Christmas Carol 57 recto

57

weak sometimes by candle-light; and I wouldn’t shew weak eyes to your father when
he comes home, for the world. It must be near his time,.” she added in a s?oo?t?? ??ro?? voice.

“It’s full his time Past it, rather,” said Peter. But I think answered, shutting up his book.
“But I think he’s had walked a little slower these [few] than he used, these few last evenings mother.”

They were very quiet again. The mother moved her [lips] t[acitly] more than out At last she said, and in a steady voice cheerful voice,
as if she ?

that only faultered once: “I have known him walk with—I have known him walk with Tiny Tim
upon his shoulder, very fast indeed.”

“And so have I,” cried Peter. “Many a time. Often!”

“And so have I!” exclaimed another. So had th? all.

“But Tiny Tim he was very light to carry,” ? pursued Bob’s wife she resumed, intent upon her work, “??? and
light his father loved him so, that if he had been[ heavier] it was no trouble—no trouble.”
And there is your father at the door!”

She hurried out to open meet him; and little Bob in his Comforter—
he had need of it, poor fellow—[not] came in. His tea was ready for him
Just ???? on the fender hob and they all tried who should help him to it soonest
most. When Then the two young Cratchits, got up one upon each on his knees and laid,
each child a little cheek, against his face, as if they said, as if they said “Don’t mind it “Don’t mind it, father. Don’t
father be grieved!”

Bob was very cheerful with them, and spoke pleasantly to all the
family. He looked at the clothes work upon the pa table, and praised their
the industry and speed of Mrs Cratchit and her daughters the girls. They would be done
long before Sunday, he said.

“Did You go Sunday! You went t??? today then Robert?” said [M?] his wife.

“Yes,” my dear,”” returned Bob. “I wish you could have gone. It would have done you
good to see how green a place it is. But you’ll see it often. I promised him
[to] that it should be mythat I would [be] walk there on a Sunday walk. My little, little child!” cried Bob. ?
?i??ing ????ing all his “My little child!”

The poor fellow! Poor He broke down all at once. He couldn’t help it. If he
could have helped it, Bob he and his child would have been farther apart per-
haps than they were.

Bob Cratch He left the room, and went up stairs into the room above,
which was lighted cheerfully, and hung with Christmas too., and had There ?????th?? was a
chair set close beside the child, and there were signs of some one having been
there, lately. Poor Bob sat down in it, and when he had thought a
little and composed himself, he took took the ??? hand in his and held it and kissed
the little face little face. He was quite soon reconciled to it now what had
happened, now. and after a time went down stairs down again quite happy.

They drew about the fire, and talked; the girls and mother
working all the time still. Bob told them of the wonderful
extraordinary kindness goodness kindness of Mr Scrooge’s nephew, whom he had [seen] scarcely
seen but once, and who, meeting him in the street that day, and