`` I have no patience with him , '' observed Scrooge 's niece . Scrooge 's niece 's sisters , and all the other ladies , expressed the same opinion . `` Oh , I have ! '' said Scrooge 's nephew . `` I am sorry for him ; I could n't be angry with him if I tried . Who suffers by his ill whims ? Himself always . Here he takes it into his head to dislike us , and he wo n't come and dine with us . What 's the consequence ? He do n't lose much of a dinner . '' `` Indeed , I think he loses a very good dinner , '' interrupted Scrooge 's niece . Everybody else said the same , and they must be allowed to have been competent judges , because they had just had dinner ; and , with the dessert upon the table , were clustered round the fire , by lamp-light . `` Well ! I am very glad to hear it , '' said Scrooge 's nephew , `` because I have n't any great faith in these young housekeepers . What do you say , Topper ? '' Topper had clearly got his eye upon one of Scrooge 's niece 's sisters , for he answered that a bachelor was a wretched outcast , who had no right to express an opinion on the subject . Whereat Scrooge 's niece 's sister -- the plump one with the lace tucker , not the one with the roses -- blushed . `` Do go on , Fred , '' said Scrooge 's niece , clapping her hands . `` He never finishes what he begins to say ! He is such a ridiculous fellow ! ''
XXXXX 's nephew revelled in another laugh , and , as it was impossible to keep the infection off , though the plump sister tried hard to do it with aromatic vinegar , his example was unanimously followed .
Fred Scrooge Topper fire housekeepers judges lamp-light nephew right subject