Різдвяна історія
Chapter 3
ItwasamuchgreatersurprisetoScroogetorecogniseitashisownnephew’sandtofindhimselfinabright,dry,gleamingroom,withtheSpiritstandingsmilingbyhisside,andlookingatthatsamenephewwithapprovingaffability.
‘Ha,ha!’laughedScrooge’snephew.‘Ha,ha,ha!’
Ifyoushouldhappen,byanyunlikelychance,toknowamanmoreblestinalaughthanScrooge’snephew,allIcansayis,Ishouldliketoknowhimtoo.Introducehimtome,andI’llcultivatehisacquaintance.
Itisafair,even-handed,nobleadjustmentofthings,thatwhilethereisinfectionindiseaseandsorrow,thereisnothingintheworldsoirresistiblycontagiousaslaughterandgood-humour.WhenScrooge’snephewlaughedinthisway:holdinghissides,rollinghishead,andtwistinghisfaceintothemostextravagantcontortions:Scrooge’sniece,bymarriage,laughedasheartilyashe.Andtheirassembledfriendsbeingnotabitbehindhand,roaredoutlustily.
‘Ha,ha!Ha,ha,ha,ha!’
‘HesaidthatChristmaswasahumbug,asIlive!’criedScrooge’snephew.‘Hebelievedittoo!’
‘Moreshameforhim,Fred,’saidScrooge’sniece,indignantly.Blessthosewomen;theyneverdoanythingbyhalves.Theyarealwaysinearnest.
Shewasverypretty:exceedinglypretty.
