Різдвяна історія
Chapter 4
Aworthyplace.
TheSpiritstoodamongthegraves,andpointeddowntoOne.Headvancedtowardsittrembling.ThePhantomwasexactlyasithadbeen,buthedreadedthathesawnewmeaninginitssolemnshape.
‘BeforeIdrawnearertothatstonetowhichyoupoint,’saidScrooge,‘answermeonequestion.ArethesetheshadowsofthethingsthatWillbe,oraretheyshadowsofthingsthatMaybe,only?’
StilltheGhostpointeddownwardtothegravebywhichitstood.
‘Men’scourseswillforeshadowcertainends,towhich,ifperseveredin,theymustlead,’saidScrooge.‘Butifthecoursesbedepartedfrom,theendswillchange.Sayitisthuswithwhatyoushowme!’
TheSpiritwasimmovableasever.
Scroogecrepttowardsit,tremblingashewent;andfollowingthefinger,readuponthestoneoftheneglectedgravehisownname,EbenezerScrooge.
‘AmIthatmanwholayuponthebed?’hecried,uponhisknees.
Thefingerpointedfromthegravetohim,andbackagain.
‘No,Spirit.Ohno,no!’
Thefingerstillwasthere.
‘Spirit!’hecried,tightclutchingatitsrobe,‘hearme.IamnotthemanIwas!IwillnotbethemanImusthavebeenbutforthisintercourse!Whyshowmethis,ifIampastallhope?’
Forthefirsttimethehandappearedtoshake.
‘GoodSpirit!’hepursued,asdownuponthegroundhefellbeforeit:‘Yournatureintercedesforme,andpitiesme.AssuremethatIyetmaychangetheseshadowsyouhaveshownme,byanalteredlife!’
Thekindhandtrembled