Різдвяна історія
Chapter 2
‘What!’exclaimedtheGhost,‘wouldyousosoonputout,withworldlyhands,thelightIgive?Isitnotenoughthatyouareoneofthosewhosepassionsmadethiscap,andforcemethroughwholetrainsofyearstowearitlowuponmybrow?’
ScroogereverentlydisclaimedallintentiontooffendoranyknowledgeofhavingwilfullybonnetedtheSpiritatanyperiodofhislife.Hethenmadeboldtoinquirewhatbusinessbroughthimthere.
‘Yourwelfare,’saidtheGhost.
Scroogeexpressedhimselfmuchobliged,butcouldnothelpthinkingthatanightofunbrokenrestwouldhavebeenmoreconducivetothatend.TheSpiritmusthaveheardhimthinking,foritsaidimmediately:
‘Yourreclamation,then.Takeheed.’
Itputoutitsstronghandasitspoke,andclaspedhimgentlybythearm.
‘Rise,andwalkwithme.’
ItwouldhavebeeninvainforScroogetopleadthattheweatherandthehourwerenotadaptedtopedestrianpurposes;thatbedwaswarm,andthethermometeralongwaybelowfreezing;thathewascladbutlightlyinhisslippers,dressing-gown,andnightcap;andthathehadacolduponhimatthattime.Thegrasp,thoughgentleasawoman’shand,wasnottoberesisted.Herose:butfindingthattheSpiritmadetowardsthewindow,claspedhisrobeinsupplication.
‘Iammortal,’Scroogeremonstrated,‘andliabletofall.’
‘Bearbutatouchofmyhandthere,’saidtheSpirit,layingituponhisheart,‘andyoushallbeupheldinmorethanthis.’
