A Christmas Carol; Or, The Miser's Warning!

Heart. He's dead, you say? When did he die?

Cheer. Last night, I believe.

Heart. What has he done with his money?

Cheer. I haven't heard, he hasn't left it to me. It's likely to be a very cheap funeral, for I don't know of any one likely to go to it.

Heart. Well, I don't mind going to it if lunch is provided. I'm not at all sure I was not one of his most particular friends.

Cheer. Yes – you used to stop, and say "How d'ye do?" whenever you met. But, come – we must to 'Change. (Exit r. h.

Scr. A moral in their words, too! Quiet and dark beside me stands yet the phantom, with its outstretched hand. It still points onward and I must follow it! (The Spirit exits slowly followed by Scrooge.)

SCENE III.—Interior of a Marine Store Shop. Old iron, phials, etc., seen. A screen extends from r. h. to c. separating fireplace, etc., from shop. Chair and table near the fire

Old Joe seated near the fire, smoking. A light burns on the table. The Spirit enters, followed by Scrooge.

Scr. What foul and obscure place is this? What place of bad repute – of houses wretched – of people half naked – drunken and ill-favoured? The whole quarter reeks with crime – with filth and misery. (Shop door opens, and Mrs. Dibler enters. She has hardly time to close the door when it opens again, and Dark Sam enters closely followed by Mrs. Mildew. Upon perceiving each other they at first start, but presently burst into a laugh. Joe joins them.)

Sam. Let the charwoman alone to be the first – let the laundress alone to be second – and let the undertaker's man alone to be the third. Look here old Joe, here's a chance! If we all three haven't met here without meaning it.

Joe. You couldn't have met in a better place. Come into the parlour – you're none of you strangers. Stop till I shut the door of the shop. Ah! how it shrieks! There an't such a rusty bit of metal here as its own hinges – and I'm sure there's no such old bones here as mine. Ha, ha! we're all suitable to our calling. We're well matched. Come into the parlour. (They come forward by screen.)

Mrs. M. (Throwing down bundle.) What odds, then, Mrs. Dibler? Every person has a right to take care of themselves. He always did.

Sam. No man more so, so don't stand staring as if you was afraid, woman – who's the wiser? We're not going to pick holes in each other's coats, I suppose?

Omnes. No, indeed! we should hope not!

Mrs. M. Who's the worse for the loss of a few things like these? Not a dead man, I suppose?

Omnes. (Laughing.) No, indeed!

Sam. If he wanted to keep 'em after he was dead, a wicked old screw, why wasn't he natural in his life time?

Mrs. M. If he had been, he'd have had somebody to look after him when he was struck with death, instead of lying, gasping out his last, alone there by himself – it's a judgment upon him! Open that bundle, old Joe, and let me know the value of it.

Sam. Stop! I'll be served first, to spare your blushes, though we pretty well knew we were helping ourselves, and no sin neither! (Gives trinkets to Joe.)

Joe. Two seals, pencil case, brooch, sleeve buttons! (Chalking figures on wall.) Five bob! Wouldn't give more, if you was to boil me! Who's next? (Mrs. Dibler offers bundle which he examines.) There's your money! (Chalks on wall.) I always give too much to ladies – it's my weakness, and so I ruin myself. If you asked for another penny, and made it an open question, I'd repent of being so liberal, and knock off half a-crown! (Examines Mrs. Mildew's bundle upon his knees.) What do you call this? bed curtains? You don't mean to say you took 'em down, rings and all, with him lying there?

Mrs. M. Yes. I do! Why not?

Joe. You were born to make your fortune, and you'll certainly do it! Blankets! his blankets?

Mrs. M. Whose else's? He won't take cold without 'em!

Joe. I hope he didn't die of anything catching!

Mrs. M. No, no! or I'd not have waited on such as he! There, Joe, that's the best shirt he had – they'd ha' wasted it, but for me!

Joe. What do you call wasting it?

Mrs. M. Putting it on him to be buried, to be sure! Somebody was fool enough to do it, but I took it off again! If calico ain't good enough for such a purpose, it ain't good enough for anybody! It's quite as becoming to the body! He can't look uglier than he did in that one!

Scr. I listen to their words in horror!

Joe. There is what I will give you! (Chalks on wall, then takes out a small bag, and tells them out their money.)

Mrs. M. Ha, ha! This is the end of it, you see – he frightened every one away from him when he was alive, to profit us when he was dead – ha, ha, ha! (All laugh.)

Scr. (Shuddering.) Spirit, I see – I see! The case of this unhappy man might be my own – my life tends that way now. Let us be gone. (The Spirit points onward. The Scene changes.)

SCENE IV.—A chamber. Curtain drawn over recess. The Spirit points to it – then approaches it, followed by Scrooge trembling. The curtain is withdrawn – a bed is seen – a pale, light shows a figure, covered with a sheet upon it

Scr. (Recoiling in terror.) Ah! a bare uncurtained bed, and something there, which, though dumb, announces itself in awful language! Yes, plundered and bereft, unwatched, unwept, uncared for, is the body of this man! (The Spirit points towards the bed.) It points towards the face – the slightest movement of my hand would instantly reveal it – I long yet dread to do it. Oh, could this man be raised up and see himself! Avarice, hard dealing, griping cares! They have brought him to a rich end, truly! He lays alone in a dark empty house, with not a man, woman, or a child, to say – "He was kind to me – I will be kind to him!" Spirit, this is a fearful place! in leaving it, I shall not leave its lesson. Let us hence. If there is any person in the town who feels emotion caused by this man's death, show that person to me, I beseech you. (As he speaks the Scene changes.)

SCENE V.—A chamber. Scrooge and Spirit on l. h

Enter Ellen, r. h., second dress, followed by Euston, l. h

Ellen. What news my love – is it good or bad?

Eus. Bad!

Ellen. We are quite ruined!

Eus. No! there is hope yet, Ellen!

Ellen. If he relents, there is – nothing is past hope if such a miracle has happened.

Eus. He is past relenting! He is dead!

Ellen. Dead! It is a crime but heaven forgive me, I almost feel thankful for it!

Eus. What the half drunken-woman told me last night, when I tried to see him and obtain a week's delay, and which I thought a mere excuse to avoid me, was true, – he was not only ill, but dying then!

Ellen. To whom will our debt be transferred!

Eus. I don't know, but before that time we shall be ready with the money, and were we not, we can hardly find so merciless a creditor in his successor. We may sleep to-night with light hearts, Ellen. Come! (Exeunt r. h.)

Scr. This is terrible! Let me see some tenderness connected with a death in that dark chamber, which we left just now, Spirit – it will be for ever present to me. (Spirit points onward and slowly exits followed by Scrooge.)

SCENE VI.—Apartment at Bob Cratchit's

(Mrs. Cratchit, Peter, and the two younger Cratchit's discovered. Candle lighted. The Spirit enters, followed by Scrooge.)

Scr. As through the old familiar streets we passed, I looked in vain to find myself, but nowhere was I to be seen.