I have painted him to you in everything , my child . In everything . '' `` Oh , why , '' cried the Blind Girl , tortured , as it seemed , almost beyond endurance , `` why did you ever do this ? Why did you ever fill my heart so full , and then come in like Death , and tear away the objects of my love ? O Heaven , how blind I am ! How helpless and alone ! '' Her afflicted father hung his head , and offered no reply but in his penitence and sorrow . She had been but a short time in this passion of regret when the Cricket on the Hearth , unheard by all but her , began to chirp . Not merrily , but in a low , faint , sorrowing way . It was so mournful , that her tears began to flow ; and , when the Presence which had been beside the Carrier all night , appeared behind her , pointing to her father , they fell down like rain . She heard the Cricket-voice more plainly soon , and was conscious , through her blindness , of the Presence hovering about her father . `` Mary , '' said the Blind Girl , `` tell me what my home is . What it truly is . '' `` It is a poor place , Bertha ; very poor and bare indeed . The house will scarcely keep out wind and rain another winter . It is as roughly shielded from the weather , Bertha , '' Dot continued in a low , clear voice , `` as your poor father in his sackcloth coat . '' The Blind Girl , greatly agitated , rose , and led the Carrier 's little wife aside .
`` Those presents XXXXX I took such care of ; that came almost at my wish , and were so dearly welcome to me , '' she said , trembling ; `` where did they come from ?
In about behind beyond by for from of on that