`` 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 of 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 . `` You 're such an undeniably good sleeper , sir , '' said John , when tranquillity was restored -LRB- in the meantime the old gentleman had stood , bareheaded and motionless , in the centre of the room -RRB- , `` that I have half a mind to ask you where the other six are -- only that would be a joke , and I know I should spoil it . Very near , though , '' murmured the Carrier with a chuckle ; `` very near ! '' The Stranger , who had long white hair , good features , singularly bold and well defined for an old man , and dark , bright , penetrating eyes , looked round with a smile , and saluted the Carrier 's wife by gravely inclining his head . His garb was very quaint and odd -- a long , long way behind the time . Its hue was brown , all over . In his hand he held a great brown club or walking-stick ; and , striking this upon the floor , it fell asunder , and became a chair . On which he sat down quite composedly . `` There ! ''
said the Carrier , turning XXXXX his wife .
In at behind from near of over that to upon