Fred. Why! uncle, I wonder you don't go into Parliament. I could dance for joy. (Embracing him.) You dear old man! You shall ever find a hearty welcome here.
Mrs. M. I join with my husband in his earnest congratulations.
Mrs. K. I confess, Mr. Scrooge, that I am rejoiced to find your nephew's assertions so quickly verified, and that an opportunity is offered to renew an acquaintance which I hope will end in uninterrupted friendship. (They shake hands.)
Fred. Ah, here comes Topper and the girls.
Enter Topper and Julia Kemper, Snapper and Sarah Kemper.
Fred. Come, girls, hug and kiss your Uncle Scrooge, he has come to make merry with us. (Takes the girls to Scrooge, and endeavors to make them hug, doing most of the hugging himself.) Hug him hard! This is Topper, and this is Snapper, they are both sweet on the girls. (All laugh.)
Julia and Sarah. Oh, you bad man.
Fred. Come, let us lose no time. What do you say to a game? Shall it be blind man's buff?
All. Agreed.
Fred. Come, Uncle Scrooge, the oldest, first.