Scrooge ran to the window, opened it, and put his head outside. There was no fog or mist. The air was clear, bright, and cold. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the bells were ringing happily.
'Oh, how absolutely wonderful!' cried Scrooge in a cheerful voice.
'What day is it?' he shouted down to a boy wearing his Sunday clothes, who was standing in the street.
'Eh?' said the boy, very surprised.
'What day is it, my boy?' Scrooge repeated, expecting to be disappointed.
'Why, it's Christmas Day!' replied the boy.
'It's Christmas Day!' said Scrooge to himself, delighted. 'I haven't missed it. The Ghosts did everything in one night. They can do anything!'
'Hello, my boy!' Scrooge called.
'Hello!' said the boy.
'Do you know the shop on the corner in the next street where they sell turkeys?' asked Scrooge.
'Of course I do,' said the boy.
'Good boy!' said Scrooge. 'Do you know if they have sold the big prize turkey? Not the small one-the huge one.'
'The one as big as me?' asked the boy.
'Yes!' laughed Scrooge. 'That one.'
'It's still there,' said the boy.
'Good!' said Scrooge. 'Go and buy it.'
'You must be joking!' said the boy amazed.
'Definitely not, my boy,' said Scrooge. 'Go and tell them Ebenezer Scrooge will buy it, and then tell them to bring it here. Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling. If you don't hang about and come back in less than five minutes, I'll give you two shillings!'
The boy ran off as fast as he could go.
'I'll send the turkey to Bob Cratchit,' Scrooge said quietly, laughing to himself. 'He won't know who sent it. It's much bigger than his son, Tiny Tim. I'll wrap it up and send it as a Christmas gift. This will be a wonderful surprise for him!'
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