Різдвяна історія
Chapter 1
Halfadozengas-lampsoutofthestreetwouldn’thavelightedtheentrytoowell,soyoumaysupposethatitwasprettydarkwithScrooge’sdip.
UpScroogewent,notcaringabuttonforthat.Darknessischeap,andScroogelikedit.Butbeforeheshuthisheavydoor,hewalkedthroughhisroomstoseethatallwasright.Hehadjustenoughrecollectionofthefacetodesiretodothat.
Sitting-room,bedroom,lumber-room.Allastheyshouldbe.Nobodyunderthetable,nobodyunderthesofa;asmallfireinthegrate;spoonandbasinready;andthelittlesaucepanofgruel(Scroogehadacoldinhishead)uponthehob.Nobodyunderthebed;nobodyinthecloset;nobodyinhisdressing-gown,whichwashangingupinasuspiciousattitudeagainstthewall.Lumber-roomasusual.Oldfire-guards,oldshoes,twofish-baskets,washing-standonthreelegs,andapoker.
Quitesatisfied,heclosedhisdoor,andlockedhimselfin;double-lockedhimselfin,whichwasnothiscustom.Thussecuredagainstsurprise,hetookoffhiscravat;putonhisdressing-gownandslippers,andhisnightcap;andsatdownbeforethefiretotakehisgruel.
Itwasaverylowfireindeed;nothingonsuchabitternight.Hewasobligedtositclosetoit,andbroodoverit,beforehecouldextracttheleastsensationofwarmthfromsuchahandfuloffuel.Thefireplacewasanoldone,builtbysomeDutchmerchantlongago,andpavedallroundwithquaintDutchtiles,designedtoillustratetheScriptures.
