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.)
SCENE V.—Drawing-room in Frank Freeheart's house.
Frank, Caroline his wife, Mr. Cheerly, and male and female Guests discovered—some are seated on a sofa on one side, others surround a table on the other side. Scrooge and the Spirit remain on one side. (At opening of Scene all laugh.)
Frank. Yes, friends, my uncle said that Christmas was a humbug, as I live! He believed it, too!
Omnes. More shame for him.
Frank. He's a comical old fellow! However, his offences carry their own punishment.
Cheer. He's very rich!