‘‘What has ever got your precious father, then?’ said Mrs. Cratchit. ‘And your brother, Tiny Tim; and Martha warn’t as late last Christmas Day by half-an-hour!’
‘‘Here’s Martha, mother!’ said a girl, appearing as she spoke.
‘‘Here’s Martha, mother!’ cried the two young Cratchits. ‘Hurrah! There’s such a goose, Martha!’
‘‘Why, bless your heart alive, my dear, how late you are!’ said Mrs. Cratchit, kissing her a dozen times, and taking off her shawl and bonnet for her, with officious zeal.
‘‘We’d a deal of work to finish up last night,’ replied the girl, ‘and had to clear away this morning, mother!’
‘‘Well! Never mind so long as you are come,’ said Mrs. Cratchit. ‘Sit ye down before the fire, my dear, and have a warm, Lord bless ye!’
‘‘No, no! There’s father coming,’ cried the two young Cratchits, who were every where at once. ‘Hide, Martha, hide!’
‘So Martha hid herself, and in came little Bob, the father, with at least three feet of comforter, exclusive of the fringe, hanging down before him; and his thread-bare clothes darned up and brushed, to look seasonable; and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder. Alas for Tiny Tim, he bore a little crutch, and had his limbs supported by an iron frame!
‘‘Why, where’s our Martha?’ cried Bob Cratchit looking round.
‘‘Not coming,’ said Mrs. Cratchit.