2. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol Cloth First Edition 1843

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

from Stave 1: Marley's Ghost

‘A merry Christmas, uncle! God save you!’ cried a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge’s nephew, who came  upon him so quickly that this was the first intimation he  had of his approach. 
‘Bah!’ said Scrooge, ‘Humbug!’

He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost, this nephew of Scrooge’s, that he was all in a glow;  his face was ruddy and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and  his breath smoked again. ‘Christmas a humbug, uncle!’ said Scrooge’s nephew. ‘You don’t mean that, I am sure?’ 

‘I do,’ said Scrooge. ‘Merry Christmas! What right have you to be merry? What reason have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.’
 
‘Come, then,’ returned the nephew gaily. ‘What right have you to be dismal? What reason have you to be morose?  You’re rich enough.’

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