Різдвяна історія
Chapter 3
But,ifyouhadjudgedfromthenumbersofpeopleontheirwaytofriendlygatherings,youmighthavethoughtthatnoonewasathometogivethemwelcomewhentheygotthere,insteadofeveryhouseexpectingcompany,andpilingupitsfireshalf-chimneyhigh.Blessingsonit,howtheGhostexulted.Howitbareditsbreadthofbreast,andopeneditscapaciouspalm,andfloatedon,outpouring,withageneroushand,itsbrightandharmlessmirthoneverythingwithinitsreach!Theverylamplighter,whoranonbefore,dottingtheduskystreetwithspecksoflight,andwhowasdressedtospendtheeveningsomewhere,laughedoutloudlyastheSpiritpassed,thoughlittlekennedthelamplighterthathehadanycompanybutChristmas.
Andnow,withoutawordofwarningfromtheGhost,theystooduponableakanddesertmoor,wheremonstrousmassesofrudestonewerecastabout,asthoughitweretheburial-placeofgiants;andwaterspreaditselfwheresoeveritlisted,orwouldhavedoneso,butforthefrostthathelditprisoner;andnothinggrewbutmossandfurze,andcoarserankgrass.Downinthewestthesettingsunhadleftastreakoffieryred,whichglareduponthedesolationforaninstant,likeasulleneye,andfrowninglower,lower,loweryet,waslostinthethickgloomofdarkestnight.
‘Whatplaceisthis?’askedScrooge.
‘AplacewhereMinerslive,wholabourinthebowelsoftheearth,’returnedtheSpirit.‘Buttheyknowme.See!’
Alightshonefromthewindowofahut,andswiftlytheyadvancedtowardsit.
