cried Bertha , starting up . `` Whose step ? '' returned the Carrier , standing in the portal , with his brown face ruddy as a winter berry from the keen night air . `` Why , mine . '' `` The other step , '' said Bertha . `` The man 's tread behind you ! '' `` She is not to be deceived , '' observed the Carrier , laughing . `` Come along , sir . You 'll be welcome , never fear ! '' He spoke in a loud tone ; and , as he spoke , the deaf old gentleman entered . `` He 's not so much a stranger that you have n't seen him once , Caleb , '' said the Carrier . `` You 'll give him house room till we go ? '' `` Oh , surely , John , and take it as an honour ! '' `` He 's the best company on earth to talk secrets in , '' said John . `` I have reasonable good lungs , but he tries 'em I can tell you . Sit down , sir . All friends here , and glad to see you ! '' When he had imparted this assurance , in a voice that amply corroborated what he had said about his lungs , he added in his natural tone , `` A chair in the chimney-corner , and leave to sit quite silent and look pleasantly about him , is all he cares for . He 's easily pleased . '' Bertha had been listening intently .
She called Caleb XXXXX her side , when he had set the chair , and asked him , in a low voice , to describe their visitor .
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