Maximum-assistance view: every word above everyday vocabulary is explained at every appearance; each name is introduced at its first appearance in the chapter.

STAVE I (first chapter, named like a section of a song): MARLEY'S GHOST

MARLEY (the man's surname) was dead: to begin with (this is the first thing to establish). There is no doubt whatever (no doubt at all) about (concerning) that. The register (official written record) of his burial (putting a dead body in the ground) was signed by the clergyman (church minister), the clerk (church official who keeps records), the undertaker (person who arranges funerals), and the chief mourner (person who leads those attending a funeral). Scrooge (a man's surname) signed it: and Scrooge's (the son of Scrooge's brother or sister) name was good upon (trusted at) 'Change (the London meeting place for business people), for anything he chose to put his hand to (sign). Old Marley (Scrooge's former business partner) was as dead as a door-nail (completely dead).

Mind (pay attention)! I don't mean to say that I know, of my own knowledge (from what I have personally learned), what there is particularly dead about (concerning) a door-nail (large metal pin used to strengthen a wooden door). I might have been inclined (likely to choose), myself, to regard (think of) a coffin-nail (metal pin used to close a box holding a dead body) as the deadest piece of ironmongery (metal tools and household goods) in the trade (in that business). But the wisdom of our ancestors (people in our families who lived long before us) is in the simile (comparison using words such as like or as); and my unhallowed hands shall not disturb it, or the Country's done for (I jokingly pretend it would be wicked to change the old saying and would ruin the nation). You will therefore permit (allow) me to repeat, emphatically (with strong emphasis), that Marley was as dead as a door-nail (completely dead).

Scrooge knew he was dead? Of course (certainly) he did. How could it be otherwise? Scrooge and he were partners (people who own a business together) for I don't know how many years. Scrooge was his sole (only) executor (person responsible for doing what a dead person's written instructions require), his sole administrator (person who manages a dead person's property), his sole assign (person to whom property or legal rights are transferred), his sole residuary legatee (person who receives what remains after a dead person's debts and other gifts are paid), his sole friend, and sole mourner (person grieving for someone who has died). And even Scrooge was not so dreadfully (terribly) cut up (upset) by the sad event, but that (his grief did not prevent him from being) he was an excellent man of business (person skilled at buying and selling for profit) on the very day (that exact same day) of the funeral, and solemnised it with an undoubted bargain (the narrator jokes that he honoured the funeral by making a profitable deal).

The mention of Marley's (of Marley, Scrooge's dead former business partner) funeral brings me back to the point I started from (makes me return to my first statement). There is no doubt that Marley was dead. This must be distinctly understood (the narrator insists that you must be completely sure he was dead), or nothing wonderful (very surprising) can come of (result from) the story (what happened) I am going to relate (tell). If we were not perfectly convinced (certain) that Hamlet's Father (the dead king in the play Hamlet, whose ghost appears to his son) died before the play began, there would be nothing more remarkable (unusual enough to notice) in his taking a stroll (slow relaxed walk) at night, in an easterly (blowing from the east) wind, upon (on) his own ramparts (thick outer walls built to defend a castle), than there would be in any other middle-aged (neither young nor old) gentleman (man of respected social position) rashly (without thinking about the danger) turning out (going outside) after dark (the time when daylight has ended) in a breezy (windy) spot--say (for example) Saint Paul's Churchyard (the open space around London's large central church) for instance (for example)-- literally (actually) to astonish (greatly surprise) his son's weak mind (mind easily confused or frightened).

Scrooge never painted out (covered with paint so it could not be seen) Old Marley's name. There it stood, years afterwards, above the warehouse (building for storing goods) door: Scrooge and Marley. The firm (business) was known as Scrooge and Marley. Sometimes people new to the business (buying and selling to make money) called Scrooge Scrooge, and sometimes Marley, but he answered to (responded when called by) both names. It was all the same to him (of no importance to him either way).

Oh! (a cry introducing strong disapproval) But he was a tight-fisted hand at the grind-stone (a man who forced others to accept deals that benefited him and hated spending money), Scrooge! a squeezing (forcing others to give him as much money as possible), wrenching (taking money as if twisting it away by force), grasping (greedy for money), scraping (saving even the smallest amounts), clutching (holding his money tightly), covetous (always wanting more possessions), old sinner (person who does things their religion says are wrong)! Hard and sharp as flint (without kindness and harsh towards others, like a hard stone with cutting edges), from which no steel had ever struck out generous fire (nothing anyone did could make him show warmth or kindness); secret (unwilling to reveal his thoughts or feelings), and self-contained (keeping his feelings to himself), and solitary as an oyster (alone and closed to others like a shellfish shut in its shell). The cold within him froze his old features (his lack of kindness seemed to freeze his face), nipped (pinched sharply) his pointed nose, shrivelled (made small and wrinkled) his cheek, stiffened (made less easy to move) his gait (way of walking); made his eyes red, his thin lips blue; and spoke out shrewdly (could be heard sharply and unpleasantly) in his grating (harsh and unpleasant to hear) voice. A frosty rime (white hair compared to a thin layer of ice) was on his head, and on his eyebrows (strips of hair above the eyes), and his wiry (covered with stiff thin hairs) chin. He carried his own low temperature always about with him (his cold, unfriendly manner accompanied him everywhere); he iced his office (made his office seem cold by being unfriendly) in the dog-days (hottest days of summer); and didn't thaw (make it feel friendlier) it one degree at Christmas.

External (from outside him) heat and cold had little (almost no) influence on Scrooge. No warmth could warm (no kindness could make him kinder), no wintry (of the coldest season) weather chill (make cold) him. No wind that blew was bitterer (more harsh and cruel) than he, no falling snow was more intent upon (determined to achieve) its purpose, no pelting rain less open to entreaty (Scrooge was as impossible to persuade as heavy rain is to stop). Foul (very unpleasant) weather didn't know where to have him (could find no way to affect him). The heaviest rain, and snow, and hail (small balls of ice falling from clouds), and sleet (rain mixed with snow), could boast (claim proudly) of the advantage over him in only one respect (in just one way). They often "came down" handsomely (fell in large amounts — also means paid money generously, making the weather seem generous), and Scrooge never did.

Nobody ever stopped him in the street to say, with gladsome (happy) looks, "My dear (a friendly way to address someone) Scrooge, how are you? When will you come to see me?" No beggars (people who ask strangers for money) implored (asked very urgently) him to bestow a trifle (give a small amount of money), no children asked him what it was o'clock (what time it was), no man or woman ever once in all his life inquired (asked) the way to such and such a place (some place whose name does not matter here), of Scrooge. Even the blind men's dogs appeared to know him; and when they saw him coming on (approaching), would tug (pull sharply) their owners into doorways (entrances to buildings) and up courts (small enclosed spaces between buildings); and then would wag (move from side to side) their tails (long parts at the backs of the dogs' bodies) as though they said, "No eye at all is better than an evil eye (the dogs imagine that their owners' blindness is better than looking at others as cruelly as Scrooge does), dark (blind) master (owner)!"

But what did Scrooge care! It was the very thing (exactly what) he liked. To edge his way (move carefully) along the crowded paths of life (a world full of other people), warning all human sympathy (kind feeling for other people) to keep its distance (stay away), was what the knowing ones (people who consider themselves clever) call "nuts" (something greatly enjoyed) to Scrooge.

Once upon a time (at an unspecified time in the past — a traditional story opening)--of all the good days in the year (the narrator expresses surprise that this happens on such a happy occasion), on Christmas Eve (December 24, the day before the holiday celebrating Jesus's birth)--old Scrooge sat busy in his counting-house (office where business accounts are kept). It was cold, bleak (cold and depressing), biting (painfully cold) weather: foggy withal (also): and he could hear the people in the court (small enclosed space between buildings) outside, go wheezing (breathing with a rough whistling sound) up and down (backwards and forwards), beating their hands upon their breasts (chests), and stamping their feet upon the pavement (path beside the road) stones to warm them. The city clocks had only just gone three (sounded their bells for three in the afternoon), but it was quite dark (without enough light to see well) already-- it had not been light (bright enough to see) all day--and candles were flaring (burning brightly with a moving flame) in the windows of the neighbouring (nearby) offices, like ruddy (reddish) smears (blurred patches) upon the palpable (so thick it seemed possible to touch) brown air. The fog came pouring in (entered in large amounts) at every chink (tiny narrow opening) and keyhole (small opening where a key enters a lock), and was so dense (thick) without (outside), that although the court was of the narrowest (extremely narrow), the houses opposite were mere (nothing more than) phantoms (faint shapes like ghosts). To see the dingy (dark and dirty-looking) cloud come drooping (hanging low) down, obscuring (hiding from view) everything, one might have thought that Nature (the natural world imagined as a person) lived hard by (very near), and was brewing (making fog like steam from a huge pot) on a large scale (in very large quantities).

The door of Scrooge's counting-house (office where business accounts are kept) was open that he might (so that he could) keep his eye upon (watch closely) his clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters), who in a dismal (dark and depressing) little (small) cell (tiny room like one in a prison) beyond, a sort of tank (tiny closed area for work compared to a water container), was copying letters. Scrooge had a very (extremely) small fire, but the clerk's fire was so very much smaller that it looked like one coal (a single burning piece of the black fuel). But he couldn't replenish (add more coal to) it, for (because) Scrooge kept the coal-box in his own room; and so surely as (whenever) the clerk came in with the shovel (tool with a broad blade for lifting coal), the master (employer) predicted that it would be necessary for them to part (end the clerk's employment). Wherefore (therefore) the clerk put on (dressed himself in) his white comforter (scarf worn around the neck), and tried to warm himself at the candle; in which effort, not being a man of a strong imagination, he failed (the narrator jokes that the clerk could not imagine enough heat to warm himself).

"A merry (happy) Christmas, uncle! God save you (a greeting wishing you God's protection)!" cried (said loudly) a cheerful voice. It was the voice of Scrooge's nephew (son of a brother or sister), who came upon (approached) him so quickly that this was the first intimation (sign) he had of his approach.

"Bah (a sound expressing disgust)!" said Scrooge, "Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people)!"

He had so heated himself with rapid walking in the fog and frost (thin layer of ice formed in freezing weather), this nephew of Scrooge's (the son of Scrooge's brother or sister, who is the He at the sentence's opening), that he was all in a glow (warm and red from exercise); his face was ruddy (red) and handsome; his eyes sparkled, and his breath smoked (the air he breathed out became visible in the cold) again (strongly and visibly).

"Christmas a humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people), uncle!" said Scrooge's nephew (son of a brother or sister). "You don't mean that, I am sure?"

"I do," said Scrooge. "Merry Christmas (a wish for happiness at the holiday)! What right have you to be merry (happy)? What reason have you to be merry? You're poor enough."

"Come, then (then explain this)," returned (replied) the nephew (son of a brother or sister) gaily (cheerfully). "What right have you (what reason do you have) to be dismal (unhappy and gloomy)? What reason have you to be morose (unhappy and unwilling to be friendly)? You're rich enough."

Scrooge having no better answer ready on the spur of the moment (immediately, without time to think), said, "Bah (a sound expressing disgust)!" again (another time); and followed it up with (then added) "Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people)."

"Don't be cross (angry and bad-tempered), uncle!" said the nephew (son of a brother or sister).

"What else can I be," returned (replied) the uncle, "when I live in such a world of fools as this? Merry Christmas! Out upon (an angry expression of hatred for) merry (happy) Christmas! What's Christmas time to you but (other than) a time for paying bills without (not having) money; a time for finding yourself (realizing that you are) a year older, but not an hour richer (another year has passed without even a small increase in money — a joke measuring wealth in units of time); a time for balancing your books (checking whether your financial records show a profit or a loss) and having every item in 'em (them) through a round dozen (full twelve) of months presented dead against you (recorded firmly as money you owe)? If I could work my will (make everyone do what I want)," said Scrooge indignantly (angrily at something he thinks wrong), "every idiot (very foolish person) who goes about (goes from place to place) with 'Merry Christmas (a wish for happiness at the holiday)' on his lips (as something he says), should be boiled with his own pudding (rich Christmas dessert boiled in a cloth), and buried with a stake (pointed length of wood) of holly (plant with sharp leaves and red berries that stays green all year, used at Christmas) through his heart. He should!"

"Uncle!" pleaded (begged urgently) the nephew (son of a brother or sister).

"Nephew (son of a brother or sister)!" returned (replied) the uncle sternly (in a strict, serious way), "keep Christmas (celebrate the holiday) in your own way, and let me keep it in mine."

"Keep it (celebrate the holiday)!" repeated Scrooge's nephew (son of a brother or sister). "But you don't keep it (celebrate the holiday)."

"Let me leave it alone (have nothing to do with Christmas), then," said Scrooge. "Much good may it do you! Much good it has ever done you! (he mocks the idea that Christmas benefits you)"

"There are many things from which I might have derived good (received benefit), by which I have not profited (gained money), I dare say (I suppose)," returned (replied) the nephew (son of a brother or sister). "Christmas among the rest (Christmas is one of those things). But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round (arrived again)--apart from (considered separately from) the veneration (deep respect) due to (deserved by) its sacred (holy) name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that (if any part of Christmas can be considered separately from its religious meaning)--as a good time; a kind, forgiving (willing to stop blaming others for wrongs), charitable (generous towards people who need help), pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent (as if everyone has agreed) to open their shut-up hearts (allow themselves to feel love and concern for others) freely, and to think of people below them (people with less money or lower social position) as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave (people sharing the same journey towards death), and not another race of creatures (entirely different kind of beings) bound on (travelling on) other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap (tiny amount) of gold or silver in my pocket (money I have gained), I believe that it has done me good (helped me), and will do me good; and I say, God bless it! (may God favour Christmas)"

The clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters) in the Tank (tiny closed area for work compared to a water container) involuntarily (without meaning to) applauded (clapped his hands in approval). Becoming immediately sensible of (aware of) the impropriety (behaviour considered wrong for the situation), he poked (pushed at) the fire, and extinguished (made stop burning) the last frail (weak) spark (tiny bright burning piece) for ever.

"Let me hear another sound from you (if you make another sound)," said Scrooge, "and you'll keep your Christmas (celebrate the holiday) by losing your situation (job)! You're quite a powerful speaker, sir (a formal way to address a man, used mockingly here)," he added, turning to his nephew (son of a brother or sister). "I wonder you don't go into (I am surprised you do not enter politics — he mocks his nephew's speech) Parliament (Britain's law-making body)."

"Don't be angry, uncle. Come! (please agree) Dine (eat dinner) with us to-morrow (tomorrow)."

Scrooge said that he would see him--yes, indeed he did. He went the whole length of the expression, and said that he would see him in that extremity first (he said the complete curse: he would see his nephew in hell before accepting the invitation).

"But why?" cried (said loudly) Scrooge's nephew (son of a brother or sister). "Why?"

"Why did you get married?" said Scrooge.

"Because I fell in love (began to love someone romantically)."

"Because you fell in love (began to love someone romantically)!" growled (said in a low, angry voice) Scrooge, as if that were the only one thing in the world (anywhere at all) more ridiculous (very foolish) than a merry (happy) Christmas. "Good afternoon (leave now)!"

"Nay (no), uncle, but you never came to see me before that happened. Why give it as a reason for not coming now?"

"Good afternoon (leave now)," said Scrooge.

"I want nothing from you; I ask nothing of you; why cannot we be friends?"

"Good afternoon (leave now)," said Scrooge.

"I am sorry, with all my heart (very sincerely), to find you so resolute (determined to keep refusing). We have never had any quarrel (angry disagreement), to which I have been a party (in which I have been involved). But I have made the trial (tried to be friends) in homage to (to show respect for) Christmas, and I'll keep my Christmas humour (stay cheerful during the holiday) to the last (until the end). So A Merry (happy) Christmas, uncle!"

"Good afternoon (leave now)!" said Scrooge.

"And A Happy New Year!"

"Good afternoon (leave now)!" said Scrooge.

His nephew (son of a brother or sister) left the room without (not saying) an angry word, notwithstanding (despite all that). He stopped at the outer door to bestow (give) the greetings of the season (wishes for a happy Christmas) on the clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters), who, cold as he was (although he was cold), was warmer than Scrooge (friendlier than his employer); for (because) he returned (replied to) them cordially (in a friendly and sincere way).

"There's another fellow (man)," muttered (said quietly and unclearly) Scrooge; who overheard (heard what was said to someone else) him: "my clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters), with fifteen shillings a week (three quarters of an old British pound each week, a low wage), and a wife and family, talking about (speaking of) a merry (happy) Christmas. I'll retire to Bedlam (people are so foolish that I shall go mad and need London's hospital for the mentally ill)."

This lunatic (the narrator calls the office worker mad as Scrooge would, because the man enjoys Christmas), in letting Scrooge's nephew out (opening the door for the son of Scrooge's brother or sister to leave), had let two other people in (allowed two other people to enter). They were portly (large and fat) gentlemen (men addressed with respect), pleasant to behold (look at), and now stood, with their hats off, in Scrooge's office. They had books and papers in their hands, and bowed (bent forward to show respect) to him.

"Scrooge and Marley's, I believe," said one of the gentlemen (men addressed with respect), referring to (looking at to check) his list. "Have I the pleasure of addressing (a polite way of asking who someone is) Mr. Scrooge, or Mr. Marley?"

"Mr. Marley has been dead these seven years (for the past seven years)," Scrooge replied. "He died seven years ago, this very night (on this exact night of the year)."

"We have no doubt his liberality (willingness to give generously) is well represented by (is shown just as strongly by) his surviving (still living after the other's death) partner," said the gentleman (man of respected social position), presenting his credentials (documents showing they may act for an organisation).

It certainly was (the narrator jokingly agrees, although both men were equally unwilling to give); for (because) they had been two kindred spirits (people with similar characters and beliefs). At the ominous (suggesting trouble ahead) word "liberality (willingness to give generously)," Scrooge frowned (tightened his forehead in anger), and shook his head, and handed the credentials (documents showing they may act for an organisation) back.

"At this festive (connected with a celebration) season of the year, Mr. Scrooge," said the gentleman (man of respected social position), taking up a pen (lifting a pen to write), "it is more than usually desirable (worth doing) that we should make some slight provision (provide a little help) for the Poor and destitute (having no money or basic things needed to live), who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of (lacking) common necessaries (basic things needed to live); hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts (ordinary things that make daily life easier and more pleasant), sir (a respectful way to address a man)."

"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge.

"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman (man of respected social position), laying down the pen (placing the pen on a surface) again (another time).

"And the Union workhouses (places managed by groups of local districts where poor people lived under strict rules and had to work)?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation (working)?"

"They are. Still (even so)," returned (replied) the gentleman (man of respected social position), "I wish I could say they were not."

"The Treadmill (large wheel that prisoners had to turn by stepping on it as punishment) and the Poor Law (Britain's system of public help for poor people, often requiring them to enter institutions and work) are in full vigour (fully operating), then?" said Scrooge.

"Both very (extremely) busy, sir (a respectful way to address a man)."

"Oh! (a cry showing relief at what he has just heard) I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop (prevent from continuing) them in their useful course (activity)," said Scrooge. "I'm very (extremely) glad to hear it."

"Under the impression (believing) that they scarcely (hardly) furnish (provide) Christian (relating to the religion based on Jesus's teachings) cheer (comfort and happiness) of mind or body to the multitude (large number of people)," returned (replied) the gentleman (man of respected social position), "a few of us are endeavouring (trying hard) to raise a fund (money collected for a purpose) to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth (things to keep people warm). We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others (more than at any other time), when Want (poverty) is keenly (strongly) felt, and Abundance (wealthy people, described as wealth itself) rejoices (feels great happiness). What shall I put you down for (record as your promised gift)?"

"Nothing!" Scrooge replied.

"You wish to be anonymous (unnamed)?"

"I wish to be left alone (free from people bothering me)," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen (a formal way to address you men), that is my answer. I don't make merry (enjoy celebrations) myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle (unwilling to work) people merry (happy). I help to support the establishments (prisons and places where poor people must live and work) I have mentioned--they cost enough; and those who are badly off (poor) must go there."

"Many can't go there; and many would rather die."

"If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better (should) do it, and decrease the surplus population (people he considers more numerous than society needs or can support). Besides--excuse me--I don't know that."

"But you might know it," observed (remarked) the gentleman (man of respected social position).

"It's not my business (responsibility)," Scrooge returned (replied). "It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere (involve himself without being asked) with other people's. Mine occupies (keeps busy) me constantly. Good afternoon (leave now), gentlemen (a formal way to address you men)!"

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point (continue arguing for what they wanted), the gentlemen (men addressed with respect) withdrew (left). Scrooge resumed (began again) his labours (work) with an improved (more favourable) opinion of himself, and in a more facetious (inclined to make jokes) temper (mood) than was usual with him.

Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened (became denser and darker) so, that (so much that) people ran about (ran in different directions) with flaring (burning brightly with a moving flame) links (sticks with burning material at one end, carried to provide light), proffering (offering) their services to go before (walk in front of) horses in carriages (horses pulling passenger vehicles), and conduct (guide) them on their way (as they continued their journey). The ancient tower of a church, whose gruff (deep and rough-sounding) old bell was always peeping (showing through the window as if secretly watching Scrooge) slily (secretly, as if hiding a joke) down at Scrooge out of a Gothic (in an old style of church building with pointed arches) window in the wall, became invisible (impossible to see), and struck the hours and quarters (rang to announce each hour and each fifteen-minute interval) in the clouds, with tremulous (shaking) vibrations (repeated shaking movements that make sound) afterwards as if its teeth were chattering (knocking together repeatedly from cold) in its frozen head up there. The cold became intense. In the main street, at the corner of the court (small enclosed yard among buildings), some labourers (people doing heavy physical work) were repairing the gas-pipes, and had lighted (lit) a great fire in a brazier (metal container holding an open fire), round which a party (group) of ragged (wearing torn clothes) men and boys were gathered: warming their hands and winking (closing and opening their eyes in the bright light) their eyes before the blaze (bright strong fire) in rapture (intense happiness). The water-plug (an opening in a street water pipe where people could get water) being left in solitude (being alone), its overflowings (water that had spilled out) sullenly congealed (froze as if angrily refusing to move), and turned to misanthropic ice (frozen water described as hating people because they cannot use it). The brightness (strong light) of the shops where holly (plant with sharp leaves and red berries that stays green all year, used at Christmas) sprigs (small leafy branches) and berries (small round fruits) crackled (made repeated short snapping sounds) in the lamp heat of the windows, made pale faces ruddy (red) as they passed. Poulterers' (sellers of birds for cooking) and grocers' (sellers of food and household supplies) trades (businesses) became a splendid (extremely impressive) joke (something that seemed playfully festive rather than serious business): a glorious pageant (rich, colourful public display), with which it was next to impossible (almost impossible) to believe that such dull principles (ordinary rules) as bargain (negotiating a price) and sale had anything to do (had any connection with that display). The Lord Mayor (head of the City of London's government), in the stronghold (grand home imagined as a heavily protected place) of the mighty (large and impressive) Mansion House (official home of the City of London's chief elected official), gave orders to his fifty cooks and butlers (senior male household servants who serve food and drink) to keep Christmas (celebrate the holiday) as a Lord Mayor's (the head of the City of London's local government) household should; and even the little (poor and unimportant) tailor (person who makes and repairs clothes), whom he had fined (made to pay money as punishment) five shillings (a quarter of a pound, a significant fine for a poor worker) on the previous Monday for being drunk and bloodthirsty (eager to fight and hurt people) in the streets, stirred up (mixed the ingredients of) to-morrow's (tomorrow's) pudding (rich Christmas dessert boiled in a cloth) in his garret (small room just beneath the roof), while his lean (thin) wife and the baby sallied out (left home with energy) to buy the beef.

Foggier (with more thick cloud at ground level) yet, and colder (at a lower temperature). Piercing, searching, biting cold (weather so freezing it seems to cut into every part of the body). If the good Saint Dunstan (English holy man said to have caught the devil's nose with hot metal tools) had but nipped (had only pinched) the Evil Spirit's (the devil) nose with a touch of (a little of) such weather as that, instead of using his familiar weapons (the hot metal tools he usually used in the story), then indeed he would have roared (the devil would have cried loudly) to lusty purpose (very loudly and forcefully). The owner of one scant (small) young nose, gnawed and mumbled by the hungry cold (numbed and hurt by freezing air, as if being chewed) as bones are gnawed by dogs, stooped (bent his body down) down at Scrooge's keyhole (small opening where a key enters a lock) to regale (entertain) him with a Christmas carol (song sung at Christmas): but at the first sound of

"God bless you, merry gentleman! (the singer begins the song, wishing the man happiness and God's protection) May nothing you dismay (may nothing frighten or upset you)!"

Scrooge seized (grabbed) the ruler (flat stick for measuring length) with such energy (force) of action, that the singer fled (escaped by running) in terror, leaving the keyhole (small opening where a key enters a lock) to the fog and even more congenial (friendly and pleasant compared with his welcome) frost (thin layer of ice formed in freezing weather).

At length (finally) the hour of shutting up (closing for the day) the counting-house (office where business accounts are kept) arrived. With an ill-will (anger and unwillingness) Scrooge dismounted (climbed down) from his stool (seat without a back or arms), and tacitly (without saying it aloud) admitted the fact (acknowledged that the working day was over) to the expectant (waiting for something to happen) clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters) in the Tank (tiny closed area for work compared to a water container), who instantly (immediately) snuffed his candle out (stopped the small flame from burning), and put on his hat (placed his hat on his head).

"You'll want all day to-morrow (the whole of tomorrow free from work), I suppose?" said Scrooge.

"If quite convenient (if giving me the day free from work suits you), sir (a respectful way to address a man)."

"It's not convenient," said Scrooge, "and it's not fair. If I was to stop (deduct from your pay) half-a-crown (two and a half shillings, one sixth of the clerk's weekly pay) for it, you'd think yourself ill-used (treated unfairly), I'll be bound (I am sure)?"

The clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters) smiled faintly (slightly).

"And yet," said Scrooge, "you don't think me ill-used (treated unfairly), when I pay a day's wages (pay for work) for no work."

The clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters) observed (remarked) that it was only once a year.

"A poor excuse for picking a man's pocket (stealing money from someone, as he describes paying for a holiday) every twenty-fifth of December!" said Scrooge, buttoning his great-coat (heavy outdoor coat) to the chin. "But I suppose you must have the whole day. Be here all the earlier (extra early to compensate for the holiday) next morning."

The clerk (office worker who keeps records and copies letters) promised that he would; and Scrooge walked out with a growl (low, angry sound). The office was closed in a twinkling (almost instantly), and the clerk, with the long ends of his white comforter (scarf worn around the neck) dangling (hanging loosely) below his waist (narrow part of the body above the hips) (for (because) he boasted (possessed) no great-coat (heavy outdoor coat)), went down a slide (smooth strip of ice that people move along while standing on their shoes) on Cornhill (street in the City of London), at the end of a lane (narrow space between rows) of boys, twenty times, in honour of (to celebrate) its being Christmas Eve (December 24, the day before the holiday celebrating Jesus's birth), and then ran home to Camden Town (district in north London) as hard as he could pelt (as fast as he could run), to play at blindman's-buff (game in which a person with covered eyes tries to catch the others).

Scrooge took (ate) his melancholy (sad and dull) dinner in his usual melancholy tavern (public place serving food and alcoholic drinks); and having read all the newspapers, and beguiled (passed pleasantly) the rest of the evening with his banker's-book (book recording his bank account), went home to bed. He lived in chambers (set of rooms used as a home) which had once belonged to his deceased (dead) partner. They were a gloomy (dark and depressing) suite (connected set) of rooms, in a lowering (dark and threatening) pile (large building) of building up a yard (inside an enclosed space between buildings beyond the street), where it had so little business to be (it seemed such an unlikely place for a large building), that one could scarcely (hardly) help fancying (avoid imagining) it must have run there when it was a young house (the narrator jokingly imagines the building as a child running to this spot), playing at hide-and-seek (a game in which one person searches for the others, who have hidden) with other houses, and forgotten the way out again (back to the outside). It was old enough now, and dreary (depressing and dull) enough, for (because) nobody lived in it but (except) Scrooge, the other rooms being all let out (rented to others) as offices. The yard was so dark (without enough light to see well) that even Scrooge, who knew its every stone (knew every part of the yard very well), was fain to (had to) grope (find where to go by touching things because he could not see) with his hands. The fog and frost (thin layer of ice formed in freezing weather) so hung (remained around) about (around) the black old gateway (entrance with a gate) of the house, that it seemed as if the Genius of the Weather (an imagined being controlling the cold and fog) sat in mournful (very sad) meditation (deep thought) on the threshold (bottom of a doorway).

Now (notice this), it is a fact, that there was nothing at all particular (unusual) about (in the appearance or features of) the knocker (metal fitting lifted and struck against a door to announce a visitor) on the door, except that it was very (extremely) large. It is also a fact, that Scrooge had seen it, night and morning, during his whole residence (time living) in that place; also that Scrooge had as little (almost none) of what is called fancy (imagination) about him (in his character) as any man in the city of London (England's capital city), even including--which is a bold word--the corporation, aldermen, and livery (the narrator jokes that it takes courage to compare Scrooge with the city government, senior city officials and trade groups because they have almost no imagination). Let it also be borne in mind (remembered) that Scrooge had not bestowed (given) one thought on Marley, since his last mention of his seven years' dead partner (partner who had been dead for seven years) that afternoon. And then 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, without (with no) its undergoing any intermediate (happening between its two appearances) process of change--not a knocker, but Marley's face.

Marley's face. It was not in impenetrable (too deep for anything to be seen within it) shadow as the other objects in the yard were, but had a dismal (dark and depressing) light (glow) about (around) it, like a bad lobster in a dark cellar (like a dead sea creature whose decaying body can glow faintly in darkness). It was not angry or ferocious (fiercely angry), but looked at Scrooge as Marley used to look: with ghostly (appearing as part of a ghost) spectacles (glasses worn to help someone see) turned up (pushed upward) on its ghostly forehead. The hair was curiously (strangely) stirred (moved gently), as if by breath or hot air; and, though the eyes were wide open, they were perfectly motionless (completely still). That, and its livid (pale grey-blue) colour, made it horrible; but its horror seemed to be in spite of the face and beyond its control (the face seemed unable to prevent its frightening appearance), rather than a part of its own expression.

As Scrooge looked fixedly (without looking away) at this phenomenon (strange thing he saw), it was a knocker (metal fitting lifted and struck against a door to announce a visitor) again (as it had been before).

To say that he was not startled (suddenly frightened), or that his blood was not conscious of a terrible sensation to which it had been a stranger from infancy (his body did not feel a terror it had not known since he was a baby), would be untrue (false). But he put his hand upon (on) the key he had relinquished (stopped holding), turned it sturdily (firmly), walked in, and lighted (lit) his candle.

He did pause, with a moment's irresolution (uncertainty about what to do), before he shut the door; and he did look cautiously (carefully to avoid danger) behind it first, as if he half expected to be terrified with the sight of Marley's pigtail (hair tied into a narrow length at the back of the head) sticking out (extending) into the hall. But there was nothing on the back of the door, except the screws and nuts (metal rings screwed onto bolts to hold things together) that held the knocker (metal fitting lifted and struck against a door to announce a visitor) on, so he said "Pooh, pooh (sounds dismissing something as nonsense)!" and closed it with a bang.

The sound resounded (echoed loudly) through the house like thunder. Every room above, and every cask (large wooden container for liquid) in the wine-merchant's (wine seller's) cellars (underground storage rooms) below, appeared to have a separate peal (loud ringing series) of echoes (sounds reflected back from surrounding surfaces) of its own. Scrooge was not a man to be frightened by echoes. He fastened (secured shut) the door, and walked across the hall, and up the stairs; slowly too: trimming his candle (cutting the burnt end of its thread so it burns well) as he went.

You may talk vaguely (without being precise) about (concerning) driving a coach-and-six (large passenger vehicle pulled by six horses) up a good old flight of stairs (set of steps between one floor and another), or through a bad young Act of Parliament (a badly written new law has gaps allowing people to avoid it, jokingly compared to space for a large vehicle); but I mean to say (I am saying that) you might have got a hearse (vehicle carrying a dead body to a funeral) up that staircase (series of steps between floors), and taken it broadwise (sideways), with the splinter-bar (bar across the front of a horse-drawn vehicle) towards the wall and the door towards the balustrades (railings along a staircase): and done it easy. There was plenty of width (distance from side to side) for that, and room to spare (more space than was needed); which is perhaps the reason why Scrooge thought he saw a locomotive (moving by itself) hearse going on before him (moving ahead of him) in the gloom (darkness). Half-a-dozen (six) gas-lamps (lights burning gas) out of the street wouldn't have lighted (lit) the entry (entrance hall) too well, so you may suppose that it was pretty dark (without enough light to see well) with Scrooge's dip (cheap candle made by dipping a thread in melted animal fat).

Up Scrooge went, not caring a button (not caring at all) for that. Darkness is cheap, and Scrooge liked it. But before he shut his heavy door, he walked through his rooms to see that all was right (everything was as it should be). He had just enough recollection (memory) of the face to desire to do that.

Sitting-room (room used for relaxing and receiving visitors), bedroom, lumber-room (room for storing unwanted furniture and other things). All as they should be. Nobody under the table, nobody under the sofa; a small fire in the grate (metal frame that holds a fire's fuel); spoon and basin (wide bowl) ready; and the little (small) saucepan of gruel (thin cooked mixture of grain and water) (Scrooge had a cold in his head (an illness affecting his nose)) upon (on) the hob (flat ledge beside the fire for keeping a pot warm). Nobody under the bed; nobody in the closet (small enclosed room); nobody in his dressing-gown (long loose clothing like a coat, worn at home over clothes for sleeping), which was hanging up in a suspicious attitude (position that makes the empty garment look like a hidden person) against the wall. Lumber-room as usual. Old fire-guard (metal screen placed before a fire for protection), old shoes, two fish-baskets (containers used for carrying fish), washing-stand (small table holding a bowl and jug for washing) on three legs, and a poker (metal rod for moving burning coal).

Quite satisfied, he closed his door, and locked himself in; double-locked himself in, which was not his custom (usual habit). Thus secured against surprise (Having protected himself against anyone entering unexpectedly), he took off (removed) his cravat (cloth tied around a man's neck); put on (dressed himself in) his dressing-gown (long loose clothing like a coat, worn at home over clothes for sleeping) and slippers (soft shoes worn indoors), and his nightcap (soft hat worn in bed); and sat down before the fire (in front of the fire) to take (eat) his gruel (thin cooked mixture of grain and water).

It was a very (extremely) low fire (fire burning weakly) indeed; nothing on such a bitter night (far too small to keep him warm on such a cold night). He was obliged (forced by the circumstances) to sit close to it, and brood over (sit bent closely over) it, before he could extract (get) the least sensation (feeling) of warmth from such a handful of fuel (such a small amount of material burning in the fire). The fireplace (opening in a wall where a fire burns) was an old one, built by some Dutch (from the Netherlands) merchant (trader) long ago, and paved (covered with hard pieces set closely together) all round with quaint (unusual and old-fashioned) Dutch tiles, designed to illustrate (show in pictures) the Scriptures (the Bible, Christianity's holy book). There were Cains and Abels (pictures of the Bible brothers, the first of whom killed the second), Pharaoh's daughters (pictures of the Egyptian princess who found the baby Moses in a basket); Queens of Sheba (pictures of the queen who visited King Solomon in the Bible), Angelic (relating to heaven's messengers) messengers (beings sent to deliver information) descending (moving downwards) through the air on clouds like feather-beds (mattresses filled with soft bird feathers), Abrahams (pictures of a man in the Bible whom God tested by asking him to kill his son as a gift to God), Belshazzars (images of the king warned by mysterious writing on a wall that his rule would end), Apostles (Jesus's earliest followers and teachers) putting off (leaving the shore by boat) to sea in butter-boats (small boat-shaped dishes for butter — he jokes that the boats in the pictures look like these dishes), hundreds of figures to attract his thoughts; and yet that face of Marley, seven years dead, came like the ancient Prophet's rod, and swallowed up the whole (Aaron's stick in the Bible became a snake that swallowed other snakes — Marley's face similarly replaces all other pictures in Scrooge's thoughts). If each smooth tile had been a blank at first, with power to shape some picture on its surface from the disjointed (disconnected) fragments (small pieces) of his thoughts, there would have been a copy of old Marley's head on every one.

"Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people)!" said Scrooge; and walked across the room.

After several turns (walks across the room and back), he sat down again (another time). As he threw his head back in the chair, his glance happened to rest upon (he happened to look at) a bell, a disused (no longer used) bell, that hung (was attached to a support above it) in the room, and communicated (was connected so someone in the other room could pull a cord to ring it) for some purpose now forgotten with a chamber (room) in the highest story (floor of a building) of the building. It was with great astonishment (great surprise), and with a strange, inexplicable (impossible to explain) dread (great fear), that as he looked, he saw this bell begin to swing (move backwards and forwards). It swung (moved backwards and forwards) so softly in the outset (when it began moving) that it scarcely (hardly) made a sound; but soon it rang out (rang with a clear sound) loudly, and so did every bell in the house.

This might have lasted half a minute, or a minute, but it seemed an hour. The bells ceased (stopped) as they had begun, together. They were succeeded (followed) by a clanking (making heavy metal sounds) noise, deep down below; as if some person were dragging a heavy chain over the casks (large wooden containers for liquid) in the wine-merchant's (wine seller's) cellar (underground storage room). Scrooge then remembered to have heard (having heard) that ghosts in haunted (visited by ghosts) houses were described as dragging chains.

The cellar-door (door to an underground storage room) flew open (opened suddenly and forcefully) with a booming (deep and loud) sound, and then he heard the noise much louder (making more noise), on the floors below; then coming up the stairs; then coming straight towards his door.

"It's humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people) still!" said Scrooge. "I won't believe it."

His colour changed (his face turned pale with fear) though, when, without (not making) a pause, it came on (continued moving) through the heavy door, and passed into the room before his eyes (while he watched). Upon its coming in (When the ghost entered), the dying flame (fire almost finished burning) leaped (suddenly rose) up, as though it cried (said loudly), "I know him; Marley's Ghost!" and fell again (back to its earlier height).

The same face: the very (exactly) same. Marley in his pigtail (hair tied into a narrow length at the back of the head), usual waistcoat (garment without sleeves worn over a shirt and under a coat), tights (close-fitting leg coverings worn by men) and boots; the tassels (hanging bunches of threads used as decoration) on the latter (boots) bristling (sticking stiffly outwards), like his pigtail, and his coat-skirts (long lower parts of a coat), and the hair upon (on) his head. The chain he drew (dragged) was clasped (fastened) about (around) his middle (waist). It was long, and wound (wrapped) about him like a tail (long part extending from the back of an animal's body); and it was made (for (because) Scrooge observed (looked at) it closely) of cash-boxes (containers for money that can be locked), keys, padlocks (removable locks with curved metal bars), ledgers (books recording money received and paid), deeds (legal documents proving ownership of property), and heavy purses (small bags for money) wrought (made) in steel. His body was transparent (see-through); so that Scrooge, observing him, and looking through his waistcoat, could see the two buttons on his coat behind.

Scrooge had often heard it said that Marley had no bowels (he was said to have no pity, but his see-through body now seems to have no internal organs either), but he had never believed it until now.

No, nor did he believe it even now. (No, he still did not believe it, even now.) Though he looked the phantom (ghost) through and through (so that he could see right through its body), and saw it standing before him (in front of him); though he felt the chilling (terrifying) influence of its death-cold eyes (eyes cold like a dead body); and marked (noticed) the very (even the exact) texture (structure of the cloth's surface) of the folded kerchief (square of cloth used as a covering) bound (tied) about (around) its head and chin, which wrapper (cloth tied around his head) he had not observed (noticed) before; he was still incredulous (unable to believe what he saw), and fought against his senses (refused to believe what he saw and heard).

"How now (what is this)!" said Scrooge, caustic (harsh and insulting) and cold as ever. "What do you want with me?"

"Much!"--Marley's voice, no doubt about it (certainly).

"Who are you?"

"Ask me who I was."

"Who were you then?" said Scrooge, raising his voice (speaking louder). "You're particular, for a shade (very exact about words for a ghost — he changes 'to a shade', meaning even about tiny differences, to 'for a shade', since 'shade' also means ghost)." He was going to say "to a shade (to the smallest degree)," but substituted (used in place of something else) this, as more appropriate (suitable).

"In life I was your partner, Jacob (the dead business partner's first name) Marley."

"Can you--can you sit down?" asked Scrooge, looking doubtfully (uncertainly) at him.

"I can."

"Do it, then."

Scrooge asked the question, because he didn't know whether a ghost so transparent (see-through) might find himself in a condition to (able to) take a chair (sit on a seat); and felt that in the event of (if there was) its being impossible, it might involve the necessity (need) of an embarrassing explanation. But the ghost sat down on the opposite side of the fireplace (opening in a wall where a fire burns), as if he were quite used to it (completely familiar with sitting there).

"You don't believe in me," observed (remarked) the Ghost.

"I don't," said Scrooge.

"What evidence would you have (would you want) of my reality (actual existence) beyond that of your senses (abilities such as seeing and hearing)?"

"I don't know," said Scrooge.

"Why do you doubt your senses (abilities such as seeing and hearing)?"

"Because," said Scrooge, "a little (minor) thing affects them. A slight disorder (illness) of the stomach makes them cheats (things that give false information). You may be an undigested (still in the stomach, not yet changed into a form the body can use) bit of beef, a blot (small blob) of mustard, a crumb (tiny piece) of cheese, a fragment (small piece) of an underdone (not cooked enough) potato. There's more of gravy than of grave (he jokes that the ghost comes from troublesome food, like meat sauce, rather than from death, using two similar-sounding words) about (in you) you, whatever you are!"

Scrooge was not much in the habit of (regularly doing) cracking jokes (making funny remarks), nor did he feel, in his heart (in his true feelings), by any means (at all) waggish (playfully funny) then. The truth is, that he tried to be smart (clever and funny), as a means of distracting (directing elsewhere) his own attention, and keeping down (controlling) his terror; for (because) the spectre's (ghost) voice disturbed the very marrow in his bones (made him afraid in the deepest part of his body).

To sit, staring at those fixed glazed (dull and fixed, like glass) eyes, in silence for (during) a moment, would play, Scrooge felt, the very deuce with him (damage his mind terribly). There was something very awful, too, in the spectre's (ghost's) being provided with an infernal (of hell) atmosphere of its own (air surrounding only the ghost). Scrooge could not feel it himself, but this was clearly the case; for (because) though the Ghost sat perfectly motionless (completely still), its hair, and skirts (long lower parts of a coat), and tassels (hanging bunches of threads used as decoration), were still agitated (shaken) as by the hot vapour (steam) from an oven.

"You see this toothpick (small pointed stick for removing food from between teeth)?" said Scrooge, returning quickly to the charge (quickly arguing again that the ghost was not real), for the reason just assigned (given); and wishing, though it were (even if it was) only for a second, to divert (direct elsewhere) the vision's (ghost's) stony gaze (fixed stare without feeling) from himself.

"I do," replied the Ghost.

"You are not looking at it," said Scrooge.

"But I see it," said the Ghost, "notwithstanding (despite that)."

"Well! (Then listen to this!)" returned (replied) Scrooge, "I have but to (need only) swallow this, and be for the rest of my days (the remainder of my life) persecuted (continually troubled) by a legion (huge number like an army) of goblins (small, ugly supernatural creatures), all of my own creation (invention). Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people), I tell you (I insist)! humbug!"

At this the spirit (ghost) raised (gave) a frightful (terrifying) cry, and shook its chain with such a dismal (sad-sounding) and appalling (terrifying) noise, that Scrooge held on tight to (gripped firmly) his chair, to save himself from falling in a swoon (a sudden loss of consciousness). But how much greater was his horror, when the phantom taking off the bandage round its head, as if it were too warm to wear indoors, its lower jaw dropped down upon its breast! (when the ghost removed the bandage around its head, as though the bandage was too warm to wear inside, and the lower bone holding its teeth fell onto its chest!)

Scrooge fell upon his knees (suddenly lowered himself until both knees rested on the floor), and clasped (pressed together tightly) his hands before his face.

"Mercy (please do not make me suffer)!" he said. "Dreadful (terrifying) apparition (ghost), why do you trouble me?"

"Man of the worldly mind (mind concerned only with money and ordinary life, rather than the soul or helping others)!" replied the Ghost, "do you believe in me or not?"

"I do," said Scrooge. "I must. But why do spirits (ghosts) walk the earth, and why do they come to me?"

"It is required of every man," the Ghost returned (replied), "that the spirit (soul) within him should walk abroad among his fellowmen (care about others and experience life with them), and travel far and wide (over a large area); and if that spirit goes not forth (never takes an interest in other people's lives) in life, it is condemned (sentenced as punishment) to do so after death. It is doomed (forced to suffer) to wander through the world--oh, woe is me (how terribly I suffer)!--and witness (see) what it cannot share (experience together with other people), but might have shared on earth (while alive), and turned to happiness (made into happiness for itself and others)!"

Again (another time) the spectre (ghost) raised a cry (gave a loud cry), and shook its chain and wrung (twisted together in distress) its shadowy (looking like shadows rather than solid objects) hands.

"You are fettered (bound with chains)," said Scrooge, trembling (shaking with fear). "Tell me why?"

"I wear the chain I forged in life (punishment I created while alive, pictured as linked metal)," replied the Ghost. "I made it link by link (one metal loop after another), and yard by yard (adding lengths of a little less than one metre); I girded it on (fastened it around myself) of my own free will (because I freely chose to), and of my own free will I wore it. Is its pattern strange to you (something you do not recognise)?"

Scrooge trembled more and more.

"Or would you know (do you want to know)," pursued (continued speaking) the Ghost, "the weight and length of the strong coil (chain arranged in circles) you bear yourself (carry personally)? It was full as (equally) heavy and as long as this, seven Christmas Eves (days before Christmas Day, December 24) ago. You have laboured (worked hard) on it, since. It is a ponderous (very heavy) chain!"

Scrooge glanced about him (looked quickly around himself) on the floor, in the expectation (belief that something is likely) of finding himself surrounded by some fifty or sixty fathoms (roughly ninety to one hundred and ten metres) of iron cable (thick chain): but he could see nothing.

"Jacob," he said, imploringly (in an urgently begging way). "Old Jacob Marley, tell me more. Speak comfort to me (say something that makes me feel less afraid), Jacob!"

"I have none to give," the Ghost replied. "It comes from other regions (other parts of the spiritual world), Ebenezer (Scrooge's first name) Scrooge, and is conveyed (brought) by other ministers (beings who serve God), to other kinds of men. Nor can I tell you what I would (everything I wish to say). A very little more is all permitted to me. (I am allowed to say only a little more.) I cannot rest, I cannot stay, I cannot linger (remain for a time) anywhere. My spirit (soul) never walked beyond our counting-house (never cared about anything outside our office where business accounts are kept)--mark me (listen carefully to me)!--in life my spirit never roved (wandered) beyond the narrow limits of our money-changing hole (small, unpleasant office where we did our financial business); and weary (exhausting) journeys lie before me (are still ahead in my future)!"

It was a habit with Scrooge, whenever he became thoughtful (thinking carefully about something), to put his hands in his breeches (men's trousers ending at the knee) pockets. Pondering (thinking carefully) on what the Ghost had said, he did so now, but without (not doing) lifting up his eyes (looking upwards), or getting off his knees (standing up).

"You must have been very (extremely) slow about (in doing) it, Jacob," Scrooge observed (remarked), in a business-like (practical and focused on facts) manner, though with humility (lack of pride) and deference (respect for another person's authority).

"Slow!" the Ghost repeated.

"Seven years dead," mused (said thoughtfully) Scrooge. "And travelling all the time!"

"The whole time," said the Ghost. "No rest, no peace. Incessant (never stopping) torture (extreme suffering) of remorse (painful regret for having done wrong)."

"You travel fast?" said Scrooge.

"On the wings of the wind (as fast as moving air can carry me)," replied the Ghost.

"You might have got over (travelled across) a great quantity of ground (a very long distance) in seven years," said Scrooge.

The Ghost, on hearing this, set up (began) another cry, and clanked (made heavy metal sounds) its chain so hideously (horribly) in the dead silence (complete absence of sound) of the night, that the Ward would have been justified in indicting it for a nuisance (the narrator jokes that local officials could legally charge the ghost with disturbing the neighbourhood).

"Oh! (a cry of suffering) captive (prisoner), bound (tied), and double-ironed (held by two sets of metal chains)," cried (said loudly) the phantom (ghost), "not to know (how terrible that I did not understand), that ages of incessant labour by immortal creatures, for this earth must pass into eternity before the good of which it is susceptible is all developed (beings who never die would have to work without stopping for endless ages to achieve all the good possible in this world). Not to know that (how terrible that I did not understand that) any Christian (relating to the religion based on Jesus's teachings) spirit (soul) working kindly in its little (small) sphere (area of life in which someone can help), whatever it may be, will find its mortal (human and ending in death) life too short for its vast means of usefulness (enormous opportunities to help others). Not to know that no space of regret can make amends for one life's opportunity misused (no amount of time spent feeling sorry can repair the waste of a lifetime's chance to help)! Yet such was I! (But I myself was someone who did not understand these things!) Oh! (a cry of regret) such was I!"

"But you were always a good man of business (person skilled at buying and selling for profit), Jacob," faltered (said hesitantly) Scrooge, who now began to apply this to himself (realise that what the ghost said also concerned his own life).

"Business!" cried (said loudly) the Ghost, wringing (twisting together in distress) its hands again (another time). "Mankind (all human beings) was my business (responsibility). The common welfare (well-being of everyone) was my business; charity (help for people who lack money, food, or other necessities), mercy (kindness towards someone who is suffering), forbearance (choosing not to become angry or punish someone), and benevolence (kindness and desire to help), were, all, my business. The dealings (commercial activities) of my trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my business (only a tiny part of everything I was responsible for)!"

It held up (raised) its chain at arm's length (with its arm stretched straight out), as if that were the cause of all its unavailing (unable to achieve anything) grief (deep sadness), and flung (threw) it heavily upon (onto) the ground again (another time).

"At this time of the rolling year (year passing through its seasons)," the spectre (ghost) said, "I suffer most. Why did I walk through crowds of fellow-beings (other people) with my eyes turned down (looking at the ground, ignoring the people around me), and never raise them to that blessed Star which led the Wise Men to a poor abode (the holy star that guided visitors to the poor home of the baby Jesus, the central person in Christianity)! Were there no poor homes to which (I regret not visiting homes where people lacked food or money) its light (guidance towards caring for poor people) would have conducted (guided) me!"

Scrooge was very (extremely) much dismayed (upset and frightened) to hear the spectre (ghost) going on (continuing to speak) at this rate (in this way), and began to quake (shake with fear) exceedingly (very much).

"Hear me!" cried (said loudly) the Ghost. "My time is nearly gone."

"I will," said Scrooge. "But don't be hard upon (harsh towards) me! Don't be flowery (speaking with complicated comparisons instead of saying things simply), Jacob! Pray (please)!"

"How it is that I appear before you in a shape that you can see, I may not tell (I am not allowed to explain). I have sat invisible (impossible to see) beside you many and many a day (very many days)."

It was not an agreeable (pleasant) idea. Scrooge shivered, and wiped (removed by rubbing) the perspiration (sweat) from his brow (forehead).

"That is no light part (a serious part) of my penance (punishment suffered for wrongdoing)," pursued (continued speaking) the Ghost. "I am here to-night (tonight) to warn you, that you have yet (still) a chance and hope of escaping my fate (punishment after death). A chance and hope of my procuring (that I obtained for you), Ebenezer."

"You were always a good friend to me," said Scrooge. "Thank'ee (thank you)!"

"You will be haunted (visited by ghosts)," resumed (continued speaking) the Ghost, "by Three Spirits (ghosts)."

Scrooge's countenance fell (his face showed disappointment, jokingly compared to the visitor's jaw literally falling to its chest) almost as low as the Ghost's had done.

"Is that the chance and hope you mentioned, Jacob?" he demanded, in a faltering (hesitant and uncertain) voice.

"It is."

"I--I think I'd rather not," said Scrooge.

"Without (if you do not have) their visits," said the Ghost, "you cannot hope to shun the path I tread (avoid suffering the punishment I suffer). Expect the first to-morrow (tomorrow), when the bell tolls One (rings once to signal one o'clock)."

"Couldn't I take (receive) 'em (them) all at once (all at the same time), and have it over (get it finished), Jacob?" hinted (suggested indirectly) Scrooge.

"Expect the second on the next night at the same hour. The third upon (on) the next night when the last stroke of Twelve (bell sound marking midnight) has ceased (stopped) to vibrate (shake and make sound). Look to see me no more (expect never to see me again); and look that (make sure that), for your own sake (to protect yourself from suffering), you remember what has passed between us (what we have said to each other)!"

When it had said these words, the spectre (ghost) took (lifted) its wrapper (cloth previously worn around its head) from the table, and bound (tied) it round its head, as before. Scrooge knew this, by the smart (sharp and loud) sound its teeth made, when the jaws (bones holding the teeth) were brought together by the bandage. He ventured (dared) to raise his eyes (look upwards) again (another time), and found his supernatural (outside the ordinary laws of nature) visitor confronting (facing) him in an erect attitude (upright position), with its chain wound (wrapped) over and about (around) its arm.

The apparition (ghost) walked backward (towards the place behind him) from him; and at every step it took (made), the window raised itself (moved upwards without anyone touching it) a little (by a small amount), so that when the spectre (ghost) reached it, it was wide open (fully open).

It beckoned (signalled with a hand to come closer) Scrooge to approach, which he did. When they were within two paces (about two walking steps) of each other, Marley's Ghost held up (raised) its hand, warning him to come no nearer (closer). Scrooge stopped.

Not so much in obedience, as in surprise and fear (He stopped more because he was surprised and afraid than because he was obeying): for (because) on the raising of the hand, he became sensible of (aware of) confused (mixed together so he could not hear each sound clearly) noises in the air; incoherent (not forming clear words) sounds of lamentation (expressions of deep sadness) and regret; wailings (long cries of sadness) inexpressibly (beyond what words can describe) sorrowful (very sad) and self-accusatory (blaming themselves). The spectre (ghost), after listening for a moment, joined in (added its own cries to the others) the mournful (very sad) dirge (sad song for the dead); and floated out upon (outside into) the bleak (cold and depressing), dark (without enough light to see well) night.

Scrooge followed to the window: desperate in his curiosity (wanting very badly to see what was happening). He looked out.

The air was filled with phantoms (ghosts), wandering hither and thither (here and there) in restless (unable to remain still) haste (hurry), and moaning (making low cries of suffering) as they went. Every one of them wore chains like Marley's Ghost; some few (a few of them) (they might be guilty governments (the narrator suggests these ghosts could be rulers sharing blame, without saying this is certain)) were linked together; none were free. Many had been personally known to Scrooge in their lives. He had been quite familiar with (he had known this person well) one old ghost, in a white waistcoat (garment without sleeves worn over a shirt and under a coat), with a monstrous (enormous) iron safe (strong metal box for protecting money and valuables) attached to its ankle, who cried (wept) piteously (in a way showing helpless suffering) at being unable to assist (help) a wretched (miserable and suffering) woman with an infant (baby), whom it saw below, upon (on) a door-step. The misery (great suffering) with them all was, clearly, that they sought (tried) to interfere, for good (take action to help), in human matters, and had lost the power for ever.

Whether these creatures faded into mist (thin cloud of water drops near the ground), or mist enshrouded (covered and hid) them, he could not tell. But they and their spirit (ghost) voices faded together; and the night became as it had been when he walked home.

Scrooge closed the window, and examined the door by which the Ghost had entered. It was double-locked, as he had locked it with his own hands, and the bolts (sliding metal bars used to lock a door) were undisturbed (not moved). He tried to say "Humbug (nonsense meant to deceive people)!" but stopped at the first syllable (single spoken beat of a word). And being (And because he was), from the emotion he had undergone (experienced), or the fatigues (tiring efforts) of the day, or his glimpse (brief sight) of the Invisible World (the world of ghosts, which people normally cannot see), or the dull conversation of the Ghost (the narrator jokingly suggests boredom made him sleepy after the terrifying visit), or the lateness (how far the night had passed) of the hour, much in need of (needing) repose (rest); went straight to bed, without (not doing) undressing (removing his clothes), and fell asleep upon the instant (immediately).