"Don't say anything, please," retorted Scrooge. "Come
and see me. Will you come and see me?"
"I will!" cried the old gentleman. And it was clear he
meant to do it.
"Thank'ee," said Scrooge. "I am much obliged to you.
I thank you fifty times. Bless you!"
He went to church, and walked about the streets, and
watched the people hurrying to and fro, and patted children
on the head, and questioned beggars, and looked down into
the kitchens of houses, and up to the windows, and found
that everything could yield him pleasure. He had never
dreamed that any walk--that anything--could give him so
much happiness. In the afternoon he turned his steps
towards his nephew's house.
He passed the door a dozen times, before he had the
courage to go up and knock. But he made a dash, and
did it:
"Is your master at home, my dear?" said Scrooge to the
girl. Nice girl! Very.
"Yes, sir."
"Where is he, my love?" said Scrooge.
"He's in the dining-room, sir, along with mistress. I'll
show you up-stairs, if you please."
"Thank'ee. He knows me," said Scrooge, with his hand
already on the dining-room lock. "I'll go in here, my dear."
He turned it gently, and sidled his face in, round the door.
They were looking at the table (which was spread out in
great array); for these young housekeepers are always nervous
on such points, and like to see that everything is right.
94