But not as she had laughed before . The manner and the music were quite changed . The Cricket , too , had stopped . Somehow , the room was not so cheerful as it had been . Nothing like it . `` So , these are all the parcels , are they , John ? '' she said , breaking a long silence , which the honest Carrier had devoted to the practical illustration of one part of his favourite sentiment -- certainly enjoying what he ate , if it could n't be admitted that he ate but little . `` So these are all the parcels , are they , John ? '' `` That 's all , '' said John . `` Why -- no -- I '' -- laying down his knife and fork , and taking a long breath -- `` I declare -- I 've clean forgotten the old gentleman ! '' `` The old gentleman ? '' `` In the cart , '' said John . `` He was asleep among the straw , the last time I saw him . I 've very nearly remembered him , twice , since I came in ; but he went out of my head again . Halloa ! Yahip there ! Rouse up ! That 's my hearty ! '' John said these latter words outside the door , whither he had hurried with the candle in his hand . Miss Slowboy , conscious of some mysterious reference to The Old Gentleman , and connecting , in her mystified imagination , certain associations of a religious nature with the phrase , was so disturbed , that hastily rising from the low chair by the fire to seek protection near the skirt of her mistress , and coming into contact , as she crossed the doorway , with an ancient Stranger , she instinctively made a charge or butt at him with the only offensive instrument within her reach .
This instrument happening to be the baby , great commotion and alarm ensued , which the sagacity XXXXX Boxer rather tended to increase ; for that good dog , more thoughtful than his master , had , it seemed , been watching the old gentleman in his sleep , lest he should walk off with a few young poplar-trees that were tied up behind the cart ; and he still attended on him very closely , worrying his gaiters , in fact , and making dead sets at the buttons .
among as from in like of outside since that to