Різдвяна історія
Chapter 1
‘Bah!’saidScrooge,‘Humbug!’
Hehadsoheatedhimselfwithrapidwalkinginthefogandfrost,thisnephewofScrooge’s,thathewasallinaglow;hisfacewasruddyandhandsome;hiseyessparkled,andhisbreathsmokedagain.
‘Christmasahumbug,uncle!’saidScrooge’snephew.‘Youdon’tmeanthat,Iamsure?’
‘Ido,’saidScrooge.‘MerryChristmas!Whatrighthaveyoutobemerry?Whatreasonhaveyoutobemerry?You’repoorenough.’
‘Come,then,’returnedthenephewgaily.‘Whatrighthaveyoutobedismal?Whatreasonhaveyoutobemorose?You’rerichenough.’
Scroogehavingnobetteranswerreadyonthespurofthemoment,said‘Bah!’again;andfolloweditupwith‘Humbug.’
‘Don’tbecross,uncle!’saidthenephew.
‘WhatelsecanIbe,’returnedtheuncle,‘whenIliveinsuchaworldoffoolsasthis?MerryChristmas!OutuponmerryChristmas!What’sChristmastimetoyoubutatimeforpayingbillswithoutmoney;atimeforfindingyourselfayearolder,butnotanhourricher;atimeforbalancingyourbooksandhavingeveryitemin‘emthrougharounddozenofmonthspresenteddeadagainstyou?IfIcouldworkmywill,’saidScroogeindignantly,‘everyidiotwhogoesaboutwith"MerryChristmas"onhislips,shouldbeboiledwithhisownpudding,andburiedwithastakeofhollythroughhisheart.Heshould!’
‘Uncle!’pleadedthenephew.
‘Nephew!’returnedtheunclesternly,‘KeepChristmasinyourownway,andletmekeepitinmine.’
