Різдвяна історія

           Heraccountwasstatedonthewallinthesamemanner.

           ‘Ialwaysgivetoomuchtoladies.It’saweaknessofmine,andthat’sthewayIruinmyself,’saidoldJoe.‘That’syouraccount.Ifyouaskedmeforanotherpenny,andmadeitanopenquestion,I’drepentofbeingsoliberalandknockoffhalf-a-crown.’

           ‘Andnowundomybundle,Joe,’saidthefirstwoman.

           Joewentdownonhiskneesforthegreaterconvenienceofopeningit,andhavingunfastenedagreatmanyknots,draggedoutalargeandheavyrollofsomedarkstuff.

           ‘Whatdoyoucallthis?’saidJoe.‘Bed-curtains?’

           ‘Ah!’returnedthewoman,laughingandleaningforwardonhercrossedarms.‘Bed-curtains!’

           ‘Youdon’tmeantosayyoutookthemdown,ringsandall,withhimlyingthere?’saidJoe.

           ‘YesIdo,’repliedthewoman.‘Whynot?’

           ‘Youwereborntomakeyourfortune,’saidJoe,‘andyou’llcertainlydoit!’

           ‘Icertainlyshan’tholdmyhand,whenIcangetanythinginitbyreachingitout,forthesakeofsuchamanashewas,Ipromiseyou,Joe,’returnedthewomancoolly.‘Don’tdropthatoilupontheblankets,now.’

           ‘Hisblankets?’askedJoe.

           ‘Whoseelse’sdoyouthink?’repliedthewoman.‘Heisn’tlikelytotakecoldwithoutthem,Idaresay.’

           ‘Ihopehedidn’tdieofanythingcatching!Eh?’saidoldJoe,stoppinginhiswork,andlookingup.

           ‘Don’tyoubeafraidofthat,’returnedthewoman.‘Ian’tsofondofhiscompanythatI’dloiterabouthimforsuchthings,ifhedid.