Quiet . Very quiet . The noisy little Cratchits were as still as statues in one corner , and sat looking up at Peter , who had a book before him . The mother and her daughters were engaged in sewing . But surely they were very quiet ! '' ` And he took a child , and set him in the midst of them . ' '' Where had Scrooge heard those words ? He had not dreamed them . The boy must have read them out , as he and the Spirit crossed the threshold . Why did he not go on ? The mother laid her work upon the table , and put her hand up to her face . `` The colour hurts my eyes , '' she said . The colour ? Ah , poor Tiny Tim ! `` They 're better now again , '' said Cratchit 's wife . `` It makes them weak by candle-light ; and I would n't show weak eyes to your father , when he comes home , for the world . It must be near his time . '' `` Past it rather , '' Peter answered , shutting up his book . `` But I think he has walked a little slower than he used , these few last evenings , mother . '' They were very quiet again .
At last she said , and XXXXX a steady , cheerful voice , that only faltered once : `` I have known him walk with -- I have known him walk with Tiny Tim upon his shoulder very fast indeed . ''
as by for in near of on than to upon