Рождественская история

           ‘Ihaven’tmissedit!TheSpiritshavedoneitallinonenight.Theycandoanythingtheylike.Ofcoursetheycan.Ofcoursetheycan.Hallo,myfinefellow!’

           ‘Hallo!’returnedtheboy.

           ‘DoyouknowthePoulterer’s,inthenextstreetbutone,atthecorner?’Scroogeinquired.

           ‘IshouldhopeIdid,’repliedthelad.

           ‘Anintelligentboy!’saidScrooge.‘Aremarkableboy.Doyouknowwhetherthey’vesoldtheprizeTurkeythatwashangingupthere—NotthelittleprizeTurkey:thebigone?’

           ‘What,theoneasbigasme?’returnedtheboy.

           ‘Whatadelightfulboy!’saidScrooge.‘It’sapleasuretotalktohim.Yes,mybuck!’

           ‘It’shangingtherenow,’repliedtheboy.

           ‘Isit!’saidScrooge.‘Goandbuyit!’

           ‘Walk-er!’exclaimedtheboy.

           ‘No,no,’saidScrooge,‘Iaminearnest.Goandbuyit,andtellthemtobringithere,thatImaygivethemthedirectionwheretotakeit.Comebackwiththeman,andI’llgiveyouashilling.ComebackwithhiminlessthanfiveminutesandI’llgiveyouhalf-a-crown!’

           Theboywasofflikeashot.Hemusthavehadasteadyhandatatriggerwhocouldhavegotashotoffhalfsofast.

           ‘I’llsendittoBobCratchit’s,’whisperedScrooge,rubbinghishands,andsplittingwithalaugh.‘Heshan’tknowwhosentit.It’stwicethesizeofTinyTim.JoeMillernevermadesuchajokeassendingittoBob’swillbe.’