Різдвяна історія

           AsScroogelookedfixedlyatthisphenomenon,itwasaknockeragain.

           Tosaythathewasnotstartled,orthathisbloodwasnotconsciousofaterriblesensationtowhichithadbeenastrangerfrominfancy,wouldbeuntrue.Butheputhishanduponthekeyhehadrelinquished,turneditsturdily,walkedin,andlightedhiscandle.

           Hedidpause,withamoment’sirresolution,beforeheshutthedoor;andhedidlookcautiouslybehinditfirst,asifhehalf-expectedtobeterrifiedwiththesightofMarley’spigtailstickingoutintothehall.Buttherewasnothingonthebackofthedoor,exceptthescrewsandnutsthatheldtheknockeron,sohesaid‘Pooh,pooh!’andcloseditwithabang.

           Thesoundresoundedthroughthehouselikethunder.Everyroomabove,andeverycaskinthewine-merchant’scellarsbelow,appearedtohaveaseparatepealofechoesofitsown.Scroogewasnotamantobefrightenedbyechoes.Hefastenedthedoor,andwalkedacrossthehall,andupthestairs;slowlytoo:trimminghiscandleashewent.

           Youmaytalkvaguelyaboutdrivingacoach-and-sixupagoodoldflightofstairs,orthroughabadyoungActofParliament;butImeantosayyoumighthavegotahearseupthatstaircase,andtakenitbroadwise,withthesplinter-bartowardsthewallandthedoortowardsthebalustrades:anddoneiteasy.Therewasplentyofwidthforthat,androomtospare;whichisperhapsthereasonwhyScroogethoughthesawalocomotivehearsegoingonbeforehiminthegloom.