Why , he 's a brave old boy ! I like him for it ! '' `` I wish he had a better subject , John , '' she said with an uneasy glance about the room . At Tackleton especially . `` A better subject ! '' cried the jovial John . `` There 's no such thing . Come ! off with the great-coat , off with the thick shawl , off with the heavy wrappers ! and a cosy half-hour by the fire . My humble service , mistress . A game at cribbage , you and I ? That 's hearty . The cards and board , Dot . And a glass of beer here , if there 's any left , small wife ! '' His challenge was addressed to the old lady , who , accepting it with gracious readiness , they were soon engaged upon the game . At first , the Carrier looked about him sometimes with a smile , or now and then called Dot to peep over his shoulder at his hand , and advise him on some knotty point . But his adversary being a rigid disciplinarian , and subject to an occasional weakness in respect of pegging more than she was entitled to , required such vigilance on his part , as left him neither eyes nor ears to spare . Thus , his whole attention gradually became absorbed upon the cards ; and he thought of nothing else , until a hand upon his shoulder restored him to a consciousness of Tackleton . `` I am sorry to disturb you -- but a word directly . ''
`` I 'm going XXXXX deal , '' returned the Carrier .
about at by for if of to until upon with