Різдвяна історія
Chapter 4
Scroogelistenedagain,thinkingthattheexplanationmightliehere.
Heknewthesemen,also,perfectly.Theyweremenofayebusiness:verywealthy,andofgreatimportance.Hehadmadeapointalwaysofstandingwellintheiresteem:inabusinesspointofview,thatis;strictlyinabusinesspointofview.
‘Howareyou?’saidone.
‘Howareyou?’returnedtheother.
‘Well,’saidthefirst.‘OldScratchhasgothisownatlast,hey?’
‘SoIamtold,’returnedthesecond.‘Cold,isn’tit?’
‘SeasonableforChristmastime.You’renotaskater,Isuppose?’
‘No.No.Somethingelsetothinkof.Goodmorning!’
Notanotherword.Thatwastheirmeeting,theirconversation,andtheirparting.
ScroogewasatfirstinclinedtobesurprisedthattheSpiritshouldattachimportancetoconversationsapparentlysotrivial;butfeelingassuredthattheymusthavesomehiddenpurpose,hesethimselftoconsiderwhatitwaslikelytobe.TheycouldscarcelybesupposedtohaveanybearingonthedeathofJacob,hisoldpartner,forthatwasPast,andthisGhost’sprovincewastheFuture.Norcouldhethinkofanyoneimmediatelyconnectedwithhimself,towhomhecouldapplythem.Butnothingdoubtingthattowhomsoevertheyappliedtheyhadsomelatentmoralforhisownimprovement,heresolvedtotreasureupeverywordheheard,andeverythinghesaw;andespeciallytoobservetheshadowofhimselfwhenitappeared.
