`` I am a plain , rough man , '' pursued the Carrier `` with very little to recommend me . I am not a clever man , as you very well know . I am not a young man . I loved my little Dot , because I had seen her grow up , from a child , in her father 's house ; because I knew how precious she was ; because she had been my life for years and years . There 's many men I ca n't compare with , who never could have loved my little Dot like me , I think ! '' He paused , and softly beat the ground a short time with his foot , before resuming : `` I often thought that though I was n't good enough for her , I should make her a kind husband , and perhaps know her value better than another ; and in this way I reconciled it to myself , and came to think it might be possible that we should be married . And , in the end , it came about , and we were married ! '' `` Hah ! '' said Tackleton with a significant shake of his head . `` I had studied myself ; I had had experience of myself ; I knew how much I loved her , and how happy I should be , '' pursued the Carrier . `` But I had not -- I feel it now -- sufficiently considered her . '' `` To be sure , '' said Tackleton . `` Giddiness , frivolity , fickleness , love of admiration ! Not considered ! All left out of sight ! Hah ! '' `` You had best not interrupt me , '' said the Carrier with some sternness , `` till you understand me ; and you 're wide of doing so . If , yesterday , I 'd have struck that man down at a blow , who dared to breathe a word against her , to-day I 'd set my foot upon his face , if he was my brother ! '' The toy merchant gazed at him in astonishment . He went on in a softer tone : `` Did I consider , '' said the Carrier , `` that I took her -- at her age , and with her beauty -- from her young companions , and the many scenes of which she was the ornament ; in which she was the brightest little star that ever shone , to shut her up from day to day in my dull house , and keep my tedious company ?
Did I consider how little suited I was to her sprightly humour , and how wearisome a plodding man like me must be to one XXXXX her quick spirit ?
against because before from if in like of till to