Різдвяна історія
Chapter 4
‘ButIthinkhehaswalkedalittleslowerthanheused,thesefewlastevenings,mother.’
Theywereveryquietagain.Atlastshesaid,andinasteady,cheerfulvoice,thatonlyfalteredonce:
‘Ihaveknownhimwalkwith—IhaveknownhimwalkwithTinyTimuponhisshoulder,veryfastindeed.’
‘AndsohaveI,’criedPeter.‘Often.’
‘AndsohaveI,’exclaimedanother.Sohadall.
‘Buthewasverylighttocarry,’sheresumed,intentuponherwork,‘andhisfatherlovedhimso,thatitwasnotrouble:notrouble.Andthereisyourfatheratthedoor.’
Shehurriedouttomeethim;andlittleBobinhiscomforter—hehadneedofit,poorfellow—camein.Histeawasreadyforhimonthehob,andtheyalltriedwhoshouldhelphimtoitmost.ThenthetwoyoungCratchitsgotuponhiskneesandlaid,eachchildalittlecheek,againsthisface,asiftheysaid,‘Don’tmindit,father.Don’tbegrieved.’
Bobwasverycheerfulwiththem,andspokepleasantlytoallthefamily.Helookedattheworkuponthetable,andpraisedtheindustryandspeedofMrsCratchitandthegirls.TheywouldbedonelongbeforeSunday,hesaid.
‘Sunday!Youwentto-day,then,Robert?’saidhiswife.
‘Yes,mydear,’returnedBob.‘Iwishyoucouldhavegone.Itwouldhavedoneyougoodtoseehowgreenaplaceitis.Butyou’llseeitoften.IpromisedhimthatIwouldwalkthereonaSunday.Mylittle,littlechild.’criedBob.‘Mylittlechild.’
Hebrokedownallatonce.Hecouldn’thelpit.
