Різдвяна історія

           Itwasthefirstoftheirproceedingswhichhadnoheartiness.TinyTimdrankitlastofall,buthedidn’tcaretwopenceforit.ScroogewastheOgreofthefamily.Thementionofhisnamecastadarkshadowontheparty,whichwasnotdispelledforfullfiveminutes.

           Afterithadpassedaway,theyweretentimesmerrierthanbefore,fromthemerereliefofScroogetheBalefulbeingdonewith.BobCratchittoldthemhowhehadasituationinhiseyeforMasterPeter,whichwouldbringin,ifobtained,fullfive-and-sixpenceweekly.ThetwoyoungCratchitslaughedtremendouslyattheideaofPeter’sbeingamanofbusiness;andPeterhimselflookedthoughtfullyatthefirefrombetweenhiscollars,asifheweredeliberatingwhatparticularinvestmentsheshouldfavourwhenhecameintothereceiptofthatbewilderingincome.Martha,whowasapoorapprenticeatamilliner’s,thentoldthemwhatkindofworkshehadtodo,andhowmanyhourssheworkedatastretch,andhowshemeanttolieabedto-morrowmorningforagoodlongrest;to-morrowbeingaholidayshepassedathome.Alsohowshehadseenacountessandalordsomedaysbefore,andhowthelordwasmuchaboutastallasPeter;atwhichPeterpulleduphiscollarssohighthatyoucouldn’thaveseenhisheadifyouhadbeenthere.Allthistimethechestnutsandthejugwentroundandround;andby-and-byetheyhadasong,aboutalostchildtravellinginthesnow,fromTinyTim,whohadaplaintivelittlevoice,andsangitverywellindeed.

           Therewasnothingofhighmarkinthis.