Різдвяна історія

           Thepeoplewerebythistimepouringforth,ashehadseenthemwiththeGhostofChristmasPresent;andwalkingwithhishandsbehindhim,Scroogeregardedeveryonewithadelightedsmile.Helookedsoirresistiblypleasant,inaword,thatthreeorfourgood-humouredfellowssaid,‘Goodmorning,sir.AmerryChristmastoyou!’AndScroogesaidoftenafterwards,thatofalltheblithesoundshehadeverheard,thoseweretheblithestinhisears.

           Hehadnotgonefar,whencomingontowardshimhebeheldtheportlygentleman,whohadwalkedintohiscounting-housethedaybefore,andsaid,‘ScroogeandMarley’s,Ibelieve.’Itsentapangacrosshishearttothinkhowthisoldgentlemanwouldlookuponhimwhentheymet;butheknewwhatpathlaystraightbeforehim,andhetookit.

           ‘Mydearsir,’saidScrooge,quickeninghispace,andtakingtheoldgentlemanbybothhishands.‘Howdoyoudo?Ihopeyousucceededyesterday.Itwasverykindofyou.AmerryChristmastoyou,sir.’

           ‘MrScrooge?’

           ‘Yes,’saidScrooge.‘Thatismyname,andIfearitmaynotbepleasanttoyou.Allowmetoaskyourpardon.Andwillyouhavethegoodness’—hereScroogewhisperedinhisear.

           ‘Lordblessme!’criedthegentleman,asifhisbreathweretakenaway.‘MydearMrScrooge,areyouserious?’

           ‘Ifyouplease,’saidScrooge.‘Notafarthingless.Agreatmanyback-paymentsareincludedinit,Iassureyou.Willyoudomethatfavour?’

           ‘Mydearsir,’saidtheother,shakinghandswithhim.