Різдвяна історія
Chapter 2
TheSpiritsignedtohimtolistentothetwoapprentices,whowerepouringouttheirheartsinpraiseofFezziwig:andwhenhehaddoneso,said,
‘Why?Isitnot———.Hehasspentbutafewpoundsofyourmortalmoney:threeorfourperhaps.Isthatsomuchthathedeservesthispraise?’
‘Itisn’tthat,’saidScrooge,heatedbytheremark,andspeakingunconsciouslylikehisformer,nothislatter,self.‘Itisn’tthat,Spirit.Hehasthepowertorenderushappyorunhappy;tomakeourservicelightorburdensome;apleasureoratoil.Saythathispowerliesinwordsandlooks;inthingssoslightandinsignificantthatitisimpossibletoaddandcountthemup:whatthen?Thehappinesshegives,isquiteasgreatasifitcostafortune.’
HefelttheSpirit’sglance,andstopped.
‘Whatisthematter?’askedtheGhost.
‘Nothinginparticular,’saidScrooge.
‘Something,Ithink,’theGhostinsisted.
‘No,’saidScrooge,‘No.Ishouldliketobeabletosayawordortwotomyclerkjustnow.That’sall.’
Hisformerselfturneddownthelampsashegaveutterancetothewish;andScroogeandtheGhostagainstoodsidebysideintheopenair.
‘Mytimegrowsshort,’observedtheSpirit.‘Quick.’
ThiswasnotaddressedtoScrooge,ortoanyonewhomhecouldsee,butitproducedanimmediateeffect.ForagainScroogesawhimself.Hewasoldernow;amanintheprimeoflife.Hisfacehadnottheharshandrigidlinesoflateryears;butithadbeguntowearthesignsofcareandavarice.
