Різдвяна історія
Chapter 4
Theroomwasverydark,toodarktobeobservedwithanyaccuracy,thoughScroogeglancedrounditinobediencetoasecretimpulse,anxioustoknowwhatkindofroomitwas.Apalelight,risingintheouterair,fellstraightuponthebed;andonit,plunderedandbereft,unwatched,unwept,uncaredfor,wasthebodyofthisman.
ScroogeglancedtowardsthePhantom.Itssteadyhandwaspointedtothehead.Thecoverwassocarelesslyadjustedthattheslightestraisingofit,themotionofafingeruponScrooge’spart,wouldhavedisclosedtheface.Hethoughtofit,felthoweasyitwouldbetodo,andlongedtodoit;buthadnomorepowertowithdrawtheveilthantodismissthespectreathisside.
Ohcold,cold,rigid,dreadfulDeath,setupthinealtarhere,anddressitwithsuchterrorsasthouhastatthycommand:forthisisthydominion.Butoftheloved,revered,andhonouredhead,thoucanstnotturnonehairtothydreadpurposes,ormakeonefeatureodious.Itisnotthatthehandisheavyandwillfalldownwhenreleased;itisnotthattheheartandpulsearestill;butthatthehandwasopen,generous,andtrue;theheartbrave,warm,andtender;andthepulseaman’s.Strike,Shadow,strike!Andseehisgooddeedsspringingfromthewound,tosowtheworldwithlifeimmortal.
NovoicepronouncedthesewordsinScrooge’sears,andyetheheardthemwhenhelookeduponthebed.Hethought,ifthismancouldberaisedupnow,whatwouldbehisforemostthoughts?Avarice,hard-dealing,gripingcares.Theyhavebroughthimtoarichend,truly.
