Рождественская история

           Thentheshoutingandthestruggling,andtheonslaughtthatwasmadeonthedefencelessporter!Thescalinghimwithchairsforladderstodiveintohispockets,despoilhimofbrown-paperparcels,holdontightbyhiscravat,hughimroundhisneck,pommelhisback,andkickhislegsinirrepressibleaffection!Theshoutsofwonderanddelightwithwhichthedevelopmentofeverypackagewasreceived!Theterribleannouncementthatthebabyhadbeentakenintheactofputtingadoll’sfrying-panintohismouth,andwasmorethansuspectedofhavingswallowedafictitiousturkey,gluedonawoodenplatter!Theimmensereliefoffindingthisafalsealarm!Thejoy,andgratitude,andecstasy!Theyareallindescribablealike.Itisenoughthatbydegreesthechildrenandtheiremotionsgotoutoftheparlour,andbyonestairatatime,uptothetopofthehouse;wheretheywenttobed,andsosubsided.

           AndnowScroogelookedonmoreattentivelythanever,whenthemasterofthehouse,havinghisdaughterleaningfondlyonhim,satdownwithherandhermotherathisownfireside;andwhenhethoughtthatsuchanothercreature,quiteasgracefulandasfullofpromise,mighthavecalledhimfather,andbeenaspring-timeinthehaggardwinterofhislife,hissightgrewverydimindeed.

           ‘Belle,’saidthehusband,turningtohiswifewithasmile,‘Isawanoldfriendofyoursthisafternoon.’

           ‘Whowasit?’

           ‘Guess!’

           ‘HowcanI?Tut,don’tIknow,’sheaddedinthesamebreath,laughingashelaughed.‘MrScrooge.’

           ‘MrScroogeitwas