`` Busy just now , Caleb ? '' asked the Carrier . `` Why , pretty well , John , '' he returned , with the distraught air of a man who was casting about for the Philosopher 's stone , at least . `` Pretty much so . There 's rather a run on Noah 's Arks at present . I could have wished to improve on the Family , but I do n't see how it 's to be done at the price . It would be a satisfaction to one 's mind to make it clearer which was Shems and Hams , and which was Wives . Flies a n't on that scale , neither , as compared with elephants , you know ! Ah , well ! Have you got anything in the parcel line for me , John ? '' The Carrier put his hand into a pocket of the coat he had taken off ; and brought out , carefully preserved in moss and paper , a tiny flower-pot . `` There it is ! '' he said , adjusting it with great care . `` Not so much as a leaf damaged . Full of buds ! '' Caleb 's dull eye brightened as he took it , and thanked him . `` Dear , Caleb , '' said the Carrier . `` Very dear at this season . '' `` Never mind that . It would be cheap to me , what ever it cost , '' returned the little man .
`` Anything else , XXXXX ? ''
Arks Caleb John Noah Philosopher Shems buds flower-pot mind satisfaction