Dickens's Christmas Books - complete online versions

The Christmas Carol, The Chimes, Cricket On the Hearth, Battle Of Life
& The Haunted Man & the Ghosts's Bargain with Illustrations.

Home Main Menu Order Support About Search



Share page  


Previous Contents Next

AND THE GHOST'S BARGAIN.
335
folds. Whereas his coat had something of a fly-away and half-off appearance about the collar and breast, her little bodice was so placid and neat, that there should have been protection for her, in it, had she needed any, with the roughest people. Who could have had the heart to make so calm a bosom swell with grief, or throb with fear, or flutter with a thought of shame ! To whom would its repose and peace have not appealed against disturbance, like the innocent slumber of a child !
" Punctual, of course, Milly," said her husband, relieving her of the tray, "or it wouldn't be you. Here's Mrs. William, Sir! —He looks lonelier than ever to-night," whispering to his wife, as he was taking the tray, "and ghostlier altogether."
Without any show of hurry or noise, or any show of herself even, she was so calm and quiet, Milly set the dishes she had brought upon the table,—Mr. William, after much clattering and running about, having only gained possession of a butter-boat of gravy, which he stood ready to serve.
"What is that the old man has in his arms?" asked Mr. Redlaw, as he sat down to his solitary meal.
" Holly, Sir," replied the quiet voice of Milly.
"That's what I say myself, Sir," interposed Mr. William, striking in with the butter-boat. " Berries is so seasonable to the time of year !—Brown gravy ! "
" Another Christmas come, another year gone !" murmured the Chemist, with a gloomy sigh. " More figures in the lengthening sum of recollection that we work and work at to our torment, till Death idly jumbles all together, and rubs all out. So, Philip !" breaking off, and raising his voice as he addressed the old man, standing apart, with his glistening burden in his arms, from which the quiet Mrs. William took small branches, which she noiselessly trimmed with her scissors, and decorated the room with, while her aged father-in-law looked on much interested in the ceremony.
" My duty to you, Sir," returned the old man. " Should have spoke before, Sir, but know your ways, Mr. Redlaw—proud to say —and wait till spoke to ! Merry Christmas, Sir, and Happy New Year, and many of 'em. Have had a pretty many of 'em myself —ha, ha !—and may take the liberty of wishing 'em. I'm eighty-seven !"
" Have you had so many that were merry and happy ?" asked the other.
" Ay, Sir, ever so many," returned the old man.
" Is his memory impaired with age ? It is to be expected now," said Mr. Redlaw, turning to the son, and speaking lower.
"Not a morsel of it, Sir," replied Mr. William. "That's
Previous Contents Next