There was a moment of horrible silence as they both stared at the lifetimer.
"You're for life, not just for Hogswatch," prompted Albert. "Life goes on, master. In a manner of speaking."
BUT THIS IS HOGSWATCHNIGHT.
Very traditional time for this sort of thing, I understand," said Albert.
I THOUGHT IT WAS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY, said Death.
"Ah, well, yes, you see, one of the things that makes folks even more jolly is knowing there're people who ain't," said Albert, in a matter-of-fact voice. "That's how it goes, master, Master?"
NO. Death stood up. THIS IS HOW IT SHOULDN'T GO.
. . .
"You know you're not supposed to do this sort of thing, master. You know what happened last time."
THE HOGFATHER CAN DO IT, THOUGH.
"But . . . little match girls dying in the snow is part of what Hogswatch spirit is all about, master," said Albert, desperately. "I mean, people hear about it and say, 'We may be poorer than a disabled banana and only have mud and old boots to eat, but at least we're better off than the poor little match girl,' master. It makes them feel happy and grateful for what they got, see."
I KNOW WHAT THE SPIRIT OF HOGSWATCH IS, ALBERT.
"Sorry, master. But, look, it's all right, anyway, because she wakes up and it's all bright and shining and tinkling music and there's angels, master."
Death stopped.
AH. THEY TURN UP AT THE LAST MINUTE WITH WARM CLOTHES AND A HOT DRINK?
Oh dear, thought Albert. The master's really in one of his funny moods now.
"Er. No. Not exactly at the last minute, master, Not as such."
WELL?
"More sort of just after the last minute." Albert coughed nervously.
YOU MEAN AFTER SHE'S--
"Yes. That's how the story goes, master, 's not my fault."
WHY NOT TURN UP BEFORE? AN ANGEL HAS QUITE A LOT OF CARRYING CAPACITY.
"Couldn't say, master. I suppose people think it's more . . . satisfying the other way . . ." Albert hesitated, and then frowned. "You know, now that I come to tell someone . . ."
Death looked down at the shape under the falling snow. Then he set the lifetimer on the air and touched it with a finger. A spark flashed across.
"You ain't really allowed to do that," said Albert, feeling wretched.
THE HOGFATHER CAN. THE HOGFATHER GIVES PRESENTS. THERE'S NO BETTER PRESENT THAN A FUTURE.
Allie and I watched this on Christmas day. I cried pretty hard at this scene