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 ad-
versary 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 conscious-
ness of Tackleton.
'I am sorry to disturb you -- but a word, directly.'
'I'm going to deal,' returned the Carrier.
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