The Stranger had advanced towards the fire to warm himself , and stood within a short stride of her chair . But quite still . `` Dot ! '' cried the Carrier . `` Mary ! Darling ! What 's the matter ? '' They were all about her in a moment . Caleb , who had been dozing on the cake-box , in the first imperfect recovery of his suspended presence of mind , seized Miss Slowboy by the hair of her head , but immediately apologised . `` Mary ! '' exclaimed the Carrier , supporting her in his arms . `` Are you ill ? What is it ? Tell me dear ! '' She only answered by beating her hands together , and falling into a wild fit of laughter . Then , sinking from his grasp upon the ground , she covered her face with her apron , and wept bitterly . And then , she laughed again , and then she cried again , and then she said how cold she was , and suffered him to lead her to the fire , where she sat down as before . The old man standing , as before , quite still . `` I 'm better , John , '' she said . `` I 'm quite well now -- I -- '' `` John ! ''
But John was on the other side XXXXX her .
about as by in into of on to towards within