Різдвяна історія
Chapter 2
TheGhostsmiledthoughtfully,andwaveditshand:sayingasitdidso,‘LetusseeanotherChristmas.’
Scrooge’sformerselfgrewlargeratthewords,andtheroombecamealittledarkerandmoredirty.Thepanelsshrunk,thewindowscracked;fragmentsofplasterfelloutoftheceiling,andthenakedlathswereshowninstead;buthowallthiswasbroughtabout,Scroogeknewnomorethanyoudo.Heonlyknewthatitwasquitecorrect;thateverythinghadhappenedso;thattherehewas,aloneagain,whenalltheotherboyshadgonehomeforthejollyholidays.
Hewasnotreadingnow,butwalkingupanddowndespairingly.
ScroogelookedattheGhost,andwithamournfulshakingofhishead,glancedanxiouslytowardsthedoor.
Itopened;andalittlegirl,muchyoungerthantheboy,camedartingin,andputtingherarmsabouthisneck,andoftenkissinghim,addressedhimasher‘Dear,dearbrother!’
‘Ihavecometobringyouhome,dearbrother!’saidthechild,clappinghertinyhands,andbendingdowntolaugh.‘Tobringyouhome,home,home!’
‘Home,littleFan?’returnedtheboy.
‘Yes,’saidthechild,brimfulofglee.‘Home,forgoodandall!Home,foreverandever.Fatherissomuchkinderthanheusedtobe,thathome’slikeHeaven.HespokesogentlytomeonedearnightwhenIwasgoingtobed,thatIwasnotafraidtoaskhimoncemoreifyoumightcomehome;andhesaidYes,youshould;andsentmeinacoachtobringyou.
