The winter visitor

An original fiction passage set in the nineteenth century.

The visitor arrived after sunset, carrying a green valise and a rolled blanket. Snow had gathered along the brim of his hat. Mrs Webb asked his name, then directed him towards the kitchen fire. He removed his gloves slowly, as though each finger resisted the movement. Before accepting the soup, he set the valise beneath his chair and rested one foot against it. The blanket remained across his knees.

Give two possessions the visitor carries when he arrives.