I 've learned one or two valuable little things out yonder , and one is that it does n't matter if a man 's grammar is askew , so long as he does n't swear at you . By the way , is Peter as ungrammatical as ever ? '' `` I -- I do n't know , '' said Louisa helplessly . `` I never knew he WAS ungrammatical . '' `` Does he still say , ' I seen , ' and ` them things ' ? '' demanded Nancy . `` I never noticed , '' confessed Louisa . `` Enviable Louisa ! Would that I had been born with that blessed faculty of never noticing ! It stands a woman in better stead than beauty or brains . I used to notice Peter 's mistakes . When he said ' I seen , ' it jarred on me in my salad days . I tried , oh , so tactfully , to reform him in that respect . Peter did n't like being reformed -- the Wrights always had a fairly good opinion of themselves , you know . It was really over a question of syntax we quarrelled . Peter told me I 'd have to take him as he was , grammar and all , or go without him . I went without him -- and ever since I 've been wondering if I were really sorry , or if it were merely a pleasantly sentimental regret I was hugging to my heart . I daresay it 's the latter . Now , Louisa , I see the beginning of the plot far down in those placid eyes of yours . Strangle it at birth , dear Louisa .
There is no use in your trying to make up a match between Peter and me now -- no , nor in slyly inviting him up here to tea some evening , as you are even this moment thinking XXXXX doing . ''
in like of on since than that to with without