"I don't understand why he's a tailor," Scrooge said, watching Dick Wilkins return to his stitching. "Wilkins was no great business genius. But he worked hard and he had me as an example. He could have had a career in business and made a lot more money."
"I suppose so," the Ghost of Christmas Present said. "We must go. My time grows short, and we have more to see."
Abruptly Scrooge found himself standing in front of an unfamiliar house. It was a humble place, smaller and shabbier even than Fred's.
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
"Where are we?" Scrooge asked. "I don't recognize this place at all."
"You will recognize the people who live here," the spirit replied.
They drifted in through the wall. Inside was a woman wearing a dress that had been patched many times. She'd decorated it with new ribbons, probably to make it look more festive. Her daughter named Belinda was helping her mash potatoes in a rough wooden bowl. Nearby, a boy called Peter was laying out battered plates and forks on the table.
"Who are these people?" Scrooge asked. "You said I would know them."
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
Suddenly the door flew open. A young boy and girl raced in with snow in their hair.
"You're back, Sam and Sarah!" Peter said.
"The church bells are ringing!" Sam cried.
"Yes, Father and Tiny Tim will be home soon," Sarah said.
"Tiny Tim?" Scrooge said. "Oh! This must be Bob Cratchit's house." He looked at his companion for confirmation, but none was provided. The spirit was watching a young woman hurry in after the children. She was hardly out of her teens, with rosy cheeks.
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
"Merry Christmas, Mother," she called happily.
The woman dropped her fork and rushed to embrace her daughter. "Martha, my dear! I'm so happy you could come."
"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else for Christmas." Martha hugged her tightly. Then she hugged Belinda and Peter. "You've both grown so tall!"
Sam peeked out the front window. "Here come Father and Tiny Tim. Quick, Martha—hide! You can surprise them!"
"Hide, Martha, hide!" Sarah said excitedly.
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
The two younger children hurried Martha behind the coat rack while Peter and Belinda looked on with amusement. A moment later the door opened again to reveal Bob Cratchit. Tiny Tim was perched upon his shoulder, clutching his little wooden crutch as usual.
"Merry Christmas, family!" Cratchit looked around. "Oh dear, where's our Martha? I thought she'd be here by now."
Sam stifled a giggle.
But then Martha stepped into view. "I can't stand to tease you, Father. Here I am!"
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
Her father swung Tiny Tim to the ground, holding him steady while the boy got his crutch in place. Then he hugged Martha tightly.
"We're all here together," he said with a wide smile. "Now it feels like Christmas!"
"The goose is almost ready, Tiny Tim," Belinda said. "Come and see!"
Tim hobbled off after her, using his crutch to help himself along.
Mrs. Cratchit watched him go. "And how was our little Tim?" she asked her husband quietly.
"As good as gold," Cratchit said. "He never seems to mind that he can't do all of the things that other children do. He's happy watching the skaters, though he did ask about skating one day."
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
Mrs. Cratchit took her husband's hand. "I'm happy just to have him still with us." Her voice was nearly a whisper. Then she cleared her throat and spoke loudly so that the children could hear her. "Now that your father's home, let's eat before the food gets cold!"
The whole family sat down to enjoy the meal. Scrooge couldn't help observing that it was much more modest than the meals he'd seen elsewhere. The goose was so small, it looked more like a duck. There was hardly enough applesauce and mashed potatoes to go around. But the family didn't seem to notice.
해석 데이터를 입력해주세요.
"There was never a better goose than this one!" Bob said. "I've never tasted anything so flavorful."
"Me neither," Peter said, helping himself to another piece.
"And the potatoes are the best you've ever made, Mother!" Belinda said.
Mrs. Cratchit beamed. "I was afraid I might have used too much salt."
"Not at all," Martha said. "Everything is perfect."
Bob smiled. "A Merry Christmas to us all, my dears."