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comAChristmasCarol2of138IhaveendeavouredinthisGhostlylittlebook,toraisetheGhostofanIdea,whichshallnotputmyreadersoutofhumourwiththemselves,witheachother,withtheseason,orwithme.
Mayithaunttheirhousespleasantly,andnoonewishtolayit.
TheirfaithfulFriendandServant,C.
D.
December,1843.
AChristmasCarol3of138Stave1:Marley'sGhostMarleywasdead:tobeginwith.
Thereisnodoubtwhateveraboutthat.
Theregisterofhisburialwassignedbytheclergyman,theclerk,theundertaker,andthechiefmourner.
Scroogesignedit.
AndScrooge'snamewasgoodupon'Change,foranythinghechosetoputhishandto.
OldMarleywasasdeadasadoor-nail.
Mind!
Idon'tmeantosaythatIknow,ofmyownknowledge,whatthereisparticularlydeadaboutadoor-nail.
Imighthavebeeninclined,myself,toregardacoffin-nailasthedeadestpieceofironmongeryinthetrade.
Butthewisdomofourancestorsisinthesimile;andmyunhallowedhandsshallnotdisturbit,ortheCountry'sdonefor.
Youwillthereforepermitmetorepeat,emphatically,thatMarleywasasdeadasadoor-nail.
ScroogeknewhewasdeadOfcoursehedid.
HowcoulditbeotherwiseScroogeandhewerepartnersforIdon'tknowhowmanyyears.
Scroogewashissoleexecutor,hissoleadministrator,hissoleassign,hissoleresiduarylegatee,hissolefriend,andsolemourner.
AndevenScroogewasnotsodreadfullycutupbythesadAChristmasCarol4of138event,butthathewasanexcellentmanofbusinessontheverydayofthefuneral,andsolemniseditwithanundoubtedbargain.
ThementionofMarley'sfuneralbringsmebacktothepointIstartedfrom.
ThereisnodoubtthatMarleywasdead.
Thismustbedistinctlyunderstood,ornothingwonderfulcancomeofthestoryIamgoingtorelate.
IfwewerenotperfectlyconvincedthatHamlet'sFatherdiedbeforetheplaybegan,therewouldbenothingmoreremarkableinhistakingastrollatnight,inaneasterlywind,uponhisownramparts,thantherewouldbeinanyothermiddle-agedgentlemanrashlyturningoutafterdarkinabreezyspot—saySaintPaul'sChurchyardforinstance—literallytoastonishhisson'sweakmind.
ScroogeneverpaintedoutOldMarley'sname.
Thereitstood,yearsafterwards,abovethewarehousedoor:ScroogeandMarley.
ThefirmwasknownasScroogeandMarley.
SometimespeoplenewtothebusinesscalledScroogeScrooge,andsometimesMarley,butheansweredtobothnames.
Itwasallthesametohim.
Oh!
Buthewasatight-fistedhandatthegrind-stone,Scrooge!
asqueezing,wrenching,grasping,scraping,clutching,covetous,oldsinner!
Hardandsharpasflint,fromwhichnosteelhadeverstruckoutgenerousfire;AChristmasCarol5of138secret,andself-contained,andsolitaryasanoyster.
Thecoldwithinhimfrozehisoldfeatures,nippedhispointednose,shrivelledhischeek,stiffenedhisgait;madehiseyesred,histhinlipsblue;andspokeoutshrewdlyinhisgratingvoice.
Afrostyrimewasonhishead,andonhiseyebrows,andhiswirychin.
Hecarriedhisownlowtemperaturealwaysaboutwithhim;heicedhisofficeinthedogdays;anddidn'tthawitonedegreeatChristmas.
ExternalheatandcoldhadlittleinfluenceonScrooge.
Nowarmthcouldwarm,nowintryweatherchillhim.
Nowindthatblewwasbittererthanhe,nofallingsnowwasmoreintentuponitspurpose,nopeltingrainlessopentoentreaty.
Foulweatherdidn'tknowwheretohavehim.
Theheaviestrain,andsnow,andhail,andsleet,couldboastoftheadvantageoverhiminonlyonerespect.
Theyoften'camedown'handsomely,andScroogeneverdid.
Nobodyeverstoppedhiminthestreettosay,withgladsomelooks,'MydearScrooge,howareyouWhenwillyoucometoseeme'Nobeggarsimploredhimtobestowatrifle,nochildrenaskedhimwhatitwaso'clock,nomanorwomaneveronceinallhislifeinquiredthewaytosuchandsuchaplace,ofScrooge.
Eventheblindmen'sdogsappearedtoknowhim;andwhentheysawhimcomingon,wouldtugtheirownersintodoorwaysAChristmasCarol6of138andupcourts;andthenwouldwagtheirtailsasthoughtheysaid,'Noeyeatallisbetterthananevileye,darkmaster!
'ButwhatdidScroogecare!
Itwastheverythingheliked.
Toedgehiswayalongthecrowdedpathsoflife,warningallhumansympathytokeepitsdistance,waswhattheknowingonescall'nuts'toScrooge.
Onceuponatime—ofallthegooddaysintheyear,onChristmasEve—oldScroogesatbusyinhiscounting-house.
Itwascold,bleak,bitingweather:foggywithal:andhecouldhearthepeopleinthecourtoutside,gowheezingupanddown,beatingtheirhandsupontheirbreasts,andstampingtheirfeetuponthepavementstonestowarmthem.
Thecityclockshadonlyjustgonethree,butitwasquitedarkalready—ithadnotbeenlightallday—andcandleswereflaringinthewindowsoftheneighbouringoffices,likeruddysmearsuponthepalpablebrownair.
Thefogcamepouringinateverychinkandkeyhole,andwassodensewithout,thatalthoughthecourtwasofthenarrowest,thehousesoppositeweremerephantoms.
Toseethedingycloudcomedroopingdown,obscuringeverything,onemighthavethoughtthatNaturelivedhardby,andwasbrewingonalargescale.
AChristmasCarol7of138ThedoorofScrooge'scounting-housewasopenthathemightkeephiseyeuponhisclerk,whoinadismallittlecellbeyond,asortoftank,wascopyingletters.
Scroogehadaverysmallfire,buttheclerk'sfirewassoverymuchsmallerthatitlookedlikeonecoal.
Buthecouldn'treplenishit,forScroogekeptthecoal-boxinhisownroom;andsosurelyastheclerkcameinwiththeshovel,themasterpredictedthatitwouldbenecessaryforthemtopart.
Whereforetheclerkputonhiswhitecomforter,andtriedtowarmhimselfatthecandle;inwhicheffort,notbeingamanofastrongimagination,hefailed.
'AmerryChristmas,uncle!
Godsaveyou!
'criedacheerfulvoice.
ItwasthevoiceofScrooge'snephew,whocameuponhimsoquicklythatthiswasthefirstintimationhehadofhisapproach.
'Bah!
'saidScrooge,'Humbug!
'Hehadsoheatedhimselfwithrapidwalkinginthefogandfrost,thisnephewofScrooge's,thathewasallinaglow;hisfacewasruddyandhandsome;hiseyessparkled,andhisbreathsmokedagain.
'Christmasahumbug,uncle!
'saidScrooge'snephew.
'Youdon'tmeanthat,Iamsure'AChristmasCarol8of138'Ido,'saidScrooge.
'MerryChristmas!
WhatrighthaveyoutobemerryWhatreasonhaveyoutobemerryYou'repoorenough.
''Come,then,'returnedthenephewgaily.
'WhatrighthaveyoutobedismalWhatreasonhaveyoutobemoroseYou'rerichenough.
'Scroogehavingnobetteranswerreadyonthespurofthemoment,said'Bah!
'again;andfolloweditupwith'Humbug.
''Don'tbecross,uncle!
'saidthenephew.
'WhatelsecanIbe,'returnedtheuncle,'whenIliveinsuchaworldoffoolsasthisMerryChristmas!
OutuponmerryChristmas!
What'sChristmastimetoyoubutatimeforpayingbillswithoutmoney;atimeforfindingyourselfayearolder,butnotanhourricher;atimeforbalancingyourbooksandhavingeveryitemin'emthrougharounddozenofmonthspresenteddeadagainstyouIfIcouldworkmywill,'saidScroogeindignantly,'everyidiotwhogoesaboutwith'MerryChristmas'onhislips,shouldbeboiledwithhisownpudding,andburiedwithastakeofhollythroughhisheart.
Heshould!
''Uncle!
'pleadedthenephew.
'Nephew!
'returnedtheunclesternly,'keepChristmasinyourownway,andletmekeepitinmine.
'AChristmasCarol9of138'Keepit!
'repeatedScrooge'snephew.
'Butyoudon'tkeepit.
''Letmeleaveitalone,then,'saidScrooge.
'Muchgoodmayitdoyou!
Muchgoodithaseverdoneyou!
''TherearemanythingsfromwhichImighthavederivedgood,bywhichIhavenotprofited,Idaresay,'returnedthenephew.
'Christmasamongtherest.
ButIamsureIhavealwaysthoughtofChristmastime,whenithascomeround—apartfromthevenerationduetoitssacrednameandorigin,ifanythingbelongingtoitcanbeapartfromthat—asagoodtime;akind,forgiving,charitable,pleasanttime:theonlytimeIknowof,inthelongcalendaroftheyear,whenmenandwomenseembyoneconsenttoopentheirshut-upheartsfreely,andtothinkofpeoplebelowthemasiftheyreallywerefellow-passengerstothegrave,andnotanotherraceofcreaturesboundonotherjourneys.
Andtherefore,uncle,thoughithasneverputascrapofgoldorsilverinmypocket,Ibelievethatithasdonemegood,andwilldomegood;andIsay,Godblessit!
'TheclerkintheTankinvoluntarilyapplauded.
Becomingimmediatelysensibleoftheimpropriety,hepokedthefire,andextinguishedthelastfrailsparkforever.
AChristmasCarol10of138'Letmehearanothersoundfromyou,'saidScrooge,'andyou'llkeepyourChristmasbylosingyoursituation!
You'requiteapowerfulspeaker,sir,'headded,turningtohisnephew.
'Iwonderyoudon'tgointoParliament.
''Don'tbeangry,uncle.
Come!
Dinewithustomorrow.
'Scroogesaidthathewouldseehim—yes,indeedhedid.
Hewentthewholelengthoftheexpression,andsaidthathewouldseehiminthatextremityfirst.
'Butwhy'criedScrooge'snephew.
'Why''Whydidyougetmarried'saidScrooge.
'BecauseIfellinlove.
''Becauseyoufellinlove!
'growledScrooge,asifthatweretheonlyonethingintheworldmoreridiculousthanamerryChristmas.
'Goodafternoon!
''Nay,uncle,butyounevercametoseemebeforethathappened.
Whygiveitasareasonfornotcomingnow''Goodafternoon,'saidScrooge.
'Iwantnothingfromyou;Iasknothingofyou;whycannotwebefriends''Goodafternoon,'saidScrooge.
'Iamsorry,withallmyheart,tofindyousoresolute.
Wehaveneverhadanyquarrel,towhichIhavebeenaparty.
ButIhavemadethetrialinhomagetoChristmas,AChristmasCarol11of138andI'llkeepmyChristmashumourtothelast.
SoAMerryChristmas,uncle!
''Goodafternoon,'saidScrooge.
'AndAHappyNewYear!
''Goodafternoon,'saidScrooge.
Hisnephewlefttheroomwithoutanangryword,notwithstanding.
Hestoppedattheouterdoortobestowthegreetingsoftheseasonontheclerk,whocoldashewas,waswarmerthanScrooge;forhereturnedthemcordially.
'There'sanotherfellow,'mutteredScrooge;whooverheardhim:'myclerk,withfifteenshillingsaweek,andawifeandfamily,talkingaboutamerryChristmas.
I'llretiretoBedlam.
'Thislunatic,inlettingScrooge'snephewout,hadlettwootherpeoplein.
Theywereportlygentlemen,pleasanttobehold,andnowstood,withtheirhatsoff,inScrooge'soffice.
Theyhadbooksandpapersintheirhands,andbowedtohim.
'ScroogeandMarley's,Ibelieve,'saidoneofthegentlemen,referringtohislist.
'HaveIthepleasureofaddressingMr.
Scrooge,orMr.
Marley''Mr.
Marleyhasbeendeadthesesevenyears,'Scroogereplied.
'Hediedsevenyearsago,thisverynight.
'AChristmasCarol12of138'Wehavenodoubthisliberalityiswellrepresentedbyhissurvivingpartner,'saidthegentleman,presentinghiscredentials.
Itcertainlywas;fortheyhadbeentwokindredspirits.
Attheominousword'liberality,'Scroogefrowned,andshookhishead,andhandedthecredentialsback.
'Atthisfestiveseasonoftheyear,Mr.
Scrooge,'saidthegentleman,takingupapen,'itismorethanusuallydesirablethatweshouldmakesomeslightprovisionforthePoorandDestitute,whosuffergreatlyatthepresenttime.
Manythousandsareinwantofcommonnecessaries;hundredsofthousandsareinwantofcommoncomforts,sir.
''Aretherenoprisons'askedScrooge.
'Plentyofprisons,'saidthegentleman,layingdownthepenagain.
'AndtheUnionworkhouses'demandedScrooge.
'Aretheystillinoperation''Theyare.
Still,'returnedthegentleman,'IwishIcouldsaytheywerenot.
''TheTreadmillandthePoorLawareinfullvigour,then'saidScrooge.
'Bothverybusy,sir.
'AChristmasCarol13of138'Oh!
Iwasafraid,fromwhatyousaidatfirst,thatsomethinghadoccurredtostopthemintheirusefulcourse,'saidScrooge.
'I'mverygladtohearit.
''UndertheimpressionthattheyscarcelyfurnishChristiancheerofmindorbodytothemultitude,'returnedthegentleman,'afewofusareendeavouringtoraiseafundtobuythePoorsomemeatanddrink.
andmeansofwarmth.
Wechoosethistime,becauseitisatime,ofallothers,whenWantiskeenlyfelt,andAbundancerejoices.
WhatshallIputyoudownfor''Nothing!
'Scroogereplied.
'Youwishtobeanonymous''Iwishtobeleftalone,'saidScrooge.
'SinceyouaskmewhatIwish,gentlemen,thatismyanswer.
Idon'tmakemerrymyselfatChristmasandIcan'taffordtomakeidlepeoplemerry.
IhelptosupporttheestablishmentsIhavementioned—theycostenough;andthosewhoarebadlyoffmustgothere.
''Manycan'tgothere;andmanywouldratherdie.
''Iftheywouldratherdie,'saidScrooge,'theyhadbetterdoit,anddecreasethesurpluspopulation.
Besides—excuseme—Idon'tknowthat.
''Butyoumightknowit,'observedthegentleman.
AChristmasCarol14of138'It'snotmybusiness,'Scroogereturned.
'It'senoughforamantounderstandhisownbusiness,andnottointerferewithotherpeople's.
Mineoccupiesmeconstantly.
Goodafternoon,gentlemen!
'Seeingclearlythatitwouldbeuselesstopursuetheirpoint,thegentlemenwithdrew.
Scroogereturnedhislabourswithanimprovedopinionofhimself,andinamorefacetioustemperthanwasusualwithhim.
Meanwhilethefoganddarknessthickenedso,thatpeopleranaboutwithflaringlinks,profferingtheirservicestogobeforehorsesincarriages,andconductthemontheirway.
Theancienttowerofachurch,whosegruffoldbellwasalwayspeepingslilydownatScroogeoutofaGothicwindowinthewall,becameinvisible,andstruckthehoursandquartersintheclouds,withtremulousvibrationsafterwardsasifitsteethwerechatteringinitsfrozenheadupthere.
Thecoldbecameintense.
Inthemainstreetatthecornerofthecourt,somelabourerswererepairingthegas-pipes,andhadlightedagreatfireinabrazier,roundwhichapartyofraggedmenandboysweregathered:warmingtheirhandsandwinkingtheireyesbeforetheblazeinrapture.
Thewater-plugbeingleftinsolitude,itsoverflowingsullenlycongealed,andturnedtomisanthropicice.
ThebrightnessoftheshopswherehollyAChristmasCarol15of138sprigsandberriescrackledinthelampheatofthewindows,madepalefacesruddyastheypassed.
Poulterers'andgrocers'tradesbecameasplendidjoke;agloriouspageant,withwhichitwasnexttoimpossibletobelievethatsuchdullprinciplesasbargainandsalehadanythingtodo.
TheLordMayor,inthestrongholdofthemightyMansionHouse,gaveorderstohisfiftycooksandbutlerstokeepChristmasasaLordMayor'shouseholdshould;andeventhelittletailor,whomhehadfinedfiveshillingsonthepreviousMondayforbeingdrunkandbloodthirstyinthestreets,stirredupto-morrow'spuddinginhisgarret,whilehisleanwifeandthebabysalliedouttobuythebeef.
Foggieryet,andcolder!
Piercing,searching,bitingcold.
IfthegoodSaintDunstanhadbutnippedtheEvilSpirit'snosewithatouchofsuchweatherasthat,insteadofusinghisfamiliarweapons,thenindeedhewouldhaveroaredtolustypurpose.
Theownerofonescantyoungnose,gnawedandmumbledbythehungrycoldasbonesaregnawedbydogs,stoopeddownatScrooge'skeyholetoregalehimwithaChristmascarol:butatthefirstsoundof'Godblessyou,merrygentleman!
Maynothingyoudismay!
'AChristmasCarol16of138Scroogeseizedtherulerwithsuchenergyofaction,thatthesingerfledinterror,leavingthekeyholetothefogandevenmorecongenialfrost.
Atlengththehourofshuttingupthecounting-housearrived.
Withanill-willScroogedismountedfromhisstool,andtacitlyadmittedthefacttotheexpectantclerkintheTank,whoinstantlysnuffedhiscandleout,andputonhishat.
'You'llwantalldayto-morrow,Isuppose'saidScrooge.
'Ifquiteconvenient,sir.
''It'snotconvenient,'saidScrooge,'andit'snotfair.
IfIwastostophalf-a-crownforit,you'dthinkyourselfill-used,I'llbebound'Theclerksmiledfaintly.
'Andyet,'saidScrooge,'youdon'tthinkmeill-used,whenIpayaday'swagesfornowork.
'Theclerkobservedthatitwasonlyonceayear.
'Apoorexcuseforpickingaman'spocketeverytwenty-fifthofDecember!
'saidScrooge,buttoninghisgreat-coattothechin.
'ButIsupposeyoumusthavethewholeday.
Beherealltheearliernextmorning.
'Theclerkpromisedthathewould;andScroogewalkedoutwithagrowl.
Theofficewasclosedinatwinkling,AChristmasCarol17of138andtheclerk,withthelongendsofhiswhitecomforterdanglingbelowhiswaist(forheboastednogreat-coat),wentdownaslideonCornhill,attheendofalaneofboys,twentytimes,inhonourofitsbeingChristmasEve,andthenranhometoCamdenTownashardashecouldpelt,toplayatblindman's-buff.
Scroogetookhismelancholydinnerinhisusualmelancholytavern;andhavingreadallthenewspapers,andbeguiledtherestoftheeveningwithhisbanker's-book,wenthometobed.
Helivedinchamberswhichhadoncebelongedtohisdeceasedpartner.
Theywereagloomysuiteofrooms,inaloweringpileofbuildingupayard,whereithadsolittlebusinesstobe,thatonecouldscarcelyhelpfancyingitmusthaveruntherewhenitwasayounghouse,playingathide-and-seekwithotherhouses,andforgottenthewayoutagain.
Itwasoldenoughnow,anddrearyenough,fornobodylivedinitbutScrooge,theotherroomsbeingallletoutasoffices.
TheyardwassodarkthatevenScrooge,whoknewitseverystone,wasfaintogropewithhishands.
Thefogandfrostsohungabouttheblackoldgatewayofthehouse,thatitseemedasiftheGeniusoftheWeathersatinmournfulmeditationonthethreshold.
AChristmasCarol18of138Now,itisafact,thattherewasnothingatallparticularabouttheknockeronthedoor,exceptthatitwasverylarge.
Itisalsoafact,thatScroogehadseenit,nightandmorning,duringhiswholeresidenceinthatplace;alsothatScroogehadaslittleofwhatiscalledfancyabouthimasanymaninthecityofLondon,evenincluding—whichisaboldword—thecorporation,aldermen,andlivery.
LetitalsobeborneinmindthatScroogehadnotbestowedonethoughtonMarley,sincehislastmentionofhissevenyears'deadpartnerthatafternoon.
Andthenletanymanexplaintome,ifhecan,howithappenedthatScrooge,havinghiskeyinthelockofthedoor,sawintheknocker,withoutitsundergoinganyintermediateprocessofchange—notaknocker,butMarley'sface.
Marley'sface.
Itwasnotinimpenetrableshadowastheotherobjectsintheyardwere,buthadadismallightaboutit,likeabadlobsterinadarkcellar.
Itwasnotangryorferocious,butlookedatScroogeasMarleyusedtolook:withghostlyspectaclesturneduponitsghostlyforehead.
Thehairwascuriouslystirred,asifbybreathorhotair;and,thoughtheeyeswerewideopen,theywereperfectlymotionless.
That,anditslividcolour,madeithorrible;butitshorrorseemedtobeinspiteofthefaceAChristmasCarol19of138andbeyonditscontrol,ratherthanapartoritsownexpression.
AsScroogelookedfixedlyatthisphenomenon,itwasaknockeragain.
Tosaythathewasnotstartled,orthathisbloodwasnotconsciousofaterriblesensationtowhichithadbeenastrangerfrominfancy,wouldbeuntrue.
Butheputhishanduponthekeyhehadrelinquished,turneditsturdily,walkedin,andlightedhiscandle.
Hedidpause,withamoment'sirresolution,beforeheshutthedoor;andhedidlookcautiouslybehinditfirst,asifhehalf-expectedtobeterrifiedwiththesightofMarley'spigtailstickingoutintothehall.
Buttherewasnothingonthebackofthedoor,exceptthescrewsandnutsthatheldtheknockeron,sohesaid'Pooh,pooh!
'andcloseditwithabang.
Thesoundresoundedthroughthehouselikethunder.
Everyroomabove,andeverycaskinthewine-merchant'scellarsbelow,appearedtohaveaseparatepealofechoesofitsown.
Scroogewasnotamantobefrightenedbyechoes.
Hefastenedthedoor,andwalkedacrossthehall,andupthestairs;slowlytoo:trimminghiscandleashewent.
AChristmasCarol20of138Youmaytalkvaguelyaboutdrivingacoach-and-sixupagoodoldflightofstairs,orthroughabadyoungActofParliament;butImeantosayyoumighthavegotahearseupthatstaircase,andtakenitbroadwise,withthesplinter-bartowardsthewallandthedoortowardsthebalustrades:anddoneiteasy.
Therewasplentyofwidthforthat,androomtospare;whichisperhapsthereasonwhyScroogethoughthesawalocomotivehearsegoingonbeforehiminthegloom.
Halfadozengas-lampsoutofthestreetwouldn'thavelightedtheentrytoowell,soyoumaysupposethatitwasprettydarkwithScrooge'sdip.
UpScroogewent,notcaringabuttonforthat.
Darknessischeap,andScroogelikedit.
Butbeforeheshuthisheavydoor,hewalkedthroughhisroomstoseethatallwasright.
Hehadjustenoughrecollectionofthefacetodesiretodothat.
Sitting-room,bedroom,lumber-room.
Allastheyshouldbe.
Nobodyunderthetable,nobodyunderthesofa;asmallfireinthegrate;spoonandbasinready;andthelittlesaucepanofgruel(Scroogehadacoldinhishead)uponthehob.
Nobodyunderthebed;nobodyinthecloset;nobodyinhisdressing-gown,whichwashangingupinasuspiciousattitudeagainstthewall.
Lumber-roomAChristmasCarol21of138asusual.
Oldfire-guards,oldshoes,twofish-baskets,washing-standonthreelegs,andapoker.
Quitesatisfied,heclosedhisdoor,andlockedhimselfin;double-lockedhimselfin,whichwasnothiscustom.
Thussecuredagainstsurprise,hetookoffhiscravat;putonhisdressing-gownandslippers,andhisnightcap;andsatdownbeforethefiretotakehisgruel.
Itwasaverylowfireindeed;nothingonsuchabitternight.
Hewasobligedtositclosetoit,andbroodoverit,beforehecouldextracttheleastsensationofwarmthfromsuchahandfuloffuel.
Thefireplacewasanoldone,builtbysomeDutchmerchantlongago,andpavedallroundwithquaintDutchtiles,designedtoillustratetheScriptures.
TherewereCainsandAbels,Pharaohs'daughters;QueensofSheba,Angelicmessengersdescendingthroughtheaironcloudslikefeather-beds,Abrahams,Belshazzars,Apostlesputtingofftoseainbutter-boats,hundredsoffigurestoattracthisthoughts—andyetthatfaceofMarley,sevenyearsdead,cameliketheancientProphet'srod,andswallowedupthewhole.
Ifeachsmoothtilehadbeenablankatfirst,withpowertoshapesomepictureonitssurfacefromthedisjointedfragmentsofhisthoughts,therewouldhavebeenacopyofoldMarley'sheadoneveryone.
AChristmasCarol22of138'Humbug!
'saidScrooge;andwalkedacrosstheroom.
Afterseveralturns,hesatdownagain.
Ashethrewhisheadbackinthechair,hisglancehappenedtorestuponabell,adisusedbell,thathungintheroom,andcommunicatedforsomepurposenowforgottenwithachamberinthehigheststoryofthebuilding.
Itwaswithgreatastonishment,andwithastrange,inexplicabledread,thatashelooked,hesawthisbellbegintoswing.
Itswungsosoftlyintheoutsetthatitscarcelymadeasound;butsoonitrangoutloudly,andsodideverybellinthehouse.
Thismighthavelastedhalfaminute,oraminute,butitseemedanhour.
Thebellsceasedastheyhadbegun,together.
Theyweresucceededbyaclankingnoise,deepdownbelow;asifsomepersonweredraggingaheavychainoverthecasksinthewinemerchant'scellar.
Scroogethenrememberedtohaveheardthatghostsinhauntedhousesweredescribedasdraggingchains.
Thecellar-doorflewopenwithaboomingsound,andthenheheardthenoisemuchlouder,onthefloorsbelow;thencomingupthestairs;thencomingstraighttowardshisdoor.
'It'shumbugstill!
'saidScrooge.
'Iwon'tbelieveit.
'Hiscolourchangedthough,when,withoutapause,itcameonthroughtheheavydoor,andpassedintotheAChristmasCarol23of138roombeforehiseyes.
Uponitscomingin,thedyingflameleapedup,asthoughitcried'Iknowhim;Marley'sGhost!
'andfellagain.
Thesameface:theverysame.
Marleyinhispigtail,usualwaistcoat,tightsandboots;thetasselsonthelatterbristling,likehispigtail,andhiscoat-skirts,andthehairuponhishead.
Thechainhedrewwasclaspedabouthismiddle.
Itwaslong,andwoundabouthimlikeatail;anditwasmade(forScroogeobserveditclosely)ofcash-boxes,keys,padlocks,ledgers,deeds,andheavypurseswroughtinsteel.
Hisbodywastransparent;sothatScrooge,observinghim,andlookingthroughhiswaistcoat,couldseethetwobuttonsonhiscoatbehind.
ScroogehadoftenhearditsaidthatMarleyhadnobowels,buthehadneverbelievedituntilnow.
No,nordidhebelieveitevennow.
Thoughhelookedthephantomthroughandthrough,andsawitstandingbeforehim;thoughhefeltthechillinginfluenceofitsdeath-coldeyes;andmarkedtheverytextureofthefoldedkerchiefboundaboutitsheadandchin,whichwrapperhehadnotobservedbefore;hewasstillincredulous,andfoughtagainsthissenses.
'Hownow!
'saidScrooge,causticandcoldasever.
'Whatdoyouwantwithme'AChristmasCarol24of138'Much!
'—Marley'svoice,nodoubtaboutit.
'Whoareyou''AskmewhoIwas.
''Whowereyouthen'saidScrooge,raisinghisvoice.
'You'reparticular,forashade.
'Hewasgoingtosay'toashade,'butsubstitutedthis,asmoreappropriate.
'InlifeIwasyourpartner,JacobMarley.
''Canyou—canyousitdown'askedScrooge,lookingdoubtfullyathim.
'Ican.
''Doit,then.
'Scroogeaskedthequestion,becausehedidn'tknowwhetheraghostsotransparentmightfindhimselfinaconditiontotakeachair;andfeltthatintheeventofitsbeingimpossible,itmightinvolvethenecessityofanembarrassingexplanation.
Buttheghostsatdownontheoppositesideofthefireplace,asifhewerequiteusedtoit.
'Youdon'tbelieveinme,'observedtheGhost.
'Idon't.
'saidScrooge.
'Whatevidencewouldyouhaveofmyrealitybeyondthatofyoursenses''Idon'tknow,'saidScrooge.
'Whydoyoudoubtyoursenses'AChristmasCarol25of138'Because,'saidScrooge,'alittlethingaffectsthem.
Aslightdisorderofthestomachmakesthemcheats.
Youmaybeanundigestedbitofbeef,ablotofmustard,acrumbofcheese,afragmentofanunderdonepotato.
There'smoreofgravythanofgraveaboutyou,whateveryouare!
'Scroogewasnotmuchinthehabitofcrackingjokes,nordidhefeel,inhisheart,byanymeanswaggishthen.
Thetruthis,thathetriedtobesmart,asameansofdistractinghisownattention,andkeepingdownhisterror;forthespectre'svoicedisturbedtheverymarrowinhisbones.
Tosit,staringatthosefixedglazedeyes,insilenceforamoment,wouldplay,Scroogefelt,theverydeucewithhim.
Therewassomethingveryawful,too,inthespectre'sbeingprovidedwithaninfernalatmosphereofitsown.
Scroogecouldnotfeelithimself,butthiswasclearlythecase;forthoughtheGhostsatperfectlymotionless,itshair,andskirts,andtassels,werestillagitatedasbythehotvapourfromanoven.
'Youseethistoothpick'saidScrooge,returningquicklytothecharge,forthereasonjustassigned;andwishing,thoughitwereonlyforasecond,todivertthevision'sstonygazefromhimself.
AChristmasCarol26of138'Ido,'repliedtheGhost.
'Youarenotlookingatit,'saidScrooge.
'ButIseeit,'saidtheGhost,'notwithstanding.
''Well!
'returnedScrooge,'Ihavebuttoswallowthis,andbefortherestofmydayspersecutedbyalegionofgoblins,allofmyowncreation.
Humbug,Itellyou!
humbug!
'Atthisthespiritraisedafrightfulcry,andshookitschainwithsuchadismalandappallingnoise,thatScroogeheldontighttohischair,tosavehimselffromfallinginaswoon.
Buthowmuchgreaterwashishorror,whenthephantomtakingoffthebandagerounditshead,asifitweretoowarmtowearindoors,itslowerjawdroppeddownuponitsbreast!
Scroogefelluponhisknees,andclaspedhishandsbeforehisface.
'Mercy!
'hesaid.
'Dreadfulapparition,whydoyoutroubleme''Manoftheworldlymind!
'repliedtheGhost,'doyoubelieveinmeornot''Ido,'saidScrooge.
'Imust.
Butwhydospiritswalktheearth,andwhydotheycometome''Itisrequiredofeveryman,'theGhostreturned,'thatthespiritwithinhimshouldwalkabroadamonghisAChristmasCarol27of138fellowmen,andtravelfarandwide;andifthatspiritgoesnotforthinlife,itiscondemnedtodosoafterdeath.
Itisdoomedtowanderthroughtheworld—oh,woeisme!
—andwitnesswhatitcannotshare,butmighthavesharedonearth,andturnedtohappiness!
'Againthespectreraisedacry,andshookitschainandwrungitsshadowyhands.
'Youarefettered,'saidScrooge,trembling.
'Tellmewhy''IwearthechainIforgedinlife,'repliedtheGhost.
'Imadeitlinkbylink,andyardbyyard;Igirdeditonofmyownfreewill,andofmyownfreewillIworeit.
Isitspatternstrangetoyou'Scroogetrembledmoreandmore.
'Orwouldyouknow,'pursuedtheGhost,'theweightandlengthofthestrongcoilyoubearyourselfItwasfullasheavyandaslongasthis,sevenChristmasEvesago.
Youhavelabouredonit,since.
Itisaponderouschain!
'Scroogeglancedabouthimonthefloor,intheexpectationoffindinghimselfsurroundedbysomefiftyorsixtyfathomsofironcable:buthecouldseenothing.
'Jacob,'hesaid,imploringly.
'OldJacobMarley,tellmemore.
Speakcomforttome,Jacob!
'AChristmasCarol28of138'Ihavenonetogive,'theGhostreplied.
'Itcomesfromotherregions,EbenezerScrooge,andisconveyedbyotherministers,tootherkindsofmen.
NorcanItellyouwhatIwould.
Averylittlemore,isallpermittedtome.
Icannotrest,Icannotstay,Icannotlingeranywhere.
Myspiritneverwalkedbeyondourcounting-house—markme!
—inlifemyspiritneverrovedbeyondthenarrowlimitsofourmoney-changinghole;andwearyjourneysliebeforeme!
'ItwasahabitwithScrooge,wheneverhebecamethoughtful,toputhishandsinhisbreechespockets.
PonderingonwhattheGhosthadsaid,hedidsonow,butwithoutliftinguphiseyes,orgettingoffhisknees.
'Youmusthavebeenveryslowaboutit,Jacob,'Scroogeobserved,inabusiness-likemanner,thoughwithhumilityanddeference.
'Slow!
'theGhostrepeated.
'Sevenyearsdead,'musedScrooge.
'Andtravellingallthetime!
''Thewholetime,'saidtheGhost.
'Norest,nopeace.
Incessanttortureofremorse.
''Youtravelfast'saidScrooge.
'Onthewingsofthewind,'repliedtheGhost.
AChristmasCarol29of138'Youmighthavegotoveragreatquantityofgroundinsevenyears,'saidScrooge.
TheGhost,onhearingthis,setupanothercry,andclankeditschainsohideouslyinthedeadsilenceofthenight,thattheWardwouldhavebeenjustifiedinindictingitforanuisance.
'Oh!
captive,bound,anddouble-ironed,'criedthephantom,'nottoknow,thatagesofincessantlabour,byimmortalcreatures,forthisearthmustpassintoeternitybeforethegoodofwhichitissusceptibleisalldeveloped.
NottoknowthatanyChristianspiritworkingkindlyinitslittlesphere,whateveritmaybe,willfinditsmortallifetooshortforitsvastmeansofusefulness.
Nottoknowthatnospaceofregretcanmakeamendsforonelife'sopportunitymisused!
YetsuchwasI!
Oh!
suchwasI!
''Butyouwerealwaysagoodmanofbusiness,Jacob,'falteredScrooge,whonowbegantoapplythistohimself.
'Business!
'criedtheGhost,wringingitshandsagain.
'Mankindwasmybusiness.
Thecommonwelfarewasmybusiness;charity,mercy,forbearance,andbenevolence,were,all,mybusiness.
Thedealingsofmytradewerebutadropofwaterinthecomprehensiveoceanofmybusiness!
'AChristmasCarol30of138Itheldupitschainatarm'slength,asifthatwerethecauseofallitsunavailinggrief,andflungitheavilyuponthegroundagain.
'Atthistimeoftherollingyear,'thespectresaid'Isuffermost.
WhydidIwalkthroughcrowdsoffellow-beingswithmyeyesturneddown,andneverraisethemtothatblessedStarwhichledtheWiseMentoapoorabode!
Weretherenopoorhomestowhichitslightwouldhaveconductedme!
'Scroogewasverymuchdismayedtohearthespectregoingonatthisrate,andbegantoquakeexceedingly.
'Hearme!
'criedtheGhost.
'Mytimeisnearlygone.
''Iwill,'saidScrooge.
'Butdon'tbeharduponme!
Don'tbeflowery,Jacob!
Pray!
''HowitisthatIappearbeforeyouinashapethatyoucansee,Imaynottell.
Ihavesatinvisiblebesideyoumanyandmanyaday.
'Itwasnotanagreeableidea.
Scroogeshivered,andwipedtheperspirationfromhisbrow.
'Thatisnolightpartofmypenance,'pursuedtheGhost.
'Iamhereto-nighttowarnyou,thatyouhaveyetachanceandhopeofescapingmyfate.
Achanceandhopeofmyprocuring,Ebenezer.
''Youwerealwaysagoodfriendtome,'saidScrooge.
'Thank'ee!
'AChristmasCarol31of138'Youwillbehaunted,'resumedtheGhost,'byThreeSpirits.
'Scrooge'scountenancefellalmostaslowastheGhost'shaddone.
'Isthatthechanceandhopeyoumentioned,Jacob'hedemanded,inafalteringvoice.
'Itis.
''I—IthinkI'drathernot,'saidScrooge.
'Withouttheirvisits,'saidtheGhost,'youcannothopetoshunthepathItread.
Expectthefirsttomorrow,whenthebelltollsOne.
''Couldn'tItake'emallatonce,andhaveitover,Jacob'hintedScrooge.
'Expectthesecondonthenextnightatthesamehour.
ThethirduponthenextnightwhenthelaststrokeofTwelvehasceasedtovibrate.
Looktoseemenomore;andlookthat,foryourownsake,yourememberwhathaspassedbetweenus!
'Whenithadsaidthesewords,thespectretookitswrapperfromthetable,andbounditrounditshead,asbefore.
Scroogeknewthis,bythesmartsounditsteethmade,whenthejawswerebroughttogetherbythebandage.
Heventuredtoraisehiseyesagain,andfoundAChristmasCarol32of138hissupernaturalvisitorconfrontinghiminanerectattitude,withitschainwoundoverandaboutitsarm.
Theapparitionwalkedbackwardfromhim;andateverystepittook,thewindowraiseditselfalittle,sothatwhenthespectrereachedit,itwaswideopen.
ItbeckonedScroogetoapproach,whichhedid.
Whentheywerewithintwopacesofeachother,Marley'sGhostheldupitshand,warninghimtocomenonearer.
Scroogestopped.
Notsomuchinobedience,asinsurpriseandfear:forontheraisingofthehand,hebecamesensibleofconfusednoisesintheair;incoherentsoundsoflamentationandregret;wailingsinexpressiblysorrowfulandself-accusatory.
Thespectre,afterlisteningforamoment,joinedinthemournfuldirge;andfloatedoutuponthebleak,darknight.
Scroogefollowedtothewindow:desperateinhiscuriosity.
Helookedout.
Theairwasfilledwithphantoms,wanderinghitherandthitherinrestlesshaste,andmoaningastheywent.
EveryoneofthemworechainslikeMarley'sGhost;somefew(theymightbeguiltygovernments)werelinkedtogether;nonewerefree.
ManyhadbeenpersonallyknowntoScroogeintheirlives.
HehadbeenquitefamiliarwithoneAChristmasCarol33of138oldghost,inawhitewaistcoat,withamonstrousironsafeattachedtoitsankle,whocriedpiteouslyatbeingunabletoassistawretchedwomanwithaninfant,whomitsawbelow,uponadoor-step.
Themiserywiththemallwas,clearly,thattheysoughttointerfere,forgood,inhumanmatters,andhadlostthepowerforever.
Whetherthesecreaturesfadedintomist,ormistenshroudedthem,hecouldnottell.
Buttheyandtheirspiritvoicesfadedtogether;andthenightbecameasithadbeenwhenhewalkedhome.
Scroogeclosedthewindow,andexaminedthedoorbywhichtheGhosthadentered.
Itwasdouble-locked,ashehadlockeditwithhisownhands,andtheboltswereundisturbed.
Hetriedtosay'Humbug!
'butstoppedatthefirstsyllable.
Andbeing,fromtheemotionhehadundergone,orthefatiguesoftheday,orhisglimpseoftheInvisibleWorld,orthedullconversationoftheGhost,orthelatenessofthehour,muchinneedofrepose;wentstraighttobed,withoutundressing,andfellasleepupontheinstant.
AChristmasCarol34of138Stave2:TheFirstoftheThreeSpiritsWhenScroogeawoke,itwassodark,thatlookingoutofbed,hecouldscarcelydistinguishthetransparentwindowfromtheopaquewallsofhischamber.
Hewasendeavouringtopiercethedarknesswithhisferreteyes,whenthechimesofaneighbouringchurchstruckthefourquarters.
Sohelistenedforthehour.
Tohisgreatastonishmenttheheavybellwentonfromsixtoseven,andfromseventoeight,andregularlyuptotwelve;thenstopped.
Twelve.
Itwaspasttwowhenhewenttobed.
Theclockwaswrong.
Aniciclemusthavegotintotheworks.
Twelve.
Hetouchedthespringofhisrepeater,tocorrectthismostpreposterousclock.
Itsrapidlittlepulsebeattwelve:andstopped.
'Why,itisn'tpossible,'saidScrooge,'thatIcanhavesleptthroughawholedayandfarintoanothernight.
Itisn'tpossiblethatanythinghashappenedtothesun,andthisistwelveatnoon.
'Theideabeinganalarmingone,hescrambledoutofbed,andgropedhiswaytothewindow.
Hewasobligedtorubthefrostoffwiththesleeveofhisdressing-gownAChristmasCarol35of138beforehecouldseeanything;andcouldseeverylittlethen.
Allhecouldmakeoutwas,thatitwasstillveryfoggyandextremelycold,andthattherewasnonoiseofpeoplerunningtoandfro,andmakingagreatstir,asthereunquestionablywouldhavebeenifnighthadbeatenoffbrightday,andtakenpossessionoftheworld.
Thiswasagreatrelief,because'ThreedaysaftersightofthisFirstofExchangepaytoMr.
EbenezerScroogeonhisorder,'andsoforth,wouldhavebecomeamereUnitedStatessecurityiftherewerenodaystocountby.
Scroogewenttobedagain,andthought,andthought,andthoughtitoverandover,andcouldmakenothingofit.
Themorehethought,themoreperplexedhewas;and,themoreheendeavourednottothink,themorehethought.
Marley'sGhostbotheredhimexceedingly.
Everytimeheresolvedwithinhimself,aftermatureinquirythatitwasalladream,hismindflewbackagain,likeastrongspringreleased,toitsfirstposition,andpresentedthesameproblemtobeworkedallthrough,'Wasitadreamornot'Scroogelayinthisstateuntilthechimehadgonethree-quartersmore,whenheremembered,onasudden,thattheGhosthadwarnedhimofavisitationwhentheAChristmasCarol36of138belltolledone.
Heresolvedtolieawakeuntilthehourwaspassed;and,consideringthathecouldnomoregotosleepthangotoheaven,thiswas,perhaps,thewisestresolutioninhispower.
Thequarterwassolong,thathewasmorethanonceconvincedhemusthavesunkintoadozeunconsciously,andmissedtheclock.
Atlengthitbrokeuponhislisteningear.
'Ding,dong!
''Aquarterpast,'saidScrooge,counting.
'Ding,dong!
''Halfpast,'saidScrooge.
'Ding,dong!
''Aquartertoit,'saidScrooge.
'Ding,dong!
''Thehouritself,'saidScroogetriumphantly,'andnothingelse!
'Hespokebeforethehourbellsounded,whichitnowdidwithadeep,dull,hollow,melancholyONE.
Lightflashedupintheroomupontheinstant,andthecurtainsofhisbedweredrawn.
Thecurtainsofhisbedweredrawnaside,Itellyou,byahand.
Notthecurtainsathisfeet,northecurtainsathisback,butthosetowhichhisfacewasaddressed.
Thecurtainsofhisbedweredrawnaside;andScrooge,startingAChristmasCarol37of138upintoahalf-recumbentattitude,foundhimselffacetofacewiththeunearthlyvisitorwhodrewthem:asclosetoitasIamnowtoyou,andIamstandinginthespiritatyourelbow.
Itwasastrangefigure—likeachild:yetnotsolikeachildaslikeanoldman,viewedthroughsomesupernaturalmedium,whichgavehimtheappearanceofhavingrecededfromtheview,andbeingdiminishedtoachild'sproportions.
Itshair,whichhungaboutitsneckanddownitsback,waswhiteasifwithage;andyetthefacehadnotawrinkleinit,andthetenderestbloomwasontheskin.
Thearmswereverylongandmuscular;thehandsthesame,asifitsholdwereofuncommonstrength.
Itslegsandfeet,mostdelicatelyformed,were,likethoseuppermembers,bare.
Itworeatunicofthepurestwhite,androunditswaistwasboundalustrousbelt,thesheenofwhichwasbeautiful.
Itheldabranchoffreshgreenhollyinitshand;and,insingularcontradictionofthatwintryemblem,haditsdresstrimmedwithsummerflowers.
Butthestrangestthingaboutitwas,thatfromthecrownofitsheadtheresprungabrightclearjetoflight,bywhichallthiswasvisible;andwhichwasdoubtlesstheoccasionofitsusing,initsdullermoments,agreatextinguisherforacap,whichitnowheldunderitsarm.
AChristmasCarol38of138Eventhis,though,whenScroogelookedatitwithincreasingsteadiness,wasnotitsstrangestquality.
Forasitsbeltsparkledandglitterednowinonepartandnowinanother,andwhatwaslightoneinstant,atanothertimewasdark,sothefigureitselffluctuatedinitsdistinctness:beingnowathingwithonearm,nowwithoneleg,nowwithtwentylegs,nowapairoflegswithoutahead,nowaheadwithoutabody:ofwhichdissolvingparts,nooutlinewouldbevisibleinthedensegloomwhereintheymeltedaway.
Andintheverywonderofthis,itwouldbeitselfagain;distinctandclearasever.
'AreyoutheSpirit,sir,whosecomingwasforetoldtome.
'askedScrooge.
'Iam.
'Thevoicewassoftandgentle.
Singularlylow,asifinsteadofbeingsoclosebesidehim,itwereatadistance.
'Who,andwhatareyou.
'Scroogedemanded.
'IamtheGhostofChristmasPast.
''LongPast.
'inquiredScrooge:observantofitsdwarfishstature.
'No.
Yourpast.
'Perhaps,Scroogecouldnothavetoldanybodywhy,ifanybodycouldhaveaskedhim;buthehadaspecialdesiretoseetheSpiritinhiscap;andbeggedhimtobecovered.
AChristmasCarol39of138'What.
'exclaimedtheGhost,'wouldyousosoonputout,withworldlyhands,thelightIgive.
Isitnotenoughthatyouareoneofthosewhosepassionsmadethiscap,andforcemethroughwholetrainsofyearstowearitlowuponmybrow.
'ScroogereverentlydisclaimedallintentiontooffendoranyknowledgeofhavingwilfullybonnetedtheSpiritatanyperiodofhislife.
Hethenmadeboldtoinquirewhatbusinessbroughthimthere.
'Yourwelfare.
'saidtheGhost.
Scroogeexpressedhimselfmuchobliged,butcouldnothelpthinkingthatanightofunbrokenrestwouldhavebeenmoreconducivetothatend.
TheSpiritmusthaveheardhimthinking,foritsaidimmediately:'Yourreclamation,then.
Takeheed.
'Itputoutitsstronghandasitspoke,andclaspedhimgentlybythearm.
'Rise.
andwalkwithme.
'ItwouldhavebeeninvainforScroogetopleadthattheweatherandthehourwerenotadaptedtopedestrianpurposes;thatbedwaswarm,andthethermometeralongwaybelowfreezing;thathewascladbutlightlyinhisslippers,dressing-gown,andnightcap;andthathehadacolduponhimatthattime.
Thegrasp,thoughgentleasaAChristmasCarol40of138woman'shand,wasnottoberesisted.
Herose:butfindingthattheSpiritmadetowardsthewindow,claspedhisrobeinsupplication.
'Iammortal,'Scroogeremonstrated,'andliabletofall.
''Bearbutatouchofmyhandthere,'saidtheSpirit,layingituponhisheart,'andyoushallbeupheldinmorethanthis.
'Asthewordswerespoken,theypassedthroughthewall,andstooduponanopencountryroad,withfieldsoneitherhand.
Thecityhadentirelyvanished.
Notavestigeofitwastobeseen.
Thedarknessandthemisthadvanishedwithit,foritwasaclear,cold,winterday,withsnowupontheground.
'GoodHeaven!
'saidScrooge,claspinghishandstogether,ashelookedabouthim.
'Iwasbredinthisplace.
Iwasaboyhere.
'TheSpiritgazeduponhimmildly.
Itsgentletouch,thoughithadbeenlightandinstantaneous,appearedstillpresenttotheoldman'ssenseoffeeling.
Hewasconsciousofathousandodoursfloatingintheair,eachoneconnectedwithathousandthoughts,andhopes,andjoys,andcareslong,long,forgotten.
'Yourlipistrembling,'saidtheGhost.
'Andwhatisthatuponyourcheek.
'AChristmasCarol41of138Scroogemuttered,withanunusualcatchinginhisvoice,thatitwasapimple;andbeggedtheGhosttoleadhimwherehewould.
'Yourecollecttheway.
'inquiredtheSpirit.
'Rememberit.
'criedScroogewithfervour;'Icouldwalkitblindfold.
''Strangetohaveforgottenitforsomanyyears.
'observedtheGhost.
'Letusgoon.
'Theywalkedalongtheroad,Scroogerecognisingeverygate,andpost,andtree;untilalittlemarket-townappearedinthedistance,withitsbridge,itschurch,andwindingriver.
Someshaggyponiesnowwereseentrottingtowardsthemwithboysupontheirbacks,whocalledtootherboysincountrygigsandcarts,drivenbyfarmers.
Alltheseboyswereingreatspirits,andshoutedtoeachother,untilthebroadfieldsweresofullofmerrymusic,thatthecrispairlaughedtohearit.
'Thesearebutshadowsofthethingsthathavebeen,'saidtheGhost.
'Theyhavenoconsciousnessofus.
'Thejocundtravellerscameon;andastheycame,Scroogeknewandnamedthemeveryone.
Whywasherejoicedbeyondallboundstoseethem.
Whydidhiscoldeyeglisten,andhisheartleapupastheywentpast.
WhywashefilledwithgladnesswhenheheardthemgiveeachAChristmasCarol42of138otherMerryChristmas,astheypartedatcross-roadsandbye-ways,fortheirseveralhomes.
WhatwasmerryChristmastoScrooge.
OutuponmerryChristmas.
Whatgoodhaditeverdonetohim.
'Theschoolisnotquitedeserted,'saidtheGhost.
'Asolitarychild,neglectedbyhisfriends,islefttherestill.
'Scroogesaidheknewit.
Andhesobbed.
Theyleftthehigh-road,byawell-rememberedlane,andsoonapproachedamansionofdullredbrick,withalittleweathercock-surmountedcupola,ontheroof,andabellhanginginit.
Itwasalargehouse,butoneofbrokenfortunes;forthespaciousofficeswerelittleused,theirwallsweredampandmossy,theirwindowsbroken,andtheirgatesdecayed.
Fowlscluckedandstruttedinthestables;andthecoach-housesandshedswereover-runwithgrass.
Norwasitmoreretentiveofitsancientstate,within;forenteringthedrearyhall,andglancingthroughtheopendoorsofmanyrooms,theyfoundthempoorlyfurnished,cold,andvast.
Therewasanearthysavourintheair,achillybarenessintheplace,whichassociateditselfsomehowwithtoomuchgettingupbycandle-light,andnottoomuchtoeat.
Theywent,theGhostandScrooge,acrossthehall,toadooratthebackofthehouse.
Itopenedbeforethem,andAChristmasCarol43of138disclosedalong,bare,melancholyroom,madebarerstillbylinesofplaindealformsanddesks.
Atoneofthesealonelyboywasreadingnearafeeblefire;andScroogesatdownuponaform,andwepttoseehispoorforgottenselfasheusedtobe.
Notalatentechointhehouse,notasqueakandscufflefromthemicebehindthepanelling,notadripfromthehalf-thawedwater-spoutinthedullyardbehind,notasighamongtheleaflessboughsofonedespondentpoplar,nottheidleswingingofanemptystore-housedoor,no,notaclickinginthefire,butfellupontheheartofScroogewithasofteninginfluence,andgaveafreerpassagetohistears.
TheSpirittouchedhimonthearm,andpointedtohisyoungerself,intentuponhisreading.
Suddenlyaman,inforeigngarments:wonderfullyrealanddistincttolookat:stoodoutsidethewindow,withanaxestuckinhisbelt,andleadingbythebridleanassladenwithwood.
'Why,it'sAliBaba.
'Scroogeexclaimedinecstasy.
'It'sdearoldhonestAliBaba.
Yes,yes,Iknow.
OneChristmastime,whenyondersolitarychildwaslefthereallalone,hedidcome,forthefirsttime,justlikethat.
Poorboy.
AndValentine,'saidScrooge,'andhiswildbrother,Orson;theretheygo.
Andwhat'shisname,whoAChristmasCarol44of138wasputdowninhisdrawers,asleep,attheGateofDamascus;don'tyouseehim.
AndtheSultan'sGroomturnedupsidedownbytheGenii;thereheisuponhishead.
Servehimright.
I'mgladofit.
WhatbusinesshadhetobemarriedtothePrincess.
'TohearScroogeexpendingalltheearnestnessofhisnatureonsuchsubjects,inamostextraordinaryvoicebetweenlaughingandcrying;andtoseehisheightenedandexcitedface;wouldhavebeenasurprisetohisbusinessfriendsinthecity,indeed.
'There'stheParrot.
'criedScrooge.
'Greenbodyandyellowtail,withathinglikealettucegrowingoutofthetopofhishead;thereheis.
PoorRobinCrusoe,hecalledhim,whenhecamehomeagainaftersailingroundtheisland.
'PoorRobinCrusoe,wherehaveyoubeen,RobinCrusoe.
'Themanthoughthewasdreaming,buthewasn't.
ItwastheParrot,youknow.
TheregoesFriday,runningforhislifetothelittlecreek.
Halloa.
Hoop.
Hallo.
'Then,witharapidityoftransitionveryforeigntohisusualcharacter,hesaid,inpityforhisformerself,'Poorboy.
'andcriedagain.
AChristmasCarol45of138'Iwish,'Scroogemuttered,puttinghishandinhispocket,andlookingabouthim,afterdryinghiseyeswithhiscuff:'butit'stoolatenow.
''Whatisthematter.
'askedtheSpirit.
'Nothing,'saidScrooge.
'Nothing.
TherewasaboysingingaChristmasCarolatmydoorlastnight.
Ishouldliketohavegivenhimsomething:that'sall.
'TheGhostsmiledthoughtfully,andwaveditshand:sayingasitdidso,'LetusseeanotherChristmas.
'Scrooge'sformerselfgrewlargeratthewords,andtheroombecamealittledarkerandmoredirty.
Thepanelsshrunk,thewindowscracked;fragmentsofplasterfelloutoftheceiling,andthenakedlathswereshowninstead;buthowallthiswasbroughtabout,Scroogeknewnomorethanyoudo.
Heonlyknewthatitwasquitecorrect;thateverythinghadhappenedso;thattherehewas,aloneagain,whenalltheotherboyshadgonehomeforthejollyholidays.
Hewasnotreadingnow,butwalkingupanddowndespairingly.
ScroogelookedattheGhost,andwithamournfulshakingofhishead,glancedanxiouslytowardsthedoor.
Itopened;andalittlegirl,muchyoungerthantheboy,camedartingin,andputtingherarmsabouthisneck,andAChristmasCarol46of138oftenkissinghim,addressedhimasher'Dear,dearbrother.
''Ihavecometobringyouhome,dearbrother.
'saidthechild,clappinghertinyhands,andbendingdowntolaugh.
'Tobringyouhome,home,home.
''Home,littleFan.
'returnedtheboy.
'Yes.
'saidthechild,brimfulofglee.
'Home,forgoodandall.
Home,foreverandever.
Fatherissomuchkinderthanheusedtobe,thathome'slikeHeaven.
HespokesogentlytomeonedearnightwhenIwasgoingtobed,thatIwasnotafraidtoaskhimoncemoreifyoumightcomehome;andhesaidYes,youshould;andsentmeinacoachtobringyou.
Andyou'retobeaman.
'saidthechild,openinghereyes,'andarenevertocomebackhere;butfirst,we'retobetogetheralltheChristmaslong,andhavethemerriesttimeinalltheworld.
''Youarequiteawoman,littleFan.
'exclaimedtheboy.
Sheclappedherhandsandlaughed,andtriedtotouchhishead;butbeingtoolittle,laughedagain,andstoodontiptoetoembracehim.
Thenshebegantodraghim,inherchildisheagerness,towardsthedoor;andhe,nothinglothtogo,accompaniedher.
Aterriblevoiceinthehallcried.
'BringdownMasterScrooge'sbox,there.
'andinthehallappearedtheAChristmasCarol47of138schoolmasterhimself,whoglaredonMasterScroogewithaferociouscondescension,andthrewhimintoadreadfulstateofmindbyshakinghandswithhim.
Hethenconveyedhimandhissisterintotheveriestoldwellofashiveringbest-parlourthateverwasseen,wherethemapsuponthewall,andthecelestialandterrestrialglobesinthewindows,werewaxywithcold.
Hereheproducedadecanterofcuriouslylightwine,andablockofcuriouslyheavycake,andadministeredinstalmentsofthosedaintiestotheyoungpeople:atthesametime,sendingoutameagreservanttoofferaglassofsomethingtothepostboy,whoansweredthathethankedthegentleman,butifitwasthesametapashehadtastedbefore,hehadrathernot.
MasterScrooge'strunkbeingbythistimetiedontothetopofthechaise,thechildrenbadetheschoolmastergood-byerightwillingly;andgettingintoit,drovegailydownthegarden-sweep:thequickwheelsdashingthehoar-frostandsnowfromoffthedarkleavesoftheevergreenslikespray.
'Alwaysadelicatecreature,whomabreathmighthavewithered,'saidtheGhost.
'Butshehadalargeheart.
''Soshehad,'criedScrooge.
'You'reright.
Iwillnotgainsayit,Spirit.
Godforbid.
'AChristmasCarol48of138'Shediedawoman,'saidtheGhost,'andhad,asIthink,children.
''Onechild,'Scroogereturned.
'True,'saidtheGhost.
'Yournephew.
'Scroogeseemeduneasyinhismind;andansweredbriefly,'Yes.
'Althoughtheyhadbutthatmomentlefttheschoolbehindthem,theywerenowinthebusythoroughfaresofacity,whereshadowypassengerspassedandrepassed;whereshadowycartsandcoachesbattlefortheway,andallthestrifeandtumultofarealcitywere.
Itwasmadeplainenough,bythedressingoftheshops,thatheretooitwasChristmastimeagain;butitwasevening,andthestreetswerelightedup.
TheGhoststoppedatacertainwarehousedoor,andaskedScroogeifheknewit.
'Knowit.
'saidScrooge.
'Iwasapprenticedhere.
'Theywentin.
AtsightofanoldgentlemaninaWelshwig,sittingbehindsuchahighdesk,thatifhehadbeentwoinchestallerhemusthaveknockedhisheadagainsttheceiling,Scroogecriedingreatexcitement:'Why,it'soldFezziwig.
Blesshisheart;it'sFezziwigaliveagain.
'AChristmasCarol49of138OldFezziwiglaiddownhispen,andlookedupattheclock,whichpointedtothehourofseven.
Herubbedhishands;adjustedhiscapaciouswaistcoat;laughedalloverhimself,fromhisshowstohisorganofbenevolence;andcalledoutinacomfortable,oily,rich,fat,jovialvoice:'Yoho,there.
Ebenezer.
Dick.
'Scrooge'sformerself,nowgrownayoungman,camebrisklyin,accompaniedbyhisfellow-prentice.
'DickWilkins,tobesure.
'saidScroogetotheGhost.
'Blessme,yes.
Thereheis.
Hewasverymuchattachedtome,wasDick.
PoorDick.
Dear,dear.
''Yoho,myboys.
'saidFezziwig.
'Nomoreworkto-night.
ChristmasEve,Dick.
Christmas,Ebenezer.
Let'shavetheshuttersup,'criedoldFezziwig,withasharpclapofhishands,'beforeamancansayJackRobinson.
'Youwouldn'tbelievehowthosetwofellowswentatit.
Theychargedintothestreetwiththeshutters—one,two,three—hadthemupintheirplaces—four,five,six—barredthemandpinnedthen—seven,eight,nine—andcamebackbeforeyoucouldhavegottotwelve,pantinglikerace-horses.
'Hilli-ho!
'criedoldFezziwig,skippingdownfromthehighdesk,withwonderfulagility.
'Clearaway,mylads,AChristmasCarol50of138andlet'shavelotsofroomhere.
Hilli-ho,Dick.
Chirrup,Ebenezer.
'Clearaway.
Therewasnothingtheywouldn'thaveclearedaway,orcouldn'thaveclearedaway,witholdFezziwiglookingon.
Itwasdoneinaminute.
Everymovablewaspackedoff,asifitweredismissedfrompubliclifeforevermore;thefloorwassweptandwatered,thelampsweretrimmed,fuelwasheapeduponthefire;andthewarehousewasassnug,andwarm,anddry,andbrightaball-room,asyouwoulddesiretoseeuponawinter'snight.
Incameafiddlerwithamusic-book,andwentuptotheloftydesk,andmadeanorchestraofit,andtunedlikefiftystomach-aches.
IncameMrsFezziwig,onevastsubstantialsmile.
IncamethethreeMissFezziwigs,beamingandlovable.
Incamethesixyoungfollowerswhoseheartstheybroke.
Incamealltheyoungmenandwomenemployedinthebusiness.
Incamethehousemaid,withhercousin,thebaker.
Incamethecook,withherbrother'sparticularfriend,themilkman.
Incametheboyfromovertheway,whowassuspectedofnothavingboardenoughfromhismaster;tryingtohidehimselfbehindthegirlfromnextdoorbutone,whowasprovedtohavehadherearspulledbyhermistress.
IntheyallAChristmasCarol51of138came,oneafteranother;someshyly,someboldly,somegracefully,someawkwardly,somepushing,somepulling;intheyallcame,anyhowandeveryhow.
Awaytheyallwent,twentycouplesatonce;handshalfroundandbackagaintheotherway;downthemiddleandupagain;roundandroundinvariousstagesofaffectionategrouping;oldtopcouplealwaysturningupinthewrongplace;newtopcouplestartingoffagain,assoonastheygotthere;alltopcouplesatlast,andnotabottomonetohelpthem.
Whenthisresultwasbroughtabout,oldFezziwig,clappinghishandstostopthedance,criedout,'Welldone.
'andthefiddlerplungedhishotfaceintoapotofporter,especiallyprovidedforthatpurpose.
Butscorningrest,uponhisreappearance,heinstantlybeganagain,thoughtherewerenodancersyet,asiftheotherfiddlerhadbeencarriedhome,exhausted,onashutter,andhewereabran-newmanresolvedtobeathimoutofsight,orperish.
Thereweremoredances,andtherewereforfeits,andmoredances,andtherewascake,andtherewasnegus,andtherewasagreatpieceofColdRoast,andtherewasagreatpieceofColdBoiled,andthereweremince-pies,andplentyofbeer.
ButthegreateffectoftheeveningcameaftertheRoastandBoiled,whenthefiddler(anAChristmasCarol52of138artfuldog,mind.
ThesortofmanwhoknewhisbusinessbetterthanyouorIcouldhavetoldithim.
)struckupSirRogerdeCoverley.
'ThenoldFezziwigstoodouttodancewithMrsFezziwig.
Topcouple,too;withagoodstiffpieceofworkcutoutforthem;threeorfourandtwentypairofpartners;peoplewhowerenottobetrifledwith;peoplewhowoulddance,andhadnonotionofwalking.
Butiftheyhadbeentwiceasmany—ah,fourtimes—oldFezziwigwouldhavebeenamatchforthem,andsowouldMrsFezziwig.
Astoher,shewasworthytobehispartnerineverysenseoftheterm.
Ifthat'snothighpraise,tellmehigher,andI'lluseit.
ApositivelightappearedtoissuefromFezziwig'scalves.
Theyshoneineverypartofthedancelikemoons.
Youcouldn'thavepredicted,atanygiventime,whatwouldhavebecomeofthemnext.
AndwhenoldFezziwigandMrsFezziwighadgoneallthroughthedance;advanceandretire,bothhandstoyourpartner,bowandcurtsey,corkscrew,thread-the-needle,andbackagaintoyourplace;Fezziwigcut—cutsodeftly,thatheappearedtowinkwithhislegs,andcameuponhisfeetagainwithoutastagger.
Whentheclockstruckeleven,thisdomesticballbrokeup.
MrandMrsFezziwigtooktheirstations,oneonAChristmasCarol53of138eithersideofthedoor,andshakinghandswitheverypersonindividuallyasheorshewentout,wishedhimorheraMerryChristmas.
Wheneverybodyhadretiredbutthetwoprentices,theydidthesametothem;andthusthecheerfulvoicesdiedaway,andtheladswerelefttotheirbeds;whichwereunderacounterintheback-shop.
Duringthewholeofthistime,Scroogehadactedlikeamanoutofhiswits.
Hisheartandsoulwereinthescene,andwithhisformerself.
Hecorroboratedeverything,rememberedeverything,enjoyedeverything,andunderwentthestrangestagitation.
Itwasnotuntilnow,whenthebrightfacesofhisformerselfandDickwereturnedfromthem,thatherememberedtheGhost,andbecameconsciousthatitwaslookingfulluponhim,whilethelightuponitsheadburntveryclear.
'Asmallmatter,'saidtheGhost,'tomakethesesillyfolkssofullofgratitude.
''Small.
'echoedScrooge.
TheSpiritsignedtohimtolistentothetwoapprentices,whowerepouringouttheirheartsinpraiseofFezziwig:andwhenhehaddoneso,said,'Why.
Isitnot.
Hehasspentbutafewpoundsofyourmortalmoney:threeorfourperhaps.
Isthatsomuchthathedeservesthispraise.
'AChristmasCarol54of138'Itisn'tthat,'saidScrooge,heatedbytheremark,andspeakingunconsciouslylikehisformer,nothislatter,self.
'Itisn'tthat,Spirit.
Hehasthepowertorenderushappyorunhappy;tomakeourservicelightorburdensome;apleasureoratoil.
Saythathispowerliesinwordsandlooks;inthingssoslightandinsignificantthatitisimpossibletoaddandcountthemup:whatthen.
Thehappinesshegives,isquiteasgreatasifitcostafortune.
'HefelttheSpirit'sglance,andstopped.
'Whatisthematter.
'askedtheGhost.
'Nothinginparticular,'saidScrooge.
'Something,Ithink.
'theGhostinsisted.
'No,'saidScrooge,'No.
Ishouldliketobeabletosayawordortwotomyclerkjustnow.
That'sall.
'Hisformerselfturneddownthelampsashegaveutterancetothewish;andScroogeandtheGhostagainstoodsidebysideintheopenair.
'Mytimegrowsshort,'observedtheSpirit.
'Quick.
'ThiswasnotaddressedtoScrooge,ortoanyonewhomhecouldsee,butitproducedanimmediateeffect.
ForagainScroogesawhimself.
Hewasoldernow;amanintheprimeoflife.
Hisfacehadnottheharshandrigidlinesoflateryears;butithadbeguntowearthesignsofcareandavarice.
Therewasaneager,greedy,restlessAChristmasCarol55of138motionintheeye,whichshowedthepassionthathadtakenroot,andwheretheshadowofthegrowingtreewouldfall.
Hewasnotalone,butsatbythesideofafairyounggirlinamourning-dress:inwhoseeyesthereweretears,whichsparkledinthelightthatshoneoutoftheGhostofChristmasPast.
'Itmatterslittle,'shesaid,softly.
'Toyou,verylittle.
Anotheridolhasdisplacedme;andifitcancheerandcomfortyouintimetocome,asIwouldhavetriedtodo,Ihavenojustcausetogrieve.
''WhatIdolhasdisplacedyou.
'herejoined.
'Agoldenone.
''Thisistheeven-handeddealingoftheworld.
'hesaid.
'Thereisnothingonwhichitissohardaspoverty;andthereisnothingitprofessestocondemnwithsuchseverityasthepursuitofwealth.
''Youfeartheworldtoomuch,'sheanswered,gently.
'Allyourotherhopeshavemergedintothehopeofbeingbeyondthechanceofitssordidreproach.
Ihaveseenyournobleraspirationsfalloffonebyone,untilthemaster-passion,Gain,engrossesyou.
HaveInot.
''Whatthen.
'heretorted.
'EvenifIhavegrownsomuchwiser,whatthen.
Iamnotchangedtowardsyou.
'AChristmasCarol56of138Sheshookherhead.
'AmI.
''Ourcontractisanoldone.
Itwasmadewhenwewerebothpoorandcontenttobeso,until,ingoodseason,wecouldimproveourworldlyfortunebyourpatientindustry.
Youarechanged.
Whenitwasmade,youwereanotherman.
''Iwasaboy,'hesaidimpatiently.
'Yourownfeelingtellsyouthatyouwerenotwhatyouare,'shereturned.
'Iam.
Thatwhichpromisedhappinesswhenwewereoneinheart,isfraughtwithmiserynowthatwearetwo.
HowoftenandhowkeenlyIhavethoughtofthis,Iwillnotsay.
ItisenoughthatIhavethoughtofit,andcanreleaseyou.
''HaveIeversoughtrelease.
''Inwords.
No.
Never.
''Inwhat,then.
''Inachangednature;inanalteredspirit;inanotheratmosphereoflife;anotherHopeasitsgreatend.
Ineverythingthatmademyloveofanyworthorvalueinyoursight.
Ifthishadneverbeenbetweenus,'saidthegirl,lookingmildly,butwithsteadiness,uponhim;'tellme,wouldyouseekmeoutandtrytowinmenow.
Ah,no.
'AChristmasCarol57of138Heseemedtoyieldtothejusticeofthissupposition,inspiteofhimself.
Buthesaidwithastruggle,'Youthinknot.
''IwouldgladlythinkotherwiseifIcould,'sheanswered,'Heavenknows.
WhenIhavelearnedaTruthlikethis,Iknowhowstrongandirresistibleitmustbe.
Butifyouwerefreeto-day,to-morrow,yesterday,canevenIbelievethatyouwouldchooseadowerlessgirl—youwho,inyourveryconfidencewithher,weigheverythingbyGain:or,choosingher,ifforamomentyouwerefalseenoughtoyouroneguidingprincipletodoso,doInotknowthatyourrepentanceandregretwouldsurelyfollow.
Ido;andIreleaseyou.
Withafullheart,fortheloveofhimyouoncewere.
'Hewasabouttospeak;butwithherheadturnedfromhim,sheresumed.
'Youmay—thememoryofwhatispasthalfmakesmehopeyouwill—havepaininthis.
Avery,verybrieftime,andyouwilldismisstherecollectionofit,gladly,asanunprofitabledream,fromwhichithappenedwellthatyouawoke.
Mayyoubehappyinthelifeyouhavechosen.
'Shelefthim,andtheyparted.
AChristmasCarol58of138'Spirit.
'saidScrooge,'showmenomore.
Conductmehome.
Whydoyoudelighttotortureme.
''Oneshadowmore.
'exclaimedtheGhost.
'Nomore.
'criedScrooge.
'Nomore,Idon'twishtoseeit.
Showmenomore.
'ButtherelentlessGhostpinionedhiminbothhisarms,andforcedhimtoobservewhathappenednext.
Theywereinanothersceneandplace;aroom,notverylargeorhandsome,butfullofcomfort.
Neartothewinterfiresatabeautifulyounggirl,solikethatlastthatScroogebelieveditwasthesame,untilhesawher,nowacomelymatron,sittingoppositeherdaughter.
Thenoiseinthisroomwasperfectlytumultuous,forthereweremorechildrenthere,thanScroogeinhisagitatedstateofmindcouldcount;and,unlikethecelebratedherdinthepoem,theywerenotfortychildrenconductingthemselveslikeone,buteverychildwasconductingitselflikeforty.
Theconsequenceswereuproariousbeyondbelief;butnooneseemedtocare;onthecontrary,themotheranddaughterlaughedheartily,andenjoyeditverymuch;andthelatter,soonbeginningtomingleinthesports,gotpillagedbytheyoungbrigandsmostruthlessly.
WhatwouldInothavegiventooneofthem.
ThoughInevercouldhavebeensorude,no,no.
Iwouldn'tfortheAChristmasCarol59of138wealthofalltheworldhavecrushedthatbraidedhair,andtornitdown;andforthepreciouslittleshoe,Iwouldn'thavepluckeditoff,Godblessmysoul.
tosavemylife.
Astomeasuringherwaistinsport,astheydid,boldyoungbrood,Icouldn'thavedoneit;Ishouldhaveexpectedmyarmtohavegrownrounditforapunishment,andnevercomestraightagain.
AndyetIshouldhavedearlyliked,Iown,tohavetouchedherlips;tohavequestionedher,thatshemighthaveopenedthem;tohavelookeduponthelashesofherdowncasteyes,andneverraisedablush;tohaveletloosewavesofhair,aninchofwhichwouldbeakeepsakebeyondprice:inshort,Ishouldhaveliked,Idoconfess,tohavehadthelightestlicenceofachild,andyettohavebeenmanenoughtoknowitsvalue.
Butnowaknockingatthedoorwasheard,andsucharushimmediatelyensuedthatshewithlaughingfaceandplundereddresswasbornetowardsitthecentreofaflushedandboisterousgroup,justintimetogreetthefather,whocamehomeattendedbyamanladenwithChristmastoysandpresents.
Thentheshoutingandthestruggling,andtheonslaughtthatwasmadeonthedefencelessporter.
Thescalinghimwithchairsforladderstodiveintohispockets,despoilhimofbrown-paperparcels,holdontightbyhiscravat,hughimroundhisAChristmasCarol60of138neck,pommelhisback,andkickhislegsinirrepressibleaffection.
Theshoutsofwonderanddelightwithwhichthedevelopmentofeverypackagewasreceived.
Theterribleannouncementthatthebabyhadbeentakenintheactofputtingadoll'sfrying-panintohismouth,andwasmorethansuspectedofhavingswallowedafictitiousturkey,gluedonawoodenplatter.
Theimmensereliefoffindingthisafalsealarm.
Thejoy,andgratitude,andecstasy.
Theyareallindescribablealike.
Itisenoughthatbydegreesthechildrenandtheiremotionsgotoutoftheparlour,andbyonestairatatime,uptothetopofthehouse;wheretheywenttobed,andsosubsided.
AndnowScroogelookedonmoreattentivelythanever,whenthemasterofthehouse,havinghisdaughterleaningfondlyonhim,satdownwithherandhermotherathisownfireside;andwhenhethoughtthatsuchanothercreature,quiteasgracefulandasfullofpromise,mighthavecalledhimfather,andbeenaspring-timeinthehaggardwinterofhislife,hissightgrewverydimindeed.
'Belle,'saidthehusband,turningtohiswifewithasmile,'Isawanoldfriendofyoursthisafternoon.
''Whowasit.
''Guess.
'AChristmasCarol61of138'HowcanI.
Tut,don'tIknow.
'sheaddedinthesamebreath,laughingashelaughed.
'MrScrooge.
''MrScroogeitwas.
Ipassedhisofficewindow;andasitwasnotshutup,andhehadacandleinside,Icouldscarcelyhelpseeinghim.
Hispartnerliesuponthepointofdeath,Ihear;andtherehesatalone.
Quitealoneintheworld,Idobelieve.
''Spirit.
'saidScroogeinabrokenvoice,'removemefromthisplace.
''Itoldyouthesewereshadowsofthethingsthathavebeen,'saidtheGhost.
'Thattheyarewhattheyare,donotblameme.
''Removeme.
'Scroogeexclaimed,'Icannotbearit.
'HeturnedupontheGhost,andseeingthatitlookeduponhimwithaface,inwhichinsomestrangewaytherewerefragmentsofallthefacesithadshownhim,wrestledwithit.
'Leaveme.
Takemeback.
Hauntmenolonger.
'Inthestruggle,ifthatcanbecalledastruggleinwhichtheGhostwithnovisibleresistanceonitsownpartwasundisturbedbyanyeffortofitsadversary,Scroogeobservedthatitslightwasburninghighandbright;anddimlyconnectingthatwithitsinfluenceoverhim,heAChristmasCarol62of138seizedtheextinguisher-cap,andbyasuddenactionpresseditdownuponitshead.
TheSpiritdroppedbeneathit,sothattheextinguishercovereditswholeform;butthoughScroogepresseditdownwithallhisforce,hecouldnothidethelight,whichstreamedfromunderit,inanunbrokenfloodupontheground.
Hewasconsciousofbeingexhausted,andovercomebyanirresistibledrowsiness;and,further,ofbeinginhisownbedroom.
Hegavethecapapartingsqueeze,inwhichhishandrelaxed;andhadbarelytimetoreeltobed,beforehesankintoaheavysleep.
AChristmasCarol63of138Stave3:TheSecondoftheThreeSpiritsAwakinginthemiddleofaprodigiouslytoughsnore,andsittingupinbedtogethisthoughtstogether,ScroogehadnooccasiontobetoldthatthebellwasagainuponthestrokeofOne.
Hefeltthathewasrestoredtoconsciousnessintherightnickoftime,fortheespecialpurposeofholdingaconferencewiththesecondmessengerdespatchedtohimthroughJacobMarley'sintervention.
But,findingthatheturneduncomfortablycoldwhenhebegantowonderwhichofhiscurtainsthisnewspectrewoulddrawback,heputthemeveryoneasidewithhisownhands,andlyingdownagain,establishedasharplook-outallroundthebed.
For,hewishedtochallengetheSpiritonthemomentofitsappearance,anddidnotwishtobetakenbysurprise,andmadenervous.
Gentlemenofthefree-and-easysort,whoplumethemselvesonbeingacquaintedwithamoveortwo,andbeingusuallyequaltothetime-of-day,expressthewiderangeoftheircapacityforadventurebyobservingthattheyaregoodforanythingfrompitch-and-tosstomanslaughter;betweenwhichoppositeextremes,noAChristmasCarol64of138doubt,thereliesatolerablywideandcomprehensiverangeofsubjects.
WithoutventuringforScroogequiteashardilyasthis,Idon'tmindcallingonyoutobelievethathewasreadyforagoodbroadfieldofstrangeappearances,andthatnothingbetweenababyandrhinoceroswouldhaveastonishedhimverymuch.
Now,beingpreparedforalmostanything,hewasnotbyanymeanspreparedfornothing;and,consequently,whentheBellstruckOne,andnoshapeappeared,hewastakenwithaviolentfitoftrembling.
Fiveminutes,tenminutes,aquarterofanhourwentby,yetnothingcame.
Allthistime,helayuponhisbed,theverycoreandcentreofablazeofruddylight,whichstreameduponitwhentheclockproclaimedthehour;andwhich,beingonlylight,wasmorealarmingthanadozenghosts,ashewaspowerlesstomakeoutwhatitmeant,orwouldbeat;andwassometimesapprehensivethathemightbeatthatverymomentaninterestingcaseofspontaneouscombustion,withouthavingtheconsolationofknowingit.
Atlast,however,hebegantothink—asyouorIwouldhavethoughtatfirst;foritisalwaysthepersonnotinthepredicamentwhoknowswhatoughttohavebeendoneinit,andwouldunquestionablyhavedoneittoo—atlast,Isay,hebegantothinkthatthesourceandsecretofthisAChristmasCarol65of138ghostlylightmightbeintheadjoiningroom,fromwhence,onfurthertracingit,itseemedtoshine.
Thisideatakingfullpossessionofhismind,hegotupsoftlyandshuffledinhisslipperstothedoor.
ThemomentScrooge'shandwasonthelock,astrangevoicecalledhimbyhisname,andbadehimenter.
Heobeyed.
Itwashisownroom.
Therewasnodoubtaboutthat.
Butithadundergoneasurprisingtransformation.
Thewallsandceilingweresohungwithlivinggreen,thatitlookedaperfectgrove;fromeverypartofwhich,brightgleamingberriesglistened.
Thecrispleavesofholly,mistletoe,andivyreflectedbackthelight,asifsomanylittlemirrorshadbeenscatteredthere;andsuchamightyblazewentroaringupthechimney,asthatdullpetrificationofahearthhadneverknowninScrooge'stime,orMarley's,orformanyandmanyawinterseasongone.
Heapeduponthefloor,toformakindofthrone,wereturkeys,geese,game,poultry,brawn,greatjointsofmeat,sucking-pigs,longwreathsofsausages,mince-pies,plum-puddings,barrelsofoysters,red-hotchestnuts,cherry-cheekedapples,juicyoranges,lusciouspears,immensetwelfth-cakes,andseethingbowlsofpunch,thatmadethechamberdimwiththeirdelicioussteam.
IneasyAChristmasCarol66of138stateuponthiscouch,theresatajollyGiant,glorioustosee,whoboreaglowingtorch,inshapenotunlikePlenty'shorn,andhelditup,highup,tosheditslightonScrooge,ashecamepeepingroundthedoor.
'Comein.
'exclaimedtheGhost.
'Comein,andknowmebetter,man.
'Scroogeenteredtimidly,andhunghisheadbeforethisSpirit.
HewasnotthedoggedScroogehehadbeen;andthoughtheSpirit'seyeswereclearandkind,hedidnotliketomeetthem.
'IamtheGhostofChristmasPresent,'saidtheSpirit.
'Lookuponme.
'Scroogereverentlydidso.
Itwasclothedinonesimplegreenrobe,ormantle,borderedwithwhitefur.
Thisgarmenthungsolooselyonthefigure,thatitscapaciousbreastwasbare,asifdisdainingtobewardedorconcealedbyanyartifice.
Itsfeet,observablebeneaththeamplefoldsofthegarment,werealsobare;andonitsheaditworenoothercoveringthanahollywreath,sethereandtherewithshiningicicles.
Itsdarkbrowncurlswerelongandfree;freeasitsgenialface,itssparklingeye,itsopenhand,itscheeryvoice,itsunconstraineddemeanour,anditsjoyfulair.
GirdedrounditsmiddlewasanantiqueAChristmasCarol67of138scabbard;butnoswordwasinit,andtheancientsheathwaseatenupwithrust.
'Youhaveneverseenthelikeofmebefore.
'exclaimedtheSpirit.
'Never,'Scroogemadeanswertoit.
'Haveneverwalkedforthwiththeyoungermembersofmyfamily;meaning(forIamveryyoung)myelderbrothersbornintheselateryears.
'pursuedthePhantom.
'Idon'tthinkIhave,'saidScrooge.
'IamafraidIhavenot.
Haveyouhadmanybrothers,Spirit.
''Morethaneighteenhundred,'saidtheGhost.
'Atremendousfamilytoprovidefor.
'mutteredScrooge.
TheGhostofChristmasPresentrose.
'Spirit,'saidScroogesubmissively,'conductmewhereyouwill.
Iwentforthlastnightoncompulsion,andIlearntalessonwhichisworkingnow.
To-night,ifyouhaveaughttoteachme,letmeprofitbyit.
''Touchmyrobe.
'Scroogedidashewastold,andhelditfast.
Holly,mistletoe,redberries,ivy,turkeys,geese,game,poultry,brawn,meat,pigs,sausages,oysters,pies,puddings,fruit,andpunch,allvanishedinstantly.
Sodidtheroom,thefire,theruddyglow,thehourofnight,andAChristmasCarol68of138theystoodinthecitystreetsonChristmasmorning,where(fortheweatherwassevere)thepeoplemadearough,butbriskandnotunpleasantkindofmusic,inscrapingthesnowfromthepavementinfrontoftheirdwellings,andfromthetopsoftheirhouses,whenceitwasmaddelighttotheboystoseeitcomeplumpingdownintotheroadbelow,andsplittingintoartificiallittlesnow-storms.
Thehousefrontslookedblackenough,andthewindowsblacker,contrastingwiththesmoothwhitesheetofsnowupontheroofs,andwiththedirtiersnowupontheground;whichlastdeposithadbeenploughedupindeepfurrowsbytheheavywheelsofcartsandwaggons;furrowsthatcrossedandrecrossedeachotherhundredsoftimeswherethegreatstreetsbranchedoff;andmadeintricatechannels,hardtotraceinthethickyellowmudandicywater.
Theskywasgloomy,andtheshorteststreetswerechokedupwithadingymist,halfthawed,halffrozen,whoseheavierparticlesdescendedinshowerofsootyatoms,asifallthechimneysinGreatBritainhad,byoneconsent,caughtfire,andwereblazingawaytotheirdearhearts'content.
Therewasnothingverycheerfulintheclimateorthetown,andyetwasthereanairofcheerfulnessabroadthattheclearestsummerairandAChristmasCarol69of138brightestsummersunmighthaveendeavouredtodiffuseinvain.
For,thepeoplewhowereshovellingawayonthehousetopswerejovialandfullofglee;callingouttooneanotherfromtheparapets,andnowandthenexchangingafacetioussnowball—better-naturedmissilefarthanmanyawordyjest—laughingheartilyifitwentrightandnotlessheartilyifitwentwrong.
Thepoulterers'shopswerestillhalfopen,andthefruiterers'wereradiantintheirglory.
Thereweregreat,round,round,pot-belliedbasketsofchestnuts,shapedlikethewaistcoatsofjollyoldgentlemen,lollingatthedoors,andtumblingoutintothestreetintheirapoplecticopulence.
Therewereruddy,brown-faced,broad-girthedSpanishonions,shininginthefatnessoftheirgrowthlikeSpanishFriars,andwinkingfromtheirshelvesinwantonslynessatthegirlsastheywentby,andglanceddemurelyatthehung-upmistletoe.
Therewerepearsandapples,clusteredhighinbloomingpyramids;therewerebunchesofgrapes,made,intheshopkeepers'benevolencetodanglefromconspicuoushooks,thatpeople'smouthsmightwatergratisastheypassed;therewerepilesoffilberts,mossyandbrown,recalling,intheirfragrance,ancientwalksamongthewoods,andpleasantshufflingsankledeepthroughAChristmasCarol70of138witheredleaves;therewereNorfolkBiffins,squabandswarthy,settingofftheyellowoftheorangesandlemons,and,inthegreatcompactnessoftheirjuicypersons,urgentlyentreatingandbeseechingtobecarriedhomeinpaperbagsandeatenafterdinner.
Theverygoldandsilverfish,setforthamongthesechoicefruitsinabowl,thoughmembersofadullandstagnant-bloodedrace,appearedtoknowthattherewassomethinggoingon;and,toafish,wentgaspingroundandroundtheirlittleworldinslowandpassionlessexcitement.
TheGrocers'.
ohtheGrocers'.
nearlyclosed,withperhapstwoshuttersdown,orone;butthroughthosegapssuchglimpses.
Itwasnotalonethatthescalesdescendingonthecountermadeamerrysound,orthatthetwineandrollerpartedcompanysobriskly,orthatthecanisterswererattledupanddownlikejugglingtricks,oreventhattheblendedscentsofteaandcoffeeweresogratefultothenose,oreventhattheraisinsweresoplentifulandrare,thealmondssoextremelywhite,thesticksofcinnamonsolongandstraight,theotherspicessodelicious,thecandiedfruitssocakedandspottedwithmoltensugarastomakethecoldestlookers-onfeelfaintandsubsequentlybilious.
Norwasitthatthefigsweremoistandpulpy,orthattheFrenchplumsblushedinAChristmasCarol71of138modesttartnessfromtheirhighly-decoratedboxes,orthateverythingwasgoodtoeatandinitsChristmasdress;butthecustomerswereallsohurriedandsoeagerinthehopefulpromiseoftheday,thattheytumbledupagainsteachotheratthedoor,crashingtheirwickerbasketswildly,andlefttheirpurchasesuponthecounter,andcamerunningbacktofetchthem,andcommittedhundredsofthelikemistakes,inthebesthumourpossible;whiletheGrocerandhispeopleweresofrankandfreshthatthepolishedheartswithwhichtheyfastenedtheirapronsbehindmighthavebeentheirown,wornoutsideforgeneralinspection,andforChristmasdawstopeckatiftheychose.
Butsoonthesteeplescalledgoodpeopleall,tochurchandchapel,andawaytheycame,flockingthroughthestreetsintheirbestclothes,andwiththeirgayestfaces.
Andatthesametimethereemergedfromscoresofbye-streets,lanes,andnamelessturnings,innumerablepeople,carryingtheirdinnerstothebaker'shops.
ThesightofthesepoorrevellersappearedtointeresttheSpiritverymuch,forhestoodwithScroogebesidehiminabaker'sdoorway,andtakingoffthecoversastheirbearerspassed,sprinkledincenseontheirdinnersfromhistorch.
Anditwasaveryuncommonkindoftorch,foronceortwiceAChristmasCarol72of138whentherewereangrywordsbetweensomedinner-carrierswhohadjostledeachother,heshedafewdropsofwateronthemfromit,andtheirgoodhumourwasrestoreddirectly.
Fortheysaid,itwasashametoquarreluponChristmasDay.
Andsoitwas.
Godloveit,soitwas.
Intimethebellsceased,andthebakerswereshutup;andyettherewasagenialshadowingforthofallthesedinnersandtheprogressoftheircooking,inthethawedblotchofwetaboveeachbaker'soven;wherethepavementsmokedasifitsstoneswerecookingtoo.
'Isthereapeculiarflavourinwhatyousprinklefromyourtorch.
'askedScrooge.
'Thereis.
Myown.
''Woulditapplytoanykindofdinneronthisday.
'askedScrooge.
'Toanykindlygiven.
Toapooronemost.
''Whytoapooronemost.
'askedScrooge.
'Becauseitneedsitmost.
''Spirit,'saidScrooge,afteramoment'sthought,'Iwonderyou,ofallthebeingsinthemanyworldsaboutus,shoulddesiretocrampthesepeople'sopportunitiesofinnocentenjoyment.
''I.
'criedtheSpirit.
AChristmasCarol73of138'Youwoulddeprivethemoftheirmeansofdiningeveryseventhday,oftentheonlydayonwhichtheycanbesaidtodineatall,'saidScrooge.
'Wouldn'tyou.
''I.
'criedtheSpirit.
'YouseektoclosetheseplacesontheSeventhDay.
'saidScrooge.
'Anditcomestothesamething.
''Iseek.
'exclaimedtheSpirit.
'ForgivemeifIamwrong.
Ithasbeendoneinyourname,oratleastinthatofyourfamily,'saidScrooge.
'Therearesomeuponthisearthofyours,'returnedtheSpirit,'wholayclaimtoknowus,andwhodotheirdeedsofpassion,pride,ill-will,hatred,envy,bigotry,andselfishnessinourname,whoareasstrangetousandallourkithandkin,asiftheyhadneverlived.
Rememberthat,andchargetheirdoingsonthemselves,notus.
'Scroogepromisedthathewould;andtheywenton,invisible,astheyhadbeenbefore,intothesuburbsofthetown.
ItwasaremarkablequalityoftheGhost(whichScroogehadobservedatthebaker's),thatnotwithstandinghisgiganticsize,hecouldaccommodatehimselftoanyplacewithease;andthathestoodbeneathalowroofquiteasgracefullyandlikeasupernaturalcreature,asitwaspossiblehecouldhavedoneinanyloftyhall.
AChristmasCarol74of138AndperhapsitwasthepleasurethegoodSpirithadinshowingoffthispowerofhis,orelseitwashisownkind,generous,heartynature,andhissympathywithallpoormen,thatledhimstraighttoScrooge'sclerk's;fortherehewent,andtookScroogewithhim,holdingtohisrobe;andonthethresholdofthedoortheSpiritsmiled,andstoppedtoblessBobCratchit'sdwellingwiththesprinklingofhistorch.
Thinkofthat.
Bobhadbutfifteenboba-weekhimself;hepocketedonSaturdaysbutfifteencopiesofhisChristianname;andyettheGhostofChristmasPresentblessedhisfour-roomedhouse.
ThenuproseMrsCratchit,Cratchit'swife,dressedoutbutpoorlyinatwice-turnedgown,butbraveinribbons,whicharecheapandmakeagoodlyshowforsixpence;andshelaidthecloth,assistedbyBelindaCratchit,secondofherdaughters,alsobraveinribbons;whileMasterPeterCratchitplungedaforkintothesaucepanofpotatoes,andgettingthecornersofhismonstrousshirtcollar(Bob'sprivateproperty,conferreduponhissonandheirinhonouroftheday)intohismouth,rejoicedtofindhimselfsogallantlyattired,andyearnedtoshowhislineninthefashionableParks.
AndnowtwosmallerCratchits,boyandgirl,cametearingin,screamingthatoutsidethebaker'stheyhadsmeltthegoose,andknownitfortheirAChristmasCarol75of138own;andbaskinginluxuriousthoughtsofsageandonion,theseyoungCratchitsdancedaboutthetable,andexaltedMasterPeterCratchittotheskies,whilehe(notproud,althoughhiscollarsnearlychokedhim)blewthefire,untiltheslowpotatoesbubblingup,knockedloudlyatthesaucepan-lidtobeletoutandpeeled.
'Whathasevergotyourpreciousfatherthen.
'saidMrsCratchit.
'Andyourbrother,TinyTim.
AndMarthawarn'taslatelastChristmasDaybyhalf-an-hour.
''Here'sMartha,mother.
'saidagirl,appearingasshespoke.
'Here'sMartha,mother.
'criedthetwoyoungCratchits.
'Hurrah.
There'ssuchagoose,Martha.
''Why,blessyourheartalive,mydear,howlateyouare.
'saidMrsCratchit,kissingheradozentimes,andtakingoffhershawlandbonnetforherwithofficiouszeal.
'We'dadealofworktofinishuplastnight,'repliedthegirl,'andhadtoclearawaythismorning,mother.
''Well.
Nevermindsolongasyouarecome,'saidMrsCratchit.
'Sityedownbeforethefire,mydear,andhaveawarm,Lordblessye.
''No,no.
There'sfathercoming,'criedthetwoyoungCratchits,whowereeverywhereatonce.
'Hide,Martha,hide.
'AChristmasCarol76of138SoMarthahidherself,andincamelittleBob,thefather,withatleastthreefeetofcomforterexclusiveofthefringe,hangingdownbeforehim;andhisthreadbareclothesdarnedupandbrushed,tolookseasonable;andTinyTimuponhisshoulder.
AlasforTinyTim,heborealittlecrutch,andhadhislimbssupportedbyanironframe.
'Why,where'sourMartha.
'criedBobCratchit,lookinground.
'Notcoming,'saidMrsCratchit.
'Notcoming.
'saidBob,withasuddendeclensioninhishighspirits;forhehadbeenTim'sbloodhorseallthewayfromchurch,andhadcomehomerampant.
'NotcominguponChristmasDay.
'Marthadidn'tliketoseehimdisappointed,ifitwereonlyinjoke;soshecameoutprematurelyfrombehindtheclosetdoor,andranintohisarms,whilethetwoyoungCratchitshustledTinyTim,andborehimoffintothewash-house,thathemighthearthepuddingsinginginthecopper.
'AndhowdidlittleTimbehave.
askedMrsCratchit,whenshehadralliedBobonhiscredulity,andBobhadhuggedhisdaughtertohisheart'scontent.
'Asgoodasgold,'saidBob,'andbetter.
Somehowhegetsthoughtful,sittingbyhimselfsomuch,andthinkstheAChristmasCarol77of138strangestthingsyoueverheard.
Hetoldme,cominghome,thathehopedthepeoplesawhiminthechurch,becausehewasacripple,anditmightbepleasanttothemtorememberuponChristmasDay,whomadelamebeggarswalk,andblindmensee.
'Bob'svoicewastremulouswhenhetoldthemthis,andtrembledmorewhenhesaidthatTinyTimwasgrowingstrongandhearty.
Hisactivelittlecrutchwashearduponthefloor,andbackcameTinyTimbeforeanotherwordwasspoken,escortedbyhisbrotherandsistertohisstoolbeforethefire;andwhileBob,turninguphiscuffs—asif,poorfellow,theywerecapableofbeingmademoreshabby—compoundedsomehotmixtureinajugwithginandlemons,andstirreditroundandroundandputitonthehobtosimmer;MasterPeter,andthetwoubiquitousyoungCratchitswenttofetchthegoose,withwhichtheysoonreturnedinhighprocession.
Suchabustleensuedthatyoumighthavethoughtagoosetherarestofallbirds;afeatheredphenomenon,towhichablackswanwasamatterofcourse—andintruthitwassomethingverylikeitinthathouse.
MrsCratchitmadethegravy(readybeforehandinalittlesaucepan)hissinghot;MasterPetermashedthepotatoeswithAChristmasCarol78of138incrediblevigour;MissBelindasweeteneduptheapple-sauce;Marthadustedthehotplates;BobtookTinyTimbesidehiminatinycorneratthetable;thetwoyoungCratchitssetchairsforeverybody,notforgettingthemselves,andmountingguardupontheirposts,crammedspoonsintotheirmouths,lesttheyshouldshriekforgoosebeforetheirturncametobehelped.
Atlastthedisheswereseton,andgracewassaid.
Itwassucceededbyabreathlesspause,asMrsCratchit,lookingslowlyallalongthecarving-knife,preparedtoplungeitinthebreast;butwhenshedid,andwhenthelongexpectedgushofstuffingissuedforth,onemurmurofdelightaroseallroundtheboard,andevenTinyTim,excitedbythetwoyoungCratchits,beatonthetablewiththehandleofhisknife,andfeeblycriedHurrah.
Thereneverwassuchagoose.
Bobsaidhedidn'tbelievethereeverwassuchagoosecooked.
Itstendernessandflavour,sizeandcheapness,werethethemesofuniversaladmiration.
Ekedoutbyapple-sauceandmashedpotatoes,itwasasufficientdinnerforthewholefamily;indeed,asMrsCratchitsaidwithgreatdelight(surveyingonesmallatomofaboneuponthedish),theyhadn'tateitallatlast.
Yeteveryonehadhadenough,andtheyoungestCratchitsinparticular,weresteepedinsageandAChristmasCarol79of138oniontotheeyebrows.
Butnow,theplatesbeingchangedbyMissBelinda,MrsCratchitlefttheroomalone—toonervoustobearwitnesses—totakethepuddingupandbringitin.
Supposeitshouldnotbedoneenough.
Supposeitshouldbreakinturningout.
Supposesomebodyshouldhavegotoverthewalloftheback-yard,andstolenit,whiletheyweremerrywiththegoose—asuppositionatwhichthetwoyoungCratchitsbecamelivid.
Allsortsofhorrorsweresupposed.
Hallo.
Agreatdealofsteam.
Thepuddingwasoutofthecopper.
Asmelllikeawashing-day.
Thatwasthecloth.
Asmelllikeaneating-houseandapastrycook'snextdoortoeachother,withalaundress'snextdoortothat.
Thatwasthepudding.
InhalfaminuteMrsCratchitentered—flushed,butsmilingproudly—withthepudding,likeaspeckledcannon-ball,sohardandfirm,blazinginhalfofhalf-a-quarternofignitedbrandy,andbedightwithChristmashollystuckintothetop.
Oh,awonderfulpudding.
BobCratchitsaid,andcalmlytoo,thatheregardeditasthegreatestsuccessachievedbyMrsCratchitsincetheirmarriage.
MrsCratchitsaidthatnowtheweightwasoffhermind,shewouldconfessshehadhadherdoubtsaboutthequantityAChristmasCarol80of138offlour.
Everybodyhadsomethingtosayaboutit,butnobodysaidorthoughtitwasatallasmallpuddingforalargefamily.
Itwouldhavebeenflatheresytodoso.
AnyCratchitwouldhaveblushedtohintatsuchathing.
Atlastthedinnerwasalldone,theclothwascleared,thehearthswept,andthefiremadeup.
Thecompoundinthejugbeingtasted,andconsideredperfect,applesandorangeswereputuponthetable,andashovel-fullofchestnutsonthefire.
ThenalltheCratchitfamilydrewroundthehearth,inwhatBobCratchitcalledacircle,meaninghalfaone;andatBobCratchit'selbowstoodthefamilydisplayofglass.
Twotumblers,andacustard-cupwithoutahandle.
Theseheldthehotstufffromthejug,however,aswellasgoldengobletswouldhavedone;andBobserveditoutwithbeaminglooks,whilethechestnutsonthefiresputteredandcrackednoisily.
ThenBobproposed:'AMerryChristmastousall,mydears.
Godblessus.
'Whichallthefamilyre-echoed.
'Godblessuseveryone.
'saidTinyTim,thelastofall.
Hesatveryclosetohisfather'ssideuponhislittlestool.
Bobheldhiswitheredlittlehandinhis,asifhelovedthechild,andwishedtokeephimbyhisside,anddreadedthathemightbetakenfromhim.
AChristmasCarol81of138'Spirit,'saidScrooge,withaninteresthehadneverfeltbefore,'tellmeifTinyTimwilllive.
''Iseeavacantseat,'repliedtheGhost,'inthepoorchimney-corner,andacrutchwithoutanowner,carefullypreserved.
IftheseshadowsremainunalteredbytheFuture,thechildwilldie.
''No,no,'saidScrooge.
'Oh,no,kindSpirit.
sayhewillbespared.
''IftheseshadowsremainunalteredbytheFuture,noneotherofmyrace,'returnedtheGhost,'willfindhimhere.
Whatthen.
Ifhebeliketodie,hehadbetterdoit,anddecreasethesurpluspopulation.
'ScroogehunghisheadtohearhisownwordsquotedbytheSpirit,andwasovercomewithpenitenceandgrief.
'Man,'saidtheGhost,'ifmanyoubeinheart,notadamant,forbearthatwickedcantuntilyouhavediscoveredWhatthesurplusis,andWhereitis.
Willyoudecidewhatmenshalllive,whatmenshalldie.
Itmaybe,thatinthesightofHeaven,youaremoreworthlessandlessfittolivethanmillionslikethispoorman'schild.
OhGod.
toheartheInsectontheleafpronouncingonthetoomuchlifeamonghishungrybrothersinthedust.
'AChristmasCarol82of138ScroogebentbeforetheGhost'srebuke,andtremblingcasthiseyesupontheground.
Butheraisedthemspeedily,onhearinghisownname.
'MrScrooge.
'saidBob;'I'llgiveyouMrScrooge,theFounderoftheFeast.
''TheFounderoftheFeastindeed.
'criedMrsCratchit,reddening.
'IwishIhadhimhere.
I'dgivehimapieceofmymindtofeastupon,andIhopehe'dhaveagoodappetiteforit.
''Mydear,'saidBob,'thechildren.
ChristmasDay.
''ItshouldbeChristmasDay,Iamsure,'saidshe,'onwhichonedrinksthehealthofsuchanodious,stingy,hard,unfeelingmanasMrScrooge.
Youknowheis,Robert.
Nobodyknowsitbetterthanyoudo,poorfellow.
''Mydear,'wasBob'smildanswer,'ChristmasDay.
''I'lldrinkhishealthforyoursakeandtheDay's,'saidMrsCratchit,'notforhis.
Longlifetohim.
AmerryChristmasandahappynewyear.
He'llbeverymerryandveryhappy,Ihavenodoubt.
'Thechildrendrankthetoastafterher.
Itwasthefirstoftheirproceedingswhichhadnoheartiness.
TinyTimdrankitlastofall,buthedidn'tcaretwopenceforit.
ScroogewastheOgreofthefamily.
ThementionofhisAChristmasCarol83of138namecastadarkshadowontheparty,whichwasnotdispelledforfullfiveminutes.
Afterithadpassedaway,theyweretentimesmerrierthanbefore,fromthemerereliefofScroogetheBalefulbeingdonewith.
BobCratchittoldthemhowhehadasituationinhiseyeforMasterPeter,whichwouldbringin,ifobtained,fullfive-and-sixpenceweekly.
ThetwoyoungCratchitslaughedtremendouslyattheideaofPeter'sbeingamanofbusiness;andPeterhimselflookedthoughtfullyatthefirefrombetweenhiscollars,asifheweredeliberatingwhatparticularinvestmentsheshouldfavourwhenhecameintothereceiptofthatbewilderingincome.
Martha,whowasapoorapprenticeatamilliner's,thentoldthemwhatkindofworkshehadtodo,andhowmanyhourssheworkedatastretch,andhowshemeanttolieabedto-morrowmorningforagoodlongrest;to-morrowbeingaholidayshepassedathome.
Alsohowshehadseenacountessandalordsomedaysbefore,andhowthelordwasmuchaboutastallasPeter;atwhichPeterpulleduphiscollarssohighthatyoucouldn'thaveseenhisheadifyouhadbeenthere.
Allthistimethechestnutsandthejugwentroundandround;andby-and-byetheyhadasong,aboutalostchildtravellingintheAChristmasCarol84of138snow,fromTinyTim,whohadaplaintivelittlevoice,andsangitverywellindeed.
Therewasnothingofhighmarkinthis.
Theywerenotahandsomefamily;theywerenotwelldressed;theirshoeswerefarfrombeingwater-proof;theirclotheswerescanty;andPetermighthaveknown,andverylikelydid,theinsideofapawnbroker's.
But,theywerehappy,grateful,pleasedwithoneanother,andcontentedwiththetime;andwhentheyfaded,andlookedhappieryetinthebrightsprinklingsoftheSpirit'storchatparting,Scroogehadhiseyeuponthem,andespeciallyonTinyTim,untilthelast.
Bythistimeitwasgettingdark,andsnowingprettyheavily;andasScroogeandtheSpiritwentalongthestreets,thebrightnessoftheroaringfiresinkitchens,parlours,andallsortsofrooms,waswonderful.
Here,theflickeringoftheblazeshowedpreparationsforacosydinner,withhotplatesbakingthroughandthroughbeforethefire,anddeepredcurtains,readytobedrawntoshutoutcoldanddarkness.
Thereallthechildrenofthehousewererunningoutintothesnowtomeettheirmarriedsisters,brothers,cousins,uncles,aunts,andbethefirsttogreetthem.
Here,again,wereshadowsonthewindow-blindofguestsassembling;andthereagroupofhandsomeAChristmasCarol85of138girls,allhoodedandfur-booted,andallchatteringatonce,trippedlightlyofftosomenearneighbour'shouse;where,woeuponthesinglemanwhosawthementer—artfulwitches,welltheyknewit—inaglow.
But,ifyouhadjudgedfromthenumbersofpeopleontheirwaytofriendlygatherings,youmighthavethoughtthatnoonewasathometogivethemwelcomewhentheygotthere,insteadofeveryhouseexpectingcompany,andpilingupitsfireshalf-chimneyhigh.
Blessingsonit,howtheGhostexulted.
Howitbareditsbreadthofbreast,andopeneditscapaciouspalm,andfloatedon,outpouring,withageneroushand,itsbrightandharmlessmirthoneverythingwithinitsreach.
Theverylamplighter,whoranonbefore,dottingtheduskystreetwithspecksoflight,andwhowasdressedtospendtheeveningsomewhere,laughedoutloudlyastheSpiritpassed,thoughlittlekennedthelamplighterthathehadanycompanybutChristmas.
Andnow,withoutawordofwarningfromtheGhost,theystooduponableakanddesertmoor,wheremonstrousmassesofrudestonewerecastabout,asthoughitweretheburial-placeofgiants;andwaterspreaditselfwheresoeveritlisted,orwouldhavedoneso,butforthefrostthathelditprisoner;andnothinggrewbutmossandAChristmasCarol86of138furze,andcoarserankgrass.
Downinthewestthesettingsunhadleftastreakoffieryred,whichglareduponthedesolationforaninstant,likeasulleneye,andfrowninglower,lower,loweryet,waslostinthethickgloomofdarkestnight.
'Whatplaceisthis.
'askedScrooge.
'AplacewhereMinerslive,wholabourinthebowelsoftheearth,'returnedtheSpirit.
'Buttheyknowme.
See.
'Alightshonefromthewindowofahut,andswiftlytheyadvancedtowardsit.
Passingthroughthewallofmudandstone,theyfoundacheerfulcompanyassembledroundaglowingfire.
Anold,oldmanandwoman,withtheirchildrenandtheirchildren'schildren,andanothergenerationbeyondthat,alldeckedoutgailyintheirholidayattire.
Theoldman,inavoicethatseldomroseabovethehowlingofthewinduponthebarrenwaste,wassingingthemaChristmassong—ithadbeenaveryoldsongwhenhewasaboy—andfromtimetotimetheyalljoinedinthechorus.
Sosurelyastheyraisedtheirvoices,theoldmangotquiteblitheandloud;andsosurelyastheystopped,hisvigoursankagain.
TheSpiritdidnottarryhere,butbadeScroogeholdhisrobe,andpassingonabovethemoor,sped—whither.
AChristmasCarol87of138Nottosea.
Tosea.
ToScrooge'shorror,lookingback,hesawthelastoftheland,afrightfulrangeofrocks,behindthem;andhisearsweredeafenedbythethunderingofwater,asitrolledandroared,andragedamongthedreadfulcavernsithadworn,andfiercelytriedtounderminetheearth.
Builtuponadismalreefofsunkenrocks,someleagueorsofromshore,onwhichthewaterschafedanddashed,thewildyearthrough,therestoodasolitarylighthouse.
Greatheapsofsea-weedclungtoitsbase,andstorm-birds—bornofthewindonemightsuppose,assea-weedofthewater—roseandfellaboutit,likethewavestheyskimmed.
Butevenhere,twomenwhowatchedthelighthadmadeafire,thatthroughtheloopholeinthethickstonewallshedoutarayofbrightnessontheawfulsea.
Joiningtheirhornyhandsovertheroughtableatwhichtheysat,theywishedeachotherMerryChristmasintheircanofgrog;andoneofthem:theelder,too,withhisfacealldamagedandscarredwithhardweather,asthefigure-headofanoldshipmightbe:struckupasturdysongthatwaslikeaGaleinitself.
AgaintheGhostspedon,abovetheblackandheavingsea—on,on—until,beingfaraway,ashetoldScrooge,AChristmasCarol88of138fromanyshore,theylightedonaship.
Theystoodbesidethehelmsmanatthewheel,thelook-outinthebow,theofficerswhohadthewatch;dark,ghostlyfiguresintheirseveralstations;buteverymanamongthemhummedaChristmastune,orhadaChristmasthought,orspokebelowhisbreathtohiscompanionofsomebygoneChristmasDay,withhomewardhopesbelongingtoit.
Andeverymanonboard,wakingorsleeping,goodorbad,hadhadakinderwordforanotheronthatdaythanonanydayintheyear;andhadsharedtosomeextentinitsfestivities;andhadrememberedthosehecaredforatadistance,andhadknownthattheydelightedtorememberhim.
ItwasagreatsurprisetoScrooge,whilelisteningtothemoaningofthewind,andthinkingwhatasolemnthingitwastomoveonthroughthelonelydarknessoveranunknownabyss,whosedepthsweresecretsasprofoundasDeath:itwasagreatsurprisetoScrooge,whilethusengaged,tohearaheartylaugh.
ItwasamuchgreatersurprisetoScroogetorecogniseitashisownnephew'sandtofindhimselfinabright,dry,gleamingroom,withtheSpiritstandingsmilingbyhisside,andlookingatthatsamenephewwithapprovingaffability.
'Ha,ha.
'laughedScrooge'snephew.
'Ha,ha,ha.
'AChristmasCarol89of138Ifyoushouldhappen,byanyunlikelychance,toknowamanmoreblestinalaughthanScrooge'snephew,allIcansayis,Ishouldliketoknowhimtoo.
Introducehimtome,andI'llcultivatehisacquaintance.
Itisafair,even-handed,nobleadjustmentofthings,thatwhilethereisinfectionindiseaseandsorrow,thereisnothingintheworldsoirresistiblycontagiousaslaughterandgood-humour.
WhenScrooge'snephewlaughedinthisway:holdinghissides,rollinghishead,andtwistinghisfaceintothemostextravagantcontortions:Scrooge'sniece,bymarriage,laughedasheartilyashe.
Andtheirassembledfriendsbeingnotabitbehindhand,roaredoutlustily.
'Ha,ha.
Ha,ha,ha,ha.
''HesaidthatChristmaswasahumbug,asIlive.
'criedScrooge'snephew.
'Hebelievedittoo.
''Moreshameforhim,Fred.
'saidScrooge'sniece,indignantly.
Blessthosewomen;theyneverdoanythingbyhalves.
Theyarealwaysinearnest.
Shewasverypretty:exceedinglypretty.
Withadimpled,surprised-looking,capitalface;aripelittlemouth,thatseemedmadetobekissed—asnodoubtitwas;allkindsofgoodlittledotsaboutherchin,thatmeltedintooneanotherwhenshelaughed;andtheAChristmasCarol90of138sunniestpairofeyesyoueversawinanylittlecreature'shead.
Altogethershewaswhatyouwouldhavecalledprovoking,youknow;butsatisfactory.
'He'sacomicaloldfellow,'saidScrooge'snephew,'that'sthetruth:andnotsopleasantashemightbe.
However,hisoffencescarrytheirownpunishment,andIhavenothingtosayagainsthim.
''I'msureheisveryrich,Fred,'hintedScrooge'sniece.
'Atleastyoualwaystellmeso.
''Whatofthat,mydear.
'saidScrooge'snephew.
'Hiswealthisofnousetohim.
Hedon'tdoanygoodwithit.
Hedon'tmakehimselfcomfortablewithit.
Hehasn'tthesatisfactionofthinking—ha,ha,ha.
—thatheisevergoingtobenefituswithit.
''Ihavenopatiencewithhim,'observedScrooge'sniece.
Scrooge'sniece'ssisters,andalltheotherladies,expressedthesameopinion.
'Oh,Ihave.
'saidScrooge'snephew.
'Iamsorryforhim;Icouldn'tbeangrywithhimifItried.
Whosuffersbyhisillwhims.
Himself,always.
Here,hetakesitintohisheadtodislikeus,andhewon'tcomeanddinewithus.
What'stheconsequence.
Hedon'tlosemuchofadinner.
''Indeed,Ithinkhelosesaverygooddinner,'interruptedScrooge'sniece.
Everybodyelsesaidthesame,AChristmasCarol91of138andtheymustbeallowedtohavebeencompetentjudges,becausetheyhadjusthaddinner;and,withthedessertuponthetable,wereclusteredroundthefire,bylamplight.
'Well.
I'mverygladtohearit,'saidScrooge'snephew,'becauseIhaven'tgreatfaithintheseyounghousekeepers.
Whatdoyousay,Topper.
'TopperhadclearlygothiseyeupononeofScrooge'sniece'ssisters,forheansweredthatabachelorwasawretchedoutcast,whohadnorighttoexpressanopiniononthesubject.
WhereatScrooge'sniece'ssister—theplumponewiththelacetucker:nottheonewiththeroses—blushed.
'Dogoon,Fred,'saidScrooge'sniece,clappingherhands.
'Heneverfinisheswhathebeginstosay.
Heissucharidiculousfellow.
'Scrooge'snephewrevelledinanotherlaugh,andasitwasimpossibletokeeptheinfectionoff;thoughtheplumpsistertriedhardtodoitwitharomaticvinegar;hisexamplewasunanimouslyfollowed.
'Iwasonlygoingtosay,'saidScrooge'snephew,'thattheconsequenceofhistakingadisliketous,andnotmakingmerrywithus,is,asIthink,thathelosessomepleasantmoments,whichcoulddohimnoharm.
IamAChristmasCarol92of138surehelosespleasantercompanionsthanhecanfindinhisownthoughts,eitherinhismouldyoldoffice,orhisdustychambers.
Imeantogivehimthesamechanceeveryyear,whetherhelikesitornot,forIpityhim.
HemayrailatChristmastillhedies,buthecan'thelpthinkingbetterofit—Idefyhim—ifhefindsmegoingthere,ingoodtemper,yearafteryear,andsayingUncleScrooge,howareyou.
Ifitonlyputshimintheveintoleavehispoorclerkfiftypounds,that'ssomething;andIthinkIshookhimyesterday.
'ItwastheirturntolaughnowatthenotionofhisshakingScrooge.
Butbeingthoroughlygood-natured,andnotmuchcaringwhattheylaughedat,sothattheylaughedatanyrate,heencouragedthemintheirmerriment,andpassedthebottlejoyously.
Aftertea.
theyhadsomemusic.
Fortheywereamusicalfamily,andknewwhattheywereabout,whentheysungaGleeorCatch,Icanassureyou:especiallyTopper,whocouldgrowlawayinthebasslikeagoodone,andneverswellthelargeveinsinhisforehead,orgetredinthefaceoverit.
Scrooge'snieceplayedwellupontheharp;andplayedamongothertunesasimplelittleair(amerenothing:youmightlearntowhistleitintwominutes),whichhadbeenfamiliartothechildwhoAChristmasCarol93of138fetchedScroogefromtheboarding-school,ashehadbeenremindedbytheGhostofChristmasPast.
Whenthisstrainofmusicsounded,allthethingsthatGhosthadshownhim,cameuponhismind;hesoftenedmoreandmore;andthoughtthatifhecouldhavelistenedtoitoften,yearsago,hemighthavecultivatedthekindnessesoflifeforhisownhappinesswithhisownhands,withoutresortingtothesexton'sspadethatburiedJacobMarley.
Buttheydidn'tdevotethewholeeveningtomusic.
Afterawhiletheyplayedatforfeits;foritisgoodtobechildrensometimes,andneverbetterthanatChristmas,whenitsmightyFounderwasachildhimself.
Stop.
Therewasfirstagameatblind-man'sbuff.
Ofcoursetherewas.
AndInomorebelieveTopperwasreallyblindthanIbelievehehadeyesinhisboots.
Myopinionis,thatitwasadonethingbetweenhimandScrooge'snephew;andthattheGhostofChristmasPresentknewit.
Thewayhewentafterthatplumpsisterinthelacetucker,wasanoutrageonthecredulityofhumannature.
Knockingdownthefire-irons,tumblingoverthechairs,bumpingagainstthepiano,smotheringhimselfamongthecurtains,wherevershewent,therewenthe.
Healwaysknewwheretheplumpsisterwas.
Hewouldn'tcatchanybodyelse.
Ifyouhadfallenupagainsthim(assomeofthemdid),onAChristmasCarol94of138purpose,hewouldhavemadeafeintofendeavouringtoseizeyou,whichwouldhavebeenanaffronttoyourunderstanding,andwouldinstantlyhavesidledoffinthedirectionoftheplumpsister.
Sheoftencriedoutthatitwasn'tfair;anditreallywasnot.
Butwhenatlast,hecaughther;when,inspiteofallhersilkenrustlings,andherrapidflutteringspasthim,hegotherintoacornerwhencetherewasnoescape;thenhisconductwasthemostexecrable.
Forhispretendingnottoknowher;hispretendingthatitwasnecessarytotouchherhead-dress,andfurthertoassurehimselfofheridentitybypressingacertainringuponherfinger,andacertainchainaboutherneck;wasvile,monstrous.
Nodoubtshetoldhimheropinionofit,when,anotherblind-manbeinginoffice,theyweresoveryconfidentialtogether,behindthecurtains.
Scrooge'sniecewasnotoneoftheblind-man'sbuffparty,butwasmadecomfortablewithalargechairandafootstool,inasnugcorner,wheretheGhostandScroogewereclosebehindher.
Butshejoinedintheforfeits,andlovedherlovetoadmirationwithallthelettersofthealphabet.
LikewiseatthegameofHow,When,andWhere,shewasverygreat,andtothesecretjoyofScrooge'snephew,beathersistershollow:thoughtheyAChristmasCarol95of138weresharpgirlstoo,ascouldhavetoldyou.
Theremighthavebeentwentypeoplethere,youngandold,buttheyallplayed,andsodidScrooge,for,whollyforgettingtheinteresthehadinwhatwasgoingon,thathisvoicemadenosoundintheirears,hesometimescameoutwithhisguessquiteloud,andveryoftenguessedquiteright,too;forthesharpestneedle,bestWhitechapel,warrantednottocutintheeye,wasnotsharperthanScrooge;bluntashetookitinhisheadtobe.
TheGhostwasgreatlypleasedtofindhiminthismood,andlookeduponhimwithsuchfavour,thathebeggedlikeaboytobeallowedtostayuntiltheguestsdeparted.
ButthistheSpiritsaidcouldnotbedone.
'Hereisanewgame,'saidScrooge.
'Onehalfhour,Spirit,onlyone.
'ItwasaGamecalledYesandNo,whereScrooge'snephewhadtothinkofsomething,andtherestmustfindoutwhat;heonlyansweringtotheirquestionsyesorno,asthecasewas.
Thebriskfireofquestioningtowhichhewasexposed,elicitedfromhimthathewasthinkingofananimal,aliveanimal,ratheradisagreeableanimal,asavageanimal,ananimalthatgrowledandgruntedsometimes,andtalkedsometimes,andlivedinLondon,andwalkedaboutthestreets,andwasn'tmadeashowof,andwasn'tAChristmasCarol96of138ledbyanybody,anddidn'tliveinamenagerie,andwasneverkilledinamarket,andwasnotahorse,oranass,oracow,orabull,oratiger,oradog,orapig,oracat,orabear.
Ateveryfreshquestionthatwasputtohim,thisnephewburstintoafreshroaroflaughter;andwassoinexpressiblytickled,thathewasobligedtogetupoffthesofaandstamp.
Atlasttheplumpsister,fallingintoasimilarstate,criedout:'Ihavefounditout.
Iknowwhatitis,Fred.
Iknowwhatitis.
''Whatisit.
'criedFred.
'It'syourUncleScrooge.
'Whichitcertainlywas.
Admirationwastheuniversalsentiment,thoughsomeobjectedthatthereplyto'Isitabear.
'oughttohavebeen'Yes;'inasmuchasananswerinthenegativewassufficienttohavedivertedtheirthoughtsfromMrScrooge,supposingtheyhadeverhadanytendencythatway.
'Hehasgivenusplentyofmerriment,Iamsure,'saidFred,'anditwouldbeungratefulnottodrinkhishealth.
Hereisaglassofmulledwinereadytoourhandatthemoment;andIsay,'UncleScrooge.
'''Well.
UncleScrooge.
'theycried.
AChristmasCarol97of138'AMerryChristmasandaHappyNewYeartotheoldman,whateverheis.
'saidScrooge'snephew.
'Hewouldn'ttakeitfromme,butmayhehaveit,nevertheless.
UncleScrooge.
'UncleScroogehadimperceptiblybecomesogayandlightofheart,thathewouldhavepledgedtheunconsciouscompanyinreturn,andthankedtheminaninaudiblespeech,iftheGhosthadgivenhimtime.
Butthewholescenepassedoffinthebreathofthelastwordspokenbyhisnephew;andheandtheSpiritwereagainupontheirtravels.
Muchtheysaw,andfartheywent,andmanyhomestheyvisited,butalwayswithahappyend.
TheSpiritstoodbesidesickbeds,andtheywerecheerful;onforeignlands,andtheywerecloseathome;bystrugglingmen,andtheywerepatientintheirgreaterhope;bypoverty,anditwasrich.
Inalmshouse,hospital,andjail,inmisery'severyrefuge,wherevainmaninhislittlebriefauthorityhadnotmadefastthedoorandbarredtheSpiritout,helefthisblessing,andtaughtScroogehisprecepts.
Itwasalongnight,ifitwereonlyanight;butScroogehadhisdoubtsofthis,becausetheChristmasHolidaysappearedtobecondensedintothespaceoftimetheypassedtogether.
Itwasstrange,too,thatwhileScroogeAChristmasCarol98of138remainedunalteredinhisoutwardform,theGhostgrewolder,clearlyolder.
Scroogehadobservedthischange,butneverspokeofit,untiltheyleftachildren'sTwelfthNightparty,when,lookingattheSpiritastheystoodtogetherinanopenplace,henoticedthatitshairwasgrey.
'Arespirits'livessoshort.
'askedScrooge.
'Mylifeuponthisglobe,isverybrief,'repliedtheGhost.
'Itendsto-night.
''To-night.
'criedScrooge.
'To-nightatmidnight.
Hark.
Thetimeisdrawingnear.
'Thechimeswereringingthethreequarterspastelevenatthatmoment.
'ForgivemeifIamnotjustifiedinwhatIask,'saidScrooge,lookingintentlyattheSpirit'srobe,'butIseesomethingstrange,andnotbelongingtoyourself,protrudingfromyourskirts.
Isitafootoraclaw.
''Itmightbeaclaw,forthefleshthereisuponit,'wastheSpirit'ssorrowfulreply.
'Lookhere.
'Fromthefoldingsofitsrobe,itbroughttwochildren;wretched,abject,frightful,hideous,miserable.
Theykneltdownatitsfeet,andclungupontheoutsideofitsgarment.
AChristmasCarol99of138'Oh,Man.
lookhere.
Look,look,downhere.
'exclaimedtheGhost.
Theywereaboyandagirl.
Yellow,meagre,ragged,scowling,wolfish;butprostrate,too,intheirhumility.
Wheregracefulyouthshouldhavefilledtheirfeaturesout,andtouchedthemwithitsfreshesttints,astaleandshrivelledhand,likethatofage,hadpinched,andtwistedthem,andpulledthemintoshreds.
Whereangelsmighthavesatenthroned,devilslurked,andglaredoutmenacing.
Nochange,nodegradation,noperversionofhumanity,inanygrade,throughallthemysteriesofwonderfulcreation,hasmonstershalfsohorribleanddread.
Scroogestartedback,appalled.
Havingthemshowntohiminthisway,hetriedtosaytheywerefinechildren,butthewordschokedthemselves,ratherthanbepartiestoalieofsuchenormousmagnitude.
'Spirit.
aretheyyours.
'Scroogecouldsaynomore.
'TheyareMan's,'saidtheSpirit,lookingdownuponthem.
'Andtheyclingtome,appealingfromtheirfathers.
ThisboyisIgnorance.
ThisgirlisWant.
Bewarethemboth,andalloftheirdegree,butmostofallbewarethisboy,foronhisbrowIseethatwrittenwhichisDoom,unlessthewritingbeerased.
Denyit.
'criedtheSpirit,AChristmasCarol100of138stretchingoutitshandtowardsthecity.
'Slanderthosewhotellitye.
Admititforyourfactiouspurposes,andmakeitworse.
Andabidetheend.
''Havetheynorefugeorresource.
'criedScrooge.
'Aretherenoprisons.
'saidtheSpirit,turningonhimforthelasttimewithhisownwords.
'Aretherenoworkhouses.
'Thebellstrucktwelve.
ScroogelookedabouthimfortheGhost,andsawitnot.
Asthelaststrokeceasedtovibrate,herememberedthepredictionofoldJacobMarley,andliftinguphiseyes,beheldasolemnPhantom,drapedandhooded,coming,likeamistalongtheground,towardshim.
AChristmasCarol101of138Stave4:TheLastoftheSpiritsThePhantomslowly,gravely,silentlyapproached.
Whenitcame,Scroogebentdownuponhisknee;forintheveryairthroughwhichthisSpiritmoveditseemedtoscattergloomandmystery.
Itwasshroudedinadeepblackgarment,whichconcealeditshead,itsface,itsform,andleftnothingofitvisiblesaveoneoutstretchedhand.
Butforthisitwouldhavebeendifficulttodetachitsfigurefromthenight,andseparateitfromthedarknessbywhichitwassurrounded.
Hefeltthatitwastallandstatelywhenitcamebesidehim,andthatitsmysteriouspresencefilledhimwithasolemndread.
Heknewnomore,fortheSpiritneitherspokenormoved.
'IaminthepresenceoftheGhostofChristmasYetToCome.
'saidScrooge.
TheSpiritanswerednot,butpointedonwardwithitshand.
'Youareabouttoshowmeshadowsofthethingsthathavenothappened,butwillhappeninthetimebeforeus,'Scroogepursued.
'Isthatso,Spirit.
'AChristmasCarol102of138Theupperportionofthegarmentwascontractedforaninstantinitsfolds,asiftheSpirithadinclineditshead.
Thatwastheonlyanswerhereceived.
Althoughwellusedtoghostlycompanybythistime,Scroogefearedthesilentshapesomuchthathislegstrembledbeneathhim,andhefoundthathecouldhardlystandwhenhepreparedtofollowit.
TheSpiritpausesamoment,asobservinghiscondition,andgivinghimtimetorecover.
ButScroogewasalltheworseforthis.
Itthrilledhimwithavagueuncertainhorror,toknowthatbehindtheduskyshroud,therewereghostlyeyesintentlyfixeduponhim,whilehe,thoughhestretchedhisowntotheutmost,couldseenothingbutaspectralhandandonegreatheapofblack.
'GhostoftheFuture.
'heexclaimed,'IfearyoumorethananyspectreIhaveseen.
ButasIknowyourpurposeistodomegood,andasIhopetolivetobeanothermanfromwhatIwas,Iampreparedtobearyoucompany,anddoitwithathankfulheart.
Willyounotspeaktome.
'Itgavehimnoreply.
Thehandwaspointedstraightbeforethem.
AChristmasCarol103of138'Leadon.
'saidScrooge.
'Leadon.
Thenightiswaningfast,anditisprecioustimetome,Iknow.
Leadon,Spirit.
'ThePhantommovedawayasithadcometowardshim.
Scroogefollowedintheshadowofitsdress,whichborehimup,hethought,andcarriedhimalong.
Theyscarcelyseemedtoenterthecity;forthecityratherseemedtospringupaboutthem,andencompassthemofitsownact.
Buttheretheywere,intheheartofit;onChange,amongstthemerchants;whohurriedupanddown,andchinkedthemoneyintheirpockets,andconversedingroups,andlookedattheirwatches,andtrifledthoughtfullywiththeirgreatgoldseals;andsoforth,asScroogehadseenthemoften.
TheSpiritstoppedbesideonelittleknotofbusinessmen.
Observingthatthehandwaspointedtothem,Scroogeadvancedtolistentotheirtalk.
'No,'saidagreatfatmanwithamonstrouschin,'Idon'tknowmuchaboutit,eitherway.
Ionlyknowhe'sdead.
''Whendidhedie.
'inquiredanother.
'Lastnight,Ibelieve.
'AChristmasCarol104of138'Why,whatwasthematterwithhim.
'askedathird,takingavastquantityofsnuffoutofaverylargesnuff-box.
'Ithoughthe'dneverdie.
''Godknows,'saidthefirst,withayawn.
'Whathashedonewithhismoney.
'askedared-facedgentlemanwithapendulousexcrescenceontheendofhisnose,thatshooklikethegillsofaturkey-cock.
'Ihaven'theard,'saidthemanwiththelargechin,yawningagain.
'Leftittohiscompany,perhaps.
Hehasn'tleftittome.
That'sallIknow.
'Thispleasantrywasreceivedwithagenerallaugh.
'It'slikelytobeaverycheapfuneral,'saidthesamespeaker;'foruponmylifeIdon'tknowofanybodytogotoit.
Supposewemakeupapartyandvolunteer.
''Idon'tmindgoingifalunchisprovided,'observedthegentlemanwiththeexcrescenceonhisnose.
'ButImustbefed,ifImakeone.
'Anotherlaugh.
'Well,Iamthemostdisinterestedamongyou,afterall,'saidthefirstspeaker,'forIneverwearblackgloves,andInevereatlunch.
ButI'lloffertogo,ifanybodyelsewill.
WhenIcometothinkofit,I'mnotatallsurethatIwasn'thismostparticularfriend;forweusedtostopandspeakwheneverwemet.
Bye,bye.
'AChristmasCarol105of138Speakersandlistenersstrolledaway,andmixedwithothergroups.
Scroogeknewthemen,andlookedtowardstheSpiritforanexplanation.
ThePhantomglidedonintoastreet.
Itsfingerpointedtotwopersonsmeeting.
Scroogelistenedagain,thinkingthattheexplanationmightliehere.
Heknewthesemen,also,perfectly.
Theyweremenofayebusiness:verywealthy,andofgreatimportance.
Hehadmadeapointalwaysofstandingwellintheiresteem:inabusinesspointofview,thatis;strictlyinabusinesspointofview.
'Howareyou.
'saidone.
'Howareyou.
'returnedtheother.
'Well.
'saidthefirst.
'OldScratchhasgothisownatlast,hey.
''SoIamtold,'returnedthesecond.
'Cold,isn'tit.
''SeasonableforChristmastime.
You'renotaskater,Isuppose.
''No.
No.
Somethingelsetothinkof.
Goodmorning.
'Notanotherword.
Thatwastheirmeeting,theirconversation,andtheirparting.
ScroogewasatfirstinclinedtobesurprisedthattheSpiritshouldattachimportancetoconversationsapparentlysotrivial;butfeelingassuredthattheymustAChristmasCarol106of138havesomehiddenpurpose,hesethimselftoconsiderwhatitwaslikelytobe.
TheycouldscarcelybesupposedtohaveanybearingonthedeathofJacob,hisoldpartner,forthatwasPast,andthisGhost'sprovincewastheFuture.
Norcouldhethinkofanyoneimmediatelyconnectedwithhimself,towhomhecouldapplythem.
Butnothingdoubtingthattowhomsoevertheyappliedtheyhadsomelatentmoralforhisownimprovement,heresolvedtotreasureupeverywordheheard,andeverythinghesaw;andespeciallytoobservetheshadowofhimselfwhenitappeared.
Forhehadanexpectationthattheconductofhisfutureselfwouldgivehimthecluehemissed,andwouldrenderthesolutionoftheseriddleseasy.
Helookedaboutinthatveryplaceforhisownimage;butanothermanstoodinhisaccustomedcorner,andthoughtheclockpointedtohisusualtimeofdayforbeingthere,hesawnolikenessofhimselfamongthemultitudesthatpouredinthroughthePorch.
Itgavehimlittlesurprise,however;forhehadbeenrevolvinginhismindachangeoflife,andthoughtandhopedhesawhisnew-bornresolutionscarriedoutinthis.
Quietanddark,besidehimstoodthePhantom,withitsoutstretchedhand.
Whenherousedhimselffromhisthoughtfulquest,hefanciedfromtheturnofthehand,AChristmasCarol107of138anditssituationinreferencetohimself,thattheUnseenEyeswerelookingathimkeenly.
Itmadehimshudder,andfeelverycold.
Theyleftthebusyscene,andwentintoanobscurepartofthetown,whereScroogehadneverpenetratedbefore,althoughherecogniseditssituation,anditsbadrepute.
Thewayswerefoulandnarrow;theshopsandhouseswretched;thepeoplehalf-naked,drunken,slipshod,ugly.
Alleysandarchways,likesomanycesspools,disgorgedtheiroffencesofsmell,anddirt,andlife,uponthestragglingstreets;andthewholequarterreekedwithcrime,withfilth,andmisery.
Farinthisdenofinfamousresort,therewasalow-browed,beetlingshop,belowapent-houseroof,whereiron,oldrags,bottles,bones,andgreasyoffal,werebought.
Uponthefloorwithin,werepiledupheapsofrustykeys,nails,chains,hinges,files,scales,weights,andrefuseironofallkinds.
Secretsthatfewwouldliketoscrutinisewerebredandhiddeninmountainsofunseemlyrags,massesofcorruptedfat,andsepulchresofbones.
Sittinginamongthewareshedealtin,byacharcoalstove,madeofoldbricks,wasagrey-hairedrascal,nearlyseventyyearsofage;whohadscreenedhimselffromthecoldairwithout,byafrousycurtainingofmiscellaneoustatters,AChristmasCarol108of138hunguponaline;andsmokedhispipeinalltheluxuryofcalmretirement.
ScroogeandthePhantomcameintothepresenceofthisman,justasawomanwithaheavybundleslunkintotheshop.
Butshehadscarcelyentered,whenanotherwoman,similarlyladen,cameintoo;andshewascloselyfollowedbyamaninfadedblack,whowasnolessstartledbythesightofthem,thantheyhadbeenupontherecognitionofeachother.
Afterashortperiodofblankastonishment,inwhichtheoldmanwiththepipehadjoinedthem,theyallthreeburstintoalaugh.
'Letthecharwomanalonetobethefirst.
'criedshewhohadenteredfirst.
'Letthelaundressalonetobethesecond;andlettheundertaker'smanalonetobethethird.
Lookhere,oldJoe,here'sachance.
Ifwehaven'tallthreemetherewithoutmeaningit.
''Youcouldn'thavemetinabetterplace,'saidoldJoe,removinghispipefromhismouth.
'Comeintotheparlour.
Youweremadefreeofitlongago,youknow;andtheothertwoan'tstrangers.
StoptillIshutthedooroftheshop.
Ah.
Howitskreeks.
Therean'tsucharustybitofmetalintheplaceasitsownhinges,Ibelieve;andI'msurethere'snosucholdboneshere,asmine.
Ha,ha.
AChristmasCarol109of138We'reallsuitabletoourcalling,we'rewellmatched.
Comeintotheparlour.
Comeintotheparlour.
'Theparlourwasthespacebehindthescreenofrags.
Theoldmanrakedthefiretogetherwithanoldstair-rod,andhavingtrimmedhissmokylamp(foritwasnight),withthestemofhispipe,putitinhismouthagain.
Whilehedidthis,thewomanwhohadalreadyspokenthrewherbundleonthefloor,andsatdowninaflauntingmanneronastool;crossingherelbowsonherknees,andlookingwithabolddefianceattheothertwo.
'Whatoddsthen.
Whatodds,MrsDilber.
'saidthewoman.
'Everypersonhasarighttotakecareofthemselves.
Healwaysdid.
''That'strue,indeed.
'saidthelaundress.
'Nomanmoreso.
''Whythen,don'tstandstaringasifyouwasafraid,woman;who'sthewiser.
We'renotgoingtopickholesineachother'scoats,Isuppose.
''No,indeed.
'saidMrsDilberandthemantogether.
'Weshouldhopenot.
''Verywell,then.
'criedthewoman.
'That'senough.
Who'stheworseforthelossofafewthingslikethese.
Notadeadman,Isuppose.
''No,indeed,'saidMrsDilber,laughing.
AChristmasCarol110of138'Ifhewantedtokeepthemafterhewasdead,awickedoldscrew,'pursuedthewoman,'whywasn'thenaturalinhislifetime.
Ifhehadbeen,he'dhavehadsomebodytolookafterhimwhenhewasstruckwithDeath,insteadoflyinggaspingouthislastthere,alonebyhimself.
''It'sthetruestwordthateverwasspoke,'saidMrsDilber.
'It'sajudgmentonhim.
''Iwishitwasalittleheavierjudgment,'repliedthewoman;'anditshouldhavebeen,youmaydependuponit,ifIcouldhavelaidmyhandsonanythingelse.
Openthatbundle,oldJoe,andletmeknowthevalueofit.
Speakoutplain.
I'mnotafraidtobethefirst,norafraidforthemtoseeit.
Weknowprettywellthatwewerehelpingourselves,beforewemethere,Ibelieve.
It'snosin.
Openthebundle,Joe.
'Butthegallantryofherfriendswouldnotallowofthis;andthemaninfadedblack,mountingthebreachfirst,producedhisplunder.
Itwasnotextensive.
Asealortwo,apencil-case,apairofsleeve-buttons,andabroochofnogreatvalue,wereall.
TheywereseverallyexaminedandappraisedbyoldJoe,whochalkedthesumshewasdisposedtogiveforeach,uponthewall,andaddedthemupintoatotalwhenhefoundtherewasnothingmoretocome.
AChristmasCarol111of138'That'syouraccount,'saidJoe,'andIwouldn'tgiveanothersixpence,ifIwastobeboiledfornotdoingit.
Who'snext.
'MrsDilberwasnext.
Sheetsandtowels,alittlewearingapparel,twoold-fashionedsilverteaspoons,apairofsugar-tongs,andafewboots.
Heraccountwasstatedonthewallinthesamemanner.
'Ialwaysgivetoomuchtoladies.
It'saweaknessofmine,andthat'sthewayIruinmyself,'saidoldJoe.
'That'syouraccount.
Ifyouaskedmeforanotherpenny,andmadeitanopenquestion,I'drepentofbeingsoliberalandknockoffhalf-a-crown.
''Andnowundomybundle,Joe,'saidthefirstwoman.
Joewentdownonhiskneesforthegreaterconvenienceofopeningit,andhavingunfastenedagreatmanyknots,draggedoutalargeandheavyrollofsomedarkstuff.
'Whatdoyoucallthis.
'saidJoe.
'Bed-curtains.
''Ah.
'returnedthewoman,laughingandleaningforwardonhercrossedarms.
'Bed-curtains.
''Youdon'tmeantosayyoutookthemdown,ringsandall,withhimlyingthere.
'saidJoe.
'YesIdo,'repliedthewoman.
'Whynot.
'AChristmasCarol112of138'Youwereborntomakeyourfortune,'saidJoe,'andyou'llcertainlydoit.
''Icertainlyshan'tholdmyhand,whenIcangetanythinginitbyreachingitout,forthesakeofsuchamanashewas,Ipromiseyou,Joe,'returnedthewomancoolly.
'Don'tdropthatoilupontheblankets,now.
''Hisblankets.
'askedJoe.
'Whoseelse'sdoyouthink.
'repliedthewoman.
'Heisn'tlikelytotakecoldwithoutthem,Idaresay.
''Ihopehedidn'tdieofanythingcatching.
Eh.
'saidoldJoe,stoppinginhiswork,andlookingup.
'Don'tyoubeafraidofthat,'returnedthewoman.
'Ian'tsofondofhiscompanythatI'dloiterabouthimforsuchthings,ifhedid.
Ah.
youmaylookthroughthatshirttillyoureyesache;butyouwon'tfindaholeinit,norathreadbareplace.
It'sthebesthehad,andafineonetoo.
They'dhavewastedit,ifithadn'tbeenforme.
''Whatdoyoucallwastingofit.
'askedoldJoe.
'Puttingitonhimtobeburiedin,tobesure,'repliedthewomanwithalaugh.
'Somebodywasfoolenoughtodoit,butItookitoffagain.
Ifcalicoan'tgoodenoughforsuchapurpose,itisn'tgoodenoughforanything.
It'squiteasbecomingtothebody.
Hecan'tlookuglierthanhedidinthatone.
'AChristmasCarol113of138Scroogelistenedtothisdialogueinhorror.
Astheysatgroupedabouttheirspoil,inthescantylightaffordedbytheoldman'slamp,heviewedthemwithadetestationanddisgust,whichcouldhardlyhavebeengreater,thoughthedemons,marketingthecorpseitself.
'Ha,ha.
'laughedthesamewoman,whenoldJoe,producingaflannelbagwithmoneyinit,toldouttheirseveralgainsupontheground.
'Thisistheendofit,yousee.
Hefrightenedeveryoneawayfromhimwhenhewasalive,toprofituswhenhewasdead.
Ha,ha,ha.
''Spirit.
'saidScrooge,shudderingfromheadtofoot.
'Isee,Isee.
Thecaseofthisunhappymanmightbemyown.
Mylifetendsthatway,now.
MercifulHeaven,whatisthis.
'Herecoiledinterror,forthescenehadchanged,andnowhealmosttouchedabed:abare,uncurtainedbed:onwhich,beneatharaggedsheet,therelayasomethingcoveredup,which,thoughitwasdumb,announceditselfinawfullanguage.
Theroomwasverydark,toodarktobeobservedwithanyaccuracy,thoughScroogeglancedrounditinobediencetoasecretimpulse,anxioustoknowwhatkindofroomitwas.
Apalelight,risingintheouterair,fellstraightuponthebed;andonit,plunderedandbereft,AChristmasCarol114of138unwatched,unwept,uncaredfor,wasthebodyofthisman.
ScroogeglancedtowardsthePhantom.
Itssteadyhandwaspointedtothehead.
Thecoverwassocarelesslyadjustedthattheslightestraisingofit,themotionofafingeruponScrooge'spart,wouldhavedisclosedtheface.
Hethoughtofit,felthoweasyitwouldbetodo,andlongedtodoit;buthadnomorepowertowithdrawtheveilthantodismissthespectreathisside.
Ohcold,cold,rigid,dreadfulDeath,setupthinealtarhere,anddressitwithsuchterrorsasthouhastatthycommand:forthisisthydominion.
Butoftheloved,revered,andhonouredhead,thoucanstnotturnonehairtothydreadpurposes,ormakeonefeatureodious.
Itisnotthatthehandisheavyandwillfalldownwhenreleased;itisnotthattheheartandpulsearestill;butthatthehandwasopen,generous,andtrue;theheartbrave,warm,andtender;andthepulseaman's.
Strike,Shadow,strike.
Andseehisgooddeedsspringingfromthewound,tosowtheworldwithlifeimmortal.
NovoicepronouncedthesewordsinScrooge'sears,andyetheheardthemwhenhelookeduponthebed.
Hethought,ifthismancouldberaisedupnow,whatwouldAChristmasCarol115of138behisforemostthoughts.
Avarice,hard-dealing,gripingcares.
Theyhavebroughthimtoarichend,truly.
Helay,inthedarkemptyhouse,withnotaman,awoman,orachild,tosaythathewaskindtomeinthisorthat,andforthememoryofonekindwordIwillbekindtohim.
Acatwastearingatthedoor,andtherewasasoundofgnawingratsbeneaththehearth-stone.
Whattheywantedintheroomofdeath,andwhytheyweresorestlessanddisturbed,Scroogedidnotdaretothink.
'Spirit.
'hesaid,'thisisafearfulplace.
Inleavingit,Ishallnotleaveitslesson,trustme.
Letusgo.
'StilltheGhostpointedwithanunmovedfingertothehead.
'Iunderstandyou,'Scroogereturned,'andIwoulddoit,ifIcould.
ButIhavenotthepower,Spirit.
Ihavenotthepower.
'Againitseemedtolookuponhim.
'Ifthereisanypersoninthetown,whofeelsemotioncausedbythisman'sdeath,'saidScroogequiteagonised,'showthatpersontome,Spirit,Ibeseechyou.
'ThePhantomspreaditsdarkrobebeforehimforamoment,likeawing;andwithdrawingit,revealedaroombydaylight,whereamotherandherchildrenwere.
AChristmasCarol116of138Shewasexpectingsomeone,andwithanxiouseagerness;forshewalkedupanddowntheroom;startedateverysound;lookedoutfromthewindow;glancedattheclock;tried,butinvain,toworkwithherneedle;andcouldhardlybearthevoicesofthechildrenintheirplay.
Atlengththelong-expectedknockwasheard.
Shehurriedtothedoor,andmetherhusband;amanwhosefacewascarewornanddepressed,thoughhewasyoung.
Therewasaremarkableexpressioninitnow;akindofseriousdelightofwhichhefeltashamed,andwhichhestruggledtorepress.
Hesatdowntothedinnerthathadbeenboardingforhimbythefire;andwhensheaskedhimfaintlywhatnews(whichwasnotuntilafteralongsilence),heappearedembarrassedhowtoanswer.
'Isitgood.
'shesaid,'orbad'—tohelphim.
'Bad,'heanswered.
'Wearequiteruined.
''No.
Thereishopeyet,Caroline.
''Ifherelents,'shesaid,amazed,'thereis.
Nothingispasthope,ifsuchamiraclehashappened.
''Heispastrelenting,'saidherhusband.
'Heisdead.
'Shewasamildandpatientcreatureifherfacespoketruth;butshewasthankfulinhersoultohearit,andsheAChristmasCarol117of138saidso,withclaspedhands.
Sheprayedforgivenessthenextmoment,andwassorry;butthefirstwastheemotionofherheart.
'Whatthehalf-drunkenwomanwhomItoldyouoflastnight,saidtome,whenItriedtoseehimandobtainaweek'sdelay;andwhatIthoughtwasamereexcusetoavoidme;turnsouttohavebeenquitetrue.
Hewasnotonlyveryill,butdying,then.
''Towhomwillourdebtbetransferred.
''Idon'tknow.
Butbeforethattimeweshallbereadywiththemoney;andeventhoughwewerenot,itwouldbeabadfortuneindeedtofindsomercilessacreditorinhissuccessor.
Wemaysleepto-nightwithlighthearts,Caroline.
'Yes.
Softenitastheywould,theirheartswerelighter.
Thechildren'sfaces,hushedandclusteredroundtohearwhattheysolittleunderstood,werebrighter;anditwasahappierhouseforthisman'sdeath.
TheonlyemotionthattheGhostcouldshowhim,causedbytheevent,wasoneofpleasure.
'Letmeseesometendernessconnectedwithadeath,'saidScrooge;'orthatdarkchamber,Spirit,whichweleftjustnow,willbeforeverpresenttome.
'AChristmasCarol118of138TheGhostconductedhimthroughseveralstreetsfamiliartohisfeet;andastheywentalong,Scroogelookedhereandtheretofindhimself,butnowherewashetobeseen.
TheyenteredpoorBobCratchit'shouse;thedwellinghehadvisitedbefore;andfoundthemotherandthechildrenseatedroundthefire.
Quiet.
Veryquiet.
ThenoisylittleCratchitswereasstillasstatuesinonecorner,andsatlookingupatPeter,whohadabookbeforehim.
Themotherandherdaughterswereengagedinsewing.
Butsurelytheywereveryquiet.
'Andhetookachild,andsethiminthemidstofthem.
'WherehadScroogeheardthosewords.
Hehadnotdreamedthem.
Theboymusthavereadthemout,asheandtheSpiritcrossedthethreshold.
Whydidhenotgoon.
Themotherlaidherworkuponthetable,andputherhanduptoherface.
'Thecolourhurtsmyeyes,'shesaid.
Thecolour.
Ah,poorTinyTim.
'They'rebetternowagain,'saidCratchit'swife.
'Itmakesthemweakbycandle-light;andIwouldn'tshowAChristmasCarol119of138weakeyestoyourfatherwhenhecomeshome,fortheworld.
Itmustbenearhistime.
''Pastitrather,'Peteranswered,shuttinguphisbook.
'ButIthinkhehaswalkedalittleslowerthanheused,thesefewlastevenings,mother.
'Theywereveryquietagain.
Atlastshesaid,andinasteady,cheerfulvoice,thatonlyfalteredonce:'Ihaveknownhimwalkwith—IhaveknownhimwalkwithTinyTimuponhisshoulder,veryfastindeed.
''AndsohaveI,'criedPeter.
'Often.
''AndsohaveI,'exclaimedanother.
Sohadall.
'Buthewasverylighttocarry,'sheresumed,intentuponherwork,'andhisfatherlovedhimso,thatitwasnotrouble:notrouble.
Andthereisyourfatheratthedoor.
'Shehurriedouttomeethim;andlittleBobinhiscomforter—hehadneedofit,poorfellow—camein.
Histeawasreadyforhimonthehob,andtheyalltriedwhoshouldhelphimtoitmost.
ThenthetwoyoungCratchitsgotuponhiskneesandlaid,eachchildalittlecheek,againsthisface,asiftheysaid,'Don'tmindit,father.
Don'tbegrieved.
'Bobwasverycheerfulwiththem,andspokepleasantlytoallthefamily.
Helookedattheworkuponthetable,AChristmasCarol120of138andpraisedtheindustryandspeedofMrsCratchitandthegirls.
TheywouldbedonelongbeforeSunday,hesaid.
'Sunday.
Youwentto-day,then,Robert.
'saidhiswife.
'Yes,mydear,'returnedBob.
'Iwishyoucouldhavegone.
Itwouldhavedoneyougoodtoseehowgreenaplaceitis.
Butyou'llseeitoften.
IpromisedhimthatIwouldwalkthereonaSunday.
Mylittle,littlechild.
'criedBob.
'Mylittlechild.
'Hebrokedownallatonce.
Hecouldn'thelpit.
Ifhecouldhavehelpedit,heandhischildwouldhavebeenfartherapartperhapsthantheywere.
Helefttheroom,andwentup-stairsintotheroomabove,whichwaslightedcheerfully,andhungwithChristmas.
Therewasachairsetclosebesidethechild,andthereweresignsofsomeonehavingbeenthere,lately.
PoorBobsatdowninit,andwhenhehadthoughtalittleandcomposedhimself,hekissedthelittleface.
Hewasreconciledtowhathadhappened,andwentdownagainquitehappy.
Theydrewaboutthefire,andtalked;thegirlsandmotherworkingstill.
BobtoldthemoftheextraordinarykindnessofMrScrooge'snephew,whomhehadscarcelyseenbutonce,andwho,meetinghiminthestreetthatday,andseeingthathelookedalittle-'justalittledownAChristmasCarol121of138youknow,'saidBob,inquiredwhathadhappenedtodistresshim.
'Onwhich,'saidBob,'forheisthepleasantest-spokengentlemanyoueverheard,Itoldhim.
'Iamheartilysorryforit,MrCratchit,'hesaid,'andheartilysorryforyourgoodwife.
'Bythebye,howheeverknewthat,Idon'tknow.
''Knewwhat,mydear.
''Why,thatyouwereagoodwife,'repliedBob.
'Everybodyknowsthat.
'saidPeter.
'Verywellobserved,myboy.
'criedBob.
'Ihopetheydo.
'Heartilysorry,'hesaid,'foryourgoodwife.
IfIcanbeofservicetoyouinanyway,'hesaid,givingmehiscard,'that'swhereIlive.
Praycometome.
'Now,itwasn't,'criedBob,'forthesakeofanythinghemightbeabletodoforus,somuchasforhiskindway,thatthiswasquitedelightful.
ItreallyseemedasifhehadknownourTinyTim,andfeltwithus.
''I'msurehe'sagoodsoul.
'saidMrsCratchit.
'Youwouldbesurerofit,mydear,'returnedBob,'ifyousawandspoketohim.
Ishouldn'tbeatallsurprised-markwhatIsay.
—ifhegotPeterabettersituation.
''Onlyhearthat,Peter,'saidMrsCratchit.
AChristmasCarol122of138'Andthen,'criedoneofthegirls,'Peterwillbekeepingcompanywithsomeone,andsettingupforhimself.
''Getalongwithyou.
'retortedPeter,grinning.
'It'sjustaslikelyasnot,'saidBob,'oneofthesedays;thoughthere'splentyoftimeforthat,mydear.
Buthoweverandwheneverwepartfromoneanother,IamsureweshallnoneofusforgetpoorTinyTim—shallwe—orthisfirstpartingthattherewasamongus.
''Never,father.
'criedtheyall.
'AndIknow,'saidBob,'Iknow,mydears,thatwhenwerecollecthowpatientandhowmildhewas;althoughhewasalittle,littlechild;weshallnotquarreleasilyamongourselves,andforgetpoorTinyTimindoingit.
''No,never,father.
'theyallcriedagain.
'Iamveryhappy,'saidlittleBob,'Iamveryhappy.
'MrsCratchitkissedhim,hisdaughterskissedhim,thetwoyoungCratchitskissedhim,andPeterandhimselfshookhands.
SpiritofTinyTim,thychildishessencewasfromGod.
'Spectre,'saidScrooge,'somethinginformsmethatourpartingmomentisathand.
Iknowit,butIknownothow.
Tellmewhatmanthatwaswhomwesawlyingdead.
'AChristmasCarol123of138TheGhostofChristmasYetToComeconveyedhim,asbefore—thoughatadifferenttime,hethought:indeed,thereseemednoorderintheselattervisions,savethattheywereintheFuture—intotheresortsofbusinessmen,butshowedhimnothimself.
Indeed,theSpiritdidnotstayforanything,butwentstraighton,astotheendjustnowdesired,untilbesoughtbyScroogetotarryforamoment.
'Thiscourts,'saidScrooge,'throughwhichwehurrynow,iswheremyplaceofoccupationis,andhasbeenforalengthoftime.
Iseethehouse.
LetmebeholdwhatIshallbe,indaystocome.
'TheSpiritstopped;thehandwaspointedelsewhere.
'Thehouseisyonder,'Scroogeexclaimed.
'Whydoyoupointaway.
'Theinexorablefingerunderwentnochange.
Scroogehastenedtothewindowofhisoffice,andlookedin.
Itwasanofficestill,butnothis.
Thefurniturewasnotthesame,andthefigureinthechairwasnothimself.
ThePhantompointedasbefore.
Hejoineditonceagain,andwonderingwhyandwhitherhehadgone,accompaniedituntiltheyreachedanirongate.
Hepausedtolookroundbeforeentering.
AChristmasCarol124of138Achurchyard.
Here,then,thewretchedmanwhosenamehehadnowtolearn,layunderneaththeground.
Itwasaworthyplace.
Walledinbyhouses;overrunbygrassandweeds,thegrowthofvegetation'sdeath,notlife;chokedupwithtoomuchburying;fatwithrepletedappetite.
Aworthyplace.
TheSpiritstoodamongthegraves,andpointeddowntoOne.
Headvancedtowardsittrembling.
ThePhantomwasexactlyasithadbeen,buthedreadedthathesawnewmeaninginitssolemnshape.
'BeforeIdrawnearertothatstonetowhichyoupoint,'saidScrooge,'answermeonequestion.
ArethesetheshadowsofthethingsthatWillbe,oraretheyshadowsofthingsthatMaybe,only.
'StilltheGhostpointeddownwardtothegravebywhichitstood.
'Men'scourseswillforeshadowcertainends,towhich,ifperseveredin,theymustlead,'saidScrooge.
'Butifthecoursesbedepartedfrom,theendswillchange.
Sayitisthuswithwhatyoushowme.
'TheSpiritwasimmovableasever.
Scroogecrepttowardsit,tremblingashewent;andfollowingthefinger,readuponthestoneoftheneglectedgravehisownname,EbenezerScrooge.
AChristmasCarol125of138'AmIthatmanwholayuponthebed.
'hecried,uponhisknees.
Thefingerpointedfromthegravetohim,andbackagain.
'No,Spirit.
Ohno,no.
'Thefingerstillwasthere.
'Spirit.
'hecried,tightclutchingatitsrobe,'hearme.
IamnotthemanIwas.
IwillnotbethemanImusthavebeenbutforthisintercourse.
Whyshowmethis,ifIampastallhope.
'Forthefirsttimethehandappearedtoshake.
'GoodSpirit,'hepursued,asdownuponthegroundhefellbeforeit:'Yournatureintercedesforme,andpitiesme.
AssuremethatIyetmaychangetheseshadowsyouhaveshownme,byanalteredlife.
'Thekindhandtrembled.
'IwillhonourChristmasinmyheart,andtrytokeepitalltheyear.
IwillliveinthePast,thePresent,andtheFuture.
TheSpiritsofallThreeshallstrivewithinme.
Iwillnotshutoutthelessonsthattheyteach.
Oh,tellmeImayspongeawaythewritingonthisstone.
'Inhisagony,hecaughtthespectralhand.
Itsoughttofreeitself,buthewasstronginhisentreaty,anddetainedit.
TheSpirit,strongeryet,repulsedhim.
AChristmasCarol126of138Holdinguphishandsinalastprayertohavehisfateayereversed,hesawanalterationinthePhantom'shoodanddress.
Itshrunk,collapsed,anddwindleddownintoabedpost.
AChristmasCarol127of138Stave5:TheEndofItYes!
andthebedpostwashisown.
Thebedwashisown,theroomwashisown.
Bestandhappiestofall,theTimebeforehimwashisown,tomakeamendsin!
'IwillliveinthePast,thePresent,andtheFuture.
'Scroogerepeated,ashescrambledoutofbed.
'TheSpiritsofallThreeshallstrivewithinme.
OhJacobMarley.
Heaven,andtheChristmasTimebepraisedforthis.
Isayitonmyknees,oldJacob,onmyknees.
'Hewassoflutteredandsoglowingwithhisgoodintentions,thathisbrokenvoicewouldscarcelyanswertohiscall.
HehadbeensobbingviolentlyinhisconflictwiththeSpirit,andhisfacewaswetwithtears.
'Theyarenottorndown.
'criedScrooge,foldingoneofhisbed-curtainsinhisarms,'theyarenottorndown,ringsandall.
Theyarehere—Iamhere—theshadowsofthethingsthatwouldhavebeen,maybedispelled.
Theywillbe.
Iknowtheywill.
'Hishandswerebusywithhisgarmentsallthistime;turningtheminsideout,puttingthemonupsidedown,tearingthem,mislayingthem,makingthempartiestoeverykindofextravagance.
AChristmasCarol128of138'Idon'tknowwhattodo.
'criedScrooge,laughingandcryinginthesamebreath;andmakingaperfectLaocoonofhimselfwithhisstockings.
'Iamaslightasafeather,Iamashappyasanangel,Iamasmerryasaschoolboy.
Iamasgiddyasadrunkenman.
AmerryChristmastoeverybody.
AhappyNewYeartoalltheworld.
Hallohere.
Whoop.
Hallo.
'Hehadfriskedintothesitting-room,andwasnowstandingthere:perfectlywinded.
'There'sthesaucepanthatthegruelwasin.
'criedScrooge,startingoffagain,andgoingroundthefireplace.
'There'sthedoor,bywhichtheGhostofJacobMarleyentered.
There'sthecornerwheretheGhostofChristmasPresent,sat.
There'sthewindowwhereIsawthewanderingSpirits.
It'sallright,it'salltrue,itallhappened.
Hahaha.
'Really,foramanwhohadbeenoutofpracticeforsomanyyears,itwasasplendidlaugh,amostillustriouslaugh.
Thefatherofalong,longlineofbrilliantlaughs.
'Idon'tknowwhatdayofthemonthitis.
'saidScrooge.
'Idon'tknowhowlongI'vebeenamongtheSpirits.
Idon'tknowanything.
I'mquiteababy.
Nevermind.
Idon'tcare.
I'dratherbeababy.
Hallo.
Whoop.
Hallohere.
'AChristmasCarol129of138Hewascheckedinhistransportsbythechurchesringingoutthelustiestpealshehadeverheard.
Clash,clang,hammer;ding,dong,bell.
Bell,dong,ding;hammer,clang,clash.
Oh,glorious,glorious.
Runningtothewindow,heopenedit,andputouthishead.
Nofog,nomist;clear,bright,jovial,stirring,cold;cold,pipingforthebloodtodanceto;Goldensunlight;Heavenlysky;sweetfreshair;merrybells.
Oh,glorious.
Glorious.
'What'sto-day.
'criedScrooge,callingdownwardtoaboyinSundayclothes,whoperhapshadloiteredintolookabouthim.
'Eh.
'returnedtheboy,withallhismightofwonder.
'What'sto-day,myfinefellow.
'saidScrooge.
'To-day.
'repliedtheboy.
'Why,ChristmasDay.
''It'sChristmasDay.
'saidScroogetohimself.
'Ihaven'tmissedit.
TheSpiritshavedoneitallinonenight.
Theycandoanythingtheylike.
Ofcoursetheycan.
Ofcoursetheycan.
Hallo,myfinefellow.
''Hallo.
'returnedtheboy.
'DoyouknowthePoulterer's,inthenextstreetbutone,atthecorner.
'Scroogeinquired.
'IshouldhopeIdid,'repliedthelad.
AChristmasCarol130of138'Anintelligentboy.
'saidScrooge.
'Aremarkableboy.
Doyouknowwhetherthey'vesoldtheprizeTurkeythatwashangingupthere—NotthelittleprizeTurkey:thebigone.
''What,theoneasbigasme.
'returnedtheboy.
'Whatadelightfulboy.
'saidScrooge.
'It'sapleasuretotalktohim.
Yes,mybuck.
''It'shangingtherenow,'repliedtheboy.
'Isit.
'saidScrooge.
'Goandbuyit.
''Walk-er.
'exclaimedtheboy.
'No,no,'saidScrooge,'Iaminearnest.
Goandbuyit,andtellthemtobringithere,thatImaygivethemthedirectionwheretotakeit.
Comebackwiththeman,andI'llgiveyouashilling.
ComebackwithhiminlessthanfiveminutesandI'llgiveyouhalf-a-crown.
'Theboywasofflikeashot.
Hemusthavehadasteadyhandatatriggerwhocouldhavegotashotoffhalfsofast.
'I'llsendittoBonCratchit's.
'whisperedScrooge,rubbinghishands,andsplittingwithalaugh.
'Heshan'tknowwhosendsit.
It'stwicethesizeofTinyTim.
JoeMillernevermadesuchajokeassendingittoBob'swillbe.
'Thehandinwhichhewrotetheaddresswasnotasteadyone,butwriteithedid,somehow,andwentAChristmasCarol131of138down-stairstoopenthestreetdoor,readyforthecomingofthepoulterer'sman.
Ashestoodthere,waitinghisarrival,theknockercaughthiseye.
'Ishallloveit,aslongasIlive.
'criedScrooge,pattingitwithhishand.
'Iscarcelyeverlookedatitbefore.
Whatanhonestexpressionithasinitsface.
It'sawonderfulknocker.
—Here'stheTurkey.
Hallo.
Whoop.
Howareyou.
MerryChristmas.
'ItwasaTurkey.
Henevercouldhavestooduponhislegs,thatbird.
Hewouldhavesnappedthemshortoffinaminute,likesticksofsealing-wax.
'Why,it'simpossibletocarrythattoCamdenTown,'saidScrooge.
'Youmusthaveacab.
'Thechucklewithwhichhesaidthis,andthechucklewithwhichhepaidfortheTurkey,andthechucklewithwhichhepaidforthecab,andthechucklewithwhichherecompensedtheboy,wereonlytobeexceededbythechucklewithwhichhesatdownbreathlessinhischairagain,andchuckledtillhecried.
Shavingwasnotaneasytask,forhishandcontinuedtoshakeverymuch;andshavingrequiresattention,evenwhenyoudon'tdancewhileyouareatit.
Butifhehadcuttheendofhisnoseoff,hewouldhaveputapieceofsticking-plasteroverit,andbeenquitesatisfied.
AChristmasCarol132of138Hedressedhimselfallinhisbest,andatlastgotoutintothestreets.
Thepeoplewerebythistimepouringforth,ashehadseenthemwiththeGhostofChristmasPresent;andwalkingwithhishandsbehindhim,Scroogeregardedeveryonewithadelightedsmile.
Helookedsoirresistiblypleasant,inaword,thatthreeorfourgood-humouredfellowssaid,'Goodmorning,sir.
AmerryChristmastoyou.
'AndScroogesaidoftenafterwards,thatofalltheblithesoundshehadeverheard,thoseweretheblithestinhisears.
Hehadnotgonefar,whencomingontowardshimhebeheldtheportlygentleman,whohadwalkedintohiscounting-housethedaybefore,andsaid,'ScroogeandMarley's,Ibelieve.
'Itsentapangacrosshishearttothinkhowthisoldgentlemanwouldlookuponhimwhentheymet;butheknewwhatpathlaystraightbeforehim,andhetookit.
'Mydearsir,'saidScrooge,quickeninghispace,andtakingtheoldgentlemanbybothhishands.
'Howdoyoudo.
Ihopeyousucceededyesterday.
Itwasverykindofyou.
AmerryChristmastoyou,sir.
''MrScrooge.
''Yes,'saidScrooge.
'Thatismyname,andIfearitmaynotbepleasanttoyou.
Allowmetoaskyourpardon.
AndAChristmasCarol133of138willyouhavethegoodness'—hereScroogewhisperedinhisear.
'Lordblessme.
'criedthegentleman,asifhisbreathweretakenaway.
'MydearMrScrooge,areyouserious.
''Ifyouplease,'saidScrooge.
'Notafarthingless.
Agreatmanyback-paymentsareincludedinit,Iassureyou.
Willyoudomethatfavour.
''Mydearsir,'saidtheother,shakinghandswithhim.
'Idon'tknowwhattosaytosuchmunificence.
''Don'tsayanythingplease,'retortedScrooge.
'Comeandseeme.
Willyoucomeandseeme.
''Iwill.
'criedtheoldgentleman.
Anditwasclearhemeanttodoit.
'Thankyou,'saidScrooge.
'Iammuchobligedtoyou.
Ithankyoufiftytimes.
Blessyou.
'Hewenttochurch,andwalkedaboutthestreets,andwatchedthepeoplehurryingtoandfro,andpattedchildrenonthehead,andquestionedbeggars,andlookeddownintothekitchensofhouses,anduptothewindows,andfoundthateverythingcouldyieldhimpleasure.
Hehadneverdreamedthatanywalk—thatanything—couldgivehimsomuchhappiness.
Intheafternoonheturnedhisstepstowardshisnephew'shouse.
AChristmasCarol134of138Hepassedthedooradozentimes,beforehehadthecouragetogoupandknock.
Buthemadeadash,anddidit:'Isyourmasterathome,mydear.
'saidScroogetothegirl.
Nicegirl.
Very.
'Yes,sir.
''Whereishe,mylove.
'saidScrooge.
'He'sinthedining-room,sir,alongwithmistress.
I'llshowyouup-stairs,ifyouplease.
''Thankyou.
Heknowsme,'saidScrooge,withhishandalreadyonthedining-roomlock.
'I'llgoinhere,mydear.
'Heturneditgently,andsidledhisfacein,roundthedoor.
Theywerelookingatthetable(whichwasspreadoutingreatarray);fortheseyounghousekeepersarealwaysnervousonsuchpoints,andliketoseethateverythingisright.
'Fred.
'saidScrooge.
Dearheartalive,howhisniecebymarriagestarted.
Scroogehadforgotten,forthemoment,abouthersittinginthecornerwiththefootstool,orhewouldn'thavedoneit,onanyaccount.
'Whyblessmysoul.
'criedFred,'who'sthat.
'AChristmasCarol135of138'It'sI.
YouruncleScrooge.
Ihavecometodinner.
Willyouletmein,Fred.
'Lethimin.
Itisamercyhedidn'tshakehisarmoff.
Hewasathomeinfiveminutes.
Nothingcouldbeheartier.
Hisniecelookedjustthesame.
SodidTopperwhenhecame.
Sodidtheplumpsisterwhenshecame.
Sodideveryonewhentheycame.
Wonderfulparty,wonderfulgames,wonderfulunanimity,wonderfulhappiness.
Buthewasearlyattheofficenextmorning.
Oh,hewasearlythere.
Ifhecouldonlybetherefirst,andcatchBobCratchitcominglate.
Thatwasthethinghehadsethisheartupon.
Andhedidit;yes,hedid.
Theclockstrucknine.
NoBob.
Aquarterpast.
NoBob.
Hewasfulleighteenminutesandahalfbehindhistime.
Scroogesatwithhisdoorwideopen,thathemightseehimcomeintotheTank.
Hishatwasoff,beforeheopenedthedoor;hiscomfortertoo.
Hewasonhisstoolinajiffy;drivingawaywithhispen,asifheweretryingtoovertakenineo'clock.
'Hallo.
'growledScrooge,inhisaccustomedvoice,asnearashecouldfeignit.
'Whatdoyoumeanbycominghereatthistimeofday.
''Iamverysorry,sir,'saidBob.
'Iambehindmytime.
'AChristmasCarol136of138'Youare.
'repeatedScrooge.
'Yes.
Ithinkyouare.
Stepthisway,sir,ifyouplease.
''It'sonlyonceayear,sir,'pleadedBob,appearingfromtheTank.
'Itshallnotberepeated.
Iwasmakingrathermerryyesterday,sir.
''Now,I'lltellyouwhat,myfriend,'saidScrooge,'Iamnotgoingtostandthissortofthinganylonger.
Andtherefore,'hecontinued,leapingfromhisstool,andgivingBobsuchadiginthewaistcoatthathestaggeredbackintotheTankagain;'andthereforeIamabouttoraiseyoursalary.
'Bobtrembled,andgotalittlenearertotheruler.
HehadamomentaryideaofknockingScroogedownwithit,holdinghim,andcallingtothepeopleinthecourtforhelpandastrait-waistcoat.
'AmerryChristmas,Bob,'saidScrooge,withanearnestnessthatcouldnotbemistaken,asheclappedhimontheback.
'AmerrierChristmas,Bob,mygoodfellow,thanIhavegivenyouformanyayear.
I'llraiseyoursalary,andendeavourtoassistyourstrugglingfamily,andwewilldiscussyouraffairsthisveryafternoon,overaChristmasbowlofsmokingbishop,Bob.
Makeupthefires,andbuyanothercoal-scuttlebeforeyoudotanotheri,BobCratchit.
'AChristmasCarol137of138Scroogewasbetterthanhisword.
Hediditall,andinfinitelymore;andtoTinyTim,whodidnotdie,hewasasecondfather.
Hebecameasgoodafriend,asgoodamaster,andasgoodaman,asthegoodoldcityknew,oranyothergoodoldcity,town,orborough,inthegoodoldworld.
Somepeoplelaughedtoseethealterationinhim,butheletthemlaugh,andlittleheededthem;forhewaswiseenoughtoknowthatnothingeverhappenedonthisglobe,forgood,atwhichsomepeopledidnothavetheirfilloflaughterintheoutset;andknowingthatsuchasthesewouldbeblindanyway,hethoughtitquiteaswellthattheyshouldwrinkleuptheireyesingrins,ashavethemaladyinlessattractiveforms.
Hisownheartlaughed:andthatwasquiteenoughforhim.
HehadnofurtherintercoursewithSpirits,butlivedupontheTotalAbstinencePrinciple,everafterwards;anditwasalwayssaidofhim,thatheknewhowtokeepChristmaswell,ifanymanalivepossessedtheknowledge.
Maythatbetrulysaidofus,andallofus!
Andso,asTinyTimobserved,GodblessUs,EveryOne!
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