Upright as a milestone . '' -RSB- Here , the breathless little mother , who had been shrieking these short sentences into the old man 's ear , until her pretty face was crimsoned , held up the Baby before him as a stubborn and triumphant fact ; while Tilly Slowboy , with a melodious cry of `` Ketcher , Ketcher '' -- which sounded like some unknown words , adapted to a popular Sneeze -- performed some cow-like gambols around that all unconscious Innocent . `` Hark ! He 's called for , sure enough , '' said John . `` There 's somebody at the door . Open it , Tilly . '' Before she could reach it , however , it was opened from without ; being a primitive sort of door , with a latch that any one could lift if he chose -- and a good many people did choose , for all kinds of neighbours liked to have a cheerful word or two with the Carrier , though he was no great talker himself . Being opened , it gave admission to a little , meagre , thoughtful , dingy-faced man , who seemed to have made himself a great-coat from the sackcloth covering of some old box ; for , when he turned to shut the door and keep the weather out , he disclosed upon the back of that garment the inscription G & T in large black capitals . Also the word GLASS in bold characters . `` Good evening , John ! '' said the little man . `` Good evening , mum ! Good evening , Tilly ! Good evening , Unbeknown ! How 's Baby , mum ? Boxer 's pretty well I hope ? '' `` All thriving , Caleb , '' replied Dot . `` I am sure you need only look at the dear child , for one , to know that . '' `` And I 'm sure I need only look at you for another , '' said Caleb . He did n't look at her , though ; he had a wandering and thoughtful eye , which seemed to be always projecting itself into some other time and place , no matter what he said ; a description which will equally apply to his voice .
`` Or at John for another , '' said XXXXX .
Boxer Caleb John Ketcher Slowboy T Tilly Unbeknown gambols great-coat