The boy had hardly spoken , when a wagon rattled along the road and stopped a moment before the door . It appeared to contain two or three men who were cheering their hearts with the rough chorus of a song which resounded in broken notes between the cliffs , while the singers hesitated whether to continue their journey or put up here for the night . `` Father , '' said the girl , `` they are calling you by name . '' But the good man doubted whether they had really called him , and was unwilling to show himself too solicitous of gain by inviting people to patronize his house . He therefore did not hurry to the door , and , the lash being soon applied , the travellers plunged into the Notch , still singing and laughing , though their music and mirth came back drearily from the heart of the mountain . `` There , mother ! '' cried the boy , again ; `` they 'd have given us a ride to the Flume . '' Again they laughed at the child 's pertinacious fancy for a night-ramble . But it happened that a light cloud passed over the daughter 's spirit ; she looked gravely into the fire and drew a breath that was almost a sigh . It forced its way , in spite of a little struggle to repress it . Then , starting and blushing , she looked quickly around the circle , as if they had caught a glimpse into her bosom . The stranger asked what she had been thinking of . `` Nothing , '' answered she , with a downcast smile ; `` only I felt lonesome just then . '' `` Oh , I have always had a gift of feeling what is in other people 's hearts , '' said he , half seriously . `` Shall I tell the secrets of yours ? For I know what to think when a young girl shivers by a warm hearth and complains of lonesomeness at her mother 's side . Shall I put these feelings into words ? '' `` They would not be a girl 's feelings any longer if they could be put into words , '' replied the mountain-nymph , laughing , but avoiding his eye . All this was said apart . Perhaps a germ of love was springing in their hearts so pure that it might blossom in Paradise , since it could not be matured on earth ; for women worship such gentle dignity as his , and the proud , contemplative , yet kindly , soul is oftenest captivated by simplicity like hers .
But while they spoke softly , and he was watching the happy sadness , the lightsome shadows , the shy yearnings , XXXXX a maiden 's nature , the wind through the Notch took a deeper and drearier sound .
For at between from of on over since to with