"I strip the hoardings of the posters! Why should I? The hoardings look a precious sight better covered with pictures than left to dirt and decay. I interfere with the hoardings! I never heard of such a thing! What put that into your head?"
"Well, it used to be an old way of yours," returned Scrooge's nephew. "Why, uncle, don't you remember? You used to be interfering with and ordering about everything. Taking up the road and closing the thoroughfare. Bothering the costermongers and the retail shopkeepers and the small householders. In fact, making yourself a general nuisance in all directions. Why, uncle, you have entirely changed your nature!"
"Not at all," said Scrooge. "I am not changed, but my office is. Do you not know that I have ceased to be a member of the London County Council?"
"No, this is the first time I have heard of it! Why, that accounts for everything! It explains why you are a pleasant, good-natured old gentleman in lieu of a curmudgeon and a brute. It explains everything."
And it did!
MISUNDERSTOOD.
Noble Philanthropist. "That Parcel seems rather heavy for you, my little Man! Let me take it!"
Small boy. "Let yer tyke my Parcel! Garn with yer. I'll call the Perlice!"