Tim Cratchit's Christmas Carol by Jim Piecuch Read Free Book Online Page A

expected to aspire to. And I wouldn’t mind being married and having a family. But I also want to do something useful beyond being a wife and mother. Is that wrong?”
    â€œI don’t think so,” Tim said. “One of my sisters works as a baker with her husband, and another is an accomplished seamstress.”
    Jane found this information a bit surprising; she had not expected that the sisters of a successful doctor would work. Yet it seemed to conform to her opinion of Tim’s character. He had none of the natural sense of privilege, even arrogance, of many of the wealthy people she knew. Encouraged by Tim’s statement, Jane admitted that she occasionally helped her father with his work and enjoyed it.
    â€œI’d actually like to learn more about Father’s business,” she said, “perhaps even oversee it someday, since he has no male heir. Of course, I’d have to hire a manager, but at least I’d understand what was going on and have some say in affairs. Father seems willing to teach me, but Mother says it will ruin my marriage prospects.” Jane paused. “I’m sorry. I really shouldn’t trouble you with this.”
    â€œIt isn’t any trouble,” Tim said. He rose, stepped toward her, and almost placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Then, recognizing the impropriety of such a gesture, he settled for standing beside her chair. “I think that you would feel better with some rest, and it would give you some time to think, too. I can tell your mother that in my professional opinion, you need several days—”
    â€œThat won’t work,” Jane blurted. “Mother will agree with you, probably even say that she was thinking the same thing, and then ignore your advice as soon as you’ve left.”
    â€œCould you at least get out of the house once in a while? That would keep you out of your mother’s clutches, and the change of scene might be good for you. Are there friends you could visit?”
    â€œMother does encourage me to go out occasionally with the daughters of her friends, girls my own age or younger, but I don’t enjoy it. They’re all so shallow, wanting only to flaunt their fine clothes and spend their fathers’ money so everybody will know how rich they are.”
    â€œThen may I make another suggestion, Miss Crompton?” Tim inquired.
    â€œCertainly, and please, call me Jane.”
    â€œYou need some time out of this house, Jane. Let me repay your invitation to the party tonight by asking you to attend my own party next week. Not just as a guest, but as my hostess. I usually force my mother or one of my sisters to handle that chore, but I would be honored if you would do it for me this year. There isn’t the least bit of work involved, I assure you, other than being polite to the guests.”
    Jane was flattered by the offer. She promptly accepted, then paused. “I don’t think Mother would allow it, unless she’s there to keep an eye on me.”
    â€œI’ll talk to your father before I leave,” said Tim. “I think he’ll agree, and I’ll invite your parents, too. The formal invitation will be delivered here tomorrow or Monday by post.”
    â€œThank you so much, Tim,” Jane said. “You don’t know how much this means to me.”
    â€œIt means a good deal to me, too,” he declared, although he had not thought about inviting Jane to his party until an instant before the words tumbled from his lips.
    Worried that he had again been too fervent in his expression, as though his heart were beginning to push him in a direction where his mind was not yet ready to go, Tim excused himself. He bounded up the stairs two at a time, earning a reproachful grimace from the butler. Ignoring the man, he entered the drawing room just in time to see Mr. and Mrs. Crompton and a half dozen other couples beginning a waltz. Mrs. Crompton, who had all the