Рождественская история
Chapter 3
ScroogehunghisheadtohearhisownwordsquotedbytheSpirit,andwasovercomewithpenitenceandgrief.‘Man,’saidtheGhost,‘ifmanyoubeinheart,notadamant,forbearthatwickedcantuntilyouhavediscoveredWhatthesurplusis,andWhereitis.Willyoudecidewhatmenshalllive,whatmenshalldie?Itmaybe,thatinthesightofHeaven,youaremoreworthlessandlessfittolivethanmillionslikethispoorman’schild.OhGod,toheartheInsectontheleafpronouncingonthetoomuchlifeamonghishungrybrothersinthedust.’
ScroogebentbeforetheGhost’srebuke,andtremblingcasthiseyesupontheground.Butheraisedthemspeedily,onhearinghisownname.
‘MrScrooge,’saidBob;‘I’llgiveyouMrScrooge,theFounderoftheFeast.’
‘TheFounderoftheFeastindeed!’criedMrsCratchit,reddening.‘IwishIhadhimhere!I’dgivehimapieceofmymindtofeastupon,andIhopehe’dhaveagoodappetiteforit!’
‘Mydear,’saidBob,‘thechildren!ChristmasDay!’
‘ItshouldbeChristmasDay,Iamsure,’saidshe,‘onwhichonedrinksthehealthofsuchanodious,stingy,hard,unfeelingmanasMrScrooge!Youknowheis,Robert.Nobodyknowsitbetterthanyoudo,poorfellow.’
‘Mydear,’wasBob’smildanswer,‘ChristmasDay!’
‘I’lldrinkhishealthforyoursakeandtheDay’s,’saidMrsCratchit,‘notforhis.Longlifetohim.AmerryChristmasandahappynewyear.He’llbeverymerryandveryhappy,Ihavenodoubt!’
Thechildrendrankthetoastafterher.
