Original subtitles

Indistinct crowd chati'er

church bell tolls

Is he the bad one?

Very bad.

And are there ghosts?

Girl 1: What are the people in the picture?

Girl 2: They're in prison.

Girl 1: They look sad.

Say we're nearly ready.

Indistinct children's voices

Man: Ghosts, you say?

Are you quite certain you won't be too...

Frightened!

No, father.

Don't be silly.

It's a nice story.

It's only Marley who's slightly unpleasant...

And he's soon gone.

Oh, Marley was dead to begin with.

There is no doubt whatever about that.

Old Marley was dead as a door—nail.

Did scrooge know Marley was dead?

Of course he did!

Scrooge and Marley had been partners for...

I don't know how long.

He was his sole executor, his sole mourner.

And even scrooge was not so desperately cut up

about the sad event.

There is no doubt about that.

This must be clearly understood

or nothing good can come of this story

that I am about to relate.

Lights clunk

Narrator: Oh, but scrooge was a tight—fisted hand

at the grindstone.

Scrooge!

A squeezing, wrenching, grasping

scraping, clutching, co vetous old sinner!

Hard and sharp as flint

from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire.

Secret, and self—contained

and so/ita/y as an oyster.

Once upon a time

of all the good days in the year, on Christmas Eve

old scrooge sat busy in his counting house.

Door slams

church bell chimes — indistinct chati'er

It was cold, bleak, biting weather.

The door of scrooge's counting house was open

that he might keep his eye upon his clerk

who, in a dismal little cell beyond

was copying letters.

Scrooge had a very small fire.

The clerk tried to warm himself at the candle

in which effort, not being a man of strong imagination

he failed.

Fred: A merry Christmas, uncle!

Narrator: Cried a cheen'u/ voice.

God save you!

Narrator: It was the voice of his nephew, Fred

who came upon him so quickly

that this was the first intimation he had

of his approach.

Scrooge: Bah, humbug!

Fred: Christmas a humbug, uncle?

You don't mean that, I'm sure.

Scrooge: I do. What right have you to be merry?

You're poor enough.

Fred: Come then, what right have you to be dismal?

What reason have you to be morose?

You're rich enough.

Scrooge: Bah, humbug!

Fred: Don't be cross, uncle!

Scrooge: What else can I be when I live

in such a world of fools as this?

What's Christmas time to you but a time

for paying bills without money?

A time for finding yourself a year older

but not an hour richer.

If I could work my will

every idiot who goes about with "merry Christmas"

on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding

and buried with a stake of Holly through his heart.

Fred: Uncle!

I have always thought of Christmas time as a good time.

A kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time.

The only time I know of in the long calendar of the year

when men and women seem by one consent

to open their shut—up hearts freely

and to think of people below them

as if they really were fellow passengers to the grave

and not another race of creatures

bound on other journeys.

And therefore, uncle

though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket

I believe that it has done me good

and will do me good

and I say, god bless it!

Narrator: The clerk in voluntarily applauded

becoming immedia te/y sensible of the impropriety.

Scrooge: Let me hear another sound from you

and you'll keep your Christmas by losing your situation.

Fred: Don't be angry, uncle.

Come! Dine with us tomorrow.

Scrooge: Thank you, but no.

Fred: But why? Why?

Scrooge: Why did you get married?

Fred: Because I fell in love.

Scrooge: Because you fell in love!

Good afternoon.

Fred: I want nothing from you, I ask nothing of you.

Why cannot we be friends?

Scrooge: Good afternoon.

Fred: I am sorry, with all my heart

to find you so resolute.

We have never had any quarrel to which I have been a party.

But I have made the trial in homage to Christmas

and I'll keep my Christmas honour to the last.

So a merry Christmas, uncle!

Happy new year! — good afternoon.

Good afternoon.

Narrator: His nephew left

without an ang/y word, notwithstanding.

He stopped at the outer door to bestow the greetings

of the season on the clerk, who, cold as he was

was warmer than scrooge

for he returned them cordially.

Scrooge: There's another fellow, my clerk

with 15 shillings a week, and a wife and family

talking about a merry Christmas.

I'll retire to a madhouse.

He'll want all day tomorrow, isuppose.

Cratchit: If quite convenient, sir.

Scrooge: It's not convenient, and it's not fair.

If I was to stop half—a—crown for it

you'd think yourself ill—used, I'll be bound?

You don't think me ill—used, when I pay a day's wages

for no work.

Cratchit: It is only once a year, sir.

Scrooge: A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket

every 25th of December!

Butlsuppose you must have the whole day.

Be here all the earlier next morning.

Narrator: The clerk promised that he would

and scrooge walked out with a growl.

The office was closed in a twinkling

and the clerk ran home to Camden town

as hard as he could pelt, to play at blind man 's—buff

children giggle

As scrooge left his counting house

he was approached by two gentlemen

who had been on their way to visit him.

Man 1: Scrooge and Marley's, I believe.

Have I the pleasure of addressing mr scrooge

or mr Marley? — mr Marley has been dead

these seven years.

He died seven years ago, this very night.

Man 1: We have no doubt his liberality is well represented

by his surviving partner.

Scrooge: Good afternoon.

Man 2: At this festive season of the year

it is more than usually desirable that we should

make some slight provision for the poor and destitute

who suffer greatly at the present time.

Boy: Take pity on us, sir.

We've got no lodgings.

Man 2: Many thousands are in want of common necessaries

hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.

Scrooge: Are there no prisons?

Man 1: Plenty of prisons.

Scrooge: And the union workhouses?

Are they still in operation?

Man 1: They are. I wish I could say they were not.

Scrooge: The treadmill and the poor law

are in full vigour then?

Man 2: Both very busy, sir.

Scrooge: Oh. I was afraid, from what you said at first

that something had occurred to stop them

in their useful course. I'm very glad to hear it.

Man 1: Under the impression that they scarcely furnish

Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude

a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund

to buy the poor some meat and drink and means of warmth.

We choose this time, because it is a time

of all others, when want is keenly felt

and abundance rejoices.

What shall I put you down for?

Scrooge: Nothing!

Man 2: You wish to be anonymous?

Scrooge: I wish to be left alone

since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer.

I don't make merry myself at Christmas

and I can't afford to make idle people merry.

I help to support the establishments I have mentioned

they cost enough, and those who are badly off must go there.

Man 2: Many can't go there

and many would rather die.

Manager: The missus goes that way, you that way.

No argument, mind.

Scrooge: If they would rather die

they had better do it

and decrease the surplus population.

Besides, it's not my business.

It's enough for a man to understand his own business

and not to interfere with other people's.

Mine occupies me constantly.

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

Raucous chati'er

overseer: Hurry along, there!

No talking.

Crowd clamou rs

overseer: Eyes to the front!

Crowd chati'er fades

loud laughter

man: Another gin, waiter!

Cups clink

man 2: Finished with the paper?

Narrator: Scrooge took his melancholy dinner

in his usual melancholy tavern

and having read all the newspapers

went home to bed.

Beggar: Charity?

It's Christmas, guv.

Narrator: Let any man explain to me if he can

how it happened that scrooge

having his key in the lock of the door

saw in the knocker

Marley's face.

Marley's face...

It had a dismal light about it

like a bad lobster in a dark cellar.

That, and its livid colour

made it horrible.

As scrooge looked fixedly at this phenomenon

it was a knocker again.

Ghostly chime

Bells ring

the bells ceased as they had begun, together.

Distant clank

they were succeeded by a clanking noise from the attic

as if some person were dragging a heavy chain over the beams.

Eerie rasp

then he heard the noise much louder

coming straight to wards his door.

Eerie rasp

eerie groan

eerie growl

Scrooge: What do you want with me?

Marley: Much.

In life, I was your partner

Jacob Marley.

You don't believe in me?

Why do you doubt your senses?

Scrooge: Because a little thing affects them.

A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheats.

You might be an undigested bit of beef, a crumb of cheese

a fragment of underdone potato.

There's more of gravy than of grave about you.

Marley groans

Marley roars

why do spirits walk the earth?

And why do they come to me?

Marley: It is required...

Marley rasps ...Of every man

that the sprit within him

should walk among his fellow man

and travel far and wide

and if that spirit goes not forth in life

it is condemned to do so after death.

Oh, woe is me!

Scrooge: You are fettered.

Marley: I wear the chains

I forged in life.

I made it link by link

and yard by yard.

I girded it on

and of my own free will

I wore it.

Is its pattern strange to you?

Or would you know the weight and length

of the strong coil you wear yourself?

It was full as heavy and as long as this

seven christmases ago...

And you have laboured on it since.

Scrooge: Jacob, tell me more. Speak comfort to me!

Marley: I have none to give.

Scrooge: But you were always a good man of business, Jacob.

Marley: Business!

Mankind was my business.

The common welfare was my business.

Charity, mercy and benevolence

were all my business.

Marley sighs

Marley groans

Marley roars

at this time of year, I suffer most.

Man: She's a ripe one.

Ripe for the picking! Man sniggers

Marley: Why did I walk through crowds

of fellow beings with my eyes turned down

and never raise them to that blessed star

which led the wise men to a poor abode!

Hear me!

My time is nearly gone.

I am here tonight to warn you

that you have yet a hope

of escaping my fate.

Scrooge: You were always a good friend to me. Thank ye!

Marley: You will...

Be haunted by three spirits.

Marley rasps

Marley chuckles

expect the first when the bell tolls midnight.

Look to see me no more

and remember

what has passed between us.

Eerie gust

narrator: The air was filled with phantoms

wandering hither and thither in restless haste

and moaning as they went

eve/y one of them wore chains like Marley's ghost

some few, they might be guilty governments

were linked together.

None were free.

Many had been personally known to scrooge in their lives.

He had been quite familiar with one old ghost

who cried piteously

at being unable to assist a wretched housekeeper

with an infant whom it saw below, upon a doorstep.

Whether these creatures faded into mist

or mist enshrouded them

he could not tell. — baby cries

but they and their spirit voices faded together

and the night became as it had been.

♪ Hark the herald... ♪

Narrator: The ghost of Christmas past.

Church bell chimes

When scrooge awoke

the neighbouring church struck the four quarters

so he listened for the hour.

Church bell chimes

twelve.

Marley's ghost bothered him exceedingly.

Was it a dream, or not?

Scrooge: Are you the spirit whose coming was foretold me?

Ghost of xmas past: I am the ghost of Christmas past.

Your past.

Scrooge: What business brought you here?

Ghost of xmas past: Your welfare.

Narrator: Scrooge expressed himself much obliged

but could not help thinking that a night of unbroken rest

would have been more conducive to that end.

The spirit must have heard him thinking.

Ghost of xmas past: Your reclamation, then.

Take heed.

Narrator: It put out its strong hand as it spoke

and clasped him gently by the arm.

It would have been in vain for scrooge to plead

that the bed was warm

and the thermometer a long way below freezing

and that he was clad but lightly in his slippers

dressing gown and nightcap

and that he had a cold upon him at that time.

The grasp, though gentle, was not to be resisted.

He Rose, and somehow knew

that the spirit would take him into the air.

Scrooge: I am mortal, and liable to fall.

Ghost of xmas past: Bear but a touch of my hand there

and you shall be upheld in more than this.

Narrator: As the words were spoken

they passed through the wall

and stood upon an open count/y road

with fields on either hand.

Child laughs

child: Woohoo!

Happy Christmas, will, Charlie!

Scrooge: Good heaven!

I was bred in this place. I was a boy here.

Narrator: He was conscious of a thousand odours

floating in the air, each one connected

with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys

and cares long, long forgotten.

Ghost of xmas past: You recollect the way?

Scrooge: Remember it! I could walk it blindfold.

Ghost of xmas past: Strange you have forgotten it

for so many years.

Narrator: They walked along the road

scrooge recognising eve/y gate

and post and tree

until a little market town appeared in the distance.

Ghost of xmas past: These are but the shadows

of the things that have been.

Child: See you next year!

Next year... How funny that sounds!

Ghost of xmas past: The school is not quite deserted.

A solitary child... — school bell rings

neglected by his friends

is left there still.

Narrator: The spirit touched him on the arm

and pointed to his young self

a lonely boy reading by a feeble fire.

Scrooge wept

to see his poor forgotten self as he used to be.

Scrooge: Why, it's old Tom!

It's dear old, honest Tom.

Yes, yes, I know...

One Christmas time, when yonder solitary child

was left here all alone

he did come to cheer me.

Poor boy.

Narrator: Scrooge thought he was dreaming

but he wasn't.

Then, with a rapidity of transition

very foreign to his usual character

he said, in pity for his former self

”poor boy! ”

And cried again.

Scrooge: I wish...

But it's too late now.

Ghost of xmas past: What is the matter?

Scrooge: Nothing.

There was a boy singing a Christmas Carol last night.

I should like to have given him something, that's all.

Ghost of xmas past: Let us see another Christmas.

Narrator: He was not reading now

but walking up and down despairingly.

Scrooge looked at the ghost

and with a mournful shaking of his head

glanced anxiously to wards the door.

Fan: Oh, dear, dear brother!

I have come to bring you home, dear brother!

To bring you home, home, home!

Young scrooge: Home, little fan?

Fan: Yes! Home, for good and all.

Home, for ever and ever.

Father is so much kinder than he used to be.

He spoke so gently to me one night

when I was going to bed

that I was not afraid to ask him once more if you might come home

and he said, "yes, you should!"

And sent me in a coach to bring you.

And you are never to come back here.

But first...

We're to be together all Christmas long

and have the merriest time in all the world!

Young scrooge: You are quite a housekeeper, little fan.

She giggles

ghost of xmas past: You must come with me now.

Faint chati'er

do you know this place?

Scrooge: Know it! Of course I know it.

Was I not apprenticed here?

Narrator: Scrooge's former self, now grown a young man

came briskly in, accompanied by his fellow prentice.

Scrooge: Dick Wilkins, to be sure!

Bless me, yes, there he is!

He was very much attached to me, was dick.

Poor dick.

Why, it's old fezziwig!

Bless his heart, it's fezziwig, alive again!

Narrator: Old fezziwig laid down his pen

and looked at his watch.

He rubbed his hands, adjusted his capacious waistcoat

and called out in a comfortable, oily

rich, fat, jovial voice...

Fezziwig: Yo—ho, there, ebenezer!

Yo—ho, my boys!

No more work tonight!

Christmas, ebenezer.

Hilly—ho!

Clear away, my lads

and let's have lots of room here.

Clear away!

Narrator: It was done in a minute.

The floor was swept and watered, and the lamps were trimmed

and the warehouse was as snug and warm

and diy and bright a ballroom

as you would desire to see upon a winter's night.

In came a Fiddler with a music book

and went up to the lofty desk, and made an orchestra of it

and tuned like 50 stomach aches.

In came mrs fezziwig, one vast substantial smile.

In came the three miss fezziwigs

beaming and lovable.

In came the six young followers whose hearts they broke.

In came all the young men and women employed in the business.

In came the housemaid, with her cousin, the baker.

In came the cook, with her brother's particular friend

the milkman.

In came the boy from over the way

who was suspected of not having board enough

from his master.

In they all came, anyhow and eveiyho w.

There were dances and more dances

and there were fon'eits, and more dances

and there was cake, and there was negus

and there was a great piece of cold roast

and there was a great piece of cold boiled

and there were mince pies, and plenty of beer.

During the whole of this time

scrooge had acted like a man out of his wits.

His heart and soul were in the scene

and with his former self

it was not until now

when the bright face of his former self

was turned from them

that he remembered the ghost

and became conscious that it was looking full upon him.

Ghost of xmas past: A small matter

to make these silly folk so full of gratitude.

Scrooge: Small!

Ghost of xmas past: Why? Is it not small?

He has spent but a few pounds.

Is that so much that he deserves this praise?

Narrator: Scrooge, heated by the remark

and speaking unconsciously like his former

not his latter self, said...

Scrooge: It isn't that, spirit!

He has the power to render us happy or unhappy.

To make our service light or burdensome

a pleasure or a toil.

The happiness he gives

is quite as great as if it cost a fortune.

Narrator: He felt the spirit's glance, and stopped

ghost of xmas past: What is the matter?

Scrooge: Nothing in particular.

Ghost of xmas past: Something, I think?

Scrooge: I should like to be able to say a word or two

to my clerkjust now. That's all.

Crowd cheers

Ghost of xmas past: We must away, to your sister.

Always a delicate creature

whom a breath might have withered

but she had a large heart.

Scrooge: So she had. You're right.

I'll not deny it for a second.

God forbid.

Ghost of xmas past: She died a woman

and had, I think, children.

Scrooge: One child.

Ghost of xmas past: True, your nephew.

My time grows short. Quick.

Baby cries

Narrator: He was older now.

His face had begun to wear the signs

of care and avarice.

There was an eager, greedy, restless motion in the eye

which showed the passion that had taken root

and where the shadow of the growing tree would fall.

He was sat by the side of a fair young girl

in whose eyes there were tears.

Belle: It matters little.

To you, very little.

Another idol has displaced me

and if it can cheer and comfort you in time to come

as I would have tried to do

I have no just cause to grieve.

What idol has displaced you?

Belle: A golden one.

Scrooge scoffs

this is the even—handed dealing of the world.

There is nothing on which it is so hard as poverty

and there is nothing it professes to condemn

with such severity as the pursuit of wealth!

Belle: You fear the world too much.

All your other hopes have merged into the hope of wealth.

I have seen your nobler aspirations fall off one by one

until the master passion, gain, engrosses you. Have I not?

Scrooge: What then?

Even if I have grown so much wiser, what then?

I am not changed towards you.

Belle: Am I?

Our contract is an old one.

It was made when we were both poor and content to be so

until, in good season, we could improve

our worldly fortune by our patient industry.

You are changed.

When it was made, you were another man.

Scrooge: I was a boy.

Your own feeling tells you that you were not then

what you are now.

That which promised happiness when we were one in heart

is fraught with misery now that we are two.

It is enough that I have thought of it

and can release you. — have I ever sought release?

Scrooge: In words?

No. Never. — in what, then?

Belle: In everything that made my love of any worth

or value in your sight.

If this had never been between us, tell me

would you seek me out and try to win me now?

Narrator: He seemed to yield to the justice

of this supposition, in spite of himself

but he said, with a struggle...

Scrooge: You think not?

Belle: I would gladly think otherwise, if I could.

But if you were free today, tomorrow, yesterday

can I believe that you would choose a poor girl?

You, who now weigh everything by gain.

If, for a moment, you were false enough

to your one guiding principle

I know that your repentance and regret would surely follow.

Narrator: He was about to speak

but with her head turned from him

she walked away.

He did not fol/o w.

Scrooge: Spirit! Show me no more!

Conduct me home. Why do you delight to torture me?

Ghost of xmas past: One shadow more.

Scrooge: No more, I don't wish to see it!

Show me no more!

Narrator: But the relentless ghost pinioned him

in both his arms

and forced him to obsen/e what happened next.

They were now years hence.

A room, not very large or handsome

but full of comfort

near to the fire sat a beautiful young girl

so like that last

that scrooge believed it was the same

until he saw her

now a comely matron, sitting opposite her daughter.

And now scrooge looked on

more attentively than ever

when the master of the house

having his eldest daughter leaning fondly on him

sat down with her and her mother at his own fireside.

And when he thought that such another creature

quite as graceful and as full of promise

might have called him father

and been a springtime in the haggard winter of his life

his sight grew very dim indeed.

Scrooge: Spirit! Remove me from this place.

Ghost of xmas past: I told you these were shadows

of the things that have been.

They are what they are. Do not blame me.

Scrooge: Remove me! I cannot bear it!

Narrator: He turned upon the ghost

and seeing that it looked upon him with a face

in which, in some strange way

there were fragments of all the faces it had she wn him

wrestled with it.

He was conscious of being exhausted

and overcome by an irresistible drowsiness...

And further...

Of being in his own bedroom. — church bell chimes

He snores

narrator: The ghost of Christmas present

he woke in the middle of a prodigiously tough snore

and sat up in bed to get his thoughts together.

Choir sings: ♪ go, go tell it ♪

♪ go, go tell it ♪

♪ on the mountain... ♪

Narrator: It was his own room.

There was no doubt about that

but it had undergone a surprising transformation.

A mighty Blaze went roaring up the chimney

as that dull petrifaction of a hearth

had never known in scrooge's time, or Marley 's

or for many and many a winter season gone.

A jolly giant, glorious to see

who bore a glowing torch

in shape not unlike plenty's horn

and held it up, high up, to shed its light on scrooge

as he came peeping round the door.

Ghost chuckles

come in! Come in, and know me better, man!

Na r rato r: Scrooge entered timidly

and hung his head before this spirit

he was not the dogged scrooge he had been

and though the spirit's eyes were clear and kind

he did not like to meet them.

Ghost of xmas present: I am the ghost of Christmas present.

Look upon me.

Narrator: Scrooge re verent/y did so.

It was clothed in one simple green robe

bordered with white fur.

This garment hung loosely on the figure.

Its feet obsen/ab/e beneath the ample folds of the garment

were bare, and on its head

it wore no other covering than a Holly wreath.

Girded round its middle was an antique scabbard

but no sword was in it

and the ancient sheath was eaten up with rust

ghost of xmas present: You've never seen

the like of me before. — never, sir.

Ghost of xmas present: Have never walked forth

with the younger members of my family?

Scrooge: I'm afraid I have not.

Have you had many brothers, spirit?

Ghost of xmas present: More than 1,800.

Scrooge: Spirit, conduct me where you will.

I went forth last night on compulsion

and I learnt a lesson which is working now.

Tonight, if you have aught to teach me

let me profit by it.

Ghost of xmas present: Touch my robe.

Narrator: Scrooge did as he was told, and held it fast

Choir sings: ♪ on the mountain ♪

♪ go tell it on the mountain ♪

♪ go tell ♪

Woman: Go to sleep, or he won't come.

Child: Will we leave a carrot?

Woman 2: Thank you, your majesty.

Woman 3: The size, we'll still be serving it at easter!

Narrator: They stood in the city streets

on Christmas morning.

There was nothing very cheen'u/ in the climate or the town

and yet there was an air of cheen'u/ness abroad

that the clearest summer air

and brightest summer sun

might have endeavoured to diffuse in vain.

Man: Fresh oysters! Fresh oysters!

Narrator: The people were, by this time, pouring forth.

Crowd chati'e rs

man: Buy any milk today?

The grocers, oh, the grocers!

The blended scents of tea and coffee

were so grateful to the nose.

The sticks of cinnamon so long and straight

the candied fruits so caked

and spotted with molten sugar.

The customers were all so hurried and so eager

in the hopeful promise of the day

that they tumbled up against each other at the door

clashing their wicker baskets wildly.

Church bell chimes — but soon, the steeples

called good people all to church

fiocking through the streets in their best clothes

and with their gayest faces.

And at the same time, there emerged

from scores of by—streets, lanes and nameless turnings

innumerable people

canying their dinners to the bakers ' shops.

The sight of these poor revellers

appeared to interest the spirit very much

for he stood with scrooge beside him in a baker's doorway

and sprinkled incense on their dinners from his torch.

Woman: Mrs Johnson's got beef?

She must've been at the old man's wages

before he got to the pub! She laughs

scrooge: Is there a peculiar flavour in what you sprinkle

from your torch? — there is.

My own.

Scrooge: Would it apply to any kind of dinner on this day?

Ghost of xmas present: To any kindly given.

To a poor one most.

Scrooge: Why to a poor one most?

Ghost of xmas present: Because it needs it most.

Scrooge: Spirit, I wonder you, of all the beings

in the many worlds about us, should desire to cramp

these people's opportunities of innocent enjoyment.

Ghost of xmas present: I?

Scrooge: You would deprive those that have no hearths

of their own, the means of cooking every seventh day

often the only day on which they can be said to dine at all

wouldn't you?

Scrooge: You seek to close these bakeries on the sabbath.

It comes to the same thing. — I seek...

Scrooge: Forgive me if I am wrong.

It has been done in your name

or at least in that of your family.

Ghost scoffs

there are some upon this earth of yours

who lay claim to know us

and who do their deeds of passion, pride

ill will, hatred, envy

bigotry and selfishness in our name

who are as strange to us and all our kith and kin

as if they had never lived.

Remember that...

And charge their doings on themselves...

Not us.

Train rati'les

train whistle blows

Girl 1: I hope Martha doesn't lose the pennies

she saved for the train!

Girl 2: She mustn't! I'll miss her.

Girl 3: Let's wish she's not too tired

from making all those hats.

Man: All aboard!

Narrator: Bob had but 75 Bob a week

he pocketed on Saturdays

but 75 copies of his Christian name

and yet the ghost of Christmas present

blessed his four—roamed house.

Up Rose mrs cratchit

dressed out but poorly in a twice—turned gown

but brave in ribbons.

Mrs cratchit: What has ever got your precious father then?

And your brother, tiny Tim?

And Martha weren't as late last Christmas by half an hour.

Boy: Here's Martha, mother!

Children: Hello, Martha! — hello Martha!

Mrs cratchit: Why! Bless your heart alive, my dear.

How late you are!

Martha: We'd a deal of work to finish up last night

and had to clear away this morning, mother.

Don't wake me in the morning.

I hope to lay Abed tomorrow, as it is a holiday!

Mrs cratchit: Well, never mind.

Sit ye down before the fire, lord bless ye.

Boy: No, no. There's father coming!

Hide, Martha, hide!

Narrator: So Martha hid herself

and in came Bob

his threadbare clothes darned up and brushed

to look seasonable

and tiny Tim upon his shoulder.

Alas, for tiny Tim, he bore a little crutch

and had his limbs supported by an iron frame.

Cratchit: Why, where's our Martha?

Mrs cratchit: Not coming. — not coming?

Not coming upon Christmas day? — children giggle

narrator: Martha didn't like to see him disappointed

if it were only in joke, so she ran into his arms.

Martha: Happy Christmas, father!

Narrator: The two young cratchits hustled tiny Tim

and bore him off into the washhouse...

Girl: You come with us, Tim!

That he might hear the pudding singing in the copper.

Mrs cratchit: And how did little Tim behave?

Cratchit: Oh! As good as gold.

As good as gold and better.

Somehow, he gets thoughtful sitting by himself so much

and thinks the strangest things.

He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people

saw him in the church, because he was a cripple

and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas day

who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see.

Narrator: Bob's voice was tremulous when he told them this

and trembled uncertainly when he said

that tiny Tim was growing strong and hearty.

His active little crutch was heard upon the floor

and back came tiny Tim

escorted by his brother and sister

to his stool before the fire.

Master Peter, and the two ubiquitous young cratchits

went to fetch the goose

with which they soon returned in high procession.

Such a bustle ensued

that you might have thought a goose the rarest of all birds

a feathered phenomenon.

And in truth, it was something very like it in that house.

Cratchit: I don't believe there was ever

such a goose cooked, my dear! Wonderful!

Girl: Scrum—diddlyumptious!

Narrator: Its tenderness and fia vour

size and cheapness

were the themes of universal admiration.

Girl: Hope there's gravy!

Eked out by apple sauce and mashed potatoes

it was a sufficient dinner for the whole family.

Indeed, as mrs cratchit said with great delight

sum/eying one small atom of a bone upon the dish

they hadn't ate it all at last

but now, the plates being changed

mrs cratchit left the room alone

too hen/ous to bear witnesses

to take the pudding up and bring it in.

A great deal of steam!

The pudding was out of the copper.

A smell like a washing day.

That was the cloth.

A smell like an eating house and a past/y cook's

next door to each other

with a laundiy next door to that

mrs cratchit entered

fiushed but smiling proudly

with the pudding like a speckled Cannon ball.

E veiybody had something to say about it

but nobody said or thought

it was a small pudding for a large family.

Any cratchit would have blushed to hint at such a thing.

Then all the cratchit family drew round the hearth.

Cratchit: A merry Christmas to us all, my dears.

God bless us.

Tiny Tim: God bless us, every one!

Narrator: Said tiny Tim, the last of all.

He sat very close to his father's side

upon his little stool

Bob held his withered little hand in his

as if he loved the child

and wished to keep him by his side

and dreaded that he might be taken from him.

Scrooge: Spirit, tell me if tiny Tim will live.

Ghost of xmas present: I see a vacant seat

and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved.

If these shadows remain unaltered by the future

the child will die.

Scrooge: No, no, kind spirit.

Say he will be spared. — If these shadows remain

unaltered by the future, no other of my race

will find him here. Well, what then?

If he be like to die, he had better do it

and decrease the surplus population.

Narrator: Scrooge hung his head

to hear his own words quoted by the spirit

ghost of xmas present: Man, if man you be in heart

not stone, forbear that wicked cant

until you have discovered what the surplus is

and where it is.

Will you decide what men shall live and what men shall die?

It may be, that in the sight of heaven

you are more worthless and less fit to live

than millions like this poor man's child. Oh, god!

To hear the insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too—much—life

among his hungry brothers in the dust!

Narrator: Scrooge bent before the ghost's rebuke

and trembling, cast his eyes upon the ground

but he raised them speedily, on hearing his own name.

Cratchit: To scrooge!

I'll give you mr scrooge, the founder of the feast!

Mrs cratchit: The founder of the feast indeed!

I wish I had him here.

I'd give him a piece of my mind to feast upon

and I hope he'd have a good appetite for it!

Cratchit: My dear, the children.

Christmas day!

Mrs cratchit: I'll drink his health for your sake

and the day's, not for his!

Narrator: Tiny Tim drank it last of all

but he didn't care two pence for it

scrooge was the ogre of the family.

They were not a handsome family.

They were not well dressed.

Their shoes were far from being waterproof

their clothes were scanty

and Bob's might have known, and very likely did

the inside of a pa wnbroker's.

But they were happy, grateful

pleased with one another

and contented all the time.

Children giggle

scrooge had his eye upon them

and especially on tiny Tim, until the last

laughter fades

it was a long night

if it were only a night

not to sea? — thunder claps

to sea!

To scrooge's horror, looking back

he saw the last of the land

and his ears were deafened by the thundering of water

as it rolled and roared.

Man: Mind yourself, Harry! Don't drop the Turkey!

Narrator: Built upon a dismal reef of sunken rocks

on which the waters chafed and dashed

there stood a solitaiy lighthouse...

Man: There's Christmas for you!

But even here, eve/y man among them

hummed a Christmas tune!

Again the ghost sped on

above the black and heaving sea...

Distant voices sing

until a light shone from the window of a house

and swiftly, they advanced to wards it

loud laughter

man laughs and sighs

it was a great surprise to scrooge to hear a hearty laugh.

It was a much greater surprise to scrooge

to recognise it as his own nephew's

and to find himself in a bright, diy, gleaming room.

Woman: Clara, my dear, what a lovely lunch!

Narrator: ”ha —ha —ha! ”

Laughed Fred ”ha —ha —ha —ho! ”

It is a fair, even—handed noble adjustment of things

that while there is infection in disease and sorrow

there is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious

as laughter and good humour.

Woman laughs

Fred: He said that Christmas was a humbug!

And he believed it too.

Clara: More shame for him, Fred.

Fred: He's a comical old fellow, that's the truth

and not so pleasant as he might be.

However, his offenses carry their own punishment

and I have nothing to say against him.

Clara: I'm sure he is very rich.

At least, you always tell me so.

Fred: His wealth is of no use to him.

He doesn't make any good with it.

He doesn't make himself comfortable with it.

He hasn't the satisfaction of thinking...

He chuckles ...That he is ever

going to benefit us with it.

Clara: Oh... I have no Patience with him.

Fred: Oh, I have.

I'm sorry for him!

Couldn't be angry with him if I tried.

Who suffers by his ill whims?

Himself, always.

Here, he takes it into his head to dislike us

and he won't come and dine with us.

What's the consequence?

He doesn't lose much of a dinner.

Clara scoffs indeed?

I think he loses a very good dinner.

Fred: Well, I'm very glad to hear it!

Because I haven't great faith in these young housekeepers.

What do you say, topper?

Narrator: Topper had clearly got his eye on

one of the ladies

for he answered that a bachelor was a wretched outcast

who had no right to express an opinion on the subject

Fred re veiled in another laugh

and as it was impossible to keep the infection off..

They laugh

Fred: A merry Christmas and a happy new year to the old man.

He wouldn't take it from me, but he may have it.

Let us make a toast to uncle scrooge!

Fred laughs and sighs

woman: Who's for blind man's buff?

Scrooge: Here's a new game!

One half hour, spirit, only one!

Na r rato r: Uncle scrooge had imperceptibly

become so gay and light of heart

that he would have pledged the unconscious company in return

and thanked them in an inaudible speech

if the ghost had given him time.

But the whole scene passed off in the breath of the last word

church bell chimes

ghost of xmas present: Hark.

My life upon this globe is very brief.

Narrator: The chimes were ringing the three quarters

past 77 at that moment

dogs bark

distant laughter

Crowd chati'e rs

man 1: Please leave me alone.

Man 2: Give it here. — what are you doing?

Woman: You want a good time?

Man 1: You're hurting me!

Woman laughs — come here, my darling.

Man 3: Go on, hit him!

And again!

Crowd clamou rs

dogs bark

man 4: Pull your razor, Jim.

Man sobs

Scrooge: Forgive me if I am not justified in what I ask

but I see something strange, and not belonging to yourself

protruding from your skirts.

Is it a foot or a claw? — It might be a claw

for the flesh there is upon it.

Look here.

Narrator: From the foldings of its robe

it brought two children.

Wretched abject, frightful

hideous, miserable.

They knelt down at its feet

and clung upon the outside of its garment

ghost of xmas present: Oh, man, look here!

Look!

Look, down here!

Narrator: They were a boy and a girl.

Yellow, meagre, ragged

sco w/ing, wolfish...

But prostrate, too, in their humility.

Where angels might have sat enthroned

devils lurked, and glared out menacing.

No change, no degradation, no pen/ersion of humanity

has monsters half so horrible and dread

scrooge started back, appalled

having them sho wn to him in this way

he tried to say they were fine children

but the words choked themselves

rather than be parties to a lie of such enormous magnitude.

Scrooge: Spirit, are they yours?

Ghost of xmas present: They are man's.

And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers.

This boy is ignorance.

This girl is want.

Beware them both, and all of their degree

but most of all, beware this boy...

Man grunts

for on his brow I see that written which is doom

unless the writing be erased.

Scrooge: Have they no refuge or resource?

Ghost of xmas present: Are there no workhouses?

Are there no prisons? — overseer yells

whip cracks

Narrator: The ghost of Christmas yet to come.

Eerie moan

scrooge looked about him for the ghost

and saw it not

as the last stroke ceased to vibrate

he remembered the prediction of old Jacob Marley

and lifting up his eyes, beheld a solemn phantom

draped and hooded

coming like a mist along the ground to wards him.

The phantom s/o w/y, gra very, silently approached

when it came, scrooge bent down upon his knee.

It was shrouded in a deep black garment

which concealed its head its face, its form

and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched hand

scrooge: I am in the presence

of the ghost of Christmas yet to come?

Narrator: The spirit answered not

but pointed downward with its hand

scrooge: You are about to show me shadows

of the things that have not happened

but will happen in the time before us.

Is that so, spirit?

Narrator: Although well used to ghostly company by this time

scrooge feared the silent shape so much

that his legs trembled beneath him

and he found that he could hardly stand

when he prepared to follow it

scrooge: I fear you...

More than any spectre I have seen.

But as I know your purpose is to do me good

and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was

I am prepared to bear your company

and do it with a thankful heart.

Lead on.

Lead on.

The night is waning fast...

And it is precious time to me, I know.

Church bells echo

Narrator: They scarcely seemed to enter the city

but there they were, in the heart of it

amongst the merchants, who hurried up and down

and chinked the money in their pockets

and conversed in groups, as scrooge had seen them often.

The spirit stopped beside one little knot of businessmen.

Cbsen/ing that the hand was pointed to them

scrooge advanced to listen to their talk.

Man 1: I don't know much about it, either way.

I only know he's dead!

Man 2: When did he die?

Man 1: Ooh. Last night, I believe.

Man 3: Why? What was the matter with him?

I thought he'd never die.

Man 2: God knows!

Man 3: What has he done with his money?

Man 2: Well, I haven't heard.

Left it to his company, perhaps.

He hasn't left it to me. That's all I know.

Man 1: Well, it's likely to be a very cheap funeral

for upon my life, I don't know of anybody to go to it.

Man 1 guffaws

suppose we make up a party and volunteer?

I don't mind going

if a lunch is provided

but I must be fed.

Man 2 laughs

narrator: Scrooge was at first inclined to be surprised

that the spirit should attach importance to conversations

apparently so trivial

but feeling assured that they must have some hidden purpose

he set himself to consider what it was likely to be.

But nothing doubting that to whomsoe ver they applied

they had some latent moral for his own improvement

dog barks — accordion plays

they left the busy scene

and went into an obscure part of the town

where scrooge had never penetrated before.

Man: You've had the pipe long enough.

Pass it on.

Narrator: The ways were foul...

Man: Cut your liver out!

The shops and houses wretched

the people half—naked drunken

slipshod ugly.

Alleys and arch ways, like so many cesspools

disgorged their offenses of smell and dirt and life

upon the straggling streets.

Woman: We don't talk to you lot.

Narrator: The whole quarter reeked with crime

with filth, and miseiy.

Far in this den of infamous resort

there was a lo w—bro wed beetling shop

below a penthouse roof

where iron, old rags, bottles

bones and greasy offal were bought

sitting in among the wares he dealt in, by a stove

was a grey—haired rascal

nearly 70 years of age. — door bell jingles

scrooge and the phantom came into the presence of this man

just as a housekeeper with a heavy bundle

slunk into the shop.

Maid: Every person has a right to take care of themselves.

He always did.

Who's the worse for the loss of a few things like these?

If he wanted to keep 'em after he was dead

a wicked old screw

why wasn't it natural in his lifetime?

If it had been, he's have had somebody

to look after him when he was struck with death

instead of lying gasping out his last, alone by himself.

Joe: It's the truest ever word that was spoke.

It's a judgment on him.

Maid: Open the bundle, old Joe, and let me know

the value of it.

Joe: What... what do you call this?

Bed—curtains? — bed—curtains.

Joe laughs wheezily

you don't mean to say you took 'em down

rings and all, with him lying there?

He cackles — yes, I do. Why not?

Joe: You were born to make your fortune

and you'll certainly do it.

Ooh...

Maid: You may look through that shirt till your eyes ache

but you won't find a hole in it, nor a threadbare place.

It's the best he had, and a fine one too.

They'd have wasted it, if it hadn't been for me.

Joe: W... What do you mean, wasting of it?

Maid: Putting it on him to be buried in, to be sure!

Somebody was fool enough to do it, but I took it off again.

Oh, this is the end of it, you see.

He frightened everyone away from him when he was alive

to profit us when he was dead! She laughs

scrooge: If there is any person in the town

who feels emotion caused by this man's death

show that person to me, spirit, I beseech you.

♪ Good people, all ♪

♪ this Christmas time ♪

Baby cries

woman: She's worried to death by it all.

But they had to borrow, for the kiddies.

Narrator: The phantom spread its dark robe before him

for a moment like a wing

and withdrawing it, revealed a room by daylight

where a mother and her children were.

She was expecting someone, and with anxious eagerness

for she walked up and down the room

started at eve/y sound looked out from the window

glanced at the clock.

At length, the long—expected knock was heard

she hurried to the door, and met her husband

a man whose face was care worn and depressed

though he was young.

There was a remarkable expression in it no w

a kind of serious delight, of which he felt ashamed

and which he struggled to repress.

Woman: Is it good or bad?

Man: Bad.

Woman sighs we are quite ruined.

Man: No.

There is hope yet, Caroline.

Caroline: If he relents, there is.

Nothing is past hope

if such a miracle has happened.

Man: He is past relenting.

He is dead.

Narrator: She was a mild and patient creature

if her face spoke truth

but she was thankful in her soul to hear it

and she said so, with clasped hands.

She prayed forgiveness the next moment

and was soriy.

Caroline: To whom shall our debt be transferred?

Man: I don't know.

But before that time, we shall be ready with the money

and even though we were not, it would be bad fortune indeed

to find so merciless a creditor in his successor.

We shall sleep tonight with light hearts, Caroline.

Scrooge: Let me see some tenderness

connected with the death.

Narrator: They entered poor Bob cratchit's house

and found the mother and the children seated round the fire.

Quiet very quiet

the noisy little cratchits were as still as statues

in one corner.

Mrs cratchit sighs

the mother laid her work upon the table

and put her hand up to her face.

Mrs cratchit: Colour hurts my eyes.

It makes them weak by candlelight

and I wouldn't show weak eyes to your father

when he comes home, for the world.

It must be near his time.

Martha: Past it, rather.

But I think he's walked a little slower than he used

these few last evenings, mother.

Mrs cratchit: I have known him walk with tiny Tim

upon his shoulder, very fast indeed.

Martha: And so have I. Often.

Mrs cratchit: His father loved him so

that it was no trouble...

Ah! And there is your father at the door!

Narrator: Two young cratchits got upon his knees

and laid each child a little cheek

against his face.

Girl: Don't mind it, father.

Boy: Don't be grieved.

Narrator: Bob was very cheen'u/ with them

and spoke pleasantly to all the family.

He looked at the work upon the table

the shroud that would clothe his son

and praised the industiy and speed

of mrs cratchit and the girls.

”They would be done long before Sunday, ” he said

mrs cratchit: You went today then, Robert?

Cratchit: Yes, my dear.

I wish you could have gone.

It would've done you good to see how green a place it is

where he will lay.

But you'll see it often.

I promised him...

That I would walk there on a Sunday.

Narrator: He broke down all at once.

He couldn't help it

He left the room, and went upstairs to the room above

which was lighted cheen'u/ly, and hung with Christmas.

There was a chair set close beside the child

and there were signs of someone having been there lately.

Poor Bob sat down in it

and when he had thought a little and composed himself

he kissed the little face.

Cratchit: My little, little child...

My little child.

Narrator: They drew about the fire, and talked

the girls and mother working still.

Bob told them of the extraordinaiy kindness

of mr Fred whom he had scarcely seen but once

and who, meeting him in the street that day

and seeing that he looked a little subdued

asked after him.

Cratchit: Just a little down, you know.

On which, for he is the pleasantest—spoken gentleman

you ever heard...

Fred: What has happened to distress you?

Cratchit: I told him.

"I am heartily sorry for it, mr cratchit

and heartily sorry for your good wife.

If I can be of service to you in any way," he said

giving me his card, "that's where I live.

Pray, come to me."

Now, it really seemed as if he had known our tiny Tim

and felt with us.

I shouldn't be at all surprised, Mark what I say

if he got Peter a better situation.

Mrs cratchit: Oh! Only hear that, Peter!

Cratchit: But however and whenever

we part from one another

I am sure, we shall none of us forget poor tiny Tim, shall we?

Or this first parting that there was among us.

All: No, father.

Cratchit: And I know, my dears

that when we recollect how patient and how mild he was

although he was a little...

Little child...

We shall not quarrel easily among ourselves

and forget poor tiny Tim in doing it.

All: No, never, father.

Cratchit: I am very happy.

He sniffs

I am very happy.

Scrooge: Spectre, something informs me

that our parting moment is at hand.

I know it, but I know not how.

Tell me what man that was

whom we saw lying dead.

Thunder cracks

Narrator: The spirit stood among the graves

and pointed down to one.

Scrooge advanced to wards it trembling.

Scrooge: Before I draw nearer to that stone

to which you point, answer me one question.

Are these the shadows of the things that will be

or are they shadows of things that may be, only?

Narrator: Still the ghost pointed downward to the grave

by which it stood

scrooge: Men's courses will foreshadow certain ends

to which, if persevered in, they must lead

but if the courses be departed from

the ends will change.

Say it is thus with what you show me.

Narrator: The spirit was immovable as ever.

Scrooge crept to wards it trembling as he went

scrooge: Am I that man who lay upon the bed?

Narrator: Fol/o wing the finger

read upon the stone of the neglected grave

his own name...

Ebenezer scrooge.

Thunder cracks

Joe laughs

I hope he didn't die of anything catching!

Man: We are quite ruined.

Narrator: The finger pointed from the grave

to him and back again.

Scrooge: No, spirit! No...

No!

Spirit, hear me. I am not the man I was.

Why show me this, if I am past all hope?

Good spirit, assure me that I yet may change these shadows

that you have shown me, by an altered life.

I will honour Christmas in my heart

and try to keep it all year.

I will live in the past, the present, and the future.

The spirits of all three shall strive within me.

I will not shut out the lessons that they teach.

Tell me I may sponge away the writing on this stone!

Narrator: In his agony, he clasped the spectral body.

It sought to free itself

but he was strong in his entreaty, and detained it

the spirit, stronger yet repulsed him.

Holding up his hands in a last prayer to have his fate reversed

he saw an alteration in the phantom's hood

it shrank, and collapsed

down into a bedpost

scrooge sobs

scrooge: Live in the past, the present, and the future.

The spirits of all three shall strive within me.

I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!

Birds sing

oh, Jacob Marley!

Heaven, and the christmastime be praised for this.

I shall kneel, old Jacob, on my knees.

Ah!

They are not torn down.

They are not torn down!

Rings and all. They are here...

I am here!

The shadows of the things that would have been

may be dispelled.

They will be!

I know they will.

I don't know what to do!

I am as... light as a feather!

I am as happy as an angel!

I am as merry as a schoolboy, I am as giddy as a drunken man!

A merry Christmas to everyone!

A happy new year to all the world!

Hello there!

Woo!

There's the saucepan that the gruel was in!

There's the corner the ghost of Christmas present sat.

There's the window where I saw the wandering spirits!

It's all right, it's all true. It all happened!

He laughs

I don't know what day of the month it is

I don't know how long I've been among the spirits.

I don't know anything!

I'm... quite a baby.

Never mind. I don't care!

I'd rather be a baby!

Hello, whoop!

Hello there!

Narrator: Running to the window, he opened it

and put out his head

no fog, no mist

clear, bright sweet fresh air!

Meriy bells. Ch, glorious!

Glorious!

Scrooge: What's today, my fine fellow?

Boy: Today? Why, Christmas day.

Scrooge: It's Christmas day! I haven't missed it.

The spirits have done it all in one night!

They can do anything they like, of course they can.

Of course they can... Hello, my fine fellow!

Do you know the poulterer's, in the next street but one?

Boy: I should hope I did.

Scrooge: An intelligent boy! A remarkable boy!

Do you know whether they've sold the prize Turkey

that was hanging up there?

Not the little prize Turkey. The big one?

Boy: What...

The one as big as me? — what a delightful boy!

It's a pleasure to talk to him.

Yes, my buck!

Boy: It's hanging there now. — Is it?

Go and buy it.

Boy: Walker!

Scrooge: No, no, I am in earnest.

Go and buy it, and tell them to bring it here

that I may give them the direction where to take it.

Come back with the man, and I'll give you a shilling.

Come back with him in less than five minutes

and I'll give you half a crown.

I'll send it to Bob cratchit's!

He shan't know who sends it.

It's twice the size of tiny Tim.

Faint street chati'er

Narrator: He dressed himself all in his best

and at last, got out into the streets.

He had not gone far, when coming on to wards him

he beheld the gentlemen

who had accosted him the day before, and said

”scrooge and Marley 's, I believe. ”

Scrooge: Dear sir, how do you do?

I hope you succeeded yesterday?

Man: Mr scrooge?

Scrooge: That is my name

and I fear it may not be pleasant to you.

Allow me to ask your pardon.

And will you have the goodness...

Man: Lord bless me!

My dear mr scrooge, are you serious?

Scrooge: If you please, not a farthing less.

A great many back—payments are included in it, I assure you.

Will you do me that favour?

Man: I don't know what to say to such munificence!

Scrooge: Don't say anything. Please, come and see me.

Will you come and see me?

Man: We will!

Scrooge: Thank you. I am much obliged to you.

I thank you 50 times. Bless you!

Narrator: The people were, by this time, pouring forth

as he had seen them with the ghost of Christmas present

he walked about the streets

and watched the people huriying to and fro

and patted children on the head and questioned beggars

and looked down into the kitchens of houses

and up to the windows

and found that eve/ything could yield him pleasure.

He had never dreamed that any walk

that anything...

Could give him so much happiness.

He laughs

Narrator: In the afternoon, he turned his steps

to wards his nephew's house.

He passed the door a dozen times

before he had the courage to go up and knock.

But he made a dash, and did it

he opened the door gently, and sidled his face in.

They were looking at the table

which was spread out in great array

for these young housekeepers are always hen/ous on such points

and like to see that eve/ything is right

Fred: Why, bless my soul!

Who's that?

Scrooge: It's I.

Uncle scrooge.

I've come to dinner.

Will you let me in, Fred?

Fred laughs

narrator: Let him in?

It is a mercy he didn't shake his arm offi

he was at home in five minutes.

Nothing could be heart/er.

Fred's wife looked just the same.

So did topper when he came.

So did the plump lady when she came.

So did everyone when they came!

Wonden'u/ party, wonden'u/ games

wonden'u/ unanimity

wonden'u/ happiness!

But he was early at the office next morning.

Ch, he was early there.

If he could only be there first

and catch Bob cratchit coming late!

That was the thing he'd set his heart upon.

And he did it! Yes, he did.

The clock struck nine...

No Bob.

A quarter past..

No Bob.

He was a full 78 minutes and a half

behind his time.

Scrooge sat with his door wide open

that he might see him enter.

His hat was off before he opened the door

his comforter too.

He was on his stool in a jifij/, driving away with his pen

as if he were tiying to overtake nine 0 'clock.

Scrooge: Hello.

What do you mean by coming here at this time of day?

Cratchit: I'm very sorry, sir. I am behind my time.

Scrooge: You are. Yes, I think you are.

Step this way, if you please.

Cratchit: I—it's only once a year, sir.

It shall not be repeated.

I was making rather merry yesterday, sir.

Scrooge: Now, I'll tell you what, my friend

I'm not going to stand this sort of thing any longer

and therefore...

And therefore, I am about to raise your salary.

Na r rato r: Bob trembled

and got a little nearer to the poker.

He had a momenta/y idea of knocking scrooge down with it

holding him, and calling to the people in the court for help

and a strait— waistcoat

scrooge: A merry Christmas, Bob.

A merrier Christmas, Bob, my good fellow

than I have given you for many a year.

I'll raise your salary

and endeavour to assist your struggling family

and we will discuss your affairs this very afternoon

over a Christmas bowl of smoking bishop, Bob!

They laugh

make up the fires, buy another coalscuttle

before you dot another "I" Bob cratchit!

Scrooge was as good as his word.

He did it all, and infinitely more.

And to tiny Tim, who did not die

he was a second father.

He became as good a friend

as good a master

and as good a man

as the good old city knew

or any other good old city, town or borough

in the good old world

some people laughed to see the transformation in him

but he let them laugh, and heeded them little

for he was wise enough to know

that nothing ever happened on the globe, for good

at which some people

had not had their fill of laughter at the outset

and since he knew such as these were blind anyway

he thought it just as well that their eyes should wrinkle up

in laughter, as have the malady in less attractive forms.

He had no further intercourse with spirits

but lived life according to the total abstinence principle

ever after.

And it was said of him

that he knew how to keep Christmas well

if any man in the world had such knowledge.

Let that be truly said of us

and all of us.

And, as tiny Tim observed...

"God bless us, every one."