(continued)

Really, for a man who had been out of practice for so many years, it was a splendid laugh, a most illustrious laugh.  The father of a long, long line of brilliant laughs.

`I don't know what day of the month it is,' said Scrooge.  `I don't know how long I've been among the Spirits.  I don't know anything.  I'm quite a baby.  Never mind.  I don't care.  I'd rather be a baby.  Hallo!  Whoop!  Hallo here!'

He was checked in his transports by the churches ringing out the lustiest peals he had ever heard.  Clash, clang, hammer; ding, dong, bell!  Bell, dong, ding; hammer, clang, clash!  Oh, glorious, glorious!

Running to the window, he opened it, and put out his head.  No fog, no mist; clear, bright, jovial, stirring, cold; cold, piping for the blood to dance to; Golden sunlight; Heavenly sky; sweet fresh air; merry bells.  Oh, glorious.  Glorious!

`What's to-day?' cried Scrooge, calling downward to a boy in Sunday clothes, who perhaps had loitered in to look about him.

`Eh?' returned the boy, with all his might of wonder.

`What's to-day, my fine fellow?' said Scrooge.

`To-day?' replied the boy.  `Why, Christmas Day.'

`It's Christmas Day!' said Scrooge to himself.  `I haven't missed it.  The Spirits have done it all in one night.  They can do anything they like.  Of course they can.  Of course they can.  Hallo, my fine fellow!'

`Hallo!' returned the boy.

`Do you know the Poulterer's, in the next street but one, at the corner?' Scrooge inquired.

`I should hope I did,' replied the lad.

`An intelligent boy!' said Scrooge.  `A remarkable boy!  Do you know whether they've sold the prize Turkey that was hanging up there—Not the little prize Turkey:  the big one?'

`What, the one as big as me?' returned the boy.

`What a delightful boy!' said Scrooge.  `It's a pleasure to talk to him.  Yes, my buck.'

`It's hanging there now,' replied the boy.

`Is it?' said Scrooge.  `Go and buy it.'

`Walk-er!' exclaimed the boy.

66