She was right in that. For years and years,
he had never once crossed that threshold at his own
slow pace, but with a footfall counterfeited for her
ear; and never had he, when his heart was heaviest,
forgotten the light tread that was to render hers so
cheerful and courageous!
Heaven knows! But I think Caleb's vague be-
wilderment of manner may have half originated in
his having confused himself about himself and every-
thing around him, for the love of his Blind Daughter.
How could the little man be otherwise than bewil-
dered, after labouring for so many years to destroy
his own identity, and that of all the objects that had
any bearing on it!
'There we are,' said Caleb, falling back a pace or
two to form the better judgment of his work; 'as
near the real thing as sixpenn'orth of halfpence is to
sixpence. What a pity that the whole front of the
house opens at once! If there was only a staircase
in it, now, and regular doors to the rooms to go in at!
But that's the worst of my calling, I'm always de-
luding myself, and swindling myself.
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