Old Scrooge: A Christmas Carol In Five Staves Part 8

_Fred._ We must not devote the whole evening to music. Suppose we have a game?

_All._ Agreed.

_Spir._ Time flies; I have grown old. We must hasten on.

_Scro._ No, no! One half hour, Spirit, only one.

_Fred._ I have a new game to propose.

_Sarah._ What is it?

_Fred._ It is a game called Yes and No. I am to think of something and you are all to guess what it is. I am thinking of an animal, a live animal, rather a disagreeable animal, a savage animal that growls and grunts sometimes, and talks sometimes, and lives in London, and walks about the streets, and is not made a show of, and is not led by anybody and don't live in a menagerie, and is not a horse, a cow or a donkey or a bull. There, now guess?

_Mrs. M._ Is it a pig?

_Fred._ No.

_Julia._ Is it a tiger?

_Fred._ No.

_Topper._ Is it a dog?

_Fred._ No.

_Sarah._ Is it a cat?

_Snapper._ It's a monkey.

_Fred._ No.

_Mrs. M._ Is it a bear?

_Fred._ No.

_Julia._ I have found it out! I know what it is, Fred! I know what it is!

_Fred._ What is it?

_Julia._ It's your uncle Scro-o-o-oge!

_Fred._ Yes.

_All._ Ha, ha, ha! ha, ha, ha!

_Mrs. M._ It is hardly fair, you ought to have said yes, when I said, it's a bear.

_Fred._ He has given us plenty of merriment, I'm sure, and it would be ungrateful not to drink his health. Here is some mulled wine ready to our hand at the moment; and when you are ready I say uncle Scrooge!

(_Servant brings wine forward._)

_All._ Well! Uncle Scrooge!

_Fred._ A Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to the old man. He wouldn't take it from me, but may he have it, nevertheless. Uncle Scrooge!

_All._ Uncle Scrooge, uncle Scrooge!

(_Scrooge seems to make efforts to reply to the toast, while spirit drags him away._)

CURTAIN.

STAVE FOUR.

SCENE I.--_Scrooge's chambers._

_Scrooge discovered upon his knees._

_Scro._ Can this be the Spirit of Christmas Future that I see approaching? shrouded in a black garment, which conceals its head, its form, its face, and leaves nothing visible save one outstretched hand. I am in the presence of the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. It points onward with its hand. You are about to show me the shadows of things that have not happened, but will happen in the time before us. Is that so, Spirit? (_Rises and stands trembling._) Ghost of the Future, 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 you company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me? It will not speak. The hand points straight before us. Lead on! Lead on! The night is waning fast, and it is precious time to me, I know. Lead on, Spirit.

(_Scrooge crosses stage, as if following Spirit to tormentor entrance, and remains while the scene changes._)

SCENE II.--_A Street._

_Scro._ Ah, here comes Stevens and there Jones. I have always made it a point to stand well in their esteem--that is in a business point of view.

_Enter Mr. Stevens_ R. _and Mr. Jones_ L., _meeting_.

_Stevens._ How are you?

_Jones._ Pretty well. So Old Scratch has got his own, at last, hey?

_Stev._ So I am told. Cold, isn't it?

_Jones._ Seasonable for Christmas-time. You're not a skater, I suppose?

_Stev._ No, no. Something else to think of. Good morning. [_Exeunt in opposite directions._]

_Scro._ Ah, here are more of my old business friends; the Spirit directs me to hear what they say.

_Enter Mr. Fatchin, Mr. Snuffer and Mr. Redface._

_Mr. F._ No; I don't know much about it, either way; I only know he's dead.

_Mr. R._ When did he die?