said a girl , appearing as she spoke . `` Here 's Martha , mother ! '' cried the two young Cratchits . `` Hurrah ! There 's such a goose , Martha ! '' `` Why , bless your heart alive , my dear , how late you are ! '' said Mrs. Cratchit , kissing her a dozen times , and taking off her shawl and bonnet for her with officious zeal . `` We 'd a deal of work to finish up last night , '' replied the girl , `` and had to clear away this morning , mother ! '' `` Well ! never mind so long as you are come , '' said Mrs. Cratchit . `` Sit ye down before the fire , my dear , and have a warm , Lord bless ye ! '' `` No , no ! There 's father coming , '' cried the two young Cratchits , who were everywhere at once . `` Hide , Martha , hide ! '' So Martha hid herself , and in came little Bob , the father , with at least three feet of comforter , exclusive of the fringe , hanging down before him ; and his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed to look seasonable ; and Tiny Tim upon his shoulder . Alas for Tiny Tim , he bore a little crutch , and had his limbs supported by an iron frame ! `` Why , where 's our Martha ? '' cried Bob Cratchit , looking round . `` Not coming , '' said Mrs. Cratchit . `` Not coming ! ''
said Bob with a sudden declension in his high spirits ; XXXXX he had been Tim 's blood horse all the way from church , and had come home rampant .
Martha as at before by comforter for in morning with