'

'Where had Scrooge heard those words? He had not dreamed them. The
boy must have read them out, as he and the Spirit crossed the
threshhold. Why did he not go on?

'The mother laid her work upon the table, and put her hand up to
her face.

''The color hurts my eyes,' she said.

'The color? Ah, poor Tiny Tim!

''They're better now again,' said Cratchit's wife. 'It makes them
weak by candle-light; and I wouldn't show weak eyes to your father
when he comes home, for the world. It must be near his time.'

''Past it, rather,' Peter answered, shutting up his book. 'But I
think he's walked a little slower than he used, these few last
evenings, mother.'

'They were very quiet again. At last she said, and in a steady,
cheerful voice, that only faltered 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. 'Often.'

''And so have I!' exclaimed another. So had all.

''But he was very light to carry,' she resumed, intent upon her
work, 'and his father loved him so, that it was no trouble--no
trouble. And there is your father at the door!'

'She hurried out to meet him; and Bob in his comforter--he had
need of it, poor fellow--came in. His tea was ready for him on the
hob, and they all tried who should help him to it most. Then the
two young Cratchits got upon his knees and laid, each child a
little cheek, against his face, as if they said, 'Don't mind it,
father. Don't be grieved!'

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

''Sunday! You went to-day then, Robert?' said 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 that I would walk there on a
Sunday. My little, little child!' cried Bob. 'My little child!'

'He broke down all at once. He couldn't help it. If he could have
helped it, he and his child would have been further apart,
perhaps, than they were.

'He left the room, and went up stairs into the room above, which
was lighted cheerfully, and hun