Рождественская история

           ‘What!’exclaimedtheGhost,‘wouldyousosoonputout,withworldlyhands,thelightIgive?Isitnotenoughthatyouareoneofthosewhosepassionsmadethiscap,andforcemethroughwholetrainsofyearstowearitlowuponmybrow?’

           ScroogereverentlydisclaimedallintentiontooffendoranyknowledgeofhavingwilfullybonnetedtheSpiritatanyperiodofhislife.Hethenmadeboldtoinquirewhatbusinessbroughthimthere.

           ‘Yourwelfare,’saidtheGhost.

           Scroogeexpressedhimselfmuchobliged,butcouldnothelpthinkingthatanightofunbrokenrestwouldhavebeenmoreconducivetothatend.TheSpiritmusthaveheardhimthinking,foritsaidimmediately:

           ‘Yourreclamation,then.Takeheed.’

           Itputoutitsstronghandasitspoke,andclaspedhimgentlybythearm.

           ‘Rise,andwalkwithme.’

           ItwouldhavebeeninvainforScroogetopleadthattheweatherandthehourwerenotadaptedtopedestrianpurposes;thatbedwaswarm,andthethermometeralongwaybelowfreezing;thathewascladbutlightlyinhisslippers,dressing-gown,andnightcap;andthathehadacolduponhimatthattime.Thegrasp,thoughgentleasawoman’shand,wasnottoberesisted.Herose:butfindingthattheSpiritmadetowardsthewindow,claspedhisrobeinsupplication.

           ‘Iammortal,’Scroogeremonstrated,‘andliabletofall.’

           ‘Bearbutatouchofmyhandthere,’saidtheSpirit,layingituponhisheart,‘andyoushallbeupheldinmorethanthis.’