His niece looked just the same . So did Topper when he came . So did the plump sister when she came . So did every one when they came . Wonderful party , wonderful games , wonderful unanimity , won-der-ful happiness ! But he was early at the office next morning . Oh , he was early there ! If he could only be there first , and catch Bob Cratchit coming late ! 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 XXXXX this time of day ? ''
If as at before behind in into on that with