The thick mist hung in clots upon his eyelashes like candied thaw ; and , between the fog and fire together , there were rainbows in his very whiskers . `` Why , you see , Dot , '' John made answer slowly , as he unrolled a shawl from about his throat , and warmed his hands ; `` it -- it a n't exactly summer weather . So no wonder . '' `` I wish you would n't call me Dot , John . I do n't like it , '' said Mrs. Peerybingle : pouting in a way that clearly showed she did like it very much . `` Why , what else are you ? '' returned John , looking down upon her with a smile , and giving her waist as light a squeeze as his huge hand and arm could give . `` A dot and '' -- here he glanced at the baby -- `` a dot and carry -- I wo n't say it , for fear I should spoil it ; but I was very near a joke . I do n't know as ever I was nearer . '' He was often near to something or other very clever , by his own account : this lumbering , slow , honest John ; this John so heavy , but so light of spirit ; so rough upon the surface , but so gentle at the core ; so dull without , so quick within ; so stolid , but so good ! Oh , Mother Nature , give thy children the true poetry of heart that hid itself in this poor Carrier 's breast -- he was but a Carrier , by the way -- and we can bear to have them talking prose , and leading lives of prose ; and bear to bless thee for their company ! It was pleasant to see Dot , with her little figure and her baby in her arms : a very doll of a baby : glancing with a coquettish thoughtfulness at the fire , and inclining her delicate little head just enough on one side to let it rest in an odd , half-natural , half-affected , wholly nestling and agreeable manner , on the great rugged figure of the Carrier . It was pleasant to see him , with his tender awkwardness , endeavouring to adapt his rude support to her slight need , and make his burly middle age a leaning-staff not inappropriate to her blooming youth . It was pleasant to observe how Tilly Slowboy , waiting in the background for the baby , took special cognizance -LRB- though in her earliest teens -RRB- of this grouping ; and stood with her mouth and eyes wide open , and her head thrust forward , taking it in as if it were air . Nor was it less agreeable to observe how John the Carrier , reference being made by Dot to the aforesaid baby , checked his hand when on the point of touching the infant , as if he thought he might crack it ; and , bending down , surveyed it from a safe distance , with a kind of puzzled pride , such as an amiable mastiff might be supposed to show if he found himself , one day , the father of a young canary . `` A n't he beautiful , John ? Do n't he look precious in his sleep ? '' `` Very precious , '' said John . `` Very much so . He generally is asleep , a n't he ? ''
`` Lor , XXXXX !
Carrier John Mother Peerybingle Slowboy clots day fire leaning-staff rainbows