Різдвяна історія

           Norwasitthatthefigsweremoistandpulpy,orthattheFrenchplumsblushedinmodesttartnessfromtheirhighly-decoratedboxes,orthateverythingwasgoodtoeatandinitsChristmasdress;butthecustomerswereallsohurriedandsoeagerinthehopefulpromiseoftheday,thattheytumbledupagainsteachotheratthedoor,crashingtheirwickerbasketswildly,andlefttheirpurchasesuponthecounter,andcamerunningbacktofetchthem,andcommittedhundredsofthelikemistakes,inthebesthumourpossible;whiletheGrocerandhispeopleweresofrankandfreshthatthepolishedheartswithwhichtheyfastenedtheirapronsbehindmighthavebeentheirown,wornoutsideforgeneralinspection,andforChristmasdawstopeckatiftheychose.

           Butsoonthesteeplescalledgoodpeopleall,tochurchandchapel,andawaytheycame,flockingthroughthestreetsintheirbestclothes,andwiththeirgayestfaces.Andatthesametimethereemergedfromscoresofbye-streets,lanes,andnamelessturnings,innumerablepeople,carryingtheirdinnerstothebaker’shops.ThesightofthesepoorrevellersappearedtointeresttheSpiritverymuch,forhestoodwithScroogebesidehiminabaker’sdoorway,andtakingoffthecoversastheirbearerspassed,sprinkledincenseontheirdinnersfromhistorch.Anditwasaveryuncommonkindoftorch,foronceortwicewhentherewereangrywordsbetweensomedinner-carrierswhohadjostledeachother,heshedafewdropsofwateronthemfromit,andtheirgoodhumourwasrestoreddirectly.