ttle way beside the
cart, for the express purpose of having a chat; and then there was a
great deal to be said on both sides.

Then, Boxer gave occasion to more good-natured recognitions of, and by,
the Carrier, than half-a-dozen Christians could have done! Everybody
knew him all along the road--especially the fowls and pigs, who, when
they saw him approaching, with his body all on one side, and his ears
pricked up inquisitively, and that knob of a tail making the most of
itself in the air, immediately withdrew into remote back-settlements,
without waiting for the honour of a nearer acquaintance. He had business
elsewhere; going down all the turnings, looking into all the wells,
bolting in and out of all the cottages, dashing into the midst of all
the Dame Schools, fluttering all the pigeons, magnifying the tails of
all the cats, and trotting into the public-houses like a regular
customer. Wherever he went, somebody or other might have been heard to
cry, "Halloa! here's Boxer!" and out came that somebody forthwith,
accompanied by at least two or three other somebodies, to give John
Peerybingle and his pretty wife Good day.

The packages and parcels for the errand cart were numerous; and there
were many stoppages to take them in and give them out, which were not by
any means the worst parts of the journey. Some people were so full of
expectation about their parcels, and other people were so full of wonder
about their parcels, and other people were so full of inexhaustible
directions about their parcels, and John had such a lively interest in
all the parcels, that it was as good as a play. Likewise, there were
articles to carry, which required to be considered and discussed, and in
reference to the adjustment and disposition of which councils had to be
holden by the Carrier and the senders: at which Boxer usually assisted,
in short fits of the closest attention, and long fits of tearing round
and round the assembled sages, and barking himself hoarse. Of all these
little incidents, Dot was the amused and open-eyed spectatress from her
chair in the cart; and as she sat there, looking on--a charming little
portrait framed to admiration by the tilt--there was no lack of nudgings
and glancings and whisperings and envyings among the younger men. And
this delighted John the Carrier beyond measure; for he was proud to have
his little wife admired, knowing that she didn't mind it--that, if
anything, she rather liked it perhaps.