Рождественская история

           Afterawhiletheyplayedatforfeits;foritisgoodtobechildrensometimes,andneverbetterthanatChristmas,whenitsmightyFounderwasachildhimself.Stop!Therewasfirstagameatblind-man’sbuff.Ofcoursetherewas.AndInomorebelieveTopperwasreallyblindthanIbelievehehadeyesinhisboots.Myopinionis,thatitwasadonethingbetweenhimandScrooge’snephew;andthattheGhostofChristmasPresentknewit.Thewayhewentafterthatplumpsisterinthelacetucker,wasanoutrageonthecredulityofhumannature.Knockingdownthefire-irons,tumblingoverthechairs,bumpingagainstthepiano,smotheringhimselfamongthecurtains,wherevershewent,therewenthe.Healwaysknewwheretheplumpsisterwas.Hewouldn’tcatchanybodyelse!Ifyouhadfallenupagainsthim(assomeofthemdid),onpurpose,hewouldhavemadeafeintofendeavouringtoseizeyou,whichwouldhavebeenanaffronttoyourunderstanding,andwouldinstantlyhavesidledoffinthedirectionoftheplumpsister.Sheoftencriedoutthatitwasn’tfair;anditreallywasnot.Butwhenatlast,hecaughther;when,inspiteofallhersilkenrustlings,andherrapidflutteringspasthim,hegotherintoacornerwhencetherewasnoescape;thenhisconductwasthemostexecrable.Forhispretendingnottoknowher;hispretendingthatitwasnecessarytotouchherhead-dress,andfurthertoassurehimselfofheridentitybypressingacertainringuponherfinger,andacertainchainaboutherneck;wasvile,monstrous.