“‘I love it’,” said the fairy voice, “‘for the many times I have heard it, and the many thoughts its harmless music has given me’.”
“She said so!” cried the carrier. “True!” “‘This has been a happy home, John; and I love the cricket for its sake.’”
“She’s so sweet-tempered, so cheerful, busy, light-hearted. Otherwise I never could have loved her as I did.”
The voice, correcting him, said, “do.”
“You should trust her,” the fairy voice said.
All night long he listened to the voice. All night long the household fairies were busy with him, showing him how sweet and dear she was; how he had never found her untrue, or had reason to doubt her except this once.
He rose up when it was broad day, and washed and tidied himself.
He could not go on his usual rounds, for it was Tackleton’s wedding day. He had planned to go merrily to the church with Dot. But such plans were at an end. Ah! what a different wedding anniversary he had expected!
John Blames Himself
The carrier had thought that Tackleton would pay him an early visit, and he was right. He had just finished brushing his hair when he saw the merchant in his carriage coming along the road. As the carriage drew near he saw that Tackleton was dressed out sprucely for marriage, and that he had decorated his horse’s head with flowers and favors.