"You speak very hearty. To think that
she should never see the Dolls--and them a staring at her, so bold, all
day long! That's where it cuts. What's the damage, John?"

"I'll damage you," said John, "if you inquire. Dot! Very near?"

"Well! it's like you to say so," observed the little man. "It's your
kind way. Let me see. I think that's all."

"I think not," said the Carrier. "Try again."

"Something for our Governor, eh?" said Caleb after pondering a little
while. "To be sure. That's what I came for; but my head's so running on
them Arks and things! He hasn't been here, has he?"

"Not he," returned the Carrier. "He's too busy, courting."

"He's coming round, though," said Caleb; "for he told me to keep on the
near side of the road going home, and it was ten to one he'd take me up.
I had better go, by-the-bye.--You couldn't have the goodness to let me
pinch Boxer's tail, mum, for half a moment, could you?"

"Why, Caleb, what a question!"

"Oh, never mind, mum!" said the little man. "He mightn't like it,
perhaps. There's a small order just come in for barking dogs; and I
should wish to go as close to Natur' as I could for sixpence. That's
all. Never mind, mum."

It happened opportunely that Boxer, without receiving the proposed
stimulus, began to bark with great zeal. But, as this implied the
approach of some new visitor, Caleb, postponing his study from the life
to a more convenient season, shouldered the round box, and took a
hurried leave. He might have spared himself the trouble, for he met the
visitor upon the threshold.

"Oh! You are here, are you? Wait a bit. I'll take you home. John
Peerybingle, my service to you. More of my service to your pretty wife.
Handsomer every day! Better too, if possible! And younger," mused the
speaker in a low voice, "that's the devil of it!"

"I should be astonished at your paying compliments, Mr. Tackleton," said
Dot, not with the best grace in the world, "but for your condition."

"You know all about it, then?"

"I have got myself to believe it somehow," said Dot.

"After a hard struggle, I suppose?"

"Very."

Tackleton the Toy merchant, pretty generally known as Gruff and
Tackleton--for that was the firm, though Gruff had been bought out long
ago; only leaving his name, and, as some said, his nature, according to
its Dictionary meaning, in the business--Tackleton the Toy merchant was
a man whose vocation had been quite misunderstood by his Parents and
Guardian