Рождественская история

           ‘There’sthesaucepanthatthegruelwasin,’criedScrooge,startingoffagain,andgoingroundthefireplace.‘There’sthedoor,bywhichtheGhostofJacobMarleyentered.There’sthecornerwheretheGhostofChristmasPresent,sat.There’sthewindowwhereIsawthewanderingSpirits.It’sallright,it’salltrue,itallhappened!Hahaha!’

           Really,foramanwhohadbeenoutofpracticeforsomanyyears,itwasasplendidlaugh,amostillustriouslaugh.Thefatherofalong,longlineofbrilliantlaughs.

           ‘Idon’tknowwhatdayofthemonthitis,’saidScrooge.‘Idon’tknowhowlongI’vebeenamongtheSpirits.Idon’tknowanything.I’mquiteababy!Nevermind.Idon’tcare.I’dratherbeababy!Hallo!Whoop!Hallohere!’

           Hewascheckedinhistransportsbythechurchesringingoutthelustiestpealshehadeverheard.Clash,clang,hammer;ding,dong,bell!Bell,dong,ding;hammer,clang,clash.Oh,glorious,glorious.

           Runningtothewindow,heopenedit,andputouthishead.Nofog,nomist;clear,bright,jovial,stirring,cold;cold,pipingforthebloodtodanceto;Goldensunlight;Heavenlysky;sweetfreshair;merrybells.Oh,glorious.Glorious.

           ‘What’sto-day?’criedScrooge,callingdownwardtoaboyinSundayclothes,whoperhapshadloiteredintolookabouthim.

           ‘Eh?’returnedtheboy,withallhismightofwonder.

           ‘What’sto-day,myfinefellow?’saidScrooge.

           ‘To-day?’repliedtheboy.‘Why,ChristmasDay!’

           ‘It’sChristmasDay!’saidScroogetohimself.