Nobeggarsimploredhimtobestow a trifle, nochildrenaskedhimwhatitwas o'clock, nomanorwomaneveronceinallhislifeinquiredthewaytosuchandsuch a place, ofScrooge.
'Whatelsecan I be,' returnedtheuncle, 'when I liveinsuch a worldoffoolsasthis?
MerryChristmas!
OutuponmerryChristmas!
What's Christmastimetoyoubut a timeforpayingbillswithoutmoney; a timeforfindingyourself a yearolder, butnotanhourricher; a timeforbalancingyourbooksandhavingeveryitemin 'emthrough a rounddozenofmonthspresenteddeadagainstyou?
If I couldworkmywill,' saidScroogeindignantly, 'everyidiotwhogoesaboutwith 'MerryChristmas' onhislips, shouldbeboiledwithhisownpudding, andburiedwith a stakeofhollythroughhisheart.
'Therearemanythingsfromwhich I mighthavederivedgood, bywhich I havenotprofited, I daresay,' returnedthenephew.
'Christmasamongtherest.
But I amsure I havealwaysthoughtofChristmastime, whenithascomeroundapartfromthevenerationduetoitssacrednameandorigin, ifanythingbelongingtoitcanbeapartfromthatas a goodtime; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasanttime; theonlytime I knowof, inthelongcalendaroftheyear, whenmenandwomenseembyoneconsenttoopentheirshutupheartsfreely, andtothinkofpeoplebelowthemasiftheyreallywerefellowpassengerstothegrave, andnotanotherraceofcreaturesboundonotherjourneys.
Andtherefore, uncle, thoughithasneverput a scrapofgoldorsilverinmypocket, I believethatithasdonemegood, andwilldomegood; and I say, Godblessit!'
'Atthisfestiveseasonoftheyear, Mr. Scrooge,' saidthegentleman, takingup a pen, 'itismorethanusuallydesirablethatweshouldmakesomeslightprovisionforthePooranddestitute, whosuffergreatlyatthepresenttime.
Still,' returnedthegentleman, 'I wish I couldsaytheywerenot.'
'TheTreadmillandthePoorLawareinfullvigour, then?'
saidScrooge.
'Bothverybusy, sir.'
'Oh!
I wasafraid, fromwhatyousaidatfirst, thatsomethinghadoccurredtostopthemintheirusefulcourse,' saidScrooge.
'I'm verygladtohearit.'
'UndertheimpressionthattheyscarcelyfurnishChristiancheerofmindorbodytothemultitude,' returnedthegentleman, 'a fewofusareendeavouringtoraise a fundtobuythePoorsomemeatanddrink, andmeansofwarmth.
Wechoosethistime, becauseitis a time, ofallothers, whenWantiskeenlyfelt, andAbundancerejoices.
Whatshall I putyoudownfor?'
'Nothing!'
Scroogereplied.
'Youwishtobeanonymous?'
'I wishtobeleftalone,' saidScrooge.
'Sinceyouaskmewhat I wish, gentlemen, thatismyanswer.
I don't makemerrymyselfatChristmasand I can't affordtomakeidlepeoplemerry.
I helptosupporttheestablishments I havementionedtheycostenough; andthosewhoarebadlyoffmustgothere.'
Theancienttowerof a church, whosegruffoldbellwasalwayspeepingslilydownatScroogeoutof a Gothicwindowinthewall, becameinvisible, andstruckthehoursandquartersintheclouds, withtremulousvibrationsafterwardsasifitsteethwerechatteringinitsfrozenheadupthere.
Thecoldbecameintense.
Inthemainstreet, atthecornerofthecourt, somelabourerswererepairingthegaspipes, andhadlighted a greatfirein a brazier, roundwhich a partyofraggedmenandboysweregathered: warmingtheirhandsandwinkingtheireyesbeforetheblazeinrapture.
Poulterers' andgrocers' tradesbecame a splendidjoke: a gloriouspageant, withwhichitwasnexttoimpossibletobelievethatsuchdullprinciplesasbargainandsalehadanythingtodo.
If I wastostophalfacrownforit, you'd thinkyourselfillused, I'llbebound?'
Theclerksmiledfaintly.
'Andyet,' saidScrooge, 'youdon't thinkmeillused, when I pay a day's wagesfornowork.'
Theclerkobservedthatitwasonlyonce a year.
'A poorexcuseforpicking a man's pocketeverytwentyfifthofDecember!'
saidScrooge, buttoninghisgreatcoattothechin.
'But I supposeyoumusthavethewholeday.
Beherealltheearliernextmorning.'
Theclerkpromisedthathewould; andScroogewalkedoutwith a growl.
Theofficewasclosedin a twinkling, andtheclerk, withthelongendsofhiswhitecomforterdanglingbelowhiswaistforheboastednogreatcoat, wentdown a slideonCornhill, attheendof a laneofboys, twentytimes, inhonourofitsbeingChristmasEve, andthenranhometoCamdenTownashardashecouldpelt, toplayatblindman'sbuff.
Theywere a gloomysuiteofrooms, in a loweringpileofbuildingup a yard, whereithadsolittlebusinesstobe, thatonecouldscarcelyhelpfancyingitmusthaveruntherewhenitwas a younghouse, playingathideandseekwithotherhouses, andforgottenthewayoutagain.
Hedidpause, with a moment's irresolution, beforeheshutthedoor; andhedidlookcautiouslybehinditfirst, asifhehalfexpectedtobeterrifiedwiththesightofMarley's pigtailstickingoutintothehall.
Youmaytalkvaguelyaboutdriving a coachandsixup a goodoldflightofstairs, orthrough a badyoungActofParliament; but I meantosayyoumighthavegot a hearseupthatstaircase, andtakenitbroadwise, withthesplinterbartowardsthewallandthedoortowardsthebalustrades: anddoneiteasy.
Therewasplentyofwidthforthat, androomtospare; whichisperhapsthereasonwhyScroogethoughthesaw a locomotivehearsegoingonbeforehiminthegloom.
Ifeachsmoothtilehadbeen a blankatfirst, withpowertoshapesomepictureonitssurfacefromthedisjointedfragmentsofhisthoughts, therewouldhavebeen a copyofoldMarley's headoneveryone.
'Humbug!'
saidScrooge; andwalkedacrosstheroom.
Afterseveralturns, hesatdownagain.
Ashethrewhisheadbackinthechair, hisglancehappenedtorestupon a bell, a disusedbell, thathungintheroom, andcommunicatedforsomepurposenowforgottenwith a chamberinthehigheststoryofthebuilding.
Itwaswithgreatastonishment, andwith a strange, inexplicabledread, thatashelooked, hesawthisbellbegintoswing.
Itswungsosoftlyintheoutsetthatitscarcelymade a sound; butsoonitrangoutloudly, andsodideverybellinthehouse.
Thismighthavelastedhalf a minute, or a minute, butitseemedanhour.
Thebellsceasedastheyhadbegun, together.
Theyweresucceededby a clankingnoise, deepdownbelow; asifsomepersonweredragging a heavychainoverthecasksinthewinemerchant's cellar.
Hewasgoingtosay 'to a shade,' butsubstitutedthis, asmoreappropriate.
'Inlife I wasyourpartner, JacobMarley.'
'Canyoucanyousitdown?'
askedScrooge, lookingdoubtfullyathim.
'I can.'
'Doit, then.'
Scroogeaskedthequestion, becausehedidn't knowwhether a ghostsotransparentmightfindhimselfin a conditiontotake a chair; andfeltthatintheeventofitsbeingimpossible, itmightinvolvethenecessityofanembarrassingexplanation.
Thetruthis, thathetriedtobesmart, as a meansofdistractinghisownattention, andkeepingdownhisterror; forthespectre's voicedisturbedtheverymarrowinhisbones.
Tosit, staringatthosefixedglazedeyes, insilencefor a moment, wouldplay, Scroogefelt, theverydeucewithhim.
saidScrooge, returningquicklytothecharge, forthereasonjustassigned; andwishing, thoughitwereonlyfor a second, todivertthevision's stonygazefromhimself.
'I do,' repliedtheGhost.
'Youarenotlookingatit,' saidScrooge.
'But I seeit,' saidtheGhost, 'notwithstanding.'
'Well!'
returnedScrooge, 'I havebuttoswallowthis, andbefortherestofmydayspersecutedby a legionofgoblins, allofmyowncreation.
Humbug, I tellyou!
humbug!'
Atthisthespiritraised a frightfulcry, andshookitschainwithsuch a dismalandappallingnoise, thatScroogeheldontighttohischair, tosavehimselffromfallingin a swoon.
Hehadbeenquitefamiliarwithoneoldghost, in a whitewaistcoat, with a monstrousironsafeattachedtoitsankle, whocriedpiteouslyatbeingunabletoassist a wretchedwomanwithaninfant, whomitsawbelow, upon a doorstep.
Allhecouldmakeoutwas, thatitwasstillveryfoggyandextremelycold, andthattherewasnonoiseofpeoplerunningtoandfro, andmaking a greatstir, asthereunquestionablywouldhavebeenifnighthadbeatenoffbrightday, andtakenpossessionoftheworld.
Thiswas a greatrelief, because 'threedaysaftersightofthisFirstofExchangepaytoMr. EbenezerScroogeorhisorder,' andsoforth, wouldhavebecome a mereUnitedStates' securityiftherewerenodaystocountby.
Everytimeheresolvedwithinhimself, aftermatureinquiry, thatitwasall a dream, hismindflewbackagain, like a strongspringreleased, toitsfirstposition, andpresentedthesameproblemtobeworkedallthrough, 'Wasit a dreamornot?'
Scroogelayinthisstateuntilthechimehadgonethreequartersmore, whenheremembered, on a sudden, thattheGhosthadwarnedhimof a visitationwhenthebelltolledone.
Thecurtainsofhisbedweredrawnaside; andScrooge, startingupinto a halfrecumbentattitude, foundhimselffacetofacewiththeunearthlyvisitorwhodrewthem: asclosetoitas I amnowtoyou, and I amstandinginthespiritatyourelbow.
Itwas a strangefigurelike a child: yetnotsolike a childaslikeanoldman, viewedthroughsomesupernaturalmedium, whichgavehimtheappearanceofhavingrecededfromtheview, andbeingdiminishedto a child's proportions.
Itshair, whichhungaboutitsneckanddownitsback, waswhiteasifwithage; andyetthefacehadnot a wrinkleinit, andthetenderestbloomwasontheskin.
Itwore a tunicofthepurestwhite; androunditswaistwasbound a lustrousbelt, thesheenofwhichwasbeautiful.
Itheld a branchoffreshgreenhollyinitshand; and, insingularcontradictionofthatwintryemblem, haditsdresstrimmedwithsummerflowers.
Butthestrangestthingaboutitwas, thatfromthecrownofitsheadtheresprung a brightclearjetoflight, bywhichallthiswasvisible; andwhichwasdoubtlesstheoccasionofitsusing, initsdullermoments, a greatextinguisherfor a cap, whichitnowheldunderitsarm.
Forasitsbeltsparkledandglitterednowinonepartandnowinanother, andwhatwaslightoneinstant, atanothertimewasdark, sothefigureitselffluctuatedinitsdistinctness: beingnow a thingwithonearm, nowwithoneleg, nowwithtwentylegs, now a pairoflegswithout a head, now a headwithout a body: ofwhichdissolvingparts, nooutlinewouldbevisibleinthedensegloomwhereintheymeltedaway.
Theywalkedalongtheroad, Scroogerecognisingeverygate, andpost, andtree; until a littlemarkettownappearedinthedistance, withitsbridge, itschurch, andwindingriver.
'A solitarychild, neglectedbyhisfriends, islefttherestill.'
Scroogesaidheknewit.
Andhesobbed.
Theyleftthehighroad, by a wellrememberedlane, andsoonapproached a mansionofdullredbrick, with a littleweathercocksurmountedcupola, ontheroof, and a bellhanginginit.
Itwas a largehouse, butoneofbrokenfortunes; forthespaciousofficeswerelittleused, theirwallsweredampandmossy, theirwindowsbroken, andtheirgatesdecayed.
Therewasanearthysavourintheair, a chillybarenessintheplace, whichassociateditselfsomehowwithtoomuchgettingupbycandlelight, andnottoomuchtoeat.
Theywent, theGhostandScrooge, acrossthehall, to a dooratthebackofthehouse.
Itopenedbeforethem, anddisclosed a long, bare, melancholyroom, madebarerstillbylinesofplaindealformsanddesks.
Atoneofthese a lonelyboywasreadingnear a feeblefire; andScroogesatdownupon a form, andwepttoseehispoorforgottenselfasheusedtobe.
Not a latentechointhehouse, not a squeakandscufflefromthemicebehindthepanelling, not a dripfromthehalfthawedwaterspoutinthedullyardbehind, not a sighamongtheleaflessboughsofonedespondentpoplar, nottheidleswingingofanemptystorehousedoor, no, not a clickinginthefire, butfellupontheheartofScroogewith a softeninginfluence, andgave a freerpassagetohistears.
TohearScroogeexpendingalltheearnestnessofhisnatureonsuchsubjects, in a mostextraordinaryvoicebetweenlaughingandcrying; andtoseehisheightenedandexcitedface; wouldhavebeen a surprisetohisbusinessfriendsinthecity, indeed.
'There's theParrot!'
criedScrooge.
'Greenbodyandyellowtail, with a thinglike a lettucegrowingoutofthetopofhishead; thereheis!
Hespokesogentlytomeonedearnightwhen I wasgoingtobed, that I wasnotafraidtoaskhimoncemoreifyoumightcomehome; andhesaidYes, youshould; andsentmein a coachtobringyou.
A terriblevoiceinthehallcried, 'BringdownMasterScrooge's box, there!'
andinthehallappearedtheschoolmasterhimself, whoglaredonMasterScroogewith a ferociouscondescension, andthrewhiminto a dreadfulstateofmindbyshakinghandswithhim.
Hethenconveyedhimandhissisterintotheveriestoldwellof a shiveringbestparlourthateverwasseen, wherethemapsuponthewall, andthecelestialandterrestrialglobesinthewindows, werewaxywithcold.
Hereheproduced a decanterofcuriouslylightwine, and a blockofcuriouslyheavycake, andadministeredinstalmentsofthosedaintiestotheyoungpeople: atthesametime, sendingout a meagreservanttooffer a glassof 'something' tothepostboy, whoansweredthathethankedthegentleman, butifitwasthesametapashehadtastedbefore, hehadrathernot.
Althoughtheyhadbutthatmomentlefttheschoolbehindthem, theywerenowinthebusythoroughfaresof a city, whereshadowypassengerspassedandrepassed; whereshadowycartsandcoachesbattledfortheway, andallthestrifeandtumultof a realcitywere.
andthefiddlerplungedhishotfaceinto a potofporter, especiallyprovidedforthatpurpose.
Butscorningrest, uponhisreappearance, heinstantlybeganagain, thoughtherewerenodancersyet, asiftheotherfiddlerhadbeencarriedhome, exhausted, on a shutter, andhewere a brannewmanresolvedtobeathimoutofsight, orperish.
Thereweremoredances, andtherewereforfeits, andmoredances, andtherewascake, andtherewasnegus, andtherewas a greatpieceofColdRoast, andtherewas a greatpieceofColdBoiled, andthereweremincepies, andplentyofbeer.
Thesortofmanwhoknewhisbusinessbetterthanyouor I couldhavetoldithim!
struckup 'SirRogerdeCoverley.'
ThenoldFezziwigstoodouttodancewithMrs. Fezziwig.
Topcouple, too; with a goodstiffpieceofworkcutoutforthem; threeorfourandtwentypairofpartners; peoplewhowerenottobetrifledwith; peoplewhowoulddance, andhadnonotionofwalking.
Butiftheyhadbeentwiceasmanyah, fourtimesoldFezziwigwouldhavebeen a matchforthem, andsowouldMrs. Fezziwig.
Mr. andMrs. Fezziwigtooktheirstations, oneoneithersideofthedoor, andshakinghandswitheverypersonindividuallyasheorshewentout, wishedhimorher a MerryChristmas.
Wheneverybodyhadretiredbutthetwo 'prentices, theydidthesametothem; andthusthecheerfulvoicesdiedaway, andtheladswerelefttotheirbeds; whichwereunder a counterinthebackshop.
Duringthewholeofthistime, Scroogehadactedlike a manoutofhiswits.
Hewasnotalone, butsatbythesideof a fairyounggirlin a mourningdress: inwhoseeyesthereweretears, whichsparkledinthelightthatshoneoutoftheGhostofChristmasPast.
'Itmatterslittle,' shesaid, softly.
'Toyou, verylittle.
Anotheridolhasdisplacedme; andifitcancheerandcomfortyouintimetocome, as I wouldhavetriedtodo, I havenojustcausetogrieve.'
'I wouldgladlythinkotherwiseif I could,' sheanswered, 'Heavenknows!
When I havelearned a Truthlikethis, I knowhowstrongandirresistibleitmustbe.
Butifyouwerefreetoday, tomorrow, yesterday, caneven I believethatyouwouldchoose a dowerlessgirlyouwho, inyourveryconfidencewithher, weigheverythingbyGain: or, choosingher, iffor a momentyouwerefalseenoughtoyouroneguidingprincipletodoso, do I notknowthatyourrepentanceandregretwouldsurelyfollow?
Theywereinanothersceneandplace; a room, notverylargeorhandsome, butfullofcomfort.
Neartothewinterfiresat a beautifulyounggirl, solikethatlastthatScroogebelieveditwasthesame, untilhesawher, now a comelymatron, sittingoppositeherdaughter.
I wouldn't forthewealthofalltheworldhavecrushedthatbraidedhair, andtornitdown; andforthepreciouslittleshoe, I wouldn't havepluckeditoff, Godblessmysoul!
tosavemylife.
Astomeasuringherwaistinsport, astheydid, boldyoungbrood, I couldn't havedoneit; I shouldhaveexpectedmyarmtohavegrownrounditfor a punishment, andnevercomestraightagain.
Andyet I shouldhavedearlyliked, I own, tohavetouchedherlips; tohavequestionedher, thatshemighthaveopenedthem; tohavelookeduponthelashesofherdowncasteyes, andneverraised a blush; tohaveletloosewavesofhair, aninchofwhichwouldbe a keepsakebeyondprice: inshort, I shouldhaveliked, I doconfess, tohavehadthelightestlicenceof a child, andyettohavebeenmanenoughtoknowitsvalue.
Butnow a knockingatthedoorwasheard, andsuch a rushimmediatelyensuedthatshewithlaughingfaceandplundereddresswasbornetowardsitthecentreof a flushedandboisterousgroup, justintimetogreetthefather, whocamehomeattendedby a manladenwithChristmastoysandpresents.
Theterribleannouncementthatthebabyhadbeentakenintheactofputting a doll's fryingpanintohismouth, andwasmorethansuspectedofhavingswallowed a fictitiousturkey, gluedon a woodenplatter!
Theimmensereliefoffindingthis a falsealarm!
Thejoy, andgratitude, andecstasy!
Theyareallindescribablealike.
Itisenoughthatbydegreesthechildrenandtheiremotionsgotoutoftheparlour, andbyonestairat a time, uptothetopofthehouse; wheretheywenttobed, andsosubsided.
HeturnedupontheGhost, andseeingthatitlookeduponhimwith a face, inwhichinsomestrangewaytherewerefragmentsofallthefacesithadshownhim, wrestledwithit.
'Leaveme!
Takemeback.
Hauntmenolonger!'
Inthestruggle, ifthatcanbecalled a struggleinwhichtheGhostwithnovisibleresistanceonitsownpartwasundisturbedbyanyeffortofitsadversary, Scroogeobservedthatitslightwasburninghighandbright; anddimlyconnectingthatwithitsinfluenceoverhim, heseizedtheextinguishercap, andby a suddenactionpresseditdownuponitshead.
Hegavethecap a partingsqueeze, inwhichhishandrelaxed; andhadbarelytimetoreeltobed, beforehesankinto a heavysleep.
STAVEIII: THESECONDOFTHETHREESPIRITS.
AWAKINGinthemiddleof a prodigiouslytoughsnore, andsittingupinbedtogethisthoughtstogether, ScroogehadnooccasiontobetoldthatthebellwasagainuponthestrokeofOne.
Hefeltthathewasrestoredtoconsciousnessintherightnickoftime, fortheespecialpurposeofholding a conferencewiththesecondmessengerdespatchedtohimthroughJacobMarley's intervention.
Butfindingthatheturneduncomfortablycoldwhenhebegantowonderwhichofhiscurtainsthisnewspectrewoulddrawback, heputthemeveryoneasidewithhisownhands; andlyingdownagain, established a sharplookoutallroundthebed.
Gentlemenofthefreeandeasysort, whoplumethemselvesonbeingacquaintedwith a moveortwo, andbeingusuallyequaltothetimeofday, expressthewiderangeoftheircapacityforadventurebyobservingthattheyaregoodforanythingfrompitchandtosstomanslaughter; betweenwhichoppositeextremes, nodoubt, therelies a tolerablywideandcomprehensiverangeofsubjects.
WithoutventuringforScroogequiteashardilyasthis, I don't mindcallingonyoutobelievethathewasreadyfor a goodbroadfieldofstrangeappearances, andthatnothingbetween a babyandrhinoceroswouldhaveastonishedhimverymuch.
Now, beingpreparedforalmostanything, hewasnotbyanymeanspreparedfornothing; and, consequently, whentheBellstruckOne, andnoshapeappeared, hewastakenwith a violentfitoftrembling.
Fiveminutes, tenminutes, a quarterofanhourwentby, yetnothingcame.
Allthistime, helayuponhisbed, theverycoreandcentreof a blazeofruddylight, whichstreameduponitwhentheclockproclaimedthehour; andwhich, beingonlylight, wasmorealarmingthan a dozenghosts, ashewaspowerlesstomakeoutwhatitmeant, orwouldbeat; andwassometimesapprehensivethathemightbeatthatverymomentaninterestingcaseofspontaneouscombustion, withouthavingtheconsolationofknowingit.
Atlast, however, hebegantothinkasyouor I wouldhavethoughtatfirst; foritisalwaysthepersonnotinthepredicamentwhoknowswhatoughttohavebeendoneinit, andwouldunquestionablyhavedoneittooatlast, I say, hebegantothinkthatthesourceandsecretofthisghostlylightmightbeintheadjoiningroom, fromwhence, onfurthertracingit, itseemedtoshine.
ThemomentScrooge's handwasonthelock, a strangevoicecalledhimbyhisname, andbadehimenter.
Heobeyed.
Itwashisownroom.
Therewasnodoubtaboutthat.
Butithadundergone a surprisingtransformation.
Thewallsandceilingweresohungwithlivinggreen, thatitlooked a perfectgrove; fromeverypartofwhich, brightgleamingberriesglistened.
Thecrispleavesofholly, mistletoe, andivyreflectedbackthelight, asifsomanylittlemirrorshadbeenscatteredthere; andsuch a mightyblazewentroaringupthechimney, asthatdullpetrificationof a hearthhadneverknowninScrooge's time, orMarley's, orformanyandmany a winterseasongone.
For, thepeoplewhowereshovellingawayonthehousetopswerejovialandfullofglee; callingouttooneanotherfromtheparapets, andnowandthenexchanging a facetioussnowballbetternaturedmissilefarthanmany a wordyjestlaughingheartilyifitwentrightandnotlessheartilyifitwentwrong.
Theverygoldandsilverfish, setforthamongthesechoicefruitsin a bowl, thoughmembersof a dullandstagnantbloodedrace, appearedtoknowthattherewassomethinggoingon; and, to a fish, wentgaspingroundandroundtheirlittleworldinslowandpassionlessexcitement.
ThesightofthesepoorrevellersappearedtointeresttheSpiritverymuch, forhestoodwithScroogebesidehimin a baker's doorway, andtakingoffthecoversastheirbearerspassed, sprinkledincenseontheirdinnersfromhistorch.
Anditwas a veryuncommonkindoftorch, foronceortwicewhentherewereangrywordsbetweensomedinnercarrierswhohadjostledeachother, heshed a fewdropsofwateronthemfromit, andtheirgoodhumourwasrestoreddirectly.
Fortheysaid, itwas a shametoquarreluponChristmasDay.
Andsoitwas!
Godloveit, soitwas!
Intimethebellsceased, andthebakerswereshutup; andyettherewas a genialshadowingforthofallthesedinnersandtheprogressoftheircooking, inthethawedblotchofwetaboveeachbaker's oven; wherethepavementsmokedasifitsstoneswerecookingtoo.
'Isthere a peculiarflavourinwhatyousprinklefromyourtorch?'
askedScrooge.
'Thereis.
Myown.'
'Woulditapplytoanykindofdinneronthisday?'
askedScrooge.
'Toanykindlygiven.
To a pooronemost.'
'Whyto a pooronemost?'
askedScrooge.
'Becauseitneedsitmost.'
'Spirit,' saidScrooge, after a moment's thought, 'I wonderyou, ofallthebeingsinthemanyworldsaboutus, shoulddesiretocrampthesepeople's opportunitiesofinnocentenjoyment.'
Itwas a remarkablequalityoftheGhostwhichScroogehadobservedatthebaker's, thatnotwithstandinghisgiganticsize, hecouldaccommodatehimselftoanyplacewithease; andthathestoodbeneath a lowroofquiteasgracefullyandlike a supernaturalcreature, asitwaspossiblehecouldhavedoneinanyloftyhall.
Such a bustleensuedthatyoumighthavethought a goosetherarestofallbirds; a featheredphenomenon, towhich a blackswanwas a matterofcourseandintruthitwassomethingverylikeitinthathouse.
Mrs. Cratchitmadethegravyreadybeforehandin a littlesaucepanhissinghot; MasterPetermashedthepotatoeswithincrediblevigour; MissBelindasweeteneduptheapplesauce; Marthadustedthehotplates; BobtookTinyTimbesidehimin a tinycorneratthetable; thetwoyoungCratchitssetchairsforeverybody, notforgettingthemselves, andmountingguardupontheirposts, crammedspoonsintotheirmouths, lesttheyshouldshriekforgoosebeforetheirturncametobehelped.
A smelllikeaneatinghouseand a pastrycook's nextdoortoeachother, with a laundress's nextdoortothat!
Thatwasthepudding!
Inhalf a minuteMrs. Cratchitenteredflushed, butsmilingproudlywiththepudding, like a speckledcannonball, sohardandfirm, blazinginhalfofhalfaquarternofignitedbrandy, andbedightwithChristmashollystuckintothetop.
Thecompoundinthejugbeingtasted, andconsideredperfect, applesandorangeswereputuponthetable, and a shovelfullofchestnutsonthefire.
ThenalltheCratchitfamilydrewroundthehearth, inwhatBobCratchitcalled a circle, meaninghalf a one; andatBobCratchit's elbowstoodthefamilydisplayofglass.
Twotumblers, and a custardcupwithout a handle.
Theseheldthehotstufffromthejug, however, aswellasgoldengobletswouldhavedone; andBobserveditoutwithbeaminglooks, whilethechestnutsonthefiresputteredandcrackednoisily.
ThenBobproposed: 'A MerryChristmastousall, mydears.
BobCratchittoldthemhowhehad a situationinhiseyeforMasterPeter, whichwouldbringin, ifobtained, fullfiveandsixpenceweekly.
ThetwoyoungCratchitslaughedtremendouslyattheideaofPeter's being a manofbusiness; andPeterhimselflookedthoughtfullyatthefirefrombetweenhiscollars, asifheweredeliberatingwhatparticularinvestmentsheshouldfavourwhenhecameintothereceiptofthatbewilderingincome.
Martha, whowas a poorapprenticeat a milliner's, thentoldthemwhatkindofworkshehadtodo, andhowmanyhourssheworkedat a stretch, andhowshemeanttolieabedtomorrowmorningfor a goodlongrest; tomorrowbeing a holidayshepassedathome.
Alsohowshehadseen a countessand a lordsomedaysbefore, andhowthelord 'wasmuchaboutastallasPeter;' atwhichPeterpulleduphiscollarssohighthatyoucouldn't haveseenhisheadifyouhadbeenthere.
Allthistimethechestnutsandthejugwentroundandround; andbyandbyetheyhad a song, about a lostchildtravellinginthesnow, fromTinyTim, whohad a plaintivelittlevoice, andsangitverywellindeed.
Therewasnothingofhighmarkinthis.
Theywerenot a handsomefamily; theywerenotwelldressed; theirshoeswerefarfrombeingwaterproof; theirclotheswerescanty; andPetermighthaveknown, andverylikelydid, theinsideof a pawnbroker's.
Howitbareditsbreadthofbreast, andopeneditscapaciouspalm, andfloatedon, outpouring, with a generoushand, itsbrightandharmlessmirthoneverythingwithinitsreach!
Andnow, without a wordofwarningfromtheGhost, theystoodupon a bleakanddesertmoor, wheremonstrousmassesofrudestonewerecastabout, asthoughitweretheburialplaceofgiants; andwaterspreaditselfwheresoeveritlisted, orwouldhavedoneso, butforthefrostthathelditprisoner; andnothinggrewbutmossandfurze, andcoarserankgrass.
Downinthewestthesettingsunhadleft a streakoffieryred, whichglareduponthedesolationforaninstant, like a sulleneye, andfrowninglower, lower, loweryet, waslostinthethickgloomofdarkestnight.
'Whatplaceisthis?'
askedScrooge.
'A placewhereMinerslive, wholabourinthebowelsoftheearth,' returnedtheSpirit.
'Buttheyknowme.
See!'
A lightshonefromthewindowof a hut, andswiftlytheyadvancedtowardsit.
Passingthroughthewallofmudandstone, theyfound a cheerfulcompanyassembledround a glowingfire.
Theoldman, in a voicethatseldomroseabovethehowlingofthewinduponthebarrenwaste, wassingingthem a Christmassongithadbeen a veryoldsongwhenhewas a boyandfromtimetotimetheyalljoinedinthechorus.
Butevenhere, twomenwhowatchedthelighthadmade a fire, thatthroughtheloopholeinthethickstonewallshedout a rayofbrightnessontheawfulsea.
Joiningtheirhornyhandsovertheroughtableatwhichtheysat, theywishedeachotherMerryChristmasintheircanofgrog; andoneofthem: theelder, too, withhisfacealldamagedandscarredwithhardweather, asthefigureheadofanoldshipmightbe: struckup a sturdysongthatwaslike a Galeinitself.
AgaintheGhostspedon, abovetheblackandheavingseaon, onuntil, beingfaraway, ashetoldScrooge, fromanyshore, theylightedon a ship.
Theystoodbesidethehelmsmanatthewheel, thelookoutinthebow, theofficerswhohadthewatch; dark, ghostlyfiguresintheirseveralstations; buteverymanamongthemhummed a Christmastune, orhad a Christmasthought, orspokebelowhisbreathtohiscompanionofsomebygoneChristmasDay, withhomewardhopesbelongingtoit.
Andeverymanonboard, wakingorsleeping, goodorbad, hadhad a kinderwordforanotheronthatdaythanonanydayintheyear; andhadsharedtosomeextentinitsfestivities; andhadrememberedthosehecaredforat a distance, andhadknownthattheydelightedtorememberhim.
Itwas a greatsurprisetoScrooge, whilelisteningtothemoaningofthewind, andthinkingwhat a solemnthingitwastomoveonthroughthelonelydarknessoveranunknownabyss, whosedepthsweresecretsasprofoundasDeath: itwas a greatsurprisetoScrooge, whilethusengaged, tohear a heartylaugh.
Itwas a muchgreatersurprisetoScroogetorecogniseitashisownnephew's andtofindhimselfin a bright, dry, gleamingroom, withtheSpiritstandingsmilingbyhisside, andlookingatthatsamenephewwithapprovingaffability!
'Ha, ha!'
laughedScrooge's nephew.
'Ha, ha, ha!'
Ifyoushouldhappen, byanyunlikelychance, toknow a manmoreblestin a laughthanScrooge's nephew, all I cansayis, I shouldliketoknowhimtoo.
Introducehimtome, and I'llcultivatehisacquaintance.
Itis a fair, evenhanded, nobleadjustmentofthings, thatwhilethereisinfectionindiseaseandsorrow, thereisnothingintheworldsoirresistiblycontagiousaslaughterandgoodhumour.
Andtheirassembledfriendsbeingnot a bitbehindhand, roaredoutlustily.
'Ha, ha!
Ha, ha, ha, ha!'
'HesaidthatChristmaswas a humbug, as I live!'
criedScrooge's nephew.
'Hebelievedittoo!'
'Moreshameforhim, Fred!'
saidScrooge's niece, indignantly.
Blessthosewomen; theyneverdoanythingbyhalves.
Theyarealwaysinearnest.
Shewasverypretty: exceedinglypretty.
With a dimpled, surprisedlooking, capitalface; a ripelittlemouth, thatseemedmadetobekissedasnodoubtitwas; allkindsofgoodlittledotsaboutherchin, thatmeltedintooneanotherwhenshelaughed; andthesunniestpairofeyesyoueversawinanylittlecreature's head.
I'm verygladtohearit,' saidScrooge's nephew, 'because I haven't greatfaithintheseyounghousekeepers.
Whatdoyousay, Topper?'
TopperhadclearlygothiseyeupononeofScrooge's niece's sisters, forheansweredthat a bachelorwas a wretchedoutcast, whohadnorighttoexpressanopiniononthesubject.
'I wasonlygoingtosay,' saidScrooge's nephew, 'thattheconsequenceofhistaking a disliketous, andnotmakingmerrywithus, is, as I think, thathelosessomepleasantmoments, whichcoulddohimnoharm.
I amsurehelosespleasantercompanionsthanhecanfindinhisownthoughts, eitherinhismouldyoldoffice, orhisdustychambers.
I meantogivehimthesamechanceeveryyear, whetherhelikesitornot, for I pityhim.
Fortheywere a musicalfamily, andknewwhattheywereabout, whentheysung a GleeorCatch, I canassureyou: especiallyTopper, whocouldgrowlawayinthebasslike a goodone, andneverswellthelargeveinsinhisforehead, orgetredinthefaceoverit.
Scrooge's nieceplayedwellupontheharp; andplayedamongothertunes a simplelittleair a merenothing: youmightlearntowhistleitintwominutes, whichhadbeenfamiliartothechildwhofetchedScroogefromtheboardingschool, ashehadbeenremindedbytheGhostofChristmasPast.
Butwhenatlast, hecaughther; when, inspiteofallhersilkenrustlings, andherrapidflutteringspasthim, hegotherinto a cornerwhencetherewasnoescape; thenhisconductwasthemostexecrable.
Forhispretendingnottoknowher; hispretendingthatitwasnecessarytotouchherheaddress, andfurthertoassurehimselfofheridentitybypressing a certainringuponherfinger, and a certainchainaboutherneck; wasvile, monstrous!
Scrooge's niecewasnotoneoftheblindman's buffparty, butwasmadecomfortablewith a largechairand a footstool, in a snugcorner, wheretheGhostandScroogewereclosebehindher.
TheGhostwasgreatlypleasedtofindhiminthismood, andlookeduponhimwithsuchfavour, thathebeggedlike a boytobeallowedtostayuntiltheguestsdeparted.
ButthistheSpiritsaidcouldnotbedone.
'Hereis a newgame,' saidScrooge.
'Onehalfhour, Spirit, onlyone!'
Itwas a GamecalledYesandNo, whereScrooge's nephewhadtothinkofsomething, andtherestmustfindoutwhat; heonlyansweringtotheirquestionsyesorno, asthecasewas.
Thebriskfireofquestioningtowhichhewasexposed, elicitedfromhimthathewasthinkingofananimal, a liveanimal, rather a disagreeableanimal, a savageanimal, ananimalthatgrowledandgruntedsometimes, andtalkedsometimes, andlivedinLondon, andwalkedaboutthestreets, andwasn't made a showof, andwasn't ledbyanybody, anddidn't livein a menagerie, andwasneverkilledin a market, andwasnot a horse, oranass, or a cow, or a bull, or a tiger, or a dog, or a pig, or a cat, or a bear.
Ateveryfreshquestionthatwasputtohim, thisnephewburstinto a freshroaroflaughter; andwassoinexpressiblytickled, thathewasobligedtogetupoffthesofaandstamp.
Atlasttheplumpsister, fallinginto a similarstate, criedout: 'I havefounditout!
I knowwhatitis, Fred!
I knowwhatitis!'
'Whatisit?'
criedFred.
'It's yourUncleScroooooge!'
Whichitcertainlywas.
Admirationwastheuniversalsentiment, thoughsomeobjectedthatthereplyto 'Isit a bear?'
Itwas a longnight, ifitwereonly a night; butScroogehadhisdoubtsofthis, becausetheChristmasHolidaysappearedtobecondensedintothespaceoftimetheypassedtogether.
'Forgivemeif I amnotjustifiedinwhat I ask,' saidScrooge, lookingintentlyattheSpirit's robe, 'but I seesomethingstrange, andnotbelongingtoyourself, protrudingfromyourskirts.
Isit a footor a claw?'
'Itmightbe a claw, forthefleshthereisuponit,' wastheSpirit's sorrowfulreply.
Asthelaststrokeceasedtovibrate, herememberedthepredictionofoldJacobMarley, andliftinguphiseyes, beheld a solemnPhantom, drapedandhooded, coming, like a mistalongtheground, towardshim.
TheSpiritpaused a moment, asobservinghiscondition, andgivinghimtimetorecover.
ButScroogewasalltheworseforthis.
Itthrilledhimwith a vagueuncertainhorror, toknowthatbehindtheduskyshroud, therewereghostlyeyesintentlyfixeduponhim, whilehe, thoughhestretchedhisowntotheutmost, couldseenothingbut a spectralhandandonegreatheapofblack.
'GhostoftheFuture!'
heexclaimed, 'I fearyoumorethananyspectre I haveseen.
Butas I knowyourpurposeistodomegood, andas I hopetolivetobeanothermanfromwhat I was, I ampreparedtobearyoucompany, anddoitwith a thankfulheart.
Willyounotspeaktome?'
Itgavehimnoreply.
Thehandwaspointedstraightbeforethem.
'Leadon!'
saidScrooge.
'Leadon!
Thenightiswaningfast, anditisprecioustimetome, I know.
Sittinginamongthewareshedealtin, by a charcoalstove, madeofoldbricks, was a greyhairedrascal, nearlyseventyyearsofage; whohadscreenedhimselffromthecoldairwithout, by a frousycurtainingofmiscellaneoustatters, hungupon a line; andsmokedhispipeinalltheluxuryofcalmretirement.
ScroogeandthePhantomcameintothepresenceofthisman, justas a womanwith a heavybundleslunkintotheshop.
Butshehadscarcelyentered, whenanotherwoman, similarlyladen, cameintoo; andshewascloselyfollowedby a maninfadedblack, whowasnolessstartledbythesightofthem, thantheyhadbeenupontherecognitionofeachother.
After a shortperiodofblankastonishment, inwhichtheoldmanwiththepipehadjoinedthem, theyallthreeburstinto a laugh.
Whilehedidthis, thewomanwhohadalreadyspokenthrewherbundleonthefloor, andsatdownin a flauntingmanneron a stool; crossingherelbowsonherknees, andlookingwith a bolddefianceattheothertwo.
Herecoiledinterror, forthescenehadchanged, andnowhealmosttouched a bed: a bare, uncurtainedbed: onwhich, beneath a raggedsheet, therelay a somethingcoveredup, which, thoughitwasdumb, announceditselfinawfullanguage.
Theroomwasverydark, toodarktobeobservedwithanyaccuracy, thoughScroogeglancedrounditinobedienceto a secretimpulse, anxioustoknowwhatkindofroomitwas.
A palelight, risingintheouterair, fellstraightuponthebed; andonit, plunderedandbereft, unwatched, unwept, uncaredfor, wasthebodyofthisman.
ScroogeglancedtowardsthePhantom.
Itssteadyhandwaspointedtothehead.
Thecoverwassocarelesslyadjustedthattheslightestraisingofit, themotionof a fingeruponScrooge's part, wouldhavedisclosedtheface.
Shehurriedtothedoor, andmetherhusband; a manwhosefacewascarewornanddepressed, thoughhewasyoung.
Therewas a remarkableexpressioninitnow; a kindofseriousdelightofwhichhefeltashamed, andwhichhestruggledtorepress.
Hesatdowntothedinnerthathadbeenhoardingforhimbythefire; andwhensheaskedhimfaintlywhatnewswhichwasnotuntilafter a longsilence, heappearedembarrassedhowtoanswer.
'Isitgood?'
shesaid, 'orbad?
'tohelphim.
'Bad,' heanswered.
'Wearequiteruined?'
'No.
Thereishopeyet, Caroline.'
'Ifherelents,' shesaid, amazed, 'thereis!
Nothingispasthope, ifsuch a miraclehashappened.'
'Heispastrelenting,' saidherhusband.
'Heisdead.'
Shewas a mildandpatientcreatureifherfacespoketruth; butshewasthankfulinhersoultohearit, andshesaidso, withclaspedhands.
'Whatthehalfdrunkenwomanwhom I toldyouoflastnight, saidtome, when I triedtoseehimandobtain a week's delay; andwhat I thoughtwas a mereexcusetoavoidme; turnsouttohavebeenquitetrue.
Hewasnotonlyveryill, butdying, then.'
'Towhomwillourdebtbetransferred?'
'I don't know.
Butbeforethattimeweshallbereadywiththemoney; andeventhoughwewerenot, itwouldbe a badfortuneindeedtofindsomerciless a creditorinhissuccessor.
Wemaysleeptonightwithlighthearts, Caroline!'
Yes.
Softenitastheywould, theirheartswerelighter.
Thechildren's faces, hushedandclusteredroundtohearwhattheysolittleunderstood, werebrighter; anditwas a happierhouseforthisman's death!
Andtherefore,' hecontinued, leapingfromhisstool, andgivingBobsuch a diginthewaistcoatthathestaggeredbackintotheTankagain; 'andtherefore I amabouttoraiseyoursalary!'
Bobtrembled, andgot a littlenearertotheruler.
Hehad a momentaryideaofknockingScroogedownwithit, holdinghim, andcallingtothepeopleinthecourtforhelpand a straitwaistcoat.
Immerse in Christmas Spirit: 'A Christmas Carol' Unabridged Audiobook | HD Audio(Immerse in Christmas Spirit: 'A Christmas Carol' Unabridged Audiobook | HD Audio)