Dialogues From Dickens Author:Charles Dickens General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1871 Original Publisher: Lee and Shepard Subjects: Dialogues Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no illustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Bo... more »oks.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: THE CRICKET ON THE HEARTH. | For a description of characters and costumes, see Index, at ike end of this volume.] The Carrier. Scene : Kitchen of John Peerybingle, the Carrier. At back, a door; left of door, a -window; L., two doors; c., a table spread for two persons; R. c., a cradle; R. a fireplace; kettle boiling on the hob; R. Mrs. P., having made all preparations for tea, takes the baby from the cradle. At that moment, enter John, c. D., with Boxer, his dog. He shakes the moisture from his cloak, throws down his hat, and embraces Dot. Dot. O, goodness, John ! What a state you're in with the weather! John. ( Taking off Jiis shawl and warming his hands.) Why, you see, Dot, it, -- it ain't exactly summer weather. So, no wonder ! Dot. (Pouting.) I wish you wouldn't call me Dot, John. I don't like it. John. Why, what else are you ? A dot, and -- (glancing at baby), a dot and carry, -- I won't say it, for fear I should spoil it; but I was very near a joke. I don't know as ever I was nearer. Dot. (c.) (Holding tip the baby?) Ain't he beautiful, John? Don't he look precious in his sleep? John, (c.) Very precious, very much so. He generally is asleep -- ain't he ? Dot. Lor, John ! Good gracious, no! John. (Pondering.) O ! I thought his eyes was generally shut, -- Halloo ! Dot. Goodness, John, how you startle one! John. It ain't right for him to turn 'em up in that way ! Is it? See how he's winking with both of'em at once. And look at his mouth ! Why, he's gasping like a gold and silver fish. Dot. ( With much dignity?) You don't deserve t...« less