That was the thing he had set his heart upon . And he did it ; yes , he did ! The clock struck nine . No Bob . A quarter past . No Bob . He was full eighteen minutes and a half behind his time . Scrooge sat with his door wide open , that he might see him come into the tank . His hat was off before he opened the door ; his comforter too . He was on his stool in a jiffy ; driving away with his pen , as if he were trying to overtake nine o'clock . `` Hallo ! '' growled Scrooge in his accustomed voice as near as he could feign it . `` What do you mean by coming here at this time of day ? '' `` I am very sorry , sir , '' said Bob . `` I am behind my time . '' `` You are ! '' repeated Scrooge . `` Yes . I think you are . Step this way , sir , if you please . ''
`` It 's only once a year , sir , '' pleaded XXXXX , appearing from the tank .
Bob Hallo Scrooge comforter day minutes o'clock past quarter thing