Part 2 (2/2)

_Scro._ If they had rather die, they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides, excuse me, I don't know that.

_Mr. B._ But you might know it.

_Scro._ It's not my business. It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen.

_Mr. M._ It is useless, we may as well withdraw. [_Exeunt. As they go out Bob is seen to hand them money._]

(_Voice at door_ R. _singing_.)

G.o.d bless you, merry gentlemen.

May nothing you dismay--

_Scro._ (_Seizes ruler and makes a dash at the door._) Begone! I'll have none of your carols here. (_Makes sign to Bob, who extinguishes his candle and puts on his hat and enters._) You'll want all day to morrow, I suppose?

_Bob._ If quite convenient, sir.

_Scro._ It's not convenient, and its not fair. If I was to stop half-a-crown for it you'd think yourself ill-used, I'll be bound? (_Bob smiles faintly._) And yet you don't think _me_ ill-used when I pay a day's wages for no work.

_Bob._ It's only once a year, sir.

_Scro._ A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket every twenty-fifth of December. (_b.u.t.toning up his great coat to the chin._) But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier next morning. (_Exit_ C.)

_Bob._ I will, sir. You old skinflint. If I had my way, I'd give you Christmas. I'd give it to you this way (_Dumb show of pummelling Scrooge._) Now for a slide on Cornhill, at the end of a lane of boys, twenty times, in honor of Christmas Eve, and then for Camden Town as hard as I can pelt. (_Exit_ C., _with sliding motions, closing doors after him_.)

SCENE II.--_Scrooge's apartments._ _Grate fire_, L.

_2, Window_, R. C. _Door_, L. C. _in flat_. _Table_, L. _4. Spoon and basin on table. Saucepan on hob. Two easy chairs near fire. Lights down._

[_Scrooge in dressing gown and night-cap, discovered, with candle, searching the room._]

_Scro._ Pooh! pooh! Marley's dead seven years to night. Impossible.

n.o.body under the table, n.o.body under the couch, n.o.body in the closet, n.o.body nowhere (_Yawns_). Bah, humbug! (_Locks door_ R. _and seats himself in easy chair; dips gruel from saucepan into basin, and takes two or three spoonsful. Yawns and composes himself for rest._)

[_One or two stanzas of a Christmas carol may be sung outside, at the close of which a general ringing of bells ensues, succeeded by a clanking noise of chain._]

_Enter Jacob Marley's ghost._ R., _with chain made of cash-boxes, keys, padlocks, ledgers, deeds, purposes, etc. Hair twisted upright on each side to represent horns. White bandage around jaws._

_Scro._ It's humbug still! I won't believe it. [_Pause, during which Ghost approaches the opposite side of the mantel._] How now. What do you want with me?

_Ghost._ Much.

_Scro._ Who are you?

_Gho._ Ask me who I _was_.

_Scro._ Who _were_ you then? You're particular, for a shade.

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