I never think of 'The Christmas Carol' without first thinking
of 'The Chimes.' Thank you for getting the automobile out to take me
to--"
"No trouble at all, my dear fellow," cried Mr. Bingle, shaking hands
with the departing guest. "I wish you a Merry Christmas."
Flanders' face was glowing. "It will be the merriest Christmas I've
ever known, Mr. Bingle," he said, his voice husky with emotion. "I owe
it to you, too. By Jove, sir, I believe I am the happiest man in all
the world." He almost shook the little man's arm out of its socket.
Mr. Bingle's smile was meant to be beaming. He made a valiant effort
to rise above the catastrophe that was to make his Christmas the most
miserable he had ever known.
"Come to see us every Christmas Eve, my boy, if it puts you in such
good spirits to see the--the kiddies--" his voice quavered a little--
"and to hear the 'Carol.' You will always find the latchstring out."
"No other Christmas Eve will be as glorious as this one, sir," said
Dick, gently dragging his host into the hall and lowering his voice to
a thrilling undertone.
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