Різдвяна історія
Chapter 3
Somehowhegetsthoughtful,sittingbyhimselfsomuch,andthinksthestrangestthingsyoueverheard.Hetoldme,cominghome,thathehopedthepeoplesawhiminthechurch,becausehewasacripple,anditmightbepleasanttothemtorememberuponChristmasDay,whomadelamebeggarswalk,andblindmensee.’
Bob’svoicewastremulouswhenhetoldthemthis,andtrembledmorewhenhesaidthatTinyTimwasgrowingstrongandhearty.
Hisactivelittlecrutchwashearduponthefloor,andbackcameTinyTimbeforeanotherwordwasspoken,escortedbyhisbrotherandsistertohisstoolbeforethefire;andwhileBob,turninguphiscuffs—asif,poorfellow,theywerecapableofbeingmademoreshabby—compoundedsomehotmixtureinajugwithginandlemons,andstirreditroundandroundandputitonthehobtosimmer;MasterPeter,andthetwoubiquitousyoungCratchitswenttofetchthegoose,withwhichtheysoonreturnedinhighprocession.
Suchabustleensuedthatyoumighthavethoughtagoosetherarestofallbirds;afeatheredphenomenon,towhichablackswanwasamatterofcourse—andintruthitwassomethingverylikeitinthathouse.
