Scene III Scrooge’s Chamber, as Before
Scrooge discovered, sleeping in a chair. The Stage becomes suddenly quite light, and the Ghost of Christmas Present discovered, as in Work, page 78, the wall at back covered with ivy, holly, and mistletoe—heaped upon the floor, almost to form a throne, are turkeys, geese, plum puddings, twelfth cake, etc. (See Page 78.)
2nd Spirit. Know me, man? I am the ghost of Christmas Present. Look upon me. (Scrooge rises, approaches, and gazes at the figure.) You have never seen the like of me before?
Scr. Never!
2nd Spirit. Have never walked forth with the younger members of my family, meaning, for I am very young, my elder brothers born in these latter years.
Scr. I’m afraid I have not. Have you had many brothers, Spirit?
2nd Spirit. More than eighteen hundred!
Scr. A tremendous family to provide for! (The Spirit rises.) Spirit, conduct me where you will—if you have ought to teach me, let me profit by it. Why do you carry that torch?
2nd Spirit. To sprinkle the light and incense of happiness every where—to poor dwellings most.
Scr. Why to poor ones most?
2nd Spirit. Because they need it most. But come—touch my robe—we have much to see. (As Scrooge approaches nearer to him, the Scene changes.)
SCENE IV.—A Bleak and Barren Moor. A poor mud cabin. (Painted in the flat.)
The Second Spirit and Scrooge enter.
Scr. What place is this?
2nd Spirit. A place where miners live, who labour in the bowels of the earth—they know me. See! (As he speaks, the window is lighted from within. The Spirit draws Scrooge to window.) What seest thou?
Scr. A cheerful company assembled round a glowing fire—an old man and woman, with their children, and children’s children all decked gaily out in their holiday attire. I hear the old man’s voice above the howling of the wind upon the barren waste; singing a Christmas song, while all swell out the chorus.
2nd Spirit. Come, we must not tarry—we will to sea—your ear shall be deafened by the roaring waters.
Scr. To sea? no, good Spirit!
2nd Spirit. See yonder solitary lighthouse built on a dismal reef of sunken rocks. Here we men who watch the light, have made a fire that sheds a ray of brightness on the awful sea, joining their horny hands over the rough table where they sit, they wish each other a merry Christmas in can of grog and sing a rude lay in honour of the time. All men on this day have a kinder word for one another—on such a day—but come—on—on! (As he speaks the Scene changes.)