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 don'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 ain'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'm sour by disposition; but I
can'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, of which I have found the thread. I
blush to think how easily I might have bound you and your daughter
to me, and what a miserable idiot I was, when I took her for one!
Friends, one and all, my house is very lonely to-night. I have not
so much as a Cricket on my Hearth. I have scared them all away.
Be gracious to me; let me join this happy party!'