The Cricket on the Hearth 爐邊蟋蟀(I)(英文版)
JohnPeerybingle,acarrier,liveswithhisyoungwifeDot,theirbabyboyandtheirnannyTillySlowboy.Acricketchirpsonthehearthandactsasaguardianangeltothefamily.ThetitlecreatureisasortofbarometeroflifeatthehomeofJohnPeerybingleandhismuchyoungerwifeDot.Whenthingsgowell,thecricketonthehearthchirps;itissilentwhenthereissorrow.OnedayamysteriouselderlystrangercomestovisitandtakesuplodgingatPeerybingle'shouseforafewdays.Thejealousoldman,Tackleton,poisonsJohn'smindaboutDot,butthecricketthroughitssupernaturalpowersrestoresJohn'sconfidenceandallendshappily.Dickensdescribedthenovelas"quietanddomesticinnocentandpretty.".ItisthethirdofDickens'sfiveChristmasbooks,precededbyAChristmasCarol(1843)andTheChimes(1844),andfollowedbyTheBattleofLife(1846)andTheHauntedManandtheGhost'sBargain(1848).
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