And , by-the-bye , a most unlooked-for incident occurred , just as he finished the last verse . There was a tap at the door ; and a man came staggering in , without saying with your leave , or by your leave , with something heavy on his head . Setting this down in the middle of the table , symmetrically in the centre of the nuts and apples , he said : `` Mr. Tackleton 's compliments , and , as he has n't got no use for the cake himself , p ` raps you 'll eat it . '' And , with those words , he walked off . There was some surprise among the company , as you may imagine . Mrs. Fielding , being a lady of infinite discernment , suggested that the cake was poisoned , and related a narrative of a cake which , within her knowledge , had turned a seminary for young ladies blue . But she was overruled by acclamation ; and the cake was cut by May with much ceremony and rejoicing . I do n't think any one had tasted it , when there came another tap at the door , and the same man appeared again , having under his arm a vast brown-paper parcel . `` Mr. Tackleton 's compliments , and he 's sent a few toys for the Babby . They ai n't ugly . '' After the delivery of which expressions , he retired again . The whole party would have experienced great difficulty in finding words for their astonishment , even if they had had ample time to seek them . But they had none at all ; for the messenger had scarcely shut the door behind him , when there came another tap , and Tackleton himself walked in . `` Mrs. Peerybingle ! '' said the toy merchant , hat in hand , `` I 'm sorry . I 'm more sorry than I was this morning . I have had time to think of it . John Peerybingle ! I am sour by disposition ; but I ca n't help being sweetened , more or less , by coming face to face with such a man as you . Caleb !
This unconscious little nurse gave me a broken hint last night , XXXXX which I have found the thread .
After among as by for in of than that under