Різдвяна історія
Chapter 2
Iwouldn’tforthewealthofalltheworldhavecrushedthatbraidedhair,andtornitdown;andforthepreciouslittleshoe,Iwouldn’thavepluckeditoff,Godblessmysoul!tosavemylife.Astomeasuringherwaistinsport,astheydid,boldyoungbrood,Icouldn’thavedoneit;Ishouldhaveexpectedmyarmtohavegrownrounditforapunishment,andnevercomestraightagain.AndyetIshouldhavedearlyliked,Iown,tohavetouchedherlips;tohavequestionedher,thatshemighthaveopenedthem;tohavelookeduponthelashesofherdowncasteyes,andneverraisedablush;tohaveletloosewavesofhair,aninchofwhichwouldbeakeepsakebeyondprice:inshort,Ishouldhaveliked,Idoconfess,tohavehadthelightestlicenceofachild,andyettohavebeenmanenoughtoknowitsvalue.
Butnowaknockingatthedoorwasheard,andsucharushimmediatelyensuedthatshewithlaughingfaceandplundereddresswasbornetowardsitthecentreofaflushedandboisterousgroup,justintimetogreetthefather,whocamehomeattendedbyamanladenwithChristmastoysandpresents.
