Різдвяна історія
Chapter 3
Thecompoundinthejugbeingtasted,andconsideredperfect,applesandorangeswereputuponthetable,andashovel-fullofchestnutsonthefire.ThenalltheCratchitfamilydrewroundthehearth,inwhatBobCratchitcalledacircle,meaninghalfaone;andatBobCratchit’selbowstoodthefamilydisplayofglass.Twotumblers,andacustard-cupwithoutahandle.
Theseheldthehotstufffromthejug,however,aswellasgoldengobletswouldhavedone;andBobserveditoutwithbeaminglooks,whilethechestnutsonthefiresputteredandcrackednoisily.ThenBobproposed:
‘AMerryChristmastousall,mydears!Godblessus!’
Whichallthefamilyre-echoed.
‘Godblessuseveryone!’saidTinyTim,thelastofall.
Hesatveryclosetohisfather’ssideuponhislittlestool.Bobheldhiswitheredlittlehandinhis,asifhelovedthechild,andwishedtokeephimbyhisside,anddreadedthathemightbetakenfromhim.
‘Spirit,’saidScrooge,withaninteresthehadneverfeltbefore,‘tellmeifTinyTimwilllive.’
‘Iseeavacantseat,’repliedtheGhost,‘inthepoorchimney-corner,andacrutchwithoutanowner,carefullypreserved.IftheseshadowsremainunalteredbytheFuture,thechildwilldie.’
‘No,no,’saidScrooge.‘Oh,no,kindSpirit.sayhewillbespared!’
‘IftheseshadowsremainunalteredbytheFuture,noneotherofmyrace,’returnedtheGhost,‘willfindhimhere.Whatthen?Ifhebeliketodie,hehadbetterdoit,anddecreasethesurpluspopulation.’
