Різдвяна історія
Chapter 2
EbenezerScroogeonhisorder,"andsoforth,wouldhavebecomeamereUnitedStatessecurityiftherewerenodaystocountby.
Scroogewenttobedagain,andthought,andthought,andthoughtitoverandover,andcouldmakenothingofit.Themorehethought,themoreperplexedhewas;and,themoreheendeavourednottothink,themorehethought.
Marley’sGhostbotheredhimexceedingly.Everytimeheresolvedwithinhimself,aftermatureinquiry,thatitwasalladream,hismindflewbackagain,likeastrongspringreleased,toitsfirstposition,andpresentedthesameproblemtobeworkedallthrough,"Wasitadreamornot?"
Scroogelayinthisstateuntilthechimehadgonethree-quartersmore,whenheremembered,onasudden,thattheGhosthadwarnedhimofavisitationwhenthebelltolledone.Heresolvedtolieawakeuntilthehourwaspassed;and,consideringthathecouldnomoregotosleepthangotoheaven,thiswas,perhaps,thewisestresolutioninhispower.
Thequarterwassolong,thathewasmorethanonceconvincedhemusthavesunkintoadozeunconsciously,andmissedtheclock.Atlengthitbrokeuponhislisteningear.
‘Ding,dong!’
‘Aquarterpast,’saidScrooge,counting.
‘Ding,dong!’
‘Halfpast,’saidScrooge.
‘Ding,dong!’
‘Aquartertoit,’saidScrooge.
‘Ding,dong!’
‘Thehouritself,’saidScroogetriumphantly,‘andnothingelse!’
Hespokebeforethehourbellsounded,whichitnowdidwithadeep,dull,hollow,melancholyONE.
