Never mind , mum . '' It happened opportunely that Boxer , without receiving the proposed stimulus , began to bark with great zeal . But , as this implied the approach of some new visitor , Caleb , postponing his study from the life to a more convenient season , shouldered the round box , and took a hurried leave . He might have spared himself the trouble , for he met the visitor upon the threshold . `` Oh ! You are here , are you ? Wait a bit . I 'll take you home . John Peerybingle , my service to you . More of my service to your pretty wife . Handsomer every day ! Better too , if possible ! And younger , '' mused the speaker in a low voice , `` that 's the devil of it ! '' `` I should be astonished at your paying compliments , Mr. Tackleton , '' said Dot , not with the best grace in the world , `` but for your condition . '' `` You know all about it , then ? '' `` I have got myself to believe it somehow , '' said Dot . `` After a hard struggle , I suppose ? '' `` Very . '' Tackleton the Toy merchant , pretty generally known as Gruff and Tackleton -- for that was the firm , though Gruff had been bought out long ago ; only leaving his name , and , as some said , his nature , according to its Dictionary meaning , in the business -- Tackleton the Toy merchant was a man whose vocation had been quite misunderstood by his Parents and Guardians . If they had made him a Money Lender , or a sharp Attorney , or a Sheriff 's Officer , or a Broker , he might have sown his discontented oats in his youth , and , after having had the full run of himself in ill-natured transactions , might have turned out amiable , at last , for the sake of a little freshness and novelty .
But , cramped and chafing XXXXX the peaceable pursuit of toymaking , he was a domestic Ogre , who had been living on children all his life , and was their implacable enemy .
After If about for from in of that upon without