At last, when they had finished their meal, The children cleared the table and washed the plates. Then they all sat round the fire, eating apples and oranges. There was a large bowl of fruit and sugar and hot water and something a little stronger, but only three people could drink at the same time, because the family only owned two glasses and a cup. But this not worry the Cratchits at all. Now Bob lifted his glass and said, ‘A merry Christmas to us all, my dears! God bless us!’